Another very snowy day -

The weather forecast was really off for my area in upstate NY a couple of days ago - and now here again it was off - last time they really over predicted and I think this time they under predicted.  It's really snowing out there - my tire tracks from earlier are almost completely filled in and all the sweeping and shoveling I did - now looks like I didn't.  Oh well, welcome to the great northeast!

Today instead of showing more of my art and craft works, I'm just putting up a few pictures from my sunroom window - the birds predict the best - my side yard feeders are filled with the busy feeding feathered friends.  Its a flurry of bird activity out there - the last storm that didn't happen but this time - wow - my feeders have been packed non stop - good think I refilled them too.  I may have to refill in a little while - it's supposed to dropped dangerously cold later and stay that way for a few days - don't want to do it then.

Woodpecker on suet cage and cardinal in the feeder.

Lots of birds under the black walnut tree.

Some activity under the birch trees.

Many birds moving around in the birch branches.

Of course as soon as I tried to take pictures quite a few of the birds flew off.  Its really nice to be inside and watch all of the activity of the outdoors.  It was nice outside earlier - but I'm over that now.

My next posting will be showing some of my polymer clay jewelry.  Hope to see you back again for that.  Thank you for taking the time to check out my blog post.  I hope that you are safe and happy - have a creative day.  Be well.  K

Final day of my participation in the Facebook 5 Day Art-Doll Challenge

Today is the last day that I will show three photos of my art-dolls on FaceBook - doesn't mean I won't post my art - just not because of this challenge.  LOL.  This has given me a taste to get back into making dolls and art items again.  I hope that you follow my blog and my YouTube channel so that (if you're interested) you will see when I have something new to show.

These are today's dolls:

Hansel and Gretel Candy Witch

Crazy Quilted Cape

Graveyard Witch

Boo to you too!

Grandfather Cloud Walker

The link to my 5th day on YouTube is here:

http://youtu.be/QlYcLD5jVfY

This video goes into more detail about each doll and more of the work involved is displayed.  I hope you enjoy it and that you like and subscribe to my channel.  I would really appreciate it - shameless self promotion here!

Be well!  Thank you for looking - I certainly love that you've looked.  K

Shall we dance? The Art-Doll 5 day challenge

Today is day four of my participation in the 5-day Art-Doll challenge.  I shared some photos for today which I will also share here.  Cloth doll making is a long time love that I've gotten away from in recent years.  This challenge has made me want to get back to creating them.

Cloth Rag Doll - Forgetmenot

This rag doll pattern was one of my very favorite beginning patterns.  This doll I have kept for myself - I love her.

Navigator Bear

This little bear with his flight jacket I made for my late husband, Ted.  Ted was a Lt. Col. navigator when he retired from the Airforce.  He loved his LT Col. Ted E Bear.

Minuet

These dolls are a dancing duo - yet unfinished.  I really enjoyed making these dolls.  They are from a class/pattern by Barbara Schoendorf.  If you would like to see more detail I've included the link to my youtube video here:

http://youtu.be/MnVdLwjb76A

Thank you for taking a look at my blog.  I hope that today finds you happy and healthy and in just the right frame of mind.  Take care - K

Snow Storm pending - Crafting tomorrow!

I've had a very busy day today - seems like now that I'm retired I am busier than ever - how did I ever find the time to work?  LOL

Yesterday I completed three sympathy cards.  I think they came out pretty nice.  These are for me to use.  Two say "Thinking of you" but are actually extra cards I will send to my friends who are sisters of the woman whose funeral I attended on Friday.  The purple sympathy card went to her family.  I am hoping to make some really happy cards - have to break the sympathy rut.

Here are pictures - one sympathy card to another friend and then the two thinking of you cards.

Sympathy card and envelope with the inside verse above

Two "Thinking of You" cards - blank inside.

The rest of my busy was taking care of the house in preparation for the anticipated coming storm.  It's supposed to be a pretty big one - but I have a wood stove and a generator (which my oil furnace is connected to) and lots of food, blankets - and yes my well is also connected so I will have water too.  I just hope that it isn't that bad and no one gets injured or worse due to the weather or related incidents.

Maybe tomorrow I will have more to share.  Be well - be safe and be happy.  K

Sympathy card materials

Card Base: Core'dinations 12X12 Card Stock Super assortment, Canvas Texture
Printed base cover paper - Hot Off The Press 12X12 purple sponged - HOTP-20070
Purple 1/2" organza ribbon Offray by the spool
Right side prayer stamp: N033 Blessing by Stampendous
Middle verse: Going to the chapel precut - Heartfelt Creations
Shapes were cut on the Brother Scan & Cut machine

Purple organza ribbon - Offray by the spool
Scalloped ovals from shapes on Brother Scan & Cut
23rd Psalm stamp - Stampabilities (Hobby Lobby)
Cross: Cross & Lilies precut - Heartfelt Creations

Heartfelt and Handmade by from Stampendous Friendly Phrases SSC11141

Envelope made using the We R Memory Keepers envelope punch board.
Deepest Sympathy stamp is Heartfelt greetings by Hot off the press

Inks used for the sentiments:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Ink used for the Cross:  Imprintz Pigment Ink - not sure this is still available.
Embossing powder on Cross: Ranger Black puffs
All colored card stock used is the Core'dinations Canvas Texture from Michael's.
All white card stock is the Staples brand 8.5X11"

This is just a basic gate fold card using basic stamping, embossing and design techniques.  I created the layout as I went along using supplies that I have at hand.  I recommend that we all use what we have and create what we like - it makes crafting fun and makes time fly.  K

Faith Journal - 2015

I should probably say that this a Faith "Art" Journal.  A place where I can put out in color what different scripture and biblical thoughts about God mean to me.  I really enjoy this kind of journalling

One of my craft spaces - cramped but do-able

These are some of the items I've gathered to start working on my journal.  As you can see it's a spiral bound mixed media blank journal.  Lets see where it goes...

Outside covers of Journal

No longer yellow.  I sprayed them with dylussions sprays, some ranger spritz spray in frost, silver and gold, and splattered on some FW inks.  I really like the results - I was going for the shapeless teaming void pre-creation.  I know it's supposed to be dark but I can't imagine it without color.

Finished covers

I really like this journal.  The front cover just says "In The Beginning" and the back cover says For Him.  The sticker in the upper left corner of the back cover says, "And now these three remain:  Faith, Hope & Love.  But the greatest of these is...Love."  1 Corinthians 13:13

Inside front cover and the first page

The inside cover goes with the outside, and follows the creation theme, and the verse - "God blessed them", is Genesis 1:22.

Page 1 is Psalm 96:4 - The cross shaped word stamp is anyway and the prayer stamp next to it is very fitting - and my prayer for all who need.  This is what it's all about - LOVE and saying yes to love is something that I can't help.  The colors on this page are from my KOI water color kit and done with a water brush.  I had a great time creating this rainbow of color for the back ground for this page.

Well, this is what I've been up to - it's been fun.  I hope that this day finds you well and happy.  K

Wally's adoption anniversary - and well...Fred

Oh no, Two posts in one day.  (This one is not craft related in any way though...)

I almost forgot to make an entry about today and Wally!  I can't believe that it's been two years!  Wow! His second birthday was November 6th and today is the day in 2013 that he came to live with me and keep me young!  Wally is a speed demon and races around here like a crazy man.  He makes the whole house shake!  Hard to believe that he's a dachshund / Jack Russell mix - lots of power in that small little dog.

Wally today

This is the best selfie I could get - he was more interested in the cat.

Fred - the older and wiser

Fred is always interested - my biggest problem with taking this picture was waiting for him to stop kissing my face.  LOL.

The weather here is sunny but cold.  It was 12 F today when I left for blood work - and my driveway is a sheet of ice.  Treading carefully.  Wally raced out yesterday and slid down the drive - he's much more careful today.

driveway from the side of the garage

I feel like we are holding our breath for the coming large snow storms - I think this year has been cold but relatively little snow - we will probably be pounded shortly.

Hope the day is a good one - not every day is good, but every day has good moments - cherish every one.  Take care - K