Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Key to My Heart stamps - Sympathy Card

I've had to make not one, but two sympathy cards this week. How sad! This one is for a guy at work who just lost his Father. I'm hoping the Twilight and gray colors will make it less girly. It seems elegant to me. The second card was so pretty until I had a "glue accident". I'll see if I can get it repaired or remade and post it tomorrow.

I did get to Yoga last night and it was very good for me! I felt strong - and while a little bit tentative, I was not afraid. It feels good to be back!

Happy Hump Day!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Card from Friends!



I am very blessed to receive wonderful-fun Halloween cards from my friends - they all know that I don't usually send out Halloween cards - I'm in m-a-j-o-r production mode already for my 100+ Christmas cards! These are just adorable, huh! I wish you could see Jone's in person - because it sparkles and you know how the camera doesn't capture that essence.

It was a great Monday - we're expecting a "cold snap" (don't laugh) it will be getting down into the 40's by the end of the week! YIKES! We don't really know what to do with 40's (since no-one here owns a coat!).

I'm going to Yoga tomorrow - I'm very positive and happy about that - so I probably won't be able to post tomorrow. Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Namaste.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Open Stamping Treats

Don't just love these little pumpkin pie jack-o-lanterns? So cute you could just gobble them up? I must confess - they are very tasty! I was inspired by Bakerella! Check out this blog (if you dare!!) I just had to make them today - while I'd have people to help me eat them (other wise, I'm in danger of eating them all myself and that would be B-A-D, very, very bad!)

We had 7 today for Open Stamping - it was very fun! This group is not only good friends, but they are growing so much in their artistic talents - it isn't unusual at all for them to be teaching me new tricks! What a treat!?!

Speaking of treats - I "borrowed" this idea from Annette Green, My Creative Journey.
These little darlings were so easy that I pulled together 10 of them in less than an hour! The hard part was sizing them as I had different stamps to work with than Annette used.
Well, the tables are put away, the kitchen is clean and the dishwasher running, the garbage has been put to the curb - I've tidied up the nursery - and probably need to begin to think about bedtime. Speaking of - I slept 9 hours last night without interruption. I have high hopes for the steroid injection now - it looks like it's working and I will have my life back.

Ready for Monday!
Hugs!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Tree Pose

I'm just bursting with good news this morning - I slept all night - I saw the ortho surgeon yesterday and he thought we should try an injection of steroids into the joint. It seems to be working!!! Thank God!

This is just another weekly planner page - very self explanatory!
Happy Friday!!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Technique Page for Sunday's Open Stamping

I think the past two months I've deviated from the standard technique page that my friends can add to their albums - so this month I decided to get back on track! Our technique is "cracked glass" and the technique was taught to me by Heather Nichols at Pine is here. Sorry about the glare on the "glass" - I took the photograph at night (i.e. flash)!

I can't believe it's Wednesday night already. This week has just flown by - and I have so much to get done before the weekend! Saturday is our big church fellowship (steak fry) and I'm in charge of setting up and decorating the tables. Sunday is Open Stamping at my house (always fun - but also takes some planning). I'd better get off the computer and get something done!

Hugs!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Oregon State

Another weekly planner page - this one from a few weeks ago when my friends and I took Keri up to school in Oregon! The reason this page is on a twilight background is that it's the first page in the 3rd volume of my planner for 2009. I adhered it right to the inside of the front cover!

Another great day at work - I love that there is so much interesting to do and I don't even notice how late it's getting on most days . . . I am so blessed!

Have a great Wednesday tomorrow!
Namaste.

Monday, October 19, 2009

What's a Farfar?

Farfar is a Danish word for "Father's Father" - and this handsome man is my daughter's Farfar. If you read my post from yesterday - you know I recently visited them. Telling you the story in one post, then posting the scrapbook page later is a trick I play to get you to read more posts (just kidding!)!!!

This is one of the weekly planner pages that I've been doing this year. My book is amazing! I had to split it into three volumes (maybe if I'd left off the dimensional elements? - nah!) The other day my DD was asking what date we went to the Chihuly exhibit in Phoenix together - and I started to say "I don't know" but then I remembered that I DO know - it's in my planner! It was so awesome to open to that week and remember her visit and the beautiful glass exhibit.

The layout is self-explanatory - except that I (the last person on earth) discovered lace! I found some awesome natural fiber lace in the clearance bin and put it to good use! ;-)

Namaste.

Sharli

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Shaving Cream technique

This is an old-ish card that I recently spruced up with one more layer of matting and used as a sympathy card. The shaving cream technique is the highlight of this one, for sure! It is one of the few where I've done the technique on cardstock rather than glossy paper. I like how the technique works on cardstock . . . there is a subtle difference in the way the paper soaks up the ink.

I enjoyed a visit to my daughter's "Farfar" yesterday. "Farfar" means "father's father" in Danish - he is so much fun, so full of life and has such a good heart! 89 years young. He and his wife live in Prescott. He immigrated to the US from Denmark in 1954 with a wife and 3 small children. Can you imagine going so far away from the life you knew? New places, new language, new people. At one point in our conversation yesterday he pondered what changes his new great-grandson (born just a few months ago to my niece) will experience during his lifetime. As we looked backward in amazement at all that has happened these past 89 years we know that there is no limit to the possibilities.

I'm so thankful that I got to spend the time with Aage and Jeanne.
Namaste.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Boss's Day

Tomorrow is "Boss's Day" and I work for someone who is a nurse, although the only time of year she actually holds a shot in her hand is during vaccine season (i.e. NOW!). Most of the time she is an Administrator. And a very good one at that! I'm proud to work for her - and inspired by her example. (and I said all that with no belief that she knows about my blog, tee, hee!)

Ok, for the details - I LOVED the card that Julia posted here a week or so ago - and knew I NEEDED that stamp to create just the perfect card for Beth. So, I ordered it and was really, really lucky because it came tonight! I made this card to go with my gift (silly things - she doesn't need anything!). I'm happy with the card! It uses some of the last few scraps I have of the Close-to-My-Heart Key to My Heart special from last year. That is such pretty paper! The stamps are by Cats Pajamas (I bought the whole set about "get well" - figure I'll need it this year!).

I had the most wonderful experience last night - about once a year I'm scheduled to teach a safety class for the Spanish speaking employees at one of our campuses. This department is just amazing - they work so hard, as a real TEAM, and are so respectful of each other . . . they were attentive, had a good sense of humor, and appreciated that I was there "trying". It was one of the most rewarding hours spent. I just wanted to brag on them a moment! :-) Thanks for listening!


Monday, October 12, 2009

Can you have enough "thank you" cards?

Being an Episcopalian my vote is "no" you can never have enough Thank You cards! There is always someone to thank for their kindness! Most of the time a simple word is enough - but sometimes it just requires a card. I know YOU all understand ;-)

This card was completely inspired by a note I received from Keri O'Neal! Keri is the DD that the Ya-Ya Scrapbook Sisterhood moved up to Oregon last month. She was kind enough to thank me for the vacation of my lifetime (or for helping her move). Her card (I should have taken a photo of it!) was very similar but she had a brown background paper with the fleur-de-lis design. I like both of them, but I didn't have any of the brown paper so my card is blue. The cool thing that Keri did with this was to stamp the flower image on the inside of the paper envelope . . . the stamp must have been loaded with ink because the flower showed through to the front! What a pretty way to decorate the envelope!

Long work day - lots to do and more coming my way! I'm buried in end-of-year reports - working against a deadline, in fact, when my DD calls me because her boyfriend just cut himself on broken glass (long story - don't ask!). We decide nothing in a 5 minute call - I tear myself away to meet with my boss and (I learn later . . .) she takes him to the ED. Happy ending! He'll recover. WHEW!

And that, my friends, was only Monday!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Event Planner

I was SO behind on my event planner! I use mine for Birthdays - and those were entered (the ones I know about!) but the September and October headers were not done yet. If I can, I'd like to finish out the year tonight - but we'll see how much energy I can muster.

The September one is a "back-to-school" theme using the Delight in Everything papers and the September word puzzle. The October is just the October word puzzle, but I used the Caprice paper pack and actually paper pieced the pumpkin and the candy corn! Cool, huh! All Close-to-My-Heart products.

This weekend has been very helpful - I've been able to nap when I can, fiddle around on the computer when I can't sleep - keep quiet and get to know my ice pack better. We're becoming reluctant friends. Hope you've had a lovely weekend, too!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Sympathy

Sometimes we need a nice sympathy card. This time I didn't want it to be too "sad" looking - so I chose the pretty colors. It's still "serious" but just not too somber. In a way, I cased my own card for this one. About 3 months ago I was inspired by another artist and created this card.

Work was great today - lots to do and all very productive. My evening has flown by way too fast. Tomorrow I am thrilled to be attending a special recognition event for employees who have had the privilege of being employed at my workplace for "landmark" years. I'm in the lowest category - which might explain why I still pinch myself every day on the way to work just to be sure I'm not dreaming that I got this fantastic job! It will be nice - they always do things nice. What a great way to slide into the weekend!

Namaste.


Wednesday, October 7, 2009

A Jone Card!

My friend Jone did this card, isn't the owl adorable?! I love everything about it and just wanted to share with you. See the liquid glass on some of the leaves? And the owl's eyes are green sparkles?! I do believe she used a "puddle pad" to stamp the branch and leaves those different colors . . . Jone is very talented. She just started stamping recently but she's been an artist all her life!

Today? I finally slept last night - slept so well I overslept 45 minutes! I was only 5 minutes late to work. Now I call that AMAZING! I'm tired again now so off to bed.

ps - please keep Jake in your prayers. She's got the dreaded "muhungus". (i.e. flu)

Namaste.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Halloween card!

Hello Friends! It's Tuesday night and you know where I should be? At Yoga, of course. But I've done something to my knee and needed a break - I've been trying to not whine about it - because you don't come here for the whining. I'm sure I'll be good as new before we know it!

About this card - It was inspired by someone, and they used smaller stamps (another brand) and beautiful "page from a book" paper behind the focal image. I went with Caprice papers and the Close to My Heart Spooky Smiles stamps - what fun these images are!!! Hope you like it!?!

Namaste.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Stupendous Stampers - Unit Meeting Project



At our most recent unit meeting, my uber-creative upline, Joanne Zubal, taught this fabulous technique - it's a cupcake box! With my friends, cupcakes are all the rage - so I can imagine making these in every design imaginable! This project used the Close-to-My-Heart Creative Basics Paper "Jingle" and Trees from Holiday Trinkets.

Work was very interesting today - I was doing some noise studies and got to "role-play" in a job that I don't know much about. So, there were lots of new things to see and experience! I love days like that! I'm pretty tired tonight though! (Well, now, let's look over my posts and see when I'm NOT tired! LOL)

Hugs!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

World Card Making Day













This was my attempt at a masculine birthday card! It was for the son of a dear friend, who turned 21 (yikes!). The gift card was for coffee (not alcohol, LOL). It's all Close-to-My Heart product except the silver brads - I picked those up on a clearance table in a scrapbook store in Albuquerque, NM last summer. What you can't see is that the wavy gray piece is pop-dotted up 1/8". The paper is "Game On" and the stamps are "Happy Birthday" and "Card Commentary".

Our weekend weather has been just gorgeous! This time of year I remember why I live here. It was really fun - from 7 AM to 7 PM to be outside! I tidy-ed up the yard (raked leaves and trash from under the bushes) and watered here and there, and pulled weeds . . . it just felt good to be in the sun and fresh air and not be HOT.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend - I have more to post but will save it for tomorrow!