Project Life App is Awesome!

I'm not a huge fan of project life; I use it occasionally, but find I like doing traditional pages more personally satisfying. However, the convenience of displaying photos that would linger in a box or in cyberspace is definitely an advantage I appreciate in comparison of the time it takes me to "create a page" so I do both.

However...The PL App! 

The collage section is fantastic for me. I love Cathy Zielske's Tiny Templates from Designer Digitals and the section of the app is hugely similar app. It allows me to trial out and create designs, print, email etc. all from my devices. This convenience is fantastic. Well done PL and BH!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10152709133601343&substory_index=0&id=750551342

One Word Layout

I dedicated some time to creating a layout for the Ali's One Word class this month and I'm really pleased with the results. I still have to write up the definitions and intentions on the cards, but the first page has been finalised with the embellishments. Can't wait to make it officially complete by taking a photo and publishing it. I was really surprised by the framing effect of drawing lines around the outer edge, as was done in Ali's examples - that is not something I would have normally done - fantastic touch.

Definition of my One Word - organise

I looked up my One Word - Organise - to find out its various meanings and possibilities: Dictionary.com definition organize or organise  (ˈɔːɡəˌnaɪz)
— vb
1.	to form (parts or elements of something) into a structured whole;coordinate
2.	( tr ) to arrange methodically or in order
3.	( tr ) to provide with an organic structure
4.	( tr ) to enlist (the workers) of (a factory, concern, or industry) in atrade union
5.	( intr ) to join or form an organization or trade union
6.	informal  ( tr ) to put (oneself) in an alert and responsible frame of mind Doesn't it have some great scope for exploration over twelve months! How will I ever truly learn all it has to offer? It will be interesting how I will interpret the different parts over the coming year. I'm particularly intrigued by the possible interpretations of "to join", "to form", and the "frame of mind".

One Word

A new year and a new start. Received a Kindle recommendation prompt about a book called "One Word to Change Your Life". I didn't have to buy the book to know my word but then I received a recommendation from Big Picture Classes, Ali's One Word. Serendipity? Coincidence? Whatever you call it, I was in - book and class. My word?

Organise - verb

I have a lot of hope for this word in my home and work life.

Work comes with a pretty significant stress load… deadlines, multiple "to do" lists to juggle, a few unpleasant sorts, and perhaps worst of all choices about what to leave undone because there’s never enough time or resources to follow all of the ideas.

And then there is the stress of being less than I want to be outside of my professional life… and that is where my word started. I have an unrealistic idea that to be organised will solve any number of problems. Thankfully I saw through that and recognised that the verb opens up varied routes for personal growth and improvement. Hopefully, with a little purposeful thought and more intentful observation, I will restore a sense of self that complements rather than fights the pleasures of professional life. 

Papertrey's Make it Monday Challenge # 12

This will probably be the last challenge I'll be able to participate in for a while - back to school next week so won't have the time. However, I've enjoyed the time off and the chance to create items I wouldn't have pushed myself to do in normal circumstances.

This challenge is about using line frames - mine is made out of blue cord and it is on a repurposed vintage bottle of scotch whiskey that used to be my late father-in-law's. I couldn't bring myself to throw it away so I thought I would try to make a bud vase out of it. My aim was to maintain texture and a touchy-feely, three-dimensional look. The papers are from K&Co Botanical range and I covered the label with their embossed vellum. I didn't want to remove the label as I liked the aged look and layering it provided from underneath. It also reminded me of how versamark, such as in the card made here, shows you an image but it's muted. The butterfly label is cut from embossed paper and the vellum butterfly was cut from the matching embossed vellum paper. The wings have been tipped with a glitter pen by Sukura.

The medallions hanging from the cord are made of shrink plastic. OMG do you have to have some incredible faith to work with that stuff. Those little suckers twisted and curled as much as my stomach did watching them. Yes, it was my first time trying the stuff, despite the fact it's been sitting in my drawer for the last ten years! They are stamped with Trademarks, Out on a Limb Sentiments, Guidelines Two, and one of them is cut from the  Limitless Layers dies the other is from Spellbinders.

Instead of using ink/pen to outline the lable, I've used the blue cord (Memory Makers - I think) to outline it, secured by very minute dabs of Glossy Accents. I had to wait until it was fully dry before turning a corner to maintain a straight edge. The ends are tucked behind the raised label.

 I pleased with the results, even when it isn't being used as a vase it will look pretty on the shelf in my craft room and remind me of him.

Papertrey April Blog Hop Challenge

I hope everyone has had a great weekend. It's amazing how much I have been able to do these last few days while off work for the Easter Holiday! I took the time to look at the blogs I follow and I was inspired by Nicole Heady here and decided to try to emulate  the design for the Papertrey Blog Hop masculine recipient challenge. I don't have the right dies and stamps. Yet. But I thought I could improvise a little. Now that it's complete I can see that I haven't used the best colour combination, but overall I'm pleased with the results, as I usually struggle with creating cards like these. However, Papertrey have some new stamps and dies that really fit the bill and will make it a lot easier in the future - now all I have to do is get them across the 'pond'.


 

Supplies:

Papertrey stamps: Star Prints; Everyday Button Bits
dies: Spellbinders Lg Labels; Fiskars Star Punch
paper/card: Do Crafts Papermania Birdsong and A6 card blanks, white Bazzil
ink: Versafine, sepia
other: ribbon unknown, dotted border stamp unknown

Papertrey's Make it Monday Challenge

Yesterday, the rain forced me indoors so I had a go with the Papertrey 'Make It Monday Challenge', which, this week, is to use the Papertrey dies for embossing, rather than just cutting. You can visit Nicole Headey's 'Capture the Moment' blog here for more information.

For this card, I used the large Seeing Stars Collection Die to emboss. I then layered the stars using the medium Star Die to cut the blue Bazzil and the Fiskars Star Punch for the red Bazzil adhering them with foam squares for extra dimension. The numbered stamp comes from Star Prints. I tried to make the embossing pop a bit more by using Fresh Snow, but I think I need more practice with that technique.  For the ticket I used Just the Ticket stamps and coordinating die. Sorry, but I don't know the source of the ribbon or card.

Thank you for looking and have a wonderful Happy Easter day.

What have I done?

I have ripped out a perfectly acceptable (I use the term loosely) carpet in our hall in order to strip, stain and varnish the treads and handrails. I know it will be worth it in the end. It's just managing to save my sanity until the end, that's causing the anxiety.

before

 after

Once I tried stripping with get paint stripper, I knew we needed a faster method; I now have a turbo-charger heat gun that works really well, but it is still taking a lot more time than anticipated. I'll still have to use paint stripper to pull out some of the previous woodstain, but progress will be seen. Eventually.



Before and After

Like thousands of others, I have fallen in love with the 7Gypsies trays. I bought this one from Archiver's on my last trip home to the States and brought it back to decorate. I used a lot of favourite scraps and embellishments I have been squirrelling away over a number of years. However the primary paper was MME and the 7Gyspies Nest sticker sheet. They have a layout example on the back of the box, which I took a lot of my ideas from, but I also took pictures at the store of some of their trays on display. If you want even more inspiration, the Archiver's Website has a huge section dedicated to these great home decor frames here.

Before

After

Papertrey March Blog Hop Challenge

I have never had a chance to participate in the Papertrey Blob Hop, but, by chance, I was able to take a little time to make a card using embroidery floss. Unfortunately, I have not been very 'inventive' with the use of it. However, it did provide an opportunity to play with my new dies and felt. Hopefully, I will have a chance to create projects that fit the bill more fully in the future. Thank you for looking.

For the March Blog Hop we are challenging you to use embroidery floss in a fun and inventive way on your project.  This could include stitching, wrapping it around and tying it like ribbon, braiding, accenting tags, embroidered patterns or anything else you can dream up!  We look forward to seeing your creations!

Details:

Cardstock: White card left over from a Costco kit

Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye, Abbey Road, Lucky Me 'Hello World' Lucky Lime Paper

PTI Dies: Heart Prints, Love Lives Here, Take Three

PTI Felt: terracotta tile and Hawaiian Shores

Other: Ribbon, button, blue crystals unknown source, embroidery floss Clark's Anchor cotton floss colour 816 (antique box of floss given to me by my mother-in-law)

Size: 4 x 6

New Puppy

Isn't she the cutest little thing! Our new addition is named Jess and we have had her with us for about 3 weeks now. She's really smart and biddable, quickly picking up the routines of the house. She's 8 months old, with a sweet temperament, but playful too - just what our 2 and 1/2 year Irish Setter needs. 

I'm having to learn how to handle two dogs on the lead and I suspect I'm quite comical marching down the road trying to keep the leads from tangling. To be fair, Paddy knows what is expected of him and usually keeps to the heel, but he's not immune to her distractions! 

Cute! Cute! Cute!

Poem

After our recent sad news, I wanted to share this poem I found on the internet; I thought it was apt and very poignant. You can visit the blog here:


http://needleinahaystackstitchery.blogspot.com/search/label/Fathers


My son called today;
He needed some advice
On how to wire the pick-up
To his trailer.

We chatted about resources,
Who to talk to,
Testing tools and time.

He apologized for calling
During my lunch hour;
He thanked me for helping
Him make a plan of action.

It was a good father-son interaction;
An informative phone call.

In between the lines-
Between the talk-
And the pauses
And the brief silences,
I heard him say:
“Love ya, dad,
Thanks for talking with me,
Guiding me, helping me-
I like it when we solve
Problems together”.

“Thanks for loving my mother,
And providing for us.
Thanks for showing me
How to be a man and knowing
About wiring, pick-ups and trailers”.

I heard all those things today,
In a five minute phone call,
From a town in Idaho,
A thousand miles away.

I’ll be gone someday;
He’ll have sons of his own:
Sons that will look to him for
Guidance,
Leadership,
Example.

In the not too distant future,
He won’t be able to chat with me
On a moment's notice.
All too soon he will have to face
The world without a dad.

He’ll have a problem:
Mechanical, financial,
A simple decision;
And
He’ll think about calling me

Then remember…

He can’t…

I wish I could call my Dad


Gary Eckhardt
© 2010 February
Atascadero

Christmas Fair @ 7:00pm tonight

Today is the day...

5th Sneak Peek

Only 1 more day...

4th Sneak Peek

Still counting down - 2 days to go...

3rd Sneak Peek

3 days to go...

2nd Sneak Peek

Only 4 days to go...

1st Sneak Peek

I have a number of photos I'll be scheduling to upload over the week, showing the items I will have for sale. I had hoped to add some journalling but that is unlikely to happen now. Enjoy the photos and join Friars PTA as they celebrate their annual Christmas Fair this Friday at 7:00. Thank you for looking.

Crafting Again

I started crafting again this weekend. A big step for me, considering how I have felt over the recent months. I started out small, just working on an altered wooden organiser. Will upload photos later when I'm feeling better. I think DH has passed on his flu; typical half-term malady for teachers.  I want to try and create a number of new items for the up and coming Friars Christmas Fair. It will be difficult to meet the deadline, as last year I created a lot of hte items during the summer months.

Back after a long break

I haven't posted in some time. My father fell ill, went in the hospital and died a few weeks later. I haven't been back to my crafting since. I don't really feel in the mood to do anything. I left the room in quite a state and I've only just recently cleaned it up. I'm still not back in the swing of things. Once I feel up to it I'll post what I've been working on.