It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

DH and I did some shopping yesterday. We got the cutest Nutcracker. He's about 3 feet tall and made of wood. We also got a red conical shaped "tree" that has lights. It stands to the side and behind the Nutcracker outside by our front door. The red "tree" has lights, too. I'll take a photo of it and post it. It looks so cute! I love to have something by the front door each month.

I worked on a couple of mini albums. It was a labor of love. DH took it down to the copy place to have them bind it and the gal there didn't bind it right and two of the inner pages fell out because the holes weren't placed right. I was sooooooo miffed! It took a week to make the album. Luckily, I was able to lessen the width of the cupcake top by cutting off the holes she made. Poor thing. She just didn't know.

This album uses pretty much all Basic Grey Cupcake goodies - paper, embellies, chipboard shapes, buttons, etc. DS was two on the day these photos were taken. I'm guessing he got the sweater as a b-day gift as he has a summer b-day and summers in Las Vegas were easily 116+° (47+°C.) which is hardly sweater weather! I baked the Big Bird cake because, at that time, he was so in love with anything Sesame Street. I also added touches of bling here and there - balloons, word, gift, etc. It turned out better than I had thought! LOL Here it is:











I hope you liked how it turned out. I just had so much fun doing it, too!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

XO

Chris

Can You Believe It's December?

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We were lucky enough to have our DS and DDIL here for a visit that was sooooo appreciated. Bless their hearts, they drove for two days to get home. They did get back home safely and my prayers were answered!

Congratulations to Susan! There were only three comments posted, so the odds were good, LOL. Susan will be enjoying some new Basic Grey Ambrosia. Please PM your address so I can get this out to you, Susan. Calia and Kerry, thank you, also, for taking the time to comment. It was a bit disappointing that I only had three respondents, but I know it's a busy time of the year.

I recently did this LO with the crisp, clean reds and greens of the Christmas season. I LOVED the CS because of its leather-like texture. I bought it a couple of years ago and saved it for just the right layout. I thought this was it! The red and green solids are suede so there is yet another element of texture. The stitching and glittered highlights add a third. Here it is:



Joy to My World!

Thank you for stopping by!

XO,

Chris

Just a Little Blog Candy

Well, I thought I might make a separate post tempting you with a little blog candy! Wouldn't you just love to get your hands on some Basic Grey Ambrosia? I don't mind sharing! It is such a beautiful line of colors and patterns.

What do you need to do? Why just leave a comment and spread the word! It's as easy as that! Let your friends know. If they mention your name in their post, I'll put your name in once for each separate mention! I'll let Random.org do the drawing. The more times your name goes in, the better chance you have to win! I'll select a winner the day after Thanksgiving! That should give you plenty of time!

Good luck!

Chris

Fall is Flying By after Summer Dragged On!

Is time going faster or what? Summer seemed to never end. Here we are in the middle of November! I want Fall to last longer. It is such a beautiful time of the year!

The holidays are quickly approaching. We had our Christmas lights hung outside yesterday. No, we haven't turned them on! It's too early! We were able to hire the guys before things get crazy for them. It's so nice to have someone else string them up and take them down. We'll turn them on the day after Thanksgiving. They did it last year for us and DH was soooooo happy that he didn't have to do it!

I am in love *sigh.* I can't get enough of Basic Grey's Ambrosia! Out of all the lines Basic Grey has ever come out with, Ambrosia is my most favorite! The colors are so rich! The patterns are so much fun with which to work! I love Ambrosia so much, I want to share some with you! Just leave a comment. I'll use a random generator to select a name and send some to you! How's that for a deal?

Here are my newest designs:

This is one of my most favorite layouts ever. Isn't my DDIL beautiful? Look at that face! I have elevated the plume so that it is the high point of the LO. The butterflies are also elevated and the wings bent upward so they look as if they are flying. I also cut the "U" from chipboard and covered it w/ paper. Do you ever do a LO and surprise yourself? I surprised myself with this one. Here it is:


U are So Beautiful

The next LO is of a petroglyph panel that is quite large entitled "The Great Hunt." It was carved into the desert varnish by Fremont Indians thousands of years ago. The canyon walls are covered with these carved images. Sadly, they are being ruined by truck traffic on the miles of dirt road. The petroglyphs are very close to the road. With these tanker trucks using that canyon all the time, the dust and exhaust are destroying them. It is so sad. For this LO, soaked the cardstock and crumpled it several times to get lots of wrinkles in it. I did this technique with my students when I was teaching. Next, I let it dry, and then inked the high points. It looks great IRL and has lots of textures from the burlap to the twine to the metals. Thank you, Kerry, of Scrap in the Box, for the chipboard owl. I covered it with Paper Perfect and added tiny pieces of mica while the Paper Perfect was still wet.


9 Mile Canyon

The last LO is of my silly son and DDIL dressed for Halloween. My child is the one in drag! He's supposed to be Sarah Palin while my DDIL is a moose, LOL. Just wait until they look at this photo when they are in their 60s, LOL. I thought it was hilarious! Such a pair of cuties!


There's a Moose on the Loose

I've made some holiday cards, too. These are just missing the silver word stickers on the fronts. I haven't gotten them yet.

I love this sweet stamp. I also used my favorite papers - you know, the kind that are too pretty to cut up. Well, I took a breath and started cutting. I used Prismacolor pencils and mineral spirits. I can't find Gamsol where I live. I think it might work better than the generic mineral spirits. The bench and the little girl are on pop dots so that they stand up a bit. I also used one of my sets of Nestabilities to cut the circles. I got my sets at a great site called Cut@Home. Sign up and you will get a monthly discount code to apply to your purchase.



The next card was made with my Lace Tree Cuttlebug embossing folder which I purchased from Happy Scrappin' Scrapbooking. The owner, Sharon, does ship world wide, too! I added some gems and Stickles so that there is a sparkle. I did use white CS, but it looks a bit yellow.



The last card is my favorite! I used green suede paper. It is so rich looking. I cut a border and then trimmed it to the size I wanted. Once again, I colored the angel with Prismacolor pencils and mineral spirits. I also used Copic markers for the darker points. I'm still learning how to use those fabulous markers! I cut the rectangle using one of the rectangle Nesties. I also used a Cuttlebug embossing strip using Swiss Dots. It's hard to see, but the embossing is between the fold and the green suede strip. I also purchased this from Happy Scrappin' Scrapbooking



Thank you for stopping by. I really love having visitors! I hope I've given you some ideas!

XO,

Chris

History Was Made Tonight

My heart has been so touched by the speech I just witnessed by President-Elect, Barack Obama. I have witnessed the passing of the baton that is so American - the peaceful election of a new administration. I am humbled. The speech that was just given was of such a high caliber and given by a man that belongs to a select few - FDR, Abraham Lincoln, JFK. This is a moment in history that speaks of greatness. How lucky for the young generation that this is THEIR generation and THEIR President just as I was a part of the JFK generation. I am in awe tonight as I was when Kennedy was elected.

As I looked at the crowds shown on the TV screen, I loved seeing the diversity of America - MY AMERICA. I pray that President-Elect Obama will be blessed with the knowledge to get us back on the right track. I pray that his inspiration will spread to each and every one of us.

In my lifetime, which hasn't been all that long, I have seen blacks going to different schools, sitting at the back of a bus, drinking from appointed water fountains, unable to go into some public places. Slowly. over the years, those barriers came down. This - this is a moment in time that is historical and I have been witness to it.

What I saw in the faces of those gathered to hear this man speak were the faces of hope - a lifting of spirits that have been down for such a long time. People, knowingly or unknowingly, feeling the pressures of the past eight years were feeling their burden lifted with the promise that together, we can make change for the better. So many who have felt generations of being "held back," that there was no future, because of race, were finally witnessing something this nation holds true - that ANYONE can be president. We were reminded that WE are the United States of American - each and every one of us - a collective group.

God bless the United States.

XO,

Chris

Race to the White House and Diversions

It's everywhere. You cannot get away from it. Political commentaries! Talk about mudslinging! If any of these candidates had noses that grew like Pinocchio's when untruths were told, my gosh, they'd be falling all over themselves - doing impressions of elephants or anteaters! I have to say that Utah is 99% quieter than Las Vegas was. The TV ads are sparse and yard signs, trash mail, door fliers, etc., are basically nonexistent. It's sooooooooooooooo nice! It's just sad that when watching these candidates on TV, the political "spin" is an insult to the intelligence! OK, enough of my political diatribe! No one cares what I think, LOL. However, this is my blog and I can voice my opinion, right? I anticipate a political breath of fresh air - a different tact - a more gentle way of interaction.

Enough...

If you are into Nestabilities, have I got something for you! There is a website, Cut@Home, that sells them. If you sign up for their newsletter, each month, you get a 40% off coupon code which is applicable to one item each month. I've been buying the four packs of Nesties and taking the 40% off! When I say four pack, I mean, for example, large rectangles plain, large rectangles scalloped, and the next smaller size of rectangles in plain and scalloped edges. You can use them in your Cuttlebug. Just remember to get the tan mat, too. There are two mats in each package. Your 40% off coupon code may also work for the single sets. I'm not sure, though. I have 3 four packs making 12 complete sets of Nesties. That little coupon code is perfect!

My printer died. We sent it back to HP for repairs. They called and stated that they are returning it to us for burial. I'm thinking a good Irish wake or maybe a New Orleans style tribute is due. That little printer was the little printer that could. It was soooooo good and sooooooo reliable. I loved how my prints always turned out beautifully. Now, I'm lost. I haven't scrapped in a week. I'm in the dumps. I don't even want to scrap. I have a big printer that prints on 12 x 12 papers, but the quality of the photos is stinky compared to the now departed one. I've been spoiled.

Below are the last photos HP printed before he went to Printer Heaven. Out of desperation, I made some cards. Here they are for you to view. Enjoy!



For this card, I rolled the background image using a stamp wheel. I water colored the little girl, pumpkins, and ground. I added some glitter to the bat's wings and the tummy of the little sweetie. I love these stamps!



On this card, the gold paper is a bright, clear gold. I added a little piece of sheer ribbon for her hair bow. Again, I used water colors to color the picture.



The last card looks very, very vivid. I'm not sure, in real life, the colors are this harsh looking, but if I look at each component, the colors are right on.


Baby Boo

Oh, this was way back when I was young, had good eyes, and thick hair. Time has taken its toll! I liked showing the two photos of DS - one where he was crying, and the next, after he got his bippy! I think he was too hot. LOL I made most of my costume using gold Christmas tree tinsel stitched to the neck, hem, sleeve cuffs. The dress was yellow satin. I also had openings in the back where the elastic for my beautiful wings threaded through. I was a fairy princess with crown and wand. I made a little pair of ears and a hat for DS. He was also wearing yellow fleece jammies. He looked like a fuzzy stuffed animal. He was just two months old. *sigh*


My Honey

This is my sweetie. We're coming up on our 33 anniversary. I get so sad sometimes. We're getting older. My health isn't what I'd like it to be. DH has longevity in his genes. I know he'll marry after I'm gone. That just makes me soooooo sad. I'm selfish. I don't want to ever share him. OK- back to the LO - I added some gold foil CS to each corner to add a bit of sparkle. The title strips are fabric and attached with little screw brads.



Sweet Fall Memories

I wasn't sure how this LO was going to turn out. I knew I wanted to step out of my comfort zone by braving orange and blue. I'm not sure I like the result, but it is bright! The leaves in the upper left have a touch of foil in the leaves' veins. It's also hard to see, but I stitched around the inner and outer circumferences of the circle to add some texture and draw the eye to the center. Each year, in the center of town, the Chamber of Commerce (I think) sets up this gorgeous display of pumpkins. It's quite large and in an uncovered covered wagon as well as all around it on the ground. It's there just for photo shoots and visual enjoyment. Of course, it's an annual event to take photos of DH. The title is glittery. It was gold until I colored it with ink so that it wouldn't clash.

Well, I'm going to see if my clothing budget is $150,000 for the next little bit. I need to make sure I can toss in a couple of Manolos and Jimmy Choo's. Oh wait, that's the clothing allowance the RNC provided for the VP candidate - forgetting that is against the RNC's own guidelines to provide a clothing allowance!!!!!!!!!!!!! *grumble* Someday, I should share how I feel, LOL!!!

I've seen women like this before. I had her pegged after the first interview. There are those that walk among us that will walk on us, no matter what it takes, to get where they want to be - even if it means casting your integrity to the wind. "She" is an insult to the female gender - a manipulator (remember the winks). She's found it worked before. Six years, five colleges later, a BS degree, LOL. She can't complete an extemporaneous thought! When she speaks off the script, her thoughts are disjunctive (I think that's the right word - they don't connect). ! If she's given a speech, she can "parrot" that perfectly, but don't dare ask her a question that deviates from the appointed, rehearsed, prepared speech. You know it's coming! She gets this vacuous look and makes a feeble attempt to "snow" whomever is interviewing her. This is not the last of You-Know-Who. She'll never go away. Americans have short memories and will not remember her inability to intellectualize let alone complete a coherent sentence. She's smart enough to learn to talk the talk for the next time around. Sadly, this isn't the kind of smart a leader needs to flaunt. Her intelligence needs to be intrinsic. A piece of advice to Ms. Palin - during those long, dark, Alaskan nights - PICK UP A BOOK AND READ!!!!!

Welcome to the blog to no where, LOL

Have a good one!

Chris

Let the Voting Begin!

Yikes! Early voting is beginning across the USA. How will this election result? There are less than 20 days to go. It's getting exciting - if you can ignore the negative campaign ads. I think I should have a contest for the most POSITIVE presidential campaign ad! Who knows, maybe I'd start a trend!

My sweet husband and I were out taking photos a couple of weekends ago. You've seen the photo of Cedar Breaks and the snow which I posted right after we went. I thought I'd share a couple of additional photos to help you get into the fall mood!



Oh, that's not an Autumn photo! It's a Choco Taco! LOL I used to buy these by the box for my husband and son to munch on! They are sooooooooooooooooo good!!! Are you thinking about licking the screen? Don't. It won't work!

Hmmm, back to the photos. Here are a couple to really help you get in the Fall mood:



Doesn't Mother Nature do a wonderful job! Look at those leaves!



I took this photo after I made my darling husband drive up and down the highway until I found this tree again. I love the contrast of the flaming leaves against the black lava flow. If I could title this photo, I think I would name it "Determination." How that Aspen grew through that basalt rock just amazes me. Gotta love Mother Nature!

This photo should be entitled, "Follow the Yellow Leafed Road." LOL


Lastly, here is a LO I did after our photo shoot. The mountain in the background is a volcano cinder cone. The area in which I live is extremely geologically interesting! There are cinder cones, deep canyons, huge fault lines, dinosaur tracks, volcanic flows, and the beautiful, deep red sandstone.



Thank you for stopping by and thank you for leaving comments on previous posts. It's nice to know who is visiting and if there was something that you liked!

Have a good one and be careful of errant ChocoTacos!

XO

Chris