please click

 Tastes of the Season

Holiday Treats and Hot Holiday Drinks (sentiment) by A Chemistry With Paper

Celebration Frames (circle sentiment) by Lizzie Anne

paper by KI memories-Grateful

This candy apple is just so YUMMY in person. I stamped and cut 3 times!!! Lots of dimension on this. First time stamped on cardstock base.

Stamped- colored -and cut apple, with carmel, and stick. (this get wrapped)

Next time just colored and cut the caramel!! I then wrapped the cut apple with the cellophane that comes wrapped around your paper packs.

This really reminded me of Thanksgiving. Not necessarily TRADITIONAL, but still sent the message of fall, and thanks. To me anyway.

Well Happy Thanksgiving! A day early for some reading.

Hope today reminds you to be thankful for SOMETHING everyday, not just recognize it once a year.

Even when things are bad, there is always a bright spot “somewhere”.

I really always try to acknowledge that, and make sure people around me know I appreciate them. Keyword-TRY.

I honestly am not good at that part. I get “wrapped up” and forget to get thank you’s out promptly, and I’m always late sending cards-if at all. YIKES!!! Looks like I should be thinking New Year resolutions instead. Better start making notes.

Anyway, I like to relfect year to year, and how much has been accomplished or changed.

I have to say its been a fabulous year! I am very thankful for everything I have.

I’m thankful for my kids “thankful for” projects! They came out so cute, and made me SO happy. They are the type of projects they bring home, that you will save for ETERNITY!!! To see what is important to them, and their cute drawings-PRICELESS!!!! You will see some photos soon. I want to include a Smilebox of our Thanksgiving Day-so look for that sometime this weekend. I know, I’m LAME!

Alexa was only hospitalized ONCE thus far. That is HUGE!! She is getting stronger, and her hair is growing in. She is fighting this horrible disease that has invaded her body.  She has been sick on and off but nothing we can’t handle. She is alive and fighting. She is such an amazing little person. I see so much strength in her. She makes me proud. I feel her life will hopefully change the bleak perception a lot of people have of those with Down Syndrome. She is very high functioning, just a bit shy. I am proud of her.

I’m not trying to toot my own horn, but I am proud of some of the things I have done as a mother. And I’m not afraid to say “Hey, you know what I am a good mom”. No, not everyday, but more often than not. I think more mom’s need to give themselves MORE credit. I also think they need to STOP feeling selfish for doing things for themselves. Its VITAL to being a good parent. I truly believe that.

I watched my mom never do anything for herself-just devote her life to us. Only to find herself alone with nothing of her own when we grew up. It was so sad to me. I vowed I wouldn’t do that.

I do what I can to make a difference in this world. In a few areas. Like Alexa’s Stamp set. I was so proud I was able to make that idea/dream, of using a stamp set to make a difference,  a reality, thanks to Melissa Bastow!

I’m there when it counts, I do what I can for my children to have a happy and memorable childhood.

We have our traditions that I hope they pass on to their family.

I teach them good values (although we really need to get our buts back to church-not proud of that).

And, I fight for them, and what is right.

I apologize to them,  when I am wrong, or reacted in a way that was not fair. I think that is very important.

Don’t get me wrong I make a million mistakes during the day, but when its all said and done I think I’m doing pretty well.

Most importantly I am doing my best! Thats all anyone can ask for right?

Im  thankful for my husband, and our relationship. We have such an amazing marriage-seriously! If I were looking in on us, I would want to have what we have. I was blessed to be given such a great guy. I was not so lucky the first time (Alexa’s dad was a nightmare).  Especially having the medical issue’s we have faced. I have seen families destroyed. We always work together. He is my very best friend. I love everything about him.

I am thankful that my husband has a job, in a field, that when needed , he can work from home. This has saved us financially during Alexa’s long hospitalizations and appointments.

I am also glad that he is able to support our entire family on his income alone. I am able to be home with my children, which while can be INSANE, is really what I want to do.

Im thankful that no matter how INSANE my kids can drive me, there is always that ONE moment, in that day, that makes it all worth it. Like the hug and kiss for no reason followed by the best words a mom can hear “I love you bunches mommy”. Or the quick turn around, to blow me a kiss everyday as they get on the bus.

I’m thankful for our home. While we have a ton left to do, its ours!

I’m thankful for my mom-even though we have our ups and downs she has always been my best friend.

I’m thankful I have been able to accomplish above and beyond the goals I have set for myself. Let me tell you I had alot. I’m so very blessed to have had the opportunities open up to Lil Ole “ME”!!! Never did I think that when I began to pursue my dream, the doors would fly open that have. Big thanks to those I work with and for, and all you who inspire me and keep me going!

I am fortunate to work for the best, most amazing people, along side some of the most talented people, that I admire.

I’m thankful for my friends-be it in my life or here. I have grown to know so many amazing people though stamping! Its truly amazing. My cyber friends helped get me though those long hospitalizations, and have taken the rollercoaster ride in my life, with me, like they were right next to me. So thank YOU!

I’m thankful for those of you here who lurk, comment, and share.

I also try to Pay it Forward, as often as I can. Still need to work on that too.

Lastly I’m thankful that I’m making the most of the path that God has put me on. I’m not sure what is in the future, but I know it will be OK. If I can just keep my eye’s on all that I DO have.

At the end of the day that’s all that matters.

So I want to wish you and your family a wonderful, healthy and happy season. Not just today or tomorrow or on Christmas but all year, every year.

Tose of you going through difficult times or a broken heart, or missing someone-I wish you comfort, faith (which is not always an easy thing to have), peace and fast healing.

I would be so happy to hear what YOU are thankful for this year.

Till tomorrow! Friday is our blog challenge-and I have a cute Bella card to share in Honor of my anual shopping venture on Black Friday.

Saturday-Sketch Challenge time.

Sunday-More fabulous gift ideas-unless you are sick to death of my ranmbling about gift giving 😀

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.

Ok quickie post going on right here cause like most of you I am SUPER busy today!

AND I want to spend my BABBLE on my Thankful post 😀 Which will pop up as soon as I get to it.

I thought I’d share to SIMPLE yet Yummy cards I made-perfect to attach to the yummy homemade (or store bought) cupcakes you send along for the holiday party or for a birthday invite-whatever!

Oh  how I LOVE cupcakes! And this ribbon was a true find-Michaels $1 spot.

It obviously inspired my cupcake design. Love that BLING Cherry.

I made these 2 cards using the Holiday Treats set from A Chemistry With Paper.

SUPER quick cards.

I case you have not noticed-its a must have set. I’m so in love it. Seriously. I dont have any sets remotely close to this one. Possibilities are endless.

 The think I LOVED about these 2 cards was the “frosting”.

I used liquid applique on them, then sprinkled some glitter on while wet!! Heat set it-then BAM!!! (in my best Emerill imitation) GORGEOUS looking frosted cupcake!

Honestly I did sort of rushed through these 2 cards, and feel they didnt do my cupcake images justice! I must re-do these when I have more time. Not too happy with the layouts and balance of them all. Especially the first one. Photos corners and ribbon were too over powering.

Let this be a lesson to you all! DONT OVER DO IT! IT CAN HAPPEN

Oh well.

I do love this one below but the photo was not very clear

Cupcake card 2

 Sorry about the “blur”

The patterned paper is by American Crafts

Wide regal rose ribbon is Stampin Up

Photo corner punch by SU!

Till later-I will be back