Just came up with Daughter's birthday invitation. I really like this alphabet and numbers. This was a great find at a local stamp store that was having a big blow out clearance... Set for $1.00. I then also got the trick of how to do double letters in a word with clear stamps. Create the work leaving space for the double (like in mine the second 'e'.) Stamp the word and then put the missing second letter on another block and then stamp it in. With the clear stamp, the placement is so much easier.. no guessing. I can not tell you how many words I have redone when using the old rubber stamps.. loving clear stamps!!

Another set of pages done. I used a new technique on the number 3. It was something that at an stamp expo I went to. First step was to use a very light color, and stamp the image. My white ink worked good for that. Then go over the stamped image with a glue pen. Then put extra fine glitter over the glue and tap off excess. It worked! Sometimes it is hard for me to follow some of the cool things I learn; but this one I did!!

Sunday.. a beautiful day. Nice weather, working on more pages. Trying hard not to think about work tomorrow.. but it leaks in. Would love to stay home and work on projects! But I appreciate what I have; so off to work in the morning.. These are the pages I finished.

Putting more pages together on the album.. can't believe she is going to be sixteen! It is just amazing how time can fly.. Today was the first soccer game of the season and I got one picture.. Then I come home and work on the pages of when she was a baby... My sweet baby is growing up!

Getting pages started. I am trying to add in different embellishments. I like this smaller album because I am able to use some of my scraps and that gives me so much more to work with.. Still learning about inks and paper and the various types of techniques..

A good day... I put together the book. I like the cover, I feel like the colors are good but still need to improve my design skills. I am having fun. The best is that the air conditioner is fixed!!! He did it himself with a $8.00 part!! Thank you Lord!!

Starting my daughter's book is not a simple task. I have ideas that I like but I want it to reflect her personality and likes. Looking to create a theme to coordinate it. I want to do 16 pages, one for each year. She loves the color blue so use that as the base.. started cover page and not sure if it is right.. too tired I guess. Have to take a furlough day tomorrow and Friday so hope to get a good start next two days. (Air conditioner is still out, UGH) hope for cooler weather.

Comments please...

I have a new blog editor... he keeps his paw on the delete button!

Monday is a mental push for me some times. I am very thankful for my blessings because I know they are carrying me right now. To make me feel better, I worked on my mini album again. I think I am happy with it now. Front cover is better. However, just now our air conditioner died!!!! UGH.. so I guess I better be brave and find some way to make money doing cards or layouts fast.. It is supposed to be 103 tomorrow!!

Oh Sunday..

Here it is Sunday again.. I can't believe how fast the weekends go. Today, I have been working on a project for a friend's anniversary and I am having so much fun, hours have flown by. I just LOVE to make layouts or mini albums with the photos I have. While I am creating and thinking of the colors, embellishments, or parts of the item, I am looking at the pictures and remembering the people in the picture or what I was doing when we took the pictures. This is so good for my soul. I feel so peaceful and restored doing this. The anniversary gift I am making is a folding mini album that I learned about from my favorite website, http://www.spottedcanary.com/! It is made from a file folder. One folder is used and by folding it up you create pockets and then make cards to fit in each pocket. IT is so cool. The gift is for a friend that I have known since 1st grade. We don't get to see each other very much, both busy with work, family, and life but she is a wonderful person and I just wanted to do this for her to let her know that I still think of her often. It is 25 years and that is pretty awesome too. Still a work in progress but got to finish by this week!!!

Just Feeling Artsy...

It has been interesting now that I have my room. I have done a layout that I have been wanting to finish so I feel good. More though, I have been moving things around, looking at pictures, and just enjoying that all my art stuff has a legitimate place.. it is so wonderful!! And I love looking on the Internet there is so much to learn and see. So not that I was good about keeping a clean house before but I am really bad now.. working during the week and then just want to be in here all weekend.. Oh well, maybe the new chic house will be one that has dust and dirty floors.. ha ha.. But having too much fun to really care!

Who knew...

I am still arranging the space of my new room and it is a lot. I brought in my photo boxes and projects from the closet of the other room. I am very guilty of getting lost looking at all the memories and reminiscing about the times gone by. I found some old pictures of my first wedding anniversary. (It will be 25 years this November) We have been blessed with two wonderful daughters. So lots of memories and pictures to look at. But I do have alternative motive.. Our younger daughter will be 16 next month so I want to put a memory poster or small album together. However, she figured out what I was doing and said she does not know why I do this stuff.. but my heart tells me in about 10 or so years she will know. Because who knew that I would have had such a wonderful life and these scrapbooks, pictures, and art work could take me back to those moments and make me even more thankful!

A page layout using our 1st year wedding anniversary

A cross stitch pillow that was in my daughter's bedroom when she was little.

Big Move

I finally did it. I am in my own space. My older daughter has moved out and I have officially taken over the spare bedroom! I am to share with my husband.. haha.. we will see. I am so excited. It is not ready and I only have a small desk to do work but it is a great start!!! I can't wait to get started on some new projects!!

Wow, been a few weeks since last post. Not creating lately just absorbing. I love to read and look at the Somerset Studio and the Take Ten magazines. Also looking forward to an expansion to our local museum; the Crocker Art Museum. They are going to have some wonderful early California impressionist art work!! If I could do something different I would love to learn to paint and study the impressionists. But for now it is so cool to have this art here so close.. the new exhibit opens to the public in October, can't wait!

Here is a painting from one of the artist of the exhibits; Otis Oldfield "White Dress" SO BEAUTIFUL!