Freedom and Garland

Happy Saturday Friends!

First let me preface what I am going to say with an apology and a warning. I am going to say things that may or may not be something you want to talk about or that may offend your sensibilities. I love that you come to check out my crafts and that you leave me feedback.....and I know that I may be risking your friendship by speaking my mind.

I wanted to make something for July 4th to decorate our home. So many other holidays get decorations that this one needs it too. I also wanted to remind friends and family how important our Freedom is....this is where I stand on my soapbox and say....

I am not happy with many of our current members of Government and I am afraid that a good deal of our freedoms may be in the process of getting taken away. If we do not stand up and let our feelings be known, by talking to our legislators, we may end up in serious trouble 4 years from now and we will only have ourselves to blame. I believe that we have been heading down this road for many years so, it is not something new.

As I watch events unfold on TV about our country (the incredible amounts of money being spent, the bailouts, continued loss of jobs, etc.), I am reminded of our Founding Fathers....what they faced to stand up to King George....what they risked! They loved their native country, England, but, they could not stand by here in the colonies and be dictated to....and taxed to death. So they not only revolted once but twice!!

If this Cap and Trade (Tax) Bill passes the Senate you can expect our taxes to go up to the tune of about $3,000 a year! How do you think government will get the money to fund all the things they want to do? Now, I do not know about you but, I think I pay just enough taxes already!

What I am asking you to do is be informed about what the real truths are about what is going on in our country and what our government is trying to accomplish....mainstream TV does not give you the complete answers, please try to watch Fox News. They are fair and balanced! And no I do not get any kickbacks for saying any of this!! Call or e-mail your legislators and tell them you are mad as hell and not going to take this anymore! If they do not hear from you then, they will think you are okay with the status quo.

Thank you friends for listening to me I just need to speak up and say what needs to be said....I love my country very much, I would not want to live anywhere else but, I am not willing to lay down and let them walk all over me and my family!! Here are some links to find your House of Representatives and Senators
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

• Stamps - None
• Paper - Moxxie, Creative Imaginations, Graphic 45 DPs and SU Confetti White CS
• Ink - SU Creamy Caramel
• Accessories - Cricuit, SU Rough Edges Wheel, Dimensionals, Metallic Pipecleaners, K & Co Glue, Grungeboard Letters, Colorbok Chipboard, Basic Gray Sanding Tools, Assorted Ribbons and Fabric Strips

Have a great weekend (off my soapbox for now)!
Cindy

More Father's Day and a Lovely Surprise!

Spent part of the morning with Clark has his home. The day before Clark and I worked on his gift to Dad, a Chili Grill. You hollow out Jalapeno peppers, stuff them then set the whole thing on the grill. Wayne loves hot peppers!! Anyway, I had this stamp of the grill and that is what Clark chose to make the kraft paper wrap and the paperbag card. Not very sophisticated but, Clark thought it was funny. I you notice something weird about Clark's teeth, he had been drinking blue Gatorade!

After time with Clark we drove to the cemetary to see Dad's plot. When we got to his section and started looking for his number, I was so surprised to see that his headstone was there and grass had started growing. In fact, it made me cry.....well, maybe it was because it was Father's Day and I was missing him. That look on my face was me crying.....asked Wayne to take another, he did and it was worse.

We spent part of the evening together, no one cried but you could feel the tension. Everyone is trying so hard to be supportive to each other but, there are already some hurts happening because of things that have been said. All I can do is pray for guidance for each of us to be strong and know that Dad is okay.....and so will we.

Hope you had a nice weekend! Have a great day!

Cindy

Happy Father's Day

I made this for my Father-In-Law, Will, this year. Liked this paper and thought it would be nice

for him since he is a really uncomplex sort of guy. I cased this from Wendy Janson on SCS.

Heading over to my Mother's house today, kind of weird/sad to think that Dad won't be there. We are having dinner together anyway. Someone mentioned that we might go over to the Cemetary, see Dad's grave and talk to him. We know that his headstone will not be there yet, the govenrment takes up to 6 months to get it made and installed. My father was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetary. He was in the Navy for 2 years and the Air Force for 4. He loved his country and served it with honor.

Happy Father's Day and God Bless you Dad!

• Stamps - Lovely as a Tree, AYC II
• Paper - Baja Breeze, Kraft, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White CS, Baja Breeze DP
• Ink - Chocolate Chip
• Accessories - SU Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Unknown hardware

Thanks for looking!

Cindy

Leisurely Sunday with Mom

Yesterday my Mom and I went to the Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion in downtown St. Louis for their 19th Century Ladies Crafts Day. The original farmhouse that was on this spot was built in the 1840's by Henri Chatillon. It was sold to Dr. Nicolas DeMenil in the mid-1850's and was completed to look, as it does today, in 1863.

The Mansion was saved by an association who bought it from the State of Missouri Highway Commission who was going to tear it down to build Interstate 55. It is one of the only remaining examples of Greek Revival architecture in St. Louis.

We toured the home inside and was amazed at the beauty of the architecture and details. The ladies that were showing off and demonstrating crafts and that would have been done during the time period around 1850 included White Work (a particular embroidery), Crocheting, Spinning, Ribbon Work and Doll Making, Knitting (this gal was really talented, she was making socks), Hairwork and Cameo Carving, and Wet Plate Photography. There were also two ladies that were preparing to play period parlor music. It was nice to chat with all of them.

We left to have lunch at Bread Company....Pannera in other parts of the country. It was nice to have a day alone with Mom. She is doing her best to get life going again. All I can do it pray for her, offer to help her with various things and just be there when she needs to talk.

Hope you had a great weekend and hope your week goes smooth!

Happy Crafting!!

Cindy

Lovely Sympathy Cards

These are the sympathy cards that friends made and sent to me for my Dad's death. They are in no particular order....all were much appreciated and treasured. Thank you ladies for thinking of me and my family.

Sharing in you Sorrow is from Michelle. I love the softness of the pink and gray together. Michelle has an amazing SCS gallery; her name is momis mama. We have not met each other in person but, have developed a friendship over time.

The 5 petal Dahalia card is from Dina. She is a wonderful friend and is my SU Demo. I really appreciate how dedicated she is to keeping and increasing her business. You can check out her blog http://inkinwithdink.typepad.com/ .

With Caring Thoughts is from Gillian. I have not met Gill, yet, either. She is in the SCS St. Louis Shoebox Stampers. We get together once every month to share, stamp and exchange cards. I love how Gill used all these papers to create such a unique card. You can see her SCS Gallery going to Jill with a G.

The last one is from Dianne or deelite from SCS (she is in the SCS St. Louis Shoebox Swapers too). First I must appologize for the rumpled appearance of her card. The post office delivered it in a plastic bag...yup, got damaged in the process. I tried to clean it up some but, could not get rid of all the stains at the bottom nor the distressed edge. I am still loving this watercoloring of the sailboat.....my Dad was a sailor! We owned boats when I was a child and my Dad taught my brother and I to sail.

Hope you enjoy these cards and will go see their galleries. They are lovely talented ladies!

Hugs to you!!

Cindy

True Blue Friends Forever

Today I have this lovely attempt at something vintage for you. I actually made it last week and posted earlier this week on SCS but have not had the time to post it here. I loved this bird image when I saw it in a little shop in St. Charles, Missouri.....a place that I have wanted to check out for about a year. Finally got up there a couple of weeks ago when my brother from California was in town for my Dad's funeral. My siblings and Mom took a much needed day away from the stress and shopped.

Anyway, I played around with the coloring for quite sometime until I came up with the blues..similar to baby bluebirds. I kept the template for the shaped kraft paper from a project I did last year. Just added the piercing because it looked too plain without something. The crocheted flower is mine and made with DMC floss (I am thinking I might like to make these and sell them, what do you think?).

Well, want to get outside and enjoy this lovely weather....especially while the humidity is low and there is a breeze. Hope your weekend is a pleasant one.

• Stamps - Birds - Inkadinkado, sentiment - Red Lead
• Paper - SU Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy and Kraft CS, SU Bella Bleu DSP
• Ink - Ranger Archival Ink, SU Not Quite Navy
• Accessories - SU Small Oval Punch, Stamp-a-majig, Button, Trim, K&Co Urban Rhapsody Template, Paper Piercer, Prismacolor Pencils, Baby Oil, Crocheted Flower

Happy Crafting!!

Cindy

Many, Many Thanks!

Well, I am finally back and feeling like posting again. Though just like everyone else that has lost a parent, or loved one, you have good days and bad....sometimes good minutes and bad ones. I just wanted to say to all of you who extended a thought or prayer my way a couple of weeks back, thank you so very much.

I have posted on my SCS gallery many of the cards that I have been making using the Gamsol techique and Prismacolor Pencils. Though I must confess that I really like using the Baby Oil instead of the OMS. I feel it blends better and has a much nicer fragrance!

Hope you enjoy these for now. Tomorrow when I am not so tired I will post another of my cards and the Condolence cards that were sent to me.

• Stamps - SU Short and Sweet, Inkadinkado
• Ink - Ranger Archival Ink, SU Rose Red
• Paper - (Yellow and Blue ) SU Very Vanilla, So Saffron and Pacific Point CS, SU Jackpot DSP.....( Pink and Green) SU Whisper White, Basic Black and Regal Rose CS, Provocraft CS, SU Textured Whisper White CS, SU Raspberry Tart DSP
• Accessories - Prismacolor Pencils, Baby Oil, SU Small Oval Punch, Fiskars Scallop Scissors, SU Corner Rounder Punch, Grosgrain or Gingham Ribbon, Vintage Button
  

Thanks for looking and Happy Crafting!!

Cindy