{ Autumn Harvest }

In 1621

Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians

shared an autumn harvest feast known as the first Thanksgiving

celebration.

A time of reflecting on the blessings we're so THANKFUL ...

... From our home to yours

a Thanksgiving Day

filled with blessings and love ...

{ Daybook 3 }

For Today...

17 - November - '08

34.5 degrees out

windy - Brrr...

Outside my window...
one can see silhouettes of towering

trees at the forest edge against a dark gray skyline.

I am thinking...

of the turbulant times that lay before us all

during these economic times.

... continually pray for our fellow man.

I am thankful for...

... the GOD given ability to feel...

whether it be physical or emotional.

From the kitchen...

the lingering smell of a Sunday dinner of

roast turkey with the fixins'

potato with gravy

- and -

dill carrots

delish...

I am wearing...
... usual pair of LL Bean jeans

ls black tee

seedlin' green zippered fleece

happy sox

seedlin' green clogs

wedding rings

time piece

vintage gold charm bracelet

precious gold oval hoops

pancake pearls

- and -

a hint of Haiku

I am creating...

a niche for a wee bit of creating

time...

Christmas is coming.

I am going...

to be a bit ragged with the rigorous work

schedule before me this week.

however...

it's all good.

I am hearing...

the filtration of the 72 gallon bowfront

fish aquarium

from the living room.

I am hoping...

the snow will continue to hold off for another week

... maybe two.

Around the house...

dh is busily preparing for an earlier start to

his work day...

furnace just kicked on.

One of my favorite things...

is curling up on the sofa under a cozy quilt

my fur baby... Mox in tow

a good hot cuppa hazelnet to

whilst settling in to view an olde

Christmas classic such as

It's a Wonderful Life

- or -

A Christmas Carol

based on the original story by

Charles Dickens

A few plans for the rest of the week...

plans to don a few different caps

Chef's hat...

creating a homemade turkey soup with leftovers.

Gopher hat...

drop a couple of forgotten sweaters at the dry cleaners

Salesman cap...

school raffle tickets

... and spaghetti dinner open house

Taxi cap...

transporting a child between afterschool

art... chorus & band

programs.

I think you get the gest of things.

{ smile }

... last, but not least...

a picture to share

Hope is the thing

with feathers

that perches in the soul

and sings the tune

without the words

and never stops at all.

- Emily Dickinson

{ 11 + 11 + 11 = }

Armistice Day...

went into effect the

eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month

in 1918.

...not until 1926 did November 11th

actually become known as a holiday in the United States.

June 1st of 1954...

the name was changed to Veterans Day

to honor all United States veterans.

To all who've served this Great Nation...

Thank-you for an extraordinary job, well done.

Happy Armistice Day Bloggyland.

Photo found here

{ Daybook 2 }

For Today...

10 - November - '08

Outside my window...

...pitch blackness

I am thinking...

...keeping my faith Dad's procedure will go well this AM.

PLEASE don't let a moose cross our path...

as we'll never see him this early

in the morning.

I am thankful for...

... for GOD blessing me with a devoted,

supportive husband that can always

make me laugh even when I'm least deserving.

Thank-you both!

From the kitchen...

... smells of freshly brewed hazelnut coffee.

yum-o...

I am wearing...

... pair of LL Bean jeans

olive green cable v-neck sweater

leather coat

socks

pair of wooden chestnut clogs

wedding rings

precious gold oval hoops

vintage gold charm bracelet...

I am creating...

... a handwritten list for handmade Christmas gifts with

a bunch of items...

currently qualifying as an organized

mess.

I am going...

... to bed extra early...

I am hearing...

... the coffee maker...

I am hoping...

... to blog something, anything for my

Bloggyland friends this week.

Around the house...

... a peaceful quiet.

One of my favorite things...

... having a few quiet moments with a fresh cuppa

and Bloggyland friends... while the house continues it's slumber

accompanied by my ever faithful companion

... Moxie.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

... catching up on much needed slumber,

accomplishing tasks on an ever growing todo list

creating a birthday & thank-you card

... last, but not least...

a picture to share

More daybook entries here

{ 1st Daybook Entry }

For Today...

03 - November -'08

Outside my window...

Fallen leaves reflect the warm glow of a nearby

street lamp over the ground...

reverberating solitude.

I am thinking...

I've been away for such a long period of time

here in Bloggyland...

where does one begin to share again?!

From the kitchen...

The smell of freshly brewed chocolate cappuccino

... help yourself.

I am wearing...

jeans, ls brown tee layered with a seedling fleece,

soxs and seedling clogs.

I am creating...

Nothing at this very moment...

Hope to accomplish a card design using a new

paper punch that will be delivered by

week's end or sooner.

I am going...

to strive to be productive in my accomplishments...

like I did in my twenties

... at least this week.

I am hearing...

Someone getting an early start to their day.

I am hoping...

To make headway on the v-a-s-t project that lay

before me today!

Around the house...

A load of clothes to be folded, one for the dryer and another

to be thrown in...

One of my favorite things...

Autumn's...

vibrant hues of color, smell of hardwood smoke curling from a chimney,

good smells... such as apple and pumkin from the oven,

rustling of fallen leaves, warmth of a favorite sweater,

another Halloween & Thanksgiving celebration

... yet the passing of another season.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

Amongst the usual daily rigors...

continued success with weeding and re-organizing

the vast accumulation of clutter thrust out of

no where...

...last, but not least...

a picture to share

More daybook entries here

{ Remember... }

to turn your time-piece back an hour...

as daylight savings falls with October's passing.

November

Cardmaker's Calendar

4th - Election Day

Stand up and make a difference!

If you don't vote, you can't complain!

11th - Armistice Day

... or better known as Veteran's Day to Americans.

A handmade thank-you card to a Veteran

acknowledging our freedoms is a nice

gesture that we've not forgotten their sacrifices for our country.

13th - World Kindness Day

Could this lead to global PEACE?!

17th - World P-E-A-C-E Day

Begins with us extending ourselves to our fellow man.

Hopeful to see a global PEACE in my lifetime.

27th - Thanksgiving Day

What better expression of gratitude to those who

enrich our daily lives...

than with a stamped creation expressing our thanks.

28th - Black Friday

Whilest some complete Christmas shopping...

others will be trimming the tree or finishing up Christmas Greetings for mailing.

Ideas from INKAnews

Flowers for Daisy

Remembering so clearly...

The day my dear friend, Asela called to enlist help with assisting in the promotion of her newest set "Flowers for Daisy." Asela channeled her talents into creating this beautiful set with her special friend, Daisy in mind. You see, Daisy is currently in a courageous fight with cancer. Cancer has touched so many of our lives. My Dad was afflicted by cancer a year ago. Not to mention a dear childhood friend of mine's Mum was afflicted by cancer the same time, same year. We often humored that we were probably passing each other on our trips to Hanover. Humor is a saving grace. Each of us knows or has known someone afflicted by cancer.

$4.00 of every retail set sold will be donated to the American Cancer Society until the end of August as a collaborative effort by both, Asela Hopkins and Gina K. Designs.

Over the next few days be sure to visit these talented designer's blogs for inspirational ideas using Asela's beautiful set of nine images and bible verses, "Flowers for Daisy" available for purchase Thursday; July 24 at Gina K. Designs.

Amy Westerman

Asela Hopkins - Artist

Debbie Olson

Gina K.

Keri Lee Sereika

Lauren Meader

Sharon Harnist

Taylor Van Bruggen

Asela's written a beautiful post with a wonderful scrapbook layout of her friend Daisy... a definite must read. Gina K. is such an inspiration to the stamp industry with her generous spirit to help others with a cause. You might say, a bit of an angel here on earth. Gina... I sure hope our paths cross again in this life.

As you can probably see it's been a l-o-n-g stretch of time since I last picked up a stamp. It sure felt good to create again. Feel welcome to come sit a spell on the porch swing and share in some tea sipping conversation if your in the neighborhood.

Snail Mail to Cherish

Definitely a beautiful Blogger's RAK my blogging friend Tammy Fite of Stamp with Tammy snail mailed me... sure beats e-mail anyday of the week! {smiles}

Unfortunately my photo doesn't give this card the appreciation it deserves. The color combination is simply striking not to mention the ribbon detail! I definitely will "cherish" this beauty a long time to come... Never mind the personalization within. {wink} Please take a trip with a simple click to Tammy's blog for some great inspiration... you'll thank me later! {wink}

Definitely appreciated the ray of sunshine you lent to my day, Tammy! Thank-you! {hugs}

Always look forward to your swinging by for a spell. Enjoy the day!

Penny Thoughts

Phew... finally... a moment to share 2 of 3 "re-created" designs for this years AES Penny Sale donation.

During my l-o-n-g hiatus from blogging this was one of many projects on my honey-DO list as long as my arm and ever growing. {wink} I mention re-create due impart to the lack of photographing prior to delivery. This years penny sale raised just around $4,000 for the AES scholarship fund.

Card No. 1 -

1. Finished card measurements of 4 3/4 X 4 3/4.

2. Use a 1 1/4" square punch for 8 DP pieces and 1 solid square. Ink a BG with VersaMark and pierce. Adhere squares to card base... using dimensionals on middle square.

3. Punch either side of sentiment, thread ribbon, adhere oval to green square and finish off with two pearls.

Card No. 2 -

1. Finished card measurement of 4 3/4 X 4 3/4 with rounded corners.

2. Cut {approx.} a 2 3/4" X 4" strip of violet cardstock, stamp with BG and round corners with a corner rounder.

3. Cut {approx.} a 2 7/8" X 4 3/4" strip of olive cardstock, adhere a 2 1/2" X 5" strip of DP to your olive cardstock leaving an appealing amount of color to pierce on either side. Wrap, tie and randomly adhere ribbon into position.

4. Adhere strips in place. Using dimensionals add oval containing sentiment to ribbon. Add pearl accents.

XTRA -
1. Figure placement of card pieces prior to piercing unseen areas.
2. Add a clean finish to any card simply by wraping a layered strip.

Stamps:
- Lots of Thoughts by SU!
- Sanded BG by SU!

Ink:
- Eggplant Adirondack Dye Ink by Ranger
- VersaMark by Tsukineko

Cardstock:
- Old Olive and Vintage Violet {retired} by SU!
- Ivory {unknown}
- DP by Heidi Grace Designs

Accessories:
- Vintage Violet Stitched Grosgrain by SU! {retired}
- Pearls by Hero Arts

Tools:
- 1 1/4" square punch by EK Success
- 1/4" circle punch {unknown}
- corner rounder by CM
- oval punch by SU!
- paper piercer

Thanks for taking a moment to mosey over the pickets for a chat neighbor!

Flowers For Mum

Mother's Day A day observed in honor of mothers, on the second Sunday of May.

Hopefully all you mothers enjoyed your hearts disire on your special day?!

Mother's day was intended to be a quick trip to Capital City for a dress and shoes for Sophie. AES is holding their spring concert this coming Thursday evening. Sophie has a narrative part this year. {proud mom moment} A stop at LL Bean's proved profitable! LL Bean was running an additional 10% off everything in the store! The day ended with dinner out.

Do I... don't I... precisely the question I pondered while searching for just the right Mother's Day card this year? Okay, color me guilty for even considering the purchase of a card! My wonderful family helping me in my search for the right card. All the while proclaiming aloud how much nicer mum's {that would be me} cards are than these store bought things refered to as cards... FINE! I'll make a card! Well, here's where my creativity lead me... SIMPLE!

If time allowed and mum wasn't a regular viewer... I'd have chosen to share with all of you sooner! {wink}

MANY THANKS to those of you who continued to take a moment to visit during the days of my inability to post regularly.

May

Cardmaker's Calendar

3rd - Nat'l Scrapbooking Day

Workshops, crops and sales...

Join the nationwide event of stocking up

on supplies and ideas!

4th - World Laughter Day

Laughter being the best medicine...

Practice random acts of silliness to spread a little cheer!

6th - Teacher's Day

Create a personal thank-you with your child

for their teacher.

11th - Mother's Day

Remember Mum with a handstamped card,

and jot down a funny memory or poignant moment

that defined your life.

17th - Armed Forces Day

Honor those in the military with a

heartfelt thank-you for all they do for our country.

26th - Memorial Day

Originally called Decoration Day, a day of remembrance
of those who have died in our nation's service.
Flowers and small American flags are traditionally placed on graves
of fallen soldiers that fought to defend our freedom!

Ideas from INKAnews

April

Cardmaker's Calendar

10th - National Sibling Day

Reminisce of fond childhood memories with a

sibling by sending a card.

18th - Pet Owner's Day

Truly, our pets are part of our family.

Create a scrapbook page, a stamp craft project or card in honor

of a beloved pet using animal themed stamps to.

22nd - Earth Day

First celebrated in 1970, this nationally observed day helps

to inspire and guide us to keep our HOME planet

healthy! Learn how you can join in at

www.earthday.net

23rd - Administrative Professionals Day

Express your gratitude to those people who handle

the details and make your workday easier.

Ideas from INKANews

Tis' True

... I'm "missing" my Bloggyland friends! Unfortunately my workload this week hasn't alotted much time for putting stamp to paper! {sad face} Currently, I feel as though I've been dragged through a knot hole! Reminder to self... do not drink the iced coffee your DH comes bearing after work!

Today's share was originally created and accepted for the March edition of Cards magazine as a promotional for Kim Hughes cute curls stamp set. Unfortunately... it appears to have been cut?! Hopefully it comes home to roost soon. {wink}

As always I appreciate your fluttering by to extend a warm hello in my direction. See ya soon! {smile}

How Old...

Time to rise n' shine...

Hard to imagine it's FRIDAY already... where has this week flown to? {Yikes}

This isn't your typical "Anne" card, but strangely enough I find that everything of late needs to be "rounded!" {LOL} Besides... it carries the rounded tag nicely, don't you think? Not to worry... just a passing phase of mine. {wink}

When our daughter, Sophie saw this card I created for another blogger's birthday... her comment was, "_____ is going to be 59?" What... Upon closer inspection I noted the position of numbers within the collage. After responding to her question we all enjoyed a good chuckle! Hopefully the recipient will too? I've added a "cupcake" stencil, so that should make-up for any misunderstanding! {LOL}

1. Start with a 4 1/4" X 6" finished card.

2. Cut and set aside the 2 3/4" X 3 3/4" embossed number collage intense pink layer. Swipe with Brilliance moonlight white for added pop!

3. Cut and set aside the 1 1/2" X 5 1/2" embossed swiss dots strip of spring willow light layer.

4. Stamp image using chocolate chip ink to frosted pink. Stamp two more images on frosted teal and spring willow light, cut and layer to your tag.

5. Add ribbon, bling, play with your layout and adhere!

XTRA -
1. Purchase a variety of embellishments in white. This enables the customizing of trims, flowers, etc... using an ink pad or re-inker.

2. Embellish a sentiment using bling, brads or gel pen.

Stamps:
-Happy Birthday $pot (Kolette Hall) by Studio G

Ink:
-Classic Chocolate Chip by SU!
-Brilliance Moonlight White by Tsukineko

Cardstock:
-Frosted Pink, Intense Pink, Frosted Teal and Spring Willow Light by Prism

Accessories:
-Creative Candy Mini Star by A Muse
-Organdy Ribbon by SU!

Tools:
-1/16" Circle Punch by McGill
-Cuttlebug Number Collage Embossing Folder by ProvoCraft
-Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder by Provocraft
-Corner Rounder by CM

I truly apologize for abandoning everyone, but as you know it's Easter Sunday this week! {too early} My schedule hasn't afforded me the leisure of volunteering on the Easter bunny's behalf until today... so I'll be hopping along!

Thanks for taking a moment to mosey over the pickets for a chat neighbor!

$pot Thoughts...

After learning one of Sophie's past teachers was out of school with a terrible case of the flu last Friday. I also learned this same teacher would be out this coming week due to her husbands battle with lung cancer. {...thud}

Definitely needing a thinking of you card... yesterday found me creating this card with a $pot stamp purchased from Mikes almost a year ago! {ack!} Admittedly... the first time putting this stamp to ink! I'm resolved to creating with items in my midst and rationalizing all new future purchases this year. {kwim}

I stamped the fern on white cardstock using chocolate chip dye ink. Then using a blender pen and ink pads I colored in the image. A border of varied strips adds accenting color to the stamped image. Easy peasy! {wink}

Stamps:
-Thoughts Of You (Kolette Hall) By studio g
- Scratched Grid BG by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
-Chocolate Chip Classic by SU!
-Lettuce Adirondack Dye Ink by Ranger
-Willow Adirondack Dye Ink by Ranger

Cardstock:
-Desert Coral Light, Frosted Orange, Frosted Teal and Spring Willow Light by Prism
-Fossil by The Papaer Cut (Stamping Memories)

Tools:
-Blender Pen by SU!
-Xyron 250 create-a-sticker
-Dimensional tape by Scotch

Technique:
-Watercolor

Hard to believe another weekend has flown by! {shakes head} Believe it or not... tomorrow is St. Pat's Day for our Irish friends! Remember... wear green! {wink}
Cheers to our paths crossing tomorrow!

Springy Hello...

Today's card is one I've yet to share with my friends in Bloggyland.

After arriving home from our usual after school routine back in October... I found a message from Kim Hughes requesting me to call her regarding a project!? Long story short... Kim appeared to like my work enough to invite me to create some "spring" samples with her Cute Curls for a CARDS publication she was involved. Out of three samples provided... this is the one not published! There's always the off chance that even though a creations accepted for publication... it can still be CUT when the publication goes to print! {sad face}

Unsure... if I'll be able to share something new with you until Saturday. Today's another busy day with hair appointments and a "special" school district meeting at 7 PM that has teacher's and taxpayer's in a bit of a scrimmage! {shakes head} Yesterday, brought a call from the school nurse that Sophie was experiencing a headache. From what the nurse was saying there's a cold virus thats brought on suddenly with a nasty headache! {ACK!}

Stamps:
-Cute Curls (Kim Hughes Collection), Petite Patterns BG by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
-VersaFine Vintage Sepia and VersaMark by Tsukineko
-Olive Pastel Fluid Chalk by ColorBox

Cardstock:
-Walnut Brown by Bazzill (Stamping Memories)
-Certainly Celery and Soft Sky by Stampin' Up!
-Pale Pink Shimmer by The Paper Cut (Stamping Memories)

Accessories:
-Pearls by Kandi Corp (Stamping Memories)
-Ribbon by May Arts (Stamping Memories)

Tools:
-Flower Punch by Punch Bunch
-Tag Die by Sizzix
-Paper Distresser by Heidi Swapp
-Paper Piercer

Enjoy your day... looking forward to seeing you again soon! {smile}

Hoot & Holler Scholar...

Here's a THIRD sample created using U R A Hoot released last Thursday by Cornish Heritage Farms.

Graduation ceremonies are usually held between the months of May and June for universities and high schools. What better inspiration for a graduation card than school supplies? Substitute the graduates school name for the "composition" book label! Another idea... would be to adapt colors to correlate with a graduates school colors. {wink}

Admittedly... it's been a while since I've attended a graduation ceremony. So I'm unsure if this little owl graduate has positioned his tassel to the "correct" side? Hey maybe he's not reached the podium to receive his diploma yet! {LOL}

Stamps:
- Pretty Pattern BG by Cornish Heritage Farms
- U R A Hoot (Kim Hughes Collection) by Cornish Heritage Farms
- Foursquare (Kim Hughes Collection) by Cornish Heritage Farms
- Copyright Angel Stamp Plain by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
- Denim, Aqua and Mountain Rose Adirondack Dye Ink by Ranger
- VersaFine Onyx Black by Tsukineko

Cardstock:
- Frosted Yellow, Black and White Prismatic by Prism

Accessories:
- Black Brad
- Mini anodized gold paper clip by Creative Impressions
- Gold Tassel
- Dimensional Tape by Scotch

Tools:
- Edge Distresser by Heidi Swapp
- Watercolor Pencil
- Blender Pen

It appears we have NO big storm systems in the mix for New Hampshire this week! WHOOT, WHOOT! {wink} Might the Farmer's Almanac for this region have fortold untruth for Friday's BIG flurry forecast? Sure hoping so... keep everything crossed we don't receive Ohio's storm of late! Us Yank's commiserate with our Ohio friends.
Thanks for bundling up and braving the cold for a visit.

Cuckoo Time...

Hopefully you remembered to SPRING your clocks ahead an hour before you set off to slumber last night?

Did you realize it was Benjamin Franklin who first conceived the idea of "daylight savings" in an essay "An Economical Project" in 1784 as an American delegate in Paris? - OR- How London builder William Willet in 1907 was first to seriously advocate the idea in the pamplet "The Waste Of Daylight." -OR- Read here how we've evolved over TIME.

If you hadn't noticed... Easter "springs" early along with the time change this year?! Did someone fail to clue Mother Nature in on setting a precedence as to when the real mccoy begins! {sigh}

On another note I couldn't resist sharing my friend, Joyce's delightfully clever "cuckoo" clock creation! Not only is it bright and cheery, but so true... daylight savings drives some of us CUCKOO! {LOL} Thank-you for the smile, Joyce! {{{HUGS}}}

Today's rather blustery after experiencing monsoon weather the past couple of days here in New Hampshire.

Appreciate your paddling in to visit!