Projects

  This is my "Let It Snow" mini inspired by Laura from the Paper Trail.  It is a hinge mini album with snowflakes as the "hinge" to hold the pages together inside.  I should've taken pictures of the inside, but I didn't.

 
  This mini is called "Pocket Full of Memories".  Also inspired by Laura.  I'm not finished with the front but here is a picture of the inside pages.  Each page holds one 4x6 photo mat and two 3.5 x 5 photo mats and two 2 3/4 x 4 journaling tags.  The papers I used were from the Aspen paper pack by CTMH.
Piece,
Carolyn

I am finished!

  Ok, I scrap lifted from Tim Holtz.  The man is incredible!  He is so talented.  The tag on the left is for Caitlin.  She likes it when I make her a book mark.  She has already put in a request for Valentines day for goodness sake!  The one on the right is mine...don't ask what I'll do with it because I've not a clue.

   PRAISE HIM!  I AM FINISHED WITH IT!  And everyone ( U. Ed ), says "AMEN"!  I've been at this quilt FOREVER.  Well, it seems like forever.  I got stuck on the border and didn't like the pattern I chose to finish it and didn't want to pick it up again.  AND, I'll never ever tell someone I'm making them a quilt.  I'll let them be surprised if I ever do this again.  I don't like the pressure it puts on me.  I just need to remember that motto.
  Well, anywho, all we have to do is mail it out.  It is boxed and ready to ship.
Piece,
Carolyn

Seaside OR

                          This is me at the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail in Seaside OR.

   The tide is in.  A Mary and I decided to take a walk on the beach thinking the tide was going out.  Wrong.  I bet we never ran so hard in our lives when a sneaker wave almost got us.  We were busy looking for shells and weren't paying attention to the water!  We had a good long laugh afterward though......."Run! A Mary Run!"

 This is the house we rented and stayed at.  There were 12 of us ladies, most of us were related and there were 5 that were friends of my cousins who were invited to join in on the fun.  The house I believe had 4-5 bedrooms and the living room had 2 sleeper sofas.  There was also a game room and a hot tub which we all enjoyed very much.  The house was two blocks from the beach.

                  The tide is out.  This is what we saw on our arrival on Friday afternoon.


  I had a wonderful time with my family.  I'm missing my A Mary.  What a wonderful, special and loving woman.  I am so glad she is in my life.                                                                                 I am also so glad for my husband who made the trip possible for me.  He knows I miss our life back in OR and WA and made a way for me to be with family who loves and cares for our little clan out here in WV.
Piece,
Carolyn

Mt Hood Trip Oct 2010

  Llamas.  That's what I'm calling them.  A Jean called them something else but I can't remember what.
  I stopped to get pic's of these guys because I thought they were so darn cute!

   In the midst of the trees is Mt. Hood.  And here is A Mary, Nikki and A Jean.  We had a wonderful time at the Orchards that day.  We stopped to have a snack.
  So, tell me, I've got 5 followers, should I give up on my blog?  I don't think anyone is really reading.  I would appreciate some feedback.
Piece,
Carolyn

Back from OR

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  A Mary and I just started our quilting project.  She has wanted a double wedding ring quilt for a long time and I was able to help her get started on a paper piecing method.

 

  Here we have been piecing for days!  A Mary has her new sewing machine up and running and I am borrowing Jenifers.  If you look at the lower right hand corner, you'll see two of the arcs sewn together.  We got enough done so that she can finish it herself.  I think she's done really well considering she is new at this.  Plus, the quilt she chose is not an easy one.  I can't wait to see the finished product.  There is a lot of pinning so it is time consuming to put it together.

   A Mary with Elder Cazier.  She is teaching him how to put an arc together.  I think he did two all by himself.  Elder McPhee is on the phone.
  I am going to miss being with A Mary and U Gary.  I had a very nice visit and will miss them tremendously.  
  A Mary and I are going to do a block of the month quilt together also.  I'll have to post a picture of the fabric we chose later.  We got the fabric from The Center Diamond in Cannon Beach OR.
  I have more to post so stay tuned!
Piece,
Carolyn
  Book I'm currently reading

Need an update!

  Wow, I really need to update my blog.  Been out of town for a little over two weeks and I need to get another blog up.  Time has just flown by these last couple of months!
  Hopefully will have a blog posted later today.

Pumpkin Festival Booth

  Thanks to Pam Thor, we had a booth at the Milton Pumpkin Festival.  I won't lie to you, they were long days, but we got a lot of contacts from people visiting the booth.  Some visitors were from as far away as Texas!
  Pam is doing a presentation for our January meeting on how successful our adventure was by seeing how many contacts we each received to how many become our customers and how many workshops, classes etc. that we do because of this joint adventure.

                                                                  Here is our booth

  Pam (on right), demonstrating a page layout to Whitley, who is now interested in becoming a Close To My Heart Consultant!
  Since the Festival, I've already doubled in hits to my website!  Now I am planning a Christmas Card Workshop!
Piece,
Carolyn
  This is the Kindle I have.

Cats and Kindle's don't mix!

  Well, I had to order a new Kindle from Amazon.  It seems that my daughters cat jumped onto my Kindle and broke the screen.  What a bummer.  But, Amazon, truly the best, gave me an awesome deal.  If I return my damaged Kindle, they'll debit my account with $75 towards a new Kindle!  So, I got my new Kindle for only $70.98 that is with shipping and everything!  How wonderful is that company?  They even foot the cost of the return and shipped out my new Kindle before I even shipped them my old one.  What company will do that for you?
  So, I am expecting it tomorrow! And I cannot wait for it to come so I can finish "Spider Bones" by Kathy Reichts.
  One of the good things I love about my Kindle is that you can "try" a book before you buy.  You can download a sample and read a few chapters before they ask if you'd like to buy the book!  Love that feature!
Piece,
Carolyn

Long time no blog

  I know...long time no blog!  But just to show you I'm still here, this is the most recent Christmas Card I've made.  Thank you to Gina K for the inspiration.  If you look close, you'll see my boo boo with the Spellbinders Impressibilities die.  I'm going to make another one using Cranberry embossing powder.  I think using the powder will make it pop.  Plus, putting the paper and die together correctly will be a vast improvement.

  On a sad note, Jamie's ( my husband ) grandmother passed away yesterday afternoon.  This photo is from 2002 and is a picture of Grandma and Grandpa ( passed ) and Jennifer's daughter Abbey ( Jen is Jamie's cousin).  He will be leaving in the morning and flying out to WA for the funeral.  She will be greatly missed.  She made those that married into the family feel loved and cherished and she'll not be forgotten. Till we meet again......
Piece,
Carolyn

ATG Gun

  Was not expecting this so soon......but look what came by Fed Ex today!!!!  Jamie my DH bought it for me Sunday night.  I've been wanting one and didn't know they came in pink for the Susan G Komen for breast cancer awareness!  Love it!  It came with 2 rolls of 36yds acid free/photo safe tape all for $24.95 not including shipping and handling.
  It was such a good deal and I couldn't pass it up.  It was thru Framing Supplies.com if you choose to browse.  Be sure to scroll down the page to see this gun!
Happy Scrapping,
Carolyn

Christmas Cards

  Here is one of three Christmas cards I've been working on...you can't see them well but some of the accents are Opaques for the snow.  The card is 4.75 X 3 and is so cute.  I've always loved Snowmen so had to make a card.
  Hoping one or more will be a class so I'll be showing these at the Pumpkin Festival thanks to Pam Thor who arranged everything.

  This next card reminds me of Christmas past.  Kind of nostalgic.  I colored him with our watercolor pencils and a blending pen.  I am working on a two page layout to go with this guy and am using page 108 in our new Autumn/Winter Idea Book as my inspiration: the one with Nona Davenport's Children.  I am lacking a few things to finish it though....the October "Share the Magic" SOM and the Color Ready Alphabets Bold...I have the Color Ready Oxford Caps.  Figures. Lol.

  This last guy I made using Emboss Resist and thought he'd turn out a little better.  I used the music note paper from our paper pack "Mistletoe", but the Santa is not "Chunky" enough and instead of Cocoa ink, I should've used Chocolate ink.  I used "Nestabilities" for the Ovals.
  Well, I guess that's all for now,
Piece,
Carolyn

Journal update

  Didn't really want to, but I added "Journal" to the text area.  I thought maybe she'd ( the recipient ) may want to use it for her home business but it looked stupid without a title and my husband said it looked bland so I added a flourish and flower.  He's usually right, but don't tell him I said so.

   Made these cute Mini Post It Note Holders thanks to Bobie .  I just watched her again on Tresa Black's ustream channel last night.  Her special hour on Saturday August 28th for the Creative University Show had technical difficulties.  I think Bobie calls them "Sticky Note Holders" though.  Her tutorial is awesome and I am looking forward to making more for stocking stuffer s among other things.  The one on the left goes with the Journal for Karen.
  I guess that is all for now.
Piece,
Carolyn

Christmas Cards and a Gift

  I started making my Christmas Cards early!  This is just one of three that I started and is Jamie's favorite.  He says that this one looks more "Christmasy".  It is the emboss resist technique and I just loved making it.  I think the next one for emboss resist that I make will have a different scene on it.  The colors I used on this card are:  Cranberry, Cocoa, New England Ivy and Garden Green by CTMH.

     This journal I made today for a friend of mine.  I thought it would be a nice thing to do for her.  She babysits all day long and I've been thinking of her a lot these past few days and thought I'd make her something that she could use.  I've not given it a title per se so she could use it for what her needs are like keeping times for the kids or whatever.  I made it out of a composition book and the CTMH "Veranda" papers and I made her a matching pen to go with it.
  I finally broke down and bought myself a Cuttlebug.  I had a Sizzix Big Kick until I gave it and the stuff that I bought to a girl at work after I bought myself a Cricut.  I didn't think I'd be needing the Big Kick and thought I'd be a blessing.  Well, some of the cards that I've been itching to do are done with some embellishing from Spellbinders.  So, off to Michael's, AC Moore and Hobby Lobby I went.  With coupons of course!  Can't beat 40% off!
  Piece,
 Carolyn

Card Using Book Paper as B&T

  Today, I made a card using the pages from a book for my background paper.  Everything I used was CTMH except for the book page.  I was recently inspired by Gina K but I've seen this technique used several places and cannot honestly remember them all.
  I've been in the mood to create since staying up last night to watch Tresa Black on ustream create a beautiful Batik card using our September SOTM.
  To age/distress page:

1. I cut my page 3 3/4 X 5
2. Distress edge with Chocolate ink.
3. Crumple page into a tight ball then lay out flat.
4. Swipe creases with Desert Sand.
5. With Rubber Brayer, layer on Bamboo ink all over.

For the card:

• 5 1/2 X 4 1/4 Card Base (Tulip CS)
• 3 7/8 X 5 1/8 Chocolate CS
• 3 3/4 X 5 Book page
• 2 1/2 X 4 Tulip CS
• 2 1/4 X 3 3/4 Chocolate CS
• 2 X 3 1/2 Colonial White CS (Flower)

Accessories:
C1247 Simple Blossoms

Chocolate Ink
Bamboo Ink
Desert Sand Ink
Tulip Ink
Sweet Leaf Ink

  I've been feeling pretty bad about my slacking in the quilting dept. of my life.  The picture above is the quilt I'd been working on for my husbands Uncle Eddie.  I've not worked on it in months and the only things left are quilting the border and then adding on the binding.  I think I've burned myself out for a while :(.  I miss my quilting activities but just haven't felt like doing anything.
  So, I tried working on other blocks.  To no avail.  So what is my problem?  My question is this:  do other artists go thru this same process?  I miss my creative streaks with my fabric that is for sure.  I am hoping something starts a fire under me and soon.  But... right now, even if I wanted too, I can't manipulate the fabric of this quilt due to my broken clavicle.  I think the other obstacle is the design of the quilting for the border....I am not happy with what I chose but it seemed to be the best choice at the time.  I got one whole side quilted so UN-stitching it would require a lot of time.  Maybe that is my problem.....I don't want to fall to the old "stipple" routine.  I wanted something besides a "Stipple" or an "all over pattern".  I wanted a WOW statement to the border and just haven't found it.  Maybe I SHOULD un-quilt the border and just stipple it or wait till a more beautiful border inspiration hits.
  The thing is.....I should have already had this quilt done a while ago and U. Eddie should already have this hanging on his wall or enjoying it's comforts and keeping him toasty on cool evenings.
  Until next time:
Piece,
Carolyn

Remembering Dad

  This layout I started last week after viewing Art and Soul.  My Dad passed on Labor Day in September 2006 and what a wonderful way to remember him by using this layout.
  Each one of my kids, Danielle, Caitlin and Gabriel got a picture with him.  These were taken in the summer of 06 so these were the last pictures taken of Dad.
  As I worked on this layout up until I put the last finishing touches that I put on today, I was "Remembering Dad".  It's been almost 4 yrs and I still miss him like it was yesterday.

Still needs something.....

  I've been working on this layout and it still needs something......I guess I'll figure it out.  I added the quilting design around my photo and added a photo mat to it.
  I need to figure out how to print on cs too.  I've tried before and it didn't want to work in the printer so I guess I need to give it a try again since I am not too fond of my writing.
  These are older pics of my kids taken at Ritter Park in Huntington..... I'm guessing 2002.  I used the Felicity Stamp Set for the flowers and flourishes.
Piece,
Carolyn
 

Triple Play and Card Box

  

  Finished the Triple Play workshop.  Had fun while doing this fun little project.  The blue one is completely finished with pictures and I just need to do the journaling and send it off to WA state to my wonderful hubby's Grandma.  I think she'd enjoy it and I had one of them in mind for her since her memory is leaving her.

 

  The next project I worked on was from a Tresa Black Blog, www.fabulouslyartsy.com on making a card box.  I thought this little project was cute and you could gift it out with completed cards or stationary.  I will make another one and make some changes because I made a boo boo or two on this one.

  The boo boo's if you can see is the corners needed to be rounded with the corner rounder.  Oops!  That is why I need to make a new one.  Maybe I'll use the "Olivia" papers since I enjoy them so much.
  Until next time,
Piece,
Carolyn

 

Something New

  Being a quilter, I couldn't pass up this website www.designsbydreamer.com.  This website has templates for quilting patterns for your papercrafts.  Just looking at the photos of layouts made me drool.   
  I've been working on cards and layouts and this is one layout using "Felicity" and after I put it together, I realized I forgot to distress my edges!  I don't know why, but it seems like I always do this :(.  I used "Grand Finale" in the Imagine book for my layout and even though I didn't distress it, it still turned out OK.
  I've been working on updating my blog and some things are not posting like they should.  Like my CTMH website with the logo.  The Studio J is working so I changed it to incorporate my website until something comes together for me.
  Well, that is all for now.
Piece,
Carolyn

 

Caitlin's Birthday

  Today we are celebrating Caitlin's Birthday.  She loves Moose so I had the bakery dept. make her a special cake.  I took a couple of Moose applique pieces I had and had them airbrush around them.  Isn't the cake cute?  "Get the Mooseage"  Can't wait til she see's it.
  I've been making cards since yesterday.

   This is the card I made for her Birthday.  She saw it last night already.  Inside the card it says "you deserve a special day".
  I enjoy making cards with the Close to my Heart papers and accessories.  I enjoy it even more when there is a crop going on!  I like the time spent with friends and being able to be creative and visit at the same time.
  Well, that is all for now.  Waiting on Caitlin to get home so she can open her gifts and they can eat cake.
Piece,
Carolyn
Waiting for the release of this 3rd book by Suzanne Collins on August 24th.

Not much to post

  Not much to post this time.  No pictures either.  Sorry.  Started a new healthy eating plan with some ladies from CTMH.  So far I am doing good.  Been working out this week too.  Elliptical, treadmill and floor exercises with "Bodies in Motion" guy Gilad.  I woke up this am with my guts killing me from the Core and More exercises yesterday.  I think I'll still do the elliptical today though and listen to Joyce Meyer while doing my task.
  Gabriel my 15 yr old son is also working out.  He wants to build muscle.  I bought him some protein stuff to drink after he works out and he said it tastes awful.  I can only imagine.  But, if you want the muscles, you have to work at it.  I want to be healthy and thin again so I'm doing something about it.
  "Mocking Jay" by Suzanne Collins comes out on the 24th.  I hope it is on my Kindle.  Sometimes it takes awhile for it.  Depends on the book and if the author OK's it.  We'll see I guess.
Piece,
Carolyn
 

Back from TN

  Back from Tennessee!  What a wonderful state.  We stayed in the "INN at CHRISTMAS".  As soon as we walked thru the doors, I smelled gingerbread...yum.  It was very beautiful and I recommend it to everyone who travels to Pigeon Forge TN area.

   My sister Tammy and I took a Helicopter up for the first time!  It was fantastic.  I'd been told that I'd love it and it was true.  We took the foothills tour from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg.  It was worth the money.

   Last but not least, I visited the American Quilters Society quilt show in Knoxville!  Man O' man the fabrics and notions isles were filled with lots of goodies!  I know I couldn't take home EVERYTHING, but oh how I wanted too.  Here is a picture with Alex Anderson.  I've always wanted to meet her and I finally did.  What a nice lady.  She is Co-Host with Ricky Timms on the Quilt Show, www.thequiltshow.com and has started The Quilt Life magazine with Ricky also.  I am a subscriber to both!  I wish them both the best.  It was a great 4 days for me to say the least.
Piece,
Carolyn

Washington DC and CTMH

Just got back from Convention in Washington DC!  Had a wonderful time with all the ladies from Close To My Heart!   I am rested up now and getting ready for my trip to Tennessee!  I will be leaving in the morning and headed for Knoxville!  I am going to the AQS Quilt Show and we'll ( Mom and Sister ) be staying @ the Christmas Hotel in Pigeon Forge and Sightseeing in Gatlinburg!  Don't know what day I'll be returning but I am sure going to be tired from all this traveling.
  This picture is of a friend of mine Diane Judy and we're standing in front of a sand sculpture inside the Gaylord National in D C.
Piece,
Carolyn
This I pad Touch is next on my list of toys!

Convention Notebook

Here is a notebook I made for convention for Washington DC.  I can't wait....I am getting real excited!  I thought about making one and couldn't decide which paper to use.  Duh, I'm going as "You Rock" so why not use the papers?  I used the new Cricut "Fourth of July cartridge for the Capitol.
I've also been working on the ladies gifts and time is getting away from me and I hope I finish them in time.....I guess I need to get back to working on them before I have to get ready for work.

Piece,
Carolyn

Close To My Heart Convention

We are off to Convention on the 6th of July!  I am really excited.  We are to make gifts for the other ladies that we are rooming with.  I was undecided because I really didn't know what to make that would be pleasing.  So, I came up with a super idea that I know no-one else will give.  I am excited about the gifts too.  I can't show a picture yet because it's a surprise!
I am also excited about going because I've never been to Washington DC either.  And, there are also stores for my other passion of quilting!  So it is a win win situation for me.  I think I'll take a few hours and go quilt fabric shopping!  I love visiting other quilt shops and maybe I'll google and see if there is an "Archivers" in the DC area also.
Piece,
Carolyn
  I'll put another link to the Kindle site.  I really love my Kindle and if you are an avid reader you'll get one too!

Feeling Better?

  I am somewhat feeling better today.  Hopefully this lasts all week.  Been searching the internet for the Gaylord National Resort and what is going on there for the week of the 5th.  My friend Diane Judy and myself are going to convention for Close To My Heart and we are looking forward to going.  It looks like it's going to be a little spendy.
  I've been dragging out my batiks and cutting strips for a Pineapple quilt.  Looks like it will take a while to put things together.  I'm on my first block and it's taking a while to piece because I've started with yellow and I've only got two batik colors for yellow.  Looks like I'll have to buy more.  I'll let you see what I've got so far.  Black will be my back ground so my colors will "pop".

 

  I need four more different yellow batiks.

Piece,

Carolyn

 

 

Feeling Blah :(

No pictures this time.  Haven't felt like doing much here lately.  I guess I'm feeling the blah's.  Been watching a lot of Copic videos and coloring but not much else.  Tried to work on my Pineapple blocks but don't feel much there either.  I have almost all the fabrics cut out but don't feel like putting them together.
  I only lay down when I'm ill and I laid down and took a nap yesterday and today.  What is up with that?  Maybe later on today or in the week I'll feel like my old self.
Piece,
Carolyn

Copic Class Instruction

I took a Copic Class from Sally Lynn McDonald yesterday and had a FAN-TAB-U-LOUS time.  Here are some of the samples that we worked on.  My favorite one is of the bunny with the balloons.  I was so tired after working the night before and staying up all day for the class.  I hope during one of my sleepy times I didn't miss anything:).  I met a wonderful lady named Belinda Belling and we had a good time laughing and sharing.
The class was a 8 hr class and on the way home I was so sleepy and had to stop at a rest area and walk around for a bit.  The class was held in Charleston and about an hour and 15 minutes from home.  But, I made it home safe and sound and crashed for about 5 hrs and then got up for a couple of hours then it was back to bed for me.
Piece,
Carolyn