Holly Berry House stamp - Little Birdie

Okay, Blogger isn't allowing me to post the picture so here's a link where I used the image on a card I created: http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=887127 It lacks a sentiment because I'm out of black ink in the printer and recently moved a lot of my sentiment stamps back out to the studio. LOL, does this happen only to me?

After posting about the swap yesterday and my decision not to participate within it, Don suggested we take a ride and asked me if I'd like to visit with Norma, the owner of Stampland. I instantly cheered up! Norma is such a wonderful friend and is just as sweet as she can be. She has had her rubber stamp store, Stampland, up for sale for over a year now and unfortunately we're not in a position where we can afford to purchase it. Anyways, I jumped at the opportunity to go and am so glad I did!

We arrived at Stampland a few minutes before Norma's scheduled opening hours to notice she's having a huge sale! Percentages off rubber stamps, ink pads, embellishments, ect. Anyways, I took my time to browse through the store, picking up some stamps I desired. I picked up 4 wood mounted stamps, some embellishments, some refills for ink pads, one ink pad, and some much coveted items ---- a 12 pk. of Twinklin' H2O's {Kit #1203} which contains a lot of the whites for blending and the Lyra Aquacolor crayons I've had on my wish list for some time now. I figured with the percentage off, I couldn't afford to not purchase them and save myself more $$ by not having to order them online and pay for shipping. (Don't you love the way I justified that? LOL!) With mixed emotions, happy regarding my savings and heartbroken to see Norma preparing to go out of business, I do understand that she is ready to retire to Florida. I do wish her the best that life has to offer! and I will miss both her and her store!

After returning home, I checked my email, browsed 2P's a bit, checked for any replies to any of my own recent posts when I noticed Lianna had posted asking me why I didn't sign up for the ATC swap using the sketch. I sort of cringed but emailed her that due to the size of the swap sign up and obligations that I have to re-organizing the studio that I decided not to participate. So, I offered to RAK the sketch to her. Immediately, I thought I can still participate in the swap! Why not send stamped images of on of my new stamp purchases to Rebecca, the swap hostess? Rebecca can distribute the images when swapping the participant's artwork back out and I can get some of the RAK's I've been desiring to focus on out of the way! A win-win for everyone!

I really wanted to sign up for a swap within an online group when the swap was first mentioned. Then, I changed my mind. Several factors played a factor in my decision but mainly I realized that I didn't need another distraction to keep me from achieving what I really desire. So, I passed. Now, I'm having second thoughts, but will stick with my decision so I can regret it later when I see all the beautiful eye candy that I chose to pass up on, LOL! Oh, such is life! I'm certain I'm not the only one who goes through that.

Various activities and accomplishments...

This past week I limited my computer time so that I could be "doing vs. only thinking about the doing" and it is working out well for me!

I've managed to make it out into the studio and dig in with the re-organization efforts. I completely clear off the shelf that keeps falling under the wall to wall cabinets. Now I will be able to remove it easily and have the shelf cut down. This will allow me to use more brackets to support it, and with any luck, alleviating some of the problem.

I managed to go through and organize items that I desired to keep, sorted through other items and found them new homes grouped with a similar nature of things, and did some purging.

I worked on getting the 2 Art Idea Journals in my possession finished so that I can get them postal on Monday.

I'm happy I set some goals for myself that enable me to get to where I want to be. It is helping me accomplish what it is I want to do, be, and become.

For the upcoming week, I pulled out my 3 CIS Paper/Sticker Binders and placed a pile of items that need put into them in front of them on the table. I'm desiring to go completely through them and everything I do not use will be given along with one of the CIS binders to my dd, Amber along with some blank inserts. After returning from the P.O. on Monday, I'm hoping to begin to tackle that.

I've more organizing to do with art supplies before I will be able to focus my complete attention to setting up a more functional office area. Right now, I have items in that area that I'd be happier with if they were moved to another location. I believe that by moving them, it will assist my mind with the knowledge that while in the office area of the studio it is time for business! It is both a blessing and a curse using the computer that is there for both business and creating so I've decided to begin establishing some boundaries to assist me with being more functional while in that area. I figure if I put the most often used and necessary business items closest to the computer and the creative items that require the computer a little further away it will help me with this issue. Time will definitely tell!

I'm not too big on the re-organization; well, actually moving supplies from one point to another, as it totally confuses me when I'm the creative mode and go to reach automatically for something that isn't where it used to be. However, I know the studio will be more functional to me and with time spent within there, I'll begin to adjust!

An ATC for a challenge on 2P's

I created this ATC for an ATC challenge on 2P's. The challenge was to use handwriting or a drawing on an ATC. This was my submission. I sketched this using something very similar for my inspiration minus a mitten the little bird was swooping to catch.

Creating this was a welcomed break that I needed while working on the journals this weekend. I believe I'd like to sketch this and carve my own rubberstamp using the image eventually.

One page of my Art Idea Submission for the RR

As requested. For those who are just reading my current entries, this is one page for an art idea journal RR that I am involved in. It began in March of 2005 with 17 participants. Most of the participants are from the US and Canada, with the exception of one participant each in Finland and in the Netherlands.

We communicate via a Yahoo Group and the communication has been excellent! Our goal when we started was to have the journals finished by Oct. 2005; however, personal health issues, vacations, and what-nots have delayed our journey and the journals continue to circulate!

I'm contributing a Whimsical Writing page with an example of an alphabet, how to re-create step by step instructions, and rubberstamped images using the same technique. I love to mix images and text and these journal are providing me the perfect opportunity to do so.

I worked diligently on 2 journals within my possession on Friday and Saturday. I like to allow the individual journals to speak to me personally as I choose my stamped images and my sign in tags. After mailing these 2 on Monday, I'll have 3 more to finish up my obligation to this RR. I'm am excited to receive and work in them and anxiously awaiting the arrival of my own journal being returned to me. I cannot wait to try some of the techniques, ideas, and inspiration shared within the pages. My journal will be something I'll always treasure and I so appreciate the time, the talent, and the communication that each participant made to this project. The communication and the commitment of each has been astounding! One has to love that!

Up, Up and Away...

in my beautiful, my beautiful balloon...

Okay, this is actually some artwork for one of the Art Idea Journal RR I'm involved in. I'm hoping to have both journals postal on Monday so I'm diligently working away!