it's just a buggy time

WELCOME!

It is hot and mostly dry here. The state of Colorado has many fires. ick. We had a bit of rain that helped contain a few of the fires. Yeah!

I have been in lala land, without a computer. boo,hoo
My Computer Babe has a bug...
She is now at the computer repair store, and they are working on it now. Good news!
However, it has severely cramped my style, not having one. 10 years ago I would not have believed you if you said I would be spending 2 - 4 hours on a computer every day, and would feel lost without it!

I am  on an old Windows XL right now, or is it Windows 8? with none of my files/documents/pictures available to me. Soooooo
let's see what we come up with today!

FUN FACT:

It takes about 30 years for the planet Saturn to orbit the sun.

Want to know more space facts?

check out Google Sky Map

Summer is a super time to check out the stars above, when the sun is down and the cool night takes over. Use binoculars! Wear bug-off spray!

Hmmm... bug off...

FUN FACT #2:

The Beatles' Abbey Road album cover

The two piece white wool suit that John Lennon is wearing in the above pic:

SOLD recently for $46,000.00

So, get the link?

Beatles - beetles

summer - beetles

!!!

a clever plastic canvas bug box!

BUG BOX BOUNTY:

Get out those take-out Chinese food containers, or empty oatmeal boxes and make a bug box!  Cut out a square from the box, and tape either netting or a small piece of fabric screening. (The metal screens are too much of a cutting accident waiting to happen). Tape all the edges down in place with packing tape, or something equally as sturdy.

colored duct tape?!

found on www.etsy.com

Decorate the outside with markers, paint, stickers, crayons - whatever works for you.

Use the photos to inspire your own bug box creation!

I saw lots of variations of this bug box on the internet.

I LOVE the beaded bugs with this one!

Now, go bug hunting! Find an interesting bug or two, and place in the bug box. Check on it in 15 mins. What kind of food does it eat? Does it need water? (a litre bottle bottlecap with water is just right.) Draw a picture of it. Create a story with your Special Bug as the hero!

a clever bug box using a wood box cheapie from Hobby Lobby!

The RULES:

Be nice to the bugs.

Bugs want to go to bed in their own bed, so no overnight keeping.

Return the bug where you picked it from, or a very similar type environment. Mr. Bug wants to chat with his friends about his BIG adventure today!

That's it for today!

Hopefully tomorrow I will have my Computer Babe back. 

I will never yell at the computer again...

I will never pound the 'mouse' on the desk again...

I will never say bad words to the computer again...

I will never threaten the computer saying I will throw it out the window again...

Really.

hugs,

inkspired

www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com

www.inkspired.etsy.com (on vacation currently)

and on pinterest: kkloberdans

An Apple a Day

Salam

"Peace" in Arabic,

spoken in the United Arab Emirates

and

Turkey

copyright 1901,

courtesy of Indiana Schools of Music

and welcome to all!

I've been a bit out of it (darn fibromyalgia!!!) so I am happy today

to be able to share with you some 'bloggy-thots'.

:0)

And of course, I always have etsy treasuries to share,

and new things from my shops to share:

(shameless advertising next)

www.inkspired.etsy.com

and

www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com

and fun vintage graphics to share,

along with puzzles, mazes and coloring pages,

and did I mention

Paper Dolls?!?

tee hee....

So let's jump right in with an APPLE treasury I put together on etsy:

www.boxofhollyhocks.etsy.com

www.LuminousWhatnots.etsy.com

www.jjkgirlythings.etsy.com

www.FlyAKite.etsy.com

a 'salt pig', www.HobartCollectables.etsy.com

www.ModRendition.etsy.com

www.RaleighWoodTreasures.etsy.com

a vintage Pippin Pitcher from the 40's or 50's

www.aislinncollectible46.etsy.com

felt apple slices,

www.ellaNharry.etsy.com

vintage Sarah Coventry pin,

www.MadameLaRueJewelry.etsy.com

www.LongSince.etsy.com

vintage West Germany waechtersbach mug

www.sosovintage.etsy.com

www.Hoooked.etsy.com

The Red Apple

original Collage Art Doll by inkspired

www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com

www.guiltyconfections.etsy.com

www.RandomVoyeurVintage.etsy.com

a necklace by www.tonightstar.etsy.com

and a fitting tribute to the life and death of Steve Jobs,

founder and CEO of Apple:

I'm sorry, I don't have a photo credit for this one.

Do you know who took this photo? Let me know!

Of course, what would a good apple blog be without at least some puzzles, mazes and free coloring pages!

and

(from Sesame Street, courtesy of Dover)

and another Dover fun activity:

spot-the-difference

and here is a coloring type page,

courtesy of Dover (again!):

the Sloane Farm

found at www.sue3355.tistory.com

Oh!

And did I mention apple-themed

FREE PAPER DOLLS?!?!!

Betsy McCall, c.1972

Bubbles the Bear

courtesy of OrigamiBears

You know I have to say it....

Make some clothes for Bubbles!

Dress him for Thanksgiving.

Make a Bubbly Bear female, and dress her too!

I'm thinking Christmas activities for the kids,

after a meal,

when the adults want to visit and chat

(boooring for kids.....)

Print out some of my FREE PAPER DOLLS

(my past blogs have TONS of them!)

give the kids some scissors

- you choose if they need 'safety' scissors or not -

a place to hang out,

and some blank paper, pencils, crayons, markers,

whatever the age appropriate coloring choice is

and let them create!

vintage Good Housekeeping magazine cover

Next I would include the cutest little bead pattern for

a pair of apple earrings.

Can't figure out how to copy/paste this particular format, so go to

http://beadjewelrymaking.com/Kid_Art_Project/Kid_art_bead_project/july2007_bead_project.html

and see if you can find them!

 

Here is the 'home' address:

 

www.BeadJewelryMaking.com

They have loads of free patterns to check out!

found at www.sweetadditions.net

Here is a Apple Surprise Muffin recipe from

"Nothin' but Muffins"

second in the Colorado Collection Series

written and compiled by Cyndi Duncan and Georgie Patrick

C&G Publishing, Inc., Greeley, CO

ISBN: 0-9626335-1-8

Makes 12 generous muffins

pre-heat oven to 375 degrees

READ ALL DIRECTIONS FIRST!!!

2 med apples, peeled, cored and diced

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 Tablespoon sugar

1/4 Cup nuts, chopped

1/4 Cup butter, melted

1/4 Cup unsweetened cocoa (powder form)

3/4 Cup applesauce

1 1/4 Cups flour

1/2 Cup sugar

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 egg, slightly beaten

1. Preheat oven to 375'. Grease muffin cups, or use liners.

2. Combine diced apples, cinnamon, 1 Tablespoon sugar and nuts in small bowl; blend well and set aside.

3. Thoroughly combine melted butter and cocoa; add applesauce.

4. In large bowl, combine flour, 1/2 Cup sugar, baking soda and salt.

5. Stir in cocoa mixture and egg just until moistened.

6. Place 1 Tablespoon batter in each of 12 muffin cups; spoon 1 heaping Tablespoon apple mixture into each cup, pressing into batter.

7. Cover each cup with 1 Tablespoon batter.

8. Bake at 375' for 15 - 20 minutes.

Mmmmm....yummm!

apple muffins, www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

Well, I hope you have been inspired to add some apples to your home!

Of course, they are also great nutrition, bundled up with no utensils required, and perfect for travel!

:0)

I'm working on a blog about some

FANTASTIC finds I have found on etsy!

See you soon -

inkspired

www.inkspiredmusings.blogspot.com

www.inkspired.etsy.com

www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com

Fairy Tale Paper Dolls

Hi everyone!

Today needs to be a no fancy stuff, just pretty plain kinda' blog.
I haven't shared much lately, so I wanted to touch base at least briefly.
busy, busy, busy.  but....a good kind of busy I think.

I have been working on my Collage Paper Paintings, and Fairy Tale themes or Nursery Rhyme themes.
I love it!
More on that later.  Here is one of my recent Paper Paintings:

"Fairies chatting in the garden"

I offer fine art prints of all my original Collage Paper Paintings for $10,

plus $4.00 shipping and handling.

That's US as I have never tried international.

I have received items from international, so I know it can be done!!

:0)

Here is my latest:

"Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater"

original Collage Paper Painting by inkspired

http://www.collagepaperpainting.com/

http://www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com/

Here 's a great vintage sheet of paper dolls:

pretty sure I got this from OrigamiBears

Here is a Paper Doll double page spread with charming fairy tale clothes:

I love her clothes!

It does look as though this one is copyrighted,

so just for your personal pleasure please.

Here is a vintage one page Peter Pan:

Follow the directions on the back, and make a whole family of movable

paper dolls!

Glue on little photos of family faces!

Last are some super fairy tale dolls by babalisme.

I'm pretty sure you can find her things at:

http://www.babalisme.etsy.com/

Hope you have had a little fairy tale fun today!  It's lovely weather (maybe, depending on where you live).  Take your child out for a little, or long walk.
Yes, even those teenages who think a walk around the block is a marathon.
Walks are great times to talk.

:0)

If you weather is wet and rainy, well get your printer working and print out some paper dolls to cut and play with.  Get out your pens and crayons and make up a whole new wardrobe for your dolls! Or get out a stack of old magazines, and cut out a whold new wardrobe. Don't forget to add the tabs!

Have a great day,

inkspired
http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/
http://www.myinkspired.com/ (spent yesterday gettng this fixed. Still needs some work, but MUCH improved!)
http://www.collagepaperpainting.com/
http://www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com/ (added new ones yesterday!)

dominoes@myinkspired.com

Humor for all and special humor for friends

Eacepay

'Peace' in pig latin

spoken by children everywhere

http://www.collectibles.about.com/

Today, we need humor.

I read the Yahoo headlines many times before I start my blog.

It is mostly depressing, with a few humorous shots if you really look hard.

In today's blog

you shouldn't need to look too hard!

found at http://www.fmward.files.wordpress/

"If a woman has to choose

between catching a fly ball

and saving an infant's live,

she will choose to save the infant's life

without even considering

if there is a man on base..."

- Dave Barry, humor writer

vintage page from an old Sears catalog

Did you know that laughing can lower your blood pressure?

Did you know that laughing can extend your life years?

Did you know that humor in a marriage = longer marriage?

Lily Damita, a 1920's starlet

What do you get from a pampered cow?

coloring pages courtesy of Dover Books

'Spoiled Milk!'

What lies at the bottom of the ocean

and twitches?

'A nervous wreck!'

What goes CLOP, CLOP, CLOP,

BANG, BANG,

CLOP, CLOP, CLOP?

'An Amish drive-by shooting!'

Now remember, humor is humor.

It is in its' truest form not meant to be derogatory or demeaning

to any one people, race, gender, disability...

you get the idea.

So, take my humor at face value.

Do not read into it any deep religious undertones,

or a hidden agenda against ___________ (fill in the blank).

My humor is just something that makes me laugh,

and I hope it makes you laugh too!

Clowns make us laugh!

Sometimes intentionally, and sometimes not.

Sometimes in costume,

and sometimes not!

Victorian vintage clown head illustration

c.1920 courtesy of Indiana Music Library

Songs can make us laugh!

c.1919

How can you not laugh at this song sheet cover?

'Old Fashioned Garden' (with a stork and a flapper?)

from the 'Hitchy-Koo Musical Review'!

'When I die, I want to die like my grandfather -

who died peacefully in his sleep.

Not screaming like all the passengers in his car."

-author unknown

cast of TV show - '3rd Rock'

Doncha' love John Lithgow?!

and another favorite -

Jerry Lewis, who loved to play the 'fall' guy for Dean Martin,

yet was terrific all on his own too!

Notes on true friendship:

Promises I give to my friends -

When you are confused ... I will use little words.

When you are scared ... we will high-tail it out of here.

When you smile ... I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.

When you fall ... I'll pick you up and dust you off.

When you are sick ... Stay away from me until your are well again.

I don't want whatever you have.

When you are worried ... I will tell you horrible stories about How Much Worse it could be until you quit whining, ya' big baby!!

and last, but not least,

When you are sad ... I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey after drinking a 6-pack of Mountain Dew!!!

"The hat' original Collage Art Doll by inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

Well, that's all she said, folks!

Have a great day,

and share a favorite joke, poem, pun or quote with me -

I can always use a good laugh!

:0)

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

http://www.myinkspired.com/

http://www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com/

http://www.collagepaperpainting.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com