Busy {glittered} hands

I didn't want to post anything until I chose the winner for the three cards

from my Grow Your Blog post. 

Once again, congratulations, Erin Houghton!  I hope you enjoy them.

Lots and lots of doilies, hearts and flowers, glitter, reds and pinks - Valentines.

Here's a peek at what went out this year.  First up is one for Lisa.

James gave his wife and his mother a card ... how sweet is that?
Bettcha the first one is for his wife.
Yep - am sure of it.

You have my heart
for my whole life.

... and his mother is the one he holds dear. 

 

 Another man gave his mother a card.

Last year he gave her a rose bush and now here's her rose.
How thoughtful, right?

 

Glenda gave her motorcycle rider this one.
Quite apropos!

 

Norma got her white roses again.

 

No pinks or reds for this card.
Sandi loves the color orange.
If you have ever been in their home, you would never doubt this statement.
And I just found out her new craft room is turquoise!!!

 

For it was not into my ear you whispered,
but into my heart.
It was not my lips you kissed,
but my soul.

... and Pete is loved.

 

Lou finally has his sweet valentine home after a two month hospital stay.
Welcome home, Vicki!

 

Celia and Mark.
Perfect for them.

 

Julie loves her family.  And here's proof ...

 

 

 

 

 This card is to celebrate
Valentine's Day and their 34-year anniversary.
"Love was made for you and me"

Congratulations M and D!!!


And last, but not least,
another combination valentine/anniversary card.
Happy Day, Bart and Laura.

I so admire anybody that doesn't struggle with "boy" stuff.
Especially teenage boys!
I created little paper mache boxes
for one of the bus drivers to give to her children.
She filled them with candy - the best part!
I was able to find little "monster" stickers to put on the boy's boxes.
This way they weren't "too mushy or too girlie" ...

Two girls ride the bus so I was able to bust out the glitter on theirs.

And Rose, the monitor got one, too.

Here they are before getting their coats on.

And here they are all warmly dressed up for the party.

Happy "belated" Valentine's Day to all of you.
I hope your day was romantic, as it should be. 

Grow Your Blog Party WINNER

WOW - what a party!  In my wildest dreams, I never thought it would be such a success for me and my little old blog.  I started out with a mere 29 Followers and as of last night, I have 137 wonderful readers following me.  And to think that 133 people left a comment on just one post.  I am humbled, to say the least!

That pretty Red Carpet Red nail polish has chipped, the pastries have all been eaten and I've kicked off my shoes ... but the door is still open and the light is on so come on in and enjoy yourself.  You're always welcome.

I must (again) give a shout-out to Vicki for hosting such a great gala ... and also for encouraging me to start a blog.  Thank you, dear friend!!

As promised, I said I was going to give away these three cards.  I wish I could give them to every single person that left such kind words in the comment section but you know that's not the way it works, right?  When creating them, I tried to make them as "all occasion" as possible.  They can be used for a birthday, an anniversary, a thinking of you, a get well soon, a sympathy or even a congratulatory card.  It's her choice.

Who's choice, you ask?  Well, it's Erin Houghton's choice.  She is the WINNER of my Grow Your Blog Giveaway.  If you haven't had a chance to visit her blog, you don't know what you're missing!!  Hurry on over there and look at her beautiful California garden ... the real one outside and her painted ones as well.  Spectacular!  She is an extremely talented soul and my wish is that I lived closer so that I could crash her monthly Art 101 lessons.  Erin, I've notified you (check your spam/junk folder if you don't see me in your Inbox) and am waiting for your address; once received, they will go out promptly.  I hope you enjoy them.  And Happy Day of Love, too!

Now, wasn't that just the best party you've attended in a long time?  I'm already looking forward to next year's party.  You will stop by, won't you?

Grow Your Blog and a Giveaway

WELCOME!  It must be party time because I am wearing Ulta's Red Carpet Red nail polish.  I've rolled out the red carpet so come on in.  I'm so excited that you are here visiting my blog.  This is where I share my creations with you - and once in a while something personal, too.

This is the very first Grow Your Blog Party where my blog has played along but I've been a visitor to each and every single blog that wanted to grow during the first two parties.  As you all know, blogging isn't for sissies!  It takes a lot of work, a lot of photographing and a lot of wordsmith-ing.  I'm hoping (like all of you) to increase readership so that these efforts don't go wasted.

I invite you to leave a comment, subscribe and follow along.  I know I don't have to tell you how - you know all that.  You also know how important that is to a blogger!

You may recognize me (Sue Kosec) and/or my work from Vicki Boster's blog.  Time and time again, she has shared all of the items that I have created for her over the years.  She is one of the main reasons I now have a blog.  Thank you, dear friend.

A little about me.  I was born and lived in Pennsylvania until I was 11, grew up in Ohio and much later on, I've jumped around.  The Runner and I now live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  If you fly in or out of DFW, please wave ... I'm sure I'll see you because we are that close.  You will see that I refer to my husband here as "The Runner" because that's exactly what he is.  Not just a runner, but an ultra marathon runner.

I think I've picked up some of my father's creative genes as I've dabbled in all areas of crafting: crochet, macramé, dip-n-drape dolls, decoupage and now paper craft.  My fingers were never idle.

My love for paper started in 2002 when I created a memory album for my parents' 60th wedding anniversary.  When I think back to that debacle, I have to laugh.  I had no idea how to do any of the techniques and had no idea what the tools were for or how to use them.  But I learned - and I am still learning.  As they say - the rest is history.

I had no intention of ever blogging.  Didn't know how.  Didn't want to know how.  But people were constantly asking me if I had a website.  Nope - didn't have one of those either and figured the lesser of those two evils would be a blog.  My sister sat me down and together we created SuZeQ Creations.

And now I have two blogs.  If you enjoy going on a retreat - or are interested in reading what retreating is all about, I'd love to have you read about my love for it (and Whitworth Ranch Retreat) and visit me.  Be sure to look on Vicki's list of participants because it's listed there, too.

As my giveaway to you, I'd love to share a little of me with one lucky winner.  It seems that the majority of the time I spend in my playground, is spent creating cards - and that's what I'd like to share with one lucky person.  Just so you know, all of my cards are originals.  To date I have never made two of a kind (even when begged!) and over the years, I've probably created about 6-7,000!

You don't need to be a follower, but I'd sure appreciate it if you would click on that button.  To show my love for you visiting here and leaving a comment, I plan to draw a winner on Saturday, February 14, the day of love.  Please remember to leave your e-mail address so that I may contact you.  All you need to do is leave a comment right here on this page and one lucky person will receive these three cards!

I thank you, Vicki, for your dedication to this endeavor again this year - and thank you to all that have helped put this party together.  I know all of you know who she is and have followed her wonderful blog.  We've all vacationed with her and we've all ooh'd and aah'd over her knitted creations.  We have sent pink scarves for The Pink Scarf Project and have donated from the heart to Josephine's Children in Uganda.  Ohhhhhh, and those nests - we cannot forget them.  When I talk about Vicki to my friends, I always say "oh my friend Vicki in Kentucky - you know, the nest lady!" ... and everybody immediately knows who I am talking about.

Should you need to contact me, I'm never too far from my computer.  I'd love to hear from you.  In addition to meeting up here, you can also become my friend on Facebook.  Send me a friend request and let me know that we first met right here on Grow Your Blog.  Just look for Sue Daggett Kosec.

It wouldn't have been a party without you so thank you for stopping by and I certainly hope you'll come back often.  I'll leave the light on ...

Grow Your Blog

Do you have a blog?  Would you like to increase your readership?  Want no more.  You can go to Vicki Boster's blog and sign up to Grow Your Blog.  I did ... see my party badge on the right side of your monitor?  That's what you'll need to do.

The entry deadline is January 17 so don't dally if you'd like to partaaaaaaayyyyyyyy!  And who doesn't like a party?  AND ... you just may win something when you visit others' blogs!  Wahoo.

This is Vicki's third annual party and the festivities will begin on January 25th.  Get out your party dress and noisemakers because this is going to be the party of the year!!!

Like I said ... don't dally!