Show and Tell

Mother's Day Gifts

It's about time, isn't it? I mean, Mother's Day was nearly two months ago.

For our moms this year, I bought necklaces from Lia Sophia. (You may remember that we had a rash of Lia Sophia jewelry parties in the neighborhood several months ago...) The boxes they came in were functional, but not particularly attractive. Well, that was pretty easy to fix. :)

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I used the largest Back to Basics Box template from Papertrey Ink, and then used the most recent PTI anniversary set to add some colorful flowers around the sides. The ribbon is a sheer swiss dot from Michael's tied in a double bow and a very simple circular tag using another PTI set.

Hopefully our moms will get some use out of the necklaces. They're quite versatile as they can be worn toggled and short, or untoggled and long. Don't you love being able to get two looks out of the same piece of jewelry? But — after I sent the necklaces I realized that our mothers, who live on opposite sides of the country, will be together for Britt's wedding this summer and I bought them identical necklaces. Sounds like a social faux pas in the making, doesn't it? OK, Moms... you've been warned. Our feelings won't be hurt if you choose other jewelry to wear during your time in NC. :) 

AND TELL: stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Botanical Silhouettes, Tag-its #2); cardstock is Stampin' Up (Daffodil Delight) and PTI (Stampers Select White); ink is SU (Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie) and PTI (True Black); ribbon is from Michael's; twine is PTI; also used SU's 2-3/4" and 1/16" circle punches.

So — I thought I'd show you a few more pictures from our day in Winona Lake. There is a street of charming shops — each really worth the visit. This one is The Island Weaver.

If you're into fibers, this is the shop for you. Look at all these luscious colors...

And they have classes on a variety of fiber arts...

like weaving. These look very much like the old traditional Swedish table linens that were handed down to me. I'd love to learn how to make them myself.

Next door is the store that sells handmade soaps, lotions, candles and the like: SACS & Co.

The sister-owners are innovative and are always cooking up something new in their workshop/kitchen.

The Bed & Breakfast that we stayed in uses their liquid soaps in the guest rooms. I love the way the businesses in the area support each other.

Another store that I love to visit when I'm in Winona Lake is this one:

They make and sell all sorts of wooden utensils. Yet very sturdy and substantial, too.

You should feel them — so silky and smooth in your hands.

One of the cool things about visiting these shops with Ken's sister, Lynne, is that she knows the owners personally.

You can see her at the edge of the picture above, comfortably chatting with the shopkeeper/craftsman. Such a wonderful, small town feel.

Just looking at the pictures again makes me want to go back and spend more time (and money). :) {sigh}

I think I'll leave you there for tonight — and spread out all of the photos from our trip over a few more posts. I take too many pictures to put them all up at once. I'd hate to have you run away screaming when you see me coming! :)

Thank you so much for your visit. I just love hearing from you! Tomorrow I have a sympathy card to share — and, of course, more from our trip to Indiana. Hope to see you then! 

Happy Mother's Day!

A couple of days ago I posted a card that was inspired by one of my international blogging friends, Vicky. Today's cards were inspired by another international friend — although Canada doesn't seem quite as international since it's on the same continent. Anyway, I saw this card on Maureen's blog and knew that it would be perfect for our moms — so I copied. :) (Thanks for all the great inspiration, Maureen!)

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The inside of each card was basically the same — and, of course, I wrote a personal little message to each mom. :) We are so blessed to have each had wonderful, loving mothers who guided us well and provided good Christian examples for us as we were growing up. I'm so happy that there is a day set aside to honor them — just wish we all lived closer so that we could do it in person! 

About the cards... Papertrey Ink's Postage Stamp set is really geared toward a vintage, shabby style — which is fun for me once in awhile, but I usually make cards that are much more simple and I'm kind of looking forward to seeing how I can translate these stamps into my more usual quick and easy cardmaking. Someday. When life settles down a bit and I have time just to play. Surely that day will come again, right? Because right now, with ending a school year and preparing for a summer wedding... things are pretty busy!

AND TELL:  stamps are from Verve (Because of You) and Papertrey Ink (Postmarks, Button Boutique, Tag Its #3, Fillable Frames #2); cardstock is PTI (Vintage Cream, Rustic White, Stampers Select White); ink is Stampin' Up (Basic Gray, Going Grey, Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze) and PTI (Melon Berry, Tea Dye Duo); button is PTI (Ocean Tides); baker's twine is Divine Twine (orange); a SU marker to make the comma (Baja Breeze); also used a Corner Chomper, PTI dies (Beautiful Blooms II #3, Limitless Layers 1-3/4" circle collection), and pieces of vintage map and pattern tissue. 

One of the fun yearly events at the preschool is "Muffins for Mom". We usually celebrate it the Thursday and Friday before Mother's Day, but this year — since the church that I work at sells spots in the parking lot for golf tournament parking and that lot gets really, really crazy full at the end of the week — we held our special days on Monday and Tuesday.

The teachers spend quite a bit of time with the kids preparing little gifts and decorations and songs and what-not for their moms.

Some of the teachers interview the kids about their mothers and it's always interesting to read the thoughts of a three or four year old. Like, it's amazing how many young children think that their moms favorite thing to do is to clean the house. (!)

So the moms come and enjoy a special half hour or so with their child and his or her classmates. They eat muffins, get gifts and cards, listen to songs — and don't look nearly as uncomfortable in the little chairs as the dads do. :)

 
You may have already guessed what my favorite part of Muffins for Moms is...

 
Yes. Leftover muffins. :) We have one teacher who insists that even though her extra-moist and yummy pineapple carrot "muffins" have cream cheese icing and look very much like cupcakes — that when served in the morning for the moms, that they are muffins. Works for me. Besides... it includes a fruit and a vegetable. Sounds like a healthy meal to me! :)

This morning after church I met about 12 of my neighbor women for brunch at Bricktops — the restaurant where our son Ian works. These women go out every year for brunch on Mother's Day and this is the first time I've joined them. I guess I've always felt like it was a little weird to leave your family and go out on your own for Mother's Day. But since they were going to Bricktops and I figured my baby born on Mother's Day 1986 (Ian) would be there, that it was my year to join them. I may be a convert. It was fun! Afterward my "neighbor to the left" and I wandered around Specialty Shops on the Park and window shopped for awhile. (Well, I window shopped... and enabled her in the area of really cute dresses for her teenage daughters.) Like I said. Fun. And the fact that Ian surprised me by buying my food (and kissing my cheek!)... well, that made the whole day even sweeter. :)

Hope you're having a sweet day, too! Thanks so much for spending a bit of it here with me. Hope to see you again soon!

One Layer

I seem to be on a real kick of making simple cards. Maybe I'm just getting back to my roots. I've made cards with lots of layers, but my natural tendency is to do things that aren't too fussy.

So — here are a couple of one layer cards. The first one is for Susan Raihala's One-Layer Wednesday challenge that will be expiring when tomorrow arrives. The OLW22 challenge is to make a card for a mother — any mother... doesn't have to be your own. I chose to make one for my next door neighbor who is the newest mother that I know. Her first baby was born just a few days ago.

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I made a card for Teri because I was remembering back to when I was a first time mom and at times it was overwhelming and I seemed to be terribly unequipped for the job. Of course, after I made my decision and finished the card, I reread the challenge and it actually said to make a card of gratitude for a mother-figure in your life. Um.. goofed again. But it's one layer and I'm going to go with my version — instead of a card of gratitude, it will be a card of encouragement to a mom just starting out on the motherhood journey.

AND TELL:  stamps are from Stampin' Up (Echoes of Kindness, Well Scripted); cardstock is Papertrey Ink (Vintage Cream); ink is Memento (Tuxedo Black); gemstone is from Kaiser (lavender); also used some Copic Sketch Markers for coloring.

The first card could have also worked for my catch-up One-Layer Wednesday Challenge, OLW14: to make a square card using an outline stamp. But, it just didn't seem right to make just one card for the two challenges. One layer cards are harder than it seems like they should be — even for someone like me who prefers non-fussy cards — and I need the practice!

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After I finished this card, I realized that besides using an outline stamp that I used a solid image stamp. Hmmm. I am apparently not very good at reading or following "rules" today. But, it is one layer. And it is square. And it does use an outline stamp — so, I guess it's working for me!

And I decided to use a trick that I used quite often in my scrapbooking days — a wiggly-line frame. Wiggly lines are much less pressure-filled than straight lines, in my opinion. And I'm all about relieveing my life of pressure! Besides... since the stamp had a sort of wiggly line border around it — well, it was the perfectly imperfect way to add a little more interest to the card. 

AND TELL:  stamps are from Stampin' Up (Festive Four, Pumpkin Patch, and a really old set that I didn't label); cardstock is Papertrey Ink (Rustic White); ink is PTI (Summer Sunrise, True Black); also used Stampin' Up's Basic Black marker.

 

I thought I'd share one photo from my work day, too.

 
This little 3 year old squirrel spent her playground time gathering acorns into the corduroy, blanket-stitched, leaf appliqued pocket on the front of her jumper. What a wonderful picture of autumn! Gotta love the enthusiasm and collection tendencies of preschoolers. Reminded me of when my own little girl was in preschool (at the same place where I now work) and brought home a pocketful of acorns. She meticulously lined them up on her dresser, went to play, and I later found little green worms crawling out of her acorns and all over the top of her dresser. haha. Um... I've never looked at acorns quite the same since. :)

Thanks so much for dropping in today; your visits mean the world to me. See you again soon!

Our Mothers' Days

We're fortunate. We still have both of our mothers. They don't live nearby, though, so we're not as lucky as some of you who can spend time with your mothers on a daily basis. Instead we make do with phone calls and visits when it can be worked out. And, of course, Mother's Day cards.

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This is the one I mailed off to my mom in Oregon. I bought the Papertrey Ink violets stamp set specifically because of a special story regarding my dad so it seemed like a great set to use for my mom's card. Today my brother will be taking her out to brunch after church. Wish I could be there, too.

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Year of Flowers: Violets, Mother, Vintage Labels); cardstock is PTI (Vintage Cream, Lemon Tart, Lavender Moon); ink is PTI (Tea Dye Chamomile, Plum Pudding) and Memento (Tuxedo Black); ribbon is PTI (Lavender Moon satin); rhinestone is Kaiser Crafts (Lavender); also used Fiskars Apron Lace border punch, PTI wood grain impression plate, Stampin' Up watercolor pencils, blender pens, and Boho Blossoms punch, Prisma glitter, and old church choir music.

And, here is the card that I sent to Ken's mom in Florida. She just returned from a lengthy cruise and I'm not sure what her plans for the day entail, but her calendar is always so full that I'm sure there's something on there. Or maybe she'll just spend the day enjoying some peace and quiet after all that cruise activity. :)

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The other Year of Flowers set I have is the daffodil, so I decided to use it and make this card using basically the same elements — keep things a little simpler for me, you know. I don't think the moms will mind. 

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Year of Flowers: Daffodil, Mother); cardstock is PTI (Vintage Cream, Lavender Moon); ink is PTI (Tea Dye Chamomile, Plum Pudding) and Memento (Tuxedo Black); ribbon is PTI (Plum Pudding satin); button is PTI (Vintage Cream & White); rhinestones are Kaiser Craft (clear, lavender); also used Fiskars Apron Lace border punch, PTI's wood grain impression plate, Prisma Glitter, and Stampin' Up watercolor pencils & blender pens.

So, I said I might share a few more photos from our Mother's Day activities at school. One of my favorite parts of our Muffins for Mom celebrations is reading the interviews some of the teachers do with the children and looking at the pictures the kids have drawn of their moms. I'm always fascinated by the development of their people drawing skills and how they move from a "potato head" style to that of separating the body from the head and adding in more details.

All of the above interviews and drawings were done by children who range in age from 3-1/2 to a few months over 4. (If you click on the photos they may be big enough where you can read the interviews. Gotta love life from a child's perspective!) 

My other favorite part of Muffins for Mom is seeing the moms interacting with their children, especially as they read the interviews and receive any little gifts their children may have made for them.

 
The moms really get a kick out of reading their child's thoughts on what the mom likes to do and what she does when the child is at school.

 
It really is amazing how many preschoolers think their moms actually like to do laundry and clean the house!

But, if what this child said is true, his mom is going home to eat pepperoni and play with toys. :)

 

Now, wouldn't that be the life?

So — Happy Mother's Day to our moms and to all the other moms out there.

I hope your day is filled with blessings and lots and lots of love!

 

April Stamp Club (in March)

Since next weekend is Easter, we had our April stamp club meeting today. The theme for the swap was Mother's Day or a feminine card.

My Plan A card wasn't working out quite right, so this is Plan B. I think I like it better anyway, though. And since it also has some hand-stitching on it, I'm linking it up to this week's The Shappy Tea Room challenge (to do stitching on a spring-inspired card).

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The butterflies are hand-stitched to the white panel using a back-stitch with a french knot at the end of each antenna. 

AND TELL:  stamp is from Stampin' Up (Well Scripted); cardstock is Stampin' Up (Cool Caribbean) and Papertrey Ink (Stamper's Select White); patterned paper is My Mind's Eye; ink is PTI (True Black); also used Stampin' Up's Beautiful Butterflies die, Scallop Trim Corner & Border punches and DMC embroidery floss.

So, my afternoon was taken up with Stamp Club, but my morning was taken up by our preschool's spring festival and the church's Easter egg hunt.

My favorite activities — the Cookie Walk and "Dunkin' for Donuts" (I have no idea why it's called that, but it always has been). Yes. My sweet tooth is showing.

 And my least favorite? The egg hunts.

I don't do well with chaos (which is why this picture was taken from inside the building). I also don't do well with people who don't follow age rules. This was the hunt for 3 & 4 year olds, but I'm watching saying, "I know that child is 7 and that one is 9 and ..." Grrrr. Oh, well. The egg hunt is not my gig since it's run by the church and not the school so I just keep my mouth shut and smile. As much as possible. :)   

Tomorrow is clean up the stamp room day so I probably won't make it back here until Monday. Unless, of course, I get distracted from the task at hand and start making cards instead of cleaning.

Thanks so much for stopping by here today and I hope the rest of your weekend is wonderful! 

Jessie and Evelyn

I've got a couple of really busy weeks ahead of me, as we wrap up a school year. Our last day with the kids is May 21, then we have a work day on the 22nd and are done. Yippee! (Well, technically, I work all year, but there is still something exciting about finishing up and then having a block of time to get ready to start all over again!) All that to say that I may not be a very good blogger for the next couple of weeks. I do have some creating that must get done, so I know I'll have things to post — just may not have the time to do it. I've also been saving some inspiration photos from preschool that I'd like to play around with. Maybe I'll get to that in June! (I'm still enamored with K's pink skirt and sparkly shoes — and the card they inspired — shown here.)

This year I made a card set for my mom and for Ken's mom for Mother's Day. I used Lauren's All Boxed Up template, sold for just $5.00 by Papertrey Ink. I'm really loving these templates. They're inexpensive, immediately downloadable, reusable, and come with a booklet including ideas of ways to use the template — ideas beyond the obvious.

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This is the card set for my mom in Oregon. Nice muted colors for the Pacific Northwest. 

And here is the set for Ken's mom in Florida. Bright colors for that tropical climate.

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Simply Stationery, Trajan Alphabet), cardstock is from Stampin' Up (Brocade Blue, Not Quite Navy, Barely Banana, So Saffron; Lavender Lace, Summer Sun, Tempting Turquoise, Pink Passion) and Papertrey Ink (Vintage Cream; Stampers Select White), main patterned papers are a long retired set from Stampin' Up and the black & white is from Making Memories and each set also includes a bit of Papertrey Ink's Bitty Dots paper, ink is all Stampin' Up (Brocade Blue, Bordering Blue, Barely Banana, So Saffron; Lavender Lace, Pink Passion, Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun, Basic Black), ribbon is all Papertrey Ink (Vintage Cream saddle stitch; Fresh Snow grosgrain, True Black satin) and other supplies used are Stampin' Up's Scallop Border Punch, circle and scallop circle Nestabilities, Stampin' Dimensionals. I used Scor-tape to hold the template together.

Ken and I had the best weekend. Fort Knox was fabulous. If you ever had any doubts about the quality of training or the leadership of our young men in the military — put those doubts to rest. We were so impressed with everyone we met. I got quite a few pretty good pictures, but thought I'd include just one here. This is me and Ken, proudly posing with our soldier nephew. God bless America!

Have a great week!

Mother

I participate in a stamp club that meets once a month to swap cards and work on a project led by Stampin' Up demonstrator, Judy Wiles. Each month has a theme and April's was a Mother's Day or feminine card. How great to get a head start on Mother's Day! (Especially since I rarely get a head start on anything!)

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This first card is how my design originally started. But then I ran out of the rose colored ribbon (from the dollar bin at Michael's) and had to change the plan.

I went to my stash and layered two light pink ribbons — a sheer and a satin. Neither seemed like quite enough alone. And then my original butterfly just seemed a little too heavy so I dug through my red/pink family paper drawer and found some scraps of pink vellum to try out.

Sponging the edges of cards or paper panels doesn't come naturally to me, but this card seemed to need some softening so I thought I'd give the sponging a try. Hmmm. You may see that more from me.

One detail that the photos didn't catch is the ultra-fine glitter on the flowers. After I stamped the flower stem, I used a marker to do some messy coloring of the flower petals, an idea I got from Mary Fish in this post on her blog. I then added touches of glue with my Quickie Glue pen and sprinkled on the glitter. The cards are very sparkly in real life.

Last week Ken mailed our mothers these cards along with the Mother's Day gifts that I had created for them. So — Mom and Mom, if the gifts and cards didn't arrive on time, it's all my fault (the cards were ready, but the gifts were finished at the last minute). But now you know what the cards look like, at least. And, soon I'll post the photos of the gift sets so everyone can see. Love you both! Happy Mother's Day!!

AND TELL:  Stamps are from Stampin' Up (Echoes of Kindness) and Papertrey Ink (Mixed Messages), cardstock is Papertrey Ink (Stamper's Select White) and Stampin' Up (Pink Pirouette), patterned paper is from my stash, the ink & marker are from Stampin' Up (Rose Red & Pink Pirouette stamp pads, Regal Rose marker), and other stuff includes a Martha Stewart butterfly punch, self-adhesive pearls, Provo Craft tag die, EK Success scallop edge punch, Scor-pal, and ribbon & thread from my stash.

{Just in case you were curious — since I started blogging I've posted some of my other swap cards: February's swap was Easter or spring cards (here) and May's swap was Father's Day or masculine cards (here).}