Charles Manson's Hollywood

My newest obsession is podcasts.  I subscribe to so many, but can really only listen to so many each week!  But I will list some of my favorite podcasts and episodes.

A lot of my podcasts are comedy, true crime, movies or history.  Let’s face it, we all love true crime and I didn’t pay attention much in high school history, so it’s educational!

But currently I have just finished listening to “Charles Manson’s Hollywood” on “YouMust Remember This” podcast.  I cannot express how good this series is.

It’s a 12 part series and it really gives A LOT of detail on this story.  I was born after this happened, so I just know the face value info on Charles Manson and what occurred.  This series gave me so much more insight and provided so much detail that I was hooked and couldn’t wait to hear it all!  There were so many different people involved as well and it gives a detailed history on all. 

I give this a 5 star rating and recommend that everyone listen to this.  You will be surprised at all of the background and history.  The creator of this podcast/series does a wonderful job with the research and not leaving anything out.  It's available on ITunes and have included a direct link to the podcast website.

Moral of the story on this:  Drugs are bad M’kay

New start to old blog

I’m going to change up my blog a bit and take it in a more diverse direction.  I really want to focus on those things that I really enjoy and am using this blog to “make” myself do them more. 

I want to read more, watch more documentaries and get my inventory up on my Etsy site so I can earn more!

I have taken an embarrassingly long break from reading.  It’s something I really enjoy, but I have two issues with it.  1) It takes me FOREVER to pick my next book and 2) I don’t take the time to just sit and read anymore.  So this blog is here to help with both.

I will be reading at least one book a month.  That’s not too hard of a goal to reach.  It would be easy to squeeze in another or just start early on the next month if I finish one quickly.  And to help out with the choice of book right now, I am going to read books that either have already become a movie or will become one in the near future.  This ties in my love of movies as well.  And I love seeing how a book is put to life.  See if it’s the same as I pictured in my head.  So far my experience with this has been 50/50.   And of course, the book is ALWAYS better.

I will be doing something I haven’t done before as well, which is go and read a book after I have already seen the movie.  I have not done this before and am not sure if it will hinder my reading experience or just give me faces/places to go with the narrative.  We will see.

So the first book I have read this year was “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.”  It has been said that this will be a movie later this year.

I was intrigued by the cover and thought it would be a spooky ghost story type and dove right in.

The book not spooky at all and did have a little “ghost story’ish” theme, but was a more an interesting read learning about the characters and their history.  It was a very fast read for me and didn’t realize it was a YA book even.  So I passed the book onto my daughter to read as well.  Trying to challenge her more with her chapter books, this should help get her out of the more “easy” chapter books.  But still very easy for her to read and understand.

I have to add that this book is the 1^st of a series and there are 2 other books that follow.  Due to the somewhat cliff hanger on this first book, I’m sure I will read the other 2 eventually.

I’m looking forward to the movie version of this because of all the interesting characters and how they will be brought to life.

Overall, I have given this book a 3 star rating on Goodreads.  It's good, but I wouldn't recommend to adult friends.  But I would really recommend to a YA audience or for those who really enjoy YA books.  You can read more about it here.

Up next:  Room

After all of the Oscar buzz and Brie Larson winning for best actress, this was a no brainer on my next book choice.  I started it last night and I will update on my progress each week.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

MFT268

I will have some new things coming up for my blog.  I will be trying to focus on variety and the theme of my blog of “Mixed Marshall Arts.”  I will be making some posts about movies, books, crafting and much more.  So please keep this in mind and come back soon!

For now here is my latest challenge entry for My Favorite Things.

                                

Products Used

Stamp Set: Time to Celebrate – My Favorite Things

Patterned Paper - DCWV

Paper – Misc on hand

Sketch used was MFT 268

                             

Birthday Boy card

I'm still trying to figure out a good crafting schedule for myself.  I've been busy lately making baby items for 2 sister-n-laws who are having babies.  One new niece was born last Thursday and the other niece will be born next month.  I think I am done with making baby stuff and I can focus on some other stuff - like card making and scrapping!!

Challenges Entered

The Alley Way Stamps - Anything goes (March)

DL. Art - For a Boy or Man

Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards Challenges - For a child

Sister Act Card challenges - Anything goes

The Stamping Boutique - More than 1 layer

Simon Says Stamp - "B is for . . . "  (Birthday Boy)

Products Used

Priceless Joy - The Alley Way Stamps

Sketch used was TSSC #12

"Pin"spired card - Apple Die Cut

Oh My Gosh!  It has been forever since my last post.  It could be a mix of things.  Winter was super long and I kind of lost my crafty "mojo."  And then once school let out and summer came on, we have been so busy.  Oh well.  Eventually, there will be a time when I will be able to sit in my craft room for days on end and craft up a storm.  But until then, I will just be turning out cards every once in a while.  I have been making cards over the last 6 months, I just haven't been putting on my blog!

My card today was inspired by one of my many "Pins."  This is the inspiration card:

 And this is my card:

 Not as clean as I wanted, but I was getting frustrated towards the end.  But in the end, I matched pretty decently.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Products Used

Cricut cut (apple) - CTMH Artbooking p.69

sentiment - rub on (do not know brand)

TAWS - Trees

I am a big fan of The Alley Way Stamps (TAWS).  Their stamps are so my style, but I have yet to actually buy any of their sets (I have been using their digital "freebies").  I don't know why I haven't, so I am hoping that maybe I can win a set or two.  So I have included TAWS onto my "short" list of challenges that I will participate in.  I've got to win one of these times.  But you can't win if you don't play.  So here it goes:

This is the card I created based off of the inspiration photo they provided.  Inside I stamped "Merry Christmas".

Inspiration Photo

I think I did a pretty decent job.  I focused in on the polka dots and not so much the mugs.  Although I struggled pretty hard in trying to get a decent picture.  It's cloudy and rainy here today, so I wasn't able to use the "natural light" that I usually do to get my shots.  I think I may need to create an actual light box so I won't have this issue.  But that takes time away from other "real" work, like making more cards!

Challenges Entered

The Alley Way Stamps - Inspiration Photo

Products Used

Trees (digital stamp) - The Alley Way Stamps

Paper - Polka Dots - Cricut (Provo Craft) Doodlecharms paper pack

Paper – Misc scrap

Gems - Close to My Heart - Epoxy bubbles

Sketch used was Stamping 411 #136

Blue Train

I absolutely LOVE sketches.  I cannot create a card (or scrapbook page) without one.  But there are so many out there and I want to do them all.  But that is overwhelming, so I keep a file (on my computer) of my most favorites and use them as inspiration for the challenges I enter.  That is why you will see me reference many "old" sketches in my posts.  I don't enter any sketch challenges because it puts too much "pressure" on me to use that particular sketch and it hinders my creative mojo.  I know that is weird, but that's my process!

So on to my next challenge.  This is a cute kid card, which I don't have hardly enough of these in my stash.  And I really should have a bunch.  I'm at that age now where I have plenty of nieces and nephews to warrant a large supply!

This card is for the Heart to Heart (H2H) challenge - Seeing Double - and this is my interpretation:

  

Challenges Entered

Heart to Heart Challenges - "Seeing Double"

Products Used

Train stamp - "Little Boys" - Close to My Heart

Paper - Misc unknown, scraps

Sketch used was Mojo Monday #104

Pearfect

It has been a while since my last post.  It's taken me some time to get used to my new full time work schedule, kids & family.  But I think I have finally gotten some sort of rhythm down and can get back to some challenges.  I have narrowed them down to only about 3 that I will consistently enter.  So here is my "back on the wagon" entry for H2H & RCS.

Challenges Entered

Heart to Heart Challenges - Grateful

Red Carpet Challenge - Food theme

Stamps Used
Mayberry - Close to My Heart
Cricut Artiste Collection Word Balloons - Close to My Heart

Sketch used was Freshly Made #2

Colors used was Color Q #1

OWH #01

Keeping up with card making lately has been a challenge.  I got a job, so I won't have as much time to "play around" during the day!!  But I will still try to make at least a couple cards a week and try to enter some challenges.  I really want to win some free stuff!!

Here is what I was able to create.  I stayed true to my goal of going through the OWH sketches.  They are easy to use to get a good stash going.  As I am trying to keep on top of mailing out ACTUAL Birthday cards to people and not just a generic wish on their Facebook page!!

Very basic design and I was able to use the "You're My Type" stamp set from Stampin' Up.  I really love this vintage typewriter. I like that this color scheme is masculine as well.  I need more manly cards in my stash.  They have birthdays too!

Here is the sketch #01

Challenges Entered:

Little Tangles - Use Kraft

Thanks for stopping by!

H2H "Pun Fun"

I am so overwhelmed by all of the fabulous challenge sites out there!  I want to do them all, but do not have that kind of time.  But I still want to challenge myself to create more cards and use all of the great products that I have.  I am a sucker for a great (and easy) sketch to follow, so I have a plan of going through all of the OWH sketches.  They are really basic sketches and they provide sizes!!  Hooray!

Along with using the OWH sketches I will follow the H2H challenges and Red Carpet Studio.  And then I will sprinkle in others if they fit with what I am creating at the time.  It is so hard to go minimal with the challenges, when I want so badly to cram in as many as I can.  But I need to have time to take care of other things, like my family (drag!)  LOL

So here is my start with the OWH sketches.  This one is sketch 116.  My theme of the card goes with the challenge this week for H2H and for Paper Playtime, which is to make a card using a "pun".

I used the stamp set "Howdy" from CTMH, which I borrowed from my very good friend Heather (who is also a CTMH consultant).  It's great to have friends to share stamps with.  That way you have a super abundance of stamps to use and don't have to "buy" them all!

Thanks for checking out my blog and hopefully you will be back to see how I am getting along in my sketch journey!

Challenges Entered:

H2H - Use a pun

Paper Playtime - Use a pun

Hiding in my Craft Room - Anything goes

Simply Create Too - Animals

CAS Birthday

I love being able to use up some "odd" paper.  You know the ones that look cool, but you can't seem to find a way to use them.  So the sketch this week from Seize the Birthday was a perfect way to use up some "special" paper.

I have tried using this paper before, but it was so bold, it "didn't work well with others."  So this CAS sketch was perfect.  The paper was able to be the star of the show and not compete with anything else.  The other challenge this week was for it to be a masculine birthday.  Well I think that black, orange and white seem to be "fairly" masculine!

Sketch from Seize the Birthday #11

Other Challenges Entered:

The Pink Elephant - CAS

The Cat's Pajamas - Black/White + One color

H2H Moustache

This week's challenge at H2H was a true challenge.  They asked for you to use a moustache in your creation.      I know they are all the rage right now, but I have not gotten into them at all.  So I was at a real block on what I was going to do and where am I going to find a moustache?  Well that part was easy, there is a cut file on the new Cricut Artiste cartridge.  So that problem was solved, but now what to do with it?

I surfed the interweb and found a super cute idea from a greeting card company, so I "lifted" the idea and here is what I made!

Not bad I say.  Very basic and simple, but it got the job done!

I left the inside blank for now because I don't know if I want this to be a Halloween card or a birthday card to someone who has a birthday close to Halloween.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies used:

Dreamin' paper pack - paper

Cricut Artiste - moustache

Cricut Art Philosophy - triangles

Other Challenges entered:

CAS-ual Fridays - no stamps

RCS #28

This is my creation for this weeks challenge over at Red Carpet Studios.  The challenge is to create a layout using ribbon.  Easy enough.  I'm pretty basic with my usage of ribbon in my layouts.   I use as accents and not to frilly.

I added the two pieces of ribbon (on the left) to add a little more detail and interest to the page.  These are pictures of my daughter when she was 7 months old!

Thanks for taking the time to look at my creation!

Heart 2 Heart newbie

I have been reading the Heart 2 Heart challenge blog for a while now, but never entered a project.  I like the fact that this is a brand specific challenge, because it will force me to use certain products.  So I thought I would finally enter a project since they are doing a "special" drawing for "newbies."

So here is my stab at one of the challenges for the month:  GO Green

I went pretty literal with the theme and just created something green.

Here is a view of the inside as well.

Products Used:

Be Yourself - stamp set (CTMH)

Happy Birthday - stamp set (CTMH)

Mayberry - paper pack (CTMH)

Art Philosphy - cricut cartridge

Card design based off of sketch from CAS #203

Thanks for stopping by.  I am hoping to keep going with these challenges!!

RCS #27

Well I have been out of the "challenge game" for a while now.  Things got really busy around here and I think I was trying to do too many challenges before.  So now I am going to ease my way back into things.  And I came across a fabulous challenge site that I fell in love with, Red Carpet Studios.  They feature weekly challenges with a "movie" theme.  Well I am a sucker for movies and thought this was right up my alley.

The theme this week is the movie "Leprechaun", and we are to create a card using two shades of green.

The inside sentiment reads "but not your age."

This card was based off of an old sketch from The Sweet Stop sketch challenge #42

Thanks for stopping by!

Rainy Thank You

I have been noticing now that it's spring, a lot of the card challenges are asking for themes of "April Showers" or "Umbrella".  I don't have anything with that even among my Cricut cartridges I wasn't seeing anything that might fit.  But I'm not sure I would buy anything with this theme either.  Anyhow, I do have my trusty box of leftover card fronts just waiting to be "up-cycled" into something new and found this cute little image.  

    Once I got the card together, I had no idea what type of card this would serve purpose for.  Too dark for a Birthday and not cheerful enough for a Get Well.  And I don't have a sister that this might work for either. So I just decided to throw a Thank You on it and call it a day!

Image:  old "Up-cycled" card front
Sentiment:  CTMH "Random Thoughts" set
Clouds:  Going Places cartridge  (1 1/2", 1 3/4")
Raindrops:  stickers
Design:  Unscripted Sketches #152

Challenges Entered:

Unscripted Sketches - Sketch 152

Pollycraft Monday - Water

Charisma Cardz - Chipboard or stickers

Oldie But A Goodie - April Showers

Crafting for All Seasons - April showers

Alphabet Challenge blog - Dry embossing
Pixie Dust Studio - Clouds

Sweet Sunday 155

Image - "Up-cycled" card front

Banner shapes - Art Philosphy, Banner 1 (1 1/2")

Sentiment - Merry Christmas by Recollections

Design - Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge 155

                                          

Challenges Entered:

Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge - Sketch 155

52 Christmas Card Throwdown - anything goes

Craftyhazelnut's Christmas challenge - Sentiment

Christmas Cards All Year Round - Photo inspiration

CAS 184

I love the Clean & Simple sketches!  They are so "simple", and straight to the point.  Plus you can use these sketches over and over and can look different each time!  This sketch is going in "The Book"!  (I keep a binder of favorite "Go To" sketches.)

Stamp is from the "Happy Birthday" set by CTMH.
Flower is a punch
Design is from Clean & Simple sketch 184.

                                                 

Challenges Entered:

Clean & Simple - sketch 184

The Pink Elephant - CAS

ColourQ Challenge - Color challenge 

(Blushing Bride, Peach Parfait, So Saffron, Pear Pizazz, White)

CropStop Challenge - CAS
2 Sisters Challenge blog - Birthday

Spring Hello

Image is an old card front.
Sentiment stamp is from the "Goody-Goody Gumdrops" set from Stampin' Up.
Design is from The Sweet Stop sketch 152.

Challenges Entered:

Sweet Stop Sketch challenge - sketch 152

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Spring

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Spring or Easter

Come and Get it Challenge - Spring

My Time Made Easy - Pretty Pallette #54 (Pink, celery, blue)

Stamptacular Sunday - Pastel colors

Tuesday Throwdown - Pastel colors

Stamping with the Dragon - Spring
The Crafter's Cafe Challenge - Spring w/pastel colors

Easter Bunny

This is a fun Easter Bunny scrapbook page that I did for my son's scrapbook.  Turned out okay.  I got that bunny cut from an old Easter card, I just cut him out and he fit great on the page!  I had that Egg paper forever and knew that I had to fit on an Easter page somehow!  I had to make all the other elements on the page more prominent to make up for the size of the picture I had.  We didn't get very good pictures that day as Andrew was NOT liking the Easter Bunny and my daughter Grace was not that impressed with him either.

Please don't judge me based on the date of the actual event!  I am not a "current" scrapper.  In fact I had those letters cut a long time before I even put the page together.

Challenges Entered:

Totally Papercrafts - Easter

One Stop Craft Challenge - Easter

Incy Wincy Designs - Easter and/or Pastel colors

Love to Create challenge - Bunnies, chicks, or jelly beans

The Stamping Boutique - Pastel colors

My Craft Spot - Easter

Scrappy Moms Stamps - Easter

Craft Us Crazy - Anything but a card

Simply Create Too - Eggs and/or Bunnies
The Paper Shelter - Easter theme
Challenge Me Happy - Anything goes