Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

I am extremely thankful that I met my friend Patti, she is just wonderful and has made my transition of living in America so much easier. She has graciously invited us all round to hers to celebrate Thanksgiving in true American style. So no cooking for me, although I will be taking some very yummy canapes along.

This was my 'Thanksgiving Lunch' attempt last year:

Not really American, more like an English Christmas Lunch. Roast Potatoes rather than mashed, brussel sprouts with stilton and walnuts, red cabbage with apples, paxo stuffing, and my favourite, small sausages wrapped in bacon. Oh and some bread sauce, can't have turkey without bread sauce.

So have a wonderful Thanksgiving, I know we will.

Collections

I love a good collection, I always have. When I was younger, I used to love watching the 'Antique Roadshow' and in later years 'Cash in the Attic'. I was fascinated at all the weird and wonderful things that people collected. I admire the passion and commitment it takes to have a great collection.

I have collected things in the past, I dibbled in a pig collection, I dabbled in a snow globe collection but none of them lasted. I got fed up with the clutter and obviously wasn't committed enough.

As I look round my house, I realise that I do have collections, collections that have evolved unconsciously over the years.

I thought I would share my biggest love, my 'Emma Bridgewater' pottery. My love affair for her wares first began when I got married. I decided her 'Blue Toast & Marmalade' would be a perfect addition to my wedding list. I then started going to her factory sales, friends started buying bits as gifts and my collection just grew. It is now spread out all over the house:

In the china cabinet:

Near the sink:
In the storage chest:
In the larder:
I got these out for Christmas:
On the kitchen counter, (holding tea bags and sugar):
On the plate shelf:
On the other side of the plate shelf:
Finally, in the kitchen cupboard:

The majority of bits that I have bought are now discontinued. This is good and bad. It is bad as I am neurotic about it getting broken. It is good if I ever wanted to sell it. The prices that some of my pieces are going for on ebay are obscene!!

Although I must say that since living in America my EB collection has sort of stopped growing. I have not seen it for sale anywhere in Colorado. You can buy it online from a few shops and I can obviously order if from England, (they do ship to America but you have to pay about $40 just for the shipping!!!). But the main reason is the price, in England it was quite expensive but not too bad. Here, once it is converted into dollars, I just can't bring myself to buy a thing!!!

Maybe Father Christmas will leave a little something in my stocking!!! (hint, hint Prince Charming!!!)

Oh, Decisions!!!

Happy Monday everyone, I hope you had a good one. We have had lots of entries for the November sketch challenge, (thank you so much to everyone for uploading your images), there is only one week left until I announce a winner. So I thought I would nudge you along if you haven't uploaded your layout yet.

Here is the sketch again:

Here are the wonderful goodies you can win:

We have had some amazing entries, already I am in a dilemma as there are so many that I love!!

Siri:

Kim:

Vanessa:

Kristie:

Kristin:

Shamma:

Julie:

Teresa:

Deana:

Erin:

Happy B-Day My Gussie Gumdrop

My beautiful little Gussie, Gussie Gumdrop. I can't really believe that it was three years ago today that you decided to grace us with your presence, how blessed I am.

1 day old:

1 year old:

2 years old:

Today, 3 years old:

Have a wonderful weekend, I know that we will - Chuck E Cheeses here we come!!!!

Main Kit Sneak Peek

Decisions, decisions, decisions.......this was a tough one for me, deciding what to photograph for this sneak peek. I love every single thing in this kit, it is a real Christmas cracker!!!

Just to remind you that the kits will be going live on Monday 30th November at 8pm MST.

I hope you liked the peek and have a happy Thursday.

Wish List Wednesday

Dear Father Christmas,

I have been rather a good girl this year and wondered if I could possible get one of these in my stocking........

Emma Bridgewater Polka Dot Christmas Crackers:

The 13" Sizzx Big Shot Pro:
The Quick Kutz Letterpress:
The Scotch ATG 714 Adhesive Gun:

The Elessi Cheese Platter:

Nordic Elf Advent Hangers:

Nordic Elf Dolls:

I will make sure I leave you out the best mince pies and a glass of whisky, (the English equivalent of milk and cookies!!). I will also make sure that your reindeers have a nice bowl of peanuts to keep them going. Can't wait till the 24th.

Take Care,

Tara xxx

Credit Crunch Sneak Peek

I can't tell you how excited I have been putting together the December kits. As you probably know by now, Christmas if my favourite time of year. I was like a child in a sweet shop choosing all the wonderful Christmassy products that have gone into the kits. It has also been like a mini Santa's workshop in my house, with all the embellishments that I have made - I just couldn't stop stamping, glittering, punching and sewing.

So here is the sneak of the Credit Crunch Kit, $12.50 plus S&H. I will be posing the Main Kit sneak later in the week.

On a side note, I am not going to be doing the pre-order system again although I was very pleased that I tried it. It was far too time consuming and a bit messy for my liking. So the kits will be available to buy on Monday 30th November at 8pm MST.

We also have two fabulous designers joining the Magpie Club for the December kits, both will be showcasing just the Credit Crunch Kit, how exciting is that, I just can't wait.

I like to try to keep the kits separate on the design team front as I get really frustrated when you fall in love with a DT's layout. Especially a certain paper or embellishment, you then rush to your kit bag to check it out and much to your disappointment it is not there. It is in the add-on kit that you didn't buy, it happens to me all the time, (yes I am a kit addict too!!!). So that is why I like to keep the kits that are sent to the DT separate.

Also Julie's got a little something up her sleeve for the December sketch. Far too exciting, just can't wait to tell.

I hope you liked the sneak peek and have a happy Tuesday.