Brody and the entire Schach family want to thank all of you who have left comments and who have sent emails. I have spent a lot of time these past couple of days in tears…First, because of what his “bump” could hold for us, and secondly because of everyone’s overwhelming kindness.  I really cannot put into words how your comments have given our family strength, and how they have helped us put things into perspective…how through your actions, you have shown the true spirit of the season.  And yes…

• My cards still are not sent and at this late date will arrive after Christmas.  But won’t it be fun to receive Christmas cards the week after?  And for my dear sweet friend, whose birthday I thought was the day after Christmas instead of the 20th, I know she will enjoy her belated card.
• The cookies are still unbaked and candy unmade.  But Brady the Boy went to the store Thursday afternoon and purchased practically every type of  refrigerated cookie dough they make!  We will have cookies! And with much less hassle and clean-up than usual!  What is important is that we will be making them together Friday!
• Stocking stuffers will go by the wayside. At this late date, it will be fun hitting the stores for those after-Christmas sales! The Twins must not believe in stockings anyway, since they would not allow any of them to be hung by the chimney with care in hopes that Santa-Dog soon would be there.
• Unanswered emails are slowly being answered and blogs are being visited. I have so many talented blogging friends! And please know that even though I may not have thanked you for your comments personally, I have read them and truly appreciate them.
• And my mojo is returning! I can’t wait to ink up more of my Occasions Mini stamps!

Brody will visit the vet again next Wednesday to have his bump removed.  And we are hopeful that everything will be fine and benign.  And for those of you who have asked, Brody is not in any pain or discomfort.  He is his normal, happy puppy self!  In fact, he has made a thank-you card for all of you, which he stamped and distressed himself! 

 

I still need to add the bow, since he lacks opposable thumbs, but I will get that done tomorrow.  In the meantime, Muffy has been begging me to write a post, so here she is with…

Muffy:  Many of you probably wonder how I stay looking so healthy and gorgeous!  Well, I am here to share some of my beauty tips.
Mom:  Muffy….you are so egotistical!
Brody:  Yeah, Muffy! You are eggs and sticksical!
Muffy:  Just stay out of this Brody.  This is my post.  Mom let you make a card that you get to talk about tomorrow.  I am here to talk about beauty!
Brody:  I am beautiful, too!  I won Reserve Winners Dog in Wheaton, Illinois two weeks ago!
Muffy:  Whatever! It’s my turn to post, so just take your 70 pound Boxer butt and go distress some cards or something.  Let me talk about what I know best!
Brody:  MOM! Muffy won’t let me talk!
Mom:  Brody…go play with Brady the Boy.  Your sister has been wanting to write this post for weeks, so let her talk.
Muffy:  OK.  Like I was saying, staying beautiful like me is a full-time job.  First of all, oral hygiene is very important to overall health!
Brody:  Who’s Jean?  Can I say “Hi”, too?
Mom:  Brody….didn’t I tell you to go play with your brother? Go ahead, Muffy.
Muffy:  I prefer to brush my teeth with the Sonicare.

It is so important to brush on the left side.

And in the middle.

And on the right hand side.  My Mom wants me to make certain that I tell you that I use Pro-Pet Canine Toothpaste, and not the people kind.  And my brush head is really soft…because it is Brady the Boy’s old one. 

And we all know the importance of walking to stay fit.  When it’s snowy or rainy, what could be better than a romp on the treadmill.  I like to give it a good sniff first.

Then I start out slowly to warm up.  This is VERY important.  For safety, the “clippy” thing is attached to my leash.  In case I would happen to collapse, the treadmill would stop.  However, my Mom never lets me use the treadmill unattended.

Then to really burn those calories, I have Mom  increase the speed.

Muffy:  So I hope that you enjoyed my tips on staying fit and beautiful.  I can’t wait until tomorrow to share my tips on decorating for the holidays, Boxer style!
Brody:  And I can’t wait to share my card.  I distressed it really good all by myself.
Mom:  And hopefully the Twins will allow me to get a card made!  Until next time…

It’s Thursday, and time to play with the Pals at Pals Paper Arts! Our challenge this week is PPA#125:  Tags!  You simply need to create a tag or use a tag on your card.  As for me, I opted to make a set of tags with the Christmas Lodge set.  When this set was first previewed at Convention this past summer, several of my fellow Pals looked at me and said, “Ann, this set is so you!”  They were so right! It is my favorite set from the Holiday Mini!  These are tags which will be quick enough and easy enough for any last minute Santa to make! 

Finished Tag:  2-1/2″ wide x 4-1/2″ long

• Flower Power! A Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding rose is sure to elicit a “WOW”!

• Sparkle! Dazzling Details add a hint of shimmer to the rooftop of this fabulous lodge!

Finished Tag:  2-1/2″ wide x 4-1/2″ long 

•  Pearls A-Plenty!  Basic Pearls, colored with a red permanent marker, adorn a Dazzling Details tree! More pearls accentuate the small “To-From” tag and the bottom of the main image. 

• Double the fun…with the Two Tags Bigz Die!  Just a simple crank of the Big Shot produces two tags in the blink of an eye! Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke Stampin’ Write Markers are used to selectively ink the “Merry Christmas” sentiment.   Once again, Basic Pearls are the perfect accent!

• Go from “Blah” to “Ah”!  Dazzling Details on the branches,  along with red-tinted Basic Pearls, transform this plain tag, created with the Two Tags Bigz Die, into this stunning creation!

Of course, these tags were distressed using a Sponge Dauber and Soft Suede ink.  A few select Crumb Cake Waterspots, courtesy of the French Foliage set, and a few spritzes with the Color Spritzer Tool enhance the vintage flair!


I hope that you enjoyed today’s creations, and that you will join us in our last challenge of 2011.  Next week will be our annual Best Dressed List!  Of course, at Pals Paper Arts, we welcome any products…so please join in the fun! As always, your comments are  important to me, and I do read each and every one.  And remember, if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create, or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away!  Until next time…

Stamp Sets:  Christmas Lodge, French Foliage, Winter Post, Lovely As a Tree;  Inks:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Always Artichoke,  Always Artichoke Stampin’ Write Marker, Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Write Marker;  Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler;  Tools:  Two Tags Bigz Die, 1/2″ Circle Punch, Big Shot, 2-3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Large Tag Punch, Sponge Dauber, Color Spritzer Tool, Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls, Cherry Cobbler Quilted Satin Ribbon, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Always Artichoke Seam Binding, Dazzling Details, Linen Thread, Chantilly Crochet Lace Trim, Antique Brads

It’s Wednesday and time for a little peek at the Pals Paper Arts inspiration card.  I hope that you like what I have designed for you.  It is something that can be created in a short amount of time, and it is something for which you may have a need..  I hope you enjoy tomorrow’s reveal. 

Muffy so wanted to type on the ‘puter today, but I told her that she needed to wait until Friday, when we could provide pictures to go with her story. 

And Brody has some very sad news.  As Boxer lovers know, the breed is very prone to cancer.  A small lump mysteriously appeared on his lower lip, and we have watched it diligently.  His vet is going to remove it, and have it biopsied.  He goes back to the vet today, and a date will be set for surgery.  I know that so many of you have followed the Twins since they were tiny babies, and I wanted you to know.  Let us hope that it is benign.

This has been weighing heavily on my mind all week, and has certainly put a damper on this holiday season.  My Christmas cards have not been sent.  Emails have gone unanswered.  I have not visited my friend’s blogs or left comments.  I have not baked Christmas cookies or purchased stocking stuffers.  Most of my pre-order remains untouched.  Facing the unknown is always tough.  Until next time…