Natalie is TWO!

My darling little granddaughter Natalie is two years old today. I cannot believe it! Seems like yesterday that I was snuggling with her, just barely and hour old and now here she is walking, talking and being just a wonderful little person.

Here are some pictures of her, isn't she just gorgeous? (I am not prejudiced at all either).



Here is the card I made for her birthday. I wish we could be there to celebrate it with her, but maybe next year!



Thanks for visiting. Hopefully, while you read this I am enjoying some great food, great company and lots of clams!

~chris

Chill out!

You have to check out this video that I got on one of my technical listservs - it it just too cute! I am having a wonderful and relaxing time in Massachusetts (sorry I didn't get to call you before I left mom, but I know you and dad understand how things get with me). We had clamcakes and fried clams for lunch today! I am totally in heaven. Clam boil with the family tomorrow night! Big party with (hopefully) some clams on the half shell on Saturday! I love it. Enjoy this video, I really think it's cool. It is hot enough here that I might like running through a sprinkler myself!

Thanks for visiting my blog! I'm thinking it's going to be time for some blog candy when I get home! Checked my counter and it's getting up there! Might actually hit 10k before my first year blogoversary!

~chris

Water Babies Part Deux!

We had our other two grandchildren (Kael - 4 and Natalie - 2) along with their parents up to the lake to spend the day on the boat and in the water! A grand time was had by all as you can see from these pictures. Our boat Belmira was christened a couple of weeks ago and this was the first time we had visitors. Belmira was DH's mother's name and one of the meanings he found was "beautiful journey" so we thought it was the perfect name for our boat.

Natalie's birthday is on Thursday so come back and visit and see the card that I made for her. My bling share came just in time to decorate it up for her.

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Christmas in July Stamp Camp Pix

On Saturday, we got together and started our Christmas cards. I featured the cards we were going to make on another blog entry, but here's some pictures of the gals at work. We stamped, stamped, stamped - all day! Some of us were plum tuckered out by the end of the day!

A big thank you to Diane for being such a wonderful and gracious hostess and to all the gals for bringing such wonderful food to keep us nourished throughout the day. I had a blast and I think that everyone else did too.

Thanks for visiting my blog. DH and I are headed to Massachusetts for a week to visit with family and I will hopefully get a little "down time" from the office. I've set up a couple of posts while I'm gone and maybe I'll post a few pix of the fun things we do as well.

~chris

Dual Challenges

I haven't done many challenges lately, but I really liked the color combination on SCS this week - Soft Sky, River Rock (so sad to see them go) and Very Vanilla - so I combined the color and sketch challenges and here's the result. The river rock looks like kraft though, I need to take a photography class.

Recipe:
Stamps: Verve Visual - Feeling Groovy, Filigree Fantasy
Paper: Soft Sky, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Le Jardin dp
Ink: Always Artichoke, River Rock, Versamark
Accessories: brads, Colorbok layered flower, punches, Soft Sky ribbon

Thanks for visiting. I promise to take some photos of our Christmas in July stamp camp on Saturday. I think we're going to have a blast! If only I can relax enough to make some cards myself....

~chris

Christmas in July final choices

Well after revamping a couple of cards and counting up the votes (it was close for some of the entries), here are the seven of the nine choices that will be offered at our Saturday Christmas in July Stamp Camp!









Well after revamping a couple of cards and counting up the votes (it was close for some of the entries), here are the seven of the nine choices that will be offered at our Saturday Christmas in July Stamp Camp!

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Secret Sister Swap

I recently participated in a Secret Sister swap in the Gina K forum on Splitcoast Stampers. WOW are there some talented stampers in that forum! I really felt way, way out of my league as some of these gals are (gasp) even published! It was really fun to see all the wonderful things that got swapped and this is the beautiful gift that I received from Cathy Tidwell (aka catdidit). Be sure to visit her blog and gallery and check out the cool stuff there!


Isn't it so cute. I have the decorated Dream coaster hung on my wall to keep me inspired and the notebook tucked safely in my bag so that I won't have any excuse for not remembering things (except maybe if I don't remember to write it down!). Some of you know the kind of senior moment I'm talking about here.

I made a card for this week's color challenge on SCS (almost amethyst, wild wasabi and so saffron), but I don't really like it - it needs something - any ideas?


Thanks for visiting, I'm off to get ready for the grandkids visit today. It will be fun!

~chris

Home at Last!

Made it home in the early hours yesterday and have been busy trying to catch up on everything. Finally got a chance to play with my NEW STUFF tonight and I made this card.

Recipe:
Stamps: Heard from the Heart
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Bella Rose dp
Ink: versamark
Accessories: brads, gold ep, Old Olive ribbon, bling from Alaska, punches

I also came home to find both my hibiscus blooming. The yellow one won't be fully out until tomorrow, but take a look at this beauty!


I was so happy to be home again. A couple of years ago DH and I invested in a sleep number bed and I can't begin to tell you how much I miss my bed when I'm traveling! We have a full weekend this weekend with grandkids Kael and Natalie spending the night tomorrow night! The twins, Julian and Isabella, will be visiting during the week next week while our son starts to move some of their stuff into their new home. With another bundle of joy on the way, they desperately need more space.

Well, I think I'm going to take advantage of a quiet house and get some laundry done and some much needed sleep! Christmas in July stamp camp is next weekend, so this coming week will be full of preparation for that. Santa's elves are coming up on Tuesday night to help cut paper - what a wonderful bunch of gals I have the pleasure of stamping with!

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Last day in Alaska

Well today is my last day in Alaska. Have to say that I will be really glad to be heading home to some sunshine! It has been gloomy here my entire visit. Darn! I have been here other years when it has been spectacular and I am sad that I haven't seen the sun and beautiful mountain vistas this visit.

Here's another birthday card. I just love this 7 Gypsies paper and the embellishment is from one of the fabulous local bead stores - Black Elk Leather & Beads - and girls I'm bringing home enough so that we can make lots of cards using them!

Recipe:
Stamps: Favorite Greetings
Paper: Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Very Vanilla, 7 Gypsies dp
Ink: Mellow Moss, markers
Accessories: brads, SU ribbon and Mike's $1 bin ribbon, stickles, punches

Thanks for visiting. I will be flying all night and back in the office tomorrow so I may not have any time to create, but nothing much will keep me out of my craft room after that!

~chris

Some little pretties to share

Here are some more of the jewelry items I've made since I've been here. There are lots of great bead shops in and around Anchorage and I've taken advantage of that.

Scissor charms:

Earrings:


Thanks for visiting!

~chris

A card for today

I'm fried, but wanted to post this before the day gets totally out of control. My time here is coming to a close and I'll have lots to get done before I go. I've been making cards and earrings and scissor charms and I'll have more of the latter to show you later today or tomorrow, but here is another card. Summer is a busy birthday and anniversary season in our family, so here's another for some special family members.



I'm really missing my cuttlebug and nesties and punches and ... stuff! When I get home I have a schedule that is not going to give me a lot of time to play, but, hey, who needs sleep anyway!

Thanks for visiting.

~chris

Some other things I'm doing in Alaska

One of the other things I like about Anchorage are the bead shops. I brought my tools and here's some other things I've been making while I've been up here.


I really like scissor charms and have lots of crafters on my gift list this Christmas and a girl can never have too many earrings!

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Another card from Alaska

I'm trying to renew myself by making some cards challenging myself with limited supplies and with the stamp sets I brought along that have never seen ink. I really miss my craft room! Miss everything, but I'll be headed home in a few days. I love Bo Bunny paper and I haven't seen this one before. Found it at a lss here in Anchorage and had to play with it. I think I will be using it again as I just love the colors and the pattern.

Recipe:
Stamps: Sentiment from SU, Jilies Fleurs from Lizzie Anne
Paper: Groovy Guava, Cameo Coral, Bo Bunny dp, PTI white
Ink: Cameo Coral, Really Rust, Basic Black, su markers
Accessories: brads, $1 bin ribbon from Mikes, punches

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Christmas in July Stamp Camp Possibles

On July 26 my stamp camp gals are traveling south to meet up with some gals down there for a colossal Christmas Card extravaganza. We will be making 15 cards - 3 each of 5 different designs. Here are some of the possibilities that the gals will be voting on:

I may spiff these up and change up some of the dp used as I made these under limited supplies conditions, but these are the basic ideas for this month's cards for them to choose from. They will be voting and selecting six of the 10 designs and those are the ones that I will bring to make. Diane and Carol are also making kits so the gals will have 8 cards to choose from! We will have another get together each month before Christmas and will be making more cards and also some gift items. I love this time of year!

Thanks so much for visiting!

~chris

Fireweed - this time the right color!

Here's my 2nd card with my fabulous new fireweed stamp from Stamp Attic here in Anchorage, Alaska. I love this stamp and can't wait to get home and play with it with my Koh I Nor pencils!

Recipe:
Stamps: Fireweed from Stamp Attic, sentiment by Hero Arts
Paper: Elegant Eggplant and Garden Green from SU, Plum Pudding and White from PTI
Ink: basic black, markers
Accessories: Mike's $1 bin ribbon, brads

Thanks for visiting. I'm going to put up a slide show of the card possibles for this month's Christmas in July stamp camp meeting on July 26. See my post tomorrow for more details on that fun activity coming up soon.

~chris

Comment moderation turned back on

Well I turned it off and the very first comment I got was spam. Does anyone know any way to block these messages once they have found you? I am getting lottery and gambling messages.

Thanks for any insight you can offer.

~chris

...at last - - a card!

Alaska has kept me very busy for the last few days. I'll probably hit 80 hours in the office this week before it's all over. But, we're moved and the network is up and running!

This afternoon I went in search of a stamp store I saw on the internet called the Stamp Attic. What a wonderful place! I got this fireweed stamp and came back to the hotel and just had to make something with it. I don't have a lot with me, but enough to come up with this card.

I colored it red and orange thinking - you know "fire" weed and only after making this card did I google it and find out that not only is it beautiful, it's also PURPLE (my favorite color). I'll have to get right on it! Look for another version tomorrow or Sunday.

Recipe:
Stamps: Fireweed from the Stamp Attic, Guidelines from PTI, Favorite Greetings from SU
Paper: Garden Green, Real Red, PTI White
Ink: versamark, SU markers
Accessories: SU gold ep, Always Artichoke ribbon, misc $1 ribbon from Mikes

Thanks for visiting. I sure hope you haven't all given up on me this week.

~chris

Greetings from Alaska

Hello from Alaska! I do not have anything to share (things are hopping and I've had no time to create), but I wanted to say HI! It's cloudy and cool here and I sure am glad I brought some long pants and socks! Hopefully, things will calm down a bit and I'll actually get a chance to make something!

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th to all my fellow Yanks! We will be naming the boat today and hopefully I will get some pictures and put them up tomorrow or Sunday. I am headed to Alaska on Sunday night to help move our offices up there. I'm not sure how much creating time I'll have (or how much in the way of stamps and supplies I'll be able to haul up there with me). I may be having my own limited supplies challenges between the 6th and the 16th! There is so much exciting stuff coming up - new Stampin Up catalogs come out next month (I'll have some teaser stuff here as soon as I get my order in), convention is at the end of this month (not going to be able to make it this year, but am looking forward to seeing what everyone comes home with), my first Christmas Stamp Camp will be on July 26 (many more details and some more sneak peeks coming up soon) - if only I didn't need to sleep!


This was made by one of our new downline members! Isn't it great. I think she is going to be a real plus to our group. She's very creative and enthusiastic and I look forward to seeing all the creative things she brings to our group. Thanks Pat!

So have a happy and safe 4th of July and I'll be back with some pix and hopefully some cards tomorrow or Sunday.

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

It is just like riding a bicycle!

After a broken elbow that required two surgeries, I took several years off from making pots. Recently, I harrassed my pottery teacher, mentor and good friend of 20+ years, to take me under her wing once again and get me back on the right road. We kid each other alot, and give each other no end of grief about nearly everything (she teases me all the time about my "crafty crafting" but I think she secretly enjoys it too).

I really was afraid that I had forgotten how to make wheel thrown pots. As it turns out though, it is just like riding a bicycle and once you learn it, you never forget it. Here are some small bowls I made. I made some mugs too, but they were way too ugly to photograph. I have some clay softening up in my studio (you wouldn't believe how hard clay gets when you ignore it for a couple of years) and hopefully when I get back from my trips to Alaska and Massachusetts this month, I'll get my behind in the studio and get some pots made in time for Christmas!

Thanks for visiting! I really appreciate all of you!

~chris

SCS Sketch and Color Challenges

I needed a thank you card, so I thought I would try combining this week's sketch and color challenges over on Splitcoast Stampers. This was the sketch challenge:
The color challenge was to use certainly celery, wild wasabi and purely pomegranate.

Recipe:
Stamps: Mike's $1 bin
Paper: certainly celery, wild wasabi and purely pomegranate, DCWV dp, PTI plum pudding
Ink: versamark, markers
Accessories: $1 bin puff stickers, stickles, gel pens, punches

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

My Little Sailors

As promised, here is a slideshow of photos taken by our son Kelly (isn't he a wonderful photographer?) on our adventures sailing on Sunday. I can't tell you how proud I am of these two. Two months premature, barely two pounds apiece, two months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and just look at them now!

Our other two grandchildren are also really good sailors and hopefully we will have a chance to have them out on the boat this weekend. Kael actually got a chance to go out in my kayak with his daddy last year so we'll see if he wants to give it a try again this year.

Thanks for visiting.

~chris

Do you Wordle?

I saw this fun item on Allison's blog yesterday. Very cool - told it to use this blog to create the word image. Neat! Thanks Allison, you always come up with such fun stuff!

~chris

Boat Naming Ceremony

For three years, we have had our un-named sailboat in the water at a local lake. This year we are finally going to give it a name.


I can't tell you what it is yet, it won't officially have a name until Friday. I very quickly threw an invitation together to send out to our fellow Sail Club members.


Last weekend, our grandchildren helped us with the un-naming (the sea gods get very angry if you don't follow proper protocol) and so this weekend we will have the naming ceremony. I love the time I get to spend at the lake. Our fellow sailors are a great group and we have so much fun together. The lake where we have our boat is not huge, but it is good sailing and kayaking and we all do a bunch of both.

I'm hoping to have pictures to share with you of our celebration as well as our day on the lake with the twins.

Thanks for visiting!
~chris

Comment verification

I know that it is a pain, but I've started getting spammed in my comments so I have turned it back on. We'll see how it goes, if these comments are legit, they'll keep showing up and I'll turn it off again.

Sorry,
~chris

International Card Swap

I recently participated in an international card swap hosted by the lovely and talented Lesli (Dragonfly Time and Page Plans). I got some absolutely lovely cards in the mail and thought I would share them with everyone.

Thanks so much Lesli for being such a wonderful hostess!

~chris

Look what I got!

Sharon was the winner of my latest blog candy giveaway and she made me this WONDERFUL card. I got this in the mail and was just so delighted I thought I should share it with everyone.


Isn't it great. You can't see it all that well in the photo (I'm still learning how to use this camera), but it is all shimmery and shiny and gorgeous. Thanks so much Sharon!

~chris

Challenges

If you are as much of a fan of challenges as I am, you need to check out Kimmy's blog Stamps, Scraps and More She is giving away blog candy monthly for participating in her challenges. She has lots of fun things on her blog and I encourage you to check it out.

~chris