Sometimes it just works out that way....

We are home - again! Our trip to see the space shuttle Discovery off on her last mission did not turn out the way we envisioned. We actually thought we would get to see her lift off but it was not to be. We tried several times - once in the pouring rain - to make our way to the pick up spot but once there the launch was cancelled. Florida Dolphin Tours was great in keeping it all organized and I hope we can reschedule for the next launch. We did have a fun trip though so I won't complain about that. DisneyWorld has nothing on Disneyland and I will never again feel like I'm missing something when I go there. The Harry Potter world at Universal Florida was awesome. And Kennedy Space Center is not to be missed even if there isn't a shuttle launch planned. I appreciate all the prayers out there for the weather and such but there must have been something in the big picture that we did not see because our prayers were not answered. While it was very disappointing, especially for my daughter, Kelie, its all good - God knows what's best for us and the astronauts too.

Up, up, and away!!

Discovery Launch here we come!!! We got our tickets today to be on the NASA Causeway for the launch. It was our third and final try and we were finally successful. Feel sorry for all those that were not as I know there were many. If we hadn't been able to get these we would have gone to Space View Park which is twice as far away but has a good view. This is a trip of a lifetime for sure and my daughter is very excited as this is both her birthday and Christmas present.

Any of you prayer people out there if you think of it please say one for great weather and nothing to delay the launch. Its a small thing but God cares about my small things as well as my big ones - so praise to Him! He is good!

CCC #13 - A Tisket, A Tasket...Grunge Paper Flowers

So many projects so little time! I've actually finished two today so I'm feeling pretty good. Love my baskets - just wish they were a little more organized instead just a bunch of stuff that you have to dig thru. They kind of remind me of the bag style purses that are on the market today - oh, idea....perhaps I should purchase some of those bag organizers to organize my baskets...hmmmm might have to look into that. Wow, that started to be a rabbit hole!

My offering today is a basket - you saw this coming right? I have baskets hanging on several doors around here including one that had completed cards, little things I didn't want to lose and things I just didn't know what to do with. So I decided to decorate one of them. I used gesso on the grunge paper, stamped with with various backgrounds with embossing ink, and added distress powder, some of which peeled off when I was shaping the flowers. Buttons and leaves finished it up. Overall I like the look - reminds me of Alice in Wonderland for some reason even though the flowers didn't look like that in the cartoon or movie. Oh well, thats where my mind goes anyway and I'm staying!

Enjoy the weekend!

Make a Splash - House Mouse

This is my first House Mouse challenge! I have several of the stamps that I won from an ebay auction years ago but have only used them one time before this. I love the cute little guys and this particular image is the reason I bought the set in the first place. Since I'd never used the stamp and it feels like a "new" stamp to me I also decided to try a "new" technique (for me) - I used colored pencils and gamsol mineral spirits to color the image. I really like the resulting pastel colors. With practice I might actually get good at this - but for now I think this was a good first try.

CCC - 12 Something Fall

I love fall!!! Its most favorite time of year and in celebration of our cruise I created some fall leaves. Used some metal leaves that Linda had given me (she's like a drug dealer passing out the candy for free just to hook you on it!!) and I did a mix of Concord Grape, Peeled Paint, Fired Brick, and Spiced Marmalade to create the layered color.

I really liked the result but I didn't quite know what to do with them. After much thought and messing around I finally decided that I would make a charm. So I got out my Tim link chains and played with that for awhile. I ended up making something that I just love. Its very simple but then the best tools are and when those tools are pretty to boot - well you've got the best of both worlds. So my final project came out to be a bookmark for my Bible. Its long enough that I can use it it mark two pages at once so that when I'm studying I can easily reference back and forth, or I can just use it so mark my favorite passage in Psalm 46:10 that say "Be still and know that I am God." Can't tell you how many times in my life I have leaned on that scripture to calm myself in the midst of upheaval or every sort.

Anyway, thanks for looking & have a blessed week!

CCC #11 - Blended Batik and Friends

Where do these weeks go? Already Challenge #11 over at Studio L3 - click on the Compendium of Curiosities pix to go take a peek!! You will see some absolutely stunning art and be drawn to creating some art of your own - what could be better?

On a card kick - so here's another one for a sweet lady I know. I used shiny card stock to do the technique and a stamp I picked up years ago from the Dollar Store and finished it off with Peeled Paint Distressed Ink. I framed the flower using Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Scalloped Circles Large (& the largest one). The stamps, both the flower bouquet and the verse, are from Sweet and Sassy Stamps and are digi. Wanna know a secret? I gave up this paper scrapping and playing a couple of years ago and went all digital - now I'm using both and having an absolute blast. I've also been playing with my new Promarkers - feel as though I'm still in Kindergarten but I'm getting better. (used Rose Pink, Sunflower, Petrol Blue, Pastel Blue, Coral, Spice, and Cool Grey 2) I didn't have the right color greens to match the Peeled Paint so I had to improvise but it turned out just fine.

Anyway, busy week next week with my oldest, and her husband and two cats, moving back in for a couple of weeks before her apartment is ready but will try to stop by and see what everyone is up to. Have a great week!

CCC #10 - Distress Stickles

One thing I have in common with my friends - we all love the beach. The sound of the waves, the fresh air after life in the valley, the unhurried life that seems to be, wants to be.

So when Linda L. chose Distress Stickles as this weeks project with all the sparkle immediately sand came to mind. I had a Stampin' Up stamp, which I've never used, that was given to me by one of these beach lovers so just thought I would try it on a birthday card for that same beach lover.

I used Basic Grey paper, the sand dollar stamp, a Happy Birthday stamp that I borrowed from Linda and forgot to look at who made it, Distressed inks and Distressed Stickles in Scattered Straw, Faded Jeans, Milled Lavender, and Antique Linen, some Prima flowers and with black centers from SkyBluePink (which should have been more than one size since the flower were but I only had one size), and a piece of brown ribbon from my scraps.

As usual, great fun - thanks Linda and the other Linda too!