Photography »

Fabulous Finds!

Sep 062009

What a day yesterday! It was great to be outdoors on such a beautiful day and spend time with my sister, mom and Kate at Utica Homecoming Days. I went to Kate’s first and she and I walked over to where the car show was being held. My sister and brother-in-law had a couple of cars entered . . . the two black ones shown below.

The Super Sport (on the right) took best of show and the Fairlane (on the left) finished in the top 20!

There were a few arts and crafts booths scattered among some of my yearly favorites (the dessert booth), but since I can’t eat that stuff any longer, we stayed clear. I did pick up some charms at a friend’s booth that you’ll soon see on some cards and other projects. Great finds for only $.25 each.

In the past there have been a number of yard sales, but this year there were only a few. I did make a major find at one of them . . . wooden cigar boxes for $.25 a piece. Take a gander of what the trunk of my car (big enough to take the neighborhood to the drive-in movies in) looked like.

Not only did I get the cigar boxes, but she gave me all the wallpaper books for free!

I brought the cigar boxes in this morning . . . .

Most of them still have the original labels and smell spicy like the cigars that were inside. I think my favorite has to be this one. Even though its seen some weather, I know I’ll be able to put it to good use.

The size is perfect and I love the rounded edges!

Speaking of cigar boxes, I went back to mother’s in the afternoon and she had some cigar boxes for me as well. My grandfather had these and always kept junk in them. I already have most of what he had, but mom gave me one that I had never seen. A wooden Yaller Dog Cigar box.

The lid is no longer attached to the box, but most of the label and paper are still there.

If any of you know anything about this box or company, I would love to hear it. I did a Google search and came up with one Yaller Dog Cigar box . . . however the link was no longer valid. This box will not be altered or changed in anyway. I’ve already placed it in my dining room and that’s where it’s gonna stay!

AND, get this! Before I left for Loveland, my aunt gave me this box of old jewelry.

She was cleaning out her old costume jewelry, giving some of the better pieces to Mallory to wear and I got this box to use in my designing. I didn’t take time to look through it until this morning and if you were anywhere near me, you would have heard the wheels in my brain turning.

That’s all I’ve got for today folks! I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Happy Memorial Day!

Copic Markers, Photography, Rubbernecker, Sewing/Stitching, Spellbinders, Techniques 6 Responses »

May 242009

Yesterday I went with my mother, sister and aunt to the country for Decoration Day. I know that it is now called Memorial Day, but my grandfather always called it Decoration Day. He never missed a year in decorating the graves of those family members long gone. From the time I was a little girl, I can remember going with my grandparents to the cemeteries. I have always been fascinated by the stories my grandfather would tell of his ancestors and the old headstones. Yesterday I took my camera along to make sure I got some pictures. I have a few things in mind for projects and knew that I could find just the right items to photograph and use.

I was extremely touched by this angel yesterday.

I don’t know that this is one of the oldest in the cemetery, but the only angel I saw. As I looked at her and the aging the elements have caused, it made me think of the family that was buried there. There must be no one left, as there were no flowers and all the headstones were in very bad shape. However, if one cleaned them and in particular the angel, would they have the same effect and appeal as they do now? Probably not! I think that eventually you will see her again . . . perhaps as a background or even the main element.

AND because it is Memorial Day Weekend,

Stamps: Patriotic Collection Flag Chickie SKU:57-10 from Rubbernecker Stamps
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; Prism Nautical Blue Dark; SU Riding Hood Red and Western Sky Designer Series
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Ranger Snow Cap Pigment
Accessories: Spellbinders Petite 5-1/2” Deckled Scalloped Borderabilities, Stars 5 Nestabilities, Large Octagon Nestabilities and Large Scalloped Octagons Nestabilities; Venture Foam Tape; Tsukineko Sponge Dauber; Copic Markers; Sewing Machine; Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you’re enjoying the long weekend!

Photography!

Photography 9 Responses »

Dec 292008

Happy Monday! As I sit here once again, dreading the walk down the stairs to the studio, it occurred to me that I have absolutely no stamping to share. I’ve spent the better part of the last 5 days sitting on the couch watching old movies and surfing the internet. I know that I will be paying for this slacking pleasure when my deadlines are looming and I’m not ready. Yes, I need to get off my fanny and take the plunge but there are other things on my mind and I’m drawing a creative block.

One thing I’ve been thinking about is a new camera. I so want a digital SLR, and can’t decide on which one. I have always been a Canon user, ever since we bought our first AE1 Program back in the early 80’s. I still have that camera and my daughters both used it during high school photography classes. The sad thing is that film cameras are a thing of the past and I’ve never taken the time to look at new ones that weren’t point and shoot. Yes, I have a fabulous Canon G7, 10 megapixels, that is easy to carry and does all that I want. However, I have an itch . . . an itch for a new Canon SLR that is more than 10 megapixels. Here’s my reasoning . . . why should I buy another camera that is anything less than what I have now. If there is anyone out there that has purchased camera equipment online, I would love to hear all about it. What site? Who has the best prices that can be trusted? We all know that we can get better deals online that going to the local Best Buys or Circuit City. I’ve been surfing the internet looking at all the sites, prices, etc., and now I am so totally confused that I am beginning to doubt myself. So, I need some help. Tell me what you know!

In the meantime, I have been following the photography challenges on Splitcoaststampers. This is a fairly new challenge, started by Angie Zublionis, and she always has some interesting photos to go along with her challenges. I have to admit that I’ve been lurking in this forum since Angie told me about the challenges back in the fall.

I couldn’t resist any longer, and decided to participate in this week’s challenge. The challenge is to find reflections on anything. Of course, I staged mine since we have no snow, ice or anything shimmery right now. However, I will be out walking around with camera in hand looking for that perfect reflection.

This is a fairy doll that my mother gave one the girls as a Christmas decoration over the weekend. I sat her on my dresser to achieve the reflection in the mirror. Why do I like this photo? I love the depth of field achieved by having the camera on macro blurring the actual doll, but giving me a detailed reflection.

So much for more rambling today . . . have a good one!

A Little Morning Latte!

Challenges, Copic Markers, Impression Obsession, Photography, Spellbinders 15 Responses »

Sep 052008

Good morning! I can’t believe it’s 10:00 a.m., and I’ve already finished one card. That doesn’t say much because I need to prepare to Stamp Club tomorrow morning. It would help if I knew what I was going to do with them. Yesterday’s shopping trip was an adventure in itself. I did find a few old books and a shelf for the studio, at the consignment shop we went to first. The shop is different from most that I’ve been in. It’s all household items, i.e., furniture, tables, pictures, books, etc. We found out while there that when interior designers (like my mother’s), get rid of old furniture, that’s where they send it. Pretty cool! We also stopped at Goodwill, Tuesday Morning, and then made a trip to Bernie’s Bargain Barn. Now Bernie’s, is only a few miles from the house, but the rest of the Howell Women had never been there. I’ll need to go back another day when I have plenty of time to browse through all the antiques and collectibles. There were a few items that interested me, but we didn’t have the van!

I know I’ve been absent for a few days. Haven’t felt much like stamping let alone even venture into the studio. The other night, maybe Tuesday, I was sitting out on the deck with the dogs when the hummingbirds started zooming in. I quickly ran in to get my camera and plopped myself down being as quiet as I could be. Here’s just one of the many pictures I was able to take.

Then I couldn’t help myself and snapped this picture of Miss Ellie.

Enough of my babble, let’s get to today’s card. I’ve been meaning to play in the SCS Challenges all week. However, as I said earlier it just hasn’t been in the stars for me this week. I guess knowing that I must be in the studio today. I got an early start. I checked today’s Limited Supply Challenge, which was to use the color orange and a coffee image, and new I had new stamps that would work. Let’s call this my warm up for today – it all went together so nicely.

I have been drooling over this stamp set from Impression Obsession for months and months. Every time I’m at a show they are, they’re sold out before I can get to the booth. Luckily while at the Cincinnati StampAway, I got there early enough that they still had it and today is the first day it has seen ink. I was inspired by all the fabulous coffee mugs I saw at Tuesday Morning yesterday. It took all I had not to load a bunch in the cart.

Stamps: Smell the Coffee from Impression Obsession
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; SU Basic Black
Ink: Tsukineko Brilliance Graphite Black
Accessories: Copic Markers; Spellbinders Wizard, Plain and Scalloped Oval Nestabilities; Cuttlebug D’vine Swirl Embossing Folder; Venture Foam Mounting Tape; Ribbon

Have a great day today! I’m off to prepare for Stamp Club. Oh and hey — don’t forget that Rubbernecker has the Spellbinder’s Nesties on sale this week!

Mud Puppy

Copic Markers, Hanna Stamps, Her Badness, Photography, Sewing/Stitching, Techniques 22 Responses »

Jun 052008

Happy Thursday! I’ve got tons to do today before heading out for the Gateway Rubber Stamp Getaway later this afternoon, but I so have to share a story with you. It rained buckets here on Tuesday. I was out on the deck grilling up some dinner, and Miss Ellie snuck by me out into the yard. I didn’t think too much of it until she appeared on the stairs a few minutes later, sitting there looking out in the yard (her back to me). I said something to her and off she trotted without even turning around. I watched her go by and all of a sudden I found this. Of course, I had to grab the camera and fast! Miss Ellie by a mud hole

and when she turned around – well just look at that face the front of those legs!

Needless to say, I still had dinner on the grill and I’m thinking what in the hell am I gonna do about this dog. I yelled for Mallory to get the shampoo and a towel. I started hosing down the little mud puppy with the garden hose, shampooing her there on the deck. Now mind you, I had dinner on the grill to pull off – which I did, and handed to Mallory. I finally was able to get all the mud washed off while I chased Miss Ellie around the deck. I knew the water was cold, but dog gone it, she was not going inside the way she looked. Once I had her clean, she was shivering to beat the band. I opened the lid to the hot tub and dropped her in. The mud puppy was now a hot dog. A quick towel dry and off into the house we went.

Anyhoo, just something silly I thought I would share today, but I have other important things too. Hanna Stamps is releasing three new sets tonight at midnight. There is a big release party in the Hanna Forum on Splitcoaststampers where there will be challenges and prizes many! If you have time, pop in and say hi! I have a quick sample of the Café set to share today. I’ve seen other DT members showcase Hanna this week, and I thought it would be fun to go a different route with it.

I colored the images with Copic Markers and then stitched around the image panel on the sewing machine. I picked some BasicGrey Sugared paper for my background and decided to do a little funky sewing. I have to tell you – too intentionally sew screwy lines is hard! I think I much prefer sewing straight lines.

Stamps: Café from Hanna Stamps
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; Prism Herbal Garden Med; BasicGrey Sugared
Ink: Tsukineko Brilliance Graphite Black
Accessories: Copic Markers; Sewing Machine; Ribbon; Mounting Tape

I’ll be in Collinsville, IL at the Gateway Rubber Stamp Getaway working the Rubbernecker Booth for the next few days. If you happen to go to the show, please stop by the booth and say hello! It always makes my day when I get to meet my online friends!