Christmas Tags

Check Tim's Blog to learn more about the Christmas tags.  Here are mine so far.  I had to go to the store last night to buy tags, and the rest I'm pulling from the stash.

I stamped the Stampedous peacock feather in clear and embossed in clear.  Inked the card with pink Adirondack dye ink.  Sprayed with white perfect pearls, blotted off excess dye ink to get the lighter shade of pink.  Stamped with the snowflakes with the same ink pad over entire tag, and re-inked edges dark pink.  Stamped the saying with black archival ink.  Used alcohol ink to color the fragment, and stamped with archival ink and let dry.  Covered in white glitter glue and glued to white card stock, cut out and glued to tag.  Added pearl and rhinestone bling and a ribbon to tie it off.

The saying says "Season of Light Hope Peace and Love" and I stamped in in Colorbok Platinum 2tone and embossed in clear.  Inked tag in the lightest of the Distress Blues and sprayed with white perfect pearls.  Stamped the lamp post in the darkest blue (I always think/wish it is purple based on the label) and inked the edges again with the medium blue.  Using my gold dabber, I painted the grunge board star and while it was wet, coated it with Martha Florentine Gold glitter.  I went around the edges of the tag with the gold dabber and hit the reinforce hole as well.  I glued the filmstrip ribbon down with gold distressed stickles (added a little sparkle under there) and attached the Believe tag with a brad. 

I made some other crafting, but can't share until March.  *sigh*

Purple Christmas

Have I told you recently how much I appreciate Obama?  Michelle Obama that is.  Last fall she wore a gorgeous purple dress to an event, and ever since purple has been the hot new color.  As a person who has always loved purple, I could not be happier!  Now that it is on trend, it has been much easier for me to get my purple fixes!  A lot of places are offering purple as an accent color this year in Christmas, but Michaels jumped both feet in - and I followed to the depths of purple Christmas tree.  I found the angle on top, and she set the mood for it all.  She has champagne glitter wings, light green ribbon accents on her dress and purple bouquet in her hand.  From there I added purple poinsettia's, purple butterflies, purple birds, purple ribbons, purple giant feathers, purple sequins, and purple ornaments - oh my!  It took me 3 hours in Michaels to dig through and gather all the purple I could handle - 2 carts full.  B thinks I'm a nut, but he always supports my "visions" and lets me have at it. 

I added a few touches of silver & champagne and light sage green, all against the dark of the pine green makes me one happy tree decorator!

We also wrapped the stairs in garland, then coordinating purple ribbon and added some picks that look like grapes to keep the theme. 

Then I made this for the dining room table.  I loved these crackled glass vases I found (also at Michaels), and added a strip of purple glitter ribbon to each.  The tall ones I also added a floral pick and tied it on with the green ribbon.  Wrapped the center in garland, added ribbon and more picks and dropped in the candles.  Really quick!  I also found dark purple chargers (too dark to show in pics) at Michaels to set the table, and think I will use more green ribbon for the napkin rings. 

Sweet purple heaven!

miss these kids

So they aren't mine, and I'm not even Aunt Melissa - but they are just so dang cute and I miss these kids like crazy.  I'm really hoping they make a trip south this Christmas and spend a day with me.  *hint hint*  I mean seriously - don't they make you smile?  even just a little?

The real to do list

 

weheartit

Almost summers end

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As we approach the end of summer, make sure to take time and enjoy the last few days.  Soak up some summer rays.  Smell the fresh cut grass.  Take note of the colorful flowers.  Swim one last time in the pool. 

*sigh*

And prepare for the best time of year: fall!  Patio dining, long walks with the pups and football!!

Storm over Texas

The traffic has been a little backed up - we are getting lots of rain! 

Saturday Crafting

All I wanted to do on Saturday was craft and clean.  So I worked on a canvas that's been in the works a little while, and as it dried worked on this project.  I had picked up this plain notebook up, white all around and knew it needed a little something.  The pictures above is still wet, and sorry you can see the wetness, but I do like how it really jazzed up a plain notebook! 

I painted the whole cover black first.  I pulled a most recently purchased paper pad out from Yellow Bicycle (it was old valentines they were clearancing them at Great American Scrapbook convention this summer).  It was great since they were double sided and I could get lots between both sides of 1 sheet.  I did all the tiles with Glossy Accents from Ranger and Fragments from Tim Holtz.  The back I used the left over scraps and decoupaged on with Martha Stewart glue & sealer.  The bookmark was yellow, and I mushed it through a red ink pad till it was red too.  The wet you see is me gluing the tiles to the notebook, again using glossy accents.  All but the notebook and the valentines paper, you can get at your local Michael's.

Happy Scrapping!

I'm embarrassed for you, Macys...

I got a fold out poster in the mail from Macy's that was an INC trend report.  I normally like to give these a look over, and then head in to restock my closet.  But at this one, I stopped and thought, surely not,. It was titled Camo Glam.  Camo belongs at Walmart and Cabelas.  This was disrespectful for the military; they actually made camo worse.  Then Brian and I are at Macy's today, and they have an entire floor set dedicated to Camo Glam.  OMG.  I know fall normally brings back the basics & neutrals, but I was really hoping for some navy & camel, black & plum, maybe a hint of dark turq to help transition.  But camo?  OD green? Yuck. 

Then I read the signs, and I had a great laugh.  Just read them and tell me what you think:
- Stand out in camo
- Military motifs and touches of shine add edge to ease
- jackets pull rank

Here's my thoughts: don't you wear camo to not stand out? On occasions when wearing camo is normal, are you at ease?  I would think I'd be more on edge with a gun in my hand, and more at ease with some sequins.  Last I checked, stars pull rank and everyone wears a jacket.  And INC doesn't believe in jackets, they believe in 2-fers.  And 2-fers is what I love about INC.  So quit with the crazy talk and just do what your good at - and give me the 2-fers! 

And I did break down and bought a 2-fer with camo.  As much as I don't like the trend, I would dislike being out of trend more. I seriously have a thing for 2-fers...

And we had a great trip overall.  Maybe you should go, you have tomorrow off and there are deals to be had! Tomorrow kicks off Estee Lauder's gift with purchase, so of course I visited Min (Willow Bend mall and she's awesome) and pre-placed my order so I can just swing by and pick it up.  Swim wear is on killer clearance.  Brian got a suit for $12 orig. $75, and I got a top & a bottom (miss-matched brands, but still matched good enough) for $24, orig $110.  We got another suit case for Hawaii and some fall clothes for both of us. 

Hope your enjoying your long weekend! 

Football is back baby!

Brian and I watched several football games this evening, none of which we care about.  We are just so excited to have college football back!! 

dun-dundundun-dundundun-dun!!!!!

I'm not ready to give up summer, but so ready for fall football. Enjoy watching your favorite teams this season!

Home sweet Home

*weheartit*

When we moved out of our last house, our next door neighbor cried.  She told me that her one wish for us is that in our new place we had neighbors that were closer to our age.  It was a really sweet thing for her to say, even though at the time it was odd and uncomfortable and I didn't know how to react.  Our last neighborhood was built in the 80's and most everyone was still original owners.  Even though we all got along it was at times a little hard to connect, seeing as we were both born in the 80's not building our dream home.  Brian and I are used to being the youngest pretty much everywhere we go and everything we do, but we have been blessed in our new home having neighbors that are at least in similar life stages.  We meet more and more neighbors each week, and we have such a great variety.  We again find ourselves being the youngest (so far), but not by much.  How lucky we are to have found not only a great house to call a home, but a great neighborhood to truly bond with. 

I look forward to many more summer days hanging out with our neighbors, many more years enjoying front porch Saturdays, many more 2nd Thursday lady bunko, the uncountable BBQ's and pot lucks, glasses of wine after work, and the smiles at the mailboxes. 

It's good to be home.

The power of a woman

*weheartit*

Happy in the sun

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People keep talking about being ready for fall, but I'm so happy in the summer.  I love the sun and the warmth.  I love pool time, getting up with light outside, being able to watch the sun go down after 8.  I'm not looking forward to dark mornings and evenings and cold.  I love fall, but I love summer so much more.  Like this happy kitty, I plan to soak it up a few more weeks.

Recovery

wikipedia

If you don't know, I love rap music and alternative.  I can stomach most pop music, tolerate rock, and would rather be in silence than country.  But rarely do I love an entire album.  It's happened twice in recent history though - Jay Z Blueprint 3 was incredible.  and now I can't stop listening to the Recovery album.  Eminem has me locked.

The first time through, I just enjoyed the beats and I love his voice.

The 2nd time I heard the words as if he was singing about someone else.

The 3rd time I realized he was talking to me, personally.  And I cried.

The 4th time I listened as part of something larger than me, and I had shivers multiple times.

"You can try read my lyrics off this paper before I lay them, but you wont take the sting out of them before I say them." - Not Afraid

And he's right.  They sting.  The album is brilliant.  The story weaved over the entire album is incredible.  There is no way for me recap or review the album in justice, you really need to download and take a listen (or several).

"I feel like I'm morphing"- Seduction. 

 Yes he is, he have reached the next level.  Story telling isn't new to rap, but this is beautiful.

Don't have time for the full story? Not Afraid and Love the Way you Lie are all over the radio.  Other good stand alones: No Love (love the throwback to Night at Roxbury), 25 to Life and Talkin' 2 Myself.

Have you listened to it?  What did you think?

Wedding Weekend Part 3 - Wedding Day!!

5 years ago I became a Mrs.  Just reminiscing on the good times.

Dad was ready to kill the wedding planner moments before walking me down the aisle.  But he snapped out of it pretty quick and put on a smile (and a joke) for me in giving me away. He told the Pastor he "gladly" gave me away, and the whole room laughed.  Pastor W asked if I had a come back and it took so much effort just to smile...

This is my favorite.  Brian had just said "I can see down your dress"

And our first dance.  I let Brian pick, and he chose Kenney Chesney "Me and You".

Then came the dinner & party.  I'll post the pics, but all you need to know is that we had the best DJ (James Looney), and mom licked the margarita machine dry at the end...

Brenda and Paul to the left, Jamie and Shawn to the right.

Josh & Nicole, Bill & Beverly

Allison, Hailey, Jenn & Cathy

Mom and friends

Barbie & Josh, Aggie War Hymn

James (the DJ), and line dancing!

Hands on your knees! How low can you go!

It's the dance from that movie....  and the chicken dance!

A little swing dancing: my and a cousin, Matt & Becca

and Garrett & I (my other brother from a different mother) and I have no idea what dance we are doing; looks like penguins...

We had so much fun.  Thanks to everyone that came out and partied with us!  Here's to another great 5 years!

Wedding Weekend Part 2 - My Family

5 years ago was the rehersal & dinner.  I've been so blessed to have a wonder and fun family.  They love Brian (more than me most days) and know how to have a good time.  Thus, most awesome wedding weekend ever.  But we'll get to the party later...

Isn't my mom cute?  And isn't Amy's face awesome?  My mom kept the whole family & friend group laughing and having a great time at the rehersal dinner.  She's a great story teller and quite the entertainer!

Dad made mom do her hair down and more normal.  She was actually not to happy about that, but aren't they good looking parents?  Loving and supportive (and freakin smart) too! 

My dad and I danced to an R&B remix.  You just have to be careful that "I'm too sexy" doesn't come over the speakers (as a cousin learned the hard way) -  my dad will own the dance floor!!  He and Brian are like 2 peas in a pod, and I think he was so happy I married Brian and he could have 2 awesome sons.

Siblings always have a special bond.  The person that you spent the most time with while growing up, that you have a ton of inside jokes with, house a crap ton of memories with.  Beyond that, and it drives everyone else in the family crazy, we will laugh without speaking.  He can say 3 words, I say 2 words and we are done.  And it's never consistant or makes any sense to anyone else, but we always can read where the other is going without actually saying it and have a great time joking around. 

I also have the most awesome grandparents and cousins.  Funny, loving and always there.  My grandparents to the left are hitting 50 years this December - amazing.  My cousins Becca & Matt are just fun to be around, and even willing to dance with my other Granny, who's not even related.  But what can I say, both mom & dad's side like to have a good time. 

It was great to have all the family in before the wedding for the rehersal dinner.  Good times with friends and family!

Wedding Weekend Part 1 - My Girls

5 years ago tonight, we kicked off my wedding weekend with dinner, drinks and attempted dancing with the girls!  I married my best friend, but it's a great feeling when you best girl friends celebrate with you and stand by your side.  The last 5 years has taken us all in different directions, and I feel that I never get to see them or even talk with them; but we always just pick up and I know they would always be there for me in a time of need.   So here's a quick shout out to my girls!

I have known Amy since we were 2 and she was my MOH.  Through baby sitting co-op, girl scout troop 447, summer camp and other activities we became best friends when we finally went to the same school a few years of high school.  She is so fun to be around and always an honest voice when I need one.  She gave a great toast, and even shared her wine with my dress!

 

Melanie was one of my college roommates, and isn't just important to me but also Brian.  Super smart, blatantly honest and an excellent cook -- she was the perfect roommate and an awesome friend!

I met Allison when she hired me as an intern.  She has been a great mentor, both for career and for living life, and is a great example to follow on both accounts as well.  She took such good care of me that weekend (and always); I can't post them for decency reasons, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have gotten clothes on me that day without her.  She took total care of me, as she always has.  She is beautiful, smart and just wonderful.  She even took out her diamonds to not outshine me on my special day - and that was huge! 

Barbie and I met freshman year at A&M.  She gets me, like really gets me.  What's more, she married Josh who also gets me (most of the time).  And they now have 2 beautiful daughters that I adore.  I just wish they lived closer than 3 states away.

Naomi and Heather kept the ceremony flowing with beautiful music.  Naomi is a college friend for Brian & I, and Heather lived across the street and we have known each other basically our entire lives.

All have been there for me and I couldn't ask for better friends to have stood with me that weekend.  There were several other really close friends that came to celebrate with us that weekend, and I cherish those memories as well.  I love how life brings such wonderful people into our lives, and how the number of great girl friends continues to grows and how each one has a special place in my life.  I'm so blessed to have great people around me to share the good (and the bad) times. 

Here's to the great girls in my life!  Life wouldn't be the same without each of you!