Gone Fishing...

What a lucky girl---I have my very own crafting space, my studio.  It's located upstairs, in the back of the house, behind my husband's office.  It's very private with lots of light and has what I imagine, are peel and stick tiles-not particularly attractive, but certainly not offensive and perfect for what goes on in here!  My studio is also home to my cat, Earl.  Earl is part of my inheritance-no, really.  My mother got him at the humane society about two years before she died.  He was truly a comfort to her.  After she died, he started to behave, um, rather badly so housing him in my studio seemed like a humane alternative.  He's quite happy in here and now has run of the office, too, as he seems to be behaving well, now.  He is a most affectionate, BIG boy-but only on his terms!

The studio is right over the master bedroom.  One can hear activity over head when in the bedroom which may have to do with the floors.  At night, we hear things drop to the floor, and then hear Earl batting them around.  He's a night time hockey player, and is quite skilled!

I have two large bookcases against one wall.  They have a slightly curved base, so small that I cannot get a Swiffer mop under them.  They are simply too big and too heavy for me to move.  The shelves are FULL housing books, scrapbooks, and all kinds of memorabilia.  

Last night, I realized my that several of my alphabet stamps had gone rouge.  Where could they be?  I was confident that they were in the studio somewhere.  It occurred to me that they were small enough to be batted under the book case, but only if Earl hit it dead center.  What to use?  A yardstick is a wonderful fishing rod for just such a task.  Now, I wish I had made a pile of all the items I retrieved from under those cases.  It was rather impressive and because of the tiny opening, it took my quite a long time to fish them out.  Earl watched-amused, I suppose.  He was quite happy to get his catnip toys returned.  I found glue sticks, glue pens, a Copic marker, pens, at least a dozen rubber stamps, cardboard tubes for pennies, paper clips...alas, I am still missing the letter "T".

So, I "caught" a bounty...ahh, but there is that one that got away!

Imperfect & Enough

A milestone birthday is creeping, no running, up on me!  It's a birthday, an age that once seemed oh, so distant, and oh, so very, very old.  Here's the thing, friends...it's a NUMBER.  The view from inside my head hasn't changed that much.  The shell, well, that's a different story.  When I pass a mirror, I see my mother-oops, no, that's me!  When I imagine how I look, I see my much younger self so the reflection always comes as somewhat of a shock.  I feel young---younger.  The running joke is that I'm 45.  45 is a good age-old enough yet young enough, right?  Honestly, I don't think I feel much different than I did  at 45.  My body, however, did not get the memo---sigh.

Another funny thing about getting older---I honestly thought that once I reached this golden age, the youth of my old age, I'd be sure of myself.  I thought I'd have it all figured out.  Um, no and no.  Apparently, I am a work in progress and will be until I am not.

When Oprah first teamed with Brene Brown to offer Brene's class, The Gifts of Imperfection, I was truly intrigued.  It seemed like a lot of money-correction it was/is a lot of money for me at this stage of the game.  An email came before Christmas-another chance to take the course.  This time, I decided to do it.  This class is a gift to myself, a way to ring in this monumental year.

Brene first came to my attention through Ali Edwards' blog, pre-Oprah.  Ali lead me to Brene's blog.  Her writing, her research resonates with me.  I bought her books; I shared her blog with family and friends.  When Oprah discovered Brene, I kind of felt like I had one up on Oprah-hah!

This week, I started the class, The Gifts of Imperfection.  We got off to a bit of a rough start as the website had technical difficulties, but the problem was corrected, the grand adventure started.

This is one of the first assignments.  Coincidently, my one word (Ali Edwards) for 2014 is the word 

ENOUGH...

I have enough.

I do enough.

I AM ENOUGH,

and more than enough.

Because I have enough, I do enough, and I am enough, I plan to spend time focusing on gifts, practicing gratitude thus proving I have enough and I am enough.  

There are challenges, for sure...obstacles.  I'll be attempting to break a lifetime of self-deprecating patterns.  Becoming who I am meant to be is tough.  Not worrying about what others think-geez, I'm not even sure I can do that.  Accepting and going with my imperfections, wow-hard.  Deciding I'm worthy-phew, how do you do that?  

The journey begins...

an art journal for The Gifts of Imperfection,

a scrapbook for one little word,

A Thousand Gifts Journal...

that's the plan!

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge #199 BLUE!

A FROSTY CUP OF COCOA

The holidays are behind us.  Back to business!  This week's Sassy Cheryl's challenge is called "Winter Blues"-so BLUE.  I pawed through my stash and found some odds and ends of this paper, did some cutting and stitching then colored up this snowman, cut him out, glued him down---there you have it!

I do hope you'll join us for this week's challenge.  There are some new images at the shop that are just oh, so cute-sure to chase away the winter blues.

After nearly a month away visiting family, I am back home getting up to speed on my life.  I LOVE spending time with my kids and grand baby.  As much as I miss them, it is good to be in my own home, enjoying time with friends, working in my studio, puttering about the house and town...

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and that this new year is full of possibility!

Other challenges I plan to enter:

• Bunny Zoe's Crafts - M, 1E - (January) Stitching
• Card Mania - 2W, 3E - (Week 1) Anything Goes
• Creative Creations Challenge Blog - 2W, E3, C10 - (Week 2) Anything Goes
• Make it Monday - W, papercrafts only - Always Anything Goes

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

Sassy Cheryl knows we are all mighty busy this time of year so for the next two weeks, the challenge is to post your favorite Sassy Cheryl creation from 2013.  Not much of a challenge, you say-hah!  I beg to differ.  It took me quite a while to decide on a card to post here.  

For one thing, I don't always like my own creations---they just never look good to me even a few weeks out.  For another, I had a chance to see what the other DT members were posting---

oh, my goodness.  This is worth a blog hop, people!

It's mighty hard not to compare, isn't it?  

When I did scroll through a bunch of my cards, I actually did like some of them---but a favorite?!  Now, folks, I am a mother of five and a former school teacher.  I learned a loooonnnggg time ago, not to play favorites.  I kept coming back to this one.  It's RED-red makes me happy.  The inside is finished and equally as important as the outside.  True confession here, I don't always finish the inside of my cards-in fact, they are usually blank until I get ready to send them.

So, friends, go through your creations and find your fave Sassy creation from 2013!

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, as I do, may you have a blessed Christmas season.  I am so looking forward to being with our children and our precious grand daughter.  I couldn't ask for a better gift than to spend time with the ones I love!

A glimpse from last Christmas---my, how she's grown!

...and then there is Mimsy.  The tongue IS hers and no, it never goes in her mouth.  

...and this was Santa cruising down the street on Christmas eve.  

We watched from my daughter and son-in-law's front porch!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge # 195 Ribbons and/or Bows

ONCE UPON A STAR

This week's challenge at Sassy Cheryl's is to use ribbons and/or bows.  I went ultra simple this week---but I made a few.  I love this Santa-he's relatively new over at the Sassy Cheryl's Store.  I have a pack of these kraft paper cards and thought I'd use them!  I simply added ribbon-Christmas ribbon, and there you have it!

Then, I made a few more.  This one works for the challenge, too, and she's one of my all time favorites-a Sassy classic that is just too darn cute!

CUP OF COCOA

Now, these have nothing to do with this challenge, but I was on a roll and they are all Sassy Cheryl images, all for dear friends this Christmas season...

SANTA's WINKING STAR

ONCE UPON A STAR

I told you I liked this fellow!

WHOOPSIE

And, another classic-also among my most favorite!

See, they don't have to be fancy or fussy-don't get me wrong, I do love fancy and fussy.  there is a place for simple and sweet, too, especially when you're trying to make many cards!  I suppose I could have made this little card making marathon even more productive had I made several the same, but I'm easily bored...what can I say?!

Hoping you and yours are well and warm!  Winter has arrived.  We had our first snow-a confectioner's sugar dusting that I was told was mighty slippery earlier in the day.  The weather folks tell us some serious stuff is on it's way!  Hunker down and color!

Other challenges I plan to enter:

CAS on Sunday - 2W, 1E, CAS only - (2nd week) Challenge #23 Christmas

Creative Inspirations Paint - 2W, SIO - (2nd week) Inspired by: MerryChristmas

Robyn`s Fetish - W -CHALLENGE # 189 - Must have a bow.

That Craft Place - 2W, 1E - (1st week) Christmas.

Totally Gorjuss - W  #213 Anything with Santa Goes

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge #194 Anything Goes

Good morning, friends...I'm LATE posting my "Anything Goes" card for Sassy Cheryl's...a combination of my being out of practice, a slipping memory, and a little personal sadness.  BUT these little gals will lighten any bodies mood!  Now, I tried to link y'all up with the exact images at Sassy Cheryl's shop but my Internet is moving like molasses on a cold winter day!  I've used Charlie and Sally---these two are printed out oh, so much smaller than my preference-I like 'em BIG, but in order to have them work with these Memory Box dies...well, you've got the picture!  Because they are so small, the coloring tends to be a little lack luster-hard to do much shading on such tiny little images.

For your viewing pleasure (tee hee), I accompanied the card with two vintage Christmas elves I found while digging through years of ancient ornaments from my parent's attic.  I remember these little guys perched on a mantle when I was a child-so, yeah, way old!

Do join the Sassy gals this year and show us you Anything Goes creation---just be sure to use a Sassy Cheryl's image and have some fun!

Other challenges I plan to enter:

Crafty Cardmakers - 2W, C15 - (2nd week) Clean And Simple

Cutie Pie Challenge - 2W, must be "cute" - (2nd week) CUTE SCENES AND BACKGROUNDS

Paper Playtime - 2W, F - (2nd week) Anything Goes

Through the Purple Haze - W, E3, C10 - Christmas is coming

RIP sweet Abby-for nearly 18 years you warmed our hearts and our laps!

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge: #193 (TWO WEEKS!) Winter/Cold Weather

HANGING STARS SNOWMEN

WARM WINTER COCOA

Yup, it's coming-winter and the inevitable cold weather.  You wouldn't have guessed it today-it was in the high 60's here today.  Tomorrow, however, is a different story!

This week's Sassy Cheryl's Challenge (and next week's, too!) is a winter/cold weather card using a Sassy Cheryl's image.  So many of our friends are celebrating Thanksgiving next week-lots more cooking and perhaps a little less card making hence the two week window :-)

I used MME Merry Little Christmas mini paper pad, colored with Copics, cut out everybody, popped Maddie in front of the snowmen.  I tried a snow paint pen-disaster!  I've finally just thrown that pen away-i bought it last year and have never had any luck with it.  The snow is Flower Soft.

I hope you'll make room in the next two weeks to have a little fun...

You'll find some mighty cute images at Sassy Cheryl's store!

Other challenges I plan to enter:

C is for Challenge - 2W, Papercrafts only, E1 - (2nd week) Winter is Coming
Lady Anne's Challenge [Note new Blog Address] - M, E3, C10, papercrafts - (November) More than 1 Layer

Ardilla's Papers: Christmas and snow

Ardilla's Papers: Christmas and snow  So very cute!  I haven't seen this little gal in a while and I love her-what a great card!
Thank you for joining us this week for the Sassy Cheryl's Challenge.

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge #192 Your Favorite Holiday Color

A FROSTY CUP OF COCOA

I've been MIA for the Sassy Cheryl's Challenges for a couple of weeks, but so happy to participate, again.  I have a back injury that is slow in healing-but it IS healing :-) 

This week's challenge is to use your favorite holiday color(s).  I decided to feature my favorite Christmas colors.  I am a traditional gal-love the red and green, but for this challenge, I put a contemporary spin on the red and green.

This darling snowman is colored with Copics, and then I did some fussy cutting.  The tree is Memory Box die.  The sentiment is a Marianne Designs die and stamp.  The snowman's scarf blows right off the page!

Do join us this week for the latest Sassy Cheryl's Challenge.  Remember to use a Sassy Cheryl's image.  You don't have to use Christmas colors-perhaps you have favorite Thanksgiving colors or you celebrate Chanukah...show us your colors!

Other challenges I plan to enter with this card:

Make it Monday - W, papercrafts only - always Anything Goes

MarkerPOP Challenge - 2W, 2E, C10, must use Copic or ShinHan markers - (2ndweek) Anything Goes with markers

The Paper Girls - 2W, layouts, cards - (2nd week) Cut it out! (Die- or Fussy-cutting

Tiddly Inks Challenge

Sooo...I've been down and out with a seriously bad back for days, many, many days.  I've made progress-slow progress.  Just when I thought I was on my way, my little dog let out a piercing shriek announcing the arrival of my husband.  I had been sound asleep.  You know how you jump awake when your startled-yeah, that happened. A scream followed, a blood curdling, too loud scream as the pain shot through and through.  Needless to say, I lost ground in the recovery process.

Well, today I decided  that though I'm uncomfortable, and I move like I'm well into my 100th year, I needed to do some moving.  Realizing that given my back issues this might be my new normal (oh, how I hope NOT), I'd better put on my big girl panties and just do it.  Nothing taxing, mind you-purely pleasure!  I went to my studio (aka the cats' apartment) and with one cat in my lap and another at my feet, I colored away.  The cards may not be inspired-I prefer to call them clean and simple which honestly is my style anyway-these are just a little simpler than usual.

These are TiddlyInk images.  I vowed not to get hooked on another digi artist.  My computer is stuffed full with an impressive number of digis-clearly, I have a problem, but been down and out for so many days, I did a little blog hopping-seemed harmless enough!  Hah!  I'm on a design team with the very talented Angie.  She's a guest designer for Tiddly Inks this week-this is her fault!  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!  These little girls were just too cute.  Apparently, they needed me as much as I needed them because they hopped right into my cart.

I've already written notes to two friends, one in need of cheering and the other to whom I owe thanks.  They'll be in the mail by Tuesday :-)

Gifts...Enough and more than enough

After some busy, fun filled weeks, I am now down for the count.  Foolishly, I decided to try and unroll a 12x 20 (?- BIG) rug in a furniture filled room by myself; my 59 year old, tall, slender, spine curvature, prone to back strain, self.  My darling husband came home as I as trying to use a car jack to raise the bed (innovative, don't you think?). He finished the job-rug finally in place-color me happy.

Alas, on Wed., my back HURT with each and every movement, but I had theatre tickets, expensive ones, and I was determined to go, enjoy lunch with friends and see this oh, so funny production.  The bus ride is about an hour and a half each way-ill advised for anyone plagued with back pain.  The day was wonderful, but the next day...  The next day, I could not move-no, really, could NOT move.  The slightest twitch sent electric shock pains through my body.

It's been exactly a week since the great rug unrolling debacle.  I've spent the better part of each day either in a recliner or my bed.  Lord, knows recliners are hulking, ugly pieces of furniture, but I have come to know the inner beauty of a Lazy Boy recliner!  Gratefully, our bed has a head and foot raising option-hence the need of a carjack to lift it when placing a rug beneath it.  I have made great use of this function.  It has enabled some independence in getting out of bed.

Yesterday, I went to the doctor.  He prescribed a muscle relaxer and pain killers, only to be taken at night and affirmed that I needed to lay low, use heat.  Today, after a wonderful, restorative sleep, I was able to get out of the bed without sound effects!  Of late, I've sounded like I'm giving birth at the moment I rise.  Within minutes, I was strongly reminded that, though I've made progress, I have a long way to go...sigh.

This has been a journey, a time of forced rest, relaxation, reflection, and regrouping.  The timing of this event was almost providential.  At the suggestion of a dear friend, with whom I share a number of strongly held beliefs, I had just finished reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  This book and it's message touched me deeply.  I had committed to the idea of looking for and documenting gifts.  I've done this on and off for years.  My list has always been topped with my family and friends- the undeniably greatest earthly sources of my joy ( and, who are we kidding, heartache!).  I do thank God each and everyday for these, His most valuable gifts to me, but there are so many, many more- the gifts I take for granted, the gifts I don't even notice because I'm just "too busy" with the stuff of life.

So, now, I'm not so busy.  It's really easy for me to get down, and when I'm hurting and frustrated, well, I can get downright miserable, but I was determined to use this healing time more wisely.  I miss the daily activities I sometimes dread, but when I can't do them, I certainly appreciate the ability to do them.  

Crafting, creating gives me joy.  I love the process, and I love sharing this with others, but, for now, I cannot engage, so my blog sits in cyber space- that's fine, really.  Few visit here unless they're required to to enter a blog hop- I get it. Life's crazy busy, and we are all on sensory overload and so, so many of us are putting out our thoughts, ideas, and creations.  While Brene Brown speaks of our culture of scarcity(my new mantra thanks to Brene-Enough, and more than enough)- never enough ( yeah, I love her writing, too), there really are enough, more than enough, of us sharing in the blog-a-sphere.  I'm not writing this for anyone other than me, really- but publishing makes me vulnerable, and if I touch even one person's heart, then it serves a purpose.

I am still.  I notice the warmth of the sunshine, how the sunlight streams into the room, bounces of the glass table top.  I look out the window and see the leaves- bright oranges, yellows, and reds, a celebration as they joyfully let go for their upcoming winter slumber.  My little dogs recognize that something isn't right-they don't leave my side.  I am comforted by their warm little bodies pressed next to mine, the rhythm of their steady breath.  As word leaks out into our little town, a few phone calls, some sweet emails, a meal...

The daily miracles-answered prayers both big and small.  Daily meditations-gratitude-leave it to Oprah!

And, my family, my wonderful, sometimes dis-functional family... I notice my husband's kindness in ways I often overlook, his compassion, caring-a gentle, loving giant.  He supports me in so many ways.  My children call and text- words of love and caring, commitment and concern for me, for one another.  I am so proud of them, so grateful for them.  My new son, my son-in-law, called just to tell me he loves me, us, his new family.  What a wonderful young man!  My granddaughter, just a baby, doesn't even know how much I love her- perhaps will not be able to even wrap her mind and heart around it until she one day becomes a grandmother.

I am healing, and soon, my world will expand, again-a gift!  While this has been a painful interlude, and I do NOT wish to repeat it,  it has been a meaningful time...a gift.