Did somebody say CAKE???

Today is my first baby's birthday.


(Photo taken when he was "angry" with Mom the other day :-) )

To be honest, this whole "teenager" thing is throwing me for a loop!! I TOTALLY get why some animals eat their young. He's moody. He's emotional. He's HUGE. He eats everything! He's way too into girls for my liking. He breaks my heart in a million ways everyday and I love him so much it hurts.


(Photo taken on the day he chose to be re-baptized...Cuz he wanted it to reflect his decision to follow.)


I see glimmers of my baby boy when he smiles and I catch glimpses of the man he will be.

In church yesterday, I got a bit of encouragement from my Father in Heaven. Our sermon was on Psalms 127.

Psalms 127

1 A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat--for he grants sleep to those he loves.

3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.

4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.

5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

(Taken from the NIV translation of Blue Letter Bible online.)

Here are the main points I took from this...

The Lord is the architect of my house and family. Otherwise, everything I strive to build is dangerously teetering, like a house built on sinking sand.

Children are treasures. Gifts from the Lord. Treat them as such.

Boy, oh boy, does this put things into perspective for parents struggling to raise a teenager! Gods got this. He has my back.

Happy Birthday Anthony!!! I love you so much.

Now, I'm off to bake a birthday cake!!! Who doesn't love a cake day???

xox,

{shine}

Hello, people of Bloglandia!!! It's been a crazy week 'round these parts. How've YOU been?

We had a bit of a mulch fire somewhere close to my home and there's been a smoke cloud hanging around for days(wreaking havoc with my allergies!). I'm happy to report that skies are clear and back to normal today!

So, with itchy eyes and sneezes behind me, I thought I'd share a card I've created using Circus Trixie from Saturated Canary.



This image TOTALLY reminds me of the old traveling circus shows!!! Ya know, the ones that traveled caravan-style---with FABULOUS posters displaying their featured acts of derring-do! The circle shape is a bit of a "tongue-in-cheek" nod to the old three-ringed spectacles :-)



I colored her up with my Copic markers and the "deets" are below...





Thanks so much for stopping by today!!!

{TOAD-AL LOVE}

Good Morning! Today is the start of a new challenge over on Saturated Canary's Challenge Blog :-)

Ever get into a "creative routine"? Creating the same card size, in the same card shape, in the same card time??? Well, you get what I mean!!!

Jump out of that box, my friends, cuz it's time to shake it up a bit! Grab those supplies and create ANYTHING but square or rectangle. You heard me---it's Circles and Arches and Clouds, OH MY!

I decided to go with a classic arch shape.



Krista's Princess Who Kissed a Frog made the perfect image for my arch-shaped greeting. It was "TOAD-AL LOVE" at first sight!



I've done a bit of paper piecing with my Copic coloring this time. LOVE Prima's Botanical Collection! So soft and shabby chic :-)

Skin: E000, E00, E11, R20, R30
Hair: E29, E33, E37,
Clothes: B0000, B00, E50
Frog: YG03, YG13, YG17
Sky: BOOOO, B00, C00, C1, C3, C7
Background: B0000, C00, C1, Y11, YG0000, YR0000



Now, head on over and see what the other DT gals have created, and get hoppin'! I can't wait to see what everyone creates :-)

Thanks for stopping by!!!

I Heart You...

Hello! I hope everyone's Valentine's Day was amazing!!! Lots of love and tons of gifties all around!

Today, I thought I'd share a heart I created for a secret swap in my MAMA group. My recipient was Julie Anne and I was thrilled to create a little heart for her!



I've stitched together a rustic heart and then piled on the vintage goodness :-) Love old doilies and LOVE crusty mother-of-pearl buttons. I'm sure I've collected a ton of them over the years! No joke. A TON!



My heart came from Lisa :-) BIG HUGS to you, Lisa!!! I love it!



Thanks so much for stopping by today. Don't forget to pop back in tomorrow for an all new Saturated Canary Challenge card!!!

{Party Hardy!}

Birthdays, birthdays, everywhere there's birthdays!!! I almost can't keep up! I'm at the post office so often, they acutally remember my name :-P

Honestly, though---there really isn't anything better than a birthday card. Add handmade to that? LOVE!

Here's a quick and "mail-friendly" card I've created using Party Hardy from Saturated Canary's Digi Shop.

I've colored her up with my Copics on kraft cardstock and embellished with just a teeny bit of baker's twine.



I love how the kraft cardstock doesn't mute the colors! Once again I say, can kraft ever be wrong???

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Oh, SNAP

Here's the second of my 12 snapshots on the 12th :-) Just a little peek into my world over the last month!!!

ONE


TWO


THREE


FOUR


FIVE


SIX


SEVEN


EIGHT


NINE


TEN


ELEVEN


TWELVE


ONE - My latest kitchen gadget :-) LOVE me some kitchen gadgets!!!
TWO - Me sportin' Joshy's "GeeK GlasseS"! 3D MOVIES ARE GOOD FOR SOMETHIN', AFTERALL!
THREE - Rockhopper Penguin Paige! Cutest. Play. Ever. JUST SAYIN'!!!
FOUR - Who doesn't love a pair of cheesy plastic vamp teeth??? EEK!
FIVE - Birthday Love :-)
SIX - My Ant on haircut day.
SEVEN - Peanut Love :-)
EIGHT - A Wooly Moos-tache!!!
NINE - The EVIL one!!!
TEN - Date Night Moon :-)
ELEVEN - Such a good girl---for 3 seconds, anyway!
TWELVE - Cheeseburger LOVE! Mommy Date with my Joshy!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!!

Cartes Postales En Sépia

Good Morning, Everyone!!! Today I thought I'd share a little grouping of fabric postcards I've created in sepia tones for a MAMA swap...



The base for my postcards is a fabulously tattered, vintage handkerchief decorated with mother-of-pearl buttons, pearl and seed beading.





The back is a scan of a vintage postcard.



Gosh, I LOVE sepia!!! I just bought some new Copics in sepia tones so be watching for a bit of SEPIA LOVE in future cards :-)

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!!!

Here's a little video announcing the winner of my BirThDaY GivEaWaY!!!



Thanks to everyone who played along and a BIG CONGRATS to the WINNER!!!

xox,

{You Give My Heart Wings}

Good Morning, Everyone!

Today, over on the Saturated Canary Challenge Blog, a new challenge begins!!! ***DUN-DUN-DUN!!! <--- dramatic music!***

Go forth and create something Pink, Red & White!

I decided to keep things clean and simple on my card. It was just me, my Copics, coffee and a FABULOUS freebie image. Her name is Canary Love and you can find the download HERE!



Here she is all "colored-up"...



...and stitched :-) The only embellie I added was a red satin ribbon. All tied up like a present with a big red bow!!!



Here's a close-up on the image.

Skin: E000, E00, E11, R20, R30
Hair: E33, E37, E29
Clothes: R22, R27, RV00, RV02, C9
Background: RV00, RV02, C00, C1, C3



Now hop on over to and see what the rest of the DT has created---and then, get your craft on!!! I can't wait to start hopping and see what everyone creates!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

'An Ode To Glitter'

Glitter, Glitter --- How I Love Thee!
Glitter, Glitter --- You're O' So Prettee.

Good? No??? Aw, well! I'm no poet, and I know it ;-)

But glitter is pretty. Just sayin'.

Here's a teeny tiny book covered in it!!!

I created this domino mini book for a swap with a fellow Marie Antoinette Mail Art Group artisan.



This particular glitter is German Glass Glitter and will tarnish over time to a beautiful darkened patina.



This tiny book currently on it's way to the UK and a brand new home with Dawn. I hope you love it as much as I've enjoyed creating it for you, Dawn!!!



You can check out the GORGEOUS book sent to me on Melanie's blog, HERE. LOVE!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!