New Hero Arts Card Class

The new classes at Cranberry Hill are now being posted. This will be my first class of the year from the Hero Arts Clear Design set "Cupcakes". All the images used in my class are from one set, which I think is a first for me! As soon as I get confirmation on the dates in January I will post it.

Christmas Day

On Christmas day my whole family (which includes cousins and friends) have what we like to call the annual "Itatani Food Fest". With over 60 people stopping by to start eating at noon and then again at 5:00, it takes a lot of planning and many cooks in various kitchens. My sister Judy, known as "the General" heads up the operations with to do lists and hour by hour check off lists. My husband Doug makes the turkey at our house with his special salt brining process - makes it moist and tasty. He also makes squash rolls (bread) something his Mom was famous for. I wasn't able to get a picture of all the food on the table because once everything was uncovered people started eating.

Finally finished the wall

Every since we finish our remodel (over 8 years now) I've had a big blank wall. It was left blank to one day put a very flat screen t.v. on the wall. I have been waiting for the technology to get to the point that the screens are paper thin. We haven't had a t.v. in our house for about 15 years. I threw it out when our kids were little since nothing was worth watching. I've been searching for over size items to fill the wall ever since. I finally found some clocks at a price I was willing to pay. So you ask where will the flat screen go now that I filled the wall? I plan to get the cabinet that will lower and raise the screen when needed. No need to keep it out all the time and they are thin enough now to fit behind a cabinet.

Latest Auction Finds - Blacksmith tools

I went to an auction this past weekend and came home with a truck load of vintage blacksmith forging tools. You may ask why would a city girl buy over 100 pieces of old foundry tools? I thought I was buying an interesting retirement gift for a friend who will be retiring from the fire department this month. After getting home, I found out that I got welding and forging mixed up. Mike is going to learn to welded not forging. Hey is all has to do with hot metal right? Anyone interested in unusual camp fire marshmallow holders, super sized hot dog sticks, bean poles? :)

Santa Collector

This is the year for handmade gifts. One of my best buddies, Anne Berry made this Santa table runner for me. I'm a big Santa collector and Anne knew I would just love this pattern. I plan to hang it on the wall since my husband has been known to spill things. I love visiting Anne's house because where ever you sit, there is a craft project in progress or interesting book to read.

Quilt

My sister-in-law, Marilyn Turkett (Needle in the Pines) made this beautiful quilt for us! It was such a surprise when we opened the package this weekend. Not only is she a great quilter but she has one awesome sewing studio. The studio is so large that there is a corner space for her husband to hang out with her that includes a recliner and T.V. Can you tell I have studio space envy? One day I will have a studio with a big red leather sofa and large windows.

New Stamps from Hero Arts

Hero Arts has shipped out their new stamps and Cranberry Hill has the first wave of stamps in stock. Now that they have been released, I will be designing some new class for January 2008. The first class will be a Happy Birthday class with cupcake theme (CL158 Clear Design - Cupcakes) and a thank you class with an animal theme (CL153 Clear Design - Happy Day Animals. I also have a super surprise Asian card class on the burner. Hopefully the samples will be done by the end of February. It will be an advance class because the level of detail required.

Knitting Theme

It's been a busy month of haunting auction houses. I found a lot of fun stuff that is now in my booths at Cranberry Hill and Cottage Crafts. During the boring hours between lots, I knit. Since I only know how to knit (working on how to purl) I can only make scarves. I'm a big fan of stamps with knitting and animal themes. Again in my effort to use up the scraps on my work table, I made these quick cards.
The chicken is a Penny Black stamp and the cat is from Stampendous

Kitty Cat

Another quick cat card using scraps on the work table. Cat stamp is from Printworks and Naughty or Nice? from Cat's Pajamas. Speaking of cats, I finally had to move another computer chair into my studio. Purrcy (my cat) was not happy when I took it out last month. He protested the removal by sitting on my paper cutter whenever I was working. Now everyone is happy. Purrcy has his leather chair to nap in and I don't have paw print surprises on my papers.

Another Zindorf

This is one reason you should join Split Coast Stampers! Michelle Zindorf (one of my favorite designers) made this card for the members only site. I love how she makes interesting backgrounds and the use of the snow flake punch.

Mrs Claus

Another great doll by Carol Kennedy. I just love the detail she puts into her work. Carol is also working on setting up a blog site, so I will be able to link you directly. She makes special dolls for every holiday and you won't want to miss seeing those. She has booth at Cranberry Hill in Sunnyvale is you want to see them in person.

Coming Home

After being on deployment for over a year, my son is finally on his way home. I believe they are in route now and should be here some time on Thursday!