Happy Easter - Spring has Sprung!

There is a lot of confusion regarding what Easter Sunday is all about.  For some it means decorating eggs and looking for the Easter Bunny.  Most people are confused as to how the resurrection of Christ is related to the Easter eggs and bunny!  Are you?  I was so I decided to look for an answer. Biblically speaking, there is no connection between the resurrection of Jesus and the common traditions related to Easter.  Essentially what happened is that in order to make Christianity more attractive to non-Christians, the ancient Roman Catholic Church mixed the celebration of Jesus with celebrations that involved spring fertility rituals.  Those rituals are the source of the egg and bunny traditions.  Hopefully when you celebrate today with your loved ones, you will remember what the day is all about while having fun looking for Easter eggs!

Spring is springing up all around me.  While I was out last week, I snapped several pictures of the beginnings of Spring in North Carolina.

These are the trees blooming at the entrance to my neighborhood.  While I was taking the picture, it looked like it was snowing as the flowers were blowing off the trees.

This gorgeous tree is in my Mom's yard.  (That is her house in the background.)  What makes me so sad is that Mom's eyes have deteriorated so much that she can't see this tree and enjoy it's beauty.

I took this picture underneath the tree looking up to the sky.

Can you spot the dogwood just starting to bloom:

This is one of my favorite flowers / trees.  The dogwood tree means rebirth and resurrection and Christianity as a whole.

 
I don't know what this is called but it is really pretty.  This is right beside my driveway so I get to see it every day.  This is the best it has looked in our ten years here.

I wish this was in my yard!  It is in my neighborhood and I had to stop and take a picture.  I have always loved a Forsythis (or as many Southerners call it, a Yellow Bell).  I planted one when we lived in Texas and in Washington.  Don't know why I haven't done so here!!  I'll have to get Sonny on it.

Last but not least are these pretty Hellebores (or Lenten Roses).  You'll have to take my word for it that they are pretty.  Guess they are just shy and like to be droopy.  I like to cut them and float them in a crystal bowl of water.

Hope you have enjoyed my little bit of spring and have a wonderful Easter!!

Spice Cake Flower from Sale-a-Bration

How do you like my blog background and banner?  Just proves how much I love the DSP from the Sale-a-Bration catalog, Everyday Enchantment.   I used My Digital Studio to make both of them.

There are so many creative ways to make flowers.  For this card, I made the flower like the one that is in the Sale-a-Bration catalog on page 11.  I found a tutorial for the flower on Jackie Topia's blog.  You have to do a little sewing, but it is worth it for this great flower! 



I used fabric from Spice Cake.  It coordinates with the More Mustard, Pool Party and Soft Suede cardstock. 

Now I want to get the Flirtatious fabric from the Sale-a-Bration catalog - FREE - and make a Melon Mambo flower!! 

Hope you are having a good weekend. It was really cold here today.  I don't think it got out of the 30s and the wind went right through you.  I don't think tomorrow is going to be much warmer either.  But afterall, it is February!  Sonny and I went to the movies today to see Man On A Ledge.  It was pretty good - very suspenseful.  We had started out to see Safe House but we got the time wrong and arrived too late.  So, guess we'll try next week to see it.  Tomorrow we are going to see the Charlotte Checkers (hockey team) play in downtown Charlotte.  This will be our first hockey game of the season this year.

Take A Guess!

Posting three days in a row!  Don't know what's gotten in to me other than I've been stamping a little more than before!  I have been making flowers lately with different materials.  I've made them out of fabric, paper and ... can you guess what this one is made of???

Here are the flowers all by themselves to give you a little closer look.  Leave a comment with your guess.  The first correct answer will receive the card above!

Supplies used to make the card:  Pink Pirouette and Old Olive cardstock, Retired DSP, SU Adorning Accents Edgelits, Adorning Accents Embossing Folder, rick-rack, Little Leaves die, Big Shot, Glimmer Brad and the mystery matter!

I went to the "Y" today and did a swim class.  I really felt like I got a work out!  When we first joined the "Y", Sonny and I did water exercise 2-3 times a week but I probably haven't done the water exercise in over a year.  I never really felt like I had worked out.  Don't know what was different today - either I put more "oomph" into it, it was a different instructor, or I'm just getting older and we know that's not the case!!

Enjoy your Tuesday!

Baby, It's Hot Outside!

Are you getting any relief from the heat where you live?  I know the hot weather is breaking records all along this area.  I think I saw where some schools in the northeast were cancelled today because of the heat.  We had another scorcher today but I think a thunderstorm is coming tonight.  Maybe it will cool things down but more than likely, it will just make it muggier tomorrow!  

Yesterday the Golden Boys had their annual Progressive Dinner.  Some friends came by on their boat and picked us up.  We all (100+) rafted up together in a cove for a couple of hours before we headed over to the Bomze's home for dinner.  It was so hot that most people stayed in the water the whole time during the raft up.  That doesn't usually happen.  Last year there were only a handful of people who got in the water.  It's funny because this event is usually held later in the summer but they changed it this year so it wouldn't be so hot!!  Well, that didn't quite work out!  The Bomze's have held this event in their home for the past 3 years.  They are braver than me .... how would you like to have 150 people at your house for dinner???  Of course, the meal is catered but Suze was still gracious enough to make a delicious rum punch for us!  

After a couple of lemonade and sweet tea vodka drinks during the raft up and a rum punch at the dinner coupled with the heat, I had a splitting headache when we got home.  That's why I didn't post anything last night!!  Plus, I had another reason ...... the new SU catalog arrived about 30 minutes before we left the house.  So, when I got home, I quickly took my shower and sat down to pore through the catalog.  I always make a Wish List as I'm going through the catalog.  It's fun to look back at the end of the year and see how many things I've gotten from my wish list or if I still feel the same way about the items.   This year I have about 18 stamps sets on my list plus ribbon, embossing folders, Decor Elements .....  I can't wait for you to see it in July!!  

Now, on to the retired sets.  I've made a few more cards for my giveaway (see details HERE).  This time I used All Holidays and Define Your Life stamp sets.

 This card has very little stamping on it.  The "Merry Christmas" sentiment is from All Holidays and it is white embossed.  I will miss this set because it is always a "go to" set for the holidays.  The DSP is from a pack that was available a few years ago.  It pairs really good with the retired Taken With Teal.  I always like the Teal card stock but I am down to 1-2 pieces now.  The little dew drops are non SU as is the ribbon.

This card uses Define Your Life stamp.  I didn't use this set enough although I've had it a long time.  The circles are Nestabilities.  The ribbon, DSP and card stock are all retired.  The DSP came in a big 12" x 12" pack and I still have bunches left.  The card stock is Bermuda Bay (retired) and Rich Razzleberry.  I love the butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die.   I used non SU sequins in the center of each butterfly.

Another card using the All Holidays stamp set.  This was probably my favorite sentiment in this set.  I think it will be missed by many!!  The DSP is from the current catalog - Greenhouse Gala. If you like it, you'd better order it before the end of the month or it will be GONE.   I used Nesties for the circles.  The polka dots are from a retired SU background stamp.  The flower is a pleated flower that is really easy to make.  I am sharing the directions with you.  Check it out:

I used 2 punches to make the different sized flowers - the 2 3/8" scallop punch and the 1 3/4" scallop punch.  Punch 2 scallop circles with each punch.

 Next, using a scoring tool, score all 4 of your scallops between each scallop.  See below - the black marks would be the score marks:

Your next step is to cut each of the scallop circles on one of the score lines as seen below:

Fold - accordian style - on each fold line, using your bone folder to crease well.

Then you will adhere each pleated circle to the other one.  Use a glue dot or something a little more durable than a glue stick or SNAIL adhesive.  Line up the larger scallop with the other large scallop and then the smaller scallop with it's mate.  So you will end up with 2 flowers.  

 Next you will adhere a button, or brad in the hole in the middle of the flowers and adhere to your project.

Which card is your favorite today?

Happy Mother's Day

I hope all you mother's out there are having an enjoyable day and were able to spend it with your children.  I got to talk to my daughter this morning and she wished me a Happy Mother's Day.  Unfortunately, didn't hear from my son.  I didn't expect to but one can hope, can't she?

We met my sisters and my mom in Mooresville this afternoon and had a great day.  We had lunch at Sonny's BBQ where mom's ate free so that was nice.  Then we went over to a new wing restaurant that had opened to try out their desserts.  We all had chocolate chip cookies with chocolate sauce and ice cream served warm in a small frying pan .... except for Sonny who had fudge brownie with ice cream.  Needless to say, I think we all needed wheelbarrows to roll us out!!  Sonny won't have to worry about finding something for us for dinner that's for sure!

Now that I have given all my Mother's Day cards out, I can share the last ones that I gave to some special mothers locally.

 This is a 5 1/2" square card that I made for Brenda at Stamper's Alley.  I used the big flowers from the SU Sizzix Die (Flower Fold) in Melon Mambo and Regal Rose DSP.  The spinner wheel is from the Occasions Mini (Take A Spin).  I sure hope this stamp set makes it into the big catalog this summer!  The leaves are petals that I ran through my crimper.  I also pierced the card all along the edges.

This card I made for my Mom.  She kept fingering the flower trying to figure out how I made it!   If you missed the directions, you can find them HERE.

This is the card I made for my sister - in purple of course!!  The stamp set is Because I Care, a Level 1 Hostess set.  The card is Concord Grape.  The Certainly Celery pieces sticking out of the sides of the Top Note is the Curly Label punch cut in half.

 This card is the same as Marianne's (above) EXCEPT for the flower!!  I CASE'd this flower from Kristeen Gill whom I came across while blog-surfing.  I love this card but it will probably not be one I make again or any time soon!  It would also need a special box to send it.  Luckily, I was delivering this one to my neighbor and friend, Judy so just put it in a cello bag and took it to her.

For the flower, I cut a syrofoam ball in half and sanded the bottom to get it as smooth as possible.  I punched a bunch of small flowers with the Itty Bitty Shapers Punch Set.  (I just got these punches and don't know what I did before!!)  I sponged the flowers with Baja Blue.  To get them to curl up, I used my stylus and a piece of foam and pressed the flowers in the middle.  Then I sponged the tips in Marina Mist.  I inserted them into the styrofoam ball with straight pins with the pearl heads.  I had to cut about half of the pin off with wire snips because they were too long.  Oh - I also put a layer of  glue on the styrofoam ball before inserting the pins to make sure they would stick.

A Beautiful Flower

Well, the news of the past few days has been terrific, don't you think?   My heartfelt thanks goes out to those US Navy Seals who stormed Bin Laden's compound and killed him.  I know everyone has a different opinion with regards to the morality of this killing - at least in our family there are differing opinions.  As a citizen of the US, I believe the killing was just but as a follower of Jesus, I'm torn but I believe the earth is safer today than it was a few days ago.  It's just too bad that our world is in a place where killing an enemy of the US is necessary.  I understand that violence does give rise to violence.  But then I think of all those innocent people who were killed on 9/11 and I rejoice that the mastermind of that horrific deed is gone.  Already the expectation exists that Al-Qaida will attempt attacks to retaliate.  The sooner that the United States leaves Afghanistan and Iraq and Libya, the closer we will all be to a time of peace.

OK - on to lighter issues!!   I made this flower a few days ago and tonight put a card together to put it on.  This will be a card that will need to be hand-delivered so as not to crush the flower.  Directions are below:

Start out by punching out 3 flowers with the XL Fancy Flower Punch.  

On one flower, you'll cut directly to the center. On the second flower, you'll cut to the center and completely remove one petal. On the third flower, you'll cut to the center and completely remove two petals.

You can sponge the edges which gives the flower some nice depth once you've put it all together.Then take your bone folder and gently work the pieces by rubbing them over the bone folder, forwards and backwards, to break down the fibers in the card stock. This step is essential because it makes the paper much easier to bend and work with while you're forming your rose.  
Take some Tombow adhesive and run a small glue line along the back of one side of the slits of each flower. You'll then move one petal completely over on top of the other petal and paper-clip them together until they dry. It doesn't take long. You'll end up with four petals, three petals, two petals, and then your extra little pieces.

Use a small dowel, paper piercer, etc. to roll the single petal into a cone as shown above and glue closed.

Snip off the bottom of the each petal piece and place Tombow adhesive all around the inside. Then place your bud piece into the hole and position it where it looks best. You'll need to hold it in place until it dries.

Look what you end up with! I know you're smiling and happy now even though you have glue all over your fingers and you've probably said a few choice words while making this! You'll have to snip off the bottom of the rose to make it flatter so that you can adhere it to a card.

But isn't it pretty??

And here is my finished card:

I actually put a little Crystal Effects inside each petal to make it stick a little better.  (As you can see, it wasn't quite dry when I took the picture!)

Pretty Flowers

I love flowers and I think my daughter has inherited that from me like I inherited it from my mom.  I just wish I had my mom's green thumb.  The lady can grow anything!  When we were visiting Ashley, she had a huge plant in her yard that was in a large pot.  But, the roots had grown through the bottom of the pot and into the ground.  I used a knife and tried to cut away the pot to give it more room.  We weren't too sure what the plant was but we thought it was a hibiscus.  Well, while she was away the past couple of weeks, it came into bloom and what a beautiful hibiscus it is! 

This gives you an idea of how large the flowers are!  Just wish I was there to see it in person.  Ashley wants to split it and move part of it since it is so big.  I don't know anything about that but if you do, please let us know.  I told her to go to a nursery and ask about it.

Speaking of flowers, I went to Ben Franklin's today (and had more time than last time!) and bought a Hero Arts Cling stamp.  So, I had to make a card when I got home.  What do you think?  Not as pretty as that hibiscus, but it'll do! 

The card is Kiwi Kiss.  The DSP is by My Mind's Eye / Wild Asparagus.  I used my SU Watercolors to color the flower in different colors of purple after embossing the flower in white.

Kernersville Quarterly Swaps

For the Kernersville SU Quarterly, I am participating in a 3-D Swap, Summer Mini Card Swap, Friday Night Shoebox Card AND a 6x6 Technique page.

This is my 3-D Swap.  I borrowed the Milk Carton Die from my friend, Judy (thanks, Judy!) and made this birdhouse for the Oriole.  I need to get some grass to put inside!

This is the card I designed for the Shoebox Swap using Tropical Party.  It is a gatefold card.

I guess I forgot to take a picture of my other swaps and they are already packed up.  I will take pictures of all the swaps when I receive them and share them when I return.

Here's some more of the beautiful flowers from the Botanical Gardens.

I want to get some of this for my front little hill.

Honeysuckle!!

Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens

Yesterday I went to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Belmont with friends.  The flowers that were blooming were just beautiful and I took tons of pictures!  There were a lot of flowers that haven't quite reached their peak yet.  I think in 2-3 more weeks, the visit would be awesome!  They are presently doing an exhibit designed to take a look at how the tradition of our outdoor space has evolved over the year called "Come Sit a Spell."   There are more than 50 chairs, rockers, benches, swings and other furniture designed by artists, companies, schools and community groups placed around the garden.  From rustic to whimsical to colorful art pieces, the exhibit includes some expected and unexpected ways to honor the tradition of the southern front porch.   This chair below was one of my favorites!  I'm a ladybug gal.

The first part of the garden was called the White Garden.  I didn't know there were so many white flowers.  It was beautiful.

  

 

The weather started out pretty cool but as the day went on, it warmed up and was very nice with high's just barely 70.  When I got home, we went out on our boat with friends of Sonny's.  I bundled up with my long johns and ski jacket.  But, after we tied up with the other boats, it was really quite warm. 

Last March Monday Mailer

I received my final March Monday Mailer today and wow, is it cute!  I now have an Easter bonnet to wear!!  (Ha)

Isn't this sooo cute?! 

And here is the card I sent my Monday Mailer for her last one this month:

I made her a flower pin that she can remove from the card and wear! 

Here's the inside view.