Giving Thanks; Vegetarians R Us

Vegetarian thanksgiving card

I made this card yesterday, thus far it’s the one I’ve spent the most working with.

My daughter added the beads, and she’d picked the leaf from our yard.

Okay, so it’s a bit early for Thanksgiving, however it still didn’t stop me from making the above Veggie themed Thanksgiving card. My daughter took time from her craft, to help too. She added the beads and the leaf. The beads came from my jewelry stash, and the leaf was picked from our yard.

Although I have Thanksgiving themed pictures/stamps. I knew I didn’t have anything vegetarian related. I’m not vegetarian, I’m vegan but since I couldn’t find a Vegan card that seemed to fit what I wanted, I chose the above picture.This picture, is a free image that I found online. I uploaded it to Photoshop, resized it to 50% of its normal size, and printed it.

Although there’s areas that I’d improve, I’m still happy with the direction I’m going — and yes I’m still posting ‘things that can be improved’ here.

One lesson learned, before stamping anything onto your finished card, it might be a great idea to try it out on sample paper first. You see the embossed area? Well I covered that because the words I had, Don’t Eat Me! didn’t seem to fit, with the card. Besides, I think it’s implied that Mr. Turkey doesn’t want to be eaten, right? Just look at the sign he’s carrying.

While making this card, I started thinking about Karen aka Kleo who had a fabulous blog called Pisces Place. She’s a lovely positive, friendly, compassionate person who just happened to be Vegan. I stopped by her virtual home often, while she was writing at Pisces Place simply because I enjoyed the vibe, and the wonderful community she’d established.

Giving thanks to Karen, and the many other fabulous folks I’ve met on the internet that always make their virtual homes inviting. It’s appreciated.

Just a few more stamps; House Mouse

Tummy ache
House Mouse designs: Tummy Ache

I’ve only been stamping for a few months, however in that time I’ve accumulated a nice collection of rubber and clear stamps. I prefer the clear stamps; my daughter loves the rubber. Which means, I’m buying both.

So how did I get into stamping? It all started when a family friend, invited my daughter, and me to her home. Two tables was set aside (with plain cards) and numerous rubber and clear stamps. My daughter and I were overwhelmed. There was so much stuff! Stamps, card stock paper, glitter, embossing powder, embellishments.

On the first visit, I didn’t make anything. I mainly chatted with her and her mom, but I watched my daughter with interest. Upon leaving, we were gifted with numerous rubber stamps, and the next day I went to Micheals and added to our stamping collection.

Currently, House Mouse are the stamp series I’m enjoying the most. I was introduced to them by the same family friend. Naturally I was happy when I found the official House Mouse Designs store. (I found it yesterday)

I’ve promised myself I’ll be good — so currently I’m just looking, and while I try to decide which stamps I’d like to purchase first. It’s so hard, there are so many adorable House Mouse stamps that I like.

Card making is new to me, and as I told Jennifer of Blissful Place — it can be intimidating. I’ve checked out the sites… there are so many talented people out there. However, I’m not focusing on them, if I did I never would get around to trying it out for myself.

At times people are intimidated by others abilities of others, that it prevents them from even trying. Well, that’s not happening to me.  🙂

Over the past few days I’ve gotten some revelations, and have thought of ways I can add my own ‘personal stamp’ aka brand to my creations. Although I won’t be able to show it in everything I create, but i’ll manage to weave it into a few of my creations.

 

Inspired by nature; Glittering gems

Mums 11 08 11

Dew-covered mums

This past Friday (after dropping my daughter off at school) I snapped this photo from our flower garden.

The camera used was my trusty Nikon D80. Some of my favorite snapshots involve flowers. I especially love taking photos of dewdrops clinging to the petals.

Shortly after taking pictures, I became inspired and sketched a few ideas for jewelry and paper crafts, and so my weekend was spent bonding with my daughter, and turning my ideas into reality.

Inspiration can come from anywhere, seize the opportunity.

Berry Happy Hedgehog; adventures in card making

Beary Grateful 10 08 11

 

I’ve always loved animals. In my opinion, mice and hedgehogs rank about the same in the cuteness factor. Which is why that I couldn’t pass up the above clear stamp, when I stumbled upon it a few months ago, this stamp simply oozes with cuteness.

In fact this stamp, is one of the first clear stamps I purchased. I found it at Clear Dollar Stamps. CDS, is an online craft store. I really liked their customer service. I received an email that my order was received, and I received another once it had been shipped.

The above stamp is featured in their clear stamp animal section, I wanted to add some other things to the card, but my daughter said, “No, mommy leave it like that, please?”

Libera; Be Still My Soul

Finlindia is one of my favorite pieces by Jean Sibelius. Recently I stumbled upon music from Finlindia on Youtube. As a child, I’d played some of his pieces on the piano.

Did you know that this particular piece became a popular hymn? Be Still My Soul was written by Katharine von Schlegel. According to the scant information I learned about her, she was Lutheran.

This particular song was said to be the favorite of the 1924 Olympic runner, Eric Liddel. What made him famous was his refusal too run on the Sabbath. The movie, Chariots of Fire, was made about this.  When he was older he became a missionary to China. He was imprisoned, during World War II, and it’s said that he taught this song to others while in the prison camp. He never made it out alive. He died from a brain tumor.

    Lyrics: Be Still My Soul

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.


Farewell Steve Jobs; Revolutionary dies at 56

On Wednesday, October 5, 2011 Steve Jobs died (three days after my birthday).

Steve jobs

I’m not surprised by the news, In April 2011, he stepped down as Apple’s CEO, because of health complications. However, I’m still sad. He was still a young man, in my opinion, being only 56 years old. However, in that short period of time, he achieved a lot.

Steve Jobs was adopted, He was a poor college dropout. That didn’t stop him from dreaming and attempting to turn those dreams into a reality.

Evelyn Parham a natural health writer recently wrote about how speed bumps can slow you down. It’s obvious Steve Jobs picked himself up and kept moving when he faced obstacles. He accomplished a lot, my thoughts and prayers for his family/friends.

I bought my first Apple product in 2006, three days after my birthday. It was the 17″ Macbook Pro. Once I went Mac, I never went back. I even brought my father along on the journey. I purchased a desktop Mac version for him. I also bought him an iPod which he still uses religiously. He has it loaded with sermons that he buys from CD’s, I load them onto the computer and transfer them to his iPod.

Steve Jobs commencement speech

Regarding Apple products… I can’t say enough good things about the company. Since my switch, I’ve written about Apple-related products for online and print publications. I’m still a technology geek. However, these days instead of picking up Windows certifications my studies are mainly focused on Apple.

The Highwaymen: Highwayman

Lyrics: The Highwayman

I was a highwayman. Along the coach roads I did ride
With sword and pistol by my side
Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade
Many a soldier shed his lifeblood on my blade
The bastards hung me in the spring of twenty-five
But I am still alive.

I was a sailor. I was born upon the tide
And with the sea I did abide.
I sailed a schooner round the Horn to Mexico
I went aloft and furled the mainsail in a blow
And when the yards broke off they said that I got killed
But I am living still.

I was a dam builder across the river deep and wide
Where steel and water did collide
A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado
I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below
They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound
But I am still around..I’ll always be around..and around and around and
around and around

I fly a starship across the Universe divide
And when I reach the other side
I’ll find a place to rest my spirit if I can
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain
But I will remain
And I’ll be back again, and again and again and again and again..

October is Vegan MoFo; Vegan Month of Food

Vegan.Pizza_1.08.10.10.jpg

Vegan Pizza

Apparently, October is Vegan Month of Food. Did you know that?

I was clueless about this until I stumbled upon the Tofu Cottage. The owner had the banner (which I’ve added below) proudly displayed within their posts. I’ve bookmarked their site so I can refer to it this weekend.

Vegan Month of Food 2011

What is VeganMofo?

According to the VeganMofo website…

VeganMoFo was originally created on the Post Punk Kitchen, as an homage to NaNoWriMo. Because we do want to write novels, but sometimes cooking gets in the way. So why not combine them!

I can support that!

Let’s see…

I’ve been Vegan since 1992. It definitely wasn’t a sacrifice to make the switch. There are numerous delicious options available for an adventurous Vegan — like myself. I love to cook, and experiment with various flavors/textures while I’m in the kitchen too. My only requirement is that the meal preparation time has to be quick, and on the table in minutes. Healthy, delicious, and nutritious, sure that’s a goal I can easily complete (with many dishes) in less than fifteen minutes.

A few years ago I had a cooking site that was focused on everything Vegan (raw and cooked) and although I most likely won’t be reviving that site, you most likely will see a few recipes making their way to this page.

Stay tuned, I’ll definitely be posting some Vegan Mofo for the month of October.