High speed camera

Dating a guy with a high speed camera can only mean I will be posting a whole lot more photos. This was one of Barry's favorite photos. Life it good and I'm one very happy woman.

Christmas photo 2012

I've wanted a Christmas photo of me and Annie ever since I got her as a puppy.  Mr. Barry finally made my wish come true.  It took over 100 shots with a high speed camera to get this picture. Annie just knows when I want to take a picture and starts to ham it up with her tennis ball. There was a whole lot of wrestling going on to get her to stand still. 

Card Class - November

One of the cards I will be doing for my class down at the Wellness Center. Still going with the old school techniques. Simple cards with lots of interest, the way
the ladies like it.

Hiking Mt. Whitney

I am putting together an older woman's group (40 and over) to hike Mt. Whitney sometime next year. If you're in the area, we will start training together by walking and doing core work. The exercise class is being tailored just for our group and will move at our pace. Two months before we leave for the hike, we will start our practice hikes carrying full backpacks. Once or twice a month will we have field trip hikes to the different trails around the Bay Area.

You don't have to be in top shape to start out, we will get you there before the hike. I know for many woman having a goal to work towards and others to share the journey with helps. So don't be afraid to join us!

Quick Card Class

Masking & Sponging

I did promise to post more samples from my Quick Card classes. It feels like my life is on full throttle, with the gas pedal all the way down on to the floor. Work as been super busy and all the side projects to rebuild my life, just keep me hopping.
For the current set of card classes, I've gone back to the old school techniques. We did some sponging and masking. Very old school but a great way to use the products you already have at home. The butterfly card used two colors I would never have put together - Pinterest!

Masking

Sponging

Crazy Color Combo

Quick Card - Sort Of......

Memory Box Tree Die and Leaf Die

This was suppose to be a quick card for my class here at the center. The Memory Box tree die is a pain to cut out in one good piece. I was lucky that one of the ladies came in early and help punch them out. It was great to use up some very "vintage" scrapbooking paper I have in my stash. I don't know how this paper made it through the great big purge when I sold my house but it did.

Simple Butterfly Punch Card

This was one of the cards I had the ladies make for my monthly card class here at the center. Last month we made some watercolor backgrounds using twinkling H2O paints. I saw a card on Pinterest (great site if you have not visited it yet) and CASE it. Very simple card to make. The butterfly punch is one of those you can get for dollar. Less if you can find one at a used rubber stamp sale. You can't tell by looking at the card but I punched the butterfly out on white card stock, then punch the butterfly out. I punch the watercolor background with a circle. Gives it a much cleaner look. Center one is popped up.

Just a little update

Rare photo of me sitting at my desk

More card projects coming up soon, I promise. Things have been crazy in my life this past month. Design time has once again taken a back sit to other life issues. I've done some private design work but it's not mine to be able to post.
There isn't enough time in the day as I try to live life to the fullest.
Several challenge have been checked off my list and still moving forward to a more positive future.
The new budget at work was passed last week so work life is good.

Recycle and Simple

I know this card doesn't look like much, since you really can't see the light blue shading in the background.
Another card for the ladies down at the Senior Center.
I used the copic airbrush system for the background, Memory Box branch die (love this die) and SU bird punch. The bird was punched from a gold lining from a sake box the staff at the YAK saved for me from Sake San Jose. It was a little too bright gold, so I airbrushed is with a little dark brown. Again hard to see the shimmer in the photo. The triple matting added to the look and that was done with my Gensis paper cutter, which is the best.

Old School Stamping - Chalking

Simple Chalking Technique

I'm getting back into the swing of things and teaching rubber stamp classes is something I enjoy and truly miss. It does take a whole lot of prep time for a class and that is where most new teacher fail.
This is one of the cards I did for the ladies down at the Senior Center this month. Simple stamping (brown ink) and then very old school technique - chalking. I may be doing a class on the oldies but goodies stamping techniques from the past. We all have the stuff but sometimes forget about them when the flashier new products come out.

Second Quick Card 2012

I was under the gun to get this card done. I thought I had all morning to finish putting something together but I ran out of time. Read my other blog if you want more of the back story of what made me lose so much time on Friday.

Quick Card - Memory Box Die

I looked all over for this die at one of my friends studio last week. I think this is the only thing she didn't have. I gave up and hours before my card class was suppose to start, I found it in my stash of stuff. Not sure when I got it since I don't buy a whole lot of supplies anymore but I had it. It's a simple card and one the ladies at the Senior Center could do super fast. Memory Box branch die, flower punch from the Japanese dollar store.

Clean and Simple or CAS

I've been helping a friend organize and clean up her very large craft studio. She has almost everything rubber stamp and scrapbooking related. Last night I went over while she was out of town to borrow the new Memory Box branch die. I was sure if anyone had it, she did. I wanted to make a sample invitation for an up coming event. So I called head to make sure someone was home to let me in and began my search. After a few text messages to people who have been in her studio, I was amazed she doesn't have it yet. It must be so new she hasn't seen it.
I did find this flower stamp set that comes with a matching die cut. Very hard to line  up the die, so I ended up cutting it out by hand. You can't tell they are pop dotted up from the photo but that does add a little something.  This card is in honor of Susan from simplicity who does the best CAS cards. I really want to put more embellishment on the card but keeping true to CAS had to resist the temptation.

Simple Washi Paper Card Class

I will be doing a "Simple Washi Paper" card class at Cranberry Hill in June. We haven't confirmed the date yet but we have penciled in
Sunday, June 3, 2012 from 1:00 - 3:00. Class fee is $20.00.

I've done this class in the past and it's a great one for beginners. You learn basic iris folding and what to do with all those washi paper scraps you can't throw away. The cards are simple and fast which is always fun to make.

Warm Weather = Bee Swarms

With the weather warming up the bees will start to swarm.
Please call the Santa Clara Valley Bee Guild Bee Swarm Hot Line.
(408) 634 - 2337
or visit our website to contact a guild member.
www.beeguild.org

Great weekend

Had a totally awesome weekend!

More on my other blog.

The Awesome Project"

Seek out and nuture "the awesome"

"Whenever I feel curious, inspired, energized, hopeful, engaged, connected, and/or like I'm having fun,

I know I'm accessing the Awesome."

bamboo project

Options

Things are move along.

More on my private blog.

Empowering Women over 55

Check out my other blog is you want to know why

I posted Fred's picture!

Women over 50 challenge

55 and proud of it!

I've joined the Women over 50 challenge to do things out of our comfort zone. It is to empower older women to be comfortable with who we are. With my weight loss and boxing work out, my body has changed a whole lot. No spandex needed, not that I would wear those awful things even if I wanted to.
I was challenge to wear a short skirt and 6 inch heels. Getting those shoes on was a challenge, not to mention walking in them. Wish there was a video of me putting them on. We were laughing so hard and I almost fell over twice. With the shoes on I'm almost 6 feet tall! The next challenge is in the works now.
More information on my private blog.
Big thank you to Mr.M for keeping me focused and pushing me to keep working it.

Bunny in the hole

A quick Easter card. I'm really bad about keeping my card rack stocked with holiday cards. Saw with bunny butt and just had to make it.

More details on my other blog.

Michael Strong Kimono Die

Just a quick card using Michael Strong's Kimono die.

Card Class

Some quick cards for my  card class down at the Akiyama Wellness Center today. They will be learning how to mask and use an air brush. I took the photos with my cell phone so you can't see the bright colors.

Maui 2012

View from the condo from the condo in Maui.

  Lots of whales and giant sea turtles in the area.

More on my other blog.

Eat Well, Travel Often

Well this month has sure turned out this way! 

Had a week of great home cooked meals from a master chef and will be going on vacation to a warm and sunny beach location.

Life is good!