Learning Lettering & Practicing...

Learning lettering at my age sounds so silly to me however I am taking classes with my friend Lindsay, Creator of Cuteness.  Lindsay breaks all the rules I was taught in my early years.  This is such a fun way to spend a little "ME" time.  The tools are simple...paper, pencil, white eraser, black pen (or any color you like) and some fun colored pencils and/or watercolors.

I promised to address an envelope and mail it to Lindsay.  I used the "wave" method of addressing.  Then a note to include inside and let Lindsay know I am practicing.  Lots and lots of practicing.  Only ten (10) minutes per day is my homework.  I was waiting for an appointment and found the time perfect for a little lettering practice.  Just keep a pencil or pen and some paper or a small journal handy and let the fun happen. I have been spending lots of time outdoors doing clean-up yard work. Our weather is wonderful and cool for August so I am taking advantage of it.  Not using water is a challenge as I normally would like to hose down dirt and rock walls.  We still have had no rain.  If any of you have that flooding and too much rain we would be very thankful to have you send it to us.  Hoping all are safe from surprise flooding across the East coast. Summer Bliss and Creative Joy...

Halloween Happening Here...

Pumpkin Patch ATC.  I was playing in my studio and wondering what I shall be creating for a couple of Halloween swaps I am participating in this month.  Yes this is August but now-a-days holidays happen much sooner than their actual month such as October for Halloween.  I put together this little ATC which is still one of my favorite things to create.  Mr. C who normally can't be bothered with anything I am making came along and said this is really cute.  So now we are keeping this for ourselves.  Thank you Mr. C.

Here is how I function...or not...in my studio.  I have shared many times that this worktable Mr. C custom built for me is about 5' x 9' and just my height so as not to have to bend over and hurt my back.  How I manage to fill the entire surface is beyond my comprehension.  I merely begin to gather my supplies and the next thing I know I am working in a tiny little space of inches.  Does this happen to you or am I all alone?
 

Here is the other end of my huge table.  If there is any horizontal surface I manage to fill it up.  Right now I also have a 4' x 8' folding banquet table in this same room and I completely filled the top of it too.  Other projects that I will share soon.  This has to be some sort of affliction.  I am trying my best to use what I have and not buy something for everything I think I need.  If I am organized I realize I already have something that will work just fine.  My goal for the short term is to sort and purge as I am going along.  I managed to complete one little shelf in the cabinet you see in the background.  Hey one little shelf is better than nothing and it is a beginning.  Why do I save so much?  Our local Neighborhood Center of the Arts will be receiving some crafty donations very soon.  I have given them lots through the years and they are always so very grateful.  Yarns and thread cones for their weaving programs along with beads and papers and such.  There is a lot of talent in these very artistic people.  I shall be donating all my polymer clay supplies as I am not using them myself.  

Here are some ATC's I completed.  I really had fun creating these little Artist Trading Cards.  Now I really must concentrate on the swaps I need to mail in a week or sooner.  Halloween theme and Orange...certainly I can put together some fun destash for this challenge.  Remembering to "use the good stuff"!
Our weather has been quite nice for August.  Not too hot but just right.  Of course we are still bone dry here.  Mr. C and I have been doing some repairs at the pond.  The deer and bears break down the edging around the walkway each year.  So Mr. C has been pounding stakes into our extremely hard clay dirt and making all better...except his thumb he hit with the sledge hammer.  How he has such strong bones that don't break or crush is a blessing indeed.  He doesn't even complain...after the intial barage of expletives!  Bless this man who works so hard.  I have been picking up pine needles, leaves and tiny little rocks to help him. Our home is my joy and I truly am a homebody.  Traveling is wonderful however being home is where I am happiest.  I hope your Summer/Winter is bringing you some wonderful and refreshing hours of joy.
Creative Bliss and lets make something that brings us pure pleasure...

Lavender Museum France...

While in the South of France touring the Provence and Luberon regions we stopped at this wonderful Lavender Museum.  Musee de la Lavande and you can click the link to read more details. I love lavender and had read about this stop long before we traveled.  Mr. C was kind enough to indulge me and we had a lovely visit.  The tour is quite interesting.

The grounds are lovely and quite perfect for resting and even bringing a picnic lunch which we did not have with us.  We did sit and enjoy an ice cold water and snack we had.

This is a copper still.  Did you know they distilled lavender oils from the lavender plant buds in copper stills? Very amazing to see how it has been done for decades by this family that decided to share their love and livelihoods of farming lavender with this museum open to the public.

Lavender is very interesting and I did not have much knowledge of fine lavender before visiting here.  I am so glad we stopped and learned more about something I truly adore.

Yes they have a fine boutique and Flat Fanny and I did some shopping.  We purchased some fine lavender essential oil.  Only produced and sold here...not in the States.  I already have some lavender essential oil I purchased in the local health foods store.  Now I know the difference.  I have been using a small spray vessel filled with my infused lavender oil for refreshing my face in dry and/or hot conditions.  I carried it with me on the planes and trains and used it when I felt less than refreshed.  Just a light spritz and ahhh.
Here is the recipe I use.  It is from Curly Girl by Lorraine Massey with Michele Bender.
1.  Fill a large pot with 2 quarts water.
2.  Cover the pot, bring to boil and simmer for 1 hour to remove impurities. Check to be certain water isn't boiling away.
3.  Remove pan from heat and add 5 drops pure (not synthetic) lavender essential oil.  Stir to blend and replace the lid.
4.  Let the lavender water steep until cool.  Pour into spray bottles.
5.  Store extra lavender spray in a cool place.
This spray can be used to refresh rooms, car interiors, bed linens, clothes in the dryer and hair and face.
You will want to spray this in a non-conspicuous area until you are certain you like the results.  Your lavender essential oil may be different from my lavender essential oil.
August is already on a fast track.  Fortunately we got some light rain yesterday and today it is misting.  I am so very thankful for any moisture we receive in this Dry Drought Ridden state we are in.  I have been busy with my semi-annual Whooly Thyme trimming at the pond.  Not much happening in the studio or sewing room.  I have plans for projects but just need to get myself motivated and busy.  I think I am still in vacation mode or maybe Summer lazy days mode.
What are you busy doing these days of August?  I understand school begins very soon.  So early compared to years ago when it began right after Labor Day.
Summer Sunshine Smiles...or...Winter Cool Sparkles to each of you.  Creative Bliss to all...

August Swap Completed...

Once again I was able to participate in A Swap For All Seasons.  The month of August was themed "Just My Style" and had no color designation.  This is the card and tag I created to send out.  Summer is my favorite season and this image just said Summer to me.

I contacted Joyce whom I was to send to.  Her blog is Scrap for Joy.  I found out she likes red and aqua so I gathered a few destash items in those colors and sent them off.  The one item in purple was her favorite...a bubble wand.  Blowing bubbles is also a very Summer thing to do.  Actually for me it is any season.  Joyce was very sweet and let me know she really liked her package.

All of this is what I received from May of May's Happy Daze blog.  Not only did May mail from the UK she stuffed the envelope ever so full with all of these wonderful goodies!  Her card and tag are elegant and I love them. I am "gobsmacked" with all the beautiful and generous paper images, ribbons, buttons, laces, bits and bobs, and even some tea to sip while creating.  Thank you very very much May.  I am "chuffed to bits".

I truly love this swap Linda has created and facilitated.  Thank you Linda.  I will be signing up for September!  After all Halloween is not far away.  My calendar pages are turning faster and faster as I try to keep up.  Are you already creating for Halloween?  I know my daughter is already purchasing and preparing for her 2nd annual Halloween Epic Party.  I missed last year and will probably miss this year too.  Actually I don't do scary very well.  I attended Knott's Berry Farm Halloween event one year and that was too scary for me.  I about died while sitting outdoors having dinner and some sort of unseen Zombie grabbed my ankle under the table.  Never!  Again!  Ever!  I get scared just normally and that was too much for me!!!
Wildfires continue in too many places.  So far we are safe.  Prayers continue for all those affected.  We truly need rain...lots of rain.  No lightening...just rain!
I have been spending all my spare time and beyond sorting beads.  Upcoming post for certain.
What have you been doing as July comes to a close?
Creative Bliss Continues...

Paper Pocket Card...

My friend Ana of Scrappy Pink Corner blog sent me a lovely card with a pocket containing lots of embellishing goodies (no photo...my bad).  Thank you Ana, I love it all.  Well, you might have done what I did.  Yes, I deconstructed her card very carefully so as not to ruin it and then proceeded to make my own. Out of one 12" x 12" piece of cardstock you can make two paper pocket cards.  There is probably a die cut for these however I merely used my trusty pencil, ruler, scissors and score tool.
This tea themed one is in the mail.  I couldn't resist.  I also mailed out a few others but didn't take photos.

This one I sewed the edges as opposed to using glue or tape.  I used a postage stamp that arrived on another card I received and am sharing it with its originator.

In the pocket I placed a clear transparency cut to size with a glitter butterfly stitcker that can be reused.  The first photo card pocket holds a tea bag in keeping with the paper's theme.  I have mailed ribbon and lace in the pockets of some others.
This is a very quick and easy craft and one I like so well I will make lots more to send out.  Any time I can send a little giftie along makes me happy.
What do you think of this Paper Pocket Card?
We are still without any rain.  I do not consider a "spit" to be rain and it certainly didn't even coat the deck let alone the ground.  Mr. C and I did some weeding last evening and it was more like scraping the hard clay ground as opposed to pulling and getting any roots.  Our lawn is turning fashionable California Brown 2014.
My prayers are continuing for all of Washington State and Oregon who are experiencing horrific wildfires. California has managed to put out most of its fires so far.
I have just finally finished editing our Holiday photos and will be sharing some more of our travels with you very soon.  Now Mr. C is building DVDs of our photos which is nice to view on the TV screen.
Summer Sunshine (Winter Sparkle) and Creative Bliss...