Flab cubed...

I didn't make a New Year's resolution about losing weight this year because I knew I wouldn't keep it. I notice parts of my body heading south. Bra straps need to be wider so they can be pulled tighter. Sleeves need to be longer to hide all the skin sliding under my arms. Food goes straight to my thighs and butt, no waiting. I've gotten to the point that smelling food adds pounds. I should be on the "if it tastes good, spit it out" diet, but alas, my willpower is weak. So many foods, so little time.

Flab cubed...

I didn't make a New Year's resolution about losing weight this year because I knew I wouldn't keep it. I notice parts of my body heading south. Bra straps need to be wider so they can be pulled tighter. Sleeves need to be longer to hide all the skin sliding under my arms. Food goes straight to my thighs and butt, no waiting. I've gotten to the point that smelling food adds pounds. I should be on the "if it tastes good, spit it out" diet, but alas, my willpower is weak. So many foods, so little time. Keeping that in mind, I have a large collection of humorous Art Impressions stamps that I haven't touched since I learned how to color with Copics (well, that makes it sound as if I know what I'm doing - I'm just learning). I've been on a Magnolia kick and have neglected lots of other worthy stamps. So, here's one. Her name is Sitting Lovelle and we share the same soul.



The paper is DCWV Nana's Kids. Copics: E00, E11, E13, E15, R83, Y13, Y02, Y08, YG23, B41, E43, C00, C1. Spicas: Lipstick, Blossom, Gold, Baby Blue, Lemon. The punch was a Stampin Up Ticket Corner Punch. The sentiment was computer printed. I plan to pull the rest of these stamps out and color them. Stay tuned...

Love is in the air...

Do you have a song or a fragrance that brings back a memory for you? I can go back in time by listening to any number of songs and tell you just what I was doing when it was popular. I was dating a guy who was cheating on me when "Hanky Panky" by Tommy James and the Shondells came out. I was in the Marine Corps when the Boxtops were singing "The Letter". And James Taylor was singing "Fire and Rain" when I got the phone call that my step-father died during heart surgery. There are many more songs that are attached to memories but those three evoke the strongest feelings. Hanky Panky still makes me mad and it was more than 40 years ago. The Letter makes me homesick. And I can't listen to Fire and Rain without a huge lump in my throat. Music has played a big role in my life. I fluctuate between 60's rock and country and 40's music. My husband and I are very diverse in our tastes, we have classical, celtic, 40's, 50's (does anyone remember Jimmie Rodgers and "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine"?), 60's (The Turtles, The Kinks, the Rolling Stones), showtunes, bluegrass, and soundtracks (A Knight's Tale and Dirty Dancing come to mind).

Love is in the air

Do you have a song or a fragrance that brings back a memory for you? I can go back in time by listening to any number of songs and tell you just what I was doing when it was popular. I was dating a guy who was cheating on me when "Hanky Panky" by Tommy James and the Shondells came out. I was in the Marine Corps when the Boxtops were singing "The Letter". And James Taylor was singing "Fire and Rain" when I got the phone call that my step-father died during heart surgery. There are many more songs that are attached to memories but those three evoke the strongest feelings. Hanky Panky still makes me mad and it was more than 40 years ago. The Letter makes me homesick. And I can't listen to Fire and Rain without a huge lump in my throat. Music has played a big role in my life. I fluctuate between 60's rock and country and 40's music. My husband and I are very diverse in our tastes, we have classical, celtic, 40's, 50's (does anyone remember Jimmie Rodgers and "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine"?), 60's (The Turtles, The Kinks, the Rolling Stones), showtunes, bluegrass, and soundtracks (A Knight's Tale and Dirty Dancing come to mind).

So, as I listen to Black Sabbath's Iron Man, I'm working on my Valentine's Day cards. I already have my husband's done so I'm just working on cards both for sale and for sending. I have an obsession with brown and black. It's my favorite color combination and I use it often.



The stamp is Magnolia Baseball Cap, the sentiment is Stampin' Up. The diecuts are Spellbinders; the sentiment diecut was distressed with Tim Holz Antique Linen, the Droplets are Kaiser. The paper is another piece of that unknown evergrowing pile of paper that occupies every surface in my craft room. Spicas were clear, chocolate and black. Copics: R02, E00, E25, E35, T8, E31, W3, E37, W5, YR21, YR14, E51.

Here a challenge, there a challenge, everywhere a challenge challenge

I'm finding challenges very inspirational. When I'm out of ideas, I can always count on jumpstarting my creative process by finding a challenge. This is the Copic Colour Challenge #49 which was to use Copic colors E00, E33 and R02. Easy Peasy. Since I have also recently discovered easel cards, I offer this as my submission to the challenge:

Copic used were: R02, E53, E00, E29, E27, E35, E33, E37, RV95, RV93, RV91, Y28, BV00, BV01, BV04, BV02, BV000, BV11. Spicas: Gold, lilac and clear. Paper was DCWV Once Upon a Time Matstack and Bazzill. Sentiment is by Stampin' Up and stamped on a spellbinder tag. Stamps were the Magnolia Hawaii flowers and Birdcage Tilda. Check out StampingScrapping.com for these supplies. Cindy and Kevin are almost back from CHA and have lots of the latest crafting goodies for you. So, get a second job and check out the store.

It is my honor to be hosting the Magnolia Stamp Lover's February 1 Challenge. Please come and join us on Monday.

As always, I appreciate all comments. What would you have done differently?

Spreading my wings

There are so many techniques and card types that I have not explored. Sometimes we get locked into a rut and just stay there. That's one of the reason that challenges are important, it forces us to see things in a new light, use an embellishment in a new way, and turns our art upside down and inside out. I kept seeing easel cards; lots of people were doing them. I wasn't interested. Until my computer was in the shop, I was suffering withdrawal and needed something to take my mind off of the fact that there was a big blank spot on my desk that used to contain my laptop. So, I dug out my printed copy of a Splitcoaststampers tutorial and set to work. Now I understand what all the fuss was about and why someone posted a comment that it's the only card they make. This is my first easel card.



As you can see, there are no stamps. The background paper is Bazzill covered with Mulberry paper attached with square brass brads at the corner. Velum was torn for the bottom, "thanks" was embossed with a tiny Cuttlebug folder and torn to fit. Gold metallic paste was rubbed on the sentiment. The stickers are from a Stampendous and Magenta. This is a first for me - no ink, no stamps, simple, elegant. I now understand the magic of the easel card and will be doing many of them in the future. I do have one question, tho, how do you give instructions to the recipients of the card so they know how to display it? You would think it would be obvious, but I'm sure there are people that wouldn't know.

Magnolia Challenge - Are You Up For It?

This is the sketch for Challenge #2 on the Magnolia Stamp Lover's Blog hosted by design team member, Stephanie. The awesome prizes are from Cindy Echtinaw at StampinScrappin.com Check out the challenge, we'd love to have you join us.



This is my answer to the challenge:



The papers have been in my stash forever. My New Year's Resolution was to use up paper - if our house catches fire, no fire department in the state could put it out.

The sentiment and flower stamps are Whipper Snapper. The paper flower and die cut behind Maggie are from Spellbinder dies and are available from Cindy. Copics used were R81, YG95, Y21, N0, R0000, R12, E00, R83, E50, E21, E31, E33, E25, R85, E27. Spicas used were Blossom, Buttermilk, Mint and Lemon.

I love a good challenge...

My husband's mother was perhaps one of the biggest challenges of my life. Eccentric would have been a good description. We have lots of good stories but my favorite one was the year we decided that since my in-laws loved music and movies, we would get her a gift certificate to the biggest media store in our town. She could select from hundreds of movies and cds. Convinced we had purchased the perfect gift, we were disappointed when she told us not to get her any more gift cards. She said she preferred to pick out her own movies and music. Excuse me? We had learned not to question, it didn't pay, we never won. We still laugh about it.

I love a good challenge

My husband's mother was perhaps one of the biggest challenges of my life. Eccentric would have been a good description. We have lots of good stories but my favorite one was the year we decided that since my in-laws loved music and movies, we would get her a gift certificate to the biggest media store in our town. She could select from hundreds of movies and cds. Convinced we had purchased the perfect gift, we were disappointed when she told us not to get her any more gift cards. She said she preferred to pick out her own movies and music. Excuse me? We had learned not to question, it didn't pay, we never won. We still laugh about it.

This challenge from Copic Colour Challenge #48 , was to use G21, B45, and R85. I didn't have G21, I used YG23 instead. Other colors used were R11, E00, E31, E25, and E29. The paper was DCWV Glitter Sweet Matstack which contained all those colors. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up.



As always, your comments are very much appreciated.

The world sparkles...

It rained all day yesterday in Central Illinois. By noon, the ice was freezing on our driveway and sidewalk. I came within a heartbeat of falling when I went to get the mail. Since I’ve already done that, with really bad results, I try to avoid falling whenever I can. This morning the entire world was covered with diamonds. Our deck is ice covered, all the trees are dripping ice and the sky is that dreadful grey color that looks like it has so much more hurt to give us. So, this morning I refused to go get the paper. Of course, my husband called me a sissy. He said the statute of limitations had run out on my last fall. Fortunately, my broken wrist and cracked tailbone speak louder than he does (and, he’s laughed at me before and I’ve survived) so he went out for the paper. But the paper did not come today. Some cable channels are not available and I am internet-less (gasp!). I can’t check my e-mails, monitor blogs I’ve come to love, get details for new challenges – I’M NOT CONNECTED. I have this little panic attack going on with no way of knowing how long it will take before I’m reconnected. So, I have time to watch television I’ve recorded – don’t you just love Leverage? I used to watch Timothy Hutton's dad, JIm Hutton, when he was doing teen movies in the 60’s – think “Where the Boys Are”. When he was in Green Berets, I only watched it once because he died. When he died for real, I felt like I’d lost a friend. When his son starred in Turk 182, I fell in love all over again. He’s certainly aged well and has his father’s charm – not to mention he’s the spitting image of his dad. I adore the team he’s assembled and they can all come to dinner at my house as long as someone keeps a real good eye on Parker, although it probably won’t help. Another show I’m addicted to is Burn Notice. How does Fiona keep her body in that shape? It tires me out just thinking about her exercise regime, I don’t believe she just grows that way. When I grow up, I want to be Fiona from Burn Notice, not Fiona from Shrek, although except for the Uck factor, Shrek would be fun to hang with.

So, if you could date anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why? I'd pick Nate and his flaws because for all his gruffness, he has a huge heart and compassion to spare.

The world sparkles

It rained all day yesterday in Central Illinois. By noon, the ice was freezing on our driveway and sidewalk. I came within a heartbeat of falling when I went to get the mail. Since I’ve already done that, with really bad results, I try to avoid falling whenever I can. This morning the entire world was covered with diamonds. Our deck is ice covered, all the trees are dripping ice and the sky is that dreadful grey color that looks like it has so much more hurt to give us. So, this morning I refused to go get the paper. Of course, my husband called me a sissy. He said the statute of limitations had run out on my last fall. Fortunately, my broken wrist and cracked tailbone speak louder than he does (and, he’s laughed at me before and I’ve survived) so he went out for the paper. But the paper did not come today. Some cable channels are not available and I am internet-less (gasp!). I can’t check my e-mails, monitor blogs I’ve come to love, get details for new challenges – I’M NOT CONNECTED. I have this little panic attack going on with no way of knowing how long it will take before I’m reconnected. So, I have time to watch television I’ve recorded – don’t you just love Leverage? I used to watch Timothy Hutton's dad, JIm Hutton, when he was doing teen movies in the 60’s – think “Where the Boys Are”. When he was in Green Berets, I only watched it once because he died. When he died for real, I felt like I’d lost a friend. When his son starred in Turk 182, I fell in love all over again. He’s certainly aged well and has his father’s charm – not to mention he’s the spitting image of his dad. I adore the team he’s assembled and they can all come to dinner at my house as long as someone keeps a real good eye on Parker, although it probably won’t help. Another show I’m addicted to is Burn Notice. How does Fiona keep her body in that shape? It tires me out just thinking about her exercise regime, I don’t believe she just grows that way. When I grow up, I want to be Fiona from Burn Notice, not Fiona from Shrek, although except for the Uck factor, Shrek would be fun to hang with.

So, if you could date anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why? I'd pick Nate and his flaws because for all his gruffness, he has a huge heart and compassion to spare. Even though he'd rather get one from Sophie, this is my valentine to him. The heart is a Sizzix die as are the clock hands. The heart was cuttlebugged and then inked with gold ink. The tag Maggie is sitting on is a Spellbinder die. The background paper is from my unnamed stash. I don’t remember the Copic colors but the ribbon is Offray.

Far away friends...

Two of my bestest friends in the whole world live in Bozeman, Montana. I met Lowell when he joined my division at work in the early 80s. We became closer after he had an MS relapse. When he and Marcia retired to Missoula, Montana, I was lucky enough to be able to visit. They took me to see my first mountains at Glacier National Park. I hadn't done much traveling before and was awed by the scenery. When they moved to Bozeman to be closer to family, my husband and I also visited there. They drove down to Yellowstone to attend our wedding in 2004, bringing the wedding cake which looked like a pond with a frog bride and groom on it. My husband and I have had many good visits to Montana since we've been together, though unfortunately not lately. Due to family illness, we've not been out west in several years. This year, hopefully, we will once again make the trek, following the yellow brick road to the promised land - Yellowstone. We'll drive up to Bozeman and visit where we will be warmly welcomed as family. I miss them. I miss Marcia's ability to make you seem like you're the most important person in the world. I miss Lowell's teasing. I am so looking forward to being in Big Sky Country again. I don't know if they read my blog or not. If they do, this card is on its way to them.

Far away friends

Two of my bestest friends in the whole world live in Bozeman, Montana. I met Lowell when he joined my division at work in the early 80s. We became closer after he had an MS relapse. When he and Marcia retired to Missoula, Montana, I was lucky enough to be able to visit. They took me to see my first mountains at Glacier National Park. I hadn't done much traveling before and was awed by the scenery. When they moved to Bozeman to be closer to family, my husband and I also visited there. They drove down to Yellowstone to attend our wedding in 2004, bringing the wedding cake which looked like a pond with a frog bride and groom on it. My husband and I have had many good visits to Montana since we've been together, though unfortunately not lately. Due to family illness, we've not been out west in several years. This year, hopefully, we will once again make the trek, following the yellow brick road to the promised land - Yellowstone. We'll drive up to Bozeman and visit where we will be warmly welcomed as family. I miss them. I miss Marcia's ability to make you seem like you're the most important person in the world. I miss Lowell's teasing. I am so looking forward to being in Big Sky Country again. I don't know if they read my blog or not. If they do, this card is on its way to them.



This marvelous telephone was cut from the new Cricut Sentimentals cartridge. The paper is DCWV LaCreme Matstack. The sentiment is from Papertrey's Blooming Button Bits stamped on a Spellbinder's tag. The telephone was cut in AC Specialty Silver Foil Paper. The image is a Magnolia stamp. Copics used were: N3, Y02, E00, E11, R02, Y13, B0000, B000, B00 and the Stickles on the wings are Crystal.

Challenges, challenges, challenges

This is my entry into the Magnolia-licious "Pretty in Pink" Blog Hop.



The cake icing was done with Delta Texture Magic - Rose Whisper. I have a shoe box full of this paint that was purchased at a craft store sale. It's normally used with brass stencils and adds texture. The die cut is from Spellbinders, the sentiment from Stampin' Up. The paper is DCWV - The Glitter Sweet Matstack and copics used were: Y21, R02, E00, RV13, R83, E25, E27. Stickles Fruit Punch was used on the ruffles of the dress. The image was pop-dotted a double thickness to allow for the Texture Magic.

What would you have done differently? Would you have added something, not added something? Did you get any ideas from this card? Please share, it's how I grow.

Much too kind

My new friend in Naples, Florida, Joanne Cade, sent me a package that I received Saturday. Inside was an ATC for a swap for travel, voyage, or a destination theme. She picked Wyoming which is one of my favorite states; it included a picture of a highway my husband and I have travelled many times. She also included a Fat Book entitled E. Now, I don't do ATCs or Fat Books, but I was really impressed with her art work. So, I had to do a card for her, as my father used to tell the bill collectors, "it's in the mail".



The paper has been in my stash forever. Of course, the image stamp is Maggie and the sentiment is Stampin Up. Copics used were: E00, R02, E11, B52, B000, E51, E53, B00, E57, Y02, Y08, E44, B0000. Mermaid Stickles were used on the snowflakes and collar and tassels of the shawl. The shawl was pop-dotted. Dew drops were used as an accent. Check your mailbox, Joanne, it's coming your way and thanks again for thinking of me.

Here's a first

I've never attempted a tutorial before, but this one is kind of easy so I thought I would give it a go. The background grass stamp is from Stampin' Up. The Maggie is a very early attempt at coloring - not my best effort, but the grass in the background turned out very well. The grass stamp was inked up with moss green ink. Using a brush marker with a contrasting color of ink, tap horizontally on the grass stamp. You can see the lines left to right on the grass. Hold the brush marker like a drummer holds his drum stick and tap the grass as little or as much as you like with as many different colors as you like. Then, huff (hold the stamp close to your mouth and breathe on it) to remoisten the stamp. Stamp your image. This technique isn't hard but it does take a little practice and lends authenticity to floral images.

Another challenge

Addicting, aren't they? I was saddened to hear that Regina Easter has stepped down from hosting Bitten By The Bug, but thrilled that someone has stepped up the plate to host Bitten By The Bug 2 (BBTB2). Although I never entered any of her challenges, I drew inspiration from all the wonderful crafters who did. Sorry this is so late, Regina, but better late than never. This challenge was to create a Valentine's Day project using any Cricut Cartridge and add purple to the project. I recently received the Heritage cartridge and, belonging to Stamping Scrapping's Magnolia Design Team, I am always looking for accessories for my Maggies. This vintage sofa is perfect. It's cut at 3" on the dial. I use the design software to manipulate sizes but in this case it wasn't necessary. The stamps are Magnolia and Cindy Echtinaw, Copics used were E00, E11, R02, V04, B41, B45, E31, E33, E25, E27, E29, V15, the balloon was painted with Tulip Metallics and sprinkled with Martha Stewart Cinnabar glitter. At risk of being tarred and feathered, I'm not a Martha devotee, but her glitter and punches rock. The paper has been in my stash since 3 B.C. (just kidding, I'm really not that old), the floor was cuttlebugged. The sofa has stickers by EK Success on it.

Magnolia stamp challenge

Welcome to the first Magnolia Stamp Lovers challenge. This is an opportunity to learn new techniques, win great prizes and check out some great projects. It's really easy - use either a Magnolia or Cindy Echtinaw stamp to create with. Link your project in Mr. Linky on the Magnolia Stamp Lover's Blog or link to the photo section of one of Cindy's groups. The prize for this challenge is a Magnolia flower stamp and one of Cindy's Scent My Cards floral scents. More challenges are coming. Mindy created the first challenge and this is the first sketch I've ever done.



This is my take on Mindy's challenge:



Supplies used were: Paper - DCWV LaCreme Matstack; Stamps: Magnolia, WhipperSnapper; Punch - Martha Stewart; Ribbon - Offray; Copics - E00, E11, R20, Y08, Y19, E30, E53, E51, Colorless blender; Spicas - Pitch Black, Clear. Supplies can be purchased at: Stamping Scrapping

The kindness of strangers...

When my husband and I were first dating, he started the tradition of the crappy rings. Once each vacation, he would buy me a really cheap ring. Secretly, I hoped that it would lead to one a little more expensive; it did, but I had to wait many years for it. The year we traveled the Rockies from Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada to Yellowstone, he bought me a ring in a little shop in downtown Waterton. He broke tradition by paying more than $5.00 for it, it actually cost $10.99. It was a work of art. A line of stones, each as large as a grape seed, raised in the middle in a platinum colored setting. All the way from Waterton to Yellowstone National Park I would hold it up in front of his face and say “see?” He said it blinded him. Gaudy? Yes, but so much more exotic than the silver and turquoise rings he had been buying me – this one had stones. Surely a move in the right direction. In the LaMar Valley in Yellowstone, I slipped off the ring, put it in my lap, and slathered on some hand cream. Only after we stopped for pie in Silver Gate, Montana did I realize I had lost my precious ring. We stopped in several stores to post a reward for its return. Imagine posting a $50.00 reward for a $10.00 ring? We went over the parking lot with a fine tooth comb. No luck. When we got home I found the receipt with the item number on it and I wrote to the shop. I told them I would replace the ring at any cost, gave them my phone number, asked them to call me collect for a credit card number if they had another one. I didn’t hear anything from them. Weeks later I received a slightly torn envelope which contained a gold ring with lots of stones and an apologetic letter from a young woman who worked in the souvenir shop in Waterton. She was very sorry they didn’t have another ring like the one purchased. She hoped this ring would take its place. No charge. So, if you ever get the opportunity to watch old episodes of Due South and they talk about the niceness of the Canadians, believe it. I still have that ring, it reminds me there are wonderful people in this world and they appear to you when you least expect it.

The kindness of strangers

When my husband and I were first dating, he started the tradition of the crappy rings. Once each vacation, he would buy me a really cheap ring. Secretly, I hoped that it would lead to one a little more expensive; it did, but I had to wait many years for it. The year we traveled the Rockies from Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada to Yellowstone, he bought me a ring in a little shop in downtown Waterton. He broke tradition by paying more than $5.00 for it, it actually cost $10.99. It was a work of art. A line of stones, each as large as a grape seed, raised in the middle in a platinum colored setting. All the way from Waterton to Yellowstone National Park I would hold it up in front of his face and say “see?” He said it blinded him. Gaudy? Yes, but so much more exotic than the silver and turquoise rings he had been buying me – this one had stones. Surely a move in the right direction. In the LaMar Valley in Yellowstone, I slipped off the ring, put it in my lap, and slathered on some hand cream. Only after we stopped for pie in Silver Gate, Montana did I realize I had lost my precious ring. We stopped in several stores to post a reward for its return. Imagine posting a $50.00 reward for a $10.00 ring? We went over the parking lot with a fine tooth comb. No luck. When we got home I found the receipt with the item number on it and I wrote to the shop. I told them I would replace the ring at any cost, gave them my phone number, asked them to call me collect for a credit card number if they had another one. I didn’t hear anything from them. Weeks later I received a slightly torn envelope which contained a gold ring with lots of stones and an apologetic letter from a young woman who worked in the souvenir shop in Waterton. She was very sorry they didn’t have another ring like the one purchased. She hoped this ring would take its place. No charge. So, if you ever get the opportunity to watch old episodes of Due South and they talk about the niceness of the Canadians, believe it. I still have that ring, it reminds me there are wonderful people in this world and they appear to you when you least expect it.

Since it's still winter here, I offer the following: The deer is from the Cricut Cartridge Christmas Noel, the sentiment was cut from the Sizzlet Alphabet Funky Brush, the deer's eye is a Michael's rhinestone sticker, the deer was cut from silver brushed foil paper, Copics used were: E00, E11, R20, B45, B41, E25, E27, E49, N3 and Spicas: Clear & baby blue.

The road to hell is not paved....

I have an adventurous husband. No gravel road is safe from his exploration. It’s one of the things that I love most about him, he’s always willing to take the path less traveled. If I say, “I wonder what’s down that road?” he’ll say “I don’t know, let’s find out”. Every vacation exposes us to new wonders. My magic word when we explore is “stop”. And he will. He's ALWAYS a good time. Before we met, I had taken very few vacations; time and money constraints kept me at home. Since our first vacation, we’ve seen waterfalls, animals, lakes, oceans, monuments, deserts, tall trees, twisted trees, mesas, rivers, miles of sunflowers, corn without end, wheat, and really good restaurants. And… we’ve seen Utah. I single Utah out because we found the road to hell there. No lie. We had been looking for the Scott M. Matheson Nature Preserve in Moab, Utah. Our directions were less than stellar. We turned right by the McDonald’s onto a blacktop road with a mountain on the left and a river on the right. Down the road, around the corner, further and further until the blacktop ran out and we were on gravel. Around and around, down and down, and around and down. Over a dry creek bed, around the corner and into a rock canyon. Miles and miles of rock at 5 miles per hour until we realized if we broke down out there, our bones would be scattered by coyotes before we were found. At that point, there was barely room to turn around, but he did. And back we crept. Miles and miles at 5 miles per hour, around the corner and over the dry creek bed, up, around, up and up, around and around and onto the blacktop. There, facing us, was the sign for the Scott M. Matheson Nature Preserve. We’ve never been able to figure out why the sign was facing in a direction that few people would ever be traveling. Having discovered the Nature Preserve, we were captivated and visited several times. We would like to return to Utah, but we’ll wait until fall. It was 116 degrees while we were there in July. You could burn your hands opening your car door. It was too hot to breathe and I was totally miserable. We started going out very early in the morning, going back to the hotel room about 11:00, I would nap, then we would go out again in the late afternoon. My husband spent his Navy years as a boilerman, working with the giant boilers that run an aircraft carrier so the heat didn’t seem to bother him. I remember at one point telling him if one more person said “but it’s a dry heat”, I was going to tear out their throat with my teeth. Wish I had some of that heat right now. We received about four inches of new snow last night and it’s still snowing.

The road to hell is not paved....

I have an adventurous husband. No gravel road is safe from his exploration. It’s one of the things that I love most about him, he’s always willing to take the path less traveled. If I say, “I wonder what’s down that road?” he’ll say “I don’t know, let’s find out”. Every vacation exposes us to new wonders. My magic word when we explore is “stop”. And he will. He's ALWAYS a good time. Before we met, I had taken very few vacations; time and money constraints kept me at home. Since our first vacation, we’ve seen waterfalls, animals, lakes, oceans, monuments, deserts, tall trees, twisted trees, mesas, rivers, miles of sunflowers, corn without end, wheat, and really good restaurants. And… we’ve seen Utah. I single Utah out because we found the road to hell there. No lie. We had been looking for the Scott M. Matheson Nature Preserve in Moab, Utah. Our directions were less than stellar. We turned right by the McDonald’s onto a blacktop road with a mountain on the left and a river on the right. Down the road, around the corner, further and further until the blacktop ran out and we were on gravel. Around and around, down and down, and around and down. Over a dry creek bed, around the corner and into a rock canyon. Miles and miles of rock at 5 miles per hour until we realized if we broke down out there, our bones would be scattered by coyotes before we were found. At that point, there was barely room to turn around, but he did. And back we crept. Miles and miles at 5 miles per hour, around the corner and over the dry creek bed, up, around, up and up, around and around and onto the blacktop. There, facing us, was the sign for the Scott M. Matheson Nature Preserve. We’ve never been able to figure out why the sign was facing in a direction that few people would ever be traveling. Having discovered the Nature Preserve, we were captivated and visited several times. We would like to return to Utah, but we’ll wait until fall. It was 116 degrees while we were there in July. You could burn your hands opening your car door. It was too hot to breathe and I was totally miserable. We started going out very early in the morning, going back to the hotel room about 11:00, I would nap, then we would go out again in the late afternoon. My husband spent his Navy years as a boilerman, working with the giant boilers that run an aircraft carrier so the heat didn’t seem to bother him. I remember at one point telling him if one more person said “but it’s a dry heat”, I was going to tear out their throat with my teeth. Wish I had some of that heat right now. We received about four inches of new snow last night and it’s still snowing.



This is my husband's Valentine's Day Card, let's hope he doesn't peek. On our last vacation, I started taking pictures just for use with my Magnolias. This picture was taken at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples, FL. Jo, this pic’s for you. Copics used were: E001, E11, R20 (do you sense I’m in a rut here?), E43, Y02, Y28, E53, and E71. Spica: Gold, a Cuttlebug Folder and a Copic airgun was used on the sign.

Ode to a garden...

It's that time of year when the seed magazines start showing up at my door. I like to have a cup of coffee and find out what's new, make my list of what to order, and pretend like spring is just around the corner. My husband takes photographs, so my seed purchases tend to be toward plants that butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy. He bought me a small portable greenhouse a few years ago in which I start my seeds, usually in early April. The portable heater goes inside for those cold nights. Since I retired, it's so much easier to take care of the plants and I spend many hours in the greenhouse; the smell of damp soil is like perfume to me. I don't think I got my gardening genes from my father although I do remember him planting tomatoes one year at the back of the yard by the fence. The most exercise I can ever remember him getting was his daily walk to the fence to check his tomatoes. He talked to everyone about them. He boasted about their flavor and wondered why he had never planted tomatoes before. He was so sorry to see the season end but promised that next year's harvest would be bigger and better than this years. When the next spring came, he walked to the back of the yard dozens of times before he realized the tomatoes were not going to come up. They were not perennials, they were annuals - he would have to plant them every year. No more home grown tomatoes appeared on our table and my dad never walked to the back of the yard again.

Ode to a garden

It's that time of year when the seed magazines start showing up at my door. I like to have a cup of coffee and find out what's new, make my list of what to order, and pretend like spring is just around the corner. My husband takes photographs, so my seed purchases tend to be toward plants that butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy. He bought me a small portable greenhouse a few years ago in which I start my seeds, usually in early April. The portable heater goes inside for those cold nights. Since I retired, it's so much easier to take care of the plants and I spend many hours in the greenhouse; the smell of damp soil is like perfume to me. I don't think I got my gardening genes from my father although I do remember him planting tomatoes one year at the back of the yard by the fence. The most exercise I can ever remember him getting was his daily walk to the fence to check his tomatoes. He talked to everyone about them. He boasted about their flavor and wondered why he had never planted tomatoes before. He was so sorry to see the season end but promised that next year's harvest would be bigger and better than this years. When the next spring came, he walked to the back of the yard dozens of times before he realized the tomatoes were not going to come up. They were not perennials, they were annuals - he would have to plant them every year. No more home grown tomatoes appeared on our table and my dad never walked to the back of the yard again.

I have lots of gardening friends now. We exchange plants, advice and sympathy. When I send a card to one of them, it always has a plant of some kind on it. Considering the story about my father, this card should have been stamped with sour grapes.



The stamp is from Flourishes. The background paper is actually a paper napkin; the top layer has been ironed onto cardstock with cheap plastic wrap (make a sandwich from the bottom up: cardstock, cheap plastic wrap, top layer of napkin, cover with parchment paper - iron on hottest setting before steam, cut to size). Make sure than iron does not touch the plastic wrap, I usually put parchment paper under the cardstock and over the napkin. Update: I found the list of copics I used for this card: Y02, YG03, Y13, YG05, G24, YG67, E57, E50, RB95, N0.

Frozen tundra...

If you were born in January in the north, you were probably six months old before you saw the outside. The thermometer on our deck is too cold to show the temperature. Our windows are all frosted up and we can't keep it warm in our family room (where the really good TV and DVD player are). I can't remember the last time it was double digits below zero. It amazes me that the birds haven't just dropped dead from cold, but they are visiting the feeders in their usual numbers. My sympathy goes out to those who have to work outdoors in weather like this. Our postman must have frostbite on one hand. I have a heated birdbath that freezes over - can't take the cold. The peanuts in the peanut feeder have frozen solid, I have to go outside twice a day and beat them free. The snow crunches underfoot - that crisp noise it makes when it's so cold that your nose hair freezes when you breathe. All in all not a good day for anything with warm blood. All I have to do today, besides make a card for a challenge, is to go and check the mail. I may put that off until spring. I'm a firm believer that the climate is changing - due to what, I don't know. Only scientists and history will tell us that, but right now I'm having trouble saying "global warming". 

Frozen tundra

If you were born in January in the north, you were probably six months old before you saw the outside. The thermometer on our deck is too cold to show the temperature. Our windows are all frosted up and we can't keep it warm in our family room (where the really good TV and DVD player are). I can't remember the last time it was double digits below zero. It amazes me that the birds haven't just dropped dead from cold, but they are visiting the feeders in their usual numbers. My sympathy goes out to those who have to work outdoors in weather like this. Our postman must have frostbite on one hand. I have a heated birdbath that freezes over - can't take the cold. The peanuts in the peanut feeder have frozen solid, I have to go outside twice a day and beat them free. The snow crunches underfoot - that crisp noise it makes when it's so cold that your nose hair freezes when you breathe. All in all not a good day for anything with warm blood. All I have to do today, besides make a card for a challenge, is to go and check the mail. I may put that off until spring. I'm a firm believer that the climate is changing - due to what, I don't know. Only scientists and history will tell us that, but right now I'm having trouble saying "global warming". It was only right that I do a self-portrait of me looking out at the birdfeeder.



Magnolia Stamp, Copics: E00, E11, R20, B0000, B00, Stickles: Crystal, Frosted Lace, Ice Glitter, Diamond Glaze, Polar White Flower Soft, Cuttlebug Folder. Supplies for this card can be purchased at: StampinScrappin.com