Artist Trading Cards!

Oh goodness! Have I found a new hobby or what? My friend Janeen introduced me to ATC today. She came over to do some paper art with me after she saw my post about scrapbooking through the Bible. She also brought me two lovely pieces of homemade paper that she created out of the tear-off part of the Netflix mailer. You can see the bright flecks of Netflix red in this lavender-hue paper. I was so impressed and so touched that she would think of me. Anyway, she brought her album of Artist Trading Cards. These are traditional baseball-trading card-sized works of art...some were painted, some were penned, some were papers and some were mixed media but they were all incredibly lovely and just as unique as the individual artists who created them. In Janeen's album there are tiny pieces of art from all over the world!

During our time of fellowship I completed my "F" page for my Scripture Scrapbook. I used a bit of the homemade paper and was so thrilled with how it turned out! Then, I promptly set about creating my miniature masterpieces! I used an ugly, bent, worn-out (or you could use a brand-spanking-new) playing card as my base. You can purchase ATC blank card stock "canvas" but I like the idea of using up those cards that have seen a few too many hours of canasta. Besides, I usually don't play with a full deck so re-purposing playing cards makes me feel ... um.... green.

I carefully tore a piece of the homemade paper into a rectangle roughly the size of the card. (I think there is some rule against using scissors on homemade paper, but I'm not sure.) I glued it to the card and then added some fabric scraps. I stamped a small piece of card stock with a quaint saying and brushed some ink around it and smudged the ink a bit. On purpose. Then I added a metal disc with an "r" on it. (I made this one for my friend Rachel.) I put some paper in a complimentary color on the back of the card because I didn't want the king of spades to show. I signed my creation (as all artists do) and admired my work.
Wanna see?

I made one for Janeen before she left (I didn't get a picture of that one). I'm looking forward to starting my own collection of ATC from around the world. I think I will buy one of these to display my collection as it grows.
Kinda neat, huh? Wanna trade with me? Leave me a comment and we'll make arrangements to trad ATC.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Here is a photo thought I want to share with you today.
Four Generations~September 4, 2010

For Today: Monday, February 21, 2011

Outside my window the sun is shining! Spring is on her way.
From the front porch swing I watch two doves in a nearby tree.
I am thinking I am so blessed to be celebrating another birthday today.
I am thankful for my Mama and Daddy.
From the learning room we are reading Johnny Tremain.
From the kitchen I see clean dishes and clean counter tops.
I am wearing my favorite jeans and a brown long sleeved T-shirt with lace.
I am creating a scrapbook of Bible verses.
I am going to have a houseful of family tonight for supper and Mississippi Mud!
I am reading Keepsake Crimes.
I am hoping I can keep up with my college classes.
I am hearing Eli enjoying Cap'N Crunch cereal.
Around the house I see so many things that need dusting.
One of my favorite things watching black & white classic movies.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Enjoy the company of my sons each day. Hit the library for some research materials. Compile my Household Organiser and move some favorite recipes to my Recipe Book. Make St. Patrick's Day and Easter valances for the dining room. Have tea in the parlor with my daughter.

If you'd like to join the fun of The Simple Woman's Daybook, then click here to get to The Simple Woman's Daybook blog and follow Peggy's directions. Have fun and let me know if you're participating...I'd love to read you entry.oIf you'd like to join the fun of The Simple Woman's Daybook, then click here to get to The Simple Woman's Daybook blog and follow Peggy's directions. Have fun and let me know if you're participating...I'd love to read you entry.

Date Night!

My husband took me out to dinner tonight. We've not been out- together- for dinner-just the two of us for a long, long time. It was so nice to visit while driving to the restaurant. He shared with me some things about his work. We had salad...he had a chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy and fresh green beans and baby carrots. I had a rib eye steak and baked potato with the green beans and baby carrots. So very good! It's been a long time since we've had steak of any kind. I ordered dessert --bread pudding with caramel rum sauce-- in a to go box and am enjoying it now with a cup of tea.

It's funny how you think you'd like some time to talk with your husband...and then, you get the time and have no idea what to say. It really didn't take that long to fall into the easy conversation that made us friends from the beginning. We talked about my college classes and the boys' home-school. We talked about the concert the boys are at and the concert we are going to next week. We talked about compression shorts, the chatty lady at the next table and foreign policy. We talked about church and his training as a "sound man" for the praise and worship music. We talked about company coming for Sunday dinner tomorrow and how we enjoy having guests in our home. We talked about lemon cookies, our daughter and our son-in-law; we talked about his parents and mine. We talked about how blessed we are.

Porch Therapy

What a beautiful day! I really need to turn my "to do list" into my "did list" but instead, I sit on the porch swing letting the morning sunshine kiss my face. Blissful mornings are a blessing, indeed.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

This is the picture thought I am sharing today.

FOR TODAY: Monday, February 14, 2011

Outside my window the snow is melting, melting.
I am thinking I should be making supper instead of blogging.
I am thankful for strong pastoral leadership at church.
From the learning room we are focusing on the Revolutionary War era.
From the kitchen I see groceries that need to be put away. Thank you Lord.
I am wearing my favorite jeans and a long sleeved T-shirt with lace.
I am creating a haven for my family in my childhood home.
I am going to Denver to interview an elderly woman who taught at Camp Amache.
I am reading Amache by Robert Harvey
I am hoping for spring!
I am hearing my husband's deep, comforting voice.
Around the house there is a bunch of stuff that needs to be put away.
One of my favorite things is having tea with a friend my parlor.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Finish putting away scrapbooking stuff, continue research on Amache, continue teaching about the Revolutionary era, a trip to the city with Ethan, organizing the pantry, hanging a vintage screen door.

If you'd like to join the fun of The Simple Woman's Daybook, then click here to get to The Simple Woman's Daybook blog and follow Peggy's directions. Have fun and let me know if you're participating...I'd love to read you entry.

Happiness is...

My daughter brought dinner over tonight. I taught her well.