It's Wednesday and LOTS to share.

It's Wednesday and I couldn't leave on vacation without playing along with Julia and the folks at What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday 151.  I woke up wondering what card I would make that I could do quickly and not make a huge mess.  While eating breakfast, I was reading blogs and Gina K Designs had a card that looked pretty darn easy.  I ran to my craft room and went into my ribbon snippet drawer and this is what came to mind.  Oddly, I didn't have any thin black ribbon, but I did have black pieces that I could cut into thin strips.  Well, not only did I get a card made for Di's Snippet Challenge 17, I can show my craft room, cleaned and waiting for my return. 

The other day when I was looking through my cards, I found this one.  I'd forgotten I'd even made it.  I have cards that I will never send, mostly because I can't bring myself to let them go.  This is one of them.  I don't know why I can't let it go, maybe the time it took to make it, maybe because the paper was one of a kind, maybe because the flowers took some time to make, maybe because it has yellow in it....yellow is my favorite color. Karen gave me the doily and I've never seen one like it before.  I don't know....but for whatever reason....it's not going anywhere, but on my blog!  Thanks for letting me share.  Now on too........ My desk......

I was so excited about finishing a card....I forgot to take the photo while the desk was messy.  So, here it is, sort of cleaned up.  I hope you pop on over to Julia's blog to see what's going on in everyone's workspace.

Our baby birds were born this week....There are 5 of them.  Mom and dad have been kept busy feeding them and keeping them warm.  Dad is really good helping with his new family.  The day it rained, dad brought food to mom all throughout the day.  I apologize for the quality of the photos, it's a bit hard taking them through a window.  They are not always sharp.  Here we go, the first photo, at this time only two of them had hatched.

They are so tiny.....

This photo was taken on the second day.  They are changing so fast.

Aren't they cute?  Ok maybe not.....

As quickly as they are changing, I can hardly wait to see what they look like when I get home next week.

 I hope this video will be clear enough to see mommy feeding the kids.  Am I a proud Grammy?  Yes I am.  If my grandkids lived close, you'd all be bored with all the photos and videos of them. 

Ok, since I'm sharing photos....here are a few I took in our yard this week.  I love spring.  I don't know if it's because everything is so fresh and new, or if it's because I've been inside most of the winter and now it's time to play outside. 

This is a male Bullock's Oriole. He and his mate have come the past 2 years.  They stay long enough to have their babies and then they are off again.  I haven't found where they are nesting, but I think it's high in a pine tree.  They love the hummingbird food and manage to drain the feeders on a daily basis. 

We have several varieties of Camellia.  This is my favorite.  They were here when we bought the house in the 80's. 

Do you think maybe someone wants to play ball?  She's feeling a bit neglected lately, trip prep is taking time from her ball playing. 

She is just toooooooo sad......I guess I'd best close for now and get my shoes on and head out to play ball.

Do you think I'll have trouble finding my suitcase?  My DH said he doubts anyone will take it by mistake.....Gotta love Spellbinder dies and Xyron.....

So from my home to yours.....have a wonderful week, I'll see you next Wednesday!

Hugs to all,
Mary AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Chocolate Anyone?

Today I'm being creative, but not in a paper way....there is a paper napkin, does that count?  I guess I could also say, I'm using snippets....Di, really pieces and parts....So, here's what the dessert is, and it's single serving, so all of us weight conscious folk can have this.  If you're a Weight Watcher member you'll know what this means.  It's a total of 3 Points Plus...Oh, Yum! 

Yesterday at our Weight Watcher Meeting, Kim talked about a 3-2-1 cake.  None of us knew what it was, but the key word cake got us all excited.  And then when she gave us the points value, we were hooked. 

Several of us went home and made one.  This is what I made.  It's chocolate, it's raspberry, it's whipped cream and it's drizzled in chocolate.  Who ever could ask for anything more.  Want to know more?  Here's what I did: 

The first two ingredients won't make sense until you read the entire recipe.  Start with:

1 box Angel Food Cake Mix - any brand will do.
1 box Any Flavor Cake Mix - I used Chocolate

Mix these two ingredients together in a large bowl.  Now...pour all of it into a sealable container.  and store.  I don't think it matters if it's stored in the cupboard or the refrigerator.  My son will laugh, he says I put everything in the refrigerator.

OK...here it comes 3-2-1

In a small bowl, put 3 TBL of the cake mix.  To it add 2 TBL water.  Stir until very well combined.  I then pour the mix into a 8 oz coffee cup that has been sprayed with PAM. 

Ready for #1.... put it in the microwave on high for 1 minute. 

I layered raspberries that were crushed on top of the cake, put a dollop of Fat Free Whipped Cream and drizzled a tiny bit of chocolate sauce over the cake.  I garnished with whole raspberries. 

Can you say HEAVEN! 

Here's some ideas..... Lynda made her cake using only the angel food mix.  Patti made her's with angel food and a box of strawberry cake mix.  Anyone up to THANK YOU to Kim for sharing her 3-2-1 cake!

If you want more ideas for healthy meals and inspiration, check out my buddy Lynda's blog page.  She's a Weight Watcher buddy who's lost 70 pounds....I'm so proud of her!  You can find Lynda here. 

That's it from me today.  Enjoy your weekend.  I think my next post just might be from Chicago!

Hugs to everyone!
Mary AKA: GlitterGrammy

What's On Your Workdesk? Well, It's my snippet card.

This card was not on the radar for this week, sadly, our neighbor Sandy's dad passed away yesterday.  He'd been ill for some time.  He was very fortunate to have his loving family with him at his time of passing. 

For this card, I used snippets from We R Memory Keepers papers, the graphic is Inkadinkado clear stamp.  The sentiment is Stampin Up.  The graphic background was made using Tim Holtz Distress inks that I sponged onto white cardstock.  The graphic is stamped using Momento Tuxcedo Black, which was heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  All was mounted on a black base. 

This is what my desk looked like while I was creating.  Not so bad really, I've made much bigger messes in the past.  Julia's blog is the place to show not just your work, but what it took to create that work.  We bravely display our area....I enjoy looking in on the group. I wish I could comment on all the entries, there just isn't enough time, but I do look at many of them.  If you've not yet checked out The Stamping-Ground, it's a fun place to play...

Momma Jay is still waiting for her little ones.  We thought the 17th was the day the first should hatch, however....the 17th is coming to an end and no hatchlings.  Maybe tomorrow.  I'm sure she is getting a bit bored with all the sitting.  Although if all 5 survive, she will be busy keeping all of them fed.  Thankfully dad has been staying very close, I'm sure he'll be a very active feeding partner. 



We feed many animals and this one came in for a drink after a full meal of peanuts and sunflower seeds.  My husband was a bit upset with him when he caught him burying nuts in his newly mowed lawn. 

Yet another bird  passing by....ok, maybe not...Ole Mother Goose has been a fixture at our house for years.  I thought maybe she'd like a quick mention.....I think maybe I'll bring her to the playground on Di's blog....have you checked out her site?  If not...it's a fun place to visit and a great place to share what you've been up too.  Not to mention the snippets that actually end up on cards because of Di.  Come on and play on the playground, mind you....everyone takes a turn on the toys and no sneaking under the fence.  I guess if you want to know what that means, you'd best check out Di's blog page.  Here.

Nice dress no?  Want to know about it?  I'm wearing it to my daughter's wedding in June.  Well that's the plan anyway.  Since I ordered the dress, I've put on a few pounds (a few too many).  I wasn't too worried, until yesterday....I decided to try the dress on, one more time before I pack it for my first trip to Chicago.  Did you hear screaming?  I think all my neighbors did.  To make a long story short...I need to drop 5 pounds, and better still 10 pounds before June 29th.  As of today, I look like a sausage stuffed into a glittery dress.  So.....if any of you see me sneaking lollies, take them away from me.  I've gotten really lazy about taking walks, so today began day 1....the weather is beautiful and there is no reason why I can't do 10,000 steps a day.  I'll be posting wedding photos in June...you'll know if I accomplished my goal.  If not.....I'll be the one in the photos who is wearing blue jeans and a glittery sweatshirt....  :-( 

Off I go.  Lots to do and since I'd rather play than clean house....I'd best get moving.  Have a most wonderful week.  If the weather is as beautiful where you are.....make sure you get outside to play. 

Hugs to all.....Mary AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Snippets, Snippets, Snippets

Good morning.  I was trying to think of a quick card to make for my friend Thelma, as I was reading blogs to get inspired, I came across one that is a perfect use of snippets.  I quickly wrote down the colors used and in my excitement mode ran off to my craft room to pick them out of my snippet vault (of course I keep them under lock and key...they are very valuable :-)  and the Good Lord knows, I only have one or two! (thousand maybe).....  While I put the card together, I was doing a back up of my computer....so I deleted old emails, and figured I remember where I'd seen the card....well guess what, my short time memory isn't what it used to be, not that it ever was much good.   What makes me most frustrated is....I dumped my trash and I know I could have found it there.  Being efficient isn't all it's cracked up to be.  If anyone knows where I may have seen a similar card, please let me know, so I can update this post. 

So, long story short.  The original card looked like it used individual punches which were then glued to a frame.  I didn't have that punch, but I thought about my Martha border punch and thought it would make a good replacement.  So, here is my version of the card I saw this morning.  In addition to Martha, I used the Memory Box butterfly, which I decorated.  I think the stamp is from Stampin-Up.  And of course there is a Spellbinder ribbon tag die.  The ribbon is from my stash, which I'm sure I purchased at Karen's. 

I'm headed out to make an envelope for my card, as the size isn't standard.  Earlier, I saw a post on how to make an envelope for any card.  I printed the instructions, so I know who posted the instructions.  So, hop on over to Impression Obsession's blog if you want to learn how.  Check out the April 9th post. 

I'm going to post this on Pixie's Crafty Workshops....This one is pure Snippet....I'm trying to see this as a Christmas snippet card.  I know I have loads of Christmas colors....hmmmmm.  Now mind you, I should be packing for my trip to Chicago, and baking dog cookies for the neighbors to have while I'm away, and there is laundry to do, and cleaning....well, maybe I can sneak in another quick card!  Shame on me....

Have a wonderful day, see you all soon!
Mary AKA: Glitter Grammy

WOYWW - 149

It's still Wednesday, but barely....where did the day go?  Well, here's my desk, such as it is.  Kind of a dumping ground today....

Pop on over to Julia's desk and see what she's been up too.  I just took a peek at some of the other desks...my goodness, everyone was busy this week. 

So, here's what's happening in my world.  I bought a new camera.  My most loved camera is developing some issues and with my daughter's wedding fast approaching, I didn't want to have it fail during such an important event.  So...I thought, I'll get another Sony, the learning curve should be much less... boy was I ever wrong.  I've been playing with it all day and I feel like I've just scratched the surface.  I think someone needs to tell the technology gods that we older folk don't enjoy the learning curve ....

Tomorrow my friend Virginia and I will proudly hold our PhotoShop Elements for Dummies manuals as we try to teach ourselves new tricks.  Ahhhh I miss the days of the typewriter, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when I met my first IBM Selectric.  Ah...those were the days! 

I'm off to bed....my brain needs a rest....Have a most wonderful week.....

Hugs....
Mary
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Happy Easter

My buddy Karen sent this photo of her puppy Molly.  Look how excited she is to be a bunny!  Molly is the sweetest little girl.  She is the official greeter at Karen's Shop and my local playground... you girls who follow Di will know what I mean by that.  So, how about hopping on over across the pond and check out this fun and very creative blog page..... Hop, Hop, Hop! 

My snippet card for today is called the never ending card....and trust me, it does go on for a bit, but it's a really fun card to make.  I saw it posted on a blog...wish I could remember which one.... an issue for those of us who have fallen off the swing one to many times!  If anyone is interested, I can write up the directions.  It's a hard to give photo  justice to this inter-active card, I find it really fascinating.... I am however easily fascinated....it's a great way to use snippets and as you know...I have many.  Di, email me I have a wonderful idea for the playground girls and let's just say....FIELD TRIP!

Now on to the snippet card.  The base wasn't a snippet, it is a 4 x 10 inch piece of white card stock. 
This is what the front of the card looks like.....

and then, you fold the gate fold open....and this is what you see....

next open the center folding the top up and the bottom down

And finally fold the center panel to the back and this is what you see.....

This card was fun...a challenge but fun.   Look at all the bits and pieces you can use up....

Well friends....  Happy Easter! 

Workdesk and Snippets and Class....Oh My!

Ok, so here's what was on my workdesk last.....

Today is Wednesday, a day I'm always looking forward to.  Another week of seeing what Julia has been up to and a chance to peek in on all the creative folks that I've meet through Julia.  So, take a minute to visit Julia and if you have a few more minutes, check out what we've all been up to this week.  My tag for Cheryl...I probably won't see her until May, but this is for her.

I started my day getting organized.  I decided to tidy up all the snippets left over from the card kits I made for my May class.  I'll have lots of Christmas snippets left, so lots of cards in my future.  Maybe I can pass out snippets on the playground...Speaking of snippets, my tag is loaded with them.  I've had the flowers in a box on my desk for months.  I did add Perfect Pearls to the centers.  The doily has been in my stash for years, it's one of those things were you buy a package of them and then 10 of the 12 sit for years waiting for a home.  The scissors, the flourish and the small doily center and the butterflies were all cut from snippets left over from card kits from days gone by.  Don't you just love the scissors....I sure do....I'm going to link to Di's Snippet challenge.  I hope you hop on over and check her blog out.  And if you have snippets, and I'm sure you must, you might want to skip through the fence and play with the rest of us. 

Doesn't that look tidy....I thought so....but then after I put them in my snippet file(s), I thought I need to get busy and get a tag made for a gal who made a beautiful tag for me.  I was quite surprised by the gift of a tag from Cheryl.  She's such a talent and at the beginning of our last all day crop at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique, Cheryl handed me this tag....

Her gift of kindness made me feel so good.  The entire time spent with everyone made me smile.  Thank you Cheryl.... I'm not a great tag creator, but I wanted to make a tag for Cheryl.  I named my tag Hope.  Cheryl fought through a serious health issue and during her entire challenge, I always saw hope.  Thankfully, Cheryl fought through it and I think I will always see her face when I hear the word HOPE.

I showed you my snippet organizing desk....now let me show you what my desk looked like as I was making the tag for Cheryl...

When I see the mess my granddaughter makes when she's crafting....I have to giggle...I think she inherited that gene from me....Well, to show her that Grammy cleans up her mess as soon as she's made it....(well most of the time)  Here's my cleaned up desk....at least clean until tomorrow!

News about out Blue Jays.  There are at least 4 eggs and maybe even 5.  I've only been able to get a photo of 3 eggs, but we have seen the tip of  4 of them and we think we've seen a glimpse of a 5th. 

From me and our visiting mom......Have a most wonderful week. 

Hugs to all..... Glitter Grammy