Photo Blogging Challenge - The Written Word

Handwritten Word 

I did some calligraphy for a photo challenge early in August.

I used watercolor and a plastic nib pen which I have had forever.

I did quite a bit of practicing before I was happy with my letters. It has been years since I did any formal hand writing.

Vintage Word - These are some of the oldest books I own.  I did buy some of them for photo props because of their vintage look with the gold embossed letters and classic neutral cover colors.

Keys to Happiness was published by Reader's Digest in 1955.

Moonfleet by Faulkner I have read was published in 1952.  I should read it because I discovered today that it is set in Dorset England and is a mystery.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte was originally published 1847.  This copy was published in 1974 for the Pebbles Classic Library set.

My written word 

I am still a pen and paper lady.  I use a small note book to track things I have to do which is always with me when I head out of the house.

Grocery lists are printed on the computer but crossed out as I put the items in my cart.

I don't have lists on my phone.   

I always carry lists of the photo challenges I am wanting to enter so as I travel around I can take appropriate pictures.

This is a recent hard cover dictionary I purchased second hand.  I have only had inexpensive soft cover dictionaries and this one feel like a "real" book.

The letters are not gold but just embossed on the cover.  I used a photo filter to highlight the letters to make them more legible in this photo.

The pages have watercolored texture applied to them which works really well.

Fictional Written Words

I read a lot in my 20's then life got busy and work was stressful and I got out of the habit of reading.

Since I retired I have taken up the hobby again.  I am loving it so much.

We have a book exchange within my monthly fellowship group - Welcome to my Kitchen.  We share books and good stories which is part of the fun.

I have found my favorite type of book is historical fiction especially England and France.

Sharing with P.J. who is hosting the Photo Blogging Challenge - Written Word.

Recent Photos

It's time to harvest the produce from the garden. I am grateful that those who have them share the spoils.

I was to visit my Mom last week who shared potatoes and carrots from her garden.  I was able to pick some dill as well which I will freeze for winter dishes.

A friend shared a few cherry tomatoes and some basil. 
Yummy!

I bought a 20 lbs case of free stone peaches last week while I was visiting Mom.

I arrived at the store at 8:00 am and 10 cases walked out the door by 8:05 am. There were several of us waiting for the BC truck to be unloaded.

Mom and I canned 7 quarts on Wednesday morning.

I have been cutting them up and freezing the chunks on trays so I can take just what I want for my cereal in the mornings this winter.

I have been eating my fill fresh as well.

I am working on photos for a show at the end of the year.  It's focus is abstract art.

Top Left: Shadows on concrete to which I added a filter to highlight the edges.
Top Right: I thought this one looks like rock cliffs but it is a piece of rotted wood.

Bottom Left: This is a reflection of rails in a window.
Bottom Right: This is some tar type sealer which has cracked and aged.  I have applied a filter to enhance the texture.

The birds were really feeding this morning.

There were Chickadees, Nuthatches and of course Sparrows.

The sunlight was wonderful on my walk this morning.

He was keeping an eye on me as well as getting seeds.

The challenge on Flickr Macro Monday this week theme was GoesTogetherLike.  This is Black & White.  I placed the discs on the opposite colored piece of card stock.

I am sharing with Mosaic Monday 42 hosted by Angie at Letting Go ofthe Bay Leaf.

Through my Lens 205 hosted by Mersad.

Compassion House - Thank You Cards

I made some more thank you cards for Compassion House this week.  I am delivering them tonight.

This card is a design I have used before.  You can see a few here.

I cut a 6 inch circle then cut it in half.  The straight edge was placed along the fold and adhered to the grey card front.

I added a black grosgrain ribbon which was run the length of the fold and tied in a knot.  I added floral accent made of 2 white silk flowers and a flower punchie all held in place with a tiny black brad.

The greeting was color printed and punched with the Stampin Up Word Window punch.  It was adhere near the top of the card with 3D foam tape.

This layout is based on ripping a piece of designer paper into 2 and adhering them to the card front leaving a space for the card base color to show.

On the card on the left I used a black card base and a dark grey designer paper.  You need to rip away from you to avoid having a white deckled edge. You have to rip the edge again on the second piece to get rid of the white edge.

The Tim Holtz Old Jalopy Mover Shaper die in silver metallic paper was adhered to the card front in the bottom right hand corner with 3D foam tape.

For the greeting, I added a silver Stampin Up Modern Label punchie topped with a Word Window greeting.  This was adhered with 3D foam tape.

The Vintage Alarm Clock and Camera diecuts are by Tim Holtz. I added a clock graphic behind the clocks which helps a lot but adds fiddly work.

I am delivering a stack of thank you cards when I do my card making class tonight.

2019 Cardmaking - CH - Class 8

I really never know how many participants I will have when a do a class. By using the same layout from class to class I can prepare kits ahead of time and any left overs can be used the next month. Generally, I will not see the same ladies next month so it is always new for them.

I am using the DSP Split layout for my card making at Compassion House.  It is where a 4.00 x 5.25 inch piece of double sided designer paper is cut crosswise at 3.5 inches and the small piece is flipped over and taped back to the other to create a full layer for the card front. A variety of accents is then applied.  It is a very versatile layout.

The designer paper used  here is Rememberance Three - Rememberance collection by Authentique.

I used Kiwi Kiss card stock as a base.

Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon.

I printed the greetings in Bravo Burgundy in Very Vanilla then punched them with the Stampin Up Decorative Label punch.  It is adhered over the ribbon with 3D foam tape.

Same layout again.

Designer Paper is Elegant Print / Poised Purple in the 29th Street Market collection by My Mind's Eye.

The ribbon is Very Vanilla grosgrain.

Three daisy confetti with flower sequins and coordinating tiny brads.

This layout generally can be flipped to the wide orientation depending the pattern.

The designer paper is by Jessica Swift - Blend - Division of Anna Griffin.

White grosgrain ribbon.

Prima handmade paper flowers in sunshine yellow with gold flower sequins and orange tiny brads.

Love this color combo. 

Card Base - Textured Basic Grey card stock.

Designer Paper - Honey Moon - Yours Truly Collection  by Echo Park.

Ribbon: White Grosgrain

Greeting: Color printed greeting in Basic Grey and punched with 1 3/8 in circle punch.  Adhered to card with 3D foam tape.


The ladies are always so appreciative to have some social time and an activity to keep their hands and minds busy.

Exchange Cards - August

Still working on Exchange Cards.

I used a layout I have used before.  I chose designer paper - Poplin - Indigo Bleu by PinkPaislee.  Each side offers different colors so I could make seperate cards. I chose teal, taupe, black and yellow card bases.

I cut the designer paper into 6x6 inches.  I then cut a circle with the large circle template with the red cutter.  These were cut in half with the paper cutter.

The half circle was placed on coordinating card bases.  With the black base I chose a black tiny brad to hold a taupe card stock punchie and 2 white silk flowers. 

I added a length of black grosgrain ribbon along the fold.  It was pulled through the card and tied in a knot on the front.  Ends were trimmed with scissors.

This is the yellow card base which coordinates with the other side of the designer paper.

.I chose a gold flower sequin, a turquoise Prima flower and a large white silk flower all held in place by a gold tiny brad. 

It was placed in the bottom right hand side of the half circle.

I added a length of turquoise grosgrain ribbon along the fold.  It was tied in a knot and the ends were trimmed with scissors.

These will be mailed right away.

While I was at it I made a couple of Thank You cards for Compassion House.

The damask side was used on this taupe card. 

Black grosgrain ribbon on the fold.

Taupe flower punchie with 2 white silk flowers on a black tiny brad.










This is the teal card base with the circle side of the designer paper.  White grograin ribbon on the fold. Teal flower punchie with yellow flower and large white silk flower.  A SU Word Window greeting was added to both and was adhered with 3D foam tape.

Recent Photos

The summer continues to be wet and each morning this is what the grass looks like. 

I love the way this image looks with the few in focus with the far and close ones out of focus.

The water drops create wonderful bokeh in the front.

I had to get down low so my knees got wet but it was worth it.





This is what the vase of yellow flowers looks like now.  When they withered I removed the water and let them dry naturally.

I took this photo in my living room as the sun started appearing through the window.  Of course, it is later in the morning than it used to be as we spin on our axis.

I love how the sun caught the bloom on the left!

The sun highlighted the wonderful art glass vase as well.  Made by artist Robert Held.












I caught this Black Capped Chickadee with very warm light one morning recently.

They are pretty skittish so I have had a hard time getting their photos this summer.

I try to have fermented food regularly in my diet.

I have been eating KimChi for years.  First discovered it at a Korean Restaurant in town.  It was the first spicy food I did not mind eating.

When I think of KimChi and I am reminded of a MASH episode. In the episode, Frank sees the locals were burying something in the field outside the fence.  Of course, he thinks it is a bomb and panics.  Upon the destruction of the underground device it was found to be a KimChi pot.

My sister has been making it for me for a few years.  She has a friend who grew the spicy peppers required to make it.  She started it when I has there and I brought the jar home to babysit until it was ready to put in the fridge.

The nappa cabbage, daikon radish, and green onion has to stay under the liquid at all times.  Everything in the preparation needs to be glass. I was lucky enough to have this glass lid which worked very well.  The liquid will bubble over the rim of the jar so there needs to be bowl under jar to gather that.  It sits on the counter for a few days and it bubbled faster as my house is warmer than my sisters.  Then it is stored in a plastic jar in the fridge. 

I have started working on some still life for greeting cards.  This was a dried bouquet I put together a couple weeks ago.  I had tied it with lace which I thought would work but it did not. I needed something warmer in color.  Raffia would be great. 

I have been cleaning up and getting rid of stuff that I don't use any more.  Mostly card making supplies.  The raffia went a couple weeks ago so No Raffia!   I did not stop to think of the other uses for it.  I came across that same thought with 12x12 scrapbook paper that I may use for photography backgrounds.  I am more aware and will vet the 12x12 paper headed out of the house  more carefully.  Card making supplies are seriously being culled.

I have taken props to the retaining wall of the walking path in the river valley a couple of times to have these wonderful old beams in the background.

They are fabulous but hauling props a several blocks without smashing and breaking them along the way has been the challenge.  For this shot,  I was depending on finding natural elements on my walk and it was not the best. 

I love the feel of the wood.  So, I will continue to work on the process to achieve the results I want.

Sharing with Mosaic Monday #41 hosted by Angie at Letting Go the Bay Leaf and Mersad at Through My Lens #204.

Exchange Cards - Catch Up

Another set of exchange cards ready to go!

I chose double sided scrapbook paper - Small Floral - For the Record by Echo Park Paper.  I paired with with three coordinating card bases - green, red and peach.

These are DSP Splits so the scrapbook paper was cut toe 4 x 5.25 inches then cut crosswise at 3.5 inches.  The small piece was turned over and taped back to the larger. I added a white grosgrain ribbon across the join and tape the ends to the back. This layer was adhered to the card front.

I used StampinUp Five Petal Punch in coordinating colors for the accent.  I added a bright green daisy confetti in the center. These are held together with a white tiny brad.  The accent was then glued to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Another thank you card for Compassion House.

Same paper on the peach card stock.  The layering is all the same.

I found a partial greeting in my stash and added the YOU by cutting letters with the Stampin Up Little Letters thinlits set from green card stock.  I glued the letters the letters in place with Quick Dry Adhesive.

These are addressed and ready for the mail.

CCE and Compassion House Cards

I am getting caught up on cards I owe before the end of the summer. 

I started double sided paper - Sapphire Collection - Color Ways -  Paper House.  Not all double sided paper works for DSP Splits so I made this new designer for me. 

I chose a navy card base.

I cut the DSP to 3.75 x 5 inches.  Then cut again at 2" in both directions.  I was able to just adhere the pieces leaving a small border. 

I adhered an oval greeting with a blue oval of the same as the card color and a color printed greeting.  These were adhered together then adhered to the card with 3D foam tape.


For the card on the right I chose an all occasion theme. The accent is a white circle on the blue oval with a yellow handmade paper flower held in place with a silver flower sequin on a silver tiny brad.

These are on their way to my card partners with my apologies.

Most of this paper lent itself to tall cards but with the last piece I was able to cut it so I could make a wide card.






This card will go to Compassion House for their need of Thank You cards.

I placed a Stampin Up Modern Label with a stamped greeting on the large navy oval.

These were mounted with 3D foam tape.

Photo Coasters - Singles

I've chosen to repackage my photo coasters into singles in hopes of them selling better.  In the sets the information was on the back and since they were in the show case customers could not see what was in the set.  They were also laying flat so I decided they should be upright to be more visible.

I have put a 3.25 inch square inside with the information for care and the details of construction as well as credits. 

They were sealed in cellophane and a round price sticker tag was attached.

I made a rack to hold them that allows 2 side by side standing up.

I delivered 8 of them to the gallery today. 

Recent Photos

I was so thrilled to see my first BIG bird.   I was at Patricia Lake early one morning this week and investigated a white patch across the water.

It was a Blue Heron.  This is the best shot I got and was hoping he had decided to go fishing or at least stand but he was content to sit there and look at me.

I will go back in a few days but they must into migration already headed to the States so it likely will not be there when I return.

This creature was a more cooperative.  It is a Yellow Dragonfly.  I love the bright spots a the ends of its wings!

The structure on it's back where the wing attach is very interesting and detailed.

It has big eyes and looks like a being a person could connect with.

I was glad to have spotted it in the yellow green grass in the meadow.

This the latest book I had on my night stand.  "The Road to Paradise Island" by Victoria Holt.  My Mom had read the book and passed it onto to me.  I enjoyed the book very much.



Annalice Mallory, the sheltered daughter of a family of map makers, discovers the cryptic diary of her long-dead ancestor that includes a map of a mysterious far-of island. Philip, Annalice's brother, sets sail for the island, lured by the promise of incomparable riches to be found. But when he doesn't return, Annalice sets out to find him -- and the secrets of the diary -- in a desperate journey that leads her through the worlds' most exciting outposts . . . and finally to the tropical islands of the South Seas, where she encounters heart-stopping peril, but also the promise of love.

I found the discovery of the diary very compelling.  She grows up from a teenager to an independent woman during the experience of searching for her ancestor.  Set in England in the early 1900s and included travel on a ship to Australia. It all ends well in the end. 

Eleanor Alice Burford Hibbert (1906–1993), better known to readers as Victoria Holt, Philippa Carr, and Jean Plaidy, was one of the world’s most beloved and enduring authors. Her career spanned five decades, and she was heralded as the “Queen of Romantic Suspense.” She continued to write historical fiction under the name of Jean Plaidy and romantic suspense as Victoria Holt until the time of her death.

Of course, it is time to harvest so I was fortunate to be able to pick raspberries in a friend's patch on 2 Sundays.  The first Aug 4th garnered enough to make a double batch of Raspberry Bavarian with my Mom's recipe.  I shared half with my sister and brother in law when I visited to pick saskatoon berries last week.  I have frozen a container of raspberries with enough to make Bavarian again!  I picked saskatoons at our regular UPick - Farrant Junction on Wednesday last week.  The berries were really nice and big and the picking was easy.  I picked 2 ice cream pails which made 4 bags of berries for the freezer.

I was driving down to my sisters to pick berries and it rained the whole way.  I was concerned berry picking would not happen.  I was prepared to pick in the rain if necessary. We decided to make our other preserves on Tuesday and hope of better weather on Wednesday. I made chutney and she made berry syrup which she serves with club soda on a hot day.

I stuck to last year's recipe with a few tweeks.
I halved the sugar in the recipe this year but did add a few extra dried cranberries.
I added garlic which was not in the original recipe but I like it.
I switched from dark raisins to golden raisins to keep the color in the gold colors.

I made 6 one cup jars this year.  That will be plenty.  I have some leftover jars from my experiments last year.  It is great to spend time with family and put some good food away for winter.

Sharing with Through My Lens #203 hosted by Mersad.