Black and White Birthday and Blog-aversary

Black and White....I love Black and White Cards

A fun day today cropping with Virginia and Rita while there  I finished a birthday card for a very special person.  The birthday isn't for awhile, but I wanted to have it finished so I could move on to Christmas and finishing my album. 

The designer papers are from My Mind's Eye, dated 2009, the ribbon on the right was on a birthday gift from my son, the bird cage is a Spellbinder die, that I cut on black card stock and then glittered with Art Institute #131 Black Hole Hologram glitter as is the Elegant Scrollwork die from Memory Box....do you see it?  The silver metal embellishments are Teresa Collins, the flowers are from Karen, as is the black butterfly.  The silver ghost leaves are from Black Ink Decorative Accents, I have no idea where I got them, or how long I've had them, and the white feather in the cage ....yet another that I don't know where it was purchased.  I guess that's another one of those things you can't live without and several years later you prove yourself right! 
I'm copying the blog candy post until it's over....so, here it is....yet again!

.....and now......blog candy! Don't forget you can enter more than once, but only one time per post. Yesterday I shopped til I dropped and that bag now has 24 items in it.....only 5 more items to add. Some of the items I had to buy 2...why, cause I want to keep one for me.... 

A reminder check the blog post 8/15/2012: My blog-aversary is coming up in September. I usually remember it, right after it's gone by. But this year I'm planning ahead and I want to celebrate by gifting some lucky person a bag of goodies. What's in the bag? I have no idea, why? Because every day something new goes inside. If my math serves me....there should be 29 items in the bag. And....I'll ship anywhere....so, all you gals across the pond....you could win! Here's the way to win....Follow me! ....and then leave a comment. What if you already follow me? Well, then just leave a comment. What if you don't have a blog page.... well, then leave a comment with your first name and last initial. See...you might win too! Every time you comment you will have your name put into the drawing. Only one comment per post please....Here's the bag I'll be putting the goodies into.....If you look closely, there is already a treat inside.....

Note: Before I receive questions about why does blogspot list me as a member since July of 2008 and I'm claiming September 12 of 2009. I signed up for blogspot in July of '08, and then really didn't do much of anything until September of '09. So, I've picked my blog-aversary as of the September date, when I started counting visits on Clustermap. Whew....now that that is addressed.....

Those of you who know me, know I don't (usually) post every day, but every day something will be going into the bag.....September 11th is the last day to Follow and/or comment... Off I go, I've got shopping to do! When I announce the winner, you will have 24 hours to claim your prize. If you don't....I'll draw another name.
I found something fun to put into the bag....want to see it? Nope...no peeking! I did take the names of those who are following my blog and entered them into the drawing....

Hugs to all,

Mary Mac AKA: Glitter Grammy

Can You Say FIELD TRIP?

Before I take everyone on a field trip, I want to express my deepest sympathy to Linn and Amy.  Linn's mom passed away on Saturday.  I want the kids to know, she'll be dancing on a cloud at the wedding.  Also one of my long time friends and volunteers at the Sheriff's Office passed.  Irene will be missed by all.  I made identical cards for both. 

Both ladies loved their children, loved their homes, both were excellent bakers.  I think they both would have enjoyed each other's company.  I used snippets for everything but the base.  The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye.  I used a Sizzix Beaded Ribbon Embossing folder.  It's my newest and fast becoming a favorite.  Of course there is a Spellbinder die and the sentiment is from an old Stampin-Up set. 

Now.....on to the Field Trip......grab your jumpers and lets get moving.  Everybody in a line...let's get going.  Are you ready?

This is a photo I took from my front porch as I was leaving.  Spring in our yard is absolutely fabulous.  All the colors.  The tress are Dogwood and a fruitless plum.  The tree is a cedar, a bit too big to see the top!

Carolyn and I got to the shop first (nothing new there!)  We usually come early and leave early.  We were too early....PSB wasn't open yet!

My spot at the table and boy oh boy there are gifts waiting!



The first thing I did was see what was new and what I HAD to add to my collection.  Lots of new Memory Box dies too.... I've been saving my milk money for these items.....

More girls arriving and checking out the new items....

Look at the pretty display....Ohhhhhhh so many things that I need! 

Look how happy we are when we're playing on the paper playground.....

Leesa and I.  We're ready to settle down and work on the projects we brought.  Carolyn and I decided that we bring too much and finish too little.  Must be because we spend lots of time shopping, and chatting, and eating. 

I love, love, love how Karen displays all the pretties.....

Say hi to Pam.  She's busy making sure we all get our "must have's" .  Great job Pam. 

Just look at all the treasures........

This is my very favorite display.....Lots of yummy things to choose from. 

Remember when I showed you the goodies Karen gifted us.  This is a tray that we will make from those goodies.  Very pretty.....yes?  Thank you Karen

Here we are all hard at work....

And here she is.....the gal that makes this all possible.  Everyone.....meet Karen!  I don't think many of us know the work that goes into these crops.  Especially this one and the Christmas crop.  Deb, Rachiel, Shell and Pam are her little helpers.  Good job girls! 

This is just one of the yummy snacks we had.  Karen had breakfast rolls and coffee ready when we arrived.  Then cookies to snack on.  Dinner was wonderful.  Landon (her son) barbecued ribs and we had roast beef and salads and bread and fruit....of course there are no photos of this, as I was busy loading my plate and forgot to take them....bad me! 

And then.....oh yes there were desserts!  Of course Carolyn, Leesa and I did not partake as we are on Weight Watchers....and if you believe that, I have some swamp land to sell you....we're being good the rest of the week...

A good time was to be had by all, as my childhood social section of the local newspaper would print.  Again, thanks to everyone at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique who made this day so special.  It's always a fun time and Karen really knows how to celebrate National Scrapbook Day!

I can't forget a quick shot of the babies.  Aren't the two that are lined up too cute.  One peeking over the other.  We are on Crow watch today.  We caught 3 of the filthy "B's" trying to raid a Robin's nest.  We were lucky to scar them off.  They better leave my babies alone!

I'll be linking to Pixie's Craft Workshop.  My cards were snippets, with the exception of the white base.  Check out her challenge and play along....it's fun and you meet lots of interesting folks on the playground.

I'll post a movie later this week.  For now....it's off to start my day....

Hugs to all,
Mary
AKA:  Mary Mac, Glitter Grammy

Workdesk Wednesday - Again? Where did the week go?

Sometimes a tool inspires the project.  I needed to make a gift box, and I'd been gifted a We R Memory Keepers Sew Ribbon Scallop tool (thank you Carolyn).  I've gotta tell you, this tool is soooooo very easy to use and I think it adds so much to every project and the learning curve is so easy.  Good little invention.  The box is 7 inches by 7 inches by 2 inches.  All supplies, with the exception of the Dew Drops, were purchased at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique.  The center snowflake dies are by Memory Box.  The corner snowflakes are Spellbinder dies.  The center graphic is from the Lost and Found Christmas 6x6 pad.  The base of the box is from Echo Park Paper the ribbon is one of Karen's perfect finds.  To make my boxes I often use Aleene's Box Maker and that's what I used for this one.  This tool takes the thinking out of making the boxes.  And hey, I'd rather be picking paper and embellishments than figuring out measurements. 

So....what have I been up to?  Last Saturday was the Christmas crop at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique.  Boy, was it a success....It's the first one in the new shop and it was a sell out.  We snacked, laughed, snacked some more, ate pizza, snacked, cropped, snacked, laughed, snacked some more and then exchanged ornaments and had dessert, before we cropped again.  A fun time was had by all.....I'll share some photos of the group.....

First of all, here's my buddy Carolyn.  She and I hang out together for these crops, and many other crafting events.  We started the day by working on a banner that Karen designed (of course I didn't take a photo of it...geez!  But I think it's on Karen's blog page.  It's called Believe. 

And here's me.  I've gotta say, I need a new Christmas Sweater....I think I've worn it every year since high school (ok, maybe not quite that long).  When you only wear it a few times a year, who wants to keep buying new ones. 

Here's the group.  Ok, I'm not such a great photo taker......but it gives you the idea of how many of us spent the day together. 

Karen, Shell behind her and one of us during the exchange of ornaments.  (Sorry, I don't know her name....can anyone help?)  A word to the wise....if you want to attend the crops....sign up early, there were people turned away.....

So, our spot was reserved and our names were written on a sweet piece of card stock.  I looked at the cute Santa who was guarding my spot at the table and decided he was too cute to find his way to the trash can.....Why would anyone throw him away.....so, I made this: 

I'm happy that I was able to re purpose the name piece.  The Merry Christmas stamp is one from my stash and I think it's a Stampin-Up sentiment from years gone by.  One more card to share.  I made a Thank You card for Carolyn using the Weave Sew Ribbon punch. 

There's a Spellbinder or two and the graphic is from my computer.  I wanted to see if the zig-zag ribbon would work in the Weave punch and it does. 

Off I go for now.  Can you believe how quickly Christmas is coming....a little more than a week and it'll be a memory....

I'm going to check out the Stamping-Ground Blog page to see what's going on over there.  Always so many creative people sharing their passion.