Thanksgiving 2011

Okay, let’s be honest - I’m one of those people who loves Thanksgiving, and I refuse to bring out Christmas decorations or listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving dinner has been eaten!

I always feel sorry for Thanksgiving because I feel like the stores always look past Thanksgiving and to Christmas.

I mean seriously... Halloween goes up right after school supplies and then BOOM! Christmas trees, decorations and all that, are all put up in the middle of October - right? So! I love to focus on Thanksgiving – since it’s one of my favorite holidays and I look forward to it all year.

So I hope that you are enjoying good food, good fellowship with family & friends, you've thanked the Lord for all of your blessings in your life and enjoying the awesome colors of the fall season while indulging in this Thanksgiving week!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Rainy Day Project!

It's Monday night - and it's rained all day long! It's wonderful that God gives so freely! Today, we received as much rain, as we have had all year long... WOW! With our drought conditions in Texas - rain is certainly a welcomed sight!

Only had time for two cards today - this card is for a sweet baby BOY! Gotta love my boys! It's a digi image from Bugaboo - colored with copic markers - placed on a layered punched focal point, card stock, designer paper, ribbon, embossed white, and stamped BOY letters - all in the color scheme of baby blue, yellow and white. Of course there is GLITTER and a SU stamp of "on the birth of your beautiful baby"

This card project is entered in the following challenges this week:

Just Some Lines is having a fun "Tic-Tac-Toe" challenge that is really unique! You pick three of the requirements in a game manner - I picked glitter / digi / punch! Check out what all the other crafters are doing here at their website!

At the One Stop Shop - it's a colour challenge #158- BLUE. I've used baby blue as my main color for this BOY baby card. Here is where you can check out all the rest of the BLUE entries here.

And, last but not least, at the Stamptacular Sunday weekly challenge #139 is "Boy, Oh Boy!" - to included a man or boy in your card. I've chose the Bugaboo Boy Bear for my focal point. Check out the other BOY card projects of the week here.

Made this card "Something Sweet to Eat!" last night and today it's a "featured card" at the Crafters Digital Art Center. YAHOO! This card was made using one of the free Progressive Challenge digi images from the Center. It's from Sew Many Cards - featuring Bailey the Bear w/ Honey Bee (tag #cdacpc7, smc). who is colored with copic markers - placed on black and yellow card stock (bumblebee theme!) - with added embossed texture and ribbon!

Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving this week! Be safe and remember to hug the ones you love the most - until next time...

My 3 Precious A's!

With all of my blog posts of challenges and stuff, feeling bad not to include enough of FAMILY posts - and this is suppose to be a blog for FAMILY - (I just think having 2 blogs would be harder to keep up with; sorry!) - I've got to even out the posts with some family stuff! LOL!

Like thats a hard thing to do... for me!

This post is dedicated to my 3 precious A's -

Andy, Alex and Aric!

My sons are my world - plus my sweet hubby - of course! All three are growing up FAST! During Halloween - I was in depression of not having to make party favors... no class parties - at all! ):

With Aric in junior high - he thinks he's 16 years old and has the attitude of a teenage - hence the TWEEN stage! ARGH! Recently, Aric participated in a Womanless Beauty Pageant for the CJHS pep rally. ALICE was a sight for eyes, let me tell ya... He, along with several other 6th grades - provided some fun entertainment for all at the pep rally. Love my Aric-ee, he makes me smile! Aric is our "clown" - school, family... he and Andy are my extroverts... Alex is our intelligent introvert - LOL! Hmmmmm - do you agree? Here's some more pictures of Aric at the pep rally!

Next, is Alex - who is a TEEN and a freshmen this year! Double ARGH! He's making straight A's and adjusting well to having BOTH parents on school campus with him this year! He still runs from me in the hall - but have no fear, I scream and wave to get his attention! (Could be why he runs, huh!) Love, love, LOVE Alex! He's an excellent cook - plays the piano very well, after football, he's now the official basketball manager for the Bobcats!

Last, but not least... Andy Hayes! Andy is a college student in Tusculoosa, Alabama "Roll Tide" - he's a 2nd year senior - only 17 hours left! He's running a scrap metal place in Hamilton, AL in his spare time! Andy LOVES college football! He loves sports in general - but ROLL TIDE is his world! (haven't hugged this child since JUNE...) The latest news on Andy is the HAIRCUT!

I asked him to please send me a picture of himself - he didn't know how... "What kid doesn't know how to take their own picture in a mirror in 2011?" His response was - "Mom, I'm not 16 any more!" - LOL! But he tried and did - and I'm THRILLED! He looks so handsome - the wild-haired Andy has matured and he's all grown up - sniff, sniff! Can't wait for his visit at Christmas! Love this kid!

That's my three precious A's! My boys are the best! Geesh - but I'm their mother - give me a break! Thanks for stopping by! Hope all is well for you and your family.

Wishing you a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving week!

Remember to hug the ones you love the most - until next time...

November Challenges

Here are some more November card projects made for some weekly challenges. Are you ready for the "snowy" days ahead... ?

This "Frosty" card features an almost white color scheme - using textured cut pieces, a copic colored snowflake background, focal point holds a glittered snowman; embellishments included glitter and glittered snowflakes.

This card project is entered in the following challenges:

The Crafty Pad is challenging for crafters to use a "White on White" color scheme for their challenge #147 this week. Check out the WHITE entries here at this link.

Also at The iCopic's Challenge, their challenge ICW #56 is "BACKGROUND" - I used copic markers in a variety of blues to outline the stamped snowflakes for the background of this card. Check out the other copic designs here at this site.

StampTV's Mix It Up Monday Challenge is hosted by Suzanne Dean who gives a sketch and the challenge of "Let It Snow" - to make a project that is COLD looking! Check out the other entries here.

The next project is a Harvest themed card using a new technique called "bargello" - here is a link on this technique. This was a new thing for me to try! I used scraps of autumn colored designer paper - the focal point is a cut-out of stamped pumpkins - colored with prisma pencils - stamped w/"Happy Fall Y'All" - highlighted with designer paper and rusty red card stock and ribbon.

This project is entered in these challenges:

Handstamped Sentiments is challenging each crafter to complete a project using this BARGELLO technique for their HSSTC93 technique challenge. Check out the entries here for this week.

To the right is the picture trigger for a project at Moxie Fab World Challenge - "Fall is in the bag" - what inspired me is the geometric shapes repeated over and over in a variety of colors of autumn in the purse. My project repeats a pattern in a variety of color. Check out all the other Moxie Fab projects here.

At the Cupcake Inspirations, their challenge #136 is this picture trigger to the right - the geometric squares in autumn colors is the theme of my project also. Check out the other entries here at Cupcake Inspirations here.

The last project today, is one that is for next week - Thanksgiving!

Love, love, LOVE pumpkin pie! LOL!

This card project uses a copic colored digi pumpkin/pie stamp along with a printed "If Life Gives You Pumpkins, Make Pie!" - pumpkin pie along w/chocolate chip card stock is used; also pumpkin designer paper and ribbon combines to complete this simple card made for Thanksgiving! This project is entered in the following challenges:

Anything Challenge this week is Challenge #54 - FOOD; perfect for the season right now, huh? Check out the other FOOD entries here at this site.

Here is the sketch for the challenge at The Sweet Stop this week. My entry for the SSS134 challenge follows it - with the exception of the text moved to the right from the left side of the focal point. Check out the other sketch challenges here.

Here is the picture trigger for the challenge at Our Creative Corner - pumpkins and pumpkin pie - Check out the other pumpkin inspired card projects here at OCC for this week.

Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you and your family and wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving season!

Remember to hug the ones that you love the most - until next time...

Waterfall & a CLEAN Project!

Here is a WATERFALL

card project

"It's as easy as your ABC's

- Have a Great Day Today!

This Waterfall project incorporates digi stamps - Yellow card stock, designer paper, green eyelets, ribbon, copic markers and glitter create this project.

This project is entered in the following challenges:

The House that Stamps Built is hosting a technique challenge - Repeat Impressions DCC119 Designer’s Choice Challenge. Check out the other WATERFALL card projects here at this website!

Digital Art Center - it's a collaborative digital challenge site - these digi stamps are part of the "Progressive Challenge" that they are offering members. You get digi stamps to play - and you use them in rounds for different challenges. You get more digi stamps with each round of projects that your participate in. I've just discovered digi stamps and trying them out - having a great time! Try it out here!

This very CLEAN card was made for the Freshly Made Sketches - this week's sketch #11 is to the right.

This project includes designer print papers, red & white cardstock, buttons, ribbon and SU's stamp in Ruby Red ink!

The object is to create a CLEAN card project using the sketch. Come join the fun by making a card project - check out the other sketch #11 challenge entries here!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to hug the ones you love the most - until next time...

Family & Friends - Make the World Go Around!

Hello! This last weekend, we had the pleasure to go down to the Austin area and represent Childress High School as an amazing young man, Scout Haile, ran in the Texas UIL Cross Country - State competition.

This student is truly a WINNER

- we took our boys so they would be exposed to a new sport; but also how this student is so focused and discipline! Scout is a BEAST! He finished 16th in 2AA division - against a "multitude" of runners AND mother nature w/HIGH winds and dirt... So glad that we had this opportunity!

Along the way, we were able to drop by at the home of a childhood friend that I love! Jayma is an amazing person - wanted to meet her two adorable boys that I've heard about and have seen pictures - but now I had the priviledge to HUG these cuties! Yep! I babysat this woman... if you can remember that far! Long blonde, curly hair - a sassy toot - turned into a wonderful woman! Ahhh - the memories! Thank you, thank you, thank you Jayma for our visit - made our day!

Also got to drop by the Vannoy Clan and spend the night with them. It was good to see KV's dad and family. In the summer, this man had open-heart surgery - he has improved so much! So glad to see and visit with them.

Have you been "out and about" to see the fall foliage? OMG! It's BEAUTIFUL - autumn is full of such rich colors - yellows, reds, browns and etc... God is alive and well - you can tell by his amazing creations - take some time and explore the turning of the leaves - you'll be glad that you did!

Hope you are well! Thanks for stopping by! Remember to hug the ones you love the most - because family and friends really do make the world go around! Until next time...

Challenges over the Weekend!

Here are some cards and paper projects that I was able to complete for some challenges over the weekend!

The first one is a paper project - CD Holder; decorated in festive Christmas colors - perfect for giving a CD of photos, videos or whatever! This CD holder fits a standard size cd. Red, green and white card stock was used, along w/the Christmas Jillibean decorative paper, StampTV kit - Wishing You Joy's stamps, ribbon, "believe" metal tag and glitter.

This project is entered in Lee's Friday - "Free For All" Pretty Presents - Challenge at StampTV - Making anything - but a card! You can check out the other entries here at this link.

At Bugaboo Challenges, this week "Catch the Bug" want projects that have POCKETS - my challenge is an actual pocket to hold a CD! Check out the other pocket projects here at this site.

The monthly challenge #28 at Creatalicious Challenge is to make something for CHRISTMAS and make it SPARKLE - gotta love my "sparkly Santa" - LOL! Check out the other sparkly-Christmas projects here at this site.

The next project is an

EASEL CARD

- made w/pink & brown color scheme. This card features punched tags on front. Vanilla embossed cardstock, along with designer paper, pink and brown card stock created this birthday easel card. Brads, ribbon and glitter are the embellishments. SU's stamps for the tag and Happy Birthday stamp - punches include large & small tags, word window, modern label, circle and scalloped circle. I love, love, LOVE making easel cards - my favorite type of card to make (right now!). This project was entered in the following challenges:

Cas-ual Friday Challenge - they are hosting a "Tag, You're It" challenge CFC28 - check out their entries here at this site.

Hooked on Crafts, this week's challenge #12 is featuring "PUNCHED" items on the project - check out their entries here at this link.

At Mark's Finest Paper site - Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge Week #81 is "Your Favorite Technique" - my favorite technique is an EASEL card! Check out the other favorites here.

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge this week is also PUNCH IT- Challenge #138 - check out their entries here!




And the last project for this weekend, is a layered Ribbon & Lace card project. This is the first time using this card format - doesn't need an envelope! It's all in one - but with all the embellishments that I've added - would be afraid to send through the postal service!! This is using Stampin' Up's Rich Razzleberry card stock, polka dot ribbon and designer paper, along with embellishments of lace, eyelash yarn, button, hemp twine, punched flower and brads - SU's stamp "Wishing you happiness today & always". This project is entered in the:

One Stop Challenge, where this week's challenge /3157 is "Ribbons & Lace" - check out their entries here at this link.

At this site, If the Shoe Fits, Scrap It - FF #96 Challenge is to "Try Something New" - this is a new format of a card that I used on this Ribbon & Lace project. Click here to see the other challenge entries at this link.

Thanks for stopping by and looking! Hope you had a great weekend and ready for a great week ahead! Remember to hug the ones you love the most - until next time...

I love my BREAD MACHINE!

My BREAD MACHINE and I have been together

for over 15 years...

and my thighs show it! LOL!

This is one small appliance that I've truly got my "money's worth" on - (I do have a 24 year old food processor that is still going strong also!) Pizza dough, bread, rolls, cinnamon rolls, etc... it makes it all! Something about the aroma of bread... YUM!

The last 2 weeks, I have been through

out a lot of dough! FLOUR DOUGH, that is!! Here's a great recipe for a dough - and then shape it into - rolls, loaves or (my boys favorite) Pigs 'n the Blanket - wrap the dough around cheese and a weiner - "supper"!

Basic BREAD MACHINE Dough

1 2/3 cups Water

2 TBSP butter

4 2/3 Flour
2/3 cup Sugar

2 tsp Salt

1 pkg Yeast

In the chamber of a bread maker; add all ingredients with the yeast on top. Set bread maker to “dough” setting—wait for cycle to finish (about 1 1/2 hrs.). Turn out dough onto a flour surface—shape to desire type of roll or loaf. Cover and rise again for 1-1 1/2 hours. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes. ENJOY!

Thanks for stopping by! We're headed out and down to the Austin area to support an AWESOME student that is running cross-country at STATE competition! Grabbing geocaches along the way - also our high school football team is headed to the play-off game in Lubbock at my niece's alter mater - Frenship HS near Lubbock, TX against Colorado City - on Saturday! Go Bobcats!

Wishing you a GREAT weekend - remember to hug the ones you love the most, until the next time...