Pencil Jar for Mom

Christmas Tag for Tesse

What I want for Christmas!!!!

This features 'scrapbooking' but it's not a far stretch from how I feel about supplies for all my stuff!!!

Snowy Saturday

It's been snowing all day today so I've taken advantage of the weather to play in the studio. I didn't accomplish a lot but it's been a treat to just do what I want for a change. I'm always inspired by Tim Holtz's creations...like this one for example from his 12 Tags 2010 project:


Here's my creation (wish I had a professional photo of it!):



Back to the studio and the snow!

Makes me smile!

An October Working "Vacation"

Enjoy a quick few pics of my trip to Fort Lauderdale for a technology conference. Highlights from the trip include the view from my room, the delicious shrimp dinners with my co-workers and the Water Taxi Tour of the rich and famous. As for the conference, well....that's another story. Fort Lauderdale is beautiful...wish I could have stayed for a long vacation. Maybe another time!

Halloween 2010

Enjoy the slideshow!

One more donut...errrr cake that is!

I am a sucker for cake pans (and all kitchen utensils in general!). I couldn't resist this one, especially for the kings and queens of donuts at work! This was my first attempt and following the recipe on the box, you end up with a very heavy, rich, pound cake with chocolate goo and sprinkles on top. Delish!

Happy Birthday, Serkan

You might be saying to yourself, "Enough cakes, already!" but here are a few more. For Serkan's birthday, a traditional chocolate cake but with cream filling in between three layers and topped off with homemade chocolate frosting. Paula Deen would be proud....there are multiple sticks of butter in this one!

Celebrate Labor Day 2010

Got Washi Paper Tape?

Cathe, over at Just Something I Made, created the coolest dispenser for Washi Paper Tape. Now, mind you, I do not have any washi paper tape (*yet*) but now I want a bunch so I can make her dispenser. Isn't it great the things folks come up with and then share step-by-step how to's? Thanks, Cathe!

The House that Built Me

This song is so powerful and meaningful to me. I thought I'd share it with you.

Doggy Spa Day

...that's how I spent my Sunday. First, the haircut. After a winter of rolling in the snow and trudging through the ice, diving head first into her big pillow and twisting/turning her way around the living room on her back and avoiding being b-r-u-s-h-e-d (yes, she can even spell and runs for the nearest hiding place), it was definitely time for a haircut. Oh, and a shower...not a bath. This doggie loves taking a shower. I get in and she follows me for a bit of sudsing and pampering. She's now so soft (yes, that's why they call them Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers!) and more cute than ever. You'd never know she is 13. Gotta luv Bailee.

Spring is here!

My poor daffodils are hanging their little heads in the mud right now but yesterday they were posing for pictures in the bright sunshine. John captured these for me so I could share them with you. Isn't he the best? I hope they'll pop back up when the sun returns this weekend. Can't wait to do yard work and breathe in some fresh air.

I'm PURPLE!

Here's a fun little quiz you can take at the True Value site. My color is purple!

"Spontaneity is the key to your existence. Quick-witted with a flair for originality, you enjoy situations that allow you to explore your creativity. Comparatively conservative, you appreciate beautiful surroundings, especially if they’re found in nature. Your relaxed and self-assured personality allows you to work well with others. Surprisingly enough, your unique and unusual tastes don’t prevent you from being comfortable among your more conservative peers."

Hmmm, I think it's mostly true...What color are you?

Sweet Lucas is ONE!

Christmas Cactus!

Hallelujah! This Christmas Cactus is real!!! I have to tell you, my Aunt Hazel, God rest her soul, gave me two little clippings from her Christmas Cactus probably ten years ago (or more!). I rooted them, planted them and proceeded to torture them for the next decade plus. The plant moved with us to our new home and it's new home on the screened porch almost five years ago. After each summer, I'd bring it into the kitchen and sit it by the sink so it would get a drink or two from the faucet as I did the dishes (and I don't do dishes every day!). This year, I became the care-giver to Rachael's houseplants until they found their permanent home. This past fall, I moved her plants to the master bath and set them around the tub. I decided to move the Christmas Cactus in there also. Bingo! It must have liked the cooler, darker location (or it's new found friends) because a few weeks after Christmas, I noticed little buds appearing at the end of each section. Sure enough, the buds grew daily and now we have beautiful pink blossoms everywhere! I can't believe my eyes. I feel so bad for not having treated this poor thing better all these years. Maybe it's a sign that 2010 is going to be a really good year.

Isn't it ironic that this plant is just like me....late for Christmas but still wanted to acknowledge the holiday is grand fashion. Merry Christmas Cactus!

Looking Back at 2009

When I downloaded a picture of my Christmas Cactus, I found that I had some pictures of projects I hadn't shared with you in 2009! The Halloween container is a recycled bread crumb can wrapped in two layers of ephemera on background paper and stamping on acetate. I filled it with treats and sent it on its merry way to my bestest bud, Tumbleweed Tess. I'm working on emptying can #2 but it's going to be a while since I don't make meat loaf very often any more (John-boy complained about too many onions and wanted me to make it without ANY onions so I'm on strike).



The next thing I found on the camera is my last entry for PageDwellers in the "Anything Goes" category. I decided that fabric and embroidery (in a pink theme) would be my offering. They made it to Australia and Texas is good shape!

Happy New Year!

Hello Blogworld and welcome 2010! I have neglected my art and Stampindipity for some time now and thought I'd better put something current out here. Above are pieces I created for my wonderful friend, Tesse, for Christmas and her birthday. Below are details from her highness's birthday 'card'. It's not really a card in the normal sense but you crafty artsy folks might see it as a 'card'! Enjoy!