Savor 2012

Happy New Year! How did you ring in the year? I spent part of my day taking a walk as it is the last semi-warm day we are expecting for awhile.  It was gorgeous out.  My husband cleaned out the garage on New Years Eve to get a head start on his resolution to be more organized.  I didn't even have to ask!  It looks fantastic.  We lead exciting lives around here, I tell you.

As for my resolution, this year it is a word. Until a few days ago, I'd missed the idea of having a single word as your motto, mantra or whatever for a year.  I like this concept as it is so simple and easy to apply to many situations.  The word that first came to mind when I read a post about this was 'savor.'  I often live much of my life thinking about what has already happened or worrying about what is going to happen or what I need to get done.  Not nearly enough of my life is lived in the moment.  So in 2012, I vow to savor more of my life.  When my husband is rubbing my feet, I will not think about what I am planning to cook for lunch the next day.  You know I'm bad off if I can't concentrate on a foot rub.  :-0

Last year, my resolution was to "get moving."  I did increase my exercise level though in a completely different way than I envisioned and not as consistently as I'd hoped so I was semi-successful.

'Savor' fits in with some ideas I have for crafting this year as well. Here are two of my crafting objectives:

1. At least twice a month, re-use an old Technique, Tool or Product, or Training Resource.  Some of the training resources I have are materials from classes I've taken in the past and old scrapbooking magazines.  So I'll be 'savoring' my existing resources while still using new products as well.
   
   
   
2. Create at least 2 videos per month for the blog and YouTube.  I'm delighted with the number of subscribers I've picked up via YouTube.  I have 38 and probably had less than 10 a year ago. That doesn't sound like that many but I have to admit I haven't put much effort into it so far.  Imagine how many wonderful people I can connect with if I do a little more video sharing.  All of my videos have been cardmaking and technique so far.  I'd like to do some on scrapbooking.
   

For my bookmark, I used some older product and a training resource.  In one of Shimelle's classes last year, she had us take scrap paper and organize it into packets for page kits so you could just grab an appropriate one, some photos and start scrapping.  I did the organizing but never really used these for scrapbooks.  They are great though for cards and small projects.  The word Savor is cut on the Cricut with the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge using the end cap feature.  I glued different designer paper behind each letter using spray adhesive. Since bookmarks get a lot of handling, I like spray adhesive or Tombow Mono glue because they really hold up.

Thanks for visiting today!  I look forward to visiting your blogs in 2012 also!

Stitched Background Bookmark

This summer, I've taken light summer reading very seriously.  Heavy stuff has not been on my reading list at all.  I couldn't even take John Grisham's The Confession and I normally love his books.

No this summer, I've needed pleasant distractions with just enough conflict not to make them syrupy.  Here are a few of the books I've enjoyed:

Nancy Thayer's Heat Wave - Just finished this new book.  I just discovered Thayer earlier this year and while I don't think this is her best effort, it is very enjoyable.  Summer House and Beachcombers were better. Many of her books are set on Nantucket and are just the ticket for summer reading.

The Vineyard by Barbara Delinsky - I loved this book.  It is about 10 years old and of course my copy came from the library.  At first the story seems centered around the female Vineyard owner and what she had to do to keep her family together during the Depression, the War years and beyond.  But it is really more about the young assistant she hires and her dyslexic daughter.  I learned a lot about dyslexia while enjoying the pleasant story.

The Guy Not Taken is  short story collection by Jennifer Weiner.  Normally I'm not a fan of short stories as I really like to get to know my characters more.  These are quite good and one is a prequel to a novel she wrote.

Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle by Ann Ross.  If you've never tried the Miss Julia books you must start at the beginning.  This one is the most recent and as the name implies, babies arrive along with a mystery for Miss Julia to solve and of course, the necessity of preserving her precious reputation and even more precious family.  Miss Julia is wonderful Southern character.  This is also set in the winter time if you prefer to read your books in the right seasonal setting.

Fannie Flagg's I Still Dream About You.  Another wonderful Southern writer, Fannie Flagg sets her latest novel in Birmingham.  It is timely, funny and inspiring despite its - ah - subject - and I'll just leave it at that.

What have you read this summer?

Thanks for visiting!

Ingredients:  DSP:  365 Degrees from Pink Paislee, Stamp:  Stitched background stamp by Stampin' Up!
Markers:  Stampin' Up!
Ribbon:  Making Memories

Great Cat Books

Are they great books about cats or great cats written about in books?  Both!
Here are two wonderful books I read recently:

Dewey by Vicki Myron

Dewey is one lucky cat though it doesn't seem that way at the start of the book when he is dumped through the book drop of a small town library in Iowa on one of the coldest days of the year.  Yet he is rescued and becomes a wonderful mecca for everyone in his community and for miles (even thousands of miles) away.  Dewey's story is intertwined with the authors which is also inspiring.  If you love cats, you'll love Dewey.  (Caution:  tissues required.)

Making Rounds with Oscar by Dr. David Dosa

Oscar is billed as an ordinary cat with an extraordinary gift.  My husband thinks what Oscar does is morbid.  The author believes Oscar is a true comfort to his 'patients' and their families.  Oscars gift is being with his patients in their last hours.  He is a nursing home cat and he seems to know when a person is about to pass on.  He is a sign to families that it is time to finally say goodbye to loved ones who have often been in ill health for years.  All of Oscar's patients have dementia.  And it is in telling the story of these patients and their families that makes this book a must-read for everyone.   I hope you never have to spend any time in a nursing home as a patient or family member.  Yet most of us are likely to at some point with someone we love.  I've encouraged my husband to read Oscar's story more for what it tells us about the medical care system for the elderly than for a cat with a special gift.

Also, if you love cats and haven't read about Norton, check out:
A Cat Called Norton
A Cat who went to Paris
A Cat Abroad
all by Peter Gethers

The Norton books are wonderful treats about a man who professes to hate cats until a girlfriend gives him a delightful Scottish fold kitten.  It's love at first sight.  The man who knows nothing of cats thinks that he can just take Norton along with him wherever he goes like people do with dogs and thus begins Norton's adventures here and abroad.  Norton meets celebrities (Harrison Ford, Sir Sean Connery), lives in France for a year and is terrified of birds.  He is a delight.

And speaking of kitties, see the curious calico in the middle of my van.  Her counterpart, a gold tabby had just left the van before I snapped this photo.  I was helping a friend move and her kittens couldn't help but see what we were up to.  We made sure they were accounted for before we pulled away with loads of boxes.  The kittens will travel separately to their new home.

It's a gorgeous day here in NC.  After finally being rid of our colds, my husband and I are off to take a walk together.  Thanks for stopping by!

DSP Day - Cover Sheet Bookmark

It seems like reading goes in spells for me.  I've always got books check out.  Sometimes I'm powering through them and sometimes I can take forever to get through one book.  Lately, I've covered quite a bit of ground so it seemed like time for a new bookmark.  Hopefully, I'll get my Shelfari list (below) up to date soon and blog about some of my favorite reads.  But tonight I've got to get this post up and get off to bed soon.  I'm helping a friend move tomorrow.

For the main part of this bookmark, I used a section of the paper pack's cover sheet.  I had already used this element before on a card and just loved it.   A smaller version was found on the cover sheet.

I then backed it with papers from the rest of the collection.  A very simple bookmark that can remind me to count my blessings.  Appropriate for November!

Thank to you for stopping by!

Ingredients:  DSP:  Material Girl by Cosmo Cricket
Ribbon:  So Saffron by Stampin' Up!
Brad:  Marrakesh by Basic Grey

Summer Reading

When I was a teenager, I would read long novels very slowly over long summer days.  I liked to get to know my characters.  I got quite an education as an adolescent reading Judy Blume and even more of one later on reading Judith Krantz - although I'm not sure it was the education my Mother was expecting when she hauled me to the library.

I still love to savor the enjoyment of engaging with charcters a little at a time over a few days.  This is why I much prefer to read or watch a drama than watch a movie.  Also, I want the details.  My work and hobbies are all about the details so why not my entertainment, too.  You get out of something what you put into it. 

My husband has gotten into the classics.  Try as I might, I just can't read classic literature.  I want to read about today's people.  I read to learn, to escape, to enjoy.  I like romance but with an edge.  Like my chocolate, I don't want it too sweet.  Neither do I want my adventure too gory.  High body counts turn me off.

My Shelfari list is updated and here are a few of my all time favorite summer authors with a few specific books:

Mary Kay Andrews - anything and everything she has written is fun, good Southern writing.  Hissy Fit is my favorite.

David Baldacci - I like the Camel Club series and a recent novel True Blue I just finished.  But his best work is still his first - Absolute Power.  The Lottery Winner is another pick.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips - the best in beach reads - funny, smart, romantic.  Best to start with her earlier books as she often connects the characters from earlier novels into more recent ones.

Katie Fforde - This is a new author to me but apparently a prolific one. I just want to crawl into her novels and live in these current English settings.

Jude Devereaux - books set in the present day.  I'm not into historical stuff especially time travel thing - although the Summerhouse was pretty good.

Sandra Brown - I prefer her thrillers to her romance novels - Envy, Charade.  The only one I really hated was Smoke Screen.

Jane Green - all of her books have been very enjoyable reads - particularly Jemima J.  If you've ever felt the need to lose weight to fit in, it is a must read.

Jennifer Chiaverini - I'm reading the Aloha Quilt now.  She is a must read for quilters and anyone else who wants a good clean family story.  Start with her first novel.

Fannie Flagg - one of my favs of all time is "Can't Wait to Get to Heaven."  I read it twice and and tempted to read it again that is really rare for me.

Sidney Sheldon - He has passed away now but what a great storyteller.   His books were some of those I read when I was a teenager.

Sophie Kinsella - Twenties Girl and Undomestic Goddess are very funny and engaging.  I can't get into the shopaholic stuff.

Sarah Strohmeyer (I think I'm spelling that right)  - Cinderalla Pact, Sleeping Beauty Proposal. 

Judith Krantz - will probably always be my favorite author.  I've read Scruples at least three times plus everything else she has ever written including her autobiograpy.

What do you like to read?

a good read

I've been very busy this week doing my regular job.  I'm so happy to have new customers as well as regular clients sprucing up their homes!

Of course, more work means less play time so I haven't made many cards or any pages this week.  I did print out some photos from a Project 365 page and that is as far as that has gotten. I've also been cutting papers for Stamp Class on Saturday. 

Did want to share a book I read recently - Once in a Blue Moon by Eileen Goudge.  I've read most of her other books.  Many are set in Northern California.  We are planning to visit friends there later this year.  It is such a charming and beautiful part of the country. 

Anyway, the book looks at the lives of two sisters who went into foster care at the same time and ended up on very different paths.  They are reunited years later when both need the other's support.  I don't have siblings so I'm always intrigued by these relationships. 

I picked up a book of John Grisham short stories, Fort County, at the library this week.  His characters are so real; however, I'm not going to read it before bed tonight.  You wouldn't believe the dreams I had last night - chilling.  Guess I'll just have to browse some blogs before bedtime  :-)

Second Chance Reads

Jennifer Weiner is considered one of the queens of Chick Lit fiction.  Yet, I just didn't care for her books.  Or I thought I didn't.  A couple years ago, I read one - mostly.  I skimmed most of the second half.  For some reason it didn't appeal to me.  "In Her Shoes" was made into a movie that I tried to watch on a long, tedious (is there any other kind?) flight and again didn't care for it.  But after grazing the fiction at our local library all the way to the W's the other day, I decided to give her one more try.  A good choice.  Best Friends Forever is funny and touching - a very pleasant read. Her characters are revealed layer by layer alternating between the humorous snippets and the dramatic points of their lives. 

Now I'm reading her first book, Good in Bed, and I can't put it down.  I've really got other things I need to be doing and I keep picking up this book! 

So I'm really glad I gave this author a second chance. 

The bookmark above is made from Basic Grey's Indian Summer collection.  I had the papers out using some of the chocolate and rosy ones on Valentine's day cards.  This collection works really well with the In Colors this year from Stampin' Up!

Ingredients:  Stamps:  Petals by Stampin' Up!
Ink for distressing:  Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango; for stamping:  Melon Mambo
DSP:  Basic Grey's Indian Summer
Brad: Oriental Trading
Ribbon:  Source unknown

Quick Cards and Good Books

Hope everyone's holidays are going great! I did these birthday cards last weekend or early in the week. I've lost track. The starting points were layouts of cards I'd seen on Splitcoaststampers. From there I used all different papers, colors and stamps. Sometimes you want a sketch or a favorite card to go by so you can just create - a little less thinking and deciding and a little more cutting and gluing.

Also, I've updated my Shelfari though there aren't many books added. I haven't been reading as much this fall as usual. I do highly recommend the "Knitting" series by Kate Jacobs. It absolutlely has to be read in order though. The Friday Night Knitting Club is the first book and I just finished Knit Two. Any crafter can appreciate these books whether you knit or not. I used to but don't anymore. Jacobs has created a large diverse group of characters that are all flawed and immensely likeable and identifiable.

Surprisingly I enjoyed Jude Devereaux's Return to Summerhouse. I'm surprised because I normally don't take to the supernatural yet it was entertaining. The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews is enjoyable but not her best. You see where this one is going very early on. If you have never read her books, I highly recommend them but start with Savannnah Blues or my fav Hissy Fit - (now here is a book I love to live vicariously through!). Finally, I normally enjoy Sandra Brown but not Smash Cut. It started with a completely unbelievable premise and could never recover. So those are some of my hits and misses in chic lit and suspense reading this fall. Nothing like a good book on a cold day.

Ingredients: Stamps by Stampin' Up! Scallops; On Your Birthday

Ink: Various markers, Tempting Turquise, White gel pen

DSP: (top card) American Crafts (bottom card) Stampin' Up!

Ribbon: fabric store

Bookmark - Between, Georgia

After a busy day yesterday and a restless night, this morning was a good time to be lazy. So I curled back up in bed with the last few chapters of "Between, Georgia" from Joshlin Jackson. Jackson's characters are authentic Southern. Actually I think they could probably be found in a lot of places. Her heroine, Nonny, has two families - the mother who raised her is deaf, blind and completely endearing. Both families are bent on feuding in ways from committing slights to felonies. She's caught between families, lovers, and homes.

This is the second of her books I've read. The other is "gods in Alabama." I consider these somewhere between chick lit and serious literature. In other words, they make you think but don't make you think "what was that I just read again?"

I made the bookmark last week when I was experimenting with Christmas cards for my stamp-a-stack this Saturday. This design was much too sunny for a winter card and I needed a new bookmark anyway.

Ingredients: All from Stampin' Up! Stamp Set: Kind and Caring Thoughts

Ink: Old Olive, Ruby Red

DSP: Ruby Red from Patterns III pack - a hostess set in the current catalog.