Catherine Matthews-Scanion is generously giving away her book "Art from the Heart". Read about it here.
http://cmscanlon.blogspot.com/2008/01/giving-away-two-copies.html
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Life After the Holidays
Whew! While our trip to San Jose, California was awesome, there is no place like home!
I was leary on taking a 3 year old on a 24 hour train ride from Tacoma to San Jose, but those feelings are now a thing of the past. I couldn't have asked for more. Selene was wonderful. She enjoyed looking out the windows, watching people get on and off the train, and was fascinated by the sliding doors between train cars.
Before we left, like many others that travel with young children, I packed a backpack with assorted items. Gel pens, paper, crayons, coloring book, new McDonald Happy Meal Toys, and a few snacks, one being CocoaPuffs.
We did pack the laptop to watch DVD's, but the battery didn't hold out. And of course, the train car we were in did not have an electrical outlet. But that wasn't a problem at all. There were enough things to keep Selene occupied.
I, myself, was not too keen on the train ride, but with the price of airfare and hubby really wanting to try the rails, we set off on our journey. Low and behold, I really enjoyed it. No traffic to deal with, waiting at the airport for 2 hours before a flight, cramped airline seats, and keeping a small child in a seat the entire way. While the trip through the Siskiyou Mountain Range at night was not impressive, on the return trip it was breathtaking! Best of all, I wasn't driving in it!
We did learn that we do not want to travel in Coach Seats next time. We will be using a sleeping car. They are equipped with electrical plugs, beds, and all meals are included.
Train food is better than airline food I have to say. We ate in the Dining car for 2 meals and found it to be a tad expensive, but not earth shattering. We did carry on some snacks for our return trip. Including a portable cooler bag for sodas.
Now for the holiday. We had taken the trip to San Jose for Selene to spend the holiday with her father and her other grandparents. There was a gathering of the family at Great Grandma's house, so we were introduced to numerous family members. And the warm welcomes just kept on coming. Selene was on her best behavior, using all of her manners. I was amazed at her actions. She was great, and I am so proud of her. Of course, she was spoiled rotten, but that was what the trip was all about, for her family to meet and get to know her.
She wants to know when our next trip to "Calibunga" is. She knows it is far, far away, but wants to go again. We are in the process of planning Disneyland for November of 2009.
We arrived home to rain and winds. But there really is no place like home.
I was leary on taking a 3 year old on a 24 hour train ride from Tacoma to San Jose, but those feelings are now a thing of the past. I couldn't have asked for more. Selene was wonderful. She enjoyed looking out the windows, watching people get on and off the train, and was fascinated by the sliding doors between train cars.
Before we left, like many others that travel with young children, I packed a backpack with assorted items. Gel pens, paper, crayons, coloring book, new McDonald Happy Meal Toys, and a few snacks, one being CocoaPuffs.
We did pack the laptop to watch DVD's, but the battery didn't hold out. And of course, the train car we were in did not have an electrical outlet. But that wasn't a problem at all. There were enough things to keep Selene occupied.
I, myself, was not too keen on the train ride, but with the price of airfare and hubby really wanting to try the rails, we set off on our journey. Low and behold, I really enjoyed it. No traffic to deal with, waiting at the airport for 2 hours before a flight, cramped airline seats, and keeping a small child in a seat the entire way. While the trip through the Siskiyou Mountain Range at night was not impressive, on the return trip it was breathtaking! Best of all, I wasn't driving in it!
We did learn that we do not want to travel in Coach Seats next time. We will be using a sleeping car. They are equipped with electrical plugs, beds, and all meals are included.
Train food is better than airline food I have to say. We ate in the Dining car for 2 meals and found it to be a tad expensive, but not earth shattering. We did carry on some snacks for our return trip. Including a portable cooler bag for sodas.
Now for the holiday. We had taken the trip to San Jose for Selene to spend the holiday with her father and her other grandparents. There was a gathering of the family at Great Grandma's house, so we were introduced to numerous family members. And the warm welcomes just kept on coming. Selene was on her best behavior, using all of her manners. I was amazed at her actions. She was great, and I am so proud of her. Of course, she was spoiled rotten, but that was what the trip was all about, for her family to meet and get to know her.
She wants to know when our next trip to "Calibunga" is. She knows it is far, far away, but wants to go again. We are in the process of planning Disneyland for November of 2009.
We arrived home to rain and winds. But there really is no place like home.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
She's Growing Up
Selene was invited to her first Birthday Party! She and Caitlan, who's birthday it was, go the same daycare. The party was Princess theme'd and this is right up Selene's alley! She LOVES her Disney Princess's.
The day was filled with dress up (in various frilly dresses, shoes and crowns), jumping in the blow up trampolene, crafts, and food! She had a grand time.
There were 2 special guests! Cinderella and Prince Charming. All of the children were sitting on the mat watching. When they entered Selene was so excited! She was thrilled to finally see Cinderella in person! Her enthusiasm, joy, and excitement could not be contained. She ran up to the Princess, giving her a big hug.
Cinderella and Prince Charming sang to the children, danced, and then spent time with the birthday girl. Then they mingled with the other attendee's. Being that Selene loves to dance and twirl, she asked Cinderella to dance with her. This will be a moment she does not soon forget! Selene was too shy to ask Prince Charming to dance with her. (Little did I know she had a shy streak as she has never shown it before, LOL)
As the day wore on, all of the children who were full of excitment and sugar, began to get a little fussy. It was our time to leave. For only being 3 years old, Selene used her best manners. But we have a little way to do with her understanding that not ALL birthday parties are hers.
I was just browsing through some albums of her baby pictures and am amazed at how fast she is growing up. She will start her formal education in 2 years. So we need to take advantage of the present, before it flies by and we miss it!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Journals
The big countdown to Christmas has begun for everyone I think! Time is whizzing by and I am caught up in the pre-holiday tornado like everyone else.
We are heading to California for the holidays. Our grand-daughters other grand-parents live in San Jose. It is time for her to spend some time and get to see and know the rest of her family. Since plane fare is so ridiculous, we are taking the train. It will take us approximately 24 hours to get there, but we can sit back and leave the driving to others. It is a quick trip, only 5 days. There is as much family in California for her as here in Washington. Hopefully this will be the first trips for her. Her grand-parents has made several trips up here to see her, including her great-grand-mother on one. Our Washington Christmas will be celebrated after we return. Santa will be leaving Selene's presents here as well as visiting her in San Jose.
Besides planning the holiday trip, we have been busy creating our own presents. One year when we were short on funds, we bought very few gifts and made the rest! It was so joyful to make a personal gift, embellishing it with items we knew the person liked. And the sight of seeing them use it during the year made our hearts warm and fuzzy.
I have 6 fellow nurses in the office I work at and a front office staff of 5. My Bind-It-All has been getting a workout! I created 4x4 journal for each. Their initials are attached to a slide mount that was colored with alcohol inks. Printer paper was just too thin for the actual pages, so we cut thin white cardstock to fill them. The covers were decorated with papers that the store had on clearance and were 5.$1.00. Can't beat that price!
My brother and sister-in-law always carry a notebook to jot things down in, so they are receiving journals as well. These are a little bigger, 5x7.
Between family, home, work and crafting, I have not taken time to come up for air. Hopefully things will calm down a little after the holidays.
We are heading to California for the holidays. Our grand-daughters other grand-parents live in San Jose. It is time for her to spend some time and get to see and know the rest of her family. Since plane fare is so ridiculous, we are taking the train. It will take us approximately 24 hours to get there, but we can sit back and leave the driving to others. It is a quick trip, only 5 days. There is as much family in California for her as here in Washington. Hopefully this will be the first trips for her. Her grand-parents has made several trips up here to see her, including her great-grand-mother on one. Our Washington Christmas will be celebrated after we return. Santa will be leaving Selene's presents here as well as visiting her in San Jose.
Besides planning the holiday trip, we have been busy creating our own presents. One year when we were short on funds, we bought very few gifts and made the rest! It was so joyful to make a personal gift, embellishing it with items we knew the person liked. And the sight of seeing them use it during the year made our hearts warm and fuzzy.
I have 6 fellow nurses in the office I work at and a front office staff of 5. My Bind-It-All has been getting a workout! I created 4x4 journal for each. Their initials are attached to a slide mount that was colored with alcohol inks. Printer paper was just too thin for the actual pages, so we cut thin white cardstock to fill them. The covers were decorated with papers that the store had on clearance and were 5.$1.00. Can't beat that price!
My brother and sister-in-law always carry a notebook to jot things down in, so they are receiving journals as well. These are a little bigger, 5x7.
Between family, home, work and crafting, I have not taken time to come up for air. Hopefully things will calm down a little after the holidays.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Going Hollywood
The old age of Hollywood is one of my favorites. No blood, gore, sex, foul language. Just pure entertainment. I remember my mother telling me stories of she and her sisters spending the afternoon at the local "movie house" watching stars dance and sing their way across the silver screen. This inspired my recent creations.William Powell starred in The Thin Man series and my all time favorite movie “My Man Godfried”. What a better subject for an ATC!
Bette Davis was the woman my mother said many loved to hate. She created such in-depth characters in her movies. She reminds me of Tallulah Bankhead’s quote: “Good girls keep diaries, bad girls don’t have time”.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Running Away From Home
My husband and I recently returned from a long needed vacation. We haven't gone anywhere, just the two of us, since we obtained custody of our grand-daughter Selene when she was just 21 days old. She is now three, and to be truthful, we needed a rest.We flew into Reno and toured the city. A few casino's, a few dollars here and there, but then we took to the road to tour the local area.
Carson City is full of history! And some of the old buildings are beautiful. But it just wasn't what we wanted.
We took to the road in a rental car and headed towards Lake Tahoe. The scenery is beautiful but the weather was a little cold. Temperatures were in the low 40's during the day. I was not aware there were Paddle Boat tours on the lake and had no inclination to try one out in the cold.
This was one of the views from the bluff around the lake. Vikingsholm Castle is on Emerald Bay on the South end of the lake.
One of the many lake views on our time spent at Lake Tahoe.
The sky was overcast as they were predicting snow. Not wanting to be caught up on the windy roads in an economy car with no traction, we decided to head back into Reno.We had quiet dinners with no interuptions, no cutting someone elses food, reminding the usage of dinner forks, no potty-chair, and actually finished conversations! But I did miss my little one. I phoned home several times to ask Uncle Joey and Aunt Sarah how she was doing. After a few days away from home, I was ready to return to my blessed life.
Mini Notebooks
Using the Bind-It-All machine, making little mini albums, scrapbook albums, CD albums and notebooks together is a snap! This 4x4 mini notebook is adored with a slide mount and a picture of my mother at her First Communion in Boston, MA 1931.
Manly-Man ATC
My grandfather was a whaler out of Boston in the early 1900's. What a fitting tribute to him!
Marilyn
I was playing around with Black and White. Dark alcohol inks on white glossy cardstock and dry brushing Gesso. I was intriged with this image of Marilyn Monroe. Using pages torn out of a book that I had altered, the typed page added just enough contrast.
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