A Fun Filled Saturday !

Good day everyone! WOW! What a week at DCRU DT BLOG! If you haven't entered already- don't forget ti Link Up your Challenge Entries by midnight tonight! Winners annouced tomorrow!!!!!

Remember last week we had a giveaway for some great American Craft buttons! Well, congrats to MARY D! You won! Email me at sammyejo@62cards.com with your mailing address so I can get them to you!

HOPEFULLY, you didn't miss the AMAZING giveaway we have going on here at DCRU!! We are GIVING one of our lucky FOLOOWERS an Epic Six Die Cutting System and a grab bag of dies!!!

Read all the details HERE!!!!

And real quick- while browsing some blogs I love, I ran across a creation by Jenn Koss using the Cosmo Cricket Boyfriend Collection DCRU carries.

Just love what she did with the paper and the elements sheet! Great job Jenn!

Have you made a project, LO, or card with DCRU Products?? If so, Email them to me at sammyejo@62cards.com for your shot to be featured on the DCRU DT Blog!!!

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow afternoon for the winners of the challenge and for all the news from DCRU!

Tutorial- How to Apply a Vinyl Die Cut to a Candle

Hi everyone! I promised last month to share a tutorial with you using your Cricut & Vinyl. Well here you go! Today I am going to show you how to add vinyl to a simple candle to make a great gift or home accent piece! It's super simple and just in time for you to make a last minute Christmas gift!

First, I bought a simple white candle at the local craft store and tied some ribbon at the bottom in two of my favorite colors!

Next, I cut a small piece of brown vinyl I got from Die Cuts R Us using my Cricut paper trimmer. (You can find these at DCRU too!) Helpful hint- Use your vinyl wisely! In this case, everything I wanted to cut from brown vinyl I could fit on a 6x12 inch piece, so that is all I cut!

Next, I smoothed my vinyl onto my mat (mats are 45% off at DCRU) and I picked my cuts and aligned them up. Here I am choosing my cuts and arranging them on my Gypsy, however, same principle using a regular cartridge.

Then I loaded my mat and cut my selections. The blade in the Cricut should be set to a 6, the pressure I set at medium, and speed at medium as well. I didn't want to take a risk of ripping the vinyl by going to fast!

After my cuts are done, they look just like they would if they were on paper!

Next, peel the cut you wish to use from the backing on the mat. These peel off super easy and be careful to not tangle it up!

Within minutes you are adding your beautiful design, this one from the Accent Essentials cartridge, one of 2 cartridges you get with your Cricut Expression from Die Cuts R Us. Simply place the design on your candle and smooth over with your fingers!
Lastly, I added white paper crinkles to the bottom of a clear cello bag, placed the candle inside and tied with tulle and matching ribbon. Wah-Lah- a super cute and fun home accent piece or gift for anyone!

I hope you have found this tutorial helpful! If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I will be happy to answer! If you decide to make a vinyl project with your Cricut, PLEASE leave us a link! We'd love to see!!

Spotlight - Just Rite Stampers

Hi everyone! Today I wanted to take a "Christmas Break" and spotlight a fun set of Just Rite Stampers that are perfect all year long! They are the Friendship Borders and Centers, take a look:



This set is adorable and mixes just the right amount of images and sentiments. They can be found at the Die Cuts R Us Store and guess what....the price is marked down!

I wanted to share a few cards I made with this set.

My first card features Just Rite Stampers, Cuttlebug and Spellbinders Nestabilities - Scalloped Circle, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, PTI cardstock, My Mind's Eye Patterned Paper, and Ribbon. I used my Copics and Sakura pens to color my image.



My second card features Just Rite Stampers, Cuttlebug and Spellbinder Nestabilities, Copics, PTI Cardstock, My Mind's Eye Patterned Paper, and Prima Flowers.



You can't go wrong with Just Rite Stampers. They are versatile, detailed, and cute!!! Check out all of the Just Rite Stampers available at DCRU Store.

Plus don't forget our super DCRU Epic Giveaway! Scroll down to the previous post for our terrific giveaway and what you can do to win!

And be sure to play along with this week's DCRU Challenge-create a project with a holiday feel! Can't wait to see all of your inspiring work!

Enjoy!!!
Amber

EPIC SIX GIVEAWAY!!!

Everyone loves getting gifts this time of year. But what happens when the tree is down, paper picked up, and candy canes are all gone? We KEEP GIVING!! What you ask? How about a NEW QuicKutz Epic Six Die Cutting System and a grab bag of QuicKutz dies to get you started!!!! No, you are not seeing things and this is no trick! In the spirit of the season, we want to give one lucky blog follower this fabulous prize! So, what needs to happen for us to hand this prize pack over?? Well, we need to hit 500 followers by New Year's Day!!! We know you can help us do this! Spread the word of this giveaway on your blog, forums, facebook., twitter, EVERYWHERE YOU CAN! If we can reach the 500, someone in that 500 gets the New Epic Six & the dies!!! The more people you tell, the better chance we have of reaching 500 and you will be in the pot to win! So, help spread the word, make sure you are signed up on the right as a follower, and comment on this post telling us you want to win! Start the New Year off right with a NEW QuicKutz Epic Six and NEW Dies FREE!!!! Good luck and happy following!!!

DCRU Challenge- Week 19- Project with a Holiday Feel

Happy Tuesday everyone! It's time for another great DCRU Challenge!

This week- we want to see a project with a Holiday feel!

The Design Team have really "spruced" things up around here! No pun intended :)

We would love to have you join in and add your project link to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of the post! Remember to upload by midnight Sunday night to be eligible to win this week's challenge!

Winners are announced on Sunday! So, let's see your wonderful craftiness!!

Examples from the Design Team:

Sammye Jo (Me :)

Recipe:

Cricut Exp & Gypsy Wanderings Cart

Patterned Paper- Eskimo Kisses- Basic Grey

Ribbon- Papertrey Ink

Cardstock-Bazzill

By Gwen:

Snow Themed Night Light

Recipe: Small galvanized bucket

Adhesive backed ribbon

Die Cuts with strong adhesive

Crop-a-dile

Decorative eyelets

20 mini clear holiday lights

Garland of "snowballs"

Created by Cara:

Gift Card Holder Recipe:

Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses Patterned Paper
Corner Rounder
SU Grosgrain Ribbon and Die Cut Stickers
Velcro

Created by: Lori Boyd
Jolly by Golly Collection SMITTEN MITTEN

Created By Amber:

Recipe: Cuttlebug, Spellbinder Nestabilities-Scalloped Squares, Paper-PTI, Fancy Pants, Chipboard-Fancy Pants, Tim Holtz Crackle Paint, Cosmo Cricket Ribbon

Created by Sarabeth:

Recipe: Paper-Basic Grey (Wassail), Bazzil Cardstock, Cosmo Cricket Chipboard, EK Success Scallop Border Punch, Murvy Oval Scallop Punch, American Crafts Ribbon, Gold Glitter Spica Markers

Created by Margie:

Recipe:  BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses DP; The Greeting Farm "Xmas Cuties" Rubber Stamp; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Copic Markers & Atyou Spica Glitter Markers; Making Memories Vintage Findings Tin Box; Papertrey Ink CS; Sassy Studio Designs Holiday Tags; Martha Stewart Star Border Punch; misc double-sided ribbon; K&Company Gems; CM Corner Punch

_______________________________________________

Remember to upload your projects to Mr. Linky by midnight Saturday night! If you upload to Splitcoast, be sure to use DCRU! Happy creating!

~Sammye Jo~

'Tis the Season...to be Gifty AND Crafty...

Hey everyone!

I'm a little nervous....it's DECEMBER 7th!  Gack!  You know what that means?   Only a few more weeks...but hey, I'm actually here to tell you that you DON'T have to STRESS about the upcoming holiday with a super-simple 15 minute tutorial I have for you today.

Here is all you need to know to create a Quick and EASY GIFT CARD HOLDER!

Supplies you'll need to get started:

(1) 5 1/2" x  8" piece of cardstock (basically 1/2 sheet trimmed down from 8 1/2 to 8")
(2) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" of Coordinating Pattered Paper
(1) Good permanent adhesive
(1) 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" of another coordinating Pattered paper for Outside of Holder
Scoring Tool
Ribbon
Various embellishments and a stamped image

START: You begin by SCORING your piece of cardstock at 1 1/2" the long way and 4" vertically.  Fold at the 1 1/2 inch strip to create your "folder".   Fold again at the 4" mark to make it fold in half.


On the LEFT side of your folded piece of cardstock, use your adhesive to glue the 1 1/2" strip completely down.

Take one of the pieces of 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" PP and adhere the left side down OVER where you folded and adhered that 1 1/2 inch strip, essentially hiding the fold.

Adhere the other piece to the RIGHT hand side of the cardstock before you fold over the 1 1/2 inch strip.

On the RIGHT side of your cardstock, use your adhesive to create a strip on each side (shown below) to create a "pocket folder" type effect.

Now you're pretty much done w/ the inside of the gift card holder.   I added a white piece of Cardstock to the left side so that I had room to write a quick note and then added a 1 1/4" by 3 3/4" in. strip of white and printed out the TO/FROM on it.  This is optional :)

All you need now is the GIFT CARD itself!

OUTSIDE:

You have a lot of give on the outside of this project.  It's really up to you how you want to decorate it, which is TOTALLY fun!  I used this cute "SollyTude" image from Stamping Bella and colored her in with my Copics.

*Take the final 3 3/4"x 3 3/4" piece of PP and attach it to the entire front of the card holder.  I am using the Basic Grey Nook and Pantry DP, available at the DCRU store!

As I said, you can decorate and embellish the front of this however you would like, but I'll quick tell you what I did to attach the ribbon-it's super simple.

Just FLIP over the GC holder to the back side and attach an even strip of adhesive across the ENTIRE BACK SIDE of the holder.     Make sure your ribbon is LONG ENOUGH to be able to make it all the way around and to tie in a nice bow, if you wish.

Here again, is my end result:

Voila!  Super QUICK...and EASY to mass-produce if  you're giving away a lot of Gift Cards this year!

Well, I hope this helps your Holiday crafting and please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions, thanks!

Jessica :)

Sunday Buzz & Winners!!!

Hello everyone! Welcome to a new wonderful week at DCRU DT Blog!

Remember that today is your last chance to comment for a chance to win this set of American Craft buttons!!! I am looking at the right now and would LVOE to keep them for myself- BUT I know you would love them too!!! HEAD HERE TO COMMENT!

All of you lovelies who entered our challenge were entered extra  automatically!!

We appreciate you playing along!

DCRU has some great deals going on! There are also some NEW items! Head over and check them out!!! It's not too late to get some great stocking stuffers in for those special crafters---or yourself :)

Thank you so much for joining in this week. You made it VERY difficult to pick winners! SHEW! I think ths was my favorite week of DT examples too. I loved seeing everyone's ideas!!! Makes the wheels turn in my head :)

So, here are our top 3 picks in random order-(YES I KNOW THERE ARE FOUR, BUT YOU GUS JUST ROCKED IT!!!)  please don't forget to grab your top 3 button to dis[lay on your blog!! You deserve it!! Hoep to see you all back here soon!

Kandi 

Jenn K

Rachel

Susie Sugar

And for the winner this week:

Victoria

Thanks to alll who played- you really knocked it out of the park this week!!

Sweet Saturday!

Has there been enough fun for you this week here at DCRU DT Blog??

Shew- Cyber Monday Sales, Create a Gift Challenge, Jessica's The Greeting Farm Giveaway, and yesterday, my American Craft Buttons giveaway! (Be sure and check out yesterday's post for a chance at some cute buttons!

Don't miss all the new items at DCRU! Wowzers!

You have until tomorrow to enter!!

Again- our challenge deadline is at midnight tonight- so link up those creations!!!!

Friday Fun Another Giveaway and WINNER!!!

Hey there everyone! Happy Friday!

I know you guys are dying to know the winner of one of the awesome The Greeting Farm stamps... but before we announce it- a shameless plug, lol-

We invite you all to enter our challenge this week!

All you have to do is show us a gift! Maybe it's a card, layout, altered project, WHATEVER! Link it up!!! Winners get a super cute button and a chance to win a prize pack from DCRU!!

So, the winner without further delay of The Greeting Farm Stamp is

craft_princess!

Please contact Jessica at yeahshestamps at gmail dot com to claim your prize!

So, are you in need of another giveaway?? Today someone will win a set of the

 NEW American Craft buttons

that are now available in the DCRU Store!

Yes- DCRU is now carrying buttons, ribbon, Neenah paper, and more!

So, what do you need to do to have a chance to win???

1, Make sure you are a follower of this blog

2. Leave a comment on this post,

AND as a bonus...

if you enter our challenge this week, you will get 3 extra entries!!!

You have until Sunday at NOON (Eastern time) to enter!

Spread the word and good luck!!

-Sammye Jo

SPOTLIGHT ON: The Greeting Farm!

Hi everyone!

It's me, Jess.   Most of you know me as DT member for DCRU and also know that I work for The Greeting Farm Rubber Stamps!

You know, doing a spotlight on something I love and something that I also happen to use every day?  You'd think it'd be easy...but I feel like there are so many wonderful things I could say about TGF that it's almost hard to narrow it down, and hey, you've got stuff to do...you don't need to be here all day, LOL!

So, I'll start out with some highlights about the TGF product line itself.  Here are my favorite things and what YOU need to know about The Greeting Farm:

* They sell unmounted, red rubber stamps on cling foam, to be used with an acrylic block.  The quality of the rubber is the best I've seen in the industry and the images are deeply etched, giving even super fine detail a fresh, clean impression every time.

* They are available in singles and sets, and also in some collector series.  There is truly something for everyone at TGF...lots of different categories...ALL adorable!  Some of the bigger TGF lines are Anya/Ian stamps, Twinkle Tots, and some new animals by artist Marina Neira that are wonderfully detailed and SUPER amazing to color in!

*TGF now offers many digital designs in addition to rubber which always makes for instant gratification.  

*TGF offers SO many wonderful images that are super fun to color.   Coloring is definitely my favorite part of stamping and papercrafting and I just am really happy with the results when I use a TGF image.

*Last but not least (and probably not last either because there is so much more I could say!), TGF really listens to customers and wholesalers about what people want to stamp.  They are also very affordable, in my opinion, and Claudia has REALLY great pricing on the newest releases, so if you haven't yet been able to head over to the DieCuts R Us Store, check the Greeting Farm out!

Sassy Suzi-JUST released at DCRU!

Limited Edition Flapper Anya

Geisha Anya

Madelynn-Twinkle Tot

Anya and Ian "Rock the Farm"

 Thanks so much for stopping by today and sharing one of my favorite products with me!  On behalf of TGF, Marie and I want to thank you for all of your amazing support and to thank Claudia for carrying the line and LOVING it!  

As a thank you for reading,  The Greeting Farm has a PRIZE for one lucky commenter today!   ONE LUCKY WINNER will receive a SASSY SUZI stamp, so be sure to leave a comment letting us know how YOU feel about TGF and we'll keep the contest open until 11:59 ET tonight!  The winner will be annoucned tomorrow here on the DCRU DT blog.  GOOD LUCK!

WOW!- Working On Wednesday

Welcome to Working On Wednesday- (WOW!) Every Wednesday we ask for you to share with the bloggy world what you are working on today!

New question this week!

Here ya go:
What Is Your Favorite Holiday Color Combo?

If so, SHARE! We also invite you to visit the Design Team blogs listed below to see what we are up to! Some have great projects, some tutorials, some giveaways, blog candy, and some have great reviews and info on new trends & techniques! Become of follower of each of the blogs too! Feel free to leave a link to your blog to show a current project, ask questions, announce a giveaway you are having, etc. Working on Wednesday is meant to be fun! So, let's hear it!
Gwen

LORI
SaraBeth

Margie
Jessica

Cara

Amber

Sammye Jo

Claudia

Have a happy scrappy day!!

DCRU Challenge-Week18- Let's See a Gift!

Good day everyone! It's time for another great DCRU Challenge!

What a great time to show us all your gifts! We want to see:

A Handmade Gift!

Handmade gifts are such a great alternative to your cookie cutter gifts during the holidays! Everyone loves knowing you spent the time making that gift JUST for them!

ALl of the Design Team girls here at DCRU have made some fab gift projects for you today! We would love to have you join in and add your project link to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of the post! Remember to upload by midnight Sunday night to be eligible to win this week's challenge! Winners are announced on Sunday! So, let's get your gift on :)

Examples from the Design Team:

Sammye Jo (Me :)

Recipe: Packaging is recycled Cosmo Cricket Packaging, Cosmo Cricket Jolly By Golly Paper, Ribbon, & Chipboard Accents (All available at DCRU!) Letters- Jenni Bolin

created by Sarabeth:

Recipe: Paper (EK Success), Beaded Fringe (It's So Me),

Jar (Making Memories), Ornament Embellishment (Me&MyBig Ideas)

Lori Boyd

Recipe: The Greeting Farm Stamp - Twinkle Tots Madelynn, Nook and Pantry Paper - Rolling Pin,
Copic Markers - R22, RV42, E93, E31, E43, E57 and E47,
Chocolate Card Stock and Ribbon, Light Coral Ric Rac, Misc. Button

Amber Goble

Recipe: Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots Folder (available at DCRU). Spellbinder Nestabilities Scalloped Circles, Scalloped Squares, Labels (available at DCRU). Clear Card Box, PTI stamps and Paper, My Mind's Eye cards, buttons, and ribbon.

Created by Gwen:

Quickutz Santa's Workshop LE: Heritage Accessories

Quickutz QuickStrips Garden

Quickutz 4x8 Alpha Bouquet

Misc: Rhinestones, ribbon, metal ribbon tag

Created by Margie:

Recipe: BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses 6x6 DP; Bazzill CS; PTI White CS; TGF Digital Image; Copic Markers; Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Markers; Spellbinders Labels Eight Nestabilities; Bo Bunny "Tis the Season" Flowers; The Robin's Nest Dew Drops; Corner Punch; Diamond Glaze; misc heart ribbon

Created by Jessica

RECIPE: Cardbox and "Wings of Joy" stamp set by Taylored Expressions, DP is Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly, Prism Cardstock, Copics, PTI Ribbon, Misc buttons, Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly Chipboard stickers

Created by Cara:

Recipe:

DCWV The Christmas Stack, Cello Bags, Scallop Square Punch, SU Stamp and Ink, Satin Ribbon, 3D Dots White Adhesive Foam, Hershey Kisses
______________________________________________

Remember to upload your projects to Mr. Linky by midnight Saturday night! If you upload to Splitcoast, be sure to use DCRU! Happy creating!

~Sammye Jo~

Spotlight- Easy Gift Giving with DCRU!

Hope everyone ini the USA had a great Thanksgiving weekend!

Today is "Cyber Monday" the largest online shopping day of the year!

If you haven't had a chance to check out some of the amazing deals in the Die Cuts R Us Store- I would suggest you head over before you are too late!!

Today I want to share with you some ideas for easy gift giving from DCRU products! The list here could be endless, but I will try to contain myself!

One item that is very popular for babies, children, and teens have been name banners. That's right- Banner's just aren't for birthday's anymore. Here I have made a banner using my Cricut Expression, Cartidges, and EK Success Papers. After using ribbon to tie the pieces together, I have a super cute banner ready for a little one's nursery! This is a gift that will grow as it will help her learn her name and letters as she gets older!

Have a special crafter in your life? I do! My sister has started scrapping, my cousin has started card making. I knew I wanted to include some supplies in their stockings this year and have decided to add these! Bundles of embossed cardstock I made with my CuttleBug and some of the AWESOME folders I have gotten from DCRU. This is a gift that is personal and special as neither has an embossing machine and now they will have 25+ pieces of cardstock all ready for them when they craft! This was virtually free for me to make as I am sure we all have enough scrap paper around! For a few of the men in my life- hubby, dad, Boyfriend-In-Law (What we call my sister's boyfriend. He's been around for a long time, we love him, but they aren't married yet!:) I decided to make stocking stuffers out of M&M's, recycled craft Packaging, Cosmo Cricket's Jolly By Golly papers, Chipboard elements, & Ribbon! It doesn't matter to them how you package chocolate, as long as they get it! This is a cute way and I found mysef looking through my craft room just trying to find more plastic containers!

One of my favorite purchases from DCRU was my Just Rite Stampers.

This set has gotten so much use! There are a bunch of new JRS in the shop right now that are LOUDLY yelling at me :) I also used my Cricut Expression, Tags, Bags, Boxes, & More Cartridge, American Crafts Paper, and this Awesome Sticky Tape to finish this project. These contain 3x3 mini notecards and envelopes! Perfect for teachers, co workers, church friends, beauticians, your favorite doctor/nurse, mail carrier, bank teller, etc. (Don't forget all the people through the year who make your life easier!!!)

Also along the lines of monogrammed notecards- here are full sized ones. The fronts have been embossed with my cuttlebug to add texture and dimension! I have also used the Just Rite Stampers here too! I also added some great "scent" to these cards with the Scent My Cards from DCRU! Hiw awesome to open them up and smell some of your favorite things!

No matter how you decide to gift give this year, I encourage you to think outside the box and really try to put a personal touch on it! Whether you choose to make your own gift tags, holiday cards, Christmas tree ornaments, etc.- just ddo something! We all have a crafty bone somewhere!

Join us tomorrow as we resume our challenges! I promise this week the post will be a real "gift" :)

Thanksgiving Week Blessings-Jessica

Hey everyone,

It's me, Jess here...Happy Sunday to you all.  Did you all enjoy your Thanksgiving?

You know, when our little week of thanks was being put together by our AWESOME DT Coordie, SJ, I was thinking to myself..."post on a Sunday?  But...but...what if I have plans, it's the biggest SHOPPING weekend of the year, etc. etc.".  Well, first thing's first, of course there is auto-post haha, but you know something?  I didn't need it.

I quickly realized that every year, Thanskgiving seems to fall to the wayside faster than any other holiday because we are RIGHT into Christmas after that.   There seems to be no "basking" in Thanksgiving...like there are other times of the year.  Heck, I even make a longer celebration out of my birthday, LOL!

So this year, I decided to wait to put up the tree (although I did pick up a new one last night, but it's sitting quietly in the box ;), wait to start baking, etc., and DEFINITELY waited to start SHOPPING.  

It feels really good to bask in Thanksgiving this year...especially because I have SO, SO much to be thankful for.  I did, however, take some time to create this Quickutz Accordion book and decorate it with some adorable American Crafts DP, available at DieCutsRUs.   I added some UNITY stamps and the sentiments are from PTI.

If there is anything I am just GRATEFUL beyond words for, it's the GIFT of MOTHERHOOD to these FOUR amazing babies:

It's hard to put into words all of the wonderful  EMOTIONS that run through me when looking at these four faces and being Grateful for ALL that I have in my life...but while I'm sharing my four biggest treasures with you, here are a few more of my blessings:

I have a GOD who loves me for who I am...FORGIVES me for all my mistakes (and trust me, there are many!)...and who KEEPS me focused on the person I am still becoming...

I have a HUSBAND who loves me, supports me emotionally, financially, and even indulges my crafting hobbies...
I have FOUR amazingly beautiful CHILDREN who I cannot imagine 4 cooler human beings in this world...
I have wonderful PARENTS who love me unconditionally; who have demonstrated the strongest of marriages and the happiest of homelife for me growing up and who now live 2 minutes away from me...
I have a WONDERFUL new HOME that I never thought we would have  the privilege of owning and we are already creating so many happy memories here...
I have AMAZING FRIENDS....a few old, some new, and even blogging friends who enrich my world, inspire me as a person and encourage me as a papercrafter...
I have a JOB that I LOVE...that offers me a chance to stay home, do what I love (stamping) and even earn my family some money doing it...
I am GRATEFUL for MUSIC...DANCING...LAUGHTER.   The simple little things that mean so much to me.  I'm the kind of person who hears every lyric to every song and thinks about it...appreciates it...even lives it sometimes.   
I am GRATEFUL for TIME...each day we have is a GIFT and I so try to relish the time I have-whether it's spent with family, friends, crafting..all if it isn't possible without the gift of TIME.   

These are just a FEW things I am thankful for...I'm sure all the DT can agree that trying to list such wonderfully profound things is more difficult than it seems-there is just SO, SO much to be grateful for.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing with me today, and while you're around, please visit our other talented DT members and see what they're up to..We are all grateful for being a part of this team!

Gwen
Lori

SaraBeth
Margie

Jessica
Cara
Amber
Sammye Jo
Claudia

Blessings,
Jessica :)

Thanksgiving Week Blessings - Gwen

In keeping with the theme of the week, it is my turn to share some things with our wonderful followers, that I am thankful for. Our regular blog format will resume next week, but please take a moment to look over the postings of this week...we have some very special design team members that have so much to be grateful for. Their work is inspiring and so are their touching words.

Thanksgiving is a compound word derived from the roots "thanks" and "giving" defined as: 1) the act of giving thanks; 2) a prayer expressing gratitude; 3) a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness. Hmmm...As I ponder what this word means and how I have seen it defined in my own life, these are the things that come to mind. (They are in no particular order.)

Free Will - Forgiveness - The Ransom Sacrifice of Christ Jesus

Memories: Especially those of my grandparents, Anna and Howard. I wish I could teach my girls about them in a way that they could share the laughter, the scowls, the love and understanding. I miss them so much but I am so blessed to carry their memories with me.

Education: I had a public education and that may not mean a great deal to some, but the education I recieved is more than some have opportunity to. I don't want to take that for granted. I am also grateful for the education I am able to gain now, as an adult, the desire to learn is deeply rooted in me...I hope to always maintain the ability to learn and grow and experience.

My sight: I'm so blessed each day to wake up to the morning sun and see it dance little shadows across the faces of my girls. It is the most beautiful vision that I know, the faces of my daughters. Each one unique, each one a miracle to me and the most precious gift from God.

Variety: It is the spice of life! Variety of tastes, seasons, colors, friends, opinions, I could go on endlessly, but I won't. I am ever thankful for the blossoms of spring and the russets of fall; the frosted patterns on window panes in the winter and the crickets singing on a starry summer night.

Music...music...music...

Patience: My husband seems to have and endless supply and he needs it...I'm the hardest person to live with and I'm thankful for his tolerance.

Humor/Laughter: Tears can erode your soul, but in my experience...the quickest way to heal is through laughter shared with loved ones. I'm so blessed to have had one true friend, one great friend, that has been helping me to laugh through perils for thrity years. I love you, Sheryl.

Caffeine...nuff said!

Here is my version of the mini album that we are all sharing this week.

American Crafts Papers

American Crafts Rub-ons

Quickutz Accordion Mini Album

Quickutz Santa's Workshop: Heritage Accessories

Available at the DCRU Store

Thank you all for your support of the DCRU DT Blog. If you have something that you would like to share with us, something that you are thankful for, please leave us a comment below or a link to your blog post. I look forward to reading them. Don't forget to stop by and visit our design team members (found at the left side bar of this posting). Find out what they are all up to this busy time of year.

Smiles to all,

Gwen