Merry Christmas from Our Home to Your Home

Santa and his favorite reindeer made a quick stop at our house to drop off some goodies.  Then it's home to nap because he'll be very busy tonight!  The cutest reindeer I've ever seen!  Santa, you're not too bad either!  Thanks Michael and Shasta for thinking of us.

Sydney is taking no chances.  She's going to sleep all day today, so she doesn't scare Santa off.  I doubt sugar plums are dancing through her head, but I'm sure tennis balls are bouncing through!

I snapped this photo just as the snow stopped.  I'm glad I did, the rain started shortly after and it rained and rained for the next 2 days (we've had 11 inches of rain since 12/1...most of it coming over the past 3 days).  To all my friends in the UK, I hope the rain has stopped and the flooding didn't make it to your door.  You are in my thoughts. 

From our family to your family, we wish you a most Merry Christmas and a Holiday Season filled with love. 

I'm going to link this post to Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  This inside of this card was a total snippet.  If you don't already know about Pixie's Crafty Workshop, the playground and the wonderful Pixie that attempts to keep us all in line (her job is very close to herding cats)...check her blog out here.

Happy Holidays,
Mary, Richard, Sydney, Baxter, Freddie, Six Toes and Little Girl. 

Sending Christmas Wishes and Prayers for a Better New Year

It's been very hard to look forward to Christmas while our East Coast neighbors are suffering and trying to make some sense from the senseless act against such innocents.  Again our country will be torn by fighting between those who want gun control and those who don't.  I pray we can treat each other with respect and allow our thoughts and concerns to be met with the respect we wish to receive from others.  I see the faces of my grandchildren when I see the faces of the children of Newtown.  I pray for all the families that they will find peace.  I am looking forward to the New Year and hope it brings peace to our crazy world. 

That said, today I spent making cards, which is what I do to relieve stress, sadness, anger, hunger and so many emotions....I worked on my January Class and this is what I think I shall teach.....

Believe it or not, this card started as a red A2 card and after much tweaking, it became a blue and white 5x5 card. I'll also show how to make an envelope for any size card.  Upon finishing this card I moved on to finish another gift card holder and then worked on finishing up a birthday card before I cleaned up quite a mess.  So, here's what my desk(s) look like now and hopefully they will remain this way until after Christmas.....

and here's what my counter looks like.....

A bit cleaner than last time I posted.  Here's the last gift card I'll be making this year.  I made this one without using a die to cut the frame.  If anyone wants the recipe....send me your email address and I'll send it to you. 

As I said earlier, I put the finishing touches on my newest birthday card.  I'm still trying to keep my cards flat so the postage doesn't break the bank...

It was fun making this card, Santa is ready to head off for a long winters nap, and it is time to bring out a bit of spring.  We're expecting snow tonight, I think I'm jumping the season a bit...don't you? 

Before I go, here's what I saw when I walked into my husband's painting studio....do you think someone wants to play? 

She gathers all her tennis balls and then makes the most pathetic noises until you are forced to give in.  So....off I go...to give in!   I'm going to link this post to WOYWW and Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  These two gals have introduced me to some really special people and I thank them.  Check out their blogs and if you have time to click through some of the folks following and linking with them...do so, you'll be amazed by how much talent there is out there in cyber space.  I know I'm always learning something new....

If I don't blog again before Christmas, I wish each and every one of you the most wonderful Christmas.  May you be blessed and surrounded by the love of family and friends.  You all have made my life so much fun and I love each of you!



Happy Holidays to all,
Love Mary
AKA:  Glitter Grammy


 

What's On My Work Desk...Have a look!

I'll tell ya, I thought I'd never finish making cards.  I think as of right now, I am done and they are in the mail.  This is what my desk looked like yesterday...

Not too bad is it?  Ok, this is a beauty shot, if you just look at a little it doesn't look so bad, here's the rest of the story....

Yikes....well, I had all my cards made and then realized there were a few more I needed and thus the mess.  So, I'm going to post this over at Julia's Stamping Ground and share with the other deskies.... How about sharing your workspace and check out what's being created on others.  I tell ya, I've met some great ladies through Julia.  Check it out here.

I have a little friend who is  quite the crafter.  I received a most beautiful card from Skyler.  Here's what she did...

Isn't it beautiful?  I love the three colored dots on the front, and then Merry Christmas sticker is beautiful.  What a sweet little elf, I'm sure Santa loves all the help this little one brings.  And now, here's Skyler, the little elf who made the card, and yup....that's me with her.

I was lucky enough to spend some time with Skyler and her Grandma this past summer.  A BIG THANK YOU TO SKYLER!   It's my very favorite card.

And now on to a few things I've been making.  I am giving gift cards to my family.  Not my idea of a super personal gift, but with teens, it's easier than trying to figure out what they actually want.  I really don't like the envelopes that come with the cards, so I made my own.  I was standing in line at Barnes and Nobel book store and found some very lovely tags.  They inspired me to make the cards.  I went back to find more and they were all gone...  :-( 

I think we've all been looking for cards that are quick to make, yet special enough to share with friends and family.  Here's one I made.  The postman must have agreed, I didn't have to add extra postage....

And here's a snippet card I made.  I'll be sharing it at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  I bought some light weight glitter paper and thought I'd give my Memory Box dies a workout.  This card stock cut these intricate dies easily.  Of course when I discovered this I had to run and purchase several more colors.  This is my last Christmas Card of 2012....simple yes, but I love it. 

How about checking out what the others are making with snippets and if you have time, read some of the comments....goodness there is lots to learn about the playground girls....most of whom are out of control most of the time!  Check them out here. 

Until next time....Happy Crafting and I hope your Christmas preparations are coming along smoothly. 

Hugs,
Mary
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

 

Is it really 20 days to Christmas? Argh....

I'm still working on Christmas cards.  Put the first batch in the mail today.  I need to work all day tomorrow on more and then I hope I'll have them all ready to mail by Thursday...I thought I was so organized.  That's what I get for thinking!  So, here's one of the cards I will be hopefully making more of....

A few weeks back I made a card similar to this one.  Cathy and I were trying to come up with a card that is pretty, yet inexpensive to mail.  I think this one is a winner.  The sentiment is embossed using JudiKins translucent gold powder, over white pigment ink.  For some reason the white ink made the gold powder melt very smoothly.  I stamped Santa in Memento Rich Cocoa, and framed the layers in mirror gold.  I like it...oh yes I do. 

This morning my honey called me to the living room window.  He saw a bird that he thought might be a wood pecker.  I ran for my camera and was pleased that he waited.   I looked in my bird book and I think what we have is a Northern Flicker.  The book doesn't show them coming this far south, but I think that's exactly what he did.  What do you think?  I struggle with bird photos.  They just never stand still, but this one was very cooperative....

I saw the below photo on a friend's FaceBook page.  I couldn't resist "borrowing" it...

Well, off I go.  I hope everyone's plans for the holiday are moving along smoothly.  I love this time of the year, but boy it keeps us hopping! 

I'm going to hop over to Di's blog.  I hear lots is going on and the playground is  filled with the excitement of the season.  I also know a little "elf" is busy helping and sometimes elf help can be dangerous!  Check out Di's blog here .

Hugs to all.....

Mary  AKA:  Glitter Grammy

I Am Thankful For You and Spectrum Noir Challenge

A quick post wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.  I am so very thankful for you.  This little Beatrix Potter Rubber stamp reminded me of how thankful I am to have my group of buddies.  We laugh together, cry together, support one another and create together.  You all make my life so much fun! 

I used my Spectrum Noir pens to color this sweet image.  I'm happy with how it turned out.  So happy in fact, I'm going to enter it to the Spectrum Noir Challenge. Check out what the others are doing here 

And these are the colors I used:

Off I go for now, Happy Thanksgiving!
Hugs
Mary

Hugs,
Mary

What's On My Workdesk? I guess you'll have to check it out!

Well let's see.  There is a soda, and an Ipad with a blog page I'm looking at, and water, a tiny wood stove (electric, no mess) and Graphic 45 A Place In Time Cardstock.  I've been working in the family room, so that my honey and I can share time together while he watches whatever it is that boys watch (sports, music videos, re-runs that we've seen a zillion times before).  Of course right now, he's outside between rain storms blowing off the deck and driveway.  Pine trees have a way of making a mess and my dogs have a way of dragging it inside.  So, what am I working on?  Hop on over to Ms Julia's fantastic blog and see what she's been up too.  Then skip on through the list of all the fabulous desks and be inspired by Julia and the followers.  Check It Out Here

Richard made me a shadow box that has 12 - 4x4 partitions.  I've had it for quite awhile trying to be inspired by a paper line or bits and pieces of papers I have left over.  Like a little squirrel, I've been grabbing seasonal elements to put inside each area.  Well, long story short (sort of short),  Graphic 45 came out with a line called:  A Place In Time and I am now inspired to at least start, and hopefully finish my shadow box.  Without further ado.  Here is.....January

and here is....December

I have to tell you, when my 4 angels were little, we made the Christmas tree.  It hung on our tree for years probably about 30.  Every year a bit or two gets lost.  Well, it will now live in the shadow box and hopefully one of the kids will want the box when I go on to the scrapbook store in the sky! Below is the shadow box.  I think my honey did a fantastic job making it. 

I guess I should get back to it.  I am going to do  October and November next.  Why you ask?  The  horizontal partitions come out.  The bottom has to be built in place.  It's easier for me to get my chubby fingers inside with the shelf above removed....and now you know the rest of the story.   I used the 12x12 sheets to make the cut-outs.  Some pieces are layered...so more than one sheet was needed.  I'll have snippets coming out my ears,,,,they'll make cards for every month.  Not a bad deal is it? 

Wishing everyone a most Happy Thanksgiving.  No matter where you live, we all have something to be thankful for.  I am thankful for each and every one of you! 

Hugs to all,
Mary AKA:  Glitter Grammy

I Love Coloring and Using Bits and Pieces

I must say I am LOVING the alcohol inks.  I think what I love most is the ability to use for both rubber mounted stamps and digi stamps.  Something I couldn't do with my water markers.  I don't want them feeling bad, as I truly love my Tombow markers and they will always be an important part of my craft room.  They now share their space with my Spectrum Noir pens Check the link out for a great video showing how to color..  I'm certainly not yet the colorist I want to be, but I'm learning.... The rubber stamp I used is from Northwoods Rubber Stamps.This company is new to me, however, they've been around for quite some time.  They are worth a look as they have beautiful stamps.  I colored using the colors below: 

I've decided that I'm going to list my colors with the image in a book.  This will make it easier to remember what I've done and I won't have to think each time. 

I cut the image and glued it to a scrap of black that I'd die cut using the Spellbinder scallop die and then taped it to a card base that I dug out of the scrap bin.  I guess I must have used the embossing folder some time ago and it wasn't what I wanted....ah...love using what I save.  With that in mind, I'm going to post it to Di's,  Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  If the weather at the Playground is anything like we're having here, no one will be playing outside today.  We are getting much needed rain!

Happy crafting, see you all soon.

Hugs to all,
Mary
AKA:  Glitter Grammy



 

WOYWW-180 and Pixie's Crafty Workshop

Where in heavens name has this year gone.  November is nearly 1/2 over....I don't even want to think how many days to Christmas....Deep breath taken here.... >3 Exhale!  Ok, so here's what my work desk looks like....

Not so impressive....I'm packed for my Wednesday Class at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique, so this desk looks pretty neat, but what about this one....

Well ya can't always be neat and tidy....Honest I know where everything is.  Well, everything but the die I lost a few weeks back...hmmmmm.  So, As Julia said, I showed you mine, now it's your turn.  Come on, it's freeing, or something like that!  Be sure to link to Julia's blog after you've posted your little creative corner of the world.  Link here.

So beside packing for tomorrow, what else have I done this week.  My friend Carolyn recieved a card from her friend Lori.  They've met through the internet and live 1000 plus miles apart.  Isn't the internet WONDERFUL!  ok, back to it, Lori created a BEAUTIFUL card and after seeing it, several of us wanted to "borrow" her layout...well, borrow is such a nice word, we stole it.  Remember Lori, imitation is the highest form of flattery...right?  Well, here's Lori's card.....Beautiful isn't it?

Thank you for inspiring me.  Lori, if you read this, please comment so everyone will know how you made this.

I was making cards with friends.  This is the first card I made using Lori's layout and some snippets I had in my carry box. 

I like it...oh yes I do!  When I returned home from a day with the girls, my honey told me the neighbor's mom had passed away.  Though I didn't know her, I know she must have been a wonderful woman, as her girls are great ladies.  I used Lori's layout to create a sympathy card.  It was quick to make and today I needed quick but also special.  Here's what I made...

Before leaving to go shopping, I wanted to make a card to show in tomorrow's class.  This card is made using the same pieces I used in the celebration card for my November class, I just moved the pieces around a bit and added two extra  small scraps.  I'm trying to get the group into thinking about how many things can be made the same but different!  Does that make sense?  Does to me.  So, here's what I made...

I've been digging through my snippet box and coming up with all sorts of pieces I'd forgotten I had, some pretty new and some like the one above pretty old, or at least I don't remember buying it.  If you've been here before you know how I love to skip into the playground and skip through the day with all the fantastic ladies there.  Grab your scissors (No running!) , snippets and glue and head on over with me.  Everybody, meet Di.

Sunday was coloring day with Brenda.  I purchased a digi stamp from Saturated Canary.  I think her name is Nutcracker Girl.  So, here she is and this is what I used....

Still learning, but loving the Spectrum Noir pens....I'm not sure what I'm going to put her on, but I'm sure I'll think of something.  Coloring sure brings out the kid in me.  A joy from childhood.  Coloring and playing with paper dolls were my two very favorite past times.  What was yours? 

Ok...bored yet?  I want to show one more thing.  Finally Fall colors are beginning to show themselves.  I was beginning to think they weren't coming this year.  This isn't a tree in my neighborhood, but it was too pretty not to photograph....

 

 

I love Fall....not so much Winter!  So, I shall enjoy it while I can!  On that note, I think I shall check out what the Julia and Di's  gals are doing....Until next time...Hugs to all, Enjoy today and have a creative tomorrow.

 

Hugs,

Mary Mac



 

A QuIck Answer - This Is What I Use

I'm getting many emails about my use of liquid glue.  Most saying they've tried glue and it's messy.  I must say, I agreed with you until Karen introduced me to Glue - Baste It.  It's not actually made for paper but it sure works on paper.  I use it on 98% of my cards and I love it.  The small bottle comes with a needle type dispenser for getting out tiny amounts at a time.  It's a glue that quilters use for temporary basting.  It's washable and washes out of fabric.  Now that might frighten those of you who wash your paper projects, but trust me, it holds well when not washed and is super cost effective.  Another upside....if you get it on you or your cloths (which is usually where I wipe my hands..shame on me!) it washes right out.  I've been using this glue for years and I've never been disappointed.  To clean the needle, I soak it in hot water and use a floss threader with floss attached to run through the needle.  The little bottle you see in the photo has been used for over 3 years.  I just keep refilling it.  The large bottle refills the small one a bit over 3 times.  If you look at my previous post(s) all the cards were made using this glue. 

And now you know the rest of the story!  Off to play I go. 
Hugs to all,
Mary

What's On Your Workdesk 179 and I did it!

Well, here it is.  I'm a day (or 2 late), but I'm here.  I was putting together a card this morning and I had to giggle while applying the glue.  Most of the gals that I crop with use this "punch glue" and at any time during a class or a crop you can here the tapping of the glue applicator against the paper.  I noticed one week, that we all have our little pattern that we like to use.  Mine is dots, some use swirls, and wiggles, but I noticed that we each do the same thing over and over.  So, if you use glue, are you a creature of habit?  So this is the desk and that's my pattern!  Check out Julia's blog here.  And while you're at it....share what your work space looks like.  We'd love to see what you've been up to. 

This is what I've glued:

I recently discovered Northwoods Rubber Stamps.  If you haven't seen them, they are WONERFUL!  I colored this one with Spectrum Noir pens, which by the way I've been working on becoming accredited and guess what....I now am!  Thanks to Jennie and her gentle criticizm and some wonderful videos.  So this is the first one I've done alone and though far from perfect, it's better than a few weeks back.  It's a snippet card and I've used lots of pieces and parts that I had laying around.  So, I'm going to post this on Di's blog, Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  If you've not played with all of us, now's a great time to start.  A great way to use pieces and parts.  So check it out Di's blog here.   

I guess I should close for now.  We're going to a new restaurant that opened a few weeks back.  I don't think sweatsuit is proper atire.  I'd best get ready....

Fun days ahead, field trip tomorrow, play day on Sunday and Monday....I probably should do some housework at some time.  (or not!)

I want to thank everyone who follows me on this journey of joy....please know I do visit your blog pages, though I don't always leave comments.  I love seeing what everyone is doing.  I find it difficult to leave comments when I'm on my Ipad, sitting in a chair with my dog and Baxter gets down right grumpy if I move him over so I can type.  But I do enjoy reading about everything you've been up to!

Have a most wonerful week,
Mary

Exploding Birthday Card

Sarn shared her snippet card, an exploding card.  I was in need of a birthday card for a man, and thought....hey, this would be perfect.  So....Thank you Sarn for the inspiration.  If you want to learn how, check out Sarn's blog page HERE  There's a great tutorial...check it out!

The inside didn't photograph well, but I think you'll get the idea!  Yikes it looks like a crumpled up tissue (ahhhh chew)  ...How'd Sarn get such a nice photo? 

It's late and I'm off to bed...busy day of play tomorrow.  Since this is 100% snippet made, I'll be linking it to Pixie's Crafty Workshop....check out the others who are busy, busy, busy, cutting and pasting. 
This is a short and sweet post....aren't you all glad? 

Hugs to all,
Mary

What's on Your Workdesk? Come on...share....

Ok, here it is....WOYWW 177:

My desk doesn't look overly exciting, but it's the week of learning.  I bought a complete set of Spectrum Noir pens, and now it's time to learn how to use them.  Today I spent coloring and coloring, and coloring.  I downloaded some sample tests for certification.  I'm not sure I will attempt certification, I am finding the test graphics very helpful, so I shall at least do some coloring and learning while I do so.  Sooooo.....Join Julia, me and many, many more of us and share your workspace. 

Earlier in the month I bought a storage device.  When I find something I really like, and I find it very inventive, I tell my DH that it must have been invented by a woman...He grumbles as he walks away!  You'll see it on my desk, it looks like a DVD holder (I honestly think that was it's beginning), anyway, it has two levels and it holds over 30 Stickle type bottles.  I don't know who manufactures it, but if you are interested, leave a comment for Karen at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique , she'll let you know how to get one. She sold out the day she introduced them, but maybe she can find more. Someone needs to invent a way to store the Tim Holtz re-inkers....anybody? 

Well, this is short, coloring has tired me out!  I'm going to watch some TV and head for bed.  My prayers go out for the speedy recovery to all those in the path of Sandy.  I hope all of us who are climbing into a warm a dry bed, will remember those who are suffering and donate to the recovery charity of their choice.  Every penny counts.....

Hugs to all,
Mary

My November Class

 

This will be a very quick post.  I'm in a chili cookin mood so today it's crafting in the kitchen!  I did want to get my cards for the November class posted....sign up early as this one is already filling up. 

 

Everyone is requesting Get Well, Thinking of you and birthday cards for men.  I personally think flowers and ribbon are for everyone, but I think I may be alone on that one.  The top card could be used for about any occasion.  And what I'm stressing on the bottom card is change the papers, change the occasion.  I'm hoping to get a few more made to prove my point....The celebrate card is a good way to use up scraps/snippets....and Lord knows I have a few thousand of those (ok maybe not thousand). 

Off to the kitchen I go, have a most wonderful week.  To all o the east coast, my thoughts and prayers are with you.  Mother Nature is having a temper tantrum isn't she!  To all my USA friends, don't forget to send in your ballots and if you go to the polls, don't forget to vote.

Hugs to all,
Mary

Rudolph Day

I told myself I would not miss Rudolph day this month and guess what....here I am!  A busy day today and tonight is the first game of the World Series and our San Francisco Giants will be winning Game 1....(or at least I hope they will!).  So, here's my Rudolph Day entry.  I actually rubber stamped.  Can you believe it?  I guess there is hope for me!  The stamp doesn't say the name, but says Petaluma CA, which makes me think maybe PSX.  The moon, was made using the cut out from a circle die I am using for my November class.  I used it as a mask and using Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Lemon and Rusty Hinge to make the moon.  The sky is sponged using Stormy Sky.)  The Reindeer is my newest Memory Box die, the poinsettia is a left-over from a card I made earlier.  The papers are CartaBella snippets from earlier albums and layouts.  Still using up my scraps from albums and layouts I made using CartaBella papers.  Di, here's another snippet card....check out all the other cards made from snippets.  I think you'll enjoy them as much as I do.  Check them out here.

So....until next month (if I remember) Happy Rudolph Day and thank you Sarn for hosting.  If you want to play along and have a chance to win a Penny Black stamp....check it out here. 

See you soon....
Mary

WOYWW 177 - Carta Bella and Pixie's Crafty Workshop

Saturday was Carta Bella Day at Karen's - Paradise Scrapbook Boutique

Well, here we are.  This is the afternoon group, our project was a  2 page lay-out using Carta Bella Christmas Day papers. (If you haven't seen them, might be worth a look at them)    The morning group ran out before photos could be taken, or more truthful, before we remembered to take them. The big kid in the back is Lindsay, the Carta Bella guy who tried keeping us all in line...I think it might have been easier to herd cats.... we did have a good time!

And here's Karen, I'd like to thank her for bringing Lindsay to her shop.  It was a fun day and we left with loads of goodies....

A few days ago, I posted a photo of a card I made using snippets left from making the Christmas album.  Thanks to Lindsay, I have many more snippets and below are a few of the cards I made using them.  I've gotta say, albums are a great way to collect snippets, not that any of us need help collecting them.  I'll be posting these cards on Di's blog....and I hope to spend some time tomorrow seeing what the others have been doing.  Di reminded me that Thursday is Rudolph Day over at Sarn's blog page.  If I get my act together, maybe I can actually make another card....Oh...I just remembered a new Memory Box die I purchased last week....I'll be making a Rudolph card using that...(that is if I don't forget!)  It's not too late, if you want to play along...

 

 

 

I made this card this morning.  I purchased the Spectrum Noir pens and though I haven't been doing much coloring lately, it's always been something that I've enjoyed doing.  I've got to say, using the pens is different than water color and after watching video's I'm learning to get the colors I was hoping for. I'm still working on shading.  So, about this card.  The papers are from CartaBella, the rubber stamp is from Stampabilities and is called Christmas Tale (not new, from 2003)  The dies are from Memory Box and Spellbinder.  All of these cards are made from snippets,

 

Do you want to see the mess I made making these cards?  It's Wednesday and it's the day to share our work desks...so, thank you Julia for giving us the place to post our little messy work desks.  Check out the other creative desks and see what was created there....and if you're feeling brave....post your little corner of creativity...

Oh....while going through the blue box, I looked through the lid and saw this.....

I always knew there was someone helping me put my projects together.  I had to laugh, I don't remember putting any of these parts in this order, although I do remember putting the epoxy pieces on the pink pad...do you think maybe, while I was sleeping, the pieces crept onto the paper pad?  OK, I can pretend...

Off I go, tomorrow it's supposed to rain and I'm hoping to get into my room to tidy up, and then make another mess playing with my pens and stamps....

Until next time....Happy Creating!
Hugs to all,
Mary