FIRST SNOWFALL OF 2015 WINTER

     A dusting of snow might have been OK for our first snowfall of this winter, but instead we ended up with at least 9 inches of heavy wet snow.  It also came early in the season, starting Friday night and continuing into early morning.  Irv went out Sat. afternoon with the snowblower which kept getting clogged up with the wet snow.  It was 5 degrees this morning, so we stayed home and fixed breakfast.  Good food served in a cozy kitchen.  Can't beat that.
      The Hawks played their last home football game Sat. and from the looks of the nice green field and the crowds in the stands you would never know that it snowed.  It was an exciting game and once again they came through with a win.  A perfect season so far and let's hope it continues with a win over Nebraska next Friday.  We've had a lot of fun watching the games together this year!
       I took a few pictures of our snowy deck and the back yard just so we wouldn't forget this first snow.
     

VanderVeer Park Conservatory Visit

     While I was out and about today, I stopped at the VanderVeer Park Conservatory and photographed the beautiful mum display.  It will soon be replaced with a lighted floral Christmas display, so check back in a few weeks for another conservatory visit.
     I think the "spider" mums were my favorites, but I enjoyed all of the displays.
         

HALLOWEEN SHADOWBOX

     Another fun Halloween piece that I created using a few found objects, like the skeleton and owl, and numerous Tim Holtz items.  The background of the 6"x6" 7 gypsies shadow box is covered with Regions Beyond paper and the various compartments are filled with ephemera, fragments, and various apothecary vials.  We have really enjoyed this piece displayed on an easel on our dining room table.  I hope you enjoy this piece too.
         

     Thanks for stopping by and I hope you come again.

         

EXPERIMENTING WITH PICASA

More Halloween cards made with the Tim Holtz "Bird Crazy" stamp collection.  So much fun to play with and lots of opportunity to get creative.  Think I've finally gotten things figured out about using Picasa on my iPad along with Blogspot.  Now I just have to remember how to use it the next time I want to blog. LOL

TRICK OR TREAT

I don't post very often, so it always seems like a new learning experience and I'm never quite sure how things will turn out.  kind of like Trick or Treat!  I made a couple of Halloween cards with the Tim Holtz "Bird Crazy" stamp collection for a niece and nephew in California.  They were fun to make and I hope the kids enjoy them.  I hope you enjoy them too.

     

TIM'S OCTOBER TAG

     Guess it's about time that I blog about my October tag since it's all about Halloween.  I didn't have any of the new monster dies, so I used the skull with a top hat stamp from the Tim Holtz "Undertaker" collection which I colored with Distress Ink.  I cut out the eyes and layered them with glittery black card stock.  I also used the same card stock for the top hat and highlighted it it with my white Molotow pen.    The tag was covered with a scrap of Regions Beyond paper which just happened to have Poe in the top corner, which I thought was pretty cool.  I also used a piece of Halloween ribbon and attached a skull charm to the hat.  I plan to enter this on the Tim Holtz website at  www.timholtz.com

      

NIGHT AT THE CIRCUS

     I can't believe I let August slip by without posting anything.  I must try to do better during September.  Every Labor Day weekend the "Biggest Show on Earth" comes to our area.  Ringling Brothers & Baily sets up at the Iwireless Center in Moline IL for multiple performances, and last night was the fourth time we have enjoyed the beautiful animals and daring performances of the acrobats and other cast members.  I especially wanted to see the show this year, because I've heard that it's the last year that elephants will be part of the circus.  So sad, but PETA has won.  

     Taking pictures was a challenge because of flashing bright lights and all of the movement, but I am posting a picture of the colorful entryway and one of the elephants.  

        

   

          

     Attending the circus was our way of observing Labor Day.  Just taking it easy today and staying where it's cool as it's supposed to be in the low 90's again today.  It's been a warm September so far. Thanks for stopping by.