Promotion

I must promote two products I came across this week. The first is from Alpha Stamps. They are hosting a Halloween Challenge and showing some of their oh-so-must-have products that will get you in the mood for Halloween. No, it isn't too early to start your scary projects, and you can begin by using one of their "collage sheets", like the one pictured above. Check this out Alpha Stamps Giveaway

At Target this week I spotted these vintage looking t-shirts. With CIRCUS designs! I always love the circus, don't you? They have several different designs in women's and girl's sizes, in both sportswear and sleepwear. The pink shirt is a sleep shirt. The blue t-shirt I have been wearing for days now. I may sparkle them up with some sequins or some such. Or maybe not.

Summer of Awesomeness

While unemployment, the housing market, Congress, the economy and most of the US melts down, here in the Pacific Northwest we are sprouting mushrooms.

Truly, this is a fresh crop, in JULY, of delightful little fungi. So, what are you gonna do? Bemoan the absence of summer here, or get dressed and go to town?

Me, I'm getting dressed in my finest summer wear, Gig Harbor style. Raincoat? Check. Warm layers? Check. Thermos of Starbucks espresso? Check. Off to town because it's SUMMER and that means The Circus is coming!

The Circus, full of mystical delights for young and old alike. The daring flying ballerina transports me to the high wires. Is it too late to learn to soar under the Big Top?

Perhaps I would be better suited to the Master of Ceremonies, as directing the action has always appealed to me. As I sit in my front row seat I shall imagine myself as the ring master.

Ah, yes, The Circus. Peanuts, anyone? Popcorn? Cotton Candy? ps This production is part of Laura's Rhinestone Armadillo Summer of Awesomeness series.

Birth Day

Today is my birthday. It is a beautiful Pacific Northwest Summer day. I've already gone for a ride to the beach. Now it's lunch in town at a favorite restaurant, then buying my b-day present. Ipad2. Can't wait. Staying in the moment, for now, my Great-Niece Jacey made this card for me last night and delivered it as I returned from my ride.

How great is this????!!!! Best card ever.

My Favorite New Thing

At Michael's I was pawing through all the Tim Holtz stuff and came upon a single package of Perfect Pearls. It must have been a return because there were no other selections of the Pearls nor any tags for them. I watched Tim's video on techniques for using them...and now they are my new favorite thing. I made a couple more ATC for the cruise using Tim's stamps, Distress Inks, brushing on the Pearls over the wet ink. These give such a great shimmer. Tim also uses the Pearls to make a shimmer mist liquid to spritz over your craft item. Ooooh, I gotta buy more colors. And a project isn't done until the backside is tizzied up a bit.

Summer Surprise

This is the 9th summer on our 7 acre rural property, surrounded by many acres of forested land. We have always had dogs, at least 2 and as many as 4. A month ago we said good-bye to our last dog, and SURPRISE...here comes a deer. We were quite startled to see her, a very pretty yearling doe. So, for now, we are sharing with her our roses, and pansies and everything else that grows and flowers.

Mass Production

You may know that at the end of September I am going on a crafting cruise with Tim Holtz? What, I haven't been talking about it non-stop? Lucky you! So, YES, I'm going on this cruise, in the Caribbean; hubby is coming along as my non-crafting sidekick. Tim has a Yahoo fan club called "All Things Tim" and that group is burning up the wires with talk of I'm gonna do this and how-to that plus swapping plans (er, you know, ATC swapping). I've decided to participate in swapping in my own introverted way. I'm going to make around 30 ATC's to hand out like business cards to those fellow crafters I like. Believe me, in a crowd of 200 I shall be fortunate to personally connect with 30 gals. For me this cruise is 1st a Caribbean cruise vacation with my hubby. 2nd a chance to learn techniques from the master himself. For my ATC's (artist trading cards) I will definitely use Tim's products on every one, even if it is only his Distress Inks. But I am not limiting myself to producing Tim-centric items. I am going to just have FUN and try my hand at assembly line techniques, in a limited way.

Happy Independence Day

I love vintage Patriotic images, and have been anticipating working them into a craft project to celebrate The 4th of July. But, pneumonia got in the way of that as well as most everything else in my life this past week. Still, I had some supplies on hand so here is a little bit of independence spirit for you. (ps; my pics sometimes look a little blurry, but you can always click on a pic for a bigger and clearer view)

I've been thinking of the meaning of Independence. Independence is something I've taken for granted my whole life. I left home the day after my 18th birthday to flex my independent muscle, and I was allowed to do so by the law, by my family, and by the attitude of acceptance that prevails in this country. I lived where I wanted to because I had the freedom to work at any job I wanted to take on. I chose my own friends regardless of race or religion. I read the books and newspapers I want to select. I've gone alone as an unescorted woman without thought that society would condemn me. Throughout my life I have lived with the expectation that I can choose. The power of this is tremendous. The debt of gratitude I owe is impossible to repay. But I do acknowledge that debt today, and my gratitude for those who paid a high price to guarantee it.