Stamp Night for March

I'm posting some more cards that I made at my Monthly stamp night. I really look forward to our card class each month. As I said before, I did not design the cards...my Stampin Up Demo, Stacie, did...I really did have fun making them up. All stamps and material used are by Stampin UP.

"Enjoy yourself, these are the good old days you'll miss in the years ahead"~Anon

Heart swap

It's the end of March, but it's still National Craft Month...so I wanted to do a post for that event...I enjoy doing a lot of different crafts, card making, sewing, crochet, cross stitch, and I used to do a little bit of knitting, smocking, etc.

So when the group I belong to at yahoo wanted to do another swap...a heart swap, I joined in. It was a fun exchange, and I think I'm going to put my "hearts" into a shadow box.

This is the blog where we found some ideas of how to do our hearts...

http://ninimakes.typepad.com/nini_makes/2008/03/spring-crafts-a.html

"A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart."

All things bright and beautiful

All Things Bright and Beautiful

All creatures great and small

All things wise and wonderful

The Lord God made them All!

I found the pattern to cross stitch this baby bib in a Better Homes and Gardens craft book

LSC213 Split Coast Card Challenge

This is the card that I entered into the Split Challenge LSC213. (limited Supply Challenge) In the challenge you were only allowed to use Black, White, and Silver on your card. I chose to use the spirelli technique for my embellishment. It's an easy technique that I really enjoy doing.. It's great to decorate cards or scrapbook pages...

I found the two links below with helpful instructions for doing spirelli...

http://www.stubbystampers.com/spirellisteps.htm

http://rubberstampingdiva.com/?p=84

The designer background paper I found at the link below

http://crafterskitchen.blogspot.com/

Favorite Things Friday #6

I can't believe that it is Friday already. This week did go fast for me. So that means it is time for my Favorite things post. If you have been following my Friday posts...You should know a bit more about me by now, You would know that I am a bit too sentimental, (save too many things) like to cross stitch, sit on the swing my husband made for me and read, collect music boxes, and consider spring my favorite season. Today I am posting my very favorite meal, Spaghetti! See recipe below. I know the picture isn't too classy, putting the "PAN" on the table, but it's how my husband served it, and the most important thing is that it tasted GREAT!

"No man is lonely while eating spaghetti; it requires to much attention." ~Christopher Morley

Tomatoless Spaghetti Sauce

As I mentioned in my previous post...My husband loves to cook and even makes up his own recipes. He very graciously, is allowing me to post one of his own recipes for my blog. This is my very FAVORITE meal that he makes for me. I am allergic to tomatoes. I love tomatoes, but they do NOT like me, and I get a very bad rash (or worse) from them. He knew I missed eating spaghetti with tomato sauce (a favorite of mine) so He made up this recipe for me. He puts meat in it...but I'm sure you could make it without meat. He also adds a little bit of wine, but that also can be left out of the recipe and I'm sure it would still be good.

Birthday Card for my husband

My husband really likes to cook and does just about ALL the cooking in our home. I have to admit that he cooks much better than I do, or ever could...so I am happy to let him do as much cooking as he wants. I am so spoiled! I would rather eat his cooking than go out to a restaurant somewhere. I made this card for him for his birthday this year.

"The most indispensable ingredient of all good home cooking: love for those you are cooking for." ~Sophia Loren

3d image from Crafty Nikky

March

It's spring but it still felt a bit the winter here today...

I thought the quote below described the day perfectly...

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade." ~Charles Dickens

Spiral pyramid card image by Judith...

I hope you dance

I don't know how to add a video in a blog yet...so I hope the link below is correct and works...It's a link to a favorite song of mine... "I hope you Dance" sung by Lee Ann Womack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KFAa40kZ30

The 3d image on the card is from Chrstine D. and the background on the card is designer paper from Hot off the press booklet Lovely and Lacy Papers

Birthday card for Kathy

It's a bit cool where I live, so it doesn't feel like spring, but I am ready for spring! spring weather, spring flowers, pretty gardens, etc.

The card I am posting today is a birthday card I made for my sister-in-law who always has a pretty garden. The picture on the outside of the card came from

http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c191/d0npen/

and the 3d items inside the card came from Nikky and the directions for making a tunnel card came from the link I've posted below...
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/tunnel_card/

Friends

"Wherever you are it is your friends that make your world." ~William James

3d image from Dover

I'm dating myself, I once sewed myself an outfit that looked very much like the one on the card.

Angels

I know that this is strange to post a Christmas card in March...but I like the scripture verse that I have posted below and I thought that this card was a good match to the verse...

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained Angels unawares." ~ Hebrews 13:2

Rubber stamped image is from Rubber Stampede, image was heat embossed.

Thinking of you

Thinking of you card image by Crafty Nikky, card also has some paper piercing around the flowers.

GIVE ME A KIND HEART

Give me a kind heart that will endure,

One that's strong and secure.

To help someone along the way,

May this be my goal everyday.

Let me lend a helping hand

To someone whose life has not gone as planned,

Reaching out to one in need,

To provide a guiding light

For someone lost in the dark of night,

Let me take time to care

For someone experiencing despair,

Whatever I do, everywhere I go,

Your Will, Dear Lord, let me know.

~Eve Kiley

Favorite Things Friday #5

My favorite thing that I'm posting about today is...Spring. Spring is my favorite season. I had hoped to be able to post lots of photos of flowers, and spring related things today...but that didn't happen for me. I'm a real novice at taking photos, and the ones I've taken lately, aren't worthy of posting on the net, and I couldn't find the discs that have some old photos of spring flowers on them to post...so this is a disappointing Friday post for me..I hope to do much better later on.

"Our greatest glory is not in never failing but in rising up every time we fail." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Flower of the Month for March

Above image is from www.familymanagement.com
The Daffodil is the flower for the month of March.
Below is a link to a website with The daffodil principal...I know it has gone around the internet quite a bit...but if you have never read it...it's worth reading...or if you have read it before...it's worth reading again...

http://www.atthewell.com/daffodils/

Card using Sarah Kay image

The Sarah Kay image on this card was from a swap of lovely images sent to me by Connie. Connie does beautiful work

You can see her blog here: http://stampinfrogscreativejourney.blogspot.com/

I am so impressed at how beautifully she colors her images. She kindly sent me a couple of images to practice with, and I am so glad she did. Even though, I know my work doesn't begin to compare with hers...I am happy with my first result, and don't feel as intimidated about trying to color my stamps now. I am going to put in an order for some of these beautiful Sarah Kay stamps (as soon as the budget allows me to)

I don't have any fancy markers so I just used the few colored pencils that I have on hand (left over from the days my grandchildren used them to draw (smile)

I used my Stampin Up Blender pen to smooth out the color.

I have to make a confession, Connie, and tell you that I didn't color the hat very well, and that's why the hat is paper pieced. I added some lace and embossed flowers with the buttons to embellish the card. I used some stampin Up designer paper for part of the background.

Thank you, Connie, I had fun...and I will definitely, (in time--I am a slow card maker), use the rest of the images you sent me.

"Since there is nothing so well worth having as friends, never lose a chance to make them." ~ Francesco Guiccardini

My Mother-in-Law

This cross-stitch is the cover of a box that I had made for mother-in-law's birthday. I made it to match the pillow that I posted this past Sunday (the 15th) which would have been her birthday.

LOVE LIVES ON

Those we love are never really lost to us--

We feel them in so many special ways--

through friends they always cared about

and dreams they left behind,

in beauty that they added to our days...

In words and wisdom we still carry with us

and memories that never will be gone...

Those we loveare never really lost to us--

for everywhere their special loves lives on.

~Amanda Bradley~

I lost my mother-in-law 8 years ago today. I know I was very blessed to have the kind of relationship that we had. I'm sure very few people can make the statement that I have said,

"My mother-in-law was my best friend."

She was my mother-in-law, Mother, neighbor, and best friend all rolled into one, and even after all this time, I still can't believe that I can't walk to the house next door to me, open up the door, and say "Good morning, Mom, how are you today?" Then I would walk over the the coffeepot (it was always on) pour my self a cup of coffee and we would chat. Sometimes that was followed by praying together, or crafting together, or just having a good laugh.

She taught me to sew, cross-stitch, crochet, and how to enjoy life more. She lived her life to the fullest, and was called MOM by many people besides her own flesh and blood children. She was a great listener, a shoulder to cry on, and someone you could always count on. Mom I am so glad that the Lord put you in my life; you filled my life with such great memories. You will never be forgotten.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I have to admit that I am NOT Irish, but my husband is...so that means that my last name is Irish...does that count? ...smile...

The is another card where I found the pattern at http://www.circleofcrafters.com/ website.

CLASSIC IRISH BLESSING!

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine upon your face

The rains fall soft upon your fields

And, until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Another card from Stamp Night

I'm posting another card from stamp night. I did not design this card...my great Stampin Up demonstrator did. I just put it together...Thank you Stacie!

St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic. ~Adrienne Cook

In Tribute to Mom

I had given this pillow to my mother-in-law as a birthday gift, on March 15th...
many years ago. We lost her to cancer Eight years ago this week.

"The love of a mother is the veil of a softer light between the heart and the heavenly father." ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Learn about Butterflies

Did you know it's Learn about Butterflies day? I didn't till I just read it on the internet today. So Today I'm posting a card with a BUTTERFLY on it...I guess you would have never guessed that after what I just said LOL.

The card is one of my first tries at heat embossing so it leaves a bit to be desired...we all have to start somewhere! The Butterfly stamp is an
"All night Media" stamp by Anna Griffin

http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Art%20Gallery.htm

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/March/butterfliesday.htm

Favorite Things Friday #4

It's Friday and it's time to post another one of my FAVORITE things, and this beautiful music box is sure to be a treasure. My husband ordered it for me for Valentine's day, but it came late. So it's now a Valentine's day present and an early Birthday present. I have over 50 music boxes, collected over many years, I have only purchased one myself, all the rest were gifts for Christmas, birthdays, Anniversaries, etc. given to me by many different members of my family and friends. They are all special to me. This one is special because it was a gift from my husband, and when he saw it, he thought to himself that it was so ME! And he is so right, besides liking music boxes, I like Thomas Kinkade things, and gazebos. The Music box plays, "You Never Walk Alone." another favorite song of mine.

When you walk through a storm hold your head up high,

And don't be afraid of the dark.

At the end of a storm is a golden sky

And the sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind,

Walk on through the rain,

Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown.

Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart,

And you'll never walk alone,

You'll never walk alone!

CC195 Wish card

This is a card that I had entered into a Split Coast challenge back in November. I'm posting this today because I thought it went well with my Favorite things Friday post showing the beautiful music box that My husband gave to me.

The card is rubber stamped with a Thomas Kindkade stamp, and embossed with cuttlebug small folders, I added ribbon and brads to the card. I used the cracked glass technique on the Wishing Well image.

"Life is like a coin, you can spend it any way you WISH, but you only spend it once."

For Iris's Birthday

This is a card for our dear friend, Iris, who is celebrating her birthday today...

In the language of flowers and what they mean:

Iris: Faith; hope; wisdom and valor

Virginia 10 years ago

Ten years ago we stayed for the first time at a Bed and Breakfast. We had always wanted to try one and we are so glad that we did. What a treat! The first one that we stayed at was the best! Even though it was ten years ago, we still consider the Bed and Breakfast hostess (owner) a friend. We haven't had the opportunity to see her that often in the last few years, but the memories of meeting her and spending time at her Inn are still with us after all these years have gone by. Today is her birthday, so today I am posting for you, Iris...

Happy Birthday!

The photos on this post were taken 10 years ago on our first trip to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

The Bed and breakfast where we stayed...

The Peaks of Otter picture is where we ate our lunch.

The Pat Buckley Museum was such a treat to visit.

"Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers...the mind can never break off from the journey."

Johnny Appleseed Day

Today is supposed to be Johnny Appleseed Day...so I'm posting some cards to go with this day...The 3D card I made...but the card with the machine embroidered apple my sister in law made for me, with her new sewing machine. I think her card is so creative, she made it using Aida Cloth for the background (cross-stitch fabric)

"Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed." Robert H. Schuller

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/March/appleseedday.htm

Iris folded flower

"Friendship is the sweetest flower, Picked and given at any hour."
The fold I used to make this Iris folding card can be found at
http://www.cardsandcrafts.freeservers.com/zigzagfold.html

spring flowers for today

"Where flowers Bloom so does hope."~ Lady Bird Johnson

He Hath made..

Tea bag Folded card

Card I made with a tea bag folding technique...I can't remember where I found the tea bag graphics...but the directions for the tea bag folding can be found here

http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w60/jomumo4/Fold%20Sheets/

Favorite Things Friday #3

This can definitely be called one of my "favorite" things. My garden swing! My husband made this swing for me for our Wedding Anniversary. It's one of my favorite places to sit and read a book. As you can tell by the picture, it's a cold place to sit and read these days, but the snow and cold weather will be gone soon, and my swing will get well used again. My husband even put a roof overtop of my swing so I can sit in the shade, and I even use it while we are having a light summer rain.

Me Reading?

This card seemed appropriate to go along with my book/reading post. The 3D image is by Nikky, and I added some outline stickers.

A Favorite Author

This is the book I just finished reading, written by one of my favorite authors,

I enjoyed the book, but My favorite by this author is still "The Christmas Box."

This Grandmother could relate to the time period that this book was written in "The sixties" brought back some memories for me.

"No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books." ~Elizabeth Barret Browning.

Filoli Gardens page

Instead of a card today, I decided to post a scrapbook page, I made of Filoli Gardens. I'm not much of a scrapbooker, or much of a photographer...but I still hope you enjoy the page.

http://www.filoli.org/

6th folder, 6th picture

I have been tagged by Barbara at Serenity Gate. You can see her website here

My instructions were to go to my 6Th folder on my computer and find my 6Th picture in that folder, and post it to my blog. I'm also supposed to blog about the photo that I found there. I am slightly cheating, I am posting a photo from my 6Th folder, but it is photo #5, (Believe me, you don't want to see photo number 6, I am not much of a photographer and photo number 6 proves that!)

The photo that I am posting is from our vacation to California in April 2007. I live on the east coast and it was our very first trip to the west coast. I hope it won't be our last. We have not had the opportunity to travel much, and when we do...it's usually just a short distance from home and only for a weekend. The plane ride to California was only my second time on an airplane. (that was the only thing on the vacation that I did not enjoy) I get motion sickness, and I felt very claustrophobic on the plane, but I survived and my vacation was well worth having to go through being on a plane.

The photo is of Filoli gardens, Woodside, California. A Beautiful place to visit, we thoroughly enjoyed our time spent there, just wished we could have stayed longer. We were there on a day with perfect weather. The garden was just a sea of pink and purple blooms. Pink is my favorite color, so you know that I was awestruck by the beauty of the flowers. My husband is a much better photographer than I am...so later on, I hope to post some of his beautiful pictures of the garden.

"The Kiss of a sun for pardon, the song of the birds for mirth, one is nearer God's heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth." ~Dorothy Frances Gurney

I've missed Blogging

I've missed blogging, so I am taking a break from my decluttering to do a quick post of a card I made a while ago.

The 3D image is from Nikky

"The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are more important to the soul than their simplicity might suggest." ~Thomas Moore