H A P P Y N E W Y E A R kind of late....nahhh

Well, typically one says "Happy New Year" at the beginning of the month of January more than the latter but it's still the first of the year and my first posting for January 2010!

Sooooo, H A P P Y N E W Y E A R!

Gosh, the year is definitely up and running out of the shoot already! Have you made your list of goals for 2010....you know I've never been one to actually write them down. I do think about them though and plant them in the brain....I should probably write them down so that I can see them as they happen! My hubby is a big planner and "writer down person"....he keeps me on track with our family goals and then reflects back at the end of the year and shares with us what we accomplished....when he does that I'm thinking WOW we did do alot. So, it does pay to "write" them down!

So let me think this year I need to dust more, you know the AC return air vents and those cob webby things that hang from the lights to the corner of your room, oh and dust the blinds, sweep and mop my tile floor more, clean out the fridge more (did I mention I got a new one for Christmas) so this is a must this year! Put those knobs on my laundry cabinets that I purchased a year ago! ha ha.....well, I'm being silly but I would like to "clean my house more on a regular basis" you know like I did in my 20's!! Where did that energy go?

No, for real, I would love to take some graphic artist classes, some cooking classes, some photography classes, and exercise more! I have gotten a catalog to the local college here to sign myself up. I still haven't decided HOW I am going to exercise...I absolutely hate going to gyms where sweaty people I don't know are using machines. I'm thinking I will try the Wii fitness program. We got one for Christmas and I here it is pretty good....any thoughts on that program? I also love to walk and will probably pick that up again and swim in our pool once it warms up! I can't wait for that! So, those are a few thoughts from me on 2010....how about you?

C O F F E E C H A T

Well Good Morning! It's been a while.....I seem to have dissappeared from my blog. But, I promise I have not been far....with teen kiddos quite involved with activities this mama has been busy with her full time job! Where has the time gone? We are already through one semester of a school year! Yikes! Winter has moved into our area and we had a white Christmas which was the best gift of all! I must confess for the first time in my entire life I was not ready for Christmas or even really in the spirit. In reflecting back, I would guess a couple of life events happened that affected my spirits.....my grandmother passed away....(my mother's mother) and it was all in the spectrum of a week. Very sudden after learning how sick she was. Then, my husband left his job this past summer after almost 20 years with a family business. And, thirdly my brother in law had an accident and fell off a ladder breaking both his legs. Gee, maybe that had something to do with my spirits being in a different place?? All these things happened in the latter part of this year. Well, my grandmother bless her soul is with my grandpa and as my cousin put it very nicely she and grandpa must be dancin' now! And my hubby, he is one intelligent, gifted man who is blessed by the Lord and will follow God's direction and God's will for his life. And thank goodness bones heal. I know my brother-in-law will be back strong soon!

Life IS good I can't complain too much.....my babies are healthy, happy and fill our life with joy and my furry baby TJ is always by my side! I am looking forward to 2010!! You want to know a silly reason why...my hubby laughs at me for this reason. I love "even" years!! Don't know why, maybe because I was born in an even year, graduated high school and college in an even year and married in an even year....who knows but I'm excited! LOL! Plus who doesn't love fresh new starts? I think this year is going to be incredible. I can't wait to see what God has in store! Soooooo, thanks for stopping by for some coffee chat. Please leave me a comment and share some coffee chat you have...are you ready for the new year? Let me know what is going on with you! I hope you have a blessed and joyous upcoming year in 2010! cheers!

~My coffee tags can be found at http://www.chocolatetulipdesign.etsy.com/

J U S T B E C A U S E

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by....today is a "just because" day.....life is good, it's absolutely gorgeous in the 70's in November no doubt! I really want to be outside planting pansies but am working inside today doing this and that on house chores while running in and out of my studio getting work done! If you get a moment stop by my store at Etsy and take a peek at some of the really cute cards I have put up....one is here! Everyone needs a sweet greet "just because" and who doesn't love to get mail in the mailbox in this day in age of techno something or other!! Plus, I have several things on sale....stock up and save! I also have Christmas items coming very soon! www.chocolatetulipdesign.etsy.com

I hope you are having a sweet day and you are blessed, and maybe you can be a blessing to someone today "just because"! Smiles....see you soon!

my most recent "reserved listing" i. e. "custom order" yay!

Hello bloggers! Thought i would share with you the most adorable "custom order request" from an ETSY client. The request was for a custom pinwheel present card like the one i have posted here a few postings ago, as well as several for sale in my Etsy Store. http://chocolatetulipdesign.etsy.com/ This request was for a pinwheel card to be turned into a baby's 1st birthday invitation! They turned out so cute... what do you think? They are textured cardstock in hot pink & salmon with a beautiful hot pink sheer ribbon, a touch of tulle and polka dot ribbon! I am in love!! She sent a photo of a tutu for color inspiration that she had purchased for her little baby to wear on her birthday....now how cute is that?!! And it really was inspiring i based the invite colors, ribbon and tulle from that! So thanks for looking and i hope you enjoy these darling little creations!

A U T U M N & F A L L & seasons of change bring festive fall holiday tags

All these items can be found at my Etsy site for purchase!

Check it out you might just find something you like!! http://chocolatetulipdesign.etsy.com/

Look it's Jack he's back! :O)) Fun, whimsy and a fun twist on Halloween....i like to make Halloween a fun, more festive party atmosphere....have i told you that i am SCARED to death of this holiday? Literally anyone who knows me from childhood i was the scaredy cat and NEVER went into the haunted houses when my friends had sleepovers...i'm actually surprised they still invited me because it was really ridiculous. i still don't today....silly i know but that's ME! :OD

Okay, typically & honestly :O)) I'm not a cat lover, actually I think they don't like me ha ha.... if you have read any past postings I have put my cute cuddly TJ who is a Wire Fox Terrier on here....but I do love this Bold Black fun Cat tag!! Wouldn't this look so cute on just about anything Halloween?! I really like the ribbon found it at Hobby Lobby! My most favorite store IN the world!!

This is a fun & whimsy bat tag that would look soooo cute on

any party favor bag, gift bag or party name tags! EEEeeek do you suddenly feel something swarming around your head?! Ha Ha i kind of do!

P I N W H E E L paper present...i think you need one

Isn't this the cutest little custom card you've ever seen? I love this....a little sweet sentiment to send to that someone special! It has a country french feel with a romantic twist. I call it a Pinwheel paper present card....read more about it at my etsy site http://www.chocolatetulipdesign.etsy.com/ and pick one up! I have several different designs in this sweet little thing ....as always thanks for stopping by. Leave a comment I would love to hear your special thoughts!

H A P P Y L A B O R D A Y ! !

i hope each of you are having a fantastic Labor Day today! And that you have enjoyed your 3 day weekend! it has been not so great at our home my oldest son is sick with bronchitis and my husband and daughter are working today but we are trying to salvage it as best we can. i'm thinking of doing some rearranging of furniture to surprise my family when they come home! But, here is an ice cream tag that i thought i would share with you to celebrate the last weekend of summer celebration. it makes me sort of sad...i absolutely LOVE summertime and hope to live somewhere warm year around someday or at least have a second home in a toasty place! Some cool tools i used in making this tag are the friendship maker and the Geo Multi-maker from Creative Memories. i love their tools! So have a super fun day today! Eat lots of ice cream, hot dogs and hamburgers! Happy Labor Day!