Sock Knitting

Ok, I am really getting tired of all this snow!  My daughter sent me photos from up north and it looks like she lives in an igloo.  Luckily, I can keep myself relatively busy.  Between working on my digital photo album entitled "Day to Day," and my weekly art journal, I squeeze in some knitting at the end of the day.  I have to admit, knitting socks is clearly my addiction. I just love how they feel on your feet! 

"Character" Art Journal Page

Finally, I reached the 4th Week of my Journal 52 group.  When I signed up, I was already two weeks behind.  Our prompt for this week was "Character."  In spite of the many virtues one may attain, so many are hard to continue to keep at times.  One trait which continues to shine for me is creativity.  I love to make so many things.  It's can be almost a sickness!  Keep warm, Nancy

Up, Up and Away

I joined an art group called Art Journal 52.  This was Week 1 "Up, Up, and Away."  Right now I am struggling to catch up since we are now entering the third week.  I was inspired by the grand daughter, Lauren.  Due to her enthusiasm for life and comical energy, I can only see bigger and greater things coming her way! 

Black Winged Shrine

I enjoy sharing my art with friends and my blogging family.  Sharing my work helps to keep me motivated to do more art.  It makes me feel inter-connected with a world bigger than my own.  This angel shrine inspires me!

Day to Day Album

Page 1

Page 2

Would you believe,I finally completed my first two pages in Panstoria.  I am creating a new album called "Day to Day," which will consist of entering a photo into this storybook every day this year.  Hoping to be more dedicated this year with my posting!  Happy New Year everyone.

Silver Cross Bracelets

 Make your unique mark this year and create something truly special for family and friends.  I found these wonderful crosses on Etsy.  Then I went into my stash of darker beads, and combined them with these pewter hammered beauties.  I love the festive season, and what a different gift this will make for my heavenly friends.

Day of the Dead Canine Shrine

the

Do you know what Dia de Los Muertos celebrates?  On November 1, the focus is on gatherings of friends and family to pray for and remember family and friends who have passed away.

Even though our miniature schnauzer, Bruno, was just a sweet little dog, he was very much our family.  I created this tiny shrine to remember him and to honor his short life.  He passed away this past May.

Here's to sugar skulls and dog bones!

CREDITS:  Retro Cafe Art Gallery www.RetroCafeArt.com

Sweet Animal Postcards

Here are a couple of my most recent postcards needed for my postcard club.  They sure were fun to make using images from Moonlight Journey. 

Moonlight Fairy

 Dear Friends,

For the past several months, it seems like all I want to do is work on my knitting.  This Saturday, I broke the habit and attended a wonderful class at our local scrapbook store.  We made these adorable fairies.  Of course, I couldn't resist using my images from Moonlight Journey.  I love the way she came to life.

Hope you all are enjoying the change of weather and living life in peace.

Nancy

CREDITS:  Authentique 6 X 6 Bundle www.authentiquepaper.com, Moonlight Journey Paper for wings and face, Tim Holtz metal gadgets, and Inspiration Fairy Shrine Kit by Coffee Break Design.com.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Another month is here, and that includes my recipe for August. 

 It is yummy, as well as very pretty to eat!  Enjoy.

Midnight Reverie

Magical ideas spring to life when you find inspiration from Deviant Designers.  While reading the latest issue of Somerset's Digital Studio, Spring 2013, I found enchanting images by Hollie Haradon's Deviant Scraps.  Their team became swirling with ideas while reading "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern.  As soon as I went to their web-site, it was impossible to pick just one package to begin having fun.

Here is my first interpretation of their insanely creative ideas as an "invitation" to  their magical circus.  What I love best is how each designer's contribution worked perfectly with the next.  I just can't get enough of each digital animal, character, and paper pack.  What an amazing accomplishment to share with us all!

July Recipe Card

 

Banana Coconut Muffins with a Lime Glaze

Young coconuts are all the rage now -- their water is very hydrating, meat is rich in lauric acid, which is known for it's beneficial antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.  It even has been shown to improve the immune system and reduce inflammation.

Who doesn't need a little dose of all these benefits?

My sister, Peg, gave me this great recipe that I used to create my latest recipe card.  She says these muffins are absolutely awesome.

Enjoy

Mother's Day Freebie

Here's a great Mother's Day Freebie from Moonlight Journey. Just right click and save to your computer!!

Enchanted Postcards

 

When I first saw these images from Moonlight Journey, I thought they would make amazing cards for my monthly postcard swap.  I used heavy card stock in between the front and reverse sides.

 

Lately, I have been keeping myself so busy making these postcards, continuing my recipe card swap, and my latest obsession of making chunky bracelets.  I need to take some photos of my latest creations to show you all.  

Take care, Nancy

Favorite Recipes CookbookThis printable recipe card personalized with Smilebox

We emulate what we're taught growing up, and in my case, it was that food is love.  I was raised by a mom who enjoyed baking.  It never had to be fancy, planned, or perfect, but it sure was always yummy and fun.  I've been busy again, creating Storybook Recipe Books as holiday gifts.  Enjoy some of my favorites!

CREDITS:  ASTRID'S ARTISTIC EFFORTS, MOONLIGHT JOURNEY, and PERSONAL PHOTOS.

December Recipe Card

DOUBLE CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Some people start out knowing exactly what they want in life.  Then there are people like me.  I started out thinking I know what I want and who I want to be, only to undergo numerous transformation trying to get there.  I guess, I am just curious and a continuous learner; always searching for creative ways to combine my varied interests.

Now, I spend some of my time using my wandering skills to make recipe cards.  I discovered that this recipe rocked my family's world.  Enjoy!

CREDITS:  BACKGROUND IMAGE FROM "MOONLIGHT JOURNEY"

Heritage Inspired Calendar

 William Jasper VanHoose

Great Grandfather

As the family gets older, I find it harder and harder to come up with great holiday presents for them.  Their wish list basically consists of money (um perhaps no) or gift cards (not as bad but pretty boring).  Since I am usually fond of creating something myself, I came up with the idea of making a calendar of our ancestors.  Of course, with a little bit of help using Creative Memories software and Reminisce packages, my task became pretty easy.

 Charley C. VanHoose, Jr.

Father

I love going back in time, remembering the time I spent visiting our family down in West Virginia near the railroad tracks.  I can't believe it when I say, it was truly a steam locomotive that past.  Man, am I getting old or what! 

This desk style calendar uses free images from Astrid's Creative Efforts.  Her blog is fabulous!  Thanks for dropping by, my blogging friends.

Take care,

Nancy

From My Kitchen Counter

For me, time spent with family and friends has always seemed to revolve around food.  We wonder where to go to lunch, what is for breakfast, and what to nibble on before we watch a movie.

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGES FOR LARGER VIEW

Most of the time, I actually try to remember what we talked about, but I can't.  What I do remember is the special dish that l actually ate.

Lighthouse Image Courtesty of Dot Woropay, Crystal Pinecone Gift Shoppe

 

It's funny, too, how sometimes my ordering at a restaurant changes depending on who I am with.  Food--it really does influence everything we are and everything we do.

I want to eat right.  I dream of being thin and being healthy, but it seems to me that what I really want most is to sit around the table (home or otherwise) and share a hour or so with those I love the most.

Here is wishing you a great Thanksgiving dinner and that your meal is a memorable one!

Much love,
Nancy

CREDITS:  MOONLIGHT JOURNEY'S "Romantic Papers 1", LIGHTHOUSE IMAGE Courtesy of Dot Woropay, Crystal Pinecone Gift Shoppe, Grand Marais, MI

It's That Time of Year Again

"deep into that darkness peering

long I stood there wondering

fearing, doubting, dreaming

dreams no mortal ever dared

to dream before."

~ Edgar Allan Poe

Artistic Women Pendants

I thought it would be fun to continue my pendant making with lovely images, once again, from Moonlight Journey.  I have always been drawn to the collage sheets they invent, especially these.  The colors are a treasure of warm colors.  Until June 28th, Moonlight Journey is offering a great sale of 6 sheets for $10.00.

CREDITS:  MOONLIGHT JOURNEY, "Artistic Microscope Slides," beads from Fire Mountain and Michael's.