Flower/Power

Flower/Power on our wall

Remember last week I was able to get an older 2013 die cut from Tim Holz?  Well, today I decided to put it to use after I had cut one billion alot of the flowers.  I'm not sure exactly how many flowers I will add to the wall.  Some simple directions to this is your feeling creative is:

Step One:  Pick out several different types of flowers and scrunch them up together if you want a fuller flower.  Here are the original ones.

Next, glue several layers of flowers together like this.

And lastly, eyeball your wall and randomly place two flowers together to start your wall of flowers.  Also, you might as how do you attach them to the wall?  Well. . . . . . you can use several different methods.  But, my favorite one is nails.  Yes, I did use ALOT of them.  But, you could use some of that tacky glue (if it holds) or even use a stapler to achieve this look.  

To be completely honest with you, I'm not exactly sure just how many flowers I want up there.  Because I am just "eyeballing" it, I will know when I have enough.  Until then, I will just be working hard on building or puttiing the flowers together before I attach them to the wall.

Come back and check with me tomorrow on my final results of the wall. 

 Happy Flowering to All of You!!

Travel Tuesday to Winchester

Let's Travel to Winchester Mystery House

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!

Who wants to go to Winchester Mystery House with me?  It's spooky and a little crazy. . . . but oh so much fun and interesting. I'm giving you the skinny version, so that you can just go and enjoy yourself without feeling bogged down with all the details of weekend escursions.  With that I always try to be as accurate and all the opinions/suggestions/ideas are just mine from personal experience.  Whew!!  Glad I got that off my chest.  So, let's go to the house.

The house itself is very easy to get to from the interstate.  In addition, within a few blocks of the house is a fantastic quaint little shopping center that has just about anything you could need.  So, if you like need a Tesla, there is even a dealership right in this area.  Sigh. . . . no LV store though!!!  Anyway, back to Winchester Mystery House.  Our family has been there several times.  Seriously, like about 4 different times.  As you know, I'm all about the skinny of travels.  So, here's the website for you to easily get tickets and to get know alittle bit more about the  Winchester Mystery House

I snapped this picture during one of our spring breaks while our crew was home for the holidays.  

Front Winchester House

There is basically two different types of tours that you can take for the house. Usually, each season has a few extra tours that are in addition to the  basic two.   I'm pretty sure that there use to be a couple other tours, but maybe they've incorporated them into the seasonal or holiday tours.   

Skinny Information

Winchester Mystery House

From Placerville it will take about 3 hours and 4 minutes (Google Map)

Mansion Tour is approximately 1 hour 10 Minutes

Cost $37.00 if you are not a child, senior or military

   Tours start at 9:20 on Saturday mornings

Map It Out

My blueish pumpkins

Happy Monday Everyone!!

I hope your weekend was enjoyable and you had a great first day of Fall.

Remember the blueish/greenish pumpkins I painted last week?  Well, I thought they were going outside, however my dining room table was still so boring after the smallish pumpkins got added.  So..... I guess this happened........

My pumpkin color for 2017

Distress Ink Cheat Sheet

Distress Ink It!!

Hey friends!!  

Happy Wednesday to all of you.  Boy, do I have a treat for you.  How many of you love  timholtz.com/  and how incredibly talented he is. Well guess what??  They (Ranger) have come out with a cheat sheet to show his colors.  Why couldn't I have thought of that.  Actually, I sort of thought of it and I decided to stamp the colors onto handmade large tags.

If you know anything about Tim, he has a special kinda grunge(sp?) look to his art/craft supplies. He uses colors and textures that are far superb to any others.  Which, sets him apart. Can you tell that I love everything that he does.   I have personally been following him for quite a few years now and have been able to get a small  okay, fairly large supply of his items.  

Here is my picture of the Distress Ink sheet.  It's super hand to have because, I know there are times I'm half way through a project and need just that certain color and I can't tell you how many times that I have messed up a project because the color is just not right.  Not saying I'm a perfectionist or anything.

And without further comments about it, here is the link to print yours out.   http://rangerink.com/pdf/organize/Distress%20Ink%20Chart_DEC_2015.pdf 

And that's a cheat sheet wrap for YOU!!

A Basket Here We Go

How Do You Like My New Basket?

Hey friends!!!  Such a gorgeous day outside isn't it?  I wanted to show you a new/old basket that I picked up this weekend.  Many, many times I'm asked about where I get my stuff, how do I clean it and why oh why do I paint everything.  

First, let me say, I'm continually on the hunt  "look out" for certain items that interest me.  For me, it's not just about who has created/designed/built the item.  It's about how it makes me feel and completely about the look I'm trying to create.  I have found that living in Placerville has been a challenge to find things that I love!!  However, this summer I have scored more items then what I have found the entire 8 years that I have lived here.  Places that I usually go to are.  The local lift store or Hospice store outside of Placerville on 50.  Another store I frequent is Under The Arbor in Shingle Springs.  Sometimes, I can find things there, that are not to overly priced.  And by far shopping off of the Facebook Market place is the best.  Alot of times they have items, that will direct you to the person having a garage sale and that's where you can find treasures. 

New/Old Basket

Secondly, how do I clean items?  Everything, gets wiped down very well before it comes into my house.  Whether I use Lysol disinfecting wipes or a soapy bleach water.  It has to get wiped down.  I can't handle it not being as clean as possible.  Then, it starts to feel like my own thing and not somebody else's junk.  

Lastly, why do I paint everything??  Because I love, LOVE, love painted items.  I use to drive my dad crazy with my painting.   I guess if he would still be alive, I would still drive him crazy.  

And that's a basket wrap for you today!!

Travel Tuesday Barcelona Part 2

Barcelona Baby

Hey friends!!  This is part two of our trip to Barcelona.  I'm sorry that our pictures aren't the best.  I'm not the photographer in our group, so you get very limited talent.  However, I do bring the ability to get us there, have a great time while we are doing it and manage to make the best out of most circumstances.  Today I'm sharing all about the Roman Catholic Church Familia Sagrada designed by the famous architect 

The price to get in may at first detour you, but it's so worth it. AAnd a person could spend all day there looking around. It's a work of art. Both inside and out. I know that so many churches just have an eye view, but what is so great about this church is that whether your looking at eye view or whether you are looking down or up, there is always something interesting that you can focus on. And when I say you could spend the day there I mean it.  I've included the website that you can scroll to and get more information from or more history of the church.  But, I'm all about the skinny/quick version. 

First, I wanted to show you a couple pictures of the famous http://www.sagradafamilia.org/en/  My pictures DO NOT do this justice, but go check out their website for better pictures 

Sagrada Familia

Next, I wanted to include this picture as it accurately shows how big the carvings really are. This is the one in the center of the church where you can see Christ carrying the cross. The details in each carving are truly  remarkable. As you can see by this picture.

Buy It/So You Don't Regret It

Happy Monday Everyone!!

    This weekend while waiting on football, I made  asked my husband to go with me to Tuesday Mornings. Have you ever been? Gotta Go!!! And who doesn't just love, love that store.  I, especially like their craft aisle that they have. Usually I can find some retired or out of date Tim Holz thing there and I'm always happy for that.  Seriously, youlike  never know what your going to find and it's never the same at all the stores.

    Today I found this flower die cut. I have the smaller version and use it all the time. So, I felt like I couldn't go wrong with the bigger one. But, seriously it was $20.00 and well to be honest, I was trying to get out of there on $10.00.

This is where I say, buy it/So you don't regret it.  And I did!! After putting it down 3 and picking it up three different times.

 
     Here's a shot of the finished flower that I created using the Jumbo Tattered Flower die cut.  I crinkled up each flower and then layered them on top of each other.    

Jumbo Tattered Flower

Let me back up and show you what I started with.  Sorry Nicholas Sparks about your book.  I loved it, but not enough to keep my flowers uncut. 

Next, I laid out the pages on top of the die cut and began cutting away.

   Here are several of them cut out, laying up against the jumbo flower die cut.  

 

Cards, cards and more cards!!

It's cardmaking day at my house.

Hey friends!!

One of my favorite girlfriends needed some thank you cards for an event that she was planning and leading for her church.  .  So, ..........guess who got busy and started creating???  Only one guess and the rest do not count.


What I love about this first card is all the different layers that added up to having a stacked and built card.  Maybe, you can't see it, but there are 7 different layers to this card.  The beginning layer is just a cream background.  From there I added a printed vellum paper that has maps, signs and anything to do with traveling.  Next, I stamped numbers in order on the printed vellum and I finished up another layer of colored paste.  Of course, my favorite color is Broken China from Tim Holz line of ink.  He has several different mediums in his line and in this color.  If you have never visited his website you HAVE GOT TO GO DO IT!! He's amazing and an unbelievably talented artist in the scrapbooking industry.  His website  can be found at http://timholtz.com

Goin to Paris

Flowers & Spots

This last one is probably one of my favorites because it's basic elements are based around things that I have recycled or that have been laying around without a purpose.  For example, the flower is an old (clean) McDonald's bag.  Don't judge me on McDonald's!!  And the center art piece is used blue jeans that have a fantastic stitching to them, that I could not let go.  And lastly, both of the tags, were literally just junk and I somehow made it all work.  So, you see, you do not have to be rich or spend a lot of money.  You just have to be creative, envision it as not junk, but art!!

Blue Denim My Heart



I made several different versions of thank you cards.  I tried to make them, so that they would fit each person's individual taste.  If you want to see more, visit my Instagram account  https://www.instagram.com/cameo_socha or Facebook and I have included a few more pictures.   

Travel Tuesday

Barcelona here we are!!

In 2006 we spent one week in Barcelona.  I could overwhelm you with pictures, but will try to keep it to a minimal.  This was our second time that we stayed at the Airbnb.  We have liked staying on the outskirts of town for the simple reason that it is sooo much more quieter than being close to the touristic district.  Secondly, we have found that we are able to connect with some of the shop owners and have a more enjoyable time while shopping in their quaint stores.  And lastly, the price is usually much lower and we are able to get a bigger flat, apartment or condo by choosing this route.  

In one of the main tourististy areas was about 20 people lined up on the streets on a platform.  Each one had a different costume on and would pose with you for a few dollars.  

Yeah, she's a live qeisha girl

Sutter and the Alien

Copper cowboy with my crew

This statue was in the center area of the driving roundabouts.  You can see the details of this building was greatly carved by hand and had to have taken quite a long time.  

But, Barcelona is most known for their face architectural structures.

Quote It for Motivate Monday

We need some motivation!!

It's not the load that breaks 

you down,

it's the way you

carry it.

Lou Holtz

No more orange pumpkins

They are turning blue

Hey everyone!! I hope your weekend has been great.  We've been busy with football and also I have been creating some fun blueish/greenish pumpkins.  I'm super excited this year to change things up a little bit and create something different then just having regular orange pumpkins hanging around.  

I first started with buying some pumpkins at my local Goodwill store. Or if there isn't one, check out your local thrift stores for them.  I, wanted my pumpkins to have some color and look french countrish (is that a word) all the while looking worn.  So, I first started out painting them with Annie Sloan chalk paint in Louis Blue.  And then as they were drying,  I added on top of that Duck Egg Blue in the creases of the pumpkins.   

And lastly I used the first coat of clear wax from Annie Sloan and then finished up the last coat in the dark wax.  I, only put the wax in the creases and at the top where the stem is.  Because I didn't want to get to much stain on them, I was careful as to the amount that I added.  It might be a little hard to see the color difference and the wax, but here it is anyway.

Finished Pumpkins

Flo was her name, Flossy was her game

Florence Germaine Kastner Sutter was her name.

  What can I say about this special person?  She meant so much to me.  Of course, I never remember her looking like this.  All I remember was she was old and had trouble getting around.  But, she was very pretty, I think and came from a very large family.  I remember the day that we had to have her put into a nursing home.  Never, had I seen my mom be in such agony over something.  However, she knew that long term she couldn't take care of her.  And please don't judge our family on this.

Taken at one of the fairs

This is an original that I just snapped a picture of from my phone.  It's almost perfect except for at the top you can see a rip in the picture.  My grandparent's worked very hard in their lifetime.  Their lifetime consisted of  owning several businesses at once and having to divide their time.  Someday I will share more of their life and business.  ..

Life is Hard-Then make the easiest Banana Bread

Hey friends!!

I've made lots of banana bread in my lifetime, can I say LOTS.  Let's face it, how many bananas go rotten??  And I'm always looking for a simple, delicious way to make it. This recipe is soooooo simple. And yet the top is fantastically soft as well. I found the recipe from guess who??? Yep, simple recipes.  So, go check it out and make some.   http://www.simplyrecipes.com 

Finished Banana Bread

One thing I did change was that I added natural sugar to the top of the bread before I put it in the oven.  I think it looks pretty on top after it's cooked and gives the banana bread a sparkle.  For your easy find, here is the recipe:

Banana Bread

2-3 bananas (ripe)

1/3 cup melted butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 sugar

pinch of salt

1 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 and butter or spray loaf pan.  

Mix bananas, egg, vanilla together in mixing bowl.

Add dry ingredients together and then combine with wet

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan.  Bake for 50minutes to 1 hour.  Take out and check using a tester stick, such as a toothpick.  

Travel Tuesday

Good Afternoon, Recovering Labor Day Friends!!

I know that so far my Travel Tuesday has been in California.  I promise, pinky promise that I will get to other areas in the United States and also around the world.  But, first some local areas that can draw anyone who LOVES the outdoors and also being on the water. Our travel today took us to  Union Reservoir, which is part of the El Dorado National Forest and can be accessed from right off of 50.  Which is almost halfway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.  My purpose it to take you away from your home and the problems, worries, stresses and get you out moving, eating, enjoying and exploring different places in your life.  So follow along with me:

After sleeping in late, we decided to pick up our kayaks and head up somewhere towards South Lake Tahoe and find a spot to spend the day.  We've started something new for our day trips to the lake.  Our old tradion was to always pack a lunch and take it with us.  The last couple times we have stopped at a local Subway on the way and everyone has been able to pick out their own sub and off we go.

  And here is three of my crew members.  From left to right is Sutter, Bill and Sterling.   I always call them my crew, because between the jokes, the food and the sounds they make..... well let's just say I feel like it's a crew.  I'm sure mom's of boys can completely understand this.

There are two parts to Union Reservoir.  One is the boat dock area and the other is where the beach and camping area is.  Most days it is clear and bright, but today  it's cloudy and somewhat hazy in the background because of a mist that is rolling in and a light sprinkling of water.  I found the water to cold for me to get in,  but my crew didn't and managed to throw mud on themselves and each other.

Isn't this a gorgeous sunset.  We pulled over to the side of the road and snapped a few sunset pictures on the way down the hill from Union Reservoir.  This is just using my iphone, but if you were into photography, you would LOVE this area.

And lastly I thought an appropriate treat stop was in order.  Do you SEE what's in the background.  Yes, milkshakes!! And what's great about these is that you can make them right there. The flavors range from peanut butter cup, rootbeer float, coffee and even smoothie flavors.   It even has three different settings to have your milkshake thin, medium or blend it thick.  

The Chevron Camino gas station at 3600 Carson Rd, has an easy access to get on and off of 50.  But, not only are they a great stopping place, but the employees are super friendly and can easily direct you to other local shops.