Seniors Week - June 7-13 2021 - Card Donations

I have put together a stack of cards for a local scrapbook store - Scrap and Bean who put out the word that they were accepting donations of cards for seniors. The cards will be distributed to Senior Care Homes in the area. Seniors Week is celebrated June 7-13, 2021.

Can you do something for a senior in your sphere of influence? There are several suggestions for safely celebrating this week.

These cards are upcycling a commercial card into a new life.  It was a large card and has been transformed into 3 cards. 

For the card on the left I trimmed an area of the card to leave a good border around it.  I then punched some slots with the Stampin Up Slot punch and tied a piece of warm blue seam binding between them.  This layer was adhered to a dark purple card base.  I added a SU Modern Label punchie and Word Window greeting in the top right hand corner adhered with 3D foam tape.

For this card and trimmed the card in the same way as above.  This time I wrapped a piece of gold metallic ribbon around the decorative layer and tied a knot and trimmed the ends.  I put together another greeting with the same tools as earlier.  I matched the Modern Label punch to the card color.  Again mounted with 3D foam tape.

This 3rd card I adhered the upcycled layer to the front of a navy blue card base.  I added a Stampin Up Decorative Label punchie greeting with 3D foam tape. 

I will collect from my sister the ones she made before I deliver them.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I found some Blue Squills this morning in a neighborhood front garden.  They only last for such a short time.

They are very small and such a wonderful color.  

It helped my to feel optimistic about spring coming and other flowers coming along.  

Photography has changed for me this spring because our COVID numbers are high. We have a few people resisting the transmission measures in place so I can't go places I did last year.

It means my number of good photos is down and I have to adjust.

 

 

I had an outdoor visit with my sister last week and she brought me a spider from my niece.  It hangs in the bedroom where the African Violet was before it just died.  It is a north window so I think it will do well there for now. Maybe it was over watered.  I would like to try again but this plant gives me some green above my sewing machine which is wonderful. 

The basil plant has it's second leaves so I am optimistic about it's survival for now.

 

 

We had construction at our building all of last week with a few days of water shut down and one day with power shut down.   Makes being at home more of a challenge and going out with COVID numbers is scary also.  Tough spot to be in. 

I believe it continues this week to put the ground back to what it was before the tear up.

It has solved problems so that is always appreciated.

  

I took my camera to a new area the other in hopes that it would have less people around.   It was good and I saw the river from a different point of view.

I captured the bend in the river.  There is still a bit of ice along the banks.  The water is much lower than it should be so there will be drought for our farmers, food growers, and gardeners this year.

 

I have needed a new mattress and pillow for a while but with  COVID had not pursued the purchase.

Ten days or so ago I had completed my on-line research and took the plunge to actually visit the store to see the mattress I was interested in.

It was wonderful because there were no other customers there during  my visit. One salesperson who was masked and sanitized all that was needed.  I did purchase a mattress protector and a new pillow as well.  The delivery was delayed by the construction our front of the building and we managed to get up to the my suite before the power was to be shut down.  Excellent.  The guys were great!  Wrapped the old one in the wrapping of the new one and it is gone.  It took about 10 minutes in all.  

The pillow is humongous but it works very well.  I am happy with my purchase and the service received from the store.  The mattress is 2 inches taller than the old one so now I cannot sit on my bed and have my feet touch the floor.  Makes me think of the Princess and the Pea with mattress stacked very high.

The challenge at Flickr Macro Mondays this week was forks.  This challenge could have been quite boring but we have had some creative shots taken.  You can check my Flickr photostream (SMDPics) to see the shot I submitted.

 I am sharing with Angie who hosts Mosaic Monday #128 and 

 Mersad who hosts Through My Lens #286.

 Have a great week!

Birthday Tag

I made a tag for a joint gift for my niece who has a birthday in April.

I started with the QuicKutz Sewing Machine 4x4 thinlit.  The die cuts all the pieces which needed to be assembled.  It meant cutting once for each of the 4 colors - the body of the machine from olive green, feed dog plate, pressure foot and buttons in black, the other adjustment buttons in taupe, the spool of thread in black and red.  

I placed a piece of packing tape on a hard surface and slowly placed the pieces in place sticking them to the tape.  Once all the pieces were in place I used an exacto knife to trim the excess tape from around the outside edges of the die cut.

I then cut the tag with the Tim Holtz Cabinet die one kraft embossed with the SwissDots folder and one ivory.  I used the Crop a dile to make a hole in the top.  I adhered the sewing machine die cut to the tag with 3D foam tape.

I ran a length of red twine through the hole and it's ready to be attached.

The HB diecut was received in a swap so I have no credits.

It is very cute but a lot of work which explains this is the first time I have used it.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I saw Crocuses on my walk this morning.  Nature is saying it is spring time.  I am so glad we did not get the snow that some of the province got yesterday.

I finished this book on Sunday.

A book filled with mysteries years old.

Based in London in 1970's it features a new crime solving unit (Peculiar Crimes Unit) who use non traditional methods to solve crimes.  Detectives John May and Arthur Bryant in third book pursue a murderer with no very little hard evidence to go by.  People are dying every day, its Christmas time and the clues seem to lead in a very unusual conclusion.  

Eventually the method in the madness is revealed and the murders are solved but a family has lost quite a few members.   I enjoyed the book! 

Since the renovations in 2019 I have been on the search for new shades for the lights in the front hall.  Of course, the pandemic has curtailed to a large degree my discretionary shopping.  When my sister called to say could we have a visit outside and they were headed to ReStore I said sure! 

I found shades for the front hall for a very small sum!  The store was not busy and social distancing was maintained.

 

I found ceramic tiles for the base of my photo studio as well. I bought two 12x24 tiles with some texture and a matte finish.  Because of the pattern and the square edges when put together you cannot see the join of the tiles!

The color is neutral and the pattern subtle enough to provide a seamless surface for my photography. The size is manageable weight wise.  I had looked at 24x24 tiles earlier this year but moving one very large tile was not a good idea.

Again, the price was very good!

This my second go round trying to get a basil plant growing.  The other just died.

I see that I have second leaves on this one despite the fact that it has a very short stock. 

I am paying attention to water more this time.  The grow bulb is on very day for 8 hours.

I am hopeful that there may be basil in my cooking this summer.

 

A spring mosaic featuring icy puddles in the morning, my first American Robin of the year and some crocus blooms.

 

The Flickr Macro Monday challenge this week was Circles.  This shot on the right is a few small clear plastic containers backlit with purple and pink gels on my lights.  You can check my photo stream (SMDPics)  to see the shot I submitted.

I am sharing with Angie who hosts Mosaic Monday #127 and
Mersad who hosts Through My Lens #285

Have a great week!

Card - Puffin Birthday

A Puffin is the featured accent on this card.  A maritime bird who lives along the rocky shores.

I found it in my stash of ready to go elements.   Trying to use up what I have.

I trimmed it and then added a burgundy layer.  Found a deep blue card base for it.  It still needed something so along came the strip of yellow for behind the accent.

A greeting from the stash of printed ones. Addition of a bit of black grosgrain ribbon below the greeting.

The Puffin is mounted with 3D foam tape.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

We had an April snow storm on Saturday.

 It started about mid afternoon and  went into the late evening.

Heavy wet snow and you can see the wind was blowing pretty hard as well.

The sun on Sunday melted a lot of it but there was still some around this morning.

It will provide nice slow drink for the earth so that is a good thing.

Check out these beauties!  I found these at the thrift store a couple of weeks ago.   These were sold in Teavana stores.  A teapot and 4 cups and saucers. 

Teavana Yellow Bone China Tea Cups & Saucers - Noble Poppy with Gold Trim.  The set sold for over $100 which explains why I never purchased it.

I was thrilled to find these in perfect condition for under $10.  I have paired them with my French Cobalt Blue glass plates and gold tea spoons.  Perfect!

I have finally culled my frame collection down to what I need.  

I found this beauty during the process.  This was painted by my aunt many years ago.  

Beautiful watercolor and I have missed enjoying it because it was in a box and I did not even remember having it.

It has been framed and put up to be enjoyed.

 

 

Here's my latest choice for snacks.

Yummy yogurt with no sugar added and in just the right size!

Blueberry and Banana.

Perfect when I want a bit of sweetness after my meal.

 

I still make greeting cards and during a conversation with my sister we talked about these new embossing folders by Stampin Up. 

The one she wanted was on clearance so we should order right away or she may miss it.

I chose to purchase a couple of them for myself. 

Loving the 3D Painted Texture one.  I have already used it.

Will try out the scripty one tomorrow. I have too much cardmaking tools as it is but I broke down and bought a couple more.

The challenge at Flickr Macro Mondays this week was pairs.  Here I have photographed a pair of yellow earrings. They look maybe '50s or '60s style.  You can check out what I submitted on my Photostream (SMDPics)

I am sharing with Angie who hosts Mosaic Monday #126 and with 

Mersad who hosts Through my Lens #284.
 

Have a great week!

Allied Arts Council - Tantalizing Textures Show

This show was moved to on-line at the last minute because of the placement of further COVID 19 restrictions.

Title: Bright Sunflower
Size: 8.00 x 8.00 inches
Signed Photography Print
Mats: n/a
Frame: n/a
Print: 8x8 inches

This is a very abstract photo which started life as an image of a dried sunflower I took at the community garden.  I applied a solarize filter which gave it these wonderful colors. 

 

Title: Outskirts
Size: 8.00 x 12.00 inches
Signed Photography Print
Mats: n/a
Frame: n/a
Print: 8x12 inches

Another abstract image which started as a frozen puddle in the parking lot.  After processing I saw a town with the roads leading out from it in several directions.

 

 

Title: A River Runs Through
Size: 8.00 x 10.00 inches
Signed Photography Print
Mats: n/a
Frame: n/a
Print: 8x10 inches

This was condensation on glass i found on an early August morning.  I did add definition to the lines.  In my eyes it became a river.

Exchange Cards

I have rejoined my greeting card exchange group after not participating last fall due to my health issues.

I used the 3D Painted Texture Embossing Folder from Stampin Up on a piece of mottled purple card stock.   Trimmed to 4.00 x 5.25 inches.

I punched half holes on both side about 2" up from the bottom and wrapped a piece of heavy yellow thread around the layer and knotted it to the front. Trimmed the ends.

I adhered that to a dark purple A2 card base in the portrait orientation.  

The focal element is chalked and cut with the Spellbinders Nestabilities - Small Deckled Rectangles thinlits.  I used Stampin Up chalks and a Qtip to apply the color.  The images are from the Stampin Up Blossoms Abound set.

 

I used the same card stock base and embossed layer on this card.

For the focal element I used the Stampin Up Blessed Easter Tulips.  Again, chalked with SU colors.

I used a piece of warm purple fiber to tie around the embossed layer.  

The half circles were punched with an 1/8" punch.  Trying very hard to only use half otherwise it looks a little funny.

The focal elements were adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Loving the new embossing folder.

Using what I have - the Deckle Edge Rectangles I have seldom used and I am really liking this use.

2021 Christmas Card Challenge - Refurbished Cards - Session 2

I continue my clean up of old cards and they need to be use or otherwise disposed of.

A beautiful manger scene which is simple and elegant.

I just added a brown texture card stock layer to the golden rod card base.

The manger layer was then adhered to the brown layer.

I added a greeting with a Stampin Up Modern Label in the the card color and a brown Word Window punchie.  This was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

While shepherds kept their watching
Over silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens,
There shone a holy light:

I love the beautiful greens in this stain glass window of the shepherds in the fields.

I trimmed the window from the commercial card front.  It was not wide enough so I added a strip of purple to the right hand side.

The stained glass layer was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

 

 

 

A well lit church scene inside a Christmas tree shape with gold foil stars all around.

I trimmed it and then layered it on a piece of white card stock.  Then added to a medium blue card base.

I added a Stampin Up Modern Label punichie greeting in blue. This was adhered to the card with 3D foam tape.

 
 

 

 

The name above all names "Jesus".  The reason for the season.  Gorgeous trio of candles with holly around the base. I added a green layer to the golden rod card base. Adhered the focal element with 3D foam tape.

 

The trip to Bethlehem on a donkey.  Mary pregnant with Jesus and Joseph leading the family to their destiny. 

Love the blues and purples in this card.  Adhered with 3D foam tape to a purple card.

I am really happy with these cards. 

Five more cards for the Christmas box.

2021 Christmas Card Challenge - Refurbished Cards

With the power off most of the day I had to keep my hands busy.

I decided to refurbish some commercial Christmas cards.  Use the A2 size is a bit challenging because the commercial cards are so much bigger.  It means finding a focal element and trimming to keep in the center of the element.

Here I chose the star and Rejoice as the focus.  The width was not full so I added a strip of gold on the warm deep teal card base.  The focal element was adhered with 3D foam tape.

 

This snowman seems to enjoying the Christmas season.  

I chose a card base that matched the twig arms which is a warm taupe color.

I just trimmed the snowman to leave an even border all the way around.  It was adhered with 3D foam tape.

I trimmed the candles then trimmed the scripture verse so that I could overlap these elements.

I chose a warm blue green card base.  This is in the portrait or tall orientation.

The candles were adhered with double sided tape then the scripture was adhered with 3D foam tape.

 

 

 

A sleigh ride is always fun at Christmas time.

I chose a deep red card base.  Once again choosing the focal point of the sleigh and trimmed accordingly. 

Mounted with 3D foam tape leaving a tiny border.

 

I am imagining headed off the a Christmas Eve service by horse and sleigh.

I chose a lavender card base.

The focal element was adhered with 3D foam tape. 

Each card had a seasonal insert adhered inside and a new envelope was matched to it.

A few more cards for my Christmas Card box!

I had to make do with not electric tools today so a paper cutter and tape worked really well.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

Spring is here!

The birds are pairing up, preparing nests and getting ready to have nestlings.  

I hope this pair selects this nest so I can observe them raising their family.

I can see it from my living room window.  

Here's hoping!

I finished this book on the weekend.  The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks. I can always count on this author for a good read.

The Best of Me tells the story of Dawson and Amanda, two former high school sweethearts who find themselves reunited after 20 years apart, when they return to their small town for the funeral of a beloved friend.

They have both experienced challenges in life and now in their mid forties are asking the "what if" questions. 

I enjoyed the book and as usual there is a surprise ending! 

Easter spent home alone again this year!  This is getting old.  I get it as we are in our third wave of COVID pandemic and the numbers are rising like crazy due to the variants of concern.

I made corn flour pancakes with egg and cheese.  I treated myself to a Earl Grey tea - which I may be sorry for later.  It's early in the day.  I served it in a newest bone china tea cup by Teavana.

I was lucky to find 2 of the Noble Poppy Yellow Bone China Tea Cups at the thrift store on Tuesday.  Works really well with my French Cobalt blue dishware.

 

I have some new to me art for my walls.  This is a painting by my aunt.  You can find her art here.

She was clearing out some old paintings and put the word out.  This is the one I selected. 

It is hanging in my front hall.

I colored some eggs for Easter.  

I used Nick Bantock acrylic ink in Prussian Blue, Damson Purple and Chrome Yellow.  I filled small glass holders with color and placed the egg in it. I put a glass plated on top to keep them submerged.

I put them on a metal grid plate to dry.

I placed them on a small saucer to photograph them in my studio.

Flickr Macro Mondays' challenge was Trash this week.

This was a very interesting challenge.  In the photo on the left I have a pear sticker, onion skins and a lemon which I squeezed to make Lemon Vinaigrette.

You can check my Flickr photostream (SMDPics) to check out the shot I submitted.

I am sharing with Angie who hosts Mosaic Monday #125 and Mersad who hosts Through My Lens #283.

Happy Easter 2021

 I hope you have a great Easter!  Easter wishes to family, friends, followers and fans!