I am so excited! After living "in the boonies" for 14 years I'm looking forward to living closer to civilization. Only a mile to the grocery store instead of 20+ miles!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Closing in a Week!
I'm sorry I've been MIA but life has been a little crazy lately. I am closing on a new house in a week. So, no time for crafts as I've been busy packing for months (or at least it feels that way). Here's the new place:
I am so excited! After living "in the boonies" for 14 years I'm looking forward to living closer to civilization. Only a mile to the grocery store instead of 20+ miles!
I am so excited! After living "in the boonies" for 14 years I'm looking forward to living closer to civilization. Only a mile to the grocery store instead of 20+ miles!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Christmas Treats
I was in charge of helping to come up with a craft project for our crafting group to do for Christmas. These little M&M tubes are what I came up with. I used the 1x8 clear envelopes that my secret pal sent me. The stamp is from Stampin Up.
Aren't they adorable? Never mind they lasted about 2 seconds after I came in the door...my son at them and I didn't realize it till I found the tags on the floor. Sigh. :-)
Aren't they adorable? Never mind they lasted about 2 seconds after I came in the door...my son at them and I didn't realize it till I found the tags on the floor. Sigh. :-)
Monday, September 20, 2010
Halloween Happiness
I found a pattern for these adorable bags in a quilting magazine that I picked up at Joann's. It claimed to be a 'quick and easy' pattern.
Well, the first bag took me the better part of 2 hours. Mainly because I just didn't quite get how it all worked. Bags are NOT my thing. But once I got one finished, the rest were pretty quick and easy. I have it down to about 15 minutes per bag. Which is reasonable. And so far, I've made 12 of these. The kids want to take them to their teachers. And I have a few that need to go to friends/secret sisters.
I am HOPING to dig out some halloween stamps and add tags to the bags. But right now my stamping table is surrounded by boxes of bedroom furniture. So I can't even get to it. Sigh.
Well, the first bag took me the better part of 2 hours. Mainly because I just didn't quite get how it all worked. Bags are NOT my thing. But once I got one finished, the rest were pretty quick and easy. I have it down to about 15 minutes per bag. Which is reasonable. And so far, I've made 12 of these. The kids want to take them to their teachers. And I have a few that need to go to friends/secret sisters.
I am HOPING to dig out some halloween stamps and add tags to the bags. But right now my stamping table is surrounded by boxes of bedroom furniture. So I can't even get to it. Sigh.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
A New Quilt
Sorry, my life is absolutely crazy these days.
I am working two jobs and just started back to school for my Master's Degree. I am also looking at buying a house and moving in the near future. So, to say cardmaking is the last thing on my mind right now would be pretty accurate.
I am clearing out some supplies. If you need a CTMH Eyelet Case and Eyelets or a shoebox full of prismacolor pencils...let me know and we can play a round of 'make a deal'. I also have stamp sets, single stamps, etc that are looking for new homes. Maybe I should do a posting of just stuff for sale here in the future. In the meantime, if you know you are looking for something in particular...let me know.
And on other fronts...this is what I did tonight when I SHOULD have been doing school work. :-)
I won what I thought was a 'layer cake' at the last quilting retreat. A layer cake is a package of 40 10 inch precut squares in fabrics that coordinate. Turns out my package only contained 30 squares. So my finished quilt is a little smaller (44x55) but it will still work as a lap quilt. Or I could add borders if I want it bigger. What's funny is that I now have three quilt fronts here that are finished and I've yet to have any of them quilted. Guess I should do that at some point, eh?
K, gotta run.
I am working two jobs and just started back to school for my Master's Degree. I am also looking at buying a house and moving in the near future. So, to say cardmaking is the last thing on my mind right now would be pretty accurate.
I am clearing out some supplies. If you need a CTMH Eyelet Case and Eyelets or a shoebox full of prismacolor pencils...let me know and we can play a round of 'make a deal'. I also have stamp sets, single stamps, etc that are looking for new homes. Maybe I should do a posting of just stuff for sale here in the future. In the meantime, if you know you are looking for something in particular...let me know.
And on other fronts...this is what I did tonight when I SHOULD have been doing school work. :-)
I won what I thought was a 'layer cake' at the last quilting retreat. A layer cake is a package of 40 10 inch precut squares in fabrics that coordinate. Turns out my package only contained 30 squares. So my finished quilt is a little smaller (44x55) but it will still work as a lap quilt. Or I could add borders if I want it bigger. What's funny is that I now have three quilt fronts here that are finished and I've yet to have any of them quilted. Guess I should do that at some point, eh?
K, gotta run.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
What I've been up to...
Just got back from a 12 day trip to Idaho. It was so nice to get away from the heat for a bit. Hard to believe that I needed a light blanket to sit outside in the evenings. It was about 5,000 ft elevation where I was most of the time. The second day we took the kids and the dogs and went to this lake. It was gorgeous. The water was a wee bit cold but the kids still went in and played.
Then we helped with a petting zoo for my cousin's scout troop and my oldest son rode on the scout float in the 4th of July parade. My youngest stayed with me and collected candy. I have NEVER seen a parade where they threw out that much candy. I bet my purse weighed 20 pounds (not kidding) AND he got a t-shirt that someone threw.
We spent one day at a hot spring where the kids (once again) got to swim. I was expecting something more like a rock hole with warm water flowing into it...but this was actually like a swimming pool. It just pulled it's water from a hot spring.
Then we went camping at about 7,000 ft elevation. Brrr. Only bad thing was the stupid mosquitos that were everywhere. I swear they were as big as flies! We were planning on staying for two nights but cut it short because they were SO bad.
Then the last two days I stayed with another cousin in Boise (a little warmer there) and we went to a couple quilt shops which was fun.
All in all I got to visit with 4 first cousins and their spouses, 3 first cousins once removed (and their spouses) and all the assorted children and animals that went along with them.
This is my favorite picture from the trip...because it was totally unscripted. I love it when they play nice with each other!
Now I'm back into the thick of things getting oldest DS ready for middle school, my youngest's birthday is this week, and I have to have everything ready for my MBA application by the 19th. All while working two jobs. Yikes! ;-P
Then we helped with a petting zoo for my cousin's scout troop and my oldest son rode on the scout float in the 4th of July parade. My youngest stayed with me and collected candy. I have NEVER seen a parade where they threw out that much candy. I bet my purse weighed 20 pounds (not kidding) AND he got a t-shirt that someone threw.
We spent one day at a hot spring where the kids (once again) got to swim. I was expecting something more like a rock hole with warm water flowing into it...but this was actually like a swimming pool. It just pulled it's water from a hot spring.
Then we went camping at about 7,000 ft elevation. Brrr. Only bad thing was the stupid mosquitos that were everywhere. I swear they were as big as flies! We were planning on staying for two nights but cut it short because they were SO bad.
Then the last two days I stayed with another cousin in Boise (a little warmer there) and we went to a couple quilt shops which was fun.
All in all I got to visit with 4 first cousins and their spouses, 3 first cousins once removed (and their spouses) and all the assorted children and animals that went along with them.
This is my favorite picture from the trip...because it was totally unscripted. I love it when they play nice with each other!
Now I'm back into the thick of things getting oldest DS ready for middle school, my youngest's birthday is this week, and I have to have everything ready for my MBA application by the 19th. All while working two jobs. Yikes! ;-P
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Table Topper is Quilted
I still need to do the binding...but my table topper has been basted and quilted. I'm pretty happy with how it's coming along. It's certainly not perfect but once it's on a table and a centerpiece or something is sitting on it...I don't think you'll notice the mistakes. :-)
Monday, June 21, 2010
Which fabric?
I've finished my table runner. Of course once it's sewn together you notice all the things you missed. But I am NOT ripping out my stitches and starting over. I did my best not to get any two colors next to each other/etc and yet once it's sewn together I find at least 3 places so far where like colors are next to each other. Argh! ;-P
Now I am trying to decide on a backing fabric. Here is part of the table runner, layed on top of the two fabrics with a little of the binding fabric showing at the top of the runner so you can take that into account as well.
Thoughts/opinions? The one on the left is less busy and has dark and light browns in in. The one on the right has different browns/reds but is busy and is very 'fall leafy' and most of the fabrics on the runner are floral with leaves that aren't similar.
Now I am trying to decide on a backing fabric. Here is part of the table runner, layed on top of the two fabrics with a little of the binding fabric showing at the top of the runner so you can take that into account as well.
Thoughts/opinions? The one on the left is less busy and has dark and light browns in in. The one on the right has different browns/reds but is busy and is very 'fall leafy' and most of the fabrics on the runner are floral with leaves that aren't similar.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Ruff Day?
Happy Friday everyone! Hope you have a fun 3 day weekend planned. Nothing exciting here. I need to do a little work at some point. And I have a bookclub to attend on Sunday. But nothing exciting.
Anyways, thought I'd share the other card I made last weekend. This one is pretty simple. Uses a kraft card base.
Anyways, thought I'd share the other card I made last weekend. This one is pretty simple. Uses a kraft card base.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
A card and a kitten
This weekend I got around to making two cards. The first one is ok. The second one I really liked. So I'm going to share the second one for today.
I received the image in a swap as well as the red embossed paper. So I used that as my starting point and went from there. I like how it turned out.
On other fronts...we've added a new kitten to the household. Meet Tigger...
I've started working a part time temporary job on top of my full time job and having the kids home for the summer (and I work both jobs from home). So I suspect I'll only be doing a few cards for the next few months. But maybe I'll surprise myself and start making even MORE cards. Who knows.
I received the image in a swap as well as the red embossed paper. So I used that as my starting point and went from there. I like how it turned out.
On other fronts...we've added a new kitten to the household. Meet Tigger...
I've started working a part time temporary job on top of my full time job and having the kids home for the summer (and I work both jobs from home). So I suspect I'll only be doing a few cards for the next few months. But maybe I'll surprise myself and start making even MORE cards. Who knows.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Pictures
Well, nothing has changed...but not my computer recognizes the camera's USB port. So I guess that means I will share pictures. LOL.
First off...this is my quilt top after this past weekend's quilting retreat. I'm not sure if it's done or not. I was going to add a border because the sides are still just a little shy of completly covering the boxspring and going down to where the wood is. And in this bed the boxspring sits all the way down to the bottom of the sidebar piece of wood. But this isn't the bed it's going to 'live on' longterm. So I may wait and audition it on the new bed once I get it and then decide about the border.
And next up is a better picture of the long nose snake I caught with my son's assistance. He was released back outside yesterday.
Today is the last day of school here. Yikes! I'm dreading the summer...and the kids are looking forward to it. I give them about 3 days before they are totally bickering amongst themselves. Too much of each other is not a good thing. LOL.
First off...this is my quilt top after this past weekend's quilting retreat. I'm not sure if it's done or not. I was going to add a border because the sides are still just a little shy of completly covering the boxspring and going down to where the wood is. And in this bed the boxspring sits all the way down to the bottom of the sidebar piece of wood. But this isn't the bed it's going to 'live on' longterm. So I may wait and audition it on the new bed once I get it and then decide about the border.
And next up is a better picture of the long nose snake I caught with my son's assistance. He was released back outside yesterday.
Today is the last day of school here. Yikes! I'm dreading the summer...and the kids are looking forward to it. I give them about 3 days before they are totally bickering amongst themselves. Too much of each other is not a good thing. LOL.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Misc Ramblings
First off, I wanted to share something I saw hanging on a bulletin board. My guess is that it's from a book but I couldn't tell you exactly where it came from. I just know I liked it and wanted to share it. LOL.
We waste so much energy trying to cover up who we are,
when beneath every attitude is the want to be loved
and beneath every anger is a wound to be healed,
and beneath every sadness is the fear that there
will not be enough time.
When we hesitate in being direct,
we unknowingly slip something on, some
added layer of protection that keeps us from feeling the world,
and often that thin covering is the beginning of a loneliness which,
if not put down, diminishes our chances for joy.
It's like wearing gloves every time we touch something, and then,
forgetting we chose to put them on, we complain
that nothing feels quite real. In this way,
our challenge each day is not to get dressed to face
the world, but to unglove ourselves
so that the doorknob feels cold, and
the car handle feels wet, and the kiss good-bye feels like the lips of
another being, soft and unrepeatable.
-- Author Unknown
I still have a 'poem' from Jr. High days that talks about the masks we wear and when I saw this hanging on the bulletin board it made me think of the masks one.
Last night I was talking to a friend and they told me that in their lifetime I was one of the few people they've ever met who was true. That I didn't initiate drama, I didn't talk about other people and stir the pot amongst people, I kept any secrets told to me, I didn't backstab my friends, etc. I told her I try my best to be true.
And I was going to share new pics of the snake and the quilt...but my camera's USB port isn't being recognized for some reason. So I guess no pictures today. Sorry about that!
We waste so much energy trying to cover up who we are,
when beneath every attitude is the want to be loved
and beneath every anger is a wound to be healed,
and beneath every sadness is the fear that there
will not be enough time.
When we hesitate in being direct,
we unknowingly slip something on, some
added layer of protection that keeps us from feeling the world,
and often that thin covering is the beginning of a loneliness which,
if not put down, diminishes our chances for joy.
It's like wearing gloves every time we touch something, and then,
forgetting we chose to put them on, we complain
that nothing feels quite real. In this way,
our challenge each day is not to get dressed to face
the world, but to unglove ourselves
so that the doorknob feels cold, and
the car handle feels wet, and the kiss good-bye feels like the lips of
another being, soft and unrepeatable.
-- Author Unknown
I still have a 'poem' from Jr. High days that talks about the masks we wear and when I saw this hanging on the bulletin board it made me think of the masks one.
Last night I was talking to a friend and they told me that in their lifetime I was one of the few people they've ever met who was true. That I didn't initiate drama, I didn't talk about other people and stir the pot amongst people, I kept any secrets told to me, I didn't backstab my friends, etc. I told her I try my best to be true.
And I was going to share new pics of the snake and the quilt...but my camera's USB port isn't being recognized for some reason. So I guess no pictures today. Sorry about that!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Coolest Mom EVER Award
Today I got awarded the Coolest Mom Ever award by my youngest son. Why? Well, let me tell you...
I heard Chewey (our youngest dog) barking like crazy outside. He was UNDER the porch. My first thought was probably a scorpion (I'd heard that bark before with a scorpion). So I ask my son to see if he can look under there and see what the dog is barking at. Well, it's not a scorpion...but it's a snake. Great. I can't leave the snake there because of the dogs. I can't let my son get it (which he wants to) because I don't know what kind of snake it is. From a distance it looks like it's brown/black in color and could potentially be a rattler.
So I get the garbage can and the broom and I lay on my tummy and shimmy my fat butt under the porch. That in itself was not an easy feat! Military crawl through dirt/rocks under me and spider webs (probably black widows) above me. Thank goodness noone was videotaping that. LOL.
I get under there and then I could tell he wasn't a rattlesnake. He was red/black in color. I thought he was a king snake at the time but my brother informed me later that he is a long nose snake. He is curled way in the furthest corner under the bottom step. It took a bit of gentle handling him with the handle of the broom to get him moving (at first he coiled up to strike at it). Then he's moving towards me and I'm wondering how quickly I could shimmy out of there if it became necessary!
Luckily he went against the wall and I was able to shove the garbage can against the wall and he climbed into it. Then I handed the garbage can out to my youngest son.
Well, then, he wants to keep the snake to show to Dad. So we had to transfer the lizard that is in our smaller cage to an ice cream pail and then transfer the snake into the smaller cage. Where he is now contently buried in the wood chips.
I think DAD gets the chore of turning the snake loose! LOL.
I heard Chewey (our youngest dog) barking like crazy outside. He was UNDER the porch. My first thought was probably a scorpion (I'd heard that bark before with a scorpion). So I ask my son to see if he can look under there and see what the dog is barking at. Well, it's not a scorpion...but it's a snake. Great. I can't leave the snake there because of the dogs. I can't let my son get it (which he wants to) because I don't know what kind of snake it is. From a distance it looks like it's brown/black in color and could potentially be a rattler.
So I get the garbage can and the broom and I lay on my tummy and shimmy my fat butt under the porch. That in itself was not an easy feat! Military crawl through dirt/rocks under me and spider webs (probably black widows) above me. Thank goodness noone was videotaping that. LOL.
I get under there and then I could tell he wasn't a rattlesnake. He was red/black in color. I thought he was a king snake at the time but my brother informed me later that he is a long nose snake. He is curled way in the furthest corner under the bottom step. It took a bit of gentle handling him with the handle of the broom to get him moving (at first he coiled up to strike at it). Then he's moving towards me and I'm wondering how quickly I could shimmy out of there if it became necessary!
Luckily he went against the wall and I was able to shove the garbage can against the wall and he climbed into it. Then I handed the garbage can out to my youngest son.
Well, then, he wants to keep the snake to show to Dad. So we had to transfer the lizard that is in our smaller cage to an ice cream pail and then transfer the snake into the smaller cage. Where he is now contently buried in the wood chips.
I think DAD gets the chore of turning the snake loose! LOL.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Bad Day?
I made this card for a friend of mine who wasn't feeling well last week. I hope it cheers them up!
All stamps are from Clear Dollar Stamps.
Enjoy!
All stamps are from Clear Dollar Stamps.
Enjoy!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Quilting Update
Ok...a few days ago I posted a picture of how my disappearing 9 patch is coming along and asked if I should add more rows. The answer was a resounding "YES". So I went back to Hancock's Fabrics yesterday to get more fabric. There are a total of four fabrics in the quilt. Well, they are out of the yellow fabric and it's discontinued. Now what is a girl to do? I bought a yard of each of the other three. If all else fails I will make 9 patches out of the two fabrics that I have both of (so they match what is in the quilt) and make those as a 'border' (so to speak). That way it looks like I intended on it! LOL.
I am also headed out to a quilting retreat this next weekend. It's one I haven't been to before but I've heard it's a blast. So I'm looking forward to it. Will try and get my fabrics cut before I go so all I have to do there is sew it all together. With any luck by next week I'll have a quilt top to show you! I'll be paying someone to actually quilt this one though. NO WAY am I doing it!
I am also headed out to a quilting retreat this next weekend. It's one I haven't been to before but I've heard it's a blast. So I'm looking forward to it. Will try and get my fabrics cut before I go so all I have to do there is sew it all together. With any luck by next week I'll have a quilt top to show you! I'll be paying someone to actually quilt this one though. NO WAY am I doing it!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Mojo is BACK!
I am super happy with the two cards I made yesterday. I feel like I am out of my creative slump that I've been in. Yay!
Here's the first card I'm going to share...I'll save the other one for later in the week.
I used one of the recent sketches from Splitcoaststampers weekly sketch challenge. The image is a House Mouse image that I got in a swap. I don't own it but isn't it adorable?
Then today we went to the school's 'carnival'. They had inflatable rides - all you want to ride - for $2.00 per person. Here are a few of my favorite pictures of the day.
The RACE is on:
King of the hill:
I Barely Survived:
The carnival lasted for four hours...but within two hours they wanted to come home. It was hot so I'm glad we went early. Even then it was too hot by noon.
Have a great weekend!
Here's the first card I'm going to share...I'll save the other one for later in the week.
I used one of the recent sketches from Splitcoaststampers weekly sketch challenge. The image is a House Mouse image that I got in a swap. I don't own it but isn't it adorable?
Then today we went to the school's 'carnival'. They had inflatable rides - all you want to ride - for $2.00 per person. Here are a few of my favorite pictures of the day.
The RACE is on:
King of the hill:
I Barely Survived:
The carnival lasted for four hours...but within two hours they wanted to come home. It was hot so I'm glad we went early. Even then it was too hot by noon.
Have a great weekend!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Input/Opinions?
I am getting SO close to having my disappearing 9 patch quilt done! I have enough squares to do one more row down the side of the quilt (where you see blue sheet now). But the other side is just as short so I'll need at least another row down that side. Figuring I will lose some of the 'girth' in all the seams still to come...do you think I need to do another row or two both directions? Or should I add a border to size it? Should it cover both the mattress and the boxspring?
Here's a closer view of just the quilt:
Also, keep in mind...eventually it will be on this bed (if that affects how many rows you think I will be needing and/or if I should add a border). Since it has a head/footboard I probably don't need to add a lot more length.
Here's a closer view of just the quilt:
Also, keep in mind...eventually it will be on this bed (if that affects how many rows you think I will be needing and/or if I should add a border). Since it has a head/footboard I probably don't need to add a lot more length.
Failure Doesn't Exist Without You
I have a t-shirt that says "Sarcasm, Just One More Service I Provide". Everyone has their way of coping with things. For me, it's often dark humor. So...when I saw this offbeat stamp...I HAD to buy it. Of course, if you like the person you are sending this card to...you'd need to make sure they'd appreciate the humor. If you don't like the person you are sending it to...then send away! LOL.
I am happy to report that yesterday I was able to do 50 minutes of cardio...20 of which was on the elliptical. When I started 5 minutes was about all I could do on the elliptical. I think I've lost around 20 pounds now. Every scale reads differently...so can't really tell. I am finally able to tell a difference in the way my clothes fit. Yay!
I am happy to report that yesterday I was able to do 50 minutes of cardio...20 of which was on the elliptical. When I started 5 minutes was about all I could do on the elliptical. I think I've lost around 20 pounds now. Every scale reads differently...so can't really tell. I am finally able to tell a difference in the way my clothes fit. Yay!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Girly Card
Once in awhile I do a girly card. Pinks are not generally my thing. But I was inspired by my stamp and my scrap of paper and just took it from there.
I found the sketch over at Our Craft Lounge.
Next I found a stamp that would work for the sketch (the doggie). Then I went to my scraps bag and started searching for papers to coordinate. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.
The finished size of the card is 4 1/4 x 4 1/4.
I have one more to share later this week. Hope everyone has a great Sunday.
I found the sketch over at Our Craft Lounge.
Next I found a stamp that would work for the sketch (the doggie). Then I went to my scraps bag and started searching for papers to coordinate. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.
The finished size of the card is 4 1/4 x 4 1/4.
I have one more to share later this week. Hope everyone has a great Sunday.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Rockin' Monster
This is the final card I made over the weekend. I'm not sure how I feel about it. The monster stamps have kind of 'fuzzy' lines (so the monsters have hair) but I'm not loving the way it looks. It makes my coloring look sloppy.
I tried something a little different on this card. The image is actually stamped many times in order to allow the tail to flow off the main panel and onto the the other panel. Then I stamped the tail itself again...colored it and adhered it with a pop dot.
I'll try to get more stamping done sometime soon. So keep checking back.
I tried something a little different on this card. The image is actually stamped many times in order to allow the tail to flow off the main panel and onto the the other panel. Then I stamped the tail itself again...colored it and adhered it with a pop dot.
I'll try to get more stamping done sometime soon. So keep checking back.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Smile Monster
This is a virgin monster! Did you know they still existed? The poor stamp had never lied down with an ink pad. I figured it was fine time for that to happen. LOL. So, now that he's not a virgin anymore...he's a smile monster.
I don't know if you can tell it or not, but the eye is stamped a second time and then I popped it up with dimensionals. I got the set of monsters at Joann's. I can't remember who makes them. I want to say it's Impression Obsessions or something like that? The greeting is from Hero Arts.
I don't know if you can tell it or not, but the eye is stamped a second time and then I popped it up with dimensionals. I got the set of monsters at Joann's. I can't remember who makes them. I want to say it's Impression Obsessions or something like that? The greeting is from Hero Arts.
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