One man's Treasure

Here is another donation from a friend at work. These tins are so amazing. The red one has a Three Musketeers scene on the cover. The tins alone are the coolest but then inside...

All these vintage buttons.  There are all kinds, little ones, big ones, and even ones that are shaped like teddy bears.

Some are so unique and I can only imagine what they would cost. These are in great condition and the card is so cool. Look at the price 15 cents.. What year would that have been the costs for three buttons??  Amazing!!

Here is a card I have made using these buttons. This blue button is so cute and has a flower for the center. How could you ask for a more perfect button! When she gave me these tins she said here is the junk I told you about. I just added that "One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure!



Swap Happy...

Yesterday I received these awesome postcards in the mail. It was part of a swap I was in at Creative Lenna. I have clipped the three together and hung them in my window so that I can look up and see them often. They are so cool! The postcard theme was "A Summer's Day".  It is so fun seeing the interpretations of this theme. I had to send in three and mine were posted previously on Postcards

 This one is from Barbara. The Mulberry Paper was beautiful and then the Grasshopper collage was perfect for the theme. Then she added the stitching to the edge for a wonderful touch.

Then this one is from Laurie. I love the college elements of this one. The gorgeous flower makes a great focus piece and then love the bleached out background.

And Susan created this fun postcard. There are so many fun layers. Love the background and the stamping. Though not shown very well in my photo, she added some sparkle glitter to put the perfect touch on this destination!!  I loved getting these postcards and will think about doing it again when the opportunity arises!

Moody Monday

I can't be too grumpy about work because I work with some wonderful people. When we were working on those projects to fund raise money for some local charities, we were all talking about art. What a great way to get through the day, right. Then one of the ladies talked about some items that had been her Mother and Aunt's and asked if I would be interested in them. This sewing box was one of the items. It is so cool, I love it. There are some other things that she gave me that I will show later. I feel very lucky to have gotten such a beautiful piece.

Sunday Gifts

It has been awhile since my last post. Lots of life lately. Daughter's birthday dinner with family was nice though she was not feeling. This was a card I made for her to give out. I also did not feel 100%  so I got behind on my creativity and my blog. Hopefully things will go better soon.

And then I finally got the nerve and jumped in. I have wanted to start my own business for awhile but just can't swing the complete change. So I have done the next best thing and became a demonstrator for Stampin' Up. I love their stamps and all the extras they have. I will begin slowly but maybe by the time I retire, I will have forged new friendships and built a little business. The future is unknown and scary but I am ready to make it work. Thankful for what I have and my top 5 are:

1. New business and opportunities
2. Belief in the unknown and strength to see it through
3. Challenges to make me grow
4. New ink pads
5. New friends who love to do what I love and understand the desire to run a business doing it

Moody Monday

When is a Moody Monday not a moody Monday? Well, when it is my baby daughter's birthday. She would not like that I call her that but she will always be my little girl. She is 17 today and it does not seem possible. She loves to bake and cupcakes seem to be her signature. She is just learning and will be doing an internship this fall and into the holidays at a local bakery. I cannot believe how time has flown by and she never ceases to amaze me.  I made this card for her. The cupcake is a cricut cutout and I just learned the ribbon making technique. I stamped the background to add the swirls. And for the embellishments, I love the heart button on the cupcake.

Then my older daughter wanted a card for her sister and I could not help but create this using one of my all-time favorite pictures of them together. The background is a cutout from the cricut. I loved the old buttons for the center of the flowers. Still working with the small letter stamps. It is hard to get them even and then to not get the edges. But all in all, these cards are very sentimental to me and I wish my lovely daughter a wonderful birthday.

Busy Sunday

Today was one of those days that it took longer than I would hope to get some things done. I have wanted to try making these pinwheel folded paper for awhile and thought I would use them. I like them but there is a lot of different concepts. The width and then the length effect the size and the fullness. So several attempts to create one that would work on my card did not happen but I still like them.

This big one is 2" by 12". I like the fullness but too big to fit a card. Also I tied the ribbon backwards, so I would need to cover up the string if I use it.  The one in the corner is 1/2" by 6" but still too full. So need to change up the scoring width. Well not really working out today so need to go to plan B. I am still learning and thankful for a plan B.

However, my top 5 thankful items are:

1. Courage to start up a side business I have wanted to do for a long time and belief that I can do it

2. That there is more than one way to create opportunities

3. Friends and family that believe in me

4. Warm weather (I have to be thankful, right???) UGH

5. That my baby girl can't grow up any faster!

Saturday Autumn

 Here is a banner I made for a swap at Paper Trader and it fits in with the theme at Inspiration Avenue "Autumn". For the banner design, we were to use a template but I took a little artistic liberty and used a template in my cricut to cut the backgrounds. For the paper on the backgrounds, I used double sided paper and then alternated the sides. I used the cricut again to cut out leaves of different colored texture paper. Underneath the letters, I added ribbon wrapped and painted cardboard for more texture.

Each letter included a pumpkin that I had sanded to give a more rustic feel. The fiber sting that tied each letter together was multi-colored. There is a little sparkle on the letters too.

Then on the last letter I added a dangled group of leaves.

Then yesterday I received in the mail my banner that was created by Connie  It is so beautiful. I love the sparkle background, warm earth colors, and the leaves, vines, and pumkins. I have hung it over my window in my art room.  



TGIF

Another work week is coming to an end and the weather seems to be changing to the cooler autumn; it is wonderful. And on my usual Friday morning walk up to the I street bridge, I have added an item to my retirement bucket list:

For a day or two, be the I Street Bridge Watchman. In this job, you stay in this little house on the middle of the bridge, you are the lookout and bridge controller. So if a large boat comes down the river, you twist the bridge and let the boat by. What a great job, to sit and watch the river flow and the boats pass by. I can only imagine the view from up there. I bet on a clear day you can see a long way around the Sacramento Valley. I am not sure how you apply for this job but I sure would like to check it out some day. Wishing all a great day.

Cards for Charity

Here is the first card in my package for the fundraiser. This was made using my cricut. It is fun to cut out pieces using the different cartages. The birthday present is using one side of the paper with the background using the other side. This Bo Bunny paper was left over from the journal making class I took. I love the reversible kinds, makes for lots of opportunities.

For this card I used the fun background paper and then made the butterflies, title, and Happy Birthday with the coordinated purple and tan paper. I like making the butterfly antennae with wire and beads.

This was made using the layers of paper backed with card stock. I have ribbon with Birthday statements and I am learning to create tags and design the labels.

 I love this card. There is a crown in the background and I put little jewels on each tip. I like how the coordinated teal color and stamped label all tie in with the paper. I also cut these flowers with the cricut and then added the micro glass beads. Hope these cards sell to raise money for the campaign.

For a good cause

Here are some projects I have been working on. These items are for an auction at my office. Every year the State has a campaign for employees to contribute to charitable organizations. My agency is having a country theme fundraiser this year and my department is responsible for the auction items. This is made using a canvas covered with batting and then the fabric. I then made a cris-cross pattern with the ribbon. At each intersection, I tacked the ribbon down and then added the buttons on top.

This one is bigger and a fall theme. I have tacked down the ribbons but need to add the buttons. A coworker found some fun leave shaped buttons so we will finish it at work. I am also making some cards and will post those later. Hope these items raise some funds for the charities.

Moody Monday

What a day! This was so much fun. My daughter and I went to a concert at a local park. It is a traditional event but this year it was also a tribute and dedication to all those effected by the 911 tragedy. There was lots of good music, positive thoughts for our country, and support for all that has happened. It may be moody Monday but today I still have so many good memories from yesterday that I expect that it will get me through today and many days in the future. Wishing all a wonderful week!

Sunday Memory

I may be clear across on the other coast from the 911 tragedy but I remember what happened with a respectful heart. There is a soft cool breeze today that is giving our area a nice reprieve from the 100 degree heat and gives me hope of a cooler future. In a similar hope, I wish all those who were more personally effected 10 years ago by the terrible event feel the cool breeze of time, loving memories, and a knowledge of all our support and care. And today I give a special prayer for all 2,977 killed and all of those who protect, are rebuilding, and supporting our beloved country. I am truly thankful for all and my top 5 are:

1.  Memories and thoughts for those who have lost so much

2.  My time with my family

3.  Work

4.  Good thoughts and being strong for changes I need to make

5.  MUSIC

keep on trying

From the hike on Monday, here are a couple of  my sketches. This is on the trail at the Blue Oak Loop. It was a high point to look back on the seven pools. I still struggle with drawing an object with dimensions and shading to define it. ROCKS... practice and practice

Camera's eye and view point.

This is the little bit of the waterfall. I am sure in the spring there was a lot more water but none the less it is just beautiful to see. Rocks and flowing water are hard for me to shade and get a depth.

Camera's eye. This was such a beautiful spot. Still with lots of shades and dimensions, I need more practice. What challenges do you have in your art journey?

Close to home

Took another hike yesterday up in the Sierra foothills. It is a trail park that is maintained by a joint effort between the local county and private support. I really loved the well maintained trails. The manzanita has grown and been maintained to create a canopy over various parts of the trails. Even though it got pretty hot, we really had a good time. Who knew that this wonderful place was so close. I have created some sketches and will post those later. 

A gem of the trip was the trail that took us to the Hidden Falls and the Seven Pools. It was so nice to see the water still running even this late in the summer. I do love how the water flows over the granite rocks. The falls have created little pools in the granite. So amazing that water can carve something as strong as granite.

Moody Monday

Happy Labor Day for those in the States. I plan to take a hike and hope to find lots of inspiration. I still have projects that I want to create but need some outdoor time. Maybe I will have some sketches to upload later. Wishing everyone a great day.

Sunday Blessings

This is a photo my daughter created in her Digital Photo class. She is so creative and I have lots of her art in my art room.

This is a mask that I have hanging up that she created in 7th Grade and won an award in the Art Show.

 I have put some of her art around her photo in the family room. Though she may be at a point in her journey where I am the Mom that makes her do things she does not want to do, I will always be the Mom that is so proud of her! She is a true blessing that I am so thankful for every day. I can't believe in 2 weeks from tomorrow, she will have been my blessing for 17 years.. time flies. I am so thankful and my top 5 are:

1. Though we may not see eye to eye, Love always will

2. Peaceful hot days that will melt into Fall

3. Creative blogs that inspire me

4. Good friends sharing our journey together

5. Learning to laugh more and not stress when I forget things.. (This has made it to the top of my prayer list!)

Beach Treasure

This piece has been in my mind since the beginning of the week once the theme was put out for Inspiration Avenue. I still believe that there is more to this piece but it is where I am with it now. I still feel like there are ideas in my head that don't come out as well on paper.

TGIF

 It is Friday again and I am so glad. It is a long weekend too and I hope to get some projects done. I am very excited. But for today, I would love to be floating down the river in this. I was on my walk over to the bridge in the morning and I saw this coming down towards me. With the temperature to be in the high 90's for the next couple of days, I sure would love to be just cruising down the river like this. Tried to get the picture with my phone again, need to remember my camera more.

Well hope everyone has a nice long and safe weekend. I hope to post a couple of projects later. TGIF for now.