DYI plush velvet pumpkin

Plush velvet pumpkin
I've coveted one of these babies since I saw them last year.  However with a price point of $25 it was out of my budget.  Besides, it looked rather easy to make.  Fast forward a year.  The other day I am in the fabric store when I noticed the orange velvet fabric.  I was reminded of this project so I decided to give it a try.  The orange velvet is a little brighter than I wanted but not bad for a first try. 

I used dried beans to fill the inside of the pumpkin.  To add a little something to the top, I added an autumn themed decorative piece (I think they are called picks) I picked up at Michael's.  I did not have a real stem so I used the stem from the pick.  A little thread . . . a little hot glue . . . and vuala I have my first plush velvet pumpkin.  I want to make a few more but this time in a beautiful sage and auburgine color.

New toy
Just in time for the holidays I ordered a new toy from HSN.  Its a hot glue gun mat and tools.  It has 3 protective covers for your fingers that are said to withstand heat up to 600 F.  I used it for the first time while making the velvet pumpkin AND I am happy to say it works!

As always, thanks for stopping by . . . Yoli

Photography Scanvenger Hunt

We are quickly approaching the end of the summer Photography Scavenger Hunt hosted by Rinda over at Gallo Organico.  :-( So I thought I would post a few more findings from my list.

#1 on the list -- A pier

I luv riding the ferries.  The views of Puget Sound are gorgeous.  On a clear day you are able to see the surrounding snow capped mountains which are absolutely spectacular. 

 

 

#6 on the list -- A historical landmark

Built in 1962 for the World's Fair, the Space Needle is a historical landmark in the Pacific NW.  The Needle is 605 ft high and 138 ft wide at its widest point. 

 



#13 on the list -- library
Wearing one of mom's hoodie, DH checking out books at our local library.  :-)

 

 

#19 on the list -- outdoor stairs

During our stay in Puerto Rico we stayed at the Parador Guanica 1929.  Constructed in 1929 for executives from the Embosomed Sugar Power station.  Recently remodeled it is now a delightful 27 room tropical inn.

 



So what's left on my list?

7. A person playing a musical instrument
12. A maze, labyrinth, or trail.
15. Someone dancing.
18. A movie poster

I have until Friday to complete.  Let's see how well I do.  Wish me luck. 

As always . . . thanks for stopping by  Yoli

 

Shutterfly photo book

During my recent visit to Puerto Rico I had an opportunity to stay with several family members for a few weeks.  As a way of showing them our appreciation for their wonderful hospitality I am making each family a special thank you gift.  For my brother and SIL I created a photo book using Shutterfly. 

After I ordered the album I was delighted to learn that Shutterfly now allow you to share the photo book on FB or on your blog.  So I decided to share it here with you.  It is a simple book with no journaling.  Writing in Spanish is still a bit of a challenge for me so I did not even try.  I hope you enjoy!  TFL!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly baby photo books are the perfect way to preserve your baby's precious moments.

As always, thanks for stopping by . . .Yoli
 

Remembering 9-11

 

In 2007 I took a girl's trip with my SILs to NYC.  A stop to the World Trade Center (WTC) to pay our respects was a must during this trip. 

 

At the time of our visit the foundation of the new WTC building was under construction.  We were visiting hollowed ground so I wanted my LOs to reflect the somber mood of the visit.  I created three 2 page LOs of the visit.  The first two LOs were dedicated to remembering the tragedy.  The last page is dedicated to our efforts to move forward.

 

For the first page I used photos from a book I purchased,  "A Place of Remembrance: Official Book of the National September 11 Memorial".  The title on the page reflects how I felt that day. 

 

 

For the second page I used a timeline that recorded the events on 9-11.  The idea once again came from the book, "A Place of Remembrance".  The paper collage I believe was purchased from Scrap-My-Trip.

 

The last LO is more reflective.  The page on the left side is an artistic rendition of what the New York skyline will look like after the World Trade Center is completed.  For the page on the right I used a title I found at the WTC memorial.  At first I was taken back by its brutal honestly but in time I've embraced its message.  Well . . . sort of . . . I still haven't been able to journal how I was impacted by the events of 9-11. 

 

So today I pray.

 

I pray for the souls of the victims who died on 9-11.

May they rest in peace.

 

I pray for the survivors of 9-11.

May they have peace in their heart.

 

I pray for the families whose loved ones died tragically on 9-11.

As Vice-President Biden said, "may the memory of their families bring a smile to their lips before it brings a tear to their eyes".

 

I pray for the brave soldiers who serve our country.

May God reward their bravery by granting them peace in their hearts.

 

I pray for us too . . . for we were ALL affected by this tragedy. May we never forget!

Yoli

ISO -- a good white pen

Hello everyone.  Those in the US, I hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend.  :-)

White pen
I am in search of a good white ink pen that is able to write on both cardstock and photo paper.  I've tested several pens in the past with no luck.  The ink flow on these pens is generally not consistent making the writing difficult to read.  Thus far I've tried Uni-Ball Signo (the best of them so far), Sokura Souffle and Gelly Roll. 

Stopped by an art supply store this weekend in search of what seems to be the elusive white pen.  They suggested a refillable ink pen.  However, the pen itself was $35 and the ink bottles $5.  I wasn't ready to pay $40 for a white ink pen without testing it first.  I'm not happy about the prospect of paying $35 for a pen but its got to be cheaper than continuing to buy pens, at $3-5 each, that simply don't do the job.  :-(

So my search continues.  Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. 

Photography Scavenger Hunt
This photo was posted on one of the many blogs that I follow (unfortunately I don't remember which one).  So this is my creative entry for #2 on the Photography Scavenger Hunt list -- a clothesline.  :-)

 



I have a couple more photos to post for the scavenger hunt but I must download them from my phone first.  :-(  Until then . . .  thanks for stopping by. 

 

Yoli

 



 

It's here . . . it's here . . . its here

I received my goodies from the Pink Paislee Warehouse sale.  This year the box did not appear as full as last years but I'm happy with the content nonetheless.  There is no way I could buy all those goodies for $50!

So what sort of goodies did I receive you ask.  :-) 

• Lots of goodies from their (Mist)Able collection.  Goodies such as a stack full of 12x12 paper mistables, mistable tags and my personal favorite a 6x9 wood album with a decorative edge and mistable pages inside.   Oh my! 
• Another stack of 12x12 papers from various lines like Hocus Pocus, Declaration, and Vintage Vogue.
• Wood shop letters and wood images from lines like Nantucket and Snow Days. 
• Buttons, stickers, ribbon and bling from collections such as Vintage Vogue.

I am going to restart my 15 minute Friday ritual in an effort to get these items organized.  The truth is that I haven't organized the goodies I ordered last year from this same sale.  :-(  So my goal is to organize both years before the next warehouse sale.  LOL

Until next time . . . Yoli

Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt

As many of you know I am participating in a summer photo scavenger hunt hosted by Rinda over at Gallo Organico.  She is hosting a linking party this weekend.  So this post is a compilation of the photos I've secured thus far on this hunt.

All of the photographs I've secured thus far were taken during our recent travels to Puerto Rico and Canada.  I like the architectural contrast between the two places.  Puerto Rico with a more traditional Mediterranean style set against Vancouver's more modern flair.   Worked out pretty well if you ask me.  :-)  So let me show you what I have so far.

A border
I took this photograph from inside my car as we waited to cross the US/Canada border.  

A roadside stand
Found this little gem while driving to Vancouver.  Hubby and I ate Mexican food at this roadside lunch wagon.

A train
I miss living in a city with rapid transit!  :-(  We truly enjoyed using the train to get around the city of Vancouver. 

An angel
During our visit to Puerto Rico I visited my brother's grave.  Puerto Rico has several cemeteries with above ground tombs adorned with angels and saints who seem to be carefully watching over those entombed. 

A fountain

A beautiful fountain located in the center plaza in Ponce, Puerto Rico. 

A horse
The last activity we enjoyed before leaving the island was a horseback ride.  We were fortunate enough to be able to ride a much beloved horse on the island, a Paso Fino.  The Paso Fino, which literally translated means fine step, is prized for its smooth four beat, lateral gait.  The Paso Fino is a blend of the Barb, Spanish Jennet and Andalusian horse that was bred by the Spanish land owners during colonial times.

A shadow

I took this photo before I knew about the scavenger hunt.  As the family photographer I am often missing from the shots.  As a way of documenting that I was really there I decided to include my shadow in the photograph.  Now the photo serves two purposes.  :-)

A person playing with a ball

A photo of my son at the driving range at the Palmas del Mar Resort in Puerto Rico.  We had promised him a day at the driving range after he expressed an interest in the game.  Neither his father or I play but we did our best and had fun.  Good thing his Tia Susan has stepped and is teaching him how to play the game.  :-)

A bride

There are two items on the scavenger hunt that I was absolutely certain that I would not be able to find during my travels.   The first of those items is a clothesline and the other is a bride.  So you could imagine my surprise when I found a bride and a groom walking the city streets of Vancouver.  It was delightful treat.  Let's see if I have similar luck with the clothesline.  :-)

A church

Dulce Nombre de Jesus is a Catholic Church located in Caguas, PR.  This church predates the city's founding in 1775.

A swing/hammock

Sharing a very sweet moment with my older brother.  The geographical distance makes it difficult for us to visit each other frequently.  So I cherish those moments that I am able to share with him. 

A picture of you standing with something that symbolizes your nation

In the photo below I am leaning against a garita at El Castillo de San Cristobal located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. El Castillo de San Cristobal is an 18th century citadel. It covers 27 acres and its the largest fortification built by the Spanish in the New World. San Cristobal, along with its sister fort, El Morro, are part of the U.S. National Park Service and an endearing icon to all Puerto Ricans.

Thanks for sticking with me during this long post.  I hope you have enjoyed seeing the pictures I have secured, thus far, on this scavenger hunt. 

As always, thanks for stopping by . . . Yoli