11/28/16

Cyber Monday = Craft Coloring Day

How many people are on their phone, i-pad, 
notebook and desktop shopping?
Most of us!

First I read all the emails I received for Cyber Monday.
Oh my the amount of emails!!

Once I placed my orders Cyber Monday turned into
Craft Coloring Day!

Then next week it will be getting on the rain boots 
and Brick-n-morter shopping.


Tromping thru the water and leaves!

When adding the embellishments - ribbons, bead and trim
I have a choice to make... what ribbon to choose?

Love the Container Store for ribbons during the Holiday Season!
I slept on making the decision.
When I woke up I went with my first choice...
burlap and black with khaki trim.

So slightly on the sides!


I added a bit of Wink of Stella Brush...
one of my favorite tools!

Power Poppy Feeling Fall Stamp!
The leaves and buckle are glistening in the light!

Now, that it is officially the Christmas Season
what should I color today?


Check back and find out this week!


Supplies:
Cardstock: Kraft - Paper Source, Black - Bazzill
Printed Cardstock: Graphic 45 - Running Cats & Dogs Collection
Ink: Adirondack Espresso
Stamps: Power Poppy - Feeling Fall
Coloring: Copic Sketch Markers: R24, R27, R29, YR04, YR09, YR18, YR23, YR24, YR27,YR65,
                                                      YG93, YG95, YG97, YG99,W3, W5, W8, E81, E19, YR65, BOOO,Y28
Die Cutting: Spellbinders Small Classic Rectangles, Cuttlebug
Embellishments: Burlap Ribbon - My Stash, Black with Khaki - Container Store, Therm-o-web 3D Foam Squares
Tools: Fiskars Cutting Board, Tomboy Adhesive









11/20/16

Friendsgiving!

I always thought I was not a club person...
now I am beginning to re-think this!

The First Thursday of every month is
Women's Night at Michelbook Country Club!

I have learned something each evening...

Played Cards - Hand to Foot
Enjoyed Wine Tasting
Missed Sushi Night 
(would of loved learning how to roll sushi)

and my first Stampin Up! Workshop.


Of course we had wine while crafting!


Vertical or horizontal!
Craft Both!


The Cards - Holiday of course!


I enjoyed spending time with new friends!











11/17/16

Just For You!


When you move to a new city or town you meet
 many new people - some new Friends!

People you enjoy spending time with
supporting or helping.

I have had a wonderful time meeting new friends
and by chance a friend from the past - 29 years ago!!

However, this blog post is about a friend
 my husband introduced me to
Sharon
Sharon is warm, considerate, fun, kind, 
makes the best clam chowder and a wonderful photographer!

Sharon is a amazing Mother and Grandmother!
Sharon is strong and determined!

I truly enjoy being her friend!


Just For You..for her!
When I began making a special card for Sharon
 tears rolled down my cheeks...

Sharon has been recently diagnosed with Cancer.

Yes, those are Vintage Buttons from my Mother!
Her Friends will be there for her -
whatever she needs.


Now, I am simply praying for Sharon.
Please join me in prayers!

______________________
Supplies:
Cardstock -Kraft - Paper Source, Orange - Bazzill, Peacock Blue - Core'dinations
Printed Cardstock: Graphic 45 - Mind Over Matter
Ink: Adirondack Espresso, Distress Ink - Ripe Persimmon
Stamps: Verve Stamps - Button Best, Flourishes - Tiny Flowers and Tags
Coloring: G12, G14, G21, G20, G24, YG17, YG11, YG25, BG18
Die Cutting: Cuttlebug, Verve Stamps Button Best
Embellishments:Vintage Buttons, Ribbon - Paper Studio
Tools: Fiskars Paper Cuter, Thermoweb 3D Foam Squares, Tomboy Adhesive

11/1/16

Hello!

World Hello Day is November 21!

I must send this card to someone special and 
simply say...Hello!


 My first stamp I choose to color since
 I unpacked my Craft Coloring Studio supplies!

Zig Wink of Stella Brush adds a bit of sparkle on the flowers.
The Power Poppy stamp is a beautiful vase with flowers
 colored with Copic Sketch Markers.

A lesson I re-learned while I was adding the 
embellishments to tie the card together...

Less is More!


The ribbon colors match perfectly with the 
Autumn Colors I choose to color.

At the same time my eye went to the ribbon first.
Also, cut the card in two sections...
top and bottom.


By removing the ribbon your eye goes to the
flowers in the vase and then to the wording... Hello!

Who are you going to send a special Hello card to?


Supplies:
Cardstock: Kraft - Paper Source, Olive and Cabernet - Bazzill
Special Cardstock - Cork
Ink: Adirondack Espresso
Stamps: Power Poppy - Go Wild, Avery Elle - Sentimental Stamps:
Coloring: Copic Sketch Markers: B32, B34, B37, B39, BG70, C00, C2, C4, E35, E37, E39, YG93,
                                                      YG95, YG97, Y11, Y15, Y19, Y35, YR65, YR68, YR16, R46,
                                                       RV29, R39, V95, RV95, R89, V99
Embossing: Stampendous - Detail White Embossing Powder, VersaMark, Martha Stewart Heat Gun
Embellishments: Queen & Co. Candy Stripers 
Tools, Fiskars Paper Cutter, Tomboy Adhesive

10/20/16

Vintage Buttons

This past week in the Willamette Valley it has been...
raining, windy and very grey outside.

so... I decided to work on a project that
 I have been wanting to do for a long time.

Going thru Vintage Buttons!

I have had this Vintage Metal Box of my
 Mother's for almost 20 years since she passed away.


It was fun to think about the sewing we use to do together.
Picking out the perfect button to sew on the garment.


I have selected my favorite buttons to use on cards.
Placed the buttons in some special jars!


The metal box has to be from the 1960's or early 1970's.

My sister Lori and I think they had cookies in the 
metal box from the photo on the bottom of the box.

Then my Mom stored her buttons in the special box.

Of course I am saving the plastic bag of buttons
in the metal box to remember my Mom!

And yes... there were a few happy tears shed
while looking and sorting thru the box of buttons.







10/17/16

New Home - New Room

New Home equals New Craft Room
or what I am calling it...

Craft Coloring Studio!

The window brings in natural light! Which I love!
Of course the photo above was in the construction phase...
which is how I am now feeling.

We have been in our home for 3 months
I am almost to the end of unpacking and organizing.

A few more Craft boxes to open...
which feels like a early Christmas each time I open a box!

As I have been unpacking, organizing and re-organzing
I have begin to design my Craft Coloring Studio.

Tables, chairs, computers and cabinets to arrange 
and re-arrange at least a few times.

I now have the furniture set
which feels very comfortable.

Of course there will be table in front of the window!
(After we finish re-staining the top of the table)

What I am really enjoying is happening thru the closet doors

Pre-finishing with trim and hardware
In this closet will be my coloring and paper crafting supplies...

Copic Markers, Watercolors, Inks,  Pencils, Paper and Tools!
almost every thing I need to craft cards! 

Want to see what is in the closet?
Here is s sneak peek!


Check back soon for the photos of the
Craft Coloring Studio!













9/21/16

Pretty Good Things!

Yes, I am back!
Back to my favorite things - pretty good things!

Papercrafting
Floral Gardening
Cooking
Wine Tasting
and yes golfing!

Over 1500 folks have linked on
 bouquets northwest
during the year 2016! 

Thank you!

You are probably wondering where I have been?

Built a new Home! Yes we moved!

Traded the tractor for a golf cart!
Yes, we moved on a golf course!

It took 8 months...
Selling a home (in 48 hours)
Renting a home to live in for a short while
Building a home with a wonderful builder
Moving into our home!

You can have two dream homes!

Yes, I have colored on the patio!
Also, a great view as I am paper crafting!
So very happy to have all my paper crafting
 supplies in the Craft Coloring Studio!
I missed coloring!
________________________________

Between moving and building our new home 
I spent most of my time with my team
creating a amazing a department 

Creative Living



Yes at the Oregon State Fair!
Which includes Paper crafting!

Joy teaching our Fair Guests how to paper craft!

We are already planning the 2017 Creative Living Department!
If you live in Oregon - start crafting!

oregonstatefair.org

Think ahead - start stamping, die cutting and coloring!
____________________________

Autumn arrives tomorrow!

Fall Leaves
Scarecrows
Sweaters
Pumpkins
Apple Cider
Cornucopias
of course...cooking and wine tasting!


I am researching recipes while sipping a glass of Pinot Gris!
Of course from the Willamette Valley Wine Region!
Where our new home is!
____________________________

Now... golfing!

Got Clubs!
 Got Golf Apparel!
 Got Golf Course!



Confession time!
I can only hit the ball 30 yards - yikes!
 Practice, Practice, Practice!

Exactly what I do when I am coloring
to gain a new skill!

This Autumn - I want to master Watercoloring!

Better get practicing!






















1/1/16

Sharing Christmas!


Christmas time is past...
Tree ornaments and lights are coming off,
 Stockings are back in their storage boxes,
Manger scene is packed away
and Christmas Cookies and Treats are eaten.

Let me share some special Traditions
from our Christmas 2015!

Christmas Tree!
Our tradition is going to a Christmas Tree Lot!


The month of December for Portland area was one type of weather...
Rain, Rain and Rain!
Card for Ed - Tear Drop Beads remind me of the Rain!
We were waiting for the rain to stop and it did not.
So... Ed (my husband) and I got up early one Sunday morning
to the tree farms in our area.

Our tree must be quite tall, full and with one slight hole in the branches
for a favorite ornaments of mine.

After the third lot which was on top of Chehalem Mountain
the wind was blowing the rain horizontally!
The fog was so thick and it was cold!

We went back to a lot we had been to the week before
and found the perfect Christmas Tree!


Finding that tree was a gift from God...
he knew that I have never been so cold!

Ornaments!

They are my lifetime of memories!
I love collecting and receiving special ornaments!

Our daughter Brenda gave this ornament to us.
It represents our First Pumpkin patch!
Each year I get out the storage boxes and unpack them alone.
As I unpack the ornaments it reminds me of 
very special times in my life!

A few even bring tears to my life...
sad and happy tears.

This year we gave our family
Pickle Ornaments!


Which you place on the tree last.
Tradition says that the first person to find
the pickle ornament on the tree gets another gift from Santa.

I believe that the pickle brings you blessings during the Holidays!

Poinsettias!

Traditional Christmas Flower!


This was one of my favorite stamps to color this year!
You could choose any color as Poinsettias come in so many shades.


Simply... my tradition is Red!

Holiday Meals and Treats!

I am going to admit it I love 
The Pioneer Woman - Ree Drummond!

Dinnertime

Her recipes are so simple and delicious!
I always thought it would be fun to live on a ranch.



Cowboy Boots are a necessary shoe to have!

One other Chef and retailer that I admired and met several times...

Chuck Williams
Founder of Williams-Sonoma

Chuck Celebrates the Pleasures of Cooking
October 2, 1915 - December 5, 2015
The last 10 years of his life he was working on this cookbook.

Product Details

On Christmas Day we had his Glazed Carrots to honor him.
One of my favorite quotes that he shared was
"Love what you do and always eat well!"

Many people on my Christmas List received this cookbook!

Also, Table Settings! 
 I enjoy matching the napkins, table cloth and flowers.

Candles are a must have item!
Music!

Each year I think it would be fun to start a new Tradition

A Caroling Party!

Even though my singing is not that good!


This is one of my favorite collections that I have!

Lights!


The Snow Village reminds me that having 
a light on in your home is a gift!

Your family and friends are always welcome 
when the lights are on in your home at night!

There are a few of the Traditions that are part
of our Holidays...I hope that they carry forward!

Happy New Year!
Elaine


Supplies: 
Cardstock: Kraft -Paper Source, Red and Gray - Bazzill
Printed Cardstock: Plaid - Paper Pizazz , Floral - Christmas Cottage - Teresa Collins
Ink: Adirondack -Espresso
Stamps: Auto - Pink Ink Stamp Co. - Wintertime Woody, Tree - Power Poppy - Botanical Tree,
Cowboy Boots - Cowboy Christmas - Flourishes
Coloring: Copic Sketch Makers - Many Colors!
Dry Embossing: Cuttlebug Paisley Border and Organic Flourish, Cuttlebug Machine
Embellishments: Gold Satin Ribbon - Morex Corp., Twinkle Drop Beads - Queen & Co.
Tools: Fiskars Paper Cutter, Tomboy Adhesive, Crop-a-dile Corner Chomper