The Open Sea ...

Hello friends!  It's wonderful to be back sharing with you again!  I won't be a bore with a list all the activities that have distracted me over the past couple weeks ... but it's all good (as they say).  On Mother's Day (after a weekend of volleyball on the other side of the state), I returned home to find my son with the GREAT BIG HEART did this ....

 ... he planted my old clay pots with beautiful flowers!  Utterly exhausted, I pulled into the driveway and saw these "gifts" from him - I was so touched and so very proud.  He also photographed some flowers in the garden that he thought were special  - I think they are special too.

Even though I've been "away", I've tried to visit all your blogs ... leaving notes here and there - you keep me inspired and wishing for more time in my craft room!  I'm sure you've seen the adorable beach scene over at The City Crafter Challenge Blog.  Kirsty and her team of fabulous designers have done it once again ... so much to see and sigh over ... be sure to pay them a visit!  Here's the inspiration -

Beginning with Very Vanilla Cardstock, I layered on prints from the new Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper collection.  It's gorgeous with shade of blues and neutrals.  It also has wonderful red prints and I really wish I would have used one as a splash of color on this card.  (Next time...)

The nautical images are from The Open Sea  and the sentiment from the retired "In A Word".  The buttons are from wherever I can collect them (you can never have too many buttons).  My seam binding is an old piece laying around that I dyed with reinkers ... shades of blue that I don't recall which I used.  The flower is handmade from cardstock with a pearl to embellish the center.

That's all for today but I'll be back again tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by - I appreciate your visit!