2012 Occasions Mini Catalog Is Here

The all new 2012 Occasions Mini is here!  If you haven't had a chance to check out all the goodness inside this little catalog, come check it out here:

Occasions Mini PDF

**On a side note, my father is still battling esophageal cancer and has been in a rehabilitation center for two months.  His chemo and radiation treatments were very grueling and has really taken a toll on his physical and mental health.  He is just now strong enough to have the surgery needed to rid his body of this aggressive tumor.  Surgery is scheduled for next week.  Please, please keep him in your prayers!  I've been trying to slowly get back to creating, but I must admit that I'm a little rusty.  I hope to have a new stamping post for you soon.  Thanks for being patient with me!

IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN

Yes, can you believe it?  I finally found some time to stamp.  Let me tell you, it felt absolutely wonderful.  Now granted I'm a little rusty at it right now and the mojo isn't flowing so freely.  I'm hoping that will alleviate itself soon.  So, how many of you remember watching the Charlie Brown Halloween special about the Great Pumpkin?  I love all the holiday cartoons.  Yep, I still watch them.  I used the Stampin' Up! stamp sets Jack of All Trades and Lighthearted for the sentiment on my card.  I loved the Jack of All Trades set when I saw it in the catalog.  However, I really struggled to come up with a card using this very set.  Go figure!  Once again I think my card may have a bit of embellishment overload.  What can I say?  I was so excited to find some stamping time that I went a little overboard.

Thanks for peeking in on me this evening!

LIFE'S BUMPY ROAD

I know it's been a long time since my last post.  I just wanted to give you an update of what's been going on.  Many of you know that I've blogged about my father's illness.  He has esophageal cancer and he is struggling.  Radiation and chemotherapy treatments began on September 13th.  Unfortunately, these treatments have really knocked the wind out of Dad.  I live next door to my father and I'm constantly in a whirlwind between his house and mine.  Unfortunately, this hasn't left much time for me to spend in my craft room right now.  I really miss stamping, need to stamp and hope to stamp soon.  It's just not happening right now.


I hope you will be patient with my lack of posts during Dad's battle with cancer.  I'm not completely giving up on blogging.  However, you may notice my posts to be few and far between in the next couple of months.  I 'm truly sorry, but my father really needs me right now.  Thanks for understanding.

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE

I don't know why my blog posts have all been songs lately.  Probably because my brain is exhausted.  (Sigh!)  I made this card for a terrific friend of mine named Kim.  We were good buddies in college and recently reconnected through social networking.  I had the opportunity to visit Kim this summer after her mother passed away.  I hadn't seen her in almost 20 years, but she hadn't changed a bit.  She's a "what you see is what you get kind of gal."  That's what I love about her.  So, if you're reading this Kim, thank you for being you.

It's going to be a quick post for me this evening.  Tomorrow begins the five week treatment plan of chemo and radiation for Dad.  He's not been feeling very well lately and has had to have four days of IV fluids for dehydration.  Thanks for peeking in on me today!

Stamp Set:  Bold Blossom; Paper:  Cheerful Treat Hostess Designer Series Paper

YOU BELONG AMONG THE WILDFLOWERS

You belong somewhere you feel free...............Yes, I'm a Tom Petty fan.  I may even be dating myself a little with that song, huh?  Okay, so I noticed my card is having a little "wardrobe malfunction" in this picture.  Looks like I need to adhere the layers on the right side of the card a little better.  Okay, how many of you clicked on the picture to get a better look?  (Smile.)  Shoot fire!  I never noticed that until now.  Note to self:  fix it before it goes in the mail.

This card has a wallop of things going on.  Pearls, die cuts, piercing, paper piecing, watercoloring, sponging........You get the picture.  You should have seen the mess on my desk after making this one.

This is going to be a short post for me today.  I'm heading off to work and them to chemo education with Dad.  If you have any questions about the card, give me a shout.  Thanks for peeking in on me today!