Okay...... so this is just a test post.... I've been trying for months, to post.. but my old computer, would just not let me... so I GOT A NEW COMPUTER!!!  if this works .. I will be back! In the mean time.. please feel free to download this original drawing for your coloring pleasure only..... (not for resale or any other use... copyright Artkissed original eclectic are 2013...
thanks..... I'll be back.... :)

My New Car!

 

They're out! This year's YA YA invites!

I worked a long time on them, and I'm happy with the way they turned out.

Everyone loves them. 

It's our 10th....so I tried to make them really special. 

I steered away from our traditional "flyer" and made a card style invite.

The front, features a photo of my Grandmother Honorine "Rena" and her

sister Cora. I couldn't have asked for a better photo. I added all the color, 

and gave them each a new YA YA "Chapeau" My Grandma loved flowers so it was fitting!

The Lake behind them, because our cottage is right on the shores of beautiful Lake Erie. 

In the "Clouds" are faint words: "Mothers & Daughters" then "We are Family, I got all

my sisters with me"... are "official"  YA YA theme song

The back, features their daughters, My Mother Mary, her Cousin Theresa and my Aunt Ethel

 (my Mom's Sis)  The fall Leaves represent October, the month of YA YA. 

I wrote the little Poem. 

So I've been busy with so many projects for YA YA! trying to make it special. 

 can't really say right now.. there may be "spies" .. hee hee!

I'm looking forward to our YA YA day!

and now my BIG NEWS...

I got a new car! YESS!!!! 

It's beautiful and I love it!

My now "old" car, was running badly, and I was scared to drive anywhere more than just to work 

and back. I had work done on it last November... which, while it was being done, I had to get rides (thank you family! xox) and.. take a cab!

I did a lot of praying since last November. Praying that the car would hold out till I could get a new one.

Last Friday, I was 1/2 way home, and noticed a "vibration"... and then a "Brake/Battery" light lit, that got brighter, every time I stopped at a light. I started getting that "now familiar"  fear, wondering if I'd make it home. Well I did (Thank you GOD)... and called my son, and told him about the car. 

He said he'd look at it the next day. (I have the most amazing son and he's always there for me!) 

So.. thus began the stress. Wondering what I was going to do. I had to call off for my Saturday work, I was NOT driving that car again! but kept thinking I've only got 48 hours (till Monday) to figure something out. 

He came over, and had the hood up looking around. 

I was "done" with the car and told him don't even bother, I'm never driving it again. Let's just go to the Dealership NOW! PLEASE!....

So off we went!....

I've been "eying" the Soul's but never thought I'd actually have one!

(and ya gotta love those Hamster Commercials!)

and to make this long boring story short..

TA DAH!!! 

MY 2013 KIA SOUL!

Color: Moss

It's a bright, shiny NEW CAR!... aka: "The Stress Reliever"

I'm still getting used to it. Used to not "worrying" about driving

or waiting to hear "funny noises"

And I don't have to "Freak OUT!" about Winter coming, although

I'm still dreading Winter.

My Stress Reliever... my KIA SOUL!

 So.... that's it! all my news... EXCITING wasn't it?
 I need to go to bed. it's almost 4 a.m.! whaa??... don't want to sleep my Sunday away. Since I'll be working 12 days.. YES 12 days straight!!!...I have to "make up" the Last Saturday I missed, plus work my regular weekend day on Sunday... so 12 days with no day off.. ooh damn! and.. they're both 3-9 shifts.. grrrh!... the one I missed was a 9-3.. double damn.  (we have to work 2 weekend days each month.. errrr!) Oh well, It's worth it... I GOTTA NEW CAR!!

The Summer is flying...
Almost the End of August! wow.
   
I've been working on ideas since March, for  our   "Mothers & Daughters Day" aka: "YA YA" coming up in October.
It will be our 10th!. and I really want to make it special.  I hosted the very 1st., the 5th.... and now it's my turn again!
  I knew the time would fly by, and  it would be October before I knew it. So, I thought I'd give myself PLENTY of time to plan. 
  I've already designed and printed the invitations.  I really love the way they turned out!!.. even if I do say so myself. ...can't post them just yet.
So, I've been working on decorations...LOTS of decorations!.
 I really want to make our cottage to look and fun &  festive. I made 2 different kinds of  paper garlands. One, created with  punched 1 1/2 inch  paper circles (I finally broke down and got one of those cool circle punches I've been wanting forever.. and so glad I did! )...and the other, I made "Flag" style.  Finally I put all that scrapbook paper to use!....I did get a little paper-happy, punching and cutting.... but I LOVE the "Vintage-homemade" look and feel of them.
  When I made the pinwheel decorations, instead of using colored paper, I used a "Parchment" colored paper, then added color with pastels, down the centers  of the sheets, front and back, before folding. The color is soft  And I love the look the hole punches give.

  I have some other decorating Ideas, but I don't want to reveal all just yet... not sure if those Ya Yas read my Blog ... I want some things to be a surprise. But I promise to post everything AFTER Ya Ya!

I must say, PINTEREST has been a great source for inspiration. I'm addicted to that site. If you haven't checked it out... do it!
  
I am fighting hard, to keep my weekend from coming to and end... but time marches on, and The weekend will be stretched out before me..

 

I went a little "Circle-Happy"

I really love the way they look!

Pinwheels... must make more!

How cute are these? I just have to string them. Oh, there on the bottom of the pic, you can  see a little peek of another thing I'm doing,  can't say what it is just yet!

 

 

 

 

It's been a long time... but I'm back!  

The Summer is in full swing. Hot and dry. Not much rain to speak of. I miss the rain and storms. Although, there were some severe storms North West of us, yesterday in Sandusky, Ohio, home of "Cedar Point Amusement Park"  Heavy downpour and strong winds. We barely got a sprinkle. Well typical weather for Ohio. 

In June my sisters and I, got together for sister Deb's birthday. Although, we don't really focus on the birthday part, as much as the sister-day  part. It's an opportunity for us to get together. And we have so much fun!

Deb suggested taking the Rapid to downtown Cleveland, and visiting the brand new

"Horseshoe Casino" The first Casino in Ohio! 

It was gorgeous! Classy and very upscale.  It was put in the historic "HIGBEE" building on Public Square. and they really did it justice. It has a gorgeous 30's look about it.

When I walked in, my eyes were immediately drawn up to the spectacular Amber Crystal light fixtures. Absolutely stunning!  I stood, like a child, starring up... just saying "wow!" 

We headed up to the 2nd. level for lunch at the food court.  

Dining options: "Corky & Lenny's", a popular Cleveland restaurant serving amazing Corned Beef,

"Rosie & Rocco's"... a local Cleveland Chef  offers amazing Italian cuisine, And Sue and Rita's choice.

And our Very Own (Chef) Michael Symon's "B Spot" another of his locally famous chain of restaurants.

That's where Deb and I ate. I had the "Plain Jane"... A simple.. (hardly!) burger, with great char flavor.

Gorgeous!

                                              This is where we stayed for about 3 hours.... "Bamboozled"

Before we hit the Casino.... we went to the top of the Terminal Tower's observation deck. We couldn't have picked a better day! It was a clear day and you could see for miles, literally! The terminal Tower was recently renovated inside and out. and it's one more gorgeous Gem in Cleveland's Crown.

Key Tower, With Lake Erie as the backdrop

Huntington Bank. Formerly BP... and what I still call it. 

That's the Nautica  Queen Docked at North Coast Harbor. The Great lakes Science center bottom left, and Rock and Roll Hall of fame on the right

Really cool tickets

Closeup of Key Bank

Gorgeous architecture, of the Terminal Towers Front entrance.

We met people visiting from Angola, and Australia! that was so cool. 
So, We're all looking forward to going back. Maybe next time we'll have dinner at "The Spread" The Casino's buffet.
   Cleveland is quite a place to see. Maintaining it's roots, and spreading it's wings... okay, a little corny, but a perfect description of "MY" hometown. Amazing restaurants, Sports and great places to see like the "Rock Hall".... and.. as they say.. "So much more!' So if you're every in town.. hop on "Lolly the Trolley" and take a tour, go on a mini cruise.. and do a little gambling. You'll have a great time!

MAYO!

Happy May!

I just had my very first "CINCO DE MAYO"  party on Saturday, with a few friends. 

I had fun making cheap decorations and wayy too much food. "better to much than not enough" ...right. So I'll be eating Refried beans and Tortillas for a long time. 

I really had fun making decorations! 

they were simple as could be.

"Maria Elaina's Cantina..... just designed on a program and printed out.

A $1.00 thrift store find. It was plain so I decorated  it with Sharpies!

2 of my favorite funky bowls, made by my art buddy Terri. Perfect for a Fiesta!

 These made great Fiesta decorations. 2 pieces of paper taped end to end, folded accordion style. The hole punches make a great touch!

Loved these "Margarita" candle holders just .87!

After 10 years.. I FINALLY painted this old cupboard, and added chalkboard paint! love it!

Two of my BFF's...I mean Chicas!  Winnie & Patti... that Chica in the middle is me! more guests on the way.

OLE'!... that Winnie.. always get's into the spirit!