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Round 23 Alphabet Challenge July 9, 2025 - Jan 14, 2026
Round 23 – This round was given to us by Linda aka hotwheels and her craft partner, Sonja. Linda loves antiques, so how about on a card! Be inspired by something about the word of the week! Maybe color, shape, use, or memory!!
CHAT THREAD
Keyword: Wednesday Date: Letter of the week
1.ABC23A1 July 09, 2025 A – accessories (glove, hat, purse)
2.ABC23B2 July 16, 2025 B - butter churn
3.ABC23C3 July 23, 2025 C – clock
4.ABC23D4 July 30, 2025 D – doilies
5.ABC23E5 August 06, 2025 E – embroidery
6.ABC23F6 August 13, 2025 F – furniture (armoire, settee, conversation chair, etagere, etc.)
7.ABC23G7 August 20, 2025 G – gramophone
8.ABC23H8 August 27, 2025 H – hat pin
9.ABC23I9 September 03, 2025 I – inkwell
10.ABC23J10 September 10, 2025 J – jam jar
11.ABC23K11 September 17, 2025 K – key (skeleton)
12.ABC23L12 September 24. 2025 L – lamp (stained glass, oil)
13.ABC23M13 October 01, 2025 M – milk glass
14.ABC23N14 October 08, 2025 N – necklace
15.ABC23O15 October 15, 2025 O – oil can
16.ABC23P16 October 22, 2025 P – perfume bottle
17.ABC23Q17 October 29, 2025 Q – quill
18.ABC23R18 November 05, 2025 R – razor (straight-edge)
19.ABC23S19 November 12, 2025 S – silverware
20.ABC23T20 November 19, 2025 T – teapot
21.ABC23U21 November 26, 2025 U – umbrella
23.ABC23V23 December 03, 2025 V – vanity bowl
23.ABC23W23 December 10, 2025 W – water can
24.ABC23X24 December 17, 2025 X – xylograph (woodcut)
December 24, 2025 OFF Holiday
December 31, 2025 OFF Holiday
25.ABC23Y25 January 07, 2026 Y – yo-yo
26.ABC23Z26 January 14, 2026 Z – zenith radio
Notes: Please post your card on the Wednesday of each week.
Use keyword of the week, plus ABC23, and your personal keyword, if you are using one to track your uploads.
Good morning! It has been a busy few days...something I'm sure will continue. I don't remember if I told you all this (my apologies if I'm repeating myself) but last week, DD1 and I met with a wonderful lady from our church at Hobby Lobby. She has some floral centerpieces that she had done for a wedding and was willing to not only let DD1 use them for her wedding, but was also willing to change them up to match DD1's wedding colors. While there, I bought an arch for her wedding and we got some ivy garlands for them. There were some silk flowers that DD1 liked enough that she changed her mind about her bouquet being real flowers and decided to make bouquets from those. Our friend offered to not only update her centerpieces but also make DD1's bouquet and the other two bouquets needed and also make a swag for the top of the arch. She is such a blessing! She's already got most of it done too.
Our boutonniere making session went OK. They are all made anyway and I think they look fine. It was a bit challenging at first but we got better at it. We didn't get the wrist corsages for the groom's mom and myself made yet though. We opted to buy magnets for the boutonnieres so that is easier for attaching them. It was fun to do.
In other wedding news, DH started to wonder what he would wear to the wedding so DD1, DH, and I ended up going shopping for his attire. He is wearing a new black jacket (suit jacket) with gray pants he already owns. Yesterday evening was the fitting appointment for both girls. End result? Neither needed any adjustments to their dresses and we ordered a dress for me. I thought my dress was already settled - a very pretty green dress I ordered from Amazon - but they had a blue/white floral dress and, when I came out of the dressing room, DH said I was stunning so that dress was ordered.
I called my sister-in-law to verify how she attached my veil to my tiara from when I got married because DD1 is borrowing my veil and using one of her many tiaras. My sweet sister-in-law volunteered to do the attaching so that task has been removed from our plate. My brother (this is the couple that live in Idaho) will be the one who seats me at the wedding. My brother and sister-in-law that live here aren't able to come to the wedding because of prior commitments that weekend.
Thanks for the encouragement, Ann, we did make them and DD2 hopes they don't fall apart during the wedding! LOL
Jean, I keyed in on the fact that you took Tillamook vanilla bean ice cream to the gathering. I didn't realize that they shipped their ice cream that far away. That is a favorite vanilla ice cream brand for us.
DD1's wedding is going to be rather simple as well. And the bridal party is small in that she doesn't have any flower girls or ring bearers. Just the two of them and three people standing up with each of them and the guys are wearing gray suits. We'll see how the grays go together. The groom has his sister as one of those standing up for him and DD1 has two bridesmen on her side.
I didn't see your challenge to re-read the declaration of independence until this morning so didn't do that on Friday but that is an excellent idea.
Wow, Vickie, you have been busy! The birthday celebration sounds like a lot of work but what a great milestone!
Gracie! Yay, glad to read your post. Now to get you to be patient with yourself and give yourself time to recover.
Kathy, I'm glad card class went well and congratulations on winning! I'm sorry your neighbors didn't do fireworks that would be disappointing and it sounded so lovely to be able to watch them from home.
Lisa, hopefully now that the holiday is behind us, you'll get some info from your doctor.
I made it to the new thread! Must run to work now.
Hi everyone, Catherine you made me exhausted reading your message haha, all sounds wonderful!
we are having hot, hot weather,very tiring when you have visitors but our eldest GS has gone off to Oxford University for his months course and is apparently having a great time .
Our son flew home last Friday so now we only have our 12 year old GS for the week, he’s no problem,he’s determined to teach me how to do a forward roll in the pool, he’s very encouraging but I hate being underwater so it will never happen.
our DIL arrives Saturday for six days before taking GS home to SF, a day to wash bed sheets etc before our eldest son, DIL and GS, 9 years, arrive for eight days, phew!!
Good Wednesday to everyone! Found my way here!
Catherine, sounds like wedding plans are coming along. Simple is good! If your husband said you look stunning, then I think you made the right choice. We will anxiously await photos. Is there a shower happening?
Oh Lisa, I can't imagine what you are feeling right now. How frustrating to not be able to get some relief quickly. I admire your resilience and strength of heart.
Gracie, Gracie, Gracie.....the bathroom gymnastics was funny if painful. I'm sorry. I'm guessing your neighbor across the street will be helpful to you. BTW the video of you dancing with a friend on FB was very entertaining.
Jan, enjoy your family, regardless of the heat. Oxford! Makes me think of the TV series Inspector Morse. I'd love to visit Oxford and bask in the history of the place.
Ann, we are all sending good vibes to you and your brother.
Kathy, have you gotten any answers for your trigger finger? Something is not right there.
I finally opened up my house! Well I've opened it up a few times, only to give up and put the three ac units on. I'm so dreading my energy bill. I hate to be so anxious for autumn but this has been ridiculous this year. The humidity seems a bit better but the dewpoint is still high. My weather app says 79% humidity....really???? Doesn't feel quite that bad. We had so much rain earlier in June, now we're dry dry dry. I guess that's what it's going to be like going forward. Poppy seems to want to be out in the catio more lately but that means I have to open a window for her to have access. Another thing I'm very tired of is her shedding. She will be skin and bones if this keeps up. I brush her several times a day, just keeps coming off. I worked on the cleaning up the fur last week, I was very disgusted with myself for letting it get so bad. I'm sure it's already bad again.
Today the drawing group is going to Sparta, which is about 30 minutes east of LaX. There is a grotto there, built by people who farmed the land. I've been wanting to go to Sparta to see the Deke Slayton museum (he was one of the original Mercury astronauts, born in Sparta). Sparta is also known for a bike trail so there is a bike museum also. One of these days, I'll just drive to Sparta and visit Mr. Slayton.
Catherine, I discovered Tillamook here. I don't know if it's available a lot of places; Target carries it. I think the vanilla bean is my favorite flavor, although the Oregon strawberry was good too. It's worth the price.
Well I slept in, I'm being picked up to drive to Sparta and I'm not ready yet. Bye bye!
__________________ Jean Bean the Dancing Queen "You can play a shoestring if you're sincere." -John Coltrane
Good morning! I was thankful that I was successful in getting board meeting canceled for yesterday evening so I was able to make a card! Yay! It was nice to have a quieter evening at home for a change and get to craft.
We did have excitement last night as I was taking Wesley to DD2's room for the night. She was really wiggly which she isn't usually and, once we were in DD2's room, she behaved unusually as well. After running to the window and looking out, she ran up onto DD2's loft bed and sat "at attention" with her eyes all big. Turns out, there was a bear outside so DD1 has finally seen a bear in the neighborhood though it wasn't the best sighting. She had been the only person in the family who hadn't personally seen a bear.
I probably thought of ties as an accessory first thing because we just bought ties for the men in the wedding party (minus the groom). But they worked quite well with today's sketch challenge too.
Jan, believe me, I'm exhausted too! I'm sorry you are having such hot weather but am glad your family is there to enjoy. Good luck to your grandson in his quest to teach you. It wouldn't work for me either as I don't go underwater either.
Ann, sorry your brother is back in the hospital. Sending you big hugs and praying for your family.
Melody, we've been having lovely weather, windows open at night, etc but the heat is forecast for Thursday/Friday, Heat is definitely exhausting.
Jean, I decided against hosting a shower. When I told my sister-in-law that at the fireworks on July 3rd, she invited the girls and I to join her and her daughter-in-law for a late breakfast/brunch at DD1's favorite breakfast restaurant so we did that and had a lovely time. My nephew's wife had some fun questions to ask, we had good food, and my SIL gave DD1 a gift. I was sure when she invited us that it was in response to me telling her we weren't having a shower.
Eww to 79% humidity! I hope you enjoy your outing to Sparta.
I have been reading the retired SU Demonstrators thread. Today someone posted the changes in Sale-a-bration. It doesn't sound good. They want to change to a program to have purchases each month for a small incentive type stamp or something. I don't think they will do well with this program. It is good I own way more than enough.
My husband has a new idea to eventually move our bedroom to the main level. It will take a long time for his vision. That also means getting a full bathroom on that level. There is a half bath, but that is all. I would rather just move. It all takes a lot of work and staying is less money. With the bedroom change, my craft room will be moved as well. I thought about setting it up there after we moved here, but changed my mind.
Jean we always say Oxford must be a dangerous place after watching Morse and Endeavour!
Ive never been,our DILs sister lives there, We love York, we always tell people don’t go to London go to York, so much to see.
We didn’t have Bridal Showers in England, we had Hen Parties, on mine we met at the pub and then went on to place that had dancing, no gifts only at the wedding, my Mum and Steve’s Mum both came with us.
Nowadays some go abroad on holiday with their friends, must cost a fortune!
Grandson is chatting to his school friends and doing some homework so it’s all quiet for now.
I completed all of the Round 22 weeks, but only popped into chat occasionally. I hope to chat more often this time around.
Funny thing is, a couple of weeks ago, I had a training out of town. My husband listened to an audiobook as he drove, and I caught up on the chat thread! Ha! But then I never actually added anything to it, even in the last too weeks. Good grief!
I was so impressed by Catherine's daughter's work on the VBS sets! Wowza! And such a good deal on your other daughter's wedding dress. Just as an FYI, I had 4 bridal showers! One hosted by work friends, one hosted by Church friends, one was a couple's shower with men and women from the retreat center where I met my hubby, and one with sister and bridesmaids, which was ore of a bachelorette party I guess. We had a big wedding by some standards. I was a music major and sang in church, so we had lots of musicians. It was a Catholic Mass, and the ceremony was about 90 minutes long! We didn't do wedding favors, because it really wasn't a thing back then, at least around here. I had a young friend act as DJ at the reception, but I wish I had invested in a live band. Lots of dancing! This October will mark 32 years!
We didn't watch local fireworks this year. There is a wonderful festival nearby, but my husband just started a new job, and had worked 12 hours on Wed & Thursday, so Friday he was wiped out. We did visit my mom and watch the Cubs/Cardinals game. The Cubs whooped the Cards! #FlytheW
(Sadly, we have lost the last 2 days)
Kathy & Lisa, I am so sorry to read about your chronic pain issues. I have had some struggles also, but I have had some relief since my hip replacement in 2021. I hope you both find effective treatments, whether it is medicine, surgery, or therapy.
Ann, prayers ascending for your brother!
Vickie, how exciting to celebrate your mom's 100th birthday!
Gracie,, I am happy to read your surgery last week went well. Prayers for a full recovery (but don't overdo it!)
Sharon, your diligence to PT is inspiring. I have been neglecting my PT. I can tell my muscles are tightening up. I always do well in the early weeks/months after a procedure, but then i let the exercises go. With a lifelong disability, I should know better. Well, I do KNOW better. I should DO better!
Lorraine, your HM card is fabulous! I need to peruse your gallery some more.
Jan, you live in Spain but are visiting England now? Do I have that correct? I have never been to Spain, but I spent a couple of days in London with a high school choir tour back in 1981! I got a kick out of your comment about crime dramas. I love British TV, and "Endeavor" is one of my (and hubby's) favorite series!
Jean, I always enjoy your travelogs! Art shows, festivals, museums. You seem to live a vibrant life! Very appropriate for the Queen of Rhubarb.
I am getting ready to upload my A card. This is more typing then I typically do in the evening, so my hands are tired. Perhaps later this week I will share my funny LaCrosse WI fireworks story.
Oh...postage goes up AGAIN this Sunday! Buy your stamps before the weekend!
__________________ Kim in Illinois, Dirty Dozen Alum, QFTD#207, FS798, VSN Moderator, Weekly Sketch Challenge
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Made my way to this new thread, hoping I can keep up better his time around! Interesting prompts!
Ray and I went on an out east adventure. I left and drove to Ohio, did some genealogy, then headed through NY to Vermont and ended up in Maine. Ray flew out and joined me and we started touring in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. We did a 6 hour ebike tour in Acadia. That was fun. The bikes were pedal assist, so helpful but still required work!
We did a few other touristy things- lots of hiking. We ended up driving to NY, then thru Canada to Michigan and ended up at son, DIL and grandkids home. The girls were there Saturday night as well, and a bit Sunday AM. We babysat for a 'day date' and enjoyed that very much!
I started feeling very achy in my joints Sunday night, but had alot to do Monday- 2 doc appointments, grocery shopping, etc.... Unpacking!
I started feeling terrible Monday night- chills, fever, joint aches, terrible headache, and threw up at bedtime...... Well, today I woke up with a bullseye rash! I headed straight over to Urgent care. Even after one dose of the antibiotic, while I do not have much of an appetite, I feel so much better! Never did I remove a tick or see one on me....... I had an area that looked like a cluster of mosquito bites that is where the bullseye popped up. My souvenir from my trip I guess.
I am hoping I feel better enough to do something with Stephi tomorrow! She has been spending time with me flat on a couch!
I have tried to keep up reading the thread, and hope to join in more regularly!
Catherine- when is the wedding again? Wow- I love that hubby saw you in a special dress and loved it, so you bought it. And, the VBS decor was fantastic! Your family is very talented!
No thank You on a bear sighting! LOL
Lisa- so sorry you are having issues and that you may have to move! I hope the best possible situation come your way! And, wow on the SU news- all companies are struggling.... I just saw MFT closed....so sad!
Kathy- hope that you can find some relief for you pain!
Ann- prayers for your brother! What a scary scenario for him!
Kim- we were on the road on the 4th, saw some fireworks in the skies, but did not stop! And, Go Cubs!!! Thanks for the nite about postage going up... again!
Vicki- how awesome- 100 years- that is amazing!
Gracie- be still and heal! LOL, you will be dancing again soon!
Jan- how nice for you to see families for the summertime! I grew up in a pool and swimming- was on a swim team for years and made district time in the 100 IM! I quit when I went into HS
Jean- one of these days, I will get to LaCrosse to visit some of these awesome places near you! They sound fantastic!
Sharon- sounds like your PT is going very well- that does not surprise me!
I am learning the ropes of Medicare and getting kicked off. I have to contact them alot for problems. They are still listing our old insurance as my primary.....grrrrr I've called twice.
Kim, we are still in Spain, our family all come out in the summer to visit, our youngest son comes over from SF with GSs, our DIL comes over to take them home as she travels in Europe with work every summer and our eldest son comes over from Kent, England.
We have booked the ferry to go to England in October but Steve has to have another operation in September so we’re hoping it’s going to be early September so he’s recovered enough to travel.
Happy Thursday!!!! Next week it will be mid July....what????? didn't we just do July 1? This summer has been way too hot and humid for me. We had tons of rain earlier and now we're very dry. I'm tired of watering already and having ac, although i'm grateful to have it. One of these years, I'll get smart and not buy any plants except maybe succulents. They can be ignored and I'm good at ignoring plants.
Kim, you were a music major? ME TOO!!!!!! And what is funny is that this house that I live in was formerly owned by a music major. Sounds like my wedding, not a Catholic mass but we had a trombone quartet, my brother (trombone) played a solo, a friend played a flute solo. It was long for a Protestant wedding. And I'm anxious to hear about your LaCrosse fireworks experience. Can't imagine. I have one too, although it wasn't funny at the time. I didn't go to the fireworks here, too crowded, too hot, water was high at the river, which is where they shoot them off.
Lisa, I'm so impressed with your attitude and strength. Moving or remodeling...both sound difficult. I imagine you couldn't do any kind of packing, would need bunches of help. The only way I'm moving again is if I either have to be hauled out of here by ambulance or in a body bag. And I agree with you about the SU changes. I never got much free, didn't really love the choices most of the time. Sounds like they're struggling.
Yes there are lots of criminals in all those British detective shows. And don't forget Lewis. I love those series. i probably enjoyed Lewis the most because he was so much more happy and cheerful.
Jan, you should watch Patience, a new show that is a takeoff from Astrid, a French show. I watch them on PBS or Britbox. Patience takes place in York. Beautiful!!!!!
Yesterday's visit to the Wegner Grotto was nice. I drove with someone who lives near me, totally missed the exit to Sparta...and there are two exits. So we were about half an hour late. This grotto is smallish, if you're interested, you can look it up. It's out in the middle of nowhere, although the main road has plenty of traffic. There is no one there to monitor who visits. I have a hard time deciding what to draw and it takes me a long time so I chose to just sit and chat. I don't do well with creating with other people, wouldn't go to a retreat for card making, especially if I have to figure out what to bring. Afterward we went to a Japanese restaurant. Sparta is much bigger than I realized, has two Japanese restaurants right on the same block. The first one we entered was too busy, the second gave us a room with a nice round table, very quiet, it was perfect. I had a bento box. On the way home, we had to deal with lots of construction in LaCrosse..the main road in, hway 16, has been under construction all summer and will be for the rest and it really is challenging to return home. For some reason the part of 16 we could be on was really backed up. So it was a long day and I returned home tired. Then my daughter invited me for supper, which was lovely. They're a busy family so we don't see each other all that much. My youngest grand is on a school backpacking trip in Iowa. They did two hikes here to get ready to hike with a big backpack and now they're spending two nights away, hiking during the day. I hope they stay hydrated and no one gets sick from the heat.
Next week we go to Winona, which is just up the river from us. There is a new gallery there. I need to get to the Pump House gallery before it changes this weekend.
Catherine, my sister was driving to a flea market on Monday and a bear crossed the road in front of them. Not right in front so that they'd hit him/her. This was mid morning. Yikes!!!!!!
Kathy, any news on your finger problem?
Ann, thinking of you and your brother. How awful.
Shelly, Shelly, Shelly....I sure hope that the antibiotic does its work and you have no more issues. You need to stay home for a while!!
So I hope I caught everyone a little bit. Oh I texted Gracie yesterday, she's still sore and bored. I'm guessing she won't be coming back to WI anytime soon and I want my rocks and hat...yes, Gracie, another 'fine whine'. I also want to hug you. Shelly, please come anytime. I live a pretty quiet life. Really, I do!
Shirl and anyone I missed, take care, hope to see you soon. And doesn't the new Alpha thing start next week?? We usually have a week off in between. I need to look, just in case I'm mistaken. Bye for now.
__________________ Jean Bean the Dancing Queen "You can play a shoestring if you're sincere." -John Coltrane
Jean, the alpha new cards started yesterday. I am enjoying seeing them in the gallery.
We moved to this house 13 years ago. I didn't help much then. I had just gone through fusion surgery was recovering, and my husband was sick of the drive. He was driving 45 - 50 minutes one way to work. We paid a lot of money for gasoline and paid a lot of mental health dealing with the drive. So, I finally caved and moved. I make the best of it, but would like to live somewhere else. These days, I would like to move closer to where I grew up. I have siblings, nieces, and several cousins near there. We have no one here as we haven't made friends here. My friends are still in the town we lived in for over 20 years. Yes, I text, write, talk on the phone, but it isn't the same. I doubt anything will happen soon. My husband is a lot of talk and slow to act.
Well dang on me being wrong about ABC23...I'll get cracking.
Lisa, I hear you about wanting to be closer to what you know. There are many reasons why I'm happy to be where I am and would never leave, but I have yet to make any true friends here. I miss my old friends from my hometown and I can really feel that our friendships have changed. I think I'd need to join a church or something of that order to meet new people but I'm not interested in doing that. My art friends, who I really like, have other lives, most are married, they're longtime friends with each other and haven't reached out to do anything beyond the Wednesday gathering, which I'm very grateful for even though it hasn't led to new friends. Otherwise I'd really be alone.
__________________ Jean Bean the Dancing Queen "You can play a shoestring if you're sincere." -John Coltrane
Jean, churches are difficult. We tried. We finally gave up. I have had mobility issues for several years off and on. I got my back fixed, then MS hits, When I can walk, it is always with an aid, a cane or walker. People can be rude and see me moving slow so they race in front of me which throws me off as I am concentrating on my surroundings. This happened a few times at the church we were attending. I finally said no more. I miss going to church in person. Most of the people were not reaching out for friendships as they already formed them.
Jean, Steve found Patience and we’ve already watched it, I really enjoyed it, I’m quite sorry we’ve already watched it as sometimes there’s nothing worth watching.
If anyone enjoys travel/ cooking shows we enjoy watching Rick Stein, he’s a chef, loves seafood and pcooks the dishes when he gets home in Cornwall.
Wow, so much chatter already in the new thread!
I, also can’t remember when the wedding is, Catherine? You all have been so busy, can’t believe you have time to make a card!
When I go to type responses to everyone’s posts, I forget what all I read!
Yes, Jean, we usually get a week off. I am still trying to finish the last round, only M left. I thought I had an extra week. LOL. Today, maybe I can get it and A for this round.
Shelly, hope you are at 100% by today, and pray you won’t have any long term issues from the tick bite. Jan, I am so happy your family can visit. Prayers for Steve to get his surgery done and feel good for your trip to UK. Kim, congratulations on 35 years of wedded bliss. I had three wedding showers. I worked at the credit bureau of Wichita, then, and they had one for me. My MIL had one for me with all her friends. Both those were really large showers, then my grandma had one with all the relatives of my biological father’s aunts and uncles. I didn’t even know most of them. My step dad is the one who gave me away.
I am saying prayer and thinking about you, Kim, Gracie, Kathy & Ann.
Hi, Karen, Annette, and Melody!
I think I mentioned that my hairdresser broke her arm, so have been finding someone on this side of town. I had gone to Super Cuts, and got same person twice, so thought I would go to her again. I thought she would be ok. Well, yesterday, I asked for a little shorter than last time. She butchered my hair! Jean, it may be shorter than yours, and straight, and I don’t know what I can do with it!
oh, well, it will grow back. I walked today in 81, and 78% humidity at 8:00! Terrible! Now, I have to do my PT. They have added 2pound weights to some of the things I do. But, I can tell it works. I can now raise my arm above my head. Before surgery I couldn't, and also I was in terrible pain. I am so thankful that they were able to fix me. LOL
Oh my goodness, where has this week gone? I missed jumping to the new chat thread and now I've spent an hour reading all the chat! Wow! Everyone is so busy. Lots to talk about. I'm still very sore, so it is keeping me from misbehaving, sleeping a lot and reading books. I'm going to go in my craft room and make a card for the new round. My big goal for the day!
Catherine, so excited to see wedding pictures. What a fun time of life for your family!
Jan, sorry to hear about the heat. My friend's DD went to Spain to stay with the exchange student's family, whom they had hosted last school year. She said it was so hot, her legs were swelling. Enjoy your family visits and hoping Steve's surgery gets done early so you can travel in October.
Jean, Jean, Jean...you can always drive to our cabin and visit Tom. Then, you can entertain him for me and pick up your hat and rocks!!! Wouldn't that be a surprise. He could take you on a pontoon ride.
Kathy and Lisa, hoping you get some help with your medical problems. It's hard when things aren't going well.
Sharon, glad your PT is going well. You are so faithful in walking and taking care of yourself. I can't wait til I can get out and hike again. Sitting is just not my "thing."
Ann, prayers for your brother. Thanks for setting up the new round. I'm anxious to get back on track with participating again.
Shelly, so sorry you ended your trip with Lyme's disease. I sure hope the antibiotics help! You are one busy gal!
Hi to all, Kim, Melody, Annette, Karen...and all the Alphas. Hugs
I'm going to go check out the new gallery now.
__________________ Judy aka Gracie "Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud." Maya Angelou
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My neighbor passed away yesterday, she was the one that I had the teaparty for months ago. At least she is not in pain anymore from the cancer.
My brother is still in the hospital and loosing blood. They gave him another transfusion last night about 2 A.M. He texted me to let me know, so we were texting back and forth for awhile then. Makes for a tired next day. My turn at the hospital tonight. All of my siblings are taking turns so our brother is not alone much. There's five of us and I am the middle child, with four brothers! This is the youngest that is going through all of these health issues.
Doctors will do exploratory surgery tomorrow, praying they find the bleed and fix him up so he may begin to recover.
So sorry Ann. Such a stressful time for you. Prayers that they find the bleed. When I was home in May, mom was throwing up blood. They did a GI tract scope and found an ulcerated spot in two places and cauterized them. She's doing much better now.
__________________ Judy aka Gracie "Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud." Maya Angelou
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My mistake about the Alpha 23....I guess it started yesterday. Didn't we usually have a week off in-between?
This round started sooner than I expected, too, but I made my X, Y, and Z cards at the same time which threw me off. I posted them one at a time, but I was still caught off guard a bit. I hope to jot down ideas for several upcoming challenges so I can work ahead.
__________________ Kim in Illinois, Dirty Dozen Alum, QFTD#207, FS798, VSN Moderator, Weekly Sketch Challenge
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Hi All! Is it frowned upon to keep uploading for the previous round after the new round has started? I have some letters from ABC22 that I'd still like to circle back to, but now that ABC23 has started, I don't want to go against the etiquette or preference of this group. I would post these to the old thread, not the new one.
Looking forward to everyone's new creations!
Thanks,
Mer
__________________ - Mer (Fan Club Member)
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Thanks to Ann I remembered to upload!! I used accessories to Tim Holtz's cats and dogs stamps! Now I have to remember how to load the link from my gallery! ABC23A1 ACCESSORIES by muscrat at Splitcoaststampers
__________________ Kathy FS852 SCS Member #241,587
Hi All! Is it frowned upon to keep uploading for the previous round after the new round has started? I have some letters from ABC22 that I'd still like to circle back to, but now that ABC23 has started, I don't want to go against the etiquette or preference of this group. I would post these to the old thread, not the new one.
Looking forward to everyone's new creations!
Thanks,
Mer
It is okay, I uploaded my last one yesterday. I might suggest linking it to this round’s posting thread , though, since we probably unsubscribe from last times.
It is okay, I uploaded my last one yesterday. I might suggest linking it to this round’s posting thread , though, since we probably unsubscribe from last times.
I've never unsubscribed from past threads. I guess I should do that. No wonder I have so many SCS subscriptions. Ha ha!
__________________ Judy aka Gracie "Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud." Maya Angelou
The following 5 users liked this post by JRHolbrook:
Good morning chatterboxes! I love all the chatter! I didn't have time to post yesterday morning, had to run off to work.
The wedding plans are coming along nicely and the schedule stress of the weekend is resolving thankfully. Our friend who is loaning the floral centerpieces and took over making the bridal bouquet called to let me know she has finished all the bouquets - including an extra to use as the bouquet to toss. She has been such a blessing and she and her daughter gave us a lead on a cake maker. We were going to order cake from Sam's Club, which is good cake, but the cake maker will deliver which relieves some scheduling stress plus they get to have lemon and strawberry cake instead of simply white, chocolate, or marble.
Lisa, it sounds like SU is trying to encourage more regular, monthly sales which makes sense. Who knows if it will work or not.
If your husband's ideas come to fruition, would your craft room still be downstairs? My DH and I tend to talk a lot about ideas of things to do to the house but that's all. It is more affordable that way, LOL! We did actually do some of the things to our previous house when we were updating it to sell it - and wished we had done it sooner so we could enjoy it!
I'm sorry you had negative experiences at churches.
Jan, now I need to go back to England and visit York! We did have a great time in London though. We definitely needed more time. I hope Steve's surgery is scheduled early in the month and you can travel to England without difficulties.
Kim, four bridal showers?! Wow, that's a lot of thank you notes. Thanks for the reminder about the postage increase, I need to go get stamps today.
Shelly, I hope you are feeling better every day. Sorry you got sick.
The wedding is August 10th in the afternoon - less than a month away.
Jean, I didn't realize there was a Sparta in Wisconsin. I always think of Georgia when I hear that name. I looked up the grotto and it looks like such an interesting place to visit.
Sharon, Super Cuts is where I go but, fortunately, I found a woman there who does a great job so I only go when I can make an appointment with her. You are right, it will regrow. I've been trying to determine when I should go to get my hair done before the wedding. One week before? Two weeks? I really need to figure it out soon as we are running out of time.
Gracie, I hope you are feeling better each day! Every so often, I do go in and edit my subscriptions to clean them up.
Ann, I'm sorry for the loss of your neighbor and the health issues with your brother. Prayers that the exploratory surgery finds and resolves the issue.
OK, that is probably a big enough epistle for today! LOL
I go to Super Cuts near to where our son lives in SF, you can only make appointments by the internet or wait in line, there are always different girls, one just kept telling me I had so much hair haha.
I Had my haircut on Wednesday, feels so much lighter in the heat although I looked like a drowned rat as we say after being dive bombed in the pool by GS, his mum arrives tomorrow so we are all looking forward to seeing her, she landed in Madrid from Vienna a few hours ago and she is coming to Murcia by train.
Hi All! Is it frowned upon to keep uploading for the previous round after the new round has started? I have some letters from ABC22 that I'd still like to circle back to, but now that ABC23 has started, I don't want to go against the etiquette or preference of this group. I would post these to the old thread, not the new one.
Looking forward to everyone's new creations!
Thanks,
Mer
There are never any time limits for uploading a challenge. You can pull up a challenge from 5 or 10 years ago, make a card, and upload it. No challenge police. And sometimes doing an older challenge will spike interest in a technique from years ago. Always a good thing.
I have been reading the retired SU Demonstrators thread. Today someone posted the changes in Sale-a-bration. It doesn't sound good. They want to change to a program to have purchases each month for a small incentive type stamp or something. I don't think they will do well with this program. It is good I own way more than enough.
My husband has a new idea to eventually move our bedroom to the main level. It will take a long time for his vision. That also means getting a full bathroom on that level. There is a half bath, but that is all. I would rather just move. It all takes a lot of work and staying is less money. With the bedroom change, my craft room will be moved as well. I thought about setting it up there after we moved here, but changed my mind.
Lisa, I love SU and that's 99% what I own, but my card class is so sad at the changes they have been making. You now have to have an online account to get any incentives. My demo has been putting the orders in under her name so she will get the 10 % rewards, which is ok by us. She uses that to buy gifts for games at Christmas, etc. But it's a hassle for her to keep it all straight.
We just had an emergency alert to our phones and tv! It seems the 911 call center lines are out across the state.
__________________ Kathy FS852 SCS Member #241,587
Kathy, it is still a win for her to be placing the orders. Her discount is higher than the 10% discount. She also has this added to her total sales. My sister gets 25% discount and i would get that shopping with her and paying her. I submit my own orders, on my credit card, and she wants to give the money back that I would have saved through her, but I prefer she keeps it. I never go to the bank, so it would add a step in our lives that we can do without.
I liked the host codes. I would shop with Brandy Cox, spend $50, them select an item from her selection that would make the order worthwhile. I have embossing folders, gems, a few blends, and other things. It was fun to receive a new item when she got them mailed.
Round 23 Alphabet Challenge July 9, 2025 - Jan 14, 2026
