Awesome Cosmo Cricket Giveaway!

WOW! Click here to check this giveaway out! And all you have to do to be entered is leave a comment on the linked blog! That seems too easy doesn't it?!?!

It's more than worth the (little) effort for this fabulous prize!!!

But HURRY UP, go leave a comment! The winner will be picked on January 5th! Happy New Year!

Monster Hugs

I just finished making this card with my new stamp from Victoria Case. I am very into monsters, dinosaurs and robots lately. I guess it has something to do with the 2 1/2 year old that I live with!!! My son talks about monsters all day long. As a matter of fact, since he always gives us a hard time brushing his teeth, my husband started telling him that he has little monsters in his mouth and that is how we get him do do a good job brushing! Maybe not the best parenting tactic, but hey, it works! I guess it's not really a fib if you consider "the cavity creeps"....they are monsters, aren't they?!

Anyway, here is my card, I hope you like it!

More Stamps by Victoria Case

I was so excited when I opened my mailbox today and got my two new stamps from Victoria Case!

The two I just got from her are:

here

and

here!

I am working on a card with this Monster Hugs stamp and will post it when I am done! I really love the quality of her stamps and she is so nice to deal with. I will definitely be a repeat customer for as long as she continues to make stamps!

Merry Everything!

I had my Christmas cards designed this year by Less Ordinary Designs. Sara was so nice to work with and has so many choices! I used a VERY casual picture this year, since Luke is two and he has decided he doesn't want to pose for anyone at JC Penneys or the Picture People anymore! or even for me, I just happened to get him at a good time and of course it couldn't be when I had him dressed nice in front of my tree! No, only when he was wearing a football sweatshirt and an unmatching hat!
The best part about ordering my card here was the option to change the design. The samples on the website are not "cookie cutter" so if you see one you like that fits a vertical picture, Sara will change the card around for you to fit your horizontal picture :) Works great for someone like me who takes 40 pictures and can only capture one smiling, non blinking, non scowling image! Such is the life of a mom to a 2 1/2 year old! and as I mentioned earlier, since Luke's had and sweatshirt didn't match, I was able to do the photo in black and white, so VOILA!, he now matches....LOL!
Check out Sara's blog and her shop and some other samples of her work here. Make sure to bookmark her for the holidays next year or for your next party invitation!!!!!
MERRY EVERYTHING AND HAPPY ALWAYS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
xo, Nora Anne

Monster Love

I came across a GREAT artist by the name of Victoria Case on Etsy and had to have this cute monster stamp made by her!!! Her illustrations are awesome and I especially love her monster stuff! Check out her website here and her Etsy shop here.

This is a card I made with the first stamp I purchased and I am waiting for a couple more to ship, I can't wait!

The stamp is a cling cushion rubber stamp and the quality is very impressive! Not to mention, Victoria herself is extremely nice to work with. I am looking forward to a few new releases on her stamps in January, I already put one on pre-order :) CHECK HER OUT!

Hello Stranger

I feel like Iam a stranger these days! Life is just FLYING by, I can't believe Christmas is here. Luke has been sick and Neil working two full time jobs has really made life hectic for me (imagine how he feels?!?!) I haven't blogged, I haven't chatted on my favorite Message Board (Memorable Seasons) in ages and I am SO behind on everything else, too.....my December Daily Album, I never finished my Stories in Hand class, I have two circle journals to mail out...UGH! I feel like I will be able to catch up very SOON though! The only thing I have been keeping up with slightly is my Etsy shop.

On another note, Neil took off work a few weekends ago and we went to DC and had a tour of the White House and the Pentagon, it was SUCH a cool experience! The tour was arranged by a realtor that Neil works with who's son works at the Pentagon. Here are some pictures:

This is the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building right next to the White House.This room was so cool looking, I love the floor!

Above is also the Indian Treaty Room. We were allowed to take pictures in this building without any restrictions.

Below is the Press Room in the White House, this is the only place in the White House where we were allowed to take pictures.

Blog Feature!

I was very excited to hear that a fellow etsian is featuring a set of my wine charms on her blog! Check it out here when you get a chance...there are some really cool items being featured.

Thanksgiving - Better Late Than Never!

Well, here I am posting about the very first Thanksgiving we hosted and the very first Turkey my husband and I ever cooked :) I know, I know, most of you have already moved on to Christmas, but I am feeling a bit left behind. I can't seem to catch up with the fast paced craziness that is called my LIFE! I just wish things would slow down a bit! I know everyone feels this very same way mostly every day, so at least I know I am not alone!

So, the day started out with Neil and Luke going to the high school football game (favorite Thanksgiving Day pasttime of Neil's). Here is my baby, all bundled up looking like such a big boy getting ready to leave for the game with Daddy.

While they were at the game I enjoyed a quiet house while I prepared the side dishes, cleaned up, and set the table. All the while our 18 lb. turkey was cooking in the oven. Since I am known in my family for cooking toast and pop tarts and not much else, I think everyone was surprised at how well everything turned out, especially the turkey!

I, myself, was more impressed with my place cards that I made for everyone! That was way more fun than cooking :)

And dessert, of course, was delicious....here are some pictures of all the "little turkeys" that sat around my table this year ;) There's nothing like family!!!!!

So hopefully a super long post makes up for a few weeks without a post!!!! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and are trying to enjoy this season without stressing too much!

A few new additions....

to my Etsy shop!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

So, tomorrow is my first ever craft fair...wish me luck! It is supposed to pour rain, I don't know if that's good or bad for business, LOL!
Hey, check out my journaling cards that were spotlighted in the Etsy Owls Treasury! It will expire on Monday, so hurry up and take a peek ;)
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=21071

Saturday Night Challenge

I haven't done the Saturday Night Challenge at the Scrapbook Cafe in quite awhile...busy, busy, busy! This week, the challenge was to make a gift tag, quick and easy, so I am in!

I made two, like I said, quick and easy...nothing special!
I used the Snow Friends stamp set from Close To My Heart for the first set, scallop square punch, a little Stickles for some shine and my new Koh-I-Noor pencils for a little coloring. The next one was an Inkadinkadoo set, some brads and my scalloped circle punch. A fun way to personalize a Christmas gift :)

Thanks for looking!!!

Ali Edwards December Daily Album

I am super excited to work on this project. I finally found something that I want to do BEFORE it starts! I have been reading all of the Q & A on her blog and trying to decide what I want to use. Hopefully I will actually work on putting the album together soon. I have to order the album I want to use and wait for it to come first, but in the meantime I am gathering all of my goods :) SO excited about this :)

MY LUCKY DAY !

Why, you ask?!?! It all started at 4:45 am, I could not sleep so decided to catch up on some of my favorite blogs. I thought I would hop around a bit and then be tired enough to go back to sleep for a little while. I almost jumped off of my seat when I saw my very own name right there in black and white on Teresa Collins' blog as a KIT WINNER!!!!!! You'd have thought I just won $100,000!!!! I almost jumped out of my seat and now I am too excited to go back to sleep...LOL!

Here's a picture of my prize, I cannot wait to get it :) The most exciting part is that I cannot get her products at my LSS, so this is really a big deal!!! And that's actually what the blog post was about that led me to win this sweet prize :)

Very Slowly....

adding more stuff to my Etsy shop. I had so much fun making these cards. I almost didn't get these stamps because I didn't know if I'd use them but I love how they turned out!


I used American Crafts two sided Patterned Paper, the quality is so nice. I also used my new Martha Stewart glitter, LOVE IT! So easy to use in the little shaker bottles it comes in.

Jessica Sprague Class-and it's FREE!

I am so excited to have found this class, it sounds like a lot of fun and I am looking forward to November 9th when it starts. It was so easy to register and best of all, it's FREE! It's a great way to try out one of Jessica's online classes with no commitment other than time! I can't wait and I hope some of you will join me : )

http://www.jessicasprague.com/

Webster's Pages Goodies

Check out the new collection coming out from Webster's Pages.....aren't they SO pretty?!?!

http://websterspages.typepad.com/webstershome/2008/10/ready-for-more.html

My Timeless Templates

http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

You have to check them out! Through the wonderful world of blog hopping, I stumbled across Lauren Meader's blog at such an exciting time! She has teamed up with Papertrey Ink http://www.papertreyink.com/timeless_templates_download_here.html and designed downloadable templates with endless possibilities for papercrafting fun!

Here is just a sample of the many project ideas she includes with the purchase of her templates!!!!! I can't wait to play with the three templates I have downloaded and make some of my own goodies!

A few projects and I'm off to Ireland!

Our flight is leaving at 9:45 pm tomorrow from Newark. We are leaving for the airport at 5:00....so excited but also totally anxious about leaving Luke. This is the first time we are both leaving him. I've done girls weekends, but he was always home with Neil and this time we will BOTH be away from him for almost SIX days. I am sick to my stomach about it, but also looking forward to the wedding and seeing my cousins. I'm sure I will be a bit more relaxed after my first Guinness ; )

Here are a few more projects from the online crop this past weekend at Memorable Seasons.....what fun it was!

The Online Cornucopia Crop at Memorable Seasons...

was this weekend and SO MUCH FUN! There were a lot of cool games, challenges and awesome prizes yet to be won :)
The crowd over there is so friendly and talented. Stop by and check it out http://www.memorableseasons.com/ Get to know everyone before the NEXT CROP!
Here are some of my layouts from the crop:



This one was for the "leaf" it hanging challenge by Jen!




And this one was the Harvest Moon challenge by Detta!

I will post some more later but for now, I have to go get ready for work :(
Happy Monday to all!
xo Nora Anne

Halloween Contest Sponsored by the Etsy OWLS!

The Etsy Owls are sponsoring a contest with some great Halloween Themed prizes! Stop by my Etsy www.RobinsonsNest.etsy.com or the OWLS blog for more info! www.etsyoffthewall.blogspot.com

**9/22 - 10/6**Any transaction at my shop during these two weeks will give you an entry into the EtsyOWLS Halloween Giveaway Contest. You may only enter 2 times from my shop, so I highly recommend checking out some of our other fine shops to increase your chances of winning these awesome prizes!See the full list of participants AND the official rules at http://www.etsyoffthewall.blogspot.com

My Favorite Fall Recipe EVER!!!!

The super-talented and oh so inspiring Elsie Flanagan is having a give away on her blog if you post your favorite fall recipe. This one is so yummy! My brother makes it every year after Thanksgiving with the leftover turkey. I can't wait until Thanksgiving, I think I'll have to make it before then! :)

Turkey Cranberry Wreath

2 pkg. refrigerated crescent rolls
1/2 C. mayonnaise
2 T. honey Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. coarsely ground pepper
2 C. cooked turkey, chopped
1/2 C. celery, sliced
3 T. fresh parsley, snipped
1/2 C. dried cranberries
4 oz. Swiss cheese, shredded (1cup)
1/4 C. walnuts, chopped (optional) but I DEFINITELY include them!!!
1 egg, separated

1) Preheat oven to 375*F.
2) In bowl, combine turkey, 1 cup of the cheese, celery, green onion if using, cranberries, parsley, mayonnaise, mustard and black pepper. Mix well. Set aside.
3) Unroll the 2 packages of crescent rolls; separate into 16 triangles in a circle on a large pizza pan or stone with wide ends 3 inches from the edge of pizza pan and points towards the outside. Points will extend off the edge of the pan(depending on size). Arrange the remaining triangles in the center of the pan, matching wide ends with triangles already in placed. The points will overlap in center.
4) Using small rolling pin(or small round jar or drinking glass), roll over seams of triangles where wide ends meet, making a smooth surface for filling. Don't seal center triangles.
5) Using an ice cream scoop, scoop filling evenly over the dough in a continuous circle.
6) Beginning with the last triangle placed in center of pizza pan, bring point of triangle straight across filling. Next, bring point of the opposite outside triangle diagonally across filling, covering point of previous triangle. The filling will show.
7) Repeat, overlapping points of inside and outside triangles to form a wreath. Tuck the last end under first.
8) Brush top of wreath with egg white.
9) Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
10) Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy!

Scrap It Forward

The Scrap It Forward benefit is now closed :)

What Happened To Fall?!

It was here and now it's gone! I love the smell, the feel, the yummy chill in the air! I love sweaters, jeans and hoodies. But the prospect of a long, dreary winter sometimes puts a damper on all of that. Today was a HOT beautiful sunny day and I spent it at my friends house swimming in the pool, drinking beer, and watching the kids run and enjoy the sunshine and the feeling of the grass between their toes. It kind of made me sad that the summer is ending and I didn't take advantage of it. Summer was sad for me this year, it reminded me of the end of my mom's illness last year and the horrible agony of losing her. I had some fun and I tried to be motivated to get to the beach and the park, if only for the sake of my son. But, mostly I hibernated whenever I let myself get away with it. And now I feel like I want that time back. I know she wouldn't want me to feel this way and I don't want my son to suffer for my sadness.

But, I know you can't turn back time.

Here is a layout I did this morning to welcome Fall and say goodbye to my sad summer and hope for happier times ahead.

Anticipation!

Ireland here we come! 22 days until we leave for the "Green Isle"...my cousin is getting married on October 4th, here is a picture of where the reception is...I can't wait! And I also CANNOT wait to indulge an a Guinness, there definitely is nothing like it! Since it does not travel well, the only way to get the true Guinness experience is to sample it there, it is not the same in the States, I can attest to that!

Happy Labor Day!!!

The 9/1 Etsy challenge started today, check it out at http://etsychallenge.blogspot.com/. I am in the Paper Crafts category with my owl card. If you like it, please take the time to vote, as this is an opportunity for me to promote my shop!

Thanks all! Have a happy week :)

I have a new nephew!!!!

and he is SO STINKIN' CUTE!!! The terrible part is, he lives over 4 hours away and I miss him already. I have only known him for 3 days and I love him so much! He was born on 8/28 and he is a little peanut....6 lbs, 8 oz and 18 1/2" long with a full head of blonde hair!

New Look To My Etsy Shop

Happy Monday! (ugh, i do not {heart} Mondays!!!)

I have added some new items to my shop, slowly but surely I'm getting there! This is my latest card added:















And if you get a chance, stop by my shop and take a look at my new Banner and Avatar....let me know what you think!
http://www.robinsonsnest.etsy.com/

Have a great week!
:) Nora Anne

Missing You : (

Mommy, you're always with me... You're the whisper of the leaves as I walk down the street. You're the smell of bleach in my freshly laundered socks. You're the cool hand on my brow when I'm not well. You live inside my laughter. you're crystalized in my every tear drop... You're the place I came from, my first home.. You're the map I follow with every step I take. You're my first love and my first heartbreak....and nothing on earth can separate us. Not time, Not space...Not even death....Will ever separate you from me....
-Author Unknown

Yard Sale Finds!!!

I passed by a yard sale today and noticed a Little Tykes picnic table..I turned around and went back and scooped it up for Luke. In the process I found two other goodies.....

I got the picnic bench, the purse and the pendant (bad picture...it's blurry, it looks very pretty IRL!) for $12. I probably could've bargained with her a bit, but I am so awful at that, I am not a good yardsaler!