Congratulations to Nolan Ryan and the Texas Rangers, and here's to you, Josh Hamilton!

Although my beloved Astros didn't make it into the playoffs (yet again :), and although Lance Berkman, one of my favorite players DID make it into the playoffs, albeit for totally the wrong team, I have to say:

WHOO HOO - WAY TO GO, RANGERS!!!!!!!!

It hurt to see Berkman wearing that Yankee's uniform (no offense to Yankee fans, but that was just wrong!) - but I was glad he got to make some good hits and some good plays, and got to play in the playoffs again - he deserves it - he's a great player, and even better, a strong person with a strong Christian testimony.

I confess, I don't typically follow Rangers baseball, but you know, I just can't feel bad about a Texas team playing in the World Series again.

Lance - we miss you, but we're still proud of you down here in Houston. Hope to see you back here soon!

Nolan - we're proud of you of you, too - you've come a long way from the kid throwing stuff in the back yard whose daddy thought you'd be better off learning to throw a baseball instead. Congratulations to you and your Rangers.

Josh Hamilton - thank you for giving credit where credit is due - to our Lord, and congratulations on being the ALCS MVP. You've worked hard to get where you are, and you are obviously respected by your organization when instead of spraying champagne, they choose to use ginger ale out of respect for the long journey you took back from addiction. You've come a long way, too - may you continue to walk with God as He unfolds His plan for your life!

Stampers (if any of you are still reading :) - thank you for reading - I promise - I'll have something else to share soon because today - maybe just for today - I HAVE FINALLY CAUGHT UP WITH MY PAPERWORK at school - (thank to Shermie for her help!) and am not so exhausted.

Now, turning off the talking heads on TV that are dissecting the win, and going back to work on a progressive layout to share... it's SPOOKY!

Welcome once again to the SUSTARS Blog Hop!

You should have arrived here from:

Martha Lucia Gomez at: http://stampartpapel.blogspot.com

Below my shares, you'll see where to head next!

This sample is cased from the catalog, page 108. I used the Distressing Essentials kit to add the color to the textured cardstock (made that way with the Big Shot and the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder). I used Crumb Cake cardstock and ink, and the distressing is Tea Stain from the kit. Chocolate Chip ink and cardstock and our new crochet ribbon were also used. The cardstock that I textured and stamped on is Naturals Ivory - hmmmm love that stuff!!!!

(I used sticky notes to mask the sentiment so I didn't stamp my flourishes over it!)

So, what does this card have to do with Thanksgiving or Thank you?

Well - at Thanksgiving, in my family, we share what we are thankful for - one of the things I am most thankful for are my friends - see the connection :) ?

Just to keep it totally kosher, though, I have a second project to share - an older Thanksgiving scrapbook layout I did with my club:

We have current paper that would sub great for what I used here - check out the mini catalog on page 13 - Autumn Spice - Item 120808 ($11.95US). The sentiment from Days of Gratitude on page 12 (Item 121148 in clear mount, 120835 in wood mount) would be perfect for the bracketed sentiment area. I placed the strips of Old Olive about 3 inches from top and bottom, and the strips of designer paper are 3 inches wide. I anchored my journaling strips with squares of Old Olive.

Next stop would be Miss Sassy herself:

Shirley Northey at: http://stampershirley.blogspot.com

Have a GREAT hop! I'm thankful you're here - and of course, your comments feed the soul - thank you in advance for your thoughts!

PS: If you get distracted, interrupted or otherwise lost during the Blog Hop, you can always come back to my page, start at the beginning or anywhere along the way. Thanks to Brenda for providing a repost of the complete list of the blogs participating this weekend.

Start: http://www.su-stars.blogspot.com/

1. Deborah Robb at: http://beantowngrasshopper.blogspot.com/

2. Mary Campbell at: www.mimitojett.blogspot.com

3. Angela Walters at: www.lifewithawienerdog.com

4. Angie Valle-Peters at: http://www.paperluxuries.blogspot.com

5. Barbara Furlong at: http://www.theloveofstamping.com

6. Brenda Hugar at: http://brendasstampingcorner.blogspot.com

7. Martha Lucia Gomez at: http://stampartpapel.blogspot.com

8. Nancy Keithley at: http://fancynancykay.blogspot.com

9. Shirley Northey at: http://stampershirley.blogspot.com

10. Raissa Spatola at: www.raissastamps.com

11. Diana Soling at: http://handmadebydiana.typepad.com

12. Jackie Watson at: http://jackielwatson.blogspot.com

13. Jane Hignite at: http://www.stampwithjane.com

14. Denise Foor at: http://denisefoor.blogspot.com

15. Monica Weaver at: http://www.addalittledazzle.com

16. Carolyn Sharkas at: http://www.inkingthenightaway.blogspot.com

17. Loni Holt at: www.loniholt.blogspot.com

Hop on!