Morning in the garden 2017

I'm not a morning person by nature. I'm most creative late at night when everything is quiet. Things changed after I got Annie, who requires daily exercise (especially when she was a puppy) so my day starts at sunrise.  Annie gets her breakfast at dawn and then after a few hours goes out for a run. During that time, I get things done around the house before I have to leave for work. With the hot weather now here, I really have to make sure Annie's workout gets done before it heats up. 
California strawberries are now in season (happy dance) so I enjoyed some time out in my garden snacking on them while throwing the ball for Annie. My daughter brought back some Hawaiian coffee beans for me so I made some ice coffee, which is something new for me. 
Have to love living in CA!

Midori Travel Journals in Leather

Basic Book Binding

It's always fun to learn a new skill or try a technique using different materials. I've been paper crafting for years and ended up having all the tools to work with leather. The paper crafting industry back in the day took tools from other areas to use until they developed their own. The Any Where hole punch is a leather tool but I used it to set eyelets.  The Midori style travel journal was a ton of fun to make. I don't think I will ever write in it (not my thing) but I love making them. FabMo had received a huge donation of leather samples so it made the workshop affordable while we practiced making the holes. This was Scottie's first workshop as a teacher and she did a super job. We hope to repeat this workshop later on in the year. 

Easter 2017

I spent the Easter weekend with my daughter and all the grand puppies. Have 4 dogs in my very tiny place was challenge. My daughter started Easter off with the breaking of the chocolate bunny ears. I don't think I know anyone who starts with the feet? Then we went out to dinner at Hot Pot, which was interesting. Can't say it was great but it was a new experience. Bailey is spending the week with us while her family is on vacation. It's been a little stressful for Annie (who likes things in order) since Bailey can be a little naughty. :)

Perfect Ligthing - Yellow Roses 2017

For the past week, I've been picking up the mail for a friend who's on vacation. Her whole driveway is lined with roses, something I can't grow with all the deer around my place. It was an overcast day and it had just stopped raining. Yellow roses are a favorite of mine, so I noticed that the yellow rose bush was in full bloom. Then I saw that the lighting was perfect for a good shot with my cell photo. No editing required! :)

Bunny Ears Gone Wild

I finally had a chance to play with my new stamp sets from Hero Arts (March kit) and Lawn Fawn (scallop pop up box). I had to practice making several boxes to get the pop up box pop. Once I got that down, I started the fun part of embellishing my diorama. Everything was going good until  I closed up the box and saw the ears popping up. It was a "Houston We Have A Problem" moment. The pop up box fits exactly into an A-2 size envelope without bunny ears. Of course I used super strong tape to hold everything together so I can't rip it apart. It does look cute with the ears sticking out thou. :) 

Scottie's Leather Memory Journal Workshop

FabMo's  Paper Crafters will be hosting another super class - Memory Journals by Scottie on Sunday April 23, 2017. 
Scottie will teach a basic book binding technique using leather, faux leather and wallpaper.  
I did a test class with Scottie this past weekend and my journal turned out awesome! 
I had to dig through my stash of tools to find my "anywhere" hole punches I used back in my scrapbooking days. Amazing that I still had them with all with all the hole punch machines that have hit the crafting market. 

Anywhere Hole Punches

Birthday 2017

It's a big birthday year for me and my daughter made it super special. First was a surprise dinner at Le Papillion with my sisters and nieces this past weekend. I was totally surprised when I walked in and saw everyone. Dinner was great!
Then on my birthday we went to dinner at Gochi, which is a fusion Japanese place that makes Japanese pizzas. As always dinner what super. My daughter's boyfriend gave me a Fire HD8, which was something I've wanted to try. I haven't jumped on the a whole laptop bandwagon so they thought this was a good intro. 

My daughter didn't want my supply to run too low. 

Thanks card 2017

I made this card a few months back, trying a some old stamping techniques. I have to send out some thank you notes, so decided to add the "thanks" to the card. Die cuts have come a long way from when I first started scrapbooking and stamping.  Back in the old days, you would have to hand cut everything out. :) 
I'm using some very "vintage" Quickuts dies (flower) and old fashion punches(leaves). 

Gluten Free Scones

Have had this recipe for gluten free scones for years but always made it with almond meal, which was easier to find and cheaper than almond flour. Now that almond flour is more common, I broke down and picked up a bag at Costco. There is a fine line between done and burnt so you really have to know your oven and keep check these puppies. I make a double batch since they freeze well. I also use honey instead of agave which I think adds a nice touch. 
Very happy that they turned out so well!

Lawn Fawn Stamp - Home for the Holidays Valentine

I've had this Lawn Fawn stamp and die set for a few month now. I was going to do something for Christmas but as any crafter knows, time just slipped by. 

It's been a very dry month for me in the creative department so that didn't help either. 

I love to watch Jennifer McGuire's YouTube videos (which are great) to get ideas and help fall asleep. It's like listening to a bed time story, yes I know it sounds weird but it works for me! She posted a video doing a semi gate fold card.  It did inspire me to make this card with a yellow VW bug, which was my very first car back in 1975. 

While I was out walking Annie last night I thought it would be fun if I could stamp a dog looking out the back window. Annie is always riding around with me so those who know me and receive this card will understand. I had my fingers crossed that I had a stamp small enough to fit.  I got lucky and had saved some very vintage mini stamps. 

Lawn Fawn - Home for the Holidays

Nesties - Hearts 

Amuse Oval

Amuse Happy Valentine's Day

Memento Inks

Copic Markers

Cookies during the storm 2017

It's been rain non stop and I have a really wound up German Shepherd in the house. She doesn't care what the weather is like but I hate getting soaked. To keep busy while we wait for a break in the storm, I made some gluten free peanut butter cookies. Not the healthiest thing in the world but really hits the spot for my sweet tooth!  It only has 4 ingredients too.
Peanut Butter
Sugar
Egg
Vanilla 

3D paper folding workshop.

I volunteer at FabMo every month and one of the new projects we're working on is hosting (providing the space) mini workshops in a variety of the crafts. It was decided we should put our building to better use since it's only open to the public a few days a month. It was a shame to have all this space and not use it. 
One of the big issues I have is not having any place to meet up with other crafters without having to pay an arm and a leg. The workshops are open to the public and the workshop fees are up to the individual teachers. I believe we only post the dates in the FabMo newsletter or you can check the website.  
The next papercrafting workshop is a 3D paper folding class with Tim Ames.  $5.00 to FabMo is requested.