Yapper

I guess he's not so bad for a drop kick dog. He's mellowed a bit as he's gotten older. But i gotta admit, he is extremely adorable!!
submitted to Lensday: Fluffy

Justice ATCs

Posting to Photo Tuesday's Justice theme inspired me. Posting those ATCs from 2004 also inspired me. So I created 4 new ATCs today with the Justice theme. All of the images used were taken in or around our Nation's Capitol building. Each card was painted and stamped on canvas paper, colored with lumiere paint (the platnium one) or oil pastels (orange/yellow). The rubber stamp is from Limited Edition and is a quote from Susan B. Anthony:
"We ask justice, we ask equality, we ask that all civil and political rights that belong to the citizens of the United States be guaranteed to us and our daughters forever." 

fleur d'orange

Flowers at the National Botantical Gardens in Washington DC. 

Equal Justice Under Law

The Supreme Court, Washington DC.

Photo Tuesday's theme this week is Justice. He selected this theme because he just got a jury summons. Me too. I hope I'm not called, however it could have the potential of being intresting.

I remember my first jury summons. I was 18 and it was a drunk driving case. I was dismissed immediately. That was the only time I've ever gone through the process of being selected or not. I've only had to appear at the courthouse one other time, but within 3 hours of our arrival, we were all dismissed because the case settled out of court. 

ATCs

I should start making ATC's (Altered Trading Cards) again. I made these in 2004 for a theme exchange with Phin. They're a nice compact size - 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" so they 'can' be easy to accomplish. Figuring out the design you want is always the hardest part.

I was reading the Top 10 issue of Creating Keepsakes and there's an article about completing a layout in 10 minutes. I typically take 45mins to well over an hour to complete 1 page. When I can dedicate an evening to creating scrapbook pages, I average 5 pages in 8 hours. So I was very interested in reading this article. However, she outlined 3 things to do before you can start counting the 10 minutes. Figure out the Content, Color and Scale of how you want your page to be designed. Well, those are the things that take the longest!! Of course, after you've done the hardest part, the actual layout will be finished quickly. It was an interesting article, but misleading IMO.

I'm currently working on Valentines day cards and finishing up a bunch of class kits I purchased from my favorite scrapbook store. I have 5 or 6 stores closer to me, but SB Dreams is by far my favorite. Not like it's far - it's only 9 miles away, but that's how saturated the SB market is in my area. Anyhoo, the girls who work there are so personable and helpful and FUNNY!!! Back in November when I had pneumonia and hadn't been in the store for over a month, they were so concerned because they hadn't seen me in so long. And once I told them why, they were always checking up on me. One of the ladies calls me the Pneumonia Girl. A funny nickname, but I love it because they just pay attention to their customers.

She seeks the light

Funny thing about pets (I know dogs do this too)...they can find the only source of sun in the whole house and claim it as their temporary spot of heaven. 

Spot of tea

My sister-in-law introduced me to the flavors of tea many years ago. I take it with a bit of milk and sugar. Earl Grey or English Breakfast are my favorite but I love exploring the different unique flavors as well. In fact, this same SIL gave me a fantastic canister of tea with my name that has a hint of lavender and rose petals. Delicious! In fact, that's what is in this teapot. A perfect accompaniment with cucumber and cream cheese tea sandwiches and a few blueberries.
submitted to Photo Scavenger Hunt: Teapot

Menandro

Sculpture in front of the Cantor Art Museum at Stanford.
submitted to Photo Hunt: Sculpture 

The Gates of Hell

Flanked by Adam and Eve. Rodin Sculpture Garden. Stanford University.
submitted to Thursdays Challenge: Door

Vietnam Women's Memorial

This sculpture, dedicated to the women of Vietnam, depicts uniformed women with a wounded soldier.

Rosicrucian Park

Pillars and palms at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose.

Time Began in a Garden

Filoli. Woodside, California
submitted to Lensday: Clock

Black Cat Crosses My Path

submitted to Illustration Friday: Cat

15 Year Anniversary

Yesterday was our anniversary and to celebrate, Jimmy got a root canal. Wheeee!!!
Maybe later today though, we'll go to Capitola and spend the late afternoon at the beach and have dinner at a tiny cafe that we stumbled upon about 8 years ago.

Looking back at those photos, 15 years ago...OMG. Scary. Mostly the styles. So 1991. My big, poofy, shiny wedding dress. Our colors were teal green. And the dresses I made my bridesmaids wear were atrocious. I don't think any of them have forgiven me yet. Jimmy's attendants wore teal green bowties and cummerbunds to match the atrocious dresses.

But after 15 years, we love each other more than we ever have. We've grown up, matured and experienced a lot. There have been challenges, lots of them, but we work and continue to work through them...together.

PS: I just love how our nieces are watching so intently. They're in their 20's now.

Pink Coral

Nudibranch on Pink Coral. Monterey Bay Aquarium.
submitted to Photo Friday: Pink

Ansel Adams wannabes

I was right there along with them.

This is the view we were all capturing.
El Capitan to the left, Half Dome center, Bridal Veil Falls to the right and the fog on the valley floor. Nature at its finest.

Sunday at Yosemite

Last weekend was one of those perfect weekends. We went up to our hideaway in the Sierras and our friend, Phin joined us. We got there Saturday afternoon and within 15 minutes of arriving, it started snowing. 5" in 2 hours. Sunday, the sun was out. And we headed to Yosemite. It was so amazing to see, what I consider our nation's most spectacular National Park, blanketed with fresh snow but with blue skies. Lots more pictures to come!

Junk?

or geocache?

This however, is definitely junk:
















Which we stumbled upon on our hike back to the car after finding the geocache.
submitted to Lens Day. Theme: Junk

Excitement Mixed with Extreme Fear

I just signed up to run a 5k in September.

I.Do.Not.Run.

I'm so freaking out right now.

But...if anything is going to motivate me to run, it's the Inaugural Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend.
It also took serious convincing from my dear friend Phin. She has faith in me even when I don't have it in myself. I can walk 5k without hesitation. I could even walk the half marathon without hesitation. But run? It'll take training. Phin's pointed me in the right direction - Hal Higdon's 30/30 Plan. That is something I'm pretty sure I can tackle. But I have trouble sticking to things. And, I don't want to hate this experience. It can be hard. It can hurt. But I don't want to hate it. And I'm afraid I'm going to hate training. I hope I'm not setting myself up with that statement.

There's no turning back now. I've paid the registration fees and I'm officially signed up. This may be what I needed to get off my butt and move more. And on September 16th, I'll have a Disneyland 5k T-shirt AND a mickey medal. Oh yea, and have competed in my first race ever.

Speeding Towards Earth

Gentle snowflakes making their hasty descent towards the earth below.
submitted to Moody Monday-theme: Speeding

Solitary

In Yosemite National Park, the residents of these cabins exprience quiet solitude.
submitted to Photo Tuesday - Theme: Solitary

Try typing with 11 pounds on your arms

Another one of my creative spaces

Sitting in front of the computer, with...yes...3 screens. Well, typically, the laptop isn't open, but I love having 2 monitors! I'm so thankful that I have a geeky husband. I get lots of goodies.
See that green towel under the window? It's for my cat...but she likes that space between my keyboard and chair better, right over my arms. I'll post a picture of that, too.
In this picture, my big monitor has my email, the middle one - my blog, and the laptop, Phin's blog. To the left of the big monitor is my scanner, on top of the scanner is my art journal from Shiloh McCloud, misc collage elements and a newspaper article on my sister-in-law's trip to Jasper, TX to help with the Red Cross during Hurricane Rita. Under the desk are containers of photographs, and tons of paper - cardstock and decorative. In the white wire baskets are pens, adhesives and more paper. Recycling is to the far right. Photo paper on top of my computer. To the right of the computer is my fabulous wide-format color printer.

A creative space is never a tidy space.

One of my creative spaces

The living room coffee table. I've taken it over. Jimmy's very patient.
But I can craft and watch Lost at the same time. Well...not really. I'm waay too involved with those Lost characters to craft at the same time. But being able to craft while watching tv is the way to go. 

Downtown Ice

This week's Photo Hunt challenge is Ice, and an extra bonus point is awarded if you photograph the ice outside. I know that we have a few places in the Bay Area that offer outdoor ice skating, so it was a matter of deciding on which one to go to. I didn't feel like trekking to San Francisco (good thing b/c I just found out the outdoor rink closed on Jan 1st), the one in Palo Alto didn't look very interesting for photographing, so that left the one in San Jose. I checked their website, and on Jan. 12th, they were having a free Sunset Tango Performance at 6:30. So I get there, 6:35...nothing. But there's a camera crew who appeared to be setting up. Wrong. They were tearing down. The performance started at 6. damnit. All was not lost though; I was still able to get a few decent shots.

Ya gotta admit, they did a pretty good job at making it look nice. That's the moon, btw.

It was set up nice, too. A center section to do tricks or whatever, and an outer oval just to skate around.

Weather

submitted to Lensday - Theme: Weather

Vitamin C

We prefer tangerine juice over orange juice.
submitted to Photo Tuesday - Remedy

Bored on the 5 Freeway

(click on image to view larger size)
Traveling back up the state on Highway 5. It's a long, straight, boring road. Nothing to do but play with the camera. That's us in his lower rearview mirror...the Volvo with our lights on. You can even see him in his upper rearview mirror. Bored. Just like us.
submitted to Lensday - Theme: Travel

Sea

I didn't know which one to post, so I'm posting both (I think they kind of work quite well together!). I also did a simple seascape in photoshop here, but not submitting it to IF.
submitted to Illustration Friday - Theme: Sea

Frontyard Fungus

We've had a ton of rain lately. And this is what's growing in the yard. Not so pretty. However, the day was quite lovely. Sunny and not cold.

I signed up for a class at my favorite SB store, too. Jimmy was with me and as we pulled into the parking space he said "So this is where all of our money goes, huh?" I couldn't argue with him. But he went inside with me and met 2 of the people I most enjoy at that store. Maybe now he gets a better idea why I like to hang out there so much...they're just so nice. 

A Sign that you're in California

submitted to Thursdays Challenge - Theme: Signs

Blowing bubbles

I'm trying a new photo challenge. This one could be extra cool because it's a scavenger hunt with points awarded. I already love geocaching - this is practically the same thing but with photos. I am *so* in!

So, this week's photo hunt challenge is Something Bubbly.

Favorite Christmas Moment

My favorite Christmas moment this year was sitting in the big chair, having my 9 yo niece climb on my lap, put her head on my shoulder and talk about school, Egypt and beanie babies. It was awesome.

Flavor doodle

This week's topic threw me for a few days. My original idea was a bowl of Top Ramen noodles and the chicken flavor packet pouring into the bowl. But I really couldn't conceptualize drawing it. Sounds easy, I know, but my brain isn't working that way this week. So I went with an easy, full of flavor, chili pepper.
submitted to Illustration Friday - Theme: Flavor

Veggies at Pikes Market

submitted to Pxite - Theme: Market

Cheesy

Roamin' Olin adventures over Mozzarella Mountain.
Submitted to Macroday - Theme: Cheesy

Really? I wouldn't have picked this as my character. Lately I've been feeling like Eeyore. Although, he's not one of the options listed.

What Disney Character Are You?

You scored as Goofy. Your alter ego is Goofy! You are fun and great to be around, and you are always willing to help others. You aren't worried about embarrassing yourself, so you are one who is more willing to try new things. Goofy 69% Sleeping Beauty 63% Peter Pan 63% The Beast 63% Cinderella 56% Pinocchio 56% Ariel 50% Snow White 38% Donald Duck 38% Cruella De Ville 19% Which Disney Character is your Alter Ego? created with QuizFarm.com

Happy 2006

Welcome to a new year! Hopefully 2006 will be a grand one.

Jimmy and I watched the fireworks in San Francisco from Treasure Island. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! We had never been on TI before, so that alone was a treat. But we had the best view of the fireworks. That's the Bay Bridge to the left.

Earlier in the day, it was pouring buckets. But by 5pm, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. And when we got to Treasure Island, exactly at midnight, it was a very comfortable 53 degrees. We have our challenges, but sometimes...things work out perfectly.
(I just wish I had my tripod!)