Happy Halloween!

Have a happy and safe Halloween!
Be back soon.

A motley crew...

Payne Family Reunion, October 09
I invited a friend, that is also a photographer, to come by during our reunion to take a photo of the whole group. Wondering about the shirts? My dad has 3 siblings and each color represents their family. Our family is in red.
What a bunch. There's nothing better than family and spending time with them.
Looking forward to a fun weekend, cannot wait to see the grandkids in their Halloween costumes.
Lots to do so I need to get busy.
Hope you have a fantastic weekend.
Be back soon.

Gold, glitter & bling...

these are a few of my favorite things.
I created this ATC for the current challenge at Saturday Surprise...

Autumn
No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face. -John Donne
Another busy day ahead...a birtday cake to bake, little ones to entertain, and lots to create for next weekend. Better get busy!
Hope your day is a happy one.
Be back soon.

A few things to share...

My brother found these in an abandoned house along with several metal racks and smaller test tubes. In looking closer at the test tubes here I believe a few are actually cigar tubes, I can still see remnants of the labels. He finds things from time to time on job sites and brings them to me. The last time he showed up with the "foot" from a claw foot bathtub. One man's trash...

I love decorating for the holidays and have a lot of decorations especially for Fall and Christmas. This is my favorite Halloween decoration.

As the holidays get closer, I try to prepare ahead of time as much as possible. Each year I do a mini album for Halloween and this is the one I put together for this year. I used mini file foldrs from a Rusty Pickle class kit I've had for at least 3 years and had never used. I used assorted patterned papers and all are scraps left from other projects. Once I add the photos, I'll add more embellishments. I'll share again once it's finished. I also have my Gratitude album for this year ready to go and will share as we get closer to Thanksgiving.
Another busy day ahead...I've been printing photos since 7am for my PhotoWords and hope to get them all framed today, have 13 to go.
Hope you have a fantastic day.
Be back soon.

Sweet face...

Beauty awakens the soul
I created this for the current challenge at Theme Thursday, using one of my favorite vintage images. I just love the sweet face of this little girl, she reminds me of all the little girls in my life.
Had a day off from keeping the little ones yesterday and spent it catching up on things around the house and then spent the afternoon running errands.
My last show for the year is coming up in less than 2 weeks so I'm busy getting ready for that.
I never run out of things to do...
Hope your day is filled with fun.
Be back soon.

Faith and Trust...

I created this postcard for the current challenge at Created By Hand.
As you can tell by my consistent posts, I've been busy. Just finished up an album for a client and am on to another one. I've also been working on a few other projects including several challenges and look forward to sharing this week.
Hope your week is filled with creativity.
Be back soon.

Change...

How do you feel about change? Some go with the flow, others tend to fight it. I learned a long time ago that change is good and this quote pretty much puts it all in prespective...

If nothing in the world ever changed, there wouldn't be butterflies. -Unknown
Vintage image courtesy of Carol Anne's Boutique.
I created this postcard for the current theme at the Crazy Amigo Challenge Blog. I found the spangle butterflies at Walmart, a 16 gram bag (about 200 pieces) for less than $2, an assortment of pinks, greens, blues and purples.
Hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend.
Be back soon.

Boo!

Another Halloween ATC to share.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Be back soon.

Black & White...

is the current challenge theme at Saturday Surprise. I enjoy working with black and white photos and papers. Here is the postcard I made...

Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend
The image is from a beautiful etching I found online. I think she looks very elegant.
You may have noticed that my numbers have started going up again under Completed in 2009. It's a wonderful feeling to finish up several layouts that I started a while back and set to the side, I finished a total of 7 this past weekend.
Hope you have a great day.
Be back soon.

Not ready for this...

Although I love snow, Winter is my least favorite time of year. The older I get, the less I look forward to this time of year and it's right around the corner. Brrrr...
It's the current theme at Theme Thursday and here is the postcard I made...

Winter Wonderland
We don't get much of the white stuff where I live, may be another reason I dislike Winter.
Hope you have a wonderful day.
Be back soon.

Pretty girl...

The current challenge at Art Creation Friday is to use this image...

What a lovely little girl.
Here is the ATC I made...

Long Live The Queen

Have an album I'm working on for a friend and am hoping to finish by the end of the week.
Hope your day is going well.
Be back soon.

Baseball fever...

It's that time of year, postseason baseball, and I'm loving it.

Go Angels!
Hope you are having a great week.
Be back soon.

Recent finds...

I'm always on the lookout for a good bargain, aren't we all these days.

Won this antique spitoon at the silent auction we held at our family reunion. My winning bid was $6.

Found these fall leaves at Dollar Tree last week. $1 per pack.

Found all this on my last trip to Goodwill, 2 books, a mini muffin tin and 2 glass crocks, all for less than $4. My plan is to use the muffin tin for a Christmas project.

As always, a lot on my plate however it's how I work best.

Hope you have a fantastic week.

Be back soon.

Relaxing weekend...

That's what I have planned since the wet weather of the past few days kept me from the show I had planned. Paper and damp weather just do not mix.
Enjoying a hot cup of coffee and catching up on my blog reading this morning. This is how I feel...

Ready to sit back and enjoy.
I've been working on my first attempt at making an art journal and I began putting together a mini album for this year's Halloween photos last night.
Found a couple of great image sights while exploring this morning, Vintage Art Downloads and Free Antique Images, which is where I found the image above. Already have a little project in mind with this one.
Hope to head out to a festival tomorrow, just haven't decided which one yet. That's how we roll, we get in the car and go.
Hope your weekend is wonderful...and dry.
Be back soon.

Brown baggin' it...

With Halloween fast approaching, I've been working on a few things for the grandkids.
A few simple supplies and you can make these cute treat bags...

I found the vintage graphic at The Graphics Fairy. I printed mine on Kraft cardstock, inked the edges and then added a black scalloped edge at the top and bottom and adhered to the front of a kraft lunch bag. Fold the top over twice, punch and add ribbon or twine. How simple is that... and aren't they cute! Don't forget to fill them with lots of treats!
Hope your day is delightful.
Be back soon.

Harvest Time...

The latest theme at the Created by Hand Challenge Blog.
Here's mine...

Harvest Time
Materials: Patterned Paper: Junkitz, My Mind's Eye; Crocheted Flower: Bazzill; Brad: American Crafts; Vintage Image: Digital Imagery Plus
More seasonal items to share in the weeks to come.
Have a great day.
Be back soon.

Treats...

We had a pumpkin carving contest at our Family Reunion this past weekend, what fun! Here's mine...

nothing fancy but thought it was a fun way to commemorate the occasion.

Trick or Treat
Made this particular card for my husband, inside reads from your favorite witch.
Thanks to Dover Publishing for sharing the adorable vintage image.
Hope you are have a wonderful week.
Be back soon.

Does this pumpkin make me look fat?

One of my newest ATC's, a little humor on this cool Tuesday morning.
Our Family Reunion went well and I have lots of photos to share over the next few weeks.
Hope you have a great week, lots to do here to get things back to normal.
Be back soon.

Good witch, bat witch...

A couple more ATC's to share today.
The Good Witch...

Halloween Pleasures
and the Bat Witch...

Halloween Fun
I may not be around much over the next several days, we are having our family reunion this weekend and folks began arriving last night.
I hope you have a wonderful day and great weekend.
Be back soon.

Birth Card

The current challenge at the Crazy Amigo Challenge Blog is to create a Birth Card.
Here are 2 that I've made, one for a girl and one for a boy...

I made both incorporating vintage images, I think they are sweet, just as every new baby is.

Hope your day is special.

Be back soon.

Creative space...

It's been a work in progress for weeks now and finally seeing some sense of normalcy again.
I moved my creative space into where my shop used to be which is an enclosed porch on the front of our home.
After closing the shop, we boxed up all the inventory and I started from scratch.
Here is what it looked like...



It's a long narrow space, 7' x 30' with pegboard on all but the 2 end walls.
I've still got a ways to go but at least now I can find everything and get back to creating on a regular basis.
Now keep in mind, I don't have a space that is all coordinated and beautiful to look at. My space is filled with mismatched items but it's functional and it works for me...

This is a view of the inside of the front door, used to be where customers entered the shop.

Here is the rest of my space...

My worktable is on the left.

Still need to get curtains but that will have to wait for now.

My patterned paper, sorted by manufacturer, a bookcase filled with items to alter.

More cardstock than I will ever use plus stickers, chipboard and rub ons hung on the pegboard.

My Cricut and sewing area.

Ribbon storage and cutting area.

A close up of my work table.

Cubicles for lots of storage, the bins are the only new purchase, got them at the dollar store.

Like I said, it's not pretty but I love it. Still looking for a few rugs but for the most part it's ready.

Hope you enjoyed the little tour.

Have a great day.

Be back soon.

The witch is in...

Love the little witch and her cat. Click on the image a get a close up of their cute little faces.
I'm hanging out in my creative space and hoping to get a few things done this evening.
Look forward to sharing something new tomorrow.
Hope you have a wonderful evening.
Be back soon.

Full Moon

Did you get a chance to see it last night, or maybe this morning. It was beautiful.
Thought I would share another ATC...

Full Moon
We had a busy weekend, all day Saturday in Daleville and lots of domestic chores and such yesterday. Now working on things for our family reunion this coming weekend.
Hope you had a wonderful weekend.
Happy Monday!
Be back soon.

A Halloween Tag...

I've been working on several Halloween items that I will feature throughout the month.
Here is one of the tags I made...

Jack o'Lantern
Materials: Patterned Paper & Chipboard Tile: Junkitz; Rhinestones: KaiserCraft; Ribbon, Metal Clip & Sticker: Making Memories; Stamp(swirls): Stampin Up; Stickles & Embossing Powder: Ranger
Used up some old scraps, even fired up the heat tool and did a bit of embossing (swirls).
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, how about you, do you have any special traditions for Halloween?
Hope your day is a delight.
Be back soon.

A fresh start...

Four years ago today I was realizing a lifelong dream, opening my own business. Then 3 weeks ago I had to close that same business. A difficult decision however I truly believe it was the right one and at the right time. I will value all that I learned and treasure the friends that I made for many years to come and for that, I am grateful.
With that said, I make a fresh start with this new blog.
I've taken advantage of my absense, filling my days with moving my creative space, spending more time with my grandchildren, trying a new creative outlet and well, you get the picture, I've been busy.
A bit to share today...

Boo!
My first ATC...it's a whole new process working with something this small. I enjoyed the process more than I thought I would and have made 6 more. I will be sharing them during the month.
The best part about having more time...

Gabriel, can you say mischievous?

Hannah, smart as a tack and just as prissy!

As with most siblings, they have their issues but most of the time, these two are the best of friends.

Tyler, growing up way too fast.

They love hanging out together, especially at Granny's.

Yard sale finds...love the piano stool I got for $5 and the rusted welcome bucket was only a $1. Using the small wood crates for storage in my new creative space, the long one is perfect for holding my envelopes.
Just a few of the things keeping me busy these days. This week I've been preparing for the show I'm attending on Saturday and next week I'll be occupied with the final details for our family reunion which is being held at my dad's October 9th through 12th. So looking forward to seeing everyone. We have family coming from California, Vermont, New York, Maryland and South Carolina. Last year I took over 300 photos!
Hope you are enjoying beautiful fall weather where you are.
Have a wonderful day.
Be back soon.