Blog Group Challenge...

This card was actually created for my husband on our anniversary in October, but I did not post it. Works out great for me, because one of our challenges in our Blog Group was to use text on our card. The image is from Digital Palace, the DP is from the "Complete Boy" 12x12 Paper Deck by My MInds Eye from Michael's. I love this paper deck - it is huge and all masculine papers - really one of the best sources I have found! The text is from an old book I found at the thrift store. And so, here it is...



Have a wonderful day everyone!

Secret Sister Challenges

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving - and fun shopping Black Friday. I don't usually shop the day after Thanksgiving, but Michael's was having some really great deals and so down we went (our nearest major shopping is about 40 minutes away) and I added a few more Christmas gifts to my closet! I'm so excited - I'm almost done with Christmas shopping - hopefully we'll have our tree up by next weekend. We've had to do demolition to our long neglected living room, and I WILL be painting it today and tomorrow - then we'll begin moving furniture and all that stuff so we can get Christmas set up - it's been a job - but so worth it! Enough babble.

My post for today is 2 of our Secret Sister Challenges. One - a purse. Purses are not really my thing - but I found a really cute (quick and easy) template with not a lot of fussing, and I actually enjoyed myself.



Two - 2 Tags - both vintage but with different looks.




I hope you like them Secret Sister - I'm waiting for one more item, and I have one more card to make - which I'm working on now - and then my package will be in the mail.

Have a wonderful day!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone...

I'm such a goof, I tried to post this card the other day and wound up posting - but with the photo of a card I had already posted. When I tried to change it - it would not work (the timing of the post - that is). So, I'm going to try this again with the right photo.



I love this Flourish Frame from Provo Craft - I bought it from 7 kids (link is in the sidebar)I've made several designs from it and just never tire of it (is that called a rut???) I don't know, but nevertheless I know this will be something that gets used time and again.

It's so important in these times to really take the time to reflect on what we have to be thankful for. Sometimes we get so bogged down in responsibilities and the negative things going on around us - it's hard to see all the wonderful things in our life. I'm thankful for a good husband (the first was not so good!), I'm thankful for a wonderful daughter, son-in-law, and 4 beautiful and amazing grandchildren - Love to you all! I'm thankful for all the wonderful friends I have made through blogging, and before I bore you all to death - thank you all so much for your kind and sweet comments and for being who you are. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving - Hugs to you all!

Papertrey Blog Hop

Tonight is the November Papertrey Blog Hop and the challenge was to make quick and easy wrapping and tags for "grab and go" last minute gifts. Handmade soaps make a great gift and I loved useing the packing paper from my Papertrey order for the wrapping, stamped with a combination of stamps from Papertrey's "Text Style", "Signature Christmas", "2009 Holiday Tags", and "Turning a New Leaf", tied with buttontwine also from Papertrey, along with a tiny jingle bell - I think from Michael's



Go HERE to see a lot of great ideas for the holidays.

Take care,
Dru

When I Count My Blessings

Giving Thanks for You...

Can you believe Thanksgiving is just a week away!?! We've been busy with some remodeling, the shop, Keri's shop, and the list goes on, just like everyone else. I made this card mainly because I absolutely love this paper by K & Co. and the co-ordinating gems - but the sentiment I believe is beautiful also. It's from Cornish Heritage Farms and I just love it's simple heart.

I want to say Thank You to all of you who stop by to visit and say hello - your words are always such an inspiration to me. There are so many things to be concerned about in our world, yet it is so important to reflect on the positive - there really are many things I'm sure we can all find to be thankful for. Take a minute to be still and reflect - it's good for the soul.

Take care everyone...

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String....

....those are the words that jumped out at me for the Favorite Things Challenge for Flourishes this month. I've been working a lot with Kraft paper lately because it's just so organic. I've also enjoyed working with recycled grocery bags and that is what I have used on this, along with button twine, gold embossing, etc. The wreat stamp and sentiment are from Flourishes "Christmas Wreath" set and the music background stamp is from their "Christmas Music" set. The wreath is gold embossed and then watercolored - loved working with this image. The set comes with a larger one also - perfect for a card focal point.



Along with that, the Cards blog for Scrapbook Trends Magazine is having a challenge to create Thanksgiving place cards. I love sweet little cards like this - although I'm not sure I'll be making 7 more for our dinner - maybe - I would love to have the time. Anyway, this is what I have created. The 2nd view shows more of the glitter.




I used Kraft paper, Fern Leaf & Chocolate (I think that's the name) vintage buttons, and button twine from Papertrey. The stamped border is a stamp from Crafty Secrets Mini Memories, the name is computer generated with Chopin Script, and the pinked text is from a very old book I found at the thrift store - I love this text and cannot seem to stop using it.

As a side note, I also received some very good news last night. A card I just submitted to "Cards" was picked up for the April 2010 publication. I am honored and humbled at the same time oh yes, and greatly excited!

Take care, have a wonderful day and try to spend at least a little time doing what you love.

Thank You...

... to all of our American Heroes and their families at home and in other countries working and fighting to keep us free and from harm. We cannot thank you enough, but want you to know how much we appreciate you - thank you, thank you, thank you...

I've been asked to do a tutorial on banners, which I am happy to do. This banner style is pretty much my standard and is pretty simple. However, if you have seen other on here that you would like me to do, please leave your suggestions in your comment. It's going to take me a few days to put this together, so bear with me. I haven't forgot - just have a lot going on and it's going to take a bit.

This banner was made for Keri's shop, Lake Tahoe Holidays here in town, and to be honest - I didn't really care for the papers that much and figured I wouldn't use them on a card - but when I finished this - it's one of my absolute favorites - obviously the paper was perfect for THIS type of project, at least for me.











Take care

Secret Sister Challenge

Finally - I've completed the 2nd (I know I'm really behind) secret sister challenge for our blog group on SCS. The challenge was a Christmas Tree gift box/ornament. Mine is only an ornament, because I'm not clever enough to figure out how to make it look o.k. and open too - I know, don't go there. Anyway, you'll see an initial on the front - It is not the initial of my secret sister because of course that's a secret. I will put the correct initial on there before it's mailed out. The DP is from a digital image company called Seneca Pond - Eileen has some great images and background papers, and the best thing is - you never run out of the papers you love!

I'm also posting a banner I made for Keri's shop - Lake Tahoe Holidays - made from the same papers. This is one of my personal favorites - I think it's the colors and those lollipop flowers.







Thank you for stopping by, have a great day! I'm off to Reno to pick up parts for my husband.

Take Care

Leaves are everywhere....

I just love them swirling around in the autumn breeze and laying in a beautiful mosaic over my front porch - I'm not going to sweep them up as they are a constant reminder that in all the hustle and bustle, I'm not going to forget to enjoy my most favorite season of the year - Fall.

For today, I am posting two cards for the Cuttlebug Challenge to make a Thanksgiving or Gratitude project - I hope to do two more styles as well - one with a stamped and colored image and one more on the shabby side. These are also the designs I'm putting in Keri's shop - Lake Tahoe Holidays. If you're ever in this area this is one place you will want to visit - I'll have to take some photos and show you - it's such a wonderful and fun store - you will love it!! Anyway, I love the simplicity of these designs and this CB folder is to die for - I've based all my designs for Thanksgiving and some for Christmas on this folder. I got mine at 7 Kids (click on the blog button) If you're not familiar with this online store, it's one you will like to check out! I don't know if you can see it well, but both images have been highlighted with a Sakura Stardust Gelly Roll pen - LOVE these! It gives just a little sparkle and ya gotta have some sparkle!! Images are reproduced from vintage Thanksgiving postcards.





If anyone is interested these will both be in my Etsy shop.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to be present in the quickly passing beautiful days of fall - I have to constantly remind myself to slow down and enjoy - I think I will make an apple-cranberry crisp today to have warm with vanilla ice cream this evening, and maybe a batch of soup mmmmmm....

Thanks for stopping by and take care