Izbzee

rainy

It's a bit overcast here in the Phoenix area this morning.  We've had a few sprinkles with more expected and the grandpups are sleeping on the floor.

more later!

oompah!

The AT has drawn to a close -- nearly everyone has returned home - or on to their next stop in their journey towards home.  It was an amazing and full week!  I've had to learn several work arounds to some program and computer issues - and sadly, I still can't download directly from my camera at the moment.  I'm sad as I have over 150 pictures from Thursday and Friday that need to be reviewed and readied for sharing with everyone who attended the training.

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today's thought is:
There is only one you for all time.  Fearlessly be yourself. 
Anthony Rapp

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Wednesday evening, we went to dinner at The Athens on 4th in Tucson.  It was a fun night.  About 30 people joined us there.  It's become a tradition during Advanced Training to eat there at least once during the week.  it was good to see friends in a purely social setting and just enjoy catching up on the latest and greatest.  The walk to the restaurat through town was fun too.  I got to toss the plate this year after the owner shared the traditional story of breaking the plate!

and yes, I'm stashing a piece of the plate to take home with me.  Thanks to Steve Ilko, a fellow AT, for all the pictures !  They'll all be posted soon!

Have a fabulous day!  Remember, things can be replaced.  Relationships cannot.  Cherish them always!

TYGITJ!

 

  

 

Tucson....what a delight!

Ok, it's been over a week, but what a delightful one for sure.  Lots of last minute preps for the AZ trip and then a great flight -- spendiing a couple of days with the kids in Scottsdale and enjoying their company and getting re-acquainted with our newest grandpup, Rebel.  Pictures to come later - they're on the camera, just haven't been able to download since this darn thing crashed last week

At any rate, I'm now in Tucson and loving seeing old friends, meeting new ones and enjoying a busy start to the training. 

I skipped lunch to get a couple of things done, and probably won't do that again....just too tired by mid afternoon.  Will need the energy.  Things are moving along at a fast clip - which they normally do.  Yesterday, Dr. Sandy Newmark, an integrative pediatrician, was a guest speaker.  His slide show was great as was his message. 

Today is HRM day with Susanna and Puran.  Can hardly wait!

I'm grateful for my loving family!  Hope the steak was good last night!

Last night, a group of us went to a small Afghan restaurant that is just across the street -- yes, we were feeling a bit adventurous and it was amazing and wonderful!  the owner told us they serve a buffet for lunch -- we may just have to go!  Great food at a great price too!

No pics today - but I should be back later to post a few.

amazing....

and I'm sure there's more of that on the horizon.  What?  Bounteous amounts of "amazing-ness" all around!  Look around you?  Do you see it?  Can you feel it?  

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Today's thought is worthy of the repeat:

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, 

 a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, 

 all of which have the potential to turn a life around.  

 Leo Buscaglia

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Saturday's generally bring lots of laughter and joy  when all the gals gather in the crafting room and share the ups and downs of life and spend a day of nurturing creativity.  There were scrapbook pages created, lots of stamping and coloring and even a bit of cutting from the Cricut -- though I must admit it was me that was doing that!  :D  I loved seeing everything that was going into their piles of completed projects for the day.  The Cuttlebug got a workout too for a few pages as did lots of embossing folders and dies.  

I remember during a recent evening of blurfing, I came across a really cute card -- on Nichole Heady's site - I couldn't find the permalink this morning -- so just enjoy what you do see on her blog.  

  -- I decided to case it -- however once I got all my hearts punched (papers, SU and stash; Punch, SU), I realized that I didn't have enough buttons for the number for the cards I would need for this stack.  So then I wondered how I could get nearly the same look without having to go out and buy some... So I started looking around:  I have oodles of CS or chipboard, a 1/2" circle punch (SU!), piercing tool(SU), Versamark Embossing Ink (Tsukineko) and a rainbow assortment of embossing 

powder (Ranger) - hmmmm.   - this might just work.   
 

I chose a Gina K stamp for the Thank You (Eclectic Summer Sayings set) - 

  
 Simple and fun and quick to do -  I also used glue dots to adhere the "buttons" and used the xyron sticker maker to run all the hearts through to get a firm and even adhesive covering on them.  A fun project.  You can click on the pics to make them bigger.

One other thing I accomplished yesterday was casing a card in the January issue of Cards.  The design was by Mary MacAskill.  I changed is up a little bit and although I don't have the Graphically Speaking cartridge, the Sure-Cuts-A-Lot program offers me the same capability to create word collages.  My first file didn't really have the look I liked, so I changed up the fonts a bit and this is what I came up with: 

 
 

The DP was in a PC slab;
 CS, SU;
  the stamp from Studio G.
  Ribbon from American Ribbon

Guess that's about it for this morning.  Time to finish gathering up a few things and finish getting ready for church!  Thanks for dropping by.  Have a GREAT day!  TYGITJ!
 
 
 

nearly a whole week?????

oh WOW!  Where in the heck did it go?  Upon recollection, I think most of it has been spent at the computer - working on logos, creating a catalog for the Tucson training and a few other odd jobs, updating lists. I even managed to go on a cleaning spree early in the week and tidy up a bit here and there -- and got the laundry caught up yesterday.  

Let's see, this week the new tools and software arrived.  I'm excited about this new adventure -- but more on that later.

In the meantime -- here's today's thought:

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Every time you you stand up for an idea,

 you send forth a tiny ripple of hope.  

Robert Kennedy

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On a crafting note -- lots of GREAT things on the horizon.  The book covers have been tweaked and I think I really like this version the best.  Re-proofed them last evening.  Should have the final proofs of the text part by tomorrow evening and hopefully a bound copy or two by Tuesday evening if all goes as planned. Now to finish up those backs and get an easel template made for the calendar file.

My Cricut arrived -- finally!  I'm mastering SCAL - so happy to have found a few tutorials that helped me figure out what I was doing that was causing a consistent crash...and happy to report that the first design and cut are done with total satisfaction!  I LOVE IT!

Today is crafting day with the best gals (and friends) in the world...I can honestly say, I love each and every one of them and appreciate all that they bring to our group.  I'm looking forward to spending the day with them.  Of course, it's our last Saturday for the month due to my trip....but we do get one more "fix" before I leave this coming week.  (musing:  I wonder if Ted will get any calls to open the room while I'm gone?)  ;D

The tables are set and ready.  Now just waiting for the gals to get here. 

Thanks for dropping by!  Have a wonder-filled day!  TYGITJ! 

Jan 3

Things started out pretty normally, yesterday -- plans for some creativity, good food, lots of laughs and time with best friends.  I love that part of Saturday.

After a few twists and turns, thing did get back to normal for the most part and the evening was quiet.    I can't wait for daylight to see all the new opportunities for plantings that now dot the landscape in the west lawn....R's truck loaded with fireword sunk up to the axles.  Only after 3 or so hours of winching and pulling were they able to drive it off and into the driveway.  This shot was taken just as they were finishing up - about 1/2 hour before backing it off the yard.  Both Ted and R were pretty tired, though R had done all the heavy pulling and winching.  I hear that R is pretty used to this sort of thing and it actually brought back some "fond" memories of days past with a friend who is now on the other side.  

The sunset was gorgeous last evening -- so while I was out trying to get some shots of the guys, here are a couple of the beauty in the sky:

   

The colors were glorious! 

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Today's thought is:

People who matter are most aware that everyone else does too.

Malcolm Forbes

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Saturday's are generally filled with lots of creativity and nurturing, of course.  Yesterday was lots of fun!  While I didn't get a whole lot of cards accomplished, we did get a lot of talking done and general joy permeated the room.  I happened upon an old card and simple sketch and decided to make a couple using paper from the Best Occasions Slab (Walmart) - Ribbon from a Gina K kit and a CS base from SU! - stamp, Stampabilities 

I think it has a fairly masculine look -- and yes, this card has a purpose which I can't revel for a couple of days -- so shhhhh....................... The stack I shared yesterday is dry and awaiting some stamping -- not sure if I want them to be for Valentine's Day or to be Thank you's ---hmmmm.  

There was a bit more stamping and playing, but nothing really to show yet.

Today is the first Sunday of the year -- and we're on a new meeting schedule -- geesh, we haven't changed times in January for nearly 10 years!  (we used to change in August at the beginning of the school year in our other ward) 

We have the late schedule -- so the general block of meetings don't start until 1pm.  That gives us plenty of time to relax, read through the lessons and generally enjoy the morning without a whole lot of rush -- that is, of course, unless you have early meetings -- like Ted does.  We still aren't sure of ALL of times for his meetings or which ones are held when.  Hopefully, he'll be able to get that all straightened out this morning during his PEC meeting.  He also offered to pick up an investigator who is in the YM program -- his counselor normally does that, but is out of town this weekend. Where's the note for the address?  I think we're going to have to google it.  

Guess that's about it for right now...thanks for dropping by!  Have a wonder-filled day!  Nurture some creativity today too!  

 

 
 

A New Year - lots of new beginnings...

January 2010 has arrived  - We spent a fairly quiet day doing the traditional parade watching, football games and lots of finger foods.  January brings many interesting things to the calendar. Our wedding anniversary - 16 years!, birthdays, Advanced Training in Tucson and much, much, more.

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Today's thought is:

Enjoyment is not a goal,

  it is a feeling that accompanies

  important ongoing activity.

Paul Goodman

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Lots of little and large projects in the works - -the calendar cover has been  finished and I think with one more proofread we should be ready to publish!  YIPPEE!!!!

This morning, I finished up a bunch of cards -- they're still drying but here's a couple of pics.

       

There's still some stamping to do on these, so as soon as the glossy accent is dry, I should be able to complete this set --- Punches, ink and CS paper - SU!  DP - Provo craft

Today's Nurturing Creativity group is beginning to come  - so it's time for more good stuff to do!

   

Thanks for dropping by!  Have a wonderful day!