Ahh, a day off..

 Hello!   Finally, a day off from work... I know that sounds so boring to start a post like that... but for me its a day to rest, do a bit of laundry to get caught up, and just to look over some of our latest finds from the flea market.   Yep, I have been on the hunt for something, anything that catches my eye.   Recent finds are Fenton Glass pieces.   And a crock (pottery) made in 1987.   I don't have any photos at this time but I will soon.   I've been especially interested in old vintage books, like I found song books, and others as well.    Work has been eating up my days as of late..  I just haven't had the chance to get photos, or post anything on my blog.   I made special time tonight though, just for my followers, or maybe it was just for me.  :)     Leave a comment so I know I'm not just talking to myself.    Speaking of "talking"...  I saw a shirt yesterday that read:  If you see me talking to myself, I'm having a staff meeting.   That made me chuckle.   

  And now I know I do have Carpel Tunnel Syndrome  in my right hand, how lovely.  Blah.   I know its from the repetitive motions at the cash register, pushing buttons, doing the scanner trigger, bagging up items... and since I'm right handed, well its the pits.    On a brighter note, I do have some time coming up where I have several days off, which is so needed.   I'm looking forward to it.. especially before the rush of the holidays hit.    

I have plans to make more crafty goodness too.   I may do an altered book, or just make a folder book type haven't decided yet.   There is one flea market that sells quite a bit of scrapbook goodies too, man, I am in love with this place.... well not with the entire store, just a corner of it.  :)    You know how it seems everywhere you look these days acrylic stamps or digital stamps are being sold.. well I still have a love for the old wooden type... yes they take up more room... which at the moment is at a premium... at least in my craft room, since I share it with my hubby too.

Well I'm going to get going now... my behind is letting me know I have sat long enough.   And bedtime is already here.  12:44 AM to be exact.    I hope you all are well.   

I would love to draw more too, but with my hand being the way it is, it makes kind of difficult.  

Hugs to all,  Mary  *Sweet dreams*  :)  

Playful Penguins - New Challenge

Hello and Welcome to a new Challenge at Christmas Crafts All Year Round!  The theme this month of October is Winter Sports.    I'm not sure what happened to month of September but October is here!   

My card has playful penguins 

 I chose to use 3-D stickers, snowy background papers, from Hobby Lobby & Paper House Productions.   In fact, the stickers are from PHP as well.  Usually, I spend a bit more time in completing a card, but haven't had that much time off.

Thank you for visiting my blog, we hope to see you at CCAYR!  

Hugs, Mary

PS:  Just an added note, we are praying for all those affected by the horrible storm that passed through Florida.   Our hearts go out to you.

A quick hello

 Hello!   I just wanted to check in, can hardly believe we are at the end of another month.  Seems to be going by so fast, or maybe its my perspective.  Work is going okay, that's why I haven't been on here too much.  We were so short on cashiers... but now so many new faces, can't keep up with it all.  LOL   I would already be in bed, but had to stay up to make sure the bread got baked, now cooling... smells heavenly.    It beats having the house smell of fish.  :)  Which is what we had for dinner.     

Our hearts go out to all that were in the path of that horrible hurricane Ian.   So much devastation everywhere.   We are praying for Florida.  💓

On another note, you all should see my desk.  Its truly a mess.  Someday I really need to organize.  It's just so difficult to find places for everything.   

The cooler weather has put me in a baking mood, so tried out a new Brownie recipe.  It called for 2 cups of sugar.... whoa!!  I thought it might taste just as good not adding in as much but decided to follow it exactly.   Oh they turned out, but they are so RICH and dense!!  Next time, I will hold back on the sugar.    

Well, I've got to scoot, its another work day....   Hugs to all,  Mary

Welcome Fall....

Here's my little project I worked on this evening, found the white distressed "milk can" - free, setting out by a curb.  ;)   Of course I cleaned it up before using it.  

 Shopped around at Hobby Lobby to find these nice looking fall florals.   The ribbon was on sale, and I created the bow.    I struggle making bows. This is on my fireplace hearth, next to the tv stand. 

Hope you day is filled with blessings.   Hugs, Mary
 

Upcycled treasures

Hello!   My craft project is finished and ready to be hung up. I decided to focus the theme around the 1920's and to include the 1940's... the idea came from an old box of letters and cards that were purchased at a flea market.  I wasn't sure what was in the wooden box as it was securely wrapped.  To my surprise I found all kinds of hidden treasures of old letters and cards, written to family and friends.   I wanted a way to preserve some of these interesting finds, so I placed them in my upcycled dresser drawer.

I included Tim Holtz photo strips of people that could have been from that era, old postage stamps from the envelopes, and just various items helped to create this very unique craft project... which I love! 

The photo of the pony, was found in the old letters.

The glittery dragon fly and butterflies were added for a special touch and they are from Renae Bouquets.   To see details better just click on the photo.  The outside of the drawer was given a dry brush effect, using cottage white.  Which isn't shown in the photo.

Bathing beauties part of Graphic 45 papers.  

The pansies were part of an old greeting card.  Along with postage stamps and post marks.

I just love how everything turned out.  A coating of modge podge was added to protect.    The lighting at the time of taking pictures wasn't good at all.  Anyway its difficult to get a good angle.  :) 

Thank you for stopping by, and leave a comment I love to read them! :)

Hugs, Mary

August 30th

 Hello,  I wanted to let you know first of all how much I have missed being on my blog, and as always I miss your wonderful comments too.    I do have a project that I am currently working on and will post with photos as soon as I am finished...  I love the way its turning out.   I'll keep it a secret for now.  shhhhh

I do have some other news, my mother-in-law had taken a fall and broke her shoulder, she is now in recovery.  She didn't need surgery which is good.   But

 We are hoping all goes well for her.

Hope you all are well and yes, its another work day or evening.   :)   Hugs to all, Mary

A bit of crafting ♥

Good morning,  I've stayed up a bit longer than planned.   Yesterday I received my Distress Oxide Sprays in the post, and its just been lovely to work with them.   The colors I selected are:  chipped sapphire; tattered rose; salvaged patina; bundled sage; candied apple; saltwater taffy.   The other colors that I had on hand, are picked raspberry; spiced marmalade.   Here are two I created. 

   

Since I don't have a good place to take a photo, this will have to do, it would have been better in the daylight. 

I had a bit of fun with the top card, light tack tape, cut into strips, and a combo of using the distress oxide sprays and ink pads dabbed with a sponge.  I really like the look of a washed sunset with the look of water.   I wanted a butterfly to add a touch of whimsy, so using a sticker I had on hand from the Paper House gave it a nice touch.

The next photo is done with the sprays using a stencil that came free in my pack.   Art Stencils by Lisa Horton.

The inspiration came from thinking about the memory of my sister-in-law.  She would have loved these.  :)

I forgot to mention the card base is a thick watercolor paper.   I wouldn't recommend using a light weight card stock as it would curl during the drying process.

It's another work day.   I hope you all are doing well.   Please leave a comment, I really appreciate hearing from you.  ♥

Blessings, Mary ♥

**Just an added note, when spraying make sure to cover those things you don't want splotched.  My poor keyboard suffered in the process! **

It can be wiped off.  lol 

Around the garden...and a chat

 

Thought I would pop in for a little visit.  Here are some photos taken earlier today, I just love to sneak up on little bugs that might be hiding on the top of flowers or between petals.   All the while I was looking for the perfect picture, a bug that sounded like a big jet kept buzzing around me, it was probably a horsefly.   

  I haven't worked on any crafting lately, just haven't had any motivation.   The other thing that happened recently and wasn't even sure that I should mention it but I will, my eldest brother had to have open heart surgery, on the day of the funeral for my sister-in-law.   So that could be another reason for my "low" feeling.    I received word that he is home now and is feeling okay.   If you think about it, please say a little prayer that all turns out well for him.  

On a good note, I got to visit with a friend I haven't really seen since the early 1970's or late 60's.  She and I grew up in the same neighborhood, right next door.   And how did we meet, well, she had come into my line at work.  When I turned to bag up her stuff, I thought she looked very familiar to me.   I asked if she remembered me, she looked into my eyes, because during that time I was wearing a mask.... and she said yes, I do remember you.   From that time on,  I have sent her some cards, and we've texted.... and this past Saturday we got together for a long chat and lunch at my house.   What a wonderful time we had.   ♥     And honestly for me, it was just refreshing to have this time together, especially since I no longer have my sister-in-law... I really feel like the Lord orchestrated that meeting.  ♥   Praise Him.

I wrote something down, in my journal... to remind me of God's love during this time of grief, and scriptures too.  I want to share with you.  

Neither be ye sorry: for the joy of the LORD is your strength.  Neh 8:10  

The righteous is taken away from the evil to come.  Isa 57:1

Willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.  II Corinthians 5:8   

KJV

When I think of my loss, I am thinking of just me, how I feel when that person is gone.   I wasn't ready to see them leave.  No final goodbyes.  No kiss on the cheek.  No I love you.   But I know deep in my heart she loved me.  I don't need to look downcast - look heavenward to our Heavenly Father as she rejoices always in Him.   She would want that.   Don't worry about me, she would say.  Keep trusting in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.   Amen.    You are loved, we miss you. ♥    

Thank you for coming by today, share some love, leave a comment.  

Hugs, Mary  

Hello, in memory ...

 Hello to all my blog followers,

  Its been a while since I have posted anything on here, mainly just cause days roll into other days, work keeps me busy too.   And we recently got some sad news.   My sister-in-law recently had surgery to correct an aneurysm which went very well and she healed.  Then just recently she found out that she had cancer, she had been in the hospital for a couple of weeks prior to being sent home to hospice care.    Well, she passed away on July 2nd.   My husband and I didn't really get to say our goodbyes, or to even pray with her...  she went so fast.    Now she is in Heaven's Glory.  

She and I weren't very close, but the last few years I would have to say that we talked more, and visited.

She is and will be missed.    Yesterday I worked on a craft this is what I made in memory of her.   Apricot and pink roses line the inside of the pail, which often were her favorite color of flowers. And added in 2 pink butterflies, and a clear glass heart.  Lace was added around the outside rim.  Everything except the pail and movie tickets, are from Renae Bouquets shop.   I decided to add in Tim Holtz movie tickets because she use to watch movies.     Even though we had a rocky start to get to know one another, the Lord worked it all out in His good timing.   Praise Him.   

I hope you all are doing well.   I have missed not being on my blog I really have.  I just need to make time to be on more often.     I thought it would be nice to just have these set around on my shelves in my kitchen, which by the way, is where she would often visit, (in her home).    It's another work day or should I say evening.   Yep.   And its been so dry and HOT outside.   Have to keep veggies watered every day.    Thank you for stopping by.   Sending out hugs, and love ya!   Leave a comment to let me know you've been by... I love to read them.  ♥   Mary