Seeing Dots Before My Eyes

I got this clever die cut for a circular design and had to try it out.  I think my procedure is self-explanatory but you may not be able to tell that I popped up the kraft piece.  The border is also a die cut.  I'll show you a couple variations in the coming days.

Washi Stripes III

Okay, I heard you say, "Enough of the stripes!" and I promise this is the last one.  And by now I think it is rather self-explanatory.  Did you see a favorite?  

Washi Stripes II

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you get your fill of turkey and all the fixin's or whatever it is you traditionally have for Thanksgiving dinner.  I like the leftovers as much as I like the first round.

This card was made like all those I've been showing and again I added strips of orange cardstock.  The flowers are die cut and punched.  Pretty simple.

Washi Stripes

Th striped piece started as a square and I cut the corners for a different look.  And the patterns are washi tape rather than paper.  I added narrow black cardstock strips.  As before, the large flower is die cut and the smaller flowers are punched.  For centers I added a brad or dimensional paint.  I'm finding I can make a lot of use out of limited supplies now that I have some of my materials packed away for a move.  But it is also forcing me to be more creative which doesn't hurt a bit.

Stripes III

And here's another variation of the striped card.  This time I added some narrow black strips.  The large flowers are die cut, the smaller ones and leaves punched.  And then I used different materials.  You can see that tomorrow.

Stripes II

This card is quite similar to yesterday's but the stripes are in a different order and I used a different embossing folder.  The burgundy flower is die cut and the smaller flowers and the leaves are punched.

Stripes

Can you believe it?  I actually got some cards made.  They aren't a traditional Thanksgiving theme but I thought the colors were seasonally appropriate.  I stated with a square background and centered a small gold square in the center.  Then it was a matter of adhereing strips of paper, working my way around and to the outside.  Then I put it through my Big Shot with a "swirl" embossing folder.  The flowers and leaves are punches and I added dots of dimensional paint, thin ribbon and a black embossed strip.  Tomorrow I'll show you a variation of this card.

That's The Berries

We had rain this week and I noticed these berries as we came out of a local business.  I couldn't resist taking a photo because I liked the raindrop.  I didn't particularly like the looks of the background so I did some blending to improve it.  With just a bit of drop in temperature it could have been snow on the berry.  When the snow falls I may go back and get another photo--if the birds haven't eaten the berries.

A Bushelful. . .

. . . of cinnamon.  I have never seen this before.  Yes, there are small packages of cinnamon in the craft stores this time of year and there is some in jars with the spices in the grocery store but this is a whole bushel in loose form.  I guess I'm supposed to be using a lot of it - but I rarely use even a single stick.  It makes me wonder.

Gotta Love Potatoes

I'd be the first to admit that this photo is a little strange and not a very good one but it shows what I intended--the smoke ring at the top.  This plume comes from the OreIda plant in Ontario OR.  I don't know why it forms or if it was designed intentionally but I look for it each time we pass by.  A puff of cloud comes out, it slowly drifts upwards and then forms a circle.  Pretty cute, especially for something "industrial."

Clouds Over The Plains

I don't know if I took this photo in Northern UT or SE ID but it was one or the other.  There's some snow on the distant mountain peaks that almost blend with the clouds.  Cloud formations have been unusual in the past few months and they gained my attention.  This one isn't so unusual in its formation but I liked the contrast between the clouds and the plains.  It's more "drive by shooting" as the car traveled at 75 miles an hour.

Desert Color

 

I took this photo because I liked the contrast between the grass and the rock both in color and texture.  I did some severe cropping and for the second photo I added a color gradient.  I like the addition of the extra color and I don't think it distracts from the image.

More Signage

 Because I don't do much of the driving on road trips and I'm unable to do much while riding, that leaves watching the scenery and reading signs.  Between CO and OR there are a number of signs that put the imagination into gear.  I think we all want some bliss in our lives and here's the route to finding it when in UT.

On the other hand, this second sign conjures up some bad times for what may have been a large number of people.  It's on the top of the Blue Mountains south of Pendleton OR and it makes me think of a lot of suffering.  Hopefully in the end things worked out well for these people and they found a little of their own bliss.

Welcome!

These are the states we pass through as we make our way from CO to OR to visit family.  I often wonder how much thought goes into each design and what they try to convey.  OR wants us to know the shape of their state; UT wants us to see a lot of color and know that they have a motto; and ID is just plain Idaho.  The UT sign changes fairly frequently and they had a special one when they hosted the Winter Olympics. The photo of the OR sign is unusual because it is almost always raining when we arrive in OR yet this time it was sunny and bright.  At least we always know when we've crossed into another state and I guess that's the primary goal of these signs.

We've made this trip around 40 times over the past 15 years (plus a few extras when we flew).  That represents almost a month of my lifetime in a car (27.5 days) and a total coverage of 42,362 miles--just going one direction.  Since I always came back home, I have to double that for the total time and mileage.  Whew!  No wonder I want to move closer.  I'm getting too old for this type of travel.

"Like my neighbor? . . .

. . . I don't even know who he is."

This is a very isolated farm in northern UT in early November.  It doesn't seem like anyone currently lives there so perhaps they grew lonely and migrated to where there were more people.  Or did they find this too crowded and move to where they were even more isolated?  Hmmmmm

Curb

While waiting for my daughter to check out at Office Depot, I went outside with phone in hand and found this photo.  I thought the curve was interesting with the white lines adding good contrast and other lines.  The leaves added some color.  I think those white lines might need a little bit of text.

It pays to look at the everyday and see what you can find.

No Face Here

These pretty pansies really had no face so didn't look back at me.  But their color was so brilliant and a contrast to their surroundings that they still got attention.

Color, Or No?

This big, bright leaf stood out against the dark bark and the green moss also added some color and texture.  The color was striking and that's what caught my eye but I also wondered how it would look in black and white.  I like the photo both ways but definitely prefer the color version.

Competition

Here's yet more proof that there's always something blooming in the Portland OR area.  Right now pansies are quite prolific and competing with the fall foliage for attention.  This looks a little rusty from the rain in the area but there's lots of other colors, too.  Don't you see a face when you look at a pansy?  Who doesn't enjoy them?!

Slug Bug!

Yes, I am being literal here.  Our granddaughter's class is studying slugs and since it is a three-day weekend for them, the slug habitats had to go home so they could be cared for.  She is watching over two--Beethoven III and Rocky--and has to keep the habitat moist using a spray bottle.  She also has to make sure they have food such as lettuce, spinach and strawberries.  I'm not a big fan of slugs but I think it's good that the kids are learning an appreciation for them and getting to know more about them.  And here's an interesting side note--the boys at our granddaughter's table wouldn't pick them up because they were too slimy but she reached right in and handled one so they could get a close look.  And another nice aspect of the project, the kids gathered the slugs in their yards.  Now that's up close and personal.

Up To NewTricks

Our grandson has a new interest in cards--the showy stuff like shuffles more than tricks.  But he is learning some pretty amazing tricks, too.  He has watched tutorials online and picked it up from there and last evening he spent a couple of hours preparing tutorials to teach others.  It's nice to see him occupied with something that's not electronic.  And he is spending hours, literally, learning these new skills.

Clinging Vine

It's amazing to me that this vine can grow tall and spread widely while somehow clinging to smooth cement.  I thought it's tenacity deserved some special attention.  I used a poster edge filter to add black outlines and I added both a grunge frame in gray and a simple frame in dark red.  And, of course, I added the text.

Close To Home

We travel for two days and found a touch of home had followed us.  Two Leaves And A Bud Tea comes from Aspen, CO,  about 100 miles from our house.  We found it at the wonderful La Provence Bakery where we visit every visit to OR.  I know of no better place to find authentic, delicious French pastries.  I haven't tried all of them yet, but I'm working on it--one at a time of course.

This Sums It Up

Although we got through three outdoor soccer games without getting too wet this weekend, it did sprinkle on us a bit.  I thought this photo pretty well summed up the current season and locale--beautiful, brightly colored leaves and a mud puddle.  There are both oak and maple which provides contrast to the color.  And, best of all--I don't have to rake any leaves while we are in OR.

Oh my, , ,

When I first saw the yellow trees amongst the dark green pines in the Blue Mountains south of Pendleton OR my first thought was that it was typical autumn foliage transforming for winter.  After several miles I realized that wasn't the case at all as they were pine trees (also known as "evergreens") which shouldn't make any change.  I'm sure it's some sort of insect kill which, although a natural part of the system, is still sad to see.  There's a lot of them but there's also some sturdy new trees that so far aren't affected so hopefully the forest will be green again before too long.  And perhaps in some areas the trees can be thinned out and used as they are in CO for building and pellets.  I trust Mother Nature knows what she is doing, though I can't help but wonder if the actions and practices of the homo sapiens has had an impact.  It's a reminder to get out and enjoy the natural wonders that are so prevalent in our country.

The Red Paint Spilled

Somewhere south of Baker City OR was this patch of red bushes which contrasted so extremely with the surroundings.  Since this was "drive by shooting" it isn't the best photo in the world but you'll have to trust me when I report that it was brilliant, beautiful color.  And nowhere else in the area was there a patch of bushes that even approached the red color.  It was a visual gift.

Extremes

Most of our travel on the interstate highway system is posted for 75 miles an hour as the speed limit and that feels comfortable and "normal."  Something new in the northern UT area was a posted limit of 80!  We were quite surprised.  I wasn't driving through that section but my husband thought it felt a bit uncomfortable, though he seemed to adjust quite nicely.

Before too long we were back at the posted 75.  And then we hit OR and a posting of 65!  That seems like we are crawling at a snail's pace.  But it's the law and we slow down.  And we try to think about something besides how much longer it will take us to go the last 300 or so miles.  And we get here--safe and sound and none the worse for taking it easy.

Old buildings have a lot of character and they have a story to tell, though we might not know what the story is.  This shed was in the middle of nowhere but obviously used for something ranching purposes.  That's cattle in the background.  It seems to be holding up pretty well and quite useable still.  Mostly I liked the rusty patches on the tin roof but the weathered wood also adds a nice touch.

Wintery

We found snow in UT, first on Soldier's Summit where there was more to the south side than to the north.  Then later we witnessed snow in northern UT.  Roads were clear and it was bright and sunny much of the day so it didn't really feel or look too much like winter.  I always appreciate it when there's no snow on the road.  And when there's not heavy rain.  And when there
s not a strong wind.  And when the traffic is light and moving along nicely.  That's not asking too much, is it?!