I think I can, I think I can

I need a Thank You card for tomorrow. It's 10:30pm. Hello craft room! It's been so long. I've missed you so! Let's get busy with something simple.

It won't win awards, butI think the recipient will like it. It was fun to finally have a chance to pull some paper, ink and stamping together.

Paper: Very Old Basic Grey

Tim Holtz Stamp: Just Saying

Ranger Distress Ink: Walnut Stain

Ranger Archival Ink: Watering Can

Feeling A Little Misty

Friday, September 4, Labor Day Weekend. I was in Virginia preparing for a low key holiday weekend. Around 7:30a I let the dogs out and the sunlight on a perfectly crafted, very small web caught my attention. It was only about 3 inches in diameter. 

Armed with nothing by my iPhone6, my quest started. I became obsessed with getting a picture. It was so fine and small, the camera wouldn't focus on the web. I could see it, but the camera couldn't. Then it hit me...the web needed more definition. And what better way to achieve this?

I love these mini misters so much I have 6! I'll explain after showing my web pictures.

From the top.

If you look close, the itsy bitsy spider is right smack dab in the middle of the web.

From the bottom upward. 

So, why does a crafter need more than one (or three as sold) mini misters? Because this crafter has a craft area in Virginia and North Carolina. 

I also have two laundry rooms. Mini misters are great to spritz clothes in the dryer that you failed to jerk out when the dryer was immediately finished and are now wrinkled. Just a few spritzes and a couple more minutes of drying and the wrinkles are out.

The last two are in my travel cosmetic bag. One has perfume in it for that perfect spritz of smell well. The other is kept for water and used to mist luggage-wrinkled clothes once they are on hangers at the vacation destination. In just a couple of hours, you're wrinkle free!

Thanks for reading! Now go mini mist something! 

Wendy

Forced Fun

The prompt for Journal 52 Week 7 was Valentine's. I'm not a fan. Not a fan of hearts, of pink, or of the concept of the February 14th "holiday."

Before getting married to my husband, 30 years ago this August, we discussed our thoughts on celebrating Valentine's Day. We agreed it wasn't necessary to give each other gifts to express our love since we do that daily.

However, there is one tradition I do look forward to the 14th of every February. It is one my Dad started when my sister and I were very little. I can't remember, even once, him missing this annual tradition of giving us each a box of Whitman's Sampler, a hug, kiss with a smile and an "I love you." All is right with the universe in that moment.

Anyway, here is my interpretation of Journal 52's week 7, "Valentines."

Thanks for stopping by!
Wendy

Conversation Starter

Prompt for week 3 of Journal 52. All I could think of was the recent and frequent conversations I've been having with my Aunt, who's more like an older sister being only 8 years older than me, about a Family Reunion that I have instigated.

My grandfather, Faison, is going to be 89 yrs old on February 2. Last year I started feeling a strong sense of need to get the family, the whole family, together for a fun few days before we all get too old to do so.

Organizing this reunion with my Aunt has been the most fun. The questions and requests we've been hearing from other family members has us laughing, sometimes uncontrollably, very often. 

Most of our conversations have been over the phone and usually start like this, "Can you talk?" "Yes." "Is it Wine-thirty?" "Yes." "Red or White?" "Yes." Then the laughter, along with some very good party planning, begins.

This is my interpretation: 

Just Be.

The prompt for Week 2 in Journal 52 is "Just Be."

While this didn't turn out exactly as I'd seen it in my head, I'm happy with it as it is. I think it could use more doodling, but I decided to let it Just Be.

I'm still new to using paints, inks, gelatos and all those other fun, messy things. Maybe I'll get better, maybe I won't. But I'm having a lot of fun!

It's hard to see in the picture, but I've journaled around some of the images. "Be a total tourist when you travel." "Be still at least once a day and pray." "Be silly often - others are too serious." "Be free and don't overthink art." "Be nice to everyone you come in contact with everyday." "When you've reached your destination, Be There!" 

Wendy

New Year Resolutions

I'm not big on new year resolutions. I never have been. I know me and it's not my thing. I don't like setting myself up for "failure." 

With that said, here's my plan for 2015... Last year I started following a group called "Journal 52." Basically its an inspirational group to inspire people to make / keep an art journal.  I'm not an artist. Will never be an artist. But do I have fun getting inky and messy? Yes.

Since there's no right or wrong in what you create or even if you create for just one week or every week, Journal 52 seems fun to me. I'm going to dive in.

First week's prompt was "Pathways." This was my interpretation:

I had a blast creating this spread.

My post on the Facebook Journal52 site was, "These 2 paths are in VA and are peaceful. They make me happy when I travel them. The picture on the left is part of the New River Trail and the on the right is down the street where we have a 'getaway' house."

Stay tuned, I'm working on Journal 52 Week 2 -- Just Be.

Wendy

Summer Card Camp 2

Online Card Classes is at it again with another Summer Card Camp! I did not participate in the first camp, but hope to play along in real time this go around.

The class doesn't officially begin until July 8, but a pre-class challenge was posted to make a card using at least 4 of 5 colors (peach, teal, light gray, dark gray and white). My "teal" isn't very teal. But the idea is to use what is currently in your stash. Guess I don't care too much for teal! ;-)

Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket's Material Girl, 7 Gypsies' Savannah & 

So Sophie's Graceful

Ink: Archival Black & Memento London Fog

Punches: EK Journal & Fiskars Threading Water Border

Just Because...

I need a card so I suppose it's time to step away from the tags and make one.

The preschool at my Church is in desperate need of donations for their scholarship fund. Being temporarily relocated a state away, I am mailing my donation. Hence the need for a card.

The inspiration came from S&S sketch #171.

This is my interpretation

Echo Park "For the Record" and BasicGrey Basic Kraft

White Zing Embossing Powder

Butterfly, flower & sentiment stamps from various sets

Thanks for reading!

Tiny Tag #4

Ok, my mojo might be peeking around the corner! Today I had this crazy idea to use last Sunday's S&S Sketch for a tag! The sketch can be found here.

I'm pretty happy with my interpretation. I wish I could post it on the Stars & Stamps site to show how I "played along" but I don't think a tiny tag qualifies.

Three patterned papers, grunge board, ribbon, diamond glaze, metal embellishments, distress ink and rub-ons ... Oh boy did I have fun!

Tiny Tag #3

Starting earlier today I was hoping to post Tiny Tags #3, 4 and maybe even 5. But the first tag took so long to create I got frustrated and had to stop.

You're probably wondering why in the world this simple tag took so long to create. Who knew that Colorbox pigment ink (White Frost) NEVER dries! Ok, it might eventually dry but around the 5th attempt I got tired of re-stamping, waiting longer each time for it to dry only to smudge it again.

On the bright side, for the third day in a row I've worked with paper, LOTS of ink that never dries, adhesive and even did some embossing and blogged!

It's not my best, but I had fun...until I accidentally brushed across the stamp and it still isn't dry. So don't look at the picture too closely! ;-)

Thanks for reading!

Tiny Tag #2

Today's goal: Same as yesterday's. Use paper, adhesive, ink, maybe ribbon, perhaps an embellishment, etc.

The only ink used on this tag is Faded Jeans & Fired Brick Distress Inks. No stamping today but I did use a grundge board heart embellishment with glossy accents! (I need practice using glossy accents)

I had fun again today and it took just as long as yesterday to create, but I'm OK with that. 

Thanks for reading!

Does this blog still work?

It's been so long since I've posted anything, I'm not sure I remember how!

It's also be a very long time since I did anything crafty. In fact, I believe the last creative thing I did was to make gift card holders for Christmas gifts using a template given to me by my good friend Dixie.

Today I decided I was going to do something that involved paper, a stamp or two, some ink, maybe ribbon, adhesive, an embellishment, etc. I didn't want to pressure myself so I decided all I needed to do was to randomly create.

And I made a mess!

And oh boy did it take a long time to create this tiny tag...

But I sure did have fun! 

The house is all mine for the next couple of days, so I believe I'll leave my supplies right where they are as motivation to perhaps create some more. Maybe if I create enough little things, I will be inclined to make something a little larger, like a card or two!

Thanks for reading!

Gift Cards Are Perfect

Whoever had the original concept of gift cards was a genius!

I have a niece and nephew that live in Kentucky. They are 24 and 18. The older they get, the less I get to see them. As with all young adults, they are finding their own way in this thing called Life and it doesn't include driving nearly 500 miles to see your aunt!

Thanks to their mom and dad, both are wonderful, caring, honest, well rounded, extremely funny, human beings.

Every so often I like to send them a little surprise in the form of gift cards seeing how they're now "on their own." My niece has been sucked into the cult known as Starbucks and my nephew is a broke college kid that likes to eat and really likes Zaxby's.

Here are the cards I made to mail the gift cards along with a brief note. I used S&S Sketch #146 for the design. I have decided I love this sketch!

Paper: MME Lost & Found Two "Sunshine" and Stella & Rose

Stamps: Inky Antics "Simple Sentiments

So, two small pieces of plastic have inspired me to make two cards, blog about the cards and will hopefully make two very special people in my life happy!

Gift Cards = Brilliant

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.

S&S Sketch #127

This weeks Stars and Stamps sketch:

My super clean, simple and quick interpretation:

Lost & Found "Sunshine" 6x6 paper pack

Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Random brads

Thanks for taking a look! Have a great week!

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.)

S&S Sketch 119

Once again, another stressful Stars & Stamps sketch for me! First off, I'm not one for circles. Then there were the 2 strips behind the circle. Being two different shades of gray in the sketch, I immediately think it needs to be two different patterned papers! EEK!

Anyway, I started playing around with it and after a short while had an "aah ha" moment and ended up with this interpretation:

Patterned paper: Echo Park "For the Record"

Sentiment: Hero Arts

Punches: EK Success Butterfly and Fiskars Border

Thanks for taking a look! Have a blessed day