A little nuts

I gave this card to Hannah's teacher. I wrote "Nuts about you," under the squirrel. I thought it turned out really cute. The pattern (as are all other cards I've stitched) is by Form-A-Lines.

Thanksgiving handmade cards

An old jalopy

An old "jalopy." Isn't that a fun word?? Anyway, here's a card I stitched for my uncle, who owns a truly antique car (Model-A? Model-T? can't remember which one). I believe it's the same one my grandpa and grandma used to go on their honeymoon around 1930 or 31.

I used a rich, deep turqoise thread for the main body of the vehicle, in addition to the black varigated thread for the tires. Hope you enjoy!

All for now,

Tricia

Two pretty cards

Goodness, I realize it's been a month since I've posted anything. I have lots to say, but tonight I'm just gonna post a couple of cards I made. You can't really tell, but the first one has three- dimensional elements on the left side.

I'll try to write more again soon.

All for now,

Tricia

Pretty purple delight

Here's a card I stitched as a wedding card for a family member who just got married. Not a conventional wedding card, true, but I thought the colors and obvious time it took to stitch the card would be appreciated. :) Be sure to click on the photo to see the design closeup.

A different sort of birthday card

I made this card as a birthday card for a girlfriend who loves to cook. I thought it turned out well and had fun with some new stencils I got. I'm trying to learn how to work with shading a little more and like the effect of my "apron" here.

All for now,
Tricia

Believe in yourself

Believe... in Yourself. I traced the picture and then colored with watercolor pencils, using a blender pen to blend colors in. Glitter on wings and clouds.

Stenciled/stamped cards

Praying Hands

Valentine's Card

Pretty cards

I still love creating cards. The first picture is one I created for Valentine's Day this year. I was going to send it to a loved one, but liked it so much, I decided to keep it for myself! ha! I actually created a whole bunch of Valentine's for my family, but don't think I've sent a one. (sigh) The best-laid plans...

The second one is a lot of fun, lots of pretty colors. Notice the eggs in the nest are actually very small rhinestone-like stickers placed exactly over each stamped egg image.

Stitched old-fashioned dress

Although already included in my blog banner, here's a stitched card I created of an old-timey dress. I didn't even realize until after I finished it that it looks a little hoochie-coochie (trust Hubby to point that out! ha!), especially with the black, silver and red color combination. But I still say it turned out pretty good and I stand by it! ha! The silver threading is especially pretty in person!

Pattern credit for this card goes to D J Designs (2008), located in the UK.

Stitched antique car card

Here's the birthday card I stitched for my dad for his 70th birthday. He's definitely into cars and I thought he'd enjoy this card. It's actually similar to the Model A (or T?) that my grandparents used to drive to California for their honeymoon in 1929.

Stitched card and swimming

Here's a card I stitched for a friend, to thank her for her hospitality and all the good food she provided.

I took Hannah swimming today and we had a great time--we swam for over two hours! Great exercise, that's for sure. Hannah's not gotten to swim as much because John usually takes her and with his kidney stone, he just doesn't feel up to it, of course!

It was nice to get to know a couple of our neighbors better while swimming in the pool. In an apartment complex, there's so much "turnover" of tenants, it's hard to get very well acquainted with any of them, or meet many who even care to get acquainted. So that was nice.

I've been reading a mystery series that is really good--the author's name is Aaron Elkins. His character is called Gideon Oliver and is called the Skeleton Detective. I like the books because they're not too scary, not bad language, well written and I love how the detective solves the whodunit by simply looking at the bones and using his knowledge as a forensic paleontologist. I don't like it that the books are all filled with evolutionary stuff (Cro-Magnon, Neanderthal Age, etc.), because I am a creationist all the way. But they are still very well written and a lot of fun; the author obviously has a great sense of humor, too!

Anyway, all for now!

Tricia

Rapper John and other news

Yes, that is my dear hubby posing as a "rapper dude," for the camera. No, he is not starting yet another new career, (although I secretly believe he could do anything he puts his mind to!).

No, this is simply a rather comical photo to go with a humdrum, life-with-the-Williams' update.

My latest creative endeavors include learning to crochet. So far, I like it. This winter cap, for example, John so kindly agreed to model. Well, model and WEAR. I crocheted it just for him, an early Father's Day present. I figure you can never start early enough on presents. Never mind that we may soon reach temperatures in the three digits!

But anyway, our lives have been so busy I will list them, for a little variety here, in bullet form, hopefully giving the impression I'm very organized and goal-oriented (OK, John, go ahead and laugh at that one!)

* We have attended several end-of-the-school year functions and now have enough under our belts to tide us over into the summer months (and way beyond). These include visits to the Fort Worth zoo; a Battle of the Books competition between area Seventh-day Adventist 3rd and 4th graders; a spectacular Rangers baseball game where Hannah is sure her screaming helped them to win; and of course, a musical program conducted at Arlington SDA Church that featured every kind of sea creature (which looked suspiciously like elementary school children) praising God for everything Under the Sea.

* John and I, thanks to several friends, have been able to have a few nice dates here and there, going for long (and cheap!), dreamy walks in the springtime breezes.

* Hannah has been asking questions about being baptized and what it means "exactly," a question I was thrilled to answer, even if I knew it was somewhat of a stall tactic at bedtime. :)

* After three weeks of proud guinea pig ownership, we found a lump under said piggy's neck and scurried around (us, not him) to find out if it's treatable. . . or not. After one major misdiagnosis this week, when we were told he'd have to have surgery, the second vet said it IS treatable. Jackie Fred Williams is resting comfortably in his hay-made hospital bed at home. We proudly admit that his last name is devoted, as an earlier blog post mentioned, to that short, fat, lovable roly-poly Fred Murtz of I Love Lucy show.

* Ethel, our Dodge Neon, gave us fits this week. (Yes, we have a secret fascination with that 1950s show. Now we're just waiting for some handsome Cuban to schmooze his way into our lives.) So John spent two very long days working at Tom Thumb near the Goodyear.

* I continue to toss, throw, purge, organize and donate many, many items to Goodwill or friends. On the flip side, we were ecstatic to find a large patio/balcony shade for our own home at the Dumpster. We were surprised to find it still in good working condition. John let out a Whoop! (or was that me?) when we realized we don't have to bake in the afternoon sun this summer. We now have a lot of shade, and a smidge of privacy, for those hot summer nights laden with mosquitoes and lemonade.

Life has been good, bad and ugly--but never boring. God continues to bless and keep us through it all. May He bless and keep YOU today.

Tricia

Oldie but goodie (Valentine's cards)

Okay, so yes, I KNOW Valentine's is long gone and spring has sprung, but I have been trying my hand at a new craft--Crochet--and haven't been making as many cards as usual. But I have oodles of cards just waiting to be posted on here, so I thought I'd pick these bright and cheery ones. After green, red is my next favorite color. And sometimes, I like it better, when I'm feeling wild, carefree and unbridled (okay, now that you all are giggling at the image of ME being wild...) Go RED!

Another fairy card

A "thinking of you" card for all those green or purple color lovers. A bit "busier" than I usually like or make, but still fun.

My first commissioned art piece

I am so excited to showcase this card, which is my first "commissioned" piece of art. A friend wanted me to make an "I'm Sorry" card for her to send to someone, and here it is. I believe it turned out fairly well. Because two of the panels are white, I'm not sure it pops quite as well on the computer screen, but at least the stitching looks fairly clear and colorful. I stitched the butterfly with purple and yellow thread (as well as the star flowers). The lavendar ribbon under the stitching is also pretty.

Hope you enjoy!

TW

Chick card

I love my bird stamps (can you tell?) Such fun!

Here's the front of a card I just created. You can't tell, but the "gingham" paper is a neat lime green color, and the tree is highlighted with a lime green pen. The mosaic tile holding up the white gauzy ribbon has green with just a tinge of gold in it.













This image is the inside of the card. I usually don't do much with the insides of my cards, but this little girl stamp was just begging to go on the inside, along with a strip of the same lime "gingham" gracing the cover. Turned out pretty cute, if I say so myself! :)