More Projects

Several weeks ago I participated in a “Slumber Party” with one of the groups I belong to.  I played along with most of the projects. 

First, I have an ATC that we were to make and use the number of our birthday.  I couldn’t think of anything for 23 but I did have this Tim Holtz stamp with ALL the numbers!!!  I used some of the techniques that I learned doing the 12 days of Christmas tags with Tim Holtz.

I made this card for a challenge that night as well.  She gave us a long list of items that we were required to put on the card.  It was hard to get them all in and still make the card pretty but I think I succeeded. 

The final one is a tag.  The challenge this time was to use a Tim Holtz technique.  I did the technique where you put drops of Distress Ink on a craft mat.  Spritz it with water and then lay you tag on the ink.  My tag didn’t turn out as well as I had wanted.  I stamped the sentiment in Black Soot Distress Ink and added embossing powder but the sentiment still doesn’t stand out as much as I had wanted.

I love making tags and should do it more often!

I used a lot of Tim Holtz dies, inks and stamps as well as some other miscellaneous stuff I had around the studio.

That’s it for today!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Garden Tour

Warning—this is a long photo heavy post about my garden.  If you’re not interested, I totally understand and you can just move on!

Grab a glass of ice tea please.  I thought I’d take you on a tour of some of the things I have in my garden!  A few weeks ago, I noticed that almost everything was in bloom so I took my camera out for a few shots.

I’ll start with my favorite.  I love this beautiful red rose that I bought on a shopping trip with my mom a few years ago.  We go garden shopping at least once a year!  She bought that same rose.

When I moved into my home there was a bench on the deck and I thought how nice it was for the people to leave it for me.  It came in quite handy while we were painting and working around the inside of the house before moving my things in.  Once I moved in, I put it on the deck for extra seating when people dropped by.

My brother was one of the first people to sit on the bench, well, on the side of the bench and he promptly fell to the ground!  Notice the legs of the bench are built more towards the center so it’s a bit unstable.  That’s when I decided to use it for a plant stand.

Notice the tubing that runs in between the planters.  That was one of my projects this summer.  Since I put in the flower beds, I have had soaker hoses in them for watering, but this year I extended them to some of my pots and to the flower bed in the front of the house.  Since I have a lot of potted flowers, this really saves time.

This butterfly bush is a “volunteer”.  I have another butterfly bush a few feet away from that one but this one blooms earlier and is a different color.  I think maybe the other butterfly bush is a hybrid and this one came off of that one.  It’s the only explanation I can think of.

My favorite spot is right next to my front steps.  When I first built my flowerbeds (4 years ago), I threw a bunch of wildflower seeds in here.  Mostly, just the Love in the Mist comes back each year now.  Next year, or maybe this fall, I’m going to throw another bunch of wildflower seeds in there and see what happens!!! 

By the way, does anyone want some Love in Mist seeds?  I giveaway several each year and I think everyone I know now gives them away to their friends!

There’s also a Shasta Daisy in each front corner and the “mother” butterfly bush is in the upper left.  And behind that you can see my pink climbing rose.  It seems that my yellow climbing rose died this winter.  I haven’t replanted yet in hopes that it will come back next year.

Do you see that little rusty spot in the middle.  That’s a planter I bought several years ago because it looked like my schnauzer, Annabelle.  She’s gone now so that planter has special meaning!  The planter is welded steel pieces that were meant to rust over time.

I love my little peach tree.  I planted this guy last year and he’s doing great!  However, we had such cool weather this spring and a late freeze.  I put a sheet over him a couple of nights but I guess I missed one because I have no little peaches!!!  Hopefully, next year.

I planted a few pots just like this with a geranium in the middle and then some petunias around the edge.  They sit on each of my front steps.

I always plant impatiens in honor of my grandma.  She could grow impatiens anywhere, including in the house.  I’m okay with them on the deck in complete shade but I bring them inside and they just die.  Maybe they’ll keep this year when I bring them in!

You see the pegboard in the background?  That’s headed to my studio!

Well, that’s it for my tour.  I’m sorry you couldn’t stay to see the rest of the garden.

Tomorrow, I’ll show you the Fairy Garden that I’m making.  It’s almost done!

Blessings,

Christine

Paper Maniac Closing

The Paper Maniac store is closing this week!  I am so sad about it because I’ve done most of my papercraft shopping with Patti for almost two years, not to mention I’ve been on her design team for several months now.

Anyway, everything in the store is 80% off and includes mostly stamps.  After this weekend, Patti will donate all the remain product.  Go take a look and see if she doesn’t have some Christmas presents for all your stamping buddies!

The Two Most Beautiful Things and Some Art

I have to start out showing you  my two favorite things in the world.

And, no, one of them is not me!  I love my little Great Grand Nephew, Landon and my sweet pup, Chloe.

I think I’ve mentioned before that my sister comes over every week to clean my litter box and help me with things around the house.  Well, lately she has brought my niece and this little guy with her.

I usually grab him as soon as they come in the door.  Tonight he fell asleep on my chest and Chloe came up on the chair to join us.  My sis mentioned that it all looked so sweet so I handed my niece the camera.  Let’s say it all at once--Awwww!!!  I love that little guy so much.  I think he’s gained at least a pound since I saw him last week.  His arms and fist have fattened up a bit.

Okay, now for my art.

I have mentioned that I’ve been taking Soul Restoration 2 and I’ve really been procrastinating week 2.  I’ve have never been one to set goals.  Even when I had a professional life, I would take classes or other actions to improve my position, but I didn’t really set goals.  I guess those were short term goals and I had a “picture” of what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I didn’t set goals.  It’s just not me.

 

There are a lot of details and layers in my collage so I didn’t resize it for the blog.  Click on the photo for a larger view so you can see the details.

I used journaling cards, tickets, lots of accruements and ephemera for the background.  Most of it is October Afternoon but you can see some Tim Holtz tags in there as well, and I know there are some misc. things too.  Lots of paint, Mod Podge, texture from bubble wrap and from spackle compound mixed with paint and stenciled on.  After completing my girl (a representation of me). I added a bunch of rub ons and the the words “The Life I Want to Live.” 

Can you see the butterfly wings in the background?  That’s the next page that I will show you tomorrow when it has had time to dry.

Today was such a wonderful day for me (now I’m being all mushy)!  I hope your’s is just as great!!!

Blessings,

Christine

What I’ve Been Up to Lately

I have been creating a lot lately.  My sister, Rose, was here for over a week.  She went home last Friday but we did so many things while she was here. 

When my mom and sisters used to get together, it usually revolved around shopping.  Every once in a while someone would suggest something different like a drive in the mountains to a place we would go as children.

But lately, when we get together we make art!  It has been so much fun!!!  One day my mom and Rose came over.  I had set up everything outside on the deck and helped them in making some collage art.  This is a new type of art for them.

Another day, we all met up with at my mom’s including my niece, Alicia and of course her bee-bee, Landon.  We all painted faces following along with Willowing’s Art, Heart and Healing.  This is the third face that I have painted following along with lesson 1.  (I’ll share those when my girls get some hair!)  I think it’s now time to move on to lesson 2.  I'm going to have my mom over so that we can work on lesson 2.

Anyway, today I’m sharing an art journal page I did while following along with The Greeting Farm’s He-Art Journal classes.

I used Tim Holtz Sizzix die for all the hearts.

The theme this week was wings.  The page says “Spr(e)ad Your Wings and Fly to where your heart tells you.”  (Yes there is a spelling error.)  This has special meaning for me because I have recently started volunteering with our Organ Donation Registry, “Yes Idaho”.  I can’t wait for our first project.

I also had the great privilege of getting together with some wonderful women, the Design Divas.  They are a group of local women that get together once a month.  Each month, one of the members is responsible for putting together a project for everyone to make.  I’m kind of a slow crafter so I didn’t get mine done but I work on it a bit while waiting on other projects.  I can’t wait to share that one.  I’m hoping that they will invite me to join them again.  I love sitting around with people who love to create as much as I do!

I have so many things to share with you.  I’m going to try really hard to get on here and post a little more often.

Blessings,

Christine

Spider Mouse

Quite a while ago, I downloaded this free digi from Whiff of Joy quite awhile ago knowing that I would need one for my sisters 3 year old Sunday School class.  All the boys LOVE super heroes.

Don’t you just love him!!!  He’s quite the guy.  I colored another one and I will be making up another card because she has two little boy birthdays in a row!

I’m up very early for me today.  I actually woke up at about 7:30 and  got up by 8:00.  Since I’m a late sleeper and don’t get much morning light, I took my camera outside and took some pictures of my garden.  I’ll post those later today.  Since the weather is going to be nice and cool, I plan to get some more gardening done in the evenings when I have shade.  Plus, I still have that sprinkler hole to fix.  Sis is coming over tomorrow for that.  And I have some painting to do for a shelving system in my studio.  Can’t wait!!!

My sis Rose and my mom will be coming over today to finish up our “Good Things Couture Art” (my version of Christy Tomlinson’s “She Art”).  I’ll try to remember to take pictures before they leave.

That’s my plans for today.  I’ve decided that I need to start managing my pain better so I’ve already taken something and hope to get through my days relatively pain free.

What are you doing today?  I hope you have wonderful plans.  For my friends that are in the middle of the heat wave, stay inside in the air conditioning.  If you don’t have air conditioning, go hang out at the mall!!!  Or find some water and jump in!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-Copics; Image-Whiff of Joy; Sentiment-Papertrey Ink; Ink-Epson Inkjet, Papertrey Ink White; Paper-DCWV, Papertrey Ink, stash; Buttons-Papertrey Ink, Cuttlebug-Nestabillities, Misc.-Pebble Inc. chalk.

Challenges:
Mojo Monday--sketch
Creative Card Crew--Animal antics
Papertake Weekly--Getting cute
Allsorts--Free and easy

Lady of the Water

I think that there must have been a problem with the note that our lady sent to her true love last week because she looks very distraught in the water and waves.  If you look really close, you’ll notice to faces (I think they are Poseidon, God of the Sea) in the waves at the top of the image.  They look kind of scary but I think he is actually watching over her to make sure nothing bad happens.

My lady will be taking a few weeks off.  The McMahon Five Designs design team is taking a bit of a summer break.  We will be posting on the 25th with the free Breast Cancer Awareness image but then we won’t be back until August 4.

Don’t worry, I’ll be posting projects that I do.  I’m working on a tag swap that I need to get in the mail today.  Just have one last thing to add to the tag and I’ll be ready.  Since I don’t think anyone in the swap reads my blog, I’ll post it later today or tomorrow.

My sister, Rose is in town for at least a week.  We plan on getting together to work on some art.  That will be tons of fun!!!

Now, here are the remaining images in this weeks release!

 

 

Betty In Her Garden JPG and PNG

 

 

Aloha JPG and PNG

Includes all of these flowers separately.

 

Coco Loco JPG and PNG

 

 

Sweet Summer Stroll JPG

 

 

In The Garden JPG

 

 

Lady In Water JPG and PNG

 

 

Eddie Elephant JPG

 

 

Flower *FREEBIE

 

 

 

For more details on the projects above, visit the Design Team blogs!

Amy, Bonnie, Carolyn, Cassandra, Fran, Kristine, Maxine, Michelle A, Michelle B, Michelle P, Raven, Shelly, Sue

Blessings,

Christine

Growing in Unity Winner

I’m so sorry!  I totally forgot to draw for the winner of growing in Unity.  Drumroll please~~~~~~~~

The winner is:

Savannah

Thanks everyone for sharing that special week with me.  Please continue to follow my blog!  I’ve got lot’s of cool things coming!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Through the Garden Door

 

Another week and another beautiful image from McMahon Vintage. 

Another lovely lady this week.  Remember the gal last week that was dreaming of the gentleman that gave her the beautiful rose.  Well, things are progressing because now she sending him a love note!!!

 

 

Midsummer Mermaid JPG and PNG

 

 

 

Sunset Surfer JPG and PNG

 

 

Beach Baby JPG and PNG

 

 

 

Garden Door JPG

 

 

Beach Fun JPG and PNG

 

Meet Me At The Rhine River JPG and PNG

 

 

 

 

Trust In The Lord JPG and PNG

 

 

 

To see all the lovely projects, visit the Design Team blogs!

Amy, Bonnie, Carolyn, Cassandra, Fran, Kristine, Maxine, Michelle A, Michelle B, Michelle P, Raven, Rebekka, Shelly, Sue

 

 

Blessings,

Christine

Special Fundraiser

 

McMahon Five Designs is honored to be part of a fundraising effort for a young man named Tripp Oldham, who has Cystic Fibrosis and will be needing a double lung transplant to survive.  Tripp is full of life and wouldn't you want to make a small effort to help him keep that life?

 

You can learn more about Tripp HERE.

Check out his photo gallery HERE.

 

 

 

Cheryl, who put this fundraiser together, has asked many digital artists and friends to donate images and prizes for the cause.  M5D put together this set called...

 

Simple Pleasures

 

This set is NOT available in the M5D store

and

is ONLY AVAILABLE through your purchase at

  Lungs4Life.blogspot.com.

 

 

 

Card by: Michelle A

 

Card by: Sue

 

Cheryl has also set up a Raffle with

5 FABULOUS PRIZE Packages. 

M5D has donated the following prize package. 

It only costs $1 per ticket! 

 

 

Be sure to check out ALL THE DIGITAL STAMPS you will receive for a $20 donation and be sure to pick up a couple of raffle tickets for a chance to win those prizes!

 

Lungs4Life

 

 

Creative Girl

Well ladies, it’s been such a great week on the blogo.  I’ve loved sharing my Unity inspiration with all of you and can’t wait to giveaway one of the stamp sets to one of you on Saturday.  It’ll probably be in the evening because I have plans for the day.

For todays card I used one of my favorite Suzi Blu stamps.  The sentiment around the lady says “I am a creative girl.  I have the right to make my mark.  I deserve a rewarding creative life.”  Suzi’s stamps are nice and big so the cards don’t need much help.  I just used some 7 Gypsies DP and a little Prima lace!!!

I’m in awe of Suzi’s talent and can’t wait to be able to take one of her classes.  I’ve got a ton of stuff going on now but I plan to take a class as soon as I can!!!  Mmmm, maybe that’s something I could do while I’m out camping for a week!!!

I’ve seen a lot of new names on the blog this week and I want to say thank you for all of you, including my old friends, for stopping by.  I’d love to have you back again!!!

Blessings,

Christine