monday

Cary has a new buddy. We don't know his name. We don't know who his humans are. He just visits. Cary actually first "met" his new friend while running a few months ago. We live in a wooded neighborhood and traditionally people let their dogs loose. So this dog followed Cary home from his run one day. And for days after. A few weeks ago I first met this new friend and saw firsthand his skill at playing catch and actually bringing back the stick! My old dog never brought it back. She liked to play keep-away. We didn't see his friend on our walk/run today but at 5:30pm as Cary was getting ready to go to work he appeared! He actually hung out around the yard for a good hour after Cary left (since Cary gave him a treat today he will likely never want to leave). While making brownies...as I looked out the window...this was my view...

He hung out awhile longer and then evidently went home to his real family. *sigh* I wish WE were his real family :( So does Cary.

This a.m. I did some work on the front and back cover of a new mini album. I used the 6x6 7Gypsies album I got at CKC. I found a K&Co. paper pack of double sided cardstock yesterday and used a piece on the front and back covers. I originally bought the paper this weekend for another mini album that has some clear overlay pages...but I still need to buy some more pages for that album before I can work on it more. But I liked the nature-like colors and faded quality so thought it would fit my idea for this Nature album.

Anyhow...here's the cover...
The photo isn't great. I used some Heidi Swapp chipboard letters. I decided to keep them thier original "naked" color. I used a daisy rub-on next to (and onto) the "N" in nature but it is very hard to see in this photo. I added a My Mind's Eye - Tres Jolie "Friends" journaling card (it has those cute birds already printed and is vintagy). I colored in the birds lightly with colored pencil. Then I added the Heidi Swapp journaling spot and stamped "Peaceful." I wish the photo was better because I'm really happy with the colors.

I'm pleased with the back cover....

I just used the K&Co. patterned paper and stamped the tree image with chalk inks. I am really happy with how it looks in person and might try this on a card with the same patterned paper.

I also finished up a few cards I started on Saturday. They aren't my favorites but they are ok. There are some issues with balance and how things are arranged that are bugging me. I wasn't really in a super creative mindset while working on them. I couldn't get into it. But here they are...


That's all for now. Back to the regular work and school routine tomorrow. Then wednesday Cary leaves for 2 1/2 weeks for Nat'l Guard Annual Training up in Maine where he is from. I'm not looking forward to it :( So will need to fill my time with lots of projects and beach days!