Take Two

Me again...

I've done a little more playing this week, more images to share.

I'm so taken with anything Vintage these days, trying to reflect that in my cards.
Most of these papers etc. have been in my stash forever - time to use it or lose it, I say.
Thanks to inspirations & sketches from some of my favorite websites.
Biblios.
I think this tag is My Mind's Eye, the papers are Basic Grey.

Birdsong. BG papers again

Bloom Where you're planted.
K&Co. and DCWV papers - seed packets are also K&Co.

Grow.
Another seed packet experiment (I love these!) K&Co. and Stampinup papers

and just for fun - another painting that I finished recently. It's meant to go with an earlier one as a pair...

Sometimes you just gotta try....

*Brushing back cobwebs* Achooo! it's a mess in here...

Someone left a little device on my computer desk, so I thought I'd give it a try - what have I got to loose after all? Don't know what this thing's called, but you insert camera card and plug it in - instant download.

Amazingly, it worked. And just in time - I had lots of time off this week, so I've been playing with some Christmas gifts that had yet to be opened.

Just a few little cards to share with you...

Firstly, some Valentines I made with my gran's in mind.

This one is for my little gremlin Ellie (She's unique and not conventional in any way.)

This one is for Millie-Moo.
She was over one day (a couple of years ago,) when I told her I was going to leave for a bit to go to a Quickutz warehouse sale.
She pleaded to come with me, so we loaded up and went - just the 2 of us.
We had a fun day. She enjoyed looking at all the fun shapes (and was very patient with grandma as she made the rounds more than once.)
I rewarded her patience by treating her to lunch at one of my favorite teenage hangouts.
She still remembers the stories I told her as we sat there.
(Hey, somebody's got to document granny's life...)
She picked out this dress die that day. This is the first occasion I've had to use it.
I'm hoping she'll view the card not only as a sign of grandma's love, but also as a reminder of a fun day we spent together.

This one is for Miss Jane (Arilie)

I made these two to try out the Martha Stewart doilies I recently got in the mail.
I've been looking for them forever, and finally found some on ebay...



I've had these cute owls (K&Company) in my stash forever, time to do something with them or give them away...

My oldest daughter hates Valentines. I was thinking of her when I put this one together... (Looking for some rhinestone hearts to add some bling.)

That's the sum total of my creating to date - that should do me for another 6 months... right? (LOL)
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*All papers excepting the butterfly card and the Red Queen card are Basic Grey - butterfly dimensional sticker and paper: K&Co.) Red floral paper and oval tag on the dress card are from SEI.
The Red Queen cut-out is Graphic 45, the candelabra sticker, Martha Stewart, papers Die Cuts With a View. The felt heart stickers are from JoAnn's Fabrics.
Ribbons from my stash.
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How would you like....... some PHOTOS?

{{{ And the crowd goes WiLd }}}

No, the computer isn't fixed, but I did take my camera card and have the photos burned to a disk. Finally something to share!

Just a little peek at what I've been doing while I was away...
Take your time and make it last - who knows how long it will have to tide you over.
~ LOL! ~
First, how about some cards - this is pretty much the sum total of what I made this Summer. Not a very productive one >.<

This first one was from a sketch by... Card Positioning Systems.
Nothing official - I just liked it, so I played. :-)


This one I just put together because I got these fun new envelopes...
(Maya Road)

Loved these papers by K&Company.

I'm so into vintage art lately - had to have this sheet of cut outs by Crafty Secrets (Sew Nice).

Another Crafty Secrets image from the same sheet - this is one of my favorites.


I've also been doing some non-card crafting - made a few of these just for fun (because I love Fall!)

My model was a little reluctant (but cute.)



The place where I work always has these cute bird houses, and I was inspired...
I have a thing for black & white, and collect papers in that color scheme wherever I see them. (Most of these were a gift from my daughter in law though.)

My little Gothic Birdie Village;


...And lastly, but not leastly - I exhumed my paints this month from the catacombs of the storage room. They have been buried there since my youngest was born (18 years ago.)
I just wanted to see if I still knew how to use them.
I'm pretty rusty (not to mention way blind!)...and I need a lot more practice, but I finished anyway...

I probably should have started with something less ambitious - but where's the challenge in that?

That brings us up to date. Ultra busy working now, but hopefully I can squeeze in a project now and then.

Thanks for dropping by!
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I. Give. Up.

I don't understand why I'm having so much opposition in my life at present. It's definitely frustrating.
I used to tackle challenges and keep at them until I conquered, but I just don't have that fight in me any more.

I had a slew of new projects in mind - and I did complete a few - (to be shared as soon as I'm able,) but I finally decided to curtail that dream for now.
I just can't keep up.
(I just got going when I was socked with a lot more hours at work.)

I did, however, unearth the old paints and brushes before the onslaught. I haven't touched those items since my youngest was born - 18 years ago!
I'm a bit rusty (and a lot more blind!) ...but I've managed to remember a few of the old skills and actually finish a piece.

Giving up on the "BIG" idea for now (planned on opening an etsy shop,) but not giving up completely on the ideas. I'm going to try to keep designing some things, and at least do a few proto-types. Come January, work will probably slow down again - if it does, I'll be ready.

Still haven't conquered the photo issue, but I'm working on that too...

Meanwhile, I got this in my email box this week - I think it's a fun idea, and I've always wanted to do one, but I usually think about it too late.

Maybe this year...



(Click on the picture to go to Ali Edward's blog for this fun December Daily Diary.)

...And, because I'm feeling very generous (or guilty?) I'll even share my favorite fudge recipe with you...

It's a modification of my mother's recipe - I altered it a bit because I lacked an ingredient one time, ...and it worked! I've continued to make it this way, because it's a lot harder to ruin than mom's. LOL!

Granny T's Fudge

In a medium sauce pan add:
2 Cups Granulated Sugar
2 Tablespoons Karo Syrup (clear)
2/3 Cup Evaporated Milk

Cook & stir on medium high heat until it comes to a boil, then reduce heat. Continue to cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Then add half of a bag of chocolate chips, (I like semi-sweet,) and stir until they are completely melted.
Remove pan from stove and add:
1 Tablespoon margarine or butter (or, if you are feeling reckless, you can substitute peanut butter)
and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Stir until blended (and slightly cooled.)
Pour into buttered 8x8 pan and let cool.

It's a simple recipe, but it's a family favorite.
(And like I said, you almost have to try to mess it up!)

Sorry for the long absence...
ENJOY!

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Geek Seek

Sorry to keep you hanging again for so long.

I went on a card making binge this weekend to relieve some stress, but I'm having technical problems again. The last of my resident computer geeks moved out this weekend, so I am on my own...

I've fixed this problem before, but the "how to" is stored in my memory (which crashes more often than the computer.)

Anyway, in the meantime, please visit these blogs:

Lilybean's Paperie - One of my favorite places. Melissa Phillips is not only extremely talented, but she has to be one of the nicest people alive. I love reading her posts - I swear it takes my blood pressure down a few notches just reading her sweet words.

Iralamija - By now you should be getting the idea that the Vintage/Shabby Chic style is my favorite. Beatriz Jennings also has a beautiful style - lots of eye-candy here...

And Thinking Inking Debbie Olsen does a lot of work with stamps and Copic Markers, I enjoy looking at her pages because they're often instructional too...

Well, now you know where I hang out when I'm gone - enjoy the show, and I'll keep working on things here.

I've got to figure it out sometime, right?

>.<
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Dog Days...

Summer is starting to wind down, but just the same - the heat is on.
I've been hunkering down inside where I can crank up the AC to a balmy 60 degrees (I wish, ha ha - hubby would have a cow!)
But anyway, getting my groove on and trying to find more ways to be creative - even dug out the water colors! (Wish me luck!)

Here's that card that gave me so much trouble a few weeks ago - don't pat me on the back for this one, it's almost a carbon copy of one I found online somewhere, right down to the color scheme. (I wish I could remember where I found it so I could give credit, but it's been in my folder for a good long time.)

It was fun though, even if I couldn't find my glitter to dress up the butterfly...

Got my work day in this week, now I'll be spending the rest of it doing laundry and cleaning up from last week's camping trip.

Stay cool!
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Mid - life

It's interesting these days - I don't really think of myself as 'old,' (though I do kid about that a lot,) But lately, so many friends, family, etc. seem to be having health crises.

My husband came home the other night with news that yet another of our dear friends is feeling poorly, and in need of our love and prayers.

He requested that I make a card for her, to let her know we are thinking of her.
I found a few ideas online, and created these two with her in mind, (I like to have choices.)

These papers are all S.E.I.


I had another card to add here, but I can't even tell you the problems I've been having with my (#@%&@) computer.

I give up - maybe another day...