Found a Little Time to Craft

I've definitely been doing a lot of this with the addition of three more! It's not all been riding though. Lots of ground work too. Just lots of work...but it's worth it to me!

I worked at the store last Saturday. We had several customers and it was a crop weekend. It was also World Card-Making Day. To celebrate we made cards for Operation Write Home for our heroes to have cards to send to family. I managed to make 10 cards that day. I was thrilled!

I used scraps of designer paper and cardstock so I can't tell you whose paper this is! The stamp is from Hero Arts. I just LOVE this big sentiment stamp! I made two of this one.

This stamp from the same set. I made two of these.

This stamp is an Itty Bitty from Unity Stamp Co.

This was also an Itty Bitty by Unity Stamp Co.

I made some children's cards for Mommy's & Daddy's serving our country to write home to their sons and daughters. I cut out the dinosaur. Since he was a dark color I embossed the "I love you" sentiment with white powder. I popped the dinosaur with an action wobble. I made two of these.

Similar but different. I did the same on this dinosaur I did the other.

I just love this little acrylic stamp set by Technique Tuesday. Not sure the name of it but there are several zoo animals and sentiments.

Although the verdict is still out whether or not I will dive into "mixed media", I have dabbled in it some. This is my creation. I started this 2 weeks ago and just got the chance to finish it up tonight.

Using water color paper and Tim Holtz Distress Inks "Wild Honey" & Salty Ocean I applied ink from the pad directly to my nonstick craft mat, spritzed with water and painted the background. I randomly applied the color mixing it in places producing the "green hue" you see.

I really like the little girl image. It is a stamp from Unity Stamp Co. designed by Phyllis Harris. I stamped the image on paper designed for Copic Markers and colored the image with the markers. I then cut it out and glued to the paper. I took a pencil and began to draw my letters then went back and colored in using Faber Castell markers, big brush markers and twinkling H2O's. I was actually rather pleased with my result! This is what I plan to put inside the Art Journal I made at the Jen Star class I took at Cat's Creations.

I am entering these projects in Cat's Creations WOW Wednesday. Leave me a comment for a chance to win a prize. A random commenter will be chosen and you just might be it! Check out the other entries! You will be inspired I promise!

Until next time...happy trails!

Out of My Element

I actually found a little time to craft although may I emphasis "little". Doyle and I have been working hard on preparing for the new horses that I've either not had time or was too tired when I did!

I don't take classes very often only because they usually fall on the Saturday's I don't work at the store and even though I really enjoy being at the store I do need some time at home. There was a class last Tuesday on Mixed Media with Jen Star. Three classes were offered that day. I really don't know anything about mixed media but the title and description of the class caught my attention. The class was "Memory Journaling". I like to journal and I like to craft so I thought "why not". I was soooo out of my element! I think I like it. It's just so different from anything I have ever done. It didn't help that I had been working at the barn all afternoon and had quit in time to come home to shower than dash off to class. I hadn't felt very good that day and I was physically tired. Not a good combination. I came home early and didn't finish the class. I worked on it some more today while working at the store. I have more to do but I'm liking it a bit better.

At first I wasn't sure what I would use it for then I thought I could use it as a book filled with "truths" that God reveals to me. The scripture from John 8:32 "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free" is on the purple corrugated paper.

This is the spine. I used a stencil and some paint for this textured look.

The I also designed to participate in the store's Designer of the Month Contest. I didn't participate at first because I didn't think I was eligible since I was an employee. Then I found out I could. I picked up my kit right before I learned that I was going to get three horses.

I was supposed to make a two page layout, card and another project with the contents in the kit. I managed to get a 2 page layout done but that was all before the deadline came and went!

Close up of the left page of the layout. My first outing in our boat with Doyle, Vanessa, Kashton, Kennedy and my dog Kaidence.

close up of right side of layout.

I am entering both projects in Cat's Creations WOW Wednesday. Leave me a comment for a chance to win a wonderful prize. A random commenter is chosen. Check of the other blogs who link up. I assure you that you will always find inspiration!

In my "spare time" (LOL!) Doyle and I kept Kashton Friday night. Vanessa had to coach the cheer squad at the football game and it had been raining all day. It was cool and damp and she didn't want him out in it. Doyle had him when I got home, feeding him. He slept long enough for me to cook dinner.

After he woke up he wanted to play. He was very intrigued by this puzzle.

He may not can put the pieces in the right place but he sure knows how to chew them!

I think someone is happy and spoiled!


Have a good one!

Every Breath is a Gift

I made this card using Cards in Envy sketch #10 that was posted on Facebook. The papers are from Basic Grey's Sugar Rush 6x6 paper pad. The image is a Phyllis Harris by Unity stamp. I colored with my Copic Markers. I used foam tape on the sentiment to give dimension. I am entering this card in WOW Wednesday at Cat's Creations. Leave me a comment for a chance to win a fabulous prize!

On another note, I decided to take Gracie on her first adventure. I took the dogs to our favorite place Woodland Cemetery. Gracie was so excited when I got the leashes out. We get to the cemetery and I turn them loose.

The clouds were so pretty displaying some color from the setting sun.

Gracie lopes off with the other two but she soon turns around to makes sure I'm still coming.

To only have had her since Thursday, she does really good coming to me when I call her and seems to acknowledge her new name.

I'm taking her to the vet Monday to check her out. I'll let you know what I learn.

Nineth Year Celebration

My LSS (local scrapbook store) celebrated it's 9th year in business. Actually the store has been around longer than that but my friend and employer has owned the store that many years. She bought it 9 years ago on her birthday so we celebrate both! Usually we have a crop at the store but we are limited on space so it was a first come first serve basis. This year the owners of the park where we hold retreats offered to let us celebrate there with a one night stay. We had more than doubled the attendees we would have had in the store! Our summer employee, Morgan, helped Ray so that Marilyn and I could both go to the retreat. It started Saturday morning and went through Sunday mid afternoon.

I actually did get a little done although I wasn't too sure I would. I had planned all week to get things together to take but I ended up not getting to do that for various reasons and basically threw some things together Saturday morning

I just love this place. It's quiet, peaceful, beautiful and away from almost anything! I've seen this sign many times but it just struck me as funny.

The cottage I stayed in was Farkleberry. I know it makes you laugh but it is actually the name of a Texas plant.

Here is the first 2 page layout I created using paper given to us for a Make & Take. The colors were a bit pale for my liking so I added a bright red cardstock that brought out the hint of red in the design paper from Authentique's "Be(you)tiful collection. As you can see I still need to journal about this event.

These pictures are from 2 years ago when we went to visit our nieces and nephew in the Houston area on Doyle's side of the family. We had not seen them in several years.

Close up of left side.













Close up of right side.











I had another set of pictures from this same trip so with the papers I had left over and some cardstock I created this 2 page layout.

Close up of the left side.

Close up of right side.

I got more layouts done but they aren't finished. I would like to enter these layouts in WOW Wednesday at Cat's Creations. Leave me a comment for a chance to win some blog candy (prize). Cat's gives GREAT prizes! Also check out the other great talent that have linked their projects. Got a project you would like to share. Link up to Cat's blog so we can be inspired!

Our slogan this year for the festivities was "Nine is Fine as Wine" We had wine tasting. I'm not a big wine connoisseur but I did have a taste.

Every time I go to Mitchell Park I make it my goal to take a walk and look for photo opportunities. It's good to stretch my legs and I always see something cool!  As I walk outside the building the moon has risen to the East.

 I see rabbits as I'm walking. The other one is just out of view.

It is also a tradition for me to watch the sunset. Clear open sky with no obstructions in the way! I don't get that opportunity every day. I was not disappointed.

I kind of liked this one with the cows silhouetted.

 Look what else I found!



And don't you love this photo on the right?! It's the sun behind the spider! Way cool!

I had fun taking these photos!

Here's another one!

 Side view

Back to the setting sun. These pictures really don't do it justice. It was so beautiful in person.

 

One last shot. On that note... have a good one!

Crafting with a Friend

Scrapbooking, cardmaking, or any type of crafting is fun but it is even more fun when you can do it with a friend who enjoys it too! Since I started scrapbooking I have acquired many new and wonderful friends! I acquired another one just a few weeks ago. We had met through the store then began to communicate through blogs and Facebook. I don't recall exactly how it got started but our conversation ended with making a date to come craft at my house! I was so excited!

Tuesday was our day. We made plans to meet at my house around 1pm. I thought that would give me time to get home and get a table setup for her before she arrived. Well, I was a little later leaving the office than I intended and she pulled up in front of my house just as I got home! No problem! That just meant we could start sooner! All's good!

Based on a extremely sweet status update she put on her facebook wall she enjoyed the afternoon as much as I did! We spent time getting better acquainted sharing some of our history with one another. We shared funny moments and some somber moments. Most of all we created! I think I must have talked more than she did as she completed 7 page layouts while I only manage 2! It really wasn't so much about the layouts anyway!

Meet Cassandra! Beautiful name for a beautiful young talented woman! Here's her page in progress. She also makes beautiful cards. You can see more of her work here.

Here is the layout I did.

Cassandra gave me the idea for putting the letters for the title on the twine and tying a bow. Thanks for the great tip Cassandra! If these pictures look familiar its because they are! I've blogged about them and scrapbooked them once before. Remember I am making pages for Remi to have a book too. I absolutely LOVE the Carta Bella Giddy Up collection. This is the girl line. This was Remi's first ride.

Here's a closer look of the left side.

A closer look of the right side.

The girls look so tiny on that big ole' horse! They had so much fun that day they were singing as I was leading Clyde. They were singing "itsy bitsy spider"! 

If you'd like to watch and listen to the video you can do that here.

Look who joined us in my craft room.

She's got her little crafting apron on too!

I'm going to link my layout to Cat's Creations for WOW Wednesday. Leave me a comment for a chance to win a yummy crafting prize! Go check out Cassandra and others who link up to WOW Wednesday. I promise you will be inspired! Better yet, why don't you link up your craft project and inspire all of us!

Cassandra and I had such a good time that we scheduled another "playdate" that hopefully will give us more time to be creative and enjoy one another's company!

Have a good one!

Imagine

Oh to be able to keep our child-like wonder. We begin early wanting to hurry to grow up then when we do we don't like being grown up! Everyone should have a child in their life to help them remember what it's like. To see things through their eyes!


After creating a 2 page layout to display in the store I made another 2 page layout for Remi's book of that same event. It's pretty simple but I actually like it that way. At least the pictures are down and I journaled. I used American Crafts "My Girl" for this layout.

A close up of the left side of the layout.

The right side of the layout.

Remember you can click on the picture to see it full size.

These pics were taken 2 years ago in August when Remi was allowed to visit us in Texas. It was 100 degrees that day but the girls didn't seem to mind! Thankfully most of the park was well shaded!

I created another two page layout last Saturday. More pictures from this same time. I'm trying to do pages for both Remi and Kennedy so when they are bigger they can each have their own scrapbook. 

Because I was crafting at home I pulled out paper from my stash. This is Echo Park's "Playground" collection from a couple of years ago.

The left side

The right side.

Have you ever created a layout and just weren't all that thrilled with it? Well, I have. I think this is the first time I ever done this but I had a 2 page layout I had made from this same set of pictures a year ago.  Every time I saw it I would say to myself "I really don't like this". Well, the other night I tore the layout completely apart and recreated it. I used the same design but different papers. I am much happier with my results.

These pictures are the same as those above. These pages will go in Kennedy's book. The paper I used for this layout is Bo Bunny "Ad Lib".

The left side.

The right side.

Now to get busy on pages for Kashton!
It's WOW Wednesday at Cat's Creations. Be sure to leave me a comment.  A prize is given away to a random participant or commenter.

We've had a couple of extremely unusual cool days for July and some MUCH needed rain. It is moving out of our area although we got about another half inch today. Tuesday night I enjoyed watching the clouds. They made for a very pretty sky!

 Looking to the Northeast. The clouds were moving our direction but either went around or dissipated before they got to us :(

The sun was hid behind the clouds. If you look REAL close you can barely make out the Baker Hotel on the right side of the picture on the horizon.

Have a good one!