The air has turned purple!
19 Feb 2012 1 Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Google, HTML, XHTML, Photoshop, Header file, CSS, Photoshop Elements
Yes folks. The air in my home has gone from blue to purple!
Where did that phrase “The air is blue in there” come from? I remember as a child hearing the adults use that phrase when they were a bit upset by the strong words used by another adult. So I have determined that “blue air” means swear words are floating in the air.
Anyone that has a problem with a person swearing would be beating feet into another state by now had they been in my home the past few days.
Last year, about this time, I had a swearing fest similar to this year. Last year I took an online class to learn about HTML and create my very own website. That was a trial. This year I have decided that since I conquered HTML then I would move on to learning CSS and XHTML.
Trying to figure out what goes where in this newest thing is a real challenge. Programming!
I found my old Photoshop Elements file and thought I’d mess in it to create a header. I have not cracked that software open since I got it in 2007 and couldn’t figure it out then. After about an hour of clicking on buttons to no avail, then surf the internet for some kind of helpful instruction – another two hours – I did find one site that helped me to get a start at it.
After about six hours of work, countless “F” bombs floating around the room, several “sh*ts”, and quite a number of “damn-its” I finally had success at creating my header. Only to find that it was too long and too wide. More swearing involved. It did show up on the mock up of my website Home Page though.
In my case, a little knowledge is DANGEROUS! Trying to figure out the best way to change the size proportions to fit in the space allotted for the header in my Home Page I corrupted the header file some how….that I wouldn’t find out until today.
All I can tell you is that it was there one time and gone the next. It went on a “Walk About” – love that phrase and thank you Lynn 
While the header was in the right place and was showing up, albeit too big, I worked on the rest of my page. There are two columns to my Home Page. The left column will be for links to other pages in my site as well as “badges” I will create in Photoshop (don’t hold your breath for too long) if I can figure that one out.
No where in my class instruction, thus far, has stated the particular order each element HAS to be coded to make it all work. I started with the main body of the page. That worked
When I added in the sidebar information for the left column that information went to the very bottom left of the page into the footer and wormed its way up the left side. Not high enough to meet with the top of the main area. That was when my frustration level was beginning to go over the top.
I decided to work on a different area and leave that one alone for now. I went to work on the footer area. The “F” bombs were whistling through the air and impacting with force all around me. The footer moved its cute little self up on the page to just under the header.
Try as I might, cutting and pasting in different areas that footer was staying up near the top and was not budging.
Leave the footer alone and work on the left column. I have found that the left column HAS to be coded before the main body is put in. I read in one of the resource articles supplied by the instructor of the course that computer codes is read clockwise. So……header first, main body second, footer third, left column fourth, then back to the header.
NOPE! Header first, left column second, main body third, then the footer. So much for clockwise! After I got that figured out my Home Page was coming together. Minus a header image. Drat and double drat! And the footer was now residing at the top of the main body information. It had dropped down from just under the header though so progress was being made. CRAPAZOID!
I gave up and went to bed. Put a little distance between me and programming for a while.
This morning I tackled the wayward header image. That is when I found the file to be corrupted and I had to create a new one. I can show you my header
My Header
I created the first one from reading and following along a site I found in a Google search of “creating a header in photoshop elements”. This one is way too big and I need to resize it…..if I can figure that out. I really like this one but it is just too big.
My first header
Other than way too much black from the darker photos I like this one. So you won’t be seeing this one on my website just yet. I need to hurl a few more “F” bombs and turn the air blue to get this thing lightened up and the “Message In A Fold” in a white color and much larger.
Time to get back to creating with CSS to get another page started. WHAT THE HECK WAS I THINKIN’!!!!
Embossing Powder inventory
16 Feb 2012 1 Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: circle punch, EBay, embossing powder, embossing powders, Paper embossing, personal stamp exchange, Post-it note, sand paper, versamark
I don’t have much of this stuff. About the same amount as my glitter.
I have the obligatory clear, white, black, gold, and silver. Like the glitter this stuff doesn’t get used much. I’m hoping to amend that in the future. Hmmmm, seems like a good idea for a lesson for Heather
I have this sewing stamp set from Stampin’ Up! – “Sew Suite”. It has an extra rubber piece that has been separated from the “Button Card” stamp. I’ve been using that punch out piece with VersaMark and the Heat & Bond for the glitter bit. So I’ve used it once again for the VersaMark and the embossing powders.
Sew Suite stamp set
This is how I’ve been using it. Stamp it with VersaMark then cover with the Heat & Bond or the embossing powder – works well for both. Then cover with the powder and heat set it.
Blank from the Sew Suite set and embossing powder
Once the embossing powder is heat set then I use my 1″ circle punch to cut out my sample.
1" circle punch to cut out sample
Doing this project has reintroduced me to the products I have at hand. I have three containers of embossing powder from “Personal Stamp Exchange“. I can’t find a website for them 
One of the powders is called “Turquoise Tapestry”. This stuff is beautiful! It also has a texture to it, similar to the texture of fine sand paper.
Turquoise Tapestry
I also have “Ochre Tapestry” from Personal Stamp Exchange.
Ochre Tapestry
And I have “Desert Tapestry”.
Desert Tapestry
I bought these from eBay way back in 2006 or early 2007. I guess it is high time that I find something to use this stuff on. One note I found on Google, during my search, is that Personal Stamp Exchange has disappeared. That is a shame because this embossing powder is, by far, the most interesting stuff I have in my small supply.
While Joe has been home I have not been able to do much of anything so I steal time to do little things. He will be leaving today to deliver the trucks he picked up in California to where they belong in Grand Island, Nebraska. Then he will be back briefly Saturday then off once again to California.
I will take advantage of his absence to get things done…..like mail off Lynn’s long overdue package of her winnings from the Writing Contest. Each time I’ve had to go out and run an errand with Joe I forget that thing. It sits on a stool near my front door. All ready to be mailed. I just have to go to the post office and purchase postage. I’ve got the thing filled out for Customs and everything.
Getting so frustrated with myself for not getting this done I have resorted to putting up sticky notes on my bathroom mirror, the refrigerator, and the front door to remind me to get that package mailed off to Lynn Next I have to find a box the right size to mail off Tim’s Post-Its!
My website building class on CSS and XHTML WAS going well until I hit a snag yesterday and it has all come crashing down. I can’t seem to get the lesson done right and I’m having a terrible time with it. Distractions have really impeded my concentration.
Truthfully, this is all my own fault. I have no one to blame for any of this except myself. Joe is a grown man and can take care of himself. I have no idea why I feel the need to “babysit” him while he’s home! It’s not like he is going to get into something that could harm him….like a child would.
We’ve been together for so long and old habits are hard to break. Spending 24/7 with each other…working side by side every day….I just can’t seem to get myself in gear when he comes home for a few days.
Taking the winter months off and leaving Joe to run the highways by himself I’m kind of crazy. While he’s gone I’m up early and get a lot of things done until late at night. When he’s home all my dedication and workaholic tendencies go by the wayside. I really need to get a grip!
Okay, time to get him packed and ready to head back out for another couple days.
Rubber stamping and water coloring techniques.
15 Feb 2012 5 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: Card stock, Hobby Lobby, Rubber stamp
Heather is getting to be more familiar with the process of scrapbooking. I figured it was about time to introduce her to rubber stamping. I brought out two of my Stampin’ Up! sets to have her create the embellishments for the pages we did yesterday.
One set was “Fun and Fast Notes” and the other was “Big Bold Birthday”. I think the Fun and Fast Notes is still available but I think the Big Bold Birthday has been discontinued. I’m not sure.
All scrapbooks HAVE to have a birthday page or two Heather told me she will be getting photos of the boys birthday celebrations. She won’t be present for the parties so I’m glad to hear the foster families are going to share the events with her. Time will come when her boys will be back home with her and she will have a lifetime of birthdays to celebrate with them in her own home
These are the pages she made yesterday. They turned out so cute!
Birthday layouts
It started with having her stamp the birthday cake from the Fun and Fast Notes onto some Whisper White card stock.
Birthday stamp from Fun & Fast Notes
Then I gave her a pallet of sparkly watercolors I purchased from Hobby Lobby. I let her select the colors she wanted to use on the stamped images. She stamped two of them – one for each boy.
Sparkly watercolors
Coloring in the cake
One finished
Then it was to stamp and color the second image.
Stamping the second image
While she was occupied coloring the second image I cut the first one from the strip of paper then cut out the image. Heather applied some Krylon Gold from a paint stick she acquired from a yard sale
Notice the concentration on her face. I think it is hilarious when people have some “tongue action” going on as they work I wonder if that helps? It is so cute I have to chuckle, even now
Edging the piece with gold paint
While Heather was busy with the second image I cut a yellow mat for the first image and had her layer the two together.
Yellow mat behind image
Then I cut some black card stock for a tag and had her mount the layered image on the “tag”.
"Tag" completed for one embellishment
Another yard sale find was some brads. I had to incorporate that find in her work. I used my Cropadile to cut the holes for the insertion of the brads. This small bit adds to the look of a tag for her brightly colored pieces.
Brads added to the "tags"
Next were balloons. Have to have balloons for a festive layout From the Big Bold Birthday set I had Heather stamp balloon images on some Whisper White card stock using Real Red, Brilliant Blue, and Summer Sun Classic inks from Stampin’ Up!.
Balloons stamped on card stock
Then I gave Heather the task of doing the “Fussy Cutting”. There are some things I get to pass off on to someone else to do all in the interest of teaching 
Fussy Cutting the balloons
Of course, the balloons had to have some sparkle applied to them. I had Heather add the watercolors to the balloons in about the same color as the ink.
Watercoloring over the inked image
Now it is time to begin the process of putting it all together. In the large stash from Maureen, Heather found a striped piece of brightly colored card stock and a piece of matching striped vellum. I cut the both at 4 inches by 11 inches. Two of these I cut for her.
Heather is mounting the striped card stock to her base page.
Attaching the striped paper to the base
Next she attached the vellum over the striped paper. The vellum was turned sideways to make the final print of the paper look like a plaid. Super idea she had.
Attaching the vellum
Next was to add tails to the balloons once they were secured to the base. Heather used another gold pen found at a yard sale. She really found some great stuff while out hunting around.
Adding tails to the balloons
What party would be complete without those noisy tooter things. Since they are in the Big Bold Birthday stamp set I figured Heather could do with stamping a few of them on her page.
Stamping a noise maker image on the layout
Then last was to color in the mouth piece of the noise maker. Heather chose to use her gold pen once again. Keeping continuity is a good thing.
Coloring in the mouth piece of the noise maker
Then the final touch was to add the sentiment “Make A Wish” from the Big Bold Birthday set. Heather placed the sentiment on the photo mats. Before I forget, the running on “happy birthday” pieces are from the Big Bold Birthday set as well. They are the two narrow strips backed with black card stock.
Layouts finished
Her layouts from last week are finished as well. They are just so cute! The little paper dolls I had her create during her last visit and having her take these home to complete. Heather brought them with her yesterday to show me what she had done. Just way too cute!
Last week's layouts finished
Heather’s scrapbook is getting filled. She is learning about this fun way of making memories for a lifetime and I’m learning a lesson in not being a “Control Freak” and perfectionist.
What am I going to do next week?! So far we have covered measuring and cutting for Photo Mats in the first lesson. And we did some photo cropping by cutting the images down to smaller sizes.
Measuring and cutting photo mats
The next lesson was to get down to the boys eye level and take photos from a lower position.
Getting at eye level of the subject
Last week was using die cuts and stencils for page embellishments. This week was using rubber stamps and watercolors.
I think next week I’ll have her learn about page pockets. I think it is time for Heather to focus on her feelings of the boys and write them each a letter. Put down in writing how much she misses them and enjoys the small bit of time she gets to be with them each week.
The purpose of this is when her boys get old enough to read and understand the events of their life they will know that she did everything in her power to get them home with her and the struggles she has gone through to do just that. This is a bit of their personal history as a family and it is important enough to document it.
Okay, back into my room to clean up the mess I have in there and get some things done.
Ink and glitter inventory.
14 Feb 2012 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: Adhesive, circle punch, glitter, index cards, ink, inventory sheet, punch, Rubber stamp, versamark
Time to do a little more towards getting my products inventoried. Thankfully I don’t have a huge amount of ink pads and glitter so this task was done in two days with just a few hours each day.
For both the glitter and the ink pads I used a pad of index cards purchased from my local office supply store.
Index cards
I used Stampin’ Up!’s “Heat & Bond” along with VersaMark. I found a plain rubber block, the inset from one of the sewing stamp sets, attached it to a clear block then inked it with VersaMark then stamped on the back side of one of the index cards.
Next I poured the Heat & Bond over the stamped image on the index card, tapped off the excess then heated the product with my heat gun until it became shiny. This only takes a few seconds. Don’t linger with the heat or you will dry the adhesive and nothing will stick to it.
Once I had the product heated and the sticky stuff created through the process I sprinkled glitter liberally over the stamped part. Then I added more heat from the heat gun to make the glitter stick to the stuff. There will not be any fallout from the glitter as it is encased in a sheet protector later.
Using a 1″ circle punch to cut out the glitter sample to be attached to the inventory sheet.
1 inch circle punch
For the chunky glitter from Stampin’ Up! I didn’t trust the Heat & Bond so I spread some glue on an index card then liberally sprinkled the chunky glitter. Waited for the glue to dry fully to make sure the glitter would hold.
Chunky glitter
I had to use the circle punch twice to cut this sample from the index card. Punch once from the top side.
Punch once from the top side
Then I took the index card out and turned it to the other side and fed it back in the punch. Lined up the marks from the previous punch then pressed it a second time to get the sample cut out.
Sample punched out
This is all the glitter I have. Glitter inventory sheet completed.
Glitter inventory sheet
My ink collection is fairly small. Mostly involve the small Spot Stamps from Stampin’ Up! in their older collections.
Ink spots
Inking up a small stamp with the “Spot” pad….
Ink the stamp
Stamp the image on the back side of an index card…..
Stamp image on back of index card
I used a 15/16″ square punch to get my ink color sample…..
15/16" square punch
I used double sided sticky tape on the back side of the sample……
Double sided sticky tape
Then I attached the sample to one of the PDF’s I downloaded a couple weeks ago.
Attach to inventory sheet
Then write the name of the ink in the box for that particular sample.
If I found a reinker for any of the pads I placed it in the sample box until I finished with the set. Then I put a “*R” within the sample box with a notation at the bottom of the sheet indicating that “*R” indicated a REFILL for that color.
The few Tim Holtz Distress Ink pads I own were a snap to do. I think I have a total of six (6). Plus I made a sheet for my odd assortment of single pads that I don’t know how long I’ve had around or who the manufacturer is.
Embossing powders will be my next foray into the inventory stuff. That will be for another day. Heather will be coming over this afternoon for her next lesson. I’m thinking of having her create a page for the boy’s birthday photos. Surely she will be having some photos to put on those pages some day soon.
A bit of rubber stamping and I think some playing around with some of my sparkly water color paints. I think that would be a fun lesson. Rubber stamping and water coloring. I’ll show you the results tomorrow after we play for a while
Poker Post-Its are FINISHED!
11 Feb 2012 7 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: Gambling, las vegas, Poker Face, Problem gambling, Slot machine
Man does it feel good to see the little pile of those things all finished. Creating the boxes are what is left and I’ll knock those out probably Sunday. Joe is home today and we have a lot of running around to do.
Gladys (our work pickup) has an intermittent problem. When it gets really cold she doesn’t like to start. But it is not all the time. It is like somewhere in the fuel lines air gets in after she’s sat for a while. The fuel drains from one line or more then has to be primed to get the fuel flowing back again.
Gladys rocks back and forth as the engine does a surging thing trying to equalize. We’ve had her in the shop numerous times and the problem eludes all the technicians. There are other things Joe needs to do today so my day will be spent mostly away from home.
Okay to the Post-Its You’ve seen the “Welcome To Las Vegas” and the “Poker Face“. Here is “It’s Only A Gambling Problem When You Lose”.
Gambling Problem
This might be a funny saying but sadly it has become quite a major problem here in the US. We have a casino about 5 miles from our home. I don’t go there much. I have a tale to tell of my own gambling addiction I had.
We used to live in Beaver, Utah. Mesquite, Nevada was about three hours away and Las Vegas, Nevada was about five hours away. Overton, Nevada is close to Mesquite. We – Joe really – would deliver repaired transformers to Overton Power after we fixed them and sometimes I’d go along with him. The kids and I would pile in our old pickup and stay a weekend in Mesquite. Sometimes it would just be Joe and I.
I was so excited and stricken by the lights of the slot machines and I’d hear the bells clanging when someone hit the Jackpot. I’d play the nickle slots because the quarter slots were too rich for me. Joe gave me $20 one afternoon to go play the machines while he went to the Black Jack tables. I had some luck at the slots but not much. After about four hours I went back to our hotel room to find Joe there. I asked him for more money and he gave it to me with the admonition that was all the money we had left and we still had to get home.
Yes, you know where this is going don’t you. I lost that last $20. I was so scared to go back to the room and tell Joe what I had done. Back then we had only been married for about 4 years and I was still waiting for him to beat me. I knew that this time he’d beat me for sure so I was not going to the room.
Holding the last four nickles of the $20 that meant getting home or not, the time was about 4:30 in the morning. I hated myself for being so weak and getting caught up in the winning. Sitting at a machine in the main floor area of the casino I heard my name called out over the loudspeaker. A jolt of fear hit me and I took off from the main part and headed to the very back corner and sat at one machine that was surrounded by lots of taller machines. My name was called again. OMG. I was sick with fear and dread as I huddled in my hiding spot. Once in a while I’d pop my head up to see if the Security Guards were coming for me.
One peek over the top of the machines and I saw Joe. Standing about 10 feet away with a look on his face that I’d never seen before. It was anguish and fear written on his face, not anger. He stood at the entrance way with his back straight, head erect, eyes focused and scanning for me. His arms were flexed and his hands were balling into fists then opening up to some kind of rhythm of their own. He saw me trying to hide from him. Joe then kind of wilted. Almost like he was going to fall to the floor in a puddle. He staggered a bit to a wall and just when I knew this time would be the time – public or not I’d get beat. Joe leaned against the wall, covered his face with his hands, and rocked back and forth for a bit.
Okay. He found me. Now it was time to face the music and just survive the trip home.
Joe stood away from the wall, shaking. He was laughing! He was laughing at me. OMG what the heck does this mean?! I steadied myself for some harsh words, a strong grip on my arm, and being drug from the casino to await my fate.
Joe walked over to me. Opened his arms and told me to come to him. Afraid, I did as I was bid. He wrapped me in his giant arms and held me close. He was laughing and had tears running down his face. I didn’t know what to think of this development. Joe continued to hold me and then tell me that he was so scared that I had been kidnapped and hauled off somewhere that he would never find me again. He had concocted various scenarios in his head of having to hunt people down and kill them for having taken me from him.
This was a love that I had never experienced before. I still was waiting for the beating. 22 years later I’m just about over waiting for the beating. It didn’t come then and it hasn’t come since.
Anyway, that is my one experience with a Gambling Addiction. The slot machines lost all their lure after that night. Oh and the money to get home. Joe told me later that he knew I’d be asking him for more money so he hid the “Get Home” money in a different place so I wouldn’t find it.
On to the rest of my Post-Its. The next one is “Where Did All My Money Go….Vegas”. The photo I found on the internet is pretty appropriate for this one and my gambling tale of woe.
Where did all my money go?
The lights of Las Vegas are not only spectacular on the outside of the buildings. There are tons of bright lights inside the casinos at the various machines that lure a person in. I still feel a trill of excitement when I walk into a casino but not the crazy all consuming rush I once had. I still keep to only spending $20. When that is gone then I’m done.
The laser die cuts from Scrap Your Trip, if you remember from the video I put up a couple days back. I had two (2) of the “Welcome To Las Vegas”, two (2) of the “Poker Face”, two (2) of the “It’s Only A Gambling Problem When You Lose”. I have only one (1) of the “Where Did All My Money Go” for a total of seven (7) which Tim had asked for.
I created one just for Tim. Poor guy is a WORKAHOLIC! He gets in around 7:30 every morning and leaves most nights after 10 p.m. Sometimes staying until well past midnight. He goes in on Saturday and Sunday as well. Occasionally he will take a day off and go have some fun but he mostly works.
Tim is single and has been for a number of years. He longs to have a relationship but doesn’t have time for one. I asked him what kind of woman he was attracted to and his answer was pretty much a typical guy. A form fitting dress, high heels, and cleavage will get his attention every time.
I found some suitable images of women playing Poker. The extra cleavage with near fallout is hidden behind the barrel of the pen. And I’ve also put my own little bit on the base
Tim's "Dream Table"
I could not resist adding the elderly ladies to the base I know….I’m BAD
Dream interrupted
Okay. I’m done blathering for today. It is time to get my face on and get about today’s errands. Hope you all have a great weekend.
Poker Face
10 Feb 2012 6 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: holographic effect, Lady Gaga, Poker Face, Poker tournament, Pop Goes The Weasel, rose, Sizzix, Sizzix Yellow Die, Willy Wonka candy wrapper
I had to laugh at Tim’s comment upon seeing the “Poker Face” laser die cut.
“Not too excited about that one. That song! I don’t understand the words and I just hate it when I like the beat of the music but don’t understand the reason for the lyrics.”
That Lady Gaga song is playing around in Tim’s head like a buzzing fly, poor guy. Kind of like the ice cream vans that roam our streets in the summer. Joe hates one particular one that always seems to come around when we are home. It plays “Pop Goes The Weasel” and Joe has the song stuck in his head on a loop for days. lol hahahahah. Sorry, it is funny to hear him hum it then say “Damn!”
So to put a different frame of reference in Tim’s head I chose to use a collage of faces from various poker tournaments.
Poker Face photo collage
I especially like the close up photo of the one guy with the intimidating eyes. It was rendered even more effective by covering his mouth with a poker chip.
My Sizzix dies are getting used. I haven’t used these letter dies in forever. I’m really glad that I did the inventory project to remind me of the tools I have available right here. I put the words “Have you got IT?” on the post it flap.
Have you got a Poker Face?
I don’t have a Poker Face. Any emotion I have gets broadcast across my face. I have “Tells” that are easily read by someone standing 100 yards away I can’t tell a lie either. When I do I have an inbuilt neon sign that flashes across my forehead “LIAR, LIAR”. Not really about the neon sign but my face does give me away when I tell a lie so I don’t do it.
I’m nearly finished with these. Today I’ll have the final two done for Tim. Mojo thank you for coming back home!!
While I waited for the Krylon Workable Fixatif to dry on several other images I printed from the internet I decided to play around with a piece of that Willy Wonka candy wrapper and a Sizzix Yellow Die – Rose Flower.
The perforations on this die make no sense to me but I suppose they are there for a reason. Keep in mind this is only an experiment. The results, as with any experiment, are not successful at the first several attempts
Sizzix Yellow Die - Rose Flower
I used Butterscotch and Wild Plum alcohol inks from Ranger on the Wonka paper. The holographic effect of the shiny paper was not diminished by the alcohol inks.
Holographic paper
Sorry it is so blurry. Standing just to the right of the die cut the Wonka paper turned blue. Both of these photos are of the same die cut, just at different angles. I love this Wonka candy wrapper paper.
Of course I had to spritz the piece up a bit with some of my Pixie Pink brew. About 20 drops of Pixie Pink Stampin’ Up! reinker in a bottle of water with white Perfect Pearls from Ranger for sparkle.
Spritzed with my sparkly brew
From this angle that Wonka candy paper turned a deep red. My coloring techniques leave a lot to be desired. I do like the veining I did on the leaves at the stem. Not so hot about the veining and drawing in of the leaves at the bud base. Nor am I thrilled with the coloring I did on the rose bud itself. Practice, practice, practice.
For an experiment I’m not going to complain. It came out pretty good for a first attempt ….I think anyway.
Okay, off to finish the Poker Post-Its. Take advantage of my mojo being back before it decides to take a hike again. Or as Lynn says “A Walkabout”. Love that word
The Poker Post-Its Chronicles
09 Feb 2012 8 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: Card stock, die cuts, las vegas, laser die cuts, Poker, pop up, pop ups, Post-it note
I have come to the conclusion that Pop Ups are not the way to go in this project. High hopes were dashed by reality and ignorance of the process.
I’ll take you back to the first of January and my bright idea.
Figuring out how a Pop Up works
The concept of Pop Ups is quite a challenge for someone unfamiliar with the mechanism - namely ME.
I was able to get the thing to nearly work properly using card stock and photos.
Card stock and photos used in this piece
This looked promising and I was getting excited
Unfolds quite well
However, as I had feared….photos cracking and splitting
Photos cracking at the crease lines
Some photos splitting at the creases
In ongoing conversations with my friend, Tim, he told me to just take my time and work the bugs out. I wasn’t happy with the outcome of these things but I was trying to fulfill his wish of having hands holding cards along with other players around the table.
Showing this to Joe, whom I can rely upon for an honest answer, his response was “That looks like sh*t”. I had to agree with him, indeed it did. I was not happy with it either.
I called Tim and had a lengthy conversation with him on his ideas and expectations. It turns out that he did not like the concept either but was trying to spare my feelings. Which then brought out the “Mother” in me. I told him it is always best to be honest and upfront. Not being honest causes confusion and that is when feelings get hurt. I assured him my feelings were fine and I was not hurt but I needed to have some input from him which way to go now. At this point I was stuck and my mojo was in limbo.
Events that ensued over the next couple of weeks did not help with my mojo either and that came to a screeching halt.
Once I got past all the personal mayhem and recovered from friends and delightful children being in my home crafting I am happy to say that my mojo has returned This is the result of the two hour conversation with Tim. He requested that I send him a video of what I’ve done so he can see the pieces from all angles. Tim had said just seeing a flat photo of the project did not give him the total idea of what I was trying to get across to him.
My fault there for any misunderstandings. I had just “Ass”umed he would be in tune with the whole thing because other crafters are. Well – Leslie – Tim is not a crafter and he needs to see things as they are.
I sent Tim this video through email…..
I am happy to say that I now have his full permission to proceed with these Poker Post-Its and the ideas are once again free flowing in my brain. Mojo is BACK!
I’m off to my craft room to get working on the rest of them
Recycling candy wrappers.
07 Feb 2012 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: Candy, candy wrapper, fantasy film, Tootsie Roll
No, I have not lost my mind Wait, maybe I have!
As crafters we have a tendency to see things and wonder how they can be used in a crafting project. My friend Lynn has used a decal from a disposable lighter. Click on her name “Lynn” to go to the blog post she did some time back to see the decal used in a project.
I’ve had the Tootsie Rolls for a couple years. I bought them to give out with my business builders for my Stampin’ Up! business. I’ve finally just about gotten rid of all of the little candies. The inside of the bag is silver and reflective. Hmmmm….can’t throw that away. I’ve got dies that can be used with this
Candy bag
Inside candy bag
While Joe was home a couple weeks ago we went grocery shopping. Out of no where a candy bar jumped into our cart and would not go back on the shelf Persistent little devil That Willy Wonka!
Okay, I bought it for the wrapper That sounds really good. It’s a lie but I’m sticking with the wrapper thing
Candy bar wrapper
Just look at the inside of this wrapper. Butterflies, dragonflies, flowers, all sorts of ideas have sprung forth just from looking at this wrapper. It reminds me of the “Fantasy Film” that Lynn shared with me a couple Christmases ago. I’ll have to find that stuff again and use it also.
Inside candy wrapper
I’ll share with you what I’ve done with these things later. Alcohol inks, dies, maybe a spin on the “Spin and Splash” machine. Okay, I’m off to go play with these wrappers
Post 2 of 2. Coloring Contest
05 Feb 2012 4 Comments
in Contest Tags: Children, Coloring book, Contest, Copic markers, Crayola, digital image, Marker Pens, stamped image
Starting today – February 5, 2012 and going through February 29, 2012 enter the Coloring Contest. This contest is open to children 6 years of age and older and adults. There will be two categories in this post along with the rules and prizes. Winners to be announced on March 1, 2012.
CHILDREN – 6 years and older:
Get out your coloring books and choose an image you would like to enter into this contest. Color it all in. Any color book image you wish to use. This contest is open to both BOYS AND GIRLS.
Coloring book image of your choice
Princess
Fairies
BOYS you can use images from Cars or any other coloring book you wish.
RULES:
- All coloring must be done by the child.
- Photos of the completed project must be submitted by email, along with the child’s FIRST NAME and AGE to leslieb@messageinafold.com with “Coloring Contests” in the subject line.
- All entries must be submitted by February 29, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Central Standard Time in the US.
- Most important Rule – Have Fun!
PRIZES:
Each entrant will receive a package of Twistable Crayons. A $5.00 value. Click on “Twistable Crayons” to go see what it is. No more peeling the Crayon paper to continue coloring. Twist the tube to continue coloring fun. No more broken Crayons either since they are protected by a plastic tube.
GRAND PRIZE:
The winning contestant will receive Crayola Color Fillz Mosaic kit. A $10 value. Click on the “Crayola Color Fillz Mosaic kit” to see what it is.
Only ONE (1) Grand Prize will be awarded.
Each contestant will be contacted by me through email for a mailing address for the Twistable Crayons. The contest winner will be contacted by me through email for a mailing address for the Crayola Color Fillz Mosaic kit.
ADULTS:
You can use any stamped or digital image you wish to use to color. You can use Copic Markers or any other kind of marker. The image does not need to be attached to a card or mounted to anything. Only the colored image is all that is to be submitted.
RULES:
- Submit the colored image only.
- Leave a comment in the section of THIS POST with a link to your blog with a photo of your contest entry.
- If you don’t have a blog you may submit your entry by email to Message In A Fold at leslieb@messageinafold.com with “Coloring Contest” in the subject line.
- All entries must be submitted by February 29, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Central Standard Time in the US.
- Most important Rule – Have Fun!
PRIZES:
Each entrant will receive a Color Box Pigment Stamp Pad – Treasure. A $10 value. A stamp pad with three metallic pigment inks to add pizazz to your projects.
Each entrant will be contacted by through email for a mailing address to receive the Pigment Stamp Pad.
GRAND PRIZE:
There will only be one (1) Grand Prize awarded.
Spellbinders Grommet Tags AND Spellbinders Lacy Rectangles. A $45 value.
Both contests begin today, February 5, 2012 and run to the last day of the month – February 29, 2012. Get started on your entry and get it submitted before the deadline.
Post 1 of 2 today. Fun with the girls.
05 Feb 2012 4 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: goldfish crackers, valentine cards
Miss Katie and Miss Elora spent the day with me yesterday. Katie loves to do crafting of all kinds. Her Grandmother started her off with sewing by making a small purse. Katie and her Grandmother would make a lot of things together. Now that her Grandmother has passed on Katie has actual things, as well as memories, that keep her Grandmother alive in her heart and her mind.
Miss Elora is a ball of energy. Getting her to sit still for any length of time is quite a feat. So I was totally amazed at all she did yesterday in the way of crafting and art. The three of us had a lot of fun together.
Elora, left. Katie, right.
Elora creating her masterpiece
Katie creating Valentine cards
Elora took this photo
Elora with one of her creations
Katie showing her approval of her creation
Elora drew inspiration from her final creation from the bag of Goldfish crackers they brought along as a snack. An underwater adventure with the Goldfish
Elora's underwater adventure
Katie had to leave before her masterpiece was completed but she had a fantastic start to it.
Katie's landscape
It is so much fun for me to see the way their minds work and how it is expressed through their art. Listening to the chatter as they create blesses my heart and puts a huge smile on my face. These two girls were so focused on their creations that my Cuckoo Clock going off on the hour had both of them running fast to the clock to watch the little bird come out. Most times they got there just at the last cuckoo and they were bummed. The clock was the only thing that distracted them from their concentration and creating
We did get out and go to the playground for about an hour. The girls played on the equipment, we kicked a soccer ball that had been left by some other kids, and the girls climbed a tree. It was a bit breezy and chilly but the fresh air did us all some good. Back to my house for some hot chocolate and more creating.
Elora had enough of the crafting and was ready to be entertained by something else so I put in a DVD movie – “Robots”. We watched the animated movie and had a great laugh.
The girl’s Mom left them with me around 8:30 a.m. and came to collect them a little after 2:00 p.m. We had a great day together. I have a big mess to clean up but it was total fun and well worth the mess.
Okay, on to the next post about a “Coloring Contest”. Katie wanted to get in on the first contest I had about the essay to tell how you got into crafting. Time and their busy lives got in the way of Katie entering that contest so I have created a new one.
