Who Me? A Malamute

Here is Boogie with his "who me, I'm not doing anything wrong" face. The living room couch is off limits but since I had slept on it the night before, I guess he figured it was okay. After he saw that all I was going to do was take his picture, he laid his head back down and went to sleep.

The black thing on his collar is a receiver for one of those fenceless yard things. Cannot remember what it's called, but if Boogie gets too close to the edge of the property he gets a little shock. As heavy as that receiver is, he gets worried if we take his collar off. He is always thrilled to have the collar put back on. I know in his mind the collar means he belongs here. He's an amazing dog, but he's still a Boogie.

I made knobs today. And watched videos on Christmas minis. I also reinforced the spine of Tracy's book, and re-papered the front and back covers. I really want to get that bad boy in the mail...lol.

Tracy's not so mini Album - The Saga Continues

Here is the last sneak peek, because sneak peeks can get old. This is a tiny little book (a little smaller than an ATC) that goes with the album's zombie page.


I have been struggling with binding issues, and keeping Tracy aware of my struggles. Probably a lot more aware than she'd care to be kept...aware of. I bound it once with canvas that I colored. The result was so bad it literally had me tossing and turning in my bed. The next day I tore the canvas off. I felt a lot better.

Second try with the binding and some sparkly paper. Looked great, if I do say so myself. But, the pages were not turning correctly. They were creaking and popping. They didn't creak or pop with the canvas binding. I finally figured out I had put the thin cardboard spine onto the book facing the wrong way. It had a pretty side (black sparkle paper) and an ugly side (white cardboard). There was sticky strip on the ugly side. I bound the book with the pretty side facing out, then put the paper which wraps around the front, back and spine, onto the book. Not only could you see the ugly side of the spine when turning the pages, the pages were sticking to the sticky strip and that was causing the creaking and popping.

I tried to gently remove the entire binding "assembly" and I succeeded, if you don't count ripping the pattern paper off both the front and back of the album, and taking chunks out of the gussets on the spine.

The top two pages and the bottom page have the chunks taken out. It's only paper, and these areas are uh, paper thin? WAY more thin than that. I am going to have to cut some strips and glue them on top of the weak areas, and also on top of the not weak areas, so everything remains the same thickness. Thank you hubby, for that suggestion.

This book was supposed to be in the mail tomorrow at the very latest, to arrive while she is on her trip to the States. I've whined so much about this book that I don't even want to bother Tracy with yet another sad story. I cut some Christmas themed die cuts for her, and also Halloween cuts. I am going to send the Christmas cuts tomorrow so at least she will have a little package to open. I'm hoping she will be able to use some of them on her Christmas projects. The Halloween cuts will wait and travel with the mini album....hopefully before Valentine's Day.

It's Gettin' There.....

Here is another peek at Tracy's mini. This page is missing a few things. When I figure out what they are, I will add them and call it good. I am having a great time making this book. I can be as weird as I want!!! SA-WEET! Tracy and I share the same wicked sense of humor. I am so lucky she is my friend. No, not lucky...blessed.

I have also been working on another Halloween mini for a friend who just had a birthday. Will I ever be on schedule? Her mini is kid-themed, to be used for photos of her grandchildren. It's a challenge 'cause my mind wants to create twisted-ly.

Sneak Peek #1 ~ Halloween Album Swap

Here is a peek at a partially finished page in my Halloween album swap with the very talented Tracy of TracysTreasures.

I have my supplies for this album ALL over the house. It's pathetic really. I have been eyeing that Workbox "thing" lately, the one that stores an insane amount of stuff in one place. Now that would be cool, and then some.

My Kit Club Heaven

I joined the Kit Swap Club over at Your Paper Pantry. I made four kits (they can be identical) and sent them to a very nice lady named Cari. Here are the four kits I got back. To say I was excited does not describe it. My son said, "gee Mom, this is really your passion isn't it?" Yep, it is. The amazing thing is I did not have ANY of the 6x6 papers I received. A great majority of the embellishments are new to me as well.

If you double click on the photos they will open much larger in a new window.

Kit #1

Love the red and green bow ornaments, the bells and the other mini ornaments too!

Are those Tim Holtz reindeer and ornament dies? The reindeer made me squeal like a piggie.

Kit #2

Took four photos to capture all the goodies in this kit. Thank you Loretta!!

She sent a lot of extra paper - gorgeous paper!

And even MORE paper. Textured, very high quality stuff.

Kit #3

Super cute Got Milk tag

Can't wait till I get a Big Shot so I can emboss papers like these.

Kit #4

Great embellishments :)

Love the stamps and the mega-snowflake!

~ ** ~

The kit club appeals to the practical, frugal side of me. I spent $4.95 to mail my kits, and another $4.95 to have the kits sent to me. I bought a few things to include in my kits. I spent maybe $8.00. That's a lot of crafty goodness for under $20.00 don't cha think? Now if only I could turn the clock back....to August.

My First Charm Swap

Mailed these off the other day to a very nice lady named Cindy. Never made charms before and hubby had to help a lot at the beginning. My loops are oh so sad, but I will improve.

The charm is actually a vintage Scrabble tile. We make pendants with these and I thought it would be cool to change it up a bit. My tag is an image from a 1938 Halloween party notice. The back and top are lined with vintage music paper. The "ribbon" is actually tinsel I cut from a Halloween spider I got at the Dollar Tree.

Cindy hosts this swap each month. It's been a lot of fun and I can't wait to see all the charms I will get back :). Here is her blog if you want to check it out:

http://cindyscroppingcorner.blogspot.com/

Fairy Door Swap

Here is the adorable door I received in the Fairy Door Swap. It came from the most magical of Autumn Nymphs. It was right on time. I envy people who are on time. Tomorrow I will post the door I sent to my partner. It turned out weird, and it wasn't on time.

Fall is in the air here in Washington. Thank goodness! I love, love, love it. It can never be too cold or rainy or misty or gray for me. Juneau the Snow Dog completely agrees.

I ended up with complications from the breast surgery last month. Still dealing with those. Thank goodness for antibiotics!

Our 5th wedding anniversary came and went on October 3rd. We both forgot it. We remembered a few days before the 3rd, and talked about how we would celebrate. On the 4th I remembered - that we had forgotten. Hubby said his idea was to take our wedding rings in and have them engraved with "we will never part." Then he added, "or maybe it was we will never fart, I'm not sure." Funny guy.

My son has a 91 in math, according to his progress report. And 100 in Discipleship. Haven't heard about the other subjects yet. But I am over the moon with the math grade. He's really working hard this year.

Good Swappy Day

I recently discovered swap-bot and of course, I just HAD to sign up. I received my first two swaps today. The first was to take one item from your partner's profile and send it. Pretty simple, right? The unusual part is how partners are matched. The person you are sending to is not the person who sends to you. This swap, offically called "Quick Swap V," had a lot of international players. I sent packages to Belgium and the Czech Republic. I received this package today, from the UK. The other person sending to me is in the U.S.

Look at all the neat things she sent! And the swap only required her to send one item. The ribbons are gorgeous, and unlike any I have seen before. The Brixham booklet is full of B&W vintage photos.


I also received all these scrapbooking papers. I adore the English people. We send knobs across the pond quite frequently, and every customer I have dealt with has been wonderful. A lot of people long to visit France, but not me. I would much prefer seeing London and the surrounding countryside.

The second swap was an "extra scrapbooking papers" swap, where you were to send whatever you could fit into a business size envelope and mail for just one stamp. The pretty pink and blue papers pictured below came from a lady in Missouri.

If you haven't been to swap-bot you should definitely visit. Then again, the whole world probably knows about it. I tend to be the last to know. I didn't even know Stickles existed until a few months ago.

Karla & Beth's Vintage Workshop Swap

Here are my panels - which were mailed today. Not sure what I was thinking with the odd way I photographed them. Most likely sleep deprivation figured in. I literally took their pictures minutes before the box was sealed and dispatched to the post office.

They gave us beautiful images to work with. I did all eight panels in one night (nice to see the sunrise occasionally). I had over a month, but I am one of those people who seems to thrive on deadlines. I don't get my inspiration until the 23rd hour. My favorite panel is the top left "Sparkle" panel.

Vintage Ephemera Swap....and "Airport"

Hello Blogland! Long time, no post. First things first - I want to share photos of the goodies I received from Pam for the Vintage Ephemera Swap. I've heard everything is bigger in Texas. All I know is this lovely lady sent me a TON of stuff. Fun, neat stuff I didn't have. Beautiful scrapbooking papers, stencils and tags, glitter, buttons, a wonderful book on how to make your own embellishments, and cut outs and bits and pieces. I was truly amazed at her generosity. I tried to get everything into these photos, but I'm sure I forgot a few things. Plus, we used some of the scrapbook papers for my son's "Creation Book" project.

Of course I am behind and am still collecting things to send to Pam. She isn't into the vintage stuff as much as I am, and vintage is 90% of what I have in my stash. It's actually rather fun to try to find different things - step outside my swap comfort zone.

Do you ever go through periods where you want to eat, or watch or do the same thing, all the time? Because doing so is comforting and familiar? I am on this "Airport" kick. The original film from 1970, the one which spawned all the others. It has been available "On Demand" and I think I've watched it about 20 times in the past month. Watched isn't the right word, because I don't sit and stare at the TV. But it's on, in the background...over and over. I never took a good look at Dean Martin before now. He is very sexy in this movie! I don't think I would feel the same way about him in his Rat Pack environment. I think it's the uniform. Nothing like a man in uniform to get the blood moving.

I have other things to show and tell which hopefully will be more interesting than my "Airport" addiction. Stay tuned!

Enchanted Swap Gifts for Lori

To officially finish up this swap, here are the things I sent to Lori aka Lovely Lori (I saw her picture, it's true - she is lovely). A rabbit filled with Rolos as we are both rabbit lovers.



A wooden crown on which I did a mosaic. This crown is about five inches wide. The "jewels" are vintage rhinestones. So sparkly, and big! I have in my little studio/office a whole area set up for mosaic work. Haven't done any in quite some time and I had forgotten how relaxing it is. We are hoping to do some craft shows this summer, and will be at a local farmer's market with a dear friend weekend after next. What a great incentive to start smashing and grouting again.

And a wand with lots of frou frou and vintage accents in the center.

Enchanted Swap Gifties

Here is what the Lovely Lori sent me. She decorated this case so beautifully, with all my favorite colors. I love all the roses. You can't really see it in the first photo, but behind the roses she spelled out "enchanted" with little gold colored letters. More roses inside, and sitting upon a bed of red tulle was a velvet pouch. Inside that pouch was this gorgeous bracelet. It is just stunning and so perfectly done. As I told her, I cannot bead anything to save my life, so I really appreciate the care and work she put into this piece.

I have a link to Lori's blog on my sidebar (Morning Glories and Moonflowers). Her blog is always interesting, and full of pretty pictures.

Thank you again Lori, for the treasures. I am truly enchanted!

Enchanted Swap Sneak Peek

Pretty scary huh? Definitely not a piece any self-respecting Princess would claim. This is all I can show...for now!

The Return of Peter Cottontail

Here is what Samantha sent me! To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. To begin with we have this gorgeous case with faux leather handle. Not just any old wimpy case either, it measures 15 inches across and 10 inches high (too many years of selling online, I always have to measure everything). Actually, the measurements were to give you an idea of how substantial this is. Note the pearl initial ~ a perfect touch.

There was a ton of pink grass inside, and many pastel eggs to hold all the tiny treasures.

Vintage sheet music, BINGO cards (I was all out), a copy of her cupcake recipe from a different swap, the sweestest old playing cards with animals, text from an old book, a pretty doily and mint green polka dot ribbon to tie everything together.

The flash washed out the beautiful colors in this hanging plaque she made. Sam's attention to detail is incredible. Every line perfect, edges glittered - even the back was decorated!

A sweet cone made with vintage flocked wallpaper. She also sent me some, and I did not photograph it. But I love it and have never owned any before.



Yummy pastel papers and look at all the girly stickers. Sam knows how much I love K&Company. I will be able to make so many pretty things with these! I am all jazzed about the glitter as I have never used liquid glitter before. Never had a beer or a cup of coffee either, but I digress. I was arriving at Glitter Avenue by way of mixing dry glitter with a bit of Modge Podge, and carefully painting it on. I do drink diet Coke in excess, and get tipsy after three sips of wine, so I'm not prim and proper - coffee and beer just never appealed to me.

Clear stamps, note cards, vintage lace, rosebud trim, metal embellishments (the one at the top left says Mother). Everything presented so perfectly.



Vintage daisies and spools of thread, and she crocheted the little flowers herself.

She sent two pieces of chenille and I want to say cabin craft, or something similar to that, is the style. Lots of neat charms (I think we shop at the same place, but I didn't have any of these), buttons, bingo markers, a pretty heart....

She made this stand and I love the colors and the style. The candy bar you see is all that remains of the candy. There was a large chocolate covered marshmallow egg, a candy stick, and a package of six eggs with assorted centers, from See's no less.

What wonderful gifts to receive, from a very special lady and a new friend :). Thank you Sam!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail....

Today I mailed my package to my partner Samantha, in the Easter Basket Swap. During this season of chocolate bunnies and sweet little chicks, I frequently stop to ponder the fact Easter has nothing to do with bunnies or chicks, or jelly beans or baskets. I know Christ died for my sins, so that I may have eternal life in heaven. I know the true meaning of Easter. I feel I need to say that so the world (and my mother especially) knows.....that I know. Whew, I feel better now!

Tonight I will post the goodies I sent to Sam ~ just the neatest lady and so much like me in her style. Tomorrow I will post the contents of her case (yes, not a basket but a CASE), which is over the top gorgeous. The "not really a basket" above was just the most perfect shade of blue, and I could not resist. I decorated both sides, and also made the little butterfly magnet.

An oatmeal and honey bunny (I'm a poet and didn't even know it) in a chocolate color is perched inside a vintage mini jello mold. My dear friend Kay at The Rustic Cottage made this. Of course no basket is complete without a few sticky things.

Speaking of sticky things, I included this glue which was recommended to me by the Queen of Paper Bella herself (thank you Teresa), and a few other blank things for Sam to decorate.

Next came a fat package of handmade papers, playing cards, vintage advertisements, cabinet cards....all that kinda stuff.

Some vintage hand dyed ribbon, lavender candles, mini notebook, a teeny tiny roll of red polka dot trim, and a cool mermaid magnet I just added to inventory.

Gotta have candy, some of it fit in this sweet little bunny take-out container. I only wish I'd gone to See's, like Sam did!

I fell in love with this precious soft lamb, and knew she would too. Add a couple of strands of big gaudy costume pearls, and an egg, which when soaked in water is supposed to produce a chick which hatches by itself (reminds me of sea monkeys).

Lastly, a little box filled with vintage jewelry pieces, and that little bag on the right contains vintage rhinestones ~ each one a tiny treasure just waiting to be reborn.



Absent from my photos are a few little plastic eggs, in which I placed embellishments. One egg (the pink one of course) contained a $5 bill so Sam can have a Starbucks on me. Or, she can buy a gallon of gas....I hope she likes her Easter stuff. I so enjoyed putting this together for her. Her friendship has really been a blessing to me these past weeks.