Trucks!

 

A close up of the truck - I used the Close-to-My-Heart springy things to pop this up.  It's very "active" in real life!  Very fun!  What you can't see is the liquid glass on the windows and headlight, and the silver marker on the "metal trim" of the truck.  This came together fast with the great "boy" stamps and paper pack!  All Close-to-My-Heart products.

Hope you have awesome plans for the weekend!  I am finally going to get the honeymoon scrapbook concept planned and organize my box full of memorabilia.  Perhaps I can even get started on a few pages!  I'd like to get it to a point where I can drop into the studio now and then and complete a page on the fly!  I need to get this scrapbook completed before I forget all the fabulous things we did on our three week trip to Hawaii!  ;-)  But when I expressed that concern to Steve, he promised to help me remember.  What a sweetie!

Hugs!!

I love modifying "store bought" cards!

In this case, the cards weren't even "store bought" by me!  They were a gift - a nice little box of pretty Hallmark cards that are blank on the inside.  In Real Life, the swirls are sparkly.  I used chalk ink direct-to-paper to create the "rustic" looking yellow piece and then used Cocoa embossing powder to heat emboss the sentiment.  The ribbon was a dyed-to-match piece of the seam binding ribbon. 

This week has been crazy.  Up until yesterday I was barely staying afloat.  I think I had an abscessed tooth because something gave way yesterday and it was gross.  After some careful attention and a good nights sleep I have a lot more energy today!  Whew.  

Today is my Love's birthday!  I wish I was in the same place that he is - but we will get to Skype tonight and I've been invited to the birthday party on Sunday with the family (on Skype).  22 days until I fly to see him.  {deep sigh}  Here's hoping your weekend is wonderful!

Hugs!

Open Stamping Technique - Sneaky Peek!

I've been wanting to try the "chalkboard" technique and Close-to-My-Heart has come out with a whole bunch of stamps that would look fabulous done this way!  I decided that we would learn this one together for the Open Stamping on Sunday (5/19/13).  I used the Dream Pop papers, all CTMH products with the possible exception of the ribbon - I can never remember where I get ribbon (possibly because I'm buying it A.L.L.  T.H.E.  T.I.M.E!!)  I put a piece of White Daisy inside the card so it can be written in without requiring a white pen. 

My house is empty, except for Mr. Baggins.  He's been very cuddly, too!  I've cleaned and done yard work, had a nap today, came up with this card for next week and prepped for the group, and actually cooked two meals for myself!  I ran an errand to the post-office, and moved some of the tender plants into the house for the summer.  (here we do things backwards from what is the norm in Minnesota.)

I'm looking forward to worship in the morning with my church family.  I missed church last week and felt the absence all week.  It's strange, because I believe church is where-ever you want it to be and I have a hot-line to God that I use regularly.  But the traditions of the sacraments are very comforting and inspiring for me and I miss them when I can't get to a worship service.  Being at Epiphany tomorrow, and having recently spent time with my precious daughter as well as my beloved niece, will mean that this Mother's day I have everything I could wish for.  Steve may be in Minnesota, but he lives in my heart and I feel his love constantly.  

Happy Mother's Day to my friends who are, or who have Mother's.    

Steve's Favorite Flower

Last year I made Steve a birthday card with this same stamp set but I guess I'd never really looked at the fuschia plant in bloom - I colored the blossoms in rather pale colors!  This year I had a photograph to use for reference and it's amazing, but the flowers pretty much look like this - with stunning bright pink and deep rich purple on the inside.  I see why these are Steve's favorite flowers!  I'm pretty happy with how the card turned out.  

It's been busy here.  We've had a death in the family that wasn't totally unexpected, but still hard to accept now that it's actually here.  The rush of travel plans, arrangements, and all that must be done is exhausting!  I need my time in the craft room right now more than ever.  Steve left last Thursday to return up North (fishing opener is 5/11) so in theory I should be able to do more crafting "soon".  

Hug the ones you love.  
Even hugs the ones you don't love - but should.

Namaste

Old and New

Do you ever find elements that you made for a project but didn't use all of them?  The wreath was a "left-over" from my wedding 15 months ago - and I decided to use it with the new CTMH papers called "For Always" to just have something to show the pretty new papers.  I created a little tulle pleated "skirt" and trimmed the wreath down (it was a square before).  On the inside I put a light gray piece of cardstock to help with writing a note since the card base was black.  

I just returned from North Carolina where I enjoyed my daughter's bridal shower with her friends, bridesmaids (most of them) and the groom's Mom.  Kristen is very blessed to love her new family very much!  I'm thrilled that she has this special relationship with Cindy and Brian's sister, Megan!  

Hope your week is wonderful!
Hugs!

Pop-up Card

Oh my goodness, I have been missing in action for awhile now!!!  My apologies to you all - but I can tell you that I've been visiting your beautiful art in stolen moments and am inspired and loving everything you do!  Thank you for  nurturing my soul.

This card was inspired by Ashley Cannon Newell from this post.  I love her blog and the video she posted to explain how to make a pop-up card finally gave me courage to try one!  I'm planning to teach this to my Open Stamping friends today when they arrive.  So easy - why was I afraid of it?!

Life is good - rehab on my knee is progressing beautifully, I've been on a hike and everything!  Steve is still spoiling me (I think he loves me!).  Work is rewarding and the only compliant I could possibly have is that I've not had  enough time in the studio!  Other than that . . . . ;-)

Hugs!!

New CTMH Spring Catalog item!

This beautiful paper, and stamp, are from the new, just released Close to My Heart Spring catalog!  I love the way this stamp worked - I stamped the image with archival black ink, and used the new CTMH alcohol markers to add a little Honey color to the image.  Isn't the bee pattern paper just wonderful?!  Another very simple card to put together!

Work has been getting better and better for me.  I have more energy, taking fewer and shorter naps, and just feel more productive!  In addition, Steve has been taking me to all sorts of theater and music performances (spoiling me rotten!).  I find that it's easier to get around, I am tiring less and walking farther . . . all good news!  Soon I will return to Yoga!

Hugs!!