Sylvia's Simple Shots

Check out what showed up at the little pond this week.

A cormorant in all it's glory.  Hanging around, staying put. really close.

That was so exciting.  I don't know where it came from.  Was it taking a rest break?

Whatever the situation I am grateful so get some good shots of this bird.

I decided to head out the art walk in Stony Plain.  Several of the members of the AAC will be in attendance so a chance to connect with artists.

I spoke to David who does woodwork.  I was in the calligraphy guild with his wife so I said say Hi from me.

Stopped by to say hello to Rochelle who does colored pencil and Barry who carves.  He had a really nice Viking piece he was working on.

Said hello to Linda who did the Art in the Open in St. Albert a while back.

The weather was very nice and looks like a good time was had by all. 

I bought myself a gift while at the Art Walk.  I have been wanting a piece of stained glass for a long time.

A row of houses made by Carol B - Through the Window Pane.  It is bigger and heavier than the piece I have hanging in the window right now so I have to come up with a plan on how to display it.

I visited the Crooked Pot Gallery where I saw an idea which may help with my flowers in a vase. It was a ceramic flower frog that just sits on the top edge of the vessel. I don't plan on making clay ones but maybe plastic might work. 

I attended a birthday party at the bowling alley this week.  A mile stone.

I did not bowl so I visited in the party room after the bowling.

There was pizza and cake and a visit with some of my relatives and my sisters.

A few of us headed to the thrift store next door after the pizza. Love like minded folks.

After months of trying to find a solution to getting a metal band on my new watch.  I bought that back in May but it had a cloth band.

I had hoped that I could transfer the band from the old Timex to the new one.  After approaching several businesses no one was willing to work to find a solution.

I decided to head to have a visit with a friend who had recommended a business in her small town.

After looking at what I would like to have done they did not feel transferring the band was a good idea.  

But, they had old stock replacement bands.  Maybe one would work.  As you can see this one worked fine.  They shortened it for me.  It had the same clasp as the last band and it is stainless steel and the price was a bargain.  Super thrilled to have the project put to bed.

I purchased a new SD card for my old camera.  The girl at London Drugs suggested that this would be the largest card I could put in my camera.

I have been using 2GB cards and running out of room, having to switch cards which is a hassle.  I lost one for a few days a couple of weeks ago.  Losing shots is very disheartening.

This one will be a big improvement where I will not have to change cards and risk losing shots again.

With the parking lot open at the St. Albert Botanic Park I headed over there so catch the dahlias in full bloom.

Of course, there were many flowers to photograph. Lilies, roses, sunflowers, and a bunch more.

The volunteers were in full force making everything look wonderful.

Of course, I always head out early.

I stopped at London Drugs on my way in and was headed north after some breakfast.

Mat for Cross Stitch

A friend received this tiny cross stitch art piece representing the colorful historical houses in downtown St. John's, Newfoundland.  The original frame had fallen apart and she wanted to preserve the piece of needlework.  Knowing my paper craft skills she asked if I could make a mat to frame it into this new 2.5" x 3.5" frame.  I selected a black textured card stock.  I cut the piece to the size of the frame then with the motto of "measure twice cut once" I penciled the cut out.  After checking, I placed it on a cutting mat with lines across so I could cut very straight. Once cut, it frame the bit of art nicely.  I taped the fabric to the mat.  I cleaned the glass on both sides, slipped the art, the spacer and the backer back into place.  Voila!!  Restored to bring joy again. 

Christmas Thank You Card

I started my Thank You cards for the gifts I received during the Christmas season.  I generally like to use the gift wrap from the packages in my cards.

This paper was very cute with rows of colorful little houses.  I have to select my pieces carefully as there are places that were folded, had been taped and of course at times the paper was ripped.  I found card stock to really match this gift wrap.  I cut the paper with the Stampin Up Top Note die, then I cut the turquoise in 2 pieces so that I could make sure the full back of the paper was supported after I had offset it.  Then I layered this onto a piece of navy card stock then onto a hot pink card.  I chose a piece of turquoise card stock and stamped it with the Hero Arts gratitude stamp in navy ink.  I ripped it above and below the sentiment and then glued it across the card.  I made several so I well on my way to having the number I need.

I'm getting together with this friend tonight for our annual movie night following the holidays. 

Card - Christmas Houses

I'm trying to translate some of my supplies into actual cards.  This designer paper is rows of houses and after thinking about it this card came to me.  The paper is by Webster Pages - Main Street. I printed the greeting onto white and cut it to leave a wider border then I cut down the row of houses to leave another border.  Easy Peasy!!

Check here for the Ready 2 Go kit.

Christmas Card Challenge - Jan - Folds

Here's my first Christmas Card of 2013.  I am hosting a blog challenge again this year. 
January's theme is Folds.  You can try gate folds, Z folds, Joy Folds, iris folding and twisted card to mention a few.
I chose a Joy Fold card.  It is quite easy to make.  I chose double sided designer paper so that the colors would coordinate well.  The paper is by Basic Grey named Eskimo Kisses - rooftop. I chose a light blue card base cut 4.25 x 8.5 scored at 3". I laid the large piece of DP with the houses showing then turned a smaller piece over to show the blue and white swirls which I put on the small flap of the blue base.  I cut my second piece of card stock from pink 3x8 folded in half.  I added a 1.5x2.875 piece of the house paper on the left side and added a color printed greeting in coordinating colors.  I added a small pink Sizzix heart embossed with Cuttlebug Swiss Dots on the left hand side to keep the flap closed.   Check out this pic giving you a top view.