MERRY CHRISTMAS

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!

Hope you are all saying safe, warm and enjoying family and/or friends and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.



Hugs,
Char

Fun with Granddaughter

We have been having so much fun with our Granddaughter. So far we have made some Folger Cookie 'tins'. I found the link for the template here. All you need is a plastic Folger 'tin' and full sheet sticker label paper. You can either print off a colored version of this template or print a black and white version and color it in yourself. This is a fun project for kids!

Of course, we could have dressed it up more with ribbon or whatever but we chose not to. I wanted it to be fun and simple. We added Liquid Applique to the bottom for 'snow'.



We even used some Stickles on another one she made her Dad....with a Raider theme. Here you can see how the sheet prints off. Then, all you have to do is just color them, cut them out and apply them to the 'tin'.

She wanted to use green Stickles on some of the trees and add red Stickles to the other trees. We colored the scarves and hats with Metallic Gray and a black marker.


Last but not least, she worked on her gifts to her Dad and Mom. She made her Dad a set of Raider tile coasters.
And, for her Mom...Christmas coasters.

I normally use the tumbled tiles for these but I didn't have any on hand, so we used some tiles out of a box of regular ceramic tiles that I had gotten who knows where.

She spread Mod Podge over the tiles and then adhered squares of wrapping paper to the top. Then applied two more coats of Mod Podge. After they were dry, she put felt pads on the bottoms to keep them from scratching furniture.

We have spent the last four days making crafts, baking cookies, watching Christmas videos and reading Christmas books. Since we both love snowmen, I checked out a couple of snowmen books.

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner

Snowmen at Chrirstmas by Caralyn Buehner



And, this morning we are enjoying a cup of Snowman Soup!

Have a great day!!!!

Char

Happy Christmas Eve

We took a trip up to WA to pick up our Granddaughter and I wanted to share some of the photos I took of our trip. They were predicting a storm coming in on Saturday so we left on Friday and just got home before they shut down I-84. We drove in snow all the way to and back.
Here is one photo of the Gorge on Friday morning.

Another one of the Gorge looking across the Columbia River at WA state.
The trip up, altho it was on packed snow all the way to just after Cascade Locks, really wasn't all that bad. We were able to drive without putting on chains.
THEN.....it started snowing more that night.
So, we left around 9am Saturday morning, as we heard that there was going to be a storm coming in over the Gorge. We decided to take another way home...Hwy 26 over Mt Hood.

I took several photos of the trip up and back. The trip over Hood was a little iffier as we had to chain up and by the time we made it over Hood, we had broke both chains and had to go the rest of the way without chains.


The trees were beautiful ......
This is going over the pass. Thankfully, we still had chains.

Almost Home!!!
There's no place like home!!!
Annie enjoying? the snow!
Hope you are all staying warm where ever you are!

Happy Christmas Eve!!!

Christmas Cards

I finally have a few Christmas cards to share!!!  I got in the 'zone' one day and worked till the wee hours of the morning.  I hate it when my 'muse' comes late in the afternoon and then I can't STOP the ideas from flowing.  It makes for a short night but it was worth it!

I didn't get as many cards made this year as I intended to but I was beginning to think I wasn't going to get any done, so I am happy!

I had fun making use of the Cuttlebug embossing folders and, combining them on cards.  There are just so many ways to use them.  The first card, I used the snowflakes and Holly folders.  Cut out my snowman and colored him in with Prismacolor pencils.

Another easy one is made using the Ornament and Swiss dots embossing folders a few rhinestones and a ribbon.   I have to say that the Swiss Dots folder is one of my favorites because it can be used for any occasion.  You can emboss the entire front of your card or just one of the layers!  I am totally addicted to the embossing folders, as if you couldn't tell :-)

And, getting tired of the same ol colors for Christmas, try blue and pink ;-)  Why not?  Who says we have to use green, red, gold, silver??  I like using different combinations of colors for Christmas.  I like the tried and true traditional colors, too, but like to have fun combining different colors together for something fun and unusual.  You can add those cute little button brads to match.  

Last but not least, have any sports fans on your Christmas list?  Try doing their card in their team colors like this one.  

My Son is an avid Oakland Raider fan...win or lose....so hope he will enjoy this card made just for him.  The Stickles on the verse isn't really pink, it just showed up that way when I took the photo.

The snowman isn't TAC but a cute little snowman that a friend sent me.  She had two and she found out that I loved the snowman from Great Impressions Stamps.  I love him!!!

Here is another using the Lace Tree and Prismacolor pencils.  So easy and fun to do.  I also used EK Success punch, Iron Eagle to punch the corners.  Add a little Stickles, if you like and you are done!    I am thinking that you could also add rhinestones to the tree, as well.

I'll have more to share after this weekend.  We are headed up to get our older Granddaughter for Christmas vacation.

I am not looking forward to the drive in this nasty snowy weather so hoping we are hoping for a window of opportunity to get over the pass and back.

I didn't get as many cards done this year as I would have liked to but at least I was able to get some done.

I'll share more next week.

Have a great weekend!!!

Hugs,

Char

Still challenged but.....

Ok, after playing around with this all morning.....I went through various stages of panic! I took off my ' cat' photo and then I uploaded a Christmas photo but it wouldn't go in as a banner....but a photo.

So, then I tried to go back and just start over by choosing the template again and starting from scratch but then the directions that I had used prior....to get my cat photo up there.....didn't work to get the Christmas photo. So, then I clicked on something that said go back to original template (forgetting that the template I had wasn't the ORIGINAL...but the one I picked a year or so ago) and so it took me back to a bare minimum blog....and all my sidebar stuff was GONE!!!!!! YIKES!

I PANICKED........then figured....'oh what they hay, I'll just start over" So, I chose (THANKFULLY) the template I must have had a few days ago....because when I clicked on that to save it....ALL my stuff came BACK!! WHOOOHOOO.

My Cat banner isn't stretched like it was.....but how the heck I did that, I can't remember now....and I am done messing around with it cause at least the kitty banner is back and all my sidebar stuff is back.

One of these days, I just might figure out how to do all this stuff....but not two weeks before Christmas :-)

....here are a few things to share.

This was a birthday card I did recently. I have also done Christmas cards like this only using a snowflake in the circle and changing the wording to "Magic of Christmas".

Here is the little scalloped ornament we made at Stamp Club, on Wednesday.


And, I gave them their CD case and the calendars and decorative papers to make their CD Calendars. They are supposed to bring them, next month, so I can see what they created. I still haven't finished mine but will upload it when I do.

So, now I am going to go have a cup of Snowman Soup and finish the rest of the things on my list for today!

Have a great day!!!

Char

HTML challenged

Well, after seeing everyone changing up their banners to reflect Christmas, I thought I would give it another go. I got rid of my precious cat banner.....can't even remember where I got it now and decided to give my blog some Christmas spirit......but.....even trying to follow Vickie Todd's instructions, I somehow messed it up.....and now all I have is a photo up there....not a banner.

Anyone html savvy....and can help me? I hate it when I try to 'fix' something that isn't broke... :-)

Anyway, I will try again in the morning and upload some pictures of what we made at Stamp Club

Hugs,
Char

Stamp Club today

Today is our monthly meeting for the Happy Stampers stamp club. This will be our Christmas get together, so we are to all bring something for a potluck. I am taking a veggie tray.

I was asked to do the projects for today so we are doing a simple Christmas card and an ornament that I found here.

And, although they don't know it.....I am giving them the 'basics' to make their own CD calendars. They will each get a little packet that includes the decorative paper, calendars and empty CD case....and all they have to supply is the card stock and embellishments and ink. I'll have them bring their creations to the next stamp club meeting in January.

I'll upload the card later today.

Have a great Wednesday!!

Hugs,
Char

A gift from Germany

I received this darling gift today!

My friend, Peggy, took a much dreamed about trip to Italy, Germany, Austria and other places, last month with one of her friends.

She sent me some photos of all the wonderful things she saw and did. It was so much fun to SEE those places through her photos.

One of the photos that caught my eye was this darling little wooden angel ornament. She had held her up outside of the shop that she bought her at. I couldn't wait till she got home so I could see her in person.

After Peggy arrived home and got settled in, I got this same photo in an e-mail, addressed to me, with this note...

"I am a dear little angel that needs a home. I traveled all the way from Garmish, Germany :-) I look a lot like you and hear that you have a lot of other angels. Please give me a home."

What else would I say but YES YES YES!!!! She is even cuter in person. How can you resist this adorable face??

She is going on my tree till after Christmas and then I will find a special place for her.

I named her Garmish....after the town she came from.

Thanks Peggy!!!!

Oh.....and she also gave brought us some Italian coffee! Tomorrow morning....guess what we are having?

Fun Day at K9 Karnival

We took Annie to the K 9 Karnival, this morning. We all had a great time. Annie had never seen so many dogs all in one place at one time or people. She had fun meeting new people and getting treats from various vendors.

One of the fun things they offered was to try out an agility course. Annie had never done anything like this before and she had a blast!! Of course, it helped to have treats at the end of each obstacle ;-) On the agility course, she went through a tube at the far right back and then jumped over several hurdles, jumped through a ring and also walked on a up a plank over and bridge and back down. For her very first time, ever, we thought she did really well.

Hubby took the photos so he didn't get her IN the act but me giving her treats after the fact.

What a fun afternoon for all three of us. We also walked around and checked out the vendors and bought a few 'treats' for Annie's stocking for Christmas.
These are actual dog biscuits with all natural ingredients.

I decided to get some for my Son's dog and my Sister's dog, also...as they will be here for Christmas.

It was the first event like this that this particular kennel club had put on and I thought they did a great job.

If you are a dog lover, here are just a few of the vendors we visited, today:

Healthy Paws

Oregon Pet Expo

Redmond Pet Care

Polkadoodledogbakery

Woofsandroofs

There were a lot more but sadly a lot of them didn't have websites.

Although I make my own doggie treats, I thought it would be fun to pick up those cute ones above for something a little different.

If you would like to try the treats that I make for my dog, here is the recipe. It makes a lot....

Newf Breakfast Bars

Contributed by Martha Taylor-Young, RNC, Dragon Rest Newfoundlands

I love this recipe because it makes a lot & it's so easy, you just throw everything into the bowl, mix & pat onto 2 greased cookie sheets, no rolling or cookie cutters.

12 c. oatmeal

4 c. whole wheat flour

8 eggs

3/4 c. oil

2/3 c. honey

1/2 c. molasses

2 c. milk

Preheat oven to 325. Grease 2 cookie sheets

Dump everything into a VERY large bowl. Mix this whole mess together (I use my hands, AFTER I take my rings off, another story), pat onto greased cookie sheets & bake at 325 for 1 hour. After 1 hour turn oven off, crack oven door & allow cookies to cool in oven. Break into whatever size you want (mine like LARGE).

These freeze really well.

I have given these to even finicky dogs...and they loved them.

If you give them a try, let me know how your dog enjoyed them.

Hugs,

Char

FREE and Inexpensive FUN!

This card reminds me of Central Oregon with it's few trees, spacious skies and mountains.

This was one of my first attempts at a Michelle Zindorf technique. I can't quite get the hang of the brayer, so I used sponges.

If you haven't tried this technique, yet, give it a try. It's addicting!! And, you just keep getting better and better. Although, I have to admit, I seem to stick with trees!! :-)

We have decided to go check out the K9 Karnival in Redmond, today. We'll be taking Annie with us for the day and see all they have to offer. She is an Australian Shepherd and she has LOTS of energy and we thought this would be a FUN way to spend part of the day.

We are on a mission to try to find fun, different and inexpensive things to do on the weekends. It's been really fun perusing the newspapers/online resources and asking around trying to find things that we would enjoy, yet something that maybe we hadn't done yet.

We don't go every weekend but we like to have options other than sitting and watching the boob tube.

What are some of the fun activities that you do during the weekends? Remember, we don't have kids at home so we are trying to find inexpensive/fun ideas just for the two of us. And, I hate to use the term Sr Citizen...as I still can't wrap my head around that one!

Before we head out, I would like to share another card with you. This one was so simple using DCWV cardstock and the leaves Cuttlebug embossing folder. (Not sure if that's the correct name for it, but you get the idea) I also used Ivory card stock strips (from TAC) and a coordinating color of DCWV card stock strip. Then, I just used my sanding block and sanded it to bring out the white core of the card stock. EASY!!!! And, shock....I didn't use Stickles!! :-)



Have a fantastic Sunday everyone!!!

Hugs,
Char

Such a slug!!!

Good morning and happy December 6th!!!

I can't believe it's just 19 more days till Christmas!

Although, I DO have all my shopping done (have to admit, we bought gift cards...so easy and just what they want) and the house decorated, I haven't decided whether or not to send out cards.

Part of me wants to stick with tradition, the other part says.....just keep it simple this year ;-) It's getting too expensive and I would rather CALL my friends and family! So. that is just what I might do this year......take an hour each day and call several friends or family members and catch up on our lives.

The card above was made using:

"Ornamental Joy", The Angel Company
Cobalt card stock, The Angel Company
Raspberry 1 card stock, The Angel Company
black card stock "
white card stock "
Cote d' Azure Palette ink pad "
Stickles, Icicle "

Of course, I have to stick with 'some' traditions and that would be making Snowman Soup when my Granddaughter comes to spend the holidays. We make up several to take to family members and friends. She loves doing this.

If you have never done this before, it's so easy! Just find some cute snowman mugs (you can usually get them at the $1 store)

Below is what you will need to make the snowman soup!

1 individual pack hot chocolate mix
5 Hershey's chocolate kisses
12-17 mini-marshmallows
1 small candy cane

Add a cute tag:

When it's so cold that
you holler and whoop,
It's time to bring out
the Snowman Soup!

Pour the packet in a mug.
Add the snowballs too.
And throw in the kisses
from the snowman to you.

Now add some hot water
and use the cane to stir it.
Sip slowly and soon you'll
feel the warm winter spirit!

Here is another version:

Was told you've been real good this year.
Always glad to hear it!
With freezing weather drawing near,
You'll need to warm the spirit!

So here's a little Snowman Soup
Complete with stirring stick.
Add hot water, sip it slow.
It's sure to do the trick!

This is such a fun project to do with kids!!! And, it really brightens the day of whoever receives them.

Have fun and let me know if you try this fun project!

Hugs,
Char

HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!

I saw the coolest card and want to try and do something similar. It is here.

I have looked under hat pins, corsage pins and find similar items....but what do most people use to for their pins that they add to their cards?

I really want to make this card for a few friends. I have the punch, but don't have the pins and the little pearl beads.

If you have some ideas....please leave me a comment!

Thanks so much!!!

Hugs,
Char

Happy Thanksgiving

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Here is something I read this morning and wanted to share with you!

Hugs,
Char

Giving Thanks During Hard Times
by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

I read the paper this morning as I always do. The pages were filled with discouraging news – news of the war, of the real estate market slump, of rising gas prices, and increasingly bare shelves at local food banks, not to mention the ever-present issue of global warming. It is so easy to have a pessimistic outlook at times like these. It is so easy to focus on all the bad.

Yet, here we are at Thanksgiving, a time set aside to give thanks for all the good in our lives. It is during hard times such as these that we are perhaps most in need of thanksgiving. It is easy to be thankful when everything is going well, yet ironically those are the times when we are most likely to forget to thank God. How often do we thank God for our health when we are not sick? We really don’t appreciate our health until we can’t breathe because of a cold or we are in pain from some injury or illness. It is only right after we recover that we appreciate our well-being. All too quickly, our health once again becomes something we don’t think about. By the same token, when our jobs are going well and there is enough money to pay the bills without worry, we tend not to consider God’s hand in this. Instead we take the credit ourselves.

We are often quick to blame God, however, when things are not going well in our lives. Why is God allowing these bad things to happen to us? We petition God to lift this hardship. It is right and good to petition God for our needs, but even in our time of need, we also need to remember to thank God.

Some days it may seem that there is little to thank God for, but amazingly there is always something. There is always some glimmer of light in the darkness: a kind word that someone may have uttered, a moment of beauty in nature, an unexpected blessing. God has ways of letting us know that He is there, even when we are traveling on a difficult path. In this week’s gospel (Luke 21:5–19), Jesus tells us that bad things will happen. “Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines in various places; there will be terrifying events and great signs from heaven . . . you will be seized and persecuted.” Yet, even amidst all that pain and suffering, God is with us.

And so, yes, especially in these hard times, we need to take the time to thank God for the many blessings in our lives. We thank God for family and friends, and the food we do have to eat. We thank God for the gift of life and each new dawn. We thank God for the gift of nature, for the sunrise and the sunset, for the animals, and the plants. We thank God for love and the ability to share with our fellow human beings. We thank God for the gift of His son and the hope of eternal life. We thank God for everything.

Oh how I love the Cuttlebug Embossing Folders. I made a quick Thanksgiving card using the Pumpkin folder on all the layers. Stamped a Turkey with Autumn Leaves Kaleidacolor pad, added a little sparkle with Stickles, edged the white cardstock with Burnt Umber and then added a scalloped edge and affixed a strip of Autumn designer paper to the exposed edge.

I was treated to TWO wonderful SU punches from by two good friends of mine. Jo gave me a Vertical Scalloped punch as a hostess gift for a retreat I had at my home and Jan surprised me with a ticket punch as a prize for an online retreat I hosted. I was so excited as I love punches almost as much as the embossing folders.

As you can tell on this card, I used both punches! You can't see the scalloped edge too well in this photo but it's there on the right.

I have been making other cards and will post as soon as I take some photos.

Naturally, right now, I am focusing on Christmas cards, now.

I did make my Granddaughter a birthday card and a birthday card for friend a card and a few swap cards, but don't want to add them till after they have been received ;-)

Have a happy stamping day!!!

Hugs,
Char

Oh the joy of being sick

I was off to such a great start this week and then I came down sick, so I didn't have the energy to do anything creative.

BUT, today I am starting to feel better so I finished a few cards to send off.

Here is a card I made for a sketch challenge.

And, here is a Halloween card I made for a couple of friends.




I used the same witch face for my Granddaughter's cards but left off the saying on the front and image on the inside. And, instead, on the inside it says "Boo to You"

I don't normally send out Halloween cards but one of my friends had these cute Third Coast Stamps and I just had to stamp off some images.

Now it's off to make a few Thanksgiving cards and then concentrate on Christmas!

You know that Christmas is just less than 60 days away, right?

Happy Stamping
Char

Wordle

I just did see this on another Angel's website, KellyRae Cooper, and just had to try it out too! I copied and pasted all the words from the previous post and added the html to this post.

I think it would be fun to print it off and add it to a scrapbook of this past weekend.

You can go try it, too, at http://wordle.net

Go have some fun!!!

Hugs,
Char

Weekend Retreat

Last weekend, four gals came to spend the weekend at my house. We are all on a Yahoo group together and every year, I put on a mini retreat at my home.

We had a great time! Lots of stamping, eating and just plain FUN!! Everyone brought a project or two to share, a door prize for the drawing and we each took turns fixing a meal!!!

One project that we did was a Holiday Card List book! This will be perfect to keep track of the cards that are sent out at Christmas time. Another idea would be to make one for birth dates. Jo C shared this project with us.

Here is a fun Post it Note holder using TAC's Willoughby paper, coasters and a bind it all.

I didn't remember to take a photo of the inside, but you open it up and a Post it Note pad is on the right hand side. This was one of my projects.

Another fun project was using a box of Thin Mints and wrapping it to look like a snowman. Lawrian T shared this one with us.

I haven't finished embellishing mine, but I will show it here just to give you an idea of how dang cute this is. It would make GREAT gifts for teachers at Christmas time or Grandparents. It's something the kids can actually make themselves with a little supervision (because of the hot glue gun)
I plan on adding some eyes and buttons down his front.

We did some other projects/cards, but I didn't get a chance to take a photo of them.

One was an adorable card of a Moose with ornaments hanging off his antlers and the other was a cute way to fold a card front. I'll be sure to get them uploaded as soon as I finish them and get them photographed.

I also taught the Flip Flop book, once again, and the gals did an awesome job! But, I was too caught up in jabbering to remember to take photos of their finished creations! Dang, they were all so cool, too!!

Here is the one I did, for a friend, using Bo Bunny papers I had gotten that afternoon at a local scrapbook store.



This is one of the pages on the inside.
I love this paper and think I NEED to go back and get some more ;-) I hope she likes it!

We had a fabulous weekend!!! I just wish I had remembered to take photos of all the projects and fun we had.

Now to get busy and finish some cards I owe for swaps!!!

Later!!

Char

Double Dips extended

www.theangelcompany.net

I just received news that TAC's promotion, "Double Dips" is extended till December 3rd. The Double Dip promotion means that any hostess that has a qualifying party (of at least $100) gets DOUBLE the hostess awards and half off items.

Here guests get DOUBLE the GWP's with a $30 order.

Also, the adorable Vintage Sets, above, are available for a limited time in November!

I love these two sets!!!

Also, the November SOTM




Thankful for you
TAC-2987 • set of 6 • $9.75
Compatible Acrylic Block: 2" x 4"


When you purchase $30.00* in merchandise,
Thankful For You (Retail Value $12.95) can be yours for a special price!

*Net total before shipping and handling and applicable tax.
No other discounts apply.

So hurry! This offer ends November 30th, 2008!

If you would like to hostess a party, just let me know!! It can also be a catalog party! What a great way to get lots of fun stamps and accessories!!!

Remember, even if YOU purchase $100 that constitutes a 'party' and you will get to choose 2 items at half off and you will also receive two hostess sets.

Have a Wonderful Day!!!

Happy World Card Making Day!!!

A day specifically for card makers!!!  Whooohoooo!!!!!

What do you have planned for today?  Are you going to go to a stamp store and take a class, make cards to send, go shopping for card making supplies, get together with other stampers?

I am almost finished cleaning my stamp room, so I don't dare get distracted.  I have been tossing and putting a lot of things I no longer use into boxes for a garage sale.   I am hoping that I will be finished TODAY!!!

I plan on making some cards later in the day and will upload one when I am finished.

Here are a few websites to visit in honor of this day!

http://www.worldcardmakingday.com/about/

http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com

Gina K Designs

And, if you really want to, you can GOOGLE 'World Card Making Day".  There is a ton of information out there.  

Have a great day!!!  And, let me know what you ended up doing today!!!

Hugs,

Char

Another WAG share

Yes, I am still doing my Fall cleaning.  I really love this time of year when the weather is a little cooler, although it's sort of let me down today as it's 75º and still rising.  I don't LIKE to clean when it's warm.  :-(

So, I am back in the office/stamp room with the A/C on (I know, I am a whoooos) and rearranging stuff and going through lots of drawers and tossing and regifting.

That's basically what I am doing in all the rooms this month.  I have thrown away, put in a garage sale box or bagged up for Goodwill...so many things that I just didn't think I could part with, but the older you get, the more you realize that you CAN'T take it with you...and me being the one that had to go thru all of my Mom's things and 'decide' what to do with what........I don't want to put that on anyone.  

Since I don't have time to sit and make anything for a few days, I'll post something from WAG for the next few days.

Above is an adorable post it note holder that Chan Dalrymple designed.  It uses TAC's Miss Moxie SWIC designer paper and the Bind It All.  Here is the inside, below.  It's bright and cheerful and something you could leave in your car or put in your purse.  It makes cute little hostess gifts, too.

Have a wonderful day!!!!    Char