Living with Extreme Cold

Our weather plummeted to EXTREME COLD temperatures for 17 days after Christmas. Temperatures were generally in the range of -35 to 45 degrees below zero. One of the most dangerous parts of such extreme cold is when particles freeze in the air creating ice fog causing visibility to be severely limited. Life tended to move at a survival level of going outside only to go to and from work with a maximum of 1 essential stop. All energy is focused on the basics. Finally the extreme temperatures broke with a warm air current bringing us an unheard of 80 degree temperature difference within 24 hours.

The warm weather was welcomed for the fireworks display to kick the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Alaska statehood . The display had been cancelled three times during the extreme cold. The fireworks opened with a display of several large candles floating into the air which turned into stars forming the pattern of the Big Dipper -the design of our state flag. What a fun evening of watching fireworks in the warm weather! That's something unheard of here since we have sun all night long during typical July 4th fireworks we regularly have our big fireworks display on New Years.



Like everything my creative projects screeched to a minimum. I began the year with recycling many calendars by making them into envelopes for my cards. I recycled a piece of clear packaging plastic to use as a view finder to determine the best placement of the picture. I tried to layout the envelope so the most interesting portion would be on the left side to allow for the address.





I also participated in a sympathy card swap and enjoyed preparing one of my favorites techniques of white embossing on white vellum and coloring on the back side of the vellum to create a soft look.

I have also been busy creating a few RAK’s, birthday cards and such. I am enjoying the size of these short cards inspired by Godelieve. I also learned the vellum technique from her as one of 2 Peas special event challenges-many thanks Godelieve! On the short cards I added dye ink, stamping and shimmerz to the white paper primas. Glossy accents give dimension to the berries. The heart is cut from a recycled Christmas card. 3-D foam is placed behind the center of the petals adds dimension to the center flower. Thanks for stopping by!