Sunday, February 28, 2010

Glad I said "soon"

I'm having so much fun with these backgrounds, it's hard to get back to the cartridges (although I love them, too). And it's a big high to spark your interest like this. I'm sure there are people thinking about using stamps in a way they haven't used them before. I think I have the basic concept down, now I'm working on background colors to tie the images together. I have the airgun and really need to learn how to master it, but some of these images are so detailed it would be hard to cut them out (not whining, honest). Any helpful advice out there? I'd appreciate anything you have to say. The biggest problem with these is matching scale, but I'll keep working on that.



Paper: My Minds Eye; Stamps: Magnolia Stylish Tilda, Flourishes Cottage Home, Cornish Heritage Farms Grass & Flowers; Pearls: The Robin's Nest, Copics: B0000, C3, C1, YG25, G40, BV0000, BV000, BV00, BV01, C5, BV04, Y00, YG63, E11, E00, R21, BG78, BG72, BG75, E33, E31, Y02, Y08, Y06, Y38

Things I wonder: Why are people so fascinated with Tiger Woods' love life? I have such a busy day that I rarely take a moment to wonder who Tiger is sleeping with now. I tend to think that's his wife's business and not mine. And I really don't think it's "news".

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Things I wonder....


Things I wonder: Why the UPS guy passes my craft room window at 9:30am on every day I'm not expecting a package, but shows up at my door after 5:00 pm on those days that I am?

OK, I lied...

I didn't get back to the Cricut cartridges (I promise I will soon). I have been playing with backgrounds. Not just the ones that go with the stamps we like best, but the ones that sit in the drawers, unloved and unused and have never been considered a "background" stamp. I recently saw a video by Art Impressions on how to make one picture out of a dozen stamps using watercolor pens and rubber stamps. That led me to my stash of stamps, trying to find the ones that I thought would work for a cute background or addition to my Maggie stamps (or some other ideas I'm working on). This background is a Penny Black grass stamp that I've never used. It looked a little plain by itself, but as a background, it rocks. I inked it up with a water color marker and stamped it over a mask of Summer Tilda. The nice part about this technique (and something I learned from the video) is that you don't need to ink the whole stamp, just parts of it. It’s much easier to control the ink with a marker. And you can use a different color and stamp over what you already stamped. If you do this on watercolor paper, you can use a damp paintbrush to pull the ink, or pat the ink to diffuse it and make a softer look. I was pleased with the way this turned out, but now it's led to lots of other ideas, I couldn't fall asleep last night because ideas just kept popping up (I actually got two of these cards done today). Take a new fresh look at some of the stamps you have and try to image them in a different way. Leave a comment and let me know if you come up with any other ideas for mixing stamps and backgrounds, I’d love to hear your ideas.


Paper: from the stash, Stamps: Magnolia Summer Tilda, Penny Black, Cornish Heritage Farms; Spica: Red, Lemon, Mint, Clear; Copics: E11, E00, E25, E27, Y18, YG11, YG23, R27, V06, V01, C1, C00, C3, Ink: Memento Black Tuxedo, Versafine Smokey Grey, Tombow 158

Things I wonder: Why the UPS guy passes my craft room window at 9:30am on every day I'm not expecting a package, but shows up at my door after 5:00 pm on those days that I am?

Friday, February 26, 2010

St. Patrick's Day

Our friend, Angie, has green blood. I know she loves a lot of things but close to the top of her list is being Irish... and Iowa. I don't understand Iowa, I've been there. But I do understand her pride in her heritage. I don't do St. Patrick's Day cards for everyone but I always send one to Angie. Tomorrow I'll be back to the Cricut cartridges.



The background is plain paper with a stamped background. Stamps: Magnolia Horseshoe with Shamrocks, Tilda with Shamrocks, sentiment unknown, Stampabilities Clover; Shrink-It for tiny clover; Spica: Mint; Copics: YG25, E11, R21, E00, E29, E27, E25, R85, R83, R81, E41, T6, YG03; Diamond Glaze for shoes and assorted beads.

Things I wonder: Why the Home Improvement Show charges me to see vendors that want to sell me new windows and aluminum siding. Am I the only person that sees the irony in that?

Thursday, February 25, 2010

3rd Cartridge – Sentimentals

This cartridge has many images that can be used with Magnolias. Consider the hand on page 26. Tilda Writing in Diary would be perfect sitting on the cuff with “write soon” as a sentiment. How about the hand on page 27 with the envelope? Tilda could sit on the envelope and the sentiment could read “Just a Note”, JustRite has a great circle stamp with those words. Check out the key on page 36 - "Key to My Heart". This cartridge also contains card bases and envelopes. It’s great and I highly recommend it for greeting cards with Maggies.



Paper: from the unnamed stash; Cricut Sentimentals Cartridge; Stamps: Valentine Tilda, Rubber Stampede Solidago Sprig, Whipper Snapper; Spica: Baby Blue; Kaiser Rhinestones; Spellbinder Tag; Copics: R21, E11, E00, B32, B34, BV13, Y02, Y08, Y13
I got some HUGE news today…Mike Holmes and Mike Rowe are both single. So, there’s hope for me. I’m afraid I have a crush on both of them. Mike Rowe has taught me a ton about how things work, using his unique sense of humor, and I have a lot of admiration for those people who do the nasty jobs that keep the world going. I love the way that Mike Holmes puts people’s lives back together again and his righteous indignation when some trusting person relies on a contractor to do what they promised to do and gets the short end of the stick.

(Someone is breathing a big sigh of relief, aren’t you??)

Things I wonder: Why Depends Underwear uses the differences in the way the sexes merge into traffic to advertise their product? The relevancy escapes me.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

2nd Cartridge - Tinker Bell

Last night I drew my second three by five - Tinker Bell. This cartridge contains a bunch of fairy images in various poses. Several of them would be good for "blessing" a Maggie or sprinkling fairy dust over one; assuming of course that they can be cut small enough to fit on a card. This greeting card came a lot easier than the last one and I suspect they will get easier as I get used to looking at the diecuts in a different way. This little butterfly with the flourish was cut using the shadow option on patterned paper and the blackout option on black paper - the layers were then off-set. The background was stamped with VersaMark and then embossed with two different colors of embossing powder - clear and white.



Paper: Bazzill Paper - s.e.i. Lovebirds; Stamps: Magnolia Valentine Tilda, Whiff of Joy Dove, Hero Arts background; Spellbinder Tag Die; Sentiment is an unlabeled stamp; Cricut Cartridge: Tinker Bell; Zing Embossing Powders; Kaiser Rhinestones; Spicas: Blossom, Red, Clear; Copics: E11, E00, RV23, R21, RV21, YG23, E29, E25, E31, C00, C1, YR12

Yesterday was movie day. We watched two of the three "Mariachi" movies, one with Antonio Banderas - ole' and yum yum, we couldn't figure out how to say 'drool' in Spanish. Ruthann made African Peanut Soup with crusty bread (and man, was it good, all full of chunks of chicken and veggies). Dessert was Strawberry Stuffed Angel Food Cake. And a good time was had by all. It's very hard to return to the real world after movie day. Next week we'll watch the third Mariachi movie (Once Upon a Time in Mexico)with Antonio Banderas and Johnny Depp and Zorro with Antonio again. Another hunk movie day. I think I will BBQ spareribs and have a little coleslaw and of course, crusty bread. Maybe some potato wedges. Doesn't matter what we eat, the company is good and I really look forward to Tuesdays.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

1st Cartridge - My Community

I have to admit, when I decided to do this, I had no idea just how hard it was going to be. The first thing I did was put the names of all my cartridges on 3 x 5 cards, mixed them up, and drew one. My first challenge was "My Community". I made 3 different cards and hated each one. And then I decided to make the door hanger. You just know that Giggling Tilda thinks that mommy and daddy are kissing. Yuch! When she grows up, she's never going to kiss a boy.



This door hanger is 11.5" long and was cut out three times, twice on plain cardstock and once on patterned cardstock. I glued all three together for strength. The diecut is a Sizzix die, the sentiment was computer generated.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Our white winter blanket...

My husband and I ventured into the big city yesterday to watch Beauty and the Beast at the Peoria Civic Center. It was starting to sleet as we went into the theatre; six to eight inches of snow had been predicted. The production was pretty good, about average for the theatre in Peoria, Illinois - NOT to be compared with the theatre in Chicago which is first rate. When we left the theatre, about 4:30pm to go to dinner it was raining/snowing. We live about thirty miles north of downtown Peoria and leaving dinner it was raining in Peoria but as we progressed north, it started to snow and was snowing pretty heavily about Chillicothe. Since Tuesday is MOVIE DAY and I'm doing dessert and I didn't know if I'd be able to get to the store today, we stopped to pick up ingredients for Strawberry Stuffed Angel Food cake and water because...they are turning off our water on Tuesday until they replace a pump. So tomorrow I will fill up the bathtub so we have water for the bathroom. We purchased two huge containers of water for the kitchen. We hope to have water on Wednesday so showers will be out after Tuesday morning until they restore water, I'll let you know how that goes. Anyway, thought I would share a couple of pictures of my world this morning and to tell you about a goal I have for 2010.

This is part of our backyard:



And this is the view from my craft room:



Our neighborhood is completely covered with white, it was a wet snow so it stuck to the trees and we're expecting more snow today. Some of the trees are liable to lose limbs; we have a beautiful river birch that has two trunks. We could lose one trunk any time from heavy snow. We do have an order in to have it braced, but the tree company has been swamped and hasn't shown up yet.

Now, to the goal (aren't crafters always thinking?); I was thinking while watching Beauty and the Beast that I have some of those images on a Cricut cartridge and I've never used them. Then, I started thinking (let's hope I was doing this during intermission) that I had lots of Cricut cartridges I had not used for cards. So...my goal for 2010 is to use every Cricut cartridge I have to make a card also using a Magnolia image. I currently have 54 cartridges and at least as many Magnolia images. If you love Maggies, Cindy has a good supply of them in her store along with color combinations to color them with Copics. Check it out here: StampingScrapping.com. She also has Cricut products; and stay tuned for my first card tomorrow.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

In your Easter bonnet...

It's about that time again. Paas is gearing up their plant to produce lots of that cool color we mix with vinegar to color eggs with. Some people are pulling out the wax to color eggs the Ukrainian way (I much admire people who do this). My next door neighbor hosted an egg hunt every year for the neighborhood children until our park was finished. I can remember as a child getting a frilly new dress to wear to church on Easter Sunday with my grandmother. My parents weren't much for church and as I grew older, I grew away from organized religion. But I'll always remember the feel of the new dress and the crinoline under it, and the way the fabric rustled when I moved

In your Easter bonnet

It's about that time again. Paas is gearing up their plant to produce lots of that cool color we mix with vinegar to color eggs with. Some people are pulling out the wax to color eggs the Ukranian way (I much admire people who do this). My next door neighbor hosted an egg hunt every year for the neighborhood children until our park was finished. I can remember as a child getting a frilly new dress to wear to church on Easter Sunday with my grandmother. My parents weren't much for church and as I grew older, I grew away from organized religion. But I'll always remember the feel of the new dress and the crenoline under it, and the way the fabric rustled when I moved.

This Easter bonnet is unique. The stamp is from Art Impressions, the paper is DCWV Indian Summer and DCWV Nana's Kids. The sentiment is computer generated. Copics used were: E11, E00, R21, RV04, Y21, Y19, Y02, Y18, C00, G82, Y35, YR16, R46, R43, B91, B93, C1, C3, YG25; Spicas: Clear, Lemon, Silver, Blossom & Baby Blue.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Was that spring?...

Yesterday I walked outside to get the mail (this is my daily exercise and I'm diligent about it). The sun was out and felt warm although I was just wearing a T-shirt (I have 500 T-shirts and 1 pair of dress slacks so you know where my dress priorities lay). I could hear the drips from snow melting off of the trees but even better, I heard male cardinals singing. I may be telling you something you already know but birds rarely sing outside of attracting a mate or defending territory. Some flocking birds like chickadees sing to keep in touch, but mostly you just hear them sing in the spring when "whoopee" is in the air or before and during a second nesting. I also saw two male cardinals fighting at the feeder. Cardinals are lambs during the winter, flocking together, both males and females, eating harmoniously. When the hormones kick in, squabbles start and will keep up now until nesting season is over. Cardinals may have two nests in a good year, so he keeps busy - singing, defending his territory, helping feed the female and raising the chicks. Whew! The sweetest scene is a male tenderly shelling a black oil sunflower seed and gently feeding his mate. Ahhhh, true love - well, for a season. Cardinals can stay together until one dies, but I don't think this is true of all of them. You would be very surprised how tests of paternity have gone in the bird world. Lot of baby mamas and baby daddys are not living in the same nest.

So, when I smell spring (that's damp earth and sunshine) I think of opening the pond which we cover in late fall to keep the leaves out which reduces cleaning in the spring. The pond is another story.

Was that spring?

Yesterday I walked outside to get the mail (this is my daily exercise and I'm diligent about it). The sun was out and felt warm although I was just wearing a T-shirt (I have 500 T-shirts and 1 pair of dress slacks so you know where my dress priorities lay). I could hear the drips from snow melting off of the trees but even better, I heard male cardinals singing. I may be telling you something you already know but birds rarely sing outside of attracting a mate or defending territory. Some flocking birds like chickadees sing to keep in touch, but mostly you just hear them sing in the spring when "whoopee" is in the air or before and during a second nesting. I also saw two male cardinals fighting at the feeder. Cardinals are lambs during the winter, flocking together, both males and females, eating harmoniously. When the hormones kick in, squabbles start and will keep up now until nesting season is over. Cardinals may have two nests in a good year, so he keeps busy - singing, defending his territory, helping feed the female and raising the chicks. Whew! The sweetest scene is a male tenderly shelling a black oil sunflower seed and gently feeding his mate. Ahhhh, true love - well, for a season. Cardinals can stay together until one dies, but I don't think this is true of all of them. You would be very surprised how tests of paternity have gone in the bird world. Lot of baby mamas and baby daddys are not living in the same nest.

So, when I smell spring (that's damp earth and sunshine) I think of opening the pond which we cover in late fall to keep the leaves out which reduces cleaning in the spring. The pond is another story. But the card I created is for now.



This easel card was created with: Distress Ink Faded Jeans; Copics: R20, E11, E00, Y02, Y08, Y19, YR14, R83, B0000, R84, vellum; spellbinder dies and a sparkle or two. The paper was from the old "I have no idea how I came to have all these single sheets of no-name paper" stash. Come on, spring!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Boy, I'm good....

I knew my cheering would boost the Americans medal count. Knew it, knew it, knew it. Lindsey Vonn was spectacular in the Women's Downhill. Shaun White - he's grown up nicely, hasn't he? I heard him on an interview talking about missing "little things" like being able to go to the grocery store without being recognized. When asked if that bothered him, he said that he'd "do anything for kids" and mentioned being turned down for an autograph when he was younger and how hurt he was. Can you image asking something of your hero and being told to flake off? Shani Davis in the 1000m looked pretty darn good, also. So, here's to the athletes, may your feet take wings, may your dreams be fulfilled, may your Olympic experience be all that you hoped for. And thanks for the memories...of the determination on your face, the vicarious thrill of your victory, the culmination of the practice and deprivation that led you here. We love you all.

We should have our own Olympics at home. In Pearls Before Swine today, Pig found out that "being fat on the couch" is not an Olympic event. Darn! I've been practicing for that one for years. I wonder if folding and putting away laundry during Judge Judy could be an event. Or how about Run to the Grocery Store to buy the forgotten Cumin before dinner burns and hubby gets home. Or answering the phone while placing rhinestones with glue on them on your latest creation - cursing is allowed in this event

Boy, I'm good....

I created this card in anticipation. I knew my cheerleaders would boost the Americans medal count. Knew it, knew it, knew it. Lindsey Vonn was spectacular in the Women's Downhill. Shaun White - he's grown up nicely, hasn't he? I heard him on an interview talking about missing "little things" like being able to go to the grocery store without being recognized. When asked if that bothered him, he said that he'd "do anything for kids" and mentioned being turned down for an autograph when he was younger and how hurt he was. Can you image asking something of your hero and being told to flake off? Shani Davis in the 1000m looked pretty darn good, also. So, here's to the athletes, may your feet take wings, may your dreams be fulfilled, may your Olympic experience be all that you hoped for. And thanks for the memories...of the determination on your face, the vicarious thrill of your victory, the culmination of the practice and deprivation that led you here. We love you all.

We should have our own Olympics at home. In Pearls Before Swine today, Pig found out that "being fat on the couch" is not an Olympic event. Darn! I've been practicing for that one for years. I wonder if folding and putting away laundry during Judge Judy could be an event. Or how about Run to the Grocery Store to buy the forgotten Cumin before dinner burns and hubby gets home. Or answering the phone while placing rhinestones with glue on them on your latest creation - cursing is allowed in this event.

If I do this card again, the image could be stamped twice and the skirt cut out, stamped with a corresponding stamp in the Inkadinkado set and layered.



Paper: K&Co Que Sera Sera stamped with Inkadinkado #97724 clear stamps; image & sentiment: The Greeting Farm Sweet Messages; Copics: E30, RV11, RV10, E31, E55, E57, B93, B91, YR24, Y17, YG23, YG17, N3, YG03, YG25, W00. The sentiment die is Spellbinders, the flower is from Gartner's confetti flowers in the bride's section of Michaels, colored with a copic pen to match. Ribbon is from the stash.

Mardi Gras, anyone?...

Many years ago when my daughter was young and her father lived closed to New Orleans, she got to attend Mardi Gras. She was standing on a street corner watching the parade, collecting whatever it is they throw from the floats, when it started raining. She said she was confused because it was only raining where she was, not in the street. When she looked up, there was a man on the street lamp and he was peeing on the crowd. That's Mardi Gras, where obviously, anything goes - this year more than most because of the Saints (yeah, Saints). Lots of skin, lots of libations, lots of doing things you would never think to do on Main Street in Anytown, USA, with the relatives and co-workers watching. I would image it's a lot like Ray Steven's Shriner's Convention which puts me in stitches everytime I hear it. Do you suppose what happens at Mardi Gras, stays at Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras, anyone?

Magnolia Stamp Lovers has another challenge: - create a card for Carnaval or Mardi Gras. Cindy Echtinaw's store, StampingScrapping.com is hosting the challenge and putting up the prize. We would love to have you join us there. Cindy offers excellent service with a dollop of warmth and friendship, and all tied up in love.

Many years ago when my daughter was young and her father lived closed to New Orleans, she got to attend Mardi Gras. She was standing on a street corner watching the parade, collecting whatever it is they throw from the floats, when it started raining. She said she was confused because it was only raining where she was, not in the street. When she looked up, there was a man on the street lamp and he was peeing on the crowd. That's Mardi Gras, where obviously, anything goes - this year more than most because of the Saints (yeah, Saints). Lots of skin, lots of libations, lots of doing things you would never think to do on Main Street in Anytown, USA, with the relatives and co-workers watching. I would image it's a lot like Ray Steven's Shriner's Convention which puts me in stitches everytime I hear it. Do you suppose what happens at Mardi Gras, stays at Mardi Gras?

So, I offer the following: The phrase means, "Let the good times roll!" in French and sounds so much classier than English. This challenge is also going to work for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge (FTTC54)



Paper: from the stash stamped with Flourishes Mardi Gras stamps, embossed with gold and purple Zing embossing powder; Image is Magnolia Dreamy Tilda, sentiment is from Flourishes Mardi Gras stamps; the crowns and mask are also from Flourishes; the filaments are from Hobbs Fly Tying Material; the feathers are strung guinea feathers in kingfisher blue; the rhinestones are Queen & Co., Copics: E00, E11, R20, Y11, Y02, Y08, V04, V01, V000, Y28; Spicas: Lavender & Lilac. Pearls and ribbons are from the stash; Gold Stickles were used on the mask which was embossed with gold Zing.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Go Go USA!...

Germany just surpassed the USA in total medals. I don't have anything against Germany, I hear they make fine beer, but my blood runs red, white and blue. Since I can't be there to cheer on our athletes, I'm sending two of my favorite people to do it for me. They've left their disco ball just long enough to attend the rest of the events in my name. Wish them well, I understand lines are long at the hot chocolate venue.

Go Go USA!

Germany just surpassed the USA in total medals. I don't have anything against Germany, I hear they make fine beer, but my blood runs red, white and blue. Since I can't be there to cheer on our athletes, I'm sending two of my favorite people to do it for me. They've left their disco ball just long enough to attend the rest of the events in my name. Wish them well, I understand lines are long at the hot chocolate venue.



The background stamp is by Our Daily Bread colored by Distress Inks, the couple is Art Impressions. Copics used were: YR82, R20, E00, R22, C1, C00, Y08, Y17, YG06, YG09, W3, YG23, E33, E31, BG34, E99, W6. Spicas: clear, mint, gold and olive. Sentiment was a Cuttlebug alphabet, 2010 was colored with a Krylon 18kt Gold Leafing Pen. Distess Inks: Tea Dye, Brushed Corduroy, Worn Lipstick, Faded Jeans

Saturday, February 13, 2010

On the Olympics...

I have always been an Olympics buff from as far back as I can remember. That in itself is pretty funny as I have never been athletic. I love watching the athletes and I think the dedication that goes into becoming the very best at whatever you do is admirable. Last night's opening ceremonies were awesome. Honoring their first people was such a "Canadian" thing to do. I have a lot of respect for the Canadian people. Niceness isn't something they do, it's what they are. Despite the technical problems of the show, I turned off the TV with a sadness that it was over. But now....let the games begin. I will be glued to the television for the next two weeks watching as many events as I can cram into a day. I will celebrate the victories and commiserate with the non-victors. As far as I'm concerned, anyone who made it to the Olympics is a winner in my book. So, let's party!

On the Olympics

I have always been an Olympics buff from as far back as I can remember. That in itself is pretty funny as I have never been athletic. I love watching the athletes and I think the dedication that goes into becoming the very best at whatever you do is admirable. Last night's opening ceremonies were awesome. Honoring their first people was such a "Canadian" thing to do. I have a lot of respect for the Canadian people. Niceness isn't something they do, it's what they are. Despite the technical problems of the show, I turned off the TV with a sadness that it was over. But now....let the games begin. I will be glued to the television for the next two weeks watching as many events as I can cram into a day. I will celebrate the victories and commiserate with the non-victors. As far as I'm concerned, anyone who made it to the Olympics is a winner in my book. So, let's party!



I made a new outfit to attend some of the Olympic parties in - I hope you like it.
Art Impressions stamp, computer generated sentiment, DCWV The Blossoms and Butterfies Matstack and Bazzill Basics, Sakura Gelly Roll, Spica: Blossom, Lipstick, Copics: R32, E11, E00, RV34, R85, Y35, Y18, R01, R00, R000, R0000

Thursday, February 11, 2010

On women & instructions...

Movie day this week was delayed a day so I didn't infect my friend, Ruthann. A baker with a bad cold is a health risk and she had orders. So, we delayed a day and I stayed away from her yesterday, hopefully she survived and took no germs home with her. I, on the other hand, am still feeling poorly, unable to breathe, unable to sleep and unable to create. Last night I took Nyquil and slept for 12 hours. My sweet husband tiptoed around the bedroom getting dressed and trying to sneak out without waking me. It didn’t work, but he gets an A for effort.

So…to movie day. Since she had orders, we only did one film this week – Gladiators with Russell Crowe. It’s a good thing we didn’t see it in a theater, we might have been ejected. That’s the glory of movie day at my house – you can root for the good guys and boo the bad guys, I do draw the line at throwing popcorn at the screen. Joaquin Phoenix was so good in that movie that I am unable to watch him in any other work without being angry at him. He actually makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up whenever I see him. Some people might think of Gladiator as a violent movie, I always think of it as one of the great love stories. Lunch was Cincinnati Chili, provided by Ruthann. It was wonderful and filling – so filling she didn’t partake of my flaky cake. I should never bake for a baker. My cake actually crumbled when icing it, so the icing was all full of cake crumbs. So, I covered it with coconut to hide it. It was still lopsided, but it hasn’t bothered my husband who didn’t have a problem eating it. I just won’t bake again for Ruthann. My Cherry Almond Jubilee was a much bigger hit and Sara Lee did all the baking – so if it wasn't good, blame her.

On women & instructions

Movie day this week was delayed a day so I didn't infect my friend, Ruthann. A baker with a bad cold is a health risk and she had orders. So, we delayed a day and I stayed away from her yesterday, hopefully she survived and took no germs home with her. I, on the other hand, am still feeling poorly, unable to breathe, unable to sleep and unable to create. Last night I took Nyquil and slept for 12 hours. My sweet husband tiptoed around the bedroom getting dressed and trying to sneak out without waking me. It didn’t work, but he gets an A for effort.

So…to movie day. Since she had orders, we only did one film this week – Gladiators with Russell Crowe. It’s a good thing we didn’t see it in a theatre, we might have been ejected. That’s the glory of movie day at my house – you can root for the good guys and boo the bad guys, I do draw the line at throwing popcorn at the screen. Joaquin Phoenix was so good in that movie that I am unable to watch him in any other work without being angry at him. He actually makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up whenever I see him. Some people might think of Gladiator as a violent movie, I always think of it as one of the great love stories. Lunch was Cincinnati Chili, provided by Ruthann. It was wonderful and filling – so filling she didn’t partake of my flaky cake. I should never bake for a baker. My cake actually crumbled when icing it, so the icing was all full of cake crumbs. So, I covered it with coconut to hide it. It was still lopsided, but it hasn’t bothered my husband who didn’t have a problem eating it. I just won’t bake again for Ruthann. My Cherry Almond Jubilee was a much bigger hit and Sara Lee did all the baking – so if it wasn't good, blame her.



This is another Art Impressions stamp – Standing Lovelle. There are three or four different designs of Lovelle, this one gives advice. The background paper is actually from an old wallpaper book. The tag is Spellbinders, Copics used were: E00, R83, E09, E07, B95, B93; the glasses were done in Spica Baby Blue and the earrings and purse closure were done in Spica gold. I am slowly working my way through my stash of Art Impressions stamps. But I plan to throw in a Maggie here and there while I do. Comments are encouraged, they help me grow.

Monday, February 8, 2010

The birdfeeder...

It's snowing like crazy here but I managed to get out early and fill the feeders in case I was unable to do it later. Just as I hung the peanut feeder, I noticed a lot of commotion in the brush pile across the street. The land is partially cleared and what wasn't cut for firewood, was piled. Lots of birds hang in the brush pile and boy were they making a ton of noise. As I looked in that direction, I "felt" something over my head and when I looked up, it was a sharp-shinned hawk skimming my hair and headed for the brush pile. He landed on a branch just above the brush pile and grabbed the first house sparrow that was too nervous to stay safe. And then he flew away. The whole episode took less than 10 seconds, I didn't even get really cold watching (and I didn't have my coat on). On a related note, I watched an episode of Curb Appeal on HGTV while I was down with a headcold. There was a nest in a roof overhang that the owner was most anxious not be harmed while painting. They removed the nest into a cardboard box and put it on the roof. While clearly filming the male house sparrow next to the box, they said they were "relieved to see the mother check out the nest". Those kinds of things really make me laugh - and make me more aware of how nature is portrayed on television. Like "In the Heat of the Night" where the loons are always calling. I do believe that loons are mostly northern birds except during the winter when they might be along the southeastern coast. I think "Heat" just has a bird soundtrack they play over and over, regardless of season. And that eagle you hear calling in the distance? Isn't an eagle at all - they don't call. They do have a chatter. Red-tailed hawks are a stand-in for that lovely, poignant sound of the eagle.

The birdfeeder

It's snowing like crazy here but I managed to get out early and fill the feeders in case I was unable to do it later. Just as I hung the peanut feeder, I noticed a lot of commotion in the brush pile across the street. The land is partially cleared and what wasn't cut for firewood, was piled. Lots of birds hang in the brush pile and boy were they making a ton of noise. As I looked in that direction, I "felt" something over my head and when I looked up, it was a sharp-shinned hawk skimming my hair and headed for the brush pile. He landed on a branch just above the brush pile and grabbed the first house sparrow that was too nervous to stay safe. And then he flew away. The whole episode took less than 10 seconds, I didn't even get really cold watching (and I didn't have my coat on). On a related note, I watched an episode of Curb Appeal on HGTV while I was down with a headcold. There was a nest in a roof overhang that the owner was most anxious not be harmed while painting. They removed the nest into a cardboard box and put it on the roof. While clearly filming the male house sparrow next to the box, they said they were "relieved to see the mother check out the nest". Those kinds of things really make me laugh - and make me more aware of how nature is portrayed on television. Like "In the Heat of the Night" where the loons are always calling. I do believe that loons are mostly northern birds except during the winter when they might be along the southeastern coast. I think "Heat" just has a bird soundtrack they play over and over, regardless of season. And that eagle you hear calling in the distance? Isn't an eagle at all - they don't call. They do have a chatter. Red-tailed hawks are a stand-in for that lovely, poignant sound of the eagle.

Speaking of calling to the opposite sex, I recently finished a Friday Sketch I'd like to show you. This is the Florida Snowbird calling his mate.



The stamp is from Art Impressions, copics used were: E11, E93, E41, C1, E31, R30, R21, E34, W5, C1. Papers are just pulled from the no-name stash, sentiment was computer created. Hope he makes you smile.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Focus, focus, focus...

I'm having more senior moments these days. In mid-conversation, I will stop talking - searching for a word I was sure I knew yesterday, yet cannot find packed away anywhere in my brain. My husband, considerate man that he is, will often say at these times "Is this gonna take long?" like he had someplace else to be at that moment and can't wait fifteen or twenty minutes while I open all the filing cabinets in my head to find the word I was searching for. Add insult to injury, it usually isn't a huge word, it's usually a word I use all the time, but it has for all intents and purposes been removed from my vocabulary at that instant, only to be replaced at three a.m. Eureka! I also travel from room to room looking for something that I forgot just after I started my journey. I sometimes make several trips for the same item, having forgotten it, returned to my starting place, remembered it and trying again. Last week I put something in the microwave to store it; it was sour cream. Luckily I caught that one before it started to stink.

Focus, focus, focus

I'm having more senior moments these days. In mid-conversation, I will stop talking - searching for a word I was sure I knew yesterday, yet cannot find packed away anywhere in my brain. My husband, considerate man that he is, will often say at these times "Is this gonna take long?" like he had someplace else to be at that moment and can't wait fifteen or twenty minutes while I open all the filing cabinets in my head to find the word I was searching for. Add insult to injury, it usually isn't a huge word, it's usually a word I use all the time, but it has for all intents and purposes been removed from my vocabulary at that instant, only to be replaced at three a.m. Eureka! I also travel from room to room looking for something that I forgot just after I started my journey. I sometimes make several trips for the same item, having forgotten it, returned to my starting place, remembered it and trying again. Last week I put something in the microwave to store it; it was sour cream. Luckily I caught that one before it started to stink.

It happened to me again this morning. I was in my room listening to last night's Burn Notice (which I record because it's on way past my bedtime LOL) and creating the card shown below. I was basically finished; I was in that "is that all there is?" moment when something about the card struck me as wrong. You know that little voice in the back of your subconscious that tells you 'it ain't right'? But I couldn't for the life of me figure out what was wrong. So, I stared at that card for a half an hour. I moved it to the left and then to the right. I closed it, I opened it, I knew it was wrong, but ... So I took a trip to the little girl crafter's room and when I came back, it jumped out at me. I had the "a" in dream upside down. Now, wouldn't you think that would be obvious? Luckily for the card, I could peel it up and reglue it. So, for the people sweet enough to comment on my cards, watch my back, will ya? When I put the image upside down, or I don't color it, or something else is seriously wrong, shout me out, eh?



The paper for this card was DCWV the Blossom & Butterfly, the sentiment was from the Cuttlebug Alphabet "You're Not the Boss", and cut on AC Specialty Paper - Foil. The image is Picnic Tilda. The butterfly in the upper right is a Spellbinder die, the butterfly in the lower left is a Martha Stewart Punch. Spicas: Clear for the wings, Baby Blue for the pocket accent. A Silver Jelly Roll was used on the overalls button. Copics: E93, E11, YR23, YR31, Y21, B45, RV21, YG25, B41, E37, YR12, C1, and C5. The basic card was edged in a Krylon Silver Leafing Pen. In my last order from StampingScrapping, I got a big order of Copics and now have a full set of Sketch with the exception of some grays. I also got a big bunch of Maggies - thanks for the great customer service, Cindy, I luv ya! (ok, you too, Kevin)

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Some customer service sucks...

While I'm in my feisty mood, I have a question for you. Have you ever had such a bad experience at an establishment that you not only never went back, but took every opportunity to talk about your decision? I did. Twenty-four years ago, before my daughter's 16th birthday I splurged - big time. I was a single parent raising a daughter, paying house payments, utilities, band costumes, food - well, you get the idea. We didn't have "spare" money. So, I took money we didn't have and with a newspaper ad in hand, went to the unnamed store to purchase a stereo system I couldn't afford. As most of us know now, but I didn't know then, stores like the old "bait and switch", they advertise something they don't have (oh, they have reasons - we weren't shipped enough, the ad made a mistake), but all the while they intend to get you to spend more money than you intended. Which, stupid me, I did. So I bought a 3 piece stereo (turntable, cassette player, two speakers) for her birthday. The day of her birthday, we assembled the stereo, plugged it in, and just got a crackling sound from the speakers. We packed it back up and I took it back to the unnamed store the next day. They wouldn't take it back. They required me to take it to a repair store in another city. Now, I have money I couldn't afford invested in a product that doesn't work purchased for a very special birthday. It was in the repair shop two weeks. And when we got it home, it still did not work. We threw it away. For twenty-four years I've been telling friends - and I quote "I wouldn't shop at that store if it was the last store on earth and giving away sh** free." Of course, my friends will know exactly what store that was. They are noted for their tools but I won't spend a penny there and I won't give money to my husband so he can purchase something there. To compound the error, for twenty-four years they have been sending me credit applications. On every one, I write, "I wouldn't shop at your store if you were the last store on earth and giving away sh** free." Once, I even received a reply. The letter said you haven't completely filled out the credit application, so we are returning it so you can do so. Am I the only one that thinks that once in twenty-four years, someone would have asked "Why are you so angry with us?"

And another thing...

While I'm in my feisty mood, I have a question for you. Have you ever had such a bad experience at an establishment that you not only never went back, but took every opportunity to talk about your decision? I did. Twenty-four years ago, before my daughter's 16th birthday I splurged - big time. I was a single parent raising a daughter, paying house payments, utilities, band costumes, food - well, you get the idea. We didn't have "spare" money. So, I took money we didn't have and with a newspaper ad in hand, went to the unnamed store to purchase a stereo system I couldn't afford. As most of us know now, but I didn't know then, stores like the old "bait and switch", they advertise something they don't have (oh, they have reasons - we weren't shipped enough, the ad made a mistake), but all the while they intend to get you to spend more money than you intended. Which, stupid me, I did. So I bought a 3 piece stereo (turntable, cassette player, two speakers) for her birthday. The day of her birthday, we assembled the stereo, plugged it in, and just got a crackling sound from the speakers. We packed it back up and I took it back to the unnamed store the next day. They wouldn't take it back. They required me to take it to a repair store in another city. Now, I have money I couldn't afford invested in a product that doesn't work purchased for a very special birthday. It was in the repair shop two weeks. And when we got it home, it still did not work. We threw it away. For twenty-four years I've been telling friends - and I quote "I wouldn't shop at that store if they were the last store on earth and giving away sh** free." Of course, my friends will know exactly what store that was. They are noted for their tools but I won't spend a penny there and I won't give money to my husband so he can purchase something there. To compound the error, for twenty-four years they have been sending me credit applications. On every one, I write, "I wouldn't shop at your store if you were the last store on earth and giving away sh** free." Once, I even received a reply. The letter said you haven't completely filled out the credit application, so we are returning it so you can do so. Am I the only one that thinks that once in twenty-four years, someone would have asked "Why are you so angry with us?"

I tell you that, so I can tell you this...doesn't this Art Impressions sassy lady look like someone who would have done something about this injustice instead of just letting it fester for years? I think so. She looks like the "getting one up" type.




The papers are old from my pile, the cardstock is Beckett Radiance, and the sentiment is computer generated. The coffee cups are from Cindy Echtinaw and can be purchased here. These stamps make great embellishments; she has a larger set of these also. Copics used: R20, E31, E33, E04, T6, T8, YG45, Y11, YG63, T5, T6, C1, N0, Y02, E07. Spicas: Gold, Baby Blue, Lemon. EDIT: this is my very first try at ethnic skin. How did I do?

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

I won, I won, I won, I won...

Oh, my, I'm breathless. I actually won some Blog Candy from Paper Funtastics. I won:

One lucky person will receive all this:

Birdie Wishes from There She Goes
Garden of Friends from There She Goes
EDIT: Jessica generously added the Let's Get Together set to the stash!
Maggie Bunny from The Greeting Farm
$25 Gift Certificate to The Greeting Farm

as well as

1 pkg Making Memories Tiny Alpha Stickers
1 pkg Recollections Pearl Stickers
1 pkg Recollections Rhinestone Stickers
1 pkg Recollections Valentine Trim

and I was the lucky person. The stamps are gorgeous and I can't wait to get them. This is as good as Christmas. I am also getting a big box from StampingScrapping tomorrow. Of course, I can't play for a while, tomorrow is movie day. My friend Ruthann and I watch two movies every week at our house (with the BIG tv, bluray and surround sound); one of us makes lunch and one of us makes dessert. We started four weeks ago with Pirates of the Caribbean 1 and 2. Our second week was Pirates 3 and Lord of the Rings 1. Last week it was Lord of the Rings 2 and 3, Barbecue Pork sandwiches and Cherry Almond Delight. We normally meet on Tuesday, but schedules were switched so tomorrow we'll have Creamy Cajun Shrimp on Linguine, 300 and Van Helsing (two hunk movies in a row, be still my heart). I don't know what dessert will be until she brings it, but let me tell you, it will add pounds just sitting on the counter. She's a fabulous baker; her iced sugar cookies would make a grown man cry.

I'm still in the mood for valentines, here's one I'm really proud of:



The LOVE U was cut from the Cricut Mickey Font cartridge, stamped with a Hero Arts background stamp and sprayed with a copic airbrush. The paper, flowers, ribbon and pearls are all old unlabeled supplies. Copics used on Dreamy Tilda were E00, E11, R20, Y11, Y02, Y13, RV21, RV10, RV11 and RV32. A clear spica was used on the wing. Easel cards, ya gotta love 'em.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Guess what, um, guess what?

I actually got to create a challenge for the Magnolia Stamp Lovers group AND put the information into the blog. Yippee! It took a bunch of questions, a little panic, but turned out OK in the end. Please visit, enter the challenge, share the joy.

Challenge #3 is Buttons and/or bows and here is my entry:



Head to the MSL blog to see the details and enter the challenge. And a big congrats to the winners of Challenge 2.