Vacation Crafts

Well the weather was not the best while we were away - Fall seems to have come quickly. Very windy and rainy the first few days and pretty much overcast the rest of the week (of course the sun was shining on our last day...). But we did not mind as A. got new cottage gutters installed at the end of the week (how exciting is that, LOL) and B. had time to do a few "crafty" things.....

I needed to create a page to compliment Carol and Ray...I found this little newspaper clipping in a book on entertainment - thought it matched my couple kicking up their heels.

And the flow is nice between the pages...

This page actually started as a "mistake" the pink wallpaper on the right is all that is left of another page I did and just decided I did not like. I found the discarded shorthand course book at the village library by the cottage (you pay whatever you like) and the picture came from Beth's ....

I am undecided about Henry - remember his report card last year (no I did not use the original - this is a copy)? The young man looks just looks like a Henry (very studious) but not sure I like this spread - well they can't all be wonderful right.

Finally, I am taking Mary's second class and she gave great instructions on how to prepare an "altered book" for art. I found this one at a church thrift shop (cheap, cheap, cheap) - it has such a pretty cover - I plan to "match" my pages with it (when I get to them!)...

Enjoy, Jewels.

Happy Trails

Well we will be off for a week at the cottage for a much deserved rest this Friday. Sounds like the temperature will take a little "dip" but I'm not complaining. I'm looking forward to spending time with hubby relaxing a bit.
It is also my niece's birthday - remember last years present? Well I got her something special this year - but since I'm into "tags" now thought I needed to add a little embellishment - she loves horses so that was easy - what do you think?

Probably won't be online much posting (though I will be tracking my favorite blogs) - look forward to catching up with you on the other side....to my North American friends, have a wonderful Labor/Labour Day weekend! Cheers Jewels

Something New...

I've been doing fabric ATCs for some time now (see my Flickr gallery) with three other gals in my Guild. Two of us have decided to go for something different this Guild year and try making a Vintage Tag Book. Real simple - 1 for me, 1 for the other person and by the end of the year we will have two pretty cool books don't you think? Since I had not done one before I've been experimenting....here is my trial run...

I settled on 3 x 6 1/4 inches for the size. I was quickly reminded of two important lessons. 1. Order is Everything - I mean the sequence in which you place items - I did a fair bit of ripping to get this right. 2. Patience is a Virtue - yeap, you have to give that glue time to dry...you have to fiddle with the little bits and not get frustrated and you have to "rehearse" lots of pieces before you get what works (you know how it is, some times it just happens and other times....). I've actually been working on this piece for a couple of weeks when I could get to it. Not what I had in mind originally, but I think it works don't you? Now that I think I have the basics figured out the rest should come easy (yeah right LOL)....enjoy, Jewels. (Any and all suggestions, tips etc. welcome!)

Allemande Left

More gluebook fun. My friend Carol, who has some wonderful family pictures, was kind enough to say I could use them.

I had found this old Square Dance Caller guide (love the Cornhuskers Series!).

Carol has great picture of her and husband Ray from when they would go out and "kick up their heels". I thought it went well with this page (and yes they were a Lady and Gent!). Enjoy! Jewels

Checking In

Yes I've been very remiss with blogging lately...this summer has rushed by so quickly. It certainly won't be remembered as my favorite - hubby and I agree it has been overwhelming with work, health, family and such... but I try, like most of us, to keep my corner in blog land for fun things and happy thoughts. Though I have to say being in Michaels craft store yesterday and seeing Christmas decorations (yes, you heard me) almost put me over the top....can you believe it!

I've got a few projects going - including Mary's new class (still plenty of time to sign up) which I'm hoping to learn even more tricks from for my collages.

Meanwhile I'm still fitting in a few minutes here and there for my gluebook - something rather calming about it I think. At least I'd rather get stressed over the colour of my background versus the silly people at my place of employment who can't respect there are only so many hours in the day one can work! (take deep breath - don't get me started)

Plus hubby and I made this awesome discovery - a really funny show called The Big Bang Theory (I know, I know - its already in its 3rd season). How did we miss this one! Sadly we both get most of the nerdy references (but I'll never be able to listen to the theme from 2001 A Space Odyssey again in the same way). Check it out...
So hopefully you will see a little more of me in the days to come. Once Fall comes things will start to get back to normal right (now define that for me?) ... Cheers Jewels.

Sunshiny Day

Hope you are all having a sunshiny day! It is beautiful here at Maple Hill - 80 degrees with no humidity (what a nice break). I love being able to turn the air conditioner off at night and sleep with the windows open, don't you (even if our neighbourhood owl is noisy). We've been pretty lucky compared to most parts of the country, but still had temperatures into the nineties... Hubby and I spent our Saturday morning down at the Farmers Market and out for Brunch. He also (patiently) helped me replace my cell phone which had long since had its plan expire. I've stepped up in my "technology" (though I really just want a phone, ya know) and can even text now (yes, you heard me, I've started texting LOL)...My nephews would be shaking their heads...

It's also the time of year when my sunflowers start to bloom - did not plant "tall" ones this year - but still pretty...

... and match my sunshiny mood! Off to watch a baseball game and fireworks tonight! Have a good one. Jewels

Another Challenge

I'm really enjoying my gluebook - when I can get to it. So nothing like another challenge from Mary to get me "cutting and sticking". Her image this time is of Lady Randolph Churchill. Mary suggested we could find out more about LRC over at Wikipedia....well never throw a "research" challenge at a librarian is all I can say.....

...I did know some about LRC, including her interesting love life. So I thought I might be able to include some of the juicy gossip about her in my spread like the above...

But instead I actually found a pdf of her memoirs which is much more interesting to read. You can download for free (isn't the Internet grand!) The background paper is original - came in a packet from Beth a while back....Enjoy! Jewels