10 Things I'm Thankful For

Tomorrow being Thanksgiving, I've gotten many email forwards with each friend listing what 10 things they are thankful for. Some really good lists I may add! So I thought about what my list would include...sure it seems like you have to put, faith, family and friends on the list but then I really sat and thought about. So here is my list from 10 to the number 1 thing I am thankful for:

10: Books...no computer screen, kindle, no book on tape just the feel of the pages and the way it transports me to another world, or fuels my creativity, or helps me cook the most delicious dish. And talk about books, is there anything better than a trip to the library. The quiet calm and endless possibilities to check out. It is one of my favorite places to go.

9. My senses...there is so much on the face of the earth and in the sky to please the senses! From what I see, hear,or to the taste of fresh fruit or a fresh salad topped with the smell of fresh cucumber and green onions! And my favorite smell of all peaches! Ask anyone that comes to my home...can we say peach candles! LOL And it never ceases to amaze me the sense of touch. Our hands are so amazing, they can hold the smallest most fragile item and not break it yet hands are strong enough to do the hardest tasks and repairs. And when it comes to getting hugs from my nieces and nephews is joy beyond compare.

8.All creatures...aren't they just cool. There are so many everyone has favorites. Mine are cats...but don't tell Jasper! For a dog he is love on four legs. :0) If everyone was as happy to see me as Jasper! LOL But I love birdwatching, especially the hummingbirds we have every year. Even bugs are cool. (well not flies but everything else)

7.Rubber Stamping...and this not only includes the crafting itself but all the friends I have because of it. I've met so many talented women and men and cherish each one! Rubber stamping takes me away from the mundane everyday life I lead. My life is so...well...daily. :0) I know everything I do is important, taking care of my home, Lee and Jasper. It just seems unexciting. LOL Stamping takes me out of myself, it's a calm and joyful yet exciting when I make something and it turns out just like I planed. It is such a part of my life. And can you believe it I have been stamping since September 1997!

6. The seasons...Each season has it's pluses for me but Winter is #1 in my book. How I love the snow. It makes the whole world look peaceful. (and it's the only time my yard looks as good as my neighbors! LOL) I like the fall too. I love the leaves changing colors and to walk over them they crunch like potato chips :0) Spring's soft colors and everything coming alive is nice but I love how much Lee likes the spring. I love getting out with him as the weather warms up. (lots of trips to the zoo) Summer is my least favorite..oh I don't do heat well..ahhh but my favorite pastime...swimming! Oh yeah!!! I could stay in a pool all day!

5. All this computer/media stuff...I'm thankful to have a way to keep in touch with friends and family via the internet. I love that if I need help or have question I can look it up. (no need to bother anyone)You can listen to music, watch all kinds of videos, movie trailers. And I like posting my creations and having a blog. It's cathartic and it connects me with others who have the same type blogs/interests. And it's nice to have satellite tv especially pay-per-view(I'm laughing now) but seriously , Lee and I don't get out like we use to and in the colder months we can order a movie sit back and have a quiet evening at home. So even though I'm not tech savvy I think is awesome.

4. My home. I'm so thankful to Lee who provides me with a lovely home, food to eat, clothes to wear. All my basic requirements are met and exceeded!

3. My friends...where do I begin. I'm thankful to have friends that care about me and show it in so many ways. I'm so touched by all my friends either here where I live or those precious friendships I have developed over the years via pen-pals. I have so many "stamping" friends that a card comes at least 4 times a week. And they are just like sitting down with an old friend for a cup of tea. How enjoy the letters and really getting to know them. Most of all I'm glad they like me even though I'm not perfect and can be a bit of a nut! (definitely cracked a bit! LOL)

2. My Family...oh my where to begin. I miss my Dad so much. I'm glad to have had him as my Father. My Mother is my friend and I can call her whenever I need to talk. My sister is more than a friend, she's a sounding board and a gentle reminder no matter what other people do to you, take it in stride...sometimes things don't turn out the way we want them to but it's all ok. My brother David is so  good to me and Lee. And David's wife, Barb, is more just a sister-in-law. She's a great Mom and so fun to be around! I love my niece(Jessica), nephews(Jonathon and Tyler) and great nephew(Kenny). I'm glad for the holidays so I able to see everyone. :0) Every family has their ups and downs but I wouldn't trade mine for anything.

1. Lee..as if that was a surprise! :0) I don't know where to begin to describe the how perfectly matched we are. He is so funny he is always making me laugh and he gets my sense of humor too. When I look into those perfect green eyes I feel safe, loved, needed and most of all appreciated. In the 19 years we have been married he ALWAYS says thank you for everything, his meals, helping with his care, taking care of the house and every morning when I give him his cup of coffee.It's nice to start out everyday with gratitude. And it isn't just saying thank you, he says excuse me, sorry, pardon me and the like. Treating each other like this over the 19 years has helped when big stuff comes up so we can be kind to one another. And he IS kind not just to me but towards everyone and animals. He listens to me when I'm feeling overwhelmed or sad. He's smart and a joy to be around. He is more than a husband or best friend he is my life. He has made my life worth living and has brought out the best in me. I can't imagine sharing my life with anyone else.

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving ...now lets see your list!
Shirley

Busy Busy Day

What a busy day of cleaning, painting, crafting. It seems never ending thank goodness for taking breaks. I made more jr. legal pad holders and a treat box card during the breaks. :0) I got the template off of a Stampin Up Demonstrators blog for the treat box card. I can't remember now where. All I remember is her name was Melanie and she is so talented and kind enough to share the template and a how to video. There are so many videos on you tube, Splitcoast Stampers (and what about all the ones on individuals blogs) on making cards and other rubber stamped items I could make 10 things a day and still never run out of ideas! LOL

Well, this is the last break of the night. Time to make dinner. Hope you have all had a wonderful weekend and found some time to stamp and be creative.

Till my next post...Happy Stamping!

Jr. Legal Pad Holder

Good Morning! I just love mornings like this. I've been up since 5am and getting ready for the day. Since my day is filled with errands and jobs to finish around here I thought I better take time to do a stamping project before the day really gets crazy.

I saw this project under "craft fair items" on The Stamp Doc's website. I have had this scrapbook paper from Paper Pizazz for years(I love snowmen and am a sucker for anything with any cute snowmen on it...LOL) and never quite knew what to do with it but this project just called out for this paper. I love how it turned out. On her site she only uses one legal pad but I used pads from Sam's Club and they are so thin that I used 2 instead.

I used whisper white and real red paper from Stampin Up and Gelly Roll's Stardust Clear pen to add a glittery effect to the snow...and well everywhere! :0) Then I used some red gems from Elements Elements by Mark Richards. I mean can you ever have too much bling?! Then finished up with a bow using 5/8 inch satin whisper white ribbon also from Stampin Up.

I hope you will give this project a try. It is the easiest project I have ever done. It goes together so quickly. And the way you could decorate it...well..the possibilities are endless.

As always, I wish you a good day and time to stamp and be creative.

Till my next post...

Tool Box Card for Brother -week 42

Well, I keep forgetting to post the cards I have been making for my brother David who is about to turn 50. (well in 42 weeks anyway) This week I used the instructions from Splitcoast Stampers called Santa's Drawers. I used Bazzil papers in two tones of red. "screw" brads and little tool miniatures (unknown company) and some metal flashing for backboard to hold the little tools. The drawers are filled with jokes rolled up and tied with twine. Lee and I laughed our butts off reading jokes on line. I wish I could have gotten better pictures of this but the metal flashing just kept giving me a glare. One of these days I'm going to sit down and really figure out how to use my digital camera!

Hope you are all doing well and finding time to stamp and be creative.

Till my next post ...

French Foliage Thanksgiving Card

Here is the card I made with the new stamp sets in Stampin UP's holiday mini catalog called French Foliage and the saying was from Day of Gratitude set. I did the faux tear technique and for the leaves I cut out; I stamped them in a solid color (more mustard) than rolled the edges in a different color(night of navy, garden green,or eggplant envy). No two cards turned out the same. They were simple to do and I must say I love love love how they came out!

Well, now to get on the stick and finish up the rest of the cards so I can get them in the mail tomorrow. Just 20 more to go! LOL

Have a great day and hope you find some time to stamp!

Lovely Indian Summer Day

What a great day it was today. I got up and had time to myself to make some cards. Then out with the hubby shopping at the mall. He is so fun to be with. We got a wedding gift; had dinner and then home. And I was able to make a few more fall cards to send out to my Silver Stamper group. Hope you enjoy them. I have more to finish but they will have to wait till Sunday since tomorrow I'm finishing up some painting and heavy clean up. :0)

Hope you are all having a good weekend and have found some time to stamp and be creative.

Till my next post ...take care and happy stampin"

Brother's Free Standing Pop Up Card

Well, as I posted earlier that I would post the cards I made today. This card is so easy to do. I think the hardest part is deciding how to decorate it. (Also cutting out all the keys and key holes took a bit of time)

products used:

Stampin UP:
Sage Shadow cardstock, DSP from "to the nines", double stitched grosgrain 1 inch ribbon in chocolate chip, hemp twine

Other:
timber brown ink pad, pop dots, "red" heavy duty tape, fiskars hole punch

Free Standing Pop Up Card

Well, today is not only Veteran's Day but my sister's 51st birthday. I made this free standing pop up card for my sister. I got the directions off Splitcoast Stampers. It turned out to be very simple card to make. I am going to make a few more today and I'll post them as soon as I get them done.

Supplies I used:

Stampin Up;
whisper white paper and 5/8" satin ribbon, a large pearl from the pretties kit, Lovely Lilac classic ink pad, stamp from discontinued set(not sure which one)

other companies:
recollections small pearls for the butterflies, pop dots, offray lace ribbon and the solid green and print paper unknown(out of my "old" stock)

Have a great day and Happy Stampin'