Technique #10

This was one of my favorite's so far. Creating distressed and weather paper. You take ink jet paper and crumple it up, but don't tear it. Then smooth it out and just run your ink pad across it to put color on the elevated surfaces. Then she had you modge podge over it and let it dry. Then you can use it as a background, punch out flowers, etc. Make it match whatever you are doing.

My birthday

Well, I'm another year older...I guess the only good thing about it, is that it beat's the alternative. At least someone told me that. Everyone keeps making a big deal out of my age, thinking it will bother me, but it really doesn't. I know I'm older than dirt...I took the test in an email. But, I'm really not unhappy to be getting this age. It's better than thinking about having to go back and relive everything again. Yeah, I hate the stiffness, my hands not gripping anymore, my back aching, the arthritis...maybe I do hate getting old! BUT, there's grandkids. They are the best thing ever. I just love them all. There's security. We're not quite so worried about how we're ever going to pay for everything. We worry about the kids and grandkids, but it's not a second to second thing like when you are raising your kids. I can't say I don't worry though...I worry about this country and the direction we're going, I worry that my kids and grandkids won't have the life we've had, I worry that one of them will get hurt or have some tragic thing happen...I guess life is always a roller-coaster. It has it's ups and then it has it's downs. Overall, I feel like I've had a pretty good life.
I had a ton of messages on facebook yesterday from all kinds of family and friends, and that was so cool. I had no idea that facebook let people know when your friends have birthdays...gotta figure that one out. I had some really cool gifts...thank you everyone! And thanks for the phone calls and cards and notes. Love you all.
Life is good!

Good morning

They had their hanging baskets on sale too, and I couldn't resist this beautiful one. Had to bring it home even though I'm not sure where I'll put it.


I finally planted my barrels on Saturday. It's been so cold that I just hadn't gotten too excited about it. After all, it froze again just a couple of weeks ago. I went down to Viki's (thanks Danelle & Jeff) and picked out a wagon full of flowers. I had a theme for the front...red/white/blue. Hard to find blue flowers so it ended up being a sort of purplish/blue. But I liked how they turned out. I'm loving these warm days. I had purchased some flags last year after the 4th of July, and put them out in all the barrels across the front of the house.

#9 technique

I really like this idea. You can use scraps, make them as fancy as you want, or keep it pretty simple. You save money making your own cupcake flags, and you can make them to match any theme you have going.

The 7th technique was different ways to use your brayer. I actually have a brayer, but I didn't really take time to get it out and do some of the things she listed. They are rather interesting though. I'll list a few of them for you:
Adhering two paper surfaces together
Adhering photos to layouts
Roll over large rubber stamps to make sure the whole surface is inked
Flatten out surfaces
Adhering or embedding embellishments
Apply art mediums like ink and paint
Wrap different things around it and make printed designs
Create stenciled effects by laying down things and inking over them (doilies, netting, lace)
All good ideas, but...I just didn't take time to do them since I'm so far behind all ready.
#8
Adding texture to Acrylic Paint:
See photo above. I used a couple of photos from a drive that Jeff & I took in January through Crater's of the Moon. I punched out snowflakes in a piece of cardstock, then laid it over my recipe card and filled it with the medium. I let it dry for 15-20 minutes and then removed the cardstock. Worked well...except when I put my finger on it and smashed one of the snowflakes...Still...cute idea.

Back to 52 card pickup

This technique stopped me dead in my tracks. I couldn't think of a photo to print on a transparency, and didn't have a purchased one. The technique was to layer a photo printed on a transparecy over patterned paper, then put something on top of it. I just kept printing out the techniques everyday, but couldn't get past this one. Finally Friday night I decided I had three weeks worth of techniques stacked up and I had to get with it.
So, when I took photos of the Johnson kids, I had taken one of the shed down to mom's, the cattle, a few generic things in case I needed to combine one with another photo of the kids. So, I printed out the shop on, put some western patterned paper behind it, and then printed a photo of Dillon in his chaps and put on a tag on the top of it.
I actually like how it turned out.

The last of Liz's pages

Thank you Liz, for letting me share such a beautiful album with the people who read my blog. It's is just beautiful.

The next pages

more pages

Liz is going to use all sepia colored photos in this book, which I believe will make it even more outstanding.

Father's Day Card

Here's a card I made for Jeff's father. I didn't think it turned out too bad for using scraps and a leftover stamped image. He wanted to know what the brad was for...guess he thought he was supposed to do something with it. We took Vern & Reta out for dinner Monday night at Perkins, and we all had the salmon. It was funny, because Jeff and I ordered the very same thing, and they ordered the very same thing. I guess great minds think alike.
The last few days have been super busy. I had my drive's guy here Monday, I had two guys from Allen-Bradley here yesterday, and today I had my Lithonia rep here. We made calls most of all three days. Hopefully tomorrow I can get some things done on the inside now.

Next pages from Liz

I think these pages speak for themselves.

More of Liz's book

I'm so impressed with this album. She said she took a class at our local scrapbooking store..."Keepsake Cottage" and made it in about three hours. It would take me forever.

Liz's album

I have a super good friend that I just love, and she made a gorgeous album. She doesn't have a blog...Robin...you need to come down for a visit...so I told her I would love to take some photos and share them. I'm going to start out with the cover today.

Wood family reunion

Jeff never cooks...at least not at home, so when I started breakfast and he took over...I let him. Wish he'd do more of it here. His mom told him something...can't remember what...but he told her..."I'm doing the cooking." So I didn't say anything to discourage him from doing it.


Wow...what an incredile weekend. It's the first time we've taken the fifth wheel out camping, and I LOVE it! Jeff and I couldn't be happier with how nice it was. We had room to cook food and let people come in and fix their plates. We had room to sit and watch movies with five of us gathered around the TV. The generator wasn't very noisey...not nearly as bad as the old one. Wow...what a wonderful camper. We loved having the kids all come up. Jason, Sally and the kids came up Friday evening for dinner, and then went home, but came back up Saturday morning. Steph, Dave & Lindsay came up Saturday morning also, and they fixed breakfast for us all. UMMMM. Jason & Sally did lunch, and it was wonderful. The kids rode bikes all day, and we all had such a great time. It was great having the grandkids to ride with me. We each took one and we had plenty of bikes for everyone. Natalie was excited because I let her drive, and Ivy was excited because Grandpa let her drive. Sam was just plain excited to ride with us. I sped up and went over one bump, and he was..."let's keep doing that. That was fun!" I told Jason he has a little dare devil. Steve came up from Utah, but other than him and Grandpa & Grandma Wood, no Wood's were there. Pretty sad that my family made up most of the people there...but I loved it. I think everyone had a great time. I didn't get many photos, because when I went to take some, the battery was low and I didn't get many. Natalie took a bunch though, so I'm going to have to beg some from her.
I did get one photo of the trees where we camped, because Reta just kept saying how pretty they were. Here ya go!

Our horses

Well, two of them. The two we have here at our home. Two years ago, we thought we were getting rid of our horses. We had to get rid of Kado because of his bad knees, which was very hard. He was a good horse, and Jeff had put alot of hours on him and gotten him pretty much where he needed to be. We really thought we'd have more years with him.
Well, that didn't work out, but our nephew Travis, had a horse he'd gotten and ridden alot. He had him trained very well. We looked at him, but just wasn't quite sure. But this spring Jeff decided to buy him. We didn't name him for awhile, but finally settled on Chief. So original...aren't we?
The colt. Larry & Jeff (my nephews again) raise horses, and last spring they put a mare in our pasture. She had a beautiful sorrel colt, with a white blaze and white stocking feet. We were in love with him. He was so cute. I'd give him a little grain and pet him, and became pretty attached. Then last fall, they took the mother away and left the colt. I'd still give him grain and pet him alot. He would come every morning when I went out to go to work for his treat. This spring, we told them we wanted to buy him. Heavens sake...I'm not sure what for. We'll have to get him broke...start all over again. We finally named him Boots. He will be a great horse someday. So, now instead of getting rid of our horses, we have three!

Ellie on Mother's Day

Ellie loves to play with my little wood blocks. They have letters on them, and I spell out holidays or whatever is coming up. She thinks they are toys. I was on the floor playing with her, and I would hit two together. She liked the noise, so she would take those two from me. I'd pick up two and start making the noise again, and she would take those two. I guess mine always sounded a little crisper or something. Then she started hitting a vase that I have sitting on the floor by the bookcase, with the block. Danelle told her NO...she would look at Danelle and then hit it again. Danelle would say...NO. After a couple of times, Danelle hit her hands a little. She looked at Danelle and without taking her eyes off her, reached over and hit the vase...she was NOT going to be denied.

Isn't she the cutest little thing? Jeff tells me that Ellie and Treven have me wrapped around their fingers and that if they asked for a million dollars I'd probably give it to them. All these grandkids are pretty special. I love being a Grandma, and I didn't ever think I'd say that.
Gary and Danelle came down on Mother's Day, and it was so much fun. I think the best gift any one can give is to spend a little time with someone they love. We all think we're so busy, but giving of yourself is the best ever.

Mother's

Taylor was pretending to pick his nose, but he forgot one thing...his finger sticks up above his nose!

Now, when a kid writes on his face...I love mom...wow. That's REAL love!
Robin and the boys came down to spend the weekend of Mother's Day with us. It was so much fun. That was the day I bought my new camera and Robin helped me play with it. The boys were so good while we did a little scrapbook shopping...I love them. They are so polite. Chris holds the doors for me where ever we go.

My June exchange cards

This card was made using a reverse stamp. In other words, you're actually stamping the background, and the flowers were open spaces. I clear embossed the stamp, and then sprayed it with glimmer mist. I also sprayed the flowers, which were white to begin with. They had this idea at Archiver's, and I loved it. I'm going to try it again, but instead of just spraying with two colors (which in my case just blended), I'll spray one, then cover that up and spray the other color. I also didn't realize until later, that the ones I'd seen were done of water color paper. I'll be sure to try that next time also.

If you check out our retreat blog, you'll see this card...but without the glitter. On the retreat blog we were to leave tips and idea's, and mine was to use scraps up immediately...I punched alot of strips...then you're ready to use them when you start working on a project.

I loved this stamp when I bought it, but haven't used it much. But, since I needed men's cards, I dug it out. It actually turned out pretty well, I thought. Except the glitter didn't stick very well, and now I have glitter all over my craft room...as well as all over me...

I actually love this set. I've had it for years, and always go back to using it. It is just so "manly" I guess. I sent one to a customer, and he called me at home yesterday to thank me, and tell me how much he liked that card. He said, "I'm just like that big bear". He kept telling me how beautiful it was. It really isn't that great, but I think people really appreciate the time and effort you put into a homemade card, as much as the appearance.

Here's the exchange cards I made for the month of June. The theme was "nature". I needed some men's cards for work, so that's mainly what I made.

Birthday page for challenge

Here's the birthday layout I did for the challenge on our retreat blog. The challenge was to use cardstock for a layout.

Not a good night

Yesterday, Jeff took off at noon and planned to take Mark, Tricia, and the girls 4-wheeling. I worked until around 6:00 and then came home and did a layout to post for our challenge on the retreat blog. Then I thought maybe I should start some dinner. I had planned to grill potato's and carrots, etc in foil and salmon. I started everything and then set the table up outside, started a fire in the fireplace. I opened the windows to the house and was playing the Ipod. It was very relaxing, until no one came home. At 9:45 I went ahead and ate and started cleaning up everything. By then, I was sure something had happened.
Sure enough. About 10:30 Jeff brought the girls home, and told me that Tricia had tipped over one of the bikes on herself. She and Mark were at the hospital. I fed the girls and then we colored and looked at scrapbooks. Finally at 1:30 they just couldn't stay awake any longer. The rest of the crew didn't make it home until after 2:00 and then I reheated everything and fed them all. It was about 3:00 when we got to bed...and then the alarm went off at 4:30. Needless to say, I didn't make it up until almost 6:00. I'm just glad she's okay. She broke one rib and has some deep bruises. The bike got a broken mirror, a smashed switch for the winch...don't know what else, and it doesn't matter. We're just glad she's okay!

Nice day

I think I mentioned a week or so ago, that my SIL asked me to make her some wedding cards. I love doing that for someone, and didn't want to charge her anything, but she insisted that she pay for them. She said she didn't just like them...she loved them! Hopefully she at least liked them. I made four for her, but one photo turned out blurry, and I'd already given them to her...so sad. She beach themed one is because they are flying to Florida tomorrow for a beach wedding. Janell had this card to make at HC, and I just took the top part and put it on a larger card. The Adore one, is a scraplift from an exchange card I got several years ago and always really liked. The other one is mine...I've had that vellum for quite awhile and thought it would make a classy card. The other one had pretty ribbon and a card holder...kind of a pastel pink/creme color combo. It was fun!

We had a great drive. We were going to drive up to Challis, over to Stanley, down through Sun Valley, and home, but decided we had some work to do so we'd better cut it short. So, we decided to go to Copper Basin because Jeff is thinking he and his father might do their week long horse back trip there this summer. But, after breakfast at the Wayside, we took off and got side tracked at Fish Creek Resivoir. I hadn't been there forever, and Jeff said he had never been there. So that was a long drive on dirt roads, eventually turning to mud. We finally turned around. Then on to Crater's of the Moon and Arco for lunch. Home through Blackfoot, Pocatello, and Jackson...Jackson...how did we end up there? Jeff was showing me where he lived on his dad's ranch...years ago after his divorce from Patty. There are some beautiful, huge homes out along the river.

Fun day. Now I'm trying to get food ready for the BBQ tomorrow night. Hopefully we have good weather. It rained again today, so Jeff decided not to mow the lawn tonight.

I promise

I promise that this is the last of my "animal" cards. You know while I was making them, I kept thinking these are stupid...but now that it's been awhile, and I'm loading them a few at a time, I'm thinking...they aren't so bad. I actually like most of them. I think I just get focused on using things up, and tired of them...then I think they all look alike and they look stupid. But I guess they go to different people and no one will know that there were a bunch of them that all looked alike. A least that's what I'm telling myself...just a little lie.

Today Jeff and I are going for a drive. Hopefully I can get a few photos with my camera, and keep practicing what I've been learning. I haven't even had it out of the case since we got back from Oregon. Too busy. I have been wanting to get the photos from our vacation loaded and then I want to save them to a disc we can put in the photo frame I got Jeff. We haven't used it for awhile, and I think it would be fun. But, we've had too much yard work to do and I just haven't taken time. I'm still using my old Olympus to take photos of the cards and things I've been doing, so I just keep it in my craft room.

Tomorrow we're going to hold a little BBQ since Tricia and Mark will be here around noon. We're excited to see them. Last year they didn't come since Tricia had an ACL replacement done. Should be fun. We've invited all the kids and both sets of parents.

We're almost through with the animal cards

Guess what. This post and one more of animal cards and I'll be done. I'm sure you're all sick of looking at them. But...oh well. Like I said, I'm loving using things up. My trouble is, I never get sick of buying new stuff. I can never resist when I go in the scrapbook store and they tell me..."we got all this new paper and flowers and ribbon...in." Do you want to look through it before we even put it out? Pretty scary that they know they can count on me to purchase a bunch.

Tonight I went with my mother to a Mother/daughter thing at the church. They served dinner and were making crafts, but we didn't stay for that. Ashley (my niece) and Margene (my sister) were doing the crafts. They made necklaces out of twine with a big washer on it. They stamped a name, or a word, or whatever the kid wanted on the washer and then marked it with a sharpie so it showed up. The one I really did want to try was a flower out of fabric. They had six scalloped circles that they made a flower out of and then put it on a clippie or a pin. They were cute, but they had a lot of kids and mother's wanting to make those.

I finished my online class for photography. I didn't really think I got my money's worth out of it, but...that's the chance you take I guess. My class at CSI was so much more worthwhile. Loved that one.

More cards

I am loving using up things. I've still got soooo far to go though. Worked in the yard again tonight, and finally got finished with the flower beds. Now I just need a good day to spray roundup and maybe it won't be so bad for the rest of the summer. Jeff mowed the lawn again, but I think he really enjoys it with this new lawn mower. It only takes him about an hour instead of the 1-1/2 it was taking. And it looks so nice. This mower has a blower or motor or something that actually sucks up the grass and blows it into the catcher. It doesn't seem to get plugged up which is really nice.

The horses were running around tonight. Chief was chasing Boots and when he would stop, Chief would starting biting him. I'm not sure what all that was about, but Chief was actually in a sweat he had been running so much. Stupid thing!

Here we go with another batch of animal cards

I can't believe it, but all 36+ cards were made with scraps. What I did, was to go through some scraps, and if they were big enough to make a card front, I cut them to 5-1/2x4-1/4. If I had matching smaller pieces, I laid them on top of that. When I get ready to make cards, I try to pick from that stack. I then know what pieces I have that match, and I can stamp something that will work with those pieces. For layering, etc. It has actually worked out fairly well for me. I think it saves time when I make cards because I don't have to start digging through the scraps, looking for something.

More of those animal cards

Here's the next batch of animal cards I made. I know...getting boring already, isn't it? Oh well. I'm proud that I've used up something! Right now, I can't even get in the closet to get the next folder out...I stacked up some things trying to sort, and it's a mess.

Worked in the yard again. Maybe one more night and I might make it around the house. Then I've got to get some round up and spray the grasses that are coming up inside my concrete. What a mess.

Using my leftovers

Lately I've been on a kick to use some of my leftovers up. Maybe it's Danelle posting all those cards she has made using up scraps and leftover stickers, ribbons, and anything else she can find. I have way too much stuff and need to cut back until I use it up! So, in the spirit of doing that, I had a file folder marked "animals". I got it out and decided I would use the stuff in that folder up. I made almost forty cards. Scary huh? That I could get that many cards out of the leftovers in one file...and I have how many???

This is the smallest batch that I took photos of. There are six batches altogether, so I'll post another one tomorrow. I gave about half of these to my mom to use for grandkids. I don't know if she really wanted them, but I have way too many!
Tonight I worked out in the flower beds. Now I can barely move. To much bending over. I also got the laundry done...again...and swept off the patio. Guess I'll head to bed now. (After I fold the last batch of clothes.)