Mark & I wish you all ...

Rosie D's Design Team Call

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE everyone!!!

There is a call out for a new Design Team member over at Rosie D's Challenge Blog so I thought I'd try out for the position. We are asked to create a New Year's card creation and one altered item. I decided to coordinate the two into a gift item for my neighbor. I just loved the color on this wine bottle so that was the basis for my color scheme as well as the coctail on my card ... a Blue Hawaiian perhaps???
Thankfully, I found time this morning to finish my project ... shew, none too soon ... since tonight is New Year's Eve! LOL!! The digi images used on my projects are from the Delicious Doodle Shoppe which are designed by Teri Sherman. I have used DCWV Glitter Sweet designer paper for the background on both my card & the wine bottle.


After printing my images, I used a Fiskars swivel craft knife to cut them out. The coctail drink was colored with Prisma Pencils & Gamsol and although I don't think you can tell by the angle of my photo, there was Crystal Effects used on the Blue Hawaiian drink and the umbrella has been popped up. (click on the image for a larger view) The embellishments I have added are various colored sequins and holiday curling ribbon. I've also used Silver Stickles on the 2010 sentiment positioned on the top o the wine bottle. New Years always calls for a touch of sparkle, right??

Here's wishing you & your family a wonderful, properous New Year! I know you've heard me say it before, but we are really looking forward to the new year since my dear husband is now Cancer Free!!

Enjoy your evening and please be safe!! We will be staying home, watching the ball drop ... and of course toasting each other with a little glass (or two) of Asti! We are expecting more snow over the weekend here in NE Ohio ... so I should have lots of time to play with my new Christmas crafting goodies! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Practical Scrappers & Winter Wonderland Challenges

Good evening everyone! I hope you've had a great day! I know I have ... I popped in on a friend and had a wonderful visit. She (Lana Edwards) is such a talented crafter, just being around her inspired me to come home and do a little crafting of my own. So with that in mind ... remember the Sugar Nellie image I "couldn't" use on the creation from my last post? Well, I decided to use her on this creation which covers the WINTER theme for the Practical Scrappers Challenge and the THANK YOU theme for the Winter Wonderland Challenge.

My base is a two-ply navy/white card and the designer paper is from a Debbie Mumm holiday pack from JoAnn's. I've torn white cardstock, stacked, and edged with Martha Stewart craft glue and DecoArt Glamour Dust. My THANK YOU sentiment is handwritten spelled out in the red snowflakes punched with a Creative Memories snowflake punch. Willow was colored using Prismacolor Markers and I've used the DecoArt Glamour Dust to add a little extra sparkle to her cuffs & earmuffs (don't think you can see that in the photo).


Thanks to these new (to me) challenge blogs and a good friends ... I finally feel like my mojo is back! YEAH!!! Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!

Digital Tuesday Creation ...

I'm still trying to get my mojo jump started so I'm trying a new challenge today. Today my creation is for the Digital Tuesday Challenge and we were asked to do Winter Scene Images using lots of Dazzling Diamonds (Diamond Dust) for Snow. You are to use a digi image also. That is the part I nearly forgot!!!!!


I first made this card using a Sugar Nellie image (see insert) then when I was finished, I realized I was to use a digi image so gently took the Whiff of Joy off and added this fun loving snowman by a NEW digi image designer ... Tanya (Stawnies - Stamps by Tanya). Tanya has a couple other blogs you might be interested in ... links are on the sidebar of her stores blog.

I created the background by using a large sponge pod and various blue SU inks and smeared them back & forth half way down the piece of paper. Then I stamped the moon using another large sponge pod & white craft ink & embossed with silver pearls embossing powder. The pine trees is a stamp by Stampscapes (150E-pine row). Next I tore strips of white card stock, stacked them ... then used Martha Stewart craft glue and Twinklets Diamond Dust to create my snow. For my snowman, I colored him using Prismacolor Markers, cut him out with a Fiskars swivel craft knife then added the glue/diamond dust.

So what do you think??? I think he's pretty cute and makes me want to go outside an build my own snowman!! Yes, we have enough snow to be able to do this and they are calling for more this coming weekend ... joy, joy!!

Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate you taking the time!!

Midnight Madness #34

Hello again my friends! I decided to try & jump start my mojo by doing today's Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge. This challenge blog always inspires me so here we go!! Here is the sketch we had to work with today. The first thought for my creation was to try and use one of the many images I had laying on my worktable. I had printed this particular image in several sizes and never got around to using any of them so that's where I began!

This image is called "Thoughtful Woman" and came from the "Free Antique Images" blog. I also wanted to reduce the size of my scrap pile so the designer papers used here came from that scrap box. The background panel is K&Co. Ancestry designer paper and the corners are Graphic45. My base card is Very Vanilla and the matting is Pink Pirouette.

I image was printed in black/white then colored using ZIG Photo Twin markers. The corners have been doubled. The bottom triangle was a 2" square cut in half ... the top triangle was a 1-1/2" square cut in half and dimensional tape was used between the two triangles for added dimension.. Kaiser half pearls were used to embellish the corners and a Kaiser designer pearl was also used in the upper right corner. Scraps were used to punch out the branches using the Martha Stewart branch punch. Nestabilities classic ovals & scallop ovals were used for the main image and finally the sentiment is from Stampendous!

This took me a little longer than it should have but that's okay ... I'm happy with the outcome and I'm glad to be back to crafting. Thanks for stopping by today.

One I forgot ...

Here is a card creation I forgot to share with you, what with all the excitement of Christmas! The digi image I used is from Creations by Penny. Please pop on over and pay Penny a visit! She has a new blog, store & setup ... won't you please check it out! Also, she has all her Christmas images reduced ... and she has some cute ones too!! Now, on to my card.

Isn't this image sweet!! My supply of thank-you cards has dwindled so I decided that would be my sentiment for this card. The Basic Grey June Bug designer paper was perfect to tie in with this yummy fruit image. I decided to use the Nestabilities Labels 3 & 4 for the matting & sentiment panel. This image could certainly stand on its own ... so I embellished lightly with a little sheer glitter ribbon and Kaiser half pearls in the corners.

I have been trying to pay more attention to the inside of my cards. I so often get in a hurry and as long as the front looks good ... on to the next creation I go! That will be one of my New Year's Resolutions ... pay more attention to the inside ... along with loosing weight of course, LOL!!

Here I've simply punched the scrap pieces of June Bug paper left over from the front with my Martha Stewart loop border punch and added the "In My Thoughts" sentiment.

Not over done ... but helps tie it all together!

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing a few more creations made with NEW IMAGES from Creations by Penny. You'll love them!!

Thanks for stopping by today ... my mojo has been in a slump lately (as you can see by my lack of creations) but I hope to spend some time today getting inspired and back on track! I guess you could say I'm in a bit of a holiday slump! But that will change soon I'm sure! Have a great day everyone!

Blessed with family ...

A quick post today to share just a little more of my family. Yesterday we all got together at my Mother's in Pennsylvania and had a very nice time. My mother will be 80 on January 27th and she was thrilled to be able to host an "open house" type get together for friends & family.

She is very proud of her 4 children (Linda, Darlene, Charlotte & John), 3 grandchildren (Carolyn, Candi & Danny) & 5 great-grandchildren (Morgan, Taylor, Hunter, Cody & Jonathan). Beginning last Christmas, mom decided to start giving her grandchildren & great-grandchildren family heirlooms for Christmas instead of "junk" (as she calls it)! Things like my father's (their great grandfather) pocket watches to her great grandsons ... and some of my grandmother's (their great-great-grandmother) jewelry to her great-granddaughters.

This Christmas, Mother added a little twist and decided to give the "boys" a little something to help keep them occupied. She had 2 antique tins filled with pennies ... so in their stocking besides the money card, there were penny wrappers, indicating they were to wrap the pennies from the tins and it was theirs to keep. This did keep the boys "quiet" for awhile since they decided to make a "contest" out of it!! You know boys ... always a competition!!! (Good idea Grandma Great!)

The great grand-daughters were thrilled with the bracelets they received from Grandma-Great and of course the money cards (as indicted by the big smiles ... LOL). Teenagers can always use extra cash you know!!

This year, she did much the same but has decided to start passing these items on to each of us. She feels there is no sense in waiting until she dies and we fight over who gets what (like that would ever happen)! This way she can choose who gets what!! Here, her grand-daughter's each received watch necklaces & a broach that were Mother's. (Missing from photo: Grandson Danny, who has Cerebral Palsy and has been in a home since a young age.)

Lastly, mom gave her children some of her prize possessions. Each of us girls received these beautiful rose glass dishes which had been gifts to mom from long ago and inside each dish was a piece of jewelry that was not only "old" but had significant meaning to our mother! My brother John received articles that had belonged to our father (who has been gone for 20 years).

Well, I'm sure you have seen & heard enough about my family by now so I will end here and just say thank you for stopping by and letting me share my blessings with you! I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

What fun ...

Did you all have a wonderful Christmas? We sure did here at the Pavlick household! First my friend Linda Davis stopped by for a visit before heading back home to Pennsylvania. It was very nice to just sit and talk about childhood Christmas memories while sipping on a "mamosa". Then around 1:30, the "kids" came up for lunch and gift giving.

Mark & I had prepared a ham for the meal so it smelled really good when you walked into our house!! Since I was busy preparing food items and didn't have all the wrapping done yet ... Mark was good enough to take over that chore and keep me company in the kitchen. We kept the meal pretty simple since we all have a tendency to "overeat" throughout the holidays. Besides the ham, I made potatoe salad and green bean casserole. Of course we had other "munchies" scattered about ... trust me, no one goes hungry at our house!! LOL!

Jonathan was chommpin' at the bit to open presents (as he always is) so we didn't torture him too long. Jon is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan through & through but recently he's taken a liking to the Carolina Panther's team as well. So of course Nanna had to find him a ball cap. I paid WAY TOO MUCH for it but as you can see by the "I'm Mr. Cool" look on his face, it was worth it!!

His "BIG" gift this year was a new TV ... mind you, he's not allowed to have it in his bedroom ... it is to be placed in a "shared" room ... but he will be the one to use it the most! I think he was more thrilled with the female racing star (sorry, her name slips my mind at the moment) who was pictured on the back of the box than the TV itself. LOL!! As you know, Jon & Morgan both race Jr. Dragsters ... so they know ALL the top racing people (unlike myself). That's okay ... as long as we can see that smile on his face, we're happy!!

Now for Morgan's BIG Christmas present ... it was a little difficult to wrap so we left her a hint as to what it was then walked her out to the garage for the "real thing". (I must tell you ... she didn't catch on to the clue too well ... but as you will see, she was very THRILLED with the real gift). Her clue was these 4 "little" rubber tires in a beautiful decorated glass gift box.

Yes, we bought her 4 new tires for her SUV. They live out in the country and she (along with her mom & dad) all drive Chevy Blazers. Morgan's is a 1996 that her & her dad had to put a new motor in it together and she just loves it!!! (Yes, my granddaughter is a bit of a "motorhead" but there again ... so is her mother!) Mark & I both agreed we'd feel much better knowing she was driving around with good tires throughout the winter!! Hence the ODD gift idea.

I know it doesn't seem like much of a gift for a 17 year old girl ... but Mo is very down to earth and really appreciated the gesture!! I don't know if you could see the sweatshirt she has on ... her parents went online (last minute) and found her a new "hoodie" representing the college she has just been accepted into. Yep ... our little girl is going to go to Kent State College for Speech Pathology & Audiology. We are very proud of her and she's really excited to have been accepted.

Frank & Carolyn (daughter & SIL) had decided not to exchange gifts this year (it's been a very difficult financial time for them this year) but Frank knew how much Carolyn had been wanting her own laptop computer. She has started her own Accounting business ( MJ Business Solutions) out of her home and so Frank saved up all his racing winnings and any other spare change he could and was able to surprise her with that laptop she'd been wishing for.

Did you notice the doggie in the picture?? NO ... Mark & I don't have a dog but the kids do and since she's still a puppy ... they were afraid to leave her at home all day by herself. She's a bit of a "chewer" and would probably have eaten the christmas tree by the time they made it back home. Meet SIDNEY! Anyone who knows me, knows I am NOT an animal lover ... BUT, my kids are and if it makes it easier for them to bring Sidney along for the visit ... than that's okay with me. Actually I was very impressed with Sid's behaviour ... she was really good and it was fun to have her come visit for the afternoon!!

Well, there you have it ... Christmas at the Pavlick's!! Of course, it's always like Christmas Morning when my "kids" come to visit!

We are all headed over to my Mother's house this afternoon to celebrate Christmas with her. Mom will be 80 on January 27th and loves having EVERYONE get together! (That must be where I get my need for "get togethers")!

OH ... and I must share with you one of the gifts Mark got me! Again ... anyone who know me, knows how much I HATE wearing shoes! I prefer wearing Flip-Flops as long into the year as I can. So ... was I thrilled to receive Flip-Flop Slippers for Christmas! They are so awesome!! In fact, I have them on right now and they are so warm & cozy! I didn't even know they made such a thing ... Thanks Honey!!!

One other gift I received and this was from the kids ... was a "Bind-It All"! I can't wait to give that a try! I've often thought "I should have one of those" when I see all the cool things people are making ... and now I do! Hopefully after the first of the year I'll have a project to share with you, using my new Bind-It All!

Thanks so much for letting me share my Christmas Day with you all!! I can't wait to get out there blog hopping and see how your Christmas Day was!! My family might be small ... but I am truly blessed and love dearly each & every one of them!!! Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Papercraft Planet Challenges

Today I took a little time to partake in a couple of challenges over on Papercraft Planet. I missed the deadline for the Color Challenge #47 but loved the color combo so played along anyways. The colors required were: Deep Brown, Vintage Red and Deep Olive Green. Well, right away that said VINTAGE to me!! And since I wanted to play along in the Sketch Challenge (SK121909) ... I decided to combine the two and here's what I came up with.

So what do you think?? I love how it turned out and really liked this sketch and will use it again soon!! I found this image online at Clearly Vintage Images and thought it was perfect for this layout. I used my Creative Memories Cutting System to cut my ovals since my Nestabilities weren't large enough. I've created an A-6 size card using the required colors of cardstock and musical designer paper from The Paper Studio. I sponged around the edges with Ranger Vintage Photo ink for a little more "vintage" feel as well as using Wrights acru lace, chunky gold glitter, burgundy Prima flowers and Michael's gold ball gems. Also by using a gold Pilot marker, I edged around my main image before mounting onto the burgundy cardstock.

Hope you like this creation and find a little inspiration from my work! Thanks for taking the time to stop by today. Merry Christmas to you!

Penny's Challenge #19 - Monochromatic & A Christmas Classic

Well ... are you ready???? For Christmas of course ... and one more Penny's Challenge before we ring in the New Year. Today Penny has challenged us to create a Monochromatic Card. We are a little short handed this week with the busyness of the holidays and all ... so I decided to do TWO cards.

This first creation was quick & easy. The base card is royal blue and the designer papers are from a DCWV holiday 12x12 pack. The image was given to me by a friend (and sorry, I can't remember the designer ... I'm sure you know ... please shout it out). I've used Prisma markers for coloring and Nestabilities Classic & Scallop Ovals for matting.


For my second card, I used scraps of DCWV designer paper that was in my scraps bin, bordered with a gold Pilot marker and layed them in opposite directions on my base card. My images is a digi from Creations By Penny ... called Snow Family. Penny has a HUGE sale going on right now ... so jump on over and check it out!!! Aren't they adorable!! I've used the Nestabilities Decal Rectangle die for cutting and sponged around the edge before removing the image from the die. My snowmen were colored with Prisma markers and given texture with Liquid Applique.

We hope you'll come play along ... and when you do, be sure to jump back over to Penny's Challenge Blog and upload your creation to Mr. Linky. If you're uploading to additional online galleries, please use the keyword "PC19" for this challenge.

Don't forget, we are doing our challenge twice a month now so our next challenge will be on January 6, 2010. Won't you please come join in on the fun!!

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One of my husband's favorite holiday stories is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. There are so many different versions out there ... but his favorite is the 1951 version starring Alastair Sims and I would have to agree. It is a CLASSIC and wonderful to watch year after year. That is exactly what we did this past Saturday evening.

It was cold and snowy outside and while Mark got the DVD set up, I prepared the hot chocolate and popcorn. There are so many wonderful scenes in this movie and I seem to realize new parts that I don't remember from the last viewing (or maybe my memory's just not as good as it used to be, LOL).

Mark not only has the video of this classic, but has the leather bound book which he enjoys reading through out the year. He says like Shakespeare, Dickens is enjoyable any time of the year!! Hmmm, Shakespeare ... another subject I don't know much about!! Now ask me about planting a garden & home canning and I can teach you a thing or two ... LOL!!

Mark & I have come from very different backgrounds and he has shared so many wonderful, new experiences with me. With me being a "country girl" and he being a "city boy" ... we have had fun sharing each others differences. I guess the old saying "opposites attract" is correct because we are certainly perfect for each other!

Thanks for letting me share this little holiday tidbit with you. Do you or your family share a favorite holiday book or movie?? If not, why not start a new tradition this year?? Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule this time of the year to stop by, take a peek and say Hello!! Wishing you well and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Crafty Secrets, Midnight Madness & a Peek

Hello my friends ... are you ready for Christmas?? I'm getting closer ... still have wrapping to do and still trying to get last minute cards created and in the mail. But somehow it all gets completed in time!! However, I do think I will need to start earlier next year to save myself this anxiety!! LOL!!

Today I'd like to share with you the creations I have made for two challenges and a peek at the outside of our home.

First is my creation for the Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge over on SCS. Marcy is our hostess today and she has asked us the use "Trimmings" ... how appropriate for this time of the year. I've actually gone a little "simple" on this creation ... the only trimmings are the lace, glitter & Hero Arts Holly gems. I guess you could call the gold metallic framing on the front trimming as well. My Crafty Secrets/Heartwarming Vintage image comes from the Seasonal Booklet and is placed on the INSIDE of my card (see inset).

I have 2 sisters and this image brought back such wonderful memories of childhood Christmas mornings and sneaking down the stairs after our parents FINALLY came up to bed ... to see what Santa had left under the tree for us!!

If you have any Crafty Secrets products, won't you please come join us. We have a great time and even give clues the day before the challenge (on Monday) to help get your creative juices flowing.

The second card I'd like to share with you is my creation for the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge. These ladies ALWAYS come up with the most unique sketches ... I just love playing this challenge, it really makes me think outside the box! If you've never played, please put that on your TODO list ... you won't regret it! And, the DT is AMAZING and always inspirational!!!

Lastly, I'd like to give you a peek at the outside of our home this holiday season. This is the first year we have not put wreaths in each of the windows (11 total). I decided we needed a change this year so I just mainly decorated the front porch and the bushes that are in the front of the house. (Click for a larger view) We are so blessed to have such a beautiful home and I love decorating it inside & out. At the end of the house (right side) our livingroom extends out beyond the main living space and is in the back of the house so as you can see we decided to place our tree in that particular window to share with everyone!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I know how busy you are and I'm so THRILLED that you've taken the time to say hello!! Now I'd better get to that wrapping! Please stop back tomorrow when I'll have a card for the last Penny's Challenge of 2009 to share with you. HUGS to all!!!

Before it's TOOOOO late ...

here is my creation for LAST Tuesday's Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge. I haven't missed a challenge yet and don't want to start now!!! If you've never been to this challenge blog ... YOU ARE MISSING IT!!!!! This site is packed full of inspiration, fun & prizes!

This week the design team really outdid themselves! Besides the sketch ... they've tacked on the theme of "BAKING" and these ladies have created some AMAZING projects ... please go check it out!!!

Now, because I'm so far behind ... I really didn't take a lot of time with this creation but I'm very happy with the outcome. Although, before I send it in the mail ... I think I'll add a few more little touches to it ... maybe some SPARKLE for the holidays ... what do you think???

My image is from one of my favorite companies ... Crafty Secrets ... the Sweet Stuff large stamp set. I have used Very Vanilla for my base card, Bazzill Christmas Green and DCWV designer papers. The gingham is a wide ribbon I found at The Flower Factory (a local wholesaler) and the foam pinwheel candies are from a Peel & Stick pack purchased at Michael's. I have used Prisma markers for my coloring and Nestabilities Classic Circles for matting. The sentiment is from Hero Arts.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and say hello!! I hope you are all ready for Christmas ... I'm getting closer, LOL!! Happy Holidays!!

Santa's Everywhere ...

I thought I'd share some of my Santa Collection with you today since I'm still trying to get the remainder of my holiday cards completed & in the mailbox!!



I have received Santas for several years from friends and family and just adore each & every one. I've often thought I'd like to keep them out all through the year but I'm afraid I would lose the thrill and enjoyment I feel each year when I unpack them and smile at the stories behind so many of them. Mark has bought me several over time and some VERY NICE ones I must say. He's always been very generous with his gift giving and he has spared no expense on some of these pieces. There are "Fitz & Floyd", "Pipka", "Jim Shore" and "Lenox" ... I wished you could see them IRL ... they are all so beautiful and detailed.



I am always amazed at the detail on some of this figures ... just amazing! Especially on the "Pipka" figures ... they are of smaller stature and the details are just awesome!!

I have several Santas and Snowmen that are "TEAPOTS". Yes, I also have a teapot collection so for several years my family has attempted to combine my two collections ... and quite successfully I must say!!

I earlier posted a photo of my Bakers Rack which is housing a large portion of my collection for the holidays ... but there are MORE Santas sitting about throughout the house. I have a beautiful gold & white Sitting Santa on one of the end tables in the livingroom ... and a matching 3' tall Santa on another table in front of the window.

Everyone who has come into our home this year has really enjoyed looking at all my Santas. I haven't brought them out the past few years due to Mark's cancer ... I just wasn't up to celebrating and decorating as much as I usually do ... but "praise God" ... and thank the Lord for the wonderful doctors at Cleveland Clinic ... Mark is cancer free this year and we are CELEBRATING in every way we can!!!!!!!

I've really gone all out this year and have done a lot of decorating, had a couple parties ... lights EVERYWHERE ... it is definately FESTIVE around our house this year!!!

One of my prize SANTA possessions is this "Pipka" throw blanket which I hang on the wall in the diningroom for all to see. It is such a beautiful scene ... I could just look at it for hours!! I found this "quilt hanger" in a Mennonite shop in Columbiana, OH and although a bit pricey ... I knew it would be perfect to hand & show off this blanket.

I hope you enjoyed seeing a few of my Santas ... they bring a smile to my face and I hope they did the same for you!

OH MY GOODNESS ... there are "Carolers" at my door!!! I must go and listen ... thanks for stopping by & Merry Christmas!!

The Play Date Cafe Challege - PDCC09

Busy ... Busy ... Busy ...

just like everyone else during this last week prior to Christmas but I wanted to play along in The Play Date Cafe Challenge being hosted by my good friend Julie Campbell (A Vintage Chic). Check out this color combination!! Isn't it awesome!!! This is one that I would have never put together but it is so rich & elegant ... I'm glad Julie thought to use it!!

I still have several cards to make and get into the mail tomorrow so I decided to help myself out by printing wonderful vintage photos from the Clearly Vintage blog and used one of those images for today's challenge card. If you love vintage like I do ... please check out Cora's blog. And, she is so generous to share these beauties with all of us.

I have used SU Very Vanilla for the base card and icicles. The designer paper is from a holiday DCWV 12x12 pack. I have used metallic royal blue & gold to matt this sweet image and gold stickles to border. Though difficult to see in the photo (this is much prettier IRL), I have used a glue pen and fine glitter along the icicles and snow in the sky of the image. My only embellishment is the gold metallic elastic cording for my bow.

Like I said ... I'm trying to make quick cards since I'm running so far behind and these adorable images are perfect!

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and say hello! I hope you are enjoying time with friends and family during this holiday season ... making wonderful holiday memories and maybe you can share a few with us!! Happy Holidays everyone!!

Making Grandma Proud and a Winter White Christmas Card

Good Morning!

I was MIA yesterday but for a VERY good reason! Although it was a busy, busy day ... it was wonderful! I was "back home" taking care of a few appointments, helped my mom with some computer issues, had lunch with a friend, helped my daughter create a money card basket for a raffle at last evenings Leetonia 's Christmas Concert, went to grandson Jonathan's basket ball game and granddaughter Morgan's Christmas Concert in which she played a solo. Would you like to see a few photos???

Grandson, Jonathan is in the 7th grade and decided to try out for basketball this year. I was really impressed at how many time he could "hit the net"!! Unfortunately, their team lost the game but I have to say ... Jon certainly plays with all of his heart!!!

When I first came into the school (not knowing what Jon's NUMBER was) ... I saw a young man whom I THOUGHT was Jon but turns out to be a classmate who looks VERY MUCH like Jonathan!!
His name is Charlie ... and these two guys could be brothers!! Jon is number 50 and Charlie is number 20! It was so much fun watching these guys ... they certainly play hard and run really fast!!! I would be totally exhausted after the first period ... let alone the entire game ... what with all the running back & forth on the court!! LOL!!!

Due to DH's health issues the past couple of years, I haven't had much of an opportunity to partake in the kids events, so was really thrilled that I could take the time yesterday to share in what's important (at this stage of their lives) for both of my grandkids.

Jonathan is aggressively outgoing and enjoys everything from Hunting to Racing to Sports! He tries really hard at anything he's involved in and is VERY competitive!!!

After Jon's basketball game, which his Mother, Sister & myself attended, we made a mad dash back to the house to pick up their Dad and head to the High School for Morgan's FINAL Christmas Concert.

Morgan is a senior this year ... VERY active in the band and this was a very important, bitter/sweet evening for her. Mo (as we call her) has been Field Commander for the past two years with the band and last night she had a solo during the concert! I haven't heard Mo play her clarinet for awhile now and was QUITE IMPRESSED with her solo!

Mr. Rodick, the band director has been a huge influence on Mo and I'm sure she will miss him a great deal upon her graduation. I've been VERY impressed with Mr. Rodick's style of teaching and the kids have GREAT respect for this man! He's not only their teacher but their friend and they all just love him! I must say, he's very good at what he does!! Not only does the senior high band sound AMAZING, but the 7th & 8th grade band was very impressive as well!!! He's doing something right ... and it was wonderful to experience the total joy of last evenings concert!!!

After Mo's solo piece, Mr. Rodick had her stand for applause and of course I was the one clapping the loudest!!! Sorry about the picture ... for some reason, the eyes came out looking a bit "demonish" ... and I couldn't figure out how to fix that! Bad Grandma!!!


As I have mentioned in the past, my daughter Carolyn is VERY involved in her children's schooling!! Both acedemically and extra-curricularly. She is the head of the Band Boosters and this year they decided to honor all the seniors with their own personal posters. Here is a photo of Carolyn (in the red Santa hat ... lower left) honoring Samantha with her poster and showing the audience what they would look like. Morgan is holding up the poster for all to see! What a great idea!! The Band Boosters decided that the band members don't get the recognition they deserve and thought this was a nice way to show them they are appreciated! GREAT JOB LADIES!!!

After the concert was over and before having to head back home, I asked the kids & Mr. Rodick if I could get a photo ... of course they were willing to "humor Grandma" and posed for me on the steps to the stage. I'm sure Mo will want this one for her Senior Scrapbook and was so glad I remembered to take it!!

A VERY PROUD evening for Grandma to say the least!! I always enjoy being around "my kids" ... and was so glad I didn't miss this evenings events. Mark was unable to come (he's caught a cold and it's all he can do to get to work each day) but was there in spirit! He too is very proud of both the grandkids and hopefully next year (when his health is better) he'll be able to share in a few more of their activities.

Do you think Mother & Daughter look a little alike??? Tee Hee!!! Thanks for letting me share my FUN, PROUD day with you!!

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This week's Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge over on SCS was hosted by Pammyjo and she made it very easy on us this week ... since we are all SO BUSY but still want to play along ... she's asked us to create a WHITE card. Mine was a very quick & easy creation. By simply embossing the front cover of my WHITE card using a Nestabilites Labels 9 die, I created the framework for my Crafty Secrets Christmas Joy images which I have stamped using Gold Brillance ink and Gold Sparkle Embossing Powder. Added gold edging with a gold Pilot marker, white organza ribbon with gold brad and a few gold Stampendous diamond dots, TaDa ... card complete!!

Thanks so much everyone for stopping by today!! I really do appreciate it! I know how busy EVERYONE is this time of the year and for you to take the time to stop and say Hi ... really warms my heart!!

Today I hope to FINALLY get MY Christmas cards in the mail ... and hopefully get my new tires on my car! Happy Day Everyone!!!