New Year's Eve..

Have to go to work today..  not what I had planned but I know in these economic times I am thankful. I do hope to be able to get home early to go over to a friend's house tonight. My friend has had a hard year and I look forward to sharing some time with her and our families, she deserves some celebration! As for me this year I have much to be thankful for and look forward to the New Year and the potential it brings with it..Here are the top 5 for the year 2010

1. One Daughter graduating college and continuing to amaze me

2. One Daughter growing up and reminding me that adults can be "Ditsy"

3. 25 years of marriage that has tried to teach me that I "can't" always know what the future will be

4. New friends in blogland!!!

5. Slowly opening a door to my creative side!!!!!!

WISHING ALL A HAPPY NEW'S YEAR EVE!!!

DON'T FORGET MY 100 POST GIVEAWAY, details on yesterday's post!

Here it is.. for my 100 Post Giveaway

This is post 96!! I have received so much since I started blogging. I appreciate all the kind words and support. I feel this is the beginning of a wonderful long journey for me and I look forward to many more posts.  As a thank you to everyone, I want to offer a Scrappanda piece.    

So here it goes..  If you would like to receive this piece, please leave a comment to this post.  Then on the Friday after my 100th post, we will celebrate and I will randomly pick a winner.  It will be January 7th in the evening after I get home from work. (After 8:00 pm Pacific Time)

Thank you again and look forward to picking a winner!! 

Windowsill treasures

I have a fun little desk where I create my art. It is right under the window in the room. I love the spot in the day time because I open the blinds and can look out and see the side fence and little bit of yard. It is our side fence but there are vines growing over. Some ferns have taken on the space and made a little jungle. Little birds, butterflies, and even a few hummingbirds have stopped by this summer. A fun creative spot to be. But today I noticed that I have added quite a bit of things to the windowsill. I have a new fetish, glass jars. I have started putting things in them, but there are still lots of miscellaneous items growing there too. HAHA.. Well it is a dark rainy evening and I guess I just was distracted by the growth of my windowsill.

Last Monday of 2010

I usually take this week off work but this year that was not possible. I was able to get Thursday and Friday, so I am looking forward to some art time before 2010 is a memory.  I am also at 94 posts, and when I get to 100, I want to celebrate.  So I am giving one of my scrap panda pages away. He is not quite ready for his debut but hopefully soon. I have checked out what others have done and will release how to participate on Wednesday.  Well better go for now but here is a peak..

A Cup that holds so much...

I have been AWOL for a few days and I am feeling amiss. So I preface that this post has the potential of having an overflow of ideas, thoughts, and emotions but here goes.


I missed my thankful Fridays. So for that here are my top 5.

1. Wonderful friends and family that give me so much love and support
2. Computers… haha (this is a very love/hate relationship but I am thankful)
3. Secret presents that I really surprised my daughters with
4. Family memories, past and present
5. Just like Scrooge, that I can find a change of heart when I see the true meaning

My last item brings me to my next step. Ok I will admit now that I was Ebenezer Scrooge this year. I tried at first to fight it. My daughter and I put up the outside lights on my birthday; the tree was put up but waited to be decorated; I put a few decorations up in my office at work and went to the Christmas Party…

UGH. But my Christmas Spirit was weak at best. And then just like Ebenezer, I was visited by three Spirits.

First on Christmas Eve, my daughter met me at work and we went to a fabulous store downtown.

It has been a tradition since my girls were little that I would get a few fun stocking stuffer items there. Well carpooling has cramped my style and I could not get there until my daughter took me this year. We had so much fun laughing and see the different items they have. Ok so that was the Spirit of Christmas Past

Still left with some major Baa Humbug.. I did not go to a family gathering Christmas Eve. My work day had frustrated me and I was feeling sorry for myself and did not want to be out late so I stayed home.. I believe first time since the first year I met my husband more than 27 years ago. When they got home they told me of the nice time they had, the family, and the presents they brought to me.. I felt terrible.. The Spirit of Christmas Present haunted me.

On Christmas Eve, guilt was eating at my heart. I knew I was a true Scrooge but could not help mysef!! We finally did decorate the tree. And as we put up the ornaments, my heart was hurting more. We put up the ones we have had for the girls “ First Christmas” and the ones they made through the years with their pictures and then the family ones with all of us and our names. In the boxes were some broken ones. As is our tradition, we put our nativity scene under the tree, it is the Holy Family. First it is the tree skirt with the word HOPE placed down, then the cotton with Mary and Joseph placed just so. It was not midnight yet, so we don’t put baby Jesus out. This year when I looked at the little family, I really felt a missing part. Time will pass and we may not get a chance to be together again so I better not look at these days bitter about work or lack of money or frustrated family members. I love my family and would miss them dearly if I weren’t here. AH.. the Spirit of Christmas Future.

Christmas day came.. I felt sad for being such a Scrooge but wanted to change. So first I helped my younger daughter with some baking and we had fun creating unique ways to wrap her gifts of baked treats. (yummy) Then we went over to my sister and brother-in-law’s house, it was BEAUTIFUL! Decorated so magically, the tree, the Santa table, the dining room, the mashed potato snowman (I wished I had a picture!), the outside CHRISTMAS HIPPOTOMUS!!! I had a fabulous time. I am truly blessed and promise never to take that for granted again!

And my faith tells me this that it is in the giving that you receive. So this is the last of my story today. We could not do much this year so I was very frustrated to think of gifts for my girls. I know there are IPADs, UGG boots, or many things that would be the IT gift but not in the finances this year. This is what did happen. First my younger daughter will be finishing high school soon and has been looking into colleges. She knows the financial situation and is looking to stay close, go to a local community college which is fine. However, deep in her heart I know she would love to go to a private college she likes in Colorado. She is very good at keeping stuff inside. Well, I went on-line and bought a sweatshirt from the college. When she opened it up, her eyes lighted up. She put it on right then. I cannot say what will happen in the future, we just wanted her to know that she must remember to make her own future and believe. I think she will do just that. Next is my older daughter, I cannot keep anything from her. She wants to know everything.. (apple doesn’t fall far from the tree) She always finds my hiding places for gifts. IT MAKES ME SO MAD.. but NOT THIS YEAR!!! Because of my Scrooge mindset, I put off till the last minute but I made her a mini album. Putting it together was a labor of love, from the beginning cover of U and me. She loves everything animal. She has since a little one, hence the animal prints and theme.

  

Can not believe this is almost 23 years ago!!

Wow, 80's hair..  wish I had the much hair today.

Years may go by, but she still loves kitties!

Even Cats in Hats!!!

Grew up so fast.

Maybe not as a Vet like she dreamed then but I know I will be seeing her one day in that white doctor's outfit.

  

Love of animals and adventure has not changed.

Yep, she will always be the big sister!

 

Chillin' in Maui, a memory I love!

   

Too funny, chillin' in Yosemite another memory that brings a smile to my face.

There were more pages of special memories. The back cover was fun to make

When she opened it she was so surprised. SHE HAD NO IDEA. She cried, I cried and I promise to remember this Christmas and try never to be Scrooge again!!

Brown paper packages tied up with string...

Well maybe not exactly but just like the song..  a package that comes in the mail unexpectedly is a favorite thing!!  I am so excited to show my gift. I was chosen as a winner of a challenge at Inspiration Avenue , This beautiful painting is what I received in the mail on Monday. Magpie's Nest created this beautiful painting and though I have not found the exact spot, she is in my room giving me support and creativity. I am so thankful for all the friends I am meeting in blog land and many from Inspiration Avenue. It is a wonderful place to learn, share, and discover the creativity that I had been afraid to share in the past. This gift and so much I will cherish always!

Sunday thoughts

It sounds so trite but time just flies by so fast on Sundays. I want to make some gifts for my staff and for family. I think I have bigger thoughts then time. I am going to have to be very dedicated the next few days!  Ugh..  I sure hope work is mellow this week so I have more energy at the night.

That much closer

Every day Christmas is coming closer. I got a good start on the outside but the inside is not as done. I have been told that as soon as finals finish today, that I will get help to make our house look a lot like Christmas. So this poor tree will not be so naked!! Well can't believe it but another week has come and gone, lots to be thankful for. Top 5

1. A creative hubby who made a cute dancing snowman!
2. Taking a chance on change
3. Board presentations completed
4. Christmas cookies at work
5. Good coffee in the morning

To all my friends

Like the old cliche goes, if I knew that it was this much fun, I would have done this a long time ago. I have enjoyed every blog person I have met. I learned a lot about myself and from others. I am getting close to my first 100 posts and was thinking of creating a special scrap panda piece and doing a giveaway, details another day.

But today, I just wanted to say that Hubby finished my dancing snowman (see sidebar) and I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and joyous New Year!                 

Inspiration_Avenue_Believe

I had fun putting this piece together. I used one of my favorite Christmas stamps. I painted the background with trees and snow. Then I stamped it with music in a silver ink and inked the edge with the silver too. I added snowflakes in white and light blue. Then for the top I used red wire and added glass beads. I like this design, so maybe I can incorporate it into my Christmas cards this year.  Ugh, I better hurry.

Another Art

It is a busy time of year. Lots of things to do for the office and at home. So here is a batch of cookies and brownies for the office Open House.  Pretty designs, maybe I will recreate in an other kind of art form one day!

Brownies with a candy cane chips.

Thinking Monday

Do you ever feel like something is in your mind but just don't know what it is that is bothering you? I have felt this way off and on for many years. I can't say I have ever figured out what it is but I have found that allowing myself to be more creative has become a wonderful outlet to relieve some of the frustration. I have to admit that I am not the patient type and I call it growing pains, but I just want more and more. So just like last night, I have a lot of things I could be doing but I am blog hopping and creating a little art tonight. It is late for me but I just could not help myself.. I started a little Christmas scene and now I better get to bed. Tomorrow morning is coming way too soon..  ugh!

Procrastination

It is one of those nights.  Don’t want it to end. I have a HUGE “to-do-list” and most of the items are very time sensitive. Tis the season  of holiday items, shopping and decorations.  And then there is the every week things that need to be done.  SO what am I doing, altering a plastic container to hold my pencils and pens. IT IS JUST too tempting. I starting just adding some colors and now it looks like something from Van Gogh’s blue period. HAHA..  Well better get back to working on my list. OH how I wish there was more time to create!

Inspiration_Avenue_Peace

This week's theme at Inspiration Avenue is peace.  This is a very near and dear to my heart theme.  I believe with every inch of my soul that we do well when that is what we seek and share with others.  My daughter one Christmas gave me a licence plate cover for my truck and it reads: Know Jesus Know Peace, No Jesus No Peace. I had so many ideas in my head for this theme and this is the one I completed. This collage is one of my favorite stamps and includes a part of the St Francis prayer of peace. Wishing all a time of peace this holiday season and through out the coming year.

Living for the weekend

When feeling unable to handle my journey, I go into "auto-pilot". It is something that I don't like but it is my survival technique. Everything has been "complicated". How I got through this week was by living for the weekend. Work and family did not mesh. And these times call for extra prayer. Right now not feeling successful at that BUT I am truly thankful for another day to try!!!

My top 5

1. FAMILY - I would have jumped off the deep end this week
2. Holiday Party for work
3. A wonderful sister who listens to my whining with her kind heart
4. Options in life even if they scare you
5. Friends that keep you in focus

Book Class

What a wonderful day! The class was so much fun and I learned a lot. There was only 5 students in the class. First we learned how to create the book front and end covers. For mine, I was able to use the cover page from the Maui magazine that I had kept.

The back cover is a map of Maui



The next step was to create the pages for the book. Pages are created in sections called signatures. Each signature has a cover. This book has 5 signatures using plain paper and some with designs.

Within a signature extra items like a brochure can be added. This is a really fun and unique way to put in items from a vacation.

After all the signatures were created, it was time to sew it all together. Sewing together the pages is done in a very systematic way. As the signatures are sewn together, beads are threaded in for the spine.  Straps are put between the sewing and once it is all complete the straps are glued to the covers.. 

I plan on adding a lot more embellishments and photos. This was a fun process and I really want to make a few more so that I remember how to created the whole book and putting all the pieces together in the right steps. 

Inspiration_Avenue_Once_Upon_A_Time

Once upon a time there was a scrap panda. She had lived in the forest her whole life and always did what she was told. She dreamed of being an artist but did not know how. Then one day she discovered that she did not have to become an artist, it was part of her the whole time. From that day forward, she began to grow and was never the same again.

One more day

Tomorrow is my class with my sister.  I am so excited and ready to go.  I got my tool kit items and pages to bring. It will be an all day class and can't wait to see what we come home with. So much that I am thankful for...  Top 5

1. Creative classes
2. Work week done
3. Time to be with my sister
4. Opportunity to learn new artist expressions
5. Following through with integrity

Sleepy times

I just can't seem to get out of this sleepy mode. I realize that the day light is less but this is no different then any winter season before.  I still have to fight to stay up and then I am really sleepy when I get up in the morning. I am beginning to understand why bears hibernate! Then I found this sleeping bag and I could not help but laugh!!

How does it start...

Creativity is a interesting process. I wonder sometimes is it in my head, is it in my eyes, or is it in my fingers.  I am working on a project for a challenge and today I wanted to paint a background to start but then when my eyes saw the color it made me think about a field with green grass and leaves blowing in the wind. Then I saw some pieces of paper and started to rip them and created little pieces that I put together to form my figure for the project. And now after creating the piece to this point I started thinking about a story that would go with the piece.  It is so interesting the path to creative output that happens. I love how free and open it is. I am not done so I wonder what other paths I shall take before I get to the end??