Favorite Cat Toy

Do you know what it's like to be woken up at 5:00 am to the sound of a plastic stick being slapped against a wooden floor? This is one of Honey Bunny's favorite toys. Every morning she will drag either this stick (which is longer than her so she steps on it causing it to smack the floor) with a feather on the end or a wet toy mouse and toss them on our heads. Your first instinct is to throw whatever has landed on your head off the bed. Honey Bunny thinks we are playing fetch so will keep bringing the toy to us (our heads) until we get out of bed.
Photo of my back up hiking boots that I'm breaking in for trip.

TP Attack

Since Purrcy won't let Honey Bunny Scooter beat the heck out of him anymore she had to find a new source of all her kitten aggression. She discovered the toilet paper and has shown it no mercy. I know there are cats that like to play with TP but Honey Bunny is the first cat that I've ever had that has display that talent.

Cornflakes Card Swap

Today is my Cornflake's (card swap) monthly meeting. I'm on a clean and simple kick so I CASE (copy and steal exactly)this card design from Simplicity (see my blog roll) who is the Queen of CAS (clean and simple).

Christmas Gifts

I decided to mail out some of my Christmas presents super early. Since I'm going to the post office every week mailing off care packages and forwarding on his online orders (he's ordering computer things that can't be shipped to a APO) so thought I would be proactive and get a jump start on my holiday mailing. Wish I could show you a photo of the cute gift inside but my BFF reads my blog. I made a quick gift tag from a snowman stamp I picked up at one of the used rubber stamp flea market for just 20 cents. It's from an old Stampin Up set but for two dimes who could pass it up?

Creative Work by This Into That

As I was going through my daily blog roll reading (I wonder if there is a word for those who only ready blogs?) and came across a photo of an artist who does some very funny and creative work with books. It's just a crack up the book titles and vintage accessories he puts together. There is never a shortage of old books at the auction houses and some times huge lots are thrown away because none of the book dealers want them. I was super surprised to find out that the artist lives in the Bay Area. I plan to take a field trip to his studio up in Berkeley. Here's the link www.thisintothat.com

In Mint Condition

Many of the countries I go to will take US currency but only if it's in mint condition and less than five years old. I've learned from experience that finding new bills is not easy so you have to start collecting early. It's only at Christmas time do the banks have new money. Right now I'm on the hunt for 20's which after visiting 5 banks isn't looking to good.

Mom Daughter Night

Tonight is Mother Daughter night. My daughter, her roommate along with her mom and me will be going to see "Wicked" up in San Francisco. The moms are driving up early to take the girls out to dinner then to the show. My hubby didn't want to go because he didn't like the book when he was forced to listen to it on the long trip driving my daughter back home from Seattle.

Engraved Copper Printing Blocks

I've been looking at these copper engraved printing blocks for the past month at the auction house and finally bid on them this past weekend. I have no idea on how these work or what type of ink to use, so if you know please shoot me an email. Most of the images are in the style of Japanese wood block prints. They are all mounted on wood with tiny nails holding them down. I've done a Internet search on how use them but I must not know the correct terminology to find a helpful site.

Card Catalog Drawers

I almost missed this at the auction house. It was on a top shelf on top of some other things of a tall wire rack cart, way above what I could see even on my tippy toes. I happened to look up when I was on the other side of the room (not something I normally do since I'm focusing on what's in front of me) when I saw them. I made a metal note to go back and check it out. Well, I totally forgot about it (hubby was with me and I was being rushed) but all the way home, I kept thinking there was something I was suppose to go back and go look at. It wasn't until I printed out the auction catalog several hours later I remember seeing some card catalog drawers. Usually you see large library card catalog drawers which is too big for most studios and the drawers are to narrow for anything but index cards. I was bidding against another person and she turned to her husband and said I was nuts to spend so much on those silly little drawers. I can only guess she's not a crafter otherwise she would see how cool they really are. I'm going to keep one and store all my A2 cards and sample cards, which fit perfectly. I plan to sell off the other two in my booths at Cranberry Hill and Cottage Crafts.

Vintage Oak Watch Makers Chest

Is this cool or what? It's an old watch maker's cabinet. I think it would be perfect for someone who makes jewelry. The drawers all have dividers for those little parts. It's in good shape, with just a few nicks but it only adds to it's charm. It's small enough to fit on any work table, unlike my full size printer's cabinet. I will be taking it into my booth at Cranberry Hill later this week.

Auction Week

It's been a really busy weekend, helping some friends out at two different craft fairs, selling our honey and going to the auction house.

I decided to go to the auction instead of doing absentee bids since there were some really cool stuff and I wanted to know what it sold for if I didn't get it.

I bid on this vintage cashier for a artist friend who will turn all the keys into jewelry and other wearable alter art. It weighs a tons so I'm hoping I don't have to move it more than once. Because it's in good condition, I was bidding against another dealer. I finally got it for $150.00, which is a little more than I like to spend on something that I know is going to be dismantled into little parts.

Books for the road

I will be spending 40 plus hours on a plane not to mention three days of layovers at various airports for my trip to Nepal. In the past, I've taken one book which of course doesn't last long but I don't like to spend a lot on a book I know I will be leaving where ever I happen to be when I'm done or it turns out to be a dud. I went to Barnes and Noble to get some books for my son's care package this week and I always have sticker shock when I check out.
I finally discovered the on-going used book sale at my local library. I decided to stock up on some easy to read fluff and some books I've been meaning to read or ones that looked interesting. The paperbacks are$1.00 and the others are $2.00. So for under $15.00 I have what I hope will be enough reading to last me through my long flights and layovers.

Career Closet Sale

I've been looking for an outfit to wear on the plane for my up coming trip that is comfortable but just in case I get bumped up to first class (over booked flights) need to look put together. Comfort and function is what I look for in clothes, I'm not a clothes horse in any sense. My family talks about how I should be on one of those "how to dress" make over shows. When I retired from work, I donated all my suits to the Career Closet. It's a great non-profit that helps women who are entering the work force after going through another training program find clothes (free of charge) to wear for their interviews or job. Each quarter they have a open house sale where they are open to the public. Since I've never been to one of these sale, I stopped by to check it out. I found a nice 3 piece outfit ($28.00) for the plane, two leather jacket ($25.00 each) and two tops ($8.00 each). What I like about the clothes there was that everything is what real women wear. Tons of volunteers were around to help out selecting things of those of us who didn't inherit the fashion gene. Prices were reasonable with all the proceeds going to Career Closet program. The sale runs today and tomorrow at both the San Jose and Foster City location.

Only Place to Hide

Mr. Purrcy really has had enough of the 4 pound little terror known as Honey Bunny Scooter. She can't walk by Mr. Purrcy and not jump on him, put him in a head lock and bite his ears.
My hubby is not able to take the time to turn off lights or close drawers when he leaves a room - must be a male gene thing. Anyways, Purrcy has taken over one of the drawer as his little safe house. I'm not sure if it's because HBS doesn't see him there or she can't get in a good position to pounce. Right now this is Purrcy favorite napping spot.

Candy Corn and Witch's Hat

I will be making this candy corn and the witch's hat (see past post) at Cranberry Hill on Tuesday (10/20/09) for Technique Tuesday. It's really easy to make but writing directions for it is another thing. It would be so much easier if I knew how to make a you tube video. :)

Halloween Card

Another stamp set I got at the used stamp flea market last month at Cranberry Hill. It's a CAS (clean and simple) card using an old 2002 Stampin Up set, (I think I paid 3.00 for the whole set) Copic markers and scraps from my huge pile of saved paper.

Prepping for Nepal

We are having a big (and much needed) rain storm today, so I won't be able to hit the trails. I will instead be walking around the house breaking in my new back up hiking boots and making sure they fit correctly. It took me several days to find the right pair and many trips to REI. A few weeks ago I did a long hike going down hill (which is much harder on your body than going up hill) and damaged my big toe nails. I thought my toenails were cut short enough but I was wrong. Looks like I will lose them at some point. Yes, I know that sounds gross. So now I have to be extra careful in the hiking boots I get. My favorite old hiking boots and water bottle (both have been around the world with me) will be on the trip but we were advised to bring a extra pair a boots. Because of my toe situtation I had to get boots 1 1/2 sizes bigger than I would normally and extra thick socks. It will take a little time to get use to them.

Another CAS card

This was a stamp is from an old Stampin Up set I got at one of the stamping flea markets last month. I couldn't pass up the bee hives and pumpkin stamp!

I decided to make a CAS (clean and simple) card last night using this little stamp. I used the Stampin Up "Times and Seasons" 1999 set and Copic markers.

10 1/16 inch abalone

The Scrap Pink event was a huge success with everyone having a great time. The make n takes took much longer than we thought so I was there until midnight finishing up the last group of people and I had an assistant (thanks Jane) helping me! Michael Strong's classes were again great and he will be back again on January 30, 2010 for the Scrap Blue (prostate cancer) Mega Crop. I would call Memories Live On and sign up now for his classes before it fills up! While I was helping out with the crop and Michael's classes, my hubby went abalone diving. He said it was an awesome day and he came home with a trophy size abalone 10 1/16", which in the abalone world is one big sucker. The record holder for abalone is 12". The mussel shell next to the abalone is also super sized.
While Michael and his wife Carla are in town, we take them out to dinner after the last class each night. My hubby got home in time from his dive trip on Saturday to whip a simple abalone dinner for us. It was also Carla's birthday so it made it even more special. I do have to say Mike and Carla have moved into the "good friends" category since they came over for dinner without me cleaning up the house. :)

Call Me Tiger

One of the few photos were Honey Bunny is in focus. She looks like a little tiger ready to pounce. She loves to be out it in front yard chasing anything that moves included my camera. Right after this shot, she leap at the camera.

Scrap Pink

I will be at the "Scrap Pink" event Memories Live On is hosting today doing free make n takes for those who signed up to crop. My time slot in 7:30 - 10:30 pm. I will be making some peppermint patty critters and mini paper suitcases. Since I'm the last of the teachers to do the make n takes I thought I try and do some extra project for all the night owls in the group.
Michael Strong is also in town doing classes and a free demo at the crop, another great reason to sign up for the crop. He's class projects are awesome!

Cards for the troops

This was a card design I did last year and I decided to make some more for my 250 cards going off to our troop for the holidays.

A lot of stampers shy away from background stamps because they really don't know what to do with them. I've made baby shower, holiday and birthday cards using this stamp from Memory Box.

Another Halloween Card

Super easy card if you have a Cricut machine. I designed this one for my free class at the Japanese Senior Center I do once a month. The color for the back ground and the moon (white circle cut from a 3" punch) was sponged on.

Cards for the troops

I finished making 250 cards to send off to our troop last night. I wanted to get them done in plenty of time to mail off before I leave for Nepal. I made about 50 of these ornament cards. I used the Cricut machine to cut the red ornament out of glossy paper and a punch to make the snowflake. It was a fast card to make. I did add a rhinestone to the center of the snowflake, just couldn't help myself. :)

I'm off to do a 4 four hike this morning in the hills.

Getting ready for Nepal

I knew when I finally got to go to Nepal that I would have get shots and take a lot of preventative medicine. There is very little medical care in Nepal. Even I was little surprised at how many. I feel like a walking pharmacy! Here's the list:
Two flu shots and back up flu medication in case the first two shots don't work
Polio booster shot (still have a sore arm)
Malaria Suppressant
Hepatitis A & B
Typhoid (taking that now since it only last for a short time)
Tetanus
Packing Cipro for when I get a stomach bug, which everyone gets
Bug Spray with DEET.
I also have to take out traveler's medical insurance since there is no medical care in most of Nepal so if anything happened, I would have to be airlifted out to another country. Even with all this needle poking and pill popping the trip will be worth it.

National Card Making Day 2009

Today is National Card Making day. I'm teaching all day at Memories Live On and Cranberry Hill. I think both stores have make n takes planned to celebrate the holiday.
These are cards that I'm making to send off to the troops. So far I have 100 done and I'm hoping to get 250 done by the end of the week. I'm using up my stash of paper for the backgrounds and keeping the cards on the simple side. Because the cards are going to the troops (so they can mail holiday cards home) I like to keep the embellishments flat. Not sure how well a puffy card would travel coming through the military mail service.

Going to Nepal

It's official now, I'm going trekking in Nepal. This is the last of the things on my life list of "have to have good knees" things to do. I have other hiking places on my list but most don't require as much knee power as trekking in the Himalayas. I'm so excited about going and a little nervous about traveling all the way to Kathmandu by myself to meet up with the rest of the hiking group. I'm off to the travel doctor today to get all my shots and start the malaria suppressant treatment. Yes, that part is not fun but it's part of being able to travel to some cool places. One of the BFF (who reads my blog) thinks I'm crazy to go. She doesn't want to know when I leave for my trip, so I won't post any dates. I'm even going to post date some cards while I'm gone to help reduce her stress. Right now it's a marathon of hiking before I leave.