Happy Thanksgiving!

I just want to take the time to wish you all a blessed and happy Thanksgiving! We will be having two dinners today, but that is how it usually is. We are very blessed to have both of our families close enough to see on the Holidays, and I try not to take that for granted. I am also very blessed with my wonderful Husband who is currently out sitting in a tree, and my wonderful son, who is still in bed. He is a teenager now!! I have seen him grow up before my eyes these past few weeks. It is strange-he does stuff when I ask, and he doesn't whine about it!! He does things to help without being asked, it is a Mom's dream come true!
I am also very blessed to have a wonderful family, parents, brothers, a sister in law who is not only like my sister, but also a great spiritual counselor for me, and scads of nieces and a nephew! I have wonderful in laws, and brother and sister in laws, who accept me for who I am, and are generous to a fault! And over a dozen more nieces and nephews on that side!!
I am very thankful for my church family, and for all the friends the Lord has blessed me with. I am thankful this year especially, for employment, gas, heat, and the fact that we are squeezing by!
I hope that each and every one of you has a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!!
**Keri**

Happy Birthday Card

Good Monday morning!! We have been in a deep freeze for nearly a week, and I gotta say, I am sick of it! It is unusually cold for this time of year-teens and single digits, not even hitting the 32 degree mark is something we see AFTER Christmas! It is supposed to warm up this week, and that is one thing I am thankful for! A dear friend of mine is having a birthday very soon, so I made a special card for her last night. It is an original-not even a sketch was used. I used several of the new In Colors from Stampin Up!, along with some patterned paper.
Here is what I used for this card:
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss
Patterned Paper-SU! Hostess Level 3 DSP from Fall Winter 08 catty
Ribbon-Michael's
Stamps- Flight of the Butterfly
I have to say, I got this set about a month ago, and I have already used it twice. I *love* how versatile it is, depending on what colors you use.
Have a Happy Monday!
**Keri**

New Buzz and Bloom!!

Good morning everyone! Thought I would drop in and direct you to my latest Buzz and Bloom project! CLICK HERE if you would like to check out the entire piece! I would also like to take the time to tell you all that after 3 years of serving on the Design Team for Buzz and Bloom, my stint is over. Although I feel kind of sad about it, it is the right time for me to move on. The deadlines were really getting to me, and I think I needed a break from so called "required" work. That being said, there is a whole new crop of design team members over at Buzz and Bloom, eagerly waiting to start creating! You can check them out by clicking HERE! I will have two more blog articles in December, then the new team will take over. I would also like to take this time to thank Helene and Div for being awesome women to work for-they made it so easy. I will always look back at our time together with fondness in my heart. I will always appreciate the chance you gave me, you really changed my life!
I hope everyone has a divine Thursday!
**Keri**

Quick and Easy Christmas Gifts...

I thought I would share a couple of quick but hand made Christmas gifts today. These are great with a Holiday theme, but could also be used and adapted for any holiday or occasion! The first thing I have is a post it note holder. My Mom and I are making almost 100 of these, for all the workers at Grandma's nursing home. We like to do something to show our appreciation, and because all the workers rotate areas, everyone in the home works with her some time throughout the year. We thought these post it note holders were cute, original, and useful at the same time! I used patterned cardstock, so it would hold up better than thinner patterned paper. I used the Glitter Stack from DCWV that you can get at Joann's and Michaels. The outside piece is 7.5 x 3.25 inches. The post it notes are 3 inch square. The cheapest place we found them was 5 dollars for a dozen at Walmart. I just wrapped the cardstock around the post it note pad, then removed the pad to add some double stick tape to the back. I then stuck it back down! I used a little tab of velcro as a closure, and added the circular punches for a little embellishment/opening tab. There you have it!


The second thing have to share are these marble magnets. These are an oldie, but a goodie! You can find these clear circular flat marbles at the Dollar Tree, and at Michael's, in the floral department. What I did was choose a stamp and stamped an image on white cardstock. I punched it out with my 1.25 inch SU! circle punch. The stones are not perfectly circular, but really close. I put the stamped image stamped side DOWN through my Xyron X so the surface would be sticky. I stuck it to the back of the stone, so the stamped image shows through the front. I then took a heavy duty magnet, which are found at Michael's, and at Walmart in the craft dept. and stuck it to the back with the heavy duty tacky tape with the red backing. My favorite way to present these, is to do a set of 4, and put them in a decorated altoid tin. These are THE BEST magnets-they hold really heavy things, they don't fall apart, and they are cute! You could use patterned paper for the circle, or even a photo!!



So there you have it! Two quick, easy, and adorable things to keep in mind as the Holidays get closer, and you realize you have forgotten a gift for someone! These are both very cost effective, too!
Have a great Wednesday!
**Keri**

Christmas Ornaments..

I found THIS GREAT LINK last week for a really cute Christmas tree ornament.
Would you believe I had everything to make a couple?? Here is my interpretation of the ornament. The more colorful one is more like the original from the link, the blue/black/white/silver one is more "me" with different wire and some beads added to it. I used SU! scalloped circle and circle punches for the inside, and even added some chunky glitter and snowflake punches to the inside!! One photo is printed in black and white, the other one I gave a turquoise tint to. They really were fun to do, and I am anxious to do some more, of our two dogs!




I have been having trouble uploading photos through blogger lately, so I have been using photobucket. Sorry it the photos are too large, or not clear. I guess I need to sit down and figure out what is going on!
Hope you like these ornaments, and thanks for visiting!!
Have a great day!
**Keri**

Finally!!

I would like to think that this means I get my husband back, but that is never the case. Peter got this 5 pointer on Thursday morning. Meat in the freezer!!


Have a Happy and Blessed Sunday!!
**Keri**

A few great links to share, and more!!

Hello!! I have had an overwhelming comment response for the folded stars and the paper pine cones!! I would love to be able to make up a tutorial, but things are really crazy around here, and the tutorials I followed are certainly fine, so I will share those links with you now!!
Here is the tutorial for the german folded stars. CLICK HERE!!
There are several tutorials for these stars out there, but this one seems to be the best for ME. It is the one I actually learned on, after trying many.
I stated in a previous post that I had found a site to purchase the paper strips from. Well, happy to say, the strips arrived today, less than a week from when I ordered, and they are perfect! CLICK HERE to visit the site for the paper strips. They have proven to be a very reputable site, so feel comfort in ordering!
For the paper pine cones, I found a tutorial on a blog. CLICK HERE for that!
Now, for those of you who read this blog strictly to follow my family's adventures in hunting and trapping,(likely!) this is for you!! Peter and Cody got their trapping certification and their licenses recently. And they trapped their first animal on Monday! I was kind and only posted the back end of the animal. They are around here in HUGE numbers and are doing massive damage to property, roadways, etc. So this is strictly a population control mission. It was actually pretty exciting to see one this close-the bottom of it's foot was squishy like a human foot, and the tail was so cool!


Lastly, I am taking a cue from Tanya over at THE SUNDAY BAKER--click here and posting something I LOVE!! I honestly cannot believe how in love I am with this laundry soap. In fact, I recently found it on sale at Price Chopper, until New Years, and I was so excited I called my Mom to tell her! This is the only store I can find that carries All Small and Mighty SNUGGLE BLUE detergent. It smells divine, especially if you use Blue Sparkle Snuggle Detergent. This laundry soap doesnt' contain the softener, just the smell.. So, if you are looking to try a new laundry soap, look no further!!
I think that is it for now, can't believe tomorrow is Thursday already!
Have a good one!
**Keri**

Do you remember??? And other randomness...

Do you remember when you first started blogging? I do. I don't even know what made me start. Probably just to show off my crafting, mostly. I loved the Pioneer Woman and wanted to share what life was like up here in the North, and I love how she presents her way of life. It was off and on at first. I have found that it is definitely something you have to work at. I still have a few dry spells now and again, but I finally feel like I have a pretty good, established blog, heck, I even have 5 followers now! The one thing I always live by is that I have to put in as much as I receive. That being said, my friend and demo Judy has jump started her blog. IF YOU CLICK HERE you can see her blog, her latest creations, and how talented she is. Mosey on over and give her a shout out. Tell her Keri sent you. She is a great gal, friend, and now my demo for SU!. She has some great ideas!
Okay, now, on to more crafting topics. My first craft camp was on Friday night! I have to admit, I had not had a very good afternoon-you know, one of those days where bad news hits you from every angle? That kind of day. But I pulled up my big girl panties and everyone arrived despite the horrible fog we had! We made the reinker/glitter glass ball ornaments, and I taught the Magic Colored Pencil Technique. Both projects were well received, enjoyed, and boy was it crazy with 10 women here all let loose on a Friday night!
So, I am happy to announce another craft camp! For all my faithful readers who are also members of my stamp group, it is scheduled for Nov. the 28th, (black friday) at 6 pm. We will be doing two projects again. The folded German star ornament, and the paper pine cone ornament.
I think many of you will remember this little project of mine from last year!?

I actually found an online source for the paper strips-I have never ordered from them before, but they seemed reliable, quick to respond to my inquiries and I am hoping that this will solve my problem of making my own strips. I will keep you updated on that!

This is the paper pine cone ornament-I made a few of these last year, and had some express an interest in learning how to make them. So two ornaments, using folded paper! So that is that! I hope that the second workshop goes as well as the first one did-everyone seems excited! Have a great Monday everyone-I have a guest here with me today-my dear hunter husband got a layoff-hoping that it is only a short one-and he has a LIST of things to do-so if I am not back in a day or two, come find me? Please??
Have a great day!
**Keri**

Digital Scrapbooking!?

So, I have finally stuck my big ol' toe in the digital scrapbooking waters!! I downloaded a bunch of freebies a while back, and the mood struck me last night to try my hand at it. I have been slowly gathering necessary knowledge of techniques here and there, and finally learned and practiced enough to do my first set of pages!! I will never go to digital 100%, I love the smell of paper and glue too much, but this is a really great idea for getting a lot of photos in albums in a short period of time. As time has gone by, my paper scrapbooking has been more of a way to showcase some of my favorite photographs, instead of a way to just chronicle our events. With the digital, I can scrap all of those years worth of Christmas photos and get them into an album. The photos are scrap worthy, but not faboo, kwim? So here are my first two attempts. I printed them out 6x6 and they are already in an album! My first goal is to see how many Christmas layouts I can get done with my 4 years worth of Christmas photos currently on my computer!! I have always had a hard time scrapping Christmas, so this has been working good so far!! Please, remember, I am very green at this. What do you think???

**Keri**

Workshop Card, and Buzz and Bloom..

Here is a sneak peak at my latest submission over at Buzz and Bloom!! Can you guess what it is? CLICK HERE to see both projects, and the entire post!

I also finally got a photo of my workshop card. This is what we will be making at Friday night's craft camp. The purpose of this card is to teach the Magic Colored Pencil Technique. I got the basic idea over at SCS, and adjusted it for what I wanted to teach. I thought the balloons would be an easy starter image for the coloring technique, and I love all the bright colors! Here is what I used:

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder-squares

Cardstock-white, tempting turquoise, yo yo yellow, pixie pink, only orange, green galore, orchid opulence, and basic black

Ink-Black Staz On

Clear stardust pen, crystal effects,

After the image was stamped and colored, I went over the black lines with the clear stardust pen, then over the whole balloon with the crystal effects. You can see from the picture below that the crystal effects makes them look like real balloons!! I hope all the ladies enjoy making this card!!
Have a great Wednesday!

**Keri**

Cody's Treasure Hunt Birthday

Happy Election Day!! Have you voted yet?? I went already this morning, to my polling station. Three ladies, and TWO machines!! They now have a machine for handicapped people. COOL! Believe it or not, I actually had to wait in line. There were 4 people ahead of me! I bet I waited at least 2 or 3 minutes! Any wait at my polling place is highly unusual!

So, last Saturday, we hosted a Treasure Hunt in honor of the Code-Man's birthday. I wanted to do something fun that the kids had never done before. With his birthday so late in the season, the weather isn't always the greatest. Thankfully, we took the chance and the weather was cool, but calm and sunny!
I made a slideshow of photos from that day. Cody had 6 friends/cousins over to hang out.
I made all the clues for the treasure hunt, and printed them out on red cardstock. Peter and I went out earlier that morning and hid all the clues so the boys would have a bit of a challenge. They were under rocks, hidden in old dead stumps, anywere an everywhere. We gave them the first clue, and they took it from there. It took nearly 2 hours to complete the hunt, but at the end, each boy found a laser pointer/LED flashlight hidden in the crevices of our wood pile. Some of the clues stumped them more than others, but they had a ball! I had fun coming up with the clues-it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. It was a great day. Hope you like the slideshow!

Have a great day!
**Keri**

Duck, Duck, GOOSE!!

The birthday boy got his first goose yesterday!! I was on my way home from the grocery store early yesterday morning when my phone rang...
Cody: "Hey MOM!!"
Me: "Hey, Bud!"
Cody: "Guess what?? I got one!!"
Me: "One WHAT?" (hey, it's a VALID QUESTION!! could've been anything from a chipmunk to a bear!!)
Cody: " A goose mom....one what...like you had to ask...."
Me: " Yeah, yeah, I know...GOOD FOR YOU!!! Mama will be home soon!!! Did you take pictures yet???"
Cody: " Um NO! I want to wait for YOU!!"
Still my baby!! Anyway, here is my big guy with his Daddy and his goose. First kill with his 20 gauge. Boy, was papa proud!!

We did have Cody's birthday party yesterday. I am still recovering! Watch for a post about the treasure hunt this week. Hope everyone had a blessed weekend. We did!
**Keri**