Blogging, Challenge to use a stamp and MOJO Monday

Yes, yes... I'm a bad blogger. I own it lol. But I'm going to "try" to get better. No promises.

Back in June, I registered for and attended the Copic Certification courses in Ottawa. Standard and Intermediate. Both days were intense and crazy but fun and jam-packed with tips, tricks, details and lots of colouring. An accomplished Copic-certified friend asked if I "learned" anything as this person felt I was already pretty knowledgeable and "practiced". Nice compliment from someone I regard quite highly. I responded, honestly, that I have learned over the years of doing painting conventions, classes, seminars and now the papercrafting that you always learn/take away something from an event. So yes, I did learn some things.

However, I must say, it was more a validation on what I "do know/can do" and that I've absolutely grown in the right direction with knowledge/application. Now I'm more "armed and dangerous" and... enabled (least the number of markers I have and the tools ie airbrush compressor will attest to that lol). Maybe I'll take the Advanced certification and/or specific technique classes if they come to Ontario next year (the thought is that Copic will bring the classes to Toronto).

So without going into other "stuff" that's kept me from blogging either before today, or from my certification 'til now... I'd like to post what DOES have me blogging today lol.

Mojo Monday. Well... actually, it was a challenge from a friend that started it. A challenge to use an image that we both purchased within the last week. A challenge to do something by... Monday. Two days from now. Gulp. I made all kinds of mutterings 'bout having a plate-load of to-do's but she came back with an equal plate-load. So... I just laughed in the face of stuff that should take priority and dived into using and colouring the image I'd lusted after.

I'm intimidated. I'm "going up against" the master lol. The master of over-the-top cards. Gulp. Okay... just dive in. But where to begin?!

Back to Mojo Monday. What better place than to start with a sketch. A good sketch. One that papercrafters/cardmakers flock to and join in on a regular basis. Thank gawd for Mojo Monday :-).

So, here's my entry for this week's challenge -->

And the original sketch -->

Stamps: Kraftin' Kimmie 'Oh Snap' (brand new release - love, love, love it!); Stampin' Up Happy Watercolor (retired)

Cardstock and DSP: Stampin' Up (DSP is the retired Epic Day)

Accessories: Stampin' Up Arrows TIEF; buttons from my miscellaneous stash

Colouring: Copics

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Bad blogger, lol

Ya, ya... no apologies, though. Life just happens, Facebook steals time, to-do lists, husband, dogs, kids, friends, cardmaking, painting... it is what it is, lol.

Still waiting. Yes I am. Have never waited for anything so long in my life. What am I waiting for? The chance to get the little tabby I mentioned in a previous post. By the time I get to "try"... he'll be an adult . The definition of patience: an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay. Are you kidding me?! That so does not describe me, but... I've been, and am being, pretty good [wink].

There are 7 of them, so if one picks up a virus, the rest do... one at a time and one after the other. Stuff happens. He's doing very well and his personality is really developing. Am looking toward the week of March 26 now as the "foster mom" knows I have a weekend away next weekend and wants to give me the best chance of acquiring this little lad, so even if he's "ready" to go back to the shelter this week, she'll "put them off" 'til the following week.

Just as well. Not only am I away next weekend and really looking forward to it (I'm going to the Scrap and Stamp Getaway in Cornwall with Maggie Patterson), I'm kinda "bruised" right now.

Was cleaning out the big chest freezer yesterday. Leaning in on the edge to reach the bottom for the ice and to dry it out. Rolled forward and heard a "pop". Ouch. Yup, probably cracked a rib. It's up high and a little "in from the side" so does not seem to be in a spot that "twists" as much as I've had before (yup, cracked ribs once-upon-a-time when I went down a slide that was more like a log chute with my young son. Kinda narrowed out a bit too much for an adult, lol - that was a bad one). However, it is limiting my bending and definitely felt whenever I change position. So... to have had a little kitten this weekend would've been a little "uncomfortable".

Guess things happen for a reason.

Had a great time at my Stampin' Up Team Meeting last weekend. I provided the demo and the girls really enjoyed it. My upline even published me, lol. I love cards that "do" something and they don't seem to do a lot of these so I have a new audience [grin].

~Shelley

Meet....

Scorch. Well, I'm pretty sure that's the name I will be christening him with. If I get him.

My friend fosters kittens for the Humane Society. I am in one of her painting classes each week and we always look forward to when she has a new litter so we can get kitten cuddles, smiles and laughs at their antics. I've had the itch for years to have another cat in my life, but with more than a few dogs, it just wasn't fair... to the hubby . Sadly, as you know, I lost two of my furbabies this past year, the second rather unexpected. The 3 remaining furbabies are getting up there in years. They will be 8, 9 and 10 this year. I thought that if I brought another pet into my home, it would be an adult cat. Something a little more mature and in need of a loving, forever home. I looked forward to this... at some point. I had been satisfied the last few years to just cuddle, enjoy and not pine after something I really shouldn't.

Darned if this current litter of 7 kittens didn't have ONE medium coated tabby male. Three of my four criteria, lol. Medium coated, tabby, male. But... a kitten. Yes, I can handle a kitten and my oh-so-awesome and lovingly patient husband has nodded his head that "yes", I can bring him home when the time is right. Now... the next hurdle will be to get the timing down for when he has to go back to the Humane Society for fixing and shots prior to the adoption process. My friend can give me a "referral" but that's it... there are no guarantees, although past experience with painting ladies falling for one of her "fosters" has had positive results going thru the protocol of the adoption process and heirarchy there.

So... if you are reading this. Cross your fingers for me and send good thoughts and karma my way 'cause I really want to bring Scorch home.

January and February are but a blur, lol. Mostly through sleepy eyes. I'm just not getting enough good quality, sound sleep. Think it's just the aging process, lol. But I have been creating and playing with my papercrafts, catching up with friends, playing with the dogs and... checking out companies, designs and products for a possible bathroom makeover.

Yup. It's time. Our main bathroom is outdated and tired and in need of something. We're excited as we seem to have narrowed it down to one company that we had come in and "do a design" for us. Wow. Not only did we have a thorough interview from the designer, but she's pretty well nailed down all our wants, desires and needs and stuck within a budget she was given. I'm really excited. It's a lot of money but will be an awesome investment and something that is so totally usable, practical and beautiful. I will keep you posted.

My friends and I have been creating cards and trying to get together every couple weeks to continue our fun. They thank me, but it's really me who has a lot of the benefit of appreciation and fun from them. They put a smile on my face.

Speaking of friends, I was remiss not to tell you 'bout my Christmas gift from one of my awesome "puppy people" families. Their youngest spotted a "collie" ornament in one of the stores just before Christmas and thought of me (my heart just melts at this). So just before our Christmas, they came for a quick visit and gifted me with the awesome ornament (that now holds pride-of-place in my curio cabinet amongst my other treasures) and a sinful package of dog cookies for my herd. How is that my dogs KNOW the difference between these better quality "healthy" treats and the mere beef-basted or plain old Milkbones that are their normal treat? Geesh. They just 'bout do backflips for these treats, lol.

~Shelley

Best Christmas ever

It could've been worse. Really?! It could've been a catastrophe.

We held Christmas dinner for my family (a dozen of us this year). Food bought, house cleaned, good part of food prep done the day before Christmas, table set. An almost 25 pound turkey. Dinner scheduled for 2 p.m. So that means turkey needs to go in the oven around 5 a.m.

Alarm set for 4:45 a.m. I get up and stumble to the kitchen to turn the oven on then continue to the basement fridge to pull the turkey out and prep it for the roasting pan. Come upstairs and... notice "light" coming from the oven. Hmmmm, still in a bit of a fog but I register that's just not right. Put turkey on counter, open oven and... kinda flame/sparks and sizzling coming from the bottom element which lies in pieces on the bottom of the oven floor.

Are you kidding me?!

Breathe. Walk upstairs to wake hubby and say "Honey, Merry Christmas... can you come and help me with the BBQ 'cause the oven is broken". He wakes up fast (always does anyway, but I think he realized I WASN'T kidding). Outside into the snowy morning he goes to pull the BBQ closer to the stairs, take out the racks and get it lit. Then a lightbulb moment. We can't call anyone at 5 in the morning. It's an emergency but it's not a death or illness so we don't want to freak anyone out... hmmm, his Mom is out for the day and we have keys. Off goes the BBQ... for now... we'll need it later for the stuffing and pies, and we hurriedly get dressed and load the turkey in the car and take off into the cold, snowy morning. All is well, we're in a good frame of mind and figure we'll just "run with it" and do what we can. Hey... it'll make a good story... someday, lol. We set the turkey to cooking in his mom's oven and go back two more times to check on it (at least a 40 minute plus round trip [not including the time spent there] each time. And the steadily falling wet and heavy snow along with the wind makes the driving steadily worse each trip - we pass more than a few cars in the ditch). Need to make sure it's cooking, pour off the drippings so they don't overflow the pan and get back to our place to get the rest of the meal cooking. Our last trip was 1'ish to pick up the turkey and bring it home. Kinda like meals on wheels, lol.

My best friend calls around 9 to wish us a Merry Christmas. We chat and of course share our fun/predicament. They have two portable roasting "ovens". Yahoo. Of course we won't say no. She's saved the day. We probably could've managed with the stove top, BBQ and microwave but this is even better. And she delivers, lol!

Dinner was just about perfect as was the company. My hubby spoiled me rotten (as usual) and was there by my side sharing all the load (mental and physical). The extra "spice" of having an oven break at a totally inopportune moment just made for an interesting day and table conversation. This will be the Christmas to remember and it was actually the "bestest" for me as I was home and believe-it-or-not relaxed and enjoying.

30 years and our first Christmas at home. But you know what? We still haven't cooked a turkey for Christmas dinner at home! So... we HAVE to do it again next year at the very least.

And me? Well, I'm going to kick back and relax with my brand new Keurig coffeemaker (WOOHOO! as the guy in the commercial exclaims) and my new scrapbooking dies and puzzles and magazines and... yes, I am spoiled and loved. It was a good day.

~Shelley

Visitor

We had a welcomed visitor yesterday morning. One of our friends, Derry, came to visit with his "new addition".

Derry was the proud owner of Domino and Checkers, two of our "babies" (from Ripley, Hunter's mom; and Hunter respectively). Sadly, they have passed to the Rainbow Bridge and after several months of an empty house, Derry and Patty brought Sammy home.

What a sweetie (Derry too, lol). Now, while my gang is not so used to puppies anymore, they tolerated Sammy pretty well with only a couple leaps outta the way and snaps when he got too silly with them. The "photo shoot" went off without a hitch and we actually got about 7 or 8 shots before Sammy had had enough, lol.

Derry, thanks so much for sharing and bringing a new furbaby to see us. So looking forward to watching Sammy grow up.

~Shelley

Recalculating...

Jeannie let me down.

Yup. Good thing I printed from "Google Maps" 'cause my new GPS didn't seem to have an "app for it", lol.

Armed with my print out and secure in the knowledge I had my "Jeannie", I headed off for a stamping technique day an hour and a half away last weekend. I knew about where I was to go, so felt pretty confident. But of course, I also had my new toy (GPS) to keep me company.

"We" argued the first half of the trip, lol. I was determined to head East and South and she was darn-well-determined to have me go East and North before heading a bit South. Oh well. It was nice thinking I wasn't just "talking to myself" but to something that would kibbitz back, lol.

So, finally having won the battle (I thought), Jeannie directed me to the correct off ramp and in the direction I "knew" was right. Until we got to Vankleek Hill, about 20 minutes from my destination, lol. It was rather funny. I "thought" I should go straight through the town; however, "she" felt I needed to start turning north. 'Kkkkkkk, I'll humour "her" but I think she's wrong. So, turn left she says. Turn left again. Turn left again. Turn left again. And of course "she's" actually indicating the streets by name and they ARE correct, but... yup, you've got it, "she" was in an endless loop, lol. Wanted to keep taking me "'round the block".

Okay... "she" had her chance so I ignore the chatter coming out of the GPS and head off in the direction I want to go. Then "she" tries to tell me to head back onto a ramp which indicates it's going to send me back the way I came? Nope, I am NOT gonna listen to "her" anymore . I head off where Google Maps has told me and reach my destination no problem (Jeannie also picked up about a couple kilometers from the destination and was fine with that, lol). Told my hostess what had happened and apparently my "Jeannie" is not the only GPS that has had this hiccup, lol. Many of her past visitors have cited the same issues.

Took the "other" way home and Jeannie was quiet most of the way. Happy with the fact I was following "her" way. Go figure.

I did have a good day. Created a whole album of 20 different stamping techniques and just enjoyed my creative get-away. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Jeannie or no Jeannie, lol. It was comic relief.

All this to say, don't necessarily trust yourself to the technology of a GPS.

~Shelley

Paper and Fun

Well this week I had a few friends over and we played with paper. It's such instant gratification. We made an evening out of it with a meal and dessert and chatting and just having a good time.

They were good so I've told them we can play with glitter this week, lol. I'm a little of a control freak 'bout the glitter. Do so love it but it can be messy and likes to travel so... I'll limit the cards and hopefully the mess [grin]. We didn't get the Pennant Parade Christmas Tree Card done so we'll snick that in before we play with the glitter.

I took some time in between creating "class projects" and played with some future ideas for a "girls' class". Think my friends are game for this one too :-).


~Shelley