Show and Tell

The Lord has heard... and... treat yourself

Today is Friday, January 6. And I worked every day, all day, this week. Pretty cool, huh. Of course, you have to remember that our day is a part time day... but, still, I think that's pretty good!

After we got home, Ken and I took a mile walk around the neighborhood. We'll probably do it again pretty soon (probably before I finish this post). It's such a beautiful day here today. Hard to believe that at the beginning of the week I was trying to figure out if my coat would fit me because the high temperature was in the 30's. Today I think it's in the 60's... just about perfect in my book. And bright sunshiny blue skies... this is the reason we love living in North Carolina. :)

I've been wanting to show you this:

I don't know if you can read it or not, but this is a plaque that Ken had made for one of his golf buddies who got a hole-in-one while they were playing before Christmas. Ken said that all four of them who were playing saw the ball disappear into the hole and started screaming and jumping up and down and hugging each other. Makes me smile just thinking of what that must've looked and sounded like. :) I'm so happy for Bob. He's a great guy who has been a great friend to us. He's the one who made sure our leaves were blown and discarded back in November. Like I said, a great guy! (Congratulations, Bob!!)

 

I debated several different verses to use as the psalm for the day, and finally decided on this one.

Psalm 6:9

"The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer."

If you have time, you might want to get out your Bible and read all of Psalm 6. It's not very long... just ten verses. It is one of David's psalms and is one of those where he is so honest about how distraught he is feeling and where he pleads with the Lord for compassion and rescue. I can relate. And I bet you can, too. Even if you don't have a brain tumor. Because I'm learning that just about everybody has something. Something that is unpleasant. Something that is not easy. Something that is painful. Something...

And, we all need some rescuing. I'm so happy that I know the Lord. That He hears my pleas. That He answers my prayers. That He rescues me. And that He'll do that for You, too. 

 

Remember all the gift card holders that I made at Christmastime? Why not continue the gift card extravaganza into the rest of the year, too. Because, I don't know about you, but I give gift cards A LOT! 

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For this project, I made general use gift card holders out of patterned paper. Well, they're rather drink card specific because of the tags I tied around them, but I really like the way they look. And it seems like I'm giving Starbucks cards away almost everytime I turn around, so — even though I've already given two of these away — I do still have two left. Glad I decided to make several cards while I had all my supplies out. :) 

AND TELL:  stamps are from Verve (Sip and Savor); cardstock is Papertrey Ink (Stampers Select White); patterned paper is American Crafts (Celebration: Pinata, Peachy Keen:  Easy as Pie, Hello Sunshine: Brilliance and Splendor); ink is Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Stampin' Up (Melon Mambo); baker's twine is from The Twinery (Lemondrop, Cappuccino, Caribbean); also used several PTI dies (Gift Card Greetings, Double-Ended Banners, Tiny Tags).

That is all for today. We did take two walks... and I'm hoping that one of these days the fact that I'm watching what I eat and walking a couple of miles most days will start to show up and maybe the extra weight and inches will begin melting off. Sigh. Such a long road. But... I'm feeling good and pretty strong, and that's the most important thing.

Thank you so much for spending time here with me. I really appreciate your visit and your comments — and all the love you send our way. Let's talk again soon! Love to you from us. :)  

a new song... and... fa la la

Today is Friday, December 30. And I'm feeling much better today. Much, much better. Thanks for your prayers! :)

Since it's still December, I thought I'd show you one more Christmas-y thing... our mantel.

The Nativity scene, the stockings, and the trees are about the only Christmas decorations that we used this year. And, you know, it was pretty nice not to pull out all that other stuff. Well, we got it out of the attic but just left it all upstairs in Ken's office. I should probably go through the boxes and and get rid of some of the decor. But then I start thinking about potential grandchildren and how magical Christmas is with children and all the lighted, sparkly decorations and everything. I just don't know. I guess I'll wait another year to decide. :)

It's a little odd to see just three stockings on the mantel. Ken's mom made beautiful stitchery Christmas stockings for each of her grandchildren when they were newborns. I just love both of our kids' stockings and was a little sad to see Britt's go with her into her marriage. I hope she takes good care of it! ...just kidding, Britt, I know you will!... :) 

 

Well, here is a bit of scripture for today.

Psalm 149:1

"Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful."

Since being diagnosed with the brain tumor, I've only missed one Sunday worship service... and that was the day after coming home from the hospital. I feel so fortunate, because singing "praises in the assembly of the faithful" is very precious to me. What a joy to sing to the Lord along with the rest of the congregation.

And... I think it's important to note that I haven't missed a Sunday. The Lord has been so good to me. There have been times that it would've been easier to stay home. But... I just soldiered on and each Sunday was oh-so-glad that I went. Nothing like spending some time praising the Lord and listening to the pastor teach from God's Word to lift the spirits. I guess the message that I have for you is that even if you don't really feel like going to church — for whatever reason — just go ahead and force yourself to go if you're able. I'm fairly confident that you will feel better at the end of the service.  

 

This is the last of the Christmas gift card holders. In fact, it's the last of all the Christmas posts. And it's not even January 1 yet... way to go, Janelle! :)

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This time I didn't do any stamping on the inside of the card. Guess I was getting lazy. :)

 

 

 

 

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Tag-its #8); cardstock is Stampin' Up (Confetti Cream); patterned paper is Making Memories (Noel: Green Snowflake Noel); ink is SU (Wild Wasabi, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, River Rock); also used PTI dies (Gift Card Greetings, Christmas Tree).

This afternoon Ken & I went on two walks of at least one mile each and I watched a lot of Property Brothers on TV. Ken doesn't share my enthusiasm for HGTV. Although, he tolerates it now and again. :) We remodeled our downstairs a few years ago which I thought was a lot of fun, but he found it quite stressful. And we used contractors for it. This year on January 1, we started remodeling one of the bathrooms upstairs by ourselves. And, much to Ken's dismay, I'm sure, we still haven't finished. I'm the one holding it up, though. I have this idea but don't really know how to articulate it or execute it — so that's got me kind of at a standstill. Gotta get on that. Time to find all those magazine clippings I've been collecting for a years.

Well, it is getting to be almost dinnertime, so I think I oughta get this posted. Thank you so much for all your prayers and good wishes when I was in a funk yesterday. They really helped, my spirits were lifted, and I'm so thankful for all of you! Hugs and kisses! xoxo

 

Sing praises... and... Yet still more gift card holders

Today is Wednesday, December 28. Yesterday's infusion was not so bad. In fact, we came home and took a walk instead of a nap. That's a first! And I didn't have a nap later either. I was a little nauseous around dinner time, but felt better after a poached egg on toast. Then we watched a movie we had DVRed — so I made it all day with no nap!

And today has been pretty good, too. I wasn't sure when I woke up at 3:00 a.m., but I was able to get back to sleep quickly and didn't wake up for good until after 5:00 (an acceptable time for me to get out of bed — before 5:00, not so much!). I started feeling a little puny around 8:00, but after a poached egg on toast (can you tell that's my cure-all?) was totally revived and have been going non-stop since then. Well, it's not like I've been super active, but I did do some blog commenting and some internet shopping. Gotta take advantage of at least a few of the after-Christmas sales, right? 

Here are a few pictures from around the house and neighborhood. 

We took a walk around the block when we got home after chemo yesterday. I was fascinated by the sky as we turned down our street. It had been raining a good part of the day but was beginning to clear. I love all the layers of color in the sky... the blue, the white, and the many shades of gray. It's so pretty to me. And, isn't that the most gorgeous blue — untouched by any photo-enhancing software, I might add. (Hope it looks as pretty on your screen as it does on mine!) 

When we got home from our walk, I noticed that the pansies on our front porch were looking especially lovely.

 And we get no credit for that. They must be thriving on neglect. Or else my friend Sara Gwynn has been lurking around my flower pots again. :)

And one more very unimportant photo, but I took it quite a while ago and just haven't posted it yet.

I call them my twinkle toes. :) Glittery green. Very pretty. (Thanks, Kelley!)

 

More words from the Psalms today.

Psalm 147:1

"Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!"

The Lord is so good to us... all the time. Even when life isn't rosy. But, right now, my life is pretty rosy. At least for someone with a brain tumor. I'm on my second day after my fifth infusion and I'm feeling pretty good. Not extraordinarily tired. Not sickly. Almost normal. Life is definitely good. And, as I think I said recently, I completely attribute this to the Lord and to your prayers for me. It is good to sing praises to our God — and I'm hoping you'll be praising Him along with me today. You can praise Him for His goodness to me, but also be sure to praise Him for His goodness in your life. As the psalmist said... "how delightful and how fitting!"

 

Well, can you stand a couple more gift card holders?

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This time I remembered that it is a good idea to put the to-from message on the front of the gift card holder. However, I forgot to pay attention to the way the pattern was going when I die cut the holders.

I'm sure you can see that the snowmen on the left-hand card are standing on their heads. Oh, well. I'm not too into redoing things, so I hope that Ian didn't mind that his snowmen were upside down. At least I learn from my mistakes. I got it right on the next card that I made. :)

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (2008 Holiday Tag Collection, Tree Trimming Trio); printed paper is Crate Paper (Snow Day Collection: Frosty); ink is Stampin' Up (Real Red, Pool Party); also used SU's 1-3/8" circle punch and PTI dies (Double-ended Banners, Gift Card Greetings).

Well, I think I'm going to finish the blog post early again today. Yay for me! It sure helps to not be going to work and to have a bunch of crafty blog entries ready to go. That'll all end in a few days, though, so be preparing yourself for some late day posts. :)

I so appreciate your visits to my blog and all your words of encouragement and support. And mostly for your prayers. It has been a great week so far... I'm extremely blessed. Hope your week is stellar, as well! Big, squeezy hugs coming your way! :) 

Joyful... and... Still More Gift Card Holders

Today is Tuesday, December 27. It's an infusion day.

First of all, though, how about a picture from the neighborhood. The way this family uses Christmas lights in their house is just so interesting.

They hang different colored icicle lights across their ceiling over and over again, back and forth, wall to wall... a glorious curtain of colored light. So pretty, I think. (Although, I'd probably never have the guts to do it across my living room.)

 

Back in the Psalms today.

Psalm 146:5, 8b

"But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.... The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly."

I'm hooked up to an IV that is currently flushing saline through my system before they start a steriod and an anti-nausea medicine. Then they'll do another saline flush. Then the Avastin. Then it'll be more saline. Then CPT-11. Then more saline. And by about 2:30 or 3:00 I'll be done and on my way home.

But, you know what? I might have a lot of depressing medical stuff going on right now, but it does not affect my joy. Or my hope. God is my helper. He lifts me up. I'm so grateful for His love for me! And I'm expecting this day to be a great one. :) 

 

Hope you're not tired of gift card holders yet, because here are a couple more.

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I made two different gift card holders... again using the same basic layout and style for both, just with different stamps and dies. This particular die is long enough to wrap around to the back side of the gift card holder — so that's what I did. And then added a little decorative element on that folded over section with coordinating stamps/paper.

The to/from stamp from the set was used on the inside. Which, in retrospect, was not that great of an idea (putting that important information on the inside)... but, oh, well. :) 

 

 

 

 

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Half & Half, Daily Designs, Fillable Frames #9, Tag-its #9, Tag-its #8); cardstock is PTI (Vintage Cream, Rustic White); patterned paper is October Afternoon (Very Merry: Wrap the Presents) and Jellibean Soup (Christmas Chestnut Soup: whole cloves); ink is from Stampin' Up (Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake) and Memento (Tuxedo Black); also used PTI dies (Gift Card Greetings, Half & Half).

So, I'm getting this done a little early today. Surprising what one can accomplish when you're hooked up to IV's for a few hours (and put your mind to it). :) I have quite a few more Christmas projects to post over the next few days. And then I'm going to have to start making stuff again so I have something to show you. Besides, my fingers are getting a little itchy to create something.

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit and for all your prayers. Your prayers are most appreciated — and we believe in their power! Sending you love and hugs today! xxoo  

He hears and rescues... and... More Gift Card Holders

Today is Monday, December 26. We had a fabulous Christmas. How about you?

I thought I'd show you some of our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day traditions. The ones that involve the food variety, anyway.

For quite a few years now, we've spent both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with our neighbors to the left. And this is their tradition for Christmas Eve...

mmmm! Crab legs flown in from the Pacific Northwest... where our neighbors and I are all from. I didn't grow up in a crab leg eating family, but I'm happy to have been adopted into one. :) They're so yummy. Especially dipped in melted butter and lemon juice. 

For Christmas Day I actually made something that I've served for years on Christmas morning (and I found some of our Christmas plates, too!).

Little ham and swiss sandwiches with a poppy seed, mustard, and butter spread. Actually, I couldn't find the recipe that I usually use, so I resorted to the internet and found something close. And, I usually use a Pampered Chef recipe for cinnamon rolls, but this year just bought some frozen sweet rolls at the grocery store. It wasn't quite the same, but close enough that if Ken or Ian noticed they didn't say anything.

Ian was pretty wiped out from his weeks working in St. Louis (he didn't get home until Saturday afternoon) so he slept all morning — but by the time we got home from church he was up and ready to open presents.

Here he's inspecting the contents of his stocking while Ken looks on. This was the first time that Ian was the only "child" at our house on Christmas and I must say that he quite enjoyed it. At one point he kind of looked around and said with much joy, "So this is what it's like to be an only child!" Haha! Yep. That 25 year old kid likes to be the center of attention!

Another important tradition of ours is decorating gingerbread cookies on Christmas Eve.

Actually, it's important to me. I'm probably the only one who really cares. And I may be the only one who really likes iced gingerbread cookies, so I probably eat the whole batch. And then spend weeks working them off. This year, it may be months. But I love the cookies so much and since I only eat them at Christmas, it's worth it to me. Actually, I'm just kind of impressed that I made a few of our holiday favorites all by myself... a variation of our traditional breakfast, hot cider, the gingerbread cookies, and some delicious chocolate marshmallow cookies that we all love. Not the amount that I've made in years past, but very good, I think, for someone who hasn't cooked since before Britt's wedding at the end of July!

 

Here is some scripture for today from the Psalms.

Psalm 145:17-19

"The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them."

As I'm on the eve of another chemo treatment, I finding myself a little nervous — yet grateful for the Lord's kindness to me. So far each infusion has been slightly worse than the one before, but nothing too terrible. And I kind of wonder if each has been a little worse because they told me that's how it would be. So, I sort of wish that I didn't know anything about the treatment so that maybe I would just go, have it, and then go on with my life as normal. So much of fighting this disease is mental, I think. Because of this, I try to be positive and stay busy. Staying busy seems to help me a lot. That and praying. :)

I'm thankful for the Lord's kindness. For His closeness to me. That He hears me when I call. That He grants my desires and hears my cries for help. That He rescues me. I'm so grateful that God is on my side!

 

Here is another set of gift card holders using PTI's Gift Card Greetings die. 

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I made three gift card holders using the same layout with different papers. The great thing about using patterned paper is that the prints on each side of the paper generally coordinate, making it really easy to make a great looking gift card holders. (The picture that I took of the inside of the holders showed the VISA number of one card, so it didn't seem like a good idea to post the picture I took of the inside of the cards... sorry!)

However, here is one (not using the patterned paper) that shows the PTI stamp I used on the inside flaps. It's a perfect fit!

 

 

 

 

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Candy Cane Christmas, Tiny Tags, Tree Trimming Trio); cardstock is Stampin' Up (Real Red) and PTI (Stampers Select White, Vintage Cream); patterned paper is October Afternoon (Very Merry: Write the Cards and Fill the Stockings); ink is SU (Real Red, Craft White) and PTI (True Black, Dark Chocolate); baker's twine is The Twinery (Cappuccino); also used PTI dies (Gift Card Greetings, Double-Ended Banners) and SU punch (1-3/8" circle).

Do you remember last week when I showed you how our amaryliss has been been growing? Well, here it is yesterday:

It's almost blooming... probably just another day or two. Can't wait to have it cheering up our home!

I guess that's all for tonight. Thank you so much for all the Christmas wishes you sent to us. And for those neighbors and friends who brought us goodies — which we are really enjoying! Thank you also for all the prayers as we go into another treatment session. We really, really appreciate your attention to our situation! Sending you lots of love and hugs! 

Gift Card Holders

Today is Sunday, December 18. One week before Christmas. And so much to do. After church today, Ken and I went to Belk (a local department store), Crate and Barrel, and Target... and were home in time for the Panthers game. Shopping was necessary. We hadn't really done any before today — except for some stocking stuffers — so we had a lot to do. And now we're almost finished. Minus the wrapping and the mailing. Hmmm. I guess there's still a lot to do.

Today Ken took me down one more step on the steroids. I'm now taking just 1mg a day... so he cut the pill in half and I took one half this morning at 8:30 and the other half tonight. So far so good.

I wanted to show you our amaryllis — brought to me by a friend on her way to Charleston, South Carolina from Denver, Colorado.

 It was just a bulb in dirt when Debbie dropped it off Thanksgiving weekend. This (above) is how it looked last Sunday.

And this (below) is how it looked today.

Isn't it crazy how much it grew in just seven days? It'll bloom soon, I think. I'll keep you posted. :) (Thanks for the gift, Debbie!)

 

Here is today's scripture.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights."

Here is what these verses are saying to me tonight — even if things look very bleak, I can still rejoice in the Lord. I can still be joyful. He is my strength. My hope is in Him. He will give me the strength that I need to get through this difficult time. And I can remain joyful even in the face of adversity. That's my choice... to remain joyful. What is your choice?

 

I know I'll be giving lots of gift cards this Christmas, so I've been making use of Papertrey's Gift Card Greetings die.

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This is such an easy way to dress up a gift card. Much better than the generic holders that come from the stores.

That is the front and the back of the card holders. And here is what they look like on the inside.

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Tree Trimming Trio, 2008 Holiday Tag Collection); cardstock is Stampin' Up (Pink Pirouette, Real Red, Melon Mambo, Old Olive); ink is SU (Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, Old Olive, Real Red) and Memento (Tuxedo Black); also used SU's circle punches (1-3/8" and 1/2") and PTI's Gift Card Greetings die.

That is all for tonight. Once again, it's too late and I really should get to bed — however, I'm pretty invested in this season of Survivor so I'd like to see the end of the reunion show before turning in. Thanks for stopping by here tonight and spending some time with me. I plan to be back tomorrow, too. Thanks also for your prayers as we, once again, reduce the steroids. I'm hopeful that soon we'll be completely off of the things. That'd be cool, wouldn't it. :) Sending you hugs and love!

Class of 2011

Yesterday was a busy day. After Daryl & Stacy's wedding, we hurried back to the neighborhood to attend a pre-graduation dinner for this special girl...

our next-door neighbor, Molly.

Of course, the occasion deserved a card.

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And, because it was for Molly... well, it had to have special features.

Like a tag that pulled out of the glassine pocket on the front.

And a pocket on the inside to hold a little something that may come in handy as she prepares to head off to college.

And then, since it also needed a little last minute gift card to Sephora so that she could buy the makeup for herself that her mom had denied her the night before, it had to be packaged in a glassine bag...

as the Sephora gift card came in a box with a handy little purse-size mirror (which I toyed with the idea of keeping for myself... until I looked in the magnifying mirror and decided that I absolutely did not want to see my 52 year old skin that close up and personal!).

AND TELL: stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Tag-its #4, Background Basics: Text Style, Background Basics: Retro, Tiny Tags) and Stampin' Up (Valentine Defined); cardstock is PTI (Vintage Cream, Hawaiian Shores, Berry Sorbet); ink is PTI (Hawaiian Shores, Berry Sorbet, True Black); ribbon and twine are PTI (Berry Sorbet satin and Rustic Cream); baker's twine is from The Twinery; brad and rhinestone are from my stash; also used a Cuttlebug embossing folder (Flourished Frame), a PTI impression plate (Background Basics: Diamonds), PTI dies (By the Numbers, Banner Borders, Limitless Layers 1-3/4" Circle Collection, Flower Fusion #3, Tiny Tags, Library Pocket), PTI glassine bags (large and small), a Fiskars border punch (Apron edge); and ordinary white tissue paper.

So, anyway, we have the best neighbors in the world. Like family, really. And they include us in all their big events... which is why we needed to hurry back from the wedding to enjoy some early dinner, fellowship, and family gift-opening with them.

That was her opening our little gift... now... how about this smile...

I think that's about the time she realized there was something jewelry-box sized in her dad's shirt pocket. And — I imagine she was hoping that it was colored Tiffany blue...

which it was (!). So she earnestly listened to her mom's words of wisdom...

and proudly wore the necklace to her graduation.

In Charlotte they hold the public high school graduations in big venues like sports arenas — which is nice because there is no limit to the number of guests a graduate can bring. We were two of the 13 there for Molly.

And it was such a blessing to be included. And to sit behind her parents and sister as the first child in the family confidently walked across the stage to accept her diploma.

Maybe strutted is more like it. My camera missed the part where she blew a kiss and gave a big wave to her 500+ classmates. Love that girl! There will be quite a hole in the cul-de-sac with her away at college next year! But we are so proud of her... almost like she were our own.

Well, that is it for me today. Tonight we'll be going to Molly's big graduation party at our neighborhood clubhouse — where we'll get to see the video that her mom put together of her eldest's life thus far. I think a pack of tissues may be in order!

Thanks so much for your visit today — and I hope your weekend was as full of meaning as ours has been! Tomorrow I'll be back with one more graduation card. I'd love to see you then!  

Gift Card Holders

I have a couple Christmas things to post still. Hope you don't mind. Today I'll show you two gift card holders I whipped up on Christmas Eve. Yeah. I'm kinda last minute.

This one was for Britt's fiance, Kenneth.

SHOW

 

Love that cotton wrapped cording wrapped around the tree. I got it at Purl Soho when we were in New York. The patterned paper I picked up at Archivers in Raleigh when we went up to celebrate Britt & Kenneth's engagement and Britt's birthday.
Here's what the holder looks like when the band is slid off and the holder is opened up. I don't remember the exact measurements. I just cut a strip slightly wider than the gift card, folded up the bottom to make a pocket, folded down the top and then cut off some excess. For this one, I created a belly band out of kraft cardstock to slide around the holder and keep it closed.

AND TELL:  cardstock is Papertrey Ink (Kraft) and Stampin' Up (Always Artichoke, Real Red); patterned paper is Basic Grey (Jovial Collection: Tartan Plaid and Button Nose); ink is SU (Craft White); cording is Habu Textiles natural cover cotton; also used PTI's large rickrack and tree dies, a Marvy circle punch, and the Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossing folder.

I also made a gift card holder for our son, Ian.

SHOW

 
I didn't get a chance to get a photo of this one opened up. But I loved the way it worked out. I had already punched out a circle from this paper (the snowflake circle on Kenneth's gift card holder) and instead of cutting a new strip, I used the one with the hole in it... trimming it so that the strip included about a third of the circle. Once it was all folded up, the partial circle cut-out made a perfect place to attach the sentiment strip, leaving a bit of a space so that the cording could be threaded through it. You might be able to see it better in the photo below.

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Banner Builders, Fillable Frames #8); cardstock is PTI (Vintage Cream); patterned paper is Basic Grey (Button Nose); ink is Stampin' Up (Real Red, Soft Sky); cording is Habu Textiles natural cover cotton; also used PTI's double ended banner die.

Now — some more New York City pictures. The Monday morning that we were there we got up early to go be in the audience for Good Morning America. We arrived about 6:30 and joined the line.

 
Our understanding was that they would open the door around 6:45 and let those in who were carrying e-mail confirmations (which we were). Well, 6:45 came and went. 7:00 (the time the show starts) came and went. And then they divided up the line into haves and have nots (e-mail confirmations) and started letting people in a few at a time.

 
As we were waiting and looking through the window we came to realize that if we went in we would be standing for the entire 2 hour show — and that by the time they got to us, we would be in the back row. Not good for a short person like me (or a person with a bad back like Ken). And then they practically make you strip to go through security (well, kind of like in the airport... no belts, metal jewelry, etc.). Anyway, after freezing for about an hour, it seemed like not such a good idea. And, besides, Robin wasn't there. So — we ditched the show and Ken humored me by posing on the red lighted steps in Times Square.

 
I thought it would make a neat-looking picture — haha. Maybe if he weren't so cold. :)

Since we couldn't see Good Morning America, we consoled ourselves...

 
by going back to Magnolia Bakery.

 
They make their baked goods in small batches, mixing them up at this mixing station in the front window, frosting them near the sales counter,

 
where they sell them to the masses.

 
(In all honesty, though, I was the only one comforting myself with a cupcake... S'Mores, this time. It had a graham cracker-ish cake, marshmallow-y frosting, and a melted chocolate center. Mmmm.)

Anyway, yesterday I said that I was going to tell you about going to the Museum of Modern Art — otherwise known as MOMA.

 
Ken's not big on museums. Especially not art museums. This was not a stop that was on his NYC list.

Here is the first artwork we saw upon walking in:

 
Huh?

Look again.

 
The two fans blowing against each other made it possible for these two metallic ribbon circles to stay aloft.

Even Ken was a little impressed by that.

He was not, however, impressed by Warhol — 
Pollack —

 
Monet —

 
Mondrian —

 
artists who work in all one color — 
or art experts who encourage listeners to "lose yourself in the colors" and "feel the spiritual connection" to the art —

 
He didn't really share my enthusiasm for the exhibit showing the evolution of the modern kitchen along with great graphic posters from the past:

 
about pest control,

 
gardening,

 
and changing your eating habits.

Nor did he really care for any of my favorites:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
And he didn't seem to really notice the cool architectural details like the window overlooking the area where someone was playing the grand piano

 
or the way this stairwell was exposed,

 
or the juxtaposition of the new and the old.

 
And when we stopped for lunch

 
I don't think he thought much of my food choice

 
(Bruschetta: whipped ricotta, spiced walnuts, & thyme; lemon chickpea hummus & prosciutto; apple, swiss chard, & black pepper honey dressing)

 But — he hung in there quite well. He really is a trooper.

And that night we went to the Winter Garden Theatre to see:

 
Afterward we spent a little time enjoying the lights and hubbub of Times Square

 
 
(and took another cheesy picture of ourselves...)

That's it for today — and that's almost it for New York City, too. One more day for you to suffer through. haha. Thanks so much for stopping in. Tomorrow it's back to work... And hopefully I'll get a chance to show you another little Christmas project. See you then!

 

 

 

to the guy who has everything

We live in a great neighborhood. Everyone looks out for each other and is willing to help at any time. And when someone on our street has a project going on, there is a go-to guy for tools and advice.

Ken's latest project has been working on our fence — replacing rotted fence posts and making new and improved gates. Since Jerry has been so helpful to him, Ken asked me to make something that he could stick a restaurant gift card in as a little thank you.

SHOW

The card was made from an 8-1/2" x 11" sheet of cardstock cut in half the long way, with one short edge folded up a bit to make a little pocket for the card and then the remainder folded in half. Here's the inside. (Can you tell there's a pocket at the bottom?)

I had a devil of a time with the little alphabet stickers. They kept wanting to split from the adhesive backing and/or not part from the adjoining letter — so the look isn't polished and perfect, but it was good enough. (Anyone else have trouble with the Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type stickers? Or — anyone have a hint for me?) And, I used my brand new PTI products — notably, Leaf Prints stamps and dies. Oh — love at first use. :) 

When I gave the card to Ken he said, "You didn't sign it!"... and I said something brilliant like, "It's not from me, it's from you!"... and then he turned to the back of the card, showing me that it was blank. Oh. I get it. I didn't sign it... So I took it back to the stamp room — and signed it. haha.

 
Maybe the best part? Since Ken had to go to Outback to get the gift card, I got a dinner out, too. Woohoo!  

And, I think that our neighbor — who has a truly kind and generous nature — really appreciated the gesture and the heartfelt thanks. (After 20+ years of him helping us for "free"... haha.)

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Journaling Lines, Leaf Prints, Fillable Frames #1); cardstock is PTI (Dark Chocolate, Kraft) and Stampin' Up (Cream Confetti, So Saffron); ink is SU (So Saffron, More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler) and PTI (Tea Dye Duo); sticker letters are from Cosmo Cricket (Tiny Tyoe Red); brads are from SU (Copper Vintage Brads); also used PTI's Woodgrain Impression Plate and Oak Leaf, Mat Stack #4, and Fillable Frames #7 dies.

And now a few more Oregon pictures... some more literal pictures from the road.

I love the bridges in Oregon. And there are a lot of them. We don't have bridges like this in the Charlotte area. Really, there aren't many rivers or bodies of water around here either. Not like in Oregon, anyway. (I know there may be locals who will try to dispute my assessment of the water around Charlotte — OK, we have the Catawba River, Lake Norman, and Lake Wylie, but do they have bridges like this? I think not.)

These are all pictures of the bridge in Newport.

I mean, isn't it magnificent?

There are also windy (not as in breezy, but as in curvy) roads.

And tunnels.

And more windy roads...

with beautiful views.

We even went "off road" once...

yes... in Mom's big Buick or Chrysler or whatever it is. But, I'll save that story for tomorrow.

One more picture from the road for today, though.

Remember the garage covered with license plates that I took the picture of in Illinois? (It's at the end of this post, if you missed it... here.) Well, check out this tree...

Is that not cool with all those fishing weights or whatever they are hanging from it? Gotta love what people can create around their homes when they don't have a homeowner's association dictating their every decision!

So, that's it for now — I'll be back tomorrow with an anniversary card and with our "off road" excursion over on the Oregon coast. Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day!   

welcome, baby

I've got a busy day tomorrow. I'm invited to a luncheon in honor of a new mom and her baby boy. I purchased a small gift and a gift card, but wanted a cute package for them. That definitely called for some crafting time. The gift bag was inspired by this week's sketch at Card Positioning Systems, CPS174. I'm usually a square things up kind of girl, so adhering a panel askew was a bit of a stretch for me. But — I did it. :)

 

 

SHOW

I wish I could tell you that the little button birdie in the nest was my very own idea but — not so. I saw a similar gift bag in a bookstore the other day when I had lunch with my friend. That one didn't have a feather, though. So, I guess I thought of that all on my own. In fact, I made a special trip to Michael's just to buy a bag of feathers for this very purpose. And now I have enough feathers to last the rest of my life. Guess I'll have to start figuring out ways to use them on my upcoming projects — that might be fun!

I also used a sketch from Paper Crafts Go-to Sketches to make a gift card holder.

 
Here's the back. That's where the gift card is hiding — stuck on with some removable glue dots. I think I may have done things differently if I had thought it all through before starting, but this way works. The circle flower on the front of the nest is one that I removed from that crazy card that I thought looked like a monkey face (here - scroll down a bit).

Of course, I needed a tag, too — and once I get going with a theme, I tend to stick with it. So, here's the tag.

 
AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Turning a New Leaf, Round & Round, Daily Designs Sentiments, Simple Alphabet); cardstock is from Stampin' Up (Sahara Sand, Whisper White) and PTI (Aqua Mist, Melon Berry); patterned paper is from PTI (Bitty Box Basics Dark Chocolate) and Heidi Swapp; ink is from SU (Wild Wasabi) and PTI (Dark Chocolate); buttons and twine are from PTI (Hawaiian Shores, Dark Chocolate; Rustic Jute); ribbon and feathers are from Michael's; also used Creative Memories Cutting System (circles), SU Lots of Tags Label 1 Sizzlit, Cuttlebug Tiny Tags die, a SU circle punch, and a white gift bag from WalMart.

Well, time to give you a Flylady report for Day 27 of the Beginner BabySteps. The task is to figure out what's for dinner the night before you're going to eat it. Novel idea, right? So — last night I moved a couple chicken breasts from the freezer to the fridge for tonight's dinner. Then remembered that my cousin and his family will be here tonight and we're going out to eat. Oh, well. They're not quite thawed yet anyway. They'll keep. :)

Actually, I did add "what's for dinner?" to my before bed routine because I am famous for forgetting to thaw the meat. Hopefully I'll remember to look at my control journal, right? That is not automatic yet... And I did use my "Weekly Plan" Wednesday — meaning that I spent some time planning menus and making a grocery list so that when I went shopping on Thursday after work I wouldn't get home discovering that I spent $100 and still had nothing to eat. (Well, that was a bit of an exaggeration, but that's how it feels sometimes. Do you ever do that?)

I think that's it for tonight. My cousin should be here soon. And tomorrow afternoon is Stamp Club — we're swapping recipe cards, so tomorrow I'm sharing my lemon cake recipe with you. Hope to see you then — and thanks so much for stopping by today!