Life

I love calling my nieces and screaming into the phone, WHAT UP??? Life has been humming along at a steady pace and evening out quite nicely. I'm enjoying it and appreciating the many gifts that have been given to me. Trying to stay level and grateful. A quick trip to New Orleans for work and I enjoyed Friday night dinner at my cousins while I was there. Shrimp stew. My cousin grew up with my Dad so in a way it's like hanging out with my Dad - same mannerisms. Same deliberate movements, like me. I spent Friday afternoon walking in the quarter, picking up a few new fleur de lis objects. One beveled glass with etchings and one colored glass in purple and green and gold.

Work has been pretty intense lately but satisfying. I don't like getting all torqued up and stressed out, the way I did in my 30s. Life is just too short. It only got that way when I left for NOLA. Any time I leave the office, I feel this need to clear the stacks that may have been sitting there for months - all of a sudden, they need to go the day before I leave town. Crazy.

My husband gave me a 1980s photo album of hunting pictures that was falling apart. He is a scrapbooker. My husband. He wrote journals and titles with a dynamo label. How cool is that? I put it back together in a new album and saved the red labels. We actually had dinner with one of the guys 2 weeks ago - pretty cool. My husband, the scrapbooker.

We're going to Warrenton & Round Top next weekend and then on to Fredericksburg. Pretty fluid trip, I hope to stop in at Uncommon Objects in Austin. Looking forward to getting away with my man and hunting. That's about all I've got for right now. Life is good and I've got no complaints.

Looking Forward

I'm home now for all of February, which allows for some great time to catch up on all the projects - I did clean up the spare bedroom and dropped off donations to Turning Point. We had a simple Valentine's Day. I made a board book for my husband, Ten Things I Love About You. I had a good time creating it. I have to say I am loving my Genesis trimmer - it really does cut like butter. So clean and crisp. And I managed to get into Karen Russell's photography class starting in June. Yipee! She's an amazing teacher - I can't wait to get some feedback. My photography skills lacking - here's a photo of the kids... I love them so much!

I'm looking forward to Saturday when I have breakfast with my brother and sister at the Egg & I. We started a monthly visit (last month). I am IN LOVE with the Egg & I - a franchise out of Colorado. They just serve breakfast and lunch, and the food is scrumptious - just the way you order it! Terrific orange juice, great flavored coffee. I highly recommend it, it's on Memorial near Kirkwood. Nothing makes me happier than flavored coffee and breakfast out! In the afternoon I'm heading to Elida's for our NW crop. After a handful of stores have closed in my old neighborhood, the customers have banded together and we have our own Yahoo group (Houston & Beyond) and monthly crops. I don't participate often but I enjoy this group every time I go. Not sure what project I'll work on... I still have Carol Wingert's white album to do!

I was thinking of doing the art journal for Scrap St. Louis, sign up deadline is February 28th. I said if I had a page designed by then, I would sign up. I would love to incorporate three different sections on the page, and an arch separating two of the sections, in the middle of the page. I can visualize it, now I just need to get it down on paper. I did sign up for Barb Reiniger's page swap. So many interesting teachers - Wendy Vecchi and Linda Cain. Really looking forward to this event. Two weeks later is Inspired in North Carolina. I am totally jazzed about the different vibe for that event - paint, canvas and TEN SECONDS STUDIO metal. Yes, Cheryl D will be teaching - so much to look forward to. But let's get back to the here and now... After watching an Oprah show about hormone replacement therapy, I'm thinking about signing up for it. I spend too many nights awake from 2-4 or 3-5, which seems to be a common problem. Anyone have experience with it? In any event, I'm going to lay my head down now. Good night.

Urban Market

It was a nice day at Urban Market today and I found plenty to buy. Once again, the pricing has increased but what can you do? I didn't snap a picture of the quilted pillow from the Gaudy Sisters that says - Its never too late to live happily ever after! If that isn't so true for my life now... I had to get it. I really enjoyed visiting with Pam and Sherry - lots of fun. I plan on checking out their shop, Second St. Antiques in Katy. I also found this beautiful stool with china mosaic on top at their booth. Yummy. The legs are a dark brown but I'm going to paint them white. Matter of fact, they had alot of stuff I COULD have hauled home.

Next door to them are some sisters that do wholesale upholstery right in my neighborhood. I made a bee line for their booth when the doors opened. They have trims 5 for $1 and then fabric bits for $2, $3 or $5. There is so much possibility with these fabrics - I just love it.

Beautiful trims (sorry that my picture isn't fully in focus). When I saw the green trims, I thought of Rebecca Sower's Prayer Collage from Silver Bella - these would go beautifully with it.

The linen on the left reminds me of Anna Griffin paper. Great embroidery. Some other shoppers were convincing me to cut out the embroidered parts on the bottom piece... I had to make noise because
they kept calling me back to the stack to show me more pieces (all of which are below). Last weekend I picked up 10 pieces of quilted or cross stitched pieces at Canton - I washed them and they look gorgeous. I am set with fabric...

Next to the upholstery girls was this beautiful piece of WOOD. Yes, it is carved wood and I just love it. Painted in the lightest pastel colors. With a cherub. What more can you ask for?














These were vintage baby linens for $1 and $2 - from another booth.

Afterwards my friend, Theresa came over and we made a light box for her little niece, Jocelyn. It was all in pinks (pink toile for the interior) - and I used a pink crystal knob that I got in Chicago at Christmas - thanks Jeanne for showing them to me! It really was just the right touch! Only thing left to do is find a photo for the inside. I enjoyed today.

Weekend Hoopla

I scanned four of my new cards and will post two for you, that I've cleaned up a little. Did you know that Picasa 3 now has a cloning tool that allows you to clean up an old photo. That is one thing I could do for hours - is blow up and clean up an old photo. I know it sounds monotonous but I love it. I'm a detailed girl at work so this makes natural sense. Call me simple.

This first one would make a sweet prayer card, with a little text added. and maybe a little shading.

My Genesis trimmer arrived and my honey is going to put it together later today (attach the light box). I can't wait! I need a flat surface to store it - not enough of that in my room so I'll need to do some moving around. Also, both library card catalogs, one 4 drawer and one 6 drawer arrived this week and they are already loaded up! I LOVE them. Got them on ebay and paid too much, but what the hell. They are gorgeous oak and now I see what a great organizer they can be. I want more!

I love these sisters, so cute and sweet. The cloning tool in Picasa isn't as good as PSE, so you'll have to clean up the two smudges on the side.

Have you ever heard of something called Destination Imagination? It's for kids in school, non profit organization that conducts tournaments where they learn teamwork and solving problems and presentations. Doesn't it sound amazing! I am going to a class this morning to learn how to judge a competition that happens at the end of this month. I'll miss Laurel's crop on that weekend, which is the biggest bummer but I haven't done much for my nephew lately, so I'm willing to sacrafice for him! He's 10. It is such a great tool to help prepare him for life later - I'm so glad he's interested in it.

OH and before I forget - Urban Market is tomorrow, starting at 9 am. I am going early this time. I've been a bit relaxed about it these past few times but it has become increasingly popular, so I'm going to head in with the crowd - why not! Sandy, Theresa and a bunch of the local girls are going... can't wait to see my peeps!

Today I am blessed

Lots of random topics to cover. I took this vintage Christmas card and made a little carrying card on watercolor paper for my Navy niece. I took out the Joyeaux Noel and added Rachel's Angel and then some Lil Davies glitter glaze (blue) and stickles (gold). That glitter glaze is one of my favorites - I have 4 different colors and use it alot. I just noticed some of the blue background didn't transfer so I will chalk it...

I totally forgot to mention this about my Cayman trip - long story short (too late already), we pool our interests for insurance and one of the companies in our pool is Anthropologie. YES. I about died when I heard the guy stand up and say he was with Urban Outfitters/Anthro. Can you believe. and yes, I did make a fool and go over and tell him I'm a fan. Dude doesn't know he has a new BFF... (probably doesn't know what a BFF is... so there!)

Right after Christmas I stopped in at Barnes & Noble and found this book in the bargain bin. I loved the illustrations and for $5 - I think the photos will be great for collage.

Did you know that Goodwill has an online store? Crazy, huh. I didn't find anything I couldn't live without, but its always another source, other than ebay.

We had a fantastic time in Canton this weekend - absolutely gorgeous weather and very few crowds. I haven't photographed any of our purchases yet. I wish I could photograph like Heather Bullard - she just makes it look so beautiful. Oh well, it's good to have a goal, right?

I found some beautiful vintage linens (all with stains but great to cut up for projects), watch faces and small white knobs (for feet), a 6 pane window for $10 (yeah!). Oh and a french book with some music and about 8 vintage cards. I love how the old ones have beautiful embossing. My plan is to scan them and post them so you can use them. That's the plan, anyhow. My hubby was thrilled about our trip because he found not one but TWO goodies that he's been hunting for. Some shotgun that has been sitting on the shelf for 4 years at this store and it goes for MUCH more on gunbroker blah blah blah. It's a Ruger 257 Roberts - whatever that means! But it makes him so happy and that's all that matters. It really is cool to see him blissful. He's on a search for a library card catalog for me... Still haven't found one.

Oh wait, back to the weekend story. So we took a little drive to Rockwall and visited Gotta Scrap. I met Duan and Patti at Silver Bella and enjoyed hanging out with them so it was fun to see their store. Good stuff abounds and I found some different ribbon there. There was a crop going on and lots of laughter. Sat morning we headed over to Waxahachie and I spent several hours at the Craft Scrapper. It's a huge store and lots of choices - I had a great time. They even had the new Graphic 45 papers in and yes, I did get some! Of course, Ten Seconds Studio metal was available so I picked up purple and red. And I definitely HAVE to make this dachshund. Is he not THE CUTEST... I really like the style and everything. The girl who created it - Mary Jo is some kinda talented.

Do you know about Spellbinders Nestabilities to use with your Cuttlebug? If you don't have many punches, that would definitely be the way to go - storage-wise. (tip from Jeanne). Of course, the scallops are my favorite!

It's a good thing airfares are low again. I check St. Louis and Charlotte for the spring and I can get both fares around $225. That's one positive for the economy! (My "word" for 2009 is Focus on the Positives - it has been good to repeat over and over!) I also see that ScrapMap has reduced the price for Italy with Debby Schuh. I wish it was in the cards for me to go but I already have a work trip to Italy this summer...

Back in 2006 I heard about this great Genesis trimmers and thought, what the heck - I'll sign up! Well, lo and behold I got an email last week from Bonnie telling me that mine is ready! IT'S READY! So I paid my pound of flesh and shipped it quick and I can't wait to use it...

Okay, lunch is over and I think I've hit every random thought tumbling around. Enjoy your day

The ship of my life may or may not be sailing on calm and amiable seas.
The challenging days of my existence may or may not be bright and promising.
Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude.
If I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow.
Today I am blessed.""
— Maya Angelou

(she was in Houston over the weekend - I hope she enjoyed it!)

Sunday

The weather was cold and overcast all weekend. Dull. Gloomy. Only appropriate that my mood would follow suit, no? If it was crappy, it was happening in the Lucas household, folks. I spent 4 days in Grand Cayman Islands and it was astonishingly beautiful. Amazing. See. I got to snorkel for the 2nd time in my life and we went to Stingray City! I have trouble putting my full face in the water (used to wear contacts - all my life), so I was really proud that I pushed through the fear and saw some beautiful fish... It really was a great trip. For some silly reason, my husband can't wrap his brain around the fact that it was a business trip. The boat trip is a great way to meet the other members of the group. Just like hunting but less farting and chewing tobacco. It's the same, really.

So, every morning I google "craigslist library card file" or some variation of that. And at 4 am I hit pay dirt in my own town... Lord knows, I've found these suckers all over - for others. I get an email that says - c'mon, drive down (about an hour away) - I'm home all day. Okay - you know what's next, right? The b*tch sells it. I was trying to be decent and call at 10:30 am on a Sunday morning and she says, Ooops. Sorry. I am going to sell it in the next hour. Well, fuck me.

So, I guess I can cuss on my own blog. A breakthrough... I know, I know - it wasn't meant for me and I should have jumped on it - I get that lesson. I just don't have to like it.

Our neighbor had a baby boy earlier this month and I finally found some cute clothes but couldn't find a cute gift bag so I made my own. I'm too lazy to download the pic, but I do like it. Devil is in the details... Very simple - some strips of baby paper and his name on scallop circles of vellum and a vellum diaper. I have the cutest pattern from years ago. I think I'll buy a few more kraft bags (large) and have them available to decorate. I should have added some paint to it...

I have to admit, I'm jealous of all the lucky girls going to CHA. I went 2 years ago and it is so much fun... maybe next year. We're going to Canton on Friday, so I will enjoy that. We're also taking time out to go to the Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie and Gotta Scrap in Rockwall. I'm so excited to check out these stores. I met the sisters from Gotta Scrap at Silver Bella and thoroughly enjoyed taking classes with Patti.

If anyone has heard from Heidi Woodred, of Everyday Cookies at Sweet Woodruff Acres - can you let me know? I sat with Heidi at Silver Bella dinners and she was such a joy and inspiration. That girl can create! Her blog, flickr and etsy shop are all closed. How can that be? If someone knows, please drop me a line. I'm worried about her.

I'm also disappointed because some "friends" had a weekend retreat and there wasn't room for me. Its always a fun time and I hated missing out. The list of Creative Escape teachers was posted this week - terrific line up but wow, what a price $749. As Ronda says, that'll separate the men from the boys... I don't exactly like being in that category though - that's a tough price in a tough economy. What were they thinking?

I finished Wally Lamb's The Hour I First Believed. Interesting - I didn't love it but it was an easy read and some good writing when he switched to the character's grandmother etal. Alot of research was done, that's for sure. The very last part of the book provided an incredibly inspiring quote for me.

Also that there is love, still after a life is over.

I love the way that is written and I love the sentiment. I had never thought of it that way. Interesting.

Here's to a better week.

ETA: I spoke with Heidi and she is okay. She is stepping back from the online world for awhile.

Needle and Thread Sings for Me

I couldn't stop thinking about Pam Garrison's stitching yesterday. All day long. Take a look at the project and story with it - I love it. It even made me make a Border's run yesterday at lunch - one of my favorite extravagances. The Border's on Kirby has the best magazine selection, and magazines are (one of) my addictions so I indulge and after several therapy sessions, I can do so guilt-free! Voila! I made the run because of Pam's blog yesterday, to get the new Somerset Life, which I knew I wanted. But the magazine doesn't do the pillowcase cover justice, her blog does. Just great imagination and love the stitching. I've been crazy about embroidery for the past couple of months, ever since Silver Bella. A week before, both Rebecca Sower and Pam showed some handy work, too cool for me. Makes me drool. Prior to that, Heather Bullard showed a beautiful piece of artwork and so now I want to learn how to embroider. And isn't it interesting what came in the door - the thread I found at MAM. No coincidence! Anyone have any tips? Start with just a plaything like Pam & Rebecca or a real project like the p/c? I couldn't stop thinking about the pillowcase yesterday - what do I want on mine? A bird yes, a heart, I love owls (fat ones) and it was so great that she included the pattern. Plays nice with others.

I forgot to mention I took my Mom to Celine Dion on Friday night. I was doing it as an obligation, nice thing to do and since we now have the transport chair, why not give that a whirl. My 85 year old mom gets around well but not long distances. I've always thought Dion was a bit fake and well, you know, just cheesy. Well, let me tell you, folks, I cried. Her music and performance was so moving I had tears and lots of them during the concert. Great stage set up with a people mover on it and good dancing and some amazing vocals (of course). I was really surprised but I thoroughly enjoyed it, maybe more than Mom. Who knew!

No pics. Wait, that can't happen. Let's see what I can scurry up. Since I'm leaving on a jet plane, here's the last one, going to Chicago as the sun set. through the window... And here is a picture of a great display at Anthropologie last month. Interesting, no? I learned the last time I was there that they move displays from one store to another - rotating and there isn't a great AP warehouse somewhere with all this amazing stash. Too bad, so sad. Anyhow, hope you have a great weekend!