Third Thursday Tools!

Only 10 days until Christmas! 

Third Thursday Tools! perfect for the Christmas Stocking.

In my case stockings!

Yes, I hang 3 stockings!

For years I would only hang the faux fur trim stocking a gift from my husband.

I would open the storage box and look at the stocking from my childhood

 and a stocking I made for a party and put them back in the box.

Last year I decided to hang all three and enjoy remembering past Christmas's.

What fun! Santa filled all three! I must of been a very good girl!

Two of the tools I suggest for your stockings are from Fiskars.

Fiskars Portable Craft Paper Trimmer and Compact Stamp Press.

The Paper Trimmer has a SureCut wire cut-line that shows  exactly where the blade will cut. What I like is the way the blade and rail locks together give you clean and even cuts. The one I use is the 12" size which also packs well.

The Compact Stamp Press is great size for 3"X5" for cards and tags. What I like is the spring feet allows you to perfectly place your inked stamp on the paper. The stamped image comes out beautifully.

One more suggestion is not a tool - however a tool could be purchased with it.

Giftcards! Either at your favorite neighborhood store or internet stores!

Happy shopping!

Enjoy!

-Elaine

Vacations!

Simply... Thank you for Vacations!

I had the pleasure of a early Holiday Vacation with my Husband, Ed.

Road Trip to Las Vegas, Yuma, Arizona and Jacksonville, Oregon!

Three totally different places to visit!

First Stop - Las Vegas, Nevada

(And I am not a gambler)

Sunset on Mountains outside Las Vegas

My favorite donut shop growing up in Denver!
I discovered one in Las Vegas!

Beautiful Floral Bouquet in Bellagio Hotel

One of my favorote  animals,  Penguins.
 I think it is loving the movie Mary Poppins!

2nd stop - Yuma, Arizona

The location my Mother-in-law, Taeko choose to snowbird for the Winter.

What fun I had shopping at Mementos a  wonderful craft store in

 downtown Yuma and has the pleasure of meeting Lisa the owner. 

I love to color and this shop focuses on coloring!

Surprise, while I was there I had the opportunity to meet one of

 Lisa's designers and instructors, Jill Foster.

Love her blog! The ladies in class were having a great time!

3rd stop - Jacksonville, Oregon

It's Gold!

In 1851 two packers discovered Gold in the creeks of Rich Gulch,

which founded Jacksonville Oregon!

Celebrating a Victorian Christmas!

Today Jacksonville is designated a National Historic Landmark.

It is a charming town filled with history and culture.

Jacksonville is surrounded by mountains, vineyards and pear trees.

Jacksonville is the gateway to the Applegate Valley Wine Trail

 which is a part of the Southern Oregon Wine Association.

I enjoy taking my picnic to the Britt Music Festival and 

enjoying a concert with a glass of wine!

In the past 3 years we have stayed at the Elan Suites.

The suites are beautiful, elegant and very inviting.

What I enjoy in Jacksonville is the people of this town. They are simply...nice.

Two of the nicest people in Jacksonville are the owners of the Elan Suites,

 Cherie Reneau and Duane Sturm!

Now, It is time to enjoy the Holidays!

Our Christmas tree is to be decorated, shopping, gift wrapping,

 and of course last minute tags and cards to color! 

Enjoy!

-Elaine

Autumn Leaves!

Simply...Thank you for Autumn Leaves!

I love the leaves on the trees when Autumn arrives.

This year it has been beautiful and later in the year!

One of my favorite trees is just beginning to turn from green to golds and reds.

The shades of red were very vibrant!

Now, the leaves are falling and it it time to rake!

Enjoy Autumn Leaves!

-Elaine

Long Weekends!

Simply...Thank You for Long Weekends!

Long Weekends are always fun when you go the Pacific Ocean.

Watch the waves roll in, walk on the beach and sunsets!

Then add a Cooking Class at the Culinary Center in Lincoln City!

Italian Autumn Harvest was prepared and taught by Chef Pati D'Eliseo.

It was a delicious lunch paired with wines!

Four Course Menu

Chef Pati preparing the Stuffed Pork

Apple Ravioli was my favorite!

Also, Thank you to George and Terry!

Enjoy Long Weekends!

-Elaine

Sunsets!

Simply...Thank You for Sunsets!

Beautiful Oregon Coast at Sunset!

Enjoy Sunsets!

-Elaine

Third Thursday Tools!

Simply... Thank you for Tools!

One of my favorite techniques to add a raised texture

 to a card is by Heat Embossing!

Besides a quality paper you need the following tools which are my

Third Thursday Tools! I have chosen.

First Tool - Ink

 VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad is a very sticky ink that acts

 like a glue and holds on to the Embossing Powders.

This is the ink I use!

Second Tool -  Embossing Powders

Embossing Powders I use are from Stampendous and Martha Stewart.

There are many other quality embossing powders,

Try a few and chose your favorite!

Gently shake off excess Embossing Powder back into a container!

Third Tool - Heat Gun

(Third Thursday Tool and Third Tool - surprise!)

I remember the first time I heat embossed,

watching the powder as I swirled my heat gun over the image

turn into a raised & glistening texture. Wow!

Heat Gun I use is from Martha Stewart.

Also, embossing powders come in colors and clear pigments.

Colors used on tree are

 Stampendous Pearl White and Martha Stewart Evergreen.

Please comment on your favorite Embossing Inks,

 Embossing Powders and Heat Gun that you use!

Enjoy - Tools!

-Elaine

Sweet Potatoes!

Simply...Thank You for Sweet Potatoes!

Thanksgiving is one week away and it is menu prep time in my kitchen.

What recipe do I make every Thanksgiving?

Candied Sweet Potatoes!

The recipe is from the Westinghouse Cook Book with Betty Furness.

I have no idea how old this cook book is!

My Mother made this recipe every Thanksgiving.

 Now, it is tradition to serve this at our Thanksgiving Dinner.

Enjoy Sweet Potatoes!

-Elaine

Songs!

Simply...Thank You for Songs!

The brain is the most complex organ in your body. It is the "computer" in your body. It controls coordination, speech, process of thoughts and is the centralized control over the other organs of your body. When the brain is damaged... your life experience is changed.

Gabby GIffords and Mark Kelly shared their remarkable story on a special edition of 20/20 with Diane Sawyer, last night. Their courage thru Gabby's recovery and how she is using the ability to control one area of her brain to overcome another area of her brain. Amazing!

 Congressman Gabby Giffords shared with us her determination,

sense of grace, strength and her big smile.

Simply... she showed us how she could sing a few of her favorite songs!

 Which was a gift for me!

Her ability to speak words,

I believe she will be turning those words into sentences!

I wanted to know more about her recovery and Kindled their book this morning.

As I sing along with my favorite songs,

 especially Christmas songs I will be thinking of my

 personal connection with Gabby!

Enjoy Songs!

-Elaine

Vases!

Simply.... Thank you for Vases!

Vases are an important element for floral bouquets.

As featured in the Flowers in Chintz stamp from Lockhart Stamp Company.

The Vase has a floral swirl effect which I thought instead of coloring,

 I choose Distress Ink in Chipped Sapphire.

The color combination of Navy and White is one of my favorites!

The coloring of the floral bouquet I used Classic Colored Pencils.

 Faber-Castell Art Grip Pencils. They blend very nice without using a blending tool.

As this was my first time coloring with Art Grip Colored Pencils

 I tried 3 different types of paper.

Simon Says Stamp Watercolor Paper, Neenah Classic Crest Paper

 and Flourishes Classic White Cardstock.

All 3 papers when colored gave a different color tone to each bouquet.

And, of course as a Floral Designer here are a few of my vases!

Which one should I select for our Thanksgiving table?

Enjoy Vases!

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Speckletone, Simon Says Stamp Watercolor, Neenah Classic Crest, 

                    Flourishes Classic White, Navy - Bazzill

Ink: Ranger Archival Ink Coffee, Distress Ink Chipped Sapphire

Stamps: Lockhart Stamp Company Flowers in Chintz, A Muse Studio Happy Birthday

Coloring: Faber- Castell Art Grip Colored Pencils 109,115,187,147,152,151,172,167

Embellishments: Uni-Ball Signo Broad Maker in White

Tools: Tomboy Adhesive

CBS Sunday Morning!

Simply...Thank You for CBS Sunday Morning!

This is one of my favorite television programs... CBS Sunday Morning.

The stories of news, events, interesting people and artists told in a different way.

The manner in which the questions and thoughts are asked.

Also, Charles Osgood - the host of this program.

Next week the program will focus on Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

Just in time for Thanksgiving!

Enjoy the CBS Sunday Morning!

-Elaine

Dining Room Table!

Simply...Thank You for the Dining Room Table!

On many, many, many blogs I link on to the studio photos, 

videos and how-to's that are on line. 

Now, I am ready to turn my office/craft room into just my craft studio.

Until that project is completed the dining room table

 will have to be my Craft Coloring Studio!

Yes, I do" tidy" up the projects and we do dine on that table!

Always with flowers and candles!

Enjoy the DIning Room Table!

-Elaine

Veterans!

Simply...Thank You for Veterans!

This photo are a very special group of Veteran's to me...
my Father and my Uncles from WWII.

Alex, Ted, Joe, Leo, my Father Henry, Stan and Chester.

All of the brothers came home without one injury! Remarkable!

My favorite part of today's Veteran's Day Parade in Portland, Oregon

  a sign made by young children...simply saying Thank You!

Enjoy Veterans's Day!

-Elaine

Thursday!

Simply...Thank you for Thursday!

Quite simply Thursday is one of my favorite days of the week. Why Thursday?

• As I don't work on Friday,it is the day prior to my weekend
• A day when tasks are completed for the week
• New projects begin the planning process
• It is not the beginning, middle or end of the week... simply Thursday!

What is your favorite day?

Enjoy - Thursdays!

-Elaine

Texture!

 Simply...Thank you for Texture!

There are many Textures in the papers chosen for this card.

Kraft Paper, Patterned Paper, Watercolored Paper,

 Linen Solid Paper, Wood Grain Solid Paper.

The Etched Medallion stamp from Hero Arts was given a raised texture

 by using the technique of Embossed Resist.

Blending of colors using Distress Inks from Ranger.

Then it was dry embossed with Spellbinders Small Deckled Rectangles Die.

Finally, adding texture by dotting a line with a Uniball Signo Broad Pen!

Enjoy using Texture!

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Speckletone, Patterned - K&Company, Watercolored - BasicGray, 

                    Solids - Bazzill, Flourishes Ivory Classic for stamp

Ink: VersaMark. Distress Ink - Tattered Rose, Wild Honey, Forrest Moss

Stamps: Hero Arts - Etched Medallion

Die: Spellbinders - Small Deckled Rectangles

Embellishment: Uniball Signo Broad Pen

Tools: Stampendous Clear Transparent Embossing Powder, Ranger Craft Sheet, 

          Inkssentials Blending Tool, Tomboy Adhesive

Angels!

Simply... Thank You for Angels!

Each morning I wake up before anyone in the house is awake. I enjoy the quietness outside, watching the sun rise and my first cup of coffee. This is my time. On weekday mornings I go to my computer and read blogs on papercrafting, flower designing and Oregon Wines.

One morning 4 months ago there was a papercrafting blog written about a very special young women, Katie. I linked to Katie's blog and read her thoughts, emotions, courage and the gifts she shared with us. 

I followed her blog since that day. Katie was a Papercrafter for 11 years, a Wife and Mother to 3 little boys.

On December 23, 2010 Katie shared in her blog that she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Gastric Cancer. A incurable disease. From that day she and her husband, Kevin spoke about trials of this disease. 

This morning as I was enjoying my coffee and reading the blogs, I got to Katie's blog. A sense of sadness came over me - Kevin shared with us that Katie passed away, on Monday, November 7th.

I went back in her blog and read the sentence that Katie wrote in her blog on October 16th that has great meaning to me.

"The funny thing though is that I think I'll miss my crafting as much as anything else.  I think of "crafting" almost like a 4th child... weird?  Do any of you think like that?" 

Yes, I do think like that! As I craft today, I will be thinking about Katie a women I have never met. A women who I admired her strength and kindness.

Katie is a one of the special Angels in Heaven!

www.katiespaperhaven.blogspot.com

Thank you for Angels!

-Elaine

Camp!

Simply...Thank you for Camp!

Holiday Card Boot Camp started today!

Great inspiration, ideas and the art of video!

I learned a number of techniques in the two on-line classes earlier this year!

Trapped Embossed Resist, Color Blend Distress, 

Distress Stamping with Water and Kissed Resist!

My favorite two techniques are Embossed Resist and Fingerlinking!

Also, Thank you to Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner for crafting!

Thank you for Camp!

-Elaine

Coffee!

Simply... Thank You for Coffee

Living in the Pacific Northwest which is known for it's independent coffee houses,

I enjoy purchasing my coffee beans for our Cafe Lisle!  

It is when you wake up in the morning and know that in your kitchen is the

 coffee maker, waiting for you to make the first cup of coffee of the day!

Whether it is simple cup of coffee, latte or cappuccino!

I enjoy the difference of flavors in coffee. Right now I am having an Italian Roast!

Enjoy your coffee!

-Elaine

Education!

Simply...Thank You for Education

I am a firm believer in Education, learning a new skill or subject that interests you.

I think of Julia Child, amazing Chef who began her cooking classes in her late 30's and published her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking at 51 years old.

You are probably wondering why I am blogging about a Chef on a 

papercraft and floral blogspot?

It was Julia's excitement discovering her passion.

 Educating herself and sharing her knowledge and skills with others.

Last weekend in Portland, Oregon I had the pleasure of attending the

 Standard Certification Copic Class and the Intermediate Copic Class.

I learned and re-learned new and exciting techniques coloring with Copic Markers.

Colleen, Marianne, Jenn and Sharon shared their knowledge and skills using

 Copic Markers by blending the colors to "pop" right off the page.

Also, I met a group of amazing women who are following one of their passions.

Two of those women are Sarit and Holly.

        Sarit traveled from Israel to attend the class, yes Israel.

 Sarit owns a Scrapbook store in Israel.

She shared with me her culture, country and the importance of family to her.

Holly colors beautifully. We thought it would be fun to color together.

 Holly and myself would like to start a Copic Color group in the Portland area.

 If you would like to join us please leave a comment on this blog.

One of us will contact you with the date, location and time.

Now, it is official I am Copic Certified!

I look forward to begin teaching Copic Coloring!

If would like to attend a class please leave a comment. I will contact you!

     Copic Color is a fun website. 

You can fill in a color chart with the Copic markers that you have.

 And you can create a list of colors that you would love to have.

 Perhaps a Dear Santa letter could be linked!

Enjoy!

-Elaine