Halloween Time

Yeah!! Halloween is just around the corner. Growing up, I loved getting to go trick or treating. Then in high school (I hated) my mom would drag me to look at all the kids coming to the door. She loves Halloween.

Since moving to Georgia...we have bought candy every year. But, we haven't had one single kid come to our door. I guess everyone here goes to the mall. I will still buy some candy, just in case...I don't want any tricks.

The last couple of days have been hard...so I have been wanting to keep busy. I used my new corner punch that my friend Cheryl sent me and I love it. I want to use it on every project. And I have used it on everything I have made. Which is these two Halloween inspired swaps. One is Halloween cards and the other is Halloween Tags.

Yeah....creativity is back!

I think my creativity came back just in time for me to procrastinate on school work. :) I made a couple cards for Paper Crafts Magazine's monthly contest. I haven't won one yet...but I am hoping to one of these times. Some of the cards that people submit are amazing.

This month's challenge is Journaling Blocks. The first card I made... I hand drew the journaling block. But, I think I like the second one better. I used Microsoft Word. (Gotta love word...just have to make sure not to smear everything.)

Latest Creations

I haven't been feeling too creative lately. I have been really tired. 2-3 hour naps a day isn't good. But it is pretty bad when I am still wanting to go to bed at a decent time. Usually if I nap I hardly ever sleep.


I joined a kitty swap contest...the hostess sent each of us the images and then we get to create using them. It is fun to see what everyone else comes up with.

I created a photo frame using canvas. It is 8x8 and I also used some beads. I scraplifted it from an advertisement in a magazine.

I joined a Hello Friend Summer Card RAK. Here are a couple of the cards that I made.

Here is also the card I made for my Summer Secret Sister. I was trying to make something different from what I normally do....It is cute

Not too much going on. Sheldon is gone for the day so I think I will see if I can get creative.

The Aquairum

After leaving my aunts house...Sheldon and I stopped in Chattanoga. We went and visited the Aquairum. I heard it was a wonderful place to visit...and it was.

We saw....otters, penquins, snakes, butterflies, lots & lots of fish, sharks...and a lot more. We even had the opportunity to touch sharks.

We didn't stay too long...we still had to drive back to Athens. But it was a lot of fun....2 whole buildings of animals to visit.

Visit to Tennessee

Sheldon and I went and visited my aunt and uncle this week. We were invited---well actually I inivited us to go. We haven't had a chance to visit their new house since they moved down to the South. My aunt and uncle are starting a small farm. They have done a lot and it is going to look wonderful when they are finished. But, with something like this one is never finished.

While there--Sheldon wanted to do some coin hunting and metal detecting. I guess there used to be an old inn on their property. He gave up on metal detecting. I think it was too hot for him. Yesterday, was supposed to be 101. However, he did good on the coin hunting. He found a few banks that had some good finds.

I had fun hanging out with my aunt. We went to some antique and craft stores. Plus, she took me out to lunch with a friend. The best part was just hagning out and catching up.

Completed Collage...

Here is the completed collage that I made for Jacque. :) I added a bit more. The collage didn't come out quite the way I wanted it to...however I like it.

I think next time I will not do such an intricate background. I have a picture of my grandfather playing with a dog and I popped up the dog. I put a crown on him. He was a wonderful man. On my grandmother I added some faerie wings. Plus, I also popped her up. I added a clock and a saying. The saying I smeared the letters to make it look older.

For the final touch I added a flower...One can never have too many flowers.

I just hope that Jacque will like this collage.

Creating Away---First attempt at a Collage...

I am trading with Jacque....one of her collages....for one of mine. I have never made one before....and I have been wanting to. I had bought a bunch of canvases awhile back So here is the start of mine. I have to wait until Sunday to get get to a scanner and have copies of the pictures made.

It will look a little different. This is an original photo I have of my grandma, so I am going to have to go and make a copy of it. I have a picture of my grandpa playing with a dog, that I thought I might cut out and place in the top corner.

I started by layering tissue paper and decoupaging it, sanding it down. Then added a pearlescent paint and sanding. Then I cut out circles of adhesive, covering them with microbeadsand then I took ink and painted around the circles (outlining in black and deciding to make them into balloons). Then I added little crystals, cut out holes and thread ribbon and rubbed on the saying. Jacque recommended that I add an old fashion grandfather clock to show times gone past. I like that idea. I think I will decoupage that on. (Don't tell my mom...she will be amazed that I am actually taking someone's advice. LOL)

I wasn't thinking too clearly as my background is hard to coverup. Plus, it is going to be hard to part with this collage. I am going to have to make a similar one for myself.

New Penny Black Stamps

I received 2 great Penny Black Stamps in the mail todya...so I decided to try them out before going to the doctor. A lot more fun than studying for my Antropology test...which I better go and do after posting this.

The first one I used water colors (which Sheld said he liked better). I titled it..."Need a Lift"

The second one needs almost no introduction....reminds me of Rocky. "Your Highness"

Busy Night & Morning

Yesterday, Sheld and I went to a Gold Mine....(I will try to post some of the pics later.) We did this for my Geology class....EXTRA Credit. Geology is definitely not my strong point. I am in trouble since Sheldon is getting his degree in Geology.

When we came home...I decided to get busy and clean up my craft space. I found an over the door organizer and it is working great so far. (Less than 24 hours)

But, I have been creating...I made a little card for a friend and 2 sets of ATCs.

Saturday Morning Coin Hunting

This morning Sheldon and I went coin hunting. The idea is to drive to small towns and see if they have any half dollars. So we picked Monroe, Georgia which is SouthWest (I think) of Athens on 78. I was the navigator...never a good thing. So We took off and ended up on Atlanta Hwy and found People's Bank in Statham. They had some coins. Then we drove to Winder and cut down 11 to Monroe. Not one single coin found at any of the four banks in Monroe.

Though, we did get lunch at KFC and visit the local Big Lots. The lady who worked there was the nicest person I have met in the longest time. :)

So it was a nice and pleasant drive....and a few hours away from the house. Monroe has some beautiful old houses to drive around and look at...

Sheldon is excited...we found enough Silver to pay for our trip and lunch...but not our $4.00 shopping spree at Big Lots.

Maybe next week we will drive over to another little town.

Dollar Stamps Galore

I have been finding tons of great $1.00 stamps.....Today, Sheld & I went on a drive and I made him stop at Big Lots to see what they had. I found 1---Cocktails. :) So I created a fun little card and the Time to Party is another $1.00 stamp I had found at Michaels.

I am doing a card swap with someone---for a bunch of $1.00 stamps. So I figured this would be a perfect one for her...

Creative Break

School feels neverending...but I guess that is what I get for taking 4 classes in the summer. :) I decided to take a creative break and make some cards.

One I am sending to my sister, one to Sheldon's Grandma, and the other one...who knows. Then tomorrow it will be back to the grindstone.