Recovery Time

I've been on R&R for the last couple of weeks while recovering from surgery. Been spending lots of time at home trying to keep myself entertained...

I did a little Birdwatching...
(The Doves have returned to the back yard)



Reading...
(Love this series by Josi Kilpack. Fun cozy mysteries with the added bonus of a few yummy recipes thrown in - this is her newest one. Can't wait for the next one coming out this fall!)



Browsing magazines, such as Artful Blogging, looking for new ideas and inspirations...


...And this one:
(Don't laugh, I know it's a little out of character for me, but when I flipped through the pages, the beautiful horse photos reminded me of my dad and my childhood home, and I had to have it.)

The fact that all three of these books are color coordinated is purely coincidental.



Watching favorite DVD's and looking up fashions from the show...
(Ghost Whisperer and Polyvore)



One day, while browsing some favorite sites, I ran across a blog hop, and was led to Lizabits blog, and a fun color challenge. I was so taken by this photo. It was so bright and Springy, and reminded me of a hutch that my daughter in law gave my son for his birthday.


Brad's hutch - (I helped a little with the paint job)


I usually don't work much with Yellow, but I was inspired enough to try...

...And even a second one...

I found this great tutorial for tying the scrunched ribbon bows on Kimberly's Craft Spot, which made me really happy because I've always wanted to know how it's done!


I was hoping to get a lot more done than this during my off-time,
but I haven't had as much energy for it as I hoped.
Lots of new inspirations for the future though!

Hubby will be traveling for work again soon, and I don't start working until later next week, so hopefully there will be time to try a few more.

On a sadder note - I saw on the news today that the Scrapbook USA Expo is going on this weekend. It has been a traditional girls' day outing for the past several years, but I didn't see it coming around this time. Since Libby is living 3 states away now, I'm not keeping track of things very well...
(Not that I need any more supplies, but it was always a fun little excursion for me, my daughter in law, and her sister.)

Oh well, there's always this fall...
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Gothic Romance

Valentines is an opportunity to to continue an ongoing love affair - with Black & White. Yum, my favorite combination. Add a pop of red for drama, and I am in love!

...Just being silly, but truly, it is my favorite.

Just a couple of Valentines today - I found a sketch online that inspired this one. I wish I could remember where... But it reminded me of a tuxedo, so that's how I used it.

This one was for my darling daughter. You'd have to know her - trust me, it's perfect. :-)

That's all this week - taking time off to read...
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Groundhog Day

I can see the sun today, and I understand ole Punxatawny Phil saw it too. Casting shadows all over the place.
Here's hoping his prediction of an early Spring comes true - I could sure use it!

Been playing with some sketches this week, while also playing with the notion of applying for Lucy's design team again.
(My Sketch World)

Sometimes it takes having deadlines and responsibilities to get things done regular-like...

Spring on the brain

I like how this turned out - would be a nice wedding card

Just a couple more and I'll be done...

One extra - just fooling those new dies again.
(I always think of my daughter in law when I do cherries ^.^)

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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