Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Getting ready for the New Year

Today is my day to get the house put back together and get ready for the New Year. That means down comes the tree, away goes the other decorations. House back to normal. I used to always think, if you started the new year with a messy house that's the way it would be all year long. Mine is not by any means spotless, but not filthy either. I like to call it well lived in. You'll find dust cause there's places I forget about and some that are only necessary once a year, like spring. I do have the laundry done and my resolutions made.

New Years Eve we'll be helping do a dinner for the Eagles party, then coming home as we don't dance much anymore. I get up early on New Years Day and watch the Rose Parade. Have done that since I went to my first one in 1961, then again in 1962. If you ever get to go to one, it's one of the most beautiful parades there are. The flowers are so well done on the floats. As a teen back then we sat on the street all night. They say California isn't cold, it is when your waiting for daylight. It was a ball. Anyway, that's how I start the New Year. I also make a Gumbo for the day. I start it before we go to bed on New Years Eve. You know blackeyed peas are good luck, and we need it. We also have food for anyone that stops by and wants a little luck.

I haven't been making any cards or doing any scrapbooking. Been working in my little Sketchbooks for a group I belong to. I feel like I'm a little behind, need to get 14 done and haven't come up with enough ideas for different covers. Have 3 done so they'll go postal tomorrow. They are kinda fun, it's a good way to get others ideas on different subjects. I've seen all kinds of cats, not to many dog things. Each book has to be stamped in, so if you don't have a stamp for the subject you need to get real creative. I'll share one some day, these are not quite ready for public viewing.

I am going to share a recent picture of my husband & I, as we seldom have one taken together. He hates having his picture taken. We want to wish each and everyone of one of you a Glorious New Year. May it be full of good health, happiness and wonderful memories.

Until next year, hugs,

Bobbi

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Day after Merry Christmas



Hope everyone had a great Christmas and remembered to thank our service people away from home for doing what they do so we can have our celebrations. We had a wonderful day, very quiet. All but one kid and 2 grandkids were home. Had calls from all. Christmas eve was celebrated with my side of the family. Everybody went to my nieces for snacks. We had a real good time.


My share today is a follow-up from my cyclops posting. Here is a picture of the end product. I think he really liked it. Was a very tickled little boy when he called to tell me that Santa came. Myself, I love the glasses. My daughter said he wouldn't take them off. As long as he's happy that's all that matters. The granddaughter, Tashia, was thrilled she got her skinny jeans. I didn't even know what they were. The girls at school had to explain. I almost got them to small. She's a 5th grader, so I thought a teen 0 would be alittle big, boy am I wrong, they did fit but probably only until the end of school.

I always have one blupper happen on Christmas, this year was no different. It's par I'll get one batch of cookies burnt on the bottom. This one took the cake though. The funny thing was the night before a friend was laughing about making Sticky Buns and how they went over the pan. I asked how many buns she used and she said, "Oh, the whole bag". So thinking I wouldn't do that I only used all but 3. Darn if the same thing didn't happen. They did turn out real good, but I had to do some rearranging so I could cook them. Maybe I learned something, then again maybe not.


Hope everyone had a great Christmas and has their resolutions ready for New Years. Here's mine: #1. Be thankful for what you have, you'll never keep up with the Jones. #2. Strive for good health. #3. Do Not say bad things or call names about people you don't care for, (This one is going to be the hardest). That's it to do more is setting myself up for failure. Thanks for coming by stop by again.

Bobbi

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Jake



Today I'm going to share some family things. We're just about ready for the big day. Will finish up everything tomorrow. Got my packages mailed yesterday, they are going across the mountains for Cody. Not sure where my oldest grandson is, so will save his for when he surfaces again. The other two grandkids will be here Christmas Day, one in the morning the other for dinner.

I digress from the title though. Jake is our new kitten. When he first came he was a skinny little thing. Acted like he had never eaten, but was well trained. Knew about the litter box, which was a very good thing. We've had him a month and he has really grown. Although he's a pain in the you know what, like about 4 in the morning. When I started putting up the tree he was my helper, as you can see in the photo. He has sprung about 6 branches so far, all have screws under them so they look like they should. The next picture is of the tree when it was pretty much done. It now has fewer ornaments around the bottom, because someone enjoys slapping them around. So far only one has broken. The funny thing is, when I was in Walmart one day they had balls in a big box for $5 and they were plastic, I could have really used them, but they aren't near as pretty. When the kids were younger (like small & teens), I always put tinsel on the tree. One year I couldn't find any so I used Angel hair. The kids told me, I needed to get modern and get rid of the tinsel. I told them when I was gone they'd say, "Remember when Mom used to put tinsel on the tree", that would be a good memory. Now I use beads, except this year, can you imagine what Jake would do with them. They are in the box to the left of the tree. The rest of the living room is as decorated as it's going to get. Today, I'm cooking & baking, all the cookies I made the other day got eaten by the sugar guy that lives here. He said we weren't worrying about sugar in take this year. So, I guess I'm making more fat stuff, that we really don't need. Although I need fudge, only do it once a year, then I overdose on it, so I guess I better get started.
Thanks for stopping by, hope I haven't scared you off with my ramblings. Have a great day and come back again.
Bobbi

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Cyclops


It's finished, yea! Now I just hope it fits. I'll be send it out on Tues. with a load of stuff for him. Chuck & I decided I'm not a seamstress but I sew. Man I couldn't do this for a living, I'd starve.Here the picture I promised. The X is a little off but that's ok, it's a belt like thing. The glob at the top is the hood on the hanger. I think its the best part of the costume, fully lined. If you notice the material is silky stuff, what a pain. I hope the body isn't to big, if it is I'll take it in when we go over or they come over. If your not from Washington we're in the eastern part of the state and their in the western part, better known as Coasties. In the winter no one wants to cross the Cascades unless it's a emergency.
Today, we start the cookies. I'm making Russian Tea cakes and Thumbprints. Tomorrow we have some shopping to do, then wrapping. Tues. we are both getting beautiful, I'm getting a perm and Chuck's getting a hair cut, we're both in need of them bad. Then we'll see what we'll do, by then we should be done with all the big stuff.
Have a great day, come back soon and see what I'm up too. could be anything.
Bobbi

Saturday, December 19, 2009

The Home Stretch

It's a new day and still have tons to do. Delivered my gift to the Eagles. Have a little more sewing, hoping the new pattern for the mask works. Made one and the eyes were funky, good thing I bought a lot of material. Have gifts to wrap and some to buy. Want to start baking some cookies and candy this week-end. Chuck even volunteered to help. He's doing cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning. It'll keep him out of trouble and a big mess for me, oh well. We also volunteered to cook a turkey for the Eagles Annual Christmas Dinner. They have it open to the public for people that have no where to go. Usually serve between 100 to 150. All the food is donated and the cooking also. Tonight is there Christmas party. It's potluck, and I never know what to take. Have to figure out some gifts too. It's a fun party.


Yesterday, my class made a stab at Christmas cards, should have stayed scrapbooking. Half did a good job and the other have was bouncing off the walls. They were all pretty sugared up. Used all the cards I cut, have alot of images left over, so will be using them to finish my cards. Simple, simple cards to say the least. Here is my share for today. It pretty simple too.The background is a technique called Polished Stone, the stamp set is retired from CTMH. It is stamped with embossing ink and done with silver embossing powder. I really like how it came out. When I get brave I'll try tell you how I do some of these techniques.
Thanks for coming by and stop again real soon.
Bobbi

Friday, December 18, 2009

Me Rattling Again

It's Friday already and I feel like I'm treading water. Still working on my project. It's looking more like it's suppose to all the time, except the underware, should be skivies and mine are boxers. Starting the hood and glasses today. It will all be mailed on Tueday overnight UPS. The rest of the kids will be here Christmas morning for breakfast (our style) and games for gifts.
We still have a little snow. Been melting and thawing, not sure if it'll be a white Christmas or not.
My kids at school will be making Christmas cards today, not the ones I'm showing. Mostly decorations, trees, snowmen and Santa. Had all the pictures I took I took of them developed. Some how some of the kids got missed. Printed almost 100 pictures. Do have a list of who I need to take pictures of, will do that today while they are making cards.

Yes, I've been making cards too. Still have a few to go. I'm going to share 3 cards today. All were colored the same only put on different backgrounds. Sure makes them look different. The stamp is from I Brake for Stamps, I call it "Yo Santa". Love their stamps, some are very funny. This one is on a snowflake cuttlebug paper. All papers and inks are Close to My Heart. This one is cut out and glued on a sponged cuttlebug paper, sorry I don't know the names of these flolders and they were borrowed from my sister-in-law, Charlotte. The last one is cut out and placed on the same background as the one above, except I turned it over and colored the sunken spaces, I had to do this cause I tried to water color and made a mess. See how easy it is to hid mistakes. You wouldn't have known had I not told you. Guess I've rattled on enough for today. Have a card ready to share tomorrow. Till then, thanks for stopping by.
Bobbi

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

I'm back

Have been working on Christmas, getting in the mood is and was the first thing. Haven't figured out what's wrong with me. I usually love Christmas, just can't get with it this year. Have most of my shopping done. If it's not bought I know what I'm buying, so that's a good thing. Haven't wrapped anything though. Finally have my tree up. It's done in red, white & silver. I like it and so does the cat. He's disjoined 3 limbs so far, I've had to put screws under them so they stand up right, by the way it's artifical. We quit using real ones when they went to $30 and looked like Charlie Browns. Now they've gone to $4.50 a foot and still look that way and we live where there are lots of trees. Guess you'd have to go cut one if you want a cheaper one an I'm not much of an outdoor person when it's cold. We now have about 4 inches of snow. It's not to bad at least it warmed up, it's in the high 20's, been in the 0's with wind.


My question today is what do these 3 pieces of material have in common? If you've ever watched X-Man, these colors belong to Cyclops. He shoots fire out of his eyes, so he's very careful and wears glasses so no one gets burned. This is my project from Santa: build a costume. I finally found one I could use for the main body, but now I'm making underware to go over it. The red is a belt with a big black X on it. The hardest part is sewing on satin ? material. It's pretty slippery stuff. I'll share the finished product when I'm done. Can you tell I'm really nervous about this.

Next, I'm going to share a card I made for one of the people on my list. On one of the groups I'm on, a lady suggested using animals and putting Santa hats or other Christmas things on them. This is my take on it. Not sure what it'll cost to mail, or if it'll get there in one piece, but thought is was kind of cute. The cuttlebug paper is sponged in a light blue to make the snowflakes standout a little. The deer was hand cut and glued down after the lights were put on. Now that wasn't easy, they had no string, so had to be strung and wrapped around each horn. The deer stamp is from Sutters Enterprises, the inks and saying from CTMH, the bulbs from Crafters Warehouse.
Hope you enjoyed everything today, come back again and see what I've been up to.
Bobbi

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Lost track of time

It's been a pretty busy week for me. I worked all week and tried to plan for my class. Hope I never get sick as this is a hard class to plan for. They said yesterday was the last day to switch classes, hope she sticks to it. For those of you that don't live in a town that is very low income and many families living on unemployment and welfare, it's hard to teach this kind of class. The only thing the kids need to bring is photo's, some can't do that. Yesterday we did a photo shoot, it was pretty good. We did what I like, with a smile and what I don't like, with a frown. Some turned out really good. Then I did some group pictures. Hope I can get the program to pay for the pictures. Will probably have to do this every once in a while to get pictures for some of them.

Todays share is a bowl. I've got one of these my husband's niece made years ago. I used old Christmas cards and white cardstock. Then whip stitched it with white yarn. As you can see it's holding my Christmas cards from this year.
Talking about Christmas cards mine are all in the mail except for my kids and a niece & nephew. We started putting up outside lights, need more. Today I'm starting in the house doing some cleaning and decorating. Chuck is working on a Christmas present in the shop. I have a couple to do too, in here not out there. Still need to unpack my car from the last craft fair. See what I can find as gifts for others.
Until next time, have a great day and come back soon.
Bobbi

Monday, December 7, 2009

Let us remember those lost

Today is the Remembrance of those lost at Pearl Harbor. To few of us ever take the time to say a pray for those service men & women that were there, and also to the men and women still protecting us. I'm very proud to say I'm an American and live in a country where we can say prayers and be thankful to those that protect us. So take a minute today and say a prayer.

It's pretty cold out today. High is suppose to be about 15. Think the cold snuck up on us before the snow. The wind is blowing so it's nice that we have no snow to keep everyone shut in. This is a full week of work for me. Hope I make it, haven't worked 5 days in a row in forever. Volunteered to help at the book fair tonight. It's always fun, see people from Okanogan that I don't see any other time.

On to today's share. These are two more of my scrap cards I made the other day. All papers are CTMH and also the ribbon on one. The buckle is off a pop can. Always recycle when you can. The papers and stamp sets are all retired. It's fun to just sit down with your scraps and play, you never know what you'll come up with. Today I'll going to start writing out my Christmas cards, so my next share will probably be one of them as I don't think I have enough made.
Until tomorrow or the next day have a good one and come back soon.
Bobbi

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Scraps & Bits

We got a skift of snow last night. Not sure skift is a word, looked it up and couldn't find it. So here's my meaning: just enough snow to lightly cover the ground and make the roads a little slick. It started snowing as I was packing up the last Craft Show. Did better than the last one, but not much. I made the money this time and the girls I had for didn't sell anything. Have not gotten rid of 2 doggy blankets. I'm keeping one for my cat and sending the other to my sister -in-law for Racer. They make good covers for the couch that all animals like to lay on. Other than that I sold a jar of apple butter. I'm done for this year. No one has money to buy homemade stuff no matter how good it is. There was some beautiful glass bowls, jewerly, ceremics, embroidered shirts & towels, wreathes and food. The only thing that really went was some candy and breads. There really weren't that many people out and about. Maybe next year, I'll have to really think about it.


I told you I've been cleaning my scrap table. I decide I might as well use some of the scraps I found. So today I'm sharing my easy cards that take maybe 5 minutes to make. These I'll give to my daughter as she always needs Thank you cards for home or work. All supplies but the embellishements are CTMH. The papers are now retired. The background is about 4 inches by 4 1/4 the green strip is 1/2 inch. The diamond is a 1 inch square. See how easy. You could use any scraps you have to make this. Tomorrow I'll share another one that's super simple. As your finding out I can do lots of layers if I need to or very simple. Depends on my mood and how much time I have.
Have a great day wherever you are and come back soon.
Bobbi

Friday, December 4, 2009

A little about My Animals

Today I'm sharing something a little different. It's about family and animals. During the week before Thanksgiving we lost our Siamese cat. Should explain about Pete. He wondered into our life on Super Bowl Sunday about 9 years ago. By wondered, he jumped in my pickup in front of the Eagles and wouldn't get out. Needless to say we kept him. On the Sunday before Thanksgiving my brother & wife were here with their little dog, Racer. Pete hates dogs and lots of people. He started to come in the house then turned and ran to the shop. That's the last we've seen of him. Two nights later the coyotes were really on a roll howling. My husband says they do that when they make a kill. I'm afriad it may have been him, although he's a wiley bugger. If he's met our Maker, he's in a better place, but I'll miss him alot.


Before Pete left he brought a little black kitty home with him. We named him, Jake. I'm thinking maybe he (Pete) was replacing himself. Anyway on with the story. Jake is not afraid of anything, clumsy as heck, but very playful. He loved Racer, the dog. They became fast & noisy friends. If one wasn't chasing the other he was being chased. They shared food and water. Here is one of the fun pictures I sneeked of them. When Racer went home, poor little Jake was lost. In the last week he's driven us nuts following us everywhere. When I was sewing yesterday he was right under my foot. Funny little cat, gets to see the Dr. next week. We want no babies.


Better get off here and do something creative for school tonight. Come back soon as you never know what I'll be up to. Have a great day.
Bobbi

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Catching Up

I've been trying to catch up around the house and get laundry done. I finally managed to get my stamping table so I can find things and got some stuff put away. I have lots of cards to scan and post on different groups I belong to. I've gotten most of my swaps back and have gotten some beautiful cards. I also belong to a group that does small books. Have gotten a couple of homes and 3 to stamp in, so I'm behind on that, not really behind as they just came yesterday.

We started our new quarter at school. I have 19 in one class and 15 in the other. Hope they hire another teacher to take some of the load. It's hard to teach 19 little kids to scrapbook. Especially when new ones come in everyday, so they are all doing something different and can't remember to bring pictures. I started them off doing some random stamping on 2 pages, some turned out wonderful and some got carried away. Hopefully by next week things will get better or I'll be nuts.

Today I'm sharing a winter lay out from the Aspen Workshop on the Go (CTHM). Everything used is from Close to my Heart except the snow flakes which are buttons from Walmart. These pictures were taken last Christmas Eve at my nieces'. It was Codys first winter to sleigh ride. The kids, big & little, had a ball. I love this layout, just seems to go with the pictures.
Will try and do a little better with my posting. I made cards yesterday for a swap and didn't get them scanned before I mailed them, so will try with todays batch. Until next time, enjoy your day and check back often.
Bobbi