Happy Easter

Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life. ~~S.D.Gordon

If you want to have a happy Easter then remember to keep your paws off of other people's jellybeans.

Celebrate this Easter with a heart filled with love and peace.
Have a blessed and wonderful Easter!

Don't put all your eggs in one basket

I didn't put any of my eggs in a basket, I put them in a bowl. You also saw some of them in one of my peat pots that I posted the other day
These are those cheap plastic Easter eggs. I bought a bag of the regular size ones and a bag of the bigger ones then covered them with either jute twine or sisal twine.

I just can't help myself I have to do some photoshop magic with the pictures.

And sometimes one isn't enough so you have to do two.

Now I know these aren't as colorful as your typical Easter eggs but these guys can sit out all year long and no worry about salmonella.

Until the tape ran out

So I never did find that card I lost. I ended up making a new one and then I was on a roll.
First up is the remake of the long lost card.

This one I saw in a magazine. It said to use stamps and add to it with markers.

This one just sort of happened. I was trying out some embossing folders I have and one thing led to another.

I picked up some cute stickers while I was out shopping and decided they would look good on some Easter cards.

Then my tape runner ran out and I didn't have any more refills.

For the love of Pete

Or make that peat pots. I bought a package of those biodegradable seed starter pots at the dollar store to do some crafting with.

The first one I glued on some yellow tissue paper then added a barnyard picture. I grunged it up a little and added a tea light.

This one I simply made the egg label in photoshop and glued it on. The eggs are another project I've been working on.

The third one became a nest for that bird I made a while back. I added a ribbon at the top, some twine at the bottom and a picture and label that I printed out. I also added just a touch of glitter.

I kind of liked the bird sitting in there so I did some playing with the picture.

Tomorrow I'll be back with some other things I've worked on.

Art of sorts

While trying to avoid more productive tasks I pulled a picture from the archives and did some playing around with it.
I was going to show you the original picture but after spending 20 minutes searching the archives trying to remember what folder it's in I gave up. I do seem to have a real problem with misplacing things lately don't I.

Any way I majorly cropped this picture, added texture and a few other things and here it is.

To further delay any type of responsible activity I took the picture to pic monkey and did some more playing.

After adding the frame I'm thinking I should go out and but a frame and mat for this picture but I don't know how Duke would feel about a cat hanging on the wall

Truth time

My mom is always whining about how if only she didn't have to work she could get so much done. Well the truth is that she had four whole days off and didn't do diddly. Oh she started things but mostly she sat on her butt and "thought" about what she wanted to do.

Truth hurts, doesn't it mom? Now give me a treat or I'll tell them all some more truths about you.

Meet my other friends Monday

Welcome to this weeks addition of Meet my other friends Monday. The friends that are featured in this post appear in no particular order. I've started with bloggers who have visible email addresses. Once I work through those I will begin contacting others through the comment section on your blog. You could be next

This week's guest is Donna from Made in Heaven. I believe that I met Donna through the Brenda Photo Challenge. She is one of those warm welcoming, fun loving people who instantly make you feel at home. While she may not admit to it, she does have a talent for photography as is evident by the gorgeous pictures she shares of her lovely family. Enough from me, lets see what Donna has to say.

1. How long have you been blogging and what made you start?

I began my entry into the blogging world in 2007 quite by accident. I had lost my Mom in 1996 and my Dad in 2002 and had always wished that there were more memories of them that not only I, but

my children and grandchildren, had access to, also. All I had left were my Mom and Dad’s war time love letters and my memories of them both. Boy, how wonderful it would have been

if blogging had been available to them! One day I came across a web link to something called, Blogs. I didn't know what that was so I delved deeper into the subject. Wonders upon wonders, here was a medium that I could sink my teeth into...an online ability to journal one’s memories! Online...Forever! I didn’t have the opportunity to read words typed by my parents but dadgum it, my kids and grandkids would. So it began, for me.

2. What is one piece of advice that you would give to new bloggers.

I have four things that may help you.

Number One... Don’t try to push yourself to blog on a daily basis! I did that when I first started out and believe me...you just can’t keep up the pace! Three of four times a week is plenty. I believe I’m now down to a couple a times a week. That way, you’ll have more to say than just, “Hi and I did Nothing today!” Trust me...I’ve done that more than once. Can you say Boring?

Number two...Do NOT use Word Verification! Most bloggers absolutely hate it and instead of trying to type in words and numbers we usually can’t see...we just leave. Sorry, but that’s the truth of it.

Number three...IF you like someone’s blog, follow them and leave a comment. Say something to them! They don’t bite. I have found more lovely people around the world to visit with just by saying hello.

Number four...Just Be Yourself. Remember why you started blogging in the first place and run with it!

3. Do you have any hobbies or special talents?

Well let’s see...hobbies...I like photography but that announcement does NOT mean I’m good at it! But I try. Sometimes I get a great shot and sometimes I don’t. It’s all good. I can also carry seven bags of groceries

up to the back door while juggling my keys to find the correct one to insert into the lock! I’m getting good at it to!

4. Of course you love all the blogs you visit but share a link to one of those and tell us why we should check it out.

Oh my...Houston, we have a problem! I know a lot of wonderful bloggers out there and this is SO difficult to answer with just one link! Let’s do it this way...Donna at Cottage Days is really into travel and photography.

I “met” her a number of years ago while I was randomly perusing blogs. She’s a Sweetheart. She and her husband are professional photographers and I just simply love her. Want to ask her a techie question? Guess what! She actually answers you!Hahaaaa.....You really need to go visit her beautiful blog and while you’re there, say hello to Marty the bunny blog greeter.

5. What is the one thing that totally makes you crazy?

People not taking care of their pets...Hey Ann!!!! ONLY ONE THING???? REALLY??Hahahaaaa

6. Give one random thought.

Gheez...I could sure use a nice hot peach turnover topped with vanilla ice cream about now....

So annoyed with myself

Yesterday I made a card to send to someone. Not only did I make it but I actually LOVED the way it turned out. Of course I didn't take a picture so I can't prove to you that it looked really good. A simple solution would be to just take a picture of it right? Well you see the problem is I can't find it. I have searched my house several times and I have no idea where I put it. I've gone as far as looking in all of the garbage cans and in the refrigerator. What you've never putt odd things in the refrigerator before? Hey it could happen.
Well at least I didn't forget where I put Duke. He went to the groomer and I did remember where he was.

He wants you to see a profile shot too. He thinks that is his best side.

For lack of something better

I took the picture of Duke in yesterdays post and played with it in picmonkey.

Maybe a little over done but I was seeing what all the different things would do. When I was done I thought it kind of looked like Duke was conversing with the fairies. Maybe asking them to hurry spring up a little?

The snow is falling

Snow, snow and more snow. I'm sure you are just as tired of looking at it as I am so I am not going to show you any more pictures of it. This time last year spring had already sprung so I dug in the archives and pulled out some springtime.
Sit back, smell the flowers and lay in the grass with Duke.

The difference between dogs and cats

This is just too funny




Today is my birthday and I've taken the day off from work so that I can have a total ME day.

Get your game on

Do you like to play games? I have a few on my kindle that I enjoy playing. The two that I enjoy the most are Cubistry and Sudoku.

Cubistry is very addictive. It's a 3-D cube matching puzzle game. There are two different game modes you can play in but I always do the puzzle mode where you race against the clock to beat your record time.

My fastest time so far is 4:39:43. I'm finding that very hard to beat so I don't even try any more.

More winter

Winter isn't quite finished with us yet here in northwestern Pennsylvania. This is what I saw out my window on Saturday.

It's not a ton of snow but it's cold and I'm sick of looking at it. Yesterday we had a bit of freezing rain but nothing that caused any problem. This entire week is supposed to be cold and snowy. The only consolation is that I took vacation days this week so after today I only have one more day to go and then I have a four day weekend.

OOPS

I forgot to send out an invitation for someone to join us for meet my other friends. So today I'll just wing it.

After a totally lazy weekend there really isn't much to talk about but I did come up with something. For some odd reason I took a picture of the drip mat on my hot glue gun holder. My brain commands me to do things like that and I have to listen.

Then my brain tells me to play with it in photoshop and turn it into glue gun art.

I swear this is not the result of consuming too much green beer yesterday. No alcohol or drugs was required for this.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

An old Irish Blessing for all my blog friends.

May love and laughter light your days,

and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours, 

wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world

with joy that long endures.

May all life's passing seasons

bring the best to you and yours!

Whether you are of Irish descent or just Irish for the day Duke and I would like to wish you a Happy St. Patrick's day.

Be careful Duke, I know that carnation is pretty but you never know where those little leprechauns may be hiding.

Oh Duke, I tried to warn you.

No such luck

Last weekend we had beautiful weather with temperatures reaching 70. No such luck this weekend.

Last weekend Duke was out inspecting the yard.

The bird bath has finally tipped over which is always a sign that spring is getting close.

Our yard gets pretty wet so when the ground starts thawing out and warming up the bird bath ends up tipping over. That's why I say it's a sure sign that spring is right around the corner.

But, this weekend, it looks and feels like winter. I guess the only thing we'll be inspecting is the backs of our eye lids and the couch.

Why wasn't I consulted

Imagine my surprise yesterday when I opened my Google reader only to see

Google Reader will be retired on July 1, 2013. If you'd like to download a copy of all your Reader data before then, you can do so through Google Takeout. You'll receive your subscription data in an XML file, and the following information will be downloaded as JSON files:

I don't remember anyone asking me if that was ok. Let me tell you why I like using Google reader. I already spend far too much time on my computer. Without reader I would have to go to every blog I like to keep up with to find out if there is a new post or not. That would require even more time. There are some blog that I read but don't comment on. They are seriously huge blogs with a bazillion comments already so my two cents aren't really worth much. I do like to see what they are doing though. With reader I can see at a glance whether or not I want to go take a closer look.

Now what? I found an article that gave some alternatives but I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet.

Oh woe is me.

Stitched

I did a little stitching and made another candle mat. This one I drew myself and then stitched on muslin. After it was done I used different spices along with my coffee mixture to tint some of the areas.

I actually grunged it up more but didn't take a second picture. I stained the whole thing with a mixture of coffee and spices.

Blogger block

Blogger block is getting tougher and tougher to break through all the time. I'm really scrounging for ideas lately.
I certainly have to.....

back sooner or later.

I know there are plenty of...

to use for post material but I'm having a really hard time trying to think of them. Wonder which room I should  look in next.

every 5000 miles

The car was ready for an oil change and since Sunday was such a nice day Wade got to work.

What a rugged guy. He lays right there on the ground and does the work. Yes it would be easier to take it to the shop and have them do it but Wade insists on doing it himself instead of paying someone else.
Besides he has help with the job.

Hey dad,you ready for me to back this baby down off the ramps?

I think I'm gonna need some help turning this key.

Meet my other friends Monday

Welcome to this weeks addition of Meet my other friends Monday. The friends that are featured in this post appear in no particular order. I've started with bloggers who have visible email addresses. Once I work through those I will begin contacting others through the comment section on your blog. You could be next

Today we'll be visiting with Katie from Westie Julep. Now this happens to be one of Duke's favorite blogs because he thinks that Derby is a very cool guy and Julep is beautiful. It's always fun to see the antics of the Westies as well as what Katie's working on. She's quite good at sewing. Visiting Katie's blog is always enjoyable and it's funny to see how Julep and Derby have some of the same habits as Duke does. Enough from me though. Lets turn this over to Katie

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING & WHAT MADE YOU START?

I started blogging about 5 years ago when we were blessed by bringing our first west highland white terrier home.  I found blogging to be an enjoyable, easy way for family and friends to watch the antics of Julep as she grew up. Initially, my blog was simple. I used templates provided by “Blogger” and gained more confidence with each new post, as well as by reading many other blogs and several books on blogging.  

I like to keep my blog simple and enjoyable. Now I have so much fun, I even change my background template with each new post.  With this new level of blogging confidence my topics now range from westies Julep and Derby {our precious westies} to walks around town, to vacations, to posting a yummy recipe with photo’s.  When I realized how easy blogging was I started another blog called www.katiesews4fun.blogspot.com.  This blog is a digital photo blog of everything I have sewn.  Every item you see there was either donated or given away.  This is a perfect way to remember what I have made.

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO NEW BLOGGERS?

I’d offer several thoughts to new bloggers. Hopefully they will be helpful. 

Take time to look at different blogs.  Do a ‘blog hop’ from one blog to another by looking at what that particular blogger lists as their favorite blogs to follow.  Bookmark the ones you love for reference or write down what you like that would fit into your blog format.

Post often, at least three times per week.  Your posts don’t need to be long or complex.  In fact, brevity is best.  They can be as simple as a single photo you’d like to share with your followers.  Posting often keeps your blog active and “alive.”

Take time to comment on other blogs.  This is a good way to let others know about your blog and to show you care about there blog and what they have to say.  End your comment with your first name and your blog address.  Also, it’s a good idea to respond to comments left on your blog post.  Set your blog preferences to ‘reply-blogger’.  When you set your blog up as a ‘no-reply’ blogger you will not be able to send comments back to the person who left one for you. That limits the conversation, and this is “social media,” after all.

Become a Follower of other blogs.  It’s a way to learn from others, and it gives your blog exposure, letting others know what blogs you like when you add them to your sidebar.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OR SPECIAL TALENTS?

My hobbies and talents run hand-in-hand. I love designing and sewing “American Girl doll” clothing, quilting, and baking. My newest hobby is photography, at the encouragement of my husband.  Then there are Julep & Derby, our two westies! They take president over all the above!

OF COURSE YOU LOVE ALL THE BLOGS YOU VISIT BUT SHARE A LINK TO ONE OF THOSE AND TELL US WHY WE SHOULD CHECK IT OUT.

With encouragement, my husband, Wilson, started blogging.  He’s a published writer and award-winning photographer.  Stop by and visit his blog at:  http://wilsonwyattjr.com, “Writing & Photography – the art of words and images.”  He published a book of photography in 2012, YOSEMITE-Catching the Light.  His latest book, to be published by summer, is CHESAPEAKE VIEWS-Catching the Light.  He’ll post more about that soon, on his blog and Facebook page.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT TOTALLY MAKES YOU CRAZY?

Well, I have to say I’m pretty even tempered.  I’ll be so bold to say there are very few things {seriously} that can push me over the edge.

CAN YOU GIVE ONE RANDOM THOUGHT?

I’ll conclude with two thoughts that are very important to me … and perhaps they will be to your readers. 

1} Practice random acts of kindness … this could be as simple as holding the door for someone or letting them go ahead of  you in a line.  The possibilities are endless! I practice this every day and am rewarded by seeing the good it does.

2}  Leave the world a better place then you found it … helping others in some way, shape or form, that’s what I do.  For example, I donate quilts to rescue groups to raise money to get westies out of terrible situations and back on the road to health and a second chance at a happy life.  I also saw the need to develop a Facebook group page dealing with westie health issues.  This is called WESTIES HEALTH -- FROM EARS TO TAIL.  I’ve been thanked so many times for starting this group because westies are one of the more challenging breeds of dogs. Of course, all this takes a big block of time but to help others leaves the world a better place.

…

Thank you Ann for inviting me to be your guest this week.  I look forward to the next “Meet My Other Friend Monday” when you will share your blog space once again.

Wood and wouldn't

First the wood.

Then the wouldn't.
Wouldn't it be nice if every day was full of sunshine? We had sun yesterday and it just does wonders for a person's mood.

Wishing you all a Sunday filled with sunshine and smiles.

A Personal Photo Challenge

I'm joining in on the fun over at A Personal Photo Challenge. It's a brand new blog started by Donna from Cottage Days and Journeys. The topic for the month is black and white photography.

I dug in to the archives for this one because I waited till the last minute to put this together and I'm far from inspired when it comes to taking pictures lately.
I won't give you the details of this picture since it's really not very good.

Using photoshop elements I added two adjustment layers. One for the saturation and another for the levels.

I prefer the black and white version over the color but I couldn't stop there. I had to add some texture to finish out the look

Now if I was really ambitious I would clone out those power lines but it's not happening.

A big thanks to Donna for starting this up. I look forward to next month's challenge