Life ...

Things I did recently:

• Kevin & I went to my law firm's annual backyard picnic which was officially called "Jack's party at David's which was held at Bette's"
• Scarffed down a bowl of "the works" at the strawberry festival downtown
• Scarffed down a bowl of "the works" at the strawberry festival in Noblesville
• Yes I know this is excessive behavior.
• Keaton & I saw the movie "Kung Fu Panda" - what a GOOD message for young/old
• Came home after work and found a van bucket seat in my kitchen, said to be "a valuable piece of furniture for my new apartment" (hmm - ya think Florida boy would say that?!)
• Walked 12 blocks to/from a seminar on Electric Smartgrid Technology, dont' really feel smarter yet, but it peaked my interest.
  

People I talked to recently:

• Sister Jean - lunched together at her work Eli Lilly. They have everything inside there, except their own airport.
• Mom - we talk once a day, everyday, either on the drive to/from work.
• Neighbor Fran - she's going to be 39 again (kinda like being 63) and we're going to dinner next week to celebrate.
• Eleanore - we're having a scrap girls night out this Friday, with pizza.
• Sister Joyce - who had to untangle her granddaughter's foot from being stuck in her crib this week (kids and monkeys really are related somehow)
• Staci - via email, dear friend, miles away but close as a keyboard
• Karen - co-worker lunch, we had bad days together. It was fun.

Words that describe my life right now:

• Irony - some of the strangest things happen at the strangest times
• Humbling - it happens if you try to walk a mile in someone else's shoes
• Blessed - enough said.
• Anxious - to know Janet's decision about surgery.
• Amused - my husband is just plain entertainment
• Confused - where do ants come from?

What a yesterday ...

I had a day of meetings ahead of me. Not a bad day to contemplate, don't ya think? All I had to do was get myself outa bed, get cute, and get going. I did. It was also my weekly lunch day with my dear friend, Debbie. I'm not sure how we moved from hello to "my sister's cancer is back" but we did. We had salads and tears for lunch, mixed with a big slice of valued friendship. The family will face difficult decisions in the days ahead. Much prayer is needed.

I've decided (as if I have a choice) that if I have to die, and we all do, that I want to go out smiling. And I've decided that if I have to have a funeral, which I guess we do have a choice in that matter, I want mine to be positive, filled with joy & laughter, stories that lead to belly laughs, remembering a feisty fun spirit, and admiring my family for their faith and strength. Days like today remind me of where I am going and to be faithful and strong on my way there.

Once the day had ended, Kevin & I spent some time talking about friendship and matters of life and death. It's such a humbling thing to think how quickly life can change. It was such an emotional day. As sad of a day as it could have been, it was also a good day. A day to make the moments count with a treasured friend.

Life is not a "brief candle" but a splendid torch to make bright as possible before handing on to future generations.

Whoot Whoot

Love Love Love this owl! His eyes simply glow against the grainy green pattern created with "Pesto" alcohol ink on glossy paper. Birds and owls are so trendy right now! Some of the cutest owl sayings ever are included in CHF Kim Hughes "U R A Hoot" unmounted stamp set. Color me lucky to have it! Note the 3 punched black cardstock circles for embellishment. Design Hint of the Universe: accent in THREES!

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Credits:

Stamps: Birds Galore (Inkadoo Clear), U R A Hoot (CHF Kim Hughes)
Cardstock: SU Mellow Moss, Black
Inks: Versamark, Black embossing powder

Hello You!

I have a great color combo to share with you this time! Tim Holz alcohol inks are sold in color-combo packs of 3. I have one set entitled "Mountain Vineyard" which includes 3 inks colors named Espresso, Pesto, and Raisin. Great names! The tiny ink bottles look like SU reinkers. This card used only Raisin Ink and Gold Metallic on glossy paper. The bird is stamped and embossed in pink - boy does it pop! The glossy background and the sentiment are both matted with brown cardstock which offsets the pink so well. It's a bit hard to see, but there is a burgundy crystal to highlight the bird's eye. If you don't have a "bling" drawer full of various crystals - get up right now and drive to your local craft store! Oh - and don't forget the magical power of a white gel pen for "dotted" highlights!

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Credits:

Stamps: Birds Galore (Inkadoo Clear), Hello You (Hero Arts Wood)
Cardstock: Pink (unknown); SU Chocolate Chip
Inks: SU Chocolate Chip, Versamark, Pink Embossing Powder

Circle Punches: Stampin' Up

A Little Bird Told Me

By far, my favorite alcohol ink application was applied to glossy paper (photo quality). It was easy-fast-fun-and you get a good result every time! Simply apply desired color combo of alcohol inks by drops onto a Tim Holtz felt applicator, add a squirt of blending solution and "dab-dab-dab"the glossy paper and watch the blended background appear! Oooooh - where's my artist smock?! I added a drop of metallic silver to this particular background, to match the silver embossed birdcage stamp. How TWEET!

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Credits:

Stamps: Bird in Cage (Hero Arts/Wood); Sentiment (Michaels $1 bin)
Cardstock: SU Eggplant
Inks: Versamark, Silver & Black Embossing Powders

My Friend

Would you believe I am posting some card creations! My mom & I recently spent the day in Brown County (Nashville, IN) and enjoyed strolling back/forth between two wonderful rubber stamp stores! We took a class entitled "Birds of a Feather" and played with acetate and alcohol inks. This card is a bit hard to see but the image is stamped and embossed in black on clear acetate. Then you flip it over and coat with diamond glaze, dot with alcohol inks, press with tissue paper and let dry. Prettier in person!

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Credits:

Stamps: Flower (Magenta); Friendship Chain (Stampendous Clear)
Cardstock: SU Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranate
Inks: SU Groovy Guave, Black

Walkin' On Sunshine

So jazzed about the sunshine today! Finally - a day without thunder, lightening, and sheets of rain! Yesterday, a gigantific flying saucer cloud hovered over Kevin's office and no, I am not making this up!

Stamp Club was last night - made 3 fun cards and learned to use the SU Classy Brass Emboss and Paper Piercing Template. Hey Mikey! I likely! The girls in club are going to start getting together monthly to work on projects and do make-n-takes. My head just S-P-I-N-S with make-n-take ideas! I mean, what a tragedy if a girl doesn't discover Copic Markers?! Coloring is so therapeutic - Kindergarten for grown-ups, I guess! "Chuckle"

It finally happened. I had to order a new hard drive for Kevin's office computer. Can anyone spell computer v-i-r-u-s? OH MYLANTA! As if it wasn't already a concern to have a 5 year old slow processor! Give me a week and I'll tell you if we survived the change-over.

Forever Stamps - why didn't anyone think of those before? Maybe they should make "forever gas" and we could prepay at the pump now?!