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Tomatoes and Moving

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I feel like my life is consumed by tomatoes and moving. Little by little we’re getting my studio moved to the bigger space. We’ve just about done as much as we can now until the desk and new lateral file cabinet arrive,. Hopefully tomorrow, more likely on Friday. I found new valences for the studio, and like the pattern, but they need to be shortened. For now I’ve left them up and will take care of it when the rest is done. I think I have everything I need for the studio, but I’m quite sure we’re going to need a bookcase and perhaps a table for the den. It’s so hard to tell until my current desk is out of there. I’m hoping the hutches on the current desk will fit and look OK on the new one. The hutch that could have been ordered with the new desk was too wide for the wall space I have.

As for tomatoes, we picked another 17 pounds yesterday and canned more sauce today. Tomorrow we’ll need to go back to the garden again, and I’m going to try another batch of salsa–a little milder this time.

Saucew

When I went out on the patio to take a photo for tomorrow’s Team-up Thursday post, I saw that our hibiscus was blooming again. It’s such a beautiful plant and blooms pretty continuously all summer.

Hibiscusw

I did get a layout completed today, but haven’t had a chance to photograph it. But here are a couple of cards that I haven’t posted. The first is for a friend whose husband passed away recently.

Sympathy 

Cardstock: WorldWin Colormates; stamps: “With Sympathy” Papertrey Ink; ribbon: Impress; gem: Michaels; ink: Encore Metallic

And a real quickie for the card box:

SuperStar
Cardstock: Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink); patterned paper: Basics Manila (Basic Grey); stamp: “Star Prints” (Papertrey Ink); stars: Small Details (Basic Grey)

Classes & Cards

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There are two free classes going on right now. I’ve been reading the posts and downloading the pdfs, but haven’t had time to participate yet. Both are very worthwhile, so if you’re not aware of them it’s worth checking them out. The first is at Big Picture Scrapbooking and is called the Festival of Ideas. Each day a new lesson is posted by one of their instructors and there have been a couple of great projects. You can still register and all the lessons are archived.

Bigideafestival 

The second is a free class on journaling at Elle’s Studio. Like Festival of Ideas, each day brings a new instructor with ideas and beautiful samples of their work. Ali Edwards, Lisa Dickenson, and Christine Middlecamp are just three of the people who have posted lessons so far. This is a three week course and there’s a link on the sidebar so you can access just the posts for the course.

Logo

Once I get into my new space, I hope to get some work done based on both these classes and the weekend crop at Shimelle’s which I totally missed.

I do have a few cards to share that I created before all the craziness began. One of my dear friends is having surgery on Monday, and I was glad that I had this card on hand.

Recovered
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink & scraps from scrap files; patterned paper: A Muse; stamps: Papertrey Ink; gems: Kaiser 

This card will soon be off to a friend who is undergoing chemo. I’m trying to get a card off to her every few days. She’s doing remarkably well, and her spirits and sense of humor have not been diminished by this ordeal.

4You
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink; patterned paper: Jillibean; vinyl alpha: American Craft Thickers; gems: unknown

Friend

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink; patterned paper: “Early Bird” Cosmos Cricket; stamp “In Bloom” Papertrey Ink, rickrack from stash; gems: A Muse Creative Candy

Cards for Scrap-Mart

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Before I left for CHA I made some cards to take with me. Laura and Howard wanted cards they could display in the Scrap-Mart booths. They particularly wanted cards that used Nestabilities so most of these do.

HeyThereLabel8
Cardstock: Pure Poppy, True Black & Kraft (PTI); clear stamp: Unity; Nestability Labels Eight (Spellbinders); Flower embellishment made with Jenni Bowlin papers; ribbon from stash

QuoteLabel2
Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz (PTI) & Solar White (Neeah); stamps: Vintage Label Two (Waltzing Mouse) & Unity; patterned paper: Flutter (Making Memories); Nestability Label Two (Spellbinders);Felt flower from PTI felt and Beautiful Blooms die, gem from stash

ThanksLabel4
Cardstock: Ripe Avocado (PTI); patterned paper: Flutter (Making Memories), ribbon (Paper Source), gems (Hero Arts), Nestability Label Four (Spellbinders), stamp (Jillibean)

CelebrateYourDay
Cardstock: Pure Poppy (PTI); stamps: Unity and Signature Greetings (PTI); patterned paper: October Afternoon; buttons from stash

And my favorite of the bunch:

SmileLabel1
Cardstock: Rustic Cream (PTI); stamps (Just Rite) & library card (PTI); patterned papers: October Afternoon, Nestability Label One (Spellbinders), Scalloped punch (EK Success); buttons (Sassafrass Lass)

Photo Cards

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Right before I left for Chicago, I needed to create some photo cards. A few weeks prior, I had picked up some Museum Parchment inkjet paper for just such a project. I’m very happy with the way they came out. I love the texture of the Museum Parchment paper. I’ve had the embossed photo cards for years and have no idea where I got them or who manufactured them. I wish I knew because I’d like to purchase some more.

Magnolia1 


Magnolia2
 

Magnolia3

These were all taken this spring in Highland Park where there is a lovely collection of magnolia trees.

Colored Pencil Class

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On Saturday I was lucky enough to attend a class in colored pencil technique taught by Dave Brethauer, creator and owner of Memory Box. I first heard of Dave many years ago when I visited Impress Rubber Stamps in Seattle. Before he opened Memory Box, Dave worked for Impress. When I heard he was coming to Buffalo Stamps and Stuff I knew I wanted to attend. Two of my friends rode up with me, and none of us were disappointed. Dave is a wonderful teacher.  He gives clear directions, demonstrates techniques, and makes sure everyone in the class has the individual attention they need. We made five cards in class, all of which I like since they are definitely “clean and simple” cards. My technique needs some work, but I know I’ll enjoy the practice. One thing I learned is that it will be better for me to do work on tiny images without wearing my contact lens which is for improved distance vision. At home that won’t be a problem.

Here are the cards we made.

Reindeer

CarolingBirds

RedBird

Poinsettia

SwirlyTrees

I’m writing this post on the porch of the cottage Tracy’s family has rented on Consesus Lake for the week. It’s just a perfect day, sunny and warm, but not too hot. Tomorrow morning VERY EARLY I leave for CHA from Buffalo. It will be a very early morning, but I’ll be in Chicago in time for breakfast. I’m really excited about the chance to attend CHA, something I never thought I’d do. I’ve broken down and decided to take my computer so if there’s time at night, I’ll try to post some photos from the show.

Papertrey Pixie Challenge and Garden Update.

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I finally finished a card last night that has been on the “to do” list all of June . Why I wait until the last minute, I do not know! Karen H. posted this challenge at the beginning of the month. It’s a photo of fat quarters and we could use the square design, the colors, or sewing on our card.

201006_PixieIP_HowAboutOrange_JessicaJonesFQlg
I used a
little of everything from the challenge. I deliberately did an uneven
stitch around the edge of the card, cut the scalloped squares with a
Nestability die, and added something different to each square. The
green and orange also come from the challenge colors. I colored the
flower and the button twine with my Copic markers. Thanks
for the challenge, Karen! It was a good one.

JunePixieCard
Cardstock: Kraft (PTI); patterned paper: A Muse; brads, flower, & buttons from stash; sentiment: Friendship Jar (PTI); button twine (PTI)

We went to the garden yesterday for the first time in over a week, and I was amazed at how much the plants had grown. The tomatoes are nearly as tall as my shoulder, the pole beans are crawling up the poles, and the lettuce and herbs are lush and full.

Garden6.30w 

The empty spot you see in the middle is partly the path we left to get into the middle of the garden but also where the peppers are planted. They are the only plants not doing too well.

FirstProducew
We brought home enough lettuce for a week and picked just a portion of
it. Before we go to my brother’s this weekend, I’ll go back and pick
some to take to him. By then there should be a couple more zucchini ready to pick. We also harvested two large zucchini which I’ll use
to make zucchini bread today or tomorrow. These goodies were an
unexpected surprise!

Computer Tricks for Cards

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Jessica Sprague, the digital guru of online teaching, offered a free class in digital card making. Being a card maker, I was intrigued by this since I have rarely incorporated digital work into my cards. I’m now using  digital elements in my scrapbooking on a regular basis, so I thought I’d try it out. The first day was a simple print and fold card. I’m not a fan of these so I played around a bit with one of the cards. For the first card I printed the pdf file and then opened the psd file and printed just the greeting and frame. I cut it out and bumped it up with 3-D tape.

Card! 

For the second card I cut out the front of the card and mounted it on Dark Chocolate (PTI) cardstock after I hand cut the scallop along the bottom. Then I added two brown pearls (Creative Candy A Muse). I much prefer this one.

Card2

Today’s card was a print and assemble card. This card took me way too long to complete and I was pretty frustrated. First off, my scallop punch seems to have developed a dull spot right in the middle. Then I decided I didn’t like the first ribbon I applied (which took quite some time), carefully and slowly removed it and substituted another. The greeting was to be a computer generated one that said “Congratulations.” Since I rarely have an occasion to send a Congrats card of this nature, I substituted some chipboard letters (Basic Grey) which I like much better anyway. I will probably never make this card again although I rather like the idea of the scalloped “canopy” on the top of the card. None of the layers are glued down completely so they add a nice dimension to the card which is, unfortunately, hard to see in this photo.

Card1

One of the best things Jessica’s presented in the class so far is a great card of card and envelope sizes and a good description of various kinds of papers available to card makers. 

Happy Father’s Day

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Father'sDayw

This was my first attempt at making a clear card. Tracy liked it a lot, but it’s not an easy card to photograph.

It’s been quite a lovely day. Tracy and I started the day at the Brighton Farmer’s Market. It’s becoming a weekly habit, and we bring home the nicest organic fruits and vegetables. Today I bought a beautiful bouquet as well. We then picked up a student from the school where Tracy worked for 25+ years, her sister and mother and brought them to church. Our church hosts a tutoring program at the school and a group of sixth graders read a poem and talked about their plans for the future this morning during our Focus on Mission. Church was followed by an ice cream social which marks the end of our regular schedule for the year. During the summer we operate on a different time frame and without the weekly presence of our fabulous chancel choir.

Tracy spent the afternoon working on the boat and practicing some golf shots while I got in some crafting time. This evening Matt joined us and we drove to Canandaigua Lake for dinner at Steamboat Landing. We had reserved a table outside overlooking the lake. It was warm, breezy, and just right for a lakeside dinner. The food and service were excellent, and we had a great time.

Lakew 

The north end of Canandaigua Lake.

SteamboatLandingw

The patio at Steamboat Landing.

Sunflarew
The guys. Prime rib for Tracy and chicken wings for Matt. I had a wonderful seafood combination of crab cake, grilled scallops, and shrimp. I was surprised to see the sun flare when I uploaded the photo, but I kind of like it.

M&Tw

Dad and his son.

I hope your day was equally pleasant!

Papercrafting

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I have a couple more pages to share as well as some cards I made for my friend who is retiring. I’m sure she’ll need a supply of thank you notes so I made two of each design and packaged them up in a clear plastic box.

3Cards
Cardstock: Vintage Cream (PTI), blues from stash; patterned paper: “Wisteria” (Basic Grey); stamps: Fillable Frames #4, Delightful Dahlias, & Mega Mixed Messages (PTI)

Package
I have these wonderful plastic boxes, but I have no idea where I purchased them. They are perfect for a set of cards. Add a ribbon, flower and a gem and it’s done.

The first of the layouts I did in a Basic Grey class at CKC Buffalo. I’m not a fan of doing pages without the photos but when I was going through the pile of photos from California these seemed to work. The page layout from the class included multiple tags which I eliminated.

WalkWithSadieLO
Patterned papers: Basic Grey; Spellbinders tag die; buttons (PTI)

One of the best things about staying in California for a week is the time we have to just hang out together.

JustHanginLO
Patterned paper: Making Memories, & “Weathervane” October Afternoon; stamps: Trajan alphabet (PTI) on Sticky Back canvas (Ranger); canvas alphabet: “Fa La La” Making Memories; journaling sheet: Making Memories, sticker “Urban Prairie” (Basic Grey); Spellbinders Standard Tag; buttons (PTI); digital template “Photo Clusters No. 12” (Katie Pertiet @ Designers Digitals

Still Crafting

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In between working on the prompts for Creativity Bootcamp, taking care of the garden, going to a wonderful photography show featuring local women photographers, volunteering, and the usual exercise classes and chores, I’ve managed to get some cards and layouts made. The first is a card for a friend who is retiring this year. There’s a luncheon for her on Saturday. I’m hoping to get a set of thank you notes made to give to her as well.

JBCongrats
This card was inspired by a card by Jennifer Buck featured on the Jillibean blog. All the products used on it are from Jillibean except the card base and the ribbon.

And another one because I had more paper on the desk to use.

SendingSunshine
Patterned paper: Old World Cabbage Stew (Jillibean); rickrack: Bean Stalks (Jillibean); sentiment: clear stamps (Jillibean); dies: Spellbinders cherry; embossing folders: Cuttlebug “Swiss Dots” & Sizzix “Birthday Set #2

SunshineView2
And three more layouts for the California album:

FamilyPhotoLO
All Pink Paislee “Starlight”

MattSadieLO
All “Mama Razzi” by BoBunny except for the stamp (which it looks like I’d better redo–a bit slanted, I fear)

And my favorite of the three is about our walk along the stream at the UC Davis Arboretum:

Arboretum 

Patterned paper: Fruitcake (Basic Grey), Basics (Basic Grey) & “Today” (Scenic Route); cork alpha (unknown); Craft Paper alpha stickers (Colorbok); label stickers: Basics (Basic Grey); digital template: Cathy Z Layered Template No. 13

Love is in the Air

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We’re off this evening to the wedding of one of our long-time friend’s daughters. I sent the gift to their home in Colorado, but made a card to take to the wedding.

WeddingCard 

Cardstock: American Craft & Aqua Mist (PTI); embossed cardstock: Creative Imaginations; dies: Beautiful Blooms (PTI); ribbon: Paper Source; gems: Memory Box; stick pin: Making Memories

And the inside of the card:

InsideWedding

Dies: Nestabilities Label 4 & Beautiful Blooms (PTI); sentiment: Delightful Dahlias (PTI)

A daughter of another dear friend got engaged a few weeks ago. Tracy was able to get to the party, but I had tickets to the RPO so missed it. I made this card to send to them.

4x4Congrats 

Cardstock: Dark Chocolate and Lemon Tart (PTI); patterned paper:  Letter Box (American Craft); die: Flower Layers 3 (Sizzix); embossing folder: Swiss Dots (Cuttlebug; Flair Badge: American Craft

About six weeks ago, I got an email from Tamron announcing a two-hour workshop “Eleven Secrets to Improve Your Photographs” at our local photography store. Since I own two Tamron lenses and the cost was minimal, I decided to sign up. The class was this morning, and although the first half of the material was familiar to me, I picked up enough tips to compensate both my time and the cost of the workshop. I also got a chance to try out the 60mm 2.0 macro lens that is on my wish list. The most helpful information for me was about lighting, filters, and using your flash. I have a lot of things I want to try out, and hopefully, I’ll be able to incorporate them into the projects  for Creativity Bootcamp. The workshop pretty much solidified my choice of medium to photography. I’m looking forward to the first session tomorrow.

A Productive Day is Always a Good Day

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Some days I seem to get so much more done than others. Yesterday was a good day.

I paid bills. I balanced my checkbook.

We visited the garden. Sad to say the slugs are eating our beans and ate all the lettuce seedlings. 

Slugs&Beansw

The tomatoes, peppers, squash, and cucumbers are doing well.

ZuchinniBlossomw
Zucchini Blossom

FirstTomatow
First Tomato

I went to the dentist to have my temporary crown removed and the permanent one put on. The crown didn’t fit as well as the dentist wanted, so it had to go back to the lab, so I have yet one more dental appointment next week.

I cleaned my desk.

I worked on the daily crossword.

I made 15 gift card holders. June 13th is Advisor Appreciation Sunday, and I am the chair of the Youth Ministry Committee. We are blessed with a dedicated Youth Ministry Director as well as advisors for the junior and senior highs in our church.

GiftCardHolders

All made from scraps in my scrap files.

I made a scrapbook layout.

CornHoleLO

Core’dinations (Jenni Bowlin) cardstock, sanded lightly; black cardstock from scraps; patterned paper: Bitty Box Basics (PTI); Jenni Bowlin Banner Stickers in red and black.

I took Matt to dinner at The Tap and Mallet since Tracy had a dinner-time meeting at church. We finished the crossword puzzle while we enjoyed our beers.

I ironed curtains and got them rehung. Ironed a few other pieces as well.

I read blogs and was surprised to find one of my Weekly Gratitude pages featured on the Weekly Gratitude blog. I had no idea they ever checked my blog.

I read some more of Making Toast, the library book which I just picked up two days ago. It is wonderful, but a real emotional roller coaster.

Maybe today will be just as good!

CKC Cards

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I took two classes with Making Memories on using the Slice at the Creating Keepsakes Convention last month. We didn’t finish any of the cards in the class. We just created the different components. I much prefer that so I can put my own spin on the cards when I get home. The cards below are from the Slice 101 class. I didn’t learn a lot in this class, but I enjoyed it and won a new cartridge which was really nice. They also gave a cartridge away to everyone in the class, so I came home with two new ones. I learned a lot more in the Tips and Techniques class. That was a layout class, and I’m not sure I’ll ever put the layout together, but will probably use pieces of it on layouts in the future. In that class we learned how to emboss, cut shadow and mirror designs, and how to trouble-shoot some potential problems. 

The first two cards used the Flutter line from Making Memories and the Vintage Findings Design Card.

Butterfly1 

Butterfly2 

Butterfly3D

These cute baby cards use Making Memories’ Pitter Patter line which just came out & the Baby and Animal Cracker Design Cards.

BabyBoy 

BabyGirl

Papertrey Challenge #2 and 2S4Y Challenge

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Flagw

First of all, Happy Memorial Day Weekend! I am always grateful for the sacrifice of men and women in the military that has assured our freedom for over 200 years. I do not take the freedoms we have in our country for granted, but do not often take the time for express my gratitude.

I’ve been working on another Papertrey Ink challenge this weekend as well as the one for the Pixies. This one was posted on the forum, and it was too good to pass up. It was a challenge to ink up all the stamps you own, but have never used. I knew I had a few, but there were more than I thought. I’ve ended up with a new stash of cards, however, and relieved some guilt in the process. The first card is also a card for today’s challenge at 2Sketches4You.

Here’s the sketch:

Sketch56 

And here’s my card:

BeautifulBlooms

I used my Beautiful Blooms 2 set for this card. The beautiful border is Basic Grey’s new “ribbon doilies” tapes. We used some of this on a layout in a class I took at CKC a week ago. It’s self-adhesive and comes in a package with three different designs. The cardstock is Summer Sunrise & the buttons are from my stash.

The next set I used was the Fillable Frames #1. I thought I’d  get a lot of use from this set, and I’m sure I’m correct now that I’ve inked it up for this card:

HappyHappyBD
Cardstock: Pure Poppy (PTI); patterned paper: Early Bird (Cosmo Cricket); ribbon: Pure Poppy (PTI); Ripe Avocado button (PTI); button twine (PTI)

“Fly Away” is the next set. Like “Fillable Frames” it was a very affordable $5 and I love the little banner and sentiments that go in it. I bought just one piece of this cute patterned paper at CKC with this card in mind.

FlyAway

Cardstock:  Lemon Tart & Pure Poppy (PTI), patterned paper “Let’s Roll, Fly High” (Imaginisce)

Take Three Summer was the next set. I have lots of ideas for this set and this is a super simple, quick to make card. I’m not sure I’d use the Raspberry Fizz next time, I think the Hibiscus might look better.

Take3Summer
See above; ribbon & rickrack from stash.

One of the things I learned this weekend is that stamping backgrounds is not my forte. I love the color combination of Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss, and Raspberry Fizz. I’ve had this “Guide Lines Two” for awhile and probably haven’t used it because I’m not comfortable with making backgrounds. I do have a list of other possibilities so perhaps it will see more use soon.

GuideLines
Cardstock: Spring Moss, Raspberry Fizz, Select White, & Ripe Avocado (PTI), rhinestones from stash; stamps: Guide Lines Two & Giga Guide Lines

And last, “Outline Alphabet.” I bought this set more for sentiments and scrapbook pages, but have seen a similar design several places and thought I’d give it a trip. Lining up the letters for the block takes the longest; after that the card goes quickly.

Hi
Cardstock: Hawaiian Shores & Select White (PTI); patterned paper: Green Boutique (PTI), Copic markers

Sad to say, I still have two sets left to use:  Fillable Frames #4 and Baby Button Bits, but with gardening and enjoying the holiday weekend, I simply ran out of time!

Happy Anniversary

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Today is Sarah and Adam’s fourth anniversary. It seems so hard to believe that their wedding was really four years ago. It was a beautiful day in every way. Here’s one of my favorite “out-takes.” The best part is four years later, they’re still having just as much fun with one another!

WeddingPhoto6x6w

And here’s the card I sent them. I hope they’ve received it before they see it here. It’s also the first card for a challenge on the Papertrey Ink forum to use stamp sets you own, but have never inked up. This uses the 2009 Anniversary Set which arrived over a month ago!

S&AAnniversarycard
Cardstock: Ripe Avocado (PTI); patterned paper: Quite Contrary (MME); stamps: Round and Round (PTI); mat stack 1 die (PTI), ribbon from stash, rhinestones (Kaisercraft)