Congratulations to My BlogHop Winner!

I just wanted to post the winner of the first Blog Hop I participated in.  This was such a positive experience and I had a fabulous time.  I've not been able to visit all of the participants blogs yet, but I will.  Thanks for taking time even though I noticed that most of you were out shopping early this morning and many of you did get great deals on your crafting supplies.  I love that

The winner of the Black Friday Blog Hop is Theresa of JuicyCreations.  Congratulations!  You have won a three pack of Sizzix, Sizzilits, named Baby Animals.

                                                                                          Keep Crafting,  NayNay

Black Friday BLOG HOP is sadly coming to a close

Hi!  I just wanted to let you all know that there is still time to get some of your friends to follow me.  I am so thankful and grateful to all of you who are following me and thank you for very much!

At 9:00 pm PST I will be drawing a name for my giveaway which is a Sissix, Sizzlits 3 Die Set.  It is so adorable.  The set is Baby Animals by Dena Designs.  There is a rabbit, a sheep and a duck.  I just loved this set so much.  I'm sure any of you will enjoy it.  Even if one does not have a small child, there is always Easter; which is when and where I use mine.  I tried to upload a picture of it but I was unable to.  I understand that this is a set that is being discontinued.

Well, I hope you've had a great time and if you just landed here, you still have an hour and five minutes to hustle to the other sites and get some good blog candy.  Hurry, we all love having you visit.  See the line up below:

                                                                              Keep Crafting,   NayNay

Black Friday Blog Hop Continues

Hi, welcome to the hop!  If you have just stumbled upon my side; Fabulous!  If you've arrived because I was the next on the list, see the blog entry below for what to do.  I've learned that my pictures are not very good and I apologize for that.  On this side they look fabulous.  My digital took a dive last week and I've not had time to get it repaired yet, I will definitely work on that!  Again, I'm so sorry if you cannot see the pictures because the little purse is so cute. 

Any way, I have changed the parameters of participation:

Follow me and try to bring two followers.
Leave a comment telling me about your best crafting purchase you made during black Friday
and Please give me five things you are thankful for. 

I am thankful for...
*the fact that I still have both of my parents (they are 84 and young)!
*my three grandchildren, the lights in my eyes!
*my crafting addiction, it doesn't hurt anyone!
  I know we can't eat anything but TopRamen because of it, but hey
  aren't we all just "watching our weight"?
  Just Kidding LOL.  I don't think I can ever be completely serious.
*My four tiny teacup poodles.  Fabulous
*All of my family and friends...including all of you who I am meeting
  through this blog and Facebook.   You are all important to me! This part
  is serious!

So, to one and all have a fabulous weekend.
I will run my digital down to the digital camera hospital and see if they are able to resuscitate her.  Probably not, since it's the holidays and they will think they can sell me a new one.  Nada, I think I still have my old one (I'll go look now).
                                                                         Keep Crafting, NayNay

Get Ready, Set and it's almost a Go...

It' a busy, bustling day.  I am so crazy busy, well it's just crazy!  Don't forget to join us Thursday evening at 9:00 pm, PST.  I will post all the information tomorrow so you will know where to start if you just happened upon my blog unexpectedly and you are in the mood to win fabulous prizes.  I am giving away a fabulous prize for the first person who follows me and brings me 10 new followers along with  comment giving thanks for 5 things in you are thankful for in your life. 

I am so excited! I have an adorable little shopping project and possibly an additional green and black project which is the theme of our little Blog Hop.  Shopping and green & black.

So, please stop back by; get your swerve on and get me ten new followers and follow me yourself.  Also, you need to leave a comment and tell me 5 things you are thankful for. 

Icy, Icy Day Today Perfect weather for a Blog Hop!

Today has been an interesting day to say the least and I say that because, if any of you are familiar with the Northwest you know we do not get severe weather.  Well, not only did it snow last night (not a lot, just a dusting) our temperatures dropped here at my home to 22 degrees.  I ended up talking with the nicest gal in New Mexico and she has it was cold there; 80 degrees. What I wouldn't do for her weather with all these post injuries I have, I'd be in heaven there.  It's hard to recover from being hit at 55 mph when you're sitting still.  No worries, I will be fine!

I just wanted to let you all know that I will be keeping this light for the next few days, with the Holidays here and with everyone getting ready for them, there won't be much time for much.  I'm going to post a few pictures here of just a few cards.  These were made for our Community Center.  We give food and clothing to those in the community who need help.  I've been doing this for a couple of years and it gets to getting busy.  If anyone is interested in helping me.  We are adding any type of card birthday, Valentine, Sympathy, whatever type of card you'd like to make.  I'd love to have the help.  I hadn't thought of asking for help from anyone until I saw that Chris over at Turned Gypsy asked for help and that made me realize that I do not have to try to be super human!  The cards I have made to date are thank you cards; however, we will accept any type of card.  They are for our communities under-privileged.  Just leave me your email on the comment below and I will contact you with the address to send them to.  Thanks Chris for the idea. 



This was my favorite card I designed for our Local Community Center

  

Thank you cards for Community Center





Thank you cards for Community Center



These are four of my favorites.  I made 15 different designs.  That seems like a lot but I make them all the time, therefore, it really isn't allot as it gets tiring to make the same one.  However, their marketing people like to have some continuity with them

As far as the help in making the other cards it is from all ages of people to all ages of people.  We started thinking how nice it would be for the members of our community to be able to give their loved ones a card commensurate with the day without having to pay a large amount of money.  If you love this idea; I would love the help.  If you start this in your own community; let me know!  I love to give accolades and  I just may come up with a fabulous idea in the near future.  God Bless.  I'd love to hear from you. 

Don't forget to join our Blog Hop on Friday, at 9:00 p.m. 

There will be a prize for the Hopper who can bring me the most confirmed followers or networkedblogs. 

Keep Crafting, NayNay





Thank you cards for Community Center



Sunday night, Cards almost done.

I am so proud of myself, I must say.  I sat down at 1 p.m. today and completely prepped 60 Christmas Cards within three hours.  Tomorrow morning early, I will have them completely together and packed to be mailed to North Carolina.  I have such a wonderful friend there.  We used to be part of a group called the Goddess Girls and I was the middle Goddess; just because of time and life circumstances we are now all living in different areas.  So from Vancouver, Washington only one is there now; I live in Canby, Oregon and Janice (affectionately called Janie Bear by me) lives in North Carolina.  Anyway, as you've no doubt noticed, I tend to get off the subject a tad; we decided to do a craft trade.  I've been seeing these adorable crocheted poodles and she needed Christmas Cards.  So I believe that she made me a pink girlie poodle, a blue boy poodle and a baby poodle in exchange for 60 Christmas Cards.  I love the barter system.  What a great way to pick up items that you want! 

Little story behind why I wanted them.  I have four teacup poodles.  My oldest is a grey female, 10 pounds and 10 years old; her name is FiFi.  My next to the oldest is Tobi, he's dark grey, male, 6 pounds and 7 years old.  Then comes Mequia, she is silver, female 4 years old and between 3 and 4 pounds.  Last but not least my youngest male is 3 years old, he is 2 to 3 pounds and what is called a party mix color.  Just a little pet talk. 

I'm going to try to participate in the Black Friday Blog Hop, so please joint us.  It will be my first.  I decided there was no why I was going shopping, so next best thing.  Crafting and blogging!

For the rest of the evening I am going to try to complete the design on my blog.  I apologize that it changes a little every time you come online, but I am trying to get it perfect and there are still several items that I need to have posted so that you are able to view cards and other projects myself and others have created.  Thanks for your patience!  More tomorrow.

Thanksgiving is approaching at warp speed

This will be short and sweet today, I've a lot to do this weekend.  Hope you all have a fabulous weekend and be safe

One of my FB friends had asked a general FB question of what to do when companies are spamming via text and calls on your mobile.  Other than the National Do Not Call list one can also go here:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10280533-94.html

I did try to cut and paste the whole paragraph, however, their content is copyrighted, of course!  So there are two links there to carry out stopping these companies.  I always thought spamming should be called "worming" as it seems these companies are great a worming their way in everywhere, anytime, any place, well--nothing seems sacred any more. 

Don't forget to visit Bic-Mark-It on Face Book.  They are having a give away.  In fact, head over to my friends blog (of course,I use the work "friend" and no doubt would be if we lived close to each other, but we met via the FB/Blog world) and sign up to follow her if you love to win things.  She updates daily, I believe and she's fabulous!!

http://scrapbook.creativebusyhands.com/

I love her banner.  It is adorable.  She is very knowledgeable also!

Do you feel like you are getting overwhelmed with reading all these fun and fabulous blogs?  Just sign up for Feedburner, Reader, or any other type of service.  They will send you a list of the blogs you are following and give you a snippet of that days blog so you can decide if you'd like to spend time on a specific blog.  Try it, you will love it!

Ok, I'm off for the weekend. I'm finishing my cards and want to prepare for next week so I can upload the projects I'm working on and the cards I'm making so you know that I am legitimate and can create. 

Silly me, How'd I miss a whole day?

I'm in such a great mood today.  I cannot contain it.  I've had news that the blog is finally live!  Whistles blowing, horns honking, kids screaming!  Oh wait that was at the football game the other night!  LOL

Seriously, welcome to my first two followers; Vera and Emily in order of signup!  Welcome and I hope I will be able to help you at anything you may need in the future. 

I spent yesterday designing Smiley Cards (Free Cricut Cartridge downloadable from Cricut.com on your Gypsy).  If you haven't updated in a while; run, don't walk to Cricut.com and update your Gypsy!  Note:  you must download from the Cricut Sync to have these appear on your Gypsy.  I also found out by error that you must also delete your Gypsy Sync prior to downloading from the Cricut Sync.  I know this sounds confusing, but if you will just read the directions carefully, it will explain.  We received five free downloads:  Christmas, Smiley Cards, Indie Art, Blackletter (love, love, love) and Printing Press.  I just did a check at http://www.cricut.com/gypsy/promo/default.aspx and this offer is good as long as you have purchased your Gypsy by December 31, 2010. 

I've been spending most of my time putting together this blog, so I will now have time to start cutting out all my designs and will post pictures.  Tomorrow, come back because I will be uploading a few pics of cards I've made that bear notice.  Also, if you don't have a blog and would like to show off your creations; I would love to show them for you!  If you'll scroll to the bottom, you will see one of my favorite creations to date by a FaceBook friend.  It is made from the Cricut Cartridge, Once Upon a Princess.  I think you will like it to.  Her blog is at lovetocreatecards.com and she has a FaceBook page called Cricut Cards.

Well, off to do my design and cutting work for today or I will never be ready for Christmas, let alone Thanksgiving!  Also, must find out why my links are not showing!

Time to Get Ready for the Holidays

Well, it hit me today that I cannot procrastinate any longer, I must start and not quit until everything is completed through out the holidays.  Since I'm self-admittedly behind, I won't be wordy as always. 

This Thanksgiving I'm thankful for mending fences with a good friend of mine and I thank God that we were able to get to this point.  I am also thankful for being able to help friends new and old with their crafting questions.  Today is the first day I've started to advertise, so there have not been any visitors yet, but I'm a very tenacious person, and I will stick with it until it becomes a hit!

I encourage everyone to visit the blogs that I've linked to.  It never hurts to win something once in awhile!

I have little other to report than, whew; I am busy.  Just like every one else is. 

My new site that I cannot live without is:  pdxneatsheet.com.  I've linked my blog to it and hope you'll like it too.  My guess is that while it's not about crafts, it is about fashion, jewelry and our metropolitan area.  If you are not from this area; I understand that most major cities have this website also, so enjoy!

A Day of Rest

Silly but true.  After thinking about my sketches all night, I decided to take today to just relax.  I was always taught Sunday was the day the Lord took after he created the Heavens and the Earth; so, since he made us in His Own Image I too took the day off.  After all, I did prepare everything to cut on the Cricut Expression using my Gypsy.  Love the new Layers!  I hope you all are getting to use all your crafting goodies for the Holidays.  This year I am not hosting Thanksgiving, so I just let that part go and let my daughter and her new husband worry about the decorations for that.  I may make a wreath (just a small 10" one) to take as a hostess gift.  Don't forget to take a hostess gift if you are going to someone Else's home for the Thanksgiving Holidays.  Taking a dish is not enough.

Hostess Gift Idea:

Honestly, I cannot remember if I read this in a magazine or saw it online, but I am not one to steal any one's ideas so please know this is "borrowed" from elsewhere (I just cannot remember where or find where I saw it for that I sincerely apologize)!

I personally would use a thin 10 Styrofoam wreath.  Make three to four types of leaves along with a mirror image for each leave.  Cut out a variety of autumnal colors to make it look real and please don't forget to emboss them.  Don't worry if you don't have a leaf embosser.  It is so easy to just put a line down the middle with a few veins on each side slanting downward.  Next take about 4 inches of wire for each leaf and using paper glue, glue mirror imaged leaves together with the wire inside, directly in the middle.  After you've made a collection of them.  Take floral tape and at different levels tape the leaves together  After you've a large bunch of leaves completed, start applying bunches of leaves going in one direction around the wreath form.  When complete, apply a bow, or a group of small gourds, pumpkins or attach a Thanksgiving Pilgrim (your wreath; your choice) to the top of the wreath.  Now arrange the leaves in desired fashion and (I leave this part until the very last, however, you could do this prior to gluing) shadow leaves with chalk.  One last little cute idea.  If so inclined; you could use the bottoms of acorns and glue a piece of quilling paper rolled the whole length of 18", the push from one side carefully to form the "acorn top".  Very cute and will last forever or just for the season.  Hope you'll try this is takes very little time when you vary the sizes and types of leaves and use the "fit to page" on your Cricut Expression. 

Hope this has given you ideas.   I was even thinking you could so this for Christmas using gingerbread boys and girls, snowflakes, stars, and whatnot.  Anyway, before I go:

There are free giveaways on the following blogs:
MyPinkStamper
TurnedGypsy
Lots of things happening out there.

Also, don't forget to stop by Oh, My Crafts you will love that site!

Have a fabulous evening and take care!
Before I forget, get your Pink Cart!
Get Your Pink Cart!!

Long Day, Christmas Card Planning

Do you ever do this?  You have your top 10 cards that you are going to make for yourself and those people whom you make their Christmas Cards for and at the last moment; CHANGE YOUR MIND?

I've spent all day dreaming up 10 new Christmas Cards and sketched them out, then tried to salvage the paper and embellishments that I had already cut with my Sissix and my Gypsy.  Darn those new cartridges, they get me everytime.  Hopefully, by tomorrow evening I will be on the road to starting to make all the cards I have to make.  I'm getting such a late start this year because my lovely daughter got married late in the summer and no, I was fortunate enough not to have to lend a hand in that arena, but I did have all the sewing to do for the flower girls and myself.  Then at the end of the week, just one day prior to her wedding, I went out and bought a dress almost exactly like the one I was making.  The problems was that I was sewing from a German pattern and the bust was entirely different than our measurements her.  Not to telll the world, but I'm pretty busty and the pattern was too small even though I have the large waist and hips to go with it, for some reason it just would not fit and to date I have not
been able to get it to fit.  That is almost more exacerbating that changing my mind about my Christmas Card Design. 

Luckily I only will have about 250 to make and should be done within a day or two, so not a problem; RIGHT?

I heard today on Scrapbook Memories TV from Stacy Julian that if we all spend a portion of everyday writing expressively and positively that our lives will improve.  Maybe that is why I have a great life.  I do love being about to craft and have no constraints on my time.  If you've never caught the show Scrapbook Memories, it is on BYU (Brigham Yound University) TV every day Monday through Friday at 3 a.m. and 3 p.m.  I just love this show.  There are a lot of re-runs, but I just set my DVR and if I've already seen it then I delete it. 

Hope you come back and visit.  As you can see, this is a new blog and I'm not sure I even have everything posted that needs to be, so bear with me and I promise, I'll make it special!

Oh, don't forget to visit Oh My Crafts on line.  They are having a wonderful Black Friday Sale for the next fifteen days!  I just had a blast and I shop a lot and know prices and they are rock bottom lower than any I've seen; at least on the web or here in little ole Oregon!

Weather and Crafting

Canby, Oregon sits just Southeast of Portland, Oregon.  We are all a bussel here and preparing for Christmas.  All of our major holiday bazaar's are open this weekend; in fact, one large one opened last weekend.  I absolutely love this time of year!  Not only does the weather lend itself to crafting, but it's just cozier.

I have a list of Christmas projects so long, I cannot believe it.  However, I'm not going to worry about it at all.  I know I'll get it done.  I decided to do everything just like "we" (my employees and myself) use to do when we had a large project at Swedish Hospital in Seattle.  List the products needed, set each step up in order (an assembly line), wrap and mail those items that need mailed prior than December 23rd.  I'm so blessed to have a Cricut, the Christmas cartridges and the Gypsy to help me accomplish all of my holiday projects.  I was going to list all of the items I would be utilizing this holiday season, but at some point, it becomes bragging and not just a mention of the products we love so dearly. 

I just have a feeling that this year will go smoothly.  Believe me, I will let you know as I go along if I'm on course or not!  Good luck to all of you and please share with us if you have any ideas about how you are accomplishing your list of holiday projects. 

Oh, just a side note.  I said I would list the other two binding products I use for putting together all types of books that I use.  They are Bind It All and Tozicle,  The basic difference is the Bind It All binds with wire and the Tozicle binds with plastic combs.  Both projects will accommodate most lengths however, only up to 1 inch on the Bind It All.  The other is much smaller.

What Can I say about Provo Craft?

Seriously, I love Provo Craft, then I dislike them very much, then I  realize that I cannot live without them.  I just found out (from the BFF, Michele) that she purchased a My Story for Christmas, brand new for a crazy, crazy low price--I mean 75% off.  How could she go wrong.  I love making books and that's what I'm all about.  Well, that; cards and scrapbooking.  I don't know what I did before I had all these goodies to enhance my art.  It's safe to say I will use this book binding system a lot, even though I own two other systems also.  All three have special things about them, so I'm not sure which I will like best.   I also have a Big Shot, the mini Sissix and a Xyron Personal Electronic Die Cutter along with my Cricut Expression; and of course the Design Studio and the Gypsy.  Can you believe that I'm even part of the Cricut Circle; however, decided at this time not to order the Cricut Imagine.  I have decided to try to wait a good six months prior to purchasing the Imagine until all the "bugs" get worked out.  Notice I said try?

Any way if you've not noticed this yet and you own a Gypsy, as long as it was registered with PC prior to October 31, 2010, you will receive four downloads when you go on the Cricut Sync found by doing your regular gypsy sync  After that is completed delete the program Gypsy Sync but check first and make certain once the new information "Cricut Sync" is loaded on your desktop which has it's own icon.
Once this has been completed you will be able to upload your photos to the Gypsy and also do your layers.  I have all day tomorrow to play with this and I can hardly wait. 

One last little note.  My mother is somewhat of a hoarder and the other day she brought over several little cards that I made when I was about five.   I guess this is just in my blood.   I will pull them out soon and upload pictures of them.  They really aren't too bad considering they were made when I was five and the time was in the early 60's.  Acid free?  Ah, no acid free, archival, nothing just good ole construction paper!  I love them.  Watch for those soon.  God Bless and have a great day!