What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 160

It's "What's On Your Workdesk?" Wednesday when we share photos of our "workdesk, room, table etc. If you're curious and want to learn more hop on over to Julia's Stamping Ground where you will find hundreds of crafters from around the world sharing.

I am barely going to make "Wednesday". I've had a busy day. I'm going to show you "two" of my workdesks. This is the first one. This is my actual "workdesk". I am the secretary for my church Well of Life Church. I've had this position for 13 yrs this October. I've been a member of this church for 22 yrs. Our church is in a building that is like a strip mall that has other businesses in it. The Church owns the building. The green bear was given to me by a friend several years ago. I decided to leave him at the office. He goes with the decore! I have a photo frame on the left corner of my desk and you can see a portion of the Bible study that I'm leading on Wednesday nights "Nehemiah" by Kelly Minter.

My hours are Monday-Friday 9AM-Noon. On Thursdays after I leave the office I go across the highway to my other part time job which is working at the scrapbook store Cat's Creations Scrapbooks from 1PM - 8PM. For the last two weeks I have been going over on Wednesdays to help with Kids Kamp. We had 12 Kampers this year doing all sorts of projects and learning lots of techniques. This is the last week and I went over today. Then I had church tonight so I haven't been at my "workdesk" at home to craft today. I have been crafting alot the last several days though and it looks like a creative tornado has been in my room!

I have stuff all over the floor! Just on the other side of my paper trimmer is a card I made for a challenge yesterday. You can see it here.

Ok...I'm off to visit some more interesting places. Thanks for stopping by.

Christmas Bingo

I was reading my friend Sandy's blog this afternoon and she mentioned a Christmas card challenge I didn't know about. So I followed the link she posted in her blog and found Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge. One can't have too many Christmas cards! Whatever surplus I may have I will donate to OWH.

The challenge is to pick a row any row going vertical, horizontal or diagonal from the grid then make a card using these items The free space in the middle, I can use anything for that, I just have to say what it is in my post. Now here is the grid.

I chose the bottom row. Red, Green, Blue. Here's my card. It's what's referred to in card maker's lingo as a "CAS" (Clean and Simple). I kept trying to find something else to put on it but it just didn't look right so I finally gave up and left it as is. I like the look. The printed paper is explanation enough.

These papers are from MME Christmas last year. I had some left after creating a 2 page Christmas layout. The ribbon I had in my stash and I'm pretty sure was from a different company but it matched these papers great so I used it.

While the temp reached 104 today I happily crafted my afternoon away under the air conditioning. I finished the last layout I needed to do to be caught up in the sketch layout challenge I'm doing with my LSS. Here's the page I did based on this week's sketch #326 from Sketch Inspiration.

 This is the new line from Echo Park "This & That" by Lori Whitlock.

I had another great ride this morning. I'm loving doing it in the cool although it is a bit humid and then I have the rest of the day.

I wished you could see all the grasshoppers that are hanging on the grass. Because it's cool they aren't moving much. Makes Ballerina and I both happy that they aren't flying in our faces!

Have a good one!

Nothing Like the Country Early in the Morning

After hearing the forecast for the temps to be in the 100's the next several days I decided it was time to shift gears and start riding early in the morning. That started today. I am so glad too because it ended up being 102 today!

It wasn't terribly early...about 7:15...I was aiming for 7AM so I didn't miss it by much. It was so wonderful out this time of the day! I love the sunlight this time of day and in the evening as the sun is setting. I would like to be a morning person but I tend to gravitate to night. Can't do both!

Here is a small clip of just how peaceful and serene it was. The birds singing, the calm water, beautiful rays of sunlight....

 Some of my friends talk about having a "God chair" where they spend their time with Him. His creation is "my chair" with Him!

I was trying really hard not to disturb the cattle. Some of them were laying down but as many times as I have ridden by them they still think I'm out to get them and we were just walking by!

Me and my shadow!

Cash, an Anatolian, taking a dip.

Emma wanting me to rub her belly...how could I not?

While riding I saw so many pretty flowers. They are just weeds but the blooms are pretty. You can see a grasshopper perched on this plant that I have know I idea what it is. The grasshoppers were less active during the morning...another advantage to riding that time of day!

See the thorns on these little beauties?

I didn't realize it until I uploaded these to the computer that I caught this grasshopper jumping off the sunflower. I thought I had missed him!

I just love sunflowers!

I really like these flowers. These are about to come to the end of their season. There were a lot of these about a month ago.

I think it's just amazing that God chose to give weeds such beautiful flowers!

This afternoon when it got so hot I went to the scrapbook store to keep my buddy Marilyn company. She was working for the owner today. She and I alternate working. I managed to complete another sketch today. I made a 2 page with Sketch #317 from Sketch Inspiration. I have one more to do and I'm caught up for the first half of the year! Yeah me!

Happy Trails to you!

I Go Quackers For You

I had read a friend's blog (Allison) and learned about Doodle Pantry's card challenge. It ended tonight at 8pm. I had thought I could get a card made and entered but alas...I didn't make it. I did however make the card and will still enter it in OWH Sketch Challenge #127. 

The image is digital from Doodle Pantry. Isn't it cute? I called the duckling with my Copic Markers. I used Y19 and Y38 for the duck. I used YG03 and G99 for the grass. The sentiment came with the image but I printed it too big to use on this card so I wrote the sentiment on the card. The striped paper is American Crafts...some I got on clearance some time ago. The heart border was a fiskars punch.

I finally used some ribbon out of my club of the month from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  I LOVE this black satin ribbon!

I got to spend all day Saturday in my craft room! You would think I would have complete projects out the wazoo but at least I do have something to show for it. I completed 3 of the 5 page layout sketches I needed for my LSS's challenge of making a layout for each sketch this year from Sketch Inspiration. This site posts a new sketch each week. This is a great source for getting jump started.

Here's my layout of Sketch#316

This is my niece who graduated from EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) school.

This layout was based on sketch #322. I really had fun doing this one. This is my daughter who was the 2004 Palo Pinto County Sherriff's Posse Sweetheart and 2004 Palo Pinto County Livestock Association Rodeo Queen. These pics are from this years rodeo. I got some pics of my daughter and granddaughter just before the grand entry and then some of my daughter in the grand entry.

I had fun doing this layout too! This layout was based on sketch #325. These pics make me laugh every time I see them. My granddaughter, Kennedy, was playing in her pool in our backyard when her dog Kajen decided he wanted to join her! Kennedy thought it was funny! I think I need a bigger pool!

It hit 100 today and we are forecast to have 100 degree days for at least the next 5 days. I'm going to have to juggle my schedule and go ride in the mornings which will mean going to bed sooner at night! That will be a bit of a challenge.

Have a good one!

OWH Midweek Throwdown Challenge

While the temp outside is going up I am enjoying the enclosure of my air conditioned craft room!  The Midweek Throwdown Color Challenge over at Operation Write Home is to make cards with yellow and blue being the main colors. I accepted the challenge and made this card with scraps from three different paper lines.

The yellow stripe is from Echo Park. I don't remember the name of the line but it was a boy paper. The blue strip is Authentique's "Geniune". Love this paper for the western feel it has and works well for masculine cards too. The yellow polka dot was MME's birthday collection. I used a stamp for the sentiment and tied a piece of twine from my stash. Pretty simple but I liked the finished product.

Last night I went to a birthday party of a friend from church. He turned 50 a couple of weeks ago and his wife planned a huge surprise bash. I made him this card.

The birthday candles stamp is  called "Amie by Inkadinado which I colored with my copic markers. The sentiment I created using my Just Rite alphabet stamps. I couldn't find a question mark so I free-handed that. On the inside I used a sentiment stamp from Studio G made by Hampton Art. The sentiment read  "Age is merely the number of years the world has been enjoying YOU! I love this! I was very pleased how it turn out even if it is pretty simple. I plan to make more of this for OWH.

Ok, now that my creative juices are freely flowing I'm going back to my room to try to catch up on my page layouts for Sketch Inspiration and Cat's Creations. I only have 4 sketches to do to be caught up! Woohoo! I'm excited! If I manage to do all the sketches I will have complete 52 scrapbook pages!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! I plan too!

Change of Pace

Most of my posts of late have been about crafting. I was beginning to think that I might need to change the name of my web page from Adventures with Valerie to something else then there was today. Awww...out with the horses in God's creation. Even though it was 96 today, in the shade with a breeze it was almost pleasant not too bad at all. I had been riding the horse that belongs to the people where I board mine. She's a great little horse. Only standing just under 14 hands she is not only marked pretty but has a great personality. Reminds me a lot of my horse that died 5 years ago. I didn't ride my horse today. He was limping several days ago and decided to give him a break to see if time would take care of it. He's old. Being the last of the original 3 we bought in 1995. He's 22 years old. The mare is 6 or 7.

This is the mare. They owners named her Ballerina. She's a registered POA (Pony of Americas).
I couldn't help but laugh at her the other day when I rode her. We have an abundance of grasshoppers. While we were riding there were hopping everywhere and hitting Ballerina in the face. She didn't like that and started throwing her head to avoid collision with these pesky insects. Here's a short video.

I am just amazed at how many grasshoppers there are! Almost like an invasion!

As I was riding today, a chorus of locust could be heard. I found the remains of one clinging to a tree.

I stopped and dismounted. I let the mare begin to graze. I watched as my horse grazed close by. Contented that his pasture buddy was near.

 I listened to the locust as they sang. I could hear the horses grazing,  felt the gentle warm breeze on my face. Looked over the green pasture and took a deep breathe and exhaled slowly. For just this moment I don't have a care in the world. All is good!

Have a good one!

Big Girls Color Club

It was "Big Girls Color Club" at the store tonight. This started as a monthly class on Copic Markers but we have all been doing this long enough that we just continue to get together and color. We still learn some new things and use some new products. Tonight, Cathy, the owner of my LSS introduced us to some new stamps to use with our Copic Markers. I bought 4 of them tonight! The brand is "Little Miss Muffet". I can't help but think of my granddaughters when I look at these! They will be great for cards or for page layouts!

There were many more but I only purchased these. The stamps we used for our class tonight were different than these. Here was the first card I made.

Isn't she elegant?! At first I didn't think I would want these type stamps but I did buy one that will work well for wedding cards. Oops. I just realized I didn't get a photo of that one. Maybe later.

Here is the other one I made. This one is more of the style that I purchased. I colored her with my granddaughter Remi in mind. I've been making cards to send to her in between her visits with us.

I so enjoy our get togethers once a month on the 3rd Thursday. You should come hang with us sometime. Cost of the class is anywhere from $5 to $15.... depends on what we use but we always have fun! Just call ahead of time so we can have enough for everyone and don't forget to bring your basic tool kit (Paper trimmer, adhesives "includes tape runners, foam tape, zip dry, glossy accents", scissors, black & white detail pens, pencil, any inks you prefer.) Of course if you forget something you can always purchase what you need at the store.

Have a good one!

OWH Sketch Challenge #126

Here's one more card I made during my crafting binge! I just love the sketches from Operation Write Home.

This is sketch challenge #126. I really like how they give you exact measurements so you don't have to guess! Really helps me get jump started!

Here is my card. I used Echo Park solid card stock for the base and remnants of Authentique's "Celebrate" collection. I loved this paper! The sentiment is a retired "Stampin Up stamp.

Ok...now I need to switch gears and start working on some page layouts! I have 4 or 5 more sketches to do to be caught up by the end of this month for the challenge put out by my LSS.

For help in getting started on a scrapbook page I go to Sketch Inspiration. Every week a new sketch is posted. Submit a layout based on the sketch and be eligible for a prize. Great place to get lots of ideas and meet other people. My LSS issued a challenge to its customers to do a layout each week and post on the store's Facebook page. At the end of June those who have completed all the sketches to this point have a party to celebrate. And who doesn't like a party?! Have a good one!

Card Challenges

Last night I got on a creative binge. I saw a blog update from one of my scrapping buddies about a card challenge for Operation Write Home  and Our Daily Bread Desgins.

The challenge is to make a "shaped card" that is not square or rectangular but will fit in a A2 envelope and meet OWH criteria. As I was thinking about what type of card to make I also thought about another card challenge I wanted to combine this with and that is the ABC Christmas Card Challenge. Their challenge is "L for Lyrics" . We are to use the theme of a Christmas song or carol for our inspiration for our cards. I think I have accomplished both in this CAS card. It took me several attempts to achieve the look I was going for but it finally came together.

I used a Sizzix Snowflake #4 die to cut out the snowflake. Then using the snowflake as a pattern I cut the card base out of Worldwin "Elan Metallic" paper adding a quarter inch on all sides and leaving a side uncut for the fold. Then using a Tim Holtz Alterations embossing folder I embossed the edges of the card base. I then cut a snowflake out of American Crafts Dear Lizzy "Christmas - Jolly Jingle". The words to Jingle Bells are on the green paper. I put clear bling in the corners of the snowflake and added a crepe ribbon bow.

I had so much fun making this one I decided to try a different shape with a different theme. This one is also CAS.

Using a Sizzix die from Stampin Up called "Bigz Top Note" I cut out blue cardstock being careful to not cut the end where the card folds. Using the same die I cut out the printed paper which is Fancy Pants "It's Your Day" and trimmed off enough for the blue cardstock to show. I attached the button with twine on the front and a piece of twine on the back of the card so that the twine wraps around the button to close the card.

I'm on a roll. I'm off to go create some more! Have a good one!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #158

Ok, I just have to know how is one supposed to get everyone visited in a week's time?! I tried really hard to visit everyone! I didn't want to leave anyone out but there's just not enough time in the day over many days! All of you have such wonderful workdesks (play spaces as I like to call them and some of you agreed with me!) Your creativity, crafting and artistic ability is just amazing to me...making me wonder "what the heck am I doing here?!" I delight reading about your lives, the weather and some of you have a wonderful sense of humor, making me laugh out loud! I guess I should get on to the reason for this post as I have learned reading your blogs that we are to keep things short. I just wanted to express to any of you who might visit my little "neck of the woods" that I am in awe of you and feel privileged to be in your company and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful comments. Ok with no more delay....here's my place space (I mean workdesk).

This is a little different view than you have gotten before. I actually have a crafting room. I was blessed with this opportunity when our daughter moved out on her on 3 yrs ago. My workdesk is a metal 6ft table that my husband got for me. He built the L you see that my notepad and ATG gun rests on. The red snowflake shaped paper was the result of some attempts to make a shaped card that wasn't square or rectangular. It took several tries but I finally made something I was happy with using this snowflake diecut. It's actually sitting in the middle of my desk on my cutting mat. I will post a better pic of it another day. I have been working on several cards for some card challenges. The black and green tote with a Pro Glider adhesive gun is my travel caddy that I take all my basic tools to crops and classes at the store. I tend to leave all my items in it so its always ready to go. I love my crafting room but I also love the friendships I've developed through crops and classes at the store so I try to keep myself mobile.

Ok before I get too windy....hop on over to Julia's Stamping Ground where you will find MANY crafters, artists, quilters, painters, etc. Go ahead take a trip around the world right from your computer.

Have a good one!

Coffee & Friends...Perfect Blend

I made this card for Seems A Little Sketch Card Challenge #15


I used so very old Bo Bunny papers. I don't have a clue what line. I just love Bo Bunny!  The oval papers I cut using my Creative Memory oval cutting system. I also have the circle ones. I have loved these templates! I keep going back to them! They are still available through CM and you can order directly from their website.

The image I stamped with TH Distressed Ink "Walnut Stain" and colored with my Copic markers. I was trying to match the blue in the paper. I tried several different markers as I didn't have the exact marker color. So I won't list the markers I used.  I never did get a match but I think I was able to at least coordinate the colors.  I then cut it out and popped with foam tape. The stamp set is from Unity. It may have been retired as I didn't see it when I went to their site.

The border strip I used aStampin Up scalloped trim border punch. I inked the edges of the trim and the polka dot oval with a Powder Puff Mocha Mama.

I stamped the sentiment with TH Distressed Ink "Walnut Stain" and punched the corners with a SU punch. I'm not sure this one is still available. I then double matted with the polka dot and blue papers and put a piece of chipboard behind to give it some dimension. The ribbon and buttons were from my stash and purchased from my LSS Cat's Creations Scrapbooks.

Off to go ride. Might do some more creating when I get back.

Have a good one!

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #158

It's Wednesday!  Just a few minutes old! I have a busy day tomorrow and wasn't sure if I could get to this so decided to do it now.

I wish I had thought to take pics of my desk all weekend as that's where I spent most of my time! I made several page layouts with new product from the store to give customers a sample for ideas. (I love my job!) I'll show you some of those in a minute. For now...here's my workdesk, workspace. Actually I like to think of it as my "play space"! That sounds more appealing to me!

Tonight I decided to make a card for my granddaughter Remi who lives in another state. Her Daddy, (my SIL) work schedule changed again and it will be 3 weeks before we get to see her again. This last visit I didn't get to see her much as they took a mini-vacation to Great Wolf Lodge. I found a new blog for a sketch to make a card. It's called Card Positioning Systems. I liked the sketch and based my card on it. I may just enter it in their challenge! The image and sentiment is digital that I got from Doodle Pantry. I just love this little bunny. The papers I used for this card were scraps of some old Bo Bunny. It's so old I have no clue what line it is! Here's a close up of the card but don't look too closely at my coloring. It's not all that pretty. I still need to practice shading. It's not my best work but it will be ok. The image started out as a circle and I thought it was too big so decided to make it an oval using Creative Memory templates. I free handed the mat for it. To give it some dimension I put some chipboard behind the image and popped the sentiment with foam tape.

I didn't really use all those colors. Not sure why I got them all out. Sorry, I didn't keep track of what I used.

Here is the page that was in process when you visited my desk last week. I love how it turned out! This is my granddaughter Kennedy. She LOVES cheese. One day she and I walked to a store that is about a block away from our house. I figured since she liked cheese she would like Cheetos so I bought her a bag. Well, guess what? Now every time she comes to my house she wants to buy Cheetos at the store!

Here is one of the two page layouts that I did over the weekend.

 Here is the other one I did. I used Sketch Inspiration for my designs. This is a great source for getting you jump started! A new sketch is posted each week. If you enter a layout you get a chance to win goodies. My LSS Cat's Creations sponsors the prize occasionally.

Here's one more. I actually did this before the weekend. I typically prefer to do two page layouts but every once in a while one is all you need.

Ok...enough about my "play space". How about you hop over to Julia's Stamping Ground. There you will find lots of creative people from all over the world showing their workspaces. Most are messy just like mine but none of us care (too much) although I must admit I've not let you see it when its REALLY messy! Maybe soon. Anyway when you visit you will see all sorts of  creations in process and finished ones. It's really quite fun. Thanks for stopping by!

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday? Wednesday 157

Here it is Wednesday again! How does it get here so fast?! I still haven't visited all the workdesks from last week! I'm going to do this quick (or try to) as I'm keeping my granddaughter Kennedy this afternoon. I can't wait. I haven't see her since Friday! I usually see her everyday or every other day! I'm ready for some Kennedy time!

Are you wondering what is WOYWW? I didn't know either until a friend of mine  whose blog I follow started posting a pic of her "workdesk" every Wednesday. My curiosity peaked I decided to join in.

WOYWW (What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday) is a blog about what your work area looks like. As Julia Dunnit puts it "Show us what you're up to then, we need a photo of your working area, kitchen, sewing room - wherever and whatever...post it to your blog, include WOYWW in the title and link the post here.  Easy.  It will be good etiquette to return visit....and that way, you're hooked!  And hooked I am! This is addictive but not only that you visit people from all over the world with similar interests. Its not only fun but you get some neat ideas and learn some things along the way! This blog just celebrated it's 3rd anniversary last week. Come see what it's all about at Julia's blog "Stamping Ground".

Ok...on to my workspace. I am in the process of creating a layout to hang as a sample in the local scrapbook store (LSS) using new papers to show customers how to use the product. I work at this store part time and just LOVE it! To the left of my layout is a white paper with layout sketches. I am using the sketch in the top right. The papers I'm using are from Authentique's new line called "Carefree". I just LOVE Authentique's paper! The pics are of Kennedy eating cheetos! I'm going to title this layout "The Cheeto Kid".  There is a little store about a block away from us. When Kennedy stays with me we walk to the store and we buy Cheetos! I need to let you go visit some other interesting and inspiring workspaces! Have a good one!

Heavy Heart

My heart is heavy tonight as I write this. I had hoped to blog about something more cheery like my nieces graduation but this is utmost on my mind. Our beloved Great Dane, Mercy breathed her last breath today about noon. She was 11yrs old. We had noticed a few weeks ago muscle weakness in her hindquarters. She quit jumping on our bed which was her most favorite place to rest. She was Doyle's "nap buddy".

I knew something wasn't right when I went to bed last night and wasn't sure if she would be alive when we woke up. She did make it through the night but it was obvious that today would be our last day with her. Doyle was with her when she died. Unfortunately (maybe it was fortunately) I was at work but knowing the end was near had said my "goodbyes" before leaving.

Mercy was a rescue dog that showed up in our driveway. She had a collar on with no tags and was skinny. We did some asking around who she belonged to. Come to find out the family she belonged to had given her to a family that lived up the street from us. We tried to take her back to them but they denied knowing anything about the dog so....we kept her! That was in 2003. She was two years old.

She started out as "everyone's" dog but over time it became apparent that she loved Doyle the most...and he loved her!

This was her favorite thing to do...lay around. She was a couch potato but as soon as she heard the leashes jingle she baled off the couch! She was always ready to go!

Here she is on one of our adventures. She loved to roll in the grass.

Here she is among our great State's flower - the Texas Bluebonnet. This is one of my favorite places to take the dogs.

Here's Lil' Peanut with her on one of our shorter adventures. It will be hard to explain to her why Mercy isn't here anymore :(

Thank you, Mercy, for bringing so much joy to our lives. You were a great companion.