Pati's Posts from Alaska

HOPE You Can Cling To Batch 2

2011-11-08T21:58:00.002-09:00

Here's another batch of cards I finished up for the SplitCoast Challenges!

HYCCT1119 - Use Pressure Embossing

Stamps-Starvingartistamps; Ink-Stampin'Up Rose Romance, Memento Rich Cocoa (words) and Pink (sponging);

Sakura Stardust pen used on the letters; Cuttlebug EF Victorian

HYCCT1112 - Incorporate at least 1 Heart

Stamps-Penny Black bear, Hero Arts sentiment; Ink-VersaFine, Tombow Markers, Sakura Glaze pens on the rose;

Paper-K&CCompany, DCWV; Spellbinders Heart die; scallop edging scissors

HYCCT1124 - Thank you card for a caregiver

Stamp-Inkadinkado; Ink-Stampin'up, Tombow marker; Paper-K&CCompany, DCWV; Sakura Stardust pen, ribbon

HYCCT1122 - Take Inspiration from your Happy Place

Stamp-Inkadinkado; Ink-VersaFine, Tombow Markers; Stickles, Prima flowers, Sizzix Leafy branch die, MS edger punch

HYCCT1111 - Use Girly elements - bling, ribbon, lace, etc.

Stamp-Stampin'Up; Paper-DCWV; Ink-VersaFine, Tombo Markers; Stickles, Ribbon, Pink Lace, 1/2 Pearls

HYCCT1109 - Things you see when you look UP!

Stamp-Inkadinkado clear; Ink-Memento, Tombow markers; ribbon

On white paper, I sponged yellow ink, placed circle cutout down and sponged other colors to make a sunrise/set. Then I stamped, colored & cutout the bird image to pop up, covering some smudges : ) This was my first try at sponging a sunrise/set, after seeing this done so often by Theresa Momber. I didn't take the time to check out some of her stuff to refresh my memory, but I think I did alright for my spur of the moment, let's do this, first try. : )

HYCCT1121 - Use 2 different sizes of one shape

Stamps-JustRite; Ink-Stampin'Up, Memento; Paper-Hot off the Press, DCWV; Spellbinders dies, Pearls

HYCCT1106 - Looking in on you (window card)

Stamp-Hero Arts; Paper-DCWV Garden Party, Stampin'Up; Spellbinders Labels4, ribbon

This was an interesting challenge for me (esp at 1am), the first time I've tried a window cutting 3 times (base card and 2 layers) then stamping in the window, whew! It might have been easier to make the solid color frame to place around the window rather than do the recessed solid frame, oye!

HYCCT1118 - Use purple on the card (Survivor color)

Stamp-Inkadinkado; Ink-Encore Metallic Purple; Paper-Hot Off the Press, DCWV; MS Edger punch, Rhinestones

HYCCT1126 - Send a little sunshine

Stamp-Inkadinkado clear; Paper-Hot Off the Press, Stampin'Up; Ink-Colorbox Chalk Ink,

Sakura Stardust pen; CM mini punch

HYCCT1120 - Make a card with a treat

Stamp-Inkadinkado clear; Ink-Colorbox Chalk Ink, Tombow Markers; Sakura Soufle pen(white icing),

Stardust pen, Cuttlebug EF Happy Birthday, Stickles, Rhinestone (cherry), ribbon

HYCCT1129 - Use words of encouragement (word, quote, or sentiment)

Stamp-A Country Welcome; Ink-VersaFine; Paper-K&CCompany; Ribbon, Heart buttons

Well that's all of them I finished & posted by the deadline Monday (11/7). So close, only 5-6 more to complete the challenges but even if I had stayed up all night and taken the 1/2 day off of work I probably wouldn't have been able to finish the last bunch and posted them by the deadline of 12 noon my time. Around 3 am I was feeling alittle creatively burned out and pretty tired. : ) I'm pretty happy that I got as many done as I did these past 2 weeks and I used some stamps I've had for years and hadn't used before!

Now, I really need to clean this place up before hubby gets home! It looks pretty neglected and Sissy thinks she has been to, silly dog. : )

Young fellas with horns

2011-11-05T22:45:00.001-08:00

It's the beginning of November and we had our first snow of the season on Oct 31st. It hit other areas around us a few days earlier. We didn't get much and there isn't much left here, most of it has melted in the sun or blown away in the wind. It's trying to snow now, letting me know more is on the way, Fall (Autumn) is no more!

Looking out my kitchen window, I saw 2 moose romping and nudging each other in the clearing a ways out. I was thinking they were the older 2 calves playing. A few minutes later they made their way into our yard. Whoa, these aren't the 2 calves!

Hello fellas!

They seem to be listening to the traffic out on the road.

Moving on, see ya!

HOPE You Can Cling To Challenge Cards

2011-11-04T23:03:00.010-08:00

Splitcoast Stampers is hosting a full month of challenges in October to make cards for MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston TX for cancer patients and their families. 3 challenges were posted on Oct. 1 then one challenge a day has been posted for the rest of the month for 33 total. We have until Nov 7 to complete them and post pictures of the cards to the Splitcoast gallery, then we package up our batch, with envelopes and plastic bags and send them to MD Anderson. They make the cards available to the families there to use. In case anyone needs some extra motivation, there are tons of sponsors who are contributing stamping related prizes to those who participate in these challenges. They will be given out with random drawings.

I have made maybe 3 cards since January so I'm using these challenges to motivate me to make some cards for a great cause (prize or no prize)! I don't know that I can get all 33 done in this short of time, this late in the game, at the rate I make cards but we'll see! Scott is off to work for awhile so I'm trying to creatively manage my after-work time to get some made! Here's my first batch to post, made over the past 1 1/2 weeks, in no particular order!

HYCCT1107 - Colors of Hope - Use green, brown & yellow

Paper-DCWV; Stamp-Printworks; Ink-Memento; Sizzix Leafy branch,

Prima flowers, Stickles, mini buttons

HYCCT1101C - Make a circle card

Stamp-Inkadinkado clear stamp; Ink-Fresco Chalk Ink, Tombow Marker; tiny rhinestones,

mini button, ribbon, Spellbinders die

HYCCT1102 - Inspiration Challenge

Stamp-Stampin'Up balloon, JustRite alphabet; ribbon, Stickles

HYCCT1103 - Masculine card with pink

Stamps-PSX, Biblical Impressions (ToY); Ink-Memento; Paper-DCWV; Spellbinders die, brads

HYCCT1101A - Make any animal pink!

Stamps-vap scrap cow (Micheals $ bin), Hero Arts; Ink-Memento, Stickles on center cow,

tag punch, heart punch, ribbon

HYCCT1105 - Circles Sketch

Stamps-Great Impressions, JustRite (sentiment); Ink-Memento, Tombow markers;

Paper-K&CCompany; Spellbinders, Stickles

HYCCT1116 - Use a pink ribbon

Stamp-Starvingartistamps; Ink-Memento; Paper-Kaisercraft; Offray Ribbon,

Love dangly from JoAnn's wedding decor dept

HYCCT1114 - Pink Collage

Stamp-Inkadinkado; Ink-VersaFine, Tombow Marker; Paper-Tim Holtz, DCWV; Stickles on butterflies,

Diamond Glaze on larger watch face

HYCCT1110 - Incorporate pink, ribbon & friend theme

Stamps-Rubber Stampede Cherry Blossoms, Stampin'Up sentiment; Ink-VersaFine, Tombow markers;

Stickles, MS Border punch, ribbon

HYCCT1128 - Primarily Pink Holiday Card and ODBDSLC82

Stamps-OurDailyBreadDesigns; Ink-VersaFine Smokey Grey, SU Rose Romance & Pretty in Pink,

Blender Pen; Cuttlebug EF Holly Ribbon; Sakura Stardust pen, Offray Ribbon

HYCCT1113 - Incorporate Butterflies

Stamp-Stampendous sentiment- stamped, sponged with pink, cut out and popped up; Ink-Memento;

Paper-DCWV Garden Party- background between butterflies sponged with pink ink

HYCCT1104 - (H)aving (O)nly (P)aper (E)lements (no bling, no ribbon, etc.)

Paper-Kaisercraft - too pretty to embellish anyway : )

HYCCT1127 - Pickled Tink Humerous CAS with touch of Pink

Stamps-Eureka Stamps ducklings, Hero Arts sentiment; Ink-Memento, Tombow markers; Corner rounder punch;

Stickles on pink duckling : )

HYCCT1123 - Bees, yellow or bee friendly environment

Stamps-Rubber Stampede bee, Hero Arts sentiment; Ink-Memento, Tombow Marker

HYCCT1101B - Use Bling

Stamp-Inkadinkado; Ink-Memento; Glittery Paper-sale bin at JoAnns; Stickles, Rhinestones, ribbon

I'm trying to think less as I work on these, helps me to make more than 1 per day now and then! : ) Now, Off with the TV, ON with the music and back to making some cards.

Moose in October

2011-10-23T22:09:00.002-08:00

It's past the midpoint in October, snow is on the way! The garden has been cleaned up by woman & beast (not in that order). Moose hunting season is over so the moose come out of their hiding (not really, but it sure seems like they know when to disappear) to continually check on the garden that produces no more. Who's here today?

Hello Mama! Trim my bushes while you're back there, I forgot to. (They're some variation of sweet pea but not the garden variety; bushy, woody, some thorns...I always forget the name and ask my neighbor every year.)

Nope, nothing left, all cleaned up. No dessert for you!

BTW, where's your baby?

There she is!

Ok baby, that Mt. Ash really doesn't need an annual trim.

At this rate it will never grow to be over 3 ft tall. Move along, thank you.

We've had this pair and a cow with 2 older calves make regular appearances in our yard. The 2 families seem to take turns moving thru, spending a few days here and there then back again. I have to be on the lookout on our jaunts thru the woods. If Sissy sees them she will try to chase them off, to the edge of the yard or across the trail. Not always a good thing.

To Clean or to Hike...

2011-09-25T23:13:00.000-08:00

hmmm, that is the question. HAH right!! Sunny, fall day... Hike it is! Today we climbed the Butte. It's a nice little "hill" in the middle of a wide, flat, glacial valley. From the highway it looks kind of weird there, out of place, but it is a nice bit of a climb with a wonderful view at the top, for us non-mountain climbers! : )

Look, termination dust on the mountains, already!

Ahhh, view of the glacier from top of the Butte.

Slight zoom.

Ok, picture for Scott, away at work on this fine day. Uh, You whooo, Sisssssy, squeak!

There we go! Gotta be fast with dogs!

Sigh, back down the trail we must go.

Still time to clean a bit, but probably not tonight! : )

Fall off-road trip

2011-09-05T11:53:00.002-08:00

Now that his Toy (truck) is home, Scott has been itching to take it out for a drive on our AK trails! It's hunting season for moose here so this became a combo scenic, camping, off-road, hunting trip. It was a quick trip tho, only 2 nights, over the rainy, cool Labor Day weekend, but it was beautiful, and a pretty comfy ride! : )

Our camping spot, transport & abode -

The views surrounding our spot -

Closer in - waiting on the fire...

The views along the trail -

Colors all around -

An old beaver dam still stands -

Sheep. They were on the move!

The hunt for moose was not successful but for beauty and escape, it was!

Good night!

Through Canada in less than 4 days

2011-08-31T23:01:00.000-08:00

Hello! Thought I'd pop in and post a few pics from our roadtrip from WA to AK. I didn't take many, it rained during most of the trip so we kept trucking. (my rear and back is still recovering) We made the trip to haul the Toyota up from my sister's. This is the little truck we had used on our roadtrips in WA, OR & ID last year. Since Scott no longer works out of Vancouver WA, he's been anxious to bring it home to AK so he can play with it on the trails here. : )

All loaded up

Black bear crossing

After seeing about a dozen bears I finally get my camera out quick enough for this pic, then we don't see anymore bears.

Kluane Lake, on a nice sunny day!

Sunset

We drove together across the border into AK for the 2nd time in 17 years, almost to the day. Scott said he planned it that way... really? : ) Glad to be home!

Looking Up?

2011-06-24T22:43:00.001-08:00

I looked out the window to check on Sissy. She was looking up in my direction but not at me like she usually does when she wants in. What in the world is she looking at?

I had to go down and see for myself ...

Yup, definitely looking up at something, she didn't budge as I walked around her ...

AAAHHHHHHH! Good grief! Squirrel! On the wall of the house, really?!

And that is how they sat, quietly, for several minutes. Until the squirrel tried to make his move, slipped, caught himself and started chattering like crazy. I suddenly felt surrounded by squirrels as several more responded to his chatter from the safety of the trees. Then Sissy started barking, adding her noise. I finally had to pull her into the house to leave it alone long enough for it to, hopefully, get down and go away. Golly, I hope they aren't making nests in the roof! Maybe that's some of the scurry noise I hear late at night. Squirrels! Argh!

Scott's gone to the dogs

2011-06-10T22:21:00.001-08:00

We attended a trail work day last weekend and had a BBQ afterwards. It was a small, fun gathering of adults and dogs, with plenty of food! Scott thought he'd relax on the ground and soon had most of those 4 legger's gathered around him.

Sissy was a bit jealous! She was doing a whine/growl/smile mix with her hair standing on end. Silly (spoiled) girl! This little black lab pup, Lily, was sooo cute, and funny.

Eatn' time? Whatcha got there??! Sure smells good!

Got any to share?

Ok, trying the front approach.

I can just taste it, just a lick, just...oh that smells yummy!

Yes, only someone else's cute, young pup can get away with this. : )

January Swap cards

2011-01-31T22:51:00.000-09:00

Wow, this month has flown by! Hubby came home from work early and my seasonal tax job started up, so I have not stamped much this month at all. I had signed up for some swaps earlier so I did get those done by monthend, barely.

This was for a Blue & Silver card swap. This time of year, when I think of using blues snowmen and snowflakes always come to mind. (I tried to think of something else but it wasn't happening.) I like snowflakes and snowmen, and with these old silver flake brads and blue & silver flaky ribbon this came together quickly in my mind! The snowflake background stamp was used with Versamark & clear embossing powder.

Stamp: Great Impressions-snowmen, Our Daily Bread Designs-Snowflake Swirl Background

Ink: Versamark, Versafine-Gray, Tombow Markers

Other: Silver brads, Ribbon (Michaels or Hobby Lobby), Clear Embossing Powder, Stickles

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This was for a Red, Black & white card swap. In person, the white is more ivory and the red is more brick/barn/rustic red(ish). I really like the effect of the embossing & sanding for the background. It was fun and saved me time not having to go thru papers, trying to pick & choose a combo & layout... not that I didn't try to before I settled on this technique (eye roll). The black gathered ribbon was part of a small stash I got as part of a grab bag a long time ago.

Stamp: Our Daily Bread Designs-Scripture Collections 3; Ink: Versafine-Black Onyx; Paper: DCWV; Other: Martha Stewart Doily punch, Cuttlebug EF-Victoria, Black gathered ribbon, sandpaper

_______________________________________________

This was for a torn edges card swap. My mind went blank at first until I went thru some of my new stamps from Our Daily Bread. : ) It took me longer to decide whether to go with brown ribbon, keep it 2 tone, or add color, as shown here.

Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs-Full of Grace Pray, Wood Background, Don't Worry (butterfly)

Ink: Stampin'Up-Chocolate, Tombow Marker, Sakura Stardust pen

Other: Sizzix Leafy Branch, Ribbon

I'm doing better at keeping my commitments for swaps than at making birthday cards for my family, ugh! There won't be many more cards (or commitments) made until after tax season.

Glimmer & Poinsettias ODBDSLC38

2010-11-24T22:08:00.000-09:00

This week's Shining Light Challenge 38 over at Our Daily Bread Designs Blog is to create a holiday card, for any holiday. Tis the season for me to dive into making Christmas cards so this only helped to motivate me to get busy. Here's a few variations using the same stamps from the Blessed Christmas set from ODBD.

I love this Holly Ribbon embossing folder, especially combined with Pearl Glimmer Mist (sprayed after embossing). Wow, what a glimmer! I used my favorite Sakura Clear Stardust pen on the poinsettias to spread that shimmer.

I sponged Antique Linen Distress ink on the embossing before spraying the glimmer mist on this card. You can't see that shimmer but the flower really stands out from that stardust pen!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Stamps: ODBD Blessed Christmas Ink: VersaFine Vintage Sepia, TH Distress Ink-Antique Linen Other: Spellbinders labels4, Ribbon Tag Trio; Cuttlebug EF Holly Ribbon, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist-Pearl, Sakura Clear Stardust pen, Tombow Markers, Ribbon

Thanksgiving cards

2010-11-19T19:18:00.004-09:00

The celebrated Thanksgiving Day, a day to gather with family & friends to eat (what we do best together) and share what we're thankful for or the commercial interpretation - day of feasting in preparation for the big shopping weekend, is fast approaching! My hubby is working thru that Saturday following so we will have our little feast a few days later. That means I'll be able to relax and do my own thing that day! Well, I have been invited to a neighbors' so I still have the option to feast. : )

I just finished up some cards that I'm gonna send out in thanksgiving for my family. I had colored these images about this time last year but by the time I finished, the task of matching them up with paper was too overwhelming for me to get them finished for last Thanksgiving. (I HAD to color them all different!) You may recognize a few from previous posts and entries into ODBD challenges but most of them were done these last couple of weeks while Scott was home. (Verse was just added to 2 of the cards posted earlier - the card above and the Orange card on the right below.)

Just like I varied the colors in the image, I tried to vary the style of the card at least slightly tho they still are very similar. They are the standard 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (or close to it except the first card) for easy mailing so not too much room for variation. I have a hard time making exactduplicates anyway, too many options, too many colors, and I only made less than a dozen (unlike Christmas cards) so why not play!

Some of them were colored with markers (Tombow and Adirondack) and some were colored with Prismacolor pencils. I had lots of practice with layering colors while doing these.

This is a great image to use the out-of-the box die cutting technique. Simple cloth image to cut around : ) I like how the cloth part kinda pops up at you naturally, there's no foam tape under it tho I considered putting some there anyway since I'm mailing it out. Hmm, those grapes almost glow on the left-hand card.

This Bible verse is part of the Fruit of the Spirit stamp set from Our Daily Bread Designs. I had won the fruit bowl image thru the "Whose stamp is it anyway?" competition in Scrap&Stamp Arts magazine last year so I don't have the set. Since I liked the verse with this image, I picked 4 of my favorite fonts to print it out in Word (or Publisher).

Whew, I'm glad these are done! Off to get these ready for the mail! Then on to making Christmas cards. : ) I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and remember to be thankful every day (without the additional calories)!! : )

Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs-Fruit of the Spirit Ink: Versafine Black Onyx, Tim Holtz Distress inks-Antique Linen, Tea, Brick

Paper: DCWV Other: Markers-Tombow, Adirondack; Prismacolor Pencils, Spellbinders- Classic Ovals, Sm. Scalloped ovals, Labels 4; Cuttlebug EF- D'vine Swirl, Textile; Sakura Clear Stardust pen, DMC Metallic Gold floss, Foam tape, Ribbon

Ribbons on colors

2010-11-05T19:20:00.002-08:00

The Stamping in Time: On Assignment Challenge 21 at Our Daily Bread Designs Blog is to use our favorite embellishment, and to make it obvious as to which is our favorite, since it is so hard to use just one embellishment on a card, let alone pick one favorite!

I love ribbon!! I don't use it on anything but cards but I'm attracted to the many colors, styles and sizes of ribbon. When the craft stores break out the holiday ribbon, I can't resist checking it out, what new colors and designs this year?!! Last month I bought this sheer red ribbon with sunflowers printed on it. It's pretty wide and has wire but I don't let that deter me. It works great as a background, after removing the wire.

Since this is sheer ribbon I put a strip of colored paper behind it. In this first card I used red paper; it brightens the red and deepens the green of the leaves in the print.

Here is the same card but with green paper instead of red. The strip of green paper behind the sheer red ribbon deepens the red and brightens the green of the leaves on the print. It also makes the other ribbon look awfully orange here. It's actually more of a copper color and matches the glittery edging on the sheer red ribbon, but you can't tell that from this pic, grrrrr.

Glitter or other shimmery embellishments are also a favorite of mine. These ribbons happen to have some glitter and shimmer to it. I carried it over to the paper by using some glitter glue. Hmmm, is it still obvious that Ribbon is my favorite here tho?!

This is one of my favorite verses - Don't ask me to pick ONE of those!! It also happens to be the verse Becca Feeken chose to be in the Scripture 4 set at ODBD. I was thinking of and praying for Becca and her family as I made these cards. Becca is pretty well known in rubberstamping blog land, being a part of many design teams for stamp craft companies and with her blog - Amazing Paper Grace. Her husband recently passed away. Tho we celebrate that he is home with our Lord with no more struggles, illness or pain, I pray for strength and courage for Becca and her family as they adjust to his physical absence in their daily life. This makes me think of the Matthew West song "Save a Place for me".

Stamps: ODBD-Scripture 4 Ink: Versafine-Vintage Sepia, TH Distress Ink-Brick Red (sponging) Paper: Prima Marketing, DCWV Other: Spellbinders-Classic Ovals, Big Scallops; Autumn Ribbon-JoAnns; Stickles

ODBDSLC35 Dies and Punches

2010-11-03T21:09:00.003-08:00

The Shining Light Challenge this week over at Our Daily Bread Designs Blog is to choose one of their top 3 challenges to make a card with. I chose "Dies or Punches" though I used both on my card. I had some new punches that I couldn't wait to use knowing they'd go well with some die cut flowers I wanted to make!

I just came home from spending a few weeks with my folks in Iowa. My Mom is a big crafter and stamper, one who played a big roll in my addiction with rubber stamps & card making : ) While there, she had me making scrunchy flowers with her Dahlia flower dies. I had only read of the technique and never tried it before. Nothing like getting together with another stamper to get motivated to try new things!!

I had to try making them with my Blossoms 2 dies now that I'm home. To age/distress/darken the red cardstock, I stamped it with the Amazing Grace Hymn stamp before using the dies then I sponged more ink around the edges before assembling the flowers. It's not as easy to "scrunch" cardstock versus copy paper weight or tissue paper, they're a little stiff but it gives them a different look. Gold Stickles were added to the centers to add some sparkle.

Rather than layer the Labels 4 die cuts with the verse, I made a frame using 2 dies to put around the verse that was stamped directly onto the designer paper base. I really like the light pattern on the paper for this card and had fun putting it all together.

Stamps: ODBD - Scripture collection 4, Amazing Grace Hymn

Ink: TH Distress Ink-Frayed Burlap (flowers, edging), VersaFine Vintage Sepia (verse)

Other: Spellbinders Labels 4, Blossoms 2; Martha Stewart Arch Lattice, Leafy vine punch ; Gold Stickles, Pop dots

First Snow

2010-10-29T22:49:00.001-08:00

Look what I awoke to this morning!!!

Last night I flew home from Iowa after a great visit with family. It was still fall in Iowa, just cooling off into the 40-50 degree range when I left. Here in Alaska it was beyond fall, as I was going to be reminded, while driving home in the dark, experiencing rain then snow, in barely above freezing temperatures.

In Iowa -

My folks still had Marigolds

and Mums galore!

This cute little gal lived among them all.

And this -

This is what I have! Welcome home to Alaska!

Big Toy fun

2010-10-10T23:00:00.001-08:00

Scott got a "new for him" toy for his birthday today, and any other holiday we can think of for the next few years.

It should come in handy, tho with winter right around the corner it may not be used much till next spring or summer. Right now he's making piles, and a mess..... "It's alittle small but it'll do the job" he says. Hmmmm.... I'll have to think on a list of projects for this hummer... : )

Sissy...she says "enough of that thang, I'm hungry let's go in already!" I agree. Scott's off to Washington tomorrow and I'm off to Iowa in a few days!!

SNTODBD19 Don't worry

2010-10-10T22:24:00.005-08:00

The Our Daily Bread Designs Stamping In Time: On Assignment Challenge 19 (SNTODBD19) for this week is a movement theme. "You can choose movement via techniques and images that give the look of movement or create a card with actual movement. Some card ideas would be the Twist, waterfall, Surprise Pop up, T-slide, and Suspension cards to name a few. Also, for images, think butterflies, birds, cars, people...etc, that give the look of movement or motion."

I haven't attempted any of the card styles with movement before so I checked out the tutorials over at Splitcoaststampers in their resource area. The Swing or flip-flop card seemed quick and the instructions easy to follow. Here's my attempt.

Card Front

Opening...

The "inside" panel has white space to write a personal message.

This was a fun card to make. I'm sure it won't be the last for me of this style! Notes for next time: If not using heavy double sided paper, glue sheets together BEFORE making the card. Nothing like trying to join two separate (imperfect) cards (their sides, folds, window) together to make one...ugh!

Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs-Don't Worry Ink: VersaFine-Vintage Sepia Paper: BoBunny Other: Tombow markers, Prismacolor pencils, Sakura Stardust pen, Spellbinders Labels 4, ribbon, charm

Fall Stamping decor JRC_038

2010-10-06T15:45:00.004-08:00

The JustRite Friday Challenge #038 for this week, sponsored by Copic, is to make a fun Fall holiday 3D project! "This could be Halloween treats, Fall decorations, Thanksgiving table decorations, etc. using your JustRite stamps." At first I wasn't even going to try to participate. What? Make something other than a card, Me?! Sounds like alot of work! My hubby is home for a week so I really didn't want to get all wrapped up in a "project". But, as a few days went by, I thought, why not at least try to think about it, but no pressure?! Well, as I ate my yogurt yesterday I came up with this idea : )

I remember having a little vase of silk flowers in my room when I was growing up and I remember making several crafty pencil holders way back then too. Looking at my yogurt cup I thought what a great size for holding pencils, paintbrushes, and flowers. It seemed like a quick and easy way to make some seasonal decor, not to mention a great way to recycle!

After cleaning the container (of course, tho it still smells fruity), I used copy paper to make a pattern of the Yoplait yogurt cup and to cover it as a base layer to help hide the bold label. You could probably use acrylic paint as a base layer but I didn't want to go looking for any late last night. I then covered it with scrapbook paper. The cardstock I used for the image was alittle heavy to just tape on so I poked holes into the container with an exacto knife and used to brads to help secure it to the cup. I finished it off with ribbon at the top and bottom to cover the paper edges.

Stamps: Just Rite-Autumn Blessings Ink: VersaFine-Vintage Sepia, Tombow markers

Paper: DCWV Other: Spellbinders Classic ovals, Yoplait yogurt cup, Ribbon, brads

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Another quick & easy project I thought of was the place setting cards I've seen others make for the holidays. Here's 2 that I did up.

The names were stamped using the Just Rite Curlz 50pt Font and gold embossed. The leaf embellishments were an afterthought to help cover up a booboo on Scott's : )

Stamps: Just Rite-Autumn Blessings, Curlz 50pt font Ink: VersaFine-Vintage Sepia, Tombow markers Paper: DCWV Other: Spellbinders Classic ovals, Scalloped ovals; Gold Detail Embossing Powder, Ribbon, Leaf embellishments-Favorite Findings (button section of JoAnns)

ODBDSLC31 Wing It - God's Peace

2010-10-03T11:22:00.003-08:00

This week's Shining Light Challenge 31 over at the Our Daily Bread Design Blog is to "Wing It". "Include anything with wings on your creations...this can be birds, angels, butterflies, bugs, etc. It need not be your image...it can be embellishments or on your paper." I couldn't wait to break out another new set for me, Don't Worry to make something for this challenge!

I stamped the Chicory flower twice, colored with Tombow markers and carefully cut them out to be able to arrange them as desired. The butterfly is colored with the same blue marker but in layers to slightly darken the color. I then used the Clear Stardust pen to add some sparkle on the butterfly and some dimension on the centers of the flowers! I love that pen! : ) The patterned paper behind the sentiment and the top portion of the card has tiny glitter dots on it so I added a stripe of Stickles to the faux ribbon on the paper for more sparkle and to tie it all together.

I love this paper from DCWV - Garden Party stack. The stripe paper and doily are part of the lighter background paper. For this card I thought the light top part needed a dark border also. To add the dark background frame around the top portion of the card, I cut the dark paper the same width as the lighter paper, then I cut in 1/8" from the edge on both sides of the lighter paper, from the top just down to the faux ribbon/stitching line. I really like the result here!

Stamps-ODBD Don't Worry, Peace (sentiment) Ink: Versafine-Vintage Sepia

Paper: DCWV-Garden Party Other: Tombow markers, Sakura Stardust pen-clear, Spellbinders-Labels 4, Stickles-Cinnamon, foam tape

Starving Artistamps blog candy & RSC challenge

2010-09-25T11:23:00.001-08:00

Starving Artistamps is having some special blog candy giveaways this month in celebration of some new releases and of Tracey's Birthday. I'm alittle late joining in here, already week three, but Congrats to Tracey and Starving Artistamps!! The details for this week's blog candy and the new releases can be found here!

To add to their fun month of celebrations, Starving Artistamps is also hosting the September Sketch Challenge over at Rubber Stamp Chat. I'd show the sketch Tracey posted but the image is too big to display here so you will just have to visit her post on RSC linked above to view it and her card!

Some of my favorite stamps from Starving Artistamps are their flowers, butterflies and the mosaic backgrounds. Combining some of these with their sketch at RSC and their Mosaic Grout instructions, this is what I came up with. It ended up being a bit bigger than expected, I even used one of the MINI mosaic backgrounds thinking it would help me keep the finished size down but oh well! Paper fun!

The butterflies were colored with metallic gel pens and the petals on the daisy were highlighted with Stickles. The green paper was embossed and lightly sanded before cut into the strips. The flowers and butterflies are popped up with foam tape.

When I started this card, the colors made me think of fall here, but we've had some pretty strong winds the past couple of days (70+mph) so most of the leaves, and a few trees, have blown down. Fall doesn't stick around for long here in AK, but I can still enjoy the colors using my papers and ink!

Stamps: Starving Artistamps- Mini Retro Grout, Leaf, Med. Daisy, Sm. Freak Butterfly

Inks: Colorbox Chalk ink-Deep Green, Fresco-Giovanni's Garden (green), VersaMagic-Sage Paper: DCWV

Other: Cuttlebug EF-Textile, sandpaper, Sakura metallic pens, Stickles, Quickie glue pen, foam tape

ODBDSLC30 White & Bright Christmas

2010-09-21T20:38:00.003-08:00

This week's ODBD Shining Light Challenge at Our Daily Bread is to make it White & Bright. Use all white except for the stamped image and embellishments. (no designer paper unless it's all white.) What fun! Great time to break into my new ODBD stamps!

I stamped the Poinsettia image on plain white paper and again on Red Shimmer paper (from JoAnns). The white image was loosely trimmed but the red flower was closely trimmed to use for layering (after it dried overnight). The vine and leaves were colored with colored pencils then with a Green Glaze pen from Sakura. The flower (white) was colored with a Red Tombow marker.

To help make the image pop and 3D it, I used an xacto knife to partially cut out the inner petals of the red flower on the shimmer paper then curled them under. After touching up the edges with a black marker, I layered it on the main image using foam tape then used Yellow Stickles in the center of it. A green metallic pen was used for the vine (image) that curled onto the red petals. I tried doing without this green but leaving the vine curls red on the red petals looked kinda funny, more so than the green curls do now. Just now we know that the curls are part of the vine. : )

The image is layered on top of a textured background and the sentiment is also layered on but using foam tape. All this is to help it pop and not look flat when using white on white. I love the effect and that deep red of the shimmer paper, tho you may not see the shimmer here! Thanks for looking! : )

Stamps: ODBD-Luke 2:11 set Ink: VersaFine-Black Onyx

Other: Spellbinders-Labels 4, Fancy Tags; Cuttlebug Emb Folder-Victoria; Prismacolor pencils, Sakura Glaze pen, metallic pen; Stickles-Yellow; foam tape

JustRite Friday Challenge JRC_036

2010-09-19T13:28:00.002-08:00

JustRite Friday Challenge 036: Color Challenge

This week's JustRite Friday Challenge #036 is to use this color combination -- dark red, ivory & black, with the added twist of creating your own handmade embellishment. This can be a die cut or crocheted flower/shape, handmade felt embellishment, decorated paperclip or clothespin to add to your project, or any other type of embellishment!

I'm having fun with these challenges, as you can probably tell : ) Looking at my growing collection of JustRite Stamps, I knew Christmas seemed to be the theme for September so I thought I'd try to stick with that. Keep this up and I'll have a good start on my Christmas cards!!

I wanted to use Black for more than just the ink, tho black isn't a color I usually have in mind for Christmas cards so this took some thinking. I tried whatever came to mind in an effort to not over think this (otherwise nothing gets done!). I've seen some great work with layers using Spellbinders dies done by lots of other creative gals, so that gave me some ideas to start with.

The JustRite stamps go hand in hand with Spellbinders nesties! Tho I stamped the words and the black lacy type border as one, I used several different dies to cut them apart and layer them. The lacy border was cut by hand with scissors so I could use another layer below it without making it all any wider for the card front. (The Christmas embossed background can be better seen in the next card I made.) Then to MAKE the embellishment, ugh, I left that for another evening. I experimented with the Blossoms 2 dies (and glitter glue) and made a few flowers to play with. I wasn't too unhappy with this for my first try. : }

I've learned to stamp several images of the same thing at one time to play with different ideas, if I have time, but mostly to have a backup just in case I really don't like the outcome of any experimenting I do with one. Here is another card using the same stamps, dies, punch, background, color theme but different layout and order of colors.

Stamps: JustRite Christmas Treasures Set Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, SU Craft White

Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Circles, Big Scallop Circle, Blossoms 2; Cuttlebug EF-Season's Greetings; Martha Stewart Edger-Doily Lace, Holly Leaf punch, Branch punch; Ribbon, Black brad, Stickles-Diamond, foam tape

SNTODBD17 Amazing Grace

2010-09-14T12:23:00.001-08:00

The Stamping in Time 17 technique challenge over at Our Daily Bread is Emboss Resist. I haven't used a resist technique in a long time so I didn't want to pass up this inspiring challenge. Two types of resist were used on this card. The flowers were stamped using Versamark on regular paper (110lb) and embossed with White Detail powder. I know Dogwoods don't usually have much color but to make them show up, since I used white powder on white paper, I couldn't resist coloring them. I also traced outside the embossing to help the image pop.

The words to Amazing Grace were stamped using Clear Resist Ink on white glossy paper. Ink was sponged on, making the words pop thru.

I'm having fun playing here but I really need to get out to enjoy the beautiful sunny day. They have been a rare occurance this past summer and now we are into fall here in AK. It's in the 60s and clear so a great day for the dog and I to go for a hike. Hope everyone has a joyous day! : )

Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs-Amazing Grace, Grow in Grace

Ink: Ranger Clear Resist Ink, Versamark, Kaleidacolor-Fresh Green, Tombow markers

Accessories: Ranger White Detail Embossing Powder, Martha Stewart Edger-Doily Lace, Ribbon, Blue Moon (?) Charm (Walmart/JoAnns)

Mojo Monday 155

2010-09-11T17:06:00.005-08:00

Boy, I'm on a roll! This is the last card I made this week, before Scott headed off hunting today. I've always wanted to play with the Mojo Monday sketches but haven't taken the time until now.

Friday we went into Anchorage and stopped at JoAnns (among other places). I purchases 3 pads of the DCWV paper that were on sale for $9.99! The papers I used on this card are from the Cafe Mediterranean stack. I love the bright colors and the embossed flowers in this stack, but I finally settled on these 2 sheets for this card. The pics were taken last night, low light, even with flash, ugh! I tried taking them again today but too late, nice and bright light but bad shadows....so I stuck with the pics from last night, no weird shadows here.

I went with the oval here for this image tho the sketch was for a circle. I just couldn't see using a circle with this, or covering it up with the ribbon, but I really wanted to use it anyway! This is one of my favorite stamps and it's an old one from Great Impressions.

Stamps: Great Impressions-Milkcan with flowers, Hero Arts-sentiment

Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia

Paper: Die Cuts With A View (DCWV)-Cafe Mediterranean, DCWV textured cs

Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Ovals, Classic Scalloped Ovals; McGill Tag punch, Prismacolor Pencils, Ribbon, foam tape

Happy Weekend!!

Manly Cards SSNOTIME156

2010-09-09T19:15:00.004-08:00

It's September and I need some Masculine Birthday cards! Manly, Masculine, Guy thing - No bows, no flowery stuff, no frills. OK, fine then. No pressure, should be easy, and flat. Here's what I came up with - 1 stamp, 3 different cards using different papers and other non-frilly stuff. Funny thing, after I made these, I see that this is the theme for Stamp Simply this week!

The Tree stamped image filled the largest die I had. For the border circles, I was able to make the circle the size I needed by tracing the outside of the largest die then cutting just outside of that line with my deckle edged scissors (and erasing the line when done).

Stamps: Inkadinkado-Utopiary, Hero Arts-Happy Birthday (tag), Stampabilities-Happy Birthday

Ink: ClearSnap ColorBox Chalk Ink-Chestnut Roan Paper: DCWV The Fall matstack (from previous 2 yrs)

Accessories: McGill-tag punch, Martha Stewart-ZigZag border punch, EKSuccess-corner rounder punch; Deckle edge scissors, Spellbinders Classic Circle, Ribbon, Brads

Autumn Leaves Card

2010-09-07T19:50:00.004-08:00

The local stamp store (LSS) in Palmer (~20 miles away), the Stamp Cache, offered a September challenge. Linda, the store owner, gives out packets with a square of paper and several random embellishments with the instructions to use at least 3 things from the packet and a stamp from the store. This was as good excuse as any for me to buy another stamp. : )

Here's a list of what I used from the packet:
- 4" square Orange paper with circles on it (not sure the designer). It is double sided paper with Halloween theme words on black on the backside. I chose to go with the orange/fall themed side and trimmed it down to 3" square to fit it all on the card.
- Chipboard Circle- I colored it with an orange Tombow marker then with a Sakura orange glaze pen to give it shine. Once dry, I poked a hole in it and tied it on with Raffia.
- Pumpkin ribbon embell.-cut apart and layered onto the image (over the pumpkins in the image).
- Red Maple Leaf brad
- LSS Stamp- Autumn Leaves by Lockhart Stamp Co., colored with Prismacolor pencils and highlighted with Sakura's Stardust pen for alittle shimmer.

The remaining unused items in my packet were a small spider sticker, 1 green & 1 orange button, and 1 clear & 1 brown dew drops (not sure how to use these). I really tried to use the buttons, but they were just too much with what I had here.

This was really a fun challenge! I may have to find my way over to that area more often so I can participate more often! : )

ODBDSLC27 - Texture It!

2010-09-02T17:56:00.002-08:00

The Lord satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:9

Just a quick post. Our Daily Bread Designs Shining Light Challenge 27 this past week was to Texture It - with embossing, embellishing, distressing, etc. I still have quite a few of this image from their Fruit of the Spirit set stamped and colored from last year waiting to be made into cards yet. That's why I've posted a few cards with this same image (but in different colors at least!) and will post several more over the next couple of months...just a forewarning. I do like the image and had fun coloring it, so many times, so many color options!

Stamp: Our Daily Bread Designs-Fruit of the Spirit set

Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia; Prismacolor pencils

Paper: DCWV Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Ovals, Scalloped Ovals; Cuttlebug EF Textile; Ribbon-Walmart

JustRite Stamps Sketch JRC_033

2010-09-01T22:33:00.001-08:00

JustRite Stamps Friday Challenge for this week is this sketch:

I figured this is what I needed to get me back into making cards after being gone for a few weeks on a road trip not to mention get me into Christmas card making mode!!

Stickles are great for quickly adding a little glittery shimmer! What a quick, fun, wintery card!

Stamps: JustRite-A Merry Little Christmas set Paper: DCWV

Ink: SU White craft ink, white gel pen (for touch ups)

Accessories: SU square punch, McGill tag punch, Stickles, ribbon

ODBDSLC22 Distressed? Be Strong!

2010-07-29T10:28:00.003-08:00

Late night tonight posting this. Thought I'd squeeze into one more challenge, hopefully before the deadline! Our Daily Bread's Shining Light Challenge for this past week was to Distress It! This evening I made a quick, simple, rather distressed card that would probably be a good masculine card. I went all out distressing - tearing, roughing, and inking (with Distress Ink even) edges. I used the CuttleBug "Distressed Stripes" embossing folder and rubbed the ink pad over it. I even pounced the ink pad on the pitiful raffia. Despite the all the distressing (here & life), this verse is so encouraging BE STRONG & Courageous for God is with me, you, us!!! Knowing this helps me sleep at night! : )

Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs-Scripture Collection 3

Ink: VersaFine-Vintage Sepia, TH Distress Ink-Antique Linen

Paper: SU, Colorbok

Other: CuttleBug Embossing folder-Distressed Stripes, Raffia

JRC_028 Picture cards

2010-07-28T23:26:00.001-08:00

JustRite Friday Challenge 028, Sponsored by Copic: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

This challenge from JustRite was just what I needed to kick me into making cards with pictures. I have 2 sets (besides the font sets) from JustRite Stamps (so far) to choose from for this challenge. Since I wasn't in a Christmas-y mode and I couldn't think of any Christmas-y pictures I had taken lately, I went with the Seeds of Kindness set of sayings. I love flowers and have lots of pictures of flowers, I just needed to narrow down my choices and print some out. Of the 4 different flower pics I selected, I was only able to get 2 of them made into cards by this evening, tho I can only submit 1 for the challenge.

This Chamomile was growing wild in the garden, I was pulling it up just to make room for the veggies trying to grow! I thought this saying was fitting for these beautiful blooms and as a cheery, encouraging sentiment for a card. I don't often use white as the base card and leave it white. In keeping it white, like the flowers, I had to really resist the urge to sponge some color on to it!

Stamps: JustRite-Seeds of Kindness

Paper: Die Cuts With a View

Ink: Stampin'Up-Old Olive, TH Distress Ink-Antique Linen

Other: Spellbinders-Ribbon Tags Trio 2, Classic Oval; Cuttlebug Embossing Folder-Victoria

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I took this picture in the Lava Beds National Monument in California, right at the Oregon border, back in May. I was in awe of the little flowers growing beside the lava rocks, above the caves we explored. They were definitely "blooming where they were planted". Some of these also had touches of pale lavender to them, hard to tell here with a picture of a picture. For the card I tried to bring out that pale lavender a bit, along with the green stems and the rusty color on the rocks.

Stamps: JustRite-Seeds of Kindness

Paper: Die Cuts With a View

Ink: VersaFine-Toffee, Stampin'Up-Lavender Lace

Other: Spellbinders-Blossoms 2, Martha Stewart Punch-Branch

Don't Be Anxious

2010-07-05T14:09:00.006-08:00

Happy Monday, Day after Independence Day. What an encouraging reminder this verse is to not worry, to go to God in prayer when we feel the emotion arise in us and to continually thank God for all He has provided and will provide! Now why isn't it always as easy as it sounds to do this?! This morning I finished this card for the SNTODBD12 - Stamping in Time with Betty over at Our Daily Bread Designs Blog. LeAnne, the Challenge host, gave us a picture of a colorful handbag to be inspired by the colors, pattern, design, etc. I like the colors and flowery pattern so I had a few different ideas floating around but here's what I went with!

I made an 8.5x11 background paper using a Floral Flourish Stamp from an Inkadinkado clear set and some of the colors I saw in the picture. For this card, it is matted on a very dark purple (it matches the Currant ink color I used for the verse, border and some flowers tho it looks almost black in these pics) then on gray cardstock.

I love the Ironworks Borders stamps used here to frame the scripture stamp from Our Daily Bread. It was also fun to break out some of my old (eksuccess flowers) and new punches (MS branch) and dies to embellish with. Sponging a brighter pink onto the paper flowers really helps them to stand out.

Stamps: Our Daily Bread-Scripture Collection 4, Ironworks Borders; Inkadinkado-Floral Flourishes clear set;

Ink: SU-Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss, Hot Pink, Going Gray; Adirondack-Currant;

Accessories: EKSuccess flower punches, Spellbinders Flourish Accent, Martha Stewart Branch punch, Stickles-Cotten Candy Pink

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Here's another card I had made using the same materials as the one above. This is actually the one I made first. I think I overdid the sponging on the verse, just a tad.. : } The satin ribbon really matches the green cardstock border but it's reflecting the light here.

Again I sponged alittle ink (Currant) on the pale pink flowers here to help them stand out. Boy, I guess I went alittle sponge crazy on this card!

Stamps: Our Daily Bread-Scripture Collection 4, Ironworks Borders; Inkadinkado-Floral Flourishes clear set;

Ink: SU-Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss; Adirondack-Currant;

Accessories: Spellbinders Flourish Accent, Martha Stewart punches-Branch, Embossed ZigZag border; Kaiser paper flowers, Offray Ribbon & large circle brad from JoAnns

This maybe it for my creativity for a few days. My Hubby and inlaws are coming in Friday evening, so lots to do to get ready....nah...just some cleaning (as if that's not alot)...well, I'm alittle optimistic at the moment, but I'm sure I'll (and Scott will) think of lots to do! Until then the pooch and I are going for a hike to enjoy the sunny, breezy weather here today, after almost a week of clouds and scattered showers!

JRS 024 Friday Sketch Red White Blue

2010-06-30T20:11:00.007-08:00

I made this card using the JustRite Friday Challenge #024 Sketch "combined with JustRite stamps and the requirement of a red, white & blue Americana color scheme in honor of the upcoming U.S. Independence Day".

Here I used the Curlz Font set from JustRite Stamps, 50pt in blue and 95pt in red. "The" is hand written : ) I tried a version with "the" stamped in 50pt but it made the oval longer than I wanted for this and then I didn't have room for the star brads on it. The oval is over a bit from the sketch otherwise it would cover up most of the flags in the background.

Stamps: JustRite Stamps Curlz Font set

Ink: Memories-Midnight Blue, Cherry Red

Acessories: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder-Stars; Spellbinders Classic Ovals; Brads-stars; Ribbon

Be Strong in the Lord!

2010-06-28T21:29:00.002-08:00

Hubby left for Washington on Saturday and realized after he got there he had forgotten to take his keys for his truck there! Oops! Neither of us thought of them before he left, tho they were right there on the counter, blending in with everything else : ) Since I needed to mail them and he couldn't think of anything else to send with them, I felt I needed to make a card : ) I usually try to make a small card to slip into his bag before he leaves, but that didn't happen this time. So no "not even a note?" with this padded envy! I'm happy and thankful, I made this within a couple of hours, rare for me! It helps not to overthink a card and just do it. (Imagine that?!!) And I had to get to the PO before they closed...

I love the Scripture Collections stamps from Our Daily Bread Designs, they have many of my favorite Bible verses in rubber! I hope this verse encourages my hubby while he is away from home working these next few weeks.

Stamps: verse-Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture Collection 3, silhouette-Inkadinkado Garden Delight (clear stamps)

Ink: verse- Versafine Olympia Green, silhouette-VersaMagic Chalk Ink Sage, Distress-Tim Holtz Antique Linen

Paper: patterned-BasicGrey Mellow Ebb ; Other: Ribbon-JoAnns (autumn); Scor Pal (embossed lines on green paper, highlighted with distress ink)

Camping and riding in Petersville

2010-06-25T19:48:00.004-08:00

Mt Foraker and Denali (Mt McKinley) from Petersville road.

This past week hubby and I, and the pooch, camped and road ATVs out in Petersville area. We drove out there Sunday evening, avoiding the weekend crowd. Petersville is only a couple of hours drive from home and is a popular spot for camping, partying by some, and riding ATVs and snowmachines. For a couple of days we rode the area trails, more like old, worn gravel roads, averaging about 53 miles round trip (to the camper) a day. We took a day to relax and recover in between the 2 days of riding : ) The first day was clear enough to see Denali from the road. I took some pics knowing clear skies around that mountain don't usually last long. It clouded up that evening and the clouds stuck around the rest of the week. Despite a drizzle here and there, we enjoyed beautiful scenery, lots of green hillsides, flowing creeks, even some snow. We didn't see any large animals but we did see a few beaver dams, gopher type critters running around, ptarmigans with chicks and a fox (in camp).

Our dog Sissy loves to run with the ATVs but willingly hops on the back after a few miles and at large creek crossings. She stays on, held in between Scott, his hard gearbox and stategically placed bags on either side of her. Tho, when she sees a gopher running across the path there's no stopping her wanting to jump off. After her first jump, tumble and roll, with road rash and no critter, she contained her excitement just a tad.

At camp, this seemed to be her favorite spot to lay outside, high, dry and on the soft side (minus the side bags and Scott). She wasn't about to let us go anywhere without her : ) Sissy kept an eye out for this foxy lady who came thru almost daily to check out the old campsites and firepits.

Petersville is also known for gold mining. There are several old private mining areas with large equipment that look like they haven't moved in years. We passed a few locals panning for gold at the creek in the recreational mining area. Most of the trails (roads) dead-end at mining camps, at the base of a mountain or at the top of a hill. It was a fun and beautiful trip exploring for 3 days in one little area of our beautiful state.

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T13:28:00.002-08:00

A quick, simple card. No frills for the men here : ) Hope Dads everywhere feel appreciated and have a great, fun, relaxing day.

Paper: Colorbok Punch-out Pak - Jewel Stamp: Inkadinkado Ink: Stampin'Up-Old Olive Other: lt blue brads

ODBDSLC17 Summer colors Blue Green Yellow

2010-06-16T16:14:00.007-08:00

I should be packing up the camper, but I wanted to finish this up and post it before I forget and time gets away! This is the image I was trying to use with last week's sketch at ODBD but it wasn't happening. I was pretty happy that this week's challenge was using the same colors (Blue, Green & Yellow) I was trying to use then and with any ol' layout. I used this challenge to force myself to do something with the image, that was already colored, and the papers, already cluttering my table, rather than bury it or put it all away for another day, month, year.... as it happens to many of the images I've stamped!

I colored the image with Prismacolor pencils. I know orange wasn't one of the challenge colors but, I couldn't help coloring the orange, well, orange! The green paper used is actually a little lighter than it shows in this pic, closer to the shade of the bow. The stamp is from the Fruit of the Spirit set from Our Daily Bread Designs. I had been admiring this stamp and the DTs' artwork with it for some time over at ODBD. Last year I won this stamp from Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine when it was part of the "Whose Stamp is it Anyway?" contest!

Stamp: ODBD Fruit of the Spirit Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

Paper: SU, DCWV

Other: Prismacolor pencils, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder-Divine Swirls, Spellbinders Classic Ovals, Bow-Easy, Satin Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by! I'm off to pack for a week of camping!!

ODBDSLC16 sketch to get back in gear!

2010-06-10T00:02:00.004-08:00

Alaska Wild Rose growing in our wild yard

Wow, I guess it has been quite awhile since I've posted anything, my how time flies!! I haven't made any cards since early January, Ugh!! Now that the garden is IN (planted) and weeded (for now), I thought I could find a few minutes to play with my paper and stamps. It was either play or "work" to organize it all in my craft space in the process of cleaning house (groan). I follow many blogs almost daily plus I have a subscription to Scrap & Stamp magazine so I feel overloaded with ideas. When I sat down to play, my mind went blank! Ugh! To help me get in gear, give me alittle direction, I thought I'd try the weekly sketch over at Our Daily Bread Designs.

The paper and verse I used here is actually my second try at the sketch. I just could not force it with my paper and stamp choice the first time. This one I'm alittle more comfortable with tho it's not quite the oooooh factor of the cards submitted by others. But hey, it's a start for me! Besides, I got to play with my new paper, Spellbinders Nestie dies, new stamps from ODBD, and new Bow-Easy tool for making bows, whoo hoo!

I'm liking this Bow-Easy! I watched a couple of short videos to make sure I was interpreting the directions right, even after a few test bows. The larger, stiffer ribbon worked a little nicer than the 1/8" & 1/4" satin but I'll keep practicing! I couldn't seem to find just the right color or size brads around here at 11pm so I improvised. Hole punch and Glaze, and the paper used for matting the card : ) Hmmm, it could use some more glaze...

Stamp: Our Daily Bread Designs - Scripture Collection 3

Ink: Versafine-Vintage Sepia

Paper: Basic Grey-Wisteria collection

Tools: Spellbinders Std Circles, Petite Scalloped Circles, Bow-Easy, Ribbon-Organdy (Vanilla), Inkssentials Glossy Accents (glaze)

I better scoot off to bed. My hubby comes home in 2 days so I better do some clean up around here and get the camper ready for some real Alaska R&R next week!!

Valentine and Stripes

2010-01-24T21:59:00.003-09:00

It warmed up to 20 degrees today and I figured it was a good day to take Sissy dog for a walk on the Crevasse Moraine Trail system not far from home. The trails are groomed in the winter for cross country skiing, dog sledding, snowshoeing and hiking. The trail map has shows the trails measured in meters and I have yet to calculate how many meters we walked to convert to miles. The steep (yet small) hill climbs kept me warm from the inside out but the backs of my legs ached from the cold as it cooled off with the coming dusk/darkness. I had lightweight long johns on under my jeans, but no snowpants over them. Other than that it was a good walk, for both of us! Especially since the days are getting longer, it didn't get dark until after 5, wooohoooo!

Anyway...I finished up the last 2 cards for the January swaps I had committed to.

The Valentine.

Not having a large heart stamp or template (yet), I used the Mini Round Envelope punch, then cut off 2 of the curved tabs leaving a heart shape! The 2 tabs could also have been folded in making a heart shaped partial envelope. I've done this on a few cards in the past but since I was placing it in the upper corner of the card, I didn't see the need to keep it as an envelope here.

Stamp: Love-Katie & Co ($1 stamp from Michaels); Ink: Classic Rose Red-Stampin'Up!; Paper: DCWV Text Prints matstack, Cardstock; Fiskars edge scissors, hole punch; Punches: Ek Success small heart, McGill Craftivity Mini Round Envelope, Offray ribbon

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Any theme with Stripes Background

This stamp of flowers is one of my favorites. I used to use Mom's until I found my own : ) I really like the colors and the fine stripes on the paper. You can't tell from the pic but those "dots" between the stripes are really heart shaped! I couldn't pick any one color to highlight here so went with both brights, I don't think they clash too bad. I slightly folded each petal of the punched flowers in half to help them stand out, then topped off the centers with some glitter glue.

Stamps: Milkcan with flowers-Great Impressions, Thinking of You-unsure; Ink: Vintage Sepia-Versafine; Paper: Loverly Strip-pebbles inc., cardstock; Tools: Flower punch-EK Success, Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Oval & Lrg Scallop, Stickles glitter glue

Birthday card swaps

2010-01-17T21:48:00.005-09:00

Here's 2 more cards I just finished up for swaps. The first is the Men's Birthday Card using Blue, Brown and White. A few of the men in my life are hunters so when I read this swap, a wild animal stamp came to mind. This is one from the Stampin' Up set - Yukon.

I like Blue and Brown combos, man card or not. I wouldn't normally use white with this, it looks so bright but that's what I get for using such dark colors. After the card was assembled I saw it needed something else. My first thought for embellishing is always ribbon with a bow or knot but that wouldn't do on this man card! I didn't really leave much room to add anything to it like brads or eyelets so I decided on adding brown (copper-y) glitter glue along the embossed stripes. I don't think my man will growl about brown glitter. : )

Stamp:Elk-Stampin'Up (Yukon set), Birthday-Lasting Impressions with Panache; Ink: Stampin'Up-Chocolate Chip (Elk), Adirondack-Denium (Birthday); Cuttlebug Embossing folder-Distressed Stripes; Stickles glitter glue-Cinnamon

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The next swap is a Lady's Birthday card using Red, Pink and White. This color scheme makes me think Valentine's not birthday. Not wanting to spend too much time thinking about it, I just started playing around, but using the required colors in the process.

I had just bought a couple of small containers of very thin fun foam flower and heart stickers at Target for $1 each (container of 50+, I'm guesstimating). I'm not a big fan of these foam stickers but thought they'd be a good challenge for me to use, for a good price. They were just the colors I needed here! I added dots of red glitter glue to their centers.

I've used this swirl stamp on other cards with paper flowers so I thought it would be ideal here since I didn't have any patterned paper with these colors to play with. The Happy Birthday stamp was 1 long rubber stamp (unmounted). I cut the 2 words apart to make it/them more versatile. This way I was able to mount the words on a block at an angle to fit the white space just the way I wanted it. Well, it was a little challenging to get it about right and mostly straight since they are rubber and not the clear poly stamps like the swirl is. Not my usual style but simple and quick to make. I think some young lady might like it. : )

Stamp: Swirls-Autumn Leaves, Birthday-Endless Creations; Ink: Stampin'Up-Rose Red; Ribbon-JoAnn's; Stickles glitter glue-Christmas Red; Foam flower stickers

White on White, with a little shine

2010-01-10T20:20:00.002-09:00

White on White always seemed a challenge for me in the past. I had seen others do beautiful things with white on white in the past but I had never tried it myself. Since I've increased my collection of Cuttlebug embossing folders I wasn't as intimidated when this came up as a swap. I think the embossing helps so much, giving it texture & dimension for wonderful layering.

I used the same snowflake stamp and white glittery embossing powder as I did on one of my Winter Scene cards in the previous post.

Liking how this embossing turned out I had to do it again but with a different background pattern.

I added some more shimmer and shine to random snowflakes in the background by using Sakura's glossy and Clear Stardust glitter pens. This card can go either landscape or portrait. Actually they both can but this one seems to lend itself to either direction for some reason. : )

Stamp: Snowflake-Inkadinkado; Ink: Versamark; Cuttlebug Embossing folders: Herringbone (1st card), Snowflakes (2nd card); Other: Winter Ice EP-Creations Unlimited, White brads, Offray sheer ribbon, Spellbinders Nestabilites Classic Scallop Oval, Sakura Gellyroll Stardust pen- Clear, Sakura glossy pen-white

Winter themed cards

2010-01-07T23:44:00.004-09:00

To motivate me to make some cards this month I'm participating in a few card swaps for a couple of groups I'm in. The first swap I'm attacking this week is a Winter Scene "Thinking of You" card. I made a few cards using some of my favorite winter themed stamps.

In the effort to stretch myself, go outside my comfort zone, I used a couple of different papers from the DCWV Holiday Collection - Winter matstack. These penguins from Art Impressions look like they're having some winter fun! I stamped them on scraps of white paper then cut them out after adding color and sparkle using markers and a glitter pen. I also used Crystal glitter glue on the snowflake side to show the hill the red hatter is sliding down, you can't quite see all of it in this pic.

Stamps: Penguins-Art Impressions, ToY-Endless Creations; Ink: Stampin'Up Classic Black, Adirondack Stream (ToY); Paper: DCWV Holiday Collection-the Winter Matstack, cardstock; Other: Tombow markers, Sakura Stardust Clear glitter pen, Stickles Crystal glitter glue

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This card isn't as busy looking, more my style. It started out as more of a curiosity as to how well the snowflakes would show up on this light blue printed paper using white glittery embossing powder. I kinda like it, tho it looks better in person than in this pic. All of the blue cardstock does match the blues in the printed paper, up close.

Stamp: Snowflake-Inkadinkado; Ink: Versamark; Embossing powder: Creations Unlimited-Winter Ice; Paper: DCWV Holiday Collection-The Winter Matstack, Cardstock; Other: Ribbon-JoAnn's Santa Collection, Fiskars wavy scissors

Now I just have to decide which to send as the swap card and who to send the other card to : )

Walks along the River

2010-01-02T22:35:00.002-09:00

We had snow here in Vancouver for a couple of days, right between Christmas & New Year's, but it has all melted off now. My sister and BIL have returned home and I am soon to part for home in AK myself! It was nice to spend some time with family, esp. while hubby worked.

Vancouver WA has several historic sites, museums and parks with its links to the Lewis & Clark Expedition, Fort Vancouver, Chinook Indians, and the Kaiser Shipyards of WWII.

On nice days (not rainy or too windy) I enjoyed walking the Waterfront Renaissance Trail along the Columbia River, near our hotel.

The river flows between Washington and Oregon. This bridge crosses into Portland. Part of it raises for large ships and barges to pass as they head in from or out to the ocean.

A "Rosie the Riveter" memorial honors the ladies who worked in the Kaiser Shipyards here during World War II.

This Rosie is a very large lady, marching toward the river. There is a miniature ship and house at the base of her legs.

I love the details of this metal memorial, including the colored glass used to depict water below the ship.

This is only one of several stone tablets of names arranged in a half circle behind the lady of steel.

A little ways from Rosie sits a bronze statue of Ilchee, a Chinook Indian woman.

She looks out over the river.

Beside her, a row of Town Houses line the river, making it a popular pathway for local walkers and joggers. There are also a few rather tasty places to eat along this route making it all the more enticing for us to take an evening stroll.

Happy New Year 2010!

2010-01-01T23:42:00.004-09:00

Lookin across the Columbia River, from Vancouver, WA, to Oregon. Lose a ladder?

Hope this finds everyone safe and warm as they start the new year! A new year, new month, new day, new hour, how will you spend it?

I don't make New Year resolutions, or promises I can't keep. I know I'm human and lazy and things happen beyond my control, so why set myself up for frustration, any more than usual?! : ) That doesn't keep me from coming up with a goal now and then that should seem reasonable and attainable, like:

Call any family member at least once a month
Organize my crafting stuff/area or at least the cardstock or ribbon or stamps
Get out and hike, camp, or ride at least once a month
Start seeds for the garden in early April (and not wait or forget till May)
Read at least 1 novel and 1 informative book a month
Make Birthday cards for family members

Time flies by and I don't do many of these things, but I don't get too frustrated with myself about it, or try not to...most of the time. I need to take one day at a time, knowing God is in control and I believe He doesn't give me more than I can handle with Him as my strength and hope! With Him, I can do anything, anything I put my mind to.

Now if I would just get off my lazy rear and make something rather than just wish I would manage my (fleeting) time better, some day, so I can have more fun crafting...! One can think too much and accomplish nothing other than to tire and depress oneself or to motivate oneself, albeit too late.

Time for bed. Good Night, and God Bless!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T11:42:00.002-09:00

I'm writing this while in Vancouver WA. No snow here! Just rain, wind, clouds, 40 degree weather. Kinda dreary looking for Christmas but a nice warm break from the AK winter. My hubby is down here for work so I thought I'd spend the holiday with him here in the hotel room rather than miles apart : ) Thankfully, Seattle and Portland airports didn't have the holiday or weather delays seen elsewhere.

This past weekend before I came down to WA I gave myself two options... spend the weekend baking holiday goodies to bring to WA, or make Christmas cards to mail out while here (I'm a last minute mailer). I don't bake much except at Christmas so once I started thinking of baking, I really couldn't resist! I made Pumpking bread (with dates & walnuts), Cherry Pecan bread, Snickerdoodles, Peanut Blossums, Pecan Sandies, and Chocolate peanut butter chip cookies. All of these goodies, packed in my luggage, made it to WA safely and with very few broken pieces : ) We're sharing most these sweets with Scott's co-workers who are also away from home during the holidays.

I was able to make a few Christmas cards between Thanksgiving Day and my big travel day (night). I don't have enough made so I will be supplementing them with store bought cards. : ( Some year I hope to start early enough to make one for everyone on my list!

I had seen a sample card at my local stamp store, the Stamp Cache, earlier this month that inspired me to buy this Poinsettia stamp. I mimicked the sample to stamp my flower by using Brilliance Pearlescent ink to give it a bold, shimmery impression and a touch of the Sakura glitter pen on the petals for an extra sparkle! Wanting to keep it flat and easy to mail, I used a gold gel pen on the centers rather than gold jewels.

I didn't have the shade of green I wanted in an ink pad but I did have a marker which I used on the stem and leaves. The green ended up not being as bold this way, nor consistent for each image stamped. On many of the lighter impressions I used the marker to retrace and recolor the leaves to balance them with the deep red flower.

The image and it's background were cut using Nestabilities dies. The trim for the Christmas paper was an after thought, it just needed some more color! I made it using my Fiskars wavy edge scissors, cutting the paper twice to make a thin strip, then glued it along the edge of the Christmas paper using a glue pen. Great way to save on colored cardstock rather than matting the dp and cutting one edge with the wavy scissors tho a challenge to line up the waves to some degree (or not at all as I see on one edge of this particular card).

Stamp: Poinsettia Silhouette-Memory Box; Ink: Brillance Pearlescent Poppy (red), Green marker, Gold Gel pen, Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust-Clear (glitter pen); Paper-DCWV Cardstock and Text Prints Mat Stock; Other: Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Oval dies, Cuttlebug, Fiskars wavy scissors, Glue pen

This simple card uses Christmas paper from the same set by DCWV. The holly leaves are a Martha Stewart punch and the berries (that you can barely see in this pic) are made with dots of glitter glue. This poinsettia stamp is colored with gel pens and cut out using a Nestabilities die.

Stamp: Stampin'Up!; Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, gel pens; Paper: DCWV Text Prints Matstock and cardstock; Other tools: Holly leaves-Martha Stewart Punch, Stickles glitter glue-Christmas Red, Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Oval die, Cuttlebug

I better get some of these cards out in the mail, it's almost the New Year! My oldest sister and her husband are coming down from the Seattle area to visit for a few days while I'm here. I'm looking forward to seeing them soon!

Snowy day, time to plow!

2009-12-16T23:42:00.000-09:00

The snow has tapered off. With over a foot fallen over the past few days, its time to head out and do some clean-up. Maybe a few pictures first : )

Come out already! Come play! Ok Sissy, who can resist!

Time to clean off the plow and get busy! See the face? : )

OK, so plowing over a foot of snow was alittle much for our rig, the battery died. Our neighbor came to the rescue, with his own handy rig!

He would have a long day...

Later, when all was quiet once again in our yard...

an eagle came by to look things over. I just happened to glance up, out the window from my position in front of the computer to catch him.

Pink Sky and Flowers

2009-12-05T16:20:00.001-09:00

I paused to enjoy the beautiful sunrise this morning. I'm not sure how well you can see the colors here. What a great way to start the day!

Then I had a special delivery!

Scott sent me flowers for my Birthday : ) This small bouquet smells wonderful!

I love Stargazer Oriental Lilies...

...and Pink Roses. I'm not sure what the other white flower is but it smells so pretty, without clashing with the other two scents. I wish I could bottle up this scent to enjoy throughout the year whenever I need a flowery pick-me-up : ) Mmmmmm....

Ahhhh.... The natural beauty that surrounds us. Hope you take time to enjoy it and it brightens your day!

Snow walks

2009-12-02T14:02:00.002-09:00

I brought the camera on our walk today : )

We both look forward to our walks thru the woods, before the snow gets deep.

That's quite the snow ball hanging off your hind leg Sissy. Long hair, wet snow...

Ahhhh, snoooowwww.

A few leaves are still hanging on.

Hello there, frosty mane! Are we happy now?! : )

Playing in the Snow

2009-11-23T13:12:00.002-09:00

Scott thought it would be fun to train Sissy to use a harness and pull something, like an old foam sled with a weight on it. Besides, she likes to try pulling me on the leash, why not pull something on the snow. Maybe skijoring is in our future? Scott thought it would be good winter excercise, for Sissy.

Sissy isn't too keen on the idea of it all. The noise the sled makes sliding along, having something trailing her, other than me... She stops alot, jumps around trying to get away from it. When she can't, she lays down and barks at Scott when he trys to coax her to come toward him.

After awhile she get better, once she's started down the drive, heading out toward the road. With Scott beside her she thinks she's going for a walk. There's little resistance in weight and speed on packed snow.

Until now ... not going to happen, jumping from 20 pounds to 100+ pounds on the sled, Nope she says.

The closer she gets to the house the more she's distracted by this THING that's following her! And it starts all over...

After quite a few trips up and down the drive and over to the shop and back, they both had had enough... excercise for Scott and excitement for Sissy that is. : )

First Snow

2009-11-09T13:53:00.000-09:00

Wow, we awoke to our first snow accumulation of the season. It's Beautiful!

Covering everything with a white blanket.

Winter is officially here.

Here to stay, for the next 5 months or so.

And then we're reminded of one of the downfalls of playing in the snow - snow balls between the toes and freezing paws!

Fall Wildlife Card

2009-10-31T23:16:00.000-08:00

The theme for this October swap card was Outdoor/Wildlife card in fall colors. It's a rather simple layout and I came up with a few other ideas for the right side but I needed something quick and easy to get it on its way. I think this would be a good, quick birthday card for the outdoorsy man or hunter in my family. : )

Stamps: Bear-Stampin' Up!

Ink: Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip

Paper: DCWV

Other: Maple Leaf brads - Paper Wishes

October summary

2009-10-31T22:22:00.001-08:00

Wow, time has flown by! Sorry I haven't taken the time to post! I did take some pics along the way, to help me remember the days past and changing seasons. Instead of one biiiigggg long post, I'll do a monthly summary to catch up on posting pics and such. You'll get the short story format rather than my rambling this way.

Sissy and the fall foliage on the rose bushes edging the garden

The moose have harvested much of the garden for me, leaving weeds and a mess for me to clean up. I did salvage enough beans for a few meals but no blanching and freezing this year. Quite a few zucchini survived (apparently they weren't too keen on them) so I was able to make a few batches of zucchini bread and grate the extra to freeze for baking with throughout the winter, yum! The red potatoes were sparse and small but I was happy to have some this year. By the end of the month, all there was left for the moose were carrot tops. The carrots seemed to be growing rather slow so I was trying to keep them in the ground as long as possible. I did pull a few to give them room to grow and Sissy agreed they are rather tasty. The cold and frost (and laziness on my part) seemed to come suddenly and hard tho it was expected this time of year. The carrots are froze into the ground now. I guess we'll see how they survive the winter.

Sissy has helped to chase more than a few moose out of the garden this season, but one in particular is a little ornery and not at all "frightened" by her or humans enough to run away so we have to watch out for them... We didn't let her out of the house until this guy moved on.

Scott has been wanting to build another greenhouse for me for a few years. He plans to seal it up and heat it so I can grow tomatoes longer and start the seeds earlier and ... oh, the ideas!

Once he got going on it, the building was up within a few days!

But then he headed off to work so the progress on the inside has slowed for now. Brrrrrr, winter is on the way!!

Moose in the Garden

2009-09-30T23:26:00.005-08:00

Here you go! This time I took pictures first before making my presence known in hopes they would meander OUT of my garden, so I can salvage what little I have left!

Yes, they are cute in a large, awkward, moosy way.... : ) And they did leave, not finding the carrot tops quite to their taste.

Momma walked out first, straight toward my struggling little lilac bush (that you can barely see in this pic). It gets trimmed by them annually, also chewed on by other local 4-legged animals for some reason (Sissy, Kona,... guess the bush was just their size.)

OK Little One, follow your Momma out, anytime now... These Moose were also laying out there on the lawn by the garden at 2:30 this morning, which Sissy loudly brought to our attention when she saw them there in the moonlight as she was in the process of pacing around between the window, the stairs and the door trying to quietly (?) wake someone up to let her out. The previous day she had been snacking on some rotten meat she had found, it was messing with her system, and our sleep... I stood out there with her, shushing her as she tried to bark, growl and do her business all at the same time. Quite the challenge for her, and me.

Well, these visitors motivated me to check out the garden after their departure. The frost has killed what was left of the zucchini. I dug up the potatoes but sadly there weren't very many and they were very small, like new potatoes or large marbles. I was really looking forward to having a stash of red potatoes...and carrots this winter. I planted lots of them, proof with all the green tops, but it doesn't look like I'll have many carrots to pull over the next few weeks either. Well, there's always next year to try again!

September Fall Cards

2009-09-27T20:20:00.004-08:00

Since I love fall colors, I signed up for some fall themed card swaps with a couple of Yahoo groups I'm in. I figured this would help give me a jump start into card making mode with the holidays fast approaching. Here's a few I made this past week.

I used this Mojo Monday Week 96 sketch for inspiration on a couple of the cards below.

I like using their sketches, less time spent on figuring out a layout, tho' more time spent on picking patterned paper and stamps. I tried to keep it simple here and not spend too much time thinking about it : )

Since I don't have any of the Nestabilities or Spellbinders cutting templates for the big shapes, I used my Fiskars Shapetemplate, traced the circles and cut them out by hand. They don't come out as nice but distress the edge alittle and they look fine. For the larger circle I used paper edging scissors to cut it out.

I really liked this argyle patterned paper for some reason when I first saw it. I couldn't resist using my Cuttlebug Diamonds in the Rough embossing folder on the card front. The embossing doesn't quite line up with the pattern on the paper but I think it adds a nice little dimension to the card, on the inside too.

This one was made using some of the leftover pieces from previous cards. Rather than stash the scraps, only to forget about them, I went ahead and made another quick card. I had just enough of the red to glue on the edges of the base card. Even the leaves were punched from the scraps left after cutting out all the circles : )

Off to get these out in the mail by the end of the month!

Stamps: Fall sprig & verse-Stampin'Up, Thank You-Hero Arts

Ink: Fall sprig-Versafine Sepia (brown), Verse-Adirondack Cranberry (Ranger dye ink), Thank You-Colorbox chalk ink Chestnut Roan (brown)

Paper: DCWV Fall Matstack

Other tools: Offray sheer ribbon-gold, Cuttlebug, Diamond in the Rough embossing folder, Fiskars Shapetemplate, Pinking paper edging scissors (Michaels)

Snow on the Mountains!

2009-09-23T19:24:00.002-08:00

The clouds lifted a bit this morning, the sun glinted off the light frost on the ground. It's nice to see the blue sky along with all the colors of fall. After so much rain and the cooling temps this past week, as everyone expected, there was snow on the mountain tops! 2 ranges surround much of our valley.

The Chugach Mountains to the east/southeast

The Talkeetna Mountains to the north

Ahhhh, the beauty that surrounds us. I feel blessed to see and enjoy God's handiwork, from inside my car with the heat taking the chill off, outside walking around with our dog to keep the blood pumping and back inside our home snuggled in flannel & fleece with fuzzy slippers and a mug of chai tea!

One last pic from today.

These flowers are still going strong, adding their burst of color to the view along the roadside.

Roadtrip to Seward AK

2009-09-20T20:08:00.002-08:00

I started my Income Tax Class with H&R Block last week. It's where I plan to be on Mondays & Thursdays thru the month of November. Scott's folks are here in AK for about 2.5 weeks so we wanted to get out and be tourists for a bit. Right after my class let out this past Thursday we headed out on a road trip to Seward AK.

Sept 15 is known to be the end or very close to the end of Tourist season in many places of Alaska. Fall is in the air with beautiful colors and cooler temperatures. These temperature changes play a role in determining the "Tourist Season" esp. for those driving from the lower 48 states or cruising in on ships. It was already the 17th when we took off outta here so the travelers on the roads and at the typical stops along the way were rather sparse.

Our transportation & accomodations.

Once we got to Seward, we headed out to Lowell Point to the Campground at Miller's Landing, waaayyy out the end of the road in Seward. We didn't have much company out there other than the day visitors coming to check out the view or to use the boat launch and the 3 Campground Dogs that would come by on their rounds, visiting people and their pets.

The spotted one is Jack, he's the alpha male of the camp pooches. Sissy and Jack got along great, it was nice to have a playmate for her while there.

Kayakers heading out from Millers Landing on Resurrection Bay.

Last Cruise ship of the season heading out of the Harbor.

Besides enjoying the view from the campgound on the Bay, checking out the shops and the boat harbor in town, we also visited the SeaLife Center. Here's a few of the animals we saw.

Sea Lions

Many different kinds of Star Fish

Harbor Seal

We also saw Octopus, jelly fish, and other "under the sea" creature but pics didn't come out very well with the reflective glass cases and the weird lighting inside. Note to self: add polarizer filter, lens hood, and telephoto lens to wish list : )

Scott & his folks

Since the folks were flying out of Anchorage on the red eye Sunday night (Monday morning) we headed for home Saturday afternoon. We made a few stops along the way to stretch our legs and take some pics of the fall colors.

Tern Lake Rec area, at the intersection of the Seward Hwy and Sterling Hwy.

Driving along Turnagain Arm on the Seward Hwy

Railroad bridge crossing the Knik River.

A beautiful close to a short but sweet trip.

Juneau AK

2009-09-07T12:05:00.005-08:00

Mist over Taku Harbor

We are home from Juneau, AK! After wading through 700+ pictures (I love digital cameras), narrowing down the 20 pics of everything to the top 3 or so of everything... and taking a nap to rest my eyes...I've select just a few to post.

We met up with Scott's folks there, arriving only about 20 minutes before they did. His parents lived in Juneau back in the late 70s, early 80s and I think this was the first they'd been back to visit. Scott and I were in Juneau 9 years ago for his 20 year High School Reunion so not much had changed since we were there last. The Glaciers continue to recede and the tourists are still coming in on the huge cruise ships.

Juneau is isolated by mountains and water, accessible only by air or water. The area has grown alot more than Scott's parents ever expected some 25 years ago, the biggest draws being Alaska government (state capital), tourism and commercial fishing.

The folks stayed at a hotel, right in front of their old house. It was still standing, looked the same but was being used for storage (not lived in). Scott & I stayed in the home of high school friends of Scott's. We enjoyed the homey accomodations and chatting late into the evening.

Each day we played tourist and were able to meet up with a few old friends in the area. Here's a summary of our activities.

Day 1 We took a driving tour of the area. 4 cruise ships were docked downtown so the place was mobbed with people, we didn't stay down there long.

We stopped to check out the boat we had reserved for the next day with Nordic Tug Charters. It was pretty fancy being a 37 foot luxury tug. I made sure I picked up some Dramamine when we stopped to stock up on food for the ride, and prayed for calm waters.

Day 2 The day was overcast (typical Juneau weather) but very calm! We headed out to Taku Harbor in the boat, me clicking pictures of everything possible, trying to catch the beauty of the clouds, mist, mountains, water, boats, .... and keeping an eye out for animals.

Taku Harbor was a place they anchored at night to sleep when Scott, his brother Keith and their Dad commercial fished years ago. We were returning this day in memory of Keith who died just 2 months ago, in July.

The only people in the misty, calm harbor, we enjoyed the quiet and the scenery despite the deep saddness we felt with the loss of a family member.

Docked in Taku Harbor

Reflections.

Grass & trees growing from the old dock pilings.

Old cabin in Taku Harbor

It even had an old wringer washer in the entryway.

Waterfall in Taku Inlet

On the way back to Juneau the clouds began to lift and clear. We saw sea lions swimming near shore. I wasn't able to zoom in very close but I did get some head shots that were recognizable, not just brown spots floating on the water.

We did see a whale that surfaced a few times but I couldn't get good pics showing it was a whale.

Day 3 More tourist driving, visiting Mendenhall Glacier, Skater's cabin, boat harbors.

Day 4 We took the tram up the mountain from downtown Juneau, enjoyed the view & had lunch before coming down. Only 2 cruise ships were in today so we were able to walk down the streets and check out some of the shops.

Downtown Juneau, view from the top

Juneau valley, view from top

Waterway into Juneau

Day 5 The 4 of us left Juneau, headed toward our home the valley. The folks will be here with us for a couple of weeks before they head back to Florida.

Last Day of August

2009-08-31T23:05:00.004-08:00

Fall is on it's way! Summers seem to fly by in Alaska. I don't mind the cooling temps but the long daylight hours spoil me. Driving into the airport at 10pm, in daylight, driving home from the airport at 2am in daylight (just not bright)... Daylight is what I miss the most, as it disappears and we head into winter. Not that winter is dark, just only light for 6-8hrs a day. We are losing (till winter solstice) or gaining light (till summer solstice) every day, whether it's seconds or up to 30 min a day, a constant cycle, that I wish would slow a bit, on the light side...

Anyway, thought I'd share some signs of changing seasons here at the close of August.

Changing colors around our big rock, with blown down branches. I like our big rock.

Sissy does too. She doesn't blend into the scenery quite yet (give it a month).

And these would be a pair of our complimentary colors. Now the 2 different plants stand out clearly.

The Fireweed has gone to seed. It blows around on windy days like dandelion seeds....

A few other signs of Autumn coming, that I've noticed:

I mowed the lawn today with a sweatshirt on, in the cool evening, as the light faded and I got most of it done on 1 tank of gas (for 2 hrs with a push mower).
At 9:45pm I could no longer see my mowing rows, what was mowed vs. not mowed so called it a day, or night.
It's AK State Fair time, thru Labor Day.
School has started for the local kids.
The carrots are finally showing some size and the potato plants are slowly dying (almost ready to dig up).
I'm starting to care less about gardening, weeding, etc. and more about crafting projects I'd like to do or books I'd like to read...

'shrooms!

2009-08-30T12:08:00.003-08:00

Wow, we have alot of mushrooms around here, esp. in our lawn! This rainy month of August has brought them out of the ground. I don't know anything about these, some I hadn't seen before. Feel free to comment with any info you know about any of them!

These almost look hairy on top.

But here's the same 2 the next day, poof!

I thought this was from a tree, it looked wood-like.

But yet, here's the side view.

These guys were pushing to the surface across a couple of days,

same size, just upward!

These little ones remind me of something, umbrellas, huts...

The fly gives some perspective as to how tiny these are!

And that's my nature walk and photo focus for this week!

Moose Season!

2009-08-25T11:25:00.001-08:00

We had a visitor last night!! I was doing the dishes when I glanced out the window and noticed a big dark blob in the far clearing of our yard. It wasn't quite dark yet but with the inside lights on I couldn't make out any detail. The night before Moose season opens in our area and a bull walks into our yard! We hadn't seen anything with horns come thru this year yet. They seem to know when it's hunting season and disappear. Maybe that why he was moving thru, knowing tomorrow was the day.

The pics aren't very clear, I know. One can never stand still enough in low light to take clear pics of objects, esp. when you want details like size, number of brow tines, etc. to know if it's legal. But I didn't want to take the time to find the tripod, remember how to set the timer on the camera, set everything up, etc. in case he kept moving. So these are the best 2, out of a dozen or so pics, without using a photo editor to piece a few of them together... Hey, I was impressed they came out this bright! It was a bit darker than this out when they were taken. All I did was crop them alittle.

Scott was out on the 4wheeler running Sissy all around the woods barely an hour earlier and they didn't see him. He glassed him from the window and even in the low light thinks he just might be legal. We had a few hours to go till the season started and till dark so he didn't go out to verify. Scott may not get out hunting/camping this season. : ( He had said that one would have to walk thru the yard. 4 weeks to go to find out if another one will. The freezer is almost void of all red meat so I'm hoping we get one!

Garden update

2009-08-23T09:11:00.003-08:00

Most of the Fireweed is about flowered out, I can't deny fall is on the way! It's still getting up in the low 60s during the day but down into the 40s some evenings. We've had rain almost everyday these past couple of weeks so the lawn is back to it's luscious green self minus the clover and dandelion flowers. It was nice to walk around the wet yard and not be swarmed by mosquitoes! What remains of the garden, thanks to the moose, is still growing nicely. Carrots, potatoes, some beans & zucs, the weeds and a few stray flowers.

Stray pansies add color to the row of carrots.

Some Zucs are surviving the moose, mold, slugs & other critters (not sure what is eating the skin off of them, mice?). I've brought in about 7 so far, pulling them before they get really big otherwise something else might get to them first. Yesterday I shredded enough of them to make a batch of Zuchini Bread and a few 2cup portions to freeze for more baking later. Sorry, no pics : ) The rest is for dinner over these next few weeks, between salads & spaghetti, yumm!

A few things are still growing in the Greenhouse. I have them in Earthboxes which have a water reservoir in the bottom. With it being cool out and not always sunny, I get spoiled, and lazy, not having to water everyday in there but I still forget to fill them at least once a week.

The Cucumbers are still blooming. I've brought in 6 big ones last week. Time to bring out the fresh veggie salads!

Tomatoes are producing, slowly, but no reds yet! Will need to buy some for those salads, for now.

I have a couple of green pepper plants but they are pretty grossly covered with aphids & such. I really need to clean them off... so far they haven't attacked the tomatoes & cucumbers that are on either side of them. 1 pepper is still growing, even starting to turn red. I took a pic but it is gross, to me, so I'll not share it. Makes me feel guilty, just taking pics and not actually caring for my plants... I blame the moose. : )

I almost forget this box. I planted small Broccoli in this Earthbox and "hid" it from the moose - put it right behind the house. We usually let the weeds grow up tall back there, just whacking them once or twice a year, so it was literally hidden for awhile.

Scott's folks are coming in just under 2 weeks! We've started a major cleaning of the guest apartment in preparation. It seems alot of the shop dust from Scott working on his many projects had drifted upstairs somehow. We'll be meeting the folks in Juneau and be there for a few days before they come here so we're trying to get alot done before we go!

Cards - Birds & Butterflies

2009-08-14T22:41:00.009-08:00

August is typically our rainy season here in the valley. Since I don't have to go out to mow the lawn (!) and I have some birthday & anniversary cards to make for August, I've been working on a few cards this past week.

With a person in mind who likes birds, I chose to use a stamp of a couple of birds from the "Best Friends" acrylic set by Inkadinkado. They were colored with Prismacolor pencils and layered on patterned paper from BasicGrey, the Sugared collection. I lightly sponged on some distress ink to help tone down the white cardstock and also edged it with the same ink. This is the first time I've used decorative Twill tape; I like it but it'll be a bit lumpy for mailing in a standard envelope.

It takes me awhile to pick a layout let alone colors so I've gotten into the habit of making more than one at a time, using at least a couple of different layouts, seeing what I like better, sometimes liking all or none.

As I made the Birthday card, it dawned on me that the stamp of the 2 birds would be good for an Anniversary card too.

I think this patterned paper looks antiquish, good for an Anniversary of say, more than 14 years? : ) Ours is next Thursday, 15 years!! Lots of love and prayers, thru the highs & lows. Ok, back to cards... The shade of brown used for matting matches the orangish brown dots on the patterened paper, tho you may not be able to tell from this small picture.

Stamps: Birds-Inkadinkado "Best Friends" acrylic set, Happy Anniv.-Stampin' Up, Happy Bday-Stampabilities

Ink: Colorbox Chalk Ink-Charcoal, TH Distress Ink-Antique Linen; Prismacolor Pencils

Paper: Solid-DCWV; Patterned-BasicGrey Sugared Collection

Twill-Creative Impressions

_________________________________________

After a few of those, I moved on to someone else's Birthday. She likes purple. Even tho I had a color picked out - Purple - I was kind of overwhelmed by the paper and image choices so I tried to get back to keeping it simple in my mind. I chose the butterfly from the same acrylic stamp set as the birds and some fun, not too big, bold or busy background paper that actually matched my Birthday wishes for her - Love, Laughter & Happiness (that happened to be in purple!) : ) I didn't have a small Happy Birthday that I liked for the tag so I went with ol' reliable (and true) - Thinking of You. I stamped a big Happy Birthday inside.

The purple Stickles used to highlight the stamped image reflected the camera flash a little brightly! I didn't realize how bright till I had the pics loaded. I think you get the idea of how Stickles adds bling! I like Stickles! (It's a brand of glitter glue that comes in many colors and in small bottles, found in most stamp & scrapbooking stores.)

Stamps: Butterfly-Inkadinkado "Best Friends" acrylic set, ToU-Endless Creations

Ink: VersaMagic Chalk Ink (DewDrop)-Eggplant; Stickles-Purple

Paper: Solid-DCWV, Patterned-Hot Off the Press "Purple Happiness"

Coleus and Potato Blooms

2009-08-04T13:14:00.007-08:00

I was introduced to Coleus plants thru the gardening magazines I've been reading for years. I like that they come in so many varigated colors but those that have a bright pink streaks really catch my eye. I grew some in pots from seed a few years ago but in the years since I wasn't successful in growing them. Maybe the seed was getting too old or something, not to mention grower neglect. This spring I resolved to try the old seed one last time before looking for a new pack. Thinking that if they were in my sight on a daily basis I'd be able to rule out grower neglect, I started them inside. I poked some drainage holes in the bottom of a small yogurt container, added potting soil and seeds and put them in the front window with many of our houseplants.

A few weeks later, I was pleasantly suprised that not just one seedling poked up but 5! They happily grew toward that warm sun & heat in the south window, I had to rotate their container almost daily. Soon I had to transplant them each to its own, larger, yogurt container (we sure have alot of them). They've really grown with TLC!

I love these colors!

The dark, almost black, color looks velvety.

Wow, I've never seen a Coleus bloom. Light purple flowers, kinda clashes with the color of the leaves.

I got on the internet to find out more about Coleus. Apparently the plant is like most other outdoor plants & flowers, duh. It produces flowers, goes to seed then dies. Treated as a houseplant, it's recommended to pinch off the flower buds to live longer and to encourage the plant to become more bushy & full. I have 2 that haven't bloomed yet so I'll try this, since I don't want to start more seed to replace these pretty ones anytime soon.

After taking some more pictures of the Coleus I noticed some color (other than green) out the window. Seeing some leaves starting to change color and the potato plants blooming in the garden, I headed out with the camera.

I'm not sure what kind of weed this is, but it looks pretty in red. Thankfully the trees aren't changing this fast, yet.

Our Idita-Red Potato plants look healthy.

These blooms don't clash with their leaves.

Sissy entertained herself as I walked around the yard with the camera.

Taking a break to enjoy the moment, the breeze, the smells, ...what is that?

What are you looking at? Are you still taking pictures?

Well, if she would bring me the ball instead of playing keep away...

Final post for July

2009-07-31T23:55:00.001-08:00

Whew, one more post to squeeze in! Last day of July...School starts in just over 2 weeks around here. The State Fair starts in 3 weeks. Moose hunting season for our area starts just after that....

Speaking of moose, they rampaged our garden, several times over the past couple of weeks! Argh!! Sorry, no pics of the moose in the garden. I've had requests for them but it's not the first thing I think to do when I see a couple of moose nonchalantly pulling up and chewing on my Brocolli, Cabbage & Cauliflower plants! I'll try to think of it next time, if Scott's here to run out there with Sissy instead of me.

Yelling and throwing rocks do not scare them. Sissy, tho, is getting rather good at running up behind them then barking, startling them enough that they run a few feet away from it, then gradually back into the woods. What isn't getting pulled out and or chewed up is getting trampled...grrrrr. I go thru the garden after they're chased out and try to replant some of the things they pulled, if it looks like a survivor. They might just grow, for a few more days...

The green beans are just about ready to pick, if they survive, and I did pick out a couple of Zucs! Hmmm, what to make first, zuc bread, zuc cookies, zuc cake (you really can't tell it's in there-for those who might be thinking ewwww), or cooked with Halibut, or in spaghetti sauce....I hope I have a few to make all of the above and more! They aren't a favorite of the moose but if nothing else is available (since they ate most everything else) it will be at least tasted.

Other news, I finally finished a few cards this week. I wanted to make some sympathy cards for Scott, his folks and a rubber stamp card swapper group friend (that's a mouthful). I had been thinking too hard ("stressing" as Scott would put it) as to what to make for Sympathy cards. After seeing some "Thinking of You" sympathy cards I felt better, turning my focus to that theme in my head tho also keeping in mind sympathy so not cutsy.

I had some stamps from OnyxXpressions I hadn't used yet and thought of making a card similar to one the owner had made and posted on her site. 'Course when I went back to look at it again, it wasn't there. Well, the main thing I needed to remember, as Cheryl posts in several areas, is that with using her black rubber detailed stamps, the best impression is made using chalk ink on glossy cardstock. Some of her stamps are soooo detailed, with big surfaces, shading dots, and all, I couldn't believe all parts of it would be inked and leave an impression, esp. one that wasn't just a blob.

I decided to try green chalk ink on glossy cardstock, since it was a tree scene tho a silhouette, and I like greens. I made 3, using 2 different greens on 2 then both greens on 1. The Colorbox Deep Green (dark) chalk ink was very wet so on the first try it was a big green blob. I didn't throw it away but I'll use it for something else, maybe... I tried it again but using a light hand with inking and impression and it came out better, tho still not with all the detail. Next I tried the Fresco Giovanni's Garden chalk ink which is a lighter green and had a dryer pad (fabric, not the foam pad). I had to ink the stamp alot but it came out a bit more clearer. On the third, I used the Fresco ink then highlighted it (highlight a silhouette?) with smaller tree stamps using the darker green Colorbox ink (after stamping off on scrap so it wasn't so wet). Even using the same green inks, the impressions came out slightly different shades on each card. I liked them but in comparing these images with the stamp image on the website, I can see that all of the detailed shading is not showing up other than as a dark blob. Maybe with practice and more experimenting with different brands & colors of chalk ink I may see something similar. Hmm, kinda like a restaurant food advertisement. : )

After allowing the ink to dry for a bit, I used some tissue to buff the glossy cardstock. It lightened the ink a bit more and gave it all a nice shine. Next, I lightly sponged a bit of T.H. Distress ink Antique Linen and a little more of the green chalk ink around the sky to tone down the bright white of the glossy cardstock (and blend some of the blobby shading detail).

Each card ended up as a different shade of green cardstock to match the different greens in the images. To bring out the brownish tone of the distress ink sponged on it I added light brown cardstock to frame the image and a sheer gold ribbon (looks tan). I didn't take pics or scans of each of them before they went out into the mail since they were the same, just different shades of green.

Stamps: Tree images-Mountain Shadows, Pine Trio-OnyxXpressions; Thinking of you-unknown

Ink: Fresco-Giovanni's Garden (image), Tim Holtz Distress Ink-Antique Linen (light background fill), Versafine-Olympia Green (sentiment)

This all came about after a week of working at it an hour here and there in the evenings, before bed. Now that they're finished, I wonder what all the "stress" was about last week, trying to make decisions! Just do it, go with it, what ever it is! Don't be anxious about anything..... ah, that verse. Also helps to not be distracted by other things that need to be done or the tv. : )

Scout Ridge Overlook Access Trail

2009-07-28T14:43:00.005-08:00

Saturday, Scott met with a man who wanted to set some big rocks at a trailhead as a memorial to his son, Tyler Beckham. His son had died in a snowmachining accident a couple of years ago. The trailhead, overlook and placing of signage on this state trail was part of Tyler's Eagle Scout project. He died that winter after completing it and was awarded his Eagle Scout honor at his memorial.

In a round-about way, Scott was referred to Joe as a man with a backhoe to move big rocks, involved in trail projects and who lived close to the trail head so likely available to help out. Scott was more than willing to help so we headed on over to meet him at the trail head that evening, just about 10 miles down the road from our home.

While the men talked, I checked out the area.

Tyler had built and placed this sign kiosk at the trailhead. This side of it had the standard state provided material about animals, regulations, etc.

The other side had this map of the trail

And a memorial sign from the State of AK

The Overlook was just a short way down the trail. Tyler had built a nice, covered spot with a bench from which to enjoy the view across the flats to the mountains beyond. It was even made handicap accessible with a long ramp up to it.

View of the "Hay flats" from the Overlook. More of a wetlands, it's swampy in spots and not used for hay production, mostly bird watching, the seasonal duck hunting & fishing, inlet overflow...

Same view zoomed in on my little lens. Somewhere over there, beyond the flats, before the mountain, is the highway to Anchorage.

The state had placed a big, beautiful, colored and informative sign on the trail below the Overlook. Hmm, may not be able to read these little pictures.

I didn't walk the full loop, not without telling the guys where I would be headed. But I couldn't pass up this interesting shot along the trail.

Their plan laid out for the next day, and mosquitoes biting, we were soon headed back home.

Need more Flowers!

2009-07-25T12:23:00.003-08:00

I think we need more flowers, something summery & colorful.

Last Sunday afternoon we had walked down to our neighbors' to chat. Knowing Lore is sucessful at growing flowers of many types & colors (unlike me) I brought the camera. It was an overcast day, good for pictures though we were hoping for some sprinkles to help keep things growing and the burn (fire) scare down. Big wild fires were raging in the hot, dry north of Alaska, thankfully not close to us.

Here's a few of her flowers to enjoy, and try to remember the names of... Next time I should take a notebook or something to write them down. I'm drawing a blank on some of these now.

Lilies!

This last bunch are petite, only about a foot tall!

Non-lilies! (?)

Iceland Blue Poppy, one of 2 kinds she has, grows 3 feet tall!

Colorful Sweet pea blooms climbing a tree trunk.

Purple velvet pansies

Ok, I have to include 1 dog picture...While I'm distracting Lore, talking of flowers, Pookie, one of her 2 chihuahuas, decides to check out the strawberry patch.

Nope, no red, ripe berries yet. Lore hollered, so she's working her way out now.

Sigh, flowers, I feel much better.

Cards

2009-07-23T12:11:00.004-08:00

I took a break from my daily routine to work on some cards. I figured it would cheer me up, and put some color and creativity into my day!

I had stamped a few of these images for a swap a few weeks ago plus a few extra for me in hopes it would motivate me to use them sooner than later. I've had this stamp for several years but had not used it yet. Now is a good time! This verse, Prov. 3:5-6, has encouraged me over the years and is helping me now as I make these cards to (hopefully) encourage others. I have the full verse on another little stamp that I used on the inside left panel then I stamped "Thinking of You" on the right inside panel, leaving room to add a penned note.

Here's another color variation of the same card (without ribbon).

Stamp: Biblical Impressions Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black, Tombow markers (color) Cuttlebug Embossing Folder: Hearts

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Kona

2009-07-21T09:31:00.003-08:00

Kona died on Saturday, 7/18. He was guesstimated to be around 1 1/2 yrs old.

Young, handsome, social, cuddly, yet stubborn & ornery. It seems he spent much of his life on antibiotics fighting infections, sores that wouldn't heal for 5+ months, leg injuries, sore mouth, etc. but that didn't slow him down too much or for more than a few days at a time, unless we made him to (for his health). He always seemed to pull through whatever ailment, except this last time.

His sister kept him active, always wanting to play, run & wrestle. He loved attention, moping when we tried to give Sissy some instead of him or barking at her to play with him. He kept an eye on us people, laying around near us whether we were working in the garden or in the shop, playing around on the computers or watching TV, or sleeping. He also enjoyed his romps around our big yard and into the woods, grazing on grass, chasing birds or even moose (Argh!!), and hunting mice or shrews with his sister. He didn't enjoy riding in vehicles but he wasn't gonna be left behind or miss out on whatever might happen at the end of the trip in case it involved new trails to run on or new dogs to check out or water to play in.

June 2008, ~4 months old.

Kona's first shower in our home July 2008.

Made to stay, he kept an eye on Scott as he walked off to check the trail. His first ride, Sept 2008.

Kona's Dish Network, late Sept 2008. His first cone made his ears stay up if he shook his head right. He wore cones for about 5 months, poor little guy. He tolerated it so well.

Playmates, siblings, constant companions. First Christmas and big snow, Dec 2008.

Checking me out at the window... I hear you, can I come in?

Scott's 32 lb. lap dog.

He had a short, tho sickly at times, active life. We all (esp. Sissy) miss him dearly.

It's been a tough weekend emotionally. A tough couple of weeks, beginning with Keith's death on 7/6.

Flowers

2009-07-13T16:35:00.004-08:00

I've been keeping busy while Scott's away at his folks. We've got our own little heat wave going on up here in AK, boy it's Hot, for me anyway!! It's gotten up to 80 a few times, way too hot for me! This is why I (well, one of the reasons why I willingly) moved to AK, to escape the heat. At least we don't have the humidity of the midwest and southern states, for that I'm grateful. I broke out the shorts to wear around the house.

We haven't had any rain here at the house in a couple of weeks so I have to remember to water the garden early or late in the day. The lawn is on it's own, tho the dryness doesn't deter the hardy clover that seems to be taking it over. I've been going out in the evenings after dinner, when the sun has moved 'round behind the trees, to do some weeding in the garden. Remember, it's light almost 24 hours a day here in the summer. It's really noticeable when there isn't a cloud in the sky in this heat. About 10:30-11pm, I feel tired enough to stop. Also the mosquitoes think it's cool enough by then to go looking for a fresh meal so I head back inside with the dogs.

Saturday we had some clouds (but no rain) so I went on a flower hunt with the camera : ) I didn't have to go far!

Rose - transplant given to me by a neighbor a couple of years ago. (I think it needs some water...)

Shasta Daisies, growing in the garden and along the driveway!

Columbine in the garden

More Columbine in the garden

Fireweed - wild, natural, everywhere

You can tell the season by watching the Fireweed. It blooms from the bottom up. When blooms reach the top and open, we know the cold weather is not far off. Looks like we have a month or so before then, I hope!

Chamomile from the garden.

And clover in the lawn. Note to self: mow the lawn already! But it smells so good, esp. from the kitchen window!

Scott comes home from Florida tomorrow night.

Sad ending to the holiday weekend

2009-07-09T14:59:00.006-08:00

Keith 1964-2009

The continuation of our holiday weekend report....

Just after we had settled in to watch our movie in the camper Sunday night, Scott's Mom called to let us know his brother Keith was taken to the hospital. 5:45am Monday morning we were awakened by her calling to tell him Keith had just died. It was a big shock, but looking back, not entirely. We packed everything up and headed home.

Keith was only 44 yrs old. He had health problems over the past few years and had spent time in the hospital on several occassions. This all took a toll on his heart. They had implanted a defibrillator in his heart a few years ago but then he got an infection around one the of leads. Scar tissue prevented them from changing the lead out so doctors wanted to put a new device in his chest. Keith wasn't willing to go thru that surgery again anytime soon so he wore an external one for awhile.

No one knows for sure what happened Sunday night but they don't think the cause had anything to do with his heart. His weak heart could be partly why they couldn't stabilize him.

Tuesday, Scott flew down to be with his folks for the next week, to be together and to help them with alot of the stuff that needs to be done after something like this. I stayed home to take care of the business, our home and the dogs. It's easy for me to temporarily 'forget' or 'ignore' the sadness as I go about my daily routine; out of sight out of mind, 5000 miles away, but Scott's absence reminds me. I pray for peace and strength for the folks, and Scott, as they face each day. Keith had been living with his parents so his absence is a big adjustment for them, in more ways than one.

The picture is old and scanned, and not very clear, but it's the most recent one of him I could find at the moment (that wasn't of him in the hospital).

Eureka! 4th of July weekend camping

2009-07-08T15:48:00.002-08:00

Happy 4th of July!! I hope everyone had a fun and safe weekend!

Friends invited us to go camping and 4wheeling with them up near Eureka this holiday weekend. We were all happy to go, our first camping trip of the year! Yikes, how the summer is flying by! Scott started out the day by washing the outside of the camper & the pickup - before we even left! I thought that was done after a trip but it kept him busy, and it sure looked good when he was done! I made pasta salad, planned some meals and packed in most of the food and clothing stuff while he was cleaning and loading up the riding gear.

By 4pm Friday we were on the road to Eureka! I entertained myself by taking pictures of the mountains with trees or power poles whizzing by : )

We had quite the V iew out the front too.

Here's the Mantanuska Glacier (before it disappeared from view). The dirty looking stuff is also part of the glacier, the silt and rock being left behind but still mixed with snow.

Alascom Hill - has the AT&T Alascom tower at the top. We'll be camping across from it just off the highway in a gravel area then ride the road up to it on our 4wheelers Saturday.

We've reached camp and setup our luxurious accomodations (notice the shine coming from the clean truck?) : )

Altogether we were quite the group: 12 adults, 6 children & 10 dogs -> 3 campers, 2 large tents & 1 pickup (front seat). We weren't the last to arrive but it was late so we just hung out by the campfire that evening, keeping an eye on the dogs getting to know one another. I took mostly doggy pics but I won't bore you with all of those : )

Saturday started out warm and sunny. We all got ready for a ride but a couple of the machines weren't working right. After a few hours of waiting as they worked on them the storm clouds moved in. The riding group dwindled; only the diehards (and our Sissy dog) left to ride. The rest of us (3 ladies, guy with sad atvs, all the kids and dogs except Sissy) hung out in the campers. They were only gone a few hours, coming back rather wet.

Here's our rigs, before we loaded our stuff on. Mine's on the left with the standard tires.

Later, after dinner, the clouds had cleared so Scott and I headed across the highway to go up the Alascom Hill with Sissy and Kona riding behind us.

Alascom Hill from the highway.

View looking toward the highway from atop Alascom Hill. The highway is the the light colored line running horizontal across the pic, just below the top of the green/dark "hill" in the distance.

View from the top looking another direction.

Kona, checking out the view.

Sissy... actually she's watching & listening to the bushes rustling right in front of her, waiting to pounce on whatever comes out, hopefully Kona.

The 3 of them enjoying the view. Ok, yes, I caught Kona blinking at that very moment and by the time he opened them the 'moment' was lost on everyone, esp. the dogs. I had switched to black and white for a few pics to see how they'd come out with the scenery. (think Ansel Adams, I wish!)

It may be kinda hard to see much detail in these small pics, they look dark, but definitely a medium I'd like to play with more.

Sunday, all of the group except us packed up to head home. We weren't in a hurry and didn't plan to leave until Monday morning : ) We headed out for another ride in the area near the Alascom tower, to Goober Lake. Beyond that point the trail narrowed, zig zaging down a rather steep hillside. We started down but Scott decided (whew!) it wouldn't be fun coming back up once we finally got down to the bottom. He had been out there on snowmachine before, a little easier ride. It was a good ride, mud holes and all : ) We were all pretty hot and dirty when we got back to the camper.

Kona headed right to a pile of padding for a nap while we were still unpacking our gear

After dinner and hot showers we settled in to watch a movie, in our luxury suite of a camper : )

Seeing Family & a wedding in Colorado

2009-07-01T19:29:00.012-08:00

Hey I'm Back! I just spent a week at my sister Sheri's in Colorado. My niece, her daughter, was married this past Saturday. I went down early to "help" and maybe have some stamping fun. I had fun but we didn't find time to stamp. We did get some stamp shopping in tho : )

I took a little tour of her place and a few pics before we got busy.

What are YOU looking at?

An old road grater that could be pulled by a horse

One of Tom's projects in the yard

We had lots of entertainment that weekend of the wedding, between Sheri's family, her in-laws and her 9 month old grandson Zane, not to mention my other 2 sisters and parents. I think we all enjoyed watching Grandma Sheri with Zane. : ) She's only 10 years older than me!

What a cutey, looks just like his mom when she was a baby.

ooooh, Zane's gonna get that hat of his uncle's!

He is adored by all, poor kid : )

The casual wedding was held outdoors at O'Haver Lake campground. It was nice, sunny a majority of the time with just a light shower for about 10 minutes. My nephew, Uriah, the Marine and the bride's oldest brother, officiated. How cool! And sweet! Yikes, he's 10 years younger than me, he's growing up fast!

What a young, cute couple. And a handsome Marine : )

Afterwards, the family pictures, in bright sunlight, hence the mysterious shades, but big smiles! : )

Sheri's family of handsome guys and cute bride.

Bride & Groom with my sisters and folks. Do we look related? : )

Ah! Then the yummy, fun part for all!

CAKE! CAKE and more CAKE!

The bride requested that my oldest sister, Debi, make Butterfinger Cake (chocolate cake with carmel, whipped topping & crushed butterfingers), Chocolate Cherry Cake (chocolate cake with cherry pie filling mixed in and homemade chocolate icing, a family tradition) and then a 'traditional' white (or was it yellow) cake for those who may not like (what??) chocolate or may have been overwhelmed by chocolate or something. : }

That wasn't all we ate (and ate and ate). The groom had smoked meat for BBQ steak sandwiches and we had lots of salads. Along with a fresh fruit salad and Pasta Salad we made, the bride's Dad made Potato Salad and Waldorf Salad at her request. Darn, I don't have any pics of the salads but believe me, they were yummy! So was the cake of course!

It's kind of wild to think this is the 3rd time I've seen my family (most of them) within a year while in the past I've gone several years without seeing any of them. I'm thankful they've all been for Celebrations!!

Last August we attended my folks' 50th Anniversary Celebration

Look at these good lookin' young'ns!

In March, my other niece Erin got married

Another good looking couple!

None of my nephews (8) are promising any family gatherings like this anytime soon : )