Wild Wednesday!

Yep it's another one of those, as I've got all kinds of errands to get done and finish up my Christmas baking, as I want to get a box of goodies shipped off to Danny.  He did find out his assignment after he is finished with his schooling.  He will be leaving for Japan in July 2011.  He is very excited about this and said he is ready for anything and everything that comes his way.  Oh to be young again and invincible! 

I survived my craft show weekend, which brought back all the memories of how FUN they are!  But oh the work in getting things ready and then surviving a busy, hectic day with shoppers!  The #1 seller was my decorated CANDY BARS!!  I woulda never thought that, but was HAPPY!!!!

My share for today is another item that was a good seller!!!  I am always so happy when I find the little things that I can afford to keep the price low on and find that my customers enjoy them too!  They are those paper mache boxes that you see at every craft store and I just decorated them up, so that they were more Christmasie and they make the perfect gifting box!  I painted them a Christmas green, I took some SU background paper and covered the top.  Of course I had to place some ribbon on them too, cause nothing is finished until it has RIBBON on it!!

I hope your day is a calmer then mine!

Hugs
MaGoooooo/maria

Windy Wednesday!

It is very windy out there, which equals BRRRR!!!  We have some flurries going on, but nothing much is sticking around.  It's just cold and gray out there.  Even the deer are hiding!

I've still been putzing on items for the BIG weekend at Sweet Peas and the Craft show on this Saturday.  This weekend at Sweet Peas they are having their annual "Holiday Open House".  All in all, it just means that I've been BUSY!!! 

Can you believe that it's already December?  Seems like it was just August and I was wondering if fall was ever going to arrive!  Guess I missed it, cause now there is snow on the ground and the temps have dropped!

Today's share is something that I worked very hard on!  I received this idea many years ago from my friend Piney; http://www.pinefeather.typepad.com  She loves to make journals and she shared her idea of the 12 days of Christmas, which she got from Ali Edwards; http://www.aliedwards.com.  So yes it's a 12 days of CHRISTMAS journal.  The purpose of this journal is to take a few minutes outta of your day to jot down something that you enjoyed about one of the 12 days.  I have found it valuable, as it made me think about each of these days and remember the little things that are IMPORTANT to me.  I have gone back through these journals and they bring fond memories and BIG smiles to my heart!  I hope you will take time to make one of your own.  Even a little note book would do the job!

Hope your day is filled with fond memories!
Hugs,

MaGoooooo/maria

Snowy Sunday up north!

Yep, DH was called out to plow & sand at 5 AM this morning!  Thank you Neil (his boss) for giving us the early morning call on the house phone and waking everyone else up, that could have used a few more winks!  Such is life with a DH who works for Public works for the County!  I know I should be quite and happy that he is one that is fortunate to have a job.  I am happy and THANKFUL that he is employed!

Any how I was then blog surfing, like what else would I be doing early in the morning before I fall back to sleep??? LOL  When I visited  http://meandmybucket.blogspot.com/  One of my FAV blogs to visit!!  and I noticed that she had posted a SUPER deal from Shutterfly!!! 

 

Welcome blogger! Thank you for your interest in participating in our 2010 Holiday Card collection promotion. Shutterfly has compiled fresh and fabulous holiday cards we’re proud to showcase and we’re eager to hear which holiday designs are your favorite. If you would like to contribute a blog write up and receive 50 free holiday cards*

Go visit their site and find out the details!!!!  http://www.shutterfly.com

I'm off to decide on which picture I will use for our Christmas cards this year!!  I LOVE picture cards and seeing how the kids in our lives have grown & changed!

Hugs,

MaGoooooo/maria

Projects for Craft Fair

Hi!

I've been working on projects for a Crafter's Fair I'm taking part in.  Plus trying to keep up with things at Sweet Peas.  I haven't took part in a Craft Fair like forever!  I have missed it!  I think keeping my little spot at Sweet Peas, has helped keep that part of my life satisfied!!  So when a friend asked me to come take part in the Holiday Bazaar the Elementary School is having, how could I say no???

Seeing as it's Christmas, candy is always a BIGGIE and I'm of course prepping lots of the poop skinny bags.  They are almost sold out from Sweet Peas!!  YAHOOOOO!!!  Then my friend Mishie always takes a good old regular chocolate bar and turns it into a special gift!  That's what I did here!  Hoping it will be a seller!!

I best get back to more crafting!  Enjoy your Thursdays!!

Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

Sloppy Snowy Sunday!

Yep it's snowing, just lightly today.  Yesterday Minnesota got hit pretty hard in the Cities and south of there.  Up north, we didn't have anything but rain until about 3 PM, then that wet sloppy stuff hit!  The trees look so pretty though, with all the white stuff on them!  Good thing the temps are staying up there a little, as DD and her roomie made a trip to Southern Minnesota to visit family & friends (roomies).  It snowed like crazy down there and they have over 8" where she is.  Me I will stay put in my little stampin room and keep stoking the wood stove.  Sooooo NICE to have that warmth!!

Here is one of the projects I worked on.  I've been in the FRAMING moods.  LOL 

I hope you are staying warm & ENJOYING your Sunday where you are!
Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

FUN Friday!!

It is going to be a FUN Friday!!  We are expecting our first snow up north tonight!  They are even saying "measurable"!!  WOW!!!  We will see how right they are!!  I'm looking forward to watching Muffy running through the snow and also maybe making a Snow Angel of my own!  FUN!!!!

 

 

 

 

Yep Good & Plenty work perfect for a bit of snowman poop!

Chocolate Covered Raisins will do for some Reindeer Poop!

Here is how I display them!

I hope you all have a FUN Friday!!!  Stay warm & ENJOY your day!!
Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

Monday what a FUN day!!

Yep it was a FUN day!!  I took a trip to Duluth and enjoyed seeing all the season changes they are putting up!  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Duluth!  The BIG Christmas tree frame is up and ready for the Bentleyville village.  Now they will start to get it ready for the BIG lighting!!  We hope to get some pictures of it this year and I will share with ya all, when we do!  http://www.bentleyvilleusa.org  This is a link to their on-line site.  Take a peak, till I can get some pictures posted.

I told ya I have been putzing on Christmas Holiday items and I have been having FUN doing it!!  I think CHRISTMAS is one of my most FAVORITE Holidays!!!  Everyone sitting around the fire, sipping hot cocoa and singing Christmas Carols.  Well maybe they are not the Christmas Carols that everyone is use to, but the ones that my silly kids have made up through the years! 




Here is an easy peasey card I came up with using the SU stamp set "A Flower for All Seasons".  It's a GREAT set, very season friendly!!


ENJOY your Monday!
Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

It's already November????

I feel like I was just starting to work on Halloween projects and here it is the beginning of November already!

I had a busy - busy beginning, as I volunteered to be a Poll Challenger at my voting precinct and yes I VOTED too!

So it's back to working on different Christmas projects now!  I picked these adorable little jars up - YES they are GLASS!!!  Hard to find real glass now days ya know.  I decorated them up and tada had to add some ribbon and now I'm putting them at Sweet Peas and will use some for gift giving too!


It's Sunday and ENJOY your day!!

Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

Where did October go???

Do you ever find yourself feeling like that?  I do, but this month I really do!  I cannot believe that it's almost time for all the Ghost & Gobblins to be out Trick N Treating!  I do have to say, we had a very nice October until I think this past Monday night!  OMW!!  We actually didn't get it as bad as Duluth did, but we did get the cold and wind.  Kept wondering if we were going to get blown away!  Then we woke up on Tuesday morning and yep it was flurries.  Those BIG - GIANT ones that look soooo pretty, but are very, very wet.  Now DD called and said that they had about 6" of snow in Duluth, which is just 20 miles down the road.  I am just happy that it didn't make it to Two Harbors.  Other places on the shore got to enjoy that white stuff too, but I'm glad to say we still have a mix of green/brown grass and NO white stuff! 

So I have been working - putzing on some things for Sweet Peas.  Taking naps by the wood stove and staying WARM!!



Are these not just the CUTEST????  I found these adorable little pie candles at Michael's and bought up what they had.  They smell soooooooo good!  Yummy, just like an apple pie is baking in the oven.  So I boxed them up in a cute little pie box, tied it with a ribbon and added a tag.  They are a BIG seller!!

ENJOY your Wild Wednesdays!

Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

I'm hopping back in!

Sorry I have just been enjoying the GORGEOUS fall weather up north!  Taking walks in the woods with Muffy & watching the deer running.  I have been enjoying it!

I decided it was time to work on some quick Halloween treats for my nieces &  nephews.  I will be seeing them on Oct 30th, as we have to go down to the cities for Miss Erica's 3rd birthday party!!  Looking very much forward to this!  I can not believe that she's already turning 3!  I'm sure both her Mom & Dad feel the same way.  Why do the little ones grow up so fast?

So these are really quick & easy to whip up!  Plus what kids don't like pixie stick??? PURE SUGAR!

The measurements for these are 2" x 11" of the white cardstock, score @ 7".  Fold at the score line and stitch the sides up on a machine.  Slide a few pixie sticks in the pocket you created and finish off with some ribbon.

ENJOY!
Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

It's GORGEOUS!!

It is, it is!!  The sun is shinning and the temps are just a little nippy, which is fine when that wood stove is putting out the heat.  I am one who enjoys open windows, but like the warmth too.  I also have the bread rising, just waiting to be popped into the oven.  Nothing better then fresh warm bread & butter!

I'm so happy with how these clipboards turned out!!  I am in the clippy mode here again!  I like altering clipboards to be gifted and you know it's already October (I hated to be the one to let you know that) and before we know Thanksgiving will be here and gone.  We will be looking forward to the Holiday of Christmas, Family & Friends and all the FUN times!  Only I am one who does not do well with STRESS!  For me, I LOVE the spirit of Christmas, visiting with family & friends.  Just leave out the STRESS!!  So I like to start my putzing on projects that I can come up with and then use them for gifts during the wonderful SEASON of Christmas!






 

 Both of these started out as a large clipboard 9" x 12.5", then I had DH cut one down to a pudgey size.  Whatever will work.  I just look at it and draw a little line and say cut it here.  I'm not a measuring kinda gal! 



I've also working on a few little projects using my birthday gift - - - -THE CRICUT!!  Chirp - Chirp!!!  The machine is soooooo FUN!!!!  I will share those in future posts!

Hope you are having a GORGEOUS day where you are!

Hugs
MaGoooooo/maria

Wild Wednesday!

It does seem like some days are much more wild at my home then usual.  I'm still working on trying to figure this out!  I always had this image (in my head of course.  LOL)  that after Abby left for college and it was just me and DH everything would just be so perfect!   Where did my dreams take a wrong turn????  I am amazed at how little I seem to accomplish on these days of it only being two of us at home.  I look back and wonder how I got everything done and accomplished back in the days of my kids being little and needing my constant attention?  AMAZING what a Mom can do I guess!! 

Now I will come back to real time, instead of Memory Lane!  It is fun though to go back and visit when times were so much easier!

I came across this idea one day last week when I was sitting surfing the net waiting for the steroids to drip - drip into me.  Had to do something to pass those long hours away!  So I had the idea!!!!!  Then to put it to work!  I found these "BLACK" mugs at the $1.00 store and grabbed what they had left.  They are actually really nice mugs!  LOL  So I took the "snowman soup" theme thing and used it for "Halloween".  Now we have "Ghost Poop Soup" - Is that not just CUTE?????!  Then I topped it off with little peep marshmallow GHOST!!  Booooooooooooooo  I also included a little soup poem in, the inside of the attached card.

I will be back with more pictures soon!
Hugs
MaGoooooo/maria

Fantastic Friday!

Of course it's FANTASTIC - it's Friday!!!!

The best if that I'm FREE of my IV and will be able to truly just ENJOY some stampin - playin - CREATING time now!!!  That is one thing that sitting in the Infusion Dept for four and half hours allows me to do!  Keep the mind going and dreaming of the plans I want to work on!!  So today will be a little more on the slower slide, as I've had those side effects of the steroids and not being able to sleep or get much of anything done.  But now I will crash today, tonight or tomorrow and sleep peacefully.  I will wake up restored and GO TO IT!!!  Can you tell that the steroid high really goes to a person's brain???  LOL


I did work on a few things last night, but they did not get that "MaGoooooo" finishing touch on it yet!!  I also have some orders that I will have to work on, so that I can get them shipped ASAP! 

 Halloween Pretzel Treat bags!!!!


Here is a project that I had worked on during my RETREATER get-a-way!!  I LOVE doing these little pretzel bags up!  They are so much FUN to make and I LOVE the big SMILE that I see on the receivers face when they get it.  I have done them in many Holiday themes and just FUN ideas too.



I will be back to share though!!

I hope you all have a FANTASTIC Friday!!
Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

Tuesday - Tuesday!

Happy Hot - Dog Tuesday!

WOW it's been a week since I last posted!  Just busy gettin things done before that snow starts coming.  Even DH has been workin' long hours trying to finish up road projects for the County.  That's gotta get done before the frost and snow moves in.  I also was busy last week getting things organized for my scrapping weekend with the Girlies from the cities.  It was such a success, well maybe for catching up and having fun.  Some work done on projects and scrap pages.  But hey it was really all about havin FUN!!  Plus it was my b-day weekend and that made it all the more special too me!  I got to spend it with some of my FAVORITE people!

 They had a gas fire pit on the deck of the retreater home!  The picture is from during the day, so that you could see what it looks like.  Aren't those mums so pretty???  They were a gift from one of my Girlies for my b-day.  Of course when it came night time, we sat out on the deck, roasted marshmallows and made SAMORES  What a sin to have the fire pit and not make SAMORES!!  hee - hee - hee  We sat out there till we got too chilly and then had to go back in the house, have some hot chocolate, with maybe a dab of something and of course whip cream to warm us up.  Then we would go and sit and stamp and laugh and giggle, till we couldn't keep our eyes open any longer!

This picture doesn't do it justice!  The TREES were GORGEOUS!!

Here is one of my projects that I completed this past weekend, well actually I got five of them done in total.  I think they will be big sellers, as I know I'm a bit bias, but I think they are so STINKIN CUTE!!  But I'm in LOVE with snowmen!  LOL


I had to also start this week off with a weekly visit to the Infusion Dept of the Hospital, as my MS has acted up nasty again - ERRRR!  I just remind myself it could be much worse and I know my time to get back to havin FUN in my stamp room, will come back soon!!  Just wish they could place that IV some place other then the back of one of my hands.  It really doesn't matter weather I'm L or R handed, just the lost of one of those makes it hard to crafting!

So I hope you ENJOYED my share of pictures from my FUN weekend and a few other projects that I finished up at the event!

The trees were in their prime this past weekend and one of the roads we traveled down routinely on our trips to the Duluth stores had the GORGEOUS ones on it.  LOL

Enjoy your week and I will be back soon!!
Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

Thrilling Thursday!

I'm hoping it will become a Thrilling one!  Right now it's kinda gloomy and gray out there.  Lots of rain last night and the temps are not looking very good either!  It really is looking more and more like fall outside!

I am hoping that it will get a little nice, as I have a GIRLS weekend retreater for this coming weekend!!  It's with some of my good ole Stampin' friends from down in the cities.  I am VERY EXCITED, we haven't all been together at one time in I think like over 2 years - YIKES!!  We usually got together every couple of months when I lived in the cities.  Maybe I should take this as a compliment, as we are getting together "up north" at a retreater in Duluth.  They planned it like that so they could ENJOY the north woods and ME!!  LOL

I've got DH out in his shop cutting wood for more projects right now.  That is what happens when he decides to take a day off with nothing planned!  I should go and sneak a picture of him.  He doesn't really like to get his picture taken when he's working.  But he has to finish this project soon, as I'm in NEED of these little blocks he is cutting for me.  One is a gift!!

So do you like what I've shared today????  I had so much FUN making a bunch of these cute little scrapbooks up! I think they will be a good seller at Sweet Peas!!   I got these coasters from one of my BBFs, Cindy Lou; http://www.starlitstudio.net   Check out her site, she's got some AWESOME things there!!  So I dug into my stash and tadah!  I came up with a Halloween Scrapbook!!!  I really like how on the back page, I used the perfect paper!!  The little eyes that are staring back at you are just tooooooo CUTE!  Don't ya think!?

Have a wonderful day!  I'm wishing you some dry and sunny skies!

Hugs,

MaGoooooo/maria

Wednesday!!

Hello!
The sun is shinning again and the temps are still nice! What more could a up north girl ask for?!

Anyone looking for an eyeball or two??

I came across these ADORABLE gumballs in the Halloween candy isle! TOO CUTE!! Even though we don't really get Trick or Treaters at our home, I still have to make my trips down the candy isle. So I figured if I packaged these up, added a little bag topper - PERFECT item for Sweet Peas.



This sunflower is bigger then a dinner plate! It's HUGE!! I am so HAPPY that DD planted some, actually a bunch.


We have actually had people pull in the drive, come ring the bell and ask where we got the seed for them. Just at the local garden store in town! We did wonder for a bit if they were ever going to bloom! Seemed like it took forever. I kept saying "it must be cause we live up north" LOL.

I will be back with more post tomorrow. Muffy's barking for her walk and I wanna keep walking her before it's "up north" weather!!

Hugs
MaGoooooo/maria

Tuesday - Tuesday!

Good Morning!

The sun is going to pop out today and the winds have died down!! Looks like a good day to get a "Muffy" walk in!

I've got my dinner plans going and I'm using my crock pot! LOVE that thing!!! It's so nice to figure out dinner plans and then plop it in there and just set the heat setting!! Come time when Rod gets home, he does his computer stuff and then TADAH!!! Dinner is ready!! I've been LOVING this blog that I came across! http://mennonitegirlscancook.blogspot.com These girls have the most wonderful recipes posted!! Haven't made one yet, that hasn't been just YUMMY!! Can hardly wait to give today's recipe a try!!!

Now back to sharing some of my projects for Sweet Peas - - -





I have seen these ADORABLE little blocks around on many blogs! I just knew that I had to CASE these, as who doesn't want to know when they are going to get some CANDY?!! If you have little ones around, what better way to help them learn how to count?!!



Here is a "BOO"tiful card that I came up with, using what else??? My scraps of left over card stock! So happy that I went through and organized ALL of my scraps! I am actually using them up!! No more waste of precious card stock in this stampin' room!!

I'm getting ready to head out the door and enjoy some of this GORGEOUS day "up north"!

Hugs
MaGoooooo/maria

Monday

Hello!
It was a good weekend and a sad weekend. We got to spend more time with Dan before he headed to California for his next training with the US Navy. He is so happy that he made the decision to serve our Country.

Let me share with you what happened to Dan as he was sitting waiting to board the plane in Minnesota (plenty early, cause you don't want to miss your plane). A gentleman walked up to him with his hand extended. Dan stood up and offered his in a hand shake. The man thanked Dan and told him how proud he was that there are fine young men & women like him in this wonderful Country of ours. He let Dan know that if it wasn't for people like him, he would not be able to live here and do what he wants to do. Dan smiled and told him that he LOVES being in the Navy and serving his Country. The man then asked Dan to please come to the counter with him. Dan walked with him to the Ticket Agent counter and the Ticket Agent then handed Dan a First Class ticket and said it was compliments of this gentleman. No name, he just wanted Dan to know how important it is for our Military to stay strong and know that they are appreciated much at home! WOW is all I could say when I talked with Dan.

Most of all I would just like to let others know out there, that those stories that are forwarded to us and make us feel good about kind gestures that are made towards our military are really true! We do live with some AWESOME people!!

It was a good way to let Dan leave!

Hugs
MaGoooooo/maria

Sunny Saturday!

Happy Dance up north!

Yep it's turning out to be a GORGEOUS day! We are sending Dan back to the Navy and that will be hard saying bye for a while again, but maybe we will sneak in a short visit with him some time when the temps drop to BRRRR up north. He's on his way to Lemore, California.

The sun is shinning up north though and that always makes everything much nicer! Though I can also see where I need to work on some window cleaning. LOL

I just thought I would jump in and say "hi", as I haven't posted much lately, due to the fact that Dan was home!




I'm in the Halloween mode and really having FUN with it! That is what brought me to, today's share. I dug into my scrap pile again (LOVE TO DO THAT!!) and have so much FUN designing a one of a kind card from them. If you haven't done anything with your growing pile (yes, I know you have one. EVERY Papercrafter does!) DO IT! Just make sure to share what you create with them!!

ENJOY your day and hope it's Sunny!

Hugs
MaGoooooo/maria

Monday - Monday!

Good Morning!

I'm still in recovery mode, but wanted to share with you one of the frames that I worked on last week. A few years ago these frames were thee "ALL" - remember them??? Well I was shopping at Wal-Mart and came across them again and decided that I had a few peeps on my Christmas list. Yes I'm already working on that. So I picked them up, they are still only $3.00 - what a DEAL!! I think it's the only thing that hasn't gone up in price. Maybe Wal-Mart bought them all up and is now just trying to get rid of them, but they do make wonderful gifts!!!

So here you go - - - -

I may have added a few NEW die cuts and ribbon choice, but it's still the $3.00 frame!!

Have a GREAT start to your week!
Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

Sunday evening!

Hello!

I figure that I should jump on here and let you know that I have been battling some computer problems and I ended up having to dump the whole system. Not FUN!!! Why oh why do people with nothing to do (obviously) have to start these stupid viruses??? ERRRRR!! Even with the bestest computer virus protection, these things still seem to make it through! So not getting much time to stamp, I have been working on finding lost bookmarks.

I hope you had an enjoyable weekend and I will be back!

Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

Winter?????

I think I may be safe saying it feels like winter has arrived up north, but question where fall went! Yesterday started out GORGEOUS!! Ended with rain and I must say 1" of it - OMW!! It was very chilly, so chilly, that DH even start a fire to take the chill out of the air inside! It did feel nice and I even got out the marshmallows and graham crackers = SMORES!! YUMMMA!! It was really FUN to sit by the big old wood stove with the fire going, roasting the marshmallows and drinking some hot chocolate. We chatted about how we use to do this with the kids and all the wonderful memories we have with them. How happy we are that they have turned out to be such good, caring and loving young adults! I will continue to miss them, but when you have a 25 year old DS who still calls routinely to check in on his momma and see how things are going, what's up, just want to say HI. I kinda gotta say I think we did a good job!

Okay now that I'm done being sappy, LOL I did find some time to work on a few projects, as I had to do something that cheered me up! So we have a few friends whose kids, are now becoming parents and I am in need of some gifts. See I always like to include a small homemade gift from me with a store bought outfit for a "new baby"!! This is what I'm sharing today!! I LOVE these comp journal books!! They are so much FUN to make & give, also the ones that I have given have been well received!!!

Then I came up with this little wording that I print off on some white cardstock (run it through my printer) and attach it to the inside front cover.


I am always happy when a previous receiver comes up to me and lets me know how much they enjoyed/LOVED my gift! I for one know how good intentions don't always pan out. LOL


So I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday & are dry where you are!

Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

Feeling blue Friday!

Yep it is kinda a blue day. Not only is the weather changing (gray skies & drizzle, plus winds that feel like they are gonna blow away the whole house.) But because we dropped off our DD for her first year of college this morning. I promised I would not be one of those parents crying tears out in the parking lot, I didn't but I could easily have! I pulled up my "BIG GIRL" panties and put out the helping hands. She is going to have a AWESOME year and I hope she will soak up any and every thing! She was so excited, poor kid she didn't get much sleep last night. Couldn't fall asleep until 3 AM and then was up by 6 AM to make sure we were all ready to head down to move her in. We met her room mate and I believe they are going to hit it off very well! Then DH & I made a run to Target for those items that both of the girls had forgotten. Not much, but you know teenagers, they can't be without a thing. I am very excited to hear from her and see what she's feeling! You know it wasn't like she was my best friend, but a very close friend that I will miss while she's away. I know she will be home again. Just lots of changes at the Gilbertson's house hold in the last few months.

Here's Abby & her papa unloading the last few things. I was so busy making sure we had everything I forgot to get my camera out.

But to bring in some SUNSHINE I am sharing a blog that I came upon a few days ago. I just fell in LOVE with it, as I am a "Primitive Art" girl at heart! Any hoo check it out because Vicki is having a contest over there for one of her works of art!! Hurry, jump on over there fast and enter!!!! http://www.homespunhugsandcalicokisses.com/intro.html

Have a wonderful evening & a super weekend!
Hugs
MaGoooooo/maria

Wonderful Wednesday!

Hello!

After such a busy - busy day yesterday, today I plan on just taking things as easy as I can, but still accomplish something.

After returning home I had to finish up a nice birthday dinner for my dh. I won't say how oooooold he's getting. LOL

I have to say that today did not start off how I'd like it. I woke up, got a cuppa joe sat on the front porch and enjoyed. Came in and signed into my email to find my monthly coupon for my FAV local scraping store - - YEAH!! NOT!!! I opened it and yes there is a coupon, but also a notice that they will be closing their doors come the end of September. I'm bummed, as it's just another sign of how tough things still are out there!! I understand that the over head to running a brick & mortar store is very hard. Include in there the cost of the supplies you need to have stocked. Just BUMMED!! Guess I will be shopping only on - line for items that I truly LOVE! Michael's just doesn't come close to having what you NEED!

I am sharing a project I worked on for prizes for a wedding shower I helped host, a few weeks ago. I was happy, as everyone was fighting over them! You know that dice game - Hahahaha






Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!
Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

Tyler Tuesday!

Hello!

I just got back from running my #2 son down to the cities, so that his Grandpa can take him to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin for his mobilization. He just returned to us from there this past Saturday morning. He was there for his yearly 2 week drill (Tyler's an Army Reservist) and now he's going there for 2 months (mobilization training), then he will be activated to Afghanistan for 400 days. He is ready and willing to go. I know he's trained for this, but as a Mom I'm still scared for him! Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Now onto some FUN stuff!!






In my cleaning I came across some quilt patterns I had picked up through the years, hoping to get to at some point. But I think we all know how that goes. So I was thinking and well hey I bet I could find some way to use them in my stamping - - -I DID!!!! So what do ya think?? This has been one of my FAV sayings to put inside sympathy cards. I think it soothes the soul.

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

Sunny Sunday!

Hello!

We are back from a road trip yesterday!!! We had a good dear friend whose daughter (who is the sweetest thing) got married yesterday in Stillwater, Minnesota! It was the FUNNEST wedding we have been to in a while! Saw some dear old friends and made some new ones. The happy couple was GORGEOUS and just wanted to make sure that all their guess were enjoying themselves. The icing on top of the cake for us was that two of our boys and ones girlfriend were able to join us! Dan of course is in Florida finishing up some training for the Navy and Abby could not get off work. Tyler was able to be with us and this was very nice, as we just received word from him that he will be shipping for mobilization on Wednesday and then Oct 2 ship out to Afghanistan. He's been trained well!





Are these baby cards just CUTE????? I had torn a page out of a Stampit magazine yeeeeears ago and came across it when I was cleaning. Yes I do, do that every now and then. LOL So I was in need of some baby cards for Sweet Peas and just made the decision this was it!!

ENJOY your Sunday and I hope the sun's shinning!

Hugs
MaGoooooo/maria

SILHOUETTE MACHINE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

SILHOUETTE MACHINE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

This is an AWESOME MACHINE!!! Know what??? They are giving you a chance to WIN one for FREE!! All you have to do is follow the above link to GrosGrain Fabulous and follow her directions!! Hurry as your last chance is Aug 31st, 2010!!!

Good Luck!!
Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

Thursday!

Hello!

The weekend is almost here and we have a busy one planned. We have a wedding that we must go to. Of course we want to go to it! It's for a dear sweet friend! We have known her since she was about seven years old. She's now old enough to get married. We were very proud that she invited us to attend!




Isn't this card just perfect for a guy? I find it hard to stamp cards for the males in my life! I know none of them are into anything frilly or dazzling. I think that is why I have hung onto this stamp set from SU for so long! I seem to go back to it often when I am in need of a guy card and they are into the out door stuff!

The weather is still GORGEOUS up north! The temps are holding out during the day and cooling down in the early evening, then just perfect for the evening in time for sleeping with the windows open. We have an owl that sits in a tree outside our bedroom window and hooooos away. I know some people think we should be annoyed, but I actually enjoy it.

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

Hot Dog Tuesday!

Hello!

That's what my kids would call Tuesdays when they were growing up, as for some reason it seemed like we always had hot dogs on Tuesdays. I think it was always due to one of their activities and that was something quick and easy to get them fed and out the door.




Today's share is from a winter frolic swap that I took part in. I used the SU set Holiday Lineup (I LOVE those three stamps!!) and SU set Ting Tags, with the matching ting tag punch. This is another set I find myself going to a lot for that little extra.

The sun is shinning up north and it's 69 out there = GORGEOUS!!

I'm off to run down to Duluth with my DD to do (what I'm hoping is) our final college shopping. We move her into her dorm on Sept 3rd and to say the least she is beyond excited! I'm really excited for her too! I'm also glad she's not that far from home and promises to come and visit on weekends when she isn't busy with her college life.

Have a Hot Dog Tuesday!
Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria

Marvelous Monday!

Yep it is!! The sun is up and shinning! I LOVED sitting on the front porch with my cuppa this morning and watch the sun rise! Soooo pretty! Always makes me realize why I'm happy to live up north! As you can tell, the rain has stopped & it hasn't gotten ungodly HOT out there again! In fact they are saying that we could have temps at night in the mid 30s. YIKES!!!

Today's share is for the OCL sketch challenge! I needed a baby card and LOVE to use their set: Tree-medous Love! This Giraffe from the set is like always PERFECT for a baby card! Seeing as that was what I needed, a dear friend had a little baby boy a few weeks back. I jumped on their sketch challenge!! Go check out some of the FUN ones they have on their blog: http://www.blog2.ourcraftlounge.com/?p=2875

 I hope you have a MARVELOUS Monday too!
Hugs
MaGoooooo/maria

Soggy Saturday!

Hello!

I am starting to wonder if we will ever see sunshine again. Maybe I best not complain too much! We could have that awful heat from the last few weeks back. They are predicting that it might come back. I just really am looking for those nice warmer temps and NO HUMIDITY!! Sunshine too!

We have gotten over 2 1/4 inches of rain in the last few days. I now understand why our ditch was full and flowing. I went and checked the creek and that is flowing like crazy also. That doesn't usually happen except after the snow melts in the spring.

Pat & Kristi are up for the weekend to visit and Rod's working OT. I think that Pat, Kristi & I will head out and go hunt for some agates soon. First I must make a drop of some of my items at Sweet Peas.

Here is a card that I CASED and I feel badly, as I do not remember the full crafter's name! All I have is Christy B.


I LOVE how simple this card was to put together, but turned out so CUTE! At least I think it did.

ENJOY your weekend!
hugs
MaGoooooo/maria

Been a while again

Sorry! I'm not sure where time goes some times! I have been busy and was down in the cities for a few bridal showers for friends kids that are getting married. Hard to believe that all these kids that were just so little a bit ago, are now all grown up and ready to be on their own and get married! OMW I feel a bit old I must say! LOL

So here is one thing that I have been busy with over the last few weeks. I did a class on these and had sooo much FUN!













These scrapbook-calendars have been all the hype over the last few years. I decided I needed to get the hype going on them again, as I have a few to spare. I just needed them ya know. Well anyone that knows me, will understand that!


This picture is just to share with you how I added my ribbon to this project! Yep gotta have ribbon, or it's not one of my projects!! I tried to place the ribbon on the rings that hold the pages onto the scrapbook-calendars dowel, but then I found out that it's hard to turn the pages as the month passes by. So I made the decision to place the ribbon on the dowel, but not around the rings.

I hope that you enjoy the work that I've shared with you today! I know it was a bit, but won't these make wonderful Christmas gifts?????? Ideas . . . . . .

**** it's never to early to start thinking about Christmas gifts - just saying!

Hugs,
MaGoooooo/maria