Celebrate Today!

Celebrate today! I love the sentiment (Close-to-My-Heart), and this card was born of the package of beautiful Japanese papers that lived on my desk for a week or so! Do you do that too? I mean, instead of putting things away, you just keep making more and more with them? I've been known to use up half of a package of paper making different cards because I've gotten "hooked" on a particular paper! So, it could be a congratulations card, a birthday card, or just a thinking of you . . . friendship kind of card! Celebrating today is worthwhile every day.

Hmm. Work has been busy and home has been busier! But, things are getting done and I love checking things off of my list . . . makes me feel productive! I had yoga practice tonight; a very good one too! What's happening for you this week?

Namaste.

Happy Birthday!

This was a gift card birthday card I made recently using the Close to My Heart Wings papers! Delightful to work with, I love that these papers use black as one of the "neutral" colors! Such a "pop" for all the other colors! The inside right-hand side is a pocket that opens up - there is a gift card tucked inside. It took me a little "fiddling" with the measurements to get this right, but I've kept my template and will definitely use it again! Card and gift all in one!

Today - well, interesting is the word for today! I started my day at the crack of dawn! I was only 2nd in line at the passport application window . . . and this time I had everything I needed to finally get it done! 4 - 6 weeks is their estimate on how long it will take. One more detail I can check off of my long to-do list! From there, I had an appointment at a bridal shop to try on dresses. What an experience - I'm too old for this!!!

At home, my new garden shed was delivered this week and a former neighbor who had the time agreed to put it together for me (since Steve is away). Dan worked all day (it's a "fancy" shed!) and the end result is quite impressive! I'm SO glad I didn't try to put this thing together myself!!! I get an A+ for knowing my limits!

The weekend has been productive so far - I'm hoping for an equally good Sunday! Hugs to all my dear friends who didn't expect to be going anywhere today (rapture). I believe it will happen when we least expect it!

One last treat - the Canna Lily that Steve planted bloomed . . .

Namaste.

Twisted Easel card

This past weekend was a much-anticipated church fellowship event; the annual beer tasting! Sounds weird? Well, what happens is a bunch of fun and crazy people bring side dishes of the best food to go with a main dish (usually brats) and the hosts plan an evening of tasting (think wine tasting) complete with lessons about the brewing process and history. Let me say that I'm not a beer drinker - but I do thoroughly enjoy this evening! And it's due, in large part, to the wonderful people who host the event! Thank You Kindly!

The card was my first try at the twisted easel card that is all the rage now! I actually like it! I used every last scrap (!) of a lovely piece of Japanese paper that was in my gift pack (explained in my last post). The colors on this one really POP.

Here's the card open:
I think I might have gotten carried away with the buttons (LOL) but they really do help the card stand open! Stamps were Waltzingmouse Stamps (on the front) and Close-to-My-Heart on the inside. I'll be attempting this design again, for sure!

I awoke at 4 AM from the sound of my own voice saying out loud - "Happy Birthday, Steve", but of course, he can't hear me from nearly 2,000 miles away!

Namaste.

Birthday Boy card

It was heavenly getting into the craft room today - I had some "must make" cards and my Mojo was with me - I was on a roll! I guess I must have had ideas stuck inside my head for awhile or something.

This one is simple - really - and I love the overall effect. I used white pigment ink to put "white caps" on the waves, and paper-pieced the sailboat from a grab-bag type package of scrap Japanese fine papers that were a gift a few years ago (I've been hoarding them - they are so wonderful!). I sponged some "Sky" ink onto the sky and die cut the clouds . . . deciding to stamp them with the sentiment was just a lucky accident (not part of my initial plan)! I love the overall effect of the card! It may not be "fun" enough for a 6 year old - but it certainly made ME happy!

Wedding plans - oh my goodness! Well, we have set the date, and what type of cake. The two most important decisions (Just KIDDING!). I have so much to do yet - but started by making lists. That will help me feel more in control. An illusion, I realize; humor me. Thank you all for your warm and thoughtful messages. I feel so loved! Let's see if I can answer some of the questions - "North" means Minnesota. Yes, we will still be commuting after we get married - I have a great job and am not ready to retire, so I need to continue working. I've been independent for 18 years so I have some practice at being alone. I admit that it's harder now that I know how happy I can be with Steve in my daily life - but I still think we can do this. We're going to try - and if adjustments need to be made later on, well, then we'll address them then. Yes, my daughter met him and she is very happy for us. No, it's not scary loving a priest, it's wonderful! I think that covers most of them - let me know if I forgot anything important!

Namaste
ps - I made it to yoga classes three days last week - and I feel STRONG!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Oh HAPPY Day! Steve has asked me to marry him and I have said "Yes!". My heart is singing! We are planning a December wedding.

Steve had the ring custom made after carefully listening to what I liked. It's rose-gold and I love the warmth of it. It is one-of-a-kind; like him.

If only you could smell these roses - they had the most heavenly perfume.

Now - for what you've really come to see - I have actually made a couple of cards! This "birthday" one and another just like it only "sympathy". This almost was "too easy" - because I really let the Close-to-My-Heart Bliss paper stand out and just added a simple banner and button for the finishing touch. I used an ivory chalk ink to soften the edges of the new CTMH kraft cardstock.

Steve has returned to his Northern home and we will begin our "commuter" relationship. That means I will have more time for Yoga and for crafting - once I can clean up the craft room enough to find the work table!

Happy Mother's Day to you - hope your day is lovely!
Hugs!