Merry Christmas Everyone

I had such fun this past few weeks creating miniature Christmas trees for our staff meeting.  The following were given away as door prizes.  Now, because I want you to come back next time, I'm only going to only give you a few pieces.  Come back tomorrow!

giddy up tree

I found this boot at Hobby Lobby, perfect for this cowboy/horse themed tree!  I was so excited!  The sheriff star is a party favor.  Note the star garland and burlap accents.

Since these trees were for our holiday staff luncheon I wanted this tree to honor our Girl Scout camp were our 40 horses live.  at the top of this photo is just a little peek of one of the horse trading cards added to this tree.  This particular horse is running.  Below the trading card is a bell that made a fun jingle!

I had to add this photo, my MR added some scratches to the bottom(top) of this boot to make it  look realistic.  Note, the kitten in the background.  She was watching the birds out the window!

You just never know what will work on any particular themed.  I was walking through the Dollar Tree and saw these clips in the hard ware section.  "Ding!" a light bulb went off as I thought the bright red would really pop on this tree.  

Last picture of this tree. I was so proud to use shoe strings and strips of a bandanna to make these lassos!  Yippeee ki OH!

Come back tomorrow to find out about THIS tree!

Tag-erfic Saturday!

Saturday was a beautiful busy day at my home.  Thank goodness I was able to postpone some things on my schedule to complete these tasks.  Here's just a bit of what I did yesterday, these tags were made for some Girl Scout volunteers who are earning one of our highest awards.  I can't wait to celebrate their achievements!

This picture I took off center so you could see what's behind the "curtain."  I tape up a piece of white paper to the front of my aquarium.  Just started doing that, so my Angel Fish is very interested in what I'm doing.  See him on the right?

 Additionally, as soon as I get to messing around the aquarium, Sookie, the kitten is there too.  She has decided she LOVES fish food too.  Whatever little sprinkles fall outside of the aquarium is her's!! It seems like she interested in this tag--but really she's going for the sprinkles of fish food.

Breaking and entering at the cookie office.

Hello Dear Followers,
This girl has had a long week in my work life..
Many of you know that I work for Girl Scouts (of Middle TN)

And, although I'm not selling the cookies, I'm managing a whole bunch of little brownies selling!  There are truck loads and truck loads of cookies in Middle TN right now.  If your area isn't selling cookies yet...then drive on over to Middle TN.  Come get you some!

But, besides all the cookie drama...there was a break in at the Girl Scout office this week.



No.



I'm


not


kidding.



Thursday night some thug broke into my office building and not only thrashed my office, but several other offices. 
What the hell did he think he was going to find in the Girl Scout office?
And, oh, by the way....the burglar left my 7 year old laptop that was sitting there so nicely--just waiting for a new home. 
He can grab a jar of change worth about $20
but
not
a
seven
year
old
laptop.

That I need replaced anyway!?  Couldn't he have at least vandalized it, show some mercy!  Then I could've claimed it on the insurance and got a new one. 
But,
NOOOOOOOO
the guy goes for the shiny quarters.
All I gotta say is....come back you darn thug...come get this great, wonderful, perfect shape(actually missing several keys on the keys board and the touch pad doesn't work anymore.)
**raising fist in the air**

By the way, no cookies were harmed or stolen in the incident.

Love your sister day.

I'm entering this card into the Card Patterns Challenge Sketch #151 It's my first card to enter into this blog challenge. 

I need to invest in a better camera. 

Love My Sis

Each year I send my sisters a little prezzy to tell 'em how much I love them.  It's started several years ago when I was whining to myself about being single on Valentines Day...I was single for 11 years--loooonnnnggg time.  So, I decided, "I'm not whining anymore!"  And decided to share my love with my sisters on the 13th.  I would like to declare it a National Holiday and get the credit for creating the holiday.  (I'm not humble am I).
So, Women of Blog Land...go celebrate your sisters on February 13th.  Show them how much you love them! 

This is  a very busy weekend for me!  This is why!

I have three deliveries this weekend...no gym for me!

Vintage Tea Cups

How about a spot of tea?  (best English, mixed with Tennessee accent around)
I'm linking this post to Knick of Time Vintage Style Tuesday, if you love anything vintage, shabby chic, or anything fabulous...then click on over and check out the links.  Go by today and check out some lovely refurbished mantles.  Ooolala!

I'm hosting a tea party and these are their invites

the invite says: "bring your teacup!"

I went thrift shopping and found a bunch of nice china tea cups.  Oh, how lovely!  I hate to admit it, but these cups were 49 cents each.  NOT EVEN 50 cents. I was a little bit sad to think that these beautiful cups belonged to someone once--who paid a pretty penny for matching teacups, saucers and the whole She-bang!  Now they've been discarded to the local Goodwill and sold as pieces for less than half a dollar each.  

It just don't seem right....

very shiny!

I wish you could really see the cup in the foreground. It takes my breath away--the china is so thin that the light shines through. oh my!

Not just china...but FINE china from Japan even!

So tell me...if you got this cup as an invite...would you come to my party?

Remember my giveaway ends TODAY. Scroll down to the posting before this to get all the deets.

Who's Who of Famous Girl Scouts!

This is the 100th year of Girl Scouting and we are celebrating! Check out the Who's Who of famous Girl Scouts


Starting with:

According to Huffington Post:

Say it with us: "On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law." These words echoed through Hollywood when some of Tinseltown's most famous faces were just little girls.
Legends like Lynda Carter, Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore and Shirley Temple Black were all once living by the Girl Scout law and putting their sewing and fire making skills to the test. We wonder who had the most badges on their sashes and vests -- our money's on Wonder Woman.
This esteemed group of ladies are also joined in the sisterhood by scouts of a younger generation, including Abigail Breslin and Dakota Fanning. Both of these young actresses took the oath to "be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do." From our viewpoint, Fanning and Breslin are certainly holding up their end of the bargain.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR A GREAT GIVEAWAY HERE in honor of my mother's 79th birthday.  Only 5 days left!

Encouraging Words Magnet Swap

Happy Saturday Blog Friends! 
Today I have a moment to sit and catch up on the wonderful blogs I follow and also to do a litte posting too.  This time of year is the busiest time of year for me. I'm visiting local schools, hosting Girl Scout events in the park, making radio appearances and generally keeping busy as a bee.  Check out some of these cute shots.....

come and play with me!

I know their moms are proud!

aren't these the cutiest faces!

Thank goodness for a patient hubby that doesn't mind making dinner and handling household chores, while I rustling up some Girl Scouts!  Thank you Mr. Horn....

our wedding day...only a few years back!



If you're a Girl Scout Alumnae(or former Brownie) remember that 2012 we are celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouting.  You can find out about some upcoming events by visiting your local Girl Scout councils website, go to Girl Scouts USA website to find out more.  If you'd like, leave me a comment about your favorite Girl Scout memory.  I love to hear your stories.

This week I participated in a swap with the very talented artists at Gingersnap Creations.  I had to make 4 magnets with encouraging phrases and then I'll get in return 4 magnets from different artists.  **excited** 

I'm very happy with the final look of these magnets and may reproduce them in the future. 

Believe good things will happen to you!

Somebody's gonna do it, why not YOU?

                                               

Be confident and proud

dream big dreams, have big ideas

My favortie is the  birdbath stamped image with the words, "Dream big dreams, have big ideas"  Don't we all need to think like that?  Here's a close up where you can see the glossy accents I added to give some dimension to the magnet.(A suggestion from the MR.)

These were magnetic frames from Michaels that cost me a whole whopping $1.49!  First I printed out on regular copy paper the phrases and cut them to fit the frame.  I added Adirondack Alcohol Inks to the frames, let that dry and then slid the copy paper in to the frames.  After that I figured out where I would place the stamps.  After I was all done, I just felt like something else needed to happen.  I pulled the paper with the phrases out of the frames and added distressed ink around the edges in Black Soot.  These pictures were taken before I added the distressed ink.  Take my word for it, adding the distressed inks around the edges really gave the magnet another dimension. 

I love working with the alcohol inks--I need to buy some in all the different colors.  Sookie isn't too fond of them, I guess her little sniffer can really pick up the chemicals from the blending solution and her eyes get all squinted when she smells the bottle. Why is she sniffing the bottle you ask?  Because that's what cats do. 

ready to sniff whatever is on the work table

                                   

After a few too many sniffs, the kitten is ready to party!  She even puts silly things on her head!  Sookie, you are now limited to a one sniff limit. 

Have a wonderful weekend people! Take a moment to remember 9/11 and those that serve our country.  Hugs and kitten kisses,

G