Thursday, April 30, 2009

Find the joy

I had so many cards to choose from to work with my thought topic for today,
Rain, Rain go away, come again some other day!

~A girl who is a wish fairy... maybe she could grant us a few days in a row that were beautiful, Rejoice in the day the Lord has made! Sunshine on my shoulder!

or

A fun little ducky splashing in a tub of bubbles, because we all know that only a duck could really like this weather, or not!

Or, this beach scene, a tutorial from Michelle Zindorf. Sentiment by SU! Find joy in the little things, cuz you gotta know by now, all these April showers... we'll probably have a drought this summer!!!


This card is 4-1/4" x 8". Pure fun and joy to create!
Don't forget your galoshes... I was going to say rubbers**, but that's from a different era! Galoshes, Rain coat, umbrella, windshield wipers etc.....

** In modern usage, it is an outer shoe worn in inclement weather to protect the inner one, and keep the feet dry. Galoshes are now almost universally made of rubber, and in the United States they are often known as "rubbers." In the bootmakers' trade, a "galosh" is the piece of leather, of a make stronger than, or different from that of the "uppers", which runs around the bottom part of a boot or shoe, just above the sole.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Need coffee... now

Is what it reads on the inside. Although I'm not a hot, hot black coffee drinker... I think all these cards and images with coffee related themes are simply adorable. As I'm drinking my iced chai tea.... Thanks a latte!

I think this cute guy is an egg with shoes on!


On to sad news, it's overcast again and looks like it is going to rain!! Everything is growing quite well due to nature's watering can. My brain is cloudy and overcast, the bright sunny disposition is trying to peek out, but cloud cover sure makes everything seem a bit more gloomy!!! I want sunshine and warmth, is that too much to ask??????

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

April Showers bring May Flowers

Mayflowers bring Pilgrims!!!!

I always loved that joke as a kid!!! hee hee.

Actually they bring my furry friend and cutie pie.... Cooper!! He was actually posing for me. Doesn't he look handsome?



Now on to my flowers. I have a lot of burms and ground cover, but it's mostly shade. Last year I uprooted 1,000's of day lilly's that the previous home owner just let grow in this little area where a tree used to be. So, now I am making a little garden. Adding different things each year. Here is what the bunnies haven't eaten, yet!!



























Monday, April 27, 2009

Bottom of the barrel

With all the things I did and didn't do this weekend, here's one of the last cards for me to showcase from last week's photo shoot. Can't have enough sympathy cards. The one bad thing, is I don't like to make multiples of the same card... but I really like the layout and color of this one.... Based of course, after Markie's Mom... you can tell by the dots!!

Beautiful {snicker} rainy weekend!!! However, yhe grass is lush green, all the trees and bushes are budding, all the weeds are ... growing like weeds. It's about 64 out right now and overcast. My window is open and I can hear all the birds chirping and tweeting.... love that!!!! Felt however, that I needed to build an ark . Need to get our water gage out to caculate just how much we are getting.

Sissy had a tough volleyball tourney here in town. That's always nice (being local) because we can run home and get away from the noise and madness, for a few minutes at least. They won three matches on Saturday and one match (against their rival foes.... she's on 14 red... the hbeat 14 black ) but then lost to another very competitive team. So, once again they ended up in 3rd.

Bubba had a tennis tourney too at one of the 3 high schools in town. Weird round robin system they play. Total of 8 teams, so they play 8 games against each of the 7 other teams... he and his doubles partner ended up in 2nd place by winning 54 games... but then the rain came... yadda yadda...

Well, I don't start work until 3... but I have a ton of stuff to do before that. Have a great day!!!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Next Cardmakers Holiday

Well I guess it could be May Day, or Cinco DeMayo.... My pick, Mother's Day. Here's a sweet card with peonies. Actually I used markers to color in the image I drew. This was fun getting the shading on the petals.
Inside: Happy Mother's Day

I got a few bites of my elephant done yesterday. See the post if you are confused. Laundry, yard work, creativity, painting, feels good!

Happy 77th birthday Dad!!!!!



Friday, April 24, 2009

How do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time!!!!!

Oh my gosh, I'm so happy and excited! I'm off of work today, it's sunny and 82!!! Finally!! It has been a long ugly winter. I'm bouncing off the walls... I don't think I had any caffeine... but there is so much I want to do, I'm inspired and can't get to EVERYTHING.... thus my title for today's post.

Here's my list in my head:
change the bed sheets
do the laundry
get those dandelions / pick up sticks and winter leaves crap from yard and garden beds
spring/summer work clothes shopping
create a card
Paint a few things for dd 8th grade dance that is coming up (I'll show when completed)
clean and purge... Vietnam Vets is coming soon
wash my car
put up winter sweaters and icky bland winter stuff
get a communion gift
take back some picture stands to hobby lobby
put away clutter piles

why oh why have I been procrastinating!!!!!!

So, what's the buzz in your neighborhood????

Thursday, April 23, 2009

First there were fairies, now Asian Ladies

Aren't these little ladies the cat's meow? As stated many, many times before... I just peruse the gallery at SCS and find a card that speaks to me, do a little doodle, add a little color, dabble in some bling...in this case some gold and sliver gel pens, CASE a layout to the best of my products on hand, and voila (my new favorite word by the way) a card is born, made and completed!!!!

Yikes! Re-reading my post, I'm so sad that I can't be original and unique! But let me tell you, it's so fun to try and re-create these images. That's my challenge!! I love the dark hair with the white gel pen used to define a hair strand.


It's confirmed though... drawing relaxes me (ha! from my tough day at work and being a mother, cleaning the house, taking care of the dog, and of course this gorgeous little ole me!). It's keeping me 'off the streets' and something else, but I can't think of it right now.... yup! Some day I'll be a big artist!!

I'm off to think about the dash... you know the line in between the born - died on my tombstone (head stone? grave marker) .... what will your dash represent??


Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Sympathy Card

Saw this tutorial on Zindorf's blog, and felt that I wanted to try it again. I'm still having trouble with the brayer giving me lines, but find out it works best for me right now with the lighter inks. I just love how these images look like mini paintings and am pretty much always thrilled that I'm able to re-create them! I think after doing these, some day I'd like to take a water color class.... mmmm


Can you believe it? No rain today!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

What's a little flower without rain?

I know April showers bring May flowers, but sheeeesh!! It's been raining here 3 days straight. We don't have the rain gauge out yet, afraid it was going to freeze or get buried under snow, but I'm sure we have well over 2 to 3" of rain saturating the ground and making the worms rise up and litter the sidewalks, good appetizer for Cooper, yuk!!
On to much much cuter things!!
This project has been floating around SCS and I had to try it. I'm going to make tons more. A little flower pot pocket holder card with the flowers growing out on top.
If you'd want to know how I made the cute flowers out of a scalloped Nestie, or how to make the groovy leaves from the paper crimper... I'll send individual info out.
Here it is with the insert pulled out. I, myself am still going "too, too cute!!!!" It turned out much smaller than I thought, but yet the right size to fit into a 4-1/2 x 5-1/2 invitation size envelope.
Here are the first three I made. Can you tell which one was the experimental first card? It is one of these three!! Can't wait to make more.... with different flowers!


Monday, April 20, 2009

Our boost to the economy

So, in a sense you can say I met my 'fishing goal' (check out Highlowaha to see more,) for the month of April. I've been wanting to get new leather living room furniture for a couple of years now, it was the right time. I'm still working on the accessories. Next, need to get some new window treatments and work on the the throw blanket. These pictures are so true in some ways and in others... the walls are not white... they are a butter cream yellow... but seem so stark!!!


I just love the 1-1/2 seat chair with the ottomon.


So, I was feeling deserving, so we kicked in some 'fuller' office furniture for DH's office as well. If you can see, his office is just off the great room. Some day I'll find the before pictures so you can see how much we've changed the house in the almost three years being here!


Saturday, April 18, 2009

Left overs

Well, I thought I'd round off the rest of my birthday week with the final two pictures left in this weeks up-load of cards. The pictures seem dark, mmm, must not have had enough ambient light.???

This first card is a Zindorf tutorial. I like the effect, but wasn't able to get the card exactly how I thought it was going to turn out. The colors match IRL.


Next is another card similar to one Zindorf did, this must be a challenge on SCS and the stamp set to work with. I saw it in a few posts. I guess I kind of made it into a Markie's Mom one with all the dots!!!


I don't know if I'll get many cards made today... spring has finally arrived, and it may be for only one day... so I want to get outside, open windows and just putter... but I'm sure I will head into my craft sancutuary for a bit as the sun goes down and the rain heads in !!!

Happy Day!



Friday, April 17, 2009

Coffee and a friend

the perfect blend. A cute new stamp I got, the sentiment is on the inside of this card. Maybe it should read ~ Coffee and a cupcake... the perfect blend of sweet deliousness!!!


The cards speak for themselves, nothing too out of the ordinary. Since I re-arranged my crafting spot, I was able to find some things, not that they were missing, just in my great organization, I slightly forgot where I had placed them, that's all!!!! Doesn't mean I have too much stuff!

Bubba's had a winning week in tennis, three matches this week and he and his doubles partner are 2 wins 1 loss this week... 5 and 1 overall! Sissy is going to Indy for a v-ball tourney with daddio... I might actually get out in the dirt, and add a few sparkly butterflies!!! Some garden bling Enjoy!



Thursday, April 16, 2009

Need to add a little magic to the mix

Too serious... it seems, here and there
Need to add some lightness
Happiness
Cuteness
These Fairys do the trick
Dot's like Markies Mom
Coloring fun
Stickles added in spots
~to sparkle~
Pink and black
fun color combo right now
Stay tuned!
Happy Day Dad!!!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Owl see you later

Yay! sunshine, good things come to those who wait, and wait and wait for spring to arrive (cross your fingers!!!)

Here's a little Markie's Mom case (something she did a long time ago). I've said it before, cute owls with big eyes seem to be in, again. I'm sad to read some blogs and websites where some of the ladies are getting tired of stamping and creating. They are actually giving away and selling all their stuff! Sacreligious!!!! Could this be a down turn to the huge wave of card making?? Although I'm not selling much right now, I still enjoy creating and making a card as often as I can.

On this card, I tried something new by just using a circle punch three times to create a dimensional window. One of the owls with leaves is tucked behind or should I say, drawn behind, then with a different sized punch I created layer one, then a larger punch layer two and then the owl on top is another layer.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Light and cheerful

I need to tone down from all the wild birthday celebrations of yesterday, I'm sure you can just imagine!!!

Here is a simply delightful card with a hue of yellow and a hue of baby blue. I just cut the rectangle from an extra piece of card board, used that as my template and sponged in ink color. The card always seems to pop with that extra black matting around it. Newer stamp from SU! don't remember the name, but it works well alone, or bunched up in a group. Cuttlebugged the side panel with an embossing folder and added a pretty yellow ribbon.


As much as you clean the house, you're gone for one night and no one does all the dishes, someone doesn't put all the newspapers away... and more and you feel like a tornado struck! Good thing I'm going to work in a few minutes, then I don't have to see it.... until later. Come on sunshine I need to see your glow and feel your warmth!!!!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Hip Hip Hoo-ray!!!

It's my 45th birthday!!!!! Hit the play button and turn up the volume on the Madagascar Utube video above!!! It's my new favorite!!! (And the fact I figured this out, after a half hour!! an old dog can still learn new tricks!)

Adorable hippo below from Markie's Mom, (an old post of hers) I don't always feel like creating an instant card, so these always take time. Lots of dots from the gel pen!


Although it's a grumpy day out (grey and overcast), I'm feeling a bit plumpy, but that's okay!! A little sassy too! I don't work until this afternoon!

For my birthday, the family bought me a beautiful wind chime, to replace the one out front that presents harmony and warmth for my feng shui entrance into the home! I also got a purple fantastic plant for my garden, one day when it's warm I'll be able to plant it outside... and a wonderful butterfly on a garden stick!!!!

I'm feeling it! How bout you! Turn up the volume!!!! Went out for a great dinner on Saturday night, fish tacos... very interesting. And had a terrific Easter Sunday!!!

Its the first day of the rest of my life!!!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Butt Buster!!

Okay, the past few days at Highlowaha we have been talking about organization. I wanted to show a few pictures of how I organize my card stuff. I could show more pictures, but I'm in the middle of a project and the rest of the 'areas' are a complete and utter mess!!!

May be hard to tell, but this cork board holds future and past inspiration. The greenish card on the top right is my very first SU! card that got this crazy ball rolling! In 2002 I went to my first Stampin UP! Stamp nite at a neighbors, and I was hooked with product, the ideas, the fun. Although I had been making cards for 15 years before that, I had never combined stamps and ink in such a fun way!!

Other things on this board are supplies. I have long straight pins that are like hooks in the store, and some packaged items hang easily here for view and inspiration. And around the sides are just cards I either made, received back from someone thanking me for cards, or cute handmade cards I've received, I love to look at them. My inspirational tv is right below... so I look at this board EVERYDAY.

This organizer I found in the hardware section at WalMart. It's perfect for holding my brads, tags, google eyes, buttons, metal plates, prima flowers, doo dads and what nots. And it was so much cheaper than buying an actual "craft one" in designer colors. I just love this thing. I used one of my labelers to identify the drawers.


Don't miss Ray, he kind of blends in!!

And finally, since this is mostly my creative greetings!! card blog... totally not my idea, but the cutest of cuteness.... a bum! The backside. Booty-liscious.... someone designed this card years ago, and it's resurfacing. She actually made a butt (skin toned card) with a bikini (and tattoo) and used the same template to make boobs and a bikini top!!! Hysterical... but great fun. So, here are jean pants, you could put something in the back pocket (gift card?) and then a funny sentiment on the inside! Just too, too, tooooo cute!!!



Thursday, April 09, 2009

Antiques groupings

This post is for something we are talking about at Highlowaha, but you are certainly welcome to look see. Not the best picture, but on the fly... this is one of my curio cabinets that has smaller stuff (crap) in it, all earthy tones, with a pop of color from the clown figurine.


Inside and outside view of the secretary I have in my front room. A friend helped me (sort of ) link things together, so we went with the silver theme (candlesticks and frames, serving ware) bright white (new serving ware) and clear glass (candle holders, little cup) and then tried to group them with varying heights and varying textures. Oval, round and square mix.


This cool piece is from my mother-in-law's house. Every time we'd walk by it in the dinning room the door rattled. I don't ever have that problem, probably because we don't have the squeaky un-even floors. There is a story to this piece as well, I think it was purchased for $5, used in the early '50s, But I love it!






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