It's been dark, dreary and rainy all day though anything is better than snow. It was the perfect day to stay inside and get some of the chores done up of which there is no shortage.
It's almost December so I thought I would try to get into the spirit by doing some wrapping. All my shopping is done so it's down to the wrapping now, which is a job in itself. I try to approach each gift like I would when creating a card - some call that creative; others call it obsessive.
I finally have a chance to sit down and rest my feet. It seems I have done nothing but rush around the last few days, doing errands, going to appointments, shopping, cleaning up.......It will almost be a vacation to go back to work!
As much as I love trying new colour combinations, red and green always looks so Christmasy. The wreath on this is by Jolees and is all bright and sparkly. Photos never seem to show the cards as vividly as they look in person but that could just be the photographer!
I am in full gear for Christmas, trying to get everything done as far ahead as possible so that it's a pleasant experience rather than a stressful one. So many people I talk to get stressed out at this time of year because they leave everything until the last minute. I have done about 3/4 of my shopping (thank you very much online shopping) and have now turned my attention back to my cards.
I had a lovely family day today for my mom's 86th birthday on the 19th of this month. It was a perfect fall day with bright sunshine and it was just nice to have the family together. We got mom a Kindle which is actually kind of neat. Being a big hands-on type of person, I wasn't sure how I would like reading off a screen but it really wasn't much different than reading an actual book. Plus, it's pretty simple to operate which is a big plus for an older person (mom, not me!).
I spent half the day yesterday Christmas shopping and hoping to find some boxed Christmas cards to send out. Unfortunately, both were a bust. I cannot for the life of me find any cards that I like which, I suppose, is somewhat ironic. People ask me if I make all the cards I sent out at Christmas. As much as I would love that, I send about 50 so there's no way I would have time to make all those.
Much of my all-time favourite paper is made by "My Mind's Eye", particularly the florals and vintage themed patterns. I love that it's two-sided, giving me twice the choices and I can't buy enough of it. This card was made with some of this paper for a guy's 50th birthday. I always struggle when making male-themed cards since I tend to drift moreso towards the frilly girly stuff. I used a Tim Holtz metal frame (love, love, love this stuff!), a Melissa Frances rub-on, some fibres, ribbon, buttons and stick-on numbers.
I got this fun little kit yesterday from one of the vendors at the scrapbooking show. It's all layered and each piece is numbered to show you the proper order in which to place everything. The only thing is that some of the pieces are very tiny so that you have to use miniscule sticky dots on the back and, I tell you, those suckers are hard to maneouver. I can't imagine how anyone with big hands would ever manage. Anyway, I got the bear together then dressed him up with some ribbon, lace and a Merry Christmas rub-on.
I have been having all kinds of problems with my computer tonight so I hope I can get through these posts before it blows up. I love my computer except when something goes wrong since I don't have the patience to deal with stuff like that.
I'm back at the Christmas cards, trying to keep ahead of everything that needs doing before December 25th. Once I start really getting into the shopping, then the wrapping and sending out my own cards, there is no time left for cardmaking. The paper I used for this card is by Bobunny. The picture of Santa and the little girl is a canvas-type cutout, flowers are Prima and lace, ribbon, doily are from the depths of my drawers.
I have been glued to my television set for the last day and a half watching the mine rescues from Chile. It is such a miracle that they were able to get everyone up safely and that all the men appeared in such good health. I can't even imagine what they and the families have gone through but I'm glad it has ended well, save that they get the other four rescue workers out of there.
I made this card for a First Wedding Anniversary and love how the colours go together. The paper is a combination of K&Company, Websters Pages and 7 Gypsies with a Michaels flower, Melissa Frances rub-on, pearl brads and lace.
I shudder to think that Christmas is less than three months away. Though I have bought a few things here and there, there's still a lot of ground to cover. We drew Secret Santa names at work last week so you can never be too early or too prepared.
Today, I took out my air conditioners, a chore that always signals to me the end of summer. I am still holding out for some warm, sunny days before the cold of winter-to-come sets in. This is about the time, each and every year, that I start asking myself why I live in a climate that brings us snow and cold rather than Arizona or Florida or Hawaii. 
It's a rainy and dreary day here, just perfect for sitting inside and getting all those things done that have been piling up. I enjoy watching the rain though the thunder scares Kenya to death and he runs to hide behind the toilet each and every time.
I absolutely despise going to the dentist but was lucky enough to find a place that will sedate me through anaesthesia whenever I have to have any work done. Trust me, this is a Godsend. I am always grateful for the good care the dentist and nurses give me throughout my treatment so made a special card for them when I went today for the final appointment. Thank you, too, to all my friends who have to drive into Toronto to pick me up in my drug-hazed state!
This is a cute card for a new puppy, made with some Basic Grey paper. The paws were cut from a punch then "stickled" with gold sparkles and the bone is from "Jolees", covered in gold as well. Rubon is Melissa Frances and lace and ribbon from my big drawer of stuff. Cute as a button!
This is a card I made for my brother's upcoming 50th Birthday. It kind of looks more like a card for a 5-year old but my brother is young at heart so I think he'll be happy with it, particularly being the dog lover he is.
This is a cute shower card done with K&Company paper, a Melissa Frances rubon, antique lace and button and pretty plaid ribbon. I printed the image from the Internet then sprayed it with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist.
This little guy is a frequent visitor to our backyard. I caught him the other day eating all the bread I had put out for the birds. I thought raccoons were night creatures but there he was at 1:00 in the afternoon enjoying a feast. He certainly looks happy enough!
This pretty card was made for a wedding shower but it could really be for anything love-y like a wedding or anniversary. I like the look of the gathered lace at the top and the colours are so soft and romantic.
I hate colds and I hate feeling less than my best. Being sick puts you completely out of your routine and is just good for nothing, in my opinion. Having said that, while yesterday was probably the worst of it (I hope), today is marginally not the worst so, in fact, better. I hesitate to use the word "better" as I still feel crappy but I think a lot of that is due to Nyquil hangover.
The second card was also made from K&Company papers and uses the same layout as the top one. This paper is so great to work with since it's a little thicker than the regular stuff. I always thought it would be fun to design my own paper - I mean, how hard can it be? - but that will have to sit for a while on the back burner with all the other wouldn't it be fun stuff.
Sadly, another of my friends had to have his dog, Hayley, put down so I have been busy making yet another pet sympathy card. I used paper from imaginisce, purchased on a trip to the scrapbooking store yesterday, a metal frame from Making Memories, some chipboard wings, Prima Flowers and a few other odds and ends to finish off the card. 
I think one of the most popular cards I get asked to make is a sympathy card for someone who has lost a pet. Many of the recipients have told me they keep the card with other mementos from their pet's life in a special memory box. 
For the past five weeks they have been reconstructing the balconies on my building. This five weeks feels like five months. Not only is have they locked us in so that nobody kills themselves on what is left of the balcony (basically, a slab of concrete), the workmen have completely taken over the backyard, the parking lot and half of the front yard. I was hoping to have some relaxing time outside but it is not to be. The only positive I can see from this is that I have yet to see the wasps that have plagued me on my balcony for the past two years. Perhaps they are in hiding waiting, as am I, for the construction guys to hurry up and leave.
