WooHoo

Just a quick *squeal* of excitement...my card came out in today's debut of the April issue of SNR! I never get tired of seeing my work in there! Thanks SNR (Anne House) for using my work!

The Big Picture....

My heart is heavy this morning with the news that the last 4 miners in the West Virginia Mine Explosion did not survive, bringing the total of deaths to 29. So much sorrow for one community to bear. This hits close to home for me because my husband is an underground miner and we know all to well the risks involved with his profession. We have been glued to the news all week....just hoping....and praying....and waiting. We have had many discussions on the dangers and joys of coal mining. My husband would emphatically say, "I love my job as a coal miner." Miners are a special breed of men...they are strong and sound and brave and intent on doing the job, no matter the circumstances. My Dad is a retired miner as well and I grew up in a mining family. In our area, mining is life.....for our families, our community, our economical structure. Many oppose mining due to environmental concerns....to each is own, but to those of us who live here, without the income and subsequent spending of resources that mining provides for our citizens, our area would crumble. No matter which side you're on....this disaster is terribly sad and I am heartbroken for all the loss and pain that the Big Branch Coal community is suffering.

On a lighter note, I have a few cards to share today:

My "Sympathy" card was made using K&Co Ancestry Papers and Tag, Martha Stewart Ribbon and Ink, and Prima Flowers.

This card was made using Nature Preserve 100% recycled papers, K&Co Daisies, Martha Ribbon and Ink. I loved the simplicity of this card.

My final card was made using K&Co Ancestry Papers, Prima Flowers, Hollywood Raffia, Next Image Buttons and real antique lace from my stash.



Thanks for stopping by and I hope that your day is beautifully blessed!

Creative Slump.....or Creative Dump?

I find myself in a creative slump this week. I am off work today and it is rainy....a perfect day to sequester myself in my scraproom and create to my heart's content, but I haven't been able to! I will admit that my space is a messy nightmare right now. My son is getting married in July, so my scraproom has become a catch-all for wedding finery, household items, decorations and prototypes of decorations....so I am not really sure if I am in a slump or just can't concentrate because it is such a "dump" right now :) When I walk in there, my mind hurts! So much stuff....so much to do....so little time! Then I tell myself that I have the rest of my life to have a clean room to work in, but only one opportunity to help make his BIG DAY more special....so I guess I will just have to relax and enjoy the moment.

I do have a couple of cards to share today. I made the first one with Nature Preserve 100% recycled cardstock, Michael's Felt Coaster, K&Co butterfly, Martha Stewart ribbon and ink.


For this card I used: My Mind's Eye Paper; Prima Flower, Next Image Button, Martha Stewart Ribbon and Ink and Stampology Sentiment Stamp.



I have a short "dog story" to share. As you all know, I am active in rescuing discarded puppies and dogs, so I am all about adopting one that needs a home. My son phoned my office the other day and told me sad story about a 7 month old chocolate lab that needed a home. Since we are at full capacity and he IS getting married in July, this would be the perfect opportunity for HIM to adopt this dog and give it a good home! After a bit of thought, I agreed that it could live in one of our kennels for a couple of months before moving on with him to his new home. Enter
"Twix"....a seemingly innocent name for a 7 month old "puppy." In reality my son arrived home with a 80 pound behemouth, with slobbery jowels, red eyes and a distinct dislike of other dogs! Oh yes....we had quite an evening with said "Puppy." After visiting with Twix through the bars of his cage that his nice owners GAVE my son to haul him home in...we ascertained that he was indeed people friendly, slobbery, but friendly. My son and I carefully worked through the top of the crate door to get his new collar and lead securely attached before actually opening the door and allowing his escape...did I say that he weighed about 80 pounds??? Well anyway, after much twisting and turning, pushing and pulling, we had him leashed and opened the door. He happily jumped to the ground, pulling my 6'2", 210 pound son like a pulltoy around the driveway, refusing to be "led", but rather leading the way himself. He did enjoy being scratched under the chin and on the head, he did shower you, literally, with all kinds of slobbery affection.....until my small female daschound, Mollie, walked by (she is Packer's mom). The he turned MONSTER!!! He was obviously VERY dog agressive! He didn't care for any of the dogs that wander around my yard and was not shy about it! A couple of fresh chicken breasts from the fridge were a small price to pay to lure him back into the truck and into his crate. Sigh.....gate safely fastened with dog inside! (Oh and by this time, my son's finacee was sitting inside her Jeep with the door CLOSED to get away from him!!!) Are you getting the picture here? After rescuing many, many dogs....I was stating rather forcefully, "This dog needs to be returned to his owners. I am getting a good idea of why he NEEDED a new home." My son was disagreeing. How could we really know Twix in only a matter of minutes? Didn't he deserve a chance? Yes, I agreed, but only until dear hubby arrived to assess the situation and give us his opinion. Well, and I know that I'm rambling here, but I want you to get the picture...hubby arrived about 20 minutes after the Monster, I mean Twix, was back in his crate. He walked over, took one look and said, " I thought you were getting a puppy? Look at his eyes. I don't think you want this dog." *smile* I knew I was right, but for some reason, Dad's opinion of the animal world carries more weight than Mom's. Again, after arguing "fair chance", Twix was again allowed OUT of the crate, (fiancee back in the Jeep....Mollie running for her life....all of the neighbor's dogs standing back and watching), with hubby manning the leash. Twix immediately jumped up with his paws on 6 foot hubby's shoulders and slobber loved him all over! He then growled, fur raised at another dog....refused to be led....pulled and tugged like an alligator doing a death roll and met his fate! BACK TO HIS OWNERS HE WOULD GO!!!! Son was too embarrassed to take him so dear hubby and I returned him, much to his owner's displeasure. Said owner and I agreed that "puppy" is really out of control! (Has anyone seen the movie Marley and Me? Well this was Marley's evil twin). He is dog agressive....his owner said, and I quote, "I have to get rid of him....he is hyper." UNDERSTATEMENT!!!! Anyway....Twix is back with is owner and I have 2 bruised arms, a scraped hand and some minimal mental trauma to show for it :) Son is fine....and determined to adopt from a shelter in the near future....so all in all....lesson learned! As lessons go....it wasn't to bad...no one was bitten, no dogs were injured and no bones were broken! LOL...hope you enjoyed the rambling!

BIG NEWS!!!!

I am honored to have one of my favorite recent card creations published in the April issue of Scrapbook News and Review! I was also in their last April's issue....hmmm...I'm guessing that "April" must be my month :) I will post the card in May after my publication contract expires! Just had to share the good news!!!

Happy Easter and Yard of Lace

Hi all...my posts seem to get further and further apart. Life intrudes on fun, I guess, and takes me away from some of my favorite things! I just had to share this, and I know that all of those "true crafters" out there will understand. We have lived next door to my husband's Aunts for the past 26 years. The younger of the two sisters passed away 2 years ago in her mid 80's. She had been a crafter extraordinare for many years. Her quilts, which I am blessed to own several, were gorgeous. Her old sister, who is now 89 years old, asked if I would like some of her sewing supplies. YEAH!!!! Of course! Below is what I found in her stash.

Lace....ribbon....and more lace. This lace is really old, I don't even have to do anything to make it look antique, it REALLY IS! I was so happy...I told her that it felt like Christmas to me! I love it and I love that it was something of hers that I get to use to make something that someone else can enjoy.

On another note....Happy Easter Week! This is one of my favorite holidays. I love what it means and I love who I am because of the great price that Christ paid for me. I made this "Spring-y" wreath with all of my favorite spring colors.



Who doesn't love pastel easter eggs, ribbon, flowers and butterflies....ahhh...Spring is here! In fact, hubby is cutting our grass this evening for the first time this season! Yippee....I am loving it!

Thanks for stopping by...until next time.

Birds and Frogs, Bees and Dogs

I am thinking Spring this morning! I awoke to the sounds of birds singing....and last night, I heard frogs croaking in my nearby creek....I just know that Spring is coming soon and I am sure ready for it! A bee buzzed my head the other day....I am not so happy to have that happen, but, it to, is just another sign that warmer days are ahead! Country girls know these things...hehehehe...

I have a couple of cards to share today. The first is a "scrap card"...literally, I threw it together using paper scraps lying on my work area. Added a couple of Prima flowers, buttons, and ribbon. Loved the color combo....

This little card was just a square of cardstock, ribbon and a set of cute spring dimensional stickers from Michael's. A simply sweet card that made me think of my niece, Amber. (She loves Spring perhaps even more than I do ;)


My last shot is one of Packer Puppy sans clothing! He is 18 months old and finally has a nearly full coat! Whew, he has been a challenge! But isn't that "Jack Russel" head adorable??? He is soooo inquisitive and intelligent! He likes adults, doesn't care for children, unless they will sit quietly and pet him. If they are running around and playing, he goes beserk! I am afraid that he has taken over the household. He wants to be with me ALLLLL of the time. He carries his food dish next to my chair in the living room to "share" mealtime with me. (water dish as well....that has been an adventure for sure...lots of spilled water to clean up.)...he follows me every step.....sits on my lap and sleeps on my shoulder. I think that I have created a monster! LOL....hubby teases that I always wanted a lap dog....hmmmm, not quite what I had pictured, but oh well, he still thinks I am his Mommy! What's a girl to do?

Have a great day...and hey....pet a puppy today :) (packer told me to add that;)

Feeling "Spring-y"

Feeling like a "spring chicken"....hehehe...not quite, but I am loving this "spring-like" weather and I do love this little distressed chicken :)

This cute little fella came from a "chicken garland" that I found in a bargain shop in Tennessee. I love the "rough" look of the wood and the colors. I simply used scrap cardstock, a piece of hemp and a couple of buttons....the sentiment on the inside says, "you're so tweet." Corny....I know, but still, I loved it.

I have been practicing my "ribbon flowers" which seem to be turning up everywhere I look. My niece, The Country Scrapper, had a great tutorial on her page and I followed her directions without difficulty. viola...plain ol' ribbon never looked so good!


Teal and Brown are the colors of my son's upcoming wedding...so I am thinking along those lines. This card was soooo easy to make!

My last one is a bit "Bright" for me. I don't usually use such vivid colors, but, oh well....Spring is the time for all things new. This one is actually a "pocket" card and inside is a package of flower seeds....a sweet reminder that spring is on the way! Wouldn't you love to get one of these in the mail?



Hope that you are all scrapping away and enjoying every moment. Thanks for stopping by.