Inspiration Hop Day 1: "Stately Flowers 1", "Make a State-ment", "Close Kit Friends" and "Because of You" Duo

Good morning!! Thank you for attending our party last night and welcome to our first day of Inspiration Hops with the Gina K Designs team! I have to say, I love all my sets in their own way, but I am especially thrilled to bring you this month's "Stately Flowers 1" and "Make a State-ment", introducing the beginning of a series that has been one of my all time favorite experiences illustrating! I spent several weeks drawing all the different state flowers and I can't tell you what a pleasure it was to research all these glorious florals, studying hundreds of photos each, wanting to them as detailed and accurate as possible, many of which I'd never seen or heard of before (having only visited certain regions). What an amazing time of discovery! With the music turned up as I drew, it was like making a cross country road trip with the top down and everything in full bloom!

Collecting these sets over the next year will be like a journey of your own, enjoying so many fantastic and unique flowers America has to offer!* Whether a set contains a flower for your home state or a friend or relative's state or not, I know you will enjoy these detailed botanical illustrations for coloring or just making some really pretty cards for anyone, anywhere! Here I swiped that same piece I used from the CAS card with Frayed Burlap Distressing ink and added a star I cut out of a piece of moonlit Fog CS embossed with Stars Cuttlebug folder. Card also uses Kraft, Red Hot and In the Navy Pure Luxury.

I think you'll also really like the shading in these images which makes coloring a snap, it helps show where to put the darker colors, or even easier, for example just use one shade of green on a stem if you have a more limited supply of coloring media (and/or want to save time), the darker rendering in the image will make your color in these areas appear darker when you add them! Flowers are my favorites to color so I'll be sharing lots of tutorials for them here, come back often, because all four of these new beauties come in LOTS of different colors!

I've lived in Texas my whole life and have only had the opportunity to travel to a handful of other states, but the friends I've made here over the years have spread across the US. I am so excited to have these set to really personalize cards for them to honor where they live now and send them sweet memories of where they came from, as well as create special cards for cyber friends I've never met in their great states, it's a little bit like getting to visit them referencing the map (my geography isn't the best, so there are a few instances I have to check and make sure which state is which) or coloring a native flower!

I think "Make a State-ment" is such a versatile set, and I"m really excited because while lots of guys aren't into flowers generally ALL guys LOVE MAPS, this is going to be a great image to own! My 6 year old William said "I love this one so much I have to color it RIGHT NOW!" and he sat down and used a different Copic for each state (then left them all out on the desk, booo!) Fifty colors took awhile, but there are SO many ways to highlight just the state or states you want, with paper piecing or these little elements in the set: thumbtack, arrow, etc. TIP: The greetings are much more versatile than at first glance also, because you can omit inking the "in" or to" and the end of each if you want to just stamp a card saying "have fun" or "Come see us", no state required! :)

This card uses Soft Sand cardstock, again the top panel is sponged with Frayed Burlap and some Vintage Photo. Map is stamped in Versamark and I used a lavender Copic to fill in Colorado. Columbines can be almost any color, but I colored this one to match the Rocky Mountain Columbine, which is the official state flower. Nestabilities die is Labels 14, sponged with Wild Honey Distressing Ink.

We've also created a free set of 50 free pdfs, one page for each state, that you can download from StampTV to use with both these sets. This way you have every state name, in different sizes and fonts, for smaller tags, cards, or large scrapbook pages to use with the "Make a Statement" set and flowers right away, rather than having to wait for your particular "state" to come out!

Here you can see I have stamped a few of the greetings from "Make a State-ment" and framed them with some random Nestabilites, they will work with any shape. The one on the right side stretches across a card front like in the Texas sample, the one across the bottom is perfect for an 8 1/2" x 11" or 12x12" page border, and I've allowed for a generous amount of room around the remaining smaller words on the page so you can do larger cropping with images in different ways.

Last we have some stamp duos! The first uses this cute little dancing silhouette "Because of You", it reminds me of a Ty Wilson print I had on my wall in the late 80's early 90's! ;) Instead of a silhouette, I decided to do a bunch of Direct to Stamp coloring on the image with my Memento Markers: Desert Sand for the skin, Angel Pink for her dress and Ladybug to draw on some flowers and ink the shoes, Rich Cocoa for the hair. I did this in two layers, stamping twice and cutting to make on tuxedo dimensional. Don't forget to huff on the image before stamping to moisten the ink!

You can take the fine tip of the marker to go over any areas you want darker or add more detail, I also used a Sakura glitter pen for some sparkle and a rhinestone for her little earring. :)

Then we have the "Close Knit Friends", I thought it would be really fun to put this knitting basket with this stocking paper from Echo Park Holly Jolly Christmas and color all the yarn balls to match. Cardstock is Turquoise Sea and Lipstick Red, I added some Pure Luxury buttons and little bit of bakers twine.

Thank you very much for visiting and please enjoy the hop! Don't forget to lave comments along the way for a chance to win a grab bag full of 12 different stamps images from Gina K Designs, the more comments you leave the more chances you have! Comments will be drawn randomly and Gina will announce the winners! (While you're here, why don't you tell me where from!) :)

• Gina K
• Melanie Muenchinger – Illustrator Stately Flowers and Make a Statement
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Giovana Smith
• Jennie Harper
• Jimmi Mayo
• Lee Murphy
• Michelle Woerner
• Sharon Harnist
• Suzanne Dean
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher

*How did I choose which to start with? Well, as you know I live in Texas, my relatives live in California, and I know a couple special people in Wisconsin and Colorado! ;) Future sets will be a combo of states large and small, with a good mix of very different looking blooms!

Gina K Designs Release Party Tonight, You're Invited!

Good morning! We are very excited to extend an invitation to you to the Gina K. Designs November Release Party! We have a fun evening planned for you as always- chatting, prizes, challenges, stamp sets reveal, design team shares, and most important, SHOPPING! :) But unlike previous parties, you will be able to buy everything you want right away, because all the new products will be ready to go at 7 PM CST, no wait!


If you came from Michelle Woerner's blog, you're at the right place. If not make sure to head over to StampTV where you will find a list of all those participating in today's hop.


Here's a clean and simple card using the bluebonnet my new "Stately Flowers 1" and a greeting from my new "Make a Statement" (plus a freebie download for you!) I'll be showing you a "pumped up " version of this, "Texas-style" at the party! ;)


I really hope to see you at tonight, if you have never been to a Gina K release or are a "standard fixture", the new format will be much easier to navigate and promises even more fun than usual! Here are all the details:

When: Today, Tuesday, November 29
Where: StampTV Release Party Forum
Time: 7 PM to 9 PM (CST)


Now please head on over to Lee Murphy's blog to see what she's sharing with you today and see you back here tomorrow for the beginning of our three day Inspiration Blog Hop series for November! Thanks for visiting!

Here come the Flowers...

Hello! Hope you all had a terrific and safe holiday (or just a nice, long, relaxing weekend if you didn't just celebrate Thanksgiving in your part of the world!) We just returned from Dallas and I need to go stamp like CRAZY to get ready for our release party Tuesday night, but I just had to share some special photos my boys and I took that I thought you'd love while visiting the Dallas Arboretum with my mom and brother!






Hope they inspire and excite you for things soon to come, are you ready for some new FLOWER STAMPS?? (Check here for Gina's Facebook peek if you haven't already seen it! (Do you think the guesses are right?)) :) TTYL, thanks for visitng today, such a big fun week ahead with the party and hops, so come back!

Black Friday Special from Gina K Designs!

Ready for a great special and some shopping? You know Gina wouldn't let the day after Thanksgiving go by without serving up something extra fun for you! Check out these extra freebies duo stamp sets you can get today only when you spend $50 or $100 or more at Gina K Designs on any products you choose! (Plus, don't forget you will still earn "Free with three" set if you buy three sets of stamps!) So which are you favorites above? I'd love to know! Get the top two with $50 or all with a $100 purchase! Collect them all! :) It's a great time to stock up on cardstock and consumable as well as cross some of those stamp sets off your wish list or get gifts! (Can Christmas really be only one month away, eek!) Happy shopping! This special ends at midnight, so don't miss it!

I hope you all had a terrific holiday yesterday! Feel free to share here what some of what was on your Thanksgiving menu, I'd love to know!

Thanksgiving

"You never know much of a
difference you make
in someone's life until they tell you."

~Susan Boyle

One my fitness instructor's Karen shared this at my step class* a couple weeks ago, and we spoke about how often we can assume that a person we admire so much and see doing great things must know how much people respect and value the work he or she is doing, but the reality may be that person often questions giving up not really knowing if the effort is worth it. Never underestimate the power of letting people know what their words and actions impact others. It goes beyond the gratitude of making someone feel appreciated, but acknowledging how they make a difference in your life and how worthwhile their time, efforts and talents are, what they may need to keep going. There are so may people I need to go say "Hey, I think what you do it terrific!" to, and what better time than Thanksgiving? On that note, I so appreciate all of you who visit here as well as on StampTV and leave such positive and encouraging comments,tips, etc for me, I can't imagine blogging without it! :) You're who I write if for, you know!

Hope you all have a safe and terrific holiday with people you love! God bless!

*It is so nice because our church has a fitness facility, all classes have contemporary Christian music and finish with a Bible verse or two, prayer, or inspiring story, it is such a nice way to finish the workout and start the day! (Live in the Austin area? Check out The Quarries, maybe I'll see you there! We are really enjoying our family membership, although my kids are too young to work out in the weight room or participate in the classes, they have fully equipped game room, rock climbing wall, basket ball court, lake for canoeing , fishing etc.) I'll do my best to share tidbits and scripture here I find that is speaking to me as often as possible!)

Brains and Perserverance

Here is a quote I found in a pictorial biography of Anne Sullivan I found in the children's section of the library, I want to write it on my heart and had to share with all of you.

"I know that the education of this child will be the distinguishing event of my life, if I have the brains and perseverance to accomplish it."

Anne Sullivan, Helen Keller's teacher

Amen! I really enjoyed learning more about Anne Sullivan's life, this brilliant woman behind a brilliant woman, and all her sacrifices (far behind what we've seen in The Miracle Worker) and ingenuity that allowed Helen to be all she could be.

My children are my greatest responsibility and legacy I have on this earth and I don't ever want to forget how focused, disciplined, creative, and persistent I must be to finish this work. (If that distinguishing event or work in your life isn't a child, I hope this still speaks and ministers to you today!) :)

I am busy wrapping up stuff before vacation, as well as cranking out new samples for our Gina K Designs release next week (and working on a freebie for you this morning!), you are going to love LOVE it all!


Update: 12 pounds lost! woo hoo!

Gratitude Hop!

Welcome to another Gina K. Design Team blog hop. Today we're featuring cards with a "Gratitude" theme to them. If you came from Lee Murphy's blog, you're at the right place. If not, make sure to head over to StampTV where you will find a list of all those participating in today's hop.

Here's what I came up with today. I loved the idea I saw on a few blogs during our inspiration hop to use just the topper from the "Basket Additions" set to make a tag or focal point along the bottom of your mat or die cut without needing a basket, here I stamped the fall arrangement, colored them with Copics, and cropped it with a Petite Oval Nestabilties. I sponged some Frayed Burlap and Antique Linen distressing ink over the die to match the Basic Grey Curio DP (also used it to paper piece the fabric cover on the jar). I was able to create the perfect greeting using three different sentiment stamps in this same set: first I inked up "sending you" and the "&" from "hugs & kisses" sentiment, stamped, then added both the "thanks" and "blessings" on either side.

Card also uses Pure Luxury White, Cranberry Tart, and Black Onyx. Originally, I was going to stamp a large leaf from my "A Year of Leaves" set to tuck under the tag, but I loaned it out (oops!) so I improvised with a real leaf off my porch, it IS that time of year! :) I used a hodgepodge buckle I had for some bling and cut a thin strip of another piece of DP from the Curio pack to make the border. The yellowish orange faux ribbon picks up the coloring in the image and balances out the real leaf in the design.

Now please head on over to Sharon Harnist's blog to see what she's sharing with you today! Thank you for visiting, I hope your week is off to an excellent start!

Food for Thought...

Last month I watched a documentary on NetFlix while working on some illustrations called "Fat Sick and Nearly Dead", (you can watch the trailer at that link) about a successful businessman named Joe Cross who over the years had gained an enormous amount of weight, as well as developing a rare and very painful skin condition that required lots of medication. He decided to radically change his life and diet by doing a 60 day juice fast and documenting the process while touring the US. Along the way, he loses the weight and talks with people all over the country about eating and weight loss, inspiring many people to start juicing, even meeting a man at a truck stop who has the same skin condition Joe had (after losing the weight and doing this cleanse of fruits and vegetables his skin condition went away and he was able to go off the medication). Joe told the man he would like to help him lose weight and hopefully clear up the skin condition the same way he did if he's willing (he was) and the second half of the film follows that man's inspiring journey with juicing.

There is a wealth of information in this film about food, eating and weight loss, and seeing the multiple ways the many people who began juicing lives had been transformed I decided it was time to go get a juicer! The film listed the related website where you get information about the fast, recipes, access chat rooms and ask questions of nutritionist for help and about what to expect. I've been meaning to really tackle the weight that continued to creep up since I started working for Gina four years ago (now that's not Gina's fault, mind you, just being sedentary at a desk and blowing off the gym because I'd rather be drawing/blogging/stamping, LOL!) I've also had some health issues as well that I began to think could be diet related after watching this movie, and just generally wanting to feel better, so sign me up! (it's free)

I did not buy the juicer they advertise on the Reboot website, I did some research and decided to go with a cheaper model that was rated good quality and a great value (Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Pro Juice Extractor - $59.88 at Walmart (rollback, that's almost 10 bucks less than I bought it there for last month!!) I don't need to lose as much weight as Joe did, but I was ready to jump into the fast ( a shorter one), however, I found on the website you don't just start fasting with the juice but start phasing out some junky foods and meat over a week, adding in more fruits and vegetables, and then moving to just juice. (During that phase out period I made a really terrific discovery I will tell you about in another post!) After a time doing that, how long depending on your needs and goals, you start adding proteins and other food back in. the website has several different programs you can choose form depending on what you need to do. I am not following any of the programs exactly, just making tons of juice using their recipes* and the recommendation to "eat a rainbow every day" by making sure I am getting all the different colors, rather than just eating all on kind and getting only certain nutrients.

From October 7 to November 7, I lost 10 pounds. Over the past few years I have never been able to lose more than about 2 or 3 pounds at a time without gaining it right back. Working out only wasn't doing it. Trying to control my portions wasn't either (because then I'd splurge somewhere else) I was basically just making one poor choice a day or every other day that prevented losing. Now I have to let you know I have been very successful at other times in my life to lose a good deal of weight and keep it off just controlling portions, but I realize in hindsight the food I was eating weren't very good for me. This is easily the best I have ever eaten in my life from a nutritional standpoint!

The juicer is SO easy to use. I printed out about 25 just fruit, just veggie, and fruit and veggie combos off the site. It is as simple as buying a bunch of produce and throwing it in the juicer, peel and all! Out comes the juice, drink your meal! I'd had fresh juice years ago from juicer, but never anything more exotic than carrot/apple. To give you an example of what all a "lunch" or "dinner" juice might contain: a sweet potato, red bell pepper, 1/4 red head of red cabbage, orange, apple and a lime! That's a ton of pure nutrition in that glass! Breakfast might be 2 pears, 2 apples, 2 carrots, some grapes, and a 1" x 2" piece of ginger (if you like ginger throwing a big piece of this in any fruit drink makes it a total exotic treat for your taste buds!) A glass of all that really satisfies me, I don't feel hungry hours afterwards and it makes me realize how empty a lot of the calories I ate before were that would have me feeling hungry shortly after or overeating.

I've told many friends abut how much I am enjoying this diet and almost everyone responds, "I couldn't do that. I like food too much." Well, you know, I like food, too. But amazingly, I've found I have no cravings for any candy or sweets like I used to I guess because there are so many natural sugars in my fruits, my "sweet tooth" is happy! I'm not bring militant about this fast, meaning if there is an occasion to eat something I have, like a couple sensible dinners with the family each week, modest portions but mostly salad at a church pot luck or if my husband's grilling just a small piece to say, "thanks, honey, you bring home the bacon!!" along with my juice. (There was also that tiny candy bar I tried on Halloween! (and you know, it was yummy, but it didn't have the same effect it would have had before in making me want another, my brain and palate have been retrained so that a lot of things now seem "too sweet"," too oily", etc) I've also made homemade hummus (chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic and olive oil in the food processor) to eat with pita bread. Honestly I'm starting to prefer my juices to everything, that almost instant burst of energy you get from it is fabulous!

About three weeks ago I started working out as well at our church gym. (Prior to that I'd lost 6 pounds with just juicing) It's getting so much easier to have all the energy I need to complete the workouts now that I have less weight to move around and and have better fuel to burn! (I expect my weight loss will probably also slow down a bit as I begin to build muscle.) I think all of you who exercise a lot will agree with me that when you are really pushing yourself physically, foods that aren't going to give you a lot of energy to use really lose their appeal, seem "dead", know what I mean? (They had a huge spread of baked goodies the other day at Bible study and I had no problem passing it all up for just a hot cup of peppermint tea, since I'd already had my juice that morning!) :) I would like to lose 10 more pounds and am confident I will by the end of the year, even with the holidays coming up, because now that I've been doing this for over a month, I've created some really healthy habits and know I can and will replace previous breakfast and lunch or snack choices with some juice. The film suggest many people do an occasional "reboot" where they juice for one two weeks as a cleanse.

The only downside is my husband's a little disappointed I think I'm not indulging in all the food we used to together, but I know he's glad I'm making good choices and perhaps it will even start to rub off on him. ;) I am still cooking for the kids but they are getting more and more curious about "Mom's juice", and I think drinking your fruits and veggies is great way for kids to get some of those things (kale?) they might normally turn their noses up at. ;) Thanksgiving might be a little tricky to navigate in a few weeks, but hopefully family won't pile on a ton of guilt over not feasting on everything they put out!

Please let me know if you decide to do this, we can all root each other on! I hope you will watch the film if you get a chance, I'm so glad I did! I have a few other books and films I've read and watched recently that are related, I'll tell you about those soon, too! Have you seen the film or tried juicing? I would love to hear what you think!

Whew, this was a long post! I really hope it helps you or you will pass along the recommendation to someone who might benefit from it. (I won't tell you the whole thing, but there are definitely people in that film who discover they are practically writing their own death warrant with the food they eat!)

* I've also gotten to where I can just throw in different things I like and know they'll come out tasting good, it's pretty darn cool how well all the foods God made go together! :) One of my Bible study mentors told me after I said I've been juicing: "Yes, someone wise once said, "Don't eat anything God didn't make!"

Cooking Light

Check it out, in keeping with the healthy changes I was telling you about, look what came in my inbox today! Perfect!

My latest favorite deal is this 2 year subscription to Cooking Light magazine for only $15 ( 24 issues, regularly $5 each-$120 value) That makes each issue, with almost 100 tasty but health conscious recipes, only about 64 cents each! My friend, who is also a GREAT cook, loves and subscribes to this magazine, so I am really excited to get it; now along with that steal of a Bon Appetit subscription I told you about for my husband recently, I'll be armed with some fabulous low fat low calories options to offset those undoubtedly richer meals!

If you buy this, it is an instant voucher whatever shipping address you put in, automatically sets up your subscription. It also had an instant download of some of their favorite less than 20 minute recipes (looking over it now and considering Lemony Chicken Saltimbocca for dinner, mmmmmm!)

This would be make a great gift for someone too, the holidays are fast approaching!

Do you get Cooking Light already? I would love to hear what you think of it! :)

Blog Candy Winner

Thank you everyone for commenting and entering Tuesday's blog candy! Of course, you are all winners for making healthy choices for your life! These efforts to take good care of yourself will bless you, as well as set a good example for your loved ones (and most likely keep you on this planet longer for everyone to enjoy your company! :) Embrace these good habits and notice how much better you feel! (And remember to share your success with others, it really helps everybody!)

I used random.org to draw my winning number today , but I have to say again really enjoyed reading all your posts and appreciate the good tips and encouragement you had! The winner is


Janet Z , who said...

Way to go Mel!!! I've started going to a Zumba class and I feel so much better!

November 8, 2011 3:15 PM

Congrats Janet, (I love Zumba too, wish they had it at my new gym!) please email me your snail address so I can drop the Spring Basket set in the mail, to you!

Okay, I need to go finish up and photograph some cards, as well as type up my story about how much I love juicing now! (Also, I just found and purchased another great HEALTHY deal to share with you!) Good stuff! Have an excellent day!

PS The year before I started I started illustrating, I worked out a LOT, two hours a day! Zumba was my favorite, I even was thinking I'd like to become certified as a Zumba instructor! I'm kind of glad that didn't work out though, (otherwise I probably wouldn't be illustrating), aren't you? :)

Diet Melanie, Caffeine Free (and Blog Candy)

No, this is not a new soda, this is the new and improved me, soda free! (I've never been a big caffeine person, I would just drink an occasional soda (coffee smells and tastes heavenly, but it makes me jittery, I really don't need the extra energy, I'm kind of already a little hyper as it, you know? (can you tell how fast I'm going?!) so I almost never drink it, we're talking like a couple times a year, when I go get my favorite lavender mocha) but I have been a fan of Coke Zero for quite a while. I'd have one every other day, maybe once a day as a treat. They're calorie free, so what could it hurt? Well. It got really, really, REALLY hot here this summer. And sodas were on sale... so I bought a stash of Vanilla Coke Zero AND Diet Coke with Lime in addition to my regular Coke Zero. And being as hot as it was... my once-a-day soda, turned into about three. I noticed my sleep was a LOT more disrupted than usual. I'd also been having trouble being able to donate blood because my iron was too low to qualify. I found out caffeine blocks your iron absorption. Although my husband had been telling me for quite awhile that soda doesn't hydrate you (but he drinks them, too!), I finally started to believe him.

So now, water is my friend. I haven't had sodas for over three months and I am completely OVER it! My mood is so much more even and I sleep like a baby, go down quickly and wake up 8 hours later in pretty much the same position I lay down, feeling alert and rested. Wow! Nice! I've noticed too I don't feel all bloated, and I've read many times that drinking diet sodas make you want to eat more, because of the empty calories. I believe it! Anyway, I don't miss the soda. What do I drink now at my desk? Water. Wonderful caffeine free teas.

Just thought I'd share in case maybe any of you have wondered how much caffeine affects you, or maybe even very small amounts could be throwing you off. It can be hard to quit because you usually get headaches from withdrawal, no fun, but when you stay super-hydrated, you really don't and being hydrated is key. Unfortunately, my iron was still too low to donate blood these last two months, I wondered how could my iron be low now? Get this: I am so hydrated my blood is "runny" says the tech, and it's diluting my iron! Huh, go figure! It's a better problem to have, for sure.

I am also super excited to tell you about my recent weight loss (10 pounds and counting!) and the huge changes I've made in how I eat, I hope it will inspire and encourage you, I just really needed to finish and post this since I started it for you at the end of the summer! Hello Fall! (I am also trying to get my craft room super clean so I have room to craft, that was getting a little out of control, too!)

Have you made a healthy change in your life/schedule recently? Please share! Leave a comment below, I will draw one name tomorrow to win a copy of my set "Spring Basket", great for mixing with my most recent sets: Holiday Basket, Basket Additions, and Basket Buddies! (BTW, I am so stinkin' excited for you to see what I have coming out for you in a couple weeks, eek!)

Have a terrific day! (tea-rific! I really should go make a tea card with Mugs and Kisses...hmmm...) :)

New Friends and Inspiration!

God morning! I had the pleasure of being introduced to a stampy kindred spirit named Marita at our church potluck this past Sunday, and I got to go visit her at her over-the-top adorable house and stamp room on Friday to brainstorm about getting our card ministry off the ground! This is just ONE END of her ginormous stamp room, or what I left thinking was "the happiest place on earth"!
And here is Marita herself, with her little Jack Russell terrier, Maggie, what sweethearts! Marita's whole house was the girliest, artsiest, most colorful place I've been in (she says you can do that when you live by yourself!) and I came away completely inspired by all her altered art, decorating choices, and impeccable organization! She also has a huge pop of red (her favorite color, just like mine!) in every room, be still my heart!

I could have taken about a hundred pictures of things I loved, one being this playful monkey that keeps the mood light in here!
Practically every inch of her place is decorated and bedazzled with collages and things Marita has made herself. Her stash of crafting stuff is as inclusive as a Hobby Lobby but she also makes she sure she puts all the stuff she collects to use, I love it!
Finally here is a pic she snapped of me snuggling with Maggie on the overstuffed couch (sorry for some of the pics being a little out of focus, the morning light coming into this huge room made things a little blurry) Having a sitting area in my craft room to chat and chillax like this would be my dream come true! I am just so excited to help Marita fill this room and warm, inviting home up with ladies from the Quarries for some cardmaking and fellowship!
(By the way, how do you like my new 'do?! Smooth and sleek here, just blown out by my hairdresser!)

Another big bonus, Marita wants to buy all my old, "well loved-but not being used anymore -needing a good home" stamps! So this will be the first step in the very long process of getting my craft area organized, decluttered, trimmed and slimmed down and hopefully turned into a more useful, enjoyable space!

Hope you are having a terrific weekend, I'll be back to sharing some stamped stuff very soon!

Did You Survive..?

...Halloween last night? Twenty some-odd blocks in high heeled boots last night about killed me LOL! Here's my little white ninja and menacing skeleton on the porch o' webs before heading out!
Here are a couple favorite pumpkins I spied along the way, at different houses but both inspired by Halloween Classics: Jack Skellington from "The Nightmare Before Christmas"...
and Linus from "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" :) Thought both of these people had some crazy good carving skills!

Hope you all had a terrific time! The kids came home with pillow cases full of about 5 pounds of candy each , seriously William couldn't' even carry it all the way back to the house! We arrived home to find the candy bowl on the porch completely empty, but thankfully my nice bowl was still there! I think Jonathan is thinking he might want to stay home next year to pass out candy, we saw so many families having fun camped out on the porch just enjoying all the people coming by!

Here is the evidence that out of ALL of their haul I only indulged in one tiny fun size Snickers Almond, which I decided to make a diet exception for since I had never had one previously (very tasty!) and the kids really seemed to want to share something with me! Just how IS this former sweet tooth resisting so much sugar and chocolately goodness you may ask? Juicing! Can't wait to tell you more about it! :)

Have a terrific day! It's November!