Framing Your Image

Our Daily Bread Designs has a challenge this week to "frame" your design. I love this paper collection, "Sparkling Spring" by Prima and used the design in the paper and a framed stamp image to frame this sentiment from ODBD "Lift Up Our Hands." I added a punched lattice border on the bottom to give it a bit more substance. The gorgeous flower is from Prima, and I added vellum leaves sponged with TH "Peeled Paint" (green) for the leaves.

I hope you enjoy this card creation.
I haven't been feeling well for a couple of weeks now...and would just ask for prayer from my friends as I don't know what the culprit is...though I am thinking hormones or thyroid. Dizziness, extreme lethargy, and just overall blech. I wouldn't be too concerned, except our entire family is due to take a vacation overseas in just two weeks, and I want to be feeling much better in order to make the most of that trip. I do have a dr. appointment coming up in a couple of days, so that should help. Not to cause anyone worry, but your prayers would be really appreciated.
Thanks so much for coming by.

Happy Birthday!

I had fun coloring up this popular Pure Innocence little girl and adding a "jeweled" crown using this pretty paper and stickles for a bit of sparkle! These are colors I don't pick up very often, orange, greens, and of course, a dose of pink...otherwise it just wouldn't be "me."
I hope she gives you a smile today...thanks for popping in! Blessings on your day!

Charming Gardener



A charming gardener, I am most definitely not. That is probably why I am so drawn to florals on cards, the vibrant colors and cascading blossoms on paper make me giddy!!
I attempted last year to dig up an unused space on the side of our lawn and went to top-notch nurseries with the idea of making a beautiful, bountiful, lush garden. I planted long stemmed daisies and gerberas, with the image of vases with fresh-cut flowers brightening the multiple spaces in our home. I waited expectantly and watched as the stalks reached dwarf length, flowers budded in tight gnarled knots, then withered away in the afternoon sun. Not one single bloom to show for the money and time spent!!
Anyway, this is a card for a Flourishes challenge , "A Cut Above the Rest." The challenge is to make a cut on your card. This sentiment was cut out using the deckled rectangles from Spellbinders, and circle nestabilities for the bird.
This card was also my first attempt at sewing...and was happy to say I only had the needle jammed once...yippee! This was one of those cards that was days in the making, I kept fiddling with the layout, then the origonal black base was too somber for the sentiment, so I cut it out and framed it with yellow and then mounted on a white base. At least with this card I have a single rose bud to show for my efforts!
What about you, do you enjoy gardening? And if so, do you have any tips?
Thanks for stopping by, and it's almost spring here in Colorado. Time to go plant some more stuff and hope for the best!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge

Isaiah 40:8
"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever."

We have a lovely spring day outside, so I took a chance with the wind and quickly snapped this photograph of my card for this week's SSIC challenge. You can see the challenge by clicking on the blinkie in my sidebar. This week we were to use flowers in our card...and they needed to be stamped.  I used a Verve stamp for the verse and some Rubber Stamp Tapestry stamps ( a gift from a friend)...to frame the verse in a wreath. These were so fun to work with the different colors of inks and florals to adorn this verse.
I hope you enjoy this card today and your spirits are lifted as you trust in God's word.
Thank you so much for stopping by!

A Keepsake Letter

There is a story behind this card today...one of those times when the story is much bigger than the card, actually.
As most of you know, my Grandmother, Odell Gray, passed away on February 7. I had the assignment of planning her memorial service, and part of that was providing an obituary. I realized how very little I knew of this woman who had lived for almost a century...and making a few phone calls to my Mom from the funeral home didn't help with any details. I went home that day thinking sadly to myself, that we have an entire legacy lost from this era...as no one in my family could recall any details of her life. I had only been around my grandmother as a young child, and then again in the last few years, and because of her being deaf and refusing to wear a hearing aid, communication with her was very limited.
Then there was the difficulty of Mom, being confined to the nursing home for the previous three months and declining health, as well as I am sure the shock and grief upon her...well, there just wasn't much information to go on.
A few days later, I was at my Grand mom's home, and helping my Dad find some important documents and pictures, we discovered three albums of pictures, and I took them back to my Dad's.  Later that evening, as I was thumbing through an old album, this letter was creased between the pages. It was a letter my Mom had given her mother in 2002. And in the letter lie all the details of this woman's life, summed up in four handwritten pages penned by her daughter...from her beginnings with my Grandad starting up a small farm in East Texas to moves they had made necessitated by hardship, and woven throughout the words were a picture of my Grand mom and her life that I had not had before.
I was able to read the letter written by my Mom at Grand mom's memorial service, all four pages without tears. At the end though, my Mom praised her Mother for all of her character qualities, and listed them all...generous, kind, a heart that was so big and yet safe to keep secrets, and a treasured friend.  And I am thankful to say my Mom has been all these to me, and more , since I was at the age of six and went with my brother to live permanently with my Dad and his new bride.
Over and over again since reading this letter, I have felt God's goodness toward our family to provide this at just the right time, and have been thanking Him for that. But it has also reminded me to send a letter to a loved one along with a card...especially at birthdays or Mother's or Father's Day...because even after the memory fades and confusion sets in, those words can be a balm of healing and restoration to the soul.
This card was made with a Flourishes image given to me by a sweet friend this year.  I embossed the image in white and then outlined it with a copic marker just slightly darker than the paper. I made a vellum strip with the words, "Just Because."
This will be  a card containing a letter to my Mom...
thanks for stopping in today...blessings on your day!

Pretty Posies

I haven't attempted to make a post here in so long, let's see if I still remember how! Our youngest daughter is far far away in a distant land...but thank goodness for Skype I can still "see" her and have long chats every now and then. Some days I can even get our Corgi, Copper to get close enough to the monitor for a sniff and snort so Erin can see him!! Although not homesick, she did request a few items from the homeland that she can either not find there, or are expensive, or, maybe she just wants some mail!!
Anyway, I had received this little cloth drawstring purse from her for Christmas; it contained a beautiful bracelet and earrings from my favorite jeweler, Brighton. I was so taken with this purse, that it must have somehow subliminally seeped into my card as this blossom on the bottom of my card looks a lot like the one in the bag, don't you think? (I tried to add the photo of the entire bag but having difficulty, so see that little corner right by my posie? That is the bag. I decided to fill it with some sweet treat to go in her little package...and at this rate of my slow collecting of things, she may be home before she gets it in the mail!
This little girl is another image from "Pure Innocence," and since I paper pieced her dress green, I am entering her into this week's Stampin Sisters in Christ challenge here. This week's devotional was written by a dear friend of mine, Peggysue, and I would encourage you to go and read it for yourself. She has a way of putting pictures with words that stick in your brain...and for me, that is a good thing!!
I am going to post this weekend a little update of my visit to my parents and share something that has special meaning for me...so hope to see you again soon.

Framed!

Well, since I am still away from home, and feeling rather out of my element lately, thought I would share with you a project I did for gifts this year.
These are the inexpensive wood frames from Michael's...all mod-podged and stained and adorned with those oh-so-pretty rhinestone flourishes and Prima flowers. Rather than leaving the inserts empty for a frame, I took the cardboard insert and covered them with contrasting designer paper. That way if the recipient wanted to, they could leave them as is, or add a favorite quote or inspirational verse, using the matting as another "frame." Make sense? I gave these to my daughters, and neither of them have added a picture or anything to the inside.
On the white/black frame I did not paint, instead, I chose a light wood base and it blended really nicely. The blue/brown frame I used a regular minwax wood stain product and antiqued the paper to blend with the darker stain.
On a personal note, I have been at my parent's home helping my Dad transition from the nursing home following knee surgery with the intent of him becoming stronger and building endurance. So right now I am in the caregiving role. In what I can only determine is the providential Lord's plan, my grandmother (mom's mom) passed away shortly after my arrival. So that has added to the length and also the breadth of this trip...now I am in the midst of funeral arrangements. Although a bit sad for my mom in losing her mother, at the age of 94, I am grateful that she had her as long as she did.
Thanks for stopping in today!

You've Been so Kind

Lately life has consisted of nursing home visits and care conferences, doctor appointments, and dog sitting for my parents. While this has been a trying time, I am so thankful for the staff at the care center at Mantey Heights in my hometown. Especially the women in the rehab department working daily with Dad and so good-humored and caring at the same time. I will be there in a couple of days, and wanted to let them know how much I appreciate their hard work and heart...so made a few thank you notes. This was inspired by Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday sketch...which of course, was last week.
For me to keep up with challenges or be on time lately is too much, but I am enjoying my stamp time when I have it and hope the cheeriness of these notes gives you a dose of sunshine this wintry day!!

PS...Yes, the blog candy winner was notified. It was Kelly! I am tickled at all your inspiring comments, if you did not get a chance, scroll down two posts, there are some really wonderful ones!!
Thanks for popping in and to all my friends, for your continued support through a very difficult season in life. Blessings to you!

Time to Celebrate!

Isn't this card the cutest?? I love these critters on this Stampavie image to color, and even though it takes me awhile to get it all paper pieced, glittered up, the shiney on the balloons, and the frosting with actual peaks...you get the idea...but this is for my special friend, Charlene's birthday next week! The Teapotters sent Charlene cards with her favorite candy, m&m's. We were asked to buy a bag of the candy and use it in our card. Well, I perused the aisle looking for purple, as that is my friend's fave color, and the side panel with the polks dots is the wrapper!!

Hope my card brings you a smile!!

First Blog Candy of the New Year!!

 

I've been waiting to have a blog candy giveaway here, and this week is a perfect opportunity! To enter please:

1. Sign my guest book at the end of my blog.

2. In your comments, tell me your favorite inspirational quote or verse and be sure to give credit to the author!
3. You may enter as many days between now and next Sunday, but each post must contain a new inspirational thought or verse! I will draw a winner next Monday!

Here are the items:

My friend, Joyce, sent me this cute hand sewn bird pincushion for my birthday, and an extra for a friend! So I am giving one of these cuties away with my blog candy. There is so much detail on this, the wings are blanket stitched, a flower on each side has a button center with twine tied and pearl button eyes...so adorable!! If you visit Joyce's blog here, you will find her Etsy site link. You can view another bird pincushion and a matching bag by scrolling down a few posts on her main blog page also. Just leave a comment on her blog if you'd like her to make you one!
Also included:
My favorite things:

1. Basic Grey Curio Paper Pad
2. Basic Grey die-cut shapes to coordinate with paper pad
3. KaiserCraft Pearl Flourishes in Elegant Latte
4. KaiserCraft Rhinestone strips in black and gold/amber
5. KaiserCraft Pearl Strips in Brown/Cream
6. Prima Flowers pack of 6 large organza flowers with pearl stamen centers

There's a NEW store in my town...Fort Collins, Colorado has a new stamp store, Scrap2IT and with one stop I was able to find all these beautiful items!!

Thanks for stopping in and I look forward to reading your comments!

A card for Katie

AS many of you in the stamping community have already heard, a fellow stamper and active member of Splitcoast Stampers, Katie Renz, was recently diagnosed with cancer. Katie is the wife and mother of small children and is battling for her life!!
This week's Teapot Tuesday challenge on Splitcoast is dedicated to Katie and their is also a place to donate to Katie's medical expenses and also receive some amazing digital stamps!! Just click on the Teapot in my sidebar for the link!

My card was water colored with reinkers, a challenge for me but one that I so enjoy!! The aura in the back is by watering down my paper slightly and adding barely banana ink as a little aura of light. The entire image was spritzed with pearl glimmer mist for some slight shimmer. I hope you enjoy your visit!!

My blog candy will be posted later this week...stay tuned!!

Winter Post Flourishes Christmas Card Challenge

NOte: please click on my card image and tell me what you see!!
No, silly, I am not still making Christmas cards!! But this is made for a Christmas card challenge from Flourishes monthly challenges on SCS. This month we were to make a card using something we had received for Christmas. I had initially planned on a saphire blue silk ribbon, but after completing this card with silver embossed image, pastel copic colored and silver pearls, the blue ribbon appeared a little garish and overwhelmed the card.
Which brings me to my point...note to self. Do not exacerbate yourself making a card to fit a challenge if the challenge ruins the card. Challenges are meant to help our craft, not ruin our cards. So after many attempts and angles, the ribbon was tossed and instead, I found a border from a received Christmas card, trimmed it, and added to the inside of my card for a pretty silver pastel border that compliments my card rather than competes with it. Sigh...feeling better now.
This will be a winter birthday card wish for a friend.
I plan on having blog candy for my next entry, so hope to see you then!!

New Year's Resolve

Yesterday was Featured stamper, Marisa,(WhiteRockMama) on Splitcoast Stampers.(SCS). Her layout is the one I chose to use for the inspiration of my cards today.
I have a few hopes for myself this year, as there are some big changes coming my way soon. One that I can share is our youngest daughter will be on a plane to Spain for a study abroad semester in two days! I know she has been so excited about this for months now...and due to other happenings in my life with parents, my head has not been able to get totally "on board" with this idea. I am hoping that as she gets on board the plane, my head cooperates and my heart will let her go. It will be some exciting times ahead for her and challenging as well.
So this card's sentiment really spoke to me, "Fear knocked on the door, Faith answered and there was nobody there." That is probably more for my benefit than hers, but I am sure she has some fears going far away also...so I intend to give this to her as her going away card.
The other card, changed by the ribbon color and sentiment, and an added little butterfly is for a friend's birthday that I missed..."It's never too late to become what you might have become."
These two words of wisdom are appropriate for my stage of life. I realize I need to overcome a few fears in order to embrace the stage of life I am in now and God's new plans for me.
Thanks for stopping by today, hope your new year is full of faith, hope, and promise!!

 

I just ordered this from Dayspring Gifts...it is in the "Christmas sale" section at half-off! Just wanted you to know, in case you want one too!! I have been wanting a card display and think this could be used other times than Christmas!!
What do you think?

Here I Am

I hope everyone has had a lovely Christmas and enjoying some time to relax and compose yourselves before beginning a New Year!
Here is a card I made recently for a friend undergoing surgery. Some day I will find the inside of this card and post it, but the sentiment inside says, "Pulling for you."
Thanks for stopping by...I appreciate your visit!

Cherry Cobbler makes A Debut

My much anticipated Cherry Cobbler paper kept disappearing on me...so I finally ordered some "more"...although who knows maybe I just thought I had ordered it, and never did. I had the ink pad to match! Anyway, using Waltzingmouse Stamps, I made my first card, a "thank you" card for Christmas. The card base is Basic Grey's "Jovial" with red nailheads in the corners and accented with pretty paper flowers from my friend, Charlene. The second card is a cheery Christmas card using bold striped paper from my stamp store and pretty miniature prima roses and ribbon. The spellbinders tags and Waltzingmouse stamps nest perfectly together.
I am still very much in the Christmas stamping mode. This time of year is so special, I refuse to move on to any other holiday, just enjoying the beauty of this Christmas season.
Thanks for looking today. Hope you are staying warm and enjoying the coziness of hearth and home, the love of family and friends. Those are the most treasured gifts.

Chickadee Christmas

Today's card was inspired by Lisa (LisaADD) on Splitcoast Stampers. I have had this chickadee on my shelf uninked and Lisa's card gave me the nudge I needed to Christmas up this chickadee~I made a lovely loopy bow to add in the corner, and colored some pearls with a red copic marker to add as little berries!

Well, everyone is gone this weekend doing their own thing. My youngest daughter is on an airplane right now from New York City to Boston. She called me from the plane saying she may not make the connecting flight and I could hear the pilot saying over the speaker that it was going to be "bumpy and miserable" flight. My husband is driving through snow covered passes and will stop in Denver and then meet her at the airport. Those connections are tricky, so I hope he doesn't have a late night of it. Our older daughter went for a weekend skiing for girls in Vail and will be driving back today. So this mama chickadee is in her nest, trying not to fret and staying busy doing a little "feathering of the nest" today!

Warm Winter Wishes

Good Friday afternoon!! I wanted to take a break in my day and show you some of my favorite things this time of year. My card is a "window" card, using the "Sweets of the Season" stamp set from Flourishes! I love the gingerbread men (women in this case) in this set, and paired it with the sentiment "Friends warm the heart" to make two "girlfriends." I love how this turned out, and hope it brings a smile to your face. The red ruffled ribbon and red nailheads are from Flourishes also. I used scalloped square nestabilities to make my window frame and a Martha Stewart doily. Stacy (Twinshappy on SCS) gave a tutorial a few weeks ago on how to make these, and this was my attempt. The little girls are dressed up with coat buttons made all white and puffy and stickles! This is for this month's challenge to make a "Winter White" card, mostly white with a touch of another color. I think it is no surprise my touch of color is red today!!
The backdrop for this card was a decorated Christmas tree I have in my kitchen...I love this tree and decorated it with this wide checked gingham I found at a local florist along with some tiny utensil ornaments and sugar cookies! It sits on my kitchen table this time of year.
Just sharing a little of what I've been up to...how about you?

Making a List and Flourishes Challenge

Hope you are having a blessed Sunday! I decided to share with you part of my planned small gifts to my ladies I am a "mentor Mom" to in our church. These are list makers, labeled "Holiday planners." The first is done in traditional red and golds with the candy cane striped twine on the buttons, and the second with non-traditional lavenders and aquas. The red and gold is stamped with sentiments from the Papertrey Ink set made just for these notebooks.
The mitten stamp is Flourishes, "Winter Wishes" colored in copics, then white shimmery ric rac is added along with aqua buttons topped with a snowflake and some bling. The doilies are Martha Stewart and are the perfect size to fit these Papertrey Ink notebooks. I used a template to cut the notebooks out and scor tape to glue the inserts of lined paper. They take a bit of time, but are so cute when finished!
Thank you for stopping by, I am still in the process of making Christmas cards and projects. They are my favorite to make, so mailing will still be awhile.
I am not in a hurry to get it all done, I would much rather take my time and enjoy the process. Life is hurried enough this time of year, don't you think??

Little Christmas Cardinal

Today is "Featured Stamper" on Splitcoast Stampers and Kris, SCS name: Krischir, was the chosen stamper! I adored her gallery, and decided to CASE one of her cards for today's submission.
A friend of mine sent me this stamp set as blog candy, and I had yet to ink it up until I saw it on another friend's blog!! What would we do without our friends?
Thanks for popping in...this is a busy week for so many and I appreciate your taking a peek here.
Have a blessed day!

Less is More and Becoming Unglued

Good Saturday afternoon!
I am in need of a few sympathy cards, and wanted to include this in this week's Sisters In Christ challenge: Less is More
here. My apologies for the darkness of these photos. I had a couple of mishaps with my camera and as of now, am surprised it is even working, as I dumped an entire glass of water on the camera and dock just prior to taking these.
Grace Nywening chose the scripture and has a really good and thought-provoking devotional this week. The scripture is John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease." I would ask that you would visit the link and read it, rather than my comments as I could not add anything to what she has alreay said so wonderfully!!
Anyway, the first card is showing the less, the second, with just the addition of the ribbon around the center panel, pearls on the main image and the added border along the bottom, is my more version. This card is one of my favorite color combinations, so soothing and peaceful. Please, since the photo is not well-lit, click on the picture for a larger view. The background is a paper that I love with aqua tones called "Soft Stone" by Papertrey Ink. I have not found any other color that works as well, in my opinion.
So what to do when you want to become unglued?! Every once in awhile, I need to take a card apart, even if it is just a panel that I forgot to add a ribbon to (as is the case with my second card...) do you risk ripping it apart and ruining the entire card? Heavens, no!! I use this product, Un-Du, and have for many years, it removes adhesive without damaging your inks in any way. I took a picture to share, it has saved many a card and scrapbook page for me! I have had a difficult time finding this in stores, but I know it is also available online. I hope this tidbit of information is helpful for someone reading this.
The stamps used for these cards is Waltzingmouse "Victorian Frippery" and SU!"Thoughts adn Prayers" for the sentiment. The center panel is SU!'s paper, "Presto Patterns;" you just add ink and have an immediate relief pattern.
Thanks for stopping by today and enjoy your weekend!

Snowman Love

I had been waiting in happy expectancy for a stamp order to arrive this week...this precious image is Precious Innocence...isn't she sweet? Admittedly I had a bit of difficulty finding the right shade of paper to go with my copics to go with my designer paper...but I think the contrast looks pretty good. The pink background was stamped in versamark and white craft ink with random snowflakes to blend the colors a little more. I clipped off two pom poms from some pom pom lace to add to the little girl's hat and added some Flower Soft "Polar White" to the hat bands and more Polar White and Martha Stewart Holiday glitter to the base for "snow." We actually have the real stuff outside, but it's not this sparkly today!
Wishing you a very blessed Sunday and thanks for dropping by. Oh, this is for a "Musical Challenge" from Dani Dell on SCS...the first time I have participated. The song was "Chain of Love."

Teapot Tuesday and my Stamp a Stack Christmas Cards

Is it Tuesday yet? I am late, as always, to the Teapot Tuesday party...but this week the destination is a hospice organization in Austin, Texas, and I couldn't miss sending a card to such a wonderful organization! You can view Cindy (Mothermark's) teapot Tuesday story by clicking on the black and white polka dotted teapot on my sidebar to read and laugh!!

The rest of the cards are from a Christmas card stamp-a-stack I attended over the weekend, at my demo, Carn's house. This was only 3 of the cards we made, I still have one more to make up! I don't have any of these stamps, so it is really nice to have a variety of cards to add to my small stash, and of course, I got home and had to add a silver pearl here, or some glitter there. The snowman was made of punches, and I am so punched challenged, I tell you, I had glue stuck everywhere. So if it were not for this class, I am sure my punches would be underused!
Tell me, which is your favorite of the Christmas designs? I'd really like to know!
We had snow last night, and this morning, a blanket of gentle peace covered the ground. So pretty!!
Thanks for stopping in, I've got French Roast on the menu, would you like a cup?

Hugs for a Friend

This card is not for a challenge or a cause...just me stamping because I want to! I love this Mo's Digital image...the dog reminds me so much of my Corgi...who by the way, is lame in one leg today. I am hoping it will go away, as he has had it before and it does.
Anyway, I have several friends who are going through some tough times right now...so this hug is for them...you know who you are!
This image was copic colored and white fine tulle was added as the bow at the top. The flowers were "borrowed" off a card I received over a year ago from another friend...they were the perfect touch. Does anyone else remake cards? I do it all the time.
Wishing you a day of sunshine and a hug from someone close!
Thanks for stopping by today!

My little "Hope Tote"

As many of you already know, I was just recently visiting my parents in Grand Junction as my Dad underwent knee replacement surgery and mom was transferred to a care center. Dad's surgery went well, and he was transferred to the care center a few days later to join mom. Although on different wings they are "together" and each can encourage the other while there. The plan is for Dad to finish up rehab to the point of being able to go back into the home and not only care for himself, but also do the wheelchair transfers needed for mom to return. That is the challenge ahead of him!
I am going to include the address where you may mail a card if you're moved to do so at the end of this post!
Thanks to my friend, Cindy, (Mothermark,) this week's Teapot Tuesday destination was none other than my home town to Grand Junction, Colorado!! My parents will be deluged with cards from all over the country encouraging them, lifting their spirits, brightening their days and I am sure the staff's and anyone who crosses their paths!! Thank you to all the "Tea Potters" who are sending cheery cards their way!!
My sample for this week did not follow Mothermark's story or sample, but I wanted to make this little tote and a set of cards to include. I saw this tote on Stacy (Twinshappy) blog found here. I loved the size of the cards this was intended to hold (4x4) and used my favorite SU! paper to make a set of cards. This tote is made from a clear acrylic box cut in half!! What a fun concept, then I used nestabilities four to cover the front and back.
Here's a silly thing I did though, after attaching the handle in brads and scor-tape, I wasn't able to take any of the note cards out!! So I had to remove the handle and make a new one, and this time I left it really long so the cards could be removed!
You can see this week's Teapot Tuesday challenge by my wonderful friend, Cindy here!
If you scroll down to the bottom of her post, you will be able to view the one-of-a-kind personalized card that Cindy is so good at making: it has a "picture" of me and our two daughters with our names on it!! How special is that!! The story and the cards can also be viewed on SCS's home page by looking under Tuesday's heading. I'll include a post later on my next visit to see my parents of all the cards!!

Ok, here is the address:

Joyce and Roy Cotton
C/O Mantey Heights Care Center
2825 Patterson Road
Grand Junction, CO 81506

Tags and Tots!!

I have two quick projects I needed to get on here...the first one is a complete and shameless CASE from Sharon Johnson's No Time to Stamp blog! (Please click on my sidebar blog favorites). I needed a few baby cards for the women I am a "mentor mom" to in my church's support group for moms of preschoolers. This paperby Webster's Pages is beautiful and vintage, but has always perplexed me how to maximize it for a regular A2 size card. This has two prints on the front, and then the scraps decorating the inside. The ribbon is a beautiful drapey silk from Sharon's
Stamp Simply Ribbon store. She has a wonderful selection of ribbons that I just droole over, plus stamps, papers, and more!
The second project is a Christmas tag for Waltzingmouse's "Tag, You're It" challenge. I used a SU! set, embossed the cardinal in burgundy embossing powder, covered the tag with pretty Jovial papers by Basic Grey, added some Baker's twine and a button...this is a hodge podge of products and I love the way it turned out...but the recipient better not throw it out as this took as long as a card to make!!

Thank you for the encouraging words for my parents in my last post!! I so appreciate those and the prayers...thankfully Dad's surgery went well and he and my Mom will be at the Care Center for at least a month, so a long recovery ahead! I was so glad to be able to go and see them for a week and am sure I'll be back before long!

Hope you're having a great mid-week...and thanks so much for stopping by!!

Hope You Can Cling To

Well, I am on my way over the mountains to take care of some "business" at home. My Dad is being admitted to the hospital on Tuesday for his second total knee replacement surgery. My Mom will be admitted tomorrow to the care center waiting for my Dad to join her. I am thankful that between my Dad, family, and local health services, my parents have been able to live at home. With Mom in a wheelchair, she has been helped tremendously with home health providing everyday care needs like showers...but now that Dad won't be there to help, she has opted to go there. The thing about my Mom is...she is a blessing wherever she goes. She is cheerful, sunny, encouraging, gentle...my only regret in this visit is I will be sharing her with the care staff instead of able to spend some one-on-one time which is very rare! (as in not once in the last 20 years. So I am feeling a bit sentimental right now.
Anyway, it will be good to be there and help out for a few days!
Today's card is for two challenges on Splitcoast Stampers (SCS)...one by my friend, Cindy, (Mothermark), for this month's Breast Cancer Awareness drive..."Hope you can cling to." What a fun challenge, "Let's Dabble in some Scrabble" make a square card with at least 4 squares and some letters...well I got some of that right! Oh, and of course pink...and today's inspiration to be inspired by this cookie site here.

My inspiration cookie is the top row, second from the left! And it is guilty, I tell ya, of making me hungry for one. Now, aren't you glad I identified the culprit?
Thanks for stopping in...until next time~