To prove I can

My friend, Dixie, and I are taking an online class called "Kick Start." Well, Dixie is taking the class, I'm currently just collecting the materials and will do the class in the future.

It was pointed out to me that I've not posted on my blog since June. I believe that was the last time I made a card, too.

One of the class assignments was to look at websites to find inspiration. I was so inspired by Dixie's post on her blog, I decided to play along to show that I can still make posts on my blog as well as make a card!

My inspiration came from Crate & Barrel

My interpretation. It's extremely simple, done extremely fast. 

Wish the photo was better, but it works for this purpose.

My Mind's Eye "Stella Rose" paper pack

Hero Arts CL456

Archival Ink with a touch of "Frost White" ColorBox
S&S Sketch #131

**REVISED** The card has been sitting on the counter staring at me for 2 days screaming, "I'm not complete! I need something!" A White Uni-ball Signo pen should do the trick. 

Now I'm happy with the card.

Randomness

And it clearly made no difference

The community Food Pantry needed a few things so I went shopping

My wonderful parents gave me a Mom's Day rose on Daisy's behalf

Daisy enjoys watching TV

Yearly company Strategic Planning session that I cater

Willy Wonka's Chocolate River!

This must be "Augustus" in the Chocolate River

(this guy must have been drunk to do something this stupid)

Have a great day!

S&S Sketch 122

It's Sunday and that means a new S&S Sketch has been posted.

My interpretation

Designer paper by MME "Lost & Found"

Hero Arts stamp set CL456

Have a great week!

A little more good stuff

On our last walk in Virginia before heading home for a few days, this is what I enjoyed...

Daisy discovering the cows. 

I couldn't help but wonder if she thought they were giant dogs!

The pretty daisies that I hadn't noticed yet!

I'm glad to be back at my H'burg home with one exception,

A really bare refrigerator!

Have a great one!

It's the little things...

Like seeing these pretty colored flowers that I'm positive were only weeds

This long ago train trestle that's now part of the New River Trail

An itty bitty field mouse that Daisy almost sat on twice and never knew it existed

This weird bug that was at least 3 inches long

Walking the dog down this quiet road in Virginia

For all of these things, I'm grateful. 

(Even the weird bug and field mouse.)

Mighty Ambitious

The idea of a picture and blog post each day for 2012 was pretty ambitious, I will admit. I felt like I go and do and travel and see so much, it would be easy. But I've come to realize that just having a camera nearby doesn't mean you'll be ready (or have the opportunity) to snap the picture.

For instance, I was driving up Fancy Gap Mountain at 65mph and passed a woman driving and doing a crossword puzzle at the same time. I really wanted that picture but didn't want to be as unsafe as she was being. Then there was the hummingbird that hovered at the window momentarily. Dang they are quick!

This personal challenge, however, has encouraged me to take more pictures than I normally would and that's a good thing. Now if I could work on blogging more often and combine the two, these posts wouldn't be so long!

Here's a few of my favorite pictures since I last posted. Thanks for taking a look!

My brother-in-law, Jeff, was looking for the bald eagle occasionally seen flying around while Daisy watched the nephews play in the yard.

David and Jeff do a dry run assembling a blind that came with no instructions... 

"Dude, I'm serious. There are no instructions, only this picture on the box." 

(they assembled it easily & quickly)

When you're not a baker, chances are you don't own a rolling pin so you improvise!

Perhaps if they're in my way to the car, I'll remember to take plastic bags to recycle & reusable bags to use!

This giant tow truck,

Backed down this curvy driveway. And it turns out the car didn't need towing!

My very funny, youngest nephew. I love this kid bunches!

Have a blessed day!

Easter Eggs

Happy Easter!

We had a large family gathering yesterday to celebrate, fellowship and mostly eat for Easter. We've not gathered together for Easter in years and everyone had a wonderful time.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day for an egg hunt, lawn games, guitar playing and a pontoon ride on the lake.

Most people want to decorate their Easter eggs or fill the plastic ones with candy (which we did for the egg hunt), but my family wants me to Devil theirs for consumption!

I do believe this is the most deviled eggs I've ever made at one time. And the containers were empty when I brought them home!

S&S Sketch #115

This week's Stars & Stamps sketch can be found here.

To be honest, the sketch really didn't appeal to me at first. 

But after playing around with it, I think I like my interpretation.

What I don't like, however, is that all of my sentiment stamps are at the Gorilla! 

Luckily I had my handy dandy Dymo Label Buddy.

Paper: Bo Bunny "Timepiece Collection" and some very old Basic Grey.

Thanks for taking a look! 

S&S Sketch #114

When I saw this week's Stars & Stamps sketch challenge, I thought "gate-fold." But I've never done a gate-fold card! So I gave it a whirl.

Paper from MME "Lost & Found, Union Square"

S&S Sketch #113

My interpretation

I've had the rub-ons for so many years I've forgotten when I bought them.

No clue who the patterned paper is by.

I bought it for a project 5 yrs ago and this was all that's left.

The ribbon is from the inside of a sweater to keep it on the hanger. 

It was annoying me and when I cut it out, I envisioned it's real purpose!

Thanks for reading. Have a great weekend!

Driving Miss Daisy

Since her very first car ride, this is how Miss Daisy travels

In this photo, she's 2 hours into a trip from the Gorilla back to Harrisburg.

She's 11 weeks old (plus a day) and so far, she's turning out to be a great dog!

(PS: I was at a stoplight when I snapped this photo)

Need a Barber?

Then head to Main Street, Pulaski, VA. It's not often you see a genuine Barber Shop with not a single Great Clips or Super Cuts anywhere to be found!

While visiting with me at the Gorilla, my dad said he needed a haircut and wanted to find a real barber shop. This was perfect! I asked my Dad what he thought of the place, he said, "It's an Ok Barber Shop!"

Good Ol' PAAS

Brings back childhood memories! However, back in the day, no self-respecting Easter egg would have a TAT!  They were called Stickers! 

It's a Heart

Do you ever use your imagination to find images or objects in the clouds on a cloudy day? I use to love to as a kid and occasionally still do now.

On this practically cloudless morning, no imagination was needed to see what form this group of clouds looked like.

Have a blessed day!

Communion Sunday

The table was set and we partook. 

A trip to Salisbury's historic downtown

On Friday, March 2, a couple of girlfriends, my sister and I visited Salisbury, NC. The purpose for the trip to was to shop at a fairly new scrapbook / craft store called "Peanut Doodles." What an adorable store! I purchased a couple of stamps, inks and dies. I'm sure I didn't see all the store had to offer, so there will definitely be another trip in future.

Heading home, we passed the Salisbury Post and this caught my eye:

One of the stamps I purchased was a set Hero Arts designed for Operation Write Home:

I think the first clock I stamp should indicate the time that was on
top of the Salisbury Post!

To my friend, Dixie, this is how you determine what time to
make the stamp without stressing!

Miss Daisy visits PetsMart

I decided to brave PetsMart with a puppy. 

I've never taken a dog to PetsMart. 

How would I manage a puppy, a shopping cart and any items I purchased. 

How "squirmy" would a puppy be around all those other dog smells? 

What if Daisy was confronted by an unruly bull mastiff?

How mortified would I be if she released her pea-sized bladder?

Turns out taking a dog to PetsMart is a piece of cake!

OWH S&S Sketch #109

Here's my interpretation of Operation Write Home's Sunday Sketch Challenge #109.

Flower stamp from Stampabilities (colored with Faber-Castell Aquarelle pencils by me!)

Sentiment stamp from Hero Arts set 184

Background words by a stamp I'm sure every card maker in the universe owns.

Puzzle complete

Finished size: 26.75" x 19.75

Hours of fun: approximately 14

Thanks, Mom, for all your help!

It's a puzzle

On a cloudy, rain-threatening day at the Gorilla, there's nothing like a good 1000 piece puzzle to tackle!