Happy Turkey Day!

"What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?"

-Erma Bombeck, No One Diets on Thanksgiving

Love this quote! For me, it's pretty true. I try not to go overboard, but not being an ace in the kitchen at home, I really do enjoy the holidays when I get to have some of my homemade favorites that I rarely or never make. My favorites: green bean casserole, my dad's turkey stuffing, and pumpkin pie. What are yours?

So the holiday isn't about food, though it's a big part, it's a time to be thankful and I have so many things to be thankful for. If I listed it all, you'd get pretty bored and move on to another blog...so I just want to say thank you to my wonderful family and friends. With out you all the 100's of other little things I'm thankful for would be meaningless.

Happy Turkey Day everybody!

Karie...

this one is for you!

a couple more cards I made this afternoon...

I had a lonely little butterfly sitting on my desk that needed a home, so I glittered it up and put it on a card along w/a glitter trail. I think she's awfully pretty!

I also had some of my pretty preppy striped ribbon that I wanted to use and made a few holiday cards. I used a very similar design to the 3-D design challenge box last week. Loving this ribbon! (can you tell I'm also loving the kraft cardstock; it's all I've been using lately?)

Gorgeous butterfly note card set...

I got these gorgeous three-dimensional butterflies from Kristine at Beach Cottage Studio. I thought they'd make a lovely little note card set and I was right! I just love the simplicity of the butterflies on the kraft cardstock with out much other embellishing. They don't need any; they're beautiful on their own.

If you'd like to get your hands on these note cards, they are for sale in my etsy shop. I think I'll buy some more butterflies and make more of these cards. They'd be perfect little stocking-stuffers or teacher gifts.

Sorry about the lighting on these photos. I really need to get a light box. Paula sent me a great tutorial for making my own but sharing a craft room with a play room doesn't allow me to leave it out with out 4 y/o hands messing with it. I need something that goes up and down quickly and can be hidden away from my curious little guy :D

A holiday tag order...

A friend of mine requested I make a few sets of tags for her to give as a gift. I had some time this morning and afternoon to get them done. I'm still using the gorgeous paper scraps Paula gave me!

A beautiful bread platter...

I bought this gorgeous peace platter from my wonderfully creative and talented friend Paula. I was going to give it as a gift but loved it so much I couldn't give it away! It's just perfect how the word peace is surrounded by all the lovely and calming swirls. I just love it!

I have a yummy loaf of pumpkin bread sitting on it right now. I'd take a picture of it sitting on the platter except I had to wrestle a little with the loaf to get out of the pan and it doesn't look nearly as pretty as the platter. But it still tastes awesome!

If you're in the Charlotte or Fort Mill area on Saturday, November 15th, you should come and check out all the awesome pottery pieces that Paula makes. Her shop, Plays With Mud, will be participating in the Sips & Sweets Holiday Extravaganza along with lots of other artisan and direct sales vendors. Perfect way to start or finish off your holiday shopping list!

I won! I won!

I won the 3D Design Challenge Open Box Top Challenge! YAY! And I won a really great prize from Daily Window Products, too! The post below has pictures of my submission. I entered the contest for fun and never thought it a million years I'd win anything and what a great prize to win! Woo hoo! So excited!

Thanks for letting me brag a little!

Open Top Box @ 3D Design Challenge

I rarely do challenges that other blogs post. I guess I should say, I rarely link my creation back to any challenges I've done, because I always feel like I could have done better. But I decided to put on my big girl panties and actually participate in the challenge! yay!

This open top box was super simple. It's 4x4x4, so there was very little cutting to make the base, I just used a 12x12 piece of cardstock. A while back I bought this pretty preppy stripe ribbon that I've been wanting to use, so that sort of set the theme for my box. I think I'm going to make one more and maybe fill w/candies for our neighbors this holiday season.

If you're interested in the details of the challenge, head on over to 3D Design Challenges.

I love this song...

I've been listening to Devotchka recently and can't get enough...here is one of my favorite songs.



Enjoy!

woo hoo! happy dance...

I made my first Etsy sale today! I'm so excited! And I have to thank my friend Paula for suggesting I open an account and try to sell my stuff. Now I have to get busy listing some of my cards.

Here is the link for my shop if you ever want to take a peek... www.gqzmommy.etsy.com Don't look right now, it's empty, but I'll restock very soon!

The holidays are quickly approaching...

so I had to get moving on the holiday cards I make for my mom to send out! I had a few done but I try to make 50 for her and had only done 10. But I am pleased to say that I am done with her cards!

Now I have to work on my own...

Three things on my holiday WISH list...

I was tagged by my crafty friend Paula in a fun little internet meme. I am to list three things on my holiday wish list. Fun!

Since this is truly a wish list, my wishes are things that most likely would never happen, at least this not this holiday season... I have a hard time anymore coming up with good and interesting things I'd like on my everyday wish lists; mostly my wishes consist of stuff I need but hate buying myself: new bed sheets, towels for the kitchen...boring.

1. I'd love to be on What Not to Wear with Stacy London and Clinton Kelly. I {love} them! I don't want to be on because I'm a total slump and embarrass my family and friends when I'm around them, but I'd love to hear from experts on how to dress this not so perfect body. And the $5k they give you to shop with their help (and not the help of a preschooler) is a nice bonus!

2. I'd love to take a really great digital photography class. One where I get to buy a really great digital camera and learn how to use it to it's full capability.

3. Lastly, I'd love a new car. I'm tired of the gas hog of an SUV that I'm driving; I want a small car. I'm thinking mini Cooper. Not quite sure that a car seat would fit in the back seat, so if that didn't work out I'd take a Prius. Since my big gas hog of an SUV is paid off and I'm not willing to take on a new car payment, I have to rely on somebody giving me a new car. 99.9% sure that's not going to happen, but there is the 0.1% chance that my parents hit the lottery and I get my wish. :D

Now it's your turn...help me continue the fun. Let me know if you play along!

That big brown truck...

GQ just asked me if I could call that big brown truck and tell it to bring him the Spider Man - Motorcycle Transformer he wants. Instead of making a list for Santa this year maybe we'll make one for this guy...


tee hee!

Simple one layer card...

Even though it's one layer it wasn't as easy to make as I thought it would be. I had it in my head about three different way. I was going to add some dry embossing to frame the foliage but finally decided that it didn't need it. I did add a little bit of subtle sparkle t the veining in the leaves, but it's difficult to see that in the photo. I kept feeling the need to add more to this card but I really love it's simplicity.

More pretty paper scraps...

Here are a few cards I made with all the pretty paper scraps Paula gave to me. I added some sparkle to them, which is difficult to see, but the patterned papers all have a little touch of glitter on them.

Thanks for all the awesome paper Paula!