THE SPIRIT OF FALL

I dusted off and plugged in the silhouette for another creative day. Together with cutouts and COPIC markers I have ventured into a new mode. I think the Halloween cards, the fact that the days are getting shorter and the trees are ever slightly starting to turn color, has put me into the spirit of fall. I love this time of year. Cooler crisp air, the array of nature's colors and the idea of the holidays just ahead. It's time once again, to put away the summer things, put the quilts back on the beds and decorate my house with the color red! Oh, what a cozy feeling it brings! With all that said, here is what my inspiration led to. Enjoy!

HALLOWEEN 'CARDS FOR HEROES'

Today was a fun day. I spent time with my friends making Halloween cards for "Cards for Heros". For those of you who have not heard of it... cards for all occasions are handmade and sent to Iraq, etc. to our soldiers. Some of them go with messages to them, but most are for them to have something to write home on. We have had an amazing outreach from our local crafters and it's a joy for me to be included!

LOVING THE WEATHER AND MY NEW COPICS

Oh my gosh! I am soooooo enjoying today's weather. Sunny, warm with a nice breeze. No humidity, hurray! I have opened my windows to let the fresh air in and hear the birds chirping. I would love this year round. I started the Thinking Inking videos today. Well, restarted I should say. I did one a couple weeks ago, but being busy with my sister's visit and the convention and life in general, I never did go back to them. So, today, I watched all six videos of weeks 1 and 2. I really like the water marking with distress embossing ink, a mister and stamp. So subtle, but a nice effect. Another first for me this week is COPIC sketch markers. Thank you Amy for enabling, I love these! I first thought, "Oh, just another marker." NO WAY..... these things are vibrant and blend beautifully! No streaks, unless you want them there. I think I will to have them all!!! LOL.... I wish.

AN ORIGINAL

I just finished making this stork for the first page of my daughter's baby book. The big pieces are cut using my Silhouette and then I hand tore paper for feathers and glued them down individually for the wing. She is wearing a pearl necklace. The blanket was embossed using my Cuttlebug and then scratched with a blade to give it a fluffy appearance. This was also done on the stork. I really enjoy making my own embellishments. It's a great sense of accomplishment and I know they are one of a kind.

SO PROUD

Well, I finally found my camera cable so I could download my new pictures. So I completed my task and was ready to post onto my blog. There's always a "Gotch ya". No Internet! Yikes, what's a girl to do??? More than 24 hours later, here I am.
Anyway, I thought I would share with you, pictures of my daughter's high school graduation. We are so proud of her. It's been quite a challenge to get her to this point. Our school days are over. She was the third and last. In a way I am glad, but yet, it's bittersweet. My children are now, all young adults, starting new chapters in their lives. This starts a new chapter in John's and My life too. Future daughter and son in laws and Grand babies!