I've been absent for a while - lots going on at home and work.
I am now back and I have a new laptop which will certainly make blogging a lot easier!
I will be getting back on the crafty bandwagon shortly and sharing lots new projects (hopefully).
Happy New Year!
The blog of a forty-one year old cross stitching ex-pat surviving in the American Midwest.
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30 December 2013
24 November 2013
Another week passes
Can't believe it's been a whole week!
Getting closer to Thanksgiving now and work is getting busier and it's getting colder out in the mornings! I can''t be the only one who hates getting up early when the weather is bad. Let's face it - I don't like getting up early on the best of days, but when the weather is colder it makes it harder than ever to get out of bed. I have to run out the house in my PJs and start the car up so it can defrost while I'm getting ready.
Daughter will be coming home on Wednesday for a couple days - will be nice - and this is the first Thanksgiving I'll have off in eight years. Daughter and I will be going over to MILs to help her cook.
I haven't worked on any cards this week but I did pick up a cross stitch. I love the Gorjuss designs in general (I have some stamps and a bag with the designs on) and I found this design in a World of Cross Stitching mag so decided to take a break from card making and do some cross stitching.
This is what I've got done this week. Quite a nice bit done actually. Not looking forward to all the back stitching lol.
I had to share a pic of my cat, Shadow, who is missing me having the laptop and actually sat on my chair to watch me on the computer - admittedly I had food with me at the time lol. Sometimes he's worse than the dog ever was lol
Getting closer to Thanksgiving now and work is getting busier and it's getting colder out in the mornings! I can''t be the only one who hates getting up early when the weather is bad. Let's face it - I don't like getting up early on the best of days, but when the weather is colder it makes it harder than ever to get out of bed. I have to run out the house in my PJs and start the car up so it can defrost while I'm getting ready.
Daughter will be coming home on Wednesday for a couple days - will be nice - and this is the first Thanksgiving I'll have off in eight years. Daughter and I will be going over to MILs to help her cook.
I haven't worked on any cards this week but I did pick up a cross stitch. I love the Gorjuss designs in general (I have some stamps and a bag with the designs on) and I found this design in a World of Cross Stitching mag so decided to take a break from card making and do some cross stitching.
This is what I've got done this week. Quite a nice bit done actually. Not looking forward to all the back stitching lol.
I had to share a pic of my cat, Shadow, who is missing me having the laptop and actually sat on my chair to watch me on the computer - admittedly I had food with me at the time lol. Sometimes he's worse than the dog ever was lol
16 November 2013
MIA for a while
My poor laptop broke. I'm lucky that we have a desktop too, but it was SO much easier sitting in my comfy chair and typing.
Well - DH and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary. We are planning a delayed trip next summer to a beautiful hotel up north. We did go out with MIL & FIL for dinner. Daughter surprised us with a trip home on our anniversary so we all sat down for an impromptu dinner with sons and daughter.
Hubby bought me some beautiful red roses and GC to my favourite places. My Mum and sisters and their family surprised us with a beautiful bouquet and chocolate. Such a surprise! I cried. It's at times like these that I really miss my family. It was lovely that my Mum and sisters remembered. I was over there for their 25th anniversaries and we all went out to dinner. Lovely.
Well I did make a couple cards. Not many more to do but am having fun with them. I have kitted up a couple cross stitch projects too. It's been a while since I worked on cross stitch so will make a nice change.
Well - DH and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary. We are planning a delayed trip next summer to a beautiful hotel up north. We did go out with MIL & FIL for dinner. Daughter surprised us with a trip home on our anniversary so we all sat down for an impromptu dinner with sons and daughter.
Hubby bought me some beautiful red roses and GC to my favourite places. My Mum and sisters and their family surprised us with a beautiful bouquet and chocolate. Such a surprise! I cried. It's at times like these that I really miss my family. It was lovely that my Mum and sisters remembered. I was over there for their 25th anniversaries and we all went out to dinner. Lovely.
Well I did make a couple cards. Not many more to do but am having fun with them. I have kitted up a couple cross stitch projects too. It's been a while since I worked on cross stitch so will make a nice change.
04 November 2013
Handmade Monday
Wow it's Monday again! And November! Groan. Where did the months go? A week after my Mum's clocks went back we did the same here in Michigan. It is SO dark early today - yuck! Whose bright idea was this? My poor laptop crashed. I am so sad :( At least I have the old desktop to go on - not quite as comfy as my laptop. I actually have to get up to use it lol. The cat is not liking it! He is used to sitting on my lap while I'm on the computer and while it's cold he puts his chin so the fan blows warm air on it!
I'm joining in Handmade Monday again this week. Still working on cards. I have some new ones to share. I really have to start working on Mum's calendar. I keep saying that but still haven't started.
They were all quick and easy. The top one I used some freebie card toppers from a Papercraft magazine. I have now put greetings in all of my cards too. I think I am about set. I like the last one. I went to Michaels the other day and found some present cards and then stamped the sentiment onto white cardstock, mounted it on a patterned paper and used some 3d tabs to make it pop.
Happy Guy Fawkes day to everyone tomorrow!
I'm joining in Handmade Monday again this week. Still working on cards. I have some new ones to share. I really have to start working on Mum's calendar. I keep saying that but still haven't started.
They were all quick and easy. The top one I used some freebie card toppers from a Papercraft magazine. I have now put greetings in all of my cards too. I think I am about set. I like the last one. I went to Michaels the other day and found some present cards and then stamped the sentiment onto white cardstock, mounted it on a patterned paper and used some 3d tabs to make it pop.
Happy Guy Fawkes day to everyone tomorrow!
01 November 2013
Mushrooms
We were out shooting a few weeks ago on a friend of my father-in-law's and daughter and I saw these. I hadn't taken a camera with me and my phone is ancient. She however, has a gorgeous new phone that takes wonderful pictures. It's taken her a while to share them with me.
It seems there is beauty all around. I really need to invest in a new phone or carry a camera with me!
BTW I'm updated my book list for 2013. I have nearly read 100 books! I've probably already reached that but sometimes I forget to write them down in my notebook!
It seems there is beauty all around. I really need to invest in a new phone or carry a camera with me!
BTW I'm updated my book list for 2013. I have nearly read 100 books! I've probably already reached that but sometimes I forget to write them down in my notebook!
30 October 2013
WOYWW
I'm joining in WOYWW over at Stamping Ground. Lots of good links to check out. I like seeing what other people are up to.
My 'workdesk' (table) is a mess this week. Hubby has been working overtime but came home to do a simple pumpkin carving for me. I miss seeing the pumpkins on our front steps - kids are all grown up now.
I have been working on a couple cards.
This weekend will be our 25th Wedding Anniversary. It looks like hubby will have to work but we will go out to dinner. Our treat to ourselves is a week away (just the two of us) next summer to a wonderful motel up north that we visited with my Mum and daughter. It seems a long while off but it will be something fun to think about and get us through the long winter!
My 'workdesk' (table) is a mess this week. Hubby has been working overtime but came home to do a simple pumpkin carving for me. I miss seeing the pumpkins on our front steps - kids are all grown up now.
I have been working on a couple cards.
This weekend will be our 25th Wedding Anniversary. It looks like hubby will have to work but we will go out to dinner. Our treat to ourselves is a week away (just the two of us) next summer to a wonderful motel up north that we visited with my Mum and daughter. It seems a long while off but it will be something fun to think about and get us through the long winter!
28 October 2013
Handmade Monday
I'm joining in Handmade Monday over at Handmade Harbour
Got a couple more cards done. I'm really moving on these Christmas cards. I'm having fun with them too. I do still have to put a greeting inside. I like the look of the greeting when it stands out a bit too so think I will do them that way.
The next thing I have to work on is my Mum's calendar. I have made one for her for years. I could do it on the computer but imo there is nothing better than a handmade calender - made with love!
I did make banana bread too - yummy!
Got a couple more cards done. I'm really moving on these Christmas cards. I'm having fun with them too. I do still have to put a greeting inside. I like the look of the greeting when it stands out a bit too so think I will do them that way.
The next thing I have to work on is my Mum's calendar. I have made one for her for years. I could do it on the computer but imo there is nothing better than a handmade calender - made with love!
I did make banana bread too - yummy!
23 October 2013
WOYWW
It's Wednesday again! Time is flying by. I can't believe that next week will be November. I finally gave in today and turned the heat on. It's been quite chilly lately - we even saw a few ice drops today. Brrrrrr. Even the cat was feeling cold this morning. I usually do a quick email check before work and the cat usually climbs up on my lap alongside the laptop. In the summer he's careful to stay away from the fan heat but when the weather cools he sticks his face on the keyboard so the heat can tickle his chin. He was doing that this morning.
I'm joining in WOYWW over at Stamping Ground I love looking at other people's crafty projects.
My 'desk' (read dining room table lol) is piled into a little pile. I did some scrapbook work over the weekend and another quick card (pictured below). It's almost my 'weekend' again when I'll hopefully be able to do some crafty stuff.
I'm joining in WOYWW over at Stamping Ground I love looking at other people's crafty projects.
My 'desk' (read dining room table lol) is piled into a little pile. I did some scrapbook work over the weekend and another quick card (pictured below). It's almost my 'weekend' again when I'll hopefully be able to do some crafty stuff.
19 October 2013
Saturday Again
Still have a touch of the cold. Phew, glad the worst is over though! By Thursday I could barely crawl out of bed and go to work! I finished early, came home and slept (got interrupted a lot), went to bed early though still felt crappy on Friday.
Today is a little better so I decided to get some crafty stuff done. I did some baking first - tried out a couple new muffin recipes. They didn't actually turn out as well as I hoped. I won't be using those recipes again! They don't taste horrible, just not really good. They were Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins and Double Chocolate muffins.
After doing the muffins I decided to pull out some of my pics from my last trip home and put together something of an album. I always end up with loads of pictures and rarely get them put into anything. I had picked up three ring album and some of the pocket pages so decided to give it a try. These are a couple of the pages I worked on.
I might work on some more or some cards. Getting distracted now by watching Drop Dead Fred. Sigh - feeling nostalgic today. Have had The Outsiders and Interview with a Vampire on the telly lol.
Today is a little better so I decided to get some crafty stuff done. I did some baking first - tried out a couple new muffin recipes. They didn't actually turn out as well as I hoped. I won't be using those recipes again! They don't taste horrible, just not really good. They were Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins and Double Chocolate muffins.
After doing the muffins I decided to pull out some of my pics from my last trip home and put together something of an album. I always end up with loads of pictures and rarely get them put into anything. I had picked up three ring album and some of the pocket pages so decided to give it a try. These are a couple of the pages I worked on.
I might work on some more or some cards. Getting distracted now by watching Drop Dead Fred. Sigh - feeling nostalgic today. Have had The Outsiders and Interview with a Vampire on the telly lol.
14 October 2013
Arrggg...
....is it Monday AGAIN?
Not so crafty Monday today. I've got a touch of the crud that everyone else at work seems to have. Hopefully - fingers crossed, touching wood and all that - it won't get any worse!
I did make a quicky card. I like it. I think I'll save it for when both daughter and I are having a rough time lol. I did have quite a crafty weekend and now it's back to the trudge of the week.
I'm joining in Handmade Mondays again. It's fun to see what everyone has been up to. There are lots of very talented people out there!
Not so crafty Monday today. I've got a touch of the crud that everyone else at work seems to have. Hopefully - fingers crossed, touching wood and all that - it won't get any worse!
I did make a quicky card. I like it. I think I'll save it for when both daughter and I are having a rough time lol. I did have quite a crafty weekend and now it's back to the trudge of the week.
I'm joining in Handmade Mondays again. It's fun to see what everyone has been up to. There are lots of very talented people out there!
12 October 2013
Christmas Cards
I also have to start working on a calendar for my Mum. I have made her one for many years. She doesn't get to see my kids very often so I started making her a calendar every year when the kids were very little. Each year gets a little harder as they are now 24, 22 and soon to be 20! I take pics every opportunity I get but as you can imagine the older they get the more difficult it gets to take pictures of them!
Saturday Crafting
I decided to pull out my crafty stash and add to the mess on the dining room table. My daughter who is away at Uni asked me to send her a Halloween candy package. I decided to make her a Halloween card to go along with it. Down below is a fun stamp to add to the back.
I also pulled out some more Christmas designs. Sigh. I was going to post pictures but I'm having a heck of a time posting them! I upload them and try to add to my post and all I get is a coloured ball turning around and around! Aaaarrrggggghhhh! I'll try again later.
09 October 2013
WOYWW
I like WOYWW over at Stamping Ground even though I haven't participated in a while!
Admittedly there's not a lot happening on the dining room table! I managed some crafty stuff at the weekend, but then work and whatnot got in the way - sigh. It's the last day of my work week tomorrow and on my 'weekend' (Friday and Saturday) I hope to be at it again!
I heard it's only seventy some odd days 'til Christmas so I better get moving!
Here's my mess... lol
Admittedly there's not a lot happening on the dining room table! I managed some crafty stuff at the weekend, but then work and whatnot got in the way - sigh. It's the last day of my work week tomorrow and on my 'weekend' (Friday and Saturday) I hope to be at it again!
I heard it's only seventy some odd days 'til Christmas so I better get moving!
Here's my mess... lol
07 October 2013
More cards and Handmade Monday
I found this wonderful blog a while ago called Handmade Harbour and it has a wonderful day called Handmade Monday. As I actually finished things this week I thought I'd join in the party - it looks like fun!
I made a couple more Christmas cards - it is October afterall lol. I had fun making these.
I made a couple more Christmas cards - it is October afterall lol. I had fun making these.
05 October 2013
Saturday again...
It's rolled around to Saturday again. I only have one day off this weekend as I took off last Sunday. It's October and unusually warm. We took out the window air conditioners. We've opened the windows and put on the ceiling fan but it's still quite sticky and humid. It's supposed to cool down again tomorrow.
I took the opportunity to work on a couple cards. One of them is the completed card I posted the beginning of last Sunday. They have turned out quite nice. I am making my cards this year for my family overseas. I hope they like them
This one is a stamped image from Penny Black - love her designs. I coloured the design with my limited supply of Copic markers and some Spectrum Noir markers. I actually invested in some X-press it paper for Copic Markers and I'm actually glad I did! I balked at the price tag BUT the result is great. There is a lot less bleed from the markers.
This one I used some card toppers I purchased while I was on my trip home to England. I found them at The Works in Ipswich. They were a pound a pack and if you bought two you got one free! I love these designs and so does my family so worked out great!
I took the opportunity to work on a couple cards. One of them is the completed card I posted the beginning of last Sunday. They have turned out quite nice. I am making my cards this year for my family overseas. I hope they like them
This one is a stamped image from Penny Black - love her designs. I coloured the design with my limited supply of Copic markers and some Spectrum Noir markers. I actually invested in some X-press it paper for Copic Markers and I'm actually glad I did! I balked at the price tag BUT the result is great. There is a lot less bleed from the markers.
This one I used some card toppers I purchased while I was on my trip home to England. I found them at The Works in Ipswich. They were a pound a pack and if you bought two you got one free! I love these designs and so does my family so worked out great!
29 September 2013
Card making
Pulled out my card stuff on Sunday. It will be October in a couple days and I need to get started on - gasp, horror! - holiday cards. I decided on a couple layouts but no designs yet. BTW these are not glued down and are, admittedly, slightly crooked lol.
We'll have to see where these go from here and how they work out lol.
We'll have to see where these go from here and how they work out lol.
Renaissance Festival
We took a family trip to the mid-Michigan Renaissance Faire yesterday. It was a gorgeous day, hotter than we thought and I wish I'd worn something other than jeans. Hubby ended up with sunburn!
Thought I'd share some of my pics from the day. As always Bocca Musica were my favourite of the day! We saw their PG13 performance and the Mature one later in the day. They are a raunchy drinking-song group. Check them out.
They have a couple videos on their web page
Bocca Musica
The Washing Well Wenches
Jousting
Our champion at the joust.
It's a great day out! We didn't even have time to see all the acts and shop. It is done on a permanent site.
Thought I'd share some of my pics from the day. As always Bocca Musica were my favourite of the day! We saw their PG13 performance and the Mature one later in the day. They are a raunchy drinking-song group. Check them out.
They have a couple videos on their web page
Bocca Musica
The Washing Well Wenches
Jousting
Our champion at the joust.
It's a great day out! We didn't even have time to see all the acts and shop. It is done on a permanent site.
27 September 2013
Gorjuss by Santoro
I love these little girls! There's something about the designs that call to me. I had a heck of a time finding them in the states. I ordered some of the stamp sets from Amazon but they take 2-4 weeks to ship! I found the above at Walmart.com of all places. They had sold out of all the stamp sets except the one at the bottom of the picture. Now it seems they no long carry the rubber stamp sets. They do have the paper and decoupage. Can't wait to use them! Not exactly sure what I'm going to do with them lol.
Thought I'd also share a pic of the wonderful deckchair hut we saw on the beach in Gt. Yarmouth. Love it!
22 September 2013
Autumn Equinox
It's the time of the Autumn Equinox. I love this time of the year. It is beginning to get cooler, but not quite time to turn on the heat. The leaves begin to change and the outside is awash in colour. Michigan is really beautiful at this time of year. Sometimes in the summer it gets so hot and the grass has just about died and everything looks brown. Autumn brings colour - with orange, gold and golden leaves. It's time to stop eating those salads and start cooking some really hearty meals.
20 September 2013
Friday
Been back a week and it doesn't seem like it. I miss Mum and I miss home. Doesn't matter how many years I live away it's always home. Sigh. Still haven't talked to anyone at work about cutting down on hours. I was all ready to do it, the manager was there, then about 9am she left for the day!
Pictures today are courtesy of my Mum's back window. She lives in an upstairs flat. There is only one person below and nobody above. She has the most glorious sunsets out of her kitchen window. I always take a picture every year I go. I even have a pic up on my living room wall of the sunset out her kitchen window. The one I saw this year was stunning. The sky was actually almost purple - the pictures are the actual colour the sky was. Just beautiful!
I love the silhouette look of the houses in the background. Really stunning!
Pictures today are courtesy of my Mum's back window. She lives in an upstairs flat. There is only one person below and nobody above. She has the most glorious sunsets out of her kitchen window. I always take a picture every year I go. I even have a pic up on my living room wall of the sunset out her kitchen window. The one I saw this year was stunning. The sky was actually almost purple - the pictures are the actual colour the sky was. Just beautiful!
I love the silhouette look of the houses in the background. Really stunning!
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