Christmas morning greeting and miniature photo magnets

Good CHRISTMAS morning to you all,

Surely you are all getting ready to spring from your covers, and venture out to the wonder of Christmas morning!  It's here!  It's here!  How wonderful!!!

My art above today can be snagged, if you wish.  It's a simple Merry Christmas greeting just for this morning!!

As the day continues, I will find myself in the kitchen, cooking.  Mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans with potatoes and pork.  That is my gift to our Christmas meal at my daughters.

I wrapped all my gifts yesterday, so they are ready to load into the car.  I'm off to visit with my grandchildren for a small part of the day, and watch them open our Christmas presents.

My oldest granddaughter has a lot of common sense items.  She picked them out herself, when she, her mom, and I went Christmas shopping about a month ago.  She'll be delighted though, because she had to wait to get them.

My youngest granddaughter has some of the same, but one big toy of a doll with a full set of items with it.  It is her biggest gift.

I felt bad that I didn't feel we got enough for the youngest, but my daughter said, "Mom.  She's going to have so much.  Don't worry about it."  And remember.  Her big gift had so many items:  doll (her favorite thing, a stroller, a high chair, and a bed, I think."  But she will soon be to the age where she knows and compares, so this will be the last year that I won't have to really watch the evenness.

My oldest granddaughter calls me "mamaw".  My youngest, her sister, calls me "grandma".  It's so funny.  But the youngest named me as she saw fit, and she doesn't call anyone else "grandma", and she has 3 of us.  I called my grandmother "mamaw", and the oldest one chose the same name for me.

I also made some gummy bears yesterday.  I love gummy bears.  They turned out spectacular, and I am taking a bag of those with me today for all of us to enjoy.  I can't wait to make these with my oldest granddaughter the next time she visits.

This morning, I decided to try one more little item for my daughter. 

As you know, I am a pinterest lady.  That's where I got the recipe for gummy bears.

While going through my pinterest board this morning, I re-discovered little picture magnets for the fridge.  So I pulled about 12 pictures together, and made some.

Unfortunately, I was upset that I didn't have any photo paper.  I looked and looked and looked.

But ... I did find an unopened package of photo magnet paper.  It's a photo finish on one side, and a full sheet magnet on the back.  PERFECT!!!

So I printed out my pictures, cut them, and then thought:  "How am I going to present them?"  So, I came up with my own little gift box pattern.

It's is about 1/2 wide, and holds the magnet pictures perfectly.

Here you see the front of the box, and the back of the box.  I used my cuttlebug to make the front embossed LOVE sign.  I printed the pictures several times, so I had lots of extras.  I took one of my daughter and me from about 1998 or or 1999 and put it on the back.  It is NOT a magnet, just decoration for the box.

We used to do a little country western dancing back then, and this was one of my favorites snapped at the bar where we went to dance.  I still look amazingly young in this picture.  Ahhh!  The good times.  I'm not saying the times are bad now ... but it has been a rough year for me, and my age is finally starting to show.  Oh well.

This is the set inside, done very small.  It's mainly just to show you the miniature magnets, not necessarily the pictures.  I snuck one of me and papaw in at the top left.  Looks like there's 15 magnets; not 12.  They are about 2 inches squared.  (The pictures came out much better on the items, of course.  This is a picture of the magnets or a picture of the pictures.)

You can do your own set.  Get the instructions here:
http://www.craftsunleashed.com/index.php/paper-crafts/instagram-polaroid-photo-magnets/

I don't have the same program she does, but I waddled my through in my program.

Have a terrific Christmas.  I know we will.

God bless you all.

Cj

A Christmas quote (religious) and A Procrastinator's Cartoon

Happy Christmas Eve Day on Monday!

Can you believe it?  Christmas is tomorrow.  My art to share today is a quote.  Since I celebrate Christmas, and HE whom it represents (Christ), I felt this quote was fitting for today.

It's changed just slightly, taking out two "and" words.

This little cartoon is for any procrastinators still rushing before Christmas Day.  Of course, it's already to late to get gifts OUT and RECEIVED by Christmas, but a gift received a little late is always well-received!  So don't beat yourself up too much!

Cartoon is read top left, lower right, bottom left, bottom right.

I usually take off the whole week before Christmas week, and get my gifts done and out.  Due to having surgery in July, and having two months off to recover (and I'm talking flat on my back in pain for those full two months),  I've used up a lot of leave time.  I always keep some on the books for emergencies (thank heavens, because I needed it THIS year), I could only spend a week's leave on Christmas without leaving my annual leave dry.

So ... unfortunately, I find myself in the procrastinator's cartoon.  And that's why I created it!

I have three out-of-town gifts to go.  Actually, it might be 4.  I forgot about one.  Most of my gifts are handmade or simple items (sweets) to consume for the holidays.  I don't buy actual presents, except for my grandchildren here, as most of my grown children are quite able to buy, and do, the things they want.

And, I find myself still finishing up ... today.  So, it's going to be a busy day for me!

Have yourself a grand day!

Enjoy!

Cj

LOVE-three words to decorate with

 Good morning,  (This is for Thursday)

I missed the last 2 days, but only because I got really busy with creating.

Today, you'll find three pngs for the word LOVE.  Love has to do with giving of oneself, and hopely, we are doing this in our gift-giving this Christmas.

I've been really busy trying to get caught up with some Christmas cards.  I am still working on them.  This first one was done on Wednesday, since my last day at work this year was Thursday.  This was made for a woman at work, whose group recently merged with ours.  At our Christmas party, she gave each and every person some really nice gifts.  I wanted to make sure I gave her a special Christmas card as she is so generous, herself.

This Christmas card is for my daughter and her family.  There is so much on this card.

I made the base calendar style card.  I added one of my little teddy bears and a tree on the bottom right.  There is a clock just next to the big bear face.  I posted the bear previously I believe.  I put a white flower upper left, and a decoration I liked next to it.  I marked the 25th for Christmas.  On the lower left are 2 candles.

I printed out the base and and began decorating it.  The bear face was printed separately, and a large shadow is on the base card underneath.  I went and grabbed some stickers I liked, and added those.  As always, I love flowers.

On the upper left is some quilling I did.  I made the upper right flower.  Down at the bottom, center, is a sculpey flower I made a long time ago.  I finally glossed it and gave it a home here.  A little green yarn bow is lower left, and across to the right of it is a pearl swirl.

I put all that onto some scrapping paper, and then it all went onto white cardstock.  It turned out very nicely.

The same card, for one of my sons and his wife, started out the same way.  I used different stickers, flowers and a butterfly.  I used a string of pearls across the top.  The red flower I made from tissue wrapping paper.  A paperdoilie is underneath.  Along the bottom, 4 of my sculpey shapes.  Three have sparkling gems in the middle.  There is a little extra bling in small gems throughout this scrap.

I've made a few thanks you cards, but will post them in a bit.

I also have some closeup of the cards showing off some of the items I made.

And I made one ornament.

As I was getting on the computer this morning, I read how an Iowa court (I think it was their supreme court) ruled that it was okay to fire a female employee for being too attractive.  When I read the title, I had to read that one.

I don't see how they can say that this is NOT discrimination.  What is an attractive woman supposed to do?  Dumb herself down?

You can't change the color of your skin, and I'm sorry, there are levels of attractiveness.

Supposedly the woman was fired because the employer's wife felt she was a "threat to their marriage."  He said they were only coworkers and friends, although he'd recently texted her asking a question that no one should ask another.  Especially, a boss. 

The wife discovered these texts, and while she had a right to worry, it should be about her husband; not the employee.

It really is a shame, and I hope this woman takes this to a higher court.  I think this is a dreadful, discriminatory ruling that the Iowa court made.  Shame on them!

Other than that ... have a great day!

Back in moment.

Cj

Thank You, Kenney! I love it!

Good morning!

And thank you -- Kenney -- for doing this fantastic gift for me! This touched my heart more than you'll ever know!

I went to work yesterday ... and sitting on my desk was this adorable little CD clock! It sits in it's own little black frame holder and is just so elegant looking.

I knew who did it! Kenney!

Kenney is always doing something special for someone. Taking a photo and printing it out large and giving it to the appropriate person!

At work, he took one of my flower designs from my website -- many years ago, and made a CD clock that hangs on my bulletin board. I was always saying I couldn't see the clock for our room, and he fixed it for me: he made me one; using my artwork! Now ... that is thoughtful!

On Friday, he had asked me for a copy of my Empathy Fairie, and I sent it to him Sunday morning. Lo and behold ... HIS ARTISTY took my creation and turned it into the most marvelous gift. (He does gorgeous work!)

He said this clock is for my desk at home. I almost hated to bring them home as I couldn't show the gifts off to all our co-workers ... but I do love them! I had several people come to my desk so I could show them ... and stopped Mary on the way out to show her. She thought they were beautiful. (Of course they are. Kenney made them!)

Together, he and I have worked on projects for several people in our division. We make a pretty awesome team!

This picture is done very large. I estimate it to be 11 x 14, and he framed it. This picture does not do it justice ... as I took it early, early this morning and I just didn't have enough light. I had to edit it as best I could for now, but when I get better light ... I will repost it!

This is the first time, I've ever had my artwork hanging in my home. It is hanging on the wall as you come up our stairs into our living area. As my husband says, "It's the first thing you see upon entering our home." He loved it, too!

I have a little surprise for you this morning, as well, Kenney.

Thank you ... for making something for me that I will treasure all my life! I know it took time and cost ... but I appreciate your talents and thoughtfulness so much!

God bless.

Your co-conspiratory IN ART!

Cj
http://www.easyaspiedailygraphics.com

12/24/09: Christmas Eve Day Scrap

Good morning,

This is really much bigger, but this was the large size.

Basically, it's just playtime while I'm on vacation. It was fun.

(The cuckoo clock was not made by me. It was a picture from many years ago, and I tubed it. It was recolorized.)

You can find a few of the items today at my website.

Many people will get off early today due to it being Christmas Eve Day. I know at my work, they only work 1/2 a day. And for the people that go in at 6 a.m., that means they get to go home at 10 a.m. Really short day ... and my kind of day.

My husband is getting off early, but I don't know how early.

Tonight will be the main setup under the tree in everyones house. Oh the fun ... the fun!

When my kids were young, the out-of-town gifts were placed under the tree. Day by day, there were more and more gifts. On Christmas Eve, each child was allowed to choose one of the out-of-town gifts ... and open it. This became a tradition in our house.

Do you have any traditions? Do you open your gifts on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve? Maybe you go caroling.

I did that as a young girl. We didn't do it every year, but occasionally we'd get a bee up our bonnet and go. It was always great fun. We'd use the song sheets that came with Mitch (?'s) Christmas Album. Miller, I think, his last name was? Does anyone remember that?

My dear granddaughter will be home either Christmas Day in the evening ... or maybe it's Saturday; the day after. The gifts received at her dad's house will be left at dad's house. Maybe mom will let her bring home one or two FAVORITE gifts. But, she'll have more when she gets home.

Hoping you all a very Merry Christmas Eve.

Take care.

Cj

http://www.easyaspiedailygraphics.com

3 free new graphics each day

Good morning!

N O T I C E :

Hello!

A new scrapper's group just opened it's doors at Eons.
It's called Scrapper's Daily.

http://www.eons.com/groups/group/scrappers-daily

We are brand new, and we're looking for members.

Hurry on over -- give us a peek -- and then join in the fun with us.

Yes, yes ... if you like to scrap, c'mon over and join us.

This is one of the challenges for the day, and this is my challenge!

Every day there's something new. Lots of items to pick up -- totally free, as always. Post your creations, using items offered at Scrapper's Daily, or any items from my website at http://www.easyaspiedailygraphics.com/. Mix in some of your own stuff ... and post it! Use whatever else you have that you have a right to use freely.

Get noticed.

Group owner (me) is open to suggestions and any help you might be willing to share with new members. And me, too, of course.

Scrapper's Daily is located within EONS, and you'll need to create a free account, but you'll be so glad you did. EONS offers lots of groups, gifts to you for posting and participating for you to give out. The more active you are, the more fun you have, and the MORE gifts you're given. You can have your own blog within Eons, and you can make lots of friends.

Games are also a part of EONS.

Hurry on over. Check out EONS, AND Scrapper's Daily. A fantastic community.

Cj