Spring!

So, I went up to my little photo lab...(where I take pics of our chocolates with each proposal anymore...it is a requirement....I am forced into technology!!! LOL! Actually, I don't know why I resisted it for so long...it truly does save me time and money to be e-mailing pictures of samples...it's been a long learning curve with our business...considering we started it right when personal computers were entering the market ... there wasn't such a thing as internet then!) (enough about that)...anyhow...BATERRIES KAPUT! Too bad, too....I was about ready to reveal my favorite layout of sis's gift. Even more important....I created over the weekend, and will post results in a few days....these are RAKS...and hopefully can be delivered before they are shown on my blog. Typically, after I make a pile of cards with a set...I move on from that set...ready to grab onto other precious sets...this one, however...I KNOW I will be using again in the near future. I'll try to remember to tell you why...it's something about the "feel" of this set....it reminds me of Eastern WA so much...that in the near future...I'll pull it out again. I have you wondering...by the end of the week...pics, I promise!

But for today....the picture I am posting...I have belonged to a recipe swap group...where we "themed" our pages and ultimately ended up with our own little themed cookbooks. I have about 10 of these books now, and in the early days...the hostess then was so kind to punch our pages and have as an option...chipboard and binding for us to complete our book.

Well...last week...I pulled one of those recipes out...and cooked it up...from our Salads Book. Mary, if you are reading...I've made your rice/hamburger/salsa casserole recipe over and over...and can't seem to get enough of it. The theme was salads and I think picnics...I serve this hot ... so dinner it is! If anybody is interested...I don't think Mary would mind if I shared...just let me know!

This is the cover I decorated for this swap. Like I said...batteries kaput...but this cover reminds me of SPRING!

Hope you all had a great Monday! Mine was BUSY!!!!

Trudi

Christmas Layout

ANOTHER Layout...soon I'm going to run out of finished work on this book...and I'll have to get motivated to finish the undone pages! My goal is to be finished by August 1....and I haven't touched a layout for almost 8-9 months...I am deceiving you all by appearing busy! All these pages were created prior to my slacking off! I fell asleep early last night, but had great plans to create. Maybe tonight. I've been trying to lose 10 pounds, and somehow, quiet time in my studio with a cup of sugar free cocoa w/sugar free/fat free coolwhip is a treat I look forward to...that and 2-3 Weight Watchers treats to munch on....truth be told...this motivates me into that room!

I plan on finding a few of those quiet hours this weekend...I'm in need of a little "me" time.

P.S. I spent Christmas with my sister in Fort Worth, TX one year...I was 20ish at the time....she lived there for a few years, but is back up north now!!! One of my favorite places was Billy Bobs and Cheers....I knew this layout needed some non-traditional colors....often times, I have commented about a "tree" I created for a design that took me 4 hours to think up and do....I literally stared at the paper and meditated...I know it isn't anything special...but to me...I keep remembering I could have driven to Seattle in the time it took to create this tree! Also...look for the bird...not too hard to find now that I talked about my tree! My signature is to include a bird on every layout...somewhere....it could be in a picture even...anyhow...somewhere in the 2 pages...is DA BIRD!

Happy Friday!

Trudi

Happy St Pats!

Another chocolate holiday bites the dust!!!!

Just zipped home for a bit to check on the crock pot....the house has the aroma of corned beef now! We really aren't Irish...well...maybe a little bit from about 400 years ago...I am wearing green though...there is a Leprechaun in my house...my 8 year old son...who has readily been handing out pinches!

Trudi

A CARD!

I finally finished this RAK card.....something I started too long ago to want to admit!!! I have belonged in this particular RAK group for over 5 years now, some of us have participated from day one....some have come and gone and come back...and recently, we welcomed a few new names! It keeps me creating...however...last year, I went through a huge crafting slump...which I'm finally pulling out of...finally finally finally.... and I was (ashamed) a tad bit late with my part of the last 6 month run! (We rejoin every 6 months)....so, this is CATCH UP! I wish I had started with a few extra from the get go...but I made just enough for the previous group...I would have liked to throw a couple extra in the mail for the new ladies in our group! I'm afraid if I go to the starting mode again...it will take another 6 months to finish! (Actually about a year! The images were colored with my Copics LAST SPRING!)

This was also the card that I impulsively grabbed supplies to finish for a couple of months ago! (It wasn't even the original group I started these for either! I just happened to make the exact amount!)

http://trudi-buttonsnbows.blogspot.com/2010/01/bright-polka-dots-i-dont-think-it-hurt.html

http://trudi-buttonsnbows.blogspot.com/2010/01/today-is-going-to-be-one-of-those-days.html

http://trudi-buttonsnbows.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-elements-and-inspiration-i-knew-that.html

I had never used this set...and wanted to "run" with it...I guess you can say I crawled with it. LOL!

Trudi

Another Layout

By now, you are probably getting tired of seeing my scrap layouts for the never ever ever ever ending gift....never fear...I'll be done soon with these since...eventually, I'll run out of them to take pictures of! Truly, I've wanted to get pics of these, so when I ever do give sis the gift....I'll have a recollection of what I did. It's been quite awhile since I've actually ventured into my craft studio...I have to snap out of my funk and get back my inspiration to create. Once I get in my studio...it's fun and easy...just staying up late and walking down the stairs through the darkness to my magic hideaway is hard. I've taken a loooooooooong break....and IN WRITING (on this blog even)...have threatened to actually finish something....just never quite can see it through. Volleyball season is ALMOST over, and all the political "stuff" and travel will come to a screeching hault....I'm sure by then....there will be something else to fill the emotional void though!!!

This layout....I actually fell in deep luv creating. I had NEVER worked with Vintage Violet cardstock (some of you know how much I liked that year of SU "in colors"....especially True Thyme...well...VV is also one that I wish I had played with earlier too.... that particular year for "in colors" was DOPE! (as Randy would say!) I recall picking out ALL KINDS OF pet designer papers....I literally had other options, but of course, for ONE layout....I needed to stock up on dozens of choices....after all....if I don't use it on this layout....I'm sure some other pet will work with the left overs! I also wanted to point out....by now, I started my signature on ALL MY LAYOUTS....somewhere on each layout I design...I either hide or obviously have a BIRD. It could be something I've added or something already there. 100 years from now, the recipients will have no idea who we all are...but, they will be looking for DA BIRD! Fun fun fun layout to create....just luv the puppy eyes.....and had fun pulling out strange stamps I've acquired from my early stamp buying days...thus...the little fish bones and mini paw prints! Toby and Charlie were 2 very loved pets of my sister's. I used all kinds of supplies...from cricut to stamps to fun papers to machine stitching to these little bling blings that I've read about called stickles! This was one of those layouts...that I just felt good about! :)

I'll try to mix things up in the next few blog posts....I think I have a card ready to photo and post!

Trudi

Aloha-Take 2

Here is the rest of my Hawaii pages. I'm 100% convinced this is all Maui...I made a pocket which included additional scenic pictures as well. I can just smell the suntan lotion as we speak...and the fragrant orchid smells....picture myself lounging around by the pool...later to shop the quaint shops in Lahaina....ending up at Moose McGillicuttie's. By the way, for those who are wondering....the person in the picture here is my sister....you can find me on the previous post...I'm the girl in the light blue shorts outfit (with polka dots)...keep in mind...this is a picture about 25 years ago! (and the 3 girls together, I'm the one on the right ... in the bathing suit...sis in front is one of my crafty sis's who is helping with the gift for the sis in the short/WSU shirt!)

I also wanted to comment...thanks to those who have been posting comments! I'm not sure if there is a way I can directly e-mail you back...off my blog! I'm learning blogger ... still can't arrange pictures to my liking...I need to dedicate some learning time...I tend to zip on zip off during my work day ... like right now....I'm procrastinating work.... :]

Once again...I'm craving fresh pineapple...I'm lucky we don't have any gummy pineapple here in the factory...it would throw my diet for today!!! LOL!

Trudi

Busy Busy Week!

I've been caught up in business for the last 4 days....beyond your typical Monday stuff...Tuesday WAS a ghost town....the phone came to life yesterday, and had an after hours appetizer social at one of our local wineries last night which kicked off a very successful seminar today. I'm extremely tired...so tired so tired so tired....BUT....just anxious to head down to my craft studio tonight to YEP...finish addressing envelopes to finally mail off some overdue RAKS! Keep in mind, though, I was at the winery last night at a social....sleep may get to me first! I'm thrilled because I managed to land a very very large account today as well....life is good!

Today I'm posting another layout of the never ending gift that 2 of my 4 sis's and I are making for another sis. A little history....since I was about 11 years old...until my early 20's...our family would spend either Thanksgiving or Christmas in Hawaii. It's literally been YEARS since I've been...I've been begging my husband to get on board with going....I would LUV to take my kids to what I feel is one of the most beautiful places on earth....(Maui for us...although I like Oahu...I prefer less tourists....I'm not sure if Maui is still as quaint and charming as it was back then...I hope so!) This 2 page layout is not necessarily all the same year...but, several years combined...for sis's book...I actually designed a 4 page layout...but I'll save the rest for next time! I would LUV LUV LUV some fresh pineapple right now! I'm craving tropical!