So much love in the mail

Oh my goodness! I have not checked my mail in three days! To be honest, it's been weak, filled with medicare letters, which , "hello! I am not 65!!!" Anyhow, I went today. Yes, I dragged myself to the box and the mail carrier had left me a key to open the extra storage box. When I opened it up I almost fell on the ground. It was packed with boxes! Okay, it was 3 boxes but to me this was incredible -let me have these little moments in life to relish please. I brought it in and told J it was Christmas early. LOL! I asked her if she wanted to open a box and she was quick to reply yes!
So she chose Pam's box. Pam and I have been doing Monday mailer's now for a year? It's been a bit! Now we are doing monthly mailers and every time she sends me something it's always something fabulous! Check it out:
Let me preface by saying the picture is awful because I was a little jacked up on York Peppermint Patties. Ivon was my secret Santa sister for a MMFY swap and she sent me a whole bag of the delightful treats! Sorry, had to have one (or two-whose counting?) She had strict instructions not to open the package underneath the zip lock of candy till Dec. 25th though! I put it back without peaking. She must know me very well, because sending the chocolate will hold me over while I wait! Hee hee! It's a good distraction for me Ivon! Thank you!

Jacquelynn was ecstatic! Her favorite cookies and a decorating kit to boot! Pam this rocks! She looked at the different sprinkles and marvelled about how beautiful her cookies are going to look using them! Your card is so cute! Love that snowman! Thank you Pam!
So I told you about the second, well kind of and then the third box was from Sarah. It was a whimsey jar filled with the coolest bling, brads, buttons, ribbon, glue dots, chocolate (these ladies know my weak spot!) and more! It was a snowman's paradise! Love it! I dumped it out and J and I went through it all! Here's a snapshot of the goodies:

But wait- there was more mail! My Grandmother sent J and I a Thanksgiving card that plays the Peanuts theme wishing us a wonderful Thanksgiving. Okay, I adore Snoopy and so does J. A great card and she sent us a dream catcher. I am hanging it in J's room to capture any unpleasant dreams she may have. Thank you Marie!

And last but not least-
Another swap I was in was Queen Bee and it was my week to be showered with mail. Kimmie sent me this gorgeous fleur-de-lis card she made that was embossed 2 different ways (powder and dry). Oh my goodness girl! That card rocks! She wrapped the card in a piece of scrapbook paper that is beautiful. I was like, hey I am recycling this paper. She also sent me some way cool tags! Oh my! Thank you!
Kimmie's awesome work:


Thanks ladies for all the wonderful surprises! :-)

100 is the most wonderful!

Yep, my 100th post. I did not think I would ever be diligent about maintaining a blog but the motivation from others has kept me going. Thanks for all your kind comments and support!
As always, Monday's mean the news sketch is up at 2 Sketches 4 You. I can never resist the challenge.
Supplies used:
K & Co. patterned paper by Brenda Walton
Floral holly pick
Prism floss
and red button


Hopefully I will be able to try the bonus sketch soon as well! I love the shape of it.

More Joy

The Sass Lass papers are addictive! I have been working on 2 Sketches 4 You's weekly sketches using their papers.

First is Laura's sketch:



And then Kristen's bonus sketch:

Willy Wonka

I am so excited to see my niece perform tonight as Violet in Willy Wonka. She loves performing and has a wonderful voice. The entire family is going for opening night. This is her second play with Piped Piper. She will perform in Alice in Wonderland next. She has been rehearsing for both plays the past few weeks. For an 11 year old, that's a plate load!




As for me, I got the new paperline "Life at the Pole" by Sass Lass and was able to play with them last night. Once I start workng with the papers I find they are easier than I thought.
This is a gift bag, card, and tag.

Wearing two different socks and

not even concerned. In the past I would be horrified upon discovering I was sporting an eclectic mix of socks. But in today's economy of constant downsizing and foreclosures looming over many head's, this is "a mere spit in the bucket" as my grandmother would say.
Have you ever felt close to someone you have never met yet their names are spoken at the dinner table by your partner, in the car by your child, or in the break room by a co-worker? Today was a day for me to feel angst for a few people I have never physically met. Yet my heart was dismayed by the situations their lives have recently endured. It's the person my darling fiance has cursed under his breath many times for their ignorant business decisions that cost him time and money. It's a friend's husband that flees his family the moment problems surmount causing a sea of tears. Several times I would concur that said "idiot" or "loser" should be fired or not allowed to return. However, the moment it does occur I feel incredibly sadden that the card was dealt and the game is "over". Do we hit the deck too many times in life trying to hit blackjack only to find we have gone over because we risked it? It seems some people learn quickly to stay while others gamble to the end. Never learning to quit "while ahead" so to speak. I'm not a gambler. I was never good at knowing when to stay or hit. So instead of trying, I'd avoid it. All the while thinking I was doing so well by avoiding the temptation. Not so though. We gamble everyday when we wake up and start our day. Those people I never met, well they took a chance and it may have taken them over the limit, but they were brave enough to take that chance. I empathize with them and pray their dilemma(s) will be resolved.
And my gamble will be wearing non matching socks till I go over my limit.


Now on to the card challenges! I have one card for two different challenges. 2Sketches 4 You had the sketch and Cardalicious asked for a file folder card. So I put the challenges together and came up with this:


Supplies used are My Mind's Eye Laundry Line papers, chipboard, natural hemp cord, Doodlebug button, SU Chocolate chip Ink, and Bazzil cardstock. Thanks for stopping by my blog and wishing you a wonderful week!

Keep in Touch Kits

Kelly posted about the work I made from her kit she sent me in October. Check it out! Love her kits!!! Click on the title of this post to take you there. Thanks Kelly!

Back woes and a cough =not feeling well

Yes, I am feeling a bit run down and nursing a cold which may have contributed to my back woes from coughing so much. :-( Enter Ricola. J told me I was scaring her when I cough. Keep conversations at bay and heat pack on high till this abaits.
I have a few things to share with you today. First congrats to the new DT at 2 Sketches for You and Happy Birthday to Kazan!
The new sketch is up and I have my take on it to share:
to
Also a fellow DT member at Making Memories for You has a color challenge on the site to use red as the title or sentiment on your layout or card. No problem for me since red is my favorite color! Come on over and see all the DT's cool challenges for a chance to win a prize! Here is my example:



And my final project was such fun! Over at Paper Popsicles, the November monthly theme challenges have started and this week's is to make a tag using papers that are not Christmas themed. Non-traditional if you may. I used BG paper to make mine. There is a sketch to follow for the tag so go check it out and try it! Here's mine: