Sometime I just can't help myself

I couldn't resist signing up for a second Altered Abbey skinny book swap.

Right from the beginning, I wanted to do two of the books. I ultimately decided just to commit to one.

I recently discovered that Chrysti has had several last minute drop outs and needed some help. The extended due date is November 30. I thought to myself, "I can do it!". I emailed her before I could change my mind. (some would interpret that as 'before my brain could engage'.) She said yes (does that mean she liked my work?! lol) and now I have 26 more pages to do.

I think she still needs some fill ins - so if you are interested click here.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed working in the last one (not the last minute part though). I have a brand new tree image to from Chapel Road to use. Yay!

I have a new stamp company to worship...

I win the 'Bad Mommy of the Month' contest. Why? It was my son's birthday yesterday and I still went to the Creativ Festival. I told him it was a special day with Daddy and Uncle and zooooom out the door. lol. I had a great time. Aren't I terrible?

Check out Chapel Road ... why have I not heard of this company before??? I spent a lot of time in Carol's booth at the show. I think I greatly amused her.

She said, "Aren't you lucky that I only bought half my inventory to the show?" after she glanced into my shopping basket.

"Aren't you sorry that you only brought half your inventory to the show?" was my instantaneous reply.

Birthday wishes!!!!

Happy birthday sweet darling son! You are such a big boy now!

Happy birthday to Martha and James too.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you

happy birthday dear rowanmarthajames happy birthday to you!!!

xoxox
p.s. check out his cake. lol.

I have been obsessing about the new PostSecret book

I haven't bought it yet.

I keep going to bookstores and picking up random copies to see if someone has slipped in their secret.

I really want one of those books with a secret...

I'm a little strange aren't I?

p.s.

Check out Waiter's latest post. This is why I love him.

Art club night

I did better.

We used microscope slides, alcohol inks, the Encore metallic ink pad, rubber stamps and Utee for Carmi's demo. It was fun and some of the ladies made some astounding slides.

I only ended up with one completed slide. I dipped it in gold UTEE because I wanted to try dipping. Its trickier than it looks. I plan to redo it with platinium. I'm just not a gold girl.



For the past month my 3x3 metal etching has been going everywhere with me. It even went out west with me, I tossed it in my luggage, crossed my fingers and hoped it would arrive with me.

I would take it out on the subway and stare at it thinking, "What the heck am I going to do with this?"

I finally decided to do something I though I never ever do. I put it in an altered book.
I had a grand delusion that I would actually finish the whole book before the meeting too.

Hahahahahahahaha!!!
yeah, no.

It's still very much a WIP. I plan to add UTEE to the front cover, which meant that I couldn't do the inside cover. (I want to use both sides of the metal piece) I plan to use a transparency and I'm pretty sure it won't stand up to the heat.

The assignments were unveiled at the end. I got to go first (bless you Carmi!).

Many of the assignments were a al deMeng. Which was very cool. The thing I regret most about not attending his class is learning how he mixes paint.

I had my camera but no memory card. I hope Carmi doesn't mind that I 'borrowed' her photo.

It's gonna get me

It compels me to do strange and unusual things.

I wouldn't normally do these things....

• run into traffic
• stop at the bottom of a crowded escalator with many people behind me
• rush back off the streetcar into traffic

I keep dropping my blackberry at the most inopportune times. I think its out to get me....

Sunday, sunday, sunday

I woke to a reminder on my bb not to be late for class. *sigh*

I am disappointed that I couldn't go, however, a tiny part (maybe 15 %?) of me was relieved. I really enjoyed reading his book, I knew I would be stepping out of my comfort zone and yet I was still having anxiety about not being 'good enough' to attend. Am I not the wimpiest Leo you know? lol.

I was feeling bad about not taking my son outside to play earlier today. Then I turned on the news and discovered there was a gun battle two streets away from us. ***shiver*** What is happening to this city??? We did eventually go out - away from there!

I have three online classes beginning this week. Of course the new Jessica Sprague course starts tomorrow! Yeah!

I'm working on an altered book. Yeah, you read right. I may have removed to many pages and I am waffling on cutting the cover. Oh, that reminds me - I need to buy an new blade for the exacto knife. I'll keep you posted.

What is the deal with Facebook? It seems like a whole lotta effort. This is addictive? Hmmmm.

I need to create a new avatar too. My last one was sooo cheesy.

Hope you had a wonderful Sunday too.

Mission Accomplished!!!

Yay! I'm registered.

now i'm gonna ... zzzzz

Waiting, waiting, waiting dum dee dum do

I am dog tired.

I am so excited to signup for the next Jessica Sprague class that I'm waiting up until midnight to register. (ooops - did that just let you know I don't have a life?)

On the upside, its giving me time to listen to cheesey pop songs (love it) and mull over options for my black etching. I keep cleaning and it keeps turning black again.

Stamp of the Month Demo

It was a real treat to attend one of Carmi's 'Stamp of the Month' demos this afternoon. I don't think I've actually made it to one before ...

Her samples convinced me to buy the stamp set. (Which I think is exactly the point)

She does not disappoint, I always find her so inspiring and I always learn something new. Definitely worth the price of admission. *wink*

I tried to behave, but, I did buy a book I have coveted for a long time. It was in the sale bin (thanks E). I wasn't strong enough. lol. I also bought mumble, mumble glitter mumble (hello my name is Cori - ooh look shiny - er um I adore sparkly) and a few older copies of Somerset Studio too.

My contribution to the card exchange

Here it is ... enjoy

p.s. I love this stamp. It was made by PSX.

Anything Goes at ATC Night

The 'star' of the evening was Martha our very own cover girl. Barb and Tony suprised her with a yummy chocolate cake to celebrate.

Wooohooo for Martha! (click on the photo to enlarge)

Surprisingly, I loved not having a theme. It was definitely low stress for me.


I made all new as I don't have any spares to trade. I even arrived without my ATC's completed (horror!) which IMO is a no, no.
Yes, I'm aware of the irony. Hypocrite is my name. They were completed in time to trade - yay for me. I had to demand all my cards back to get a quick photo. lol.

Aren't the cards I got tonight wonderful?

Participants for this month were:

Traders: Martha, Cori, Ludgera, Susan V., Susan, Mary, Daniza and Hope

Absent Traders: Kris

Marissa, Beverly, Colette, Jacqui, Florence, Susan W., and June we missed you!

Skinny book for Altered Abbey

I finally finished this week. Thank goodness. I really enjoyed working on this book (Book #1). I'd like to do another one.

Here is a peek... (click on the photo to enlarge)

This is the back pages.

This is the front pages.

I hope everyone enjoys/likes my page contribution. I can't wait to see the finished book.

OK. I'm gonna let you laugh with me (or at me)

I'm not a painter. I don't understand colour theory - its on my list of things to learn.

I have been using watercolours recently and having a terrible time blending them. I finally figured out why. I have been trying to blend them on the paper instead of the palette.

I did have to laugh at myself when I finally clued in.

p.s. The new Frank Warren book "A Lifetime of Secrets" is available now. I plan to purchase it online as I refuse to pay the Canadian price. I'd rather wait a few extra days a purchase it from the States.

For Eddie

Wherever you are tonight, I sincerely hope you are feeling much better and are safe with your family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy thanksgiving to everyone.

I hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving today.

Arrived Safe! (again)

It does feel good to be home.

It feels especially good to be at home in my own bed.

What a flight home. My son was an angel (who did not sleep).

My issue was with the 'men' (and I use the term loosely) that surrounded us. They wanted to order drinks within minutes of being seated. I settled in for a long trip when I overheard their demands for alcohol. "We want quantity over quality". They intended to get as drunk as quickly as possible. Oh no.

They were loud, boastful and foul-mouthed. Obnoxious.

As they got louder and the F-bomb became every second word. I finally leaned over and asked if they could please not swear in front of my young son. Thankfully they complied with my request for the most part. The flight attendant handled them pretty well for the most part. It could have easily been much worse.

I'll post more soon. But now I'm heading to bed.

Heading home

I'm happy and sad to be heading home. I'll miss my Mom and Dad.

My mission today? Making the little guy as tired as possible. He's walking, heading to the park and maybe even missing his nap. I'm taking a chance that could result in a rough flight home.

p.s. I've gone overweight on the suitcase again! How?

Turkey day

We headed over to my aunt and uncle's house last night.

Turkey and all the trimmings. Yummy. My aunt is a wonderful cook and they are both excellent hosts. It's always fun to visit.

Sadly, there was no Uno game.

Will post photos when I get back.

Shopping and class day!

My aunt came to pick up us up this morning and after a few errands we headed to a fabric wholesaler. Which was kinda cool. I bought some fun, sparkly fabric.

Then a quick shopping trip and a bite to eat at T&T Market in WestEd Mall. It was a fun place to visit. I will need to get to the Cherry beach location when I get home. It is worth a second look.

I had read that a local store was going out of business after 40 years of business. Sounded like it might be interesting. It was a scavenger hunt! I think some of the stuff they had might have been from the day they opened. lol.

We headed home for a quick rest before heading to Bosch for the Hearty Soups and Chowders class. It was fun, informative and the soups/chowder (4) that they made were delicious. I have photos and will post when I get back. (they thought I was crazy!)

daddy flew east

Rowan seems to be dealing with his dad's departure. He is a little sad and definitely misses him.

It made me sad to hear his little voice say, "Daddy, daddy. Don't leave me."

Getting very nervous

Silly me forgot most of my skinny book stuff.

I'm going to very busy when I get back. I headed to Michaels to get some watercolour paints.

I really wanted to stamp first though. I have the main stamp but no ink or embossing powder. On the upside the lack of materials have sent me in an entirely different direction.

I don't recommend dismantling your work space if a big project is due soon.