tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762576198201301702024-03-05T08:29:33.487-08:00. . . . .DITTYDOTS . . . . .My creative playground, photos and
scribblings.NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.comBlogger765125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-52866112175886908462016-09-07T12:39:00.000-07:002016-09-07T12:39:14.519-07:00SO QUIETSo yesterday school officially began for another year. The girls were gone for a couple of hours and then came home again. But today is different. They are away all day to return home once the afternoon bell releases them from their classes. Meanwhile, it is very quiet at home, with just dad and myself here, with our sleeping grand-dog laying about somewhere. I refer to our grand-daughters as our girls, as we have lived with them since their birth and they are very much a part of our lives. We stay away from the family scene at night because we all need our private spaces. Living in the same household does not mean constant interaction but we usually get a chance to say hi and goodbye when they leave for work and school. I am closer to my daughter and we have tea in the morning before she goes to work. I catch up on any news about them or about her friends and ours. Here's a picture of "my" girls. They complete our lives.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-68056633607837493432016-08-22T10:10:00.003-07:002016-08-22T10:13:12.322-07:00Vacation May 2016AUGUST 2016<br />
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It has been over a year since I last posted here. I have not been sick, or overloaded with other projects, but I guess just muddling along with life and overlooked keeping up my online journal. My year has not been overwhelming but just running along the same path with little variation. I guess that is why my writing has dribbled off into nothingness because I don't feel it is of interesting reading. This year we took time to have a relaxing holiday over on Vancouver Island. We rented a cabin for a month and left home behind. We toured around the central part of the Island, and enjoyed meeting family members who live there. We had visits to their homes and lovely luncheons prepared for us. Meanwhile, we could come back to our cabin and enjoy the company of other vacationers living in nearby cabins and enjoy the view of the ocean from our front door. Now that is relaxation. But like all holidays it ended and we had to return home. It was nice to sleep in our own bed and return to familiar things too.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-24149271616801005662015-05-21T10:04:00.002-07:002015-05-21T10:04:46.627-07:00Anniversary WeekendOh my goodness, I certainly have not kept up with my blog for months now. I have no excuses for it. I just didn't carry on with it, is all. But here we are again, just three days past another anniversary for us. This one makes 47 years since our wedding day. Lots of living done in between. Some of it was the normal, mundane type of things that repeat themselves over and over again. And then there are bright spots of excitement that keep you going and wondering when the next one will come along. But here is a photo of us now. Not too bad I guess for Seniors. Silver hair, receding hairlines, expanding waistlines seem to be our niche in life. Made by our own hands and in some cases, lack of willpower, but like a reunion we had of cousins this past weekend, who cares. We still had the same inner feelings and thoughts and sparks of our youth and all that shone through our outer selves.<br />
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Pictures on the side of my blog show us on our anniversary cruises to Alaska. These were taken on our 34th and 42nd anniversaries<br />
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This time our cruising was to Vancouver Island, which only takes less than two hours from the mainland. The trip is just as enjoyable, and we had the comfort of a buffet dining room experience for the crossing. <br />
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These photos are taken at a rental vacation house that my cousins had rented during their visit. We had a family reunion of cousins which was a blast. Some of the cousins had never met before and others had been so young, they just didn't remember each other at all, except from photos. It was so enjoyable and something I don't think will be repeated by some members, as distance and age now enter into the equation.<br />
But awkwardness was not a word that entered our time together over the weekend. Now that's an anniversary to remember, even if we both forgot the actual day until 6 pm that evening. We had a good laugh over that. I guess what they say is true. Those special days are just that, but they don't have to have the hoopla made of them when love still abounds.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-44694777342159195302015-02-08T14:41:00.000-08:002015-02-08T14:41:13.152-08:00Vintage Inchies<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH2KNoIupVPr5EmmX8hVU_hU8CxnR4lxXzVFnWEc9LuMhEdtPOoUNgRX4M_2QUBzqRggC51joUagSiK1Q1QMLnk0VMBheNsXn82_a_PDQ58qwAV45YCW7OVyjqH3KrkLFGeXVilTWqDYs/s1600/Inchies+Vintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH2KNoIupVPr5EmmX8hVU_hU8CxnR4lxXzVFnWEc9LuMhEdtPOoUNgRX4M_2QUBzqRggC51joUagSiK1Q1QMLnk0VMBheNsXn82_a_PDQ58qwAV45YCW7OVyjqH3KrkLFGeXVilTWqDYs/s1600/Inchies+Vintage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1"x1" inchies Vintage Art<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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These are some of the inchies that I created for a swap on SplitCoastStampers.<br />
They are done on 1" squares, so everything has to be done in miniature size. I double printed the butterflies and attached them over the top of the original image with dimensionals. I also have a tiny flower punch and glued these onto the inchie for a dimensional look as well. I used a metallic gel pen around the outside edges, as well as sponged the edges with taupe ink.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-32164380364901500582015-02-07T16:41:00.002-08:002015-02-07T16:41:41.849-08:00A little love....Valentine's Day is coming up and there is one person that I must thank and show some love. And that is my mother. She resides in a seniors home with the care she requires and could not get at home. But I visit every week and do her personal shopping and some of her laundry. She likes her things done a certain way and they just don't do it right at the home. Basically the industrial washers are too hot and her clothes are being shrunk. So I don't blame her for wanting to keep her clothes nice. I saw a pretty image online that I made into a special card for her and in it writing how much I appreciate and love her. Take a look at my efforts to make her a "love" card.<br />
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I added the Valentines greeting to the face of the image and then cut the corners to make it </div>
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more interesting. Down the sides I used a lacey strip for additional interest, but not to overwhelm</div>
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the card. On the lacey heart I stuck pearl embellishments across the top, and a red dew drop on</div>
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the rose, while a pink crystal adorns the ribbon. I think she will like it.</div>
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And to all of you Happy Valentine's Day</div>
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and I hope you can spend it with those you love.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-52592225643126501462014-11-16T15:34:00.004-08:002014-11-16T15:34:37.497-08:00Lack - si - daisy.....My lack of posting in my blog has me wondering where my head is at. But over the past two months I have been wrapped up in creating ATC cards for my swaps. I think I bit off more than I can chew, but I have finally completed them and sent them on their way to my hostess. I should get a whack of cards back before Christmas.<div>
At the moment I am still crafting. I'm busy making my Christmas cards and cutting all the fussy bits. But I have kept them simple and hopefully after a raft of cards, within a manageable state of mental health. And guess what I have even started Christmas shopping. I think our gorgeous sunshine days have helped to lift the spirit. You always want to accomplish something when it is sunny outdoors.</div>
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My sister has just had her novel published and has a second one being finalized for printing and distribution. And her husband has just had his first book published showing his watercolour paintings. His next one will contain his eclectic impressionist and expressionist styles. Quite the family we have here. My other sister writes poetry and I have done so as well and had some of them published in Poetic volumes. I haven't pursued that avenue for a few years. I am enjoying making my cards as my avenue of expression and relaxation.</div>
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As all of our Canadian holidays are over, I am looking forward to the Christmas season once again. It is always a fun time to spend with my grandchildren. They bring life to the house even as a teen and a pre-teen. Christmas is family time for us. So with that I need to get back to cutting, stamping and colouring my creations.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-3068396126152941612014-10-10T13:37:00.001-07:002014-10-10T13:37:49.099-07:00Sunset in the ValleyI sat at the computer, deep in concentration of my subject matter, when I looked up and out the window. I saw the most beautiful sunset scene in front of me. So very different and so colourful. I keep my camera beside me, ready to take pictures of my crafting things, so I quickly snapped this photo before nightfall closed in. And I only had moments to spare. It was gone within minutes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEAUTY COMES IN FLEETING MOMENTS</td></tr>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-44993512299763522432014-09-22T11:30:00.001-07:002014-09-22T11:30:07.626-07:00Totally out of the box....The one thing about joining swaps is that you never know what is expected of you. In this case, I was handed a theme that was way out of my box and there were no ideas, other than bright colours, in my mind.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssptr-RLwka5L-z_wU-xBoLIDhwn69BVnb3_LZjla_ALch75LInEAFmnlzXdTa60pcpZnWIY3j76GQkypCW6ouwWPJw0XjnRyaYGpcHwSQ1A57YP6Dbvsaci0_KddjGqOugr2Vr8lUOTl/s1600/PAT+30+Paula+Best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssptr-RLwka5L-z_wU-xBoLIDhwn69BVnb3_LZjla_ALch75LInEAFmnlzXdTa60pcpZnWIY3j76GQkypCW6ouwWPJw0XjnRyaYGpcHwSQ1A57YP6Dbvsaci0_KddjGqOugr2Vr8lUOTl/s1600/PAT+30+Paula+Best.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>This card came out of no where. I had the paper, the brads and bits and pieces lying on my desk to do something with. The theme was from Paula Best, artist. We were to get inspiration from her. Anyway, from an empty head and scraps this is my card.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-91888359910652273562014-09-21T16:39:00.004-07:002014-09-21T16:39:50.291-07:00I've been creating.....Fall is almost here and I have joined another swap group and am busy creating my themes. So I picked up the scissors and glue this week and began again. Here are some of the cards I have finished.<br />
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This one is for the theme:<br />
<b>Vintage Fairy Tales.</b><br />
I chose Tom Thumb because I love butterflies, so it fit in perfectly<br />
with my likes. It is raised on dimensionals for a 3D effect, and I<br />
placed a grey shadow behind it to make it pop some more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqArT_0gffn6S7Lr9x-NlEmfqFfXYovOAynrJns7aJ_VI-GP12fuhT5678gUZ1qIJt-CIPmScSruX2Evp5yCkfFnHOmS9nAnpm0p8yCZXQCrNoJ8Cip0XamWBkvHSzbj7QI6sYgCMkwxo/s1600/Vintage+Romance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqArT_0gffn6S7Lr9x-NlEmfqFfXYovOAynrJns7aJ_VI-GP12fuhT5678gUZ1qIJt-CIPmScSruX2Evp5yCkfFnHOmS9nAnpm0p8yCZXQCrNoJ8Cip0XamWBkvHSzbj7QI6sYgCMkwxo/s1600/Vintage+Romance.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Vintage Romance</b><br />Lace and pearls and pink roses.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9_x47qfZ-ShBo5eq7plQqEaxjIIjt4URR5wc6meYlU_W3yX1g2N5yHTbgS0bA1e5XuSBq-yrejSSKKx6Gh__u4nthUz3QPls6OeBIGPx8stxN5FluShm9AqOrqz2phQgBR4_RzafAj10/s1600/An+Apple+for+the+Teacher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9_x47qfZ-ShBo5eq7plQqEaxjIIjt4URR5wc6meYlU_W3yX1g2N5yHTbgS0bA1e5XuSBq-yrejSSKKx6Gh__u4nthUz3QPls6OeBIGPx8stxN5FluShm9AqOrqz2phQgBR4_RzafAj10/s1600/An+Apple+for+the+Teacher.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
This theme is:<br />
<br />
<b>Vintage Back to School</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I wanted an old look so I mounted the image on<br />
cardboard and distressed the edges with my scissors.<br />
The girl is raised from the background and I added<br />
the apple with the scholarly worm for a humorous effect.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-36973851491191231602014-08-09T16:43:00.002-07:002014-08-09T16:47:09.783-07:00A Day in Her Life.....I want to share some lovely photos that my niece took. Emilie Pallick is almost 15 and loves to take photos whenever she can. Here are some of her photos in a a day in her life. <br />
(CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENHANCE THEM FOR VIEWING)<br />
<br />
<br />
BLOWING IN THE WIND:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AnBfdh4ObvZTaMwZWzqy62M-yDNX2nzj9ec-qO24lDyWc8OYWT4wVNXiqQDPvGDZamqhNivsIq4fH9AhTFntVj5M3XyugXBAi5g4nVNWlUeq1-hMJUcJ40SLQXHOljGCDbYJ6w1jFksl/s1600/Blowing+in+the+Wind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AnBfdh4ObvZTaMwZWzqy62M-yDNX2nzj9ec-qO24lDyWc8OYWT4wVNXiqQDPvGDZamqhNivsIq4fH9AhTFntVj5M3XyugXBAi5g4nVNWlUeq1-hMJUcJ40SLQXHOljGCDbYJ6w1jFksl/s1600/Blowing+in+the+Wind.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
BUSY BEES:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjhbfhCe3TlnNK37eoOT5NrEiSF0Ic0Mkvq4Gieo2fX0rQRwyJQLLYBJjInFkiOsw4ytYEIF3lyhnH64a4LzHPPc8cq2Buf0O9XdQwdFG9MoxefYdAQuCfWDXX3z0LpZ4TGdi0dY6juFj/s1600/Busy+Bees..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjhbfhCe3TlnNK37eoOT5NrEiSF0Ic0Mkvq4Gieo2fX0rQRwyJQLLYBJjInFkiOsw4ytYEIF3lyhnH64a4LzHPPc8cq2Buf0O9XdQwdFG9MoxefYdAQuCfWDXX3z0LpZ4TGdi0dY6juFj/s1600/Busy+Bees..jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
THE DOCKS: Westminster Quay<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuqevY5DMSR3JCm90wlHFkUzJV7N0jbdvhTk4wGMbzFXz23ZwnQxs9D5k7WdWqbkEMtc-pnJYmcXr6wGmtltldP_KYY-BlCrdrzQXTd3gXf6RxP6mNG1jfXqwJvOlzqz7-UBAFLBq-nfO/s1600/The+Docks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuqevY5DMSR3JCm90wlHFkUzJV7N0jbdvhTk4wGMbzFXz23ZwnQxs9D5k7WdWqbkEMtc-pnJYmcXr6wGmtltldP_KYY-BlCrdrzQXTd3gXf6RxP6mNG1jfXqwJvOlzqz7-UBAFLBq-nfO/s1600/The+Docks.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I take my camera on some of my outings too. Not all the photos turn out the way I see them,<br />
but Emilie has an eye for interesting things. Fun can be had in the simplest things and in the eyes<br />
of the beholder. But a picture captures the moment, a memory for the keeping.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-48435060090840388172014-08-02T16:23:00.000-07:002014-08-02T16:23:12.729-07:00Sunshine and Lollipops.........<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGkzndoVixor3h-T7qtx4-BoOcG0lk1Fa9dmWA0o_Nv3o2IBy1eQd1p7V6X2aDzUm3DOXRG3PvMSmjgSA1WWVpVNwdIvWVmvXHf4r5oCCdPM0VUiwu-mQfr1z2GJblXp-d0iX072-2hdD/s1600/Sunshine+Days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGkzndoVixor3h-T7qtx4-BoOcG0lk1Fa9dmWA0o_Nv3o2IBy1eQd1p7V6X2aDzUm3DOXRG3PvMSmjgSA1WWVpVNwdIvWVmvXHf4r5oCCdPM0VUiwu-mQfr1z2GJblXp-d0iX072-2hdD/s1600/Sunshine+Days.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>SUNSHINE DAYS</b></td></tr>
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We are having a heatwave here on the Coast. It is 30C here in the Valley which actually feels about 35C. Which is around 90 plus degrees fahrenheit. Much too hot for my liking. But this picture has a hot feeling with that steaming sun and those bright vibrant roses. <br />
My granddaughters have been enjoying the beach, lakes and pools around us and I do envy their youth. But as much as I would like to join them, sunshine is not my forte. (Age being a big factor).<br />
But I get out for a few minutes to do my chores, like shopping, and going to restaurants etc. Can't <br />
hibernate in the house every day, now can I? But <br />
it is cool, I must say. To another day, adieu.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-44311010511606722192014-08-01T16:32:00.002-07:002014-08-01T16:32:37.019-07:00Well, it looks like I haven't been a good blogger, as my visitor list is gone. I am sorry folks if that is the reason. I can only say that life got in the way so I ignored my blog and my creative side has taken a long sabatical. For those still following, although I may not see it, thank you for visiting me. I am hoping that I will find the inner me to start creating again and have something to show for my efforts. Although with the two heat waves we have had on the coast, I haven't the energy to move, let alone create. I will return.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-4044669538819705562014-06-24T19:20:00.001-07:002014-06-24T19:20:30.375-07:0025 years plus.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCziT7TaexfdmPxfbCksTK4WjukGC2oTA-3anMrp9bMKFxnAR5rkqqxSnqxoLSzURwHu9V2TRg9puQJStwaI-zUQzWvqLZX3kU5ys4_i0_tnAaHtLwPYvIHPd6GCMy-7WtjQL3uy0hJPT/s1600/Norma+March+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCziT7TaexfdmPxfbCksTK4WjukGC2oTA-3anMrp9bMKFxnAR5rkqqxSnqxoLSzURwHu9V2TRg9puQJStwaI-zUQzWvqLZX3kU5ys4_i0_tnAaHtLwPYvIHPd6GCMy-7WtjQL3uy0hJPT/s1600/Norma+March+2014.jpg" height="200" width="142" /></a></div>
This was taken last March when a group of "girls" planned a supper reunion. It has been 25 years plus since we all worked at the same company and every year we plan a get-together for supper to catch up on family and other work mates. Of course after all these years our kids have grown up and some have their own, which makes us grandmothers. Now they didn't want their photo online, so out of respect I just cropped me out of the picture. After all those years, with the exception of extra weight, we all look the same and we would recognize each other out on the street, if we met. I think it is amazing that after all those years we still remain friends and still follow each family, with pictures going around the table for all of us to enjoy. Sometimes these friendships continue and when they do, it is a very special thing. If you are wondering, I will be 71 this coming Christmas.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-63052621552793096452014-06-14T17:04:00.001-07:002014-06-14T17:04:48.214-07:00Vintage Pickup...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyjHZhzhMb0R6OXvgi8Od_n9NqIF-hgKWkyLGphBol7vczf6VofllZZ3FUM3goAlH_wXv9S6Jt58vRW0VJaFd6uprUaVcNXFgBH6kngN_Fd6F4gCfEFCY6R0fzS6YV_1EsUsdyvHyzJSh/s1600/PAT+29+Vintage+Pickup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyjHZhzhMb0R6OXvgi8Od_n9NqIF-hgKWkyLGphBol7vczf6VofllZZ3FUM3goAlH_wXv9S6Jt58vRW0VJaFd6uprUaVcNXFgBH6kngN_Fd6F4gCfEFCY6R0fzS6YV_1EsUsdyvHyzJSh/s1600/PAT+29+Vintage+Pickup.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>VINTAGE PICKUP</b></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
Another card completed for the swap. I found this rusty background which I felt fit in with a vintage pickup. Usually found in a field somewhere with holes in the fenders and flat tires. If any at all. But when restored to its former self, becomes an object of art.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-16325902024226696762014-05-30T15:12:00.003-07:002014-05-30T15:16:57.479-07:00Haida Gwaii<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9htHWddpI3YGlg-F8NMvCXNEUDRrni1Y9olemIrVvC1gIYVQfjHerFc5oWLUQ8rsTL0giT7pQOsbpjzPgdSniYnOnQWmcSkG2HckOa9iFbMGESrffL7fN61srRTjKBYUfHOtiBRFcNpFu/s1600/Haida+Gwaii+PAT+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9htHWddpI3YGlg-F8NMvCXNEUDRrni1Y9olemIrVvC1gIYVQfjHerFc5oWLUQ8rsTL0giT7pQOsbpjzPgdSniYnOnQWmcSkG2HckOa9iFbMGESrffL7fN61srRTjKBYUfHOtiBRFcNpFu/s1600/Haida+Gwaii+PAT+29.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<br />
Another in the card swap series. This one reminded me of the Haida nation on the islands off BC's coastline. The Haida people wear ceremonial robes in black and red and designs are created on them in white buttons. I printed off two totem poles, but their colours were so vibrant that they lost the stamps, and the stamps are my focal point. So I reverted to printing them in black and white. Haida Gwaii, pronounced Hida G-why, means Islands of the People. Hope you like my imagery. It was a fun card to make.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-79026510556224863942014-05-29T20:04:00.002-07:002014-05-29T20:04:40.255-07:00Stamp Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvjalrIteMRwrucVU8vboo7NBOKW5Nv6UNDqyt_m-pBUz_5mXfuH1X-_slkmr_Ch0aF3BuOigCUKFdxJH4cM36GseGb5oK0dMXDILn4AAre1xhCTwUyOryJ-ibbiy26ZRB2aOThWF3UUO/s1600/On+Golden+Pond+PAT+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvjalrIteMRwrucVU8vboo7NBOKW5Nv6UNDqyt_m-pBUz_5mXfuH1X-_slkmr_Ch0aF3BuOigCUKFdxJH4cM36GseGb5oK0dMXDILn4AAre1xhCTwUyOryJ-ibbiy26ZRB2aOThWF3UUO/s320/On+Golden+Pond+PAT+29.jpg" /></a></div>
This ATC card was made for a swap I am now taking part in. I used these two stamps, simply because they were the only ones of their kind in the bunch. Looking at it brought ideas of quiet ponds on a summer's day. The background was created from an online source, and cut and pinked on the edges for visual display. I used a piece of mylar to suggest the water and added bulrushes and a crystal as my only embellishment. it was a fun card, and I hope the receiver enjoys it as much as I.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-67768804129332185102014-05-24T12:59:00.003-07:002014-05-24T13:04:12.941-07:00A Dog's Life....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eMJiqIRvy68sIXOno4I2tGob6mG7O2vo3ef1Ms2l5xB4ry_jrY1EZO97tuhfBPe5CNMRvivVi8DnUmVfEhv59QeMHYINUsJoFqP0lHRJSk847pXA3_JEeX1N_OwLx7SGU7xteY_ca3t2/s1600/Charlie-May+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eMJiqIRvy68sIXOno4I2tGob6mG7O2vo3ef1Ms2l5xB4ry_jrY1EZO97tuhfBPe5CNMRvivVi8DnUmVfEhv59QeMHYINUsJoFqP0lHRJSk847pXA3_JEeX1N_OwLx7SGU7xteY_ca3t2/s200/Charlie-May+2014.jpg" /></a>
Little Sister - loved by all. A Princess in the making - a diva for sure.
She has two beds to sleep in. One upstairs in her family's house, and one downstairs in her Nana's house. Oh, and did I mention her favourite spot on a people's bed that faces a window. From there she can view her outside domain and watch the kids going to school. Or the walkers with their special friends on a leash. Or her favourite human of all in that outside world - the mail man. She lets him walk by the window, drop the mail in the box, walk down the path past her window, and then she becomes a living "Cujo". Snarling, and snapping and barking full bore - but her tail is wagging during her violent, and agressive, mean display of the terrifying watch dog. Once he is gone, she lays down again and emits gruntled woofs to let you know she is on the job. If you witnessed this display, you would never want to be in the same room as she. But see her with kids, and she is the ultimate mother hen. Squeaking, and herding them around her. Licking them to death until you tell her enough. She is a cuddler and constantly wants your attention. She is happy to see you again when you have to leave her home. You would think she hadn't seen you for days. And then she settles beside you in the evening, content in herself and life itself, falling into a deep sleep until her snoring becomes overpowering and you give her a poke and say roll over. But through all this, you love her as one of your own and she loves back, unconditionally.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-27967671391073440952014-05-22T08:56:00.000-07:002014-05-22T08:56:08.800-07:00Fun in the Sun<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6GT9BX4IRUhdlVxZOlFegEBxIxaBk3mXKjAMYEBNRd1pHTcniczvDDfaT9mbK5I3sQkfsW3Ec4PBgJNqaVlkv4iCyn-YHuxhuIl21XpymU5x8cu30bwlwfCKlkzNHNe4gnogbYnU29c/s1600/DSC00165.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6GT9BX4IRUhdlVxZOlFegEBxIxaBk3mXKjAMYEBNRd1pHTcniczvDDfaT9mbK5I3sQkfsW3Ec4PBgJNqaVlkv4iCyn-YHuxhuIl21XpymU5x8cu30bwlwfCKlkzNHNe4gnogbYnU29c/s320/DSC00165.JPG" /></a>
I was going through some old photos and came across this one. How much fun is it to be young and worry free, with your only thought was filling your pail in the sandbox. For the most part, the country has had an horrendous winter, and spring has crept in at a very slow pace. We were more fortunate in our area, as we get to celebrate spring with the coming of flowers early in the year. And summer is slowly creeping in with warmer temperatures. Thoughts of having bar-b-cues outside will soon be factual. Meanwhile visits to the garden centres are now in our heads and the gardens are being planted, in anticipation of their summer glory. We may not play in sandboxes anymore, but the lawn chairs will soon be beckoning us to come out and enjoy the sun and garden. I hope you will soon be able to join in this relaxing activity in your own gardens. Happy Spring everyone.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-61794405484967803102014-05-15T11:20:00.005-07:002014-05-15T11:20:59.144-07:00Lacking in my posts...I have to apologize to those of you who continue to follow my blogsite. I have not been a good blogger this winter and have let it slide away. Perhaps because winter is a slow season for me and truly, I have nothing to write about. But some of you still follow me.I have not been as active in my creativity endeavours and I think I have fallen into a winter type crevasse. But summer is coming upon us, so I am slowly digging my way to the surface. Be patient with me and I'll work on some things to post, so that your time isn't wasted ducking into my blog and finding it blank.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7KArjVS3eBns6ec9I9zSPuqtrVEDBOCr0UzDSAAHFdhQa87LLf3e1rYeLEkrFpbYYfWCvItEAvcHcz1uK54_GLTM-1PuKNX6zq_8gM3cyZvZx1qJVob_vi3lHN91Mkx9RiM7jm9T0tBs/s1600/dittydot-butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7KArjVS3eBns6ec9I9zSPuqtrVEDBOCr0UzDSAAHFdhQa87LLf3e1rYeLEkrFpbYYfWCvItEAvcHcz1uK54_GLTM-1PuKNX6zq_8gM3cyZvZx1qJVob_vi3lHN91Mkx9RiM7jm9T0tBs/s320/dittydot-butterfly.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcwjI16ZeJQ6WIcFewb_8tspHB6UWW-e6Nj_TVW2nDjO4_0yJHBzTVAF5uwtWeB8eZno6mW0iREIaOCzfqwX-T6i6ROEd33D6HLrXwf-xOVKpSXqC1OApfEqhi5_pkVZVOGWu4AdYrHCX/s1600/Ever+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcwjI16ZeJQ6WIcFewb_8tspHB6UWW-e6Nj_TVW2nDjO4_0yJHBzTVAF5uwtWeB8eZno6mW0iREIaOCzfqwX-T6i6ROEd33D6HLrXwf-xOVKpSXqC1OApfEqhi5_pkVZVOGWu4AdYrHCX/s320/Ever+after.jpg" /></a>
In a few days we will be celebrating our 46th Anniversary. It doesn't seem possible. I can remember those early days so well. How your life changes with the ages. We aren't as subtle and young in our bodies anymore. Aches and pains are things we never experienced, but in the aging process, we have moved on to a new adventure. One which I would prefer not to have. Believe me, it isn't enjoyment. But it's there. You reflect on your abilities now and accept what is not. Happy Anniversary Honey - 4 more years to our 50th. Wow.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-34600963329821787212014-02-22T12:08:00.000-08:002014-02-22T12:08:01.811-08:00We got SNOW<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0lSpKC18RvxaURx5RUxcVIQZ_sIqUxsCr1shDZYwE7wabdohshn0y06yTyWMm94MOO5IaDwaJMD-caqXoV5wHMOuwt62A9gTzCj_MPX_aY1b8mmhEshGA6aMdZeFCMAoMiRcBEaQbMIJ/s1600/Backyard+Feb+22+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0lSpKC18RvxaURx5RUxcVIQZ_sIqUxsCr1shDZYwE7wabdohshn0y06yTyWMm94MOO5IaDwaJMD-caqXoV5wHMOuwt62A9gTzCj_MPX_aY1b8mmhEshGA6aMdZeFCMAoMiRcBEaQbMIJ/s320/Backyard+Feb+22+2014.jpg" /></a>
Every one has been moaning about their unusual winter snowfalls and the disastrous effect it has had on their lives. And here we sit in this little protected pocket with sunshine, and cold weather but also the most unusual winter as well. Well today we can say we got some snow. The streets are wet and the snow is dropping from the trees and the cars that sit in the driveways. So by the end of day, I wouldn't doubt that most of it will disappear. This photo was taken from inside looking out at the back yard. The temperature is rising, leading to a meltdown. I'm happy that the roads are clear, as I have to go out soon. I'm sure the mountains have had an abundance of snow fall, so the skiers will be in their element. This is the first snowfall since the beginning of December. That first one lasted a week. This one is petering out within hours. I like my comfort - inside with a book and a cup of tea. Ewwwww. My husband just paged me on the phone. He's says the weather indicates that we may get 8 to 10 inches of snow by Monday. So make that a cosy blanket and a full pot of tea.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-29277853007704822482014-02-09T12:42:00.001-08:002014-02-09T12:45:05.730-08:00History in the making.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5xUlNiWjTRZB81hyphenhyphen63D1lSyZG8URyJ8yN5biwTX7a41V6stZvvnFUQXqZhcydSIeUlMpZ0GSBnbGa-v5wPOncHkzmjgL9qw-8m9oQX8pbRFFQ5qJpYJeQFlvu5Ww6-6xq2vxiVLrl-Ch/s1600/Federick+Rogers+consensus+1911.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5xUlNiWjTRZB81hyphenhyphen63D1lSyZG8URyJ8yN5biwTX7a41V6stZvvnFUQXqZhcydSIeUlMpZ0GSBnbGa-v5wPOncHkzmjgL9qw-8m9oQX8pbRFFQ5qJpYJeQFlvu5Ww6-6xq2vxiVLrl-Ch/s320/Federick+Rogers+consensus+1911.jpg" /></a>
Do you ever wonder how you got here. The above consensus from 1911 is that of my grandfather. At that time he had his wife, and three children. Freddie, Nora and Winnifred. Freddie Jr and Nora were born in England, as were my grandfather and grandmother. Winnifred was born in Canada, the first of five more daughters to come and one more son, who became my father. My grandmother died in 1940, while my dad was overseas in WW2, so none of us including my mother ever got to meet her. With such a big spread in ages, my dad was about six when his older brother Fred, who was 19 died suddenly from meningitus, just days before coming home from the U.S. to his family.
Needless to say my father was spoiled with attention from seven sisters and his mother.
The circle continued with more English influence, when my dad met my mother while he was stationed in England. They married, along came me, the war ended and we came back to Canada, as an British war bride and her child. Three more daughters were born to my mother and father. One baby, unfortunately, died at eight weeks old. She was the twin to my youngest sister. We all grew up in Quebec, and when I was 21 our family moved West to British Columbia. We have lived here since in a paradise of land, where my sisters and I have our own families and grandchildren. I wonder where their lives will lead them? Isn't history interesting.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-82558554809140683762014-02-02T12:04:00.002-08:002014-02-02T12:04:46.450-08:00I always find that winter is a hard time to do anything creative. I guess it is the aftermath of Christmas and preparations for the season. By the time January comes around you just want to take advantage of free time to just veg out and not think too hard. So here it is February 2 and I am still in the same mode. Winter is making history all over the land with unusual storms and snow and ice, and lots of green time in other areas. Ours being one of them. We almost had the perfect dry January on record and on the last day or two we had a little bit of rainfall, so we missed out on that record. Meanwhile, my family were out this weekend clearing up the last of the leaves that had fallen in the yard and trimming the bushes around the property. They were amazed to see that all the bushes were in bud and the heather bushes were actually in bloom, as are many others down the road in neighbours gardens. I know we see flowers much sooner than other parts of the country, but January is a little early, even for us.
I haven't been too active in the creative field. Except to finish my Christmas cards last month I haven't had the urge to be snipping and pasting anything. It's another year and I am sure my muse will return once again. Bring on spring, I say. That is always an uplift to the winter blues.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-30981312588365408012014-01-16T14:18:00.001-08:002014-01-16T14:18:31.510-08:00CRAZY WINTER.......I look outside today, at the brilliant sunshine and 10 degree celcius temperature and wonder what has happened to our weather system. Aren't we supposed to have snow or rain and ice? We had a week of snow in December - with a green Christmas and dry roads.
Our world is going crazy. Places in the sun are experiencing snow flakes, and cold temperatures, while the normally cold places are having warmer temperatures that are very unseasonal.
I am not a snow bunny, so I quite like the dry weather and sunshine days. But somewhere down the way we will pay for it. It has to be global warming. Even Alaska has mild weather. Really! Alaska! Crazy.
The New Year has come in quietly and with no plans in the immediate future, it will probably remain quiet in our household. At the end of the month I have a card making class to attend, so perhaps things will perk up and become interesting again. LOL.
Til next time.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-19955584772877995882014-01-02T23:32:00.001-08:002014-01-02T23:32:19.463-08:00RESOLUTIONS.....Does anyone else make New Year's resolutions? You know the kind I mean. The promises to oneself to make everything better in your life. The problem being is that it takes a clean slate to begin again, and so many of us drag last years problems and negative outlook with us.
To truly begin again, requires an amnesic loss of all that prevented us from making our goals a reality. There can't be any traces of regret for what is now the past. But that would require acceptance and a stamp of closure on those things that seemed to matter most to us - last year.
Perhaps the best one can do, is make a list of possibilities. Prioritize them in the range that is most prominent to you and then work on each item within a time frame that is appropriate for accomplishment. And in between each of those items, allow some you time for fun, without conscience, without deadlines. Gradually the list will become smaller and less mind bending. And before you know it, you will have graduated and moved those things to the accomplished side of your list called success. If some of those items on your list don't quite make it, look on the bright side of success and see what you have accomplished, rather than dwell on those that almost made it. Don't look on those as failures, but accomplishments looking for the finishing touches. It isn't a crime not to finish, but it is a crime not to try. HAPPY NEW YEAR.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176257619820130170.post-82664104953464699232014-01-01T09:06:00.001-08:002014-01-01T09:06:11.145-08:00A New Year begins.....I am really falling behind in my blogging efforts. But when you don't have a lot of news and Christmas is on your mind, and I haven't been crafting, what else is there to say.
However, this morning I can wish you all a very <b>HAPPY NEW YEAR</b>with best wishes for everything that is good for you.
New Years eve was really quiet at my house. Even my husband went to bed early. But I sat up until the clock struck the midnight hour and quietly wished myself a good new year. At that point I decided that my bed seemed like a good idea. But then disaster struck. Someone let off fireworks outside our house, and the dog went into her panic mode. Shaking like a leaf, tongue lolling out of her mouth like Miley Cyrus, and panting like there was no tomorrow. I had intended on buying her a thunder jacket. You snuggly wrap her in it and it is supposed to calm them down. But I missed the boat on that one, and still have to order one. So I wrapped her in a towel, which I think helped a little, but not enough to do a lot of good. I couldn't go to bed until her family came home, as she would only follow me into the bedroom and lay in the dark panting heavier. So much for sleep. Well, finally her family came home and I then spent the night tossing and turning and waking. I never went to a party, but I sure feel like the morning after.
It's foggy out there, but dry. A normal Coast type winter day. Hoping your day is brighter for you. Happy New Year to you all.<div class="blogger-post-footer">-Norma-</div>NormaJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10274806975179337841noreply@blogger.com0