Thunderstruck at Encampment

Last week was a very long week. The whole thing started several summers ago when the boy asked to go to an air show. Since we had asked for their input on our trips, we did some quick searching and found one in Rochester. I mean, the Blue Angels, how could you go wrong? Turns out that our local Civil Air Patrol kids were running around the event helping with safety, not that we met any of them at the time. There was of course a tent to get more information and we added our name and email address to the clipboard & went on our way, off to look at planes and drink lemon aid by the gallon since it was so hot on the tarmac.

Later when we got an actual email back and an invite to hang out at several meetings just down the road from us, we thought we'd give it a try. I wasn't sure the boy was all that military you know since it's an auxiliary of the US Air Force, but why not. His Grandpa Ham flew in WWII, but he was really little when he knew him. It's not like tales of glory were told around the table during Thanksgiving dinner. Besides, Grandpa Ham hardly talked at all about flying or the war at all in the manner typical of that generation.

Fast forward to now and Luke's a Tech Sargent. He signed up to go to Encampment this summer as it's one of the next steps to becoming an officer.  I'd be lying if I said this whole thing didn't scare the crap out of me. It was cool at first since they were posting updates and we spotted him several times in videos and in photos. Then, it was radio silence. We figure someone complained and they took all the videos down. The last part of the week dragged along.

I wasn't sure who we'd be picking up. A kid who was tired of getting up at 5 am, a two minute shower, and going everywhere with a battle buddy? Or one that was ready to rock and roll his way up in Civil Air Patrol and potentially head into the Air Force. Would he pass out in the car exhausted, not talk the whole way home, or regale us with tales Encampment?

The latter occurred.

He just wouldn't shut up and at one point was singing jodies. Since I had gotten up at 4:45, the whole thing quickly lost it's magic. Well, that and I was tired of the car. It was a three hour plus ride up and back. Looking back though, the whole ceremony very moving. At one point they had the cadets yelling THUNDER to AC DC's song Thunderstruck. Later they had World War II vets handing out awards and several vintage war planes flew by.

I was glad to have been there and even happy to come home and help wash a weeks worth of black t-shirts and socks. Where he goes now is up to him, but it's pretty clear to me that flying is in his blood. That and I need to invest in some blue paper....I have a ton of photos to get scrapped!

Happy Monday!

Lovely Time Layout

Two serious bike riders caught Pratt and I taking this groupie shot by the bike route sign. We both nearly died as we're obviously way too old to be messing with that kind of thing. He obliged me only because he knew I'd want to make a layout! I'm bound and determined to use up this paper, hence the black and white photo. It's super pretty.

The using it up part resulted in a lot of little layering by the actual photo including some stickers I cut in half. Check out that awesome water color heart. I played with water color too last weekend while camping....

Just added a little gold paint, some gold thread, and that rose & ribbon when I got home and this page was complete! I'm kinda keeping up with the weekend camping trips by making pages while I'm there...and in fact, I might just get caught up this weekend....fun times!

Happy Friday!

Yuck: Lolly Pop Layout

So, I forgot my paper cutter when we went camping so I had to cut a lot of this page by hand...which turns out with a distress edger, who can tell. I really wanted to get this page scrapped because hello, my son ate a scorpion lolly. Holy grossness. Who does these things and why on God's green earth would someone make them and sell them.

In case you got distracted by my lovely little embellishments, take a peek at the lolly and the scorpion hanging out there. Then, you can read the label....equally gross. Excessive consumption may stimulate laxative effects....

It's a simple little page. Of course the bug paper helps it right along as does the sequence of photos. Thank goodness these kids like to text their friends photos, which was the whole reason I was allowed to take them!

Happy Thursday and hope nobody bugged you!

In the 'Dacks

Happy Monday! No, it's not Monday for you, but it is for me. I've been off for a couple of days on vacation camping in the Adirondacks...more specifically in Lake George, which in case you aren't aware is the best lake in New York. We have a lot of lakes to choose from, but having been on a bunch, I can say with authority, Lake George is the best. Anyhow, I've been woefully out of my element without access to a hot glue gun or paper cutter, but I did manage to make do with some paper and got two pages done on the picnic table. See my little bag there? It's got two paper packets I have been trying to work through since spring. I am winning though, as I'm down to mainly just scraps. Might have to restock before the next trip.

 I've been trying to stay busy. The youngest is off to Encampment which is basically like a military camp but for the Airforce. I'm trying to stay calm, but he's gone and can't text or call, so it's a bit unnerving, because we're a pretty close family. So, I've been reading too, finished up the second Sherlock Holmes book.

I'll be back tomorrow with a page...featuring the youngest...

I'm managing to keep caught up on pages so it's a recent camping trip, go me!

Happy Monday I mean Wednesday!

Relax and Cupcake On: Card for the CUTTING CAFE

What is there not to like about glitter paper, a cool new cutting file to try, and some fabric washi tape? Not to mention I used up several scraps of paper that were hanging out on my desk so not only did I make a card, but I cleaned my work area. ;-) Score!

It was unexpectedly a whole lot of fun using silhouettes as a back drop yet a focal point for this card. Regina asked us to use a file of hers over at THE CUTTING CAFE which is named Fun with Silhouettes and contains over 66 images. Since I was in DIRE need of a birthday card (which is incidentally only four or five days late depending how the mail goes) it made perfect sense to grab the cupcake with a candle and a cake stand.

Off this card goes tomorrow to my SIS in LAW who is hopefully having a nice relaxing birthday week as she is off for the summer. Let's hope that is how things are going. More likely she's running kids around and wishing she could have a cupcake and put her feet up.

Have a fabulous Friday!

Summer Vacation Time Layout: Tie Dye Party

Lately I've been pulling out paper that is old! This fruity paper is only from last summer I think...I had been scratching my head as to what I was going to use for these tie dye party photos....and while digging I also came across these really cool paper flowers...hence this page was born!

Really the main photo I wanted to show case was this one of Lexi and her crazy magenta fingers! So I printed it out in black and white and then again in color. Really like that look. ;-) Cute kid too!

I am really digging those spats. I was originally wishing to tie dye some paper, but hadn't really come up with a good plan on how to do that so I had to content myself with big ole purple splats and then some splatters. In general, this page is a lot like Lexi's party. First only two girls were coming and next thing you know, I had a houseful of kids making shirts! Unplanned fun!

Hope your week is off to a good start! I'm back tomorrow with a cool card that is all glittery!

4th Fun Layout: Centerway Fireworks

Goodness, what are things coming to over here! I haven't managed a page in forever and when I got this one around, it's super flat! Just some little gems and flowers! This one was inspired by taking out some really old paper and determining that using it up would be just the ticket for a 4th of July page.

I don't know if you can tell, but the light blue piece has circles cut out so you can see the flower paper behind. The flower paper is really pretty but super busy. I thought circles worked well for fireworks!

I asked a friend if I could use her firework photo. That particular one was my favorite firework from the show. It was nice she said yes, I didn't even try to take photos after that terrible photo of Lexi and I in the dark!

Anyhow, I'm off to start this week! Happy Monday!

All Work & Not Much Play (but it's OK)

Goodness I've missed blogging. Not only is construction season upon us at work, but we've nearly wrapped up one house and due to timing, we did our dedication to our new home owner. That's all over Facebook if you are interested. Heck, you can even watch my speech. (wince) We have all kinds of little extra projects we do to that go along with the house that I thought I'd share since I am certainly not crafting. More like falling asleep early on the couch!

Candy Bar Doug always gives us a tree or bush for our new home as part of a memorial to his wife Debbie. Since this little Japanese maple wasn't going to plant itself and the guys were busy inside working on trim, I got all kinds of crazy in the front garden. It involved taking out a honey suckle bush too which wasn't all that fun in the heat, but I did win finally. I think in part it was because of that awesome shovel which is older than me...

We also gave the new homeowner this adorable little bookshelf that one guy built, the other guy used his CNC machine to carve the top logo, and then I helped paint & distress. The new homeowner is a vintage girl, and it will fit right in with house. It's part of another memorial where we also fill it with books due to a donation from Rotary.

Next week we're off to tackle the backyard, which is quite a jungle. It's sad but some of the awesome roses have to get cut out because the little people need room to play. During the dedication they were playing in the front yard and driveway...and that can't happen!

Well, I am off to paint a house with a crew of young area professionals. I had the house prepped yesterday with some scraping and I hope they found all the wasps then...It's cooler today, but I imagine I'll be asleep early again on the couch...

Happy Saturday!

Happy Happy Mail

I've missed Lizzy as she's been more on Instagram than blogging these days, but it was quite a happy surprise to get awesome mail from her! I did a little photo shoot on my favorite vintage tray to show it off! Check out that cool tassel and metallic doily!

It's full of yummy goodies! So rock star! I can't wait to pack this in my bag that's going camping with me! I'll be scrapping on a picnic table with wine & this awesome present!

There is a second bunch of goodies too! Happy bling dance!

It's lovely everywhere! She always picks awesome color combos that I never think of! Thanks so much Lizzy and just think, you'll be camping with me!!!

Have a great day!

Today Butterfly Affirmation Piece with Pop Up Flowers for THE CUTTING CAFE

Oh my I am loving my new butterfly affirmation piece. Lexi painted this wooden butterfly and got annoyed before she finished it. Hence it was mine to play with! It was a perfect candidate for these new pop up flowers from THE CUTTING CAFE.

Check them out! I played a little with the paper leaves to give them more dimension. I also added those cool stamens to the flowers. 

Once I cut a little hole on the bottom, it was easy to sneak in the stamens with some hot glue. Of course these flowers are collapsible, but in this application they are just pretty! 

I have this butterfly hanging out right in front of my kitchen sink to remind me to live in TODAY and not worry so much about tomorrow. I'm really good at borrowing trouble and worrying about the eight things that probably won't happen! So, just focus on TODAY! 

Hope your Friday is a happy one! Hugs!

Two Tiered Stand for the Laundry Room

Recently I came across a little two tied stand at work in the metal scrap. To be honest, it wasn't very nice. I had wanted to make one myself, only more interesting to put next to the laundry room sink for holding scrubbers & soap. I snagged the hardware from the stand and went looking in my own stash for what to use. I had considered a little plate, but then found this metal tray with feet which matched the shape on this diamond shaped scallop bowl.

I thought perhaps painting them to match the accent color in the laundry room would be nice. I am loving that soft turquoise color these days. I added a little gold splatter just because. The hardest part of the project was drilling two holes using a metal bit. Honestly once I found a sharp bit, it was pretty quick!

See, it even works holding the sink strainer! Although some pretty little soaps would be way cuter!

Happy Hump Day!

Relax Layout for Another Freaking Scrappy

Happy First of the Month challenge which is up at Another Freaking Scrappy! Wow, we're cruising along now full speed into summer, which is probably why I was so pumped to take a photo of this Japanese garden we built! We started it in the spring of 2015 & finished it. Now it's finally starting to really mature and look lovely. Recently I started acquiring round rocks so I could fight a winning battle against the pine needles and boy do I like the look!

See I made this page all the way back in 2015 so I wouldn't lose that little sketch my Mom drew up of the garden. And there it sat in my UFO pile waiting for a good photo. Since the little maple is finally big enough, I snapped a photo. This layout totally qualified for the challenge which is to use up some paper that is older than a year, it worked!!

Here is a close up of the flower cluster and a little fern I cut out of striped gold paper. I wanted to pull in the color of the purple pen my Mom used. That little stray purple flower kinda fell there during hot gluing and it fits the whole garden theme. ;-)

The title on this page was inspired by traditional Japanese gardens. They are generally very orderly and inspire you to relax and be calm. I feel that way often when I get to my back door as my house is a sanctuary from the rest of the world.

Since I can't leave you without another photo of the garden....

Happy Monday!