{shades of pink}

Are you average?

I'd have to say that Cody and I are fairly average, at least according to the Time article that gives the stats of the average Americans. I found this article to be pretty interesting. I even laughed out loud at one of the stats. And the way "average" is presented, it's not a bad thing to be, regardless of what many like to think.

There are additional interesting statistics found at time.com

Enjoy!

Festive Flakes

I have to admit...Festive Four is really one of my favorite stamp sets. It's just so darn versatile. I matched the snowman from that set with the snowflake cuttlebug background and I love it. The sentiment is stamped with white craft ink and heat embossed with white EP. I ran a strip of thick white organdy ribbon down the center and finished the snowman layer with stickles on the flakes for a bit of sparkle. The colors are whisper white and brocade blue. Thanks for looking!

Pass it on

My mother-in-law passed this on through an email to me, and I'll admit, I rarely (read: never) pass things on, this was struck a note, so I'm passing it on to anyone who happens upon my blog.


HOW TO STAY YOUNG, at any age!

1. Try everything twice. On Madam's (of Whelan's and Madam) tombstone she wanted this epitaph: Tried everything twice...loved it both times!
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning: ?Learn more about computers, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with that person.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with you your entire life is you. Lost time can never be found. LIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, or a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them at every opportunity. I love you, my special friend.
11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time. 
12. Be kinder than necessary, for ever yone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

And if you don't send this to at least 4 people - who cares? But do share this with someone.

More elegant Christmas card

This is my attempt at a more elegant Christmas card. I'm much better at the playful, snowmen cards, but I thought I'd give this a try. I really do love this cardinal...he's very versatile. The colors are Baroque Burgundy, Naturals Ivory and gold. Overall, it's a fairly simple card. The cardinal is watercolored and the edges of that layer are DTP smudged. Thanks for checking in!