To New BEGINNINGS...

It sure has been a YEAR! So many things have happened and time sure has flown by. It seems as the years go on, the time goes faster. Tonight, it will be just me and the kiddies. It has been that way for the past 3 or 4 years. Hubby always seems to have to work...which is fine, I guess. At least I know that we are safe...at night this time of the year there can be a lot of careless people out there.

Bringing in 2010, I am very HOPEFUL!! New beginnings, NEW adventures, New memories. Let's not forget what we have gone through, to become who were are today, but let's move forward and become better beings. Wishing you the BEST in 2010, because after all...THE BEST IS YET TO COME! Be safe & Happy New Year! Cheers, ~Tonya

Lotza Nothin'

Ya like that language? Nothing like not having proper grammer eh? *smirk* I thought I would show ya'all a picture of my crazy Lulu! This picture was actually taken laying down on the floor and aiming up. Lulu is the most curious cat and is always trying to lay in the strangest places. We were going through the drawer, to this hutch and Lu just thought he had to jump up in the empty drawer, to see what was in there.....or not in there, in this case...I only use the hutch for receipts and pretties. Nope, no fancy dishes. LOL

Well, Christmas is over and soon the year will be over. We did have Christmas at my Mom's, but it was two days late. The weather here in Minnesota was just awful around Christmas, but it all worked out just fine. It is cold here, but at least it isn't snowing....God only knows we have had quite enough of that to last for the whole winter!

I am trying to kick a NASTY cold, that I feel is going to get must worse, before it gets better. It is starting to go into my lungs and sooooo much coughing. I even slept (tried to sleep, but didn't get much sleeping done) on the couch last night, so that I would not keep hubby up all night. I have not been getting much done...in the creating department.

We have been playing lots of BOGGLE! I love BOGGLE and so does Courtney. She is my little brainiac! When she gets older, her and I will have to play lots and lots of Scrabble. That is my FAVORITE! I have been trying to get a little something done for the Mercantile update....but it isn't looking too good. The kids are keeping me busy, along with this nasty cold. So, I may just not even try to win a losing battle. We shall see.

Other then ~Lotza Nothin' getting done...we are just hanging around the olde homestead and trying to keep warm. I did however manage to get my computer cleaned out! I had a ton of pictures of my dolls and such from as far back at 2006!! Sheer craziness. It runs much better now and I did purchase a bit more memory...so she should be running like a top dog, once that gets here and we install it. Toodles for now kiddies! ~Tonya

~Merry Wishes...

I purchased tickets for ~Circque Dreams Holidaze~ for my Mom and I, (I surprised her with the tickets and it was part of her Christmas present). I must say, it was FANTASTIC! Not a dull moment, so much sparkle, so much talent and you did not want the show to be over. Here is a link on YouTube for Circque Dreams Holidaze, if you want to view a sample of it.

We had a fun filled day with the show and then a bit of shopping...just roaming around really. I stayed the night and then drove back before another storm hit. There was really bad weather on Monday and I was worried that I would not be able to make it to Mom's and then from there, get to the show. I took it slow and made it fine. Along the way, there were so many cars in the ditch and accidents. Some from the night before and others that had just gone in. It did not look like the roads were slippery, but they were. Most of the vehicles that I seen in ditch were SUV's and trucks. For some reason they think they are invincible on ice, with 4-wheel drive. I will never understand that.

I got home around 3 pm yesterday, just in time for another storm to hit! Lots of snow, blowing and then last night rain. Hubby got called into work....and worked his 12 hour shift, until 6 this morning and now at 9:45, he is out there moving snow, so that we can all go to my Mom's. I feel so bad for him. He must be so very tired. We are suppose to get up to 20 inches of snow (or more) by Saturday...Oh Happy Day!!

I just wanted to WISH each of you a Wonderful Holiday. Merry Wishes to each of you. May you feel the JOY of the SEASON in your HEARTS. Peaceful Blessings to you, ~Tonya

Glitter & Glisten....

I ♥love♥ all things that glitter and in the winter, I can honestly say the older I get, the less I like winter. A postitive thing that I can say about winter is, I love the snow when it glisten's in the moonlight. It is beautiful. Or when there is a new blanket of snow on Mother Earth. When the snow has been un-touched and the sunlight or moonlight hit it...Oh MY!!

So why am I talking about glitter and snow? Well, I have been playing with paper again and well glitter. Two of some of my very favoite things. I should be working on something to list...but this time of the year, I consider it to be "down-time". People are busy doing the hustling and the bustling around. Me, I am on top of things this year! YES, can you BELIEVE IT? I think this is a first for me, since I have had kids.

Tomorrow, the kids and I are going to my Mom's to bake Christmas goodies and stay over night. We have never gone to Mom's for Christmas baking before...and well, we thought we could make some new memories, spend some quality time together, listen to Christmas music and stay far away from the hustle & bustle of it all. I am taking up a bunch of ingredients....we each have a couple of things we want to make and for the rest, we will just wing it! Something we make every year is the yummy Sugar cookies with icing. We all love to decorate the cookies with the colored frosting and tips....so MUCH FUN! My kids especially look forward to decorating the sugar cookies.

I hope each of you have a wonderful weekend. Try to do something relaxing this weekend, rather then being stressed about Christmas. Peaceful Blessings to each of you, ~Tonya

~Just CHILLIN' Snowman~

This is my NEWEST Handmade! I have decided to call him ~Just Chillin'~ Doesn't he look like his is "just chillin". I have just been chillin too....hoping it would warm up. Today I took the kids down to the bus stop and it was 9 below ZERO and that is not with the wind-chill factored in! Just too cold. We have a wind-chill advisory out until around noon...

You will find this neat Snowman on Etsy. I just finished listing him. I hope to get some more smaller things made, but Christmas is just around the corner, so that means no Santa's, probably just snowfolk (which I love to make).

Here is the link to my ETSY SHOP. I do hope that yo will stop by and take a peek. I hope you all have a GRAND Day....as for me, lots to do and time is not standing still. Toodles for now, ~Tonya

A bit WORRIED...

Today we are suppose to get some really bad weather moving in...a BLIZZARD Warning is already sitting atop of us and they have told us, you normally do not see it this far ahead. Where we are located, we are sitting right in the EYE OF THE STORM. That is not the only reason I am worried...

My middle child, Courtney is off to Minneapolis to a theate/play, for a School field trip. The play is at 10:30 am, but the news report says if you have anything to do, get it done and get home!! It is suppose to start snowing and then all this wind is going to kick up and it is going to be terrible. There is a weird haze outside and it is pretty cold -- eerie feeling out there! My biggest fear is....they get stuck on a bus or they get home late, too late for me to try to go and get her in town, at school.

Last year, one day before my kids left for school...I must have said it at least 10 times, I don't think you guys should go to school. Well, that day they were released a bit early (too late in my eyes) and it took the bus over 2 hours to get home. They almost hit the ditch a couple of times, white out conditions and such high winds, I was so scared the whole almost 3 hours I sat down at the end of my driveway waiting for them. I could not see 2 inches in front of me and all my van did was shake. I was scared. They were scared and I thanked God, the minute I seen the bus.

I know I am probably just being a Mom, but something is just not sitting well in my stomach. I just called the school and they said, they have they have taken everything into consideration and that the storm is not going to start until late today and they should be back before then. I heard around NOON, the wind is going to pick up. We shall see.

I hope Courtney has a nice time and the weather holds out for her to make it back safe! I hope the blizzard isn't as bad as they say. The storm is stretching across Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota...with Minnesota (the very southern tip of MN - where I live) is right in the eye, the worst part. I must go. I have lots to do. Peaceful Blessings to you, ~Tonya

~Sweet Sophie Angel~

This is Sweet Sophie...she is a late bloomer and one of the handmades that I didn't finish last night, to make it onto TDIPT Mercantile. Time has a way of sneaking up on me now-a-dayz. She turned out so pretty, but pictures simply do not do her justice. I know I have said that before, but it is so true. I make an ANGEL around this time every year, as I feel that during the HOLIDAY SEASON there are ANGELS all around us, watching over us...

Sweet Sophie has so much detail and so many vintage/antique embellishments, they make her so very pretty. I will be editing pictures and she will be on ebay this evening. I made Sophie, so that she can be left out all year through...so that she can keep watch *smirk*

I must go. I have much to do and the day is slipping by. I have been quiet on my blog lately and I have not had time to stop by blogs just to say Hi. I am so sorry about that. I have just been so very busy...but yes, I know we all are and that is no excuse. I hope you all have a wonderful evening. Oh, one last thing...it is Dec. 1st and normally this time of year here in Minnesota, is it normally so cold and we also normally have some white stuff on the ground and today, it was in the high 40's! MARK IT DOWN! I am a happy camper and would keep this weather for the whole winter, if I could. Toodles, ~Tonya

~TDIPT Mercantile Update~

This is an banner from last Christmas season, but I loved it, so I thought I would use it to let you know that TDIPT Mercantile is updated! I have two NEW Handmades, but was going to have more...but ran out of time!

I almost didn't get to update at all, as I have been without the internet most of today. Boy, it makes me mad when my wireless is junk and we pay for that kind of service! It is always on the fritz and it is very frustrating. Funny thing is...they never ever ADJUST the bill to reflect the LOUSY service. Funny how that works eh? Okay, enough of that!

Any who, you will have to go and check out all of the goodies. I have two other handmades in the works and will either list them on ebay or etsy, in the next couple of days. Have a great evening. Toodles, ~Tonya

~THANKFUL~

Wishing you each a

~BLESSED THANKSGIVING~

We all have so much to be THANKFUL for!

If you are traveling...travel safe.

If you are staying home...make some HAPPY MEMORIES.

Peaceful Blessings to you & yours, ~Tonya

~BELIEVE in the MAGIC~

I finally finished this set for Ebay! Love how it turned out, but I must admit I do not make sets too much....because they are so very time consuming. Santa in flight with his Reindeer are already scheduled for Ebay this evening. They will start at 8:30 pm Central time...

I really enjoyed working on this set. I was dodging the rain and rain clouds when taking these pictures. Yes, rain in Novemember in Minnesota, so very odd. I will take it thou, because that means NO SNOW ;) and if there is rain, that means NO FREEZING temps.

I was working all day yesterday with my sister...over 12 hours. Pretty amazing how much you can get done, if you set your mind to it and oh yeah, if you have a dead line *smirk* Her scrap event is next weekend. Time is sure flying by...

Santa can be taken off from the Reindeer and they can both be displayed seperately. I love that! I do hope you stop by ebay and check out the Auction. Ends Sunday evening. Toodles for now, ~Tonya

~NEW Winter Dollies on Ebay~

I thought I would share my dollies with you. I just finished them up this evening and listed them on ebay. I finished with them, later then I would have liked too...I had to take indoor pictures...that is becasue it gets too DARK TOO FAST any more LOL...

This is ~PEPPEMINT PATTY~ Sweet name eh? I like it. The moment I seen this fabric at the quilt shoppe and purchased it over a month ago, I knew. I love when things come to you "feely" and you do not have to work at it so hard.

Peppermint is listed on ebay and will end on Sunday evening. Both dollies are loaded full of detail. I had fun with both of them...

This Sweet Lil Bunny is ~JOYFUL Johanna~ She holds a sprig of stars that I have glass glittered, added a paper pretty too and then Johanna holds them in her hand...I love all the lil extra's that you can make for dollies....but at times, the lil extra's take longer to think of and at times longer to make. You know how it is...

Yes, more indoor pictures. In person they are so very sweet and I love them to pieces. Johanna will end on Sunday evening as well. I do hope that you are able to stop by ebay and take a peek at their auctions.

Other then working on my dollies, not much else is going on besides the NORM. Know what I mean. This last weekend the girls and I did to to the movies --- The Christmas Carol and I must say, the EFFECTS where AMAZING! SO clear, so detailed. We enjoyed it. I hope your week is going well. I must go and clean up my mess from making dollies...BIG MESS. Toodles for now, ~Tonya

Something NEW for Me!

If you have followed my blog over the past year, then you know that my sister has/had a scrapbook store. She has since then closed that and entered into a new "chapter" in her life. She originally wanted to hold Scrap Events, 3 to 4 times a year. Tammy has gone back to her original idea and is having her first ~Scrap Event Dec. 4th & 5th~

This is where I come in....she has asked me to have a class at her scrap event. She asked me long ago and well, I was some-what dragging my feet. I am a person who normally sits on the side-lines and watches, observes and learns by watching/reading or just jumps right in.....at home! *smirk* The above picture is the class that I will be teaching at Tammy's Scrap Event.

Very festive and the finished items will be just in time for decorating with and/or for gift giving. I am very excited for the Scrap Event, a bit nervous to teach, but I will do just fine. I did a monthly ~Make N Take~ at Tammy's store for a while and got to know some of her regulars. The class is limited and if you want more information on Tammy's Scrap Event/Classes or if you live in the area, be sure to stop by!!

Such a ~sweet~ lil gift bag. It would be perfect for that extra lil something, that you want to give to a friend, a teacher for your child, or for really no reason at all...

The cone would look so pretty with candy canes hanging on a tree. I had fun playing with paper, but you all know I love to do that. Again, if you are interested in more information on Tammy's Scrap Event or would like to take the Class stop by Tammy's Blog for all of the details.

Today I feel like Dorthy, in the Wizard of Oz! It is so windy here and a bit chilly, so I will be hunkered down inside, cleaning, straightening and working. Just where I like to be. Hubby and Jordan are deer hunting. Yes, Jordan is missing school. Only 2 days and it was pre-scheduled, pre-signed for and is excused. They allow that around here. I don't know if other areas allow days off from school for hunting? Hubby said Jordan should take the whole week off. That is where I put my foot down and said NO. That is just too many days off from school....he took 2 days off and they went East of here, with a second tag. Poor deer :(

Well I have rambled enough. Have a great day! I have a couple of dollies calling my name....they have been in the "works" for a couple of weeks now. Toodles, ~Tonya

~Veteran's Day~

SOME GAVE ALL....

Did you Thank a Veteran today?

We owe so much for our FREEDOM!

Ho-Hum...

Lots of things have been going on, but not necessarily creating. I went to my Mom's this past weekend and stayed overnight, with the girls, we went to a couple of different craft sales, a thrift store and then the girls and I went to Southern MN 1st Annual Scrapbooking Conv. We had lots of fun! The guys were out deer hunting and yes, they got a deer, and every time I hear that, my heart is sad...but know it must be done. We would be over populated by deer otherwise.

That picture is in my part of my backyard, no editing or anything, just wanted to share. We have had such BEAUTIFUL weather here in MN, we are so BLESSED. We call this an "Indian Summer" and I bet the farmers are loving it. There are still so many crops in the fields that the farmers must get out.

Before sun down, my son went deer hunting on our land. We do not have a lot of "woods", but do on the North side of our property. We have a Mama and a couple of her babies that come and "bed" on our land. I told him not to get them....because they are so beautiful and have grown up here...well tonight, I heard one shot. I immediately knew he had shot one, one that has been on our land. How I knew it was one and how I knew she was down, I will never know. My eyes instantly began to tear up. I called him (he had his cell on vibrate - incase of emergencies) and I said you got her didn't you, he whispers back yes. I said she is down isn't she? He said yes. He said he is waiting a couple of minutes, to make sure she was dead. I said, you shoot her again, right now....(incase she is not fully dead and is suffering). He said he would. Hung up and did.

I know it is her, he said he got a button-buck. It could be one of her babies. I don't care, it still bothers me. I didn't want my son or husband to kill any of the ones on our land. I think they are so beautiful and well, I just had to share this story. It is so sad. Now, the rest of the deer family will know - there were 3 to 5 that we have seen around here constantly. They would bed in our long grass, near the woods.

Other then kids, cleaning, and the every day things we all must do and don't like, nothing much else. It has been a while, so I thought I would say HI. I hope your week is going well. I have also listed some things on ebay. The link is in the upper right hand corner and they end on Sunday evening. Take care and Toodles for now. ~Tonya

The Lil Tricksters....

Here are My Kiddies...all dressed for Halloween! They had lots of FUN and I could not believe what a nice evening it was. It was a bit chilly, but that is nothing compared to what we have had for weather in the past. In the past we e have had snow, wind, rain, blizzards and even ice storms. So we will take a little bit of chilly temps.

Yup, Jordan went Trick or Treating too! Some may think he is too old, but he is still a kid at heart. I would rather have him with us, rather then him out "raising cain", like some other kids do. He wore one of the "in-mates" jail jumpers, handcuffs and he sure did get lots of neat comments from the adults handing out the candy.

Some where like, "I was watching you on TV tonight. LOL Others were like, are those real cuffs? And yes they are. Hubby had to fill out a concent form, for us to use them for Halloween. I think most of the adults thought it was neat that he was out and even gave him extra candy...

Here's Courtney, she was a pirate...but I told her she didn't have an "eye-patch" on. She said she didn't need one, nor did she want one. Silly Girl! She sure is set in her ways most of the time...

Here's my Ninny! She was a Fairy Princess....the girls had sweatshirts and sweaters under their costumes, to keep warm. They didn't want to wear jackets. They said it would ruin their costumes.

Nothing much else going on here. We had a beautiful day here, couldn't ask for a nicer fall day, considering the temps we have had and even had snow in the past couple of weeks. I am going to work on some new goodies this week...I am not sure what, yet. Toodles for now, ~Tonya

A Story for you...

Hubby is a deer hunter, among hunting other things....he also gets done from work after dark now. Hubby calls about a half hour after he was done with work tonight and said, I was on my way home and I hit a deer. I knew he was fine, he was talking to me. I said, how bad is your truck (Yukon)? He said the grill is cracked and the bumper is funky, etc...

I said where are you? He said on a gravel road. And then proceeded to tell me that he was "scouting" different areas for deer hunting , for this next weekend (deer hunting opener). I told him, I GUESS YOU FOUND THE DEER! And laughed! Not really funny, but at times...you just have to have a little humor.

We just got both of our vehicles paid off in July and now wouldn't ya know it....hit a deer! Isn't that always the way. LUCKY us, I still carry FULL COVERAGE Insurance on both of our vehicles...frankly, I think it is the only way to go! Have a good evening. ~Tonya

TDIPT Goodies...

My Page on TDIPT Mercantile is up and running....SHAME ON ME! A bit early, I guess I would rather be early then late! No sneak peeks here, you will have to check them out on my page ;)

I have two full dollies and 3 Whimsical Ornaments up on my page, you will have to check them out on TDIPT!!

TDIPT Mercantile is also having a ~OPEN HOUSE~ for Christmas, full of door prizes for YOU! Check it out on the main page. I hope you enjoy my new GOODIES, I worked very hard on then and am so happy with the way they turned out. Toodles for now, my kiddies are waiting for me. ~Tonya

~Merry Hallowe'en~

Wishing each of you a

~Merry Hallowe'en~

**Paper Pretties ** and....

A Warm Hello!! I have been *MIA* a bit...well, most of us have been sick (including ME)! Ninny, hubby and I have had a touch of broncitis and Jordan had an allergic reaction...to what?? Who knows. He was non-stop itching, they even had to give him an oral steroid.

Well after about a weeks worth of Benedryl and a day off from school, he is doing better. Ninny and I sat at "Urgent Care" last Sunday for almost 3 hours...non-stop SICK people kept coming in. I didn't see the Doc. me being a stubborn thing ya know *smirk* Hubby went to the Doc. just on Friday. I am taking over the counter medicine and I am "kicking it", slowly - but surely!

On to my ~Paper Pretties~ as most of you know, I love playing with paper! When I have a bit of "down-time" or not feeling like working on a dollie, I play with paper. It does not happen all the time and as Oct. ends and Nov. approaches I am going to have less time to play with paper...so if you see something you like, do not wait. I may not have time to make more or may not have the same paper and such....

I have all of these cards and gift tags listed in MY ETSY...you will have to check them out. They have tons of detail....were so much fun to make and are unique!

I have some listed as singles, some as a set of 2 and also as a set of 3...I have discounted them with more then one card. Just a lil something I like to do, if you are purchasing more then one card, when listed in MY ETSY...

I have glittered the wegde green snowflakes on these cards, so pretty! I love glitter. I have close-up pictures of the glitter in ETSY...so if you want to see any or my cards in greater detail, check them out in ETSY...

This is the last of my Holiday - Christmas Goodies --- with paper. You will have to wait, I have been quite busy and "quiet as a mouse", I am gearing up for TDIPT Mercantile's update on the 1st of Nov. and I have lots to WINTER FUN coming your way! No PEEKS here...don't know if I will be showing any on here. I might show a sneak peek to my EMAIL update list, but I am not sure.

I must go. I have lots to do and time does not stand still. I hope your Sunday evening is a BEAUTIFUL one. Toodles, ~Tonya

A few New Harvest Handmades...

I thought I would share with you, a couple of ~Harvest Handmades~ that my son and I made, together. Sewing takes him so long and he does get nervous, so he asked if I would do the machine sewing, so I did. I could not say no, to those baby blue's ;)

I know he said he was not going to make anymore handmades, he said they are to hard and too time consuming. I had to pick on him, because to make/save money, he always resorts back to making handmades. He said there is no other way he can make money, because we live in the country. HA! I chuckled at that one.

This Owl & Olde Crow/Raven are on Ebay (seperate auctions) until Sunday evening. He is saving up for an iPOD this time. He is a "saver", when he wants something and has his eye on the prize...
I think Jordan did a very nice job on these and I for one, am very PROUD of him! I for one, would love to have them in my home! He does such nice work and when we create together, well we get some Mother/son bonding in....so that is all the better! I hope he continues to create, because he has so much talent, I would hate for it to just sit there idol. I am very supportive when kids want to create, becausee without IMAGINATION & CREATIVITY, where would all of us be?

I do hope that you will go and check out his auctions, on ebay. Remember, they end sunday evening. And if you feel so inclinded to bid, not to worry. I had a hand in them all the way and I am the one packaging them up. Have a great Saturday. Toodles for now, ~Tonya

TDIPT Birthday Celebration & Giveaway!

TDIPT Turns 3 today, so in keeping with Traditions, we are Celebrating, but we are giving the gifts to you! If you visit our TDIPT Blog and are a "follower", you are already entered in. If you leave a comment on the TDIPT Blog Birthday post, then you are entered in as well. Be sure to leave your email address when you comment, so that we have a way of contacting you.

So many wonderful Handmades are being given away. Be sure to stop by. The Celebration starts today and ends on the 20th. Many Blessings, ~Tonya

FUN Cards --- On Etsy!

Yes, I am a day late listing these....but better late then never. Right? I made these a while back, but do not like taking the time to always list. That part is no fun....but it has to be done. I have listed 4 different cards on Etsy. I do hope you will be able to stop by my Etsy and take a peek...

This card is a larger card and is 5 x 7. It has lots and lots of detail and is the only one, that is made like this. It was too much work and too much detail to make another one. I have fun making them, but they are very time consuming....

This was a FUN little Notecard that I made. I used glitter and dew drops on this one...so neat.

And now for Ninny and her little sleep-over. She has lots of FUN, but they had me up at 6 a.m. oy! That was way too early for me. I took these pictures when they were playing dress up and just being pretty little girls...

I of course had to order these as prints and was going into town, so I picked them up right away on Saturday morning. When I showed Ninny, we made them into a scrapbook page for her scrapbook. Years later, when the memories fade, all you have sometimes are the pictures. I made copies for the girls, her Dad and for me. Just to sweet, not too.

Other then trying to stay dry, finish up some special requests and such, nothing much going on here today. I hope you all have a Beautiful Sunday. Many Blessings, ~Tonya

~OLDE Harvest MoOn~

I thought I would show you my latest Handmades and tell you that they are listed on TDIPT Mercantile. I love the way this wonderful pair turned out and had so much FUN making them...

I call them ~Moonbeam & Hoot~ and they are so full of detail. You will have to check them out on TDIPT Mercantile for all the details...

This is one of my "Paper Pretties", that I made just for the Mercantile. I have dry embossed the card, shaded it, burnished the edges of the die cuts and hand stamped the ribbon slider and then added some pretty ribbon.

I do hope that you will find some time to look at all of the wonderful handmades on the Mercantile. Have a wonderful evening. Me...I am just trying to keep warm, here in MN. Brrrrr it is getting down right COLD! I even turned the furnace on. Eeeeek! Toodles for now, ~Tonya

~Wee-Lil Pooky Punkin~

I have been busy with a Sweet lil Punkin Girlie name POOKY! Isn't she just the sweetest! I really had lots of fun creating Punkin Pooky. She is scheduled to list on ebay this evening...

She is just a Wee-one and is much smaller then my regular dollies. The size is what makes these lil dollies so sweet. You can practically put them just about anywhere...

Here is a bit of a downshot of Punkin Pooky. Her base is painted and you will see more of her, once she lists on ebay. She is listed for 5 days and will end on Monday evening. I hope you all have a wonderful evening. Toodles, ~Tonya