I missed being here ...

Hello friends.  I'm so relieved that school is over for the summer.  The past two weeks have been filled with final exams, history projects, performances, field day, fairs ... whew.  So glad to have my children home with me.  Now that those last days are behind me I hope to see you more often!

Today's project is a study in blues.  To be correct it's actually Not Quite Navy in this case.  It's my favorite Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper ... I hope you're not getting tired of it.  My colors combination of brown, blue, and white was directed by the challenge at Off the Wall Craftiness.  The ladies at Simon Says Stamp provided the inspiration to combine 1 image, 2 pattern papers (I kindof over achieved on that requirement), and 3 embellishments!  I'm sure you recognize the Butterfly Punch and of course I had to add some bling with the rhinestones.  The ribbons are a mix of goodness....with our Whisper White Organza ribbon, some trim I picked up, and seam binding dyed with the softest of blues - Bashful Blue.

Our crochet Fleurettes II flowers are beautiful in their original white.  I layered them and added a cute little button with a half pearl from our Pretties Kit.  A covered chipboard heart stamped with the gorgeous flowering branch from Elements of Style is the perfect platform for my little tag.  I look forward to making someone smile with this card...I hope you enjoyed it too.

Thanks for stopping by today and be sure to visit the challenges - you'll find them "inspiring" too!  Please be sure to check our Last Chance list!  The link is on the left and the retiring products are going fast!


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Kraft and Blue ...

Hello friends.  Rain filled our day today.  Everything smells wonderfully clean now and the flowers are thankful for the nice long drink.

Today's project is inspired by the lovely artists at Paper Sundaes who selected the most beautiful color combination.... Kraft and Blue.  For this card I used Kraft, Night of Navy, and Vanilla cardstocks with Bella Bleu papers.  Don't they look gorgeous together?  The layout sketch comes from Card Positioning Systems.  Different Bella Bleu papers were used to create my arch at the top of the card.  The flowers are blue layered on a fluffy base made from my mother's sewing patterns.  I love this soft frilly look.  The flower layers are held together with a rhinestone brad from our Circle Ice collection.  

The seam binding has been dyed with Bliss Blue ink. The button is from somewhere that I don't recall ... perhaps someday I'll notice it's missing off a jacket or other piece of clothing. The tag is chipboard covered in Bella Bleu and stamped with a heartfelt thanks from Pedaling Past in our Summer Mini Catalog. My sweet little winged friend is from the same and is called All a Flutter.  With a little Dazzling Diamonds on his wing tips he certainly fits the name.  

It was so nice of you to stop by today.  Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit.  Be sure to enjoy the other projects at Paper Sundaes and Card Positioning Systems.  I hope to see you back here soon.

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Welcome sweet baby boy!

A dear friend of mine has just become a father and I couldn't be happier for him.  I've known him for years and I am sure he is going to make a fantastic dad.  Nothing compares to holding a new born baby ... such a joy ... such a blessing.  Tomorrow I plan to go get a gift.  It's so fun to shop for babies ... everything is adorable!  Of course I needed a special tag for this little guy!

I seem to be stuck on our Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper.  For a baby boy ... it's perfect!  I used our Chunky Sprinkles glitter on a Sticky Cuts star.  Both sides of our Sticky Cuts are adhesive so what could be easier?  And to make my day even better, I am posting this project to The Shabby Tea Room weekly challenge!  "Get your Bling On" is our theme this week.  Be sure to stop by and see all the fantastic entries!  There is another challenge going on over at The City Crafter called "Terrific Tags".  I think todays project "fits the bill."  Thank you ladies for the inspiration!   My bow is made from seam binding that has been misted with our Log Cabin Smooch Spritz.  It's so wrinkled and crinkled ... I just love it!  Punches used include Star, Wide Oval, Scallop Oval, and Modern Label.  The tag itself is chipboard (see On Board Essentials).

I'm excited to also show you our new Mini Vintage Tags!  Tags on top of a tag ... perfect for The City Crafter challenge!  My photograph doesn't do these justice.  The metal frame has a rustic look with a shimmery vanilla/gold cardstock in the center.  More bling for The Shabby Tea Room!  I used an alphabet stamp set and Brocade Blue ink to include Nate's name.  The vanilla half pearls are from our Pretties Set.

Thanks for visiting with me.  I hope you enjoyed today's project! 

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A Note of Appreciation ...

Good rainy day to you, my friends.  The garden is drinking up the water from last night's rains.  The cherry trees and crab apples are in full bloom as well as some early flowering rhodo's...both in shades of pink.  Everything is rooted in a carpet of blue blooming myrtle (just like my mother had).  Spring is finally here and I couldn't be more excited!

Today's post is inspired by a photo on The Shabby Tea Room blog.  Aren't these colors just wonderful?  So warm and cozy.  Shades of blues with a touch of pink, what could be better?  It reminds me of the garden view from my window.

Various Designer Series Papers from Stampin' Up serves as the mosiac of blues. Included are papers from the Bella Bleu collection. The butterflies are created with Beautiful Wings Embosslits die and I added just a little big of bling with tiny self sticking gems. 

My flower is organza in a gorgeous deep copper color. I melted the edges of different sized shapes and layered them together to create the finished look you see here. Of course a splash of pink for the flower center ties it all together.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed your stay.  Be sure to take time to visit The Shabby Tea Room and see the beautiful creations inpired by this week's photo.  Please leave a comment below with your thoughts ... and make it a wonderful day!

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Memories ...

When I found these old photographs of my family back when we celebrated the Holiday's with our mother, I knew that I had to preserve the memories.  I can't tell you what year these are from but I would guess sometime in the early 1990's.  What wonderful treasures and I smile as I recall them.  I can almost hear the laughter and smell the scent of the tree.  My heart fills with joy.

This is the last of my six 2-page spreads planned for my Scrapbooking event.  I hope my guests enjoy creating them.  Isn't the lace wonderful?  It's gorgeous in real life and I am so glad that I found a spot for it on this page.  The pattern almost looks like Christmas trees when you see it up close.  How appropriate!  I used various stamp sets that I have which celebrate the Season.  Taken with Teal and Sahara Sand were the primary colors pulled from our Holiday Lounge designer series paper.  The Bella Blue paper along the bottom is beautiful.  Using both Very Vanilla and Whisper White cardstock added a vintage look that complimented the lace.  Circle, star, tag, and square punches made the embellishments simple.

Thank you for spending time with me today.

Stop back soon to see a new look for twill and our latest products!

The One That Didn't Get Away!

Hello friends.  We are lucky enough to live where there is a pond in our backyard.  Brendan loves the outdoors and fishing is his favorite summer activity.  He digs his own worms, baits his hook, casts the line ... he does it all.  I couldn't be more proud!  These photos are perfect for this page.  That's a bass he has on his line!

I still struggle with photographing my scrapbook pages.  If you look in the catalog (page 162) you will see how beautiful the Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper truly is.  Trimmed sheets of the Sweet Pea paper adds the color.  Splashes of Taken with Teal spice things up.  The Chocolate Chip corduroy buttons hold the ribbon and help direct your eye to the "big catch". 

Our Circle, Large Star, and My Way punches add embellishment.  The yellow stars are on Dimensionals.  Some elements received a stitch or two of brown floss.  "Way to go" and "Congrats" are from Starring You and Four Square stamp sets, respectively.  And "Things I Love" is from ... well, Thing I Love stamp set!

Be sure to visit my friend Ginny's blog to see more ideas with crepe paper.  Click here! 

I hope you enjoyed today's visit.  Thanks for stopping by.
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