my paper playhouse

Social Media Explained ...

2012-03-19T22:28:00.001-07:00

Oh, now I get it .....

Thank goodness my DD found this on Lamebook ... I was wondering if I needed to amp up my social media networking, but between blogging, facebook and Pinterest (which is like crack for crafters) I think I have all of the exposure I could possibly ever need ...

So ... what kindof social media are you addicted to?

Saturday Centus ~ The Ring

2012-03-18T20:40:00.001-07:00

It is week 98 of the Saturday Centus, and to celebrate, Jenny has challenged us with only 98 words including the use of the prompt which is "it was only 98 cents ..." Here's my little offering!

It had been a beautiful life; years spent in each other’scompany, first just the two of them, then the growing family. Finally just the two of them againuntil the day that he passed. Itwas her turn now, she felt the cold coming, but she was not afraid, she knewthat she’d be with him soon. Herdaughters found her the next day … curled up in her bed, clutching his photoand a dimestore ring. It was only98 cents back then, but it was with this tiny token, they had cemented theiryoung love.

thanks so much for joining me ... late as usually but i am blaming St Patrick's Day ... tee he he ...

If you want to read other 98 word tales, just click on Jenny's button below and follow her linky!

Happy St. Patricks day to you all!

2012-03-16T23:29:00.001-07:00

Well our little miss honey is all decked out and raring party & celebrate ... The sad truth is she will be staying home as I am pretty sure the local pubs don't allow doggies, now matter how much green they wear.

I will be hitting the local Irish pub by 10:30 am ... by 11:00 there will be line ups outside the door. Have fun today people and I hope the luck of the Irish is with you all today!

Shhhh ....

2012-03-15T22:53:00.001-07:00

... turn everything off and let's focus on the quiet ...

I always find it interesting that no matter what the situation, i can never find absolute quiet. Perhaps this living earth was never meant to be completely quiet ... as i sit here in the quiet, I can hear a car driving by on the road ... my dog is scruffling up her blanket to make a nest ... and my keys are clicking as i type.

In the evening ... curled up in a blanket reading ... pages turn, there is a clink of china as i rest my tea cup, daughter sneezes as she clicks away on a paper she is writing ... Honey lets out a little yip as during a doggy dream.

I love the quiet of the outdoors ... and as much as i would like to sit in the quiet, birds fly by ... a tiny bee will buzz on his search for pollen ... wind rustles the trees, the creek gurgles and every once in a while a squirrel will take on a crow or two over possession of some bit of scrap.

image from Pinterest

At the beach ... even the quietest of beaches ... there is always a gull ... at least one, crying out as it drifts over the shoreline ... quiet waves, lap at the shore, and then there is that unmistakeable sound of footsteps in the sand ...

image from Pinterest

The closest I have come to quiet, is on the early morning of a heavy snowfall ... no tracks in the snow from animals or people ... the birds, unseen and unheard ... it is so quiet, that i can hear the snow flakes fall.

image from Pinterest

So maybe ... just maybe ... we are not to know what absolute quiet is ...the earth is a living mass of organisms ... constantly in motion ... maybe quiet is not to be heard here on earth. So then, do we ever experience absolute quiet? Maybe when passing from this world to the next it will be quiet ... but then, I have always thought that Adagio for Strings should be surrounding our soul on the journey to the next plane ... hmmmm ... i wonder ...

image from Pinterest

thank you for joining me for the later Q. I am late as usual, although I really am working on that procrastination thing I have going. Linking up to Jenny's fabulous Alphabe-Thursday meme!

Saturday Centus ~ The Machine

2012-03-10T20:31:00.004-08:00

Well, seems like our dear Centus leader is back to her old tricks ... this week, we don't get a prompt ... and we don't get 100 words .... instead we get Fives ... you heard me ... fives!!! which means we must write on any topic, any style, and tell the story in Five sentences ... and if that is not enough, we also must limit each sentence to Five words only ... oh this was a struggle ... easier said than done!

She fed the noisy machine.
Grey descended and enveloped her.
It this all that remains?
Tiny shreds of my existence.
Is anyone out there ... anyone?

okay, okay, so i was shredding documents on this cold grey day while listening to the Beatles and yes, Eleanor Rigby was playing ...
well, thats my Five & Five. Just click on Jenny's button below for some interesting reads!

as promised .... procrastination

2012-03-08T10:52:00.002-08:00

Procrastination, procrastination
is making me late
is keeping me waiting .....

Yeah, okay, i did borrow that from the uber talented Carly Simon ... just replace my "procrastination" and add in her "anticipation" and you have her amazing hit "Anticipation" ... of course i left it too late to write a hit of my own, so i am borrowing hers...

does any one else out there procrastinate? please tell me there is someone out there who does ... i look at all of your lovely blogs and wonder where everyone gets the time to do all that they do ... and then i look at time management blogs and realize that i have more hours in the day than i thought ... but i spend them all procrastinating ... seriously, you should see my pile of ironing or mending ... they just grow by the week and yet i continue to put them off ...

okay, enough whining about my P problem ... so from today on ... hopefully (and don't hold me to this)
... but from today on, i am going to try my best to not procrastinate ... and that way, i may find a few more hours for fun stuff, like blogging, and reading and well, just enjoying!!!

Oddly enough i don't have a picture of me procrastinating ... but i do have one of me getting a henna on Tuesday night ... that was fun!

I wish i had taken more photos ... but this is the henna right after it has been applied. After it dries, it is set, and then glitter is applied to it. Mine was done in silver and sapphire blue, I loved it.

This is my DD's henna at the end of the night ... the beautiful dark textured colour comes off as well as the glitter and then you are left with the "tattoo" marks left by the henna.

omg, when did my hands get so wrinkly looking!!!

And this is what mine looks like today ... still loving it!

Now without further procrastination, click on the Jenny button below and visit some other Promising P Posts!

O ... ooops, I forgot M and N

2012-03-01T15:43:00.002-08:00

Well okay in all honesty i didn't forget M, i just kind of tossed one idea around so much, and i couldn't Make it work, and by the time M naturally came to me, it was kinda late to write it, and yes, the dog did eat my homework ... sigh ...
I can tell ya one thing for sure, come P my word will be Procrastination ... but back to O and N ... and M ...

Magic .... do you believe in Magic? and what is magic? what is it to you? I think sometimes we are all on a path looking for a magic trick to make life so much easier .... but really ... i doubt that any of us will find it ... and oh so many wonderful tales have been spun around magic, tales of bravery, of loss and redemption, of miracles and of endless happiness and fountains of youth ...
magic ... in my mind ... my wee little mind, is just waking up every day ... it's in taking time to notice all of the little things ... the tiny mushrooms growing in moss, the beauty of a new bud on a tree, the sounds of children playing ... a crisp breeze on a sunny day ... the noise the rain, in all of it's forms, makes ... how good it feels to stretch both the mind and body ... that's magic ...

this is magic

N is for Natural ... please tell me, what the heck happened to Natural? why can't we just let things unfold in a natural and organic way? why must we "fix" everything now ... why is Botox and other fillers just so almost necessary ... please let me age naturally ... i really don't mind age spots and a hint of grey ... but advertisements and celebrities are telling me that they are bad bad bad and what i really need is some injection, implant or other body modification just to "fit in" with my fellow 50+ friends ...

Even Honey is aging naturally

and finally O is for Options ... sometimes i wonder if we all forget ... we have options at every point in every day ... sometimes choosing the one that right for us is just all too difficult .... but they are there, and they must be shared ... please always teach your younger generations that there are always options ... nothing in life is "life or death" there is always a choice somewhere ... just keep looking for it ...

Yesterday was pink shirt day in Canada ... a Nation wide campaign to end bullying. DD and I are suited up in our pink shirts supporting this important cause.

Thanks so much for hanging in for this uber long post ... and i promise, no procrastination next week ... well as little as possible ...

as always, linking up to Jenny ...

Graphic 45 Design Team 2012 Audition

2012-02-25T22:50:00.001-08:00

Hello my friends ... I've decided to try something ... something that I haven't tried before ... and yes, I am going out on a limb here, and yes ... it is kind of scary, especially because my "Audition" is out in the world for all to see ... eeeeks, I must be a little crazy to do this, but hey ... just another fun experience to add to life's book of ... well stuff!

Without further adieu, here are my 6 projects for the audition!

Project 1, a 12 x 12 layout using the Graphic 45 Le Cirque collection ... I loved this collection, you are going to see a lot of it in my audition.

Project 1, details ... i deconstructed an old Prima Lollypop flower and added some new layers made from G45 papers, the circles are distressed and edged in white gesso. The hand cut banners are coated with glossy accents and little bit of my favourite glitter to bring some shine to the page. I added a bit of zipper just to add some texture to the border.

Project 2, Graphic 45 5 x 8 Altered Art Box ... Again using Le Cirque line ... The box is covered in it's entirety with paper from the line.

Project 2, details, there is a lot of technique here ... after coating the box with paper I used a combination of black ink, white and copper paints to distress and add dimension the edges and sides. I also aged the large metal embellishment and covered the paper within it with glossy accents. I made some paper pinwheels and coated the edges with glitter, the chipboard heart was also glittered on the edges. I distressed the frozen charlotte doll, and made it a little hat from the paper.

Project 3, Graphic 45 Mini Album. This is the folded mini that sits inside the Altered Art Box

This is the box opened, with the mini sitting inside. This project was a lot of fun to make.

I added two 1/4 wings to extend the length of the album. This mini is full of fab pictures my DD and her friends took when they went on a Halloween Circus Train Ride ...

The little "wings" are covered with black ruffled ribbon. They also hold secrets in their pockets!

This part of the album has a 3D component, the bakers twine is strung between two parts of the album and is strung with "flags" and a rosette.

The noticeable fold on the right side hinges upwards to hide some photos. The photo on the larger left side is actually two skeletons doing a tight rope act ... hilarious, but hard to shoot from a moving train in low light. This was so much fun to make ... The pictures totally worked with this line!

Project 4 a 12 x 12 layout using the gorgeous Tropical Travelogue line. DD was clowning around in a public art piece ... so i kind of kept the circle in a square them going with the mini canvases and stickers.

Project 4, details ... this was fun to make (okay i say that about each project, but it really was fun!) The mini canvases are dry brushed with small amounts of tan and copper paints. I did a lot of fussy cutting on this layout ... fussy cutting is one of my favourite techniques. a lot of ripping and curling and distressing as well. The flowers were made out of kraft glassine paper and scrupled up a bit, and had copper paint sponged on in places. I immediately thought of the "concrete jungle" when looking at this photo, hence the use of leaves and curls. And the title ... well i don't always do titles ... or journalling ... sometimes i just date my layout and add a card to the back with the journalling.

Project 5, a 12 x 12 layout using more of the Tropical Travelogue.

Project 5, details, Again, fussy cutting ... Stamping my journalling and/or my titles is another one of my fave things to do on a layout. I enhanced this relatively flat layout with little bends and twists to the leaves, glossy accents and stickles to the flowers and popdots under the birds. I just wanted to do something warm and tropical with the cold wintery photo.

Project 6, two cards from the Tropical Travelogue line.

Project 6 Details, Sadly I had to shoot these photos indoors using flash ... The wind outside was snapping branches off trees, so shooting in natural light just wasn't feasible. I used to do a lot of cards with loads of layers ... but my current style is very random. I just love grabbing a few little bits and fussy cutting a few things to make rather informal looking cards. The card on the left uses a feather, some swiss dot netting, hemp twine, a bit of lace, and ink. the card on the right uses an inked doily, the patterned paper has been dry brushed with tan, so fussy cut flowers and a die cut border and flower.

Well friends, if you have read down this far, I applaud you! And G45 Team, I am honoured that you took the time to review my submission. Thank you so much!

and on the 12th day of February ...

2012-02-19T18:26:00.000-08:00

ah yes, my life on the 12th day of each month ... now if only i could get these posted a day or two after my post instead of a week later ... my procrastinated life is oh so slow sometimes ...

Anyways, the 12th ... Lucky me, that was a week ago Sunday and I got together with a bunch of great girls and spent the day scrapping ... and i actually did 3 layouts that I loved! It was a great day!

Sue C brought me this pretty little doll to enjoy ... I'm thinking, wings and crowns and purples ....

Sue C and Izzy, merrily playing with paper ...

Izzy and her new Instax camera ... this cameras are a whole lot of fun, i just love the mini photos it makes!

Diane scrapping away ...

Sue F, Iris, Sue C & Diane ... of course you need champagne when you scrap!!!

Raise a toast to Sue F ... she is retiring after 33 (?) I think, years of service, travelling the sky and making flights enjoyable for thousands and thousands of weary travellers!!!

Awe, Yes ... me, mid hug with Sue F!

See, I really was making some layouts using that beautiful Graphic 45 line, Tropical Travelogue ... you can pick some up at Tiny Seed, (she has the best prices around and great service)

So later ... too tired to cook after an exhausting day of nothing but fun, I drag my DD off to the Well. They make the best "Yorkies" ... yorkshire puddings stuffed with roast beef, and topped with horseradish cream and little au jus sauce for dipping ...

oh wait, I wanted to take a picture of the food when it arrived and looked pretty ... but here we are munching away ...

Me! don't know what i was doing with my fingers ... lol!

DD ... poor kid, tired from writing a killer term paper ... and making a silly face!

Another month, another busy 12th day ... I wonder what March will bring ...

Thanks so much for visiting!!!

Saturday Centus - eeeks!!!

2012-02-18T18:25:00.000-08:00

Well, our dear hostess Jenny Matlock, has thrown us for a loop this go round ... today, we are to write our autobiography in 6 words. You read that write, 6 little words! hence the eeeks!!! Here's my wee offering!

maiden to crone

dreaming

loving

learning.

So now that you know, just about everything there is to know about me, take some time to read some of the other offerings ... just click on Jenny's button below!

Love is all you need ...

2012-02-08T18:31:00.000-08:00

It's Alphabet Thursday, and I am joining in on the letter L ... my word for L is love ...

Is love truly all we need? I think … more than food, more than water, or shelter … weneed love. Close your eyes and tryto imagine living without this precious commodity … think of going through lifewithout someone to love … be it a partner, friend or family member … justimagine how much more difficult life would be without someone to love, andsomeone who loves you back. Truly,no man is an island … we all needsomeone, or even something to love. We have pets, to care for and love, andthey love us back, and they can improve our well being just by lovingthem. Think of the fictional ChuckNoland and the object of his love, Wilson … Wilson kept him going, kept him somewhat sane … and in all probability,kept him alive …

I cannot possibly imagine a life without love, so it saddensme that so many do not have it to give or receive … I think of the hundreds andhundreds of children stuck in the foster care system, going through lifewithout the love of a parent … children in far away countries, parents dead,and trying to survive the world alone, animals stuck in kennels at the localanimal shelter.

So think of love, and act with kindness towards those thatare unfortunate enough to not be able to experience this most amazing state ofbeing …

… she loves youya ya ya …

I love these two!!!

Saturday Centus ~ The Superbowl

2012-02-05T12:09:00.000-08:00

Once again I am joining Jenny's Saturday Centus meme! This weeks prompt was written by Nonna, and is "two peas in a pod". You know the drill by now, i have 100 words plus the prompt words to come up with a nifty little tale ... I hope you enjoy my offering

“Ma’am, can you tell us anything, that will help us figureout what happened at that house and how you know the two deceased?”

“Detective, they are … were my older sisters, identical twins and for all of my life they have beenas close as two peas in a pod. They lived together, ate the same foods, wore the same clothes, votedthe same ... well except for one thing,” she sobbed.

“What’s that?” asked the detective.

“Football, one liked the Giants and the other liked thePatriots.”

“Death by Superbowl?” the detective queried.

“Yes”, she cried as she burst into tears.

And now, I am off to a SuperBowl party ... Go ______ Go!!!!

Just click on the button below to read other nifty short stories

K is for ... Sue?

2012-02-01T15:56:00.000-08:00

K … K … K …killer, kobo … kindle ??? Istumbled around for a long time trying to to find a K word that I wanted to write about … The first three K words that cameto me are up above, but I really don’t feel like writing about killers ore~book readers

I could write about “kind” … but wait, I think I blogged onthat topic a couple of years ago … so repeating it would be … well, kindaboring.

And then it hit me … my dear friend Sue always ends heremails with “Be kind and leave the world a better place.” Isn’t that a wonderful mantra?

My dear friend Sue, is probably one of the kindest, andgentlest people that I know … she is wonderfully thoughtful … truly thoughtful,the kind of friend that always seems to know what to say in every situation …she is so attentive to people that she is fully tuned in and just seems to knowwhen things are off. She giveswonderful hugs, and wonderful words. And the best part … out of this seemingly quiet, humble and kind person,can come the most hilarious, like pee your pants hilarious … zingers!!! Oh she can truly get anyonelaughing … real good down in your gut laughter … So yes, Sue … I will be “kind”and leave the world a better place. And thank you for your reminders to do so!

Sue, shortly after she shaved her head to raise funds for Cancer Research ... what a beautiful gift she is to this planet

K is for Sue!

Saturday Centus ~ The Director

2012-01-29T16:50:00.000-08:00

Late again for Saturday Centus ... I am beginning to wonder if I will ever be on time again ... Luckily we actually have a week to hand these in to Jenny, and her Saturday Centus Meme. Jenny played no tricks this week, we had an 8 word prompt which is "We know where all the bodies are buried." We also had 100 words, plus the prompt words to play with, and wouldn't you know it, i came right in at 108 ... after i did a major edit ... lol!

The Director, the genius of both his genre and hisgeneration, was having a tough day.

“Take 108”

“Action” yelled the Director.

“Give up, we know where you … um, hid”

“Cut” roared the Director, “It’s a simple line you idiot, We know where all the bodiesare buried”

“Quiet on set, Take 109”

“Action”

“Give up, we know you buried …”

“Cut” the Director shouted as he thought to himself, I knowwhere all of the bodies are buried and that’s where this idiot actor is going windup … right beside my dear old Auntie Astrid, the Gardner and the neighbour’syappy dog.

“Quiet on set”

I hope you enjoyed my little offering this week. As always, just click on the Jenny button below to read other interesting short stories!

Hey Jerk!

2012-01-26T10:23:00.000-08:00

Now that i have your attention ... and since it is "J" day over at Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday meme, I thought that i would talk about my nick names ... and guess what, they almost all start with J.

My given name is Joanne ... the name that I go by, is of course Jo ... then there is the Beatles variation, JoJo ... and some of my friends have whittled that down even further to just JJ, and some just call me J ... my daughter says my "hood" name is Lil' J and she calls me that quite a bit! So call me any of these names, they work ... just don't ever call me Joan, that is a completely different name.

I used to be called "Crash" ... that had something to do with me being in a rash of car accidents (hey, they weren't all my fault) and ended in on huge slow motion crash ... where i confused the brake for the gas (it happens) and hit my Dad's 5th wheel, pushing it into a small wall, and driving its huge hitch right through my windshield, narrowly missing me ... and it was all slo mo ... i couldn't figure out why i kept moving ... thankfully, no one was around, because i was so coated in glass i had to strip to the skivies outside ... yup ... thankfully i have left that nickname (and accidents) far behind me.

And finally my favourite nickname "Jerk." Yes, that's what my family calls me ... my dad gave me the moniker before I could walk ... Okay, when I was a wee thing, i did not crawl ... instead i would tuck one leg under, put the other leg in front of me and scooch across the floor on my butt in a jerky motion ... so yeah, this name, that others would not like to be associated with, is actually a term of affection in mine! When I am called Jerk, all is well ... when someone calls me by my given name ... that means all is not well and when someone Middle names me (hasn't happened for a long time) ... well you all know where middle naming leads ...

Jerk and her Dad!!!

thanks so much for stopping by and reading ... linking up to my girl Jenny

My January 12 ...

2012-01-24T21:29:00.000-08:00

So what is "January 12" you ask? ... okay, it's not a date ... it's a thing ... well kinda of a thing. I got the idea from my friend Kathy's blog ... she is doing Project 365, which is taking a picture each day for all 365 + the extra day. I off course started this, but i totally fell of the wagon by about the 3rd of January ... yeah yeah, i do procrastinate, or forget to charge my camera or both ...

So anyways, the 12 is 12 shots on the 12th day of each month ... and because i was slow starting these photos were snapped on the 17th ... yeah, i was a little slow again ... I am going to be putting all of these pics in my Smash Journal, and i will have a little "day in the life of" book at the end of the year ...

So for those of you who are still with me, here's what my day looked like ...

I love to have flowers in the house, although with my budget I rarely buy them ... this little group was picked out by my daughter

Drop daughter off at her volunteer job way across town. My daughter loves to volunteer and help others.

A latte and a good read is called for ... i have some time to kill before I pick up my girl. My good friend Lynn, has 3 items published in this issue ... it's always fun to spot a friend's published work.

I accidentally stopped off at Michaels ... well they had these great sales ... okay, i bought a little plastic storage container for paper, that's it ... nothing else ...

Still waiting for daughter so i stop by the park ... the clouds are lifting, the skies are blue and the sun is out!

Bonus Picture ... love these pilings that are no longer sunk into the river!

Now the last time Daughter had a party, and people slept over, one of them made the comment "this is a pillow?" okay, I hadn't picked up new pillows for well ... a long time, ours were almost totally flat, so it was off to the Bay for the 50% off sale on pillows.

These are the contents of my purse ... well, add the camera and you have it all ... i love the pink and black lace bags my daughter picked up for me at H&M ... one has lipstick, necessities etc, and the other has tape, and pens and markers ... just in case i get the urge to create on the go!

I am actually using a Tim Holtz tote bag (daughter gave it to me for christmas) for a purse ... so i can cram a whole lot of stuff in

Just some random stuff in my scrap room ...

Awe, what would a day be without the love of my little girl Honey ... Honey is such a good good girl, and waits so patiently for us when we are out ...

Okay, I totally take back that comment about Honey being a "good" girl ... today she decided to take on a yoga mat while we were out ... Honey 1, Yoga Mat 0

I needed a coffee in my favourite mug after the yoga mat fiasco ...

And that was my day ... how was yours?

The Climb ~ Epilogue

2012-01-22T00:47:00.000-08:00

Well Jenny gave us another twist this week. This time around we have 150 words .... yeah!!! and we have to write an epilogue to our previous entries. So I have repeated part 1 & part 2 from the last couple of weeks and I have tried my darnedest to wrap the story up with this weeks epilogue.

Part 1

Hanging off a cliff “keepmoving” he thought, “don’t lose momentum,” as he dangled by two arms from thetop of the cliff, a bead of sweat trickled into his eye, stinging. Asecond passed in an hour, his arms began to shake. “Focus!” he yelled athimself, knowing full well that his arms could only support his dead weight fora few more moments … he had underestimated the climb … a tragic mistake for anyfree style climber …he shifted his weight on to his right arm as his left handsearched for something other than sand and soil to grab onto.

Part 2

Panicking now, his left handsweeping blindly, he finds a root to grasp onto. Summoning his remainingstrength he pulls his body up only to hear a loud snap. He lets out ayelp as he falls. “Jon, you’re having that dream again,” she says sleepily asshe pokes him.

Epilogue

“Sorry Babe,” he replies, voice lowand shaky. He hastily wipes thesweat from his brow with the sheet.

“Jon, what’s going on? I mean isthe dream getting worse?”

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” he says,still shaking “I have been seeing someone”

“What the?”

“No, babe, I mean not like that, I have been seeing atherapist … for a couple of weeks now actually.”

“Whaaaaat?” she says emphatically.

“Yeah, um, I’ve been seeing thisguy about my dreams, and at first I thought well he would just tell me it’s nobig deal and to just get over it, take a sleeping pill or whatever.

“And?” she whispers

“Well it turns out I have anxietyissues about becoming a father”

“Jon you are an amazing, lovinghusband, don’t worry, you are going to be great. Here, feel him kick” as she gently places his hand on herbelly.

Thank you so so much for reading, and extra thanks for leaving your comments ... and if you have some time, check out some other 3 part stories ... just check on the Jenny button below.

Imagine

2012-01-19T19:20:00.000-08:00

Imagine …

All the people …

Imagine peace … sometimes I do … I sit and I meditate onpeace, trying so hard to see what it would look like … what the world would bewithout weapons, fear and hate … I see a beautiful world, with rich red soiland lush vegetation … and under a large tree, sit all of the world peaceleaders … meditating and teaching us all by their example… I see a world whereno one’s ego needs to satisfied by power, where there is no poverty, where onenation helps another because its just the right thing to do …

And then I wake up and realize that there will never beworld peace … that the human race is always ready, willing and able to hate andto fight …

We are such a sorry species … but I will continue toImagine, continue to meditate and hope for peace.

A winter rainbow ... peace in a storm ...

Saturday Centus ~ The Climb, part 2

2012-01-14T17:59:00.000-08:00

Last week, Jenny challenged us to write a cliffhanger using the prompt "Hanging off a cliff" and using only 104 words. This week we are to finish our story, but with a measly 50 words ... talk about a tough challenge. My first draft was 132 words, and it took me forever to edit it down to 50 ... but here it is, finished! I hope you enjoy! Part 1 is repeated, below is part 2.

Part 1

Hanging off a cliff “keep moving” he thought, “don’t lose momentum,” as he dangled by twoarms from the top of the cliff, a bead of sweat trickled into his eye,stinging. A second passed in anhour, his arms began to shake. “Focus!” he yelled at himself, knowing full well that his arms couldonly support his dead weight for a few more moments … he had underestimated theclimb … a tragic mistake for any free style climber …he shifted his weight onto his right arm as his left hand searched for something other than sand andsoil to grab onto.

Part 2

Panicking now, his left hand sweeping blindly, he finds a rootto grasp onto. Summoning his remaining strength he pulls his body up only tohear a loud snap. He lets out ayelp as he falls. “Jon, you’re having that dream again,” she says sleepily asshe pokes him.

I actually wanted to make this about a man have repeated nightmares over the impending birth of a first child ... but the shorter version leaves it to your imagination.

Thanks so much for stopping by, if you want to join us or read other entertaining entries, just click on the Jenny button below!

Happy?

2012-01-12T18:24:00.000-08:00

Once again, it's time for Alphabe-Thursday with Jenny Matlock, and todays letter is "H" ... one heck of a letter don'tcha think? I am behind this round, i didn't start until last week, but i do want to catch up and complete this round, I really missed doing it last round ... so look for A - F soon! and oh, in case you are wondering, i had themes the last two rounds ... and this round is also a theme ... it's words that just resonate with me somehow or in some way.

This happened way back when .... when my daughter was about 3ish. It was Grandpa's birthday ... I had dressed my wee girl up, shiny black patten Mary Jane's, white tights and a big flouncy blue dress and a blue bow on her crimped hair ... Grandpa was sitting in the family room, and when my daughter saw him she ran racing to him at full speed ... she stopped right in front of him and with the most enthusiasm i had seen in her she said a very loud "Happy to You!!!" ... She then clambered onto Grandpa's knee as we all kind of stood around laughing merrily! It was so cute and funny as in her enthusiasm she had forgotten the word "Birthday."

Years later, the little quote "Happy to you" by my daughter, has become a family standard. And every time my daughter says it to someone I can easily recall that scene of almost 20 years ago and it always makes me happy ... yes always!!!

Recently we had a "happy to you" moment ... just see the pictures below! This moment made me so very happy ... it was a blast and I felt like a kid again.

awe, yes ... a carousel ride ... what a wonderful "happy!"

this is a wooden 1912 C.W. Parker carousel, fully restored and it is just gorgeous, and i am Happy on my favourite horse!

Hayley, riding Valiant, and trying to take pictures of me ... lol!

Vivienne, my favourite horse ... usually my daughter rides her, but this time I hopped on.

Valiant, directly ahead of Vivienne ... my daughter rode him this time.

I think this is Belle ... isn't she a beauty?

and to complete the scene a 1925 fully restored Wurlitzer ... the tunes coming out of this could make even Scrooge happy!

My wish for all of you is a lifetime of "Happy to You's" ... Happy is such an amazing feeling ... so enjoy it, explore it and spread it around!
"Happy to you." ~ Hayley West

Saturday Centus ~ The Climb

2012-01-10T22:28:00.000-08:00

okay, so i am really really late this week ... but i figure it's better than not doing it at all (which is what i have been doing lately!)

And that darn Jenny! This weeks was tough ... first we had to use a literary device, namely a cliffhanger, and on top of it we had to use the following prompt "hanging off a cliff." and as usual, we had 100 words, plus the prompt words ... and I came in right on target at 104. Here's my take ...

Hanging off a cliff “keep moving” he thought, “don’t lose momentum,” as hedangled by two arms from the top of the cliff, a bead of sweat trickled intohis eye, stinging. A second passedin an hour, his arms began to shake. “Focus!” he yelled at himself, knowing full well that his arms couldonly support his dead weight for a few more moments … he had underestimated theclimb … a tragic mistake for any free style climber …he shifted his weight onto his right arm as his left hand searched for something other than sand andsoil to grab onto.

Thanks so much for reading and commenting ... you know i love your comments! Linking up to my favourite meme, Saturday Centus. If you want to follow along, just click the Jenny button below!

Welcome Gentle Readers ...

2012-01-06T22:16:00.000-08:00

Is it me, or is "gentle" one of those words that seems to be taking a back seat these days ... oh i can find lots of gentle's ... in the movies ... or in books ... and even quotes ... i just can't find the word in current culture ... it's rarely if ever, in the press, the news, tv, radio and such ... It's not a term that I hear enough of ... and I long for it. I long for a much gentler society, and much gentler world ...

Remember to be gentle withyourself and others. We are all children of chance and none can say why somefields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the August sun.

 Kent Nerburn 

Gentle blossoms kissed by early spring snow (photo taken 2 years ago)

Coming to you from Alphabe-Thursdays at Jenny's. Just click the link below to read other much more interesting G posts (there i go, not being as gentle to myself as i should) ... Just click on the Jenny button below.

The last year ...

2011-12-29T19:57:00.000-08:00

the last year ... as in the past year .... has flown by ... sometimes i really do see the clocks melting and time warping and passing all too quickly. What can I say ... life is beautiful ... the fact that we have life is amazing just in it's self ... and then the fact that we are born in country's were the standard of living is relatively good is yet amazing even more ... i have a roof over my head ... i can visit a doctor or hospital when i need to ... I have food and clean water ...

I am blessed with a beautiful family and extended family ... and wonderful friends and some pretty amazing blog friends ...

I am further blessed with this little misfit dog ... Honey

the last year ... as in 2012 and the end of the Mayan Calendar ... is it the end of the world? or the world as we know it? or did the Mayans just run out of room on their calendar??? I guess we won't know till the 22nd of next December ... but no matter what, I am looking forward to the day ... In fact I am planning an "end of the world" party for friends and family ... which will also be known as a "before Christmas get together!"

One thing I do know, is that I don't know what the future holds, but I am looking forward to it ... and moving forward with it ... as I hope you do.

Wishing you all a brilliant New Year!!!

Linking up to Alphabe-Thursday ...

Saturday Centus ~ The Season

2011-12-10T17:38:00.001-08:00

Ah, Jenny .... I am so glad we got our 100 words plus the prompt words back. This week's prompt is: It doesn't have to be that way. Here is my offering ...

“Jon, it doesn’t have to be that way”

He glared at her. “Are you kidding me Sam? I’ve had the plans drawn up since May,it took me two months just to write the computer program and I’ve spendthousands on the electronics alone, so yes, it has to be that way. I’m not going to let that jerkSanderson outshine me again. Thisis going to be a red, white and blue Christmas that will blow away hispathetic, done before, lollypop lane display”

“But driving two towns over just for one string oflights?” “Tis the season” shemuttered to herself.

I hope you all can click on the Jenny Button below and join us in our weekly short short stories!!!

December Daily .... errrrr

2011-12-06T14:54:00.001-08:00

Well I wanted to a December Daily post, actually series of posts, but you know how it is ... life gets in the way ... and I'm not great at committing to things .... at least not recently ...

I haven't really been that crafty ... I've spent a lot of time out of the craft room, but in November, I helped my daughter decorate for her "Movember" party! I made this cute little mustache bunting for the wall!

and I stuck mustaches to sticks .... okay, i did a lot more than that, made mustache decorations for the house .... big ones, little ones, all shapes and sizes ... it was fun!

and now that December is here, I have decked the halls ... the first decorations out of the box were my two moose's ... or is that meese??? I made these guys about 20 years ago, and they still look cute!

and the sun has been setting much earlier ... it makes me long for soup and stews and cuddly blankets

and i have been busy, making cards ...

lots of cards ... which are happily off to friends and family ...

I hope you are happily busy getting ready ... tis the season!

Saturday Centus - 16

2011-12-03T15:09:00.001-08:00

I'm back ... yes ... after a couple of weeks of silence i am back and ready to post ... and there is no better way than to start off with a centus.

This week, dear tricky, dastardly Ms Jenny has challenged us to use 16 words ... it must be autobiographical and it must be about ourself at the age of 16. Here goes nothing ...

At 16

I lost you

and I lost me

The road back,

hard

and lonely

Writing that was surprisingly difficult ... and in my mind "at 17" by Janis Ian is playing in the background ... well, off to grab a fresh cup of coffee, and read about others at 16 ... come join us!

Remembrance 11:11 11/11/11

2011-11-10T17:42:00.001-08:00

from the internet

At this time, on this hour, on this day, I will be remembering ... my Grandfather, for serving his new found home, Canada in WWI, my Great Uncle, for serving in that same war, and my Great Uncle's only child, an Air Force Pilot, who was shot down during WWII.

My Grandfather (standing) and his older brother, my Great Uncle.

I will be standing in the November cold remembering ... seems like such a small small price to pay for freedom ...

The Pin from my Grandfathers hat (see the photo above)

I thank an honour everyone who has in some way contributed to my freedom, who help defend our Nation, who help others defend their own Nations ... for all of the PeaceKeeping Missions ... for all of the lives lost and dramatically changed ... I wish you all peace ... and eternity of peace ....

My Grandfather joins the force.

You will never be forgotten you brave soldiers.

Amazing Giveaway!

2011-11-08T13:03:00.000-08:00

You have to go visit my blogging buddy Lynn, at her fabulous blog Trash to Treasure Art. If you have never visited, now is the time. She is a brilliant artist ... she is so talented and inspiring in so many mediums ... there is always something fun to find!

Right now, Lynn is having a 3rd year blogaversary ... and the prizes are totally yummy ... so do stop by her blog, the more the merrier ... and hey, you don't want me to win everything do you??? lol!

Lynn is giving away this fantastic etched brass and antiqued book with charms

and this fabulous journal

and this amazing rusted tin necklace (told ya she was uber talented)

and a surprise

and a whole mess of stamps ....

so run, quick as you can and check out her blog, her giveaway ends on the 18th!

thanks for stopping by and good luck!

Saturday Centus ~ The Dark

2011-10-29T12:46:00.000-07:00

well Jenny has played a trick on us ... and a nasty one at that ... we have 25 words ... yes just a 25. And the prompt is a picture.

Do not adjust your screens, that is the picture, just that wall of black... here is my take on it all ...

When I close my eyes

The world does not fade to black

It comes forward in micro splashes of light and colour

Dismantling the dark.

To visit other 25 word stories, just click on the Jenny button below.

Have a wonderful halloween weekend!!!

Autumn Sunshine

2011-10-27T15:28:00.000-07:00

oh Autumn ... the most colourful of seasons ... filled with sharp contrasts, bright sun, or grey rain .... orange and red leaves against a pale blue sky ... a season of gratitude, thoughtfulness, feathering the nest for the long winter ahead ...

But if you are a 4 1/2 pound dog it means one thing and only one thing ....

No one is in the tennis courts!!! on this mountainside community that means running free without fear of attack by coyotes, owls, raccoons and other creatures of the forest ...

It means running full out with a friend ...

It means full out fun!

A quick cool down period ...

And a hug from my people!!!

Just another day in autumn paradise ... thank you all for stopping by! Enjoy your autumn!

Doily cards!!!

2011-10-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

Made some cards for a couple of friends a while back ... and i used paper doilies ...

I had so much fun with these I went out and picked up a couple of more packs including some 12x12 rounds ... perfect for scrapbooking ... and ya gotta love dollar store doilies ... the package reads ..."may contain up to 10 doilies" lol! I haven't counted yet but i am hoping for something near 10!

And speaking of cards, I got a whole bunch of Christmas cards made up the other day ... I am slightly ahead of the game at this point ... who knows what next week will bring!

Thanks for stopping by and peace, love and paper y'all!

Saturday Centus ~ The Seed

2011-10-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

I'm back ... I have really missed doing my Saturday Centus posts, but I am back and joining in the fun. This week Jenny challenged us with the prompt "I planted a little story seed". I clocked in at exactly 100 words ... here's my take on the prompt.

I planted a little story seed several weeks ago … and oddlyI haven’t written since. Somehow despite the lack of attention, this seed hasflourished, becoming at once a strong seedling, with roots tentatively exploringthe earth and with plenty of space to grow. Little vignettes have branched off of the main trunk, and asthese little vignettes grow, they begin to reach up to the sun for warmth andfood and the sun gifts them with blossoms … whispered phrases, andconversations, names, setting and nuances. And still I cannotcommit them to paper. My pen liessilent.

Thank you all for visiting and reading and commenting! If you want to read other brilliant little tales, just click on the Jenny Button below.

Halloween Matchbox Swap ...

2011-10-21T13:15:00.000-07:00

Yeah! my package arrived from my fabulous swap partner, Amy Duff ... and wow! her box to me was huge ... and stuffed full of so many goodies ... I was totally jumping for joy ... well, actually doing the happy dance, when i saw all of the creativity and goodness inside!

All of the goodies were carefully wrapped and packaged ... i love the birds she stuck to the box, she also sent me several of the bird die cuts ... perfect for sticking in a halloween window!

and is this not just the cutest card ever! I love how she used the stamp for halloween! and i love the stamp, super cute!

A bag stamped with Alice in orange, and filled with metals and ribbons and felt for fall!

Another bag, beautifully stamped and made and stuffed with a giant kit-kat bar! I love treats!

Very cool decorations! i love the ball, i couldn't get a great photo of it, but it is filled with creepy bits!

The matchbox .... love the side opening and the glitterey raven!

and inside, stickpins!!! i love stickpins!!! and an uber cool necklace!

and finally a slide box ... how totally cool is that!

I am the luckiest swapper ever! Thanks so much Amy, I love it all!

And thank you all for stopping by! Fall is here, Halloween is coming ... bring on the pumpkins!!!

To Blog or not to blog ... that is the question ....

2011-10-07T13:58:00.000-07:00

and you might have noticed that lately it has been "not to blog" for me ...
see, I had an owie ... actually its a burn that is now a giant blister on my finger ... I was trying not to pop the blister, but it popped and now i can just bandage it up and type away to my hearts content!

I also haven't been crafting ... but I finally got up the nerve to finish my project ... the one that I burnt my finger on ... thankfully I love my little project ...

it's a whole lot of paper rosettes, it's actually Stamping Up patterned paper, because i wanted something with weight and that would not crush as easy as a vintage book page ... all glue gunned to a styro tree shape. The base is actually a pin holder from Webster's Pages ... I just love packaging that you can use as part of a project!!!

and I just loved sticking the left over's in a vintage jar with a vintage crochet doily ... I think these will both look cute on the mantle ... well okay, i don't have a mantle, but they will look great on the table!!! maybe surrounded by tea lights ... and I have beautiful vintagey white snow owl ornaments ... geez ... I'm starting to dream of christmas and it's not even halloween ...

anyways ... I'm finally able to blog and comment on blogs so I will be around to visit soon!

thanks so much for stopping by and visiting!
ps, Honey says "hi" ... well actually it's more of a "woof" ...

ps again, my first photo edit ... this looks so much better now!

Halloween Matchbox Swap

2011-09-27T14:47:00.000-07:00

I did another matchbox swap over at Vintage Dragonfly ... this time for Halloween ... I had a blast making goodies for my swap partner Amy. Now Amy likes vintage and shabby chic ... which totally had me stumped for a while, but i think i sent some pieces that were sort of in that style ...

My little owl is doing overtime this month, starring in various little photo shoots ... he was a birthday present from my daughter meant for the garden, but he's just so cute i keep him indoors! okay, okay, this is about the halloween swap ... i made a little card which I slipped inside of this envelope ... the envelope can be reused, and it has a pretty vintage image, and paper rosettes and a little star pin!

Here is the grouping again, only the owl is wearing this cute little pin as a hat ... these pins are so quick and easy to make ... just use a gluber, pleated ribbon and something for the center and you can whip these babies up in minutes!

I made this little mini book, filled with Alice in Wonderland images and Halloween'ish quotes ...the liquid in the bottle is again, glossy accents and alcohol ink so it moves around the bottle and looks think and gooey ..

The actual matchbox ... okay, i really dont have a lot of Halloween stuff ... i tend not to do "theme" scrappy so not much in my stash ... so my version of Halloween is this long forgotten dress form, covered in webs and dust stashed in the back corner of an attic ... and behind it ... an eye ... the all staring eye .... just keeping it creepy ... i covered the eyeball in glossy accents so it looks moist like a real eye ... i hope my swap partner gets my vision ... and the dress form is kinda vintagey...

Just a cute little vintage image in a black frame, once again with rolled rosettes! I coved the picture in grey mesh so it has a different look to it, although it didn't really show up in the photo ... there is also a little black spider embellishment in the upper right corner so it appears that the girl is looking at it.

This little "boo" bunting turned out so cute ...

The final piece was this necklace ... yes, I'm spreading my wings a bit here ... it has a heavy chain to give it that spooky factor ... and a vintage witch image ... i finished it up with a black rose button and a grey crystal ...

This was so much fun to do ... and now I am waiting patiently till the day my swap comes!!!!
thanks so much for stopping by!!!

It's here ...

2011-09-23T00:23:00.000-07:00

at 9:04 am today ... the equinox arrives

bring us colour in all of it's leaves

and wonderful harvests ....

and rain ... but we won't mention that here ...

Have a beautiful day everyone!

Shabby Jar exchange ...

2011-09-19T23:11:00.000-07:00

I participated in a shabby chic jar exchange last year ... and i have never posted about what i sent ... so here it is ... goodies i collected and sent my swap buddy Sue.

I started with this empty jar i picked up at a thrift store ... I printed a vintage label from the Graphics Fairy ... distressed it a bit and then glued it to the jar

I added some pretty vintagey looking ribbon

and some vintage spools wrapped with seam binding and ribbon and bakers twine

added some little bags of goodies

painted and aged some little frames and filled little vintage shakers with glitter

added some metal embellishments that i aged and painted

some little stork scissors and jewelled trim

a little envelope with tea bags, tied up with a vintage spoon

I made a pretty little flower for the top of the jar

and voila! what fun!

I'm linking up to Cindy Atkin's Oh-La-La link party ... come join in the fun!

Saturday Centus ~ The Leaves

2011-09-17T12:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is the meanest prank that Jenny has played ... not only do we have a max. of 32 words, we have to sync this up to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star ... and use the prompt, "In the autumn" ....arrrrrg!
Seriously, I just felt another grey hair sprout ... so here it is, my teeny tiny contribution for this week.

In the autumn, crisp leaves fly
dancing across the darkened sky
In the autumn, chill winds blow
bringing hints of winter's snow.

I guarantee you some quick reads today ... all you have to do is click the Jenny button below!

Inspired by Poe...

2011-09-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

I haven't done many small objects, but I am starting to do more and more and I am loving it! The tiny piece below was inspired by Poe ...

The book was the hardest part to do, and that's only because i have never cut into a book before ... the spine doesn't slice as easy as the pages do ... but modifying books has always been something i have wanted to do ... and this is a start ... I distressed the pages, covered the top with a bit of patterned paper and added a misted and inked grungeboard bracket .

The blood in the bottle was so easy to make ... its glossy accents mixed with a little alcohol ink. Because i sealed the bottle, it should last a while, but sooner or later the air through the cork will harden it.

I'm in a Halloweenish mood! I just finished a Halloween swap and i will post it as soon as I receive my swap items.

want your twine to twist ... just wrap it around a dowel, or pencil or chopstick ... get it a little wet and air dry it over night ... you can do this with ribbon as well!

Sealing wax rocks ... i used both black and red to add little globs of stuff to the table ... thanks so much for stopping by!

from this day forward ...

2011-09-13T21:18:00.000-07:00

I promise myself to start living in the light ...

no more negative people ... no more groups of people with drama ... no more housewives on TV that flip tables and think their behaviour is classy ....

instead i want to keep myself surrounded by those I love and who love me .... by friends and family that add to my life ... by entertaining media that promotes positivity (i know ... hard to find)

Live is short ... i want to enjoy as much of it as possible, to love as many as possible and to create and write with a happy heart ...

There is a circle of these Buddha's .... they remind me to stay in the light, stay in the positive, embrace the world and love hard ... sometimes i like to drop flowers in their open hands ... it makes me smile.

Saturday Centus ~ The Game

2011-09-10T15:04:00.000-07:00

Geez, Jenny's prompt started off so innocently for me as I jumped back in time and remembered playing the game in the school yard. The prompt "mother may I" ... my word count came in at 99. Here's my offering ...

The school yard was busy with the games of recess ... watching the kids play "mother may I" he singled her out. Her blonde curls were almost obscured by the hood of her red jacket, and she was at the back of the pack ... too shy to call out "mother may I", and too nervous to make a big move in the game.
Watching from across the road, he took a long drag on his cigarette and smiled in anticipation. "Oh yes, he thought, she is just perfect ... she will be mine before the day is over."

eeeks, something sinister came as i wrote that ... i hate when that happens, but there you go ... make sure you visit other Centus players by clicking on Jenny's button below.

Saturday Centus ~ The Pizza

2011-09-05T12:50:00.000-07:00

okay, time for Saturday Centus ... or in this case ... Monday Centus??? okay so i am a few days late, but technically i have almost the week to submit ... to I'm really still on time ... kind of ...

So this week, 100 words plus the prompt words for a total of 107 words ... I managed to clock in at 106 but only after some serious editing ... geez, this one was almost a small novel ... well very very small ... perhaps minuscule ... here we go:

“Your leaving me” he asked, “Seriously Julia you are not going to get anyone else who is as good as me, In fact you might never meet someone again”

“No Steve, I’m not leaving you … those aren’t my suitcases by the door, they’re yours! And I want you out of my apartment tonight, Gawd I am so done with this.”

“Really Julia? You are far to needy to be alone, and who else is going to want to put up the daily drama that is you?” He tossed his case onto the chair and strode over to the counter “What kind of pizza is this?”

Whew ... drama central right??? I sure didn't expect that to come from the prompt ... I'm off to read the other centus submissions, there is always some great reading ... grab a coffee, click the Jenny button and join me!!!

a little eco sculpture anyone???

2011-09-02T15:17:00.000-07:00

I look out at my little shade garden in my back yard patio, and think "wow! I haven't killed anything yet!" and just as i think i am accomplished, we stumble on to these incredible eco sculptures ... thats darling daughter in the photos hamming it up!

Papa Bear - out on the links!

Baby Bear, ready for a hug!

Fierce in his wildness!

What an absolute beauty ... who doesn't love a carousel horse?

What's growing in your garden? You can click on all of these photos to enlarge them ... thanks for stopping by ... peace love & paper ~ jo

Grandma's Attic Matchbox Swap

2011-08-31T13:55:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to get a spot in this fabulous swap hosted by Vintage Dragonfly. We used the larger matchboxes, decorated them, and filled them with yummy vintagey goodness.

I received my matchbox from ArtsyMarty ... and look at how beautiful it is!

Not only did I receive a fabulous matchbox, she sent me the cutest little bucket and a card. Seriously the packaging is so gorgeous i almost didn't want to open it, but hey ... you know me ... i just tore right in!!!

Marti wrote a beautiful note, and look at the delightful goodies in the bucket! look at the butterfly and there is even a tiny tiara! It's almost as if she knew of my "Empress Jo" alias

The burlap rose ... to die for!!!

and look at all of those gorgeous bits! I love them, I was indeed a lucky swapper.

I sent my matchbox off to the wonderful Lesley of Harmony Road. Here is what I sent!

The entire matchbox was covered in vintage music paper, and then i adhered a layer of 7Gypsies tissue paper to the music paper, so there was a wonderful collage effect. On the top of the box was an envelope with a vintage card, a 7Gypsies tag, and the entire package was covered with a beautiful vintage doily!

This is the front view ... i really loved adding the little drawer pull

I managed to fit all of this into the matchbox

Almost everything i sent was vintage ... the buttons were from my generations old button jar, the beige crocheted lace was from my grandmothers collection ... she made it over 50 decades ago ... even the string was vintage. I found it in an old tin film canister ... I had a blast putting this together for the swap! It is much fun to send little surprises off into the world for others to enjoy!

Thanks all for stopping by! peace, love & paper y'all!

Summer in the City ...

2011-08-29T19:21:00.000-07:00

in the summer, in the city .... remember that song ... i'm humming it now ... This city just shines in the summer ... here's just a few quick pics of the beauty, taken from the a boat ...

an old paddlewheel boat, it is still in use today for harbour tours

ah, the heart of coal harbour, brilliant use of greenspace in the city

There is always a floatplane taking off or landing

The Vancouver Trade and Convention centre, what a magnificent green roof.

Across Coal Harbour, a view of the local mountains

The City from the north side of the harbour

Of course there are harbour seals sunning themselves ...

I just love this incredible "pixal" whale!

A bench to rest upon ... after a full day of boating and walking around in the sun, and hey, they match my purse!

Thanks all for stopping by, hope you are all enjoying your summer!

Saturday Centus - The Stick

2011-08-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

This week Jenny had no tricks up her sleeves. We are back to our standard 100 words plus the 3 word prompt, which this week is "Surprise, I'm pregnant" ... my little offering has clocked in at 101 words. I hope you enjoy it!

She stared at the stick in horror, “surprise, I’m pregnant,” she thought to herself. This wouldn’t be so utterly horrifying if she hadn’t just ended her 2-year engagement. Oh god, this is going to tie me to the cheating liar for the next 18 years … no for a lifetime … oh geez, I will never be free of him … my poor baby is going to be saddled with this loser as a dad, wait, my baby … my baby!!! I’m having a baby!!! Don’t worry sweetie, she said talking to her fetus, we are going to be just fine!

Now scamper off and read some other wonderful & amusing stories by the many talented people that play Saturday Centus ... just click on the Jenny button below to find these tales!

Variations on a theme ...

2011-08-21T16:41:00.000-07:00

i just have not been my creative self lately ... but i did make some cards that i really loved ... they were quick, simple and pretty, which seems to be the direction i am going lately ...

and sometimes, i just want to create some girly cards ...
thanks so much for stopping by, peace, love & paper y'all!

SOOC Saturday - bunting

2011-08-20T20:46:00.000-07:00

loved capturing this bunting ...

click on the photo to make it larger

Enjoy your weekend ....
peace love & paper y'all

linking to

Saturday Centus - The Threat

2011-08-20T13:20:00.000-07:00

Jenny gave us 154 words today, including the prompt which is "If I die young" Sadly i needed about 250 words to tell this properly so you will have to pardon my abruptness. I have broken one of Jenny's golden rules this week "no pictures allowed" I wanted to finish the story so i had to throw in the photo ... oh i hope Jenny will not be mad ... and i hope the other Centaurians are not angered ... but at least i am admitting to my wrong doing, can forgiving myself and correcting my behaviour be far behind?

We were stopped at our favourite rural burger stand, just off the highway, surrounded by scenery and picnic tables.

I picked up my order, a hot chorizo and of course a handful of napkins.

The trees were lined with birds. Unbeknownst to me, the crows conspired with the wind to create a gust of wind that sent my napkins across the park. As I chased the napkins, my daughter started waving to me from the stand. I turned back to the table to notice that the crows had carried away my meal.

Two weeks ago while driving, a crow flew up from the road straight at my car. My daughter burst in to tears as the bird hit the windshield with a thud.

Okay, I am calling this even, until this morning when I looked out the window to the deck and saw this …

If I die young you know who is responsible.

now hop along to Jenny's (click the button below) and read some much wittier, funnier and even happier 154 word tales. Thanks for stopping by, peace, love & paper y'all!

More from the baby shower ...

2011-08-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

Introducing little Miss Chelsea ... one week old, the cause of much celebration

This little girl has the longest fingers & toes ... a piano player in the making!

I love this shot, look at the generations reflected in the hands

Easy peasy decorations ... candy baby wash cloths ... it took about 10 minutes to make these ... i found the idea on Pinterest at Cute as a Fox

And these super easy noms ... just a cherry tomato, cube of mozza, piece of basil and we drizzled the plate with a strawberry fig balsamic reduction ... yummy! I also found this on Pinterest but I didn't pin it ... so i can't credit the originator.

The desserts ... yummy ... even though Miss Chelsea could not indulge, her guests certainly did ... the cake was make by the new mommy's brother ... aka my other cousin, and it had the best buttercream frosting ever, i must get the recipe ...

cousins .... so there is a few years between them, but that will never matter ...

Thanks so much for stopping by ... oh i just love babies ....

Saurday Centus - the leader

2011-08-13T22:09:00.000-07:00

Jenny's challenge this week is to use a total of 53 words, including the prompt which is "laugh out loud". I immediately though of my daughter, who loves to laugh and find the humour in everyday life, and came up with this imaginary conversation.

“You want to be a what?”

“A CLL , a Certified Laugh Leader”

“And how do you do that”

“Mom, it’s simple 2 day program”

“So after 4 years of university, you’re going to chuck it away just to teach people to laugh out loud?”

“yeah!”

“I am so not laughing right now.”

Now to read some other humorous takes on the prompt, click on the Jenny button below.

SOOC Saturday - shells

2011-08-12T23:44:00.000-07:00

Joining up with Amy of Marvelous Mommy for Straight Out of the Camera Saturday... here is my straight out of the camera shot, my daughter standing on a bed of clam shells and barnacles on the beach.

(you can click on the image to enlarge it)

I don't know if i will edit or not ... i'm kind of stuck as to how to edit.

Make sure you click on the button below to see some other wonderful SOOC shots!

And the winner is .....

2011-08-11T17:47:00.000-07:00

omg, i am so bad a copying those images from random interger .... i cant get it to work so you will have to take my word for it .... and the winner is .... number 14 .... Ames!!!

Ames, please email me your information so i can get your goodies to you!!!

And a big thank you to everyone who participated!!! Peace, love and paper y'all!

The easiest homemade "candy" ever!!!!

2011-08-09T11:57:00.000-07:00

I made these little "candy" treats for my cousin's baby shower. Talk about easy ... and they look cute on a table as well ... picture them at a kids birthday, showers and celebrations, on a dessert or candy table at a wedding ... quick, cute & totally enjoyable!

Here is what you do ...

1. insert lollipop sticks into a regular sized marshmallow

2. melt some "candy melts" or chocolate (in this case i used yellow vanilla flavoured candy melts by Wilton)

3. swirl your marshmallow through the melted liquid

4. toss on a few sprinkles or embellish with other candies like smarties, tiny gummy candies etc

5. place them in a glass os shallow bowl to firm up

6. serve

These took me less than 10 minutes to make ... the kids loved them and so did the adults! And the possibilities are endless ... think red forChristmas, pastel colours for easter ... pink for a bridal shower ... black & white for a grad tea, or orange and black for halloween!

Wednesday the 10th is the last day of my giveaway ... if you have not had a chance to join in, please do, just click here

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Saturday Centus - The Sunshine

2011-08-06T14:37:00.000-07:00

Well, Miss Jenny has made it very easy on us this week ... the prompt is a very timely "You are my sunshine" and we get an additional 50 words plus the prompt words ... so that's 154 words! I clocked in at 153. We can also use a picture this week but i thought this story worked best without one ... I hope you can paint the picture in your mind...

“Gramma, Gramma, listen to my new song” said the little girl …

“So young” she thought as she smiled down at the child.

“You are my sunshine ...”

As the song from the tiny child began, the scene in her sterile room seemed to fad away and she remembers …

Sitting on the floor, watching her momma sew her “sunshine” dress humming the all too familiar refrain while she stitched … bright yellow cotton with fancy white buttons, carefully picked out from the big button jar on the shelf, two rows of carefully sewn white rick rack along the bottom She can feel the warm stickiness of the freshly oiled dirt road outside her home, hair in braids and the sun smiling on her skin. Happy in her sunshine dress she stops to pick dandelions and wild daisies … and she journeys to the light … finding her way home.

I hope you enjoyed my little offering and please stop by my giveaway ... so easy to enter and the prize is quite fab if I do say so myself!

Want to read more short shorts? Just click on the Jenny button below to visit her Linky to other participants!

Peace, love & paper everyone!

PS ... I cheated ... well not really, i thought we had an extra 50 words ... you know, on top of the 100 we usually get ... so my entry really doesn't quite count ... sorry peeps!

Tissue paper flowers tutorial ... (and a giveaway)

2011-08-03T21:30:00.000-07:00

That is great big tissue paper posies! I got busy with my mom and dad a couple of days ago, making tissue paper flowers ... some are in big vases, some in mason jars, and even some for little vases ... and still more giant ones, to be hung from the ceiling ...

These are super fun and easy to make ... we did them in bright colours and colour combinations ... My mother is hosting a baby shower for her niece (my cousin) this weekend. My cousin has finally had her dreams come true and her and her hubby were finally able to adopt a precious baby girl ... i can't wait to meet her!

My cousin has decorated a nursery in a colourful "jungle" theme so we thought we would carry the colour theme forward into the shower, hence the great big tissue paper "jungle" flowers!

this one looks so zen ... if you can call tissue paper zen ... but it does remind me of a lotus flower ...

These are little ones in a vase ... we made lots of little ones and used the extras as centres for the larger flowers.

Step 1, Fold the tissue layers diagonal so that they will form a square when unfolded

Step 2, cut off excess paper (the excess can be used to make smaller squares and smaller flower centres)

Step 3, accordian fold all of the layers of tissue at the same time. For giant (hang from the ceiling flowers we used 10 layers, the medium and small flowers we used 4 - 5 layers of tissue)

Step 4 Tie off at the center (we used ribbon for hanging flowers and pipe cleaners for the smaller flowers) Also trim the ends of the layers ... we used various edges (see below)

Step 5, make sure your layers are spread open

Step 6, start lifting up and fluffing the layers one by one ... be careful, tissue tears easily ... most of these flowers have at least 1 tear in it, but you tend not to notice once they are done

For pointy edged flowers, (like my "lotus") simply cut a triangle shape ... for spiky flowers like the spiky green blue & white flower, cut the triangle shape, then cut a slit from the tip of the point ... the longer the slit, the more spiky the flower will be, however it will also be a bit more difficult to pull apart the layers.

for blossom style petals, cut a rounded edge

These are the giant flowers hanging from the ceiling!

Hope you try this, they are super easy and oh, they do look wonderful in pastel colours as well ... suitable for all kinds of celebrations!

I also have a wonderful giveaway happening ... all you have to do to enter is to leave a comment on this blog post.

peace, love & paper y'all ...

My "Smash"ing giveaway ...

2011-08-01T17:31:00.000-07:00

Time for a giveaway ... because .... umm ... well this is my 241st post and i have 108 followers!!! sounds like a reason to celebrate doesn't it!!!

What's one of the hottest things since sliced bread ... SMASH!!! the prezzie is simple ... it's a simple yet beautiful journal, that comes with a "stick" ... the stick is 1/2 pen and 1/2 glue pen.

The concept is simple ... instead of stashing all of your little bits of memorabilia into a forgotten box or drawer, you simply smash them into your book ... and you might want to journal or draw or jot down your memories and musings ...

You do not have to be a scrapbooker to use this product, and you don't have to be a writer ... it's made for everyone ... It's all about the everyday including those little memories ... record you dreams and draw, record your grocery list and attach a receipt ... anything ... record your favourite starbuck's drink and stain the page with coffee ... the ideas are limitless ... and it leaves you with a record or your every day life ... might be wonderful to look back on in 20 or so years!

So get it!!! and oh, just to make it easier to get, I am giving one away to one lucky blog reader ... and i'm throwing in a few other goodies as well ... such as the uber cool Smash date stamp, and a wonderful summer scarf from H&M ... cuz a girl has to be stylin while sipping her latte at a stylish sidewalk cafe while smashing in the sunshine!

For you chance to win, just leave me a comment on this post... and if you want a second chance to win, just leave me a post telling me that you are a follower ... easy peasy ... I will close the giveaway off on the 10th of August ... midnight PST.

Saturday Centus ~ The Heat

2011-07-30T23:24:00.000-07:00

Well Miss Jenny, is up to her usual tricks! Instead of a word prompt, we have a visual prompt, it's the photo below, and this week while we do get our 100 words ... I didn't need anywhere that many to convey the short little story that popped into my head.

"Papa"
"Yes my son"

"What does Uncle write in his letter?"
"Oh your uncle writes that the weather is so hot in America that you can fry an egg on the sidewalk."

"Papa"
"Yes my son"

"What is a sidewalk?"

Thanks so much for stopping by and giving this a read ... do click on the Jenny button below and go visit other blogs to read short stories that will enchant and enthrall!

ps, Do stop by on Monday ... I am having a "smashing" giveaway and you wont' want to miss out!

just something ...

2011-07-28T10:52:00.000-07:00

I made, a while ago ...

I have to admit that i had a specific plan for these photos ... and i thought i knew just what i wanted to do

but somehow ... world events transpired, and filled me with a deep sorrow and sadness and despair ...

to take my mind off of my emotions i decided to scrap my planned layout

but my sense of loss took over ... and filled my page with something completely different ...

even as i reached for my pack of 7gypsies numbers, i pulled out a random number ... 11

sometimes the heart knows more than the mind ...

I was actually afraid to post this piece ... I don't know why, but I was ....

thanks for stopping by .... peace, love & paper y'all

When good dolls go bad ...

2011-07-25T14:07:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I love dolls ... I still have my very first doll Brucey! and i would one day love to have many many more beautiful dolls ...

... but not when they look like this ....

okay we were on a field trip to no where, which is a good place to be somedays and we went into an antiques place ... and they had dolls aplenty, but they were displayed in such awkward ways ... and truthfully this was the only "antique" doll that we saw ... and in such sad repair, with unknown price tags, numbers no longer visible, stuck to her body ... she really does need some love ...

Dolls that look like they are being chocked by their carriage bars just don't do it for me ...

Either does this deadish lifeless looking doll ... i just wanted to pick her up, dust her off and sit her up straight ... give her some much needed tlc

This is just a creepy doll ... I just could not get past his really white doll skin and his plastic hair ...

And this one .... somewhere in my mind i know that she is cute but from the angle i shot her she looks a little like she is about to come to life and chase me with a knife clutched in her plastic hands ...

Samara??? scary ... need i say more?

really, you can see by some of the dolls in the background that there was a lovely collection and that most of them were displayed nicely .... but these ones .... they just gave me the shivers!

Thanks so much for stopping by, i always enjoy your visits and comments!!!

Saturday Centus ~ The Kiss

2011-07-23T16:01:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh, Miss Jenny is being really tough on us this week. We get a total of 15 words plus the prompt which is "before I die I want to" ... yeah .... so here is my little offering ... i came in right at the 15 words ... whew!!!

Before I die I want to kiss your cheek, hold your gentle hands and tell you I love you once again.

Now scamper off and read some other fine 15 word stories ... just click the Jenny button below, and follow the links at the end of the post.

It's that time again ...

2011-07-21T16:00:00.000-07:00

Summer CHA 2011 .... all of the manufacturers are rolling out their new goodies and i have a few goodies on my wishlist ...

Nantucket, by Pink Paislee

I love the colour story ... this reminds me of the last days of summer, camp fires and smores on the beach, bike rides around the city ... beautiful ... this is my one must have!!!

ABC Primer, by Graphic 45

this is my second must! This paper inspires me to scrap all of those school years photos of my daughter ... and hey, maybe even my school year photos!

Gorgeous flowers by Prima Marketing

not a must have, just a want ... but they are always so pricey ...

Tim Holtz

love love love this autumn inspired die ... i can see using it for so many things!!!

Victoria Gardens by Echo Park

If I have any money left at the end of the year, this is what I hope to purchase ... oh so pretty and it will go perfectly with just about everything!!!

So what's on your wish list??? Halloween and Christmas goodies are all being released as well ... it's going to be fun shopping but more importantly playing, in the next couple of months!

Wonderful Whites ...

2011-07-13T22:38:00.000-07:00

Geez, I am a lucky girl sometimes!!! I have received some wonderful happy mail lately and it's all kinda been white ... which is just so pretty!

First up, Thank you so much Victoria! I won these beautiful white baubles during her blog giveaway at her blog, Things I learn from Bear.

I am showing them on my bear, which is strictly the "teddy" type ... hope on over to Victoria's blog to see her Bear ... a great big loveable dog!

I also received this beautiful white card from my friend Sue ... she has stitched a little "Honey" in gold thread! And she filled the inside of this card with the most wonderful sentiment ... it really made my day, it was wonderful

oh yeah, and here's the real Honey, quite a good resemblance I say!

and finally a white, well off-white card from my friend Izzy ... isn't this just the prettiest card!

thanks so much Ladies!!! I really am a lucky girl!

peace love & paper to you all!

Saturday Centus ~ The sign

2011-07-09T18:09:00.000-07:00

Jenny is cutting us some slack this week ... no tricks ... nothing hidden up her sleeves, just a simple prompt, which is "and the sign read". we get the standard 100 words plus the 4 prompt words, and this week i actually stuck to the rules with my little story coming in at 104 words total. So without further adieu ...

He fell through the layers of cloud, spreading his arms out wishing he had wings. Bursting through the cloud cover he was astonished by the colours in the sky … the sunset colours so brilliant and bright. Even as he fell he wished he could touch and taste the intermingling layers of purples and reds and golden oranges.

Landing was softness, almost as if he was without weight and substance. His eyes were directed towards a sparrow sitting on a sign. The bird began to dance and the sign read sonnets, written on the long blades of summer grass, by generations of glasswing butterflies.

yeah ... betcha didn't see that coming! Now, if you want to read some amazing shorts, just click the button below, you will be in for a treat!

playing along ...

2011-07-07T19:45:00.000-07:00

I thought i would play along with Creative Scrappers. If you have never been to this site before, it is the home of some great "sketch" designers as well as some amazing scrappers! I have spent a lot of time on this site but this is the first time i am actually posting a layout i created from one of their sketches.

Here is the sketch ... I love the patchwork feel of this layout ... and i always enjoy the simplicity and clean lines of a grid type sketch.

And this is my interpretation of the sketch ... i usually don't do brights, but i loved the vibrant colours of these papers and they worked so well with the graffiti background in the photo.

and here is some detail ... i wanted to add the stars as in the sketch, but i also wanted a bit of softness, so i added a few premade fabric flowers!

thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek!

peace love & paper< Jo

just playing ...

2011-07-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

... cuz i want to! just making little bits of stuff and playing with paint ...

cuz this is how i often feel

cuz messing with stuff makes me happy

cuz i love white, and layers of white ...

thanks for stopping by .... peace love & paper!
~jo

Saturday Centus ~ The Flag

2011-07-02T23:58:00.000-07:00

well, Jenny has finally completely and utterly stumped me with this weeks prompt, which is ... "Oh, say can you see" ... I have been wracking my brains all day trying to think of something to write without going the patriotic route ... hello, i'm a Canadian ... In vain I have struggled ... okay Mr. Darcy actually said that ... but that is how i feel ... utterly frustrated and falling in love with another country ...

So there is nothing this week, except my admission that i do love the grand old USA, but not as much as i love CANADA ... well, okay the shopping is much better stateside ... but hey, we have ~~hockey~~ err, Canadian style football ... yeah just try and beat us at Canadian Football! And we have a whole lot of land ...more than America ... however you wouldn't want to live in most of it, its up north and it's cold up there.

Now, if you want to read real Centus entries that are only 100 words ... (my little rant is almost double the limit) just click on Jenny's button below. And no matter how you celebrate, do take time to celebrate ... we North Americans live in two of the best countries in the world.

Peace, love & paper y'all!

Butterfly Garden ...

2011-06-29T22:17:00.000-07:00

oh i wish i had a butterfly garden ... a sanctuary for those winged beauties ... living in a townhouse i have very little garden space, but i do back onto forest, with a pretty bit of natural wildflowers at its edge, so i do see the occasional winged beauty.

When Pink Paislee came out with their "butterfly garden" line, i just had to buy it ... it is full of butterflies and faeries and beautiful colours. It almost makes up for the fact that i don't have my own butterfly garden.

I have made several projects with it that i have posted previously and i finally finished off my stash of these papers by making some pretty projects ... this line is so pretty, i might need more ... the papers are kind of timeless!!!

ahhh ... yes ... yours truly ... This was my favourite piece of paper ...

I created a fan ... every Royal needs a fan ... and if your Prince Andrew ..... I'll let you fill in the blanks

There are also some beautiful B sides of the papers ... i love all of these soft colours

The soft colours look great edged in white paint ... kind of gives your projects a shabby chic feel

A little cigar box to store sweet things ... i made this for a friend ... she picked the papers and wanted it simple!

just a tiny bit of bling and a few rosettes to sweeten the inside. this is lined with felt.

A tiny little box ... the flower on the box is coloured with inks and i added some sugar type glitter

Inside the box, a tiny photo album ... this one is going to a blog buddy, sometime soon!

I had loads of fun working with these so so pretty papers ... and thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek!

Peace, love & paper ~Jo

Saturday Centus ~ The Letter

2011-06-25T15:13:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning ... err afternoon ... time for another round of Saturday Centus!!! hosted by Jenny Matlock! This week's prompt is "Dear John" ... and because this is the 60th week of the Centus, we are celebrating by using only 60 words plus the two prompt words. Here is my take ...

She opens email and types “Dear John”

Hmmmm, she thinks, this is going to be awkward.

“Dearest John” … no, he’s not so dearest after last night. This is seriously the last time I date someone named John, it’s impossible to break up without sounding like a parody.

She closes email and opens Facebook and changes her status to “single” ... done!

Thanks for stopping by and make sure you click on Jenny's button below to visit some amazing 60 word stories!

Saturday Centus ~ The Beast

2011-06-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

I had a huge garage sale on Saturday ... sadly it poured buckets of rain, so it wasn't that successful, and after sitting in a cold damp garage all day, i seem to have come down with a very nasty cold ... So that's the reason my Saturday Centus is happening on a monday, and seriously, this excuse is way better than the whole "my dog ate my homework" excuse that I was originally going for ...

We are back down to using only 100 words plus the prompt, so here is my take on the prompt, "within the stone". And this week we had a guest prompter ... (yeah that does sound weird) Jeff, of Tennessee Mudbug. This story started out with an angel ... but about 300 words later i decided it was going to be way too long, and i have shelved it as a work in progress ... so here is my take ...

Within the stone lies the mythical beast. A creature capable of inciting fear and awe in to so many … yet it lies in wait patiently, neither rearing its head or pacing …it rests unmoving, unheard and unseen. Days go by and then years and yet still more years. Decades come and go and and beast remains silent and still. Finally, centuries later, with the crack of a mallet onto a carbide chisel it is awakened within the eyes of its creator.

thanks so much for stopping by and thank you even more for leaving a comment!!!

Now just click on Jenny's button below to read other and quite fabulous, shorts ... you will be glad that you did!

Le Cirque ...

2011-06-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

Remember way back in January when I said that i had to have the new Graphic 45 line "Le Cirque"??? well it's okay if you don't remember ... but it is here if you are so inclined to reread it ... but take my word for it ... you don't have to go back ...

So, I was lucky enough to get my hands on the paper ... omg, it is so yummy and even though i have clown fear it has all but disappeared when using this beautiful paper! I picked up my paper at Tiny Seed, the best little vancouver based online shop around.

So here is what i have done so far and omg, i think i will need to pick up a few more pieces cuz it is just so much fun!

full size layout ... remember you can always click on the photo to enlarge it ... i loved using the zipper with it, and i also used and old prima lollipop flower, i just took it apart and used some paper as additional layers and a free button my daughter picked up.

just some close up detail

I used glossy accents and a bit of glitter to my hand cut bunting.

I just wanted to neutralize some of the background yet still give it a circusy mayhemish feeling ... yes that is my daughter on a teeny tiny kids bike ...

I used some gesso along with various inks and glimmer mists to give the background a sort of whitewashed yet rusted feel.

I cut out several of the page elements from a second sheet and raised them using pop dots.

So here is what i have done so far and omg, i think i will need to pick up a few more pieces cuz it is just so much fun!

Thanks so much for stopping by ... peace, love & paper, Jo

a tiny trade ...

2011-06-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

well that bit of sunshine we had seems to have done me a world of good ... oddly, on the first day of full sun, i broke my sunglasses and i had to do a lot of substantial driving ... with the sun in my eyes, my body sucked up a ton of that vitamin d ... and now, the grey that has been the last couple of days, isn't so bad ... Now if only i can get my doctor to prescribe weekly flights to someplace sunny, i will be in a great place ... some how i don't think i'm going to get that prescription.

So, I am scrapping with my scrapping group today ... and i am in a swap ... a little 4x4 canvas swap ... so here's what i did for the swap ...

Four little canvas's ready to be swapped ... well actually only 3 will be swapped, i will be keeping one for me.

I realize that i have a much different point of view than most paper artists do ... (dare i refer to my self as an artist?) i mean who does such colourful buttons with a somewhat monotone canvas?

There is actually loads of colour ... it's just all in the same tones ... but the colours are different textures ... some are matte, some are glossy, some are outright glimmery!

I used 7Gypsies tissue paper as the base for each little canvas ... i did numerous colour washes over it so that the pattern is still visible.

I really like the way these turned out ... they are indicative of my own point of view. I recently saw a sign on Pinterest (I'm here if you are interested) "I just want to make beautiful things, even if nobody cares" and i think that for now i am holding that as my mantra ... and beauty ... hey it's in the eye of the beholder ....

Saturday Centus ~ The Wall

2011-06-11T12:54:00.000-07:00

Well i just loved this weeks prompt ... there were just so many ways to go with it ... so i just sat and wrote whatever the keyboard told my fingers to write ... we had up to 200 words plus the prompts words. I clocked in at 205 total. Oh, the prompt was "the wall was built long ago" ... here's my take!

The wall was built long ago …not all at once; it was built truly brick by brick. The actual construction was a long and painful process. Bricks were brought in by the barrel, lost bricks were found, others were stumbled upon and more were found by the sea … ancient bricks covered in barnacles and seaweed, showing their age and wear … bits of them smoothed by an eternity of exposure to the sun, sea, wind and all of earths elements. The wall followed the landscape, winding around the curves, dipping in the valleys and crevices, rising on the occasional hill. The landscape so complex at times that the wall gave birth to many mazes, walls within walls, traps and blind alleys. At times, when construction slowed, and there were no bricks to be found they were created … by nothing … or perhaps something … loneliness, bitterness, unheard whispers and ghosts, rising on the wind.

The wall remains there still, although the building has slowed, it still continues, brick by brick … it stands on it’s lonely terrain guarded by no one, visited by no one and guarded by one gull, calling to no one as it rides the gusts of wind and time.

If you want some good reading make sure you visit the other skilled Cenutusians ... just click Jenny's button below.

the little unicorn ...

2011-06-09T23:59:00.000-07:00

well not really a unicorn, but that is what i thought when i first saw this dreamy little mini horse sleeping in the straw ... i just had to scrap her in Pink Paislee butterfly collection ... i imagined the fairies and birds protecting her while she slumbered ... so sweet ... so precious in her slumber ...

sorry for the glare on the photo ... this picture was taken outside to catch the daylight ... isn't she just the dreamiest little horse!

I cut up a vintage crochet doily that i picked up at an antique store for a buck ... it was stained in one corner so i didn't mind cutting it up

and of course every birdie needs to perch on bling while rocking a top hat!

I love the way the wood frame turned out ... i inked it and coated it with Utee, using several coats and several inks ... the colours swirl in the heat and layer to give it a real vintagey wood look ... imagine that wood looking like ... wood!

thanks for taking the time to stop by!

Saturday Centus ~ The End

2011-06-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

Ha! Miss Jenny is back to her old tricks ... she wants us to use a measly 25 words, and include the prompt "the end" .... mission accomplished! and i know that we are not allowed to use photos or pictures but i just couldn't resist!

It’s Kessler on the breakaway, he shoots, he scores!!!! The clock runs out and the crowd erupts!!! That is the end of Boston’s Stanley cup dreams.

Go Canucks!!!!! hey, i live in a hockey city and as a Canadian, hockey is in my dna! Now click on the button below to read some uber short and totally entertaining stories.

Pretty in pink .... sometimes ...

2011-05-29T23:14:00.000-07:00

truth is ... i suffer from SAD ... you can read all about it here if you are so inclined ... and the spring with the worst weather (grey, cold & rain) in 50 years is literally kicking the crap out of me ... so i ignored my blog ... let my emails pile up, curled up with a pile of blankets and prepared to wait it out. And of course that strategy never works ... so here i am, promising to not leave my blog and friends neglected for so long ... and to get creative once again ...

a few things that broke the sadness for me ....
my daughter, always so intone with what is going on for me
some wonderful friends
lovely flowers from a friend, who doesn't just get all happy looking at pinks and whites
going to my monthly crop with my scrappy friends
encouraging emails and comments on my blog from my wonderful blog friends

So, I am just going to try and think of pink, whenever those grey skies set in ... and get on with life, because it is so much better than the alternative.

For some reason even Honey looks sad ... usually she loves to pose for the camera ... today, not so much

thanks so much for stopping by!
~Jo

off my game ...

2011-05-16T21:42:00.000-07:00

I swear this constant rain has knocked me right off of my creative game ... i'm not writing ... not scrapping and not creating anything. This entire lack of sunshine is just not working for me ... so what to do?

I have a half finished layout on my table ... and even one or two ideas in my wee brain, but i just lack the ability to jumpstart the old mojo.

So tell me please ... what do you do to jumpstart your creativity?

oh, and some layouts i did before i hit this little wall ... one of my daughter and one of my mother, both using the Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden line available at Tiny Seed ... the best little online store ever!

My Mom looks so tiny in this photo ... like a little garden fairy! This paper is so pretty and easy to work with ...I just cut around the large butterfly on the paper with a blade and slid the photo under it.

Love this picture of my daughter ... we were at pub patio on the waterfront ... along with Grandma & Grandpa ... it was a wonderful day! There is actually glimmer mist all over this page but the colours i choose were very similar to the paper so it has a lovely glimmer shining on it!

Okay, I think i will pull some more paper off the shelf and see if i can get the old mojo flowing ... and if that doesn't work, its on to automatic writing ...
thanks for stopping by!

peace love & paper, Jo

another rainy day ...

2011-05-09T16:18:00.000-07:00

... such a horrible spring and yet i feel blessed that i do not live in parts of the world that are flooding ... and hey, i don't have to water the garden ... in fact i haven't even planted anything yet for fear that it will drown.

But the rain does make for some fun photo ops!

Honey, getting ready for a rainy day

A wet wet gnome in my parents garden

glass ball in rain ... these look so pretty hanging from the trees in the sun ... and in the rain!

raindrops in a large basin

a reminder of a sunny day and that "life is good"!

hope you are enjoying your day, no matter what the weather!

peace, love & paper ~ jo

Saturday Centus - The Budgie

2011-05-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

Our fearless leader Miss Jenny has given us no special challenges this week ... whew ... can you see me wiping the sweat from my brow? I have problems as it is sometimes ... well for those of you that don't know the drill yet, Jenny gives us a prompt and we write a little something, 100 words or less, not including her prompt ... which, today is "I'd like to teach the world to sing" ... I hope you enjoy ... or think something about my strange little offering ... and please click on the button below to visit other Centusians and their much more interesting stories.

The odd thing about Penny … was that she never sang … or talked … or even chirped. She stood mute in her birdcage, happily playing with her mirror and bells and bath. She was often found snuggling close to her cage mate Percy. It was only in her final moments that she found her voice …singing the most glorious budgie tune … finally finding her voice … an act of freedom.

“Oh I'd like to teach the world to sing with such glory and abandon” her owner thought, as she carefully picked up the little lifeless body … “without the dying of course.”

peace, love & paper! ~ Jo

Keeping it simple ...

2011-05-06T17:39:00.000-07:00

Sometimes i just want to do something simple ... This little mini book is a redo ... yeah, i redid the entire thing ... my original idea was to do it all in white and black paint with splashes of red made with glimmer glam ... the only problem was the splashes of red on the white pages looked a little like .... ummm ... like i went all Dexter on the pages ...

so here is the redo, and simply done ... using white and black papers, and splashes of bright colours throughout the mini album ... and i really like the results as it allows the colours of the photos to really do the talking

Okay, the cover isn't that simple, but it's not overly ornate either ...

Not may embellishments in this mini ... i just used some leftover zipper from another project

Sometimes nothing is needed but the photos and a wee bit of journalling

a bit of ribbon, a metal tag and a tiny bit of bling

My two favourite photos and just a tiny bit of bling to draw attention to the two coloured finger nails.

bakers twine, a bit of trim and a metal tag

just a metal badge on this page ... there was no reason to divert attention or add to the photos

More left over zipper and a painted wooden butterfly ... this is so much nicer than the Dexter book i had created earlier ...

There are more pages, but you get the idea ... and it was a nice way to use up a line of paper.

peace, love & paper ~ Jo

Get Excited!!!

2011-05-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

Love this little pin that my daughter picked up for me at the "Make It" craft fair a couple of weeks ago ... it sits next to my TH box that i had up on the blog while i was guest blogger at Tiny Seed ... so here it is now ... and i was excited when i made it ... it was so much fun to create. I raided my Mom's and Grandma's sewing kits for little treasures .... and i have a frozen Charlotte doll from my friend Lynn in there as well ...

The box ... lacking an photographic studio or even a nice place to shoot we are on the living room carpet and yes, we were exercising hence the stupid ball in almost every shot ... oooops!

"sniff sniff" ... "smells friendly" (says Honey)

"Hey! can haz picture taken? Me much prettier than box"

"Box already has nuff pictures ... take me, take me!!!" (Sheesh, my dog always wants in on the shot)

"See .... I is much prettier than box" (she says blocking the box from getting any shots at all ... )

And finally ... a couple of shots of the box, although i had to move the box outside up high on the railing so a could get a semi decent shot.

You can click on the photos to make them larger .... if you want ... just sayin' ... lol!

Peace, love & Paper ~ Jo

(are you as annoyed by auto correct as i am?)

Saturday Centus - The Paper

2011-05-01T21:25:00.000-07:00

What??? Saturday Centus is about paper!!! It's like Jenny had me in mind when she supplied this prompt "Although the traditional gift for a first anniversary is paper ..."
Nah ... actually she had her little group of merry Centusians in mind because it is the one year anniversary of the Centus ... and don't I wish I had been along for the full ride ... I would have really accomplished something ...
Here is my little offering ... and Happy Anniversay to Jenny and her absolutely fun and fab meme!!!

Although the traditional gift for a first anniversary is paper he knew that was not what he would buy for her.

He had known, long before they were married, in fact before they were even “officially” dating that she was a self described paper addict. She scrapbooked and had a craft room full of paper meticulously sorted and stacked, then there were reams of specialty paper for home decorating and then the books & magazines … he had never truly realized the extent of her book and paper addiction till after their marriage, when it started to multiply by the month. No, he thought … this year she’s getting an E-reader.

Now, just click on the button to read the other fab and wonderful takes on the prompt ... you are sure to find some totally enjoyable reads!!!

It's finished!!!

2011-04-26T17:24:00.000-07:00

Yes I finally had time to finish my little fairy in a bottle assemblage ... and i love the way it turned out ... it was looking really sketchy for a while ... so i am glad i had some time to sit with it for a while and let it speak to me .... here it is ...

you can click on the photos to enlarge them

There is a giant blue butterfly attached to the back of the bottle ... the image was treated with glossy accents and glitter .. it doesn't show up much in these photos but it 's there and provides a beautiful background for my fairy.

"I get by with a little help from my friends ..." and this little project is no exception ... the bottle cap is from Izzy, the frozen Charlotte from Lynn, the itty bitty roses from Tammy and the little bottle is from Micheline.

Photos were taken during a rare moment of spring sunshine!!! what is with all of the rain this spring?

I had to stop and start this project many times ... lessons learned ... get the right adhesive for the job the first time and never give up ... sometimes things are better if you just give them the space to talk to you.

Peace, love & paper y'all!!!
Jo

A Saturday Centus for an Easter Sunday Afternoon ~ The Date

2011-04-24T14:14:00.000-07:00

Oh geez, Jenny sure does like to keep this Centus interesting. Instead of giving us a string of words as our story telling jumping off point, she has given us a very very colourful photo as our inspiration ... so here's my story with Jenny's inspiration photo below.

What is my favourite colour? Hmmmm, she ponders … this seems like such a silly question … but if MatchUsUpRUs dot com is so successful then this question must be valid … right???”

She types in pink … and hastily deletes it … seems to childish she thinks … maybe purple … that seems a little more mature and sexy …no, blue ... nice and safe blue.

She was so tired of spending holidays alone, or worse, with her younger sister and her perfect marriage and perfect kids.

Here goes nothing she thinks … click …

Want to see what others wrote about this oh so terrifying photo? Just click on the button below!

Friday .... already???

2011-04-22T12:14:00.000-07:00

“How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?” ~ Dr. Seuss

I can't believe that it is Friday already ... this week has gone by so quickly ... i have been busy tweaking a class i will be teaching in September at the Crop for Kids ... and I gotta say ... I love it!!! and I am not usually one to praise myself ... but this class, which is full of techniques will be loads of messy inky fun!

And for the first easter ever ... i have done no easter products ... daughter has been holed away upstairs studying for finals ... 2 are done, and she has one more on Saturday .... yes, you read that right ... who, other than some sadist, schedules an final exam worth 40% of the term grade on the Saturday of the Easter long weekend. sheesh!

So the highlight of this week, was seeing my Spools project post for Tiny Seed, linked up to the Jenni Bowlin Designs Facebook page ... my first brush with fame ...lol! i kid!!! but it did excite me all to bits!!!

and yes, my workspace really is this messy ... littered with blades, and beads and sponges and inks and all kinds of stuff .... lol!

Peace, love & paper ~ Jo

Monday monday ....

2011-04-18T13:47:00.000-07:00

... remember that old Mama's and Papa's song ??? ... it's running through my head right now ...

I got in some creative time this weekend ... and made a journal, for a journal swap over at SOS and a little spools project ... okay ... so you have to go over to Tiny Seed to see actual photos ... but i had a great time making them.

This is a little sneak peek ... and you can click on the photos to enlarge them

I also tried to make a faerie in a jar ... well ... although i love these little jam jars i think it was just the wrong size ... and the glue ... okay, nightmares .... it took a whole lot of messing around to get a glue that would work ... so I'm not thrilled with the progress but it's still a work in progress ... and original idea? NOT ... I was totally inspired by my good blog friend Lynn Stevens who makes these delights ... and lucky me i have one ...

Lynn's work is just magical isn't it!!! I swear when I grow up I want to be her apprentice!

okay the photos are not great ... but it is a work in progress ...

and just when i think i am at least a tiny bit unique cuz mine has wings, Stampington sends out an email showing a cute cute stamp set .... yes, it's a faerie in a jar ... and then Sue sends me a link to a delicious blog, Todolwen, and look ... she has a faerie in a bottle as well ...

so I am thinking yet again, that there is nothing new under the sun, but it sure as heck is fun to play, to inspire, to be inspired, to share, laugh, blog ... and do it all over again ....

Peace, love & paper ~ Jo

Saturday Centus - The Review

2011-04-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

This week Jenny has given us one heck of a challenge. We must “review” either our own or someone else’s entry from last week … a reviewer I am not … so I think I will tackle my own from last week …A big thank you to some wonderful centus friends who encouraged me to try this assignment. Oh, and i didn't cheat this week, it's at 100 words on the nose!

Last weeks story

April showers bring May flowers... April showers bring May flowers... April showers bring May flowers...

The refrain keeps running through her mind … erie echoing childish voices coming from above. Captive in a place that is so dark it’s as if the sun has never reached it. … at times burrowing sounds fill the dark air … “they don’t even know that I am alive … they don’t know that I am right here …” She tries to move … to wriggle free, but she is stuck … long weighty roots tying her firmly to the dark earth … she tries to lift her head ...

April showers bring May flowers... April showers bring May flowers... April showers bring May flowers...

The review

In “The refrain” the author writes from a surprising point of view and intentionally misleads the reader. The story begins innocently enough with a familiar refrain running through the main character’s mind. The stage is then set in a manner that allows the reader to wander into a dark and mysterious world that leaves us begging to know who “she” is and why she is in such a dark predicament. The ending to this story is so unexpected that it left this reviewer wondering about the author’s state of mind. This work is clearly the stuff dreams are made of.

Whew!!! Just click on Jenny's button below to read some amazing stories and wonderful reviews ...

So .... I have and un-secret ...

2011-04-14T22:05:00.000-07:00

... it was kinda of a secret and now it's not ... cuz now it's official ...

I will be teaching a class at my very favourite fund raising crop the BC Crop for Kids ...

Yolanda asked me if I would teach a class sponsored by her store Tiny Seed ... and i feel so very honoured for her to have asked me. I submitted 2 proposals to the team at the Crop for Kids ... they chose my card class! I can't tell you much about it at this point in time but I guarantee that it is chalk full of techniques, and getting messing and playing with fabrics and stamping and all kinds of good good fun!

In the mean time here's a couple of layouts i have been wanting to share with you all...

I love the whole banner trend, but what i really like is making them myself ...

Detail of the one above, ... a gathering of embellishments ... love making those little rosettes as well

Peace, love & paper ~ Jo

Saturday Centus ~ The Refrain ...

2011-04-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, Saturday Centus on a Wednesday ... I'm just a tad bit late ... but really I wasn't here for Saturday ...

Miss Jenny's prompt "April showers bring may flowers" is in bold ... and oh, the 100 word limit ... I'm a tad over ... i'm up to 120 or so this week ... darn it is just really hard trying to squeeze in a story with only 100 words ... here's my offering for the week ...

April showers bring May flowers... April showers bring May flowers... April showers bring May flowers...

The refrain is halted by a young child’s shrieks …"Mrs. Matlock , Mrs. Matlock … I can see a bit of green! The flower is starting to grow!"

Fancy a quick read? then click on the button below to visit so very very interesting short short stories!

a secret faerie ....

2011-04-11T22:34:00.000-07:00

... purchased a crop seat for me at a scrapbooking retreat last weekend ... what a gracious and wonderful gift. I am so thankful secret faerie!!! I was able to spend 2 nites and 2 days scrapping with some wonderful friends ... and the creativity was just flowing ... it was one of those weekends where everyone seemed to be in the zone and ready laugh and play! We stayed at the wonderful Timberline Ranch ... so we also got the chance to talk to the horses and pet the little creatures ... well except for the llama ... I stayed beyond spitting range just in case. Oh and look at the pretty little unicorn!!! Okay, its really just a miniature horse, and it doesn't have a horn but in my mind it is a magical little creature ... i first caught her napping ....

She's smaller than a donkey ... so adorable ... and sadly no one would let me take her home ...sigh ...

I got several layouts and several mini books and one project completed ... most of them will be finding their way to the Tiny Seeds blog before coming to mine ... but i will give you a little sneak peak of my favourite.

Want to see the rest??? just scoot on over to Tiny Seed's wonderful blog!!!

This is one of the layouts I made, very simple, i just used a beautiful piece of older Prima paper, a 7Gypsies tag, some Prima flowers on brown stems and I made this red flower and petals using sticky back canvas and grunge paper ... I painted it with a red glitter glam and then stamped it with french text. I love the way it turned out and it was super simple to do!

Peace, love (in this case a heart shaped rock that I spotted at the ranch) & paper!!!
Jo

Zippers!!!!

2011-04-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

We are finally at the Letter Z in Jenny Matlock's Alphbe-Thursday ... Here at My Paper Playhouse we are all about Zippers!!!

Miss Mona Lisa Mae has gone zipper Gaga!

I made this little batch zipper flowers for a hand made flower swap I was in with my Scrapaholics Group. These are so easy to make! For you Scrappy types, look for a Zipper flower tutorial coming soon!

And yes, you can use Zippers in scrapbooking ...

This post has been brought to you by the letter Z and Miss Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday meme. Just click on the button below to read other zesty or maybe zippy Z posts

Peace love & paper ~ Jo

My first guest blog post ...

2011-04-04T15:11:00.000-07:00

is up on the Tiny Seed blog. Check it out if you have the time ... it's a whole bunch of tutorial about incorporating cheesecloth in your paper crafts ... lots of fun! Here is a tiny sneak peek!!!

Peace, love & paper ~ Jo

Saturday Centus ~ The Laundry

2011-04-03T15:35:00.000-07:00

A very very quick Saturday Centus this week ... Jenny's prompt is in bold

Blowing a strand of hair from her hot and sticky face Karen opens the door to her pay by the week motel room ... she is greeted by a familiar refrain barely audible over the ancient air conditioner

“Exit 181, ½ a mile a head

You left me there, it’s a place I dread”

“Seriously Kenny, those are the lyrics that are going to make you famous? … why don’t you just get your butt off the couch and get a real job” “Here” … she barks as she drops the overloaded laundry basket at his feet, “the least you can do is fold the damn laundry.”

Want a few short but interesting reads??? check out what the other Centus folk wrote by clicking Jenny's button ... below ...

Peace, love & paper ~ Jo

a little bit of Lynn ...

2011-04-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite bloggers out there is Lynn of Trash to Treasure Art. Lynn is beyond creative ... and talented in so many mediums ... she carves, she is a professional mural painter (I totally wish she could paint the inside of my house) , best of all she is an imaginative stamper and I could just go on and on ...

I was lucky enough to be able to sign up for her 2011 pay it forward and look at what she made ....

this is such a gorgeous piece ... it is so tiny and so perfect and just amazing!!! and it came in a lovely little protective fabric envelope ... I feel so privileged to have received this piece. Lynn also does amazing jewellery and other things so you might want to check out her etsy store as well ...

by the way, if you want to get in on 2011 pay it forward, i still have 2 spots left ... just sign up at this post.

finally ... one of my latest layouts ... this was totally inspired by a piece that Lynn did here

I hope you all take some time to visit this very talented lady ... she always inspires!!!

Peace, love & paper
~Jo

Y

2011-03-30T19:22:00.000-07:00

"Y? ... because!"

This 3 syllabol novelletta have been brought to you by the letter Y and Miss Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday ... in association with My Paper Playhouse Productions. Photo of Miss Mona Lisa Mae courtesy of My Paper Playhouse film services in conjunction with Y Photo Post Production Services. Lighting provided by My Paper Playhouse Lighting and Set Design. Copyright 2011, all rights reserved.

"A quick summer read" ... Yosmopolitan

"Three syllabols have never been more dramatic" ... The New York Yimes

"Page turner from beginning to end" ... The Chicago Sun Yimes

"Rife with satyrical humour" ... Vanity Yair

All right ... clearly i have nothing for you this week ... but do stop by for Z ... I've got that one in the bag! Click on Jenny's button below to read many much more interesting reads than this one!

Peace, love & paper
Jo

Saturday Centus ~ The Chicken

2011-03-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

OMG ... my 200th post and I am celebrating it with the most horrid bit of poetry you have every read ... but before i get into that ... 200 posts and 101 followers!!! that calls for some sort of celebration ... which i think i will postpone till the summer, near my birthday ... and then we will have a little bash!

okay, Saturday Centus ... why darn that Miss Jenny ... this weeks prompt ... I'm not a chicken ... and it all has to be in rhyme ... shidizzle!!!!

this is seriously bad ... so don't say you weren't warned ... oh and it was hastily scribbled between cleaning the bathroom and starting the laundry ... now your just dying to read this aren't you???

Philomena James was a funny bird

I’m not a chicken, she yelled to the herd

I fancy flight, beyond the barn door

And through those blue skies I shall soar

Through those clouds you will see me burst

In the morning skies I will be the first

You can’t tie me down with rope or chain

I’ts in the skies where I will remain

You will hear me laugh … not a cluck

Because I am neither chicken or duck

I am just me, free spirit and all,

Screeching above you I will not fall

Damn, did I just lay that egg???

Well that changes everything ….

Okay you all have my permission to groan and comment big time on my lack of ... err... rhyme???

Peace love & paper

~jo