Construction Zone

With a cup of chai tea and my sidekick Rainy Day, I began working on my Hawaii journal today.  I don't know how I can work in these conditions...yet I do. 

4 More

These 4 ATC's for An Enchanted Affaire came together a bit easier than the first 4 from yesterday.  I think because I resolved to use ONLY whites and I didn't fuss so much with them.  I used a piece of Inkjet Printing Cotton;  printing the fairy girl image from Graphics Fairy and stamping the other images.  I like the little princess so I'm going to make more cards with her. 

I'm Back

 

Sunday after breakfast I hustled up to my studio with the need to make some ATC's for the upcoming Enchanted Affaire event.  YES, in late April I'm going to my first ladies art weekend.  Signing-up was, for me, quite spontaneous.  I decided I was ready to meet some new lovely ladies with a similar interest in paper crafting; to travel to a beautiful warm spot for a little get-away, to learn new skills, and to shop the So. CA legendary flea markets.  Really, who wouldn't want to go?  OK, ok...back to my ATC's. 

 

There are a number of swaps to be done in advance that will make the affaire even more fun.  And I signed up for a couple of those.  Yet, I'm thinking that I'd like to share even more with the women I meet by giving out little calling cards, aka artist trading cards.  The theme is Enchanted Affaire, with Snow White as our mascot.  I'm choosing to stay with that theme.

 

I bought a Disney illustrated book full of princess stories.  For these ATC's I tore out small images from the book; brushed over some creme paint to tone down the colors; then rummaged for interesting vintage laces and whatnots.  My current muse is Kimberly at http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/  Back in December I was lucky to exchange ATC's with her.  Her work is layered and lovely. 

My selection of fabrics is limited (paper?  that's another story!).  Supply shopping is not convenient for me, nor especially enjoyable...and good grief.  Do I really need MORE STUFF?  I made due with some old lace, dotted swiss, handkerchiefs, flowers plus new odds and ends.  It's a start.  I only need 25 or so more! 

Getting Rusty

UPDATE:  Above is my finished card...and below is how it started.  I'm not gonna futz around with Blogger to sequence the pics.  In the mail it goes. 

 I can't even recall the last time I paper crafted.  The little time I have spent on crafts has been practicing wire wrapping beads.  I had some play time today coupled with the desire to make a card for Josef; it has been too long between greetings.  Yet inspiration was really not in evidence.  Still...there was work to be done.  I sat in my chair, gazed around at scraps on my desk, grabbed the scissors and began.  With Graphic 45 collections, Tim's Distress Ink plus some bibs and bobs I can almost pull off a decent effort. 

Spending more time than I allowed, I had to call it quits as dusk approached 'cause my horses needed dinner.  The card is not done, but I made good progress.  Tomorrow Sunday Monday I'll finish it off for Monday's mail. 

How Do You Like Your Coffee?

 

One of the reasons I get out of bed in the morning is knowing that I can soon be drinking a good cup of coffee.  That, and my horses like their breakfast on time.  Good to me is strong and hot.  I've tried all manner of equipment to find the perfect method. 

A few years ago I upgraded to this automatic espresso maker.  It is very useful as it grinds the beans before each cup, and can steam milk for cappuccino.  Still, I felt the perfect cup was still out there to be discovered.  Hmmm, what about that new fangled Keurig?   I researched every model, every point of purchase, pricing, on and on; couldn't pull the trigger to buy.  However, I bought one for Christmas for my Mom.  Still...my own eluded me.  Until I parted with my Amazon gift card.  How do you like your coffee? 

Beaded Clutch Journal

I've started a little project, based on the vintage clutch journal from Suzanne http://suzanneduda.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/11/diy-vintage-purse-journal.html

I decided to use mine to organize receipts for "just for me" purchases throughout the year;  the craft supplies, clothing and other pretties that I use my pin money on. 

Intermission.  Goin' to dinner and a movie.  To be continued... OK, I'm back.  Dinner was a fresh chili rellano and movie was "O Dark Thirty".  Meh.  I listened when Suzanne told about struggling with the closure due to heavily embellished pages; thereby keeping mine simple and using more paper than fabric.  Above is an exception with an old doily and vintage millinery. 

 

I really needed to get this little organizer done cause the receipts are piling up!  What with taking a bead 101 class, a quick spin through Marshall's (so many clothes on clearance!), starting a new album workshop with Clare and on it goes. 

Which brings me to the challenge of tracking my eBay and online expenditures since those don't have traditional receipts.  I shall need to make wee ledgers to tuck in these pockets.  Oh, dear.  Paperwork as in accounting is not nearly as interesting as paperwork as in crafting.   

Kick Start

 

While you read my story, perhaps you can nosh on this delicious cheesy pizza quick bread.  I substituted with what I had on hand (made my own buttermilk with milk/lemon juice, used a blend of shredded cheese in place of mozzarella, salami in place of pepperoni, etc).  My husband who likes my cooking, exclaimed DELICIOUS with the first bite.  And so it is.  Here's the story part.

Anyone notice I've been AWOL for a couple weeks?  Sure the holidays are busy for all, but there was more going on with me.  I was in the grip of SAD, seasonal affective disorder.  Had been for many weeks; many weeks of feeling drained with no interest in doing anything, no energy to do anything, dragging through each day until 4 pm when I'd reach for the cocktail shaker...I couldn't even wait until 5 pm!  Then anger got added to the mix of unpleasant symptoms.  I am a sunny person!  This was not me, and I realized I had to do something.  But, you know, it's hard to talk about.  I finally complained to my sis how exhausted I am and she said...sounds like depression.  Uh, yeah, I guess it does.  With that light bulb coming on, I raced to my most trusted adviser, Google, for some research.  For a number of reasons, I felt that SAD most matched my situation.  I ordered a light box on 2 day delivery from Amazon, stat. 

 

Here's what the cheese bread looks like.  I think kids and husbands will really like it.  It isn't "diet food", but 1 slice, warmed, with a big salad and a petite glass of chardonnay makes a lovely meal.  Especially in front of TV watching season premiere of DownTown Abbey.  Am I the only one who thinks Shirley McLaine was made to look ugly, and her character clueless?  Back to story.  While I waited the 2 days for light box to arrive, we got some sun here.  And I sat in it for a while daily.  My mood returned to normal (happy).  Which I took as another clue that SAD was me.  I've used the light box for 30 minutes each morning for 4 days now.  Grey skies have returned, but not my depression. 

I have enough energy to write this post, to tackle some household projects I've delayed for a long time, to make a few new recipes, and mostly to just feel upbeat and cheerful and interested each day.  The little things!  Let me share another recipe with you.  These crumb bars are so very good.  Make a 1/2 recipe to start and you will add this to your keep file.  Click on both of these recipe pics to get a good printable version.  If that doesn't work for you, and you want to try them, email me and I'll solve the problem.  Because I have the energy to get it done.  Yeah.