well..........

Have you been naughty or nice??? :)




Isn't that face full of attitude?!

More scenes from our home

Here's a little sampling of the snowmen that line my kitchen window, the mantle and the hodge podge-anything goes Xmas tree. This little tree is my favorite ( and not because I'm currently fighting with the lights on my 9 ft. prelit--ugh!) because I think it has character. The poor thing is jammed back in a corner to protect it from little fingers (I bet Macy wishes she could hide back there with the tree). It's just plain fun. I love packing it full of ornaments. Purchased that sleigh above the mantle one year after Christmas at Pier 1. That thing is nice--really heavy. More later.

Ornament fun

Took some quick photos of some of our ornaments. I decorate 2 trees each year- one fun with hodge podge ornaments collected over the years and one with gold decorations and my collection of Lenox ornaments. I LOVE ornaments. I love the fact you can view them and they aren't sittin everywhere around the house collecting dust. I love the memories attached to some of the very special ornaments--ornaments that hung on other trees--people who are no longer with us. The wire red bird is an ornament I had purchased for my Grandmother a few years before she passed. The little mouse hung on her tree also. And, YES, my dog does have her own Lenox ornament and with good reason. She deserves it. She's the most patient, tolerant animal I've ever had the pleasure of knowing and she's a big part of our family.

The hodge podge tree is my favorite. Very fun.

Who me?? Weird?

I've been tagged by Barbara. I'm to list 6 weird things about myself.

Here ya go:

1. I can't stand for anyone to touch my belly button. It literally makes me physically ill. What's up with that?!

2. I ALWAYS ask the waitress to list all the salad dressings, think for a second then ALWAYS pick ranch. My husband always laughs. Hey--I may change my mind one day.

3. I sometimes enjoy ketchup with my macaroni and cheese.

4. I always think I left my curling iron on after we leave the house which either results in a phone call to the babysitter (my Mom) or a trip back to the house. ANY time I curl my hair I think about that curling iron on the way to our particular destination.

5. When I purchase an item I never purchase the top item---such as a magazine that's placed in a stack---I'll reach behind and get the one I think nobody has touched. Maybe I'm a germ freak.

6. I floss my teeth obsessively each night. I think it's a subconcious fear of the dentist. Bad childhood memories of tooth extraction. No plaque to scrape off my chops during my 6 month dental exams. :)

Wow--I'm neurotic. lol.

Somethings and Nothings

I've been thinking a lot lately -- maybe too much -- maybe it's the holidays and all.

I wanna talk about something that's been really eating at me. In many of my recent conversations it seems as if the issue of MONEY is always popping up and not in a good way.

I've been on both ends of this money spectrum. I've had virtually nothing (by some people's definition anyway) and I am fortunate enough at this point in my life to have something.

Seems as if someone always has some sort of judgement to make based on somethings or nothings. So when I had nothing was I just worthless? Now that I have something am I a snob?

I think this world better "check itself before it wrecks itself" as my husband would say. All this something and nothing BS is just giving me a giant headache. Maybe we should all try a little kindness and a lot less judgement. Peace.

I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.

Recognize this quote??
I thought the little tree stamp from Purple Onion Designs reminded me of the tree in Charlie Brown Christmas. Isn't it cute?! I thought the above quote worked so well with the little tree. Sweet Linus was right on the money.

The theme for this month's ATC mingle was non-traditional Christmas so I chose the color purple. Was easy to pick the non-traditional aspect because the recipient happened to be Michele of Purple Onion Designs. All stamps are Purple Onion, Brilliance ink, Adirondak Currant ink, Stickles glitter glue. I used a white pen to add the snow.

Really---do we NEED anything more than love this holiday season???? Maybe those who struggle to be clothed and fed or struggle with their health need a little more but the rest of us just need love. It's more important than anything.

So begins the season...

The trees are up and decorated. The shopping is almost completed. The cards are a work in progress. I always try to get these things accomplished early so I can enjoy the season without all the rush. I want to soak up every moment while Taylor is still young. I look forward to the next few years- the years full of Christmas magic - having a little being in the house that believes in Santa and his reindeer. I can't wait!





















On the art front-- I made a wall hanging for a baby shower this past weekend. Flourish stamp is BLine Designs and images is by Stampin Up. I think she liked it! Sorry for the bad pics. I was in a hurry.

Lil Miss Curious and cool templates!

Just wanted to share a couple LOs I managed to finish late last night. I discovered a new template line- to me anyway- at my lss Scrapbooker's Dream (in McMurray, PA if you are local). The templates totally rock. So easy to use and fun! I'll have to look on them and see what company makes them. I chose the templates that are a series of holes so it's easy to line up brads, eyelets, etc. in the shape of a circle. Here--I'll show you. I'm better at showing than explaining. On the first LO I used the template to make the circle pattern. Just colored in the circles with the infamous white Signo pen.

Pics taken at Oglebay Good Zoo and picture of Miss Curious herself. I LOVE this kid!!!

Altered Mirror

Made this mirror for my niece Erin for her birthday. Was inspired by Jen Duncan's bathroom makeover. You can see it here http://www.jenduncan.typepad.com/-- scroll halfway down. The mirror is from Ikea. I decorated the mirror with acrylic paint, Basic Grey papers and chipboard letters, rhinestones, glitter, etc. - all sealed with Modge Podge. It's tough to see on the pic but it's pretty darn sparkly!

Late Halloween layout

I'm a tad behind with this Halloween post but who cares! :) Isn't she a doll baby?! Growing so fast.

I used a ton of products--American Crafts letter stickers, MM word fetti, HS acrylic paint, KI die cut stamped with a little pumpkin from www.purpleoniondesigns.com, Daisy D sticker and background pp. I stamped the harliq. border repeatedly and embossed with Tim Holtz distress powder.

magazine submission

Created this for the "American Idol" theme for the magazine RubberStampMadness. I submit to magazines now and then when the feeling hits and I have a little time. The inspiration came while walking through the mall. Audrey is gracing the Gap ads. This one is called "Timeless Beauty" for obvious reasons. Stamps are www.stampsmith.net and www.purpleoniondesigns.com. TFL

My sweet little Minnie :)

Listen Up Y'all!

Listen all of Y'all. Yep, I named my blog after a Beastie Boys song. Sabotage. Rockin song.

Check in---see my family, my creative stuff, our life----check check check check it OUT!

Stay tuned.