2012 Wrap up

I think the end of the year wrap up posts are so much fun.  When I look at other blogs, I get to see things I might have otherwise missed throughout the year. And, when I do my own wrap-up, I get a pleasant reminder of just all that I *DID* get accomplished.  Also, as I'm looking through my old posts, I'm also remembering all the things I meant to blog about but never quite got around to blogging about.

Turns out, 2012 was a pretty crafty year for me!

So, here we go:

January's highlight was Ann-Denise's Valentine Cone Class at Paper Crown

 February was a very busy month:
I participated in several Valentine swaps:  a tag swap, an ornament swap, a Valentine goodie swap - (here too!) , all of which I loved!

I took Jackie's Paper-Doll Class at the Paper Crown:

But, once again, Ann-Denise's Valentine Makery was *AMAZING*  You must check out my post on this event.  Do you remember the enchantment and awe you felt as a child when you went someplace very special?  Ann-Denise always makes her events feel like that but, there was something about this event that was just - Wow!

 In March, I hosted Sherry Goshon at my home so she could teach the Tulsa Dolling Dames how to create this beautiful cage doll.  This is a photo of Sherry's doll.  Mine is on my crafting table still waiting to be finished.

Doug had a work conference in Amelia Island, Florida and I got to tag along. :)

I finished my beginner's sewing class:

And had some friends over for Easter Crafting.

April was a whirlwind with a visit from my sister and Ray, I was teaching Medical Terminology at a college here in Tulsa, doing Hospice visits and getting ready for the two craft events of the month:

Ann-Denise's High Tea!

And Birdsong Two at Karla's!

I did a few posts on the gifts we received, the classes we did,  and the swaps at Birdsong Two. 

May was  pretty much a crafty fail.  I signed up for two on-line classes that I never finished.  Yep.  Oh well.  I was busy with work stuff but I did manage to squeeze in some fun too.

I play Bunco once a month with a group of girls - in the picture below is my sweet friend Kathy:

June had me busy with Phoebe and her health issues.

But I got back to crafting creating some pin dolls for the Tulsa Dolling Dames to sell at the Quilt show.

And TWO fun Jackie classes at the Paper Crown! Fourth of July Canvas:

Fourth of July Firecracker:

July was hot, hot, hot here in Oklahoma.  The Hospice I work for was incredibly busy this summer and I worked many long days.  Hospice can be emotionally exhausting.  So to take care of myself,  I spent my down-time crafting.  I made my very first quilt!

And I  got to spend some more time with my sweet friend, Ann-Denise at the Paper Crown and her Dress form class:

When August came around, I made another quilt top (that is still waiting to be quilted)

Participated in Karla's Faerie Page Swap: (click here to see the pages I received)

And received the Back to School Journal Swap (hosted by Michelle Geller) I had made pages for earlier in the summer.  You'll want to check out this post to see all the amazing pages!

By September,  I was busy working on my pages for Laurie's Breakfast at Tiffany Cloth Book swap.

click here to see all the amazing pages in this book!

I was working on my pages for the Buried Secrets of the Dearly Departed Swap:

 I was back over at the Paper Crown taking more classes:
Bobbie's Miss Pumpkin Queen:

 Bobbie's Hoot! class

And I went to Handmade U - Fall Semester.  I never ended up blogging about that event, the swaps, the projects or anything else.  Shame on me...

October brought more swaps and another amazing Ann-Denise Event with all the swaps!

And Viv's witch hat swap (what I sent to Cindy and what Cindy sent to me)

November:

Fall Tag Swap

Bobbie's Christmas Class:

And some snowmen I made:

Whew! are you still here?  Finally, December!

I did a few ornament exchanges, participated in Jane's White Christmas Tag Swap, made a banner for my nephew, decorated around the house, and went to several Christmas parties.  

For the Dolling Dames Christmas Party, I made this cute Snow Queen:

I can't remember if I got much accomplished around the house this year, but maybe in 2013.  I hope you enjoyed this post and be sure to click on the links if you want the original blog post, or click on the pictures if you want a better look.

Thanks for reading my blog!  Happy New Year!

After Christmas 2012

It's a cold, cold day here in Tulsa.  There are flurries flying outside and I'm soooo thankful that I'm home, inside where it is warm.  Out my back window, I have a whole bunch of cardinals and black-capped chicadees.

This time of year, the male cardinals are such a vibrant red. Just beautiful! 

 I've counted at least 7 males and a bunch of females too.  Although I'm inside where it is warm, I've taken these through the glass with my zoom lens.

 On a snowy theme, look at these adorable snow people that my sweet husband bought me for Christmas!  Don't you just love them?!?  I won't be putting these away when I put Christmas up for the year.

I'm going to add them to my small, but growing collection of snow people.  I found these at a craft fair earlier this month.

 I'm spoiled most of the time, but I really got spoiled this Christmas.
When I'm home, I love my slippers.  I never walk around barefoot or in socks - I *always* wear my slippers.  Douglas bought me three new pairs for Christmas.

 In addition to my snow people and my slippers, he also gave me gift certificates for a massage and facial, to Hobby Lobby, to Starbucks, to Sephora, and to Barnes & Noble!

I thought I would have my decorations down by now but I'm still enjoying looking at all the lights.  Plus, it's so cold that I can't even think about lugging the containers back up into the attic.  Maybe I'll do it over the weekend...

Happy Birthday Garrett!

Happy Birthday to my sweet nephew Garrett!  He turns two today.  I made him this name banner for his birthday, since I knew he would be on toy overload right after Christmas.  The letters are camouflage on canvas and burlap.  I brightened this banner up with some red, white and blue ribbon.  His dad Ray loves it!

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas!  We did and I'm pretty exhausted today.  What started out as three of us for Christmas (Me, Doug, and Dee-Ann (my sister in law)), quickly turned into 12 at the last minute.  We had a great day but man, am I tired today~

2012 White Christmas Tag Swap

This is the 3rd Year I have participated in Jane's White Christmas Tag Swap.  Click on the links to see my tag from 2011 and all the tags from  2010.
This years tags which are far more beautiful in person than I could capture in the late afternoon sun.  To get a closer look, remember to click on the picture for a larger image.
Here we go:
Kimberly Laws:

 Katrina Lynn:

 Liann Shultz:

 Chris:

 Dawn Tavela:

 Dawn:

 Garna Barker:

 Cheryl Bass:

 Unknown:

 Nora Neeley:

 Sherry:

 Jacqueline Reed:

 Laurie Jackson:

 Robin Weins:

 Tami Hacker:

 My tag:

 Tamatha Kaplan:

 Kathy: