Tuesday, August 30, 2011

One Lucky Lady!

Okay, before I start today's blog, I want to acknowledge yesterday's blog - Yes, I posted it twice.  I guess it was twice the fun!  :)  I actually didn't realize I was posting it twice, but if you couldn't tell... I did have a lot of fun that day!
Okay - now for today's blog...
I have a close friend (even closer now, hopefully) who went to California for the weekend, stopped into a casino and looked at what happened....
She won $2,000.50 on a penny slot machine!  Whew Hoo!  Let's go shopping!  Congrats, Best Friend!

Sunday, August 28, 2011

One Happy Stalker!

I shared with you yesterday that I was taking two classes with designer Debby Schuh.  Debby is from Buffalo, NY and was here in Phoenix for the last Creative Escape which took place this last week.  At the last minute, she offered two classes at a local scrapbook store.  I very briefly met Debby at CHA this last January and when I did, I truly felt like a stalker.  But let me tell you, after her classes, I was one happy stalker!  Here's a sampling of my day...
I drove to Scrap Happy Sisters located at 67th Avenue and Happy Valley Road.  Yep, that's what I said. It took me about an hour.  Part of the 101 was closed down and I had to take the frontage road.  Needless to say, I was a little worried.  I pulled up and was able to park right out front.  That's my little car.
I always enjoy going to other stores .  Scrap Happy Sisters has a lot of samples and I wish I would have had more time to look up and down each aisle.   I was busy with the classes and on the break, I went and got something to eat, so there was little time for shopping and exploring the store.
Here I am with Debby Schuh.  I loved her classes and especially her teaching technique.
In this picture Debby is showing us two of her projects for the next season.  Her eyes were closed for this picture - very sorry.
The picture below is of one of the books we made today and is titled "The Recipe of Me."  Some are going to use it as a cook book, but it's original intention is to do a book about me, people and things that fashioned me throughout my life.  It has the most interesting folded pages, which is hard for me to show you.  Her products were a combination of different vendors, but the paper was from October Afternoon.
Some of the inside pages...

The second altered book we made started out as a shopping bag from the Anthropologie Store.
Some of the inside pages...
The paper line was by My Mind's Eye - one of my absolute favorite vendors!

I had a great day - and can't say enough about how much I enjoyed these two classes.  Debby is coming back the first weekend in December and you can bet I will not miss her classes.
Have a great week!

One Happy Stalker!

I shared with you yesterday that I was taking two classes with designer Debby Schuh.  Debby is from Buffalo, NY and was here in Phoenix for the last Creative Escape which took place this last week.  At the last minute, she offered two classes at a local scrapbook store.  I very briefly met Debby at CHA this last January and when I did, I truly felt like a stalker.  But let me tell you, after her classes, I was one happy stalker!  Here's a sampling of my day...
I drove to Scrap Happy Sisters located at 67th Avenue and Happy Valley Road.  Yep, that's what I said. It took me about an hour.  Part of the 101 was closed down and I had to take the frontage road.  Needless to say, I was a little worried.  I pulled up and was able to park right out front.  That's my little car.
I always enjoy going to other stores .  Scrap Happy Sisters has a lot of samples and I wish I would have had more time to look up and down each aisle.   I was busy with the classes and on the break, I went and got something to eat, so there was little time for shopping and exploring the store.
Here I am with Debby Schuh.  I loved her classes and especially her teaching technique.
In this picture Debby is showing us two of her projects for the next season.  Her eyes were closed for this picture - very sorry.  
The picture below is of one of the books we made today and is titled "The Recipe of Me."  Some are going to use it as a cook book, but it's original intention is to do a book about me, people and things that fashioned me throughout my life.  It has the most interesting folded pages, which is hard for me to show you.  Her products were a combination of different vendors, but the paper was from October Afternoon.
Some of the inside pages...

The second altered book we made started out as a shopping bag from the Anthropologie Store.  
Some of the inside pages...


I had a great day - and can't say enough about how much I enjoyed these two classes.  Debby is coming back the first weekend in December and you can bet I will not miss her classes.
Have a great week!

Saturday Friends and Family Crop

After my class on Saturday morning, I went home and spent a little time with my puppies, then back to the store.  Several of my friends were getting together at the Friends and Family Crop held at Paper Vineyard.  I had to work on my cards for the card exchange.  This month's theme is "ribbon and lace."  I had to change my initial plan because my sewing machine just wouldn't cooperate.  I am going to have to get it fixed before my sewing class on 9/11/11.  I was very frustrated, but still came up with a cute card design.

 This is Theresa's work station.  This is the same Theresa who took my class today, so she has been a busy crafter all day.  We talked about how we could do it all day long.  
 Esther and Nancy are working on their projects.
And this is the rest of the room.  A nice crowd  turned out.
Tomorrow is a special day.  I am going to two classes by designer, Debby Schuh.  She lives in New York but is in Phoenix for Creative Escape, so she is teaching at a local scrapbook store.  I have wanted to take one of her classes - and tomorrow is my chance.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

All Occasion Card Class

I cut my kits this week getting ready for the all occasion card class, which was held today.  I had a good turn out and we had a lot of fun.  They were a quiet group, though.  Some photos from today...
Carol, Carol, Brooke, and Valerie are busy putting cards together.
Three generations of card makers:  Carol, her daughter, Carol, and granddaughter, Brooke.  Today was Carol's birthday (the Carol on the left) and Brooke made the most amazing cupcakes!  Sorry I missed getting photos of them.  They were lemon cupcakes, very light, and absolutely wonderful!  Thanks, Brooke, for that tasty treat!
 Miss Theresa - who also makes beautiful cards.
Everyone working away on their cards.
The punching station - there were multiple border punches used in the cards in today's class.  Border punches are one of my favorite tools.  I just can't have enough and I am always looking to expand my supplies.
Nancie definitely looks like she is having a good time - and so organized!
Thanks, ladies, for a great morning!

Class day!

I was preparing last night for my monthly All Occasion Card Class - we are using die cuts from We R Memory Keepers, along with their "Travel Light" paper line.
This was the last card kit.  I wasn't sure about the die cuts, but I am sold on using this product.  I am looking forward to seeing their Christmas die cuts - what a great way to make cards, nice and easy.
More later today!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Has anyone ever seen this before?

I have to admit, when I saw this at the hospital, I had to stop and see what it was.  It is a sign... by a door... which lets you know that this is a staircase.  I had never seen that before and wanted to share it.  It may not be new to you, but I have never seen it before.
It just goes to show, you can learn something new everyday.  Or... don't say it... but you can teach an old dog new tricks.  Yeah, don't go there.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Cindy's 7Gypsies Tray...

My very good friend, Cindy, created this beautiful 7Gypsies tray of a friend's daughter's wedding.  I hope I got that information right.  

Using flowers, ribbon and paper, she brought in the colors used by the bride at her wedding.  The photo of the cake is so cute!  I love the vine-looking flourish around the photo of the bride and groom - so delicate.  And what about that wire-covered, chipboard heart?  I love it!  Cindy, thank you for sharing.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Rainy days in Orlando

I spent the last week in Orlando taking care of my mother after she had surgery.  While I was there it rained everyday!  I actually enjoyed the storms - thunder and lightening, flash rain - it was a nice change.
These photos were not all taken the same day, but YOU would never know that.  These are taken through a screen porch so they may look a little "fuzzy."  You can see the water flowing off the roof line.
The rains always came in the afternoons, usually around 3:00.  
This little lizard was not upset by the rain at all.
So I decided it was a good day to sit out on the porch and read a book - the next month's selection of my book club.
More storms...
My niece, Rachel, came by with her little one, Caleb.  He was all over the place, but extremely happy and a very sweet baby.  He will be 2 in December.  Before he left that day, he said my name.  You had to listen closely, but it was there.  Isn't he handsome?
I want to share with you something about this last photo.  It is currently a vacant storefront in Orlando and we drove by it every day when traveling to and from the hospital.  What is special about this place?  Well, my dad lived here with his family when he was a child.  My grandfather had an auto repair business that he ran out of the front of this building.  My dad told me that his family lived in the back room - 7 people - in a room that was about 12' x 12'.  They ate, slept, and did everything in that one room.  I can only imagine that the kids spent a lot of time outside, rain or shine.
My parents grew up during the depression, so I understand the impact it has on a family, however, it just amazes me and makes me realize how hard my parents worked for the things they have (and now can't let go of).
Take care - more tomorrow.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Greeneville, TN... here I come..

I just recently learned that one of my brothers, is being promoted and is moving to Greeneville, Tennessee. He works with John Deere - and has since before he graduated from Purdue.  It made me a little curious and so I started googling images taken in Greeneville.  I am now so excited about going to visit.  This first picture truly caught my eye and intrigues me...
This was titled as "My shed in Greenville, TN."  I love it.  I think because it has an over all hue of green, which is my favorite color.  It is moss covered, creepy, warm, and inviting all at the same time.  
This is considered to be the oldest, or one of the oldest, houses in Tennessee and it is near Greeneville.  I find it interesting.  I also learned that Andrew Johnson lived in Greeneville.  Davy Crockett also lived there.  I am thinking this might be where I go next summer.  I will check out timeshares relatively close and make a visit.  Great fun!