Still at it!!!

Here it is, November of 2008 and I find myself sniffing around Blog Land for some fun Christmas projects! I still have boxes and tubs full of sparkly, fun crafting goodies, ready to go! I recently assembled this "Bits 'n' Pieces" collage for one of my sweet nieces birthdays!!! She just exclaimed when she opened it, "Oh!!! I LOVE it, and I KNOW how special this is!!! Should someone tell her it's also known as (AKA) a "What's Left Over on the Craft Table" collage??? Regardless, I am pleased she liked it! My favorite square is the upper right one. My sister and I made matching dresses for our daughters when they were about 5. The picture is 3 cousins, two in their twin dresses. And the lavender print fabric background is a tiny piece of the fabric I've saved for 18 years! My, how the time passes...

YMCA*B*C*

I really owe it to my faithful few blog readers to explain my absence here, and let you know what I've been up to. I woke up 3 weeks ago, and suddenly decided I wanted to be a teacher - a lifelong dream of mine! I've been studying like mad, because there are several craaaazy tests I have to pass real soon, and lots of books to read and catching up to do. I'll start taking classes next semester. I also may be working at the YMCA after-school care center, to gain valuable experience dealing with children. I looked for an hour for a picture to post with these few remarks, and found nothing! I'm afraid my right brain is taking over again!!! That's that awful non-artistic side, the side I've used most of my life! I guess it must be engaged to pass these upcoming tests, but for now I feel I'm not even worthy of this blog. Well, I will keep you updated on my progress - wish me luck!!! Oh, and happy fall y'all!

****Recent Update***** I got so worked up over this left brain thing taking over, almost to the point of tears, so I just went and retook the Left Vs Right Brain test here. Guess what? I've actually improved on my art side from my last test of 50/50 brained! I'm now at 35 left/65 right! So, we're all OK! I can still paddle around the coast of the artistic bloggers and not feel like a complete non-swimmer! (Oh, there's lots more fun tests on that site, if anyone has lots of time!) Maybe I'll even start crafting again this fall!

Remakings on my Collange and Received Paper Bag ATCs

Here are the 3 ATCs I received from my latest swap. (Don't you just love Swap-Bot?) The challenge was to use a brown paper bag in making the cards. I love the Fall card Sue Young crafted! And the hearts and stamps designed cards, made by Sarah Spooner, sure work for me! These are some of the nicest cards I have in my collection.

This past weekend was quite exciting for our household. On Saturday morning, my DH and I took our little terrier mix, Ruffy, to the San Jose "Bark In The Park"! There were about 10,000 people there, and 3,000 dogs! There were all sorts of dog related vendors there, handing out plenty of free samples. There were various dog activities, dog tricks, a dog agility course, dog wading pools, food for all, contests - including a pet/owner look-alike contest (my DH and Ruffy entered this contest last year!!!), everything just dog, dog, dog! The talented daughter of a family friend, Stephanie Lam, had a free pet portrait drawing in her booth. Yeah, a drawing - just like we do online!

Next, we quickly dropped off the tired pooch and headed up to Berkeley to watch the Cal Bears beat LA State 45 to 15. What an exciting stadium full of fans! 58,000 roaring, cheering fans! Afterwards, we got to go out to eat with one of my dear nieces who is a senior at Berkeley. One of my sisters, an alumni, sent us a couple free tickets and boy did we appreciate that!

On Sunday afternoon, we enjoyed the hometown feel of our Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival. We always run into people we know there! It truly marks the end of the summer, and is a tradition for us.

So...Art wise??? I redid some squares on a collage, packed it up to be shipped off to OK! I really felt it needed a flute, for some true personalization for this dear niece. I've been spouting off numbers so here's some more: I have 10 nieces and 8 nephews! Oops! Some are married, so that's 11 nieces and 10 nephews! There! Now, lets check for any more upcoming birthdays....Oh! There's one! I'm afraid the Col-Lage fever has struck again!!! Off I go!

Funny Names and a new Collage!

I saw this new Name-Game over at A Very Mary Design blog! Her responses just cracked me up! she is so witty and funny! I posted my own, just so you could try this at home yourself! Yeah, when you tire of crosswords, Soduko, word searches, etc, do this easy one.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Mimi Nissan

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Heath Peanut-Butter

3. YOUR “FLY GUY/GIRL” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) S-Bar

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Red Doggy

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Jo Vancouver

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Barsa

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) The Blue-Tea

8. NASCAR NAME: Erwin Otto

9.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ), Mae Rodney

10. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter), Wolfe Wichita

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Autumn Rose

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) Apple Shirtie

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree), Muffin Ash

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: ("The" + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + "Tour") The Collage Sunrise Tour

There. My personal favorites are Mimi Nissan and Jo Vancouver. Keep those in mind in case I enter the Witness Protection Program and try to trick you! Hint: I may be in Wichita. Just a tid-bit of trivia about me: My 5th grade teacher, Miss Wolfe, was also my mom's 5th grade teacher! (Small area of Eastern Washingon of Latah-Fairfield area.) Also, while I was in 5th grade, my mom used to be my substitute teacher! Sadly, for question number 8 I had to go do some research on one of my grandpa's names. I wasn't sure of it. Tragically, he died 22 years before I was born, so I only know him from a couple pictures we have of him. Anyway, have fun with this.

I also finished another collage last night! I have the Col-Lage fever, I guess! This one is for another sweet niece who has a birthday coming up! I don't think she looks at my blog, at least I hope not. I may change a square or two, tweaking here or there as needed. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm very open to them! Thanks in advance!

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone!

Do Something Creative Every Day!

Awhile back I participated in the "Bits & Pieces Collage Swap". After looking at other completed collages, I noticed many had used these quaint and tiny millinery flowers. I hunted and hunted online for these little charming darlings on eBay, Etsy, and even Michael's but fruitlessly. Finally, after admiring some wonderfully creative collages made by Amy Elise, I got really brave and asked her where she got her lovely little flowers? She responded in the most surprising way! She said she got hers at a store in the swanky Santana Row, in San Jose! This is within walking distance from our house!!! I go there, mostly just to eat, but I do go there and had never seen this store before! And Amy Elise lives in Utah!!!! I just think this is so ironic, that someone in Utah would have to point out to me a lovely little shop just a few blocks from where I live! But I am ever so grateful to you Amy!!! Thank you, my blogging friend.

I showed some pictures of the store, Paper Source, and some of the flowers and paper I bought last night. I first went a few weeks ago and have enjoyed using the cute supplies for my crafting. They also have an online site here . Most of all, don't you just love the Paper Source's motto??? "Do Something Creative Every Day". This is plastered on their window, and on their brochures! But guess what? It's true! That's a great way to bring sunlight and a spark of happiness to your day! Whether it's as small as decorating your store list, or swirling whipped cream on a pie, or an actual bona-fide craft project, it'll make you smile to do something creative every day!

My Favorite Things!

This picture is one of my all-time favorites of my kids. 18 years ago. It's FALL and Nathan's going back to school, and Erica is happy to walk him home from school. I see his soccer shirt, the trees turning colors, and long shadows: sure signs of Fall! Here's my response to the Favorite Things Challenge on Heidi's site!

Sound – 1. Silence 2. Purring 3. Mail man leaving lots for me!

Late Night Snack – Ice cream!!! (Any flavor and in any form that someone here buys is great!) I'm eating Heath Bar Crunch Poppers right now! Yum!

Smell – 1.Clean-like dishes being washed or shampoo 2. The forest 3. The beach

Color Combination – 1. Pink and beige 2. Red and yellow

Nut – Trail Mix! (With plenty of M&Ms in it!)

Time of Year – Fall

Books – Fiction. My favorites include Robert Ludlum (The Borne Identity)

Female Actress – Meryl Streep?

Flower – 1. Sunflower 2. Daisy 3. Calla Lily

Vacation Spot – My own backyard! (OK, OK give me a travel brochure - I'm very easy to please!)

Pizza – Just cheese on it - no sauce (Is that focaccia bread?)

Subject in School – Nutrition ( and lunch!)

TV Channel – Depends on what I'm watching!

Radio Station – (No favorites: Contemporary Christian or oldies rock)

Holiday – 1. Christmas!!!

2. Thanksgiving 3. Mother's Day! (Am I allowed to say that?)

Perfume – I don't own a drop! Years ago, I loved Jasmine flower; also Firefox; and sometimes Youth Dew - til I realized my DH's grandmother wore it! Now, I just don't care for perfume and it sometimes gives me a headache.

Shoes – flip-flops!

Candy – 1. My own Almond Roca! 2nd place: Reece's Peanut Butter Cups

City to Shop – Home Sweet Home so I know all the secrets.

Beauty Products – I really need help, here!

Item to Shop For – Craft supplies, home decorative items, tops

I'll repeat what Heidi said: I’m not tagging any one by name, but just anyone who read this who wants to play!

More Middle Name Game and the 5 & 10 Club!

By now, most of you know that Heidi of Everyday Cookies and I are sisters! Last week I wrote about the sweet club we had when we were little called the "5 and 10 Club". I'm sure I was the president! Here's a picture of just the 2 of us at those ages! Wasn't little Heidi adorable? I think she was holding her 5 fingers up to prove she was 5. This was Christmas time at our Grandma and Grandpa's house, and we are holding our new dolls. My doll was named Betty, and believe it or not, I still have her!!! She's missing some body parts after being played with by my 4 younger sisters and 2 nieces before I was given her back! I even have a couple of her dresses! I don't feel emotionally attached to her, as I would if I still had my original Betsy-Wetsy. My sister Kathy whose daughters played with her spent quite a bit of time contacting various doll hospitals, checking out what it would take to restore her. But, they all claimed I might as well just completely replace her.

I tagged 2 of my other sisters, Sue and Genece to play the Middle Name Game! They are such good sports that they participated. Neither has a blog, quite yet, so I'll post their middle names here, since I was the one who tagged them.

First, we have my darling, cheerful sister Genece Elizabeth! (Sunshine!)
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E ~ Every morning His mercies are new.
L ~ Love is the greatest thing.
I ~ I'm a child of the King.
Z ~ Zephaniah 3:17C "...He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
A ~ All things work together for good to those who love the Lord.
B ~ Blessed are the poor in spirit.
E ~ East to the West - so far has he removed my transgressions from me.
T ~ Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
H ~ Hope - One of the things that remain

Next is my sweet and charming sister, Susan Naomi:

(OK, OK, I'll play!!)

N: Neo-Empty Nester (on 9/16 when we drop off Ben @ OSU!) Me: DH Rick:

A: Aiming for the finish line @ the Prefontaine 10K race (9/15) - walking w/ 3 friends!

O: Open to a New Season in my life and looking to God for new directions...

M: Mothers are Forever, though! Welcomed #5, Ruby, on 5/19/07 when she married my son!

I: I love flowers! Irises along the fenceline in my yard bloomed for the 1st time this year, then were promptly eaten by the 2 horses in the field outside the fence

All of my 5 sisters and 3 brothers have a close walk with God, who we consider our loving Heavenly Father. How wonderful it is to pray and know God hears us! On my way to church yesterday, I got a flat tire on a busy freeway here and had to pull off. I had left my cell phone home on the kitchen table, of course, on the day I really needed it. So, I prayed, then left my car to walk to the next freeway exit. This is very dangerous to do here! There was a big 20 ft tall retainer wall in that section so I couldn't leave the freeway. After I'd walked about 1/2 a mile, a car pulled over in front of me, amazingly. I ran up to it and saw an older lady sitting in it, eager to help me! She let me sit in her call and call AAA. I consider her very nice, brave, and angelic! she was so calm and sweet to me. I was just shaking and so scared I could barely talk on the phone. She offered to drive me in reverse all the way back to my car, but I told her it'd be too dangerous for her and that I'd be fine. I just thanked her all I could for her kindness and headed back to my car. The tow truck driver came pretty quickly and changed my tire.

Once he'd finished, I said something that may have seemed very odd to the tow truck driver. I asked him if he'd like a cup of coffee! I just realized tonight that he probably didn't realize I had dispensers of coffee and tea in my car, as well as a couple pies I was taking to church for our snack table! Did he think I was asking him on a date to Starbucks or something??? Horrors! I really laughed at myself tonight, when I thought that all through. Anyway, that tire story was a little too much of a spark for my engine this weekend. We had a new tire installed this morning, and the verdict was that I'd driven over a razor blade.

Oh, and since this is supposed to be the artsy corner of my life, I have big news! I started another new collage this afternoon! Pictures coming, later this week when I finish it!