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

Hot Babes and Summer Lawns

Sama

'Peace' in the Pali language, spoken in India

a cut Indian Rupee coin, c.1946 www.petsalad.etsy.com

Today has been cooler, only up to 97'!

Our grass in the back crunches when you walk on it.

We have been watering only the front, and my 2 little flower gardens

3x per week. The grass has lots of big brown spots.

With all the fires in Colorado,

I just can't justify having a green lawn and using all that water.

'They' are predicting water shortages this coming year,

as the water sources have been contaminated with soot, etc.

Might as well start conserving now!

courtesy Dover books, web site to the right

I have been learning about the Philippines recently.

But today's blog needs to be a short one, as it is later in the day.

So....

let's have some summer paper dolls, okay?

Here is 'Augusta', by Anita Tiderman

Next up is 'Beach Babe' by Mary Reo

A couple of my original Collage Art Dolls -

'Orange Shades'

'Peachy Keen'

'Santa Monica Diet'

Next we have a very 'cool' gown from Liana's Blog.

It is a re-creation of a gown that Ginger Rogers wore

as a showgirl in

'Gold Diggers of 1933'

Most of the other paper dolls today I have are via OrigamiBears.

Her website is to the right.

Well, time for me to go.

Hope you have some good paper and ink for your printer!!!

:0)

inkspired

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

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

dominoes@myinkspired.com

Summer Fun

Paci

'Peace' in Maltese, spoken in Malta

www.eupha.org

Welcome!

It's been summer days here, with even highs up to 101'!!!

This is the foothills of the Rocky Mountains we're talking here,

and we don't usually get that hot.

Fortunately, it was only for a day.

The hot weather, and the gusty winds have not been good for our burning fires.

(See yesterday's blog about firefighters)

vintage 1955 issue of Wee Wisdom Magazine

All the hot has put me in mind of SUMMER!

So let's get out some Summer favorites.

Things to do outside,

things to do inside!

vintage illustration

First of all, we must have paper dolls!

Hot weather is perfect for sitting in the shade of a tree,

or inside with air conditioning

and cutting out paper dolls.

Don't forget to make some new clothes for them too!

Perhaps these will help you cool off....

vintage 1925 McCall's paper doll

"Little Sandy" courtesy of origamibears

and of course, we must not forget the very talented Liana....

 Flower of the Month June Birthday Dress



"Gracie"

'Holiday Affairs'

'Blue Halter Dress'

'Blue gown with silver sash'

Don't forget she has a fantastic blog site with TONS more costumes!

www.joechip.net/liana

You can also do my blog's search box for 'Liana's' or 'Liana'

and find many that I have posted in past blogs.

found at www.worldcompass.org

If you haven't yet,

eat some corn on the cob!

It's a very summery thing to do!

We have enjoyed corn on the cob several times so far this month.

Don't forget the real butter and salt and pepper.

My niece Nelicia likes it roasted with red chili powder.

vintage seed packet, I believe clip from Dover Books

Summer is a great time for road trips!

I would highly suggest you have air conditioning...

vintage 1933 DeSoto car ad with Walt Disney

Why not head to someplace you've never been before?

Remember, the trip is half the fun...

so no grouchy bored kids

or tired and hot parents.

Stop by the side, take a breather.

For the kids take along all the coloring pages

and puzzles and mazes

and other fun stuff that I have shared in my past blogs.

Pack a little bag with colored pencils, small sharpener, or markers if your kids are old enough to not 'decorate' the inside of the car.

Don't forget the scissors, and a paper bag to hold scraps.

Include small party favor type toys, doling them out one at a time.

A compass or a magnifier or a prism can be really fun!

vintage Coca-Cola ad

Life doesn't have to be full of expensive and fancy things.

What about a harmonica with a little lesson book on how to play?

I am a firm believer in family sing-alongs.

A car, with the windows rolled down and going down a highway

is the perfect time to try out some old camp tunes!

c.1901, courtesy of the Indiana Library of Music

Reading in the car is how my sister and I survived all those long road trips

my Dad so loved and I think my Mom did too.

First of all, however, we would stop at

every Historical Site by the roadside.

Really.

Every one I think!

It was always a good time to stretch our legs.

Dad would check camper fluids or gas or tires...

Dad would get out the binoculars too.

We always read the placques that told us why it was a Historical Site.

You can learn an awful lot about America that way.

and it's FREE!!

vintage crate label, courtesy Dover

"You can cover a great deal of country

 in books."

- Andrew Lang (1844 - 1912)

vintage illustration courtesy the vintage workshop

Road trips are also great for small in-you-lap type activities.

Not going anywhere?

There are great summer boredom busters!

Here are some fun, summery beaded safety pin patterns.

Type in the search box of my blog for the

'safety pin tutorial'

Mr. Crabby

Patrick, the starfish

Gary, SpongeBob's pet snail

SpongeBob SquarePants

Sandy the Squirrel

Squigsworth

Those characters just have to make you smile!

Never heard of SpongeBob SquarePants?

Check out the kids' channels.

They really are fun, and I'm over 50!!!

:0)

Well, that time has come again where I must close for the day.

I have more Summer Boredom Busters to share on another day....

Movie of the day to watch:

'Tangled' by Disney

:0)

inkspired

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

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

'Florida Sunshine' original Collage Art Doll by inkspired