Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you! I'm starting off my New Year by making myself a new Journal.  I enjoy Journaling, and I love looking at the Art Journals that I see on Pinterest  (Yes, I am addicted to that site!)  While looking at the Art Journals...I found this link...

http://www.clips-n-cuts.com/2012/12/journal-resolutions/

 I really like the Art Journal pages she (Vicky) has created, and her wonderful UTube Channel...has many of them step by step...that even I can make one following her great instructions.

Of course, Mine isn't as creative as hers...but I was really inspired by her design that I was able to do my page...Her page was done with a lot of stamping and distress inks...I mostly did a lot of cut and paste...some punching and added stickers...but I still like the way it turned out..

My page includes the word that I have selected to be my motivational word for this year...JOY!

http://aliedwards.com/2013/12/one-little-word-2014.html

JOY is the feeling of grinning on the inside.  ~Melba Colgrove

Thank you for visiting my blog today,

Blessings,

Jill

Part 3 Cards I've received...

These are three more of the beautiful Home made cards that I have been fortunate to receive this Christmas.  I have to admit that I also received some lovely store bought cards...but since I make cards I so appreciate all the time and effort that went into these cards...

 This card was made by my crafting buddy, Kathi...Kathi's blog can be found here...

http://katscreativebliss.blogspot.com/

Since we get to craft together almost every week, I had the opportunity to watch her make this card...and I can tell you that a lot of work went into this lovely card...besides cutting out the dies..there is a lot of sponging and bling added...So pretty.  Thank you, Kathi

 My second crafting buddy, Cherie made this card...Cherie's blog can be found here...

http://paperinspirationsandcreations.blogspot.com/

Cherie also put a lot of work into this card...I think she started last winter making her cards...and she colored the flower with copics...used her sewing machine around the edges...lots of die cutting, stamping, sponging, punching, dry embossing, and heat embossing... went into this card.  Thank you, Cherie...This card is a treasure...

This pretty Christmas card was made by Kathy...Kathy's blog can be found here...

http://joyfullymadedesigns.blogspot.com/

I have been fortunate through the years to have seen many of Kathy's card in real life...

and I can tell you that they are awesome!  I especially like her pretty bows on her cards.

Thank you Kathy!  Another card to treasure...(and Yes, I have kept all of your previous cards!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today...

Blessings,

Jill

There is nothing on this earth

more to be prized

than true friendship.

~ St. Thomas Aquinas

Part 2... Beautiful cards that I received...

 Here are some more beautiful cards that I found in my mailbox this year...

Card by Sue

Sue does not have a blog...but you can see her beautiful cards in her Split Coast Gallery 

Which you can see here.

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=113778

Thank you, Sue... I had the privilege of meeting Sue in Real Life at a Stamp show...Lovely lady...

and I hope we have the opportunity to get together again...

 Card by Rita.
I don't think Rita has a Blog either but you can see more of Rita's Lovely card here at Split Coast

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?ppuser=150426&cat=500

Rita has over 2000 cards in her gallery and most of those, (I am pretty sure) are cards that she made to donate to either her church, cards for a cause, or the soldiers, etc.)  I admire that she makes so many cards to give away...

 This beautiful card was made by Stacie, my Stampin' Up Demo...I found Stacie through a friend about 6 years ago...shortly after I joined Split Coast Stampers.  Thank you for your lovely card, Stacie, and for all the fun I have had making cards in your wonderful classes...

 Okay, I know that my cabinet needs to be organized again!  It's on my list for the New Year.
The cabinet I'm using to store my stamps, had been one of my Mother's favorite pieces of furniture, and she wanted my husband to have it.  My hubby tried using it as a desk for a while, but it didn't work for him...so I told him I would move it to my stamp room and try it there.  I think it works for my stamps. 

The bottom drawers are just the right size for stamps...Just think when I joined Split Coast Stampers six years ago...I had about 10 stamps to my name.  I still have a small shoe box full that wouldn't fit in my cabinet....And yes, I know the TV sitting in my stamp room is old!  (like me) and yes, they are VHS tapes in the cabinet under the TV...but I still like to watch them while I'm stampin at my desk...

I know I still have to get around to visit some of your blogs...I'm working on it...(Hopefully, I will find more hours in my day in the new year!  (well, one can dream can't they?

Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, 
to think freely, to risk life, to be needed.
~Storm Jameson

Thank you for visiting my blog today,
Blessings,
Jill

Some beautiful cards that I received...

 Card Made by Carol from

http://ourlittleinspirations.blogspot.com/

Carol, does the most intricate embossing on her cards...Her embossing is perfection.  I don't think my photograph shows up the beauty of this card.  Thank you, Carol. I have saved everyone of the many cards Carol has given me through the years...and this one is a keeper too.

 Card  Made by Marie from

 

http://anothercardmakingblog.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Marie,  I met Marie on line at the Circle of Crafters Card forum...(where they

make beautiful Iris folding and tea bag cards)  Marie also makes fabulous Tea bag folding cards too. I know this because I have seen several of her tea bag folding cards in real life.  (and I still have those cards you mailed to me Marie)  I also get the feeling that Marie's favorite cards to make are Christmas cards!  smile.  All you  have to do is visit her blog and I think you may feel the same way.

 Card made by Darnell

http://www.djkardkreations.com/

This lovely card not only has beautiful delicate stamping,   It has fine glitter on it, which gives the card  pretty bling.  I call Darnell the Queen of CAS cards.   Her cards are very creative, I would be happy if I had even half of her creativity.  (I wouldn't mind having her playhouse  too!)  Her blog is always a joy to visit. Thank you Darnell!

 

 Instead of us waiting for Santa on Christmas eve, Santa was waiting for us...so He (rather she in this case)  was waiting for our arrival...

My Christmas eve dinner...Salad, Sweet potatoes, home made baked oatmeal bread, Non Dairy stuffing, and bean soup. 

Hope everyone had a nice Christmas!  Ours was wonderful!

Blessings to all...
Jill

I heard the bells on Christmas Day,
their old, familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet, the words repeat,
of peace on earth, good-will to men!

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

It's getting close...

 I wish I could say that this is my Living room..but it's .NOT!  This is how one of the rooms was decorated down at Longwood Gardens where we were yesterday.  Everything is always so well done...

Before I forget to add this...here is the link to Longwood Gardens...so you'll be able to see some more beautiful pics of the garden...

http://longwoodgardens.org/events-and-performances/events/longwood-christmas

http://longwoodgardens.org


Beautiful day here in my area...almost like spring... I should have been home getting ready for Christmas.  As my title above reads...It's getting close...and I am no where ready.

 This is another display at Longwood, so pretty!  The theme this year is fruit...and in the center of this display is Apples...thousands and thousands of apples.

 This is just ONE of the many many outdoor displays...

 And this was another one of the outdoor pics that I took...we arrived when it was still this light outside...and left very late in the evening...and I was zonked.  I do think I got my exercise for the day yesterday.  We walked many miles around Longwood Gardens...

It was very crowded at Longwood...after two weekends of snow...I think most of the people, (Like us) waited for a nice day...This picture was taken in my back yard after we had our first snow...and we had several days with snow after this picture was taken...but I know we didn't get as much as some areas did...so I am thankful for that...(can you guess that I don't like snow?)

I'm sorry I haven't been around as much to comment or to post...I had planned to get on line much earlier today....but my (OLD) computer did not cooperate!  Took my hubby, a good part of the day to get me up and running....AGAIN!  What would I do without him?  I thought for sure, that this time he wouldn't be able to do it...but he obviously, did...for how long?  Who knows...

I will wish everyone Merry Christmas now...(In case I can't get on again...
(Hopefully, I will be able to).  I finally have some new cards to post...but I had to wait for people to receive their cards before I could post them.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Blessings,
Jill

Christmas Ornaments

 These are the tags we made at the party.  The tags were designed, cut out, and prepared for us to put together by my two great crafting buddies...Cherie and Kathi...Lots of fun to do...and I think they did a great job.  The Santa Owl was made using the Stampin' Up Owl punch.  The stocking with the (now retired) stocking punch.  (Wish it wasn't retired!)  and the tree tag was done by folding a pattern from Judy Headrick of Handcrafted Greetings...
The link for the pattern used for folding the trees is here
 http://www.handcraftedgreetings.com/zigzagfold.php

 Kathi made this very pretty ornament using a Spellbinder die

 Regina stitched this really cute ornament made out of felt...and put a Candy Cane inside

 Cherie made this cute Sled out of a pillow box...I found a pattern that could be used as a pillow box here    It's called a Puffy box...but it looks pretty much the same...I haven't tried the pattern at Split Coast but it's on my to do list...I just realized it was there

 

 My daughter filled this clear ornament with colorful Jingle bells.

 My granddaughter took a light bulb and hot glued puffy colorful balls on it...

 Mary made this cute reindeer using her Stampin' Up Owl punch

 Stacie, my fabulous Stampin' Up demo...made these very pretty Stampin' Up Ornaments.

Kathi made this cute snowman treat favor...colored it with copics and added a Chocolate nugget...
(which I already ate...smile.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Hugs,
Jill

The party was fun...

 The Ornament party was a big success!  at least it seemed that way to me...I always have such a good time and I so look forward to the party.  My daughter started her ornament parties 16 years ago, and she has had one every single year since.  The numbers change from year to year...she has had as few as five people attend (the year had a big snow storm)  Or as many as 22 people attend.

When you first walk into her house, she always has a fire going in her fireplace...soft Christmas music playing, and lots of Christmas things on display...such as her Nutcracker collection, and her miniature house collection.

 We place our ornaments in a basket and put them under the tree...(unless of course, there is food in the basket...like chocolate or candy canes...as some of them did this year.)  My dear little grand puppy would eat them.  LOL!  So they can't go under the tree.

 Usually my daughter prints out games.  but this year instead of hand out sheets.  We made tags.
(with the great instructions from my two crafting buddies.  Very well done, and lots of fun
to put together the tags...(as you can tell by the smiles on their faces in the above pics.

  I don't have everyone pictured here...because I don't post any one's photos on my blog who doesn't want their picture posted.  (Just a rule of mine)  I give everyone the choice...and some chose not to...
(which is usually my choice too, Hate to have my picture taken!


In years past...we have played the pickle game  (much like musical chairs, or pass the hot potato)
A picture of a mystery Santa...try to guess who Santa is...
My daughter usually also has a mystery box...that you  have to guess what is in the box...we are allowed to shake it... I have never managed to get this one.  I guessed clothes pins...wrong!
the box had thread spools in it.

Sometimes it's a jar with candy, etc. in it...and try and guess how many in the jar to win a prize.

Or as she did this year, a basket full of snacks  (crackers, cookies, chips, etc...guess the price of all
the goodies in the basket and win the basket.  I did win this one two years ago...Great snacks.
But I didn't win it this year.  (I'm not supposed to eat many snacks anyway!)

Yes, you can tell, they didn't want the picture taken!  LOL!

Can you blame them with the silly hats on their heads.
But this is my favorite game that we play.  My daughter places a hat on your head with a word on it, that everyone can see but the person wearing the hat.  Then you have to guess what your word says, by only asking yes or no questions.  This year my word was pumpkin.  Took me the longest time to guess that.  I finally figured out that I was a food.  then a Vegetable, and then went down the list of almost every vegetable I could think of...till they finally had to give me hint...such as my granddaughter telling me it was her favorite vegetable...pumpkin!

After, (and before) the games we ate some delicious goodies.  (there went my diet!)  and then passed around the ornament baskets.  I forgot to take pics of the ornaments...so that will be in my next post...

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Blessings,
Jill

Good friends, Good talk, Good food...
Make for a rockin' good time!

Christmas Ornament

My daughter has an Ornament Christmas party every year.  This year will be her 16th party!
She had the first party when my grandchildren were very young.  It was mainly a party for them.
Now they are teenagers and to my daughter's surprise...for 16 years in a row...people still want to come.  We play games, eat, play more games, eat, and then at the end of the evening we exchange ornaments.  This year she is expecting about 16 people so I had to make 16 ornaments all the same and I should go home with 16 different ornaments.  It's lots of fun.

I hope they like this year's ornament.  I made some with a photo to represent Our milestone Anniversary this year.  I also made some with a vintage Santa...(in case people didn't want an ornament with OLD people on their tree...smile...)  I hope at least the family members want them...LOL.

My ornaments were made mostly by using spellbinder dies...
Beaded circles, Lacey Circles, 2012 Snowflake Pendant and the Standard circle large die.
I also heat embossed some of them, and added glitter on some.  (My dining room will sparkle for
quite a while).  Added some stickers and made all my bows with a bow easy...

I enjoy looking at the CCEE stampers blog, but have never entered one of their challenges before.
I just finished making my ornaments when I realized that one of my ornaments would fit this week's challenge...To make a card or project with a Christmas stocking on it.

The link to the challenge can be found below.
http://cceestampers.blogspot.com/

From home to home,
and heart to heart,
from one place to another,
The warmth and joy of Christmas
brings us closer to each other.
~Emily Matthews

Thanks you for visiting my blog,
Blessings,
Jill

Card for Two Challenges

It has been so long since I posted to my blog...I almost forgot how to do it...smile.
Forgive me for being absent...so many different reasons...and I won't bore you with them.
I'm sure everyone is also busy this time of year...

I made this card for two challenges...Technique Time Tuesday...and the challenge link is here
http://mynnettestechniquetuesday.blogspot.com/2013/12/choose-your-favorite-challenge.html
The challenge this month is to make a card from a past Favorite Technique featured on their blog.
I chose the Dahlia fold.

http://mynnettestechniquetuesday.blogspot.com/2013/05/dahlia-fold-flowers-challenge.html

I also made this for the Twisted Sister challenge at Split Coast Stampers...we were to make a card
using left over scraps from other cards and some heat embossing.  My card is made with Stamping Up Designer paper, Background embossed with a Stampin Up Embossing folder.  Added a button.

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/

Bless us Lord, this Christmas,
with quietness of mind;
teach us to be patient
and always to be kind.
~Helen Steiner Rice

Thank you for stopping by my blog today,
Blessings,
Jill