Nuts for You!

Today was an interesting day! I mean that in a sarcastic way. My son called and told me that he was feeling like he was going to die. He had a fever, chills, body ache, chest congestion and just weak. Well, being the mother that I am.......I said let's get you into the doctor. With all the talk of Swine Flu - one cannot take a chance. Fortunately, the doctor was able to see him this afternoon. When we got to the doctors office, there was a huge sign that said "If you have the flu or flu-like symptoms, please put on a mask". Scarey? That's only the half of it. When I turned to look at the people in the waiting room - everyone had a mask on! Wow! I could not believe the number of people who are sick with the flu.

When my son was finally seen by the doctor, he was tested for the flu. They took a swab of the inside of his nose and had the results in 10 minutes. Fortunately, he did not test positive for the flu. Because if he did, he then would have been tested further for Swine Flu. He was told that he had one of many viruses that are going around right now and would last about 5 days. Now my 19 year old son wants his mommy! Push the liquids! :)

Well, on to something else......This card was made with papers from Crate Papers newest line, Little Sprout. The rubberstamped images from Papertrey Ink, of course, buttons from SEI.
I just love the colors in this paper!

Well, off to whip up something for dinner - I hope that all of you are flu-free! Have a great evening! Cathy :)

Showers of Joy!

Happy Sunday! Today, I am going to my friend Katelyn's baby shower. This is the card that I made for her. I just love my new rubberstamps from Papertrey Ink. I decided to go with a white on white paper and so happy that I did because my little umbrella's just pop! Of course, I just had to add a little dimension so I added my little paper punch flowers and rhinestones on each of the umbrellas.

These little umbrella's are going to get quite the work out! I have another friend who is expecting and will be attending a shower for her as well.

Well, off to finish wrapping her gifts, jump into the shower and get there by 1:00. Sometimes, I leave too much to the last minute, but what can I say.........I was scrapping! Have a great day! Cathy :)

CPS #112

Good morning everyone! Posting this one on the fly........on the way to see my DF referee high school Lacrosse today. I don't know a darn thing about the game, but watching him is always fun for me!

This card was inspired by Card Positioning Systems. If you're ever in a creative slump this blog will inspire you. Be sure to check it out! I decided to make a Grandma - Mother's Day card. Grandma always seems to be forgotten on Mother's Day! SEI papers and buttons, flower and scalloped rectangle punch by Marvey, rubberstamp sentiment by Papertrey Ink.

Okay - gotta go! Just told we need to leave. Enjoy your Saturday! Cathy :)

2S4U - Laura's Sketch 24

Rain or Shine? After a few days of rain and gloom the sun if finally shining today in Chicago - 83 degrees! The windows are open, the birds are chirping and everything is starting to bloom. I
have been waiting all Winter for this. Although, I know with weather like this, it only means that we'll probably get severe storms later tonight or tomorrow. Oh well....I know there's more where this came from!

I finished my card for 2s4u - Laura's Sketch 24. I used SEI papers, and my new rubberstamps from Papertrey Ink. Ooooh, I just love these cute little umbrella's and all the darling little sentiments! Be sure to check them out.

Well, the groomers just called and said that I can come pick up my dog. We have a little Bichon Frise` - better known as "Baby". She was a mess and I was embarrased to bring her. I told the groomer that she wasn't abused - she just thinks she is a Lab! Enjoy your day! :)

Mom, You're the best!

Well, here it is Thursday again! Yippee! It's the start of my weekend. :) I've started running some of my errands tonight, so that I can have a day to myself tomorrow to create. I've already been to the city and back with another car load of Courtney's stuff. I have know idea where this is all going, but she promised it would all be taken care of when she comes home next month after graduation. We'll see! :)

Not much to add today, except this little card for Mothers Day. I just love these papers - the texture and the color.

Well, be back over the weekend with hopefully some new goodies! Have a great day tomorrow! Cathy :)

Love is like a butterfly......

"Love is like a butterfly, it settles upon you when you least expect it" - Karen Sunde. I love that quote and it is so true. I don't know of anyone who actually went out looking for love and found it. I know that I didn't.

My youngest sister Gail is a typesetter for my brothers business. One day, while visiting her, I met the love of my life. It's pretty funny looking back at it all now because I was supposed to have a luncheon date with someone else. Needless to say, I never went and here I am today! :)

We are planning a Fall wedding and all the preparations have begun. We have booked the chapel and it is just gorgeous! We found our restaurant that we are having the reception - one of our favorites! I'm interviewing harpists, checking out florists, and Courtney and I will go shopping for dresses when she comes home for the summer. Lot's to do - but having loads of fun planning. I want this day to be very special! :)

I know, that I will have plenty more opportunities before "the big day" to post more details, but for now I will leave you with this card and wish you all a good night! Cathy :)

2S4U - Summer Design Team Call

The call is out and everyone is answering, but only a select few will be chosen. What am I talking about? Well, the gals over at 2S4U have put out a call for their Summer Design Team. This is a three month gig and those who are chosen as designers are to design a card a week based off of a sketch of Laura or Kazen. Sounds easy? No way! Take a peek - and you'll see exactly what I mean. The designers that have been chosen in the past are TOP NOTCH! So, the pressure is on and I'm feeling it - as I wipe the sweat from my brow!

The first card that I created was off of Kazan's sketch. The moment I saw this sketch, I thought of Santa's belly and a large black belt. So, I decided to go with the belt instead of the belly! :) I used an exact-o knife to make the slits on each side of the card to slip the ribbon in/out. I also used a glue pad to stamp out my flourish and added fine glitter. I used several patterns of coordinating papers by Little Yellow Bicycle (love them!) and then machine stitched the border. The center circle carries the sentiment for the card and reads as follows: "The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart." Hand cut flowers sit in the center where I also added pop-dots, a little glitter, and a diecut butterfly with pale lavender pearl adhesives. A special card for a special friend - Simple and elegant!

The second card I designed was based off of Laura's sketch. These papers were from Making Memories and Karen Foster. Laura's sketch was a more traditional sketch so I went with this design. Inked and machine stitched paper and chipboard rectangles. I then added pearl adhesives for the musical notes, diecut butterflies with flowers, ribbon, crocheted flower and a stick pin. The sentiment at the bottom is from PaperTrey Ink. Again, an elegant and timeless card.

I'm pleased with my finished designs and I hope they are too! Being a part of their design team would be quite the honor! If you have considered trying - go ahead do it! You only fail if you haven't tried! Good luck to all of you if you have! Have a great evening! Cathy :)

Another Birthday.......

and yes, another year older. Yesterday, I celebrated my "39th" birthday! As my kids would say....."weren't you that old last year?" I remember my Mother saying that in your mind you are forever young, but your body is what feels it's age. Boy, does it ever!

My DF planned a great day for the two of us. We went laser bowling! Yes, glow in the dark shoes in neon colors, loud music and kids everywhere! We played three games of course, because he already knew that that would be the tie-breaker! Of course, the birthday girl won again! :) We then went out to dinner at Jimmy Buffetts - Cheeseburger in Paradise. Great burgers and not to mention the "Pain in the Bahama" cocktail that I managed to get down! Yum-yum!:) Then we came home and he surprised me with a slice of my favorite cake (German Chocolate) and sang "Happy Birthday" to me. He never sounded so good! He gave me a hilarious birthday card - which I cannot go into great detail but it involves a squirrel and his body parts! He also gave me a gift card to my favorite scrapbook store. He knows, he can't go wrong there! He's the best!

Today, it is a rainy gloomy day and I hope to get a little bit more scrapping in before I pack it in for the night. I hope you all had a great weekend! Cathy :)

Mom

Tonight, while creating this card, I thought about my beautiful mother who passed away 6 years ago of a very rare blood disease.
She was only 62 years old. Too young! She was a real treasure. She had this wonderful ability of making everyone feel very special. If you were a friend and you were invited to her home for a "ladies luncheon", she would set her table with one of many sets of her darling dishes, coordinating linens, flowers, etc. Her table settings put Martha Stewart to shame! She was a wonderful cook and she made the best pies!

She was a very talented lady as well. Not only could she cook, decorate and garden, but she could sew anything, crochet, knit and needlepoint as well. She was part of an embroidery guild who said my Mother's work was "museum quality". My sisters and I have many pieces of her work not to mention Christmas ornaments as well.

I think of her every day and especially Mother's Day. She wasn't alive to see my card making, but I know if she were, she would be very proud of me. There are times when I sit down to create, I say "Mom would really like this." I really miss her!

So for all you ladies out there who still have their Moms, give them an extra big hug and kiss and tell them how much they mean to you - time is too short!

Have a wonderful evening! Cathy :)

2S4U - Kazan's Sketch 24

"A Little Birdie Told Me"..........that it's Thursday - really my Friday! Yahoo! I'm off on Friday's so I manage to get a little bit more scrapping in over the weekend. My sister's can't understand why I consider scrapping my therapy. I try to explain to them that when I sit down to create something, it takes my mind off of everything else and I totally relax. I can't wait to see what they find to do for themselves later on in their lives when their kid's grow up and start to leave the nest. We all need an outlet and scrapping just happens to be mine. What can I say? It brings me much joy to see my finished product and then to have someone receive one of my cards or to even buy one is so rewarding!

I made this card for Courtney's birthday, my DF's cousin, and one of my sisters. I loved this design and the little rubberstamp. I found a way to use the little birdie paper without it being to overwhelming.

Well, off to get a little scrapping done. I hope you had a wonderful day! Cathy :)

Happy Birthday Courtney!

Nothing about cards tonight, but instead I would like to talk about my beautiful daughter Courtney. Today, Courtney celebrates her 22nd birthday. I can hardly believe 22 years ago, I gave birth to this beautiful young lady. Where has the time gone? Over the past 22 years, I have watched Courtney grow into the beautiful young lady that she is. She is beautiful, kind, loving, giving, compassionate, funny, sensitive, and super-intelligent. This year she will be graduating University of Illinois with honors. She majored in Chemistry and minored in Criminal Justice. She will be attending University of Illinois in the Fall where she will be working on her Masters Degree in Forensics. She is an absolute joy and I am proud to call her "my daughter".

This past week Courtney and I went shopping for the "perfect" graduation dress. Well, I'm glad to say that we found it. It is a "Courtney" dress. She will look beautiful on graduation day as she walks across the stage to accept her diploma. Needless to say, I as her mother will be beaming from head-to-toe with pride. Happy birthday Courtney and I love you as "high as the sky, as low as the ground - from East to West - I love you the best! xoxo

Mojo Monday - Week 82

This weeks challenge for Mojo Monday was a fun one! I thought the design that I chose was perfect for their sketch. One of the doctor's that I work for had a little boy this past week, Jack Ryan. So, I decided to do a card that was appropriate for a little boy. I love this paper from Little Yellow Bicycle. I love the combination of oranges and blues and this plaid is just so boyish! You can see again, I went with coordinating buttons! Can't get enough buttons!

I've been creating quite a few cards for "little ones" lately. I know so many people who are having babies. I'm stocking up on cards so that I have just the right one when the next "little one" arrives!

Well, off to whip up a quick dinner, throw on a load of laundry and hopefully have a little time to put together another papier creation! Hope your day was filled with sunshine! Cathy :)

April Showers Bring May Flowers!

"April Showers bring May Flowers"! I have to keep reminding myself of that as I listen to the rain hit the windows! Yesterday was such a beautiful Easter Sunday. I guess, if bad weather had to come it is better that it happened today! :)

I decided to do another card using the paper that I had left from Making Memories. Again, I just love the soft colors of this paper. One can never have too many flowers or buttons!

I entered this card on Papertake Weekly's Challenge this past week. It was my interpretation of the sketch that they posted. It was my first time entering and it was a fun sketch to work with.

Well, I'm off to complete some orders and if I have enough time, hopefully design a new card for tomorrow's blog post! Have a wonderful evening everyone! Cathy :)

Live your Bliss!

Happy Easter! Today, we are all headed over to my DF's (darling fiance') cousins house for Easter. Just a small group of us - 11, but always a good time. I have been so fortunate that my DF's family has always been so accepting of me and my children. We have been together for 12 years and the kids were very young then. He had never been married, no kids and well let's face it.......I was divorced with two kids. His family is like my own - they are my own. DF has been.......well, there are no words. We have been so lucky to have him in our lives. From the beginning, he has always went above and beyond for the kids. He has taken them camping, fishing, canoeing, baseball games, football games, school musicals, and school sports to mention a few. We experienced all the joys of parenting together, but we have also experienced some of the darkest points of parenting as well. A year and a half ago, my son went thru some really tough, tough, times. Fortunately, he is on the road back home. Bumpy? A ride that none of us ever want to take again, but thankful for my DF and his love and support.

On to something else.........this little bird cage was actually a tea candle holder that I picked up at Michael's. I decided to do something else with it. As you can see, I added a chipboard scroll, paperpunch flowers, dicut leaves and butterfly, buttons, hemp, ribbon and ink and that was just the top! The bottom where the candle should be; I added moss and little speckled eggs. At the bottom of the ribbon; I added a little tag with sentiment that reads "Live your Bliss". The rubberstamped sentiment is from PaperTrey Ink.

Well, time to go make the salad that I bringing today! I hope you all have a wonderful day with your family. Happy Easter. Cathy

Super Busy Saturday!

I thought, I would post early today because I just have so much to do. So......you are getting this before coffee and shower! I'm on my way to the City this morning to pick up my daughter and her boyfriend. They are just coming for Easter and then heading back. Their Spring break was a couple of weeks ago and they headed to Texas to Logan's Aunts. They made it a road trip and made all the stops along the way. Anyways, Courtney will be moving back for the summer after graduation, so she is already starting the move home. She told me to make sure the back of my SUV was clear because she has lot's of "stuff". Fun, fun!!

Tonight, we are also celebrating Courtney's 22nd birthday with family. So, I have some shopping and cleaning to do as well. Busy, busy!

I finished the card above last night so that I might have something fresh to post today. The pattern for this card is compliments once again from 2S4U - Kazan's sketch #19. I used papers from Bo Bunny, silk flower from Bazzill, paper punch flowers, misc. buttons, ribbon, rubber stamped image from PaperTrey ink. Lovin' these colors!

Well, I hope you all have a super Saturday and Happy Easter to you and your family! :)

Mojo Monday - Week 81

This card is for yet another challenge! I'm on a roll this week. I really liked working with these colors. They are so cheerful - without being too bold, and the different floral prints are very charming. I thought it would be the perfect paper for a Mother's Day card. If you haven't noticed by now.....I love buttons! You can never have too many buttons - but I have a problem finding them in all the colors and sizes that I need. This card, luckily, I had all the colors I needed.

Anyways, the paper I used is from Making Memories, except for the leaves that is some scraps I had left over. Paperpunch's from Marvey, diecut leaves and butterfly from Quickutz, misc. buttons, hemp and ribbon. Also, the rubberstamped image is from PaperTrey Ink. The papers have been machined stitched in various thread colors and stitches.

Well, I'm off today for Good Friday - so off to create some more papier creations! Have a wonderful day and thanks for looking! Cathy :)

Just for Fun!

No orders to ship and no cards to submit, so I decided to sit down and just have me a scrappin' good time. I decided to head back to 2s4u for another one of their great sketches and found this one by Laura #21. I had these wonderful papers by We R Memory Keepers that I have been dying to use. I just love the bright colors! The die cut circle is from Quickutz and the rubberstamped sentiment is from Papertry Ink. Ribbon, buttons, paper punch flowers, and a little ink goes a long way.

Two more days and my kids come home for Easter. Alot to do......grocery shop, bake and get ready for some hearty appetites! Just think, I'm not even having Easter this year! My daughter is bringing her boyfriend home. Great news....he was just accepted into Medical School at University of Illinois. The two of them will be continuing their education in Chicago together. They are two incredible young adults! It is also Courtney's 22nd birthday on the 15th - so we will be celebrating with family on Saturday night. I always look forward to my sisters and their kids coming over. Total chaos - but ALOT of fun!

Well, enough for tonight. Hope you all had a wonderful day!

Laura's Sketch 23 - 2S4U

Well, here she is! Laura's sketch at 2S4U was a tough one! This sketch was quite the challenge, but I am finished tweaking for the night. I used papers from My Mind's Eye - Tres Jolie - Mademoiselle line along with My Mind's Eye coordinating buttons.
The butterfly, leaves, and little tag are diecuts by Quickutz. I do have to mention the rubberstamp images are from my favorite shop - Papertrey Ink. Please visit their shop - you won't be disappointed!

Well, off to bed! It has been a long day and tomorrow doesn't look any shorter! Hope you all had a wonderful day.

Manic Monday - CP Sketch #10

Just when I thought we were on our way to Spring....I woke up this morning to four inches of snow! Yuck! Luckily, it has just about all melted. Then off to work, for a another crazy Monday of tooth decay! I work in a dental office as a Treatment Planner/Financial Planner and it never fails; Mondays are just crazy. My saying, "Tooth decay knows no holiday".

I had a chance to finish this card off last night. I was quite pleased with the way this turned out. I just love the soft yellow, blue and grey. Perfect for an anniversary card or wedding! The papers that I used are from Cosmo Crickets latest line.

I had a chance to check 2S4U's blog today for their new sketch and all I can say is this one is definitely going to be a challenge. I have already starting my thinking process.

Well, off to start dinner and finish an order than I'm working on. Hope you all have a wonderful evening!

I Can Sing!

What an exciting weekend this has been! I have managed all in one weekend, to semi-creating a blog, creating and submitting a card to 2sketches4you (http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/) for my very first challenge, and yes......me, little ol' me, won her first challenge! I am so honored, because once you have had a chance to visit this sight, you will see the incredible talent I was competing with! These ladies are just awesome! Just window after window of beautiful paper creations! I could sit here all day and drown in all the beauty! Thank you Kazan and Cheryl for providing all of us with a wonderful spot to showcase our passion and challenge the artist within!

I created this card above with a wonderful sketch from Berdien Weideveld who is a very talented designer for 2sketches4you. Go take a peek. (http://scrapfrombemmel.blogspot.com/)
you surely don't need a translater - just use every other sense to feel the beauty and love of her work that she translates into paper.

Off to do some laundry, create a meal and yes another card! Enjoy your Sunday!:D

Let the Sun Shine!

Oh what a beautiful Saturday it has turned out to be. My Apple Tree out front has started to bud, the Robins are out every where looking for a place to nest, the sky is blue and the sun is shining! I work at my dining room table which is surrounded by French doors leading out onto my deck. The light that comes into that room is wonderful for working and that's exactly what I did today.

I put together another baby card using these wonderful papers and chipboard embellishments from Little Yellow Bicycle - Baby Safari line. Ribbon, buttons, rhinestones, flowers and brad can be picked up at any local craft store.

I will let you in on a little secret.....I am entering this card in a challenge at 2 Sketches 4 You. They host a lovely blog ( http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/) where they provide you once a week with a sketch and based off of their sketch, you come up with something you feel is worthy to post. I pray, I'm not like one of those American Idols who thinks that they can sing and they really stink! They have some very creative artists who post their work and WOW! I guess, the main thing is that I enjoy what I do and it brings me great peace!

Well, off to post my card! Have a wonderful Saturday night - my future hubby and I are going to pop some popcorn and watch a movie.

Frazzled

That is what I am feeling right now as I am trying to put together this blog. Where are my kid's when I really need them? My son has described me in the past as "computer illiterate". Gee, I wonder whatever gave him that idea. I guess, for now I will post a little something here and there and wait for my daughter to come home next weekend for Easter to help with the finer details of blogging.

I usually don't work Fridays. So, this morning, I ran a few quick errands and returned home to an afternoon of cardmaking. Mmmmm, my therapy! I am on a new kick this week - round cards, smooth edged or scalloped. I think it changes things up a bit, but I'm quite pleased with the way they are turning out. I made two today and yes, I've already listed them on my Etsy shop - http://www.papiergirl.etsy.com/ for those of you who are wondering. In this card above, I used papers from Sassafraslass http://www.sassafraslass.com/- Serendipity "Hog Heaven",

the mushrooms are rubberstamped images I used from Hero Arts http://www.heroarts.com/ - "Sending Happiness" and my little tagged message was a rubberstamped message from Papertreyink - http://www.papertreyink.com/ (my new favorite shop!). Buttons, ribbon, bakers twine and hemp all can be found at any craft store.

I also managed to squeeze this little cutie in today as well. Two of my very good friends Katelyn and Jessica are both pregnant. It is their first and watching them grow, listening to their stories and concerns brings back so many memories for me. My babies are 21 (almost 22) and 19 (almost 20). Where does the time go? So I am already in the planning stages. I want to create something very special for the two of them. So thank you Katelyn and Jessica for inspiring the baby cards I have added to my shop.

This card was created using papers and chipboard embellishments from Little Yellow Bicycle - Baby Safari Line. I added a silk flower, a ribbon brad, ribbon, paper punch flowers, and lots of rhinestones! Once again, my little tag with sentiment is from Papertrey Ink. Seriously, you have to visit their shop - it is just filled with such wonderful stamps!

Well, that's all for now. Heaven only knows if all I just chattered on about even will post. Wouldn't that be something?