Saturday, August 17, 2019

What's UP?

Hahaha! Yep. I just re-read my last post (from January!). And while I am getting a post done WAY earlier than the last break between posts, I realize I have been super duper bad about doing the things I wanted to change.

I have...

... listened more. Yep. I've been SOOOO good at listening, I haven't been doing THAT much of anything else.
... been more available. Definitely. But in doing that... I've found I'm less available for myself. Go figure.
... not put things on my calendar if I haven't completed a project. However... I have put things on my calendar with due dates and been getting them done in a timely manner. But... you know those projects that you just want to get done? Nope. Still not there. Squirrel!
... read more. I've discovered the Kindle app to be a life-saver. I wasn't able to carry lots of things for a while (2-1/2 months..) and this was perfect. Plus, I've read a lot more self-help books, various magazines, and blog posts of all sorts... not to mention... I am always reading recipe books and leaflets. Yum!
... kept up for the most part with using things from my freezer. And then again... I still keep filling it right back up!
... tried to write more. Kinda. I may not have written more here... but I've written a TON of letters of recommendation for lots of friends of mine. Does that count?
...  tried to get that craft room cleaned up. At least little bits at a time. I know for a fact... THAT counts!
,,, not kept a menu. Whoops. Totally dropped the ball on that one. But, I do stay in a lot more for eating. (I'll get to that soon... )
... not let things slide off my back. I still have the 'tude "If I don't do it, WHO will?" If you have a suggestion on how to fix that one... let me know!

Right now, I'm working on playing with some of my new "toys." I joined a business 2 years ago. It's a lot of fun, and I totally enjoy the new products and love to play with them when they come out (before they're all released to everyone else! It's so much fun to "know a secret" before other people find out!). And right now, I'm in that mode. Maybe I should start sharing that here?

Is anyone out there?

What have YOU stated for New Year's that you were going to do? Have you done it? Please... share below! TIA!

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Things I Treasure...

Life is full of twists and turns, ups and downs...

As this holiday season passed, I realized it's been a very long time (over a year) since I've visited or written here. I love to write. I love to share. I just... put it off. With all the things running through my head at one time, it made it very difficult, and I just wasn't sure what to write anymore. But... looking around my house, at Christmas... all the magic that is still up and surrounding me, I was wondrous at myself for not being sure I put more time into things I treasure.

I treasure my family. I was definitely sad this season, and it didn't seem like the season at all because things were missing. And I say "things" because, well... they are tiny little details that maybe no one else would notice. Yep! I'm that ocd... First of all, this holiday season, we got our tree. The most gorgeous tree I've ever had in any place I've ever lived. I'm totally keeping it for next year, too! But... the only child of mine that actually put their "special" ornaments on the tree was the only one left living here. Every time I looked at the lonely bags of ornaments with the kids' names on them... tears welled up in my eyes. Even now... I cannot look at them without feeling the burn of tears.

Then again... all of our living children were here on Christmas morning. We haven't had that in YEARS. It was a wonderful feeling.

Darkness crept in slowly, as I waited at another family member's house. The rest of my immediate family (siblings from one parent) would be there or arrive whenever they felt like. One arrived not too long after us and that family came from over an hour away and appeared jovial. The other arrived several hours after the last... 6 hours after my group arrived. So sad. Disrespectful to the rest of us, as we were told that group would be there 4-5 hours prior. Two of my children had to leave. They had jobs and/or other Christmas family events to go to. Understandably... since all but one of my children are all adults and have other families and responsibilities.

There is always a little static with my other siblings... and this year did not disappoint...


*** and then it all changed ***

I spoke to a couple of people I'd expected to see at sometime during my break [from work]. My problems, my woes, my sadness - is NOTHING compared to what my dear friends are going through. No one had wanted to tell me. And so for that, as I sit here and plug this post in before the first day of the year is over in my time zone, people! Don't get your panties in a bunch and call me out on my lack of time-keeping skills! (in keeping with my non-resolution that's actually a resolution...) I am totally going to try to be a better listener but dang it! I'd totally thought I was!!! and definitely make myself more available for others. On that... I know I haven't been.

Wanna know my other "New Year, Better Me!" ideas? Here ya go:

1. Be a better listener.
2. Be more available, or at least present myself as more available!
3. If I do not complete a project, I'll be sure to put it on my calendar for a later date! and hopefully finish it by the end of the year
4. Read more.
5  Keep up with using items in my freezer... no need to be a hoarder elsewhere, right?
6. Try my hardest to write more!
7. Try to get that craftroom cleaned up at least a little bit!
8. Keep my super organized ways in gift-buying, organizing, and giving! truly... I'm really good at this one! Ask me about my gift journal!
9. Keep a menu or at least try to stick to it a couple of days a week
10. Let things slide off my back a little better. I shouldn't have to carry the weight for everyone.

What are YOU going to do?

*** oh yeah... SQUIRREL! ***

Back to the original title of the post... Things I Treasure...

1. Family (my pets are included in this!)
2. Friends (includes all of you!)
3. Loyalty
4. Me time
5. anything I can think of later, because I'm at a total blank space right now

I truly hope to see you all again for sharing... Who knows what it might be!

Friday, October 20, 2017

A Year of Card Techniques - (October Hop - Waterfall Cards)

Welcome to the

Welcome to A Year of Card Techniques Blog Hop where each month we feature a different card technique. We’ve assembled a team of card makers who range from new to advanced, so you’ll see a great variety of cards and ideas.
There’s just something about interactive cards!  And Waterfall Cards are among the best interactive card techniques.  They look intricate, though, so we’ll let you in on any hints we uncover along the way.   Hopefully, we’ll inspire you to try one for yourself.
If you would like to check out our past technique hops, you can do that here:
This month our amazing sponsor is none other than  Bugaboo Stamps
Please take a moment to check out their store here, their blog here and their Facebook page here.
And the awesome prize this month is $12.00 gift code to the store (about four digi images).
We really appreciate feedback, so please leave a comment on each of the blogs in the hop today.  The winner will be announced on Sunday, October 29, 2017, on A Piece of (my) Heart’s blog, so be sure to check her blog on Sunday.  If you would prefer to be notified if you win, please leave your email address in the comments and someone will contact you.  The winner will have until November 16, 2017, to claim their prize.
You should have arrived here from Jearise. If you're visiting here first, you might want to start at the beginning so you don't miss a thing and increase your chances of winning by commenting on each blog.
Omgosh! Can we say... It's been a loooooonnnnngggg time! You know how life gets in the way... between that and computer issues, I've been out a time. But, HELLO! I'm back... and not so better than before!
Um. Waterfall cards. Whelp... they took a long time for me to get or not so get. Let's just say... use a FANTASTIC adhesive, k?
These were my starting materials:

Great colors, right???? Yup! That's what I thought/think, too!!! Of course I think. I'm alive. I'm breathing. I'm awake. Therefore I think, right???? Uh... too many past English professors in my head. Bother.

All the measuring and scoring and flipping and folding... Don't do this late at night... otherwise you'll get as frustrated as I do!!!! Eventually... it turned out ok.

Then the gluing down (with the pulley... 'cause that's what I'm gonna call that little flap!) And making sure it all works just "so." Because you know it eventually does, right?

All in all. I think (and there I go again) believe it ended up ok. A little heavier card than I like (there's lots of layers!!!), but ok in the end.
***NOTE!*** If you're going to mail one of these suckers, lay down the extra postage! AND place a tissue layer or thin paper layer over the top before sliding in the envelope. The PO is NOT friendly with these. It got to my friend and was banged up! So! Wish I had a picture!!!
Now you’re off to visit with Jodie. Hope you had fun and thanks for stopping by. See you next month with another technique!
Here’s the full line-up in case you get lost:

Friday, July 7, 2017

All American Blog Hop

Welcome to the 
All American
Blog Hop

This hop is all about America and the things that make us great. Our projects hope to inspire you with our stars and stripes. I love the USA!

You should have arrived from Sue's blog.
If you need to start at the beginning please start at Connie Can Crop

This is a one day blog hop, but you have until Sunday to finish hopping and leaving your love for all of these talented crafters.


We have an awesome sponsor for this month!

One lucky winner will win a $21 gift certificate to Bugaboo Stamps.

Be sure to check out her shop online HERE
Visit her on facebook HERE

What do you need to do to win? Easy... become  a follower of each of the fabulous blogs in this hop and leave each of them a comment letting them know what you like best about their projects.


You will have until 10 pm Sunday to finish the hop and leave your comments.
Winners will be announced on Wednesday 7/19/17
Be sure to follow everyone and leave a comment along the way!

Now let's salute this great country!

My original project began with this incredible garland. (check!)

... Formed it to a wire frame. (check!) Hot-Glue-Gunned "everything"... (check!) 

Eek! I know it's supposed to be Star-Spangled and hot and all... But not a melted mess. Threw f-ed up project out. (check!)

Next up... um... Using my stash because I already wasted the expensive garland...


So I got this FANTASTIC stencil at Tuesday Morning. (Love that place!!!)

Gee... Those two on the left look exactly alike... because the ARE! And I didn't want to use a glitter/glimmer mist on a flag stencil. So... I went with a Red Wagon Mist (for the red... duh...).

But I'm not too fond of how the blue (Spectrum Noir) turned out... and certainly didn't think it would bleed through the THICK watercolor paper (used that because I totally love the texture!) but I stuck with it, because I knew it wouldn't bleed into the white stars later...
Totally know so you don't need to tell me that I really should use tape to tape down a stencil instead of scrap cardstock and my fingers or to block off areas... 
Looking around my stash room that's code for what should be my craftroom/mess room because EVERYONE piles EVERYTHING in there, and I can't ever find what I'm looking for!, I can't find white paint. or pens. or ink. or... or... And then I spotted it! A WHITE CHALK MARKER!!!! (Make sure you fill in all the points... not half-**sed like I did.)
The chalk marker tends to bleed a little bit...But it'll do. My paper has crisp flags!
I trimmed the flag (be sure your inks/paints are all dry before trimming! otherwise, they get all over your blade... YES... I have a massive mess to clean up! I adhered the flag (offset and skewed) onto my patriotic paper and added a vertical year. Now... I just have to get around to printing up this year's pics (we went to Knott's Berry Farm for the 4th) and scattering them around the page.

Now kindly hop on over to... um... (I'm the last hopper!) Connie (if you wanna start at the beginning again...) You can never get enough of a good thing! 

Here's our amazing line up in case you get lost:

Friday, June 16, 2017

A Year of Card Techniques - (June - Basic Card Folds Using Double SidedPaper)

Welcome to A Year of Card Techniques Blog Hop where each month we feature a different card technique.  We’ve assembled a team of card makers who range from new to advanced, so you’ll see a great variety of cards and ideas.
June‘s hop is devoted to basic card folds; featuring drapery/curtain fold, peek-a-boo fold or double-z gate-fold.  And we’re adding a twist of using double-sided paper.   We hope this gives you lots of ideas and will inspire you to try these card folds yourself...and pull out that double-sided paper as well!    If you would like to check out our past technique hops, you can do that here:
We have an amazing sponsor this month, Candy Spiegel.
Please take a moment to check out all the crafty goodness on her blog, Candy Scraps.
And the awesome prize this month is:
We  really appreciate feedback, so please leave a comment on each of the blogs in the hop today.  While you are encouraged to comment at any time, only comments received by  Friday, June 23, 2017 at 8:00pm (EST) will be eligible to win.   The winner will be announced on Sunday,  June 25, 2017 on A Piece of (my) Heart’s blog, so be sure to check her blog on Sunday.
And speaking of winners, the lucky hopper from last month is SUSAN ELIOT; picked by Random Name Picker.  Congratulations, Susan!  Please get in touch with last month’s sponsor, Jodie Park, to claim your prize.
You should  have arrived here from A Card A Day Challenge Blog. If you're visiting  here first, you might want to start at the beginning so you don't miss a thing and increase your chances of winning by commenting on  each blog.

I absolutely l-o-v-e folding paper! I mean... who doesn't just keep folding that little gum wrapping into various things including the smallest square possible? But today, I went with the simplest of folds... partially because I l-o-v-e the name (peek-a-boo) and partially since it's for my husband and he doesn't exactly appreciate homemade cards (like we all do) because I needed to.


And so I started with a cute, manly, double-sided paper, cut it to size, cut a slit in the middle (but only part way down), scored it from corner to slit, and folded it.
My only trouble? Choosing which side to have "peek"-a-boo!

I went with the lighter side sticking out...
Next? Add stamping... via MISTI!!!! In case you haven't discovered this great tool... 
YOU SHOULD!!

And VOILA! There you have it... ready for Sunday (Father's Day... in case you forgot!)

Now  you’re off to visit with Sandy! Hope you had fun and thanks for stopping by.  See you next month with another technique!
Here’s the full line-up in case you get lost: