Love, Laughter, and Life

Adventures With a Book Lover

Tag Archives: hobby


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79 Cards!

79 cards, friends. 79. Not my best total after a weekend of stamping, but nothing to sneeze at either. 😉

I took up residence with my stamping buddy and her kitties over the summer and we got it done! Between the kitty help (all 3 of them), the walks, the meals, the outings, the visits, the Olympics, the rain (yes, glorious rain), I still managed to create 79 cards. My card stash (housed in those cute picture storage boxes) was getting low. Whew.

Here are the styles I worked on. Many of them are different from the top card, but have the same theme. We love to use up our “crafting stuff,” and no scrap is too small, no tidbit too uninspiring to be included for consideration.

I LOVE creating French-themed cards. One of my goals was to use up some of my French decorative paper. Check. [Hint: Even in rubber stamping, setting goals is a good thing to do!]

Another goal was to use up some tropical decorative paper. Plus, such cute pineapples!

A surprise entry to the card collection took place when Alyson started using this interesting, location-specific stamp. Old thesaurus, patterned paper, solid cardstock. This stamp represents Santuario de Chimayo in New Mexico! I’ve never been there, but it looks like I should put that on the list.

This was a cute card to put together. Layers are how it works best, and you’ll notice that old thesaurus pages are one of my favorites to include. Actually, any aged pages from old books work. Though one must be careful to notice which words show up on the card.

I love these stamps! The background paper worked very well. Alas, this card was a lesson in which ink pad NOT to use! The ink never dried, so I had to carefully place scraps of paper between each card to bring them home. And then it still wouldn’t dry! I finally had to peel off the fronts, remove the backings, and re-ink the edges. Sigh. I just need to toss that ink pad. Black ink. Everywhere.

After the gloom and doom of black smeary ink, this summer card was quick, easy, and light!

A little music is good for the soul. It took a bit of time to cut out the guitars to pop on top, but the card was worth it!

Fun stamp, fun text, fun colors! We all need something to celebrate, and this card works for so many special occasions.

I LOVE stamping! It works much better with a buddy (or two or three) so you can share supplies, ideas, thoughts, and suggestions. Of course, the mess multiplies by number of creators. LOL

Can we count the kitties? Yes. I’ll leave you with one of our co-creators. This one loved the trash bag.


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Homemade Tables Using Wood Scraps

My honey LOVES using up scrap wood to make garden tables. Mostly for me. 🙂 But he has gifted them to others.

Here are two of the newest projects. The small table used 2 slates from an old outdoor table and wood scraps from other projects. We always use the tables he makes outside and let them weather naturally. But this baby is inside Huckleberry Hutch, sitting perfectly beside my reading chair. Already topped with books. I might have to sneak it out sometimes to get some weathering going on.

Monet approves of this table. Actually, she approves of both tables.

The second table is also composed of wood scraps. It is solid! I love the long length and the design. This will stay outside where the elements will weather it to a lovely gray. We are using this one on the patio just outside the abode. Perfect!

I love the new additions to my Huckleberry and garden. Save those wood scraps and you can make awesome creations as well! Thanks, my love.


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I Might Have a Problem.

Most people bring a variety of souvenirs home from their travels. Sure. I do that as well.

But also, when I travel, I am consumed with seeking out . . . tote bags! No matter the gift shop, museum, tourist trap venue, my eyes and fingers are drawn to the tote bag display. It might be a problem. Let’s call it a hobby. We’ll all feel better.

My recent travels to Ireland and Italy garnered me 7 tote bags. SEVEN. And I was practicing self-restraint.

And once I returned home, I had an email from my local library. “Mention this email and get a bag for your library books.”

I mentioned that email when I visited the library to pick up books they were holding for me. And received a lovely orange tote bag! That ups my total to 8 new tote bags for about one month of excitement.

I love using my tote bags for various purposes. Or just hanging them up as wall art, because, really, they are artfully designed and created with humor, purpose, reusability, delight, and beauty.

What do you collect as souvenirs when you explore new locations or favorite destinations?