My October Daily Update

Hello Crafty Friends

Welcome to my Creative Cave once again where I have had quite an artful day today.  I started this morning with making my 2 Harvest ATCs for my partner on The Paper Manipulator.  These are harvest images that I printed from the Internet and simply used my copic markers to colour them in.  Its hard to believe that I am out of colouring practice with them.

So then I moved on to the next project on the list.  I wanted to make Halloween themed ATCs for the Alphabet Letter M but turns out that it was actually for the Letter O theme so I kind of wasted time making these.  However time was not entirely wasted on them as I will add them to my ATCs to be Traded collection. And I did have fun making them, though.  I think maybe I will put them into one of the envelopes in the book I am using for my October Daily for future use.   I just hope that my partner won't be too disappointed for the Letter O, as there are not many options for O in Halloween.  At least not that I could think of.

So, what does all of this have to do with my October Daily update?  Well nothing really, except that I'd been working on the front and back cover of my chosen book which I am altering from scratch for it in between projects.  Speaking of which, I really should add a layer of Mod Podge to the back cover before it gets too late in the so it can dry so I can decorate the front of it tomorrow.

Here is a photo of the book I have been talking about that I chose for my October Daily 2018.

When I saw this book at a yard sale, I jumped on it.  It was only a quarter, and at the time I had no idea what I was going to use it for.  So, when the idea of the October daily came up, I thought this would be just the perfect book.   As you can see, I will have to be altering completely front to back...fun, fun, fun...and it is something that I will be able to keep for myself for a change.

I don't know if you can tell the difference or not.  I can't in the photo, at least yet, maybe once the blog is up.   As it stands right now I have the front gessoed in black and have a light layer of Glossy Mod Podge on it.  There are some streaks but I am not worried as I will be completely decorating it all in Halloween themed images, die cuts and stickers.  I am thinking of not bothering to mod podge the back of the book as since I am going to decorate it too, that I will not need to.

Anyway, as you can see, I've had to alter the front and the back...and I will be altering each page as well.  All I can say is that, there is only a little bit of planning for me for this project but not too much.  Our budget is going to be on the low side to be able to go anywhere or do anything for the next couple of months, which is fine by me, as I will be happy to be home and in my creative cave when I can be.  Lord knows I have tons to do, I just hope that my health holds enough to let me enjoy this upcoming fall season.

October Daily 2018

My long time pal Bonnie over at Gasper's Gems here on blogger has been getting me excited about something called October Daily...which is something I have never ever heard about before.  Why have I never head about it?  Hmmm, not sure.  This was originated by the talented Serena Bee.  Check her blog out, she has a ton of cool tutorials on a variety of things.

Since I had to wait a bit to get paid to go to Michaels to get what I needed, I finally got to go on Friday on the way home from my Mom's and Dad's.  My previous post showed you the great deals I got from Michael's (and Dollarama). In this blog, I will show you the tough decisions I had to make.  I will begin with the 2 books I had to choose one from.

The first book; well its actually a binder is a beautifully bound green vintage binder.  The colour is perfect for a Halloween themed anything.   Keep in mind that each book is going to be redecorated in Halloween themed embellishments. And some kind of calendar page will have to be added to each page in them as well.

Since the first photo is a binder, I would have use 8 1/2 by 11 paper which would be ok, but it could end up being a plain jane October Daily which is how I decided not to pick this binder for the project.

The one I chose, is actually a very interesting book.  Every page has an envelope opening for me to put things inside and the book is quite long being 13 x 9 cm long and wide.  Every page is going to definitely have to be lathered to theme of Halloween...Will be a bit of work but quite worth it in the end.

Now for the paper.  Again another Michael's mention...they seem to have the monopoly here, don't they?  Anyway, this was a difficult decision too but I had to make up my mind rather quickly.  My choices (much like Jaspers Gems) were difficult.  The choices were the:  Hocus Pocus pad which to me was a lot more exciting than the other choice which was the Moonlit Manor pad.

So my only choice was to pick the Hocus Pocus pad.  I actually had a 55% off coupon for this, which made me do a happy dance....

Now that my biggest and hardest decisions have been made, I can actually begin my October Daily experience!

Cheers

Michaels & Dollarama Haul - Friday August 31

It has been a while since my last post, but here it goes!

We went out on yet another road trip on the 30th and the 31st,  I had the chance to go to check out a few Michaels Stores as well as a couple of Dollarama's.

Who doesn't love the crafty section at the Dollarama stores Canada wide? Although I loved them a lot better when everything in it was just 1 dollar.  But that the cost of inflation for you.  

I had a few great finds this visit to the Southern World.  Here are a few things I found...great deals without a doubt.

These paper pads which I have never seen before at our Huntsville location for example.  I really love it when there is such a great value.   The more in thł package the better.  There was Pink, Blue and Rain Bow colour paper packs, I, of course chose the latter two.

I also found these fabulous stickers.  OMG what crafty person does not love a good selection of great stickers for Halloween or Otherwise?  

This is a cool deal, I love the small stars which can be somewhat difficult to peel off for me but its not bad if you take your time.  Which sometimes, I have absolutely NO patience for.   

These are super cute for a certain project I have coming up that Bonnie over at Jasper's Gems and I will be working on together.  (Stay tuned for a very soon to come post about it called the October Daily)

    

Which the above stickers will be absolutely fabulous for!  Your not even going to believe this...I saw these very same stickers for sale at Michael's for a whopping $5..99!!!  Can you even believe this???  I can!!!!  So, it really pays to shop around to save!  Even though you think your saving gas for your car by not going from place to place looking around.  You just never know what your going to what your going to find where.  I always start at Dollar Tree, then Dollarama, and then Michaels.  We have no other kinds of crafty stores here.  Well, there is DeSerras, but they are in Oakville and quite on the expensive side.

My next stop was Michaels.  The first one we went to was in Orillia.  They did not have anything for the 12 x 12 paper packs.  So I left without buying a single thing!  Can you imagine that?  Well actually you would be quite surprised at how many times I'd walked into that store and walked out again with zero purchases.

Then I did not get to another Michaels location until our next stop which was Brantford to pick up some tires that Abby got for a great price.  

When I saw the 2018 stickers and things available for Halloween this year I was immediately excited.  I really had to control myself.  Over half of the things I wanted I had to put back.  Like for example the Tim Holtz Dracula and Frankenstein Stamp and Die Cut sets.  I was not going to pay $31.99 for them. Not even with a 55% off coupon...esp since I have been purchasing from the "Slow Boat" for less than a 1/3 of the price.

Are they not just totally cool?  But I adulted and said no.  As I was there for the 12 x 12 paper pads...end of story!  So I put them back...sigh....If only....lol...any way, here are a couple of other items I wanted...but put back...

                           

...and two other items I got were also pretty cool deals.  I always check out the clearance section and I was glad that I did.  I found this package of glitter glue, with only 1 bottle missing.  It was originally priced for $12.00 and I got it for $4! How sweet it is!  And of course I just had to get more of their 2 for a dollar washi tape!

The final two things I got from Michaels are the stinkin' cutest little critter skeletons you ever did see in four legged form.  I just could NOT resist them...

I just could not even believe how cute these little guys are!  I absolutely HAD to have them!  But I believe that Michael's are on to us crafters!  They seem to know what we crafty's are after.  They put these on sale on purpose to make us buy more!   These were $5.99 each, and they were selling as buy two get one free!  Sheesh....like everything is not expensive enough, right?!

The only thing I have not shown you yet were the paper pads I looked at.  Bonnie had a bit of choosing to do too...But off of the top of my head I cannot remember what paper pad she picked...But come back soon as I will talking about the Halloween papers in my October Daily Blog post.

cheers!

Why Do I Craft? Why do YOU craft?

Well, I have been meaning to blog on this very topic for a while now.  And I just now finally got around to it as I was inspired by a note I received this morning in a group I belong to called "Precut Paper Die Cuts."

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the notes and comments that I get from fellow art sisters from around the globe.  The fact that I am still very much in love with making ATCs and still being able to participate in swaps make me feel tickled pink!  I love ALL of my artist friends and what they have to say about what I've sent them actually still makes me blush after 10 years of trading art.

Here is one example:

Have you ever gotten so excited about your happy mail that you put it in a safe place? I did that yesterday! I was in the middle of painting and the mailman came so I took a break. I was so excited about my Happy Mail from Dar Bassie-Cripps. I quickly opened it, and saw all the amazing Halloween cuts. Dar knew that I did not have anything for Halloween she was so awesome and sent me lots of great things! I set it aside in a special place! Aka my messy craft room. i went to take a picture and post it. well that special place is well-hidden now :-( i moved so much stuff in there while painting i havent sorted it all yet. As soon as i find the envelope i promise to post a pic. It is amazing!!!! Thank you Dar!

I feel so bad that she misplaced them.  And I really hope she finds them. However the topic of "Losing or misplacing" stuff is totally another topic for another blog for another day.  In fact I am trying to find one of those special notes right now to include in this blog but do you think I can find it anywhere?  Oh wait...I think I scanned it...and I did....tadaaa!!!!  Good thing I didn't waste too much time looking for it.  I loved it so much I actually scanned it.  Sometimes I impress even myself!  LOL...here is is...

And then there is a site right here on net called Swap Bot ...I could pick a kazillion notes from artists all over the world there too.   Well maybe I will just post a few of them:

from Geektarts - "Thank you so much for your ATC, I love that it re-purposed artwork, very unique!"

from Cariboocarol  "Hi Dar! I loved your Mona Lisa Witch---very cute and also the cat perched on her shoulder was a nice touch! Thank you very much for everything!!"

from TigerMouseCat  - "I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas except it is Halloween! How many more sleeps.... Thanks so much for such an awesome swap! The box is most excellent! You always put so much of yourself into whatever you do! Art on my friend, art on!"

ok and just one more....

from Jenicat - "Thank you for the two ATCs! Heathcliff and Garfield (love)! And I nearly squealed when I saw the little unicorns. I love everything 💜"

all right last one...LOL

from Lexidh - Thank you! I love the ornament card! =) Definitely going into my collection"

WHAT ARE YOU MOST GRATEFUL FOR REGARDING YOUR ARTWORK?

Jan 4, 5 & 6 - NEW YEAR NEW ME!!!

On January 4th, Abby and I drove down to Orillia to see my Ear Specialist.  He totally threw a surprise at me. When he finished looking in my ear, he strongly recommended that I have a tube inserted.  Why this never happened before now, I will never know.  But I said lets proceed with tube, so he did.  Was so weird, he put freezing cream on the ear drum, poked a hole it and then inserted the tube.  I was amazed at how quick and almost painless this procedure was.  Then when he vacuumed out the freezing cream, talk about feeling weird.  That was even weirder than the actual flushing of the ear.  I now can hear sounds that I never heard before.  So that, was that.

On Jan 5th, I was at the hospital in Huntsville yet again, this time for the 2nd Carpel Tunnel Release surgery for my left hand.  It was a piece of cake this time.  I was actually chatting away with the surgeon and the nurses, telling them the story of when I got to hold a real human heart in my hands on Valentines Day.  LOL...It was weird, I could actually see a bit of what they were doing in the reflection of the big lights, AND even weirder I actually felt the pop when he cut the ligament.   I am happy these two surgeries are done.  On January 15 I go for my colonoscopy.  I have evaded that for 3.5 years now, so its time to face the music.

Later Today I hope to get to do something craftyl

Jan 3 - Greeting Cards

Up until yesterday I never had any real interest in making greeting cards.  I've made plain greeting cards in the past in my 10 years experience of making ATCs but making fancy cards has taken my eye for the moment.  I spent part of last night before I went to bed, making this "Flag" greeting card.  I finished it today and I am really pleased of how it turned out.  I never thought I would ever the challenges of making greeting cards.  So I ended up doing my 18 minutes last night before bed anyway, and I worked on this card for most of the day.  The source I got this idea from is a challenge at one of the groups I belong to on facebook.  CLICK HERE to see Beecy's page.  There is a lot of good stuff there to check out, and lots of card patterns and challenges.  I think I will be visiting that site often myself.

 

I had also been working at my own personal challenge 18 min of creating for today...Even though I have a lot on my mind right now with the two day surgeries rapidly approaching.  I am quite happily working on a second greeting which will strike off two items on my list of things to do. Yaaay.

Jan 2 - Let It Snow!

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Today, we went out to pick up the mail, and to do a dump run...so we hook up the utility trailer to the car...its so nice to be able to do that now, good thing because old turkey bones stink to high heaven!  Whew!  We drove all the way to the mail box, and then all the way to the dump, amazing that the 592 was not even plowed at this point.

We made it all the way back and even up the big hill on Station Road coming from the 592.  Got all the way home and then...only then did we get stuck in the driveway trying to get up that hill with the trailer on the back.  Its no wonder with all of that snow we got today, on top of the 9 or so inches we got over the New Year's weekend.  And we are supposed to get more tomorrow.

Abby called our neighbor to see if he could help, he ended up sending his son and his grandson over to assist...neighbors are awesome here!  While all of this was happening, I made some Macaroni salad with tuna, and got it all finished before we had a cat-nap.  By the time we got up, it was nicely refridgerated and yummy.

I had a great chat with my friend Nat, and afterwards finally got around to making the stove top popcorn I'd been promising Abby for 3 days.  It was well deserved as she'd had a pretty rough afternoon after blowing snow out of the driveway.

Nothing was accomplished in the craft today, but I don't feel too bad about it because of the 2.5 days I had spent on the marker holder, and re-orging of everything in my room.  Plus I know that since Abby will be out for most of the day tomorrow, I will get more done then in my organizing AND my craft projects.  So I don't think I over did it....just working on the average of...

Jan 1 - Here's to a Healthier and Happier New Year 2018! (art projects list)

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Art Related

If you have read my previous post from yesterday you will know that I have put a lot on my plate for goals this year.  That is simply because I want to keep moving and I want to be healthier.  So far today so good as I not only did my minimum of 18 minutes of creating, but I have also started the massive project of cleaning up my art cave, and I am at least 1/4 done lol...so all is good and the new year in progress!

Here is a photo of my first completed project of 2018 - I saw a DIY video a while back and started saving toilet paper rolls.  This marker holder is made of 112 rolls of toilet paper that did not make it to the fire pit or the landfill sites.  There are 8 rows and 14 columns, and of course they are all in the order of Roy G Biv....except I just realized its upside down...lol...I will fix that...but not tonight.

So, here is what it looks like finished, turned the right way, and with a few markers in it so far:

There, that is much better.  Now it looks like a rainbow!

Going to try to keep track of my swaps and trades here on blogger, this is about the only place I have not tried.  Note book does not seem to do it for me.
 

                                                                    Group                                             Date Done 

Aubrey's book mark                                   Friend
Friendship Pocket Letter                            Friend
Valentine Pocket Letter                              Paper Manipulator
Spring Pocket Letter                                Pre Cut Paper Die Cuts                   January 14
Winter Pocket Letter                               Paper Manipulator                          January 13
Secret Message Greeting Card               Paper Manipulator                          January 4
Card Fold with Flag Challenge              Canadian Die Cut Exchange           January 4
January Surprise Die Cuts                         Canadian Die Cut Exchange           
Jan & Feb Goal Journal Pages                  Trade W/ Kat
Assorted die cuts                                      Precut Paper Die Cuts                      January 14

Health Related

As you all know I had the Carpel Tunnel Release surgery in December 2017.  I am already scheduled for my left wrist to be done on the 5th but I have been warned that it will likely get postponed as it is at the end of the day.  I am also scheduled for a colonoscopy January 20th and I am going to see my Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist this Thursday...whew...so that takes care of some health concerns this month; oh and I think I have an appointment with Dr. Johnstone this month too; Yup, I do, just confirmed it as its on the 24th...Whew!