Happy to be with Nature

Just posted this and realized that it looks like I have nothing on, up on top, but I swear I do, cause you can see the one shoulder strap. As always, I was screwing around, laughing and having fun. It was dark outside and here we are, sitting in the middle of the driveway of the country house not having a care in the world. Only the deer and all the other animals were probably watching us. My second night there, I was out on the deck over looking everything, I could hear music in the distance, way distance and with that, the cows were "mooing" their heads off! It was so funny, but I stayed where I was and kept listening, of course living in Tracy Town, at least where I live, I don't hear that. I love all the different sounds up in the mountains at night time. But of course, being outside where I was, you still have to be cautious of your surroundings, as the Lions and Tigers like to come out and say hello too! There were alot of deer and babies where we were, just nesting in the trees and watching us "strangers". Never got a good shot of them with my camera.

Wow, look at this for you guys that know me. I'm really showing my age, huh? My "50" something day is coming up really fast and I can't believe it. This picture is for you Nicole.

We went into the town of Sonora to a little Scrap Store that I always go to when I'm there. I saw these adorable cards. You start off with a clear transparency, stamp your image with Staz On ink. Then take your Tim Holtz Inks and start blotting different colors directly onto the samped image. Take the finished transparency and matt it onto cardstock or which ever paper you prefer. I wouldn't matt it until you are completely done inking, as inks do get messy. Isn't it cool? I have to get my inks out and do one. I thought of something, to stamp a Christmas image and then use the inks. I think it would be really pretty for Christmas cards this year. Since my "back" situation, I haven't sent out Christmas cards, but I do send ones to relatives in Boston, MA. So, maybe just making a few of these would be nice, and something different, and it's also a fun technique! Any project using the inks are awesome. They're called "Adirondack Alcohol Inks", by Tim Holtz. They come in so many colors and they are all so beautiful. (I had a thought) so I went into my metal tin that houses my inks, the first ink bottle I pulled up to check was "Red Pepper". You'll know what I mean when you read further into this blog about my trip.

SCRAP ROOM

We scrapped, watched DVD's, listened to tunes, laughed, screwed around, ate, talked, argued (just kidding!) entered in a drawing for some new CM product, NO! I didn't win anything! And of course, I walked around to see what my friends were creating. And yes, I was trying to be so careful not to fall over anything or trip, but I did manage to hit my toe on someones scrappy tote, yelled and said few words, then went back to my "corner" to scrap some more.

Eating Eating and More Eating!

I don't know about you, but I don't eat three meals a day. Up at the house, a nice big breakfast was always served at 8:30 am. By the time I was done, my tummy was so full, I would have to go and try to do a little walking in the driveway. Just when that "feeling of fullness" would subside, oh my gosh, it was time to eat lunch which was served at 12:30. And they were big lunches too! Then when you get rid of that icky full feeling, you go about your business, scrapping, napping, walking, going into town, then it's time for dinner! And with dinner, we always had a nice dessert...who could pass that up? One night it was Cherry Pie, another night, Creme Broulee (sp?)I can't think of the third one we had. The dinners this time were pretty good. I think maybe, just maybe it is Red Peppers season? We had red peppers with almost every meal. Roasted Red Pepper Soup, Red Peppers sauteed with zuccini and onions. Then it was red pepper something again red pepper this and that! Red pepper cookies ~ not! just kidding! And low and behold! For Sunday morning, the chef was with us making our omelettes, you could add anything and everything to it, and there it was! RED PEPPERS! Don't get me wrong, they are good and so pretty in color, but not for every stinking thing you put in your mouth. I bet this was why I couldn't "you know what" the whole time I was up in the mountains. Ok, here's a hint: you need a toilet. But all in all, yes, our meals were good. You will never, and I mean never! starve up at "camp crop". Three meals a day. Yum! And don't forget, there were "13" of us, and each of usbrought a snack to share. So, we're talking food all over the place- and at night there were times I was busting into the refrigerator and going for "snacky stuff." As you can see in the photo, we all couldn't sit there, there's that table near the kitchen, and then we also had the long table in the dining room. This was where I sat for my meals because the mountain scenery from the window is "breathtaking"!

More Scrappy Stuff

Well, maybe I did have some stuff on the floor, but it was my big scrappy tote. If you look closely, you can see a layout I did of my daughter from my kit club, "Cocoa Daisy", I love you Cocoa Daisy! I will find this layout from my other memory card and post it later.

Work in Progress

As you can see, I had all kinds of stuff going on here. This is where I scrapped, in the corner, so I wouldn't trip and fall over anything on the floor. Lets face it, when you're at a "crop", you have to put your scrappy bags and such on the floor. Then here comes Velma, tripping, or falling (can't do that!) Being in the corner, I couldn't get hurt. I was able to literally put all my stuff on the table. It was great. Look at this table... what a mess I always make!

Not Good for the Back

The back brace helped a little going up the hill. My "nature walks" aren' that long, but long enough for me to feel the pain that starts. So up the hill I went. Scrapped a little and took a nap. That's my favorite thing to do up in the mountain, lay down and nap or just relax!

Nature Walks

Waking back up to the main house, it's raining! But it felt so good, haven't been in the rain for such a long time.

My Scrapbooking Trip

Here it is..."My Favorite Place". Well, at least one of my favorites! I've been going to this same country style house up in the Sonora Mountains since 2002! It's been warm, hot and one March, we even got snowed in. We got one night of rain, it was beautiful waking up to the crisp air, everything wet ouside, and having a nice cup of coffee and just taking it all in. It's so beautiful in Tuolomne County at this time of year. So, the room you see to the left is where we set up for scrapbooking. Leaving it all out, not having to clean it up, no excuses for not finishing a project. But I'm famous for not finishing stuff. But, I did manage to get some scrappy goodies done.

We saw the deer, quickly went back up to the house to get our cameras, but when we returned, they just looked at us and went into the trees. It's so amazing how they just seem to "blend" right in with nature.

Happy Monday.........I'm back from Sonora! I am so so happy to be HOME. That's right, I missed "FAMILY and my HOME". Leaving Thursday and returning Sunday at 2:00 was enough of Camp Crop for me. OK. I had a little bit of tears, I was home sick. I've got a ton of un-packing to do, oh...and I need to locate my camera! As soon as I get unpacked, I will post some pics and what I worked on.

Almost Done!

All week I have been working on my scrappy area in the computer room. About four hours in the morning and then a few at night. It's coming along. I can't believe the paper though, and all those layouts, projects that I was going to do.....with all that paper! It feels good though, knowing I will share it with friends, that it will be used. That they are so happy when I give them my scrappy goodies! That's you Lette! It's all piled up in the upstairs hallway. I keep telling myself to call your Mommy, but I still haven't! We might need a truck to get this stuff outta here (just kidding)! Opps, sorry, I haven't even asked you if you want it?

Went over to Charleeny's lastnight and helped her out while the kids were at sports. I held that "little princess" for well over an hour straight! Yep, didn't put her down, didn't even give her to her mommy until it was time for her feeding! She's beautiful and makes me happy that I am her Auntie Velma!

Suppose to go into the City tomorrow to have dinner with our close friends that are here from Boston. I keep worrying about my back, but isn't that my worry all the time? Haven't decided what to do yet. I was thinking of taking Bart, but, I think they might close down by the time we are done visiting and dining with our friends. Mmm, does Bart close down? Anyway, "happy weekend" to all of you.

My First Acyrlic Card

I was stumped and had "Brain Freeze" when I was trying to make a baby card. So this is what I came up with. I used an acyrlic card from Page Frame Designs. It's different, but I liked how it turned out. Use some overlays and did some inking on the edges, and of course, my favorite... flowers!

A "Little Shower"

During our "Friday Night Scrappiness", we had a little baby shower for Charleeny. A yummy cake filled with fresh strawberries and whipped cream! Ahh, who could ask for anything more yummier than that? Lots of beautiful gifts for the "little one". (Buy the way, she is here!) All the little clothes were so cute and of course....the brown diaper bag (from the "old lady" who wore yellow in the layout!) I still had it in my mind that this "little life" was going to be a boy! Well, "WRONG"!

I saw the baby lastnight, she's beautiful. She's so tiny, she's so little and so so soft! She's also perfect! But of course she is ~ she's from Heaven! She looks like her Daddy and Big Brother! At the hospital lastnight and I had tears, lots of tears, tears of joy! Charleeny is happy, healthy and doing fine. Everyone is doing fine and so so happy!

Cleaning Again!

Have been cleaning out my "scrappy stuff" ~ again! I'm trying hard to re-arrange my shelving area in the closet. I have paper coming out of my ears! I'm taking the millions of pieces of paper that I haven't used in soo long and giving it away! I know it'll be used, but for my own use, it's been sitting on the shelves forever. I feel bad that it just "sits". But then I'm mad because I have allowed myself to buy so much. But (another "but") , I had good intentions for every piece of paper that I own. I love paper, what can I say? I am guilty of buying and going crazy over paper. I always thought I had to have the "latest and the greatest", but that's not going to be the case anymore! I know I need to use what I have. I have told myself that if I am going to buy paper, only buy and few pieces (yeah right!). Here is a layout I was working on before I tore into the closet that houses the million and trillion pieces of paper. I keep telling myself not to scrap anything until I am happy with the cleaning out and re-arranging of the closet! Lette...get ready for some scrappy stuff.........cause it's about to come your way! I just love looking at this (un-finished) layout because of the colors. I love all the blue, and I don't really create layouts using the color blue. Maybe because it's summer, I dont' know. Maybe it's the "beautiful" pics of my Gelica and Rosie. Yeah, I think it is, because the "old lady" in this pic has yellow on.

New Pool Toys!

This weekend was so hot, my hubby and I spent time in the pool just kicking back. He went and bought us new chairs for the pool. I had to put a pillow behind my back to keep it in an "ok" position. Didn't stay in the chair for too long, as that would've killed my back. For a while there we were playing "bumper boats"! Remember those rides at theme parks, you get in your "bumper boat" or "car" and go crazy bumping the other person. Didn't do that for too long either, my "back" is wacked!

1 School Year Left

I can't believe my daughter is a "Senior" in High School! Yes, one year left and I can't believe how the time has flown! So much to look forward too! I can't wait for her "Winter Ball" and "Prom"! I know she's looking forward to that! I have promised myself that I will scrap her photos and not get behind.

ANOTHER ROAD TRIP?

Don't kill me Rosie for posting this picture, I love it! I love candid shots! And I love the look on your face! Love you!




Another favorite place of mine... The Scrapbook Expo! We drove to Santa Clara on Saturday and browsed through all the scrappy goodies! It's always fun running into friends that I haven't seen in a while...I know I can usually find them there. It was pretty dark in the building but you can still get a good idea of what we were doing! Yes, shopping, shopping, shopping! My favorite find for the day were my die cuts for my "Revolution". I already have a million flowers, but I especially love the ones I bought from "Prima". Sizzix had a good sale, 50% off their dies, so I bought a large butterfly and a Nor-cal star, or better known as a 5 point star? I don't know what the right name is, but I bought one.

Haute Artist Project

And finally.....my little 2x4 mini album! I love making these!

Haute Artist Layouts

On this layout of me and my husband, I used the lyrics from a song by Lenny Kravitz dedicating it to my husband. Every day that passes, I realize just how blessed I am to have this man in my life. Yes, you guessed it! He is my "Butterfly"!

My beautiful daughter, she's on the left, and her best friend!

I loved creating these layouts for "Haute Artist". I really enjoyed working with all these fun butterflies, especially using the technique with the embossing powder on the material! And butterflies really do "fly", because one flew away when I was working and I couldn't find it for about 10 minutes. I went looking for it, and there it was! On the floor!