Still Crafting~

Finally using up more stash!! I have been scrapping a group of old photos I came across on my vacation last week. Along with the memories I have been able to use up some stash!
Christmas photos for my nieces album
MME papers tags = stash
LYB~ ornaments and word memories, and blitz ~ new
JBS~ joy tag new
and I have discovered I like embossing templates, = New Tim Holtz Alterations textures Holiday Words
White cardstock ~ American Crafts

My sweet baby girl at 3 days old!

MME ~ Wild Asparagus line, and tags ~ stash

Quickutz alpha ~ Katie I love this font!

Bazzill shimmer cardstock and random brads.

Another layout with the Unity Vintage Banner stamps!! I totally love this set!

Pokemon Princess = Stash MME Laundry line exclusive paper pack to Archiver's for the pattern paper

Random mini brads and buttons

American Crafts Cardstock

Fiskars circle punch with Making Memories tiny alpha stickers

I have another layout on my table to finish up using stash also. It's such a nice feeling to finally be using these products. I really need to concentrate more on just choosing a photo and then digging in stash to see what works with it. Problem is these new papers that come out just scream at me in the store.... pick me pick me... lol

Finished reading "A Secret Kept" by Tatiana DeRosnay... she wrote Sarah's Key which I was enthralled with and think everyone should read. This newer book just was not as good in my opinion, I figured out the "secret" fairly early, and then just felt I needed to finish the book to see how it played out.. really not going to be on my reccomendation you MUST read list... lol but to each is own.

Started a new one "She's Gone Country" by Jane Porter so far its enjoyable... light reading. The library called has somethings on hold, so I am off to return and check out new reads! Wonder what is in store.

Work tonite... UGH I really need to win the big lottery so I can stay home and craft/watchbirds/blog/check out facebook/ and do it all over again..

Until next time!

Birdwatching

I love watching the birds through my window! I am blessed to have such a great view and work hard at getting different birds to visit. Yesterday I had my cute little "Red Breasted Nuthatch" visit the feeder again, these are common in IL, and I used to have plenty back in MA but this little one appeared about a week ago and has been coming by daily. As you can also see I do have a frequent visitor "Mr. Squrriel" I really don't mind them visiting for a bit (I mean they need to eat too right?) but when they park at the feeders and gobble all the Special Attraction seed, I say enough is enough and shoo them away!!! lol

I also have a solitary BlueJay who visits. I have been trying to catch him on photo for a bit and finally was able to, not the best photo but I'ts proof!!! lol

And this beauty came to visit today, stopped twice on my bird baths, (GREAT photo OPP MISSED) ugh... but he did come back and I caught this one. I know all Gods creatures need to eat and I am ok with the cycle... but it has to be "to go"~ no dining in!~

Reading "Eight Days to Live" by Iris Johansen, really enjoy her work. Summerland went home today, was fun to have a puppy around for a bit.. I have another layout of my niece Sarah almost complete should get it finished up and posted today/tomorrow. Some rain this morning made it easy to stay inside and read. Sounds like rain in forcast for tomorrow too.. we shall see, as my vacation comes to a close this week I have to say it was very Crafty... but still no Halloween cards made... lol

Until next time!

On a Roll

Loving me some Unity stamping... I just love this banner stamp set! Scrapping with stash - the Unity that is new... lol Crate Paper Lemongrass and Prudence papers,Bazzill and kraft twine. Photos are of my daughter Jennifer taken a number of years ago.. I found them and just needed to scrap them. Lots of older photos being scrapped this week.

Again Crate Paper ~ Lemongrass and Prudence pp, random ribbon and Bazzill cardstock

More stash and old photo... BoBunny Love Bandit line for pp stickers, and Owl cut using Cricut Cartridge, Give a Hoot I had this pieced together already in a small stash and found it works just great with this paper line.

I need to make some Halloween cards and some sort of treat for co~workers too, but having so much fun with older photos they are just keeping me scrap happy!Dog sitting Summerland for a couple days shes a good dog, kinda a barker (not used to that) but I'm having fun with her anyway. She will be the subject of a mini album for my SIL for Christmas. How can you not love this face?

Well off to look at more old photos, they are just screaming to me Scrap ME Scrap ME!!! lol

Until next time!

Layouts and Cards

Busy Busy Busy today..... First layouts are the scraps from the last 7gypsies frame
Unity Stamp border~ I am loving this stamp and the border/banner trend
7gypsies tag (preprinted)
Jillibean Soup~ Journal sprouts
Random buttons from stash, Ribbon May Arts and kraft colored twine
All I need now are photos, the first one will hold a 4 x 6 or 2 smaller 2 x3's
second one is sized for 4 x 6


A couple cards utilizing more scraps

I found this photo of my daughter Jennifer at 2mos old with my MEME (her Great Grandmother) taken in the 70's. Got to love the furniture pattern! The sofa was a hand me down from my parents when I got married in '75 :-)

I am loving 7gypsies right now can you tell? Got to love the manila tags printed
Random buttons from my stash, American Crafts cardstock from the Autumn collection
I was diggin in basement stash and came up with the slide holder and acetate word "Generation" how appropriate huh?
When I was in Joann's the other day they had this fabric quarter on sale for .99cents..... and I had to have it, loved the colors as it reminded me of fall, but when I started on this layout I knew I had to incorporate it somehow... all that is left now is to Journal.

I really should be making Halloween cards, but I do have some other photos cropped and just itching to get worked on... sometimes I find my greatest inspiration comes from the older photos I have so many and will never get them done, but keep working on them.
I am so loving my Fall Vacation.........
Until next time!

And The Vacation Rolls along~

Hello Blogland Friends

Really been a relaxing vacation so far.... Yeahhhhhh :-)
Day 3 produced another 7 gypsies frame for my middle sister.


I was able to use up some Stash... Who out there remembers Teresa Collins' Junkitz Line going back to 2007 now ya all... lol I loved this Christmas line Homespun Holiday... and given the fact that us paper hoarders always get at least 2 or more pieces of each design I had plenty left to make this, Create a layout page(thinking ahead with blank spot for photo/photos) and a card so far....Will post later when photograph.
I will admit I needed to purchase some of the preprinted 7gypsies manila tags, and the Joy and Merry Christmas buttons. I have some Jillibean soup in here and the Cut Christmas tree is a Unity banner stamp turned upside down.. Random ribbon from Michaels Celebrate it line
I must say once you get an idea these little frames suck you in and you just roll along........

While at Joann's I found the cutest reuseable bags... I have really been good about these, and with so many out there on the market I hope someday plastic bags at the grocery/retail stores become a thing of the past!! I know other countries have been doing this for years, why is the US so lacking in somethings ahem... like common sense...... and so great in others like.... the land of opportunity?????
Finished my book, now to look at bookshelf and see whats up next... thing is there is usually no shortage of books to read here only shortage of time! I can spend hours in a book store writing down titles and authors and hours in the library putting them on hold and scouring the shelfs. I should have known from my "Trixie Belden" & "Bobsey Twins" days this would be a lifetime adventure for me.. A good book has entertained me for many hours and days of my life would I change it.. NOT EVER... and to know my dear daughter Jennifer has this habit of mine also warms my heart.

Until next time!

Hello Vacation ~

I'm so excited to start my Fall vacation off with a beautiful day. Sunshine and warm temps!

~First up a couple layouts I recently completed using up some Scenic Route stash, the butterfly was a photo from my sil garden last year.

I wanted to utilize this color photo from last Christmas of Kerry's family, this is the same photo I used in the 7 gypsies frame for his sister. Using up last years stash by Imaginiese, random ribbon and Jillibean journal sprout.

This was last weekends view of my neighbors tree, I can view it from my patio in my back yard, I am so glad I took this shot as this weekend it is bare!

Summer pots, filled with mums make me smile. I am happy I got 3 different colors makes them shine!

Here is my next Christmas gift I completed today for my youngest sister... go me.!! I used NEW stash... lol the paper was from The Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas line. Random snowflake buttons, some stamping and I got that little snowman angel hanging from the ribbon at Michaels.

Currently reading "Poison" by Sara Poole a new author, it is a tale of the Rennasiance and has me hooked into it. Plans for this week to read, scrap, make Halloween treats/cards and another 7 gypsies frame this one a Christmas theme for my middle sister.

Newsflash~~~ I have the best husband ever.... he just walked in with a Pumpkin Blizzard from DQ!!!! woot woot I'll be back soon, going to enjoy my treat!~

Until next time!

TGIF!!

What a long week it has been for me. Nothing drastic, just that Friday took foreva to get here... lol

I have been reading : Whiplash by Catherine Coulter

Death Echo by Elizabeth Lowell

Ghost Moon by Heather Graham

and a stash of books to plow thru from the library. Weather today was 80 degrees, its the middle of October, I wish this could last for rest of year but I truly know better. Before long it will be a much different view out my windows, but for now this is one of the beauties of nature I get to see A Downey Woodpecker, I have both males and females that visit... :-)

Remember my bird houses from earlier postings, well the little birdies are checking them out again, looks like they might be looking for shelter against what they know is coming!

I was blessed to see my first "Red Breasted Nuthatch" here in IL.... this week, hoping it returns again so I can get a photo of it.. and I am still chasing that illusive Blue jay photo.. Funny thing is for years I really admired the birds but never had a desire to photograph them but they are such a part of my life now I want them all captured in my scrapbooks.

I am hoping to get some cards (Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas) done this weekend, and maybe another present... looking for inspiration everywhere. Thanks to all my great blogging buddies, I do not have to look far. I do have a couple layouts done will share photos later

Until next time!

1 Gift done, multiples to go

Yes, I did spend some time scrapping this weekend! Used up some more stash on some existing photos I have wanted to scrap. Very simple photos/layouts but something accomplished and it got me into the "groove" again. So much that I started and completed One Christmas gift... :-)
First up, my Beta really doesn't have a name, last one was Jake so this is Jake too! lol
It was the very first photo I took with my new camera and I was hooked right off.
Scenic Route stash

Now this is a terrible horrible no good very BAD photo of me! lol but I have to scrap me right, the good, bad, and real me... The kids will appreciate it some day.. :-)
My Sparky and Tia (Cat) love each other somewhat amicably... however they both get jealous!
Stash ~ Creative Imaginations ~ Studio 101 Basics.. I have had this paper for about 3 years... imagine my surprize that I finally have a photo to use it with!

Random piece of paper from Fancy Pants ~ Kewl just lying around.
American Crafts ~ Tropical cardstock used for the title cut out with my Cricut Expression ~ Songbird cartridge
American Crafts bird ribbon, random journal spot and button

Which brings me to my GIFT! I saw this at Archiver's as a class coming up, but I just purchased the class kit with my 30% off coupon and made it myself! Love how it came out, and anxious to make another one. All supplies were 7 gypsies except I wanted that Prima Flower in that box in lower left, as I really was not a fan of the patchwork design they had prepared. Ribbon on top was a random piece from my stash.

So all in all a productive weekend was had. I am working on another layout today, not sure if will get it posted but will keep it going Using up stash by Imaginese from last years Christmas line.
Until next time!

Another Month GONE

Wow, its been a month since I put anything random here. Lots of photos to follow, some projects, some random shots of stuff I am loving now.... First up.... Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade~ YUM my newest find..... but being frugal... ok cheap and wanting to save $$ I discovered Tzao Passion tea, brewed and put aside with a tablespon Splenda tastes just as good at a fraction of the cost... So you do the math.... 1 Starbucks Venti (16oz) $3.10 vs 1 box Tzao tea (at Target $3.29for 18-20 tea bags I don't remember exactly) It takes 2 teabags to make a Venti !!! Ok so if you want to add lemonade - Simply Lemonade at $2.04 at my Target... Still huge savings!! Score one for me... hehehe

Yes I hae been scrapping and just having fun with whatever photos jump out... Here are some Backyard Birds using DCWV stack

Tia with a kit from Making Memories

My Father in law with some random paper from stash and Basic Grey Monograms sprayed with Glimmer mist

K & Company ~ Susan Winget ~ Nature collection fit this Heron Beautifuly..

Working on a Mini book of my 2010 Staycation! Really really want to travel somewhere but $$ just not there so looking for opportunities to find new things here in our own backyard so to speak... First up Italy!!! woooo hoooo I saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa (well a true replica)!

Just loved this view... it is amazing how many "faces" you can find in just random everyday things.

Then onto Chicago Navy Pier This is a special place for me.. it is the first place Kerry took me when I visited Chicago for the very first time 9 years ago... I still love it today! This is the left side of photo album Used the Mammarazzi Paper line by Bo Bunny

This is the right side with journaling of why I "LOVE" it so much.

This carousel is just beautiful... Looks really old but was made in 1995 for the Pier.

We did take a tour on Lake Michigan (another first for us together) I was captured by the young lad with the very Irish brouge trying to get people to take the tour.... :-)

A nice couple took this one for us.. very very rare photo of both of us.

Another day by friend Nina and I toured this Mandir not too far from our home. Just so peaceful and a beautiful place. I used up yet more stash by WRMK Precious Metal line (I truly have had this in my drawer for Years...) lol

Got a bit creative trying to save some space so I made a number of pages using flip ups with another photo underneath and journal spot on back side of the flip.

Just some random paper, but with a Martha Stewart punch :-)

The grounds were beautiful and so peaceful.. really a nice place to visit

Reading like crazy still I currently am into a romance trilogy by Heather Graham The first book was "Ghost Shadow" now reading "Ghost Night" and looking forward to "Ghost Moon"

Highly recommend "The Glassblower of Murano" by Miria Firono, "The Red Pyramid" by Rick Riordan a YA book very good reading.. I like to keep up with what the kids are reading too.

So I have been good using up stash... but alas the new CHA stuff just sucked me in...

just purchased the Jillibean Soup ~ Christmas Soup line & Basic Grey ~ Wander

Echo Park ~ Life is Good & Crate Paper ~ Snow Day and Restoration

the girl's paperie ~ on holidy and paper girl die cuts and a couple sheets of their paper.. the banner one and the stripes..

Stamp set by Unity ~ Banners

Martha Stewart punches ~ Cherry Blossom, ghosts, ribbon loops

some Prima flowers and a couple 7 Gypsies trays (these are for gifts!)

I will say that I have gotten a number of these things with coupons $$$ saved.. lol but I really can't not have this stuff right... I mean YEARS from now I might just have the "Perfect" photo and yes I will have the "Perfect Paper" to scrap it... see simple justifications...
Until next time!

Life is just flying by!

Lots of adventure this past month! I can't believe August is almost over summer just flew by. With the economy being what it is we had a "Staycation" lol like so many other people... Oh I spent alot of time reading, gardening, photographing places & things, scrapping, watching tv (USA, TNT seem to have GREAT SHOWS!)

The first two butterflys are from today right in my own backyard!

This Lantana plant has rebloomed late this summer and the birds and butterflies love it.

About a couple weeks ago Kerry and I took a short day trip to visit a Butterfly house in Geneva

there were about 200 inside and these are a sampling of just how pretty they are!

Purple and Orange my favorite colors!

The macros setting on my new camera is automatic and wonderful.

I just thought this one was striking on the walkway don't you agree?

I also spent one of my days off with my friend Nina and we visitied a Mandir (Hindu Temple) it was so peaceful and the workmanship and detail in the Limestone and Teak wook were very impressive!

This is the entrance to the Haveli, it is a Cultural Center. The Teak wood was all Hand carved in India and then shipped here to be assembled.

One of the columns outside

We were not allowed to take any photos inside the Haveli or the Mandir, they even had me surrender my camera!! This Mandir is the Largest in the United States, made of Turkish Limestone and Italian Marble. It was shipped to India to be hand carved and then shipped to Chicago to be assembled!

Fountain in front of Mandir facing the exit

They had topairy sculptures around the gardens. I loved the Giraffe!

Reading list is quite extensive... I really love to read and have a stack of books to get to. Right now reading The Whisper by Carla Neggers. Have today off from work and spending it reading, catching up on blogs and crafting.

Until next time!