Saturday, May 30, 2009

Holiday cards done!

Yesterday I finished the second batch of my Christmas/Holiday cards! Yeah! I made 50 total and it took me two days...

Usually I start in July but here it is, not even the end of May and I am done... Feels good.

Wrapped them and put them away for safe keeping.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Memorial day...

To all of the men and women, past and present, who fight for my freedom and also to their families... I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My family thanks you.



Sunday, May 24, 2009

Unexpected card...

This card sort of just happened little by little...

Earlier in the day, I took a piece of cardstock, tore some tissue paper up and glued it down with Mod Podge (love that stuff!). Did about four layers of tissue paper. Set it aside and didn't think about it the rest of the day.

I remembered a challenge on one of my stamp groups -- you had to use Alcohol Inks (AIs).

So I put the "Cabin Cupboard" colors on my applicator and quickly rubbed it right over the tissue paper. Love it! It's still glossy but shows the wrinkles of the tissue paper pieces. Reminds me of aged leather.

Giraffe is a new-to-me stamp set from SU!

Make-up Mother's Day...

Since hubby and I were in England/France for a 16 day vacation without our daughter, and we were away on the actual day of Mother's Day, we (he) said we would celebrate it on the Sunday after our return.

Well... life got busy and sweet hubby had a memory slip, so he promised we would celebrate today. And we did.

I got to sleep in -- and actually woke up at 8:30am only to think I would lie there a minute longer only to roll over again at almost 10am! I hadn't been able to sleep past 7ish since we've returned, so this was sweet!

I stroll down a bit after 10am to be given kisses and hugs by both. Hubby had breakfast goodies for me.

And I got these beautiful flowers and the best card. Life... is... great...

Friday, May 22, 2009

Someone's birthday & turning 40...

Thank God it's not me... Oh wait. I'm already FFFFFFFF.... I'm FFFFFFFF... Oh alright, I'm already Forty -- but only by five and a half weeks!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNIFER! (I'm glad we were able to get together for dinner the other night.) Cheers!

I recently bought this stamp and love it. Quickly colored in with direct to ink pads and my water filled pen.

Inside stamped with a fairly new set of numbers and the "cherish every day" stamp is one for a huge set of clear stamps. I've had them a year maybe and first time using (they were a gift) and thought this was the perfect little touch.

5/23 Edit to add: I can now say it was a fun evening, as we went to Jennifer's SURPRISE birthday party hosted by her hubby. It was a great time and we were glad to be a part of it. Happy Birthday, J !


Thump, thump, thump...

I got some stamping done today! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

Made a card for Karen in the UK... "Thank you berry much" is stamped on the inside. I put on some Crystal Lacquer onto the jar and cut out a second jam label and attached it with mini pop dots.





Alcohol inks! (and a new saying stamp I bought while in the UK -- it's from Tim Holtz's line.)



Another new stamp (the princess) and had the saying stamp. But since the saying is really large, I stamped it on shrink plastic and shrunk it down to about 1" x 3/4".
I also used Stickles on her crown, wings and wand. The close up is blurry but you can really make out the sparkle. :)


Thursday, May 21, 2009

Last day to ponder & travel...

This is the view from the back yard of where we stayed. You can see the Gherkin and the roof to the walkway for the underground (train). I loved hearing the train come in and leave during the day and night (it started at 5:30am and stopped around 1am). Although we didn't hear it when we slept and we got so used to it, we didn't always hear it during the day... But it was a sound I found relaxing.

As I reflect on the last bit of Gu... I'll miss you, Gu... (a lot!)



Bye bye Gherkin... (loved seeing you so much!)


Here we are, at the underground station we grew to love so much (right behind the flat where we stayed and very convienent.)



Tampa, here we come...


Check out that outside air temp. from the plane!


This shows the path we have taken so far...

The countryside drive back from Bath to London...

It was a 2 1/2 hour drive back, we had a nice and comfortable bus (with a bathroom!) and some beautiful "patchwork" fields.

Loved this -- a village called Pennsylvania.



Lots of cows...





Tons of sheep...

Last stop: Bath (The Roman Baths)

Seing Bath was fantastic...










Bath Abbey took my breath away.





This is an organ...




There are people buried in (under) Bath Abbey and here are just a few of their "tombstones". Some were pretty worn down where people walked...




Second stop: Lacock

We were on our way to Lacock for a traditional English breakfast. It was about 9:15am when we rolled in...




Pretty drive on country roads...


Nice sign!


And we some tanks!


This is the pub we had breakfast...


What a great window...


As we had a some time to walk around before eating, I saw this residence and it reminded me of a Thomas Kincade painting...


Street we walked down...



I love this door. 17 is a great number for hubby and I and just loved the look of this home's door.

This home was so pretty and that Wisteria tree was beautiful!

What a great sign to display in your business...

Hubby and another couple we had met on the tour from CA having breakfast. I had gotten up to take this pic and get more coffee, when a woman came in, thought I worked there and wanted to make a reservation for later. LOL

The owner insisted everyone who wanted to get photos get behind the bar and smile.