What's on My Kitchen Counter

 Art Nudge, an inspiration challenge for all artists, has posted a new inspiration photo for ArtNudge#125 and here is how it inspired me: I stamped the mug and marshmallows using an old DRS Designs stamp (sadly, the company is closed), and I drew and painted the background around it using Daniel Smith Watercolors. Who doesn't love a great hot cocoa bar?   This is the darling inspiration photo: I loved the little group of fun friends and the colors are wonderful! The challenge is open to any type of art (3-D, mixed media, journaling, cards, tags, fabric, knitting, crochet, stitch art - any type of art works). There are three inspiration photos this month. Prizes are awarded at the end of the month. Come visit and take a look - Art Nudge January 2025 . Hugz, Nancy

Life is too short not to have crazy friends. When I think of crazy friends, I think of my oldest friend, Veronica, who has a birthday this week. We have been friends since Junior High which is when we were our craziest. When I called her last week, we had some big laughs discussing some of our escapades, and I had to admit those were some of the best times of my life. She has been there for me through everything in life, so this fun card is traveling in the mail to her right now. The card was kickstarted by this fun picture and color pallet from the Art Nudge challenge. If you are interested in participating in the challenge,  HERE is the link and this is challenge number:  ARTNUDGE125A . There are 3 inspirations each month that are posted 3 weeks out of the month, so you have many chances to win. You can also find the inspiration posts and posts by the design team for the challenge HERE on Facebook.  This challenge is open to any type of art including but not limited t...

Hello friends, With DRS Designs closing down, some health issues, and a few fights with Blogger, it seemed like a good time for a blogging break, but I am back. Here is a little catch up: This was my favorite book from my completed book list in 2024 (I finished 135 books - 49,753 pages): I estimate that I made over 350 cards, ATCs, and scrapbook pages in 2024. Here are six of my favorites: I water colored all but the House Mouse card. I haven't been bored and haven't regretted retiring yet. I hope to get around and catch back up with you all very soon. Hugz, Nancy

 Back again, with a card for this week's House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge ( HMFMC#424 ).  This week the challenge is Anything goes with the option of scraps of paper. I took the option literally and added scraps of paper on my kitchen counter.  I needed a thank you card for someone who has been helping us organize A LOT of papers.   I stamped the image (House Mouse Gruffies Bear-ied in Paperwork -2007) using CTMH Black, then coloring the image with Daniel Smith Watercolors.  I drew in an extra paper or two so that I could make one of them a Thank You paper - it is the top right and shaded pink.  Thanks for visiting, Nancy

 Happy T-day a day late.  I am a day earlier than last week so maybe I will be on time next week. I am joining my T-day friends T-day friends over at Elizabeth's Blog and sharing a drink.  This one is a Sugar Free Blind Tiger - much better than the sugar free and fat free one I had last week (yuck).  I drank this lovely drink last Friday while reading a library book and waiting for my daughter.  I had another one yesterday while helping my grandsons read library books. They had ice cream and read 2 books a piece. Then we went to the pizza place across the street and they read 2 more each during lunch.  I am doing Grandma's Reading Camp again this year. One day a week, we go to the library and pick out books. They get points for every book they read (more points for harder books). Points equal money at the end of the summer.  I do this to try and keep their reading skills fresh. They are 7 and 8 years old so keeping those skills up is super important....

 I miss my T-Day friends so I am jumping in to say hello.  HELLO - T-DAY FRIENDS! It is Thursday instead of Tuesday, but I have been running about two days behind for a few months now - lol - but seriously.  I used to laugh at people who said they were retired and had less time now, but I am so understanding them now. Work took up 10 -11 hours a day, 5 days a week, but it basically was a standing "No" to so many things.  Now I can do all those things (or at least some of them).  Fun but exhausting. I am still using my Sweet Home Alabama mug for morning coffee. Today, I am toasting all the T-day girls who meet up at Elizabeth's Blog and share a drink related post.  I am creating more since I retired - still making cards, but I am painting more of them or at least part of them. I won't bore you with a ton of them (I really have been doing a ton of them but trying to send most out so I don't fill my house with them - lol). This one is a card for a challe...