New Michael Strong Die

My good buddy Michael Strong made this great card, which I plan to CASE for the ladies down at the senior center.  Michael was also generous enough to share the pattern on his blog.  He makes both the die and a matching stamp.  Here's the Link to his blog and to his online store.
I think he will be doing this card for his next round of classes at Memories Live On. 

A Serendipity Moment - vintage tourist glasses

My hubby's family owns several cottages that sit on the edge Lake Michigan in Mackinac Michigan. His Grandfather bought five beach front lots back in the day; one for each of his children.  They in turn each built a cabin or year round home.  Now some of the cabins are being passed down to the grandchildren.  

A nephew is getting married in a few months and I was looking for something different and quirky to add to their wedding gift, but wasn't coming up with anything. At the auction this past week, several boxes of vintage tourist glasses came up for auction.  I couldn't believe my luck to find these glasses here in California. The lot was so big, I will be able to give a set of glass to all the grandchildren when they get married. Thought it would be a nice way for them to remember their great-grandparents and grandparents.

Bee Swarm Season Is Here

Just to let everyone know now that the weather has warmed up, the honey bees will start to swarm.  Hubby got five calls about swarms on Monday. He was able to rescue three.
If you see or hear of one, please call your local bee guild to have someone come out and pick them up. Don't wait to call, the sooner the beekeepers can catch them the sooner they will have a nice hive to call home.  There are many empty hives here in Santa Clara County waiting for bees.
bee rescue guy

Look who turns one today!

Today is Squeaker's first birthday! She wanted breakfast in bed.  She likes her tuna warm and straight from the can.
Squeaker was a home birth kitten (adopted her from the family that had the mommy cat) so we know when she was born.  No big plans other than tuna and cake tonight for dinner. 
Annie is doing 100% better now.  Not sure what was wrong but the meds the vet gave her did the trick, she back to her old self.

Sick Puppy

Annie has not being feeling well for a few days now.  I took her to the vet's this morning.  Something is seriously wrong with her tummy and colon causing a lot of bleeding.  Not sure if it is something she has eaten or maybe a splinter from a beef bone.  I now have gathered all the bones up and thrown them out.  She's on a chicken and rice diet along with meds until things clear up. 
Haven't done a whole lot of creative work since we've been working on our taxes and taking care of Annie. 
I took this photo last week when we were at the park.  If I don't get her tennis balls out fast enough she will pick up anything that looks like a stick.  With all the storms we have been having, there are tons of down branches and in Annie's world it's a stick.  It's too funny to see her running around carrying this branch and swinging it like a baseball bat.

San Jose Japantown Community Vigil

Last night I attended a vigil for the people of Japan affected by the earthquake and tsunami.  It was also a fundraiser (over $31,000 raised) to send money directly to Red Cross in Japan through the Consulate General of Japan. 
They read a very touching letter from an American living in the affected area.  He was amazed at the kindness and calm of everyone  there.  People going out of their way to make sure others are taken care of, sharing whatever resources they have and no signs of looting. When he returned home to his small shack in the hills, he found food and water left for him.
Here is an email if you would like more information on where you can donate (there are several groups collecting money). Kathy@japantownsanjose.org
update:  Another friend is hosting a online fundraiser, here's the link Ogawa Fundraiser

Honey Bee Swarm Season 2011

The honey bee swarm season has started here in the Bay Area.  Remember if you see a swarm call your local bee guild (easy to find online) to have someone come pick them up. A few questions they should ask you.
1) Are you sure it's bees and not wasps or yellow jackets?
2) How long has the swarm been there. (Don't wait too long to call because the swarm will move and it may not be to a place you want them - like your attic)
3) The location of the swarm, how high up, easy to get to?
Remember some beekeeper charge to come out and pick up a swarm, so be sure to ask. I would call around and find the ones that don't charge for a swarm pick up. Picking up a swarm is different than an extraction (removal from a structure) which beekeepers will charge for since more work is required. 
You may be wondering why have bees extracted instead of killing them.  The honey and wax needs to be removed otherwise you will have mice, rats and other lovely pests visiting.  Also the entrance has to be sealed so the bees won't come back. Killing the bees using a pest company is not the most effective way to get rid of them. The plus side is that the bees will be moved to a hive in a better location.
If your interested in renting a beehive my hubby's company "Bees at Home" will be happy to set you up for $59.00 a month.  No hassle having to learn how to keep bees but you still get all the benefits they provide - honey, beeswax and pollination.

The real deal - bottle caps







2" vintage bottle caps

These are the real deal -  2" vintage bottle caps from a local dairy.  Not sure if this dairy is still in business but the caps are sure interesting.  I know in the scrapbooking world reproductions are being made but I find the real ones far more interesting.



Pink Pickle Jar



More Alameda Point Flea Finds 2011

Tweetie Canister Set

This kitchen canister set was too cute to pass up.  I haven't seen one like this before, so I picked it up.  With the cold weather, many vendors didn't show up. The place wasn't at all crowded with people so we made good time walking around.  I'm always looking for interesting tins for my booth.  Not a lot at the flea market this time but I did find a few.

Always looking for interesting tins

Alameda Point Flea Market

Puppy and bee vase - too cute to pass up!

Had a great day at the Alameda Point Antique flea market.  What makes this flea so fun is that everything has to be at least 25 years or older.  You really never know what your going to find.  There was the chance of rain so only half the vendors were there.  we were able to walk through the whole thing in just a few hours. Made the stop at the taco stand (very good), kettle corn booth and Harvey's mini donuts (maple and bacon donuts) which are made while you wait.  Since I'm having a harder time getting things at the auction houses, I picked up some cool vintage pieces for my consignment booths.  


This was too funny to pass up.



Spring Time Card 2011

Working on the samples for my punch and die cut card class.  I used Martha Stewart punches (tulips and scallop border) along with my Cricut machine which made the flower pot.  The butterflies are from an old butterfly punch that been around a long time. I really had to try and not grudge it up.  It's a little to clean looking for me. :)

Easter Bunny Basket Card

Not the best photo I've taken but I was in a hurry to get to class this morning.  The bunny die is new from Cottage Cutz (Chocolate Bunny Mini).  When I saw it, I thought about all the Quickutz dies I have  that are gathering dust.  Wonder if Quickutz is still around?  I pulled out my old QK binders and found the Easter basket and eggs. I'm working on a punch and die cut class and thought this would make a cute quick card

Quick Little Bunny Card

One of the cards I will be doing down at the Senior Center.  It's a fast card because I used punches and my Cricut machine.  I'm working really hard in using what I have in my studio to try and get through all the piles of supplies I have.  When I think about the Easter bunny, I think chocolate so I made it dark brown. :)

Looking for lemons

I'm in search for a free bag of very tart lemons, not Meyer lemons but the kind that make you pucker when you even think about them.  I need a BIG bag full for a project I'm working on.  I'm willing to go out and pick them from the tree.  Let me know if you have any.  Willing to trade for honey.

Mr Purrcy 2011

Some people have been asking about Mr. Purrcy, my other fur baby. It took about a year for him to get use to Annie but now they can be in the same space without anyone hissing or barking.  Mr. Purrcy would really like to be at my side 24/7 but with Annie on duty it's not always possible. Now that Annie is growing out of her postal puppy stage, Purrcy will come out of his bedroom and sit near me.  He won't play with Annie like he does with Squeak but at least he's not trying to pierce her nose.

Mr. Purrcy waiting to be groomed

Washi (Paper) Class

Photo of an upcoming washi (paper) class I will be doing this month.  Simple projects I've done in the past using Washi.

Iris folding beginner class

Samples for my beginner iris folding class.  I'm not a super big fan of iris folding but tons of people are always asking for a beginner class.  Once you've done the class you can move on to the more difficult patterns.  It's very easy to do once you've learned the basic. 

Crafty Secrets - Party Cats

Another card for my "Happy Cat" card class. It's a tiny image but I thought it was too cute not to use it. I added diamond glaze to the balloon.
The cards will be on the simple side so we can get the

Party Cats - Crafty Secrets

I'm working on some cat theme cards for one of my upcoming  class.  I really love this set  "Party Cats"from Crafty Secrets but I'm always cautious when buying a clear sets.  You never know how well they will stamp (unlike red rubber) and they cost $$$. Most of the time I only like a few images in the set so it's hard to pay for the ones I don't like.  Which is why I like Penny Black, Hero Arts and Magenta, who sell just one image at a time along with a whole set.
May Arts Ribbon

Happy Kitty Card

I'm working on some new classes.  It's been a long time since I've been out in my studio. With all the cold raining weather, the studio is like a ice box.  I don't work well when I'm bundled up like a eskimo.
I do have parts of classes ready to go, I just have to put everything together.
Penny Black Stamp