WOYWW 231 - Spending the evening with Santa

This past week has been one I really don't want to re-live.  My brother had back surgery in Wisconsin (about 2000 miles away).  The surgery went well, the recovery not so much.  After two very scary days, it was discovered he had an allergic reaction to the anesthesia.  Not something any of us worried about as he went to surgery.  We were all praying that the back pain he's suffered for 30 years would finally come to an end.  Long story short, several days on the critical list, he is slowly recovering.  FYI:  the medical term is Anesthesia Malignant Hypothermia.  It's a very interesting read on WebMd.  I want to thank my  friends for letting me vent during this stressful time.

Ok....that said, my buddy Virginia purchased a new stamp.  Yesterday she was playing with the stamp and I asked if she would stamp Santa for me.  As you can see she did.  My honey and the two four legged angels are tucked snugly in their beds.  I'm not sure sugar plums are dancing in their heads.  I suspect Sydney is dreaming that she actually caught the pesky neighbor cat that taunts her daily.  So it is now quiet time for me, so I am coloring.  Nothing is more relaxing. This Santa is a Stampendous Rubber Stamp, Jolly Santa # R156.  He is colored with my Spectrum Noir Pens.  I did purchase the new set and I am liking them.  Easier to hold, much more wet, so blending is easier. 

I apologize for the photo....I'm sitting at a small desk in the family room, watching late night TV, with my task light shining on my desk in a room lit only by that light, and the colored flickers coming from the television. 

So lets see what's on my desk.  A cloths pin...hmmmm, it's what I use to hold the pretzel bag closed.  Under it is the prescription advisor I received when I went for my flu shot, and a pretzel.  Of course the Spectrum Noir pens, and Santa.  Then there's the watch and a covered cup, which I am now using to hold hot and cold items.  I had a bit of an accident coloring and decided that coffee stains don't add a thing to my coloring.  There's a calendar I made for 2013, and I'm using it to think about what I shall make for 2014.  So, that's it.  Not overly exciting.

I'm off to bed.  I'll link this to Julia's fun place to meet in the morning.  Night night all, I hope your Wednesday is happy, safe, and crafty.  How about hopping over to Stamping Ground and giving Julia a shout out. It is fun to play along, so how about it.....want to come and play?  It's a busy day tomorrow.  I have 4 birthday cards to think about making, I hope something comes to me while I am sleeping!

Hugs from a quiet night in Northern California,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

A Window Birthday Card

I am really loving these window cards.  This card is for a friend's birthday.  Since we always seem to be watching what we eat, I thought I'd make her a card that is full of sweets, but no calories.  This entire card was made from snippets.  One would think since most of them are white, it would have been quite easy....well guess again.  I had to dig through my snippet box to find enough of the "same" shade of white....who knew!  The brick background is a Tim Holtz Sizzix embossing folder.  I sponged Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Spun Sugar over the bricks for a bit of color.

I don't know the maker of the tiny flower paper, a friend gifted it to me.  I think it is perfect for the inside of the Sweet Shoppe.  The Window, Shutters,Cakes and Cake Stands are all PoppyStamp dies.  The square is Spellbinders.  You can't really see this, but each cake has the top decorated with Flower Soft.  The rubber stamp sentiment is Stampendous,  The Sweet Shoppe is computer generated. 

The glass in the window panes was cut from a clear lid from a yogurt container.  I ended up cutting the window twice so I could sandwich the "glass" between.  The knobs are gems I've had in my stash, as is the butter fly.  The inside sentiment is from Close To My Heart. 

The ink and the embossing powder are both from Imprintz.  Very sparkly it is....I love it!

I hope I've finished this in time to post on Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  If not, I may have to try to shimmy under the gate...tried that once before and got caught....Check out Pixie's Crafty Workshop

OOPS!  I just skipped over to the playground and the gate is locked tight, I tried to shimmy under, but caught my jumper on the corner of the gate...I ran off leaving a bit of jumper behind....I am soooo busted!  I'm going to have to wait for the rattling of the keys and slip in then.

Update:  Ok, here's what I love about blogging.  There is always someone who can help when you are lost in space.  Today I had a problem with Mr. Linky....come to find out Mr. Linky wasn't wrong, this ole bird was confused.  Di sweetly walked me through and taught me the error of my ways.  I am now a graduate of the Linky academy.   Now....keep in mind, tomorrow is a new day and I am sure there will be some cyber adventures that are waiting for me....I am now off to link this page with Mr. Linky!  Thanks Di.....

Until later,  Happy crafting,
Mary Mac AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Rudolph Day

Happy Rudolph Day and for once, I am close to the actual 25th.  When I was putting my two new cards into "storage", it dawned on me that Christmas isn't all that far away.  I know, it's not even summer and I'm talking Christmas....never too early to start....and Sarn at Stamping For Pleasure points us in the right direction.  Well, here's what I've made for this month....

I'm not thrilled with the photo.  The glitter doesn't look all that glittery!  But it is....The card was made from snippets taken from a 6x6 paper pack. It's from  Melissa Frances - Deck the Halls.  I have no idea what year.  The sentiments are from Stampabilities and Stampendous.  The die is Memory Box.  The glitter is Martha Stewart.  And here's the inside....

I finished this card and still had snippets left over.  The up and down side to making kits for classes, lots of snippets are born...so, here is my Rudolph Day second card...and since these cards are both filled with snippets, Di will be getting a visit from me...Actually this week I've been running wild on the playground.  Too much candy maybe....

Two years ago, at PSB Christmas Crop, Karen gave us a sheet of paper that had tons of Santa's - big ones like this and tiny ones.  I glittered all of mine and put them safely away for another day.  Well, almost 600 days went by and finally....here's what I did... and you will notice the sewing.  My friend, Edy will be thrilled!  I used my Sew Easy tool....wanta know how long I've had that in my tool kit?  Wanta know how often I've used it?  Well....I was in Sacramento with friends and I found a ruler made by Sew Easy that actually makes guiding the tool easy....."Sew"...clever no?  I sewed, by hand mind you, using the pierced holes.  Pretty Easy! You may actually see more sewing!  And here is the inside....

Well, if I'm going to get this posted by the last day of the month.....I'd best get going.  Until next time, have a most wonderful and very crafty weekend. 

I am playing along at  Stamping For Pleasure - Rudolph Day
You'll find me jumping rope with Di and the gang at - Pixie's Crafty Workshop

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

Autumn Is In The Air-Thank You and Let's Recycle

Ok everyone, get up off the floor! Yes, I can rubber stamp and color.  I just haven't done it in awhile.  Today Brenda brought her Spectrum Noir Alcohol ink pens over and we played.  I have to say, I'm new at this, I've been a Tombow girl myself and I've been fighting the urge to try the alcohol ink pens.  I've got to say, I am impressed....  What is most impressive....I die cut and embossed the pumpkin on orange card stock.  The leaf and tendril was also orange.  I took a green pen and started coloring over the orange....Can you believe it?  I couldn't!  Amazing!  Now, I need to save my pennies so I can purchase the pens.  I don't know the difference between Copic and Spectrum Noir, does anyone?  With the exception of color, these pens look the same, are refillable...there aren't as many colors, but there are plenty....If anyone can educate me to the difference, I'd appreciate it. 

So, how'd I make the card?  With the exception of the card base, everything is made from snippets.  It's funny, I've been saving the stripe piece for a long time.  Only it was the other since I planned on using.  I think the stripes are perfect for this card.  The sentiment is a Hampton Art stamp that came from a clearance bin.  The scarecrow is from Stampendous.  I probably bought this stamp 12 or more years ago.  The pumpkin is a Cuttlebug die and embossing folder, as is the maple leaf peeking out from the inside.  Yes, that is a Spellbinder die or two....I'm going to post this card over at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  I know there will be lots of friends posting there.  You might want to check it out, after all....I know you have snippets too!  The gals I've met there are so much fun and you can skip onto the playground and have a go on the swings. 

I know I don't look a day over 35 (now is where you say...35!  I was sure you were younger than that!)  but....I had a birthday, and it was so much fun hearing from my kids and grand kids, family and friends, opening cards, going out to dinner with the neighbors and enjoying the beautiful flowers.  I have to smile every time I walk past my dining room table....Isn't it beautiful!  Thank you everyone who made my birthday so special.  I love you all!

Brenda brought a bouquet that someone had given her.  She thought I might want to disassemble it and she was sure I could find a good use for some of the parts.  This is what she gave me....

 

 

And this is what I saved......

 

I'm sure I can find a good way to use these flowers....I guess I should get off to bed.  Tomorrow I'm cropping with the Monday group and going out for another birthday lunch....I love birthdays!

 

Sending happy crafting wishes to all....and don't forget, it's not too late to enter my blogaversary give-away.  Check previous posts for exactly how to enter!

 

Hugs to all,

Mary AKA:  Glitter Grammy