Simple Woman’s Daybook for August 31, 2010

FOR TODAY August 31, 2010

Outside my window...is a beautiful blue sky with white puffy clouds.
I am thinking...about what I’m going to create today!
I am thankful for...my family.
From the kitchen...I don’t think I will be cooking today.
I am wearing...navy blue dress.
I am creating...I don’t know yet.
I am going...to stay home.
I am reading...a couple of mysteries.
I am hoping...that the wild fires will be put out soon.
I am hearing...the tv, as usual.
Around the house...I’ll be cleaning the kitchen today.
One of my favorite things...the coolness in the air that means fall is on the way.
A few plans for the rest of the week:  doctor’s appointment, spend time with Rose.
Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...

Fall Leaves in Utah

If you would like to take part each Tuesday, go to the Simple Woman’s Daybook blog and share your link.

Blessings,

Christine

So Sorry…

…that I’ve been missing the last couple of days.  I mentioned that I was going to the fair on Friday evening with my sister.  Well, Rose, from Utah decided to come to Boise for my mom’s birthday.  She joined us at the fair!!!  We had such a great time together with the sisters.  My niece and her husband joined us as well.  I ate lots of bad fair food and we had one of those old fashioned pictures taken.  I’ll share that with you later after I get it scanned.

Yesterday, we left early (for me anyway) at 10:00 in the morning and took a beautiful mountain drive. 

 

On the first leg of our trip, we were stopped by a flagman because there was a forest fire right by the highway.  It was quite the site to see small fires and burned logs that had fallen down onto the road.  Wow!  We stopped at Crouch, Idaho, to visit one of my favorite quilt shops.  Crouch is one of my favorite places.  It’s a tiny town with a Trading Post, tiny grocery store, restaurant, video store and laundromat.  About a half mile out of town is a campground at which I’ve spent many a night!!!  It is owned by a family friend and it’s in such a great location.  It’s central to many places for a day trip and the little town nearby is wonderful if you don’t want to cook or have forgotten something.  We ate lunch in Crouch.  The restaurant was setting up a buffet to serve the fire fighters for dinner.  They had roped off the parking lot so that they could set tables up for the fire fighters.  The mountain towns in Idaho really appreciate our fire fighters!

Anyway, on to the drive.  The area that we were worried about was clear of roadblocks and pilot cars.  We did see some fire traffic though.  An ambulance, a couple of fire trucks and many fire fighters were along side of the road.  There was even a fire camp setup in one of the valleys. Most of the fires have been controlled but are still burning.  Evacuations have been lifted thanks to the cool weather!

We drove through the Sawtooth National Recreation area stopping several times to take pictures.  I forgot to bring my camera but I’ll be downloading copies of my sisters’ photos later this week so I’ll have some to share.

When we got to Sun Valley, we were surprised to find that we should have planned a place for dinner.  Just driving through town, we didn’t find anyplace that sounded good to mom.  It was her birthday so we were trying very hard to please.  We ended up stopping in Hailey, Idaho for dinner at a Mexican restaurant.  We ended up not getting home until almost midnight!  What a great day!!!  Both mom and I hand a bit of a bad night because the food didn’t settle very well. 

Then this afternoon, we all went to mom’s house for birthday cake.  We got home so late so we postponed cake until Sunday!!!  My brother, Ken, came over and we had a great time sitting outside and gabbing.  I think we embarrassed Ken a little every now and then!!!  I’m sure it wasn’t the first time!!!

Anyway, that was my weekend.  This afternoon, I organized my craft room a little.  Now, I’m going to figure out what I want to create.  It’s been three whole days since I made something!!!  I hope to have something to share by tomorrow.

I hope you all had a great weekend as well!!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Tim Holtz Tag

I didn’t get any crafting done today.  I started this post yesterday so, here ya’ go!!!

I love Distress Ink and I love the technique for the new Compendium of Curiosities challenge this week.  The challenge is Blended Batik.  Linda asks us not to share the technique—instead, you’ll need to buy the book for yourself.  That’s only fair to Tim.  I didn’t embellish the tag because I wanted to use it for a bookmark.  All the stamps except the bottom one are Tim Holtz stamps and I used sea glass, stormy sky, spun sugar and Victorian velvet Distress Inks.  The tag will also work for the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge.  Their challenge this week is Tim Holtz inspired.  It wasn’t hard to put two and two together to come up with two challenges in one!!!  Ya’ like my math?

Do you have big plans for the weekend?  It’s gonna’ be a great weekend here in Idaho.  The weather is going to be in the 70s.  My sister Alice and I are going to the fair on Friday.  I haven’t been to the fair in a long time.  Saturday is my mom’s birthday so my other sister, Rose, is coming up from Utah.  We are planning on driving up in the mountains to collect drift wood and take my mom to dinner in Sun Valley.  However, there are road closures in the area because of forest fires.  If they don’t open the road by Saturday, we’ll do something else.

A lot of fires started today because of lightening that came in with a cold front.  I lost count when they were talking about it on the news tonight.  The two that were threatening homes are no longer a threat to the homes so that’s good news.  The cool and more humid weather that came in with the front will really help in the fire fighting efforts!

Here’s to a great weekend for all!!!  (Do you see me lifting my glass of tea?)

Blessings,

Christine

Happy Birthday

Sometimes I make something and am not very happy with it.  This card is one of those times.  I don’t know why, but it just didn’t go together right.  Actually, this is a rare case of a card looking better in the photo than in real life.  The Basic Grey Kioshi dp,Prima Gallery Roses-violet and Perfect Pearls can be found in the McMahon Five Designs store.  They have so many lovely items and are getting more and more in each week so go have a look.  While you’re there, be sure to check out all there lovely digis.  Next week, I’m going to work with one of them I think.  You never know though, I might just change my mind and do something else.

How as your week been going so far?  You’re half way through week!!!  It’s going to be hot one here!!!  By the end of August, I’m so tired of the hot weather and ready for fall.  How ‘bout you?

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:  Ribbon. buttons. yellow cardstock are Papertrey Ink; sentiment is Anna Griffin.

Challenges:
Papertake Weekly--3-2-1
Basic Grey Challenge--Fabric

Simple Woman’s Daybook for August 24, 2010

FOR TODAY August 24, 2010

Outside my window...sunny and beautiful.  It’s going to be a nice, cool day again!
I am thinking...about what I need to do today.
I am thankful for...my beautiful life
From the kitchen...I just need to get it cleaned today!!!
I am wearing...blue dress.
I am creating...ABC book swap pages.
I am going...to get the things done on my to do list.
I am reading...a couple of Evanovich books.
I am hoping...to get the things done.  I’m try to
I am hearing...Regis and Cathy.
Around the house...I’m getting things done.
One of my favorite things...my puppy lying by my side.
A few plans for the rest of the week: work around the house, work on ABC book and go to the fair.
Here is a picture for thought I am sharing: 

(The Color of Rust on my Uncle’s Farm)
 

If you would like to take part each Tuesday, go to the Simple Woman’s Daybook blog and share your link.

Blessings,

Christine

Golden Memories

I’ve been on a roll with the Artistic Outpost images lately.  I love this one!!  What else could you want but birds and music? 

It was such a beautiful day today.  Cool and sunny; perfect autumn weather.  But it’s supposed to be 90 by Wednesday.  Oh well, it is still summer don’t ya’ know!  I’m not talking long tonight.  For some reason I’ve been very sleepy all day so I’m hittin’ the hay early.

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Artistic Outpost; Sentiment-Tim Holtz ticket; Ink-Stazon; Paper-Graphics 45; Buttons-Papertrey Ink; Punch-Marvy; Other from stash-hand died rayon seam binding.

Challenges:
Artistic Outpost Referal
A Pocket Full of Posies--Winged things
Lollipop Crafts--Ribbons and buttons
Truly Scrumptious-sketch w/buttons, brads and bows (the brad is under the button on the flower)

Butterfly Wishes

I made this card for the Compendium of Curiosities challenge the Linda at Studio L3 has but I didn’t get it finished before the deadline.  But, that’s okay.  I’ll get started on this weeks challenge a little earlier.  The challenge this week was Distress Stickles.  It wasn’t a difficult or time consuming card to make, but the butterflies I made last night just didn’t work out.  So after our stamping party, I had to start over with the stickles so there was some drying time involved.  Then gluing on the butterfly’s antennae and it just didn’t get finished.

Speaking of the stamping party, we didn’t even stamp this time.  We made a crown; yes, I said a crown.  I haven’t seen these before.  Lynn had a book about the project and we all started with a ring made out of mat board and went from there.  I didn’t think to get a picture of the other’s but here is mine.  It’s still a work in progress.  I made this to put on my piano.  The sheet of music is the actual page torn out of my piano book.  It’s the last recital piece that I did when I was younger.  It even has my teacher’s handwriting on it.  I cut some crooked willow off of my mom’s tree to decorate the crown!  When it’s finished, I’ll get a close up for you and share again.

I love Lynn’s studio!  She has her artwork displayed everywhere.  It’s a very inspiring place!!!  I can’t wait to go again.

That’s it for tonight.  I hope you have a great week!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-ink; Image-Papertrey Ink; Sentiment-Papertrey Ink; Ink-Papertrey Ink Pure Black, Palette Black Noir; Paper-Tim Holtz; Gems-Kaiser Craft; Buttons-Papertrey Ink; Cuttlebug-Papertrey Ink butterfly die; Other from stash-Lace, ribbon.

Challenges:
ABC Challenge--Blue
Crafty Creations--Butterflies
Flutter By Wednesday--1 part sparkle, 2 parts designer paper and 3 parts buttons or gems
Charisma Cardz--Die cuts
Moving Along with Times--glitter
Get Sketchy--sketch
Stampin’ for the Weekend--Anything goes
Sentimental Sunday--Words to inspire

Sew Beautiful and a mini tutorial for faux stitching

The challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show is to make a project in Wendy Vecchi’s style.  Wendy makes beautiful art, however, I don’t usually make things in that style.  So I went to her blog to get inspiration and this is what I decided to use for inspiration.  This is my inspiration piece. I hope that my canvas works for a Wendy Vecchi style project.  After looking at the inspiration piece again, I don’t think I got very close.  However, I like it anyway!!!  I didn’t want to make something that I wouldn’t have a use for later.  Anyway, I had on hand some of the the same Maya Road chipboard pieces that Wendy used on her piece.  So I started there with my creative process!  The whole thing came to me yesterday morning when I was trying to get back to sleep.  I had to get up and get a start.  When you paint and Podge, you have a lot of wasted drying time!

I painted a 5x7 canvas pink and Mod Podged crinkled up pattern pieces to the canvas.  I also did the same to a piece of GCD chipboard.  The tag is also GCD chipboard.  Then I watercolored the Tim Holtz stamp in the same colors I was using on the canvas, tore the edges and then distressed them using Old Paper Distress Ink.  I used a faux stitch technique (I’ll talk about that later.) around the outside of the canvas, glued on the watercolored image, and the scalloped chipboard.

I painted the sewing chipboard in various colors to match and topped them with a couple of coats of Sparkle Mod Podge.   The wooden spool is from my sewing box but it had hot pink thread on it.  I took all that thread off and strung on a little bit of thread to match the project.  I added lacy stuff from my sewing box to it as well.  The blue lace is seam binding and I think the other laces are for lingere. 

That’s about it.  Are you having a good weekend.  Linda, Lynn and I are having a stamping party again tomorrow.  It’s at Lynn’s house and she is having us make altered crowns.  I’m gathering up some things to make mine into a music theme.  I can’t wait to get together again.  We always have such creative fun!!!

Oh, I almost forgot about the mini tutorial.  I saw this on the Moxie Fab World blog a while back and hadn’t tried it until now.  It’s the best way ever to make faux stitching.  All you need is some acrylic paint and one of these sewing thingys.  They are used to mark darts on patterns.  This is normal acrylic paint like you would get in a bottle at the craft store.  It’s just in a different kind of tube.  Squirt out a dot of the desired paint.  I used the hot pink so it would show up.  Run the dart thingy through the paint to coat all the way around.  Test it on a scrap to make sure it is going to give the right coverage.  Then, run it on your project.  That simple!!!  Take a look at my canvas again.  It looks like I had some magic sewing machine to put stitching through the wood frame of the canvas.

Have a great Sunday!  I’ll be in the garden.  It’s going to be a nice cool day and the weeds of kinda’ gotten away from me!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Autumn Splendor

I’m definitely in the fall mood.  It’s going to cool down to the low 80s for the weekend but the go right back up to the high 90s for next week.  I’m hoping the cool weather will come to stay very soon!  On that note… another fall card for your viewing pleasure.  I promise, the next card is not in autumn colors!!!

Not much to say tonight.  Things are pretty quiet around here.  My sister’s birthday is this weekend.  I was kind of hoping to go for a ride in the mountains and gather some drift wood but I think she has plans for the morning and lunch and we would have to leave earlier than that.  I hope she can go next weekend.

Have a great Friday everyone!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Artistic Outpost; Sentiment-Tim Holtz tag; Ink-Stazon, Versamagic; Paper-Graphic 45; Buttons-Papertrey Ink; Other from stash-lace.

Challenges:
Rainbow Lady--Paint it
Theme Thursday--Children
Artistic Outpost referral program

A Life Uncommon

The song “A Life Uncommon” by Jewel is the unofficial theme song for Brave Girls camp. That song embodies what Brave Girls stands for and what they are trying to accomplish with the retreats. Each night, before bedtime, we would gather on the red rug and have a sing-a-long starting with “A Life Uncommon” so that we would know it and sing it loud and strong on the very last night! And we did!!! (The lady in the picture is Melody’s sister, Kathy. She is Melody’s partner in Brave Girls Club. She takes care of so much at Brave Girls camp. She makes sure that we are pampered and taken care of. She makes sure that we have nothing to think about but creating art. What a beautiful woman she is.)

I’m telling that story, to lead up to my latest artistic adventure. My canvas says, “learn to believe in a life uncommon.” And with that, I’ll just leave you with Jewel and the lyrics to the song, “A Life Uncommon.”

Don't worry mother
It'll be alright
And don't worry sister
Say your prayers and sleep tight
And it'll be fine
Lover of mine
It'll be just fine

And lend your voices only
To sounds of freedom
No longer lend your strength
To that which you wish
To be free from
Fill your lives
With love and bravery
And you shall lead
A life uncommon

I've heard your anguish
I've heard your hearts cry out
We are tired, we are weary
But we aren't worn out
Set down your chains
Until only faith remains
Set down your chains

And lend your voices only
To sounds of freedom
No longer lend your strength
To that which you wish
To be free from
Fill your lives
With love and bravery
And we shall lead
A life uncommon

There are plenty of people
Who pray for peace
But if praying were enough
It would've come to be
Let your words enslave no one
And the heavens will hush themselves
To hear our voices ring out clear
With sounds of freedom
Sounds of freedom

Come on you unbelievers
Move out of the way
There is a new army coming
And we are armed with faith
To live, we must give
To live

And lend your voices only
To sounds of freedom
No longer lend our strength
To that which we wish
To be free from
Fill your lives
With love and bravery
And we shall lead
A life uncommon

So shake away the unbelievers, arm yourself with faith, fill your life with love and bravery and LEAD A LIFE UNCOMMON. I’m going to be reminding myself of this often!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Beach Baby

I love Crafty Secrets stamps.  Every single set.  I wish I owned every single set!!!  I love their vintage style and timeless beauty.  Here’s a new (to me) set called Seaside which you can get at McMahon Five Designs.  Isn’t she a cutie!

I haven’t talked about it much on the blog, but I have awoken with a migraine everyday now for almost two weeks.  I think it’s finally gone!  Yay!  This is the longest time that a headache has lasted.  I’ve been taking a lot of prescription pain killers and I really don’t like to use them that much!  I pray that I don’t have another one in the morning!!!

Can you believe the summer is almost over.  One of our local school districts is already back!  Amazing!!!  Well, see ya’ again tomorrow.  I have something really fun to share later tomorrow!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Crafty Secrets Seaside; Ink-Stazon; Paper-DCWV; Cuttlebug-Nestabillities; Other from stash-ribbon, vintage buttons.

Challenges:
Tuesday Taggers-Sea, water, boats
Simon Says--Blue and summer
Color Create--Ivory and duck egg blue/opt shabby chic
Paper Play--Bon voyage
Sketch Saturday-sketch
Secret Crafter-What are little girls made of

Butterfly Tilda

I think this is my favorite Magnolia stamp ever!  I love her and I know that my mother loves her as well.  Since she uses most of my cards, I try to color her up regularly!  I was in the mood to create this weekend…but for some reason, I didn’t want to finish things!  So this is what I did!  I was definitely in a water coloring mood.  I’ve got several cards to put together now.  Tomorrow, I’m just going to make cards!!!  The one in the front middle will be tomorrow's (Wednesday) post for McMahon Five Designs.  I’m not sure what I’ll do with the others.  I just wanted to color them!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-Copics; Image-Magnolia; Ink-Memento; Paper-S.E.I.; Pearls-Kaiser Craft; Ribbon-May Arts; Punch-Martha Stewart; Distress Stickles on her wings..

Challenges:
Sir Stampalot--Bring on the bling
The Pink Elephant--Ribbon and sparkle
Flutter By Wednesday--Open
Nutshells--Free choice

More Truth Cards

I thought I would share a couple more truth cards with you today. First up is… Dear Christine-Angels are watching over you right now…beside you…in front of you…behind you…you do not travel alone. This one is a truth for EVERYONE. We all have angels watching over us. (I used a free digi image from Create with TLC. The paper is recycled from a package of embellishments from GCD Studios Melody Ross. The flowers are cut from some GCD Studios Melody Ross paper.)

The next card is one of my favorites and one of the truths that I need to work the most on. Dear Christine-Let the door close. Which I promptly lined out and wrote Not-open it!. Meaning, I need to get out of this house a little more often. Go thrifting, take a drive in the mountains, etc., like I used to all the time! I really had fun making a cute whimsical home. I made the door opened and put lace inside the door as well as in my window. I gave it a roof made of cardboard with part of the top layer peeled off. I applied Mod Podge Shimmer over the whole house. I then added a butterfly weather vane and some “flowers” (tiny buttons) to the outside of the house! I put some birdies and more butterflies in the sky. LOVE IT if I do say so myself!!! Which that’s who I made it for!!!!

Thanks for taking the time to visit me. Have a great week!

Blessings,

Christine

I’m So Proud…

Of myself that is.  I have walked everyday but three for a month now!  I wait until the sun has gone below the horizon because it is the coolest time of my day.  If I got up earlier, I could walk in the morning when it’s cooler, but that’s not worth that! *giggle*

I’d like to take you along for my walk tonight.  Since I wait until sunset to walk, this is my view.  Mind you, it isn’t this pretty every night, but it is a lot of times and I really enjoy it when it is!  This is actually in the southeast sky.  Kind of a sunset reflection!

Some one has done some paintings on the sidewalk.  Now, these aren’t the type of paintings you would think to find in a park.   

 

 

 

 

 

They are tools!

 

 

 

 

 

Even tools to shoe your horse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite things about Boise parks… people plant trees as a memorial to their loved ones.  I waited a little late to go for my walk that day so it was getting dark before I got home.

I hope you have time for a nice walk today!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Pink Saturday, Finally!

I haven’t participated in Pink Saturday in f.o.r.e.v.e.r!!!

So I thought I would start back on my road to Pink Saturday with flowers for you all! Lots of pink flowers. Pink roses. Beautiful pink orchids. And more pink orchids. Pink daisies. Stunning Hydrangea. I hope you enjoyed!

Happy Pink Saturday!!! If you have some pink that you would like to show off, Beverly at How Sweet the Sound is our Hostess!

Blessings,

Christine

All photos are from FTD.

Autumn Millworks

It’s been nice and cool this week, reminding me of Autumn and I can’t wait.  Since I’ve been wanting fall, I thought I’d make a fall card!!!  I created all my own dp with watercolor paints and paper and I watercolored the imae as well.  All of the stamps are Artistic Outpost.

I’ll keep this short and sweet.  I’m having fun with a project today so I’m out’a’here!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Challenges:
Theme Thursday--buildings
Gingersnap Creations Color Challenge--Yellow, orange and red
Lexi’s Creations--Yellow and orange
Daring Cardmakers--Tree-mendous

Where Should you Be?

Right where you are, of course. I’ve been working on this canvas for the last couple of days. There’s a lot of glue this...let it dry, paint this…let it dry, apply this…let it dry. You get the idea. Just to give you a little example… here are the items that I used to make this project.

I painted it, Mod Podged paper to it, Distress Inked it, applied Mod Podge mixed with paint, distressed the edges with paint, Mod Podged it again, applied spackle mixed with paint using a butterfly stencil, applied Distress Crackle paint, Distress Inked the resulting crackle, added the flowers, the stamped and colored sentiment and the buttons. Whew!!! I also added some Glimmer Mist and Sparkle Mod Podge to the flowers and applied distress ink to the sentiment. AND THAT’S IT!!! I really love how it turned out and can’t wait to find a place to hang it. I think I’ll put it in my bathroom so I can see it every morning when I’m brushing my teeth and hair to remind me that I’m right where I should be! Not that I can’t go somewhere else, but for today, I’m right where I should be!

The stamp is a Unity Ippity, the buttons are Papertrey Ink, the DP (that you can’t see anymore in the photo) is October Afternoon and the roses are from my stash that I bought on clearance for 10 cents who knows when!

A lot of the people at Brave Girls Camp made canvases. I wanted to finish my art journal cover (I haven’t shared that yet) so I didn’t get started on my canvas at camp. When I got home, I picked it up a few times, even tried a couple of things but nothing really worked in my head. I learned at BGC that when making art that has a personal meaning to you, if it doesn’t feel right, it’s just not the time for you to deal with that particular emotion or problem. There was a lot of Melody Ross’s art work around the cabin and in the art room. She told us that when she makes art, it’s to workout a problem or to resolve an issue in her life. There is some real meaning behind what I wanted to put on my canvas and I think I need to work some things out in my head before I can do that. However, I have started another Brave Girl canvas for now!

The challenge at Studio L3 Compendium of Curiosities challenge is Distress Crackle which is included on this canvas!! I’m so happy that things have settled down in my life now that I can participate in those challenges. I’ve already learned a lot and it’s been so much fun!!!

The weather was the perfect break in the summer today. I woke up and it was so cool outside. Since I get up about noon, it’s always hot outside. But today, I stayed out and played with the pup for a while. Then, it clouded up, thundered, sprinkled and then a cloud burst for about an hour! We had a late spring but it has been a hot one since! It’s going to gradually warm back up to 97 on Monday but I’m ok with that. It’s August you know!

Have a great Thursday! Thursday has always been my favorite day of the week. When I worked, there was only one more day to get through so I could stay up late, do what I wanted because you can always make it through one more day!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Challenges:
Compendium of Curiosities Studio L3--Pg 42, distress crackle
Crazy Amigo--Free theme
Gingersnap Creations Spicy Supply--paint
Simon Says Stamp and Show--Winged things
Crafty Creations--Winged things
Creative Belli--paint
Flutter By Wednesday--Open

Duty of Love

I have another card for you using some beautiful products that you can get from McMahon Five Designs.  This time, a wedding/anniversary card.  I used the Basic Grey Capella paper, Prima delicate beige lace, Prima Say It In Pearls - Swirls and Fimo Gray, KaiserCraft Pearls colored with Copics and the Tim Holtz Alterations Sizzix Hanging Sign die.  I loved putting this card together; I only wish that I would have used something different to attach the sign to the holder.  Oh well, since I left the sign loose, If I can figure something else out, I’ll just change it!!!

The sign is cut out of grunge paper and I used last Compendium of Curiosities Challenge technique (inking chipboard) on it.  Definitely love that technique.  There are so many possibilities there!!!

We have a much welcome break in our hot summer weather today.  It started yesterday about the time I took my walk.  The wind was blowing pretty hard and the Chloe pup didn’t really like that.  She was very unsettled during the whole walk.  When she’s nervous or excited, she walks in circles.  She took a VERY long walk going in circles the whole time!  But now it’s cloudy, sprinkling and in the 70s.  It’s so nice to have a little break!!!  Ooh, now I just heard some thunder!  I’m really loving today because it’s such a change in the weather we have been having!!!

I hope you are having a good week as well!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-ink; Sentiment-??? (I need to start writing these things down); Ink-Palette, Distress Ink; Paper-Basic Grey; Flowers-handmade; Pearls-KaieserCraft colored with Copics, Prima; Lace-Prima; Punch-Martha Stewart, Marvy; Cuttlebug-Tim Holtz Alterations Sizzix; Other from stash-twine.

Challenges:
Cupcake Craft--Lace
The Shabby Tea Room--inspiration photo
Papertake Weekly--Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue (wedding card)

Laugh More

I had so much fun with my little hippy the other day that I thought I would color her up again!!!  This time I made it into a scene!  I colored her in my fave pink!!!  Plus, Moxie Fab World is having a “Signs of Peace” challenge and I couldn't help but submit this for there challenge.

Just a quick post this time.  It’s late and bedtime but I wanted to get this on the blogo!  It was a very creative day today.  Another one of those migraine days where I just try to get creative and forget about the headache!  It once again worked and I no longer have a headache!  Yay!!!

I hope you all have a great week!  Monday is a good day because that means you’re one day closer to the weekend.  Right?  Plus, I have been anxiously awaiting the new vintage challenge at Simon Says Stamps.  I can’t wait to see what they come up with for the first challenge!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-Copics; Image-The Greeting Farm; Sentiment-Hero Arts; Ink-Momento; Paper-Basic Grey; Cuttlebug-Papertrey Ink cloud dies.

Challenges:
Flourishes--No embellishments
Cute Card Thursday--whateva
One Stop Craft--Summer fun

Two Mannequins in One

When I saw the Tag Tuesday challenge was to make a tag using the provided Mannequin template (from the guest hostess, Sarah of Vintage Figments), I knew I wanted to combine it with the Compendium of Curiosities challenge hosted by the wonderful Linda of Studio L3.  After I got it made, I decided to use it on one of my Brave Girls Truth Cards.  This one says, “Dear Christine, Pain is often a gift…look for the gifts wrapped up inside it.”  Butterflies have always been a source of strength for me.  When I added the butterfly wings to the mannequin I knew it belonged on this card!  This was a good one for me to do this week because I have had a lot of pain this week.  I had a migraine on Thursday and Friday and am just very, very achy today.  But I’m not complaining, mind you.  It’s part of my life, and I love my life (and my pain killers)!!!

I liked the mannequin template so much that I decided to make a card with it.  I think this mannequin will show up again.  I really love the sewing trend in crafts right now.  I’ll be doing more and more of it!  I even bought a package of mini spools to use as embellies on these cards.  I glued one to the bow on this card.  As usual, this card really does look better in real life!!!

How’s your weekend going so far?  I hope your having some fun.  It cooled down a little; our temps are in the low 90s but it’s on it’s way back up again.  By the end of summer, I’m really ready for some fall weather.  Let’s hope it comes soon.

I’m going to try to get a little better about posting regularly.  It’s been kind of sparatic lately, huh?  I think I’m going to try to put my Brave Girls assignments away for a while and make some more cards and other art!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Truth Card
Medium-mixed (paint, stamping, paper, grunge board, ink); Stamps--S.E.I., Stampabilities, See-D’s, American Crafts, Girl Paperie; Ink-Distress Inks, Paper-GCD Studios Melody Ross; Flowers-; Pearls-Kaiser Kraft colored with Copics; Other from stash-wire.

Maniquen Pattern
Medium-Stamping; Image-Hero Arts; Ink-Distress Ink, S.E.I.; Paper-October Afternoon; Ribbon-May Arts, EK Success; Buttons-Papertrey Ink; Punch-EK Success; Other from stash-wooden spool.

Challenges:
Compendium of Curiosities challenge--Pg 39 Inking Grunge
Tag Tuesday--Mannequin template
Cupcake Craft--distressing
Get Sketchy
Friday Sketchers

Give Peace a Chance

I’ve mostly been working on my Brave Girl truth cards and have been neglecting my Copics.  So a couple of days ago, I just had to do some coloring!!!  I {heart} to color The Greeting Farm images and I ordered this little girl a couple of months ago but hadn’t used her yet.  Isn’t she adorable!!!  Sometimes I just have to let my inner hippy out!!!

Just a quick post today!  I have a doctor’s appointment today and need to jump in the shower and get ready. 

Have a great Thursday!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-Copics; Image-The Greeting Farm; Paper-Basic Grey; Cuttlebug-Nestabillities; Other from stash-flowers, orange jewels.

Challenges:
Creative Card Crew--Cute and girly
Simon Says--Sing it baby
Daring Cardmakers--It’s a girl thing
Creative Inspiration--Anything goes

Happy Mouse

If you’ve ever lived in a house that had a mouse problem, you aren’t much of a fan of anything with mice, including House Mouse stamps.  But when Sue (McMahon Five Designs) sent me this House Mouse for Me? image, I thought I would give it a try.  Isn’t she adorable.  She looks so happy to see that tower of presents, just for her!!!  I colored her in a couple of shades of pink and green Copics and added some Kaiser Craft pink mini flowers with some Kaiser Craft pearls (colored with Copics).  Of course, you can get all these in the McMahon Five Designs store!

I hope you’re having a great week so far!  I’ve got a few things in the works—a fun Greeting Farm card that I’ll be back to post in a minute, I have three other images colored that I need to do something with plus some more “Truth” cards to share.  Not a dull moment here on the blogo!!!

Have a great evening!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-Copics; Image-House Mouse (McMahon Five Designs); Sentiment-Papertrey Ink; Paper-Basic Grey; Flowers and Pearls-Kaiser Craft.

Challenges:
Dutch Dare--Anything goes
Sketch Saturday--sketch

Brave Girl Art Room

I thought I would continue talking about the wonderful Brave Girls experience!!! The first morning of camp, I woke up bright and early (7:15, I know, really early for me) to breakfast. Every meal time they played a specific song (I wasn’t familiar with the song so now I can’t remember. I listen to classic rock.) I’ll tell you, when I hear that song now, I actually get hungry!!! Anyway, Kathy made a wonderful yogurt parfait along with a full breakfast for us. All the food at camp was wonderful.

After breakfast, Melody told a beautiful story about her and how she protects her family and her home. She then gave us a list of “truths” to make a journal of sorts using those truths. Then she sent us to the art room. Here is what we saw!!! When the weather warmed up, they opened the garage door to bring some of the outside in!

Setting at each of our work areas was a wonderful package of goodies!!!

Around the edges of the room their were shelves covered with art and craft supplies!!! Notice all that beautiful Glimmer Mist in the first photo. I wish I would have had more time to play with that!!! Melody gave us a tour, some instructions on how to use her Chip Art and turned us loose to journal our truths. I’d like to now share a couple more of my “Truth Cards.” The first one says, “Dear Christine, You can do this. You are powerful. You are amazing. Your are strong.” The second truth card says, “Dear Christine, Take action, it is time…you are not alone on this journey.” I really learned that we are not alone while at Brave Girls camp. Each one of the ladies has found there own special place in my heart. It was an experience that changed each of us and was amazing to share!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed experiencing just a little bit of Brave Girls camp with me.

Blessings,

Christine