blooms of days gone by....

I still can't believe she was ever this little. My girlie has always been her very own fashion statement. Even then she loved, I mean LOVED, to wear her socks on her hands. Her favorites were the ones with ruffles at the top. Go figure.

I am still working to overcome my white card stock inabilities. Fear is more like it. I must admit I love my flower. It began as a water stain stamp in yellow, then I outlined it with black added a few petals and a center. Painted it with a wash of color. Then a little "candlewicking" for a few stitches and I have myself a flower. I love it... The journaling is simple: You are the flower, the bloom within my heart, and fills it with love and joy....

The days are winding down to the start of school for us. I am having a heavy heart. It is more than time for them to get back to school. They need it. Maybe I do too. I am not sure, one thing I am sure of this year, will sure be different. They say change is good. I think this time I'd just like things to stay the same, safe and sound. Without uncertainty or worry.

Well whatever comes of this season I hope that she blooms and grows with confidence. A strong sense of herself and her goals.

L.

pickin' dandes...

"we're pickin' dandes for you mama" your favorite flowers right mama.....years later and she still believes they are my favorite...honestly...they are not however, I so do love them when they are at the ends of their days.. they are beautiful.

With this layout I only wish you could hold it, to enjoy it, because it is truly beautiful. There are a few layers of colors. I love my paint and the layout base is a shade of green. I love green. I say that with a song. Everything about green is good. Well, except for the stuff in the back of the frig, and that would be OK if it didn't smell so bad. I shutter at that...ucky. But wouldn't that green make a great paper color?

Today is just so very beautiful here, the sun is sparkling with the hit of fall to come. 70 degrees will be this weeks highs....sigh, love it. Nothing is better than a comfy big sweatshirt and your favorite pair of shorts.

Embrace the greens of our days, the browns and oranges are on the way. Pick the "weeds" in your yard and make a bouquet. I believe they too, will be beautiful.

L....

time to shop.....

School's in just a few days.....that means it is time to shop..ugh!! Oh I mean YAY!! I love to shop for school clothes. Can you tell I am lying with a great big smile on. I sometimes could only wish for uniforms. The thing of it is that my girl is pretty even and has great taste for the most part. Honestly so far it isn't shopping with her I fear, it is everyone else. The crowds I am sure will be huge and stressed out.

I however, am fearing the moment she turns into one of the sweet girls that are unhappy with Mom in the fitting rooms.

I worked retail for many many years, and you all know the fitting room jinx. I have always felt sorry for the shopping partner on the outside of the fitting room door. I have often thought a dressing room rule should be, one's tone needs be left outside. Kindness is a good thing. No Dude's allowed and it is not a trash receptacle. Okay that's another day.

So I plan to start my day with a Starbucks and they have agreed to stick with me most of the day and we will be good...

I get to buy shoes I love to buy shoes. I can't wait maybe I'll need a new pair for the school year . Hah.

Better yet, we will get to buy crayons and all the paper goods. I love paper. I may even need a box or two..

Truth be told I love to school shop I only hope that she will love every year as much as I do...

I have to admit when I look at this photo. I have to say, I am glad her Dad's got other plans for tomorrow. I fear we may end up with another pair of green colored glasses. She loved these glasses and wore them until they no longer fit. I am sure she would still given the chance. I loved how great they looked with her pink sparkly jellies.

Details: I got creative. (I know hang on, it don't happen to often) Thought I'd draw a few flowers well one thing lead to some paint and whallllaaaaahhh. I got embellishments. I know it's hard to tell the background is green and the papers used are manila and light blue. The paint is also light blue. And then there's those crazy flowers..who'd thought.

Shop away my friends...and enter fitting rooms with caution and a smile on. Don't forget the wet ones, I can only tell you what happened last, in that fitting room you are about to disrobe in. I can tell you that in the 3rd room down to the right, one night that dude was hot....her not so much....

Shop away ladies.....shop away...........

-L.

you can have it.......if..........

You can lift it!!! That's what he said with a smirk and he walked away. "If you can lift it and carry it, then you can have it"
Humph!!!

Sooooooooooooo, I carefully lifted everything off of it. Then I made my plan to lift it from a wrickey shelf high above my shoulders. I couldn't lift it!!!!! I never have let those words work with me before. They did. I couldn't lift it! So I walked away, feeling sad and defeated. This thing is dang heavy! I really couldn't lift it.....

My Man stopped and looked at me and says " Where is it?" I gave him my very best, my very biggest green eyed pout. Even as an old lady I still got it!!!! Quietly, I whisper "It's to heavy I couldn't lift it." My Man is quiet. His laughter came from somewhere unknown to me and he filled the store with his very bold chuckle.... " I was just kidding" "I'll carry it for you sweetheart"

Well now, that did it, I will carry it, just help me get it down. He did and I wouldn't let him carry it thru the store. He simply followed me saying over and over, "Let me have it...."

Ever so noooooooo. Once we made it to the car with all our treasures, he sheepishly looks me as he is trying to handle it into the vehicle. "Dang this is really heavy"

"Humphhhhhhh"

So here's the deal, I have a man who sees what I see....I love his vision and he knows what I love. We love to shop together with only a couple exceptions....no clothes shopping ( unless there's no budget).....I can't handle Cabelas. ( A sporting goods store on steroids...)

He is fantastic and absolutely fun to shop with. But the poor guy can't always say no. I feel bad about this, sort of.

I must say he finds some of the most fantastic things and has a vision. I can remember when we created a space for me. He asked what I wanted, anything, at first I thought all these great new cupboards and counter tops. When we began looking and designing, he had another thought. He always asked," are you sure?" Then he arrived with a few photos on a cellphone. He had been shopping, asked me to look at the photos and there it was everything I could have ever dreamed of for my studio. I couldn't believe it! I told him how much I loved it all and he simply smiled and said, good we picking it up on Saturday. I bought it already. That's my man.

Happy Birthday My Man, I Love you ton and gobbs............

L-

Let's talk white cardstock!

Let's talk white cardstock....

I have a love hate love hate hate hate relationship with white cardstock. Once I think I love it, it quietly reminds me that the feeling is not mutual. I am certain it hates me and is out to get me..hahaha It is, as if, it continues to make it's way into the studio to take up space. I can hear it snickering at me each time I buzz in the room... It is the thorn in my side, the cow that won't come home. Yeah that's it! It is the big white cow in the studio. HaHa I laugh at my bad self....

White cardstock is not my friend these days. No matter how much I try to make friends, white cardstock snickers at me each time I pull a sheet out. The thing, that is the worst of it, is that once I am able to use it, it doesn't photograph well for me......It decides to turn out grey or blur the picture every time. It is like the kid that always blinks when you take the picture, or do you know someone that just does not take a good picture. White cardstock is that goofy family member we crop out. The only problem is that, it's big bad bold self is background.

In the old days I only used white cardstock as fill or to firm the background up.

In the end of all this craziness, you may say it is just paper...or "Chick what's your deal?"..

It is more than just paper and adhesive it is a passion. A passion to create, with all mediums there are available. The desire to be better, even in a hobby or a pastime. No matter what you choose to call what we love and do, it is personal. I am sure that you all have goals of things your hoping to accomplish with your creative process. I am stepping up and I will no longer be white cardstock challenged. If nothing else I will at least use it all up! Be done white cardstock be gone. I say you climb that hill and make a dent in your idea. Be different, be brave, be you, be your style....

Get out your white cardstock and give it some space...

(If nothing else lets use it and make room for something new ;)!!!)

l-

just pick joy.....

Love it.....I do.....One thing I love about creating scrapbook pages is the sky is the limit....If your willing to think outside the 12x12. It is amazing and joyous to see the craft grow and change. I can remember the days when people would raise their eyebrows at my creations. They would say, "What are you thinking, What made you think of that"? That's not how you scrap......"You need to have stickers!!" "Maybe if you filled it a little more"

"Your pages need a little something...I'm not sure what it is?" "That's great!" and then eyes would roll.. "Have you ever thought about decorating your photo edges" of "At least rounders the corners--that's it you need a corner rounder!"

What they all really were saying and thinking is "what the hell....Man she's out there..."

I smile with you at this moment, because now days.....I am only a tiny dot in the creative world.

I blend in, I am in the most creative company I could imagine. I love to see how every ones creativity has grown and changed. It is, each person's own style and thoughts. It is wonderful to see, them always evolving and growing. I am not a big lifter and I actually can't create that way and I have tried. Frankly I stink at challenge or a lift, it is as if I go blank when I have a guideline to follow. I think it all is deeper than that ....hehehe it is the --- don't tell me what to do thing.....

I have been very lucky to have wonderful and supportive friends that I love to spend time with. Who understand me, hahaha....they get that I will probably never be where they are and being "caught up" makes me quiver. ( Which technically I am) To my friends: I thank you and love you. I am so grateful that they put up with my wild hairs and ridiculous ideas. They stopped rolling their eyes ages ago.

Stay creative and keep challenging yourself in your own way.....

L.

Today's layout is black with light blue paint. Machine stitching and painting on the titlework.

any one feel like fishin?

When we go to the lake we take our sweetie...Yes, he wears a life jacket. He loves fish!! He's a jumper!! He has no fear!!
The dockboy's called him muskie bait. I guess up north that's about right. This year a guy caught one that 51 inches long and weighed 36 pounds...It was scary huge.

The layout is done in duct tape and paint, with a dab of mist.....
I challenge you to think outside of the 12x12 and add some texture in new ways.

Be Good....L-

this girl.....

Sometimes there's a.....ahhhhhhhhhhaaaa..........moment when I design a page. this was it.

What started out as it'll never work....I'm sure it needs more....soon became, so little is so much...

I love this little layout, it just makes me happy.

The background is shiny and creamy. The title work is brown and pink. Then a dab of masking tape and a bit of stitching and whallllaaaahhh... The photo is about 2x3.

This is our last big weekend of things going on before school. Belle is running on empty, she has picked up some one's cold went right for her eyes. By late last night we knew what it was.. Just got back from urgent care and I am amazed she has pink eye. Or has her Daddy calls it stink eye. Which isn't making her happy. Tonite is her dance finale and needless to say-" I am not going to miss this!!!" I can't say that I blame her that have been working on this all summer 3 days a week.

The meds are in and we are not to touch anything or anyone. Ughhh..I itch just thinking about it, my poor baby. I can't remember if she has ever had Stink eye. What a weird time of year.

Well needless, to say we spent the weekend home for the most part. I got so many goodies done I just can't wait to share all of them. It is like having a big box of candy and I am only able to share a piece a day...I can't wait to share.

One thing about creating things I love, is to have the feeling each time I finish I love it better than the last. Does that make sense?

We have beautiful weather these days and I am sure to head out to enjoy it. Be sure to soak up some sun today and get inspired to create.

l-

sweet girl.....

My sweet girl.....I could only hope that I am half the friend that she was to me....She was thoughtful, excited, quiet, and always there for me. I was so lucky to be her human.

It has been a year now that she is gone. I have continued to miss her each day. When you loose
someone, people will always say, time will make it all better....then there is when you going to get another dog... it's just a dog.

Well I understand that, but in life there is one pet that melts your heart, finds their place in that heart and etches their place there forever. This is that one dog.....

She'd be proud of this layout.....I know I'm loving it...thanks for stopping.

Have a great weekend....
L.

If I close my eyes I can smell it!!!!

If I close my eyes I can smell it.....no kidding.....The mall is one of my favorites....

When they said the American Girl was coming to MOA we were all over that....

Amazingly they opened the store the weekend of a very special birthday in our house.

So of course they did that special just for us....Oh what a celebration it was.

We love the shop and the bistro. I think we love even more the idea that the store is 2 levels!!!

With an escalator!! This store rocks.....

She began her visit to the store a little taken a back by it all, then the moment turned. I think it was at the point of piercing the ears for her doll. She wanted to work there and loved every moment, never wanted to leave. It is a wonderful experience for any little girl even if you don't purchase anything.

I only wish that she was a little younger still, because I know the day will soon come that she will be moving on. It only reminds me that she is growing up and creating her new things to enjoy and love. I wish she'd stay little just a little longer.

When I designed the layout I wanted to keep I very crisp and clean, to match the design of the building in the photo....

Thanks so much for stopping by ----make it a great day!!!!

L.

fish or dog ?

This is our golden retriever, Jorge, in her younger days...She just loves the water. We could never keep her out of a puddle. We couldn't even water the plants without this crazy girl in the stream of water. The hose was her favorite.

She was a dog that danced in the water, and it made her happy. She had a passion about water. It was one of our favorite things to do in the summer. She even had her own pool....

This photo to me is wonderful....I love her smile.....

L.

one girl.....

one girl waits loves and admires....

this girl loves her yard and its life within it...she waits...she loves...she admires it often....

Soooo.... started with solid kraft cardstock....

I took a piece of cardboard peeled it apart and found this great texture....misted it a few times and pressed to the cardstock...wahlaaaa! A great design....

The fabric has a thin piece of batting behind it and then stitched and stitched. A little paint always makes me happy, stitched on the titlework and there you have it.

It finally feels like summer! It is time to school shop and I don't want to..I love to buy the supplies and the shoes.........................

This season however is just starting to get hot so my mind believes it is the start of summer not towards the ends...

It is finally time to hit the pool and stay warm!!!I am hoping that the pool and the heat stick around until November!!!!! One year we had a November birthday it was 80*. I am hopeful!!!

Soak up the sun...School is just around the corner.....

l.

puppy joy....

oh the days of puppy breath, although

these wonderful days are gone and now he

is a great big sweet dog....he stills love to be

with you always and he still loves to chew....

Okay the circles are out of some of my favorite fabrics.....and I drew around each one with a

black marker and the a touch of paint and I am all set.....

thanks for checking it out....

a layout a day.....

A layout a day keeps the doctor away....

In some cases, I think it is so true. I love my space and my time to create, I only wish it could be more often. I plan to win a lottery and create all and everyday. I think what they need to come up with a---a scrapbooking lottery. It would be designed only for people with addictions to paper and embellishments. Imagine the possibilities for us ScrapLottery the real deal...hehehe

Seriously if I could only put a piece of a loved scrap of paper or a dab of embellishment under my pillow, I believe the Scrapfairy would come. When you live in the boonies and all the LSS are gone there's nothing left but a big box, a girl has to have a dream and a plan. A good plan. We need to think outside the 12x12 and find hope in the future of our hobby. I realize things are tight for all of us and we a losing a lot of our favorite stores, online scrap places, magazines and manufactures. So maybe if we create a bill for congress to save the hobbies in the world, it would be a better place. Any way you look at this, a hobby often creates an amazing memory and legacy for generations to come. Somewhere there needs be an act of congress to save the hobby.

Maybe we could do cash for stash. A store could offer $$ towards a purchase if you turn in your old stash that you know you'll never use. Recycle those products or offer them to others at a discount rate.

I got a plan. I'm just still working on...check back....


My little LO is actually on light blue cardstock and a sage green paint. Ink, Mist, vintage fibers and a fav piece of fabric. Fun stitching and done!!! This photo just goes to show I really really need a new camera.....

L.

grow....

This photo to me is so beautiful....we spent some time in the yard this spring I got some great unexpected shots....simple everyday nothing fancy simply beautiful kinda day shots....one's that melt my heart.

This is on kraft paper...painted chocolate brown and then sky blue over. Now for the fabric there are three strips hard to see, stitched and painted...then a few of my favorite paper pieces, now I stitched more.

On to the flowers I hand drew them on white cardstock scraps, colored them in and cut them out. Wahlaaaa...easy peasy add a little vintage ric rac and I got flowers.

So life, keeps happening all around me the world is spinning to fast it seems most days.

Before I know it will be school time, boo hhoooo...She'll be happy I'll be lonely...We start a new school building this it makes me nervous, me not her.

I think that not only back school makes me nervous, but it is because our lives will be changing big time. I will be off to think about climbing back into an old or new career change. I don't know things are so up in the air I can't stand it. I want my 10 year plan back.

The only thing I know these days is, before you buy a water heater from HD the big orange store or before you buy a GE one drop me a line and don't do it!!!!!They only last 1 year and they don't stand behind it. urrrrgggghhhhhhh.....

All is well now and the dishes are getting done without boiling the water and the showers are being taken at OUR house....finally we CAN do laundry again. ( the water had to be turned off to the machine..I wash everything cold don't get me wrong. I must say cold showers are refreshing you ought to try sometime, because you want to not because you have to. :) You will realize you are alive!!!!! It is amazing how we take all those strange looking things in the basement for granted.

So I have to say I love and appreciate my hot water, my running water, my air conditioning, my furnace, the light bulbs, that soft water thingy, and the filter system. I love all those other things I NEVER pay attention to. Oh let me include all the things in the garage too...I love all of you and I appreciate all the work you do....

Okay so I think I got the love covered and they all, now know to keep running and working well.

Even if I don't know what they are called or what they do.......

Kiss and your appliances today...

l.

"Smoocher"

I love my smoocher....our sweet TobonKeifh (yes our girlie named him after Toby Keith)..aka Tobokins, Moose, Sweets, Tobers, better known as Toby.....our Toby.....

This crazy Golden Retriever has grown to a mere 100 pounds or so.... He is still as sweet as the day he arrived home. Always looking for a love and a kissy on the head, his life is good. One thing I have learned from Toby is life is just about a ball, and love. Plain and simple.....

My Hubby's Grandfather called all dogs Smoochers...it is a name that has stuck with us.

This little layout is cream cardstock...misted orange, then painted sky blue. It is a vintage doilie and ric rac. With a couple of handmade flowers and a little stitching there you have it. Easypeasy..... The layout all started cause I was dying to use my new punch...

Thanks for checking it out....l.