Week 28 - Emily's Art Journal challenge - What is Your Goal This Week?

Yeah!! Emily is back! (how gorgeous are those photos of Miss Yindi? So sweet.)

This week's prompt was "what is your goal for the week?" I always have PLENTY on my to-do list...but I focused on what I wanted to CREATE this week. So... my goal for the week was to finish the projects on my list before the weekend is over. Looks like it is going to be a long night...I only completed ONE of the four so far and it's SUNDAY again already.

This one did not scan well...the paper is MUCH nicer IRL! Paper is Amy Butler; tab is from K&C Company's Essential Pink File set; Pink ink is Stampin' UP!'s Pink Passion; DMC floss colors 718 and 470; pink rhinestones from a Cocoa Daisey kit; Pen is Faber-Castell PITT artist pen (superfine point, black)

Week 27 - Ali Edwards' Prompt - for Emily's Art Journal

The prompt for this week was from ALI EDWARDS (sitting in for Emily)...and it was "Junk Mail." Of course, I love Ali's interpretation. How does she do it so effortlessly? In her hands, a piece of junk mail and some paint (I am guessing that is yellow paint?) and a pen and it becomes a work of art. Love her style. So...I set out this week to find something useful among the STACKS of junk mail that enter our home each day. How can there be NOTHING I can use??? Finally settled on the DELL catalog...the paper isn't the best quality for this project...but the colors were fun. What is it about the NAMES of colors that are so interesting to me? I think that would be the most fun job. Sitting around NAMING colors of products....appliances, fabrics, car paint, nail polish (the OPI colors?! YUM), crayons, paints, EYE SHADOW, LIPSTICK.....how fun. Who has these jobs and where do I apply??

Week 26 -Emily's Art Challenge-"Celebrating Daughters"

A fitting prompt from Emily's friend Margie, after the arrival of Miss Yindi Willow (how beautiful is that name?)...."Celebrating Daughters."

This photo is of my six lovely nieces....journaling on back reads:

"I am not lucky enough to have children of my own....but I am lucky enough to have four sisters and one sister-in-law who have been blessed with a total of 11 children between them....six of which are my beautiful nieces. All very different -- all very special to me -- all fun to be around -- all bright and funny - all of whom I'd be proud to call my own. Love you, girls!"

Congrats to Emily on the arrival of her second beautiful daughter....and to my cousin Garrett and his wife Dana on the arrival of their first yesterday! (baby girls galore!)

Background paper--Flavia note paper; sticker tabs and words --KI Memories; "love" sticker-- Wonderful Words; black micron pen ;(not sure of the manufacturer of the little circle stickers letters-they are made to fit on brads--Making Memories, maybe?)

Amy Butler is the Shiznit

How fabulous is Amy Butler????

I want these chair covers.

And this QUILT!!

I WANT THIS QUILT!

And a bunch of these skirts.

And don't even get me started on the purses..... but I don't want to SEW them!

I just want to wake up and HAVE them.

It's true.

Quite sad. But true!

(Do you think there is a "Make a Wish" foundation for the lazy?)

Help! Anyone out there recognize these?

I am trying to find the blogger who posted these favor boxes on her website - she made them for a friend's daughter's graduation party (if I recall correctly?) and I commented and asked for some details...which she provided in an edit .... but I cannot recall the blog/artist and I want to thank her! I made them for my niece's graduation and they were a hit (also resulted in the very best thank you note I have ever received....my niece Emily is the most gracious young lady--the best thank-you note writer....one of the many things I love about her!)

ANYWAY...if anyone can lead me to the blog I would greatly appreciate it!

Week 25 - Emily Art Deck Challenge CAUGHT UP!

Week 25 - caught up again (except the one week I skipped---I will get back to it as soon as I dig up the photo I want to use for it....)

But back to this week's prompt. Tara Whitney acted as "guest prompter." Tara is a photographer and aptly, her prompt was "use a photo that means something to you." (I'd love to have her photograph me and Rob together....check out her work, you will agree!)

So....lots of pics I could have chosen...but I decided on this one of my hubby....cause I just love it and it makes me smile whenever I see it (it's on my desk at home). It was taken in March the day we toured the model home in the neighborhood where my sister- and brother-in-law are building their new home. An all-around great day. Exciting to see the gorgeous home Lynne and Lar are creating...and so good to see Rob smiling and enjoying the day with his family after a string of stressful months. Love these moments.

And now to BED! Caught up again, finally! Surprised you, huh, Nik?! LYB!

Black Micron 03 pen; K&Company sticker letters (right Aimee?) [edited Jul 1...oops! just noticed the typo]

Week 24 (almost caught up!) Emily Art Deck Challenge

LOVE THIS PROMPT!! This was perfect timing.....prompt was "remember when..." and it just so happened that my sister Jackie, niece Mikayla and their friends, and Rob and I went to Hershey Park on the 16th ..... and amusement parks always remind my sisters and me of "back in the day" when we went to KENNYWOOD PARK every year for our school picnic. (And yes, you kind of have to scream the word. It's that exciting.) The best part was on the way to the park, when we first saw the KENNYWOOD SIGNS!!!!!!!! which pointed the way.

The THUNDERBOLT roller coaster is pictured on my card...along with the yellow KENNYWOOD sign. Can't help it. It just always makes me SMILE.

Red marker and "No." stamp by Stampin' UP!; rhinestones by My Mind's Eye.

Week 23 - Emily Art Deck Challenge

The Week 23 prompt was "Right Now" - as in "what is going on in your life at this moment?" I should have just stapled all my LISTS to the card!

Busy month in our household....traveling every weekend; work picnic at Hershey Park; a week away at my annual sales meeting for work; graduation party for my eldest niece (Congrats Em! We are so proud of you!); laundry is piling up; work is busier than ever.....etc. etc. etc.

Paper is from my Emily art deck kit (love this piece....been hoarding it--finally decided to JUST USE IT!); trusty black Micron 03 pen and Stampin' UP! "No." stamp; embellished paper clip from the March Cocoa Daisy Kit; "Wish" ticket purchased here --used them on my niece Emily's graduation party favor boxes.

Week 22 - Emily Art Deck challenge

The prompt was "What I want to learn." I liked this one....lots I want to learn (better yet, wish I just already KNEW how to do!) Number one on my list of late is to learn how to DRAW. Bought the Betty Edwards book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain -I hope it works!

Paper is a page from my 2006 Flavia Daytimer; ribbon is 1/2" Craft Seam Binding in Plum from Martha Stewart Crafts (much prettier than the scan shows); black Micron 03 pen; edges sanded.

Week 21 - Emily Art Deck Challenge

This one stalled me for a while! Prompt was: "Your redeeming qualities; qualities you aspire to."

As already noted--I am not comfy with declarative statements about myself--my first instinct is to ask someone else "what do you think my redeeming qualities are?" Not exactly a casual conversation starter, eh? : ) In the end I managed to list a few!

Pink rhinestones from a thank you packet of goodies from Cocoa Daisy - which arrived with the June kit (their kits are so yum-O! I have ordered 4 now and have not been disappointed!); rub-ons "Violet Tatoos" from KI Memories.t

Catchin' Up! Week 20 - Emily's Art Deck Challenge - CHANGE

Week 20 Prompt was CHANGE. Not my forte! Lots of directions this one could have taken...decided to focus on the positive changes in the works... Journaling on the back of this card reads:

"So many things needing our attention - lots of changes ahead for me and Rob. Changing our diets. Changing our living spaces (working on re-organizing some rooms). Changing our spending habits. I don't usually do well with change...but I am learning to embrace it. It's time."

Paper is from my Emily kit; rub-on letters are Heidi Swapp, swirl stamp is Swirls V1 -Rhonna Farrer, Clear Stamps; red gems are Bohemia. My Mind's Eye (love these big red ones!), clock was cut out of a magazine, topped with Diamond Glaze; "No." stamp is my trusty Stampin'UP! stamp...ink is black Memories. Not sure of the manufacturer for the number stickers.

Week 19 - Emily Art Journal Challenge - SURPRISE!

Playing catch up again! Left off at week 19 -- the prompt was SURPRISE. And I knew immediately I'd do my card on the whopper of a SURPRISE I pulled off on my sister Jackie. The idea started when our Uncle asked her at Christmastime (her birthday is Dec 30)..."how old are you going to be this year?" and she replied "Thirty-nine. Forever." ha ha....so that birthday came and went....flash forward two months or so later....her friend and neighbor, Lisa, approached me with the idea to have a SURPRISE 40th birthday party for our dear Jackie. The problem? Jackie knows EVERYTHING that happens in the entire tri-state area. How EVER would we pull it off?

For starters...we planned it for JULY - six months before her birthday (she'd not be expecting THAT, huh?) We decided a "ladies night" would be the theme...all her girl friends....poolside at Lisa's house....drinks and desserts. And music. My sister has been a huge American Idol fan since the first season....and JUSTIN GUARINI was her FAVORITE. (No lie--she referred to him as "my Justin.") Through the power of the Internet...we booked Justin for a special appearance at my sister's birthday party. AND WE PULLED IT OFF! Surprised is not the word for it....she FLIPPED. I still grin when I think of it...what a fun party that was!

And so I give you....my sister Jackie and "Her Justin" at her "Forever 39" surprise party (also known as "Desperate Housewives Meets American Idol." )

Photo adhered to card, edges sanded. Label from Martha Stewart; rub on letters rob and bob studio; Pentel metallic gel pen; "No." stamp from Stampin' Up!

I loves me some LuRay! and other antique shop finds....

Another fabo find while in Berkeley Springs this weeked....Look at this stash of LuRay Pastels! I didn't buy any.....but the sight of these all stacked together makes me smile (isn't half the fun of collecting the SEARCH?) and....my sister Jackie spotted the PITCHER.....I had never seen one in person....that baby was marked $120...and was in perfect shape. Aren't I strong for resisting?

I did splurge on one thing...an old printer's tray....in great shape (one blotchy ink stain--but that just makes me love it more)...and only 11 bucks!! BARGAIN!

Meet Isaiah

We met this little cutie while shopping in Berkeley Springs during our weekend with Auntie....seems Sir Isaiah doesn't think it's so cute though. His human keeper told us "he isn't friendly" when we wanted to pat his little head, er, helmet!

Nice guy. Funny lookin' dog!

Week 18 - Prompt: "Nature"

How perfect is this? This week's prompt is "Nature" (love Emily's card...don't you? I must try SEWING on my cards/papers!)....

So the NATURE prompt. At work on Monday, we discovered a duck had nested in the courtyard in our building...and 11 ducklings were waddling about with their mama. HOW CUTE IS THIS? Nothing like fuzzy baby animals to melt the hearts of grownups. You can't help pause for a few minutes each time you pass the window to check on the little darlings. (The game warden was called - we thought they would need to be moved. But he said the ducklings are fine as long as we don't feed them, just keep them supplied with clean water. Appears there are plenty of bugs for them to eat in the foliage...and in a few weeks they will fly away. We will miss them!)

Adhered photo to card. Sanded edges. Green velvet rickrack ribbon and May Arts purple wired puffs ribbon...(The ribbons are as soft as I imagine the baby ducks would feel if we could hold and pet them! )Journaling on back reads: "Lovely serendipity. 'Nature' is this week's prompt, and just LOOK at what appeared at work on Monday! So beautiful. I wish I could pet one!"

Here's to experiencing more of Nature's beauty in all our lives. It does a heart good.

Thanks for a great prompt, Emily!

Who Should Paint You: Gustav Klimt

Sensual and gorgeous, you would inspire an enchanting portrait.. With just enough classic appeal to be hung in any museum!

What Artist Should Paint Your Portrait?

Saw this on my cool blogging friend, Karalenn's blog. I confess the first time I did it I got Escher (not a fan--tho' the description was apt: "Open and raw, you would let your true self show for your portrait. And even if your painting turned out a bit dark, it would be honest." ) anyway...I cheated and redid it and got this!! Much better! My alltime favorite painting is "The Kiss" -- how awesome would it be to have been painted by him?

More Magazine Love....

How gorgeous is this cover? Can't get enough of the talented Anahata Katkin - took me six days trekking to 6 stores to get my hands on a copy! Tons of eye candy in this issue - some great techniques with layering of mixed media pieces to try....thinking I want to try a fabric piece one day...

Victoria, sweet Victoria!!

GUESS WHAT??? VICTORIA MAGAZINE IS COMING BACK!! YIPPIEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!! read about it here...http://adage.com/mediaworks/article.php?article_id=116371 I can't wait--I have MISSED this magazine....lovely lovely lovely. (And I still want these pink striped glasses--wouldn't they be perfect for an afternoon tea party?)

Head(ers) Up.

Did the BLOGGER gremlins just add that "add a picture" thing to the header template element -- or was I missing that all along?

Not the most impressive topper...but not bad for a rookie, eh? What's with the blurry type? (I should download the demo of Photoshop...I really should.)

What Susan Needs....

OK....saw this on a couple of blogs but didn't understand WHAT it was exactly--until I came across one that explained it. Seems the game is to Google your name (first name) + "needs" to find out, well, what it is you need, of course.

Curiousity got the better of me...

1. Susan clearly needs demystification to help her recognize that she is much better at understanding language than she is at using it in school. (huh? wha?)


2. Susan needs all your love and money an ugly millionaire dating online agency marriage men seeking love bureau. (well now that's just wrong on so many levels)


3. Susan needs a set of t-shirts graced with silly cliches that, nevertheless, exemplify her willingness to step off the cliff of safety and follow her dreams. (now we may have something here.....)


4. Susan needs to work on writing better songs. Songs that deal with more than lonely, sad, I can't have you. Susan needs to write "her age."


5. Susan needs your help! $5000 needs to be raised to cover the costs of recording and manufacturing the CD. (Uh, right. Because those sad, lonely songs aren't selling!)


6. Susan needs not respond. You have no class. What kind of decent respectful lady would use the kind of language you use. God help you. ...(and you as well. YIKES...that was a scary one. The author of that one was defending Mel Gibson I think?)


7. Susan needs to slow down to increase her quality of eye hand foot control. (I think that one has something to do with sports and we all know I don't bend.)


8. Susan needs help in many areas, from transporting kittens to cleaning litter boxes (who doesn't?)


9. Susan needs to discard the bustle and loosen her corset. (leave my bustle out of it!)

And as proof that there is no original thought left....some of the entries were links to other Susans' blogs who played the game. And round and round we go.