Vintage styled card for a vintage swap

This is the card I sent with my Vintage School Days ATC swap. As I've mentioned before, if I can I like to include a handmade card with my ATC swaps. This one was made with Life's Journey paper by K&Co as the background. The lady and her accessories are stamps by Inque that I stamped/embossed and then cut out. I used a border punch on the corners and deco scissors on the border paper.

Until my next post,
Diane

Artist's Choice ATC Swap

I recently completed an ATC swap for the Creative Block - Stampers Anonymous Yahoo Group. This one was pretty open, you could use any Stampers Anonymous stamp. I used a new(ish) Tim Holtz designed  stamp and stamped it on 6 different colored card stocks. I cut them up and reassembled them into a rainbow style presentation. I added bling with a clear glitter pen and a glaze pen then outlined some of the words with the Inkssentials white pen. My final touch was to add a colored square paper clip with Glossy Accents and ink the edges in black.
Until my next post,
Diane

It pays to post

This is the great stuff I won from Stampers Anonymous by simply replying to a post on their Yahoo Group. They picked winners at random and my name came up. This is great stuff and I don't have any of it...I know that is a shock to some of you that think I own every crafty item every made.

Until my next post,
Diane

My First Altered Book

It's not like I don't have access to books. If you remember, I volunteer on a regular basis with the Friends of the Newport News Public Library. It's not like some of the books we get as donations or discards are just a little flawed. But there is just something about cutting a book and painting and drawing in a book (and a library book at that) that made me delay something I wanted to do for a while which is alter a book.

Saturday I took an altered book class at Memories Galore taught by Melissa Samuels. She provided the discarded books and a many supplies like scrapbook paper, paint, gesso, glaze and more. We provided gel medium, distress inks, brushes and a basic kit and then we played.

It was much easier to begin the process when someone provides you a match box and says "draw an outline of your matchbox on the pages and cut into the book". This was for our secret compartment. Then I could cut the book before that it just didn't feel right. I knew the book had been discarded by the library simply because it didn't fit their needs and took up valuable shelf space. After all libraries have to adjust their invenory to what the public wants.

I think we had 14 in the class and it seemed like everyone was having a great time. It was interesting to see traditional scrapbookers take to this and realize what options they have besides 12x12 layouts.

I haven't finished my book yet but will do so and then...I think my fear of altering a book is gone and I'll definately do it again.

Until my next post,
Diane

Travel theme card

This simple card uses background paper from the Life's Journey collection by K&Co. I layered a few embellishments that also came in the collection for decoration. The Tim Holtz designed Stampers Anonymous stamp was colored with a rainbow pad by Ranger.

Until my next post,
Diane

Friends...

Here's a card I sent with an ATC swap recently. I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on the base of the card and then added some paper by K&Co. On top of that I layerd a stamp by Impression Obsession. The final touch was a little glittery flower also by K&Co.

Until my next post,
Diane

Last day at Disney World

The last day of our 2009 Disney World vacation was spent at Epcot. There is a lot at this park. You could almost spend two days here, one at the technology side and another in the world showcase portion. Since we had been here three years ago we hit the things we really liked first in the technology side then went back to the hotel to pack and hit the pool one more time. Our favorites are Soarin' and Test Track. We hadn't ridden Mission Space before and we went for the full motion side instead of the "less intense" ride. We were both a bit dizzy after the ride and came to the conclusion that the days of motion simulators are kind of behind us. It is interesting since we know other former USAF flyers like us that don't like certain thrill rides. We headed back in the late afternoon to tour the world showcase and get dinner in the Mexican pavillion.

Here's some pictures of me with:

Stitch before the park opened

Donald, Mickey, Minnie and Goofy about to open the park (don't bother looking for me in this one)

Mickey

Pluto

Minnie

Goofy

Pooh and Tigger

Alice in Wonderland (a first for me)

Mary Poppins (another first)

Sleeping Beauty

Marie from the Aristocats (yet another first)

Snow White

We had a great time during our fourth stay with great weather. I love coming during the holiday season because it is cooler the crowds are smaller and the decorations really get you into the holiday spirit.

Until my next post,
Diane

A great week on the slopes - and yet another foot story

Hubby and I got home early Saturday evening after a great week skiing at Sugarloaf USA in Maine. I was a little concerned about my foot since I had only put my boot on once but I had no problems. The mountain had gotten a LOT of snow over the New Years weekend and the temps stayed cool so there was no melting. It wasn't anywhere near the temp in the photo. That photo was taken in January of 2004 when we had cold weather all week and yes we skied in those temps. We'd take a few runs then go in and have a hot chocolate. We didn't make it all day but we did ski. This week however the coldest days were single digits. Sugarloaf is a great mountain with nice long runs. The SuperQuad has almost 2,000 ft of vertical elevation. I got 14 runs on Monday, 12 on Tuesday and Wednesday and 16 on Thursday. Hubby decided to try snow boarding on Thursday afternoon and admitted it was tougher than it looks, I decided to keep the skis on instead since the weather was beautiful. We headed back on Friday but could have skied then too. I'm in the market for new boots now that I know I can ski again.

Until my next post,
Diane

Double Thank You

I made these thank you cards a while back using a one sheet wonder template. You can google that phrase and get loads of results to use either an 8 1/2 x 11" piece of paper or a 12x12" paper and make many cards. I made these very plain but you can make them more sophisticated. The templates allow you to use one piece of paper and have minimal or no waste.

Until my next post,
Diane

Disney World...a day away from the parks

Today we decided to take a break from the parks at Disney World and did a bit of golfing instead, 18 holes as a matter of fact. OK so it was miniature golf but my score looked more like the real thing.

Before we hit the links we drove over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge for a great buffet breakfast. There was one day we didn't have reservations and we tried to get a character breakfast at the last minute but they were all sold out. A great guy named Adam that worked at the concierge desk in the Grand Floridian helped us the previous evening as we were admiring the decorations. He suggested we head over to Boma--a taste of Africa, for their buffet since we were looking for a buffet. What a great suggestion, the scenery was great both inside and out and so was the food.

Look at these decorations at the entrance to the rest rooms!

In our welcome package was a voucher for a free round at one of the miniature golf courses. We chose Fantasia Gardens since it was within walking distance of the Swan and Dolphin and would allow us to see their decorations. Hubby actually had a great round but like to ham it up for the camera!

The Swan didn't have much in the way of decorations but the Dolphin had a great Christmas tree made of white pointsetias and a neat train that went around the base.

We headed back to the room, took another swim and had a casual dinner and walked around Downtown Disney again where we saw Santa for the second time.

Until my next post,

Diane

Double Buggin' Birthday

Here's a card I made by using the Double Bugging technique with my Cuttlebug. I inked the raised areas of the card with two colors in the same family. The stamp is one of the $1 ones but not Studio G. I think it is from Inkadinkado but can't swear by it. I finished is off with a bit of ribbon and a paper embellisment.

Until my next post,
Diane

The Magic Kingdom

This was the first time we paid in advance for the Disney dining plan. Before we'd just eat whenever and wherever and without reservations. When you only have a part of two is generally isn't a problem. On our last visit we did run into a problem. We were at Epcot and all the restaurants were booked so we at a one of the quick serve and it was terrible. The food was cold and tasteless. This time we decided to buy the dining plan in advance and make reservations. The plan we chose gave us one quick service meal, a restaurant style meal and one snack per person per day. It doesn't seem like much but each meal includes a dessert and hubby and I often share one. Also if you eat at a buffet you generally eat more. In the end I think it was worth it and I do it again. I generally ordered fish which can often be the most expensive things on the menu.

On our third day at Disney World we had a late start on purpose. We decided to take it easy in the morning. The hot Florida sun was getting to us so we took a swim in the morning and made it to the Magic Kingdom in time to take a train ride around the park and then meet Tigger and friends for lunch at the Crystal Palace. It is really called Pooh and friends but Tigger is my favorite character.

Here's some photos of me with:

Tigger

Piglet

Eyore

Lilo and Stitch

Woody and Jessie

In the evening we left and tried to watch the fireworks from the observation tower at the Contemporary Resort but a lot of other folks had the same idea so we couldn't even get close. Then we headed over to the Grand Floridian to see their life size gingerbread house.

Until my next post,

Diane

Great day on the slopes at Sugarloaf USA. Got 12 runs in going for 15....we'll see.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

The second day of our Disney World vacation was spent at Animal Kindom in the day and then off Germany in Epcot for dinner. The thrilling ride at Animal Kingdom is the Expedition Everst roller coaster but the best part for me is the Safari ride in Africa and the walk through Asia.

Here's some photos of me with:

Rafiki of the Lion King

Jiminy Cricket

Terk from Tarzan

Goofy and Pluto

Pooh

Tigger

Donald and Daisy Duck

Thumper and Miss Bunny (this was the first time I've ever seen them at a theme park).

After dinner we walked outside Epcot and towards the Yacht and Beach club. Inside their lobby was a great carousel horse made of gingerbread and chocolate. That's where I got the kit to make mine.

Until my next post,
Diane

As promised...finally Disney World Photos

It has been about three weeks and I'm finally presenting you with some more photos of Disney World. I'm a character freek, I love hunting these folks out and posing with them. Maybe the characters like it too since I'm pretty quick and just jump in there and pose for the photos. If you haven't been to Disney World in a while they have they have a way for you to get photos from them. They have photographers stationed at various locations in all of the parks and Downtown Disney too armed with digital SLR's. They give you a photopass card and everytime you see one of their photographers you hand them your card and they scan it and take your photos. You can go on a special website and see your photos and apply tailored backgrounds and email them to friends and family. There is no obligation to purchase anything. It's a great deal if you 1)forgot your camera, 2)forgot to charge your camera battery (I heard that in line at Animal Kingdom), 3)missed that extra special shot because someone wasn't looking at the camera or other reasons.

All of these photos were taken at Disney's Hollywood Studios where we spent our first day. The two great thrill rides there are the Rock and Rollercoaster and the Tower of Terror. The newest great attraction is called Toy Story Mania where you play old style carnival games with a Toy Story character feel against the person riding in your vechicle. Here's some photos of me with:

Buzz Lightyear and Woody from the Toy Story movies

Mickey as the sorcerer from Fantasia

Russel and Carl from UP

Mike and Sulley from Monsters Inc.

Elasticgirl and Mr. Incredible

Until my next post,
Diane

Thank U

I made part of this card a long time ago at a make and take. It wasn't any special technique that I need to keep for a reference so I finally completed the card and gave it to the gal that watched the house when we were in Disney World last month.

Until my next post,
Diane

Finally "reading" the classics (a.k.a. another foot story sort of)

Before I retired from the USAF I was volunteering for the local Friends of the Library group(s). I was working shifts so I had time off during the week when my husband was working. I kept coming across all the classic fiction that you don't want to read when you are growing up. When you "have to" read something because a teacher assigns it your enthusiasm level is low.

Now that I'm all grown up I thought I'd read these books during retirement. Unfortunately wanting to and actually doing are two different things. I found myself getting distracted by the latest and greatest and then discovering other books by that author. I was volunteering with other folks at the library that...liked to read (go figure!). They'd mention books they recently read and liked so I'd get a copy and read it.

Then I had my foot surgery last May. After that I decided to finally start going to a chiropractor. During my initial treatments he didn't want me riding my bike too much. His idea of a short ride was about 1-2 miles, mine was about 8 miles. He wanted me to walk, which turned out great for my foot too. At first I just absorbed the sights and sounds of the neighborhood. One of my crafting friends mentioned she listens to books on tape when she walks and that's the only way she can find out what happens in her book. I decided to give the audio book thing a try.

I set up a free account with my library to download audio books. I set them up in my iTunes as .mp3 files and loaded them as one long song. That works fine until you do something else with the iPod since the book plays from the beginning and doesn't save your place. I then discovered a way to change the format from .mp3 to the Apple .m4b audio book file via free software. Now I can stop and start and play something else and the book automatically resumes where I left off. I also discovered there are a few other sites where you can download books for free.

I started with the Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and then The Swiss Family Robinson. I'll keep "reading" the classics and discovering what I missed as a kid (or read and forgot).

Until my next post,
Diane

The lesser of two evils...I guess

We found out this morning that our kitty BC does NOT have cancer. That is good, BUT he does have Inflammatory Bowel Disease. He's already been on prescription food but we will now be giving him steriods. We started him on a wet food but have transitioned back to dry and I was hoping he'd be able to stay on dry but it is much easier to give him a pill with wet food.

I've never owned a dog but my understanding is that they take pills better than cats. If you put a whole pill in a cats food more than likely they will somehow very carefully eat around it. I grind the pill up and put it in wet food and then it is distributed. When we first brought BC back from the emergency clinic he had a pill and ate it when I ground it up. Since he'll be on steroids forever I'll have to go back to a combination or all wet food which is messy and sort of smelly too. He doesn't really care, being one of those cats that never met a food he didn't like.

He's gained back a bunch of the weight he lost and his fur is growing back so he "seems" to be doing better. But as I mentioned before you just don't know with cats, they are very secretive. In this picture you can just see his shaved belly and left arm about mid way up. He's waiting me to turn on the faucet so I'd better go.

Until my next post,
Diane

Card for Sid...finally!

For the last few swaps I didn't send a card to Sid. I really like to send a card with my ATC swaps but I had run out of "guy" cards so I had to fix that. I'm happy to say I should have enough for a few months now! For this one I used patterned paper by the Life's Journey collection by K&Co. I used Tim Holtz designed Stampers Anonymous stamps and added one of Tims charms that I colored with alcohol ink and paint (in the recessed areas) as the final touch.

Until my next post,
Diane