You Can Judge This Book By It's Cover

I was up early this morning to take my Dad to an appointment and then we enjoyed breakfast together. What a sweet memory this will make :) He talked alot about his childhood and the foods his mother would prepare....I sat and listened and sort of felt that he was giving me a glimpse of the little boy he used to be. He talked about the Great Depression years, which began when he was one month old. Growing up in those times, he has always had a great appreciation for the simple things, the important things. I think I get that from him. Watching him eat and listening to his stories was somewhat bittersweet, afterall, Dad is 79 years old. I have been blessed by his steadfast presence all of my life.

Yesterday, I made this cute little Fall Memories Book. I bought the chipboard book because it was on sale for 30 cents!!! Who could pass that up? As I pondered what to put it, I realized that I have had a special Fall....being off work and having the time to cook and bake; scrapbook and craft; take long walks and pet newborn puppies; to sit by the fire and talk with my husband and to spend extra time with by son; to meditate on the Great God that I serve. What a blessed woman that I am. That's what this book is all about, just snippets of what this time has meant to me. I have a feeling that in the years to come, I will take it out and reminisce, and with a smile, revisit this special, special time....of falling leaves, carving pumpkins, cool evenings and a warm meal with those that I love the most.

This Week's Challenge

This is my interpretation of this week's card challenge on 2sketches4you@blogspot.com. I love their site always look forward to their cool sketches.

The icy blue and silver JOY card is one I decided to make when I happened upon these beautiful ornaments. I will be sure to enclose a note to remove and keep the ornament for future decoration after the recipient has enjoyed the card. I love to incorporate multiple uses for everything, if possible.

Today is sunny and very cool...my son commented that we have bypassed Fall and went straight to winter. With the snow flurries this week, I might agree :)

Cooool Monday!

We awoke to a coool fall morning here in Kentucky! There is a crispness to the air that hasn't been noticed before. This is my favorite time of year....the chill, the leaves falling, a fire burning, a cup of hot chocolate (with cool whip :), and a good book. Ah....what more could I ask for?

I worked on these cards over the weekend, but had no time to post. Saturday night was date night for hubby and I, Sunday busy with church activities. So I will get them posted today.

My son has a birthday coming up (his 21st!) He has always had a real aversion to "frogs" so I thought this would be a cute card for him. The card does not open, but the lid with the frog sitting on it does, where he will find something 'green' tucked inside. He will get a kick out of it, I'm sure.

While shopping with my sister on Friday, we found some cute wooden die cuts from Provocraft, hence, the ladybug card. I loved it and had a cute button to match in my supplies. Then I just threw together the holly card on a whim. I have several small ornaments and did appreciate the way that the santa added that 3-D effect to this one.

Well, errands to run will not wait much longer, so I will get back to creating later this evening.

May your day be blessed!

Pumpkin Carving

I have enjoyed a rainy October evening with my family. My husband, son, his girlfriend and I have carved pumpkins "on the dining room table." ( My first pumpkin carving EVER in 43 years!) It was great fun and hubby and son's girlfriend are the winners with her carving the pirate and hubby the howling wolves. Son and I were not quite as good with a knife as they were, although I did "paint" a cute face on the back of mine :) I find that the special memories we make are often the simple pleasures of being with those we love the most...then, whatever you're doing, becomes a snapshot lovingly kept throughout the years. This was one of those for me...thanks guys.

Laptop Demise

My 4 month old laptop crashed and died today! Woe is me....I have alternated between recovery discs and manufacturer phone calls all day with no success. So tonight (and for awhile) I am on the old desktop pc....I am so spoiled, when it seems inconvenient to sit at a desk.

I made these cards this afternoon. I still love this awesome shade of green (not your usual Christmas green). I happened upon some awesome ornaments this week, and while I wouldn't use them on my tree...I love them on my cards. (forgive me for the repeat candy tin....I blame it on the computer change...it was not my intent to post it again, it just sorta popped in there when I published :)

Bonus Challenge

I did this card for the bonus sketch on 2sketches4you@blogspot.com . I rarely use purple, but today I happened upon this beautiful embossed paper at a local discount store. (less than 10 cents per sheet.) I love it! I decided to make a small treat can as well and used the products I already had on my worktable. I ended up with a cute can and a matching card...I am all about multiple projects at one sitting, if possible.

Looks Like Christmas

I came upon these felt ornaments quite by accident yesterday and fell in love with them! I adore the unusual shade of green on them and immediately came home and raided my paper stash searching for a match. I found it in the christmas striped paper. (I love it when a plan comes together.) I also found the shade of green on a small tin, and Amber, expanding on your idea, I made mine a "tin of encouragement." I placed words or phrases on each tag and decorated them. It was great fun. I especially like my second card with the Merry Christmas tag tucked into the tree. The card is solid and does not open, so instead of stamping or stickering on the card, I added the tag and loved it. I have noticed such a change in my design styles over the last couple of weeks. It is a wonderful thing to be inspired! Thanks to those of you who are my inspiration.