some things...

that I've been up too these past couple weeks! Yep, in the midst of all the daily things I need to do, I have found some creative energy! In fact, I have so much creative energy these past couple weeks that I don't have enough time to do all the fun things that I want! When it rains it pours I guess, right? For weeks or months I'll be so blah about doing anything creative, wonder where the heck my mojo ran off to and why, and nothing in my space gets used...no paper is played with, my sewing machine sits collecting dust, the knitting needles look at me from across the room, begging to be held but nope! Then, a burst of energy hits and I want to do it all!! I'm enjoying the feeling while it is here because gosh knows when it will fly the coop again! Maybe it's the arrival of spring that has me all jazzed up and feeling groovy, who knows, but I'll take it! So, the knitting needles once again are being held...making a yummy scarf out of some absolutely delish handspun, hand-dyed yarn that I purchased way the heck back in September when I went to the Renegade Craft Fair with Nan! I had started it way back then as well, but didn't like how it was hanging off the needles so I put it aside, kinda forgot about it for quite some time...I decided a couple weeks back to head out to a cute yarn shop and the owners were fab! They switched out my needles for something a bit larger, in fact, I've never worked with needles this large (size 15) and I feel kinda all thumbs at times, hee hee, but it really made a difference. They were also kind enough to use their fancy yarn winding machine to ball up my yarn! Here is what it looks like at the moment!



I'm excited that next fall, when our cool weather returns, I'll have a new scarf to wrap myself up in! Next on my creative flow was baking! I love to bake! I had dreams years back of being a pastry chef...alas, in another life. However, as much as I love to bake, I don't love to eat it all! Well, let me rephrase that, I'd love to eat it all but my waistline would not be happy, so therefore, I don't often bake anymore, that is until the urge gets soooo bad that I cave and make some yummies! I opted for a delicious sounding recipe that I saw posted on one of the hundreds of blogs (well not literally hundreds but you get the idea...I'm a blog junkie)that I frequent, for coconut cookies! Now, I LOVE, seriously LOVE coconut!! I could eat it every day, in fact, when Roger and I were in Hawaii years back, I did! LOL! I made these cookies and they are the bomb!! Totally scrumptious, and really easy to make too! I have been very good as well, allowing myself one cookie after dinner each night (although I literally could have gobbled up the entire batch the first day!).



As for my sewing machine...it hasn't been dusted off just yet, however the rotary cutter has been getting a workout on some awesome new fabrics and a project is in the works! I had intended this past weekend to work on it, but kept getting sidetracked, in fact, today I wanted to fire up the machine but dang house cleaning, dusting to be exact, took it's place! I am determined though that by the end of the weekend, said sewing project will be well under way if not finished!

Lastly, but not least(ly)..hee hee, is paper playtime! Yep, found some inspiration to make some cards this weekend. I had not used sketches much before but since my girl Cathy suggested I give them a try, I've been hooked! This first card used a sketch from a cute site I hooked on called Inspirational Card Sketches. I really like how using a sketch took all the stress of coming up with an idea out of the process and allowed me to just play! Products used are: Pink Paislee Patterned papers, Nestabilities dies, stamp from Our Daily Bread, Bazzill cardstock.



This next card I lifted from a gal whose blog I adore! Amy Sheffer has such talent! I really love her work and she totally inspires me, even if all I do is lift her design! LOL! I just really like her style, the loads of layering and her usage of pretty embellies always makes me go "oooh aahhh". While she doesn't post an actual sketch for her cards per se, just seeing how they are designed and then working with that to make a card is cool! Products used for this card were: October Afternoon patterned papers, Nestabilites dies, Whipper Snapper stamps, unknown cardstock (I think it was way back from a Club Scrap kit!), I made my own seam binding from fabric and used it for the bow, and Copic markers to color the image.



I am slowly getting over the notion that everything I create has to be my own original design, it's just way to stressful and takes all the enjoyment out of playing with my toys! I like being able to use someone else's idea but with the papers, ink and embellishments I want! While I still want to create with my own original designs (but really, is there anything left out there that is original anymore?? Seriously, I'm asking..just sayin'), it's nice to have sketches and others to do that for me once in awhile!

whew...long post, lots to catch up on, right? anyway, thought for half a second I'd power up the sewing machine tonight but as I look at the time, it's less than an hour until LOST is on! Man, I am gonna be so bummed when it's over, I've really dug this show! Gotta go get myself hunkered down and ready for tonight's mind twist! I'll be back again, with some more stuff to share soon...I still have one project left I haven't shared and, of course, the infamous sewing project!

Until next time,
Blessings!

In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.
-- Ephesians 1:7