SC99 challenge cards

I often participate in some of the weekly challenges offered at one of the two forums I frequent regularly, Splitcoaststampers.com. Each day there is a different type of challenge to stretch your creativity -- you can learn a new technique on Monday, take the color challenge on Tuesday, come up with different ways to use familiar materials on Thursday and -- my favorite -- try your hand at different layouts on Wednesday.

When I saw last weeks sketch challenge (SC99) I knew I would absolutely love it when I finally got around to playing with it. I had no idea just how much so! I've been working on personal Christmas cards over the past week, and have amassed a pile of scraps that are long and narrow, but too large to toss without guilt. I was sure I could find a use for them once I put my mind to it, but wasn't overly concerned about it at the moment.

Turns out this sketch is perfect for my leftovers. They are just the right width and require only a little pruning off the ends. I'm thinking I can get 20-30 more cards out of the residual bits -- something I will work on once my own Christmas cards are finished. It will be a good start to next year's troop cards. *big grin*

The sets used here are Reindeer Print and Holiday Tag Team. Accessories include star brads and "be merry" ribbon bought on clearance last December 26. One never knows when that crafty sort of stuff will come in handy, and what could be better than buying it 75% off?




Feeling good about finding a use for some of those scraps, I next went on to creating a birthday card for a family member celebrating this week. I chose this sketch once more, going for a more autumnal look befitting the season. I used three different stamp sets in this one: Fantastic Folliage, Lovely as a Tree and Botanicals -- three of my favorites. The "birthday wishes" stamp is a non-SU purchase made by Savvy Stamps. I wrapped sheer ribbon over it, then added another bit to the upper corner.




As for the past week...I did get L's cards finished before Thanksgiving and mailed them off to her Saturday. She received them today already! The USPS really outdid themselves on that delivery! I can't wait to post it, but will wait until she's had a chance to get them sent out, seeing as we've a few mutual acquaintances who happen by from time to time. Wouldn't want to ruin the surprise. *grin*

Thanksgiving with Younger Sis and BIL went surprisingly well. Yup, his relatives actually behaved -- once they finally got there. Sis and I had most of the food prepared by the time folks decided to show up, the exceptions being the mashed potatoes, ham and rolls being brought by others. Because people arrived so late, they ended up staying late, which meant getting back home -- you guessed it -- late. I don't think I was home an hour before bed beckoned me.

Worked on Christmas cards and Kat's Christmas present in between errands and laundry over the weekend. I also managed to get my front window decorated...window clings and a string of colored lights...and got my little 3-foot tree up, lights and garland on it, but no ornaments as yet. I'll work on that a bit during the week and will have it done before The Bug comes up Sunday afternoon for the Christmas Pageant at the Capitol. I haven't been in years, and look forward to it myself!

A Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you all blessings of the season, and a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Provencial Autumn

One of the fruits of this afternoon's labor. I made about a dozen cards in all, mostly Thanksgiving cards for a few friends and family, but also this one for the week's sketch challenge (SC98) which featured the slanted cut of the card front. Stamps used are Houndstooth, Provencal and Petite Patterns. Cardstock and Ink are Pumpkin Pie and Summer Sun. Ribbon is recycled from a gift basket received a few months ago. All materials except the ribbon are by Stampin' Up!

Sunday morning I will be joining a group of friends for the annual One of a Kind Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook Show at the Alliant Enegry Center's Exhibition Hall. This is always a dangerous event for those of us who scrapbook and make our own cards. Too many great stamps and other innovative products under one roof can prove quite tempting. The key, of course, is to make a list of items you really want to look for and to set a budget. NOT that that always works!

In addition to some card crafting, I also spent a portion of the day working on the last big Christmas cross-stitch present of this year. There are six main images, a border along either side, and a dozen random stars. Progress after nearly two weeks: Two images are completely done, another half way there, and the border along the righthand side and one star are also done. Provided I keep up the pace, I might actually finish by New Year's Eve, when friends and I celebrate Christmas together.

Of course, I still have 130 Christmas cards to make before the end of the month. Rose is bringing my cardstock order with her to the stamp expo Sunday, so I will be busy cutting and stamping while watching "Cold Case." Here's hoping I don't knick a finger!

Something for the Troops

Saw this posted to one of the forums I visit and thought some of you might be interested.

Go to LetsSayThanks.com to pick out a thank you card, and Xerox will print and send it to a soldier currently serving overseas. You can choose from a variety of messages or pick "other" and write your own. You can't choose who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services.

Whether you support the war or not, please take a few minutes to send one of these free cards, and let someone know you appreciate the job they do.

Cards for Troops

As mentioned before, I am part of a group of stampers who make cards for troops stationed overseas to send back home to friends and family. Below are some of the 175 Christmas cards I made over the past five months, now en route to some distant location. Why do we do it? Why not do it? It's not like they can walk into a Hallmark store in the desert and pick out a birthday or holiday card. Though it may not seem like much to some, it truly is appreciated, with cards being snapped up as soon as a group receives them. I know these will bring many a smile -- and perhaps a few tears -- to a lot of grateful faces this holiday season.









Here's a letter Sue, our group coordinator, shared with us earlier this week (names have been removed for security):

I am a Soldier, stationed in Iraq. I have only been here three months with nine months to go. We don't have much of a PX (post exchange - think Walmart). They sell soap, shampoo, some food items and a few magazines. No cards. They do, though, have some homemade cards available to Soldiers. I picked one of yours up the other day and am sending it to my Mom. I just wanted to say thank you for taking your time to make the cards and then donate them to us. I really appreciate it and I think my Mom will appreciate it even more. Have a nice day - today is Veteran's Day, so a poignant one for us.


And here's one from the week before:

I got the box of cards and goodies. You are really too good to me and my guys but we are NOT complaining. The guys all grabbed a couple of Thanksgiving cards and said to say thanks. As one of my soldiers said, I don't think I have ever sent a Thanksgiving card before. I did not even know there were cards for this but I know my MOM will love getting one so I am going to surprise her with this card. I thought you and all the women that help you should know your cards are one of the most treasured items in our care packages. It seems my men know what are in the boxes from you as they all seem to just show up when I get a box. I guess the great art work on the out side is a give away but we all liked seeing all the hand turkeys your class decorated on my box. Thanks again for making these outstanding cards for my men . I don't think we can tell you how much they mean to us but we love having them to mail home.
Please pass along my best wishes for a great Thankgiving to all the women who make cards...



Isn't making others feel good -- feel appreciated -- what the approaching holidays are all about?

CowParade: Georgia O'Cowffe

Georgia O’Cowffe
Location: Upper State Street
Artist: Donna McKay
Sponsor: Wisconsin State Journal

From today’s Wisconsin Almanac (Wis. State Journal):
Artist Georgia O’Keefe was born in Sun Prairie on Nov. 15, 1887. She was known for her intense, brilliant close-ups of flowers and desert scenes. After her husband’s death in 1946, O’Keefe spent the last four decades of her life in New Mexico’s Chama River Valley. She died in 1986.

Growing up I was never a huge fan of her work, perhaps owing to the fact that the Burger King near our high school was decorated throughout with large -- and in my opinion gaudy -- O’Keefe prints. There are just some walls fine art shouldn’t be hung on, ya know? There’s no denying, though, that this cow is a beautiful tribute to one of Wisconsin’s greatest artists.

Crafting Right Along

For Amber... This is one I started three years ago. While I had finished all of the cross-stitching way back then, I finally finished the backstitching and assembled it this fall.

For Sherrie... I started this one last winter and only got half of it done before Christmas. So, it went back on the project list for this year and I finally dug it out and finished it this month.

Another project from this year's list of crafts to do. When I first started this one, I thought it would take forever. Once I got going on it, though, it worked up really fast. Attaching all the little cutouts was a bit of a challenge, though. This one is going to friends in Norway. The white "stars" on the navy background is all French knots, and edging along the sleeves, hat and bottom of Santa's robe is yellow cording--and what fun it was to stitch in place!

I haven't decided who to give this one to yet. Maybe Tricia, since I have no other ideas for her. Like the one above, it worked up pretty fast once I got going on it, but those French knots on the red sweater were a PITA.

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

Cia posted this topic over at Romance Divas this weekend and, considering I'm elbow deep in Christmas crafts and homemade cards, I thought it might make a good blog topic -- you know, since I'm procrastinating instead of working on other things I should be doing. Feel free to consider yourself tagged (Jana! Rae! Bron!) and share your own holiday traditions.

~*~*~*~*~*~

When do you put up your tree? My family always put our tree up the day after Thanksgiving, but now that friends insist I get up before dawn to go shopping with them all day, I do it the weekend after (but only after sleeping until noon to recover from the day before). And yes, it's artificial -- not only safer for apartment living, but kinder to allergy sufferers as well.

How do you decorate it, colors, white lights, colored lights? I prefer white lights, non-blinking. My sister is the exact opposite: colored blinking lights. The color on my tree comes from the assortment of ornaments adorning it, many of which are handmade. I make ornaments for friends and family every year, keeping at least one out for myself, and receive at least half a dozen new ones in return.

Do you have a tradition to decorating the tree? Only one: there has to be candy canes on the tree. Since I don't care much for hard candy anymore, I only buy a few, then give most of them to my younger sister after the holidays. I've also compromised with handmade candy cane ornaments, some crocheted (NOT by me), some stitched (those would be by me).

Angel or a star on top? Victorian-style angel in ecru lace dress. Over the years our family alternated between both angels and stars, and even once had a lighted candle in a wreath that went on the top of the tree, but I have a small angel that fits perfectly atop my little tree, so that's what I use.

Do you like a big tree or small tree? I used to have a 7-foot tree, but it's a PITA to put up a tree that size on your own, so about five years ago I bought a 3-footer that sits on a table in my front room. I gave the big one to my sister last year when they moved into their new house. She offered to give me their 5-foot tree in exchange, but there really isn't room for it in my living room.

Do you color co-ordinate the tree? If I did that I wouldn't be able to use a quarter of my ornaments, a good portion of which are handmade.

Beads or garland? Well... For years my family used that gaudy gold garland and wrapped the tree from top to bottom. Yuck! I couldn't stand it, though my younger sister loves it. To each her own, I guess. When I had my larger tree I prefered silver tinsel -- luckily I have a cat who doesn't find it the least bit appetizing. Since getting the smaller tree I've changed it almost every year, just no tinsel or garland. One year I bought two long strands of rope cording -- the thick kind used for decorative purposes -- at an after-Christmas sale and used that the next year. Another time I found strands of pearl beads that go beautifully with my lights. I tend to alternate between them, depending on which one I'm in the mood for that season.

Nativity set? No.

Do you decorate the outside of the house or apartment? Colored non-blinking lights in the window, and years when I'm feeling truly ambitious I'll pull out seasonal window clings. I also have a small wreath with a snowman attached for the front door, a gift from a friend a few years back.

What's your favorite ornament? I'll go with the sentimental favorite: a flocked Santa Claus as old as I am.

Do you have ornaments handed down from generation to generation? No, but I have the above-mentioned ornament my maternal grandmother bought for my first Christmas. It's a little tattered since one of the dogs gnawed on him when we girls were little, but my tree isn't complete without him -- no matter how big an eyesore my mother thinks him.

Growing up, we girls (Me, Younger Sister, Baby Sister) always got to choose one new ornament at the store each Christmas, and Mom saved those we made throughout the years as well. The year after my younger sister graduated college (the baby sister didn't go and I graduated a year ahead of her), before we put up the tree, Mom had us go through the boxes and sort out what was ours, so that we would have them for our own trees. There were still plenty to go on the family tree. I probably have enough ornaments to decorate three 7-footers myself -- maybe four. *grin*

Photo Friday: Gross

The spoils of autumn, decaying apples....

Recycled Christmas

One of the cards I made this week, using a card recycled from last year. I saved all of the cards that came to the office, figuring I could cut down some of the images to use for cards. One of them was covered in metallic green, red and gold ribbons and foliage -- a design definitely not suited to cropping, so I pulled out circle punches and the SU window punch. Punching close together I was able to get several circles out of the decorated card front, then used the word window for narrow scraps left over, et voila! The green background paper is by HOTP, and added red grosgrain ribbon and light green brads for trim.

What American Accent do You have?

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."
The Midland
The Northeast
Philadelphia
North Central
The South
The West
Boston
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

Blame this one on Jana....

CowParade: Half and Half

Half and Half
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Artist: Michael Roberts
Sponsor: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board

CowParade may officially be over, but the cows aren’t. There are still about 40 cows I’ve yet to share, so I’ll try to do one or two a week through the end of the year. This one was on some discs I’d yet to upload to the computer, so thought he’d make a good pick for the day. The middle halves are made to look like the seal tops from those little creamers you get in restaurants. Clever, no?

One book that...

Tagged by Nichole ....


1) One book that changed your life... Aren't we changed by EVERY book we read?

2) One book that you've read more than once... MANDY by Julie [Andrews] Edwards



3) One book you'd want on a deserted island... Oh, gosh -- I have no idea. Something thick enough to last me awhile. Like the last Diana Gabaldon I've yet to read (A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES) because of how thick it is. I might have devoured the first book in three days, but know that this one would take much longer. I'm not as fast a reader as I once was....


4) One book that made you laugh... MIDNIGHT ICE by Cathie Linz -- the first book of hers I read, which was soon followed by her hilarious bumbling fairy godmothers. Now those were romantic comedies!

5) One book that made you cry... Oh, gosh -- there are so many that have hit me on that emotional level. For YA: MANDY by Julie [Andrews] Edwards -- I've read it about 20 times since I was a kid and it always gets to me. For fiction: OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon. Yes, I bawled about the entire last third of the book. For nonfiction: TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE by Mitch Albom.

6) One book you wish you'd written... Believe it or not, I can't think of any book I wish I had written, because if I had written something someone else had, it wouldn't be the same book. It would have a different voice, tone...different plotting altogether.

7) One book you wish had never been written... I was going to say this was a no-brainer, but it's a toss up between anything by James Joyce and MOBY DICK.

8) One book you're currently reading... Just finished Mitch Albom's FOR ONE MORE DAY and haven't yet delved into the TBR for a new one. Probably a romantic suspense....

Tagging: Jana.

Five things

Darn it all -- the fabulous Babe has tagged me to share 5 interesting things about myself that people don't already know. Umm...right.

1. The first and only time I swam in the North Sea I almost got stung by a jellyfish.
2. I almost fell off the top of Pike's Peak when I was 4.
3. I don't have a license of any sort, but HAVE been in a helicopter simulator. Neat experience!
4. My first poem was published when I was 9 yrs old, in a booklet that was distributed to city libraries.
5. I love cemeteries.

I am tagging: Jana and Nichole (and yes, Nichole -- I know I still owe you one. I'm working on it!)

Ho Ho Holidays

Spent the other night working on a bunch of cards to add to the troop stash, which is now up to 135. I hope to have at least 150 by end of the week so I can get them off to Sue, and she in turn can get them sent out so troops have plenty of time to send them back home to friends and family. Here are a few of my faves from that night's efforts:


No stamping on this one. Paper is from Hot Off The Press, "peace" is a sticker, tree is a cardstock tag by HOTP.

I started this one by stamping French Script on a piece of blue paper from HOTP, layered a bit of green by the same company and narrow strip of red grograin ribbon for a bit of color. Tree is a cardstock tag, also by HOTP, layered on a scrap of real red from SU and adhered with a snowflake brad.

This last one was done for this week's sketch challenge at SCS, SC96. The tag is from Ho Ho Holidays (retired, SU) and was a tag received in a Santa card swap last month. It also uses a greeting from Small Script (SU). Star on background is from Holiday Tag Team and was stamped with Versamark. A scrap of green patterned paper from HOTP was used for the reverse side folded up.

I know I said some time ago I would try to type up notes from the Wis Book fest, but as you may have guessed, I haven't gotten to them. What can I say, I've been busy! My mother is home from hospital/rehab and still needs some extra help getting around, plus there's work and my commitment to getting Christmas cards out to those who don't have the option of walking into a Hallmark. And, well - I've just been plain tired! Soon, I promise....

November Horoscope

I will love November? Hmm...guess we'll have to see.


Your November Horoscope by Susan Miller
(Astrologyzone.com)

You will love November! With six planets moving through water signs, you'll be "in your element" and swimming through warm, friendly waters. There will be a spiritual, reflective touch to November too that will appeal to you, so get set for one of the very best months of the year, dear Pisces! This one is just made for you!

National Author's Day

Today is National Author's Day. Yup, just one "official" day to honor our favorite writers. It's a good day to thank someone for writing a book recently devoured, or for influencing your life in some way. It's a good day to visit their website or blog, send them an email or write an actual letter. It's a good day to reconnect with fellow authors with whom you've fallen out of touch, find a writing group, or attend a booksigning. You'll find the links to some of my favorite authors' websites in the sidebar, though there are many more who should -- undoubtedly -- be there. Of course, voicing your appreciation is something that can be done any day of the week, but today is as good a day as any to start paying it forward.

Personally, there are a few authors with whom I used to be in excellent communication but have lost touch with -- largely my fault, I admit, due to events happening over the last couple years. No excuse, really, because you should always make time for the people and things that matter most to you, for those who have helped or mentored you, or even look up to you. Knowing that doesn't make it easier to accomplish though, and the longer you've been out of touch in any relationship, the more difficult it is to re-establish communication. No time like the present, right?

My challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to visit the websites or blogs of at least five authors today and let them know (via email or blog post) how much you enjoy and appreciate their writing. It will make their day, and make you feel good in the process.

And for all those participating in National Novel Writer's Month (NaNoWriMo), which kicks off today -- GOOD LUCK! You're far braver than I!

Cat-o-Lantern

Happy Halloween!

This picture was taken in 2003, in the neighborhood of a friend's grandmother. One of Grandma H's neighbors had carved a dozen or more intricate jack-o-lanterns and had them scattered between the sidewalk and her front porch. A little hard to tell, but there is the shape of a crouching cat (left side) looming over a poor little mouse. This was my first attempt at photographing jack-o-lantern's at night and not having a tripod -- or anything else handy for a makeshift one -- made it a bit difficult to truly capture these awesome pumpkins, not to mention the flickering flames, but I like it all the same. There's just something about it, know what I mean?

Hallowe'en Greetings

I whipped this card and several others out last night, following this week's sketch (SC95) over at Splitcoaststampers. Each week Rox posts a new sketch to challenge and stretch your creativity. Some are harder than others; some are fun and work great in producing a stack of cards in little time.

I only have one Halloween set, which I used for cards last year, and don't like any of those in SU's 2006 Holiday Mini catalog, so I found some images online of vintage Halloween cards and printed them off on photo paper. Trimmed and matted, then adhered to Apricot Appeal card to which I had already attached scraps of co-ordinating patterned paper (two of the patterns are from HOTP, not sure who the pumpkin piece is by). The image says:

Hallowe'en greeting! Good luck and good cheer

May these be the spirits that haunt you all year

Here's wishing everyone a Safe and Happy Halloween, particularly those braving downtown Madison this weekend for "Freak Fest." You won't find me anywhere near there!

CowParade: Marbelized

Marbelized
Location: Bassett and West Washington Ave.
Artist: Thomas Skupniewitz
Sponsor: Keller Real Estate Group

Though many braved the elements this weekend—wind, rain and snow—to attend the Wisconsin Book Festival, downtown Madison felt a bit empty, all the cows having been herded last Friday. A little sad that they were rounded up before Book Fest, but probably a good thing considering last night’s snow and Halloween rapidly approaching. Believe it or not, there are still about 30 cows I’ve yet to post. Will have to sprinkle them in here and there! I know this one doesn't look like much, but when viewed up close, it does have the look of marble. You can see some of the "veins" of the marble in the head shot.

Despite the chilly weekend on the isthmus, I did manage to get to four events both Saturday and Sunday, and will be back to post on some of them when I’m not quite so exhausted. And warmer. The one thing I dislike about the Book Festival is how spread out everything is, with some events taking place a mile apart and little to no time to get from the top of State Street to the Library Mall a mile away. Just scurrying from the State Historical Museum down to the Overture Center chilled one to the marrow.

And then there were all the overlapping events today at the State Historical Museum. My cat could have done a better scheduling job, but as I said, more on that later.




(Edited to add: Note that thedailypage.com linked to yet another cow pic, but NOT to last week's article on Romance vs Plato -- effectively demonstrating the snobbishness of the literati.)