Tim Holtz is here!

Well, not at my house exactly but at nine this morning, we'll all be attentively sitting in the design studio at Ruban Rouge hanging on his every word. To me, he is simply the maestro of inks and, those of you faithful readers of my blog, know how near and dear to my crafting are inks.

Gerri-anne and Barb got in yesterday evening and the four of us headed out to Rusty Bellies Restaurant on the Anclote River at the end of the Sponge Docks. We couldn't get an outside table like we wanted which was to our benefit. It poured about ten minutes after we arrived. G-a treated us to a wonderful supper and we all had a nice glass of vino out by the pool.

We'll be meeting up with some of the Hilltop Gals (Michele, Linda, Elle and, of course, the Kipster who is spending the night. It will be a hot time in the old town tonight.

More later...

Pretty scary...........

When we lived in Ft. Myers, I would decorate the whole screened in front porch for Halloween with the pumpkin lights all around the eaves. Our ghosties would dance in the front yard and we'd have some fun when the kids came trick or treating. Our house is different here and we've made some changes. I hung one strand of the pumpkin lights inside my shuttered windows in the work room, a second strand hangs around our Witchy Woman (whom we have had since St. Louis)and, one of the lights is on the front porch. Our ghosties still dance in the wind and we've had some neighbors stop to look. I can't find my Halloween wreath since we've moved but I am sure it will turn up eventually along with the several other things I seem to be missing. This is such a fun holiday....enjoy!

Only 29 days until Halloween

and it is getting pretty scary looking around our house. We have our dancing ghosties up in the front yard, the jack 0 lantern lights in my window facing the street, and the witch is on the front porch lit with still more jack o lantern lights.

But the crowning glory this year has been the new addition: my labor of love...my haunted house. Kip and I bought some paper mache houses at Hobby Lobby on our way to Winter Retreat last year. I fell in love with the houses and had Jayne pick me up the biggest one they make. My "haunted house" is almost a foot tall and nine inches on the sides. I used a variety of papers and stickers and the roof is actually some metal sheeting by Provo Craft that I cut to fit (with a little help from E). Inside the house I placed 2 battery operated flickering candles to produce an undulating backdrop to the images on the windows. I've had such fun with this. Hope you enjoy it too.

It is Tues...one step closer to Friday

I can not wait to get my paws on this November Bountiful Harvest kit from Creative Scrap Shack (www.creativescrapshack.com). I hope the image of all the amazing goodies packed into this kit can be clearly viewed. I have tons of pictures from our fall trips back to St. Louis still to scrap and this kit is just perfect for this. You can order yours through the link. Don't dally too long...these go fast.


A second kit you won't want to miss is Di's new one for Hang Ten Paper Arts. You can get a sneak at it at www.hilltopmemories. Di always comes up with the cutest projects for the Hang Ten kits and is one amazing designer. Hang Ten also has a surprise announcement coming up soon!

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We finally ate a Louis Pappa's restaurant. Everyone we've met has asked us about this when we tell them we are from Tarpon Springs. But, there is no longer a restaurant here in Tarpon, only the corporate headquarters. And wow....it is amazing food and we will go back for sure. The Greek Sangria is to die for!

I just realized I have something booked for every weekend this next month.

I'll put them all on my side bar. Have a great day!

Happy First of October

The MS crop was lots of fun and my class went well, despite the 'hecklers'...you know who you are you funny girls! I got my circle journal completed along with lots of other projects and layouts which I will post later. I handed this off to Lisa L from Kit N Kaboodle and am awaiting mine from another member. There are only 8 or 9 of us in this so it is not going to be like the time I was getting a CJ every two weeks! I decided to make mine a "true daily double"/a true CIRCLE journal and used the 8x8 chipboard circles from Rusty Pickle. My theme is Women and the Hats they Wear. I have used this theme in a CJ before with such wonderful results and the women in this CJ group are so talented, I can't wait to see how this goes. The "hats" in my CJ are the jobs and roles we take upon ourselves as women. I asked each member of the CJ group to pick one of her "hats" and use two facing circles to explore this. I wanted the journal to be rich and lovely so selected a vintage look to my entry. My grandmother worked in a hat factory before she married and never left the house w/o one. I wanted some of this heritage reflected in my CJ. The last photo of this lot is where everyone signs in. I'll replace the large O ring with some hand dyed silk French ribbons I have in my stash when I get the journal back. It is easier with the ring for the participants to remove the panels they need.

The last pics are my scrap area at the MS crop. Jackie did an incredible job with this event! Bravo! It is a wonder with all the 'scrap crap' I took, that I had any space in which to create....but I did and had such a fun time.

I know that Kip has more pics on her blog so I am off to take a gander. Want to join me? I'll buy the coffee!

Kip's Room

When my friend, the Kipster, first visited us in our new home here in Tarpon Springs, she announced to one and all that the guest room is hers! Now this has become a huge joke as she has yet to sleep in "her" room here though she has spent the night several times since we have moved in. Janet beat her to the first night's claim when she spent the night here before leaving to rejoin her honey and family in Pennsylvania early in our move. Then came Jayne who flew in for the Girls' Weekend and a convention she was attending in St. Pete and then my niece, her husband and daughter stayed in "Kip's Room". My business partner, Di, was the next to enjoy the room while Kip slept on the couch, AGAIN! lol

But, this has all changed. Kip has finally slept (and is still sleeping) in her room! And here she is from last night ready to head in...she made a bling-y sign that proudly proclaims "KIP'S f---ing ROOM" That is our Kipper!


The crop was fun and I really enjoyed the Kip N Kaboodle class. Lots of pretty papers and we received enough product to do several layouts. My class is tonight and the enrollment has risen (thank heavens). I set up a display for Hang Ten with several of our past kits complete with grass edging and our Hang Ten Surf board pillow...fun! I'll take a pic today.

I entered a silent auction for a Graphics with BlueTooth and the bids are up to 55.00. There is only one other person bidding for it and I think he works or is staying in the hotel but I have staying power and will hover over the bid card on Sunday before the final bell. I have been drooling over this device since I first saw it advertised in a scrap mag.

Barb and I stayed up until almost 3 am last night visiting and correcting the wrongs of the world (lol). This is unheard of for me and I may be dragging a bit later on . Both Barb and Kip are still abed and E has taken off with a full van to sell at the kid's garage sale.

Have a great day all!

Walking the causeway at Howard Park

In order to keep our 6 day a week morning walk from being routine and boring, we've decided to have a walking adventure at least once a week. Yesterday morning, we put the top down on "Hot Mama", our new car and headed through Tarpon Springs to a lovely park. We drove through the wooded part of the park, over the cause way to the beach and then walked the cause way back to the entrance and then back to the beach. I wish you could have been with us! The view, the tang of the salt off the Gulf, the breeze through the palms, the love bugs...oh, yes! The love bugs are back but kept themselves to the two bridge passes, thank heavens.

We even saw about a four foot sand shark cruising for his/her breakfast along the shallows. The cause way side of the island was filled with birds walking the muddy flats left by the out going tide in search of a bite to eat. The beach side was just starting to get the last of the summer visitors or perhaps they were early seasonals.

What a great way to start our day!

This evening starts the MS Crop in Oldsmar. I'll take the Hang Ten stuff over around 4 and set up a 'tropical' booth with a display of our kits. Can't wait to see Miss Linda, Elle, Kip, Mary Mary (you are coming arn't you, pal?)and all the other wild women of the HIlltop Memories group. And then my friend, Barb, will be getting in with her dd, Gerri-anne and her pals, Lisa and G-a's next door neighbor. It will be good to see the Kit N Kaboodle gang again too.

If this blog doesn't change tomorrow, it is because Kip, Barb and I stayed up to late tonight talking by the pool after the crop and slept in a bit tomorrow. I will post with pictures from the gang as soon as I can.

Have a great one...

"What I did on my Summer Vacation"

These are just a few of the pages from the 8x8 album class I am teaching at the MS Crop here in the Tampa area this weekend. The album has 2 Deco Boardz by Junitz as the covers and uses the Crate Paper Zoom line.

This album is great for kids as a memory keeper for the family vacation or also for adults with a sense of humor who remember the dreaded back-to-school essay, "What I did on my Summer Vacation". I promise, this project is far more fun! If you are interested in a kit should I have any left after this coming weekend, please e-mail me at eeickmeier@hotmail.com

And Lauderdale Gals, I've got yours put to one side!

This is a Hang Ten Paper Arts project!

Busy morning

1. return printer...too big to be portable
2. pick up van from the repair shop
3. take donations to library
4. take bike to fix it shop for tire replacement and tune up
5. finish writing and printing directions for the MS crop class
5. finish running the titles for the mini album
6. PLAY!

Will post pics of the MS crop class "What I did on my Summer Vacation" later on today. Any that do not sell or are used in class will be available for purchase via my e-mail.

Back later, gator!


p.s. Anyone else "moon stuck"? The light from the full moon washing through my bedroom window woke me a 3:30 a.m. so I sat on the lanai and watched it for a bit. Lovely...I think I like being "moon struck"!

Haunted House

In between getting ready for my class for the MS Crop this weekend in Oldsmar, I've been playing with an idea I got talking with Kip in one of our classes at Creative Escape. I happen to have a couple of paper mache houses that I had planned to alter for fun and am in the process of turning the largest of my collection into a haunted house. This is a work in progress but I'd really like to have it done by Creep Over Retreat to put in our room.

Perhaps this dangling carrot will inspire me to get my directions typed and the pictures taken and run for this weekend's class. I would far rather get up in front of lots of gals and teach than to write these out. Maybe it is my far too many years of teaching writing that has made me dislike this process or the fact I am far better telling and showing than I am writing them out. Whatever it is, I've been procrastinating as usual in regards to these.


So, I've made myself a deal: if I get the directions done today, I can play with the haunted house tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Monday Monday

Having been a long (and I mean looooooong) time fan of Bob Dylan, and a big fan of Creative Scrap Shack, I could not resist snagging this from Chris' blog! Hope you don't mind pal.


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Garage Sale is over

and I am not only brain dead but tired, sweaty and have a huge headache. We did sell close to 200.00 worth of things and got rid of some big items. E will take a few boxes to Kristen's next weekend while I am at the MS crop and see if he can move some more and then, depending on the items, make a run past Goodwill on his way home.

Shame I don't offer beginner Scrap classes out of my home because I sold a bunch of the papers and embellishments I had in my stash! I still have the big red Sizzix machine left with a Sizlets Stencil die, a set of alpha bars and some assorted dies left. I'll save all this stuff for when an lss in the area has a garage sale. If interested, let me know via e-mail (eeickmeier@comcast.net).

I'm off to award a couple of prizes at Creative Scrap Shack for a mini contest/challenge I did last week for Talk Like a Pirate Day...best eye patch and best picture of a pirate. That was sure a fun day!

Off to get a cold brewski and float in the pool. Love to all

Afternoon from Paradise

E is watching football and, as soon as I finish organizing my blue cardstock, I'll be scrapping the rest of the afternoon. I have a secret surprise I am working on for the gals at Creative Scrap Shack and can't wait to get this Trick or Treat started!

The rain held off until around 12:30 and our last customer of the day bought all my scrap cabinets from Target...yeah! Our stereo system went early as did the lamp and lots of other biggie items. We cleared about 165.00 today and hopefully can get more sold tomorrow. It was slow and I am thinking it might have been the weather. Our neighbors all came by and bought things and we got to meet some we had not met before which was so nice.

The kids did not fare as well only netting 10$ and that was after they got themselves breakfast at Mickey D's (or was that before?)lol. Anyway, they live on a better traveled street than ours and may have a yard sale next weekend to sell anything that does not go tomorrow. E may take some of our left overs there after he drops me off at the MS crop. I'll save any scrap crap (as E is wont to call it) for a garage sale at one of the lss near here.

Off to scrap! Have a good one.

Good Friday eve to all

I've been a crazed woman lately. I've gotten so much accomplished the past 3 days it is unreal. I am not sure if it is the walking every morning or the high blood pressure pills kicking in finally, but I am not going to mess with whatever it is.

Took my new car, Hot Mama, out for a spin this afternoon, top down, wind blowing through my 'needs to be cut' hair. First stop, hair salon to make a cut appointment and then on to the library for some good reading or, at least I hope so. I ran by TJ Maxx but didn't see anything to tempt me and finally to the drug store for the pb reading. It is down from 156/96 (the day I went to the dr.) to 135/45. YEAH! I am out of the "you are going to stroke out any minute" category on the machine!


We are already for the garage sale and the purging here in the work room inspired me to organize. I was so tired of not being able to find what I needed when I needed it. It is bad enough that Harry Jr., our new computer, is still not up and usable (well, it is but it won't accept my scanners, printers, etc), but to lose my scissors and cutter was the last straw.

I've redone all my card stock, my Prima (and other)flowers, my altered items shelf, my Xyrons, all my patterned papers, my storage bins, and ribbons, inks and etc. are yet to come. I probably won't want to make any messes when I am done...lol.

The kids are due for supper around 6 having dropped off one load of their things for the garage sale already. It will be good to get this sale behind us.

Have a great evening and what about Survivor? I think that tribe made a huge mistake sending chicken home and keeping that whiney pro wrestler. JMHO.

Oh what a beautiful morning...

It is such a lovely day here in Paradise with a promise of rain for the afternoon. Guess that means the yard work will have to wait and I can scrap the afternoon away in bliss.

We started off our walk with the best of intentions this morning heading up to Home Depot about 2.5 miles from our house. We only got as far as Alt. 19 and turned back. We were swarmed by skeeters and E has the welts to prove it. He is much sweeter than I am and the bugs always go for him first and hover the longest. And, of course, we did not spray with Deep Woods Off nor coat ourselves in Avon's Skin So New. We ended up doing our half hour but around the neighborhood. E will head up to Home Depot after breakfast. We need some paint for our yard sale signs and bug spray for some of the bushes in the front yard.

I finished my projects for the Reveal at the Creative Scrap Shack. I loved working with the kit for October! (www.creativescrapshack.com) Can't wait to post these as they were such fun to create.

Jackie's Crop for MS is the weekend after this one (see side bar on left for link)and boy is this going to be a great crop. She has so many donations from such wonderful companies, too many to mention here. My all time favorite, Cosmo Cricket, came through with lots of fun stuff for the silent auctions etc. Hang Ten Paper Arts had some donations as well. This is a worth while event and Jackie has worked very hard to make it a success. Bravo Jackie!

Off to finish sorting my chipboard. I've been throwing shapes, alphas etc. higgly piggly into two drawers and I can't find anything. As long as I am sorting for the garage sale, I might as well go drawer by drawer, right?

Have a great one!

Morning Mates...guess what day it is?

I've always wanted to be a Pirate. I think the call of the seas, the quest for adventure, the dream of buried treasure and watching Peter Pan several times too many offer a reasonable explanation for my desire.

Last year, Ft. Myers Beach had it's first Pirate Festival, complete with a treasure hunt and imported pirates. I know that Clearwater has had had Pirates' Festival for years complete with formally organized pirate crews similar to those in New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration. Since Captiva Island has a history of being a Pirates' Get-a-Way, it seemed only fitting the celebration commence.

As you can see, my sister and I each snagged a handsome specimen of a pirate (cough cough)and the crew I got a picture of was in all their splendor. Unfortunately, the renowned Captain Jack Sparrow made not a single appearance the entire day.

Speaking of Johnny Depp, I believe the resurgence of interest in pirate lore and reenactments is due somewhat to the popularity of the movies. I had lots of fun when I googled "Talk like a pirate" and found games for all ages, something that would turn this post into pirate language for me and even a pirate name generator. My pirate name, by the way, is Mad Dog Bonney...fitting, wouldn't you say?

So, to all the worthy pirates out there who read this may ye days at sea be calm, may ye treasure chests be full of plunder and may ye rum keg never run dry. Enjoy your day and Arrgggggggg to ye all.

Rubber Suit Girls Rule!

My friend, Roz, sent me this very cute little diver with her wet suit, flippers and mask to commemorate our first meeting. We both attended Ginni's Paradise Found crop along with an assortment of other scrappers. There was a fun place for the weekend with a pool and a fantastic view of the Homassasses River (which I am sure I have spelled incorrectly).

Several of us decided to go on a side trip so we could Swim with the Manatee. It was an incredible experience and I've scrapped several layouts about it. The most amazing thing, in my opinion, is how stunned (er, ah stunning) we middle aged women looked in our black wet suits. Anyone who tells you that black is always so slenderizing was obviously not one of our group that day! We declared ourselves the wonderful, amazing Rubber Suit Girls...long shall we rule over the river! lol

Many thanks to Roz. I'll name the cutie and she shall have a place of honor in my scrap room where I can see her. She sure brings back some great memories of that fun experience!

RIP Harry

Yes, is sad but true...parts of Harry, my big computer whom I had a love/hate relationship with for the past almost 7 years, have died a noble death. Rather than trying to replace those non-functioning parts, Rob (one of the two members of "Mom's Personal Geek Squad") has decided we would be better off just getting a new computer. He says he will be able to put the two hard drives into the new one so I guess Harry is going to be resurrected of . Not quite the old Harry but not another totally new one either...more like Harry 1 1/2. lol

Off for our morning walk and am pleased to announce I have lost 5 1/2 lbs so far and E has lost a bit more. When we get home, we're pricing items for the garage sale and waiting for Rob who has is working overtime this morning at his full time job.

We had fun with the kids yesterday as always. The food was good and the company delightful.

I'll post some pics later when I get the chance. Have a good one and Happy Sunday!

E's Celebration

I took E out to dinner at the Old Red School House restaurant on Alt. 19. We had lunch there right before the owners closed for vacation and have been awaiting the seasonal opening. The inside is so very cute with lots of antiques for sale and fun things to look at while you wait for your food. Oh, and the food...amazing! E had the half rack of lamb and said it was perfect! I had the veal picata and it was so yummy. We did fairly well following our new way of eating and both of us only had the littlest bit of the carbs. We had great salads first and, after the meal, E got a Birthday Bread Pudding complete with a candle. The night was cooler so we got to ride with the top down (explaining the bad hair in the photo of the two of us...that is my story and I am sticking to it).

I've been scrapping up a storm and can't wait for the reveal on Oct. 1 at Creative Scrap Shack. Don't miss the October Bash Cyber Crop there on Oct. 19. It is shaping up to be 'booooolicious!"

The kids are all coming over today to cook for E. He has been sternly advised that he will NOT be allowed in the kitchen. Never fear, he has already done a 4 cheese macaroni dish and all they will have to do is put it in the oven. He can be such a stubborn guy sometimes!

I need to get some kits together for the upcoming MS crop (details on the left w/link)here in Oldsmar. It is sold out except for a couple of seats for Sat., if I am not mistaken. This is going to such fun. Kit N Kaboodle owners Gerri-anne and Lisa are coming up from Ft. Myers with Barb and Sondra and Gerri-Anne will be teaching a class on Friday night. My class is on Sat. night and is called "What I did on My Summer Vacation". It is really cute if I do say so myself!

Off to vacuum up some rolling balls of cat fur. Tis the season for shedding! Will post pics of the family celebration for E tomorrow. Have a great day!

Happy Birthday to E!

Today is Gene's 62nd. birthday and, as is our tradition, I sang the Birthday song to him off key (hard to sing it any other way for me) and gave him big smoochies. I'll take him out for an early supper later.

We took our half hour walk and explored the North Anclote Preserve more today. I showed E where the fishing dock is and,other than some flies driving us nuts, we had a great walk. Two days in a row...some record for us. lol

I've got some things I am working on and one is helping plan the big Halloween Crop along with all the other members of the DT, for the Creative Scrap Shack (www.creativescrapshack.com). For those of you who frequent the board (and you should...it is such a fun place), if you get a package from Tarpon Springs, don't throw it away. Just a hint, dears.

Had a dermo apt. this morning about the crud on my right foot and ick...more pills and two ointments but he did give me the bleach cream for the age spot on my cheek...ah, vanity!

Off to scrap! Have a great one.