Autumn?

Another weekend behind us.  Thursday and Friday rain showers were a blessing - it's been so dry here and the sprinklers just couldn't keep up.  Saturday a light drizzle ... the perfect day to curl up with a great book.  What are you reading?  Sunday was bright and sunny without the high temperatures.  Is Autumn just around the corner?  My favorite time of year featuring my favorite color combinations.  I'll have to pull out my Autumn stamps and papers for my next posting.

I finally tried to sew on a paper butterfly ... something that's been on my "list of things to try".  It's quite a long list with all the inspiration I see posted on your wonderful blogs.  I try to attempt something new with each project - it's exciting to see the results.  Scraps from the drawer in pretty shades of blue, a touch of warm brown (Four Frames), a sweet teacup (Tea Shoppe) and of course polka dots.  All layered on a crocheted doily - created while enjoying a quiet moment.  It's funny how I enjoy working with blues.  You won't find any blues in my house nor in my closet.  But when it comes to creating something special from the heart ...  I don't know of another color that provides such comfort and softness.

I hope this inspires you to try something new ... and thank you for stopping by!

Reunions

A wonderful family reunion filled our hours today.  It's always so good to see my brothers again - wishing all of them could have been there.  Cousins I had not spoken to in years ... the miles separate us and each with our lives filled with "busy".  Catching up with dear sweet Aunts that I have such beautiful memories of.  What a blessing to just sit and relax.  I didn't once think about all the things on my "to do" list.  No worries about "got to get groceries" or "there's a pile of laundry at home" or "I need to work on that presentation due Monday".  No ... not today.  Today was spent listening when my Aunt talked about her grown children fondly remembering them at ages 6 and 8.  Today was spent listening to my cousin tell me about fishing and swimming with my brothers years before I was born.  Today was spent hearing about my Dad and being reminded how wonderful he was.  Today was spent counting my blessings.

I have a sweet ballerina card to share with you ... custom made for a dear friend.  I just love this crocheted heart pattern.  It's the perfect size.  A cute crocheted flower with button helps to break up to amount of pink.  One of my paper flowers (this one with a pearl center) works well with velvet leaves and dyed seam binding.  Two stamped and fussy cut frames are part of my shabby layers.  The smaller frame is from Forever Young and the larger frame beneath it all is from Papaya Collage.  I also used the polka dot stamp from Four Frames ... love it!  And super easy to cut with the Decorative Label Punch.

It's been a good day and I hope you enjoyed yours.  Thank you for stopping by and spending some time with me!

Welcome Summer ...

Summer is off to a fast and fun start!  In our first week out of school we've already squeezed in a vacation full of hiking, canoeing, birding, and so much more.  It's wonderful to have the kids home ... it makes for some hectic days but I wouldn't want it any other way.  I'm cherishing every moment because I know it won't last long.  I hope your summer is going great too!

I have some exciting news to share ... you can find my embellished wood houses in the current issue of Simply Handmade Decor Magazine!  I'm over the moon thrilled to be published.  It's a first for me and I feel like I've won a big prize!  This magazine and other Simply Handmade publications are filled with fabulous ideas.  If you want to try this fun project for yourself, there are sets of wood house forms in my ETSY shop.

Here are a couple cards and crocheted projects to share with you today.

The crocheted piece along the bottom of this card is absolutely gorgeous.  It almost hesitated to cover it up but it's just as sweet peeking out from under layers of shabby goodness.  I found the pattern in a book and had to try it. I'm sure you'll see more of these lacy appliqués on future posts.  The papers are from my scrap drawer, the pear is chipboard as is the frame ... painted and distressed.  You'll find our stamp set Four Frames on both of today's cards.

I ADORE our new polka dot printed papers!  Each package of Polka Dot Parade includes 2 sheets of 6 colors ... Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, and Rich Razzleberry.  I paired Real Red with a simple check above and layered on a stamped frame image, chipboard butterfly, and other shapes including an old sewing machine.  The flower is created from an old sewing pattern from my dear mom - topped with a crocheted flower and bright red button.  The fringe is white and red crepe paper - LOVE IT!

Before I go I want to point out that our new catalog is available and filled with loads of goodies and inspiration.  Check it out - there's a link on the left.  I hope you enjoyed your visit ... thanks for stopping by!

Wishing you treasured memories

Hello friends.  A quick post to share with you this evening, my son is patiently waiting for me to join him.  A baseball game is on, cookies are in the oven, he has his summer reading book in hand (we're on Chapter 22) ... and I have a doily half done.  The simple joys of life are those to be treasured most.

Today's card began with Crumb Cake card stock layered in prints of red and black.  Polka dots and herringbone - pure shabbiness.  A glassine envelope with vintage sheet music tucked inside ... as if it holds a precious carol.  A vintage St. Nick ... something I just "had to have" - it was love at first sight.  Can you blame me?

Layers of embellishments create a charming tag ... more polka dots from Four Frames stamped in the perfect Christmas shade of Riding Hood Red (so easy to create with the Decorative Label Punch), a scrap of natural burlap and two bright red buttons on top ... tied on with white string.  The bow is dyed seam binding, wrinkled to a shabby texture, and the bell is from my "where do I store this?" jar.  (You know the jar ... we all have one.)  Some more vintage goodness is added with Twine and a decorative star pin.

I have another project waiting to be shown .. but for now, I'll finish my doily while I listen to a story ... read by my favorite boy.  Wishing you treasured memories ...

Home again ....

Time has never been slower than this past week.  With my daughter in Paris, I was counting the minutes until she came home.  We would talk every night ... her telling me about her day and the adventures she went on ... me missing her all the more.  With no initiative to do much of anything, my craft room lay empty.  Now she's home and all is right with the world once again.  My prayers will be plentiful when she leaves the nest someday, thank goodness that's years away ... perhaps I'll grow up by then.

Cath at Moxie Fab World has inspired us with a wonderful color combination as our Tuesday Trigger this week.  It's appropriately named "Porch Play".  Although there's a lot going on in this picture - it represents a simple, relaxed life ... I want to climb into this photo and live there .... it's fabulous!

With Very Vanilla cardstock and some patterned papers from my scraps, my thoughts began to take shape.  A bit of lace and a vellum die cut doily adds texture.  Some stitching and distressing make it shabby.  The "Four Frames" stamp set (part of the Spring is Blossoming promotion) and the Decorative Label Punch create the perfect centerpiece for my sentiment.  A few pearls are scattered about for good measure.  As a final touch, a fun teal polka-dot ribbon is tied on with a layered white/yellow flower and velvety leaves added.

Thanks for stopping by today ... I hope to see you here again soon!

Bonjour!

  

Hello everyone!  It's been a very busy week and I apologize for being away so long.  I've been shopping to get some last minute items for our daughter ... a raincoat, adapter/converter, snacks, a new over-the-shoulder bag ... big enough to carry all she needs for day trips around town and for souvenirs.  My best girlfriend in all the world is in Paris right now.  I am so excited for her - and I admit a little worried too ... but what mother wouldn't be?  She called to tell me they spent the afternoon at Notre Dame and that she already bought something for her little brother - "it's perfect" she says and I'm sure it is.  She is always thinking of others - my girl has a big heart and I miss her so.

Did you see the beauty at the CR84FN Color Challenge this week?  I'm quite late getting in on this challenge and have been dreaming of it all week.  The colors are just gorgeous and I love how they work together.  A new stamp set came this week and I have been so anxious to share it with you.  Here's the inspirational image from Mona ... once again - the quote speaks to me ...

My card is Crumb Cake brushed lightly with a vanilla paint as is my cardboard focal point.  Layered scraps of designer paper such as Elegant Soiree and Greenhouse Gala.add color and pattern.  When I saw the row of green flower lace at the local craft store ... oh my, I was in love ... I should have bought more spools.  The new stamp set is called Four Frames and is included in the "Spring is Blossoming" promotion - a sneak peek into the next catalog release from Stampin' UP!  This set coordinates with the Decorative Label Punch and I couldn't be more thrilled!  The polka-dot frame (stamped in Old Olive Classic Ink) is my favorite ... until I ink up the next one.  You can see more of this set over at Ginny's Place.  The sentiment comes from Happy Together stamped with Chocolate Chip Classic Ink (although I didn't use them here, the little quails in this set are so cute).  The bow is dyed seam binding with a brown button and a sweet little flower added for good measure...you'll see I repeated the same combination.

Time to go bake some muffins for a girlfriend get-together tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by ... I hope you enjoyed your visit.  Au revoir!


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