Patty Rose Design

Joy

I've been committed to a twice-monthly card session with a good friend and fellow creative.  We meet every other Sunday at my house and take turns sponsoring lunch.  The time is eagerly anticipated with frequent trips to Michael's and Archiver's during off weeks.  We collect and gather constantly, little bits and pieces of materials to use in our creations.  We gather inspiration from Pinterest and blogs, inspiration that we can add to our list of things to try.  We plan ahead, deciding color and theme before so that every available second can be put to productive use. This is serious creative business. 

This past Sunday it was my turn for lunch.  I made homemade pizza with fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, sun-dried tomatoes and pepperoni.  It was delicious.  I'll be perusing the cookbooks for my next assigned date.  I always like to make something light but also fresh and unique.  Lunch is always accompanied by herbal iced tea and French press coffee.  A little snack is at the ready for the two or three hour break time.  After a quick lunch we usually jet downstairs quickly to begin creating. 

We spend several hours listening to NPR's Sunday Baroque, letting the tempo of the music guide our crafting.  We speed up production with the faster tempo music and take a deep breath and relax a bit with the slower tempo scores.  We laugh hysterically when we realize that the frenzied pace relates to the music.  We talk about serious things like family and travel and not so serious things like why Martha Stewart makes great punches but not so great glitter glue. We laugh.  We laugh a lot.  We both have glitter and a smile on our faces and we look forward to the next time.  This brings me joy.

Relaxing Sunday

Enjoyed this past Sunday relaxing and creating with a friend.  A simple afternoon of cardmaking, laughter and sharing.  The time always ends way too soon...

We enjoyed the creative time and visiting so much that we plan to do it again this weekend.  It will be great to have a stash of cards ready for upcoming celebrations.

Getting Ready for France

I can hardly believe it is only 47 days away.  I've gathered all of my clothes, shoes and gear for the trip.  The passport should be arriving any day (finger's crossed).  I've studied the maps and enjoyed the email frenzy of planning and preparing.  The place we are staying in Paris is a dream, check it out here.  A view from the window.  Look how beautiful the light and the sky is over Paris....

And the street scene:

Last night Mr. Rose taped an episode of Samantha Brown in Monaco and Nice.  I was so overcome with emotion that this is really happening that I couldn't even speak.  I am so THANKFUL for this opportunity that I cried.  I get it.  I know what a blessing and gift it is to be able to experience this trip.  I will not take one moment for granted. 

Italy is on the agenda too.  More on that a little later.  I am immersed in France and all things French at the moment.

(***UPDATE***  I have to give my friend Kate credit for the following paragraph of information regarding trip journals.  This is her system which has been developed after logging hundreds of thousands of miles traveling to exotic places.)

I created a little journal to take on the trip. Trip journals are a tricky sort.  They have to be just the right size for easily tucking into a bag.  They should lay flat if possible for easy writing.  There should be a lot of spare space for tucking in tickets and brochures and all other matters of ephemera and travel tokens.  Lots of clips, rubber bands, ties and what nots for holding all the booty.  I gathered together a lot of nothings and created this little ditty.  It's approximately 6 x 8, perfect for tucking in my bag, along with a few other goodies for filling the journal with all my joy, musings, experiences, and memories.

The front cover....

Lots of pages for writing....

And places for tucking....

 
There are lots of little handmade details....

And a few spots to tuck away treasures..

 

It was free to make and its green because I used a bunch of scraps, old pieces of cardstock, book covers, mismatched envelopes, wrapping paper samples, tags, old stationary, cut up calendars and old book pages, anything that said "French" to me.  It has a little of everything....

It's simply contructed using a hole punch, two sturdy covers and two large binder rings.  Simple and efficient....

 
I enjoyed it so much, I made another one...

And I'd be willing to bet there are a dozen more in the making...

 

One Little Word 2011

via aliedwards.com

How very exciting to be a part of this adventure!  Enrollment remains open, share the adventure here. It is truly amazing where one little word will take you.  I am sharing this adventure with a close friend and I am certain that we will learn even more about each other along the way, I can't wait. 

Searching for the various items required in the project, I have discovered some very interesting sychronicities.  A dear friend of mine, who is now on the other side, always said there are no coincidences.  She was a wonderful teacher and taught me to look closely when anything appeared as a coincidence.  She said if you looked closely, you would see the magic.   

After much searching, I finally found a quote that uses the word "verve":

"a flying open of doors, convergence of magic objects into feathered hands and crested heads, a prospect of winter verve, a build up to abundance" ~Denise Levertov

Is it a coincidence that it refers to feathers?  I doubt it.  Feathers, wings and birds hold special meaning for me.  I have not yet delved into the context of this quote, but simply removing it from its original context and reading it word for word, applying it to my life, it could not be more appropriate.  Is it a concidence that it refers to magic and abundance?  Nope.  These are also words I considered.

This quote now serves as the mantra for my 2011.

I find it also intriging that one of the synonyms for the word is the name of the street where I lived with my beloved grandmother.  The Universe talks to us in every sight, every sound, every smell and provides constant reassurance that we are not alone, if only we are open to receive.  Synchronicity? Coincidence?  Nope.  Magic.

Here are the finished pieces for the first two prompts:

Every little bit and bauble, the patterns and chosen colors, every little word holds special meaning to me. 

And the second prompt, a photo of me, right now, in January, 2011, the beginning of a brand new year and the beginning of this adventure.  I am ready.

Another Card Set for Giving

This card set was also created this month for my friend Melissa.  I used parts of a Tim Coffey paper line I found on two separate occasions.  If it's earthy, with browns, greens, and rusts, plus the design contains anything related to flowers, gardens or birds, I'm sold. Of course everything was glittered up with Stickles and brushed on glitter.  I also used some hand dyed seam binding and pieces of an old book.

Christmas Morning

Good morning friends.  It's a quiet Christmas morning here in Ohio.  We have the wonderful pleasure of experiencing a quiet, white Christmas this morning.  The blanket of snow seems to add a layer of tranquility.  Here's a little peek into a few of my favorite things around the house.  We wish you a wonderous Christmas and the very best in the coming year.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:9-14

 

A Few Cards

I'm itching to make some cards, especially now that the days are cooling down and I'm starting to think about the holidays.  I'm hoping to make some card gift sets to get up on Etsy.  I recently cleaned up the workshop and went through a lot of my things.  All of the wonderful things just waiting for their place in one of my creations inspires me to get busy!