Sigh. So, as if I am not a bad enough blogger, then my computer decides to assist in the situation. Yeah, it went crazy. It was not a good thing. It didn't exactly "crash", but it might as well have as one of the first things that I noticed was that I could not access my emails. OH. MY. GOSH. Around here, that is a major crisis. I mean, I have important stuff in there! I felt so out of touch. I wondered what everyone was doing and talking about out there in internet world. Did they think that I was ignoring them? I had deadlines and darn it, this was not fair! >:-(
So off to "Best Buy" it went. There were so many computers in for repair that I wondered how would they ever keep them all straight. Then they called and left a message only 2 days later. Wow!!! I think, "That was fast!" But, the message said that we had illegal copy of XP Pro and that they needed the "legal" copy to put onto our computer. Huh????? Panic. We wouldn't even know where to get an illegal copy. We're naive and stupid. We don't mess around with the bad guys. We follow the beaten path. I barely know how to turn the darn thing on!!!! Crap.
The next morning my husband listens to the message again and then a new one that says, oh sorry, your copy of XP is good. We had the wrong computer. I knew it!!!! I knew that leaving my baby out there all alone in the big bad world was not a good idea. I should have paid the extra money to have the "Geek Squad" come to my house. That way I could keep an eye on them.
We haul hiney to the store later to check things out and find out just what in the heck they are doing there!!!! But, the line is so loooooooooong. Okay, relax. We can see it sitting there on the shelf in a neat little computer lineup. Poor thing. It looks like ours and hopefully it's fine, so we'll just be patient.
It's odd being without something that you use everyday. I'd look in the room as I passed by and think of what I must be missing. One morning I even went in the room, walked around, stared at the empty space where it used to sit and then walked out. That was weird. Funny thing what your mind does and how you get into a routine.
So I decide to take advantage of all of this time without a computer. I make salsa, I paint, I clean out the pantry and start ripping off the old countertop. I toss out several bags of papers and I box up unwanted stuff for the thrift shop. I clean out the front closet that Cort has overtaken with toys and I rearrange and toss out all of those cheap toys that kids collect at the fast food restaurants. Oh my gosh, I am on a roll here.
Then they call. Your computer is ready to be picked up. Oh. Suddenly, I am not really missing it anymore. Wow, I'm really fickle aren't I ? Then I think of all of the lovely people that I've met through the internet and of all of the emails that I have missed and of course, those deadlines.
So, I am back. Back and ready to share a few things. Ready to get to work with paper and paint. Ahhhh.
How about some Melissa Frances ? Love my Melissa Frances papers. These 2 projects couldn't be any more different from each other. First, something for fall.
Then something sweet. Pretty Melissa Frances Ambiente papers with an encouraging message for the door of someone special.
Next I have some Pink Paislee layouts. The first one is using the Vintage Moon collection and some Fall photos from last year.
That owl just kills me every time that I use it and I LOVE those Top Siders borders. So cool. I also added some vintage yellow pom pom trim that I got at Dolls and Lace. That site has some really awesome stuff and they ship so quickly.
Anybody like country music? Here's a layout that I did (also using the Vintage Moon collection by Pink Paislee) with my son, Cort right before he left to go to a Brad Paisley concert. He's getting so grown up, isn't he? Honestly though, he looks much older in these photos. My handsome little dude. I could just squeeze him. Well, actually I do whenever I get the chance!
There, I feel so much better. ;-)
Hopefully everything is good with my computer now. Hopefully. I want to warn the computer gremlins though, that I am on the lookout for them and I won't take letting them into my space very lightly. If I see them coming it will be ugly and I might just look like THIS!!!! (Scroll down a bit to see the "Burrowing Owl" image.)
As you can see from that amazing photo taken by Heather Green, messing with my computer would not be good. Fair warning, cause I got work to do around here.
Love,
Linda
"Pick me - I love BG paper! Love see all your sweet goodies! " Posted by:Kim H | July 18, 2008 at 10:10 AM
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Next I want to share some of the new release for Creative Cafe. Some pretty floral papers and on the flip side a white background with big polka dots. That polka dot paper was originally available only in Lime and it was probably my favorite paper. Now I can pick from Red, Pink, Orange, Sky blue, Lime and more. Wow, that makes me happy!!!!
I made a patchwork design for the background of the layout using the new Floral and Dot paper in Sky blue along with other coordinating Creative Cafe papers from previous releases. The Pink flowers are cut out from the new Floral and Dot also.
The cloud like journaling spots are an Art Warehouse product, otherwise the Rub on letters, branch and leaf paper, Pink chipboard heart for the wing and the Sky blue Gems are all Creative Cafe.
The photo is of my now 27 year old daughter and my son who is now 22. It looks just a little better in person, but I love that sweet memory from what seems like yesterday. Life seems to go by in the blink of an eye.....
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Before we talk about the Cupcakes, I'd like to answer a few questions that I've gotten from my last posts.
1. The "Skates" that are on the top of the round Box that I did with Melissa Frances product were drawn and cut out from 3/4" wood by me. So sorry that they are not available for sale somewhere. If you are desperate to either have the pattern or the actual wood skates, email me and we can figure something out.
2. The "Jack in the Box" ruffly collars are make by cutting various widths of 12" length papers then accordion folding them at 1/4" intervals. Really easy. The styrofoam ball head size really depends upon the size of your box that you are using. I used 2 different sizes on the 2 that I did for that reason.
3. The "Pumpkins" that I used for the containers and boxes, I picked up my local Hobby Lobby. They were on a pick so I cut that off, then painted them and their faces.
4. The "Recipe Boxes" that I've shown I got at Michael's. One was in their $1 bins, the other was in the Paper Mache aisle.
Okay, so now for the Cupcake pattern. I have it ready and if you comment here and request the template and instructions, I will email it directly to you within a day or 2. It's pretty easy but requires a 1" circle punch. There are other options too as you can see in the ones below.
These were made using lots of Chatterbox ribbons, felt, gems and other bling. When I was given the assignment to make 4 cupcakes for them I just laughed because I had already completed the ones for BasicGrey. :-) I guess that it is the year of the cupcake!!
Don't you just love that ruffly ribbon? Reminded me of Whipped cream and frosting. It is from their new Artsylicious collection. Just awesome and fun to use.
Okay, I owe one little boy some time now. He's heading for the pool and I have a new magazine to look at. Perfect things for a nice summer afternoon of relaxing.
Love to all!
Linda