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