Friday, May 21, 2010

Sweet Dreams and a Sweetie Pie…

Good afternoon, everyone!
Another weekend here already…time’s zooming past…summer will be here before we know it!
Just a couple of things to share with you today…This week in Splitcoast’s Crafty Secrets’ Forum, Pammyjo has challenged us to use zig zags or rick rack on our cards…easy peasy for this vintage girl!
Here’s my first:
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Such an adorable vintage fantasy image…everything that’s going on around this little girl while she’s napping…
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This image is from Crafty Secrets’ “Childhood” Images & Journal Notes booklet…I just typed up the “sweet dreams” sentiment on the computer using one of my favorite fonts—“Monterey BT”—love it!
Lots of Dazzling Diamonds on the dream creatures, silver Stickles around the image, card and on the buttons, lace, yummy silky ribbon, and rick-rack trim.
Since the rick-rack trim didn’t really stand out on this card, I made another…
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Another sweet little image from Crafty Secrets’ “Domestic Goddess” Creative Scraps…
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LOTS of rick-rack on this one—wanted to make sure the Splitcoast ladies could see it!  A paper doily, vintage buttons, PTI black grosgrain (love it!), a touch of Dazzling Diamonds, and silver Stickles….that’s about it!
Well, that’s all for me today…it’s going to be a busy weekend for us…lots going on…but that’s what weekends are all about, isn’t it?
Have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you very soon with something new…
Julie

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Just a Couple of Kids…

Good afternoon, everyone!

Hope it’s been a good day so far…it’s beautiful here today!  The sun is shining, a sweet, fresh breeze blowing…they say we may get some rain later, and I’m alright with that!

I’ve got a couple of things to share with you today…I’ve been playing with Crafty Secrets’ “Altered Fairy” Creative Scraps again—so much fun!  Here’s the first one:

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Such a cute little guy!  He just seemed to want to sit on the bird today….”Fly Away with Me”, he says…

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LOTS of Dazzling Diamonds, lace, ribbon, buttons, and silver Stickles…and my new addiction…machine stitching.  What took me so long to try this?!

And then this little cutie…

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She comes from Crafty Secrets’ “Childhood” Images & Journal Notes booklet…another favorite of mine. 

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Again, lots of Dazzling Diamonds---fairies need their wings to sparkle!

These little ones reminded me of a couple of old family photos I have (of course they did!)…it’s really pretty funny how very similar they are…you’ll see!

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My grandfather, Dow…born in Canada in 1912…his grandfather had been commissioned to go there at the turn of the century to help build the canals in Alberta, and the family stayed.

He told of cold winters spent playing with his buddies in the curling rink, summers at his grandfathers farm, trying to outrun the turkey “gobbler” who was “the devil”, and doing all the normal things a boy would do.

And his wife:

Velda Ellen Stapley, toddler

My grandmother, Velda…born in Arizona in 1915…she would be about 2 years old in this photo. 

I love the story she told about when she was four years old.  She was fascinated with the piano teacher who lived down the street.  She’d been told she was too young to take lessons, but she just kept “showing up” every day at lesson time, and the teacher eventually took her on because she was wanted it so badly—Velda was overjoyed!

See why they reminded me of my cards?!  Little reminders all around of those that have gone before us….I’m so grateful for those little reminders.

I hope you have a wonderful day, and I’ll see you soon with something new…

Monday, May 17, 2010

My Great-Grandmother’s Singer…a Card…and Standing Together…

Good afternoon, ladies! 

Just got back from my last day of springtime work at Toro Park, where we take school classes on fieldtrips…a hike through the woods, while teaching them about the local plants, animals, and the Indians that used to live here…I’ll miss it (until next year)!

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A couple of weeks ago, my friend Vicki Chrisman issued a challenge for anyone to join her in making a card/project that stretched them…something “out of the box” that we don’t normally do. 

I chose using a sewing machine, as I’m just barely starting to do that with my cards…actually practiced on a couple before I did this one…

 

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The image is from Crafty Secrets’ new “Sew Nice” Creative Scraps.  I’m having so much fun with these!  See the stitching, Vicki?  I’m so glad I’ve tried this---love the look and texture it adds to cards!

I added some lace, beautiful Martha Stewart seam binding, vintage buttons, roses, Dazzling Diamonds, and silver Stickles for all the glitz!

 

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This image really reminded me of my Great-Grandmother, Estella, who I’ve told you about before…

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…and her beautiful old Singer sewing machine…

 

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Just look at this beauty!  It’s electric, but I don’t know what year it is…if anyone does, please let me know!

 

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Here’s the cabinet table it rests in…love the details!  Next to it, there, is  a VERY old chair that belonged to another great-grandmother…

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Look at the beautiful design on this face plate—I LOVE it!

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Very long and lovingly used, as you can see…

Off the subject…but not really……..

A good blogging friend of mine, Erin from Home is Where My Heart Is, voiced a concern recently about the general lack of modesty in the world today…I couldn’t agree with her more.

A few days ago, she decided to address this issue each Monday, and encouraged all of us who agree with her to do the same…I’m with you, Erin!

 

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To me, modesty is more than just about what you wear, although that’s a very important part of it…This is how I was raised…a way of life passed down through a long line of mothers…and it’s how we’ve raised our three daughters…and I’m very sure that’s how they’ll raise their children…

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We’ll be talking about different issues as we go along.  Check out Erin’s blog for links to other blogs and their feelings on the subject.  We’d love to have you join us…will you?

I hope you have a wonderful night! 

See you soon with something new…