ONWARD TO VALENTINE DAY

Okay I realize Valentine Day is a couple of months away, but.... I've done all of the New Years Cards that I'm going to do, so why not think ahead!!! On the table are my Cuttlebug Folders, new & old, and out of site is my Wizard that I use with these folders. Just to the left of the basket of folders are "some" of the cutouts I've been making in anticipation of completing Valentine cards in the near future. I was having so much fun with the cutting out, that I almost forgot to make dinner. That is of course when Ed and our doggie, Molly, came into my studio to ask what's to eat? Try to explain how much fun you were having to someone that doesn't really "get it" - this hobby of mine. I did manage to make a pork chop dinner. I browned a couple of large pork chops, made some dressing, and placed all of this in an 8 x 8 inch pan. Then I poured Mushroom soup atop and put it in the oven along with some escalloped corn that I whipped up. Yes, I wanted to get back to playing so that's why it's in the oven and not in the microwave baking...LOL. There is a method of madness for us stampers isn't there? This afternoon I want to get my Melting Pot and UTEE (ultra thick embossing powder) out and have some play time with that and some roller stamps. Wish me luck. Thanks for stopping by and return again.

A NEW BEGINNING

I'm hoping that creating New Year Cards, that the New Year will be a "new beginning" for us all.

To make the cards you see in the photos I used my Cuttlebug Folders. 1) The one on the left (& the far right) I used the "D'vine Swirl" folder on white card stock. 2) I then cut my red sparkly (shopping bag) card stock into diamond shapes and affixed them atop the white card stock. 3) I used the champagne glass's clear stamps by "Clear Expressions by Hampton Art" and stamped them with Memories Black ink and embossed them with Ranger clear embossing powder on some white card stock. 4) To color them, I used "gold H2O's on the glasses. 5) To give the look of liquid in the glasses I placed some Royal Coat by Plaid, Dimensional Magic on half of the glasses. 6) I punched out the corners of this white card stock with my punch from SU, and viola' 2 finished New Years cards.

The blue snowflake New Years card was made as follows: 1) White card stock embossed with Cuttlebug Folder "Snowflakes". 2) A spritz or two of shiny blue mists (this was a homemade recipe) was added to the white card stock. 3) The cuttlebug folder "Allegro" was used on the blue card stock. 4) The blue card stock was also misted with the shiny blue mist and cut out in a diamond pattern. 5) The diamond Allegro points were then affixed to the white card stock with glue. 6) A purchased "snowflake" was painted with white acrylic paint by Painters Medium from Elmer's) and while the paint was still wet, it was sprinkled with glitter (unknown kind). 7) Happy New Year words from Anna Griffin of All Night Media was stamped on white card stock and affixed with a foam dot to the snowflake. Viola' another New Year card finished. Now to do several (many many more in fact) more.

Here's wishing you and yours a very prosperous, fun & creative Happy New Year. Thanks for stopping by.

ICE CAN BE NICE

Okay I don't like ice as it is hazardous for man & beast alike. BUT... it did give me an excuse to be in my playroom for the past couple of days.

I'm standing in my living room looking outside at the ice that we had which started Monday and is now pretty much gone today - Thursday, due to the warmer climate. We have not received any mail for the past several days, and thank goodness we have a well stocked pantry and freezer. Speaking of which I will have to re-stock as I've been cooking again and freezing those meals. Today I made "Sausage & Lentil Stew". I can never remember having lentils before, so this was something new to me and I found out that they are delicious so I will be having them on hand from now on.

The photo of the Christmas cards is "some" of the cards that I have made. I have had fun trying to come up with different ideas, but with my not so crafty brain it is hard. Thanks to a gal called "Becca" on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inkyfunstampers/ she has given me a lot of good ideas for "next" Christmas. This woman has come up with some of the neatest looking cards and Not One is alike. Now that is what I call a very crafty woman.

Please enjoy this post and return when you get a chance. Thanks for looking.

DE-STRESSING DURING HAPPY HOLIDAYS...

Our Diabetes Support Group meets once a month on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 10:00 a.m. This month was special as we celebrated Christmas, and the topic of discussion was how to "De-stress" during these very happy but yet stressful holidays.

Jo Schatzman & Janice Sula, a couple of ladies in our group, were listening to Fran Gray explain how to "de-stress" during these stressful holidays. One way is to do some exercises as Fran was explaining. It was a very good topic and lots of discussion on how to "de-stress" to help us through our stressful times, including but not limited to holidays.

All the members had brought a dish to pass (potluck), and after our meeting we all enjoyed the "yummy" food that was prepared. Cooking the "diabetic" way should be a "must" for everyone, as it is the most healthiest way. The camaraderie and support of our group sure makes being a diabetic, or a person with health problems, not only a healthy way mentally, but physically also for our everyday happenings.

After the "clean-up" my husband and I took a "short winters nap" along with our little fur baby, Molly.

Our next support group meeting will be January 8th, 10:00 a.m. at the Senior Center, and we're hoping to have our group grow in strength and numbers. Here's wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas, and a creative, fun, safe and prosperous Happy New Year. Thank you for reading & leaving a comment.

17 MORE DAYS TO CHRISTMAS

Despite Ed and I having colds etc. we have managed to decorate our home inside and out. We even signed up for the "best decorated home" in Horseshoe Bend, so wish us luck. Ed still has the "hacking" cough, and when we took him to the doctor this past Friday, all the doctor said was that his lungs sounded "wet", due to the "crackling" noise he was hearing. But according to the doctor, he said the xrays and blood tests didn't show pneumonia, so that is a good thing - I guess. I did throw a "hissy fit" and got his pulmonary appointment changed to the end of the month instead of in February, and I said I didn't like that date either, but the pulmonologist is booked solid, so I guess that is better than waiting or none at all. Ed did get two inhalers and another anti-biotic to take as well as a water pill. Sometimes I think all doctors can do is to write prescriptions, but maybe these will help, at least I'm praying so. I am really concerned about Ed as he usually is "Mr. Macho", but that isn't showing its head this time. In the meantime, I've been planning a Diabetic Support Group Christmas get together at my home for this coming Thursday. Since the house is all decorated, all I have to do is to bake some Terriyaki Wings (oh yummy good) and get some festive plates, cups, and napkins and we're set to go. The rest of the group are bringing a dish to pass, so this should be less stressful on everyone concerned. I made the gifts for everyone out of emptied, washed cleaned with hot soapy water, Del Monte sliced peach cans with the pop-top openings (or whatever cans you find available with "Pop-Top" lids). If you'd like to try this, just follow these easy steps: 1) You use the can opener that cuts from the side and doesn't leave sharp edges, to cut the bottom from the cans; 2) you then fill these cans with your chosen goodies (in this case it was filled with "sugar free" candies); 3) you then Hot glue the bottom back onto the can (be sure the bottom is completely glued in); 4) then you wrap each can in the fashion of your choice (I can't wrap anything worth a darn, but I tried); 5) tie a ribbon or bow around it and viola' you're finished. The Christmas ornament that is hanging from the package (can), is one I made for each of the guests by: 1) pull the ornaments hanging clip from the ball itself and lay aside; 2) spray adhesive spray into a clear ornament ball; 3) quickly add glitter and shake to cover the inside; 4) if you want to add dimension (or color), then you spray the adhesive spray again into the ornament and quickly add some mica powder of your choice, and shake again; 5) shake any excess powder &/or glitter from the ball and reattach the hanging clip. Viola' you have a one of a kind Christmas ornament. I do hope you all will try these ideas, as they are inexpensive gifts for you to make and to give, and during these hard economy times, we have to think and do what is best for our pocket books. I hope you have enjoyed this article and will return again. Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays to one and all.