Embrace Happiness

Happy Sunday! What a beautiful day it is here today! We're all getting ready for a short road trip today to my sister's home in Wisconsin. Today is my nephew's birthday and the entire family will be there to celebrate. I know that I have said in past entries how much I love being with my family - they are so much fun to be with. When we are all together it is non-stop kidding around and laughing. So today, I will definetly "embrace happiness".

This card was made with papers from Jenni Bowlin, a resin embellishment from Mellisa Frances that I inked and added a little glitter from Martha Stewart, rubberstamped sentiment and ribbon from Papertrey Ink, misc. buttons, crocheted trim and a vintage inspired image.

Time to run - leaving in a short time. I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday! :)

All Things Grow with Love

All things do grow with love - this I know. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't let my kids and my DF know how much I love them, appreciate them and value them. Telling someone you love them is easy, but showing them everyday is more important. My DF smiles when he finds a little note in is drawer that reads "folded with love - xoxo", or his favorite meal prepared for him, or a softball game that I attend when he is playing. I know that when times are rough and others might think of leaving - I can forgive because of the deep love that I have for him. I have never felt so loved, protected and appreciated in my entire life because of him. He is my love, soulmate and best friend. Can you tell the wedding is getting closer? :)

As for my kid's......they know without a doubt how much I love them! I still smile to myself when I think of the times I would drive my son to HS and he would say "wait a minute mom" and walk around to my side of the car to lean in and give me a kiss and a "love you, mom". He will be 20 soon and still gives me a kiss goodnight. I know that my daughter (22) who is quiet and more reserved than her brother - decides to pour her heart out about my mother who passed away 6 years ago is reaching out to me because she loves me and wishes for me to console her. Kid's have a funny way of doing things that will burn every fiber on your body and know that no matter what you will always love them.

I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people around me - who love me for me and have always been there for me in good times and bad. It's their love that has made me the woman that I am today. Strong, confident, honest, and loving! Have a wonderful weekend! Cathy xx:)

Birthday Wishes

Happy sunny Sunday! After my posting yesterday, it managed to clear up and it turned out to be a beautiful day so my DF and I went for a bike ride.

We haven't been able to do as much bike riding this summer as we did last due to the weather so the legs were definitely feeling it. We rode over to the park which isn't far from our house and it was filled with people. Girls fastpitch softball tournament, mens soccer, kids in the park, basketball, people riding/jogging/walking the path - it's amazing what affect the weather has on people!

So with all of that said, this card was inspired with my day in the park in mind. I used papers from Moxxie (Life's a Garden) and Scenic Route. Endless possibilities with this paper - you will probably see some more cards using it. I also handstitched the felt butterfly and added a button and rubberstamp sentiment by Papertrey Ink. As for the ribbon, I gathered and machine stitched it. So bright and summery! :)

I hope you all have a wonderful day! Cathy :) xx

Sweet Bliss

The weekend has finally arrived and once again dark, gloomy and RAINY! I remember summer days as a child......they were always hot, steamy and loads of fun. Dripping ice cream cones, swimming at the pool, sleep overs in the tent, bike rides, days at the beach, and the sound of crickets at night. This summer has been one of the coolest and rainy summers on record. Oh, how I miss those days!

This card was inspired by those sweet summer memories of days gone by. I used papers from K&Co., tag from Tim Holtz, rubberstamped image from Papertrey Ink, vintage-inspired image, decorative button, ribbon and rhinestones.

I hope all of your summer days have been fun and filled with memories. Have a great weekend! Cathy xx :)

~Gardening~

This holiday weekend gave my DF and myself the opportunity to do some gardening.....better known as weed pulling! ;) Although, I do have a beautiful garden filled with perennials, we sure get our fair share of weeds! All is clear for now - but I know come again in a couple of weeks they'll be back for another game of "tug-of-war".

As a designer, I think one of the toughest things to do is find your niche and stick with it. Thru out the course of my life......I have always been drawn to vintage items. I have an entire cabinet that I put together with vintage Madame Alexander Dolls from my childhood (yes, they would be considered vintage!), tea cups, silver egg holders, toast holders, salt/pepper shakers, my Grandmothers iced tea set, and other misc. When I first started out making cards, they were vintage inspired. Vintage items are soft and can be romantic - they tell a story from days gone by. They are rich in history - they are a part of someone's past. I have dipped into other area's and liked it - but something keeps drawing me back to more vintage-inspired. So for now, you maybe seeing more of that and less of the other. With that being said, I give you the above. I love the chipboard keyhole from Tattered Angels. I inked the edges and added Martha Stewart glitter. I thought of the Secret Garden when I did this. Soft, inked and vintage inspired. :)

Hope you all had a safe and wonderful holiday weekend - have a great week! Cathy :)

Christmas in July at Lollishops

Hey did you hear the news........Lollishops "the frou frou friendly marketplace" is showcasing a Christmas in July to be held on the 25th. For those of you who have not yet visited Lollishops - please do. This marketplace is made up of some of the most delightful ooh's and ahh's I have ever seen. I'm still making my way thru the various vendors. If you like pink, vintage, cottage-style, shabby-chic and not to mention frou-frou - Lollishops has it all! Very unique and the most caloric intake of eye candy you will ever get!

I just listed quite a few Christmas items today at my Lollishop - PapierGirl. I just love creating from this point on in the year. I focus mainly on the holidays....Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I usually turn on the Christmas music right after Halloween and away I go. I think it's a little too soon to turn it on now so a little songs from the 70's and away I go! ;)

Hope you all enjoy your 4th today - fun filled, family, friends, and some good b-que! Have a safe day! Cathy xx :)