April Girls

It's ready!

Links: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rn95zoeahowhq3gm8gg4g/ws_AprilGirls_el_1.zip?rlkey=m47l9x5di4sjw4yuv6iis9hmn&st=0b8bsral&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hfpemayi768t2y2t0b6ir/ws_AprilGirls_ppr.zip?rlkey=h3z5d7nd16fmjgiv4zuwvqs8d&st=9wdtqz6e&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7i06zln8sgvvf6zjwsjo6/ws_AprilGirls_el_2.zip?rlkey=5l9zlio3sfykzontv20guwrx1&st=61pp5fla&dl=0

About Birthday Girls

I'd like to take a few miments to talk to you about this year long project I started: Birthday Girls. I think I first got the notion while talking to a friend about birthstones. I was fairly certain I knew the birthstones for every month. It seemed natural to also include birth flowers so I began looking into those for months I wasn't familiar with. And I briefly took a look at whether certain colors were associated with each month. Let's dispence with monthly colors first. I found a little information on that; it seemed to be put up by wedding planners. Some of the suggested colors struck me as ugly. So I decided I'd mostly go with colors of the birthstones associated with the month. Where that isn't sufficent to make a pretty kit, I came up with my own color scheme. I've long enjoyed the Victorian "Language of Flowers" so it was fun to see what flowers are associate with each month and what they meant according to that old tradition. I'd like to include some of that information and you've seemed interested so what I plan to do to do small add-on for the months that will include flower and birthstone meanings and a little more. In some cases I've also added some flowers that aren't assigned but go with the color scheme. While the flowers seem to have remained constant over the years, the same cannot be said about birthstones. Looking back in time some of the birthstones we associate with the months are different than they were, say, in Victorian times. Also new stones have been discovered over the years and incorporated in the tradition, no doubt by jewelers. For instance, the birthstone for March used to be bloodstone. You hardly hear of that today. I don't find it a particually attractive stone and am quite happy with the aquamarine. However, it was quite popular at one time. When I get those add-ons together I'll share what I learned about it that made it popular and has made it scare. Another example would be April with the traditional birthstone of diamond. Diamonds are well loved but quite expensive and today you may see clear quartz suggested as an alternative. At this point I've all but finished April Girls and should be posting it soon. I realize we are about the third through the year already so I've got some making up to do! Bear with me please as I try to keep up with the main birth month kits while throwing in some miscellanious kits in as well as doing my part in Just Art.

Oops! Rest of March Girls

So sorry I'm late posting rest of the kit. Had a bad fibro flare-up starting last Friday and was unable to go to PT on Monday but made myself go on Wednesday. Didn't cause more pain but was exhausted when I got home and forgot I needed to post.

Links: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/a8177rm1efxpbaznghh4e/ws_MarGirls_el_2.zip?rlkey=v7jipfaretoicxszdm91en4vt&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/q2nq6ck0wdxvycwhsi493/ws_MarGirls_ppr_2.zip?rlkey=ph45wdgzpg5vdw0ehplwlzrno&dl=0

Better late than never

At long last I can post March Girls

There are 4 zips, two of which I'm posting today with the last two on Wednesday. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6bvl06ieyd452z57p5zih/ws_MarGirls_ppr_1.zip?rlkey=eygy59uk5musbywzj1myvc6is&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9uvz5rsdqv2wq7tst2g22/ws_MarGirls_el_1.zip?rlkey=9b21ypqp3p67k3p2gtzc67arg&dl=0 And yes, April Girls will be available before the end of the month.

Easter Time

Been a bit crazy here with husband having 2 cataract surgeries. I've been doing any driving needed and running him to appointments etc. Next week I start physical therapy and will have appointments Mondays and Wednesdays for a month. Meanwhile, I did get a small Easter kit put together for you:

Links: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/i9s2w2pp0pmvczll1dqyq/ws_EasterTime_el.zip?rlkey=1t44iblwqhb17nst4i9ojv312&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hpycpjn1rkgubp18ownmm/ws_EasterTime_ppr.zip?rlkey=oamdly6061h87rb6w834r4shi&dl=0 Have not finished March Girls. It will be late but still coming. Hope everyone is doing well!

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/a3l76nzmlx0cxyfgpi0ub/ws_StPAddysDay2024.zip?rlkey=neozhzm4f9rrfvgy6aoke66tz&dl=0

February Girls

This looks to be the last kit of the month. Kit includes 12 full size papers and 30 elements, not all of which are shown in preview. Please note: if you are a registered member of Just Art you will find some duplication with the Color Pop_ Purple I shared with members. Lots of different stuff in this kit too. Hope you enjoy.

Links https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/212ci87p4opagpi1l90jm/ws_FebGirls_pprs_1.zip?rlkey=3jpjfjq1i63tyhsmegsbwlghk&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9d61w3vd3jx5swfh5qtsn/ws_FebGirls_pprs_2.zip?rlkey=dnx8nom5jgqy83atmsymrlppd&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4h3tdeutwbsxd4y00xqsv/ws_FebGirls_els_1.zip?rlkey=ilvnrnx17r1oe2e39qojpsbiv&dl=0

Update

Hi everyone, Hard to believe but this month is almost over! I have completed a February Girls kit for you but it will probably be tomorrow before I can post it. Here is a preview. Not everything shown on preview.

I also intend to do two things I hadn't originally planned on. I post mini- kits (often actually full kits) as part of my hosting duties for Just Art. These are often keyed to the color of the month challenge color. I happens that in January the color was red and this month it is purple. Both fit in with kits I was putting together for the birthday girls kits here. I plan to give you both of those mini kits since they tie in with our birthday girls series. Now you are going to find some duplication - may be even a lot of duplication with the kits I give you here but there are some differences. So you can decide it it is worhtwhile for you to download these and add to your birthday kit folder. Ideally, I would go through the mini kits and just pick out what would not be duplicates and give you the non-dups as an add-on but I just don't have time to do that right now. So download or not as you please. In addition, I wonder if you might be interested in some related wordart? Like meaning of the birthstones and birth flowers? Again, not happening right away. March is going to be very busy. I'm going out of state for several days to see my son and DIL. Might get snowed in. March holidays are st. Paddy's Day and Easter and I have 3 hosting duties on Just Art. For JA I need to set up challenges for Artist Trading Cards - 3 options plus examples, a mini kit, and a color pop. So digitally I'll be busy. Plus my husband will be having 2 cataract surgeries and I'll have follow-up related to the MRIs I have to go for on 2/25. Can't predict how all this will play out. However, I so enjoy digital art and find it a real solace in rough times so you can bet I'll be at the computer as much as possible. Then too, there is housework and as much as I lothe that, some is certainly necessary.

The last of Kingdom of Frost

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0bfswme9bq2e8r49zbeol/ws_KOF_el_3.zip?rlkey=prwrrp3j5ieognjm637eij98n&dl=0

Kingdom of Frost continued

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/op0sq399pik3ikfi8blur/ws_KOF_el_2.zip?rlkey=4g16yzjz4jrmonh6pqx4akhcc&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/k6mzdbx6nvso014xw7lj1/ws_KOF_ppr_2.zip?rlkey=qbb0s6fw5qihx9yxlh9v2312m&dl=0

A new Winter kit

Last week was full of doctor appointments - mine and his. Since hubby's eyes are bad right now, I'm having to transport him around. Got his surgeries (cataracts) scheduled for after I return from visiting my son. Had trouble getting my MRIs scheduled. Seems the local hospitals are short handed for radiology. Won't be going until near the end of the month. On the other hand, my right sided pain seems to be slacking off. Hoping the MRIs will provide some answers on why I'm having these nerve issues. Also good, my dentist could find nothing wrong in the area (right side again) of my jaw where I've had pain. He spotted a tiny place on old filling that he will restore but x-rays showed no issue there so he thinks the occassional pain there is a nerve too. Today I will start giving you Kingdom of Frost.

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6ipwadvyjq49l32isq0j7/ws_KOF_ppr_1.zip?rlkey=rn66x8r37iw3on80zw7j46zxd&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nn9gzm9fjvavdvo049u7l/ws_KOF_el.zip?rlkey=gmqpb02ptg22dw8zc3zpl1emg&dl=0

It will soon be Valentine's Day!

It's been awhile since I've posted, I know. Have lingering effects from my fall weeks ago. Right now the most troubling one is increased neck pain and tingling down my right arm. Had a visit to ER about the knee and was told it was just a bad sprain (after x-ray) and it was wrapped up. That's fine. Had a CT of cervical spine and was referred to orthopaedics. Of course, it takes a while to get in. The doctor there following up on my ER visit took more x-rays and announced "Your neck looks terrible!" The spine isn't his area of expertise, so he referred me to a member of their spine team. Another appointment. We talked about the artritis and degenerating disks in my neck and he did a basic evaluation. In doing so he noticed my trouble with balance showing in a wobbly walk and asked if anyone had ever told me I have some weak reflexes in my legs (MO). 've had a balance problem for years, was told it was probably due to brain damage from auto accident as there was nothing wrong with my ears. Did vestibular therapy and can normally do fine unless I am ill or over-tired. But since fall, balance has been worse. He has ordered MRIs of my cervical and thoracic spine. My husband's cataracts suddenly became much worse. We spent 3 hours on Monday getting an evaluation and scheduling his surgery. The good thing is they will also be able to correct his asstigmatizim and his glaucoma. In between all this I had a breast cancer scare. Fibroid cysts aren't new to me but those usually show as round or oval on mammograms. Instead, they found an assymetrical growth in my right breast. Another mammogram plus an ultrasound was scheduled. Afterwards, the radiologist said she couldn't say for certain whether it is a cyst or something worse. Will go back in six months for another ultrasound and more information. But I think allowing a six month wait sounds promising. During the last big storm we had here, I found leaks in the garage. We had to have a new roof put on. Between that and all the doctor visits 2024 has been busy and expensive. Sure hope the year is treating you better. Despite all this or maybe because of it, I've found solace in digital design. I'm hosting 3 challenges this month at Just Art, playing the other monthly challenges and have put together for you a Valentine's Day kit and a Winter kit. If Virginia is going to get any snow it is usually in February so snow was on my mind. Since Valentine's Day is so close, I want to give you "Young Love" now

Links: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/if0h1bbz540hn318icneo/ws_Young_Love_el.zip?rlkey=2mcdj92dxtkvc8w0o9kd4f65w&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zh54rs9inj7grubgxwwcx/ws_Young_Love_ppr_1.zip?rlkey=p6hdt6khns2r6nyhplwjl9x1t&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fwsuerkr2nruugwbsvlxv/ws_Young_Love_ppr_2.zip?rlkey=9pnxrcfo7pesayy4e972in4c3&dl=0

Let's try this again

Okay, this January isn't going well in so many ways. I've been told there is some problem with the zips for The Sophisticate. Here are the links to all six zips again. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2irw31xt2p4prkls5vyag/ws_TheSophisticate_el_1.zip?rlkey=mxtea92sw51v4n4tfcavku0u8&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/eq0d38yx1bz2a7tldb17c/ws_TheSophisticate_el_2.zip?rlkey=a52hlhhxpabf3ru69tcvtawdv&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2dq2hjowy9ksy2dtjal4d/ws_TheSophisticate_ppr_1.zip?rlkey=sirshwijzjvdwb0ge3jgbs3eh&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qz8dlml2aid5hdt5h2ee0/ws_TheSophisticate_ppr_2.zip?rlkey=yo3mc63j4xa2f53j75jpd5u27&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/z84pn5eai0ubz2y2dsycu/ws_TheSophisticate_ppr_3.zip?rlkey=yzwj31kc5c03b5jmn07fwjmdv&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gdzz320gq06me7ntjyhlb/ws_TheSophisticate_ppr_4.zip?rlkey=13nvuedncbh7gaypk7un6fm1s&dl=0

The last of The Sophisticate

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/eq0d38yx1bz2a7tldb17c/ws_TheSophisticate_el_2.zip?rlkey=a52hlhhxpabf3ru69tcvtawdv&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gdzz320gq06me7ntjyhlb/ws_TheSophisticate_ppr_4.zip?rlkey=13nvuedncbh7gaypk7un6fm1s&dl=0

More Sophisticate

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/eq0d38yx1bz2a7tldb17c/ws_TheSophisticate_el_2.zip?rlkey=a52hlhhxpabf3ru69tcvtawdv&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/z84pn5eai0ubz2y2dsycu/ws_TheSophisticate_ppr_3.zip?rlkey=yzwj31kc5c03b5jmn07fwjmdv&dl=0

How is 2024 Treating You So Far? & New Kit

Hope you are having a good New Year. Our first week wasn't too bad. We learned my husband's vision was worse and cataract surgery is going to be scheduled; not a surprise. We had ordered a new battery pack for my Dyson stick vacuum which had stopped holding a charge and kept going on and iff when I tried to use it. Hubby cleaned everything on the machine, put in the new battery pack and charged it and got same results. Later, talking to my son I learned he had experienced the same problem, tried everything and finally gave up. Plus hubby learned that the battery packs can overcharge and explode! This week? I'm hoping it doesn't continue like yesterday. I had ordered a Shark upright vac from Amazon and it wasn't expected until Monday. My husband decided to go to the grocery store right after opening and came home, lugging bags up to the porch to find a big box (the vac) blocking the doorway. He was outside calling to me (okay yelling my name). I was sleeping and had to get up, throw on my robe and rush to the door not knowing if something was wrong with him or what the situation was. In my rush, I somehow tripped, couldn't catch myself. Hit hard on my right knee and went down completely. He, of course, had no idea what was taking me so long. Took me a minute but I managed to get up, limp to door, and take the bags he was holding out to me as he tried to move the box completely away from door opening. We got the groceries into the kitchen and the box in the house. He had picked up breakfast so I ate that then swallowed 2 extra strength Tylenol, grabbed an ice pack from the freezer and headed to bed where I could put my legs up. And that did for my day! When I ventured into the living room later, I learned that the sound on our TV is going in and out. Well, we've had it many years now. So now we will be needing to get new TV; he can't get through the day without it. Still, things could be worse. I didn't break anything in my fall and we can afford to replace the things we need to. Now better news. I have a new kit for you that is suitable for any New Year's party photos you might have or any such occassions.

A couple of zips while I wait for Tylenol to kick in, then more another dayu. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2irw31xt2p4prkls5vyag/ws_TheSophisticate_el_1.zip?rlkey=mxtea92sw51v4n4tfcavku0u8&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2dq2hjowy9ksy2dtjal4d/ws_TheSophisticate_ppr_1.zip?rlkey=sirshwijzjvdwb0ge3jgbs3eh&dl=0

Correction on January Girls

It was brought to my attention that I made an error in first post of January Girls and gave link to papers_1 twice. Here is the link to elements _1 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fuwu43t6xdj2dd727da4o/ws_JanGirls_el_1.zip?rlkey=hlop8ignj54ep26fasbu8nmjo&dl=0 I'll also correct this in original post.

January Girls part 2

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4g6f490pre0a118by44zf/ws_JanGirls_ppr_2.zip?rlkey=cbb63sr1bdmots4qv5nnglrpd&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nnlz5gb19ezorihmvd6ac/ws_JanGirls_el_2.zip?rlkey=vjhzomhiz6mbvn7o9hu00f5mf&dl=0

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.Ours was pretty quiet this year. We need have a surprise visit from a friend who lives in Nellys Forge, VA (near Wintergreen) and then on 12/26, our grandson and his little family came over after GDIL got off work. We had turkey leftovers together, then played with baby Taylor who is now 8 mpnths old. such a sweet, happy baby! She is now sitting up and babbling. I got on the flooe on thw quilt we'd spread for her and her mother and I introduced her to her new toys. She played quite happily - her idea of playing right now largely consists of sticking everything in her mouth. Got to taste all sides of things lol. Later, while she was sitting on my lap, she grabbed my thumb and stuck it in her mouth and gave it a light bite to show off her 3 teeth. It was so cute how she let go after the little bite, leaned back and looked up at me with a big smile. She's a charmer!

I had pretty much completed a kit for you when a friend and I got to talking about birthstones. I needed to make a mini kit for my challenge on Just Art and decided I'd start with January's birthstone and flowers and see where it took me. I just kept adding things. It only needed to be 6 papers and 12 elements. So, I made up the mini to post on JA 1/1 then combined it with all my additions to make a kit for you I'm calling January Girls. Here is the preview:

There are 4 zips. I'll give you the first two tonight and the others Wednesday. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9u4atj0t835bsc7q4li6a/ws_JanGirls_ppr_1.zip?rlkey=k97xwm0me4wvnzauqsjitfwut&dl=0 * corrected link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fuwu43t6xdj2dd727da4o/ws_JanGirls_el_1.zip?rlkey=hlop8ignj54ep26fasbu8nmjo&dl=0