Happy Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday Observed! 

We had the day off, and after talking about non-violence civil-rights activism, (My just-turned 8 year old told me all about Ruby Bridges...we all learned today. I love when that happens!) we went out to lunch and enjoyed the on-and-off snow flurries.

 I even carved out a little time to make a second card for Valentine's day. I fiddled with this one a bit..having designed it a little differently on my sketch-pad, but it just looked too busy with the other paper I had paired with it, so I took it off and I really like the way it doesn't distract from either the hearts or the ribbon. It's pretty, a little sexy and easy to make....like me..ha!   ; 0 )

All you need

I am back...and to post a creation, no less.

I feel like I've been gone for a while, but my days seem to go by quickly! My holidays sure went by in a blur spending time with my family. I spent my new year actively avoiding taking down decorations by cleaning out paper and supplies. I unearthed a few ideas I have for Valentine's Day cards and started working on them, getting only one completed today.

This card features foiled paper, and a multi-dimensional surface. It can easily be changed to a more snail-mail  friendly or flat format.

I've also started a project for 2012, called Project Life. You can read all about it here, where Becky Higgins created the concept. I have been wanting to do this since she came up with 365, where you document each day in photos.
 Project Life is more a documented journey through your year, using her products of course! I opted to make my own journaling cards but I did buy her pocket pages for my binder. I haven't completed a journal card for the 1st but I did start with my title page. The drawback to not using the pre-packaged cards: I don't have them made up. The advantage: they are completely unique and original, limited only by my imagination. And my ability to follow-through on a project. Ha!
As for new year resolutions, well, I'm setting goals and renewing my focus on lifestyle choices. Yes, these are just synonyms for resolutions but I think there is more forgiveness and flexibility in using these terms. I don't have control over whether or not I beat cancer (other than my choice to get treatments), but I can help by living a healthier life. I have many of the usual goals, but I'll stop here by sharing with you my silliest goal: less volunteering. I have a hard time saying "no" but it's my goal for this year, because my family time is more precious and I don't want to give it up, if I can. And I bet it's the one I keep.
What about you, do you have goals for the year that are silly? Let me know...I'd love to hear from you!

Advent TREE!!

Helllloooooo!
I am still here...if you are interested in my health and my recovery, check the bottom of this entry.
So two years ago I made some pretty awesome advent calendars...(check here for full entry)

and I still haven't made one for my boys...mostly because they love those crappy chocolate ones (because they get chocolate every day, Hello-o! They are getting the Trader Joe's chocolate advent every morning, yup - I send them to school high on chocolate. I am an awesome mom! Duh! ;)

So, I decided that I didn't really want to give them more stuff...I want to lean away from that kind of Christmas. I saw a flat version of this on Pinterest made with envelopes and foam core background. I wanted a paper calendar, one I could make, and useable for my lil' dudes. So I made a list of activities and borrowed some from  All Things Simple.

Here is what I came up with, an Advent Tree:

with important family activities that we can share together. And before some of you wise-guys ask (Leanna)...no, I didn't make the tree...it's from Target. What I did make, are the envelopes and filled them with an activity for each day.

For example:
 day one is: Read "Elf on the Shelf" together
day 2: Make teacher gifts
day 3: Pick mitten from mitten tree for foster kids
day 4: Watch "The Grinch"
day 5: can you believe it...I can't remember!

Luckily, I made a master list, with the dates all assigned and even some alternate days for the outdoor activities. I made each envelope out of a 4" square of scrapbook paper, scored on all 4 corner diagonals, folded in and rounded the upper corner. I then decorated the fronts and put numbers cut from my cricut. I can't fit them all on the little tree..so I'll pop them on as the others come off.

Hope you are enjoying the season of Advent!

and as for my health...
Here I am folks....recovering from my first treatment, which was both not as bad as I expected and much worse.
I didn't get as sick as everyone told me I would...bone aches for 2 days were actually endurable. However, the bone aches were like twinkling Christmas tree lights and would go on and off constantly...for 48 hours straight. And I couldn't sleep with the pain. And the worse part: I know I have to do this two more times. But, it could be worse and I could have to do more than 3 treatments...and there might not be hope for recovery. So I will take the aches and try not to complain about the pain...or groan out loud. Too often.
Thanks for the cards and love! I'll post more as I can...

More cards...and a class!

Hello!

After much thought, I'm feeling pretty happy to be able to do one more class before my chemo treatments start, so here are the two cards and one bag for my final 2011 class.

Both cards are 4.25" x 5.5". The bag is a commercially made 12"x12" sheet that includes 4 tags and the bag to assemble.
I have 12 sets available, $10 for each kit which includes all materials and instructions.

Hope to see you November 15th!

getting back into crafting

I've been gone a while...having a little problem getting healthy. I don't know how many more cards I'll be able to make or post. My medication keeps me from concentrating and feeling creative.

But I felt the need to make a thank you card to the people who have reached out and sent flowers and prayers for me.
I'm weighing the desire for one more class vs. my energy levels and ability to get things together. I certainly have the supplies! :) I'll let you know soon...

I'll try to post as much / often as I can.
Take Care and leave a comment! :)

Fry Box Gift

I made this small treat box...copied from a french fry box.

I bought the green embossed paper from Michael's and printed the pattern right onto the paper. Then I cut out the box and assembled the sides. Next I heat-embossed the owl with a very pretty Kaleidoscope embossing powder and popped that little guy right onto a fall colored medallion and added the "Happy Birthday" flag.

I filled the box with some cookies and left it for my friend to enjoy when she returned home from work.

I'll be making a similar treat box for Christmas and I'll include the pattern in a Pdf format for easy printing. Look for it in about 2 weeks!

-Enjoy your week!

Spooky Fun!

I love this time of year...don't you? The weather here is lovely and the trees haven't lost their leaves, so it's neither messy nor bare. And we have some really great holidays to look forward to! I made 3 fun Halloween cards this week...and I've got a few more festive ideas up my sleeve...so stay turned for more!

This card features fun glitter Halloween paper:

Don't you think this little frog is darling?

Card 2 has a pre-cut window...

and I stuck a fun, glow-in-the-dark ghostie sticker behind it. You can leave off the bling and it would mail flat, easy-peasy.
And finally card 3:

This is definitely NOT a flat card! I have some fantastic Halloween embellishments with skeletons and crows that look super on this medallion. All waiting for you to assemble!
Hope to see you October 11th!