Simply Said...thanks!

With a little soft suede cardstock and ink from Stampin' Up!, along with some cardboard out of my recycle bin, this card was born. I tore the top layer of the cardboard to give it a more vintage look and distressed the edges with the ink.

The Simply Said Stamp Set from Stampin' Up! contains this beautiful sentiment in a whimsical-like font. I used the En Francais Stamp Set and the heart-to-heart punch with some very vanilla hodgepodge hardware and twine. This card turned out lovely in its simplicity. I just wanted a little note to let our friends know how much we appreciate them.

Dining Room Makeover

We've been waiting for a long time for our new dining room table and chairs to be made and delivered. They finally arrived yesterday! All the way from Charleston Forge in Boone, North Carolina. We got to pick out the finish, color, leather, etc. I took off from work yesterday and waited patiently for the truck to come and bring our furniture.

This table and chairs as well as the cabinet up against the wall (recently purchased as well) are our first furniture purchases together as a couple. We've been together for over 7 years and never bought any furniture. When we met we combined the furniture we each had from our respective house/apartment. Well, it was time for us to makeover our dining room area!

We got to eat dinner together on our new table last night! Check out the Flickr gallery for more photos!

Occasional Thinking of You

Have you checked out Stampin' Up!'s Occasional Quotes Stamp Set? Well, the thing I love about that set is that there are many sentiments that say just what you need them to.

For this card I used some vintage ribbon and seam binding to make the rosettes! To make them simply get out your glue gun and start rolling and gluing until you have the flower the size you need.

I used the En Francais Stamp Set for the background on the base of the card aloing with the Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad. The Soft Suede cardstock is a nice creamy brown. No card would be complete without a little vintage sheet music as an accent.

Bermuda Bay Birthday

I made this card for a friend. We celebrated her birthday today at work. I really love the colors on this card and they definitely remind me of her, so that's why I chose them!

The Fifth Avenue Floral Stamp Set from Stampin' Up! is my current favorite (in case you didn't notice), and I really love the Bermuda Bay cardstock and ink. The sentiment is from Close to My Heart!

Here's a closeup...

Happy Thursday!

Have you....

....checked out my ETSY shop lately? I've added a few vintage items for sale! These great vintage 8 MM home movies...

And...some vintage books...



It's been a busy week, but hopefully I'll be back to posting some projects in the next few days! Thanks for your patience!

Mountain Bike Monday - Spring Fling

Can you see it in this picture? No, not yet...but, it's here! This picture was taken last week on our first after work ride of the Spring season. Yes, it was still light at 7:15 p.m. Hooray!!!

We've been waiting for spring to get here. The clocks were moved forward and now it's going to be light when we get home from work allowing us to get back to our outside after work exercising!

When you live in the country and don't have street lights, it's a little challenging to ride or run after dark. The major reason is that it's often pitch black and super quiet. Besides the fact that people often aren't accustomed to people exercising in the country, so they are surprised when they see you on the roads. It's sometimes like we (the exercisers) are inconveniencing the drivers.

Ever notice all of our pictures are really closeup? Well, it's so hard to take pictures of yourselves when you're the only two riding! Obviously I was joking around in this photo (hehe).

And, here's a pic of the ampitheatre at the park...

They do shows all summer long! We've not been to one, but I'm sure they would be fun!! We're at the park enough, so what's one more night right?!?

And, over the weekend we visited the park again. Dynamo did his long ride on Saturday and then I joined him for a short ride Sunday afternoon.

It was a beautiful day for biking. We went and explored the lake a little. It thought this was a cool tree...

And, in the next picture Dynamo was trying to zoom in on the mud turtle sunbathing on the limb. Can you see it?

The trails were good. It started out a little chilly, but was really perfect for riding. I love this one section of the blue trail. I don't know why other than you can roll pretty quickly through it. I think I like the green fern-like plants on the sides. They stayed green all winter. Probably the only thing green in the winter at the park.

But, if you'll look at the next pic you'll see that the trees have leaves and it's looking greener!! YIPPEE!!!

And, here's the last photo. I really liked the rocks so I thought you might too!

Hope you're weekend was spring-like!!! Have a great week!

More thank yous...

I needed a few thank you cards, so I got to work. I really like the rich razzleberry, crushed curry combo!

Then, there was the rich razzleberry, dusty durango combo (another fun one)!

And, another of the first combo!

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

Thinking of you Thursday...

Sometimes you just need to let someone know you're thinking of them. Sometimes, they need to be mellow, monochromatic, and peaceful like the above card.

Or, sometimes they need to be fun, upbeat, and cheerful like this one...

You know how I love the old children's books! Well, this is an illustration from Cowboy Andy, which is a super cute book. It's about a city boy who wants to be a cowboy, so his dad sends him off to the ranch to be with Cowboy Sam!

This card was created for a friend's husband who's having knee surgery! On the inside I wrote to him saying that soon he'd be up ridin' and ropin' with his wife after he got all of his new parts! :) I just know he will get a kick out of the image! (He used to ride many many years ago)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Order up

I recently was asked to make some cards for a friend of my mom's. She really liked the card I made for Lindsey's bridal shower, so she wanted one for a wedding (blues with no shells and same paper), one general occasion blank yellow card, and one in pinks so that she could attach a lock of her grand-daughter's hair (instead of a hanky). She wanted to put her own hankies in the cards, so you will see they are without! I did cut the slots for them to slide through.

Here's the yellow...

This pink one is simple, yet pretty. For a little girl's lock of hair, it need not be overbearing.

The final package...

Pinch me

These adorable little goodie boxes are my new favorite to make! The Sizzix Big Shot from Stampin' Up! is a tool that I should use more. Now that I've discovered these petal cone boxes, I know it will get plenty of use! This die could quickly become my favorite!

To make a box it takes one sheet of 8.5 x 11" paper. Cut the paper in half and run each half through the Big Shot! I used Wild Wasabi for the box and Garden Green for the tag. I decided to close up the boxes  on top after I filled them with candy! I punched a hole in two of the four flaps, threaded vintage lace through, and tied a bow with a tag.

I love to do goodie boxes for others. The holidays are a good time to let your friends know you're thinking of them. So, you have a couple of days to think about what you might do to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! Hopefully, it involves something green and food!

Have a great Tuesday!

Mountain Bike Monday - Kermit...meet Dirt Diva

Well, Kermit and I had our first real ride together yesterday!

Isn't he handsome!!?!?!

But before that we went to church with MBM, Lisa, and the girls! We had lunch afterwards, and then MBM, Dynamo, and I headed to the park.

Here are the girls after lunch enjoying their goodies for St. Patrick's Day!

It's been a long time since I've ridden a geared bike. Talk about a change. It was a good change, though. This bike is a 20 speed with a 2 by 10 setup. This means 2 sprockets in the front and 10 sprockets in the back. The gear combination obtained by the 2 by 10 setup is supposed to have an equivalent range to a 27 speed, 3 by 9 setup. I really had fun on him. It was a great ride. The shifters are triggers, so I think that made a big difference for me. My Salsa has twist shifters, which always seemed to give me trouble. Kermit's shifters were easier, in my opinion, but it is personal preference. One isn't better than the other. 

We did some fireroad to the trails and then some singletrack. Overall, it was about 14.5 miles. A good ride! I really felt good and comfortable on Kermit. I'm super excited about him being added to our family! Right now he might be my only mode of transportation since Spot is still waiting for a part. Good thing we have backups :)

I hope you all had a great weekend. The weather was glorious. I couldn't believe that I was riding in a sleeveless shirt and shorts! I even sprayed with bugspray as a precaution, but no slithering creatures yet. Hope you all got out and got some sunshine!

Happy 4 and 7 today, Dynamo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then...

(2004 - when we started dating)

Our wedding day...

(2007 - the best day of my life!!!)

(July 2010, Wilmington, NC)

 

(October 2010, Georgia)

(February 2011, Richmond, VA)

With every day that passes I am more and more thankful of our time together as husband and wife and as best friends. You came into my life and swept me off of my feet...still do - like this!!!!!

You are my Prince Charming! I have learned so much from you and each day become a better person because of the love you show and give me...it's unconditional. Everyone should be able to experience that love. I'm so blessed to be so loved by you! I'm so blessed to have you! God has given me a special gift by giving me you! I thank him everyday for one more moment with you!

I'm so glad that you left your number on my car windshield that day 7 years ago! I'm glad I decided to call you :) We've been through lots of changes, but the one thing that has remained the same (and grown tremendously) is my love for you!

So, happy 4 year wedding anniversary, Dynamo! And...happy 7 years together!!! I love you forever and ever!!

If The Stars Were Mine

If the stars were mine,

I'd give them all to you.

I'd pluck them down right from the sky

And leave it only blue.

I would never let the sun forget

To shine upon your face.

So when others would have rain clouds

You'd have only sunny days.

If the stars were mine,

I'd tell you what I'd do:

I'd put the stars right in a jar

And give 'em all to you

If the birds were mine

I'd tell them when to sing.

I'd make them sing a sonnet

When your telephone would ring.

I would put them there inside the square

Whenever you went out.

So there'd always be sweet music

Whenever you walk about.

If the birds were mine,

I'd tell you what I'd do:

I'd teach the birds such lovely words

And make 'em sing for you.

I'd teach the birds such lovely words

And make 'em sing for you.

If the world was mine,

I'd paint it gold and green.

I'd make the oceans orange

For a brilliant color scheme.

I would color all the mountains

Make the sky forever blue.

So the world would be a painting

And I'd live inside with you.

If the world was mine,

I'd tell you what I'd do:

I'd wrap the world in ribbons

And then give it all to you.

I'd teach the birds such lovely words

And make 'em sing for you.

I'd put those stars right in a jar and

Give them all to you.

words and music by Melody Gardot, 2009 

march is full of celebrations

This month is filled with good things! Here's a birthday card I recently made...

This was for our adopted niece and I forgot to post it! Sorry!
I wanted it to be colorful and fun! Notice that the envelope is decorated too!

I just love Stampin' Up's Party Hearty set! It's probably the best birthday set I own. The paper is from a Simply Scrappin' kit. The ribbon is pumpkin pie. Of course I love the scallop circle punch and the 2 and 1/2 inch circle punch! Those are must have's if you ask me!

Happy Wednesday!