New Design

I have no idea how to center my title and turn it into a different color....I have never been able to figure out how to apply headers to this blog!  That being said, I wanted a new look and thought I'd play around with a few options.  The white title is going to bug the daylights out of me, so I suspect when I put a new look on this blog in the next few weeks....I'll have it all fixed.  For now, I'm at least doing something with it!  :)

I actually have been dabbling a bit here and there in the craft room.  I even bought some new copic markers and cleaned my desk a bit.  Hope you all have a great weekend!

Pictures:  Seemed like only yesterday, but about 7 - 8 years ago.  Man I love these kids!  :)

Trudi

Now What Do I Do?

Oh great....I just accidently deleted my blog list...blogs that I like to follow.  I meant to remove a couple that have since stopped, and add some new ones....now, I need to start fresh.  YIKES....and...I need to get started on my work day...FINALLY Friday....couldn't come soon enough!

Trudi

Baby Journal

So, I started this 2 years ago, and the intent of the project was to be included in a gigantic baby basket raffle for my son's 4th grade fundraising project.  (Each class donated a HUGE themed basket, this one probably had $250 worth of baby goods inside)...Anyhow, that was 4th grade, he is now in 6th...so, as you can see...I wasn't very fast at finishing it!

In the meantime, I was going to give it to either a pregnant niece or nephew's wife....somehow, that didn't get done either...so I thought I'd give it to my daughter's volleyball coach (still not finished)....then....my niece JUST had a baby this spring...but, it was a GIRL....and now, I'm thinking rather than tear the little "boy" embellishment off...I'll wait for some other person to have a boy!

I'm not sure it turned out how I expected it to...but thank goodness, it's done! 

I wish I had a journal book when my babies were teeny...one that I wouldn't mind scribbles and writing...you know, those trips to the doctor, the little things that you know you won't forget, but you eventually do....unless written down....I have little pieces of "notes" everywhere, but have no idea what child they went with, and wish that I had known that one day, I really would want that info to scrapbook!  :)

Trudi

TGIP Day.....

TGIP Day....

I should post this on Friday, it's sort of a play on words....but, any and every day could be a PIE day!  I created these cards awhile ago, based on a challenge on the BBTB2 blog.  I just never finished them until about a month or more ago.  I sent them to my RAK friends, they all pretty much got something different.  I went crazy in the beginning and was thinking of all the pie possibilities...then picked out my designer paper and cardstock and colors to coordinate these different kinds of pies. 

Pies are something that I knew everybody liked, but wow...when I asked the question on my facebook page....what's your favorite pie....I heard from every long lost friend with an answer!  (I guess people really do read what others post!)  Anyhow, what a fun concept...give a TGIP card, along with a pie to a person who may need a special "lift".  I, sadly, know quite a few people right now, who are facing hard challenges.  Been there myself a time or two...and now it's my turn to be the friend with the shoulder to lean on.  I'm not sure I'll be giving out too many chocolate pie cards though...I've never made a chocolate pie!

Trudi

Back Home!

I have been all over the place the last couple of weeks!  First, for business, we exhibited in the San Francisco Gift Show, it proved to be successful...I can't wait to start business relationships with many of the new customers we wrote orders for....

Next....not even home for 24 hours...we turned around and headed to Seaside, OR....where THE LARGEST beach volleyball tournament in the world is  held...yep...you heard it THE LARGEST...31 years in the making...we are already planning for next year.

My baby girl isn't that much of a baby anymore!  Not sure how to upload pictures here that were taken from my iPhone....will try when I have time!

In the meantime, I still have that crafting passion....I realize I never uploaded the last cards I finished.  I will do that this week!

Trudi

Soaring by to say HI!!!!!

So, it's been awhile, I know!  I have to be honest, I have NOT felt like crafting for a long long time....I have yet managed to still acquire supplies, but not as rapid of a rate...that being said...I gave myself a stern warning...STOP BUYING...if I'm not going to use what I have.  I had unfinished projects that I was "stuck" on..."stuck", mainly because I saw some flaws in my skill level.  (I was embossing and I don't think I was using the best craft ink and the "finest" embossing powder....but, I was unwilling to "toss" my efforts, I was using pricey c/s, the kind to pair with my Copics....the idea rolling around in my head....never did happen....instead, I talked myself into just finishing them off the best way I knew how....(which was with a good ole blender pen and some regular dye inks....wish I had tried that in the first place!)

I'm not posting that card....I will in a couple of days though....the design I was working with was like no other design, in the end, I will chalk it up to a fun creative experience...it stretched my expertise to the maximum...and what I found...was simplicity was far better than trying to over-do something!

After that 6 month in the making card, however, I re-discovered my passion for paper crafting...and the ideas have been buzzing in my head ever since!  I wanted to do something light and fun...quick and easy...and by random, pick a set that I just had to have...I literally have hundreds of those....and that I did.....

The set is from Paper Trey and it's one that has been available for a couple of years....I'm a button addict, and I knew I needed this one!  I let the designer paper do most of the work on this one....something I never thought I'd do.....learn and luv to stamp on designer paper.  I always thought NOT ME!  So, I forced myself to try....and every time I do, I find myself satisfied with the result....I have a little list of NOT ME, NEVER...and I've managed to do 3 of that list on these very cards.
1.  Stamp on designer paper, let it be "the design"
2.  Sew/stitch (I can't believe I ever said NOT ME!  on this....)
3.  And I hate to admit...I said NOT ME!  to buttons.....long long long ago....wow...confessions of a button addict.....

My little stash of these I'm mailing to long lost friends, I lost touch with so many people...it's good to be back!  :)  The designer paper was in a Stampin Up! Sale-A-Bration pack that I acquired years ago, the set was another option that a friend gave me to play with!  (Thanks Kelly!)  I'm glad there are more of the design in the pack...I think I will revisit!  :)  The clouds are with my "Simply Charmed" Cricut cartridge that my daughter insisted I buy....I reluctantly did, reluctantly, because I wanted something else...I've turned out using this cartridge way more than my others....the kids has a flare for knowing what her mom "must have"! 

Have a great day!

Trudi

Dropping In!

So, it has been a LONG time since I've  been on here!!!!  I like my New Years Resolution...I propped my January layout in my studio and never started February!  My next year's resolution will be to not make one....craft resolutions are IMPOSSIBLE!

Time ... and Life ... both those 2 concepts pretty much dictate creativity.  Without time, it's impossible to get busy creating...and when Life setps in and directs you in a different path....you simply have to take that path....

The path has brought me back to my craft room....

Now, IF I can figure out this new Blogger format....I may even start posting pictures again!  In the meantime, cherry season started around here...I know I've posted pics before...but this is our life about now!  These are off of one our Rainier cherry trees. 

Trudi