Women's Ward

Saturday My Handyman and I went on a tour of the Old Idaho Penitentiary. It's been years since I've been out there. It's hard to believe that it housed inmates until 1973..
It was a cool and rainy day but we had cabin fever and wanted out of the house. We drove around town and finished a few errand we needed to do. We were driving down Warm Springs Avenue when we drove past the Penitentiary sign. I suggested it to My Handyman and since there was a tiny patch of blue sky and temporarily no rain we decided to stop.

The women were housed with the men... They were kept on the 4th floor at the farthest corner so that there wasn't much traffic in front of them. From 1870 - 1973 the Penitentiary housed 215 women convicts. After one of them got pregnant.... they built the separate Womens Ward. It has its own stone walls built around it with a grassy yard and flowers. Inside the cells are very tiny. I could stand against the wall and reach to touch the bunk bed and reach about 1/3 across the bed. The mattresses were large cotton bags stuffed with tall grass that was cut from the foothills just outside the walls of the Penitentiary.



The most famous woman inmate was Lyda Southard, known as "Idaho's Lady Bluebeard." She entered the Old Penitentiary in 1921, just after her 29th birthday. She had been married five times, and her first four husbands all died shortly after marrying Lyda and taking out life insurance policies at her request. An investigation of the death of her fourth husband, uncovered evidence of arsenic in the remains of all four husbands and her first husbands brother. She apparently boiled flypaper containing arsenic, and then added the poison to the food she served. She was sentenced to ten years to life, and her fifth husband divorced her shortly thereafter. In 1931 with the help of an ex-convict, Lyda escaped over the wall of the Woman's Ward. Once free she deserted her friend and married her sixth husband. Lyda was eventually captured and returned to the penitentiary in August of 1932. She was released on probation in 1941 and received a final pardon in 1942.

I'll post more pictures of the Old Penitentiary in a few days. You can visit the state site HERE.

EnJOY!
Michelle

Creative Strokes

I pulled all of my brushes out a few days ago and painted a couple of orders. I really need to do more of this. These were two simple projects.

I used 1x4 pine to create these decorative signs.

I write my letting on paper and trace onto the wood so that I can get it centered before painting.
It's not very easy to freehand.





When done with all the painting, shading, sanding and finishing touches I spray with a clear
sealer.





I then attached some kind of hanger and its ready for the customer.

EnJOY!
Michelle

Trust

The challenge word today is TRUST. I chose scripture Proverbs 3:5.
Go check out Faith Sisters for more challenges.



I created this digitally, then printed it out on HP Presentation paper. I cut it out and glued it on a 4x4 coaster . I buy these from Starlit Studio. They're 10 for 1.49. I then embellish and turn into a hybrid project.



Products used: Little Dreamer Designs. 2Peas brushes. Robins nest baubles. Coasters. Font- Pea Christy. PSE7

Proberbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. NLT

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. KJV

BibleGateway

EnJOY!
Michelle

They Say It's Your Birthday

Today is my Cousin Carma Jean's birthday... I made her this card.....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAN!
My new The Greeting Farm stamp set got here just in time.




I also created this digital page for her. I framed it and shipped it off to Eastern Idaho.
This picture was taken of us in March of 1965. We're more than cousins. We're friends.



Products: Little Dreamer Designs, Jenn Wilson Designs, Designer Digital brushes.


Yesterday was my friend Kim's birthday and I sort of made her the same card..



Products used: CTMH. Cosmo Cricket. Nestabilities- Circles, Rectangles. SU ribbon. Cuttlebug embossing folders. Twinkling H20's. CTMH inks. Watercolor brush. Stickles - distress antique linen. Shimmerz. The Greeting Farm - Rock the Farm.

EnJoy!
Michelle

Grace

Todays word from the Faith Sisters scripture challenge is GRACE.



Products: Little Dreamer Designs. 2Peas. Font- Pea Christy. Turquoise stickles. Felt flower. Button. PSE7. 4x4 Coaster.



The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. NIV

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. NLT

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. KJV

BibleGateway

EnJOY!
Michelle

Hillbillies

Don't ask.... because I will never admit if this was taken at a family reunion or not!!

Two hillbillies walk into a restaurant. While having a bite to eat, they talk about their moonshine operation.

Suddenly, a woman at a nearby table, who is eating a sandwich, begins to cough. After a minute or so, it becomes apparent that she is in real distress. One of the hillbillies looks at her and says, 'Kin ya swallar?'

The woman shakes her head no.

Then he asks, 'Kin ya breathe?'

The woman begins to turn blue and shakes her head no.

The hillbilly walks over to the woman, lifts up her dress, yanks down her drawers and quickly gives her right butt cheek a lick with his tongue.

The woman is so shocked that she has a violent spasm and the obstruction flies out of her mouth.

As she begins to breathe again, the Hillbilly walks slowly back to his table.

His partner says, 'Ya know, I'd heerd of that there 'Hind Lick Maneuver' but I ain't niver seed nobody do it!'

EnJOY!

Michelle

My Little Monster

When Eric was about 6, his favorite thing was My Little Monster. He got a couple for his birthday. This digital image reminds me of those monsters.



Fred She Said has all kinds of digital images available. You just print them out and color them.
That is where I found this cute little monster. I also bought a couple of sheets of flowers. You just print them on card stock, paint them and cut out and attached to your card. The flowers I created have 2-4 layers, attached in the middle with a yellow brad. You can get the monster HERE

This flower kind of looks like a daffodil. Don't you think? I don't care what anyone thinks. I think he's a cute little monster.




Products- CTMH X5806 - Emporium creative basics. SU-Riveting. Fred She Said- digital image. Twinkling H20's. Yellow brad. Green ribbon. Jelly roll pen.

EnJOY!
Michelle

Create

I ordered this Chocolate Vinyl wall hanging and finally got it up last weekend. What an adventure!! It's on the wall in my room of creations!



It's 30" x 11" I had to center and mark the wall where I wanted to hang it. It took me about 15 minutes to peel the backing off because the letters were peeling off with it. The paper was curling so I had to find something to hold the edges flat while peeling off the back.



When I finally got the backing off, I put masking tape on the top edge to tape to the wall so I could use the handy tool to rub on the letters and make it stick to the wall.... I held it up to the wall and called in My Handyman to see if it looked straight. I took one edge and moved it up a little and somehow I let go of one side and it dropped down and folded and letters stuck together! I couldn't get them apart. I thought for sure that I had just thrown $25 down the drain! I didn't give up though. It took forever but I was able to pull them apart (a few letters torn in half) . A couple of letters are a little crooked but... Isn't that what makes Art? Nothing is ever perfect! (I have fixed the 's' since taking the picture)



EnJOY!
Michelle

Have a Blimey Good Day!

This is a new set I just got from The Cats Pajama's. It has all kinds of fun pirate images.



I used CTMH X7109B - Stardust paper. D1333 - Wishing star stamp
Cats Pajama's - Argh Piratey. CTMH inks - Sweet Leaf, Honey, Tulip, Taffy, Citrus Leaf.
Yellow Stickles. White Ribbon.



EnJOY!
Michelle

Spring has Spring

A couple of days ago was the first day of Spring. There are signs everywhere.

My Violets are blooming.



The tulips are coming up.



The DayLilly's are coming up.



The grass is turning green.



The Robins are loudly singing; trying to wake up the world wanting to build a test in my maple tree.



The tree's are starting to bud. It won't be long and we'll see this beautiful sight.


The sun is getting warmer.



I love this time of year!!

EnJOY!
Michelle

Glad

Today's word for the scripture challenge at Faith Sisters is GLAD. Normally there is one word a week but I am still catching up. This is my 2nd post today so be sure and keep reading :)



Products; Little Dreamer Designs. 2Peas. Font-MichelleDurheim. CTMH ribbon, Baby blue stickles. PSE7



If you're interest in creating your own scripture cards, the words are..
1. Faith
2. Kindness
3. Beauty
4. Wait
5. Change
6. Peace
7. Glad
8. Trust
9. Prayer
10. Grace
11. Live
12. Listen

Psalm 31:7

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; KJV

I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. NIV

I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. NLT

BibleGateway

EnJOY!
Michelle

Rules of Six

This makes me think of... Whats in your wallet?? Well... Whats in your folder?? This challenge has been around several times.. and this time I decided to play... mainly because of the folder I got to open up.

This is the 6th photo in my 6th folder.. The entire folder has photo's of the cutest little boy I know! These were taken last summer. 7/21/2008. This is my Grandson Carter. Grammy loves taking pictures of him.. We was a wiggly wiggle worm but I was able to take a few good shots of him.

He's growing up so fast! Now that the weather is getting warmer, I need to schedule a Spring picture taking day with him... OH! I have him next Friday... maybe it will be a nice sunny day!

Here are a few more from the same folder.





Here are the rules:
•Open your photo folder on your computer
•Open the 6th folder of photos
•Select the 6th picture
•Post the picture on your blog with a description
•Invite six friends to join the challenge
•Link your six friends to your blog post
(or you can let anyone who reads your blog participate.)
Leave me a link in the comments is you decide to do this.

EnJOY!
Michelle

Music Touches My Soul

If you know me, and know me well... then you know that music touches my soul... I love almost all kinds of music. I was fortunate as a child to be able to learn to play the piano.. I don't play it often enough but I love it! I decided to created my own scrap pages of my favorite songs and will be sharing them with you as I create them.. The lyrics along with the artists touch my soul.

This song , Beautiful Lord is by the band Leeland



Turn off the music at the bottom of my blog and enjoy!



Products used: Little Dreamer Designs - paper and brushes. 2Peas brushes. Font- Pea Christy. PSE7

Tonight is the Rockin Worship Roadshow with MercyME, Jeremy Camp, Hawk Nelson, Tenth Avenue North and Addison Road! I am so excited!!!

EnJOY!

Michelle

Peace

I'm getting caught up on the scripture challenge. There is a word a week and I think I have six out of 10 done. I'll probably get 2 more words this weekend? Check out the challenges over at Faith Sisters. Todays word is - Peace. Scripture - Job 23:21



I haven't printed it yet or added ribbon and bling.. but it still looks good. :) I'm really loving the Organic brushes from 2Peas. There are all kinds of leaves and floral images. I just adjust the size, color and opulence of the image.

Products used: PSE7, 2Peas organic brushes, Designer Digital journal pages, tape and staples. Font- MichelleDurheim.

EnJOY!
Michelle

Happy Birthday to ME!

Today is my birthday! I want to thank my parents for giving me life and a wonderful childhood.
Even though my Dad is no longer with us.. I still love and miss him. Mom... your milk must have been pure cream! Look at those cheeks! I love you! (all of my kids had these same cheeks as babies!)

In celebration of my Birthday- I would like to add you to my RAK list. AKA: Random Act of Kindness.
If you would like to receive a homemade card etc.. from me sometime during 2009, Email me your name and address. Look to the right, just under my mugshot and click on the Contact Me button. (subject: RAK)



Products used: Christina Renee Designs- paper, pressed flowers, brushes. Designer Digital- brushes and photo frame. Little Dreamer- brushes.
Font - Pea Christy. PSE7.



EnJOY!
Michelle

The Golden Rule

Today's popular version of the Golden Rule might go something like this: "Do unto others before they undo you!" - a sure sign of a society preoccupied with itself.

Focusing on the needs of others. That's fairly difficult when you're wrapped up in yourself. But for the Christian, the Golden Rule provides a ready remedy.

"What we would want others to do to us, either in justice or love, if they were in our condition and we in theirs - that is what we must do to them. We must treat them as we should desire and justly expect to be treated ourselves.

We must give to those in need, to everyone who is a proper object of charity, who lacks necessities which we have the means to supply.

Give to those who are not able to help themselves. Christ would have His disciples always ready to distribute what is within their power in ordinary cases, and beyond their power in extraordinary ones."Matthew Henry

Living by the Golden Rule means your treatment of others is based on how you want to be treated in return.

Do you desire good? Of course! Then give good. Do you want other to forgive? Absolutely! Then be quick to forgive.

But here's the hard part: It is immaterial whether others actually treat you well or forgive you promptly. The point of the rule is: How would you want to be treated?

The Golden Rule was not given to society in general: that might explain its rather tarnished image. Rather, it was issued to the only group of people who were empowered to keep it - the people of God!

Whom do you know that needs a golden touch today? He or she may be surprised to learn that someone remembers the original rule, which is untarnished and still shines.

Luke 6:31
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. King James version

Do to others as you would have them do to you. New International Version

Do to others as you would like them to do to you. New Living translations

See BibleGateway

Michelle

Change

Who likes Change? Sometimes we get stuck in a rut and need to change. Some of us fight change. Some of us embrace change. One thing is for sure. God never changes. He is the one sure thing in our lives.

The scripture challenge word is Change. Scripture: James 1:17



This is another hybrid project. I printed the digital image and glued it to a 4x4 coaster.



I added some Lime Green and Orange peel stickles for a little bling.

James 1:17
Whatever is good and perfect come down to us from God our Father who created all the lights in the Heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Products: ShabbyShoppe digital kit. Font - MichelleDurheim. 2Peas - Organic brushes. Stickels- Lime Green, Orange Peel.

Check out Faith Sisters for more challenges.

EnJOY!
Michelle

Unforgettable

Unforgettable..... That's what you are... Unforgettable.. Though near or far...
Like a song of love that clings to me, How the thought of you does things to me,
Never before, has someone been more...

Oh sorry! I had that song stuck in my mind...



I used my new CTMH Unforgettable X7106B paper. D1335 Intrinsic Backgrounds, C1340 Aspiration. I ran the Sorbet cs through my Cuttlebug to emboss it. Inked all the edges with Sorbet ink. I stamped two flowers then watercolored them with my Sorbet ink and some twinkling H20's. I glued one on top of the other to make it look dimensional then dotted the center with Crystal Effects. I then added an extra large eyelet and some chocolate ribbon.



I love all of these new colors!

EnJOY!
Michelle

Beauty

I found this awesome digi kit from 2Peas in a Bucket. It was featured in the newest Digital Scrapbooking magazine. I used it to make my newest scripture challenge.
Word: Beauty. Scripture: 1 Peter 3: 3-4



I created this digitally, then printed it on HP premium presentation paper. I created it into a Hybrid project. I find that the HP paper is the best for printing digital. I cut out the image and glued it on my 4x4 coaster. I then wrapped it with a ribbon and added some stickles.



Don't be concerned about outward beauty or fancy hair styles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourself instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 1 Peter 3: 3-4

Products: PSE7, Urban Junque, Organic brushes - 2 Peas. Lavender, Baby Blue stickles. Ribbon.

EnJOY!
Michelle

Compassion

Have you heard of the organization Compassion International? It is a Christian organization that has churches and schools in poor communities all over the world. They look for sponsors to help these children. Many Christian Musician sponsor and mention it at all of their concerts.

Each child has only one sponsor. My child is a 4 year old little girl from Nicaragua. The average wage in her community is $85 a month. I have the opportunity to write her 3 or 4 letters a year and she also will write to me with the help of an interpreter. I have pictures of her and I'll send her pictures of me. Many Host Families have been able to go on trips and visit the Children that they are sponsoring. I hope to be able to do that some day. I will be able to sponsor her until she is 18 years of age. She will be educated, and learn skills to better herself.

Compassion also helps feed hungry children. They have churches in 1000's of communities and the donations are divided to each country. The money is spent on food in each community which helps their economy. That way they don't have to ship food around the world. It saves shiploads of rotting food trying to go through customs. Did you know that it only cost $156 a year to feed a child in one of these third world countries? We are having a Global Food Crisis. A child dies every 7 seconds from starvation. Over 4 Million a year! Can you imagine?? It breaks my heart!! Poverty Map

I know this is a hard subject to talk about... but its REAL... As a parent I can't image not having food to feed my child..

Next week there is a Rock and Worship Roadshow coming to town. March 20th. MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Hawk Nelson, Tenth Avenue North and Addison Road will be performing. I am excited to attend as a volunteer for Compassion. I hope to sign up many more people to help these children survive another day..



EnJOY!
Michelle

Euphoria

When I seen this new Clear Art Stamp - Bouquets of Joy, I had to buy it! Not only because I love the flowers and the cute little girl holding them but because... remember?? My word for the year is JOY. Wishing you bouquets of JOY!

My Mama had a birthday on the 8th. She was planning on coming to town on the 6th for a week to visit. It was snowing pretty hard and she didn't want to drive on the snowy roads so I talked her into getting a plane ticket and she could rent a car when she gets here.. Well.... She got her ticket to arrive the night of the 7th ... She called me that afternoon and told me it was blizzarding and that all flights had been cancelled. Dang It! Now she's going to try and come in April.

I made this cute card for her....





Products used:
Basic Grey - Euphoria. Clear Art Stamps - Bouquet of Joy. CTMH - Boutique borders D1332.
Twinkling H20's. Grape Glace Shimmerz. CTMH - Purple Pansy ink, Taffy ink. Ribbon. Buttons. Nestabilities. Cuttlebug emboss.

EnJOY!
Michelle