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