My Christmas Mantle

So Christmas is over, but I have a few things I'd like to share today.  The Design Team at Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps were asked to do a holiday post that could be about anything, so I decided to share my little "Christmas Mantle" and the story behind it:

We have a cat who thinks he's still a kitten (he's about a year and a half old), and he loves to climb trees and hang out in them, so I knew a Christmas tree was out of the question this year.  My friend Linda knew I was bummed about it, so she gave me this gorgeous garland to decorate with instead and I think it came out lovely!  I basically used my favorite ornaments and Christmasy things to decorate - that picture hanging up is actually a limited edition print of Independence Day at Goodale Park in 1965 in my town - Goodale Park is literally a stone's throw from my house, so it's cool that I have this picture hanging up (Jeremy's dad gave it to us).

But the most important part of my Christmas mantle is this guy:

This little guy was given to me by my buddy Meg the Christmas before she died (saying that still makes me feel like someone punched me in the stomach), that's a pic of her hanging off of his cute little antler.  This reindeer is my all-time most important Christmas decoration and always will be.  If you want to read about Meg, you can do it here but be warned, you might want to get some tissues.

I will forever be grateful to Meg for being a part of my life, and for introducing me to her mom Teresa, who has become a lifelong friend to me.  Cancer sucks, but it never wins.  We get to keep our memories and feel our loved ones spirits with us forever.  Merry Christmas.  Peace.

Wicked Wednesday & JSL Reminders

Good morning!  I went to a Christmas party last night with a group of people I've been friends with since I was a kid, and we had a great time.  Here's a pic:

 Kerrilynn, Amy, Gina, me, and Michelle (my sis).  :)  There's nothing like old friends, I love these girls so much!

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So we have a reminder post for you today at:

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge: Snow Birds

I'd like to enter this ATC into the following challenges:

Stampin' for the Weekend: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp: Bling it On/Time to Party

Our sponsor is Aurora Wings and my image is called Masquerade Owl Mask, I colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and used lots of Stickles.  The background was done with alcohol inks and sprays, and I outlined the edge with Glitz Stickles in Mermaid.

We also have a reminder post at:

Just Some Lines: Christmas or Winter

I'd like to enter the above card into the following challenges:

Digi Haven: Red & Green

Christmas Cards All Year Round: Christmas Stockings

 

Come see what the rest of the DT did and play along with us - don't forget to use an image from Just Some Lines (there's a freebie for you at the original post).  Peace.

Dilly Beans: Christmas or Winter

Hello there - we will be moving to bi-weekly challenges at Dilly Beans moving forward, starting with today's new challenge theme of:

Christmas OR Winter

 So you've got 2 weeks to play along - don't forget to use a Dilly Beans image.  Have a great weekend!  Peace.

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge: Snow Birds

Good morning!  Well, we have gotten 2 decent snow storms since I got here, and I've decided that shoveling is a good workout!  I'm just thankful I have friends to plow my driveway, I don't think I'm ready for that much of a workout!  LOL  Today we have a new challenge for you at:

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge:  Snow Birds

Our sponsor is Aurora Wings, they have the most gorgeous and detailed images.  This one is called Baby Owl Trio, and I colored it with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and kept it simple.  Go check out what the other DT members did and play along with us!  Peace.

Just Some Lines December Challenge Week 2: Christmas or Winter & WW ATC Saturday Reminder: Creepy Christmas

Good morning!  Today's card is for our reminder post at:

Just Some Lines December Challenge: Christmas or Winter

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

AllSorts:  Snowflakes
Simon Says Stamp: Let it Snow

I used P-p-p-penguin, from our home to yours - colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  Papers are from echmo park and My Mind's Eye, and I added a few snowflake punches with pop-up dots.  Remember to use an image from Just Some Lines when you play along with us!  Have a great weekend.  

We also have  reminder post for you at:

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge: Creepy Christmas

I mounted my little ATC onto a card - head on over to see the rest of the DT's creations.  Peace.

Dilly Beans: Traditional Christmas Colors

Happy Friday the 13th!  ;)  We're expecting a big snowstorm tomorrow night - and I'm feeling really thankful that I have a few friends who've offered to plow my driveway for me!  LOL  You can bet I'll be taking them up on that.  I went and got some food & alcohol this morning, figuring the grocery stores will be a zoo tomorrow.  I can get snowed in for 4 days and be fine.  :)  As a matter of fact, it might even be fun.  As long as I don't lose power.  So keep your fingers crossed.  LOL

Today we have a new challenge for you at:

Dilly Beans: Traditional Christmas Colors

  

I used 162: Zombie Christmas Elf 2, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits (red Stickles added to the berries).  Papers are from My Mind's Eye, ribbon is from my stash.  Have a great weekend, stay warm!  Peace.

All Dressed Up: Christmas

Hello friends!  Finally, a card for a challenge!  This is for the:

All Dressed Up Challenge:  Christmas

I colored my sweet All Dressed Up girl with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  Papers are from October Afternoon.  Buttons & flowers are from my stash. Peace.

Just Some Lines & Prickley Pear

Good morning!  I'm finally feeling like I'm getting back into the swing of things, but it's been a whirlwind for sure. I've been keeping busy with just getting the house in order, cooking, baking, shoveling (ha!), and trying to get some crafting done.  It's funny how your creativity really does suffer when you've got a lot going on in your head.  I got a new laptop yesterday and stayed up late setting it up and all that - it's the new HP Envy and it's got the touch screen and apps, it's almost like a big phone.  Everything is just different on it, and it was frustrating at first but I'm getting the hang of it.  LOL  I hope to be back on track with my blog posts now that life is settling down. 

Anyway, we have a new month-long challenge for you at:

 

Just Some Lines December Challenge: Christmas or Winter

I am entering this into the following challenges:

All That Stickles: Happy Holidays

Flutterby Wednesday: Any Winged Creature 

Stamp & Create: Anything Goes 

The Pink Elephant:  2 patterned papers, ribbon, and sparkle

I love this image, she's called Mistletoe Fairy and I colored her with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits with lots of Diamond Stickles added to her wings.  Paper is from October Afternoon, ribbon & button are from SU! and the gemstone stickers & bead letters are from my stash.

And here is my Monday DT project for:

Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Blog

I would like to enter this one into the:

Parade Your Crafts: Holiday

Sometimes it's fun to leave an image out and let the sentiment be the focus, especially with such pretty papers.  :)  This sentiment is a rubber stamp from Prickley Pear called "to be jolly".  Ribbon & buttons are from Stampin' Up!  Paper is from echo park.

Have a great day, my friends.  If you're in an area where it's snowing - be careful!  Peace.

Catching Up!

OK so hey - I'm back!  :)  My life has been a crazy whirlwind and I had no computer or Internet service for like 2 weeks and it drove me NUTS!  Cass and I are all settled into our  new (rented) house and Jeremy went back to California to get Trev off to the Navy and stuff.  Tomorrow I'm spending the day crafting and I am so looking forward to it!

So here's some of the stuff I missed posting along the way, some of the challenges close tomorrow or Friday so be sure to check them out if you want to play along.

 

Jellypark Challenge: December Christmas Challenge

 

 

Dilly Beans: Anything Goes (with a Dilly Beans image)

 closes Thursday 12/5/13

Desert Islands Crafts Challenge - Itinerary Challenge

Closes 12/14/13

 

Image is from Saturated Canary, our sponsor for this challenge.

 

Just Some Lines November Challenge: 3 or More Different Embellishments

Closes Friday 12/6/13

 

OK I'll be back in the groove now, so stay tuned.  :)  Peace.