Oklahoma

I'm back from Oklahoma. What a surprise...I fell in love with Oklahoma. I remember having preconceived notions about California years ago, and then being overwhelmed by it as we drove across the state...well, the same thing happened as the plane touched down and I saw my son, Barry, and my daughter-in-law, Tammy and my new little Grandson, Gabriel. As we drove to their home, the whole area was just charming...beautiful, fresh, really wonderful....

And little Gabriel is just adorable. He's my snuggle bug. I'm very thrilled and proud of my son's accomplishments and my daughter-in-law, well, I drop the "in-law" part...she's a sweetheart, and if my son ever mistreats her, he knows I'll be after him. She, too, is accomplished...an analyst at Chesapeake Energy. Barry is a horticulturalist. That's pretty cool!

So, I'm making retirement plans. I was at loose ends...but now I've got plans cooking...going to start putting things in motion. Finally...it's good to have a plan! And here's my little Gabriel!

Gabriel

I'm going to Oklahoma soon to see Gabriel. I'm really excited! Tammy and I will find a scrapbook store, too, and work on a special book for our little guy. Can you imagine that? I'm such a nut for paper that even in Oklahoma, I'm going scrapbooking! LOL!! Actually, Tammy started me on it...she made a wedding album for a friend, and I watched in amazement, it turned out beautifully. The seed was planted then, I think. About two years later, I was doing ATCs...and that's that. I have a picture of Gabriel..I hope it will post properly.

Gabriel Riley!

My grandson was born on Earth Day! His dad is a public horticulturalist! Pretty cool, eh? Plus, Gabriel is a Taurus...so is daddy and grandma! LOL! My mom quickly pointed out that meant three bullies! And that I was colicky, as was my son and now let's hope Gabriel breaks that tradition! Time will tell....

Waiting!

April 20th - Today my first grandson is due...but I guess he'll come when he's ready. My son and daughter in law are in Oklahoma. I know Tammy is ready for Gabriel Riley to make his grand entrance. I'll be going out to OK in May, my first visit there. We're all excited! I've been trying to get some art done while waiting, and I'm going to try to start a special book for Gabriel...am thinking of things for it...I'm really not much of a scrapbooker, but maybe now, with two grandchildren, I'd better kick it into gear!

I have gotten into Moo cards. At Paper Whimsy, we're creating Moos by month by color. April is Green, so here are my green Moos!

Creating a Pendant

I tried my hand at making a pendant using a bamboo tile. I wrapped it with a piece of sheet music, brushed it with some ink and found a vintage image I liked. A few small Swarovski crystals and some paper flowers, then the beads...and there's the pendant. Do I want to get into beading...well, that remains to be seen. There's lots of pretty things to make, but I still like paper too much to stray far.

Time Has Gotten Away - Again!

March is almost over and once again I sit here wondering where it went! One thing I did do was request a retirement calculation from my HR at work! While I can retire next May, I doubt I'll do it, but you never know...and the way things have been going, you never do know! I've not had a lot of time for art...have done a little bit. Spring is starting to wake...the Cherry Blossom trees around the Tidal Basin are in full bloom. They look like pink clouds and are simply glorious. In the meantime, I did do a Best Friends lottery contribution for the ArtChix group.

Sunday Afternoon

Daylight savings time...here's to our lost hour! Oh well. Been trying to make art, but lately have been blocked. Don't you just hate that? I think the only thing to do is just to start playing with your materials and darn the consequences. I'm going to post pictures of a neat swap going on at Altered Designs 3x3, 2x3 and 1x1. I used Jacquard glittery watercolors with regular watercolors for my backgrounds and Lisa's Altered Art fairies.

In the meantime, I'm learning to master the digital camera, too! But I think I prefer using film...call me old fashioned.