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.


This Week: We Lost a Close Family Member


 This was a rough week.  Our favorite kitty, who has been at my side since my divorce six years ago, left this earthly place on Tuesday, October 17. 

She was a huge part of our family. 

This kitty had so much personality. 

My top ten favorites:
  1. She would dart around the house when all three of us were home.  As if saying 'yeah, we are all here!'
  2. She loved to sleep with us.  She would take turns visiting snuggling.  She started on my bed, on her blanket.  When I got up then she would go visit Jake or Sami.  If she visited Jake, he let her under the covers.  
  3. When Sami took off for college I often found her sleeping on Sami's bed.  Then when Jake left last month, same thing.
  4. If I didn't get out of bed by 5am she would come up and pat me on my face, as if to say 'get up, you're late!'
  5. Her catnip was in a kitchen drawer.  Jake would open the drawer just a smidge and she would open it farther, crawl in and roll around.  
  6. She had her favorite tree, that she slept in.  
  7. She would walk out to the end of my 'sidewalk' and sit and stare at the mountains.  Just like me.
  8. When I came home, she was waiting, just on the other side of the door.  She knew our cars.  She would run to the door when she heard Jake's truck or Sami's jeep.  
  9. She loved to me on my lap, while I worked at my computer.
  10. She loved to snuggle on the couch.

So now, when I come home, I look for her when I crack open the door.  
When I crawl into bed, my feet go to her spot, to feel her weight.
When I wake during the night, I wait for her to come up to me, and sniff my face.
When I am on the couch, I look for her to run in to the living room and snuggle with me.
I look at where her food used to be.
I look at where her kitty box used to be.
I look for her.


Rosie

Christmas 2016 - Getting it trouble for playing with ornaments

Watching for Birds
Her Catnip Drawer

With Sami and Sally - Just One of the Girls


Being Sassy with Jake


Plotting Another Ornament Attack

Not Happy with the Tree Arriving

Footprints in the Snow - Forever in my Heart

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

SSS Wed. Challenge - Thinking of You: Memory Box

Thinking of You


Side View of Layers
This is my entry for the Simon Says Wed. Challenge - Thinking of You. Which ends tomorrow morning.

The challenge is featuring Memory Box supplies, and for this card I used the Tree Branch Circle die by Memory Box.

Other Supplies Used:
Hero Arts 'thinking of you' sentiment from the Hello Stamp & Cut set; watering Can Archival ink; four different layers of card stock (die cut image x 2, black background, and main card); and the water-colored image I created with Ranger distress inks, a white Uniball gel pen, and a 'mountain range' stamp from the Hero Arts 'Road Trip' set (stamped in different layers).

On the Home Front:
Rosie, our sweet kitty, is on my lap.  She hasn't been eating for days. Just sipping water. I am taking her to the vet this morning.  Jake came over last night (from school) to spend time with her and we face-timed with Sami (who is also off at school) so she could talk with Rosie.  We are preparing ourselves.  She has been 'huddled up', doesn't purr, and feels cold when we hold her.  If you have read this far, please send warm thoughts/prayers for her.  She came from the ranch to live with me six years ago when the kids said I needed 'someone' to keep me company when they weren't here.  My heart. 

Sunday, October 15, 2017

The Card Concept 79 - Giving Thanks



Challenge Image
Happy Sunday!
I got up bright and early today (well, yes, I wake up early anyway, but today I made an effort to get up much earlier) to get my Card Concept 79 project completed before hitting the road. 

My entry below was inspired by the neutral colors above - mainly the white pumpkins and gray.  And, the style I am using from the Card Concept blog is Style #2: Clean and Layered with white space.

Stamp Used:  Pumpkin from the Hero Arts Set 'Month November' from 2008 (I collected about half of the months!).

Other Supplies: Simon Says Stamp 'Giving Thanks' steel craft die; Patterned Paper from Cocoa Daisy September kit; twine from Stampin' Up, and cardstock from Stampin' Up, Copic marker #C0 use for the gray frame around the pumpkin and on the 'thanks', and pumpkin image stamped with Archival Ink 'watering can'.

Giving Thanks - Entry for Card Concept #79

About Today's Adventure:
Our weather forecast is showing a 'warmer day' today, as in the 60's, which is the highest temp for this past week. However, right now?  It's currently 25 degrees out!  Yet the sun is shining and our goal is to take a road trip, hike, have a picnic and chase fall colors. 

First up?  A stop at our favorite bakery to pick up Halloween treats to send off to my two college kids, and of course, a little sample snack for us! 

Thanks for visiting..

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Color Throwndown #464 - Happy Fall



Color Throwdown Colors:  Orange, Taupe and Black

It's a lovely Saturday here in Eastern Oregon.  And Fall!  We woke to a very crisp twenty-something, yet the day is sunny and gorgeous. So, I played in my crafty space until it was warm enough to go for a walk.  Right now?  It's about 45 degrees and it's noon!


My Entry for the ctd464 Challenge


Above is my entry for this week's color throwdown

Stamps Used: Sentiment: from the Paper Smooches Fall Sampler set; Pumpkin and leaf: Hero Arts Clear Stamps JS155 - Cleardesign - Month November - which are from 2008!

I used Copics to color the pumpkin.  The stamps were stamped with various colors from Wendy Vechi's Archival inks.  I also masked off the pumpkin before stamping the leaves. 

Thanks for stopping by!

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