Twisted sister Challenge

 

This is my Challenge card for the Twister Sister Challenge At Split Coast Stampers. I didn't realize till I posted my card, That is what we were to post for July!

I think I am a bit late.  (smile)  It really doesn't matter there is NO deadline...Thank goodness.  Hopefully I will be able t make a card tomorrow for the August Challenge.

My card was made with stamps from Creative Stamping Magazine. I colored the images with copics and added some stickers to the card.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Blessings,

Jill

Wishing you peace

 Yes, another card made with the Hunkydory paper that my hubby purchased for me last year as my Christmas present.  

I added ribbon and some dimensionals.

Hope everyone had a nice Thankgiving.  I did, hubby cooked for me.

thank you for visiting my blog today,

Blessings,

Jill

Teddy Bear Christmas

 I'm still working on Christmas cards...

I made this one using a SweetNsassy stamp and a new die that I just purchased.  It's from Momenta.  I added a ribbon and some  stickles.

Christmas card Number 5

 This was a quick and easy card.  I don't make too many CAS cards.  I also rarely make duplicates of my cards.  The exception to that rule is sometimes at Christmas I will make a couple extra of the same design.  This is one that I want to make again.

The designer paper I used is from Stampin' Up.  Lights aglow.  My sentiment was stamped with a Stampin' Up stamp (More Merry Messages)  I cut out the tree using a Spellbinder die, and dry embossed the background with an embossing folder from Cuttlebug (Swiss dots)

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Blessings,

jill

Christmas card Number 4

 The above card is an image that my husband colored for me with copics.  

I just had to make it into a card!  I really like this classic Christmas image.

Hope everyone is having a good week!

Blessings,

Jill

Christmas card Number 3

 If you are wondering why the numbers with my cards.  ....  I was hoping I would reach my goal this week of making 7 Christmas cards.  So far it's only 3...

This was a quick and easy card.  I used my Stamping Up supplies...The paper I used is called Aglow, and I used a Spellbinder's Shapeabilities die for the Cut, Fold, and Tuck technique.  

Thank you for visiting my blog today

Blessings,

Jill

Christmas card number 2

 I'm using some more of my new Supplies for this year's batch of Christmas cards.  This is a die cut from Stampin' Up called Aspen Trees.  I stamped some birds from a sweet and Sassy Stamp and just added a purchased greeting...

Thank you for visiting my blog today

Hope you are having a great weekend

Blessings,

Jill

Christmas card

 I received my latest order from Stampin' Up and it's mainly supplies to make this year's supply of Christmas cards.

I liked the wreath stamp and matching die.  I wanted to continue to get a head start on my Christmas card...and then...

I made the mistake at looking at my calendar.  When I looked at September...  I was shocked at how many birthday cards I need to make for September!  So I need to start on those too.  I always knew that September is my busiest month for making Birthday cards...but some how the list has really grown.

The above card was made using heat embossing with my wreath and a die to cut out my sentiment!  I added Stamp' Up stick on Pearls to the wreath and added a ribbon..

It has been a busy month for us with lots of things happening... Like our Granddaughters Collage graduation.  We are so proud of her and happy that she is finished.  (Working a full time job and going to school too is not easy...as I'm sure many of you know).  She is so happy to be finished.

Now that she is done with school...  She told me that she would come to my house and craft with me again.  This past Thursday night she sort of kept her promise and came to our house....  Only she didn't craft...smile.   But she kept me company while I was crafting which was special  too!

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Blessings,

Jill

How we spent part of our Weekend...

For many years we have been visiting Longwood Gardens...

and this year for the third time we were able get there to see their wonderful

Christmas display...

The place never fails to amaze me...

To see more...   http://longwoodgardens.org/

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world,
and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."
~Norman Vincent Peale

Thank you for visiting my blog today,
Blessings,
Jill

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

Snowy day

 I managed to get a lot done with the snowy day today...

 My three favorite of the 10 cards I made...

The snow we had to today, inspired me to make some Christmas cards.  Besides the snow for inspiration I used the paper pad that came with my Cards and Papercraft magazine.  I also cased some of their examples, and made some of my own...
Most of my supplies that I used are from the Hot off the Press paper that came with the magazine, and I added a few embellishments of my own, stickles, brads, dimensionals, ribbon etc.
I don't usually manage to get this much done in one day, maybe I need more "snowy" days...NOT!
The magazine sample cards were actually square cards...I am a big fan of square cards, I like the look but not the extra postage, so I changed the size of mine to A2 cards.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Hope you are having a nice weekend.
Happy crafting to you...
Blessings,
Jill

Another Card from a friend...

 This is another beautiful Card I received for Christmas...The card was made by my Crafting  Buddy, Cherie...You can find Cherie's blog here 

http://paperinspirationsandcreations.blogspot.com/

Cherie's card above was made with lots and lots of neat details, and it took her a lot of time to make...I know because I watched her make part of it at my home.  She entered her card at a Cheery Lynn Challenge and won.  It really is a winner.

 Along with her card, this was One of Cherie's Christmas gifts to me, her Mother embroidered it for me on her sewing machine.  The word "Believe" was my Motivational word for the year 2012.
I read about the one word project on this website...

http://aliedwards.com/2012/12/one-little-word-2013.html

I definitely selected the right word for me for the year 2012.  I will share more about my word in a later post.

 

The above picture is some of the tags I have made in the last two weeks.  Cherie and Kathi, helped with some of the ideas at Craft night...
The tags were part of the 12 days of Christmas gift package that Kathi gave to us as our Christmas present.  The first day of Crafting we were to go to the following link...

https://www.twopeasinabucket.com/cg_display.asp?cmd=display&seed_id=29821

At the Two peas in Bucket Scrapbook site, and look at the tutorials done by Jennifer Mcguire on using different techniques in making tags.

This project with the 12 days of Crafting, is fun, and already I've learned some new techniques.  Looking forward to tomorrow's package.

Hope everyone is doing just fine...

thanks for stopping by

and Many Blessing to you,

Jill

I had a very nice Christmas...

Card that My friend, Kathi, made me for Christmas...Wow!  Lots of detail here, and the inside of the
card has almost as much detail.  Lots of time spent on this.  Beautiful copic coloring, and design.
Kathi's blog with more of her creative work can be found here.
http://katscreativebliss.blogspot.com/

Above is just one of the gifts that Kathi gave me for Christmas

Here is 11 more.
Kathi made for Cheri and myself (We three get together every week and craft together)

Packages for the 12 days of Crafting.

Each package came with a letter with instructions
and in each package crafting supplies that we can use for that days project or projects...

Okay, Kathi, if you are reading this, I did cheat!  I wasn't supposed to open my first envelope till
tomorrow morning, but I couldn't wait, and opened one tonight.
You should see all the work she put into this project, it is a crafter's dream present.!

Each letter gives us instructions and links to web sites and utube tutorials, etc.  To find more help
with that day's project.  Then a package with things from her stash to help us with the projects.
A little bit like a scavenger hunt.  It looks like a lot of work, but so much fun too,

I will update on this project, as I go along.

***************
I had a wonderful Christmas, no complaints at all, Being with my family was very special. 
I had a few moments where I felt a little like something was missing because I spent so little this year, did very little Christmas shopping, etc.  I felt like I didn't give enough.    But it's necessary for
me to keep my expenses down, and I think everyone did like what I gave for gifts.   I do realize
that the most important thing about Christmas  IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON...Our Savior's birth, and I felt it this year.  Felt it in the love of family and friends.  I am so blessed.

Hope all of my on line friends and everyone reading this, Had a very special Christmas too.

The card I shared above it just one of many beautiful cards I received in the last few weeks.  Will share more of the wonderful cards I received later.

Thank you to all of you who visit my blog, and leave me such nice comments.  Your thoughts and prayers have meant so much to me these past four years.  I never thought that I would ever even have a blog...Or that anyone would even visit. 

Many Blessings to you,
Jill