My Inky Fingers

A NEW BEGINNING

2012-01-14T05:25:00.000-06:00

With the death of my dear husband, Edward, I am starting a "new beginning". I miss my loved companion very much, but my life has to go on. The hardest thing of this journey is knowing that what I create in the future, he will know longer be by my side to critique my art. They say, and I have to agree, that a person is hardest on themselves in critiquing their own artwork, so hopefully I will be able to not be so judgmental of my own.

Please give me some time to post my new art work within the next couple of weeks, and I do hope you'll enjoy what I am creating. Thank you for coming back and see you soon.

EMBARRASSMENT & MORAL OF STORY

2011-03-05T15:45:00.000-06:00

I ordered some stamps and a pearl pen from Michael Strong Stamps ( www.strongstamps.com ). I didn't realize at the time why it was taking a bit longer, and pretty soon my order arrived. The product I received was only a partial order and a bit mixed up, with a note that the rest of the order would be filled and forth coming. I frantically looked up my order, e-mailed Michael with rather terse messages, and received a nice message back. It wasn't what I wanted to hear, and started writing another message to him, when I found his phone number and proceeded to call him. (Boy was I going to rip into him, but when I heard his voice all I could do was to apologize all over myself to he and his wife.)

It seems that my order along with a few others were submitted when Michael's daughter was getting married. Oh my goodness, I could have fell over when he told me what happened. Well to make a very long story short, I want to thank Michael and his lovely wife for all of the help they gave me.

Morale of story, just because you feel you are being short changed and your life is getting in the way, stop and think about the other person and what they might be going through. Thank you Michael for being the person and the vendor that I thought you originally was and are. BTW, I got the rest of the products Michael, and am going to have some fun. Thank you thank you thank you.

SIGN-UP

2011-02-27T17:49:00.000-06:00

for a free Grand Calibur give-away. Here is the link and be sure to follow the information:

http://www.favecrafts.com/sweeps/Spellbinders-Grand-Calibur-Die-Cut-Machine

Good luck everyone. Until next time.....

IN A FUNK MOOD

2011-02-13T10:59:00.000-06:00

This card is laying on a white napkin, so don't be fooled by the size as it is just a regular size card. I happen to be blog hopping the other day and stopped by Sharon Field's blog at www.createdbyu.blogspot.com .

It's a good thing I saw this, printed a copy of it, as after hearing some sad news, I made this card this morning. My sad news is that my youngest daughter, a school bus driver who was doing her morning route of picking up kids, was basically run off of the road. The bus had quite a few kids on it at the time. She was traveling on a back county road when a personal van came towards her and wasn't stopping. She pulled over to the side of the road, must have hit some ice, slid into a ditch at a 45 degree angle and hit a telephone pole. She was badly shaken up, and some of the kids were sent to the hospital. She'll be okay, but the intense investigation that follows will have her up tight for some time.

If that wasn't enough bad news, I found out that one of two grandsons that is stationed in Afghanistan was injured and sent to Germany to the hospital there. It seems that my grandson and another army buddy was escorting a couple of reporters to a market place when a suicide bomber decided to blow himself up. Thank God my grandson "only" suffered a severe head concussion, some broken ribs & fingers. It could have been worse, so I'm trying to dwell on the positive, and keep on praying that he recovers okay. I'm also praying that the US Government decides enough of our young armed forces personnel has been there way too long and bring them all home safely and stop this insane war.

I guess you might say, I made this card in my grandson's honor. I hope you'll enjoy and leave a comment. Until next time......

LOVE - STILL IN THE AIR

2011-02-09T21:21:00.000-06:00

I made a couple more valentine cards which are the same, but can you spot the differences. Good luck in looking. Seriously, they are really easy to spot, and don't forget to let me know what you guess.

So for this post I'll only tell you who made the stamps: Couple - Inkadinkado. Words - My Sentiments Exactly.

Don't forget to guess and leave the number of differences in your comments. Until next time, enjoy......

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

2011-02-05T21:47:00.001-06:00

We have a lot of snow on the ground, and it is cold outside, so this is the perfect time to have a cozy fire, and curl up with my husband. Not.... I did have my Amish Fireplace on in my studio to help keep me warm, but I was stamping away, not cozying up to my husband. I will say he did come in and choose the cards that he liked best...LOL

The little mice are the ones I like best, and they were created with a stamp from Stampabilities and colored with my DerWent watercolor pencils. The top center mice are mounted on a pinkish colored card stock and then mounted onto an orange/pink/black "Puffs" (like in hankie) box strip which was mounted onto white card stock. The other mice were just mounted onto the pinkish colored card stock and/or then mounted onto a strip of paper. The bottom right card was created with a Cuttlebug background on the pink and the white card stock. A tinted heart was mounted onto the white card stock which was mounted onto a "Puffs" (like in hankie) box strip. The stamps used on this card were from (heart) Stampabilities and the word was stamped using a 7gypsies hand stamp.

The card to the right was created using red card stock layered onto white card stock. Gold lettering spelled out Love on red card stock which was mounted onto white card stock after placing a white sheer ribbon on the red card stock. I used my Martha Stewart punch to create a border which I mounted a piece of red card stock on the reverse side.

I hope to create a few more valentines and I will share them with you. Thank you for leaving a comment if you care to. Until next time....

POST CARD SWAP

2011-01-26T07:32:00.000-06:00

On the Inky Fun Stampers yahoo group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inkyfunstampers/ , our moderator, Nancy Dees has posted a Post Card Swap, and these will be my entries. The top left one is an Oriental looking post card and was embossed with the Forest Branches Cuttlebug folder, then stamped with images from All Night Media.

The top center post card had Alcohol Inks smooshed onto glossy card stock, then stamped with flowers with die cut flowers affixed atop of the stamped flowers. The flowers which is a stamp from VAP Scrap. The square word stamp is from Great Impressions, and the smaller word stamp is from Hero Arts.

The post card in the upper right hand corner has Alcohol Inks smooshed onto glossy card stock. The flat and fireworks were stamped onto a piece of transparency film and affixed with clear glue. The word stamp is from Hero Arts. (I'm sorry but I don't remember where I got the die cut "grateful" from.) I was going for a "patriotic theme" with this post card.

The bottom left I used a piece of clip art that I had laying around for ages, so I'm sorry, but I don't remember how I got this one. I affixed a "green gem" atop the harp, with a silk flower affixed at the bottom. Here I was trying for an "Irish theme" post card. Nothing else was added, and will leave up to my partner if she/he wants to add anything.

The bottom center post card I adhered a map piece that I applied distress ink to. I stamped the couple with Memories Black Ink, colored them in and affixed a "purplish" gem to the ladies hat. The words "favorite and escape" I received from a good friend and to me this was the "right" place to use these.

The bottom right post card was embossed with Forest Branches by Cuttlebug, and of which I made them look like Arizona's Ocotillo plants which I think are one of the prettiest flowering plants there is. When there is no water for these plants, the "flowers/leaves" fall off and all you have left are stark reminder of what "was" there. I stamped the "practising" cowboy, shooting at a sign, of which the stamps are from I Brake For Stamps. I affixed a "white" flower to the bottom right as it reminded me of the flowers in AZ that bloom only at night. The bottom border are flowers that you press on, and I'm sorry I don't remember the name of these.

I hope you enjoyed my ramblings of my Post Card swaps photos, and if you wish please leave a comment. Until next time.............

KEEPING BUSY

2011-01-26T07:02:00.000-06:00

It is January and the weather is getting colder, so I've been staying in a "playing"
in my studio. With the aches and pains of the colder temps, I feel like this old man
looks...LOL. Isn't he a scream? I used the Diamond patterned Cuttlebug folder on white card stock, two shades of purple card stock to back the old man image from I Brake for Stamps. A dark purple piece of rick/rack was added behind the backing of the old man. He's drinking a cup of hot chocolate to warm his innards...LOL.

I think the "Red Hat Lady" has a problem - like possibly being a bit tipsy from her wine. I really enjoy using the Senior Stamps from I Brake For Stamps as they usually remind me of someone dear/near to me. This one reminds me of a lady I used to know in AZ, and well she was a scream with or without an alcoholic

beverage in her hand. I created this card with a Paisley Cuttlebug Folder on white card stock. I placed a red, with a deckle cut top, card stock to the back of our Lady. DerWent water colors were used to color her. A red ribbon to match her red hat was applied.

I hope you enjoyed my funny family of seniors as much as I enjoyed creating them. Please leave a comment, if you wish. Until next time.......

PROMISE KEPT

2011-01-14T10:36:00.000-06:00

In my last posting I promised to upload some of my creations, and I do try to keep my promises. Here I have posted a religious card (probably a sympathy one), and then several "manly" cards. I do hope you'll enjoy and leave me a comment. Until next time....

LIFE GOT IN MY WAY

2011-01-06T09:33:00.000-06:00

It has been way too long since I last posted. Life (dh's illness) sure can get in the way of creativity. Keep a watch out as I have resolved to (no not a new years resolution) get more creative. I have marked my calendar(s) to create five (yes that is five - 5) Christmas cards on the 25th of each month. Wish me luck, as I don't know what happened this year. I thought I had another month to get all my Christmas stuff done, and alas, I didn't even get to send out any cards. To my family, followers and members of Inky Fun Stampers (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inkyfunstampers/ ) I sincerely apologize. Okay, I'm off to my studio to get creative and then post some of the outcome. Until next time....

WHAT A GIVE AWAY

2010-12-06T09:57:00.000-06:00

Hurry! Don't walk - run over to Becky (formerly Chabot) Conley's blog to get entered in her give away of a Cricut Expressions. Here is her blog address: http://beckyconley.blogspot.com Good luck to me and everyone....until next time.

ANOTHER CARD

2010-11-28T15:05:00.000-06:00

Its another cold (cool by others standards) day in AR, so it was another good day to stay in my studio with the fireplace on. At least we don't have that bad four letter word that out west and parts of the Midwest has gotten. Whew!!!

I've been trying to use up a lot of my papers that I have lying around that isn't big enough for a card, but small enough to use as trim. Do you have that problem too? Well, the card to the right is one of those "scraps" you might say, but I'm happy how it turned out.

I used a "Cornish Game" stamp of the month (Jan. 2010) stamp, and colored it with my Der Went water color pencils. Before the coloring I just had to add some glitter to the snowballs and the huge snow balls. I'm hoping you can enlarge the photo to see the glitter. (Silver Fire Opal Embossing Powder by Embossing Arts Co. located in Tangent, OR is what I used. I think I bought this at one of the conventions I've gone to in AZ. I'm sorry for not remembering.) I also added via a Rubber Stampede double tipped embossing pen some glitter to the snowflakes that are in the green edging of the card. This green edging was embossed with the Snowflake folder from Cuttlebug in my Wizard. The lattice was punched using the Martha Stewart punch that I found at my local Wal Mart.

I stamped the words "Sending you" (by Plaids Anna Griffin Seasons Greetings) at the top, and then inside I attached a white piece of plain paper (to somewhat hide the green area), and stamped "Greetings of the Season". Viola, another card done...enjoy and comments are always welcomed. Until next time...

WINTER CARDS

2010-11-27T12:52:00.000-06:00

We woke up to 31 degrees outside and it felt that way on the inside too, but the thermostat said 65 degrees. I'm still not used to this southern mid west weather. So since it was so cold I buried myself in my studio with my fireplace on and started on some cards, and the "Winter" theme just came to mind...LOL.

I didn't have a pattern for these cards, so I was winging it. Me measure anything - you've got to be kidding. Well most of the time I do, but today I just folded the card stock and hoped it would all fit. The hardest part was getting the folds all lined up.

On the outside front of the white card (seen on the left) I used my Wizard and Snowflake Cuttlebug folder to emboss snowflakes. I had a felt covered snowflake for the hanging one and that was my inspiration. The blue part was embossed with the snowflake Cuttlebug folder and placed in the middle of the card. I then cut out an oval on white card stock and hung the felt snowflake from this.

The red card (seen on the right) is a Christmas bauble that I embossed with the snowflake Cuttlebug folder, and then used my white ink to go over the raised areas. On the inside is white card stock embossed with the Snowflake Cuttlebug folder and finished off like above.

I enjoyed making these and I just may form an "assembly line" and make more. I just hope that the recipients will enjoy them as much as I did in making them. Until next time stay warm....

THE SAME BUT DIFFERENT

2010-11-20T19:25:00.001-06:00

I made some Thanksgiving cards today. They basically are the same, but yet the stamped object is a bit different in the coloring. The first card (in orange) I used gold embossing powder on a calendar page that had some orange, green and brown in it. The second one (in brown), I also embossed it with gold onto a calendar page that had green, brown and dark red in it. In person it came out a lot better than what you see on the right.

The green and red cards were punched with a Martha Stewart punch and then the punched part was backed with a green (or red) card stock. On the inside I placed a piece of white paper (to hide the colored card stock), and stamped happy thanksgiving. Again the stamped image is the same (basket full of fruit) but colored differently by using my DerWent water colors.

I enjoyed creating these cards, and hopefully the recipients will enjoy them as much as I did creating them. I also hope that you will enjoy looking at them. Until next time....

CHRISTMAS 2010 CARDS STARTED

2010-11-13T13:55:00.000-06:00

I started my Christmas Cards and what gave me the inspiration was a swap card that I made for an Inky Fun Stampers group. (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inkyfunstampers/ )

I stamped and embossed the Christmas Tree stamp from Michael Strong on green card stock with white ink from Martha Stewart line, and white embossing powder from Ranger products. I mounted that onto white card stock, which I mounted those onto a red velvet card stock. I stamped/embossed Merry Christmas, stamp from Plaid, with white ink & embossing powder onto the red velvet card stock. I placed a piece of ribbon, from American crafts, between the tree and word stamping.

I then used my Cuttlebug Snow Flake folder to emboss snow flakes onto a piece of acetate. I then use white ink and went over the raised images. I used vellum tape to adhere the embossed acetate to the red velvet card stock.

I hope the person that received this enjoys it, as much as I enjoyed creating it. Thank you for looking and until next time....Enjoy.

A CHALLENGE

2010-10-25T02:35:00.000-05:00

Over on Inky Fun Stampers group, (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inkyfunstampers/) we have a challenge for November to use "recycled" objects to make a card. I think this will qualify for this challenge as I used a magazine page to stamp the pot (stamp from Michael Strong), and left over bits to make the stems and leaves.

Others have joined the challenge also using bubble wrap and other found objects. I hope you enjoyed my endeavor for this challenge. Until next time.....

NEW TECHNIQUE - ANOTHER LOOK

2010-09-27T21:22:00.000-05:00

I really like this Black Velvet technique. To me it looks a bit subtle. The colors are soft but vibrant, if you know what I mean...LOL. I stamped the words "...You're in My Thoughts and Prayers..." by Stampabilities, on white card stock, placed two gold peel offs in opposite corners. Mounted this all onto white card stock and then onto a black card.

Comments on my artwork are always welcomed. Thank you for visiting. Until next time....

NEW TECHNIQUE

2010-09-27T15:52:00.000-05:00

Today was a very cool day outside, so I took the opportunity to try a new technique. The technique is called "Black Velvet". You use black card stock, stamp (by I Brake for Stamps) with white ink and then let the ink dry. Next comes the "fun" part, as you color over the white ink with colored pencils. After you're finished with your coloring you then apply a fixative. I used the brand called Krylon Fixative. I placed the finished art on to a white card stock and then upon a black card stock and placed 3 lavender (to match the lavender flowers) brads. All of this was affixed to white card stock and trimmed with a lavender ribbon and bow. Not a bad technique at all - not messy anyway...LOL. Hopefully, I can continue creating today with a different technique, and if I do, I'll be sure to let you all know.

Thanks for stopping by, until next time.

NOTE TO GRANDSON'S WEDDING CARD

2010-09-09T09:08:00.000-05:00

Just a note to tell you what I did to "finish" off my grandson's wedding card. On the left side of the archway, I placed an organza (sheer material in white) bow and along with the streamers of the bow I placed iridescent pearls. It seemed like the card really came to life. Wished I had taken a photo of it before I mailed it out. Thank you for looking and come again. Until next time........

DON'T LIKE SYMPATHY CARDS

2010-09-04T14:10:00.000-05:00

For some reason I have this mental block of creating Sympathy Cards.
A dear friend of mine, one with whom I've attended school with since first grade and we graduated together, mother passed away. While visiting in IN this past spring I attended a "mother/daughter" spring banquet at a local church and happen to see this friends mother. It was a blessing in disguise as I got to personally thank her for her creation of a "K" (which signified our initial of our school) when we had our 50th high school graduation. To the right is the card that I came up with.

I used a 5 x 7 inch white card stock for the base. I used my Wizard by Spellbinders
( http://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/ ) to emboss and cut out a scalloped circle in red & white. I stamped the Bible (stamp from Inkadinkado - http://www.eksuccessbrands.com/inkadinkado/products/ ) and colored it with my Der Went water color pencils. I also stamped "thinking of you" (a miscellaneous stamp I have) just below the Bible. I then added a sheer ribbon (miscellaneous ribbon I had on hand) to the bottom of the card. I had some flower petals from my stash and mounted them with brads from my stash. On the inside I wrote a very personal note to the family, enclosed it in an envelope and cried while addressing the envelope.

Maybe this is why I don't like to create sympathy cards - I get all choked up, cry and wish that the deceased person was still with us. This sympathy card is now mailed and I have my wonderful memories of someone that I happen to think very highly of. Please enjoy, leave a comment if you care to, and enjoy each other. Until next time......

GRANDSONS WEDDING CARD

2010-08-22T12:20:00.000-05:00

I finally got busy and tried again in creating my grandsons
wedding card. (The brown is from my dining room table.) After making this card I still have yet to make the wedding shower card. Well, I'd better get busy, but the following is how I did this card.

I did several things to the card - I colored the background with ink and a rolled over some screen material. I then ran it through my Wizard with a cuttle bug folder (leaves). Then I ran the arch type die (side dies) (floral borders) through my Wizard and punched out the pieces and placed them on the background paper about 1/2 inch in on both sides. I then used a HIT (Hearts in Touch) stamp to stamp the flowers atop and placed them over the arch dies. I then stamped a couple (from a miscellaneous stamp company), cut them out, and then placed them on the background being sure to place them so they looker further back. The roses were colored an off white with my DerWent water color pencils and there were some daisies that I colored yellow with a brown center, also with my water color pencils.

Thanks for stopping by, and please do leave a comment. Until next time....

A SO SO WEDDING CARD

2010-08-11T14:40:00.001-05:00

We received a wedding invitation to one of our grandson's wedding this next month. To the right "may be" the card that I give to them - not sure I like the looks of it.. Their invitation came on a background of dark brown card stock, with cream card stock as the invite. Then there was gold trim and brown writing, so I thought I would try to follow the theme of the invitation.

For the background of my card, I used the "faux" metal technique that I learned from one of the blogs that I follow - http://creationsbychristie.blogspot.com/. You cut a piece of metallic glossy card stock to the size you wish to use, ink up your stamp with Versa Mark, stamp the image on your card stock, sprinkle with clear embossing powder, and heat until clear. The stamp I used is a flourish from Clear Stamps by rhonna farrer - I think I purchased this at a Hobby Lobby or Michaels??? I then took some dark brown card stock to frame my handwriting "..on your wedding day.." which was on cream colored card stock. I liked that look so I stamped the couple (stamp from Hearts In Touch http://www.heartsintouch.com ) with brown ink from Memories and embossed it with clear embossing powder on cream card stock and mounted it on the dark brown card stock. I then took these pieces and mounted them with Art Institute Glitter glue ( www.artglitter.com ) to the faux metallic card stock. Before mounting all of this to cream colored card stock, I placed three antique gold brads at the upper left corner.

Like I said, "maybe" this will be the card as I'm not to thrilled with a card that is suppose to be a "wedding card", so I'll be making more wedding cards and then choose the one I really like, but I will be using their invitation colors. Thank you for stopping by, leave a comment if you care, and do come back again.

HARDEST CARD I EVER MADE

2010-08-08T16:06:00.000-05:00

I knew that I was going to make a "nice" card for my swap partner of "hummingbirds" in Inky Fun Stampers group swap, but what I didn't know was how long it would take me and the happenings that made it so hard to do.

The stamp is from Inkadinkado (http://inkadinkado.eksuccessbrands.com/ ) which I purchased from Hobby Lobby (http://www.hobbylobby.com/) in Jonesboro AR. It is a "sketch drawing" stamp is how it is described on the brochure.

I colored the flowers first with DerWent water color pencils that I purchased from JoAnns while living in AZ and I chose to do them in a light purple/blueish color. I then colored the leaves, and the hummingbird.is colored in blue with the watercolor pencils, and at this point there were no problems...
After deciding to cut away the "extra" markings I then cut the whole image out and placed it upon white card stock. Well this was the first "hard" thing I did with more to follow. I knew I wanted to have this show through a type of opening, so I got out my circle cutter and a cut circle around my stamped image. Well this was problem number two as then the image was too big for the card stock I had chosen. Well, the stamped image area was quite large and I couldn't cut it down, so what to do. I tried cutting out a hole to place in the stamped image behind the opening, but I didn't have the right size of cutter, so I just gave up and glued it down with my glue (Art Institute Glitter glue at http://www.artglitter.com/ ) on a larger card the same color I started out with.

By this time I was out of the mood in trying to be perfect and creative and knowing full well it was lacking something - but what? I reached for my "peel offs" that I received from a friend in England and viola' it came together. I really like the finished project, and I sure hope my partner liked it as well.

Please enjoy my endeavors at art this past week, and stop by again.

FRIEND NEEDED ANNIVERSARY CARD

2010-08-08T15:34:00.000-05:00

The photo to the right is a card that I did for a friend who's brother
was having a wedding anniversary. She happened to be in my
studio when she spotted these two stamps from I Brake For Stamps
( http://www.ibrakeforstamps.com ) of motorcycle riders. She started laughing and said..."Please make this card for my brother and sister-in-law who ride Harley's. They'll get such a kick out of the card". I told her
as long as they held me "harmless" I would. The tree stamps came from
Hearts in Touch ( http://www.heartsintouch.com/ ) and I Brake for Stamps
(listed above). The word stamp came from 7gypsies of which I purchased from JoAnn's ( http://www.joann.com/ ) when I was in Iowa. The trees were stamped using colored ink, and the motorcyclists were colored using DerWent water color pencils that I purchased from Michaels while living in AZ.

I really laughed, giggled and enjoyed making this card for her, and I hope you enjoy looking at it. Please leave a comment if you care to, and stop by again.

CARDS MADE THROUGH OUT THE WEEK

2010-08-08T12:31:00.000-05:00

To right are is a card that I made for swap on Inky Fun Stampers

( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inkyfunstampers/ ) I used my Spellbinders Nestability ( http://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/ ) for the fish and hook. I used a Cuttlebug Folder ( http://www.provocraft.com/ ) for the plaque the fish is mounted on. I colored the fish and hook with Prismacolor pencils ( http://www.prismacolor.com/ ) and the plaque was colored with chalk ( http://www.craf-tproducts.com/ ). The fishing pole is a stamp from Hearts in Touch ( http://www.heartsintouch.com/ ). I placed some fine silver wire (32 gauge) from the fishing pole to the hook

and passing it under the mounted fish. All was then mounted on light turquoise card stock. The word stamp "Happy Birthday" is from 7gypsies that I purchase from JoAnn's ( http://www.joann.com/ ) while visiting in Iowa.

The photo of cards above right were mailed out as "thank you" cards to some friends of mine. I had some card stock that I had played with different colors of ink. I was attempting a rainbow pattern with these inks. The stamps are from Hampton Art ( http://www.hamptonart.com/ ). I really enjoyed thinking outside of the box to create not only the rainbow effect, but also the different styles of cards that I made. I hope all enjoyed the cards I made for them.

Please leave a comment if you care to. Enjoy and here's hoping you'll come by and visit again.

OH SCRAP

2010-08-08T11:37:00.001-05:00

I've been creating all week long. In fact I was using my Spellbinders Wizard and Nestabilities (http://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/) and had quite a few scraps left over. To the right is only "some" of the cards that I made today. The card on the left (with the horse) stamp came from I Brake for Stamps ( http://www.ibrakeforstamps.com/ ). I stamped the horse image on white card stock and then stamped the head image on orange colored card stock and layered it all onto the yellow background of the "scrap" of white and orange Nestability. The word stamp I masked from the whole of the stamp that came from I Brake For Stamps also. This too was layered upon white and orange card stock. All was then placed onto a black card.

The card on the right is basically done the same way, but I'm sorry I don't have the name of the stamp company that made the southwest pot. (I believe it came from Taylor Art and purchased this from a stamp store [that is out of business now] while living in Mesa AZ.) The word stamp was masked from a stamp by Hampton Art ( http://www.hamptonart.com/ ) I affixed the word stamp by slitting both sides near the yellow card stock and placing orange dotted ribbon through the slits. All of this was layered upon a brown card.

Please enjoy and leave a comment if you care to. Thank you for looking and come again.

IT'S BEEN WAY TOO LONG

2010-08-01T20:55:00.000-05:00

I have to apologize to one and all for not updating my blog site since February. Oh my goodness, what I've been up to you wouldn't really want to know. Here is a "brief" summary of what has been happening in my world.

In April my husband and I traveled to Iowa to visit our kids there, and for him to be checked out at the Iowa City Veterans Administration Medical Clinic. He received his new glasses and he received his new hearing aides. After having a marvelous visit with the kids, and celebrating his 80th birthday, we traveled on to Indiana to visit with kids there. My husband then had knee surgery on April 21st at the St. Joseph Hospital in South Bend, IN. We stayed with our youngest daughter for the following month for him to receive excellent physical therapy and for us to celebrate our birthdays which are only 2 days apart.

We came home to Arkansas to find that our home needed much attention to. The veggie and flower gardens were really in need of some TLC, as well as the lawns. A friend of ours was watering our gardens in between the rain showers that she said we had, and with her help the gardens thrived right along with the weeds. We have come to the conclusion that to be gone from home that long sure isn't conducive to our health. It seems we work harder and longer when we come back from "vacations" and that really wears on a person of our ages.

After all of that work, I have been canning and freezing veggies and fruits for this coming winter. Today for instance I canned 11 pints of peaches, and it was probably the hottest day of the year thus far. What was I thinking when I bought those beauties, especially when I was on a roll of creating. Oh when will I wise up. I promise to try and post more often and my goal is to post at least once a week.

Thanks for stopping by, and please come back really soon as I will be posting photos of some of the creations that I have created for you to enjoy. Y'all come back ya hear.

I'VE BEEN SCRAP BOOKING

2010-02-20T12:05:00.000-06:00

I decided I have way to many "empty" scrap books lying around so I've decided that I better do something with the "duplicate" pages I make by filling up those books. To the right is a page that I made today in observance of Valentine Day. The paper is of unknown origin, as well as the lace (but I think I got that several years ago at Jo Ann's). The hearts I made out of white card stock and then used chalk to color them. I then used my Cuttlebug Folder called "Flourished Frame", and white card stock, for a place to insert a photo of my husband. I the used a smaller piece of white card stock for the journaling portion of this page. I'm not sure if I'm done with the overall look of it, so it will lay around for me to "think on"...LOL.

The page to the right is for a scrap book swap called "The Luck of the Irish" over on Inky Fun Stampers ( inkyfunstampers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ) I had a lot of fun making this page as the coins pouring out of the hat was made by using my Wizard (by Spellbinders) and placing quarter, nickels, dimes and pennies in the sandwich with heavy gold wrapping paper and then cutting them out. The Shamrock I designed by myself also. The paper is of unknown origin (I never keep track of the name of papers...LOL), as is the green card stock that I used for the photo frames, and the backing of the journaling area. I used a green pen (unknown) to put lines on the journal part and stamped the word "Smile" using a See D's stamp, in green. Try using your coins, or whatever you have laying around, to make your own embellishments in a sandwich in your die maker. You'd be surprised what you can end up with. May the Luck of the Irish be with you and yours to enjoy. Until next time..........

COUNTING MY BLESSING THIS WINTER

2010-02-09T19:58:00.000-06:00

You would never guess that I live in the State of Arkansas by the weather we've been having. We previously had 8-10 inches of snow and this past week it started melting to the point you could actually see patches of grass. Well, we just got blasted with 6 inches of snow which started Sunday and didn't let up until this morning. I'm so sick of winter that I have thought about running away from home...LOL. Well, at least driving to a "warmer" non-snow State.

The first photo shows a cardinal coming in for a landing on the bird feeder, and other cardinals waiting their turn while sitting in the lilac bushes. I think we have 6 or 8 of the cardinals, and they sure are beautiful to see with their red bodies up against the white of the snow. That is one beautiful and nice thing about this winter, and I'll see if I can think of others...LOL.

The second photo shows the sun coming up through a cedar tree and some oak trees in our back yard. Today the wind was really blowing so a lot of the snow you see in the trees is now gone and piled back where my dear husband had just shoveled. Again, this was one of those beautiful and nice things about this winter. Of course, knock on wood, we haven't had any power outages like we did one year ago, so that is another blessing I can count for this winter.

Gee, never thought about counting all of my blessings in one spot, but I did manage a few today. It's back to my crafting table to try and get creative, so please enjoy a little bit of my world and leave a comment if you care to. Until next time.

BEEN BUSY & LAUGHING TOO

2010-02-08T09:16:00.000-06:00

It's snowing, It's snowing, the old man.... well you get the idea. Instead of sleeping (and "snoring") I locked myself in my craft room. All of this snow (& ice) we have had gave me the dull drums to the point all I wanted to do was to lay around and watch TV. Then someone sent me some cute and very funny senior cartoons and I laughed a good belly laugh, so I pulled up my boots by their straps and got into my stamps. To the right are the outcome of my days in my craft room.

The inks used were Memories Black Ink with clear embossing powder. I used my DerWent water color pencils to color the images. The stamps are from I Brake For Stamps -
http://www.ibrakeforstamps.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=IBFSSF. Today I am going to spend my day in my craft room and try to create more than just a few pieces of art, and that way I don't have to look out to see this beautiful (yucky) snow.

Today, after almost five (5) days of snow melting) we got more snow. We woke up to about 4 inches of the white stuff with more to come this evening. Yuck!!! I will say it was a beautiful site to see all of the red cardinals sitting in the lilac bushes just waiting for my dear husband to spread the bird seed on our feeder. In fact I got a chuckle out of a little wren who must have been extra hungry. This little bird must have seen me open the drapes, as he came flying up on the deck, and looked in, then flew back to the bird feeder. I do think my husband has the birds spoiled, as they expect to be fed at a certain time every morning.

Of course not only the birds are spoiled, but our little doggy, Molly, has been spoiled by him too. He usually wakes in the morning before 6:00 o'clock a.m., to let Molly out to do her business. This morning I was up early so I opened the door for Molly to go out upon which she looked out the door then looked at me and proceeded to go back to bed with my husband. Needless to say, she won't go out in the snow unless my husband shovels a place for her to do her business in the grass. Yep, I think he has all of them spoiled.

Until next time enjoy and please leave a comment. Have a blessed day.

PURPLE IS THE COLOR

2010-01-19T11:36:00.004-06:00

I've had my mojo leave me for awhile, and I think she's back as I've been creating this week. The photo of the "little girls on the sewing machine" is a HIT ( http://www.heartsintouch.com ) stamp. I colored this stamp with a light red (almost a pink), violet and blue with my DerWent water color pencils. I sure like how they lay down on most any paper. I cut this out and affixed it to pink card stock which was layered onto a violet (purple) card stock, and layered onto some "unknown" paper that I found in my stash. This was all layered onto some dark blue card stock. The word stamps are from Creative Cafe clear stamps by Hampton Art.

The "Garden Lady" stamp came from HIT (http://www.heartsintouch.com) as well. I colored this art piece with greens, oranges (salmon colored) and purple from the DerWent water color pencils. I outlined the image with a Gold Leafing Pen from Krylon (http://www.krylon.com/ ) which you can find in any hardware &/or crafting store. I cut this image out and layered it on a Glimmer Mist technique card stock that carried the same color theme as the image. I then made a bow out of some organza ribbon and affixed that with a brad onto my card stock that I had deckle cut, and layered all atop a purple Cuttlebugged card stock. Cuttlebug is a product of Provo Craft (http://www.provocraft.com/ ).

The last photo is from I Brake for Stamps (http://www.ibrakeforstamps.com ) as are the words. I colored the image with my DerWent water color pencils, outlined it with Gold Leafing pen from the Krylon company (http://www.krylon.com/ ). (I did the same with the word stamped image.) With the images colored I layered these upon some purple card stock and outlined these in the gold leafing pen. I then used my Fiskars edge punch that I bought from Wal Mart (I believe), to give the edge a bit of a "lacy look" on the purple card stock. I then layered the images onto this purple card stock and viola' I was finished.

Now back to my creating table for some more fun and creativity. Enjoy and I do hope you'll leave me a comment. Until next time...

By the way, don't forget to hop on over to Erika Taylors Blog ( http://taylordconcepts.blogspot.com/ ) as she's having a "blogaversary" and the goodies she's giving away - WOW!!!

BLOGGING

2010-01-11T10:03:00.000-06:00

I have been surfing the blogspots and enjoy most all of them as I can get really inspired by their art and comments. How about you - do you blog? If not maybe you could at least enjoy the art on these blogs. I just joined as a follower the Erica Taylor blog at http://taylordconcepts.blogspot.com/ because she does give me a lot of inspiration. She has some wonderful tips and techniques, let alone the art that she shares.

There are other blogs that I belong to and someday I'll list them in a writing here. Sooooo,

After viewing her site, I am now going back to my table to hopefully create something very artful in hopes that it'll get published or at the least be a nice artful swap. Thanks for looking and until the next time.....

OLD MAN WINTER

2010-01-05T21:54:00.000-06:00

Old man winter has really hit my part of Arkansas heavily this year. For a week and a half, and into a couple more weeks, we've had 20 to 30 degrees F. lower temperatures. I couldn't help myself but wanting to share with you all, of course realizing that more northern states and Canada have it a lot worse than we can imagine.

I had to find some beauty in this frigid area and it was found right in my yard. The first photo shows only "some" of the Cardinals that dart back and forth between the bushes (which are in reality, lilacs), and the bird feeder. We enjoy watching them most of the morning and into the evening at times and how they "share" their food. Of course there are other birds too, but they are the prettiest against the white "snow".

My husband likes to be kept busy, and in the second photo you see him shoveling the snow off of our driveway. This is something he thought he had left behind in 1993, but alas when you move from a "warm" climate like Arizona to what we thought was a "gentle" four seasons climate you really go back in time to what you had when we were all younger...LOL.

Ah, yes, Old Man Winter, you can take your leave now, and in fact I think he has overstayed his welcome. For me it is back to my studio to create and keep warm. Until next time.

PAINT CHIP BOOKLET SWAP

2009-12-29T22:23:00.000-06:00

On the Inky Fun Stampers site (inkyfunstampers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com) we have a "paint chip booklet swap". I've enclosed only a few photos of how mine will look. Right now I just wanted to share with you before I put on the "finishing touches".

I've been working on mine off and on for the past month and it has been a labor of love, but it also has been an out of the box exhilarating experience also. When I regain my sanity, I just may make one for my g-g-kids. You can find these crayola paint chips at your local Ace Hardware Store, and they are free for the taking. I hope you'll want to make one of these little booklets also. Please leave me a message if you would care to, but enjoy until next time.

2009 - CHRISTMAS TIME

2009-12-24T20:54:00.013-06:00

I've enjoyed making our Christmas cards as you can see in the right photo. I used regular white card stock, on which I placed gold glossy card stock, and then attached a Lustre Paper from the Paper Temptress line. (Great card stock and papers and can see the whole line at the following address:

http://www.papertemptress.com ) I then used the leaf punch from Martha Stewart line to compose the Christmas Tree. I stamped the deer in gold embossing powder (can't remember the name of the powder), from a stamp by Inkadinkado ( www.inkadinkado.com ) on a piece of white card stock and then cut it out and placed it on the card. I used an I Brake For Stamps ( www.ibrakeforstamps.com ) "cross" at the top of the tree and attached three (3) small white snow flake buttons. I finished the inside with personal stamped sayings.

Next came the trimming of the tree and the wrapping of my "homemade"

goodies. This to me is the fun part of Christmas. I placed on our coffee table my home created Native American nativity set which I made out of ceramics whilst living in Arizona. I became allergic to the dust of the place where I took my classes, so haven't made anything since.

The gifts for the women are on the end table at the left of the tree, which consisted of four servings of homemade hot cocoa placed in a pint canning jars (all you do is add 8 oz. of boiling of water and enjoy while reading the good book). What looks like tags hanging on the wrappings is actually bookmarks that I made. See photo to the left. These were fun, and after I had them done it seems that the crosses were not in sync with the other stamped objects, but in reality the crosses are peeking out of the page they are holding for your next visit to the page.

For some Christmas Presents I baked four (4) different kinds of cookies, one of which was a small batch (M&M cookies) and which was eaten straight away. The others I have managed to save and wrap up for our male guests. In the photo to the right you see me decorating some frosted butter cookies. I also baked chocolate chip, and Ruth Duffners recipe of Peanut Blossoms. As I said before the M&M cookies were eaten straight away as the recipe only made 18 cookies - Oh but yummy they were.

My baking is done, as well as I have my Christmas dinner all done, just waiting for our guests to arrive at noon tomorrow to have some fun. It is now time for me to gather up some pennies with different dates on them to give to our guests. (You can write me ( huffpede@yahoo.com ) to find out what we'll do with these pennies. Just put in the subject line "pennies" and I'll e-mail you the answer.)

You all have a Blessed Merry Christmas, and may you feel God's love, have peace, and joy to come. Until next posting......

ITS BEEN WAY TOO LONG

2009-12-23T06:41:00.004-06:00

It has been way too long in my posting. I do have a valid reason for not posting sooner. When you are gone from your own computer for 4 months, well I think you know how I feel. We're home now, I have my own studio, my own computer, and more important, my own bed. It was great of our kids to put up with us for so long, and we sincerely appreciate each and everyone of them. We spent a couple of weeks in Iowa getting the Veterans Clinic appointments all set up for my husband and since they were a month away I decided to go to Indiana to visit with my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We stayed with my youngest daughter and her husband and had a ball there. We had fun watching this petite little girl (woman), drive her school bus, especially when she would stop on the highway out front, and put the bus in reverse and "fly" backwards to the bus's parking spot. The first time was a "...OMG...", then after that it was just a fun site to watch. While there, we visited an apple orchard getting a half bushel of apples. What do you do with so many apples? Well of course you make and can apple butter. We also bought some Concord grapes and canned grape jelly. Oh, these are so wonderful tasting, and during our long winters they sure will taste good on hot toasted buttered bread and biscuits...yummy for the tummy!!! My daughter was taking the high school marching band to a competition and asked if I would like to go along. I couldn't say No, as it was not only being able to see first hand her handling of the school bus, but also to see my son-in-law (who is the music director of the high school) in action with the high school kids. All I can say is WOW, what a full day this was. It was an amazing day being with the kids on the bus and listening to their chatter. I even got an earful on what they thought of my son-in-law as their teacher - which they couldn't say enough about how he interacts with them and how they all love him. Made me feel very proud of not only my son-in-law, but also of my daughters (one of which is my son-in-laws wife and my very proud daughter/mother of three of my grandchildren). These kids were the greatest in my eyes, but in the judges eyes they weren't. I personally think that the judges need glasses and a bit more non-supportive of another school. But, what the hey, I'm only a very proud mother-in-law is all. We went back to Iowa and started in going to the Veterans Clinic so my husband could get his check-up. He definitely has interstatial (sp) fibrosis, has a scarred heart (no heart attack was found though), and needs a knee replacement. Other than that he is healthy as a horse - yeah right!!! We weren't able to see the eye doctor as he was out ill with the H1N1 Flu virus. To reschedule the appointment meant waiting another month which we couldn't do, so home we came. Since coming home he has gone to the eye doctor here only to find out that he has Glaucoma, and he definitely needs glasses. So, we now have glasses on order for him, and he now has to put drops in his eyes to hopefully relieve the pressure. Ah, it is so good to be home but now I have to put on my running shoes to get ready for our Christmas dinner. I'll post more later this week with some photos too. Here's hoping you all have a very Merry Christmas with Gods love, joy and peace. Stay tuned in for more.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

2009-08-16T17:08:00.002-05:00

I've been quite ill since my last posting and like the title suggests - "...Enough is Enough..." I'm not a very good patient (or sickie), as I tend to get impatient with myself, but whatever caused my illness, at least it isn't catching, thank goodness. We are now going on vacation, so it will be sometime before I'm able to post again. I do hope you all will enjoy your vacations. Thanks for stopping by.

TRIED NEW TECHNIQUE

2009-08-02T08:10:00.011-05:00

The Technique Junkies Newsletter www.techniquejunkies.com for August/September had Alcohol Ink Foil Technique. The photo to your right was done using the "shiny" side of the aluminum foil, and this turned out not too bad, but I think next time I'll use the "dull" side of the aluminum foil. The technique is as follows: (in my own words) 1) Place double sided adhesive on your card stock 2) Place foil on the adhesive side of the card stock & flatten 3) Put a couple drops of alcohol ink on your sponge or applicator 4) Put a couple drops of another alcohol ink on your sponge or applicator next to the first one 5) Put blending solution over top of inks 6) With a twisting of the applicator, pounce the inks on the foil lined card stock 7) Let the ink dry (very important) 8) Once dry, place the foil/inked card stock in a Cuttlebug folder and emboss 9) To have the embossed parts "pop", lightly rub on some StazOn Ink (I only had black StazOn Ink, so I used Palette ink and gently dried with my heat gun) 10) Finish card in desired. The photo to the right was done on the "dull" side of the aluminum foil and I prefer this side much better. In the original information it just says to use "aluminum" foil. I personally believe it is what you try and what you like in your art - after all "art is in the eye of the beholder" isn't it. Today is another day of "experimentation" and those posts will come at a later time. Gotta get ready for the garage sale coming up this next weekend. Whew!!! Enjoy and your comments are much welcomed. Happy Creating.

GRADUATION CARD

2009-07-29T16:46:00.011-05:00

Today was a day of getting ready for our garage sale. What a chore this is, but most of the time it is worth it. My hubby and I worked most of the afternoon, but he and I needed a break, so he went and laid down for his nap, and I came into my craft room. I still had graduation on my mind since school is starting up again, so I made this card. I used white card stock as the base for this creation. The rest of the card stocks were "scraps" that I had laying around. I drew my own graduation cap in black, punched a very tiny hole in the middle, affixed the tassel with a black brad, then mounted it on red card stock, and then onto white card stock to form the square, that was affixed to a black rectangle card stock. I cut out a circle of red card stock and affixed it to the card, but not before cutting out a moon shape from the right corner of the black rectangle card stock. In the bottom right hand corner of the card I used a small square of the black card stock and cut small moon shape out of it. I wanted a "diploma" on the card somewhere, so I added the black ribbon to "soften" the look of the card. I then rolled a small piece of white card stock, glued it shut, then added a black piece of embroidery thread to hold it. I affixed this to where the black ribbons intersect, and viola' I thought the card was done...LOL. I remembered I wanted to "finish off" the inside of the card, so I cut another cap from black card stock, and atop this I affixed a red rectangle. I wrote "Congratulations" in gold embossing powder on white card stock and affixed that to the red. Now I'm done with the card. I hope you enjoyed my creation today, and that you have a creative day. Stop back again.

3-D TRY

2009-07-24T20:20:00.008-05:00

Today was a very sunny & humid day, so I turned the air conditioner on and came into my studio to finish a card I started yesterday. This card was stamped on water color paper and the images were stamped with I Brake For Stamps. I colored the images with Derwent water color pencils. You really can't tell from the photo, but I stamped the background images twice, colored them, and then I cut out some of them. The deer is a separate stamping. I cut out of the second stamping/coloring some of the leaves of the trees, put foam tape on the backing and affixed to the card. I also stamped/colored the downed log and bushes (in that area), and affixed them to the card with foam tape. The deer was colored and cut out and affixed with foam tape. This image was then affixed to white card stock that I swiped the edge with Walnut Stain Distress Ink from Ranger Industries, and then affixed all of this to chocolate brown card stock. I also used the word stamp from I Brake For Stamps called "Friendship", stamped it with brown ink (don't remember the name of the ink), onto white card stock and again swiped the Walnut Stain Distress Ink onto the edges and affixed it to the brown card stock. To me, this was Not an easy card to make as it had a lot of "parts" (as I call them) to it. I think it will make a nice male card for some man in my life. Thank you for looking and happy creating.

MORE FUN ON A RAINY DAY

2009-07-22T23:46:00.006-05:00

The rain has persisted, and I have too - that is stamping...LOL. I made this card to the right to use up what was left of the trio colors of the Wal Mart Glitter paint. I used a piece of ribbon that I had in my ribbon stash, and tying a knot in the middle of it. I still had some floral fabric left so I backed the white card stock with it. The stamp, "When I get the urge to exercise, I lie down until the feeling passes," is from the Stampabilities line and can be found at www.craftsetc.com . I love making what I call fun cards, but I think this rain is making me goofy, so I'd better get serious...LOL. This next card is going to be a "Thank you" to a special friend of mine who sent me this stamp. I do hope she'll enjoy my rendition of it. The card stock is chocolate brown, upon which I layered a white painted surface on copper card stock. Then came a deep burgundy velvet paper I had laying around, and then I stamped the image upon white card stock. I colored the image with Derwent water color pencils, but it looked a bit bland, so I used my distress inks from Ranger. I wanted to high light the lady's face so I removed some of the ink from that area. Within the image there is a clothespin that is holding a button (all stamped), and I really wanted this to stand out so I cut along the clothes pin stamp and inserted a real button, and glued all of this down again. The left side of the image was stamped with what looked like to me as lace, so yes I just had to add "real" lace to the card. To top all of it off I had added a white organza bow behind the layers and to the right of the stamped image. Viola' I am finished with it, so now to the mailbox I go so she can enjoy it also. Thank you for stopping by, and I'm hoping you'll come again and leave a comment.

HAVING SOME FUN ON A RAINY DAY

2009-07-22T17:27:00.011-05:00

Here in NE Arkansas it has been raining, which means it is "cool" enough to do some stamping. The humidity even has been down, so then my embossing powder does not get clumped up...LOL. The card to the right is what I call "Tiny Bubbles" and the stamp is from I Brake for Stamps at www.ibrakeforstamps.com/ Della has the most fun senior stamps there is on the Internet that I have ever seen. I stamp one of the seniors and while I'm coloring, I get to giggling and then I have to cut out the stamp as I've colored outside of the lines. The ribbon is just some pink gross grain ribbon I had lying around, and I attached some deep pink brads to it. On the background, I used glossy paper and some alcohol inks by Ranger Industries at www.rangerink.com/ . The darker pinkish paper is from the Paper Temptress at www.papertemptress.com/ who has gorgeous paper and card stock. The lighter pink card stock is some paper I purchased some time ago and I don't remember where I got it (sorry). The "I don't do mornings" is how I felt the other day when I saw it raining. I soon got out of the mood because I realized my stamp room was probably one of the coolest rooms in our house. The stamp is from Stampabilities www.craftsetc.com and I affixed it to a circle of floral fabric (in other words it is the fabric that is wrapped around flowers that were delivered to me), and I deckle cut the circle. The background paper I made by using some "glitter paint" that I had purchased at Wal Mart and dabbed it on some white card stock. It is for the "trio color" swap that we have this month over on Inky Fun Stampers. Come join in the fun at: inkyfunstampers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Just tell them you saw Audrey's Blog. I do hope you have enjoyed looking at my attempt at some fun with our art of rubber stamping and I hope you'll visit often. Thanks for looking.

IT'S JULY

2009-07-17T08:33:00.005-05:00

It's July, 2009, and what a month. The photo of my gladiolas on the right are blooming. These flowers have grown so tall and their stems are so fragile, they break off. It's okay as then I get to enjoy them indoors as well. The red, white & yellow are only some of the colors that I have. One in particular is so delicate looking with a white center and the faintest of salmon/pinkish color on the outer part of the petal, that I really wish I had more of this color. I'm just glad that I am able to have their beauty that I have. The Patriotic card is one that I whipped together for a swap that I was in. I stamped the flag on some swirly shiny card stock that I purchased from Patricia Dunbar of the Paper Temptress. Her paper is so yummy and irresistible that all of it is so tempting. Please go have a look see at: http://www.papertemptress.com. The stamps are from Della Warr of I Brake For Stamps, who is another vendor that has so many deeply etched rubber stamps, and whom gives great service. Please try her site also, at: http://www.ibrakeforstamps.com. In these sad economic times we are having, to me it is very important that we rubber stampers show our appreciation to these (and other vendors) to keep their stores going, or we won't have anywhere to spend what little monies we have for our own satisfaction of creating art. Okay, I'm off of my soap box and on to do my laundry. Enjoy and leave a comment if you care to. Have a creative day.

WHAT A MONTH

2009-07-06T09:06:00.002-05:00

It's been awhile since I was able to post. It's been a long rough personal road, but I think I've seen the end of the tunnel and the light is as bright as my gift box I made for a challenge on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inkyfunstampers/ . The gift box was originally a "Cheerios" cereal box of which I covered with tissue paper and adorned it with a yellow silk flower which was attached with E6000 glue. These "gift boxes" as I like to call them are so very easy to make and the recipients just love the idea of not filling our landfills with more cardboard, let alone the cost of a gift box or sack.

I do hope all that read this post will try to make one and help to save mother earth from our silliness to dispose of things we no longer want. Be creative and until next time, have an enjoyable time.

THE MONTH OF BIRTHDAYS

2009-05-17T13:35:00.016-05:00

I've been playing a lot the past several days. Dear hubby's

birthday is on the 19th, a friend of ours in AZ has a birthday on the 24th, and a friend of mine has a birthday on the 20th. On the 25th a grandsons birthday, and I have yet to start his or the friends on the 20th. Whew! I'm tired of just writing how many birthdays there are this month, and that includes mine

on the 21st of this month. I asked my husband wanted he wanted for his birthday, and it basically is the same wish as mine - a long healthy and fun life.

The automobile card was stamped with images from

http://www.heartsintouch.com/, it is a new stamp from Frances Naeve, of Toys for Men, and the ribbon used is some that I purchased

at a convention I've attended in the past. This was an easy card to make as it is all "black and white". I really liked the look of this one, and thank France for the stamp.

The next two cards were made with http://www.ibrakeforstamps.com/ stamps. The golfer on each of these cards is a new stamp from Della Warr's plate 1008.

The first golfer card I used water color paper. The technique of "huffing" was used to create the vivid colors of ink that I used. I first sprayed the water color paper with a "misting" of water, colored the stamps with my water color pens from Wal Mart, then I "huffed" on the stamps to keep the ink damp enough for me to stamp on to the paper. The background stamp is a couple of different stamps from Della of Inkblocks (now I Brake for Stamps). I'm not sure if she still carries these stamps or not, I'll have to ask her sometime. I added Vellum from Pat Dunbar of http://www.papertemptress.com/ , who I might add has luscious papers that you are "tempted" to purchase no more than half a dozen of each kind...LOL. The words "Happy Birthday" was a stamp from See-D's ( http://www.seedstamps.com/ ) The See-D's stamp is a bit of a challenge for me to use as they are quite thin, but I like the effect of them as you're using them. On the reverse side of this stamp is a "sticky" part that clings to your acrylic stamp, but it also has the word(s) printed on the stamp so you know exactly where you are stamping it, and it isn't upside down (don't ask), or whatever.

The second golfer card is from http://www.ibrakeforstamps.com/ but this time I stamped it with Memories Black Dye Ink and used clear embossing powder. I masked the area of the golfer so I could stamp the background first, then I later stamped the golfer. I'm still working on getting a better masking effort down. I then decided to color in a "golf course" for a more realistic look. I think I need more practice on this area too. Oh, well, my dh likes it and I'm only partially satisfied, so I guess I'll keep it...LOL. I then placed the completed image onto some copper card stock that I had, which was then affixed to a white card.

Now it's time for my nap so until we meet again..... Thanks for looking.

HAVE YOUR COFFEE & TIN TOO

2009-05-13T20:59:00.004-05:00

Over on Inky Fun Stampers we have a "Mixed Media Challenge Folder" and this month we are suppose to "Alter a Tin". The tin I chose was this International Cafe Instant Sugar Free Cafe tin. After I chose this my muse left me and for the life of me I couldn't remember what I was going to do with it. Today, it finally hit me what I wanted to do with it.

First off I painted a couple of coats of all white Folk Art Acrylic Paint. I then added some ribbon that I had lying around to the

bottom of the painted tin. I then measured the top of the tin and cut a piece of purple card stock and glued it to the top of the plastic lid. It needed "more" ribbon, so I made a fairly large ribbon bow and attached it to the top. The ribbon has purple flowers on it so I happen to remember seeing butterflies around my purple iris garden, so viola' I added butterflies to the top of the ribbon on one rounded corner and another on the backside. The butterflies are from Heart in Touch's new sheet of stamps #126. I stamped the butterflies on some background papers that I had lying around.

This was a lot more fun to make, and now I've filled it with sugar free candy and will give it to the winner of our "diabetic scrabble" game tomorrow (Thursday, May 14, 2009). The Wellness and Diabetic Support Group sponsored by the Five Star Network meets once a month on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in our Senior Center. I have to be there each month as I was appointed to be head of this group. The members are great and very supportive.

Please enjoy, and have a creative week. Leave a comment if you like this or e-mail me at huffpede@yahoo.com should you have questions.

GARDENING & PLAYING

2009-05-07T21:26:00.005-05:00

Every time we have a nice day you'll find me out amongst my flowers, then scrambling to find the time to have some playtime. Yesterday was one of those days. Today we planted a small garden, but I had to finish this card I started yesterday.

I needed some "printed paper" so away I went to my stashes. I picked up one of my folders of paper and low and behold there was a partial piece of Vellum with roses on it. Yippee!!!! This is exactly what I needed. I had already stamped and cut out a butterfly using gold embossing powder, but what to do with it? Aha!!! Put these two together and you have a beautiful card (if I may say so). I attached the vellum with vellum tape and you can't see the tape on the front side so I'm a happy stamper. To me it needed a bit more oomph (technical term), so I punched a hold in the bottom right front side. Outlined the hold with a Krylon Gold pen. Okay, now what to do? Since I have a rose stamp, why not stamp a small rose so it can show through to the front. Yep, that's just what I did plus I stamped Happy Mother's Day inside. NOTE: The rose was stamped and colored in with Roseart Washable Super Tip Markers from Wal Mart. I use the "huffing technique to stamp the image. This was a quick & simple card to make, and now to get it into the post office so it lands where it's going on or before Mother's Day...LOL. I hope you enjoy looking at this art of mine and if you care to, please leave me a note. Thanks for looking.

HAD TO SHARE

2009-04-24T14:11:00.003-05:00

I am so pleased with some yellow iris that I transplanted and forgot exactly what they looked like. They are so frilly, lacy, and just plain beautiful that I couldn't contain myself by not sharing these photos with you.

Some time today (hopefully) I'll get to play with an Iris stamp I have and try to "copy" what nature gave me. I'll post my results later. Thank you for looking, and its all my pleasure to share with you.

GOT A QUESTION

2009-04-23T10:48:00.004-05:00

I've made my mothers day card and for the background I used some of my distressed ink sheets. I think it turned out okay, but it seems a bit bland all done in pinks. What do you think?

ALSO, I've created a "floral" card using a Hearts in Touch stamp "Iris", colored the iris with my Derwent watercolor pencils, and then attached it to a purple card stock, then atop a white card stock, and then to the card itself in purple. It is very "simple" looking, and sometimes simplicity can be very elegant looking, but I think it just needs a bit of something. What would you add?

Thanks for helping me out, and thanks for stopping by.

BEING DISTRESSED

2009-04-19T21:37:00.016-05:00

Yesterday I said I would upload a photo of some "distressed" papers that I made. Well I ended up making four of them. Now what to do with them. I have cut each sheet in quarters and so now I have 16 ready made backgrounds. OMG, I think I should have chosen some brighter colors, but a girl has to use what she has in her stash, right? From left to right they were made by layering distress inks (from Ranger products) on my craft sheet, watering the ink with a mister bottle filled with water (what else...LOL), and then the paper laid atop of this ink mixture. (Next time I'll use more water.) The far right sheet I made by crumpling the card stock first, then running my distress ink pad over this. When I got it the way I thought I wanted it, I then ironed it flat. (At least I did remember to put down some papers over my ironing board so the ink wouldn't get ironed into my ironing pad - whew!) To get to this point I had watched Tim Holtz's demoes and his videos were a great help.

The next photo is of a card that I made with one of the distress ink sheets. I don't think it turned out too bad considering I didn't like the background in the first place, so I'm happy how it turned out. I guess you could say that I was too critical of my own work, but being a type A personality, well sometimes it gets the better of me. The stamp is from Hearts in Touch, and the ink is Violet from Colorbox. The ribbon is some ribbon I had on hand and I colored it to match the card. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by.

A GIFT & I'M A HAPPY STAMPER

2009-04-18T16:53:00.008-05:00

Today my husband surprised me with a "gift" he made. I showed him a photo of this heat gun stand and asked if he could make one similar to it for me. He didn't say much at the time, more or less grunted like most husband's do when us wives give them a "hint" that they would like something...LOL He is a master carpenter (retired), so I knew he was up to the task, but when would it get done is another thing. Well today I received my "gift" all painted and ready to use. In the photo it looks as if the heat gun is tilted, which I guess it does look that way, but it does stand perfectly straight up and down if I'm not pulling on the cord. Duh!!! This tool is a good thing (as Martha Stewart would say) as it frees ups my hands. I have experimented with it by making some distress card stock sheets and it really is a beautiful and doable gift. Thank you dear husband.

Later I will show you my distress card stock that I made. I went hog wild and made 4 distress sheets following Tim Holtzs' technique. You can view the technique here: http://www.timholtz.com/vid_distressink.htm Enjoy and thanks for stopping by.

EASTER TIME

2009-04-05T10:22:00.007-05:00

I got a chance to play this weekend in my studio. All I wanted to do was to make a card depicting Easter, but I didn't have the "proper" stamps to make what I wanted to convey. The card on the right is what I had floating around under my grey strands for some time now. The photo doesn't do the colors justice, as they are muted colors on some glossy card stock that I had laying around. I gave the inks a half swirl (or curve) to look as if it was a rainbow above the opening of the tomb of where Jesus was buried. The cross is of some brown textured paper (mounted onto card stock for stability) that I had purchased several years ago. In one of our fiber swaps I received this piece of purple ribbon and I attached it to the cross with vellum tape and affixed all of this with foam mounting tape to the glossy card stock. I then affixed the card front to a lavender/purple card stock that I had in my stash and I think it turned out "fairly" well. The words are inked with little stamps that I received in another swap we have had. (Too bad I can't print straight..LOL) The words were mounted onto the card stock with more foam tape. Back to the drawing table for another card similar to this. Enjoy. ( inkyfunstampers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ) Thank you for taking your time to have a look see.

SPRING IS SPRINGING

2009-03-31T17:53:00.007-05:00

Yup, we're beginning to have "gentler" rains, as the birds are singing, and my flowers are popping their heads through the soil. I think Spring is Springing. (I can be optimistic...LOL)

The daffodils are about done blooming though, but my tulips are blooming and they are gorgeous. The photo on the left is of a "real" daffodil in my garden. No, the card on the right is Not a real tulip. I try to be creative, but there is no way I could be as creative as He is.

The tulip card was created as follows: 1) I stamped the Hearts in Touch Rubber Stamp ( http://www.heartsintouch.com/ ) image with Memories Black dye ink. (Note: Frances Naeve of HIT has great rubber, prices and good delivery so please tell her Audrey sent you.)

2) It was then embossed with clear embossing powder.

3) I then colored the image with Derwent water color pencils (naples yellow & sap green).

4) This was then affixed to a yellow card stock (unknown).

5) Then I affixed it to a white card stock (unknown).

6) I then glued all of this to the upper right corner of the yellow card.

7) The stamp of words, Spring, I believe came from Hearts in Touch also, and stamped it in the lower right corner.

8) I chose to affix three little flower brads to a ribbon of yellow/white/green, which I glued to the card.

I hope where you live the weather will cooperate and bring some Spring to you. Enjoy and thanks for stopping by.

BIKER BABE STRIKES AGAIN

2009-03-31T10:32:00.002-05:00

I just had to create another Biker Babe. This time I only used DerWent water color pencils on the image and I think it turned out a bit better. DerWent ( www.acco.co.uk ) water pencils can be purchased at your nearest craft store. (I purchased mine through Dick Blick Art Supplies http://www.dickblick.com/products/derwent-watercolor-pencils/ ) The images from I Brake for Stamps Humorous Seniors Full Sheet ( http://www.ibrakeforstamps.com ) are hysterical to say the least, and so very much fun to use. These stamps are very deeply etched so you get a clean and even stamped image every time. When ordering from them, tell Della "...Audrey sent me..." I'm not part of her business, just one happy consumer. NOTE: I can't get over how some of the Memories Embossing Ink "shines" as if it has "lights" to it. Well, back to my creative table, enjoy my art, and thanks for looking. Y'all come back now.

2009-03-31T09:16:00.004-05:00

V'ROOM - V'ROOM

2009-03-30T17:00:00.009-05:00

Today I found myself making another "funny" card. This is a belated birthday card for my niece who rides (as a passenger) on her husband's motorcycle. They have traveled most of the United States on a bike and they love when the wind is blowing through their hair (helmet). I can say I was on a motorcycle a couple of times, and thank you very much I want to have four wheels under my sit me down. With cars racing by you and you see the edge of the road getting closer and closer, well let's just say I'm a real scary cat. I think she'll get a huge kick out of this card and can hardly wait to give it to her.

Here is the how to of creating it.

1) I stamped the image on white card stock (unknown). The image is from I Brake For Stamps http://www.ibrakeforstamps.com/ with Memories Black dye ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder.

2) I colored the image with the RoseArt Washable Super Tip Markers that I purchased from Wal Mart some time ago.

3) I used a Krylon Silver Pen and "painted with a brush" the forks of the bike as well as the spokes of the bike .

4) When finished I mounted it onto some deep red card stock (unknown) and then onto a white bit of card stock.

5) This was all mounted onto a deep red card stock.

6) I had some white ribbon, called Bobbin Ribbon, with little bits of black running on both sides of it, so I affixed some silver brads on it. (Reminded me of the roadways.)

7) Viola' another funny card made and it sure makes me giggle again.

Enjoy my attempt at our rubber stamping art. Thanks for stopping by.

MY FUNNY BONE GOT TICKLED

2009-03-29T23:15:00.008-05:00

A great gal sent me a joke today and I've been laughing all day long. So keeping in the spirit of laughter and to do a funny birthday swap for Inky Fun Stampers inkyfunstampers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com I chose a stamp from I Brake For Stamps http://www.ibrakeforstamps.com/ . This is how I made the card:

1) I chose a creamy white glossy card stock from the Paper Temptress

http://www.papertemptress.com/ ;

2) With a brayer I brayered Toile Pink Palette Hybrid Ink from Stewart Superior http://www.stewartsuperior.com/ onto the glossy card stock;

3) I used my heat gun to make sure the ink was dry;

4) With a water mister I misted the inked card stock with water;

5) Once misted I applied Interference Blue & Interference Red Perfect Pearls (from Ranger) with a brush;

6) Misted the card stock again with water;

7) I then blotted with a paper towel to dry.

8) I chose a darker pink card stock to back my image (paper unknown)

9) On white card stock I stamped my image from I Brake For Stamps; (The words are from I Brake from Stamps also)

10) I colored the image with Roseart Washable Super Tip Markers ( http://www.roseart.com/ ). I believe I purchased these at a Super Wal Mart since I couldn't afford the "real" copic markers.

11) Affixed a light pink ribbon onto the card, and viola' a giggle for this evening as well.

You can't tell from the photo, but the card is all shimmery. Okay, I'm off to make another of these cards and I'm hoping you'll try this also. Thanks for stopping by.

CLOSED MYSELF IN TODAY

2009-03-28T18:58:00.013-05:00

Other than a few things that I "had" to get done around my home, I basically closed myself in my studio and proceeded to create some cards for a couple of the swaps on Inky Fun Stampers group. We have a lot of fun on Inky Fun so I'm hoping you'll follow this link to join us and have some fun, share art, and swap cards. What you waiting for?

inkyfunstampers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Here are two of the cards that I created today. I've had the paper and card stock lying around for some time now, and I can't even remember where I got it...duh!!! The card on the left is made with a 1) Hearts in Touch photo stamp ( http://www.heartsintouch.com/ ). 2) I colored some of the image with chalks from Craf-T Products ( http://www.craf-tproducts.com/ ). 3) I then applied Krylon Workable Fixatif. You can purchase this at your craft store &/or at a Lowe's or Home Depot. The Fixatif makes it so that the chalk won't rub off. Yippee!!! 4) I affixed a light pink ribbon and bow to the card. 5) I embellished the ribbon with a "faux metal" stamped image of scissors. The image also comes from the Hearts in Touch line. You can see the faux metal tutorial at the following ink.

( http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/faux_metal/ )

It was a fun to make this card as I haven't played with any Hearts in Touch stamps for some time. You know the reason for this if you've been following my blog.

The card on the right was made with unknown 1) blue and peach papers. 2) The lime green paper is really a large paint chip that I've had laying around, but they all seemed to want to go together. I hear voices talking to me when I'm creating...bawaaaahahaha!!! 3) The stamped image is a Stampin Up image from their "Not so short notes" series. (I don't know where I got these stamps, but I do know they are "old" ones as they have been lying around in one of my drawers for years, sorry to say. 4) I affixed a punched out "squiggle" (technical term) on the left hand side. 5) I then placed three flowers with matching centers (of the card backgrounds) on the lower right. 6) It seemed like it needed something more so I found a punched out butterfly embellishment, and viola' another card made.

The ink that I used in both of these cards was Memories Black dye ink, and embossed with clear embossing powder.

I hope you enjoy looking at both of my creations and will come back for another visit. Have a creative day, and leave a note if you care to. Thanks for looking.

A FINISHED PROJECT

2009-03-24T15:42:00.010-05:00

It's a stormy rainy day here in Arkansas and my daughter and her family are off visiting my son-in-laws family in another town, so I had this afternoon just to play - I should say "finish" my Tim Holtz Air Splatter Technique cards. Tim's technique is quite easy, and the results are fantabulous. (My how to is in the following March 21, 2009 entry.)

In the card with the "bird and flowers" I used See-D's stamps by inque boutique and their stamping info can be found at http://www.inqueboutique.com/ . I used Memories black dye ink pad with black embossing powder (unknown maker). I didn't have the "archival" ink that Tim said to use, hence the black embossing powder on top of the black dye ink to make sure it came out dark. Most of which it did - got to get some archival ink...LOL. I then attached a white organza ribbon & bow.

The "Celebrate" card was done in the same fashion and using the same floral stamp by See-D's. The word Celebrate is a stamp by Clear Expressions by Hampton Art (#C84231) and can be found at http://www.hamptonart.com/ .

Enjoy my attempt at our art, and thanks for looking.

TIME IS FLYING BY

2009-03-21T18:07:00.007-05:00

WOW, time sure has a way of flying by when you get on your hands and knees (not only to pray), but to work out amongst your flower beds. Since the ice storm we have been taking time out each day to not only thank the dear Lord for our blessings, but also to weed, plant flowers, and we even put up some chicken wire (tech. term) to keep our towns favorite pets (deer) out of the flowers they so love to munch on.

Yesterday I took some time out for me. I went into my studio and was looking around on Tim Holt's "demo" site ( http://www.timholtz.com/demos.html ) to see what was new that I could try. Since time seemed to be escaping me as I watched his video, I sat about to give his "Air Splatter" technique a try. It is so simple and the colors that I used makes this card front look like a "celebration" card.

The how to is as follows: 1) I used only three (plain) Alcohol Inks (not the AI Brights he used). I used pesto, butterscotch and red pepper. 2) The can of air that I used is called Air Duster by Fellowes (www.fellowes.com) and yes I did use the little straw that came with the can. [Note to myself: Next time I may use a larger straw &/or no straw at all.] 3) Glossy card stock I received from Patricia Dunbar (http://www.papertemptress.com) This card stock is to die for with its rich, creamy, shimmery, & glossy look to it, and it is so easy to use and it gives you that "Pop" look. 4) As in Tim's video, I dropped several drops of the AI on the card stock. 5) immediately gave a couple very light quick shots of air, and viola' splatters. Absolutely gorgeous if I may say so (patting oneself on the back and grinning from ear to ear).

That's all I've done so far as my gardening and housework is calling out to me. We have had several home showings this week by our realtor, so I'd better get busy and get my studio back in shape, just in case of another showing. Thanks for looking and if you care to please leave a note.

LONG TIME NO POST & AN APOLOGY

2009-03-06T17:15:00.005-06:00

The ice storm is gone, and we're hoping for good. Today it was in the 70's, with the beautiful sun shining brightly. The birds were singing, my flowers are growing, and yes we were outside playing. Today was a pretty good day as I even took our little doggie for a walk, met some of my neighbors along the way, and stopped for some chatter. Upon arrival back home I felt good enough to re-rake our yard. I say "re-rake" as with some gusts of wind we ended up with several piles of leaves in our back yard. This wouldn't have been worth mentioning except our kids from Iowa came down and had our yard looking in pristine shape. They worked their butts off with raking, hauling limbs and sticks (from the storm) out of our yard, and helping my niece and nephew cut down damaged cedar trees. Once the trees were cut down, they sawed off limbs as my niece wants the logs, drug the limbs to the front driveway so they could haul them off to the dumping site. Our yards looked so nice, except you still don't want to walk under the trees as there are huge limbs just hanging by threads of wood, and well you wouldn't live long enough to tell what happened if they fell on you. We are so very thankful for our Iowa kids, as we don't know what we would have done without them. They sure are workaholics, but very lovable ones. As I mentioned before, the yards looked great until the gusts of wind blew in leaves, so now we'll have to re-rake and pick up the sticks and limbs that have fallen - again. Oh, well it keeps Ed and I out of the taverns...LOL. I do want to apologize for not posting any art, but with the yard work my art sure has suffered. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for us, and for hanging in there. Love to you all.

ICE STORM OF THE CENTURY

2009-02-10T10:14:00.008-06:00

The poem "Trees" came into my thoughts with these photos. I really feel sad for all of the trees, as there was at least 3 inches of ice on them. You could "hear" them groan with the weight, and some of them just gave up their weighted branches, which gave us some clean up to do. Some days, when the sun was shining, we saw some spectacular ice shows with the ice looking like crystals; absolutely beautiful.

The worst part of all of this beauty/destruction, it left us without power for over 10 days. We tried heating our home with just our wood burning fireplace, and closing ourselves in to just our family room. We stapled plastic up to the doorways, then covered that with heavy duty blankets to keep out the cold from the other rooms. That was working somewhat, until the temperatures dipped to below 19 degrees outside at night, and our poor fireplace just couldn't emit enough heat. We also were running a gas generator to keep our freezer running so we wouldn't loose all of our food. For our cooking facilities we used our gas grill for cooking, and the plate on the side of the grill to keep us with hot water. Again, this was all working, until it got too cold for us to stay there.

We then went to our neighbors who had propane heat in their home, along with a Coleman camping stove to cook on, and we ate by battery lamp light, and went to sleep at the unGodly time of 7-8:00 p.m. We took food from our freezers &/or went to the deli to buy lunch meat sandwiches. We were so very fortunate for our neighbors that we can't thank them enough for their hospitality.

After a couple of nights with our neighbors, we then decided that we should try moving back home to give everyone their much needed space. This decision was okay for the moment, but.... We had lit a fire in our fireplace and were feeling all cozy warm, when we heard this "whirring" sound - yep - we had a chimney fire. My dh quickly closed down the fireplace while I ran next door to use their phone (our phone line was down and we couldn't use our cell phone due to overload) to call the volunteer fire department. In minutes they responded, but dh had the fire out - thank God. Whilst the firemen were there, they cleared the street of fallen trees and limbs just in case we needed them again &/or the first responders. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that night while feeding the fireplace so it didn't cause another fire.

About that time, I received a call from my niece that they were on their way back from visiting in FL. I told her to turn around and stay in FL where she could be warm, and told her of what we were going through. She and our nephew decided to stop and buy a kerosene heater, some kerosene, and some gas, and bring it to us. Thank God for them, as then we could have some heat again. Well the temperature again decided to turn bitterly cold, so we decided to move in to our nieces home in which they had full power and heat.

Several days of living with them, we got a call from our neighbor that the electricity had been turned on again. That seemed like a blessing to all, but we couldn't have the power on as our meter box had been pulled from our house and that had to require an electrician to fix before we could have power. So another night away from our home, but the next day we moved back home, lit the kerosene heater to bring up the house temperature (took the better part of the day), so our furnace didn't run all day long - good thinking on our part...LOL.

So now we are safe and sound with heat and lights - WRONG. 24 hours later the electricity went off for another 8 hours, and the outside temperature was in the 60's - so what now? Well we cooked outside that day, and then rejoiced that the electric was on before nightfall. We are still singing the praises of our Lord that we are safe, that we had such gracious neighbors and a very thoughtful niece and nephew, and that we are home safe and sound.....for the moment.

I know you have had some harrowing winter tales to tell, and I do hope you'll share them. Thank you for looking and reading.

TO GET MY MIND OCCUPIED

2009-01-24T14:50:00.016-06:00

Its been quite awhile since I posted, but I do have a really great "excuse" for not doing it...LOL Between my having the shingles and being in quite a bit of pain, and then finding out that my dh is so very ill with a very progressive disease, I haven't felt like creating. Over on Inky Fun Stampers ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inkyfunstampers/ ) we have a Mixed Media Challenge of "Trash to Treasure", and well being the list owner I just had to try the challenge to get my mind occupied. I started out with an empty cereal box, now you know what I eat for breakfast...LOL. The following is how I did it:

1) Measure down 1" from the top flaps to make "handles";

2) Make a 3" circle by measuring 2" from either side;

3) Make the circle and then make "marks" 1" around circle; 4) After you have all of your measurements marked, then remove the flaps;

5) Cut on the marks that you made previously, and cut out the circle;

6) Measure around the outside of the box and then cut wrapping paper to fit having an 1/2" overlap in the width, and 1" overlap at length (bottom to top - you can always cut away the extra paper if need be);

7) Cut a hole in wrapping paper that is approximately 1/2 the size of the 3" circle for the "handles" (if you use a "light" you will see where to cut);

8) Finish making all of the cuts, then glue (I used spray adhesive) the wrapping paper to the box being sure to "line up" the holes;

9) Cut slits in the wrapping paper around the circle (this is to give you a smooth look for the handles).

10) Glue and fold the "slit paper" to the inside of the handle parts;

11) On the bottom of the box, fold up the paper to make a nice "seam" and glue or tape in place;

12) To make a more "finished" look, I cut a 2" wide strip of wrapping paper to glue to the inside of the box to "cover" up the "slit paper" remains;

13) Then stuff the inside of the box with tissue paper and place a small gift (or cards) inside.

Viola' you are finished and have used some "trash" to make a "treasure".

I do hope you will try this yourself, and then post your creativity here. Thanks for looking.

ONWARD TO VALENTINE DAY

2008-12-28T12:40:00.008-06:00

Okay I realize Valentine Day is a couple of months away, but.... I've done all of the New Years Cards that I'm going to do, so why not think ahead!!! On the table are my Cuttlebug Folders, new & old, and out of site is my Wizard that I use with these folders. Just to the left of the basket of folders are "some" of the cutouts I've been making in anticipation of completing Valentine cards in the near future. I was having so much fun with the cutting out, that I almost forgot to make dinner. That is of course when Ed and our doggie, Molly, came into my studio to ask what's to eat? Try to explain how much fun you were having to someone that doesn't really "get it" - this hobby of mine. I did manage to make a pork chop dinner. I browned a couple of large pork chops, made some dressing, and placed all of this in an 8 x 8 inch pan. Then I poured Mushroom soup atop and put it in the oven along with some escalloped corn that I whipped up. Yes, I wanted to get back to playing so that's why it's in the oven and not in the microwave baking...LOL. There is a method of madness for us stampers isn't there? This afternoon I want to get my Melting Pot and UTEE (ultra thick embossing powder) out and have some play time with that and some roller stamps. Wish me luck. Thanks for stopping by and return again.

A NEW BEGINNING

2008-12-23T11:48:00.007-06:00

I'm hoping that creating New Year Cards, that the New Year will be a "new beginning" for us all.

To make the cards you see in the photos I used my Cuttlebug Folders. 1) The one on the left (& the far right) I used the "D'vine Swirl" folder on white card stock. 2) I then cut my red sparkly (shopping bag) card stock into diamond shapes and affixed them atop the white card stock. 3) I used the champagne glass's clear stamps by "Clear Expressions by Hampton Art" and stamped them with Memories Black ink and embossed them with Ranger clear embossing powder on some white card stock. 4) To color them, I used "gold H2O's on the glasses. 5) To give the look of liquid in the glasses I placed some Royal Coat by Plaid, Dimensional Magic on half of the glasses. 6) I punched out the corners of this white card stock with my punch from SU, and viola' 2 finished New Years cards.

The blue snowflake New Years card was made as follows: 1) White card stock embossed with Cuttlebug Folder "Snowflakes". 2) A spritz or two of shiny blue mists (this was a homemade recipe) was added to the white card stock. 3) The cuttlebug folder "Allegro" was used on the blue card stock. 4) The blue card stock was also misted with the shiny blue mist and cut out in a diamond pattern. 5) The diamond Allegro points were then affixed to the white card stock with glue. 6) A purchased "snowflake" was painted with white acrylic paint by Painters Medium from Elmer's) and while the paint was still wet, it was sprinkled with glitter (unknown kind). 7) Happy New Year words from Anna Griffin of All Night Media was stamped on white card stock and affixed with a foam dot to the snowflake. Viola' another New Year card finished. Now to do several (many many more in fact) more.

Here's wishing you and yours a very prosperous, fun & creative Happy New Year. Thanks for stopping by.

ICE CAN BE NICE

2008-12-18T10:41:00.009-06:00

Okay I don't like ice as it is hazardous for man & beast alike. BUT... it did give me an excuse to be in my playroom for the past couple of days.

I'm standing in my living room looking outside at the ice that we had which started Monday and is now pretty much gone today - Thursday, due to the warmer climate. We have not received any mail for the past several days, and thank goodness we have a well stocked pantry and freezer. Speaking of which I will have to re-stock as I've been cooking again and freezing those meals. Today I made "Sausage & Lentil Stew". I can never remember having lentils before, so this was something new to me and I found out that they are delicious so I will be having them on hand from now on.

The photo of the Christmas cards is "some" of the cards that I have made. I have had fun trying to come up with different ideas, but with my not so crafty brain it is hard. Thanks to a gal called "Becca" on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inkyfunstampers/ she has given me a lot of good ideas for "next" Christmas. This woman has come up with some of the neatest looking cards and Not One is alike. Now that is what I call a very crafty woman.

Please enjoy this post and return when you get a chance. Thanks for looking.

DE-STRESSING DURING HAPPY HOLIDAYS...

2008-12-12T10:11:00.008-06:00

Our Diabetes Support Group meets once a month on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 10:00 a.m. This month was special as we celebrated Christmas, and the topic of discussion was how to "De-stress" during these very happy but yet stressful holidays.

Jo Schatzman & Janice Sula, a couple of ladies in our group, were listening to Fran Gray explain how to "de-stress" during these stressful holidays. One way is to do some exercises as Fran was explaining. It was a very good topic and lots of discussion on how to "de-stress" to help us through our stressful times, including but not limited to holidays.

All the members had brought a dish to pass (potluck), and after our meeting we all enjoyed the "yummy" food that was prepared. Cooking the "diabetic" way should be a "must" for everyone, as it is the most healthiest way. The camaraderie and support of our group sure makes being a diabetic, or a person with health problems, not only a healthy way mentally, but physically also for our everyday happenings.

After the "clean-up" my husband and I took a "short winters nap" along with our little fur baby, Molly.

Our next support group meeting will be January 8th, 10:00 a.m. at the Senior Center, and we're hoping to have our group grow in strength and numbers. Here's wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas, and a creative, fun, safe and prosperous Happy New Year. Thank you for reading & leaving a comment.

17 MORE DAYS TO CHRISTMAS

2008-12-07T15:53:00.008-06:00

Despite Ed and I having colds etc. we have managed to decorate our home inside and out. We even signed up for the "best decorated home" in Horseshoe Bend, so wish us luck. Ed still has the "hacking" cough, and when we took him to the doctor this past Friday, all the doctor said was that his lungs sounded "wet", due to the "crackling" noise he was hearing. But according to the doctor, he said the xrays and blood tests didn't show pneumonia, so that is a good thing - I guess. I did throw a "hissy fit" and got his pulmonary appointment changed to the end of the month instead of in February, and I said I didn't like that date either, but the pulmonologist is booked solid, so I guess that is better than waiting or none at all. Ed did get two inhalers and another anti-biotic to take as well as a water pill. Sometimes I think all doctors can do is to write prescriptions, but maybe these will help, at least I'm praying so. I am really concerned about Ed as he usually is "Mr. Macho", but that isn't showing its head this time. In the meantime, I've been planning a Diabetic Support Group Christmas get together at my home for this coming Thursday. Since the house is all decorated, all I have to do is to bake some Terriyaki Wings (oh yummy good) and get some festive plates, cups, and napkins and we're set to go. The rest of the group are bringing a dish to pass, so this should be less stressful on everyone concerned. I made the gifts for everyone out of emptied, washed cleaned with hot soapy water, Del Monte sliced peach cans with the pop-top openings (or whatever cans you find available with "Pop-Top" lids). If you'd like to try this, just follow these easy steps: 1) You use the can opener that cuts from the side and doesn't leave sharp edges, to cut the bottom from the cans; 2) you then fill these cans with your chosen goodies (in this case it was filled with "sugar free" candies); 3) you then Hot glue the bottom back onto the can (be sure the bottom is completely glued in); 4) then you wrap each can in the fashion of your choice (I can't wrap anything worth a darn, but I tried); 5) tie a ribbon or bow around it and viola' you're finished. The Christmas ornament that is hanging from the package (can), is one I made for each of the guests by: 1) pull the ornaments hanging clip from the ball itself and lay aside; 2) spray adhesive spray into a clear ornament ball; 3) quickly add glitter and shake to cover the inside; 4) if you want to add dimension (or color), then you spray the adhesive spray again into the ornament and quickly add some mica powder of your choice, and shake again; 5) shake any excess powder &/or glitter from the ball and reattach the hanging clip. Viola' you have a one of a kind Christmas ornament. I do hope you all will try these ideas, as they are inexpensive gifts for you to make and to give, and during these hard economy times, we have to think and do what is best for our pocket books. I hope you have enjoyed this article and will return again. Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays to one and all.

BRRRRRRRR!!!

2008-11-29T22:07:00.003-06:00

Well the weather man sure has played a mean trick on us here in AR. We are suppose to be in the "southern" states, but it is so cold here that we have even caught head/chest colds. Bahhh Hum Bug!!! We enjoyed a very quiet Thanksgiving with me being in bed or at least laying down for the most part to "heal" from my aches and pains of this cold. We took my dear husband to the doctor this past week and found out that he has an enlarged heart, and it is pressing against his lungs which in turn makes him breathe in a rather shallow way. Of course that triggers a "tickle" in his throat so he is sore and has aches and pains from this condition. He is suppose to go and see a Pulmonologist in February, but I think I'm going to call the doctor on Monday to see if he can't get in sooner as he is not getting any better. He's been on some pretty strong anti-biotics but they don't seem to be working. I'm really getting concerned for him. He did get to talk to his grandson that is in the Marine Corps and his grandson that is attending college at Iowa State University. Both boys are doing great and dh really felt good after speaking with them. I had to do most of the talking as he started to cough again, and when that happens he coughs quite a long time. Both boys (brothers) were home to visit their families over the Thanksgiving Holidays, and we sure wish we could have been there to see them. I should go and get some rest, but my crafting table is calling to me, as well as this blog needs some more eye candy uploaded to it so I shall go and play a bit more. Enjoy and have a creative weekend. Thanks for stopping by.

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS FOR A CAUSE

2008-11-20T19:21:00.005-06:00

A nap will do me wonders...LOL I awoke with some vigor and made these two ornaments. The one in "blue" was my first one so I call it my "prototype". The second one makes up the "center" of this one. The cone shapes on this one were 3 inch squares attached to a "recycled" CD. The center of this blue one was done with 1 1/2 inch squares to make up the cones. I then affixed these to a circle of blue scrap card stock, which then was attached to the larger (outer one) with foam tape. In the center of all of this I affixed a silver paper with a blue card stock on top of it. Okay, now I like this look so onward to something else.

I have had two "glitzy" huge shopping bags (one red and one green) that I have had for at least 5 years just hanging around in my crafting closets, sooooooooooooo I put them to use. My husband was nice enough to measure and cut very carefully these shopping bags so I can get the most use out of each of them. (He is soooooooooooo handy to have around, and he puts up with my "...honey I have a project for you plllleeeezzzzzeeeee...") Hence I made the green ornament from a shopping bag. This one was made with 1 3/4 inch squares attached to some green card card stock then it was all attached to a CD. I felt it needed something so I deckle cut a white circle then atop that I attached a green circle, and viola' it was done.

These ornaments and as many more as I can make between now and Saturday morning, will be given to my Diabetic/Health Wellness Support Group to decorate a Christmas tree that will be placed in our local Hotel Hill High to be judged by our community. Saturday morning our group is meeting at our home to complete these ornaments with health items, diabetic items, &/or exercise items. Wish me luck to get enough of them done. Well, back to making more ornaments. Enjoy and thanks for stopping by.

MORE CHRISTMAS CARDS

2008-11-20T12:16:00.009-06:00

Today was a day that I went to my Chiropractor and now I really feel great. I even feel lots better now that I'm sitting in "my room" creating. I received from Debbie Littlejohn of Reasonable Ribbon ( http://www.reasonableribbon.com ) some absolutely gorgeous ribbon. After creating the Santa Claus, it just needed something and yep - the red velvet ribbon just hit the spot. With the "snowflake" Cuttlebug folder, I created the card, then stamped the Santa Clause stamp (unknown origin), colored it with water colors using my Derwent water color pencils (love these pencils), and affixed Santa with foam tape to the snowflake card. The scan does not do this card justice. While I'm in playing, my dear husband is outside having fun with the "zillions" of leaves that are on the ground. He'll have to come in soon as lunch is almost ready, and he'll have to get permission from the City to burn the leaves. Of course there is always time for a well deserved nap, and his leaves and my playing are just going to have to wait. Once I get up after resting, look out ribbons here I come.

PLAYING WITH CHRISTMAS STAMPS

2008-11-17T19:59:00.004-06:00

In between taking an AARP driving seminar (to lesson our car insurance), I've been able to play with some of my Christmas stamps. I did manage to "salvage" a Wal Mart Glitter Acrylic Squish technique I tried. I had these cute little House Mouse stamps so on they went on the technique card. Somehow, those little critters just happen to scream out at me to put them there...LOL

The "Noel" card (stamp from I Brake for Stamps - http://www.ibrakeforstamps.com ) is made with Alcohol Inks on Glossy card stock (Caramel & Cranberry with Gold alcohol inks) and "smooshed" onto my work sheet. I then ran this through my Wizard and Snowflake Cuttlebug folder. The "Noel" stamp is stamped on pinkish/red card stock with white embossing powder from Martha Stewart's line of ink pads, and sprinkled with glitter and heat set. This was placed atop a square of white card stock. I then randomly affixed three pewter looking snowflakes to complete the card. I have done about 18 more Christmas cards all with different techniques and ideas, and I still have a lot more to go.

I hope you are enjoying my attempts at this Rubber Stamping Art and will come back to take a peek now and again.

WENT TO BIG CITY & HOSPITAL APPOINTMENT

2008-11-13T19:47:00.007-06:00

After an exhausting day yesterday, I took time to play this afternoon. I made this Christmas card - simple, but quick. Yesterday I had to take my husband to Jonesboro AR to the hospital for an Echo Gram. We started out early in the morning, went to Target first, and the first thing I did was to hit the dollar aisle and found several wonderful crafting items. One of the items I found were some Christmas cookie cutters that I can use with my melting pot - see Suze Weinberg of http://www.schmoozewithsuze.com/ . I haven't had my melting pot out for awhile and I'm hoping I remember how to use it so I can make Suze proud of me...LOL After Target we went to the hospital for my husbands test, which didn't last long enough for me to even get out all of my coloring toys. (I take pre-stamped images along to color while I wait for someone - it whiles away the time, plus it starts up some great conversations). We then went on to Hobby Lobby where I found some marvelous new toys to play with, plus some much needed replenishes to my paper stock...LOL. We of course had to stop at the Lowes store, and wouldn't you know it, they don't carry the Ryobi leaf blower replacement bag. I think my poor husband is devastated as he's been gerry-rigging this leaf blower for the past year. Maybe Santa will hear his plea and find one on line for him. It was a heavenly day, but for the rain. It rained and I'm not talking about a steady rain, I'm talking about a downpour. We drove all the way to Jonesboro (which by the way is about 2 hours from our home) in it, had to run between the raindrops to get into the stores and back out again. We finally arrived back home with our great purchases (trunk full), amidst fog. My poor husband who did all of the driving was wore out from being so tense, so he went to bed quite early. Can't say I blame him though. It is now my bedtime tonight as I have a huge running day again tomorrow. Hope you all have a creative weekend, and thanks for stopping by.

CHRISTMAS IS AROUND THE CORNER

2008-11-11T19:45:00.004-06:00

I got up to a cancelled Chiropractic appointment, plus it was raining, just a dismal day. What to do? I came into my studio and decided that I should get my Christmas cards started. On Inky Fun Stampers, inkyfunstampers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com , we have a swap that calls for using non-traditional colors for a Christmas card. Once I got started with this, it seemed I was hooked. I dug out all of my Christmas stamps and the first one I saw was the "Holiday Snow globe Rubber Stamp Set" by Plaid Enterprises ( www.plaidonline.com ). Well, you know if you have a globe you just have to cut out the center of the globe and replace that with an acetate sheet to see through. I really didn't want to make a Shaker card, so what to do. 1) gather a non-traditional color of card stock; 2) stamp the globe in black Memories ink, and emboss with clear embossing powder on the front of the card as well as another same size/color as the front of the card; 3) color the base with Derwent Water color pencils; 4) cut out circle (or if you have a punch that size that would be better) in front of card and also the single piece being sure you have "lined" up the globe holes; 5) cut out a small circle (slightly larger than the globe hole) from acetate (clear transparency) and glue this over the hole; 6) Glue in place your single sheet that you have prepared in step 2, by carefully aligning the single sheet on the reverse side of the front of the card stock; 7) stamp snowman with clear Versa Mark ink on a calendar page full of purple flowers, and then sprinkle embossing glitter and heat set; 8) Stamp your "Greetings of the Season" in purple ink and emboss; 9) Stamp the words "Happy Holidays" on the inside of your card below the snowman with purple ink and emboss; 10) affix ribbon with E6000 glue (good holding power) onto the base of the globe; 11) encircle the globe with "Icicle" Stickles glitter glue; and viola' you're done. This is how both cards were made. I must say these are a bit time consuming but really look nice - if I may pat myself on my own back...LOL Thanks for looking and enjoy a creative week.

GETTING MESSY ON A GLOOMY DAY

2008-11-10T13:36:00.006-06:00

The photos of the above are of the "Acrylic Squish" technique that can be found on Inky Fun Stampers - Technique File ( inkyfunstampers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ). The one on the left is using red green and yellow Washable Acrylic Glitter Paints from Wal Mart as is the one on the right except I used purple orange and green paints. The "sparkles" or bits of white or gold flecks are the "glitter" in the paint. As the name implies, you put down some acrylic paint on a sheet of glossy card stock, and then take another sheet of glossy card stock and place this on top of the paint and squish the two sheets together and then pull apart (which gives you the ripple effect). I'm not sure what I'll be doing with them, but for now they are just sitting and drying. I'll make up my mind after they are dry. If you have any suggestions for them, give me a shout. Have a creative day.

AH FALL IS IN THE AIR

2008-11-09T16:47:00.013-06:00

Ah yes, fall is in the air and I've been

creating fall cards.

The "brown" one was created by spritzing Walnut Ink by Tsukineko ( http://www.tsukineko.com/ ) on white card stock. In the middle I stamped a maple leaf in black Memories Ink and clear embossing powder, then cut out the leaf up to the embossed edges. (I did not have a leaf punch hence the stamping, embossing and cutting.) On another piece of white card stock I taped 5 different colors of ribbon and attached this to the back of the Walnut Inked card stock. I then stamped leaves on orange card stock and some left over Walnut Ink card stock, cut them out and glued them onto the card stock. I then applied a ribbon (From Seasons Bobbin Ribbon) that says "Autumn Leaves" with different orange colored leaves on it, and also placed a clip embellishment onto the ribbon and attached all with E6000 glue. I then affixed all of this to a white card. I made several of these cards to mail out to friends & family.

The next card I made was a "business type card"...LOL I stamped the card stock with the stamp by Stampers Happen, Inc. ( http://www.stampshappen.com/ ) called "Amish" which takes a bit of doing as it is a largish stamp. To color the scene I used my water color pencils by Derwent ( http://www.pencils.co.uk/files/catalogue/72409%20Derwent%20Brochure_1-11Final%20Final.pdf ) and I really enjoy using these pencils as I can get a lot or as little color as I wish to use. After coloring the stamped image I affixed it with double sided tape to an orange card stock and then onto the white card. I off set the so I could add a "silk leaf" that I purchased from the Dollar Store, and over the leaf I added the ribbon of Autumn Leaves as listed above.

Simple cards, but the message to my family and friends on the inside is heart felt from myself and my husband. I hope you enjoy what I have created.

IT'S BEEN A LONG LONG TIME

2008-11-08T11:15:00.007-06:00

WOW, what a long time ago (or so it seems) that I've made an entry here. Between listing our home for sale (again), having four of our daughters visit, and then doing some remodeling of our home (new patio doors & a couple new windows), we then proceeded to come down with the flu bug. I got it first - past it on to my dear husband, and of course we had to share it again. Sooooo, to make this short - I've not been at my computer let alone my crafting table.

This past week has been a very busy one, but I did manage to squeeze in some play time. On Inky Fun Stampers ( inkyfunstampers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ) we have a "stamping challenge" presented by Susan Chong, and this months challenge is Christmas Ornaments. I have uploaded the "clear glitter and the red ink" ornaments I have made. They sure don't show well in these photos, but hopefully you can tell what I was trying to accomplish. It was fun making them, even though it was a bit "messy"...LOL

I also made a couple of cards - the floral one is part of a "make ten" group of cards. The flowers are from an old calendar page, and I used some of my "new" lace as a type of background. I have so many old calendars that I'm trying to come up with new ways to use them. Got any suggestions, I'm listening.

The Polar Bear card I used a holographic glossy card stock and I spread embossing fluid on it, then I spread some clear embossing powder atop that and heat set it. I did this about three more times, so I could get the "crackle" finish to it. I stamped the polar bears from I Brake For Stamps onto a sheet of white paper and tried highlighting different spots on them. I then proceeded to cut out some "snow flakes" from some card stock that I purchased from a store keeper in Mountain Home. The "flag" I hand drew and colored in. I attached white ribbon to the bottom of the card as an appearance of an ice flow. This card isn't my favorite, but it is an experimentation of the Cracked Look (can't think of the original name). Plus you can't tell, but in different spot on this card some of the embossing didn't take so there are patches that look like "ice flows" (if you use your imagination...) LOL.

Well I do hope you will come back and visit and leave me a note. Thank you for looking.

"CRASH" - Computers & Automobiles

2008-09-25T11:14:00.003-05:00

Have you ever heard the word "CRASH"? Well I can safely say this has not been a good month for me, as my computer crashed the first part of September. Going to the library or friends homes to use their computers sure is no fun, but am appreciative that they were there for me. Okay, now I have a "new" computer (especially built for me and my uses), a 19 inch flat screen monitor, new keyboard and mouse, and a battery backup with a great surge protector too. My guru is even downloaded everything I had on my old computer into this new one and I still have so much storage that will probably last my kids lifetime too...LOL On the way back from picking up my new 'puter, we stopped and had a wonderful Oriental dinner (lunch at 2:00 pm), then on to WalMart to pick up some things and get gas for the car. Okay now we can finally go home - EXCEPT - we pulled away from the gas tanks and the card wouldn't go. OMGoondess, now what? My dh said that the gear shift wouldn't go into gear and was playing all over the place. So out to the gas station office we go, asked for a tow truck and repair service near there. and then had to sit and wait for over a half hour for the tow truck. The repairman (tow truck guy) opened the hood of the car and at least got the car so we could at least put it into drive to drive to his repair shop with him following in his tow truck. WHEW!!! We finally got back to our little town, parked the car at his shop, and now the waiting game of what this will cost. It was probably one of the most "expensive fun" days we have in awhile. Okay, now I'm back on line, got one of the cleanest houses in the "universe", got some card making done (will post some of them later), and have lost 5 pounds due to my "housecleaning" and walking the streets. Have a creative week, and leave a comment if you wish.

COOKING, BAKING, NO CARD MAKING....

2008-08-31T11:49:00.003-05:00

I have been quite busy harvesting some of the fall garden produce, and the photo to the right shows some of my 'hard work'. I have baked acorn squash with butter & brown sugar, baked 2 loaves of zucchini bread, made and baked stuffed green peppers, and finally baked a dozen blueberry muffins. Of course I had to pick one of the "hottest" days to do all of this, but thanks to fans, air conditioning and a dear husband (who kept doing up all of the dishes and making lunch whilst I was doing this).

Yes, you're right, you can't create cards or other paper crafts while you are baking. Don't ask me as blueberry stains just don't come out of paper!!!! I suppose I could have soaked the card stock in some watered smashed blueberries - hmmmmmmmmmmmm, now why didn't I think of that while I was doing the muffins - Duh!!!! Oh, well, there will be a next time I'm sure and when it happens you'll be the first to know. If you would like any of these yummy recipes, just e-mail me at huffpede@yahoo.com and I'll be glad to oblige you. Enjoy.

GOOD DAYS/BAD DAYS

2008-08-26T11:35:00.003-05:00

Wow, I haven't posted in almost 1 1/2 weeks. Must be slipping. Not!!!! Just been running to the doctors, having tests done, and now the reports are starting to trickle in. My EKG is normal, I have diabetes, which I already knew, my cholesterol etc. is way out of whack, and a few other minor things is wrong. So what's knew?!!!! I'm now on diabetic medicine, which I have been on for some time but I think I'll see if that can change as he thinks my levels are too high - so we'll have to see what happens there. He put me on some meds to lower the cholesterol etc., and we'll have to see what the results are after a month. He did set me up with his nurse practitioner to go over my eating habits etc. - this should be interesting to say the least. Although I will say I've been a good girl, and am trying to do even better. He also has put me on an anti-depressant med and I think it is too strong as I can't even function with the smallest of tasks. Thank goodness for a dh as sometimes he does all of the cooking and housework for me. We'll have to see about this med for me, as I think it not only is too strong for me, but the side effects are a killer. Well, I'm going to try to create today, so I'll share with you when I have something done. Thank you for looking.

A DULL DRUM KIND OF DAY

2008-08-16T16:46:00.012-05:00

Today has been a dull drum kind of day. Gloomy then sunny, but very humid. It has been a welcomed cool kind of past two days, then today came along and I thought for me it is just best to stay in, turn up the fans and the dehumidifier, and create to my hearts content.

I happen to see an "origami" style card and decided I needed to try this. These are my interpretations of that card I saw. On my web site of Inky Fun Stampers ( inkyfunstampers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ) we have a lot of fun trying new techniques in our swaps. One of the swaps is "Summertime" - create your art using flowers, so I think this will fit the bill for that swap, plus one extra one. These were rather easy to make once I got the measurements down. The inside of the (green - bottom card) seems a bit larger than I really wanted it, so I "adjusted" the measurements and came up with the top (pink card). I had to "color" the flower on the pink card as it just didn't seem like it should be "plain white"...LOL

The paper I used on the pink card I made by using tissue paper adhered with spray adhesive on a white card stock. I have a lot of different styles and colors of tissue paper and this is one way to create with what you have. On the green card I used a double sided paper from http://www.cratepaper.com/ in the "birdie collection" named peacock. This paper seemed a bit heavier and harder to crease even though I was using my Scor-it. Okay, onward to my next artistic endeavors.

I had some scraps of the Pearlized Gesso Technique found in the August 2008 Technique Junkies Newsletter and a lightbulb went off - make a couple of ATC's. The "dance" ATC was created using the Faux Cloisonne Technique which can be found here:

http://b-muse.com/Techniques-Embossing-C.HTM then adhered to the background with art glitter glue ( http://www.artglitter.com/ ) This glue dries clear and fairly quickly is the reason I love this stuff. Well that was pretty easy and quickly done since I already had the images pre-stamped and pre-cut. The images are from Della Warr and I Brake For Stamps.

The next ATC background was done on the Pearlized Gesso Technique also. The pear was also done with the Faux Cloisonne Technique and adhered with the art glitter glue. The pear stamp I believe came from Frances Naeve of Hearts in Touch. I really don't remember as I have re-mounted some of my stamps and "forgot" to list the company's name. That is a big no-no in my book, so if Frances is looking in I do apologize for this oversight, and thank you for the EZ Mount system that you have on your website of Hearts in Touch ( http://www.heartsintouch.com/ ).

I had fun creating these and I do hope you enjoy viewing them. I now have to shut my craft room down and return to the reality of a wife and cooking dinner. Then it is onward to watching the Olympics. Please leave a comment if you care to as this is how I learn - from you.

SOME THANKS YOU'S

2008-08-15T12:01:00.005-05:00

My cousin, Lois came to visit me this past weekend and it was a blast from the past, so I owe her a Thank You for making the 12 hour trek to my home all by herself. (More nerves of steal than me....LOL) I thought she deserved a "special" card as she is so special to me, and we have shared so very much in our lives. I hope she will enjoy it. I tried the Shimmering Resist that is listed in the August 2008 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter ( http://www.techniquejunkies.com/ ) and I am pleasantly pleased how it came out. The Flourish stamp that I used came from Clear Stamps by rhonna farrer, Autumn Leaves, a Division of Creativity, Inc., Van Nuys, CA. I bought these clear stamps while I was in AZ, and I don't remember the name of the place I purchased these, but I sure have used them a lot. The ink I used is Petal Point Magenta from Color Box - Arboretum set. The spray ink I used was "homemade" with reinkers and alcohol with a bit of Adirondack "pearl" mixed in. The background is made by stamping with Versa Mark and clear (or white) embossing powder. It sure came out shimmery, just like my cousin's personality.

The other thank you card that I needed to make is for my hair dresser. I

don't ordinarily make a thank you card for my hairdressers, but she

did such a marvelous job and very patient with me while I was answering questions of what I was doing with my hands, by herself and other patrons. I have a take-a-long bag full of stamped images and my Derwent Water color pencils, that I color while I need to be "patient" or "quiet" (which is hard for me to do so this is my salvation). She too has a sparkling personality so I tried the "Pearlized Gesso" in the August 2008 Technique Junkies Newsletter ( www.techniquejunkies.com ). The stamp that I used came from I Brake For Stamps ( www.ibrakeforstamps.com ). The "thank you" stamp I don't know where I purchased that from - sorry.

After applying the Gesso and Pearl Ex, letting it dry, I was pleasantly surprised how it turned my card stock into what felt like "canvas". With the Pearl Ex it sure made it shiny and the cross hatch pattern pop. It was a "messy" project, but it turned out to be very fun one to do. Yep, I'll get over my "messy" hang-up if it kills me...LOL Thanks Pat Huntoon for having the newsletter.

I hope you all will enjoy my endeavors and leave a comment or suggestion. Have a creative week.

NAKED LADIES

2008-08-14T08:00:00.003-05:00

After learning that I should have been going to an Internist Doctor instead of Family practitioner, I'm finally getting all of the tests that I should have had before. Oh, well I'm now on to enjoying my "naked ladies".

The Arkansan's call this type of lily the "Naked Lady" and the folklore that goes with it is quite funny. It is something about when a male spouse dies the widow plants these on his grave. Not sure what the context of the message is, and maybe I shouldn't know...LOL In the spring these plants come up as a very pretty green bush with lush green slender leaves. Then about mid May the greenery dies and a couple months later or so, a slender stalk that reminds me of a white asparagus stalk comes up and pretty soon you have these gorgeous lilies. Like I said, I'm not sure of the meaning of the word Naked Ladies for these flowers, and please don't ask me what their floral names are as I don't know that either. All I know for sure is that I really enjoy their beauty and protect them as much as possible from our pesky city pets - Deer.

Today I have a diabetic support group meeting at 10:00 a.m. so I'd better go and get dressed for that. I really enjoy these meetings as they are quite informative not only of diabetes itself, but for the health dangers this disease has for us, and how to stay as healthy as possible. Thank you for taking this peek at my ramblings, and if so inclined, please leave a message.

ANOTHER "ALMOST"

2008-08-05T08:56:00.002-05:00

If I spent the rest of my time trying to recreate the "original" of this card, I'd probably not have enough days to do it. The "digitally" created one I will admit it a much prettier one because of all of the "overlays" etc. you can create . If nothing else I have showcased "some" of my flowers in some of my flower gardens and I got a lot of satisfaction out of just that aspect. I hope you will enjoy looking at the flowers too. Have a wonderful and creative day today and leave a comment if you wish. Thank you.

CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR

2008-08-05T06:41:00.003-05:00

After scurrying around this past week with Inky Fun Stampers business - come join the "inky fun" at: inkyfunstampers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com - I finally got around to taking a photo of some flowers in my garden and making the "old fashioned" challenge. As the heading above says, "close but no cigar", as I noticed in the original the photo covered the "whole" of the card stock with just a bit of the photo covered with vellum and the Apache saying. OOOOP'ssss. So back to the drawing board for me and I'll have to post a closer looking card. Sooooooooo, stay tuned to this station as I'm bound and determined to get this done properly...LOL

CHALLENGE BORE "REAL" BEAUTY

2008-08-01T16:36:00.003-05:00

I happen to come upon a gorgeous digitally enhanced card that was created by Annapurna Jones (see comments), made the comment to her that I thought it was gorgeous and that I was going to try and make it the "old fashioned" way - with papers and a photo of my garden. This wonderful young lady accepted my challenge and to the right you will see her gorgeous outcome. Annapurna, if you're reading this I thank you for such beauty. To answer your question as well as others, I just haven't had the time to try and do my own challenge. I have made a promise to myself that if I "open my mouth and insert foot (feet)" I will keep that promise...LOL Now to go and fix dinner and hopefully find a suitable photo to try and recreate what she so beautifully has done both digitally and in "reality" before this weekend is out. What a great work of art even when she said she had made an error on the card - I personally think it is perfect and if the person receiving it doesn't want it I'll take it....LOL Thank you for reading my Blog, leave a comment if you wish, and have a very creative weekend.

MAN'S INTERSANCTUM

2008-08-01T08:45:00.004-05:00

Have you ever ventured into your dh's workshop or garage? It can be a very scary place for a female type person...LOL Yesterday I did exactly that and I got some very sticky fingers as I "lifted" his "self stick tape for sheet rock". (I think we rubber stampers call it 'mesh tape'.) Crept back to my room, placed it on my table, and wouldn't you know it but got caught...Darn! After explaining what I wanted to use it for he said, "...I have a "small roll" of it out there that you can have..." yep, wouldn't you just know it. After applying the tape to my card stock I sprayed all of it with Walnut Ink (antiquing solution) by Tsukineko. Note to self: Don't over spray next time. I then stamped my image which is from I Brake for Stamps and can be found at: http://www.ibrakeforstamps.com/ , colored the image with my Derwent water color pencils, which can be seen here: http://www.pencils.co.uk/ , then I mounted the image on some brown card stock (unknown type) which then was mounted on white card stock and affixed to the sprayed larger card stock. The word of "Friends" (Everyday Object Alphabet Stickers) came from the Dollar Store here in my hometown. Now I'm off to practice spraying this marvelous ink on another "texture" card making, and finish my "garden card". Enjoy, and please leave a goor or bad comment if you wish.

A CHALLENGE

2008-07-29T09:08:00.003-05:00

On a blog I like to visit ( http://melstampz.blogspot.com/2008/07/casing-gorgeous-rak-from-annapurna-with.html ) I found the following challenge for myself and hopefully you'll challenge yourself to do it with me. It is located about half way down the page on the following blog site:

http://homemadegreetings.blogspot.com/

If you have the digital capabilities you can do it that way - but I thought I would try it the "hard" way...LOL. Will you join me and then we'll post our entries here.

This is what I will be doing: I’m going to print out a photo image of my garden, then taking a piece of vellum and printing the saying on it (see the following) and then placing it on top of the photo so the garden will show through. Then completing it by adding a silk flower. I hope this works out...LOL Now to go and play. Until next time, please leave a comment.

May the Sun bring you new energy by day May the moon softly restore you by night May the rain wash away your worries May the breeze blow new strength into your being May you walk through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life (An Apache blessing)

HOT and HUMID and FRUSTRATION

2008-07-27T16:11:00.009-05:00

It is soooooo Humid and Hot here in AR that I am staying in. I think my health is a bit more important than trudging into weather that you can't breathe. Let alone you perspire as if you just stepped out of the shower and didn't dry off before putting your clothes on. Well you get the picture (and it's not a very pretty one either...LOL)

So what have I been doing by staying in you ask? Well, I just Had to do some housework, YUCK, then it was time to fix our Dinner (we've been eating our big meal at noon). It was a simple one of Fried Eggplant, fresh homegrown tomatoes, and canned peas. Yummy. This is probably one of my all time favorite summer dishes, and really good for me too.

While my dh and our doggie (Molly) took their naps, I had a chance to play. The two ATC's were so much fun to make. I had used some of the background papers that I have in my "stash". These particular backgrounds were made by making my own spray washes with PE and water, and I'll be if they didn't turn out looking good...(patting myself on the back). I then stamped the the words "its a boy" or "its a girl" on the perspective backgrounds. Then for some "frustration" - making those little tiny paper diapers, let alone trying to put a safety pin through paper. I forgot, yes forgot how to make an old fashioned 3 corner diaper (after all my kids you wouldn't have thought I would have forgot). I thought in case these should ever be sent out to someone who will be having a baby, I stamped and cutout with deckle scissors the word "Congratulations".

I saw my Wizard machine looking so forlorn and sad, that I thought I should make it happy by getting my Cuttlebug folders out and having some fun with that too. I chose to use the "Happy Birthday" one and then used a corresponding ink from Colorbox Petal Points to "highlight" the words. I then chose the Indian with Baby from I Brake for Stamps as the perfect "happy birth-day" image. I didn't think that was enough so I chose a similar looking fiber and attached that to the card. Whew, that one is done and I like how it came out.

The "Hello Friend" card was me trying to use up some of my "scraps" that I have in a basket near me. No real challenge on this one "except" I got the 'brilliant' idea of making "half inchies" to set the card off. Have you ever tried to cut, glue, etc. one half inch pieces? Let me tell you, with a few well chosen words to myself of "...why Audrey did you think of this...?" I managed to get them stuck on. I had a little piece of purple ribbon left over so I added that to set this card off. I then stamped & embossed the words "hello friend". Well that is enough fun for one day as it is now "lunch time" and my dh and doggie are letting me know they are being "starved" with me in here. (Yeah right - we all need to diet a bit more.) Enjoy and leave a comment (good or bad as I learn from you all).

THIS WEEK HAS BEEN A PRODUCTIVE WEEK

2008-07-26T08:04:00.010-05:00

This week has been a rather productive week for me, so I just wanted to share with you what I've made so far. Enjoy and leave a comment if you so desire. Now I'm off to play some more.

NEW STAMPS BECOME HABIT FORMING PLAY

2008-07-25T18:28:00.004-05:00

I received a plate of new stamps from Heather Adams of Faerie Song stamps (you can find them at the following link: http://www.faeriesong.com/artstamps ) She has some marvelous stamps that are deeply etched and so easy to work with. After coloring the dragon with my prisma pencils and mineral spirits, I saw that I had made a boo boo or two by color "outside" of the lines. (I know send me back to coloring class 101 - I deserve it...LO) . Well, I decided to cut him out and "layer" him with foam tape which in itself was a feat - sooooo many little areas and such a wide piece of tape I had to cut down. I then needed a "background" so I looked in my trusty stash and found one that was the right color and possibly the theme I had in mind. I made the background some time ago, and I believe it was the " AI smoosh Technique". You put several colors of AI on an acetate folder along with a couple of dabs of silver AI Metallics and you close the folder, brayer over it, then open it back up, take 2 pieces of glossy cardstock and put them (with their glossy sides outward) inside the folder and brayer over it again. WoW - you get a "smooshed" very pretty look. I then put them onto a "cantaloupe" color card stock which was affixed to a purple card stock card. I think it all came out pretty good, except I think I need to add something, but not sure what. If you have a suggestion, please post your suggestion. Thank you in advance for your suggestions, and leaving a comment.

EXAMPLES OF MY GESSO PLAY DAY

2008-07-23T16:38:00.004-05:00

It's been a "grey" looking day out, soooooooooo I thought I'd work on some of the Gesso backgrounds and make a couple of ATC's for swapping. After making the "rose" one (stamp from I Brake for Stamps), I decided I really don't like how it turned out. I'll have to do some more "thinking" about this one. The other ATC background made me think of lily pads, sea horses, you name it - anything aquatic - hence the outcome. I'm a bit more pleased with this one. I still have some backgrounds left, so the next will be to make some cards. Now to find the time to do it. I hope you will enjoy and thank you for leaving a comment if you so choose to do so.

THE UGLY DUCKLING TALE OF A GESSO TECHNIQUE

2008-07-19T20:42:00.005-05:00

Yesterday I needed a bit of relaxation, so I decided to try a new technique. Yes, you guessed it - old miss prissy got messy...LOL You might say I almost stuck to my art before getting through creating. I didn't follow the "exact" instructions for this technique as I didn't have any Stazon Ink - some day I'm going to have to get over my fear of this ink. If you would like to have the "correct" info go to the following link.

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/main/16251470/248798708

(Well at least I hope that link still works.)

How I made these "ugly ducklings" (you know the story - ugly came out looking beautiful) was as follows:

Supplies: Gesso

Foam Brush

Watercolor paper

Stazon Ink

Heat Gun (or a lot of patience to have it dry over night - which I didn't have)

1) I first cut a 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of watercolor paper in half. I then coated one half with a very thick coating of Gesso.

2) I applied the second half of the watercolor paper on top of this and "Smooshed" (technical term) the two together.

3) When I thought all was covered on both halves I then pulled the papers apart. By doing this it left peaks and valleys, lines, and squiggles all over and I was one happy camper.

4) I then proceeded to dry this "mess" by using my heat gun at some distance away from the paper. (Note: this will take some time to dry even using the heat gun.) After what I thought was all day, it all became dry to the touch.

5) Since I didn't have the Stazon Ink that it called for, I used Nick Bantok inks in the blue, purple, and green, and applied them DTP technique.

6) After applying these inks, I about got ill to my stomach as I sure didn't like what I saw. (The ugly duckling part.)

7) I figured I had nothing to loose, and that round file was sitting by my left foot, so I got out the foam brush (that I just cleaned), and started "blending" the ink. I started in one corner, kept on going, and the further I went the better I like all of this. (The beautiful swan part.)

8) I let all of this dry.

9) I saw an image I had already colored and cut out sitting on my desk, so one thing led into another and viola' an ATC is born. (Can't show you that one as I'm waiting to swap this on one of the Inky Fun Stampers swaps. )

I'm still trying to put together other things with this technique that is already done, so more will come on another posting.

I hope you enjoyed viewing my feeble attempts and if you did please leave me a comment. Have a creative weekend.

PLAYING AGAIN

2008-07-15T07:52:00.005-05:00

Yesterday and today I'm playing in my craft room and wow does this feel good. I didn't realize how soothing to my nerves this would be. I felt as if I were getting stampers block until some of the Inky Fun Stampers members gave me suggestions. It sure is hard getting back into a routine when you've been on vacation, then coming back home and ending up in the emergency room (previously mentioned). Today is a new beginning for me as I go to the doctor and most importantly I'm on the road to creating my art again.

The "Goddess" card was made for Heather Adams of Fairy Art Song in an Inky Fun Stampers swap. The fairy is one of her stamps as is the wordage. Her stamps are so detailed which makes them so very easy and fun to work with. I'm hoping she'll like her card. For the background I used dtp Color Box Petal Point pigment inks. The stamps were from Fairy Art Song with the exception of the water lilies and the cat-tails as I hand drew and cut these out. I colored the images with Prisma Color Pencils and mineral spirits. What can I say on my first attempt at doing this type of art...but I'll keep trying this one.

The Thank You card is for the Emergency Room personnel at our very small Salem AR hospital. They were so very kind to myself and my dh. I told them I rubber stamped, but for the non-rubber stamper they don't fully grasp the idea. Maybe I can make some converters this way....LOL. The cutout image is from Della Warr of I Brake for Stamps which are some of the very best detailed and deeply etched stamps which (again) makes them so very easy and fun to work with. I colored the image with Prisma Colored pencils and mineral spirits. For the backgrounds I used the Color Box petal point pigment inks in a dtp fashion. I used some very small blue brads, and this was all done on water color paper. The "Thank You" stamp I don't remember where I purchased this - probably from a LSS in Mesa AZ (which is now out of business I hear - very sad). I chose to layer this all on a cream colored card stock. The rose image is "lifted" with foam tape. I do hope the ER personnel will enjoy this as I don't think they get many "hand created" art.

Well, I'm off to get myself gathered together for the day. Enjoy and please leave a comment.

SCARY MOMENTS

2008-07-09T15:06:00.002-05:00

On Monday, July 7th, 2008, I went to bed but couldn't sleep. Got up and sat in my chair and fell asleep again, only to be awakened with chest pains around 12:30 a.m. The humidity has been horrible around here, and not being able to breathe (felt as if I was trying to breathe in water) most of these past couple of weeks. With all of that and feeling like I had an anvil sitting on my chest with my left arm becoming numb, I called the paramedics. They checked me over, but thought that since I had an irregular heart beat as well as my blood pressure being high that they should take me to the closest hospital to really get checked out. After being in the ER for almost 3 hours, they sent me home with a "stern" get yourself a good doctor, get your diabetes under control (as the doctor feels I have nueropathy of the legs), and to make a follow up with him this next week. Okay, I have a doctor appointment on the 15th, and after reading about leg nueropathy I don't feel I have it. I feel that I have pinched nerves in my lower back, but we'll see what takes place. I'm trying to get back to my crafting table to send out my swap cards, and to make some more cards, especially thank you cards and sympathy cards.

"D E P R I V A T I O N"

2008-06-20T15:47:00.000-05:00

...Deprivation meaning to "keep from having or using"... I've been on vacation for the past month and didn't realize how "deprived" I had become. While visiting family in Iowa, attending grandchildrens graduations and a daughters wedding, I got to visit a scrapbook store called the "Reminice" in Coralville Iowa and bought some absolute gorgeous scrapbook papers let alone a few 'see through' stamps. This store has what I consider one of a kind type of papers and knowing me I just "had" to have some of them. A couple of days later I "visited" the Hobby Lobby store in Coralville Iowa and came away with some marvelous & humorous wood mounted stamps by Stampabilities and others by American Art Stamp. I had a ball picking these stamps out while chuckling and out and out laughing out loud. A clerk came by to see what all the hilarity was and she too ended up chuckling with me. Of course a new mini mall was built since we were last in Coralville, and yep you guessed it - a Michaels Store. Okay, I'm still feeling a bit "deprived" so in I went and found some more stamps, and papers. WOW I felt like I had just died and gone to heaven. I also purchased some more papers, and ooooohed and aaaaahed over the Martha Stewart products, let alone the rest of the "pretties" in that store. I'm still trying to get used to the idea of being back in AR with all of my goodies piled high on my crafting table crying out to be played with, but that will be for another day. Right now it is "nap" time, so please if you wish, leave a comment.

YIPPEEE - YAAAHOOOO

2008-05-13T09:18:00.003-05:00

Well it is about time - May has finally arrived and are we ever happy. It is vacation time for us. We are going to have reunions with our families, a welcome home for a marine grandson, a wedding, and 4 graduations to attend. I think this is called "party time"....LOL I'm taking some of my crafting stuff along (if I could take my whole room I would), the immediate crafting stuff will be up front with me so I can color &/or cut out things as my dh is driving along the interstates. We have the car just about packed to the hilt, and we still have our little doggies stuff to "squeeze" in there too. Sometimes we consider buying a "van" to haul all of our "prized possessions" but that just means there would be more "stuff" to pack and unpack. With all of that said and done, I'm now going to wish one and all a very fun filled and creative time of your own. See you on the trailways..........

Took Some Time Out

2008-05-07T21:01:00.005-05:00

I did manage to get some studio time tonight and made these cards. You can't really read the words on the "graduation" card, but it says in gold embossed letters "Congratulations". Saw this as a take off or "casing" of another card that was made with toile paper, with ribbons and flowers. The other card is a birthday card made by using stamps from I Brake From Stamps and stamping with versa mark onto a magazine cover that featured tiny purple etc. flowers, and embossing it with silver embossing powder. I don't remember the name of the papers I used - sorry. On the inside I stamped in a matching darker purple ink, "May your birthday be fille with Many blessings." The stamp is from Stampabilities GR1086. Now that I'm relaxed, I'm off to slumberland. Leave a comment if you care to, and have a creative rest of the week.

I Learned Something

2008-05-07T18:22:00.003-05:00

I was visiting Split Coast Stampers and the question was asked about ink pads/inks and the difference between them as this person like so many of us buy these and then forget how they are to be used. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=344812 Well I went to the following site http://www.articusstudiodesign.com/id187.html and low and behold I learned something about inks that I either didn't know, or had forgotten about. I think this person covered every ink that was ever made by November of 2007 and still sold. Wow I sure was impressed and here this person was "apologizing" for not alphabetizing them - geesh - I was just glad to see these inks written up this way. I hoping that if you read this and know of more inks/ink pads, that you will be kind enough to add to it and to explain how they work with the different papers like this site did. Should you have any questions you can always e-mail me at huffpede@yahoo.com. Of course you could always join my yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inkyfunstampers/ to join in on our discussion of art supplies. As usual please leave a comment, and enjoy being creative.

What a weekend - NOT!!!

2008-05-05T21:53:00.003-05:00

I was all set to really get things accomplished and on Saturday I did. Come Sunday this was a "fatal" day for me. I decided to ask my dh to go with me to check out our nearest nursery for some flowers, plants whatever, so far so good. We "head" out to the garage and I was going to drive. I went around to the back of the car, and as I was about to round the corner of the car low and behold I blacked out, and down I went. I now have a "purple" head, which of course is covered up by my hair thank goodness, but my oh my am I ever achy today. I sometimes think that when this happens. and it has happened before my falling like this, that I may be having mini strokes. When I get to my daughters house I will have this checked out. Right now I'm a bit busy trying to get our garage sale items marked, cards made and mailed, packing for our trip and you name it. Oh, well there is always tomorrow, and I do hope that tomorrow holds a less sore body and head. Take care, leave me a comment (good or bad), and have a creative week.