Thanksgiving update (and request)

It turns out Mom's Thanksgiving plans have changed yet again (this is her son writing).

Instead of dining on the traditional and delicious Thanksgiving offerings, Mom will be selecting from a menu that includes Jell-o, pudding, and Saltines. The nurses in the Cardiovascular Unit will have it no other way, quite frankly.

Mom is in the Cardiovascular Unit recovering from an unscheduled and surprise quadruple-bypass open-heart surgery. She went in on Monday for check-ups, and was told that she wasn't leaving until they addressed the scary blockage they discovered. Surgery commenced on Tuesday morning. 

We've all known her heart was very beautiful; turns out, it's very strong too. The doctors were impressed with its strength and expect a very quick and full recovery. She's in good moods, upset only that she's "inconveniencing" all of us.

We expect her to resume her talented creating activities very shortly.

None of my Mom's card-making skills were passed to me. I won't speak for my sisters on this, but let's just say that crayon is our weapon of choice for making cards. Needless to say, we need some help.

If you'd be so kind, please create a card for my Mom. I know you card wizards really like creating and sending actual cards, but a scanned version sent to grammas.room@gmail.com would be meaningful as well.

Thanks very much,

Andrew

16 Down, 10 To Go

A few weeks ago, I thought I was going to have Thanksgiving dinner at our house so I started this little project of making name place cards for everyone. Nothing fancy, just something cute.  Well now it turns out, Thanksgiving will not be here but I am still trying to finish these up anyway;  take some of them to where we are going to have dinner.

Now, if you are like me, you will have looked at this photo and then counted all the turkeys.  You are right - there are only 12 in the photo.  That is because I have already sent 4 off to my daughter's family in another state.
I really enjoy coloring but I am glad I have several days to finish because I am getting tired of coloring!  The image is by Digital Delights. Nothing much  to say about them.  Colored them with Prisma pencils, cut and glued onto a More Mustard card stock by Stampin Up.  One thing I really like about digital images is how I can make them any size and in this case could add names before I printed.
Just in case you do not get back to my blog before Thanksgiving Day,  I do wish you a wonderful one.  Don't forget to take time to be thankful.  As for me, I have soooooo much to be thankful for.  Lastly I leave you with these verses:
" Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.  Give thanks to HIM and bless His name.  For the Lord is good.  His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations. " Psalms 100:4-5

Pile It On - Let's be thankful
Simon Says - thanksgiving
Your Next Stamp - anything
Wags n Whiskers -be thankful
Di's DigiDesigns - fall colors
Great Impressions - holiday
Designer's Choice Challenge - giving thanks

It's Time To Say Goodbye

No, not to you my dear peeps - to this cute scarecrow.  This is the last time I will use him for this year, but you can be sure he will be used again next year because I love him.  You can find him at Doodle Pantry.  The set is Quirky Scarecrow.

This is my take on the sketch at The House That Stamps Built

I printed the fence, super-imposed the scarecrow on top and then printed another scarecrow which I fussy cut and popped on top.  Now, I am all for fussy cutting but I did have to draw the line while I was cutting this out.  I was making a mess of the bird wings and straw so I cut those off and just cut out the scarecrow.  But I think the dimension turned out okay.
This is a pre-colored image but I always add some color here and there, changed the color of his hat to match the fence a bit.
Hope you like him.
And by the way, I am thankful for you, my followers, and always grateful for your sweet comments.


Challenges:
Speedy Fox and Friends - fence
Pile It On - thankful
Ribbon Carousel - fall spirit
Simon Says - thankful
Your Next Stamp - anything
Wags n Whiskers - thankful
Di's Digitals - fall colors
Designer's Choice Challenge - thankful

Taylor-made Card

This was my first time to use the stamp by Taylored Expressions.  Going to love it !
There are so many people I want to thank.  Lately, I have been having some medical issues.  It has been so wonderful to see the love and concern my kids have for me.  And other people have picked up the slack as I have had to back out of some commitments.  This is one of the cards I will send to one of these wonderful people. Several more to make.

Sketch at MojoMonday

I stamped the sentiment on Vanilla, colored with Kohinoor pencils.
The large sunflower is from the GKD set, Year of Flowers
Card base is GKD Sweet Mango (Love it !)
Fun little heart shaped button - ?
Twine - the Twinery

Challenges:
Designer's Choice Challenge - thanks
Pile it On - thankful
Ribbon Carousel - fall
Party Time Tuesday - thanks
Simon Says - thank you
Your Next Stamp - thank you
Di's Digidesign - fall colors
Craft 4 Eternity - tags
Word Art Wednesday

Some Craft Time Today

It is beautiful but cold outside.  I could be out getting ready for winter but I would rather be insides playing with stamps and paper.  So one more card today then I better go do some baking or hem up the pants that are sitting by my sewing machine, or ....

I used my new stamp set, Autumn Leaves, by Gina K Designs and the sketch at MFT

Cuttlebug folder, GKD digital paper, YNS die cut.

Challenges:
Stampin Sisiters in Christ - thankful
A Blog Named Hero - punch, dies
Love to Create - shades of Autumn
Party Time Tuesday - thank you
DYSU - leaves and trees
Your Next Stamp - thank you
Di's Digidesign -fall colors
The Cuttlebug Spot - fall/leaves
Mark's SpeedyTV - anything

My Mojo and Me

For some reason the sketch at Mojo Monday and I clicked.  I have made several cards this week with this sketch:

And here is one more of the cards I made with this sketch:

The poinsettia is by Doodle Pantry   Here is a pic of the whole set:

I printed out the poinsettia three times so I could cut and layer.  The center is Liquid Pearls with a little bit of Stickles on top.
I will be sending this card to OWH with a note insides to one of our heroes in the military. 

Challenges:
Great Impressions - holidays
Speedy TV - anything
Critter Sketch - remembering our military heroes
A Blog Named Hero - punch or die

Thank You at ChristmasTime

I am busy making cards for Operation Write Home.   In every package that I send to OWH,  I include some cards for the heroes to keep; cards expressing my thanks to them for their service. Some of the cards are Christmas cards or with  a holiday look.   Hopefully it will bring a little smile to someone to know that we are thinking of them at Christmas time and are thankful for their sacrifice especially during the holidays.

This digital is by DigitalDelights.   So cute with the candy cane in his mouth.  I started out with a sketch in mind but kept is more CAS thank the original sketch.

Challenges:
Stampin Sisters in Christ- thankful
Critter Sketch- thank the military
Ribbon Carousel - giving thanks
Party Time Tuesday - thank you
Crafty Creations - no flowers
Your Next Stamp - thank you
Simon Says - thinking of you
Speedy TV - anything

Thankful for Family

When we are asked "What is one thing you are most thankful for?" , most of us would say our family.  I am not only thankful for the family I grew up in, but I have been so blessed with 6 wonderful children.  And now that family has grown to include 5 daughters and sons in law and ten grandchildren.  Sometimes I am over-whelmed with gratitude for these blessings.
Today's card is a little quirky for me.  Every once in awhile I try to break out of my symmetrical style and go for a little bit more artsy or shabby.  Never very happy with the results but I think that is because it isn't normal or natural for me. But it is always fun trying.

I based this on the sketch at Speedy TV, Marks Finest Papers.
The harvest image is Doodle Pantry from the October release.  I will be posting another post soon with a set from the November release but I love this set.  You can find it at the Doodle Pantry Store. It is called Let Us Be Thankful.
And play along HERE in the Doodle Pantry challenge and receive the darling Christmas Cactus set for free.
Back to the card - the image is precolored but I added a little color here and there.  The main sentiment is also from this digital set.  The two words are Stampin Up.
I have a package of chipboard buttons that I never seems to use because I don't do shabby or vintage very often.  One seemed appropriate for this card.  BG paper is from an old Autumn stack.  Sorry, don't know the name; it is just a left over.
Kraft base from Kraft Outlet.
Twine from the Twinery

Challenges:
Stampin Sisters in Christ - thankfulness
Kraft Journal - happy harvest
Love to Create - shades of Autumn
Cutie Pie - distress
Ribbon Carousel - Giving Thanks, Fall
Crafty Creations - no flowers
Dutch Dare - thankful
Wags n Whiskers - fall colors
Speedy TV - sketch
Word Art Wednesday

Finding The Perfect Tree

Love this little guy. 

I made a card a few weeks ago with him but he is so cute - had to make another one.  He comes in a Gina K. Design set called Warm and Cozy.
I used this sketch

Challenges:
Mojo Monday - sketch
A Blog Named Hero - punches, dies
Simon Says - no square card
Really Reasonable Ribbon - holiday
Raise the Bar - anything
Great Impressions - holiday

Just Simply Thank You

A very simple card using a new stamp set that I just received from Gina K Designs.  It is called Autumn Leaves.  First time to use it.  I love leaves and Autumn so I know it will be used a lot each year.

I put some digital designer paper behind the die cut border and added a gold brad at the top left.  The basic sketch is a MFT sketch.

Challenges:
Stampin Sisters in Christ
A Blog Named Hero
Love to Create
Dutch Dare
DYSU 
Speedy TV- Mark's Finest

Have a Pun Day

Years ago, my husband and I had friends  who we hung out with a lot.  Our kids grew up together.  One characteristic this couple had was the amount of puns and play on words they used.  It was constant. Some were funny, some were dumb.  They were delightful friends so we put up with all the puns.  Sometimes, it is fun to use a pun or two as long as you don't get on someone's nerves.   I like this set by Gina K Designs.  I think it is a cute way to thank someone.

I have not used the crimper for ages but pulled it out of the drawer to make a "sleeve" on the card.

Challenges:
CASual Friday - masculine
Love to Create - layers (4)
A Blog Named Hero - punches, die cuts
Coffee, Chocolate, Cards - stripes

Have a pun day.  

New Month, New Release

Most of the blogs I looked at yesterday had the same "how did it get to be November?" theme.  I feel the same way.  But there is always a bright side to each new month - release day for Doodle Pantry.  You must check out the fantastic images for this month.
I chose to feature the Raccoon Rascal. 

Can't you just think of ways you can use this little guy?  He comes in outline form too but I used the colored version of him and also used some of the paper that come with the set.   The leaves are from the Lively Leaves set.  I thought they went perfectly with the leaves in the image. .  I printed them out on green cardstock and used a pencil of lighter green to highlight the centers.   I love these colored digis - they make for such quick and easy cards.
Here is the set I used:

And here is the set that you will receive for playing in the Doodle Pantry Blog Challenge

Seriously, isn't that soooo cute?  And you receive it for playing along.

Challenges:
Love to Create - lots of layers
Cutie Pie Challenge - distress
Simon Says - no square card
DYSU - brads

Snowman Appeal

Why are snowmen so appealing?  I have to keep myself from buying every snowman stamp or digital that comes along.  I have to hide my wallet when I am shopping so I don't buy them for home decor.  But snowflakes and snowmen are always calling to me.  I think one of the reasons I like them is because they are always so happy - as if they have no cares in the world;  just there enjoying the outdoors and the beauty of the snow around them.  (I want to be a snowman ! LOL)
Well, here is a new digital snowman by Designed2Delight    to add to my collection.

I used the sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches as my guide, changing the rectangle for an oval.

Really Reasonable Ribbon - winter holiday

There is some flocking on the hat and gloves.  The banner is cut with a Verve die cut.
Image is colored with Prisma Pencils. 
Sending this to OWH so they have some winter/not Christmas cards. I am always tempted to put "thanks Snow Much" on my snowmen cards, but leaving this one plain this time. 

Challenges: 
Designed 2Delight
Tuesday Morning Sketch
Simon Says - no square card
Love to Create - lots of layers (5)
Gem of a Challenge - spots and dots
Stamp and Create - winter wonderland