Monday, March 29, 2010

More auction goodies

You never know what you will find in some of the junk lots at the auction houses. This past weekend I bid on two large junk lots, not something I normally do. These lots are a mish mash of several boxes of non-vintage items. (pillows, baskets etc...)  I make sure to dig through everything before I haul away want I don't want to keep.  Found this lock at the bottom of one of those dirty boxes.  The scale was in a large vintage metal lot and had some really cool stuff. I will post more photos later.  Still cleaning up everything.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Another Great Auction Find - printer's cabinet

One of the cool printer's storage unit I found at the auction house this weekend.  I'm guessing it's for numbers but I'm not really sure.  It has a measuring gauge on one side that has been craved into the wood.  It's very fun piece in excellent condition. I really hate to sell it off but bills have to be paid.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

In the garden

It's that time of year again in my front yard.  All the bulb flowers are coming into bloom.  I didn't get a photo of the daffodils or tulips but here are the irises.  I love this time of year in my front yard.  Every week it's a different color, depending on what is blooming.  In about a month I will have to do a major clean up and trim everything back. I've planted more french lavender (which keeps it's bloom longer than spanish lavender) for our bees. 

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Dog Park Buddy

I try  to take Annie to the dog park everyday after we've had our morning walk.  It's to socialize her to other dogs and learn to play well with others.  One of her good buddies is a 7 month old female rottie (center photo) named Jenna.  You can see that Annie at 4 months is almost the same size as Jenna. When we passed the kids park, Annie made a beeline for the play area.  Jenna followed her up the stairs and they thought about going down the slides - middle photo.  Annie worked the tunnels and stairs like a champ - bottom photo. 
I'm always looking for big bred dogs for Annie to play with so they can body slam and chew on each other.  Both girls are very calm by nature so their play never gets to rough.  After an hour at the dog park Annie is down for a long nap.  Time to get some things done around the house.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Not My Style - Tilda

Tonight is my "Cornflakes" (card swapping group) meeting and we are doing something different.  All of us think we know everyone's style and taste when it comes to card making.  Tonight we are going to try and guess who made what card.  To add to the fun we can make a card not in our usual style, just to mess with everyone's mind.  I'm not a fan of the Tilda stamp line (don't own any) so I had to hunt down a stamp to borrow.  If Tilda doesn't fake out the group (they all know I don't like it), then adding the big flowers will.  I'm not a big flower type of card makers.  The only clue I gave was the bee Tilda is holding.  I thought that could also be a double fake out.  Would I put a bee on my card or would someone else use it to make everyone think it was my card.  Update: Three people guessed what card I made.  They said it was because I used a stamp line I don't like.  I also found out no one else in the group owns a Tilda stamp either.  One person got 7 out of 9 cards right, which was really good. 

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Teething

Annie is teething big time now.  If she's not asleep, she is chewing on something.  You can see the watercolor paper she was chewing on before I put a rawhide stick in her mouth.  I was getting very concerned about how big she is getting after meeting several "german shepherd" types at the park.  I called the family that I got her from (one good thing about getting your puppy from a home) and asked again about Annie's mom and dad.  They said that Annie's parents were both purebred GS and the dad (who had papers) was really BIG.  I guess the whole litter took after the dad as far as size and will all be very large. At 14 weeks, Annie now weighs over 35 pounds.  I'm very carefully about what she eats but if the charts are right, Annie could get as big as 140 pound!  One good thing is that she has her mom's temperment and will be a very gently dog.  Of course her tail will be able to knock over a small child or anything on a coffee table.

Happy Hedgehog and Friends Card

Another card for my Happy Hedgehogs and friends card class. What I liked about this Penny Black clear set is all the bees.  
I left the bottom of the image open so you could stamp whatever sentiment you want. I thought about stamp something but I like to give people in my classes a choice.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Iris Folding Card

I did a beginner Iris folding class this weekend.  I made this card sample using some Spring colors to show the students in class how they can change up the look.  It was also a good way to use up my scrap washi paper.
It was a good day at the dog park.  I found that going in the morning to be good time to meet nice dogs. Annie met a puppy rottweiler who is the same age and size.  It was so cute to see these big puppies bounce off each other and fall over their own big paws.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Alpha Male Story

I walk Annie 3X a day to help keep her normal puppy energy in check.  We have a really nice neigborhood park that we walk to.  I have Annie work out on the kid's stairs and tunnels, along with playing fetch with any sticks we find.  There is also a dog park a few blocks away that we've go to when we are feel brave.  It hasn't been a very good experience for Annie since she is youngest pup there. On our last visit, I noticed a man with a rottweiler puppy standing at the end of the dog park and I could tell he was practicing the "dog whisper".  I was at the water station with Annie (she likes to play in water) after she had a bad run in with some over excited older dogs. He came up to me and said "you need a alpha male".  Now what do you say to a strange man making a statement like that?  He took Annie from me and stood in the middle of the dog park with Annie.  Every dog that even thought of coming up to Annie took one look at this guy and turned around. After a bit, he let her off her leash and she was able to walk around and not get run over by the out of control dogs. Annie doesn't have a alpha male at home, but she does now at the dog park.
Annie likes to sleep on her back. I'm not sure if that's a puppy thing but it's funny to watch.  The door stop is one of her favorite things to bark at.  Not sure why but it keeps her entertained for hours.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Buttons and Paper Bending

Yes another class I will be doing at Cranberry Hill on Saturday April 17, 2010.  There will be a bonus project that you take home to do with this class.  I like the title paper bending because it's not really origami or quilling but you do have have bend the paper to get it into the shape you want.  Wonder if that would make a good crafting book title?

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Simply Punch Card Class

I'm doing a simple punch card class in April at Cranberry Hill.  These are fast and simple cards using some of the punches we all have in our crafting stash.  The tentative date is Saturday April 17, 2010.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Wonderful Washi Paper Card Class

One of the classes I will be teaching at Cranberry Hill in April.  It's a simple card class that is great for beginners or people with a lot of washi paper scraps. Tentative date is Saturday April 17, 2010.  It's the same day as the San Jose Stamp Show so if you coming into town, stop on by.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Butterfly Punch Card

Another card for my punch art class.  I "CASE" it from Splitcoast and just change the dry embossing to a Cuttlebug folder I've had for a long time.  I would change or leave off the thank you part but I also did this card for the ladies at the Senior Center and I know they don't like unfinished card or  what they call homework - card to be finished at home.   My Cuttlebug machine is getting worn out so it took a while to get the right amount of embossing pressure.  I'm really trying hard not to have to go out and buy a new one for the classes.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

They grow up so fast!

The vet told me Annie would be a very big girl and I better enjoy the puppy stage because it won't last long.  I took the lower picture of Annie on March 1, sitting under my computer table.  The top photo is her today just 14 days later.  Amazing how big she has gotten in just two weeks!  It's only a matter of time before she is too big to sit on the stair master.
I practice the dog whisper method of training a dog.  So many people, when they see Annie want to rush up and pet her.  That in the dog world is very bad manners.  I always ask them to stay standing and wait for me to bring Annie to them.  I let Annie decided if she wants to meet them or not.  So far Annie loves everyone. 

Happy Hedgehogs Card Class

One of the cards I will be doing for my Happy Hedgehogs card class next month.  I will be making all the cards from the one of the new Penny Black clear sets.  One of the down sides to the clear sets if you lose the outside wrapper, you forget who's stamps they are. :)

Friday, March 12, 2010

Annie's Ears

Cousin Tad came over tonight and got the first photo of both Annie's ears standing up!  At her vet visit this week, the Dr. said her ears will still flop around so not worry about it.  Annie weighed in at 30 pounds (at 3 months) so best guess is she will be a really big dog.  When it was time to take her temperature the vet asked me to hold her.  The vet lifted her tail and Annie started to scream like she was being tortured.  The vet was laughing because he hadn't done anything yet.  She just kept on screaming.  I said hurry up and get it over with before all the dogs in the waiting room go into panic mode.  I've come down with a cold so I'm cooped up in the house for a few days.  The hardest part is getting up to take Annie for her walks. The plus side is I've gotten some of my class samples done.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Love Those Bees

I've done this card before but I'm working really hard on using up my stash of paper.  I spent 12 hours this past weekend sorting and throwing out "some" of my stash.  Yes, I have so much I couldn't get through all of it in 12 hours! This is one of the cards I had the ladies make down at the Japanese Senior Center yesterday.  Super fast to make once you've made the bee list.  There is a stamp out there (can't remember the name) where I got the idea to make the list.  I didn't like the graphics that went with the stamp so I made my own list with my computer.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Simple Butterfly Punch Card

I'm working on a new set of classes and one of the classes will feature punches.  I like to do simple cards class for those who are new to card making or rubber stamping.  The background for this card was sponged on.  If this was for a more advanced class, I would use the Copic airbrush system.  Not that it's harder to use but most newbies would not own one yet.  Too many other supplies they should buy first.  :)
Marvy inks, Memory Box Stamp, Marvy Punch

Monday, March 8, 2010

Fun day At Alameda Point Flea Market

Had a great day with my girls (daughter Evan, Michelle Evan's room mate, niece Julie) at the Alameda Point Flea Market. Antiques by Bay I've been waiting to check out this flea  market for years but never got around to it.  I know it's a favorite shopping place for Tim Holtz and he sometimes plans his Northern California classes to be here on the first Sunday of every month. When we first got there (very late in my world) after 10:00 there was a major traffic jam to get in the parking lot, so we parked off site and hiked in. I had no idea what to expect.  The first thing you will notice is that there are tons of cool stuff everywhere. If you are a creative type you will be in creative overload.  What I didn't know at the time was you can only sell things that are at least 20 years old. None of the mass cheap imports like you see in most city flea markets. I picked up this little dog knitting vase (got a lot of eye rolling from the girls) which was too cute to pass up. It's well worth spending the day there!!!

Friday, March 5, 2010

One ear up

When I brought Annie home  one of the many things my hubby yelled at me was that she wasn't a German Shepherd because her ears didn't stand up. Well, Annie's left ear is standing up and looks like her other will too.  I'm thinking about getting her DNA tested to see what her Dad was since her legs are a little on short side for a GS.  I'm training Annie the Cesar Millan "dog whisperer" way.  It's working out really well.  Annie maybe a puppy but she is very calm most of the time.  She is now 3 months old and weighs in at 30 pounds.  If the charts are right she could grow up to be 90 pounds which is big for a female. Getting ready to start with the puppy classes.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Mini Flower Punch Card

I will be doing a class using punches to make simple cards.  I know this is a design that has been done many times but I think some people forget about their mini punches.  Super sized punches seem to be all the rage now.  Tons of mini punches are sold off at the used rubber stamp or scrapbooking rummage sales. They make super fast fun cards. Grass stamp by A Muse.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Good Dog Biscuits - Doggie Treats

I've been making Annie her own doggie treats.  She likes them so much, I've decided to start selling them at Cranberry Hill in Sunnyvale.  I use all human grade ingredients (you can eat them too) and no artificial anything. I make them in small batches since I have to save up enough bacon grease.  Yes, I eat bacon and the plus side is I now have something to do with the grease.

Simple raining day card - Hero Arts

It's been raining here in California so Annie and I are hanging out in the studio.  We still have to go for our daily walk three times a day and Annie doesn't seem to mind getting soaked.  I'm working really hard in using up the huge piles of  "stuff" I have horded for years.  Some of my scrapbooking paper is over 10 years old! Making cards for my card racks and trying to house break Annie.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Children and Fur Babies

Yesterday was my birthday and no I wasn't a leap year baby.  I was born at 11:57 pm.  The doctor asked my mom if she wanted the baby born in Feburary or March.  In true motherhood form, my mom said "just get it out". For all of us who have had babies we can totally relate to how she felt. 
My birthday was a day of technology and kids.  I talked to my son who is on deployment in the Middle East via Skype.  He will be coming back home later this month but it was still nice to talk to him.  My daughter Evan (who is in her early 20's) is always trying to update my "look" so I got a very nice (but tight fitting) outfit from Norstrom.  Evan said it looked great but I'm going to take it back and get everything in a size larger.  Since I have to jog a little with Annie, I went shoe shopping with Evan.  She has been running forever (soccer, cross country, marathons) so she power shopped me through the maze of running shoe out there.  She also insisted on buying me a pair of more "hip" shoes to wear with my jeans.  Annie (the dog) has been such a joy in my life even with having to deal with all the puppy issues. She is always by my side. She is too big now to sleep at my feet when I'm working on my computer so she sleeps on the stair master I have blocking all the cables.  I put stair master there when we had the foster kittens since they were always jumping on the power strip turning off my computer.  Yes, all my "kids" made it a fun day.