Annie's Ponderings

Maggie Update

2011-07-30T07:15:00.003-05:00

A quick update. Maggie is on the mend. We are slowly weaning her off the meds and no shaking. A couple more weeks and she will be back to her normal peppy puppy self.

Thanks!

My little Maggie

2011-07-16T11:38:00.004-05:00

It has been a tough week for my sweet little Westie. We noticed that she was shaking. The best I can convey what was happening is to liken it to adult onset of Parkinson, where they have small tremors continually. I got on the Internet of course and started researching Westie health issues. The closest I could find was an ailment called White Dog Shaker Syndrome. Took her to the vet and Dr. Mike confirmed it.

This disorder develops suddenly in young adult, primarily small white dogs. The cause is unknown but generally speculated that there is some deficiency due to an autoimmune reaction. There is an all-over tremor that can range from mild to so severe that the dog may have difficulty walking. Luckily Maggie has mild tremors. The tremors do worsen however, when she became excited or tried to perform specific actions such as eating, walking towards an object, playing. At night when we went to bed and she relaxed the tremors would disappear. The condition is not painful but if untreated can cause seizures. If diagnosed early, the treatment is very effective and can totally eliminate the tremors.

We caught Maggie early and she is on Predizone now for a couple of weeks. Already the tremors have stopped. She is not the peppy puppy that she normally is because I suspect that the meds are making her uncomfortable. I remember how I felt when I had to go on Steriods for my back. She has been on the meds for a week and will keep her on them for another week. If she continues to do well, we can stop the meds next Friday.

I just hated seeing my sweet little girl go thru this, but very glad that it wasn't something more serious. Thanks for stopping by and letting me share.

Annie

A few more

2011-06-25T10:19:00.003-05:00

Most of these are done with some of the new stamps from Purple Onion Designs. Used Copic Markers to color all of them.

This one uses a mixture of stamps. DAD - Purple Onion, Tree - Eat Cake Graphics - Bear - Inky Antics.

As always, thanks for stopping by and visiting. I really do appreciate your comments.

Annie

Copic Certified Designer

2011-05-27T07:24:00.003-05:00

IT is offical. I am now Certified. I was able to participate in the Copic Certification Class yesterday in Eden Prairie with 30 other Copic addicts. Debbie Olsen and Lori Craig tag teamed the instruction and did an awesome job. For me it was a repeat of things I had already learned in Copic Classes, but Debbie and Lori did such a great job presenting the information that I was totally engaged for the entire day. The plan now is to take the intermediate class when they offer it sometime in Sept.

Thanks for stopping by.

Stampers Sampler

2011-05-09T15:02:00.013-05:00

Awhile back I did some cards using Purple Onion Designs Birthday Note Block. I drew up the cake so that there was nothing else stamped but what I could pull from the Note Block. I submitted the cards to Stamper's Sampler for their Different Point of View section and was thrilled to find out that they had picked them up. I have put the pictures from the magazine as well as pictures of the cards themselves for you to see.

Thanks for stopping by. I always appreciate it.

Been Awhile

2011-05-09T14:33:00.006-05:00

I have been a busy gal, just not in the crafting department. Took a little trip to Minsk, Belarus and Chennai, India in April for my new job. Did both countries in 8 days. It was a great experience and I enjoyed seeing both countries. Didn't get much done in April. So I am posting a few things I did at some point recently. Some of my most recent work is out on Eat Cake Graphics Techniques Blog.

This cards was done for card club. I got the stamps at a place up in St. Cloud. I love that chicken. It is by Whipper Snapper. The Whatever is a Unity Stamp. The fence is Martha Stewart Halloween fence but I cut the little bats off.

This was a thank you I did for a wonderful friend who sent me a little present in the mail. The Thank you is Purple Onion Design. Flowers are from assorted vendors. This was really pretty IRL. Picture is not so great.

This is another card club card. The Note Block is Purple Onion Design. I love the background paper from The Angel Company.

I did a card for Eat Cake Graphics Blog using this chair and cat and liked the design so much that I decided to use it again for a birthday card. So I add the present and the hat for the cat. Smile is Purple Onion Design.

As always, thanks for stopping by.

A little Valentine

2011-02-19T17:54:00.006-06:00

This was done for my MIL. I wanted to show you this because of the flowers. I colored them with a copic marker so that they matched the cardstock exactly. A nice effect. The flowers were plain white mulberry. Thanks for stopping by.

Some Putzing

2011-02-05T21:52:00.004-06:00

My sister-in-law just completed her PhD. Sent her this to celebrate that. All stamps are Purple Onion Design.

I loved this stamp of the bears butt and the cute saying that went with it. Tina's Dad is in the hospital so I did this to let him know that I was thinking of him. The card folds up so that it can be mailed flat. Thank you Miss Julie for this great template. Stamps are Inky Antics and I colored with Copics.

Did this card for card club. This was one of the left overs. I love the background paper from The Angel Company. The stamp is Purple Onion Designs.

This last card was just some putzing around. I covered a page from an old book with gesson and then inked edges with Distress Ink. All of the stamps are Purple Onion Design.

Thanks for stopping by. It is always appreciated.

Maggie Mae Update

2011-01-15T08:55:00.005-06:00

We have had Maggie for a little over a year now. She is all grown up and is very much a part of our family now. Definitely a terrier, however.

Thought you might like to see a couple of pictures.

Thanks for stopping by.

Some work with Eat Cake Graphic Stamps.

2011-01-08T10:37:00.005-06:00

I have loved ECG stamps for many years and now I get to have some more fun with them as a member of the Design Team. I did these two thank you cards recently. I colored with Copics. The last two were done for Christmas and were also colored with Copics. I took a beginner class on how to use these markers and it was well worth it. They are amazing and I think ECG stamps look amazing when you use the Copics to color. I also used embossing folders to complete. Thanks for stopping by.

Feeling Creative and Doing some LIfting

2011-01-08T10:11:00.017-06:00

I love Purple Onion Designs Stamps and these blocks are so much fun to use. I borrowed the idea from a card I had seen on the POD blog. I drew the cupcake on paper and cut out. It is covered with diamond dust.

The card below is also a lift from the POD blog. I loved the simplicity of the design. So what do I do, I go and add a bunch of stuff. No stamping on this one. All die cuts.

These two cards are done with Copic Markers. I stamped the image in a very neutral color and then used the markers to add the color. The detail was then drawn in with a black marker.

Some more POD stamps. These are my design tho. For a variation, I applied Gesso to a piece of an old book paper and then added some distressed ink.

Christmas Cards

2011-01-08T09:48:00.016-06:00

Finally getting around to posting some of the cards I did for Christmas as well as an ornament. I will start with this ornament. I had bought these stars last year and they sat in a box. Took them out this year, spray painted them with a clear glitter paint. The inside is some sparkly ribbon bunched up. I added beads and wire and a bow. Did them in red, green, blue and silver.

This card uses spray watercolor wash for the background. I embossed the snowflake in clear, then sprayed on the watercolor wash. Let dry and then ironed off the embossing powder.

This next card is done with a Unity Stamp I found at Archivers. I restamped the tree and the bird and tree and cut them out applied over the image. The background is a snowflake embossing plate. The die cut is done using 1 x 1 squares of coordinating paper and then glued down and cut out.

I bought this fun sentiment stamp quite some time ago looking for a fruit cake to go with it. Just ended up drawing my interpretation of a fruit cake.

The last card is colored with Copic and uses up some old Basic Grey Christmas paper.

Tina's Dad

2010-12-20T20:47:00.002-06:00

Wishing him a very speedy recovery. Sent him this card. Hope that he and Tina's Mom are all better for Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Annie

A couple of projects I have finished

2010-11-13T13:24:00.011-06:00

I am not the best photographer or even scanner person, so I am not really happy with how these are showing, but I wanted to share with you a couple of things I have done recently using Eat Cake Graphic stamps.

This first piece, the windows, stairs, word bubble and the little girl are all ECG stamps. I drew in the house, the door and the sidewalk. Colored with Copics.

Everything is an ECG stamp except for the moon. Again I colored using Copic Markers. I added a little glitter around the wand to make it look magical.

I got the card design her from my friend Julie at our hostess club. She comes up with the best ideas. I love the ECG flowers stamps. I use these alot. I colored with Copics matching the ink to the colors in the paper choices.

This shows what the pull out looks like.

Tried to make a gift card holder with this one. I am thinking the paper is overpowering but I do like the design. Used Copics.

Inside showing where the gift card goes.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs

Annie

Rubber Stamp Madness

2010-11-13T12:28:00.010-06:00

This is the lastest edition of Rubber Stamp Madness with a piece of my work as the cover. I had sent this in some time ago and they asked me if they could hang on to it for use at a later date. I was so excited when they called and asked me if they could use it for the cover of the holiday issue. The editor of this publication, along with the staff, are the nicest group to work with. Thankyou so much for publishing my work.

I also have a couple of cards in this issue under the Alice in Rubberland section.

This first piece is all stamping using colored pencils.

These two pieces use stamps for the main subject but I drew in the cake and the packages. I used watercolor pencils on these. The Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum was not selected but I wanted you to see it cause I like it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Annie

I'm So Excited, I Just Can't Hide It....

2010-10-23T08:18:00.011-05:00

Ok so I am stuck in the 80's but I do have some new news. Are you ready?

I am going to be a member of my most favorite stamp company's design team - EAT CAKE GRAPHICS. You know how I love these stamps. I have been using them for years and have tons of them. So I am pretty dang excited and very honored to have been chosen.

I just hope that I can do some worthy putzing. So please stop by //http://www.eatcakegraphics.com/ and take a look at all the wonderful stamps. There is also a technique site with some additional eye candy.

And don't forget to stop by here to see if I am up to the challenge. I have my thinking cap on and I am ready to go.

Hugs,
Annie

Here's Maggie

2010-09-14T07:33:00.003-05:00

Here is the great white huntress. She loves to hop on toads and run down mice. Before she goes to bed, we have to go outside and remove all the toads from her yard. She finds them and I scoop them up and toss them into the neighbors yard. Hard to believe she is almost a year old. She was born in Oct. Works perfectly, because both Mike and I have October birthdays. I think a party is in order this year for sure.
Thanks for stopping by.
Annie

A Little Lift

2010-09-11T07:59:00.004-05:00

I saw a card that used the background that you see here and really liked it. Want to try it and put my own spin on it. The colors don't really show up as nice as they look in real life. These cards went to two very wonderful friends for their birthdays.

The squares are made using a template and sponging colors in. I stamped the flowers and the sentiments over the colors. The rest were stamped, colored with copics and then cut out and attached.

Stamps - Sentiment Stampers Anonymous, Flower - Penny Black, Butterfly - Savvy, Presents - Paper Artsy, Little Girl - Unknown. Hat - Lost Coast Stamps.
Thanks for stopping by.
Annie

A couple more

2010-09-04T16:10:00.007-05:00

Here are a few more.
Whippersnapper Stamp. Colored with Copics.

Stamping Up Sentiment, Tree is Memory Box.

Car is Art Impression. Colored with Copics. Sentiment is River City Rubber Works. Person inside the car is the person that the card will go to.

Thanks for stopping by.

Annie

Oh to be creatin' agian

2010-08-28T08:37:00.004-05:00

This was done for one of the guys at work. Him and his wife just had their first baby. I borrowed the template from my friend Julie. Very easy and quick baby card.

This card was done for my friend Suzie for a belated birthday wish. The dog stamp is Whipper Snapper and the sentiment is Stampers Anonymous. Colored with Copics.

I love this centipede from Whipper Snapper. I stamped him and cut him out so he is mounted on the card with foam thingies. The Live it Up and Happy Birthday are Hero Arts Stamps that my adorable friend Tina sent to me. I drew the cake. Used copics to color. I like copics. Decided to take a class to really learn how to use them.

My funny centipede again. Made this card for a gal at work who had knee surgery. ISH.

The only stamping here is the heart and the For Me which are both from Purple Onion Designs. I free handed the rest. Colored with copics. The card went to one of the gals on my team at work. We both love pie and basset hounds.

This card went to our elderly lady friend for her 86 birthday. I forgot who makes the butterfly stamp and I am being rather lazy cause I am not going to get up and walk over to where I have it on a shelf and look. Birthday sentiment is Purple Onion Designs. I also used on of the embossing templates for the flowers on the brown cardstock. I kinda like that look.

This card was one I did for card club. I bought the CRS stamp ages ago and this is the first time I have ever used it. Tina sent me the cute chickie. I liked the design of the butterfly card above so I used up the paper to make 12 of these.

I was experimenting with the technique that the gal at Split Coast Stampers does with the brayer and post it notes. I was pleased with this card until I tried to draw in that road. Hmmmm. The sentiment is Purple Onion Designs and one of my favorites.

This last card went to a gal I work with. I love the simple clean look of this one. I am actually thinking I might adapt for one of my Christmas card designs. The sentiments are Hero Arts.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a gander at my stuff.

Annie

Mike's New Toy

2010-08-28T08:33:00.004-05:00

After the accident last year that totalled Mike's bike, he decided to go in another direction. This is a Yamaha touring bike. Looks more like a crotch rocket on steroids to me. He is happy. That makes me happy. Go ride.

Thanks for stopping by.
Annie

Oh The Cutest Puppy in the World...

2010-07-23T22:49:00.006-05:00

Belongs to me. I know you are probably sick to death of seeing cute puppy pictures and hearing about how much I love my puppy but dang, she is just so stinkin cute. She makes me laugh.

I promise the next post will be about something other than Maggie Mae.

Thanks for stopping by.
Annie

Part Two of the Story

2010-07-17T07:43:00.002-05:00

My faith in people has been renewed. The Mother in the story that I posted below sent a note to our local paper to thank Mike and his co-workers and to let them know how much they were appreciated. I think that was a very nice thing for her to do.

Thanks for stopping by.

Annie

Just a Story

2010-06-27T07:38:00.004-05:00

Most of the time, my husband who works for a city here in Minnesota, gets to be the brunt of alot of lazy city worker jokes. In the city where he works, they don't have enough guys to be lazy. I know they work really hard. The sad part is that they get very little recognition for the great stuff that they do. So I am going to recognize my husband here.

The other day at work, Mike and one of his co-workers were doing some work on one the roads in town. They happen to notice a large black dog under a tree in one of the yards. During the day, family members would come out to the dog bringing it water. They would sit with the dog and pet him.

Later that day, Mike noticed that the Grandma was covering the dog up. It was apparent that the dog had passed on. Then the father brings out a large box and put the dog in the box and then proceeds to dig a hole in the yard. The family gathered around the grave site and held a little service. During the service, Mike and his co-worker stopped the noisy work that they were doing and gave the family a moment of silence.

The next day when Mike returned to finish up the work that they were doing on the road. He felt a touch on his arm. It was the Mom of the family that had lost their dog. She wanted to thank Mike and John for their respect while the family buried a much loved pet. It had meant a great deal to them. Their sweet lab had been diagnosed with cancer a week ago and it was quite devastating to the entire family.

I get so mad at my husband sometimes that I wonder what was I thinking when I married him 33 years ago. And then I remember why when he tells me about this family and his response to their grief.

The city workers in this town are really unsung heroes. They are there when things need to be done, they keep the city up and working. My husband has been shot at while snowplowing, cursed at while doing his job, barked at by the many dogs in the city and made fun by alot of people. But when it comes down to it, him and the other guys at the city shop deserve a heartfelt thanks from the citizens they serve.

Thanks for stopping by.
Annie

A Maggie Happy Birthday

2010-05-02T08:16:00.003-05:00

Can you tell I just love my puppy? Thanks again to Kim Niles for her wonderful image. I borrowed it. The cake is out of my imagination. Both are hand drawn and then watercolored. The Happy Birthday is Hero Arts and thanks to my dear friend Tina for the set. This card is going to a wonderful friend for her birthday.

Thanks for stopping by.

Annie

A Maggie Card

2010-04-25T07:46:00.002-05:00

Wish I could tell you that I drew this image out of my own imagination but I didn't. I found the image by Kim Niles and just loved it so I copied it the best I could. It is watercolored. The alpha is Purple Onion Design. Thank you Kim for your imagination.

Thanks for stopping by

Annie

More Maggie

2010-04-10T08:51:00.003-05:00

Can you tell that I just love my puppy? She is really growing. Maggie is now 5 months old. Time is just flying. She loves to be outside now that the snow is all gone. When it started melting, she wasn't sure what the deal was and would only walk where the snow remained. Silly pup.

Thanks for stopping by.

A Note From Minnesota

2010-03-21T08:04:00.004-05:00

My friend Barb send me this great sentiment stamp. I needed to make a couple of thank you cards right about the same time I got some darling new stamps from Eat Cake Graphics. I put two and two together and these are the end results. These are done with watercolors on watercolor paper. Thanks for stopping by.

Annie

Oh my Maggie Mae

2010-03-20T10:25:00.003-05:00

A couple of new pictures of my Maggie Mae. She is really growing. Her personality is really coming out. I just love my puppy. The second picture was snapped right after the frist one. For some reason she decided that she needed to give Mike the what for. What he did to deserve the what for? Who knows.

Thanks for stopping by!

Annie

Spring Mingle Tag

2010-03-20T10:21:00.004-05:00

This is not the greatest picture. I was in a hurry. The flowers are handmade. I took pages from an old book and covered with ink. Then I stamped images all over them. I punched out circles and then trimmed the circles. The paper was then crumpled and then stacked to produce the layers. The middles are just old book pages that have been crumpled. The quote stamp is one by Tim Holtz. I also used floss for the vines. The final touch was to add some bling with beads. Thanks for looking.
Annie

Good bye Dear Friend

2010-01-30T08:17:00.005-06:00

Yesterday I had to say goodbye to my dear sweet Scoutie. After we brought little Maggie Mae home, she started getting sick. I thought it was an upset stomach because she was not happy about the puppy, but it kept getting worse. Called the vet and they gave her some medicine for the stomach. It settled her stomach but she still wasn't eating or drinking much and she was getting weaker and weaker to the point where she was no longer able to walk by herself. We took her to the vet on Monday and they did blood work. The results confirmed that my sweet girl was dying. Scout came to us 10 years ago as a rescue and we loved her from the first moment we met her. Scout would of been 14 years old in June. Wheaten Terriers normal life span is 12 to 13 years. So I know she had a good long life. Doesn't make losing her any easier but I do know that we made the best decision. There was nothing that could be done for her and I just couldn't let her suffer. I take comfort that it was a peaceful passing and she was in my arms when she went to sleep.

Goodbye My Scoutie Girl. You were my bestest friend and I loved you muchly.

Annie

Oh Maggie

2010-01-27T21:50:00.004-06:00

She is growing so fast. Now 12 weeks old, she is filling out and her personality is coming thru. Maggie is a smart little cookie. She knows her name, she will fetch a ball and then return it to me and drop in my hand. She sits. She comes when you call her and she is such a treat ho. She will fall all over you for a treat. I think she is a piglet disguised as a puppy.

Thanks for stopping by.

MarthaAnneKnits

2010-01-24T17:13:00.002-06:00

The Etsy shop is finally open. I still have alot of work to do on it and a ton more items to photograph and get loaded.

The shop was created so that my Mom could sell all the little baby items she has made. I will put some of my hats there eventually.

Please check us out at MarthaAnneKnits.etsy.com and tell me what I need to improve on.

Thanks
Annie

A very cute puppy

2010-01-09T17:49:00.003-06:00

Isn't this a cute puppy? Finally got a decent picture of her. She was getting ready for a nap with her Daddy.

Thanks for stopping by.

Meet Maggie Mae Frazer

2010-01-04T20:28:00.007-06:00

This little cutie became part of the our family on Dec 30. Her name is Maggie Mae. Maggie is a West Highland Terrier. She is almost 9 weeks old and weights 4.5 pounds. She has only been part of our family less than a week and we absolutely adore her. Well most of us do.

Even tho it looks like Maggie and Scout, our 13 year old Wheaton Terrier are great friends, Maggie loves Scout much more than Scout loves Maggie. Scout has been extremely patient with the new puppy. I am very proud of her.

Thanks for stopping by.
Annie

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

2009-12-13T11:19:00.003-06:00

I totally lifted this from Eat Cake Graphics (Holly). I loved the design. I thought it was a perfect card. I did change the sentiment (Purple Onion Designs). So this is one of my Christmas cards this year. The reason I am lifting is that I am running out of time and ideas.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season.

Winston

2009-12-13T11:15:00.003-06:00

This little fellow is my attempt to take a picture of a dog and needle felt a like image. The owner says that it looks like Winston and was thrilled when I gave it to her. I didn't see it but I was pleased with the way it turned out. Winston is a Jack Russell Terrier. I do think this looks like a Jack Russell.
Thanks for stopping by.

Cover Girl

2009-12-04T09:11:00.008-06:00

Well I will be a Monkey's Uncle or maybe that should be Monkey's Aunt. Anyway. I was pretty excited to find out that some cards that I had submitted to Stamper's Sampler were being published. I was totally blown away when I found out that those cards were gracing the cover. DANG. The stamps I used are Paper Artsy, Squiggly Ink. Some very fun stamps to work with. I incorporated some hand drawn images amoung the stamped images and then watercolored. It felt so good to be creative.

Thanks for stopping in.

Filmore

2009-12-04T09:02:00.007-06:00

I just learned how to do needle felting. Been putting it for almost a year. Why you ask? Good question and I don't have a good answer. Guess I just needed someone to show me how to do it. I read lots of articles and watched some videos but it took a friend actually sitting with me and showing me to get me hooked.

Filmore here (see picture below) is a thank you to a wonderful person - Holly. She is the owner of Eat Cake Graphic stamps. As you know, ECG is one of my all time favorite stamp companies. Filmore is one of the stamps that I love the most. I thought it would be fun to see Filmore in 3D. Now he has a home on her mantle.

Here is a picture of the stamp that I modeled my needle felting bear after. It has been awhile since I posted anything. Sorry about that. Thanks for stopping by.

BOO!!!

2009-09-12T08:40:00.003-05:00

Participated in a Halloween Mingle. Unfortunately it happened right during the time when I was down and out due to a motorcycle accident. Hurt my left arm and that limited me for awhile, made it hard for me to work. Plus my muse must of gotten bounced out of me when I hit the ground cause I have had no creative thoughts since then. So the piece that I made (above) is kinda crappy. I painted three pieces of canvas with an acrylic wash. The ghost, cat and pumpkin were hand drawn on a pieces of a book page that I covered with gesso and then painted with acrylic paint. Added some stars and die cut Happy Halloween. Finished up with a clear coat of Modge Podge. Drilled holes in each of the canvas pieces and attached together with wire.

Below is the piece that I received from Kris. It is absolutely fabulous. I love it. Put it right up on my wall in my craft room after I took the picture. Which by the way doesn't do the piece justice. I think that Kris did an amazing job on this. Thank you so much Kris.

Thanks for stopping by. Sorry there is much to see here. Hopefully I can get my groove back soon.

Annie

Thank you Lisa Kraus

2009-07-19T21:12:00.003-05:00

I love Lisa's Tinnies. I love her artwork. She has such a great style. This painting is a lift from a piece that she did. I did change it, didn't want to totally copy it. So I tired to make it my own. I drew the cake and painted with acrylics. The little doll is a Dingle Doll paper doll. The crown is Lost Cost Designs, painted with acrylic and then added some bling. Birthday stuff should always have bling. I stamped the Happy Birthday and then applied a wash of acrylics to it. I will be sending this to a lovely gal for her birthday.

Thanks for stopping by.
Annie

Home is where the Heart is

2009-07-19T10:38:00.003-05:00

I needed a card for an Open House today. Some friends of ours bought a house here in Cottage Grove. We are going over to see the house this afternoon. I again copied the images from Paper Artsy. I am in total love with these images. I painted old book pages with gesso - been having fun with this. I stamped the heart and the line across the grass. The sun is drawn on the watercolor paper and the house and bushes are drawn on an old book page. I watercolored everything. The alpha is suppose to look like labels from a Dymo Label Maker. I am not sure about the little flowers. They were a last minute thought or I would have drawn some in.

Thanks for stopping by.

Annie

Branching Out

2009-07-19T07:44:00.008-05:00

I have want to try painting with acrylics. I have done a couple of things but it was always over a stamped image, nothing that I actually drew myself. Went to Dick Blick's the other day and they had a pack of small canvas boards on sale. Decided it was time to take the plunge and give it a whirl.
I did copy the images (the trees and the scroll) from some new stamps that I got from Paper Artsy - Squiggly Ink. I drew them instead of stamping them because I really wanted the images to be bigger. I changed them around a bit so they aren't exact copies of the images. I also drew the star. The Merry Christmas is a stamp and was stamped on an old book page that I covered with gesso, then did a light wash of brown.
This one started out as a forest scene and ended up as Christmas some how or another. Just kinda fit. Not really pleased with the outcome. I haven't figured out how to include shadows appropriately with the paint. It kinda reminds me of something that a 2nd grader would do but not as good.
The part I do like is the snow under the trees. I used Diamond Dust. It gives it a sparkle. That turned out kinda cool.

This second was a a bit more work. Lots of little areas to paint. Again, I used images from the Squiggly Ink Stamps as inspiration. I did a little better with depth here. I went back and added black shadows. I haven't figured out how to blend the paints well enough and I have limited colors so the shading needs work. To finish this up, I did a very light wash of a brown color hoping to create an affect of aging. It didn't really work as well as I wanted. It just muddy the blue sky.
I do love the little lady bug. She turned out cute. I didn't have any silver for her wings so she got gold wings. She is a very special lady bug, which is why she has her own house.
Trying to keep my hands steady enough to do the small details in black was interesting. Thankfully I had a really really tiny paintbrush. That helped.
This one turned out a little better and I am encouraged to try again. I still want to take a couple of classes. Just haven't found any near my house. I will keep on practicing.
Thanks for stopping by - Annie

A lazy Sunday

2009-07-12T18:54:00.012-05:00

Today was a lazy Sunday. I didn't do anything constructive. I was suppose to do some house cleaning, which I didn't. I did take a little nap. So here it is 7:00 pm and I am still in my jammies. What a great way to spend a Sunday. The only thing I got accomplished today was a couple of cards. This first one is just me putzing around. I didn't stamp anything on this one. Hand drew everything and then watercolored. The scalloped edge is some left over book pages that I had covered with a watered down gesso.
This card I am going to send to a great friend for her birthday. I lifted it from a lift that I did earlier. Changed it around a bit. The alpha, Purple Onion Design, is the only thing that is stamped. This one is watercolored also using watercolor pencils. I had forgotten that I had a really nice set of those. I have been using watercolor crayons. Same deal here for the scalloped edge, used some left over painted book pages.

This card is for a monthly image swap. You get sent an image and make a card using that image. I colored the image with pencils. The background is watercolored. The flowers are tiny little prima's I think. I always have an image of an outhouse with those tall flowers next to them. Sitting here trying to think of the name of the flower. It will come to me after I have finished typing here. Isn't that always the way.

Thanks for stopping by.

Annie

A New Home

2009-06-28T11:04:00.005-05:00

Not for me, but for a dear friend. They just purchased a second home in Florida. It was something they had wanted to do for quite awhile. It is a beautiful home. To make this card, I used watered down Gesso on book pages. Most of the elements on the card were hand drawn and then painted with watercolor over the Gesson. Tried to capture the house. Not the best job. The tree is a die cut. The alpha is Sixxix, Girls are Weird.

Thanks for stopping by.

Some Fun with Flowers

2009-06-27T21:36:00.008-05:00

It has been awhile since I posted anything here. No good excuse, just haven't done anything that I felt was worth sharing.

Finally got a chance this weekend to do some putzing. I had a couple of cards to make. This first one, is for my youngest sister. Wanted to say hello.

The only stamping is the Believe. Made the little center for the flower with Shrinky Dink stuff. The alphabet (Olivia), the leaves and the grass are all Quickutz. The little lady bug is Heidi Grace. Thank you Cheryl for thinking of me and sending me the rubons. They are adorable.

The green and orange paper is some of the new 3M post it notes papers. They are really cool. Work great for die cuts.

This second card was just to play. I got the flower at a stamping show I went to in May. The little lady bug is from the Heidi Grace rubons.

Used Quickutz for the leaves and the grass. I also used the 3M post it notes paper on this one.

Hopefully, I can do some more putzing tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by. It is always appreciated.

Hugs

Annie

DANG - I found some time to make some cards.

2009-05-23T08:46:00.014-05:00

Work has been my life and I never seem to find any time to really sit and make any cards. Found some time yesterday to get a couple of cards done. Have a few birthdays and a graduation that I needed to make some cards for. I was suppose to be on vacation yesterday but ended up working 8 hours of my time off. Somehow that just doesn't seem right. But during some of the conference calls that I had, was able to putz around and get some of the cards done. It was great.

This card I made for Cathy's sister-in-law. I am hoping that it will make her smile. She has cancer. I used my nestabilities to make the frame. The stamp is one of those wonderful kids sayings from Inkadinkado. I have a bunch of these now and just love them. The little girl is Eat Cake Graphics and I colored her with pencils. The background paper is Basic Grey.

Made this card for my nephew's graduation. I finally broke down and bought some of those Cuttlebug Embossing thingies. I found some paper at a stamping show last weekend that has a colored core. Works very well for a light sanding. The stars are Purple Onion Designs and I just rolled up a bit of scrap paper for the diploma. This was an easy card.

This card is for my adopted Dad. He is actually Tina's Dad but I love her parents so much that I have kinda adopted them as my second set of parents. I often tell Tina that they like me better than her. The alpha is Purple Onion Designs and the hand is - hmmmmm - I can't remember. I think Tina gave it to me. I just punched out squares and stamped on them. Happy Birthday Dad!!!

This card is for one of the gals that works for me. I have made her several cards with Basset Hounds. She has four of them and is very involved in Basset Rescue. I found this awesome picture on the Internet. The stamp is another one of the Inkadinkado Kids Sayings. I used a Sizzix die for the background. The package is Purple Onion Designs. The balloons I cut out from the background paper.

Thanks for stopping by - as always it is greatly appreciated.

Hugs

Annie

A Normal Card

2009-05-12T20:26:00.007-05:00

Well I tired to do a normal card. You know what I mean. If you look at the cards I have posted recently they are more on the humor, fun and quirky side. Haven't done a normal card for quite some time. I think I need some practice.

I have no clue who makes the tulip stamp. Got it in a swap. Stamped with white ink on black paper and then colored with pencils. I really like this look. The Birthday Wishes is Purple Onion Design.

This was made for one of the gals that works for me. She lives in New Mexico.

Coloring on white ink stamped on black cardstock is super easy. I used Primsacolor pencils and just added the color directly over the ink. I started with the lightest shades first and then added the highlight colors, finishing off with the darkest shades last. Make sure that the ink is completely dry. I found that Stampin Up Whisper White Craft Ink works the best.

Thanks for stopping by. I really do appreciate it.

HBD

2009-05-11T06:50:00.003-05:00

Happy Birth Day. Found a few minutes this weekend to finish up a card that needs to go in the mail this week. It seems harder and harder to find those few minutes anymore to sit and be creative. I am trying to figure out why my life has gotten so busy lately. No luck with that yet. For this card, I did some masking and colored with Copics. The stamps are Purple Onion Designs (confetti and cupcake) Eat Cake Graphics (the three puppies) and Leave Memories (the alphabet). Did a little glitter accent on the confetti and the candle flame. Rounded the corners with a Zutter corner rounded, thank you most kindly Ms. Tina. I really like this tool.

Thanks for stopping by.

2009-05-03T19:47:00.003-05:00

Tommorow is National Scrapbook Day and Purple Onion Designs has a little sale planned. This is the first time POD has ever offered this sale. Get ready...40% off ALL alphabets. Also included are few other stamps that are great for scrapping. These additional stamps are 40% - 60% off. You can view all the sale here.

Check it out. You can't go wrong with these stamps.

Baby Hats

2009-04-05T08:50:00.004-05:00

I have completed quite a few baby hats recently waiting for Spring to arrive. Really have to decide what to do with them. I have been thinking about starting an Etsy shop. It would be nice to at least cover the cost of the yarns. The problem is that I buy expensive yarns and have no clue if people would pay 20 dollars or more for these hats. That is what I would need to get in order to cover my costs. This little hat is made from Cashmere and the fringe has a silver strand running thru it. I suppose I should back away from the more expensive yarns but they are just so nice to knit with. Recently I found this great yarn - BabyBoo. It is made from Bamboo. What a great product and the colors are so fun. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for stopping by.

Beep Beep

2009-03-15T08:09:00.004-05:00

I found these little buildings at Archivers and thought they would be perfect for my little robot to climb over. I am not quite sure what beep beep means in robotese yet, will figure that out. I am doing this card for my Card Club group. I had to fill in the scene with the tree, sidewalk and fire hydrant. I colored with Copics. The robot is part of a stamp set by Stampendous, the buildings are by Clear Stamps, and the alphabet is Purple Onion Designs. One down only 11 more more to go.

I am doing a monthly ATC swap. The theme for March was By the Sea. Well, I just can't leave well enough alone and do a proper sea theme. I love this little monkey. He is just perfect for a "Sea Monkey". The stamp is a design from Deadbeat. The alphabet is Hampton Arts and the rest is hand drawn by me. Used copic markers to color.

Thanks for stopping by. I do appreciate it.

Sweater in a Weekend - Kinda Sorta

2009-03-07T06:34:00.005-06:00

I made two resolutions this year. One was to be a kinder, gentler person (especially at work) and the other was to really learn to knit. I have been taking classes for the knitting. This is working really well, the other resolution - well that is another story for another day.
I love sitting and knitting with others who are at the same skill level that I am. So I took a huge step and signed up for a class where you can complete a sweater in a weekend.
You can if you do nothing but knit. We started the class, Friday at 6:00 pm and knitted until 9:30. Got up Saturday morning, knitted some more, then headed back to the store and knitted until 5:00pm. Came home and knitted some more. Started knitting again on Sunday, left for the store at 12:30 and knitted until I got everything done but one sleeve. My hands were tired by Sunday afternoon.
The gals in the class were awesome. There were four of us and the instructor. Took turns bringing in treats to snack on. Talked about everything. Had a blast. A wonderful relaxing way to spend a weekend.
Here is a picture of the finished product. I did finish the sleeve by the next weekend. It is a very bulky yarn and a heavy sweater, perfect for Minnesota weather. Now if I can just figure out how to adapt the pattern for a baby sweater.

And the results are....

2009-02-21T19:14:00.003-06:00

I had my stress test and echocardiogram on Thursday. The results were good. There was no damage to my heart. The MD said that things looked pretty good. He was very concerned about the level of stress and the jump in my blood pressure and recommended that I go get my self a new pair of walking shoes and do some power walking. I am not going to have to take any medication for the blood pressure at this time. He wants me to watch that and if it continues to go up, then we can look at what is needed.

I was so relieved. Thank you for your well wishes and good thoughts. They really helped.

Off to my knitting class. Going to knit a sweater in a weekend.

Got Heart?

2009-02-11T09:04:00.005-06:00

Life can really throw you a curve when you least expect it and cause you to lose heart. This is what happened to me.

Work has been really stressful lately and I am not handling it well. Recently, I have been experiencing chest pains. I wasn't worried because 14 years ago, I was diagnosed with a problem that affects, what the MD said was the electrical wiring in my heart. It is like the wiring is crossed or short circuited. This creates an additional beat in my heart. When stressed or I have had to much caffeine, I also get a wobble. I have been able to control this for the most part over the years by limiting my caffeine and practicing relaxation techniques when I felt stressed.

The stress at work is so bad right now that I am not doing a good job with either of these things. The end result, the wobble is back, Blood pressure is elevated and I have been having chest pains that I am not able to stop, because I can't relax enough.

Last Friday, I came home with chest pains and tried to relax, hoping they would stop. They didn't, they kept getting worse. I was also experiencing dizziness. OK - no laughing here, it was more dizziness than my normal dizzy self. Asked Mike to take me to the ER to get checked out.

The good news in all of this is that I was not having heart attacks and there is no damage to my heart at this point. The bad news is that there is a problem in the left ventricle of my heart that is causing the chest pain and my heart to continue to wobble around quite severely in my chest.

I will be having a stress test and an electrocardiogram on Thursday, Feb 19 to figure out what is happening and what I am going to need to do to take care of this. I know that this is probably the end to my coffee habit. I am so going to miss that morning cup.

This whole experience has made me tired. But at least I know why my creative juices have dried up. Hard to be creative when you are just plain tired. Typically I don't share this kind of information about myself, especially on the Internet where anyone can read it. I do have a reason for deciding to do this now.

Life is to short to let people that you have no emotional attachment with get to you to the point that you suffer extreme stress. Work is necessary, but it is just a paycheck. There are more important things in your life and that is what you should focus on. Family is important, friends are important, being able to have a life outside of work that you enjoy is important. I let my work become the most important thing in my life to the extent that it has now caused me a health problem that will not go away easily.

My point here is to remind everyone that in these stressful and uncertain times, don't forget what is truly important in your life. Keep those things close to you. I don't know when I lost track of this, but I am back on track. I got heart.

It's been awhile but I am back

2009-01-24T07:56:00.009-06:00

The holidays and work have left me little time or energy to do much else recently. Yesterday when I was looking at my calendar, I noticed that I had missed two birthdays, one of which was my darling niece. I had picked up these fun sentiment stamps last weekend, which was good because I really wanted to use them.

I actually had a spurt of energy last night and a nano-second of creativity. Her card will go in the mail today. The sentiment is Inkadinkado, the cat is Eat Cake Graphics (Thank you very much Keri-Lou), the ice cream cone is Purple Onion Designs. I drew the balloon. Use Prismacolor pencils for the color. For Missy Eiren, the best part of this card will be the check inside. Happy Birthday darling girl. Sorry I am late - again.
This is the other sentiment that I bought last weekend. I had to use this little cat again, he is just so cute. The inside says, "I would give you all of my candy bar." This one will go to a very special friend.

I colored this one with Copic Markers. I drew what is suppose to look like a candy bar. Hmmmmm. Not sure that it actually looks like a candy bar but you get the drift. The sentiment is Inkadinkado and the cat is Eat Cake Graphics. I used a white gel pen to make the stitches.

I am headed to Anchor Paper today and would like to pick up a couple more of these sentiments. They are wood mounted. I would buy them all if they came unmounted. I am also going to have a nice cup of coffee with my friend Suzie today and catch up. It is so wonderful to have such lovely friends. Family is your rock, but friends are the flowers that grow around that rock and enrich your life. My rock had lots of wonderful flowers around it. My life is enriched.

Peace On Earth

2008-12-14T09:07:00.006-06:00

Still putzing. It is actually my favorite way to do cards. I love this little bear and use him alot. He is from Eat Cake Graphics. The Peace on Earth is from Purple Onion Designs. The Star is actually a snowflake and is by Hero Arts. The trees I drew. I like simple and this one was very simple. Thanks for stopping by.

Why I never get anything done

2008-12-13T09:46:00.004-06:00

I can't do anything in mass production mode. I putz to much with one card. I still have a bunch of cards to make and now I am in the one at a time mode. This takes for bloody ever. I wanted to do a card for a gal and her husband that we go on motorcycle rides with. Thought I could whip one out really fast but NOOOOO! This was done on glossy card stock using Stazon and then painted with dye ink reinkers. I had to draw the tree because that side of the card looked empty. I had to add the holly because I smeared the ink from the body of the motorcycle. The Alpha Stamps and Holly are Purple Onion Designs, which by the way is having a fabulous sale on stamps. Go check it out. The Frog is from Eat Cake Graphics. The Motorcycle is PSX. I drew the Santa hat on the frog. I am pleased with the final product. Now if I can just leave this one alone and more on to the next one.... I might get something done today. Thanks for stopping by. Warm Holiday Wished to you and yours.

2008-12-11T20:09:00.002-06:00

Ok, I lied. Ended up doing one more. A friend asked me to do one for her. So I did. But I swear this is the very last one until after Christmas shopping is done.

Thanks for stopping by.

More Baby Hats

2008-11-30T09:59:00.004-06:00

These are the last two I am going to do for awhile. They are for a set of twins, a girl and a boy, that were born a couple of weeks ago. I need to put down the knitting needles and take care of Christmas. Once that is done and out of the way, I will pick up the needles again. I found a class at the local knitting store that teaches you to read patterns. I am signing up for sure. Thanks for stopping by.

Thankfully Christmas comes but once a year

2008-11-29T21:52:00.027-06:00

If it came more than once a year, I would be in serious trouble. I never seem to get things done for this season on time. However, this year I am actually somewhat ahead of the game. Did some shopping on Black Friday, which is a new experience for me. I have a cards made and ready to mail out. Maybe I am someone else hiding in Annie's body.
This is one of the card designs I did this year. It was pretty quick and very easy with the stamp block from Purple Onion Designs. The paper is Basic Grey Wassail Collection. It was alot of cutting and taping but went pretty quick once I had all the pieces cut out.
I am not really a Christmas person. Scrooge would be a better adjective if you were describing me around Christmas. I do love to give gifts. That is probably the only part about Christmas I like.
I hate that this holiday has turned into a barometer of how the retail business' are doing. Just seems wrong when you think about the true meaning of Christmas. When did the season turn into a spending extravaganza?

This is the second design I did. Another putzy one. Lots of cutting and taping. I forget who made the Merry Christmas stamp. The package is Purple Onion Designs. The Santa is a Sizzix die. I put glitter on the hat. The paper is Basic Grey Wassail Collection. I used up a whole pad of the 6x6 for these two designs.

The ribbon on the package is colored with a Copic Marker as is the face of the Santa. One of the Ovals is a large punch, the other one had to be hand cut since I didn't have a larger oval punch.

Another part of the holiday season I like is making Christmas cards. I have a ton of holiday stamps too. They really make nice stamps for Christmas. Even though I already have a ton of stamps, I usually end up buying a few every year. This year I only bought two sets. I am really trying to keep to a no spending on craft stuff pledge that I made. I need to use what I have. And believe me, I have alot.

This is the third design that I did. It is all stamping. No paper cutting other than the mats. The Holiday Greetings Stamp is by Stampin Up. The tree is a Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection. I cut out a circle and then used a sponge to stamp the background. The trees were added afterward and I stamped off on a couple.

What you can't see is that I added some glitter to the branches. I used a glitter pen. I wanted the card to have some shimmer. I matted with two shades of blue. I think this one is my favorite. Since I tend to putz quite a bit when it comes to cards and I totally hate doing mass production. I am thankful that Christmas only comes once a year. I make about 80 cards. So far I have 60 done. The rest will be one of a kind for family, and for Mike's bosses. For some reason, I get volunteered every year to do those cards.

This is the last design. I loved the tree stamp, which is Memory Box. I borrowed the design from a card on their gallery. I changed it a wee bit by adding the star and the sentiment, which are both from Purple Onion Designs.

I used white and gold ink on this one and a gold mat behind the green card stock. A very simple design.

This is what I have done so far. I am also going to make some ornaments out of little tins. Haven't even started on those yet. Maybe tomorrow.

I still have to do something for the insides of all these cards. I will probably just print a nice festive sentiment and call it done.

Hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas. Thanks for stopping by.

Baby Hats

2008-11-23T08:27:00.014-06:00

There are times when I do more than sits and ponder. There are times when I sits and knits. I love knitting little baby hats. It is just about all I knit because for some reason, I have never gotten the knack of reading patterns. Some of the time I can look at the picture and reproduce, most of the time, I just make the design up as I go. I really should take a knitting class to learn how to at least read patterns.

I also knit when I am going through creative slumps. That really translates into, I have the lazies. No motivation to stamp or create something on paper. I am having a slump right now when I should be doing Christmas cards. Instead, I just sits and knits.

This first little hat went to a little gal in Colorado. I work with her Dad. I wanted it to look like a little raspberry but I think it looks more like an eggplant. Hmmmmm.

This is my friend Kim's little grandbaby Ella. It is really nice to see the hats on the little babies. And don't you just love the little boots she has on?
After I got done with this hat, I decided that because Kim likes daisies, that Miss Ella needed a daisy hat. So I did this one.
This next little hat is one that went to Miss Fiona Payne. I actually did two for her. This one was really easy. I just knitted and then threaded lots of ribbons through it. The first one I did looked way to big for a newborn, so I did one that she could wear now. Well back to knitting. Gotta get my next project done. I am working on little hats for a set of twins - a boy and a girl - born two weeks ago.

Thanks for stopping by!

Rubber Stamp Madness

2008-10-26T21:07:00.004-05:00

This piece was done for Rubber Stamp Madness' current issue for the theme Peace on Earth.

All stamps used are Eat Cake Graphics. I had to do alot of masking. I love the little bear. The front porch and grass had to be extended, so I drew in the rest.

I am rather pleased with the way it looks in the publication. Rubber Stamp Madness is probably my favorite stamping magazine. Probably because they don't have any scrapbooking stuff, and that they still explore techniques. To many have gone to just cards, and don't bother with any techniques. I like to learn.

It is sad that most of the publications that were strictly for stampers have folded or have started incorporating scrapbooking. I don't think they use the same techniques. So I would rather not see scrapbooking stuff in the stamping magazines. That is just my opinion. Don't have anything against scrapbooking. Just think there are already enough publications that showcase it and to few that are devoted entirely to stamping.

Thanks for stopping by and listening to me ponder on.

Arf Arf

2008-09-22T06:31:00.009-05:00

This was a fun card to make, even if I went a little overboard. The card was made for a gal on my team at work who is having surgery on her hand today. She lives in Oregon and I wanted her to know that I was thinking about her. She has 4 Basset Hounds and is a Basset Hound rescue mom.
The window and the bubble are Eat Cake Graphics. The flowers and the leaves on the tree are Purple Onion Design. The Arf is Picture Show. The curtains were made using one of the Fiskars boarder punches. The rest of the things on the card are cut from paper. The paper comes from a pack of K&Company Mat Pad that Peggy sent to me. Thank you so much Peggy.
I found the picture of the Basset on the Internet and printed him on a piece of transparency. This was a lot of putzing, even for me. I added some additional color to the paper with Copic Markers and a daub of Glossy accents to the middle of the flowers. For the inside, I am going to put "Translation - Thinking of you and hoping the surgery went well."
Hopefully this will cheer her up or give her a little smile this week. While looking at Basset Hound pictures, I found this cute little saying, "If it is not a Basset Hound, it is just a dog." Isn't that really cute? Bassets are pretty special dogs, but then I think that all dogs are pretty special. I absolutely love my dog. She is a very special part of our family. I am allergic to animals and as long as I keep a dog in my house, I can exist. What scares me is that if we don't get another dog after Scout leaves us, I won't be able to have another dog. Mike says NO MORE DOGS. We will just have to see. You know how that goes. The hubby can say whatever he wants and I will do what ever I want.
Thanks for stopping in. Hope you have a great day.

To Lady Bug or Not to Lady Bug, That is the question.

2008-09-12T06:47:00.008-05:00

I think this card needs something else. But what? Perhaps a little ladybug somewhere? The red and black will go well with the colors.

The flower is hand drawn. The sentiment is Purple Onion Design. I used watercolors for the flower.

I like the colors. Kinda fall and yet still bright and summery. Not really a birthday theme but what the hey. I wanted to do something different. Something I didn't lift from someone else or even myself. I am mildly please with the end results. Mainly because I like the colors.

A Pondering: I love color. I am adventurous with color when it comes to using it on cards. In my life, however, I tend to stick more to the earth tones. I very seldom buy colors that are not in my Fall palette. I had my colors done years ago and they said I was an Fall. I really liked the Summer colors better, because I like Summer much better than Fall. In the house, mostly neutrals. Probably from watching to much HGTV Designed to Sell and hearing that those are the best to use if you are going to sell. I am not going to sell my house, but they do seemed to work. The only place where I broke out of the neutral colors was in the bathroom and there I went with a very bright banana yellow. I guess you could almost call it a Pee Yellow, but banana just sounds better. Didn't really think the whole color thing through when I was pondering on it.

Lifting from myself

2008-09-06T07:26:00.004-05:00

Well it is has come to this. I am lifting ideas from myself. I wanted this card to be special. However, I was having some serious lack of imagination. The card is to go to a very special person and I wanted to do something really groovy. Deep sigh. I like the card, don't get me wrong. But I have done this design several times before. A couple of things have changed, but it is still the same basic design. I suppose the way I need to look at this is that if it is a decent design and it works nothing wrong with using it again.
The majority of the stamps are from two companies that I just love to pieces - Eat Cake Graphics and Purple Onion Designs. I don't know if you have noticed, but I tend to use stamps from these companies on most all of my work. I did alot of masking on this card and it is colored with pencils. I had to draw in the little bird and the tree. The area for the sentiment was to small to use stamps so I just printed the sentiment. I also had to pare down the little hat. The stamp is actually much bigger.
Well I have a couple of cards that I want to work on today and I am hoping that I can come up with a new design. I was pondering the other day about why I don't seem to be able to come up with new ideas. I let all of my magazine subscriptions expire except for one - Rubber Stamp Madness. (Speaking of which, in the next issue, I have a little Christmas piece in it). I use to get lots of magazines and I am wondering if not having something to look to spark ideas is part of the problem. I would see something I liked, which would give me thoughts about how to change it or use part of it or something. Since I am home alone this weekend, maybe what I will do is pull out some of the magazines that I kept and start looking thru them to see if sparks will start flying. Wish me luck.

BOO!

2008-08-26T08:05:00.008-05:00

Making Halloween cards really makes me feel like summer is over. I love summer and it goes by so fast. This card was made for card club. I got this cute set of Halloween stamps when I was at Stampaway. The set is called Ghouls and Ghost by Inkadinkado. The Trick or Treat bag and the alphabet is Purple Onion Designs and the house is Eat Cake Graphics. The images are colored with pencils. I like using the darker cardstock to stamp the images on, it makes the white show up so much better. I masked the house and the Trick or Treat Bag so the little ghost looks like it is popping out from behind the house. At least that is what I was trying to achieve.

I normally don't send Halloween cards, but I seem to buy Halloween themed stamps. Probably should at least send some out.

Flower ATCs

2008-08-18T20:20:00.010-05:00

These were done for a swap. Tina had done some similiar to this that I saw while I was visiting with her. The image is stamped in white ink and then colored. This one is ink and colored pencils.
This one is ink and pencils. I decided that I would use this one for the swap.

This one is ink and colored pencils.
This one is ink and Twinkling H2Os.

Thank You for the Lovely Day

2008-08-17T10:02:00.004-05:00

I wanted to do a card to thank the Neska's for their generous hospitality on Friday. I didn't have a stamp that was a lake scene but I did have one that had one of the Adirondack chairs that they have on the sandy beach by the lake. This was created by painting the scene using re-inkers after stamping on a sheet of glossy paper. The re-inkers are used as paints after you add a small drop of water. I like the look because of the shiny look that results.

Lovely Day

2008-08-16T07:18:00.027-05:00

The first thing that comes to mind on a day like today is that song by Bill Withers, "Lovely Day".

Mike and I headed out on the bike with some of the guys that he works with and rides with and headed to Luck, Wisconsin. Our destination was John and Mary Beth Neska's cabin. It was a gorgeous day to be on the bike. When we get there John had a nice bonfire going. That is John and Mary Beth standing on either side of Mike.

Behind Bruce, Sam and Mary Beth, you can catch a glimpse of the bikes. John and Mary Beth are definitely the hosts with the most. We had a terrific lunch. Grilled steaks, baked potatoes and a salad with the most delicious homegrown tomatoes. These little tomatoes were just so yummy. John grows these tomatoes in the city and brought them up just for the lunch.
It was really nice after the ride to rest my butt. What could be better than sitting around a bonfire chatting with good friends. Four of us, Bruce, Sam, Jason, Mike and I rode up on our bikes. Babs and Dean drove up.
What a view of the lake. The Neska's have a wonderful place. It sits on a small lake that Mary Beth calls a puddle. It has a cabin and a trailer on the property. The trailer is a 1960's vintage with aqua blue appliances. It is really darling. The cabin, which features a wrap around deck and a spiral staircase up to a loft, is just perfect.

The cabin doesn't have indoor plumbing. However, it sports this great outhouse. And not your ordinary outhouse. This one sports a flush toilet and a shower. No roughing it here.
I am not overly fond of having to use an outhouse but no problem with this one. It was very nice. Mike had to check it out too.

Can you believe all the sun fish? They were begging for bread. When you toss the bread into the water, they would swarm it. Hungry little buggars. And the size of some of them were amazing. Not sure I have ever seen sun fish this large. A good size bass was also hanging around.
This is a view of the lake from the deck. You walk down to the lake from the cabin and there is a very nice sandy beach with an sitting platform with very comfortable chairs where you can just sit and enjoy this view.
By the deck the water is very swallow and clear. At some points this "puddle" as Mary Beth called it, is 60 feet deep. Great habitat for fish. I think John said that it was 125 acres.

Mike just couldn't resist. A fisherman at heart, a lake full of fish, and rods and reels sitting in the shed. John took everyone out for a little cruise around the lake. I was content to just sit on the dock and feed the sunfish, while Mike was fishing. Nothing caught. Who cares. It was a great way to spend a few minutes.
We headed out shortly after the boat trip. Took a different route home. With the sun going down, it got a little breezy, but still a nice ride home.
This was an absolute perfect way to spend a day playing hokey from work. Thank you so much John and Mary Beth for the invite to your fabulous cabin. Mike and I definitely enjoyed our lovely lovely day.

Sandcastles and Ocean Breezes

2008-08-15T08:59:00.005-05:00

This project is for a swap. The person that I did it for loves the ocean. It is a shadow box, and all I did was to add the elements. The background is a photograph. I painted the box with acrylics and then sanded hoping that it would look weathered. You probably can't see but there is real sand from Hilton Head, South Carolina on the bottom. Some of the shells are from there too. The rest of the elements are die cuts from Jolee's. It was really hard for me to get a good photograph.

Bathroom Walls

2008-08-06T06:40:00.003-05:00

Bathroom walls are suppose to have something decorative hanging on them. It is a law somewhere. I seem to remember reading about it on a decorating website. My son, who now lives in an apartment, has absolutely nothing on his bathroom wall. Doesn't seem to bother him but it bothered me that he might be subject to the decorating police coming in and arresting him if they found out.

The little piece that I did for my header of this blog was just sitting on my desk waiting to be used for something else. The ah hah light went on. So I stamped the sentiment " Sometimes I sits and thinks and sometimes I just sits". I will get a frame and he can hang it on the nice blank wall over his toilet.

Very appropriate for bathroom art don't you think?

Confessions are good for the Soul

2008-08-05T22:48:00.007-05:00

Tina sent me a link to a blog and from that blog, I found another link to web site with some great stuff. http://www.paperrelics.com/index.html

I needed a birthday card quick. So I totally copied this from the site. I just drew it as best I could. The alphabet is Purple Onion Designs.

So I confess. I lifted this idea. Can't take credit for it at all. Sometimes you just have to lift, especially when you are in a rush. Thank you Paper Relics for such a great idea.

A Story

2008-08-05T22:06:00.007-05:00

Last week I went to the funeral of a lady I had never met. She was the stepmother of a dear friend. I went to this funeral because I wanted to be there for my friend. I really hate funerals but as far as funerals go, this was a very nice service. What impressed me most about this funeral and the reason I am writing about it, was that the woman who had passed away, had left very detailed instructions about what she wanted done.

Part of the service, was where a family member read this woman's story. It detailed her life - it was a great story. She helped raise a family. She was an educator for many years, participating in furthering educational opportunities for young adults. She was an active member in her church, she worked for the Democratic Party and was active in a woman's group. She also traveled all over the world with her husband. This woman had really done a lot in her life. I was extremely impressed by all that she had accomplished and the legacy that she has left behind.

While I was driving back to work, I was pondering on this. If I died tomorrow, would I have a story for someone to read at my funeral? Would my family have to anything to say about my life? I am thinking not a heck of a lot. I suppose they could say that I was a nice person. I do try. I was a decent wife and mother. At least I hope they will say that. I did a pretty good job at the daughter and sister gig. I tried to be a good friend. I worked hard. There you have it. That is my story. I am not a joiner. So there won't be a long list of all the organizations that I was a member of. I don't really have the desire to shape others lives. I have never done anything that made an impact or is really worth writing about.

This whole not having a story thing bothered me for a couple of days. That was until I came up with a brilliant solution to not having a story. It was so easy.

What I am going to do is not die. Think about it, if I don't die, then I don't have to have a funeral and the best part, I don't have to have a story. Much easier than worrying about not having a story. Works for me.

Hugs,
Annie

A Frustrated Artist

2008-08-03T08:06:00.013-05:00

Don't you just love the expression on this little girl's face? She was perfect for a card for our friend Babe, who was 86 (I think) recently. She keeps telling everyone that she doesn't do birthdays anymore. She was also perfect for one of the 50 ATCs that were my birthday project for my sister.

I found this image on the internet and copied it. I did this for someone I used to work with. We have kept in touch and I always send him a card for his birthday. I got some Copic Markers for Christmas last year and I have been trying to work with them. If nothing else, I love the smell of them. I also used this image on one of the ATCs that I did for my sister. It turned out a little better. I am finding that I can copy things pretty well. It is coming up with the original drawing that I am not so great at. So I ponder whether or not an art class would help. Can you teach a left-brained person, whose expectations that the final piece be perfect to draw? I am not sure that I can let go of the need for perfection. Guess that is why I consider most of what I do to be CRAP.

I really hesitate to call myself an artist. I would love to be an artist. I love to paint. I would love to be able to draw. I really do try. This card is an attempt to draw and paint a flower. I made it for a friend's birthday. Happy Birthday Sharon. I love watercolors.

50 is Nifty?

2008-08-02T12:24:00.000-05:00

Ok, I was running out of ideas and that is what came to mind. I didn't post all 50 of the ATCs but I think you will get the general idea from what I did post.

What do Walnettos have to do with anything?

2008-08-02T12:21:00.000-05:00

Do you remember the TV show Laugh-In? Well if you were 50 you would. It was one of my Dad's favorite shows. Arte Johnson did the old guy who was always after Ruth Buzzie as an old lady. One of the things he would say "Hey Wanna Walnetto" and then she would slap him with her purse. I just had to use that.

She will of course kill me

2008-08-02T12:18:00.000-05:00

For using this picture of her. The Gnome is a picture of a guy who works with her. We turned him into a yard gnome as a joke. Thanks muchly to Barb Housner for the great images that she sent me for the two bottom ones. I love the gal on the phone.

Old Fart

2008-08-02T12:15:00.000-05:00

You just have to rub it in some when a person is turning 50.

Dog Gone Good Birthday

2008-08-02T12:12:00.000-05:00

The gorgeous dog you see here is my very own sweet Scout. Ok , she is a terrier and has her moments, but she loves Mary and I just know she would want Mary to have a nice birthday.

Over the Hill Birthday

2008-08-02T12:09:00.000-05:00

Each ATC has a 50 on it somewhere. The house one is an idea that I found somewhere else and changed it a bit. The cake is an image that I found on the internet and redrew. Same with the little bird.

Cute Shoes

2008-08-02T12:06:00.001-05:00

You can never have to many pairs of cute shoes. And a hippo with gas. Don't know what that has to do with cute shoes.

More Hippos

2008-08-02T12:03:00.000-05:00

I ended up doing a whole page of hippos. I found tons of great images on the internet. My drawing isn't the best. Colored these with Copic Markers. Really starting to like these markers.

Everything Hippo

2008-08-02T12:01:00.001-05:00

Mary loves hippos, so I had to do a couple with hippos. I drew these, kinda sort. I found images on the internet that I liked and then copied them. I tried to do the original artists concept justice.

A beginning?

2008-08-02T10:38:00.000-05:00

I was not going to do this. I was not going to blog. I actually have nothing much to say. Didn't want to bore people with my ramblings.

I am also basically lazy. Maybe I should say that I am so busy that I don't have time to post things to a blog each day. That just isn't true. I have time, I am just basically lazy.

So why am I doing this you ask? I started a project that I wanted to share and it is a little to big to post anywhere.

My sister Mary, is turning the big 50 this year and I wanted to do something fun to help her celebrate. Not sure she really wants to celebrate the fact that she turning 50. I am making her whether she does or not. Isn't that what bossy big sisters are for?

The project started out with me sending her a package each month that has 50 somethings in it. Along with the somethings, I put in an ATC depicting the fact that she was turning 50.

Somewhere along the way, I decided in a moment of insanitity that it would be a good idea to make 50 ATCs and put them in a binder with 50 pages. Seemed like a good idea. Do you know how hard it is to think of 50 different ideas and make each card different but still keep the main theme of birthday and turning 50? Trust me, it was not the easiest thing to do.

So now I have completed this project and want to share a couple that I thought turned out pretty nice. Starting this blog was the best way for me to do it. The little card that is attached to this post is the beginning of this project. More will come as I figure out how to work this blog thingie.

Hugs,

Annie