Any Guesses?

A few weeks back hubby announced we were "leaving town" and to book off vacation for March 4th (this Friday). No hints on destination - just pack your bags. I did try some subtle digging ("Do you think they will have the same amount of snow as we have here?") but to no avail...

He did provide me a list of things to bring (how sweet of him) but still no clues.

Egads, whats that! The two most dreaded words in the English language (as far as I am concerned) - bathing suit! Don't call it swimwear 'cause that don't fool me none...My only suit is at the cottage so I was forced to buy another. And there is no way I could lose the winter weight in time to fit nicely in a bikini (LOL). Fortunately bathing suits are more cottage cheese friendly these days - you know what I mean - cover that stuff hanging off your butt (Hubby said I did not have any - funny guy - he obviously has not looked close enough lately, or wants something). This is not the one I purchased - mine is more "sporty". And thank goodness for online shopping - I only ventured into one store and quickly gave up (ugh, hate those 3 way mirrors). I can gag looking in the mirror in the privacy of my own home - good thing my first choice turned out to be just fine...
So any guesses? We leave Friday AM and come back some time Sunday and NO mention was made about passports (hmmmmm). We have a wonderful young lady to babysit Miss Gwendonline - this will be a first for us as well. I'll bring back pics. Looking forward to hearing what you think....Cheers, Jewels

Nightstand Report

Goodness, my last report was last October! Truly I have been reading since then. While I am enjoying my Kindle (working through Follett's Pillars of the Earth at the moment), I still need to hold the real thing in my hand from time to time...especially when I need to see pictures!

I've decided Anne Shirley is one of our great philosophers (LOL). After all it was she who said (quite dramatically I might add) "My life is a perfect graveyard of buried hopes. That's a sentence I read in a book once, and I say it over to comfort myself whenever I'm disappointed in anything." How perfectly delicious. Now you would think being born in Canada this would be one of my earlier reads. I actually came to Montgomery's works a little later. The Bronte sisters were more my cup of tea - I still remember the first time I read Jane Eyre. I was pretty sick at home for awhile and the librarian from the Public Library Portable that visited our school regularly, sent it home for me to read. Funny remembering that Portable that would get pulled up outside our school - that's probably where I got my ambition to be a librarian. What a cool job to go around town and check out books to little children! Though in the dead of winter I'm sure the librarian didn't think so...

Anyway, I just finished reading Anne of Green Gables again (I always cry about Matthew) and found this quote that I've now posted on my blog. Anne was all about kindred spirits - and I truly believe that I have met many since I started my blog and made so many virtual friends.

Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It' splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.

Wouldn't you agree? Of course Anne gets 5 out of 5 lampshades. Cheers Jewels

Catch Up

Just putzin on a late Saturday afternoon. I've had so much fun learning new things this past year. A while back Carol and I used to exchange fabric ATCs with a couple of other gals. We are trying something different this year with fabric Vintage Tags.
However, I'm still doing ATCs but now with paper. This latest one has vintage wallpaper for the background and a nice definition of the word True. Of course I had to add just a tiny touch of bling (could not help myself). I did something similar for one of Mary's classes.
These were posted on Flickr but I don't think everyone goes there - if you want to see more of my gluebooks just click on the Flickr tool in my sidebar - even I'm impressed how much I have squeezed in..
Hubby and I went to try a new restaurant tonight - The Creek Grill - for my local pals it was so so (as hubby put it, nothing special). However, we don't have a lot of choices here so want to try new things when they come ... Due for the return of snow tomorrow (yech) after a couple of days of Spring like weather (it IS only February still here in lovely mid Michigan). I am starting a new online class tomorrow (yeah) called 4 Artists, 4 Ways. I'm excited about that because these Artists (including my peep Lenna) are teaching altered book techniques - can't wait! Later. Jewels

Survivor Redemption Island

For all you diehard Survivor fans (you know who you are) - is it just me or was that not the FUNNIEST tribal council you ever saw! Hubby who was on the phone said he could hear me hootin in the next room. I'm hoping this bodes well for Survivor 22 (can you believe there has been that many). The last one frankly bored me with no real drama.

My favorite line - Boston Rob (in his lovely accent) " Man it feels so good to play with you amateurs you give away so much" as he voted out Francesca...LOL

Paper or...

...Fabric? You be the judge.

Remember my entry for the Vintage Card Swap that Lenna is hosting which uses a picture from my friend Carol? All done in paper except lace and button. Go check out the other submissions - they are awesome...

Well I had to make Carol some thing to thank her.

So I "re created" in fabric. The only "paper" are the photo mounts. Personally I can go either way! I love how each turned out...Enjoy, Jewels.

Tag Time

I cannot believe how quickly a month can go by! And we are already past the first four weeks of 2011....it does mean it is time for another Vintage Tag to swap with my pal Carol.Of course everyone thinks of Valentine's Day for February ♥. I thought I would be a little different. While my happy couple could be Sweethearts......what really drew me to this picture were her beautiful BLUE shoes - arn't they just the best! Enjoy. Jewels☺

February Challenge

Mary has us busy once again for a FABULOUS prize. This month's images included a portrait, a botanical illustration and a victorian scrap. I actually figured out I COULD take the images out of the .pdf format (I know, I know you who have figured it already are probably shaking your head). Instead of doing a gluebook page (which I usually do) I decided to take a different approach. I experimented with the photo using Paint Shop (learned a lot). I also played with inks and chalks which you probably can't see but helped with the colours. I think the background card I used is from a memoral service (for a funeral?) - don't remember where I got it from (probably from Beth).Anywho, something different! Cheers. Jewels

Blizzard Warning in Effect...

...until Noon today (which it almost is). Like a good chunk of the country we got hit hard last night.

Everything is closed up tight today- and even my company sent out messages that "non essential personnel" (ewh that makes me feel needed) should stay at home. Unfortunately there is no excuse not to work though - I have been online in virtual meetings all morning (sigh).
The snowdrifts in our yard are taller then poor Miss Gwendoline who is having some challenges of her own as you can well imagine.

Tomorrow we are forecasted to have sunshine - go figure! Hope you are safe and warm where ever you may be. Cheers. Jewels.