A little fun, a little creativity and a lot of frozen toes

First, there are a couple of birthdays coming up, so I spent a few late nights in the studio. Mostly just communing with pretty paper or supplies, but I did manage to create a couple of cards for special birthday people.

Most importantly is my daughter who turns 14 tomorrow. Wahhhhh! This kid is talented in so many areas that if I weren't there for her very first birthday, I'd swear she came from some other super amazing set of parents. She can jump tall buildings in a single bound, run faster than a locomotive and has a deep empathy for others. I'm so proud of my baby girl. This one is for her, my little blizzard baby...Though you can't see it, this one is full of shimmer. I used glimmer mist and in person, it is full on sparkly. I don't know if anyone remembers wayyyyyy back when I glittered an entire package of Basic Grey chipboard & put it all in a bowl for ready-made embellishments? The 'snowflake' is one of those pieces.

This card is for someone I've known since he was 'this high'. Now he's all grown up with a daughter of his own (daaaaaang, I'm old). This one also fits right in with the latest challenge from Opus Gluei to use a star. And yes, I glittered an entire package of crusty old Lil Davis chipboard stars way back thinking that I might get around to using them on a project. :)

You know how it's been colder than a Siberian work camp the past couple of weeks? I'm NOT cut out for the cold and anyone around me knows it because I complain at top volume. Hubby and I are in a constant battle over the thermostat. He turns it to something dreadfully low like 60 and I crank it up to something reasonable such as 68.

I don't know what possessed us to travel to NYC during one of the coldest weekends in 40 years, but that's what we did last weekend. I'm still working to regain feeling in my pinky toes. It was cold. Wicked. Freezing. Cold. Even the subway stations were bone chilling. The rats had headed South for the winter. And they were wearing their little rat scarves.

Oddly enough, people still lined up for free samples at the Coldstone Creamery we passed.

As a Christmas gift to each other, hubby and I went to see the newish musical Memphis. Due to the cold, I had been thinking the trip wasn't worth it, but after the show, braving the freezing temps was so worth it. If you are in the market to see a newer show, strongly consider this one. I'd see it again. I'd see it again especially if it were summer and I felt up to standing in line for a Coldstone sample. ;)

To Save A Life

For several months, I've had this little sidebar on my blog with a link to a movie called To Save A Life. Last month, I had to the opportunity to watch the movie with some fellow youth leaders and we all agree that it gives a realistic portrayal into the lives of our students and the problems they face daily.

Last fall, many of you are aware that my own son went through some terrible struggles and it hit our entire family hard. I have to ask myself, what I could've done differently or if I could've seen any signs of what was coming. Hindsight is 20/20, but I'm doing my best to save other families from going through the same thing.

This movie addresses social division in school, bullying, self-injury, alcohol abuse, some drug use, teen pregnancy and divorce. I believe we are at our best when we are open to helping those around us who are hurting. If you have a teen (or will have a teen, this is happening in middle school too), know a teen or know families with teens, To Save A Life is a movie I believe you need to see.

If your family is involved in a youth group or church, I hope you are planning an event to get your students & families to this movie. If there are no plans, then visit these sites, TO SAVE A LIFE - OFFICIAL MOVIE SITE - In Theaters January 22, 2010 and To Save A Life Leader Resources to help you make plans for seeing the movie and providing opportunities for followup conversations. The leader site has resources for youth leaders, pastors, parents and student leaders.

Your life matters. The lives of our children matter. What are we going to do about it?

The Big Clean

Once every several months, the urge to superclean the studio hits me. The recent flooding episode added to that urge. Fortunately, the mess hasn't been that horrible to get under control since my past supercleaning challenges have kept supplies to a manageable amount.

I will be donating many supplies to two places. One is the school of my friend's daughter where they host a Jingle Bell Fair for the students every December. The other is Hope Alive Ministries for their children's ministry. This is a wonderful ministry that does more than provide a bed for women & children. It creates a home atmosphere, provides love & security as well as dealing with the issues that led to homelessness and working towards moving these families into independence.

I'm also sending out a few items to Jennifer for her Etsy website which raises money towards fighting cancer. These cards were made with an old SEI line that is so happy to work with. Normally, I'm not an orange or peachy color lover, but with the frigid temps we've been having, these were a sunny getaway to play with.Other supplies used were Heidi Swapp flowers, bling, Ranger Distress ink, American Crafts rubons and Bazzill cardstock.

I also played around making some tags from this massive bunch of tags I bought at an art supply yard sale (where I was selling and had no business buying anything). These will be going to Jennifer too. On these, I used Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Tattered Angels masks, Basic Grey rubons, decorative packing tape, Making Memories tickets, bling and vintage lace. (the ones on the right are what are headed Jennifer's way) Lastly, being the holiday freak that I am, my eyes are already turned to Valentine's Day. :) Fortunately, thus far, it's only in the artsy, creative department and not the local grocery holiday candy department (where someone told me that Cadbury Mini Eggs are ALREADY in stores. is there no diet justice?!?). To keep my paws off the candy, I may be making a lot of these little collages. This one is already hanging from the Hoosier cabinet. This is truly a hodge podge of different supplies. I've already asked someone to bar the doors should I attempt to enter with any more Valentine's supplies (vintage ones excepted of course!). The silver key is actually a Christmas ornament. Being so focused on Christmas, I'm not sure how my brain disengaged from Silver Bells long enough to think "Key To My Heart" valentine, but it did and I kind of like it. It's a jumble.

All of these meet the challenge from Opus Gluei for the week of use what you got too, so check them out if you want to play along!

Happy New Year Creating!

Though the tiny studio is not quite put back together, I was able to squeeze in there for some much needed creative therapy yesterday.

Using this set from House of 3 (which by the way, all their Christmas stuff is 50% off til Friday!), Mini-Postcard 2010 Calendar Printable Kit, I made this:

I used the same concept to bind the calendar pages as I did in this post: Kickin' It Old School

The sparkly, dangly thingamajig is a vintage clip on earring. I can just picture it on a formally dressed middle aged 1950's housewife! The lace trim is from an old collar and that last bit I have of that. The rest is seriously old stash that is every bit as beautiful to work with as it was when I first came upon it. That label with 2010 on it? Very old Recollections. ~sigh~ I miss Recollections. The printed paper is old Autumn Leaves Foofala. ~another sigh~ I miss Foofala. At least I have this to remember them by. ;)

Have a Happy New Year! See you on the flipside!

Happy Christmas!

Top Chef Hometown Heroes

No, this isn't a Christmas post because there's no way I'm getting a table booked prior to the 25th, but I wanted to spend a moment bragging on 2 local star chefs, Bryan and Michael Voltaggio who were recently on Top Chef.

Michael ultimately won, but I've got to show my allegiance for Bryan since he co-owns VOLT Restaurant in Frederick which since it has been open garnered nothing but accolades from food & wine press. I've only been there for lunch a few times, but each time has been lovely. If you are ever in the Frederick area, let's make it a date!

And you should come to Frederick. I've got to brag on this little town. The downtown area is stellar with some great dining in addition to Volt as well as unique antique stores, boutiques, art galleries & more. The first Saturday of the month, stores & restaurants roll out the red carpet late into the evening for themed special events. Just a few weeks ago, Accessories of Old opened up downtown after moving from Bethesda giving vintage loving folks another haven of wonderfulness to drool over. (It's like a smaller Tinsel Trading!)

We first moved to Frederick because the housing prices were reasonable compared to areas closer to DC or Baltimore where we had been renting & the schools were decent. Very quickly, Frederick County worked its way into our hearts truly becoming home with all it has to offer and only a short drive (or Metro ride) to the major metropolitan areas.

The Top Chef attention has been exciting and a boon for Frederick. We don't 'know' Bryan or Michael, but we cheered them on and share in the excitement of our fellow neighbors. (I made the lime macaroons & those proved pretty special too)

Early Christmas Surprise

I apologize for not posting a winner to the Christmas giveaway sooner!

I had some flooding in my studio which is where my computer is. The floor cabinets are toast as are all the storage units that were against the outside wall. We had to take the computer down and move everything about while we cleaned the place out and dried things out, but the computer is back up & running. The studio will take a while longer to reassemble after repairs are made, but I'll live.

My littlest elf drew a name from Santa's boot and the winner is Janelle of Coasting Along! Janelle, send me your snail mail address and I'll walk on over to the bustling post office & get this bundle of vintage ephemera on its way to you ASAP.

More Christmas fun coming along soon as I dig myself out of the studio disaster....