obviously taking a break...

I wish I cpuld say I planned it this way, but I am SICK, SICK, SICK! It would totally figure that I would take a couple of vacation days only to spend them sleeping in between doses of nyquil, chicken and stars soup and hot tea. My throat feels like it has been sanded with coarse grit sandpaper and I swing between fever and chills... Hoping you are all better than me! Take care and I will see you when I am feeling better...

The Christmas Story

The Christmas Story

Even though it is very familiar, read this story slowly and just imagine...

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

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And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

(Luke 2:1-20)

Beautiful Card from my BS2!

A beautiful card in my mailbox today! This one was handmade by my BS2, Sharon (and I'm sure Aub had something in it as well!) The scan doesn't do it justice, the little berries on the holly are sparkly and the image on the front is so pretty!

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Busy with work and things. I will tell you my favorite Christmas traditions though. Every year since my junior year of high school (20 years ago, OMG!) my mother has hidden jewelry on the Christmas tree for me and my sisters and Melanie to find. The other tradition I like is going to Red's on Christmas Eve. All of the great big family of cousins and kids are there and it is just nice to visit and have a good time with them!

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My husband's favorite tradition is to drive me crazy with hints about my present from him and what lengths he has gone to hide it from me. Drives me absolutely nuts, I tell ya!!!

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Take care!

A Mighty Long Post!

Babs sent me this a few days ago. Thought it would be fun to share with all of you, since I haven't been my usual ranting self since my change of jobs at Wally-work! This is the getting to know your friends Christmas Edition 2008....
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1. Wrapping paper or gift bag? Both, depends on the item!
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2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial – I’m married to the original Grinch...LOL!
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3. When do you put up the tree? When the kids are here to help do it, one year it didn't go up until December 26th. We do our Christmas when the kids are here. After our first Christmas together, we decided it was too much for the kids to do both homes on Christmas day, so we pick a day, usually the morning after the first day they get here on Christmas vacation to have Christmas morning with them. Less stress and a fun and relaxing day for us. Many of the ornaments for the tree belong to the kids, they pick a new one each year, so I like for them to be here when we put the tree up to put on their ornaments.
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4. When do you take the tree down? After Russian Christmas
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5. Do you like eggnog? Not really, but Grinch drinks enough of it for both of us! I am more of a cocoa kind of gal!
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6. Favorite gift received as a child? As a child I got a Cabbage Patch Kid the year that they were super hard to get and I really wanted one!
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7. Hardest person to buy for? My Mom and Dad
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8. Easiest person to buy for? DH
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9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, and it goes in a stable that my Dad made out of split twigs for me several years ago. I also have a Christmas village that DH painted for me when way back when we first were dating.
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10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, if I ever get them finished!
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11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Clothing that didn't fit (the person who bought it for me wears the same size, so she had to know they wouldn't fit.)
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12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Not really movies, but I love Charlie Brown Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the cartoon specials)
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13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? All year long, I keep a tote of stuff that I buy throughout the year, but we LOVE to shop on Black Friday!
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14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes
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15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mom's Pineapple Filled Cookies
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16. Lights on the tree? Yes, only white ones, no blinking or chasing it makes me ill!
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17. Favorite Christmas song? Angels We Have Heard on High, Silent Night. On a side note I would like to shoot the person who wrote that awful Shoes for Mama song... I would rather listen to Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer NON-STOP from Thanksgiving to New Years than hear that darn shoes song once!
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18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Stay at home
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19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Curly, Larry, Moe, Schleppy, Gus, Hardrock, Coco, & Joe, right?
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20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
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21. Open the presents in the morning? DH likes to open them Christmas eve. We do Christmas at our house when the kids are here, so that could be any day between Christmas and New Years. (see question # 3 for the LONG answer...LOL!)
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22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? I work at Wal-mart, need I say more???
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23. What theme or color are you using? None in particular, just an eclectic collection of stuff from through out the years.
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24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Nothing really, but some peace and quiet and family here, but those two don't usually go hand in hand! LOL!
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Now my question for you all… What is your favorite Christmas Tradition? (or you could answer all of the above questions!) I will tell you my favorite tradition tomorrow!

Let it snow, Let it snow... NO NOT REALLY!!!!

Just doing my part out here in blog-land to keep things going while Babs is away! I hope all goes well for her and her big event!

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How about a little RESIST today???

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This page border was the make and take for my CMC's crop this past Friday. The snowflake squares are stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. After they set you sponge on your ink and then wipe away with paper towel. Where you embossed the ink will not set in, that my friends is the RESIST part!

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The squares were punched with the CM Square maker and matted with the largest. Card stock is CM Caribbean Blue. Ink is Delta, Royal Blue, available at Michaels.

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Behind the squares I randomly stamped a snowflake cluster stamp from my extensive collection of snowflake stamps. TA DA!!! A quick and easy border for a scrapbook page!

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I did something today that I have not done for a very long time. (No not that!) I printed pictures, about 50 of them. I have not been a very good scrapbooker lately. I do not print my pictures often and it has really made me get really behind on my scrapping. I even printed some in different sizes! I am usually a standard 4 x 6 printer and I don't edit often either.. just too darn lazy I guess!

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So I am thinking of some New Years Resolutions.... I have thousands of pictures on the computer and on my memory cards, so my plan is to print ten to twenty a week AND actually get them on to pages! But I have time to make my resolutions... at least a few weeks!

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I am still plugging away on my Christmas cards too... little by little they are coming along!

Take care!

How Do You Like the New Look?

Just popping in quick to say hi! What do you think of the new look? I decided to go "winter" instead of Christmas, because I don't want to have to update again in a few weeks... LOL... Lazy, I know!

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I got a pretty good start on the Christmas shopping this past Friday and I am working on gathering my recipes for the cookies I plan to bake this year.

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DH got a deer today, a rather LARGE doe, and he still has several days of his hunting vacation to go, so there may be a buck in the future here too. He was pointing to where his second shot hit in this picture. How about your hunters? What tales from the forest are they telling this year? Sorry to anyone who is squeamish about game pics. I am just happy he got a deer this year!

Take care!

First Christmas Card of the Season!!

I love opening the mail box this time of year and seeing Christmas cards in there! It makes up for the rest of the year when all I get in that box is bills and junk! This one is from my friend Angie and her family. I just love it... Those litte hedgehogs are too cute!

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So, it has been a busy couple of days at Wally-work. Hope all your holiday plans are coming together and you are finding all the things you want for in your stockings and under your tree!

I am still working at my Christmas cards, but at least I got started!

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Take care!

Thankful

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am full of turkey and stuffing and ready for a triptophan induced nap! After a nap, then some dessert and coffee and pouring over the Black Friday Ads... nothing much has flipped my lid this year on the ads so far. Got the cute little poem below from two of my gal pals today... thought it was cute and wanted to share it with you!

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May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

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Also a little Thanksgiving freebie for you all.... Check out this free E-book from Living on a Dime. Just click for the link to the Gifts in Jar download. It doesn't take long at all! (Trust me, I have dial up and if I didn't think it took long, it really didn't take long!)

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Take care, maybe I will see you bright and early with the crowds shopping!!!

Counting Down til Turkey Time!!!

Starting tomorrow morning my DH is on vacation for twelve... yes, twelve days... I see a "Honey-Do" List in his future... of course he has his own list in mind.. something about hunting a BIG BUCK???

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Seriously, I hope he gets his big buck and I told him he could hang it anywhere he wants in his shed! LOL!

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My favorite part of the day on Thanksgiving is in the evening sitting around with a cup of coffee and a piece of pie and ALL OF THE BLACK FRIDAY SALE PAPERS trying to get a game plan as to what we really want and where we are going shopping! As strange as it seems, after fifteen years in retail... I LOVE TO SHOP ON BLACK FRIDAY!!! We usually have a big crew and we like to hit Wally-work first and then head out from there. I seriously crack my Mom and her friend Betty up... I am like... "Come on let's get moving... No time for coffee... If you drink it now you will just have to pee later!" Typically I do not like crowds or noisy places, but there is just something about the energy on that day that appeals to me, go figure!

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We have a secret weapon too, my baby brother (only brother) Char. He goes with us every year... even though he has to explain to his boss that he needs the day off to go shopping with the girls! LOL!!! We have to feed him through out the day, Shmuffins & coffee to start with and then a bigger breakfast later in the day. He is our go-to guy, fighting the crowds to get the things we really want. We pretty much get a cart and go hang out in ladies wear and let him bring the loot to us. Then he hauls it all home in the truck while we go for more! Gotta love that!!!

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After a day of crazy shopping we then come home, relax for a bit and then head out to our second day after Thanksgiving Tradition... Barb's Crop! She always has one on that day and she makes the WORLD'S BEST Homemade Vegetable Soup!!! (It is so good and the perfect thing for those of us who are all turkey-ed out!)

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In honor of the pumpkin card, here is a recipe for Crock Pot Pumpkin Pie Pudding. I have not made it or tasted it, but I have on good authority from several trusted cooks that it is to die for, like warm pumpkin pie without the crust, yummy goodness.

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Take care!

Nothing says fall like apple picking!

This is one of my favorite SU! sets, For Father. It was in the last mini catalog I believe. It has Three image stamps and one sentiment. The other images are a puppy with an old work boot and an old wooden tool box. I don't have alot of "masculine" stamps so this one is my go to set for all things guy!

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I don't know if it is like this for you all, but for me, getting started is the hardest part of doing my Christmas cards. I have the idea in my head, I pulled the card stock from my stash, but darn am I having a rough time putting the stamps to paper. I actually have gone with a MUCH more traditional look this year... Red, White and Silver. I also have been using the same sentiment in my cards from year to year as well. It is one the I like and it says what I want to say, so I just print the insides of the cards on the computer. Last year my cards were pastel and the year before that I was ALL PURPLE! I got a great little acrylic stamp set from Wally-work for $2.96. It has an angel, a flourish with a star and "Joy to the World" sentiment. Now I just have to get the motivation to get moving on them. I really cut down my card list this year as well, mostly because I want a much more simple holiday and sending out 50+ handmade cards is not simple at all!
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Take care!

Anybody out there????

Watercoloring is one of my favorite stamping techniques. I taught myself, like I learn alot of things, by trial and error, mostly error! The stamped image is from Art Impressions and is not one that I own. It belongs to a friend. I love swapping stampies with my pals! It is so much fun to share your stamps, since they can be an investment. Since coloring this fella, though, I have decided that I do need a scarecrow in my collection of stamps.

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Back to the original question.... is anyone out there? I catch all kinds of heck for not blogging for a couple weeks and now that I am back where did you all go? I am sure that everyone is just busy getting ready for Turkey Day!
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Take care!

A Few More Fall Cards for the next few days....

because once I have these all posted to the blog I am going to surrender to the snow and winter and get on with the Christmas ones....

This stamp is one of the first ones I think I ever bought, what seems like a lifetime ago! It is from Inkadinkado (6207P), not that I think it is still available. I pull it out every year and use it though! I colored the image with watercolor pencils and an aqua painter. The oak leaf pattern paper is from my immense stash of paper. It was either not marked or I cut that off and it is glued down on a card already. I do wish that I had about 10 more sheets of it since it goes so well with the stamp! Ribbon is Michael's $1 Bin.

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Things are slowly coming back together here at the Holbrook Homestead. DH almost has the top layer of sub floor in the bathroom done so I can start tiling it. We also nearly have the furnace woes taken care of. We got an updated replacement part for the broken mercury switch, which is no longer being manufactured. The (very) young kid behind the counter at the heating and plumbing store didn't even know what it was when Ken handed it to him. The older guy working next to him, chuckled and said he knew what is was and what to replace it with. Tomorrow will be a new belt on the motor and all will be back in business!

Ken is furiously working to get all these things done before his 12 day hunting vacation. It is funny, I thought I packed Murphy's bags and sent him packing, but apparently one night while we were both at work he sneaked back in.

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Any big Thanksgiving plans? I am really looking forward to the turkey!!! Thanksgiving is a pretty great holiday... almost as good as the 4th of July according to Linnie! (Linnie likes the 4th since you don't have to buy gifts, clean the house and you can throw away the dishes!)

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Take care!

Babs and the Amazing Top Note Bigz Die

Sharon (BS2) won the first to send her cards in award and Barb won the "My Favorite" prize. I love the stamp set she used, Stampin' UP! A Tree for All Seasons. It is definately a set that I will be adding to my collection! I will I also thought it was neat how by just changing the papers and ribbons a bit she got two different looks!

That really great curvy-pointed die cut shape on the front is also a SU! item. It is for the Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machine. SU! has a whole bunch of great dies for cardmaking now in their product line. This particular one "Top Note" has been wildly popular and is on backorder at the moment!
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How are your Christmas cards coming along? Haven't even started mine yet (hanging my head in shame.) Don't even have an idea for the design yet!
Take care!

Sharon, Fastest Card Maker East of the Mississippi & My BS2!

As promised (a day late) these are Sharon's cards from the swap. Sharon does such a great job with her cards. She did the sweetest basket of peppermint patties for a make and take at my crop last week.

I just love that satin-y pumpkin ribbon on Sharon's Thanksgiving card!


Isn't that little ghost stamp on the envelope too cute!!
Next post will be my BS1's cards!
Take care!

Showcasing the work of my talented friends!

You may recall a little while ago I hosted an Autumn theme card swap. The cards are all in and I am sending them out today, so I thought that I would share those cards over the next few days. These beautiful cards were made by Jody, my dear chicksa from Washington, PA. She does the neatest things with chalk and templates! The card below just doesn't shine in this scan. The Give Thanks is done in sparkly bronze glitter!
I am hoping that I packed "Murphy's" bags and sent him on his way. We had to fix the tail lights on the car this week and the first time we fired the coal furnace this season the darn motor burned up. That has been repaired and we have a REALLY good batch of coal that burns super hot, so here's to a toasty house this winter!
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Tomorrow's cards by Sharon!
Take care!

He's the Big Brother

Being the oldest of five children has always been interesting. I have always told my parents that I did a poor job of preparing them for what was to come. (Yes, I know you read this Lynnette, and as you know your first born did not prepare you for what was to come either... LOL!) For those who don't know Lynnette is my sister and a mother to FOUR energetic active boys, can anyone say CRAZY? Look it up in the dictionary, there should be a portrait of her family next to it! I have some pictures of those nephews to post here as well. My first nephew just turned 14, can you believe it? He named me Aunt Meme many years ago.

I have had such a good time watching Ty be the "big bruvver" to his little sister. On this particular day he begged for several hours to hold her. Finally I relented, figuring that he would hold her for five minutes, get bored and go on about his business. Boy was I wrong on that one... He sat on the couch in the middle of all of those cushions and pillows and held her for almost an hour. He gave her little kisses and smoothed her hair and touched her teensy tiny hands. She slept contently the entire time.
I guess we should appreciate their special relationship while it lasts. It won't be long until they are getting on each other's nerves and picking on each other. I will keep these pictures around to remind Ty of what it used to be like!
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Take care!

Hey Tracy, Barb, Tina, Kathy & Joyce!!!!!

Okay my friends from Bedford! I am back on the blog!!!! Thanks for the gentle kick in the butt.... I know I have been neglectful!

This was the calm before the storm, so to speak. All peaceful, quiet and empty... not for long. A mere 15 minutes later and this was the scene.... Scrapbookers and supplies as far as the eye could see! The Camp Harmony crop grew to about 80 this fall and not without some growing pains, to say the least.

I actually referred to this crop as "Murphy's Crop" (as in whatever could go wrong... you get the idea...) I had two vendors and an instructor cancel, we outgrew the room that we usually use and were forced into the multipurpose building that has really bad lighting. Thankfully for the most part, scrapbookers are a very kind and understanding group of people.

Thankfully, we did still have a pretty good day. I got another vendor, did some make and takes myself and made up for the bad lighting with lots of good food. We had some GREAT door prizes as well. At the end of the day we packed up, went home, unloaded and I proptly sat down in the recliner, kicked it back and fell asleep until the next morning and slept like I haven't slept in weeks!

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Over on the side bar->->->->

I did put up a link to subscribe to the blog and the comments if you would like to do that. That way when I post it goes directly to your email and you can also get in on the comments as well!

Take care!

Holy Crap, Batman!

I can't believe I have not posted for over two weeks! Those six day work stretches are killing me! Then I don't get my sleep flipped around when I am off work! The first two nights of this last six day stretch I worked alone. One of the ladies I work with was very sick and could not come to work. I am glad to have the first shift all alone under my belt and out of the way. I didn't do too bad and the next night was better.

We are working on crop stuff pretty regular now. Ordering our food and working the seating charts. Get your registrations in, I can't wait to see you all again!

I will post up the pictures of our last Stamper Seven meeting soon. Barb has the best projects for us! I always come home with the neatest cards and fun things!

Until then, take care!

Finally a day off...

This was my make and take page from the St. Andrew School crop 2 weeks ago. I love the dahlia fold technique. It is so simple but the results are so elegant and WOW! The GORGEOUS PAPER is from a Creative Memories customer gift pack that you will get FREE if you attend Croptober-fest on October 24 at Berkey Church. This is the first time that I took the time to ink up the edges of the circles on both sides before I folded them and it made such a huge difference in the depth and dimension of the finished piece. I am thinking of doing this as a make and take for my Camp Harmony Crop on November 8.

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Baby Kya is improving. We are so thankful for that. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.

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Can I say that I am so glad for a day off from work! I haven't worked a stretch like that in years! It wasn't bad until the last 2 days when I didn't sleep well.

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Our Stampers Seven group is meeting this Saturday and it is my turn to host. If anyone wants to come to the party let me know! We are making a tin and two cards. I am also making apple dumpling cake!

Take care!

What a week...

First a little note card that I made to send to Melanie, who is in the hospital. Her appendix ruptured on Tuesday. She was to the ER on Monday and was misdiagnosed, went back on Tuesday because she had a fever and more pain. That is when they figured it out. She is doing okay. Kenny went to see her yesterday and took her a care package of stuff from us.

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Just one more night of my six night stretch. I am ready for a day or two off.

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I am working on my cards for my Autumn theme swap.... lots to do yet! I can't wait to see everyone's cards.

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Anyone have big plans for World Card Making Day? (this Saturday, October 4th!)

I am having my Stampers Seven SU club meeting! I love to get together with the ladies and make Barb's creative projects!

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Take care!