A butterfly mood

I worked on a couple of layouts yesterday. The first one is of my maternal Grandparents, Royal "Russ" and Muriel "Mickey. They've been married for well over sixty years and are an inspiration for our family. Because of them, we get together every Sunday for coffee and donuts just to connect and at least twice a year for a huge BBQ or a lobster feed. They have four children, 8 grandchildren, 18 greatgrandchildren and 1 greatgreatgranddaughter. I remind my own children everyday how lucky they are to know their greatgrandparents. My Grandfather was born in 1919 and my Grandmother was born in 1926. They were actually set up by my grandfather's mother. The story of their lives has been written down by my Grandfather and a copy has been given to each grandchild. It was the most precious gift I've ever gotten.

I used a lot of The Scarlet Lime July kit for this layout. I also used some of my own stash as well; including the butterfly cut-out. You'll notice the butterfly cut-out on the second layout I did as well. I guess I was in a butterfly mood yesterday.

I added the lollipop flower with the "believe" brad in the center because I just love the look of them; especially when they're created out of basic card stock. I did a little sewing as well. I have to admit that I'm not all that good at sewing, so it was a challenge, but I thought the Wisteria paper needed some anchoring. Anywho, I hope you like it.

This next layout is of my youngest daughter, Mackenzie. She always slept on her stomach with her arms and legs tucked underneath her causing her bum to pop up. It was the cutest thing, and occasionally she still sleeps this way. For this layout I used a lot of Jenni Bowlin. I love the softness of her papers. A lot of the items came from Scrap Attack Scrapbooking's Jenni Bowlin {SAS}sy July kit...and some of my own stash including the butterflies. I honestly love the way it turned out.

On another note, I sold four more cards in my Etsy shop the other day. I'm excited to think that someone from Oregon is going to be receiving my cards and giving them to their loved ones. That's why I do this.

Thanks for spending some time with me. Have a wonderful weekend.

M.

Another change...

I've gone and rearranged my scrapping space again!! It wasn't because I was upset or stressed which is when I usually do it. I just wanted to be able to look out the windows rather than looking at the wall, so I spent the day changing everything around. I think I'll be much happier listening to the birds and feeling the fresh air now that I'm right between both front windows.

You never realize how much stuff you have until you have to reorganize it. I still do not have enough storage space even with a huge armoire, a bookcase, and an old yellow cupboard. My husband just looks around and shakes his head....if he only knew!

As you can see, Mr. Tiggs is in his usual spot...right in my way. I tend to let him be because I feel bad for him. My three year old is infatuated with the fact that she can pick him up, so he tries to find places where she's likely to leave him alone. My desk being the favorite spot. As long as he doesn't spill my coffee, I'm okay with him there...though he's grown so much this past year that he takes up much more space than he used to.

He used to curl up in a ball on the printer tray.
This is the view from my desk - looking towards the kitchen at the old yellow cupboard and the love seat. I have to admit that the love seat isn't all that comfortable, but the girls love to sit there and read or color while I'm scrapping. It's nice having them near.

The room isn't all that large, and with all the necessary storage it makes it look smaller. What are ya gonna do?

Thanks for taking a peek at the place I spend the most time. Have a great day!

M.

Layout Update

I created this layout the other day and for some reason I wasn't all that happy with the way that it turned out. I couldn't quite put my finger on it until I actually hung it up. It was a bit off balance, so I added a flourish at the bottom left-hand side. I think it finishes it off nicely. I'm happier now.
Honestly, it doesn't take much to make me happy *giggle*

Hope you're having a great day!
M.

Big weekend plans

My cousin, Matt, and his fiancee, Lydia, had a baby boy a few months ago. He was born at 24 weeks, and has been in the NICU ever since. We've decide to have the baby shower in hopes that he'll be able to come home at the end of August. I made this card to go along with the baby album I'm working on. I used Making Memories journaling tag and chipboard shapes, Pink Paislee "fetching" rub-ons, Sassafras cardstock stickers and various stash supplies. I love the color combination of the light blue, red and black.

This weekend, we've been invited to my Aunt and Uncle's house for a barbeque. We usually get together as a family at least a few times a year. It's nice to have such a close knit bunch. Since we're all going to be together anyway, we're also going to celebrate Miss Lydia's third birthday. She is such a cutie!! She loves the color pink, so I decided on creating a party hat in pinks and threw in the lime green as an accent color. This card was really quick to make and uses K&Company paper, DCWV cardstock, Making Memories die cut flowers and large lime green button. The ribbon, embroidery floss, blue glitter glue and HB cupcake stamp are from my stash.

Well, I should get going on finishing the baby album. I absolutely love making these types of gifts for those that I love. I know they're appreciated, so that makes it even more special. I'll be sure and post the finished product.

Thanks for spending some time with me. Have a wonderful day and remember to laugh at the little things!

M.

Shop till you drop!

This is a layout of my oldest daughter on the night of her very first chorus concert. We spent the entire day looking for just the right outfit. She can certainly shop!!!

I used DCWV "Rustic" papers, Prima green lace, Fancy Pants "The Daily Grind" chipboard shapes, Tsukinek chalk ink in Coffee Bean and Hint of Pesto, and from my stash: buttons, paper flowers, wooden letters, tag, and gold glitter glue.

The details:

Thanks so much for looking and have a wonderful day!

M.

Happiness

"The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for." - Allan K. Chalmers

I've found my happiness. My children, my family, my paper addiction, and the thought that someday I'll be able to sit back on a huge porch in a comfy rocker watching my grandchildren playing with no regrets.

I've finished another boxed card set. This one took some time, and I have to say that I'm very happy with the way that it turned out. I almost didn't list it in my Etsy shop...I toyed with the idea of saving it for myself, but....you can get it at Reverie Creations for $14.50! A steal! *giggle* There are a total of five cards in this set ("In Flight") with various sentiments. The box itself was recycled from a Making Memories kit I purchased. I'm all about upcycling!

Have a wonderful day and remember to laugh at least once!

M.

"There's Less Time Left" - Malcolm Forbes

I've never been the type to put much stock in age. You're as young as you feel, right? Well, I have to admit that I'm really having a difficult time with the age that's fast approaching. I'm going to be - dare I say it? - 40! FORTY! I'm being silly, I know. My girls tell me all the time that I look 30...bless their hearts.

With birthdays on my mind, I made these cute little cupcake cards for my shop. I really like the button-cherry with the twine twisted into a stem. I got the idea from someone on Scrapbook.com, but I can not remember their name. My apologies. I used a real cupcake liner and some scraps I had in my stash.

This card only took a few minutes to make...I love it when everything comes together. I used a piece of scrap paper and stamped a couple of wildflower images (Hero Arts) in chalk ink. Tied it up with a ribbon and added a clear sticker sentiment. Quick and easy, but it looks as if it was complicated.

The "Natural Beauty" card was started a while back, but never finished. I didn't know where I wanted to go with it. The flower was stamped and then finished with Tim Holtz Distress embossing powder in milled lavender and antique linen. I added the butterfly, some lavender vellum to the bottom, a ribbon and a few gold tone brads to balance it all out. Another all occasion card. Gotta love those!

All in all, a constructive few days. I'm currently working on a vintage style recipe book. It's taking a lot of time and thought, but I think once it's finished it will be nice. I only hope it's something that sells.

Have a wonderful weekend!

M.

What summer???

It's hard to believe that summer is already half over...at least here in Maine. I have to complain a little bit because it hasn't been all that great weather wise. We've had way above average rain fall and the temperatures haven't been out of the 70s. Believe it or not, we can get into the 90s with high humidity. Not this summer. The kids have to be back in school by August 27th and we've only been to the beach three times.

Yesterday, I took the kids to this little park we have just down the road from the house. It has walking/hiking trails, a couple of swimming ponds with a beach, and a small playground. They even have a soccer field and a baseball diamond. It's nice and only costs a dollar to enter if you're a resident of the town. The kids didn't take their bathing suits because my oldest nephew, Kade, got it somewhere that there were leaches in the swimming pond. I tried to convince them otherwise, but they chose to take his word. Let's just say that I had some soaked kids and wet seats by the time we left.

showing a little 'tude.

Darling Kolby in the tunnel

My youngest daughter

Right before they asked to go swimming. The girls ended up going in their shirts and underwear and the boys in their shorts-no shirts. How could I say no? I also had a hard time not rubbing it in when they found no leaches! *giggle*

I've been busy with the kids, but I've also managed to finish a few items for my shop. Sleep is so overrated!!

This is a boxed card set. It contains 4 cards within a handmade box. I was pretty proud of myself for making the box...my very first one.



I'll have to post the rest of my cards sometime this weekend.

Thanks for spending some time with me. Have a wonderful day!

M.

I'm not complaining...

I've been so busy this last week!! It's been raining constantly, so I've had all five kids inside complaining about how bored they are. I've had to come up with entertaining projects and games for them to play (I'm not sure where their imaginations went) AND I've had to replenish my Etsy store stock. A wonderful lady from Singapore, Mona, purchased nine of my cards!!

However, this wonderful and exciting transaction turned into a fiasco. Mona attempted to checkout, but Etsy told her that I didn't ship internationally. So, I had to update each and every item with international shipping quotes. Then, when she attempted to pay for her purchase through PayPal, there was a pop up message that indicated that I didn't accept payments from anyone outside the United States. Who are they to say that I don't ship internationally or accept foreign currency!!! Needless to say, this particular woman is a saint. She ended up being my first international customer and in the end a Guinea pig for what I needed to do in order to complete this sale. I knocked half off the shipping price because of her patience and understanding.

Anyway, here are the items I've managed to create in the chaos. They can be purchased at Reverie Creations.

This cute little set of four cards measure 2" square and are embellished with handsewn buttons and fabric flowers. I thought they would make cute cards for any occasion - you could also tuck one inside your loved ones coat pocket or inside a lunchbox.

This card is another all occasion card - left blank on the inside for your own personal message. Created with cardstock, DCWV Garden Party papers, Thickers accent stickers, Stampendous Petite Dragonfly stamp, dye ink, fabric, handsewn buttons, and alpha stickers.

I premade the paper flowers weeks ago for another project, so I made another any occasion card using them. I just love their worn/loved look. This card is made with cardstock, DCWV Garden Party papers, ribbon, handsewn buttons, Special Moments flower brads, Rubber Stampede Rose Leaves stamp, Cloud 9 Designs Simple Thoughts clear stamp, black dye ink and a wire and bead butterfly. The butterfly is my favorite part of the whole card, and I have to admit that it came off a ponytail holder that I purchased at my local discount store. I LOVE to upcycle.

This last card was inspired by the "Mud Models" layout I did. I used the same dress stamp by Inkadinkado. I also used Websters papers, chalk ink, cardstock, OTC flowers, brads, a piece of vintage lace from my stash and a couple of stick pins. I really love the way it turned out...so shabby chic.

Well, I'm going to get busy on some more items for my store. I hope you stop in to check out the new items as well as my large selection of sale items...reduced in price and shipping cost.

Have a wonderful day!

M.