New Years Resolution

My desk on Wednesday looks pretty much the same today.  I'm posting a day late...so what's new?  Yesterday seemed to come and go and as I stood in my craft room, I wondered what had I actually done with my day.  Certainly I didn't make any cards.....I did unpack from my Monday class, and started cutting kits for my February class.  I started working on a baby album for my newest great nephew Shawn (shhhhh don't tell), I went for a walk with friends and then......I spent two hours looking for a tiny, tiny part of a die set that I'd just received.  Did I find it....nope!  I've had a week of loosing things, Thankfully, my brain is safely stored in my head!  At my age, any temporary loss of items makes you go....oh oh!  Two of the three "Mis-Placed" items have been found.  However, if you should happen to find a tiny blue, cherry die.....it's mine!  :-) 

Speaking of dies....I ordered these:

Marianne Designs from Frantic Stamper.  I've been drooling over the scissors for months, I finally gave in, and decided that I really, really needed the sleigh, reindeer and of course the cupcake (which is now missing a part...darn!).  I'm hoping to have a chance to work on some cards this weekend.... I have a play day with Brenda on Sunday, Maybe I'll have my act together by then!

I met a very sweet gal through What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday, she's a real go getter, I hope you have a chance to check out her blog page.  Mind you, she's on vacation now and is organized enough to have brought needed supplies for making beautiful cards....  Meet Bridget.  I hope you have a minute to check out not only what she's doing, but what all the fantastic folks are doing at Stamping Ground. 

Until next Wednesday, or maybe Thursday.....Have a wonderful, wonderful week. 

Hugs to all,

Mary AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Iris In January? What's With That?

Good Morning and Happy 2012.  I'm getting a late start, but for a super reason.  We had a house full at Christmas, followed by a great week of girl time with my best GF Dee Dee.  You wouldn't know it from my post, but we did make cards, an album, and cut templates for her to take back to Colorado.  This card is one I made and I think it just might be one of the cards for my February Class.   I was inspired by several cards I saw on posts I follow.  I am always in need of birthday cards for men and I think this one would work for a man or a woman...even a child.  I like the top right of the card, a great place to put the actual age (though some may object).  I'm hoping to get another card put together this weekend.  My January class is Monday and I like having the next month's cards available for viewing.  Note:  I think there are 2 or 3 spots still available.  Check my previous posts to see the January cards, and if you're interested....give Karen a call. 

I was pulling out of my driveway and spotted this little beauty.  Mother Nature is confused this year...this is rain and  snow season in Northern California, not Iris season.  We are so far behind in precipitation this year....I hope we start getting rain and/or snow soon. 

Every year since I began making cards (early 90's), I've made it a tradition to make a Christmas card on New Year's Day.....When I do this, I have bragging rights to the question....Have you started making Christmas Cards?  I can always proudly announce I have....well, not this year.  I've had this little graphic sitting on my desk waiting to be turned into the first Christmas card of 2012....

I'm hoping that before February 1st...Santa has a nice place to hang out until Christmas.  I'm off to check out Stamping-Ground, to see what everyone is up to this fine January.  I'm hoping to get my act together this year and actually post on Wednesday....Ok, next week I'll start!

Have a most wonderful week, I'm off to Weight Watcheers and then on to Paradise Scrapbook Boutique for a play day with the girls.  I'm hoping to actually finish one of the projects that I purchased during a gift crop....We'll see how that goes.  When I finish it, I'll post the photo. 

Hugs to all,
Mary  AKA: Glitter Grammy

Merry Christmas One and All

This will be a short post...I did want to wish each and every one of you a Merry and Blessed Christmas.  I look forward to blog hopping with you after Christmas!

Merry Christmas!
Mary
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Counting Down To Christmas - My Favorite Tag

It's hard to think of Christmas when the weather is warm, we in Northern California are experiencing a very warm early winter.  The rain we normally see this time of the year is traveling up an over us.  Christmas day is supposed to be sunny and warm.  I was humming "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" as I put up my tiny village....At least inside my home it's Christmas!

Shopping done, the gifts are wrapped, the house is decorated, the Christmas letter sent....now I need to think about baking.  Thankfully my friend Leesa gifted me with a Wonderful lemon poppy seed cake ( Weight Watcher points 7 per piece) and pumpkin bread.  I did make peanut brittle, but do need to make more and maybe if I get the lead out.....I'll make cookies.  When you are trying to watch what you eat, you tend to keep baking at a minimum. 

I spent hours on this little gift tag.  It started as a Graphic 45 Challenge, which I did not finish in time, so, I kept working on this little piece and I've got to say.....I like it.  The graphic is from Graphic 45's Christmas Emporium Collection 8x8, the sleigh is a Spellbinder die that I don't use often, but love it when I do.  The little gift box that fell from the sleigh I made...Gotta say, I like it!  I cut the toys from the Graphic 45 paper and placed them in the sleigh along with tree branches and candy canes.  My intent was to make a tag that would be saved and used in later years as an ornament.

The girls are taking a break from Christmas prep and we're doing our morning walk.  Today Rosie, Carolyn's puppy is taking her virgin walk with the group.  Shasta, Marsha's dog, will be her mentor.  Shasta is the best behaved dog and we are hoping she will be a roll model for Rosie.  Mind you, my two aren't going.  They are not good roll models! 

I'm hoping to spend my evening with a cup of hot chocolate (or two)  and a visit to all the folks participating in the Stamping-Ground WOYWW.  There I always find  incredibly talented folks that play along every week.... if you have time....check them out here.

Off I go for now.  I don't think I'll be posting again before Christmas....so.....I'm wishing each and everyone a most blessed Christmas and a very, very Happy and Healthy New Year.

UPDATE:

A quick update.  We took photos of Rosie's first walk, like a proud Auntie, I just have to share them.  She was sooooo very good, and Shasta is a very good roll model.  I'm so glad the walk went well, it will make Carolyn's life much less stressful knowing her little girl had a good time. 



Meet Rosie and her mom, Carolyn.

Meet (From Left to Right):  Lynda, Me, Carolyn, Marsha and of course Shasta and Rosie

Rosie didn't wear her sweater on the walk, but this photo was too cute..... as is this one:

Off I go.....I just couldn't wait to post these photos. 

Later....Hugs to all,
Mary AKA:  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. 

What's On My Work Desk? What Isn't!

My new toys created this card.....OOPS, I mean my new "Tools", created this card!  I love dies, and the new Memory Box dies are WONDERFUL.  I must not be the only one who thinks this....her supply came in and went out as fast as she could hang them.  I'm not surprised.....

So, on Monday I taught my December Class....you gals did a great job....I'm impressed!  After the class finished a few of us were watching what Karen was taking from the UPS box.....well what to my wondering eyes should appear?  The Sew Ribbon paper punch.....any tool catches my eye as it did the others.....I purchased the leaf punch, which is shown on the border of the card above, and the Zig Zag, which is shown in the picture below....

The red ribbon in the photo is my practice punch.  I used a ribbon I had in my stash, I think it was 1/4 inch, We R Memory Keepkers does sell pre-packaged ribbons that are in tons of beautiful colors....I however forgot to purchase any....I've got to say...this was an easy way to get a rather unique, and straight, I might add, border.  Pretty cool don't you think? 

OK....now for the mess of all messes....Here's what's on my Work Desk.....I'm apologizing ahead of time....The desk is in the process of unpacking from my class, packing for the Christmas Crop, and playing with my new toy.  My goal today(one of them) is to clean my work area....

And another goal......write my Christmas letter, and address the Christmas Cards.  I've got to say, it's a happy and sad day....happy because I'm sharing my creations with loved ones, and sad because I'm letting them go.....

Notice....I did get some peanut brittle made....now if I can keep my husband out of it, we may actually have some left at Christmas. 

I wish everyone a peaceful week, may the season bring happiness not stress and remember Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ....It shouldn't be a time of stress...It is what we make it. 

I know that for many it is a sad time, but you can make it a happy time.  If you're alone during the holidays, volunteer to visit those in care facilities, or help with preparing dinner in homeless shelters.  If you have neighbors who are alone, invite them to share Christmas with you.  Remember, this time of year is what we make it....let's make it the happiest Christmas of all!

I'm headed over to see what's happening at Stamping Ground.  If you want to treat yourself to a few minutes of browsing....check out what's happening here. 

Have a wonderful week!  Hugs and Love to all,
Glitter Grammy
AKA: Mary

Update for January Class and Play Day

Yesterday was my play day with Brenda.  She brought things she's working  on and I was looking through some graphic files as I backed up my computer and I found the graphic above.  I hadn't made a layered card in a long time, and I've never made an easel card along with the layered graphic....so, as you can see, I accomplished both.  I tried just about every Spellbinder label that I have, and Labels 8 worked the best on this graphic...Another fun day with Brenda and I felt as though I actually accomplished something. 

It seems I can never leave a card without wishing I'd done something different.  For my January cards, the Birthday card is just about the same, but the Valentine card did change considerably....especially on the inside....and the hearts on the outside.  I'm updating the photos so those wishing to sign up for the class can see exactly what they'll be making.  A reminder.  The classes have been filling up quickly....usually within 2 or 3 days....so, if you are interested.  Give Karen a call....

Back to leaving well enough alone.  I was liking the box I made for my ornament, but I thought it needed just a bit more.  So.....I added a tag, with a sweet Christmas graphic and the Memory Box dies and another snow flake....I'm happy.....

For two weeks, I've been promising my husband peanut brittle.  I'd best get moving and get some made. 

Off I go for now, have a great week, I hope to get something accomplished before Wednesday so I can share on WOYWW.  Until then.....Hugs to all,

Mary

AKA:  Glitter Grammy