Happy Halloween

Mushroom Season

 Today I scouted mushrooms on my walk up the driveway to the mailbox. I tried to collect a variety as there were so many of the little fungi sprouting up.  I think that is chantarelle in the lower left, but I'm not certain as there is a "False" chantarelle variety.  Special finds for the day are on the right side of pic,  midway.  The purple mushroom is psilocybin and the tan with white spots is an amanita gemmata...I'm pretty sure.  I took a guided mushroom walk a couple years back.  Let me tell you, it is a lifelong endeavor to identify the gazillion varieties.  Many times the identification is not done by looking at the cap, but rather by the underside of the cap.  It's complicated. 

For the 8 years we've lived here, my mushroom walks have been primarily astride my BEST FRIEND FOR LIFE, Buffy.  However, I retired Buffy at the end of summer.  He is 28 years old, so he has certainly earned retirement.  And of course I still spend time with him everyday, but I do miss our rides together.  He has been mine for over 21 years; I love him more everyday. 

Then and Now

 My mother's mother, Nanny, loved to dress up and have a good time dancing, with a husband or suitor, as she was widowed twice, but kept trying!  At her prime, throughout the 50's to 80's her idea of stylish usually involved gold or silver sandals and lots of costume jewelry.  Which brings me to this post. 

 Yesterday my mom pulled out a box of Nanny's jewels, offering it to my sister and I.  I swear I have not seen this stash before, though Mom insists I have and didn't want any part of it in the past.  Truthfully, Mom's 80 year-young memory is better than mine, but I wouldn't admit it.  Now-a-days, with paper crafting being my artistic outlet, I DO want jewels that I can incorporate into my pretties.  These are perfect because they are not so precious that I can't bear to alter them. 

 Amongst the rhinestones were some silver and turquoise pieces.  In the past this type of jewelery was readily available in the west and was inexpensive.  Today the value reflects the handcrafting, quantity of silver plus turquoise, which is not so plentiful now.  I am really happy to have these pieces because they aren't massive.  They should all be worn together, don't you think? 

Lastly we have a bit of the oddities that Nanny favored.  Fun for her to wear then and now fun for me to play with.

Just Breathe

A little something to bring a smile to my friend Josef, who has to be reminded occasionally to "Just Take a Deep Breath".  Ah. 

I Can't Do 10 Minutes

 Oh, boy.  Blogger has "improved" things and now I have to learn how these improvements are gonna work.  Continuing on...There is a challenge on some craft sites to make a card in 10 minutes.  Thatsounds easy, and desirable on occasion.  I decided I would need to pre-plan a layout and assemble all elements in advance.  Still, the 10 minutes came to and end and I had barely begun.  I realized that for me most of the fun of making something is the process.  Cutting, shifting this and that around, pasting, adding and subtracting bibs and bobs.  Naw, 10 minutes is not for me. 

Today I wanted to make a birthday card for my niece-in-law.  I considered trying the 10 minute challenge, for about 10 minutes!  As it turned out, this card probably took me 30 minutes.  But who's counting? 

Reflections on a Cruise

On the way to Orlando to board the Freedom of the Seas, my darling friend Laura (from Rhinestone Armadillo) made a huge effort to host a tea party for me at the Dallas airport. Logistics were challenging: I had a 2 hour lay-over, but would have to leave the secure area in order to meet Laura. Would my plane by on time? Would all the effort be for naught? Laura researched which gate I would be arriving at and where would be the best place to meet up, albeit with no airport amenities whatsoever. Did I mention that she needed to drive an hour to even get to the airport? Not to be deterred, Laura marshaled her husband, daughter, and all the fixin's for a tea party. There she was, waiting for me just outside the secure area. I was overwhelmed with emotion at the sweetness of this gesture, and at finally getting to hug Laura. Because she and I had never MET, you see. We have become good friends and confidants strictly on the wings of our blogs and an occasional phone call. Truly, this was a once in a lifetime fairy tale experience. Laura's handsome husband, precious daughter, coffee, sweet treats, and Laura who is ever so much more beautiful in real life. Be still my heart.

Well, we did make it to the cruise ship for our 7 day fantasy. Because life on a cruise ship is not like real life. Oh, no. There are pastries 7x24, there is stunning art everywhere, and good music to sing along with in all the public areas, and great entertainers, and terrific booze, service with a smile everywhere...as the boat gently sways in the Caribbean blue sea.

The 14 deck boat was beautifully clean and appointed. The weather was sublime. We had day trips to Coco Cay, St Thomas and St Maarten. All lovely islands surrounded by warm, clear, turquoise water. I was on this voyage for 2 reasons. Of course the Caribbean always beckons. As does an opportunity to learn from Tim Holtz in a series of workshops.

Here is Mary Ann. She and her husband Jeff were our dining table companions and as it turns out, she was my workshop neighbor, too. Now on a cruise, you typically have no choice on whom you sit with at dinner. I was pleased to be seated at a table for 4; just me, Bob, Mary Ann & Jeff. But I didn't know them and what if they were unpleasant people?? As it turns out, they were great company and I like them both very much. Sure Mary Ann and I have love of paper art and Tim in common, but she was also an experienced crafter and a fun companion. A couple of times whilst intensely working on our projects I did something WRONG. Mary Ann never interfered, but when I mentioned to her my trouble, she knew just what to do. Now, that I like!

Here is Margaret. Ah, Margaret. Isn't she gorgeous? She was such a generous help to me in advance of the cruise, with good advice on cruising and the workshops. She is much experienced in these things and I was clueless. It turned out we were in different workshop groups (when there are 180 attendees the groups can't all be in the same place at the same time), and actually didn't meet up until the last night, but that doesn't matter at all. She is my good buddy.

Here are the Artist Trading Cards I collected. I gave out quite a few of my cards to gals who didn't have anything to trade with, which is perfectly fine. Towards the end of the cruise I ended up trading many of my cards during a workshop session when gals saw one of my ATC's and they scrambled to trade with me. That made me feel good. I don't know if I will ever have an opportunity like this again. I will always have Tim Holtz' Caribbean Cruise in my heart.

Groovin'

I am in a craft groove. Don't wanna stop, but hubby and horses have to be fed. Me? I could live on Salt & Black Pepper potato chips along with Parmesan Black Pepper dip. I made a couple quick cards for my pet sitter and for Josef.

Then it was on to some Halloween fun.

I finally threw a couple decorations on my naked black faux tree. Those round rosettes with the spikey things coming out are felt flowers from Tim's swag along with pipe cleaners. I got the idea from a Pier One catalog. The mini skeleton is really cool...from Tim, too. Now, however, it's time for a bit of cooking, a sip of a margarita.

Goodies & Stuff

Did I mention that Tim gave us TONS of stuff during the workshops? A little of it was used in the projects, but most of it was pure swag donated by companies that obviously really like Tim.

He told us that he just boldly asked for stuff; in many cases their most recent products...and not just a sample but the whole dang set. For example whole pads of Graphic 45 (Steampunk) and Kraft Resist paper. Plus tissue tape and a dispenser, and a big glue runner that is probably a $15 tool. Many, many really cool embellishments and elements. The workshop gals were gasping and hooting with glee as these give-aways were being handed out. CHRISTMAS!

Still, I shopped at Mario's store on the ship. Then, when I got home, I combed eBay for more must haves like the Perfect Pearl Mists (we all loved this stuff) and the rosette die with the required strip cutting pads and platform. Still to arrive are a couple of the watches. How will I ever store so much swag?

Home from the Sea

Just returned from 9 days of travel, 7 of those days spent on the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas, sailing in the Caribbean Islands. Here is the Royal Promenade in the middle of the ship: A soaring, gorgeous promenade filled with art, shops and cafes.

The purpose of the cruise was to take workshops from the master of paper multi-media art and products. Here I am with The Man.

The biggest project was a collage tray, like this one. Well, somewhat like this one. This is Tim's. Mine in only partially complete. We spent 6 hours of workshop time, divided into 2 sessions, on this to get to the semi-complete phase. Many of the crafters spent extra time in the craft studio to add more mementos into their tray cubbies.

This pendant is mine. This was done in a 1 hour workshop. I had a terrific time throughout and I miss my crafty pals, Tim and his assistants. I miss the ship amenities...in fact I am still rocking as though I am at sea. Dry Land Motion Sickness, I guess. One memory I can keep going is the song "Price Tag" by Jesse J. now playing on my play list. Tim played it, and Maroon 5's "Move Like Jagger" over and over. Ah, back to workshop mode.