The August PTI Blog Hop is underway! Nicole Heady chose a beautiful inspiration photo. I LOVED the lid of the little suitcase and ran with it.

Wouldn't you like to pack up this sweet suitcase and go read for awhile?

I recently found a quatrefoil svg for my Cricut that I used for a background. I have lots of plans for this beauty. Can't wait to try it as a stencil or with vinyl. If you want this free svg, here is the link - Quatrefoil svg.

The flower stamp is from Iconic Images. The sentiment is from Half & Half. I'm still waiting on the dies. I thought I had ordered them on release but alas I was mistaken so now I'm stalking the store.

Happy Hopping Everyone!

What about for a child???

This is my favorite card that I made using PTI's Make It Monday #26: Decreasing Apertures challenge. I went UP and DOWN!

The star prints/dies and the limitless layers were the perfect choices for this fun card.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Monday is coming!!

I'm playing along with PTI Make It Monday #26: Decreasing Apertures. This was a lot of fun.

Another HOT day in Texas! We reached a 110 degrees yesterday. We are still in the midst of remodeling but I managed to play along with Verve's 1st August sketch challenge. 

Can I just tell you I'm happy with this card. I tried a couple of new techniques for me, mixed the colors up a little, and had fun. 

I love 'friend" embossed behind the ship and then rubbed with spring rain ink.

Today Bob and I celebrate 23 years of marriage!!! We have been greatly blessed!! What do you think about my wedding hat??? My parents are also in this photo. If you have seen previous posts you will know that they celebrated 50 years on July 15th.

The next pictures are from our cruise vacation. If you ever get the chance to zip line in a rain forest DO IT!!!

The "free" rappelling was out of my comfort zone but INCREDIBLE!!! You just walked off that platform you see over Bob.

I needed a sympathy card on our return from vacation. I went with a simple design that I could make again if the need arises. Just a little bit of ink rubbed on the edges finished it nicely.

Today my parents celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. The traditional anniversary gift is gold, but have you seen the price of GOLD!!! I'd decided to create a book that captures their 50 years together. I thought I would share a few pages. 

My brother and I have been blessed with wonderful parents. We are thankful for the example they have been in our own marriages. Our children could not ask for better grandparents. They are loved and spoiled!

We are all cruising together this week to celebrate! I'm sure we will have stories to tell. The quote below states: Love at first sight is easy to understand; it's when two people have been looking at each other for a lifetime that it becomes a miracle. Amy Bloom

Happy 4th of July to ALL!!!! I snapped the photo below earlier in the week at the local city hall. The flags were so pretty. I hope you are enjoying a day with family and friends.

Today is also my oldest son's 20th birthday. The Papertrey Forum was talking about Erin Lincoln's Dot Spot fireworks card here (scroll down the post). I used that as inspiration for Reed's card.

Would you ever actual use the ironing board in the laudry room?

These are the color options available for the Electrolux Front Load machines. Can you believe that black isn't an option??? What would you choose?

If you have any ideas that you want to send my way I would love to have them.

Won't be much crafty time this week as I begin an  "in town" mission trip. The 2nd Annual Cowtown Mission begins Sunday evening. It is over 100 youth and adult volunteers that will work on 16 homes in our community. There are roofs to repair, houses to paint, flooring to replace, and clean up galore. 

I'm so excited about "my house." It just happens to be the family home of some of the kids we mentor through Kids Hope USA. We would appreciate your prayers and thoughts as we work in 100 degree temperatures.

Can you believe Father's Day is almost here? Can you believe another year is half OVER???? OK I digress. The Papertrey Peeps June challenge issued by Cammie is to create a masculine project for the special men in our lives.

I have struggled to use the Get to the Point set but combined with the Framed sentiments I will use it much more. I really like using the Ad Sense die and the Limitless Layers dies together.Can you see the woodgrain impression plate detail?

I hope you get to spend time with the special men in your life this weekend.

This is the first of the June sketches for Verve. I love this sketch Amber.

The elegant flower from Everlasting Life is perfect for the oval frame.

Terri issued a challenge on the Papertrey Peeps blog for May that called for using flowers. Yes, I know May --  and now it is June. I'm a little behind. The library card is really the perfect backdrop for images. I like the feeling of layers that it gives.

I'm playing along with the Mojo Monday #194 sketch. This is a sketch that I will use again and again.

The butterflies make me happy! We are starting to see lots of the real thing in our garden. They float with such grace.

Enjoy your weekend!!

Another card using a Smooches stamp set. This time it is Birthday Buddies. Keeping it clean and simple today.

Do you have any of the new Smooches stamps yet? I finally had to order!!! The sets are so whimsical and playful. The doghouse is a free svg file that I downloaded here. Their eyes make me smile.

There was some discussion on the Papertrey Forum about the edger dies. I have been using the Edger #1 for gift card pockets. This shape has just enough curve to make it perfect.

I tried to post a picture on the forum but I never get it to work! :) I hope the visual helps someone.

Hi Everyone!!! Hope you are doing well. I feel like I haven't posted in forever. The blogger comment problems took the enthusiasm right out of my sails. You don't realize how "hooked" you are until you can't post!!! Glad it is fixed.