Santa and an Angel

Materials used-Cream, silver and white pearl cardstalk, Angel stamp, Gold embossing dye stamp, Egyptian and African gold embossing powder, Snowflake and border stickers.

Materials used- Drak green and light green cardstalk, scrap paper embossed using cuddlebug, Santa stamped with black dye ink and embossed with clear embossing powder, coloured with tombow markers, glitter in red, brown, purple, yellow and green. Santa fussy cut and placed with raised stickers. snowflakes, corner and border stickers used as well as greeting.

Sparkles Christmas Challenge-Snowflakes

Winter Wonderland- Anything Goes
52 Christmas Card Throwdown-Colour Challenge-White, Cream, Gold, Silver
Crafty Hazelnut Challenge- Anything Goes
Christmas Cards All Year Round- Sparkle and Shine

Since I wrote about my wonderful adventure when I was a dumb ass 21 year old hitchhiking with Santa and being picked up by a Cowboy trucker from Quebec I thought these cards were in keeping with my Insecure Writer's Support Group post.:) I believe I have gained a few brain cells since then (knowing I also have equally killed a few as well by imbibing in my favourite liquid of past-OJ and Vodka) so I will never do anything that crazy again. An angel has definitely been by my side on a few occasions and thankfully my parents never knew my antics. Like parents know anyway! Yup I am certain some of my fellow readers can relate to this and also pray their children will never do anything nutty either.  I love sparkly things since I believe I was a magpie in a prior life and I finally was able to create a card for 52 Christmas and CCAYR and have it under the wire! Now since I really did hitchhike with Santa (albeit a drunken skinny assed one) it is only fitting to have Santa here and all sparkly:) In heaven above the angels are now laughing and if it is raining, it is their tears of laughter from embracing Robin Williams-A wonderful man

Santa, a Cowboy and a Blond = stupid...for the IWSG

Here is my little story of my youth for the Insecure Writer's Support Group:)

Now this is a tale that leaves one wondering if it actually happened or did I smoke something really funky. 
Many moons ago, I, a fresh faced dumb ass 21 yr old, decided to meet some friends in a downtown bar/restaurant. I was just getting over a very bad case of the flu and decided that I needed to become even more sick by going out and having some fun so I left my brains at the door and decided to do just that. 

There I am at the bar/restaurant with my best friend, her then fiancee and someone else that I can no longer remember or maybe that is the hazy amount of meds, fever and alcohol that permeated my brain, liver and other vital organs, that make me not remember. Doug, the slug, my best friend's former fiancee owned his parent's home and this home was recently in a fire. Now Doug was more upset that his home-made wine in the basement  was in a bad way after said fire than he was upset by the home being in a shambles so he asked all of us to go check out his still. What was I to do? Should I be sensible and call home to get more rest? Puleassseeee! We all sauntered down the street to his shell of a home, went through the yellow tape (yup dumb kid with matches) and went down to the basement to have a taste of his new wine that incurred a smoky palette. Of course, going down rickety stairs  and being under a floor that could possibly give way at any moment was not in our thoughts but rather having a taste of said smoky wine seemed more on our minds. From my state of altered consciousness, I decided the wine was still salvageable and was quite good. Now I was 21, sick, dizzy (see above meds and alcohol) and thought Spumante Bambino was the best wine ever. 

After having said smoky wine and believing we were all going to be the next young adults offered to go to Mensa, my best friend and the man with no name left to go home ( they still had some brain cells lurking in their heads). Doug the Slug and I decided to get back to St. Catharines. How???  We knew better than to drive so we decided to hitchhike. Yup that stupid crazy thing I swore I would never ever do.....well I did with Doug the Slug who weighed in at 55 lbs when wet and had a voice so high it could shatter glass and make Boy George's heart go pitter-patter. So we we started walking...and walking...and walking. Nobody had the sense to pick us up at 1am. I wonder why? Doug the Slug just happened to have his Santa Claus suit on him in his duffel bag and thought nobody will decline Santa Claus. He was wrong! Santa and the dumb ass blond still kept walking. So there I was with a skinny drunken Santa at 2am at a lonely intersection in the middle of no-where-ville and Friday the 13th when a big semi-truck pulls over. Doug..er, Santa opens the door first to see a man saying he will take us. We get in and now it gets more interesting.....

This trucker looks like he would walk like John Wayne, talk like Clint Eastwood, smoke like the Marlboro man but loved to listen to Conway Twitty in French! Yup It was a cowboy trucker from Quebec! He had a big hat on with a cig. hanging from his mouth talking in a Quebequer accent while listening to country twang. He felt sorry for us and brought us all the way to St. Catharines. I finally was home around 3am or so.I was happy that no roof caved in, no Quebec Cowboy turning into Jason, and my flu no worse for wear. 

A couple of weeks later my boyfriend was talking with his friend and his friend mentioned how his dad said, one night after leaving the legion he had seen Santa and some blond hitch-hiking on the road. My boyfriend's friend didn't believe his dad. I naturally said "Oh no that was me". My boyfriend laughed and fell off his chair and his friend just figured of all people it would be me. 

This is lengthy, but hope you liked to read it even if the grammar is not correct. Is this story true?? I shall make you wait.........Yup it is true!!! I really believe I have a guardian angel somewhere with all the things I got myself into, but I guess very few people can say they hitch-hiked with Santa and a Cowboy from Quebec gave them a lift:) 

1964 Film Blogathon

I was thinking  about writing up something for the film world of the year I was born...ok not the best sentence but see if I care:) 

1964 was a banner year mainly because I was born and soon my dad would nickname me the screaming Hyena but that is for another day. There were many great events that happened that year like the Beatles coming to America but also some great films like A Hard Day's Night which you can review at At All Things Kevyn. This is part of Hitchcock's Announcing the 1964 Film Blogathon 

I chose "The Train" starring Burt Lancaster and Paul Scolfield (under-rated actor) and directed by the great John Frankenheimer. 

I don't consider myself a critic nor have the ability to write like so many critics where they blow me down with their words and cocksure attitude but I know what I like and love and I love this movie. ...I mean film!
It takes place during WW2 and how a nasty German Kraut (Scofield) steals priceless pieces of art to be placed on a train and taken out of France to Germany. Burt Lancaster plays the reluctant French resistance hero. 

It is filmed in black and white( never put colour to this film...or any film!), It is stark and well-acted. The Train derailments and explosive scenes are real! Burt Lancaster limping is real (he twisted his ankle golfing so the director used it to enhance the film) as well as Burt's stunts. He was a circus performer once so seeing him in action gives this film even more realism.  Of course this is based on actual events and one wonders about all the art that has been seized and never found which is a detriment to humanity! 

I saw this film 2 years ago on the now defunct "Saturday Night At The Movies" (I weep that it is gone and miss the great Elwy Yost) and I could not leave my seat from the clever writing and action in this film. There are certain scenes that always stick with me that make a film a true highlight and the last scene in this film, which questions the very nature of art and humanity, made me weep. 

Insecure Writers Support Group plus a Card or 2:)

Another month  for the Insecure Writer's Support Group and the year is half over!! Oh me oh my. I really enjoy reading people's blogs, seeing their cards and finding out how wonderful people are in general. The people who are writers go through so many obstacles that it must be daunting so I am going to try to help out in my own feeble way.

• Procrastination-We all do it whether it is to avoid writing or taking care of that dust that those ugly dust mites enjoy eating (most dust is caused by our own skin-blechhh). The main point is we get back to our project, renewed and invigorated.
• Tired- We can be so tired from trying to write or just getting into writing since we have families, jobs, health issues and that we would rather just sit and watch a movie. I say Give yourself a break! You all deserve a break on occasion. Once we take care of the all the irritating things like jobs, kids, pets (never pets) then we can  enjoy the T.V., um I mean the writing.
• Writer's Block- Every person will have a mental block whether it is about writing, creating a card or deciding what bad thing to eat. All of you are blessed with blogland and the other people who feel the same and can help. Often by leaving the piece, an idea will spring forth, usually at the most inopportune time(in the middle of a bathroom break or at 3am in the morning when you wake up with a start and have the Eureka moment)
• Publishers, Editors and all those others- I had no idea what all of you face when it comes time to send your work, that you have poured your heart and soul into,  to these people who neither respond, respond but in caveman years, decline you or accept you only to edit everything you worked for. I say to keep going because you are talented people and there are many big time authors who have been refused many times over before they were recognized and finally published. Perseverance is the key, not only in writing, but in life.
• Guilt- I have read so many and all of you feel so guilty that you have not started, have not finished, have not edited or re-edited. You feel guilty about not being there for your family, friends and blogger friends. Guilt is a horrible feeling and I know as I feel guilty about everything...just saying:) Guilt does not help but hinders ones thoughts, actions and feelings. Family, when they know you, understand, friends too and blogger friends included as they are fellow writers and so truly "get it".
• Fear- Now this is a biggy! We can fear everything. I am so scared of heights that I will travel an hour out of the way to avoid a bridge. I become crippled with fear of heights that my thoughts become completely distorted. Fear, schmear!!! I am in awe about all of you. Some of you are writers full time and are following your dream. How amazing is that! You write what you love and are doing what you love from science fiction to fantasy to romance to teen angst plus more. I think you guys are just swell. Now you can pick apart that last sentence since I am certain that the grammar is not all that great. 

I made a card for all of you as inspiration and hope you enjoy. The 2nd card is for a wonderful lady, Asha, who makes great cards and loves animals and her one dog, Rosie, is going through chemo right now so the second card is for her.

Crafty Creations - Things with Wings

Layered Cardstock. Used createx paints to create "THE FINAL FRONTIER"-hahahahaaa. Embossed the words and used the cuddle bug for the butterfly. Finished it off with stickles, and stickers.

Eclectic Ellapu-For the pinks-Furry Friends

Animal Friends Challenge - Dog or a cat

Stamped the dog (remind me of my Katie) in black on glossy white paper. Took nestibilites and cut and embossed the layers. Added the blue cardstock and stamped the corner and embossed in white glitter. Added some white stickers for a final effect.

This is all and for the next few days, until Monday, I am off on an adventure! My friend, Loretta, and I are going on a great road trip to Indiana, Pa to the Jimmy Stewart museum and then to Jamestown NY for the Lucille Ball museum. I won't be able to read some of your blogs until I am back. I promise we have not rented a convertible, we will not go to any divey bar, blow up any trucks or send ourselves, smiling no less, off a cliff.  Have a great week!

For the Men

Whimsy Stamp Challenge - Tic Tac Toe
Glitter n Sparkle Challenge - Father's Day/Male Cards
Eclectic Ellapu - Time or Male Cards-I chose Male
Dream Valley Challenge - Monochrome
Craft Your Passion - 3 or more embellishments

I have a lot of men in my life but I guess, what is more important is that there is a lot of life in my men...to quote Mae West. OK,ok, I just want a lot of life in my one man-hahahaha. Well I could keep on going but this is about my card making:) Nyuck, Nyuck. My first card I decided to make a scene, not in any restaurant or outside to embarrass anyone but a nice scene with horses. I stamped the horses and then masked them so I could create the clouds and sun behind. I coloured the background, framed it in border stickers and added some crystals.

The 2nd card is all monotone in browns and I added glitter paper for my bro in law who has pizzazz. I stamped the image and embossed in glitter and then added the sticker border and the "Happy Birthday" sticker too.

the 3rd card-Layer and layer with orange and a shimmery blue. I stamped the image and sponged on different colours for a later afternoon look. I brought out my cuddlebug for the blue paper to create the dots and the border. This is my Whimsy card and I chose Summer, Die Cut (The borders in orange) and sentiment (Happy Birthday)

My last card was given to my hubby and it signifies moi as I was born the year of the Dragon although I puff out more smoke than fire. I stamped the image and coloured in all the detail with tombow markers. I  used my punch for the corners and special scissors  for the border. I layered it on purple and blue cardstock and added the border and crystal embellishments to finish it off. I have to say this one is my favourite.

So this is to all the manly men who like some colour and sparkle but still will drink milk out of a dirty glass.

On Writing

I  can't believe I was asked by Vidya Sury to answer these 4 questions since I don't consider myself a writer but more a crafter and a talker of words. Vidya is amazing and very uplifting and I am honoured that she included me. If I have screwed up in writing this and mentioning the correct places to visit, my apologies as I am not a 6 year old who knows all there is about computers. I need to be taught by them. I still fondly remember pong. So here are the questions:

1. What am I working on/writing?

Literally or just in my cobwebbed head? No I love creating cards and plan to do more today. I love to read people's blogs and give my little answers but I have never considered myself a writer except here and when I took a creative writing course. Now in my head, I am always thinking about writing a biography on my mom's amazing life. I think anyone could write a book about her. Grew up in Germany. Taken by Nazi regime to be given the "proper" teachings but had to send her back home when she did a hunger strike. Saw her 1 yr old brother die (lung collapsed-result of a bomb). She survived the bombings of Hamburg and Dresden when she was a teen. Her other brother died at 19 (shot by the Russians in the hospital). She was part of the German Resistance, against the Germans and blew up bridges. She survived starvation and rape when the Russians marched in. She almost disappeared with thousands of others to Siberia but escaped. She escaped  to the West and helped her father escape and she also suffered a severe brain injury where she was in the hospital for 9 mths having to relearn how to walk and talk...this happened all before she was 22.  So just saying might make a good read.

2. How does my work/writing differ from others in its genre?

I don't even assume I am a writer so that helps and even when I write about my cards I try to inject a little humour even if it is sad and pathetic-lol. One can't think of other people's writing as everyone has their own uniqueness and that is what makes reading great

3. Why do I write what I do?

It's fun!

4. How does my writing process work?

What writing process?? hahahahaaa. I write what's in my head-scary. I think of an idea and create. I am not a perfectionist and I figure I will write and someone else can edit and butcher it until it is perfect:)

OK there ya go now I have the honour of inviting 3 wonderful people that I am blessed to know through blogger land,  to partake in this merriment and answer these questions  and post them by June 17th. Here are the questions:

What am I working on/writing?

How does my work/writing differ from others in its genre?

Why do I write what I do?

How does my writing process work?

Tag three writers / bloggers of their choice to answer these questions on writing, on their own blog the following week.
And thus we shall carry the bloghop forward!
The bloggers friends I am tagging are:

Joseph Alsarraff at Joseph's Real Life

Name: Joseph Alsarraf

Websites: josephsrealife.blogspot.com

                   Friendliees.com

Things about me: I enjoy listening to music (I actually think I am addicted sometimes) I really enjoy writing and playing with my toy cars!  Yes, I still collect toy cars and enjoy rolling them around on my desk when I am supposed to be writing. It’s fun and relaxes me when I am trying to think. (I’m actually doing it right now.) I also enjoy riding my bike. I love God, animals, and anything living. I also enjoy weather and staring at clouds. I especially like the deep blue clouds that form right before a severe thunderstorm, those are my favorites!

Denise Hammond at Yes Virginia, There is Life After Retirement

Denise was the Treasurer of West Bloomfield, MI, from 1988-2008. Now enjoying retirement from public life, she reads voraciously, practices yoga, gardens, travels, cooks, spends more time with family and friends and enjoys all the things she didn't have time to enjoy in the busy workplace


Stephanie Faris at Stephanie Faris

Stephanie Faris knew she wanted to be an author from a very young age. In fact, her mother often told her to stop reading so much and go outside and play with the other kids. After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University she somehow found herself working in information technology. But she never stopped writing. When she isn’t crafting fiction, Stephanie is indulging her gadget geek side by writing for online technology sites. She lives in Nashville with her husband

This keeps things going and thanks for reading:)

Brag, Brag, Brag and no Shame

It's time again for the Insecure Writer's Support Group! I am not a writer but I feel I was in another life (shhh don't let Shirley Maclaine read this or she will say she was Jane Austin).

It tuned 50 on June 2nd! Yes ...Yes I did! I feel, mentally, like I am 30 but I am 50-a half century old. When I write this I feel like I should put on my best black babushka outfit and walk around wheeling a cart behind me with some hay.

My wonderful hubby made a "surprise" birthday party....I knew it was coming-pretty hard to fool me as my evil mind starts watching all the things that are happening. First off, my hubby is a Gemini like me which means he can't keep his mouth shut. He is also severe ADHD-basically Speedy Gonzales on speed. H would talk about how much he had to get done and cleaned. well that was the first big tip off for me. He cleans and is OCD anyway but he kept talking about it. He also wanted my recipe for my deviled eggs.

2nd -I was at work and saw that he called my friend who works there-another tip-she tried to cover but please I am like Columbo when it comes to these things. My other friend called Tuesday morn and was surprised to talk with me....he forgot that I don't start work until 11:30-...the plot thickens.

3rd-Michael got his birthday card from his Aunt and he didn't want me to see what was written so I knew she was coming. His sister also said his Aunt and Uncle were coming but they made it sound like this was the best time for them which it was but still.....

4th-Saturday-His sister-a wonderful gal who takes in all strays said she wanted to take me out and would be here at 10am-when I asked if it could be later My sweetie just about did a Fred Flinstone and blew his top and the roof and told me to be ready for 10-hahahaha. She was also here at 10! She is never, I repeat, never, on time. If you would ask me when she is on time I would be asking when Paris Hilton grew a brain.

So I went out, had a great time and great lunch and then we came back. I did not know all the details but suffice to say my hubby out did himself. All the effort and work he put into this showed his love to me (now you must say awwwwwwww:)) His bro in law made a great banner and my friends were all here. I had a wonderful time and consider myself truly blessed. The place was clean(wowzers), our dog Wallace was not freaked out and the cats hid...for the most part. There were streamers and balloons and food and cake which he did not bake for heaven's sake, too much time it would take. Friends, family, my hubby, Love, memories, joy-I am blessed