I've been busting to share these

It's been a few weeks since they left The Playground

and I've been itching to share

even before they went to the post office.

It's now safe to share

as they've all been received.

My "hanging card" …

oh, how I love to create them.

Even more than cards.

And y'all know just how much I love making those.

Let's get to it.

How about I start off with my favorite?

I'm not sure why, but I just love this one.

Perhaps it's the non-traditional Christmas red and green.

Or perhaps it's the rusty metal snowflake?

Or perhaps the reindeer peeking out

from behind the flowers?

Perhaps the five layers of mat behind the image?

This is another good one.

It went to a couple that has a dog

so I'm sure they appreciate it.

And how about that cattail?

Haven't seen one of these in years.

The flower?

It's actually pieces of wood

and works perfectly in this woodsy card.

And the stocking was hung …

Yes, indeed.

Christmas morn will find it bulging

with all things wonderful.

Wish I could get our mantle this festive looking.

Oh yeah - just look at this dog!

A sweater and a hat, looking all festive!

Except it doesn't look all excited.

And a big thank-you shoutout to my sister.

She made the black and white flower years ago

and I've been saving it for just the right project.

Sure glad I don't live where it snows like this.

I wouldn't go out until that vehicle was free of snow.

But the recipient of this, unfortunately, does not.

The Chicago area definitely gets snow.

I'm quite sure he'll be unearthing his car

a time or two this Winter.

The recipient of this card is a young lady

with - you guessed it - red hair.

Perfect! 

As beautiful as this snow scene is,

I just can't.

Maybe if I had on a pair of cross-country skis

I might enjoy the snow more.

But I must admit - it certainly is

a Winter Wonderland.

Some may say I am a pack rat

for saving every bit and bob that crosses my path.

The sizes aren't that large

but work just great on these tags.

They measure approximately 9x5

so I didn't need much.

Merry Christmas!

The days are drawing near ...

My sweetest little neighbor is moving.

She'll be gone in less than two weeks.

Fortunately, she will be celebrating

birthday number seven before they leave.

That means I can leave this tag on her door.

I am going to miss her more than you know.

Together, we decorated the breezeway

for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It just won't be the same without her.

She would unexpectedly just knock on our door.

I've memorized that knock and always knew it was her.

She would leave little notes on our door

and here's the latest.

Yes, my eyes leaked when I read this one!

She used to come over to play

in The Playground.

I taught her how to make cards,

use the scary paper cutter, the Cuttlebug

and scissors, to name a few.

She now knows how to heat emboss

and how to lay out embellishments for cards.

Gosh but I'll miss her.

Happy #7, Jaylen.

My friend, my friend

Julie is celebrating today!

She'll be going to Uncle Julio's

with the family.

Lots of grandbabies to love on.

It's what she loves the most.

Dropped this off at her house yesterday.

The picture looks just like

(a younger) Bella dog of hers.

A front and back picture

of a hanging card.

Perfect for her new scrapbook room!

Celebrate all month long!

And SOON we will go out and tear up the town

celebrating our birthdays.

Sister Swap - Part Four, Fourth Quarter

Moving right along as we finish up the year.

October, to me, means one thing - Halloween.

And that's the THEME I went with.

All things spooky:

black cats

spiders and spider webs

skeletons

and definitely some bats.

The happiest place on earth,

according to my sister.

That is why I chose this PLACE photo

for the October tag.

She and her family love The Magic Kingdom.

They were there and helped celebrate

the 45 year anniversary.

Just like October means Halloween,

November means Thanksgiving,

therefore, that was my THEME for this month.

Not only did I always think of family on Thanksgiving,

but now it is even more memorable.

I will always think of my sister on this day.

You see, I couldn't be with her

as she stood at my father's bedside

as he took his last breath on Thanksgiving evening.

On their many trips to/fro Disney World,

they passed this "balcony."

As they were returning from one of those trips,

she took this picture.

Yes - I had to use it for the PLACE tag.

I don't think I'd be very comfortable

taking a rest in one of those lawn chairs.

Nope.

How about you?

Actually, I can't help but wonder

if anybody actually sits there.
If they do, they're crazy
because it looks like it's about to fall.

I have to give a shout-out to my friend, Lynne.

She made this flower and "rusty" leaves

for me many years ago.

I've moved it from spot to spot

and it never felt comfortable anywhere I placed it.

The colors are perfect for this tag

and I decided to part with it

and now my sister can enjoy it for years to come.

Oh - and now the flower is "comfortable" here.

It told me so!

December THEME?

You guessed it.

Christmas.

What's not to love about this little girl?

I couldn't resist.

My sister's pictures for this month

were difficult to choose from.

Initially, I chose one the person one.

Then I changed my mind and chose the thing one.

But finally settled on the PLACE photo

since I spend so much time there

(and so does she.)

Not only do we spend our time there,

we spend all of our money there as well.

The inside of the back cover

needs some explaining.

Once we decided to swap tags,

I kept obsessing on how I was going to do mine.

I didn't want to just "make tags" ...

I wanted them to be extraordinary.

But for the life of me, I couldn't figure out how to do that.

On New Year's Day 2016,

The Runner and I went to the mall.

As we were aimlessly walking around,

I looked up and saw the tags hanging in the window

at Banana Republic.

Gasp.

My heart skipped a beat.

Marched myself right inside

and asked what they did with the decorations

once they took them down.

(I knew that would happen soon

since the theme was 'Christmas'
and gift-giving,

which was now a thing of the past.)

The person I spoke with didn't know

so I asked if there was a manager on duty.

Sweet Kendra soon appeared from the back

and told me she "thinks they throw them away."

Gasp again!

I briefly told her what I wanted them for

(without going into too much detail - you know how

non-crafty people's eyes glaze over

when you 'craft-talk' ... and I didn't want to bore her.)

Politely, I asked if I might be able to have them.

She took my name and number and said she'd call.

Right.

That's exactly what I thought as I walked from the store.

!! RIGHT !!

Four days later, I got the call.

The tags were in a bag with my name on it

and I could pick them up any time I wanted.

I was a mess that day

but didn't want to take the chance that they be thrown out.

So I fluffed as much as I could
spare the time to do it

and out the door I went.

As I walked down the mall concourse,

my heart was beating so fast.

With each step, I kept saying

"please be there - please be there - please be there"

And they were.

Late Spring, I stopped in to see Kendra.

I thanked her over and over once again

for her generosity.

I promised, once the tags were finished,

I'd bring them up for her to see
(which I did on the day they got mailed.)

I had to do a "shout-out" to her and to the store

and decided the inside of the back cover

was the perfect spot.

Actually, this picture was one of the ones
I took and sent to my sister
... and she used it on one of her tags
as a PLACE tag.
(Check out her blog - she posted it on December 4.)

I need to back up just a bit

to describe my work on these tags.

You see, my sister is an over-achiever.

Every month she'd say,

(in her best "neener-neener-neener" voice, I must add)
"I just finished my THEME tag for this month."

or

"I just finished my P/P/T tag for this month."

At one point, I even told a little white lie.
Told her I was caught up and would be finished
in plenty of time.
(I think she bought it!)
I later confessed!
I am pretty sure I heard a big sign of relief.
She said when I told her that,
she worried that she'd not be finished in time.
Just sayin' ...

Was I in a state of panic?

You bettcha!

I'm sure you knew this - we moved in July.

Prior to that, I was in the process of getting rid of stuff

and preparing for the move.

And then the move and the unpacking.

One thing led to another and I still hadn't started.

Then it was the big Christmas push in The Playground.

One rule was "the tags must be postmarked

no later than December first."

Know when I began?

November 19.

Yikkes ... will I finish in time?

Or will I have to beg for an extension?

Counting the fronts and backs of the covers,

I had 28 tags to complete.

Then photographing and mailing.

I did it.

They were in the mail on November 29.

One day ahead of schedule.
I actually bound it and gift-wrapped
it on the counter at FedEx!!!
I was that down-to-the-wire on this swap.

My sister's "Partner in Crime"

came through.

Was there ever a doubt in your mind?

Haha ... lots of doubts in my mind.

The printing on the front cover

(The Girl Who Has Everything)

and the printing on the outside back cover

were tags from Banana Republic.

I thought they were perfect.

Because, you see,

we are each other's Partner in (Art) Crime.

Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture

of the "binding"

so I asked her to take one for me to post.

(Just so you could see how I did it.)
Nothing fancy - but it holds them together.

Thanks so much for seeing me through the process

and looking and the pictures she took

and my interpretation of each one.

Once again,
if you are interested in seeing
the PERSON, PLACE and THING photos

that I sent to my sister.
And which photo she chose for her tags,
as well as her THEME tags.
Then I invite you to visit her blog at

onecraftycreature.blogspot.com

and see the tags she created for me.
She will be posting from now until Christmas Day
so be sure to follow every day.

Next year?

Oh, don't you know,

we've already got the ground rules etched in stone.

Come January first, we'll be starting.

Hmmmmmmmm - wonder if that's when I'll start

or will I wait until November?
Only time will tell ...

Sister Swap - Part Three, Third Quarter

July.

I love all things patriotic

so how could I not focus on The Fourth of July

for my THEME tag?

This flag is one that I had outside,
either in a pot of flowers

or in the ground,

the entire 20 years that my daughter

was in the United States Navy.

Once she retired, I saved the flag.

It was dirty so I washed it,

which caused it to fray even more.

And I love the look of Old Glory.

The PLACE picture I chose

is this piece of art in downtown Naples.

I'd love to see it in person, wouldn't you?

Back to School.

And that's the THEME I went with

for the August tag

since my sister is a school teacher.

She can relate.

All three pictures she sent me for this month
had prisms.
Initially, I chose another one.

Then I decided to go with the PERSON picture
that showcases her hand.
Not only is it a perfect and beautiful prism,
but every time I see her hands,
I think of our father.
Her hands so closely resemble his.
Be sure to notice the three hearts in the flowers.

If I had to choose a favorite tag,

it would have to be the September THEME tag.

Not because of the way it's created.

Not for the way it's embellished.

But because of the content.

My sister was born in September

and I wanted the focus to be on that event.

See?

The tag isn't anything that exceptional

that would make it my favorite.

Except ...

inside that envelope

is where all the good stuff is.

Here is a letter that I wrote my sweet mama

the day my sister was born.

I know it's difficult to read

and I want you to hear what I wrote:

J.M.J.

(Jesus. Mary. Joseph. - I went to Catholic school!)

Sept. 14, 1954

Dear Mama:

Are you allowed to walk yet?  Do you know when you are coming home?  I went up to get prunes up the road.  Will the baby come home with you?  I hope so.  Did you like my letter?  I liked yours.  And now all ready to get washed and get my p.js.  Good-night Mama and sister

Wed. 8pM. - Just came from playing at Nancy's.  Did you find a name for the baby?  Grandma is going to take a bath now.  And I just got thrue getting my bath too and getting my p.js. on too.  And Grandma is going to put on the skirt on the bassa-net.  And now it is time for me to get to bed.

night-night

xo xo xo xo

God Bless you and sister

Love

Susan 

Of course, Mama replied!

Dear Susan Honey,

Mamma got out of bed to use the bathroom but I couldn't stay up.  Maybe tomorrow I can.  Your little Sister is pretty.  She is just a tiny tot.  About as big as your blonde hair doll.  She has dark sort of curly hair.  I don't know what color eyes because she slept all the while I held her.  She is as soft as butter but you're still my butter ball.  Aren't you?  How did school go today?  Didn't I tell you that you'd have a surprize when you got up this morning?  Remind Daddy to call Leta and Ann Knorr & tell them about your sister or you do it.  Also have Daddy bring a mirror to me.  Be a good girl for Gramma & Baba.  Here's a big kiss & hug for you.  Do you miss me?  I do you.  Be seeing you.

Love,

Mommy

Times sure have changed regarding births, haven't they?
Ummmmmmm - it's about the "butter ball" part.

PLACE.

My sister is always telling me

how much she loves their bedroom.

Often, she's referred to it as "spa-like."

And that's why I chose this picture

and used blues and browns.

The bed sure does look comfy, doesn't it?

Once again,

If you interested in seeing

the PERSON, PLACE and THING photos

that I sent to my sister.
Or which photo she chose for her tags,
as well as her THEME tags?
Then I invite you to visit her blog at

onecraftycreature.blogspot.com

and see the tags she created for me.

Another quarter finished.

Stay tuned .
Tomorrow I'll wrap up the year.

Sister Swap - Part Two, Second Quarter

GOTTCHA!
Again.
Seems like you weren't counting.
There are only three months to a quarter, right?

My last post regarding the tags?
Well, I snuck in April.
As in April Fools all over again.

Therefore, this post will only feature May and June.

My THEME tag I chose for May

is Mother's Day.

Even though she's sitting

in front of our Christmas tree,

I chose this picture simply because

I had never seen it - nor had my sister.

Not until after both of our parents were gone.

Another picture that generated many laughs.

Funny thing is - neither one of us

ever saw this "evening wear" outfit

she was wearing.

Hmmmmmmmm ... makes ya wonder, doesn't it?

The PLACE photo I chose

was The Garden of Courage and Hope

in Naples.
This looks like such a peaceful setting.
My sister tells me she took me there
but I don't remember
so it's nice to have this picture.

Naturally, my THEME tag for June

was all about my father.

His birth month as well as Father's Day.

This picture of him is one of our favorites

and I'm sure you've seen it here

and on Facebook.

Wasn't he the cutest ever?

This Butterfly Garden

in my sister's neighborhood

and I used this photo for my PLACE tag.
One more peaceful setting.

I invite you to visit my sister's blog at

onecraftycreature.blogspot.com.
Check out the photos I sent to her
as well as which photo she chose for her tags,
as well as her THEME tag.

Stay tuned for the third quarter.

Tomorrow.

Sister Swap - Part One, First Quarter

I'm sure you've heard me mention

the tag swap my sister and I did, right?

This is the front cover

and the inside front cover of the set

that I created and sent to her.

Well, here's how it came about.

Last year, we decided to make tags for each other.

Not just any kind of tag, mind you.

But special tags.

We were to make a total of 24 tags for the year.

Two tags for each month.

The first one typically pertained to an event

for that month, as in a holiday.

We called these "THEME" tags.

This is my THEME tag for January

and this is my New Year's wish for her.

Additionally, each of us took

three pictures each month

of a "PERSON" and a "PLACE" and a "THING"

and then e-mailed it to each other.

Each month she took a picture of each of these

and I got to choose just one for the tag.

Of course, this was a secret.

The big reveal was this week

when we each received a box in the mail.

My box from her arrived on Tuesday.

Her box from me arrived on Thursday.

Yes, we face timed

as each of us opened our treasures.

This is the picture she took

that I chose for January.

This was her fifth grade classroom - a PLACE.

And this is what I did with the photo.

See if you notice anything different.

Her photo (above) and what I did to it (below)

is different.

Can you find the two things?

And bam - it's already February.

I chose to highlight Valentine's Day
as my THEME tag.

Many years ago,

The Runner e-mailed me this card.

I treasure it to this day.

And it still makes me laugh.

I cannot and will not

provide any details about this PLACE.

It's a family secret and only a few of us

know the details.

What I will tell you is this.

My sister called me nearly 10 years ago

and then she patched in my daughter.

The three of us were laughing so hard

we couldn't even understand each other.

Happy memories

over something so crazy

that you wouldn't even believe me
even if I did decide to share.
Which I won't, so don't ask.

What happens in March?

Well, St. Patrick's Day, of course.

And that's the THEME I went with.

I have no idea how this happened

or if she ever found it,

but see the real four-leaf clover

just below the month?

Somehow, in transit, it fell off the tag.

I found that many years ago and have held onto it
for myself.
Until I decided to share it with her.

Does this mean now I won't have good luck?

She took this picture of a THING

because of our mother.

Her favorite flower was the pansy.

She always said "... little faces looking at me."

This one's for you, Mom.

April.

first day of Spring?

Not in 2016.

Easter?

Not in 2016.

Then why did I create an Easter tag

for the THEME?

I didn't.

Well, actually, I guess I did.

What else happens in April?

April Fool's Day, right?

Since I had my heart set on using

the St. Patrick's clover picture in March,

and since the first day of Spring is in March

and since Easter was in March,

I created an Easter tag

and made the THEME tag

be April Fools Day.

Why?
Why was I so determined
to create an Easter tag?

If you look closely,

you'll see the box of candy called Daggett's.

That's our maiden name

and I had to use this image.

Did you notice the "FOOL" under the month?

The PERSON photo I chose is of Oliver,

my sister's grandson.

He's getting his first haircut
at Walt Disney World.

(I wish he would have had his eyes closed

so that you could see how incredibly long

his eyelashes are.)

Well there you have it.

The first quarter finished.

I'll be posting the remainder of the year

at another time.

Are you interested in seeing

the PERSON, PLACE and THING photos

that I sent to her?
How about which photo she chose for her tags,
as well as her THEME tags?
Then I invite you to visit her blog at

onecraftycreature.blogspot.com

and see the tags she created for me.