Getting Ready...

Yes, I'm putting up Christmas decorations! Much earlier this year than years before. My daughter Wendy decorated her entire house before Thanksgiving. They're in Hawaii for a week and she wanted to come home with everything complete. Then she could put her time into creating her Hawaiian Album. Soooooo organized!! Her Christmas presents are even wrapped and ready to be shipped (they live in Phoenix).

After showing you some ideas to jazz up candles in hurricane glasses, I had to share what is sitting on our coffee table in the den. It didn't photograph very well but it's pretty in person. I filled the bottom of the glass with some old fashioned candies from a local candy shop.

Just think of all the possibilities!! This is our holiday 'night light' in the hallway before our bedroom. Branches sprayed silver and sprinkled with silver glitter and stuck in a gold vase. I also added some branches that have those little optic lights on them from Target. This really lights up the hallway at night and looks sparkly during the day too!

These little people are waiting for their place on our tree. The tree is up but doesn't have it's lights strung, so the decorations have to wait. Besides... these little guys look so cute snuggled in their little box! Wendy sent them for my birthday (Crateandbarrel.com)

I am getting so anxious for December 1st so I can start my "December Daily" album. Just a few days to go!! You still have time to join me in this fun project!!

A favorite quote from Abraham Lincoln...

"People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Choose happiness!

Joni

Quick Seasonal Decorations

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, you just might need a simple centerpiece or a side table touch-of-the-season. Here are a few simple ideas that you can pull together quick-as-a-wink!!

A candle in a glass vase, sconce, etc and a bit of color!! Cranberries add that touch of red and feeling of the season. Also great for Christmas!Twigs, acorns, a few leaves and you celebrate the Holiday with an Autumn feel!

A little red... a little green.... candles and glass! Always a winner!

My favorite... gather and polish acorns... glue on their caps... remember that big trees grow from these tiny pretties. Speaking of polish... grab a few small pumpkins (some white if you can find them)... wash them and polish them with furniture polish. A lovely luster! Table-worthy. We're celebrating Thanksgiving at Boyd's parent's home this year. His brother and his sister and her family... also Kristin is here from Chicago!! Yeah!! I never take time with my daughters for granted. My other daughter Wendy and her husband Darin are going to Hawaii for the week. I wish them a safe, fun, and relaxing trip.

I believe in the power of prayer! Prayers for my friend Marcia, her dad 'Dutch', and family at the loss of her mother this week will be appreciated.

Make this a great day!!

Joni

2009 December Day-by-Day Album

This is last years 2008 December Daily album... And here is the new... in-progress... 2009 album!

Boy, I sat on this project for a long time... wanting to do something REALLY different! Finally I just jumped in one day and created an album that looks a lot like last years including the acetate covers! The paper cover, under the acetate, was done digitally this year!! The great part is that you can't make a mistake... there are no rules and it's whatever works for you!

Here are a few inside pages (no dates yet) to give you a feel for it's flavor. On December 1st I will journal an introduction page about my feelings, etc, that day.

I'm fond of layers of different sizes and shapes.

I did put a date on this page because it's St Nicks day at our house and I sort of have a feel for where I'm going with this.

At the end of the album I put this "Christmas Memories" page. It's always fun to reflect on memories.

That's just a quick sample, but I hope I've motivated someone to give a December Daily album a try! You will be so happy you did... and it's such fun!

Make this a great day!

Hugs,

Joni

New Things!

For my birthday, my sweet husband gave me this cute little 7" TV for my desk. I just love it!! I spend a lot of time at my desk with my computer, photoshop, and just plain old creating! It's sitting on a cable box and has lots of channels. The History channel is on all day at our house and I throw in a few Lifetime movies... mysteries only! My little corner of the world is just perfect for me!! By the way, the TV also plugs into the car's lighter! ALSO NEW... My daughter, Kristin (the Chicago girl), got a tattoo on her foot... a daisy!! That's a first in our family! But... it's really cute on her dainty little foot! I was surprised how much I liked it! She did say that the process hurt. Kristin works for Sanford that makes Sharpie markers and I really thought she'd drawn it on her foot with a Sharpie marker!

I've got my December Daily album done and ready to go on December 1st. I'll share photos on my next blog of the album . Last year we were in Phoenix AZ on the 1st & 2nd... so palm tree pictures! When we flew home on the 3rd Green Bay was covered with snow and ice. Such fun to have that documented!

Make this a GREAT day!

Choose happiness!!

Hugs,

Joni

This is the cutest!!

I was reading Karen Walker's Blog "Random Reflections" several days ago and fell in love with her adorable stamped owl cards (Karen is also a scrapper & photographer). I mentioned to her that I'd love to give card making a try and "where do I start..." to get the quality she creates. She responded with a great site that caused my heart to beat rapidly in anticipation. The blog belongs to Nicole Heady and sent me into a frenzy of excitement... no kidding!! My creative juices were running!! http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/

Look at these adorable cardstock houses... too cute!! You'll see more on the blog.

I love this little red house created by Debbie Olson... love the colors!!


This is a house by Nichole Heady and Lauren Meader! It is so precious!!

Another view! I love the boughs and the buttons. The boughs are made with a Martha Stewart punch which after much searching I just found & bought from Paper Wishes.

A close up of the curtain stamp with the window stamp over the curtains. There are so many, many stamps in the set!

Look at the lovely card created from the same stamp set.

A close up of the card!

The pattern for the house is a PDF file ready to be printed on cardstock with your printer! Lauren Meader created the pattern... she's so talented!! Check out her blog!! Delicious!! The house pattern is only $5.00 and can be downloaded... and used over and over!!

My directions (PDF file) are printed and my house is next to be printed. Just trying to decide on what color cardstock to use. I ordered the stamp set last night at midnight when it was released for purchase... now I just have to wait for the mail to bring it to me!! But meanwhile, I can get the house put together... or several!!

Make this a great day!

XOXO

Joni

WELCOME to our home!!

My daughters haven't seen our 'new old house' put together. So these photos are for them! But I welcome you to peek into our little cottage home too!

I made this seasonal wreath a few years ago but it's holding up well. This is in the computer room... looking into the living room. You go up 2 blue steps and you are in the living room.
Here is the living room with an informal dining area (see the hutch sticking up on the left).

The fun part of this house... built in 1943... are the little built-ins here and there. Like this bookshelf! And going down 2 steps to the computer room.

My goal was "cozy"!! And I'm really pleased with the way it's turning out. The red blue and yellow run through most of the house, although I had the kitchen painted 'Bisque' to provide a blank canvas to work with. I've accented it with red, black, and tan (pics another day)

You can see through to the den (my favorite room) and the door to the right is the 'front door' which goes onto a covered porch. The fireplace behind the couch is in the process of getting a painted Scandinavian design... not completed yet. That wall is also brick but I had everything painted yellow (brick included) and it's difficult to see. The coffee table is amazing... the top is on hinges that allow the whole to to slide up and forward and a great place to have dinner with a movie. It's all about comfort!

Make this a great day! Choose happiness!!

XOXO

Joan

Before and After...

Yes... this is the chaos (somewhat organized chaos) that was my desk and work space at our house in Green Bay.
And then we moved to Oshkosh several weeks ago and I had to sort it all out. BIG JOB!!

Now we are in our 'new old house' and I am loving my new organized spot. I found this wooden desk organizer at Achievers... a chain scrapbook Store. It holds sooooo much!! It certainly helped my desktop!!I found this great little red shelf at Potterybarnkids.com. Perfect for treasures that I like to look at over-and-over and things that inspire me!

Here's a peek at my half of the new-old computer room. I am really enjoying working in this area. I didn't realize how much I needed ORDER to create in. I actually designed and made my Christmas cards the other day (another post).

I am so happy about our move... now that it's over!! I needed a decorating project and this house needed redecorating. I took pictures yesterday and will gradually share them with you this week and next.

Make this a good day!!

Joni

PS Today's my 66th birthday!!

More photos about that in the next few days!!

Mickey Mouse's Makeover!

This is Mickey in his 1928 debut as 'Steamboat Mickey' in his first cartoon. This often pops up in trivia games as a question!In the 50's Mickey took on the look that we all know and love to this day... cute, sweet and lovable. Easily identifiable by children and adults all over the world. He represented fun, love, kindness, and safety.

Well folks... this was in the news today! Mickey's makeover! More rat-like and mean-spirited!

M-i-c-k-e-y M-o-u-s-e (you have to sing it)!! Disney... how could you??

Do you have a favorite memory sparked by thinking "Mickey Mouse"?? Why don't you share it!

MINE: In the 50's I was an avid fan of the original Mickey Mouse TV Show. I ate many dinners on a TV tray in front of that show! I knew every song and dance routine and every Mouseketeer! I felt so safe and warm watching that show in our little house in Milwaukee. Life was good!

Make this a great day!

Joni

Free Holiday Class!!

I was sooooooo excited when I saw this notice this morning... and it's FREE!!

Jessica Sprague's classes are OUTSTANDING!!! I have learned so much from her... she is a great teacher!! And this class is for anyone... anywhere!! And you don't have to be a digital scrapper... just take the class and Jessica will teach you all you need to know (through on-line videos). You will come out with a finished album ready for your holiday memories!!

I made one last December and I read it every now-and-then. Such fun... such wonderful memories!!

This class is FREE... you have nothing to lose!!
Go to jessicasprague.com... register (takes 2 minutes) and you'll be all set to go!! Just have to wait until the 16th to get started. I just put the dates on my wall calendar so I won't forget! If you don't want to continue at anytime... you don't have to!! You're doing this from the privacy of your home! I'll be here to help you if you have any problems or don't understand something! You can even involve your kids... they catch on faster than adults!

Her videos are available 24/7 and you can replay them as many times as you want. She always has wonderful freebies for you too!!

Can't wait!!! Join me!!!
XOXO
Joni

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2009

The last day of October and on to 'dreary' November... somewhat rescued by my Birthday on the 9th and then Thanksgiving.

Instead of Halloween decorations, I decorate with a Harvest theme. Then everything can stay up until the Christmas decorations are lovingly unpacked and carefully placed here and there and everywhere. This will be a special Christmas as we're in our new 'old' home!!

This is a photo from 1953 when my friend Susie (on the left) and I (with the crimson lips) had a joint Halloween party for a bunch of girlfriends. We had a 'rec room'... popular in that era... and it was perfect for parties which we had a lot of!! Ooooo... the good old days!!

Talk about nostalgia... this is a song we used to sing:

Oh... it's Halloween and gob-lins are about,

you can see them lurking in the gloom.

But a way up in the sky...

there's a witch a-swishing by...

with a big black cat a riding on her broom.

Take care!!

Beware!!

Of the cat a-riding on the witch's broom!

BOO!

Have a fun day!!

joni

LOVE TO COLLECT...

This is a layout I digitally scrapped about my newest Lori Mitchell figurine. I just love her Trick-or-Treat children wearing adorable costumes. This is Jack Squash!! My daughter Wendy sent him from Phoenix. Thanks Wendy!! I now have 5 little Lori Mitchell characters... all standing in a gang (remember when "gang" was a fun word?) on the top of a bookcase waiting to ring a doorbell.

Do you have any Halloween collections?

This is a short post as Boyd is being released from the hospital today and I still have a few boxes to unpack. At least I'm down to 'a few'!!!

Make this a good day!

XOXO
joni

I'm Baaaaaaaack!!!

I can't resist blogging at this time of the year! I love Fall, Thanksgiving, and the Christmas celebrations!

I had this pumpkin photo in my stash and just had to share it with you. I think it's such fun!! I love decorating inside and out for Halloween and Fall!
I love watching the spooky movies on TV this week! Turning off the lights and lighting a candle or two.
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Below is a digital scrapbook layout I did as part of MY MEMORIES album. Nancy Drew was probably the first mystery books I read... I was quite young when I got hooked on them. At that time Nancy was as scary and mysterious as I got. Boo to you, Nancy Drew!! And such fun memories of you and Ned Nickerson, your father Carson Drew the attorney, Hannah the housekeeper, and partners in crime... George (girl) and Bess. And don't forget her roadster!

Spark any memories for you??
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Update on Boyd:

He is in the hospital again... retaining 20+ pounds of fluid and needed oxygen. His kidneys are not in very good shape and he may be facing dialysis. Poor guy... and he never complains!

Update on Us:

We have moved to Oshkosh Wisconsin to my old house. It's cozy, homey, and charming... but smaller than our house in Green Bay!! I will post photos when I get the boxes unpacked.

Make this a good day!!

Love to you all... feels good to be back!!

Joni

What's Happening!!

It's been quite a while since I posted on my blog, but life has thrown us a few curves.

Boyd started running fevers again and we were in and out of our doctor's office, the Emergency room and the hospital... for weeks and weeks! He was frustrated and I was just plain scared!! He gradually became 'short-of-breath' and another trip to the doctor. This time she admitted him right into the Intensive Care Unit. They finally did a heart catherization and found that he had suffered 2 heart attacks. Being a bad diabetic, he had not felt them as he had lost sensation in and around his heart (neuropathy) and they didn't show up on a cardiac monitor.

So then we started dealing with a Cardiac Surgeon and surgery was scheduled. But one blood test kept showing an infection in his body. Now we had to start working with an Infectious Disease Doctor to find out what was going on and surgery was cancelled.

To wrap this up... there wasn't an infection and Boyd had Open-Heart Surgery this past Thursday. Surgery went well but his diabetes is causing some problems. He's in Cardiac Intensive Care right now with tubes and wires sticking out all over. They're watching him closely for renal (kidney) failure... another side effect of that nasty disease Diabetes.

I spend my days at the hospital and get home and crash!!When I get up in the morning I've been working on my layouts... that really relaxes me! If you're interested in seeing any of them... just click on Designers Digital on the top-right side of the blog.

Please keep Boyd in your thoughts and prayers.

Joni

The Day After Monday

I really wanted to post every Monday but due to life's 'have-to-get-this-done' moments, I couldn't post yesterday!

Mother's Day was such fun! Kristin came up from Chicago... stayed in Oshkosh (see why I'm moving to Oshkosh) and then we met half way in Appleton on Sunday. We had an early lunch and went shopping for furniture for our Oshkosh home. Had lots of good luck (more below) and ended the day with a stop at Starbucks for my Spring drink-of-choice... a Grande Strawberries and Cream Frappaccino! It is yummy, yummy, yummy! Tastes like fresh strawberries smell!

My Furniture shopping was very successful... because of Kristin's help. It's so helpful to have her with me to get second opinions from and bounce ideas together. Besides... she knows the house so well and has good taste. We picked out this red comfy couch for the den. Kristin has the same couch in camel... same manufacturer... and I got it for half of what she payed in Chicago. Hers has worn well so I knew it was a good purchase.

I bought a living room couch and loveseat and 2 nightstands, also! They will be delivered this Saturday. Can't wait!! Good photo op!

My computer has been busy helping me create layouts. Since I've joined these Galleries... I am much more motivated and have kept my 'credits of the designers' accurate. I'm having so much fun trying out new techniques, etc.

I'm not going to repeat the 'Credits' here when you can just click on a gallery on the sidebar and see the materials I used... if you want. I look at credits a lot because I see something in a layout that I'd like to buy and I can find the location there. Otherwise...

This is Kristin when she was about 5 years old and we had spent a day at their favorite park.

This layout reminds me of a page in an Eric Carle book (The Hungry Caterpillar, etc). The words are from a picture in my house and I wanted to use them in a layout. No author was mentioned.

I really wanted to document Kristin's battle with braces as they were on for over 8 years. She even had to have jaw & chin surgery (wired shut for 8 weeks)... a blog in itself!! Ever see a Big Mac in a food processor... yuck!

This is Leroy having a good shake at Wendy's in Arizona. I love the way the camera caught the spray in the light.

Sorry to rush but I need to go to Oshkosh and sign my new Home owner's Policy and run some errands there.

Make it a great week!!

Joni

The Day Before Tuesday

ART:

Saturday was NSD (National Scrapbook Day)!! It was a day of shopping the 'digital material'
sales, some 'freebies', and challenges at many scrapbook sites. I've added links on my sidebar (to the right) to the Galleries I'm putting my Layouts in. If you click on a Gallery, my page(s) will pop up for viewing. For me it is also a great way to meet other digi scrapers, find inspiration, get questions answered, and learn about current challenges... and so on.

I WON a $25. gift certificate from Sue Cummings of O'SCRAPS for my layouts using her kit... designed around the word 'EXTRAORDINARY'!!! Some of the layouts are in last week's post. She gave another gal and me the certificate for our Enthusiasm, Quality, and Quantity of our work. THANKS AGAIN SUE CUMMINGS!!

The layout below was a quickie I made yesterday. I wanted to try using dark colored paper as a background.

Credits:All material are from Little Dreamer Designs.
Paper:TNT 'Spring Couture
'White swirl border: Paislee Hoopla Elements
Green Border: Paislee Hoopla Elements
Acrylic Heart & branch: L Reid 'Tranquil Escape'
Green Heart: LBA 'Happy Hearts
'Font: Vivaldi

BOOKS:

I've been reading this Henry the VIII book in chunks rather than chapters... wife by wife. It's a thick book (937 pages) but despite the small print... an easy read!! I just finished Anne-of-Cleves and am about to start Catherine Howard. I read other books between wives (that sounds odd!) As a refresher to those of you interested in English history, his wives were:

1. Katherine of Aragon (Spanish) mother of Queen Mary I. (Died of an illness)

2. Anne Boleyn... mother of Queen Elizabeth I. (Was Executed)

3. Jane Seymour... mother of his only son, King Edward VI (She died from childbirth)

4. Anne of Cleves (German)... (marriage annulled)

5. Catherine Howard (Executed)

6. Katherine Parr

MOVIES/TV SERIES:

We're watching the 3rd season of THE TUDORS on Showtime TV. If you don't get Showtime, the 1st and 2nd season are available on DVD. It's a wonderful presentation of Henry the VIII's life. When we began the series we were disappointed in the look of the actor that plays Henry... much too slim for our background knowledge. However in the book it explains that Henry didn't start to get fat until after the death of Ann Seymour when he stayed in and grieved for her. Also at that time an old leg injury becomes a very painful ulcer and he became very sedentary. Thus the huge weight gain. In the series he's just at that point in his life and we're wondering how they're going to handle this on the screen... a rubber suit??

HAPPENINGS:

We are moving back to Oshkosh... an hour South of Green Bay. I'm really excited... looking forward to decorating from scratch. We'll put Boyd's house up for sale when the market looks a bit more promising. I lived in Oshkosh for 36 years and it's home to my girls. I miss having them stay with me when they're home, but all of their friends are in Oshkosh... and their Dad has a big house. Now they won't have that extra 2 hr. drive each time we get together. Boyd's parents moved to Oshkosh and we need to spend more time with them. His dad just celebrated his 89th birthday. Lots to do...

Make this a great week!

Joni

A Productive Weekend

Helen Hancock introduced me to oscraps.com a while ago. It's a digital scrapping site (Blog, Shop, Forum, Gallery... and more). I popped in there 'now and then' but never really got involved. This weekend I jumped in and entered "a challenge" and posted my work in their gallery. I was totally hooked!! It's a good thing that Boyd does the cooking at this house or we would have starved.

The CHALLENGE was to make a digital layout using Sue Cummings Week 16 materials from her '52 Inspirations' kits... the word was"EXTRAORDINARY"!! So I created a layout and then another and then... well, you get it! Busy, busy, busy as Eloise would say.
(All materials used were by Sue Cummings... for further details check my gallery at oscraps.com)

1. Boydo at a fantastic ice cream parlor in Phoenix AZ... 'Mary Coyles'. 2. Wendy at her Kentucky Derby Wedding Shower last Spring.

3. My first encounter with a dog in 1944.

4. Kristin running the Oshkosh Marathon in rain and sleet... but still a smile!

5. Wendy and Kristin with best friend Jennifer after the wedding ceremony... crashing for a moment. Love this photo!

I'm planning to post on my blog each Monday. So look for me here on that day. I'm planning on following a format of Art, Books, Movies, and Happenings each week. Today I wandered away from my plans as I wanted to share my new relationship with O'SCRAPS. I know I've found a new home there. YUMMERS!!

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Love to you all!

Joni