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27 May 2011

MDA lock up

On June 7, 2011, I am going to jail to help raise money for MDA.  Please consider donating a little money to this very worthy cause. I am doing this for a small child that I know.  His mom and dad are friends of mine and this little guy is inspiring...He and all the kids suffer from MDA need OUR help.  Please consider donating something in their honor.  It is a tax-deductible donation and look at the good you will do.  Thank you for your time now go to my webpage and give some money.


https://www.joinmda.org/MyLockup/MyHomepage/tabid/221835/Participant/championam/Default.aspx

26 May 2011

Mojo Monday 192

This was a challenge from MM and myself. I was NOT going to use anything that was NOT in the scrap bin.  Ok, I allowed myself to use punches, inks and ONE slice of ribbon.

Get the look:
Go to your scrap bin and dig out cool stuff. I know the black cardstock is bazzil.  The gold is from a poster board that I bought at Michael's.  The wine paper is from ravenhood manor by recollections.  I have NO idea about the rest.

Ink used Stazon in black
punches used by stampin UP!
stamps by inkadinkadoo dawn houser
ribbon is actually a Nautica ribbon from a shirt
stickles by Tim Holtz distress antique bronze

Happiness




Happiness is defined as a "mental state of well-being characterized by positive emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy"  I do believe after a long hard week, a busy week, or just an average week that happiness begins with simple things...Paper and scissors.  I have always loved to create things.  As a child I made elaborate settings for Barbies, as a teen I painted every single day of my life, after marriage I worked on the road and my creative genes were used in creating training sheets and stationary to write letters to people.  In 1990, I begin making memory books for myself.  Seeing as I have NEVER had a great memory, and the desire to remember every detail about some things made me create these books.  They are ugly and very much NOT the way you should preserve things, but they are MINE.  I made them.  The memories make me happy and knowing the memories tickles me pink.  In 1997, I discovered Creative Memories and learned how to preserve my memories and mementos the "right" way.  I have made 48 book (large books not mini albums) since 1997, and that number keeps growing.  Why do you care?  You don't but look at the pictures of how far I have come. 


And I cannot get these photos to turn right. I put them in photoshop, in Microsoft digital image, in word...NOTHING.  They will NOT turn the way they should, any suggestions???????

22 May 2011

This could only happen to me













So I am a creature of habit...every Saturday morning, I get up and go to the bathroom.  There I brush my teeth and comb my hair and put on my clothes.  After that, I walk down the hall (still brushing my teeth) and feed the cat because usually at this point she is begging.  Yesterday however she was not begging and slowly I made my way to the kitchen.  I was finishing up with the brushing of my teeth. I spit in the kitchen sink, tore off a paper towel and placed it on the bar.  I rinsed my toothbrush and placed it on the paper towel.  UH, the kitchen is a mess. I started seeing things that needed to be picked up.  I started with the corner of the bar.  Here there was a jug of Hawaiian punch, 3 tomatoes, a butter dish, and a toy snake.  I reach for the toy snake, all the while getting angry with my son for leaving his toys on my kitchen counter and it MOVES!!! I scream LOUDLY because at this point I realize...this is not Trevor's toy snake...there is a snake in my house.  I run down the hall and throw open the bedroom door. John is at this point sitting up in bed because he heard me scream.  I tell him there is a snake in the kitchen and he runs to the kitchen.  At this point, the snake has left the bar and we can't find it.  Callie is in the utility room looking funny and we figure out that he is in there.  He was around Callie's food bowl. 

We thought about what to do. I went next door to the game cop's house and he was asleep.  So John decided to trap him in one of Hannah's plastic drawers.  Then I pulled the board out from between Trevor's mattresses and John figured out a way to get the board under the drawer.  In the process, he cut part of the snakes tail off and that snake was very angry with him.  Together we picked up the board and the box and placed it into the back of the truck and John got into the truck and I drove to an open field.....there we left that little bugger go.  The End!

the purple has it

I did a second design in the color choices for this week. I am not submitting this one because I think I can only enter one per week. I only made it because I HATE having extra paper lying around, so using the same papers I created a wedding card.  I am thinking of giving it to the bride that will get married in just a few days.  A bride that I work with.  It sort of reminds me of her...romantic, light, moral...yeah that's her.

To get  the look:
all papers are open stock at Hobby Lobby
Stamps are Thank you by Inkadinkadoo
flowers are prima
rhinestones are by bead party
all pens by sharpie
butterflies and trails are drawn by me

ink is eggplant envy by Stampin UP!

Mojo Monday 191 and CR84FN 29

This card was in answer to two website challenges.  I LOVE the color choices this week...love love love them.  Since they are some of my favorite colors, I chose one of my favorite songs to go with the card.  I chose the lyrics to "In my life".  If you are not familiar with the song, by all means please read the lyrics below:

There are places I'll remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life I love you more


And set to music, it is simply astounding.....wow! 
Anyway, back to what we were talking about.  The card....if you want my look here are some of the things you need:

Kraft and purple cardstock from open stock at Hobby Lobby
purple pen by Sharpie
green ink by Close to my Heart clover meadow
brown ink by Stampin UP!  chocolate chip
black ink by Stazon
pattern stripe paper by recollections ravenhood manor

the purple patterned paper was found in my scrap bin...and I found it originally in the scraps of some lady's while at a crop.

Leaf by me---I drew them on paper and cut them out...they are inked with the stazon black and the clover meadow green

flower by me---I hand cut each petal and stamped each petal in eggplant envy by Stampin UP!
then I layered the petals on top of each other in a flower fashion.  The middle of my flower was made by cutting out a swirl and rolling it up the "wrong" way ontop of itself.  


15 May 2011

Cuchi cuchi


There was once a TV show that I loved. It came on ABC so it was not a show I could watch often, but when I could I was in love with it. It was called the Love Boat. I know you have heard of it, many have; but have you ever seen an episode? I have been watching all the shows on the TV.com app on my droidX and it is bringing back so many memories. Patrick Duffy, Joyce Bulafant, Kristie Alley (in her Saviak days), Willie Ames, the lovely Morgan Brittany (from Dallas), Barbi Benton, Melissa Sue Anderson (Mary Ingalls) and half pint too (Melissa Gilbert), Cyd Charisse, as well as Gene Kelly (ah) and Howard Keel, Donna (I love her) Mills, Jack Klugman, and my favorite CHARO!!! This is only a SMALL portion of the celebrities that graced the promenade deck. This is where I fell for ships! A hot tub, pool, cabins, a cruise director....it's a lot like real life ONLY smaller.

If you have never checked out the show, please do. It's campy, 1970's, but loads of fun. There are many storylines in each episode and somehow everything rights itself by the time they dock in Los Angles.

Crazy 4 Challenges: CR4C87

I was THRILLED that I found another challenge website.  This weeks challenge speaks to my very soul...CHOCOLATE!!! What girl does not love CHOCOLATE?  Ok, I admit about 5 years ago, I did not much care for it, but that is when I really got into scrapbooking and a friend turned me onto DARK chocolate, truffles and Java Chip Frappicino..yeah, I am hooked.

I made this card for someone like me that loves chocolate...it is a bit romantic like the feeling you have when you have some good quality chocolate....oh wait, this comes with a piece of good chocolate too...who would NOT be cheered up by this card?

To get the look:

Pink card stock from my scrap bin
ALL pattern paper is Cut and Paste by K&co
Tulle from Amanda's wedding pew bows
flowers by prima and from an arrangement that I took apart
Chocolate by Ghirardelli
paper ribbon by a gift tag that I received from a preschool friend
quote by Lucy Van Pelt

13 May 2011

Mojo Monday 190

Here is my version of this week's sketch. Actually, before I show it to you, I would like to say this is my first week playing along. I am looking forward to participating with everyone. From what I have seen you are all TREMENDOUSLY talented....I am inspired just by looking at your work. Thank you for sharing it with us.


My recipe:

Cream card stock and Kraft card stock....open stock HObby Lobby

Blue flower paper, and blue splottching paper Magnolia by MME

Font by CK Ali Edwards Handwriting (love her)

bingo chip by Maya Road

Buttons by Making Memories

Flower by Prima

Stamps by Technique Tuesday (love them the most)

Black Stamp ink by stazon

Thread by DMC B5200

Brown ink by Stampin up! (chocolate chip)

Blue edges by my crayola water color pencil

Pink card stock from my scrap bin (did not cut, just inked)

09 May 2011

my scrapbook space

This is an area that evolves as I get new things or discover new furniture to fit into my corner. Actually, I have two corners of the kitchen that I occupy. In one corner is my cart. In the cart are my paper scraps, punches, greeting cards, and DMC thread. In my working corner, I have ALL my paper (and there are lots of sheets here), my inks, embellishments, ribbons, well just everything that I have....
what you can't see...Elvis looms over me on the far left, as does Hedwig, and Skip Shumaker, on the right John Champion's face looks over all my work. He approves, he just doesn't know it.

08 May 2011

My birthday

It is my birthday and I am very excited! I have always loved my birthday because I am the center of attention. It is my favorite day of the year.....seriously. I don't want appliances or cleaning products for my birthday. I want stuff for ME!!!

This year, I made myself a peanut butter pie, actually, I made myself TWO!!! I did share with my family...cause I love them so. I went to Kohls and bought myself a dress, but really that is not my gift cause I would have bought it anyway.

I did take my friend an air mattress because I am so worried about her sleeping on the floor. And I did make graduation booklets for CCA (not so easy) and I did mop the floor and wash some clothes and vacuum the living room and clean the kitchen...wait that sounds like work. Why am I doing work on my birthday weekend? Yes, I said weekend! I am doing work because I intend to scrapbook for my gift to myself. Wait, I do that every weekend just for sanity so this will be a sanity weekend to celebrate the day that God blessed me with life. Thank you for that, I am having a great time.

Gosh, this sounds self-centered...well it is MY day. My day and Melissa Gilbert's day and Harry S Truman's day and I am sure there are others...Happy Birthday to you all!!!

CR84FN challenge May 8, 2011




Here is my take on the challenge this week. These were very good colors....much like the colors I use. They were sort of romantic colors so I thought it would be perfect for an anniversary card. Thanks for challenging me....LOVE IT!!! See you next week.

Get the stuff:
stamps---- cling
stickers----Westrin crafts
ink---staz on
thread---DMC
Paper---open stock from Hobby Lobby
brads----the Paper Studio
Rub ons---Making Memories and Autumn Leaves
flowers---Prima
Rhinestones---K&Co

06 May 2011

Flood 2011

The river ....that today is like an ocean its so big.
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02 May 2011

Hedwig or so I think so

I was looking online for crafts with owls and one of the first things on the google result page was this wonderful little snowy owl. He looked a big like Hedwig and since I was reading the Potter books, I decided YEAH I had to make this.
It was not the easiest thing to put together and took me a couple of days, but I did it...Enjoyed it and would do it again...and may there is a female version of the snowy owl.
http://paperkraft.blogspot.com/2008/10/canon-papercraft-snowy-owl.html

01 May 2011

CR84FN challenge May 1, 2011


This was a difficult challenge. Michelle doesn't do yellow...Michelle doesn't do gold, but Michelle LOVES KRAFT! I decided that the colors were a little like the 1880's stuff in the Klondike of Skagway, Alaska...so that is the theme I chose. I used a girl that looks like a salon dancer with flowers in her hair, and butterflies. She's a girl that just wants to be herself, but it is hard in the crazy gold rush world. So actually, I had to think out of my comfort zone, but I am pleased. Hope you are too.

Get the look:
Girl stamp: Vintage Ladies HOt off the Press
Black ink: Stazon Black and yellow saffron
Be yourself stamp: Dawn Houser by inakinkadoo
Brown ink: Distress Ink by Tim Holtz (love him) vintage photo and frayed burlap
Gold paper: a gold posterboard scrap from my bin...no idea who makes it
book page: Song of the Siren by Phillipa Carr
Butterflies: Wild Saffron by K&Co
jewels: out of my sewing box
flowers: prima for yellow and cream flowers
flowers with brown middles: Making Memories
Swirl stamp: stampin up Baroque Motifs

30 April 2011

Hannah is FOURTEEN!!!!




Fourteen years ago, we were blessed with a very LARGE 9 lbs 15 oz baby named Hannah. A baby that liked to puke all over the place. A baby that was a good sleeper as long as she was in the swing. A baby that created (and still does) lots of drama. Our dear little Hannah!!!! We love her so. Happy Birthday sweetie

29 April 2011

Dreaming of Alaska



This was a fun challenge with neat colors. The colors took me back to Skagway, Alaska while I was onboard the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway. It made me think of how much I wanted some paints and a brush while I was looking out the windows. All I did was DREAM the whole trip!

Get the stuff:
Red paper--open stock Hobby Lobby
Aqua paper--Magnolia by My Mind's Eye
White paper--open stock Hobby Lobby
Dream font-ME
Clouds--ME
flowers--prima
flower centers- Distress Stickles Broken china
Swirl--grunge board swirl by Tim Holtz (my hero)
Floss by DMC
Stitching--ME
Red pattern paper---Magnolia by My Mind's Eye
Aqua polka dotted paper---Magnolia by My Mind's Eye
pen by Sharpie
Subject of photos by God

CK Friday April 29, 2011 one hour challenge

The challenge was to do something old, cliche' type or a technique from the past. This was hard because I had ONE hour. I had no time to paint so I tried to sew on the page. I ran out of time. I did hand cut a scroll, add some rub ons (old) and used a Zeppelin song for my old saying. I had just enough time to sew on an arrow. WHEW that was fast.

Get the look:
file folder label-colorbok
circle paper-Miss Elizabeth's
12x12 purple paper-open stock HObby Lobby
Green stitched border-Die Cuts with a View
Tag/ticket Rub ons-Making Memories
Scroll-ME
Arrow-ME
Adored label-Westrim Crafts
Letter stickers-Westrim Crafts
Clock stamp-wooden stamp with NO label :(
Embossing powder-Stampendous
Eggplant ink-Stampin UP!!!
Bird rub on-Hambly Studios

The wedding..my take

Catherine stepped into the Bently and simply beamed. She seemed to enjoy all the crowds...holding her bouquet with one hand and waving with the other. She didn't appear to be nervous instead she seemed like normal bride giddy to start her life with her new man. She alighted at Westminster Abbey and turned to view the crowds. She was beaming with excitement but was poised as she entered the nave. The paused as spoke with clergymen and others on the carpet laid for her. Then she began her 4-minute walk down the aisle. The whole gushing with happiness. William told her she was beautiful and told her father that he thought they were going to have a small wedding. Then the service began...it was a service conducted by the church of England preachers and the Archbishop of Canterbury. A beautiful service that spoke of Cate and William's devotion to God. And that they will procreate (bets are probably being placed as to when). They then entered the chapel of Henry VII (my third fave King of England) and signed their documents. Then they left the abbey in the same carriage Diana and Charles and Andrew and Fergie used in their weddings. Both Cate and William looked happy with their lot.

We saw them alight at Buckingham and not again until they entered the balcony. They were happy with the crowd and Cate said "wow" while glimpsing the crowds. They kissed for like 2 seconds...did and then they kissed a second time. The second was better. The family left to go do their duties. Cate seemed reluctant to leave the crowds...they love her so. A wonderful wedding...glad I got up.
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28 April 2011

John Muir





Who exactly is John Muir? And why does he interest me so? He was a Scottish man that fell in love with the beauty of America. He was instrumental in getting the president and Congress to create the National Park system…hence his nickname “Father of the National Parks”.
He was also very interested in botany, which I admit is the part about him I care nothing about. He could glance at any plant and tell you exactly what it was…a neat talent, but that is not what thrills me.
His journey (after an injury he was convinced God had given him) began in Yosemite Valley and here is where he changed how America viewed its lands. He referred to Yosemite as a “temple” and even wrote a book while there….he was here many years.
That part was interesting because Yosemite is on my list of things to do, but I read his book about the visit to Wrangel Island, his climb up Mt Rainier and his great visits to Glacier Bay. George Vancouver discovered the bay, but it was closed with gigantic glacier…by the time Muir sailed to the bay in a canoe, the glacier had retreated creating Tarr Inlet. A place I have been blessed to see and without a doubt the most beautiful place that I have ever been blessed enough to see.
I first read Muir’s book “Travels in Alaska” as I was approaching my first visit to the bay and then began it again right after I left. At first read, I could not envision the ice, the fjord, the blues, the moraine….they were just words. After visiting it all made sense, and it hit me hard. I sat in a chair for almost 12 hours admiring with shock the beauty, the moaning and the loveliness of the fjord. I have read the book about 6 times since 2008. There is another book that describes the trips Muir made to Glacier Bay, “Alaska Days with John Muir”. It is written by Samuel H Young, who happened to be a minister that traveled to Wrangel Island to minister to the natives and traveled to the glaciers with Muir. This book is just as good as Muir’s book and is enjoyable reading.
Both books are available all over the place as both are out of copyright. Here is a link to Travels in Alaska… www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/writings/travels_in_alaska/ It has the photos from the book, the very book I bought at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center...a glacier that is briefly mentioned in the book.

Oh, one thing I forgot, in case you collect the statehood quarters, John Muir is the man depicted on the California state quarter...so even if you never heard of him, I am sure you have held his name in your hands.

Review: The Wildest Sun