Elfin Blue

Actually worked with paintbox today.  This is another tube by Barbara Jensen and a free bonus after purchasing a tube package.  I got inspired to delve into my template world when I got an email from her store highlighting another package with a free bonus tube. I will be shopping on her website tonight...

Cheers! 🍷

Credits:
Tube:  June Bonus by ©Barbara Jensen
Free Cluster Frame by ieZombie

Modesty

Gorgeous steampunk! Just love Barbara's tubes even if they are a bit risqué.❤

I have been slacking off in my creations. It's been a rough few months for me. I am beginning to pull my granny panties up a bit higher and toughing it out. Yes, I grit my teeth alot. At my age, my dentist said I need to stop doing that...too much pressure on my teeth.

There are times I still drop back into a depressive state, but the episodes are getting fewer and far between.  The prospect of getting a new puppy has helped tremendously.  Something to look forward to has made me smile more. I also started walking again...feels good to get out and the fresh air helps too! Still, I find it very hard to create anything when I am down. Quite a number of things that I enjoyed doing have also been put aside. Sometimes it's hard to even get up in the morning. 😔

My dark moods are a combination of many things. Number one was the loss of my dog...it has been very hard on my spirit to go through a day without her. The number two cause, (moving rapidly back to number one) is the situation this country has gotten itself into since the 2016 election. Most days I wake up screaming at the news. I am pretty positive this stress has caused my hypertensive state. I have been told I shouldn't watch the news (believe me I have cut down quite a bit), but dear lord...I can't take a passive seat...I need to be informed. It is scary out there, especially on social media, which is another medium I have effectively limited my time on. The negativity slaps you in the face with each swipe of your finger. It saddens me to see friends skewer each other over politics, best to stay clear and try to inject some positive vibes into the day.

So.....I got my ballot yesterday. Normally, its filled out and ready to be mailed the very next day.  This year I am holding onto it for awhile.  I am, at this point in time, very undecided. There doesn't seem to be a clear cut strong candidate. Add Russia interfering in even the primary, maybe my darkest fears are well founded. These are the weakest selection of candidates I have ever seen since I started voting. My first year of voting was in 1972...and I was an avid...ummm...well...never mind.

I don't think any of them can save this country from our wackadoodle president. I am looking at four more years of everyday insanity. Heaven forbid...praying for divine intervention. (Pleaseee dear lord...we may not survive as a republic with this idiot...)

Almost forgot...what is with these debates??? Why so many??? It just fuels the opposition and serves no purpose in helping me make a decision. Just "shit shows" with everyone screaming at each other. I think Tom Perez should step down, he is just making a mess of everything.

Ok...maybe I should go take xanax and chill for a bit before I start watching the Nevada caucus coverage.  Wonder if that's a good thing to be doing on a rainy Saturday afternoon?  🤔


Credits:
Tube: "Modesty" by ©Barbara Jensen
Scrap Kit: "Believe in Steampunk" by Bella Caribena

Spring Vixen

The weather has been beautiful these past few days! I actually felt good enough to go for a little walk, enjoying the warm spring like day. It really felt good to get out...of course, I probably will pay for it tomorrow with sore muscles. In the end, it's always worth it.

My hubby and I went out to dinner at Sullivan's on Sunday to celebrate Valentine's Day. We enjoyed the meal, but we were disappointed with the conditions of the bathrooms. They seemed to be short handed in staff and the bathrooms, which are normally well maintained, were a mess. The smell emanating from both bathrooms was horrific. It's terrible how people just toss papers and forget to flush in public facilities...what is wrong with society these days? 

I don't get many opportunities to get dressed for dinner and I enjoy the primping along with the occasion to wear a dress. Sullivan's doesn't ask for formal attire it is more business casual, but the place is classy enough to get out of ripped jeans, tshirts, shorts and flip flops for one night.  I guess the almighty dollar is more important to Sullivan's.  I am old enough to remember when the wonderful Charles or Anthony's restaurants would insist on formal/business attire or you would not be seated.  Alas, both those places are long gone. Our society has definitely declined in social mores. I feel so out of place wearing a dress for dinner nowadays. 😐

Hubby and I decided we will no long have dinner at Sullivan's in the future.  We will stick to brunch/ lunch and hope the bathrooms are in better condition during our visit. This was one of my favorite places to dine...such a shame.

On a lighter note....I am thinking of using Walmart's online grocery shopping and pickup. Well, it seems worth trying and who knows, it may make me feel like a pampered princess...lol! I like the concept and if I ever move to Tucson, would enjoy the delivery service.

Cheers! 🍷

Credits:
Tube: "Violet Vixen" by ©Barbara Jensen
Scrap Kit: "A Wee Bit Irish" by Pink Paradox Production
Mask: Mask_Viv_0045 by Vivienne's Paintbox

Soulful Love

Wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day. 💘

Credits:

Tube: "Angel_6" by ©Verymany

Love Angel

I am wondering when the weather predictions that I receive on my phone will ever be right. I was all prepared to wake up to heavy rain...my phone said it!! I actually woke up to a beautiful sunny day. Go figure. So now the weather man is telling me that the rain is coming in sometime after 3 today. Hmmm...still not cloudy outside. 😞

Valentine's Day is getting closer! Only 4 more days to get that special someone a gift!

Cheers! 🍷

Current Mood: 😐

Credits:
Tube: "Angel of Love" by ©Verymany
Scrap Kit: "Lovely Angel" by Tiny Turtle Designs
Masks: Mask_Vivienne by Vivienne's Paintbox
             Miz_Mask331 by Mizteeques

Background Tutorial by Vivienne's Paintbox

Caramel Heart

I always get amused by Valentine's Day. A day set aside to show love and appreciation for a significant other. I like to think we do this more than just one day during the entire year. Showing love shouldn't be confined to a time limit. 

I have a few ideas about how we can all show love the whole year round.  I am pretty sure one of these ideas will put a smile on someone's face and make them feel as special as they are. Just try to incorporate it in our everyday lives and not just on Valentine's Day.

The easiest one is to cook a special meal for the family or a loved one and share it with them! Nothing speaks love like a home cooked meal. Sharing the meal brings a family closer.  I love it when my girls are in the kitchen while good food is cooking and then enjoying the meal where everyone is present at the table.

Give someone a hug! Hugs are free and very easy to give away.  They make someone feel special and they also feel good to the giver as well. Bet it makes you smile!!!

Send a note or text to brighten someone's day!  Everyone enjoys a simple "good morning", "love you" or "how are you?" sent spontaneously! You can feel their smile from miles away. I like to surprise hubby this way.  Texting is also a great way to reconnect with an old friend. Declare me guilty...staying in touch is hard sometimes. It's one of the reasons I make the effort to say "good morning" each day on Facebook. Not exactly a text, but I find it's a  way to reach out to friends not on my cell phone. Anyway...I hope it makes someone smile!  😎

Of course...genuine compliments will never, ever fail. Next time you’re admiring someone’s brilliant style, let him/her know!

Cheers! 🍷

Current Mood: 😎

Credits:
Tube: "Caramel Heart" by ©Verymany
Scrap Kit: "Abbey's Chocolate Valentine" by Tiny Turtle Designs
Mask: Mask_Viv_0055 by Vivienne's Paintbox

FTU Cluster by JaniUK1 

Loving Steam

Just love steampunk and this tube was a gift from Barbara Jensen! Perfect fit for the wonderful background. One thing is nice about steampunk, just throw everything up there and it all works great.

Feeling so overwhelmed with everything. I get easily tired and frustrated, so it doesn't help. I am tired of being tired I guess and keep pushing myself. I stare and something that needs to be done and get mad because I can't do it by myself.  Hoping this passes quickly cause berating myself is getting old.

Going to try to lose myself in creating some pieces of artwork. That usually helps get me out of my gloom and doom mood.

Current Mood: 😞

Credits:
Tube: "Venus" by ©Barbara Jensen
Scrap Kit: "Loving Steam" by Bella Caribena
Mask: Mask_Vivienne_0064 by Vivienne's Paintbox
Background Tutorial by Vivienne's Paintbox