michelle ward

distractions

I'm a sucker for punches. LOVE this one.  It has the new clever option of setting for two different outcomes.  One adds a border to the edge of a page.  The second yields a freestanding border with more detail.  A quatrefoil - swoon!  I was so excited to put it to work that I made some quick tags....the stamped images came straight from one of my new sheets.  You'll see I didn't even cut it out...item number shows up.

I have other things I should be doing but this recent acquisition has me distracted.  Do you do this too - pull out some supplies to test drive your new toys?  No purpose, just play? 

I don't have my copy of the new Somerset Studio (May/June 2012).  If you are visiting here after seeing my article about Why to Carve Your own Stamps, you will find my tutorial on carving by clicking the Tutorial button on the right sidebar, or click HERE.

 

Thanks for all the comments about our Special Olympics event.  It makes it even more fun that you share in the enthusiasm.  If you have a chance to volunteer at an event, or just go as a cheerleader, do it!

special day

Yesterday was beautiful, in every way.  There had been talk of rain but it held off until today and we enjoyed a breezy sunny morning and afternoon at the track to celebrate ability.  Many thanks to our coaches headed by Mr. Buggey, the staff and student volunteers, and the dozens who made the Special Olymics a memorable event.  It was our first time as participants and I was blown away by the number of people who were involved to make it a really special day.  My heart is brimming after witnessing the pure joy felt by everyone who was there - athletes, families, and the community who made it happen.   Here are some highlights from Sam competing in track and field. 

 

it's here

There are dozens of buds, sharing their enthusiasm for the new season.  This was the first to show off yesterday.  She was in full bloom later today.  I think this is a record, roses in April!

And the lilacs are full of fragrance.  They are fleeting so it's fun to share cuttings with neighbors.  The scent reminds me of walking to elementary school...passing by the neighborhood bushes filled with purple messengers of sweetness.  Fallon helped plant it so this one is hers.

How is your garden growing?

good news bad news

I was going to say, "here is what's going down", but that's not a nice reference as tomorrow marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  Here's what is also not so nice:  I've been a victim of identity theft.  Someone has been impersonating me online by leaving rude and inappropriate comments on blogs.  Think about it, it's easy to do.  You can leave a name and an URL without verification in most places.  We trust that people use their own name and address, right?  The thing is - you leave a trail with your IP address.  I have learned of several instances of this occuring and luckily I was able to confirm it wasn't me because the IP addresses differ.  I'm not sure why someone would choose my identity to do this, and I'm not sure why they chose to be mean to the bloggers who were targeted on the receiving end.  Both of these gracious women are bloggers I have never met or corresponded with prior to these events.  I hate to think of how many other times this may have happened that I don't know about.  I do know where the person works and hope to resolve it.  Do me a favor, if you can search your comment database for IP address 64.55.153.216 please let me know.  (Easy to do on typepad, not sure how other platforms operate.)  I'm hoping this person has slipped up and used their own name somewhere.  Thanks for your help. EDIT:  the issue has been resolved, perpetrator found.

EDIT:  Impersonating someone online is illegal.  Perpetrator is from California, breaking this law:  SB 1411  This bill would provide that any person who knowingly and without consent credibly impersonates another actual person through or on an Internet Web site or by other electronic means, as specified, for
purposes of harming, intimidating, threatening, or defrauding another person is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Now that the bad news is out of the way, the good news is that both of the anticipated shipments have arrived.  The stamps and the stencils are here!  Pre-orders will go out Monday and the rates on the products will change back to standard pricing by Monday too. 

 

When I mentioned the bad news affair on facebook I got so much support and I really appreciate my friends circling around with kind words.  For some reason the post disappeared, which is so frustrating but I thank all of you who came by in friendship. 

growth and growth

The rose bushes are really growing.  They took off so fast this year, before I even had a chance to cut them back.  I love this time of year as we see new growth, whether from the earth, or from ourselves.  I find Spring to be a time for starting new projects, pulling out brighter colors, and seeing everything with a refreshed perspective.

 

The lawn has been mowed once already....not for trimming grass, but to manage the weeds.  I admit, I do not mind weeds.  Afterall, that is where the clovers grow.....and it's where I find inspiration for adding organic shapes to my journal, Frond Chronicles.  I'm started another one, for my class in July.  Love trying to draw a replica of a real plant, but love making fantasy fronds too.  Check out my pussy willow.  The bunch was set in water at the grocery store so I put them in water at home - never did that before.  And look!  They are growing.  HCIT?  I'll be cut a few new stencils and masks inspired by them!

 

Maybe you'll come celebrate fronds with me in Jersey in July?  We will focus on making our own tools (stencils and masks), and we will paint pages and make a fab journal.  See HERE for details.

HAPPY EASTER!!