Birthday Cards!

This was inspired by Nancy Ball (here) and I admit, it's a delightful and easy birthday card to pull together in a hurry! Thanks Nancy, for the excellent inspiration!

It's Saturday, I've got a "To-Do" list a mile long and I'm sitting here blogging - what's with that!?! So, I'll keep it short. This weekend is Open Stamping with my friends, I'll be preparing a technique (as soon as I get away from the computer!) and look forward, as always, to seeing my dear friends for a joyful afternoon of creativity! Hope your weekend is special, too.

Hugs!

Rainy Day . . .

Every time I talk to Steve, it's been raining in Minnesota. Now I finally know where all the moisture that Arizona doesn't get has been living! I asked him to send it back - we could use a little rain to dampen the wildfires here.

When I started playing with clouds and rain the other day, I came up with several variations on the theme - I liked the way this one turned out! The papers are old (Sarsaparilla, I think, from Close to My Heart) but the lighter blue swirl reminded me of wispy clouds in a blue sky.

Great news! I have a wedding dress!!! Hooray! I can't tell you anything more (just in case Steve decides to read my blog) but I am very happy. Now on to the catering, decorations, favors, music, etc. etc. etc.

What's new with you?

Sympathy card

This card will become one I make again because it's so easy to stamp - I used the Verve Forever in Our Hearts stamps on this card (here) and CTMH New England Ivy ink and cardstock with their new Kraft CS. The cocoa colored adhesive pearls are from CTMH also. The ribbon was a scrap of lace picked up at Joanne's. In my next do-over, I'll make the sentiment piece a wee-bit smaller. Otherwise, I love this card.

My huge to-do list for today has barely had a dent made in it - I slept too late to do the painting job I'd planned for early morning, and when I arrived at the paper store I found it is no longer open on Saturdays. So, I went to Costco to order a photo canvas, but it turned out I didn't have the correct thumb drive (i.e. no digital image file) with me. The saving grace of the morning was a great Yoga practice and a delightful lunch with dear friends. Thank God for dear friends!

How's your weekend going?

Nothing But Blue Skies

This card was inspired by Heather Nichols {here}. I used different stamps, inks, paper, (all Close-to-My-Heart) but I totally cased her design. I love the idea of this for a thinking of you, get well soon type of card!

Are you sitting down? I've started looking on Craig's List for my wedding dress! No, I'm not kidding! Only, I'm a wee-bit afraid of the process and got spooked away today when the person didn't show up when they said they would. So, we'll see - I'll give it one more try and if it doesn't work, then I'll just forget that approach. LOL

Hope you week is going great!
Hugs!

Quilted Star - You & Me Papers

Last Sunday I was playing with the You & Me kit from Close to My Heart - what pretty papers! I used the swirl on the second card example. This is one of the nicest stamp sets I've ever seen! I really love all of the elements and know it will be a "go-to" set for many years to come. It's still available (as a fund-raiser to help tornado victims) and a tremendous value at $15. You can order it on-line from my CTMH web-site (click on Shop-online, then at the bottom of the shop on-line column click on Stronger Together).

What a week! I'm so glad it's finally the weekend, although I have a long list of things to get accomplished so there will be no resting! Last night I met with my up-line, Joanne, and a unit-sister, Beth, and we enjoyed a couple of hours of sharing ideas and just being together. The two of them are heading for the Close-to-My-Heart convention in a few weeks - how fun! It was infectious hearing their plans and being surrounded by their excitement. Still, the best part of my day? Getting to "see" Steve on Skype. What plans do you have for the weekend?

Hugs!

Bliss roses

I was playing with the Bliss papers (this pack is so pretty!) and imitating the card ideas that came with the Bliss workshop kit. The stamp set is beautiful - it included all that is shown here and more. I used Desert Sand, Hollyhock (2nd generation), and Grey wool inks from CTMH. This might work for a wedding card, thinking of you, or maybe even a birthday card.

Our weather here has been amazingly mild - I can't remember when we've stayed under 100 degrees for so late into the summer. I'm not complaining, mind you! I do, however, say prayers for those fighting the Wallow fire in eastern Arizona and for those whose homes were destroyed or endangered.

Namaste.

Mixed Media art by Annette Green

I saw the most beautiful art while visiting Annette's blog recently and thank goodness, I asked her if she was interested in selling it! She replied that she would make one for me, if I was serious! I was as serious as pneumonia and soon we had a deal. It strikes a chord with me - all these changes are happening in my life right now. The opening of the heart, the metamorphosis, the words of wisdom (trust yourself, live, dream . . . ) all are what I'm experiencing. The woman is thoughtful. She hangs on the wall in my studio where every time I enter the room I will see her and remember both my goals and this very precious time in my life.

Thank you Annette, from the bottom of my heart! (right under the butterfly!)

Today was Open Stamping with my friends - I spent the day trying to re-stock my supply of birthday cards! Progress was made, although my list of those with birthdays in June has grown exponentially! LOL Ah, such a problem to have ;-)

Yesterday I enjoyed a 2-hour Yoga workshop led by my friend Linda Santopietro. It was an excellent workshop - Restorative and Nidra. I felt so energized afterward.

Namaste.