I Just Love You!

I just wanted to take the time to tell all of you who visit me, that I Love You! I appreciate that you read my rambling mind, the fact that I am opinionated (the political post, which I probably won't do again) and my issues with family. But, I especially love that you make such nice comments about my cards and crafts!

In the very near future, I will be posting for Blog Candy. Yes, I didn't think it was necessary but, have changed my mind. So, I have been shopping around for just the right mix of goodies!

Making this card is helping me reduce the amount of DP I have and use a set that I have not used yet. I see that all the time on B/S/T on SCS that folks have them unmounted and unused. But, when I bought this paper and set, I loved that it was whimsical looking, had flowers and a butterfly. It's difficult to see in the picture but, the butterfly has stickles on it.

BTW, I am selling some of my retired SU sets. I am trying to figure out a way to post them but, in the mean time you can go to cvansluys on SCS in the B/S/T thread to find my ad if you are interested.

Hope you have a great day!

• Stamps - I Just Love You
• Paper - SU Flowers for You DSP, Whisper White and Tempting Turquoise CS
• Ink - SU Regal Rose
• Accessories - SU Tempting Turquiose, Regal Rose, Old Olive and Lovely Lilac Markers, SU Grosgrain Ribbon, SU Scallop Border Punch, Paper Piercer, Dew Drops, Stickles
  

Make a Wish

Good Morning Friends! Yes, it has been awhile since I posted something but, it had been awhile since I made something. I think it's that thing that cardmakers talk about.....loosing your MoJo?

Don't how I lost it...maybe it's this sadness I have been feeling for so many things I cannot change in my life right now, maybe it is the lack of funds to buy something new to stamp with or maybe it is something entirely different, like gardening that takes so much time. At any rate, I needed to make some birthday cards last week and took a day to myself to make some.

I bought this set used from my Demo. I thought it would be pretty handy for some masculine cards or maybe even a christmas card. I perused the Big Birthday Candle set gallery and found 2 cards that I liked for the design just the way they were. The one to the left and the green and black near the bottom, both by HamiltonGal on SCS.

Designer Paper by 7Gypsies has always been one of my favorite lines. I bought this in a paper pack before last Christmas to work on a project, but realized that it would take too long for the time I had and be way over the amount I wanted to spend. So, I shelved the whole thing. But, when I was looking for some guy type paper I spotted it and thought...hmmm, this will be fine!

The 50th card I sent to my brother out in California. He and I were so close to each other for so many of our childhood years. Then when I went to high school, things between us changed. He got into some not so good relationships with "bad boys" and nothing I said made any difference. We spent many years not talking to each other...the last time I saw him was at our sisters wedding in 1993. He was starting a new relationship with a really good woman, Rose....I think she saw the good man that he really is. They are married now and happy.

Then when our Father passed away 2 months ago, we were thrown back together. We started talking again.....I told him life is too short to be mad any longer. So, we are trying to reconnect our relationship again. I am grateful that he has found peace in his heart and has forgiven himself for the wrongs he has done and is moving forward. As it should be.

The other cards are for future birthdays in the family....older niece, nephew and sister-in-law. They are not masterpieces but, I had fun making them and I hope the recipents will like them too. I really liked that I sponged the flame of the candle, that was fun!

Hope you have a great week! I appreciate you looking too!

7Gypsies card

Stamps - Big Birthday Candle, So Many Scallops

Paper - 7Gypsies Zanzibar DP, Sahara Sand and Basic Black CS

Ink - Ranger Archival Ink

Accessories - 1 3/4" circle punch

Make a Wish card

Stamps - Big Birthday Candle

Paper - Confetti White, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze and So Saffron CS, SU Sweet Slumber Speciality DSP

Ink - SU Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze and More Mustard

Accessories - Paper Clip, Zig Marker and SU Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon

Birthdays are the Best

Stamps - Big Birthday Candle and It's Your Birthday

Paper - SU Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Whisper White and So Saffron CS, Washington Apple DSP

Ink- SU More Mustard, Ranger Archival Ink

Accessories - Paper Clip, Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon, SU Small and Large Tag Punches

Amethyst Happy Birthday

Stamps - Big Birthday Candle and It's Your Birthday

Paper - SU Almost Amethyst, Whisper White and So Saffron CS, SU Tea Party DSP

Ink - Ranger Archival Ink, SU Almost Amethyst and More Mustard

Accessories - Wide Ric Rack, Cotton Thread50th Birthday card

Stamps - Big Birthday Candle, So Very, Wonderful Favorites, Short Order Numbers

Paper - SU Basic Black and Kiwi Kiss, SU Rockabilly Speciality DSP

Ink - Ranger Archival Ink

Accessories - SU On Board Lots of Letters Chipboard, Zig Marker, Crystal effects

So Very Loved - Always

It has been nearly a month and a half since my Dad passed away. I think I am doing pretty good dealing with his not being at home when I go to see Mom. I keep expecting to see him sitting in his chair when I open the door. Mom is having a very difficult time dealing with it, which is to be expected since he was her life's partner. She has most of her grief when no one is at home. She was worried that she was crying too much but, I think as long as she is crying, that is a good thing.

Anyway, I decided to make a couple of cards to send to Lisa, my younger sister, Chris, my younger brother and Mom. I wanted to let them know how much I love them and to apologize if I said anything in grief that has caused them pain. I feel I did, don't remember what it was but, I can feel there is distance. I am hoping to say some kind words to 'mend fences'.

The Orange and White is for Mom. I cased this from Leigh Ann Baird off of SCS. I change it a bit but really liked the flowers on the panel. Wished the 'loved' showed up better. I used my markers to color the small prismas because I did not have the color I wanted.

The Blue and Kraft is for my sister, Lisa....she loves these colors. I cased this from Putri on SCS, I really like her style of cardmaking.

This one is for Chris, he lives out in Mid-coast California. He was not able to come home to visit with Dad prior to his passing away. But, he came for a week staying with Lisa and my BIL, John. He helped Mom do some repairs around the house that Dad just was not able to do. I think they had a good time catching up.

Thanks for looking and I hope that you have a great holiday weekend!!

Cindy

The supplies are in no particular order this time....sorry.

• Stamps - SU Embrace Life and So Very; Hero Arts Printers Type Alpha
• Ink - SU Tempting Teal, Chocolate Chip and Pumpkin Pie
• Paper - SU Bali Breeze, Parisian Breeze Speciality and Washington Apple DSP, Whisper White, Confetti White, Tempting Teal, River Rock, Pumpkin Pie, Baja Breeze, Kraft, Blue Bayou and Textured Tempting Teal CS
• Accessories - SU Ribbons, Punches and Buttons (except for the brown one, it is from my collection of antiques), Unknown Blue ribbon, Making Memories Button Brads and Lil' Davis Chipboard

Freedom and Garland

Happy Saturday Friends!

First let me preface what I am going to say with an apology and a warning. I am going to say things that may or may not be something you want to talk about or that may offend your sensibilities. I love that you come to check out my crafts and that you leave me feedback.....and I know that I may be risking your friendship by speaking my mind.

I wanted to make something for July 4th to decorate our home. So many other holidays get decorations that this one needs it too. I also wanted to remind friends and family how important our Freedom is....this is where I stand on my soapbox and say....

I am not happy with many of our current members of Government and I am afraid that a good deal of our freedoms may be in the process of getting taken away. If we do not stand up and let our feelings be known, by talking to our legislators, we may end up in serious trouble 4 years from now and we will only have ourselves to blame. I believe that we have been heading down this road for many years so, it is not something new.

As I watch events unfold on TV about our country (the incredible amounts of money being spent, the bailouts, continued loss of jobs, etc.), I am reminded of our Founding Fathers....what they faced to stand up to King George....what they risked! They loved their native country, England, but, they could not stand by here in the colonies and be dictated to....and taxed to death. So they not only revolted once but twice!!

If this Cap and Trade (Tax) Bill passes the Senate you can expect our taxes to go up to the tune of about $3,000 a year! How do you think government will get the money to fund all the things they want to do? Now, I do not know about you but, I think I pay just enough taxes already!

What I am asking you to do is be informed about what the real truths are about what is going on in our country and what our government is trying to accomplish....mainstream TV does not give you the complete answers, please try to watch Fox News. They are fair and balanced! And no I do not get any kickbacks for saying any of this!! Call or e-mail your legislators and tell them you are mad as hell and not going to take this anymore! If they do not hear from you then, they will think you are okay with the status quo.

Thank you friends for listening to me I just need to speak up and say what needs to be said....I love my country very much, I would not want to live anywhere else but, I am not willing to lay down and let them walk all over me and my family!! Here are some links to find your House of Representatives and Senators
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

• Stamps - None
• Paper - Moxxie, Creative Imaginations, Graphic 45 DPs and SU Confetti White CS
• Ink - SU Creamy Caramel
• Accessories - Cricuit, SU Rough Edges Wheel, Dimensionals, Metallic Pipecleaners, K & Co Glue, Grungeboard Letters, Colorbok Chipboard, Basic Gray Sanding Tools, Assorted Ribbons and Fabric Strips

Have a great weekend (off my soapbox for now)!
Cindy

More Father's Day and a Lovely Surprise!

Spent part of the morning with Clark has his home. The day before Clark and I worked on his gift to Dad, a Chili Grill. You hollow out Jalapeno peppers, stuff them then set the whole thing on the grill. Wayne loves hot peppers!! Anyway, I had this stamp of the grill and that is what Clark chose to make the kraft paper wrap and the paperbag card. Not very sophisticated but, Clark thought it was funny. I you notice something weird about Clark's teeth, he had been drinking blue Gatorade!

After time with Clark we drove to the cemetary to see Dad's plot. When we got to his section and started looking for his number, I was so surprised to see that his headstone was there and grass had started growing. In fact, it made me cry.....well, maybe it was because it was Father's Day and I was missing him. That look on my face was me crying.....asked Wayne to take another, he did and it was worse.

We spent part of the evening together, no one cried but you could feel the tension. Everyone is trying so hard to be supportive to each other but, there are already some hurts happening because of things that have been said. All I can do is pray for guidance for each of us to be strong and know that Dad is okay.....and so will we.

Hope you had a nice weekend! Have a great day!

Cindy

Happy Father's Day

I made this for my Father-In-Law, Will, this year. Liked this paper and thought it would be nice

for him since he is a really uncomplex sort of guy. I cased this from Wendy Janson on SCS.

Heading over to my Mother's house today, kind of weird/sad to think that Dad won't be there. We are having dinner together anyway. Someone mentioned that we might go over to the Cemetary, see Dad's grave and talk to him. We know that his headstone will not be there yet, the govenrment takes up to 6 months to get it made and installed. My father was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetary. He was in the Navy for 2 years and the Air Force for 4. He loved his country and served it with honor.

Happy Father's Day and God Bless you Dad!

• Stamps - Lovely as a Tree, AYC II
• Paper - Baja Breeze, Kraft, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White CS, Baja Breeze DP
• Ink - Chocolate Chip
• Accessories - SU Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Unknown hardware

Thanks for looking!

Cindy

Leisurely Sunday with Mom

Yesterday my Mom and I went to the Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion in downtown St. Louis for their 19th Century Ladies Crafts Day. The original farmhouse that was on this spot was built in the 1840's by Henri Chatillon. It was sold to Dr. Nicolas DeMenil in the mid-1850's and was completed to look, as it does today, in 1863.

The Mansion was saved by an association who bought it from the State of Missouri Highway Commission who was going to tear it down to build Interstate 55. It is one of the only remaining examples of Greek Revival architecture in St. Louis.

We toured the home inside and was amazed at the beauty of the architecture and details. The ladies that were showing off and demonstrating crafts and that would have been done during the time period around 1850 included White Work (a particular embroidery), Crocheting, Spinning, Ribbon Work and Doll Making, Knitting (this gal was really talented, she was making socks), Hairwork and Cameo Carving, and Wet Plate Photography. There were also two ladies that were preparing to play period parlor music. It was nice to chat with all of them.

We left to have lunch at Bread Company....Pannera in other parts of the country. It was nice to have a day alone with Mom. She is doing her best to get life going again. All I can do it pray for her, offer to help her with various things and just be there when she needs to talk.

Hope you had a great weekend and hope your week goes smooth!

Happy Crafting!!

Cindy