It's beginning to look a lot like...

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CHRISTMAS! Now that leftovers are a memory and all our thankfulness has been celebrated and honored, it's time to move forward. This embossed image is compliments of Cuttlebug all dressed up with jewels and glitter. This is one of my favorite Cuttlebug folders. It's just so...uhm...Christmasy.

Happy Birthday to ME!

So today is my birthday.

Balloons, banners, gifts, cards, grandkids, my beautiful daughters and a husband who hasn't quite got around to wrapping my gift yet. Surprise, surprise. I'm looking forward to a delicious home cooked dinner, not made by my hand and a sugar free cheesecake also not made by me.

Lovely granddaughter Lily could not wait to show me the tiara with flashing lights intended for me which somehow ended up on HER head. Surprise, surprise, yet again.

Sigh. Heaven.

My Birthday Cruise!

So my husband surprised me with the news a week or so ago that for my birthday, we're taking our first CRUISE! I'm so excited because it's something I've wanted to do for a long time. It's just a short one, which I hope will be a rehearsal for more in the future. We're driving to San Diego on the 30th and will be cruisin' down Mexico way for 4 lovely days of leisure and fun. I definitely see a mini memory album to come.

Another Awesome Prize!

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I couldn't believe it, but I won another goodie last week. The Creative Cuts and More sponsored a blog hop, and I was one of three winners. My prize? This darling little Halloween Mini Accordian album kit designed by Pam Smerker on their design team. It came in the mail yesterday and I just happened to have some adorable Halloween photos of Lily and Rowan so I put this little album together in less than 3 hours! The kit had everything from die cut spooks and pumpkins to gorgeous Doodlebug Halloween jewels. I painted the Creative Imaginations Castle album black and adhered all the perfectly cut layers. Just add photos and voila! Instant album.

Give Thanks

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When I saw Donna's gorgeous Thanksgiving card design on her blog, Popsicle Toes, I just had to set aside my current projects and try one of my own. I wouldn't want to mass produce this card--took a long time with all the inking, embossing and popping, but it's perfect to send to my dear mother who always made sure our Thanksgivings were extra special. Her table was always beautifully set with linens, china and silver and usually a colorful cornucopia centerpiece surrounded by a delicious feast. More importantly, there were always two or three guests who were invited to share this bounty because they had nowhere else to go. She taught us by example that it is truly a blessing to share. Happy Thanksgiving Mom.

Donna generously shares many Cricut DS cut files, including this one. Check out her amazing work here.

Sneak Preview

So I decided I wanted to do a little memory book of our last home in beautiful Placerville. We had 3 acres of lovely mature oak trees, a 3-stall barn for the horses and a sweet little two story house at the end of a secluded gravel road. Here's one of two pages I completed about the kitchen. The glossy letters are BG microchip alphas which I've inked and embossed for a page title. Loving those little letters! Pardon the quickie webcam photo. Paper is Teresa Collins Haute Cuisine.

P.S. I decided to use a cool Jolie's toaster sticker I've had in my stash for-evah for the journaling pull. It's shiny chrome which doesn't scan well, but I think I like it better. What d'ya think?

Lucky me!

I just learned I am a lucky winner of one of Teresa Collins very cool Friendship Accordian album kits. I actually won just by commenting on her blog and was one of 3 lucky winners. I just LOVE her Friendship paper line--that cool aqua color and black and white. So classy and fun. Anyway, when I make up the kit, I'll post it so you all can ooooh and aaaaah over it.

Rowan is One!

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Pretty easy to catch up on Rowan's birthday layouts (he's only had one!) What a little sweetie he is. I am loving having a boy-type grandbaby.

Lily's Third Birthday Layout

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Finally finished and am now caught up with Lily birthdays (she's only had 3!) LOL