Lipstick happiness ...

It was a simply gorgeous weekend here and I do hope you had the same.  I spent time in the garden, a sorely neglected task which still not complete.  But when is gardening ever "done"?  A bit of weeding, digging, pruning, and a few flats of "Lipstick" impatiens and my little world is a better place.  Don't you love that name ... "Lipstick"?  They are a delicious blend in shades of pink and raspberry.  I love them.  Perhaps I'll have a moment to post a few photo's later this week ... 'til then I have this to share.

Kirsty and the Design Team over at The City Crafter are celebrating "firsts".  The first day of summer (or winter depending on your location) was just this past week.  Of course there are first anniversaries, first homes, and especially first birthdays.

My project is brighter than I am used to or comfortable with.  However, who can celebrate a first birthday without some cheer and bling?  Beginning with Whisper White card stock, printed papers were mixed, matched and layered.  A new collection being released next week includes those luscious stripes and adorable pink numbers (I'll have more to say about that soon).  The crown comes from Artistic Etchings. The chipboard is painted and "glitterfied" with Dazzling Diamonds and Chunky Essentials glitter.

The bow is seam binding dyed in So Saffron Classic ink.  Two punches created the tag ... Large Tag and Pinking Hearts Border.  With the sentiment in pink and a button from Design Buttons - Subtles collection ... I think it's sweet.  The pin is a Viola original - fabulous ... just like her blog banners!

It was so nice of you to visit ... thanks for stopping by!

Welcome sunshine ...

Hello friends, the weekend is finally here and after these past waterlogged days ... I welcome the sunshine.  Forecasts predict blue skies and perfect temperatures for the next couple days.  Just what I need to catch up on my gardening.  My son, a young Marlin Perkins (I'm dating myself), is looking forward to all of the digging and planting.  I must admit,  I am too.

The Moxie Fab World blog has a Tuesday Trigger this week that I absolutely love.  The colors are so soft and the title "A Lovely Lullaby" perfect for the photo.  Just look at these gorgeous shades of blue, gray,  yellow and vanilla ... what's not to love?

My project began with Very Vanilla card stock and layers of pretty prints in shades of blues with some gray polka dots.  Those sweet little baby quails following their mother?  From the Happy Together stamp set.  The greeting is a new favorite ... Happy Greetings.  I love it!  A bit of lace, a button, and I'm almost done ...

 The seam binding is dyed in So Saffron Classic Ink.  A white felt flower with a cheery yellow center (a bit stronger than the inspiration) was added just because it makes me smile.  The pin is a Viola original.

Thanks for stopping by and spending some time with me...I enjoy your visits!

Soft and lovely ...

Hello friends.  I have another Birthday Celebration to share with you!  Did you know it's Cheryl's special day?  Kirsty along with all the lovely and talented ladies over at The City Crafter are "shouting her praises" and wishing her all the best ... be sure to stop by and share some love.

Soft shades of pinks mixed with the natural coloring of light browns ... I admit, it's a favorite of mine.  In the garden and in my craft room.  These patterned papers are thrown together from my scrap drawer - some from the Lap of Luxury collection, another from Newsprint Designer, the rest from "here and there".  I always enjoy the first step of creating ... pulling out all my goodies in the desired shades of color.  Putting this color with that color ... or maybe that pattern with this pattern ... having it all tossed about in front of me to play with - pure bliss.  The ribbon is seam binding dyed with Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink ... it's delicious and I love the mottled look.  A sweet pink button from Designer Buttons - Subtles with a delicate little pearl tops off my bow. 

The gorgeous globe stamp is part of the The Open Sea set and the sentiment (a wonderful font) is from Happy Greetings.  A pretty pink velvet leaf and handmade flower adds a soft texture and a touch of shimmer.  Yes, I've restocked my ETSY store with more blooms (I knew you'd ask).

Happy Birthday Cheryl ... thank you for all the inspiration you have given me and for all you do!

Family memories ...

Happy Father's Day!  You can count on my husband fishing with the kids all day today.  We have a wonderful little pond right in our own backyard.  It's the perfect place to fish.  They catch sunfish, bluegill, and an occasional bass.  No boat needed ... just stand on the shore and cast.  I love sitting up on the deck and watching my husband and son ... side by side for hours.  What wonderful memories for all of us.

Today's post is just a little something I made for you.  The checked and chevron papers from the Autumn Meadows collection (currently on the "Clearance Rack") coordinate in beautiful shades of blues and browns.  The large circle is a paisley print with similar colors - although you can only see bits peeking through in this photo.  I used En Francais as a background stamp with Basic Black Classic Ink on Very Vanilla cardstock.  A die was used to cut my doily shape and Chantilly crocheted trim added a touch of softness.

The seam binding was dyed in shades of blue then tied into a bow with a sweet little white button on top.  The chipboard butterfly from Batch of Blooms is also available on the "Clearance Rack".  Here I painted it, distressed the edges, then gave it some character with stitching and a touch of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  A bright cheery posy adds a spark of color while bringing out the shades of orange in the paisley pattern beneath.

 

Thank you for stopping by ... I hope you have the chance to make some memories of your own today!

Breathe ....

Hello friends, I've missed you all so much.  Life has been hectic ... it can get that way sometimes.  We decided to take a week and travel to see the beautiful hills of northern Georgia.  What a gorgeous area of our country!  Waterfalls, hilltop views, history, the Appalachian Trail and so much more.  The week we returned was filled with state wide volleyball tournaments, school finals, and student celebrations.  I'm still playing catch-up.  A big hug goes out to Ros who so kindly sent me a note to "check-in" on me.  I was so touched by her gesture of concern ... my heart is full of gratitude for all the friends I've made thru this blog - you are all just amazing!

I have been busy these past couple days and have some new projects to share with you.  Today's project takes it's inspiration from the Just Us Girls color challenge.  A wonderful combination of rich tones coupled with pastels. 

The patterned papers showcase the colors beautifully.  A Scallop Edge Border Punch added interest to the layers and a simple rub-on was perfect for my sentiment ...

The scallop circle is a neutral shade called River Rock on which I added a sweet little flower print circle.  My crocheted flower (I made dozens while on vacation ... so relaxing and lots of fun) is embellished with soft velvet leaves, seam binding dyed with So Saffron Ink, a bit of lace, a pin from Viola, and a posy for the center.

It's just wonderful to be back sharing with you again.  I can't wait to get "out and about" to see what you have all been up to!  Thanks for taking the time to stop by today!  (I'll be posting my next two projects soon ... right after I clean the "kid prints" off my camera lens - boy these pictures are blurry!)

Happy Birthday!

Hello everyone and welcome!  I am sooo honored to be asked to help celebrate someone very special.  She is an amazing lady ... a truly talented artist and such a giving soul.  You can just imagine my excitement and surprise when I receive a "care package" in the mail ... my heart is warmed by her generosity.  Her kind words in each and every comment are chosen with thought and meaning.  Her hand picked Design Team at The City Crafter are the best and they continue to inspire us all with every post.  So it is with great joy that I wish Kirsty a very Happy Birthday.  Thank you for all you do!

I have never met Kirsty in person but I follow her blog as well as her challenges.  She brightens our day with her cards and shares her family with her gorgeous pages.  I think she would enjoy a vintage Chevron pattern with a fun feel from Moxie Fab World .

A length of lace softens the look and adds texture.  A brayer was used to dye my doily a buttery shade of So Saffron.  The seam binding is also dyed but with shades of green and wrinkled to perfection.  The whimsical polka dot pattern is a treasure found in my scrap drawer.

En Francais script stamped in Basic Grey Classic Ink provided the background for my Birthday Wishes sentiment in Basic Black.  A decorative stick pin with a sweet flower bead displays the banner.  The oak leaf is cut from felt with my newest toy ... a leaves die and I love it!  Of course I needed to use glitter to add sparkle to Kirsty's day.  I hope she enjoys every moment!  Happy Birthday!

Thanks for stopping by ... be sure to visit Kirsty and The City Crafter to wish her a Happy Birthday!

Robins egg blue ...

Hello again my friends.  Have you seen all the wonderful inspiration on the blogs this week?  Oh my, there is so much I want to try and so little time!  I counted no less than six of my favorite sites that have the most beautiful images and samples created by incredible design teams ... I hope to jump into them all!  For today, I have combined two challenges into one project to share with you - I hope that's ok.  The City Crafter shares this fabulous image of polka dots and stripes ... such a sweet pairing of patterns.  The Play Date Cafe takes us to "days gone by" with a vintage photo in colors of sepia and a touch of robin egg blue.  Delicious!

I began with a fold of So Saffron cardstock layered with polka dot paper of the same shade and a scrap of lovely blue stripes.  The cocoa herringbone and remaining color coordinated prints are from my scrap drawer.  Some old pieces of chipboard were cut into squares ... painted or covered in papers, distressed and sewn.  I didn't have a blue flower so I made one by layering three punched flowers and curling up the petals to create a bud.  That big beautiful button adds the perfect balance to my crocheted heart.

The bow is seam binding dyed with  So Saffron Classic Ink ... scrunched and slightly tattered.  The tag is stamped in Soft Suede Classic Ink with a sentiment from All Holidays and punched out with Jewelry Tag Punch.  Topping off the bow is a glorious pin from Viola - you just have to get yourself some of these!

Thanks for stopping by .. I hope you get to spend some time creating something beautiful for yourself today.