An Oldie But A Goodie!

Here's a fun card today using an oldie but a goodie stamp set: Spring Tags from WPlus9 Design. This was one of the first stamp sets I ordered from them, and I STILL love it's folksy charm today. Note to self: only buy what you love, and you will use it for years to come!

I just love picket fences. They say "home" to me! The first house we lived in had a picket fence. My Dad, my husband, and my brother installed the twelve foot section of picket, and the three men managed to put it in crooked. There may or may not have been beer involved. Lol! I still loved that crooked little picket and decorated it for every season!

Just to show you how frugal I can be...I decided to cut out the center of this pretty lavendar gingham paper to use for a future project. Because, gosh, I might run out of patterned paper one day! <----said no paper crafter in the history of ever!

And here's the inside of the card! (Sentiments from Inspired By Grace stamp set (PTI) )

{Today's Brew: Spring Tags stamp set (wplus9), all dies from Lawn Fawn, ink/card stock/paper from PTI, MFT cloud and chevron stencils}

Easter Planning With The Gathering of Friends

"So, what are you planning for Easter this year?" my sweet step mom-in-law asked me on the phone yesterday.

Oh. That's right. Easter is Sunday?! How did that happen? Between constant house cleaning, showings, and house hunting, I've kind of lost track of time.

The question remains: what AM I planning for Easter?

That's when I turned to some of my favorite cookbooks from The Gathering of Friends!

These cookbooks are really special for so many reasons.

For starters, the recipes are simple, with ingredients you'll have at home or find at any  grocery store.

I love spiral bound cookbooks because they open and lay flat.

Each book is organized around a theme, and sorted by chapters. Each chapter will include photos and recipes for an entire meal, from appetizer to salad to entree to dessert.

And at the end of each chapter? A handy grocery shopping list!

But one of the coolest features of these books...the lovely photos of home interiors and tablescapes.

You can see all of the cookbooks at their website here:

thegatheringoffriends.com

And if you are blessed like me, you occasionally find them at places like Half Price Books for a great price!

Easter will be a family affair, just Ed and I with the boys and Jemma at home. I've decided to create a "Make your own crepe" buffet, with a combination of sweet (strawberries and bananas topped with chocolate sauce and whipped cream) and savory (chicken and artichoke, asparagus and bacon, ham and swiss all topped with Gruyere sauce), all from recipes featured in this cookbook.

Time to do some grocery shopping!

Town Mouse or Country Mouse?

Town Mouse or Country Mouse?

Which one are you?

Sam and I used to love to read Jan Brett books together, and this one was a favorite. The town mouse swaps homes with the country mouse, and each one thinks the grass is greener on the other side. But after a day of seeing how the other half lives, each one decides to go back to what he's always known.

We find ourselves in the same scenario.

The houses in town have their conveniences. Close to schools and libraries and shopping and restaurants. But small houses with small lots, and most of the yards we have seen are not fenced, which just would not work with Jemma.

Then there are the country houses. Wonderful views of woods and lakes, with acreage. But many have to be accessed by unpaved roads (hello, Michigan potholes!), and they are a bit of a drive to get to your daily amenities. But oh, the peace and tranquility! The garden possibilities!

Town Mouse or Country Mouse. Which one do I want to be? I made this card with a mouse while I ponder the possibilities!

{Today's Brew: Harvest Mouse stamp set and dies (MFT), Label Maker Sentiments (MFT), lawn fawn grass border die, MFT hearts stencil, PTI inks and card stock, COPICs}

I suppose that this is all I need to remember:

Tell me: Which one are you? Town Mouse or Country Mouse? And where do you think I belong?

Blessings, cafe friends!

Sunrise, Sunset, Praise

It was a mild evening, and Jemma had some wiggles to get out of her system. so we went for a walk.

We turned a corner to walk through the park, and this was what we saw. The sunset was amazing!

It was one of those sunsets that makes you want to clap your hands and say "Yes, God! This one was awesome! Thank you!"

The birds were singing their evensong hymns, and Jemma and I walked home with a pep in our step and joy in our hearts.

I made this card as a reminder...morning, evening, sunrise to sunset, rejoice in the Lord always!

{Today's Brew: New Every Morning stamp set (PTI), sun rays stamp set (PTI), PTI papers/ink/card stock, lawn fawn grass border die, MFT cross stitch rectangle frame die}

The grass is greening, the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining...spring is here! It fills me with such hope!

Blessings on your weekend, cafe friends!

The Blessings of Home

My mother-in-law moved in to a new apartment unit in her senior living residence two weeks ago. It just happened to be the same weekend that my husband and boys went up to Michigan for some house hunting, and they were able to move all the big and heavy things in one afternoon.

That is one of the blessings of living close to home. Caring for our families is important to us. Being there for moments big and small. These are the things that make life so much richer.

I made this card for my mother-in-law to wish her blessings in her new nest.

This is an A1 card size (3 1/2 by 4 7/8), which is just a tad smaller than your typical A2 card fronts (4 1/4 by 5 1/2). Somehow, the smaller format makes it easier to make some clean and simple cards. I think when you shrink the layout, it makes the smaller images have more importance and stature.

I added a few die cuts and popped some up with foam dimensionals for a fun look.

{Today's Brew: Home Sweet Home stamp set (Lawn Fawn), Lawn Fawn dies, Lawn Fawn woodgrain A1 notecard, baker's twine}

Blessings, cafe friends!

Daffodils, Dirt, and Garden Duty

Whenever I find the time, and whenever weather permits, I'm out in the garden. Last week, I laid twelve bags of fresh mulch in the front yard garden beds to add to the curb appeal. This week, I did a little pruning and raking in the back beds. The ornamental grasses needed their spring hair cuts, the oregano patches needed a good pruning, and the dead stalks from last year's flowers had to be removed.

I am determined to leave this garden in much better shape than I received it.

Today, it looks like a steady rain...the sort of grey skies and gloom that seem to be hovering over the area a lot this spring.

It was the perfect weather for crafting in the basement studio!

{Today's Brew: Garden Variety 1 and 2 stamp sets and dies (PTI), Year of Flowers (PTI), PTI papers/ink/cardstock, COPIC markers}

April showers bring May flowers, cafe friends!

Open House!

We have an open house scheduled tomorrow. Yes, we have accepted an offer on our house (yippee!), but it's always good to continue showing the house in case the buyers back out or the offer falls through.

It was spring break here this week, so not a lot of traffic as many folks were out of town. But today the sun is shining, and we hope to get some visitors tomorrow.

We popped over to Walmart to pick up a few things. I put this place mat and tulips into the shopping cart. And of course, my husband had to ask "Do we really need that?"

My reply? "Yes. Yes we do!" And for three bucks? I used to spend more than that on lattes!

The blue of the place mat plays off the blue of the patio cushions and umbrella. And the tulips? Well, they just make me happy.

Looks like it's time to let Miss Jemma back inside!

Blessings, cafe friends!