So Dog-gone Cute!

Things have been a little crazy at our house. Earlier this week, my husband had surgery (more on that later!) and has been home from work, resting and recuperating. Unfortunately, Maggie, our lab, is used to her daily routines with Mama, and now these routines have been interrupted. To make matters worse, Dad has claimed her favorite napping spot, the big lumpy sofa under the windows that looks out over the backyard and the birds and trees.

I had to laugh when I saw her on the second best option, the lumpy loveseat, with her head tucked under the pillows.



Awww, she's so dog-gone cute! I made a fun little Valentine today that was inspired by Maggie!


This card uses the stamp set "Dog-gone Cute" from Pure Innocence (My Favorite Things stamps). I paired soft stone cardstock (PTI) with papers from October Afternoon (Schoolhouse collection).


I colored the dog with Prisma markers and drew a little dog collar so that I could add this twinkle heart from Amuse.



Inside, more stamps from PTI and a fun strip of paper from the same OA pack.

Blessings on your weekend, friends!

Dearest Jane

When Papertrey Ink released the new Dearest Jane line of stamps and papers inspired by Jane Austen, I thought they made it just for me. I could hear Nichole saying "You know, it's Mary Rose's birthday next month. Let's make stamps and paper just for her." Yeah, I'm that special. :)



When I opened this book of patterned paper, I nearly swooned. Chapter One, Vintage Script!



And Chapter Two, Book Print!



Don't you love it? I'm thrilled with the new format of PTI's papers. It will be so wonderful to easily add this to my bookshelf. I love storage made simple!


I used my new goodies to make this sweet little book organizer today. I had these mini composition books in my stash. They measure 4 1/2 by 3 1/4 inches. First, I cut the papers to size. Then I stamped on the front using chocolate ink. I used my Mono Multi glue to adhere, adding a little strip of chocolate and kraft paper (Webster's Pages) for the binding. To embellish, I added a strip of velvet ribbon, then made a sweet little bouquet using a florist's sprig, some taffeta ribbon, Papertrey Ink's Rustic Twine and a PTI Vintage button.


Super easy and oh so sweet! I'm using this little mini book to record the books I've read this year, along with the books I hope to read. I'm the kind of person that can spend hours in a bookstore with a cup of coffee in one hand and a piece of paper and pen in the other. I'm always making notes about authors and books I'd like to read. If I don't have to own the book, I will take my list to the library and try to find the titles there. (If I can save money on books, then I can spend it on crafting. There are only so many hobby dollars to spend in any given month!)


I've been reading A LOT this month. I think I'm on to my fifth book for the month of January. I am now reading "Death Comes to Pemberley" by P.D. James. My sweet mother bought me this book for Christmas. Are you sensing a theme? I think it may be time for a BBC Austen movie marathon. Perhaps during Super Bowl weekend?

PTI January Blog Hop

Hello, friends! Today is the January Blog Hop at Papertrey Ink. Our challenge: take one of your favorite projects from last year and use it as an inspiration for a new creation.

I made this card for my mom for mother's day last year. My mom is also a papercrafter, and she gushed over this card. She kept asking me "How did you get the colors so vibrant?" What can I say? Good quality stamps make all the difference! (And it doesn't hurt to keep your pads well inked, too!) I made this card using Blooming Button Bits and a bright and cheery springtime color palette.


This card measures 4 X 9 1/4, making it the perfect fit for a business sized envelope. I needed the card to be long so that it would fit this fun little gift inside...a car freshener from A Cheerful Giver candle company. I also stamped inside of the card, which I often forget to do.

Are you ready for today's card? Here it is:


I used the same layout, but changed a few elements. For starters, I wanted a soft pastel color palette for this card (October Afternoon Thrift Shop Collection), which I think is very appropriate for Valentine's Day. I also switched out the stamp sets. This time, I used Friendship Jar and Flower Fusion 6. I replaced the scalloped edge with a pink lace edge. The card base is one of my favorites: Rustic Cream card stock from Papertrey Ink!


I also stamped a little flower inside of this card, but I haven't included a "gift" to go inside just yet. After all, my mom reads my blog, and I can't spoil the surprise completely!


Thanks for stopping by the cafe today!

My Cup of Tea

Is there anything more exciting than the beginning of a new bible study? I love diving into God's Word. As I've begun this new study from Beth Moore called "James: Mercy Triumphs", I have this feeling that God has picked exactly the Word He wants me to hear.

I could have done a bible study with the folks at my little church, but the topics just didn't call to me. And then I remembered that I could easily do a study at home. Buy the book, download the weekly videos, and do the homework. It was as if God was whispering "Let's just do this study together, you and me."

And right there, on day one, the very thoughts that I've been pondering for the last six weeks. Joseph, a simple carpenter who becomes a man of dreams. Mary, chosen to be the mother of a savior. Simeon, and his prophetic words.

It gives me goosebumps.

I love it when the pastor's sermons, with no planning, preach the very words I've been reading in my daily study. Just yesterday, I leaned over to my husband during the sermon and whispered in his ear "This is right out of my new study!"

Isn't God wonderful? It reminds me of the words of Jeremiah 29:13-14: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you."

I love God's Word. It's just my cup of tea!


And here's a little square card that is also my cup of tea! This stamp is from Amuse Studio, and I've paired it with some papers (SU DSP) and stitched grosgrain ribbon (Amuse) for a little clean and simple card ready for Valentine's Day or any day!


Blessings on your week ahead, friends!

Tea For Two, Me and Luke

Hello! I'd like to feature my first born son, Luke, today. Or Irish Luke, as I often call him. And for obvious reasons. The red hair, the fair skin, the freckles. And yes, ladies, he is single! :)


Over Christmas break, when Luke was home from college, he was so happy to grow this red beard. He doesn't like shaving, as he has sensitive skin. I took this photo of Luke right before he went back to college and back to his job in food service that would require him to shave his beard. He's actively looking for a job on campus that will allow him to keep his facial hair. Too funny.

Luke and I both hold the opinion that everyone should have to work a job in food service and a job in retail once in their lifetime. If you do, you'll be kind and patient to wait staff, and you'll always make an effort to put things back in their proper places in the store rather than plunking them on any ole shelf. Trust me, we've learned from experience.

When Irish Luke is home, we drink a lot of tea. In the warm months, it is iced tea, and on the chilly months, it is hot tea. No on else in my family shares my appreciation for tea as much as Luke. ( I'm trying to make at least one of my sons a coffee lover, but it hasn't happened yet!) Luke and I went out to lunch one day and ordered hot tea. The waitress brought us a box full of exotic herbals. We looked at her and said "Don't you have any regular tea?" In the end, we settled on Earl Grey.

We have favorite blends at home. Luke loves Lipton's, a classic orange pekoe. I also enjoy Constant Comment for its spiciness. If we're making a pot of tea, it has to be Yorkshire Gold. The British know a thing or two about good tea!



I think it's important for everyone to take time for tea! I made this card for today's sketch challenge at SCS using the PTI stamp set Tea For Two and papers from Crate Paper Farmhouse collection.

Have you seen any sneak peeks for what CHA has in store? The Craft and Hobby Association will be putting on their big trade show soon, where all of the major manufacturers will showcase their upcoming lines. I was so tickled to see that Cosmo Cricket will have a new line featuring tea called Tea For Two! It looks yummy!

Take time for yourself today, friends! And thank you for your kind comments and thoughtful words. I treasure them!

A Smashing Great Day

Today is the day...the first official day of my unemployment. And I have to be honest, I sat in my comfy chair, under my comfy blanket, with a warm cup of coffee in my hand and thought "Well, now what?"

I haven't found my daily groove yet, but I know that it will come. I decided to make a list of what I hope to accomplish with my days. And what better place to put it than in my SMASH book?


I started with my inspiration piece. This magnet from Curly Girl Designs was a gift from my sister, Tina, and I just love it. It says "She requires a steady diet of Faith and Fancy with a little mischief here and there for good measure." And in little word strips on the side, it says "She made a great effort to balance all the wild and wonderful things that make up life." And that is exactly what I want to do with my days!

As I reflected on the celebration of life, this fun little party theme popped into my head, and I knew what stamps I wanted to use (Hero Arts Bicycle stamps/die set). I think of life as a party, and I had a great party, but then had to leave that party. So we moved to a new party, and I came to love that party, too, but then we had to leave that party...again. This new party is not at all what I thought it would be, and truthfully, I've been more of a wallflower than a festive party girl. That needs to change.


This page will serve as my reminder to get out there and enjoy the party. I know the things I need to do, and now I need to get busy doing them. For starters, I was totally underwhelmed by my church's offerings for bible studies this month. Well, that's no excuse not to be in the Word. So tomorrow, I'm going to my local Lifeway store and I'm picking up the new Beth Moore study on the book of James called "Mercy Triumphs". Did you know that you can even download the video portions of the bible study to view at home? I can't wait to get started! Want to join me? I'd love to discuss this study with you! Drop me a line!

Hope you are having a smashing good day, friends! And if it's not so good, can I make a suggestion? A warm cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa can do wonders! Stir, sip, and enjoy!

{SMASH book recipe: pink SMASH book, Crate Paper Portrait Collection, Hero Arts bicycle stamps/dies, birds from PTI Bird Watching, paper doily, SMASH stickies, Blank SMASH pad, mini alphabet set}

Fun With Color

As I've been sorting through my craft stash and purging unused and rarely used items, I've also been finding some hidden gems. I recently discovered a big stash of retired inkpads and reinkers from Stampin' Up. I thought I'd sold these off in my last garage sale, but apparently I still had quite a few left.

I was pleasantly surprised to find some old discontinued purples and nearly full reinkers. SU doesn't have a very wide range of purples, and these old colors suddenly look fresh and new again! Lovely lilac, almost amethyst, and today's beauty, orchid opulence.


For today's card, I made rectangle masks, laying them at varying angles on the card. Then I used sponge daubers to ink around the mask. I chose basic gray ink for the flower and sentiment. It's a nice, soft alternative to the harsher and more dramatic black. I used my Sharpie marker to color some clear twinkles, and then placed them in the corner. I like the fact that every rectangle has something interesting going on inside. It makes the eye travel over the entire card, I think.

This "previously loved" stamp set is called Wildflower Garden, and I acquired it on the PTI forums last week. Thanks, Marlo!

Peace and love, friends!