kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,622 
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Post by kitbop on Jan 1, 2023 12:49:47 GMT
Happy New Year to a wonderfully Crafty Crew! We are: teacherlisa , katiekaty , Linda , angel97701 , gramma , AussieMeg , jjpeapea , sleepingbooty , nylene , natscraps , nine , pantsonfire , boymom5 , cmpeter , cannmom , kokomo37 I'm really looking forward to resuming my scrapping and cardmaking once the festive season is over and put away. Alas That is not today! Today I work until 4, then my family is opening Christmas gifts! We were away for Christmas, and let alone not being able to FIT gifts in the packed car (5 adult sized people, 2 dogs, and a partridge in a pear tree on an 8 hour drive) we also felt it could feel awkward or unbalanced to open gifts with extended family. So we postponed. We are also doing a big supper again. Since we were away, we haven't had that wonderful holiday burden of leftovers yet. How can it be Christmas without trying to fit too many leftovers into a full fridge???  So I just don't see any crafting in my New Year yet! And nothing gets my mojo going like "forbidden fruit" - if I CAN'T scrapbook, of course it's the one thing I really want to do! I'm going to pose a few questions this week hoping to get some chat going. What are your plans today? What did you do last night? Did you stay up to see the New Year in? Party until 3am? Bed at 9:30? I intended to go to bed at 10:30...but laundry and tidying  . Ended up in bed at 11:55, receiving exploding texts (anyone else get that new animation in their texts yesterday?) from family wishing me happy new year, so I was able to get my New Years kiss from DH afterall! |
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Post by Linda on Jan 1, 2023 14:38:06 GMT
Thanks for leading us this quarter kitbop - enjoy your Christmas celebration today! What are your plans today? What did you do last night? Did you stay up to see the New Year in? I think we're planning a quiet day at home today - maybe finally breaking out our Christmas puzzle. I'll make a ham dinner later. Last night? We spent the day in the city visiting the art museum and a bunch of shops so I was pretty tired afterwards. We had an appetisers feast and I was in bed before 11. I know DS31 didn't make it to midnight either - everyone else is still sleeping so I'm not sure about them. I want to scrap also but I think it'll probably have to wait until next weekend so I can enjoy time with my family (the big kids leave Friday morning) |
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
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Post by pantsonfire on Jan 1, 2023 14:49:30 GMT
Happy New Year everyone. May 2023 bring happiness.
It is raining pretty good here. Storm is moving in from Northern CA to my area. Finally cold again. Last week it was 80°. While nice, I want winter weather.
Need to run 1 errand with dd today. Then I hope to get some crafting time in. Want to work on some pocket pages for dd and ds.
Also want to do some more organizing in my craft space.
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Post by jjpeapea on Jan 2, 2023 21:10:06 GMT
Happy New Year, Crafty Crew! I have lots of hopes for 2023. I think it will be a calmer and nice year. A girl can dream, eh?
I already collected points - I stamped two thank you cards. New Year's Eve Day we went and looked at the ice sculptures downtown. Then we watched the Ohio State/Georgia game until halftime. Guess the end was a thriller. New Years was calm, with pork and sauerkraut for luck for dinner. Today son and cat went back to his apartment, daughter and I walked a mile to the grocery store and back, we watched the Rose Bowl parade and we'll watch the Rose Bowl game.
I'm going to try switching from pocket pages to scrapbook pages but I still want to finish out my 2022 pocket page album for December.
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Post by Linda on Jan 2, 2023 21:21:04 GMT
nothing crafty but I did place a photo order this morning so I'll have shiny new pictures when I do get a chance to scrap
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nylene
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,779
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Post by nylene on Jan 2, 2023 21:40:22 GMT
We are having a beautiful snowy day. I'm not sure my DH would agree, he has been out snowblowing the neighborhood and it needs to be done again. It was 5 inches when he did it the first time and we haven't measured since. We have a lot of elderly neighbors who depend on someone else to clear their walks. I'm glad he is willing to help.
It's a great way to start the new year. We have been in a drought condition for the last few years and really need the moisture.
Nothing crafty for me today. I just finished a 1000 piece puzzle and made a big pot of ham/bean soup.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,622
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Post by kitbop on Jan 2, 2023 22:00:58 GMT
nylene - will you be *my* neighbour? I'll make biscuits if you'll share your soup! And your my boys would love to help snowblow - they think it's fun - but we don't have a snowblower! Of course, we're well above freezing this week, *all* the snow is melted, and we're walking around in sneakers and "cool weather" coats. Winter will return, but for now we'll take the rain. So who did return to work today? Who has the week off? And now crafty crew: please share your favourite Christmas present of 2022! Did you gift anything amazing this year and care to share? Craft-wise, I got the Tonic 12" guillotine trimmer I've been asking for. Surprise-wise, DS bought me a beautiful new mini-backpack to carry to work - it's really upscale and pretty!
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Post by Linda on Jan 3, 2023 2:42:25 GMT
craft-wise? DH got me a border punch (my first one) and a HL gift card. He also surprised me with a robot vacuum AND robot mop and a new phone (iphone 11 - I had a 6s so this was a big upgrade).
As far as gifting? DH loved his wooden tie and I got dd22 in the book exchange and she said I picked a perfect book for her.
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angel97701
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,567
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:25 GMT
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Post by angel97701 on Jan 3, 2023 3:26:40 GMT
Ah a Shiny New Year! Which I was in bed at the strike of the hour . . . watched Times Square Ball drop in NYC, does that count as ringing in the NY?
New Years Day we joined the In-Laws at their church for their 60th Anniversary where they served coffee hour. They didn't want a big family gathering like we did for the 50th, the summer before their actual anniversary. It was lovely to help them celebrate and share light refreshments with their church family, and see some old friends.
Then I fixed a nice ham, Parmesan sliced potatoes, and other holiday favorites for New Year Evening Diner. I did Christmas Diner too, so I have round two of holiday left overs. At least they are different flavors. The ham is super yummy and not too salty. Several bags in the freezer for future use as well.
I've not been feeling super well the last few days, and this morning's headache, slight tummy ache, and continued body aches confirmed I probably have some yucky bug. Not enough to flatten me fortunately, but a good 2 hour nap this afternoon was in order. I did manage (with DS's help) to dismantle what Christmas I did put up this year. Did Christmas Decor lite because we will be getting the house ready for market. Didn't even remember to watch the Rose Parade! Guess I will have to find a YouTube video!
DS is supposed to go back to school tomorrow, and for those of you that know the saga . . . . We are not trusting the school to keep track of him or keep him safe from getting in trouble. The great news is, he is voluntarily going to OYCP on Jan 11th for a fresh start. He will be one of 180 or so of cadets from around the state. I am very thankful he has agreed to go and hope that it will truly make a difference in his life choices. Only 8 days and a wake up. 
I stopped in at the online crop and saw Gramma this afternoon. But that was it for crafty thoughts. The nap was better for me. I did organize the challenges I will do for Retro Rubber Challenge Blog this evening. So I guess that counts as crafty organization time? Yep!
Favorite Christmas present? Surprise from DSD a small rainbow maker Angel which I put in my car after it came off the tree today. It is a crystal angel with topaz colored wings (my birthstone). My other Christmas present that I really like, was a new iPhone Pro 14. Unfortunately my old phone took a quick swim in a toilet about a month ago and things were slowly deteriorating. No face recognition, wouldn't connect to air pods, I wanted to replace it before it before it totally died. Decided I would go the for better camera. It's a better camera than my very first digital camera!!!! My mom gave me Christmas $ so I was able to upgrade my charger, stand, etc to a nice purple color to match my phone. My in-laws gave me some hummingbird accessories, a swing (we will see if the hummingbirds will land on it!) and a hummingbird nesting bunch that you are supposed to hang on the outside of window so the hummers will come up and snatch nesting material up close. That will be fun. Believe it or not we actually have native hummers that stay the winter here even in freezing temps. I have some really fun photos from last winter of hummers at the the feeder when it was snowing.
All all snow has melted here too kitbop . We had 6 degrees Fahrenheit on 12/15 and then rain and a temp swing of 43 degrees warmer in the next two days. By Christmas all our snow was little heaps where it had been shoveled off the decks and drive ways. |
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Post by boymom5 on Jan 3, 2023 3:41:44 GMT
I’m excited to get back to crafting but that probably won’t happen for another week or two. We’ve been so full for the last few months, went away for Christmas, have renovations going on and now we’ve gotten right back to life again. I need an actual break so I can organize my craft things.
Best Christmas gift- we didn’t exchange any gifts this year as we took a vacation instead. Though the kids did end up getting a surprise Nee Xbox on NYE since most of the plans were cancelled because of weather.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,622
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Post by kitbop on Jan 3, 2023 14:34:53 GMT
Linda - your FIRST border punch? With your style, I think you will LOVE border punches!!! Which did he get you? I only have 4 - big scallop, small scallop, torn notebook paper edge and one that makes the edge look like the edge of a stamp. All plain, and all used fairly regularly. angel97701 - I can hear the relief that you are not having to send DS back to the school. What a shame, but I'm so glad for you that he is open to help and a different challenge. Your Christmas gifts sound FAB!!! We got DS a new iPhone 14 for Christmas, but not the pro because none of us likes the bulky size. I'm SO tempted by the camera, but I really like being able to pocket my phone. We too may be moving this year. I've finally decided that I want something more, and we have the resources this year (with some work) so... it is so. much. work. to move! boymom5 - I'm so sorry your plans got weather bombed! Those kids are lucky tho with the xbox! I hear you on the "fullness" of Christmas: it itself is a full time job and we add it to our already fully scheduled lives + extras (like renovations!). It's overwhelming and honestly this is a good feeling now that we can resume a hint of self-care. Including organizing craft spaces! jjpeapea - I'd love to hear why you are switching formats? I love my 12x12. But it's not an efficient way to track life, and I do honestly think pocket scrapping is best for that. I wish I'd gotten into it years ago, but since I didn't I'm not starting now  I do think I'd only be able to stick with ONE format - and since I love the "art" angle of 12x12 I've decided that it's right for me.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jan 3, 2023 14:53:19 GMT
Did you gift anything amazing this year and care to share? I was a very successful gifter this year. My whisky selection went down a treat. All scotch. Surprisingly, it's a very affordable bottle that had the greatest success (Ledaig, Isle of Mull - single malt from the Sinclair series). Just the right mix of smoky peat, spice and stewed fruit thanks to the Rioja cask finish. It was a lovely end to months of watching and reading whisky reviews (my notes go back to June!) to find just the right bottle for everyone... And on this alcoholic note, a very happy new year to everyone!  We had several seemingly interminable harsh weather weeks in November and early December. It was significantly colder than usual. We're now getting to enjoy milder weather and I'm soaking it all up. You won't hear me complaining that it's 17-18°C/63-64°F in the afternoon right now. I'll gladly take it! This week, I have a few things worth documenting: secular Epiphany which is very big in France, the female foster dog at my mother's getting her spay surgery and I'll be taking the day off to help her with the other dogs and the household, New Year's wishes at work with a little celebration.  |
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,622
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Post by kitbop on Jan 3, 2023 18:11:44 GMT
teacherlisa , katiekaty , Linda , angel97701 , gramma , AussieMeg , jjpeapea , sleepingbooty , nylene , natscraps , nine , pantsonfire , boymom5 , cmpeter , cannmom , kokomo37Hi Team! We have until Friday to post challenges for this quarter. I found that the new points scoring system changed the way I made challenges - instead of thinking of things I would do ALL the time, I thought of things I wanted to try a LITTLE but maybe needed a push! Such as: I challenged us to use a border punch to create a full page length strip. Linda reminded me of my punches that maybe should see use again, so now I've got a challenge to do that with! There is no need to attach points to your challenges this quarter: they all get a tick mark only, you get 1 point, and can count it towards the bonus. They reset every month. We also get 1 point/challenge we post, so go get 'em!
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Post by Linda on Jan 3, 2023 19:05:51 GMT
With your style, I think you will LOVE border punches!!! Which did he get you? It's a lacy scallop Ledaig, Isle of Mull - single malt from the Sinclair series Isle of Mull is where my Dad's family is from - still have cousins who summer there. angel97701 - so glad to hear the news about your DS I've been sorting my photos into page protectors by layout so they'll be ready to go once I have some scrappy time |
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Post by AussieMeg on Jan 3, 2023 22:18:06 GMT
I love the new point scoring system kitbop ! Even though I always counted every point rather than using Easy Peasy, it was becoming way too time consuming with all the fun challenges we had. I agree with you that it's a great way to challenge yourself and others to try something new, instead of setting challenges for things that we do all the time. I didn't set anything too difficult this quarter, but I may set some next quarter to get people to step outside their comfort zone. The Month Of Challenges every January over at the Lilypad is very good for getting people to step waaaaaay outside their comfort zones, and you should see some of the whinging and whining from people over there!  The challenge for day 2 made my heart sink - it was to create an art journal page. Ugh, that is so NOT my style, I can't do it well and I don't really like it for my albums. Luckily just the week before I had bought an awesome art journal kit when it was on sale, so I am hesitantly excited to try the challenge. |
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Post by jjpeapea on Jan 5, 2023 11:42:21 GMT
Just checking in with the Crafty Crew today - hoping your year is off to a great start. kitbop, you asked about switching - I loved pocket page scrapbooking for 9 or ten years. (I only used kits in December ... usually I just cut up scrapbook paper or cardstock...) I like how you can treat each pocket like a mini project or not. I sometimes add stickers, stamping, mini titles, so forth... But lately I have been just writing a little caption on a strip of paper and putting it on the photo, and feeling obligated to work on my album instead of excited. It looks like a 70's photo album. Time for a refresh. Who knows, I might get back to it after a break. I went back to my volunteer job on Tuesday. The real salaried teacher's aide came back, so I thought perhaps the teacher would not want as much volunteer time. Nope, she is soooo excited to have so much attention for the kids. angel97701 only 4 more school days before Jan. 11th. Prayers for good days. Your dinner sounded yummy. I struggle with the yummy/healthy balance here. DH is very disciplined (Type 2 diabetes...) but I struggle with serving things that he likes and will keep him healthy. sleepingbooty I always like a firsthand international perspective - how is secular Epiphany celebrated? Is it like Christmas part 2? Hoping your recipients appreciate how much thought you put into their gift. linda my one goal today is to make my photo order for my December pocket page (last one for awhile...) I wasn't very good at remembering to take photos. Doing a "Daily" approach will be a stretch. boymom5 a trip instead of stuff sounds heavenly right now. Maybe next year ... DH always wanted to do Christmas in Williamsburg and it is feeling like now or never as we age. AussieMeg how was Australian Christmas? Do they have the Bluey cartoon there? They showed the family having a barbeque, opening Christmas crackers. nylene hope you continue to feel better each day. For major gifts I got a GoPro. Jury out on that one. I asked for a "new camera for photos for my albums". The GoPro is great for videos, although you can take photos and capture frames. I'm still exploring the best settings. Then my son gave a bluetooth speaker in the exact right size - I can carry it around but it has great sound. |
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by kitbop on Jan 5, 2023 21:38:27 GMT
jjpeapea - I think the more attention kids get in the classroom the better! I think it really helps them focus and stay on task in a kind way - kids simply cannot self-regulate all the time and in the big classes there isn't much help to help with that. I'd be questioning the go-pro as well...let us know how it turns out. I have a great bluetooth speaker - we used it over Christmas and it was so easy to move the music from room to room as people moved from room to room - remember how limiting our old record player/speaker combos were? It's ridiculous now, just pick up this tiny thing and move it to a new room... Reminder: tomorrow is the last day to post the quarterly challenges. I'm working on my first scrapbook layout since November. I did a *lot* of cards and ornaments in December, and I did complete a whole 9x9 calendar full of individual layouts for my MIL for christmas. It counts for points, but it is a different creative process. So I'm kinda at the "how do I scrapbook?" phase again 
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Post by AussieMeg on Jan 6, 2023 0:30:50 GMT
AussieMeg how was Australian Christmas? Do they have the Bluey cartoon there? They showed the family having a barbeque, opening Christmas crackers. It was hot! Originally the forecast was for 27C (80F), which would have been perfect. But it ended up being 32C (90F) which was just a bit too hot, having to cook lunch for 12 people. I had set up the table inside, with the cooling on, but for some reason everyone took their food outside to eat. And yes, we had crackers. I bought cheap(ish) crackers, then undid them and put a couple of little things inside, instead of the cheap crap that is usually in crackers. I put a Freddo Frog chocolate in each of them, and then one of the following: a little torch, lip balm, Lucas Paw Paw cream, facial sunscreen, hand sanitiser, food package clips, shopping bags, a trivet. |
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angel97701
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 26, 2014 2:04:25 GMT
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Post by angel97701 on Jan 6, 2023 3:22:34 GMT
Okay now I have to ask AussieMeg what does "crackers" mean? For this US citizen it means a crunchy baked item that is paired with soups or has cheese put on top of it! 
DH and I decided to keep DS home from school, less chance of him coming into contact with the kids and drugs he needs to stay away from. Less chance of him getting into trouble before he goes to OYCP. He helped me on Tuesday by getting everything down off the top of my kitchen cabinets. I sorted and packed one box for donation, and one to move that has family heirlooms--a ceramic pickle jar w/ lid that belonged to my great-great-grandmother, plus other items from my grandmothers and a few special wedding gifts. On Wednesday he helped my Mother-in-law take down her Christmas decorations. Today he did assessment testing at Sylvan as a prep for OYCP academics. He's done multiple bike rides as well. Sadly he tested at 5.0 grade for math and 7.3 grade for reading. He is a 17-year-old Junior. There is a good reason why we have him on modified diploma. Oct 2018 he tested at 3.8 grade for Math and 4.4 reading for reading. So this is not unexpected for his academics. Only one more item needs to arrive from Amazon, and all of his required items will be ready to go. We are really praying that he will be up to the Challenge and make the changes he needs to be a more productive, successful, drug-free individual. Also working with a case manager from his health clinic and one from his health insurance to work on PLAN B, if he does not complete OYCP. Do not want to have him come home suddenly with no alternate plan available. FYI, OYCP is a 22-week boot-camp style residential program for youths age 15-19 who have not graduated from high school, or are in danger of not graduating. It is run by the Oregon National Guard with Federal and State funding. It is a beautiful 10 M$ facility that just happens to be 15 minutes from our home. NO worries though, it is surrounded by fences topped with barbed wire to kept others out, and cadets in.
Crafting? Nope not much, but packed three boxes of photo albums today. Non-archival ones that will "eventually" be switched over. Need to make thank you cards for Christmas gifts. Should also donate the "non-essentials" and children's craft supplies this week. Trying to do at least an hour or two of prepping the house to sell it. The goal is by February 14th, as that is when the market starts moving in our area. At Gull Lake we found a piece of property on an island. HUM? But to build a house? I do think I am up for that. Now for DH to get the finances figured out so we could!  There is a slight possibility that his intellectual property and tooling will sell for the price it would cost us to buy that property and build a house. But then you always have to consider taxes on that income!  It's more likely we will sell our current property to buy a house on a slightly smaller lot that is already built. So many unknowns!
jjpeapea I would wonder about the go-pro too!
sleepingbooty, I too appreciate learning more about how holidays etc are celebrated in other countries! Your insight in past years about the pandemic was also helpful!
Linda Wow you are ahead of the game, as usual. Enjoy your new border punch!
boymom5 you are probably all settled in after the holidays. A trip does sound wonderful, but the weather really did complicate travel for so many.
nylene The neighborhood must love your DH, I hope he has a fancy fun snowblower to do the job! Any more snow? Ours is all melted. |
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Post by AussieMeg on Jan 6, 2023 4:25:11 GMT
Okay now I have to ask AussieMeg what does "crackers" mean? For this US citizen it means a crunchy baked item that is paired with soups or has cheese put on top of it! Well, you learn something new every day! I had no idea that Christmas crackers were not a thing everywhere! From Wikipedia: "Christmas crackers are festive table decorations that make a snapping sound when pulled open, and often contain a small gift, paper hat and a joke. They are part of Christmas celebrations in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Commonwealth countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. A cracker consists of a segmented cardboard tube wrapped in a brightly decorated twist of paper with a prize in the centre, making it resemble an oversized sweet-wrapper. The cracker is pulled apart by two people, each holding an outer chamber, causing the cracker to split unevenly and leaving one person holding the central chamber and prize." |
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,239
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Post by pantsonfire on Jan 7, 2023 16:55:08 GMT
Hi everyone! Headed to my parents later for our postponed Christmas Eve get together. It will just be dh, the kids and I and my parents. Then they will see my other siblings later this month. Just finished breakfast and I got the urge to craft so going to work on 3 pages for DDs pocket page album - Halloween Decor Drive, Pumpkin Carving/Decorating Contest (that she won!), and the picnic the disabilities group we belong to had in the fall.
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Post by cmpeter on Jan 7, 2023 17:57:26 GMT
Hi everyone! A bit late to the chat, I totally forgot to look for it. My best crafty Christmas present was this ladder style book shelf for my craft room. It's perfect for storing my cutting machines. I have my scan-n-cut, Platinum 6, glimmer, gemini and laminator on it. Plus a few decorative items. White Ladder BookshelfAussieMeg We do Christmas crackers...Cost Plus is a great place to pick some up here in the states. I can't remember how or when we discovered them, but have put some out on our Christmas table since my kids were young (going on 20 years now). Off to print out the challenge list. I've made a few cards I need to photo and spent too much time organizing supplies so far this month. |
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Post by Linda on Jan 7, 2023 18:01:22 GMT
I had no idea that Christmas crackers were not a thing everywhere! When I first moved to the States in 1980 - Christmas crackers were no where to be found - my older sister would mail them (and German chocolate advent calendars) to us from the UK every year. But they slowly started showing up and now I can get them at Hobby Lobby easily - and for Thanksgiving and New Year's also. I do have vague memories of birthday ones at parties when I was small (1970s) though |
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,622
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Post by kitbop on Jan 7, 2023 22:23:45 GMT
cmpeter - I love the look of ladder bookshelves! angel97701 - scary to think of moving, but exciting the possibilities of a fresh start! If we had more space, I might actually be able to make my scrap room a little prettier, and not just "how many shelves can I cram into one space and how high up the wall can I go?" I might be able to fit in a ladder bookshelf
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Post by Linda on Jan 8, 2023 0:14:17 GMT
I actually got to scrap today! First time this year - got 5 one-page and 1 two-page layouts done so far. And true to form, I'm skipping around chronologically - 2 from 2023 (the rest of the photos are on order still), 1 from 2017, and 3 from Dec 2022. I am enjoying the new challenge style...as I try and meet the different challenges...even used car shaped eyelets today
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angel97701
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 26, 2014 2:04:25 GMT
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Post by angel97701 on Jan 8, 2023 2:37:42 GMT
Sat down last night to do some thank you cards, decided to use a SLoC design from last year. Felt nice to be a little crafty. Now to finish them tonight. Done something every day (accept NYD) about cleaning, destashing, and packing towards getting the home ready for photos and to be shown by about 2/14. Just three more days and DS will be at OYCP. Bittersweet days, hopeful for his success.
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Post by boymom5 on Jan 8, 2023 3:06:14 GMT
Just checking in with the Crafty Crew today - hoping your year is off to a great start. kitbop, you asked about switching - I loved pocket page scrapbooking for 9 or ten years. (I only used kits in December ... usually I just cut up scrapbook paper or cardstock...) I like how you can treat each pocket like a mini project or not. I sometimes add stickers, stamping, mini titles, so forth... But lately I have been just writing a little caption on a strip of paper and putting it on the photo, and feeling obligated to work on my album instead of excited. It looks like a 70's photo album. Time for a refresh. Who knows, I might get back to it after a break. I went back to my volunteer job on Tuesday. The real salaried teacher's aide came back, so I thought perhaps the teacher would not want as much volunteer time. Nope, she is soooo excited to have so much attention for the kids. angel97701 only 4 more school days before Jan. 11th. Prayers for good days. Your dinner sounded yummy. I struggle with the yummy/healthy balance here. DH is very disciplined (Type 2 diabetes...) but I struggle with serving things that he likes and will keep him healthy. sleepingbooty I always like a firsthand international perspective - how is secular Epiphany celebrated? Is it like Christmas part 2? Hoping your recipients appreciate how much thought you put into their gift. linda my one goal today is to make my photo order for my December pocket page (last one for awhile...) I wasn't very good at remembering to take photos. Doing a "Daily" approach will be a stretch. boymom5 a trip instead of stuff sounds heavenly right now. Maybe next year ... DH always wanted to do Christmas in Williamsburg and it is feeling like now or never as we age. AussieMeg how was Australian Christmas? Do they have the Bluey cartoon there? They showed the family having a barbeque, opening Christmas crackers. nylene hope you continue to feel better each day. For major gifts I got a GoPro. Jury out on that one. I asked for a "new camera for photos for my albums". The GoPro is great for videos, although you can take photos and capture frames. I'm still exploring the best settings. Then my son gave a bluetooth speaker in the exact right size - I can carry it around but it has great sound. We actually vacationed in Williamsburg for Christmas. We’ve been many times before but not this time of year. It was nice! And I’m switching from pocket scraping back to 12x12 as well! |
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Post by boymom5 on Jan 8, 2023 3:10:50 GMT
Okay now I have to ask AussieMeg what does "crackers" mean? For this US citizen it means a crunchy baked item that is paired with soups or has cheese put on top of it!
DH and I decided to keep DS home from school, less chance of him coming into contact with the kids and drugs he needs to stay away from. Less chance of him getting into trouble before he goes to OYCP. He helped me on Tuesday by getting everything down off the top of my kitchen cabinets. I sorted and packed one box for donation, and one to move that has family heirlooms--a ceramic pickle jar w/ lid that belonged to my great-great-grandmother, plus other items from my grandmothers and a few special wedding gifts. On Wednesday he helped my Mother-in-law take down her Christmas decorations. Today he did assessment testing at Sylvan as a prep for OYCP academics. He's done multiple bike rides as well. Sadly he tested at 5.0 grade for math and 7.3 grade for reading. He is a 17-year-old Junior. There is a good reason why we have him on modified diploma. Oct 2018 he tested at 3.8 grade for Math and 4.4 reading for reading. So this is not unexpected for his academics. Only one more item needs to arrive from Amazon, and all of his required items will be ready to go. We are really praying that he will be up to the Challenge and make the changes he needs to be a more productive, successful, drug-free individual. Also working with a case manager from his health clinic and one from his health insurance to work on PLAN B, if he does not complete OYCP. Do not want to have him come home suddenly with no alternate plan available. FYI, OYCP is a 22-week boot-camp style residential program for youths age 15-19 who have not graduated from high school, or are in danger of not graduating. It is run by the Oregon National Guard with Federal and State funding. It is a beautiful 10 M$ facility that just happens to be 15 minutes from our home. NO worries though, it is surrounded by fences topped with barbed wire to kept others out, and cadets in.
Crafting? Nope not much, but packed three boxes of photo albums today. Non-archival ones that will "eventually" be switched over. Need to make thank you cards for Christmas gifts. Should also donate the "non-essentials" and children's craft supplies this week. Trying to do at least an hour or two of prepping the house to sell it. The goal is by February 14th, as that is when the market starts moving in our area. At Gull Lake we found a piece of property on an island. HUM? But to build a house? I do think I am up for that. Now for DH to get the finances figured out so we could! There is a slight possibility that his intellectual property and tooling will sell for the price it would cost us to buy that property and build a house. But then you always have to consider taxes on that income! It's more likely we will sell our current property to buy a house on a slightly smaller lot that is already built. So many unknowns!
jjpeapea I would wonder about the go-pro too!
sleepingbooty, I too appreciate learning more about how holidays etc are celebrated in other countries! Your insight in past years about the pandemic was also helpful!
Linda Wow you are ahead of the game, as usual. Enjoy your new border punch!
boymom5 you are probably all settled in after the holidays. A trip does sound wonderful, but the weather really did complicate travel for so many.
nylene The neighborhood must love your DH, I hope he has a fancy fun snowblower to do the job! Any more snow? Ours is all melted. I hope all goes well for your sons transition to the new program. It sounds like the change can be great for him. We are settled back from our trip, though we still have quite a bit to do around the house as renovations just finished up. I’m taking the time to declutter before putting things back where they belong. That’s a job in itself! |
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Post by Linda on Jan 8, 2023 3:12:03 GMT
We actually vacationed in Williamsburg for Christmas. We’ve been many times before but not this time of year. It was nice! very cool - my older two enjoyed Christmas there before coming home for New Years...perhaps next year we'll go there for Christmas. It's a beautiful area - I really enjoyed my time there in Oct/Nov |
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angel97701
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,567
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:25 GMT
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Post by angel97701 on Jan 11, 2023 21:20:36 GMT
Well we made it to Jan 11th! Or as OYCP state 11 Jan 23. DS is on his way to 22 weeks (hopefully!) of residential boot camp style alternative HS. Please pray with us that he will make it through the red stage, and be successful. We will not see him until him until March 3 for 4 days. We are encouraged to write letters and emails. As they finished the parent meeting we could hear the platoon yelling on the drill floor.
Now to move on and get some things done in the house and may craft a little? Still working with a team for a Plan B if he does not make it through OYCP.
Day started with sunshine now it is cloudy and grey outside. I am glad it was sunny as we drove Pete over to OYCP, which for us was only 15 minutes!
Hope everyone is doing well, the thread has been very quiet this week.
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. Ended up in bed at 11:55, receiving exploding texts (anyone else get that new animation in their texts yesterday?) from family wishing me happy new year, so I was able to get my New Years kiss from DH afterall!
I do think I'd only be able to stick with ONE format - and since I love the "art" angle of 12x12 I've decided that it's right for me. 
The challenge for day 2 made my heart sink - it was to create an art journal page. Ugh, that is so NOT my style, I can't do it well and I don't really like it for my albums. Luckily just the week before I had bought an awesome art journal kit when it was on sale, so I am hesitantly excited to try the challenge.
It's more likely we will sell our current property to buy a house on a slightly smaller lot that is already built. So many unknowns!