Co-worker Gifts for my Flaky Friends

I work with a fanstastic group of ladies. We laugh and kid with each other while working very hard. With times so being so tough this year for all of us, we decided not to have a gift exchange and had a "food day" instead. With all of us being such good cooks, it turned out to be a wonderful gift :) I honestly don't think I need to eat again until the end of January!

But, with all that is happening in my life these days, they have been a great escape and comfort for me. So, I wanted to do a little something to show my appreciation to all of them. And since they are so much fun, I couldn't think of a better stamp set to use than "Flaky Friends." I know it is retired but it is definitely one I can't bear to give up...lol! I just have too many flaky friends :)

Anyway, I pulled out the old stand by (the Fancy Favor Box die) and made 8 of these:

Here is a closer look. I filled the boxes with a bag of goodies (also known as store-bought candy) and just couldn't resist adding a little tag that says "Some of my best friends are flakes."

I had a cute little candy cane for each of them that I got a local cake shop where I purchased the clear gusseted bags for the candy (I sure wish SU still sold these). I cut out a strip of snowflakes from the gorgeous glitter papers and attached them with glue dots:

Then I made a little 3x3 card to wish each of them a very Merry Christmas. This little image from the Tags Til Christmas stamp set (so happy that was carried over from last year's Mini). It fit the occasion perfectly :) :

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Flaky Friends (retired), Tags Til Christmas

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Whisper White, Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper

Ink: Basic Gray, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Big Shot with Northern Frost Decorative Strip, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray, and Old Olive Markers, Mini Glue Dots, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, Old Olive 5/8-inch Satin Ribbon (retired), Old Olive 1 1/4-inch Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Scallop Square Punch, 3x3 Mini Envelopes, Red and Silver Glimmer Paper

I was so sad to see the Old Olive retire in these two ribbons. I didn't like the color at first but last Christmas it really became a favorite. It is nice to have some leftovers once in a while :) I enjoyed making these little gifts so much and all of the girls really enjoyed them which made them mean that much more. I am so thankful to have all of them. They offer so much support during this tough time for Jim and I.

He has such a difficult time with this round of chemotherapy. Hopefully, we will be going back down to the University of Michigan Cancer Center around mid-January to start the stem cell transplant process. That will mean the chemotherapy infusions will finally be done once the transplant is complete. From that point on, he will just take an oral medication to maintain the remission. Things get much easier at that point and we are both looking forward to that!

I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!! Enjoy your time with family and remember the real reason for the season - Jesus. God gave us the greatest gift of all when He gave us His Son. I am so grateful to have a relationship with such a loving God - he gives me the strength to smile when I feel like crying and the strength to keep going when I feel like giving up. May God bless your life the way he blesses mine. 'Til next time...............................,

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!!

I Haven't Forgotten You

Just wanted to let you all know I haven't forgotten you. Life has been pretty hectic.

Hubby's treatments have been pretty rough this time so when I am not working, I am usually taking him to the doctor. He gets dehydrated easily and has fallen a few times and has struggled alot with adverse side effects this time. Feels like I am on a roller coaster most days.

But hopefully after the next round of chemo we will be back down to the University of Michigan Cancer Center to do the stem cell transplant. We are both ready to be done with this.

Needless to say, I haven't had much time for stamping lately. But, I plan to change that this week. I am going to charge up the camera batteries and get some pictures on here for you over the weekend.

I had a great time with some girl scouts in October making cards for the Ronald McDonald House and I have held a Christmas Stamp-a-Stack. I am working on the 2011 Christmas Gift Extravaganza and will have lots of stuff to post in the next few days.

Thanks so much for your prayers and continued support through this rough patch in my crazy life. I value all of you so much. 'Til next time........................,

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!