My Snowman

Snowman Digi Layout created Dec 13 2011 that I posted all this same info on Facebook, the Hugsisters forum and now my Blog - so yes if you think you've seen this before, this is DejaVu

Recently I saw on Facebook that one of my favorite artists who creates wonderful clipart and art prints, and other items, had for sale at her Etsy store - some delightful handmade Snowmen ornaments. I wrote to Karla Dornacher - asking more information about the ornaments, as they didn't come up on her stores page. She wrote back saying she only had 2 left and she hadn’t yet posted them to her store. I shared with her my story about my sweet Paul's nickname "My Snowman", and also that I had been collecting Snowmen and Snow themed ornaments for years, and my grandson Josh collects Snowmen too. She graciously with her HEART offered to let me buy "both" of these unique ornaments. After returning from my trip to California, the ornaments arrived today and I couldn't wait to hang them up, the red hat one, I placed beside the Tree shaped ornament with Paul's photo inside. His favorite part of Christmas was "our" tree every year. But I would always kid him - that the trees needed "MORE LIGHTS" - there were never enough for me ;-). So included in this layout I made - I used graphics from a clipart set by Karla Dornacher named "Pure as Snow". Which was just perfect to use.

Info/Graphics Credits
Karla Dornacher
http://www.karladornacher.com/
Blog
http://www.karladornacher.typepad.com/
Karla's post about the Snowmen ornaments
http://karladornacher.typepad.com/karlas_k...nowman-fun.html
Karla'sEtsy Shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/karladornacher

Graphics Set I used: Pure as Snow available via Karla's Etsy shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/karladornacher?section_id=7008653

Font I used “SP You’ve Got Mail” – No, I can’t remember where I got it sorry :-(

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I came to know of Karla, through another one of my favorite artists - Audrey Jeanne Roberts, it was through AJ's Blog that she had a link to Karla's Blog - I was amazed both with Karla's art and creations, but also her Christian writings and the ideas and thoughts she shared. When any of us is fortunate enough to be able to "know" and "dialog" with our favorite artists - it is really something Extraordinary.

I so appreciate getting to know artists like Karla, but also others such as Laurie Furnell, AJ Roberts, Carolee Jones, Tammy DeYoung, Gina Jane, and Shelly Comiskey...

I never thought when I was first buying clipart, that I would EVER have contact with the actual "Artists" - I feel Blessed by their Friendship and Humbled by their Giving Spirits.

Some of my favorite artists Blogs, or where they sell their Clipart and more

Audrey Jeanne Roberts

Audrey's Blog http://audreyjeannesblog.com/

Store on Aimee Asher http://www.aimeeasher.com/shoppe/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=25

Zazzle Shop http://www.zazzle.com/audreyjeanne

Gina Jane

Daisie Company http://www.daisiecompany.com/storefront.php

Laurie Furnell

Laurie’s Blog http://lauriefurnell.blogspot.com/

Laurie’s Etsy Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/lauriefurnelldesigns

Laurie’s store on Aimee Asher http://www.aimeeasher.com/shoppe/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=67

Shelly Comiskey

Shelly’s Blog http://shellycomiskeydesigns.blogspot.com/

Shelly sells her downloadable clipart collections at Daisie Company

Tammy DeYoung

Tammy’s store on Aimee Asherhttp://www.aimeeasher.com/shoppe/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=9

Tammy at one time was the gal behind the Blog on Aimee Asher too: http://aimeeasher.com/shop/

Joy Hall sells her clipart also at Aimee Asher http://aimeeasher.com/shop/

**Carolee Jones hopes to be opening an Etsy store in the near future to sell her wonderful Clipart sets.

Carolee Jones sells her downloadable clipart at DAISIE Company, NOTE:**currently as of Sept 17, 2012, there has been a change in hosting web servers for Daisie Company and all of the Artists sets and/or printables etc. may not be available at this time. Carolee Jones is one of those artists that at the moment, her art is NOT available - so keep checking back at: Daisie Company

Her blog http://caroleejones.blogspot.com/

Note: all these gals are on Facebook too

Free Gifts to Give this Christmas

Found this online... If you're running short on time and money consider these priceless gifts to give for Christmas!
THE GIFT OF LISTENING
No interrupting and no daydreaming. No planning your responses. Just listen.
THE GIFT OF AFFECTION
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER
Share articles, funny stories and cartoons to tell someone - "I love to laugh with you".
THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE
A brief handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime and may even change a life.
THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT
A simple sincere "You look good in red" or "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
THE GIFT OF A FAVOR
Every day go out of your way to do something kind for someone.
THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE
There are times when we want nothing more than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
THE GIFT OF CHEERFUL DISPOSITION
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, even if it is just saying hello or thank you.
THE GIFT OF PRAYER
Let your friends and loved ones know you pray for them, and then do it!

Got my wee little tree up..

Keeping it simple on the decorating this year, my first Christmas in the new house. Figured its not worth the stress of trying to really go out and decorate the place with all the many things I brought from Buffalo...so this will do for this year. I think the small 4ft tree looks fine :-)...gonna have a cup of tea and just enjoy it tonight.

My Niece sent me a lovely basket filled with Evergreens from Oregon
I put it with my 3 snowmen that another niece sent me a few yrs ago its so nice to decorate with things sent from those who love me and who I love

Tomorrow I'll put all the boxes and bins of things, back out in garage.

Where's the Line to see Jesus

Enjoy the video online >> Here
Listen to the song from here link below - click to play:

It's beginning to look A Lot Like Christmas

Cardinal at my next door neighbors feeder...just love the Smile the Cardinal's looking at :-)

Wait your turn

This will be my 1st Christmas in my new house. Sure is difficult going through my stash of Christmas decorations, knowing that the last time they were out of the boxes was for my Christmas 2007 with Paul in our North Buffalo home. But I will forge ahead...adapting to my *new normal* - which from now on doesn't include "Snow"...only White Christmas's around these parts are "man made" ;-) Did some decorating outside my house and added some fun using my stash of wonderful graphics. Please NOTE: I just took a photo of the front of my house and "added" the graphics using my photo/graphic editing program Microsofts Digial Image on top - None of the graphics are there in my yard in "Real Life" - they exist only on my computer ;-) Graphics credits: artwork by Tricia Santry from her Welcome Winter creatable at pcCrafter.com

My Thanksgiving weekend was just wonderful. My younger daughter came from Indianapolis and my younger sister and her husband drove from Jacksonville. They brought the most delicious Feast. I provided a Ham and Ambrosia salad...and my work was done ;-). We celebrated all we each had to be Thankful for in my home. I am very Blessed.

Merry Christmas

Light em up...

Photo collage of my daughters home outside, and I tried to also get closeups of the snowman needlepoint ornaments my sister made for the Tree this year.
see a larger version here: http://teas2dine4.com/4lightslayout01d.jpg
Graphics credit: background paper, ribbon and tree by Just So Scrappy, Holly Jolly add on kit.
Font: 2peas Mister Giggles.

Every year I try to capture the "glowing and glistening" of the Lights at Christmas...some years I am more successful than others. I don't use a Tripod which I guess is a must have and I don't always follow all of the many tips I have found from websites online. I did do some "enhancing" on the photos in my layout using the tools in my Microsoft Digital Image software program. I mainly used the Touch Up menu options of Exposure and Lighting on them.

for what its worth here are some links for you to try:

Taking photos of lighted christmas trees and/or outside lights at night with digital camera

Links to information and how tos

http://www.nyip.com/ezine/holidays/holidaylights.html

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/12/how-to-photograph-christmas-lights.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_4474313_take-night-pictures-digital-camera.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_4531702_take-pictures-christmas-lights.html

http://factoidz.com/how-to-take-great-outdoor-holiday-light-pictures/

http://www.tenerife-holiday-home-insider.com/christmas-lights.html

http://hankinslawrenceimages.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/tips-for-taking-better-photos-of-christmas-lights-2/

http://hankinslawrenceimages.wordpress.com/2007/12/20/tips-for-taking-better-photos-of-christmas-lights/

http://www.digicamhelp.com/how-to/places-events/christmas/

http://www.hp.com/united-states/consumer/digital_photography/take_better_photos/tips/night.html

http://digital-photography-school.com/16-christmas-photography-tips

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-achieve-great-indoor-photography-results

Drawing for Debbie Mumm CD

I have an extra Debbie Mumm CD that I found when unpacking some of my stuff I brought to Florida. This is the wonderful clipart collection called Winter Wonders

I will draw a name from all who comment on this thread. Drawing will be December 13, and as soon as I have a mailing address for the winner - I will mail the CD out to you. Might not arrive in time to make this yrs Christmas Cards or other items - but I'm sure who ever receives it will enjoy it for next year.

Comment and share your favorite Christmas tips and/or ideas, Christmas Memories, Christmas Blogs, or just say hello :-)

2014 Update > Debbie Mumm NO LONGER Sells her CDs with clip art images - at one time she sold 4 CDs - a Summer Collection, A Halloween/Fall Collection, A Celebrations Collection and the Winter Wonders Collection.  I am happy that I bought them when there were available. Remember if you see something online that you think you might want, buy it (if you can afford it) when you see it. Websites, products, etc. come and go everyday.  Don't trust that items will always be available.