Coming Home

Meet the newest member of our little family! I met this little guy last week at Pet Smart. Jeff Ross used to say that you don't choose animals, they choose you. I have to agree! Once I held this little guy and he touched his nose to mine and then stretched out both arms to put them around my neck.... I knew he was meant to be mine. I waited a week because of travel but on Wednesday went and he was still there. I didn't think I'd get another tabby so soon after Ollie died but this little guy looks a lot like him and they had named him Alley Cat which was one of Allie's nicknames. There's a whole range of emotion behind bringing him home. I'll post again when he has a new name, but don't look for it for a few days, I'll give him a few days to get settled!

Scraps!

I absolutely love it when a plan comes together! Look closely, I had just used these Daisy D papers on Beauty on the Beach and then turned around and used them for my mom's Birthday card. Just added a chipboard tag from Colorbok, stamped a greeting inside and Voila! a handmade goody. I've been making cards for my family members for a few years, to the point, they are disappointed when they don't receive a handmade one.

It's kinda like life, you know! Everyday is full of little scraps that make up the fabric of our lives.... just something to think about! Have a blessed day!

Scrappy Saturday

Another quick project from today! This is the current sketch for Let's Scrap! Kim actually posted a card sketch but I stretched it to a 12x12 layout. Great sketch for using some scrap pieces! I also loved the angle, just something a little different. Go check out the real thing on www.Letsscrap.ning.com . It's a wonderful community full of talent and friendly folks. Come join me....

Mixing the Old and New

This is my take on this weeks sketch at 52 Sketches, 52 Weeks. The sketch itself is very simple but as I was working on this new photo of Olivia, the products I wanted to use kept growing. I think I almost over did it, to be honest, but I did manage to use a lot of older product. I used old Daisy D paper (who isn't even in business anymore), Paper Loft hinge,a cardstock sticker from AMM and a button from One Heart, One Mind, who also is out of business. It feels good to clean out some of my stash, considering I could open my own store.

I do love this photo of Olivia. Since months go by between visits, I'm newly struck by her beauty, inside and out, every time we get together. I'm looking forward to spring when she and Audrey get to come here for a few weeks!

I just finished a card swap my girlfriend, Ana Peralta, hosted on Let's Scrap and thought I'd give you a sneak peek. I mixed some old Crate Paper with brand new Marakesh from BG. I've had sheets of old Bazzill Chip Toppers in my stash and thought this was a great time to use them. The cake is a Quickutz die and I used Stickles and Liquid Pearls from Ranger to decorate it.

Liquid Pearls, a dimensional paint, which is tubed just like Stickles is one of my favorite mediums. I love the way it shimmers and it's perfect for water, icing, wax candles, etc. It does require some dry time, but I love the effect. Hope you enjoy this little card!

New Design Team Member

Okay , girls, I can't hold it back! I just got notified that I made my first ever DT on Let's Scrap! I am so very excited and honored. I love the team, Cheri, Kris, Allison and Kim and can't wait to spend the next three months under their helm! Congrats to all my fellow winner, even though I don't know who you are yet!! We are going to have a rocking good time! Woo hoo!

Together Always , you & me

It's not our anniversary or anything, it's our everyday love language. We so rarely get photos of us together that I jumped at the chance to get Anderson to snap these at Easter. Yes, I can still climb a tree at forty three! I know part of our purpose here is to be an example of the love God has planned for each of us in marriage. We aren't the norm, we understand, God has given us an extraordinary gift in the love we've found together. It's not always easy but it's deep down for all our lives. We pray over our marriage both together and separately every day and it's been an amazing journey thus far. Michael's been out of work for seven months, I'm self employed on straight commission but through all of this our love is stronger and we are learning to trust the Lord more. I'm not sharing this to gloat but give God the glory for all his goodness and faithfulness.

A shock of sorrow...

followed after we found our beloved cat, Ollie, dead in the ditch across the street. I had been out of town working for a few days and Michael said he hadn't seen him. We live out in the country and I didn't think about the possibility of him being gone, he's crossed our country road thousands of times in his nine years! I saw him right before I left and we found him the night I returned home. I won't be able to scrap anything about him for a while but had to post his beloved mug where I would see it .... pardon me if I cry... it's still a little too soon. Here's a toast to Ollie, our talker, meower, snuggler, drooler and rabbit catcher! We love you and miss you!

The Shorter Side of Me

I became cousin "it" in my search to grow my hair long enough to donate to Locks of Love. It took me just over two years to grow my hair from shoulder length to beyond my waist. I loved my long tresses until they started conflicting with my ability to drive where they constantly became tucked and pulled tight under my arms! It also became increasingly difficult to play with our puppy because I couldn't find him in amongst all the hair, even when it was pulled back. So, here's to a new, shorter me! At 43 it may have been a one time shot…. Then maybe not!