Well, it wasn't a vacuum cleaner!

     I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday!  I certainly am enjoying this season and do not want the joys of Christmas to end.  But then, not having to return to school, I guess it may not.
     My Christmases of years past was lots of family and a rather large celebration.  Then people moved and losses occurred so that it became just my brother and me.  We are quite like a couple of very young children from the moment the tree goes up.  And since we have no other family to buy for - well, we go a bit overboard.  We generally hand each other a list and then throw in some surprises for each other.  My list was a few coloring books, some zentangle journals and pens, and a set of Inktense pencils.  Remember I said he was driving me nuts with his surprises? 
     You must understand about the vacuum cleaner remark.  We own a pretty good vacuum cleaner.  I have never in all the many years we owned it, used it.  Okay don't laugh or judge.  I just haven't.  My hand has never "driven" that piece of equipment.  Ray does that.  Always. So he took to saying he had gotten me a brand new deluxe vacuum cleaner.  Which of course I knew he had not, but that was all I heard - how this model would be great for me and how pretty it was.  He almost had me believing him.  He even went so far as to say he had wrapped a smaller box and stored the real deal in his car.  Brothers can be so nasty!  (But oh so wonderful!)  My surprises were a CD I did not even know was out - love Jim Byrnes and the blues, a rather "sweet" gift card that was also in part a birthday present and 3 more seasons of the show Highlander!  I did a rather good happy dance!!
     The last inchie??? Oh how sad.  I will miss the inchies, but I also will miss the community.  I have talked with someone about trying to help keep it going.  I just don't feel like I know what to do.  We will see where that goes.  In the meantime - the word of the week was goat.

      Here are a few of this week's coloring pages.  I did one in my new grayscale book, but I don't feel very confident about that.  I will improve.  I hope.  The flowers are done with the Inktense pencils, oh wow are they vibrant!! 

      Went shopping for groceries today since we could have some bad weather.  I didn't want to be stuck without food in the house.  Of course, if we lose power, I could be stuck with not so good food in the house.  Yuck!  I also bought a teeny tiny birthday cake.  That is my very favorite dessert in the whole world.  So once a year I treat myself.  Can't have it in the house any other time - too big a temptation.
      After the tree comes down I am going to pull out our treadmill and try to walk some.  I had done really well for a while but got . . . lazy.  No good word for it.  I am going to sign up for a "virtual race" that can be done at your own pace and however you want so I am hoping for motivation.
      Thanks for dropping by and I hope you are having a blessed day!!
    
    

Photo overload, sorry!

      I promised pictures of my Christmas cards so sit back for a few moments and indulge me!  I worked for three days on these!  I always say I will start on gifts and cards really early (like summer), but do I ever?  No.  Not even with more time than usual this year.  Anyway, I had a lot of fun constructing these and now just hope they make it through the mail without destruction!

          The inchie word was either moose or reindeer for this week.  I had to do Rudolph of course.  Although a "Chris-moose" was a consideration! It is so hard to believe that next week my beloved Inchie challenge will end - forever!  I do hope someone takes up the mantle and keeps it going.  I really considered it, but I would have no idea on how to proceed.  Oh well, here is Rudolph!

     Joey's challenge this week was to tangle around the word PEACE using tangles that began with each letter of the word.  I used pax, evilgram, anooka, chainging, and elfhat.  I am very satisfied with the results.  Do wish I had centered it on my page, but  . . .

     I seriously cannot wait until Christmas and opening packages.  Yes, I am quite the kid at this season.  My brother and I have a blast shopping for each other and tormenting each other with hints.  He has been particularly mean this year.  I usually get some idea what he has done, but it is a total no-go this year!  I know he will get the things I asked for - coloring books, zentangle supplies and the like, but it those "surprises" that drive me crazy.  Normally we open presents really early using the excuse that it would be nice if I could have more time to use the things I got before having to rush back to school.  But I cannot think of a reasonable reason to open NOW.  I better grab my pencils and get to staying busy!
     I hope you are having a wonderful week.  I will try to get in a post next week, but I don't know.  I hope to be very busy!  Merry Christmas and the happiest of Holidays to each and every one of you!

Brrrr!

     It is cold outside!  Winter has arrived!  They are giving some possible wintery mix around here this evening.  Now in this area that can mean either the sky will clear up or we will have several inches.   Weather in this area is so unpredictable.  I think the surrounding mountains (I am in a valley)  must make it complicated for the weatherman.  Whatever.  I will look outside to see what the weather is like.  Much more reliable.
    Inchie's word this week is wolf.  Wolves are one of my most favorite animals.  I love their majesty.  The howl is breathtaking.  I have seen only a few "in person" and they were in captivity, but I do love them.  Mine sort of looks like he is smiling and doesn't look as awesome as I wish, but oh well!

     Again I was able to combine Joey and Diva's challenges.  For Joey we were given a string and told to use the tangle Jax.  For Diva, a holiday tile.  So . . .  since I have some complicated Christmas cards to make today I opted for easy!

      A few of my coloring pages -

 

      Now on to those cards!  I purchased some SVGs to cut that are very complicated box and folding cards.  I want to finish them today.  Keep your fingers crossed they go together well!  I will picture them next time.
     Thanks for dropping by and I hope you are having a wonderful day!!

Gray Day

    It is so gray and dreary outside.  It is also raining.  The weatherman has whispered the snow word ever so slightly.  I doubt we will get any, but it does look to be cold enough the end of the week.   I have to go get groceries tomorrow so beyond that "let it snow"!  I would absolutely love a white Christmas.
     The Every Inchie Monday site draws to a close.  This will be the last year for that challenge.  I really hate to see that end.  There have been some very nice people I have met through that challenge.  I also have learned quite a few new words!  This week's word was wild boar.  Now I knew what one was but fortunately have never had any experience with one!  Unless you count seeing one in Disney's Lion King. 

     Joey chose my idea to start her Christmas tile challenge!  I suggested using a Christmas word to inspire tangling.  It could be done in several ways, but she added a link to embedded letters.  That was the start of my tile.  I used the word she chose, joy, and then just embellished all around it - trying to embed or hide the letters somewhat.  As an added bonus, Diva's challenge was to use the tangle afterglo.  So, I combined the two challenges and made a Christmasy arrangement.  I had so much fun with one.  I also kept telling myself to stop but had a hard time.  Even now I feel I could put that one little element in - but no!  It is done.

     And what would my post be without a few coloring pages?!  Here is a few more selections from Color It's book, A Colorful Christmas.

     Thank you for dropping by and leaving a comment.  I enjoy your "visits" so much.  Have a wonderful week!  Hugs!