A New Project for the New Year–Project Life

Look what was delivered yesterday!

I’m a happy camper with my 2011 Project Life kit from Becky Higgins.  This is my first year to take part, but after seeing how simple documenting the everyday events of life can be with this kit, I just had to give it a try. 

I purchased this kit with some cash the guys at work gave me for Christmas and I was so excited about its arrival that I showered, and put on make-up just so I could take this picture.

Being on vacation, I’ve taken to heart the action (or inaction) of “lounging” and have really been lazy, but it’s funny how new toys can perk up a person.

I want to send out very joyous greetings for a very Happy New Year to you all.  May 2011 bring much happiness and appreciation for the small things in life!

Happy 2011!

Reverb 10–December 30, 2010–The Greatest Gift

You may have noticed my absence from blogging…maybe you didn’t, but either way I have been on a bit of a restorative and much needed family break from my on-line escapades.  Holidays and family visitors have been a wonderful blessing and I took full advantage of that time. But today I’m back.

I’m back today mainly because life is beginning to slow down and return to a more peaceful routine and I was really moved by today’s Reverb 10 prompt.  It comes to us from author, Holly Root, where she writes, “Prompt: Gift. This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What's the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year?”

I thought that this was such an appropriate story to ponder and share, which seemed to be more cathartic for me, than insightful for you…I hope that I’m wrong and that you find it to be more meaningful than a waste of the next five minutes.

I stress every year during the holidays about which gift to buy for everyone.  Will they like it?  Will they see that I took the time to find something specifically for them?  Will it fit, be the right color, etcetera. Today’s prompt really got me to thinking about how I react to the gifts I receive and what I think when I open them and it hit me.  I don’t care WHAT is inside the pretty paper, or tied up in ribbons or bows.  What I DO care about is the person giving me the gift.  I’m always deeply touched not by the item itself, but by the love that is exemplified by the giving of that gift.

So while it’s always nice to receive new things, the gift that I treasure most is the gift of love.  Not just saying the words, I love you, which is great to hear, but the little things in life that demonstrate love.  The caring telephone call just to see how I am; the inexpensive card that took just a little bit of effort to sign and mail; the small acts of kindness that, to me, are worth more than any store bought gift.

I believe that Christmas is all about love, for it was God’s love for us that brought this celebration of Christ’s birth into existence.  It is that same love that others show me that brings me the greatest joy and it’s those small acts of love that I treasure most.

As 2010 comes to an end and with the anticipation of 2011, I hope that you will find your true joy that comes from giving and receiving love in all its forms.

High Fashion for the I {Heart} Paper Design Team Challenge

If you could see what I’m wearing at the writing of this post, you would be rolling on the floor laughing because it is anything BUT high fashion.  But this month’s I {heart} Papers Design Team Challenge is to create something that relates to fashion in some way.

I was inspired to create my project by THIS brooch that I found on Etsy.  It’s very “steampunk” with lots of little intricate elements that spark real interest.

My project is not “steampunk” but it is a brooch and all from products that you probably have around in your own craft room.

I started with a base of grunge paper cut in a circle.  You could use chipboard, but the grungeboard is more flexible and I wanted the pin to move with the wearer, not feel like a hindrance.  I painted the grunge board with gold acrylic paint and let it dry before adding the layers of Magnolia and Berry picks as well as Velvet Holiday Leaves – Floral Embellishments both made by Petaloo.

To make this brooch more holiday themed, I added a gold snowflake that I punched and painted gold before adding it to the grunge paper. along with some lovely Sugar Picks hat pins by Jillibean Soup. Nestled within the floral picks are bits and bows of beautiful Burgundy Crepe Ribbon by Creative Impressions. 

The finishing touches are the grungeboard key topped with 3 jingle bells.  I even added three white tulle flowers that I colored with a Copic marker to better match my color theme.  I attached a pen to the back with glossy accents.  That stuff will hold ANYTHING, so I’m confident that the pin won’t come loose.

If you are ready for a little more fashion inspired creations, be sure to stop by these  I {Heart} Papers design team blogs:

Tracy Schultz DT Coordinator

Carolyn Mustopa

Cathleen Torina

Deb Felts Challenge Coordinator

Gretchen Belknap

Kendra Wietstock

Lori Tecler

Megan Lock

Loretta Lock

Kate Baldwin (Owner)

I’m so happy you stopped by today…just 4 more sleeps until the big day.  I hope you’re ready!  Happy Holidays all!

Reverb 10-December 20, 2010–Beyond Avoidance

The prompt for today, brought to us by Jake Nickell: Beyond avoidance. What should you have done this year but didn't because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?)

This one is easy.  The thing I should have done, but didn’t do is the same this year as it has been for the past 7 years…find a different job.  I say this because it’s no secret that I don’t love my job.  Some days I REALLY don’t love my job, but most days it’s more of a passive dislike for that place I have to go and spend 8 hours each day doing what I feel is wasting the precious moments of my life.

It’s not that my job is bad, it’s more that I’m unsuited for the work.  Creative types should not be doing work that is very structured, forcefully repetitive, no upward mobility with no opportunity for being creative.

There are many reasons why I don’t look for another job.

• I live only 5 minutes from work…which is a real bonus in St. Louis traffic
• I don’t work hard, in fact some days I don’t feel I work at all
• The pay is very decent for what I do
• I am at a point in my life that I’m more interested in a job than a career because I’m on the downslide to retirement. 9 more years!
• I despise the whole job hunting process
• The older I am, the harder it is to find work, especially at a similar pay scale.  It’s mush easier to find employees who are young, right out of college and will work for practically nothing
• I had to work for at least 5 years on this job to get 3 weeks vacation.  Even 3 weeks is never enough when you don’t find a job fulfilling, but it’s better than 2
• The grass is always greener and there is no guarantee that another job would be any more fulfilling and might have many more drawbacks than my current situation

Will I do anything in 2011 to change this?  No – that is unless I’m fired, laid off or otherwise forced to change my situation.  The desire to find a more fulfilling job is not yet stronger than my motivation to stay at this point.  So while I may not enjoy my work, I continue to go. I go not for me, but because of my husband’s desires for me to continue to work.  I guess he doesn’t see the advantages of having a personal slave – which I have tried to use as a bargaining chip with him, but no dice. 

Don’t get me wrong…it’s not that I am unhappy.  I try to make the most of every situation.  I just long for the day when I don’t have to hit the Monday-Friday grind doing something that doesn’t bring joy to my life.

What DOES bring joy to my life?  The thought that I have only 9 more years until I DO walk out of that place.  One other thing keeps me going and that is vacation time; that joyful, brief time when I’m given permission NOT to go to work, and yet they paid me anyway.  Beginning Thursday I’ll be off work until after the New Year. OH JOY!  Do I ever need it.

Reverb 10–December 19, 2010–Healing

Today’s prompt comes from Leoni Allan.  Prompt: Healing. What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011?

The healing that I experienced was the kind that moved slowly; a very slow evolution over the past 10 years.  I won’t go into great detail, as the story is a very personal one, but I can speak in general terms.

There are times in your life that you feel someone has hurt you deeply.  They have shaken the very heart of you and made you realize that they weren’t the person you thought they were…the person you have loved all of your life; admired and even held up upon a pedestal for many years. turned out to be, for no other good term; human.

At first all you can think about is your own pain, but then after a while your heart begins to soften and you realize that you don’t really know the reason behind their motivations and you also learn than in order for you to move on, you have to heal the hurt in the best way you know how.

I have moved in that direction and have opened my heart up to that person.  Sometimes that isn’t enough and they don’t respond to your invitation, but that is OK because in the moment you decided to forgive, YOU have begun the healing process.  That healing opens your heart to all kinds of possibilities and while the end of my story still has not completely played out, I know that whether I have a “happy ending” or not, my healing has begun and will continue.

Reverb 10–December 18, 2010–The Promise of Tomorrow

The prompt today was brought to us by Kaileen Elise:  Prompt: Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn't go for it?

I am a collector.  My collection is not so much in fine art or rare coins, but more in the arena of my hobby.  I collect paper, I collect tools, I collect stamps of images, ribbons and flowers – all for some future use  in my craft.  The problem with this is that often the items that I collect remained stored or stashed and rarely see the crafty project for which I bought them in the first place.

 

In 2010 I tired to not buy so much because, to be totally honest, aside for adhesive, I could continue with my hobby for a very long time and still not make a dent in the amount of supplies that I have amassed.  Unfortunately I failed miserably for several reasons. 

I’m a sucker for impulse buying.  I see a cute card that someone has posted on their blog or in a forum and BAM…I’m sucked into the mindset that I must have that because I want to make a card like that, or I think that I could use the stamped images in so many ways.  The problem with the impulse buying is that it is never enough.  There will always be another awesome card or project that I want to try so there will always be justification for the purchase.  Manufactures must love this and probably design their business plans around this type of buying.

The fear of scarcity is probably another marketing plan by businesses, because if they lead you to believe that if you don’t buy it now, it will be gone and you will never have a chance again to obtain this awesome “thing”.  I realize this is a total lie because there will always be something else, something similar, or to be honest, I probably already own something similar enough that with a little creative imagination, could make the “thing” out of the supplies I already own.

So, I tried in 2010 not to collect so much, but that didn’t work out so well.  So, in 2011 I will put into place a plan that when I see a tool or other crafty supply item, I will NOT buy on impulse. I will wait a minimum of one month after the initial desire and use that time to see if I already have something in my “collection” that would work just as well.  It’s not a perfect plan, and there will be times that I will fail, but accepting that and embracing my human nature, I won’t worry, but will carry on with my plan.  I’ll be interested to see if at the end of 2011 I find that I have actually used up some of my collection – have been able to improvise and still create the things I love. I’m also anxious to see how much money I can save to use those funds to do something else that has been my heart’s desire for a while…to go international and visit another country.  Wish me luck and I welcome reminders about this plan of mine…less I find myself writing this same thing this time NEXT year.

I Bring You Glad Tidings–It’s Sketch Time on Paper Craft Planet

I'm so very happy to be hosting this week's sketch challenge on Paper Craft Planet   With a few layers you can have a fun and interesting card that comes together in a flash.  You can create this card as simple or as complex as your muse directs you!

I won’t go into much detail here because you can read all the details about this card and how you can play along on the Paper Craft Planet Blog. Be sure to stop by for a quick peek. and I’d love for you to share your creativity and play along with this week’s sketch.

Thanks for looking in.

{Supplies}

Stamps:  T’was the Night Before Christmas,. Teeny Trees (all from Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Papers:  Home for the Holidays (Melissa Francis) Waiting for Santa & Sweet Season, Ivory

Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento) Blue and Coffee Bean (Vivid)

Accessories:  White Embossing Powder, Labels 14 Spellbinders Die, Spica Glitter Pens, Lace trim, Ric Rak, Foam Dimensional Adhesive, Crystal Glitter

Reverb 10-December 17, 2010–The Best Thing

Tara Weaver provided today’s prompt: Lesson learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?

Each day, month and year I learn more about myself.  Life in itself is one big learning experience, right?  It’s really unfortunate that by the time we learn most of all the important things we need to know, our lives are nearly over.  Somehow that isn’t really very fair, is it?

My problem is that most of the time I don’t realize that I am learning a life lesson until much later than the actual experience of the event. So, for me to pin-point the BEST thing I learned about myself may take much longer than this post to discover.

However, I approach these prompts as I would a word association test.  When I read the prompt, I usually go with the first thing/subject that comes to mind so – here we go.  The best thing I have learned about myself is that I’ll never be done. 

• I’ll never be done enjoying life
• I’ll never be done striving to become a better person (in the big sense of the word)
• I’ll never be done trying to improve the hominess of our house (sorry honey)
• I’ll never be done trying to reconnect with people from my past
• I’ll never be done documenting my life
• I’ll never be done making new friends
• I’ll never be done telling those I care about, just how much they mean to me

While I love to check things off my list of things to do, I’ve discovered that there are just some things that are best left at the top of my priorities.  My short list above are all on my list of things to do, and will always remain there.

Thanks for looking in, and a big thank you to Patti J for your continued comments on my Reverb rambling.  Hugs!

Reverb 10–December 16, 2010–Friendships

Prompt: Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?

A friend of mine, and former relative, passed away this past year from breast cancer.  Darla was a sweet soul; smart, caring and had a heart of gold.  She was one of the few people in my previous life's extended family who always treated me with respect and kindness – never judgmental.  Even though we lost touch after the divorce, I never lost my admiration for this young women who was a hard worker and raised her son as a single mother, and did a great job at that.

With Darla's passing I realized how very fleeting our meager lives are.  One day you can be fine, the next you can be diagnosed with a disease that will end your life.  Darla taught me that each day is a gift and while I may have already known this on an intellectual level, seeing someone so young lose their life before their time, drove home this point in a profound way.  Darla's passing gave me the perspective that life is too short to be caught up in desires that have no real and lasting meaning.  I prefer to focus my attention on things and events that will raise up others and make some kind of impact on the lives of people I know, and possible some I am yet to meet.  That impact can be demonstrated in ways as simple as a kind word to a neighbor - a small chore done for someone, sending a card to a friend who is feeling blue...anything small because we all know that big gifts come in small packages.  Forget all the "I want" and "I wish I had'" or "life will be better when".  Live for today, for that is all we have.

I do wish that I had stayed closer to Darla during these past 10 years or so.  I won't make that mistake again with others who mean a lot to me.  You never know what lessons they may teach you, or how you might impact their life.

Reverb 10–December 15, 2010–Remember to Not Forget

Today’s prompt is brought to us  by Patti Digh:

Prompt: 5 minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010.

This is a frightful thought – that my lifetime full of memories would be gone in only five minutes.  While this prompt is about 2010, I took it a little further and considered my entire life.  What would I want to remember, and what would be good to forget.  It’s taken me over 30 years to push away some of the things I’d RATHER forget, but those memories I hold most dear would be a great loss to me.  I’d first run to get a voice recorder and then my camera.  I would take pictures or quickly grab pictures of all the things that I couldn’t possibly bear to forget giving a narrative of those pictures.

1. My bible as I never want to forget what Christ did for me.  It is also my guide for how I should live my life today and everyday in the future
2. A photo of my parents and how much I loved them and they loved me
3. My children as babies and how much their arrival changed my life for the better
4. My home in California for this is where I spent my formative years
5. My friends in Coffeyville of which I spent 20 years
6. My granddaughters – their sweet smiles and happy personalities
7. My grandmother’s quilts for within them is love personified
8. My best friend from high school.  Oh what fun we had back then
9. My husband and all the things he has taught me, even though he is younger than me.  Age doesn’t necessarily equal wisdom as I am the first to admit
10. Carefully consider before beginning construction on your home – it’s a great strain on a relationship.  HA!

That’s it – I’m sure there is more I would NOT want to forget , but I can’t remember what they are….EEEK…it’s starting!

A Little Birdie sends a little Holiday Cheer

Hi crafty people.  My Christmas card making is beginning to slow down somewhat.  I sending my hubby off this morning with a box of 50 or so cards all address and ready to go.  He’s a very good sport about going to the post office for me…mainly because his office is right next door to a neighborhood branch.  He also knows how much I detest going anywhere NEAR a post office this time of year.  There ain’t no line like a line at the post office, which moves slower than molasses in January. (can you hear my Midwest twang thrown in for fun?)  Well, my “holiday cheer” is kept at an all-time high when I can avoid the post office. 

My card today was quick and easy thanks to some fun little felt fellas from Basic Grey called, Jovial Woolies. and some papers by the same name.  All I did was cut a few strips, punch a scallop border and grab a little ribbon and a snowflake I had left over from another project.  Easy peesy.

The sentiment is from a Hero Arts set by the same name, “Holiday Cheer” that I topped off with a felt star, also from the Jovial Woolies.

Now, I’d like to introduce you to one of my very favorite tools.  If you are a quiller, you are probably very familiar with this little plastic wonder.  I’m on my third one in 4 years and now buy two at a time because they are so handy to have around.  I honestly don’t know how I ever applied white craft glue in small/tight places without it.

They come empty and you fill with it with your favorite craft glue and replace the stainless steel tip that also comes with a rustproof pin to keep the tip clear and the glue from drying out.  I’ve never found a glue applicator that can drop such a tiny spot of glue, just right for the smallest piece of paper or embellishment.  These wonders are available from several locations, such a Joann’s and Amazon.com, but I buy mine direct from Quilled Creations.  This baby would make a great stocking stuffer for any crafter on your list.

That’s it for today…I’m happy you stopped by and I hope you are happy too.  Until next time, stay crafty.

{Supplies}

Stamps:  Holiday Cheer (Hero Arts available from I {Heart} Papers)

Papers:  White, Jovial (Basic Grey)

Accessories:  Double Crochet Lace Punch, Red Glimmer Ribbon, Spellbinder’s 2010 Snowflake Pendant , Spica Glitter Pens, Jovial Woolies (Basic Grey)

Reverb 10–December 14, 2010–Gratitude

Prompt: Appreciate. What's the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?

I think that it is natural, and a gift, that as you age, your heart become more tender towards life and the experience we all share.  Joy, sadness, loss, etc.  You can empathize with others going through those times their lives because you have lived long enough to go through those same life experiences. I do appreciate this aspect of aging and tend to really appreciate EVERYTHING because I know that in a blink of an eye, it can be only a memory.

One thing that I have truly come to appreciate this past year is the good friend that I have in my golden retriever, Allie.  She had an accident a little over a year ago, and for several months, I didn’t know if she would survive. But she did, and with each passing month, I grew to love her even more, seeing how she had suffered during her recovery just so that she could stay with us.  Coming close to losing someone or something really amps up the number on your appreciation scale.

Now, I give her much more attention because I know that she won’t be with me forever.  We play when I get home from work and when I’m in the same room with her, you can bet that she is right by my side waiting for my hand to pet and show her more love.  I’m grateful for the companionship that pets offer – it’s like no other relationship I know.

She loves me unconditionally.  She is a happy girl. She always greets me with a joyous wag of her tail and nose nuzzling when she sees me, even when I’ve only been gone long enough to get the mail.  What a great friend she is!

Reverb10–December 13, 2010–Making it Happen

Prompt: Action. When it comes to aspirations, its not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen. What's your next step?

I  have many aspirations…to become independently wealthy; to be perpetually happy; to have the body of a 21 year old, but for me aspirations are dreams.  Those little hidden thoughts that we all have; floating around in our head about what we perceive the “good life” to be.  But aspirations are not goals, but rather the stuff from which goals are born.  I haven’t given much thought in 2010 about the goals that I have for 2011.  I guess I would say that I have been too busy just living life from day to day to think about any goals I might have for the next 12 months.

Sitting here in the early morning, drinking my first cup of coffee, I’ve been drawn to actually ponder what goals I might place from the aspirations column into the goals column.  Last year my goal was to get the basement project finished.  I can check that one off my list.  Now what?

I believe that I may need more than just one cup of coffee to actually answer this question.  Since I will be actively working towards this goal, I think that I should actually give this one more thought that just blurting out something for this post. 

If nothing else, this prompt as got me to thinking about what goals I should aspire to in the coming year.  Do you already have goals laid out for 2011? I’d love to hear what they are.   Now…off for that second cup of coffee and some heavy thinking.

Reverb 10–December 12, 2010–Mind/Body Connection

December 12 – Body Integration This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Author: Patrick Reynolds)

Huh?  I may not elaborate greatly on this Reverb 10 prompt because I just don’t understand the question.  I am a whole person.  My mind is what makes me ME and my body is just the vehicle that moves me around.  Some days the vehicle works better than others…some days it doesn’t want to start, but after enough fuel (coffee), the body usually kicks in and moves me around sufficiently.

The vehicle breaks down from time to time, but after some repair, it’s up and running once again.  My body may not be the sports car that it once was, but it’s broken in well and I feel very comfy in it, so while the car continues to age, the mind is just as it was at 21…better is many ways.  I always feel at one with my body…so enough of this “new age” crud…I need more coffee!  HA!  Have a great day.

12 Days of Christmas-Waltzingmouse Style!–Day 7

Hey crafty people.  Welcome to the 7th day of the 12 Days of Christmas Waltzingmouse Style!  I’m happy to share with you a holiday crafting idea that involves chocolate sure to put a smile on the face of anyone receiving it.  yum – chocolate!

For my project today you will need some M & Ms' (I chose the festive Red & Green) as well as a few candy envelopes – I used small glassine bags that I had on hand.  You will also need some cardstock, sticky tape and of course, some Waltzingmouse Stamp images.  Let’s get started, shall we?

You will need a piece of cardstock 3-3/4” X 11”.  Then score the cardstock at 4-1/2”, 5” and at 9-1/2”. 

This is how the piece will look once scored.

I filled one of the glassine bags with candy and seal the end with tape.

Then I applied a strip of redline tape along the top of the bag.  This red line tape will be used to secure the bag to the inside of the cardstock envelope.

Next, moving onto the embellishments, I stamped the cute little Christmas stocking from Sewing Box Christmas on three different colors of cardstock, then I cut them all out and paper pieced them to create the finished stocking.

See, this is what resulted.

I also stamped the Merry Christmas sentiment along with the star and the “to” & “from”that which in the Very Vintage Christmas set.  The tag was die cut using a Sizzix die.

Now – back to the base.  I folded the cardstock as it will be when it is finished and made two pencil marks indicating where I will use a hold punch, making two 1/4” circle openings, punching through all layers.

Here are the finished treat bags all wrapped in their kraft envelope tied up with ribbon and the tags attached with tiny clothes pins.  As you can see, when the envelope is opened, a Christmas greeting is in view.  The ribbon is about 15” long then looped, and the ends threaded from the front hole towards the back and then out through the second hole to the front and knotted with a punched snowflake added just for fun.

Here is a closer look at the finished project.

Here is the little story that I printed onto white cardstock. and adhered to the front of the cardstock folder.  I got this off the internet and wanted to use it because with so much focus on Santa and presents, I wanted to bring back a little reminder of the true meaning of Christmas, and what better way to get the attention of kids, than by doing it with candy!  (note the way that I have the M & Ms' laid out in the first photo.)

I trust that this project will inspire you to create something similar for the chocolate lovers on your Christmas list.

Please be sure to join us everyday through December 17th for more tips and  gift giving ideas! You'll find all the links on the Waltzingmouse Stamps blog.  Thanks for looking in today!

{Supplies}

Stamps: Sewing Box Christmas, Very Vintage Christmas

Papers: Red, Kraft, White, Green

Inks: Warm Red (Colorbox Chalk Ink), Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Accessories: Sizzix Tag Die, 5 X 3-1/4” glassine bags, corner rounder punch, 1/4” hole punch, Small Classic Circle Nestabilities, Icelandic Snowflake (Martha Stewart), Zva Creative Crystals, Scallop Border Punch, Wooden Clothes Pins

Reverb 10–December 11, 2010–Without you…

Prompt: 11: Things - What are 11 things your life doesn't need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?

This prompt really involved some thought.   The things in my life are there because I have worked very hard to make sure they ARE a part of me. But if I had to list 11 things that my life doesn’t need in 2011, I will comply, without sounding too whiny.

 

1. My life doesn’t need any more slip and falls in the bathroom.  Once in 12 months in plenty, thank you. I am being very careful now as I step out of the shower.
2. My life doesn’t another Gumball tree. EVER.  Three Sweet Gumball trees are enough for a lifetime. I’m still trying to come up with some sort of craft to use those spiny ankle breakers. If you have any ideas or would like to come by and get some for your own crafty ideas, please don’t hesitate.  There isn’t much I can do to get rid of these without costing me a ton of money and really making my husband mad.
3. My life doesn’t need any household renovations in 2011 (unless there is an emergency).  I think I’ve had my fill of that business for quite some time. This is easy to avoid…just don’t do begin the process.
4. My life doesn’t need any illness since I have far too much to do to be slowed down with being sick. I always take precaution, but somehow illness still finds me from time to time.
5. My life doesn’t need people in it who cause me anxiety or frustration.  I try to avoid these types at all costs.
6. My life doesn’t need poverty. I’ll just keep my job – if possible.
7. My life doesn’t need any unemployment. – see above
8. My life doesn’t need any personal loss. – please – everyone in my family…take care of yourselves; drive careful, wear your seat belts, get your medical checkups, etc.
9. My life doesn’t need any disappointment. Everyone needs to do their best to make me happy…lol
10. My life doesn’t need any loneliness. I will work on developing more real-life friendships, rather than just hose I talk to on-line.
11. My life doesn’t need anything…for I feel like I have everything that I need to have a happy life unless one of the above slips in, which it is bound to do because after all; this is life, right?

Thanks for looking in again.  Have a great Saturday!

Good Enough to Eat

I don’t know about you, but I love gingerbread.   But, love it as much as I do, I have yet to be able to made an edible batch.  Is there some elven magic that I’m lacking that makes gingerbread turn out like that bought in bakeries?  So, while I may not be able to bake a edible gingerbread man, that doesn’t stop me from making them from paper.

This card was created using this week’s Waltzingmouse Stamps Sketch Challenge. You can find all the details on the Sketch Challenge Blog.

Here is the sketch on which my card is based.

This card consists of a panel of candy canes that I stamped in red ink to create my patterned paper which I stitched to a piece of brown cardstock and topped with a piece of scalloped ribbon.

I added a little embellishment cluster consisting of some punched branches, ribbon, button, a flower and jingle bells.

I created my little gingerbread men by stamping them with pigment ink and using clear embossing powder.  To add some dimension I applied some white and black enamel from Ranger and then adhered them onto a snowflake that I die cut with my Spellbinders die.

I hope that you are inspired by today’s sketch.  You can get all the details regarding the sketch challenge on the Waltzingmouse Stamps Challenge blog.  One thing that you should know is that while we are always happy when you use Waltzingmouse Stamps images, it is not mandatory that you use WMS to participate in the sketch challenge.  If you upload your projects to any galleries or forums, please use WMSC27 as the keyword.

It really pleases me that you stopped by today.  Stay tuned for my Reverb 10 post for December 10th.  Then I’m off on another busy Saturday trying to finish my Christmas shopping and get back home before the temperatures drop and the snow begins…along with 10,000 other St. Louis shoppers on a busy Saturday. Wish me luck.

{Supplies}

Stamps:  Oven Fresh Gingerbread Joy (Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Papers:  Olive, White, Red, Dark Brown

Inks:  Warm Red and Olive dye ink, Brown Pigment Inks

Accessories:  2010 Snowflake Pendant Shapeabilities (Spellbinders), Black & White Enamel (Ranger), Clear Embossing Powder

Reverb 10–December 10, 2010- Smart Choice

Prompt: Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

Looking back at my life, in the short term, I have made some pretty UNwise decisions. But, I also believe that all of UNwise decisions lead us to where we are at this moment, and play a important roll in the person we become as we age.  So with that said, can we really say our UNwise decisions were really THAT UNwise? I say no. 

While at the time we may say, that was a dumb thing to do, in the long haul, you come to realize that the things we think were stupid or perhaps the wrong choice, was exactly the choice we needed to make to learn those hard life lessons that bring us to today – that better person in training.

So pondering that last paragraph, I would say that the wisest decision I made in 2010 was to stop beating myself up about mistakes of the past and to live for today. 

Yesterday is gone, but today is like starting all over again.  We can live the good life, and even though we still may stumble and falter, we have those previous life decisions to draw upon .  It is the culmination of those decisions that hopefully will make us smarter and we won’t make the same UNwise decisions again

Reverb 10–December 9, 2010 Party ‘Til The Cows Come Home

Today’s prompt:  Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.

There may have once been a time in my life when I would have had a rip roaring story about some party that I had been to where people acted crazy, or the band was rockin’. But that has been many years in the past, and not in 2010.

Our lives have quieted down and the social gatherings we have attended have been more of a subdued variety, with quiet conversations and low music for background, rather than the beating, driving force of the event.  In fact, sitting here, thinking back on 2010, I can’t remember a single party that I would classify knocking my socks off.  And oddly enough, that’s OK with me.

But the event (so far…the year isn’t over yet) that was most memorable would have been this past 4th of July.  We traveled down to the tiny town of Chetopa, Kansas to attend my son and his family’s Independence Day celebration.  There were many of their friends, with their children in attendance, and it was wonderful to see once again, the enthusiasm of kids with fireworks. 

The entire day was dedicated to what I would term as a home town celebration.  Firecrackers and whistling sounds from the ammunitions all around the town filled the air from daylight until well after midnight.  There is just something that excites people when they are given the opportunity to blow up stuff.

With adults supervising, the kids played all day with the various things that they brought with them.  Things that sparkled, showered brightly color plumbs of sparks and made outlandishly loud BOOMS. 

I remember as a child how I looked forward, with great anticipation, to this special holiday that was like no other and it was fun to see that same excitement in the eyes of every child there.

 

 

 

My daughter-in-law is a good hostess and her home was filled with food and snacks; enough to feed an army, and with children running around – in an out – all day, there was little want for excitement. This being a family event, the most drinking going on was the hundreds of soda cans that were everywhere you looked as we all tried to stay cool on a hot July day in Kansas. Of course, we adults had a cocktail or two with dinner, but that paled in comparison to the cases of soda (oops, I think they call it pop in Kansas) that was consumed.

As nighttime fell, the entire group gathered their chairs and blankets and headed to the river for the city’s firework display.  It seemed that the entire population of Chetopa was gathered in the small city park to watch a very good display for such a small community.

There is a special feeling to these Midwestern patriotic holidays because home, family, God and Country as at the forefront and celebrated much like families have for over 200 years, with perhaps less explosives!

Flags were flying, people dressing in various shades of red, white and blue.

 

 

As tunes from John Phillips Sousa filled my head, you could hear the ooos and ahhhhs as each explosion overhead rippled through the crowd.  I don’t care how old I get, or how many Independence Day celebrations I attend, I’ll never get tired of seeing the nighttime celebration of our Nation’s Independence.

 

So, while this party may not have been filled with fru-fru cocktails, and exciting bands – attended by people of society, dressed to the nines – I wouldn’t trade a party like this for anything, because this celebration wasn’t just one event – our Independence; it was a celebration of families, and that deserves more celebration than anything.

Thanks for listening to me blab.  I hope you will check back tomorrow for another Reverb 10.  Are you interested in jumping in the Reverb10 experience?  It’s never too late. What IS Reverb10?  Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. It’s an opportunity to use the end of your year to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead.

Reverb 10–December 8, 2010–Beautifully Different.

December 8 – Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond)

This one is a tough prompt for me to answer because I’ve never really thought about this before.  Good thing the author, Karen Walrond gave a method of focusing on things that make me different.  I’m not sure how different I am because I have always considered myself to be pretty much just like everyone else.

• I love
• I am loved by those that count
• I eat (too much at times)
• I work (although I’d rather not)
• I cook and clean (on occasion)
• I have friends
• I am a good friend
• I am thoughtful
• I am considerate
• I am a good driver
• I am rarely late
• I almost never oversleep
• I don’t procrastinate
• I work ahead rather than catch up
• I have red hair with no grey (even at my age)
• I embrace my wrinkles
• I have some regrets but don’t dwell on them
• I am a total optimist

See – this list basically makes me like at least 50% of the rest of the population so I’m not sure that it makes me beautifully different.  I will leave those sentiments to those who speak at my funeral.

Thanks for popping in – check back tomorrow for possibly a more interesting post!

Reverb 10–December 7, 2010- Community

December 7 – Community Prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Author: Cali Harris)

When I was a child, community meant neighborhoods.  I remember my Mom always had neighbors over for coffee and weekend card games.  There were neighborhood Halloween parties, and us kids would all play together in one big group in the street until we heard the call from our front doors that it was time to come in.  It was as though our neighborhood was our extended family.  I don’t know when that began to change or why, but now, I’m lucky if I know my neighbor’s name, let alone invite them into my home. 

I don’t think that I am alone with this view, but neighbors are often just people who live next door or across the street, hidden behind closed doors emerging only to get the mail or paper, or perhaps when it is time to work in their yards.  Rarely do I seen people sitting on their front porch talking to others walking by…in fact, I don’t see anyone walking by unless they are on their daily exercise routine.  Sad, isn’t it?

My community now, and has been for the past 5 years, those that gather on-line.  In forums, chat rooms, friends on Facebook and generally those who share a common interest.  The people that I have met on-line, while distant, have become some of my most trusted confidants and advisors.  We share each other’s joys, pains, concerns, and even prayer requests.  I hurt when they hurt; I grieve when they grieve and I laugh when they laugh.  This is the same dynamic that my parents experienced with their own “backdoor friends” but in a new way.

I have had the opportunity to actually met some of these on-line friends in real life, and what a joy that has been; to put a real face (not an avatar) to the words I read on my laptop screen. These people have been some of my closest friends since my move to St. Louis and have helped me learn my craft; listened to me vent my frustrations; have laughed with me at my blunders, wished me happy birthday, and sent me “get well” cards, much like the friendships of those who used to sit around my Mom’s kitchen table drinking coffee and gossiping.

Yes, I would have to say that my view of community has a different meaning than those of my parent’s generation.  Better or worse, it is yet to be determined and for some sociologist to figure out, but for me it has been a lifeline to a world reaching farther than my backdoor – it’s like a door that is always open and I don’t really see that changing in 2011.

Thanks for stopping by and listening to me “Reverb”.  Are you interested in jumping in the Reverb10 experience?  It’s never too late. What IS Reverb10?  Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. It’s an opportunity to use the end of your year to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead.

Veterinarians need love too!

We are pet lovers in this house.  Our fur-baby is our joy, and since we don’t have kids around any more, Allie has quite happily taken the place of the two-legged variety.  At this time of year when I’m making out the Christmas cards to family and friends near and far, I also remember the kind gentle man who takes as much loving care of Allie as we do; our veterinarian.

His office gets many Christmas cards from pet owners who also appreciate the wonderful care he provides.  Here is the card I quickly made for him.

This image is from Our Craft Lounge, available from I {heart} Papers called Pat the Good Dog. I colored him with Copic markers and added a few additions from other stamp sets as well as the Santa hat that I fashioned from a pennant punch that I have.  I added a puff ball to the end of the hap and bits of cotton to the fuzzy rim.

I love this paw print twill that I originally got from I {heart} Papers, but I believe it may be out of stock.  I used a small metal buckle.  I hope that Dr. K likes it.  I will ink up one of Allie’s paws to imprint the inside before I send it off.

Tonight is our sorority Christmas Gift Exchange and pig-out fest.  Last night I came home from work and baked two pumpkin breads, one for the meeting and the other I’ll take to work to lessen the likelihood that I’ll end up eating the entire loaf!  I didn’t realize the recipe made two loafs until it was too late.  It turned out delightful ,if I do say so myself.

Before I sign off, I wanted to direct you to Claire’s Blog.  Waltzingmouse Stamps is hosting 12 Days of Christmas with a different designer showcasing a project every day until the 17th.  There are some awesome projects coming your way.  My project will be coming this Sunday.  Check back then, will you.

That’s it for the crafty stuff.  Stay tuned for my Reverb 10 thought for the day coming later.  I appreciate you stopping by.  Until next time – stay crafty.

{Supplies}

Stamps:  Pat the Good Dog (Our Craft Lounge)-available at I {heart} Papers

Papers: Red, Black White & Kraft

Inks: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Accessories: Copic Markers, Black Enamel on dog nose (Ranger’s Inkssentials), Red Stickles (one holly berries) Christmas Red Stickles, Paw Print Twill, Metal Buckle.

Reverb 10–December 6, 2010 - Make

December 6 – Make.

What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

(Author: Gretchen Rubin)

I usually make something everyday.  Whether it is a card, take photographs, write a story, or make a grocery list.  I guess you could say that I’m in a constant state of making something, even it is only “making” up my mind about what to start working on now.  There is no special time that I set aside to make something because that occurs anywhere, anytime, in a variety of ways.

However, since my blog is mostly about paper crafting, I’ll stick to that for this Reverb 10 post. Paper crafting DOES require setting aside time to fit in to my daily routine.  I reserve the time from 5 to 7 pm each weekday and several more hours on any given free weekend to create, or at least THINK about what to create.

The last thing I made was four treat bag packages for an upcoming post for a design team project.  I would share a picture, but this project isn’t due to go live until this Sunday, so I if you are really interested in seeing what I’ve made, you will have to check back then.  I hope you will.

There are lots of things that I have on my list of things I want to make.  My inspiration binder is full of them.  This binder is overflowing, abounding and excruciatingly full of ideas for cards, scrapbook pages, 3D items, gift items and such are in constant injection of ideas that are of particular interest to me.  Oh, if I were to have all the time and energy I need to make all that I want, I would need to work 24/7, 365 for the next 10 years to make a dent on the thousands of projects I have in mind.

This would require that I clear not just “some time” for it, but that I would do nothing else BUT create.  Now, that would be like heaven to me.

Are you interested in jumping in the Reverb10 experience?  It’s never too late. What IS Reverb10?  Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. It’s an opportunity to use the end of your year to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead.

Reverb 10–December 5, 2010

December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)

2010 has been a year of reevaluation for me with regards to my hobby.  There was a time when I thought that in order for me to be successful, I had to be a member of this design team, or that group – get published – have contacts with this person – post 7 days a week to my blog.  Then something happened and my view began to morph.

I did accomplish some of of those goals over my crafting career – being on great design teams and being published, but there was something that was lacking.  I begin to find that being on several design teams was beginning to take the joy out of my time that I spent creating.  Sure I was posting often and getting a great number of blog hits.  But that initial joy that prompted me into paper crafting was turning into a big cause of stress and anxiety and it was keeping me from actually LIVING my life the way I wanted.  I was creating out of need rather than for enjoyment.

So, to get back that joy, I let go of the idea of becoming Miss Next Big Thang, and realized that I wanted to return to that place when I longed to get into my craft room; to “play” with my supplies, and not be stumped by deadlines and specific requirement. 

Letting go of things you have is never easy, but when the stress of those things outweigh the joy you get from them, it makes the choice a little easier.

I’m working at really enjoying my hobby…not feeling bad if I spend 3 hours and come out of there with nothing to show for it except some experimenting with supplies. I find that I’m much more relaxed and that translates into more creativity for me, and getting back that part of my life I call “living”.

Are you interested in jumping in the Reverb10 experience?  It’s never too late. What IS Reverb10?  Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. It’s an opportunity to use the end of your year to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead.

Reverb 10–December 4, 2010

December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)

According to Wikipedia:  SENSE OF WONDER n. a feeling of awakening or awe triggered by an expansion of one’s awareness of what is possible.

I have always loved to read.  As a child, my first self-reading experience was with my pal, Dr. Seuss.  My mother purchased some sort of subscription, and one every month or so, a new Dr. Seuss book would be delivered to our house.  It was then that I was introduced to not only unique and stimulating prose, but wonderful stories such as The Cat in the Hat, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Blue Fish, The Grinch that Stole Christmas and many more.

As I grew, I moved away from Dr. Seuss, but not my love for reading.  I remember wearing out more than one library card – back in the days when you actually had a physical card you handed over to the “library lady” to get your books.  I remember how excited I was to learn that you could check out more than one book at a time.  I was in heaven.

Many a warm summer afternoon, I remember sitting on my Grandmother’s patio, lying on a chaise lounge, reading for hours on end; totally enthralled in the story that seems to transport me to the place and time the author was writing about.

I continued to read books as I grew up and belonged to more than one subscription type book clubs.  But as I got married, had kids, started my work life, the leisure time for reading became less and less and my long afternoons of emersion in a story was few and far between.

At the beginning of 2010, I discovered Audible.com. 

While I struggle with the conflict in my mind about whether listening to books is the same as reading a book, there is no doubt that being involved in a story truly has opened my mind and has renewed my sense of wonder of the world.  I can’t explain the joy that comes from being able to “read” and do something else at the same time because while I may not have children at home any longer, I still work and enjoy my crafting hobby – each taking a fair amount of time.  I can once again be immersed in a story, learn new things about the world and get things done.

Thanks for stopping by, and if you are interested in jumping in the Reverb10 experience, it’s never too late. What IS Reverb10?  Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. It’s an opportunity to use the end of your year to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead. Sound good?  Then get started.