awesomely artistic atc...pp#43

hey there tracey, momma, friends old and new!

i know, i know...twice in one week!  well, it was kinda easy...

my last post included an atc made for the paper plunge challenge #42.  this week we are challenging you to turn that atc, or one you already have that is sitting patiently in a box with its friends, into a card.  to see the original challenge, go here. 

the title of this post makes it sound like i'm a braggart, but i'm not...i used the set, awesomely artistic, to create mine...

the gold embossing does not show up too well in the picture, but it sure is pretty!  

in the past few posts, i have hinted that this summer has not been awesome at times.  that is do in part to the passing of a dear friend, maureen...someone that i worked side by side with for 12 years.  she was my teaching assistant before i became a general education teacher. (i have since returned to special education, however, in a different school and in an inclusion class.)  

maureen was taken way too early and did not have more than two months to live from the time she knew she was sick.  in those final days, she managed to squeeze in a visit with so many friends...including myself. i will always be grateful for that.

she was my 'classy' friend...always a lady with integrity out the whazoo!  she was funny, kind...more so to her dogs than humans sometimes!  she always put others before herself, and loved children with unconditional dedication.  maureen did not get a huge paycheck as an assistant...but that never mattered.  she gave 1,000% of herself to her students every single day.

maureen didn't have a funeral...instead she planned a celebration-a real irish wake!  the beer, wine, food and great memories were flowing.  i almost felt silly for crying amongst all of these people laughing over some wonderful story being told.  maureen made it easier for all of her friends and family, even after she wasn't here to do it in person.  

again i ask myself...what will i take away from this experience so that her passing wasn't in vain?  the obvious...live life, for you never know when you will be called home.  secondly, friends matter...people matter.  stay connected.  i'm going to try harder with that one.  i will try harder to make the time for a visit, phone call, card...something to let people i care about know i do.  

tonight john and i had an impromptu dinner out when i picked him up from work.  we were in my teacher-friend's neighborhood, so i texted and told her so.  without hesitation, she hopped in the car to visit for just a few minutes before she took her son to hockey practice.  i really don't think tricia knew how much that simple gesture meant to me.  and that's what i'm talking about!  her little stop-in made me feel like i mattered...thank you for that, tricia!  

when it comes to seeing, calling, visiting, texting, writing-don't wait...the time will never be just right.    i read once, "nobody has time for anything.  you need to make time for the things that matter."

i'm going to try.

thank you for stopping by-

i appreciate you.

until next time-

peace be with you.

atc challenge...pp#42

hi tracey, momma, friends old and new!

i hope you are enjoying the last few weeks of summertime before it's back to school and the halloween candy!!

it has been quite a summer around here, which unfortunately has kept me out of the lady cave!  gah!! but i'm back with a challenge at the paper plunge...to create ATC cards.  my momma has always been in a swap group that focuses on these little nuggets of fun.  i decided to give it a go.

this is what i created...

artist trading cards, or ATCs, began in the tradition of business cards, but with a personal, artistic twist. most ATCs are created on paper, but they may also be any other medium that can be worked in a suitable size. ATCs are traditionally the size of baseball cards and other trading cards. they're a fun way to exchange your own one-of-a-kind artistic flair with other artists you meet. express yourself or show your style! 

If you can stamp inside of 3.5 x 2.5 inches, you can make an ATC!  join us at the paper plunge, won't you?

speaking of small things...

one of the greatest yoga masters, swami sivananda, once said, "put your heart, mind and soul into even your smallest acts.  this is the secret of success."  imagine if we all tried?

thank you or stopping by-

i appreciate you.

until next time-

peace be with you.

you've got this...sss#279

hi tracey, momma, friends old and new!

found some time to stamp with tracey the other day...well, we did more talking than stamping and it was fun!  i was showing her how beautiful using aqua painters and alcohol with reinkers work together.  when i was left with a lovely flower, i truly wasn't sure how to use it on a card...until i saw this...

the sweet sunday sketch challenge was so perfect for my flower, i quickly put it on a 5x5 card, and voila!

you really must check out their design team creations for inspiration!  i particularly love vicki burdick's beauty from itsastampthing.blogspot.com.  she does such amazing work!

stamps:  you've got this, birthday blossoms

ink:  momento black, rich razzleberry, old olive

paper:  black, white, rich razzleberry, brights dsp

extras:  paper piercing tool, crushed curry stampin write marker, black permanent marker, vanilla seem binding ribbon, antique brads, aqua painters, alcohol, glue dots, dimensionals

i've also taken a bit of time to tangle.  i wanted to combine stampin and tangling and decided to use the same flower.  here is what i created...

not bad for being self-taught!  not nearly as amazing as others...but not bad!  

the romantic poet, william wordsworth, once wrote, "fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."  i believe i do that.  every.  single.  time.  i.  create.  

whether you write, stamp, zentangle, draw, type, text...whatever...i hope you do it with all your heart.

thank you for stopping by,

i appreciate you.

until next time,

peace be with you

best thoughts...pp #41

hi there tracey, momma, friends old and new!

i know...once again it has been awhile, however, getting back in the lady cave got the creative juices flowing!  i look forward to staying up too late again tomorrow night!  i've got ideas in my head that need to get on the table!

this week at the paper plunge, we challenge you to create a tall and skinny card...one that ordinarily measures 8 X 3.5.  this size will fit in any letter-size envelope you can purchase in an office supply store.  the design team created some beautiful inspiration-please check them out!

here is what i did...

stamps:  best thoughts, hardwood, me=grateful

ink:  momento black, rich razzleberry and old olive reinkers, crumb cake, chocolate chip 

cardstock:  ivory naturals, soft suede, chocolate chip, blackberry bliss

extras:  ivory seam binding ribbon, aqua painter, lots of labels framelits, antique brads, 91% isopropyl alcohol

i love how the alcohol mixed with the ink makes it a bit thicker and easy to paint with, without weakening the paper.  and yes, tracey, more fussy cutting'!  i couldn't help myself.  i wonder if there are support groups for people like me?  hmmmm...but look how nice the layers are...

so worth the fussy cutting'!

sooooo...my sweet daughter, sarah, just got engaged to a wonderful young man named harold!  it is so exciting and crazy all at the same time...my baby is all grown up!!  the best part is, she is encouraging me to get the creative side of my brain to get to work!  

sarah is all about DIY...thank you, dear pinterest!  (you've made homemade go from nerdy to trendy!)  i have been dreaming of the day i would make my daughter's invitations, decorations, shower favors...i'm just giddy with excitement!  i feel like mrs. krank, from christmas with the kranks.  as she was getting ready to throw her daughter the best christmas party ever, she yelled to her husband, "luther!  get me my vest!"  that always cracks me up!  (i guess you had to see the movie to appreciate the analogy!)

speaking of sarah...she has grown to be someone i admire so much.  i am so proud of her for taking a risk and starting her own very trendy online business, DAISY NATIVES.  her headwraps are adorable and her tees are the next best thing!  She continues to be a full time baker at sugar + sunshine bakery in plainsboro, nj, so i know she is working hard!  please visit sarah online, on instagram and at the bakery!

so many young girls have reached out to her through social media to tell her she is 'all that and a bag of chips' and i couldn't agree more!  she is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.  she is such a hard worker and focused.  she is quirky and funny and definitely has her own drumline in her head that only she is following!  i am so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter and it is amazing to watch her grow up with such grace...

sweet sarah-if i could give you one thing in life, i would give you the ability to see yourself through my eyes.  only then would you realize how special you are!  i love you more.

thank you for stopping by-

i appreciate you.

until next time-

peace be with you.

leslie

manly man-the paper plunge #38

hey tracey, momma, friends old and new!

i know...it's been awhile.  for more reasons than i care to explain, life has been overwhelming.

some good.  some bad.  but...being a woman of faith, i believe ...well, i guess, i just believe.

on to stamping...this week at the paper plunge, we are challenging you to create a manly man's card.  it is a perfect time of year to share what you have created for a man in your life, whether is it for father's day, a birthday, perhaps a graduation...

this is what i have done...

i just love stampin' ups! guy greetings...such fun stamps!  i made this for my pop for father's day.  since i am just uploading now, it is bound to be late...but that's me!  i think if my parents ever received a card on time, it would put them in shock!  

speaking of my dad...he's awesome!  lately, he's getting pretty sentimental.  every time we are on the phone, he tells me that his main job, his most rewarding job, had to be having us kids.  i can hear his proud come through the telephone from 1,200 miles away.  

well, my pop made us who we are.  we are a true reflection of him.  we are all hard workers.  we provide for our families.  we are strong individuals.  we are all pretty funny.  we love our families.  we are loyal friends.  all of these wonderful traits have been modeled to us by my father, the head of our family, whose love, belief and support in/of each of us, has meant the world to us all.  dads are special, especially mine.  

pop...you are truly a gift from above! 

thank you for stopping by-

i appreciate you.

until next time-

peace be with you.

single layer...pp#35

hey tracey, momma, friends old and new!

the paper plunge is featuring cards made with just one layer...always a tough one for me!!  however, it was perfect for this week because a single layer card is quick and easy!

here's what i did...

nothing fancy, really, but elegant all the same!  the black is not paper by the way...it is just a border made with a black marker!

tonight i went to a retirement party for a dear friend of 25 years.  it was quite the gala and a true testimony to a wonderful lady.  as i looked around the room, there were so many people i adore.  unfortunately, my adoring them and thinking of them often does not translate into a phone call, a lunch date or martini thursday.  "we are all so busy" was the theme of the night.  well, i for one do not want to wait until i have time to visit with people who i can say always brought me joy...because, well, i don't think i'll have the time.  unless of course i make it!

my friend, jenn, and i drove together.  one of the best parts of the night was driving her back to her car in the parking lot of the dunkin donut's and sitting there for nearly an hour just shootin' the sh*t as they say.  it was a wonderful, comfortable, laugh-filled, solve the world's problems kind of hour...one that has been missing from our lives for a very long time...because we are too busy.  and it's true...we are so busy, but i miss those times with jenn.  it's not about having time...it's about making time for the people who bring us joy!

lau tau once said, "time is a created thing.  to say, "i don't have time", is to say "i don't want to".  hmmm...

go forth and enjoy your time doing anything you want with anyone you want!

thanks for stopping by-
i appreciate you.

until next time,
peace be with you.

may flowers...pp#33

hi tracey, momma, friends old and new!

tomorrow i am headed up north to ohio to see my step-daughter, tori, graduate from college.  it is a very exciting time for everyone...she is the last to march up the aisle to pomp and circumstance!  it is so neat to see the determination and wonder in the eyes of someone just starting out the rest of their life...it's all so new again!

sort of like spring.  everything is new again.  one minute you look outside and the trees are bare and the grass is brown.  the next minute, the buds have bursted and the flowers are in full bloom.  i really love this time of year...it is filled with hope for everything and everyone!

this week, at the paper plunge, we are challenging you to create some beautiful flowers...whether on a card, a bouquet, etc., make new life come alive in your paper crafting!

here is what i created:

i think tori will like this card.  the saying is just perfect for this young woman...she is filled with hope and determination...i know she will make any and all of her dreams come true.  i couldn't be more proud!

dr.  seuss once said, "today is your day.  your mountain is waiting now get on your way!"  i can't wait to see where tori's journey takes her...and i know she will take it by storm!

thank you for stopping by,
i appreciate you.

until next time,
peace be with you.