Once a Raider - Always a Raider!

My sister, Sherri, and I recently took to trip to Lubbock, Texas where we were born and later went to college at Texas Tech University. We drove through the campus...wow! What a change! Of course it has been a decade or two since we both graduated from there. :)

The well-known Will Rogers statue greets you as you enter the campus from University Drive.
(Photo from Texas Tech website.)

The Education building where I took so many of my upper class classes. After a few changes of my major - first Architecture (I wanted to be an architect and design schools and homes)...then after realizing that required a lot of math I switched to Interior Design. I got married along the way - had my beautiful daughter, Jenn - and eventually graduated with a dual degree in Elementary Education and Art Ed. I was convinced by my parents and then-husband that education was a field in which one could always get a job. And of course quite well-suited for a female of the times.

(Photo from Texas Tech website.)

Sherri graduated with a degree in business and computer science after beginning with a major in Communication. Our parents convinced her there was no $$$ to be made in that field though. Funny how others can have such an influence on our career paths - isn't it?
(Photo from Texas Tech website.)

We stopped by the Alumni Association Building. It is gorgeous with rooms full of wonderful Texas Tech history and memorabalia.

And since I was not able to afford a senior ring at graduation, I had to take my photo with this BiG ring! Go Raiders!

To memories of years long ago...and those of just yesterday. Cherish them all - big or small.
denise :D

I Feel Special...

I was just reading some of my favorite blogs when I came across a post by Debby Schuh. Debby wrote about My Lil Memory Book from Creative Escape 2009 on her blog The Memory Bee on 6.3.11 titled "A Little Share". (You'll have to scroll down to read the post.) I feel like a real celebrity!

I love taking classes with Debby. She is such an inspiration with an amazing passion for what she does. A blessing to the memory makers of the world! :)

Check it out...won't you, please?

Thank you, Debby, for making my day!

denise :D

"Happiness is Cross-Stitching" Blog Giveaway

Check out this cute cross-stitch blog that I have discovered...Happiness is Cross Stitching.

Lynn from the UK is having a blog giveaway is celebration of having 1300 followers! She is a very talented stitcher.

Check her out...I think you'll like what she has to offer. I know I sure have. :D

Sunday Blessings to you all, denise :D

T!im-spiration

tim holtz...that is! What an inspiration this man is to so many people. He is genuine and generous beyond measure.

I have been most fortunate to attend four classes taught by Tim. Let me share...

This is a book he taught in one of the classes in Dallas, Texas sponsored by Stamp Asylum. We learned so many distress ink tips and got to work with his awesome grunge board and Idealogy line of embellishments.

That same day in the afternoon we then made this "Creative Blocks" project. This is my version of the project. We learned to do wax encaustics and used some little miniature canvases to add even more dimension. We all got one of the little black hearts - handmade by Mario using Utee. We could then paint it and decorate it however we were inspired.

Tim and his awesome assistant, Mario, are always willing to stop and pose for a photo with the class participants. He is never ever too busy for us! :)

The second day of classes Tim taught us to make a Configurations Box. He had tons...I mean tons...of goodies for us to choose from to create our own special memory cabinet. He really is the most generous person I have ever met.

Here he is again...taking time for another photo op!

I tell you...these boys are the best! Luv 'em both!

In a previous post from yesterday I mentioned that I had the opportunity to attend Creative Escape in August 2009. Tim was one of the instructors at that event. He was the fav!

In the class at Creative Escape Tim taught us how to make this oh-so-cute travel journal complete with photo holders. It sits in this darling little bitty suitcase. His imagination is simply amazing...and never ending!

I am now a member of the Yahoo group All Things Tim. It is a wonderful copy of ladies...and a few men...who love tim and his talent. We have super swaps and exciting exchanges, we trade tips and share ideas. Won't you check us out at allthingstim@yahoogroups.com?

Thanks for joining in my little tribute to T!m.

Blessings, denise :D

New Year = More Art

My birthday is Monday...July 18th. Just 3 days away - if you count today. And today counts...everyday counts.

So I'm making a commitment...a real commitment. I'll be committed - to creating every day. [Not to the local psych ward...] I'll make everyday count.

So I began by going back through some of the photos I have on my computer. Photos of artist/creatist that I have been fortunate to meet and/or take classes from. Kinda to get some inspiration going on here!

Just wanted to share a few with you...

A couple of months back I had the pleasure of taking two classes from Debby Schuh at one of our LSS, Pizzaz. In this class we created a book entitled "Recipe of Me". So cute!

In the other class we made this wonderful piece using a 7Gypies Receipt Holder and various papers, rub-ons, and embellishments.

In 2009 I was fortunate enough to attend Creative Escape in Phoenix, AZ. Talk about inspiration happening! So much talent there!

This is Marah Johnson. She taught us some wonderful techniques using Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist. Inside this darling lil' box are miniature books for journaling.

Oh, I just love this artist's style. What a classy lady - Heather Bailey. Besides scrapbooking, she also designs fabrics. Yummy fabrics!

These two lovely ladies are Paula Cheney and Deb Crouse. They are part of the 7 Gypsies Team. In this class we made this wonderful wallhanging featuring a family photo and a door that opens for journaling.

That same Summer 2009 I also had the opportunity to attend Art Unraveled. Talk about talent galore. What a wonderful experience.

After hearing a presentation by Someguy (Kevin Kelly) who did the 1,000 Journals Project, we were able to contribute to one of several journals that he made available to us. This is my contribution. The lil' bird is something I created and brought to the event to exchange with fellow participants.

This is the man behind the 1,00o Journals Project, Someguy.

Also at Art Unraveled I was so lucky to meet Jenn Mason. Jenn is now the editor of Cloth, Papers, Scissors magazine. We were able to preview some of her wonderful jewelry the night prior to the Vendor Extravaganza. I purchased 3 of her gorgeous necklaces made from repurposed jewelry.

One of the classes that I took was art journaling taught by Leighanna Light. This class was my first experience with book making. I was in such awe of all the other artists is the class. There was sooo much to learn.

I have always admired soldered jewelry. This was the best class ever with the most gracious woman I have ever met...Rebecca Brooks. Her husband was her churpa during the class.

In the class we created this two-sided piece. This is actually before I did the soldering on it.

Prior to the class we were instructed to create two collages. This is the other side of my piece. The charms eventually were soldered to hang from the bottom of the piece.

So now that I have renewed my inspiration...uplifted my artistic spirit...cleaned out the cobwebs in my soul...I am ready to CrEaTe EvErY DaY! Won't you join me in the journey?

Blessings to you each and every day, denise :D

Austin Adventure at Archiver's

In April 2011 a group of us from Texas that are members of the All Things Tim Yahoo Group met in Austin, Texas for our first - of many - "ATT Adventure In Austin at Archiver's". Bren made arrangements for us to have a room at the Austin Archiver's. After an abundance of emails back and forth, the day was finally here. We had so much fun getting to know one another. I learned many new things and gathered lots of inspiration from this wonderful group of talented ladies.

Standing: Stephanie, Me, Bev, Kathy, Debbie, Bren. Seated: LeAnn

We came from all over Texas - the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin Area, San Antonio, and El Paso.

We had an ATC swap, a charm swap, and a page swap for our Memory Books of the day.

Of course we had to stop for a quick lunch at Applebees. Wonton Tacos were the favorite.

We will be meeting again in July for another fun day together at Archiver's again. If you're down this way, give us a holler. We'd love for you to join us for another All Things Tim Adventure!

In Memory of My Mama

My mother went to heaven 3 years ago this past March 31 (my oldest daughter's, Jenn, 33rd birthday day.) My sister, Sherri, and I decided soon after that we wanted to get a snowflake tatoo in memory of our mom who loved snowflakes. My youngest daughter, Bekah, wanted to be a part of this special tribute as well. :D
This Memorial Weekend is the first time that the three of us have been together all at the same time. What better place to have our tatoos done than in the beautiful mountain village of Ruidoso, NM where our mother loved to come. And it's Bekah's birthday today. :)

That's me on the left...My tatoo has three showflakes to represent my three children Jenn, Chris, and Bekah. My daughter, Bekah, has a a snowflake that is the same as the one I have that is her snowflake. My sister, Sherri, has one snowflake that represents her son, Brett.

Our artist, Turtle, prepares to begin my snowflake tatoo. Yikes!

I have to admit...I did hurt - sometimes more so than others...but not too bad. It was worth every minute of it.

The three snowflakes are complete. Now he is adding the filigree in a "sweeping snow storm" effect.

Almost finished...I love it. Bekah said, "It is so you, Mom."

Now Bekah's turn. She's an ol' pro at this. This was a first for us old folks.

Sherri was actually the first one of us to have it done. Just like when we were younger..."You go first, little sister! I'll be right behind ya!"

And here we are with our special snowflakes in memory of our Mom and my children's MeMommy. We love you!

A Lil' Birdie Told Me

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to not buy any fabric, quilting patterns, or quilting books during 2011. I have made a commitment to only make quilts from the fabrics I have in my abundant stash.

So far...so good! :D

This is the beginning of a quilt I designed myself using a bird panel with coordinating fabrics. Let me tell you all about it ----

The quilt is made of two blocks - the pieced block and the birdie block. I wanted a block that would alternate with the bird blocks and frame them to add some pizzazz.

So I went to Quilter's Cache in search of a block that would meet my needs. (If you are not familiar with Quilter's Cache, it is a wonderful site that has blocks of various size. A gold mine for finding block and quilt patterns. Check it out!)

So with these five fabrics (the bird print will be used in the borders and for the backing), I created the alternating pieced blocks.

The name of the pattern is The Queen's X. I like the name of the block.

Next I 'framed' the bird prints with the wine colored fabric. This brought them up to the same size as the pieced blocks.

I love this panel fabric. These birds appear so gentle and serene as they sing to one another from atop their branches.

I then needed to rotate each pieced block to give the quilt its secondary design - with every other row's bird blocks being framed in either the peach or olive colored fabric.

Now just to get the rest of the rows sewn on there! I'm proud of myself for sticking to my New Year's Resolution. Only 8 more 'no-fabric-buying' months. I know I can do it!

Thanks for stopping by for a bit,

denise :D

God's Wonder Full World

Last month I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a women's all-day retreat at my church. "Wonder Full World" was hosted by wonderful women who shared their love for us and Christ.

We began the day by choosing a postcard from our dream vacation. I chose a postcard that looked like the Netherlands with tulips and green rolling hills and a beautiful old church-looking building in a quaint village.

Then we got to be royality for a day in our vacation spot. Here I am as Duchess Denise! I even got to wear a crown. We answered some questions about how we would live in our kingdom. I will travel by carriage and all the houses will be required to plant flowers in their yards.

These lovely ladies were my travel companions - (from left to right) LeClaire, Elia, Me, and Dorothy. I was so blessed to spend the day with them as we travelled around God's Wonder Full World.

As a group, we created our perfect best friend. Here Elia shows her in progress.

Our new best friend...She has a heart of chocolate, wears an angel halo, she's a Christian women, she likes to shop (has her purse), and has long arms to hug us. Her colorful hair represents all the beauty that we as women possess.

A part of the retreat is always some kind of service project. This year we made blankets for the less fortunate. As we tied the edges we said prayers for the unknown recepients of these prayer blankets.

I thank the Lord for this special day spent with very special women. :D

Blessings to each of you and yours,

denise <><