Wednesday, January 1, 2014

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. 








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!


19 comments:

wienerhoneymooners said...

Love this Carol!! Bright,BOLD, beautiful and so festively FUN. Happy New Year to you, may it bring all your wondrous wished to fruition!

Nancy said...

Love the sun ray bold statement! Beautiful card! Thanks for playing along with us over at Just Us Girls!

Nancy said...

I forgot to say also...thanks for playing along with us at CAS on Sunday...I am wearing 2 hats today!

Marlena M. said...

I LOVE a "perfect gift" story...they are few and far between~esp. with the short attn span of kids these days. happy sigh....
You are an awesome Aunt~I'm thrilled to hear you had joy and fellowship with those you love. Happy New Year Carol~you card is perfect to ring in a fresh, golden year!!!

Marisa said...

Fabulously done! Love the gold rays. Thanks for joining us at Just Us Girls.

Dana said...

Glad your holiday went so well! Pretty card!! I love the gold!!

Shannon J said...

Yup, this baby is going down as one of my top 5 for sure!! LOVE IT!!! The texture, the gold, the perfect embossing! My heart is pitter pattering!! Crazy awesome, Carol!!!! I think your mojo is back - in a BIG way!!
And eeeeek, what a special Christmas you had, Auntie C! From my heart pitter pattering to it bursting with happiness! Two absolutely delightful and perfect memories to come home with, and I know these aren't the only two! Tough to leave for sure, but every time you feel sad, think of these moments, and a huge smile is SURE to spread across your face! xo

Sharyn Polesel said...

I am in agreement with everyone else. I love the golden rays! Great job! Thanks for joining us at Just Us Girls!

Meg said...

this is just glittericious - the gold is stupendous ... just pops right off the page.

~amy~ said...

Well, it sounds like your visit was hugely wonderful! I'm so very glad! You are definitely an #1 Aunty! Such a bold and fantabulous card! LOVE the gold!

Happy New Year!

Greta said...

LOVE this card, Carol! Oh how I smiled reading your post! So wonderful you had a family Christmas with so much love & joy! The balloon ball story--fabulous! Ms. T--truly beyond her years! What did she think of the Care Bear?

Lisa Kind said...

Love your gold sunburst! Very pretty! Thanks for playing with Just Us Girls and Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful card!! I just love the gold...great for new year's :)

Katie Ann Brooks said...

This is gorgeous! I love the use of the gold, so perfect for a celebration! Meanwhile, I can't wait to see what you and your little stamper make, so fun! Your Nephew's gift sounds fabulous too! Happy, Happy New Year you wonderful person!

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is stunning, Carol ... Mr Mojo has made a glistening return!! Your Christmas sounds magical, what a joyful celebration you all had! Happy New Year, my friend ... may you be blessed with health and joy all year long! Anita :)

Unknown said...

Awesome!!! I love the gold rays...it's perfect!

Ardyth said...

Love the shine and the feeling of the New Year being a sunny new day! Thanks so much for joining us at CASology! Happy New Year!

Gillian R said...

so bright, bold and awesome! Thank you so much for joining us this week at CASology

Darnell said...

Hmmm, I could have sworn I left a comment on here and was just popping back to congratulate you for the shout out from Paper Smooches!! Well done, Carol!! Hugs, Darnell