Fun Times

 Hello peeps! Hope everyone is doing well. I've got lots to share again so let's get to it. First up- update on my first nest of finches. This was over the weekend:

 Only two of the four survived :( and we won't know what that one brown egg was all about. But as of this posting these two babes have flown the coop. The other nest still has the 5 eggs. And I have lots of other creatures visiting like these two:

These two have made themselves quite comfy and are so close to where I was sitting when I got these pics. They are most welcome since they are behaving and not eating my flowers:)

 On Saturday we hosted a little "Vinyl Party".  Todd and friends now have record players and think it's a novel thing to play records. So, we all got talking and a party was planned for sharing some of our records. I sent out the two invites:

                                                   envie and card

 And we had a blast- with such a variety of music too! I was banned from playing ABBA so I fixed them and brought out these albums for my turns:

 Does anyone remember these lads? I was in love with them back in the day!!

 Besides these snacks I made roast beef sliders and chocolate chip cookie bars.

                                           Andrew and my hubby

                                                son Todd

       and me with the two daughters I never had- I love these girls!! Kyra, Todd's gf on left and Lynn- Andrew's wife on the right. Cheers to the T Stands For Tuesday gang!

 This tag is meant for Tag Tuesday (theme is "A Night At The Movies"):

              Black glossy tag and movie ephemera (DMD Papers)

 Another tag which is for the Simon Monday Challenge (anything but a card) and Moo Mania and More (die cuts):

 I used a large manila tag for the base but chose not to punch the hole or crop the corners. The top piece of Tim Holtz Worn Wallpaper was a remnant from a tag I cut from it. I am determined not to let one bit of these awesome papers go to waste:):) Other products: manila tag, Stickles Diamond Glitter glue- Ranger;Tim Holtz- Worn wallpaper; Botanical; Paper Dolls; Small Talk Occasions stickers; Thinlits dies- 6602220; Distress Oxide inks- Frayed Burlap, Faded Jeans; Distress Worn Lipstick; heart button - Blumenthal Lansing Co.; Moonshine Sequins- Simon Says Stamp.

Edited in: I am also linking to a new to me challenge at the Crop Stop.com Blog thanks to an invite from Esther-thank you! It's always  "anything goes" so long as you use one or more products from one of the companies carried in the store. And yes, there are prizes:)

 And for Art Journal Journey (theme is "Inspired By") and Paint Party Friday I have this journal page:

 I was inspired by this card sent by my dear friend Patty a little while ago:

 I knew I wanted to try to do an acrylic painting of it. Here is my version:

 and a few close ups:

 Several paints were sponged onto the gessoed page. A few flower stamps were repeatedly stamped on the dried background using Aquamarine Archival ink. I first drew in the flowers etc. with a white Stabilo pencil then kept painting on layers of paint diluted with matte medium for more translucency. Golden Glazes were added and then Pearl Medium was applied to the flower petals. I finished the painting with doodled touches here and there using a gold glitter gel pen.

 Busy, busy week ahead as I am helping my Mom pack, plan and get everything in order for her month long stay with our family in France. She's leaving on Sunday. Wish me luck because she does have anxiety issues but I really wanted HER to go and spend as much time with them as she wanted. I will miss them so but did not wish to leave Bill for a month. I will be taking care of her home along with bills, watering flowers, papers, mail, etc.  So I will be around to visit as I have time. Wishing you all a wonderful week!

  " Never, ever underestimate the importance of having fun."   Randy Pausch