Friday, February 27, 2009

Marking Time...

I am an avid reader, and my children and lots of my friends are, too. So, I've been playing around with bookmarks as little gifties "just because"...
These first two went to my daughter Brandi and her bestest friend Kiera. I love the designs on these two, and using flat embellishments add charm but not bulk, which is better for the books they are intended to mark! I used a face stamp that I'm not sure is still available, and added a strip of German scrap to simulate a crown. Brandi thought this was a clever touch, and she is my most truthful and supportive critic!
Some close-ups of the detail...

These bookmarks went to my sister, neices and my other daughter, Rachael. I just love the little girl image from Oxford Impressions, and the Inkadinkadoo birdies!


More Inkadinkado birdies in various colors and inks. These stamps are clear, and I find I get a really sharp image using Colorbox Chalks inks. But I do at times like the "pebbly" effect I get from a dye ink on the clear polymer.
Here's a close-up... Use hand writing to accent your pieces.



Sunday, February 15, 2009

Love Remembered...

Well, I did it. Finally finished the Valentine's Day book for my hubby, Lee. The base is a heart-shaped chipboard, sized about 6 inches. I picked it up at Michael's for just $1 - and it included the ring as a binder!

Here's a close-up, showing the layers of elements and detail...
I think the cover is just too sweet for words. I've used pictures of me and Lee on our trip to San Diego in December 2007. It was a rememberance of sorts - celebrating our anniversary, but also visiting his very first duty station, the USS Midway, which is now a museum.

Here is the second page spread. This past December, we celebrated our 23rd anniversary, but I still used a pic from that San Diego trip a year prior.
A close-up of the detail of flowers with pearly centers...And the german scrap as a regal trim.


In addition to a photo of Lee next to the hull number of his beloved ship, I used a lovely stamp from The Stampsmith - I call them The Lovers! Other stamp credits are available on request. Just email me.
More detail...
This spread is my favorite - simply because of the photo! My Lee actually smiling!!!

Here's a little detail... stamped die-cut letters from Basic Grey...

Last page, I promise! This one kind of got away and went very girlie and valentine on me! It's all good, though. Lee loved his book. But more importantly, he loves me! Thank you Lee for being my valentine all these years. Here's to many more to come!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

He brought me flowers...

What does Valentine's Day mean to you? To most, it's an occasion set aside for celebrating the loves in your life. But isn't it nice when you can celebrate love every day of the year? Yes, take a few moments each February 14 to say "I Love You" to your dear ones. But I personally don't see any need for extravagant gift-giving.

My darling husband (of 23+ years) is not one to buy into the global gift-giving craze that retailers promote, usurping the true purpose behind a "holiday". Occasionally, he has surprised me by bringing me an extravagant gift for Christmas, our anniversary or Valentines Day. But mostly, we recognize those occasions as time to be spent together - and there's no need for lavish spending.

Mostly, his gift-giving is thoughtful and heart-felt. As today, when I awoke to a sweet bouquet of white tulips and a too-sweet box of chocolates. Wasn't expecting a thing! And the most important thing to me is this: Lee gives me his most precious gift every day - his love, devotion and steadfastness.
Once again, it's the little things...

Thursday, February 12, 2009

It's the Little Things....

No art to post today, but I just have to share a few thoughts with you. Have you ever had one of those days where all the "little things" just seem to go right? The printer doesn't jam when you're printing 250 invoices, the paper goes in the right way, you hear small bits & pieces of good news all through the day, and every little thing just keeps getting better & better. I've had one of those days. And let me tell you it's such a relief from the days where every little thing goes wrong.

So, I come home from a long day of celebrating the little things, and find 3 little gifties from my grown daughter! She went to Michaels, saw these things and thought of me. And the fact that they came with a little price-tag made it just that much better! The bunny & alphabet set are each no more than 2 inches, and each cost $1! The adorable brads were a bit more pricey, but I bet I can get 23 projects out of the set!

Here's to the Little Things in Life! May your days be filled with Lots of Lovely Little Things!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Love Story...

My daughter, Brandi, travelled from Arizona to England over our Thanksgiving holiday to visit with her boyfriend, Kingsly. They are such a cute couple, and thier story is such a sweet thing.

Brandi and Kingsly met quite by chance while he was here taking pilot training over this past summer. They started hanging out as friends - she meeting his English friends and he meeting her Arizona friends - and before they knew it, their feelings were for much more than friendship. They were practically inseparable until Kingsly had to return to England in September.

I admire my daughter's adventurous spirit, because I don't know that I would have had the fortitude to travel half-way around the world by myself, as she did in November. But, she has always wanted to travel - to England especially, and having a ready-made native guide in Kingsly, this was the perfect opportunity.

Kingsly and Brandi went everywhere they could in the one week she had for her visit. On their way to Devon to meet his parents, they stopped at Stonehenge and a kindly stranger snapped this photo of the two of them. I loved the way this brightly earthy floral paper complimented the greens and grays in the photo.

Of course, Brandi has many more photos of her trip to scrapbook, and she and I are doing it little by little. It will take a while, because she wants the book to express the love and adventure of both this trip and the basis of her relationship with Kingsly. It's so sweet to see young love just starting to blossom.