The Whatevers or Where is Waldo?

Hello and welcome back to the final months adventure in creative storytelling with THE WHATEVERS. I want to take this moment to thank the three original Whatevers for including me this year…Vicki Chrisman, Nathalie Kalbach and Catherine Matthews Scanlon. I'm so honored to have worked with them in past and hopefully future projects. Also a shout-out to Cuchy who has been a great supporter and author this round! Here is my take for July…enjoy!

"I spent my childhood and teen years at the Maplewood Inn in Lilydale, NY yet I knew that my time there would soon be over. I graduated from high school and would soon be heading back to NYC to attend NYU. I was excited yet afraid. Over the years I learned how to control my psychic abilities when I was around regular people. It was hard because I have a funny little spirit guide who loves to appear and disappear at the most inopportune time. I called him Waldo and I hoped that he would stay back in Lilydale because he was so silly and it was hard not to laugh at his antics. 

Waldo would hide behind the curtains and jump out, hang from the chandelier, under the pillows on the couch and jump out at any time, he was very mischievous. What would I do if he followed me to college, how would I explain my abilities to my new friends, how would I explain all the estrange occurrences created by Waldo. I worried, I fretted, it was all in vain. The day I left Lilydale Waldo came to me and told me that he didn't want to leave, that he would stay at Lilydale and wait for me to return. Waldo didn't want to go to college or live in a big city, he wanted to stay behind at the Maplewood Inn and wreak havoc. And sure enough that's what he did!

Here are links to the other creative stories about The Whatevers. Please stop by and see what these fabulous artists have created.

• Catherine Matthews Scanlon
• Cuchy Sanchez
• Nathalie Kalbach  
• Vickie Chrisman

If you would like to play along it's not to late to join in. Here are all the details that you need to know.

Here is how it works ~

• Vicki, Cat, Cuchy (Carmen), Nathalie and I have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.
• Every month – if possible always on the 15th –  each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.
• If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you to download and show us your version of The Whatevers. The photo will be posted at the end of our blogposts- not on Facebook!
• There is no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking- WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the length or the form of the story- it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an artjournal page – WHATEVER
• Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us and show us your story.
• These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission!

The Whatevers or The TRUTH Behind Lilydale

Hello and welcome back to this months adventure in creative storytelling with THE WHATEVERS. Here is my take for May…enjoy!

As I got older my parents decided to clear the air and explain how and why we left 125th St. in NYC to come to this strange little town called Lilydale. Now we had already lived there going on a dozen years and I was 17 year old, getting ready to go off to college the next fall. Although I loved living here it was strange in so many ways that I couldn't explain. This is when my parents sat me down to try and help make sense of it for me.

It all started the first summer we went to Lilydale, NY. It was only going to be for the summer and then back to NYC. Papa and Momma only took temporary jobs at  the Maplewood House, hoping to give all their children fresh air, sunshine, room to run around and just be kids. "IT" happened one day as Momma and I were walking down to Chautauqua Lake. We strolled past an orchard with a stone fence around it, it looked vaguely familiar to me. As we got closer to the fence I started jumping up and down, tugging on Mommas hand, trying to get her attention. Finally she looked down at me, incredulous that I was so excited, and she asked me why. When I told her, at that very moment everything changed. See I saw my Aunt Gertrude and Uncle Ernie sitting there on the fence. I saw them as clear as could be. I saw pretty pink flowers and circles of colors glowing around them, I saw the crisp white dress and the khaki uniform, but Momma couldn't see them. She stopped and knelt down to my level and very seriously said that it was impossible that I could see them.

"No Momma, I saw them. I really, really saw them. Aunt Gertrude was wearing a pretty white dress and Uncle Ernie had on a uniform." She said" impossible, that's impossible". Again I told her "no Momma, they called me by my name, they beckoned me to come over to the fence. They wanted to talk to me." Momma just froze, she looked again but I could tell she wasn't amused with my antics.

What I didn't know was Aunt Gertrude and Uncle Ernie had died in a car accident before I was born. What I had described to Momma was exactly like a  photograph that Momma carried folded in a hidden pocket everyday since the accident. She slowly pulled it from her pocket and carefully unfolded it…"Momma that's them, over there" I screamed but Momma didn't see them.

We walked slowly back to the inn, Momma didn't say much to me. In fact she barely said anything for several days except for when she was alone with Papa or when several of the town folks filed in and out like a secret meeting was taking place. I didn't know at that time what they were talking about but my parents had several big decisions to make.

After that my parents decided to permanently move to Lilydale. It seemed like I had become the talk of this little town. I found myself being bustled back and forth to different homes. At first it was fun but then I got tired of being asked all sorts of questions. I also got tired of my parents not seeing or hearing what I did but so many of other town folks did.

When the truth was revealed by Momma and Papa I was told that I had a gift, a gift that most people don't have or don't believe in. The reason we moved to Lilydale was because it had become quite evident that I had psychic abilities. Lilydale was known as The Town That Talks to the Dead. It seemed that I saw so many things that most others didn't and as I grew older this gift became stronger and stronger. I was OK when at home but in the outside world people looked at me quite oddly when I would see and talk to their relatives that had passed to the other side.

I knew I was different but now that the truth came to light I had to make a decision as to what I was going to do with this knowledge. I didn't have too much to say, it was too much to take in. Momma, Papa and I sat on the porch that night, not talking, just sitting and enjoying a cold glass of Mommas homemade Mint Lemon-Limeade.

MINT LEMON-LIMEADE

4-6 lemons, plus slices for garnish

3-4 limes, plus slices for garnish
1/3 cup fresh mint leaves
3/4 cup superfine sugar
8 cups cold water

Squeeze the juice from the lemons and limes over a strainer into a glass measuring cup (about 1 cup of juice).

In the bottom of a tall pitcher, use a wooden spoon to gently mash the mint leaves with 1/4 cup of the sugar. Add the strained juice; stir well to dissolve the sugar. Add the cold water and the remaining 1/2 cup sugar to the pitcher; stir well to dissolve the sugar. Taste for sweetness and add more sugar, if desired. Chill before serving.

Serve poured over ice in tall glasses garnished with a fresh sprig of mint, lemon and lime slices.

Before I sign off I want to share with you the stamps that I used for this project. My friends, Nathalie Kalbach and Catherine Matthews Scanlon, have designed stamps that have been produced and available for purchase.

                                                                                                

Here are links to the other creative stories about The Whatevers. Please stop by and see what these fabulous artists have created.

• Catherine Matthews Scanlon
• Cuchy Sanchez
• Nathalie Kalbach  
• Vickie Chrisman

If you would like to play along it's not to late to join in. Here are all the details that you need to know.

Here is how it works ~

• Vicki, Cat, Cuchy (Carmen), Nathalie and I have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.
• Every month – if possible always on the 15th –  each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.
• If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you to download and show us your version of The Whatevers. The photo will be posted at the end of our blogposts- not on Facebook!
• There is no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking- WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the length or the form of the story- it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an artjournal page – WHATEVER
• Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us and show us your story.
• These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission!
• If you want to participate we’ll have a linky list for each Whatever Post.
• You can also join our The Whatevers -Facebook Page

HERE IS THE PHOTO FOR THIS MONTH'S WHATEVERS:

Thank you for stopping by. Only 2 months left and I still have a lot of story left to share :)

The Whatevers or Who Are These People?

DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES I WILL NOT BE POSTING THIS MONTHS "WHATEVERS". HOWEVER YOU WILL STILL BE ABLE TO FOLLOR THESE LINKS TO SEE EVERYONE BLOG POSTS.

Here are links to the other creative stories about The Whatevers. Please stop by and see what these fabulous artists have created.

• Catherine Matthews Scanlon
• Cuchy Sanchez
• Nathalie Kalbach  
• Vickie Chrisman

If you would like to play along it's not to late to join in. Here are all the details that you need to know.

Here is how it works ~

• Vicki, Cat, Cuchy (Carmen), Nathalie and I have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.
• Every month – if possible always on the 15th –  each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.
• If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you to download and show us your version of The Whatevers. The photo will be posted at the end of our blogposts- not on Facebook!
• There is no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking- WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the length or the form of the story- it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an artjournal page – WHATEVER
• Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us and show us your story.
• These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission!
• If you want to participate we’ll have a linky list for each Whatever Post.
• You can also join our The Whatevers -Facebook Page

HERE IS THE PHOTO FOR THIS MONTH'S WHATEVERS:

Blog Hop with Catherine Scanlon Designs and Art Gone Wild!

Welcome to the Catherine Scanlon Designs and Art Gone Wild Blog Hop. Today is the day to celebrate a fabulous achievement of one of my favorite artists and a reunion of sorts with other favorites.I'm happy to be a part of Catherine's very first blog hop using her stamps from Art Gone Wild and Friends!  It has been quite a journey for her and I'm so thrilled that I can be a part of her dream come true!

I'm also thrilled to be working again with Vicki Chrisman, Mandy Collins and Nathalie Kalbach. We've worked together on design teams and other artistic projects.

I'm super excited to share two fun projects with you today. So let's get this party started and get on with the fun!!

First up is an OTP project I designed with Catherine's 2014 Release stamps on the new Artist Trading Blocks. I used 3 different Paisley stamp sets ~ Viola, Clara and Annie's Paisley. I embossed the stamp images with an  antique gold embossing powder over antique book paper. The stamped and embossed paisleys were then hand painted with different gold pens.  I finished the project with a Studio 490 Art Parts Square Cake Stand, painted white with hand painted gold details. To finish off the top metal embellishments were put together to form a flower. The tops of both boxes and the cake stand were covered with a Gelli Plate print that I had in my stash…the color combination was chosen from this Gelli print. 

The 2nd project just came together while I was cleaning up from the 1st project. It started with a mop off page in my Dylusions Art Journal and the funky lizard from a Valspar Paint advertisement that has been collaged on it for several months. I never worry about finishing an art journal page but this is one that I knew I really wanted to do something with…all the colors were calling me! I started by stamping the bottom corner with Catherine's "Esthers Garden" stamp set right over the various colors on this page.

I couldn't just leave it alone…I grabbed a bunch of my various colored pencils that just happened to be the same color as the page so I enhanced the flowers.

I could have stopped there but then the other side of the page, with the same colors looked so lonely…lol! Using Catherine's "Clara Paisley" stamps I stamped images on paint chips that I've saved. The colors were perfect for this page. I then also realized that I had just purchased a package of napkins that were also perfect. Using Catherines's "Alphabet Stamp Set" from her earlier 2013 release I stamped my quote with various shades of Ranger Archival Ink.

Isn't something how all these colors just came together…randomly!

Here are the two journal pages as works in progress. Sometimes colors just fall into place as happened here. I'm sure I'm not finished…no…I know I'm not finished but this page makes me smile and I'll leave it be for another day!

You can see out the entire catalog with the Winter release at Art Gone Wild by clicking on the catalog image.

You can also see the Summer, 2013 release here and contact Art Gone Wild here for wholesale pricing. To see a list of stores (on-line and in person) that carry my stamps you can go to my blog and look at this link.

I understand that Catherine has a few prized to give out ~ to be eligible to win, leave a comment on Catherine's (www.cmscanlon.blogspot.com) blog by Friday, April 18th. The two Winners will be chosen on April 18th, and will be posted on the Art from the Heart by Catherine Scanlon Designs blog. The two winners will be emailed that they have won, so please remember, when commenting make sure to leave an email address where you may be reached so Catherine can email you that you've won and get your mailing address. 

Here are the other artists blogs that are participating in the blog hop…make sure you hop on over and see what fabulous projects they have created!

Art from the Heart by Catherine Scanlon Designs: www.cmscanlon.blogspot.com

This Art that Makes me Happy by Vicki Chrisman: http://vickichrisman.blogspot.com/

Pearl Maple by Mandy Collins: 

http://pearlmaple.blogspot.com/

Kooky Delucy by Kathie DeLuca: 

http://kookydelucy.blogspot.com/

n*Studio by Nat Kalbach: 

http://www.nathaliesstudio.com/

Live the Dream by Jennie Atkinson: 

http://jennie-livethedream.blogspot.com/

Thank you for stopping by and sharing in all the celebrations! I will be updating this post, adding a list of all supplies used, so check back in the next few days.

History of...

History of... by mrich2500 featuring steampunk home decor

The Whatevers or The Lilydale Quintet Debut

Welcome back to The Whatevers…our monthly collaboration in Creative Storytelling. Here is my story and project for this month. Also a fabulous recipe to share!

Spring really is right around the corner here in Lilydale, NY. The crocuses are peeping throughout the still cold ground and the ice on the lake is starting to melt. It is evident in the bustling around in town as preparations are being made for the return of most of the Lilydale residents.

It's a strange town because as soon as the residents return  visitors from all over the world come to visit. As I got older I learned the real truth about this town that I had grown to love…no longer missing the hustle and bustle of NYC.

I also could tell that seasons were changing when my Papa started rehearsing with four of his friends. Papa was, besides all his other jobs, also a musician. He played almost all the instruments and made sure his children played several instruments also. Our living room looked like an orchestra pit and one of us was always in there practicing. Papa loved to sing and had a beautiful baritone voice, he also was the director of this singing group. They called themselves THE LILYDALE QUINTET and performed often in the town gazebo during the summer months. Papa also directed the band and orchestra that played in the town concerts.

The LILYDALE Quintet were very serious about their performances. Papa would dress as a conductor and the other members in beautiful red and white striped jackets, neatly pressed white pants and a jaunty straw hat. I loved sitting outside the living room while the practiced as they figured out their harmonies and songs. They sang without background music and Papa called it  

'a capella'.

Of course there were always some type of tea bread that Mama would have waiting for them at the end of practice {my absolute favorite was Lemon Tea Bread}. They sat in the dining room eating and reminiscing about times gone by. I often would eavesdrop because I knew there would be some quiet conversations about Lilydale. I kept hearing words like spirits and mediums, readings and headings. My curiosity got the better of me and finally Mama and Papa sat me down and explained everything to me. Of course this will have to wait and I will tell you everything I learned.

 Here is the recipe: 

Lemon Tea Bread {makes 1 loaf}

1//2 c. butter, room temp.

1 c. sugar

2 eggs, beaten

grated peel 1 large lemon

1 ½ c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

½ c. milk

½ c. chopped walnuts

Glaze:

¼ c. sugar

1/2c. fresh lemon juice

grated peel 1 large lemon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Grease a 9”x5” loaf pan

Cream Butter & sugar until light & fluffy

Stir in eggs & lemon peel

Add flour & milk alternately to sugar/egg micture

Blend in Walnuts

Bake 45 min. or until golden brown

While bread is baking make glaze

Remove bread from oven

Pierce bread & brush juice mixture evenly over top.

Cool 10 min., remove from pan & allow to cool completely

Make sure you read all the different stories that have been concocted by our group. Here are links to the other creative stories about The Whatevers. Please stop by and see what these fabulous artists have created.

Nathalie Kalbach

 http://wp.me/p3Cnxf-4ha

Catherine Matthews Scanlon

http://cmscanlon.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-whatevers-march.html

Vicki Chrisman 
http://vickichrisman.blogspot.com/2014/03/whatevers-two-march-2014.html

Cuchy Mc Sc

 http://la-almohada.blogspot.com/2014/03/whatevers-ii-team-of-month.html

If you would like to play along it's not to late to join in. Here are all the details that you need to know.

Here is how it works ~

• Vicki, Cat, Cuchy (Carmen), Nathalie and I have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.
• Every month – if possible always on the 15th –  each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.
• If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you to download and show us your version of The Whatevers. The photo will be posted at the end of our blogposts- not on Facebook!
• There is no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking- WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the length or the form of the story- it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an artjournal page – WHATEVER
• Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us and show us your story.
• These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission!
• If you want to participate we’ll have a linky list for each Whatever Post.
• You can also join our The Whatevers -Facebook Page

HERE IS THE PHOTO FOR THIS MONTH'S WHATEVERS:

Thank you for stopping by!

I really appreciate you taking the time. 

I know I need to catch up on my blog & I have every intention but LIFE just keeps happening ;)

The Whatevers or The Snowman's Ball

Hello everyone…are you surviving this very strange winter??? I'm here today to share my take on the Feb. version of The Whatevers.

"You can't get too much winter in winter." Robert Frost

It was one of those winters that just wore people out. Between the snow, wind and frigid temperatures that blew across Chautauqua Lake everyone was looking for some relief. There weren't many of Lilydale residents around as most traveled south to Sarastota, Fl. in Oct. and will return in the warmer spring months. The few residents that remained were full time residents that took care of the grounds and maintained the town.

Mama and Papa tended to the Maplewood Inn along with the surrounding grounds and gardens. They also looked after the staff who remained to keep the inn open for travelers. It seemed like those endless days would never end so Mama and Papa organized THE SNOWMAN'S BALL for the town folks. It was a great success with lots of great food and libations, along with music and dancing. Everyone enjoyed the party with lots of laughing and carrying on. Mama made her famous Hot Buttered Rum for the grown-ups and for the children Peppermint Cocoa with a peppermint stick to stir it with.

Papa dressed up as a snowman and Mama cut out silver snowflakes to decorate the ballroom. It was a wonderful time and after everyone left we caught Mama sitting on Papa's lap and it looked like the were in their own little world!

For that short time we forgot how brutal the winter had been!

Here's Mama's recipe"

Hot Buttered Rum Mix {Makes about 1½ quarts}

Ingredients:

½ pound unsalted butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1½ cup packed dark brown sugar

1 quart best-quality, vanilla ice cream, slightly softened

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon fine sea salt

½ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon ground cardamom

1½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1.    Combine butter and sugars in the mixing bowl, and beat until smooth and creamy.

2.    Add ice cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, cloves, cardamom, and vanilla, and incorporate well. 

3.    Scoop into a freezer container, cover, and keep frozen.

Hot Buttered Rum Directions

1-2 tablespoons Hot Buttered Rum Mix

1½ ounces Dark Rum or Spiced Rum

boiling water

whipped cream, lightly sweetened

freshly ground nutmeg

1.    Put a heaping tablespoon of Hot Buttered Rum Mix into an 8-ounce coffee cup, then add 1½ ounces of dark rum and boiling water to almost fill the cup.  

2.    Stir to dissolve the mix. 

3.   Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of freshly ground nutmeg.

4.  Sip & ENJOY!

Here are links to the other creative stories about The Whatevers.

Please stop by and see what these fabulous artists have created.

• Catherine Matthews Scanlon
• Cuchy Sanchez
• Nathalie Kalbach {MIA due to computer issues} 
• Vickie Chrisman

If you would like to play along it's not to late to join in. Here are all the details that you need to know.

Here is how it works ~

• Vicki, Cat, Cuchy (Carmen), Nathalie and I have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.
• Every month – if possible always on the 15th –  each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.
• If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you to download and show us your version of The Whatevers. The photo will be posted at the end of our blogposts- not on Facebook!
• There is no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking- WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the length or the form of the story- it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an artjournal page – WHATEVER
• Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us and show us your story.
• These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission!
• If you want to participate we’ll have a linky list for each Whatever Post.
• You can also join our The Whatevers -Facebook Page

HERE IS THE PHOTO FOR THIS MONTH'S WHATEVERS:

Thanks for stopping by. Stay warm and remember that spring will arrive…someday!

An InLinkz Link-up