Sunday, December 10, 2017

2017 - 12 Tags of Christmas WAFT - Day 8: Sketch

My Day 8 Tag

Here is my entry for the 12 Tags of Christmas With a Feminine Twist, Day 8, which is hosted by Ellen Hutson at The Classroom Blog.  The Day 8 challenge is to use a sketch provided by Lisa Adametz.

So, for my tag, I liked Lisa's use of snowflakes on her background, as well as the stripes at the top and bottom.

I loved the die that Jill used for the stripes at the bottom of her tag. I am going to add the set to my wish list.  It's a snowflake border!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Snowman: Paper Smooches; snowflake: Hero Arts; Sentiment & scarf: Cocoa Daisy.
Washi tape:  Cocoa Daisy
Inks: Ranger Archive inks; Copics.
Tag die:  Lawn Fawn

Phew.  I am going to call it a night after this one.  My body is telling me 'enough' and it is time to rest.

Thanks for stopping by!

2017- 12 Tags of Christmas WAFT - Day 7: Pink, Mint and Gold

Day 7: Pink, Mint and Gold
Here is my Day 7 tag for the 12 Tags of Christmas With a Feminine Touch challenge over at Ellen Hutson's The Classroom Blog.

For this one, we are to use the colors pink, mint and gold.

I was inspired by Elana's mint background, as well as how Heather tied her ribbon on her tags.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Paper Smooches (tree shaped sentiment, star and base of tree)
Ink:  Ranger Archiver Ink, and Colorbox (gold)
patterned paper:  Stampin' Up
Die: Lawn Fawn
Ribbon and cord: Stampin' Up

Only three more days to go to get caught up!

12 Tags of Christmas WAFT - Day 6: Green, Purple, Grey




Day 6 of the 2017 12 Tags of Christmas WAFT Challenge over on Ellen Hutson's The Classroom, is to use the colors green, purple and grey.

I was inspired by Kittie's technique of coloring her own tag, which is what I did for my purple background on each tag. 

I'm getting into production mode and starting to crank these babies out - somewhat the same style as the previous post, just mixing up the colors etc.

Supplies Used:  
Ranger Archiver inks
White Uniball Pen (for snow on left tag)
Stampin' Up patterned paper
Stamps:  Greeting on left tag: Paper Smooches; greeting on right: Hero Arts; tree: Lawn Fawn; garland on right: Cocoa Daisy
Dies: tag, tree and hillside:  Lawn Fawn
Washi tape: Cocoa Daisy
Ribbon: Stampin Up

OK!  On to the next challenge!  Trying to catch up to day 10.

12 Tags of Christmas WAFT 2017: Day 5 - Snow


Two 'Snow' Tags for Day 5

 
Today's tags are for the 2017, Day 5,  12 Tags of Christmas With a Feminine Touch challenge over at Ellen Hutson's Classroom.

I was inspired by both the Day 5 designers. First, Carissa Wiley made 'fake' snow on her tag, and then Eloise Blue created a white foreground with a die.

My 'fake snow' was made using a white uniball pen on the trees and for the background snow. And, for my 'snow' foreground I used a Lawn Fawn die.

Supplies:
Die and tree stamp & tree die:  Lawn Fawn
Sentiment stamp:  Hero Arts
Patterned paper, white card stock and ribbon:  Stampin' Up
Ink:  Ranger Archival Ink
White Uniball Pen
Sequins:  Cocoa Daisy November Kit
Copic marker for tree base

Have a great Sunday.  We are socked in again with a cloudy/foggy inversion. 

Saturday, December 9, 2017

12 Tags of Christmas WAFT - Day 4, Watercolor


Tag with two layers

Bottom Layer


Two Part Tag - Vellum and Water-Color paper

The two layers side by side


Yes, I am on a roll!

This tag was inspired by both Laurel Beard and Sandy Allnock from the Day 4 post of the 12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2017 challenge going on over at Ellen Hutson's the Classroom.

Inspiration:  I liked Laurel's use of a 'non-tag' shape.  For mine, I used a Lawn Fawn oval die cut with water color paper, and vellum. And, I liked Sandy's use of vellum as a top layer to her water-colored image. I also used a 'house' image, which both ladies did with their tags.

Supplies:
Die: Lawn Fawn
Strathmore water color paper
Vellum, stamped images (wreath, string of lights, Santa, sentiment): Stampin' Up
Ranger Distress inks used to watercolor house
Copics for grey shading
 Ranger Archival inks used for sentiment, wreath, lights and Santa

 Thanks for visiting!

12 Tags of Christmas WAFT - Day 3 - Naturally Neutral

Tag #1 - First Attempt with Felt


Tag #2 For the Challenge
It's Saturday, and once again I am in my crafty space. Therapy.  This is the best cure for what ails me.
This morning I was inspired by Julie Ebersole's tag in the Day 3 post of the 12 Tags of Christmas With a Feminine Touch  over at Ellen Hutson's The Classroom.

What I liked about Julie's tag: Using felt with a die.  I am not a big textile user, so this was a challenge:).  My first tag, with the Christmas tree, seemed to take forever!  I used a glue gun and burnt my finger tip when trying to adhere the tree down. Not doing that again! And the green felt wasn't very sturdy so a few other trees came apart and were trashed.  However, the second tag was so much easier to make.  The felt cut wonderfully, and I actually had fun created that cute little reindeer!  Which, by the way, was stamped first, and then I placed the die over the stamped image to cut the felt.  For the reindeer I used permanent adhesive on the tag first, then placed the felt on top.  Ta Da!

Supplies Used:
 Reindeer Tag (which is getting entered into the challenge):  
Ribbon, twine and cardstock:  Stampin' Up
Stamps:  Garland, sentiment, heart with moose: Cocoa Daisy November kit
Reindeer stamp and die:  Hero Arts
Washi Tape and gems:  Cocoa Daisy November Kit
Inks:  Ranger Archival Ink, Sharpie pen (red), Sakura Micron 05 pen (black)

Alrighty!  Time to get back to the craft space:)
Feeling very creative today.

Saturday, December 2, 2017

12 Tags of Christmas WAFT - Day 2 Silver and Gold


Day 2 - Silver and Gold
Here is my day #2 tag for the 12 Tags of Christmas With a Feminine Twist challenge.
This challenge is hosted by Ellen Hutson on 'The Classroom' blog. 
I was inspired by Keeway Tsao's simple and elegant designs in her two ornaments.

For this challenge, all we had to do was use silver and gold.  Ta da!

Supplies:
Tag Die:  Lawn Fawn
Gold glitter tree, patterned paper, ribbon and cord: Stampin Up
Silver and Gold Stars, sentiment sticker:  Ali Edwards (DD stash)

This tag was quick and easy!

Thanks for stopping by.

12 Tags of Christmas WAFT - Day 1

View of the Various Layers

My Dimensional Star Tag

And, listening this on Pandora while crafting the day away

There's another challenge going on - one that has me motivated to crank out Christmas Tags for gifts. I consider this a 'win-win'. You know, when you have things on your list to get done but need a little push?  The challenge is the 12 Tags of Christmas with a Femine Twist and is hosted by Ellen Hutson over at 'The Classroom'.

My tag today was inspired by Jennifer McGuire who for Day 1 shared a video on using a die to make a dimensional tag. 

And thus, the layered star tag!

Supplies Used:
Dies:  Tag from 'Tag You're It', by Lawn Fawn; Star from Stars #2, by Sizzix
Stamps:  Sentiment and little gift from Hero Arts CL343 Holiday Sayings (back from 2009!) 
Patterned Papers and ribbons: Stampin' Up

It's cold out. A snow storm is coming in and I have no motivation to go outside to put up my Christmas Decor.  Perhaps tomorrow. Right now just taking it easy and enjoying puttering around the house.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Transitioning Between Thanksgiving and Christmas - The Last Weekend of November

 My New Butter Dish!  Want one?  I think I can still get more!

Yes, My New Butter Dish is On Display - Not sure When I Will Use it For it's Intended Purpose

Christmas Card for a Swap

Another View
Jake is Home!  Well, until tonight. But it is nice having him 'here'.

Hmm.. I just noticed how tall he is!


Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

We had a beautiful Thanksgiving with our friends. One of Phil's daughters came to visit from Utah, with her boyfriend, and we took them with us to our 'Red Neck Friendsgiving' celebration.  You have to remember I live in a very rural area, and we celebrate at a friend's ranch.  We eat in the shop, and 'celebrate' by blowing up pumpkins - outdoors.  Serious fun. This year I managed to make my chocolate pumpkin cheesecake, which was a big 'win' for me, personally.  My only 'setback' (health issues related) was I almost fell trying to get it out of the oven.  My balance is not 100% yet. Sometimes I forget I am temporarily 'off' my normal. 


I'm trying my best to not start decorating for Christmas, and just savor these last days of Thanksgiving.

 However, crafting is another story.  This is prime crafty time!

My 'December Daily' group (online) is hosting a Christmas Card swap, so today I made my two cards to get sent off tomorrow.  One is going to Washington, and the other to Australia. 

The other 'Christmas' things I have been doing are uploading all of my favorite 2017 photos to Snapfish for a few gift projects.  This was a two-day project!  I had to download all my camera photos first, sort them by month, then upload the ones I wanted.  Ha. Hours.

And, on Friday, I received my family Christmas Card - also made in Snapfish.  I know, right?   I have my cards!  Last year I didn't get them until December 20th.  This year I wanted to make sure I got them out early!

Right now, I am just taking it easy, recuperating and getting my health back, one day at a time. And, since walking and bending and any 'up and down' movement with my legs takes a lot of effort, it is easy to 'not' decorate.

Speaking of movement, last night I went to church with Phil.  We went up and down the 'back' stairs, because there are less stairs than at the front of the Cathedral.  And, I did it!  I made it up, and I made it down.  Stairs have been my enemy.

 I love our church, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Baker City, Oregon. Both of my children were baptized in this church, about 18 years ago.  And, a repose for the soul was said for my mother, Grace, which happened to be on my 55th birthday.  I have cried in this church when my soul ached, and, I have cried in this church with tears of joy when I was thankful for everything in what I consider a full and happy life. 

So, there you have it. 

Here's to savoring all we have to be thankful for. 

xo












Sunday, November 5, 2017

SSS Wednesday Challenge - Christmas Tag


Christmas Tag - Stenciled background (click on image to see close up details)
Supplies Used For Making Tag Backgrounds

The theme for this week's  Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is Christmas Tags.

 Edited:  For the challenge, we are to enter into Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags, and say which day we are entering, and which tag we were inspired by.

This entry is for Day 1.
Inspired by: Gayatri's tag - I loved her vintage look.

First, I inked my kraft tag with Ranger distress ink.  Then, using  a SSS stencil (Stars & Dots) I used white craft ink to 'lay down' the stars and dots.

After that, I embellished with goodies from my Christmas stash:  A Stampin-Up tree, sequins, a sticker, and behind the tree are two strips of washi tape (Ali Edwards).  Finished it off with the silver cord.

Thanks for stopping by!


Working on Christmas Tags - And Sunday Musings


Today's Playtime - ink, stencils, paints
The challenge over at the Simon Says Stamp Blog is to make a Christmas Tag. I am waiting for these babies to dry so I can add more layers and turn them into fun projects. The top two I used paint with the stencil.  It spreads underneath.  the bottom four I used ink instead of paint over the stencils.  

 We had our first snow this morning, so transitioning into Christmas seemed just fine.  However, I will go back to my Thanksgiving projects.  Geeze.  Less than 3 weeks! This is when time zooms by.

Anyway, I meant to have more crafty time but have been sidetracked by so many other things this weekend.

Leaf Patrol
Cooking.  Cooking. Cooking.
More Leaf Patrol
And some funky cleaning. You know, that out of the ordinary stuff that doesn't get done often, like cleaning the kitchen utensil container that sits on the counter, wiping down the entry way door, replacing the scentsy burner wax, putting out Thanksgiving stuff, and taking down Halloween stuff.

Back to the cooking. You would think, with no one else at home, I would give up on the cooking thing, but alas, it is my weekend habit to food prep for the week.

Here is what I made:
Yesterday: Egg, spinach and mushroom casserole.  Yum.  Two breakfasts so far.
Today: Oatmeal - to go with over easy eggs for my breakfast that I take to work. I made the mistake of making a beautiful bowl this am with some of my frozen raspberries and bananas.  Then I ruined it by putting honey (from one of those sticks) on it.  It tasted horrible. A weird flavor.  Darn waste of precious raspberries!
Yesterday: Cooked up two spaghetti squash, cleaned out the goods, and froze most of it.
Yesterday: Cooked up spaghetti sauce with ground turkey to go with the squash.  Which was last night's dinner. Froze most of it.
Today: Cooked up potato and bacon soup - soon to go in the freezer as well. This was today's lunch.

 And, at least there is stuff in the freezer for 'I don't want to cook' nights.
 
Thanks for stopping by. 

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Card Concept #80 - Autumn Love

Water-Color Paper was Inked and painted - Style: Shabby Chic

Simple Card - Style: CAS

Supplies and Resulting Cards

Challenge Image
It's Sunday.  It's going to be a spectacular day so I am trying to get my entry for this week's The Card Concept Challenge posted before running off to enjoy the day. The theme for this challenge is 'Autumn Love', and to use the image for inspiration. 

I am going to use the top card as my entry.  I loved the colors in the image, and wanted to do some embossing.

Both cards were made using a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  One I left plain, the other I water-colored with several distress inks, then painted the birds and berries, and lastly, I  brushed over the raised surface with the ink pad  Distress Ink - Aged Mahogany. 

Supplies:
Ink: Aged Mahogany & Antique Linen Distress Ink.
Die:  Blessings: Paper Smooches
Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug
Watercolor paper: Strathmore
Various card stock

Thanks for visiting! 
Happy Fall!

Saturday, October 28, 2017

My Drive With Rosie

I wasn't real sure how to title this post. 

Tuesday I got a call from the funeral home that cremated our Rosie. 

I chose to cremate her because of past experience with burying animals at the ranch.  This is morbid.  But the dogs would dig up what was buried - and, well, you get the idea. 

So, Wednesday morning before going to work, I drove into Baker to pick her up. 

I have to say.  My heart was truly touched. 

The care they gave to her remains is beyond what I had expected.

Her sweet little box has her name on the top, along with a beautiful, flat marbled stone, etched in gold.

And, inside along with her remains, they put a print of one of her paws, and  a packaged cutting of her fur.

I didn't even think of these things.  How precious they would be.

So, there we were.  Rosie and I.  She drove up front with me to work.  And drove home with me after.  It's a long drive.  My commute is 33 miles.  And Baker is an extra 20 minutes. 


It was comforting, really.


Not sure what our next steps will be.  Meaning, if the kids and I will take her somewhere to spread her ashes, when all three of us are together again (Christmas Holidays).

Right now? I find comfort just having her home.

Halloween Treats - What Was Sent Earlier This Week

Box of Goodies from My Favorite Bakery in Baker.  They are only open 3 mornings a week.  Sunday is fun day!

Inside?  Macarons!  Halloween Themed Macarons! Love the 'real' colors captured in outdoor light.
Decorated Goody boxes - Each one contains one Macaron

 Two Went to New Jersey, One to Hawaii

 Halloween.  I get very few trick-or-treaters, so I try to make special goody bags for all ten of them.  On October 15th, I purchased my favorite macarons from my favorite bakery, and put them in the freezer to save for 'later', thinking I would make my bags the weekend before Halloween (which is now).

But then, this past Tuesday morning, bright and early,  I realized I better get my 'happy mail' out to a couple of special peeps.  I decorated a few kraft square boxes and made cards to get into the mail for their long distance trip  - one had to go all the way to New Jersey to a friend from my 2Peas Stamping Board days who saw my FB post and said she wished they had them in her area, and she had never had one.  

And, of course, I also had to get goods to Sami (away at school in Hawaii).

Jake?  He stopped by two Mondays ago (the night we all rallied around Rosie) and helped himself to a few before I got home.  The evidence was on his lips.  Purple!

Dawn sent me a message that her box arrived.  Sami's still hasn't arrived.  Darn that 2-day priority mail!  However, this isn't the first time.  My theory is mail gets delivered on time to the dorm address, and then takes another day or so to actually make it to the students.  They are like their own little city and have their own 'mail' system as well.

More goody 'bags' to be made today or tomorrow.  I am out of boxes, so next up are actual bags.  Will share what I come up with.

Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, October 23, 2017

SSS Wed. Challenge - Photo Inspiration/Paper Smooches

This week's challenge at the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge is based off a photo for inspiration and the use of Paper Smooches products.

My Card (click on image for better view)

Supplies Used

The Photos & Colors to Use As Inspiration
Supplies Used:
Stamps: Little leaf from Paper Smooches Fall Sampler Set
Dies: Grateful: Paper Smooches; Tree and leaves:Paper Smooches Seasonal Tree
Cardstock and patterned Papers - My stash of goods
Inks:  Ranger Distress Inks (used with little leaf and to alter the sentiment)

Thanks for Visiting! 

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Recap: September's The Daily Marker 30 Day Challenge

So.. you might have noticed a flurry of activity on my blog lately.

My 'back to creating' started back on September 1st, when I started Kathy's Daily Marker Coloring Challenge.

I tried doing this last year as well and only latest a couple-ish days.  I am NOT good at coloring! This year I just kept on trying. 

I am happy to say I participated every single day.

I uploaded my entries to a private Facebook page, and decided to try and put everything here in one post.  Some days I shared full sheets of inked or water-colored pages that were to be used in a card later.  Those I left out. 

My 'aha' moment was Kathy's advice to get in 'at least 5 minutes' each day - and that is what I did.
Each morning, I got up, got my coffee, and parked myself at my craft table before having to start my 'get to work' routine. On some days I did five minutes, others a little longer, and on the weekends, I had the luxury of an hour or two.

Below are a few of the projects I created, which also includes the cards that got sent out to friends or family members that needed a lift or a thank-you.  I will say, that was another benefit of the challenge, making cards and getting them delivered. 

Sympathy Card for the Averett Family

Thank You Card to my Bestie Erin For Hosting our CA Trip  (and for sending the cute cup in the background)

Birthday Card Sent to My Sister Avis

Card for My Son Jake on his Move In Day for College - Along with Cookies

Card for One of my On-Line friends Who Lost Her Beloved Dog

Card for a OLW Friend Who Is Battling Leukemia - and Kicking Ass!

Other Cards Made - Excluding the Top Row - Which are for October Challenges


Card Sent to Sami - With Cookies

Card Sent to my Friend Miss Mallen - Thanking her for our CA Visit

Sharing a Magazine Ad that Prompted the Inspiration for the two cards
Cards for my Cousins and Uncle Joe on the Loss of my Aunt Judy

Thanks for Stopping By!

Color Throwdown - Take 2! CTD465



The Colors to Use
My Entry (Click on Image for better view!)

Supplies Used

Well, I just couldn't stand it.  I had to make another card for the Color Throwdown #CTD465 since I wasn't real thrilled with my other entry!

Supplies Used:
Studio G stamps (hat, sentiment and star)
Memento Ink (Tuxedo Black)
Copics
Purple sparkly tape (from October Cocoa Daisy Kit)
Purple and white cardstock
Patterned Paper (spiderweb design - I think My Minds Eye)
Dark Purple Pearl: Queen & Co. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Color Throwdown ctd465




The color scheme for this week's Color Throwdown are purple, black and white.

I made a couple of cards but will only submit the first.

Having a little trouble getting into the groove today, but pushing through it.

We have a winter storm coming through with threats of snow.  A great day to stay inside.
Right now the wind is blowing and my trees are doing their best clinging to the last of their leaves.


2023 December Daily : Monday December 5th

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