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Thursday, December 31, 2009

Gearing up for the New Year


the last day of 2009, to say I am relieved is an understatement. This has been the most challenging year for me and I am ready to put it all behind me.

What do I want for 2010?? Happiness or at least contentment. I have many blessings but I have been having a hard time seeing them so I hope to be more able to think positively-if I can get control of my own thought process I am half way there! I need to stop the negative thoughts as soon I as I feel them creeping in. I can do this.

In the sidebar you'll see a link for the Creative Every day challenge..its an interesting group that has been active for two years so i thought I'd give it a try...I need to have encouragement to be creative, I often tell myself it is a waste of time, that i should be doing something more productive. Creativity just for the sake of creativity is hard for me-plus I suffer from perfectionism-if it isn't FABULOUS i think it isn't worth my time or the use of my supplies. So I NEED to just let go, I have more than enough supplies to last me for years and even if what I produce isn't worthy of the Louvre it is still my art....whether is is stamping,collage,fabric-nothing is any more ARTSY than anything else-I don't need to need to use $20 brushes or $10 paints, I don't need the best paper on the market, I don't need to know the "proper way" to sew or embroider and I don't need permission to take the time to be creative-I am worth it.

I have no idea what I will work on-maybe I will dabble in a little of everything, I have so many interests-I will do my best to share my journey. I can't promise I will post every day but I will post as many photos as i can-the good,the bad and the ugly!

See that other thing in the sidebar that says FOLLOWERS...its kind of discouraging that there is only ONE,its super easy to be a follower,just click it and do what it says...its all free and the interesting thing is that if you do this with all the Blogs you like to read you can then read all the latest updates in Google Reader(it gives you the option when you open your Google acct-the blogs you follow come up in a window and below it it says "read in google reader" and it opens a new window that you can just scroll right through..it saves the time of clicking open each Blog every day to see if they have been updated-pretty cool..there are alot of options, its something I just messed around with and clicked everything just to see what it did-yeah that's what I do all day-LOL) But anyhow-if you become a follower it doesn't change anything,you can still read the blog any way you like, it just lets me know that maybe you kinda like me??

And since I know everyone loves photos...here's one that jenna took of Cooper the other day-

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

This was taken in the reflection of my truck window.
This was taken on my deck...love the individual flakes.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Tim Holtz

Don't miss it...Tim Holtz is doing his 12 Tags of Christmas event on his Blog...12 days of FABULOUSNESS with projects and prizes.
http://www.timholtz.typepad.com/
and if you need any of the supplies used please let me know and I'd be happy to order them.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Gift


Just a cute little gift for an exchange-got the bag a couple years ago the day after Christmas and bought the deer stamp for the tag last year in the Dollar Bin at Michaels-cute how they kind of match?? My tissue was a bit wrinkley and sad looking just hanging out of the top of the bag so i fringed it for something a little different.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

my first Christmas card

I made my first Christmas card of the season this morning, I used a sketch I saw on Mojo Monday Blog last week..http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/. There is a new sketch up this week but I spent quite a bit of time going through their archives and found some wonderful cards,many of the sketch sites I see involves more patterned paper than stamping....I like stamping! Isn't the snowman(cowboy? farmer?) sweet?? He just looks kind...he is an oldie from Stampa Rosa, the sentiment is from Catslife Press.There is a bit of soft marker coloring and some glittery touches.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

A day to give thanks for your blessings...sometimes it's hard for me to see the forest through the trees. Today I will step back and count my blessings...
my beautiful,healthy, independent girls.
my hard-working,patient husband
a roof over my head
a working vehicle(when the snow starts flying I will be even more grateful for the 4 wheel drive)
my husband has a job
Ebay-which allows me to make at least a small contribution to the household bills
my sweet pup who makes me smile everyday
and this might seem weird but I am just so grateful that i have my own bathroom-no one else ever goes in there, it is my haven- I can sink into my deep tub with a pile of bubbles and just forget the world exists, I can keep my jars and bottles of miracle lotions,gels and potions out and no one will get anything dirty or leaky or use my favorite sweet smelling handsoap to wash their greasy hands, no one leaves whiskers in the sink, no one leaves toothpaste on the counter, no "forgets" to replace the TP., no one leaves towels on the floor(except me). I don't think I can ever go back to sharing a bathroom!
As a side note-if you are gearing up for Christmas card making, I have some fabulous Christmas stamps in the Ebay store right now-some on auction and the rest are BUY IT NOW-some end on Sunday. Also I have a LOT of ink pads right now.
Have a beautiful day...don't eat too much, you know you'll regret it...go for the dessert first so you can enjoy it!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Some Christmas decorating ideas

I admit I am feeling rather "scroogey" this year, I still can't help looking at other people's fabulous ideas...guess what these GLORIOUS trees are made of...
Go here to check it out...http://amyhogan.com/blog/renovation/?p=2342
So very cool

Tuesday, November 17, 2009



i PULLED THESE IMAGES OFF OF MY NEW FAVORITE DECOR BLOG...http://frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com
I know I don't have enough white and cream buttons to do all of this yet but I will make a few of the ornaments for sure...I am dying to do a white/cream tree for my bedroom. I am seeing a lot of twig trees lately-just a branch stuck in a pot and decorated..maybe spraypainted white or soft silver-I am sure I can find a branch around here-LOL!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

need a boost?

See over there in the side bar where it says INSPIRATION OVERLOAD...? If you click on those links they will take you to my inspiration blogs,one for cards,scrapbook pages and misc handmade items and the other is for Decor...not much in the way of words but instead pages of photos find in my web travels that I find to be inspiring...feel free to go take a peek...I add to them several times a week so be sure to bookmark the address so you can check them out often.

Friday, October 30, 2009

the morning sun...

There are times when I wish I could be the kind of person who sleeps late but then I would miss views like this one. Mornings are wonderful. I always wake up feeling hopeful, I enjoy the quiet. Even when the kids were little I encouraged quiet in the mornings-there was no TV while getting ready for school(unless we needed to check the weather). I wanted their day to start off calm. The chaos of the world will work it's way in sooner or later but for now, anything is possible.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

remember


remember what it felt like to be young and full of ideas,plans,dreams,expectations,hope...do you remember how you looked at how your parents lived and thought " I will never be like that"..I will raise my kids differently, I will decorate my house differently, I will eat differently,love differently, work differently...I will never force my kids to eat food they hate,I will never point out my daughters physical faults, I will never spend every saturday cleaning the house....I will have lots of windows and very few curtains, I will have dogs that are allowed in every room of the house, I will not own more cleaning supplies than books, I will allow my kids to be kids...in some respects I have stayed true to myself...when it comes to my kids, I have made the sacrifices I needed to make...I opted to stay home and raise them myself rather than put them in day care-it has been an enormous financial burden trying to live on one income but we managed. Was it the right thing to do? To devote my days to raising my kids...what about now...they are raised, Jill is completely independant and jenna needs very little from me...what now? I always thought that having my kids early in life was the best idea so that when they were raised I would still be young enough to enjoy my freedon, my husband and I would have plenty of time to do the things we wanted to do, now here I am.... FREE....still young but with no marketable job skills so my choices are extremely limited...minimum wage, competing with high school kids. My husband and I can't do any of the things we wanted to do because we have no money, we are still living paycheck to paycheck..we wanted to travel but we have only had ONE vacation in the past 20 years(and we took the kids..we've never been on a trip alone=sad), we wanted to renovate a dream house but we can't even afford to build a front porch on this house...we used to talk about our daughters getting married and how pretty the wedding would be...now we are hoping they elope. So what do we do?? Keep dreaming?? Keep planning? Is that what life is...constantly struggling?I am disillusioned, I am tired of the constant battle to make ends meet. There has to be more to it than this.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Just listed

I just listed some new stamps on Ebay...wishing I could keep some of these :>(
Plus a bunch more...there are some unmounted clear sets from Stampington also.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

words

The 2nd week of the Words of me challenge and I already blew it...lets just say Week 2's word was "DAMP"..it rained and rained and then rained some more...all the while being bone chilling cold which of course led to the dreaded "S" word(snow) This week is nicer-a least we have some sun. I still don't feel any more creative though.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Daily Dares

Just when I think I've seen all the stamping sites there are to see I run across something like this...
http://dailydare4u.blogspot.com/
dozens and dozens of links for card making sites. Inspiration overload! I could easily sit here all weekend just soaking it all in...of course I still need a kick in the rear to get into the studio to actually CREATE something...one of these days it will happen, my long lost MOJO will be back.
On another note..look what we woke up to yesterday...
It was pretty much gone by afternoon but it is a hint at what is to come. Why do we live here??

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Smile Art Tag

Well I don't know...here is my SMILE tag for the Words Of Me project-I am not at all happy with the writing of quote, I may rework that,the pens just weren't working well on the background plus the fact that my eyes have decided to go Ka-Phlooey on me-I have always been near sighted-I can't see anything beyond a foot in front in front of me without my contacts but now I can't see close up either..I figure I should be legally blind by the time I am 50 if this keeps up. It is so frustrating to try and work on anything creative-I bought some "readers" but glasses give me such a headache(which is why i wear contacts).
Anyhow- the background of the tag was created with a bunch of different spray inks and bubble wrap to add some texture as it dried. I tried a
glitter pen first but it didn't show up so i went over than with a white gel pen. The "smile" was done with rubber stamps and pearlescent rust ink from Brilliance-I stamped and embossed it in clear before I did the background. I stamped and embossed the butterfly in clear after I did the blue ink but before I did the magenta ink-after everything was dry i used an iron and piece of copy paper and ironed the embossing out of the tag-the technique is called Faux batik. The quote reads " No one needs a smile more than the person who fails to give one"

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Currently Listed

Check out some of the fabulous stuff I have in my Ebay store right now...some of the newest Cuttlebug folders, some awesome stamps from Tim Holtz, some of the newest Distress Stickles, there is a lot more-you can click on the Ebay symbol over in my sidebar and it will take you directly to my store and if for whatever reason you don't have an ebay account but you see somethings you'd like to buy-just let me know-we can work something out.
I also carry some of your favorite supplies..the Quickie Glue Pen, ink pads, embossing powders, reinkers, patterned paper in small pads(Basic Grey, jenni Bowlin. Making memories) and I am always happy to special order for you-need new cutting pads for your Cuttlebug or Big Shot? Need a certain color reinker? need a special embossing powder? what about a certain color cardstock for your Holiday cards-I can order t it in packs of 25 sheets, stamp cleaner? Storage items? Spellbinders products? Scor Pal stuff? EZ Mount? adhesives? Fun flock? White liquid applique? white gel pens? bone folders? punches? All you have to do is ask-if I can get it I will.








Monday, October 5, 2009

Words of Me Begins

EDIT-I don't what happened to the size of the font but I can't seem to change it in editing so ignore it, I am not trying to shout at you-LOL. So today the Words of me project begins...here is the link again..WORDS OF ME
Leslie was kind enough to offer a prize package and guess who won?? ME!!! Must be my lucky day....
So now I need to pick a word for this week, I am thinking I will use this project to do a little journaling in my regular journal( i bought a new one to focus on positive things rather than the regular b#*ch fest my journal had turned into) and since I love working on TAGS I am going to create a weekly art tag with my WORD-at the end of the project I will have 52 art tags that i can bind together with a ribbon or binding ring.
Since I am really working on beating this depression that is still mocking me from the sidelines of my life my first word is....
SMILE ...I don't realize how often i walk around with a scowl on my face,my daughter notices and she often tells me to smile,my jaw notices because I am aware of the pain from clenching it all the time, my poor forehead notices-I have deep scowl mark embedded right between my eyes...so this week I focus on reasons to smile, I will make it a point to smile at people when I am out and I will make a concerted effort to not look so "scowly" at home-I found a wonderful quote that i will share and probably work into my art tag later this week.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

I love questionaires


just something fun...
***********FOODOLOGY***************

What is your salad dressing of choice?
I usually make my own vinegarette

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
I really love Lorie's Wildridge in Erie on 26th St,just west of Wegmans

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
Either my own pasta salad(with fresh tomatoes) or cheeseburgers

What are your pizza toppings of choice?
cheese and pepperoni-very light sauce

What do you like to put on your toast?
real butter

***********TECHNOLOGY***************

How many televisions are in your house?
3

What color is your cellphone?
orange

Do you have an iPod?
well i have Jenna's old MP3 player but I've never used it

***************BIOLOGY******************

Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Right.

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
children

What is the last heavy item you lifted?
boxes, helping my parents unpack

Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
No, but I have fainted
************BULLOLOGY**************

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
absolutely NOT

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
something artsy

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1,000?
sure why not
**************FAVORITOLOGY****************

Season?
Fall

Holiday?
July 4th-middle of summer,no gift giving involved,love fireworks

Day of the week?
doesn't really matter-they are pretty much the same for me

Month?
October
***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************

Missing someone?
everyday....

Mood?
fair

What are you listening to?
silence

Current worry?
money as always
***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************

First place you went this morning
bathroom then to the kitchen for coffee

What’s the last movie you saw?
Enough with Jennifer Lopez-I got sucked into it on TV
***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************

How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
2

Last time you had a run-in with the cops
never

Last person you talked to?
Jenna

Last person you hugged?
Cooper-he's a dog who thinks he's a person

Do you always answer your phone?
no-thats why I have caller ID and voice mail

It’s four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
one of my nephews who is drunk

If you could change your eye color what would it be?
I like my eye color-maybe a little bit greener would be nice

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic
we don't have Sonic in Erie

Do you own a digital camera?
Yes. two

Have you ever had a pet fish?
many

Favorite Christmas song(s)
Silent Night although I tend to sing Winter Wonderland a LOT

What’s on your wish list for your birthday
a laptop

Can you do push ups?
um...nope

Can you do a split?
nope-never could

Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
a little of both

Do you have any saved texts?
I delete them when the box is full

Have you ever been in a car accident?
no

Do you have an accent?
i don't think so

What is the last movie to make you cry?
not a movie but Grey's Anatomy can usually do it

Plans tonight?
my daughter is coming home to watch Greys with us

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
yes

Name 3 things you bought yesterday?
I didn't leave the house yesterday at all

Have you ever been given roses?
yes many times

Met someone who changed your life?
yes,several people

How will you bring in the New Year?
we almost always stay home to avoid the drunks on the roads

What song represents you?
No idea

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
absolutely, there are several things I'd change

Do you have any tattoos/piercings?
just my ears-no tattoos

Does anyone love you?
i hope so

Would you be a pirate?
No. I get seasick

What songs do you sing in the shower?’
I don't sing in the shower-I think up grand plans

Ever had someone sing to you?
One time, a guy I didn't even know sang to me,I melted but never saw him again-bummer.

Do you like to cuddle?
not really-I like my space

Have you held hands with anyone today?
no

Who was the last person you took a picture of?
hmmm=probably the dog

Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
I would have to say new.

Do you like pulpy orange juice?
ick

FALL Projects

I wish this was how my house looked...nothing wrong with dreaming right?






Looking for some cute ideas for Fall projects....check out this wreath...
Fall Wreath

I wish I had a front door that was usable..we STILL don't have a front porch after living here for 6+ years!Maybe I could do something to hang on the fireplace?
And how about some frosted candles...I love the look
of these-
Frosted Candles


And here are a few random photos from my files...no idea where they are from so i can't give links....enjoy...

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Words of Me

I came across an interesting project that is about to start, it is called WORDS OF ME-here's the link to check it out
http://wordsofmeproject.blogspot.com/
I like to keep a journal but I have found it is easier if i follow some kind of daily prompt or workshop_I just finished a 30 day Healing Depression workshop that I thought was pretty good,it gave me quotes, daily affirmations and things to think about throughout the day-some of which would lead to me journaling about the subject for a page or two and some of which I didn't connect with...but I saw it though, I was pretty proud of myself. So I think I will dig around and see if I have a blank journal around-I love the beautiful fancy, handmade journals but I am afraid to write in them for fear of "messing them up"..I like small(5X7 ish) notebooks or small sketchbooks, I prefer spiral bound because I usually sit in bed when I write. And I have a wonderful collection of fabulous pens...its a weakness..I love a good fine tipped pen...they have some at ACMoore's called Le Pen in wonderful colors,those are fun to use but they don't last too long, I really like the new Sharpie pens-the twin pack has black and brown but my current favorite is the new Memento Markers-they have hard fine tip(not felt that get mushed) and a brush tip, I don't use the brush tip much but its nice to have. I am currently using the tuxedo black, rich cocoa and London Fog but I think I will get a few brighter colors for this project since my goal for keeping this depression at bay is THINK POSITIVE,depression is sneaky...it will worm its way into your thought process and convince that things are worse than they are, I have been trying to look on the brighter side of things....
Yes money is tight BUT Mark still has his job and our bills are getting paid.
Yes summer is over BUT we are about to enjoy the riot of color known as Fall.
Yes I am over weight BUT I am healthy.
Yes I had to close my Shop BUT I am still able to work from home.
Yes I miss Jill like crazy everyday BUT she only lives 6 miles away and I am so proud of her for making it on her own.
See I can do this!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

a couple of cards

One to send to Jill so she gets something other than the Giant Eagle in her mailbox and one just because I wanted to try a technique I saw on SplitCoast(stamped the dragonflies,created a mask for them then used a circle punch to make a stencil -laid the mask over the dragonfly and sponged the turquoise ink through the stencil-remove the mask and do the other two-kind cool?? I like how graphic it is)

Friday, September 11, 2009

Studio In Progress

Here are some photos of the current state of my studio...still needs a ton of work but since I am in a decluttering and organizing mood it should be a piece of cake..at least i have some empty flat surfaces now!
The first photo is my "cuttlebug station" and my basket of unmounted stamps-there is a sump pump behind this! In the background you can see my flatfiles where all my mounted stamps and inkpads and some paper are stored,also the table is my sit down work space. To the right of this area is my washer and dryer and deep sink.
This is the area that needs the most work...its just too cluttered. Now that i have more drawer space some of this will be moved. The red tubs on top hold ribbon,stickers and I think one is empty right now.
This is a long shot of my new cabinet and at the end is my "Ebay Store". I am keeping my paper cutters on the counter and also a large self healing cutting mat so this can be my CUTTING STATION.


Here is a closer view of my Ebay Store-the counter is where I wrap all the packages, the drawer has my markers,my thank you tags,scissors,etc. Everything ont he wall is currently listed for sale,on the black shelving unit-the bottom shelf is stuff that needs to be listed,next shelf is stuff that is already listed, next shelf is a combination-the Stampin' Up stamps are listed the other stuff is misc. The top two shelves are extra storage. Oh yeah and in the corner is a filing cabinet with photos in it and on top is a basket of Cuttlebug stuff that is listed. My packing supplies are just outside the door...padded envelopes, bubble wrap, boxes,etc
Here is a long shot from over by the Ebay area-still some boxes to go through.
So that's it...not exactly pretty but it sure holds a lot of stuff huh? I know I know- I am working on that...toooo much stuff that I don't use! I need to convince myself to use it or lose it!
I was going to show you a photo of the ENORMOUS spider i killed in here yesterday...it is in the basement afterall...it was HUGE....I took a big heavy book and gracefully tossed it across the room and squashed him, I was too afraid to actually go over and step on him..what if he ran up my pant leg or something?? Seriously I would have had a stroke!


Thursday, September 10, 2009

Autumn

I love Fall...this summer was kind of crappy-not just weather -wise either. I am looking forward to enjoying Fall to the fullest...I will take lots of walks, we will have a couple bon fires, I'll decorate the house in the gorgeous colors, I'll make some yummy soups and stews that can sit and simmer all day. And for some reason I am cleaning....organizing,simplifying, donating, tossing and clearing my mind and my home of unwanted clutter! I got a new addition to my studio yesterday...a fabulous vintage metal cabinet full of drawers. My dad was hiding it in his workroom-who knew? My parents are moving and he won't have room for it in the new house. So now I will spend a few days rearranging my collection of art supplies...perhaps it will inspire me to create something.
I promise to post some photos of my creative space soon.
In the meantime..I found an interesting site called Tumblr ( no "e") and I created two accounts-one for creative ideas(cards,collages, art projects) and one for Home ideas....
Check them out...
http://artsyvalentine.tumblr.com/
and here
http://morningsunstudio.tumblr.com/
I add to them as i find amazing photos on-line-so much inspiration out there!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

ch ch changes

so the bus just stopped,waited a few seconds and went on without Jenna....she is still sleeping......I guess we're cyber-schooling. It has been an odd process-I contacted the school for info and before I knew it she was signed up-I still don't know much about how this is all going to work but I am hoping my questions will be answered when we go to the Intermediate Unit for her interview and to get the laptop and stuff-that should happen today if all goes well. I think she will wait until at least next week to start.
everything has just been so weird...not just jenna cyber-schooling...jillian is movi
ng to very own place this weekend-no more stupid,dirty roommates, she has matured so much the past several months and has really taken control of her own life(I am sad and happy at the same time-sad that she doesn't need me much any more but happy that she is a responsible adult). Mark's job has been odd-slow tot he pint where we have held our breath each week waiting for a lay off notice but now it is super busy and he is able to get a ton of hours.My business has been in a holding pattern all summer-I admit I haven't given it much attention but it has held on so hopefully I can give it some TLC and watch it bloom this Fall and Winter.My parents will be moving in Sept-AGAIN-I don't even know how I feel about that...happy for my Mom and sad for my Dad I guess? They are moving to a retirement community where I am sure my Mom will be happier but I seriously cannot picture my Dad there-what on Earth is he going to do all day without any property to take care of? Hey Dad-if you ever feel the need to mow you can come on over here...plenty of yard work needs done! I don't know I just feel like something big is shifting...all these subtle changes are adding up to something?? I wonder where I stand in all of this?
And by the way...Jenna is still amazing me with her photography...sometimes she leaves me speechless....


Friday, August 21, 2009

endless summer...

I simply cannot believe it is the end of August...I was feeling pretty blue about my daughter going back to school when suddenly a new idea was presented...."Mom, do you think I could try Cyber School?" hmmmm, CYBER SCHOOL?? Well i had to Google it of course and I must say I was intrigued-it seemed too good to be true. She can get an EXCELLENT high school education on line-now this is not "Home Schooling"...I will not be her teacher. God forbid, the poor child would be dumb as a box of rocks. This is a way for her to take some fabulous classes that her school could never offer...Graphic design, Photoshop, Forensics, Astrology, Mythology,a wide variety of literature classes, the kind of Math courses that a person might actually NEED later in life like Personal Finance, Business Finance...be honest now-have you ever truly needed Calculus at any point in your life?? But how many times have you wished you understood interest rates better? How the stock market works? How to create a usable budget? Why credit cards are so risky? How to file a tax return? You get the idea? For those of you who have kids in public school have you noticed how the curriculum has changed the past few years?? The teachers have no freedom to make their classes more interesting, to make learning (**gasp**) FUN-they are forced to drill info into the kids heads so they can do well on the PSSA tests. Ask any teacher how they feel about this? Most if not all will say it has taken the joy out of teaching.
So Cyber School it is-we dropped off the application this morning...no need to buy school clothes this year, my girl is getting new pajama pants!! We are pretty excited...a new adventure awaits!
Oh and just so you know-Cyber School is a right for every PA school student-it is FREE, paid for by your tax dollars-they supply the laptop(returnable after graduation), the internet access, the software,etc.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

CARDS

I actually made a couple of cards...I think this is the first creative thing I've done all summer.The past few months have been tough ones and I feel as if I have missed the entire summer, but with the weird weather I guess I haven't missed much??
So about these cards...the first one is a Thank You card I made for a friend who was kind enough to buy this fabulous new bat punch for me-its HUGE and I love it...thanks Carolyn!!
And the 2nd card is I made just because...I made some beautiful marbled paper and wanted to use it(also used it on the bat above) along with the Butterfly Die i bought from Stampin Up-I'm not a huge fan of Stampin Up, i don't think they pay their demonstrators enough for all the hard work they do for the company and I detest that ridiculous handling fee they charge on orders but once in awhile I have to order something. Anyhow-the butterfly die is really nice-it works in my Cuttlebug and has four sizes of butterflies on one die. The larger one here measures 4" across. I used a simple piece of purple wire for the antenaes and three clear dewdrops for the body-the sentiment is from Stampendous.
There is still a bit of summer left and I am going to my best to enjoy it.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

here we go...

Manchester Beach Fairview PA "A New Beginning"-do you see the heart in the parting clouds? It has to be a sign.
It was time to get away from the Shop Blog and on to something a little more personal. Hopefully I will have some art to share, lots of photos and inspiration.
I am trying to view the closing of my Shop not as a failure but as a new beginning..a time to explore creating for the sake of creating instead of for the sake of selling a product.