Yes, the Twinkle is Back

Yes, as Patty told me the other day, seems the twinkle is back and it is. Been getting a lot of things "checked-off" my to do list including finally making home made minestrone soup.... and it was pretty darn good if I say so myself!

Promised you I would show you the little brown paper bag book that was finally returned to me by Stampington after 3 1/2 years - July 2007 to be precise submitted for an "Odds & End" Challenge in Take Ten.

(Lesson One: I have learned over the years with Stampington - when editors change - take a deep breath and wait for your submission to be returned eventually; Lesson Two: If you give them return postage, they do eventually return it).) To be totally fair to Stampington, because of an editor change, they really did not know (as they said in the form letter) if this work had been published or not. So here is a little bit of "The Voyage" - with instructions! LOL

Please note: No items were bought to make this book - "Odds & Ends" - what I call using up the stash!

Salon des Cent—The voyage . . .
5 ½” x 5 ¼”

Take four brown paper lunch bags and fold in half. Punch and secure with a Rubicoil. Distress all pages with acrylic paints, and various background stamps. Do not forget to do the same with the inside folds of the paper bags. The majority of left over paper used for this project is from the Somerset Artist Papers by Lynne Perrella. There are four pull out pages ( 5” x 4.75”) cut from cover stock. Cover: Distress page with paint, general background stamps, and walnut inks. Stamp woman (All Night Media) and watercolor. Add rub-ons, attach starfish with adhesive, and keyhole brad..

First “pull out” tag: Front side: Distress and paint. Apply various papers in collage fashion. Stamp quote on paint chip sample (Stampers Anonymous).

Page 1-2: (left side): Paint, distress, and rub on. Use clip art and a die cut slide from sand paper. (right side):

(right side): Stamp sun (Rubber Stampede) on cover stock and distress. Add college paper.

Those are the first few pages for today..... Yes, there are more which you will see. Changing the subject, yesterday I FINALLY finished the cross stitch I have been working on since September (just a small confessional - if I had not had those two surgeries and cross-stitched my little heart out while recovering - this might not have been finished in time for Christmas - yes this is a gift). I found this over at The Stitchery.... why would I think it would be quick? (I always do)...

Found the perfect candle over at The Yankee Candle Store:

And the back:

And the next cross-stitch project as a Christmas gift - OK, OK, it is not getting done by the 25th but she knows it is coming:

Need to get a few things done today but before I go - Remember as you wander through life today, miracles do happen. Your prayers, thoughts, and love, keep me going and please keep the coming. I visited the Chemo doctor yesterday for a prescription - no chemo needed, thank you very much, and a copy of my Oncotype DX test:

Yes, the doctor said it is the best score you can get - but I say it is based on statistics and I still need your prayers while I walk through my next surgery Jan. 12, and then radiation. Love you and remember, Think Pink! And to those of you out there also diagnosed with this disease - you are in my thoughts and prayers and I hold you close to my heart and soul.