New Orleans Vacation...

Hi Friends!

We made it back safe and sound last evening from our vacation in New Orleans!  To say it was HOT...umm...uh huh...so HOT!  It was in the mid 90's all week and humid.  Ok, you who live in California and Florida would say...ha!  But, this NW Ohio gal was not used to the heat...whew!  In fact, we haven't even hit 90 yet this summer!  But, that's ok because we paced ourselves.  We went out in the mornings and evenings. Anyways, we had a fabulous time!  Lots to see and the food was beyond amazing!  Please be warned...pic overload!:-)

 

We took a dinner boat cruise along the Mississippi, which had an all you can eat buffet.  Yes, uh huh, we stuffed ourselves on delicious food.  I even ate turtle soup and it was mmm....mmm good!  We topped the meal off with yummy bread pudding!  The boat ride was so relaxing.  My husband took some lovely sunset pics...

 



 



Here we are taking in the view of the St. Louis Cathedral...

We enjoyed some shopping at the French Market...

We visited the WWII Museum.  My husband was in his glory viewing everything.  It is one of the top four museums in the country!  Lots to see and they make it fun and interesting!

 

 

We had to try a po boy sandwich and this place is noted to make some great ones.  So, we dived in and ate the "bomb"!  The bomb consisted of catfish, grilled shrimp, (2) cheeses, tomato, and lettuce with mayo.  It was very good!

 

We should have taken a pic of it.  I guess we didn't want to look too touristy...lol!

 

You still with me?  If, so...thank you!:-)  One night we walked to Harrah's Casino and had fried catfish and fries.  Oh, I think my cholesterol is now off the charts...lol!  Anyways, I played the penny slots and came out ahead...$40...woohoo! 

 

We had to taste the beignets...and yes...so delicious...yum! 

 

We visited a gorgeous plantation that is located in Vacherie about 50 miles NW of New Orleans called Oak Valley Plantation.  The oak trees that lined the pathway are breathtaking.  Many have come to this plantation home to film movies, soap operas, etc.  And, it continues to be a working sugar cane plantation.

 

 

 

 

 

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My husband drinking a mint julep.

 

 

We had Sunday buffet brunch at Court of Two Sisters.  My husband had an omelette made to order creole style.  My favorite part of the meal were the sweet potatoes that were so fluffy and tasty!  We equate the meal with cruise food...so good!

 

Oh...we did manage to get a food pic and here it is...

 

Do I look flushed?  Uh huh...'cause I'm about ready to have a heat stroke...lol! 

More water, please!:-)

 

 It was a wonderful Sunday brunch outside on the patio

with jazz music...

 

 

 

We behaved and stayed away from Bourbon St. until the last day to buy a Tshirt

for our son from Hard Rock Café...hehehe! 

 

 

 

And, more pics of French Quarter...

 

 

 

 

Well, thank you so much for dropping by and viewing our pics of

New Orleans!  Take care and have a wonderful day!

 

 

Hugs,

Maria

Happy Birthday!

 

Hi there!

 

I've had this sweet card with Penny Black image made for a little while now.  But, I'm   posting it to enter over at the Penny Black Challenge since their theme this month is "friends".  I just love this image with the girl holding the cupcake...it makes me smile!

 

For my card, I started with a white card base and paired it with a red die cut panel from Lawn Fawn.  I colored the image with copics and used stickles on the cupcake.  The sentiment is from Paper Sweeties.  The ribbon is from Jo-Ann Fabric and the dots are from Recollections.  An easy peasy card, but so cute for a little girl!

 

My blog will be quiet for a few days here since we are going on vacation.  Our son will be doing a little work for us a couple of days.  He will be replacing the bedroom closet doors and woodwork trim.  I'm happy to be gone away from the mess.  And, I feel blessed that we have a Mr. Fix It in the family!:-)

 

Ok, well, I hope all is going well in your part of the world.  You take good care and have a great week!

 

Hugs,

Maria

Paper Sweeties July Release Rewind!

Hi there!

 

Welcome to Release Rewind!  We are to combine the *new* stamps/dies with previously released stamps/dies!  Today, I used the *new* set Bee Happy(bees, sentiment, leaves) and coordinating dies Sweet Cuts-Bee Happy.  Those happy bees would put a big smile on anyone's face, don't you think?!

 

For my card,  I started with a white card base and paired it with black, orange and yellow.  The panel on top of the yellow panel was water colored.  It was then stamped with Staz On ink using the stamp set Fun Shapes.  The flowers were stamped using the stamp set Pretty Posies and die cut using Sweet Cuts-Pretty Posies.

More inspiration can be found by viewing my talented teammates blogs.  Please check them out and leave them some love!



Angel Johns
Cheryl Lea

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties
Emily Frasier
Jill Norwood 

Kathy Schweinfurth

Larissa Heskett  Mackie Robertson

Maria Patrick--that's me

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir

What's New 





 

 

 



Well, that wraps up this release for the month!  I hope you enjoyed all the inspiration!  And, just a reminder...I hope to see your creation over at the Paper Sweeties Challenge that is still going on until the end of the month!

 

And, one more reminder.  Big News!!!  Paper Sweeties now has monthly Card Kits!!!  You can join the Card Kit Club and receive additional savings!!!  How awesome to have all the materials needed to make an awesome project right there in front of you!  Stop by here for more info!

 

And, for some more FUN...Paper Sweeties will be at Scrapbook Expo in Duluth, GA this weekend!  If you're in the area, come over and visit the booth!

 

 

Happy creating...have fun!  Thanks so much for visiting here today!  Take care!

Hugs,
Maria

Paper Sweeties July Release Party!

 

Hi there!

 

Welcome to the July Release Party for Paper Sweeties!  Today, is the day to buy those *new* summer stamps!  I had lots of fun making this happy summer card!  Isn't the bee, butterfly, and ladybug so cute?!  On my project for today, I used the *new* stamp set Bee Happy!

 

For my card, I started with a white card base and paired it with green paper and an embossed yellow/green panel.  The bee, leaves, butterfly, and ladybug were die cut using Sweet Cuts-Bee Happy. The fence was die cut using Sweet Cuts-Home Tweet Home.  The small flowers were stamped using the stamp set Tree of Life add-on spring and coordinating dies, which are Sweet Cuts-Tree of Life-add-on:spring.  For the final touch, straw(green apple) and bakers twine(cookie dough).

 

Please follow along with the list below for more awesome inspiration from my teammates!

Angel Johns
Cheryl Lea

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties
Emily Frasier
Jill Norwood 

Kathy Schweinfurth

Larissa Heskett 
Mackie Robertson

Maria Patrick--that's me

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir

 

What's New 



 

 

 

Please go here to join in the fun

for the July Paper Sweeties Inspiration Challenge!

 

 











Please stop back tomorrow to see my project using another "happy bee"!  Thanks so much for dropping by!  Take care!

Hugs,
Maria

Paper Sweeties July Release Countdown!

 

Hi, Friends!

 

Welcome back to the July Release of Paper Sweeties!  Yesterday, I made a project using the "Love" die  and sentiment from the Wish stamp/die set.  And, now today, I'm sharing with you a card made with the "Wish" die and the other sentiment included with the set!  The new July stamp/die sets will be available for purchase tomorrow! 

 

The top panel was water colored with Gansai Tambi paints and run through my die cut machine using the Sweet Cuts-Wish die.  The black panel behind it shows through.  I die cut the stars using the Sweet Cuts-Be Happy dies.  The straw-(robin egg) is from Paper Sweeties, also.  Star gems from Darice and pearl cotton to finish off the card. 

 

Please follow the blog list below to view what my talented teammates have created...enjoy!

 

 

Angel Johns
Annette Witherspoon

Cheryl Lea

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties

 Emily Frasier

Jill Norwood

Julie Tucker-Wolek

Kathy Schweinfurth

Larissa Heskett

Mackie Robertson

Maria Patrick--that's me

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir



 





What's New 



 

 



Don't forget...

Please go here to join in the fun

for the July Paper Sweeties Inspiration Challenge!

 

 





Stop back tomorrow to see another fun project!  Thanks for viewing my card today!

Hugs,
Maria



Paper Sweeties July Release Sneak Peeks!

 

Hi there!

 

And, welcome to July Sneak Peeks!  Today, I'm so excited to highlight one of the new die sets this month, which is Sweet Cuts-Wish!  I used the Love die at the top of the card, which is from the set.  The sentiment is from the coordinating stamp set Wish.  Tomorrow I will show you a project using the wish die!  I'm going to give this card to my great niece for her birthday...isn't it sweet?  The *new* dies and stamps will be available on 7-15-15 for you to purchase!

 

For my card, I started with a tan card base and paired it with pink and black.  The heart design paper is from Crate Paper.  The stitched heart is from the stamp set Stitched Tags-#1 and Sweet Cuts-Stitched Tags-#1 coordinating die cut.  The cute little dogs are from the stamp set Sweeties Pets.  Enamel hearts from Recollections, pearl cotton, and seam binding ribbon from Paper Sweeties(licorice) to finish off the card.

 

I appreciate you stopping by today!  Please drop in again tomorrow to see what I created using the wish die.  And, please have fun hopping along using the blog list below to see what my teammates have created!

 

 

 Angel Johns

                                                     Cheryl Lea

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties!

 Emily Frasier

Jill Norwood

Julie Tucker-Wolek

Kathy Schweinfurth

Larissa Heskett

Mackie Robertson

Maria Patrick--that's me

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir


What's New 
 



 

 

 

Please go here to join in the fun

for the July Paper Sweeties Inspiration Challenge!

 



Take care!
 

Hugs,

Maria

 

Coming soon...

 

Hi Friends!

 

Just popping in to let you know there will be a huge celebration coming soon for Paper Sweeties!!!  Next month, Paper Sweeties is turning three!!!  Wow, how time flies when you are having fun!  And, it has been tons of fun creating with the awesome sweet stamps that Debbie designs!  Please join us for this celebration for there will be a combined company blog hop with lots of prizes!!!  Don't miss out on the fun!!!  Take care and have a wonderful day!

 

Hugs,

Maria

Thinking of You...

Hi Friends!

I made a card that can be seen below that I'm entering over at Word Art Wednesday.  The theme is Anything Goes.  I need more thinking of you cards for my stash.  I thought this one looked summery with the yellow and orange.  I even have the inside done and ready to go...yeah! 

For my card, I started with a white card base and paired it with a water colored panel.  The circle cover plate is from PTI.  The little girl image and sentiment is from MFT along with the stitched circle die.  The dots and twine are from Doodlebug. Just an easy card for my stash.  I just might make another one, but in a different color!:-) Well, that's all for now.  Hope you are having a great week!  Take care!

Hugs,
Maria