Staci Shuck

INSPIRED

I think I do a pretty good job of living in the present.  Once in a while it's difficult though.  This time of year is one of those times!  While I am feverishly working my creative little fingers to the bone (and loving it!) for my next adventure here...
My internal clock is telling me I should be somewhere else!  No, not a work, not a school ....at INSPIRED silly!   With the most fan tabulous group of people EVER gathered ANYWHERE!!!! I AM trying to "EMBRACE" the change but who would not want to spend 5 glorious days with this bunch of people????? See for your self with these pics from 2011....


Yes! I am partial to this group so don't ask if I'm being objective! Tis' where I've been fortunate to gather every early May, for the last 3 years, with other like minded creative souls, for days of unending laughter, creativity, inspiration, friendship and oh so much more!  To My Inspired Family(which happens to include my own family)...THANK YOU and MISS YOU!  You provide Inspiration like none other!  I am fortunate to have experienced Inspired with you!  Inspired Hugs to all you Crazy, Happy, Creative People!  Keep Inspiring and Keep doing what you love to do!  I look forward to us being gathered all in the same place again soon!  There are so many, many more you!  The blog just isn't big enough to list everyone's photo!  Thank you Donna and Bill Downey for bringing us all together!!

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

 

 

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

Happy New Year!

Good Morning 2012!
This is the view from the kitchen this morning...no "official" sun at this point, just a pink sky on the horizon and it's the first sunrise of 2012...at least in Central Pennsylvania!!!  Great way to start off the year!  I should have ventured outside for a better photo but instead shot this right through the screen on the kitchen window.  Tradition brings us together today as a family for our "good luck" pork and sauerkraut dinner.  It's a favorite get together in the family and a wonderful way to start off the year.  Special preparations mean getting up at the crack of dawn (or before in this case) to put the kraut and the pork in a slow cook roaster like this... OFFICIAL RED NESCO 18 QT roaster oven.....it's big, beautiful and holds enough for the entire family to feast this afternoon....and the sauerkraut smells wonderful already! I was glad to be working at the window filling this new roaster and get a glimpse on the start of the new year with this sunrise...finally the red sky turned into a bright sun, again through the window...this time the living room window...dirty window at that...but it commemorates the moment...first sunrise of 2012!

Lots of reflection in these few minutes..."changes"(the one little word from 2011) that have taken place in 2011 (and those still to come in 2012), thankfulness for all around me and appreciation.  It amazes me how much can go through your mind as you work and take time to think, relax, enjoy, live and "embrace" the moment!  Suddenly I realized...my word for 2012, which hadn't come to me yet...there it was..."embrace" - the moment, the changes, life, inspiration, family, the adventure and 2012!  May it be a blessed, creative, healthy 2012 for everyone!  Embrace every minute of it!  Happy New Year!

Don't fall off your chair!!!!!

Shocking I know, to hear from me twice in the same week...sit tight, it will be short but very, very important!  As THE day draws near  I begin to think about the new year.  I don't do resolutions but do attempt to make goals, I may fall short but I always have a great time working towards them.  Last year I decreased, yes, just decreased...my stack of hoarded wool sweaters and I created 130 some 12 x 12 page layouts which didn't quite meet my goal of a page a day but...it's more than I started with and I DID USE MY STASH!!!!!  Those goals will continue this year and with the help of Stephanie Ackerman and her new class....

I just may be able to reach my goals a little easier!  You'll want to go HERE to register and get info.  Class starts January 1, 2012 and goes all year!  I'm registered and getting organized!  

That said...I hope you are still on your chair and haven't needed any medical attention due to the shock of my posting so frequently this week!  I may surprise you again, so be prepared just in case!

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Happy Monday!!!! Monday Madness is back!!!!

With a few changes that is!  I am resolving to work extra hard to make it every Monday but...it may end up being every other Monday or the first Monday of the month or the last Monday of the month...you get the idea right!!!!  So for today, which happens to be the next to last Monday of the month (LOL!)  we have Monday Madness back!  (and I know I have alot to catch up on these too...paint rings a bell...Sandra...I haven't forgotten!)

Anyway...today's Monday Madness is MARKERS and Doodling!  Most of you know I love COPIC markers, am a certified Copic teacher and use them for just about everything.  Truth be told I LOVE their At You SPica's and I use their multiliners as regular pens...so glad they are refillable!!!  I guess you can say I'm a Copic Addict...not as bad mind you as other but...I do use the airbrush system too.  That might put me over the edge of addiction.  That all said...I'm taking Stephanie's Random Creative ScrappleDoodle online class.  I'm pretty sure you can still register for the class...just click her name above and info should be right there.  Stephanie used Prismacolor markers
and had introduced me to them way back last spring.  I purchased a few and played.  Liked them and used them in my journaling last spring and even through the summer but...."never fear, when Copic's are near" I will turn to them first.  For my Scrapple Doodling I thought I would try the Prisma's and break away from my addiction.  I was pleasantly surprised how nicely they worked on canvas and how easily they blended from one color to the next.  I did not use the Prisma blender but did use the lighter colors to blend.  Here are a few pics of my first project assignment.
I also used some Sharpies on these. I'm working on one with ALL Copics too...that will come later.

SO my challenge for today, this next to last Monday of August...USE YOUR MARKERS and DOODLE...anywhere you like!!!!!

Have fun!