Give Thanks

The day is here !!

It's New Release Blog Hop Day at

If you have arrived at my blog from the talented 

Elizabeta's blog

then you are in the right place!

If not, start back at the beginning at the

TCM Blog

 and get started there because

when you do, you could win big!   
All SIX stamp sets !!!

More on that in a sec.

It's a bittersweet post today as TCM says farewell to
designer Amy Tsuruta  : (
She has been a part of the TCM family from the very beginning
and will be missed by us all.
I have the pleasure of continuing the creative journey with her
at The Play Date Cafe, so I am one lucky girl!
We'll miss you at TCM, Amy!

I'm totally excited about the new challenge over at

 

because this card is a sure-fit for their theme.

Clean and Simple.
I've had this window card in my stash for y.e.a.r.s and thought this
pumpkin from the 'Fall with Fibi and Lilly' set was just perfect.
I love the mix of fonts in the sentiment from the 'Fall Blessings' set.

I know you will see all the sets on the TCM Website, so I am going
to show you a very special one here...

This terrific set is 'Golden Days' designed by my friend

Karen Baker for TCM and for a limited time is only available

as a gift with a purchase of $50 or more.

I used this set in my post from yesterday as well...

you can check it out here

So here is how you can win....

Visit each designer's blog on the hop, leave a comment

You have until 9:00pm PDT, Sunday September 23rd to do so.

They are all on sale today!!!

Don't wait!

Look forward to your comment and I will keep my fingers

crossed that YOU are a winner!

The next stop on the hop IS the talented


Karen Baker's blog 

 

Enjoy the hop !  There is a lot of beautiful inspiration
out there for you by some of the most talented designers around.


Project Recipe:

Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Farmhouse by Crate Paper
Stamps:  Fall with Fibi & Lilly, Fall Blessings
both from The Craft's Meow

Embellishments:  brads from Craft Essentials

Making New Memories...The Play Date Cafe Challenge

Wishing all of my US friends and followers a

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm coming to you with a new challenge from

The Play Date Cafe.

I love the simplicity of this photo from our host

this week, Sarah Anderson.

I love the fact that not only is she from the UK,

but so is this week's sponsor for the challenge,

The significance, of course, is that Thanksgiving

is non-existent in the UK and yet both Sarah's

color scheme and our sponsor's stamps

(which were generously provided to our DT)

both conjoured up thoughts of this US holiday for me.

I love this sentiment...

This year our family, immediate and extended, is going through

many changes that are just not conducive to celebrating our

holidays the way we have for over 25 years.

It toughest on the young adults, namely my children and

my dear nieces and nephews.

A house full of family numbering upwards of 30....

talk about memories.  That is why this sentiment is

so poignant to me.

So this season, I am spending time encouraging

my children to begin trying new traditions 

of their own.  It will take time, but I know it can be done.

On another note of mixed emotions...

The Play Date Cafe Design Team are saying

goodbye to two girls who have brought a 

whole bunch of good things to our challenge.

Lisa and Sue are moving on to some new

creative adventures and I wish them

all the best.  We were fortunate to have had

them extend their stay with us to a full 9 months,

so I can't be stingy! 

But I do know that things will not be

the same without them.

Please make sure you stop by The Cafe,

check out the inspiration pieces from our DT

and make sure you leave some love 

for Lisa and Sue.

Who Are You Thankful For?

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope today finds you thankful for all that you have...

Here are a few things that I am thankful for:

My dear husband Paul

 who protects my heart

and has learned that it's ok to celebrate this day,
even though he's English

My daughter Mallory and my son Alex

who are my greatest creations

My parents

who are reminders of the good that still exists in this world

My grandchildren

who help me to know that I'm never too old to make wishes

My friends near and far, old and new
I honestly don't know what I would do without you

and

most importantly,

my God 

who makes all these things possible

A Little Fun to Share with You

As a mom for the past 25 years, I can truly say that no matter how much time I spent with my kids, there were still days I felt like I was neglecting them...ever felt that way?  That's kind of where I am with my blog at the moment.  I have missed my daily posts with new creations, but the truth is I have been SO BUSY behind the scenes working on some exciting projects which include not only The Open Window and The Play Date Cafe, but more interactive things for all of us coming just after the New Year.  You have been so gracious to come along for the ride and have been such loyal, encouraging blog friends, and I thank you.

So today...just like the early days of my blog, it will be about a couple of fun projects that I worked on yesterday.  I told you recently that I LOVE Platinum Stickles from Ranger.  The sneak peek above is a taste...here is the result...

This features a brand new Fiskars Ornament punch on Basic Grey patterned paper, the Cuttlebug Dot EF on beautiful Silver card stock from American Crafts, a simple $1 Christmas stamp, satin ribbon and of course, embellished with my beloved platinum Stickles.

I've started another project using this same punch with brand new American Crafts papers for Christmas and hope to share that with you later this week.  So many possibilities with this new punch!

Surely you recognize this little sneak peek. 
A little more Mabel Lucie Attwell.

This was one of the fabulous images I received in my box from
The Artistic Stamper.

I started this project last week, but was having trouble with
the finishing embellishments.

Then during last night's 'Dancing With the Stars' finale dances, became inspired to finish her accoutrements.

I added the silver Stickles to her shoes and collar and the pearls to her umbrella.  I had already run the umbrella cut-out through
'The Bug' using the dotted EF, and brought it alive a bit with a little bit of ink, but it still needed something....that's when the pearls were added.  The bit of patterned paper you see if from
Graphic45 'Baby 2 Bride'.  I also ran my distressing tool around the edges of the card stock just before I added the bow and pearl brad. 
So there's my creative process at work!

So here is what I want to know from you today...

What are YOUR thanksgiving plans?

I have a huge amount followers who are from countries that either do not have Thanksgiving or have already celebrated Thanksgiving.  But do not let that stop you from leaving me a note....what will you be doing THURSDAY?  Do you know, every year for the past 18, I call my mother-in-law to wish her a Happy Thanksgiving.  Now I know, she should really be calling me...
so I would love to hear from YOU!

Celebrating...So Many Reasons to Give Thanks

 

 Over the past few days, I have been trying hard to enjoy the last moments of the month of October.  It is my most favorite calendar month, but the final days are always a crap shoot, if you know what I mean.  In the past couple of years, we have been so fortunate to have mild temperatures to the point that my grandsons were able to proudly display their planned out, 6 months in advance, costumes...ahhh...but not so much this time around.  The temps dipped down into the 40's and it was quite 'blowy' (that's what my Englishman hubby would say).  So Black Spiderman (not to be confused with Red Spiderman) and Batman were very bundled up.

 

  

But as I commented this morning on Julie's blog over at A Vintage Chic, it's a fabulous reminder of the next couple days to come.  I am ok with leaving October behind because  
November 2nd is my 18th wedding anniversary.
In fact, in a silly way, we look forward to a little bit of 'icky' weather to remind us that the day is approaching.  The day Paul and I were married was one of the most horrible weather days I had experienced in quite some time.  Winds were howling up to 50 mph, snow and sleet (the first of the season, of course) were lashing down...but the day was PERFECT!  It's funny how many people will say 'oh, what a horrible time for a getaway, the first week of November' to which we respond 'we look forward to it because the memories nearly mirror the present day!'

 

The other thing that makes November sweet to me is that Thanksgiving, hands down, is my daughter Mallory's most prized holiday.  Over the years, she has SO come to appreciate the family element that it makes her a bit edgy if she hears someone 'might not be at the table this year', which brings me to an early morning phone call.  "Mom!?  Do we know what we are doing for Thanksgiving NEXT YEAR?  I heard that so and so might be going away next year...what are we going to do?"  My response "Mallory, I don't even know what we are doing for Thanksgiving THIS YEAR!"

So I ask you...do you like November?  Do you LOVE November?  Or are you holding out for December?

I would love to know!  Leave me a comment...you know they keep me warm on these chilly days!