A-Z of Me

Not so crafty day here, spent in a meeting, running to the school to give meds and... and... and... So I'm going indulge in a bit of whimsy to make up for the lack of posts.

Thanks for Kaere's posting. :O)

A-Z of Me

A. Age: 36

B. Best friend: Greg

C. Crafts you love: Mixed Media Art, Collage, 3D Collage, Stamping, Scrapbooking, Soapmaking, Candle Making... I used to love Embroidery and Tole Painting but I can't flex my fingers enough to do either anymore.

D. Dogs or Cats: Cats can kill my, allergy is too strong, so I'm kinda sh-tuck with Dogs, even if I love Cats too.
E. Essential start to your day: Prayer, Candle Lighting and min-Meditation. Followed by COFFEE and Blog Reading.
G. Gold or Silver: Copper or Brass! Or anything rusty... (mmm...steampunk)
I. Instruments you play: haaaa.... haaa.... haa.... oh? You were serious! I'm totally unmusical.

J. Job title: MOM, Wife, Mixed Media Artist

K. Kids: 4 boyz ages 13 down to 6 yers old.
L. Live: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

M. Mother’s name: Barbara

N. Nicknames: Sketch, Button, Sawah (Greg ONLY)
O. Overnight hospital stays: Me: Galstones leading to a pancreas infection (4 nights), after emergency c-section with son #1 (6 nights) and 2nd son's birth (1 night), after cat allergy attacks 2X (each 1 night), My kids: son #4 needed a body cast (1 night)

P. Pet peeves: Dirty socks left in the living-room, especially if they get kicked under the couch and I find them a week later... stiff. yuck! Neighborhood kids playing IN the parking lot.

Q. Quote from a movie: "One is glad to be of assistance." Bicentennial Man

R. Right or left handed: Right

S. Siblings: 1 brother, 2 years younger

U. Underwear: uh... yeah.

V. Vegetable you hate: Mashed Potatoes... make NO sense I love them any other way: just.not.mashed.
W. What makes you run late: My weak-faulty bladder, hey! I have had 4 kids. ;O)

X. X-Rays you’ve had: Teeth, Head, Spine, Hands, Chest, Abdomen, Right Foot.
Y. Yummy food that you make: Christmas Cookies is the one I'm *really* known for.. 8 kinds, every year!

Z. Zoo animal: Cougar

Feel free to copy and repost your own list...
and link back so I can go check out Your List!

Another Batch...

More Art Journal skritchings.
We've had some pretty stuffed days and I'm being lazy, spending the evenings watching 'TV' on Netflix 'cause I'm too pooped by then to party, so to speak. ;O)
Introduced my eldest to Dead Like Me (gawd I miss that show!) and Greg and I are watching Jeremiah with him too.
Being ADD I can't juuuuust *sit* so I doodle and skritch away in the 4 X 6 Art Journal. Quite Random...

Life is a Circus:

Home:

Picture Perfect:

If I had a magic wand...

Fire & Ice:

Cupper Cookies:

The Stone Cross:

Sunflowers:

Thank-You.

I received this blog award from Jacqueline.
Thanks so much!

This is my 1st try at passing an award along so hopefully I get all the steps right! :O)

The rules state I must:
- Thank the person who sent you this blog (above)
-List 7 things about yourself (below)
-Send this to 15 Bloggers (further below)

Seven Things...
1. I LOVE all things Bunny, so it's lucky my birthday falls so close to Easter!
2. Speaking of Birthdays This Sunday (April 3rd) is mine.
3. I'm a Dark Chocolate Purist. Milk Chocolate just tastes *wrong* to me.
4. I LOVE Steampunk!!! Though that is not a new revelation to anyone. ;O)
5. I'm addicted to Diet Dr. Pepper. I have some everyday.
6. I'm hyperuricemic: I have good days & I have painful days (hands & legs).
7. My favorite book of all time is Beauty by Robin McKinley. A version of the Beauty and the Beast tale told BY Beauty herself totally from her view point. Beauty and the Beast being a favorite of mine too.

My list of 15 WELL deserved Bloggers:
I follow artsy-crafty blogs because I am a very visual person and I just LOVE taking in beautiful eye candy... Each and every one of these Bloggers helps feed my visual addiction! Thank-You all.

http://gaylepage-robak.blogspot.com/

http://fairyrocks.blogspot.com/

http://tyggereye.blogspot.com/

http://shazzacraft.blogspot.com/

http://julieannshahin2.blogspot.com/

http://cmoh.blogspot.com/

http://artic-blonde-creations.blogspot.com/

http://peggy-s.blogspot.com/

http://wwwpeggysamusement.blogspot.com/

http://ozstuff-ozstuff.blogspot.com/

http://heartshugsandflowers.blogspot.com/

http://dragon-dragonsweb.blogspot.com/

http://softinthehead.blogspot.com/

http://scrapvamp.blogspot.com/

http://hastingshall2.blogspot.com/

Scrap That Poetry Challenge #34: May You Always Feel Loved

"May You Always Feel Loved"

There are so many takes on this poem... we cannot wait to see what you do with it... don't forget you can create layouts, cards, projects... Valentine's Day is just around the corner... maybe this poem with inspire you for the person you love!
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I was moved to tears by this poem... and I knew which pictures I wanted to put with it.
These are 2 of the very, very few picture I have of my Grandparent with Arthur we lost most of them in a complete computer crash. I've been waiting for the *right* reason to put them to paper. This Poem is perfect... I did not cut the poem I included it in it's entirety.
Papers and Sticker Title are Fancy Pants (On a Whimsy and About a Boy).
Stamps (for the Date) are Gel-a-tins (Elevator Button Up)
Brads are all Keepsakes (Multicrafts)
Ink and Pen are Stampin'Up!

Journaling:
LITTLE GUY
These are very special pictures...
some of the few taken of Arthur with his great-grandparents.
Now gone to Heaven.
Though they are gone I know they are still watching...

May You Always Feel Loved
by Sandra Sturtz Hauss

May you find serenity and tranquility in a world
You may not always understand.
May the pain you have known and conflict you have experienced
Give you the strength to walk through life
Facing each new situation with courage and optimism.
Always know that there are those whose love and understanding
Will always be there, even when you feel most alone.
May you discover enough goodness in others
To believe in a world of peace.
May a kind word, a reassuring touch, a warm smile be yours
Every day of your life,
And may you give these gifts as well as receive them.
Remember the sunshine when the storm seems unending.
Teach love to those who know hate,
And let that love embrace you as you go into the world.
May the teaching of those you admire become part of you,
So that you may call upon them.
Remember, those whose lives you have touched
And who have touched yours are always a part of you,
Even if the encounters were less than you would have wished.
It is the content of the encounter that is more important than it's form.
May you not become too concerned with material matters,
But instead place immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart.
Find time in each day to see the beauty and love in the world around you.
Realize that each person has limitless abilities,
But each of us is different in our own way.
What you may feel you lack in one regard
May be more than compensated for in another.
What you feel you lack in the present
May become one of your strengths in the future.
May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility.
Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.
May you find enough inner strength to determine your own worth by yourself,
And not be dependent on another's judgement of your accomplishments.
May you always feel loved. .

Scrapped: My 2011 Word... HOME.

I took me a bit to gather the bits'n'pieces I wanted for this page but it's finally DONE.

I'm entering it in 2 challenges over at

www.Scrapbook.com:

~Steampunk Challenge~ January: New Year's Resolutions/Goals

One Little Word for 2011

I had also Blogged about selecting my 2011 Word,
you can check that out HERE :
http://keepsakescrafts.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-word-of-year.html.

Photo of our front door...
Background paper, large lady and the rose/cogs (behind the word HOME): Graphics 45: Steampunk Debutante
Index card: 7 Gypsy's
Week List (behind the word HOME): My Mind's Eye
Rub-Ons (utensils, dishes, teapots, keys, house plan, rose tree, weather vane): Royal & Langnickel
Compass Stamp and Mists: Tattered Angels
Ink: Stampin' Up!
HOME Chipboard: Marchant Paper Memories
Stickers (House cleaning, Lady with Angels): Heartwarming Vintage by Crafty Secrets
Letter Stickers: Thickers

Cogs: Real Clock Parts

Journaling:

A “HOME” is a place of residence or refuge.

When “HOME” refers to a building, it is usually a place

in which an individual or a family can rest and store personal property.

“HOME” is also used to refer to the geographical area

in which a person grew up or feels they belong.

As an alternative to the defining “HOME” as a physical locale,

HOME may be perceived to have no physical definition—instead,

HOME may relate instead to a mental or emotional state of refuge or comfort

My 2011

WORD

HOME

This year I will be focusing on our Family, our Habitat and our Habits.

I want to be and feel “HOME” by the end of 2011.

Scrapping the Music Challenge #130 "Need You Tonight..."by INXS

Scrapping the Music Challenge #130 "Need You Tonight..."by INXS

Do you ever listen to a song and get caught up in the words....lost in your thoughts and emotions? Music can inspire and release creativity in all of us. Therefore, I have created this site as a pure means of inspiration for creating scrapbook pages from the heart. Each week I will choose a song for inspiration. Your challenge is to use this song to create a layout full of passion, emotion, or just pure fun.

So, sit back and enjoy! Create and share not only music but moments caught on camera whose memories will last a lifetime.

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Up late working away when this challenge popped up in my reader...
I knew the lyrics I wanted to use and the supplies right away!
All Paper and embellies are Sassafras Life is Beautiful: Woodland Whimsy.
Picture and page are both sanded. Paper is also inked on the edges.

Journaling:
S.A.D...
How do you feel?
I'm lonely
What do you think?
Can't think at all
Whatcha gonna do?
Gonna live my life
I was diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder last year.
It came as no surprise.
I am a different person during the summer months... some could and would say I'm solar powered.
During the winter, but most especially the later
fall (October/November) I get grumpy, moody,
weepy and the zest for life that was there all
summer seems to fade much like the summer
colors.
So now I spend the fall and winter months
surrounding myself with bright, glorious colors
and basking in front of a a special light.
I AM going to live my life.

4X4 Friday: The Artistic Journey

I LOVE the topic this week at 4X4 Friday!
The Artistic Journey

I started with paper from DCWV: Once Upon a Time Mat Stack.
Glimmer misted in blue over a swirly template.
Stamped and doodled.
The Quote is a Rub-On:
draw a crazy picture,
write a nutty poem,
sing a mumble-grumble song,
whistle through a comb.
do a loony-goony dance
'cross the kitchen floor.
PUT SOME SILLY
IN THE WORLD
THAT AIN'T BEEN THERE BEFORE.
~Shel Silverstein~
Journaling (around edges):
JUST BE YOU---->
At first you may try to please others and that may not work,
That's why a Big part of the Artist's Journey
is learning to only create to please yourself.
Created for: Me, Myself and I.

Reminder!!!

This is Post 290... only 10 more posts til BLOG CANDY!
Remember to leave a comment on THIS Post if you want a chance to win.

Reporting in! NavCan Weekend & Life...

er... um, ahh... hi! Remember me???
Long time no Blog so it seems.
Lots has gone on here since my trip away to Scrapbook October 15th-17th and I have been absent since then.
I have been terribly sick since I got back... one of the side effects of my medical condition is a very iffy immune system. I get into large groups and I'm pretty much guaranteed to catch something or several somethings. NavCan was FULL of teenage girls and their families (read tons & tons of kids... eeeeverywhere) I had a feeling. I was right. I don't know what all I brought home but sure wasn't just my finished layouts!
I'm on the mend now... slow & steady.
But on with the FUN sh-tuff:
LOTS to catch up on so this entry is kinda picture heavy.
Get a drink... get cozy... and enjoy!
This is the Sign we had on the door to our Scrapbook Room.
We are the Scrappin' Beavers (don't ask!).
One of the ladies had a graphic artist friend make up Lola... our new Beaver Mascot.

This is us!
A group of us go away on the 'teen' weekend in April and again in October. It's at the NavCan Conference center in Cornwall... about an hours drive out of Ottawa.
All in one price Room/Food. It's so nice... I get my OWN room, bathroom, all meals served cafeteria style, snacks, dishes whisked away on the magic conveyor belt, pool, hot tub... and scrappin' til the wee hours. AWESOME!
This round some of us had T-shirts made up with Lola on them and we picked our own phrases for the back... ya know what I picked??? lol
FRONT:Back:
This is a shot we took to enclose in a Thank-You card for Lola's Designer.
There were 15 of us on this weekend so not everyone is here, just the T-Shirt Gals.
I was bad beaver... I snuck out on Saturday Night. *giggle*
I had double-booked by accident.
Greg drove all the way out to NavCan to get me... then all the way back to Ottawa so we could go to Blood, Sweat & Gear a murder mystery night put on by The Ottawa Steampunk group.
Then he drove me back to Cornwall and came back to Ottawa... now THAT is love.
This is me waiting for my gentleman caller... all steampunked out and still scrappin' away.
Just before we left NavCan to head into Ottawa.
Mr. James & Mrs. Agatha Savage...
Owner and his wife of Savage Scientific Supply run out of London.
Providers of magnets, Tesla coils, gears and other scientific this'n'that.
Pictured here at the event with *dun, dun, duuuuunnnn*
The KILLER!
It was Professor McLeod,
with the Earth Magnet,
by the Weather Machine.
The prize I threw in for the person who stayed up the longest Saturday Night.
So they could make it through Sunday!
And Finally... I did work... Honest!!!
8 layouts completed. :O)
One: Friday Night
Boyz in Trees:
Lots of ink... brads and boyz!
Two: Friday Night
My Love:
The Little Things
-The way you smile that melts my heart
-That not only have you taken me on but also my 4 boyz
-You waited for me for many, many years
-You truly Love Me
Greg Cooper
Loving & Devoted Husband...
Father & Friend... but silly!
If Found Please Promptly Return to:
Mrs. Sarah Cooper
Three: Friday Night
DT {me} really?
When Shazza at ARTastic asked me to join I was surprised and flattered.
It took COURAGE but I did it & I love it.
I enjoy being able to INSPIRE and yet still have FUN and since I've stepped out I've been invited to Guest DT and DT many more times.
Four: Saturday
Fun Times
September 16th 2010
Birthday Boy and his Cake!
Happy 8th Birthday William.
Five: Saturday
What I Like about YOU
1. Funny
2. Smile
3. Hugs
4. Zest for Life
5. Ability to Love anything
Robert
Six: Saturday
Sooo... Not Impressed!
*giggle*
I LOVE this picture of Brandy.
Seven: Sunday
Handsome, Cool, Rockstar William
Mr. Cool...
Chillin' at the Park.
Eight: Sunday
{enjoy} ...this crazy life.
Today's Weather: sun!
Beautiful Summer Day in 2010
out front of the house
Fresh box of Chalk... creativity will flow from little boy minds.

DT pages for ARTastic Challenge Blog

Time for another AWESOME monthly challenge over at ARTastic Challenge Blog!!!

August's inspiration will come from the painting........
'Sunset'
by Claude Monet

Diva demand for an extra 6 bonus points, try and work the following into your layout, card or OTP project ......
1. Sun or sunset = 1pt
2. Shades of blue and green on your layout = 2pts
3. A cut out black silhouette image = 3pts
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These pictures were taken at the SteamPunk Science Fair recently put on by our Local SteamPunk group.
The beautiful doors of the old church, it was held in, were too much to resist while we were all dressed up!
I started with plain blue card stock, glimmer misted some of the TimHoltz Cogs&Gears Masks (hard to see but they're there, honest!) then a Stamped more cogs &gears on with the Gel-a-tins Shifting Gears set (one of my newest *toys*). I added the Verdigris Sun (clipart), a couple of keys (stickers) & the Gear Silhouettes (hand cut cardstock). The Soul Mates & Kindred Spirit are snip-outs from a Heartwarming Vintage Cuts sheet, Steampunk (clipart)and Green metal Family sign for the title.
So I have everything covered: Blue/Green, Cut-out Silhouettes and a Sun!
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Journaling:

SteamPunk Family
Excerpt from the Diary of Lady Dr. S.Elliott:
We are on a mission to find my ‘Husband’.
Though truthfully I am already a Widow…
He was attacked by a Vampyre and no body was even found.
We know he is still out there and until we truly kill him we will search through time, hunting the hunter.
Killing any other unholy demons we encounter in our Travels… May God Be with Us…
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Steampunk

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction and speculative fiction, that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. The term denotes fictional works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used — usually the 19th century, and often Victorian era Britain — but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, often featuring futuristic technology as the people of this historical period would have envisioned it to look like, i.e. based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include fictional machines like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or real technological developments like the computer, but occurring at an earlier date.
Other examples of steampunk contain alternate history-style presentations of "the path not taken" for such technology as dirigibles, analog computers, or digital mechanical computers (such as Charles Babbage's Analytical engine).
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Kindred Spirits
The ‘Vampyre Hunting’ Family
Greg... Man of Mystery
Lady Doctor Sarah
Thomas the Urchin
Soul Mates
Wild-West William
Robert the Intrepid Inventor
Aviator Arthur

Gutter Girlz #39

July 15th, Prompt #39

THE PROMPT: Mindless
THE SONG: Dickhead by Kate Nash
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE: Trash

I took this picture of me:

and did this:
I decided to challenge myself to ONLY use trash.
It was hard but I did it!
The 'image' of myself is all made of Security Envelopes.
Background is a backing from a 12 X 12 paper pad, lightly inked.
'Media' is from magazines, newspaper and mail-flyers.
Title Block is the backing from a 'Say it with Crystals' by Prima.
Mindless...
Media
my brain and my bones don't want to take this anymore
~Katy Nash Lyric

Scrap That Poetry #20...

This is my newbie try at Scrap That Poetry...

Challenge #20- Dreams

Dreams
by Langston Hughes
Do you have dreams? What are your dreams? Do you have dreams for your children or your grandchildren just waiting to be scrapped!
Well, this poem is ready for you to be scrapbooked and remembered!

I started with a sheet of paper from Fancy Pants 'On a Whimsy' kit and a strip cut off another one. Then I stamped, inked and doodled my way to what you see.
All stamps are Fancy Pants either the 12 X 12 or 6 X 6 stamp sets.
Markers are Stampin'Up!
Craft 'list'is My Minds Eye Daily Dose.
Journaling:
In order to become the Artist I knew I could be I needed to
"...dream more than others think is practical"
...it's a skill. One I've learned over the past year... Now I'm Free!

ScrapFIT: WO #24 "Freestyle Relay"

ScrapFIT: Work Out #24 Freestyle Relay”

---since this is our last WO together with the current FITgirl Team I want you to pick a favorite LO by a FITgirl and “lift” it, but change it up somehow.

I choose Heather's LO from WO #6: Checkers (October)
I really liked the uncluttered look... so very, very unlike my usually FULL pages.
The fact that it was an engagement picture caught my attention.

This was my take...
The picture is from our Betrothal Handfasting Ceremony. We're getting married this year, September 25th 2010... so soon!
I flipped the picture and paper strips because my photo was tall as opposed to wide. I kept the circle where it was but moved the 2 embellishments, hand journaling and title to keep them circling the photo.
Background is Kraft spritz with Red Glimmer Mist (bit of green under the title). Pattern Paper is all DCWV 'Happily Ever After'.
Titles and embellishments are all Little Yellow Bicycle 'Love Letters'.
I just LOVE that the title was the same shape and I'm very in love with the mini-calender I was able to set the date on myself.