Oh, where to begin.......

Before I begin, I want to let my friends in the mid-west and south know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.  The tornadoes have brought so much devastation to your part of the country.  I pray you are safe.

It's Wednesday and here's what my desk looks like:

Lots of stuff....most needs no explanation, if you are wondering about anything....just ask, I'll reply in the comment section.  And now for the rest of the story.....

I went into my craft room with the honest intention of tiding up a tad.  Well, I spied with my little eye, the red sparkly paper and the Christmas tree I had laying off to the side.  I was  trying to decide what to do to make it a bit prettier.  The next hour is a blur, as my eyes glazed over as I punched little circles from the sparkly paper.  Last week I made a blue card, I think I like it better.  I think I over-decorated this little tree, but, it's still pretty.

So, why a photo of my desk....well, plain and simple, it's Wednesday and loads of us paper crafters, drag out our cameras to take photos of our desks.  Some are neat and tidy, some are showing lots of work going on, and others are piled high with projects in process and projects in the plan.  So, why don't you hop on over to Julia's world and have a look and if you're feeling brave, and I hope you are, why not snap a photo of your world and share it with all of us.  Here's where.... Stamping Ground.   We are up to week 256.  Can you believe it?  Oops....I almost forgot to show you the card....

Like I said, I went to my craft room to tidy up, not mess up....as I was putting things away, I found a silver ornament I'd cut some time ago.  I knew I had one of the silver batch cards I'd been working on and it was in need of a finishing touch....and now this card is finished and it's added to my Christmas card count.....51 and counting.....

I do believe I'll head over and add this to Rudolph Day....tomorrow is the last day to enter this month.  Sarn keeps me keepin on.....Check it out at Stamping For Pleasure.

Keep in mind, I AM cleaning my craft room.  On Monday I decided to take out my bucket of projects that have been sitting waiting to be finished or kits that had snippets left that I planned to make another card,  but never did.  Well, today I managed to finish this one.

  It's left overs from a mini album and also a butterfly that I first made from a piece of gold ribbon that I wondered if I could die cut it.  Well guess what, I could....and then I found a tiny piece of mesh...and I wondered if I could die cut it, and I could.  I then cut a backing of vellum, did some gluing and my butterfly was ready for my snippet card and I do believe this card qualifies for  Mrs. A's Glamorous Butterfly Challenge. 

Here's the inside....

I've got to say, I outdid myself today, 3 snippet cards, finished and put away.  Ms. Di from Pixie's Crafty Workshop. will be getting a visit from me.  I want to thank Di also for giving me a reason to use up my snippets.   As for my craft room, still not clean, but hey...there is always tomorrow. 

I am off to see what trouble I can find....Maybe I'll go through my snippet bucket and organize it.  Who knows, maybe I can make a few more cards before the week ends.

Take care, happy crafting and I do hope all is well in your world.
Hugs from Northern California,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

What's On Your Workdesk # 255

Well here it is..... and it's Wednesday and you know what that means.  Miss Julia has organized us to post what we are working on by way of what our desk top looks like.  This morning, rather than create, I decided it would be nice if I took inventory.  I was pleasantly surprised with the number of Christmas cards I've already created.  Having this journal turned out to be a great idea and it's keeping me focused.  I not only have a count, I also have the names of everyone I'm sending to...

Want to see the close up?

I don't want to brag, but I'm getting close.  Of course every time I think I'm close, I add another person.  I must admit many of them are quite simple, however, all have been made with love and with certain people in mind as I create.

I'm off to work on a birthday card that I need to get done and soon.  I hope you check out all the desks and comment on those that get you thinking....Here's Miss Julia and she can fill you in on the rules, of which there are only a few...

So for now.....Happy Crafting,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Wednesday....ok, maybe Thursday

Don't you hate it when we bloggers start with..."I can't believe it's Wednesday again.  Well guess what, I can't....Before I go farther....here's the desk....

I was having a late night on Wednesday, and took the photo but forgot to post it....so now it's Thursday and not much has changed.  The Olympics are still on and I am still glued to the screen.  I'm working on a project that I will share on the proper day.  If you look at my Ipad there just may be a hint there.  My desk looks awfully neat doesn't it.  I might add, it's a small desk that I have in the family room, so it doesn't get nearly as messy.  I actually clean it before I go to bed. 

Before I forget again, I shall post a bit late, but better late than never right?  On to finishing the project and until next time....Check out Julia's blog page and see what the others have been up to.  and then bravely post your desk.  I just noticed Julia and I have something in common, Ipad and glass work surface. 

Happy Crafting, Hugs from Northern California and I am happy to report we have a bit of rain to brag about!

Mary Mac

Happy Wednesday So What's On Your Workdesk?

It's WEDNESDAY and that means....WOYWW and it just happens to be #242  So, this is mine and if you want to play along, you'll just have to check it out Julia's site .... right HERE

You won't see any cards on my desk this week, at least not cards I'm working on.  You will however see my WeRMemory Keepers Envelope Punch board.  Just so you know, I use it often.  Seems I've not learned to make standard size cards, so this tool is a must for me.  I'll be showing some cards I'm working on for Rudolph Day and guess what, they aren't a standard size. This little tool will save my bacon! That's a strange term isn't it?  What does that mean anyway?  Anyone out there love figuring out why we say what we say?  Ok...so on with the desk.  The finished cards will be 4 x 6 1/2 inches.  They will be a continuation of my last snippet card and they will help me on my way to 10 a month.  I'll be more clear later.

So on my desk is the Envelope Punch board, which I discovered has a few errors for size.  But don't fear, if you have the original board, which I do, you can get the correct sizes by going to this site 
You'll be able to download the update if you need to.  The error was corrected when they made the second edition. 

So, what else is on my desk....The envelopes I've started making, my Ipad with a photo of the capitol of Wisconsin as seen in a reflection in the window of the Historical Society.  Taken when my buddy Dee Dee and I went to the mid-west for my daughter's wedding.  I like that photo, my daughter had taken a similar photo a few years earlier...and I copied the idea.  I've started putting up a new photo every day, for inspiration and memories.  My photo booth is in the background as are the bins of paper, books of dies and pens.  Exciting...No?

So, that's it.  I think I need to go get inspired as today I need to work on cards for my February class.  Any ideas?  No Valentines....The girls have threatened me if I even think about creating one!

I'm off....wishing you a creative Wednesday and don't forget, check out Julia's site to see what she's been up to and you can see what all of us have been doing or not doing.  

Update:   Thanks to Shaz, she solved the mystery....

Save one's bacon

Meaning

Escape from injury; avoid harm, especially to one's body.

Origin

By bacon, we now normally mean the cured and dried meat taken from the back or sides of a pig. To the mediaeval mind, 'bacon' was meat from anywhere on the body of the animal - more akin to what we now call pork. This was the origin of the slang term 'bacon' meaning the human body. 'Saving your bacon' was simply saving your body from harm. The expression was used that way as early as the 17th century as, for example, this extract from Ireland's Momus Elenticus, 1654:

"Some fellowes there were... To save their bacon penn'd many a smooth song."

Hugs from a very dry Northern California,

Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

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

WOYWW

Hello, for rainy Northern California.  It's Workdesk Wednesday again.  Where did last week run off too?  Before I go any farther, here's what my desk looked like as I worked on a birthday card for a friend....

The die should be a hint what the card will look like.  I'll show the card on Friday after I've given it to Michael.  Not a totally exciting desk, my favorite glue is laying on it's side.  I store it this way and it seems that the needle point doesn't dry out nearly as quickly.  The die is from Cheery Lynn Designs and I love it.  The step card is easy peasy using this die...Sadly Cheery Lynn has retired this one. Boo Hoo!

For those who do not know about WOYWW, it's the brain child of Miss Julia.  She gives us all a place to air our sometimes very messy workspace.  But here's the upside, every week our desks are changing, which means that every week we are creating.  We are not just sitting still watching glue dry!  So as our desks show various stages of disarray, we proudly craft on.  Check out WOYWW.  And maybe share your work space with everyone.

Now I need your help.  Last week I saw a card I wanted to CAS, from memory I made this....

I think it's kind of close....I used scraps of white and ran the base and the pieces through embossing folders.  The snowflake is from Memory Box.  The finished card is 5x5.  Does anyone know who made the original one?  I'd like to give credit where credit is do...

Update on the above card....Di solved the mystery...the original card was made by Debby Yates.  Please check out her blog page to see the stunning card she made.  Her card is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!  Thanks Di for solving the mystery.

One more thing.  On Monday in my post I mentioned the Sharpie pens I used to color the tiny lines in the Ho Ho Ho stamp.  I said they were Sharpie Micro Tip.  Well in fact they are Sharpie Ultra Fine Point Permanent Markers - 80's Glam.  They came in a set of 24 and the purchase price was $19.99,  I bought them at Office Depot.  I checked and they are available on line also.  Want to see the colors?

I've had them for about a year and all are still working well.

That's it for now.  Happy Crafting.  Happy WOYWW....
Hugs,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

What's On Your Workdesk? I'm glad you asked.

My son was home for the weekend. I sent him home with some Halloween decorations for his office and a few candy bags for the good Trick or Treat boys and girls (ok, men and women).
Here's what my desk looked like:  Julia is basking in the Spanish sun, as we struggle with projects on our desks...ok, struggle might be a bit of a stretch.  If my math is correct, this week is WOYWW 229.  Check out what's going on by clicking over to Julia's blog page.

And here's what the finished project looked like....

Spooky no?  Not even a little? 

Here in California we are having absolutely beautiful weather.  Fall is supposed to be here and we should be bringing out the sweaters and caps....but where did Mother Nature hide her most colorful season?  A friend sent me a photo that I think is soooo cute. 

The tiny bird is a Townsend Warbler and I think she is enjoying the music the frogs are playing. You may have to enlarge the photo to see the bird.  I told you she was tiny!

Happy Wednesday.  Hugs from California,
Mary Mac

Happy Halloween....BOO!

I don't make many Halloween cards, I did think maybe I should make at least one.  This card is a result of my Sunday play day.  I think she's the perfect little witch. 

We live in a neighborhood that doesn't have many children.  We also have no sidewalks and at night it's pretty dark.  The result of this, we get very few little goblins on Halloween.  We do have two precious neighbor girls that manage to find their way to our door.  This year the candy will be in this little bag...

A very quick and easy make, thanks to dies and a border punch.  And a great way to use up the snippets I created while making the card. 

And last but certainly not least....this is the desk that was clean and tidy before I started. 

Oops, I almost forgot to show you the inside of the card....

For the insides of my cards, I like to repeat at least one thing from the outside of the card.  I must say, I think I used much more than one thing....

I think I need to fess up about one little thing.  My desk looked much worse when I was creating.  I forgot to take a photo. The desk photo was taken as I was trying to find enough bits and pieces for another card or two, and maybe a few more bags of candy.  Now that I've come clean, I feel sooooo much better!

This is where I'll share my little sweet treats:

Pixie's Crafty Workshop  Di is off traveling this week.  She gave the keys to the playground to Parsnip.  Somehow I think the the mischief will go on, even if Parsnip is being watchful. 

Jules has a great place to play.  Well, usually we are showing the results of our play and some of us tend to be a bit messy.  How about checking out  Stamping Ground.  You won't be disappointed.  Lots always going on there.  Just maybe you'll bravely show your work desk!

Until later, Hugs from Northern California,

Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Birthday, The Girls, WOYWW and Pixie's Crafty Workshop

Whew....I am plain tuckered out this week.   A bit ago, I looked over at my dog and this is a photo of exactly how I am feeling this week.....He's probably tired for walking from one side of the couch, to this favorite spot with his blanket and pillow...

On the upside, I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.....Today I actually got to finish up a card I started last night.....It's a week late, I hope he will understand.  Here's what I made.  I used up a few snippets on this one.  Those of you who play along with Di at Pixie's Crafty Workshop will know what I mean when I say snippets.  Check it out.....I know you'll love playing along. 

I think the fact that I started making this card on 9-11, the patriotic colors came into play.  I also needed something that was pretty quick to make, and this card was just that.  Here's the simple inside and you couldn't get any quicker than this.....

I'm happy.....being in a hurry, I'd forgotten to take a photo of my work desk, so, this morning I ran in to snap this.  Looks pretty much the same way today as yesterday.  If you are wondering what in the world would make me want to show my messy desk....check it out over at Stamping Ground.  And play along.  You will meet lots of creative people there.  And Miss Julia, she's always got something going on in her life.  I wonder how she finds time to do all she does!

Nothing too exciting.  Well, there is the new envelope maker that is the easiest I've ever used.  Trust me, I've purchased and used many.....The Envelope Punch by We Are MemoryKeepers.  It's the best.  I can't imagine improving on this one! 

Ok, Last month I had a birthday, and my craft buddies created the most beautiful cards.  There is little I can say other than each is beautiful and will be cherished forever.  I hope the girls don't mind, I am going to post each.....

Virginia made:

Dee Dee made:

Mary Jane made:

Brenda made:

Cathy made:

Carolyn  made:

 

 Rita made:

Aren't they all beautiful?  I think so.  I have such talented friends!  They make birthdays sooooo very special!

For now.....I shall move on to maybe cleaning up my mess....note:  I said maybe!

Happy Crafting.....and Hugs,

WOYWW-221

It's Wednesday....grab your camera, snap a shot or two and post what you're working on.....Here's my desk(s).  I"m putting kits together for World Cardmaking Day Oct. 5th. 

I moved to the kitchen to start die cutting for 25 kits.  I don't know what I was thinking....10 dies, some of them cut 3 times each, times 25 kits....My right arm won't have any flab when I'm done.  Of course my left arm will still have the giggle....

Here are the partial kits.  4 pages of directions.  I want people to know how to make this card on their own....These are waiting for all the dies to be cut, packaged and added to the kits.....

And this is the beginning of the packing.  Tomorrow I'll be headed to Karen's she's helping me with the die cutting.....I'll show you the finished card on the 21st of Sept. 

It hasn't been all kit cutting, I did have time to play with a Die-namics die.  Karen - Paradise Scrapbook Boutique, sells among many other dies, Die-Namic dies.  I saw one that particularily got me thinking.....It's called Chicken Wire....and yes, it could be cut to resemble chicken wire.  But what I saw was a quilt...what do you think?  Quilt? 

How about now?

I was thinking of my friend Edy when I made this block.  Edy is a very talented quilter and she'd love if I made at least one quilt block...keep in mind, she never specified that it needed to be made of fabric.... So, Edy, this quilt block is for you!  And thank you Mary Jane for keeping me focused! 

Off I go to see what the others have made or are making this week.  Until later....Happy Crafting!

Hugs,
Mary Mac
AKA:  GlitterGrammy

WOYWW-220 and A Bit Of This and That

Wednesday Already?  Where does the time go?  Well, most of know what Wednesday means.... yes, it's time to share our desk with the world, well, maybe not the whole world, but the crafting world.  Thanks to Julia WOYWW we can all share what we've been up to.  If you have a desk that needs to escape into the cyber world....share with the rest of us.  Leave Julia a little message and then if you have time, hop around.  It's fun and it keeps us creating (maybe not tiding up, but creating!)

These two cards:

Have resulted in moving to the dining room to cut kits for my September Class at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique (reminder the date for this is:  Wednesday 9/11/2013 from 1:00 to 4:00) 

Looks organized doesn't it?  Well there is another area where I'm cutting the dies that doesn't look so neat.  I put the camera away before I got to that spot...sorry.....

Here's my helper....doesn't he look energetic? 

I did work on a card this week, I'm hoping my friend doesn't look at my blog before the 24th, cause this is the card I made for her husband. 

Jerry is an amateur photographer and a good one, I might add.  I knew I needed a camera and a film strip.  Then I found these copper papers ,my friend Virginia cut the camera and the smile.  A bit of rubber stamping, a graphic in the lens and a hidden note and his card is in the mail. 

Well, that's it for today.....Have a crafty week, enjoy the journey and see you next week. 
Hugs,
Mary Mac  AKA:  Glitter Grammy

WOYWW #219 and Two Beautiful Creations

Honest, I have cleaned my craft room, but then I started creating for 3 up-coming classes....so, one mess cleaned, two others created.  The good news, I have 3 cards ready for putting kits together, and instructions written for two of them.  I feel like I'm getting back to being organized.  I know, from the looks of my desk you would never know!  So, have a look around, leave a comment if you have time and I hope you will then head over to Miss Julia's at Stampin-Ground  to see what everyone has been doing. 

I have a little friend that is VERY talented.  Her name is Skyler and she is 5 years old.  She created this beautiful project.  Look at all the work that went into placing each little tile.  Skyler is the grand daughter of my buddy Dee Dee.  I'm sure Skyler's talent runs in her family.  She has a very creative Mom, and Grand Mom.....A big shout out to Skyler and a super big THANK YOU  for thinking of me.  And now....here's Skyler's creation.....

And here's our little crafty girl Skyler.....

I couldn't forget her grandma, Dee Dee.  She made this beautiful card for my birthday.  THANK YOU  Dee Dee, your card is gorgeous! 

Well, I'm a bit late posting to WOYWW, but better late than never right?  Wishing you all a most crafty week, and a little reminder, my first post on the Poppystamps blog goes live on August 24th, I hope you hop over to have a look at not only what I've created, but also to see what the design team members are doing. 

Until later.  Happy Crafting!
Mary
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Rudolph Day and WOYWW #217

Hello again.  Here's what I made for this month's Rudolph Day.......

Monday I was enjoying our weekly girls crop/chat/eat/laugh day when Rita calmly said, I finished my Christmas shopping.  Let me tell you we all gasp as we swung around to look at her.  She was merrily working on a Christmas card at the time, and I think she said, and I only have two more Christmas cards to make.....thankfully, I'm not the only one still working on cards, and I must say, I've not begun shopping.  Hello.....it's July (ok, almost August!)  So I shall shuffle along making more Christmas cards and I shall begin thinking about Christmas shopping sometime after Thanksgiving.  That said, I used my newest Memory Box dies.  I know, I'm on the Poppystamps Design Team, which by the way is a child of Memory Box.....I've been in love with Memory Box for a very long time, and this year's Christmas/Winter dies do not disappoint.  I am making cards with my Poppystamps, but it's not my turn to post, so you will just have to wait until later this month. 

Here's the inside.....

 

I'm putting on my Elf clothing and heading on over to see what's been going on over at the Rudolph Day Celebration.  How about joining in the fun.  You meet really fun people, share fantastic creations, and.....get some of those Christmas cards made. Now that's Win - Win....

 

And now that I'm home, I can play along with What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday, which I really missed while I was away.  It doesn't look like much is going on here, but I have been busy catching up with housework, visiting, playing, designing, and paying bills (yuk).  So here's my desk, you can see several rubber stamps, mostly sentiments and then there is the normal stuff.  Oops, I mean treasures!  Check out what others have been playing with, and if you are brave...join in!  Ok, you don't have to be brave, just willing to share a bit of your world!

This is what I used to make my card.  I am determined to learn how to use all the cool tools for posting product, however, at present....I'm just enjoying making cards. 



Until later, Hugs to all, Happy Crafting,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy


Frostyville Wreath 98418



Luca Ornament 98659
 



Blank Ticket 98213