saying goodbye

We said farewell to our beloved Jessie last night. She was somewhere around 11, don't know for certain, we rescued her in 2001. Oh, the love and devotion she had given us all these years. So many memories to cherish and recall when the 'missing' kicks in. Already no heavy footfalls behind me in the kitchen meaning: it's morning time for chow. No climbing up in my dear husbands lap while we read the newspaper and have our coffee. No paw reaching up to tap my leg, "hey, pay attention" to me. . Thank you, my sweet big kitty for all the joy you brought us. And Father God, you who created all things, wherever she is, I know it is so much more than here. It's been a season of goodbyes for our family the end of this year. Hope springs eternal, life continues, and forever the best parts remain in our hearts.

Our hope

I write this post being uncertain as to how I will reenter this blogging world. Thanks in advance for hanging with me! Many of you know my beloved Mother in LOVE was called home to heaven in September. On my birthday even. It was a sudden illness and she never regained consciousness. Her medical directive made it clear there would be no heroics. And so when the basics of life, breath and hydration, could no longer be sustained on her own, we prepared our hearts for separation. The elders of her church were called to the CICU along with family and friends. We surrounded her bed, praying, speaking remembrances, reading scriptures, and most of all, singing old hymns. Once the machines were turned off, it was just a matter of minutes that this worn out earthly body could continue to support the breath of life given to her so long ago. I praise our God that HIS plan is perfect and that his angels carried her soul that night. I stoked her beautiful face so soft and radiant, her hair so silvery (wisdom) perfect even with bedhead!and whispered how pretty she was even after all the invasive equipment.

And so with all the details of dismantling (my dear husbands' word) her life, it's taken me this long to feel ready to create again. I was blessed to make a video montage of Bette's life in pictures (when I figure out how to embed a copy, I will post it here). Both my sons were in on the effort, with Andy scanning all my many choices of photographs and Sam selecting the music that would be so important to the theme of her life. I felt happy in going through all the photo albums, shoe boxes, and picture frames to select the images that would tell the story of her life.

When it was presented at the memorial, it brought together a diverse group of people with Bette the center story of every thought.

I share all this and today's Color Challenge on Splitcoast for it is just a few days until we honor the reason for our hope, our gift. May you have the merriest of Christmases this year.

Happiness is...

made to be shared! It's Monday all, I still feel well and that makes me so very happy.

The sun's shining on a lovely autumn afternoon. And I had a chance to combine challenges

for a card for the 365 Card Blog and Card Patterns. It was make a mosaic and the sketch

over at CP. I still love Basic Grey's Urban Prairie and thought it would look great in the

mosaic. I used a Marvey 3/4 inch for the squares. The sentiment is part of a group of

rub-ons from K&Co's Cut N Paste group. I love all the scrolls. The base is Basic Grey black,

I used the shell embossing folder on the end with the hydrangea petals.

Thanks so much for taking a peak. Have a wonderful turn of the globe no matter where you are!

Not quite sure how the type got so funky...so sorry!

dawn...

Happy Sunday dear cyber pals! I am finally feeling better...after three weekends of every kind of cold symptom...today dawned with a feeling of wellness. I am so glad and couldn't resist the 365 Card Blog's Sketchy Sunday challenge. I don't do sketches very often...it is my greatest challenge, but if you follow Pam, you've probably already noticed very well thought out sketches! This one is no exception. I admit in advance that I took artistic license with this one. but love the overall shape!

Keeping the oval shapes going, I decided to use one of a set of 8 doors I received as a Christmas gift last year from my first cyber gal pal, Amy. We happen to share a love of architectural elements and have had a blast trying '2 1up' each other in the gifty part. So I've searched out all kinds of sentiments related to doors to go along with my divine door selection . This Emily Dickinson quote "Not Knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door" is a sentiment from I Brake for Stamps. I used the Memory Box Butterfield papers, Memento Tuxedo Black,

Rhubarb, and Rich Cocoa inks. I soften the edges with ChalkBox Creamy Brown and Dark Brown. The buttons are die-cuts from K&Co that I embossed with clear ep for dimension.

technology

The 365 Card Blog issued a very interesting challenge today: technology. I must admit that I took it literally. And racked my brain for how I could combine the Ways to Use It (red) over on SCS with a post to the Artistic Outpost Blog. So this is what I did...using PhotoShop Elements, I colored part of my little yellow truck red. This makes the Ways to Use It challenge with the 'paint' job and the technology of PSE qualifies for the 365 Card challenge. Now if you want to see the original, just hop over to the AO Blog.

It is amazing what can be done with the computer, I know enough to 'hurt' myself! Have a happy Friday eve, all!!!

Leave the everyday

It's another Wednesday and that means, Gingham Girls' Word of the Week challenge! The word is windstorm. I've had this adorable little girl from Stamp Francisco since the new year (a huge Christmas set of images) waiting for the perfect opportunity. I think she fits in with windstorm...I know in the fall in the Pacific Northwest we have what Thornton Burgess called the 'merry little breezes' in Old Mother West Wind. I paper pieced her coat and hat (adding black flock to the hat). The rest of the image is colored with Copics. I used Basic Grey's Mellow paper group. The layout is from the sketch challenge on Splitcoast today: SC245.

So how's the week going? Our family is still feeling the lingering cold and getting back into the routine of schooling. Today I sat in on Andy's Entrepreneurship class and then on the way home, we stopped off at a new place close to our homeschool resource center called SNOW MIRACLE...it is amazing, just like eating frozen cotton candy! We decided to eat dessert first and sampled the mango and grape flavors. Awesome!

Be good...

and if you can't be good, be STYLISH! Inkadinkadoo's Kid's Quotes Stamps. How can anyone resist these sentiments? I've had this one for a bit, waiting patiently to use it at just the proper moment. Well, today's Inspiration Challenge on SCS was all about handbags (high end ones at that!) I must say I loved every minute perusing the gorgeous bags. It was this one that inspired me. And a big thank you to Chrissie for your beautiful work with Chris Dark's digital images.

The 365 Card Challenge is to add a charm to your card. I added a brass bow to my tag. During one of my wonderful summer yard sale finds, I came across a container of 25 tiny brass charms which I knew would come in handy. For this one, I coated it with VersaMark and embossed it with glossy black embossing powder. I used paper thread to tie it to the ribbon. The purse was printed out on GP white cs and colored with Copics. I added micro beads to the fancy trim. The buckle has a rhinestone enclosure and edged with a Sakura gel pen. The tag was made with a Making Memories template with PTI spring moss. The sentiment is embossed with clear ep and pulls out to reveal "the rest of the story". I used Basic Grey's Sultry group, "Vogue" for the background. The darker mat is PTI smokey grey.

Have a delish weekend...and labor not my American pals!!!

I have loved...

the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night~~~Galileo.

Here's my take on the ICS September 09 DT call. Anyone can submit until September 18th. Check it out.

I used Cornish Heritage Farms 'Reach for the Stars' set and the Astronomy scrapblock to create my card. Basic Grey's Granola colors worked perfectly with the images.

Thanks for the opportunity to apply and thanks for looking.

frittered...

well, I have to confess that I've been feeling convicted by this saying since I received the new Artistic Outpost plate 'Old Grist Mill'. I have every kind of overload and I know I'm not the only one. There's too much required of us these days...juggling too many plates, hats, or balls. How about you? Any of you agree with me? Can you gift me with words of wisdom to get back to that sweet place of an ordered life? I probably have any book you might suggest...I'll willingly try again if you really found it successful for you!!! I know I would much rather spent my precious moments with my loved ones than scrubbing my bathrooms...

So in keeping with the wonderful message, I've kept my card simple today...stamping the gristmill directly onto GP white cs with Memento Tuxedo Black. I used Memento Summer Sky on the simplify, simplify. And for the 365 Card Blog challenge today to use a label on your card, the dynamo label maker seemed the perfect tool.

I will look forward to hearing what has worked for you...one of the blessings of this world wide web is all the connections we can make!

Don't forget to check out the 3 new releases at Artistic Outpost...they have a special going on if you buy all three, you get 20% off until September 15th.

Choice by choice...

moment by moment, I build the necklace of my day, stringing together the choices that form artful living! I simply adore this quote by Julia Cameron. I have recently discovered her writings...she is the author of 'The Artists Way' and many other works. Laying out ways to overcome creative blocks and generally living an artful life. I highly recommend reading her.

I've combined a mother lode of challenges with my work today. The sketch challenge on SCS, my friend, Kelly's week 2 Words on Wednesday, and the 365 Card Blog ad inspiration. It is such fun when you can make multiple challenges zing! So for structure, the SC244 fit beautifully. Kelly's word today was impearl: to form into pearls; or adorn with pearls. And the 365 call was a White House~Black Market print ad : menswear pumps, a floral teapot and a single flower in a vase of water.

The papers I chose are a men's wear grey flannel stripe, 'Recognition' from Basic Grey's Stella Ruby and Boxer's 'Long Underwear'. The clock paper is from Graphic 45. My solids very Su's very vanilla and Georgia Pacific's white card stock. The quote is a Hampton Art Stamp and the woman with the pearl earring (hee, hee) and necklace is an old Hero Arts called Party Pearls!

I used Memento Tuxedo Black for both. Copics for coloring. Liquid pearls in white opal were used on the necklace.

Thanks so very much for visiting and I appreciate your thoughtful comments.

Boy, your pockets have grown

I am so excited to see my card for the new Artistic Outpost release also fits the 365 Card Challenge to have three shades of blue on your card! I have used the pocket watch stamp from the Outpost set, along with the script. To create this card, I repurposed a pair of my youngest son's blue jeans for the real pocket. It's really hard to believe Andy is now buying clothes in the men's department! The watch was stamped in Versamark and embossed with super fine gold ep. The watch face (serenity scene) was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then I painted the whole face with Twinkling H2O's iridescent blue. The cracked glass technique on the lens of the watch was created with UTEE. My third blue is the script stamped down the spine of the card with Memento Summer sky. I attached the pocket watch with Tim Holtz's swivel chain. And the "flies" is done with a dynamo label maker.

Thanks so much for having a look. Time really does fly and it reminds me I need to seize every moment!

Be sure to check out the three new collections out TODAY at Artistic Outpost. For a limited

time you will be able to get a 20% discount if you purchase all three. Click for more details.

The newest three collections from Artistic Outpost have a very natural vintage style, an ode to simpler times. We were inspired by some of our favorite quotes of Henry David Thoreau. His simple advice to "simplify, simplify" are words we should use in our daily life - the hustle and bustle of work, home, and community - as well as in our art. How often do we just need to stamp! Just the act of simply putting ink to rubber is calming and rewarding. We hope you find simple inspiration to create something that makes you happy.



The Outpost: This collection is inspired by our Serenity signature set and continues this theme with a much larger image of our "outpost". You will love the versatility of this collection including the ATC sized farm house, and the nostalgic pocket watch.

Old Grist Mill: We live in the South where covered bridges are not quite as common as they are in other parts of the US and Europe. However, we absolutely long to be driving through the countryside in the fall, stopping at each covered bridge, and just listening to the "clippety, clap" of the tires going over each floor board. Again, we are reminded to enjoy simple beauty.

Generation Redux: These vintage images are grunged up a bit in a unique collage style. They are designed to go with not only The Outpost and Old Grist Mill, but think of using them with Home as well. We love this generation and find that this style of photo stamp is a perfect versatile style to add that "human"

element to your creations.

And while you're here, hop over to these other Artistic Outpost team members...you'll be amazed at what they've done.

• Lisa Somerville
• Gerrie Johnnic
• Kelly Burton
• Cathy Edgar
• Debby Boltman
• Judy Hayes
• Lynn Stevens
• Robin Willis
• Sharon Briss
• Susan Conrad
• Toni Tessler

in the pink, well maybe

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, full of things that delighted your senses. I spent the weekend nursing a cold, sleeping, waking up long enough for another dose of medicine. It stinks to be sick on the weekend! So I am thinking pink, being positive, and hoping I'll make it through my very long workday. Pam issued the latest 365 Card challenge and gave us the movie "PRETTY in PINK" to inspire us!

My card also fits for the Basic Grey challenges week #2 to use the color combo brown, yellow and pink. You must include at least one BG paper in your work. I must admit I hoard my BG papers, but I did have a great time going through all the paper groups for the perfect pink for my undies!!! So many luscious hues. In the end, I selected LUSTER from the Euphoria collection. It is a lovely pastel with the tiniest bit of texture. My yellow is the new fence posts of the clothes line. And the brown is repeated in the fabulous tree (Memory Box paper from Sugardrop) and the cardbase which is Brazzill linen texture.

I'll jump at any chance to use this wonderful lingerie from B Line Design. And the clothesline image(Finders Keepers) was from a tag sale in town earlier in the summer. I just knew it would come in handy. I used tiny wooden clothespins to attach the undergarments. The sentiment is a rub-on.

Thanks for stopping over, I am glad I am spreading no germs out in cyberspace. Have a great week!

You're a real cracker jack

Morning all! It's the weekend once again, yippee. That means late nights playing in my house...I can hear silly giggles from college guys in one direction and other boys chasing balls in the virtual world in another. Today's Inspiration Challenge on SCS was to go to the Creative Wall Coverings website and find something that gets the creative juices flowing. Well, I can never resist the sports selections and this fit nicely with the 365 Card Blog to get Sporty using some sort of a ball on your card. I really like Artistic Outposts' Cracker Jack plate, especially with my star lefty! For this card, the Cosmo Cricket wood grain paper was perfect. I stamped the stadium collage in Tim Holtz scattered straw directly to the paper. The sentiment is also TH brushed corduroy. I added the Boston Red Sox player faintly inked in ChalkBox yellow citrus. The baseballs were stamped with ChalkBox burnt sienna and roughed up a bit with ColorBox alabaster. Speaking of baseballs, did you know a typical major league game used 8 dozen balls! The lefty player is from the little man Cosmo Cricket die cuts.

Thanks so very much for stopping by today. I hope your weekend is swell!

NEW...

It's an exciting day for my friend, Kelly S (Gingham Girl) who launches a new weekly challenge today. It is called WOW: Word of the Week. She picked a most appropriate word, NEW! I knew immediately the direction I would go with this wonderful scripture stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms...new creation. I used two other challenges, the SC243 over on SCS and the 365 Card Blog Checkerboard Background.

My paper is an unknown checkerboard and Yellow Bicycles fabulous flocked flourish. I used GP white cs and Brazzill red linen texture. The scripture was inked with Memento Tuxedo Black and embossed with clear ep. I used a square nestability to emboss the frame. A piece of deep red ribbon finishes it off.

Congratulations, Kelly on starting your own challenge, it is one that I will enjoy participating in. I love to read and try to exercise my 'wordsmithing' on a regular basis. So bring it on!!!

tiny dancer

It's Saturday morn...oh, what bliss! I've managed to combine two challenges today. The IC194 on SCS to be inspired by the Pylones website. This is a trendy gift manufacturer. Very mod, fun and funky. And over on the 365 Card blog, it's Layering Stamps. Well, every girl needs a jewelry box, don't you think. I was inspired by the jewelry choices on the Pylones site and decided to craft a special treasure box. Instead of trinkets, I put words of affirmations...words to encourage and uplift...just like my tiny dancer whose tutu is paper pieced from the Eva paper group (Basic Grey). The jewelry box is from Museum of Modern Rubber. I stamped it on PTI sweet blush paper with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I used mirror paper with Jet Black Stazon. My tiny dancer is stamped on GP white cs and popped on the little pin that helps her spin. For the layering stamps challenge, I layered the encouraging words onto the jewelry box and I also used Purple Onion's vintage Damask background stamp on top of the Making Memories Sabrina paper. A sheer ribbon with hearts on the edge finishes off this pink confection!

Who wouldn't like to open up a box like this everyday and be reminded to always dream, always create, always have a wish, hold out hope, live with passion, stoke the imagination, and always, always SMILE.

Have a spin around wherever you are today!

almost pumpkin time

My very favorite time of the year is almost here...I can feel it in the air. And Pam's Just Peachy Challenge over at 365 Card Blog fit right in with my pumpkin girls (Ken Brown line at American Art Stamps)...there are many shades of pumpkins, right???

I stamped the girls on Core'dinations peach paper and then colored the pumpkin heads with Copics Y38. The bucket head girl's dress is paper pieced with a pattern from Basic Grey Mellow and the other girl's leafy head covering and scarf with paper from Memory Box. The wonderful leave paper is from Memory Box Twiggy. I added a bit of vintage upholstery trim for the trunk and slipped Art Impressions sentiment in among the leaves. "LEAVE the everyday"

I definitely try to leave the everyday as much as possible. My oldest son and I recently had a conversation about just this very thing. We were out for a walk and a talk and he remarked,

"Mom, I think I have lost that sense of wonder of seeing nature like I used to." I can remember Kincaid sunset moments, starry night skies, and forsythia in the spring. It grieved my heart to think he could loose the treasure of innocent eyes. So I've purposed to remind him through my words and art to sharpen his focus and NEVER settle for the everyday!

Have a happy weekend everyone and let me know what you are seeing~~~

summer afternoons

I long for times like this, how about you? This Artistic Outpost image was perfect for where my mind is today. It is part of the Keeper set and you can find it here. I accepted the 365 Card challenge, Mixed Message. You were to use three different types of characters to spell out a message. I chose a Scrabble tile, the ampersand from Purple Onion's Ancient Med alpha, and some fabric letters that I do not know the manufacturer. The image was inked on white GP cs with Adirondack Slate. The chairs were colored with a Copic, R81 and the sky was chalked with ChalkBox inks (azurite and icebox blue). The gorgeous velvet rosette is from a RAK, my friend Amy sent me. I am so proud that I actually parted with it instead of just looking at the package on my counter!!! Thanks so much Amy for this beautiful embellishment. A baby blue satin ribbon finishes the card.

Back to speaking my mind and memories of beach houses growing up and the vast, endless amounts of days then, the Henry James quote could not have said it better:

Summer afternoon~~~

Summer afternoon.

The two most

beautiful

words in the

English

language.

So I'll leave you with the thought to steal away a few moments THIS afternoon to pause and enjoy where you are at this *1*. Thanks for having a peek

don't ya just love RAK's???

and pay it forwards??? I received this delightful art fairy stamp in the mail recently. It arrived unannounced. Picked for me by someone who thought the fairy should live at my house! I just love that~~~thanks Christine. And I am paying it forward by creating a gift bag for a fellow artist who is celebrating a birthday and a renewed passion for all things arty. I've watched her blossom this year and branch out, taking lots of workshops and really exploring her art form. Inside are treasures I have collected and a fun ticket when Art and Soul comes to Portland. A now and then gift, keeping those dreams alive.

Pam's day170 challenge on the 365 Card Blog was to create something that was double duty, but not a gift card holder. I just had to use this elegant tote. You can find the instructions over in the SCS resources, it is called box in a bag. It is quite easy to construct, the hardest part is deciding on the papers (I chose Basic Grey papers). And as a suggestion, I staple the bottom box together in the corners (it doesn't show and is faster than using the red sticky tape). The eyelet trim is a Fiskars punch. I also didn't have a tab punch, but used one of the Hot off the Press template pages for making tabs.

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you found in your Monday a bit of time for creating!

an artist cannot fail

I hope you are all enjoying a blissful Sunday afternoon...I finally got to create and just had to honor SCS'es (is that a word) Featured Stamper Stamp Muse. M is kind, encouraging, and generous of our creative community! It was a thrill to see her selected.

The card I designed features photographs my son, Sam and I took last week in our garden. I had never seen a zebra patterned dragonfly until we spotted (ha, ha) this one on one of the water features. With Sam being 6'3" I had him photograph the one of the wing span and I managed to get the front shot in between gusts of wind. The dragonfly had a most interesting technique for keeping balanced. Other details about this card are Basic Grey Lime Rickey Catawba Flip paper, Papertrey Ink New Leaf, and B Line Design quote inked with ColorBox Dragonfly black ink.

It's a gorgeous day here in the PNW...low '80's, light winds. Hope the sun is shining on you or moonshine!

fab day

hey, people! No new design work for me today, but I wanted to share this playful image I photographed at a park on the west side of Kauai a couple of years ago. I couldn't help but smile! I am working on DT assignments for new releases coming from Artistic Outpost...SOON. You'll love them!

Hope you're having a fab week wherever you are...

risk...

I am very happy to show off this wonderful Unity sentiment I won for my entry in the Limelight Papercrafts Blog Sketch Challenge #26. Thanks very much, Mandy for the great sketch and the chance to pick my prize. I've wanted to add this quote to my stamp collection for quite awhile.

It's one of those sayings that just gets down into your soul and wrestles with the part of you that whispers: 'you can't do that, or you're not good enough for this. Well, I'm here to say YOU CAN do whatever you set your heart to. But first you must name it. Second, you must have a vision ...and then and only then can you set out on the journey.

That's were I am right now...I've named it and I believe I've found what I need to encourage me to the next level. Hold that thought and I'll keep you posted along the way. This card will stay in my humongous red paper clip that lives on my Pottery Barn tray...I will need the reminder.

This card also fits with the 365Card Blog challenge to use lace on your work. I had some yummy pink cotton wide lace that I attached to the bottom edge of the oval. I used Basic Grey's Sugared papers (Precious and Charming). The bud is from a long retired PSX botantical, Hydrid Rose (part of my score from earlier in the week). I colored it with Copics and used the Stampin Up Scalloped punch to create my vertical panel. The Unity quote was inked with Memento Tuxedo Black onto a Spellbinder oval and dry embossed.

The sketch I used today is the Limelight Papercraft Sketch #27. Check it out

Hope you all have a wonderfully creative weekend and happy day~o's!

let's make a scene

...oh, I mean, let's create a scene, indoors. Making rooms might just be my favorite style of card. Guess it goes back to playing with dollhouses and paper dolls when I was a girl. This card is for 2 challenges, the Ways to Use it over on SCS...pleated ribbon and the 365 Card Blog: let's make a scene indoors.

This one came together quite quickly, as I knew just what stamps I wanted to use. B Line Designs fabulous 'Rendre Belle' and Tim Holtz's chandelier (hey, hey, Amy!!!). I used Memory Boxes Gingercake paper to frame in my wall, ceiling, and floor. Copics colored my belle's skin and shoes, I left the rest simple. I pleated a beautiful two toned ribbon and placed it at the top of my panel. It reminded me of a roman shade. At the very bottom I stamped Anna Griffin's Happy Birthday with Memento Tuxedo Black.

Thanks very kindly for stopping by my corner of the sphere today...hope yours is a happy one!

Signs

What a fun challenge today, Pam! Signs are springing up all over at 365 Card Blog. I couldn't resist using this cool image from Stampers Anonymous! I inked it with VersaFine black and lightly embossed. My words are assorted positive reinforcements. The 'oh, happy day' is a Wordsworth. The 'believe' a K&CO. Hope was taken from an Impression Obsession sentiment. The rest are unmarked. I used a My Mind's Eye discontinued paper for the double layers of grass. Think I'll use this a bookmark in the latest book I'm reading.

Thanks for your comments...have a OH, Happy Day~O!

motherload

No design work here today, either. But I just had to share my mother load score at a "by appointment only" art sale. My neighbor and thrifty gal partner had a blast going through a whole single car garage full of all kinds of art supplies, but can you image our hearts when we got to the back and saw drawers and drawers of stamps labeled by theme? I have wanted the PSX Queen Anne's Lace for a very long time! And the other, oh, I can't wait to play with them!!!

Check out that lefties stamp!!! I asked if I could have a volume discount...and wanna know how much all this goodness set me back??? $30. That's 22 stamps and an unopened Nick Bantock ink pad. Thanks neighbor...keep scouting out those Craigslist ads.

Hope ya all have found bliss in your day.

returning kindness

thanks are in order for three very special ladies for recently tagging me with awards. JennyS (uk), Teza and CarolynV , all of whom I met through the 365 Card Blog. From one side of the pond to the edge of the 'tuther! I am honored you thought of me with the Circle of Friends and the Kreativ Blogger.

When I was looking through some of my pictures yesterday, I came across this one of the most famous bridge in the world. I was struck with the thought as it connects Marin County to San Francisco proper, it also connects people, lovers, children, friends. And our blogs are all islands floating through cyberspace. They've come to be the modern day way stations of life. And we are drawn to them for beauty, pause, refreshment, instruction, encouragement and inspiration.

So here's to JennyS(uk) and Teza 5 things I like to do in no particular order of importance:

1). I love to watch my two sons operate in their passions; as I write this oldest DS is composing at the table with his 49 key computer keyboard and MAC and singing...oh, I love that. Youngest DS does hip hop to swing, to singing Jesus loves me to tiny children at Vacation Bible School to rapping.

2). I love to come up on my DH and catch that look of love in his eyes STILL after all these years. I suspect it something that could not be captured in a photograph. I just see it...

3). I adore sharing the wonder of God's creation everyday. I believe we must keep our eyes in focus to the beauty around us, no matter how small. ie: a group of garden spiders weaving their webs across my walk...spiders eek, webs majestic!

4). I move by my own clock, I must must have time for leisure.

5). Feeding my family and friends is a passion.

And to CarolynV 7 things people might find interesting:

1). I love mountain climbing, though I didn't begin until my 50's!

2). I am a disorganized person...but somehow it works for me.

3). I am shy.

4). I try not to follow trends...why can't we have retro releases, use what we have, stop the consumer merry-go-round! I like companies who keep their images year after year...ok so I know this one was a soapbox!!!

5).Almost anything makes me cry.

6). I am an avid but slow reader...I always find my books at the thrift shop.

7).I am a lark and a night owl.

Thanks again, JennyS(uk), Teza and CarolynV for connecting your way stations to mine...I'll be hopping on over for a spot of tea!

graceful...

Good day, all wherever you may be. I am up way too late, finishing my entry in Cornish Heritage Farms Summer Stamp Star Design Challenge. It's the final week and our instructions were to create a One Sheet Wonder. Which means to take one piece of paper, stamp on it and use all in your creation. I believe it originated as a way to make numerous card quickly. Well, I never do quickly!!! And so I decided to make a corset with this awesome template by Sarah Sandberg. And to use up the rest of my paper, I found this template from Stampington for a fan.

The basis for both pieces was My Mind's Eye new Breaking Free paper. This particular one is called Fruit Flavored 'Surfer Girl' and Betty's Boards Paper. It is double sided. I took an 8.5x11 piece out of it, leaving those boards for a later time. I used the net backgrounder on the facing left side, inked with versamark and embossed with Silver Pearl. On the right facing I used the flowers and lace backgrounder, inking it with Heritage Marvy in sea foam. It was embossed with clear ep. The upper corner was stamped with Aged Sheet Music in Memento Summer Sky ink. I added the word 'Graceful' from the Saturday Evening Post Vintage Butterfly set. I used Tim Holtz's distress ink in Frayed Burlap. The vintage lace was a gift from a friend, who generously shared her stash with me. I punched and threaded 25 eyelets and laced the cord. At the top, I finished it off with a brass bow.

The fan was created with CHF's January Stamp of the Month, Freesia. I inked it with several Chalkbox inks on each of the panels and also used two of the small butterflies and the word serenity . The back is inked with the sentiments from the SEP set. Vintage velvet ribbon ties it together.

It is difficult to photograph three dimensional items...I hope you see this at it's best advantage.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope your day is marvelous!

heavenly aprons

When Stef issued the Inspiration Challenge today and linked up the Heavenly Hostess site, I knew I would use this pic of my DH's grandmother, Josephine from the 40's. Something about the surroundings is very comforting. And while I never met her, I know her just the same. If you'd like the specifics of my card, please hop over to my gallery on SCS.

It always makes me happy to see this picture hanging in my kitchen for I am reminded of how much love IS stirred, chopped, whipped, and mashed into food that nourishes our bodies and souls. I think of my grandmother letting me lick the beaters when she made 7 minutes frosting, a tradition that my boys still enjoy today...only now with caramel frosting.

So to all the bakers and cooks out there, bring it on...reach out and teach a whole 'nother generation who needs to know what home cookin' really is!

Thanks for visiting me, I am honored you give me the gift of your time.

jump on in...

We sent our youngest son off to yet another camp yesterday. This makes his fourth of the summer. Oh, to go too! But instead, I'll just slip this in the mail today. With a 5'er for a last day mocha concoction.

This card fits this bill for the Limited Supplies on SCS to use a die-cut on your card, only stamping as a background and the 365 Card Blog, Tag You're it! I love the Snorkel paper from Cosmo Cricket...using the fish (School's Out) and the Jump On in sticker mounted on one of their buck naked buttons! The life buoys are also a sticker. The ocean waves from the K&Co Daydreams group were hand cut. I slipped &D's tag amongst the waves. The kickstand card is on GP white cs. The Stampin Up background cheesecloth was inked with Adirondack latte. I finished it off with a yellow ribbon that says fun in the sun!

Hope you've got plans to jump right in to whatever strikes YOUR fancy! I know I do.

I love nerds

I'll be back to fill this in...just wanted to get the pic loaded

Sorry to be a bit looong in the tooth..ya know what happens, laundry, boy runs home, sleeps and is off again to another camp...oh these crazy days of summer!

I was fortunate to have this card fit two challenges today! The Ways to Use it over on SCS was all about office supplies (staples and a mini clip) and the 365 Card Blog was to have a flap on your card. Well, how about a office supply envelope flap??? I used Artistic Outpost's ever so funky Geek is Chic and the Mini-Masterpieces plates of un mounteds. If you like more details, check out the commentary in my SCS gallery.

So does anyone out there remember the days of pocket protectors and slide rules? I remember my first college Chemistry class, no calculators were allowed (and in those days there were the Texas Instruments big hulking guys!), you had to be proficient with the slide rule. Ever seen the holster belt for carrying one of those to class????? Now my Palm holds a zillion bits of info and I've resigned all those numbers I once carried in my head to that nifty hand held computer. Modern, aren't I....guess that gives me more room to be creative! Have a happy Thursday, you guys and gals!!!

more, please

Well, I've been good long enough! I feel the need for new stamps. And today's sketch challenge on SCS provided the perfect backdrop to give myself permission to go shopping! These empty hands from American Art Stamp just look like they need to be filled with loads of new images, don't you think? They are washed up from doing home lovin', polished and ready to get inky.

Speaking of American Art Stamps, they are having a summer warehouse sale with prices 25-35% off. You have to check them out, so many different lines of artists' represented...you're sure to find something your hands need to be wrapped around! I love the Ken Brown line, funky and quirky, but there is also the new Zenspirations.

If you are interest in the details of how I created this card, check out my gallery on SCS. Thanks for stopping by, and you have MY permission to add to your rubber collection!

scraplifting my friend, Amy

oh, what fun, today's challenge over at 365 Cards is to scraplift one of the DT's cards. Well, I felt it only right to case my friend, Amy...she's the one who introduced me to the 365. We've been friends here in cyberspace and have met up in person. I just love her style and have watched it evolve over the past year. I chose this card to case...the ruffled Stampendous flower was one of the very first stamps I had. What I like about Amy's card is the bold graphic punch of the one image repeated several times. I do believe her red makes for a much prettier card than my violet.

I actually cut the ruffles on the bottom of the blooms to give the card some depth. The sentiment comes from B Line Designs

don't tell Kristi #2

My across the street neighbor is crazy for paper and stamps, too. Yesterday was her birthday and of course, I was late! But only one day. We talk more via computer than across the stamping table. IS that SIC or what!!! It's a big joke now to say, well, I've already 'seen' that one via the web than to hold the original in one's hand. But she's always scoping Craigslist for sales to peruse and there are several in our neighborhood this weekend. When I read the 365 Card Blog to make a mirror card I went ECK...I'm just not that kinda of girl. I like off kilter things, heck, I'm off kilter myself! But in honor of my across the street neighbor, who loves symmetry I took a deep breath and dove in. The Limelight blog sketch for the week was just perfect for having all my dots in a row!

I couldn't resist going with the new Basic Grey June Bug polka dot paired (mirrored) with the stripes from last years' Two Scoops. I added scalloped edges, cuttled the polka paper with Swiss Dots. My banner is from Pink Persimmon! I just love the girly edge to it. Now, I did add the jumbo ric rac across the top...I tried my best to get it tied in the exact middle...how'd I do?

a charmed, inspired card

oh, to be creating again! I am practically singing...MIL had a fab checkup with the surgeon yesterday, is feeling like staying by herself and it's given me back so of "MY" time. Yep, I feel like dancing too!

And so, in honor of the 365 Card ad inspired pillow and the Ways to Use it on SCS...it was like being in a fabric store and bead shop all rolled into one. I reversed the orientation of the pillow on my card, using Basic Grey's Ambrosia papers. Tim Holtz's crow stands in for the parrots. The butterflies are from Cornish Heritage Farms...linked with Memento Tuxedo Black and embossed with clear ep. I colored the Monarch with Copics and the brilliant blue is a shimmer paper. I added the 'no's' and numerals from a set by Purple Onion Designs called Observation. At the bottom of the crow are some postmarks stamped lightly in Tim Holtz distress ink Frayed Burlap. These along with the tiny postage stamp were gifts from Amy when we visited together earlier in the year. I didn't have a coolio poms for the trim so I took the simpler route with white twine.

Thanks so much for having a peep...and Pam, you are right about Amy, she has the GIFT of encouragement! I am happy to call her friend. Have a deLIGHTful day!

new creation

I wanted to post my challenge card for the Cornish Heritage Farms Summer Stamp Star. It was week 3: Resist. I had a wonderful time using this technique. I stamped the CHF flowers and lace backgrounder with VersaMark and embossed with Ranger Sea Foam powder. It is a pale cream. I used ChalkBox inks for my rainbow of color. The scripture is also from CHF...it was inked with black Stazon onto recycled packaging and edged with a scallop border. The lace panel was pierced for more dimension. I added a hand dyed silk ribbon and vintage velvet flowers on the left side. The tiny keyhole is from Melissa Francis. On the right side is a pretty black foil German scrap edge.

This was one that sat on my counter for several days as I fiddled with just the right touch. In the end, I kept it simple...I wanted the scripture and the texture of the pattern to shine.

Thanks so much for stopping by...

another cup o' Joe?

I've written many times about my passion for coffee. And I've even admitted I am a coffee snob. So when I got the chance to play with Ken Brown's Morning Coffee, I simply couldn't resist! Check out the American Art Stamp Blog when you get a chance...there's angelic to zany to be found!

I stamped my Joe on to GP white cs with Memento Rich Cocoa (how about that!) and embossed just Joe with clear ep. The mongo cup is paper pieced with Paper Trey Ink's spring rain. The challenge on the 365 Card Blog is to paper PIERCE. I chose the aroma swirls to pierce. There is a touch of Flair coffee DP, a bit of Basic Grey Periphery, Brazzill linen texture brown. I ran the small PTI spring rain panel through the argyle Cuttlebug ef and used VersaMagic Chalk inks to color. The wonderful epoxied Cup o' Joe is from Creative Imaginations.

I'd love to hear where your coffee loyalties lie! I am on my third home espresso machine. A small price to pay for such JOY in a cuppa....

Admit two

tickets, tickets, who's got the tickets? When Michele issued the challenge today for the Ways to Use it over on SCS, I had to jump in with a quick card. It's been too long since my fingers have been inky...due to some family medical caring. The challenge was to use two of something on your card. I had to bring out the fabUlous Artistic Outpost Cracker Jack plate, I mean it IS baseball season and use the Admit 1 tickets from the Vintage Circus collection. More details on the actual creation in my commentary at SCS.

Hope your week is going smoothly!

cake making

...just when I think it's safe to stay out of the kitchen, along comes the 365 Card Challenge with the photo of a cake as my inspiration! Oh, don't get me wrong, I love to bake, but my cakes are never pretty on the outside...

which reminds me, I think I'd rather be pretty on the inside...oh yes, I should get back to my paper cake. And paper piecing the cake makes it attractive on the outside, don't you think!

I'd love to share a slice with you...it's a yellow cake with cherries.

Recipe: Basic Grey Lemonade and Urban Prairie

Flourishes 2 step Cake Decorating Set

Stampin Up Argyle

Memento Tuxedo Black

VersaMark and silver pearl embossing powder.

GP white cs

gem brads

thinks, Dr. Seuss

and thanks for the inspiration and permission to be silly! You've made millions wordsmiths of the highest art! I simply had to use this encouragement for my card today. On the 365 Card Blog, there was an inspiration room with a One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish shower curtain and a bright and cheery rug...

Now I'd love to know what you THINK!

trust me,

would you? Well, maybe me, but Humpty? Pam of 365 Card Blog challenged us today to create a card that made her laugh. Hope that's the case with this 'lil card of mine. When I found this nursery character over at Stamp Francisco and the GREAT wall of China...well, I couldn't resist! Double good was the sketch on SCS...#236.

I used PTI poppy red for the kickstand base. GP white cs for the images, inking them with Nick Bantock's Charcoal Grey. I colored Humpty with Copics and popped him in the heavens. Right in front of Basic Grey's awesome cloud paper from the Mellow Collection. The trust is from the Just Rite Little Stampers and the ME is a Making Memories rub on.

So tell me true, did I make you laugh, cajole, snicker, grin...inquiring minds want to know!

patterns of living

Hey, out there gals! Hope your Tuesdays' going great. And you had a fab birthday celebration. We're not so bad for 233 years, are we?

I'm playing in the Cornish Heritage Farms Summer Stamp Star Design Challenge. It's 5 weeks of different techniques and this is week 2. Paper piecing~~~my favorite! I just had to bring out this totally cool Tim Holtz pattern collage to use. I managed to piece 7 items on the main panel and the 3 lipsticks. The hand mirror (Museum of Modern Rubber) was stamped, embossed, and I used CHF's Mona Lisa Moments Abraham Lincoln quote in place of the mirror. It is held in place with a piece of vintage velvet trim. The oval mirror on the right side was 'hung' on the wall with a bit of teal chiffon ribbon. I added the sentiment 'effortless beauty' on the bottom. My lipsticks rest on top of a button from my grandmothers' button box. The lipstick image is a Stamp Francisco one. Cornish Heritage Farms fab fishnet backgrounder flacks the main panel.

Thanks for having a look, and do check out the details over at CHF.

it's a fish fry

I've got great news all. Michelle Giraud asked me a few weeks ago if I would consider a guest DT position over at American Art Stamps. She had commented on my style of art and thought I would be a good fit for Ken Browns' line of retro, funky images. I adore his sense of humor and just wait until you see the stamps! I've posted a card over on the American Art Stamps blog as well as here. Hop over there and see what everyone else has been up too. And I hope you'll be watching for more!

Have a safe and blessed Fourth of July!

Redeemer

The challenge over on 365 Card Blog today was to use your computer to create a sentiment or document. I've been learning all year in PhotoShop Elements how to manipulate 'things' like text and layers. This 6x6 scrapbook page was created for a year long challenge I am a part of: His Holy Names 09. The date of April 26 was when this particular name was issued; just another example of my running behind! My page is a combination of stamping, digital, and scrapping. I selected two scriptures that spoke to me regarding the name: Redeemer. In PSE, I was able match the color to my papers and pick the font style. I used Basic Grey papers as well as Making Memories journaling page. The Redeemer is stamped using the Rubber Stamp Madness font from Ma Vinci Reliquary. I meticulously cut the letters and pasted them in 'real' life to my page. The fancy cross is an Anna Griffin image and the believe coin is from Tim Hotlz idea-ology line. I used Cornish Heritage Farms dragonfly hinge and a tiny bit of bling~~~the page lifts up for hidden journaling. The key is a K&Co product and I used a bit of vintage French silk ribbon to attach. The date is part of a Crafty Secrets calendar set.

I do enjoy mixing the two arts, digital and stamping...I will always have to be hands on, inky hands on at that! So I'd love to hear what you think about the digital revolution and of course, my Redeemer page! If you are interested, I have my other HHN Challenge pages here. Thanks for stopping by

a Happy Blog~o~versary

to Ann , she's celebrating 1 year out there in blog-O-sphere and has put together a fabulous batch of blog candy. Check it out! Here. You've got until July 7th. Congratulations, Ann!!

The Four Seasons

What an interesting challenge today over on the 365 Card Blog. It is to make a card celebrating the four seasons. Now I had to stop and think a long while about this one. I spent time in my stamp image notebook (we all have a binder of our stamped images, right?) There were several possibilities, but in the end, I decided to go with various Cosmo Cricket papers to create my seasons.

The images are from Girl Friday, Early Bird, and Wonderland. The cherries remind me of Spring, that stylized leaf, ears of corn from Summer, the luscious pear, Autumn, and the snow covered pine cones, Winter! Using the square nestabilities from Spellbinder, I cut my squares and used the shadow squares for the widest frames. The word 'season' is stamped directly onto the grid paper (the reverse of Ribbon Sandwich). The letters were mixed up from different sets, though primarily Fancy Pants clear acrylic. I added the 1,2,3,4, from cutting one of those 'ribbons'.

So now, let me know what you think!

Happy Wedding Day

Once again, I've left one of the 365 Card Blog challenges till the last minute! Oh well, you just can't rush the muse. I actually had a invite on FaceBook today from a friend of my son and amongst her pics, I found the photo to use on my 'keep it to yourself: Wedding Card challenge'.

She noted on her page that it was a month and counting now. So I am on top of this card! Yipee!

Pam asked that we not use any sentiments on the front of the card. I used this delightful

cherubs carrying a gilded mirror image from Stamp Francisco. I stamped it twice, once in Memento Tuxedo Black and again the mirror frame embossing with Platinum ep. I PSE'd the photo to make it black and white, and the right size for the frame. The very cool springy collage paper is a Memory Box pattern. I added a layer of lavender on the GP white Kickstand card. And finished it off with a double satin ribbon, saved from a gift. Oh, a I used a piece of packaging, embossing with the Diamond ef from Cuttlebug. The inside Wedding sentiment is from SU inked with Memento lovely posies

I would love to know what you think...