Awesome Cosmo Cricket Giveaway!

WOW! Click here to check this giveaway out! And all you have to do to be entered is leave a comment on the linked blog! That seems too easy doesn't it?!?!

It's more than worth the (little) effort for this fabulous prize!!!

But HURRY UP, go leave a comment! The winner will be picked on January 5th! Happy New Year!

Monster Hugs

I just finished making this card with my new stamp from Victoria Case. I am very into monsters, dinosaurs and robots lately. I guess it has something to do with the 2 1/2 year old that I live with!!! My son talks about monsters all day long. As a matter of fact, since he always gives us a hard time brushing his teeth, my husband started telling him that he has little monsters in his mouth and that is how we get him do do a good job brushing! Maybe not the best parenting tactic, but hey, it works! I guess it's not really a fib if you consider "the cavity creeps"....they are monsters, aren't they?!

Anyway, here is my card, I hope you like it!

More Stamps by Victoria Case

I was so excited when I opened my mailbox today and got my two new stamps from Victoria Case!

The two I just got from her are:

here

and

here!

I am working on a card with this Monster Hugs stamp and will post it when I am done! I really love the quality of her stamps and she is so nice to deal with. I will definitely be a repeat customer for as long as she continues to make stamps!

Merry Everything!

I had my Christmas cards designed this year by Less Ordinary Designs. Sara was so nice to work with and has so many choices! I used a VERY casual picture this year, since Luke is two and he has decided he doesn't want to pose for anyone at JC Penneys or the Picture People anymore! or even for me, I just happened to get him at a good time and of course it couldn't be when I had him dressed nice in front of my tree! No, only when he was wearing a football sweatshirt and an unmatching hat!
The best part about ordering my card here was the option to change the design. The samples on the website are not "cookie cutter" so if you see one you like that fits a vertical picture, Sara will change the card around for you to fit your horizontal picture :) Works great for someone like me who takes 40 pictures and can only capture one smiling, non blinking, non scowling image! Such is the life of a mom to a 2 1/2 year old! and as I mentioned earlier, since Luke's had and sweatshirt didn't match, I was able to do the photo in black and white, so VOILA!, he now matches....LOL!
Check out Sara's blog and her shop and some other samples of her work here. Make sure to bookmark her for the holidays next year or for your next party invitation!!!!!
MERRY EVERYTHING AND HAPPY ALWAYS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
xo, Nora Anne

Monster Love

I came across a GREAT artist by the name of Victoria Case on Etsy and had to have this cute monster stamp made by her!!! Her illustrations are awesome and I especially love her monster stuff! Check out her website here and her Etsy shop here.

This is a card I made with the first stamp I purchased and I am waiting for a couple more to ship, I can't wait!

The stamp is a cling cushion rubber stamp and the quality is very impressive! Not to mention, Victoria herself is extremely nice to work with. I am looking forward to a few new releases on her stamps in January, I already put one on pre-order :) CHECK HER OUT!

Hello Stranger

I feel like Iam a stranger these days! Life is just FLYING by, I can't believe Christmas is here. Luke has been sick and Neil working two full time jobs has really made life hectic for me (imagine how he feels?!?!) I haven't blogged, I haven't chatted on my favorite Message Board (Memorable Seasons) in ages and I am SO behind on everything else, too.....my December Daily Album, I never finished my Stories in Hand class, I have two circle journals to mail out...UGH! I feel like I will be able to catch up very SOON though! The only thing I have been keeping up with slightly is my Etsy shop.

On another note, Neil took off work a few weekends ago and we went to DC and had a tour of the White House and the Pentagon, it was SUCH a cool experience! The tour was arranged by a realtor that Neil works with who's son works at the Pentagon. Here are some pictures:

This is the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building right next to the White House.This room was so cool looking, I love the floor!

Above is also the Indian Treaty Room. We were allowed to take pictures in this building without any restrictions.

Below is the Press Room in the White House, this is the only place in the White House where we were allowed to take pictures.

Blog Feature!

I was very excited to hear that a fellow etsian is featuring a set of my wine charms on her blog! Check it out here when you get a chance...there are some really cool items being featured.

Thanksgiving - Better Late Than Never!

Well, here I am posting about the very first Thanksgiving we hosted and the very first Turkey my husband and I ever cooked :) I know, I know, most of you have already moved on to Christmas, but I am feeling a bit left behind. I can't seem to catch up with the fast paced craziness that is called my LIFE! I just wish things would slow down a bit! I know everyone feels this very same way mostly every day, so at least I know I am not alone!

So, the day started out with Neil and Luke going to the high school football game (favorite Thanksgiving Day pasttime of Neil's). Here is my baby, all bundled up looking like such a big boy getting ready to leave for the game with Daddy.

While they were at the game I enjoyed a quiet house while I prepared the side dishes, cleaned up, and set the table. All the while our 18 lb. turkey was cooking in the oven. Since I am known in my family for cooking toast and pop tarts and not much else, I think everyone was surprised at how well everything turned out, especially the turkey!

I, myself, was more impressed with my place cards that I made for everyone! That was way more fun than cooking :)

And dessert, of course, was delicious....here are some pictures of all the "little turkeys" that sat around my table this year ;) There's nothing like family!!!!!

So hopefully a super long post makes up for a few weeks without a post!!!! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and are trying to enjoy this season without stressing too much!