Pineconegirl's View

Those were the days

2009-06-23T22:11:00.003-04:00

when Mom simply said "Let's go," and after throwing some clothes into a bag off we went. My mom had her "stuff" together.

This comes to mind because I am in the midst of getting ready to be gone from home for a while. My sister is having a baby and I'm going to hang out with her for the big event. Every day my list gets longer instead of shorter, regardless of what I'm accomplishing each day. It may not help that I'm planning the being gone part, and the staying home part for those not leaving, plus the dog and feeling guilty about leaving work and well, I could go on.

I guess it comes down to wishing some one else was in charge, even though I thrive/love/demand to be in charge. Happy day.

Harry and Me Pt.2

2009-06-17T22:42:00.003-04:00

The Harry Potter Exhibition in Chicago is amazing! It is not huge - but the descriptor that come to mind is DETAIL. Every bit of ephemera, clothing, wands, etc. there was so incredibly well-crafted. I've watched a bunch of the movies since we returned home and even though I was specifically looking - the detail that actually exists is not visible on the screen. This all the more interesting because they still put in the time and care to complete the items. McGonagall's Yule Ball Dress has some of the most exquisite pleating all over the bodice and sleeves and it is a beautiful, rich, green color. Unless you know to look for it, you don't notice. Some goes with the wonderful textures and fabrics for some many of the costumes. The audio tour includes snippets from the French designer about some of the choices they made when doing the costumes and it is enlightening. She spoke of incorporating silver and stars on the Slytherin Quidditch uniforms to make them more militaristic feeling. Never would have known why the costumes portrayed that without hearing the motivation, but it works.

I was so happy to be there that I simply could not stop grinning. I just wanted to scream - I didn't, I contained myself, but it was difficult.

It was so worth the trip.

Harry and Me

2009-06-17T22:22:00.002-04:00

We have a stamp at the store that says "Does this mean you are a grown up now?" It's intended to go with Birthday cards but it has struck me this past week.

Last Friday, Kirk called and asked how I felt about driving over 500 miles one way to see the Harry Potter Exhibition at the Science Museum in Chicago. I can't believe he felt the need to ask; he should have known the obvious.

This is notable, not for the wonderful exhibit that I would definitely return to more than once, but because I have never driven by myself that far, I tend to classify myself as a chicken driver - although perhaps not any more, and I had to work Sunday afternoon at 1:30 pm. The boy did some math - go, Aaron, go! - and informed me that we drove 21 hours in 43.5 hours. I felt so adult! Actually, I still feel like I accomplished something in addition to a really sore tail bone.

Another point that does not cease to amaze me is that I got up voluntarily at 4:20 AM to be on the road by 5:00 AM. This in and of itself is huge because I hate morning - I do not like to get up in the morning - and it was my idea.

All in all, it was a growth spurt on my timeline and now - look out - here I come!

25 Years?!?!!!!

2009-04-16T12:58:00.001-04:00

Where does time really go? I know what I've done in the past 25 years, but I'm having trouble believing that a twenty-fifth class reunion for Moscow Senior High Class of 1984 is being planned. Not that we're having a reunion but that 25 years has passed. I know we got married, finished college, moved to Los Angeles, worked, moved to Buffalo, had two children, worked, modified my career choice, but in some ways it does seem like we were just in class - moaning about the goverment take home exam and planning for Prom. Just recently I watched a movie called "The Lather Effect", and it touched on this same theme. I have to admit, however, my high school days were NOT like that movie. Come to think of it, neither are ANY of my days.

Certified

2009-03-31T16:23:00.002-04:00

So, it's official - I have a certificate and everything. I am a Copic certified instructor. It was a very interesting day. We had a very good introduction to the Copic marker lines, and air brush. There were some interesting blending techniques and special effects that we learned to make with our markers. I have to say probably the biggest to do about the class was that now I look at things differently - how would I color that? How would I shade that?

I think it may just come down to being addicted to alcohol - alcohol inks, that is. One of the most exciting products that we have received in the store lately is the 24 new colors from Ranger in the Adirondack Alcohol Ink line. Sharon and Jessica went to a retailer's show this past weekend and Jessica took the alcohol ink class with Tim Holtz. (How's that for name dropping.) Any way, I can't wait to see what new information she has to share.

I just previewed this post - that title could really be taken in so many ways. Oops! LOL

HA HA

2009-03-19T14:56:00.003-04:00

I haven't really fallen off the face of the earth - it just seems that way.

I've lost some of my creativity and now that spring has arrived - I think some sparks are flaring again.

One major reason - the arrival of 23 boxes from Marianne Walker at Imagination International.
She is teaching a Copic Marker Class locally, and these boxes contain her class materials. Even better, I'm attending! I am so excited about learning how to really get the most from these incredible tools.

Copic markers, in general, are so amazing and the colors will make you drool. They bring a lot of joy back to coloring, and I saw the cutest technique today in a Split Coast newsletter about creating texture with the Copics. I can't wait to try. You can find the tutorial listed under resources at Spiltcoaststampers.com.

The other big killer has been the loss of my Dining Room and Living Room to stamp stuff. I'm sure you recall the Dining Room table saga. Well, mutliply that by one hundred million, and then you'll know where I'm at. It is overwhelming, but I need my house back - so off to the organization, put suff away mines I go.

OK, let's try again

2008-10-15T17:13:00.003-04:00

This blog thing has me a bit discombobulated. (Hey, the spellchecker even says I spelled that one correctly.) Here's the deal.
1. I am not a picture person, and the whole point of a stamper's blog is to show finished pieces of work. I have never been a picture person, and even though I try, I am not a good picture taker, nor am I a good subject. I don't have a great affection for looking at old pictures, although I will sit down and enjoy it. I don't miss it if I don't. Many of the cards on the blog have been scanned, so that I can maybe handle. I make no promises.
2. Although I am oh so capable at talking and talking, and even writing and writing, I've been asking myself if I even have anything to say that any one wants to hear. Even that sentence proves that point.
3. I am fabulous at having good, no, GREAT intentions - but my follow though is pretty poor. Evidence for this is so clear - just look at the last date I posted. Kirk tells me I should make a layout of all my intentions that lacked follow-through. You should see my basement and all of the bits and pieces of all the stuff I've bought for projects, recipes, gingerbread house kits (3 or 4 types) I've collected and then never done anything to show for my efforts. Most of these involve doing something cool with my kids and then not wanting to deal with the messy aftermath.
One of my favorite Randy Travis songs reminds me that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Hope that is just a saying.
4. See post from Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007 below about procrastination. Guess that 76% has really been at work lately.

I will try to step up and do a better job, especially for the few of you that bothered to subscribe to the blog.

Thank you for reading and have a good day.

My Name Is

2008-03-26T23:20:00.004-04:00

Marty and this blog belongs to me. Currently, I believe that I must be severely something, I don't even know what right now. However, if I have loaned you my copy of Melt Art Impressions by Suze Weinberg published by Designs Original, would you please let me know. My dining room is still fairly tidy and we have been eating at the table so I know that it is not there. I admit, the study needs to be the next BIG thing. I have searched since Tuesday and even went so far as to offer my daughter $10.00 if she could find this book. The drawer where all of the other supplies are kept is the usual home of this book, but it is no where to be found. I have come across some other really cool things, a stamp set I vaguely remember having, some beautiful shimmer brads, tons of paper and projects in various states of doneness - Aunt Joan and Aunt Linda - I found the Christmas presents you never received - now I can mail them.

But really if I have loaned this out and you know who, what , where, when, or even why - HELP!

PS - to all of you who even check still since it has been forever since I posted - thank you. I promise to be more faithful - that reminds me of Horton and the Whos. More later.

Sign up for a Feed Blitz subscription and you'll be notified every time I post something new. I'm hoping that this will prompt me to be a more active blogger.

PPS - if you are taking the class on Saturday - don't worry - I have lots prepared for you; it would just be nice to have the additional support of my book.

My Word

2008-01-16T22:44:00.000-05:00

My word for the year 2008 is Process.

My inspiration to choose a word comes from Ali Edwards . She explains in her blog entry of January 4, 2007 about choosing a single word to focus on for the year. This really resonated with me and I decided to give it a go.

I was inspired to choose "Process" after reading the following in Grace Notes by Alexandra Stoddard, 1993, pages 5-6:

"The process is the reality." Dr Samuel Johnson and "...the intensity of this mysterious creative process - I look forward to the challenges, the stimulation, and the illumination."

I love that Process is a noun, verb, and adjective. It has a definition for every part of the creative journey.

Have you chosen a word?

Still Clean

2008-01-16T22:34:00.001-05:00

It's now January 16, 2008 and the dining room table is still clean! We did have a few days of the table being buried while it was Pine Wood Derby Week at our house. Both my son and daughter constructed cars and the table had become the body/paint/detailing shop. That was last week, and it is clean again. I even did class samples. Now if only the study was tidy... How did that happen? (Insert dopey face here) The boy's car is the green Explorer and the girl made an icicle. The art teachers from the elementary and middle schools judge the design and this year the girl won third place for design. You can almost see the winner on the far left - it was a pink pearl eraser.

I DID IT! I DID IT! I DID IT!

2007-11-09T21:13:00.000-05:00

Oh, what a relief it is!!!
The dining room table is completely clean. We ate dinner there tonight. As you can see, here is a series of pictures from the progression of the cleaning adventure. I admit the impetus was the arrival of my parents. My mom is sitting behind me as I type this and her comments have included "A clean table is a good thing." and "I suppose you are going to blame me for this."
Well, yes, but only in a good way.
I have pretty much sorted and containerized everything. I still have a long ways to go, but am now more determined to get that studio in the basement set up. I didn't find too much that I'd completely forgotten I had, but I probably have enough basic supplies to carry me through a couple of long winded stamping sessions.
I'm pooped, so it's bed time now - my dad is sleeping on the couch behind me and my daughter is waiting for me to get off the computer and turn off the lights so she can go to sleep. She's been kicked out of her room by the grandparents.

Found!!!

2007-10-31T15:41:00.000-04:00

I'm so glad to report that I FOUND the chandelier stamp!!! I had gotten to the point that I was truly afraid I was delusional.
Gotta go finish polishing off the table, so we can eat our Halloween Feast at the dining room table.

More after Trick or Treating is done.

Are you a perfectionist?

2007-10-27T22:47:00.000-04:00

You Are 76% Perfectionist

You are a true perfectionist. You are both demanding of yourself and others.While it's great to have goals and standards, they don't need to be sky high!

http://www.blogthings.com/areyouaperfectionistquiz/
Are You a Perfectionist?

Apparently, I am. Well, this isn't really any great surprise to me. I found the link to this through Robin Beam's blog. She is an extremely talented lady who works with Ranger. I met her last Spring when she came and taught at Buffalo Stamps and Stuff. Can't believe that I didn't know about or find her blog until today. I was actually working when I found it. Tomorrow is Demo Day and she has some info posted about the new and fantastic Distress Crackle Paints.

Guess What?

2007-10-12T00:35:00.001-04:00

I am proud to say that there has been progress. Yes, I do have visual proof, but the pictures are trapped in the camera for now. When I figure out how to release them, I will. However, let it be said that I have worked hard at clearing my dining room table. YES, you can see bits and pieces of the red tablecloth AND the centerpiece (from Valentine's Day, mind you) that has been buried under all manner of stamping and scrap booking paraphernalia. The pile is much shallower than it was and now consists of mainly paper. I contemplated posting a found list but after I came across the fourth box of glue dots, five tape runners, and three refills for said tape runners, and various and sundry other products, I decided that there was no way I was going to publicly admit to what I found in the pile that I had not necessarily forgotten was there but none the less... Unfortunately the one thing that I still have not come across is my A Muse chandelier. Maybe I didn't really purchase it, but have only dreamed it.

The impetus for this flurry of organization, other than the daily humiliation of having people tell me how much better their space is than mine at work - my parents are coming to visit some time this fall. My mom might get the mess, she is after all the winner of the "She who has the most fabric" contest, at least in our family. My dad is a real stickler for having everything just so. I wish more of it has rubbed off.
That's not the whole story - It's FALL, my favorite of all seasons and I have such beautiful decorations that make me happy. Or at least I'd be happy if I had a space that was clean and tidy to display them. I've made a couple of wreaths that are already hanging, but I want more.
The last reason is that my darling husband is gone - on a business trip, and he will do a happy dance if I can surprise him with my accomplishment. (For Happy Dance information, see http://www.brotherhood2.com/)
This leads me to ponder about why having him out of the country makes a difference in how clean my stamp mess gets; I've decided not to ponder it deeply because I'm afraid of the answer. So there.

I do not mean to be so mouthy, but when my darling is gone, I don't sleep well and it is starting to manifest itself. However, this is the tone that my thoughts often take when I'm talking to myself - reminding me of a couple of my favorite sayings -
"I'm in my own little world here, but it's OK. they know me here."
"It's been lovely, but now I have to scream."
"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup."
(What this has to do with my state of mind, I don't know. I do, however, think it is funny.) (( Did you know that there are bumper stickers with this saying on them? I want one - no, maybe I want a dozen!)) I just googled it - there are also t-shirts, plaques - Oh, I'm beside myself.
((( Has anyone ever seen a cell phone charm with either a pinecone or dragon on it, preferrably with bling on it?)))

Which brings me to another point - How can one decorate with all the very funny plaques that are out there? One of my favorite catalogs Femail Creations, has a bunch of this type of merchandise. I would love to cover a wall with it, but while I find it all funny, it could be perceived as rude or inappropriate. Chime in - let me know what you're thinking.

I didn't forget

2007-10-01T10:47:00.000-04:00

that I said I would send out some goodies. I need snail mail addresses for lauraj, Ijsbeer, and Diane. I haven't made it to the bottom of the table, but I'm working on it and I promise that stuff will be delightful. Especially since (can you believe it) I've just got some more cool new stuff. My email address can be found under my profile.

I can't believe

2007-09-15T23:31:00.000-04:00

it's been more than a month since I've posted here. Where has time gone? Well, it hasn't really gone to cleaning up the mess. I guess that can be the running gag - at least for a while. I'm not working as much this week and the kids are back in school and it is bothering me and I can't find a chandelier stamp I know I have, and the dearest husband is starting to make more noise, and the children probably wouldn't know what to do if we actually had dinner at the dining room table, and I think I have a new table cloth my mom sent me maybe in March that I've never used, and there are presents for my mom hiding in the mess that I really want to get sent, and ... and well, basically, it is just time to get motivated and get it over with. It shouldn't be intimidating; it's just paper, and some stamps, and some inkpads, and markers, and pencils, and ribbon, and flowers, and buttons, and stickers, and unfinished projects... OK, it is overwhelming.

My class samples are just about finished. So I can't use that as an excuse any longer. I have six classes at Buffalo Stamps and Stuff in September and October. I'm really excited about my QuicKutz class. I have a layout using the camping dies and some great pictures of my husband from when he was six. His mom has been great about sharing photos and I have bunches I can work my way through.

More importantly, I want to thank my faithful readers who keep checking in to see if I'm still here.
Keep watching, I think it's time to reward the faithful with blog candy. I'll pull some goodies out of the mess and reward three comments on the blog. Since I've only ever had one or two people total ever comment, I'd say your chances are pretty good if you come out of lurkdom and give a shout.

It's finished...

2007-07-27T10:53:00.000-04:00

If you thought I was going to say my studio, so sorry. Haven't touched the mess except to sort out the stamps. Why? Because I have been so busy with Harry. I admit to being a bit obsessed with the Wizarding World. I went to Barnes and Noble at about 6:00 PM Friday night to get in line for my wristband. Ended up in group 11. I could tell how serious I was because when they kicked everyone except groups 1-10 out of the store, I was pretty adamant about staying right up at the front, because group 11 was next. I may have been a bit vocal about making sure the employees knew that group 11 was right near the front, as I sort of rounded up everyone near by that was an eleven so we were a forth to be reckoned with. Normally, I am so not pushy, but Friday night was different. Our store did very well, I was back in the store by 12:05 and had my book in hand by 12:15 and was home by 12:30. I started reading about 12:45 and continued until 3:30. Would have just kept on going, I was that into it, but the company picnic was at the local amusement park and we "had" to go. It was my kids' first time and they enjoyed themselves. I couldn't wait to get back home. We were home by 8:45 and I was reading by 9:00. Kept going until 2:30, slept for a while and was finished by 10:00 Sunday morning. couldn't get over the feeling that I had missed something, so I read it again. I don't think it is my favorite installment of the seven, but it was a great read.
All of the commentary that is out there about how many people hated it just seems so far off. I think they are reacting out of stress to the feeling that it is over. I admit to missing some of the information JK Rowling said would be there. However, she has made up for it in the information that has come out of her Today show interviews with Meredith Viera. I'd share but if you haven't read the book, I don't want to spoil it for you.
It's been a week and I've decided to reread the whole series to see if I can't catch all the hints and clues that I really missed the first dozen or so times I've read the books. I really don't know how many times I've read them. I do know that knowing how it ends does not take away from the entire story and if I didn't have to go clean bathrooms, I'd be reading.

Cards with Microglaze

2007-07-15T23:16:00.001-04:00

The three cards pictured here all started with a MicroGlaze from Judikins resist. I love that you can stamp with the Micro Glaze. Smear a bit with your finger on a piece of acetate and then "ink" your stamp. After you've stamped, you can really bring the resist alive by going over the background with watercolors or dye ink. I love the Twinkling H2O's and used them for the Friendship card and the Thank you card. I made the leaves background by applying the micro glaze with a bit of paper toweling and streaking it across the background. I used DTP with Marvy inks (jungle green and ochre), then stamped using Staz-on Jet Black. Staz-on is the ink of choice because the micro glaze will resist other dye inks.

The Mess 2

2007-07-15T23:11:00.000-04:00

Posting those unbelievable pictures was supposed to help keep me accountable. I was to scurry around, get it all cleaned up and post beautiful pictures. You'll notice there are no progress pictures because there had been NO progress. My really bad! I haven't even wanted to come to blogland because I've been avoiding the issue. One "good" point is the customers who've come into the store and told me that I've made them feel so much better about their stuff. I'm glad I could help and I'm being only a little bit facetious here.

Potter Countdown

2007-07-15T22:59:00.000-04:00

Well, as evidenced by the crazy countdown timer, the movie has been released. I admit to seeing it only twice so far. It was my first midnight viewing and that was so much fun. It is exciting to be with a huge crowd all excited by the same thing you are. It was touch and go today as I was ready for a third viewing. I feel that the movies only get better with more viewings because there is so much to see and catch. The two gripes I have about the movie are that they changed the way (SPOILER) the dementors looked and that the discussion after Harry and Dudley had been attacked was incomplete. I was looking forward to having Petunia mention "dementors" and admitting that she knows about the wizarding world after all these years of "no such thing."

I am so looking forward to Friday night and the release parties. We are actually going to two: an afternoon one at the library, and then the evening one at Barnes and Noble. The kids won't stay until midnight, but only because - to my great dismay - the company picnic is at the local amusement park on Saturday. I will read away a good portion of the night but not all night as is my custom. I have made sure that my family understands the great sacrifice I am making for them. My husband just laughs. Oh, well. I will have it finished by Monday morning.

The Mess

2007-06-24T20:24:00.000-04:00

Since confession is supposed to be a good thing, here are two photos of the dining room and study that my "stamping stuff" has over taken. My husband refers to this as "THE MESS"! I'm afraid he's right.

Posting again

2007-06-24T19:29:00.000-04:00

OK - I've been gone for way too long. What can I say except life got in the way?

The last few weeks have been busy and harried.

The worst of it was that my husband had an appendectomy on June 4th. He was supposed to go to Mexico that morning, decided he didn't feel good, had to go to the doctor and ended up in the OR all between 6:00AM and 10:00 PM. It was perforated (not quite burst) and he ended up in the hospital for four days. He's been home ever since.

Now he's back to work tomorrow, but the kids are home from school now for the summer. Friday was their last day. We start swimming lessons for six weeks after the Fourth. So that and library clubs will break up the time. They don't know it yet but they are going to have a daily schedule that will keep them on their toes. Little bit of cleaning to help the household run smoothly, little bit of academic related work to keep them sharp, and then a little bit of play to round out the day.

The best of the last few weeks was the weekend of June 1st. the Creating Keepsakes Convention - Buffalo was in town and so the LSS where I work was kept hopping. We had a terrific class by Cari Fennell on Thursday night. It was so much fun, and she and her friend Shari were a blast. I managed two hours at the convention in between my store hours - but that was enough. Any more time and i would have been in serious trouble. I made it to Technique Tuesday and got my word collections that I have been dying to have, so, I feel much better.

I managed to find Papertrey Ink, and Scrap in Style TV.com in the middle of all this and now I'm addicted. http://www.papertreyink.com/index.html and http://www.scrapinstyletv.com/.

Sorry - I don't have the renaming the links down yet.

The major big goal for this summer is to finish my studio. I've taken pictures of how my stuff is currently. The plan was to post pictures of the "Now" becuase a) it's really bad, b) to demonstrate how far I will have come, and c) to hold my self accountable to getting the studio finished. Turns out the problem with this is that if I never post the pictures, no one will know how bad it is and I can keep putting it off. This is stupid because I can't wait to have my studio up and finished. So I will go find those photos; they may still be trapped in the camera.

I will also post photos of my work - I did some really fabulous cards for Demo Day today. I was demoing the Zutter Bind-it-All, and Judi-kins Micro Glaze. The Micro-Glaze is a dream product. I love it and my cards. The cards are still at the store, but I've got more, so we will see what I can find to post. the two cards that I've posted use Ranger Alcohol inks. The top card is cut using Sizzix, and the stamp on the bottom card is a Tim Holtz stamp.

My color

2007-05-21T16:44:00.000-04:00

My color is green. Click on the link below to discover your color.

GREEN

You are a very calm and contemplative person. Others are drawn to your peaceful, nurturing nature.

Find out your color at QuizMeme.com!

Moscow, Idaho

2007-05-21T15:42:00.000-04:00

The news from Moscow yesterday (Sunday, May 20, 2007) about the sniper shooting was so horrible. I've been touched because I grew up in Moscow, the First Presbyterian Church was my home church and I was married there in August, 1986.
My thoughts and prayers are with all those living in Moscow who have been personally touched by this tragedy. I don't think I actually knew any of the specific individuals involved but in a town the size of Moscow, everyone is connected.
So many senseless tragedies have occurred. It raises to mind what we can do to be positive and loving to help improve our world. So tell someone you love them, hug and kiss them, smile and relish the relationships you have.

What a terrible start

2007-05-16T14:15:00.000-04:00

to this day - First, my boy decided that it was time to have an upset stomach. So we didn't get much sleep last night. This is such a killer because I need my 8 hours minimum. I do so much better on 10. So he's home today.
Then, on the way to school, we were in a little fender bender. Well, to be more exact, it would be my bumper to the other guy's right passenger door. Now, my stomach hurts.
The funny (weird) bit to this is 12 years without an insurance claim and now two in two days. They are not going to like me if this keeps up. Of course, if this keeps up, I'll have to do something drastic like to move to a deserted island where there are no cars.