Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Not Dead

Nope. Not dead yet. But I have been missing in blogland... I've had company and a huge Thanksgiving with family and friends, and had to get the first of the Christmas shopping done, wrapped, and ready to send back with my son and his family. And a broken toilet. And a sick husband (he's better now). And normal and extra cleaning. I have this feeling that December isn't going to be any less busy, but then it won't be any less busy for any of you either, will it?!

Other than a place card project which I organized and let the little ones go to town on, and helping three of the grandchildren who were staying here to make Christmas gifts for mommy and daddy and a card (one of which you'll see) I haven't spent anytime in my craft room until today. I actually made a card. I'm a little rusty but I REALLY needed to play. Felt really good! We'll do that first, then I'll show you a few photos from Thanksgiving. I found a color challenge at As You See It. Fun colors and the DT has really come up with some great cards as you'll see when you head over there!

AYSIChallenge114

Mine is a bit subtle:


The colors are there. They're the blings on the "strings of lights." I drew the 'strings', and the dies are both NBUS. The 'joy' is from Lil' Inkers and the frame was made with my new ME die and an old MFT for the interior part. The red paper I think is from BB, but since it's a scrap, I don't know for sure. Sorry for the blurriness...

This first Thanksgiving photo is one of son Tad and I wearing the necklaces that his daughter Samantha made for us. Just had to stop cooking and do a selfie..


He kindly bent down to my height and took the selfie with his longer arms. Goofy kid.

And we've started a tradition where all the little kids put black olives on their fingers. Even the youngest granddaughter was old enough this year to participate!


Aren't they cute??!

Here are a couple of pics of the "Kids" table, and grandma got to sit with them too!



That's my dil at the far end of the table, and the three oldest granddaughters helping the little ones out. 

Here's clean up time:



That's the big girls other grandma helping with the dishes with Jessica and Lizzy. Can you see the giant platter on the "floating island?" It was my great-grandma's and only comes out at Thanksgiving. And see my ugly shirt? Well I put it on at 5:00 AM to cook dinner, and had zero time to change clothes before we sat down to eat. I'm covering up the holes in the pocket...I'm such a dork.

And I wanted to show you Carter's card. He designed it himself, and wrote his own verse inside. The photos aren't very good, but you get the idea. (Carter is the one in the far back in the olive photo)



And I won't force you to look at any more photos. In reality I was too busy running around like a chicken with my head cut off to take many more. Thanks for looking, and I plan on visiting your blogs pretty darn soon. Happy dances everyone.







27 comments:

Ardyth said...

Fantastic to hear from you and see all the family fun you've been having! I love your necklaces - we used to have those 'beads' in our house, too! Love your cas Christmas card and hearing that things are going well!

Lynn said...

Oh my goodness...your post title is killing me Bev. Love the pictures of your beautiful family and the happy, happy smiles. Your card is perfect and how sweet is the message on Carter's card. He did a fabulous job.

lostinpaper said...

So good to see you, sounds like you have been rather busy, but I am happy that you are back home (in blogland) now. Thanks for sharing the pics and your fab CAS card!

Nora Noll said...

You sound like you had a BLAST!! And when family is around, who has time to craft? I think you took a lot of photos for the company you had. I did not take ONE this Thanksgiving.

Love your card. So simple yet so pretty. Love the little string of "lights" you created. And Carter's card is fabulous!! So fun that you got to play with your grandkids.

Aileen said...

Well it looks like you all had a brilliant time and thats what counts. Love your card, looks great. Love your grandsons cards too, well written and beautifully said. Not sure what the black olive on finger means but glad to see even the youngest could join in this year. Know that feeling of getting dressed in the old stuff to get ready and never wuite making it to change time. Lucky for them you love them all and are happy to share ugly shirt time with them.

Becca Cruger said...

oh bev... your family looks like they are just as quirky and filled with warmth and spunk as you are! this card has to be one of my new favorite Bevdesigns. i totally thought that was some sort of premade string but to find out you DREW it and then added the sparkles after?? hello miss creative!!

Tracey McNeely said...

Bev I just love your post! The first blog I have visited since I finished the tag event. Your family is beautiful and all look so happy to be together. Sounds like you had a lovely weekend with family and a November that kept you hopping. Love your card, the bright pink is fabulous!

Jan Clothier said...

Those little lights on a string are just adorable. Subtle, yes, but as you say, the colours are there. A lovely card. Thanks for joining us at As You See It this week.

Susanne Vargas said...

Looks like you had a blast with your wonderful family this Thanksgiving! Carter's card is so sweet and I love your string of lights card! Yes, the end of the year is just busy, so we'll do what we can and blog when we can, right?

Maureen Hayes said...

Beg,

What a lovely family you have! Looks like you had a very good, albeit busy, Thanksgiving! I was so touched by Carter's card, he already has his priorities straight at such a young age, obviously being raised right!

Hugs and prayers,
Maureen

Kim Heggins said...

Miss Bev...you are so amazing. I am sure you had an amazing feast from the looks of all your wonderful photos. What a fun day I am sure. And your card is simply fabulous too, so festive. Miss you so much my dear friend.

I Card Everyone said...

Well THAT is good news, girlfriend!!! What happened to November, anyway? and that chat we've been promising each other ... that, and you card truly do bring me joy, Bev! Darling photos!
=]

Darnell said...

That was a wonderful post, Bevie! I feel all the warmth from the day and wish I could have been a part of your large and fun-loving family! It's no wonder you didn't have time to change your shirt! But from the pure joy on your face, your dorky darling face, I can tell that all that was important to you was family, especially those little ones! How blessed you are to have so many to play with!! Your card is overshadowed, but still fantastic, even though I know you won't hate me for saying that I like Carter's better!! Missing you!! Hugs, Darnell

Barb said...

Your string of lights cards looks lovely Bev. Carter's card is beautiful. What fun to craft with your littlies. I really enjoyed seeing your photos. What a lovely family you have. You certainly are blessed. Barbxx

thiet ke nha dep said...

So lovely. You are very happy. Best wishes for you giuong ngu gia re

TK said...

Your Thanksgiving looks fantastic, filled with fun, food and family! Great pictures of people having fun...

Geri said...

I would gladly have looked at a kazillion more photos....so much warmth, happiness and love! You are truly blessed dear friend!

It appears that everyone had a wonderful time...no doubt a bit ca-razy at times, but all in a good way! Love the olive pic!

A very successful session of card therapy! I love the bling garland and the way you slanted the joy to mimic the swerves of the 'lights'. Sweet and clean and tidy!

Please pass on a HUGE WOW to Carter for his amazing card! Love the little tag at the top! His hand printed verse warmed my heart. The whole world needs to see this!

cm said...

Oh my stars, my wonderful friend! I'm seconding, thirding and fourthing all the previous comments that speak to our absolute joy to have you back amongst us, and with photos that have warmed our hearts immensely! What a blessing your family is to you, and you to them; the smiles, the activities, the smiles, the olives (hahahahahaha), the smiles, the meal...you get my drift! There's a whole lot o' love being shared in your home and how sweet you are, in turn, to share it with us! I'm sitting here, wearing a mega watt smile, in seeing you and your family interacting! How I wish I could have been there! Your garland of lights - hand-drawn no less - is sheer delight! And Carter's card: a gem, as is he! WOW! Love this post filled with 'quirky and dorky'...two of the best ways to be! Miss you lots! Hugs and love!
~c

cm said...

I'm back..forgot to say that the necklaces are fantastic! I've worn a few like that myself, designed by both Ms. T and Mr. C. Too funny!
Hugs and love once more~c

Leigh Penner said...

Great card and photos, Bev! Looks like you had a wonderful time!

Martha said...

OH, Bev, what a FUN post...such sweet photos, cards, & entertaining stories! Love your darling Christmas card.

Bobby said...

I love your strings of bling lights, Bev, and if you're not careful Carter will pass you in the card department. Love all the family photos. I remember my kids having those 'necklace' beads. I think they/we used to squeeze them and stick them on their cheeks.

Marybeth said...

Glad your not dead!!!!! LOVE the picture of you and your son.....Love all the pictures ,your house full of kids looks a lot like mine. Lol on the shirt hmmmm so you were busy!!!! :) oh and Packer fans all l er the place just like our house! OMGosh the game last Thursday ......did you hear us scream!!!!! It was also a nice diversion of the horrible tragedy we are dealing with that is less than an hour away from where I live .
thanks for sharing your happy photos with us ....hugs Bev!!!!!!

Anita in France said...

My sweet friend, what a wonderful post! I so enjoyed seeing all your photo's ... such joy, warmth and love shines through each one ... and it's fabulous to see your smiling face! Love your card ... deliciously CAS and perfectly blinged ... and Carter's too with that perfect sentiment he wrote! Miss you tons! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Lindsey said...

Love your card, your grandson's card, and all the wonderful pictures of your family. So fun to see so many of your blessings! :)

Jen Mitchell said...

Oh, I can feel the love and joy of your family right through my computer! And how wonderful that your love of card-making is wearing off onto the grandkids!

Kylie said...

Oh Bev, big hugs! This post just gave me warm fuzzies! Much love to you and your family. xx