We celebrated Jillian's birthday last week--what a whirlwind week! She's been marking the days off on her calendar since the first day of the month, and I don't think she was a bit disappointed...

We didn't do a big "friend party" thing, but she did have neighbor friends over to play for the evening and to witness the blowing of the candles on the cake...which I DIDN'T MAKE!! I won't say which grocery store did...but I will say...I KNOW my mother, who was a cake decorator for as long as I can remember, was looking down down from Heaven saying, "Don't you dare buy that cake!! DON'T DO IT!!"

I was cringing myself...but the girls didn't care!

And we can't forget the DQ ice cream cake with more friends and family! (Darn those leftovers!)

I made these little treats for the friends who visited on the special day ...

They were made with MME Quite Contrary papers that I picked up a CHA. I also made my FIRST (don't laugh) trip to Archivers (Yes, you're right, I don't get out much.) a couple weeks ago. It was DREAMY, and I got these chipboard frames with alphabet letters from Tattered Angels that I've been seeing on everyone's projects on the internet. I didn't realize they came with letters, which I really didn't care about. And, obviously, there were way more in the package than I would have expected or needed...but I bought 'em anyway!! (They were on my "must have" list.) They ended up being the perfect way to personalize these little mini composition books from Walmart.
The girls were very pleased to have a pretty little somethin' to take home. Lots of happy campers...including my little Jilli-bean!!

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

Have a great day!

Geri

What a treat for me to have received this sweet little award last week from my friend, Tracy! But the time has come for me to pass this sparkling "crown" on. These recipients don't need any pats on the back from me--that's for sure! All three are talented designers...each on at least one design team. But who doesn't like to be reminded every once in a while that something they do "stands out" to someone else. So this is my chance to recognize 3 bloggers who stand out to me. I know that all three are sweet-spirited Christian women, and I am so happy to send this little blessing that originated at Papercraft Star their way:

1. Heather at http://www.simplyhandmadebyheather.blogspot.com/
Heather always has a soft and sweet creation on display on her blog. I really appreciate her lovely vintage style that, for me, is never too fussy or overdone, always "just right"! My week is never complete without visiting her at least a couple of times. She designs for Card Patterns, and with this post, I am finally entering a card in one of their challenges...something I've been wanting to do for awhile now after admiring her beautiful inspiration pieces for so long.

2. Linda at http://www.myhappyplace-linda.blogspot.com/

If you visit long enough to allow Linda's music player to begin...you won't want to leave. Between the music, her ability to create such a wide variety of styles, and her amazing personal photos, you can't help but just to sit back for awhile, enjoy and...smile. I have done just that on a number of occasions!

3. Christine at http://www.creativejourney.typepad.com/

I have admired and appreciated Christines creations since the first day I took a peek, months ago, when we both had entered a Shabby Tea Room challenge. She turned me on to Shimmerz products with the amazing way she uses them to alter and embellish her creations. I didn't really have a clue about all the beautiful paints and mists that were available, and what they can do until "Christine"...and I LOVE using them now! Her creations are rock solid, in my opinion...balanced, colorful, unique and always beautiful! (And she always has some of my favorite songs playing!)

Thank you, ladies, for inspiring me week after week. If I can become 1/2 the paper crafter and blogger you all have become, I'll know I've "turned out alright" as my dad would say :) You know what you have to do now...take this award as your own and share it with 3 of your own favorites...it's the best part!!

My card was done in honor of the 3 sweet gals I've introduced today...thus the Papertrey sentiment. The sketch, which made it so easy, is from Card Patterns. The DP is Basic Grey. The punches are from EK Success (border) Fiskars (small flowers) Papertrey Ink (die-large flower. The tag is from Martha Stewart.

Thanks so much for stopping today. I hope your day brings you an unexpected blessing or two!!

Geri

What a beautiful day here in Brazil, IN!! So many things to be thankful for!! The sun is shining...Fall is knocking on my door with a wonderful, refreshing breeze...my happy and healthy children are all busy and productive at school...Hubby is home working today...I am very aware this morning that I am just surrounded by things that God has blessed me with. What more could a mommy want?! And to top it off, a wonderful gal, whom I have never personally met, has done the sweetest thing for me...

I first "met" Tracy Macdonald, a fellow blogger, in The Shabby Tea Room many months ago when we were both submitting cards for challenges there. Little did I know that this person (that I DIDN'T know) would become such a blessing in my life and in this little papercrafting journey of mine! What an encourager and cheerleader! And in reading comments on her posts, it is clear that I cannot claim her as my own, because many others probably already claim her as THEIRS! It must be a sweet little gift to her from God...knowing how to "make the day" of so many others. Well she's done it again for me with this...

...and I can't say how appreciative I am! Most likely you are visiting me because you already know her but, if not, you must visit her at http://www.iwannabuildamemory.blogspot.com . You will be glad you did. She is a designer at the Papercraft Star challenge blog, (among other sites) and there's another spot worth visiting. My how they've grown since the last time I visited--how exciting for all of them! I can't wait until I can get a little more time freed up to get in on those challenges!

Well, I need to answer 2 questions associated with this award. One would be...why I like to craft. I guess the answer is...it's all I know to do! I can't remember not creating in some form or another. As a teacher, I did way too much of it...every bulletin board had to be a work of art. I think the most rewarding part of why I craft is being able to give someone something I have personally made for them...from the smallest teacher treats, to elaborate cards and altered items. Which leads me to the second question...What is the best project I've ever made? I don't know if this is the best, but it is certainly my favorite...and it was a gift for my very dear friend, Susan.

SHE got me started on altering old cigar boxes. So the first one I made was made for her. I used some beautiful K&CO papers and rub-ons.
Please remember this was years ago...way before my blogging days and having a clue of the overwhelming variety of trims, inks, embellishments and techniques that were available.

I also used some of what was one of the best bargains ever for me...a $10 pack of unfinished chipboard by JoAnn Fabrics...it was huge and full of so many letters, shapes and frames.

I spent hours cutting out individual flowers from the papers and arranging them on the top of the box. I loved every minute, though, because I new she would love it...

...and I think I was right...she did! (Or, being the dear, sweet friend she is, she put on a good front!!)

I really liked how the colors of the papers and rub-ons worked together...and they probably are some of my most favorite...so that has something to do with why this has been one I'm especially proud of.

The fact that I was inspired and motivated by a treasured friendship is probably another reason it has a special place in my heart. I've always wanted to post it, and I'm thankful to Tracy for giving me a good excuse to do just that today!

I must say thanks once again, Tracy, for making this an extra special day! My next task is to pass this award along to a few of MY favorite bloggers...I can't wait to "make a day"!! How fun!! Stay posted for that!! And thanks so much for stopping today!

Blessings to you!!

Geri

Where does the time go?! I've had two weeks to get this card done and am barely getting it posted by the deadline!! I'm always so appreciative that Embellish gives you two whole weeks to complete a challenge card--and here I am needin' three!! Surely things will settle down around here soon!! I loved these colors when I saw them and was inspired by Charlene's (Embellish DT)card, on which she divided a larger image into smaller squares, giving it somewhat of a mosaic look. I didn't have a lot of larger images to choose from and tried this one from Inkadinkado:

I added a Papertrey Ink butterfly for some dimension and some Ripe Avacado ribbon. Everything is a little smudgy and distressed. The main image is embossed and the Spring Moss Ink was softly applied around it with a sponge. Wish I would have had some tiny purple rinestones for the upper left corner, but mine weren't the right color--thought I had better leave it alone...

Not at all what I had in mind when I started, but...it is what it is!!

So many pretty cards that have been contributed this time around!! I've been inspired for sure!!

Thanks for stopping!

Geri

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Supplies not listed above:

Cardstock - Papertrey Ink, white and Plum Pudding

Ink - Papertrey Ink True Black, Memento Grape Jelly
Stamps - Old Paper Studio with no name, Papertrey Ink Butterfly Dreams

Other - black glitter, black embossing powder

Ahhhh...The carpet is down! The house hasn't been this clean since we initially moved in when it was first built. I don't mean to sound materialistic but...having that nasty old carpet gone, and soon the old furniture with it, is almost like having a burden lifted...the chance to start out with a clean slate. I'm a lucky girl! The only thing better would have been putting hardwoods down and knowing I'd never have to go through that again!! But I'm quite pleased with my clean, smooth and creamy new carpet.

At the same time I was preparing for the carpet, I was working on submitting projects to PaperCrafts Magazine. I put in some long, late hours last weekend. I never seem to mind when I'm crafting, though. Late night creating was my bright spot between days full of cleaning, sorting, moving, etc. Of course, with no email notification by Friday, I'm painfully aware that nothing was accepted. I really enjoyed creating these projects though, so my work was not in vain. It was a shot in the dark anyway. The first project was a tag made using masking and/or spray inks. There were two categories this would have fallen under, one being the masking and one using spray inks. I really liked combining the two techniques, though.

This pretty dragonfly Screen Print (stamp) came with my Stamping Royalty prize package from Tattered Angels--a set called, Nature: Graceful Journey, along with matching Glimmer Screens (stencils/masks), 4 other Screen Print images, and Glimmer Mists. These Screen Prints or stamps are fairly large and the detail in them is really interesting and detailed as you can see below...


I combined applying Ranger Distress Inks (which are new to me and I am now IN LOVE with...thanks to a booth at Chicago CHA) in Tumbled Glass and Tea Dye, and misting with the Glimmer mists in colors of Key Lime Pie and Blue Skies...all while repositioning the mask a couple times. I really like using the distress inks with the misting--it creates deeper color while still keeping it sheer, and it blends so beautifully. I finished by embossing with the matching Screen Print (stamp) in Zing Metallic Blue over my initial masked dragonfly. I cut the bottom edge with my new EK Success Bracket Border punch, added the Papertrey sentiment and the K&Co jewels, then added a little snippet of Papertrey's Pretty Pastels paper to the bottom. My Etsy ribbon and Papertrey buttons topped the whole thing off.

I just love how it turned out and am anxious to do some more experimenting with the inks and mists. I made an owl (from the same set) tag which I'll probably try to get posted in a couple days. I would love to know what you think, and if you love dabbling in distress inks and mists like I do...I'd love to see what you've created with them.

Hope you are enjoying your day...the weather here in Indiana is absolutely beautiful...clear blue skies and mid 70's!

Thanks so much for stopping!

Geri