Project 365 Day 248

It was back to Tahoe today with Tracey to clean the cabin. It was such a beautiful drive! The ground was covered in a thick blanket of snow and the trees looked covered in lace. Even the rows of chain link fences looked like lacy white trim. I just love it when the snow turns the world into a wonderland!

Project 365 Day 247----Coffee Cozies

These are pics of some cute little coffee (or in my case, cocoa) sleeves that I made for Christmas presents this year. I gave one to my friend Tracey and mentioned that I was going to make some up for my Christmas bazaars next year. Well, she informed me that it is still winter and that some of you might like to have one now----so....

They are made of cute snowflake flannel and lined with warm and natural. You may order them in either green or red, and have them personalized with a name. For generic purposes I made some up with the word "hot" or "m-m-m." For the guys on my list I also made some with a red and black flannel lined with black dot. I don't have that pictured here, but I do have a bit of the material left that I could make more. I am selling them for $5 each.

Just contact me if you would like to order one.

Priject 365 Day 246

Matilda is staying overnight with me tonight and that crafty ol' Santa left her some gifts here at Grandma's as well---Lucky Girl!
Here she is coloring in her new magic coloring book.

Project 365 Day 245

Today I thought I'd add a picture of the wonderful Christmas cards I received this year. Some of mine are going out very late this year, I'm afraid> More like New Year's wishes!
Thank you to each of you who remembered me with a card. I treasure them and add them to my scrapbook each year.

Christmas Time

Once the gifts were opened and oohed and aawwed over, it was time for naps and relaxing. Matilda took the time to kick back in her new recliner---just like Grandpa's!
We were so silly. We hung around the whole day in our jammies and then just in time for dinner around 7pm, we dressed up in our Christmas outfits and ate at Tracy's beautiful Christmas table. Then as soon as dinner was over, it was time to get back into jammies where there was plenty of room for our full tummies.


Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Project 365 Day 244---Merry Christmas!

We awakened Christmas morning to full stockings and a tree surrounded by presents. Matilda just had to open the Tinkerbell packages first!

Christmas Eve

Just had to add a couple more pics of Christmas Eve.
Megan had one more gift that she didn't have time to get and I remembered hearing that Walgreens was open, so we bundled up in our coats and boots over our jammies and made a last minute gift run. Yes, we got a few funny looks.
Then Matilda got into her new Christmas jammies and left milk and cookies for Santa before heading off to bed.
Once she was in bed asleep. we went into frantic gift wrapping mode since Tracy had not yet wrapped "Santa's" gifts.

Project 365 Day 243

Christmas Eve is here already! Many of my projects are coming together at the last minute, but they're coming together. Got the rest of my presents wrapped, got my hair colored, went to Christmas services at SCF with Megan and Mikey, and have landed safely in Tracy's home for the night. We are all staying overnight here so we will be here to watch Matilda open her Christmas treasures in the morning. Today's picture is of Tracy's beautiful Christmas tree. Tomorrow after Santa arrives, it will be surrounded by even more beautiful gifts and we will gather all together as a family to open gifts and have dinner. I am so lucky to have Tracy, Ian, and Matilda here in town for Christmas. It doesn't happen often, so I am looking forward to a wonderful day tomorrow.

Project 365 Day 242

Last night (At the last minute, of course) Tracy called with the realization that since Matilda is attending a Jewish pre-school, she would not be making a cute handmade ornament to be added to this year's Christmas tree, so----Would I PLEASE make one with Matilda. She already made 3 of my little gingerbread ornaments with me to take home and add to her tree, but somehow no one seemed to have seen them or know where they were, so----Today I gathered some wooden snowflakes, some glue, glitter, and sparkly felt snowflakes and Matilda and I made some snowflake ornaments. I used one of my new Photoshop techniques to print out some pics of Matilda to put in the middle and we were done. We had a good time and she did a great job. While we were at it we made one for Grandma, on for Grandpa Gary, one for Auntie Meme and one for Mama Kat. A little Christmas memory for all of us.

Project 365 Day 241

Today's picture is just another one of the cards we made in card class this month. Boring I know, but I was hard up for a photo.

Project 365 Day 240

Today it was off to Tahoe again with Tracey to clean the cabin. As I walked up to the front door to go inside, I could see through the house and through the back door where the renters who had checked out had left a cute snow bear on the back patio to greet us. I took the other picture down by the lake when Tracey drove down there afterward to take some photos. Really beautiful, isn't it?

Project 365 Day 239

Over the weekend I was at my friend Jacque's house for a small Christmas boutique. My brother called while I was there and as I was talking to him on the phone I looked up on one of the shelves and thought, "That's Mrs. Butterworth!" Sure enough, one of her kids made this Christmas decoration in school. I just had to take a picture of er to share with Megan as an idea if she ever gets a classroom of her own in which to teach. Too cute! Now I want to collect Mrs. Butterworth bottles!

Project 365 Day 238

For today's picture I've decided to post the Christmas picture that Tracy and family took in front of their new home. Aren't they a handsome family and what a cute little grand daughter I have. I wish I could go back in time and raise both of my children all over again! I would gladly bear the hurts and heartaches again to be able to re-experience the joys!

Project 365 Day 237

Today I thought I'd post the picture of the calendar cover for this year's class. Another year completed and on to the next. This will be my 4th year and some of you have been with me the whole way through. I love and appreciate you all so much. I can be having the worst day, and think I just can't do it, and my projects suck---and then I get to class with all of you and my spirits are lifted. Thanks!

Project 365 Day 236

Tonight was my 3rd Annual Christmas Party Crop. I hold it every year for my Calendar Girls, but invite others to join in the fun.


















I was overwhelmed and pleased by the response I had this year. I was to have nearly 30 of you there to join in the fun. I was so excited!
Then Jack Frost invited himself to the party and brought along an alarming number of his little snowflake friends. In the end there were only eleven of us, but we sure had a good time.
Here a pictures of the hearty souls that braved the storm to join me, of the YUMMY, YUMMY treats we had all to ourselves, and of the nice big pile of prizes I had to give away.

Ah well---Another year of calendar class is complete and I spent tonight diligently working on the layout for January.

Project 365 Day 235

Today I'm posting a picture of the flyer for a bazaar being held at my friend Jacque's house on Saturday. I'll be there and I hope some of you will stop by to grab some last minute Christmas gifts.

Project 365 Day 234

YES!!! There are huge holes in my 365 project again! I've done my best! Really I have! I'm running as fast as I can, but the treadmill still keeps throwing me off occasionally!
This afternoon I taught my November Card Class at Scrapper's Paradise. I was going to take the picture for today, when I realized that I had once again, left my camera at home. Then----I remembered my fancy new phone! I want you all to know that I not only took this picture of Luann and Linda, two of the girls in class--but I figured out how to get it from my phone to my computer and on to my blog ALL BY MYSELF!! You may now all call me "Techno Tonna."

Project 365 Day 232

I've completed two of the cards for Wednesday's card class and they were sitting on my messy dining room table, so I snapped a picture of them for today's post as a little sneak peek.
(Yes, Stacey, I know that by the time you see them, they will no longer be a sneak peek! Let's just pretend I am actually on my toes.)

Project 365 Day 230

This evening was my daughter Tracy's annual Christmas Tree Decorating Party. I was in attendance, but forgot my camera, so I used Tracy's instead. Normally Tracy has pictures up on Facebook before you can get home and turn on your computer and I was going to grab a few of them from there to share with you. Tracy is a bit overwhelmed this year though, and has not yet posted any, so I will have to add the pictures to this post later.

Project 365 Day 227

As some of you know, my grand daughter Matilda goes to a Jewish preschool. No, we are not Jewish, but it is the preschool that Tracey chose. It was brand new, nice and clean, etc. That is why my picture for today is of Matilda beside a giant Menorah celebrating her very first Hanukkah. (I definitely not Jewish. I just had to use Spell Check to spell the word Hanukkah right!). Anyway, Happy Hanukkah everyone!

Project 365 Day 225

Frantically prepping for Wednesday's upcoming calendar class! Here is a shot of my desk with bits and pieces everywhere----A little sneak peak!

Project 365 Day 224

Here is our hostess for the ornament exchange party, Lisa, in her welcoming home and the group of us gathered around her beautiful Christmas tree. I've also included a picture of the adorable ornament that we all got to make while we were there. It's a melted snowman inside a glass ball ornament. I just love it! Thanks so much Lisa!

Project 365 Day 223

Here are Mr and Mrs Gingerbread, a completed couple ready for exchanging at Lisa's party tomorrow. I'm ready! Yeah!
I made a few extras and will have them for sale at my next few classes and at the Christmas Party Crop. I hope you all are coming!

Project 365 Day 222

Today's picture is of my dining room table covered with gingerbread people as I work on my ornaments for Lisa's ornament party this weekend. Aren't they cute?

Project 365 Day 221

Tonight was my class for the Christmas Garland in a paper mache box. We all had such a great time. It was a project that allowed you to be able to visit while you worked and we took full advantage of the time to chat with each other. Mine was so full after I got done being creative that I had to tie a bow around it to keep the lid on and it looked really cute. I was going to post a picture of my finished box, but I left it out in the car. I don't want to go back out in the cold to get it, so I will add the pic to this post tomorrow. Time now to relax for the evening. Much to do tomorrow!

November Winner!

It's time to announce the blog comment winner for the month of November.
Casey Kramer---You have won a free kit this month! You can choose any kit from my line priced $8 or under. Just contact me and let me know which one you want.
Congratulations!

Also a note to those of you who follow my line of kits. I know that I am woefully behind and haven't introduced any new kits for far too long. Be assured that I am on it and there will be plenty of new kits----and classes----coming with the new year.

Project 365 Day 220

Okay girls---Here's the story behind this picture.
I was at Scrapper's Paradise standing innocently near their Christmas display chatting with a friend. I glanced up at this tree and said, "Look at that big ball on that little bitty tree!" I looked over and Sue had a look on her face like she was the cat that just ate the canary. I say--"What? Is it a Charlie Brown tree?" Sue finally bursts and can hold it in no longer. "It's a boy tree!" she says.
That's the way the whole night was and it only got worse when it was pointed out that it was a blue ball. Girls, girls, girls----What am I going to do with you?
Seriously though---I had a blast tonight and I can't tell you how much I needed it!

Project 365 Day 219

I have Matilda for the night again tonight. I'm lovin' it!
Tonight I was working on some little gingerbread ornaments that I need to get made for an ornament exchange this weekend, so Matilda and each each took a picture of each other as we worked on them together.
She actually does really well with a camera!

Project 365 Day 218

As I told you yesterday, I had enough fabric to go on to make myself a pretty good sized garland. Tonight as I was trying to tidy up a bit I took the garland from where it was and rolled it up and set it on the floor. Peek-A-Boo decided that my pile of garland would make a nice little bad for her and so she just curled up and made herself comfortable.
Crazy little dog!

Project 365 Day 217

Recently Megan asked me if I could help her make a fabric garland for her tree like the one I always put in mine. Today was the day and boy did we tackle it. I had a lot of fabric scraps to donate to the cause and we went to Joann's where she purchased some Christmas prints to add. I happened to overhear her talking with the lady at the cutting counter, and when she asked her what she was making, Megan told her that she was making a fabric garland for her tree---That there had always been one on her tree as she was growing up, and she wanted one for her own tree. It made me feel so good to know that there was this little thing from her childhood Christmases that she liked and wanted to carry on. I always did popcorn chains when the kids were young as well, and they ALWAYS complained about having to string the popcorn! Megan says she's not putting popcorn chains on her tree until she has kids that can do the stringing for her. Ahhh---Another tradition continues. Tracy hated it so much that I don't think I'll ever see popcorn chains on her tree. I must add here though, that I DID do much of the stringing myself---I just made them help.
Anyway---I snapped this picture of Megan while we were hard at work. It took us all day, but she now has a very long garland for her tree. There were still plenty of fabric scraps left when she was finished and I DID NOT want to store them up for some possible future project, so I just kept on working until I had used them up. Now I have another quite long fabric garland completed.

Project 365 Day 216

I've been working on the tutorial I received from Jessica Sprague to go with my Christmas Garland in a Box class and have had a lot of fun with it. Here's a photo of one of the pages I have all ready to send to Costco to get printed!

Project 365 Day 215----Thanksgiving

Mine was yucky and I did not take a picture all day---So there!

Look at Me Go!

I'm terribly proud of myself this evening. I finally went to Jessica Sprague's site today to do my tutorial and get the pictures ready to go in my garland box and I did it! I'm quite impressed with myself when I accomplish anything computer related. I was so impressed as a matter of fact, that I am now playing with a couple of her free classes. I've just completed the first one which was to add a picture and journaling to an existing digital layout. I just had to show off what I did! Cool---huh? And I must admit--Kind of fun! I'm planted on the couch with my heating pad, so I'm going to do the next one.

Christmas Garland Class

I still have a few spots left in this class which is coming up on Wednesday evening, December 1st. In this class you will complete a Christmas garland on red and white baker's twine. The smaller of the circles on the garland will spell out the words "Merry Christmas," and the larger scalloped circles will house pictures punched into 2" circles. In class, you will also decorate the sweet little paper mache box to house your garland in. The class is $20 and I have a few spots still available. Contact me directly if interested.

Project 365 Day 214----Tim Holtz

Quite some time ago there was a mini album on display at TMI that Kathy made in a Tim Holtz class. It used something from his entire product line at the time. Everyone loved it and we were constantly asked if it were going to be taught as a class---which it wasn't. Finally, one of my friends wanted to do it so badly that she hunted down and purchased all of the needed supplies and had me help her do it. There were lots of supplies left over, so I told her that I would try and teach it to a few girls to help her recoup some of her money. There has been interest and the date has finally been set. The pictures here show my version of the mini album. The class is $40 and includes all supplies which account for the major part of the class fee. This will be taught to a limited number of you and there are already only two seats left available. We are holding the class on Saturday January 8th at the home of my friend Cheryl beginning at noon. The class will probably run about two hours. Please contact me directly if you are interested.

Class now full!

Project 365 Day 213

Today everything that was to take me out of the house was canceled due to the snow, so I was a shut in for the day. That's okay though, cause Matilda spent the night last night and most of today with me and I was visited for a bit by my friends Linda and Tracey. Here's a pic of Matilda enjoying a snack of string cheese and crackers. What a cutie! Linda says she should be in modeling.