This is the life.

We just got back from vacation.  Every year, my parents, my sister and her boys, and my girls and I spend a week on the lake together.  We haven't had much luck by way of weather over the years, but this year we hit the jackpot.

 The water was perfect and the sun plenty.  It was what we all needed to recharge, and yes, this is our kind of camping.

Our dog, Scooter, loved teasing the ducks and playing pass in the water.  He even went on a canoe ride.

The kids spent most of their time in the water.  The one day that it rained...they were in the water.                                  

Nothing beats days by the water soaking up the sun, evenings around the fire pit roasting marshmallows and making smores, playing cribbage into the night, and lots of laughing.

We hope that next year brings the same weather.  In the meantime, we'll hold dear all the memories we created...this is the life!

Have a wonderful day, my friends!

                                                           

Something new and polka dots too!

For someone who's lost their mojo, I've been pretty busy as of late.

Maybe it has to do with the confidence boost I got from all the ladies participating in last week's blog challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room.  I was left so many nice comments and then found out this morning that I got an honorable mention for my 'Tea for Two card'.  Could I be cured?!  I'm not going to go that far, but I want to thank everyone who left some love.  It was VERY much appreciated!!

This week, The Shabby Tea Room is asking us to play with polka dots.  Love polka dots, so I'm in!  Besides, I'm on a roll, right?

This was the photo inspiration:

Sort of looks like pea soup with mini marshmallows.  Ewwww, but I went with it.

Or so I thought.  I was drawing a blank (again), and then I remembered a paper bows tutorial from way back in July by Heidi (Van Laar Designs).  I had followed along and made one out of polka dot paper...I could use that.  So, now I had a starting point...and it was something new because I usually use ribbon or crinkle seam binding on most of my cards.

This is what I ended up with:

Who doesn't love chocolate cake?  That's got to earn some points in itself!

I'm actually pretty happy with this one because of how it all came together.  I certainly used polka dots and with a little embossing and glitter, the cake almost looks edible.

And it all started with this:

So, thank you Heidi for educating me on paper bows, and thank you to all the wonderful ladies who inspired me.

Materials used:  5"x6.5" card stock, printed image, GCD paper, DCWV paper, paper doily, Inkadinkado stamped sentiment, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye, Tsukineko Moonlight White chalk ink, paper bow, vintage button, Ranger fine embossing powder and glitter.

I was on such a roll that I created another card.  Nothing to do with polka dots, but I managed to finish it without losing clumps of hair...progress!

Materials used:  6.5"x5" card stock, vintage card, Crafty Secrets paper, Basic Grey paper, DCWV paper, bakers twine, black satin ribbon, Kraft card stock, Making Memories eyelet, K&Company stamped sentiment, adhesive gems and Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Black Soot.

Two cards in one day!  I'm on cloud nine, people!!!

Have you been inspired today?  If you need a little push, head on over to The Shabby Tea Room where you'll find plenty of the good stuff!!!  They're a talented bunch and generous with their love.

Have a wonderful day, my friends!

M.

Wow!

Isn't this AMAZING?!



This was created by design team Linda and John Meyers for the VIA Advertising Agency in Portland, Maine.  They've recently moved their offices into the old Baxter building which served as Portland's public library from 1888 till the 1960s.

I thought it was an ingenious use of old books...way to recycle!

 

Thanks for stopping by,

M.

Oh, creativity...where are you? I have "Tea For Two".

"Dear Creative Block,

I always welcome company, and I'm usually a tolerant and patient woman, but I have to assert you've been lingering around my studio longer than I care to tolerate.  Who invited you anyway?  Please make other living arrangements as soon as possible.   

Sincerely and as nicely as possible,

M."

I've been spending a lot more time blog hopping these days desperately searching for my lost creativity.  I'm not sure where I went wrong or what button I pushed, but it's gone and left me lonely and clueless.

  Those that have managed to maintain their artistic spark surely never disappoint with their talent (jealousy comes to mind when I think about it :), and I figure that most of them have far more creativity than they actually need, sooooooooooo

 do you think they would share? :)

I realize that a block of some kind must occur (as required by the laws of creativity), but what is one supposed to do with that part of their brain in the meantime?  I'm barely sustaining with design challenges.  It's like when the wicked witch has water thrown at her...I'm melting away!

The Shabby Tea Room has thrown down the gauntlet for a "Tea For Two" themed project using blue and green and this picture for inspiration:

 After pulling half my hair out and doing and undoing a half dozen cards (maybe more), I finally managed to create this:

I'm still not even sure if I like it, but here it is for all the blogging world to see (all 7 of my followers).

Materials used:  5"x6.5" card stock, K&Company paper, DCWV paper, paper doily, printed vintage image, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye, crinkle seam binding, handmade tag and heart embellie, glitter, button, Prima gems, and Making Memories brad.

If you're interested in finding a little inspiration, don't look to me...I'm plum out of business for now, but you can head on over to The Shabby Tea Room and gander at all the goodness going on for those lucky ducks rolling in creativity.  :)  You certainly won't be disappointed!

Have a wonderful day (I'll be on the hunt)!

M.

Peek-a-boo!

I love babies!  I love everything about them...the way they smell after a bath, the way they smile at you and coo.  I would have an entire house full if I didn't want to eventually retire to someplace warm!  I stopped at three beautiful girls, but I still stalk all those babies I see out in public.  Yup, I'm that person!!

I found this adorable vintage photo and I knew I had to use it.  Isn't she the sweetest?  I love how she's looking into a mirror as if she's wondering who that is looking back at her.  And look at those pointed toes!!!

Since it was time for Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Trigger, I got to work creating a card based on this inspiration photo from Pinterest:

Luminous Layers

This is what I came up with:

I absolutely loved the colors and layering on the dress and incorporated them into my 'Peek-a-boo" card while maintaining the shabby vintage look I love so much.

Materials used:  5"x6.5" card stock, DCWV Cotton Blend and Be Mine paper, Crate Paper Restoration Collection paper, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye, crinkle seam binding, vintage button, Making Memories button brad, Inkadinkado clear stamp sentiment, safety pin painted with acrylic paint and machine stitching.

You can play too...download your paper creation to Moxie Fab World by August 14th (be sure and check out the details).  I'm looking forward to seeing how you've been inspired!

Have a wonderful day!

M.

C'est la fête...Paris style!

Don't you just love a party?  

The perfect party is what every girl dreams of!

Starting with the invitations... 

your guests will certainly feel honored once they've opened one of these!

Tied up with a classic black ribbon and personalized name tag...

once untied, they pop open to reveal a glitzy pink, silver and black invite to party Paris style! 

Oooo la la!

As your guests arrive, present them with their very own gala mask!

How fun!

Each is designed with lots of glitter, crepe paper, ribbon and glamour!  Just hold it up in front of your eyes with the attached holder and voila...très magnifique!

And you can't have a party without cupcakes!

Add these little toppers to individual cupcakes for each of your guests and they can take one home as a spéciale memento!



As the party winds down and your guests are leaving, show your appreciation by giving them each a "Merci" goodie bag.

Now, that's a party...c'est une fête!!

Everything can be purchased in my Etsy shop.  I'd also be happy to create a party pack just for you!

 

Party on!

M.

Vintage Shabby Gift Set

What a wonderful weekend.  The girls spent all day Saturday and Saturday night with their Grandparents, so I had some precious time to myself.  I went shopping with my sister and was able to get my youngest outfitted for school (she's going into Kindergarten and still thinks Mom is stylish enough to pick out her clothes).  I also purchased a couple new shirts for myself and some 12"x12" DCWV (Street Lace and Cotton Bloom) paper stacks for $5.99 each (the planets must have been aligned)!

The rest of the time was spent in my studio.  I finished this Vintage Shabby Gift Set that includes a journal, bookmark and card.  I think it makes the perfect gift for someone who loves to write.

The card has a sweet vintage image of a little girl that I thought went nicely with the set.  I used ribbon roses and paper doilies on all three because they're my fav!  What can I say, I'm a girlie girl at heart.

The journal was made using a recycled book cover and is full of unlined paper bound together with twine.

Material used:  Kraft postal paper, K&Company paper, paper doilies, lots of hand rolled ribbon roses, floral pins, petite craft roses, chipboard tag (painted with acrylic paint and glittered), burlap leaves, chipboard flourishes, seam binding, vintage buttons and twine. 

The set can be purchased in my shop, Reverie Creations.

On Sunday, my sweet parents had a little get together for my birthday.  My sister gave me three blue Ball canning jars in various sizes for my craft space (one can never have too much storage) and a gift card to my one of my favorite stores, TJ Maxx.  My parents gave me some vintage finds they procured during one of their many antiquing trips...a large bag of white and cream buttons, some old lace doilies and table runners, a huge lot of junk jewelry, a 1927 book of sheet music (Johannes Brahms Choral Music), and a vintage book on Rome with some gorgeous pictures in it.  I'll have to scan some of them to share!  My baby girls made me beautiful cards and posters that I'll hang in my studio.

It was a perfect weekend!

So, how did you spend your weekend?

M.