Catching Up (or its been too, too long)

Since this is the first anniversary of my blog I thought it would be about time I returned to the blogging world!  A lot has happened in the time I have been gone (in order of occurrence, not necessarily importance):

1. We added this little cutie to our family.  Due to an emergency call from a colleague on Wednesday, September 22, 2010, we took in two stray dogs temporarily.  We found a home for the older, sweet boy which we called Buddy and has since been named Ty by his family.  The 2 month old puppy--a black lab mix--we tried to place in the same home with Ty as they were so cute together (Ty looked after the puppy), but that didn't work out and the longer she stayed with us the more we fell in love.  She isn't going anywhere.   We named her Wednesday (the day we took her in and also since it was around Halloween she was named after the wonderfully woeful Wednesday Addams although our Wednesday is actually a very happy girl).
2. My mom was diagnosed with lymphoma.  My mom went into the hospital on Thursday, October 21, 2010 with dangerously low platelet levels and we are so grateful her doctor noticed this because she could have died within a week without transfusions and proper treatment.  Currently she is going through chemotherapy and is sporting different hair and hats nearly every day.  We also found out her head is quite lovely.  With this hurdle and both of my grandparents dying this summer it kind of threw us all.
3. We had our 4th Annual Halloween party. We ate sinfully delicious food with wonderful friends.
4. My sister and I went to Disney World the weekend of November 12th -November 16th.  We went to all four (4) of the main Disney parks in that time and came home exhausted, but happy.  I have never loved Disney more...sometimes amusement parks are *better* as an adult.  We also had the opportunity to visit with my uncle and meet his lady love.  We all went to brunch at the House of Blues for their Gospel Brunch.  My uncle and his lady love danced on stage...so sweet.  Good times.
5. My Dad's Birthday.  Prime rib dinner for my dad.  My mom made him a cute dog card for his birthday and I helped (shake n' bake commercials always runs in my mind because funnily enough I did help my mom make shake n'bake chicken when I was little).
5. Thanksgiving.  The week after we returned from Orlando was Thanksgiving.  We decided to simplify.  We had two types of turkey breasts (one our favorite southwestern turkey breast and the other a new boudin sausage stuffed-turkey breast which was pretty darn delicious).
6. Hanukkah.  What with my mom's health and all we decided to skip our holiday party this year and have a *very* laid back holiday season.  This year's Hanukkah was so early and we were not that prepared for it that we even skipped a couple nights.  We decided to have a catch up at Christmas.
7. Making changes at work.  We moved around offices at work for the first time in over 10 years.  We all like the "new" conference room.
8. Christmas Eve and Christmas.  We all went out to eat at the Egg and I for breakfast on Christmas Eve.  I have decided I quite enjoy late morning breakfast out.  My sister then made dinner as we did some work.  We had lacquered prime rib (my dad's favorite and a must during the holidays for him) *and* really delicious applewood smoked ham.  We also had roasted vegetables and a mushroom-rice casserole.  It sounds like we are devoted carnivores, but you would be surprised to know that for several months my sister was a vegan and we all ate a lot of vegan and vegetarian meals during those months.  For Christmas we had our brunch.
9. New Year's Eve and New Year's.  Low key, but delicious foods including Hoppin' John Soup and a Blackeye Pea Chili (yum!) and homemade Cheese Beer Bread.  We ate lots of blackeye peas for good luck and kale for prosperity.

So now you are pretty much caught up.  I will be returning to this blog with pictures of some cards, ATCs and the like (and some dog pictures) and I am also tweeting under @verdigris1700. 

Thanks for stopping by the Hall and come back soon!

Blog Love For Susie's scrapativities and freebies

I wanted to let everyone know of this lovely blog I stumbled upon a couple weeks ago or so: Susie's scrapactivities and freebies.  Susie is generous, thoughtful and kind.  The blog is a treasure trove of free digital goodness!  All she asks in return is some love in the form of comments.  Please go over and comment on this post.  Every comment means she will provide another freebie (and who doesn't appreciate nice comments?).  Also, anyone interested in ATC's should be thrilled with all the ATC items she has created.

Thanks for calling at the Hall!

The Importance of a Card

Sometimes I think I forget the power of a handmade card.  When I lost my grandpa a month ago, the last communication I had with him was the father's day card I sent.  Honestly, I had to push myself to make cards this year, but even as I was writing a message to him I was aware this might just be the last card I would make for him.  I am really not sure what impact it had on him, but I know it gave me a small measure of comfort to know he received a card I made to honor him and express my love for him.  I am so glad I realized I needed to make this card.

These are the cards I made for my grandpas this year (the purple was for my dad's father who just passed away as purple was his favorite):

My grandma (my dad's mom and wife to my purple loving grandpa) this year mentioned how much she liked the card I made her for mother's day (you can see a picture of it here).  It was also the last mother's day card I will ever make for her as she passed away Friday.  I am so very glad she thought it was pretty.

Send a little love today--you and the lucky recipient will glad you did.

Thanks for dropping by the Hall!


Happy Father's Day
{Supplies}
Stamps: Truck and Car, Tim Holtz by Stampers' Anonymous; Happy Father's Day (from Father Knows Best set), Diamond Background (from Backgrounds Basics: Diamonds set), Text Background (from Background Basics: Text Style II set), Papertrey Ink
Inks: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Chipped Sapphire, Stormy Sky and Pumice Stone (my favorite), Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger Industries
Cardstock: White, Georgia Pacific; Earthstone, Neenah Papers
Other: Foam Dimensional Adhesive, American Crafts

Absolutely Fabulous Spray Paint

I am presently taking a class with the super talented Debee Campos.  If you have ever happened upon her blog you will see some fantastic eye-candy.  We are working on mini-albums, but since I had an ATC trade coming up with the theme of Altered Playing Cards I thought I would use the first day's art lesson to create my cards.  I had an incredible amount of fun playing with spray paint and I think black and white shall soon be joined by chartreuse, aqua, yellow, orange, grey and purple (some of the colors for Halloween). 

I really love how they turned out--both grungy and clean which is something I have never really accomplished before. 

Here are my ATC's (and please forgive the quality of the photos):

Absolutely Fabulous ATC's
{Supplies}
Stamps: Absolutely Fabulous, Papertrey Ink; Label, Kenner Road
Mist/Spray: Sweet Pea, Glimmer Mist
Die Cut: Bird, Tim Holtz by Sizzix
Punch: Starburst, Martha Stewart Crafts
Watercolors: Crayola
Other: Matte Black & Glossy White Spray Paint; Dimensional Foam Adhesives, American Crafts