Time Is Ticking!

 Hard to believe we are at the last holidays of this year, 2018 will soon be in the past, and we'll be celebrating another new year! Happy to say that although I wasn't able to get all the cards I wanted to mailed out on time I did do quite well and only have some cookie baking left to do. 

 As usual I have lots to share so I will start with a few more photos from Cape May.

 This was the typical breakfast set up at Leith Hall. Always a bowl of fresh fruit, coffee and tea. The food varied each morning: raspberry pancakes or scrambled eggs with cream cheese and dill or brioche French toast. There were also little sausages, and some type of muffin. And if anyone has any food allergies, etc. Elan will always accommodate! Another reason we love this B&B so much!

 and this was another teatime afternoon. On the left was an almond and berry shortcake type cake and next to it a chocolate peanut butter bar- both to die for!! Happy to share with my friends at T Stands For Tuesday :)

 We made a visit to see the decorations at Congress Hall Hotel: 

                                                          the foyer

 I love this cabinet in The Brown Room all decorated with seashells and such, along with the fire that warmed me a bit before going back outside:

This is another B & B and I forgot the name, but thought it was so pretty with the blue lit angels. We took very few photos of the decorations this time around as we have so many from other visits-lol!

 On to the art now-yay!

This tag is meant for Tag Tuesday (Hearth and Home), Try It On Tuesday (Guess who's coming-it's Santa), and the Simon Wednesday Challenge (Christmas):

 Manila tag; vintage magazine clipping; washi tapes; dimensional Christmas sticker; Distress inks- Vintage Photo, Weathered Wood; Distress Oxide Frayed Burlap.

 For Art Journal Journey (My Favorite Season or Tis The Season) hosted by Bleubeard and Elizabeth - who also hosts T Stands For Tuesday:), the Simon Monday Challenge (Stitch It Up), and Paint Party Friday I have this journal page: 

 Remember in my last post where I posted my winnings from Ranger and mentioned keeping the packaging tape? Only thing was, I didn't realize at first that where I tore it on the left- the word "stress" is what remained and I didn't want stress so I added the word no above it and boxed it in:)

This page was done in my Dina Wakley Media Journal using a variety of acrylic paints, Dina Wakley washi tapes (the tree), burlap paper tree trunk (Ranger/Tim Holtz), Peacock Feather Distress ink, Archival Black ink, stencils, Whimsy Stamps Faux Stitches clear stamp set, Inky Antics(designed by Andrea Ockey Paar) Muse News clear stamp set, Ellen Hutson Bokeh Dots clear stamp set, black Fude Ball pen, star charm, rhinestone.

 Of course I'll be around to visit you but since I won't be posting again til after Christmas I want to wish you all a joyous holiday!

" It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich eternal and that every path may lead to peace."  

                                                                           Agnes M. Pharo

It's Feeling a Lot Like Christmas!

 Hello Peeps! How is everyone faring with the holidays? I'm getting there but not quite done with my cards yet....just when I thought I was ahead...

 First up I'll share a few more pics of Cape May (continued from my last post):

 this restaurant sits across the street from the harbor just over the bridge leading into Cape May

 This was the first time in 25 years we decided to try this restaurant known to be a place where the locals love to hang out. And it did not disappoint!

 This is just part of the menu:

 They have a wonderful wood burning fireplace:

 which I would have LOVED to sit by but hubby said he'd roast :(

 Bill says "hi" to our T Stands For Tuesday peeps-lol!

 Hubby chose their gourmet burger and I had the crab and shrimp patty on a brioche bun. Yum- hardly any fillers! He had a beer and I had a sauvignon blanc and we both had water too. The waitress was very sweet and friendly. We loved the atmosphere, the restaurant area and the bar area too and will definitely come back even though it's on the outer edge of town. Our lovely waitress surprised us with this at the end of our meal:

                     two complimentary hot chocolate shots!

 Now for the art part of my post. First I want to share these lovely handmade gifts one of my BFFS surprised  us with when the 4 of us got together recently:

 She made whisks filled with Hershey Kisses, and aprons made from vintage fabric her mother gave her!! I love this cheerful apron.

 Not long ago I won some prizes from online challenges. Well, my Ranger surprise pkg. arrived:

 It was a very generous gift of a set of Dina Wakley's new washi tapes, watercolor papers and background collage papers!! I kept the packing tape to use in my art journal:):) I also received my three new brushes from Painting With Jane (which I ordered during a special sale) and can't wait to have the time to use them!

 I used the new Dina washi tapes to make a money holder meant for the Simon Wednesday Challenge (Wrap It Up):

 I simply put the tapes across a large tag, sewed around the edges, folded it as shown, added embroidery floss to the spine to hold the money, and embellished with dimensional sparkly stickers. I will also link to Moo Mania for the theme of "trees".

 For the new Simon Monday Challenge (Warm Winter Wishes) and Try It on Tuesday (Winter Wonderland) I made a trio of ATCs:

 There's a close up of one at the top of my post and here's another:

 and you want to know how I made the dimensional snow???

with this: 

 I don't have a stencil that in any way resembles falling snow so I made my own by using two different sized hole punches on a piece of cardboard. I used white embossing paste thru the "stencil" and was quite pleased with the outcome!  Other products- acrylic paints, washi tapes (Recollections), glitter tree stickers (Michaels), Tim Holtz Small Talk Occasions stickers, and a white gel pen.

 Finally, for Art Journal Journey hosted this month by Bleubeard and Elizabeth with the theme of "Tis The Season or My Favorite Season" I have this journal page:

 a very simple cut and paste using patterned paper, a quote from a magazine, red marker, and a photo I cut from and old Christmas card.

 I will also link later in the week to Paint Party Friday. Have a super week ahead everyone, and thanks for your visits!

                       " Winter can be so cold with nothing to warm-

                        bask in the sweet memories of your life

                        and you will then be warm."      Linda Kunsman

I'm Baaaack!

 Hello, I have missed everyone! Hubby and I got away to enjoy our third year of spending 4 days in Cape May, NJ for the Victorian Christmas parade, tree lighting and decorations and it was a typical experience where I felt I was plucked and dropped into a Hallmark Christmas movie!  Above is the harbor coming into Cape May- how I love watching the various boats coming in and going out...

 I'll share a few pics in the next few posts. Not so many this time around as I have shared much of this enchanting town many times before. You can always put Cape May in my search bar to see much more if you're so inclined.

 We stayed at Leith Hall in our favorite suite. Although there are numerous beautiful B & Bs we have come to know the lovely owners here so well and really this place truly looks and feels much like our home-at least downstairs - so it's like our second home.

 I forgot to take a pic of the beautiful Christmas tree this time around which was located in the right corner across from the piano.

 I love this library with the table full of vintage parlor games which later becomes transformed into this:

Teatime! And it was tea for two as they had just opened after a week away and Bill and I were the only guests the first night they reopened:) Sharing our tea with Bleubeard, Elizabeth and friends for T Stands For Tuesday.

 And a few pics of our favorite suite (though the other rooms are lovely too):

 This is the sitting room you see as you walk in the door to the Turkish Suite. Go right and you're in the room where the bed is along with another sitting area:

     
 

 There is also a small kitchen table in front of you at the window looking out over the ocean when sitting in bed. I just love the decor! And we lucked out with pretty good weather.

OK, now for some art:

  A page using 4 stencils, 5 paint colors, a Dina Wakley image and Tim Holtz Snarky Small Talk sticker:)

 One more page:

 Dina Wakley Media journal and collage tissue face; deli paper Gelli Plate print background; cheesecloth; paper scraps; Caran D'Ache Crayons; charcoal pencil; pencil; sewing machine and cream thread.

 Detail:

 Sharing this page with Art Journal Journey hosted by Bleubeard and Elizabeth this month with the theme of "My Favorite Season or Tis The Season". And by now you all pretty much know what my favorite season is:)

 I am also joining in at Paint Party Friday. Looking forward to catching up again!

" You will recognize your own path when you come upon it, because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need."    
                                                           Jerry Gillies

Gratitude

"there is always something to be thankful for"

 Lots to share so let's get to it shall we? the above is a collage I did and printed to make my cards for Thanksgiving this year. 

 This is what happened last Thursday into the night:

  Some snow was predicted but it was supposed to turn to rain. Instead we ended up with a total of 9 inches of snow and then sleet! It wreaked havoc in the whole surrounding area with numerous accidents and road closures that some had to sit through in their cars all night long!! Those that were able to make it home from their work said it took hours to reach home when it should have been a 15 min. drive. Thankfully my hubby called off that night - he would never have made it in. And y'all know how I feel about snow to begin with:(     

 However....

  it also turned out to be my lucky day!! I found out I had won a $50 GC from Simon Says Stamp for their Monday Challenge, AND I won a prize package from Ranger Ink from the Dina Wakley MEdia Challenge on Instagram - how cool is that??  can't wait to get whatever Ranger sends, and I always seem to have an ongoing wish list at SSS:)

 For T Stands For Tuesday I would love for you to stop in, have a white chocolate raspberry scone and a cup of coffee:

 Of course I also have a nice variety of teas for those of you who prefer that. 

I often tend to eek in a challenge project at the last minute for the Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog and this is no exception. I made some quick and easy tags for the theme of "All That Glitters is Gold"

 I started with printed tags (Recollections) then simply added gold glitter glue (Stickles by Ranger); poinsettia stickers (Nicole); and Baker's Twine (Darice).

 For the Simon Monday Challenge Blog (this week the theme is "Let It Snow") I have this card:

 The snowman snowflake is an ornament that comes off the card. I attached the silver loop inside the card using a bit of washi tape so it would be easy to remove and add to the tree. 

Products: white notecard; silver glitter fun foam (Michaels); large snowflake die (Darice); patterned paper (The paper Studio); snowman sticker (Nicole); Tim Holtz Small Talk Occasions stickers; silver thread.

 Almost forgot to share my calendar spreads for October:

 And I have one final project to share (aren't you glad it's almost over:):)

 This journal page is meant for Art Journal Journey hosted by Erika this month with the theme of "Vintage or Modern", and for Paint Party Friday:

 Quite modern, no? I thought after I finished and photographed it that the yellow was too bright and I should have mellowed it a bit. But, so far on IG the consensus is that it's good. Acrylic paints; Dina Wakley image and washi tapes; Carabelle Studio stamp on left; faux stitch stamp (Whimsy Stamps); Archival Jet Black ink; Tim Holtz Snarky Small Talk Sticker.

 Wishing all who will be celebrating Thanksgiving on Thursday a happy, blessed day. And my gratitude to all of you who kindly take the time to stop by and leave me some love. Mwah!

" We can only be said to be alive when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."

                                                                           Thornton Wilder

This Week's Inspirations

 Hello Peeps! Oooh, the weather in the Northern hemisphere is getting colder. I got up Sat. AM to open the curtains to- a SNOW squall!!! :( . Thankfully it passed very quickly but it was quite cold and blustery all day.  I know I have to accept that tis the season...

  I have a tag to share for the Simon Monday Challenge and Simon Wednesday Challenge (theme is "Thanks/Thanksgiving" for both), and Try It On Tuesday (thankful):

 Products: manila tag (Ranger); burgundy card stock; Tim Holtz- Worn Wallpaper, Paper Dolls, Small Talk Occasions Stickers, Alpha Tiles, Thinlits dies 660222; Distress ink- Vintage Photo; Distress Oxide ink- Frayed Burlap, Archival ink- Maroon; 3 dots stamp(unknown); fabric tape - Recollections; buttons- Gary Burlin & Co.; natural twine.

 For T Stands For Tuesday I will share another breakfast I had during our last stay in Cape May:

  Blueberry pancakes, and coffee of course at the Ocean View restaurant;) Yes, they were delicious! And it just came to me- do any of you have pancakes for your dinner? I remember as a kid we would have pancakes for DINNER rather than breakfast every other week!

 I  have this journal page to share at Art Journal Journey (theme is Vintage or Modern) hosted by Erika this month; Paint Party Friday; AND Simply Neutrals hosted by Wen! Wen is celebrating Simply Neutrals 50th by offering a gorgeous giveaway so do check it out, and leave her some love. Of course it would be great if you'd link up with something neutral too!

  Although I am working between at least three art journals, I am currently in love with my newest which is the Dina Wakley Media Journal!!! And I can't get enough of Tim Holtz Snarky Small talk Stickers either! Other products on this page- Tim Holtz Paper Dolls, layering stencil- Linen; Distress Vintage Photo ink; Archival Jet Black ink; Distress spray- Fossilized Amber; gauze scrap; white gesso; black ink.

 Hard to believe Thanksgiving Day is next Thursday already! Anyone have any special plans? I'm paring down the menu, keeping it simple, and will only have my Mom and our son and his GF. Hubby and I have tickets for a show Wed. night (which I wasn't so happy about considering all the cooking and cleaning, etc. I'd be doing from Mon. thru Thurs.) but by keeping the meal quite simple it's do-able.

 Well, that's it from me for now. Will be around to visit. Happy week!

" We do not experience ourselves as a gift until we are engaged in the act of creating."  
                                                                         Elizabeth O'Conner