Well, I don't know about you but I didn't make it to midnight to welcome in the new year.  I celebrated in the afternoon by going to see the Hobbit movie.  I was surprised that the theater was full because the movie has been out for a couple of weeks.  But when I talked to some people they said that they always watch movies for New Years Eve.  I loved the movie but 3 hours is a long time to sit still.  And the time line for this movie is 50 years before the Ring movies but Orlando Bloom is 10 years older now and he looks it.  He was so thin when they did the ring movies and now he's a little heavier and more mature. 

So I could make some New Year's resolutions but why bother.  I never keep them for long.  But I've made this promise before and I'll try it again.  I'll try to keep my blog updated.  So here's my first update.  I was going to make these memory jars for all my family and friends but it didn't happen.  So I want you each to make one for yourself.  The idea is that next New Years Eve you read what you wrote about but I'm thinking that if you are ever having a really bad day that would be a good time to read the happy thoughts.  Thanks to Carol Grove for the picture. 

 

Well, Christmas is almost here and this is the last weekend of the Ashley Country Christmas so it's time to get back into the swing of things.  So here's a card that I made using some of the new things out of the Occasions catalog.  Do you see the new stuff? 

 

I think that I might have time now to get back to doing some stamping.  I hope.  I haven't even started on my Christmas cards.  No decorating done.  But I'll get them sometime.  But in the meantime here's something new for you.  I didn't do it but I think that it's really cute.  Valentine's Day will get here before we know it.  This card is from a shoe box swap that the Rubber Queens had on Tues night and I didn't get the name of the person who made this.  Sorry about that.

 

 

And if you're wanting to do some stamping just come to the Paper Palace tonight and stamp with me.  We're making a mailable photo album and envelope.  Or if you don't want to stamp just come and visit and enjoy a girls night out.

 

Well, today is the day that we've all been waiting and working for in Ashley.  The first run of the North Pole Express.  Hopefully everything will go wonderful and everyone will have a great time.  And hopefully next week I'll get back to a somewhat normal life.  And maybe do some stamping.  In the meantime I hope you'll all have a great weekend and if you're looking for something to do please come to Ashley and look around. 
And I want to invite you all to a workshop at the Paper Palace next Thursday.  We'll be making a mini photo album and a box (holder, envelope??) to put it in.  So if you're just looking for a girls night out just come and join us Thurs. at 7:00.  I'll have everything ready for you to just assemble the project.

I'm still going 90 miles an hour working on the Village of Ashley Country Christmas.  So here is a beautiful card by Mary Brown using the Joyful Christmas stamp set.  And the good news for you is that this stamp set is on sale right now in the Holiday Sale.  Check your email for a flyer that shows everything that is on sale. 

 

I think that this card is beautiful and I love the Winter Frost DSP. 

I'm still super busy.  Worked three days this week at Ashley getting ready for the Village of Ashley Country Christmas.  It's beginning to look like Christmas there.  And a week from yesterday there will be a dress rehearsal complete with the steam engine 1225.  So we have to have everything in place by then.  Hope you can all come sometime and see what we've done.

 

 

So I took one of Tami Ackerson's ideas.  When she doesn't have time to stamp she goes to Stampin Conncetion and finds a card that she likes.  And believe me, there's lots to choose from.  So this card is one that I found there.  I totally forgot to look and see who made this card but I think it's beautiful.  Sorry that's it's blurry.  It's a little bit of work to cut out the flower but it's worth the effort. 

Look at this cute wreath I made with Designer Series Paper.  I used some retired paper but I've seen these done with the current Winter Frost paper and they're beautiful. 

 

 

Here's a close up.  You just cut your DSP in 1/2" strips and then curl it with your bone folder.  And don't ask me how many strips I used.  I just kept adding until it looked the way that I wanted it.  All I can say is to only cut so many at a time and when you're getting close to having it full then don't cut to many more strips.  I just attached my strips with straight pins.  I didn't use any glue but you could and it would last longer.

 

For this wreath I used a green foam base but if you use the Winter Frost DSP then I would definitely use a white base.  Because it does show through some what.