Banner Swaps and Gifts...

As you know I am participating in A Swap For All Seasons monthly Banner swap this year.  I will do my very best to not miss a month however there is no pressure with this wonderful swap Linda is hostessing.  No theme each month either.  How freeing indeed.  I am not able to show you what I created and mailed because I forgot to take a photo.  However...this is the uber creative banner I received from Patty of Blooming in Kansas blog.  I am truly honored by the personal touches Patty put into this banner for me.  She did her homework and reviewed my blog posts and this is just the most perfect tribute to "createology".  This is all hand sewn and I absolutely love it.  Click on the photo to see it in more detail so you can appreciate all the elements Patty included.  Thank you beyond words Patty! 

This is a surprise gift I received from Lori of Pretty Things blog.  Her wonderful son Zack actually drew my name and they sent me this fabulous book "Pretty Birds" by Virginia Lindsay.  It has lots of patterns and ideas to stitch up cute little birds in fabric.  And speaking of fabric...Zack personally selected these beautiful fat quarters for an extra surprise in my package.  Thank you sew very much Lori and Zack.  You do know how much I love sewing and fabrics and birds and anything creative.  Pretty Birds Creative Bliss...
We are having the most strange weather here.  There are very grey clouds overhead and the temps are chilly.  There has been light snow in the Sierra's and over Truckee Donner Summit.  All surrounding areas and towns have gotten rain and some of them up to 2 inches.  Here...totally dry and not a drop of rain at all!  I stopped dancing thinking that is what was upsetting the Rain Gods.  I am merely keeping my prayers held up high for rain to drench our desperately drought dry land.  This morning I had to water my Whooly Thyme at the pond as it looked near death.  The rest of the yard I turn a "brown" eye to.  I am keeping close watch on Mr. C's rose bushes in the back fenced area.  I can't let them die off.  I see lots of you are now well into Spring or Fall if you are across the seas.  Flowers blooming everywhere and a chance to enjoy the outdoors. 
Creative Bliss to each of you.  Thank you for your wonderful comments...Mr. C really enjoyed them on the previous post about Clara the Rumbler.  He is busy working on the reno and hoping it gets completed soon.  I will share photos.

Mr. C's Project...

This is Mr. C in his "Toybox".  It is a small single car garage however he works huge magic in this small space.  Mr. C is an engineer...a double engineer!  He and I are as opposite as it can get but somehow we work well together as a team.  Of course this is my version of this story...his would be slightly different I am certain.

Mr. C loves to have a project and he loves to engineer solutions.  The more complicated the better!  So a few years ago he decided to begin a very interesting project.  With lots of research we realized what he had in mind was not economically feasible and there would be little reason to throw good money away.  Aha...and he re-engineered his plan and began.  Here he is with his engine and drive-train portion of the plan.  Now not to bore you I have skipped through hundreds of photos and two years of very diligent work on his part (there was a long delay during his trauma accident recovery) and I introduce you to Clara...now known as THE RUMBLER.

This is our 1969 Rambler American.  We bought it years ago as a one-owner and she only had 28,000 miles on her.  As you can see she has a few different shades of "Surf Green" on her fenders due to the original owner, "Clara" driving well into her nineties and unfortunately her garage walls kept getting in her way.  What I forgot to find out before sending Mr. C to another state to pick her up is that she was not an automatic but a "three on the tree".  Mr. C could drive her quite well but I never got the hang of it and living here in the hills I couldn't do more than drive her downhill knowing I live uphill!

Now that Mr. C has rebuilt her into a "Big Bad Corvette Killer" for his track racing days she only looks original...until the trained eye gets a good look under the hood and chassis.  Now most of you are yawning and leaving...however if you have any techno buffs they will appreciate these photos. 

Clara is now awesome in her transformation.  Mr. C has engineered every element down to the finest details.  Guys absolutely drool over this stuff when he opens the hood!

Did I mention Turbo power?  Oh Yeah!!

Nothing is beyond Mr. C and his capabilities and I am so thankful.  I truly never understand all that he is doing or having me help with but I am truly grateful for what he is able to do.

So when you see us out on the highway...we may look old and poor and sad however you just might want to move out of the way...as fast as you can...because Mr. C will "dust you off" in a throttle blast of awesome power!  Well Done Mr. C!!!
Monday we had the Amgen Tour in our little town.  I was at my Chamber and got to enjoy all the spectacle and efforts of so many people who make this event possible.  We are very fortunate as this is the third time in 10 years that Amgen has come to our beautiful town of Nevada City. 
Today I have lots to get accomplished so let me get busy.  I will be visiting blogs as I "earn" time.  I am trying to be more productive and not allow myself to get lost in my computer world for the entire day and night.  Our weather is glorious and I have outdoor things I have ignored too long.  So with my new narrow rake I bought yesterday I shall be found at the pond airing out the bogs so the plants can get fresh air and sunshine.  This is really just raking leaves and debris and bagging it for pickup.  What are you enjoying in this lovely Summery weather?  Oh and please send us rain as we are still desperately dry.  Creative Bliss and I look forward to sharing your comments with Mr. C...

ATCs, Hearts and Love...

I have shared many times how much I love making ATCs.  Artist Trading Cards are very specific in size...2.5" x 3.5" and they are not to be sold but merely traded/swapped as I do.  Kim over at ArtJoyStuff blog does the most efficient and amazing swaps every month and I love to participate.  These are the French General theme ATCs I created. 

Here are my ATCs in process.  I like to gather a few items and then let the theme speak to me.  I have been using picture framing mat board for my bases.  You can use playing cards or cereal boxes or just about anything however I like the firm base of the mat board.  Many framing shops give free scraps.

These are the beautiful and amazing ATCs I received in return.  The swap is actually three for three however I have an extra from a dear friend who makes certain to share her creations with me.  This month Kim generously gifted everyone with a French General themed baggie of banners in case we wanted to display our ATCs this way.  Thank you Kim for always going above and beyond.

Do you know Skittles candy?  These hearts remind me of those candies.  I actually purchased these ceramic hearts from my favorite bead store...online only...Fire Mountain Beads and Gems.  As much as I love hearts of all types and styles I just couldn't pass these up. 

And here are some earrings I created and gifted a recent birthday girl.  I love how the birthday card is also the display and carrier for the earrings.  I also made a set for myself out of the coral hearts as this is such a popular color this Spring.  And I just bought a fun new top in coral color.  They will also go with some new coral linen slacks I bought but have yet to wear.  I might be a little bold and bright this year which is not my normal comfort zone.  I tend to mostly wear black or grey and try to blend into the background wherever I am.  Thankfully coral is a very complimentary color on me as I am a true Summer girl.  I love warmth and sunshine!
I would like to extend Happy Mother's Day to all who celebrate.  This really should be everyday of the year.  Being a Mother is the hardest job on the planet.  It is also a very rewarding blessing!  I am so thankful I have a Daughter and am able to experience being a Mother.  I also have two Granddaughters and I love being a Grandma.  Love and Hugs to my Jenifer, Amber (Happy Birthday today!) and Amy.  You make my world complete.
Creative Bliss to every single one of you who take the time to read and leave me comments and thank you for being part of my blogging experience...

Pocket Letter Mail...

My goodness April came and went very quickly.  I signed up for National Letter Writing Month and was given a pen pal.  This year I truly enjoyed my pen pal and her creative artistic fun mail she sent to me.  I tried to reciprocate in kind.  I made her this "pocket letter".  This is the front and the photo was taken while it was in its nine pocket plastic page protector. 

Here I have taken each pocket note out of the plastic for a better photo.  This is the front of the page.

Here is the back of the page...out of the plastic.  I added little gifts within some of the pockets.  This was fun to make and I can honestly say I was focused on my pen pal through each and every square.
If you would like to make something similar merely "Google" Pocket Letters and you will get lots of ideas from private blogs, YouTube and Pinterest.  I did my very own version rather than spend all my time researching.

Here is some fun mail I received during April.  The month actually was a lot of fun and because I kept it to a smaller list this year I was able to completely mail to everyone.

Here is another batch of fun mail I received.  Yes, that is a small wooden surf board from my pen pal.  I told you it is lots of fun. 
Now I think I have a defective wall calendar this year.  Well actually each of my calendars seems to be defective this year.  They each are rushing through the days weeks and months far faster than in years prior.  I truly need track shoes to keep up however I don't own track shoes and thankfully do not run at this age.  I do more of a saunter or meander...is this why I can't keep up?
May is already showing me I am behind.  However I do have plans to be very busy and check things off my May list.  After a little rest and recuperation from being gone for a few days visiting the young newlyweds.  The bride let me help her select materials for a couple of wedding albums for family that wasn't able to attend.  I truly enjoyed spending time being creative and reliving all the wedding fun in photos with our lovely bride.  The groom and Mr. C spent quality time together doing guy stuff! 
I shall be visiting your blogs and seeing what you are up to in this month of May.  I also have some additional letters to write and mail that I promised.  And I have some beading and hand-stitching plans which I will share later when I have something to photograph. 
Creative Bliss and Joyful May Days...  

Lavender Half Doll...

This is a lovely "half doll" in the shade of lavender.  I was very fortunate to be selected by Deb of Mosaic Magpie blog to give her a new home.  Thank you Deb so much.  When you visit her blog you will see how generous she truly is with her Wee Care Gowns and Waldorf style Dolls she creates and donates.  Deb is a true angel in this world.

I had commented on Deb's Grow Your Blog post of how I would like to make a gift of this lovely lavender half doll for my sister for her birthday.  April came quickly and I was not certain how I would gift her knowing how delicate she is.  Sew...I came upon my design and this is how she looks now...

I sewed a pillow form of about 5 inches square and stuffed it with crushed walnut shells to give it weight.  Now I had a base to work with.  Crushed walnut shells are also wonderful for use in pincushions to sharpen and protect needles and pins from rusting.  I had the most perfect lavender fabric in my possession...however I only had a small strip of it along with the square piece.  No room for mistakes.  I simply stitched a tube and then gathered it with crochet thread and tied it around her waist.  Such a tiny little waist it is.  And now you see how I finished off Miss Lavender Half Doll.

Here is my lovely sister Marie with her gift.  I had mentioned it was fragile when she was unwrapping all the tissue paper.  Her perplexed look is because she didn't know what I had given her. Then I explained to remove the cute little bucket which was merely for protection...and it was a bonus for her to keep.  OH!!!  I explained if this is the gift the way it is I would have at least put a flower on the top (bottom) of the bucket to finish it off.  lol

Marie loves her beautiful Lavender Half Doll.  And when I told her the story of Deb gifting me she loved it even more.  Thank you again Deb.  This is a special gift for a special sister I love so much.

And thank you for all your lovely comments on what you would do with the little crocheted button flowers...here is one more idea.  I gifted a set of dragonfly earrings to my sister and this is how I packaged them for her.  She loves the button and will tie it onto a barrett for her hair.  We spent a lovely day together shopping and lunching and laughing and catching up.
April is quickly coming to a close and that means National Letter Writing Month will end too.  I have been able to catch up and send out lots of mail.  I will post more on that soon.
Mr. C spent the weekend in Bakersfield with his car buds and I will share about that soon.
For now I shall be busy as we continue our downstairs remodel.  Thankfully the concrete dust is not as thick however I am still finding it in all the most interesting places...library book shelves, not to mention the books and knick knacks...inside cupboards, including on the linens...in the pantry and on it goes.  I am so happy with how the bathroom is progressing and will share photos soon.
Creative Bliss to each and every person who knows the JOY of handmade...