My muse is back

She just needed to know we were going to Disneyland, and there she was ready to stamp. These are children's wooden dominos all stamped with staz-on ink in timber brown. I wish I had more of these to play with. I think they might turn into pins, but I'm up for suggestions. I imagine some will be gifts and some will find their way to my etsy shop. Santa is going to have to stay here with me, though. It felt good to get creative.

We are going to Disneyland

Kyle and I had plans to go to Disneyland tomorrow since it was a teacher work day. We changed our plans a bit since there is no school all this week. We have reservations for Thursday night to stay at a Disney hotel, so we will go on Thus & Fri to see Mickey. It will be nice to get away even though we just got home. I know it sounds crazy, but I think it will be good to see fantasyland for a while.

Just a bit of stamping

I am trying to get the stamping bug back, but it's slow going. Here is some real basic stamping just to get ink on the stamps.

Too much sadness around here. Yesterday there were two families in the post office while I was there who had lost everything. It's very humbling.

On a much lighter note. Ellen made me laugh out loud yesterday. Do you watch her show? I hardly ever remember, since that's usually a busy time of the day around here. But, with school out all week, I watched her yesterday. She had Obama on her show and in the opening she did this whole thing about politics. She said she doesn't really follow them much, she likes her politics like she likes her men. Isn't that hilarious. I had tears rolling from laughing so hard. Later in the opening she did a thing about how she's had 3 democratic candidates on her show now, but none of the republicans have accepted her invitation. So, she is offering a basket of Halloween candy as an incentive. She said there are snickers, red vines, and all the good candy in there, but she took out the Mike and Ike's because she knows they don't like things like that. Hilarious....maybe it's on a clip on youtube by now. It's probably funnier if you actually watch it. It made my day a little happier. Thanks Ellen.

Honey, I'm Home

The evacuation orders were lifted at noon today. We waited a bit for the rush to die down. Got home this evening. Ah, it feels so good to be here. Back to creative postings tomorrow, I promise.

We went home briefly today

It was a good day. Today we got to go home unofficially for a brief period of time this afternoon. It was so nice to check on everything and be sure it's all ok. The frogs needed tending and the pond was low. Everything else looked great. It even rained a bit before we left. We are hoping to get home by Monday. I was able to get all my etsy orders together to ship out and even did a little stamping before we left. I hope your weekend is going well, too.

Fire Sale in my Etsy Shop

I decided to have a sale in my etsy shop. All items listed in September are free shipping this week. Since I can't list anything new there, might as well have a sale.

We are doing fine here and it looks like the firefighters are getting a handle on one of the mountain fires. Some residents at lower elevations are able to go home today. Not yet for us, but that's good news for them.

We are heading down to Laguna today to see the Pageant of the Monsters. We bought tickets about a month ago, and so glad I brought them with us. It's a walk through hauted house set put on by the Laguna Arts Festival. They do wonders with sets, costumes, and make up. It should be a fun time. Will probably get a bite of fish for supper, too. All in all a good day here.

Day 4 of Evacuation

Well, it doesn't look like we are going home anytime soon. The fires are still burning out of control. Our home is there and doesn't look like that will change. People are getting a little nutsy to go back home, and I do understand that feeling. We are still staying with my parents, since they are so close to the mountain. When things change, we will be able to get home faster if we stay here. You can't even imagine how chaotic it was to get home after the fires 4 years ago.

So, we are just resting a bit today, which seems silly since we haven't done much this week. The waiting, worrying, and wondering is very tiresome. We have it much better than most. I am thankful that I don't have to stay in an evacuation center, that our dogs are here with us, and that we have a home to return to. The smoke in the air is much lighter today, so I actually went outside this morning. It's nice to get out and see some sunshine. Mom and I are going to a craft sale later today.

Trying for a bit of normalcy

We are still evacuated and the fires are still burning out of control. Today we are trying to have some normal life, because I just can't take this crisis mode again today. So, I'm taking Kyle to the doc this morning for routine stuff and we are going out to lunch at our favorite BBQ place. This afternoon, I'm getting my hair cut and my mom is taking Kyle to a spooky gingerbread house decorating class at Michael's.

Hubby will be off work for 4 days starting tomorrow and no school until further notice. We are talking about going to a hotel for a bit to get out from underfoot here. With nearly a million people evacuated on So. Cal, that may be a pipe dream. I don't know if there are any hotel rooms available, and don't know where the air would be any better. Maybe the desert is the place to go.

We got good news late yesterday that 3 friends homes that were in the fire areas have been saved. There are many more we don't know about. Our home is still standing as is our neighborhood. We are still in danger, but so far so good. So, I'm going to live a bit in denial today and see if I can't get away from the news for a few hours. Thanks everyone for your well wished, prayers, and concern. It really helps.

Fire Update #3

This morning brings more bad fire news all over our area. Our home is ok for now, but the slide fire is heading our way without any air support to stop it. We live in Crest Park which is just south of Lake Arrowhead and just north of Rim of the World H.S. Just in case you are watching the fires, that gives you a good idea of where we are. Thanks to everyone who is thinking of us. We are safely away from the area, but watching closely. This is a link to a local website that updates as best they can what is happening in our area.

Fire Update #2

When the second fire on the mountain started about 8am this morning, we started packing up the car. We were getting inundated with smoke and the roads were closing all over. We voluntarily evacuated about 10am. We are now safely off the mountain staying with my parents for a while. We just saw reports and video of homes burning in Lake Arrowhead. Traffic was bad when we left, I can't imagine what it's like now. Praying that everyone stays safe.

Fire Update

We are all ok here. It seems like all of Southern California is on fire. A fire started this morning on the back side of Lake Arrowhead, not far from Kyle's school. School is cancelled today and friends in that area are being evacuated. We are on the other side of the lake, near Rim of the World High School. The car is packed and we are ready to leave if needed. Don't worry about us, we won't wait until the last minute. Hoping all my So. Cal. friends are safe today.

You Otter Know...

I want to win. We are playing a silly game over at the stamp shack called survivor. Each day there will be an elimination statement like...if you used pink ribbon you are out. So each day people get eliminated from the game, sort of like musical chairs for cards. Anyhow, this silly thing is my entry. I picked up this adorable otter for $2 at a stamp convention early this year. It's made by Ink Blocks. The sentiment is an unmounted from who knows what company. I used distress inks and a vintage dictionary page. It's fun to make a card for no particular reason that just makes you grin.

Adorable Little Al

Isn't this just the most wonderful little stamp. This was a special release by JustJohanna for World Cardmaking Day. I was so very lucky to win this adorable stamp through Just Johanna's Design Team challenges. Kerry sponsored the challenge that I won with my Earth Elements card a few posts back. I tried a stamp shack challenge with this card by masking off areas of the paper with post it notes in a grid shape. The only thing I'd do differently is use a colored pencil lighter than my background ink to lay out the grid. I can't get the pencil marks off that I used to lay out the grid. I used broken china and charcoal grey inks on this along with some markers. The background stamps are by Stampendous and Penny Black.

Did you notice the pink background on my blog? It's in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Don't forget your mammograms ladies.

A little art therapy is a good thing. Hubby is home today and we are enjoying some quiet creative time after going out to breakfast. Thanks for the support yesterday. Some days are just rotten to help us appreciate the good ones, I guess.

No title fits this post

Some days it isn't easy being married to a police officer. Most days I go along in blissful denial doing my crafty thing, trucking the kiddo back and forth to school, and keeping the house running. Then, on days like today the phone rings too early in the morning, and I know it's not good news. Fortunately it was my hubby's voice on the other end letting me know that he is ok. It was an officer from the agency they were serving search warrants with this morning who was shot in the head. That's all that I know, because I refuse to watch the news on days like this. I don't know if it's a male or female officer, young or old, kids and spouse or single. All of that really doesn't matter, it matters that a good officer was shot today protecting his community. His or her family raced to the hospital this morning praying for a miracle. The job is a thankless one most days, but they get up every day and do it again for all of us. We don't think about the sacrifices they make, the pain they see, and the grief they go through. We're just glad that we feel safe in our homes and that they come when we need them. We have 8 years and 3 months until retirement, and then I won't have to worry when the phone rings. I'm ready for that.

Blog Action Day

I'm squeaking in here in the last hour of blog action day. This is a day set aside to recognize our environment. So what am I doing to save the earth? Well, I'm an avid recycler and not just in the sense that I use the blue recycling barrels every week. Truly, I am a thrift shop maven. I believe that one woman's trash is another woman's treasure. I don't see the point in buying new things with packaging unless it's undies or shoes. All the rest are available if you have vision and are willing to dig through the junk. I hit the thrift shops at least twice a week. It's not a huge thing, but I enjoy it. It's my way of doing the three R's-- recycle, reuse, and repurpose.

Two More Stamptoberfest Cards

Yesterday was the last day of stamptoberfest at 2peas. It was such a fun time of challenges. I'll be drawing a winner later this morning for my music challenge. You need to go check out the stamping gallery at 2peas to see all the amazing entries this week. Anything with SOF at the beginning of the title is a part of the challenges.



I made this one for two challenges. One was for stamping on ribbon and the other was for a lumiere resist technique. I stamped on the ribbon with staz-on and am reasonably happy with the results. If you want to try the lumiere technique, check out Jan's tutorial. I used halo blue gold lumiere and brilliance peacock ink for this card. The turtle stamp is retired SU, and I thought he looked pretty good on this ocean-like background.



This card is for a vintage, shabby chic challenge where I had to include certain elements in the card to qualify. The requirements are for at least one piece of lace, one stamped image, one distressing technique, and one piece of vintage ephemera. For the ephemera I used the back of an old postcard and an old button. There is some sanding, distress ink, script images, and a piece of old lace along with a printed image.

I love challenges like Stamptoberfest that really ask me to stretch my limits and try new things. I think some of my best work comes out of challenges like these.

Fall Leaf

This is a complete case of a card in Papercrafts magazine that I made in a new card club this week. I love the rich fall colors in this. The papers, stitch stamp, and ribbon are all CTMH. It measures 6" x 6".

A Project and Recommendations

I had so much fun making this little band-aid tin. It started out as a white metal tin from provocraft. After alot of alcohol inks that included red pepper, wild plum, cranberry, pearl mixative and blending solution this is what it looks like. I added some flowers, a glass bead, and some fibers for texture. The metal embellishment came from a swap over at Fiskateers. It has just the right words for the recipient of this little box. I hope it arrives today. It is filled with some ATC's from a whole group of talented women.


Now for a recommendation. I am reading an amazing book called Rubber Stamping Artist Trading Cards. It's a TweetyJill Publication, published this year that I ordered from the library on a whim, and am so happy that I did. It has pics and directions for over 500 ATC's by a variety of artists. There is a one page summary of the history of ATC's which is fascinating. Then, there are all the stamping tips. It covers all of the latest inks, paints, techniques, and tools. I'm completely enamored by this book.

And one more thing you need to check out. I was shopping around etsy this morning and found Morning Glory Designs, the most amazing shop. Actually, it's the shop owner that is amazing. Willie is battling cancer and is teaching beading to others going through chemotherapy. She sells jewelry in her shop in order to buy supplies for her free classes she gives to these brave women who are battling the cancer beast. Please stop by her shop and see if there is something you can purchase to show your support for her amazing selflessness. I started my Christmas shopping there today.

Making Memories Rocks

You may recall that I did a review last month of the new making memories cutter for Craft Critique. I'm so glad I did, because several people complained about problems with theirs. Mine is working fine, but the ruler had come apart from the magnet. They have a form that you can fill out online for defective products. I filled out the form. I just received a package today with a new magnetic ruler and some adorable Halloween tags and thank you rub-ons. This is a company that knows how to take care of business. If you have any problems with making memories products, I urge you to take a moment to contact them.

Paint & Gothic Arch Challenge

I had to cave and combine a challenge tonight. There are just too many wonderful challenges out this weekend. This is for Julie's use paint challenge and Gothic Arch flower challenge. Lilacs are my absolute favorite flower. If you add in a few fragrant roses, then it's just heaven on earth. I stamped this Great Impressions lilac with versamark and embossed with clear embossing powder. Then I got out my twinkling H2O paints and got busy with the paint brush. I masked off a bit and sprayed some ink. Then that wasn't enough, so I got out the heat and stick powder and dazzling diamonds glitter. The ribbon says it all. Thanks for the great challenges Julie and Godelieve.

Earth Elements Challenge

I gave it a shot to try Kerry's challenge over at the stamping bug. She wanted us to do a card with the elements of earth, water, wind, and fire. Well, it took me a while to get the group Earth Wind and Fire out of my head to create! Each of the circles is stamped and represents one of the elements. I thought the saying worked with the theme and the rest of the goodies are there for texture and interest. I used a piece of my new Stella Ruby BG paper...it's so yummy. Thanks so much for an amazing challenge, Kerry.

Recycled Card Challenge

This was such a fun challenge from Kim over at Running on Ink. I really lucked out that while we were staying in our hotel this week I noticed this cute little scalloped round paper thingie. It was a coaster under the coffee cups in our room. Of course I didn't see the light until the last day, or I'd have a pile of them. I stamped this new fishie stamp with Nick Bantock inks by Ranger on the coaster. I first inked him up with yellow and then smudged some blue over it. He looks very tropical to me. I used a SU fishnet background stamp behind him and this cool net looking ribbon I picked up at the LSS. The tag is clipped on with a paper clip. Thanks for the challenge, Kim.

World Cardmaking Day Challenges

So many challenges and so few hours. Well, I got 5 things finished for the festivities last night. Here are the first three that I did for challenges over at 2peas. The challenges there are going on all week long with lots of prizes up for grabs. I'm hosting one, too. Stop by and check them out.

The tag is for a challenge to make something with fall leaves and I chose to stamp some and add a few pressed leaves. I used a memories mist spray on this tag and masked some leaves. The sentiment is from the dollar bin at Michael's.

The cheery flower card is for a challenge to repurpose a stamp for another use. Can you guess what the flower stems are? They are meant to be something else, but by adding the hero arts flowers they sort of look like flower stems. The ink smeared a bit, but oh well, I'm on a mission to complete the challenges, can't stop now!

The third card is for a challenge to use birds on a card. I have been meaning to use this owl stamp forever. I love him stamped with my new Nick Bantock grey ink. It feels a little like Halloween too.

Home Sweet Home

There really is nothing like getting away for a while, except returning home. We had a lovely trip up to the central coast. I enjoyed spending my days as I pleased and my evenings with my hubby after his classes. We even got over to the beach for a picnic lunch one day. The weather was gorgeous and the seafood was yummy. I don't think there was a bit of space left in the car after all my treasure hunting. I got in a few afternoon cups of tea and alot of shopping and visiting with family and friends.

I'm home just in time for world cardmaking day. I love that! Gotta clear off my work table now that I have a huge list of challenges to play with. I also have some new inks and stamps and paper for my play time. I hope you are enjoying this beautiful day dedicated to card making.