Sunday, November 28, 2010

Gloria

This project was inspired by Ashley Cannon Newell (here). I love how it turned out - so festive! The white is actually white felt - and so is the green on the top of the tag! The tag pulls out and there is a gift certificate at the bottom of it. It was easy to create (with Ashley's great tutorial - Thanks Ashley!) The sentiment is from Everlasting Life - a new Close-to-My-Heart set this winter.

I had the most wonderful Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving! I flew out to Boston to be with my DD and her beau. I walked around the town, slept in late, ate w-a-y too much and then we got in the car to go "over the hills and through the woods" to Brian's family's in Connecticut. This was my first time to meet most of them (I don't really count the 5 minutes at the Senior picnic at the BU graduation 2007). His family is just delightful! I fell in love with them, just like my daughter did three years ago.

Look at this precious couple!She is so happy!

I am so happy!

We have a lot to be thankful for.
Hugs!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Masculine birthday card

I was just going through the images that my daughter left on the camera when she was here earlier this month and found this card! I made this the night before (with great pressure!) for her grandfather's 90th birthday. I used pattern papers from PTI but did some enhancement with stamps and CTMH bamboo ink. The sentiment is from a Close-to-My-Heart set; I just love that one, and it pretty well sums up my FILs approach to life. He has never waited for things to happen - he goes forward and creates it! He liked the card, but he was so funny - he was enchanted with the ribbon ("it's soft and fuzzy - like corduroy pants").

Well, the big excitement last night was that I got to attend a pre-release private showing of the new Harry Potter movie! Wow, that was fun! My employer actually had two theaters reserved for just us - and the children of all ages came dressed in their favorite character and house colors! The movie was great, even if it meant that I didn't get home until nearly 11 PM.

So - good thing I have today off! I'll probably need a nap this afternoon ;-)
Happy Friday!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Sympathy Card

Thank you all so much for your encouragement about the "other" sympathy card - you are such sweet and faithful friends! I kept "fiddleing" with this until finally - at the midnight hour - I got what I wanted. This card is for a dear friend at work - she is my age and lost her Mom. While her Mom wasn't in perfect health, the loss was still unexpected! Not that it's ever easy to lose your Mom.

I feel like I knew this gracious, independent woman and that a sympathy card needed to be just right to honor her passing. Her daughter (my friend) is gracious and independent, too - and so beautiful. So - soft and beautiful. I felt like this card was finally good enough.

I used Close-to-my-Heart papers and the wildflower stamp. The French writing stamp is from Stampin' Up. The sentiment tab is from Nina Brackett "Lovely Shelf". Then, with layers, distressing, Tim Holtz distress inks (antique linen and chipped sapphire) chalk ink (warm brown) and CTMH ink (Cocoa and Olive) lace and ribbon - Whew! What a list!

Today was the 2nd day of teaching 8th grade math for my DD. My heart is soaring - she has found her place in the world! She has had (already!) so many of those moments of joy - when the light bulb comes on, or the students are so excited about the learning that they are actually having fun! Yes, and she's been caught-in-the-act of being an excellent teacher! She is putting her heart and soul in the job and is the happiest I've ever seen her!

This is how it's supposed to be - that you do something you truly love so it doesn't even feel like work, it feels like a blessing. I can't begin to tell you how much it has lifted my spirits!

Hugs!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Just a Note (Thank You Note)

This card was the result of some papers already out on the table - that happens to me a lot! When I start with some, then I'm inspired to use them in a different way and the whole thing can get out of hand! When we had the beautiful black/white/beige papers called Silhouette I think I didn't use anything else for about a month!

Anyway - it's CTMH paper and stamps. I used Lagoon ink, and Baker's twine that my dear friend Karen (Baker) sent me! Awesome stuff!

The weekend was once again too short! I went to battle yesterday with the HUGE overgrown bush on the front corner of my house and . . . the bush won. LOL I'm covered in scratches! I will have to wear long sleeves this week or people will think I'm trying to tame wild tigers.

Today I scrapped with a close friend and enjoyed every minute of it! I made a little scrapbook for another friend to give her DGD . . . I like it! I took photos, but to be honest, I don't get much from layouts without any pictures or journaling on the page - they seem so blank somehow! Maybe I'll post just a couple of them later in the week - we'll see how I feel after sleeping on it.

Have a wonderful Monday!
HUGS!


Saturday, November 13, 2010

Alert!

Trader Joe's alert !
The Candy-Cane Joe-Joe's are here!!!
YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

Sympathy

Another sympathy card. This one is a little too "pretty" for my tastes. I may not keep it (I mean, not send it). But it was part of the {just try something} process I was using last weekend! Close to my heart papers, the stamped image is a Papertray Ink one. The cocoa circle under it was dry embossed with the wood grain CB folder and inked with cocoa ink to give it more depth.

Well - news from the home front - my DD went to meet the Superintendent and sign paperwork on Friday. The plan was to shadow the math teacher a couple of days next week then wait in the wings until the baby comes. But, life does have it's little surprises ( ! ) and the teacher went into labor while Kristen was at the district office. She immediately went over to the school and began orientation with the rest of the 8th grade team. When I talked with her last night she was excited and exhausted. Oh to be so young and brave!

Hope you're having a perfect weekend! I'm off to visit everyone and be INSPIRED!
Hugs!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Inspired again!

This card was "inspired" by Laurel Seabrook (I couldn't find her post - I think she has it out for publication!). I fell so hard for her card that I ordered the PTI stamps and dies so I could make it! Oh my! Everyone KNOWS I am not Laurel Seabrook! Just a wannabe!

I used Close-to-My-Heart inks and papers (the brown check is the back side of the blue check), and changed up the theme from "birthday" to "Thank You" (because I needed a TY note). This was actually VERY quick to make and I'll be going to it again and again - very cool!

So - update on life; one of my favorite things about having my DD home last week was that at (my) bedtime, she would crawl into my bed and we would chat until my eyes closed! Gosh, I miss her! She's only been gone about 36 hours and I'm already counting the days until I get to Boston!

In this hectic build-up to the holiday season - it's good to take a few moments to remember the simple things that bring us pleasure. Closeness to loved ones tops the list - every . single . time .

Hugs!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Snowy - Starry night

Sometimes when I have a hard time creating something I fiddle around and just do anything! Does that happen to you, too? This was the result of one of those days - where I felt like my Mojo had disappeared and I really needed to be making a sympathy card and a thank you card but I kept pulling out holiday stamps! I absolutely LOVE this card! It is "uber" simple - the stamp is white embossed on a pattern paper from my stash. I didn't even pop-it up so it's completely "mail-able" for holiday cards. Inside I placed a pretty white paper to write a personal note . . . Can you go wrong with navy blue and white? I didn't think so!

My DD went home this morning. SO sad. We had a wonderful visit - sorry I was gone so much but I treasure every moment with her actually HERE! I shared her this time with her father's family - it was her "Farfar's" 90th birthday celebration last week (the reason for her trip!). I was invited and try as I did to talk him out of it ("you can see me anytime") he wouldn't hear of it! So, I went. And it was absolutely wonderful! I had a great time - the other guests were gracious and kind. He enjoyed himself and treated us all like royalty! It was a birthday party to remember forever!!!

While I'm sharing - my DD got a long-term substitute teaching position yesterday! Talk about an exciting day!! We were so thrilled - it seems like a wonderful school with great colleagues for her - she will be teaching 8th grade math which is her absolute favorite! The experience will look good on her resume - and so one never knows where this will take her. Thank God for this opportunity!

So - with that, and with gratitude for my own job, I will close. Have a wonderful week, dear friends.

Hugs!

PS - I don't know WHY the first paragraph is underlined - I've tried everything to make it go "away"! If you know, please let me in on the trick!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Still here . . .

I've been enjoying a rare visit from my darling daughter and haven't had any time to craft until today. My mojo was slow in returning and then she took off with my camera tonight (just out with friends) but I should be able to post some new art tomorrow.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are ready for the new week!
Hugs!