aged to perfection

2010-04-21T19:39:00.000-07:00

"Somewhere children dance to the joyous music of life

and elsewhere they only cling to existence.

They are all ours."

{ laurie kohl }

2010-03-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

So, since I just don't seem to make cards and scrapbook as much anymore (not much time!) but I DO want to blog still (my sister likes to read my blog, what can I say?) I decided to start posting the simple things I do each day. Boring for readers , but a way to kind of keep a journal and for my sister to keep in touch (other than the zillion phone calls).
I LOVE to bake and practice frugality and lately I have found some wonderful sites that have given me great inspiration. I learned of homemade laundry soap from the Duggar's site (you know, the people with nineteen children) and while I would never aspire to wanting that many children, I do think they do a wonderful job and the few times I have watched their show on TLC I am amazed at the organization and normalcy that seems present in their home. The main reason I wanted to try the soap came from reading all the praise about it and how gentle it seems to be on skin. My youngest deals with itchy skin constantly and so I thought to my self, "Self, you gotta try it!" I was pleasantly surprised. It IS mild and it has helped my son, but most of all, I LOVE the smell and the way my clothes and towels feel so soft and smell so fresh. The recipe does make lots and both my mom and daughters have benefitted from the abundance of the stuff, but since it is so economical I am happy to share! I did scent mine with some honeysuckle oil that I have and while that makes it smell even better, the Fels Naptha soap has a citrusy smell to it on its own. I also started using white vinegar as a rinse and the only caveat to that is that there was still some static after using the dryer. No problem! I diluted one bottle of softener with an equal amount of water and keep sponges in there. When I throw the clothes in the dryer I put an almost wrung out sponge in with them and Voila! static is gone! If you want to try the soap you can get the recipe here
http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.htm l.

The second thing I have made this week is homemade yogurt. I know, it is an easy thing to buy but darn, the homemade stuff tasted so much better. I added vanilla to it and made it slightly sweetened. Give it a try..http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/2009/10/how-to-make-homemade-yogurt-2/

A Christmas Gift

2010-01-02T11:40:00.000-08:00

So much for being back!! My intentions were good to post, but then Thanksgiving and then Christmas happened! However, I am happy to post this little "thing" i made for my mom and dad. I had no idea what I was going to do when I started stitching and wish it looked a little more random but I am happy with it. I took a recent photo of them and printed it onto linen. Then I just took some scraps of felt and some twigs and started stitching. My bird looks a little off kilter, but I could not be bothered to redo it! I want to make another but have it more random. I got the idea to stitch something from this blog.. http://rebeccasower.typepad.com/rs_out_of_hand/2009/12/index.html I so want to make some little journals with all kinds of stitching. I must say that it is so soothing to me to just sit and stitch. My mind wanders and and I seem to forget all my worries.! Try it! Today is a beautiful day out. I even have some of my windows open to let the fresh air in. Will have to close them soon as the natives are starting to complain. I am going outside to take some pictures of some of the little fairies I made and will post one later..

I'm Back!

2009-11-25T17:46:00.001-08:00

It has been so many months since my last post. It is time to get with it. I have not been idle! While card making and scrapbooking have not been my main interest lately, I am slowly getting back into "paper" and i am loving the feel of it on my fingers. I have been doing lots of baking, felting and homemaking. I moved my "happy place" room upstairs but found that was not working for me.. not happy up there! I have all my lovely children home for a few days and guess what they are doing!! Yep, moving everything back downstairs.. What they won't do for cookies! For now, a picture of my three oldest.. Emily is 25, Sarah is 21 and Sweet William is 18.. Patrick was a bit camera shy... I am going to try very hard to post each day. Tomorrow look for one of my fairies!! Have a super Thanksgiving..

"Nothing Gold Can Stay"

2009-01-30T20:12:00.000-08:00

It has been an extremely sad week at our house. Molly, our twelve year old golden retriever started losing weight about five weeks ago. I attributed it to old age and didn't pay much attention. However in the last two weeks it was melting off her and she did not want her food any longer. Last Thursday I took her to the vet. He did blood work and called me later that night. I took her in the next day for an ultrasound. The ultrasound confirmed his suspicions and also what the bloodwork showed. She had a horrible cancer. It is the kind that attacks the blood vessels of the spleen and it had also already moved into her liver. To say we were devastated is to put it mildly.

My oldest daughter and I picked Molly out from her litter when she was just four days old. We visited her every week and brought her home as soon as she was eight weeks old.

She was a character from the beginning. Till the end of her life the retriever in her was alive and well. There are still some socks outside in the yard that I can't bring myself to pick up just yet. She ALWAYS brought us something when we came in the door from being gone. Whether it be socks, a stuffed toy, an old manky bone or someones undies.. She didn't care, she HAD to bring us a present..

My brother used to call her a "science project". Probably because she did not look like a typical golden.. She was purebred but she was a curly girl. She had a pink nose too!.

Our vet told us that with the spread of the cancer surgery would only prolong her life a few months at the most. We took her to a specialist on Monday, but she confirmed our vets diagnosis. Molly was so very tired. She just wanted to sleep and I could not get her to eat. We tried pain pills and anti nausea pills and they helped a little, but she was just not herself.

Emily and I made the decision that as hard as it was for us to let her go, we wanted her to go when she was still able to enjoy a walk along the river where she could chase squirrels and birds. We did this on her last day and also took her to her favorite pet store where she roamed around and stuck her nose into everything.

Tuesday night our dear sweet Molly crossed the rainbow bridge. No longer is she here to greet me when I come home. No longer can I look into her beautiful brown eyes nor pet her soft velvet ears.

Our hearts are broken still, but we know we gave her the best gift we could. Leaving us while she still had her dignity and a small zest for life.

Good Bye Angel Molly......

It has been a loooong winter. My father had a couple of relapses, and we thought for sure that we would not have him for Christmas. It isn't that we are pessimists, but the doctors even told me to have my sister come home asap at one point. But darn!! that man just loves us too much!! He is back home and doing pretty good. I am thankful and grateful to have him around as long as possib

It has been such a long time..

2008-09-22T11:17:00.001-07:00

...since I have had the time or the energy or the inclination to post here. I have received several emails from different people and just wanted to post a note.
We got our two girls settled. One into a new apartment and one into her first apartment. This freed up a room in our house. After much going back and forth it was decided that the boys would each move downstairs into their own rooms and the HUGE upstairs bonus room would become my haven..a place for me to put some of my antiques, my scrapbook stuff and my computer. It is looking great, but so far I have not had time to fully unpack and put everything away. I am still in the process of making it cozy, homey and MINE! I finally got a curtain up and my husband has installed some of my shelving. I am anxiously looking forward to fall and to all the lovely cool weather. Then I will finally be able to start creating again!

On a little bit of a sadder note, my beautiful father who I love with all my heart and soul has not been well. He has been in and out of the hospital the last several months and last week was admitted for congestive heart failure. He is home now but is on oxygen all the time. He has become so frail and I know in my heart that our time with him is limited. There are so many things I want to tell him, but neither of us has ever been the kind of person who shows much emotion. He loves me and I love him and there is no question of that between us but I want so much to tell him how I feel. Another reason for my not taking much time to post here, it seems there are more important things to do right now. So for now, just a "hello" and I hope to be back to blogging soon!

School Days and other milestones..

2008-08-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year again... we have the new back pack on the bed, that "new crayon" smell in it that brings back such memories to me of all my "first days", the crisp new clothes, socks and undies, new lunch box, and a clean new calender to fill in with all the upcoming school events. I love this time of year, not only because it means I will have some time to myself again, but also because I am lucky in that my boys love school and can't wait to get back into their school routine and see all their friends.

We have another milestone event happening this weekend, that makes me a little teary eyed. My sweet Sarah is 20 and is moving into her own apartment. She is starting her second year of college and I am lucky that I had her for one extra year after high school. Thankfully it is only about fifteen minutes from us and five minutes from her grandparents. She is totally thrilled and it is a sweet little apartment. It is a super safe area (but then, we live in a wonderfully super safe small town!) and she is so excited to have her own space where she can "do whatever she wants, whenever she wants", as she puts it. We have had fun this week going back and forth taking little things and Saturday will be the day she will move in and spend her first night alone. It is time, but nonetheless I will miss her. She is my second child to move out, and I still have two more to go, but I know it will seem a little empty here with her gone. ANYWAY, I always think of this poem each year as school starts and wanted to share it. I am anticipating next week when it will be just the animals and I at home each day and I will have time to sit and create.. Hope you are enjoying these days last days of summer.

World, I bequeath to you today one little girl in a crispy dress, with two blue eyes, and a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of light blond hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I Trust You'll Treat Her Well

She's slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning and skipping off down the street to her first day at school. And never again will she be completely mine.Prim and proud, she'll wave a young and independent hand this morning, and say goodbye and walk with little-lady steps to the nearby schoolhouse. Gone will be chattering little hoyden who lived only for play, and gone will be the delightful little gamin who roamed the yard like a proud princess with nary a care in her little world.

Now, she will learn to stand in lines and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called. She will learn to tune her little-girl ears for the sound of school bells, and for deadlines.She will learn to giggle and gossip, and to look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy across the aisle sticks out his tongue.

Now she will learn to be jealous, and now she will learn how it is to feel hurt inside, and now she will learn how not to cry. No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch steps on a summer day and watch while an ant scurries across a crack in the sidewalk. Nor will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn to kiss lilac blossoms in the morning dew.

Now she will worry about important things like grades and what dresses to wear, and whose best friend is whose. Now she will worry about the little boy who pulls her hair at recess time, and staying after school, and which little girls like which little boys, And the magic of books and knowledge will soon take the place of the magic of her blocks and dolls.

And she'll find her new heroes. For five full years I've been her sage and Santa Claus, her pal and playmate, her parent and friend. Now, alas, she'll learn to share her worship and adoration with her teachers (which is only right.)

No longer will her parents be the smartest, and greatest in the world. Today, when the first school bell rings, she'll learn how it is to be a member of the group, with all its privileges, and, of course, its disadvantages, too.Today, she'll begin to learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. That "the group" can be a demanding mistress, and I'll standon the porch and watch her start out on the long, long journey to becoming a woman.

So WORLD, I BEQUEATH TO YOU TODAY ONE LITTLE GIRL in a crispy dress, with two blue eyes, a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs.

I TRUST YOU'LL TREAT HER WELL - Daniel Valentine-

summer lovin..

2008-08-12T13:12:00.000-07:00

I have been making some fabric postcards, but since my old printer won't work on the new computer I can't scan them and I am too lazy to get the camera out and set them up!! BUT, here is a picture of our pumpkin patch. Patrick is excited to see we have five little pumpkins about hte size of grapefruits on there. It is fun to go out each day and check on them.

The Dog days of summer are here.

2008-08-05T20:39:00.000-07:00

My computer just gave up and died last week. After my dd's bf, who is a whiz at computers, checked it over, he said it wasn't worth fixing.. I did buy it four years ago at a "day after Thanksgiving" sale for $250. I think I got my money's worth out of it!! SO, shopped around and got a wonderful buy on this new one. LOVE the flat screen, love the new operating system.. Vista. Now, I just have to transfer everything I need to keep from the old one to the new one..

Haven't had time to make a card.. Well, I did make a couple of fabric postcards, but can't post them just yet. Instead, here is a photo of the love of my life.. he is devoted to me, never talks back and doesn't mind if I am late feeding him once in awhile. He watches me with adoring eyes, will go with me wherever I want and is happy to just "be" with me..

Tucker, my golden retriever. The "girls" are sweet too, but he is just my sweet boy..

This little light of mine

2008-07-25T20:48:00.000-07:00

The whole time I was making this card I kept singing that Sunday School song in my head..
I have enjoyed making some round cards the past few days, but think I prefer the square ones!
Used up some Daisy D scraps and a K and Company sticker and a little red gingham brad. I do believe that red polka dots and red gingham are my all time favorites.. no wait, I love pale blue and yellow too.. Patrick and I made a giant Reeses peanut butter cup today for Williams birthday tomorrow. We found this hilarious site called Pimp that Snack. It is British, and since my mom is English and all my kids have visited quite a few times, many of the treats were familiar to us. Basically you take a snack and make it HUGE.. It is fun just to check it out. The peanut butter cup was easy to make. I will post a pic tomorrow..

Happy Day,,

2008-07-24T07:59:00.000-07:00

I finally get to spend some time just "pottering". I love days like today. I am getting caught up on some cleaning jobs, finishing some cards and later today will finish canning those beets!

I love this old BG paper. the frogs are such fun and I am glad I have several sheets of it still. This card was made for a little boy in England. His mommy is dealing with cancer and I thought I would
send him his own card and a lizard beanie baby. (Still have TONS of those things in boxes from the days when we went crazy collecting them!!) The second card is for a friend who loves bears. I was the lucky recipient of some wonderful treasures from her moms old sewing box. Since she lives in England they were that much more special to me as they brought back memories of going through my own grannies sewing box. Thanks, Janet!!

Beets, Beets, Beets!!

2008-07-23T20:43:00.000-07:00

Goodness me, it has been so busy around here the last few days..
It is "party week" at our house every third week in July. We have three birthdays this week.. the 21st Sarah turned 20, William will be 17 on the 26th and my oldest Emily will be 24 on the 28th! When they were little it was really exhausting. We always had three parties and three cakes.
Now, Sarah just takes a homemade cake into work with her. This year I made her a French Vanilla cake with white chocolate buttercream and strawberries. William wants a mint chocolate chip ice cream cake to take in and share with his co workers and so I will be doing that tomorrow and my dear sweet Emily just asked if I will make her pumpkin cookies.
I got a wonderful buy on beets today at the local fruit and veg stand.. 13 lbs for $10. Since we all love them I bought two boxes!! What was I thinking?? I have been boiling beets all day and have 10 quarts pickled so far! They will taste mighty good this winter!!

I did get a couple of cards made. I have been wanting to make a round card for awhile and this is what I came up with. I dont' have a circle cutter, but found a round piece of cardboard and used that as a pattern. I am not totally happy with this, but so wanted to use that daisy sticker from Melissa Frances. It was easy to sew the lace trim around the front and I do like the look of it.. Going to try some more round cards tomorrow, but for now I am off to the shower to try and remove some of this red beet juice from my hands and face!!

Strength...

2008-07-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

That is what it takes to fight the horrible disease of cancer. A friend of a friend was diagnosed with it. She is young and has a four year old son.. I made these cards to send her. In part I used some of the Melissa Frances Thankful line. Also, I discovered this site The Breast Cancer Site I got the the breast cancer tag on the side of my blog from here.. You can put one on your blog and anytime someone clicks it it will take them to their site and you can click to fund a free mammogram.. Easy Peasy!

We continue to enjoy summer and I hope you do too. We took a drive out to the orchards the other day and got lots of fat, sweet cherries and succulent apricots. Peaches will be next and then fresh corn on the cob..Yum, Yum!! Needless to say my freezer is now well stocked with apricot and strawberry freezer jam. I love opening the door and seeing the red and orange containers.. so colorful..

Vintage for me..

2008-07-04T15:48:00.000-07:00

I chose the name of my blog , NOT in reference to me, but because I just love things that have been aged. Anything I make I like to use "found" vintage objects on it or papers that look old and shabby. I like shabby chic, but I also like just plain old vintage. This card I made using an old elastic cardboard holder from a long ago dimestore.. Notice the price?? 29 cents..those days are long gone. Also used some old sewing paper and an image from the net. Made for a sewing friend.. Even the rick rack is old. not the new stuff..

Red, Yellow, Polka dots and sunflowers..

2008-07-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

My favorite color combination. I always think "Rhubarb and Custard" when I think of these colors.
Love sunflowers too and I happened upon a yummy candy at Michaels the other day.. Mary Janes. Do you remember eating these when you were little.. Kind of like Bit O Honey with some peanut butter inside!! I was looking at one of the wrappers (red and yellow!!) and knew I had to make a card with it and use my Mary Jane Shoes stamp.. Stamp is from Paperbag Studios. Polka Dot paper from Daisy D's, Big Brad from Queen and Co. and the sunny yellow library pocket is from Bazzill. I stamped on the sunflower with my music stamp. Have a wonderful holiday tomorrow..

Summertime and the Living is Easy...

2008-07-01T18:48:00.000-07:00

Dinner tonight was a summer delight! Fresh corn on the cob, garden beets, new potatoes, asparagus and a sweet, sweet watermelon.. No meat!! Just veggies. We all enjoyed it!! The days are definitely lazy..
I still have to get up early each morning to give my little diabetic dog, Puck her shot, but I don't mind it a bit. She is worth it! Other than that, we are having a lovely summer. I have been able to do a little bit of creating. My first Row House for a swap I am in and I had fun with it. Not quite what I usually do, but it was fun. I did the background by squighing (is that a word?) some modge podge on the paper and crinkling tissue paper over that. Let it dry and then put some ancient page inks on top. Had some of the memory glass laying around so I punched a square and put some glass behind it for the window. The image is my aunt when she was a little girl. Did some embossing, some Tulip Fashion paint beads, a little hand made paper that I printed the sentiment on and then some alpha beads. I found the little keys in my stash, I bet I have had them for years! Love those little pearls that come in a strip..
The second card just used up some scraps. Hope you are all having a sweet summer too!! Had to post a pic of my little Puck.. Her name comes from Midsummer's Night Dream!

Agnes Brown is The Mammy!

2008-06-26T17:05:00.000-07:00

If you haven't read these books yet, go straight to your local library or book shop and get them!!
I first read them several years ago on a flight to England. Well, I actually read the first one :

The Mammy on my first flight from Boise to Denver. I actually snorted and laughed so much reading it that I know the man sitting beside me thought I was bonkers! I got to Denver and headed straight to a book store and was able to find the second book The Chisellers. Got to England and found the third one to read on my way home.. The Granny. They really are very thin books and can be read in a few hours.. But if you don't want to embarrass yourself with snorting, laughing in public then read them in solitude, because you WILL laugh!! They are written by Brendan O'Carroll and tell of an Irish woman (Agnes Browne)and her children. There is also a movie out that is based on the first book(Anjelica Huston plays Agnes Browne and has a very convincing Irish accent!) My best friend and I watch it together whenever she comes to visit. It tells a tale of true friendship, love of children and perseverance. We have watched the movie together at least five times and I have read the books more than once.

My best friend was here for a visit for a week and has left to go home today. I miss her already and made this little card to send her. We have such a good laugh when she is here. My kids adore her too and Patrick was quite disappointed when he got home today and she was gone!

I used some My Minds Eye, a wooden tag, Daisy D's some felt trim, thickers from American Crafts and primas from my stash. A few buttons and inking and sewing and it was finished!!

Sweet little bundle of fluff!

2008-06-08T13:51:00.001-07:00

I had a call yesterday from my daughter's girlfriend. She runs an absolutely wonderful place.
Simply Cats They were in a crisis. They had a set of four little kittens who were about three weeks old and their mama had been run over by a car. They also had a sweet little baby who is 2 weeks old. She had been brought to someones doorstep by a dog! Brenda asked if I could possibly foster them for a few weeks.. Against my better judgement and William's dire warnings, I said yes. We left with five babies, two large containers of Kitten milk replacer, lots of little blankies and five miniscule bottles.
All was great for about two hours. The little siamese baby had been abandoned since just about birth and had been with a foster mom but the mom could no longer keep her, she was able to suck by herself. We fed her and put her right back in her little basket and she drifted off to sleep. Then pandemonium struck! The other four woke up and started mewing. LOULDLY! They have no idea how to suck a bottle and were so frustrated as their little tummies were hungry and they could smell the milk but weren't quite sure how to suck it.. Sarah, William, Patrick and I each had a kitty and tried to feed as best we could. Two hours later they were all back in their little bed curled up, but I was one frazzled mom! I called Brenda and told her I didn't think i could do it! She was great and had found another foster for them. Whew!! Thank Goodness! I could not have gone through that again. It was so frustrating to see them crying and hungry.
So now we just have Maisie (that is what we named her) she is precious and sleeps and eats well. Tucker my HUGE golden retriever has adopted her. He licks her after she has eaten and washes her just like her mama would. We will keep her for a few weeks. She is eating every three hours like a real baby( yes, I got up at 3 am to feed her!) and there is no shortage of willing arms to cuddle and hold her. Our biggest problem will be to not get attached. That shouldn't be too hard though. We already have our four dogs and two cats (who have not shown the slightest bit of interest in her). So here is a picture of our little Maisie and one of Tucker too.

Baking, gardening and Scrapping!

2008-06-06T14:10:00.000-07:00

I love to bake.. unfortunately I love to taste it too!! I found a wonderful recipe for a carrot cake that is so easy to make and always turns out perfectly. Since I frequently take treats to the teachers at school, they are well acquainted with my baking. I had made this cake for them and a few weeks ago one of the teachers asked me if I would make one for her for this Saturday. She is giving a 50th wedding anniversary party for her parents. She is having everything else catered but asked if I could make her a one of my carrot cakes. and she would pay me.. I told her I would make it for her, no payment necessary. She wouldn't accept it unless she paid me. I made one this morning and it was baked and cooling nicely on the counter.. and DANG!!! I dribbled a tiny drop ofsome tea onto one of the layers (it is three layers). not much, but I didn't want to take a chance, so I ran to the store and bought another can of pineapple and more cream cheese for the frosting.. I frosted it and it is in the fridge. (looks beautiful!) made another and it is cooling.. so now WE have a carrot cake too..will have to take half over to my mom and dad tonight! This is the one for us. The other one is on a nice bakery board and has the nuts around the outside and a dainty little carrot on top!
Here is another little thing I made. I found "naked bird" houses at a local craft store and I just saw the possibilities.. I hadn't seen the new Basic Grey Sugared paper and it is just so cute!! Love those pink flamings.. So I did the little house in that and then did some inking and modge podged it.. Sending it to my sweet sister.. she just moved into a new house. It will look lovely on her patio. I think pink flamingos are so endearing so his weekend DH and I are making several stained glass flamingos on copper rods to put in my garden.. he is getting the pink glass today.. it is so pretty, pale pink with white swirls throughout!!
And finally, I had to post a picture of my gorgeous mint! I planted it from seed and it has gotten so abundant in this pot..We love homemade mint sauce and I also like to make simple syrup and toss some leaves into it. Yummy to sweeten your iced tea!! Now I am off to rearrange my scrapping room!

Happy, Happy Day

2008-06-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

I am feeling pretty happy these days. The weather is just perfect. It is cool out, not too hot yet, the trees all have their leaves, my roses have tons of blooms and we are slowly getting into the "summer" mode of life. William is doing his senior year internship, so he still has to get up early each day, and be at work at 8. Patrick does his sleeping in and while he is doing that I bustle about and get my little housekeeping chores done. By afternoon I am free to do as I please.. Bake, create, or read.. or putter in my garden. Lovely!
Here is one of my creations. Made for a friend who I am so thankful for. I also made her a DVD of our last trip to Disney.. sigh.. I want to go again.. soon!! I just love that place.. but only in the off season.. It just makes me happy to be there. Patrick and I have a giant plastic pepsi bottle that we are slowly filling up with all our extra change and any odd dollars that I find in the laundry (I think whoever does the laundry is entitled to whatever they find there!!). We are planning a trip for early December and I must say that the anticipation is half the fun..
Anyway, this card I made using my new threading water punch, MF papers, flowers, and ginormous rick rack.

Cold and Blustery..

2008-05-21T20:21:00.000-07:00

Well, after 98 degree weather over the weekend, today was cold and rainy.. and only 61..
I have to admit, I much prefer this weather. I am not ready for the hot summer days.
There is a wonderful math teacher at my son's high school and he is retiring this year. I searched through all my stash and came up with several things I thought would look good on a card.. I had a clock charm SOMEWHERE!! Oh, well, this will have to do.. I love the vintage feel to it and of course had to ink and stitch it just a little.. Wasn't sure about the flowers, but they just "felt" right..

The Final Countdown..

2008-05-19T16:59:00.000-07:00

There are only 9 days of school left and believe me I hear it everyday!! I think the teachers are as anxious as the kids for summer to start.. they are also taking all their days off so I have been so very busy subbing. I love it, but it doesn't leave much time for me to do much crafting..
I made this little baby card for one of my daughter's co workers who had his fifth boy!! Used some K and Company bear paper ( I just loved that and bought a whole pack of it when it came out years ago,, I am still using it!!) some foofala and some chipboard extras..

thankful....

2008-04-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I was making my Breast Cancer postcards for a swap I was in.. I had extras and had read about Melissa Frances' fight with breast cancer and so I sent one to her.. not ever expecting to receive an acknowledgment. Imagine my surprise today when a large envelope was delivered to me.. It contained a sweet thank you note from her along with her Thankful line of products..What a wonderful treat and I am so very thankful..especially since I am not able to find her products anywhere locally.. So here are a couple cards I made using some of the papers and stickers.. the one with the knotted ribbon is "spring-boarded" from one I saw on another blog.. the other is totally my idea!

Penny for your thoughts..

2008-04-09T19:25:00.000-07:00

I have had this stamp for years.. I think it was the first stamp I ever bought.. Used some scraps up to make this card.. Daisy D's and Creative Memories. offray ribbon, a little clear baggy and a penny.

Kindness..and Gratitude

2008-04-06T18:38:00.000-07:00

When I think of my children and what I want them to be and how I want them to live, "happy" is what I think and what all parents want for their children. However, more often than not the word that first comes to my mind is "kind". Of all the words I use to describe my four children, Kind is at the top of the list.. I feel so thankful and grateful that I can say without hesitation that each and every one of my children is kind to not just family and friends but to people they meet. This card I made using a piece of velum with clocks on it and behind it was a scrap of MME.. (My all time favorite papers!) USed the metal embellishment I found at the dollar store and a scrap of ribbon..

First Birthday..

2008-04-05T09:18:00.000-07:00

A good friend is here with me this weekend and she has twin great grandchildren.. They are celebrating their first birthday next week.. I made a card for each of them .. a boy and a girl.. Still need to tinker with the boy card, but here is the girl.. She has some pictures of them that were taken in a vintage setting.. Thought they were so cute.. so I made the card kind of like that.
Used some old Basic Grey paper from the Jack and Jill line, some hydrangea petals with pearls in the centers and printed the photo onto vellum.. aged some lace with chalk inks and then did a little sewing and inking and .. Voila!! this is Sarah's card.. I used a number one from a set of thickers that I got from American Crafts..

Sweet. Sweet Daisy,..

2008-03-29T16:43:00.000-07:00

My good friends little black pomeranian, Daisy, passed away very unexpectedly.. I had to make up a little album for her to put some of her precious photos in.. She was the sweetest little thing.. only weighed three pounds and they are so sad.. Used the Rainbow Bridge poem.. I just love that.

Finally, a couple of cards

2008-03-25T18:04:00.000-07:00

I think we are on our way to wellness! Patrick is still on antibiotics for the next three weeks, and will start physical therapy tomorrow. Hopefully that will help him get to using his arm..William has his wisdom teeth out today.. yukk..Another week of spring break and then I am so ready for everyone to get back to their routines.. they are too!
Had a super surprise the other day.. Got a neat box in the mail from American Crafts. It was full of ribbons, thickers, rub ons, paper and all kinds of goodies.. Used some of them on the flower card. I love the gathered ribbon.. makes great stems and leaves for flowers!

Needed a thank you card for one of Patrick's doctors.. Used the new MME papers. I so appreciated all the well wishes for Patrick... conveyed them all to him!

Been a rough week.

2008-03-16T18:55:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post.. I hope we are on the downslide here.. My little guy, Patrick who is 12 and has had his fair share of surgeries in his short little life, is again in the hospital.. To make it quick, he got up with a very sore shoulder last Sunday. He had done nothing to injure it.. Took him to the pediatrician on Monday who said just give him aleve.. Got home and didn't feel comfortable.. He was in too much pain.. so I called our wonderful orthopedic doc who got him in right away. he was concerned, but gave him pain medicine and said he would check with us the next day.. at least he did an xray but it showed nothing.. More pain for Patrick ..and this is from a kid who never complains so I knew something was wrong.. finally got an MRI done on Thursday and it looked pretty good.. but Friday.. terrible pain.. they admitted him and did an aspiration of his shoulder.. and voila! It was filled with horrible infected fluid.. lots of staph.. he had surgery on Saturday morning and is finally feeling a little better.. They are afraid there may be some infection in the bone and are doing some more tests tomorrow.. for now he is on lots of antibiotics.. hoping he comes home in the next few days.. I need sleep!! Keep him in your prayers..

Thanks!

Elaine

Susan G Komen - Race for the Cure

2008-03-09T19:31:00.001-07:00

The Race for the Cure will be in May this year, in Boise and I decided that I wanted to make something special for all my women friends.. This is it!! It is a fabric postcard that I made using the pink fabric with the pink ribbon on it.. I added some pink beads and put sparkle modge podge all around the edges.. It is hard to see but it has a pretty glittery edge! On the back I printed my favorite Cancer Quote.. Cancer is such a devastating disease and has touched several of my friends.. BUT.. cancer IS limited,,

Cancer is so limited...

It cannot cripple love
It cannot shatter hope
It cannot corrode faith
It cannot destroy peace
It cannot kill friendship
It cannot suppress memories
It cannot silence courage
It cannot invade the soul
It cannot steal eternal life
It cannot conquer the spirit.
Cancer is so limited

Friends..

2008-02-28T12:56:00.000-08:00

""God saw a tear and kissed it away with the smile of a friend" I have had the wonderful pleasure of having my best friend stay with me for the last five days.. She is 65 and I have known her since I was fourteen.. She comes and spends a few days with us every now and then.. my kids love her and my husband enjoys her visits too. We always get so much accomplished when she comes.. This time, we cleaned out closets, my scrapbook room and she LOVES to iron.. I hate it.. She HATES to cook.. I love to cook.. so I cook her wonderful meals and she irons for me.. we visit at the same time.. anyway, I had this MF vintage label and it just seemed perfect for a card for her.. She left this morning and I sure miss her already!!

We love chocolate chip cookies..

2008-02-23T08:48:00.000-08:00

and I love a challenge.. The kids and I watched Throwdown with Bobby Flay on the foodnetwork the other night.. He was doing chocolate chip cookies and the throwdown was with Levain Bakery in New York.. Their cookies looked so yummy the kids and I decided to make some, but no luck in finding the recipe.. We did find a blog where several people were trying to copy it and I think they were successful!! Made the Chocolate Chip Walnut cookies this morning. and My oh My!! These are not cookies for the faint of heart..Each one weights 4 ounces and are great big, fill your tummy cookies.. the kind where you almost need to share one with someone.. Some of these babies are going to making their way to the vet's office (need to run and get dog food for the diabetic dog!) the H3 Petfoods (need for for the "non-diabetic" dogs) and to the lady at the book mobile (she always saves me the newest books out by my favorite author!!) These cookies ought to keep me in good stead with all of them!! AND, I love sharing!! Give them a try, if you dare!!

Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
3 1/4 to 3 1/2 cups AP flour
3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 to 1/2 tsp baking soda
12 ounces (2 cups) chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate)
1 cup walnuts

Cream butter and sugars until just mixed.. Add eggs and dry ingredients.. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.. You may have to mix by hand.. Dough should not be real sticky.. Divide into 12- 4 ounce portions and bake at 350 for 23-25 minutes.. Don't overbake..

SNOW!!

2008-02-22T10:07:00.001-08:00

It has been beautiful here the last week.. 46 degrees and sunny. I even saw people wearing shorts.. and today.. I woke up to snow. as I sit here I see big white fluffy flakes coming down... and it is even sticking.. YUK.. I love the snow, but we have had so much of it this year that I am ready for it to be spring!! I made this springy looking card for my sweet sister.. Used some of my scraps of Wild Asparagus paper and a MF sticker.. not sure all the colors go together perfectly, but I needed to put that flower there!!

Gothic Arch Sunday!

2008-02-17T05:41:00.000-08:00

I am so pleased to have been asked to host Gothic Arch Sunday! I chose "Old School Days" as a theme and this is my take on it! Can't wait to see all the lovely arches you come up with.

Some oldies, but goodies..

2008-02-16T20:23:00.001-08:00

I was cleaning up my computer and found some cards I made several months ago. They are all favorites of mine..and I don't think I have posted them here yet!
The first is an address book I made as a teacher gift.. The second is made using a paperbag studios stamp and a paper bag as the base.. loved that look! The third and fourth I made using some vintage stickers I found.. I made a series of "life's simple pleasures" cards for my parents last year. one a week.. (well it started out that way, but ended up being more like one a month!!) I tried to make them using things they took simple pleasure in..

Happy Hearts Day!

2008-02-14T10:23:00.000-08:00

Not much happening here today. Making some heart sugar cookies for the kids.. I awoke to a beautiful vase of red roses!! What a nice treat.. and cards from husband and children..

While this ATC card wasn't specifically for Valentine's Day, it has a heart and I thought it was appropriate! It is for a swap I am in and the theme is "kitties". I found this image on my luna cd and just loved it.. I stamped and embossed the background in gold..printed the image and then sewed around it. took a little piece of lace and a sweet heart button and attached to the top.. In case you can't read the quote, it says " Miss Kitty--Dancing to the music in her heart"
Have a wonderful day with your loved ones!!

In Memory

2008-02-10T18:49:00.000-08:00

Four years ago today I lost my little brother. He was only 37. While time doesn't take the pain away, it does help ease it. I spent much of the day with my parents.. just visiting, doing everyday things..We all miss him so much still.. Dear Bruce, we miss you so.

A little card tonight

2008-01-30T20:00:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I don't mind making sympathy cards.. Sometimes I know that the person who died, embraced life and lived it with all the joy they could.. I found this poem and it just seemed to embody my young friends' grandmother.. She told me so many stories about her grandmother and while she was sad she would no longer be able to see her she was grateful that she was able to spend time with her last month and talk about the times they had spent together..she was able to say a final good-bye. and in the end isn't that what we would all like to be able to do? To say a final goodbye..

Snow Day!

2008-01-30T18:13:00.000-08:00

Yep, we had a real snow day today.. No school, at any of the schools.. the roads were just too icy.. The boys spent the morning outside with Tucker.. he LOVES the snow:
he loves to eat it, roll in it,
jump to catch snowballs but..
most of all he just loves being outside with the boys!!
We got eight inches.. which is lots for here!!
TUCKER!! he acts like a puppy but is going on 9 this year!!
I think most of you know I am a real animal lover.. I have
two goldens, a long haired doxie and a mini-pin. In light of that:

This is pretty simple... Please tell ten
friends to tell ten today! The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble
getting enough people to click on it daily to meet their quota of
getting free food donated every day to abused and neglected animals. It
takes less than a minute (How about 20 seconds) to go to their site and
click on the purple box 'fund food for animals' for free. This doesn't
cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of
daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange
for advertising.
Here's the web site! Pass it along to people you know

www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

If you have any reservations. please check it out at www.snopes.com/inboxer/ch...rescue.asp
they will let you know it is for real!! Thanks!!

Button Fairies..

2008-01-26T20:46:00.000-08:00

I just discovered the world of Button Fairies..you can see a tutorial on how to make them here at ArtChix Studio and of course I had to make one.. this is my very first one and I am quite happy with it..I stamped the image and then reduced it.. I find this image mesmerizing and have used it for many projects other than cards!! I have made five other bodies and have the faces drying with the diamond glaze on them. I couldn't wait to make this one--so no glaze on it yet.. I think I will put a pin back on this one.. used feathers for the wings.. and some odd beads I had.. I MUST find some vintage buttons.. went to the thrift store today, but no luck..!!

Friday, lovely Friday

2008-01-25T16:32:00.000-08:00

I love Fridays!! It means I can stay up late putzing, it means when I wake up at 3 a.m. I can turn on the light and read instead of worrying about falling back asleep!! It means that tomorrow morning after my feet hit that cold, cold kitchen floor because I have to get up at 6 to give my sweet little diabetic furbaby her shot and food (cause she is on a strict schedule) that I can go back to my warm cozy bed when we are finished.!! Such little things make me happy!!
No card to post today, but last night I made this sweet little valentine heart ornament for a swap.. The center is from a vintage hankie, then I backed it onto a piece of red felt that I cut with pinking shears.. another piece of white felt and then some pretty lace around the edges.. old white buttons all around and the icing on the cake are these amazing pink heart beads on the top.. another little rak from Janet!! They were in the package with all the other goodies and when I saw them I knew what I would use them for..It is such a dull day here, we had more snow.. it was hard to get a good photo! Now I must pack this up and mail it out to my swap partner!! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.. I am off to make Breakfast cookies...

Brrr.. like a deep freeze here!!

2008-01-23T14:21:00.000-08:00

Cold, cold, cold.. Did I mention cold? only 17 right now and it is 3 in the afternoon!! I am one that rarely even wears a coat in the winter.. just a heavy sweater, but I wore one today,, even gloves!! Have been giving the IRI reading test at the school and tomorrow will play secretary.. Havne't had much time to make anything, much less update my blog.. that is how it goes!! I do have a lovely Steak, Guinnes and Cheese Pie in the oven and the house smells delicious..like rosemary, mushrooms, onions and that yeasty smell of guinness.. It is a recipe from Jamie Oliver. I do like his recipes.. Here are a few cards I made last night.. They are just kind of blah.. but I was tired!! have some better ideas in my head today.. hopefully I can put them to paper tonight
On the top card, I used that sweet little flower ribbon.. a gift from Janet in England. She sent me a wonderful package of all kinds of goodies.. Thank You!! On the other, used my favorite Pooh punch and buttons and rick rack..

Tropical colors..

2008-01-02T17:46:00.001-08:00

I needed to catch up with my postcard swap, so today I made some cards. I am so totally tired of Christmas colors and vintage colors, that for a change I went bright...very bright. I am quite pleased with the outcome. Although I need to work on my overstitching on the edges.. not so happy with it.. I had some lovely tropical fish fabric that I cut the fish out of and some white silk. I painted the silk witht dyna-flow paints from Jacquard I was sent several bottles to try out and they do work wonderfully..I just applied the paint and went around the colors with black. Ahh, I just need a warm beach now.. I hope you all are keeping cozy and warm..

For a a New Year's Eve baby..

2007-12-31T20:50:00.001-08:00

My niece had a baby girl this morning.. I was thinking she might make it till midnight and have the first baby of the new year, but nope! This is a card I made for her.. working on another with a photo of the new little one.. Used some of my favorite WeRMEmory Keepers paper and old BG paper and one of about a gazillion round coasters I have in my stash, a baby pin and beads and a vintage MF tag.. oh and some pearls. Love these little pearls! A little stitching and some inking and it is finished. I should have waited until the morning and taken a good photo, but used the scanner instead.. easier!! Will deliver this tomorrow along with some little felt booties and burp cloths I made.. Love making baby cards!! Don't drink too much bubbly tonight! We have already been out for dinner and played games at my parents' house.. had a little bubbly with them and now we are home.. safe and sound before all the wacky traffic gets on the roads..

A whole month!!

2007-12-28T10:53:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it has been a month since I posted. All I can say is that December was a busy month for me and my family. I have enjoyed having my sister her fiance and my nephew here for Christmas but they are now back at their home and we are winding down.
I am one of those people who love the Christmas tree and decorations for a few weeks but am ready for them to come down as soon as Christmas day is over!! That being said my house is now decoration free and all clean and tidy to ring in the new year.
We have had quite a bit of snow here yesterday and today and it looks lovely outside. The kids and I are off to see The Waterhorse and pick up a few groceries.
My sister celebrated her birthday here and I made her this card. This has been the extent of my playing in my happy room for a few weeks. I hope to work in here tomorrow and have several ideas in my head! I hope you all enjoyed a lovely holiday with your families.. Oh!! Adelle and Trish please send me your addresses so I can post you something in the mail. You were the three that responded to my Pay it Forward post!!

Busy, Busy, Busy..

2007-11-29T10:47:00.000-08:00

It IS a busy time of year. I have been making little felt booties, burp cloths, felt cookies, felt tooth fairy pillows and lots of caramels!! all for a craft show I am doing at Patrick's school. I did finally have time to make this card. For a friend..image is from Paperbag Studios and I stamped it using Ancient Page ink.. used an old receipt in the background, a piece of old trim and a couple of old buttons. I want to get our Christmas lights up this weekend and hopefully a tree. I am definitely feeling the spirit now! Looking forward to all the carols, goodies and house decorations. HOpe you are all feeling the spirit too!

Pay it Forward

2007-11-26T18:27:00.000-08:00

PAY IT FORWARD : handcrafted gifts :)
I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay it forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.
So basically, if you comment, I’ll send you something crafty that I’ll make!
Once you sign up, copy and paste the above paragraph on your blog, and three other lucky people will be recipients of your handmade work.I found this at Barb's blog and really like the idea.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all! I have been so busy making things for gifts for Christmas I haven't had time to take pictures! I would love to send some of you a nice little something!

Mom!! quick come here..

2007-11-20T18:42:00.000-08:00

"heaven is shining in my room" Patrick, age eleven said to me yesterday morning. The sunrise was amazing and made his room look golden with the glow.
I walked out onto the porch and he was right.. Golden, everywhere we looked. So gorgeous that I had to take a picture.. But it was fleeting, within five minutes it was gone..I have had that thought a lot this weekend.. how fleeting things are. We had quite a time with our little Puck. She is our mini pin who is 12 years old. She hasn't been so well lately, drinking way too much water, losing so much weight and just sleeping.. after our visit to the vet Saturday we were told she was severely diabetic and going blind. We spent the weekend in tears and trying to decide what the best thing for her would be. Our vet also gave us insulin for me to give her as he said he couldn't leave her once she had been diagnosed. We pretty much decided Saturday night that it would be kindest to have her put down. We were all heartbroken. Then, Sunday night came.. Wow! what a difference three insulin shots made. It is like she has a new lease on life!! so we are going to treat her.. it means a very strict diet, a very strict routine and VERY regular exercise.. William and I are taking it on gladly.. it made my heart happy to see her today playing with Toby..so whether she has six months or a year, we will enjoy and love her. .I haven't created too much the last few days, but this picture was so beautiful that I wanted to share it with you all.. Thanks for listening to my ramblings..

Sparkle and Shine!

2007-11-11T11:24:00.000-08:00

I have a Mary Engelbreit craft book that shows different projects for the seasons. She had instructions on how to paint a pair of ice skates to hang outside your door.. Being the ME fan that I am I had to try them.. We are not a big ice skating state and so I asked my friend Jeannie (who lives in Minnesota; BIG skating place!) and she send me two pairs.. this little pair with the double blades and then an adult pair.. I am just thrilled with how they turned out! I just used acrylics and then put a coat of sparkle modge podge on them when dry. Laced with silver sparkly ribbon.. I should put some glitter on the blades , but it makes such a mess.!!

Harvest Moon..

2007-11-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

This is my interpretation of a Harvest Moon.. and isn't she cute? A fabric postcard.. I stamped the image (Tin Can Mail stamp) and then colored yellow. Used some sparkly silver net on top of black fabric and the bottom fabrics are shimmery.. Stitched with silver metallic thread.. Hard to see the detail.

Tiny Tootsies..

2007-11-06T07:58:00.000-08:00

My niece is having a baby in January.. a little girl.. so I made this little pair of felt crib shoes for her, along with a matching burp cloth and receiving blanket. Easy things to do while watching tv.. I have a hard time just sitting and watching tv, so if I have something to occupy my hands it is much easier!! These are easy to make and look so terribly sweet.. I embroidered the green leaves and sewed those little pearl beads on the top and sides. just lined them with some flannel that has tiny pink roses on it.. ahh... would love to have a baby to hold just now!! Have a wonderful day!

What would I do without her?

2007-11-05T18:46:00.000-08:00

Of course, I mean my mom.. when I was little she always used to tell my sister and I "No matter what happens, you always have your mother" and you know, she was right.. although I wouldn't have believed it at the time!! We cry, we have fun, we argue, but most of all we can laugh.. those belly laughs that leave you feeling exhausted, but oh so good! So this one is for her... for her birthday.
I used some Melissa Frances paper that I cut up, some Bazzill scallop paper and a rusty heart I found at the craft store and punched a hole in with my cropadile. Also a Maya Road chipboard flouish that I painted with a copper leafing pen. I am loving this feather stitch and also inked it up!! I think I need to start photographing my cards outside instead of scanning, they look so much better, but it is dark so early!!

Stars and Snowbanks..

2007-11-04T04:50:00.000-08:00

that was the look I was trying to achieve here with these fabric postcards. It is difficult to see the detail, I think. The background is pretty netting with silver stars on it.. I also used silver thread on it. It is so pretty and sparkly in real life!! Maybe I will try to take pictures outside instead of scanning them.. I think if you click on them you can see the detail so much better.. the fabric behind the star netting is acutally a pretty blue!

Nothing fancy here..

2007-11-02T06:37:00.000-07:00

My sweet, sweet dad's birthday is Monday.. I made him a couple of cards and this is just a funny and very simple one! The old man stamp is from River City Rubber Works the saying I found there also, but just typed myself.. I have to say this is a wonderful company.. Their service is super fast. I ordered some stamps on Wednesday and I had them on Thursday!! There are some hilarious stamps there and also some lovely vintage ones and I am not even a stamper.. I bought the postcard stamp to stamp the back of my fabric postcards.. Enjoy

Missing my paper..

2007-10-30T18:26:00.000-07:00

and I needed a card for my dad's birthday. I saw this ghost flower made with the sunflower on this yummy blog Scrapperlicious This lady does uses some gorgeous bright colors and lots of layering and shading.. I think I can learn lots from her! I used all scraps.. the music paper and gingham and brown bazzill.. I did buy the cheap sunflowers from Walmart and got the ghost clocks today. But I do think you could make your own clocks and just copy them onto a transparency. I used StaZon Timber Brown to stamp the dragon fly. The stamp came from my friend, Anna in Japan. Thanks Anna!

Here a chick, there a chick...

2007-10-26T20:07:00.000-07:00

Corny!!.. This is all I have to post today..a chicken fabric post card!! ( you can click on it to enlarge)I have been teaching quite a bit this week so haven't had time to play so much. Found this cute chicken fabric at Walmart tonight and wanted to use it..I used some little scraps of warm and natural for the eggies.. Also bought some of the varigated thread. It is soo pretty.. around the edges.. I gotta just keep making them..till I find the best way to do it and am happy with my work..so for now paper is on the back burner.. Since I joined this swap I am feeling just a little bit intimidated by the others. I am thinking they are hard core quilters and I am just not going to measure up!! The thought of sending something to someone that isn't just the best really bothers me..I gotta get over that!! Have a super weekend.. for me and my family, we will be getting the yard all pruned and ready for Winter.. supposed to be a nice mild weekend!!

Say say oh playmate..

2007-10-23T17:19:00.000-07:00

come out and play with me... that is the song I think of when I see Raggedy Anne and Andy. I finally finished the album I had to make .. 46 pages!! Whew! Now I can play with my fabric some more.. I do have to make a sympathy card also tonight.. This is the postcard I made this afternoon.
Not sure if you can tell that is a heart in the corner.. I still need to play some more.. it gets a little easier with each one..

Fun new hobby!!

2007-10-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

Along with teaching a couple days a week, working on scrapbooks for a client, doing all those household things that need to be done and taking care of the four furbabies and two boys I have joined a Fabric Postcard group.. Not only that, I kind of volunteered to set it up.. I think the majority of the work in setting it up is over.. I think it will be AMAZING>. there are 23 ladies from all over the world.. We have committed to a one year time frame and will send out two postcards a month.. Since I just started this new hobby I hope I can keep up with them. some of them sound like awesome quilters.. Here are two more cards I have been practicing on.
One is a Santa that I pieced.. think I need a plainer fabric in the background. The other uses my favorite mary engelbreit fabric.. with pieced cherries on it and felt leaves and stems..

Fairies and Fabric..

2007-10-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

My mom loves her garden and I wanted to make a special card for her.. Another fabric postcard..Printed the image and sentiment onto muslin then stitched them down.. I wanted to ink it a little, but resisted the urge. I think all the stitching makes enough contrast to the fabric..hmm.. but I STILL want to ink it.. maybe the next one!

Fabric Postcards!!

2007-10-14T19:36:00.001-07:00

I have discovered a new addiction! These little works of art are just so fun to do.. and you can incorporate stamping, sewing and inking into them..This is my first one and I just love it.. Playing with the fabric is like playing with paper. I am going to try and make them for Christmas instead of Christmas cards this year. I have some wonderful vintage Santas and Snowmen that I want to use. Here is where you can find a marvelous tutorial on how to make them.. It is really simple..and you don't need too many supplies to make them.. I should have taken a little more time with my stitching and also changed the bobbin to match the thread, but patience never was one of my virtues.. just too impatient to see how it would look.. I think I need to work on the edge sewing as well! But it has been such a nice change to do this.. I started to put my name on the back as I am sending to a friend but then thought I should post this before I do that! I used Ancient page brown ink to stamp with.. I can just see so many possibilities for these!!

A sad day for my friend..

2007-10-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

I got word the other day that my friend Julie, in Nova Scotia lost her boyfriend (he was so much more than that) to cancer. While it was not unexpected for her, a loss like that must still be so heart wrenching. My thoughts are with her and Debbie and all the family.. I am making sympathy cards and this is one I made today. This poem just touches my heart.

Goblins, Ghoulies and Ghosties..

2007-10-07T13:24:00.000-07:00

It is another glorious day here in the Northwest..Sunny, a little breezy and cool! Definitely starting to think about Halloween.. I am in a Halloween themed postcard swap and I needed to make a postcard that would go through the mail.. Well, I do hope this one will! I secured everything REALLY well! I had some leftover osnaburg fabric (a little like linen) and decided to print my image onto it.. Also used a cross stitch font and printed the saying.. for some reason the photo looks like the fabric is wrinkled and dirty and it really isnt!! I added a smidgeon of rick rack and stitched it all around.. soo.. do ya think the mail people will take this? I hope so..
The second card I made I also printed the image and sentiment onto the fabric.. sewed that onto a piece of felt to make it "cushy"! added some mini rick rack and some vintage buttons..It too will be going out in the mail tomorrow..

Another one today!!

2007-10-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

Heavens, not sure what got into me today, but I was like a maniac cleaning this morning and then went off and taught this afternoon.. Freshman at my sons high school. Loved them.. They are quite the characters... Anyway, I came home and finished up this card I was working on last night. Used some cheery paper from Daisy D's and red dot paper from MM. The pretty flower is Bazzill and the gingham brad is MM too. Sending this to my sister in Albuquerque (who, does not read my blog!)
Hope it makes her smile.What would we do without our sisters? Wanted to share this recipe. I am making it again tonight.Capellini Pomodoro. We are having it tonight with this yummy bread. No-Knead Bread If you click on this, you will see the video that shows you how to make it.. It is too easy not to try! So Here is my recipe for the Pomordoro.. great for using up your garden tomatoes..

1 lb. thin spaghetti
28 oz can of Whole tomatoes or fresh from the garden tomatoes
2 cloves of garlic, minced
12 basil leaves
Parmesan Cheese
Olive Oil
Black Pepper and Salt

Splash some olive oil into your skillet,, add the garlic and just saute lightly. Add the tomatoes in their juice.. crush up and let simmer for about ten minutes.. Meanwhile, cook the pasta.. Add the basil leaves that you have cut into ribbons to the tomatoes.. After pasta is done, drain and add to sauce..Salt and Pepper to taste.. Put parmesan on top.. Easy and Yummy!!

Publish Post

Tag, you're it...

2007-10-03T06:25:00.000-07:00

I suppose Anne has tagged me! I am posting a Christmas Tag. I used a kraft tag that I covered with Melissa Frances paper, then embossed in gold with a music stamp from All Night Media. Put lots of buttons on the end and added the gold ribbons. There weren't any directions, but after looking at Anne's blog, I think I know what to do!!

4 Places I have worked:
In McDermitt, Nevada on an Indian reservation.. My third and fourth years of teaching.. and it was quite an experience!
In a trailer manufacturing company, my first job and it was hard work!!
St. Mary's, Sacred Heart and St. Nicholas--All Catholic schools! Wonderful experiences!
At HOMe!! I love being a SAHM and love seeing my little house coming to order when I clean and putter around. I do partime sub work as well and like the variety of children I see!

4 Places I have lived
Andover, England- Born there- my mom is English.
California- Only loved that because of Disney!
Idaho- Most of my adult life..
France- As a three and four year old I went to nursery school there!

4 Favorite Foods
Bread-Rustic, old world breads!
Pasta Pomodoro
Maltesers -A delightfully light, crispy, malty, chocolate creation!
My mom's Christmas pudding

4 Places I would rather be
Nova Scotia- visiting my lovely Canadian friends
England- visiting family and friends
Hawaii- watching for whales
Disneyworld!!

Ok, that is it for me.. I will tag Debbie and Selena .

Cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon..

2007-10-02T15:12:00.000-07:00

that is what my house smells like right now.. The boys asked me to bake some cookies and pumpkin seemed the logical choice.. Put lots of yummy fall spices in them.. then a little caramel frosting on the top.. I don't suppose they will last long around here!
I must start doing something different with my cards.. I promise this is the last "printed on felt, dick and jane, schoolish" card. I just wanted to use up the scraps I had and this image I had printed awhile back. Also needed a thank you card for a teacher..I also sewed the tag onto a piece of felt and pinked the edges.. then fixed it onto the card with a black gingham cloth brad from MM.
It is another lovely fall day.. Windy and sunny, but cool. Still haven't turned the furnace on, but we have put the gas fireplace on a time or two. I have my flannel sheets back on the bed though! Definitely soup and stew weather now. Hope you are having a lovely fall day as well!

Friends near and far..

2007-09-28T06:21:00.000-07:00

With the computer, faxes and emails, I think old fashioned cards and letters have become even more important. I just love receiving a card in the mail. Something that tells me someone has been thinking of me and has taken the time to write a card or letter, put a stamp on it and put it in a mailbox. I know that these things don't take that much time, but it definitely takes more time to do that than just dash off an email. And while emails make it even easier to keep in touch, it is just nice once in awhile, to have something to hold in our hands that someone who cares about us, has taken the time to send. I was thinking of a friend yesterday and just wanted to take the time to make a card for her.. Rusty Pickle paper is one of my favorites and the Bazzill scalloped edge cardstock. I used the Bow-Easy that a friend gave me.. It makes bows perfectly.. Happy Friday everyone!

My little arch..

2007-09-23T18:25:00.000-07:00

I am just a fan of little old fashioned children and this Rusty Pickle paper is just precious. I have been holding onto some scraps of this for awhile just hoping I would be able to use it and ..Voila!
Used a little scrap of twill along the bottom with some tiny precious little buttons. At the top is a metal filigree oval with some copper brads securing it. I stitched a piece of cream felt between the two layers and then pinked the edges. The paper behind the children is a piece of handmade paper that was embossed that I inked over. It will go off in the mail tomorrow! Thanks for looking!

Pretty, Pink Gothic Arch

2007-09-23T14:08:00.000-07:00

I am in a Gothic Arch swap in a private group I belong to. This is the arch I received in my mailbox yesterday..from Linda I am just in awe of it!! I love the pink and gray together and the quote so speaks to me.. I am new to arches and am working on my first one now! Hopefully I can post it later today..
It is a crisp fall day here. Rained last night and it is cloudy and windy out now.. The house smells deliciously of a roast cooking.. I also baked some bread this morning. I hear tell that this "No Knead Bread" recipe has been around for at least a few months since it came out in the New York Times.. BUT, it is new to me.. It has to be the easiest bread I have ever made..A rustic bread with a light chewy interior and a crisp crust. Anyone can make this..Trust me!! If you are interested, check out the blog for a tutorial with adorable photos!!

Remember S&H stamps??

2007-09-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

A good friend was cleaning out drawers and found lots of odds and ends. Among them were some old S&H green stamp books. She sent them to me knowing I love old stuff! I found a wonderful use for one of the pages this morning.. Another good online friend has been very ill. We were in recipe swaps together and share a passion for cooking. I made this card for her using an S&H page, MF vintage stamp and a little felt square I printed on. Added a piece of rick rack and a few buttons. I hope it cheers her up.

Itty, Bitty little card..

2007-09-18T16:19:00.001-07:00

This is a little 3 x 3 card I made for a swap I am in. The image is one I got from my friend Anna, quite awhile ago. She is an amazing card maker.. She always inspired me and I can't wait until she is creating cards again.. She has quite a talent using vintage "things". This image was from an old baby book.
I know it looks fuzzy, but that is because I printed it onto felt. It feels all warm and soft, just like a baby! I used Crate Paper's Busy Bee line for the base and one of the little stamps from Michael's for the sentiment. A small white button finished it off along with the stitching and inking.

This stamp is so sweet and sentimental to me..

2007-09-17T18:58:00.000-07:00

I made this card quite a few months ago, but have never had it on my blog.. It so reminds me of my oldest daughter when she was about six years old(she is 23 now!) Anyway, I have been so terribly busy lately that ideas are just swirling in my head.. I hope to have some time by the end of the week to create. I kind of like it when this happens because when I finally DO sit down I can just create for days! So.. this stamp is from Paperbag Studios and I wanted to use a paperbag as the base for the card. I stamped the image using navy ink onto some blue ticking paper. Covered a chipboard corner with red paper, printed the word onto a scrap of cardstock and then stitched it all onto a paperbag I had folded and inked it up well. Added the flower and red gingham brad. Voila.. a true "Paperbag" card. I haven't used these stamps for quite some time.. Think I need to get them out.. Thanks for visiting..

ATC's...

2007-09-13T18:48:00.001-07:00

I like ATC's, but I don't know lots about them. I joined a couple of swaps and these are what I did. The first was an "In the Garden" ATC and since I just love little garden gnomes, this seemed appropriated. I printed him onto canvas and used some Daisy D's paper in the background, a Prima leaf and also stamped a flourish. Of course, I had to ink it and stitch on it. I had this cute little frog stamp and used it on the back. The second ATC I made nine of in half an hour!! Literally!! I had totally fogotten about the swap and when I was gently reminded, I whipped through my craft room and came up with this. You had to use a barcode and one main color along with black. My favorite color is yellow and I like this quote.. The silver embossing just sounded good.. Stamped the background with a music stamp using white ink. Thanks!!

I am pretty fond of Disney too...

2007-09-11T12:24:00.000-07:00

Have been since I was a little girl and I guess I just never outgrew the wonder. It still amazes me when I walk into The Magic Kingdom at WDW that such a place can make me feel so happy. I know many people think it it just total commercialization and maybe, in a sense, it is. However, Disney also has the capacity to take all people ( adults and children) to a special magical place where you just forget everything else and enjoy yourself. That's my take on it!! And yes, I definitely cry at the soppy Disney commercials. Love them!! So, I found a box of vintage Disney stickers that I bought a few years ago. On this particular trip I met up with an online friend for the first time. Both she and her husband were the first time. Both she and her husband were delightful people and we both bought a box of these stickers. Using this Dumbo one reminded me of the wonderful time I and my son and mom had with them (are you out there, Paula?) This quote is also a quote from Walt Disney.. Could there be anything more appropriate.
Hmm.... I think I am getting the urge to plan a trip... Have a Magical Day!!

I LOVE to read....

2007-09-06T18:50:00.001-07:00

in fact, I need to have at least three books on my nightstand ready and waiting.!I just finished a wonderful book by Anita Shreve, Fortune Rocks. Tonight I am starting a new book by Anne Rivers Siddons. Outer Banks. I am extremely lucky that my children love to read also and we all enjoy trips to the library. I just can't imagine not enjoying it.. Since I was born in England and began school there at the age of four, I learned to read at an early age. ( I remember my first books were the Noddy series ( I still have them) and Enid Blyton books. so....what does this have to do with my blog?? I am in a bookmark swap and want to post the bookmark that I made. The Dick and Jane primer illustrations are wonderful and so I chose one to print onto felt. I also used Rusty Pickle school paper, black rick rack and some alphabet twill and the top twill is more like a tape.. Found an old red metal button and sewed it onto the top..I so wanted to add more "stuff" to it, but knew it wouldn't work so well as a bookmark if I did!! All this is stitched onto a kraft tag. So what books have you read lately? I am always looking for some new titles..

Two Posts in One day!!

2007-09-03T09:59:00.000-07:00

I totally forgot!! I wanted to show you the neat little Christmas Countdown Clipboard I made. I used a dollar clipboard from Walmart , some scraps of christmas paper, felt and some washers and magnets!! Voila!! a countdown calender for the school auction! Now I am off to pick a huge bunch of glorious basil from my garden. That along with the fresh garden tomatoes will make a wonderful pasta salad for lunch today.

Happy Labor Day!

2007-09-03T09:32:00.000-07:00

I really should be "laboring" at my house.. It needs a good cleaning, but I decided to wait until tomorrow when everyone is gone.. So much easier to clean when there is no one here!!
Haven't gotten much paper crafting done lately, just been making more little booties.. I love them. There is something about holding that finished pair in your hands. Just so sweet.. I have added burb cloths to make a cute ensemble. This little pink and white pair, I decided to line with flannel.. Found some vintage looking pink and green flower flannel at Joannes. The blue pair I lined with yellow and blue dot flannel, then found some adorable pooh flannel. I have at least ten pairs cut out!! Ok, enough of booties..

The Felt is flying around here!

2007-08-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

and it isn't going on cards! I have discovered a new fun activity that I can do while I am waiting for kids, or at the doctor's office or anywhere for that matter. It tucks nicely into a little bag and I can just take it out whenever I have a minute to spare.. I was inspired by an old acquaintance. You must visit her blog.. Old School Acres.
She makes the most amazing things from felt! I went out hunting and found some wonderful colors of real wool felt and some sweet little embellishments from my stash that work wonderfully on these little tiny things.. With each pair I make, not only does it become easier, but they look nicer. The yellow and blue pair were my first ones and then the little yellow ones with the pink flowers. Made the red ones last night and lined with a cozy flannel. Patrick (my eleven year old) said he thought they would be nice to wear in the winter and could I maybe make him a pair!
Hope you all have a super day!

Thanks, Debby for the cute disney tag!!

2007-08-26T11:48:00.001-07:00

Hope you like the tags I made for each of you.. I tried to do something that reminded me of each of you..Here is the original "tag post" from Debby's blog..

The tag goes like this: Write 8 of your blog friends names in a unique way and post them. Then come back over and let me know. You must write the blogger's name that tagged you.

I really truly believe that..

2007-08-24T07:15:00.001-07:00

fall is finally on its way. It is crisp in the mornings now and Patrick even wore a sweatshirt this morning..Of course we do have to leave the house at 7 in order for him to get to his school on time! It will be a long year with all this commuting but well worth it! We just love our charter school. Oh well, this is his last year there! The first card I have posted is one I made for my older son to give to an 80 year old lady he plays Mahjonn with. If you don't know what this is, it is an old Chinese game that uses tiles and lots of patience and memory! Perfect for him! My mom plays and he wanted to learn so she taught him.. The only problem is, there aren't that many people that play it around her. She plays with a group of ladies and she is the youngest at 72! No matter, he has played with them all summer and his friends think it is a hoot! All the old ladies love him and loved the card. I hate to tell you the inside sentiment (his choice) "It is so Awesome you aren't dead yet" He assured me that she would love it.they all thought it was hilarious!!

The second card is for a challenge I posted over on another site. The challenge was to use felt in some way. I have been using felt now for quite awhile and love the softness it gives a card. It also adds dimension and texture. Love to pink the edges and sew on it too! I used an image from the net and printed it onto the felt then just sewed around the edges. Hope you can find some felt and make a felt card today!

It 's Back to school time!

2007-08-11T17:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I have to say that I am glad it is time for school to start.. so are my boys! As I have said before I really don't like summer. at all!! It has been so hot for so long now that it is nice the mornings are starting to be cool. Love to sit out on my patio in the morning with my cup of tea and look at my pretty rose bushes.. Patrick's school always has a "Back to School" fundraiser and I, of course, always get asked to make something. This year I made one of my "Teacher Survival Kits" I used the same Daisy D's paper (LOVE that vintage school paper), but this time I also used some felt and tags and rick rack. I really like how this turned out and I hope it nets lots of money! My picture taking skills leave lots to be desired, as does my patience when taking pictures, but I wanted to show you the tin itself. I used a Provo Craft lunch box and filled it with lots of little necessities..with a matching poem to go with each one. Skittle, Hugs and Kisses, a rubber band, an eraser, some marbles, lifesavers, a puzzle piece and finally a piece of string..
The boys and I saw the new Rush Hour movie today and it didn't disappoint.. FUNNY!! Now, I am off to the kitchen to make spaghetti for dinner and whip up a chocolate zuchinni cake.. The cake is by special request! It is the easiest recipe and yummy to boot! Have a wonderful Saturday evening,,whatever you are doing!

2007-08-09T07:10:00.001-07:00

Since my muse has been away (visiting who knows who!!) and I have just been purging and organizing, I decided to post some of the cards that I made a while back.. I started these "Life's Simple Pleasures" cards for my parents last summer. I made them file folder style and gave them a box to keep them in. This was the first one. They so enjoy spending time with Patrick that I thought it would be appropriate! Making the cards also made me think about the little pleasures in life that I so often forget to appreciate.
The number two card were some photos from their garden.

One more thing.....

2007-08-06T15:44:00.000-07:00

I just have to share one more picture with you all.. This is my most devoted scrapping companion.. He listens to my complaining at all hours.. is with me no matter what time I am here.. early or late. I can't get him to go to bed alone... and I just love feeling him at my feet when I am working.. never talks back, never asks for anything, except hugs and a walk each day..what more could a person want in a scrap companion??

Organize, Organize, Organize!!

2007-08-06T15:06:00.001-07:00

Yep, that is what I have been doing for the last few days. .. and I am still not finished! But I wanted to share a couple of things that I HAVE accomplished.. DH made me a copy of the "behind-the-door" punch hanger that I saw on this blog: http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/ It isn't exactly the same, but very similar. I just bought a piece of molding and painted it with some of the leftover paint that I used on the guest room.
Then put the four cafe rods on it.. then we attached it to the door. It works perfectly and the punches don't fall off! Now, I just need to get the rest of the big punches! Just waiting for a sale. The rest of my punches I store in the drawer of a cart.. The second idea I got from her was the candy jars from Walmart! I had my ribbon in quart canning jars, but liked the idea of the candy jars much better. I ran right down and bought them out! Six jars and 120 clothes pins later...voila! These are shelves that are inside the closet. The button holder is underneath my most favorite picture. It is a Mary Engelbreit print that I bought several years ago and framed. That was one of my first picture projects. I used red polka dot fabric to cover the mat. Sorry there is so much glare on the photo.. The button holder underneath, I just love.. I bought the set of six plastic Making Memories jars and put them into this little rack that I had. Used some old prima bottles for the black and white and clear buttons.. All the extras are in a HUGE jar, that looks nice just sitting on top of my hutch. There you have it.. my little accomplisments for the last few days. (that is in addtion to the umpteen loads of laundry, they wonderful meals I have cooked and the bread I have baked.. oh, and lest I forget, the yummy coconut cake! I hope to have the rest of my room looking happy by tonight!!

Finally Cooling Off!

2007-07-30T16:29:00.000-07:00

We finally got a little cooler.. only 90 today.. and yes, it does seem cooler even though that is still pretty warm.. My sweet husband made me a door hanger for my punches. I LOVE it.. I painted it a pretty sage green since that is the color my room will be, eventually. When he gets home tonight he will put it on the door and I will post a pic. Today I finished getting all my ribbons put on spools and into the candy jars . They look better than the canning jars I had them in.. I tell ya, I have too much ribbon!! Can a person have too much of that??
The only paper crafting I have done so far today, is to finish my two recipes, but I just love them.. The paper for the corn casserole is so cheery! Reminds me of Mary Engelbreit, whose work I just enjoy so much. The papers for the Toffee Bars is a little retro and fun too!!

It was a hot, hot day in July..

2007-07-27T16:19:00.001-07:00

that is how that song by Raffi starts out.. you know,, Five green and speckled frogs"! Too much nostalgia around here this week with three of my "babies" having birthdays... In addition to William turning 16, Sarah is now 19 and Emily will be 23 tomorrow.. Where did all those wonderful years go?
So, it was HOT today.. and has been for weeks.. I swear we haven't been below 100 for a high in ages.. 103 today.. Thank goodness for central air conditioning.. I am SO not a summer person.. Never have been. I think Spring would be my favorite season, if I didn't know that summer would be right after it, so I suppose winter is the season for me.. Love the snow falling and being inside and playing with my paper and scissors.. ahh.. I can dream, can't I? School starts in two and half weeks for my little guy and then I will be able to see fall and winter not too far away..
Even though it was hot today I baked bread..Red River Cereal Bread. Dinner tonight will be farm fresh corn on the cob, fresh vine tomatoes and beets I pickled yesterday. Of course, fresh bread too! Easy, but yummy!
I am in a recipe swap and am three recipes behind, so I did get busy today and make one of them.. Cheese Straws are nice and easy to make and go well with a glass of wine! I just used up some scraps of Daisy D's paper and stitched a little on them. Then put a little ribbon on the bottom..
I will be alone tonight and plan to spend all the time trying to organize my little room some more.. I saw this amazing scrapping room: http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/ and want to get to Home Depot tomorrow to get the shelving to make a start on my own little space. We are going to start with the closet. Probably won't do everything identical, but there are some wonderful ideas here! That is it for me today! Off to organize and play with my papers!

A Special day tomorrow....

2007-07-25T21:02:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow my oldest boy will be 16..I have been sitting here tonight making his birthday card and just thinking back over the past years.. He has been a blessing from the day he was born...always sweet, always gentle and always kind.. He has turned into a fine young man that I am so proud to call "son". I want to post my very favorite picture of him. It was taken when he was just four years old.. to me he looks wise beyond his years in this photo.. Will post his card tomorrow.. after he has seen it!!

Some Patriotic Cards from me!

2007-07-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

A Little Red, White and Blue!!

I am home again and phew!! it feels good. There is nothing like a relaxing and fun vacation, but it is always good to come home to your own bed and home..
The first card uses a panel from The Vintage Workshop. I stitched it onto some of my favorite Creative Imaginations, Fresh Anthology paper and then added some ribbons, buttons and rick rack.

To make the second card I used a coffee filter and more of the Fresh Anthology paper in red, some rick rack and then stitching! I have two filters together and a little tag that pulls out from between them..

I've been Tagged!

2007-07-20T15:59:00.000-07:00

I just been tagged for the first time.. hmm.. seven facts about me.

1. I have four furbabies that I adore..Molly, Tucker, Puck and Toby.. two golden retrievers, a mini pin and a long haired dachshound. (Oh, and two kitties!)
2. One of my friends who I consider a "best" I met online a year ago.. Feel like I have known her forever.
3. I was born in England and lived there until the age of ten.
4. If I my husband and I were twenty years younger and didn't have family where we live now, I would love to move to the Oregon Coast.
5. I am deathly afraid of snakes..
6. I have a real thing about clean hands and keeping them washed.
7. I have terribly ugly feet!

2007-07-20T07:06:00.001-07:00

Thanks, Debby for nominating me for "Rockin' Blogger Girl"!!

Last Day in Nova Scotia

2007-07-20T05:42:00.000-07:00

We are determined to get lots of creating done today and I am on a roll so far.. I just love how this little boat card turned out and wanted to share it..The paper that looks like newsprint is actually a piece of waxy paper that was holding our breakfast at the restaurant yesterday!! I saw that and my mind said "card material"!! We asked the waitress if we could have a sheet and she gave us a ton.. I am seeing some recipe cards made with this in the near future!

The Christmas card I made to use the minnie mouse I cut out for another purpose that didn't work out.. and the Thank you card is my idea of a simple card. I want to submit some cards but think that simple is the way to go there.. doesn't really look finished to me but what the heck.. will give it a try!
Just finished making bread under Debbie's watchful eyes.. Can't wait to get home tomorrow and try making this Red River Cereal bread for my family.. Have a super day all..

It was a foggy, foggy day...

2007-07-19T15:25:00.001-07:00

but a beautiful day on the ocean, nonetheless. The first photo is taken in Nova Scotia along Shelburne's historic waterfront. The hanging baskets are just luscious and full. This street is full of historic buildings that were used in the filming of "The Scarlett Letter" The second photo is of the lighthouse on McNutt's Island. While is was foggy, it was kind of neat in that it gave an ethereal appearance to the lighthouse. I almost felt like you could walk right through it or could imagine someone walking out from it. It was an amazing day and we were all exhausted by the end of it.. Lots of that lovely fresh, salty air!! Two more days left here and then home to my family and the dreaded heat!!

Row, row, row your..

2007-07-18T04:11:00.000-07:00

boat.. today I am having an adventure on a lobster boat..going for a "three hour tour". Only three more days of this lovely little scrapping vacation of mine.. and I have loved every minute of it, but am missing my family just a wee bit. Here is a card I made while here. Used the cricut machine. Just loving these little baby clothes.. makes me want to cuddle a little one..sigh..This Creative Narratives paper is just delish.. love the scalloped edges. and the Tres Jolie papers are just as sweet as can be.
The other card must have come from my thinking about boats!! Also used the cricut to cut the boat out and then stitched it on..Have a lovely day everyone.. I am off to sail away!!

Oh, Baby...

2007-07-17T14:02:00.001-07:00

Just love the delicate and fresh colors and textures for baby cards.. Since I am on this lovely little vacation in beautiful Nova Scotia and my host has the amazing Cricut, I decided to try it out.. It is a fun little machine. along with her sewing machine I have such fun! Here is an elephant card using Tres Jolie papers, dollar store rubons and some fun scalloped edge Bazzill. Isn't she cute with her little bows? Then I made the little boy elephant using Making Memories, Fresh Narratives and this sweet little tag I found at the dollar store.. added the little red tongue and that's it!!

I am a Blogger!!

2007-07-17T13:17:00.000-07:00

Have been asked by several people about my "blog". What "blog" say I?? "What?", "you don't have a blog?". Now I can reply in the affirmative and say "YES, I have a blog"

With a little help from my friend Debbie,I have "Aged to Perfection:. I love to make cards and alter things, but to me they just aren't complete without some ink around the ages and a little bit of "tatter" and/or ripping or a little "found" object with a bit of stitching.. they need to be "aged to perfection"