I (heart) U

I've been away too long and it's so wonderful to be playing with my papers once again.  Life gets too busy sometimes without a moment to steal away.  Over the past couple weeks we've celebrated a birthday, attended volleyball clinics, made gifts for friends (shhhh) and enjoyed other family distractions.  I never tire taking my dears here and there ... watching them play with friends, challenge themselves with new adventures and achieve their goals.  I realize now that rock climbing is something for the young and brave at heart.

I am in LOVE with our new products in the Occasions Mini catalog.  There's a link on the left so you can see for yourself.  Here I inked up Sweet Cake in Real Red ink.  A bit of Dazzling Diamonds glitter and a heart (Small Heart Punch and Red Glimmer Paper) on top makes this cupcake "oh so sweet".

Red Satin Ribbon with Bakers Twine and a button is the perfect embellishment.  Be sure to add a heart shaped tag with a mini pearl for your Valentine.

Before I go let me take a moment to wish Ros the Happiest of Birthdays.  She's an "angel on earth" I tell ya'!  Stop by her blog to see the beautiful things she creates and wish her all the best.

Thank you for visiting with me ... it's so good to be back with you.

Autumn

Hello friends. I hope you are enjoying these last days of summer vacation. As much as we are busy making these moments count ... spending our days with the kids ...volleyball, swimming, bike rides ... I do look forward to my favorite time of year, Autumn.  Bundled in a sweater to keep out the chill, the colors of the leaves, campfires and smores ... everything about it is wonderful.  Today's post has me dreaming ... 

I adore the soft feminine look of a handmade doily layered with embellishments and admire the beauty that always inspires me at Midnite Lullabies Studio.  Rebekah's creations are gorgeous, I love each and every one ... I expect you'll agree - just pay her a visit - you'll want to leave a comment or two. 

Polkadot Door Designs gave me the opportunity this week to channel some of that sweet goodness that Rebekah does so well.. The card is Pink Pirouette card stock over which I've layered scraps of print paper and a handmade doily.  I've appreciated many a rainy night lately curled up in a big chair, crocheting these delicate beauties.  It's "busy work" that relaxes me and takes my mind away from the worries of the world for a while.  I've accumulated quite a few and am excited to share them with you.

 
Embellishments are piled on ... a chipboard butterfly (from Merry Medley) and a silk flower with a pearl center along with polka dot ribbon in warm shades of Autumn.  The heart punched tag has layers of stamps from French Foliage and Nature Walk.  The leaves are a mustard color of felt inspired by the felt flowers in this delightful photo collage.   I hope you are chasing your dreams ...
  

Thank you for stopping by - I always enjoy your visits!

Three Little Words ...

 

Hello friends.  I am so excited ... today I got a "care package" all the way from Virginia where my dear sister-in-law lives!  She is a fabulous clay artist and I am in awe of her ability to create such beautiful pieces.  She creates dolls with the faces she sculpts ... they are whimsical, witty, and wonderful.  Well, she sent me a big ol' box full of fabrics, feathers, buttons, ephemera, and lots and lots and lots of LACE!  Yep ... LACE!  You'll see that the button and lace on today's project is from her .... love ya' Shirley!  The color combination from Cupcake's Creations this week is gorgeous - don't you agree?

My card base is Very Vanilla cardstock layered with papers from the Sunny Garden collection and a polka dot from my scrap drawer.  The same cardstock was used to create the stamped "tag" that lies across the middle.  Both vanilla's were antiqued with Distressing Essentials.  My sentiment is from the Three Little Words stamp set and is done in Chocolate Chip Classic Ink.  Interest is added along the right with a Scallop Trim Border Punch.  A lovely delicate lace helps to soften the lower edge.

I dyed my seam binding with a coral ink and used a beautiful button to embellish the bow.  An old scrap of coral print paper was perfect for the heart made with the Full Heart Punch.  I layered it on vanilla and trimmed around the shape.  The sweet little heart in the middle was easy with a Small Heart Punch and adding the Pearl Jewel ... the perfect finishing touch.

I hope you enjoyed your visit ... good night!


.

Hugs & Kisses

We have about 6 inches of snow on the ground and another 2 inches expected overnight.  My children are thrilled and are hoping for no school tomorrow.  If the snowfall ends early enough and the plows have time to clear the streets ... I'm sure they will have class.  Not wanting to spoil their fun, I remain quiet and recall the times when I wished for the same.  To be honest, I still do - I can't think of a better way to start the week than warm and cozy at home with my children while it blows and snows outside.

The Waltzing Mouse has a cute sketch for you to try and Moxie Fab World has shared a stunning image of purples along with a little bling.  Can I have that ring?  It's sure to fit me!

The circle in the sketch made me instantly reach for a small doily I had laying around ... just waiting for me to use it.  I sponged the edges first with Crumb Cake Classic Ink to age it a bit.  The pattern papers with touches of purple are from the Lap of Luxury collection....gorgeous.  The large round chipboard piece is covered in a neutral print and "glitterfied" (yes, it's a word - at least in my world) with Mod Podge and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  A large round circle of sparkle ... just like my ring.  Right Cath?

Four hearts from different purple prints (again Lap of Luxury) were punched with the Full Heart Punch and stitched through the middle.  They fold up nicely to show the patterns beneath and look lovely layered on a scalloped circle of Whisper White Cardstock ... sponged to soften the edges and match the doily.  The purple buttons come from both the Regal Buttons and Subtles Button collections.  I added a bit of Natural Hemp to each.  The tag is tea dyed and my sentiment from the All Holidays stamp set is so sweet stamped in Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink.  I think it compliments the hearts perfectly, don't you?

Time for some hot chocolate in front of the fire.  Thank you for stopping by!

.