Monday, May 9, 2011

Mothers Day Weekend

It was a busy productive weekend. Spent Friday packing our freezer. The nearby IGA had their semi-annual meat sale. Time to stock up. Started off at 8:00am, and finished wrapping up and packing up around 3:30! After cleaning up a shower and off to see our son, John, play at the Magic Bag in dowtown Ferndale. He was sitting on on the first two bands and playing with his band "The Infatuations". They won the Vitamin Water "Peoples Choice Award" this year (at the Detroit Music awards). It was a nice evening out with our daughter Steph, and son-in-law Pat. Saturday a set of stamps I had ordered from My Favorite Things arrived. After some light housecleaning I made a few cards with them. The set I purchased came with the die to cut out the typewriter and the paper. I used my Stampin Up background stamp, and some vintage seam binding to make the bows. These stamps included some clever saying, my favorite being "don't make me use ALL CAPS!"

Later I had to fill some soldered charm orders I received. No, not for all of these, but if I am going to solder, well I might as well do a few extra. I had done some "lock and key" charms and which were a big hit. This time I played with some small bevels, clear baubles, and added a few vintage glass crystals to some of them.

My husband and my children surprised me at work Friday. My cubicle is right next to the delivery door for the office. So often I am the one to sign and recieve incoming packages and registgered materials that arrive. When our Fed-Ex delivery lady showed up I jokingly saw the long bax and said "You shouldn't have". She laughed and said "Sure", and when I looked down I saw my name was on the box! Inside was two dozen lovely Carnations and a vase. I love Carnations and getting them at work was a nice surprise. I knew that although the card read "From Steven, and the children" my daughter Steph had masterminded this. She is so good that way and knows how special getting flowers sent makes me feel. It was nice of her to organize this and for my children and Steve to think of this... On Sunday morning Steve gave me this card. Love it! I am always telling them I am the Queen. The card he gave me says "Mothers Day, is a chance for us to treat you like a Queen!", inside it says "Yeah, like a Queen with lazy subjects who don't listen!" Hmmmm, I wondered if someone hadn't been spying on me, because this was so something I would say! Ha Ha
Mothers Day was so nice. We went to Steph and Pat's home, John joined us, and later Kimberly joined us via Skype from Kalamazoo (where she attends college). We had grilled burgers and wine. We also got to enjoy their 1st anniversary cake (provided by the company that made their wedding cake, as part of their wedding package).
It was a relaxing day, the weather was lovely, the food good, and what better company than ones family.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Scrap-a-lopes!

Yesterday I was lucky enough to catch my friend Sarah (3dogsand2kids on YouTube) on Ustream showing how she makes her "scrap-a-lopes". These are the cutest custom envies that you can make for almost any size cards. Many times I make a 3", 4", or 5" card and no envie.
Now thanks to Sarah, I can use up all those pieces of scrap paper, and those "off" papers that come in the large packs that you had no use for.
My little 4" tent cards fit perfectly in these. I had not used them because I just had no envelopes that fit. There are other templates out there but this one was just so cute (and easy).
Please visit Sarahs blog "The Handmade Card" and you can find out how to make them!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Welcome "Bunny"

We have been busy here, work, family and life in general. We have recently been involved with a "Dog" rescue. Our eldest daughter Stephanie has worked with various companies regarding dog care, and boarding has been involved with the rescue "Harley's Haven" out of Clawson, MI. Both she and Robin have been helping rescue dogs from precarious situations. Whether it's a family that is no longer able to care for a pet, or an animal suffering abuse at the hands of careless owner. They offer to come take the animal and help find a home for them. They make sure they see a vet, have all their shots and are "neutered or spayed" before they are placed. Hoping to stop some of the accidental or careless breeding of unwanted animals. It was only a matter of time before she "sucked" us in to help. It seems there is a big lack of Foster families willing to care for an animal while they wait for a "Fur-ever home". So we agreed to help with the small breed dogs. We started with Bella, a sweet terrier (actually one of my Yorkie's offspring) who's family could not give her the time she needed. She was only with us two weeks, but she did so well and is now at "home" in a family that loves her. Next is "Pepper", a Chihuahua mix abandoned outside in January with her sister (who recently was placed), left to fend for themselves, it is no wonder she is so fearful of people. She is doing so much better now, although she still gets spooked at loud noises or quick movements. She still seems afraid that she will not have food, we work with her to try to help her understand she is safe now. There is plenty of food, and a warm place of her own. She loves us, especially my husband Steve. Having been initially befriended by a man, she seems to trust men more easily. Although she and I have become good friends. She seems to look at me with her sad lonely eyes with such longing. I pet her and tell her how sweet she is and that she is safe. I hope we will be able to find a home for her soon, she deserves to feel special and loved (although Terri keeps saying she has "adopted" us). I have my Yorkie's, Bailey and Cookie. They are such sweet dogs and have for the most part, been very good about sharing their space. We did have a young male Dachshund named Gus, though for two weeks that Bailey was not happy about. He was a good puppy just rowdy and was getting on Boos nerves. He went to his new home last Friday. Which brings us to "Bunny". She is a little (and I mean little, she weighs only 1 1/2 pounds) Maltese mix. When she was rescued she was having hypoglycemic seizures from the lack of proper nutrition. Her sister was dead, and her two brothers, Cotton and Scruffy (available for adoption, go to Facebook - Harley's haven in Clawson to see them) the more dominant puppies were undernourished, but in much better shape. Robin nursed her back to a state where she still has to be watched, but able to be placed with us. She is learning to eat little meals and regulate her blood sugar on her own. These little babies need to eat more often as their fast metabolisms burn through calories quickly. Puppies need so much more during their early months until they reach their adult weight. Bunny was lucky. She was able to make a comeback with minimal damage, although its still early to tell if her early malnutrition will have any long term effect. Stephanie knew placing her with us she would be safe and well cared for, she also knew "Bunny" would have a "Fur-ever" home. Yeah, I am a sucker for this little gal. She is so feisty and thinks she is 50lbs of Doberman instead of a fluffy speck of a puppy. She doesn't walk or run, she "hops", and loves to play. So much energy. I know Boo and Cookie get a bit annoyed with her boundless energy, but they are patient with her. When she gets to be too much they jump up on the registers or couch and watch her as she bounces and jumps trying to get them to play.
She is so sweet and tiny. We have to be careful not to let her get on anything she could jump down and hurt herself. Many of these fine boned, little "toy or teacup" type dogs are easily broken. Careless breeding has lead to so many flaws and problems with these tiny breeds. Bunny will require a bit more care when it comes to that. My Bailey (Boo) who is 9 lbs of Yorkie has had to have knee surgery for slipping off a stair last year. Steph knows of a small dog who broke his back jumping off a couch. So we will have our work cut out for us.
Still it's hard not to love this cute sweet face.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

1st Anniversary

Today March 13th is the "first" Wedding Anniversary of our daughter Stephanie and her husband Pat (Pasquale). Boy has time flown by for us. I cannot believe it. So when they asked us to watch Tillie (one of their four dogs, who doesn't get along with other people. They have someone staying to take care of the others) so they could go away for the night we of course said yes.
So while Tillie runs around with Bailey, Cookie, and the two foster dogs we are caring for, I am keeping busy. Tonight I finished these soldered charms.....
While I was working away, I thought wouldn't it be nice to take the few photos I had from the wedding and make something for Steph and Pat as a keepsake for their Anniversary. I do not have many photos from the wedding, you see the photographer "lost" them. (Audible gasp)
Yeah, I know we were all devastated when we were finally told. While the photographer apologized and offered to re-shoot Pat & Steph in their wedding attire, it hardly made up for losing all the memories. So I decided to touch up the few bad photos I had taken, and some that were "found" of the reception, make Steph a charm bracelet, and Pat a key chain.
I am going to place them in the box I decorated tomorrow when they come to get Tillie. I am going to make dinner for them, and although it is little compensation for not having a Wedding photo album, it will be something to look at and reminisce.
P.S. I was so happy to find a photo of her dancing with her father (the father and daughter dance) , she was hugging her Dad, and the tears were about to fall. Of all my wedding photos I cherish the photo with my father, I am so glad she has that.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

OWOH WINNINGS!!!

I was very fortunate to win these incredible items this year at the 2011 OWOH Blog event hosted by Lisa Swifka. My first was from "CreativeBlessingsofJoy", Jules made the sweetest "gift", see the lovely card. Well she also included these little "extras"! Some pretty glitter, a punch, and some fun embellishments for scrapping!
Also there was this small matted sentiment card ( just precious) and the prize, a wonderful handmade baby shoe pin cushion! So Vintage, and I can't tell you how much I love it! Then I won this fantastic hand embroidered felt heart from Susan at "ThreadsofInspiration". So very nicely made and simple, yet so very pretty. I again thank Lisa Swifka, and to all the participating Bloggers, as well as all the other winners out there. Thank you again Jules and Susan for these "made for the heart" items.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Fun with Stamps

I purchased quite a few of the Kraftin Kimmie Stamps. This "sweet" gal is Olivia Orange, one of a series of Fruity Cuties! After visiting the Kraftin Kimmie Blog, I decided to try the Kraftin Kimmie Challenge.
They have some really fantastic cards to see, and those are just the "examples". It's very inspiring to see the beautiful cards that everyone makes. I wanted to see if perhaps I could do the challenge. I decided to use my Cricut, and the preserves cartridge to make an orange for the background circle. I think the trickiest part was cutting her out. She has such a tiny neck. Not to bad for a first attempt.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Winner OWOH!!!

The winner of the OWOH giveaway is.....
Linda, of Charmed Victorian!
I then decided to have a drawing from those that decided to follow my blog....
So, Helen , of A Midsummers Night's Dreamer you also get to choose!
Thank you to everyone who visited my blog and left such nice comments! I wish I could give everyone something. I have visited some very lovely blogs, and am still sifting through many new ones. Thank you Lisa Swifka for being the amazing Hostess of these events!