So very grateful ...

 
Hello, my friends.  Words can not express the joy in my heart as I return to my blog.  I won't bore you with my tales of woe ... but I must say I am so happy to have finally finished the last of my medications today.  When you have your health - the world is a much better place.

While being "down and out" these past weeks, I have visited all of your blogs and wished so much to be back in my craft room.  Finally ... I am able to share something new with you and what better way than to join Mona and her design team for this week's challenge CR84FN Color Challenge?  Just in the nick of time too!  Here's the gorgeous color combination ...

Don't you just love that quote?  Thanks, Mona, for the inspiration!

Here's what I have to share today ...

The card began with Crumb cake cardstock with edges brushed in a soft shade of off-white.  The funky orange print paper is from my scrap drawer and the bees along with the gentle honeycomb pattern is from Botanical Gazette.  The lace ... a piece from my dear sister-in-law, Shirley.  The ribbon is old Stampin' Up and the flower ... well, I've had that for ages.  A pin with a button, bead, and tag added is the perfect topper for my project.

The sweet little crown and funky rub-on are from my supplies.  Both are so fun for this card!

That's all for now.  I soooo want to jump into things with both feet but am trying to pace myself now that I feel just an itsy-bit better.  Thank you for stopping by today ... I've missed you!

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Spring is calling ...

 
I was very busy today and am so glad that I am able to share a second post with you.  While laundry and cleaning were on my "to do list" ... I was able to sneak away to my craft room for just a bit.  Green is my FAVORITE color and I just had to participate in this weeks color challenge over at The Play Date Cafe.  Just look at this photo ... isn't it wonderful!?  The color is serene ... the water refreshing - I can hear it, can't you?  Tell me it's the sound of snow and ice melting.  With everything frozen here, this waterfall photo is a welcome sight and has me wishing for Spring.  I know it's coming ...

Over at Etsy Inspired they are celebrating the French country vintage and handmade home decor of La Pomme.  Such beautiful things to see there.  Ephemera, tins, sheet music, and these fabulous fruits that became part of my inspiration today ....

So I began with Very Vanilla cardstock as my base and layered on delicious papers from our Botanical Gazette DSP collection.  I am absolutely deeply in love with these papers.  Every sheet is gorgeous.  A delicate white lace is held in place by various sized buttons in shades of green.  Since the inspiration photo calls for gold, I added a piece of left-over mesh along the bottom - perfect for my little bird to rest.

An old piece of wide twill was used for ribbon.  I added a pearl and a silver bead to a green decorative pin.  My sentiment is stamped in Always Artichoke Classic Ink and cut out with the Jewelry Tag Punch.  It's small, sweet, and just the right size for little words of happiness.

My bird is obviously not a "Michigan-der".  I am not aware of any feathered friends this shade of green in Michigan.  Perhaps he's here visiting from down south?  I stamped him in Jet Black StazOn and colored him with various Classic Ink pads.  Since the Classic Inks are water based and the StazOn is not, I was able to use an Aquapainter and it worked beautifully ... allowing me to blend and shade.  I should tell you I used a watercolor paper to be sure I could apply water without damaging the paper itself.  This little friend of mine is from the Nature Walk stamp set and I have been using these images a lot lately ... but I guess I don't have to tell you that.  Sylvia has a gorgeous vintage card on her site that also uses this sweet set.  Be sure to leave her a comment when you stop by!

Again, thank you for all your kind comments.  I enjoy reading every one - your words mean so much.  Have a wonderful evening!

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