Halcyon Dreams

Seventy-two

2011-03-29T11:06:00.006-04:00

Holy crow, has it really been that long since updating? Eek! I have lots of news, friends, so grab a cup of Joe and relax a minute.

The big news of the moment is that Brian and I are engaged. Oh, does it seem sudden? It shouldn't. I've known him forever and have loved him in one way or another for a very long time. He's a good, good person who loves me to pieces and the thought of spending the rest of my life with him fills me with such joy I feel like I'm going to burst. Here's how it happened, and it's a funny story otherwise I wouldn't be sharing it. Late February I went up to visit and we went on a pub crawl on a bus. Had a most amazing time and on the way back to the original pub we were talking about schedules or something and how we need to coordinate ours. I just looked at him and said, "You know, we should just get married." Not sure what was going through my head at the moment except, gosh, that would just make everything so much easier. But to my shock he said, "Did you just ask me to marry you?" And I said, "Well, I don't know. If I did, would you say yes?" And he said, "Hell yeah!" So I said, "Ok then, I guess I did." Hahahahaha...I'm such a romantic, ya know? Anyway, you know it must be real because for the last 15 years I've been saying I'd never get married again and here I am thinking holy crap, I cannot wait for this to happen! :)

The other news is that my dad had his bladder and prostate removed earlier this month. Many, many complications and three hospitalizations later, he is finally home for good (we hope!) and on the mend. He ended up with an infection and the first four days after the surgery the new computer system at the hospital gave him about 1/4 the amount of pain meds he was supposed to get so he was in agony, which set his recovery way back. I am so disgusted with his care while he was there the first two visits, but this last time they took good care of him. It will be a long road and he won't be doing much of anything for another month, but at least he is officially cancer free throughout his body. Yay!

And finally, I made some cards a while ago and just a few days ago put together a super simple layout...it felt great to work on something creative again, however remedial the page may be. Ha! But really, I don't know what on earth happened with the photos I took of my work because geesh, you'd think I'd never taken a photo before. Anyway, you get the idea.

Seventy-One

2011-02-07T23:11:00.010-05:00

Oh my, I'll bet you thought I'd fallen off the face of the earth, didn't you? Well, I kinda did! Actually, so much has been happening I don't know where to start. I have not been too creative these last few months...I've been too busy with a new boyfriend (yes, NEW), my dad's health issues, work etc. and honestly I just haven't had any mojo whatsoever. But, before Christmas I made my boss a card (on request from a coworker) as well as another card and I also made cards for Brian--that's my friend from Canada I go to see who is now my boyfriend (yay us!)--and his parents. I also made the wrapping paper for his gift, as well as the gift bag for his other gift and two scarves for his mom. And just this last weekend I made two cards just because. Yippee!

Before I post those things, a quick update on my dad. We found out recently that his bladder cancer had returned. Ten days ago he had more surgery and they discovered he had a different cancer that was very invasive. Today we found out that he must have his bladder removed as soon as possible because the risk of it spreading is extremely high. He goes this week for cat and bone scans to see if the cancer has already spread and we will learn the results of that Monday. This is a very frightening and sad time for us all and even though I tend to be the strong one I can't seem to keep the tears from welling up. This is compounded by the fact that my dad's sister was just diagnosed with terminal bone cancer and hospitalized for the pain. It has been a roller coaster of a year, this is for sure. So if you have any good vibes to spare please shoot them this way, OK?

I wanted to also mention that I've joined a group of people who explore abandoned buildings to take photos and went on my first excursion to an abandoned psychiatric center. I have a ton of photos posted on FB, as well as Flickr (search on my real name or on Flickr you can find me using vel0811 I think). I'd love to post some of those photos here but they lose a bit of their magic if you only post a couple. Trust me, it was well worth going, even though eight cop cars showed up to escort us out. No worries, nobody was arrested; the cops were actually quite amusing. :)

Ooh, and I will post a photo or two of the love of my life (the first one is from 6 years ago, the second was taken a month ago). He's a keeper, ladies. I knew it when we became friends 13 or 14 years ago and I knew it a few months ago when I visited him again and the sparks flew. He loves me to pieces and treats me like a queen. I would gladly go through all the heartache of the last few years again if it meant I would find this kind of love in the end. Sappy? You bet! He truly makes my heart sing.

So, on to the crafty stuff...here you go:

Seventy

2010-12-06T18:54:00.006-05:00

OK, hold onto your seats...I actually did something this weekend. I mean creative. I know! Crazy! It's because it was the first weekend in forever I didn't have plans. Well, except my work holiday party Friday night, which was so much fun. Went solo, as did a bunch of other people, and then hung out a little after. Oh, and I wore a dress for the first time in four years. OMG I was so self conscious but it was ok. I'll put a photo here. Oh, I should mention, I'm loving my new camera. I bought a 50mm lens, filters and just ordered a 75-300mm lens too. Quite the Christmas I'm giving myself, right? Oh yeah, and got a remote control too. I have so much to learn but it's fun learning new things.

So, here's what I accomplished creatively this weekend...seven cards! Holy crap, right?

Sixty-nine

2010-11-28T18:07:00.007-05:00

OK, so this is terrible but I still have done nothing at all crafty. Can you believe that? I've been super busy but also sorta lost my mojo. Had to get the police involved in my harasser issue so now if she contacts me again she'll get arrested. Geesh, people really need to get a life, ya know?

But here's some big news on the personal front...got my nose pierced last weekend! Been wanting to forever, like seriously for years, but didn't think I could/should because of the nature of my job. But then my dear friend who is also an editor there got hers done and I'm like, oh hell yeah I'm going! Ha! Here's a picture...though it's not a fabulous one of me, it'll do.

Also, for Christmas I got myself a Canon Rebel EOS t2i with the kit lens and ordered a 50mm lens also. OMG I love this camera so much! Also will post a couple photos I took with it. Still have so much to learn but I have some magazines and books and blogs I'll be on every free minute and hopefully I'll just keep getting better.

Did I mention how much fun I had in Toronto? My friend Brian is such a great host and my friend Steve played an acoustic gig and my friend Derek showed up and played too and it was just some of the most fun I've had in a while. And then the next day Brian drove my sorry butt all over the city so I could get some photos. AND, I'm going back up right before Christmas as Trans Siberian Orchestra is playing and I've been dying to see them and Brian's going to get us some tickets. OMG I can't wait! Just made those arrangements a few minutes ago. (posting a Toronto skyline photo, though I took that with my Canon point-and-shoot, not the new Rebel)

Oh, saw the new Harry Potter movie yesterday...awesome! I really think they've come a long way with the movies since the beginning. Can't wait for the second half. And today went and saw the Nutcracker ballet with my sister, nieces and mom. Fabulous!

So there you have it, that's what I've been up to. Really, I do plan to get creative again, just not sure when that'll be. Ha! Thanks for stopping by!

Sixty-eight

2010-11-14T17:13:00.005-05:00

Just an FYI. If you tried to view my blog in the last few days you weren't able to as I shut it down temporarily in order to deal with a psycho stalker type. After several calls to the police I decided to open it back up but I've disabled comments as she's a fairly unstable person and we don't need to read that stuff, now do we?

**ETA** I have re-enabled comments but I'll be moderating them from now on. Again, thanks for your patience and understanding. :)

We had some fabulous news at my dad's follow-up appointment for his cancer Monday. Cancer free!! Yippee! This type of cancer has a high recurrence rate so we understand that risk but for now he has a three-month reprieve from invasive surgeries and tests. He's walking on sunshine at the moment.

Just got back from a weekend visiting friends in Toronto. One friend played a gig at a bar Friday and another friend showed up and joined him. It was fabulous! On Saturday we went and saw a terrific Celtic-type rock band called Fiddlestix. Some of the best music I've seen live in a very long time. Had a blast!

Since I have nothing crafty to share I thought maybe I'd post a couple of recent scenery photos I've taken.

Thanks for stopping by and for your patience and understanding while I work through this harassment thing I'm going through. You guys are the best! :)

Sixty-seven

2010-11-10T13:16:00.003-05:00

Made a couple more cards and a lo of my grams the other day. My grandmothers knew each other since they were very young, before my parents were born. They were good friends so it made family functions even better when I was growing up. I think this is one of my fav pics of them. I cut the clock from a vintage Sears catalog and the key is an antique my mom gave me.

Sixty-six

2010-11-06T16:25:00.005-04:00

Well hello there! I'm so neglectful and sorry about that but I haven't felt very creative lately and I've been super busy, so no time to update. Last night I sat down and made four cards though. Trying to replenish my supply.

**edited out some personal stuff here**

OK, so on to the real reason you're here. Here are the cards I made. The one with the buttons is a birthday card and the one with the clocks says inside: You only live once. Make it count. The dimensional clock I stamped on a piece of cream cs and heat embossed. Then I glimmer misted it and let it dry. Then I cut it out and crumpled it and finally applied a crackling agent to it to age it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sixty-five

2010-10-16T20:19:00.005-04:00

The girls at work inspired me to make some cards. I brought mine in the other day and sold something like 15 of them. Woot! But now I have almost no bday cards so I'm on a mission to replace them. The brown card below is made from a paper bag folded in half. It's actually pretty cool and fits nicely in a larger square envelope. Couple of the cards didn't photograph well but you get the idea. On the one with the flower I used embossing paste that I sprinkled embossing powder on and when it dried I heat embossed it. Don't think that's how you use embossing paste but it's quite nice in real life.

In other news, took a couple days off work this week and went hiking at Letchworth State Park with a friend I haven't seen in 20 years. We had the best time ever! I'll share a couple of the photos here.

Sixty-four

2010-10-12T19:13:00.004-04:00

So, my dad's surgery went well. The doc reassured him (as we have been) that he was not now, nor would he be anytime soon, a candidate to have his bladder removed. Dad is a cynic and assumes the worst so he's been thinking all this time he'd have to have it removed. Told ya, dad! It definitely eased his mind some. Now, that's not saying he's out of the woods yet; he goes back in early November for another look to see if the cancer's staying away. We're keeping our fingers crossed.

Saw the Facebook movie with a friend this weekend. Super movie...but made me a bit ashamed to be a member over there. Ha! Dude's a bigtime jerk! Ooh, I have a nice, long weekend planned coming up. Gonna do some hiking with a friend. I've been looking forward to this for a while now. And my long weekend to Toronto is less than a month away. Can't wait to see those guys again. It's been entirely too long.

And now, the real reason for the post. I did a lo (using bold colors...gasp!) and I made a card. The card I used chalks and just a little bit of watercolor pencil for the background. I just love how it turned out.

Sixty-three

2010-09-30T17:30:00.006-04:00

Tomorrow is my dad's third surgery to remove the cancerous tumors in his bladder and we're hopeful third time's the charm BUT if you'd like to send some good vibes our way we'll take 'em. :)

I was feeling inspired by some of the photos Jules took of me so I wanted to document what I look(ed) like at 42. The blue flower is cut with my Sizzix from one of those waffle placemats, the top layer is cut from a fabric swatch. Super duper simple to focus on the photo. So here you have it:

And here are a couple more photos Julie took...I love these ones of me splashing around in the fountains. And hey, I think you can see some of my tats in these too! Bonus!

Sixty-two

2010-09-24T20:52:00.007-04:00

Was feeling a little creative last night so put this lo together using a photo that Julie took of me a couple weekends ago. I edited it just a tad but didn't she do a nice job with it? The title (Alone does not mean lonely) is in reference to the fact that for the first time in my life I have realized that I love not having a significant other. I can be myself, I don't have to have someone in my life and I'm happy, happy, happy. And even though I'm technically alone, I am not the least bit lonely. Can't believe it took me this long to realize this. :)

That's black duct tape you see on the lo and a transparency I made using a digi image I found online. The brick on the right is a small Tim Holtz stamp I used repeatedly. I absolutely LOVE those background stamps (Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous) that I picked up at CKC. And finally got to use my Holtz tiny stapler. How much do those itty bitty staples rock anyway?? I love them.

A quick update on my dad. The three tumors are back but not as bad as before so next Friday the doc is going to attempt to laser them off (outpatient surgery...yay). We are once again hopeful that it works this time. His heart seems to be doing well...at least, he did well boxing me on Wii earlier tonight (I still knocked him out though...what can I say? I've been working out...hahaha).

In other news, I am so excited that I'll be getting to visit some old friends in Toronto in early November. We've been trying to schedule something and finally I think we've got some tentative dates. I love, love, love my Canadian friends and can't wait to see them again; it's been way too long. Toronto is just such an awesome city, any time of year. AND, Julie is going to try to get out here at the end of October and do some sightseeing with me. I can't wait! I'm going to post here a couple more of the photos she took of me when I went out there. She did such a nice job for me.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sixty-one

2010-09-19T14:35:00.010-04:00

Well, long time no see bloggy friends! I've been so busy (and not creatively either) I haven't had a minute to update. Only have a couple of cards to share today. The first one I made those little paper beads and then quilled the center of the flower. The second card I made for a friend at work to send to one of her friends back home. The tag comes out to use as a bookmark (or whatever). I just love making these tags.

Went to CKC Cincinnati last weekend with my gal Julie. Had a nice, long weekend in Ohio and had the time of my life. We ran around town all day Saturday taking photos. I've lost over 25 pounds now so I'm ok with having my photo taken...more or less. Hahahaha We went to this art sculpture park thing and it's like 7-foot tall cement corn cobs. So bizarre! And this other place that has these super tall dancing bunnies made out of junk and gears and cogs and stuff. Very, very cool place. We also hit up this German brewery in Kentucky after CKC. That was very cool too.

Here's just a couple of the photos we took:

Sixty

2010-08-28T11:48:00.006-04:00

I've been wanting to alter a composition book for the longest time and since I just started keeping a journal I figured the time was now. This took me about two days, only because I needed to let the front dry before starting on the back. They're very easy to do once you get started, depending on what you want on your book. I started with a cs base, glimmer misted the crap out of it and mod podged it on. Then I started ripping images from vintage catalogs and magazines (a 1912 Sears catalog, 1950s McCalls magazine etc.). I used Staz On ink for the stamped images since any other ink wouldn't dry on top of the mod podged paper. The key on the front is a Holtz Sizzix die cut from grunge paper, inked, glimmer misted and distress stickled. Added some tapes, some heat embossing and old ribbon and called it a day. It's totally my style, dontcha think?

Fifty-nine

2010-08-22T12:05:00.008-04:00

Had a wonderful time cropping with Julie Ann and Cordula yesterday. I'm really starting to like crops...never thought I would actually. The packing's pretty rough...I wanna bring everything I own with me.

Picture heavy post, sorry about that. The lo is me when I was 26. Love that it was a candid shot, totally caught me in the moment. The time flies card is a birthday card, the flower card says "a happy hello" inside and the rain card says "into every life a little rain must fall, that's what makes the flowers" and I stamped a flower inside. I probably could've taken a better picture of the tags but if you click on it you get a good idea of what I did on them. So love making tags.

Anyone watch True Blood? A girl at work got me hooked. That show is hawt! Ooh, going to see Inception Friday...can't wait...heard great things about it. And, going to CKC Cincinnati in a couple weeks with Julie. Really looking forward to that.

Finally...remember a few months ago when I was so heartbroken and then angry and bitter and all those emotions you go through when you break up with someone? I'm so excited to report that I'm doing much, much better and moving beyond all that. I have some of the best friends and family in the world who have helped me by listening, giving advice, sharing stories and keeping me busy. Plus...I'm doing pretty well losing the weight I wanted to lose. I'm actually the happiest I've been in a very long time. Yippee!

Fifty-eight

2010-08-15T08:35:00.004-04:00

Well, I decided I should scrap some of my Mensa moments. Hahahaha My problem is, the minute I get a degree I forget everything I learned on the way to getting that degree (I'm all about memorizing, you see). So I have to keep going back. Naw, I'm done now...the master's was hell on me, there won't be a doctor in this family! Anyway...this lo is pics from my 2nd degree, hence the title. I used some of those Tim Holtz fragments that I glued pp to the back of...ooh, and a new EK Success butterfly border punch I picked up. Loved that punch so much I went back two days later and bought another style.

On the card I cut the flowers out of grunge paper (not grungeboard) with my Sizzix then glimmer misted two different colors quite heavily. I dried them with my heat gun so the edges would curl up and brown a bit to give them a bit more of an aged look. Then I ran them through my Sizzix with embossing folders and ran an ink pad lightly over the top. I love how they turned out and definitely will be doing that again. Grunge paper embosses sooooo nicely.

Fifty-seven

2010-08-13T06:49:00.003-04:00

Finally I was able to scrap a picture of my other dog without breaking down. Oh, I miss her terribly and wish there was a way I could have brought her with me...but I tend to take threats seriously and didn't want to start WWIII so she's not with me anymore. ~sigh~

I used the tag I showed you in my previous post on this, as well as a crumpled, glimmer misted piece of cs, some fabric and ribbon. The die in the lower right I made with my Sizzix then ran it through with a Cuttlebug embossing folder and brushed an ink pad over top of it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Fifty-six

2010-08-07T17:36:00.005-04:00

I'm not sure I dare say it out loud...hmmm...but I think maybe my mojo has made a reappearance. At least for a day. I made a lo this afternoon and a tag. And I started another page but I'm sitting on it a day or so because I'm not sure how I want to put it together.

The tag is made from a smooth, white cardstock base that I traced a layaway tag onto. I sprayed a couple of glimmer mists and before they dried I sprinkled clear embossing powder on and heated. Not sure if you can see the sheen if you click on the photo to zoom in but it's there. The hard part was that I wanted to stamp a bunch of images over that; unfortunately the embossing powder makes the surface glossy so you really need to stamp with Staz On or some other ink for non-porous surfaces. Where I couldn't get the ink to dry I dripped with two different alcohol inks.

For the lo I ripped apart a 1911 book (yes, it was worth it, I have a ton of them I won at auctions) then sprayed it with some Holtz color wash (that stuff is great if you're looking for a mist that doesn't have the glimmer to it and don't feel like making one yourself). The paper strip on the left is just some leftover kraft paper I stamped all up then ran through a paper crimper. Finally, the flower is from burlap and two different tulles run through my Sizzix.

Fifty-five

2010-08-03T08:10:00.006-04:00

Ooh, August is a great month, isn't it? Gardens are blooming, pools are in use, the summer's winding down and the beauty of Fall is just around the corner. Oh, and I'm guest DT-ing over at Scrap Your Crap! :) I'm honored to have been chosen to guest this month for the "tape" challenge. I {heart} me some tape; have an entire drawer of it, so when I heard what this month's challenge was I couldn't wait to dive in. I actually made two LOs for the challenge...here they are! The first lo is my mom. I used lots of 7 Gypsies, including their paper tape (that stuff is sooo yummeh!). Second one is me lookin' pretty fine. All that green/clear tape is from M's dollar section. Isn't it fabulous?

And thanks ladies for letting me join you this month!

Fifty-four

2010-07-29T20:04:00.008-04:00

I actually got off my butt and made a lo and two cards this week. Though, technically speaking, I was sitting while doing it so I didn't really get off my butt, did I? Anyway, the lo is based on the Got Sketch? sketch #102. I don't work well with multi-photo LOs so I figured I'd challenge myself a little...of course, using a sketch isn't much of a challenge, is it? On the other hand, I did turn the sketch on its side...that must count for something, right? ~sigh~

The flower on the lo I made by cutting a piece of yellow fabric into three strips, misting it brown & black then braiding the strips and twisting them into a flower. Saw the technique used in a different way on Elsie's blog forever ago and I use it to make flowers.

I made the tag on the kraft card using multiple stamps, glimmer mist and embossing powder. I really like making those tags, just wish I had more use for them. Put some fluff on it by tucking some tulle behind the tag to finish it up.

A side note...we finally had our reviews at work today. I'm doing a good job, I write well blah blah blah. I'd say show me the money but that doesn't do much good since it's been a couple years since they've showed us the money. Dang economy anyway. At least I know I'm doing well, that's what matters I guess.

OK, so here's my stuffs:

Fifty-Three

2010-07-25T17:57:00.008-04:00

Yesterday was the first ever Flower City Girlz Crop and I had so much fun. Stayed a lot longer than I thought I would and got more done than I thought I would too. Actually did two pages and four cards. Yippee! But then I'm looking at my LOs and realized all my stuff's looking the same these days. Gaah! Guess it's time to start doing more challenges again.

On a personal note, I joined the gym here in town...four-month commitment so I can really get this extra weight off. Ten pounds from now I'll start to feel much better about myself. Looking forward to that. OMG I've been having some really horrid dreams lately. Maybe it's all these vampyre books I've been reading (my sister and niece got me hooked on the House of Night series). And I miss my dog, Lady, so, so, so much. It hurts so bad. She stayed with my ex-bf when I left in April. I look at pictures of her and I tear up. I'm hoping to scrap some of the photos but so far I haven't been able to. ~sigh~

Well anyway, here's the stuff I got done yesterday. The inside of the card with the woman ironing says "Paybacks are hell." hehehe It's a stamp I picked up yesterday. LOVE it!

I'll be updating again on the 1st with a couple of LOs I made as part of a guest DT spot on a challenge blog. Thanks for stopping by!

Fifty-two

2010-07-19T07:00:00.005-04:00

I still don't have my mojo back but it's getting there. Got a lo done and a card for the neighbor's son's graduation party (which was yesterday). The black shiny dots you see are the new Tim Holtz enamel accents. Lurve that stuff!

I've been busy scanning old family photos my mom had here. That's actually been a lot of fun.TONS of photos for me to scrap now. And I joined the gym downtown for a trial...think I'll join for real for a few months. I have 28 pounds to lose (already lost about 14 I guess since February). Even though I work out at work three days a week it's not enough to lose like I want to so guess it's the gym for me. ~sigh~

I'm so excited...some girls in our area are getting together for our first ever crop Friday night. Julie Ann called us the Flower City Girlz Scrap 2gether. It'll be so nice to meet other women from the area who scrap. Unfortunately I broke my stinkin' crop bag at CKC Buffalo and haven't replaced it so I'm going to have to come up with a solution here pretty darn quick. Oh, and speaking of CKC, I registered for Cincinnati. I'll be driving out to Ohio to visit Jules for the weekend and we'll head up for a day of shopping on Sept. 10. Soooo can't wait for that. Not taking any classes though...total waste of money.

So anyway...here's the lo and card I made...sorry for the horrible shadows on the lo from taking the pic in the sun:

Fifty-One

2010-07-12T19:27:00.004-04:00

Oh, hello there. You might remember me as the one who used to blog sometimes. Yes, well, I've been on vacation and haven't really felt like it. Felt like anything really. Had a great family reunion here on the 4th; some relatives stayed several days, which was really nice. Discovered my aunt and I have a ton in common (she even makes cards...we had a blast shopping). Then even when we had the house to ourselves I was just a big blob of blah. Haven't felt very creative; managed only to make two cards in the last week and one lo (which is under wraps right now as it's tentatively for a guest DT gig I've got next month). So I'm sharing the two cards and then might go downstairs and see if I can get something crafty done.

Update on dad: He seems to be doing quite well. His cough is very infrequent now. He had his second BCG treatment and doc seems to think all is well with that. His follow-up surgery is at the end of August so we will keep our fingers crossed that the cancer is gone, gone, gone at that time. If not...well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Oh, a little pat on the back for me. When I checked my work e-mail today there was a really, really nice one from someone who works at the company I profiled last week (I'm a newspaper reporter, in case you didn't know) and he was complimenting profusely the story I wrote AND he copied both my editors and the owner of the paper on the e-mail. YES! Always nice to come back from vacation to something like that. If only that would translate to a raise....sigh.

Anyway, here are the two little cards I made. I thought the inside of the frog one could say "Here's to believing in fairy tales" or something like that. The jar of buttons one I stamped a thinking of you type sentiment inside.

Fifty

2010-06-29T19:38:00.005-04:00

Fifty posts this year...is that good? I feel like a slacker lately.

Quick update on my dad...he's doing well. He feels good. Still has a cough but hopefully that's from the sinus infection he had before going into the hospital. The cardiologist seemed to think his cough would get better after taking him off one medicine and putting the stents in. Who knows. He's convinced the cancer's back though. Says he can "feel" it. I think (and hope!!) what he's feel is the bladder healing and perhaps scabbing or something. He has his first BCG appointment Thursday. And dang, wouldn't you know there's no way in H-E-Double Toothpicks I can go to it so I'm sicking my badazz sister on the doc to get some answers as to why my dad thinks it's back. Anyway...happy thoughts, happy thoughts.

In other news, I finally finished cleaning out the basement. What a HUGE difference. And then on Sunday I painted the bathroom. What a productive weekend. Yippee!

And I also made a couple cards and did a lo of my lovely sister. I've been a bit of a stampaholic...won a bunch more evilbay auctions and now I have to buy more storage. (That isn't such a bad problem though, I must say.) Been digging out my embossing powder too...forgot how much I love that stuff.

Deets: The pearly stuff on the aqua card is Liquid Pearls (tried it for the first time, love it); the border on the aqua card and on the lo is a Martha punch (I know, I know but it's such a cool punch, isn't it??); and I made the tag on the lo out of a vintage layaway tag I picked up at a flea market last year (lots of stamping on that tag...just love it though). Oh, alphas are ancient Buzz & Bloom and the key I made from a Sizzix die and grungepaper (did you know Jo's carries the paper now?).

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your long weekend if you're here in the states!

Crap, I almost forgot...who's going to see Eclipse??!! My sister and I are planning/hoping to see it Friday. And omg, who's seen the Harry Potter trailer? I cannot WAIT til that comes out. Oh, one more thing...got a new fav show of the moment...Persons Unknown. It's currently filling a very small portion of the huge void since Lost ended. ~sigh~ But it's really a great show...watch from the beginning though if you decide to check it out, else you'll be all confused.

Forty-nine

2010-06-21T20:21:00.004-04:00

A quick update on my dad. He had a stress test this morning which prompted an angiogram this afternoon (that's the surgery where they insert a camera through the artery to find any blockage). They found three blockages in his heart and put three stents in. I think we all understand now how very fortunate we are he was home when the chest pain occurred because if he had been by himself and unable to call an ambulance...well, the result may have been much, much worse. Unfortunately following the surgery he was having some bladder issues, which alarmed the nurse and the cardiologist so he was contemplating getting the urologist in there. My poor dad. My FB status right now is how thankful I am that my dad is here to hug every day. That couldn't be more true. Go hug the people you love, folks, because you just never know.

Really, go do it. I'll wait.

Waiting....

Waiting...

OK, so now that that's done, here's the card I threw together Sunday morning before heading to the hospital. He loved it and cried so I guess that's a good reaction, right?

Oh, and you see that weird smudgy area in the middle of the card? That'd be my doggy's slobber on the picture from when he kissed the camera the other day. OOPSY!

OMG, speaking of my dog, a big thank you to my neighbor (and dad's best friend) who has been looking after Lido while we have been spending all our time at the hospital. Sometimes the kindness of others really grips you, ya know?

Forty-eight

2010-06-20T07:42:00.002-04:00

A quick post to ask you to please keep my dad in your thoughts. He had what may have been a heart attack yesterday and is in the hospital until at least tomorrow having tests and being monitored. It's pretty awful seeing your dad in so much pain, especially following right on the heels of his bladder cancer. What a way to spend Father's Day, right? Blech.

Just realized I never had a chance to make him a Father's Day card...better run and do that now before heading off to the hospital.

Forty-seven

2010-06-17T20:27:00.006-04:00

Well yowza, what a week! Today was my dad's surgery follow-up and it appears as though he is officially cancer free. Yippee! In a couple of weeks he will start weekly treatments of BCG, a chemo-type drug actually used to treat TB but works very well to stop a recurrence of bladder cancer. We are hopeful it works but we'll know more in about two months or so when the doc goes back in to see if it's still gone.

Going through some pretty heartbreaking and stressful times here...with my dad's illness and it being the busiest time of the year for me at work, as well as the recent breakup of my relationship. I will not air my dirty laundry here, but I will say this: Ladies, always, always, always trust your heart and your gut instinct. I wish I had. ~sigh~

But enough of that!

I got a super nice package of papers from South Africa a couple days ago. I didn't even remember winning an RAK but how cool is it to get a package from so far away...and full of yumminess too? Quick shopping trip with my mom last weekend and I picked up a new Martha (gasp!) punch. It's on the first card here. Won a drawing on a sb site this week too. My printer decided to finally crap the bed so I treated myself to a new one yesterday (ya know, I deserved it, I think). Ooh, and got a bunch of yummy stamps from evilbay too. So of course I had to sample them, right? Check it:

OMG, I almost forgot the best thing...it looks like I'm going to go to CKC Cincinnati with my gal Julie in September. So excited for that! Oh, and Jules just made Nikki Sivils' DT...isn't that awesome??!! I'm so happy for her...really, no one deserves it more than she does. Oh yeah, and I get to say I know a famous person. That's totally the best part! ;)

Forty-six

2010-06-10T21:31:00.004-04:00

I've had some stupid songs running through my head the past few days and I wanted to share them here so you all could have them running through your heads too: Cracklin' Rosie (anyone younger than 30 never mind, you wouldn't get it); 867-5309 (do people younger than 30 know this song...I'm not sure); and that song about stepping back off that ledge my friend. You know the one, I know you do. Is it Third Eye Blind maybe? Anyway, it was in that Jim Carrey movie too. As soon as I get that song out of my head they play it on the radio. Taunting me. A conspiracy, I'm sure of it.

~sigh~

Tonight was the party for my mom's retirement and the other people celebrating momentous occasions where she worked. Surprisingly the food was really good, the alcohol was cheap (which is why it's already taken me half an hour to try to type this out without spelling errors) and there were enough photo ops to make me and my camera happy. More or less. (I'm really getting annoyed with my spelling errors though, I gotta say.)

So the real reason for the post is the cards I made the other day. Here they are. Wait, before I share them I should mention all the fab deals to be had on evilbay. I mean, you can get some really great stamps on there (holy crikey, I just had to retype the word 'on' like seven times...geesh, do not invite me to your next party, who knows what havoc I might wreak.) But as I was saying, I discovered CTMH stamps at CKC Buffalo and have totally fallen in love with them. Found some on eBay too, really inexpensive. I'm eying some Unity stamps...don't have any but have heard great things and would really like to try some but good lord they're expensive. I think they might be lined with gold. Can anyone confirm that for me? Cuzz at like $19 a set (and that's CHEAP compared to what they go for elsewhere) they really must be lined with gold or have the ability to feed me dinner or blast me to work in less than 30 seconds or something. I'm totally channeling Rosie the Robot right now for some reason.

How many glasses of wine DID I have tonight anyway??!!

OK, on to the business at hand:

Forty-five

2010-06-06T16:26:00.007-04:00

Finally some time to do something...yay! I played along with Sketchy Thursdays this week because I absolutely fell in love with the sketch. Here's what I made:

That's my very awesome sister being her ladylike self. ;P I cut the flowers with my Sizzix then played with some alcohol ink. Also dribbled ink on the glittery brads so they'd match.

Made some cards this weekend after I picked up a cute mat stack by DCWV. My dad's got this thing about "happy" colors on cards (I think he's sick of the browns and greens I seem to always use) so guess these are dedicated to him.

Forty-four

2010-05-31T16:09:00.004-04:00

Boohoo! I'm so sad my month as a guest Dollie is over but boy did I have fun. It was just what the doctor ordered to yank me out of my doldrums. For the last challenge of the month it was to use the colors brown, yellow and red and I loved working with these colors. So much so that not only did I create a lo but also made a quick card with the scrap paper. Yay!

So a fond farewell from me and a big thank you to the Dollies for having me on board this month. Don't forget to keep playing along with their challenges...they're varied and fun and a great way to get your mojo back if you've misplaced it.

Forty-three

2010-05-27T20:03:00.004-04:00

OMG I know, two posts back to back! You might be thinking...hmmm...maybe Julie DID slip her some kitty vittles but nooooo, I actually delved back into my new stamp stash and pulled out this yumminess. That hummingbird is a fabulous clear stamp by Sue Coccia. I'm including a close-up of the bird because the detail is like nothing I've ever seen before, especially on a clear stamp. I picked it up at CKC (the artist wasn't there but the company who makes the photo polymer stamps was...super duper nice girl in the booth...I bugged her for like half an hour while I decided which one to buy). Anyway, I stamped this on textured cs (another amazing feat, a clear stamp on textured cs...well, you would expect to lose a lot of the detail I think) and I am so pleased with it. Zoom in, you really have to, because you'll see how she creates her art and if you look super close you'll see her name on there too. I am on a quest to own at least another couple of these beauties!

Forty-two

2010-05-26T22:29:00.003-04:00

Another fabulous Design Dollies challenge to share with you. You know why it's so fabulous? It's the elements challenge. You know why that's so fabulous? It required the use of the color PINK! Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about that color. Like, gag me. Well, maybe not that bad. Actually yeah, that bad. It's right up there with country music and anything Brangelina. But anyway...so this challenge threatened to derail me. It required the color pink, use of a crown, stripes, lace and a couple of 3-dimensional things. And as GDT I had to participate (and to be perfectly honest I was kinda looking forward to the challenge because when it's something that tough I tend to really try hard to make something halfway decent). So guess what? I absolutely LOVE what I created and I love that it's mostly pink. Isn't that crazy? It's certainly not because my new pal Leah painted my room pink when I wasn't looking last week. And it's definitely not because that dumb Michelle girl at CKC was taunting me with pink stuff (see Leah's most recent post for the full story on that hellitude). But I do think maybe my gal Julie slipped me some of her kitty Valium or something (if you don't know Julie you absolutely MUST follow that link back there...you'll love her...or hate her...or love to hate her...but you'll be entertained either way). And so here we go, my pink card...

Dang it, where'd that drumroll go....

Oh right, here it is. Bdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbd Bdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbd

(Yes, I'm well aware it isn't all that but you gotta remember, I don't do pink. This is a big deal for me. Humor me. Please.)

Forty-one

2010-05-24T08:58:00.007-04:00

Finally got something done, thanks to the CKC crop. As much fun as hanging out is, I don't think I'd want to crop very often. I have a REALLY difficult time packing for something like that. Then I end up missing half my stash and feeling like the work isn't done. Eh, it was cool though.

(The rest of this sentiment is I would walk in my garden forever...it's a fabulous set from CTMH I picked up at the show that day.)

(The inside sentiment on this says I miss you. The branch and leaves are from a Technique Tuesday set I picked up at the show and the fence is a fabulous wood mounted stamp from a company I hadn't heard of. I don't have the stamp handy but it's heartfelt or heartland or something like that. Wonderful, quite detailed stamps.)

(The inside sentiment on this one is Owl love you forever.)

Forty

2010-05-23T05:57:00.004-04:00

Soooo, I'm terribly late getting this Design Dollies challenge up but since the reason is because I was WITH one of the Dollies then I guess I'm forgiven, right? Leah showed up on my doorstep about 1:30 Friday Morning and a few hours later we were on our way to CKC Buffalo with Curtis' mom. We had a BLAST! We spent tons of money...I got my first sets of CTMH stamps and OMG I love them soooo much. Got some Technique Tuesday stamps, some new BG stuff, Paper Loft. Well, a ton of stuff and I couldn't be happier. We stayed for the crop and I managed to finish five cards too. That was way cool. Then Leah, my mom and I went shopping yesterday and hit up HL, Ollies and Jo's. Got me an oval curvy cutter tool (already have the circles) for $4.99 at Ollies. Cool, eh? This weekend was just what the doctor ordered, I'm tellin' ya! Thanks Leah! And Elaine! And Mom!

And here's the challenge lo for the Dollies. It's based on this fabulous sketch:

Thirty-nine

2010-05-19T18:59:00.003-04:00

Design Dollies has a new challenge for you and as this month's guest I played along. This is for the elements challenge, which is to make a project that's animal centered...because today's National Circus Day or something strange like that (anyone else think Hallmark makes up holidays so they can sell cards??). Well, I'm not a big fan of the circus but I do love me some Bambi's.

You'll have to excuse my very rudimentary card making these days. Just haven't been up to snuff with my creativity since my dad got sick and my breakup. I'll get there...just gonna take a little time.

And to help me along...I'm going to CKC Buffalo Friday with Curtis' mom and Leah, that uber talented Dollie. I'm so excited for the event (went last year, had a blast) and even more excited to meet Leah. We've got half a day of shopping planned, followed by half a day of classes, followed by an evening crop. How cool is that??

Thirty-eight

2010-05-10T19:28:00.005-04:00

I've been playing right along with those awesome Dollies and here are the most recent challenges you can take part in. The first (and I must apologize for being terribly late with this one) is the sketch challenge from Thursday. There's still time to participate if you're interested, so don't forget to run right over there and check out what the Dollies have to inspire you. The second challenge is the color challenge, which I thought I'd have a tough time with but then I found this awesome A2Z Essentials paper and it was so perfect. The colors are turquoise, black and yellow.

So here's the sketch and my interpretation of it:

And my color challenge card:

Thirty-seven

2010-05-04T13:10:00.008-04:00

Oh, I know, it's been FORever! And I do apologize, but with my father's cancer and my sudden and quite unexpected move (not the correct forum to explain what happened but suffice to say it's relationship centered and a major reason for my depression of late), well, I've been BUSY!

We got somewhat good news at my dad's surgery follow-up yesterday. First and foremost they removed the catheter...he was understandably ecstatic. Second, we found out his cancer is TA stage (early) but high-grade (aggressive). Here's the good news: The doc thinks he got all of it, that it won't spread and with a repeat of the procedure in about a month it will be gone for good. Yay!!

The other good news is that I'm guest designing this month over at Design Dollies. I know you know I love those gals and their blog. I am so inspired by the sketches, elements challenge and color challenge...I just wish I could participate in every single one. Ahhh, if only the day had 28 hours in it!

Anyway, these first two cards are for the first two challenges of the month. The color challenge from yesterday was pink, orange and cream. Now, you all know I can't stand pink but I bit the bullet and played along and I'm glad I did. (Of course, since almost all my supplies are boxed up downstairs I had not much to work with but I dare say I did make it work!)

The second challenge was the teacher appreciation week challenge in which you give thanks to a fav teacher. I thought a school-inspired thank-you card was apropos.

And the last card is just something I whipped up while I was sitting there playing with these little DCWV stacks.

Thanks for stopping by...and don't forget to head over to the Dollies to play along with the challenges. You can win mucho awesome stuffs!

Thirty-six

2010-04-22T13:28:00.002-04:00

A very short post to let you know I'm still alive but unable and unwilling to blog for a bit. My dad is OK...we will know more when he goes in to have the tumor removed on Tuesday. As for me, a lot has happened in the last week, but I just can't talk about it at the moment. It's been a heartbreaking and very depressing last few days and I've made a ton of changes that have turned my world upside down. I'm in limbo right now and incredibly busy getting my life in order. I'll be back as soon as possible, I promise. Please continue to keep my family in your thoughts, if you don't mind. I (and my dad) could use all the positive vibes we can get right now.

Thanks tons for stopping by...it means the world to me.

ps. If I've neglected your blogs please don't take it personally. I just don't have the time at the moment to keep up, even with my regulars. I'm so very sorry about that.

Thirty-five

2010-04-15T20:41:00.003-04:00

Wow, 35 posts this year already...that's gotta be a record. Somewhere.

Just one card to share with you today. I lost my mojo...see below for why. I used the new Sizzix Tim Holtz die for the keyhole and key. I really want to use the new dies on grungeboard or, ideally, grungepaper, but it's nowhere to be found. ~sigh~

We received word earlier this week that my dad has bladder cancer. They've also found a suspicious spot on his lung. If you have been following my blog very long you've likely seen all sorts of LOs and photos of my wonderful daddy. He's a VERY young 70 (who remembers the photo of him jumping on our trampoline like just last year??) so for him to hear he has cancer was a very hard blow. I was talking to him on the phone and I heard the phone drop...he couldn't hold onto it because he was crying too hard. And so was my mom. And then so was I...while at work. Later that night he had calmed down some enough to talk to me and I told him it was OK if he wanted to throw something. He laughed and that's always a good thing. Then yesterday and today he went golfing. Good for him, right?!

Anyway, on Tuesday we go for a pre-op visit and some tests. They have to determine what stage his cancer is in. If you pray or if you believe in good vibes I would ask you to please send them our way on Tuesday. We are hoping they can just remove the tumor, not the bladder, then do six rounds of chemo. It will be an extremely unpleasant experience for him from what I understand so I want to be there to help cheer him up afterward. Anyway, the following Tuesday is his actual surgery...we'll also need some good vibes that day too, folks. If you have them to spare. :)

At some point they also need to figure out what's up with this spot on his lung. Sadly, dad was a heavy smoker for something like 40 years...he quit eight years ago but must be not soon enough. I'm so glad I quit when I did...phew!

Lots more going on but I'm not up for talking about it right now...someday maybe. Thanks for listening...figured I'd throw it out there so if I'm not posting like I usually do you'll know why. And for those of you who left kind messages already here and on my Facebook page...thank you so very much. It's been a rough week!

Thirty-four

2010-04-11T18:38:00.011-04:00

Warning - Photo heavy post (again)! I've been up to my eyeballs in cards...just can't seem to break away from them. I think it's all the new tools. Yeah, that's gotta be it. But also...I actually did a lo. Woohoo! Based on Sketchy Thursday's sketch from 4/8, I made this lo of my dad when I think he was a senior in high school. This had to have been the hardest lo to scan or photo. I tried a dozen times and finally gave up getting the colors right. The bg color is actually a real pretty cream but it looks pure white here and the cardboard frame is a real nice olive green. Go figure.

And here are some of the cards I've made:

Since this post is already so photo heavy (and I even left out three or four cards I made) I won't share any 365 project photos this time around. But I will tell you my news. I've opened a shop at shophandmade.com. I'm still in the beginning stages so I only have a couple of my cards listed at the moment but I hope to get better photos of some of them and get them up by the end of the week...as well as some of my clay embellies, chipboard buttons and coasters and crocheted/fabric flowers. Well, we'll see what happens...even if I don't sell a thing at least I'll know I gave it a shot. I've put a link to the shop over on the left. Oh yeah, and did you notice I actually have a blog header now? Took me long enough, right? Ha!

Have a great week everyone and thanks tons for stopping by! :)

Thirty-three

2010-04-05T15:39:00.007-04:00

More cards to share today. I've gotten a few of the Holtz Sizzix dies (LOVE them) and discovered Sizzix's movers and shapers dies. Holy crow, they rock! (Tim has a couple, that's what got me hooked) If you're unfamiliar, they cut a shape (my fav is the A2 card, with the crease mark to fold on) and within the shape you can place a smaller, magnetic die anywhere and it'll cut a hole out in that shape. See the card below with the owls in the four holes. That was done in a single pass through the machine. Way cool. And the card with the keyhole is the Holtz mover and shaper die. You might want to click on that one to zoom in a bit...it didn't photograph well. I applied crackle accents on the heart and key and really roughed up the surface of the tag thingy. As with most things it looks much better IRL.

So, I've also been taking advantage of clearance sales and coupons and have gotten a ton of new stamps. Still learning where the stamping is concerned...I'll never be a pro but I'm getting better. Speaking of ruined stamping...this first card I salvaged after stamping a really cute but way too small tree in the middle. Cut that paper to look like a tree as best I could and voila! Turned out not half bad. So here ya go...and hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend!

And here are some of my latest 365 project photos:

Thirty-two

2010-04-01T19:24:00.007-04:00

If you're looking for the Caffinated Cropper subscriber blog hop scroll down one post! :)

Today Creative Scrappers began its month-long birthday celebration and as part of it readers were asked to apply for guest spots. I feel so lucky to have been chosen as one of the reader spotlights. I worked with a lovely sketch by Lady Grace. Here is my take:

The flower you see in the close-up is one I made out of a ribbon. I cut it into threes and then braided it and wrapped it in a circle. The center, as well as the square embelly below it, are both clay pieces I made.

Here are a couple of my most recent 365 project photos:

Thirty-one

2010-03-31T05:00:00.001-04:00

For those looking for the Caffinated Cropper customer/DT blog hop you've come to the right place...yay! For those who don't know what I'm talking about you'll want to visit Amy's blog first and follow the trail through to the end. If you comment on each blog on the hop you'll be eligible to win a fabulous mini Beeez Kneez kit. These kits are fabulous and I know there are just a few left so if you're interested make sure to check it out on Amy's blog when you're done with the hop.

In addition to the four or five cards I made when I first got the kit, I put these cards together in the last couple days using items from the kit. Aren't the little bee stamps from Nikki Sivils adorable? The kit comes with some wonderful, exclusive E.A.D. vinyl rub-ons, some hand-made paper/button flowers, trims, bling, stickles...well, you name it, it's in there.

Don't forget, if you visit each of the blogs and leave a comment (make sure to leave one on Amy's too!) you'll be in a drawing for a mini kit. Up next is Angie's blog. And here's the entire list in case you're a rebel and want to skip around a bit. ;)

Amy
Robyn
Christi T
Christi S
Debby
Carole
Ashley
Vicki
Stephanie
Sherry
ME
Angie
Amber
Jimmi

So go, get on with it...and good luck!

Thirty

2010-03-29T20:12:00.014-04:00

Ooh, I haven't blogged in a week...but I think that's a good thing...who wants their reader filled to the brim every day, right? I'd hate to think I was too frequent a blogger that everyone was just hitting the "mark all as read" button when they got to mine. Sshhh...I found myself doing that this week to even my very favoritist of blogs...I just couldn't keep up!

So anyway...got lots of cards done this weekend as Curtis' mom was in town and I did a little scrappy shopping. ACM has the new Holtz Sizzix dies...woot! I picked up three (one edge die, the key/keyhole/hinge die and the gears). You'll see the edge die on a set of cards below. I also picked up three fabulous DCWV mat stacks to make cards from (same cards I just mentioned). And what else? Ooh, a bunch of new stamps. And my latest Kenner Road (my last one...sigh) kit arrived this weekend. So I have a big pile of yumminess sitting in the middle of my floor that I'm dying to take care of but can't because I want to use it all right now!

I wanted to mention also that I'm taking part in a customer blog hop Wednesday (3/31) for Amy's new kit club at Caffinated Cropper. I've mentioned the kit before but it bears mentioning again because truly, it's quite fabulous. I've easily made five or six cards, maybe more, from it and have enough left over to make at least another five to 10. No kidding!

Anyway, here are my latest cards (no 365 project photos because this post is so photo heavy as it is). And credit where credit is due...that adorable owl card was inspired by the VERY talented Charity. I've been wanting to do this with a card but hadn't gotten around to it and she posted some similar cards last week so I decided it was time. It is NOT easy, let me tell you. I ruined three cards before finally getting the wood grain stamp to work the right way. Ugh.

OK really, I'm done talking now, I swear!

Twenty-nine

2010-03-22T10:52:00.014-04:00

Another photo heavy post...I'm sorry.

Well I've been a busy, busy girl with my card making these days. The thank you card is using Unscripted Sketches #47 with the twist a paint chip (that's what I stamped and embossed the sentiment on). The Owl Miss You card uses CPS sketch #159. The buttons on the hi card I made from clay.

Here are my latest 365 project photos:

Twenty-eight

2010-03-20T20:24:00.003-04:00

Super short and sweet post because I just have a layout to share with you. I used the most recent sketch at Sassy Lil Sketches, but here's the twist: it's a card sketch. With the leftovers I think I'll go ahead and make a card but not necessarily tonight. :)

A Place of My Own

2008-04-05T11:40:00.002-04:00

Ah, well, I've finally jumped on the bandwagon and created a blog, a place where I can record my random thoughts--and trust me, there are many--and post my scrapbook pages.

Not familiar with halcyon dreams? Halcyon can mean many things, but to me it means peaceful, calm and perhaps even ethereal. Given the busy lifestyles we all lead today, we could use some halcyon dreams, couldn't we?