Alrighty, I'm Back

Betcha thought I wasn't coming back, huh?  Were you worried Zion was gonna be 2 by the time you saw something new?  Yeah, well, here I am. Besides being crazy busy, I also wasn't in the mood to make anything, so I didn't.  But I got some new stuff, which means inspiration, and here ya go.  I got this set that Becky designed and I just love it.  I'll try to space out my creations with it so you don't go crazy looking at the same stuff over and over. But so far, this is the only thing I've made with it, so breathe easy. For now.  But I'm loving the tree in the set. And the hill. And the other houses. And I think you get the idea. So stinkin' cute! And, I had to make some thank you cards for the MS Walk again *here's my walk page in case you get the sudden urge to donate money which is tax deductible. phew!* so those will be coming up soon, too.  And there you have it.  New stuff to look at and a worthy cause all in one. I know, I amaze myself!  You're welcome!

Also, about the card - I wasn't sure how to ground my houses, so I made a street.  It's just gray cardstock and white lines made by my faboo white pen. Cuz my mom would want to know!

Stamps: Wonderfully Whimsical & Vintage Picnic Sentiments (PTI), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: Hawaiian Shores & white (PTI), not sure which gray I used, Accessories: Signo white pen, Copics~

Zion is 1!

So, my nephew Zion turned 1.  He is seriously one of the cutest babies I have ever laid eyes on. So stinkin' precious.  And big. He's wearing 3T clothes and,  yes, he is a big boy!  You don't see it coming tho.  I was so very excited to see him when we went to his birthday party.  It's been a long time since I've had a baby-baby, so of course, I wanted to hold him. I picked him up and almost went down to the ground. He is heavy! My back started hurting after holding him for about 5 minutes.  He's more of a "sit on my lap" kinda baby. And at 1, he still has that yummy baby smell.  Now, don't go getting any crazy ideas. No, I'm not saying that I want more kids!  3 girls are good enough for me. Especially since they're not little anymore.  I don't think I have the kind of energy to start over, so I'll just be grateful for what I have.  And enjoy whatever loaner babies I'm lucky enough to get my hands on.

Stamps: Boof the Bear (Rubber Stampede), Smells Like Cake (The Cat's Pajamas), Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Spring Rain (PTI), Paper: white, kraft, Spring Rain (PTI), Accessories: Bashful Blue ribbon (SU!), Vintage Buttons (PTI), twine, Copics~

Happy Birthday Amanda

Seventeen. On the verge of being an adult, but still in that brief moment where mom (and perhaps dad?) wants to hold on for as long as you'll let her before you're officially legal.  An adult. A grown up.  Old.  This will be me in September...trying to hold on to my first baby as long as possible.  So I can only imagine what my girlfriend is going thru with her firstborn turning 17.  We've been friends since before we were 17 and that suddenly seems sooo long ago. But, luckily, we're both still young & cool enough to keep up with our teens. haha.  Ask mine & you're likely to get a smidge of a denial...and perhaps some delirious laughter.

So, the card. I am still loving my butterfly set and thought it would be good here.  A little text stamping in the background, a butterfly background stamp, a little sponging on the edges for a subtle look and then pink for some color. And it shows up more in person, but there's a little rhinestone in the middle of the butterfly for a subtle bling that I colored with my Copic to match.

Just a different angle so you can see the doubled up butterflies. I die cut 2 of my lovely winged friends, colored them in, glued one flat and placed glue dots in the bend of the one on top so it would look like it's getting ready to fly right off the card.  Now this had to be mailed, so I hope it gets there in one piece.  It had a little protective cushion in there, but if you could see the condition some of my mail is in sometimes. Sheesh!

Stamps: Background Basics: Text Style & Butterfly Dreams (PTI), Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Antique Linen Distress (Ranger), Paper: Rustic Cream & black (PTI), Accessories: Nestabilities, butterfly die (PTI) & copics: RV00, RV13, RV14 & R21

Birthday Balloons

This image is what pushed me over the edge to get this set. I saw it used in a card made by Heather Nichols, and the idea seemed so simple and obvious that I was annoyed with myself for not seeing this potential earlier.  Really? That's it? That's all there is to it? I don't know why this seemed so much more okay than buttons (which I love and now have a ton of), but it did. And of course, I've used the set with buttons already and love that, too.  I guess I just needed a push, shove and a kick in the right direction. And just in case you can't tell what makes the balloons, I stamped my beloved polky dots on some cardstock, punched out circles and then covered them up with clear dome stickers. So easy and good for mass producing...which I did not remember to do this time. Darn my addled brain!

Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (PTI), Ink: Versamark & Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: Raspberry Fizz, Plum Pudding & white (PTI), Bermuda Bay (SU!), Accessories: epoxy dome stickers, 1/2" circle punch