Fairy Christmas

- Santa's helpers
- Slackers

This cute little elfin fairy I CASE-d over the weekend. Her leaves sparkle!!! I pulled out my Christmas pack of 6x8 fun holiday background papers and went to town, making my Christmas cards and stuff to go in my general stash. I'm having fun creating, by my design office is a disaster area. (I thank all the bloggers out there in paper crafting who love to share their work. Thanks for the inspiration!!) I need to get some yellow tape to put up on the door... Caution: Crime Scene. The piles are getting bigger and bigger, more scraps, more completed projects.... no more room!

Started a new Christmas blog. Not sending out a letter, saving a few trees. If you are into Christmas letters, you will have to click on to the blog. If you hate the newsy bragging letter, don't read it!!! I'll let you know how to get there soon. Under construction. Finished making Christmas Cards and now I'm waiting for pictures to magically arrive by mail!

Looks kind of Eery out, is it going to snow? I better get my walking shoes on pretty soon!!! Finishing the indoor decorating. Gotta go.....

Monday... what does it mean to you?

- Changes

- Catching up

Is it a Manic Monday, or a Cyber Monday, or Thank God it's Monday and we can get back to normalness??  All of the above.

Check out my buddies above.  Cooper and Tucker stopped by to pose for their annual Christmas card.  As you can see, I tried to update my blog, color and design.  My lap top is running slow and hard, so making the changes on this quiet Monday morning have been brutal!!  The blog changes are a work in progress.  I'm not sure if I will stick with this.

It's been a long 5 days of everyone being home.  All outdoor lighting is up and working!! We got half of the inside Christmas decor up.  I need to do some dusting on top of things I never seem to see until we take them down during the holidays.  I have a short list of errands to run.  Nothing I needed to be out for during the Black Friday shopping extravaganza.

So much to say, but I've got to get on with my day!

Thanks for stopping by!

Constant.... cuteness

Can't you hear him saying " Hi Mommy"?

- What a face!!

- I'm still me

My family is home, they are totally interrupting my creative time, my blogging time, my cleaning time.... oh well, what to do?? ... but go with the flow.....

Went to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving and had a very nice time with my parents, great turkey grandma and seeing my brother's family.

Black Friday was RED Friday in our house.  Three out of 4 weighing over 110lbs gave a pint of blood!!! They were giving us $10 Target gift cards at the blood center.  Not bad!!!  There was nothing we needed to be shopping out with the loons at 4am.  But we will probably contribute to Cyber Monday.

Driving day.  DH is off to the DMV to update his Illinois drivers license.  And Sissy is out for her FIRST drive behind the wheel with the driving school.  WATCH OUT!!!

I've been creating, so stay tuned for updates!!!!

A gift to you is my presence

- The finals

- Challenge This

I'm too lazy to go back and look and see if I've showed you this card before.  It's really cute, so you wont mind if I show it again!!  This is one of three I made for the final Card of the Month Club.  You know how there is fruit of the month, or wine of the month.... well two years ago I created Card of the Month.  For thirty -six dollars ( some of them were gifts) a few lucky people got a new creative greeting!! from me each and every month of the year.  The Card related to a holiday, or a season that month represented.  Then each month the card would come with it's own envelope, inside an envelope, ready for the recipient to use or give away.  It was a fun challenge to come up with each monthly card. What I loved most was finding a card I could CASE and make it relate to the theme!!

One day left on my 21 day challenge!!  My art journal has turned out real cute.  I will take pictures, stay tuned.

Everyone is home today.  Just feels like a Wednesday to me!!!

That ain't no Jack

- Creative Greetings!!

- Other stuff in general

There's a new dog in the house!  He's a an apricot tea cup poodle.  He's not actually here, well seriously he is in doggie heaven, but I have been asked to create some JACK cards.  An Original design!!!!   **take note ** The only thing CASE-d is the layout, and I don't think you can CASE a layout.  I've been commissioned to make 8 cards, as a gift, the friend is giving here friend memory cards with her little buddy on them.  Love it! Stay tuned for all 8 cards.

Hey I was missing in action yesterday.  I was super psyched about the beautiful weather, almost 64 degrees yesterday, that I dragged up the outside Christmas decorations, lights, wreaths and swags.  Can't beat putting stuff up in the mid-west on November 22 just in a long sleeve t-shirt.  It's supposed to be a high of 34 on black Friday... so far... a good call!!!!

And this past weekend, the Packer's fired their 2nd coach..... from another team!!!  I love it.  Hubster and I painted the Master Bathroom.  Before and After to come.  Figure the paint we bought covers 300 square feet, big MASTER. And there is a vaulted ceiling, up and down ladders, we did the ceiling (think it's the original builders grade paint) around a shower, around a tub, around two doors, medicine chest, mirror, lights, double window.... no clean wall, up and around.... but yay! It's done!

Kid's high school football team lost in the semi finals?  Whatever it's called that if they had won, they would be going to Champagne Illinois to State.  One game away.  Sissy had her volleyball awards night last night.  Wow, it seems so long ago the season was over.

Time to get moving, need to finish putting Master Bath stuff away, and get to Target early to buy TP before the heards of people.... crazy people show up!!!

"Why isn't my life like a situation comedy? Why don't I have a bunch of friends with nothing better to do but drop by and instigate wacky adventures? Why aren't my conversations peppered with spontaneous witticisms? Why don't my friends demonstrate heartfelt concern for my well being when I have problems? ...I gotta get my life some writers."   calvin & hobbes

Butt it's your birthday

- It's all in the layers

- You snooze you loose

- Challenge this

One layer card.  Two layer cake, eat the cake the layers go to your butt!  Yoga friend really liking these special stick figure cards, and so easy to do.

I missed blogging yesterday.  Oh, I tried a few times, but Hubby took a vacation day and so we got a lot of 'stuff' done.  I tried to come back to the computer, but was always distracted by something else I could be doing.  I have a couple of requests in the works for paper crafts, nothing that is going to earn any denaro, but challenging and fun to create without stipulation.

Yesterday's word: Panda

Did you know they eat 99% bamboo and their name in Chinese is black & white paw like a cat, Chinese emblem best known next to the dragon.

The talk in the house is painting the master bathroom.  Maybe I will have before's and afters!  Stay tuned!

It's in the Bag

-What's in your wallet

- Just like that

- Challenges

How many times can I say super cute!!!!  One day I really didn't have that much to do, oh a bit of laundry, walking the dogs, cleaning up the yard, sending cards to special people, cleaning counter tops.... I knew somone's little birthday was coming up... and found this wonderful PURSE on Laura's blog at Following the Paper Trail.  She is a true inspiration, gets off on huge tangents, but is very creative and to a T a sucker for detail... is that how you say it.

Each fold and bend of the paper makes all the difference in the outcome of creating the PURSE, the box and inside all the cute details.  There is an according fold at the bottom of the box to hold all the 'girly stuff'.  Check out the sun glass case, with sun glasses, the stick of gum, in it's own wrapper, keys, cell phone with bling for the keys,  wallet, compact and lipstick. 

This is actually a mini scrap book.  So, if you have eeny weeny tiny pictures, you are to place them in all the blank areas and add journaling.  But it's just a fun thing to look at and play with... in a way.

 It's Thursday!  Seems like a typical fall gloomy day.  What's on the agenda......need to find a challenge word... maybe I'll get that on the walk with the dogs.

I can't believe the pain in my back has subsided now for two whole days.  Don't want to jinx it. I think I will work on some Christmas cards today.  Tonight, yummy chopped salad for dinner.  Yay!  Last classroom Drivers Ed for Sissy.  Now on to 50 hours of behind the wheel!!

The Reject Pile

- Images not up to standard - REJECTED

- Views, amazement, unspeakable

- Challenge

Yep, these are the images that didn't quite make the cut.  As much as I try, not all my Zindorf's turn out just like Michelles, on the first try.  Or, they are not quite like what I thought they should be.  I practice and practice, like any true artist.  Oooh, such a nice word, artist!  I wouldn't sell my worst work, I wouldn't give a way just mediocre artwork.  But, I don't think my images that didn't make the cut aren't that bad.  I have to figure out a 'new' use for those that didn't make it. Tags, collages.....

Arizona license plate, idea from MK

Because I'm home, I have a lot of time (a lot!).... so it seems.  Can I talk dumb tv.  Well, I don't know if I want to... I'm scared.  Not that anyone reads this, but I am shocked and distressed and worried ... literally about nothing!  These invasive body scans that flyers will have to  go through at the airport.  REALLY.... who is against racial profiling....a 3 year old girl (although if I were a terrorist it would be a perfect decoy) does not need to be strip searched.  Muslim men, 18-35, buying tickets with cash and no luggage. Duh??  Political correctness, PUH-lease!!!! Congress people on Ethics trials, who feel they are above the law and deserve more than anyone else.  People in front of a microphone and camera who spout off their view without any basis or facts to back them up.  How easy it is to criticize someone whom you've never met, based on how they look or the family they come from.  Forget about all that 'crap'!!!! We have people fighting in wars for our freedom, we have government raising our taxes, but no longer have jobs for people.  We have too many people used to doing nothing to get something they think they deserve.  I could go on and on, but sometimes it's so hard to wrap my finger or my mind around all the strangely wrong preoccupation that surrounds 'reality'. ratings, money, ill informed idiots

It seems as if this is the road to no where.

 Love the shimmer on the lake.

I need to take you off the reject pile, and re-direct you somewhere else to be more productive!

Today's challenge word: Cardinal

I'm a Wonderer

- Birthday card

- Challenge update

Blurfing over the weekend.  CASE-d this card.  Think it is simply adorable and a card that can be used for anybody.  Any size present stacked on top... simple cut out squares and rectangles of left over scraps... mostly monochromatic.  Then yesterday I was at Archivers and they had a card with a very similar layout, but each of the presents had a glittery ribbon tied to it.  Could be a gel pen with glitter, stickles... not the actual ribbon.  So, I'm thinking my cards need "more glitter".  The people want glitter when they get a hand made card. Going back to add glitter!!!

Today's challenge word: Glitter... no no, I mean ornament!

Challenges are hard.  If they were easy everybody would do it!  I'm keeping up with the 21 day challenge from Rhonna, although with her, it's really the art journal part... I have been trying really hard to 'change' a habit if you will (it takes 21 days to make or break a habit).... clean up the kitchen... I mean really finish what I'm doing and put away.  I have a tendency to start something, then my mind gets distracted and I come back hours later realizing I still have dishes to finish washing.  Or, I'm doing laundry.... go vacuum a dust 'tuckies' ... read for a bit... then realize I was in the middle of loading the washer.... pulling stuff out of the dryer.  I get bored, and my mind wonders.  Yikes... keep on task!

More.... later.

Bubba has been accepted to two Iowa Universities.  Both have offered him academic scholarships.  We are waiting for two more.

Sissy has 3 more drivers ed classes and then it's time for behind the wheel.  Ah just in time when all the crazies are on the road, holiday shopping and winter weather.

DH told me last night one of his co-workers who got let go last year at this time, just got released from his current job.  He was happy!  Gets a severance package and starts collecting un-employment for what 99 weeks!!!  Gotta love our government.

It's Official

- Zindorf winter card

- Challenging things

Love, love, love this latest tutorial from Michelle Zindorf.  It is the cutest card.  Thinking this might be a winner for my Christmas card.

It's officially winter according to my neighbors.  They have closed their decorative pond in the back yard.

Hubby put up the bird feeder outside the back kitchen window.

Took Sissy out for her first drive behind the wheel on Saturday.  Brake, BRAKE, BRAKE!!!  I think she thought it was going to be easy.  Not that I feared my life, but I think she should have ridden go-carts a bit more often when she was younger.

Yummy food all weekend.  Last night was chopped steak with sauteed mushrooms and onions, gravy, mashed potatoes and southwest corn.  Also had tasty spaghetti with Italian sausage and as a side, a yummy spinich/artichoke dip from Trader Joes.  Tasty tacos with a mix of turkey and hamburger meat, with fresh made guacamole.  Homemade spanish style rice.  And before that, a great garlic chicken stir fry with pasta noodles.  Tonight, it's Caprese lasagne!

Today's challenge word: Purse

Bummed, no word from the temp. agency they said they were going to set me up with an interview today... I don't believe anything anymore..... oh well.

Strike a Pose

- Personalized Gift Giving

- Inspiration

- It's Friday

Surfing the web I'm always finding ideas.  My friend SS is a Yoga instructor.  She has a passion about it.  I saw some images and gave her an idea.  She turned it back to me, and asked if I could made Yoga notecards in packs of 8 to give to three of her friends for Christmas.  I happened to find the notecard paper with envelopes at Goodwill, someone used less than half a invitation package and I got 30+ notecards and over 50 envelopes for less than $2.00!!  Then I made up the soothing packaging.

Simple, simple stick figure images, that are really good at showing the poses.  Then I used water colors to add a zip of color, here and there!

Today's inspiration word: 21 day challenge, Pumpkin

Both kids are off of school today for a field trip via the Metra Train to downtown Chicago to visit the Chicago Stock Exchange.  Sissy is pretty much along for the ride, but Bubba originally joined FBLA.... Future Business Leaders of America, and since Sissy was done with volleyball, she thought if she joined, it would help look good on her high school activity resume.

Tomorrow the kids high school goes into the semi-finals for state football playoffs (or something like that) and play against one of the cities rival teams.  Parking will be at a premium, so the school has offered shuttle busses.  Good idea!

Got a call from the temp. agency.  Not that I'd jinx it, but wont say much until and if anything happens.

It's a matter of balance

- Elfin Magic

- Walkin'

- Yin Yang

Very similar to cute witchy poo shoes I did at Halloween, we now have adorable elf shoes made from the SU! Top Note punch.  I can't stand how adorable these things turn out.  Stripped paper for the elfin tights.  I might have to try and sharpen a punch, the center tiny oval is not crisp on the buckle.  This looks like it could be my fun Christmas card.

Have you ever done a walk for the cure?  I didn't realize that although you do all the walking, sometimes you have to raise thousands of dollars yourself to participate.  That is not a challenge I would be willing to take on at this time in my life.  kudos to all those who do 'walks'.  I really hope the outcome comes 'clean' very, very soon!!

You get the good and the bad, the low and the high, the dark and the light if you use Yin Yang as your challenge art journal word for the day : the Chinese understanding of how things work!

That's a Wrap

- Two Zindorfs

- 21 day challenge

- food

Michelle Zindorf has created wonderful tutorials and I feel that I was able to take on a few of her most recent works.  I'm always in a hurry to get the project done.  Most of the time the images are my 'first' take.  I could be more careful at some of the brayer techniques (layering the ink)... but I say it gives it a rough touch that makes it my own.  I didn't have any of the SU! stamps she uses, so I doodled my own.  Love the Halloween card below and the creepy tree.  I keep on saying in the back of my mind, I need to teach myself  how to draw trees, getting the branches and the twigs right.

  I'm sure you can't tell, but I think there is a way to draw all the branches 'up'.

So, today's Challenge word: POPCORN  and I will tackle some of the clutter piles and get projects ready to mail!  That is my goal for Wednesday!

Yummy, Philly Beef Steak sandwiches last night for dinner.  Although we've had them many times in the past, I actually followed a recipe of sauteing the onion and pepper, chopping the meat up and heating and then preparing the sandwich rolled in aluminum foil to heat in the oven for a while.  They were amazing!!!  Having fun cooking lately!!! Chef Peggy.... no new recipes... just actually following tried and true recipes!!

Smiley Face

- today is a great day to SMILE
- art journal entries
- 62 degrees in Illinois, gotta love it!

Bananas grow via plants, not trees

Clowns, scary or Funny?

Here's what I've been working on for the last 5 days.  Part of my 21 Day Challenge.  I tried to re-arrange my page, but the pictures were not cooperating.  Every day I have found a new word to research.  And then created a page in my Art Journal.  Along with this, I have been working on stretching and being conscious of putting things away, minimize the clutter before I make it, cooking something creative and new and being positive.

Aries, my astrological sign

First day, CHALLENGE

Love today's page....SMILEY FACE.... emoticons.... emotion icon.... facial expression pictorally, represented by punctuation and letters.

Smiley Face, see them everywhere today!

An Arien Clown has a severe Challenge with a Banana

- Just pretty cards

- Living a quiet life

- Monday

Got some pretty "linen" paper half price at M's last week.  Not that I'm a completely paper hog like I read in other places.  But, it is always fun to get some new paper to 'play' with.  Small pad 6 x8 ... just enough to put soft touches in different areas to a very nice and simple card.

Not that the weekend zipped by, but typical... watching football games on tv... Bubba went to his highschool playoff game, they are going to the next round.  Exciting Packers play and win big against Dallas.  Raking leaves, big tree in the back decided to drop all it's leaves, flume.... all almost at once... we take bets when it will drop the leaves, Sissy won.  Cooking out on the grill.... sliders last night... tiny turkey burgers and hamburgers.... the night before it was grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and cheesy broccoli casserole.  Warm cuddly blankets, watching Toy Story 3 together as a family.

Back to another Monday.  21 day challenge (keeping the kitchen clean and doing stretches) along with new words or definitions of colorful words to put in my art journal.  CHALLENGE, BANANA, ARIES and today it's all about those silly fun loving CLOWNS.

Focus

- Peace

- 21 Day Challenge

- Friday

In a hurry scurry my picture came out blurry, so to make things seem more intentional, I used special effects and created a cartoonish picture of one of my latest cards.

I came up with a challenge.... to learn something new every day for the next 21 days... I'm looking for topics, I will report here... be it 5 new words and their definitions, herbs that become other spices, what do banana's do to your digestive system, a new yoga move.  Should be fun!

We have a bet.  One big tree in the backyard keeps it's leaves forever.  Lot's of yellow things are floating to the ground today.... Sissy's bet November 6.... the tree might be empty by then!