Meet Steve

Ok, Curt, here he is - please meet Steve! The love of my life - the most amazing man I've ever known. (photo taken at a view point near Canyon Lake, Arizona)

The reason I'm not blogging so much lately!

Hugs!

Fire Up The Grill

I know that's probably not happening everywhere yet - but around here the weather has been beautiful and Steve and I have been entertaining guests - so we've grilled steaks. This card uses the new Mayberry papers from Close to My Heart. The colors are Sunset, Garden Green, Honey and Colonial White. I sponged a little Sky on the focal image and used my 40% off coupon to get the Martha scissors that cut awesome grass in split seconds! The paper was already striped (backside of the striped piece along the left side).

Valentines Day - At work we had a chocolate fountain - it was really over-the-top! Tonight we're going out to dinner, and I made a card (will post later in the week). I've been getting introduced to his friends (hope I'm passing muster!). I like them - they are fun to be around and I felt instantly comfortable.

Tell me about your Valentines day?

Love

Love - a perfect title for this post and this card! Hello - I've missed you all! Please know that I'm more than "fine" and that I'm thinking of you often. I'm sure I'll get back to more regular posting someday! In the meanwhile - I'll post when I can steal a moment . . . but the days and evenings are filled with my special someone and we are delighting in the discovery of each other.

This card was designed for the Open Stamping on 1/30/11 - the technique was one that Jeanette Lynton taught on her blog here. I love how the embossing gives the flower such dimension. Everything is Close-to-My-Heart, the rose is the new Rosy Regards stamp set and the colors used were Petal and Pansy Purple. The little bling bracket is 1/2 of a frame - neat trick!

Hope you like it!
Hugs!

Thank you Kindly

This tag was a quick one to make - I just needed to dress up a bottle of wine that we were taking as a hostess gift; I used the CTMH barn red textured cardstock and lightly sanded it, inked a scrap of design paper in my stash and embossed the Waltzingmouse Stamps sentiment with Cocoa embossing powder. A large eyelet, strip of tulle and Voila! It was done! I think this one took me about 10 minutes (don't laugh Laurel! I know you could make an entire scrapbook layout in 10 minutes, but I'm very s-l-o-w).

I can't believe it's Thursday already - what a busy week, but so productive! Just 2 sleeps until I get to see him again. {{blushing}}

Hugs!

Bee Yourself

A small candy treat for a wonderful young woman - the package just needed some dressing up. This tag was created with a very, very old Close-to-my-Heart stamp (so old it is a wood mounted one) and one bee and the sentiment from a very current hostess reward stamp set. It went together very quickly (the image was colored using a water brush and picking up color directly from the ink pad).

The lovely green gingham tape was a gift from Karen Baker. If you haven't visited her blog - you must check her out! Karen has more talent in her little finger than I will ever muster even on my very best day at the table. So, needless to say, I copy her ideas on a regular basis! ;-)

Have a wonderful Wednesday, dear friends!
Hugs!

Coffee - embossed

This card is so pretty in person - the image is a Close-to-My-Heart stamp set from a couple of years ago that I just fell in love with.. I used some little flourish stamps to embellish the cup - like most of my own coffee cups are decorated. The embossing powders used are the CTMH Desert Sand and White colors. The design paper (handwriting) was from the vintage travel paper pack, I believe.

Aren't they beautiful? I'd never seen roses that were both white and red at the same time. Incredible. Yes, it's going very well. But to be honest, it's not about the flowers, the plays, the dozen other treats . . . it's that he is such an amazing person and he has wonderful values. We are so compatible - spending time with him is such a joy, and I am delighted with his intellect and personality. He seems to know me well enough to finish my thoughts.

It's been less than a month.

Thank you for being so patient with me!
Hugs!!

Enjoy the Ride

I think I've decided to stop struggling with this "situation" and just let go/let God handle it! I need to enjoy the ride! The ride, so far, has been absolutely wonderful! This man is everything I've ever dreamed of, and more. He makes me so happy!

Oh, you want to know about the card?? Well, ok. It's new Close-to-My-Heart papers from the catalog to be released February 1st. The papers are called "Lucky" which just about says it ALL!! The stamp set is called "Enjoy Life" which I certainly have been doing! ;-)

Thank you all for your incredible support and love - I have had my life turned upside down (in a good way!) and you are all there cheering for me!!!

I'm still trying to get a fabulous photo of Bilbo Baggins. He is a little camera shy still - but is very loving and cuddly with me (thank heavens!). This photo at least shows his true coloring better. Let me share some of his cute personality with you:

1. He comes when he's called (yes, he knows his name already)
2. His favorite toy is the plastic ring you pull off the milk bottle. He **hearts** his toy.
3. He plays fetch with that toy, and me, at bed-time and when the morning alarm goes off. I throw the toy, he runs to find it, brings it back and drops it in my hand. Usually this goes on for 6 - 8 times before I tire of the game.
4. I make the bed before leaving for work, and when I get home in the evening, he has found his toy and left it like a mint on my pillow.

There are probably a hundred other darling things that he does, but I'll give you a break tonight. ;-)

Hugs!!