Week 13 Donna Downey's 48 Weeks Journal Workshop ~It's All Perspective~ Lots of pics

Hello wonderfuls!!! It has been an amazing fast summer and as we draw close to the first day of fall. What a busy time it has been. We had an amazing time with our grandsons who we went to Wisconsin and picked up on July 17, well should I say we flew up. We bought our tickets from Frontier which so far we have been happy with their service. Always very accommodating flight attendants and pilots. The boys were here from July 17-August 17 we had so many adventures that they are too numerous to mention. We kept one year old Riggy and two year old Ledger extremely entertained. Plus those who know me I am a big kid too so I was up to any all undertakings and experiences we all could absorb or conquer. 

We also spent from Saturday to Wednesday in Wisconsin seeing some our favorite in-laws and family members and even meeting new ones. On Monday we went to the UP in Michigan with Cody and Amelia and even met Amelia's parents for the first time. Let me just say it was another INCREDIBLE day. We brought her parents mead and she brought us some of her delicious raspberry jam. 

Then we returned to North Carolina it was hot and humid, and we were all tired but it was right back to work. We started off with the usual catching up on stuff, finishing up some of the harvest. The figs were about done at this point, but up to about last week I was still picking off stragglers which are always super yummy and exciting to find. I absolutely love figs and so did Ledger and Riggy. 

On to the post well I started working on this off and on when the boys went to bed however painting was put on hold as I could only do so much while they were here and bees, honey, cheese, pickles, and jams don't take breaks so I was basically burning the wick at both ends. As soon as they went down for the evening, Bruce and I headed over to the kitchen to work. We would from 8ish until 12am or 1am depending on how long it took. I still needed to make product for my markets. Crops did stop and wait for me to pick so many days I had the boys in the fields with Riggy on my back. They helped as much as they could making it fun. 

So now if you would like to find out more about the class go to Donna Downey where you can register for the class or even just look at all the amazing art. 

I was so glad to finally start Second Semester which is where week 13 starts. There are actually four semesters. I have certainly enjoyed the process!!!! So very much....this painting in my journal has actually been done for more than a week now or more, but with the Hurricane Dorian and all the work I have been too busy to post. I have started week 14 but the gesso is as far as it has gotten yet. 

A full view of week 13 with my Hoka Ones I wear around here I have had these for five years if you are ever looking for a great long lasting running shoe this is it! I use them on the treadmill and or some days for working in the kitchen. 

the shadowing 

the circles were so much fun 

the great big circle really shows all the colors well 

Its all perspective and this IS the plain truth!!! The little snippet of wording is a Tim Holtz sticker sheets. 

This one was in the evening that golden hour of sunlight I added the sparkles 

My book in really getting big and thick and as Donna says it just makes me HAPPY!!! 

I am so glad I took this class and although it was Christmas of 2013 I was gifted it by my husband.....and I haven't worked in it until this year since 2014.....it really just makes me HAPPY! 

If you would like to see any of the other classes go to the weeks below to see each week. Thank you and enjoy. 

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

WEEK 4

WEEK 5

WEEK 6 

Week 7

WEEK 8

Week 9 

WEEK 10 

Week 11

Week 12

I have been making apple butter non stop trying to be ready for Newport News Fall Festival which I have many customers. 

Always making soap of course ALWAYS  

Bruce and I in our soap room with our lye safety glasses on

our All American Pressure canner 941 which we can all our non acid foods in for ourselves like potatoes, meat, carrots, soups, broth, etc 

We canned carrots which I made a video on too 

of course more jams all I want to do is make some different ones but never can get past the so called regular ones. 

This pic is before the sugar went in too so once that happens the pan is full its a 15 quart copper pot

Dusty is in the band this year and has picked the euphonium as his instrument 

this is the 3/4 size and its still pretty big he is super excited 

Our son Cody has purchased himself a brand new Yamaha motorcycle and he gave us all rides it was really enjoyable I am always so proud of my kiddos

Cody taking his mom (me) for a swing around the block 

One of my favorite days in Wisconsin where we all went to a park in Wisconsin and climbed this lookout tower

From left to right Bruce, Me, Cooper, Amelia, and Cody 

We went to the movies right before school started to get some more clothes, shoes, etc at the mall when I carry my crew to the movies its EXPENSIVE....it cost $59 to get in and then in snacks popcorn etc that was $57 I MEAN MIND BLOWING......LOL

I said WHAT? when the girl said $57 for snacks I got a drink...ok well Colten had a $5 Icee and Colby and Bruce had $7 nachos plus the popcorn.....I really need to limit them I thin????UHMM 

It was a lot of fun and we are ready to go back but seriously DUDES lets get one snack not two and three Dusty had Icee, popcorn, and a Snicker bar. No complaints at all!!! Everyone enjoyed themselves. Well worth everything 

 Ok as you know they all really don't like pictures.....but bless their hearts they did it for me. Colten is now a senior, Colby a freshman, Cooper is in the seventh grade, and Dusty now at Middle School as a sixth grader. They all had new clothes, shoes and socks I tell you socks cost more than clothes.....I spent more in the shoes of course but the socks I sworny it they can be extremely pricey. Then when I wash clothes I find more missing socks than anything.....really boys! Oh I know its the sock people they came in the back of the washer and took them!! LOL My oldest son when he was like 10ish we had went to the laundry mat and we were using the big washers and he opened the door of the washer and YELLS HELLO ALL YOU SOCK PEOPLE! I busted out laughing because surely at 10 he even knew socks just disappear!

We had to help my aunt to get a new car, we took he car shopping and here it is an adorable small hatchback which she is loving. Her engine blew up and she was walking to work which is ok but not when you get off at 9:30 at night, all I did was worry until we could get there to go shopping with her. 

We have another beautiful grandson from our oldest son and his wife Kim. I think I already told you this but he is growing fast....Levi we love you! 

Happy Painting!! 

lots of cyber hugs! 

Riggs painting while here at my house! I love this pic such concentration!

We will be at Smithfield from 9-12 tomorrow for the farmers market. 

I have a lot I have made for tomorrow the apple butter, cheese, eggs, bracelets, earrings, more soaps, salves, tinctures, new lip balms.....I am ready!!! See ya soon. 

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Tag's, Tag's Everywhere Tag's ~~~Traveling Beer, Wine, and Alcohol Tag's~~~

Hello again and HAPPY WEEKEND!!! Well yes paradise found.......is exactly what making these tags has been about. I signed up for a year long swap where you make tags from different countries and each month we get a new month. This was a Caribbean Island....well I chose Aruba.  Who wouldn't want to go there???? Well I hear so much about this wonderful place from friends who have visited that...I decided that was my island of choice. I had no idea there were soooo many islands and oh my I have learned so much doing this swap on Swap-Bot because each time you get a different country you basically gotta learn about it to get the feel of it and of course know the ALCOHOL of choice....well I can see myself sitting on the beach in Aruba drinking a coconut mixed drink....perhaps a coconut crusher or a coconut pie. YUM! So that was my drink of choice for this swap. I decorated the tag with sprays and stamps and used my Montana Markers for the side in black.

The tag has those 3D stickers you buy at Michael's and I painted this side using my Gelli-Plate which you make tags super quick and easy and FAB!

Of course I love charms and this sun charm was perfect. I buy most of my charms from Etsy...so many to pick from! I used embroidery floss also to put with the fibers.

Some of the stickers are Jolee's too. Which who couldn't love those...they ARE so darn cute!

 

Here I cut the ARUBA silhouette in Black Bazzill cardstock using my Silhouette Cameo....it turned out exactly as I wanted! This one went to Canada.

 

 

Of course this is my Italy tag

I still have tons of buttons from my term with Rusty Pickle and I still use them...This is one of my favorite things to do make grapes with them...which I also did for the wine recipe book.

The leaves are CuttleBug dies from a longtime back.

If you look closely I even found a Chianti wine charm advertised on Etsy as vintage charm...gotta love it!

Well I choose Chianti Wine I mean pure perfection I used encaustic wax on the tag and love these feel of it...I use R&F

The tag was a lot of fun to make. Now I need that glass of wine.

 

This is Germany tag, I used an old Quickutz container to make the box for the tag. I had the Germany paper from a swap years back...the Prost is actually A Quickutz alpha.

 

This was a lot of fun! The front of the tag

The back of the tag

Again I used the Gelli-Plate  for the tag itself love love love the Gelli-Plate

The box with the lid on

 

 

This is similar to the Italy tag but this actually the Paris tag, I actually went to Paris in the tenth grade and while there drank wine...and beer. There was no age limit then in France or if it was IDK...I bought beer at the McDonalds in Paris and I thought I was it! Again my button technique....the wine bottle is Quickutz

The label is from one of my favorite of all time swappers thanks sweet Lu! I aged it with Tim Holtz inks and the wine glass is also Quickutz the tag was made with alcohol inks by Ranger.

The ink on the goblet is Copic

Rub-ons and more Rusty Pickle buttons

The box I made for the tag, I bought the Vins on Etsy

It looked so nice in the box

The Russia Tag which I think was my most favorite too

I bought all the goodies from Scrapbook.com

There was a lot of wonderful Russia items for purchase

Of course the alcohol of choice was VODKA

I used a lot of fibers

A great collage for Russia

The Babushka Doll

 

I do love the dolls, see that wonderful Russia paper from Scrapbook.com

                                   the papers are from Scrapbookcustoms.com that I bought from Scrapbook.com


                                                                              

Well this is the last one I just completed for this month and I had England....well Castle Rock is the alcohol of choice and an evening at the Pub....I love the English flag Union Jack its everywhere, cell phone covers, craft items, charms, etc... I first embossed the tag with the Tim Holtz Sizzix folder of the London icon. I used some of Paper House Productions stickers they are just too cute!

Again more of the Paper House Productions and the Castle Rock beer the inks from Tim Holtz

So much fun these tags are....if ya want to join the next round go HERE or keep an eye out from swap hostess to hold the next one which will be again real soon

 

The Screech Owl by Castle Rock

The bottle cap

 

The ribbon is some I dyed and the adorable Union Jack buttons are from Etsy

You can see the thickness of the stickers here....too cute!

Our next tag is Mexico which of course you all know me and my margaritas....mmmmmm.

Well today I cleaned house and the boys helped too...I'm ready for my next page in my journal and hopefully go to the quilt show tomorrow. Have a great evening and Sunday too!! I cooked the boys spaghetti for dinner and I am having spaghetti squash. Yummy!

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