Play Day with TJ

Today was a technique play day with Vicky Ward. We were originally going to have three of us but Mary Anne was sick......get well, Mary Anne! We played around with the AI Float technique as well as Bingo Blast and Madras Dragging. We had lots of fun and made lots of background pieces for our coffers. The dark cardstock to the top of the picture was black where we floated the Gold and Silver Metallic Mixatives. They came out really pretty but will need to be sprayed with matte acrylic as they wanted to flake. We did something interesting with the Madras Dragging. We used Border punches instead of plain paper. Wonderful results. That part of the technique was Vicky's idea. I had some alcohol ink made by Pinata that was White. I've never tried to use it and really didn't know how to use it. BUT....we decided that we would try it when we were playing with the AI Float technique. It came out very chunky in the water but what it did was really freaky. It was so strange that I had to film it. If you are interested in viewing, it is on YouTube Here.

This weekend was quite full. On Saturday we celebrated the 45th Anniversary of the Ford Mustang. My husband, Ray, organized a get together and we ended up with about 70 cars participating! Pretty good for a last minute thing. We started at Landmark Ford, a dealership in Tigard, then cruised to downtown Portland and around Pioneer Courthouse Square. We were to go around the square 1.5 times. Unfortunately, there were so many of us that we created a grid lock....HA!! We then regrouped on the other side of the river in an open parking lot. Our next leg of the trip took us to the far east side of the Portland Metro area to a town called Sandy to another dealership called Suburban Ford. They even had hotdogs for us to eat......a pleasant surprise that we didn't know about.

I played for both services on Sunday and it was an interesting service to say the least. Lots of missed ques but at least the music was great. Pastor and I need to communicate a little more. He thought I would do one thing and I the other. It was another "Earlene Appreciation Sunday!" Earlene is our really wonderful organist!! During the afternoon I watched Zander while Leah (daughter) and Ray went to softball practice for the church league they play in. Ray went to the Shelby meeting alone while I readied the house for the Monday playday.

Tickled!

Well, my duet (piano) with Gary (violin) went very well. We only had about 2 minutes of actual practice together before performance. But it wel very well.....only had one chord that wasn't what it should have been and I was able to save it and go on. Yeah! Our service tonight was absolutely beautiful. We sang (choir) two songs that went well and bell choir did a reflective piece that was difficult and very well done. The tenebrea (spelling?) service is the "Service of darkness" and as the scripture is read, the lights are lowered darker and darker. At the end, the Christ candle is the only thing lit and it is removed. After a time of silence, the book is slammed shut with a loud bang. Then after a while the Christ candle is returned and everyone leaves in silence. Such a proper and somber reminder of this Holy night of our Savior's death. BUT........Easter's coming!

On another note. The other day I had Allison Hicks call me. Her little girl, Chelsea, died about 6 weeks ago from Wilms cancer. So very sad. Chelsea loved monkeys so when it came time to make a sympathy card for her family I knew that a monkey card it had to be. After I finished the card I got to thinking........I then made up 10 monkey thank you cards so that Allison could use them for some of her special people. I was hoping that they would like them. Well.......when Allison called she said that they truly loved that monkey card and especially the monkey thank yous. Her real reason for calling was to ask me if she could purchase 50 more monkey thank yous! Why yes!! I was very tickled that she loved the cards.........Here is a picture of the original monkey sympathy card and the thank you that went along with it.

After Service Critique

Well.......my playing at service wasn't perfect but it was pass-able. When I don't have a perfect playing service I call it my "Earlene Appreciation Service". Our best organist is named Earlene and she has more talent in her pinky that I have all over. She is also an absolutely wonderful teacher. She tutored me for a while. She is sick this week.......that's why I ended up playing tonight at the last minute. Tomorrow night is the duet. I think it will go well. It will be a prelude.

Bummed but happy!

Well my hero arts one layer card did NOT win.......... BUT......it did get honorable mention and that was cool because there were over 300 entries! ;-) Here is a picture of it again! Short post today.....gotta practice for tonight. Still some rough areas in my songs and I didn't get quality practice at church today since a group was in there trying to hang some banners and they need to talk and hear each other.

Easter's coming!

Well, it has been an exciting week. I found out that I play for Maundy Thursday service only on Tuesday!! Augh!! Four hymns and a praise song. Only one of the songs is really giving me a fit so it should go pretty well. I'll also be playing with Gary Hurst on Good Friday. Me on Piano and Gary on Violin. I practiced a LOT today so I took a break when the grandson, Zander, was sleeping and played in the Stamp Hole. Here is the card that I made for my granddaughter, Audrey. This cute little parachuting bunny is a digital stamp from Mel McCarthy (SCS Stampztoomuch). She shared them on her blog last week. There are two more as well. I'll use one of the other one's for Little Jim's Easter card. It was colored with copic markers. The patterned 'paper' behind the bunny is a beautiful Easter egg napkin that I got from the donut table at the Rhododendron Show on Saturday. I ran a piece of cardstock through my Xyron and adhered the napkin. The paper right immediately behind the bunny looks like clouds......isn't that a fun paper?!

On another note......I sent in my application yesterday to attend the copic certification class in Portland on my Birthday, May 20th. I found out today that I was accepted!! Hooray!! I can't wait to learn more about coloring with these wonderful markers.

Pooped!!

Sorry......no picture for this post.
Today was the Early Show at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Society. Ray and I got up around 6:30 am (we don't like early mornings) to get down to the garden somewhat early. Not too big of a show this year....only 140 entries. I had six trophies on the table. This is the easy show!! Off to grab a bite of leftovers, watch a movie, and hit the hay. Tomorrow is another early morning since choir sings for both services. 7:50am to be there.....ugh!