Wishing you a safe, fun and happy new year!
Go Packers, Go Badgers!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Wordless Wednesday 31: Joy of a Book Lover
I know it's supposed to be completely wordless, but I just need to say that these pics were not staged. My niece really was this excited to receive a new book!Monday, December 26, 2011
Teaser Tuesday 112: Santa Cruise
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
* Grab your current book or recent read.
* Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere in the book.
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!
I had hoped to finish Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark by now, but with getting ready for Christmas and being gone all weekend, that did not happen. In fact, I got zero reading done over the holiday, so am not even halfway through this one yet, only about 27%. Here's a little offering from chapter three.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea
(Regan Reilly Mysteries #12)
Alvirah Meehan, lottery winner turned amateur sleuth, and private investigator Regan Reilly are guests, along with their spouses, on the "Santa Cruise." The cruise is a gift from Commodore Randolph Weed to a select group that "has made the world a better place." His largesse is prompted by the desire to create a buzz about his new cruise ship, the Royal Mermaid, as she sets out on her maiden voyage.
Alvirah, Regan, and her new husband, Jack—head of the NYPD Major Case Squad—are joined as guests on the cruise by a mystery fan convention celebrating a "ghost of honor," as well as ten men who donated time playing Santa Claus, now hoping for a restful post-season. That tranquility vanishes when two Santa suits disappear from a locked room, a storm develops, and an attempt is made on a passenger's life. As the Royal Mermaid sails through troubled waters, Alvirah, Regan, and Jack uncover clues that lead them to dangerous criminals not on the original guest list....
* Grab your current book or recent read.
* Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere in the book.
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!
I had hoped to finish Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark by now, but with getting ready for Christmas and being gone all weekend, that did not happen. In fact, I got zero reading done over the holiday, so am not even halfway through this one yet, only about 27%. Here's a little offering from chapter three.
Under cover of darkness late on Christmas night, in the Port of Miami, a rowboat glided silently up to the side of the Royal Mermaid. A rope ladder was dropped from the lowest deck.
(pg 15)
ABOUT THE BOOK
Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea
(Regan Reilly Mysteries #12)
Alvirah Meehan, lottery winner turned amateur sleuth, and private investigator Regan Reilly are guests, along with their spouses, on the "Santa Cruise." The cruise is a gift from Commodore Randolph Weed to a select group that "has made the world a better place." His largesse is prompted by the desire to create a buzz about his new cruise ship, the Royal Mermaid, as she sets out on her maiden voyage.
Alvirah, Regan, and her new husband, Jack—head of the NYPD Major Case Squad—are joined as guests on the cruise by a mystery fan convention celebrating a "ghost of honor," as well as ten men who donated time playing Santa Claus, now hoping for a restful post-season. That tranquility vanishes when two Santa suits disappear from a locked room, a storm develops, and an attempt is made on a passenger's life. As the Royal Mermaid sails through troubled waters, Alvirah, Regan, and Jack uncover clues that lead them to dangerous criminals not on the original guest list....
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Cards From Friends -- Christmas 2011
I've shared plenty of my own crafts this month, so today I thought I would share a few handcrafted Christmas cards received from friends.
yet did not get them in the mail until this week.
with the snowflake lifts up to reveal a greeting.
Merry Christmas, One and All!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Christmas Cards 9: Tim Holtz, Blue Scheme
My last Christmas card share of the year! This group of cards again uses the Tim Holtz "Holiday Collections" set, but in a blue scheme. Pacific Blue, to be exact. I really liked the way all of these (somewhere around 40 cards) came out. In addition to using up quite a few sheets of designer Christmas paper, I also used up a ton of brads that were starting to collect dust. I love embellishing with brads, and some basic colors like white may be replenished, but others...probably not.
STAMPS: Holiday Collections (Tim Holtz)
PAPER: Wausau Paper, DCWV
INK: Pacific Blue
ACCESSORIES: Brads, Computer generated greetings, Word Window punch (SU)
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Thursday Thirteen 232: A Homemade Christmas
I'm a born crafter. That means I'm working on something for Christmas throughout the year, whether it be something small for the tree, or a slightly larger project for friend or family member. Here's a look at some of the works-of-heart made for Christmas 2011.
There were, of course, a lot of cards. I make about 50-70 Christmas cards every year, just for personal use. I like to have extras on hand just in case, and any leftovers can be donated or sold next year. I've been sharing samples of these all month, so if you missed them, click on the "Christmas 2011" or "Cards" label at bottom of this post or in sidebar.
I love these mini-stockings and wish I had made more. Not just for giving away, but for my own little tree. The only one I kept this year was a blue snowflake stocking. These are backed with felt, with a loop of embroidery floss for hanging.
This "Green Bay Packers" stocking is my own design, and sure to be a huge hit with friends and family. As you can see, I used the original free-stitched one as a pattern for others. Just needs trimming and a little hanger. Now to design one for the Wisconsin Badgers...
This ceramic star ornament was leftover from a bunch I stamped on a few years ago. I simply added a seasonal decal and some ribbon et voilà!
"File This" is one of the larger projects made, and is for a friend owned by two black cats. It measures 8x10 inches and still needs framing (it's on my Saturday shopping list).
Angel whimsey. The cording for the ribbon was a bit of a pain, but I like how the wire hanger turned out. Those can sometimes be a bit tricky.
Assorted mini-ornaments. All are backed with felt and have a small loop of embroidery floss for hanging. Like the mini-stockings, these are light enough to enclose in a card.
"All I want for Christmas is a Nap." Another larger gift, measuring 9x12 and still in need of framing. I received this kit as a gift last year. It's not my style, and—to be honest—I've had a hard time deciding to whom it should go.
Two or three years ago, I made two friends a bunch of snowmen ornaments, each getting three different designs than the other. Of course they tried to steal the other's when she wasn't looking and "hinted" that I needed to give the reverse the following year. Ha! Way too predictable.
I think they will be pleasantly surprised to round out their collection this year. (Wicked grin) Each is stitched on 14-ct Aida cloth and backed in felt with ribbon hangers.
Mouse banner. I did a snowman banner similar to this one in 2009. This year I was a bit smarter in finishing the edges. Rather than fold and try to hide tacking stitches to the underside, I dug out the Lite Steam-A-Seam2. Half inch strips along the edges were all it took to neatly and easily finish the edges. The tassel, on the other hand, was a bit of a pain.
These playful critters round out a set for a friend who collects anything Noah's Ark. Backed in felt, with ribbon hangers.
Another whimsey. I had trouble getting the wire hanger just right on this one. Both this and the angel above were stitched on 14-ct plastic canvas.
People often wonder how I am able to get so much crafting done. My secret is this: I am rarely idle while watching TV. You'd be amazed how much you can get done while watching a one-hour drama, two-hour movie, or three-hour football game. If it's not a craft project in my hands, it's pen and notebook. Also, starting in July this year, a friend and I got together about every other weekend for an NCIS/crafts marathon. We'd pop in a season and work on our respective projects. We got through the first seven seasons, made almost all of our Christmas cards together, and got a lot of other projects done during those long weekends. I have a feeling we'll be doing something like this again next year.
There were, of course, a lot of cards. I make about 50-70 Christmas cards every year, just for personal use. I like to have extras on hand just in case, and any leftovers can be donated or sold next year. I've been sharing samples of these all month, so if you missed them, click on the "Christmas 2011" or "Cards" label at bottom of this post or in sidebar.
I love these mini-stockings and wish I had made more. Not just for giving away, but for my own little tree. The only one I kept this year was a blue snowflake stocking. These are backed with felt, with a loop of embroidery floss for hanging.
This "Green Bay Packers" stocking is my own design, and sure to be a huge hit with friends and family. As you can see, I used the original free-stitched one as a pattern for others. Just needs trimming and a little hanger. Now to design one for the Wisconsin Badgers...
This ceramic star ornament was leftover from a bunch I stamped on a few years ago. I simply added a seasonal decal and some ribbon et voilà!
"File This" is one of the larger projects made, and is for a friend owned by two black cats. It measures 8x10 inches and still needs framing (it's on my Saturday shopping list).
Angel whimsey. The cording for the ribbon was a bit of a pain, but I like how the wire hanger turned out. Those can sometimes be a bit tricky.
Assorted mini-ornaments. All are backed with felt and have a small loop of embroidery floss for hanging. Like the mini-stockings, these are light enough to enclose in a card.
"All I want for Christmas is a Nap." Another larger gift, measuring 9x12 and still in need of framing. I received this kit as a gift last year. It's not my style, and—to be honest—I've had a hard time deciding to whom it should go.
Two or three years ago, I made two friends a bunch of snowmen ornaments, each getting three different designs than the other. Of course they tried to steal the other's when she wasn't looking and "hinted" that I needed to give the reverse the following year. Ha! Way too predictable.
I think they will be pleasantly surprised to round out their collection this year. (Wicked grin) Each is stitched on 14-ct Aida cloth and backed in felt with ribbon hangers.
Mouse banner. I did a snowman banner similar to this one in 2009. This year I was a bit smarter in finishing the edges. Rather than fold and try to hide tacking stitches to the underside, I dug out the Lite Steam-A-Seam2. Half inch strips along the edges were all it took to neatly and easily finish the edges. The tassel, on the other hand, was a bit of a pain.
These playful critters round out a set for a friend who collects anything Noah's Ark. Backed in felt, with ribbon hangers.
Another whimsey. I had trouble getting the wire hanger just right on this one. Both this and the angel above were stitched on 14-ct plastic canvas.People often wonder how I am able to get so much crafting done. My secret is this: I am rarely idle while watching TV. You'd be amazed how much you can get done while watching a one-hour drama, two-hour movie, or three-hour football game. If it's not a craft project in my hands, it's pen and notebook. Also, starting in July this year, a friend and I got together about every other weekend for an NCIS/crafts marathon. We'd pop in a season and work on our respective projects. We got through the first seven seasons, made almost all of our Christmas cards together, and got a lot of other projects done during those long weekends. I have a feeling we'll be doing something like this again next year.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Teaser Tuesday 111: The Winter Widow
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
* Grab your current book or recent read.
* Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere in the book.
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!
Finished reading The Winter Widow by Charlene Weir over the weekend, the first in her Chief Susan Wren mystery series. I read A Cold Christmas two years ago, and liked it enough that I have been searching used books for others in this older (and now out of print) series. This one did not disappoint, even if I did guess the outcome halfway through. This week's teaser is from the opening page.
* Grab your current book or recent read.
* Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere in the book.
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!
Finished reading The Winter Widow by Charlene Weir over the weekend, the first in her Chief Susan Wren mystery series. I read A Cold Christmas two years ago, and liked it enough that I have been searching used books for others in this older (and now out of print) series. This one did not disappoint, even if I did guess the outcome halfway through. This week's teaser is from the opening page.
He dropped instinctively and rolled toward a ravine. The second shot gouged a chunk from the rim as he tumbled in.
How's that for getting your attention?
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She'd been one of San Francisco's finest—hard-bitten, cynical and happily unattached...
Until Daniel Wren blew in like a tornado, sweeping Susan off her feet, and back home to Hampstead, Kansas—new bride of the small town's police chief. Ten days later Daniel was killed by a sniper.
Susan was an outsider—a city slicker, a woman and worse—personally involved in the case. She was also Hampstead's new police chief...hunting for her husband's killer.
A kid whacked out on crack was easier to deal with than the pigs, bulls and strange group of locals. But beyond the bleak winter wheat fields, Susan Discovered a hotbed of secrets—from toxic waste dumping to cattle rustling—and a killer who was just getting warmed up.
She'd been one of San Francisco's finest—hard-bitten, cynical and happily unattached...
Until Daniel Wren blew in like a tornado, sweeping Susan off her feet, and back home to Hampstead, Kansas—new bride of the small town's police chief. Ten days later Daniel was killed by a sniper.
Susan was an outsider—a city slicker, a woman and worse—personally involved in the case. She was also Hampstead's new police chief...hunting for her husband's killer.
A kid whacked out on crack was easier to deal with than the pigs, bulls and strange group of locals. But beyond the bleak winter wheat fields, Susan Discovered a hotbed of secrets—from toxic waste dumping to cattle rustling—and a killer who was just getting warmed up.
Christmas Cards 8: Tim Holtz, Red-Green Scheme
One of my favorite "new" stamp sets is a 4-piece one by Tim Holtz that I got earlier this year for my birthday. I absolutely love the collage images in this set. Tim Holtz products in general fit my "style" and trend towards vintage images. I made two dozen cards in the "red-green" scheme, examples of which I share with you today.
I always make more cards than I need. For one, you never know when you're going to need an extra or two. Second, any leftovers can be sold or donated the following year. It's a win-win situation.
STAMPS: Holiday Collections (Tim Holtz)
PAPER: Wausau Paper (white), DCWV (designer and plain colored)
INK: Red Riding Hood (SU)
ACCESSORIES: Brads, Computer printed greetings, Word Window punch
I always make more cards than I need. For one, you never know when you're going to need an extra or two. Second, any leftovers can be sold or donated the following year. It's a win-win situation.
STAMPS: Holiday Collections (Tim Holtz)
PAPER: Wausau Paper (white), DCWV (designer and plain colored)
INK: Red Riding Hood (SU)
ACCESSORIES: Brads, Computer printed greetings, Word Window punch
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Christmas Cards 7: Random
A few random cards...
STAMPS: Snowflakes (Hero Arts), Holiday Collections (Tim Holtz--bottom two cards), Peace on Earth (Inkadinkado)
PAPER: Wausau Paper, DCWV
INK: Night of Navy, Red Riding Hood, Elegant Eggplant, Craft White
ACCESSORIES: Computer printed greetings, Word Window punch (SU), Designer Label (SU), Postage Stamp punch (Marvy), brads, grosgrain ribbon
STAMPS: Snowflakes (Hero Arts), Holiday Collections (Tim Holtz--bottom two cards), Peace on Earth (Inkadinkado)
PAPER: Wausau Paper, DCWV
INK: Night of Navy, Red Riding Hood, Elegant Eggplant, Craft White
ACCESSORIES: Computer printed greetings, Word Window punch (SU), Designer Label (SU), Postage Stamp punch (Marvy), brads, grosgrain ribbon
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Christmas Cards 6: Long and Tall
These two long cards measure 4 x 9.25 inches. They fit inside a standard #10 business envelope. Images are matted slightly different on each card.
STAMPS: Holiday Collections (Tim Holtz)
PAPER: Wausau Paper, DCWV
INK: Red Riding Hood (Stampin' Up)
ACCESSORIES: Ribbon
STAMPS: Holiday Collections (Tim Holtz)
PAPER: Wausau Paper, DCWV
INK: Red Riding Hood (Stampin' Up)
ACCESSORIES: Ribbon
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
