Staci Shuck

A Distress-Full Monday Madness!

Happy Monday, Happy President's Day, happy vacation day and HAPPY MONDAY MADNESS!!!  Yep, I'm yelling it at the top of my lungs!  Just a little tired from a great weekend full of lots of creativity, great fellowship, new friends, old friends and some Distress!!!

The weekend was spent here....
Greene Hills church camp, just "over the river and through the woods" a bit from home.  A place I haven't visited since my childhood with my great (who was great...I just didn't know back then) Aunt Myrtie who drove us over hill and dale in her yellow cadillac(the old 1956 model with the torpedo style headlights on each side-I'll have to dig up a photo!) introducing us to neighbors, places, people, yummy foods and things that at the time were of no importance to me.  Oh how things have changed!  Now...they are very fond memories.  Coming back to this place was wonderful.  Lots of history in this land, a building filled with memories and the people working there...friends of my family who knew Aunt Myrtie.  Great to be there with them.  Greene Hills is definitely one of those "if these walls could talk" places!  Oh the stories they could tell.  

This weekend, Greene Hills was home to an amazing group of woman gathered to create, craft, scrapbook and share fellowship. 
They asked me to represent Grove's and be the "official" store for the event.  It was great to be there with these wonderful woman and the caretakers of Greene Hills.  I  will share more pictures of them on another post.

During the course of the weekend, I was fortunate to be able to get some playtime to myself.  The creativity of these ladies motivated me to pull out the supplies I had with me and put some pages together.   This is when the weekend turned into a distress-FULL weekend!!!  I didn't have my usual stash with me so I needed to improvise to blend colors and make things flow.  Somehow that stark white (although I do use it alot too) just wasn't cutting it with the papers and pictures I had chosen.  Then that old light bulb came on.... which brings me to Monday Madness -DISTRESS INKS!!!  I always have my inks with me!  And I do have a few... stored in a handy dandy make up bag....
very nicely, although when the inks are being used the case doesn't look so nice!  At any rate, I LOVE these inks (and the matching markers, stains, paints etc.) and find myself using them on almost everything.  I love the aged and slight bit of color they add to the pieces I use in crafting.  Today I used the Faded Jeans with some Van Dyke Brown to age and add color to the letter tiles for my page layout title.  I was pleased with the results and decided to do the same to the journal tag which was a bright white originally.  At first I did the edges by running them right against the pad and then I smoothed them out with the blending tool.  Love the result.  I should have done a "before pic" to show the big difference in the coloring of the letters.  I'll remember to do that next time!
 I am very pleased with the finished layout and end result.  It was an "antique-y" kind of page showing flea market shopping so the DISTRESS look and feel is perfect.  Even though I would have used them even if the pictures weren't "antique-y"!  LOL! 

Hope you have a great day that is FULL of Distress...INKS that is! Get them out, add some color and age to your pieces!!!

Happy Monday!

Staci

A Ruler, Scallops and some Lemon drops!

The simplest things are making me so happy lately!  Just like this simple ruler embossed cardstock from Jenni Bowlin and Core'dinations.  It's great stuff...plain and simple.  Who knew that it would be even greater with a little Lemon Drops added to it!  And some scallops (Bazzill cardstock that is!)! Step 1:  Brush Lemon drops Ink over cardstock lightly.  Allow to dry.  Feel free to blend colors too!

Step 2:  Cut ruler paper into strips along the ruler lines.

Step 3:  Stitch or Glue (with HELMAR 450 or tape runner, of course!) scallops(the paper kind) here and there on the edges of the cut ruler strips. Ribbon, rick rack and any other shape trims work well too!

Step 4:  Adhere the strips in a haphazard way over the center of a piece of cardstock. I trimmed mine a bit so they don't go edge to edge.  I also inked the edges with my trusty Van Dyke brown ink just to age it a bit.  I also ran the brown over the rulers (on top of the Lemon Drops) to "help" them pop!

Step 5:  Choose pictures, embellishments, journaling and title (if you want, make it your own!), arrange, glue (with Helmar, again!) and VOILA....a finished page layout!

I chose a school theme to go with the ruler theme but...that is NOT necessary!  Make it your own!

Enjoy and if you feel the need to have some scallops and lemon drops while you create!  Go for it!

Thanks to Jenni and Jared of Jenni Bowlin Studio's for their awesome goodies and great tutorials!

Happy Friday!

Staci

Monday Madness...on Tuesday is Puzzling!!!!

I've loved playing with puzzles since I was little.  Remember those wooden puzzles in elementary school?  Or the cartoon chipboard puzzles from McCrory's or Murphy's 5 and Dime?  Don't forget about those colorful Ravensburger puzzles too!  As a family, we enjoy a good puzzle now and then. We always stop at the puzzle tables at Bedford Springs when visiting there. A stop on the way in....to get a feel for the puzzle, (don't laugh...this is serious puzzling{the art of putting 1000+puzzle together} business!) the theme, colors and pieces, (It takes skill and concentration to conquer these!) and a stop on the way out, to hopefully get at least ONE section (usually 2 pieces) together! That, if accomplished, is mentally draining and exhausting-but great family fun!  Most often it requires a replenishing and nourishing meal in the tavern before heading back home!   If we can't get our own 2 piece section together first, we try to add a piece or 2 to what has already been started!  We have been known to hover over these tables, focused on matching pieces for 20 minutes or more, or until someone yells "I got one"!  Nothing wrong with a little friendly, family, puzzle competition once in a while! Not just any puzzle creates such a stir.  It has to be a Wentworth, real wood puzzle, with the most awesome shapes, coloring and 1000+ pieces to spark our interest!
Just look at that turkey!!!  And the fox at the top left too...Seeing these got me thinking!  Dangerous, I know!  I have had Chipboard puzzle pieces at my disposal for a few years.  We sell them at Grove's (in store only) and they are used primarily by teachers for preschool and elementary projects, I knew, sooner or later, that I NEEDED to use them creatively!  I was puzzled though, as the pieces are all the same shape, no smooth border for them to "lock into a snug fitting" shape like all the other puzzles I've put together.  Silly me....why did I think they needed a smooth border!  Why do they have to fit together!  Who knew it would take a turkey, a fox and some other Wentworth shapes to give me a wakeup call!  Soooo, for sketch class this weekend..we played with a 12 x 12 puzzle piece (among other things)!!!  I think everyone was as relieved as I that it could be used alone...no border!  This is what I came up with....not very puzzling at all...very simple actually and 

it was a perfect fit for one of the sketches we used....and I used my stash to complete it!!!!  I have lots of ideas now!  I can't wait to play with the 2 smaller sizes and I just might have a few of those large alphabet floor puzzles around that would be great to repurpose!  Why didn't I do this earlier!  No more thinking inside the "smooth border" for me...back to thinking out of the box! 

NOTE:  Don't be puzzled by those puzzle pieces...instead create a puzzling piece of art!!!!  (insert chuckle here!)   That's all for now!  Happy Monday Madness on Tuesday!

Hugs!

Staci

One last post for Joe...

It's been a few weeks and things are starting to slowly get back to "normal?"  That's not completely correct,  but I think you get the idea.  Still lots of emotion around here and THEEEEE flag
IS (and WILL CONTINUE to fly) to fill the void, show pride and honor PSU and Joe and family.  We still and will always have PSU in our hearts!  We wear it on our cars....

See it in the Scrapbooking and Papercrafting Aisle at Grove's....
in our jewelry....
and it's on our candy wrappers, paper plates and yes, sometimes we eat blue and white pasta!!!!!  Obsessed?  Nah, proud, appreciative, thankful, devoted and very glad to have experienced this during the time Joe was here!  We attended the processional for Joe in our best blue and white out of respect for him, his family, our family and because it was the right thing to do.  We received word that the service was over and cars were beginning to move.  As we looked in that direction to confirm, Jeff noticed this very faint, but very awesome rainbow.  
It is faint, just above and to the right of the trees, but it IS there and we, already emotional, shed a few more tears!  A sign for sure that Heaven was Happy...Joe smiling down on us! (Insert tears here!) Then we saw the cars, those awesome blue buses carrying family members with Sue in the seat that Joe rode in for the last 60 years and Jay and family waving to us as they passed. We have NEVER experienced such quiet in this place.  The hum of the media helicopters, noise from flashing vehicle lights and the snaps of cameras were all that could be heard.  Such respect for a man and his family who have done so much.  Listen for yourself.

The day after this processional was a public memorial service at Bryce Jordan Center next to the stadium.  We did not attend but did watch it live on our local station.  It was amazing.  Such a tribute from sooooo many lives Joe had touched.  This video of Nike CEO, Phil Knight, who also spoke at the service, said what we all have been feeling. We visited Joe's Statue...
so quiet and yes, I cried...Jeff told me to "Buck UP"...that didnt' work at all!  We had our Peach Paterno ice cream....delicious, delicious, delicious...made at the Campus Creamery!
We paid our respects and left messages at the Sports Museum & just one more photo!

Yep!  We're Penn State, Nittany Lion, Joe Paterno, Paterno Family fans!  I will close with that and say that there will be more pictures from this day and days to come but...we'll be sharing some creativity too.  Monday Madness will be here this week too...just a little late!

This is CHANGE....I am working to EMBRACE it!  I may have to borrow some "FOCUS" to continue to move ahead! 

Thanks for allowing me to share!  Have an impact in all you do!

Staci

Hard to let go...

Much, much harder than I thought to "get away from & let go of" the story of the weekend.  The University and the town are very much a part of our daily lives.  Yes, we attend athletic events and functions on campus, including football games, but we also have surgery at Mt. Nittany Medical Center, go to Drs. appts, shop at Wegman's, eat at The Waffle Shop, make deliveries on and off campus, attend the Arts Festival, shop downtown, pick up out of town guests at the airport, visit lifelong friends and family and so on and so on.

Penn State (the University) IS State College (the town) and State College IS Penn State.  Some beg to differ and some try to change and there are some separations and differences but for the most part they are ONE!  Thousands share this same feeling.  One can't visit campus or town without feeling a touch of the Blue and White pride and seeing Joe Pa (in real life or photos) somewhere around town.  We've never taken that for granted and appreciate it even more now.

Today was to be a regular Monday for my Mom and Dad.  (They frequent State College more than we do...that is saying something too!)   A normal, Monday trip to Mt. Nittany, for check-ups with Drs. they've had for years, through many surgeries and health issues.  These Drs.  happen to be the same Drs. who cared for Joe.  (Kinda neat to know that you are no different than Joe and can have the same high level of care that he had at no extra charge!) Visits have been heartwrenching since Nov. when news of the scandal broke.  The staff showed concern in quiet conversation, all the while supporting Joe and his actions.  Today's visit, according to Mom and Dad, was far more than heartwrenching.  An entire hospital and staff, solemn, quiet, sad, grieving, mourning and sharing in disbelief, the loss of a person they have cared for, admired and loved for so long.  Definitely not something you would expect in a larger hospital that cares for thousands of patients daily in numerous ways.  I mentioned to mom and dad that they may want to plan an alternate route to the hospital just in case the normal route past Beaver Stadium and Joe's statue was blocked off.  They agreed, but I KNEW they would attempt the normal route anyway.  You just don't go to Mt. Nittany and NOT go past Beaver Stadium to check on Joe! (Change{of a 25 year habit}...is HARD!)  So, of course they went the normal route.... and OF COURSE, they stopped to pay respect to Joe and share in the widespread out pouring of love for him....and I am so glad they did!!!!!  My parents remind me alot of Joe and his family.  Strong morals and values, sound ethics, hard working, humble, sincere, honest, faithful, considerate, appreciative, quiet samaritans who do good because it's right & not to get attention, teachers, coaches, parents and leaders.  Thankful they are my mom and dad.
So many good family memories at this field and all over campus.  We've adapted to changes at the stadium and on campus over the years without much question.  This change makes things different though  and that word "change" keeps cropping up.  Although I am trying to "embrace" the change...this one is VERY difficult.  So glad my Mom and Dad introduced Penn State to our family at an early age and that we experienced the Joe Pa years on campus.  He has taught so much, to so many, in life and now even in death.  The IMPACT of his life will live forever...THAT is his LEGEND.  It will only be tarnished if we allow it to be.   HIS LEGEND is inspiring and THAT gives faith and hope to us.  He taught us even through his tragedy.  Presidents don't do that...or at least they haven't for a while! What a lesson of integrity, honor, humanity and loyalty. 

Our local paper caught Jeff early this morning while seeking public response to Joe's death.  I'll remind you this is LOCAL news, close to home and Joe.  His response is synomous with thousandsof others all over Pennsylvania.  The National Media has not published these responses though and we find that very sad.  To be "used" (as a person, university, town, community and state) by the media is a disgrace. To publish misleading, misguided, false information and accusations for the purpose of gaining readers and increasing cash flow at the expense of such an outstanding person and family is ridiculous and shameful.   But that is a political discussion that I won't get into in this post.

For now, we'll make our regular visits to State and campus and appreciate the fact that we have experienced and shared in something great.  Something that has molded us and made us better people.  Something that will hopefully help us work for the greater good and impact others lives.

I'll have more to share later and hope to move forward with a few of those video's and projects I had planned to share this past weekend.  Thank you for allowing me to post these thoughts.

Hugs to you all!

Staci

 

 

A Moment of Silence....

For the role Joe Paterno and his family have played in the lives of thousands of students, players, families, the State College, PA community and the Penn State Family.  He has impacted our lives in ways that only great people can.  I feel so fortunate to have experienced Penn State, the State College community and Penn State Athletics, while Joe Paterno and his family were part of the University.  The loss is immense.  My heart breaks for his wife Sue and their 5 children and families.  In 2 months, they have endured more than anyone should have to endure in a lifetime.  It is a tragedy that their lives were put in turmoil by false and quick judgements that were unnecessary, unethical and unprofessional.  They have paid the ultimate price. 

Early this morning, when news began to circulate, a good friend stated this so eloquently:

"As the situation with JoePa grows grave, say a prayer for he and his family. No one deserves the treatment he has been given by the mass media and should he leave this earth, please remember all the good he has done for young players, students, faculty and a community. He is paying the price for the transgressions of another and should be honored for the lives he has touched. God bless the Paterno family." 

 Thank you Sandy K. for sharing this. 

Those not living in the Central PA area or not affiliated with the Penn State Family will have a difficult time believing that anyone could support him.  The National Press has created an evil person and Non-Penn State fans are taking the opportunity to slay Joe, his family and what they really stand for.  I only wish all could have experienced the kind actions, thoughtfulness and compassion of he and his family.  Please keep the Paterno family, Penn State family and State College Community in your thoughts and prayers  Although it is the end of Joe's life, it is the beginning of a long series of events to expose truths that will hopefully bring forth the real culprits so they can be held accountable.  

"Believe deep down in your heart that you are destined to do great things- JVP" 

 

“They asked me what I’d like written about me when I’m gone, I hope they write I made Penn State a better place not just that I was a good football coach”
-Joseph Vincent Paterno
Dec. 21, 1926 – Jan. 22, 2012

Forever appreciated and Penn State Proud...thank you for making Penn State and the State College Community a better place...we will miss you Joe Paterno.

 

Quick, Brisk and 8 degrees=Monday Madness!

This weekend was a QUICK one that began with a trip north! for a "mother/daughter" visit with friends, who are more like family, and the chance to witness our favorite Living History Village in a different season...enter Old Sturbridge Village in January! Even though the sky was blue, the village was gray, calm, quiet and still.  Visitors were indoors to avoid the "Briskness" in the air!  Wonderful to see the different activities taking place in the village at this season!  Village interpreters were dawning their winter costumes  (okay, a little eerie too)...but we don't see these on our Spring/Summer visits!  Doc and Blue, the village oxen, were in their full winter coats and the "flock of white" (the village gobblers) and the Village rooster were gobbling and clucking to each other like I have never heard before!  They were not minding the frigid 8 degree's!
It was a "Monday Madness"of a different kind!  One that started with frigid temps, a 7 hour trip, a napping navigator and time to appreciate all we experienced in such a short time!  Thankful to be home safely to a slightly warmer climate but looking forward to our next trip! 

Back in the groove...

Things are coming together.  Suddenly all those "changes" (there's that 2011 word with lots of ups and downs) are starting to make sense and come together.  Perhaps i am "embracing" them, their ideas, purposes and direction and focusing on the goals(thanks again to SLJ2012).  Just perhaps!  Embracing... all that wonderful wool, felted and unfelted and creating some goodness.  From "things to come".... shared yesterday and otherwise known as a....stack of wool...came this....wonderfully fun, creative warm, knittable, swarny, swelty, (swoozie - dh's word) goodness..... Stay tuned as I embrace the possibilities of creating with this wonderful stuff!  Tutorials, tips, tricks and fun stuff on the horizon.

Happy Wednesday!

Staci

Monday Madness...file folders continued!

I am really enjoying file folders.  I know, enough already, but can you really ever have enough of a good thing?  Wait, don't answer that...I know the answer already.    For now though, I will continue with my attraction to file folders.  Fortunately, I have easy access to them at Grove's!  Just in case you'd like to order them....CLICK HERE to go to the Grove's online store. 

Without further ado...another technique using those awesome little manilla masterpieces... Just another way to score, fold and insert into your projects.   Using these in my Scrapbook Life Journal with Stephanie Ackerman class.  Head on over to check it out!  She's extended registration til the end of January!

Enough plugs...now another tease of things to come....
Thanks to everyone for the well wishes too, I am on the mend after a wonderful bout of hives turned to stomach flu.  Hope to create a bit tonight and share some things later this week!

Happy File Folding!

Staci

7658 Photos!

 

My worst nightmare came true late Friday night while demonstrating to fellow croppers how wonderful Scrapbook Pictures is for online photo developing.  I had logged on earlier in the evening to show a few croppers and about an hour later logged in to show others and I found a different greeting on the homepage. I quickly glanced the paragraphs and then it hit and I gasped!!!  CLOSING after 62 years!  What..that can't be...final orders taken til Jan. 3rd!!!  I gasped again...shared the news and sat silent in disbelief for a few minutes.  A close friend and SP fan did the same.

I know, it's just an online photo developing service but...I have been spoiled by Scrapbook Pictures.  They are the only service I have used for last 10 years.  Soooo....since early Saturday morning, amidst making preparations for New Year's Day dinner, cleaning, laundry and settling in for Class with Stephanie, I began the process of sorting photo's, uploading new photo's and cropping, selecting color and finishes and adding narratives.  The final total of pictures sorted...7658!  The bad news...that's not all of them!  The rest will have to wait though.  I know...I take way to many pictures.  In addition to that though, one of my favorite things to do is scan vintage family photos and upload, resize and order prints.  Thanks to SP...I have been able to create a few of these for family gifts...
I am sure there are other online photo developers that would enable me to do the same thing, however, I have been so satisfied with SP that I have never looked elsewhere.   I loved knowing that if I needed a 12 x 12 photo in sepia with a metallic finish...I could get it and have it in my hands in 3 or 4 days.  Spoiled, Spoiled, Spoiled I have been!

With my final orders submitted and project ideas and layout sketches recorded, I begin my search for a new provider.  I'm pretty sure it will take me a while to get through the photo's I've ordered, and I'm hopeful that a worthy NEW owner will be found for SP that will provide the same upstanding product, quality and service, but in the meantime...I begin my search.  Any suggestions and feedback on your experiences would be appreciated. 

In good faith, I am trying to "embrace" the "change" and move on!  It's scarey to use my one word from last year in the same sentence with my word for 2012! 

Staci