Still Trying to Catch up with 2010

It's been a slow process (where or where does my time go?) but I'm ever so slowly trying to complete my 2010 calendar.  I managed to get not one, but TWO pages finished in the last 24 hours. As always, you can click on the photos to enlarge.

I got my inspiration for this next page from a sketch that I found on Jessica's Blog  It uses some awesome CTMH paper and journaling tag.

Hope to be back later - after dinner and church - to play with the Unscripted Sketches challenge. Trying to get used to my hubby's new schedule which includes working weekends (but off Wednesday's and Thursdays - perfect for Wednesday night church and Thursday night classes!)  

Thanks for stopping by,

Marie with a :-)

Nifty Fifty Blog Hop For Christi!

This uses one of my favorite CTMH paper packs!

I want to be just like Pat when I grow up.

Let me explain. I've met some wonderful people in the blogging world, one of them is Christi, a very talented Christian blogger.  Her works are amazing.  But I think even more amazing is her mom, Pat,  and I cried when I received an e-mail from her (Pat) explaining that although she was out of state, she wanted to do something special for Christi's 50th birthday.  So she asked some of her daughter's blogging friends to create a card and to send Christi 50 of "anything" (sticks of gum, buttons, whatever) wrapped in black.  Then she set up a blog hop to surprise Christi.  What an awesome mom.
I don't know if it was because I wanted to make something extra special, or if it was because I knew of the very talented ladies participating....whatever the reason I seemed to "lose the muse" and this is what I came up with.  While humble in creation, it is filled with lotsa love, Christi, and prayers for a wonderful day and year, filled with the blessings of the Lord.  Happy, Happy birthday to you!
Marie with a :-)
PS Christi, the other day you expressed surprise to find me still blogging after I said I was going to give up this blog.  LOL - I got your mom's e-mail right after that and that is why I kept it open - to participate in this hop! If you've been following my other blog at all, It's a Wonderful Life!" you won't be overly surprised to learn that my gift and card will arrive late...

PS You should have arrived here from Cammie's blog and should next go to Mary Ellen's blog

Here's a complete list of the participants:

BLOG HOP
1.  June Houck http://simplyelegantpapercrafts.blogspot.com/
2.  Jeanne Tomshack http://tomshack.blogspot.com/
3.  Barb Walker http://thebuzzfromqueenb.blogspot.com/
4.  Stacy L  http://impressionsofaribbonaddict.blogspot.com/
5.  Christi Thorsen http://cici510.blogspot.com/
6.  Cammie (Carolyn King) http://myblogbycammie.blogspot.com/
7.  Marie Isom  http://isomcre8tions.blogspot.com/

8.  Mary Ellen Harrison  http://abeautifulscrapbook.blogspot.com/
9.  Sarah Masteller http://sarahspapertray.blogspot.com/10.  Susan Roberts
http://rainy.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/11.  Jeanette Fincher http://2redbananas.blogspot.com/
12.  Elise Durenberger http://mamacowcreations.blogspot.com/

June Calendar Page, The Color Dare

I'm still plodding along, trying to finish my 2010 calendar.  Here's the June page.  I used the Color Dare challenge for my color choice.  (I don't have  SU colors so tried to match as closely as possilbe.  This paper pack is Rustic Trails - one of my all time CTMH papers and I tend to hoard it. (I say that about a lot of my CTMH supplies, don't I?)

I

Thanks for looking,
Marie with a :-)

May Calendar Page/Creative Scrappers #87

I am slowly but surely making progress on my 2010 calendar - I am currently up to MAY...wahoo! I used the Creative Scrappers Sketch 87 for this page:

You can click on the photo for details.

Thanks for stopping by!
Marie with a :-)

Acrylic Purse Calendar/album and US challenge

Well, I've been trying to keep up with two blogs...and don't have time to add  the pictures to this one...so for a peek at my acrylic calendar click the LINK.
I used only SU products for the US challenge (those abbreviations make me :-) )  Here's a link to the Fabulous Unscripted Designer Samples

Thanks for stopping by.
Marie with a :-)

For a Special Friend

After completing this project for a precious friend, I checked to see what challenges it might meet the criteria for.  I found three: Tuesday Morning Sketches (buttons and ribbon), Tuesday Throwdown #11 (stitching - faux or actual) and Kitchen Sink (stitching)  You can click on the photos for details.

                                       Outside of card

                                                   Inside of card

Tin, which will be filled with 18" pieces of ribbon

Top of tin

 I used the SU For All You Do stamp set and my current favorite CTMH paper (Veranda) to create a card and gift for a special friend who has done a lot for me and my family in recent months.

Thanks for taking a peek!
Marie with a :-)

PS Need an encouraging word on faith?  Check out my other blog: http://maries-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/abiding-faith.html or click on the link on the left hand side of my blog that says Link To My Rambling Thoughts Blog

Sister History/CPS 149

After a wonderful church service tonight, I came home feeling somewhat creative.
I mentioned a couple of posts ago that for my birthday last year, my friend Donna made me an album for keeping track of birthdays and cards.  I have a habit of not using new things at first - and didn't really use it last year but have been busy filling it up this year!  I have many of my January/February/March birthday cards made already.  Tonight I used the CPS 149 sketch to make my sister's birthday card.  Here's what the inside will say:  So, we didn't actually wear dresses and we didn't have a cat BUT we sure did some whispering/plotting in our time.  Like when we shared a bedroom with Samantha and convinced her that after she fell asleep, we hit the magic button on our bed and visited Santa at the North Pole?  Or later, when we kept secret the parties we were going to?  Yup, we've has some sister history.  And I'm so glad you are my sister.  Happy Birthday!

The stamped image is from a ten-year-old Stampin Up! set.   The brads, words and paper is from Close To My Heart (I love the new Veranda paper!) I also used the SU eyelet border punch. And the ribbon was from a free set that I got from Archivers several months ago and hadn't even opened (it is a set of ten earthy color spools - one of the best freebies Archivers has offered to date!)

Thanks for taking a peek!  Hope you have a wonderful Sonday,

Marie with a :-)

Cute Card Thursday

If you've read my last couple of posts, you know that I have just started on my 2010 calendar.  I am happy to say, that with the addition of March I am 25 percent of the way finished :-)  Hopefully I'll get to craft nonstop this weekend and actually complete it.  Anyway, the challenge from Cute Card Thursday was to use something new. I did that for both my card and calendar page.  For the card I used a new paper pack from Close To My Heart, called Classic Basics - Veranda.  Sigh. It's "another one of my favorites."

 The calendar also features the CTMH Expedition paper pack and the Rustic letter stamps.

Marie with a :-)

Better Late Than Never

Usually I have my year's calendar finished by December...I'm not sure what happened this year except that I was on something of a crafting hiatus.  I just started my 2010.  Here's the first two pages.  (January we celebrate Matthew's 16th bd and February we celebrate Alyssa's 18th which is why they are featured on the pages.)  My goal is to create the birthday cards that I will need for each month when I make the calendar page.  Not quite there, but I did get Matthew's done. As always, you can click on the images for a larger view.

January page featuring Matthew.

This is what the card looks like when closed, but when opened you can see that the circle is cut out on the front.  I got the basic idea for this card from the CTMH Wishes book.

February page featuring Alyssa.

And finally...I had a small gift for a friend who has been a loyal CTMH customer and I wanted to thank her.  This is a simply stamped library envelope. (Hopefully she will enjoy the Stampin Up! products as much as the CTMH...she's one of the most creative people I know)

Word of the Year and Other Random Ramblings

I know, I know, I don't post much these days. Here's a  quick card I made for my mom, trying out the new Stampin Up cling mount stamps.

My sister Samantha, a SU demonstrator and me, a CTMH demonstrator.  She has persuaded me to make the switch!

A gift bag I made for a very precious friend.  If you have been keeping up with my other blog, you know that I'm a lousy gift wrapper...so I stick to bags most of the time!

The Fab Four

I just returned from a second 2009 visit to Vermont to see my mom and my three sisters...we like to refer to ourselves as The Fab Four. I also got to meet my wonderful new sister-in-law, Beth and saw my brother for the first time in over ten years. I got to travel the back roads of Vermont with my adventuresome sister Jessie and marvel at the winter wonderland of Vermont.  I enjoyed late night crafting with my talented sister, Samantha.  I got to spend time with my mom and nieces and nephews. I spent some time with my best friend from high school; and  I got to see other high school friends - some that I hadn't seen for two decades!  It was a good visit. A fun visit.  It was also nice to return home to my handsome husband and amazing children.  They picked me up at the airport and I could sense some anticipation in the air.  When I walked in the door at home, I was surprised by welcome home posters and banners and streamers, a handmade card, dark chocolate, flowers, a purple heart shaped cake and lots of hugs.  My house was immaculate.  And I had a precious letter from my 17 year old daughter.  "Mom, " she said "While you were gone I realized how much you have always been there for me, to laugh or cry with, to encourage me or give me wisdom.  I can honestly say that you are my best friend."  Wow.  Is there anything else in the world that can compare to words like that?  I don't think so.

Last year, I decided on a Word of the Year.  A 2009 theme, if you will.  I wrote about it HERE.  I've decided on a new word for 2010. A new theme. Willing.  Willing to try new things. Willing to share my craft room (Scott has decided it is a great place for puzzles and drawing since the lighting is so good.  We're gonna be 2010 craft room buddies. As long as he doesn't mess with my Cuttlebug...) Willing to admit when I'm wrong.  Willing to become what God wants me to become.  Willing.  To be shaped, molded and changed.  While I am 100 percent satisfied with my life right now, I don't want to become complacent...I want to be willing to be what and where God wants me.  Willing.

Happy 2010 to all of my wonderful blogging buddies.  I appreciate you.
Marie with a :-)