Pay it Forward - the handmade way!

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow, or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. So basically, if you comment and you’re on, I’ll send you something crafty that I’ll make!Once you sign up, copy and paste the above paragraph on your blog, and three other lucky people will be recipients of your handmade work.


I've copied this from a blog I fell upon http://tamishasartspace.blogspot.com/2007/11/pay-it-forward.html - and it's a fabulous idea. If you want to do the same, just copy the above paragraph and play along.

Thanks and I'll be in touch! - Chrisi

Merry HO HO!

I spent this evening having a Very Washington Holiday! Laura and I went into Washington to see the official trees. First stop was the White House. We saw the National Christmas Tree and each state tree. Then off to the Capital. That was a great tree - all homemade ornaments and very few people. Laura will have great pix on her blog soon I'm sure. Then we made an unexpected trip to the National Botanical Garden because they had sparkley blue trees in the front. Once we pulled up to the Garden we saw they had a huge toy train set up. It was amazing and beautiful. If you are near Washington - it's well worth a stop.


Merry Christmas to you all and I hope your 2008 is the best ever! My theme for 2008 is JOY so I hope to share much of it with you throughout the year.


Love to you all - Chrisi

Beachin' Holiday!

Hello from Avon, North Carolina, where I am celebrating the T'giving holiday with dear friends. It's been a beautiful week of weather. Amazing food, cooked fantastically by Marie.

As you see, the dogs look pretty happy playing on the shores of the Atlantic. Byrdie chases the waves, Jake loves the wind.

You can't ask for more than this and I am .... Thank-Full! -- Chrisi --

Ideas ....

So I'm searching my creative juices for ideas for a swap I have coming up - and I thought I'd look at some stuff I've made and found this one.

The swap is using "virgin" stamps so I have lots to work with, just gotta think something up. So in the meantime - enjoy the dragonfly.

-- Chrisi

Play Ball

I love the World Series even if it is a sad reminder of the end of another great season for the boys of summer. So I wish the best to the Rockies and Red Sox (and am still deciding who I really want to win).

But let's take a moment to remember the Washington Nationals - so I've posted a pix of the Dancin' Presidents!

Crafting Retreat...Excitment Builds

I'm going to spend this coming weekend at Club Scrap's Rolling Retreat in Herndon, Virginia. Not really a vacation but it is 2 days of crafting, cropping and hanging with friends. I'm getting kinda excited about it - wrestling with the usual things ... what (OK how many) adhesives to bring, don't forget the camera, Bandaids (paper cuts), oh and projects to work on. I'll be sure to post some of the goodies when I finish all the classes!

Nat'l Card Making Weekend!

I celebrated with friends - first on Saturday at Angela's Happy Stamper I made a card for the troops and dropped it off. I of course did some shopping. Sunday brought me to the open house at Recollections and it was a great day with Laura, Jennifer and Tami. Again, we shopped - but we also made a card, signed up for classes and had a lovely lunch. Aside for buying, sharing ideas and gathering more supplies -- the art form is about laughing with friends.

We've decided to host a swap amongst ourselves and the theme is "virgin" stamps (those we haven't used before) - hopefully Jen is sharing this idea w/ Tami. I'll post some creations w/ this theme once some are completed.

Meanwhile - here's a new card (2 versions) I made with a set I'm still in love with - I hope you like it. -- Chrisi --

Happy Colors & Random Thoughts

Completely non-linear postings today ....

I love this color green! I'm practicing using colors I don't usually use - so that explains the blue. I'm liking it.

I've been called for United States District Court jury duty late October through November. I really don't mind - I believe in the system and this is part of it.

My pupster, Jake, is doing well 5 weeks after his knee surgery. The doctor says he's too active and I as the good mom MUST be better about it - ok I'm practicing to be better this week!

The sad part about the good weather is that it makes me realize baseball season is coming to an end. I'm sure I'll was poetic about that more in October.

More soon - Chrisi

New Perk-y Stamp Set

I have the coolest new stamp set and I love it! This is just a quick sampling - there will be more. Enjoy - Chrisi

Ribbons & Funnel Cakes

I can't believe it myself - I won a big ribbon a the Arlington County Fair for a journal I created. I learned this technique from Beverly Seymour of B-Line Stamps Designs. She's an amazing teacher and their stamps are so beautiful the art almost creates itself!

I entered the fair because it's fun to see all the other entries - and by entering I'm more likely to look it all over when I visit the fair. Oh yea, and an excuse to get a funnel cake.

So go to your local fair, see things you didn't know existed (a demo derby cake, Coke can lamp, a Wizard of Oz quilt) and you'll have a great time. I'm sure you can make something for next year's fair!

Let me know if you get a ribbon.

- Chrisi

County Fair Days

I went to the Prince William County Fair yesterday with Laura. Note to self: don't go on dollar night-noted. The Demo Derby was featuring the death of mini-vans. Popping tires generating thousands to scream in joy and funnel cake. I love America.

Solder Sample

Finally a pictue of one of the pieces I've created since taking my soldering class. It's not bad for a beginner really ... more practice to come.

Soldering around a mini-collage...

I took a soldering class today. We created paper collages under glass and soldered around them to seal them up, added a ring at the top and made them charms for a necklace or ornament.

This is an interesting skill to add to my paper crafting skills. We'll see what becomes of it - in the meantime I'm thinking in a smaller scale and will see what fits in this new medium.

Perhaps I'll share pictures soon.

Happy Birthday Uncle Joe!

Uncle Joe had a birthday ... he rocks! I made him a card - I liked it so I'm sharing.

Since Global Warming is on our mind .... Andrea the "Hip Hop Frog" says change three light bulbs from regular incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. Everyone benefits!

Scrapbook show in Chantilly!

The Great American Scrapbook Show has landed in Chantilly, VA this weekend. I was able to go for a couple hours this afternoon before the Saturday crowds arrive. I had a great time!

All those supplies in one place .... and it's always about the supplies! Hopefully, I'll be able to make some stuff and post pictures to show you.

More soon - Chrisi

Guarding the Yard!

Someone's got to do it....

2007 National Race for the Cure

Today, I again walked in the National Race for the Cure with my friends from work - Team NRTC! It's always such an amazing experience!

This year brought us a new team member - Mini Mo Murphy! I walk to celebrate the life of her Grandmother, Maureen Murphy and Mini Mo's future. Grandma Maureen's attitude during her battle with breast cancer taught me how to deal with so much in my own life - I thank her often.

When you look at our team - I hope you'll think of something you can do to help any people who are dear to your heart. Anything helps and there is always room for more help.

Dad's Birthday - Let's all Celebrate!

May 26th is dad's birthday. He loved his birthday - but not for the usual reasons (presents and attention) - rather, he liked sharing his birthday with everyone else. To him it marked the beginning of Summer as it usually fell near Memorial Day. That meant crabs and beer, BBQ at the Knights of Columbus and people visiting and hanging around. It was always about the people with Dad.

I miss him everyday - but can't help remembering that he taught me to laugh at life's moments and look for the opportunity in all things (just don't get caught). Most of all - don't look back, always smile and let people know (out loud) you love them.

This is a typical picture of Dad. He loved to be a goofball in front of a camera. For this one, he told me he was holding up the building.

Reston Arts Fest!

Spent today with dear friends Laura and Katie at the Reston Fine Arts Festival. The fest has lots of artists sharing and selling their wares (a little pricey tho). There was some beautiful things, funny hats, lawn art, kettle korn, dogs to pet and great margaritas.

I am, however, curious why all the artists we saw from North Carolina had very strange artwork - strange puppety, collagey type strangeness. Don't get me wrong, I liked it - but it is curious why they were all from NC.

More soon, Chrisi

Jake's here too....

This is Jake, nicknamed - Little Pisser. I've had him since January '07. He's also adopted and deserving of a happy home. Jake is 5 years old.

Byrdie tolerates Jake. I've occasionally caught them thinking about playing with each other.

He's a cuddlebug - loves laps, treats and sleeping under the covers. He plays with toys and eats the mail (what's that about?).

This is Byrdie. She's older than I admit (12 ish). She's usually fluffier - but this is her summer look and it does make me smile.

She's smiling.

I adore her. She came to me at a time in my life when I needed unconditional love - I still get it from her every day after 7 years. And I found her on Valentines Day - perfect!

I hope I am as good to her .....

Welcome to tacky traditions

Tacky traditions ... compliments of Lacie, my grandmother ... she taught me my love of all things tacky. She's also made me laugh harder than almost anyone else in my life! I love that.

Yes, it's true, I can't resist the tacky - a crocheted olive green afgan, cool 50's dishes with atomic symbols, safety pin dolls, plastic table cloths (they clean up nice), a sock monkey (always funny), plates with tourist locations ... ok you get the idea.

There is a "right" kind of tacky but that is learning that comes with time! So come along for the ride and you'll learn more about they "right" kind of tacky, my life, my dogs (Byrdie and Jake), my friends, my arty things, and who knows what else.

More soon, Chrisi