Thankful

When I made my *Spooky* Banner, I moved my *Autumn* banner into my kitchen to hang from my china hutch. It looks so great there, I didn't want to move it. It also gave me an excuse to make yet another banner. I have so much fun making these, especially this one because of the fun colors and patterns. I am proud that I didn't even go to the store once to purchase anything for this banner. I just used things I had in my stash and it ended up being perfect. I looked through my stash of K& Company papers and just grabbed ones that seemed like Autumn to me, even though they weren't necessarily meant to go together. I added two different images from Crafty Secrets. The funny thing about the image below is that the turkey has a sign coming out of his pumpkin cart that says "Eat Pizza". It got covered up with the chipboard letter, but I thought that it was funny!
As you can see, I patterned this one almost exactly after my *Spooky* Banner. Instead of the crepe paper ruffles, I used some vintage lace. My chipboard letters were first painted using Making Memories Scrapbook Paint, then glittered using some gold SU! glitter. You should have seen the glittered mess I cleaned up yesterday after I was done. I was actually glittering myself. I had to run to the grocery store, and I couldn't look anyone in the face, because I knew I was sparkling.

I wish I would have gotten this one done a little earlier, since Thanksgiving is only a few short weeks away. I decided to make a pumpkin pie yesterday to get into the Thanksgiving spirit a little bit more. My house smelled so good and my family was thankful for the treat. I love Autumn so much! My kitchen and dining area have a beautiful Autumn glow coming in from the windows since all of the leaves on my 5 trees in the back have turned. I have a beautiful blanket of yellow leaves in the backyard that we will get to rake up. My kids love to rake the leaves. We usually make a huge pile for them to jump into each year. Unfortunately, my backyard neighbors find my trees the bane of their existence. I think this is the last year that we will have all 5.

I have some more baking to do today. I will be making some refreshments for the judges that will be coming to our school tonight to judge all of our Reflections contest entries. I also need to finish up their thank you cards as well. Thanks for fluttering by!

Time For Take-Out *Sneak Peek*

Yes...it is that time again! Time for a fabulous new template from Papertrey Ink that will be available for purchase on the 15th of this month. It isn't your ordinary "Take-Out" box that we all have seen again and again. This one is fresh and fun and available in two sizes. You all know how much I love it when you get two for one! One of the fun things about this one is that you can use two different colors of paper to coordinate for a bit of interest. I chose to use Spring Moss and Pure Poppy for my project. I also paired it withEveryday Button Bits, one of my must have sets, as well as Polka Dot Basics. Of course I couldn't resist adding a few of the new Holiday Mix VintageButtons. I finished the project off by adding a bow of Pure Poppy Swiss Dot Ribbon. I can't wait to fill this up with a sweet treat to give to a friend! Thanks for fluttering by!

Merry Christmas *SFYTT*

I decided to switch gears a bit and start getting ready for the Holidays! I am trying to get a head start, since by the time Christmas rolls around, I might not be feeling like getting things done! I started my Christmas shopping the other day and it felt good to get some fun gifts for family and friends! I love Christmas! I was actually quite surprised and delighted while I was shopping to hear quite a few religious Christmas songs playing over the loud speaker. It really made me stop and think while I was shopping what it is really all about. It is crazy to have Christmas all around, every where this soon. I know that it happens every year, but it still kindof freaks me out. It used to be that Christmas decor, etc. didn't make it's appearance until the day after Thanksgiving. I will still try and throw a few Autumn projects out there, because Autumn is one of my absolute favorite seasons.

I have only used this image from Inkadinkado once, last year, and I used these same papers. I decided to make it easy on myself today and just pull them out and use them again. I rarely use these papers anyway, so it is good to use up some of my stash. I have been waiting all year to use my Martha Stewart snowflake punch again; I didn't get my fill last year, I guess. I colored Frosty using an assortment of Copic and Prismacolor markers. I added some diamond stickles to add a little sparkle and dimension. The sentiments that were included in this stamp set, didn't work well with this layout, so I decided to use one from SU!'s "Many Merry Messages". It is one of my favorite Christmas sentiment sets and I use it quite a bit this time of year.





I decided to create a home spun feel by adding some sewing, buttons and gingham ribbon. I probably won't mail this one out, but rather tuck it in with a gift. The papers are all from SU!. They are a prints pattern pack that was a hostess level from last year, I believe.



I really shouldn't wait a whole week between posts because I feel like I always have a lot to say. A lot has happened since last Saturday; sadly one of the things being that my son's football team lost at the Mini-Bowl last Saturday. They played a good game; the ending score being 14-6. We had a second touch-down, but a penalty was called, so it didn't count. My son was actually okay afterward and not too upset. He had fun trick-or-treating and it was good to have that to take his mind off things. I think my husband and I were more upset than him. It was weird all week to only have to get my daughter to dance in the evening and have the rest open to enjoy together. The tooth fairy has visited us this week, which is always fun. This is the second tooth my daughter has lost, and it is so fun to see the magic in her eyes when she excitedly tells us what the tooth fairy has brought her.

I am feeling quite pregnant these days. I am irritable, crying all the time about random things, tired and well....pregnant. I am getting excited as I see the days turn into weeks and the due date coming up quickly. I love to feel him kicking and moving and wonder what he will be like. I had a dream that he had blonde hair, which I know won't happen since both of my babies have had a full head of Jet-Black hair. I told my little Emma and now every drawing she makes of the baby he has a full head of yellow spikey hair. It is quite cute and I am saving most of the cute drawings she has made. My favorites have been the ones with a big circle in my stomach, the baby in the circle with a heart or two. So cute!!!

It is almost 10:00 a.m. and I better get my family some breakfast! Thanks for fluttering by!

You won't want to miss the other SFYTT designers.
Jen Del Muro and New November Guest Designer
Amy Rohl
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer,Leigh O' Brien!!!!!

Spooky *SFYTT*

I am totally late and I apologize; I am doing good just to get something posted today! I almost cancelled today, but managed to get something made. I helped with both of my kid's Halloween Parties yesterday, plus helped set-up and decorate for the Fall Carnival at the school, stayed to volunteer and then cleaned up. I totally spaced out my SFYTT responsibilities and then I ended up sleeping in. I have to get everything ready for tonight, plus get ready for my son's super exciting football game today! I really need everyone to wish them luck today! Pretty Please! LOL! Okay....so enough complaining and on to the card.

I know that I said on Thursday that I wouldn't be posting any more Halloween projects, but as I was deciding on what to use today, I ran across this old SU! paper and rub-ons, so I decided to go with it. My daughter won a plastic spider at the carnival last night, so I asked her if I could add it to my card.

I also added some diamond gems to the spiders web hanging down. I thought it gave it a little something extra. I also added a few of the new Holiday buttons from Papertrey Ink. I am excited to get some holiday projects made using them. Well...I better dash so that I can get going on my other "to-dos". I hope everyone has a super fun, super safe Halloween!

You won't want to miss the other SFYTT designers.
Jen Del Muro and Lorelie
Amy Rohl
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer,Leigh O' Brien!!!!!

Thanks for fluttering by!!

Trick or Treat *Treats*

This will probably be my last "Halloweeny" post, since Halloween is in 2 days! I haven't really posted much to do with Halloween since I don't send out Halloween cards anymore. I used to send them out to the family each year, but I haven't for quite a while. I decided to be prepared and get the treats for my kid's teachers done early this year, so I sat down last week and put these "genie bags" together in a snap. I used the same paper and concept that I used on my SPOOKY banner; why reinvent the wheel?

I couldn't find any of the Jack-O-Lantern buttons that I used on my banner, so I picked up some pumpkin buttons and sponged a bit of black StazOn ink onto them to give them a more spooky feel. They looked to bright and well...pumpkiny before the treatment! LOL! I waited to photograph them until they were filled with fun and yummy treats. I have a habit of tying the bows on things to take the picture, and then I have to untie them to fill them up.

Also, I know I won't shut up about football, but our boys won again and are headed to the Mini-Bowl on Saturday!!!!! A team from our city hasn't competed in the Mini-Bowl for 15 years! We are so excited, yet nervous all at the same time. The team we will be playing hasn't lost a game this year, either, so we feel we are well matched and this will be our hardest competition!!! I decided to post a few pictures from last week's game. I haven't been posting many pictures of my son this year and I really am a proud Mama! Like I mentioned last week, the end of football has such a bittersweetness to it. I sat looking at his gear strewn around his room and actually felt sad that this would be the last week I would have to "deal" with it. I complain about it a lot, especially to him, but I really am really proud of the accomplishments he has made this season. It does take a lot of dedication, energy and time and I am really happy that he made the commitment this year.

GoThunder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. Thanks for all of your sweet comments about my baby and all of your advice. I really do appreciate it! My glucose test came back normal! Yay! Also, someone left a comment about how I adhered the micro-beads to my card on Saturday and it they fall off. No, they don't. I applied a thin layer of Martha Stewart liquid glue and then dipped the edges into the beads. Once the glue hardens, a few will fall off if they didn't get enough glue, but the ones that are in glue are stuck! Hope that helps!

Kind and Wonderful Friend *SFYTT*

Sometimes I wonder where the week has gone when I realize that I haven't posted for a week!
I have been working on a few Halloween goodies for my kids to give to their teachers. I have to run and get some more ribbon for them and I haven't had a chance. My little one is home sick as I am writing this and I don't want to drag her on a road trip just to get some ribbon. The store is not in my city; it is about a half an hour away, so it will have to wait for a day when she is back in school. Today's card is for this week's Sketch For You To Try. I really liked all of the panels which gave me the opportunity to use 3 different pattern papers. I have been wanting to use up my scraps of paper that I used for my Autumn banner and I thought today's card would be the perfect opportunity. I have really been enjoying all of the circles that Jen has been using in her sketches. When I saw this sketch, I really wanted to create a wreath around a sentiment; an oldie but goodie that I like to do.

I punched the circle using a Marvy 2 1/2 inch circle punch. Next, I punched out an assortment of leaves using one of my Martha Stewart punches and a variety of cardstock. I used my 2-way glue pen to adhere them. It gave me better control as to where the adhesive would go, since only half of the leaves are adhered to the circle. The sentiments are from SU!

I added some gold micro beads to the outside and inside panels. I also tied it all together with an acorn button that I found in my stash. I thought it was the perfect finishing touch.

I had my doctor's appointment on Thursday and found out that my baby has finally turned head down. I was getting worried that a C-section was in my future, not to say that is still couldn't happen. I always keep that in my mind, so that I won't be disappointed if it works out that way. He is right on track and measures exactly to the day. Yay! I also had my glucose test, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that it comes back with good news. I haven't had any issues with my other two, but you never know.

Also, my son won his football game last Saturday! Yay! The other team's coach was such a poor sport and said that we should have given their team a chance to get another touchdown and that we shouldn't have made the final touchdown of the game. He said that it was poor sportsmanship. Excuse me? Try telling a 9 or 10 year old boy that they shouldn't do their best and that they shouldn't make a touchdown after an amazing catch and a clear shot at the endzone. I was scratching my head after that one. We are headed off to another one and if we win that, then Halloween will officially be the last game of the season. It is always a bitter-sweet time. Basketball will be starting soon, so I guess I should just enjoy the break while I can. Although, Basketball practice and games seem like a walk in the park compared to football. My daughter has been practicing for her Christmas recital in Ballet. I can't wait. Well.... I will stop rambling as I do so frequently. Wish my son luck again....it paid off! LOL!

You won't want to miss the other SFYTT designers.
Jen Del Muro and Lorelie
Amy Rohl
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer,Leigh O' Brien!!!!!

Thanks for fluttering by!!!

Just Because SFYTT

I recieved my November issue of Martha Stewart Living the other day and fell in love with the Thanksgiving crafts they featured near the back of the issue. I have been wanting to make a card using those colors ever since. I thought today's SFYTT card would be the perfect opportunity. Stay tuned for more projects created using that inspiration! I was inspired to use the retired SU! set "Botanicals" after seeing this beautiful card by Amy! I also paired it with a sentiment from Damask Designs since it was still out from last week. I wanted to add a few more bells and whistles, but as you can see I am a little behind today. I also need to make this quick since we need to get ready to go to my son's football game!

They are playing their second championship game today and I hope they do well. If all goes well, they will play in the Mini-Bowl on Halloween and then football will officially be over for the season. Wish them luck!!!!!!

Well...I better dash!

You won't want to miss the other SFYTT designers.
Jen Del Muro and Lorelie
Amy Rohl
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer,Leigh O' Brien!!!!!

Thanks for fluttering by!!!