BEATE'S SKETCH CHALLENGE - AND A NICE GIRL NOMINATION

Yeah, I finally got to do Beate's sketch challenge - I had to miss the last couple because well, life got in the way - LOL! I have to say though, this one is my favorite so far - I really like this sketch! I used all SU! products and broke out one of my new holiday mini sets. I just love the Santa Claus and foresee a lot of stampin with this little guy in the near future! Anyway, here is my card. I hope you like it! Here is the recipe: (all products are SU!)

Cardstock: Rose Red, Dashing Designer Series, Whisper White
Stamps: Naughty or Nice
Ink Pads: Black Stazon, Rose Red
Accessories: Rose Red Brads, Liquid Glue, Dazzling Diamonds, Ticket Corner Punch, Stampin Write Black and Rose Red Markers, Word Window Punch

So, there you have it! Now, on to something that just tickled me pick - my bloggin' friend Barb so sweetly nominated me for the Nice Award! It really made my day! She is super sweet and wonderfully talented so get on over there and visit her blog - you will not be disappointed! And now, I have to nominate five stampers who I think are worthy of the Nice Award - gosh, just five?? I could name many many more. But, I have to follow the rules so here are my choices:
Kimberly because she has been such a terrific friend, cheerleader, and inspiration. She goes out of her way to help others, and is a great example of what kindness is all about!
Bev because goes out of her way to be nice and always has a kind word to say to others. She is truly a lovely person!
Laura because she is just the sweetest person! I love her friendly, heartfelt bloggin' posts and she is so helpful and pleasant! She is always so upbeat and she makes me smile.
Heather because she embodies the spirit of friendliness. She is very dedicated to her family and reminds me everyday how important that is.
Gina because she shows her giving spirit through actions that positively impact the lives of those of us less fortunate. I admire her very much!Well, like I said, I could go on and on but alas I can't - so those are my choices! I hope you all have a fabulous day and in keeping with the Nice Award, make someone smile today - you will be glad you did!

ALTERED FRAME

Good morning all! Last night I got the chance to play and I took it! My friend and I did some shopping yesterday and came across these wood frames at Target on the clearance rack. Of course, we snatched them right up and I just had to alter it. So, I did! Now, for all you SU! folks out there, yep, I used (gasp!) non SU! products on this project, BUT I did stamp *smile* so not all is lost. I used some DaisyD coordinating paper so I could mix and match on the frame and I used a small piece of the patterned paper to cover my SU! flower chipboard. I then used my liquid glue and some dazzling diamonds to give it some sparkle. The buttons are from my stash. The stamp set I used was an old favorite - Doodle This. I will never get tired of this set - I absolutely love it! Then, I used some copper stickles to give it some pop and of course bling! I adhered the paper to the frame using Modge Podge and then sealed it with the same once it was all on there. This is the first time I actually covered the whole frame with paper instead of painting some of it, but I really like the way my frame came out - I just have not decided what pic will go inside. OR, if I will just stamp some more and make it a piece of home decor. I love all the options, don't you? I am not sure the pics give my frame the justice it deserves, but here they are! Let me know what you think! Have a great weekend!

A SWAP CARD

Hi all! Well, I am slowly but surely recovering from my hectic trip to Annapolis. Thanks to all of you for your kinds words about my son - I think he is pretty fantastic myself *wink*.

I actually had time to stamp today - well, I had to (how awful , huh?!) since I need a card for a swap I am going to do. I am not sure I like swaps yet because I am so nervous that people won't like mine that it kind of stresses me out! BUT, I decided to heck with it, and made a couple to choose from! I also got a chance to use some of my new paper and stamps - I love them! I had a big box waiting for me when I got back from my trip and inside were all my new must-haves from the Holiday Mini! I loved not having to cut them out - they are all diecut and so it took me about 30 seconds to mount them. Whoo Hoo! For this card I used my new set called True Friend; it has such pretty images that I see myself using this one alot! I enjoyed making this card and liked how it turned out. Here is one of them - let me know what you think! Have a great day!

CARD RECIPE
Cardstock: Really Rust, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Designer Series Double Sided Boho Friend
Stamp Sets: True Friend, Tres Chic
Ink Pads: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals,

Ticket Corner Punch, Paper Piercer and Mat Stack, Liquid Glue,

Dazzling Diamonds, Snail Adhesive

BACK FROM ANNAPOLIS

Well, I made it back - whew! It was certainly an interesting trip, that I can say! After 7.5 hours on the runway (yep, in the plane) then flight two flight cancellations, a security breach which shut down the airport in Baltimore (yep, I was there!) I finally made it to see my son! My husband also had hideous travel problems and neither one of us got there until Friday afternoon (we were sked to get there TH pm). BUT, once we saw Zach, all was well! He looks great but tired and he seems to be a lot more serious than he was before he left. He talked about hating the academy but loving it at the same time - it is a HARD summer for these kids and I just wanted to throw him in my suitcase and take him home but Tony wouldn't let me! I think Parents weekend is a double-edged sword really - it is great to see him and he was very happy to see all of us (we took his girlfriend of two years Nikki with us), BUT by the end of the weekend, he did not want to return to school. I think the homesickness is still there and I just wanted to wrap my arms around him and tell him it would be okay (okay, I did do that!) as I am having such a hard time with the fact that my baby is now a grown man! I never thought it would be this hard to let go BUT for me, it really is! Man, I love that boy! We did get to do all the things he wanted to do - we saw a couple of movies, we went to Outback, he drank Dr. Pepper all weekend, and he hung out in the hotel jacuzzi. He really wanted to lay around the hotel so we did. I think he is just exhausted and wanted to spend time with us talking and relaxing. We really enjoyed seeing him and I know he was glad we came. I have some pictures I would love to share of our weekend! I have to show off my handsome son in his new whites! So, here he is:

Isn't he so nice looking in his whites? Of course, I am biased but I thought he looked great! And Nikki and him make such a cute couple and he was so glad that we brought her (this was a hard discussion but I am
glad we did bring her since so many others were there as well). Of course, we needed a picture with our son as well and he was a good sport about it since all he wanted to do was get off the campus as fast as possible! And, I
really like this picture of Tony and Zach - I have very few pics of the two of them alone together and this one turned out great! The last

pictures are of me saying goodbye to Zach - how hard that was for me, I can't even describe! I tried hard not to cry and managed to wait until I was in the car. I can't wait to see him at Thanksgiving! As he was quick to tell me, "Only 102 days mom until I come for Thanksgiving!"
And yes, I am also counting down the days! So, there you have it - my weekend in Annapolis! Not much stamping done lately but I am going to be doing some tomorrow and
will have something to post for you all then! Have a great night!