Dogwood wreath

stamps: Memory box, sentiment: PTI

die: Memory box, embossing folder: sizzix

I must say I received my new distressed markers which I colored the image above with and I LOVE them! I do see that the paper you use does make a big difference in the performance of them.  Some paper pilled, some looked streaky and the smoother paper (almost glossy) made it very easy to blend.  Looking forward to having more time to experiment with these.

It’s Monday again! The boys were disappointed that even though we have been getting warmer weather here when a weekend comes along it gets cold and windy. They have been dying to try out their new fishing toys from Christmas and Owen’s birthday. We did get a few things going that needed done though. We bought fruit trees two years ago and every year the deer have eaten every bit of green on them. This year we are installed 6 foot fencing around each tree, we have 10 or so do it total.  I have to buy 3 more soon to replace the ones that didn’t make it after being eaten, but maybe now they will have a chance to grow. We are also trying to decide what type of garden to do this year. Last year I was so disappointed, anything that grew was promptly eaten by the deer and our already well fed chickens. We constantly fought the squash bugs and ultimately lost that battle. This year I decided we would try joining a co-op, where we will get a set amount of fresh produce each week and I am very excited. We are still going to attempt to grow a garden, but in much smaller scale that can be fenced off and protected. I love God’s creatures, but I too want some fruit from my labor!

Wildflowers

Stamps: Hero arts, colored with faber-castell markers

Die: Memory box

 

This has been a crazy winter, our days here in Eastern, NC go from 70’s one day to the 50’s or lower the very next.  Our trees are budding, daffodils have been out for some time and the pollen can be seen on all surfaces. My middle child keeps asking about snow, since he remembers the wonderful snow we received last year. It is not a common thing here, but not something a four year old understands.  I look forward to taking the children to the mountains to experience a good snow sometime. Living up North for most of my childhood, I appreciate the beauty of snow just not all the work that goes along with it. Have a wonderful day and thank you for stopping by.

Snowy village

 

I used the Memory box die over a snow covered background. The hero art background was embossed with white and then colored with distressed inks.  There are so many neat examples of this die online. It can be used to create various looks.

It was a busy, fun weekend. My in-laws just purchased a vacation home here and have been busy setting everything up. Then we had Owen’s 9th Birthday party: a bonfire and oyster party at his request! The weather ended up being absolutley perfect, the temp. during the day was in the 70’s, and it only rained as the party was ending! The kids had a blast running around outside with flashlights and playing. It was a lot of work but totally worth it for Owen.

Happy Valentines Day!

Stamp is from Memory Box, paper pieced with PP, punch is from MS. Have you seen the new what's in the Box release from Memory Box? The new stamps and dies are gorgeous. Quite a few dogwood stamps, and dies I am loving it! Hope everyone has fun plans for Valentines Day. We are having a nice dinner with the kids, and a yummy chocolate creme pie for dessert. Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

Poppy in the winter

 

I love this stamp from Penny Black, the image was colored with copics. The butterflies are from Memory box, and the ribbon is from PTI.

I can hardly believe it is the last day of January, I am just finishing up year-end reports, and getting all all our stuff together for tax time. It amazes me how quickly time goes by. We have been experiencing unusually mild weather here, tomorrow it is suppose to be in the 70’s. I am looking forward to taking the two little ones outside and enjoying the weather. Pixie love being outside and wants to be let free to explore.  She still is learning her balance so she mostly has to view the outside from our arms or her stroller.  February will be a fun month, I love Valentines Day, then my Oldest will turn 9 on the 16th.  My in-laws are buying a vacation home here and we will be helping them set up the new place the week of Owen’s birthday. Owen and Wyatt are super excited since the place is by the river and the best thing about it is it has concrete! This is very exciting to the boys since, where we live there is only dirt roads, so skateboards, scooters, and all kinds of other fun (dangerous) toys. So first on my list is to outfit my boys with some safety equipment!

Have a wonderful day and thank you for stopping by! 

A step toward my resolution…

At the beginning of the year I decided I wanted to work on my art. I love making cards and different papercrafts but I would love to become more confident with my work. This is a difficult thing as I spent a lot of my time entering challenge after challenge with not much success. There are so many talented crafters out there, so the competition is steep. I would love one day to be on a design team and recognized in publications for my work. It becomes discouraging week after week come up empty on these challenges and for me has really thrown my creative side off.  For those who enter and say they don’t care about winning, I find that hard to believe. If that were the case then why would you bother entering? Do you buy a lottery ticket because you felt like throwing a dollar away? No, even though you know the chances are slim, you wanted to win. Beyond winning, it’s so wonderful to be recognized for your work, and I want to get there!

I found a wonderful online class opportunity by Joanne Sharpe here and decided this would be fun! I love her style and am looking forward to learning some new techniques. I have always disliked my handwriting, and am hoping this changes how I look at it.  Can’t wait to start and post my progress here!

Card uses all Hero art stamps, colored with copics, distressed edges.

Looking forward to a wonderful weekend, Pixie is better, slept all night last night! Can’t wait to start seeing all the peeks of the new products at CHA! So far I am very excited about the Ranger distressed markers, I can’t wait to have these! I love the distress inks and these will open up some much possibility! Have a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by.

Sick day :(

Card uses the new floral background from Hero Arts. The Floral pot is from Outlines, used distressed stains to color the images.

Yesterday poor Pixie came down with a cold, Owen had one on Sunday, and now it has moved on to it’s next victim.  We were up all last night, the only times she was able to sleep where when I was holding her.  She has a fever and a very stuffy head, this morning she did eat some, and seems to feel a little better since she is no longer clinging to me. I feel terrible when they are sick, they don’t understand why they feel bad. The bright side is Owen blew through it very quickly and was better by Tuesday, so I am hoping Pixie springs back just as quick. Now I am off to pump up my vitamins intake, I do not want to be sick! Hope everyone is having a wonderful day!