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Monday, November 26, 2012

Hello at Last!

It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?  I never meant to simply drop out of sight, but that’s surely what happened.  My reasons for doing so are dimming with time, though I hope you’ll trust that all is well in our world and my memories of you and the time we’ve spent here together are as fond as ever.  Let’s see if I can recall and explain…

I guess it all started with an increasingly acute sensitivity to the amount of time I was spending on the computer.  I use it for shopping, bill paying, communication, research, art, photos, videos, music, planning and organization – you name it, I use it.  Then along came a nightmarish computer software conversion at work – frustration on so many levels that I’d just as soon forget – and when I came home from work the last thing in the world I wanted to do was sit down at the computer.  Time for the amazing healing powers of Wally and LuLu.

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There’s nothing like a long walk in the fresh air and the ensuing cuddle time when they’re dry and soft and putting on the sweet.  And, boy, do they ever know how to put on the sweet.

There’s also been a lot of home improvement projects going on.  That’s LuLu making off with the paint rag.

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I’m still cleaning up drywall dust from the bedroom project.

I thought I might get more stamping done if I wasn’t taking the time to photograph the cards and write blog posts and, indeed, I did make six Halloween cards and many miscellaneous without a single photograph.  I’ve now commenced in earnest on the Christmas cards and I thought I’d share three of those today.  The first is a digital from Sassy Cheryl’s with a Hero Arts sentiment.  I colored with Copic markers and added glitter and a poinsettia.  I’m trying to keep each of my Christmas cards mailable with one postage stamp this year, so in order to use the poinsettia I removed its bulky center and replaced it with three 1/8” punched and glittered circles.


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Next is a Squigglefly Holiday Bells digital image.  This one has a more vintage look.  It’s also colored with Copic markers and I relied on glitter and texture to relieve the flat look.  I put spots of gold Stickles glitter, rather than gems or pearls, on the white panel (Spellbinders Labels Eighteen), and dotted the green beads with a Sakura Glaze pen.  The green panel is white core cardstock embossed with a Cuttlebug Heritage Collection folder and then sanded.

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Finally, I have a card that’s very easy to make in multiples, so this is one of several I have in the works.  I brayered the inside front flap of the Cuttlebug Lace Tree embossing folder with mustard ink and embossed the white cardstock, then cut out the tree.  I layered a Cuttlebug Tiffany embossed panel onto the card front, then added the tree on dimensional foam mounting tape.  I added dots of Goldenrod Stickles glitter glue to the tree and it’s all done.  I used Stampin’ Up! Whisper White cardstock which is rather lightweight, and this will easily be a one postage stamp card.

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Catching up:

  • While I was away LuLu turned one year old.  Though we celebrated, I’m sorry she didn’t get a blog post.  She’s my sweet little princess and Wally’s my big handsome boy.  I love them both so much.
  • I had a birthday in October, and so did my husband.  Better yet, he retired on his birthday.  I’ve never mentioned this on my blog, but for the last several years he worked and lived away from home and Wally, LuLu and I spent much of our time on our own.  We never planned to live that way and we’re glad it’s finally over.
  • Also, you remember when our home was burglarized?  The DNA analysis on the bloody shirt the crook left behind when he broke our window finally made it to the top of the list and they found a match with a young man who has been in and out of jail several times.  A sad, wasted life.  He’s going to prison now.

I’ll try not to stay away so long this time, but I can’t say for certain when I’ll be back.  I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving.  Take care!

47 comments:

  1. So happy to see this post. Glad you are well. So glad your hubby will be home, now. The photos of Wally and LuLu are wonderful. We enjoyed our Thanksgiving very much. My nephew, from Iowa, came for 3 days. We always enjoy having him.

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  2. What a relief to finally hear from you and know that all is well at your house and I'm doing a happy dance to see new pictures of Wally and Lulu! All three of your cards are brilliant and wonderful, cannot pick a favorite since each one is so special. My goldens and I are doing well and looking forward to more posts from you.

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  4. Glad you are back! Enjoyed the photos of LuLu and Wally and your coloring!

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  5. Leslie, it's so good to hear from you again with happy news, to see pictures of your beloved fur babies and your gorgeous papercrafting projects. My cuttlebug lace tree folder will get a workout tonight after seeing your beautiful card, that's simply spectacular. Best wishes to you and Rich!

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  6. Oh, Leslie, it was an absolute delight to see your blog post in my InBox! It's wonderful to see your fur babies again -- what sweeties! And it's great to catch up on all your news! So wonderful that your hubby is now retired, and it looks like he's been busy along with you on house projects. I LOVE your cards, and you still have one of the most amazing artistic abilities! Your coloring is absolutely exquisite! Always love seeing you post...but no pressure! Enjoy!

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  7. So glad to see you back, Leslie.
    I have truly missed you and the Goldens but so understand. Our lives change and we must make adjustments as we go along.
    Congratulations to your husband on his retirement. I hope from this time forward you will be able to enjoy your days together. What a wonderful word: Together.
    Sallyann

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  8. What a Christmas gift it is to hear all is well. The cards are really lovely and the kids look as good as always. Glad to hear your husband will be home with you all at last. Will the dogs share you with him? It may be silly to care about people you don't know but the care is real. Lovely to hear from you. It is true isn't it that even the good things in life can sometimes be a pressure.

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  9. I am so happy to see you post again. Your Christmas cards are beautiful! I can only imagine how happy the both of you are that your hubby is now retired, enjoy all your time together. Woohoo for finding the burglar, so sad people waste their lives with crime. Hope to see you soon. :)

    Hugs~

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  10. Wonderful to see your post again. Have been wondering if all is well in your life. Love the pictures of the Goldens. Our animals are such a source of happiness in our lives. Sometimes in life you have to make decisions which are best for yourself. Looks like you have been doing it. So happy to hear they caught the burglar. Your cards are great, especially the tree one. Great idea for a mailable card. Retirement is great. Congratulate your husband. Sounds like he already is busy with projects. Have a wonderful holiday season. Big hugs to Wally and LuLu.
    Shirley L.

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  11. Happy birthday to you and your husband and to Lulu. I'm an October birthday also. And congrats to hubby for retiring. Awesome. So great to see you back again. Have missed all the Golden and Gardens news. All three of your cards are absolutely stunning! I can't pick out one over the other.
    I'm glad that they were able to catch your crook. I had a similar incident at my house with a break in and blood on a doorframe. I was told by the policeman who came that they couldn't lift it off to check it out so whoever it was is probably still running around out there.
    Hope to see you back again before the holidays are upon us. If not, have a wonderful Christmas!

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  12. So nice to see your post come up! I know what you mean about not having time for blogging as that is what has happened to me this year. I'm hoping that will all change with the new year coming too. LOVE your cards. Making them mailable is a goal I have this year also. The colors on each one are beautiful too. Congrats to your husband in his new adventures with retirement. Have a wonderful holiday with family and pets!

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  13. Leslie it is so good to hear that all is well and Congrats to your hubby on his retirement, I bet you all are very happy to have him home again. I bet that really makes you feel alot better that they finally know who was involved in your burglury. I hope things with work are going more smootly for you.
    Your cards are just Beautiful, so good to see your creations again, Love that first image, such a fun card, your coloring is terrific, love the elegance the bells bring to your second card, and the tree is just beautiful!!

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  14. So glad to know you are OK, Leslie. Sure have missed you and your wonderful posts. Best wishes to all of you.

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  15. Welcome Back! Your cards are fabulous. The first one is so cute. The next two are very elegant looking. You put such wonderful touches on your work that just make them extra special.
    So happy to see pictures of Wally and Lulu as well. Our furry friends add so much to our lives. Happy belated birthdays to you, your hubby and Lulu. Our little Captain Cuddles turned 3 this month. Hard to believe he's not a baby kitten any longer.
    Wow I bet that would have been hard having hubby working away from home. I've known people who have done that and when they didn't have to any longer it was such a relief. Enjoy your time together now and the Christmas season.
    Will look forward to your posts whenever you are able to do them.

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  16. Aw - Leslie! So nice to hear from you again, and what an eventful month you've had. I have an October BD too - so happy belated birthday lady! And so glad to hear you and your beloved get to be together full time again!

    Gorgeous creations friend...those bells in particular are amazing. The color you achieved is stunning! Hugs to you today!

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  17. What a delight to hear from you and especially that all is well in Leslie-land. Birthday greetings all round and welcome back. I missed you, the pups and your lovely cards. The photos are just great and I just love your Christmas cards, each with its own special charm. Nice. Really really nice.



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  18. Leslie, I've thought about you recently, and am happy you gave us a post to say that you are alright. :) I really appreciate hearing what's been going on in your life, and must say I completely understand about the need to take time away from the computer. :)

    Glad you had some cards to share, and those bells - oh, those bells! They look 3D, I'm tellin' ya. I can't believe you achieved that with markers!

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  19. How wonderful Leslie to have you back. Computer time can sure take away from our time to stamp, garden, enjoying time with our DH, etc. I understand perfectly.

    I LOVE how you cards have so much dimension and beauty and still mailing friendly.

    Happy Holidays my friend....

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  20. Welcome back! I am new to your blog, but do so enjoy the posts about the "kids" as well as your beautiful cards. However, I do have to admit...I stumbed across your previous blog by accident then went on to read all the older posts about Wally and LuLu. I can relate. I enjoyed my "beagle boys" for many, many years filled with laughter and love. Keep 'em coming!

    Donna

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  21. I was so glad to see your blog update - glad you and your crew are OK! I so understand your feelings of computer time. I'm always after my grandkids not to spend so much time online and to go outside and have fun and be kids! So enjoyed your updates on the family - loved the new pictures of Wally & Lulu! Happy Hoidays!

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  22. I was just wondering what happened to you and your furry companions. As a dog lover I missed seeing the dogs on each Saturday! As a card maker, I missed seeing your wonderful cards as well!

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  23. So glad to hear that all is well with you and the Goldens. Sure did miss you. Don't stay away so long next time!

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  24. Wow Leslie, so much to celebrate! Birthdays, retirement, and you posting to let us know you are okay. So glad to hear that you are well. What a gift to have your husband home with you and retired too! Enjoy things now that you are once again one, bit happy family.
    Blessings,
    Sue

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  25. Wow, where has your blog been hiding? Tammy shared it with me today and your work is absolutely gorgeous! I hope you enter your holiday bells card into Squigglefly's challenge - this week it's glitter and bling! All of your cards are just beautiful.
    I think your dogs are pretty special too and I totally agree with you on how taking a little time out with them makes you forget your troubles.

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  26. Leslie, so glad all is well. Every couple of days I would check your blog and nothing. I know exactly how you feel regarding computer time at home. I too work on one everyday at work and sometimes it is that last thing on my list when I get home at night. Okay, well enough of that, so glad your back, thanks for all the catch up - and I absolutely love your cards. Thanks for sharing pictures of Lulu & Wally.

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  27. How good to hear from you again, and learn that all is well. How awesome your husband is retired now. Can't wait for Jim to be able to retire. I'm very glad that you won't be home alone any more. Your cards are totally awesome, as always - you sure haven't lost your touch! Thanks for sharing all the pictures and I'll be waiting for your next post.

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  28. Not only are you back, but you are back with spectacular cards & just as important, pictures of "our" Wally & Lulu. For those of us who can't have dogs, but love them, we have just kind of adopted them as ours. I am just in awe of your cards. The coloring is so amazing on the 2nd one, it looks dimensional. The little elf is adorable & the tree is just a "wow" card! Welcome back!

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  29. hello sweet Leslie. Glad to see the furballs are doing well and keeping you busy. Your cards are wonderful and your coloring still amazes me. We had a great Thanksgiving and I hope yours was just as great. So glad that DH is home now and you are all together full time, I know that is a blessing. Sure did miss you but looks like you were in great hands. Big hugs..

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  30. Hi Leslie, I mostly have lurked on your blog...but oh how very much I enjoy it. As a one-time owner of a golden lab many moons ago, I love hearing about Lulu and Wally. I am currently trying to convince my daughter to consider this breed. She is mooning over one of those hideous (not their fault, of course), mixes, I call wanna-be pedigrees. So sad for the breed dog world that this happens now. It also goes without saying that I enjoy your cards as well, and any little bit of your goings and comings you care to share is alright by me. Congrats to your hubby on his retirement. I hope it will mean more enjoyable time for you and yours. Cyber Hugs,

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  31. Soo Wonderful to hear that you guys are well and safe and sound Miss Leslie! 8-) And So much to celebrate too! Happy Belated Birthday to you and your DH and Miss Lulu too! 8-) And it's wonderful to hear that you now get to spend more time together! Yay for Your Hubby's Retirement! That must be So Nice! 8-) Such a treat to see the Sweet pics of Wally & Lulu & three Gorgeous cards too! Wowie!! 8-) Hope you all had a Wonderful & Blessed Thanksgiving! 8-)

    Big hugs
    Shannon

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  32. My checking your blog every day has finally been rewarded! I've missed you and news of Wally and Lulu. Glad you're all doing fine. Thanks for checking in. I'll look forward to your next post. xo

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  33. She's BA-A-A-ACK!!!!! (takes deep, cleansing breath) Where do I start!?!?!

    Did I ever tell you about the calming effect your posts have on me? Love, no, LOVE hearing from you! SO...
    Happy Birthday to both you and Rich!
    Happy Retirement to Rich!
    Happy "birth" day to Lulu on becoming a Miller!
    Glad to see the disconnect was a healthy move on your part!
    Delighted to see pics of the kids!
    Doubly delighted that you share them with us!
    Glad they caught the guy, sorry it had to resurrect memories, but glad you can have some minor feeling of closure.
    Now, if y'all will excuse me, I'm gonna stand and do a happy dance!
    OUR LESLIE'S BACK!!!!!

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  34. So very, very pleased to see your post Leslie. I'm happy that your husband has retired and will be able to spend time with you, Wally and Lulu. The cards you have made a lovely and yes, the cost of postage is definitely a consideration when making cards. My problem is that I just love embellishments and I can't help myself. lol

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  35. I can certainly relate Leslie. I left a paint can lid on the floor, my dog, Taibo, walked across it and then across the house and on to the furniture. A real mess to clean up...but sure made me laugh! Gotta love it! Your cards are stunning! I love your magic touch! Thanks for popping in to say hello. I have been so busy these last few months, I have not had much time to blog surf either. I miss my cyber friends!!!

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  36. Ahhhh,.,.,., it's so good to see you, Wally and Lulu and although not in photos, news of your hubby's retirement. We have missed you. It's understandable that life does get in the way of our craft. But you have had time well spent with your loved ones. Glad the crook has been found.....and so happy to hear you are all doing well. Your cards are gorgeous as always... Thanks for being YOU and inspiring us! Merry Christmas and if we don't see you before, have a safe, healthy and Happy New Year ! Hugs!

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  37. What a nice post, Leslie. Thank you for thinking of all of us because we all think the world of you, Wally, Lulu and Rich. So glad you've had some quality time with all. And really glad to hear that your Rich is retired - hope it won't be long before you'll be able to join him. The photo of the "kids" is wonderful. It's so much fun to get wet and and tramp through the woods *smiling*. And the cards... well, as always, they are wonderful! Always beautiful detail, coloring, and design. I'm still in between "landings" *laughing*. We are in rental house near our grown children for the month of December and will into our home on January 2nd. Vance is back in Phoenix overseeing the packing/movers. The big Van lines leaves today and we hope we have our shipment sometime the first week of December. We're going to take our time putting things back together again. For now, I'm on Nana duty (smiling) and that's just fine with me. Thank you again for your post, the lovely cards, and of course great photo!

    Hugs,
    Susie ~

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  38. what gorgeous cards!!! Thanks for playing along with our Squigglefly challenge!

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  39. So great to see all is well with you and yours and those darling puppies! The cards are all gorgeous! Really happy you're back! :))

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  40. So glad you had the time and desire to give us a blog post. It was wonderful to see your beautiful cards and to hear whats happening in your life. Take care!

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  41. Yep, it was sooooo good to see a post again and know all is well. I love your cards and the photos of Wally and Lulu and have been checking most days for a new post. It sounds like all good news for you, how wonderful.
    Until next time.......

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  42. What a set of gorgeous cards and that Squigglefly card is just perfect for this week's challenge! Sounds like you are full of good news this week. Wonderful.

    Cheers, Holley, Squigglefly DT

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  43. Wow! All three cards are just stunning! My comments on your Squigglefly entry are late, however I'm happy to say congrats for winning the challenge last week! Pop back over to the blog for the details! Your entry with the bells is absolutely beautiful - you have really made those bells shine! Charlene SFDT

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  44. Welcome back, I missed you and your babies. Thanks for commenting on my last post it made my day to hear from you there. I'm glad you're all well, I was a bit worried not to see your posts for as long. I know how life can swallow up your time and a break from things is sometimes unavoidable.
    I haven't had much time for the computer or blogging lately, due to health of my dad then one of my fur babies went through surgery nearly 2 weeks ago (she's still wearing her lampshade yet). I hope to get back to blogging soon.
    I hope you all enjoyed great birthdays when they were here, and Happy retirement to Rich, maybe he'll have more time to relax with his art now. These are gorgeous photos of the pups and love the cards Leslie. Alexandra xx

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  45. So glad to know all is well at your home. I was concerned that someone was sick or something. If you must go that long between posts please pop in and at least tell us you're still breathing and all is well w/W&L! Now, with that lecture over, your cards are quite lovely, festive and fun! I like them too!!

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  46. love the cards. have missed your blog posts. Happy belated birthdays...
    Have a great day and a happy holiday season

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  47. awww! Love your sweet dogs :) They have a way of making life a little brighter! Cute projects, too :)

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