Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!

I hope your day is fun, safe and full of lots of yummy treats!

Tag with a Twist

I was tagged recently by Angie, and the tag requires me to list 7 things about myself, and then tag 7 more people.

I think I'll put a twist on this tag, however. Some people really like being tagged, and others not so much. So instead of listing 7 others, I'm going to leave it open ended. If you feel like playing, list 7 things about yourself on your blog, then leave a comment here directing us to your post.

=)

Okay - here's my 7 things....

1. I lived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska while I was in 4th and 5th grade - but sadly I couldn't see Russia from my house. We were, however as close to Japan as we were to Seattle.

2. I volunteered at the Pregnancy Resource Center for over 5 years.

3. If I ever get pregnant again, I would consider having a home birth - for about 5 seconds before chickening out.

4. My latest addiction is playing with copic markers.

5. I'm not as crazy-in-love with my nestabilities as my friends are with theirs.

6. I have seriously crooked pinkie fingers.

7. I really should be working on a project due next week right now, instead of blogging.

A Craft Fair Creation

A while back I purchased some canvases from Michaels. I wasn't really sure what I would do with them, but picked them up because Dave's mom's birthday was coming up and I thought perhaps I could make her something cute.

That was back in August.

After cleaning my scraproom last week, I found them again! I decided to try making a wall hanging - something where I could use up scrap papers and maybe have it turn out cute enough to sell or make a nice Christmas gift.

Well.... this is what I came up with! I was so pleased I even went back to Michaels for more canvases! LOL...

The JOY wall hanging uses Evensong paper and Evensong Creative Basics paper, christmas ribbon, white brads, cranberry grosgrain ribbon, and dimensional alphabet letters covered in liquid glass.

The NOEL wall hanging features hand stitching, Aspen papers, white bitty brads, stamping, Outdoor Denim ribbon, and covered/liquid glassed dimensional elements letters.

(you can really see the liquid glass on the letters in this shot)

My Recent Bellas

It's been a while since I posted artwork, but today I will rectify that. Last night was FULL of creativity and fun as Sparkle, Jenn, Rachel, and Lydia came over to scrap. I think we were all fairly productive, but most importantly we had a blast. I think we all were due for a good laugh or two, so it was a great night.

Here are the bella cards I finished last night. =) If you like them, I put them up for sale in my etsy shop. All of the proceeds from my shop go towards our adoption!

(this one is especially applicable, as I've been knitting about 4-6 hours a day keeping up on moebius orders. =) Just one left and all my orders will be filled.)

Need Christmas Ideas?

Yes, it's a bit early yet to really start thinking about Christmas shopping, but there's got to be a few of you out there that are just like me - and want it all DONE before Thanksgiving.

If that is the case, please visit my friend Wendi's etsy store Hydrangea Designs. Her handmade jewelry is simply divine. She's got an amazing eye for color, and detail, and fashion - and I know you're going to love her work. So please check it out and buy something for a loved one or yourself! =)

Best of all, my dear, sweet, friend Wendi has offered to share a percentage of her sales with us for our adoption fund. So you'd not only be helping Wendy, but also us! Isn't that so special??? If you do purchase something from Wendy, please message me here 0r send me an email (nonapearl@myctmh.com), and I'll also send you a lovely handmade thank you card to show my appreciation.

Here is a closer look at some of the pieces she has available.

Something New...

It's always fun to try new things, and this weekend I delved into something *brand* new - Digital Scrapbooking!!! Oh My Goodness. What a fun, fun - and addictive - new hobby.

Here are two of the pages I've done. They are for our adoption profile that our agency will show to potential birth moms. The downloads are from my favorite new digi store - www.theshabbyshoppe.com. One of the pages is from a pre-made album, and the other is one I made using matching digital elements from a paper kit. I love the look of these digital pages, and how easy they are to put together.



Don't worry - I won't be leaving *real* paper behind. After all, my favorite scrapping manufacturer (CTMH) doesn't have a digital presence yet - beyond the fonts used on these pages. =) That and real paper, inks, stamps, and photographs are too much fun to neglect.

Memories

Would you believe this picture was taken close to 10 years ago??? Where has the time gone?

That's me and my Davey in San Francisco, the summer of 1999. He went down to California with me to meet my dad, and to ask him for my hand in marriage (well...sort of - I already had the ring).

I'm really amazed by how it all turned out. After all at this point Dave was leaving college after 1 year to work full time, and I was just about to go into my senior year of high school. Yes - I was engaged to be married during my senior year. We got married in July - one month after my graduation. It was a stressful year, but Dave and I were so happy.

Ahhhh. Young love... it's the best. (and we're still on the youngish side so it still counts!) wink, wink

Everyone has room to grow...

I've been cleaning files off my computer lately, and came across a doozie of a file. These are some of the very FIRST cards I ever made when I became a CTMH consultant close to 4 years ago.

I wanted to share them with you all for a few reasons - the most important one being that we all improve with practice and time. If you feel that your stamping/card making skills aren't the best, don't give up! We all have to start somewhere.

Another reason to share? They are really funny/sad and it's good to laugh at oneself every now and then. So go ahead... point and laugh. I sure did when I stumbled upon them! =)





The last reason I shared these cards is because I'm often told that I have a "gift" for paper crafting. I'd like to correct that and say instead that I had a PASSION for it, and that passion fueled the desire to improve my skills.

In evaluating how my artwork differed from artists I wanted to emulate, I discovered three key areas that needed change. Hopefully these tips will help you in your card making as well.

1. Balance - there must be a clear focal point. All elements of the card need to be in balance with each other (note that balance does not necessarily mean symmetry).

2. Layering - the difference between a plain card and a masterpiece can be a few simple mats.

3. Embellishment - Adding small details like brads, ribbon, handmade elements, or even paper piercing can jazz up your artwork. Just be careful not to over do it.

Mini Me?

Another Sammie and Mommy encounter...

M: "Sammie have you seen the headphones for the TV?"
S: "No. I think they are put away."
M: "Where is 'put away'?"
S: "In the drawer"
M: "I looked and they weren't there."
S: "Oh... well you're going to have to look around. Did you look under things?"

This is EXACTLY what I always tell her when she has a missing sock, or toy or lost trinket. It just sounds so funny coming out of her little mouth!

Noah's Ark

Getting a Junior Higher to talk about their day at school is like pulling teeth (I've been told), and it's no different for pre-schoolers. I've discovered that it's best just to have quiet in the car on the way home from school, and let Sam come to me with stories of her day when she's ready.

Tonight we were snuggling on the couch and she shared with me what they learned in chapel last Thursday...

Sammie: "We heard a story about Noah and his boat. That's called an ark."
Mommy: "Oh really? What did you learn?"
S: "I dunno."
M: "Who was on the ark?"
S: "Noah."
M: "Anyone else?"
S: "LOTS of animals."
M: "Do you know how many?"
S: "Umm... like lots and lots. Like 20!"
M: "Can you name them?"
S: "No. There was lots and lots. Like a lion [GROWL], and a tiger [GRRR], a kitty cat."
M: "That's just three. I thought you said 20!"
S: "Umm.. no, just those!"
M: "So why was Noah on the ark with these animals?
S: "He was driving them around."
M: "Where was he going?"
S: "Just around. Like around his neighborhood."
M: "How long was Noah and the animals on the ark?"
S: "A LONG time!"
M: "How long?"
S: "Like years and years. Six years.... and seven minutes."

Good to know she was paying attention in Chapel right? =) Looks like we have a little revisionist history to correct.

This one is definitely going in her scrapbook. I can't wait to hear what she learns about the 10 plagues of Egypt, and Moses parting the Red Sea.

(I took this shot a few weeks ago when Sammie, my mom and I met up with my Grandma Lilo in Leavenworth, WA. Sam had just discovered the bouncey house.)

Gift Card Holder

Thought I'd share a quick and fun project with you all. I'll be teaching this gift card holder on Saturday a fundraising crop. (If you are in the Mountlake Terrace, WA area and want to come, let me know. Email - nonapearl.myctmh.com).

This uses an 8"x6" piece of doublesided patterned paper. I used the Evensong Creative Basics from CTMH. You fold the paper in half one direction, then the other. Unfold and crease the top left corner in 1.75" and the bottom left corner all the way in. Then fold it up and you've got a double pocket card! I also used this same pattern (just started with an 8.5x11 paper) for this card. Stamps are Christmas Melodies and Annotations (Oct SOTM) both from Close To My Heart. I also used some cranberry grosgrain ribbon, bamboo ink, cranberry ink, new england ivy ink, and holiday red and olive markers.

BANG!

That was the incredibly loud noise I heard yesterday morning. I looked out my front window to find a car angled toward our house, the front end not visible. I managed to keep my cool even though my mind was racing - what if they hit our HOUSE???

At first I was worried that the people were trying to leave the scene, since they backed out really fast, but then I recognized them as our next door neighbors. I raced outside to make sure everyone was okay, and to check out the damage. PRAISE THE LORD that no one was hurt, and they only managed to get our fence - not the house. It turns out that the wife was "practising her driving". She must have hit the gas instead of the break, but sheesh! Do you know what kind of force it takes to split a 4"x4" post??

In speaking with the neighbors about what to do, we found out that the husband builds fences for a living. He's going to fix it for us today and everything will be okay.

I'm glad things will work out, and I'm incredibly thankful that they didn't hit our house. Now how do we politely request that the wife practise her driving in an empty parking lot???

Pumpkin Patch

Sammie's class from preschool went to a pumpkin patch today! Each parent brings their own child, so I was able to not only go, but meet a bunch of other moms and dads! It was great. The weather held out on us - only sprinkling here and there. I'm also pleased that my pictures came out so well, considering I haven't had much practice the past few months. =) Enjoy! (ps...I only included Sam and her teachers as I don't have permission to post classmates online).

***NOTE*** Yes - Sammie is wearing my pink punch mobius scarf! =) She got cold, but had told me to leave her coat in the car. Anyway - that is what it looks like doubled on a toddler. She loved wearing it and asked if she could keep it! Ha! Silly girl...

I am still selling these. Scroll down to the Mobius posts and Yarn color posts for more info. I've also been able to catch up a bit, so now a wait time is only around 1 week.

Gourds galore!

Sammie and one of her teachers
Petting Farm Animals



And off to the pumpkin patch! I love this one and how you can see the tractor/wagon in the background!

Her prize!

Sammie and her other teacher

Here's another Oct Card Class card I'll be teaching. It's called the "waterfall card" and these are so much fun to make. This one is pretty simple, but you can make them super elaborate if you want to. Colors are: Pansy Purple, Vineyard Berry, Olive and Garden Green. I also used the Inspriation Stamps, and the Oct Stamp of the Month Annotations. Click the link to see more artwork done with that stamp set.

After I'm done teaching the class, I'll do a video tutorial on how to make this card, so keep checking back. It will most likely be done by mid Oct.

Happy Saturday!

Grammar Lesson

A grammar lesson from Sam on making nouns plural:

"For lots of things you make an S. Just one thing you don't."

This is a hard and fast rule in our house. This would include sheeps, foots, and mices. Kids are so fun!

Today's Samism

Samantha is at that age now where she says the funniest things! I worry if I don't write them down, I'm going to forget them. Actually - I don't even worry about it anymore, I just KNOW I'll forget them.

So I think I'll start a segment on my blog just for Samisms. It will be as much for your enjoyment as it is for my poor, sad, tired brain. =)

Today's quips came after Sam was in bed. I had friends over to scrapbook, so Dave did the bedtime routine without me. I ran upstairs for something, and Sam heard me and called me in for a quick hug and kiss.

Me: "Sammie are you going to come snuggle with me tomorrow morning?"
Sammie: "No...."
M: "Pleeeeease? I sure love it when you come and snuggle me."
S: "No, I can't. I have a LOT of work to do." (lately, she's been coloring and calling it her paperwork).
M: "Can't you just come in for a few minutes?"
S: "Well... I can't, because I'm going to get up at 7 and I don't want to miss any of Sesame Street!"
M: "Oh... (pouting). That makes me so sad!"
S: "I suppose I could come in for three minutes. But that's all!"

This is probably one of those moments that you just had to be there, but it was just hysterical! She said it so matter-of-factly - "I have paperwork". Too cute.

What a Hoot

Yesterday I had the opportunity to whip up some cards for October's card classes. I decided that the theme for ths month will be interesting folds. Here is the "Z-fold" card we will be making. I just love the new CTMH Owl stamp, and have been waiting for a chance to use him. He and the mushroom are both popped up with 3d foam. Owl and shroom were also paper pieced and accented with liquid glass.

Supplies: All CTMH - Magic Moments patterned paper, colonial white cardstock, honey ink, cocoa ink, sweet leaf ink, antique copper brads, liquid glass, 3d foam.