Digital Goodies

Digital Products - Back to the Computer

I used to spend hours every day creating digital art.  But since I've crafting again I haven't had any time to work on the computer.  A girl can only spread herself so thin!  Yesterday I had the afternoon off and instead of finishing the products waiting for me in my studio I played on the computer.

It took me a little while to get back into the swing of it.  It's amazing how much you can forget in just a few short months.  And of course some of my plugins weren't working anymore.  So after killing up a couple of hours fixing that problem I finally got down to what I wanted to do.

I've been working on some mini scrapbooks and haven't found any embellishments that I wanted to use.  It's especially hard to find journal cards.  I got to thinking about it and decided to make my own.  I figure the time I take in creating them is probably less than the time I would spend trying to find them in stores or online.

Here are my first creations

Christmas Journal Cards

Christmas Journal Cards - large and medium

Handmade ATC Size Cards

I've listed these on my website as well as my Etsy Store.  Never listed anything digital.  Hopefully I did it right!
sharonstrouddesigns.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sharonstrouddesigns

I'm a bit rusty with my digital skills but I like the way they came out.  Hope you do too!

Sharon

Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream 2014 - Clowns vs. Pirates

Freak Show Where The Clowns Lived 2012

Welcome To The Freak Show

This time of year Busch Gardens is in full scale Halloween mode.  Howl-O-Scream has gone through several transformations over the years.  Some good. Some not so good.  The general consensus is that they should bring back the Haunted Train and the Scary Clowns.

I don't remember ever riding the Haunted Train, but I definitely remember the clowns.  They were all over the place and would sneak up behind you.  Once we were in Ireland and I felt something on my neck.  I put my hand on my neck and OH MY GOSH.  I got a handful of CLOWN NOSE!  This clown had crept up on me and put his long plastic nose on the back of my neck.  I screamed pretty good.  Of course hubby saw him do it and never warned me.  That reminds me...I still owe him for that one.

It takes very little effort for clowns to be scary.  I don't know what it is about them but even the "normal" ones are creepy.  Add some jagged teeth and the terror kicks in.  Anyone remember "It"?  Argh!

Speaking of argh...They got rid of the clowns and replaced them with pirates.  Now I like Johnny Depp as much as the next girl, but scary he is not.  The pirates this year are a bit dead looking, which is an improvement from last year.  And I will say that the makeup and costumes are fantastic.  But pirates will never be as scary as clowns!  Except maybe in "The Fog".  That was pretty scary.

Pretty Pirate at the Pub

Now That's Scary!!!

Sharon

#buschgardenswilliamsburg, #howl-o-scream, #scaryclown,

Small Town Life on a Friday Night

Childhood Memories

Back in my youth the thing to do on a Friday night was to go to the high school football game.  Especially if it was a home game.  It was almost impossible to think of missing it.  I might be wrong, but it just seemed like the whole town was out there.  My friends and I spent the evening hanging out and eating the required junk food (although I refuse to classify hot dogs as junk food)!  I will admit that we watched very little of the actual games.  We were busily running around being girls.  I think the boys did watch the games.

We lucked out on our recent trip.  We just happened to arrive in time for a home game.  I haven't been to one in many years.  I will not say how many.  But I think the girls in that day were wearing maxi dresses!  The game was held in a new stadium but the crowd still looked the same.  Looked like everyone in town was there.  Just being at the game brought back so many memories.  The school spirit was definitely in evidence.  I felt totally out of place without a Bobcat t-shirt.

Summers County Bobcats (formerly Hinton Bobcats)

My Favorite Football Game Memories

 

The beloved Hinton Bobcat

 There's just something about a mascot.  Especially one that looks like a massive stuffed animal!

Bobcat

Bobcat High Five

Halftime

Back in my days the band was huge.  And they really rocked the place.  They were fantastic.  Our favorite place to sit was over by the band.  But times have changed.  There were only 14 kids in the band.  FOURTEEN!!!  I couldn't believe it.  But I've been told that when they closed Hinton High School and opened the regional Summers County High School it pulled in students from areas that were so far away it is difficult for students to get to practices.  I can totally understand that.  It's sad though.  I was really looking forward to hearing that band again.

Summers County High School Band

Cheerleaders

 I will say the uniforms are prettier now than they were in the old days.

 

Mini Footballs

Sigh.  No picture because I never have been able to catch one.  I cannot tell you how much I wanted one of these little footballs when I was a kid.  One of the teenagers in front of us did get one and they were playing catch right in front of my face.  It did cross my mind (briefly) that I might be able to snatch it.  But I controlled myself and came away empty handed.  It was tempting though.  I could have just bought the football from the kid.  But I think the thrill is in the catch.

So I just consoled myself with a Bobcat t-shirt.

Sharon

#Hinton, #highschoolfootball, #smalltown

What are those little black dots?

After checking my blog on my IPOD I realized that you can't see the horses.  So made a close-up.  Actually when I was photographing this scene I originally thought these were cows!  Only after I zoomed in did I realize they were horses.

See the horses?

There they are!

Unfortunately by the time I got my telephoto lens out they had made it to the trees.  Oh well.  Looked like they were enjoying themselves running around on that mountainside.  What a life!

Sharon

West Virginia Bound - The Home Stretch

Mountains!

What can I say?  That long stretch of Interstate 81 has rolling hills, mountains and livestock spread here and there.

It makes for a peaceful ride.  Oh, except for the big trucks.  They always seem to want to go a lot faster than me (most people do).  I keep my cool though.  I'm just anticipating my next turn.

So we merge back onto 64 and there it is.  My longtime friend.  Or I could say 'friends'.  This is House Mountain, also known as Big House Mountain and Little House Mountain.  The most welcome sight that always greets me on my way home and lets me know it won't be long now.

House Mountain - Lexington, VA

 

One of these days I'd like to get a closer look.  There is hiking on both Big House Mountain and Little House Mountain.  And now that I found out there is a resident goat I want to go even more!  It sounds like a great day trip.  Well maybe not a day trip.  After hiking I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have the energy to drive home.  So maybe a weekend trip.  I'll just have to force myself to stop there and not continue on to WV.  I think I can.  I think I can.

Finally we cross the line into Heaven.  We always stop at the West Virginia Welcome Center and get out to enjoy the view and catch our first breath of mountain air.  Bliss.

Gates of Heaven

The sprint to the finish is on!  Sometimes this seems like the longest part of the trip.  For those who have just driven through West Virginia on the Interstate, let me just give you a little advice.  Get off the highway!  You will never know what WV is really like until you drive the back roads.  I'll warn you though.  It can get a little hairy at times if you have a fear of heights!  But it's totally worth it.

Sharon

Sandstone Falls

Christmas Is Coming and I'm Determined To Be Ready (for once)

I've finished my first Christmas project of the season!  It's funny to think we're not even close to Halloween and I'm already excited about Christmas.  I really enjoyed working on the Halloween stuff but I'm ready to move on to the holly jolly.  Christmas just makes me happy!

I was out shopping yesterday.  Sad to say I don't even remember where.  (Nothing to do with age, of course.)  They actually had Christmas music playing and for once I didn't think it was too early.  I guess I'm ready for it.  Hope my wallet is.

So I'm busily working on my new Christmas products.  It will be here before you know it!  I hope my latest work brings you a little early Christmas joy!

Christmas Red Brick Fireplace Box by Sharon Stroud Designs, Custom made, Hand painted, Christmas keepsake

Leaving The Flatlands!

First Leg Of Our Trip To West Virginia

On the first day of our mini vacation we stopped off in Staunton, Va.  For one thing I wanted to try out a local restaurant named Mrs. Rowe's.  I have a cookbook from this restaurant which has a reputation for it's pies.  I actually have made the Pineapple Cream Pie and the Original Coconut Cream Pie.  I highly recommend either of these recipes.  You can find Mrs. Rowe's Restaurant Cookbook here.

As for the food, it was OK and the portions were generous.  I made the mistake of trying to eat all of mine.  Then I found that I absolutely had no room left for the pie.  I thought about taking one with me but I knew my hotel room didn't have a fridge.  Sadly I left my pie behind.  I had to settle for some cookies and a massive cinnamon roll.  We all have to make sacrifices at times.

Mrs. Rowe's Restaurant

After eating our fill, we took a short drive around Staunton.  They have some really fun artwork that's well-known in these parts.  I love to find unusual pieces and these are some of my favorites.

Water Spout

This is actually a Chesapeake and Ohio Railway water column but in this setting works perfectly as a water spout.

Giant Watering Can

 

Giant Flower Pots

We left the hills of Staunton and headed to the mountains.  It's impossible to explain the feeling you get when get a glimpse of that first mountain!

Onward to West Virginia!
Sharon