About Me

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Paonia, CO, United States
I have discovered that life is a roller coaster and I'm learning to enjoy the ride! I am a married mom of 4. I work part-time outside of the home and, of course, more that full time as a wife and mother! I do classes from my craft room in the basement...which is why we call it the "Craft Cave."

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Signs of the Season



Sometimes the simple cards are the most elegant. These 2 cards are obviously the same card, I just changed up the stamps. Both sets were used in past Christmas Stamp-a-Stacks...and both sets are now retired. The Mini-Wreath set is still one of my favorites.
I really love the look of the embossed feature over the stamped image which worked very well on both of these!
I admit the photos are not the best and I know I need to increase my photographic abilities. (A light tent is on my Christmas wish list this year.)

Monday, September 29, 2008

I'm beginning to think a lot of ...

...CHRISTMAS!
Yes, it's early yet...but still it will be here before you know it. And for a crafter, you need to have enough time to create your projects too!
The card with the tree line & holly was a card from last years annual Christmas Stamp-a-Stack.
Remember to save the date: Sat. Nov. 22 (this is the Saturday BEFORE Thanksgiving.
Regular classes for Technique Tuesday (7 pm first Tues of each month: Oct 7, Nov 4, and Dec 2) and Stamp Camps (7 pm 2nd Wed of each month: Oct 15, Nov 12, Dec 10) will continue as scheduled.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Close to my heart...

No, not the stamp company. The subject of Alzheimer's. As most of you know, my mother battled Alzheimer's for several years before her death last April. Our family was truly blessed in the way in which we had to deal with this terrible disease. I know, it's difficult to imagine being blessed by such a catastophe. By blessed I mean that my mother never became violent, she never wandered, she just became very introverted. When the disease finally pushed her to the point of being bed-ridden, she died within the week. She was able to be at home during the duration of this horrific illness and my dad was able to be her primary caregiver.

Since my mom was diagnosed, almost everyone I have talked with since knows someone who is affected by this disease. It touches far too many lives.

Right now I know someone who is caring for her Mom with Alzheimer's. It is a never ending and often thankless task. It's difficult and heart wrenching. This card will be going to her.
I hope it reminds her, that God is always with her. She is fortunate enough, like me, to be living in the mountains where we see the hand of God every day.
The inspiration for this highly personal post is here: Cammie's Blog. Although she is giving away the most awesome blog candy I have ever seen, I was personally inspired by her commitment to DO something in the fight against Alzheimer's.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Plans...

...hmmm...I think I will stop making plans. My plan for this past weekend was to spend Saturday in the cave. Well, amazingly enough, that just DIDN'T happen. Most of my day was eaten up by cleaning up the library. It just seems that stuff happens after I've "made my plan" and the rest of my household then takes over and my plan gets pushed so low on the list it may as well not even exist. Is this a MOM thing? or is it just a ME thing?

Okay...enough of my whining!

It't time I start planning and preparing for Christmas! ALREADY you say? Well, yes, considering what happens to my plans.... I'd better start now if I have any hope of getting anything accomplished!

For those of you who look forward to the Christmas Stamp-a-Stack every year, I thought I would show some of the cards we did last year...then I'll start on some sneak peaks for this year!

So, for those of you who like to mark you calendars.... Saturday, November 22.

Friday, September 19, 2008

A day for fishing...

I like it when my DH goes fishing. Makes him happy...it also makes me happy 'cause then he's out of the house and I can play in my cave!
I've been FAR too busy lately running from one thing to another and haven't even visited the cave for some much needed work! I'm beginning to feel better but it seems that recovery has been a long and tiresome road. I also need to run to Denver this weekend, a quick trip to pay my respects to my uncle and to check on Pop.
I'm hoping to get something done today and tomorrow as this is the last card/project I have prepared to share. As you can see it's a quick & easy pretty breezy kind of card. I don't think you need much in way of explanation or instruction on this one.
Besides... you know it's time to start thinking Christmas and start prepping projects. (Trust me, it will be here before you know it!)

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Scraps & tags...

...so, I've discovered that putting together a quick card just takes some scraps & tags and just putting it all together. For example the card at the left. Quick, simple...nothing spectacular. I know the fly stamp in the background is a discontinued from the Northwoods collection. I think the boat is from Lazy Days?
Not sure if I like this one or not...but it'll do...

For my locals: Thanksgiving themed Stamp Camp Wed. Sept. 17 at 7:00. See you there!!

Friday, September 12, 2008

So maybe I've been golfing...


....uh, no...wish I had been! I feel like this is the first day I've been vertical in a week!! I'm not usually one that gets sick & whines. Usually, I have to continue to "function" whether or not I'm ill. But then, there are times when it's just not possible. Last time I felt this bad I was still living in Utah, and that's been a while!
On a brighter note, perhaps being this ill this early in the season will help build my immunity & I'll be fine for the rest of the winter!! Anyway... enough of that stuff!
Here's a quick "manly" type card. What do you think? Seems like I specialize in the 10 minutes or less kind of card, huh? I'm still pursuing more manly cards. However, the holiday season will be in full swing shortly & right now I've got to get going on creating some Halloween treats for the kids.
Just a quick reminder for my regulars:
Stamp Camp moved to this coming Wednesday, Sept. 17. We'll be doing a Thanksgiving theme for the evening. Beginning in October we'll start on Christmas projects. Also, don't forget to mark your calendars and notify your friends for the 3rd Annual Stamp-a-Stack on November 22!!