My Son, the artist!

Happy Saturday!

short & sweet post today!

My beloved son #2 is such a wonderful artist!  He's a pretty wonderful kid too...all my kiddos are quite wonderful if the truth be told!  hehe

Anywhoo,  here's a card I made using a little leprechaun he drew the other day!

isn't he adorable?  too fun!  Just had to share...I'm one proud mama!!!

Enjoy your weekend!
Blessings!  


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You have read this article CAS / family with the title family. You can bookmark this page URL https://playing-home.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-son-artist.html. Thanks!

gift....

I haven't scrapped for a while because of the weather...I blame the heat:) It's easy smeasy to slap together a card...it is a smaller canvas...but a 12 x 12 layout requires so much more thought processing...lol

I actually stumbled across this wonderful sketch on Sweet Peach Crop Shop's blog:

I routed it over to my bloggie buddie Sherry for a friendly challenge...make sure you pop over to her blog to see her inspiration from the sketch...I love her summery take.

Here's mine:

I absolutely LOVE this pic of me and the kids...it was taken back in 2008...they have changed sooo much since then...

All the paper is Pink Paislee's Queen Bee...Oh my goodness I love that stuff....I found that it actually coordinates with some of the K&Co Blue Awning line...that's where the chippies are from...the bling is Prima and the bloom is from Sherry! Perfect opportunity for me to de-hoard one of the several blooms I had commissioned her to make me:)

Check it out...I even used some of the Pink Paislee Artisian Tape...Each panel has been stitched and then the round panel is mega stitched...lol...I stitched around the circle about 4 times...

What really drew me to the sketch were the banners...love them...can't get enough of them...I teamed them up with buttons and bling....

This is such a wonderful sketch to work with...I was surpised at all the elements that eventually went into the layout...definitely one of my more time consuming layouts that I've accomplished...

Wanna see something fun....a 'blast from the past' kind of thing? Yvonne was oh-so-sweet and created a project last year using the very same pic that I used in today's layout...check it out here:

Treasure

Thanks soo much for taking a peek and you scrappers out there that make bumpy pages...what albums do you like?!!!

You have read this article family / k and co / layout / pink paislee / Prima / RAK / scrapbooking / sweet peach with the title family. You can bookmark this page URL https://playing-home.blogspot.com/2010/07/gift.html. Thanks!

I'm SO Proud!

Hello happy stamping peoples!!! I was so excited to share this card with you! Isn't this doggie sweet? My very own son drew this and I'm thrilled he allowed me to use it!

(Inside: Congratulations on your RETIREMENT!)

He normally draws graphic novel style people and such. I've been asking him for something for a while now and he doodled this quick and said, "Here!" lol Appeasing his mother for a short time, 'til I beg again! lol
The papers are SU!'s DSP in not quite navy with a strip of mustard cs, the pooch (Sam) is colored with Prisma marker! I used SU's window punch for the two little accent pieces and added some vintage brads. The sentiment is from SU congratulations set. How's this for a masculine retirement card?

Here are the challenges..
Alphabet chall~blue.
Pollycraft~sketch.
All Sorts~furry friends.
The Pixie Cottage chall~celebrate.
Papertake Weekly~spots, stripes.
Crazy Amigo~men.
One Stop Craft~celebration.


Ya know how we all say masculine cards can be a struggle, well Donna of Donna's Den has had the most fabulous idea....
That's right I'm going to start setting a monthly challenge on my blog and would like to invite all my friends out there in blogland to come along and 'try out for the team' so to speak. Anyone interested should leave a comment on this post with a link to your entry. Remember we're interested in boys/mens cards. If you don't have a blog you can email me on dtcall@donnasden.co.uk. The closing date for entries is Friday 30th October 2009.
So if you're interested be quick like a bunny and hop over there and check it out!


Thanks so much for stopping by with your kind & encouraging comments! Squishy Hugs to you all!!!!

You have read this article family with the title family. You can bookmark this page URL https://playing-home.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-so-proud.html. Thanks!

Family...Vintage Tree...Awards....

Happy Black Friday!

Okay, I must be getting older since I didn't make it out to Michael's last night for their 6 pm - 9 pm Thanksgiving Day sale. My mom and I had a magnificent dinner at McCormick & Schmick's and quite frankly, my belly was sooo full that I just wanted to go home {gasp!}. Our meals were absolutely delish and we would definitely do it again. I was surprised to see how full the restaurant was...

I have a couple things to share....every year my kids get their pictures taken. I have a "picture wall" in my dining room that has photos of them since they were 1. I'm trying to get our family photo taken every other year...we look so different from our last one taken in 2006. I didn't buy enough photo's to put in with everyone's Christmas cards and I still need to make another batch of cards. I didn't have enough but decided to deal with the 2nd batch over the weekend. It took me forever to write in the 50 I'm sending out tomorrow. I forgot how much I don't handwrite...I'm so use to emailing and texting. I typically do short & sweet messages in the cards that I send out but there are peeps that I like to be "chatty" with...I "packaged" our photo's in glassine bags that I bought at Paper Zone.

I'll share my main Christmas card design early next week. The next thing I wanted to show you is my vintage Christmas tree. I'm a HUGE fan of Cavallini products. I have their Japanese Woodblocks calendar in my dining room. I have several of their stamp sets... Recently I picked up a set of their Holiday Bird Glittered Gift Tags...look what I did with them:

I love my Vintage glittery Christmas tree!!! Here is a close up of one of the tags...they are wonderful...you can't really tell but they truly are glitter'licious. I replaced their strings with the fabulous Stampin' Up Riding Hood Red grosgrain ribbon...whaddya think?

Stacey over at The Crafting Adventures of a Left-Handed Blonde gave me 2 awards. She is such a sweetie pie {from the UK}..you have to go check out her blog. She says the cutest things like: blimey, yonks, chums, Marmitey...lol....AND of course, she designs fab cards!
"This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships!These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind blogger's aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight blogger's who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

~AND~

"Pick 5 bloggers that you consider as your best blogging buddies and deserve this award for their contribution towards the blogging community, no matter what language.State the name of the author of each blog as well as a link to each one's blogs.Each blogger (upon acceptance) of this award should do a post and show the award on their blog and put the name and link to the blog that has given her/him the award."

I'll go ahead and nominate 6 blogging friends. I'd love it if they can play along but no pressure...they can select 1 or both of the awards:

1. Catherine of Inksomnia
2. Angie of Schwoo!
3. Susan of One4Joy
4. Suzy of Paper monkey
5. Carla of Paper Pastorale
6. Elaine of A Place for Ink

I could soooo add more and more people but will go ahead and leave it at these lovely six people. They all have fabulous blogs and are super creative.

Whew! Hugely long blog post...thanks for taking the time to visit! I hope you all had a magnificent Thanksgiving and were surrounded by the ones you love.

You have read this article cavallini / family with the title family. You can bookmark this page URL https://playing-home.blogspot.com/2008/11/familyvintage-treeawards.html. Thanks!

Patchin' it...

Just a speedy post to share a couple pictures from the weekend...We pumpkin patched it! A fun tradition that I have with the kids is to go to a local patch...we use to frequent a "real" pumpkin patch but it has since gone out of business. This one is still fun because isn't it really just the hunt for the perfect pumpkin? I only have one rule for the kids, they have to be able to get it into the wheelbarrow...and into the car!

The weather in the Pacific Northwest has been FABulous...2 "dry" soccer games on Saturday...one at 9 a.m. where I almost froze...the other one in the afternoon over an hour away from home.... I'll have some other fun pictures to share tomorrow..a RAK and a surprise gift that I received...I did want to do a shout out to the girls that came out to make dinner for me and the kids...super sweet of them...and it was absolutely delish! {thanks...j&j&m...hi a!}

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Camping : EDT

We will be gone to camping today.

http://www.easterndeaftimberfest.org/family.html

A lot of our friends recommended us to go - that event is something that you can not afford to miss. Shall wait and see.

Kids are so exciting to see our TT again! We are loading now. In the afternoon, we will be hit the road.

Enjoy your week/weekend :o)

You have read this article camping / EDT / family with the title family. You can bookmark this page URL https://playing-home.blogspot.com/2007/07/camping-edt.html. Thanks!

Soon to be on Road!

Kids are looking forward to go see their grandparents but I am NOT! I have to drag myself to bring them up to see their grandparents/cousins/all those relatives you can name... including freinds...

Everytime I go up to my parents. It always fun for first hour. After that - I'm bored! While Kids still have fun fun fun fun til its time to go home. It's probably because of communication. I couldn't believe how much I love them! Very much!

My mom warned me on the phone. Not something I want to hear or know. My dad isn't doing well. He's bastard! I love him... I'm his princess - a big time Daddy's girl! He's selfish man I ever have known. Yet, I still love him! just because he's a great dad! He taught me in many ways especially sports. Ironically! he is a drunkie dad! *chuckling*

Back to point, my mom said - dad is having a breathing difficulty now. He often gasped for air. He had to cough so hard to get oxygen into his body or restart the heart ( I dont know). He was suppose to see his doctor last week. Who know if he had gone or not. He hates to see doctor. He knew he has something but what? a cancer? a heart disease? He's heavily smoker and drink a lot for many many many years!

He's great dad! and even a wonderful grandpa to our kids! He has so much love to give to children! Will keep you all post when I get back from NY.

At last a positive one and exciting news, it will be our first time to see our new nephew/cousin for kids! Colton! He's doing great and showing a positive developmental so far... My mom said - she will take kids for couple hours so that I can go out visiting friends. Full of Jokes!

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??Communication??

Couldn't believe - Today is FRIDAY! YES TGIF! Crab legs dinner tonite! Playing game - Blokus with friends Tonite! Oh oh - drinking wines - apple-raspberry wine that we got from Tenn (yum yum).

I'm thinking of a topic for today. Ummm... I do aware that some of you curious how we raise our kids as deaf parents. Honestly... Much better than what I grew up with my hearing family - ironically? Sorry my parents - I know its not their fault :o(

My dad do know some signs. He has a several deaf friends before I was born. Poor my mom, she has no knowledge of deafness when she first found out that I am deaf. She was devastated for a while. FYI - They are now perfectly fine. :o)

My parents found out that I was deaf at age 2. My parents decided to have my dad’s friends to teach them sign languages. So my parents can communicate with me easily. Audologist suggested my parents to check some schools (mainstream program and deaf schools). My parents decided to send me to residential deaf school My mom said it was the MOST hardest things that she ever had by sending me to residential school for the deaf. It was about an hour from my hometown. (Most states have one school for the deaf – while New York has several deaf schools (7) – most schools are more than an hour drive.)

Anyway… the year that I first went residential school. They were practicing oral method/approach (1970's theory) which means no signing allowed in education. My parents were a little uneasy and talked with principal about it. That idiot principal told my parents that I was at the “good chance” of going school in my hometown. If I keep up with “speaking” skills at school and at home then I can go hometown elementary school. Of course that increased my parents’ hope and decided to not use sign languages. They used oral method (speaking). For few years, school system realized that oral method/approach does not work so they changed to total communication (speaking and sign language at the same time). It is so confusing! Anyway... Highly recommendation - use sign language with no speaking or just speaking with no sign languages. they do not mix just like drink and drive.

Now,My parents said, “WE wished that we never LISTEN that damn principal!” My parents now couldn’t sign well. My mom once a while say, “I’m so sorry… that I couldn’t sign… I wish I could signs so that I can communicate with you easily.” I always blamed my parents for many years. Until one day, I decided to asked them – why didn’t they learn sign language when I was young. I was shocked to hear their stories. I said, “I’m so sorry that I was so angry against you for many years just because I didn’t know the facts.” Now I’m blaming that damn principal for not allowing us to have communication easily. (It breaks my heart when I typed – I do wish I could communicate with my parents and siblings easily than what we have now.)

That’s why I’m blessing to have my kids who can signs and be able to communicate with me (fully accessible and no missing out information). I actually choked my tears. My kids! They will have beautiful two languages to use – American Sign Language and Speaking English (some Spanish). We can make any kind of conversations - during dinner time, watching movies, any where because we can understand with each other like a family.

With my parents and sister/brothers, I always asked - What ya all talking about? They always said - oh we talked about the house on fire. I was like... excuse me... You all talked longer than that - the house on fire. I always had to asked for more details - then finally they said - a little boy was playing with matches and started the fire - blah blah (still surface informations). I do not want that in my family with my kids. I want them to know details as of normal conversation that peoople make. It would be nice if they all use sign languages while make a conversation. A VERY few family that all can signs and even relatives! I would say -- about 3 families that I know who can signs (hearing parents, hearing siblings, and even relatives). It would be nice for family who can signs for a deaf person. In my opinion, using sign language is more accessible than just speaking. I took speech classes since I was 3 yrs old. I can't tell you how much its fun - REALLLY BORING!!! All I do is reading book outloud - focus on accent and few parts to work on (still same problem today - 15 and 50 - both are so similiar - i have to emphasize 'n' for 15 LOL) all that.

Nowsdays, better techonologies to make it fun! More kids like going speech classes. Lucky them!

The point of whole things is that communcaiton accessible is really important for all family. Communciation and Relationship are important to me now especially with young ages.

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