Robin's Nest...

Hi there!

More signs of spring in your corner of the world?
One sign of spring are the chirping robins out and
about.  And, we had an awesome discovery this
afternoon!  One brave robin built a nest right
near our front door.  There is not much
shelter for those gorgeous robin eggs, so we'll
have to keep an eye on them from any predators.
I pray these sweet little robins do well and grow
into beautiful fine birds!  Ok...here is the photo
I have to share with you....

So, you can see by the photo there is not much shelter
at all.  I was quite surprised to see a robin's nest in
this scraggly evergreen.  We were thinking about
cutting it down this year.  But, we certainly won't
cut it down until after the little sweeties hatch.  I'll
keep you posted.  Doesn't  little nature surprises
put a smile on your face?  It sure does for me!
Take care friends, hugs!:-)

Kind words...

Hi Friends,

It's a lovely spring day here in NW Ohio with the
temp of 73.  I'm here in my craft room making
more thank you cards.  But, as soon as I get done
posting here, I'm going to go out and enjoy this
lovely weather! 

I recently purchased a Verve stamp with the
most appropriate words.  You just wouldn't believe
how your kind words and actions can deeply affect
someone.  I love how Ellen DeGeneres always states
at the end of her show...."Be kind to one another".
In light of all the recent tragedy we've experienced
as a country a little kindess goes a long way!  My
thoughts and prayers go out to those in Boston,
Texas, and to whomever is hurting at this time.

I made two cards exactly as the one pictured on
the right.  I ran out of green paper and had to
go with a different idea for the card on the left.
I really like how the one on the left turned out.
What do you think?  Which one is your favorite?

Ok, that's it for now from my craft corner of
NW Ohio.  I hope all is well with you!  Thank
you so much for dropping by!  Take care and
God Bless!

Supplies:

Paper:  SU, BoBunny, My Mind's Eye, Kraft Outlet
Stamps:  Verve
Ink:  SU(Crumb Cake, Perfect Plum)
Ribbon:  Jo-Ann Fabric
Gems:  SU
Punches:  Martha Stewart

Thank you...

Hi there!

I hope all is well  with you!

I just wanted to share with you a couple of thank
you cards that I made.  Please excuse the poor photo
quality.  There are dark clouds everywhere here.  I
believe we are in for a thunder storm.  I do have
one red tulip that bloomed.  And, seeing that this
morning put a smile on my face. :-)  I hope to see my
yellow tulips blooming very soon, too.  April showers
bring May flowers!  So, I welcome the rain.  This
post is short and sweet for I have several more
cards to make.  Thanks so much for dropping by
today!  Take care, hugs!

Supplies:

Paper:  SU, Bazzill
Stamps:  Close to My Heart(flowers), Verve(Thank you)
               SU(Friend)
Ink:  SU(Regal Rose
Punches:  Martha Stewart
Gems:  Paper Studio
Pearls:  SU
Ribbon:  Really Reasonable Ribbon, Jo-Ann Fabric
Dazzling Details:  SU
Pearl Cotton:  Jo-Ann Fabric

Pin to Win!!!

Hi Friends!

Please join in on the fun and visit the Paper Sweeties
blog to see how you can PIN to WIN!!!

 

Take care and have a wonderful day, hugs!!!

Thank you!

Dear Friends,

I thank you so much for your kind words and prayers
for the difficult loss of my brother and Mother.  It
means the world to me for having so many sweet
friends that surround me with wonderful support!
My dear Mother and brother are at peace and in
a better place.  We have so many special memories
that we will dearly hold on to.  So, I thank you once
again for touching my heart with kindness.  It is
appreciated!  Please take good care, hugs!

Paper Sweeties Post-Relase Day!

 

Hi there!

It was so fun and exciting to work on my first
projects for the Paper Sweeties Design Team this
month!   I thank you so much for your support
and sweet comments!

Today is post-release day!  You can purchase
the April line of stamps in the Paper Sweeties Shoppe! 
For my project as seen above, I used the polka
dot flowers and leaves from the
Make Today Beautiful set.  The sentiments,
Believe, Inspire, and Celebrate are from the
Beautiful stamp set. 

I saw those cute little vases while out shopping
and just had to use them to help highlight the sweet
flowers, leaves, and sentiments!  I used my
cricut machine for the large circles and EK
punches for the other circles.  I applied white
polka dot washi tape to chipboard circles.  Tiny
yellow flower buttons were added to the centers
with pearl cotton.  Gems were placed with a little
doodling for added interest.  Tiny water beads
with water was added to the vases.  I wrapped
the stems in saran wrap to help protect them.  I
have these little gems sitting on my kitchen
counter.

Please go over to Paper Sweeties to check out
the new April stamp line and the amazing
creations from the design team!  Thank you
so much for dropping by today!  Take care
and have a great week, hugs!

Supplies:

Paper:  BoBunny, SU, Recollections
Stamps: Paper Sweeties:  Make Today Beautiful(polka dot flowers, leaves)
                                         Beautiful(sentiments)
Ink:  SU(Black)
Gems: Paper Studio
Pearl Cotton: Jo-Ann Fabric
Punches:  EK
Washi Tape:  K&Company
Chipboard Circles:  Darice
Buttons:  Blumenthal
Misc:  glass vase, cookie sticks, water beads

Paper Sweeties April Release Day!!!

 

 

 

Hi there Friends!

Today is the day to purchase those SWEET new
April stamps from Paper Sweeties!!!  I chose the
lovely label and thankful sentiment from the
(Beautiful!) stamp set for the above card!  The
heart at the bottom of the card was used from the
stamp set, (Snow Friends).  I am very thankful to
be able to create with these wonderful line of
stamps! Thank you, Debbie!!!

My last two cards were more of a CAS design.
But, today I went back to my favorite shabby chic style. 
I started with a cream card base.  Lovely SEI
and MME papers were used.  The edging of the
label stamp was colored softly with a SU colored
pencil.  A punched circle and doily was placed
behind the label.  A scalloped circle die from MFT
along with seam binding and flower for the center
of the card.  Pearls were added for the final touch.

I have one more project to share with you tomorrow.
In the meantime, have fun shopping and check out
the amazing design team projects at the following...

*Paper Sweeties*

Debbie Marcinkiewicz

Andrea Ewen

Char Cundy

Jeanne Jachna

Pattie Goldman

Tammy Hobbs

Lori Hairston

Michelle Bala

 

 

Thanks so much for dropping by today!  Take care, hugs!

 

 

Supplies:

 

Paper:  SEI(Field Notes), My Mind's Eye(Lost&Found)

Stamps:  Paper Sweeties:  Beautiful Set-Label and Thankful sentiment

                                           Snow Friends Set-Heart

Ink:  SU(Black)

Ribbon:  SU(Vanilla, Pool Party)

Pearls:  Paper Studio

Punch:  EK 2 1/4 circle punch

Dies:  MFT(scallop circles)

Doily:  Jo-Ann Fabric

Twine:  PTI

Flower:  Inspired By Stamping

Colored Pencil:  SU



 

 

 

 

 



Paper Sweeties April Pre-Release Day 2

Hi there!

Welcome back to April Pre-Release Day 2!
Today I want to highlight these wonderful SWEET
flowers from Paper Sweeties!  I couldn't help but
get "stampy" with these pretty little flowers!  The
flower stamp and sentiment stamp are from the stamp set,
(Make Today Beautiful).  The clouds are from the
stamp set, (Rainbows and Roses).  Stay tuned for I
believe I have another project using these lovely
flowers!

I started with a kraft card base.  The clouds were
fussy cut and popped up for dimension.  I added
little colorful flower buttons with white pearl
cotton to the center of the flowers.  The grass was
die cut.  The sentiment is also a die cut from MFT.
These wonderful stamps will be available on the
15th of April!  Those flowers are ideal for any
spring card/project!  Please check out  more
inspiration from the design team.  You won't be
disappointed!  Just click on the following links...

*Paper Sweeties*

Debbie Marcinkiewicz

Andrea Ewen

Char Cundy

Jeanne Jachna

Pattie Goldman

Tammy Hobbs

Lori Hairston

Michelle Bala

 

 

Thank you for visiting here today!  I'll be back

tomorrow with Paper Sweeties Release Day! 

Take care, hugs!

 

Supplies:

 

Paper:  Bazzill, Paper Studio

Stamps:  Paper Sweeties:  Make Today Beautiful(flowers, sentiment)

                                          Rainbows and Roses(clouds)

Ink:  SU(Black)

Dies:  MFT

Pearl Cotton:  Jo-Ann Fabric

Buttons:  Blumenthal



 

                                  

 



Paper Sweeties April Pre-Release Day 1

Hi Friends!

I'm so very excited to share with you today the sneak
peak pre-release day 1 for Paper Sweeties!  Just look
at that sweet little Emma!  She is definitely ready for
an April spring shower in her adorable hat, rain coat,
and boots!  The stamp set, (Spring is Here!) includes
her clothing, puddle, boots and sentiment used on the
above card.  It will be available on the 15th of April!

I started my card with a light blue card base and
embossed it to give it the effect of rain drops.  April
showers do bring May flowers!  I used a Spellbinders
die for layering and interest.  She was colored with
copics and her little outfit was paper pieced.  I just
love those little red boots...too CUTE!  Ribbon,
gems, and flower to finish off the card.  I had so
much fun playing with the April line of stamp sets!
Do check back tomorrow for pre-release day 2.
And, please check out the design team's creations
for you will be guaranteed inspiration...

*Paper Sweeties*

 

 

Debbie Marcinkiewicz

Andrea Ewen

Char Cundy

Jeanne Jachna

Pattie Goldman

Tammy Hobbs

Lori Hairston

Michelle Bala

 

 

So,  these SWEET line of stamps will be available

on April 15th!  I'm so excited to see what you create

with them!  Thanks so much for dropping by today!

Take care, hugs!

 

Supplies:

 

Paper:  Bazzill, K&Company

Stamps:  Paper Sweeties(Spring is Here!)

               Emma

Ink:  SU(Black)

Ribbon:  SU

Gems:  Paper Studio

Dies:  Spellbinder's, L2

Emboss Folder:  Darice

Flower:  K&Company

Copics:  R46, E00, E11, R20, E31, E35, E37



My Mother...

Hi Friends,

Please continue to keep me and my family in thought
and prayer during this very difficult time.  My dear
sweet Mother passed away early this morning.  She
wasn't in the best of health due to COPD and CHF.
Her breathing was getting more difficult.  But, we
thought we'd have more time with her.  Of course, one
never knows.  I have comfort in knowing that we
visited her often and always told her how much we
loved her.  I often made cards for her and she would
display them on her shelves.  She gave to me the love
of sewing, arts and crafts.  She loved flowers and
knew them very well.  My oldest sister, Donna, has
the wonderful gift of making floral arrangements.
My Mom loved playing bingo.  A couple years ago
I gave her a bingo coin purse to keep her bingo money
in.  I will now treasure that little coin purse.  She
loved children and animals.  And, she has many grandchildren/great grandchildren.  My
heart aches over the recent loss of my brother and
now my dear Mother.  Thank you very much for
keeping me in thought and prayer!  Take care, hugs!

Celebrate Your Day!

Hi there!

How are you doing on this Friday?  If you've seen
my previous posts, I'm hanging in there.  Crafting
is a great outlet to help calm oneself.  As one
friend so aptly has her blog titled, Craft Therapy.
Indeed, it is therapy for my soul.  Again, I thank
you all for your support and prayers!

Today I want to share with you a card I made
for the challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room.
Here is the beautiful inspiration photo we were
to follow...

I knew the perfect paper to use for my card.  I re-
cently purchased Graphic 45(French Country)
collection and went to work.  My card base is kraft.
The lace border is actually a cross stitch bookmark.

 

You can see the aida cloth with pinked edges at the
bottom.  I thought the lace would aid in a beautiful
frame effect for my project.  The sentiment is from
Paper Sweeties!  The stamp is from the set,
So Sweet of You.  I added a resin corner piece in
the top right corner.  I applied dazzling details(glitter)
on the focal point.  Ribbon, twine, pins and pearls
were placed to finish off the card.

Thanks so much for viewing my card today!  Take
care and have a wonderful weekend, hugs!

Supplies:

Paper:  Graphic 45(French Country), Bazzill, Kraft Outlet
Stamp:  Paper Sweeties:  So Sweet of You(Sentiments)
Ink:  SU(Night of Navy)
Ribbon:  SU(Vanilla), Jo-Ann Fabric
Pearls:  SU
Resin: Prima
Dies:  MFT: (Blueprints)
Lace Bookmark:  Janlynn
Dazzling Details:  SU
Twine:  PTI
Flower:  Prima
Pins:  The Hobby House

Thank you...

Thank you, Friends...

I thank you my sweet friends for all your kind words and
prayers for my family during this difficult time.  Your
support to me is very appreciated.  I thank you so
very much!  I will be doing some card therapy in my
craft room very soon.  I believe it will help to craft
and concentrate on something that I enjoy doing.  I
hope you all have a great weekend.  Thanks again...
take care, hugs!

Brother, John...

Hi Friends,

I contemplated on whether or not to post this message today
regarding the loss of my brother, John.  But, I do believe in
prayer.  So, I please ask you at this time to keep all my
family in prayer during this very difficult time.  My
brother, John, was only forty-five years old.  His
wife and six children survive.  He was my little
brother.  But, he was quite tall about 6'3.  And,
I have fond memories of him finishing off food
when we were growing up.  I come from a large
family of five girls and two boys.  But, anyways,
we would be looking for cereal or lunch meat, etc.
And, *poof* it was gone.  Yes, we would say...
John probably ate it.:-)  But, he needed it to grow
into the tall man he became.  My older brother,
Tom passed away four years ago.  John loved life
and, he was the best plumber ever!  He was a good
father.  He loved fishing just as my Father and
his brother, Tom did.  Taking his children fishing
was very enjoyable for him.  He will be dearly missed.

Please hug those near and dear to you for you never know
what tomorrow brings.  Thank you so much for your
prayers and support.  It is appreciated!  Take care, hugs! 

 

 

Back Row:  Christina, Tom, Lucretia, John, Cecilia

Front Row:  Donna, Mom, me

 

 

 

Paper Sweeties!!!

 

 

 

 

Hi Friends!

I hope you all had a wonderful blessed Easter!  We
went out to eat and had a delicious chicken/ham dinner.
And, I couldn't resist the coconut cream pie to finish
off the meal...yummm!  Yikes!  The treadmill is
calling my name again...hehehe!:-)

I have some very exciting news to share with you today!
Debbie has asked me to join the Paper Sweeties' Design
Team!  To say that I was surprised and so excited is an
understatement!  It certainly was one of my dreams to
be on a design team one day.  And, I am very honored
to be on such an amazing team with so many talented
ladies!  Thank you, Debbie!!!

The above card is for the monthly challenge.  Here is
the fun design to follow for this month...

I used sweet little Sophie for my card.  I thought it
very fitting to use her since I fell in love with Paper
Sweeties when Debbie first came out with the stamps!
And, the first time I used Sophie was for my darling
little niece named, Sophia, for her birthday!:-) 

I started with a cream card base and used some lovely
papers from My Mind's Eye.  One of my favorite
punches from Martha Stewart along the top of the
card.  Copics to color sweet Sophie.  Her dress, hat,
and shoes were paper pieced using Jelly Bean Time
stamps.  Doesn't Sophie look so sweet?  The sentiment
used was from the set, You Make Me Smile.  I finished
off the card using Oatmeal Cream ribbon, flower, and
pearls.

For an added bonus there is FREE SHIPPING
today ONLY on your Paper Sweeties orders ...
use FREE SHIPPING coupon code at checkout to
redeem your discount!:-)

 

Please join in on the fun and enter the challenge over
at Paper Sweeties!  I cannot wait to see wait you
create!  Also, check out the design team's fabulous
creations.  You will not be disappointed!  Thanks
so much for visiting here today!  Take care and have
a wonderful week, hugs!

Supplies:

Paper:  My Mind's Eye(Lost&Found2), Krft Outlet, Bazzill
Stamps:  Paper sweeties(Sophie, Jelly Bean Time, You make Me Smile)
Ink:  SU(Black)
Ribbon:  Paper Sweeties(Oatmeal Cream)
Pearls:  Paper Studio
Punch:  Martha Stewart
Pearl Cotton:  Jo-Ann Fabric
Flower:  K&Company
Copics:  E00, E11, R20, YG67, Y04, Y11, Y35, R39