Fallish

Hello!
Welcome to my blog, where I like to show off my creativity and share a bit of SHINE in my corner of the world!

It certainly is Fall in the Midwest. Waking up to temperatures in the low 40s.

Not complaining, just observing.

We actually had a long and hot summer. I think most of July and August we had the air conditioning running constantly.  Mainly due to the high humidity.  I jotted down plenty of times in my daily journal about beautiful blue skies and warm temperatures. And not that beautiful weather gets tiresome... more so,.. when a new season begins... we welcome the change.

I don't know if you realize, but I create greeting cards!  Yup.... I have a passion for creating and a gratification of making whimsical cards that I can sell or give away.  If you like my style you can contact me prdesigns1@sbcglobal.net and I can get you some unique and one of a kind greeting cards.  Not in the mood for cards today?  That's fine... I appreciate you stopping by to see what is happening in my corner of the world.

Has Fall made it to your home?  It's a change of wardrobe here.  Long pants and socks.  Gone are the flip flops and tank tops.  Decorations with orange and yellow are dabbled throughout the entryway with scarecrows and sunflowers and pumpkins. And hot water bubbles through the Keurig making way for spiced Chai lattes!  Oh, and don't forget about the leaves.... soon on my list are hours of raking!!! Yup, I love fall.

See you back here, soon!

Nothing can dim the light that SHINES from within.

When a Leaf Falls

I'm back at it again.

But, I can't figure how I got it.

I combined a doodle, with text, all from my iPhone, to then upload it to the lap top computer, so that I could post it here on my blog.

Was it worth it???

I love my fall doodle.  The process was stimulating to my brain.  I love to learn the computer  technology.  But I think all of this should be easier.  I don't like trial and error.  I don't like to play with it.  But I'm happy that I can record my art and share.

So, happy fall y'all!

What can I create next?

Weird & Confident

Always creating .... something!

Although I'm not blogging as much as I once did, I still am creating. Here are some of my latest creative greetings!!

 

I have some really cute fall patterned papers that I wanted to use.  So I made a couple of these Have a Good Day cards.

 

Although this one above doesn't look like a card, it actually folds flat, but when opened becomes a pop up box card. Some fav person of mine is working with a circus theme for their homecoming this year and I thought I would try to commemorate the idea.  I had so much fun making this. 

 

I really don't want to tell you how much time I spent with the details!!!  But while the boys were sitting just watching a football game this weekend.... I was keeping my hands busy and created this while I listened to the game.

 

 

Here is a high end copy cat card.  It's water colors and markers.  I loved how it turned out.  Fancy fashion fabulous for a friend who is turning fifty!

 

I found a quote the other day that I'm really, really liking.

 

If you're going to be weird, be confident about it.

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree

I can smell Autumn
in the breeze
the sweet chill of
pumpkin and crisp
sun burnt leaves

Have you ever been to pick your own apples? 

 

Jeff and I tried to remember if we had ever done this as a couple or as a family ... and we don't think we have.  Oh sure, we have been to pumpkin patches and to Fall Festivals with corn mazes and hayrides, but never to a pick your own apple orchard.

 

Last weekend while Geocaching (we were 6 for 6 by the way) we passed a parking field filled with cars.  As we slowed down to let traffic in and out we saw that it was apple picking time and a local orchard was opening that day. 

 

We decided on our way back from Geocaching that we would stop and check it out.

 

Week #39 LIFE'S simple pleasures - fall

 

There are some certain simple pleasures that are seasonal.  Apple and pumpkin picking is one of them!

 

 

 

When we pulled on to the field some teenage kid in a bright green and orange vest kind of pointed us to a direction where we could park our SUV with all of the other SUV's and Vans.  We saw all kinds of people... young couples with the girl dressed in a sweater and scarf and her man carrying bags of apples.  Families with babies in strollers with bags of apples falling out the storage bin on the bottom.  Families with each kid carrying a full bag of apples.

 

We had to get the lay of the land and went into the free Farmers' Market first. There were apple pies, apple jams, apple salsas, apple ciders and much, much more without the word apple in them.  The prices were more on the gourmet side than the corner apple stand side.  Then we made our way out an open door and found a field of excitement with hayrides, farm equipment to climb on, pumpkins, interactive watering spots and apple orchards.

 

So, you tell me... is paying $10.50 per bag to pick your own apples a reasonable price? 

 

I would say on average the bag could hold 6-8 apples depending on the size. It looked like a shoe bag size with small holes to let air ventilate and a draw string top.  The particular orchard that was open that day had specific apples that were almost the size of softballs.

 

Guess what?  We're cheap, we didn't do it.  Oh, it looked fun and all ... but as empty nesters now... we can't eat 6-8 apples.  I can't believe we saw some families bringing 4 bags of apples back from the orchard.... that means they spent at least $42 on a bushel of apples??

 

All for the experience I guess!! It was a beautiful day and it was fun to see all the family commotion on different parts of the field, but I guess I like to pick apples from my grocery store at $.79 a pound.

 

 

I'm not smart, but I like to observe. Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why.

William Hazlitt

 

PS: I know that none of my pictures have anything to do with apples, but I do have some very nice Fall decorations around the house!

My 'Lil Punkin

I'd rather sit alone on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion.
 - Henry David Thoreau

Week #39 LIFE'S simple pleasures - Fall

 

Are you experiencing the first days of fall in your neck of the woods? 

 

The nights are cool and crisp, the leaves are beginning to turn colors and fall from the trees, the newspapers are advertising fall festivals, coffee shops are promoting warm specialty spiced drinks and pumpkins are sitting, waiting to be purchased at the garden center.

 

LIFE'S simple pleasures: thick orange or yellow shelled winter squash - the pumpkin.

 

I like to decorate with pumpkins.   I have a few here and there.

 

Did you know that Illinois is one of the top providers of this crop?

 

 

Four fun facts about pumpkins:

• During colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient in the crust, not the filling
• The largest pumpkin has weighed in at 1,140 lbs
• The flowers on a pumpkin are edible
• 90% of the pumpkin is water

 

It's been years since I had to try and figure out what an author/poet meant by his writing.  I always thought... they could write for only writing sake, couldn't they?  Not everything has to mean something else?  That, it why I'm just a little blog writer I guess....my meaning behind my posts is to expose friends and family who follow me... to enjoy the simple pleasures in LIFE. 

 

Maybe a pumpkin brings back memories of when you were a child and you went to the pumpkin patch each year, and wondered around looking for that perfect shaped pumpkin with the crooked stem.  Or maybe as an adult you love the pumpkin spiced candles that great you when you walk into Bath and Body Works. It could be that you look forward to fall, because you know that you will be able to order (or make) delicious pumpkin pie with cool whip!

 

So? Is Henry David Thoreau talking about being well rounded and grounded as an individual as he sits on his pumpkin?  Be unique and set yourself apart from the crowd.

 

Now go Brighten Someone's Day

Go SHINE!

Feeling a Little Stuffed

I haven't really learned to laugh at myself...

I tend to giggle....
...sometimes with extreme excitement when things come together! 

And yet most of what I do... is quite simple.  I'm not out to create or design something fantabulous, but I do know my purpose is to put a little SHINE in my corner of the world!

 

Week # 38 LIFE'S simple pleasures - fall

 

So many things come to mind when I think of fall.  It's sweater time in the Midwest (which means hopefully, no more sweatin') oh, a cute boot weather!!!  It means pumpkins and jack-o-laterns.  Apple cider and pumpkin spice. Crunchy leaves and corn stalks.  And scarecrows.

 

I giggle like a little school girl because I remember I had this picture.  Now, where to find it after 2 moves to different states and 15 years!!!!  I think I always wanted to be a clown.  Perform, act, dress up and wear make-up.  One particular neighborhood we lived in, parent participation in our annual  Halloween parade was 'almost' mandatory.

 

What can I say?  Fall and scarecrows are synonymous.

 

Scarecrows or hay-men are human shaped decoys dressed in old clothing out in the field to protect the crops from seed eating crows!  They can be scary with ugly masks and dangling limbs that wave in the wind... or they can be cute with happy smiles on their faces! I don't want to scare crows, let alone people with my cute and whimsical scarecrows, they are a staple in fall decorations and on greeting cards!

 

Can you tell which one of these scrappy, floppy, happy men I made? And which is store bought?

 

I'm a little scarecrow stuffed with hay,

Standing watch in my field all day.

when I see a crow I like to shout,

"Hey Mr. Crow, you'd better get out"

 

I think I might go outside and just stand in the sun SHINE.  No crows to chase away here.... maybe a hawk or a cardinal! 

 

And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.

 

Life: Just Be

 Okay... I admit it...  I am more of a 'creative' thinker in the morning than I am after 10pm at night. 

For years I have written my blog before 9 am most mornings... but now that I'm working outside the home... I just can't manage my creative time... for writing, cardmaking, crafting, decorating.... learning! 

So, being a Brave Girl... I'm learning a new 'craft' of  making painted and etched leather bracelets.  You can see another one I made... above.... for my friend BE!  I just love finding things that relate to her name.....it's like a secret code between us.  Now I want to make more of these leather 'things'... but the tools to do this right, will co$t me.... not sure I want to invest in yet another crafty craft... I need to find 'cheaper'... more frugal tools somewhere....

And, here is another 'truth' card.  I am so loving funky flowers and meaningful quotes and then adding the colors I'm feeling that day... and then collaging everything together... all of this in a 4" x 6" card front.

So excited to get a text from my college student today.... some of the presidential candidates supporters are making their rounds at the University of Iowa and the boy is really getting into helping make a difference in his life and future. BE a fact checker!! Make 'informed' decisions.

Peaceful Thinking

I am working on multiple projects at one time. 

In a way, it's a good thing because I can use the same layout in multiple ways.  But then, it's a bad thing because my creative space is a disaster area and I can't find a thing! 

My room is a MESS in capital letters.

 I am so excited about these two cards!!

This gives you an idea how you can use the same layout...but there are so many different ways you can go once you use a particular color scheme to match a season.... or create the effects of peace using soothing floral images and a cute yoga stick figure.

Thanks for stopping by on my creative greeting journey!!

Layered Fall Colors

Here is another card from stamp camp for your viewing pleasure! 

This is sooo cool.... cool fall colors, cool layers, cool stamping! 

Just like one of the other cards made at stamp camp.... you could use this same technique over and over for any reason or season... just change colors (red/green/white and candy canes.... pink/blue and pacifier....red/pink/white and hearts)

Although I'm feeling immensely creative, I have lost more than 30 hours a week... because I got a real job outside the home.  Part of me is really sad, because my mind and body crave being artistic... my job is not so creative... and now I'm tired at the end of the day so it's hard to just sit and create.

What's a girl to do?

Creative Greetings!

 Hey, thanks for stopping by!!!  Today's blog post is brought to you by..... thanks!  I appreciate when you visit, love it even more if you make a comment.  If you can't or don't want to sign up for 'blogger'... you can always send me an email at prdesigns1@sbcglobal.net.

If you didn't know... I have my own little greeting card business.... PRDesigns.  I have been working with paper crafts for over 20 years now.  I have my own little faux company 'creative greetings!!'.... most cards are only $2.50! ....if you just want to see my paper crafts and not read about the 'family stuff' click on my blog here. Or, look on the right column --> there is an icon for creativegreetingstoo... click on it and it will take you right to the cards!!!   I have lots in stock, not as much as Hallmark or the 49cent store.... but lots of cards and mini scrapbooks for those extraordinary people in your life that you want to recognize with a special, whimsical and unique greeting card! 

Here is a cute scarecrow card and some gift tags that 4 Card of the Month members got as their September surprise card.... the theme of course is Fall!!

Think ahead, have any special events coming up?   Help a small business out.  You gotta admit my cards are pretty cute!!!!

Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.

pinterest

Not So Scary!

It's still a card, but its a happy scarecrow face!  I did lots of different paper pieces to add texture and dimension from the straw hat all the way down to the bandana knotted scarf.  Punched out flower pieces, eyes and faux stitched on nose and mouth.  A fantabulous little pieces of artwork!!! 

 A card, yet still a shaped card.... fun for me to create and FuN MaiL for some lucky recipient!

 These cards are the September edition for the Card of the Month clubbers.  They are such of reflection of what my mantra is.... sending cards that others can use to brighten someone's day!!

Here's what the cards read on the inside!!

Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end!

pinterest

What's the Next Season?

Although there are actually 30 days left on the calendar 'til it's official, once kids start back to school, most everyone automatically thinks its FALL.

Magazine covers I see, people I talk to, or blogs I visit  ... it's all about Fall.  Fall colors, fall cooking, fall activities.... there are even FALL type of creative greetings.

This FALL card was a bit of a challenge.  The punch outs on the sides had to be carefully centered.  I love how it turned out!  You could use any colors and make this card with any type of sentiment... from a birthday to a get well card. Down the center any type of punches could be used... snowflakes (blue cardstock), hearts (red/pink cardstock), cupcakes (any color cardstock), stars (red/white/blue cardstock).... are you getting any ideas?

Inside the card, because of the punched out sides, the sentiment would have to be vertical... and skinny... so you don't see the words exposed when the card lays normal. Hmmm, I might have to think about this style for future cards.

Anybody in your life need to be recognized, just because?

Somewhere, someone is looking for exactly what you have to offer ~ pinterest

Brighten Someone's Day!

 

In the Park

Simple image. Doing a Case Study on cards, of course. Doodles and a graduated color block, plus stickles adding a little glitter pop.

Beautiful fall weekend. Don't have anything exciting to report. Just living a grateful and thankful life. I'm able to have dinners with my family, I'm able to walk my cute doggies, I'm able to make my house into our home.

Bubba comes home from college this Friday. ♥ Life will change for the week!

Zindorf Branching Out

Off to Michelle Zindorfs blog to learn how to make a new card.

She didn't use the SU! Branch Out set, but the best thing about Michelle is that she gives you a great tutorial and you can use any stamps you have. I always feel like I make a professional card every time I follow her tutorials! This is the 2nd card I've made with this set. Fall Beauty

Yes, it's November! I sent out 3 pieces of FuN Mail!! yesterday! What's next?

Branch Out

I was the lucky recipient of a SU! stamp set as a gift in the mail from my BFF, and I couldn't wait to try it out. Here's my first card. I was crazy busy being creative the other day and made a ton of cards, finished a mini scrapbook and punched out a few paper flowers .... then BAM I hit the wall and my mojo split.

I am currently desperately trying to find .... something. Stay tuned!

3 for 3

Last week I got an email from my local scrapbook store... come in and make and take 3 cards for $3. So, I stopped in, they had all the materials cut & scored all in a nice set up and sample cards in the middle of the work table... here was card 1. I love going to card classes because I learn new things, or I remember things I need to use again because they are so simple CASe... and of course as a cardmaker I have all the tools! or... they give you a great deal to purchase products!

Here is my version of the card once I got home. I'm always so worried about using all the background paper sbecause I need to fill the entire card page... but now I realize... I only need to use part of the pattern to add the color and make it pop!

And so sad.... I had to buy a new 2" circle punch because my old one got stuck on thick(?) paper. Oh, it makes me mad when my tools don't work.. and then I have to go buy a new one.... aargh! But yay! Always use a coupon.... at M's for 40% off, that makes me happy!

Today I will be happier than a bird with a french fry ~ pinterest

Fall Back

Oh my gosh, I wouldn't know what I'd do if I didn't have cardmaking to fall back to.  Like I posted a few weeks ago, there are

so many ideas

and so little time.

I like the blue and brown combo.  This is a nice Fall-ish type of card.  I found in my stash the 'thinking of you' sticker.  Fits perfectly! It is amazing how the paper craft industry is evolving, with the new punches (cute leaf punch seen above) and the yummy paper that I'm too afraid to cut into.

Have you sent out any FuN MaiL recently??

Mistakes are proof you are trying ~ pinterest

Indian Summer

Here's a fun maroon card with a watering can filled with happy sunflowers.  Any sentiment can be put inside, or it can be left blank for a note card.

It has been an amazingly  be-YOU-tiful week here in the mid-west.  Warm temperatures in the 70's and bright blue sunny skies.  I'm trying to absorb it into my mind, body and soul..... because I can't help but know what lies ahead in the weather department.

I often see yellow wild flowers on my geocaching adventures through the prairie lands of Illinois.  This time I saw a bunch of purple flowers, they look like daises.  Kind of weird though, plopped in some cattails in the middle of a marshland field.  I thought it was very pretty.

Bright light!!!  Here is my front door.  Those wet cornstalks have for sure dried out by now with the hot sun beating down on them.  You can see Fuzzy bear there, sitting all happy, however, he needs a cool pair of shades, he is squinting with so much sun just pouring all over him in his furry coat!

Wag more, bark less ~ pinterest