Playing!

Playing with my new Cinch - easy peasy! Found a bunch of old (2008) 4X4s to make into a book, some ATCs, and my calendar pages from AFTCM Calendar Swap.

 These are from an old Byhand Swap called This and That from 2008. Isn't the first one awesome! That's Yogi's!

 My calendar from AFTCM Yahoo Group. It stands on it's own.

A bunch of old ATCs of mine

That was fun! I'll have to go searching for more!

Christmas Day

We had a lovely Christmas Day, peaceful and serene! I don't remember ever not being totally exhausted at the end of a Christmas Day, but last night I felt calm and so not tired! My Mom, Step-Dad and Brother came for dinner, we had a 23 lb turkey (I LOVE leftovers!) and all the cooking was done by the time they arrived! The kitchen wasn't too bad as I had already done 3 dishwasher loads of dishes during the day! So it was sit back, drink eggnog, and enjoy!

Here are some highlights of the day:

 Christmas morning

 The stocking are filled

 My daughter and I are warm and cozy!

My family is so good at getting me art related gifts -here are all the wonderful things they chose for me this year!

and a Cinch!! From my wonderful husband! 

This will get a lot of use!

I am so blessed! I had a wonderful Christmas, and hope that all of you did too! Have a lovely restful Boxing Day, or as we call it, Turkey Soup Day!

12 Days of Christmas- Day 12

Last day!! I had 2 presents to open, from Robyn and Mary-Beth

here is Robyn's:

Looks very pretty on the tree! Thanks Robyn!

And Mary-Beth's:

A tiny canvas on a tiny easel! Very cool! Thanks Mary-Kay!

And for the gift from Mary-Kay from Day 8, I can reveal it now:

 

Delightful little fabric ornament! Thanks Mary-Kay!

Well, that's it for another year! This was such a fun swap! Many thanks to all who joined!

12 Days of Christmas- Day 11

Almost over!! I had two to open today, but first I have to show you the secret that my friend Marg discovered about Day 4's gift from Kathleen:

it opens up! Who knew! I thought the bow was strictly ornamental! Now I have a place to put my 2010 Christmas pics! Thanks Marg - it helps to be inquisitive!!

Now for Day 11's gifts:

I opened the pink one first, from Ruth:

This beautiful metallic ornament was inside! It has two sides as you can see, and is covered in embossed metal, rubbed with alcohol ink. Very cool technique! Thank you Ruth!

the next was from Linda H

 A cool squiggly knitted white scarf with sparkly gold intertwined!

Here I am wearing it - it goes well with my all-black theme for today! Thanks Linda!!

Many thanks to Linda and Ruth for Day 11!

12 Days of Christmas- Day 10

Day 10 already! Only 2 more days to go! today's gifts came from Jane and Carolyn:

I opened Jane's first because I knew it was another tile. . .

and it was awesome! Now I have a set of two! Thanks Jane!

Next - Carolyn's gift - wow!

Beautiful origami pieces done with vellum-gorgeous!! The deer is truly awesome, it just seems to glow! And the wreath is already on the tree! Thanks Carolyn!!

12 Days of Christmas- Day 9

Day 9 gave me two beautiful gifts! One from Joanne and one from Jane.

I opened Joanne's first:

It is a beautiful knotted wristband! It is reversible, so I can wear either side. Love it!!


Next was Jane's:

A beautiful zentangled tile! This is to be used as a coaster, but wouldn't it be cool to have a border of these tiles in a bathroom! Something to think about! I have another present from Jane for day 10, exactly the same package, so I'm thinking I'm going to have a set of these!

Thanks Joanne and Jane!

Update:
I received my Day 6 present in the mail yesterday, so I opened it. It was from Kathleen. Take a peek!

Very pretty! I have it hanging in my front hall. Love it Kathleen! Thank you!

12 Days of Christmas- Day 8

Day 8 was my day, so I'll show you what everyone else got first. This was an idea I picked up online and just loved the grunge look. Not everyone is a grunge fan so I was a bit worried!

All the ornaments were different, these are just 2 chosen at random. I tried to get them to match the decor of those who sent me their tree colors!  One was pink and turquoise, I can't remember who got that one, but it was someone I thought might be open to even more funkiness, so I hope she liked it! The others were more traditional colors. I think one was a snowman. Lots of experimenting as I was doing these! Fun! The Santa stamp on the right has always been my favorite Christmas stamp!

Now for my gifties!

 The one marked Day 8 is from Carmen, and the one marked Day 13 is from Mary-Beth, and I can't show you that one today. I will show it at the end of the swap. Its the one everyone gets in place of their own gifty!

Isn't this the most clever calendar ever?? Winter and Spring are back to back (like an upside-down V) and summer and fall are inside. When summer comes I just turn it inside out! So clever, and I love it! Thanks Carmen!!


And thanks M-B! Wink wink!

12 Days of Christmas- Day 7

Wow - 7 days have gone by so quickly! Today I opened two gifts, on from Wendy and one from Kristy:

I opened Wendy's first:

It is a gorgeous, soft handle, I m thinking for my camera, but the metal ring is too big to fit. I will try to find a way! Thank you Wendy - it's beautiful!


And next was Kristy's

A beautiful necklace!

This necklace is made from a bamboo tile covered in metal - very cool! I love it Kristy! One of my favourite shapes is the heart, so I know I will wear it!

Many thanks to both Wendy and Kristy!