I finished my second set of card for the Christmas Card Exchange. I was looking for more of a nostalgic look. I used the same basic layout that I used on the other set of cards. The colors for this set are more in the cranberry tones. Here is a picture that I took of Catherine and Madison on Thanksgiving Day. I took my camera and two dead batteries. Well, so much for Thanksgiving pictures this year.

Check out Stampin Up's Holiday Sale http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/default.asp You can shop with me Online, by going to my Demonstrator Web site. http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/suejones/

I made two cards and two 3 x 3" note cards for my secret pal. I found this oven mitt and kitchen towel that I used for inspiration. Then I decorated this gift bag to match as a Thanksgiving gift.

I am baking a cake to take to Dad's tomorrow. I will leave here around 5:00 in the morning to head over to Dunnellon. I'll fix my fried cabbage and the stuffing once I get there. Matt and Candace went over to spend the night. He is a very good cook, so I'll let him take the lead.

Here is the gold ornament tag that I made the other night. Tonight I worked on the other nine of my Christmas cards. It's a good thing I have an outlet...I have not had any fun at work lately. Today I set the phone on the corner of my desk and taped every students home number to the phone. I sure hope I can hang in there until Christmas. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I am sponsoring a Christmas card exchange. If you will be attending either of my Stampers Ten club meetings you can participate. Create 12 Christmas Cards for the exchange. They can be made with any stamp set. Be sure to bring them with you to club. Also, just a little reminder. Decembers Stampers Ten club meeting has been moved up one week so our orders have time to come in. Monday nights club will meet on December 8th, and Thursday nights club will meet on December 11th. If you have any questions call or email me.

I went straight to the grocery store when I left work today. I had to buy the ingredients to make the dressing. Next year I'll buy the turkey! I can't believe how much it all cost. I came home and baked three pans of cornbread, cut up three loafs of bread and laid it all out to dry for the dressing. Sonny is so sweet, he had a bowl of tomato soup and a grilled ham and cheese sandwich ready for me when I came in the door. I was starving too!

I did sit down and work on my Christmas cards. I have everything pulled out and scattered all over the dining room. I have decided to go with polar bears for one of my card exchanges. (By the way..... I have to participate in two card exchanges (24 cards). So, don't expect any sympathy when you tell me you just didn't have time to get 12 done! lol I think I'm going to go back and add some glitter. Here are three of the ones that I have finished. The first two have a plain background, but I decided to use the canvas background instead.

I've been busy, busy, busy this weekend. I think that once I show you everything I've created you will forgive me for not blogging for the last few days. I will start with Novembers Stamper's Ten club projects. This sweet little box is called "Piece of Cake" The name fits the box. This card uses two of my favorite 2008 In Colors, Pacific Point and Baja Breeze.

The color for the weekend was last years Cranberry Crisp. So basically, I was lazy. The cranberry crisp was out, so that's what I used. lol This box measures 3 1/4" x 1 3/4" x 4". Perfect for a Christmas surprise!

This Mini Scrapbook is ready to fill with your favorite Christmas pictures. I just "had" to work on my Christmas cards. I am still searching for that perfect one. I used Stampin' Up retired set called "Peace", and chunky glitter to create this one. I made a few little note cards too. These are shaped like Christmas tree decorations. I forgot to take a picture of the gold and black one, so I'll post it later. Here is the Cranberry Crisp note card.

Here is the Perpetual Calendar Class that I will be teaching on Tuesday evening, December 9, at Priceless Scrapbooks. If you are interested in the class go into Priceless and prepay to reserve your spot. I love this calendar! They will make great gifts throughout the year. You are only limited by your imagination. The stamp set is included in the price of the class. I look forward to seeing you there!!! I played with my punches and my scrap paper box this weekend. I saw some tags made using Stampin' Up's punches and decided to make some too! They really are very cute. Tomorrow night, Monday the 17, is November's Stampers Ten club meeting. If you are with one of the groups check with your head person to see if it is your month. I don't keep up with who's month it is. Just in case you didn't get the Club Reminder, here it is. ******Reminder ******* Stampers Ten Club Meeting Date: Monday, November 17 Hostess: Tange S Where: Priceless Time: 6:30 pm Birthdays: Attachments: None Here is a list of items that we will be using this month. Bring your basic stamp kit and your paper cutter. This will keep you from having to wait so long to complete your projects. Thanks! Project One: Card Stamp Sets – Season of Joy (p.34) Ink –Baja Breeze, Pacific Point Accessories – Basic Kit, Punches- Ticket Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch, Pop Dots Project Two: Piece of Cake Gift Box Stamp Sets – Snow Swirled (p. 32) Ink – Gold (any brand), Handsome Hunter Accessories – Basic Kit, Crop-a-dile, Lg. Gold eyelets Punches - ¼” circle punch, Large Star punch, Wide Oval punch, Large Oval punch ++++++++++++++++++++++++Reminder++++++++++++++++++++++ Please bring your basic tool kit with you. Anything that you think you may need. (This helps the meeting move faster. Less waiting for tools.) Here are some suggestions, those with double stars are required for each member to have their own. Double stick tape ** (required) 1/16” punch Ruler ** spritzer tool Scissors ** blender pen ** Bone folder watercolor crayons or pencils Cutting tool sponge Crop-a-Dile Basic Black Ink Pad Corner rounder 1/8” punch

Let's all make a difference at Christmas this year! When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get. A Recovering American Soldier c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center 6900 Georgia Avenue,NW Washington , D.C. 20307-5001

I covered this candle tin with the same paper that I used to create the letter "V".

I think I'll create a basket full of little matching goodies for the final gift.

I altered a letter "V" for my secret pal. I can upload a picture of it because she doesn't know that I blog. I'm pretty sure my Secret Pal already knows who I am anyway. I've given her several things that I have made. I had to make a trip into town after work yesterday so Sonny grilled steaks on the grill and made homefries to go with it. I am so lucky to have married such a good cook. I see why I have put on so much weight over the years. I'll be working in my stamp room hot and heavy for the next week or so. I have lots, and lots of projects to complete. Howard Middle School has asked me to do a 20 for $25 Christmas Card Class again this year.

I spent another two hours working on IEP's tonight. I needed to bake some blueberry muffins for my breakfast, so I'll finish the IEP tomorrow. I don't know how they expect us to teach and write these things during our working hours. I guess they have it figured out, we do it on our own time just to make sure it's done. Well, the blueberry muffins turned out good. I finished an altered clipboard that I have been working on this week. I wanted to put a small piece of cork board in the lower left hand corner, but I couldn't find any. I was shopping in my stamp room! I know I have some cork squares in there somewhere. I'll add it when and if I come across the cork. Catherine's solo went well. She is so excited about having all the other kids know who she is. They say hello to her and call her by name. She got a hug from one of the veterans, and you would have thought she met the President of the United States!

Tonight I worked for 2 1/2 hours on an IEP for one of my students. I have two that have to be done this week and one for next week. I also have to have my grades in by next Friday. Sonny cooked dinner, fried pork chops and mashed sweet potatoes. I ate way too much. I also made a double batch of Chocolate Mint Coffee Creamer and put it in some cute little recycled jars. I will decorate these and give them as Christmas gifts to my coffee loving friends. I had to give it a taste test .. . . I may have to keep a jar for myself. Here is the recipe: Chocolate Mint Coffee Creamer Makes 3 3/4 cups creamer 1 c. nondairy powdered creamer 1 c. chocolate-flavored Nesquik ¾ c. finely crushed peppermints ½ c. instant nonfat dry milk powder ½ c. confectioners’ sugar Garnish: chocolate-dipped Peppermint sticks In a medium bowl, combine creamer, Nesquik, Peppermints, milk powder, and sugar. Spoon Mixture into gift jars of choice. To serve, stir 1 T. creamer into 1 c. hot coffee. Garnish with chocolate-dipped peppermint Sticks, if desired.

Hello,

I took a little time to play this weekend. I had my granddaughters here so they got most of my attention. Catherine was chosen to sing solo the Star Spangled Banner in front of the entire school. She is so excited about it. We practiced, practiced and practiced.

I am working on a project that I will teach at Priceless for Trish. So, I can't share that one with you yet. But, I did make some paper bows that turned out cute. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I hope to see you all very soon!

Hello everyone, I have not deserted you. This is a very busy time of year at school. As many of you know, we just released the first nine-weeks report cards. Teaching special education has additional benefits. I have tons of paperwork and reports. Annual reviews have begun! I will be busy writing IEP's for the next month of so. Hang tight ~ I promise to get back in my stamp room. I did find a special little prize. Paper Shapers makes a 2" scalloped circle that layers perfectly with the Stamin' Up scalloped circle. I bought the last one that JoAnn's in Ocala had. You may be able to find them at the JoAnn's in the Villages or see if Trish can find them. It would be worth looking for, I love it!