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Good Luck Everyone!

A New Year, and New Resolutions

I promise to write in my blog at least twice a week!

As many of you may already know, my dear Grandmother Ernestine passed away on Christmas Day.
She completed her 102nd year of life here on earth, (Dec. 26th was her birthday)

I was with her by her side, until the end.  She whispered into my ear on Christmas Eve that she hoped she would go to Heaven.  Grandma, I know you are in Heaven, because you were and are and angel.

I love you and always will remember all the lessons you taught me, from how to make Chicken Soup, to how to treat others.

I hope you were proud of me, and will continue to watch over me as you did when you were here.
I love you!

Ernestine age 2, a beautiful angel, just like now!

Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child

Peyton is one, and he is really enjoying the Christmas Season this year!  Last year he was a newborn, so my daughter and her husband Shawn are really enjoying watching him ooh and ahh over the Christmas Tree!  Here is a photo of Peyton as he admires the tree at the Marriott Hotel in Newport, R.I.

PEYTON IS ONE!!

It is hard to believe a whole year has gone by since the day I received a phone call telling me I had a baby grandson!  Peyton Michael Gibson is ONE YEAR OLD today!  My daughter Ashley made him this adorable little outfit to celebrate the big day!  She is so creative!

Peyton and his birthday cake

She made him a little diaper cover, and a bowtie and party hat with polka dot fabric.  She searched the entire internet to find it!  She also made him a little matching T-shirt with the number 1 on it.  Nothing but handmade for this little fella!

Wanna party with me?

I'm all smiles because I'm one!

Wanna balloon?

I am one happy baby/toddler (I'm one now)

This frosting tastes pretty good!  Yummy in fact!

Please join me in celebrating one very special little boy's first year of life!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEYTON!

I LOVE YOU!

Love, NaeNae

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo!

The Most Beautiful Card of All...

Today I received a Christmas Card from my Grandmother.  Her name is Ernestine Crabtree and this blog was dedicated to her when it began last summer. Grandma is almost 102 years young.  In fact, her birthday is the day after Christmas.  My family will be celebrating with her this year both for Christmas, and for her birthday!  She is an inspiration to many people, including me.  She is positive, active and bright!

 I got to thinking about her today when I received her hand-written, hand-stamped card.  This simple card she sent to me is more beautiful to me than anything in any magazine, blog or video. Better than any card I could create...

In her shaky but deliberate hand she writes, 

 "May the reason for the season be blessed!

May your Holiday be Merry and Bright, and your Home filled with Christmas Delight!

There is a request that money for your gift to me be spent on yourselves, no gift for me please.

Your thoughts of LOVE are all I wish for!"

Blessings from above, along with my love,

Grandmother Ernestine

So with tears in my eyes, and joy in my heart, I am sharing this Christmas Card with you, my dear friends.  I hope your Christmas is a joyous and happy one!

Blessings and Happy Crafting,
ReNae

p.s. Comments?  Just click on the "Add a comment" phrase at the end of this post.
NOTE:  Grandmother Ernestine passed away December 25th, 2011-Christmas Day.  I was by her side.
She didn't want to go.  Her last words to me were "I hope I go to Heaven".
Grandma, I know you are singing with the Angels in Heaven now, but I miss you so very much.  Thank you for your guidance, love, and for your undying faith in me, your laughter, your smiles, and the way you always made me feel like I was your favorite--something you were able to do with all your grandchildren.
I will always remember the things that you taught me, and will try very hard to live my life the way you did.  You loved with all your heart, you worked hard, you respected other people, and you respected yourself.  You showed me what it was to lead an honorable life.  Thank you for everything!
I love you so much, and I think of you every day.  I'm a better person for knowing you.
love, ReNae

Christmas Card Series: A Merry Merry Christmas!

Hello Again Bloggers!
I gave a sneak peek of two of these cards on my Facebook page Monday and here are the others I made!

Jingle Bells!

Celebrate!

Embossed foil paper (didn't photograph too well)

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Stamped image of tree 3 times on green paper, then used gold embossing powder.
Glued the trees together to make a 3-D tree.

All I did here was add Stickles glitter glue to existing image on the paper.

Used chipboard sentiment and glued to front of card, and viola!  A Christmas Card!

They are made from paper by One Heart...One Mind (now out of business).
I purchased them on sale at Stamper's Ink in Shawnee, KS. but Tanya Kostynuk, owner of Stamper's Ink has no more in stock.  She still carries other cute lines of paper, however!

The paper line I used is called "merry merry too" and features several double-sided coordinates along with one single-sided paper called the "cut-apart cardmaker".
I selected color-coordinating cardstock, cut and scored them and made the card bases, all ahead of time.
Cutting out various shapes of cardstock, I arranged the pieces of paper in ways that would go together.  This was easy because all the papers coordinate with each other.  Using the "cardmaker" paper I could really get some cute cards put together!
Then I found Christmas-themed chipboard shapes in my own stash, which I used for embellishments. Buttons, ribbon and glitter helped to complete the cards.

(Although the company is out of business, I did find a site that sells these papers and their other lines, which are all really cute.  Click Bargain Paper to go to this website.)  I have a surplus of this paper line and would be happy to put together a "KIT" for anyone interested in purchasing one.  It will make 8 cards.  Just leave me a comment with your information and I'll mail it to you!

Happy Crafting!
ReNae

Vintage Christmas Card Series

Hello Bloggers!
Today I wanted to post a few cards I made last Christmas before I had my blog.   I have been paper crafting only 2 years now, and back then I was just getting into the groove...Many classes and tutorial videos later I'm finally finding my niche.
If you like what you see let me know by leaving a comment!  I would be happy to share how I made them so if you're interested in a tutorial, let me know and I'll put one together and we can all make a Vintage Christmas card together!  Happy Crafting!
ReNae

This card is made with papers from Anna Griffin's 2010 collection.  I embellished it with Tim Holtz  products,  Graphic 45 papers, and vintage lace from my stash.  I used Stickles and Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist to add sparkle!

This Santa card was made using papers from Graphic 45, and embellished with old lace and buttons.

This card was made with Anna Griffin 2010 paper, a frame from K and Co. and Tim Holtz tickets.  I used Glimmer Mist and Stickles to add sparkle.  Ribbon from Michael's.

Graphic 45 papers, old lace, Tim Holtz embellishments and Michael's ribbon.

Graphic 45 papers, old lace, buttons and letters, K & Co. chip board embellishments.

Graphic 45 papers, Michael's ribbon, old lace and K & Co. keys.  Stickles and Glimmer Mist for shine and sparkle.

Remember, please leave a comment below, and tell me which card you liked best and why.  Also let me know if you would like to learn this card collage technique in a future post.

Your comments mean so much to me!  

I value your input and hope to have lots of new and fun projects in the coming posts!

Happy Crafting!

ReNae