Where you'll find many cards I have made, to sell, give away and donate to Hospice. You will also find many, many little snapshots of my life which makes me who I am in Christ Jesus and Him Crucified which makes me complete. Colossians 2:10 "And you are complete in Him which is the Head of all principality and power."
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
WOW-WEEEE........65 Years Of Living!!!!
Next picture is my steak and fries, oh yum it was delicious as usual. Along with this came a salad and bread with honey butter and coffee.
JP's dinner consisted of fried perch and american fries and salad.
This was my dessert, chocolate ice cream with a sparkler on top.............we shared!
Below is a picture of my birthday cake..........I chose pumpkin pie with whip cream. In the background is a portable DVD player, which I have been wanting for a couple of years......finally got one with the money my stepfather sent me for my birthday. The DVD player in my computer has not been working very well lately so this gift came just in time.
All in all I had a good day, full of blessings galore, thank you Jesus for 65 years, that's more then I ever thought I would have.......my, my 65 hard to believe!!!!
Well, I shall close this blog for today, hope to get some cards up in the next few days and into my Etsy store. Been slacking there for sure. Guess, no sales, no motivation is my problem. Well you have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!!!
Cheers ~ Louise
Friday, November 18, 2011
Friday Funday - What's New With You!!!!
Well, here is a picture of how I am feeling today..........yep, that's me. Found out yesterday, I am diabetic AND to make matters worse, the brakes went out on my car to the tune of $600, also the car is leaking antifreeze $700 to fix that and to top that off the exhaust is bad and needs to be replaced $500. Not exactly sure where the money is coming from, sooooooooooooo like the above puppy dog, I will just continue to lay down and sleep through all of this. We have had this Ford Tarus for a year now and it has cost us more money then it is worth.............Oh how I wish I could have a NEW CAR!!!!A few other things going wrong, the roof still leaks after having it fixed for $1200, the dogs have flees. JP's car is on it's last wheels, too many things to get fixed, we may just junk it and get $200+ for it. Then we will be down to one car. I am beginning to think that the Senior Years are not so much the "Golden Years" anymore but the "Tarnished Years". We are getting bombarded from every direction!!!!!
Well, I am closing my Friday Funday blog for today. Hope your day is much better. Monday is my birthday, 65 years, hope things get better!!!! Still Cheers ~ Louise
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Antique Finds and Tatting
I found some old ledgers at the first antique shop, was very interesting to read them. In one ledger, the person was keeping track of how much was either ordered or spent in the grocery dept and merchandise dept. I looked on November, 1911 (100 years ago) rent was $8.00, eggs 10 cents, shoes $5, flour 15 cents, etc., everything was under $7 the most expensive was the rent.....was pretty cheap back then, but then pay was not high, guess everything is in proportion.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Friday Funday and Part 3 of Elena and Her Works of Art
Today I am going to show off some more of Elena's works of art from her Etsy Store. If you would like to visit her Etsy store and maybe even buy something from her store go to: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopGift?ref=si_shop. Hope you have enjoyed this featured interview with Elena on my blog, sure was alot of fun to do. The above picture is a white tatted doily.
The above picture here are some lovely tatted book marks. Below is a beautiful tatted red box.
In the next picture below is a beautiful tatted white collar.
In this picture below a lovely tatted table runner........so pretty!
Last, but not least a lovely tatted floral runner, must have taken many, many hours to make this one.
So there you have it..........hope you enjoyed looking at Elena's tatting projects, all of them are so very pretty. Each piece worthy of a royal place in someone's home. Keepsakes to hand down to the next generation. One of my favorite things to do, is going to antique stores.....I always check out the doilies, and just looking at all the lovely stitches of each handmade doily. Wondering, who was this woman or even child that made this, what was her life like, when and where did she live........you know, questions that probably will never be answered.In this interview, I was honored to introduce you to Elena Kozinenro from Crimea, Ukraine. If you ever run across some of her works of art, at least you can say..........."oh, I know who made this" and you won't have to wonder because you read about Elena here.
Have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Wednesday's Part 2 Interview With Elena from Crimea, Ukraine
Above is a beautiful white doily, below are a pair of earrings and a necklace ~ lovely, lovely work!
8. How do we find you on Etsy?My Shop on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/ShopGift?ref=si_shop Welcome!
9. Can we find you on Facebook, Twitter, and do you have a blog site?
www.facebook.com/pages/ShopGift/239536126069095
pinterest.com/elenakozinenko/
10. Have you seen enough of the world or is there a place you would like to go?
I like to travel. I want to visit China and see pandas!
11. Do you have another talent or hobby? I like embroidery and knitting.
12. What is your favorite flavor ice cream of all time? Creme brulee.
13. Your favorite color and shape? My favorite colors: red, green, purple, white.
14. Your favorite drink and food? I love chocolate!
15. Your favorite month and season of the year? Spring, of course!
16. Your favorite TV show, movie, book?
I love classic music, like: Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Vivaldi. Book: Boris Akunin, Isaac Asimov.
17. Your favorite thing to do? I love traveling, listening to music, growing flowers.
18. Make a comment here of what ever you would like to say.
I am very glad that Etsy is not just a place to sell, but here I found many like-minded people and friends! I want to wish everyone: Fantasize and create, art brings beauty into our lives!
19. Name 3 favorite websites you couldn't live without. Etsy, FB and Pinterest!
In this picture are Christmas ornaments, wouldn't these look lovely on a Christmas tree?Well there you have it, all the questions I asked of Elena, I am sure there could have been more questions to ask. Elena was translating my questions into her language then back into english. So I suspect that was quite a project for her. Friday I shall put a few more of her works of art on my blog. Hope you all enjoyed this interview, please stop by again, as you never know what I may say or do on my cards4ubylouise.blogspot!!!!!
Have a good day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!!!
Cheers ~ Louise
Monday, November 7, 2011
A Interview Featuring Elena from the Ukraine - Part 1
So, you might ask, why another Ukrainian Artist? Well, to answer that question, guess I am just partial to Ukrainians......as my mother married into a Ukrainian family, I was sort of adopted into their beliefs too. I heard many, many stories of their former country and the life they led till they came to the United States of America. Grams was the best cook of Ukrainian food........oh yum, miss those days of family dinners and delicious food!!!! Pops is 85 years old and lives in Las Vegas, most of the family and friends have died except for a niece and nephew.
Well, I guess I could ramble on and on about those days, but I better get on with this interview, this is the 1st part. Part 2 & 3 will come on Wednesday and Friday. Following is a beautiful doily that Elena made called tatting. Enjoy........her works of art and her interview.
1. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, and how did you got started on Etsy?I live in Crimea, Ukraine. This is a wonderful place. We have a beautiful nature, sea, mountains, waterfalls, rare plants and animals, a mild climate here. I'm a happy wife and I have two grown sons (27 and 26 years old). I also have a pet (German Shepherd) 12 years old and it's a member of our family too. I am a Piano teacher and accompanist. I've worked 25 years at music and ballet school. Now I'm a housewife. I love giving gifts to family and friends. Gifts made by myself. At home I have a lot of handmade things. Friends have always said that such beauty should be shown at the exhibition. And my sister said that my products can not only be shown, but also to be sold! She advised me to create an Etsy hosted shop.
2. When and how did you become interested in tatting?
I've liked needlework since childhood. I was 7 years old and I asked my mother: Type series of loops on the needles, I'll knit a scarf for my doll! I grew up and my art became more sophisticated. I knit for myself and family. Sweaters and dresses with complex multicolored ornaments, knitting and crocheting, cross-embroidering, weaving, makrame, sewing patchwork. A year ago my sister gave me a set of needle tatting tools. Since then, tatting is my main hobby!
3. What is your inspiration for each idea and where do you get the ideas?
I find ideas everywhere: in magazines, internet, all around me. I see a yellow leaf fall from a tree and imagine a napkin, as it is similar to the sheet. I imagine a bag as similar to the autumn garden. I see a cloud in the blue sky and imagine the delicate white napkin, as the air! I watch a movie about a French king and imagine a collar of the dress just like a cape. Now I only have to make these fantasies by myself!
4. How many hours do you spend on each tatting doily?
Tatting is a very time-consuming and laborious technique. Operation times vary depending on the number of nodes. The more complicated the pattern, the longer it takes for the job. I made a small doily (5 - 7 inches in circumference) for about 40 minutes or an hour.
5. How did you feel when you sold your first tatting item on Etsy?
When I sold my first item on Etsy - it was a surprise and great joy for me! It was a large round white tablecloth!
6. What tools do you use for your craft that you cannot live without?
I use a tatting shuttle and needle. I love working with cotton mercerized thread.
7. What is a typical day for you and your favorte time of the day?
I do not have the same plan for all days. In different days, I'm doing different things: yard work, housekeeping, a trip to the store ... But I plan tatting every day for not less than 5 hours! I can not live without this art!
Hope you enjoyed Part 1 of this interview. Part 2 will be on Wednesday with a few more pictures. If you would like to visit Elena's Etsy store, go to: www.etsy.com/shopgift?ref=si_shop She is also on facebook and pinterest. You will see those addresses in Part 2.
Have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise
Friday, November 4, 2011
Friday Funday ~ What's New With You????????
The three books
Eight DVD's, this shall keep me busy for the week. 1 Cardmaking Dvd and 2 Crocheting Dvd's (as I am into making doily's fof a season), 2 diet Dvd's "You on a Diet Workout" and "You on a Diet" (two different authors, should be interesting, hopfully not boring) the other 3 movies, "The Blind Side" with Sandra Bullock. "Gifted Hands" The Ben Carson Story and "The Bucket List" with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. That all should keep me busy and out of trouble for the week at least. Will let you know if I try any new recipes from the cookbooks.
Well, I think I shall shut down this blog for now, the medication is starting to work, doesn't take much. Be sure to stop by on Monday to see my blog as I will be doing an interview with Elena from the Ukraine, if all works out well and I didn't overwhelm her with questions.
Take care and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
The First Day of November
Another thing happening this month, I shall be turning 65 on the 21st.........geez, where did the time go????? One day you are 27 and the next thing, you wake up and you're 65. Never wish your life away it will come fast enough. I am hoping we can go out for dinner someplace, would like to go to BJ Clancy's will have to call them to see if it is okay to come there on that Monday for lunch so I can get a free steak and lots of fries.
Supposedly, on November 9th at 2pm EST all communication will shut down for 3 minutes all across the US. Just because the "Elite" want to see if they can control this country, and if it works, look to see that it just may happen again and again and for longer periods of time. Could you imagine the ramifications of this.....ALL communication shut down, what about planes in the air, cell phones, computers, hospital's, police, ambulances, radio, TV just to name a few things. All for the sake of control and the all mighty $$$$$$
This month, I am going to do a "featured Interview" with an Etsy Artist from the Ukraine. She does beautiful tatting, kind of like crocheting, but so much more lacey looking. I have thought about trying it myself, but for now crocheting is fine.
Looks like we still need some roof work, another leak showed up over the weekend in a completely different place............I became very depressed at the thought of another leak, I hope the leak can be found and fixed without causing too much damage and $$$$.
My daughter turns 42 this month on the 14th..........again, where did that time go.
Thanksgiving on the 24th, oh yum I can smell a turkey in the oven already and pumkin pie....ready freddy here we come!!!
I am sure more will be happening this month, just hope not as fast and furious as things have been lately......... but let it be "everything is calm and quiet" as my mother always said.
You all have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh ~ cheers ~ Louise
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Mystery Saturday??????
Went out for lunch yesterday with a friend, we had "Windy City Hambergers" oh yum they were delicious with lots of french fries!!! Was enough to last all day, ate half, then the rest later on in the afternoon. Have a Doctors appointment on Tuesday, so I guess I better watch what I eat for the next few days.....have to get a blood pressure check, my yearly check in order to renew my pills. Guess the best things would be to lose some weight then maybe the blood pressure would be in check. BUT who wants to diet? Been riding my stationary bike (I try) every day for about 5-10 miles. Hoping that will help during the winter months, must get in the habit now so I don't have to pay later.
Well, I guess I better go get some things done, as this is "Mystery Saturday" not really sure what I will be doing, right now there is dishes in the sink that need to be done. So maybe I shall go wash the hair then do the dishes. So talk to you later. Hope you have a good day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
New Pieces of Art
The card was stamped in black ink then I used my copic markers to color in along with my green and red "smooches" gel pen and gold spray mist. Distressed the edges and added "candi" dots on the corners.
Well, there you have it, some cards and ornaments I will be adding to my Etsy store, hope you like them, they were all fun to make. Now I have to start working on my cards to send out to friends......a Christmas tree using iris fold strips of ribbon and paper. I think if you go to my Archives you will find a sampling of my Christmas card for 2011 in my first blog for October.
Have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise
Friday, October 21, 2011
Friday Funday and a Few Creations
Anyways, went to Archivers the other day, it's "Tim Holtz"week, made this tag with the fun technique, stamping a tag, with stains, then running it through Tim Holtz's machine (only $199 if you buy it this week) the ribbon was stained and the skull and bat went through the machine also. I thought I would send the tag to my secret stamper so added it to a card and dressed it up alittle. She teaches making cards and is always looking for new ideas.....hope she likes this one. I shall have to make some more tags and do this again, maybe for Christmas cards would be nice. I do have to get on the stick and make my Christmas cards, one more month to get them done...........geez better start getting to work!!!! Need to get a few more Christmas cards in my Etsy store and a few Christmas ornaments too.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Etsy Tap Dance and Mystery List
Was looking for that Christmas card I sold in my many files, but could not find it. Shall have to take another picture of the card along with a few other things I made this weekend, been pretty busy with all my projects, guess that is good.
If you read my previous blog ~ Mystery Saturday ~ I listed 15 things I was going to do for the day............well, I did 8 1/2 things for that day plus one extra thing not listed. They are as follows:
1. finished the blog
2. made the coffee
3. gave myself a permanant (did not trim my hair)
4. cut JP's hair
5. made lunch and dinner (Popover Unside Down Pizza recipe to follow in next blog)
6. did some dishes (but still have many in the sink as I type this blog)
7. made some Christmas ornaments
8. rode my bike for 2 miles (that was the 1/2)
9. took a ride to Sandi's to pick up my circles that will be used for the Christmas ornament (she has a circuit cutter, so can get more circles made then a punch can...........have LOTS of 2"circles)
I guess the rest of those projects will all be done this week at some time or another, don't know when or where, BUT they will get done.
Well, you all have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!
Cheers ~ Louise
Saturday, October 15, 2011
MYSTERY~SATURDAY
Now as my big "65th" birthday comes leering around the corner, I am not finding alot of comfort in the supposed "Golden Years" either. Seems there is alot more stress in getting old AND I really don't know how to retire!!! You would have thought after 5 years I would have figured it out......nope, nope, nope! Still as busy as ever, but with different things.
MYSTERY SATURDAY
Now what could that entail...................I don't know. Maybe a list of things I would like to do today? Or a list of things I HAVE done, guess that would have to come at the end of the day. People talk about a bucket list......I've not made one up yet and probably won't. I just live each day as it comes, waking up each morning wondering....."what day is this one.....aaahhhhh yes, Saturday, what will I be doing today???? Well, let's see..........here is my list for today.
1. finsh this blog
2. make some coffee
3. do the dishes (I always have dishes in the sink to do)
4. maybe do a little crocheting sometime today (making a pink doily)
5. give myself a perm and trim hair
6. cut JP's hair
7. make some cards, actually I have 3 projects going
~~~~~a. making orgami bridal bouquet
~~~~~b. making my iris fold Christmas cards
~~~~~c. make some more Christmas ornaments
8. rake some leaves
9. plant 3 "allium gladiator" bulbs
10. wash some clothes
11. straighten the house and sweep the porch
12. ride 5-10 miles on my stationary bike
13. ah yes, cook lunch and dinner (which always puts dishes back in the sink)
14. maybe take a break with another cup of coffee on the porch (wishful thinking on my part)
15. take a nap or go to bed.........
Whew, after that list, I am TIRED!!!!! Retired??????? I don't think so!!!!! Well so much for Mystery Saturday........I will finish this off tonight, or tomorrow or whenever I get back to it, cause I am not sure how much will be accomplished, maybe nothing, maybe just partly.....who knows at this point, ONLY GOD KNOWS THE BEGINNING AND THE END of my list!!!!
Cheers ~ have a great day!!
Louise
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Tale of A Roof and a Washing Machine
Well I shall close here, and get some wash done......HOORAY!!! & Praise the Lord!!!
Cheers~Louise
Friday, October 7, 2011
"Friday Funday" ~~~ Boating on the Fox & a Colorful Fall!
The trees were absolutely beautiful, like this one along the river.
Here is a beautiful, fancy house secluded and hidden behind the trees.
Such beautiful scenery along the Fox River.
Here is a big fancy house, nice huh?
And.....here is Miss Vicky taking pictures of her shipmates. There you have it a day out on the boat, going to try for another one weather permitting before the boat gets pulled out of the water for the winter and takes a rest till spring. The lox in Menasha open up May 2nd 2012, seems like a long time away.
Well, you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the weather. See you again on Monday with a few more cards. Cheers ~ Louise

