A Fun Geeky Christmas Concert

We were away today and so this post will be short and sweet.  Valinda sent me this fun Christmas video - as she knows my Mr. has an ipad.  Simply amazing.   Thanks Valinda - I'll bet he will be hunting down some of these apps. 

Lovey Lives!

I finally located Lovey - she reappeared on the stovetop, thank goodness I'd not been cooking anything.  I quickly zapped a raisin in the microwave, cooled it outside and then pointed her to it - she happily crawled on and fed. 

I did not have a chance to tell my Mr. that this was "Lovey's Dish" and when I woke this morning and found the dish empty, and knowing the raisin was bigger than Lovey and she could not possibly have eaten the entire thing)  I asked my Mr. if he knew where Lovey's raisin went to.  Ahem - he got an alarmed look on his face and he confessed he ate the raisin - went nicely with his granola breakfast!  I hope he does not get sick. 

Then Lovey disappeared again - I finally located her snugged up in a corner up by the ceiling, sleeping off her full tummy. 

Card Writing and a FREE Quick Page!

This is my 900th post!  I can't quite grasp that.  I might need a nap now *snort*

First thing, my little ladybug has vanished!  Alas after coming home from school last night, all excited to plump a raisin for my new friend and after having Valinda "name" it,  I seeked high and low and fear that Lovey has found some little crevice to climb into.  I will keep you posted  though if there is a sighting in the future, and I will plump up the raisin - just in case. 

Card Writing Time!

Its that time of the year again - to send out greetings to friends and family.  I'm reminded of this each time I open my mailbox and recieve cards from all over the place - for instance, I recieved a lovely card from Betty in Paraguay just yesterday.  Thank you for thinking of me all the frosty way up here, my friend.   A card will be zinging its way to you, too, when I get my act in gear here after I post.  :)

Our house has something I just love - an old fashioned fold-down ironing board, and though I don't use it to actually iron on (do people do that thing called ironing any more?) I love to pull up my special high chair (its just like one my Grandma used to have in her house when we were growing up - has two steps which fold out)  and tuck it up to the ironing board and lay out all my card supplies and address book.  Its a wonderful little corner to while away a few hours as I send seasonal wishes out to those I love. 

Where do you write your cards? 

And as mentioned, Valinda created this fun and frisky 8x8 inch Quick Page using my Artistic Christmas Kit which is available at SBE!  Just click here to purchase!

download

I would love to see your layouts - and feature them here too.  Just send them to lalalime(at)hotmail{dot}[com] putting Artistic QP in the subject line.  Enjoy!



PS - Thanks Valinda!



Ladybug Ladybug - Is THIS Your Home?

What do I do with you?

I keep a little bowl on the window ledge above the kitchen sink which I use to keep fresh tomatoes or avacados in to ripen (I've heard you should store tomatoes at room temperature for the best flavor, and I believe its true now that I've tried it)  And I don't have a dishwasher so I spend a fair amount of time at the sink. 

I was doing dishes and glanced over at this bowl and I saw this ladybug atop the tomatoes - at first it did not strike me as strange until looking past the bowl out the window to see the snow coming down it occured to me this little feller (or fell-ey) must be stranded inside the house, he/she should be hibernating. 

Well, if you are like me then your first instinct is to mother the wee thing and so I have done some research on what to do with it - which I gathered from Answers.com:

"What do you feed pet ladybugs?"

"You must provide Ladybugs with fresh water and food, even if you think they are hibernating. Do not give them distilled water! Use Spring water, if possible, or use water that has been boiled and sat for 24 hours. For their food, use a small Styrofoam tray to put the food on so you can keep the area clean. (They also like to hide under the edges when you put it in a corner.) Use a sugar water mixture (1 part sugar to 10 parts water) or you can use hummingbird nectar mix. The nectar mix does provide more vitamins that then sugar water, but make sure you don't mix up big batches because it only keeps for about a week. Soak a few cottonballs in the food mixture and put them in empty caps from juice jugs. Make sure you change the cottonballs once a week, and add to them in-between if necessary. And, make sure you keep their regular drinking water full. Put a few small pebbles in a juice cap and keep the water level just full enough do that they can use the stones for safety. Do not just put a capful of water or it can be real easy for them to drown. If you want to give them a little variety to eat, give them a few pieces of fruit every once in awhile, but be sure you DO NOT give them anything acidic. The safest fruits are strawberries, apricots and raisins. Soak a raisin in water for a few hours to rehydrate it before you give it to them."

I do have raisins and I do have some small pebbles and a bottle cap so I think I will try to feed my poor little pet tomorrow.  If he/she survives and thrives do you have a name you could suggest? 

Barb Derksen's Artistic Christmas Kit

My very first digital scrapbooking kit is available for Sale at Scrapbook-Elements.com/sbe if you are looking for a sweet little kit to use to scrapbook your fondest Christmas Memories!  There are LOADS of new products at SBE from many talented designers!

And stay tuned here tomorrow for a FREEBIE - a darling Quick Page cooked up by Valinda using this kit! 

In case you did not read several posts ago - I am hoping to blog daily through December and my friend JanMary and sister Nina are hoping to do the same, why not hop over and check if they are holding up their end of the bargain - and fink on them if they are not?  *wink*



Happy Birthday Brothers and another Mojo Monday

Before I get even one nanosecond into my blog post I'd like to wish my brothers (twins) Barry (my SIL Judy's husband) and Bill (sorry no blog link here)  ... wish you!

A BIG FAT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

photo credit: Billy @ sxc.hu

Hope your day was extra-special - I'm trying to call but have reached nobody yet! 

It was a very busy day again with the minutiae of Mondays, you know the routine.  But I did take time out to try out the Monday Mojo.  If I don't do it my sister Nina might bite me and I did get my SIL Judy started on this, so can't be letting people down!   Thank goodness - I see Judy thought to take a photo of the birthday card I made Barry, and good thing for I completely forgot.  ;) 

And while I was at it I figured if I was going to drag out all of my supplies I might as well make a little factory assembly line and knock off SEVERAL at a time.  I did - wound up with five nice cards.  Not a terrible one in the batch though I know that as soon as I go a-surfing through the other posts I will feel mine pales in comparison to the incredibly talented carders who undertake the Mojo Challenge.  So, I shall post and then go look so I won't lose my nerve. 

Here is today's sketch:

And here are my various takes on this card:

The background of this one is plain old gift wrap!

This one is merry and bright!



Ah yes, I got tired of doing all the reds and greens!

Sorry, once again a mish mash of all my various supplies, mostly lovingly donated to me and none with names on, though many of the stamps came from Michaels.  Which card do YOU like best? 





Designing Again - Come Visit Me at SBE!

I'm designing again! 

For those of you who have travelled the journey of my blog over the past five years, you know that designing has been a big part of my life.  When I first began my blog I wanted to be able to "give back" to the blogging community, and when I discovered the joys of digital scrapbooking, I found another passion - designing! 

I began by creating very simple (and primitive looking to me now) elements and kits, but as I grew in confidence and my products became refined I began to think of taking this seriously.  I will always give some of my items away because I feel so grateful for this God-given talent and would like to bless you all with it.  However, while it has been nice to be a one-income family I'm longing to bring in some money of my own, even if it is so I can surprise my Mr. sometimes with a gift or two, or to contribute so we can languish in our retirement years (not so far away!) 

Most of you know I designed a few years ago at the Sophia Sarducci shoppe - until it closed - where I created under the assumed identity of Olivia Dorazio.  That was terrific fun and a truly positive experience.  I was nurtured by my manager Saxon Holt.  She was terrific and we became good friends and have remained so.  In fact, she seems to have a tap into my creative juice levels for she approached me exactly when I began to feel like I might want to venture into the designing world again.  And so, one thing led to another and I've hopped on board at the store where she is now a designer too - Scrapbook-Elements.com 

Not only do I get to work with Saxon again - the entire "family" at SBE has has given me a BIG WARM welcome, why I almost feel hugged!

My first kit launches TODAY - I hope you can check it out, spread the word, I'd love the "toots!"  Here are my previews:

Barb Derksen's ARTISTIC CHRISTMAS KIT

I invested hours upon hours into my first kit - digitally hand-painting many of my elements.  The rich oil-paint textures give the overall feel of almost vintage!

Digitally Hand-Painted Elements

30 of the 46 elements have been crafted using a digital art program - rich, textured strokes!  The other 16 elements include fun strings of cranberries and popcorn, perfect for layouts of your Christmas decorating party!

Artistic Christmas Papers Package

What you don't see here are the two bonus papers included! *wink*  There is something for everyone in this unique kit - and it's ON SALE (discount!) right now, so check it out at HERE at http://www.scrapbook-elements.com/ along with the many other beautiful items new to the store today! 

Here are some pretty layouts created from my kit - to give you an idea of how my Artistic Christmas kit is being used:





Layout by Judy (my SIL :)

credit: Barb Derksen's ARTISTIC CHRISTMAS KIT

various elements (birds, house etc) by Barb Derksen

Thanks so much, Judy, I love how you incorporated this old house into the layout - looks like a real old-fashioned Christmas - you think that old house is available over the holidays? 

Layout by Valinda (DEAR friend!) 

credit: Barb Derksen's ARTISTIC CHRISTMAS KIT

It always amazes me that two people can use the same kit and squeeze two unique layouts out of it! 



Layout by Valinda (DEAR friend!) 

credit: Barb Derksen's ARTISTIC CHRISTMAS KIT

Make that three different looks!  I'm tickled that something I created can accommodate your precious family memories in these layouts, Valinda.  Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to make these layouts for me to share!  (After I get all my uploading etc done I hope to get outside too, like Christy and Freedom - they have the right idea!) 

And without further ado - what would my celebration launch be without giving you a FREE GIFT so you can get a sneak peek at the quality of this kit?  I've assembled this pretty little bird and boughs element for you to enjoy!  (PS - be on the lookout next week for several new products to come your way - I've been on a creative streak!) 

download



 



Late for Tea! - and stay tuned to this blog for an ANNOUNCEMENT tomorrow!

A few weeks ago I was given an invitation to, and a request to post on my church blog, several events going on with some of the other churches in our community.  I love that we support each other's ministries and so I had an opportunity to go to the Festive Tea today at St. Anne's Catholic Church.  The invitation came from my friend Vi Kovak who informed me the money generated from draw ticket sales all goes to a very good cause - Canadian Food for Children. 

I've never been to this tea *blushing* and all I knew from the invitation was that it was to be held from 1 - 3.  So I assumed it meant it was held from 1 to 3 and one could just drop in, sip tea, nibble goodies and float around at will.  However, upon arriving there was a mad scurry of activity (I arrived at 1:30 ish) - it was packed to the rafters and a hum of activity.  I was fortunate my friend Vi took me in hand at a moment and found me the last seat in the house, supplied me with the tickets I needed and before I knew it I was planted at a table next to my own neighbor, her mom and a lovely friend from our local Painter's and Potter's group who I greatly admire. 

The tea was FUN!  I had arrived just in time for the draws and before I knew it I was the winner (the old number under the dinner plate trick) of a bucket of A&W Chubby Chicken.  Humm, am I being tested?  Ah well, extra time on the treadmill and I'm sure I'll be SO grateful one of these hectic festive nights when I simply don't have time to turn out a meal. 

So that was my big excitement for the day - and now I am off to prepare...

(tune in HERE tomorrow for a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!)



Ooooh - A Parcel of Pretties!

I went to the mailbox,

And what did I see?

A pretty nice parcel,

Waiting for me,

It showed on the box

"Huggies Natural Care"

I wondered should I open,

Right - do I dare? 

But I can't resist parcels

All things in the post

So quick as a wink

The wrapping was toast

And to my great delight,

Inside I did find

An assortment of goodies

That boggled my mind -

Two I will tell you,

Thats all I'll reveal

No matter if you beg

Nor how you appeal,

But this lovely red Advent

Calendar filled with sweets,

And this festive and pretty card

Both deserving of "tweets"

(Thats if I did twitter -

I'm wierd because I don't)

This all from my SIL

With belated birthday greets

And Christmas wishes,

This all completes.

Ok the poem is scrambling,

Not making sense

So I'll quit while ahead

Make no pretense.

Thats what happens when I promise people (JanMary, for example) that I will do a post a day.  I put it off till the very last second, when I am semi-coherent thinking of a nice warm bed waiting for me, my lids all droopy.  I know I did not do justice to all the little things in my SIL's gift.  Its all lovely and wonderful, Judy, thanks so much! 



I Meant To...

I meant to take a photo of the two amazing pizzas I baked (1 loaded with meat and veg, the second with ham and fresh pineapple)  and I meant to  take a photo of the two apple pies I made (1 a birthday present for my friend Rose, the other for dessert with friends) and I meant to take pics of the dinner table all set with candles and flowers etc and I meant to take photos of me and my friend building cards... but it all went by so fast in a blur, and so:

I'm left with a photo of the disaster area of our crafting - either I'll clean it up in the morning or I will keep right on making cards.  Which will it be I wonder? 





Read'n and Run'n and a Post a Day!

I've been missing my friend JanMary because she's not been blogging for a while.  Life gets busy and I personally think (and talked to some of you about this) there's been a dropoff of blog readers and bloggers since Facebook came along.  However, I did lament to JanMary her lack of new fodder and so we made a deal where we will try to blog at least ONCE a day between now and Christmas.  Even if its one photo and a thought.  Want to take the challenge too? 

So here's my random thought for the day:

Ok, perhaps I don't want you to answer that.  On the other hand I'll be the first to admit I'm not normal. 

But people are really surprised by my workout habits.  Thing is, I like to read while I run.  Yes, while I run, not walk.  Oh it is a bit tricky at times I admit.  For one thing - when the book is too fat to fit into the skinny little shelf provided on the machine, and when it has to balance on the edge of it, it does move around some.  It generally travels to the left a bit but I've learned to tap it over (if you're from my decade you might think of when we had to hit the carriage return on a typewriter every line) 

The other problem is turning pages and securing them down so the book does not try to close itself.  I've solved that little issue in two ways.  Either I use a looooong elastic and place it over the margin on the left side pages, or I use one of these little clips.  And yes, I have to pick the book up between each page, flip the page and secure it and that takes a little co-ordination.  Another thing I try to do is take books out from the LARGE PRINT area of the library.  I've discovered the books are not all oldies like Zane Grey etc, but they are a lot easier to read when one is bouncing along! 

It makes the time go so much faster - I look forward to my workout times, its a treat. 

I'll just bet some of you are wondering why I don't just listen to an audiobook instead?  Well, I like to listen to good fast music all the while!  I don't particularly like watching tv - we hardly ever do, 'cept the news. 

Do you ever read and work out?