Today's zip of Little Sailors

Today's zip includes a fish paper I adapted from a wonderful pattern by the talented Rene Blooms, whose spirit is as beautiful as the art she creates and shares. Do visit her here:
http://www.reneblooms.com
(see the original here: http://www.reneblooms.com/single-post/2017/01/12/Freebie-Fursday

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/nwnyd55any48qbd/ws_LittleSailors_4.zip?dl=0

Oh and thanks to Noreen for tip about using cayenne pepper for sinus infections. My aunt makes up some kind of gargle with it and garlic and other stuff and swears by it for colds. She also makes a Super Soup for when someone gets the flu. I know it has a good bit of cayenne, garlic and rutabaga (not sure what that is supposed to do). It's so heavy on garlic my uncle always tells her not to breathe on anyone, but she insists it is good for the immune system. Anyway, in my e-mails today there was a link to the following article about cayenne pepper tea and I thought you might be interested:
https://www.verywell.com/cayenne-pepper-tea-4141145?utm_campaign=todaysl&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cn_nl&utm_content=9963297&utm_term=Fluent
I've got bad reflux and have had a stomach ulcer so I have to be careful about spicy stuff.

Thank you

I was taking a moment to scan my e-mail before doing a ton of chores set for today. I saw several comments from you and wanted to tell you that while I don't often reply to comments, I sure do appreciate knowing I have readers, knowing you enjoy the things I share, sensing the warmth of your voices. Today's message from Brave Girls Club (do check out the website and if you need a daily lift subscribe to the messages) bears sharing:

More on Little Sailors later today.
Hugs!

Thursday: Little Sailors freebie

Saw that while surfing the net & said, Oh, that's so me! Only the photo I saw was in orange - not me, so I adjusted it.
Had a bad sinus headache today, took Tylenol and slept a lot. Did not accomplish anything today other than to cook dinner and load dishwasher. Just feeling irritable for no specific reason, which is probably just depression. Some days the dark water starts creeping up without any "reason." Today, some of it is lack of progress with getting the house back in order, some feeling a little overwhelmed with all there is to do to handle Dad's stuff and the knowledge that it is only going to get more complicated and there is little hope of any help. But that's how things are and all I can do is keep putting one foot in front of the other, making whatever little progress I can, and keep the faith, right?

And now after that little whine, here is today's freebie:

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/rczz2m6rq79txvf/ws_LittleSailors_3.zip?dl=0

Running Late with Wednesday freebie

Got a few things done this week so far: paid all Dad's bills and most of mine, finally got the replacement lens put in my new glasses (they had ordered regular lens instead of darkening ones), visited with Dad, talked to nursing home about replacing useless nightstand in his room, made Marble Squares, got my hair cut and did usual basic kitchen and bathroom cleanups. Made plans to take granddaughter to see Despicable Me 3 next week, spoke with my brother (he's no better), and today my husband and I went to see The Mummy. Not a great movie by any means but nice escape.

Thank you all for encouraging comments about new kit. I live in Norfolk, VA, home to one of the largest Naval installations around. I'm minutes from the Chesapeake Bay and also minutes from the joint Navy & Marine base where the famous Seal Team 6 trained. Lots of "nautical" around here.

Today is zip 2 (I'm pretending it isn't past midnight and thus really Thursday):

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/t0r5j58c9lzlr6n/ws_LittleSalors_2.zip?dl=0
And I'll be back before you know it.

New free kit begins today - Little Sailors

Our new kit, Little Sailors features the cute Good Ship Lollipop Kids by Kristi W. Designs.

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/e8txl825yai33p2/ws_LittleSailors_1.zip?dl=0

Monday Monday & a little freebie

Got lots to do today and sat down to see how much of Little Sailors (next kit) I had ready to post. Not what I'd like but then I realized I had forgotten to post the 2 templates I'd made with Chick Thing. Both include an element or elements from the kit and also basics. The one I've called Anticipation seemed to need an example to show my intentions so ended up making examples of both as preview.

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/m1cwis8rkrj8zl1/ws_ChickThing_templates.zip?dl=0
Hope these will be useful to someone.

That's all folks - the last of Chick Thing freebie

My husband just fed me the very best ribs ever! The man is a talented cook! Soon as I post this, I'm going in to spend some time with him. A little "family" news. Remember me saying Dad was concerned because he couldn't get in touch with Miss June? Turns out she has something like a slipped disk in the middle of her back. Happened Sunday night while she was watching TV. She said she felt terrible pain and assumed she had just turned wrong so she lay on her side on the sofa where she was and eventually went to sleep. When she woke up, she couldn't move her legs! She is in a rehab center for next 21 days and was still in a lot of pain when I visited yesterday.

And now Chick Thing 22, the rest of the Hen Party segment:

You know what those chicks are gossiping about, don't you? The terrible preview I made with stuff that didn't all go together but works with the rest of the kit.
Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6iwmfxc1pevlgcn/ws_ChickThing_22.zip?dl=0
Not sure about the cocktail overlay and paper but threw it in anyway.

Have a great weekend!

Quick freebie post

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/j3u1f1dtws3gc4h/ws_ChickThing_21.zip?dl=0

Free Chick Thing 20

Still haven't finished all the figures for the hen party. Tomorrow I have 2 doctor appointments and a funeral, so I'm taking the day off from posting and will work on the other figures when I find time between things. Today I do have the first part of the hen party for you:

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/gmywpadkxgsm7rd/ws_ChickThing_20.zip?dl=0

Dad seems to be doing a little better. Tonight was his turn to worry about his girlfriend when he couldn't reach her by phone. Called us wondering if we had heard from her and asked for her son's phone number to check with him. Chances are she had either fallen asleep early or else there was some kind of activity at her retirement home.

Sharing a memory and a freebie

First, a little memory of Saturday's graduation:

Yes those old worn out people are me and my husband. Got to get a haircut 'cause pulling it back off my face on;y makes me look worse.

Still working on last Chick Thing zip. It's about a hen party. So today another Touch of Color.

Links:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5pemxoeq1o3unfm/ws_TouchOfBurgundy_zip_1.zip?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5x8dyqu5kjpk9eq/ws_TouchOfBurgundy_zip_2.zip?dl=0

Sorry to have been missing & freebie

I should have known better. On Saturday 6/17 our grandson, Tyler, graduated from high school. The commencement exercise was to begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center where there would be 477 graduates and each had an average of 7 tickets for family and friends. Tyler said to get there early so we could get a good parking space and seats. We got up at 6 a.m. (Yuck!) Once commencement started, it was done in about 3 hours. Tyler graduated with honors from Ocean Lakes High School's Math & Sciences Academy (a special program for gifted students). Some photos outside where it was sprinkling, then home for a quick lunch. A pool party was planned at 2 p.m. for Tyler but more thunderstorms was coming so the party would have to be moved indoors. We found 3 phone messages from Dad's girlfriend. She had called Dad repeatedly and couldn't get an answer. Was something wrong? We were planning to visit Dad anyway so just stopped by to see Tyler and give him his graduation gift.

We found Dad sleeping peacefully and nursing said he had been doing fine. So we sat down and waited to see if Dad would wake up. Attempts to wake him just earned us a peek from half-opened eyes followed by a snuggle back down in bed. We were planning to leave when my ex-husband arrived to visit Dad. He'd driven down from the Charlottesville area, concerned about the recent hospitalization. The nurse came in and tried to rouse Dad, letting him know he had company. He opened his eyes, looked at her, said "I'm tired" and back to sleep he went. He's got his days and nights missed up. So the three of us sat there watching Dad and I caught my ex up on Dad's condition and how my brother is doing. By the time we got home, and had a little dinner, I was done for.

I planned to make up the post yesterday but woke during the night with a blocked ear, dizziness and nausea. Stayed in bed most of the day and tried to clear up the sinus congestion and ear problem. and here it is Monday.

Chick Thing is drawing to a close and I haven't had any comments about wishes for new kits. Guess you will have to be surprised. I have one more zip of Chick Thing I'm working on and it might not be ready to post tomorrow. If not, I'll come up with something else for the day.

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/iik5dujbub9afqe/ws_ChickThing_19.zip?dl=0

Dad, Modern Brides, and freebie

Went to the hospital yesterday afternoon, fighting traffic (the 15th is military payday). Was told Dad would be released by medical transport about 3:30. Snagged some food real quick on the way and nibbled as I drove. Don't worry - just waffle fries and chicken nuggets from Chick Filet, so safe to grab with one hand and pop in the mouth. I get there, find Dad asleep and when the aide comes in sometime later I'm told transport won't arrive until between 6 - 8 p.m. Went back down to the car to finish my lunch. Dad still sleeping when I got back up stairs. I read until my eyes were tired.

TV in his room was tuned to a channel on which "Say Yes to the Dress" was on. Not something I ever watch but nothing better to do. What an eye opener! All these brides looking for transparent gowns! Oh, they tried on a nice gowns that weren't transparent but . . . they all wanted to look sexy. Showing my age, I'm sure, but whatever happened to wanting to look like a princess, looking elegant? I totally get the days of innocence and purity are behind us, but these brides were trying on "dresses" that were, to borrow what my mother would have said, Trashy! I mean dresses that consisted of a low cut strapless corset top where the breasts were barely covered and down to the waist or below was just see through fabric with some lace and sparkle, the balance as form fitting as possible. One woman even talked to the consultant about having the see through part extended down to bikini line! Used to be you saved the see through lingerie for the honeymoon and just your husband's eyes. Now, it seems, brides who can afford these dresses (that cost between $5,000 - $10,000) are after showing off next to everything to all their guests. And why do big heavy brides nearly always choose strapless gowns their breasts threaten to pop out of? Just sayin'.

And now, at last today's freebie about something sort of related to above comments - falling in love.

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hje7feq3xrwfeg2/ws_ChickThing_18.zip?dl=0

Question: Something summery? or shopping next?

Already Thursday and freebie

Sitting up waiting for my hair to dry (don't like to blow dry it often) so thought I'd go ahead and put up today's post. The phone rang around 11:00 p.m. and John and I just looked at each other before he answered, expecting bad news. It was Dad who has his days and nights mixed up. He was slurring his words, saying no one was telling him anything, and that he'd called for the nurse about an hour past but no one came. My husband patiently explained what I'd told him about balancing heart and kidney function (I did explain this to Dad yesterday) and sympathized with him about being stuck in the hospital. He told Dad to press nurse buzzer again (we know he gets confused so might have done something else) and said that after Dad hung up, we would call the nurses station and ask them to send someone to him. He didn't call back so I guess they did.

Had thought I might go to movie with Mary today but she didn't return my call or e-mail. Perhaps she's upset with me because we had originally talked about going on Tuesday. But I hadn't heard anything from her and went on to hospital, then discovered late last night that she was late getting back to me. Oh well.

There's a new grocery store opening nearby. It's one owned by a German company, Lidl, so hubby and I might go check it out for specials early in the morning. If no word from Mary by 11:00 a.m., I'll just get some work done then head over to hospital.

As you can see, I finally got around to changing my blog header. Today's zip has another cooking chick:

Why chicks, you might be asking. A good friend of mine, Wanda C. loves chickens. Her kitchen in Amelia County, VA was decorated in everything chicken you can think of so whenever I see cute chickens. I think of her. I'd spotted one such chick some time ago and saved it to applique to a tea towel for Wanda and got to thinking about women being referred to as "chicks" or "birds." The anthropomorphic chicks I kept seeing, and phrases like "Oh, that movie is a chick flick," and so on gave me the idea for It's a Chick Thing. And now your link:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/monpm4pmy3pon7n/ws_ChickThing_17.zip?dl=0
We are drawing near to the end of Chick Thing so if you aren't into the chickens, hold on. I think next might be something shopping related because I couldn't resist buying a set of commercial use elements in that theme.

Sorry & another freebie

Dad still in hospital. It's become a balancing act between heart and kidney function. Came home with migraine yesterday and crashed; therefore, no post. Today Dad said nephrologist told him kidney function is improving but Dad isn't looking well, slurring his words, seems exhausted and blood sugar taken about an hour ago was 351! Can't figure that out since he ate very little of his lunch.

Anyway, here is zip 16 about getting angry or upset:

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/lx05mcye5wto1x1/ws_ChickThing_16.zip?dl=0

Apologies & more Chick Thing

Sorry I neglected to post on Saturday. Ran around picking up clothing for Dad for when he is released from hospital, then over there to sit with him. He's doing much better and we hope to bring him back to nursing home today. After the hospital, it was a trip to grocery store, then cooking dinner and one thing led to another. Just lost track of time.

So today we have zip 15 & I think you will like this one. All chicks love to be complimented, don't we? But fellows, please keep it sincere!

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/fs5x0z77cknoxe6/ws_ChickThing_15.zip?dl=0

Thank you all for kind comments on this kit. It's been a fun change of pace for me.

Today & more chick Thing freebie

Got woken up early this morning by call from hospital. Dad had complained of chest pain so was taken to ER. And off we went but some how I wasn't worried, felt everything would be okay. After sitting with him several hours, doctor came in to say it was congestive heart failure and they were going to keep dad a day or two as they had before to get fluid down. They brought him a boxed lunch since his blood sugar was low (49!). He ate most of the lunch. I was having trouble keeping my eyes open. Since all was stable, we came home and I've been trying to catch up on sleep.

Here is today's zip:

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/mnh96vtkgj51zjn/ws_ChickThing_14.zip?dl=0

More Chick Thing freebie

Today's zip contains a couple more papers, a border, egg basket, and wreath frame.

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/nnkbuc7ot361xb0/ws_ChickThing_13.zip?dl=0

Heading out to lunch but have a freebie for you

Getting ready to go meet Joyce and Mary for lunch so wanted to get new post up. Today is one of the chicks I was looking forward to doing - a mother hen. Many, if not most, chicks look forward to motherhood. I particularly liked this line drawing because it both captures the anticipation of seeing your babies for the first time and the joy of mother hood. See how she lifts her first born into the air to admire him or her? Unfortunately, after figuring out the issue of eggs, the hen didn't turn out so well. I tried to get a more 3D appearance and it's just clumsy and not well defined. Sorry it isn't better. Don't look too close.

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/s90f2hjbkphpwhi/ws_ChickThing_12.zip?dl=0

Getting tired of chickens? You are always welcome to make suggestions for theme and colors. May not always follow up on them or not right away, but sure will consider it.

Happy Birthday Larkin! and another Chick Thing freebie

Our "Lil' Princess" - granddaughter, Larkin, will be 7 today! Taking her and her mother out to dinner and then cake and gifts. Haevn't seen Larkin for weeks so looking forward to it.

(Fuzzy photo from her Mom's cell phone at Halloween)

This time last summer.

And today's freebie: some miscellaneous stuff:

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/e7reqngw1ywelcg/ws_ChickThing_11.zip?dl=0



And tomorrow my friend, Joyce, is coming in from North Carolina so we'll be meeting with what remains of our Red Hat group at Rt. 58 Deli for lunch. I dropped out of Red Hats because it seemed all they wanted to do was go to lunch. Don't especially care to dress up fancy in red and purple for luncheons. Not my colors and I want to do something more than go to lunch. Going to give Joyce all my Red Hat stuff since she will be joining another group in N.C. Means a little less mess in my back room and will help her out too.

Coming up soon is my son and DI'sL 1st wedding anniversary and then grandson, Tyler, will be graduating from high school and heading out to college at University of South Carolina.

Lazy Monday and new zip of Chick THing freebie

It's dreary and rainy here. I've coughed all morning from sinus trouble and haven't done a thing! Shame on me!
Today we have zip 10 of Chick Thing. The Red Hat groups I know love to line dance, which makes sense when you consider there aren't any men present at functions unless they are entertainers. When I saw a line drawing of walking or dancing chickens, I therefore thought about line damcing and had to put a red hat on one of the chicks!

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/yxbpvm80zn1es7j/ws_ChickThing_10.zip?dl=0

And now I'll go do a little laundry and maybe something else useful.
Hugs!

Oops and more Chick Thing

Wow - that was a senior moment early this morning, thinking today was Sunday lol. I've been back up an hour or two, had breakfast and meds and soon heading for shower followed by short nap, then off to get some work done.
Here is Saturday freebie:

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wo947stbwmw3xsq/ws_ChickThing_9.zip?dl=0

Good news and sorry to be late with freebie

Took it easy today - oops yesterday. Lost track of time, doing much of nothing. Spoke with my brother who reported his peripheral vision has returned and even though he is still having trouble with his right leg, his docs told him to go ahead and travel and come to Virginia. Yes, he could have another stroke any time or it might not happen again for 20 years. He's had heart arrhythemias [sp] before so they are also checking that out thoroughly, including implanting a sensor in his chest that records anything out of the ordinary.

So here it is now Sunday wee hours of morning but I'm going to post the Saturday freebie:

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/2zd2cebw9b77e4g/ws_ChickThing_8.zip?dl=0
Is she too awful?

Just Sayin'

I'm not a tagger. Oh, I've made some tagger kits - mostly downsizing my full size kits for tagging use - and I've made a few tags - most often for designer friends I CT'd for. On occasion I will purchase a tagger kit to use in making ATCs (artist trading cards) because the elements are usually about the right size for those. Sometimes the backgrounds can be adapted for ATCs too or bragbook pages. In general most tagger backgrounds are 800 x 800 pixels which is pretty small. But while full size scrap kits have established standards of size (12 inch square) and DPI (300 dpi), tagger kits have no established standards. Backgrounds are usually consistent in size but may be larger or a little smaller. The biggest problem is dpi. Some make kits at 72 dpi because tags are mostly used on-line but some create at 300 dpi. No one requires tagger designers to note what dpi their kits are created at or what size backgrounds and elements are. I recently purchased a tagger kit from a well known designer at a great price. The Victorian theme and colors would make for nice journal cards and ATCs and I might be able to use the elements on the small (approx 5 x 7 inch) journal pages I've been using. I started opening some of the backgrounds and found dpi of 300, 100, even 39 dpi. 39? Seriously? Why did she bother to include that? It's worthless! From the point of view of this consumer, I think scrapbook stores should require standards for tagger kits too or at least insist that the details be posted on the previews and/or in the descriptions. I'm not trying to be difficult. In the past, I've even run blog posts about ways one can stretch the use of tagger kits to help promote sales for friends who design and tag.

Day 7 of Chick Thing freebie

Had the 2 week staff meeting over at Heritage Hall and Dad was able to voice his comments and complaints. Fortunately, he also told them what they are doing right and complimented a couple staff members. Last couple of visits, he has seemed more himself and less grumpy. Thank heaven!

Chick Thing seems to be going over fairly well. The colors are not in my usual range so to me everything seems a little gaudy but I think in terms of the theme they are okay. The chickens are fun to do. They are adapted from embroidery and applique designs mostly.

Here is today's zip:

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8pi81x1t7dilhmb/ws_ChickThing_7.zip?dl=0
New chick tomorrow and she is outrageous. May have gone over the gaudy line with that one lol.