Month: August 2015

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Benefit ride – Saturday, August 29

Aynaria 2 Comments

Here’s a few pictures from the first Triple Negative Breast Cancer Benefit ride. This past Saturday, August 29, was the event date, and I rode with my BF.

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I must say that God truly blessed us with a wonderful day! We could not have asked for better weather.

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I must say, that’s the longest I’ve been on a bike (about 3.5 hours) and I really enjoyed the experience.

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Before we left Pete’s house we prayed for safety during the trip and a Pastor was at the Carroll Hospital Center to pray also. How awesome is that?

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We left at 10:30 sharp, just like it was announced. You got to love when folks stick to a schedule, right?

We could not have asked for a better day to have a bike ride. Saturday was perfect bike riding weather.

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Many thanks to all that were instrumental in organizing the event. The official coordinators are the two I’ve shown above, but there were many others that helped to make this event a success.

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A lot of time went into making this run smoothly, and while I was not behind the scenes assisting the hard work put into turning this into a reality was recognized and appreciated.

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Since we mainly took back roads, it gave us all an opportunity to truly appreciate Gods beauty that was on display.

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I believe the ride was about 100 miles? During that time, we made three stops, the last being where the ride ended, at a local restaurant.

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There was even an Elvis impersonator. Part of the proceeds of that meal was donated to the cause also.

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For those who weren’t able to attend, you can still donate by going to the site located at the Rack Savers. The slogan is, Save the Racks!

And here is an explanation of Triple Negative Breast Cancer, which I copied I pasted below.

“A diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer means that the three most common types of receptors known to fuel most breast cancer growth–estrogen, progesterone, and the HER-2/neu gene– are not present in the cancer tumor. This means that the breast cancer cells have tested negative for hormone epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), estrogen receptors (ER), and progesterone receptors (PR). Since the tumor cells lack the necessary receptors, common treatments like hormone therapy and drugs that target estrogen, progesterone, and HER-2 are ineffective. Using chemotherapy to treat triple negative breast cancer is still an effective option. In fact, triple negative breast cancer may respond even better to chemotherapy in the earlier stages than many other forms of cancer.”

Another Bike Ride: Breast cancer benefit

Aynaria 2 Comments

A few weeks ago, I posted that I finally had a chance to ride on the BF’s motorcycle. Well, this weekend, I’ll have another opportunity since this Saturday we’ll be participating in the first breast cancer benefit.

His friends girlfriend is a breast cancer survivor. From what the BF said, the trip should take about 1.5 hours. We’ll end the time at a restaurant. We’ll mainly be traveling back roads. I’m really looking forward to this occasion since it’ll give me a chance to meet some of his friends, and more importantly the lady behind the benefit. Hopefully, we’ll be able to take plenty of pictures.

I’m praying that the weather is nice since this event is happening rain or shine. I have no desire to ride, on a motorcycle, in the rain! No thanks… I think I’ll pass on that. People drive crazy enough when the conditions are nice, why add rain to the mix? 😉

Card Making: Artist and Crazy Birds

Aynaria 4 Comments

Sunday, I was greeted with quite a few card making goodies that had arrived in the mail from Amazon.

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Card Making: Penny Black; The Artist

 

A few hours after my daughter and I settled in, I pulled out my card making supplies and started working on this card. It’s not finished, since I still need to add skin tones and since I don’t have the appropriate pencils, or markers, I decided that this should be placed aside until it can be completed. Since my Copics skin tone markers should be arriving some time today, it looks like I might be able to complete it some time this evening.

Cardmaking: Tim Holtz; Bird Crazy
Card Making: Tim Holtz; Bird Crazy card and envelope

 

Yesterday, I used the Tim Holtz’s Bird Crazy stamps to create this card. Initially, I was going to make it for my BF; however, a church lady (and her husband) have been on my mind and I believe this card will go to her. These days, when someone pops into my mind… I think it’s Gods way of telling me to check up on them, and I do.

 

Handcrafting: More than just card making…

While it might seem like the only thing I’m doing is making cards… I’m not. I’m also knitting and sewing. This past weekend, I started knitting a fall themed hat for my daughter. Admittedly… not too much of that was accomplished since our days were packed while visiting the BF. However, I’m hoping that I can complete it some time this week. With sewing, I’m mending one of my mothers nursing uniforms.

I am blessed that I am able to do things I enjoy when I have down time. These days finding that down time can be a challenge; however, I manage to squeeze in some time even if it is only for a few minutes. I find crafting to be a wonderful form of meditation and so I try to actively engage in it daily.

 

One glorious weekend!

Aynaria 4 Comments

My goodness did the time fly by! This past weekend, we visited my BF’s parents in Deleware. If you remember, we had visited them once before, on that trip, we took my daughter to Ocean City, Maryland. Ocean City was a first for both my daughter and me and seems to be quite the “local vacation spot,” for Marylanders… and while it was nice, it’s not something I’d be falling over myself to visit anytime soon. No thank you… there are plenty of other places that are a bit more to my liking, minus the crowd.

But let me get back to our current visit. As my mom would say, we did not let the dust settle under our feet. We arrived around 8:30 on Friday evening and visited for about two hours before we all went to bed. We were exhausted. However, Saturday morning (while the BF slept) the BF’s parents, my daughter and I went for a walk. My daughter said it was about an hour. Really? It didn’t seem that long since the time flew by so quickly… and that’s wonderful since it shows we enjoyed our time together.

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Playing Bocce ball with my daughter and my BF’s mom.

Later that day, we went to the pool and afterwards his father grilled. There were burgers, bratwurst, beans, salad and a few other “picnic type items,” that I can’t remember. I do know that it all tasted amazing! A bit later his mom, my daughter and I played Bocce ball. It was the first time playing (for me). My daughter said she’d played virtual Bocce ball on the Wii. My daughter led for quite some time until the end when his mom narrowly beat her by two points. The final score was

BF’s mom 12

Daughter   10

Me                 7

The BF’s mom is on a Bocce ball team!

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My BFs dad with steamed crabs.

As if we didn’t have enough food, that evening we had steamed crabs. Here’s a picture of his dad eating some of them.

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My daughter and me puzzling over a puzzle.

Do you remember that puzzle I said we were working on during our last visit? My daughter and I were able to finish it on Saturday!

 

We ended our time together by going to Sunday mass at 10:00 a.m., afterwards we went to brunch at a local restaurant. They had an all day breakfast buffet, and that’s what everyone wanted. Over our meal we talked. It was nice hearing his father’s testimony about what led him to Christ. My BF had just shared an experience and after his father talked, I shared an experience I had about eight years ago. So not only were we being fed physically, we fed one another spiritually too. How awesome is that?

All too soon it was time to say our goodbyes, hugs were swapped, thank yous tossed about, bags packed and the BF, my daughter and I headed back to Maryland. We have plenty of wonderful memories to share and think about fondly until the next time we meet again…

Visiting the parents…

Aynaria 6 Comments

This weekend, my daughter, the BF and I will be visiting his parents. Of course, the BF is looking forward to seeing his parents and so are my daughter and I. They are both really kind people. My only regret is that we don’t live closer. I really enjoy their company and I would love to see them more. My BF, sees my parents almost every week. They love him.

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Art Impressions People Cling Rubber Stamp: Cathy Caffeine Set

 

Yesterday, this stamp arrived in the mail and so I decided to turn it into a card. Since both of his parents drink coffee, I thought I would send it to them. I used my Copic markers. I haven’t purchased the skin tone Copic markers and so I made do with the colors that I did have. Guess what? I haven’t sent them a card since the first time the BF took my daughter and I to visit them. I made that card at the end of June. How terrible of me! 😉

 

Stamp used

Art Impressions People Cling Rubber Stamp: Cathy Caffeine Set

Owl always love you…

Aynaria 2 Comments

You would think with my love of owls that I would have some stamps that reflected my fascination with them. However, the only thing I have that declares my owl adoration is an owl embossing folder, that rarely gets used.

Well, last week, I put an end to that and ordered two owl stamps along with the sentiment, “owl always love you!” How cute is that?

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Yesterday, the stamps arrived. Yes… the stamps arrived on Sunday. I’d ordered them from Amazon and since it was a lazy day these are the three cards that I made.

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My daughter saw the cards, loved them… and wanted them all for herself; however, I told her that wasn’t possible and to choose one. She chose the one above. I’ve already added a note and mailed it this morning. She should receive her card on Wednesday.

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The next card is what I made for the BF. I decided to make make these birds blue. I really like how they turned out. His card was also mailed today.

Since the expression is stuck in my head, I thought it would be nice to include the above song/video… enjoy!

Items needed

  1. Hero Arts Mounted Rubber Stamps 1.5″X2″-Heart Owls Mounted Stamp
  2. Penny Black 4287H Moonlight Owls Wood Mounted Rubber Stamp
  3. Stampendous, E260, Stamp Owl Love You

Autumn… just around the corner

Aynaria 6 Comments

Last evening, I made these two cards. Actually, I started on a few more; however, I did not finish them.

Copics Sketch Markers – 36

Guess what? Yesterday, my Copics sketch markers (36 markers were included within this set) arrived in the mail. They are alcohol based makers (perfect for shading) and are made in Japan. Copics markers are a bit pricey. My set of 36 markers cost me a little over $150. I’ve been checking out these markers for about four years; however, I never turned that want into a reality. Finally after a lot of research, I decided it was time that I made the purchase.

Why spend so much money on these Copic markers?

  1. They are good quality markers.
  2. They have two tips; one on each end.
  3. They are alcohol based and are great for applying layers.
  4. They are refillable (which means they will last years.) Don’t even get me started on the amount of markers I’ve purchased over the years for my daughter. She wears them out fast.
  5. You can change the tips.
  6. They can be used with the Copics airbrushings system. Sweet!
  7. Most importantly, my daughter (who’s a very talented young artist) will be able to use them also!

Since my Copics markers had arrived, I was able to use them on the cards that I created below. Which gave me the perfect chance to test them out for myself.

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Autumn card, with matching envelope. I made this for my daughter. I mailed it this morning.

 

I still need to play with the markers a bit before I get used to them, but thus far, I really like them a lot! The above card (with matching envelope) is what I made for my daughter. She’s going to love the card, along with the sweet note that I left for her. This morning, I sent it off via postal mail and she should receive it on Friday. I can’t wait to see her reaction when she gets the card in the mail.

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This is the card that I made for my BF. I used white card stock for the pumpkins and then added brown ink to the card base, to compliment the patterned card stock that I placed the pumpkins on. I then made the card out of white card stock, that had been embossed, and inked the card stock with the same ink used for the pumpkin background. I’m hoping he likes it a lot. I also made a matching envelope and just like with my daughters card, I mailed his out today!

Christmas cards…

Tonight, my daughter and I will be making Christmas cards. I started making them about a week ago. We will continue to make those, along with other seasonal cards, over the next few weeks. On my radar are Halloween cards. I’ve always loved that day and would like to make some creeptacular cards for a few people.