Last night we did have dinner with my father.

It went well. My dad is looking well. Last time I say him he looked awful, but this time he looks much more healthy.

It was bittersweet seeing him again. Makes me very sad. Jason thought I was going to have a meltdown, but I held it together. Its hard to see him. I have gone on to accept him for WHO is is, not who I think he should be. It’s a hard thing to do, but after so many years I don’t expect much. I’m trying to have that mentality with many people in my life.

I look just like my mother my dad says, so I think its hard for him to see me. I know he misses my mom, and still loves her. It’s like looking at my mom when she was my age for him. Im sure it brings waves of raw emotion for him.

Here we are at dinner. I really wanted to get some nice photos since I have NONE of my father. Who knows when I will see him next.

Here is a family shot

From left ot right- my brother Rob, my dad, me, Jay

bottom-Noah, Alexa & Amber

The kids were a little unsure of him, but by the end of the night were OK with talking to him. He is after-all a stranger to Noah and Amber. Alexa seemed to remember him a bit.

He promised the kids each a special book, and that got Noah very intrigued. Now I pray he follows through. I can see I am going to have to hunt down the Sponge Bob, Scooby Doo, Princess and Dora books that were promised. Noah thought my dad was pretty funny.

He did attempt to cancel our dinner, but my brother convinced him otherwise. My brother has a different relationship with my dad, as he is always seeking his approval. He doesn’t realize that will never happen, but he does go out of his way to try. Must be a father son thing, because I don’t get it.

My brother is so much like my dad its freaky.

I like this photo of them though.

Here they are together at dinner.

I still think of my brother as a little boy. I’m reminded he is not when I see he towers of me and my dad. I never thought I’d see the day!

Now that my brother is going to be a father I hope he chooses to be a good father and role model. It is so important.

Now here are a few a photos of the 3 of us

This one is blurry-sorry

Then the 3 of us with my brothers girlfriend Valerie

Now we have a nice photo of my brother and Valerie

Then one of Jay and I.

I NEVER wear my hair up when I go out somewhere, but it was a REALLY bad hair day! I hate when that happens. You got to the food store and your hair is amazing!! then you have somewhere you want to look good for and its a disaster! Awful.

OK now I DO have a card to share-

I made this for my brother to give to him. The sentiment ALWAYS reminds me of them

I know-everytime I think guy card I think Father Knows Best. Plus I already had it out! LOL! I used dark chocolate, and vintage cream with all golden accents-gold cardstock, and gold sheer metallic ribbon

I cut the tree into 3 pieces, and ran my edges with a gold pen. Its very shimmery in real life. The leaves are stamped then restamped for layering. I then spritzed some color on. PERFECT!

THE HUGE bummer is you can’t see my piercing! It came out really nice. Maybe if you scroll up to the top photo…………

Anyway thanks for sharing with me. I received MANY emails from yo who can relate. WOW!

Tomorrow is the 10th!! That means I have the first Countdown project for Papertrey Ink, and SOON you will see my next peek at the newest round of My Timeless Templates ©!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Im beyond busy and excited prepping for that, along with the release.

Enjoy your day 😀

Later

NOTE: SORRY this is WAYYYYYY late :C My brother and his girlfriend bought a car! YEAH! So I had to drive them to get it, and all that blah blah blah, so YES! That cut into my stamp stuff.

Today is my father’s birthday.

We are meeting up with him to take him out for dinner.

Doesn’t sound like a big deal, but I haven’t seen my dad in 3 years. Dinner is a HUGE deal. Haven’t seen him since the Christmas before Alexa got sick. He hasn’t seen her ONCE. That is a long time. He always worries about his bar room friends dying, but never cared enough to see his own granddaughter when she got sick. I can’t forgive that. I still have his Christmas gifts wrapped for all the past holidays. My dad is much older than my mom by 15 years. We aren’t as close as we should be. He is getting up there, and I don’t want to keep letting the years pass, until the next time I see him I’m planning his funeral.

My dad was IS an alcoholic, and continuously chooses that life over one with our family. It’s hard to explain. I’m the only one who chooses to distance myself from that. That also means I’m the only one less affected by his disease. I won’t get into all the drama that living with an alcoholic can do to a person. If you have been there then you already know. He was just never there for me- ever. Lots of broken promises. Who knows, by the time everyone reads this there may even be another “excuse” to NOT meet. I almost expect that! Sad isn’t it?

My dad’s years are catching up with him. He has no relationship with my children either. I don’t think he even really cares about that. I have a lot of anxiety about our meeting today. I want to see him, but his life makes me so sad sometimes. Mainly because he chose the bottle over us my entire life. He likes his life. I wish he at least regretted everything, but he doesn’t. Holidays come & go and he has all kinds of plans with his bar friends. He is happy that way. A loner of sorts.

It is his many mistakes as a parent that make me strive to be a “super mom”. My mom was and is super mom. She always “did it all”. I always knew I could count on her. I think she was forever trying to make up for what my dad didn’t do, or lacked. I knew if my dad DID show up somewhere, Id most likely end up getting embarrassed. My mom was married to him for so many years, yet she was alone. She never even realized it. That is just so sad to me.

Anyway, I hope it goes well. I want to get some photos. I don’t have any really.

SO here is my card for his Birthday, and the Sketch for today

If you are uploading to a gallery use keyword mytimess11

One person

I ALWAYS go to Father Knows Best for my guy cards. Its perfect. I had to add the little wise owl in the tree.  I used some of my dad’s favorite colors. This is dark chocolate, Kraft, vellum, and teal. The “leaves ‘ are cut & colored bridal confetti. So pretty.

This sentiment, to me was what I wanted to convey to him. No matter what, he matters to me and my family. I think he feels like a failure at times, that his life didn’t go as planned. In the end it doesn’t matter, you need to try to pull together with family.

Anyway, my sentiment is from a favorite set of mine-Out on a Limb sent. set . I love how the flourish from Silent night draws your eye to it.

Thats it for now. I’ll share photos of our dinner tomorrow, and the card I made for my brother to give to my dad.

Thank you all for coming here to visit me. Sorry to be such a downer today. I never know when this stuff gets dredged up! YIKES! Oh well, feels good to get it out there.

I hope you get a chance to play and check in on the Sketch Team!

Till tomorrow 😀

OK so I have another PEEK for you!

C.C. Designs is releasing a set called Glam Girls III on the 10th! It’s pretty cute 😀

There are 3 main images, and some super sentiments in it.

First up I will use my favorite image from the set-

I have had this Scenic Route paper for a while and have been DYING for the perfect card to use it. I LOVE my star nestabilities, and they were a nice addition to my card 😀

Given her ROCK STAR status lots of BLING was in order 😀

Next up its PARTY TIME!

She just looks so “chill” celebrating for her party doesn’t she?

I adore these colors together, and I made my own “patterned paper” using my dotted circle border from JustRite’s Sonnet Stamper Kit, inking in various colors, and overlapping them, then popping out with different size circle punches for a funky look.

To continue the “dotted” theme, I pierced a border.

Easy Peasy.

Release party will be–> HERE <–November 10th! Be sure to check the ATS blog DAILY to enter the give-aways!

Here is the list of what is left of several sets being released from C.C. Designs, and the days they pre-viewed

4th- Brandon & Sadie Soccer

5th-Christmas Around the World

6th-Cupcake Occasions

7th-Forrest Friends

8th  Glam Girls III

and 9th-North Pole

Stay tuned for more 😀

Later!

Hi World!

Time to update my photo. Its been 2 years since I changed my photo! I don’t think I’ve changed that much since then, but wanted to update it. Im surprised my stress isn’t PLASTERED all over my face 😀

So like I said, it was time to change my photo, and in order to change it on my sidebar I need to upload it somewhere else, so HI! How are you! LOL! I feel strange looking at it as I type. It’s a little too close up, but oh well.

 Yes I took the photo myself , yesterday, hence the weird angle, and why Im so “in your face”. I felt weird having someone take it, as I REALLY hate “posing”! Im also use to seeing myself in black and white. I think its more flattering 😀 But Oh well. This is me. Full color. Wishing now I dyed my hair BEFORE taking this photo. HAHAHAHAHAHA

Anyway, enough of that.

I have things to share but no time :C I spent ALL day at the DMV-TWICE!!!!  Running into Concord 4 times!! Thankfully my brother’s girlfriend now has her license back, and I won’t have to play taxi so much, once I get them to find a car!! I have a never ending TO DO list for them to help them get their life together BEFORE their baby comes. I’m playing mommy to everyone, ALL day, everyday and its truly exhausting.

Yeah! Im happy at least I can now scratch a HUGE item on the TO DO list, to get them on the path of independence. Once they get a car I should have “my time” back. I cannot wait. I miss my daily stamp time.

Anyway, some things to share.

SUInk & more is having 10% off all their Storage Units in November! I bought mine in August for all my Pallette and other non-Stampin Up! ink, and LOVE it. I figured I would show you the photo of mine next to my SU! Ink caddy to give you an idea of the size difference.

SUink holder on RIGHT.

I have the Ultimate Plus It holds 60 ink pads, 40 ink wheels, 60 markers and 60 re-inkers.

Now as you can see by my photo (DON’T look at the mess on my desk! EEK!) I used my “wheel” storage for my smaller ribbon spools!! You can fit 3-4 spool on each wheel peg. That’s just my own thing I wanted to do with it. I find that pretty handy!

I totally LOVE my ink caddy. It spins so easy. Just one of my “must haves” for Christmas, if you are looking for something BIG to ask for 😀 Its always good to have the hubby get those big ticket items! LOL!!

OK speaking of gift giving…………….Noah’s Birthday is the 13th. I know MANY of you are always looking for party ideas, so I am thrilled to share this one 😀

We are having a Critters N Creatures party!

Noah gets to pick 6 animals to get to touch & learn about for his party. The woman travels to our home (she also does school trips and whatnot), and brings the 6 animals the birthday child picks, along with any props (like a empty turtle shell to aid in learning) to let the kids touch and learn about those animals!! So FUN & educational! I am over the moon excited for this party. Its such a great BOY thing to do. We are doing Pizza & cake FIRST, then the animals the second half of the party. The kids get to have their photos done with the animals the last portion of the party.

You HAVE to check out the animal page to see the animals there are to pick from. I encouraged him to pick ALL ones that can be handled. For obvious reasons some cannot be handled.

He chose the Turtle, Hedgehog, Chinchilla, Legless Lizard, Dragon, and Skink.

SO now I am doing all sorts of critter themed ideas, starting with the invites.

For Noah’s 6th Birthday invites I was reminded of the turtle from Pond Life, and given the fact we are having a turtle at the party it was PERFECT! I made 18 invites, in 1 1/2 hours. Not too bad.

I printed my party info, in red (we ran out of INK! Nice timing huh?), and then had to scramble to make it all work since the party is on the 16th! I like to give people 2 weeks notice, but that obviously isn’t going to happen this time around :C. I found some old SU! paper so it worked perfectly, since I needed to add the blue and green for the invites. YEAH!!! Mission accomplished.

You can’t tell but the solid shell is stamped in Aqua Mist ink, and the head, legs, and spots are in Ripe Avacado. I added matching ribbon too.

Then I die cut the #6 using my Red Tag cuttlebug Alpha.

PS I do know you can see my phone number on the invite. Im not worried about it. I’m listed in the phone book so anyone could easily look me up.

Now I need to focus on the favors 😀

This is going to be a total blast.

OK I have LOTS more to do, so Im on the run. Come back tomorrow for the Saturday Sketch, and some peeks at MORE C.C. Designs to be released sets! AND I gotta finish My Timeless Templates samples for you.

Id LOVE to hear guesses on what YOU think is next 😀

Thanks for reading

They are HERE!

Lily & Billy Winter Stamps are up & ready to order 😀 Go HERE!

Is that set not adorable?! Living in New England winter is a LONG season, so I can get some good mileage from this set. I love it. I also love the sample I have been holding onto!

 I’m just over the moon for this next card! I made it a few weeks ago and have been DYING to share it. Its just something that was in my head, but wasn’t sure it would actually WORK, KWIM.

Well it DID! Brace yourself 😀

(OK it IS possible Im over excited about this one, but I don’t care, Im tootin my own horn)

Lily Makes Snow Angels-a interactive card

Here she is. The coolest part is you move that little tab up and down, OR side to side to make her arms move, and look like she is making snow angels.

Im sure Im going to have to do some sort ot Tutorial but I seriously am SWAMPED here and don’t have a spare minute. NOT ONE! The Papertrey Ink release is QUICKLY approaching, and I just had to do Noah’s birthday party invites, and plan his party (His day is the 13th but the party is  on the 16th-more on that to come. Im SUPER excited about what we are doing for his party!!), PLUS I have to get you all some rockin samples for my newest release of My Timeless Templates ©!!! You are going to DIE when you see this months release 😀

OK onto the card-

I just stamped her on my white base using a gray ink. I then stamped her body three times, cut and colored it.

The bottom layer is her torso and legs. In the torso I used my slot punch in the middle layer so I could adhered my “handle” to the arm piece. The next layer is just the arms cut out, with the middle strip portion of cardstock holding them together (OK that may not make sense when reading it, but trust me it works). Then the top layer is her face, and torso.

Her arms go UP & DOWN

OR……………………………………………….

They go side to side!!

Is that not the coolest thing ever?! Im pretty happy with the end result. I think she looks UBER cool.

So there you have it. The rest of the card is nothing fancy. Just wanted to keep the focus on Lily. If this doesn’t make you love her, I’m at a loss 😀

Thats pretty much it. Like I said Im pretty crazy here with releases and party stuff.

Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think! I wanted to do the legs too, but figured I better go for the arms first time around.

Later

This is like the 4th post  for today, SCROLL down!!!!!!!!

I have another CUTE peek! Ready?

This card today is from the set called Around the World.

Monkey Wishes

I know you ALL adore this monkey! How can you not?

When I saw the little guy peeking out from the ornaments I thought “How cute would he look popping out of an ornament box?”, so that is what I did!

I used some American Crafts cardstock, and created my gift. Added some red cardstock for the “ribbon”. The box had to have filler overflowing, so I attached some of that too. With everything going on in the giftbox, I wanted the actual card to remain simpler so the focus stayed my cute lil monkey!

Look! Is he no the sweetest thing?

Jay and I went to Hawaii to get married, and the sentiment is Merry Christmas, in Hawaiian! So it has a special place in my life 😀 I had to use it! This st features not only CUTE images, but many sentiments, in many languages, which is really great.

Release party will be–> HERE <–November 10th! Be sure to check the ATS blog DAILY to enter the give-aways!

Here is the list of what is left of several sets being released from C.C. Designs.

4th- Brandon & Sadie Soccer-YESTERDAY PEEK

5th-Christmas Around the World

6th-Cupcake Occasions

7th-Forrest Friends

8th  Glam Girls III

and 9th-North Pole

Thanks for reading!

Today I have another peek using Pink Cat Stamps Lily & Billy Winter Stamps. They will be released TOMORROW!! YEAH! Wait till you see that card 😀 OK Maybe I shouldn’t build it up so much. Its just one of those creations, that you get an idea, and it works……….. perfectly!

In the meantime, I will share this card with you.

I really love the cute ice skating image. I kept my colors “cool” and icy. These two are just too fun to color.

 I decided it would be like a pop out card, only not fold out. I just use a hobby blade to carefully trim them out.  I also stamped my sentiment inside.

Make sure You check out the Pink Cat Studio Blog for more samples from the designers, and Contest info.

Enjoy!

Well Kim from  My Favorite Things decided after hearing what YOU wanted to make our releases more exciting, that we would all do a blog hop!

The release is happening TONIGHT HERE! From 9p-11p EST. Be sure to check out the forum HERE, for some SALE INFO too!!!

So by having a blog hop, that means you follow a “chain” of people to click on, and in the end someone gives away a surpise!!!

The chain will start with Kim! So if you are here, start there! If you are following the “chain” then after you leave here you want to go and see Candice

BEFORE you do that, you can see mine…….

This set is called Cupcake Flopsey

Hoppy Cupcake Day!

Since I adore this new set, I chose to use it for my HOP! I thought it was an especially good choice for the “hop” due to the sentiment, and image!

This card has LOTS of added elements. My bunny is flocked, so she is nice and furry. I used liquid applique and glitter for my puffy sparkly frosting. YUM! I added my page pebbles for fun 😀 I also found that the cupcakes from the Dino-Mite set were a perfect companion, as was the party hat from Let’s Go For a Walk 😀 I just added dots to the hat with my marker tip.

My colors are Lemon Tart, Ripe Avacado, Pure Poppy, some Sweet Blush ribbon, and American Crafts stripped paper.

That’s pretty much it.

I hope you like it, and enjoy the HOP!

I know, call me CRAZY! Don’t commit me yet!!

I decided on a huge whim that I am NOT making my Christmas cards this year! I BOUGHT THEM!!

Before you pass out from the shock, keep reading.

So I was going though my emails, and I had one in there from the American Cancer Society.

This is what it read:

————————————————————————–

This year, do two good deeds at once by sending your holiday greetings in a card designed by the American Cancer Society, New England Division.We have six cards to choose from.All cards will say: In the spirit of the holiday season a contribution in your honor has been made to the American Cancer Society, and you get to choose the sentiment.There are no fees for printing, shipping, or processing, and 100% of your donation will help the American Cancer Society continue its programs of public education, patient support, lifesaving research, and advocacy for social policies that reduce the public’s cancer risk.

—————————————————————-

How could I NOT do this?

Christmas time for me is always sentimental for me. I ALWAYS look at the photos from the Christmas right before Alexa got diagnosed with Leukemia. I get a huge wave of emotions this time of year. So much can change year to year.

This one in photo in particular, ALWAYS stands out to me.

Her long dark brown hair. So shiny and thick. You cannot tell by the photo but it was down to her waist. She looked so happy, and full of life. Christmas for Alexa always begins in July! She gets out the movies and starts with the carols! She’s so funny.

 I often wondered if that would be her last Christmas, once she got sick. I HATE those photos of her. It makes me really remember that you never know what may come from one year to the next. Who will be with you, who won’t. What can change in a single second.

I felt so vulnerable. Something I loved more than anything was threatened to be taken away by a horrific disease. There were too many scary times to count. So many times I planned her funeral in my head. Im not saying that to be morbid and negative, its just the raw truth of what you are faced with. I often would not let my mind wander, for the thoughts that would fill it were awful. Many tears flowed, and still do time to time. I don’t think I let myself deal with it head on. I couldn’t let it all in then. I still feel like it was one big BLUR. Two and a half years of going through the motions.

Then came the following year, Alexa and her now bald head, holding her gingerbread house. She was so proud of that house. Again full of life, happiness and the magic she once had. I was amazed at her, being a typical kid, after everything she had gone through, once again so happy.

That photo makes me happier that the one before. It is proof that God can answer prayers, and that research makes a difference. Too many other mommies lost their babies before me, so that research could later save mine. My baby is still here, but no one is promised tomorrow, NO ONE. When you come close to feeling that, it never leaves.

I cannot tell you how thankful “I” am personally for all the research that has been done over the past decade. I learned that had Alexa got sick just 10-12 years ago she would have most likely received a death sentence with her diagnosis! But with research she had a 96% Cure rate, and is currently in remission! The fear never leaves, but I truly believe she has beat this. I believe God has big plans for Alexa.

I thank God DAILY for that. There are no words to say what that gift means to me. So I decided I would support a cause I was affected by and believe in, and at the same time I make a small difference, and let go of the STRESS of making all my holiday cards!! Its the one thing I don’t enjoy about the holidays. I am relieving myself of that and the guilt this year!

Now don’t think I’m not going to make stuff for the holidays, I absolutely am! I have my new My Timeless Templates, and other fun ideas that will help with that. I just decided this was a nice thing to support, and gave me a fabulous excuse out of something that stresses me out every year, as I’m not big on mass production, and it will allow me more time to focus on HANDMADE stuff for everyone again!

I will also include a photo of all of us in there, like I normally do. I may not even go through the crazy hustle of the professional photo shoot! I want to keep it fun and natural. No crazy poses and waiting for 2 hours for our appointment. I want to take this season and be thankful, give back, and start new traditions.

So thanks for letting me share my liberation! I hope you check it out too.  I feel so good about it.

Also Alexa’s set– 100% of the proceeds support Pediatric Leukemia & Lymphoma Research! Sorry I had to toss that in there for those who may not know about it 😀

Well thanks again for reading. Tomorrow I have 3 more posts!

OK maybe I AM crazy! LOL!

Good night world 😀

This is the THIRD post for today. SCROLL DOWN!

Yeah, totally crazy, I know 😀 But isn’t it fun to see so much in ONE place?

It’s a lot of TYPING, and who knows if you are READING it, but if you skip that long winded mess I usually type up daily, I can’t say I blame you 😀

Now lets PRAY I remeber all the info you need, and get everything done without forgettign something major.

Im loving Melissa’s Lily & Billy Winter set. Its from Pink Cat Studio and is being released Thursday the 6th. The samples are all from one set, and today I have 2 cards to share!

Also don’t miss theBLOG, for more samples, and your chance to win!

The first one use the entire image-

There is NOTHING as awesome as red & white together. Im not a red & white person but I adore the color combo. Maybe its a subliminal message from my TARGET loving receptors in my brain 😀

I wanted some really cool POP of color, and I love how the red brings out all the other colors I used too. The blue, green and orange really look nice against it.

More using my chunky glitter! Get this Martha Stewart has some chunky glitter. I was told about it, and RAN to Michaels. Well, its not as chunky as this, for $10 for the large jar! Mine was only $2.99!! AND I think its prettier. I warned you that you would be seeing this on like every creation I make this week 😀 Im loving it. I think it makes it look like they actually pushed through the snow, don’t you?

On Lily’s jacket I did whip out the Liquid Applique! That is a winter card time staple for any paper-crafter.

Now my cool snowflakes in the bkgd, THAT my friends is the pink snowflake punch from Marvy. I punched out some sticky sheets I got from Scor-Pal. You can make any shape sticker, or use it for lots of cool things (ideas to follow 😀 soon). I then stuck the sticky punched snowflakes and glittered them up. Looks totally cool in person.

Now I have 2 more samples-one is really cool, but Im saving it for the release day :C sorry!

But this one is cool too-

Dashing through the snow…………

He’s down………..

This is an interactive card. I used the SAME image as the card above, I just cut Billy out, and made him able to JUMP, up and down in the snow 😀

Now he’s up………

Pretty cute huh?

I just used the slider card idea to make him do this.

He jumps up & down in the glittered snowhills.

I love the guava and pumpkin colors together! Who would have thought, cute snow card color? Its different, and I really like non-traditional colors like that. I actually made this for the Pink Cat Studio challenge, then remembered we couldn’t use a new release :C So I had to wait.

Oh well, better late than never.

So for my bkgd I used an OLD SU! punch. One of my faves. I just punched some flakes and then lightly tapped on some white craft ink! Its dulls the guava, and makes it more “snowy” looking. Add some white flakes using a singlo gel pen and you are ready for a snow-day!

For my sentiment, I was going for a soft & subtle look so I applied my vellum OVER the sentiment instead if behind. It give a nice & soft look, that doesn’t overpower the main image.

I love it. You can tell I had fun using those lil clippies and polka-dot ribbon too. I think when you enjoy something, or the creative process just flows you can really see it in the end result! So remember to have FUN!

OK I need to go now. Its late at night, and I may noe make sense anymore. Plus family calls. Wait till you see my last card using this set on Thursday! Oh boy! REALLY cool 😀

As always, thank you for reading.

Later