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 

For Niece #2

Animal Friends Challenge - Happy Birthday

This is for my niece Jade who is one for more simpler things so that is what I went with. I stamped the dragonflies in blue and embossed it in blue on a green vellum paper. I stamped the Happy Birthday also in blue. I mounted it on this orangy-red card stock and then on this yellowy-green card stock. I coloured in the wings with creatix paint in iridescent  blue and used stickers for the corners. Simple but effective I think.

Happy Birthday to niece #1

Crafty Creations - Recipe Challenge use at least 2-Flowers, Die-cut, Ribbon, Purple

Eclectic Ellapu - Spring or a Sketch

Dream Valley Challenges - Things with Wings

Alphabet Challenge - G for Gorgeous Gowns

I had a fun long weekend since it is Victoria Day  in our neck of the woods or as we say, May 2-4 weekend. Our 1 niece, Maddy, had her birthday on Saturday-she turned 20! Our other niece (on my side), Jade, turned 19 on Sunday. The card above is for Maddy. This is a sketch from Eclectic Ellapu and I was inspired to try this from Fanny Thornton's A to Z about quilting. I did not do any sewing though(It would have been a mess). I was also inspired by the Fairy Tales from Pensuasion and Untethered Realms that I read on the A to Z reading frenzy. I took 4 pieces of paper, one I left as is, 2 I embossed tiny flowers on the yellow card stock and tiny dots on the blue cardstock. The green vellum, I used my cuddlebug. I stamped the fairy who is wearing a great gown created by Gnomes are us ( Anorexic super model divas eat your heart out)  and I coloured her with Gamsol Pencils. I used some soft pastels around Ms. Fairy and I surrounded her with a nice light lilac ribbon and some other ribbon in antique silver/gold. I finished it off with a little bling. Thanks for the inspiration:) Hope you likey, likey:)

For You, Alex!

This  is for Alex J. Cavanaugh who I find to be amazing in his blogging activities. He helps many people and showcases so many on his blog. He is a breath of optimistic fresh air. I thought about making this card for a while and I was concerned Alex might think me slightly weird but then he would be right:) Something just told me to do this so I did and it is for you. I chose some shimmery black and silver paper as it reminds me of the sky and the future and what might be out there. I looked at his blog and his Ninja and I drew it on paper, coloured it in and cut it out. I embossed the letters and I was inspired by a Rush album that had their letters going from red to yellow so I tried to duplicate that since he is a Rush fan. I edged it with stars for his science fiction flair and added the music notes. I hope you like it and if you want it, just ask and I shall happily send it to you if you want but if you don't that's OK too:). I just thought I would highlight you since you do it for so many others. Happy Day everyone

Liebster Award and Insecure Writers Support Group

 

 

 I have been nominated for the Liebster Award by Carol  Graham at She discussed all about her dogs on the A to Z Challenge. I was just shown how to do the name thingy-Yippee! I also thought this was good for my writing (or lack there of) and getting to know me (without singing it). Anyway here are the rules:

Here are the rules for the award:

• List 11 facts about yourself
• Link back and thank the blogger who nominated you in your post
• Answer 11 questions by whoever nominated you
• Ask 11 new questions to 5 - 10 bloggers with less than 300 followers - do NOT re-nominate the blog that nominated you
• Go to their blogs and tell them they have been nominated
• HAVE FUN 

Here is a little bit bout me

• I am a geek and love it. 
• I can swear like a sailor 
• I am very proud of being a Canadian but also proud of my German heritage and yes I have dirndls with the bosom flowing over and the whole apron thingy.
• I have been a credit counsellor for 23 yrs and still enjoy my job immensely
• I have Ehlers-Danlos-the type 3 hypermobility type. constant pain in all joints. cue the violins 
• I am strong in mind and refuse to give in to fear (except heights) even though I worry about things that usually never happen
• Dislike making sports people and entertainment people heroes-I mean really? War vets are heroes not a guy who puts a ball in a hoop
• I have strong opinions but value others' opinions
• Love classical music, film music, classic rock, blues, but please no hiphop or rap crap
• I have experienced severe bullying for years-hospital visits galore but couldn't break a bone (Yahoo for the E.D.)
• I love my husband, my family, my friends, my animals (all animals), my job, Life overall as it is a banquet

Here are the questions I am to answer:

Questions from Carol Graham

1)  Can you tell me about yourself in 5 words or less?-dreamer,worrier, loyal, dependable, compassionate-hmmm sounds like my black lab

2)  What are you passionate about? Film, chocolate, Creating Cards, Travel, Chocolate, art, chocolate, history, and can you guess??? Chocolate!

3)  Do you have a Bucket List?  If so, how many items and your number one most important? I don't but sky diving and bungee jumping would not be on that! To be healthy...and have more chocolate.

4)  What is your favorite dog breed and why? I love all dogs even the yappy little Sh*&;^! but I do gravitate to the Black Lab

5)   Do you like to cook and if so, your favorite type of dishes? I can cook but there is so much more to life than pots and pans. Love Rouladen, Red Cabbage and chocolate-OK I am a bit ocd with chocolate.

6)  What angers you the most? sanctimonious people and bombastic bushkins (Mayor Ford comes to mind)

7)  What is your biggest pet peeve? keeping cupboard doors slightly open-why do people do that? I believe it is a plot to drive me insane

8)  What are your best qualities? Aside from loving chocolate? I am there for my friends no matter what as I cherish them dearly. I always try to help and offer encouraging words. Better to look at the bright side even when you see darkness. 

9)  What are your worst traits, if you dare to share?  stubborn, worrier, leave little piles around-drives my husband nuts-heheheheeee

10)  What is something you hate doing but have to? dust-it never ends. Cleaning our cat's ass-we rescued her and she is fat. We are trying to get her to lose weight. She slides her ass on our carpet and leaves a streak like men do in their underwear-isn't she a dream? She is our Mia

11)  How long have you been blogging? I am trying to remember but senility is creeping in-I think 2010 or 2011??

Now here are my questions and I nominate 6 people who I hope don't kill me for nominating them but I think they are wonderful from the brief time I have met them in blogger land. They are:

Su-Sieee Mac -daily musings

Anabel Marsh - Travel a go-go:)

Grammy Staffy - Sweet lady with talented grand children!

Joseph Alsarraf - Humour and fun

Vidya Sury - Gives a smile every day

Ros - great info on genealogy

Beloo Mehra - Passion for education

1. What animal do you always visit at the zoo or watch on TV before any other? Why?

     2.  What accomplishment are you most proud of?

     3. If you won the lottery, what would you do?

     4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go?

     5. Name 5 things you like about yourself?

     6. What's your favourite holiday and why?

     7.  What is your favourite film? Your favourite actor/actress?

     8.  Which movie or TV show do you wish was gone from your sight?

     9. Which entertainer do you feel needs a good spanking and be sent to a farm to work

    10.  Who do you admire, living or dead?

    11.  What makes you smile?


Ok there ya go! This was a long one but I hope you read and don't skim by:) I also hope the people I nominated are not upset but look at this as fun. If you feel like answering these in the comments 1 or all be my guest (again I won't sing). Enjoy your day!