Wednesday, December 29, 2010

I'm still alive . . .

Just a quick post to say "hello" and let you know that I'll be posting Friday! I've been busy in a wonderful way!!! Work is good, but coming home to my new baby is even better. Bilbo Baggins has definitely decided that I'm "ok"! He has some challenges; I think he might have been living in a cage - because he doesn't know about heights, or how to jump or about falling off of things. But he's so good-natured and he's learning quickly! He follows me from the living room (where he hid under the couch for a week) to my bedroom talking to me all the way. He even stayed with me in the bathroom this morning while I blow-dried my hair! He still doesn't come into the family room, even though I've explained that the entire house belongs to him - everything but the closet - that belongs to the clothes. *wink*

So - I work tomorrow (getting off early) then have an adventure planned for tomorrow night. Friday I've promised to help out at church in the morning and have a lunch planned with my dear friend Joanne. Then I'll come home and photograph some things I've made recently and put up a
real post! I've got the weekend to relax with my new best friend - and scrap and post (and eat black-eyed peas). I have been peeking at your blogs from work (where it's a no-no to comment) and hope to catch up this weekend.

Missing you . . . but loving my sweet kitty!
Hugs!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Introducing Mr. Bilbo Baggins

This photo could have been so much better, but Bilbo is still so skittish that I turned off the flash and all the sounds on the camera. Still, he was a little alarmed that I was pointing something at him! Today was the first day he came out of hiding - what a great Christmas present! I still haven't touched him - but he did roll around and cuddle my foot. LOL He purred!! I think it's going to be alright. I'm sure the turkey had a wee bit to do with his happy state!

I will post better photos as I can get them; not using the flash made the coloring all wonky - he is actually gray and cream colored - absolutely beautiful! He's 8 months old and already 15 pounds. He will be a very large cat. He has a snowy undercoat - and you can see hints of it on his tummy.

My Christmas was low-key but just what I needed. Tomorrow will be Open Stamping - I always love having the day with my friends!

Hugs!!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Refrigerator memo pad

Somewhere in the garage, in the many boxes of Christmas things I haven't gotten out (and probably won't now with the little kitty around) there is a lovely seasonal memo pad for my refrigerator. I would have left the other one up but it ran out of paper! So - time for a new one! I used Close-to-My-Heart Mistletoe papers, and Waltzingmouse stamps. The label is a Spellbinders (I've lost track of what number label but the stamps are compatible - gotta love that!). I put magnet on the back of it and slapped it to the front of my refrigerator! Back in business!

Well, the good news is that the kitty is still here and still alive. I've cleaned the litter box, and have noted kitty chow outside the bowl. The small catnip mouse I left around has moved (a little) from it's original location. There are gray fluffs of fur on the comfy chair in the front room. But I haven't seen him in days! Do you think he'll ever love me? Somehow I feel even more lonely with him here than before! (oh my, now that sounds tragic!) I don't mean that - I do have faith that he'll come around eventually.

Julie Marie - please come make sweet kitty noises so he'll come out!!!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Christmas Tree with Liquid Pearls

Not a very clever title for the post, I'm out of ideas! This card was made with Basic Gray paper and Close-to-My-Heart stamps (Heartfelt Christmas). I used New England Ivy ink, and paper-pieced the pot from a red-dot scrap.
The pearls are three different colors of my new liquid pearls. These are SO easy to use!

Well, I have a new kitty (I think!). I brought him home yesterday afternoon and saw him for about 2 minutes before he disappeared! I'm thinking about naming him Bilbo Baggins - because he slipped the ring on his finger and became invisible! I know he's still here because there are footprints in the litter box. . . but seriously - he was pretty traumatized by the whole day. Once he's calmed down, I'll try to get a photo and you'll begin to wish you'd never asked me for one! *wink*

Have a good week, try to enjoy the preparations and especially take time for those you love! Hugs!!

Friday, December 17, 2010

A Tisket A Tasket . . .

At the Stupendous Stampers Unit meeting last weekend I made this little treasure! It's a basket - the papers I used are the Close-to-My-Heart Mistletoe. This basket used an entire 12"x12" piece of paper but it can be scaled down to anything divisible by three. I want to make a tiny 3"x3" one because I just KNOW it with be so adorable! My CTMH upline, Joanne, had this project as a little holiday treat for us! Thanks Joanne!!

I won't whine about my week - but it's been difficult. I've had two root canals on the same tooth. It's not over yet. The infection is pretty bad - the tooth is getting pushed out of the socket by the inflammation and I'm a little scared that I'm going to lose this tooth. So, given my good excuse, I hope you'll forgive my absence this week.

My big plans for this weekend?? I have an appointment to meet a rescue kitty. Yes, it's been a year since I lost my last two cats - and I promised myself a year pet-free to be sure I really wanted another cat. I do. There is something about their love - their antics - the purring . . . I really miss having my friend at home to meet me when I trudge in from work. Wish me luck - I am waiting for one that is the right "sighs". ;-)

What have you got planned? I hope you have some time to enjoy your loved ones and appreciate your good health! (seriously!)

Hugs!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

More packaging

This one was a nifty way to gather up some "small" items that might otherwise get tossed out in with the tissue paper! I love these little tins - and usually fill them with small nugget chocolates wrapped in matching papers. I love how the snowman looks like he's throwing a kiss! Mwah!

This weekend just FLEW by! Zzzzoooommmmmm. I have started the (hopefully) last card design for my Christmas cards this year. I'm about half-way assembling this batch of 18. I'll post one as soon as I can get a photo of it. So, I'm listening to carols, and running loads of laundry while I put these cards together. It's really a lovely way to spend the evening!

Hugs!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Card and tag

Happy Friday!!! I've got a crazy-busy weekend planned but it will be fun stuff with dear friends! I created these two things with the papers found on my desk - the tag on the front of the card can be pulled out (hello message!) and inside the card is a little dry-embossed paper slot to hold a gift card. I honestly don't know most of the sources, but the white-dots-on-red paper was in a holiday paper pack from Stampin' Up.

What fun things do you have planned for this weekend? I've got a CTMH Unit holiday party, and a work holiday family event, and then the Outreach Committee at church is hosting the coffee hour to support the Blood Drive that will be going on. Sunday evening there will be a concert at the church that should be excellent - my church has excellent acoustics and music performed in there is astounding.

Hugs!!



Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Wrapping Packages

I think I've figured out why it's taking me so-o-o-o long to get my Christmas gifts wrapped! *grin*

This paper was a pretty faintly striped ivory roll of a "natural" feeling paper. It stamped up pretty good, I think! There were some spots where the stamps sat on top of the stripes - but most of the time, the ink went on beautifully. I used New England Ivy and Chocolate inks (Close-to-My-Heart) and one of the newest WaltzingMouse Stamp sets. I also used a WMS label set to make the frame on the Spellbinder Label #1.

My days have been full and fun - lots going on, but any of us can say that right now! I actually had to send myself to time out on Sunday because I was trying to shop and got "Seriously crabby". Go-straight-to-your-corner-young-lady-and-think-about-what-you've-done crabby. After a nice lunch and some Christmas music, I felt better and was able to go try again. It's amazing what a nice lunch can do for you.

Have a fabulous Wednesday (Hump Day!).
Hugs!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Happy Hanukkah!

I had it in my mind that Hanukkah started today - but the first candle was actually lit last night on December 1st. So, I'm late. (what else is new?) I try to make some Hanukkah cards for my friends who celebrate this holiday - it seems like the right thing to do!

This card uses a Stampin' Up image that was embossed with detail black embossing powder then colored with Close-to-My-Heart marker (Spring Iris) for the candles, Creme Brulee for the flames (with a bit of stickles!) and a gold Signo gel pen for the candlestick. The image was left in the nestability after die-cutting and sponged with Vanilla Cream ink. The sentiment is another CTMH set stamped in black ink. I think the design paper was Yellow Bicycle. I saw it months ago and the color just said "Hanukkah" to me so I've been saving it.

Work has been wild-busy this week - but that means that here we are - Thursday evening and it's the first time I've looked up! Yes, I'm pretty tired but it's also very satisfying - I'm getting a lot accomplished. I'm looking forward to the weekend to get my Christmas cards moving - - -

I hope you're having a wonderful week. Can you believe it's December already?? Ne meither! (that's from "My Father's Dragon" - my DD and I say that to each other all the time) *grin*

Hugs!