Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Ambition to Meaning - New Film

YAY WOO! I LOVE films like this - Ambition to Meaning:






I'm excited!

Peace & Blessings!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a FUN, HAPPY, PLAYFUL, & JOYFUL CHRISTMAS!



Peace & Blessings!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Il Divo - Halleluja ( Aleluya )

Il Divo - Amazing Grace

Hot Cocoa for 2

As part of my Christmas Season, I made Hot Chocolate for 2 gifts:




Peace& Blessings

Thursday, December 18, 2008

The Mom Song

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Decorating our 1st Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas!


It's finally that time of year for us - in a new way. 

We have been married for 8.5 years, and have NEVER had a tree. We've always traveled for Christmas, so we didn't see the point. 

This year, I hemmed and hawed over the issue - until - my very best friend in the whole wide world - Michele  (& family) - sent our Christmas gift early.  They simply couldn't wait until Christmas!

They picked out Christmas ornaments for our 1st tree! Each one has a special meaning - and frankly - that gift is what put Adam and I into the Christmas spirit!  

So, during the power outage - due to the ice storm - we went shopping. We got a small tree, and started decorating it today. As you can see - we were not even done, and Apollo had to get in on the action. (Leave it to Merlin to get his tail in the picture)


I am going to TRY and get a good picture of the completed tree later. 

Thanks REECE'S - you've made Christmas super special for us this year!

Peace & Blessings!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Belated Birthday Card

Whoops! I forgot a family member's birthday! Well, didn't forget... just really late.....

Peace & Blessings!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Winter Snow

I got inspiration for this card from Michelle Zindorf. She's a genius!


Peace & Blessings!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Real Friendship!


The inside stamp says:

"Real friendship is like
wetting your pants,
everyone can see it,
but only you can feel
the true warmth."

Peace & Blessings!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Leap!

There is a new movie coming out, that I am curious to see:




How about you?

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Pee before you watch this.... Trust me!

I was doing my daily blog reading, when I came across this video.


Seriously, get up and go to the bathroom before you hit play. 

My favorite is the VERY end!


Awesome!


Happy Thanksgiving

Peace & Blessings!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Polymer Clay Magnet



Yesterday, I had the opportunity to play with polymer clay. It's been too long.

This is a fridge magnet clip.


Peace & Blessings

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Whoa! Never thought of it this way.....

Ok….. so if you know me, you know that I usually claim to be Switzerland in a public arena when it comes to highly charged issues. (Do you know who I voted for? Are you sure?) Also, you know that in private, I hold very strong opinions; and I can be fierce in defending my values if challenged.


That said, I have to be honest. The whole Prop 8 in California / Gay Marriage thing – I’ve truly been Switzerland because I hadn’t really thought about it seriously.


 I’m not gay, but I know beautiful amazing people who are. I don’t know anyone who has marched for gay rights, or has been deliberately prejudiced against because of sexual orientation.  


So, what am I saying?


There is a point…..


I read the blog of a friend from High School. She posted the video that I have chosen to post below.


It moved me.


It MOVED me.


What was said in the video – well, I hadn’t thought of it in that way before.


I’m not asking you to believe it, support it, or even watch it. It’s your conscious choice to watch the video… if YOU choose to.


I’m posting the video because it moved ME.


“This isn’t about yelling, this isn’t about politics, and this isn’t really just about Prop 8; and I don’t have a personal investment in this…….. this is about the human heart.”





“Spread happiness!”


Monday, November 17, 2008

Validation

Where have I been?

Working on new projects that I cannot post here..... yet.

I apologize for my silence.

Will this make it better?



Peace & Blessings!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Happy Birthday Lady Elizabeth

Happy Birthday to a VERY SPECIAL young lady. She's 13 today! YAY WOO!


Peace & Blessings

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Adam's Trip Down the Hudson

Last week, Adam had the cool opportunity to sail from Albany, New York to New York City.

Here are a few pics he snapped with his cell phone:





Peace & Blessings!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Maine Humor

I'm a Maine Native: Yessssaahh de-ah... 


Well-sa; watchin' the program; I got such a cha-ge out of it; I just got ta' laughin'....

ha-ah ta sha-ah!








Translation for the non-Maine Natives:

I'm a Maine Native: Yessssaahh de-ah... 

I am originally from Maine. I grew up in Maine, most of my relatives are in Maine. I can speak in the Maine accent. Yes, dear, I can.

Well-sa; watchin' the program; I got such a cha-ge out of it; I just got ta' laughin'....

When I viewed these You Tube videos, I got "such a charge" out of watching them;  I laughed so hard I cried. 

ha-ah ta sha-ah!

Had to share. 



Seriously, these videos just set me off with laughter!

One more for good measure:





Friday, October 31, 2008

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Breathtaking new Il Divo ......



Check out the new video HERE

Album info: HERE

oooooooooooo, I'm excited!!!!

Peace & Blessings!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Old Math vs New Math

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Happy 50th Birthday - SMURFS!

They even have a birthday website!


Happy Happy Happy Birthday!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Maine

Can you believe I didn't bring a camera with me to Maine? Yep, one of those all important items I left in New York. (I did have my cell phone, so I was able to capture a few pics with that)

Yesterday I took Adam to Schoodic Point in Acadia National Park.

He leaned in and said "Isn't this where you wanted us to get married?"

"Oh yeah.... yes it is"

"I like you pretty good, let's see how this goes." (We celebrated 8 years last July!)



Below is the actual spot I originally wanted to get married - before that changed to Canon Beach, Oregon:




I turned around to look back from where we came.... talk about rocky Maine coastline:


Before we got to the actual Schoodic Point, we stopped here:



Peace & Blessings!

Friday, October 17, 2008

Happy Birthday

My Mother and Brother share a birthday.

This is what I made for my brother:


HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mom!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Rick!


Peace & Blessings!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Repeat... but oh soooo cool!

This is a repeat of the card I made when I learned the brayer technique. It's just soooo cool, I had to make another!


Peace & Blessings!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Our Summer Home To Do List

Do you remember, back in March, when I posted the list of things Adam and I wanted to accomplish this summer? If not, check it out here:

What did we really do?

I changed my mind on the fence. I didn't love the fence. So, we just pulled the fence out.

Repaired fence around the propane tanks.


Replaced the floor.

Pulled the front weed bed, laid down weed mat and mulch.

New pool pump.

New sink faucet in master bath.

Cleaned out the garage - well, most of it.

Transplanted trees.

The dishwasher... well.... my plans were actually impossible. So, although it's not what I had originally intended... what we did is at least working.


We didn't get to paint. To be honest, I really don't want to paint. I want to hire someone to paint for me! That would be even better!

Happy Fall!




Monday, October 13, 2008

Belated Birthday

Better late than never:


Happy Birthday Dan!


Peace & Blessings!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Whirlwind week!

I'm having a difficult time believing it has been over a week since my last post. 


whoops!  It has been such a whirlwind week!  

Until I post a new card, here's the latest Tom Wilson Video:





Peace & Blessings!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Blue Silhouette

The latest card:
Peace & Blessings!

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Enthusiasm!

"Knowledge is power and enthusiasm pulls the switch."

-- Steve Droke

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Gene Kelly Tap Dancing on Roller Skates




Ok, sooooooo I can tap dance... and I'm pretty good... but this.... this is INSANE!!!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Optimist Creed

Promise yourself...


To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.


To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.


To make all your friends feel

that there is something worthwhile in them.


To look at the sunny side of everything

and make your optimism come true.


To think only of the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.


To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.


To forget the mistakes of the past and

press on to the greater achievements of the future.


To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.


To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.


To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.


To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but in great deeds.


To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as
you are true to the best that is in you.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

ROCK STAR!!!!

I have a ROCK STAR of a friend!

Michele and I are tight. We talk almost everyday on the phone, and she is the QUEEN of surprising me! Great fun!

The other day I opened my front door to find a package.

Inside - A New Stamp Set:

I have been kicking myself for not ordering this stamp set now that I'm playing with brayering.

There was also a note saying that the other day, when I was telling Michele "I wish I had ordered that set" she was looking at it on her desk getting it ready to send to me.

Michele is a ROCK STAR!!!!!!


Check out what I did with it last night:


Peace & Blessings!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Embossing, Brayering, Just Plain INSPIRED!

This was my first try at coloring a line stamp image, embossing, THEN adding the background color. As always, I must thank Michelle Zindorf for the inspiration (her blog is FANTASTIC - and her tutorials have enabled me)!

I continued my exploration at stamping 1 word from a saying stamp on the outside of the card, then the entire saying stamp on the inside of the card. I love how doing that ties the card together.


Peace & Blessings!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Sunset

Can you tell I'm loving my time in my studio to play with brayering color onto white cardstock to create really cool effects?

I tried to create a reflection effect in the water from the birds. I haven't decided if I love it or not. Want to weigh in your opinion - I'd love to hear it? Leave a comment.....


Peace & Blessings

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Simon's Cat 'TV Dinner'

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Simon's Cat 'Let Me In!'

Friday, September 19, 2008

Blessed

I used Michelle Zindorf's tutorial to make this card:

Peace & Blessings

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Dream

With this birthday card, I wanted to play with using part of a saying stamp on the front, then the whole saying on the inside.

I also experimented with brayering color onto white cardstock. I think it's a cool effect:


Peace & Blessings

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Kindness

I was inspired to make this card from a card on SplitCoastStampers:

Peace & Blessings!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Playing with Brayering

Over the weekend I made the time to really PLAY & EXPERIMENT with brayering techniques, INSPIRED by Michelle Zindorf.


This card, I love... even though I want to tweak it.

#1: Getting the brayer to behave appropriately, while dealing with the paper used for the reverse masking technique..... that was a serious challenge.

#2: I would like to stamp the elephants higher, so more of the silhouette will show against the sunset sky.

#3: I may TRY to rip the reverse mask paper in the shape of Africa... that would be reeeeeeeeally cool! I have a feeling that is easier said than done.

#4: I've been playing with simplicity. I am so good at layering, and layering paper... adding multiple embellishments.... and all that jazz.... that I want to really make ART. For me, that means playing with lots of color, and NO PAPER LAYERING!

#5: Confession: When I learned how to do this brayering technique, I thought to myself: "Could I brayer a wall in my house?" And I was thinking specifically the style of reverse masking I did on this card. I was thinking, in my bathroom, a sunset ocean scene.
Hurdles:
A. Brayers don't come in HUGE sizes
B. The stamps don't come in HUGE sizes
So, that would me a tiny scene on my wall... and at that point, I might as well brayer on paper and frame it.



There you have it! An experiment in brayering, that although I need to tweak a few things, I really love the effect.

And...... my #1 fan loved it - Adam!

Peace &Blessing!

Monday, September 15, 2008

THANK YOU!

I had a GLORIOUS birthday this year!

Between girls night out crop Friday night, an astonishing stamping workshop Saturday, and spending time with a really cool family Sunday - my birthday ROCKED!!!!!

My Love Language is "Receiving Gifts" so just imagine my thrills at all the amazing, generous, and FANTASTIC gifts friends and family gifted me!

I designed this card specifically for this year's birthday thank yous:


THANK YOU!!!!!

Peace & Blessings!


PS - I didn't make enough of these, so over the weekend I made some different cards to express my gratitude and appreciation. (to be posted on a later date)

Saturday, September 13, 2008

The Artist's Creed



Peace & Blessings!

Friday, September 12, 2008

You Are Worth The Time



Peace & Blessings!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Stationary Box

I have jumped on the Stationary Box bandwagon. I found the instructions HERE, and just HAD to make this for my friend Michele! I used the Flowers for Daisy stamp set, because Michele LOOOOOOOOVES daisies!








Peace & Blessings!

Me? For Prez?

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

A Friend's Genius

These are cards my friend made using the techniques learned over the weekend.

Fabulous Daaaaahling.... simply FABULOUS:

Peace & Blessings!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Color Experimenting

This is the result of my experimenting with different color schemes. I truly LOVE this!
Peace & Blessings

Monday, September 8, 2008

*Squeals* - Look At THIS........

Honestly, this has been my BEST BIRTHDAY to date! (Oh, it's my birthday today!)

I had an amazing opportunity over the weekend to learn a new stamping technique. I think SPECTACULAR is the only word for this!

This is what I made during my class:


This all started as plain white cardstock.

WOW!

GENIUS technique!

I'm excited to play with different colors and themes. I promise I'll post more!

Peace & Blessings!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Girls Night Out Project

I am going to a crop on Friday night for a girls night out. I don't scrapbook, so I'm going to be making cards.

I've never done Thanksgiving cards before, so I'm going to give that a try this year:

I haven't played with my chalks in a while, so that was part of my inspiration.

On the inside is a pouch that I can slide a bag of tea into. Too cute!

Peace & Blessings!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

The Day of 1,000 Boxes

3 Years ago today we closed on our current home!

Adam said we should make this "The Day of 1,000 boxes" because that's what it felt like to us - 1,000 boxes to move.

My parents helped - they were ROCK STARS!

And looking back at the past 3 years, we have barely dented the Home Improvement List.
Seriously, where did the time go?

Peace & Blessings!