HAPPY NEW YEAR!!...Paper Smooches: Anything Goes, Just Us Girls: Photo Inspiration, CAS on Sunday #24, Retro sketches #95, CASology: Week 76, The Pink Elephant #231

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Time has flown since my last post before Christmas, and oh, what a wonderful, fabulous, delightful Christmas it was!   We arrived at my parents’ with but minutes to spare in taking my mom to the Christmas church celebration.  Christmas morning, once we got our act together, saw us head to visit my niece and nephew – and after having not seen them for nearly 2 ½ months, you can imagine how excited I was!  Nothing, absolutely nothing, is better than having both of them run to the door, shouting “Aunty C” (and yes, my nephew can clearly say AunTy, as well as AnDy, my husband’s name!), nearly bowling me over with their full-on, full-force hugs!  I experienced that on several occasions over our few days’ visits, and each time my heart just expanded with love for them!  

With many highlights spanning four days, I don’t know where to begin, so I’ll share two.  My niece has become quite the accomplished little stamper, I must say.  She finished her Christmas feast early, so I settled her at another table, brought out some stamps, ink and paper, and let her go at it.  She knows exactly what to do; in fact, you should have seen her mom’s face when she asked ‘how do these stamps work?’ and Ms Niece, in a most matter-of-fact voice, explained the whole process, including how to use an acrylic block, and cleaning the stamps before using another colour and so forth.   You’d think she’d been doing this for years!  Her images were excellent:  blue reindeers, with green tummies and red, noses perfectly placed (my Clearly Besotted In Stitches set); pink snowmen with purple scarves; and the best of all, was when she took a number of little stamps, arranged them most artistically on one block, then proceeded to ink them with different colours – not one colour touching another – and created a most outstanding design.  What a girl!! I won’t go on about how adept she’s becoming with the Cuttlebug…but she sure is!!

My second highlight is the gift we gave to my nephew! They have ever X ever soooo many toys that I had no idea what would be ‘unique’ – until I went to the craft show here in town.  I ended up buying him a balloon cover.  Seriously. Simple construction: several panels of material, sewn together in a ‘ball’ shape, with an opening for inserting a deflated balloon.  As the balloon is blown up, the material expands (a smallish beach-ball size), tie a knot and voila…a balloon ball.   Bouncing, kicking, throwing…you name it, the balloon ball does it – and because it’s soft and squooshy no damage.  My nephew LOVED it! As in LOVED!   I’m  not sure how long he booted, tossed, and bounced that thing around, but everyone had a turn playing with him.  The cutest was when he took Andy, who was sitting on the love seat, by the hand, had him stand up, then patted the floor, instructing him “Sit”, while he went to the other side of the room, where I was on a footstool (having also been herded into position, and given my ‘sit’ instructions). Mr. Nephew rallied the ball back-and-forth between the two of us, giggling, laughing and having just a grand time! Miles upon miles he covered that seemingly ‘silly’ little gift (or so I thought when I bought it), but he had a blast, as did all of us!  Scored with the balloon ball.  Who knew!!

Anyway, lots of stories, lots of memories…coming home was not exactly a happy journey, however, we’ll be back later in January.  Oh yes, the tags and Care Bear cards:  score x 90 plus one with those too!! Yayy…in fact, my SIL has already put in requests for Valentine’s Day cards for both kids’ daycare friends and teachers! Another *diet* soon to start!

Okay, more than enough talking!   Although I tried to make ‘many’ cards over the last couple of days,  it seems my mojo – along with my camera…grrrr – remained at my parents’!   Obviously (judging by the fullness of the recycle bin) I’m off to a slow, ploddy start, as I try to shift from Christmas cards to…well, everything but!    Today, though, I’m sharing one supremely simple card that fits – remarkably – into a number of challenges. 

Paper Smooches: Anything Goes

Retro sketches #95

 Just Us Girls #221

CAS on Sunday: Happy New Year, 

The Pink Elephant #231: Anything Goes  

CASology: Party  

To all my wonderful crafting friends:  

May you be blessed with peace, joy, abundance and especially LOVE throughout 2014!

Note:  So honoured this card was selected as a PS Featured Player.  Thank you!!

 Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments are appreciated immensely!