We don't need any directions

How perfect is that!

It's from Pink Fresh - boy stuff.

As you know, if you read the previous post,

the other one, and I hope you did read it, we are

camping in the Army Corp of Engineers campground.

 All of the Army Corp camps are on the water, because

they are the champions of water.

Our site is right on the reservoir and so pretty.

Except for the sun playing peek-a-boo its been

quiet and cool. 

Hookups are water and electric, for those of you who care,

and a dump station so we'll be monitoring our tanks.

We'll be here for 5 days because we have 

business, and my brother and friends were gonna hang with.

We need to replace one of the awnings over our slide and

Camping World has ordered the part and we are

in a holding pattern until it is installed.

In the meantime, we are enjoying ourselves.
It has been quite windy here, and grey but we are
cozy in our nest.
It's been a fireplace kind of days.

TN - Celebrate Good Times

This was a fun page to make.

The paper bag that is hiding my tag was from

Chili's where they hide your utensils.

Perfect size.

I have another one I think.

 The Murphy Cousins got to meet up in

Naples where Carolyn lives, and Alan (NJ) was visiting.

Tom and his sister (originally from NJ) but now live

in FL (well except Tom) we live in the USA. 

We we able to see Carolyn's new digs - which are lovely

and so perfect for her.

 Because of the way I designed the page, I left

no room for journaling, AND I was

in the picture on another picture so

I wanted to include both.

Tags can be your friend.

We had a great time. Good food and

wonderful visit.

Drive by photos -

Zipping down I-20, as much as a big rig can zip,

I decided I missed my drive by photo-taking.

I also had to wait for my window to be fixed so I can whip

it up -screen and all to snap a photo.

This is a Louisiana Bayou.

 Because I could, a farmer hard at work.

John Deere green.

 And these trees.

Had to be black & white.

So much cooler than the color.

That was boring.

Continuing in that b&w mode the house on

 columns in Texas.

At first I thought it was a deer blind but

nope.

I have no idea but it's cool.

 This also looked much better in black & white

which says a lot about my color pictures.

LOL.

 We are camped in High View Army Corp of Engineers

campground. $8.00 a night.

You can't go wrong with Army Corp ever.

Of course I did a page in my book of campgrounds.

That's another post. 

A sort of junque journal

Maybe. I purchased this 8x6 kind of arty/journal book

that lays flat. Had one prior and retired it.

Way too much bulk.

So I'm bringing my new found knowledge to bear

on this journal book.

My problem is this.

I believe I'm having trouble rolling from scrapbooking

to junque journal. Because well, it looks like a

scrapbook page and I couldn't help myself. 

LOL.

 My thought is to make this little album about

the campgrounds we stay in.

Put in their information, in a random chaotic way,

and maybe give a critique or two.

And then to do it as we go.

Like live.

We'll see how long that lasts LOL.

So to kick it off, I traced this US cork thing I had

and then drew the state lines. 

It's not so much about accuracy. Just sayin...

And well what better background than the flag.

I was a tad impatient in the drying, or lack thereof, process.

I believe I also used every.single.one of my "on the road, journey

road trip stamps" on one page 😉using random

things and not very geographically correct in any way, shape or form.

 But Fun!

Anyhoo, Yogi Bear's Yellowstone Park is up first.

It's were "Our Odyssey" started.

Tom came up with that and I'm totally stealing it.

So I gessoed the next couple of pages (too) and

honestly being TOTALLY NEW in the Junque Journal

end of things I didn't do anything else to the page.

It's just gessoed.

 But using my matte gel I did the whole

page and then matte gelled over everything to

adhere it to the page.

 Not too many embellies and added journaling

which was tough over the gesso/matte

because I don't think I waited for it to dry.

Next we stayed in Boomtown as you can see

and because it was a casino campground I went a bit

wild with the colors.

Dylusions to be exact. 

For my RV pals out there - casinos can be your friend.

A lot of them have RV camps inexpensive and sometimes comp'd

which not only was out camp comp'd (say that 3x's fast)

so was the buffet and what a delicious buffet that was.

I also got to use some crazy green colors I've had stashed.

Tonight we are in Vicksburg, MS and what a cool town.

We were here in 2017 and totally loved it here

and the history will just blow you away.

 This is another casino campground and we stayed

here in 2017 and it's a lovely camp.

Quiet with some green stuff around.

So I got to use some crazy green things in my stash

with the paperwork from Ameristar.

So there's gonna be some ugly stuff going on til I figure it out junque

and scrapbooking LOL.

I'm okay with that because I really want to

document the campgrounds. We stay in so many and it's

hard to remember things about them unless they're truly remarkable.

So after I make a fun Junque Journal - I'll probably make

just a boring list for quick referral.

I should probably just make the list - 

but where's the fun in that.

And away we go! Tomorrow....

We are living in the RV - in our own yard. And it’s actually been pretty cool because we’ve been practicing.

Practicing is important before going on the road.

Because so many things can go wrong.

Because so many things can be avoided.

Because so many things can be solved.

We also thought we had sooooo much storage in the coach and UNDER the coach.

Until we didn’t.

This or that.

Whether it’s this or that. 

This or that could be wrong. 

Depends on the circumstance. 

A circumstance you didn’t account for but should’ve thought of. 

Until you need it. 

And then you don’t have it. 

Or you do have that and don't need it.

ARRRGHHH!!!!

So while we were stationary for a bit, and had a place to put things we did find:

1. We can’t run the air and do anything else, like microwave and cool the bedroom without tripping the breaker. Need 50 amps - only have 30 here. In a campground that’ll be different.
2. We have a cord running into the house to use our coffee pot and grinder to allow us to run other things such as air or heat.
   
3. We are arranging, rearranging, adding and subtracting dishes, pots and pans, food pantry, spices, testing out the ice maker (swoon) rearranging the fridge, and making sure every nook and cranny is perfectly used.
   
    Those pots and pans are gonna need rearranging just sayin....
   
4. Making use of our insta-pot, learning when the induction cooktop will blow the circuit (when the AC or heat is running LOL) and when to use the gas stove. (No microwave for you). 
5. Using the gas stove top seriously limits the countertop space for chopping, slicing and dicing food preparation so all that needs to be done ahead of time.
6. Keeping the dirty dishes done and put away in a timely manner (meaning as you go) as there is only so much space on the in the dinky double sink.
   
7. How much to fill the freezer and when it will actually freeze.
8. Monitoring the tanks.

Therefore, being in the electronic age, we don’t need to be here waiting and watching for the house to sell. We are done with the waiting, so hopefully we are gonna make things happen.

It’s time to move forward.

I’ll keep ya posted!

Those Tim Holtz birds

just crack me up and they're perfect

as a birthday card.

I mussed up the edges on some blue & black

Recollections cardstock.

I also, in a moment of confidence (due to the Grinch)

I hand wrote the "title". 

Not bad. I did stress out on sez though

couldn't decide caps - no caps.

 I also used some washi to kind of "ground" him.

I love that "confetti" stamp.

It's soooo much fun especially using different

color inks.

Last card I think  - also could've 

used something like that on the first 14 cards LOL.

And I just had to have

that cat peeking about behind the happy birthday.

I think it turned out fun.

Recollections, Studio Calico, Tim Holtz, washi tape

Birthday card for a friend

I love these big, huge sunflowers, again my pal

Holli's stamp that I made a few of

and you will be seeing again, is so pretty.

Who doesn't love a sunflower and when was

it not a good idea to use a sunflower.

Anywhere.

I stamped the sunflower in black on some

really textured cardstock.

I mucked around using gelatoes to give it 

more color and shadows.

 The inside is kinda of plain here but

I did more and tucked it in the envelope and

licked the flap.

So if you'll use your imagination,

 I splattered brown gelato about and

stamped an adorable old-timey bunny peeking

out from behind the sign on cream

colored cardstock.

It's really cute.
You should see it. 

Recollections, Prima stamp, gelatoes.

Birthday card for my girl

I knew the minute I saw this stamp that

actually belongs to my pal Holli,

that I would get a lot of use out of it and so far,

I have. I stamped quite a few.

Hoping to do a few more before we leave.

I knew this stamp would make a great card. 

 And that ice cream - does that not look real?

It's studio calico.

I used ranger inks and for the life of me can't figure
it was scattered straw or spiced marmalade and maybe
vintage photo.
It probably is vintage photo because the only
other brown I have is Van Dyke and I

know it's not that.
Maybe.

And a plain sentiment on the inside.

I stamped a few stars and confetti to jazz it up some.

Miss Amelia will be eight.
Where did the time go.
Seriously.

Recollections, unk stamp, ranger, Studio Calico

Pinterest & the Grinch

I had a blast doing this card and totally

surprised myself.

I do not have a lot of confidence in drawing

my own stuff so therefore, 

 when I make cards, I punch, die cut, stamp

and fussy cut  but never "draw."

But, once again pinterest comes through and I love it.

 I actually free-styled those eyes, brows, and most

importantly that Grinch grin.

And don't forget the nose.

I totally surprised my bad self.

And that makes me wanna do more.

This card is another favorite of mine.

Recollections, Studio Calico, Studio G.

Easter Cards

These were a lot of fun to do. 

I love pinterest.

Just need a jumping off point.

The card I did pick out had the bunny coming in

from the side.

I couldn't seem to make that happen without it

looking, well, stupid.

So full bunny face looking front.

I did hand draw the ears, used my circle cutter
to draw a pencil circle and fussy cut that too.
A hole punch provided the eyes with white ink and
yes, I DREW in the whiskers and mouth.
And an itty bitty heart punch for the nose.
I am DRAWING.
Who knew.
Do I girlied up the bunny with those cute prima/recollections
flowers and sequins. Sorry grandsons LOL.

It was a lot of fun.

Recollections & Prima, Hero Arts.

TN - The Best Friends

I have to admit my friend Barb did start

out as an acquaintance and soon became a best friend.

 So many things happened.

As I was decluttering and destashing I found her Gregg

shorthand book that she lent me.

It seems that my great grandmother kept a "calendar" daybook,

etc., and she did it shorthand.

Well, isn't that cool we had that it common.

A skip or two in the generations but WE BOTH KNEW SHORTHAND.

I loved shorthand.

However, even with Barb's book I was unable to translate

my great grandmother's shorthand.

Shocking I know.

I returned her book because A. I promised I would, B. We're doing the

full time RV thing and she needed her book back and C. I needed

to let her know our future plans.

We are the type of best friends that can go for long periods of time

without contact and then SHAZAM pick up where we left

off without missing a beat.

So when she received her shorthand book, and my explanation thereof,

we made a date to get together.

It was a fun time a Chili's in Ellenton (our halfway point)

and spent hours there catching up over lunch and

a strawberry margarita.

It was so much fun and SO VERY needed.

Studio Calico, Pink Fresh.

MM- Sortof monochromatic

I didn't plan it that way and if you look REAL close

I had a blue and red thing going on.

Small confetti dots but but hey.

And then when I reviewed it - it looked well

stupid.

So I tried to cover it up to go the with the monochromatic

because well

it looked better.

I do love the stars and confetti.

 Used lots of stamps because I'm trying to be creative

AND keep the dimension down.

So here's a photo of my favorite eldest son.

A Red Sox Fan.

Who knew.

Studio Calico, Tim Holtz stencil.

The sox on his hat don't look red to me.

Just sayin...

MM - My heart beats for you

The title is sooooo icky.

Like ooey gooey icky. 

As you may, or may not know, I don't do icky.

It's just my way but this photo called for it.

Like totally,

And who doesn't love that fussy cut flamingo that

can help with the ooey gooey icky.

 A photo of me and my heartbeat when we 

eloped to Vegas.

How could that not be a fun trip.

We honeymooned in the Grand Canyon.
I love the colors of this and used my Tim Holtz
die cut to make those orange thingies on the page
and there is the negative space that is somewhere
in the book as well.

I cut us out and that is sooo cool.

Who knew.
Have that 3D look going on with us popping out of the frame.

The rest just fell together using Dylusion paints

and a fussy cut flamingo, prima flowers and

Studio Calico frames and PL cards.

So we got married in Vegas in 1997, eloping because

we both been around the block a few times and
decided that would be the way to go.

We married at the courthouse because there was no waiting

and I had new shoes so there was no going to the

drive thru chapel.

 which did up our targeted wedding date by 2 days. 

We were shooting for D-day and missed.

Because there was no waiting.

Dylusions, Studio Calico, Prima

Birthday cards

This year I got not only ONE card from the bro

but TWO.

And if you look closely at the stamp, it's a photo

of the bro on the stamp.

How cool is that.

Stamp.com.

 And the return address.

LOL.

 One card was for last year, and one card for this year.

How fun is that.

Certainly unexpected.

Of course it had to be scrapped.

Watercolors, doilies, and a tag with hidden journaling.

MM - Friends forever, laughing

Love this lady and the hat, and I have more

in my stash. My pal Holli lent her

stamp and I love it.

It was also perfect for this page.

I created this page for another photo and once

it was done, it just didn't work.

 It was waiting for the right photo.

And shazam.

Because of the lighting and lack thereof,

and the fact that we're total amateurs in the picture taking

area, AND we were so no patient,

We have this photo.

 I did so some work on it because we all

looked like wild women with crazy eyes, so in

the spirit of looking less like Salem witches,

I changed it to black and white which made

it easier to fix.

We had a great time at an impromptu dinner and

in wishing our pal Barb and her hubby John

good luck with their new life in Ocala.

If you'll notice the little photo - this photo was also 

part of the 2-2x3 on a 4x6 photo page

fiasco. I do like the little pix so it may not have

been all back.

Studio Calico, watercolors, stamps & stencils.

MM - Messing with Photos & printing

As most of you know, I am not impressed with photos.

At.All.

I adore Aperture, yes, yes, a dinosaur that has

served my scrappy needs for years and

with the upgrades and not being supported

(bad Apple) it's just not working well anymore 😞.

Especially in the printing department.

From Aperture, I can print 4 different 2x3 pictures

on a 4x6 photo paper.

NO waste, it looks great and at times fit my needs.

Can Photos do that - NO 😐

Hence, the itty bitty photo and the 3x3 photo.

Which is cool but waste of paper

as doing a multi photo (using their directions)

on a "contact sheet" that doesn't give you the size YOU want.

Sigh.

 So I printed it twice.

It's cool. 

But seriously annoying.

WhataRANT!

LOL.

Anyway, Miss Amelia looks adorable dressed up

as Amelia Earhart for a school report.

Used watercolors in the background and a lovely

quote from e.e.cummings.

So if you do print smaller multiple photos on one paper size what

program do you use?

Studio calico.

St. Patricks day cards

Cruising through pinterest these shamrocks

caught my eye and were easy to

make using my heart punch and

some watercolors.

I was also thrilled to use those pretty sparklies too.

And then I got to thinking.

Where is the fun in these cards for kids.

Specifically the grandkids.

 So back to the drawing board - I removed

the pretty sparklies and made leprechaun faces.

Some parts were hand drawn, others

I used my circle punch.

It was fun to do, and while I'm not the

greatest draw-er it's okay.

I'm learning to embrace the "imperfections".

Recollections cardstock. Studio Calico stamps.

TN- So lovely

Of course I have to document my "new space."

It was a long time in coming for sure.

A lot of back and forth on what would fit,

how it would work, and how it would look.

 In on of the kits, I got a pad of these

cute little houses, almost like

sticky notes and what better way to denote

that the RV/Coach is now our home.

 A home to roam on wheels. 

LOL.

Love how the page and the space turned out.

A lot of purging and rearranging went on.

 I am totally thrilled with "my space."

And have created some 

new pages. 

It's going to be so exciting to document our adventures.

and, figure out how to do it with the supplies

at hand. That was trial and error, for sure.

I have a lot less to choose from now and won't

that bring out a creative streak.

I hope.

Studio Calico, Tim Holtz