I hope you know, my friends, that your friendship means the world to me. Do you also know that most of you are away from me? That's right. Besides Gig Harbor, WA, you live in California, and Texas, and New Mexico and Hawaii. Doesn't matter. Just one example of how you support and guide me is this note from Josef, of Dragon Slayers.
For you, my friends, take a friendship badge and think of me when you wear it.
Friday I saw the new "Alice in Wonderland", along with my family members spanning in age from 88-years-young to 11-years-old. Since then my head has been filled with the images from the 3-D screen. I felt compelled to "do something". With the fan shape fresh in my mind, I made a larger version a la Underland. Maybe now I can rest.
Our gal, Vanessa Valencia, shared her template and instructions for these sparkly clovers last year. I made a few and kept 2 for myself. I stumbled upon these a few days ago; they will accompany me for the next week...Just For Fun. Thank you, VV. Sparkly Clover instructions. Go have some fun.
My contribution to the 5-Blade-Venetian-Fan swap for AlphaStamps.com is fini. I learned so much about what NOT to do, and it took so long to complete these little bits of paper, that by the time I did finish I forgot lessons learned.
My inspiration was a real fan I bought in Venice; providing a bit of coolness in a sweltering swoon. The Venice trip was a V.I.P. experience of a lifetime won by top salesmen at my husband's company. One night's dinner was held at a 2 story restaurant just off the Piazza San Marco. Several of us arrived first and were seated upstairs where it was hot and airless. After just a few minutes I rose and said "No, no, no. I cannot stay here as I am a lady of a certain age and must have the cool breeze". You see, the downstairs dining room was open air.
The waiters couldn't have been more gracious and moved our party downstairs. Still warm (no air conditioning in the Old World), but with the help of my fan I coped. And weren't the other ladies jealous?
These fan blades had me digging into all of my supplies, and only a limited number from AlphaStamps. Not because I don't like their products...I LOVE THEIR PRODUCTS...but I have so much on hand that I always try to use. The vintage crepe paper, the vintage "postcard tags" from Tongue In Cheek's brocante (see sidebar for her link), the dresdens, stamps, glitter glue, ribbon, gilded rub-ons, chalks, ink, scrapbook paper, eyelets, paint...whew.
Finally I am fini. Good-bye little fan blades. I hope you find a good home.
I spotted these on Friday at my local grocery store; just under $13. Thereafter, you can buy the scent refills for around $7. I plugged it in to an outlet downstairs and find that it helps the first floor smell fresher. Not overpowering, in my opinion. Next day, I bought another one for my 2nd floor. I plugged it into an outlet in my bedroom. A short while later I felt it was too strong in that smaller space so I moved it into the hallway and now it's fine. It's a good thing. What I don't know is how long the little fragrance bottle lasts; a week? a month?
My mom is facing a battle. After I got past feeling very sorry for myself, and talking to a few friends about it, I came to realise something. This much I know is true: My friends give me strength and we (my family and friends) are all in this together.
Just a few months ago I discovered the exciting selection of crafting products at AlphaStamps.com. Since then I've received their e-newsletter full of new products and inspiring samples. They also have "swaps", a concept that has intrigued and somewhat baffled me. When their "swap" for a Venetian Fan came out, I signed up to participate. There are only a few rules: #1 is to use some AlphaStamp products on the 5 fan blades, #2 is to use their template and, #3 is to submit the project on time. Oh, yeah, and to play nice with others :). 
Here is my project as of yesterday afternoon. That was then...I've already changed a number of things. The challenge of using AlphaStamp products is a bit of a stretch for me...what you see is mostly NOT from them. So I must find a way to use more. And much MORE STUFF to induce a sense of continuity, gaudiness, perfectness, and originality. Am I having fun yet?
