Bible Study - Thank You

I have been participating in this Grace is Greater bible study for the last few weeks.  It has been nice to take a study instead of leading one.

We get together, share a meal then we watch the video and break into small groups to discuss the lesson. 

We have 4 leaders who have volunteered to facilitate the discussion.


I made a card for the lady who has been leading my group.   You will see that I used left over kits from my class on Tuesday. 

I made this one in the tall orientation which is the versatility of some of the kits I put together.

I added a Stampin Up Itty Bitty greeting adhered with 3D foam tape.

I will add a few cards as a small gift for her time to prepare and lead this study.

Here is another card made with corner rounded squares that I used earlier this week.

I used warm tone designer paper squares which were adhered to the lines printed on the greetign layer.

I adhered that layer to a brown card.

Welcome to my Kitchen

It was our Welcome to my Kitchen fellowship group gathering this morning. 

We met in a clubhouse of a condo complex so there was plenty of room for everyone with great kitchen facilities!  Thank you so much.

We had mini quiches, ham and cheese breakfast oven casserole. There were crackers, cheese and fruit. I really appreciate the yogurt.  The tea and coffee was excellent.

We had a good turn out with the weather being very decent this morning. 

2019 Cardmaking - CH - Class 2

I taught my card making session at CH tonight.  I had few ladies participate.

This card features bright yellow striped designer paper cut to leave a small border on an golden yellow card.

The flower was cut with the Sizzix Flower, Leaves & Stem #4 from black card stock.  The stem was cut to fit the length of the card.

I poked a hole in the center of the flower with a push pin. I placed the gold sequin and Prima paper flower onto the tiny black brad and inserted into the hole I made.  I pressed the prongs apart on the inside of the card.

With no greeting it makes a great card for any occasion for a music lover.

This card makes a great one for a birthday or thinking of you.

I chose a white card and cut the bold graphic designer paper to leave a small margin and adhered it to the card front.

I wrapped the black ribbon around the card front and tied in a square knot on the front left.

The black label was cut with the Stampin Up Deco Label framelit. I printed the house and punched with 2" circle punch.  It was adhered over the ribbon with 3D foam tape.

 I started with a deep teal card.  I cut the textured  designer paper to leave a small border and adhered it to the card front.

I cut the flower from copper card stock with the Sizzix Daisy #4 die.  It was adhered to the card front.

With a push pin I made a hole through the card front for the brad which holds the two handmade paper flowers (teal and terracotta) in the center of the flower.

The greeting was printed in a warm blue then punched with the Stampin Up Artisan Label Punch.

It was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

The weather was more seasonal this evening which was much appreciated.

Thank You Cards

This was an easy one as I cut trimmed the front of a small card and adhered it to the front of a coordinating purple card.

I love the teapots with gold accents on this image.








These pine cones images were left overs from a Christmas stack kit.

This one I added a black layer to a red card then adhered the pine cone square aligned to the left.  I added a greeting with the Stampin Up Itty Bitty Stamp set and cut with the coordinating framelits set. 

 

I chose a black card.  I layered the pine cone onto a layer of white leaving a small border.  I ripped the bottom edge.  I added a length of self adhesive lace in red below the white.   I then added the greeting  which was stamped on a Stampin Up Word Window Punchie.  I added a white tiny brad and added it to a Modern Label punchie. The greeting was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

This is a refurbished card featuring a snowflake punched out with a circle.  It was added to an ivory scallop punchie.

This was layered onto a Tim Holtz label die cut in black.  It was layered onto a printed greeting layer. 

Then added to a coordinated deep rose card.

I delivered 10 cards in all today.

Thank You Cards - Corner Rounded Squares

I prepared another set of Thank You cards Compassion House.

Here I paired some corner rounded square in warm tones with an ivory printed layer and an olive colored card.

The cross on the printed greeting layer helps me align my squares.


The next set of squares were paired with purple cards.  I produced one which creates a flower with the Thank You greeting

For the last one in this group I used black and white snowflake paper. I aligned 3 of them along the top of the card. 

I placed a Stampin Up Itty Bitty Banner greeting below mounted with 3D foam tape. 

Delivered those today.

Large Photo Cards - Gallery

I am dropping off card to the Art Gallery today.  I was hoping that it would have warmed up nicely in the last week but not really.  So I am just doing it!

This watercolor brush card should be a hit with artists.  We shall see.









The dahlia and rose card make great cards for birthdays.








The Leaf on Still Pond and Red Barn provide a great card for guys.

Recent Photos

This is my entry into Macro Monday Challenge "Hole(s) on Flickr this week.  Very good response to this one.

This is 16mm film which I picked up at the ReUse Center.  I chose a length of the film which did not contain any recognizable images.

I had picked up the rolls of film thinking I would put them onto cards but that did not happen. 

The letters on the film are super tiny and I managed to get them in focus next to the hole I was aiming for.

I made a bag for my walks this summer.  This is aimed to carry what I may need in an emergency. 

I was using this project to try out the method of putting a zipper into a bag.  After digging into my box of zippers I chose this light blue one. 

This is left over fabric from a shirt apron.  The method is putting the zipper in between pieces of fabric.  I cut 2 pieces of fabric and sewed one on each of the tabs of zipper then top stitched the fabric down very close to the edge.   I wanted tabs to allow me to easily open the zipper so I took some grosgrain ribbon from the shirt and placed 2 tabs in the side seams next to the zipper.  Once the side seams were done I turned the bag inside out.  I placed a top stitch seam all the way around the edge. 

With not enough fabric from the shirt to make a strap I dug through my stash of grosgrain ribbon and chose a deep purple one.  I cut a length and knotted it on each side.
 

The main character of this book is Katie Byrne a young girl of seventeen that suffers tragedy in a small town in Connecticut which stunts her acting ambitions in New York.

Years later, living in London England surrounded by several strong women mentors she faces the tragedy and things turn around for her.  

I loved the parts of the story set in England.  Her relationship with her family were very heart warming.





















I worked on a couple more frame bags to protect my framed photographs during transport.  It ensures no dings to frames, no scratches and protects the glass when they are placed facing to the fleece divider.

I needed larger bags with my recent purchase of 15.25 inch frames.

The use of fleece as the divider in center worked really well. 

The fabric is cotton polyester so it will wear well for a long time. Super happy with these.  These are the ones I made last year.

Mosaic Monday - 2019 Goals

I like to set goals for the year and in 2019 there are few on the list.  Some of the these are just continued affirmations of what is best for me.

1. Creative Photography
I've done lots of nature photography in the last couple of years.  This winter weather has made me focus on indoor photography.

This is a photo of my camera taken in an old mirror I found at the ReUse Ctr.  Love the bokeh I was able get on the right.

2. Photo Challenges
I will continue with my Flickr challenges despite the limit of 1000 photos for free accounts.

3. Homemade Food

This is a bowl of soup I made the other day.  Carrot Ginger Curry soup.  I had bought coconut milk a while back so I went searching for a recipe in which to use it.   I made chutney with ginger and curry this fall so I knew I liked those flavors.  I knew I had all the ingredients as they are staples in my house.

I did not blend the soup as it was suggested in the recipe.  Chunky is good with me.  I cut the veggies on a mandolin.

It was pretty spicy hot from the ginger and pepper but I have eaten all three bowls.

It is colorful, flavorful and delicious.  I will definitely make that again.



4. Continue to Read

A read a quote this other day.  “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R.R. Martin

I have been to London, England and Paris, France and New York NY in books.  I have visited different times during my reading.  Learned about different cultures during my arm chair travels.

Here's a few of the books on my reading shelf.




5. Walking Everyday

Walking every day to get the heart rate up and investing in my health.  I can use the treadmill during the winter and really enjoy the outside as soon as the weather gets warm.

Drinking lots of water as well is a priority.

Sharing with Mosaic Monday #13 hosted by Angie at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf.

Recently - National Hot Tea Month

January is National Hot Tea month in Canada.  I am just making it under the wire.

I chose Chai Green Tea in a small 3 cup teapot paired with a pottery warm toned square mug.  Placed on a bamboo placemat.

I warmed up some baking I bought for Christmas and it is time it is consumed.  They are savory tarts.

It was served with Peach Ginger Chutney.  It is so good.

Stay warm with a cup of tea if you are affected by the Polar Vortex hitting the eastern seabord of North America.

I read this most of Saturday.  I enjoyed it very much as it was quite similar to the Kate Morton books I have read.

The story spans the 1920s and the mid 1950s.   It takes place in New York, London and Paris - how bad can that be.

Newlywed Grace Monroe doesn’t fit anyone’s expectations of a successful 1950s London socialite, least of all her own. When she receives an unexpected inheritance from a complete stranger, Madame Eva d’Orsey, Grace is drawn to uncover the identity of her mysterious benefactor.

Weaving through the decades, from 1920s New York to Monte Carlo, Paris, and London, the story Grace uncovers is that of an extraordinary women who inspired one of Paris’s greatest perfumers. Immortalized in three evocative perfumes, Eva d’Orsey’s history will transform Grace’s life forever, forcing her to choose between the woman she is expected to be and the person she really is.

The Perfume Collector explores the complex and obsessive love between muse and artist, and the tremendous power of memory and scent.

I found this book at the thrift store yesterday.  I normally would not peruse the children book section but I have been watching this show on TV since the fall.  Good programming is very difficult to find on TV these days.  

I like to have physical reminders of the good things in my life and the 20 minutes I spend each day provides me with positive and inspirational programming.  Sam has the cutest laugh.  The watercolor art in the show is very good for my soul.  

So I thought there may be one of the books in the section and there was!  Not one of the stories I have seen on TV yet but I will read the book and await the segment on TV.

I did read the book through because I am not a quitter.  

I did have to pause and question whether a murder investigation story was what I wanted to put into my head before I fell asleep at night.

I did not suffer bad dreams as a result but I will be more discerning about the content of the books in the future.

The story has a good ending but not before betrayal, guns, and murder.  It was a quick read.

It was in the bag from our Welcome to my Kitchen Fellowship group so back into the bag for someone else to read.   If they ask I will give them my thoughts on the book.






 

Photo Blogging Challenge - Jan - Books

01 - Photography

I have always taken pictures.  I have gotten more into photography in the last couple of years.  Of course the internet is wonderful but I love books.  

I have picked up a few books on photography and purchased one book from a local photographer Daryl Benson.

I have a Flickr account where I join challenges to improve my range of photos.


 02 - Fiction

I discovered author Kate Morton in 2018.  She is an Australian writer who writes in my opinion epic stories.  The ones I have read span 50 - 100 years.  They are addictive and I do confess that each of these books was read in long reading sessions.  There is a lot to keep track of so short sessions may make it difficult to get back into the details of the story.  If I had to read them in shorter sessions I would document the characters and some of the salient details as I read to allow me to get back in the story faster.

I generally do not purchase books.  I lead a fellowship group and we have a monthly book swap so I have been able to access books without buying them.   These were too compelling for me not to own the books.  I bought the first two from thrift stores but I confess buying the last one retail.  
I was introduced through a fellow blogger who had written a review of the Forgotten Garden. The Lake House and The Clockmaker's Daughter followed.

03 - Scrapbooking

 
I did quite a bit of traditional scrapbooking about 10 years ago.  I had a couple of friends who were doing it.  We would get together had have full day sessions.  I enjoyed organizing and documenting my life on those pages.    


As a paper crafter I had all the stuff to move into the craft and as an avid photo taker I had lots of pictures to document my experiences.

I really want to get back into it now that I have more time. 

Many of my friends have turned to digital scrapbooking or just producing photo books.  There is a certain temptation do go down that road with all the paper I have it would make sense to turn it into something useful.

The industry has changed so much in the last few years. 


04 - Paper Crafting

I have been an avid card maker for decades.  I facilitated a card making group for the last 15 years but the craft is in great decline.  My group has been disbanded due to lack of interest.

I collected many magazines and books on paper crafting before the internet became what is is today.

I am reticent to get rid of them and so they sit on the shelf for now.

I am concentrating on making photo cards now that it is my focus.




05 - Software Development

These books are remnants from a previous life as a software developer.

They are large and heavy books on average. 

Now they serve as weights for paper crafting projects and do the job very well.





I am sharing in the Photo Blogging Challenge hosted by PJ at L'il HooHaa

Christmas Card Challenge - Jan - Silhouette

I chose a stand-by image for me which is the Holy Family Silhouette.  It is a digi stamp that I can color as I like.   I added the greeting below the image and printed it in a warm blue green.

I printed it on quarter sheets of pale green card stock.  I ripped the edges on all four sides. 

I paired it with a granite blue green card stock for the base.

I used a push pin to create a hole for the silver star brad I placed on the printed star.  The layer was then adhered to the card base.

I made these during a nice visit with a card making friend.  We met last week and we spent 1.5 hours catching up on our Christmases etc. and kept our hands busy.  We met at a Seniors Center which worked really well.

We will do it monthly.

Recently

I have tried a couple versions of this drink.  

I read about tea infused hot chocolate here.  I decided to try it as it is 2 of my favorite drinks.

LuAnn suggested making the hot chocolate mixture from scratch but I just used what i had on hand.

This sample is Jasmine Green Tea with the off the shelf hot chocolate mix.   It does a different flavor dimension to the hot chocolate.  For me, it is adding caffeine to caffeine so it may not be an evening drink.  

I have tried it with Earl Grey Tea which was very good.

My textile project is complete but I will not reveal it in full until it is submitted to the show in April. 

It was a lot of work and an interesting exercise in using different skills.  Lot of needle work and my right hand was very sore at the end.

Check back here April 13th to see the finished piece.

I picked up this book in early December but only recently finished reading it. 

It is written by my aunt.  She worked on the research, the writing and publishing over an 8 year period.  My aunt inherited my grandmother's journals when she passed away. 

This provides good historical information regarding the ancestry of my grand parents.  It documents the birth of the fourteen siblings in my aunt's family, some of the moves which took place in my grandmother's life and some excerpts from the journals. 

I provided some insight into the family life of my mother and her siblings.  I will have a few questions for my Mom when I see her next.  I am sure she has read her copy by now as well.

My niece has organized a bit of a luncheon before we meet at the book launch in early February.  I am looking forward to see family and speaking to many of those personalities in the book.

2019 Cardmaking - CH - Class 1

I taught my card making session at CH tonight.  I had some enthusiastic ladies participate.

This card features music paper cut to leave a small border on an ivory card. 

The flower was cut with the Sizzix Flower, Leaves & Stem #4 from black card stock.  The stem was cut to fit the length of the card. 

I poked a hole in the center of the flower with a push pin. I placed the gold sequin and Prima paper flower onto the tiny black brad and inserted into the hole I made.  I pressed the prongs apart on the inside of the card.

With no greeting it makes a great card for any occasion for a music lover.


This card makes a great one for the guys in your life.

I chose a grey card and cut the designer paper to leave a small margin and adhered it to the card front.

I wrapped the black ribbon around the card front and tied in a square knot on the front left. 

The black label was cut with the Stampin Up Deco Label framelit. I printed the pelican and punched with 2" circle punch.  It was adhered over the ribbon with 3D foam tape.

I started with a deep teal card.  I cut the polka dot designer paper to leave a small border and adhered it to the card front.

I cut the flower from copper card stock with the Sizzix Daisy #4 die.  It was adhered to the card front.

With a push pin I made a hole through the card front for the brad which holds the two handmade paper flowers (teal and terracotta) in the center of the flower.

The greeting was printed in a warm blue then punched with the Stampin Up Artisan Label Punch. 

It was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Welcome to my Kitchen

It was Welcome to my Kitchen today and a lady who now lives in a lodge was our host.  When a couple from the group visited her in the fall she asked if she could be host.  We decided to give it a try.

It was cold this morning but our plans to car pool went well. The facility has little parking but the street parking was adequate.

We had 25 ladies in attendance.  Our group is growing and meeting a need.

The food was great as usual but we increased the contributors to accommodate the amount needed for the size of the group.

Our devotion presented the principle of targeting. When in a motor vehicle we can manage obstacles by focusing where we want to be not the object in the way. 

Psalm 121 was read. We can use the same principle in our spiritual lives by focusing on the help and not our problems.  We had 6 ladies from the lodge attend some of which had connections with ladies in the regular group.  It was very good.

I have prepared a survey and I will compile the results to see where we are going with the group.

At one point this afternoon we had large fluffy snowflakes coming down on a very cold day.

I took a photo of a couple on the windshield of my car.

My macro lens did a decent job of capturing the structure. I was happy with these results.

Recently

My work is progressing on my art work for the gallery show.  I now have a plan.

I cut felt with Sizzix Flower Layers #10 in three colors - purple, turquoise and light blue.  I took them to the ladies group last night and sat with needle and thread. I put stitching on the large ones and chose to put glass e-beads in the center as you can see on the inset. 

I am working on coloring my background and have determined with colors are permanent.

I have installed a command hook in the kitchen for my apron.  It is very near the electrical panel and I was concerned about putting nails in the wall.  This option makes it safe and changeable.

It is now ready for my sunflower apron so I need to put that project on the to do list.

I was inspired by the creative process I have used for the art show.  It lead to my painting this water color of a lady holding a red umbrella during a summer rain. 

I tried salt to create the rain drops but did not work so well so when I got home I added spattered blue spots with a paintbrush snapped against a stick.  I did it from quite high up and I am happy with the results.


I am happy several projects are moving forward so every day has new things to do and try.