Stampin' Sisters in Christ Guest Designer!!

Good morning!! I am excited to tell you I've been  invited to be a guest for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge blog for the next few weeks! Since this is one of my favorite groups I love to visit each Sunday , I am so honored to be stampin' along with this wonderful group of gals!! The other wonderfully talented guest for the next six weeks along with myself is Teresa Kline of Paperie Blooms!
So this week, the scripture and devotional were chosen by my friend, Peggysue.

Psalm 148:7-10

Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds..."

The challenge issued was use any type of creature from tiny (like an ant or bug) to a  very LARGE creature (like a whale or elephant) on your card or project.

The sponsor this week is a gift certificate to Doodle Pantry!!

Peggysue had asked us to share a praise song for this challenge. The song that was going through my head as I created my card was "All Creatures of our God and King" by the David Crowder band. I was able to find an inspirational video with music on Youtube here.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cObXwn-EgGY&feature=related

My card was created with this tiny hummingbird in mind...I love watching hummingbirds from our bird feeder up in the mountains!! The last time I was there, I actually spied one of the tiny hummers perched up in a large pine branch! I had never seen them still, and I was surprised at how tiny these are! My stamp is Flourishes "Humming Along" along with SU! designer papers in soft subtles, PTI white, Webster's sparklers, white satin ribbon, white crochet ribbon, and mosaic tiles.

So hope you can visit the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog and play along with this fun challenge. You may just be a winner of a darling Doodle Pantry gift certificate...but you are sure to be uplifted in spirit and may find a new song in your heart!

Keepin' it Simple!

Simple is as simple does...not!! Hi friends! I am back to sharing a few creations in the next couple of days here. Every once in awhile I get tired of my same 'ol style and want to branch out...this time I tried a new card fold featured on the Papertrey Ink blog which worked well to showcase the focal botanical image.  Basically you just cut away the card front approximately an inch and that way you have a narrow flap to add a decorative border or strip. I wanted to try some fresh summer colors, so teamed up PTI's  Hawaiian shores ink with Enchanted Evening added just around the edges. The sentiment from Flourishes "Country Charm Labels" fit this set, so I inked it in the Enchanted Evening ink. As a side note, don't you think it would be fun to come up with all the names of inks? I would love to be on some Hawaiian shores with an enchanted evening, wouldn't you? The inside flap was stamped in a itty bitty flower stamp from the same "Country Charm Labels." The botanical are from Inkadinkado and were given to me by a friend, a "just because" gift, which is the best kind. Thank you, Joanne!! They are beautiful!
Thanks so much for stopping by! We are in a heat wave here in  Colorado...high 90's and I am feelin' it for sure! If my teeth weren't so sensitive to cold, I'd like to be sucking on a Popsicle right now! Maybe I'll just listen for the ice cream truck, instead...

Flourishes Farm Fresh Challenge

Today's card is for this month's Flourishes Farm Fresh Challenge! I combined two of the Flourishes sets, the "Seeds of Friendship" with the "Strawberries" for this card. The paper is from SU's designer papers in pure poppy and Papertrey Ink's white, and the pretty ceramic button was purchased awhile ago from an Etsy store online from "Tessa Ann."
I took this photograph outside, and as soon as the camera clicked, a bit of breeze blew my card off the upperstory deck railing into our lilac bushes. It rained last night. I was able to retrieve it with the help of a mop handle and hope it dries. Have you ever had one of those weeks?? I love this card and will be mailing it off soon, anyway!!
Edited: After an hour, the card looks fine, the waterspots have dried flat and you wouldn't even know it had gotten wet! I am relieved!

Happy Independence Day!!

Happy Independence Day to the U.S.A! This is a simple embedded embossed card my stamp club made...I love the flag (S.U.) embossed in white and then a wash of reinkers over it. It is simple , but I like it!
We went to our first rodeo in years last night...and at the beginning, a beautiful horse galloped around the circle with the rider holding a large flag...it was so beautiful. This is the last of my three red white and blue cards...will be back later this week with something pretty, I hope!! Happy Fourth of July, and Canada Day!!

Making the Time

Hi, friends of mine that take the time to visit me here!  I have been absent from here, as you know. But my absence here means I have been more fully present somewhere else, and that is a good and sometimes necessary thing. As many of you are rounding the corner of a busy time of year with graduations, end of school year events, or preparing to send a college student on their way to a new and exciting adventure...this past week I have been doing something that I had hoped I would never have to do. But it is alright. I will write more about that at another time...but for today, I came across this quote on another blog and wanted to share it here as it sums up my thoughts on the subject of "time"so well. I am thankful that my family took the time to be with me and support me and my parents during this past very difficult week. I am thankful I have had the ability to take the time this past year to make the needed trips across our state to my parent's home at times which were not always convenient and many times rushed and had a feel of emergency. I am thankful I took  the time to listen to my mom on what could be her last day living in her own home and hear her memories she shared. I am thankful.
The way I see time is we are all given 24 hours in a day. Each and every day. We make choices how we spend our time, and if we say we are always busy, or there is never enough of it...then I think it is time to reevaluate our time in light of what is truly important to us. Time is always moving, it is fluid, it does not wait for us. We are wise to wait on it, to seize it when the opportunity presents itself...and to let go when it has moved on. I am working on all of these in my life right now. How about you?



"As busy as we can make ourselves feel, or sometimes as busy as we want to seem to others, there is nothing more important than just making time. For a friend. For a daughter. For someone who wants you and needs you for something. There is always something else you can do, somewhere else you can be. We all get the same amount of time each day. If we say we don’t have the time, what we really mean is that we don’t want to make the time. Because if you can’t make it for one thing, it means you made it for something else. Something else took priority. Today, choose to make the time. Make time for yourself. Make time for someone else. Make the time for something you’ve been putting off. I doubt you’ll regret it. – Emily, Remodeling this Life "

Baby Card

It's a lazy Sunday afternoon here! My great-nephew and his wife just had their first child, a baby boy last month~! This card was made using Flourishes stamps...the background was stamped with the baby rattle and I love this sentiment so much I wanted to use it on the front of the card. Since it is so overcast today, my card needed some editing. The colors are PTI lemon tart, and SU bashful blue. This was made for this week's Flourishes May sketch found here. Thanks for stopping in, enjoy your weekend!

Sing a New Song

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things."  ~Psalm 98:1

We've had a deluge of rain here for the past few days...more than I have seen in all the years of living here in Colorado. I think we came close to a record...but today, the sun came out and it is glorious with all the visible signs of spring following the rain!!
This card was made with the season of spring in mind...a season of renewal and flowers blooming, trees budding, birds singing, mallards quacking, geese ...well, what do geese do...hmmm?? We have a gaggle of geese that frequently visit the pond behind our house!   Oh, yes, geese honking!!
Flourishes is issuing several challenges this week on their blog to welcome their new release for the month of May!! I chose this challenge, "Three in a Row." My card uses three elements:  a die cut, lace, and pearls! There are actually two die cuts layered that my little singing bird is perched on! To view this challenge, visit here on the Flourishes blog.
Today's card is also being submitted to this week's Stampin' in Christ challenge to make a card using all things beautiful!
For my card, I used two nestabilities dies, the blossom and labels 4, Flourishes stamp set, prima papers, pearls, crochet lace, blue ribbon, and prima roses from the Flourishes store, and a bit of stardust stickles. The image was colored with copic markers!
Thanks for stopping in today!

A Wagon Full of Love

Well, it's been quite a long while since I've picked up a stamp and I must admit that the process is a bit overwhelming! As much as I was inspired by our recent trip, I didn't have any stamps that matched the inspiration. So I found the My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge and used it as a springboard to bring this sweet image to life. I have to say, I love paper piecing...where else could you have a red polka dotted wagon except in the world of paper and scissors? I also was excited to use this sweet paper I've had on my desk. I hope this little girl finds you enjoying your day and brings you a big smile!
Blessings on your day!

Mother's Day Poem

This poem was written and shared by our pastor at church. It is based upon 2 Corinthians 4:7 and Phillippians 4:13.  If you read it and share it, please be sure to give proper credit. Hope you find it an encouragment to you today!

Woman of weakness, woman of strength
Clothed in humanity, upheld by God's grace
Prone to get tired, discouraged, undone.
Yet able, in Christ to be joyful and strong.

You know as a Mom, as  a vessel of clay
The weight of the burdens you shoulder each day
Pressed in your patience, laden with cares
Constantly tending to others' affairs
And though you're resourceful, still more help you seek
You know that you're lacking, you know that you're weak.

But weakness isn't a thing to be fought
Or something to stew on to make you distraught
For God is well-pleased, to take all of you
And bring Himself glory, while showing it's true
That when you are weak, you truly are strong
As you walk in dependence on Him all day long.

When you are perplexed, He's infinitely wise
When you are undone, He's never surprised
When you are exhuasted, He won't shut HIs eyes
All that you lack, He fully supplies
For He gives His grace, and He gives without measure
And shines forth the gospel, and displays it as treasure.

So when you are weary, when feeling dismayed
Don't be discouraged, and don't be afraid.
Don't be depressed, or lay down in despair
Don't look inside, to muster what's there.
Instead look to Jesus, who lives within you.
Whose Spirit empowers all that you do.

So declare it in faith, declare it as true.
Declare this great hope with each day when it's new.
Declare it each hour, again and again
That "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH JESUS!" Amen

Women of weakness, women of strength
Clothed in humanity, upheld by God's grace.
Prone to get tired, discouraged, undone
Yet able, in Christ, to be joyful and strong.  

Just calling in...

Hi there, blogging friends!
Or should I say, "Cheerio?" I've been on a fun trip through some of Europe. Our youngest daughter ended her semester study in Spain , and my husband, oldest daughter, and I met here there and then travelled on to several other countries. We were here on our last stop. Can you guess where this is?
I am catching up on rest and still haven't sorted our mail, but I'll be back in a day or so to catch up with you!
Have a blessed Sunday!

Thank You!

Thank you so much, Our Daily Bread Designs, for choosing my card last week as one of your favorites! I am so pleased that you did!! What an honor to be featured among so many talented card makers!!
I love the ODBD blog and the stamp sets are so detailed in beauty and font...it makes it easy to create with!! You can view their stamps here.

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??