New Header

I just wanted to say thank you to my sister, Bonnie, for my beautiful new header. I worked on one for over an hour, but could not get it to shrink to fit. She made this and I LOVE IT! Especially the pics of us when we were kids. Thanks Sis! Love you.

I'm Back

Hi all! Whew....I am back to crafting and feeling the calming effect! This morning, hubby found me at my craft tableas soon as I awakened and laughed because I was so giddy to be making a card. I told him that he just didn't understand. I haven't crafted since the weekend and I was beginning to have withdrawal!

It was nice to work for a few days and feel like a nurse again, but there is nothing like a pile of cardstock, glue dots, glitter spray and ink to make me breathe a sigh of contentment.

After a few very cold days, today dawned warmer with sneak peaks of beautiful sunshine. It put me in an Easter mood, so I really enjoyed putting this simple card together. Even simple can be "glittered up" and made to shine. Have a great day...and happy scrapping.

Cold Background...Warm Card?

When I went outside this afternoon to take this photo...I was shocked by the cold! Of course, I ran out without a coat on and we do have about one and a half inches of snow :) The shock inspired my silly title.....cold background...warm card ;) I love the pretty snow which is so incongruous with the flowery card. My sister's blog post today mentioned the same fact....snowflakes and springy cards...maybe we are getting ahead of ourselves.

I made this card with someone in mind and will get it to her this week. I found these metallic butterflies in my older stash of goodies and wondered why I hadn't used them before now? I am all about butterflies right now and these were so easy to affix with glue dots.

I am working three days this week and I have a full evening schedule with my son's ministry obligations, which I try to support when our hectic lives permit, and Easter play practice. I may be slack on my blog for a few days, but rest assured, I will be back when things slow down again. For me, creating is therapy. When I am at my craft table, I turn on some nice background music and I am transported to a peaceful place....a place of sweet sounds and soothing colors; of butterflies and blooming flowers; of old memories and new friends...with a warm puppy lying sleepily at my feet. I like my "scrap world." There's no place I'd rather be.

It Takes A Long Time To Grow An Old Friend

When I saw this tag among new scrapbook supplies that my niece, Amber, gave me for my birthday, I immediately thought of the truth of this phrase. "It takes a long time to grow an old friend." It brought to mind my dear friend Jill, who lost a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer last May. Jill was one of those "old friends" that I will probably never find another to fill the void left by her death. Nor would I even want to.

Jill was one of my closest friends for about 8 years, although we were acquaintances for 17. Before I really got to know and love her for myself, I knew and loved her as my young son's Sunday School teacher. She played a vital role in leading him to a real relationship with Jesus Christ. (Now, years later, he is an ordained Minister.) I will never forget the day that my Mother died, Jill spent the entire day with my family....offering to do anything, yet comforting with her mere presence. When I had an emergency appendectomy, there she was bending over my stretcher on my way to surgery and praying my safety and healing. Last February, my Dad had a heartattack, and although terminal at that time herself, she telephoned me nearly everyday at the hospital to check on his progress. Jill was one of those "God Sent" people who leave fingerprints all over your life just by being a part of it. This tag made me think of her and all of the sweetness that she brought to my life and to my family. "It takes a long time to grow and old friend"......why don't you get in touch with one of yours today and tell them what they mean in your life. What better way to brighten someone's day?

And although it really does take a long time to grow an old friend...the time and effort are very worthwhile. Here's to you Jill. I am sure that the Son shines brightly where you are!

Pub Call

Hi all....I have missed blogging, but I worked the past two days and had no time! Oh well, it pays for the scrap addiction :) Today has been a cold, snow, sunshine-mixed day! It makes me think of spring and all of the wonderful days to come. (Spring is my favorite season....new beginnings and plentiful sunshine....both of which I love .)

Both of the cards posted today have been entered in a PubCall. My fingers are crossed! I would love to make it to a magazine....or anywhere! I am allowed to post them, but if chosen, I will have to remove them from my blog. I just wanted to get some input from my scrapfamily!

The "Spring is Here" card supply list: Colorbok Primary Textured Cardstock
DCWV Glitter Stack Flowered Cardstock
Prima Flowers
Ribbon from Target
Katie&Co Stamp
Martha Stewart Ink
FloraCraft Glitter Spray
Buttons and Jute

Happy Easter! I love this card. The eggs hidden in the grass made me smile and remember so many egg hunts as a child. I miss those days! My Poppy and Granny had Bantum chickens and Poppy would help me make a "bunny nest" the night before. On Easter morning, after I found my eggs at my house, I would run down the dirt road to theirs and in my nest there, I would find "still warm" tiny eggs in the darkest colors I had ever seen! (Brown eggs dye darker than white...just a bit of farm info :) And the size was perfect for childish hands. What sweet days those were.

For this card I used: Colorbok Primary and Pastel Textured Cardstock
Offrey Ribbon
Making Memories Garden Party Epoxy Shapes
FloraCraft Glitter Spray

Even if they are not chosen for the call....I enjoyed making them. I hope your day is great!

Pink Elephant Challenge

I had posted this card as my Monday post when my sister commented that the Pink Elephant Challenge this week was for "sparkly" cards and she thought that mine would fit! I added a bit of bling to the already silvery glitter and "sparkled" it up a bit more! More bling....how fun!

Shades of Purple

Hi all....I must be feeling "purple" today. Monday is usually filled with cleaning and laundry, but before I began the chores today, I had this card on my mind. I love the spring-y colors....and I even see some real sunshine trying to shine this morning.

For this card I used ATD Family Affair Paper; Creative Images Flowers and Tag; Basic Grey Ribbon; Buttons from my stash and finished it all off with a light spray of Silver Glitter Spray from my local craft department. I love the shimmer that it adds and you will probably be seeing alot more of it on my cards!

Happy Monday and may you scrap to your heart's delight!

This Cupcake's For You

HAPPY 29th BIRTHDAY AMBER! This cupcake is for you (real cake to follow on Saturday :) May this day bring you as much joy as you have brought me over the years. (The daughter of my heart ;)

I must admit, this design was inspired by someone else, but I just had to make one! I love the ribbon icing and the candle. My cupcake paper is DCWV; ribbon is Basic Grey; Gem from the Beadery. This is the perfect dessert....no calories! Enjoy.

Long Time...No Blog

Hi all....sorry that I have been negligent with my blogging as of late. My Dad had surgery on Monday and I have sat down at my craft table for the first time today. I am glad to report that all is well with him and I am back at home and hopefully, back to creating.

The card above is made from paper from the Paper Factory, Prima flowers, Gems from the Beadery, Chipboard "HUGS" and Bling from Best Occasions, and a touch of jute for texture. I mailed out 4 cards today and felt quite accomplished to do so. I tend to make many more than I mail, so this was a BIG accomplishment for me.

Forgive the poor photo quality of this shot, but I just had to share that I AM LOVING my "Project 365." (I mentioned previously that you take a photo a day for 1 year and chronicle the year's events.) And although I am enjoying it, it does make me realize that I am quite dull. Some days, the weather is the biggest happening :) I completed January's pages this morning and already, they bring a smile to my face when I look at them. This is my first few days of February. I am already thinking of pretty pastel colors for March!

If you haven't visited the Cuttlebug Challenge Site, it is a MUST! My niece, Amber, has a great tutorial there today for the sweetest Valentine treat! Take a peak....and get busy creating !