Freshly Made Butterflies

It's Wednesday which means a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches. Linda S designed this fun sketch; I love the banner and sentiment layer.  I wasn't sure I was going to get a card made this week, but I found that I *needed* to stamp yesterday to get my mind off things.   I decided to make a card for my mom.   I want to thank all of you who responded to my post yesterday and asked for her address.  I am happy she'll be getting so many cards in the mail soon.  

I was in a purple mood for some reason yesterday.  I used Wisteria Wonder; aren't we all glad it's sticking around?  I wish Concord Crush had replaced Elegant Eggplant, but I didn't get my way with that one either. I'm still missing that color.  I was in a retired stamp set mood I guess so all the stamping is from sets that were just gathering dust.   

Stamps:  Butterfly Prints, Love & Care

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder

Paper:  Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, 2011-2013 In Colors stack, Whisper White

Accessories: Basic Pearls

Tools: Butterfly Punch (retired)

I love this picture.  It was Laila's first time meeting her and she was so content to just sit in granny's lap and look at her. 

Goodbye Sweet Granny

No new card today.  I just wanted to take a minute to share a story.  My mom called me yesterday morning to tell me that my granny had passed away.  It was a very unexpected call and I'm still in shock.   While we knew she was getting older and having some health issues, we had no idea she would pass away so quickly. These pictures are about a month old now.  When we took them I never thought it would be the last time I would see her.   

If you are wondering why I'm posting on my card blog, it's because my granny loved my cards.  My mom would tell me about how she would be so excited to get one and have to show them to everyone who visited.   Most of my general cards are made with her in mind.  I'm so thankful that I was able to get one in the mail that she received just last week.  That love, that knowing that someone is thinking of you is really the reason we should be doing this.   With all the technology out there, it still doesn't compare to the power of the written word.  Of a lovely handmade card.   Perhaps you have a grandparent or a parent, even a cousin who might like one?   Think about mailing off one today...

The other reason I'm writing is for my mom.  She's been spending a lot of nights with my granny and was there with her yesterday.    She is beyond devastated to say the least. Even worse, today is mom's birthday.   I was hoping maybe some of you might have a card to send mom's way?  A sympathy card, thinking of you card, just something to show up in her mailbox to let her know there's people out there thinking about her.   If you can do that, please email me and I'll send you her address.   

I'm off to hug my girl.   Today is a day when every moment is precious.  

Fab Friday Flowers

I started a card sometime this week, maybe Friday, but I didn't get time to finish it until today.  I woke up around three this morning and couldn't go back to sleep, so...   It uses the sketch from this week's Fab Friday challenge and the color challenge at Splitcoast.  

The colors were some that will be retiring soon, River Rock, Baja Breeze, and Not Quite Navy.   I also used an embossing folder from the Holiday catalog that is still available, but will not be carried over.   And finally, there are some accents on the tag from French Foliage, another retiring product.  Thankfully Summer Silhouettes and Sweet Essentials will be staying around.  :)

Stamps:  French Foliage, Summer Silhouettes, Sweet Essentials

Ink:  River Rock, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy

Paper:  Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Neutrals DSP stack

Accessories:  Basic Pearls, Baja Breeze and Very Vanilla seam binding, linen thread

Tools:  Big Shot, Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Little Leaves sizzlit, Finishing Touches edgelits, 3/8 circle punch

10 months yesterday!  Time is just flying by!

CASE this Owl

I took advantage of Laila's second nap today to get in a little stamping. I decided to work on the new sketch from CAS(E) this sketch!   While a lot of my friends were working with their new pre-order goodies, I pulled out some of my retiring products.  :)   I'm saving every penny I make for when the entire catalog goes live!

I love Aviary and really haven't used it nearly enough.   I think I'll be keeping it in my stash along with my favorite green, Lucky Limeade.   

Stamps:  Aviary, Best Yet (retired)

Ink:  Staz On Black, Lucky Limeade

Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White, In Color DSP stack

Accessories:  Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine, Neutrals buttons

Laila is feeding herself most of her meals now.  It's funny to watch her because she'll eat all of her favorite item first (carrots, if they are on there, are always first) and then her second favorite, and so on.  Even if I mix it all up, she'll pick them out in her order.   Her eye is looking much better today thank goodness.  Jason has been diligent in working on it this week and it seems to have helped.  Or it may be that we finally made her a doctor's appointment for Monday and she wants to get better so we go and look like we are crazy parents? lol

FMS83: Just Believe

The very talented Allisa created this week's awesome sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.   It's a great one and I'm totally pinning it for future reference!  For me, it paired VERY well with this week's colourQ colors. 

You'll see that my card is a birthday card and there's a reason for that!   The amazingly talented Vicki at It's a Stamp Thing is celebrating a birthday this week and our team made birthday cards for her.   :) 

My card is pretty simple.  We had errands to run yesterday and my time for stamping was a little limited.   I guess that's why putting things off until the last minute is a bad idea, huh?   I still think it turned out pretty cute, so sometimes procrastination works out.  

Stamps: Just Believe

Ink:  Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Lucky Limeade

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Cheerful Treat DSP (retired)

Accessories:  Pumpkin Pie satin ribbon (retired and hoarded!), Basic Pearls

Tools:  Big Shot, Beautiful Wings embosslit

I think Laila has figured out the camera.  When she sees it, the cheesy grins begin.   It's pretty adorable.  :)   I'm sure you can tell from the picture that her eye is not looking so good.  We've tried everything we know to do to get that tear duct to open so we are going to a specialist on Monday to get it checked out.  He might say continue massaging, but I want to make sure that's really all that can be done.   It keeps getting raw and irritated and I hate that.  :/  

Mustache Duo

I decided to get in a little stamping today before bed.  Now I should have went to bed as I am hoping to get up around 1am to check out the retiring lists and see the new catalog!   We'll see how that all goes.   :)   Now back to my card...  I wanted to use the black/gray combo from Dynamic Duos this week and I thought it would be perfect with the sketch at Retro Sketches.

It's a pretty simple card, but I like it.  :)  I don't use contraband (aka non-SU) stuff that often, but I got this stamp set and die for free last year when I won a prize during Hope You Can Cling To.  It was a great reward just to make cards for such a great cause, but I got a few prizes as well.  Can't beat that, right?!  

Laila LOVES to stand up now. Whether it is standing at this toy or standing at the couch trying to help me type, she's all about it!  

Thanks a Latte

I found this fun sketch on Splitcoaststampers this week.  I used to try to play along there a lot and need to again.  They have at least one challenge of some sort every day of the week.  Here's the whole list if you want to check them out.  It's a great source for inspiration.  

Now before I post my card, I'll warn you that it's not all Stampin' Up!   I know, I know.   The problem is me.  I have an addiction to coffee and that carries over into coffee STAMPS!   I try not to buy too many, but every now and then I give in...   I did see a sneak peek of a new coffee set coming in the new catalog, so I'm already waiting on that baby!  If you have a good eye, you can see it on this video showing off the new wood mount cases.  

I did use the cute heart from Like It a Latte..does that count?  :)   All the paper is SU of course.  I pulled out Old Olive to try to start getting used to using it again.  It wasn't TOO painful, but I do still prefer Lucky Limeade.  

Stamps:  Hero Arts, The Cat's Pajamas, SU Like It a Latte

Ink:  Early Espresso

Paper: Early Espresso, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Neutrals DSP stack

My cats are going through a major adjustment this week.  Laila has mastered pulling up, so she's constantly trying to grab them.  They are going to have to move up a level!  

CAS Sent with Love

When I saw the sketch at CAS(E) this sketch this week, I immediately had the idea for my card.  I just had to wait on UPS to show up with my stamp set.  ;)

It doesn't really get more clean-and-simple than that!  I'm usually not good at leaving cards like this alone without adding more and more, but Jason got home from work just in time to distract me from adding anything.  I love how simple and sweet it is.  Easy to mail too!  :)

This girl was a napping fool today.  After sleeping for 11 hours last night, she took two naps today that were around two hours each!   I'm guessing she must have been going through a growth spurt or something!  She was very pleasant today and that was such a nice change too!  I'm so glad to have my smiling girl back.  :)  She has learned to pull up on me and the baby gate now, so watch out world!