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!

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)

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!

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!

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 moving 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....

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.

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.