scrapologie

Lemonade Days

 

My baby girl just spent the last ten days with my husband's parents in Nashville (the longest I have ever been apart from her), and I missed hearing the pitter patter of her little feet and her endless questions about everything under the sun. My husband brought her back home today and I was overjoyed to see her again and cuddle and smooch her. As much as I know that time with the grandparents is good for her (and also for them) -- I found myself in a complete blue funk after she left. This doesn't bode well for the day when she will eventually leave home for good. I always thought that I was someone who had plenty of interests and activities that would keep me happily busy in retirement and when I am an empty nester, but the last ten days has proven that I am lost without my little girl. She will turn six next week and in the midst of planning her birthday party, buying presents and the general excitement of the day, I know that a part of me inside hurts on every birthday - because every step ahead is a step closer to her growing and eventually leaving childhood behind forever -- something I am not ready to deal with. Sigh.

While she was gone, I did get over to Archiver's and spied the new Lemonade and June Bug collections from Basic Grey. Both collections are gorgeous. I was able to whip up this card to share with you (I thought it would actually make a sweet Valentine card). The chipboard pieces are from the Lemonade collection, the patterned paper is from the June Bug collection (it's a B-side). The little hearts are wee magnets bought during a prior valentine's season at the Target dollar spot. The stamp is from Northwoods Rubber (available at Archivers). The glittery pink heart is from Melissa Frances.

Another busy week ahead. Don't forget to check out JBS Studio Inspiration Blog for some peeks at the upcoming July Kit - which is completely luscious, btw! The reveal will be on the 1st so be sure to check it out - the colors in the kit are just amazing. Have a great Monday!

Summer Strawberries

Sorry I have been MIA. I have lots to share. I have been busy with DT projects for Jenni Bowlin and Melissa Frances, and some other projects on the side as well.

First off - the winner of the drawing for the card I mentioned a few posts ago is Sharon - her's her post:

Sharon A. Kyser said...

Happy Birthday to ALL of you! Love those cards. I make several cards each month to give to our church to use and I enjoy the process! Stop by I see the three giveaways that I have going until June 7th.
Again, Happy BD!
Sharon A. Kyser
[email protected]
SharDon Exclusives.blogspot.com

Congrats Sharon! Email me your address and I will ship your card to you!

I have been really digging strawberries from all the lovely fruit card inspiration on Melissa's blog. I found a huge strawberry die at my LSS and used it to cut a window and make some berry sweet cards! Instead of using the diecut, I decided to use the negative space and backed the window with patterned paper, sewing around the edges and adding some embellies. The sentiment stamps are from Papertrey Ink. I have been loving Melissa's work with the stamps from Papertrey Ink and couldn't resist ordering a few along with some inkpads. I used the Perfect Match Hybrid Ink in Vintage Cream and the Mega Mixed Messages Stamp Set.

 

 

 

 

Here's something else that's been keeping me a little busy! Say hello to Murphy. That's his favorite spot - the air vent because it's a cool spot in the house.  He's almost doubled in size in a month and he's doing great with the housetraining. He's absolutely lovable. Off to Cleveland for work tomorrow. Catch ya later!

 

 

The Love of A Child

 

Despite the morning rush, which often includes me in a harried and impatient state, participating in the daily circus of getting everyone off to school and work, God sends me little messages to humble me; to remind me to be patient. To be loving. To be kind. To see the world through the eyes of a child. I was in the shower when Bob and Alekha left for school and work. And yes, I had done my usual share of corralling, harping, and threatening to get everyone moving out the door. This morning was no different than any other.

Many mornings Alekha comes to me and asks me to write her a note that she will carry around with her during the day, a reminder of how much I love her which she will proudly share with her other little girlfriends, (whose own mommies do their fair share of note writing as well). This morning I received this sweet, simple, selfless gift from my child; she asked for nothing in return. A note scribbled in crayon on the back of a used sheet of stickers, left on the kitchen counter for me to see in hopes that it would bring a smile to my face and warm my heart. In fact, it brought tears to my eyes. Children are the closest thing to God we will ever know.

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again, by Diane Loomans

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd finger-paint more, and point the fingers less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd teach less about the love of power, And more about the power of love.

 

Here is a quick card I created last night. The damask stamp is from Melissa Frances, as is the morning glory soap label. Flowers are from Making Memories, and the scalloped notebook sheet is also from Making Memories. Lots of ink and stitching. Rubon from Melissa Frances. More to share later this evening! Enjoy the rest of your day!

 

Blowing bubbles...

We've had a sudden cold spell accompanied by rain and thunderstorms, bah! So I've been at home dreaming of warm summer nights, running barefoot through the grass, blowing bubbles and catching fireflies in glass jars. I know those lemonade days are not too far away -- I can hardly wait for summer to get here!

Here are a few recent cards I created for Melissa Frances and a gift set for Alekha's kindergarten teacher:

The first card features Melissa Frances patterned paper. The onesie, crown and Little Princess phrase are all from Melissa Frances' Celebrate Baby stamp set, I also added a sticker from Melissa Frances Designer Stickers and an MF rubon. I also added MF crocheted trim, some bling, flowers and Tim Holtz ink (Vintage Photo).

This card features lovely floral images from Melissa Frances' Summer Breeze stamp set, plus more Melissa Frances patterned papers. I added May Arts polka dotted ribbon, a paper flower from Making Memories, and a chipboard butterfly from K & Co. Lots and lots of ink - I like to use Versa Magic Multi Surface Chalk Ink. It goes on so pretty - I layered some colors right onto the stamp to give the flowers a bit more color and dimension. When you layer color, always apply your light color to the stamp first, then dab on the darker color around the edges and in spots.

Another tip for you stampers --- I love to apply ink with a foam brush. I pick them up by the bagful when they go on sale at Michaels. I have lots of other tools to apply ink but the foam seems to work the best for me. I just rub the foam across the stamp pad, test a small portion, then apply it directly to the paper.

This last project was made with Imaginisce Teacher's Pet papers and embellishments. I made a card, altered notepad and a treat holder for Alekha's kindergarten teacher, a parting gift to thank her for her work this year. Alekha wrote a message on the inside of the card and got to give it to her teacher. I bought the yellow M&Ms at Michael's and filled it in altered blister packaging from an EK Success punch also purchased at Michael'sOn the notepad, I did add the gorgeous lime lace trim from my Jenni Bowlin Studio June kit, along with the lime scalloped border also from the same kit. The "One in a million" sentiment is also a Melissa Frances rubon.

 

That's it for today... I'm off to bed, good night, or good morning, depending on where you are!

Jenni Bowlin Studio June Kit Projects

Doris gave us the green light to go ahead and share our June kit projects (the entire DT gallery should be uploaded today). Here is my contribution from this month's main kit. This was such a fun, summery kit. The key lime and tangerine are a perfect color combination to kick off the month of June. My favorite kit item was the orange glass glitter and the gorgeous german scrap butterflies -- so lovely!! Detail shots and full descriptions will be posted in the gallery later today.

And these are my contributions from the June Project Kit; I ended up getting a ton of mileage out of the project kit! Jenni's mini bingo cards and the red medallion trim were fantastic:

Here's a vintage summery image to kick off the month of June, more summer images to come!