Stampin' Inspiration

Lately, I've been really getting excited about my stamps. It's a party of the paper crafting hobby I've been putting of for a while because there's so much to learn, and definitely the potential to spend, spend, spend (both time and money). But I've decided to go ahead and take the plunge and have been excited to find some great resources. If you're like me and wanting to take the plunge, or perhaps you already have but are looking for inspiration check out these links.

The first is called Splitcoast Stampers. They have many talented participants on their message boards and galleries. One of things I love about this site (besides the helpful, inspiring people) is that their gallery is divided up by the Stampin' Up sets. So, let's say you just bought a new set of stamps and needed an idea on how to use it...well, you just find that set in their gallery and boom...plenty of ideas to get you started.

The next two are blogs:

I've seen these Elzybells stamps a lot all over the scrapping and stamping galleries and now I've found the mothership! As a side note, they are having a card class at Artsy Tartsy in February for those of you who are local. I just love these stamps! So cute, and perfect for sending to your girlfriends and the lovely ladies in your life.

The other blog I found is this one called Paper Pleasing. This blogger has done an amazing job showcasing her talents and sharing with the rest of us how she does it! She has a wealth of information here as well as wonderful tutorials and tips! So very talented and so very inspirational.

Happy Stamping!

Cat pictures

While my nephew was napping I played around w/ my camera and was pleased to capture these:

My cat 'Cio checking out the world!

And my Baci bear, in between snoozes. I was especially pleased to get a good one of him, because he usually moves way too fast to get a good shot. And with all the white on his face, flash usually just drowns him out (oh, and he gets that pesky pet eye).

This weekend was a fun weekend! Friday night we got to hang out with my brother- and sister-in-law and my father-in-law. They came over to our house we baked some cookies, had some drinks and got them ready for their art show. They also left our nephew with us overnight Friday and all day Saturday so we could have fun being auntie and uncle. Greg had to work on Saturday, but he stuck around the house in the morning long enough that I could make a Target run and get a shower in before my day with the J-man. After that Jaedon and I were on our own for countless trips up and down the steps, lots of stories or playing, horse back rides and tiger rides and songs (he LOVES to do hand gestures to songs like Twinkle Twinkle and Row Row Row Your Boat.

He took a nap, and then woke up and sweet and snuggly and eventually was ready for more rounds of singing and playing.

My aunt and cousins came in town that day and we ended up meeting them, and Greg's family for dinner at Moose Country. Of course, I had the Minnesota wings! Yum.

Jaedon and his parents ended up staying with us on Saturday night and Steph (my sister-in-law) and I ended up staying up and talking. It was nice to catch up.

Sunday my aunt and cousins and I went power shopping at the MOA. I got a yummy new purse and warm sweater. Then my aunt treated us to dinner at Maggiano's where I had the best gnocchi I've had since when I used to travel to Chicago for business.

All in all it was a great weekend!

I'm a happy girl!

So, I'm sitting here relaxing with a glass of wine (Moscato...a sweet sparkling wine from the Piedmont region of Italy) watching Nemo and surfing the web, and I am decidedly happy. For starters, my living room is littered with signs of my nephew...tiny shoes, Elmo themed toys, sturdy books and a stock of fresh diapers. He's spending the night with us, and all day tomorrow! We had a lot of fun tonight. His parents and my father-in-law came over for awhile and before that we had lots of ring-around-the-rosy (he lets you fall down while he laughs hysterically but he won't usually fall down unless you tell him to); row, row, row your boat, the eensy weensy spider, climbing up and down (and up and down and up and down....) the stairs, petting the cats, and reading stories. Can I just say this kid is smart? He knows lots of animals, some colors...he's just a genius really!

Besides that parts of both of our families are in town this weekend so we'll get the chance to dine out, do some shopping, maybe see a movie and just hang out and catch up with them.

So, you can see, I'm a happy girl!
Have a great night!
Michelle

Christmas Recap Part 2

Christmas Day we woke up and went to the Julotta service at church. Julotta is an old Swedish tradition of early morning Christmas service planned so that you leave the church just as the sun is rising, to symbolize us welcoming the light of Christ into the world.

After that we travelled to Iowa and the rest of the day was spent with Greg's family. We went to his mom's house where we were joined by her sisters and their families, her mom, and her in-laws. We also got to see Greg's sisters and their families/dates. We ate lunch and opened presents there.

How cute is this? I gave my nephew that shirt he's holding up in this picture. Right away he held it up to himself without any prompting. Isn't it funny what they pick up?

My mother-in-law, her two sisters, and their mom:

After that we went to my sister-in-law's home and celebrated Christmas with all of Greg's siblings. We had a fun evening...a little XBox, presents and some appetizers and wine, all while catching up with each other. It was a great way to cap off our roundtrip!

Can you say "ornery"? Greg and our nephew just look mischievous don't they?

Greg's little bro and his girlfriend Sammy:

Greg's sister Stephanie and her family:

Greg's sister Lisa and her girlfriend Danielle:

All in all it was a wonderful Christmas! I hope you all had one too!