Month: March 2025

Wide Open Wednesday | Day 18 of my 100DayProject

100DayProject – Day 18

No progress to report on my 100DayProject although I might try to sneak in a wee bit of work on it before going to bed. But it is 10:10 as I write this because I’m just back from book club where we celebrated pi day a bit early. We enjoyed quiche, chicken pot pie, apple pie and a berry pie. I wish we had had a family tradition of having a pie meal on pi day every year. Heidi was mentioned that she never gets to celebrate pi day with her math students because it falls on March Break so I think she’ll be happy if we develop a new family pie on pi day tradition.

It’s now10:47 and I did take about 10 minutes (or was it more?) to try out the Garden Delights stamp set. I just realized that there is actually a few more small stamp layers to fill in the centre of the flowers but that will have to wait until tomorrow to add it. I haven’t decided if I’ll go for the darker two shades of green or for the lighter 2. And I haven’t decided if I’ll do a mix of the two types of flowers or just the one type. I’m leaning towards just using one for simplicity, although I think I will include some of the second variety of leaves. Tomorrow’s 8:00 swim is now in as much jeapordy as my Tuesday one (which I skipped). Fingers crossed I get up when my alarm goes off at 7:00 despite me being so poor at adjusting to the time change.

It’s beginning to look a lot like I’ve at least started my Card 10!
This is definitely not a card that I’ve made, but rather it is thefeatured project for my Altenew All About Layer 4 Class 4 which I will be using as my design inspiration for my Card 10 of my 100DayProject. I had better pick up the pace since it is now Day 18

I received my Advent Calendar on December 6 and did the first card on December 9th. While I’m currently only batting 500 on my 100DayProject, I am making much faster progress on my daily Altenew card quest than I had on my daily Advent Calendar quest.

Wide Open Wednesday

It took me until the turn around point of this mornings walk for me to decide my theme for today. The stream was finally wide open after having been covered in snow and ice for many months. It was also a theme quite consistent with a thought after I set out when I figured out why the toes of my socks were wet: while they weren’t wide open, there was certainly an opening in the toes of my boots where the soles meets the upper part.

On my way back home I considered what I would do if I had a wide open day. It’s definitely a good thing to think about every once in a while. How much of the things you do every day would you want to include if you started your day with no routine or any commitments? If your ideal wide open day would vary tremendously from your typical day I think its definitely time to start thinking about making some small tweaks each week to better align your typical day with your ideal day.

I definitely had a good day. I enlisted Heidi’s help in tackling the disasterous kitchen rather than just doing it myself. There is still lots more disaster areas to tackle on the main floor, but somehow the kitchen always takes priority and all of my energy. Having some help is less draining for sure. It’s not what she was planning for the middle day of her March Break I’m sure. Here’s to hoping I can tackle some my disasterous desk in the family room tomorrow. I had a crafternoon at the Dementia Society with 2 of my Crafty Crew volunteers and we got a very good start on making 2 sets of cards. I decided that I really like the two cards I made with the Spellbinders Advent Calendar bee dies (back on January 5 and February 21 which were doors 6 and door 18) so we’re making them for my online class to do.


I liked the Spellbinders Advent Calendar card featuring the sequins from door 18 along with the bee die from door 6 that I’m making card kits featuring this design for my Dementia Society class.
I liked the Spellbinders Advent Calendar card featuring the bee die from door 6 that I’m making card kits featuring this design for my Dementia Society class.

Tired on Tuesday | 100DayProject Day 17 | Cards 8 & 9

100DayProject Day 17 (Cards 8 and 9)

I definitely wasn’t highly productive today, but did finally finish my card 8 as well as started and finished card 9. I am definitely behind on making cards but hopefully I’ll be able to pick up the pace now that I’m not as busy working to get card kits ready for delivery.

Card 8 – So Very Thankful

After I showed my coloured image to my online cardmaking class along with the blending brush and stencil I used, it turns out I left the brush on my image and got a dark splotch on the image. I solved that problem by covering it with the sentiment. I wasn’t sure if I wanted the sentiment cut right along the silver or with a white matting so I took photos of both. While I settled on the one that without the white matting, I think I am going to change it to the one with the white matting. Other than wishing I had made a turquoise or lighter blue centre of the yellow flower, I am pretty happy with how this card came out. It would have been nicer if I had used clear embossing powder on the silver ink, or used silver embossing powder on versamark ink for the background and the sentiment.

Design Inspiration for Card 8: Altenew All About Layering 4 Lesson 2

Card 9 – Thank You

Card 9 – Altenew All About Layering 4 Lesson 3

I really enjoyed experimenting with making a watercolour wash for the card front. I have several extras that I can use on future card fronts. My gradients weren’t quite as extreme as on the sample card. I opted to use a different focal point thank you stamp from the thank you stamp that I used for behind the flower cluster. I liked the addition of the jewels in the centre of each of the flowers. I will continue to experiment with created watercolour backgrounds.

I enjoyed trying to make some gradient water colour background with some different media.
I like the addition of some jewels in the centres of the flowers
The design inpiration for Card 9 from Altenew All About Layering 4 Lesson 3

Tired on Tuesday

In theory I was supposed to swim this morning at 8:00 before my 10:30 online cardmaking class. But I was tired and slept in. Somehow the time change affects me more and more each year. While I love the extra sunlight in the evening, I’m not particularly fond of the darker mornings. Since my swimming buddy is away, I let myself get away without going to the pool. But it was a lovely morning for a longer walk with Roland and Luna. Then I delivered the last 3 card kits. Later in the day I packaged up the kit that goes to the UK so I can bring it to the post office when I am out and about tomorrow.

It’s 9:00 and I’m tired. I’m trying to get this blog post done but seem to be running into technical issues with getting my photos uploaded properly. And I’m tired. So I’m going to post as is and try to update the post later to add more details as well as photos. It’s now 9:23 and I managed to get a few photos uploaded. And I’m now overtired. And heading to bed.

Mail It Monday | 100DayProject Day 16

100DayProject Day 16 (Card 8 in progress)

Card 8 in progress: I got one of three layers ink blended. I hope to finish this card tomorrow.

Creative Treats Club

The card making at Card Crew went very well this afternoon. We had 3 ladies living with Dementia in attendance today plus a volunteer and a caregiver as well as the caregiver’s daughter who happens to be off on March Break. I’m including a sample of one of the cards that was made. I meant to take photos of all of the cards that they made but forgot. Other than the diecutting of the ‘zero waste’ flower/leaf die, the participants (with a bit of help from others) did all of the steps of making the cards themselves including stamping (using a MISTI) stamping platform, stamping using traditional wood-mounted rubber stamps, ink blending and cutting out sentiments. It was very helpful to have adhesive-backed cardstock to die cut – it made the cards much simpler to put together for the participants than if they had had to use glue. I am hoping to buy some more adhesive-backed cardstock since it is really a great option for participants living with Dementia. We peeled the backing off for them, but they were easily able to place their flowers and leaves. I had everyone use some wood-mounted alphabet stamps at the beginning of class to make name cards. I plan to do that every class to get the participants more familiar with the process of stamping. I think it is easier to have them use wood-mounted stamps rather than using acrylic blocks and photopolymer stamps.

A few days ago I put together a card using a left over kit from a few years ago. Heidi had asked for a congrats card for a supply teacher who was leaving because she got a permanent job at another school. This one was from one of the kits that Vicki had put together. It’s such a nice card. In fact, Vicki has designed (and made kits for) so many great cards. I need to get all the old extras sorted out in a better way and dig out the instruction sheets for them so that I can bring them to future Card Crew classes so that the participants can assemble them. This one I’ll keep in my stash to eventually mail out because Heidi opted to use one of the 2 ‘adventure awaits’ cards that I made as part of my Spellbinders Advent Calendar project – I love how the cat is holding the suitcase by its tail while getting lifted up by a hot air balloon. I’ve included a photo of it in my Mail It Monday section because it is a card that got out of our house into the hands of a well-deserving recipient.

I made this for Heidi but she didn’t use it. I realized that I actually have to send a Congratulations card so I’ll actually consider this part of this week’s ‘Mail it Monday’ collection, too!
I think this card that I made as part of the Spellbinders Advent Calendar project was a perfect ‘congratualtions’ card for Heidi to give to her supply teacher colleague that was leaving because she got a permanent position.

Mail It Monday

I am trying to get back into a routine of actually sending out the cards that I make rather than collecting them. So it seems appropriate for today to be a ‘Mail it Monday’. I will include some photos of the cards that I have mailed out recently. I haven’t yet written one for today. I am leaning more towards trying to work on my Card 8 than sending out a card.

These were cards that we made last week in my Dementia Society card making classes. My Crafty Crew had helped me to put together these ktis and did the ink blending and penguin colouring. I also made this design in the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Arts for All class that I did in December; since it was an in-person class those participants did their own ink blending and colouring. And, the most fun of all, was making this card with six 10-year-olds at a Christmas party. They all did a great job ink blending the backgrounds and colouring in the penguins.
I have quite a collection of these valentine’s cards to send out belatedly. One down, many to go! I made cards very similar to this design about a month ago in my Dementia Society Card Crew class. The participants had a lot of fun punching out a whole bunch of hearts as well as doing the stamping of some hearts and sentiment(s) before adhering the hearts.
I really love how this card turned out. It was one that I designed for my card making classes with The Dementia Society.
They are a bit hard to see amongst the dark water, but there are lots of ducks in this shallow part of the pond, perhaps nesting?

It was certainly a gorgeous morning to be out walking Luna in the forest. It was magical with all of the snow still stuck onto the trees. I am pretty sure that the ducks are trying to pick their nesting spots because there are a lot more of them hanging around the shallow section of the pond than their usual spot in a deeper section of the pond. I am so thankful to have a beautiful conservation area along the river so close to our house. And for having a dog to get me walking down there on a very regular basis.

Struggle versus Satisfaction – 100DayProject Day 15 – Card 8

100DayProject Day 15 – Card 8

I am already very late for bed and haven’t done a thing on my 100DayProject yet today. I didn’t even get to colour just one layer on the flowers that I will be using on Card 8. And tomorrow is looking pretty full as well. But fingers crossed I will make a bit of progress tomorrow.

Struggle versus Satisfaction

As I walked Luna in this morning, I pondered the sight and sounds that we can soak in when we walk in silence. I go through phases of listening to podcasts on my walk or not listening to anything. Lately I have been preferring the silence. This allows me to better appreciate the sounds and the sights of the forest as I walk: the crunch and squeaking of my boots on the snow and the ice, the variety of bird calls, the ducks moving about, likely trying to figure out their nesting sites, the jingle of Luna’s tags as she rolls around on the ground making snow angels. The surface is back to getting icy again. I was reminded how the pressure of our footsteps can transform a grippy snowy surface into a slippery, icy surface, especially when there is the addition of warmer temperatures and/or bright sunshine. I thought of how beautiful diamonds are created only from being under tremendous pressure. Which led me to thinking about the pressure I’m feeling because I don’t yet have my kits together.

I am struggling a bit with being side-tracked rather than staying focused. I’m working (or not) through the struggle of reestablishing habits, sometimes sticking with the habit and sometimes skipping a day (or more). I’m reminded of a saying I recently heard about it being easy to do hard things but hard to do easy things. Why is that? Perhaps its because we get more satisfaction from the struggle of doing hard things that we get from doing easy things.

So, I’m recommitting myself to my habits. I’m recommitting myself to the struggle of getting my kits ready and delivered today. So, enough writing, it’s time to tackle today’s tasks.

Now a few words at 10:45 p.m. just before I post this: Phew, I did finish the card kits. Now I just have to get them delivered tomorrow so my Creative Cards and Crafts program participants will have their kits in time for Tuesday morning’s 10:30 online class. My one participant who is in the UK will get her kits late as usual. I need to get them packaged up into an envelope and dropped off at the post office.

I am feeling quite happy and satisfied that I completed the task after quite a bit of struggle (and a lot of time!). It is so nice that they’ll have the supplies they need for 5 upcoming classes. That just leaves 6 more classes that need to be prepared before I take July and August off. Hopefully I can have all 6 kits created and ready to deliver by Monday 5 May. And, more importantly, I know that on Tuesday morning when I am leading the class, I will feel even more satisfaction that I always take the time to make and deliver the kits. Because we always have such a fun time connecting while we create.

I don’t yet have anything figured out for tomorrow afternoon’s in-person Card Crew session which starts at 1:00, but I’ll figure that out tomorrow morning after Pickleball.

And it’s now 11:45 and I’m still up. But, I did get an email off to the program coordinators at the Dementia Society to let them know of the classes that I’ll need to reschedule since I’ll be away for a few weeks in May. Why does something that I feel should take 5-10 minutes take 50-60 minutes. Schedule and logistics changes always take me much longer than I’d like, that’s probably why I put them off – because I know they never take just a few minutes as I would hope.

Saturday Semantics – 100DayProject Day 14

100DayProject Day 14 (working on AECP Card 8)

I didn’t make very much progress on my card 8 (Class 2 of All About Layering 4). Maybe I’ll have some time tomorrow after I finish my kits. I did emboss the flowers but still need to ink blend them to add colour. And I stamped the envelope as well as the back and inner layer of the card so that’s done. I’ll include a copy of the sample card from class that I’m basing my design from. I like how there is a higher tulip so I picked my Altenew set that has a bouquet that somewhat has a higher element. The texture in the embossing folder is amazing. I’ve included a sample of the colour blending I did on the embossed image for the recent ‘ you have been on my mind’ card that I finished on Day 8 (Card 4).

I opted to use silver ink instead of the grey colour that was used for the background in the All About Layering 4 Class 2 card that I’m using as design inspiration. I think the background stamp as well as the sentiment would have looked even better if I had heat embossed them with clear embossing powder ontop of the silver ink.
These are the the stencils that I’ll use tomorrow to magically colour in the flowers made by the embossing folder.
Look at the amazing texture that the embossing folder from the Lush Garden Craft Your Life Project Kit provides. Amazing!
I’ll pick different colours from the ones I used for Card 4 that I made using the same embossing folder as I will be using for Card 8
The design inspiration from Altenew All About Layering 4 Lesson 2

Saturday Semantics – 100DayProject Day 14

Different words have different meanings. And sometimes the context matters.

Sometimes we don’t know what a word means in a certain context.

Today we are going to play in a curling Bonspiel. So I have been learning what some words mean in the curling context. We had to look up what an in-turn and an out-turn means. And it means something different for a right-handed than an left-handed curler. For a right-handed curler a rock released with an in-turn spins clockwise and an out-turn spins counter-clockwise. I’m mathcing the ‘ou’ in ‘out’ to the ‘ou’ in ‘counter’ to help me remember. Curlers used to start with the handle of the rock at 12:00. And then would turn it out to 2:00 for a clockwise spin and an in to 10:00 for a counterclockwise spin. So back then the terminolog made sense. Now they teach us to start at 10:00 or 2:00 and turn it to 12:00 so the naming of in-turn and out-turn doesn’t make as much sense. So I think of it as starting with my thumb turned out or in.

The real reason that I was thinking about semantics is someone had recently said something about nice and kind not being the same thing. Which is very true, but I hadn’t actually thought about the the difference betweeen the words and use them somewhat interchangeably in the past. While being nice is a good thing, I think the more important quality is actually to be kind. And I am going to do a better job of properly attributing kindness rather than just niceness to people who are actually kind. I was happy for the help of ChatGPT after my walk this morning to help me concisely understand the differences between the two: Kind refers to a deeper quality of being considerate, compassionate and caring. A kind person genuinely want to help others and acts out of goodwill. Nice is more about being polite, pleasant and agreeable. A nice person behaves in a way that is socially acceptable and friendly, but doens’t necessarily mean that they are deeply caring. Someone can be nice without being truly kind (e.g., being polite but indifferent) and someone can be kind without always being nice (e.g., giving honest but tough advice for someone’s benefit).

In the speech I gave at mom’s Celebration of Life on the 8th February, I spoke about people being nice. And about my mom being nice. And about her being so much more than nice. About her being kind, thoughtful, strong, campable, caring, determined, stubborn, supporting, loving and fun-loving. It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a month since her Celebration of Life and two months since she passed away. I realize now that when I referred to people being nice, I really meant to say that they are so much more than nice. I meant to say that they are kind. I was so lucky to have one of the kindest people I know for my mom. And I am also incredibly lucky to have so many other kind people in my life.

ChatGTP has also helped me figure out some Canadian sources for licorice tea. I discovered that I like that type of tea about a year ago and recently, like many Canadians am trying to find non-US suppliers for some of our favourite products. I’m looking for a new bike, likely a gravel bike to be able to ride the gravel roads near our cottage. I was at at bike show on Friday night and was very happy with the information and guidance that a Bushtukah representative gave us, but I realized that they only carry bikes from US companies. A small local (Arnprior-based) company was at the show as well and makes custom bikes so that may end up being who I buy a new bike from. I think I’ll get ChatGPT to help me with my bike supplier research. ChatGPT helped me to understand some of the main historical stages of International Women’s Day. I was very glad that a friend had several women over tonight for dinner to celebrate IWD together. Enough random thoughts. Time to head to bed. I didn’t finish my kits and must definitely get them done tomorrow.