A Great way to end the Year!

I am so pleased to announce that I am one of the FROSTED DESIGNS DESIGN TEAM MEMBERS!!

Here is a link to the announcement !

Barb offers wonderful kits and a store full of goodies so please be sure to stop over there!

Here are some of the new items that are available

There are also many challenges and don't forget Sundays with Sandee!

FROSTED DESIGNS

Sunday With Sandee

Have you checked out Sundays With Sandee over at Frosted Designs? Well, why not???

Sandee provides the most amazing techniques and inspiration! This week was all about Collage. I had fun trying to find words to cut out. We do not have magazines so I had to make do with the Sunday paper! This week's was also about using water to make a tearing line. I never remember to do that! I got out my Gelatos which are also available in the store!

What are you waiting for?? Join in the fun! We'd love to see you in our Frosted Designs Facebook group!

Frosted Designs Friday Challenge

The current Friday challenge at Frosted Designs is from Katie. Her challenge is to use 3 of her favorite things from the song My Favorite Things.  I just got some new Stencil Girl stencils and knew the direction I wanted to go in! I used brown paper, strings and creme color.

Merry Christmas!

Another Christmas has come and gone! Time just seems to go faster and faster!

Jennifer was home from Arizona for a quick week! Difficult to fit wedding planning and dress shopping in but we did! Her fiance arrived Saturday. Rob and his girlfriend came over Saturday for the annual tree hunt. We fooled then by driving around the block then coming home and chopping a tree in our yard. The joke was on us though when the 1/4 inch of ice on the tree started melting in the living room. Each got a new home ornament this year as both have purchased homes. Rob and Beth came over again Christmas eve for an evening of cards, games, food and laughter. I gave the four of them matching pajamas and they willingly:) put them on and let me take photos! We ended up opening presents at almost midnight. We saved the stocking for the morning. This worked out so well since Jen and Shawn had to fly out at 3 pm which meant heading to the airport by 12:30 pm. Now the house is quiet. There are beds to be made and sheets and towels to be washed. The tree seems lonely in the living room.

I absolutely treasure these times with my kids and their significant others!

  Now it is Christmas night. The house is quiet, there are messes and laundry and no one here but us and the dog. So I wrote this for my kids......

Twas the evening of Christmas

And all through the house

Messes are here, there and everywhere

But it is as quiet as a mouse.

To their homes they have gone

Cars and suitcases filled with presents.

Time went by oh so quickly

But I must be content

For both of my children were here

And traditions one after another

Precious photos and  memories to remind us

Of a family love like no other.

Winner

Guess who was the winner of the May Arts Christmas Craft Ribbon Challenge!!

Yes - My Santa!!

Bethney wrote
I just love the sentiment behind this project and the fun use of the ribbon

Would you vote for me?!?

I was chosen to participate in the May Arts Christmas Craft Challenge. The idea I submitted was to recreate a Santa Face decoration which my aunt made over 25 years ago! The base of her Santa was a clorox bottle and she used tons of white yarn for the beard and hair.

I finally decided to use an oatmeal canister for the base. I painted it and gave him rosy cheeks. I used the lid to make a hat with all the wonderful red and white ribbons. 

I wished I had had many more yards of the white ribbon! His beard could have been so much fuller!

I filled him up with delicious goodies! Don't you love the ribbon eyebrows?

I would love it if you stop on over to the May Arts blog and vote for me!

Thank you May Arts for this fun challenge!!

Hand Made Wood tag Ornaments

Every year I make ornaments for my co workers. This year I chose to use wood tags. I painted them and then stamped and embossed a Mother/Child image on the front. I embossed the back with a stamped verse "Little baby, sweet and small, born to be , the king of all.

I am linking this up to Anything But a Card's current challenge.

Hostess Gift

A good friend is throwing an ugly sweater party tomorrow. Instead of bringing a bottle of wine or another candle, I thought I's make her a canvas for a hostess gift. I made her a Santa one last year so went with a tree this year. These really are quick and easy to make!

Entering this in Anything But a Card's current challenge.
And submitting this for Paradeyourcrafts Christmas projects challenge.

Thirty Years Ago

Thirty years on Dec. 6th, I gave birth to our daughter. I  started the day at work. The operations office of the bank where I worked was on a mezzanine level and the bathrooms were in the basement. I spent much of my time climbing up and down those stairs. I also had a terrible pain in my back and ended up doing all sorts of things to get comfortable. I finally called my husband who drove me home. After spending more time in the bathroom, he got worried about me. I got in the back seat of our Plymouth horizon and he flew ( literally ) to the doctor's office. It was just like a Dogwood and Blondie cartoon moment when he ran in yelling " my wife is having a baby in the back seat of the car". I think 5 people came to help me into the office. I barely got up onto the table when the doctor called the ambulance and I got a ride to the hospital. Ironically it was 1 mile from my office where I had been working.  Not 10 minutes later, Jennifer was born.

Being an oldest child can be difficult but not for Jen. She has always been mature and independent. She set the bar high excelling in academics and sports. She had a large group of friends.  Jennifer is a planner and organizer, is determined and once she sets her mind to do something, there is no changing it. She has succeeded in life. She is a Research Associate at the Dept. of Ed for the State of Arizona, was recently engaged and just bought a house. We have a wonderful relationship and friendship despite the distance.

For her birthday Jennifer completed her List of 30 on 30. Shawn took pictures of her completing the 30 things which I can't wait to see. One of the items on her list was to send us a list of 30 reasons why she is grateful for us. Here is that list:

1.      They are full of love (for their children, each other, pets, friends, and others)
2.      They are incredibly kind and welcoming – friends, significant others, pets
3.      They are generous (often beyond what I deserve) of time, money, and energy
4.      They are forgiving (of stupid decisions or changes in mind or frankly just wrong-ness)
5.      They are always, always, always there for me in times of need
6.      I can talk to them whenever I want
7.      I can share anything with them – good or bad
8.      I can ask their advice on anything (including advice I need but don’t want to hear)
9.      They are super cool/chill
10.  They are trustworthy
11.  They worked hard (and continue to work hard)
12.  They are dedicated to each other
13.  They are dedicated to our family (especially as it grows)
14.  They sacrifice for each other and us
15.  They are inspirational in their love for one another
16.  They are inspirational in their determination to provide the best for me and Rob
17.  They want to spend time with us (maybe sometime’s too much )
18.  They will do anything for me (and Rob)
19.  They are (for the most part) patient
20.  They are fun!
21.  They support me in everything I do
22.  They taught me to be a strong, independent woman
23.  They encourage me to follow my heart, my dreams, my wishes
24.  They knew (and continue to know) when to be a parent and when to be a friend
25.  They taught me and continue to teach me many things (because they are super smart!) – general knowledge, life lessons, useful skills, etc.
26.  They showed me how to treat others in a relationship and how I should be treated
27.  Their desire to be good parents drove their decisions (rather than the desire to be right)
28.  They place(d) family first
29.  They are two of my best friends
30.  They made me

What she doesn't know because she did not get it yet, was that I put 30 strips of paper in her card which had words describing what I love about her. 

Great minds think alike:)

Happy Birthday Jen!!

Going Dotty

Sandee had a video over at Frosted Designs called going dotty. This has been sitting on my desk for days and I could not decide how to finish it. I grabbed watercolor pencils to outline the trees and added ribbon and a tag.

The background is a layer of gelatos spread over a punchinellas mask. I rubbed them with my finger. I added a second layer using a smaller punchinella and did not rub the dots at all. Outlined the trees with water color pencils. I love the affect!!!

December Dare

This month's December Dare by  Tracy is about values and what is important to you. I grabbed my composition book and got to work with Deco Art Paints, stamps, and dry wall tape!!

Silly Dog

When Rob was over Thanksgiving night, he got down on the floor to pet the dog. He rubbed his ears and stomach and I swear the dog was smiling. It really made us laugh.

Used this sketch from Letsgetsketchy

 And here is my smiling dog:)

Thanks for looking!!

Inspired by Sandee

Every Sunday Sandee shares a video over at Frosted Designs teaching us many of the different ways we can use our paints, gesso, gelatos, etc. to make journal pages. This week was all about Acrylic Pour and Ink Bloks! Here is a link to the video

Paint Pour

So I wanted to give this a try and here is my result. The long blue strips reminded me of fingers so I traced my hands and found this quote. I also doodled around some of the ink blots!

Thanks Sandee for pushing me out of the box!!!

Magazine Inspiration Monday

Crazy busy this week but I wanted to complete this. There is much more I could have done to it but time is running out. Steph's inspiration at Papercrafterscorner

My card. When I saw the cut piece of pie it made me think of missing someone at dinner.

With Thankful Hearts

We are so thankful for the adults our children have become.

Jennifer has a phD and is a Research Assoc. with the Dept of Ed. for the State of Arizona! She started dating Shawn last year and on October 20th they got engaged! He is a sweet southern gentleman who adores our daughter.

Rob is putting his computer degree to use at Grand rapids COmmunity College although a new job looms on the horizon after the first of the year. He just bought a house on nov 4th! The process was maybe more scary and nerve wracking than he let on! He and Beth started dating a year ago (they dated in high school). Beth is very down to earth and keeps Rob grounded.

I am so proud of each of them!


Put this sketch from letsGetSketchy to good use!

Also linking this up with CreativeEmbellishments November Challenge. Here is the inspiration picture

Also entering this in the Frosted Designs 11 Item Challenge. From the list, I used a tag, flowers, layers. 

Video Inspiration

I have been watching Andrea Walford's  Art Journal Express videos and I cannot tell you how much I adore them! Andrea manages to break down every detail of her page and make it look so easy! i love the inspiration and tonight as soon as I finished watching the video, I got out my one journal book to complete a page. A stencil and paint for the background. Washi tape and a stamped image. Quick and easy.

Andreas' page

My page

I really try too hard when I create. I drive myself crazy questioning every decision. I love that these videos can allow me to just create. And, yes, I am just lifting but in time my hope is that I can create on my own and more importantly, not be afraid to try!

Thank you so much Andrea!

Mr. Fixit

Rob's house had a few minor issues that required fixing. To do that he needed Dad's help! We headed  there on a Saturday afternoon with all the necessary tools to recess the light at the foot of the stairs. I do think Rob is learning some new skills!

I played along with Sketchy Saturday over at SWAT. Here is the Pagemaps Sketch which I rotated.

I have a few hand made feathers.

May Arts Ribbon

 May Arts Ribbon  has challenges where they give you the ribbon to create a wonderful project which  are then voted on. I submitted an idea for the Christmas Craft Ribbon  Challenge

and  LOOK WHO MADE HE LIST

• Abby Henderson
• Aimee Foley
• Alecia Teague
• Amy Lynne Lassiter
• Charity Hotrum
• Chary Jimenez
• Dacia Alba
• Deann McNulty
• Denise Key
• Ilina Crouse
• Jean Marmo
• Jennifer Hadder
• Karen Hanson
• Lisa Fuller
• Michele Kosciolek
• Patty Pittala
• Sandee Setliff ( my good friend from MMM)
• Sassy
• Tamiko McCurry ( another good friend  from MMM)
• Timna Ashbaugh

Now - off to find the piece that inspired me! My aunt made it years ago!

Stay tuned for my project!

Our Old Man

Hard to believe but in a few weeks Bandit is going to be 13!

Love this sketch from Let's Get Sketchy

Used some new Webster's Pages!!

Guess my paper strips were not quite as long as i thought:)

Artsy Fun

When jen was home in October, I thought it would be fun for her, Beth and I to go to a Wine and Canvas class. Unfortunately, I screwed up the time and we got there about 10 minutes late. I could not sit with the girls who did sit  together so I had to stop my painting and run back to their table to take photos. Jen was not happy with her canvas but it was fun,

Love this sketch from SketchNscrap. It made it quick and easy to scrap the photos from this night!

Engagement Photos

Of course, as soon as Jen and Shawn were engaged she and I were looking up cool engagement photos. The three of us headed out for a photo shoot. We did not have much time and didn't take as many as we should have.  I used the sketch from Letsgetsketychy

This was one of my fave photos and I wanted to try out my Color Wash collection that i won from Pink Paislee. I wanted the layout to focus on the photo.

 Thanks for stopping by!!

She Said Yes

On Sunday, October 20, my daughter's boyfriend proposed to her. He wanted to go to our downtown because he thinks it is so pretty. (They live in Phoenix, far away from michgan!)  He had talked to Jen's dad the day before. We walked on one of the trails by the river and were taking photos near an overlook. He turned her around to look at the river, then got down on his knee. She knew he was probably going to propose but had no idea it was going to be that day. I was furiously taking photos. He was sweet to include us and her brother in the moment.

Little yellow Bicycle Feels Like Home was perfect for this inspirational challenge over at Creative Embellishments

Here is thier inspiration

Here is my layout

This is not a typical Thankful layout but we were very THANKFUL that Shawn included both us and Jen's brother in this special day. He chose to propose to her in our hometown while they were here visiting from Phoenix.   He knew he wanted it to be downtown by the river which was so pretty this time of year. He spun her around and got down on one knee. We are THANKFUL that our daughter found such a kind, caring gentleman to spend the rest of her life with. 

Give a Gift

The current Friday challenge over at Frosted Designs is to Give a Gift. The challenge is to incorporate gift - in a layout, to make a gift, etc. I had this little muslin bag hanging around so I thought I would turn it into a bag for a gift card. I used some stamping and scraps to decorate it.

Sorry for the shadow! Kind of dark this morning:)

Am I an Artist??

Tracy challenged us at Mixed media Mondays to embrace ourselves as artists. I think I laughed out loud. Pretty sure no one thinks of me as an artist - most of all myself. Then I actually starting looking up the definition and searching articles for "Who is an Artist". Low and behold, in some strange way, I am an artist.

My writing is as follows--

An artist can be defined as a person who produces paintings or drawings as a profession or hobby. If that is the case, then I can be called an Artist.  I create something that has not existed before. Each time is new, different. And while it may never hang in the louvre, it has given me joy and pleasure, I need to accept the act that each of these creations is art and I am indeed an Artist!

Who knew!!

November Dare

Time for this month's November dare over at Tracy's .This month the dare is about Gratitude and using a color palette.

I chose this fall palette. I was drawn to the deeper colors.

 I tried a new technique demonstrated by my friend Sandee on Frosted Designs Sundays with Sandee. Sandee showed how you can can use wax paper to create a fun background affect with sprays and mists. I used the wax paper over book paper to create my flower petals. I chose to complete my page on a piece of kraft paper and I did not do anything to the background before I painted. I found this wonderful quote on Pinterest.

I will be attending

Every year over at D's Paper Studio she has a 12 Days of Home for the Holidays. Lots of inspiration and guests as well as the chance to win prizes. She would love for you to join her!