Homegrown Happy Birthday

Hello everyone!  The cards I've got to share today revolve around green things, goodness from the earth.  I tried for a few years in a row to grow some fruits and vegetables, and failed miserably!  I truly admire the folks who can tend crops and cultivate the land, bringing forth yummy things to eat.  The Burpee Seed and Plant catalog looks mighty tempting, as I page through it.  I will probably just order cilantro and basil plants again.  Those usually do just fine for me, in large pots.

Both cards below were made mostly with fun things I discovered in a Stampin' Up! scrap bag, which my lovely demonstrator offers from time to time.  I did add my own stamps to the mix, but the papers and leafy branches (second card) came from the bag.

Stampin' Up! Homegrown tomato and artichoke, sentiment label stamps, oval and scalloped oval punches, patterned papers; L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangle die; Papertrey Ink Spring Moss button; twine

Stampin' Up! patterned paper, die cut branches (names unknown; they came from a scrap bag); gold cardstock for the punched circle; gold cord; My Favorite Things Mini Wavy Pennants die; sentiment (?)

Short and sweet today. 😀
God bless you!

Sweet Shades of Aqua

Hello friends!  Well, we finally made it to Friday.  It's April 3, 2020, and it was a long week.  Busy too.  I am still working full time, praise God, and we had some celebrating going on here at home this week too.  It was my husband's birthday, and we ordered takeout from the Silver Diner.  My youngest daughter and I baked him a fudgy chocolate cake, and we will have that finished tonight (baked last night, and we're about to put the frosting on).  She found the recipe here. It's easy and has a little bit of instant coffee and cocoa powder in the batter, to give it a darker chocolate flavor.  The frosting is a chocolate ganache, made with just two ingredients:  heavy cream and chocolate chips.

Another celebration of sorts is for our town's high school seniors, of which my daughter is one.  We were asked to decorate our front door in honor of our son/daughter, and take a photo.  The pictures will be included in their yearbook.  These poor kids.  It's been an anticlimactic second half of her senior year.  The Disney World class trip was cancelled and will not be rescheduled. Not sure if there will be prom.  And who knows if they'll get to graduate together in June?  Anyway, I included a picture of our front door at the end of this post.

On to some cards:

Papertrey Ink Inside and Out: Birthday II sentiment stamp; Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch; clear gems; Inspired By Stamping Graceful Hydrangea floral branch stamp; Sizzix Sweet & Donut Phrases sentiment dies; gold embossed cardstock from store-bought card; oval die cut

Stampin' Up! Beautiful Friendship sentiment stamp, punched leaves, aqua rhinestone brad; L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangles die; Spellbinders Blossoms dies; fabric

The card below was for my senior's birthday.  She went to France last year with her French class from school, so I included the Eiffel Tower.  And we have a black cat named Cristabel, so there she is, looking up at the Tower.

Hero Arts Eiffel Tower die; Impression Obsession Cat Set die; clear sequins; rhinestones; Inspired By Stamping Paris fleur de lis, 'paris' sentiment stamps; L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangles die

Lawn Fawn Little Bundle stamps and matching dies (birds, clothing, clothespins); Glitz Designs Fancy Frames frame stamp; Papertrey Ink Monthly Moments: Journal Card 2 die scalloped rectangle, Daily Designs Sentiments sentiment stamp; Stampin' Up! oval punch

Here's the celebration door for our girl:

I did lots of papercrafting, as you can see!  I hand cut the word, 'Hawks' and '2020' from red cardstock.  My older daughter cut out the boat (because our senior, Kerry, was a rower on the high school team).  I cut two oars out of paper, but they look like kitchen rubber scrapers.  Ha!  And below you can get a better glimpse of the Eiffel Tower (Hero Arts die) garland I made out of two different shades of pink cardstock and some red and white twine.

I also cleaned out my whole china cabinet and washed every dish and glass and bowl and tray, then polished up the shelves themselves, and put everything away.  Whew!  What an undertaking.  But now it's done for a while.

Hope you are healthy and enjoying your families in our quarantined situations.  😀
Thanks for your visit today, and God bless you!

Little One, Sweet Baby

Hello friends!  It's Monday, March 30, 2020.  Wow, almost April!  March went by in a flash, didn't it? 

I only have two cards to show you today.  Seems like a meager number, after recent posts that have 3-4 times that amount!

Today's theme is, once again, Baby.

Martha Stewart Hydrangea & Rose Leaf punches; pearls; My Favorite Things Bundle of Baby Clothes dress die; Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Rectangles Large die; Stampin' Up! French Script background stamp; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags sentiment

Wplus9 Clear Cut Stackers Stars die; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags sentiment and star tag die; vintage thread; clear rain drop gems; My Favorite Things Cross Stitch Circles die; silver mirror cardstock 

Two very different styles:  one full of flowers and oodles of details, with a feminine feel; and one with a more modern, clean aesthetic, suitable for a baby boy or perhaps for a shower when you don't yet know who's going to join our world. 😀  Do many moms and dads actually choose to be surprised with their baby's birth, anymore?  My husband and I stuck firm to that with both of our children.  We wanted the special joy that comes from hearing a doctor say, "It's a girl (or boy)!"  I also understand when parents-to-be prefer to know ahead of time.  You can get the nursery ready. 😉

Thanks for joining me today.
God bless you and keep you!

Butterflies and Birds

Good morning friends!  It's Sunday March 29th, 2020 and I hope you are healthy and well. 😊  There are so many sad stories in the news; sometimes it is good to step away from the TV, radio, internet to give your emotions a break.  I am grateful for this card-making craft of ours.  The process of making, photographing, and sharing them is therapy for the soul.  The cards help me escape for a little while.

For today, here are cards with themes of birds and butterflies.

My Favorite Things Decorative Doily Duo die; butterfly sticker; pearls; Gina Marie Designs Peekaboo Square die; Papertrey Ink Words of Comfort sentiment stamp; Inkadinkado Floral Damask stamp (behind doily)

My Favorite Things Decorative Doily Duo die; Hero Arts Canvas Stripes background stamp; butterfly sticker; pearls; EK Success Postage Stamp border punch; Papertrey Ink Words of Comfort sentiment stamp

Papertrey Ink Words of Comfort sentiment stamp ('for your loss'); butterfly sticker; crochet lace; My Favorite Things Mini Delicate Doilies die; Verve Heartfelt Phrases sentiment stamp ('so sorry')

Papertrey Ink Topiary Trio sentiment stamp; butterfly sticker; Sizzix Donut Phrases dies ('so sweet'); gold pearls

Hug Snug Mottle Brown seam binding (in a Colleen Bow); L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangles dies; Stampin' Up! Natural Beauty bird stamp; Spellbinders Labels Eight die; Inspired By Stamping Creative Tags sentiment stamp ('hello'); Verve Heartfelt Phrases sentiment stamp ('feel better')

Stampin' Up! Punch Potpourri bird stamp, Extra Large Bird Punch, house stamp (set unknown); Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags sentiment stamp and die; My Favorite Things Bold Greenery dies; twine

Thank you so much for joining me here today.  I will see you again soon.

Social distance hugs,

All About Roses

Good morning, friends!  I hope you have had a healthy and safe week.  Thinking about and praying for all the folks who have been affected by the coronavirus.  God bless our medical teams, and all the people who have stayed open for business as essential employees.  I am so grateful for you. 💓

Today I'm sharing cards that have roses as the common theme. 

The first card was for my mom; she loves black and white.  I added the pink/mauve to soften the color combo.

Stampin' Up! Abundant Joy rose and sentiment stamps, Large Paper Doily Sizzlit die; pearls; Papertrey Ink Keep It Simple Frames die

Anna Griffin rose sticker; My Favorite Things Mini Delicate Doilies dies; Altenew Label Love sentiment stamp; pearls; Papertrey Ink Mix & Mat: Scallops rectangle die; Skipping Stone Designs Timeless Texture Backgrounds music note stamp 

Close To My Heart Topiaries topiary stamp; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags sentiment stamp; My Favorite Things Pierced Traditional Tags; Hug Snug Pansy Purple seam binding; vintage thread; rhinestones; Stampin' Up! Irish Blessing background stamp

I will see you all soon here on the blog.  Thank you so much for your visit today!

God bless you,

Sweet Peas for a 21 year old, and a Custom 80th Birthday

Hello there!  Interested in some floral cards today?  My Sweet Pea turned 21 years old last year, and I usually try to make her a birthday card that involves sweet peas.  I had used this Flourishes stamp before for her, but this time I did it up in shades of lavender and lilac.

Flourishes Sweet Pea stamp; rhinestones; vintage thread; Papertrey Ink Shape Shifters: Oval 1 die; My Favorite Things Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangle STAX die; Impression Obsession Class Of number dies

You can see the silver cardstock better in the pic below, for the numbers:

The next card was a custom order for an 80 year old's birthday.  The buttercup yellow and lots of bright white kept things feeling very light and lively. 😊

Papertrey Ink Gardeen Garland die (frame and white flowers); Stampin' Up! Flower Trio punch (yellow flowers); rhinestones

That's it for today!  I am so very glad you stopped by.
God bless you!

Wedding and Anniversaries

Good morning!  It is Thursday, March 26, 2020.  How are you holding up?  Are you keeping busy?  LOL I am talking to crafters, for the most part; OF COURSE you are staying busy!! 😄
I am never bored when I am home, ever!!  Ha ha!

Today I've got a wedding card, and three anniversary cards to share.  Here we go!

Verve Fairy Tales sentiment; Inkadinkado small scallop shell stamp; Blockhead Paper Arts Seashells With Round Frame starfish, sand dollar, pale pink scallop shell stamps; Golden Acorn Scallop Shell (stamped in background); Stampin' Up! Wonderfully Worn background stamp; Memory Box Elegant Scrollwork die; burlap; pearls; Spellbinders Label One square die

Papertrey Ink Penned Elegance sentiment stamp; Stampin' Up! Abundant Joy rose stamp,
rose border die (name unknown); pearls

Papertrey Ink Keep It Simple: Anniversary sentiment, Double Ended Banners die; Memory Box Lucky Leaves, Lucky Charms shamrock dies; L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangle die; rhinestones

Altenew Label Love sentiment stamp; crochet lace; clear sequins;
Stampin' Up! rose border/stamp (name unknown; was in a scrap bag); gold emboss powder

Had to take a side shot so you can see the gold embossed sentiment.

Altenew Label Love sentiment stamp; crochet lace; clear sequins; 
Stampin' Up! rose border/stamp (name unknown; was in a scrap bag); gold emboss powder

Thanks for your visit today, friends.  Stay well, and I hope to see you soon!

God bless you,

Thank You, Friend, You Are Enough...and more

Hello friends!  It's hump day, and we're halfway through the work and school week. For those of you who have young kids, how's the homeschooling going?  I have to admit, I don't think my stress level would be too good if I had to work from home full time AND help little ones stay focused and on track with schoolwork, plus find other ways to keep them occupied.  That would tire me right out!  God bless all of you who do it every day. 

I've got a parade of cards to share today.  The first one is my favorite.  I am of Irish descent (Polish and Lithuanian too), born on St. Patrick's Day, and I have a penchant for shamrocks and Irish blessings.

Memory Box Lucky Charms, Lucky Leaves shamrock dies; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags die, thank you sentiment; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; pearls; vellum; Gina Marie Designs Pleated Lace Rectangles die; Ann-ticipations Irish Blessing stamp (under vellum); vintage thread

In the close-up below, you can see better the sheen on the green cardstock.  It has a pearly look.  Very pretty!

Memory Box Lucky Charms, Lucky Leaves shamrock dies; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags die, thank you sentiment, Luck Of The Irish small shamrock stamp; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; pearls; vellum; Gina Marie Designs Pleated Lace Rectangles die; Ann-ticipations Irish Blessing stamp (under vellum); vintage thread

Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags tag die, sentiment stamp; Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; pearls; My Favorite Things Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangle STAX die; Prima paper; vintage thread

Wplus9 Clear Cut Stackers Stars dies; Papertrey Ink Double Ended Banners die; L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangles dies; silver cardstock; I can't remember which set the sentiment came from!

Papertrey Ink Choose Joy sentiment; Gina Marie Designs Picket Fences With Wood Grain Finish die, Frilly Lace Rectangle die; rhinestones; Altenew Lavender Bud stamp and die; small leaf die cuts from Stampin' Up! scrap bag

Echo Park Trust In The Lord sentiment; K & Co. butterfly die cut; Kat Scrappiness Wonky Wavy Stitched Rectangles die; brown rhinestones, assorted Ranger Distress Ink sprays; gold embossed snippet from store bought card

I'm glad I bought the Papertrey Vintage Picnic set when I did, because it was on clearance and is all gone now.  It's the sweetest set.  I put my picnic basket on a gingham 'blanket'.

Papertrey Ink Topiary Trio dies, Vintage Picnic stamps and dies
(basket of food, sentiment); Gina Marie Designs Picket Fences With Wood Grain Finish die

A coworker of mine retired last year, and I made a card for him that looks very similar to the one below.

The Craft's Meow Just Sayin' sentiment; L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangles die; sun and palm tree stickers - dollar package; My Favorite Things Stitched Basic Edges die; Stampin' Up! Avant Garden dotted stamp

Verve Strong Anchor stamps (anchor, wheels) and matching Nautical dies; L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangles die; Inspired By Stamping Masculine Tags sentiment and nautical frame stamp, Fancy Label 2 dies; twine

Our Daily Bread Workshop Tools tool dies; Lost Coast Designs Measuring Tape stamp; Stampin' Up! Hardwood and Sanded background stamps; Hero Arts Year Round Sentiments sentiment   

Avery Elle Winter Wreath stamps and dies (wreath, berries, bow); Impression Obsession Birds dies; Papertrey Ink Daily Designs Sentiments sentiment, Double Ended Banners die

I had my eye on this oldie but goodie Stampin' Up! set, Garden Pleasures, below, for a while.  I found it for a (bird) song on Mercari (it's a yard sale kind of site, where people sell used items and ship around the country; I sell things on there too, and have made a decent penny doing it!).  It is such a charming stamp set.

Stampin' Up! Garden Pleasures birdhouse, bird stamps, Holiday Home sentiment stamp, Linen background stamp; Spellbinders Lacy Squares die; pearls; Papertrey Ink Double Ended Banners die 

Stampin' Up! Christmas Stocking punch (don't own it, not sure if that's the right name?), Hardwood background stamp; red gems; Sizzix / Tim Holtz Bricked embossing folder; twine; Hero Arts Holiday Sayings sentiment

Impression Obsession Square Shaker Frame die; Stampin' Up! Peaceful Boughs pine dies; Flourishes / Spellbinders Classic Tags die; Papertrey Ink Tag-Its #8 Mini sentiment; Stampin' Up! Hardwood background stamp; red button; twine

Before I go, I would like to share this verse from Scripture with you.  I say it aloud when I feel any anxiety creeping in to my mind:

2 Timothy 1:7
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

If we give in to fear, the enemy has won.  Stay positive, even amidst all the strangeness we are experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Research has proven that focusing on the positive is good for you.  I found this article on the Mayo Clinic's website that shows benefits of keeping negative thoughts away from your mind.  Here is an excerpt:

"The health benefits of positive thinking
Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:

• Increased life span
• Lower rates of depression
• Lower levels of distress
• Greater resistance to the common cold
• Better psychological and physical well-being
• Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

It's unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body."

Sending love and social distance hugs to you all!
God bless you!

Christmas Teddy Bears

Good morning, everyone!  I was looking back through some of my draft posts, and this one dates from 2016!!  It's an oldie, yes. 😉

This Christmas card has a country feel, with the small cocoa and kraft gingham and tiny polka dot patterned papers, and teddy bear die cut garland.

K & Co. teddy bear garland die cuts; Spellbinders Parisian Motifs flourish die; Inspired By Stamping Festive Frames sentiment and holly frame; red Liquid Pearls; buttons; American Crafts brown twine

I will see you again soon, my friends!  Much love to you all!

God bless you,