I'm giving a whole new meaning to "the early bird catches the worm" this morning.  Not only am I up and functioning at 4:45am, but I'm also being productive.  Working on my blog and then heading to the scrap table to work on a paper angel for Christmas.  In fact, I'm on a roll with Christmas.

It's very rare that I make Christmas cards, but this snowflake idea has been on my mind for a while now.  And, just recently, I've discovered bridal tulle!  I'm loving that stuff.  It's so soft and pliable and adds great dimension.  I'm feeling the need to pick up a few more colors.  I just think that the little bit of tulle tucked into the snowflake gives it just that little something extra!

Well I'm off to the scrap table!  Enjoy your day and find some time to craft!

The holiday season is here and it all begins with my daughter's birthday this Friday, the 16th.  From there on it's all a blur.  I have been trying to get some gifts made this year.  So far I've managed to get two done.  I also hope to get to some handmade ornaments.  Don't be a hater, but I could use a good snowstorm to get me in the spirit.   Nothing like the beauty of freshly fallen snow to remind me of the wonders of the season!
I've been on a roll with shadowbox frames this month.  I've completed three so far.  Here's another that I will use for a Christmas gift.  All it needs is the frame!

Have a wonderful day and get busy on those handmade presents!  Christmas will be here in the wink of eye!

How lucky am I?  Shari sent me one of the Pins for Points that she created for October.  And it was so gorgeous that I knew it deserved a frame.  Isn't this one of the most beautiful cards you've ever seen?  I just love it!

Trust me when I tell you that the picture does not do it justice.  It is stunning in real life.  The layers of boughs behind the angels heads adds incredible dimension.   This will certainly become a treasured Christmas decoration in our home!  Thank you again, Shari.

And remember, each month we will be posting various pins from Pinterest to jump start your mojo.  So what are you waiting for?  Come join us at www.bostonscrapfanatics.com.

In my best singing voice:  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere I go ...

But I am determined to honor Thanksgiving first!  I got a feeling the holidays are going to be a whirlwind this year.  I am feeling the pressure to get a few gifts made and have one finished so far.  Well, it's almost finished.  It needs to go into a 12 x 12 shadowbox frame.  I have it on order, and am just waiting for that wonderful UPS guy to deliver it!

It's for a friend that just had a baby boy.  The papers are G45 "Little Darlings" and the chipboard embellishements are from Crate Paper.  That little train just had to win a spot on the canvas!

I'm currently working on one other for Avery's Nana!  I'll post a picture of that one once it's done.  And, speaking of Avery, I'm almost done with her first year book.  I am holding two spots: one for a Thanksgiving picture and another for a Christmas picture.  Once I have those, the album will be completed.  Yay me!  It feels so good to finish a project!

Now on to BostonAreaScrapFanatics news.  We are doing "Pins for Points" again for November.  There are some great inspirational projects posted.  Check 'em out here:  www.bostonscrapfanatics.com  And, this past Saturday was our fundraiser Crop for Cooper.  It was a small event, but we did manage to raise $500. The highpoint of the day was Cooper's visit.  What a nice kid he is!  And a miracle!  That child is walking without assistance, speaking clearly, and showing no physical handicap.  Thank you God.

Well, it's Monday and I need to get a move on.

Have a wonderful day and an even better week!

Well Sandy you certainly left your mark on New England!  In all my 60 years, I do not remember a storm of such proportion here in the Boston area.  The damage left behind by this hurricane was unimaginable. All of our family and friends are safe, and I hope that yours' are as well.  So many were flooded out of their homes and others were evacuated for downed trees and loss of electrical power.  Just a crazy storm.  But we New Englanders are rugged souls and will manage to get through the aftermath of this historic storm.

One positive thing that Sandy brought along with it was time to stay inside and work on some projects.  I finally finished my wall decor project taught by Lynette Carroll at our September retreat.  And now I've got the bug to make another one.  

Here's the one that Lynette taught us:

I love how Lynette worked the little frames into the wall art.  It not only adds interest but also tons of dimension.  Those little white rectangles are holding place for photos.  I have some very old photos of family that I am hoping to put in place.

I am planning one out for a friend that recently had a baby boy.  I will be using G45 "Little Darlings" and I'm excited to get started on it.  

This weekend is "Crop for Cooper."  And I'm bringing this project along with me.  I will be sure to post a picture of it once it's done.

That's it for now.  

Happy Halloween!

I don't need to tell folks how difficult this economy has been on families.  I've been very blessed in that we have not been impacted by job loss, or home loss, or financial stress.  Unfortunately, that is not the case for everyone.  Specifically, many years ago (30+) I met a woman online at a craft site called Krafty Kreations.  It seems impossible that it was that long ago, but despite the years and the distance (she lived in Texas) we were able to remain good friends.  Olga has since passed, but with social media I have been able to keep in touch with her family.

Christina, is Olga's granddaughter.  And this is what I found on Christina's FB wall earlier today.  I am posting it here because I am of the strong belief that the meaning to life is people, and to help those we love when they are in need.  If you know me, then you know that I try to live my life accordingly and to share the many blessings that have been given to me.  If this is not the meaning of life, then I truly do not know what is.  

***

Ok Family and Friends , I am going to have a benefit for Rick real soon. He got let go from his job due to his illness. So no insurance to pay for him to see specialists. Going to need your help. I will post when and where soon. If you would like to help, or have any questions, inbox me. Thanks ♥ you guys!! God Bless

And as  a forward to her announcement of the benefit:  Ricky, Christina's husband, was hospitalized last week with what they had originally diagnosed as pneumonia.  After a surgery to relieve the fluid in his lungs, they determined that he had a staph infection in his lungs.  He was in critical condition and underwent yet another surgery.  He is home, but unable to work and in need of more medical attention.  The rest is explained in her FB post.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  And, please feel free to email me at onlycarol1@comcast.net for her address, should you find that you are able to help out, in whatever way possible.  Thank you! 

Hellooooo Friday!  I'm up and at 'em early today!  I just love when I'm up and functioning (that means highly caffienated) well so early.  I love feeling like I have an edge on the day!

The morning news is on and the buzz is all about Hurricane Sandy.  It appears that she will be hitting us here in the Boston area, it's just a question of how badly.  But the Levesque's are ready - bring her on!  The only last minute tasks will be to bring in a couple of potted plants that are still out and thriving.

So I've been talking about all of the fun things happening on our forum.  I tell you, we have some very talented folks there.  They are kind of like hidden jewels in the sand.  If you've been following the blog, you've seen that amazing Halloween mini that Dawn made for our mini swap!  We are trying to convince her to send it along to G45 for publishing but Dawn's nature is quiet and unassuming and so far she's not feeling the need to take us up on our suggestion!

We also have our Holiday tag swap going on!  Then there's Pins for Points and Tina's weekly Tuesday challenges.  In other words, tons of inspiration for your scrappin' pleasure!

And, let's not forget the Crop for Cooper.  That's coming up quickly on 11/3.  You can email me for details: onlycarol1@comcast.net

I've got lots to do, so I better get a move on before today's early 'edge' is over!

Have a wonderful weekend.  See you soon!