Spring and Mother's Day

   I absolutely love Spring. It's so pretty outside right now.  I have already bought plants for our outside pots and am weeding the flower beds in preparation for more perennials.
   We are also doing some Spring cleaning in the house. Russ did a fabulous job on our side entry way. I had seen some great ideas on the Houzz website for entry ways. Our entry way is not very big, so we needed to have a built-in bench that didn't take up alot of room. Plus I wanted shelves to hold baskets for our mittens, hats,  and etc.
    Russ looked at pictures I had found with the ideas I thought we needed and he worked on making it come true for about a week... Here are some pictures of his awesome design.

The entry way is much larger because of the bench Russ made that fits perfectly. I love the baskets we bought at Michael's. They will hold our winter gear. It will be much easier to put on boots. We plan to put four hooks across the back for hanging small jackets or sweaters. Love Russ's design.

   I am working on the entry way closet which is across from the bench. I cleaned out "stuff" and just left our Spring coats. I am painting the inside of the closet, too. Russ made a longer shoe/boot rack for all our footwear. I'll show pics of that when I am done.

   Mother's Day is upon us. We are thankful that we have our mom here with us to honor her on this day. We are taking her out to dinner in South Portland. She got some lovely flowers from Hal and Charlotte, my brother and his wife. They can't be with us since they live in New Jersey now.
    I made Mom's card this week. I used vellum paper for the flowers that I stamped from Stampin Up's stamp set called "In Full Bloom". It's a lovely set that I have not used before this time.

Flowers for Mom from Hal and Charlotte

For MOM!

  


    I used my Copic Markers to color the flowers. I love the new Spellbinders die that made the background and cut out the oval for me. I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to get the sentiment in the middle and make it straight. I have trouble with that little skill. Thank goodness for tools.
   Well, I have to get busy and start staining a mini table my husband made for my craft room. It's wicked cute. I will have to show you pictures when it's done.It will give me a little more room for my Big Shot machine and dies freeing up more space.
   Have a happy Mother's Day to everyone....

Phillis's Birthday Card

  Before we set sail for our cruise in April , I had finished my sister, Phillis's birthday card. I forgot to take a picture of it before I had sealed it for the mail. I asked her to take a few pictures of the card 'cause I was pretty proud of how it came out. She sent them a few days ago.
   It's kinda like a mini-album; only really mini. I put pockets in it to hold some photos of Phillis from long ago to the present.
   I used my Memory Box butterfly die cut that I absolutely love. I was pretty ecstatic to use my birthday embossing folder. I don't think I have ever used it...
   The background stamp is from Memory Box, too. I used my Copic Markers to color the branch and flowers.

Phillis's birthday card

Inside Pockets

    I got the idea for the inside pockets 'cause I have been working on mini albums so much lately. I am putting pictures from our cruise into the first album I made. Now I am working on finishing the Disney Album.
   

Here are the tags I made for the pockets.

   I loved making these tags that go in the pockets. It is fun to pull them out and see what "treasures" they hold. My Crop-a-dile tool comes in real handy making those holes in the tags.
   Phillis and Cary are coming for a visit in a few weeks. I think they might be a little chilly coming from Florida to Maine in May. Although we have had a few days here and there of warmer weather.
Maybe they will bring more of the warm stuff with them.
   Thanks, Phillis for sending the pictures. Can't wait to see you guys. I guess I will head outside to pull some dandelion heads. Happy Spring .....

Great Trip!

Our ship was the Fascination!

 We got back from our cruise last week and boy was it fun. The weather was perfect. We cruised on a Carnival ship. We had no problems except that the drinking water on the Lido Deck  was not good. Ugh... but the trip was a blast.
  Big thanks to my brother , Hal, for taking us to the airport and picking us up, and to his wife, Charlotte, for welcoming us into their home overnight on both ends of the trip. We had a ball.
 

Russ and I

  

Rochelle and Mark

   We went with my sister, Rochelle, and her husband, Mark. This was my first cruise. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was ready to have fun in the sun. The sailing was smooth except for the last day going home. There were some swells, but not real bad. I had no problem once I took a short nap. Other people I think were getting a little sea sick, but we all were like fish to water.
  

Our excursion on a Catamaran.

We chose a catamaran excursion at Nassau, Bahamas  We went out for the sail while others went snorkeling. The trip was gorgeous. We enjoyed the views of islands and the smell of the salt air. Wicked fun.

Great Food

  The food was delicious. We ate like we weren't on a diet; and we weren't. We ate at the Lido Deck for breakfast and lunch and then headed to the dining room for the evening meal. All the food was yummy.
   Well, we are back home now doing yard work and planning our vegetable garden. It's warming up nicely here . They say we will be in the 70's by Friday. Hope so...
   I am working on finishing up my Disney Album and putting  pictures in our cruise album.  I'll post those next time.
   My next huge project it working on my son's and future daughter-in-law's wedding invitations. That is a project I can't wait to start. They will be married in June 2014. So I have plenty of time to work on them. 
   I'll post a few more pics of our trip. Have a lovely Spring.

The ceiling of the lobby.

Not sure if that is Mark or Russ coming down the slide.

Shopping in Nassau

Colorful costume

  

Cruising.....

   Easter was a big hit!! The food and family were great.  It was a lovely day. My sister, Rochelle, and her husband, Mark, bought this whoopie pie cake in Rockland at an Irving Station. It was massive. It was the hit of the dinner. Just look at it as it sits majestically on our dessert/appetizer table.

Just look at that whoopie pie!

   Another hit was the little tartlet like quiche that I made from a recipe my sister-in-law, Charlotte, sent to me after telling me how easy they are to make. She was right. It didn't take me any time to make them. You cook angel hair spaghetti and then put a little into your mini muffin wells. Then you mix up egg, cream, and parmesan cheese and pour that into the wells ,too- just up to the top. I added little bacon bits as well. You could really add whatever bits you wanted. They came our perfect. Thanks, Charlotte for the recipe. It's a keeper.

Little quiches before cooking.

After cooking....Yum...

    





    I guess I am collecting bunnies. But only cute little bunnies. There are some scary looking bunnies out there. I found this little brown one before Easter when I was out "junking". He just looked perfect on our Easter table.

He's a cutie.

   Well, I don't have any pictures of my latest project because I forgot to take pictures of it. It is a birthday mini-album for my sister, Phillis. She has a birthday this month and I wanted to send something special to her 'cause we won't be seeing her. So I made this mini -album. I am bummed I didn't take pictures of it to show you.
  So Phillis, when you get it would you take pictures of it and send it to me so I can put it on my blog? Or you can put it on Facebook and I can get pics of it from there.
   Well, I am writing this blog on the morning we are heading out for New Jersey to my brother's house. We are flying out Saturday morning for Jacksonville, Florida. From there we are going on a 5 day cruise to the Bahamas. We are cruising on the Carnival Ship called Fascination.
    This is my very first cruise. I am a little nervous with all the problems they have been having with their other ships. So pray our trip is a smooth trip. I am looking forward to some warm beach weather and seeing new sights. I will not be blogging on this trip 'cause it costs 45 cents a minute. I can't type fast enough to not have it cost us an arm and a leg. So I will be posting about the trip when we get back.
  I hope the weather here improves so that we will be coming back to a warmer climate. I just love Spring. Happy Spring to you all .....

My son, Nathaniel, and his fiance, Kristin's, new dog, Chloe.

Easter Preparations

   I have been working on two wedding cards for my sister, Phillis. When we were in Florida when  she asked me if  I would make her a wedding card. Well, I made two. I don't get a chance to make wedding cards alot lately, so I really enjoyed making these. 

For Phillis

  I have made the card on the right before. I like to change the wedding dress a little to make it unique. I stamped the dress with a peg stamp from Rubber Stamp Tapestry  I haven't used their stamps in quite awhile, but they are beautiful stamps. You should check out their site that I have linked for you.
  The other card I cased from a card on Pinterest. I used a stamp from Just Rite that I have not used before. I love it. The white dots are from using enamel accents and two pearls. I hope Phillis likes one of them . I will be sending them along to her soon.

Another project done!!

  Russ has just finished another project on our long list of things to do. We painted the island a mushroom color to match the beautiful hutch he made recently. He also added some trim work to give the island more interest. I love it. The stools stand out more and the paint brightens up the kitchen alot. He really does nice work. It's so handy to have a husband who likes to do carpentry work. It's kinda like papercrafting, I guess.
  We both have been working on preparations for  Easter dinner tomorrow. The tables are set and the centerpieces have been assembled. I really love doing this for my family.

Table One

   I bought this birdcage at The Christmas Tree Shop. I really love the whiteness of it. The little bunny I purchased while "junking" one weekend. I am not sure where I picked it up, but I think I am going to start a collection of cute bunnies. I am hooked.
   I am expecting  14 people so I have to set two tables to seat them all. The tables are close to each other, so we are "together". One table it larger than the other.

Table Two

   The second table has a few of my white dish collection. I used pitchers to hold the flowers. And guess what? Another bunny. Isn't it cute sitting there?

This tables seats six.

This table seats eight.

                                                                

    I found a recipe on Pinterest that used chow mein noodles coated with chocolate, marshmallow, and peanut butter. You form the mixture to look like bird's nests. Then you place jelly beans or whatever to look like little bird's eggs. It's wicked cute and really tasty, too. I had a ball making them. I am going to place them either next to the place cards or in the plate. Can't decide which yet.

Wicked cute... these are jelly bean eggs.

      Well, all I have left to do is make deviled eggs and an appetizer my sister-in-law, Charlotte, sent me. It's made with angel hair pasta that is place in mini muffin tins. Then you pour a mixture of cream and eggs over it. Add cheese to the top and bake. I'll take a pic if they come out looking good.
   I guess I am ready for our Easter dinner. We will go to church Sunday morning and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and then continue to celebrate with family. I love Easter... It's one of our  most sacred holidays that helps us to remember the sacrifice made for us. And it's Spring. A time of rebirth... and warmer weather. It all just makes me happy..
  Happy Easter to all...I pray your Easter is  a joyful time for you and your family.  

Warming Up?

   I have been happy to note that it is warming up around here a degree at a time. We are in the forties temperature wise... The snow is melting due to the March sun being more direct. Hurrah!! Sick of the snow and cold. Anyway, until it gets a whole lot warmer I am inside working on fun "stuff".
   We recently went to Rockland to a flea market sale there. It was great fun. We ate breakfast at a cute little place on the Main Street of Rockland. Don't remember the name of this place, but the food was good. 

Cute breakfast stop...

What can I say..

We hopped in the car and headed to the flea market to see what we could get for a deal. There were many interesting things there that I did not buy, such as the deer lamp -NOT my style at all.
   I did like the bureau that had a map front on the drawers. I could do this to a piece of furniture at home. I did not buy it for that reason. I really liked the look, though.

This is the name of the place!

   I did buy a little ceramic bunny for our Easter table. I hate to say I am collecting bunnies, but I tend to buy them when I see a cute one.

Kind cool looking, don't you think?

 My niece, Callie found an old fashioned desk for her son, Ezra. I
think it fits him perfectly.

Ezra's new desl

 Do you remember these desks when you were in school? I do. The top lifted up to hold your books and papers. I believe she bought it for fifteen dollars. Not bad.

Huge whoopie pie.. biggest I've seen.

  On the way home we stopped at an Irving Station that had a bakery inside. My sister, Rochelle, bought this whoopie pie for our Easter dinner this weekend. It will have a place of honor at the dessert table weighing in at 8.24 pounds. That should feed 14 people nicely.
  I have been working on my paper crafting this week, too. I made a birthday card for my friend, Elaine. She is celebrating her birth this week. I made this card from an idea I saw on Pinterest. I used an embossing folder for the first time and I really like how it looks. I think I will be using it alot more.

Love the colors- spring like..

 I had some prima flowers and a lovely brad that gives the card its pop of color. Happy Birthday, Elaine!!!
   I also made a birthday card for my niece's daughter, Amelia who turns one at the end of the month. She is such a cutie. I found this idea on Pinterest, also. I love punch art, but boy it is alot of work to find punches that will make the shape you are looking for in your design.

What a happy clown!

   I used my Spellbinders die circle die cuts to make the round hoop with the sentiment inside. The balloons are a Martha Stewart punch. The clown is made up from a circle punch, oval punch, hand punch, heart punch, and the little eyes come from Stampin Up's owl punch. I think I will be working on some more punch art in the future. Making this card was fun.
   I ended the week with a fun time at my son, Nathaniel's and his fiance, Kristin's house warming party at their new home. Quite a few people showed up. I was especially proud of the cake pops that my sister-in-law, Charlotte, helped me dip. We had not made cake pops before . I used the Baby Cakes cooker to make the round cakes. That part was wicked easy. I was worried about the dipping.  We melted yellow candy melts and began dipping. It worked out real well. I dipped them and Charlotte tapped off the extra dripping white chocolate.

Not bad for the first try.

The problem came when we set them down on waxed paper. They would flatten out. Well, Russ made me a stand after we had them done, but I can see how this will keep the pops rounder. I took a photo of their good sides.
  We melted chocolate and drizzled the pops for decoration. I can improve this step, too.
   I hope to improve my skills every time I make them. I see such pretty ones on Pinterest. Maybe they only took pics of their good sides, too. Ummm..
   Anyway here are some pics of the housewarming party. Good time was had by all.

Fun group!

Friends of Nathaniel and Kristin

Happy Easter to you all, if I don't get to post before then. I am planning on Easter dinner for 14 this Sunday. I will post pics of the tablescapes for the two tables I am preparing. Hopefully, I can do this before we eat. Spring is coming....

Back to Fun at Home...

  Sorry it's been so long since my last post. We got home with only an hour delay at Orlando which I thought was okay since many planes were delayed for alot longer. I think due to a storm that was in the Midwest.

I think  it's one of the chipmunks.. not sure, though.

  We did go to Magic Kingdom again one last time before we had to go home. The weather was a little bleak, but not raining. We were sad to go. Russ tried to put some humor in our day by trying on some funny hats. Doesn't he look cute?
  We tried to go on Ariel's ride but they were having trouble 'cause it wasn't open until one.

At Magic Kingdom

We walked around and I got some last shots of Magic Kingdom. I had not seen this statue of Roy Disney before. At least I think that is who this is... I love that he is with Minnie.

For the Wheelock Family

   Well, I am back home working on my many projects that I would like to finish before I start my garden work. But we had some sad news that a friend of our family had passed away. We had not seen her for a number of years since she and her family had moved to Alaska. Beverly Wheelock was our Pioneer Girls leader when we all lived in North Yarmouth many years ago now. She was a wonderful person who lived for The Lord. She was always cheerful even with dealing with her cancer for many many years. She will be missed and thought of often. This is the card I made for her daughter, Lilly.
   I really love then new Spellbinders die cut that I used here. The oval is cut out when you use the frame. I think it is so pretty on cards. I hope to use it in my next vertical album, too.
  I have been working on vertical photo albums this whole month of March. Love these gems. Ginger from My sisterscappers.com is the one who has tutorials on the TP album and the paperbag album. Her videos are so easy to follow. She does a great job. Here is a link to her blog.My Sistersscrapper

I even used feathers here.

Side view of album

These tabs are inside the paper towel roll.You add the pictures.

 

 

  I really had a ball making both these albums. The TP album was actually made from the roll found inside a paper towel. Ginger mentions using toilet paper rolls, but I found mine to be too short, so I used paper towel rolls instead. They worked fine. Here is a picture of the one I gave to my hairdresser and friend Sue over at Snip and Clip in Yarmouth. She does my hair and my mom's. While we were at Disney, she picked up my mom for her hair cut and drove her home. What a gal!! Love her to pieces. Hope she liked this album I made for her.
   My sister,Chris, over at Calla Lily Studio has done a video on the Toilet Paper Album. I am basically lazy about doing videos, but Chris has done a great job showing hers. I hope she does one on the Vertical Paperbag Album so I can link to it. Anyway, here is a link to the TP album.Calla Lily Studio video on TP album

Look at all the stuff I used for the cover

     I have just about finished the Vertical Paperbag Album. This was really fun to make too 'cause I got to use alot of materials I had on hand that I didn't think I'd ever use. Hurrah!!
   The cover was great fun. I just kept adding things until I liked what I saw. I've had that white crown for eons. It looks perfect here. That metal piece is from Tim Holtz's collection. Looks good here.

Some pages inside waiting for pics to be added.

A photo tag inside the paper bag

  Here are some examples of the pages inside. You have pockets from one side of a paper bag that can be used to hold photo tags or journaling work.

You use 6 bags to make these pages. Alot of work but worth it.

   The bags all have photo tags in them that can be pulled out and seen as I have shown in the picture to the right. This is the link to the vertical paper bag album. Vertical Paper bag tutorial  from My Sistersscrapper.com.

Just the right touch. I will add info about the album on this little piece of paper when I know what pictures I am going to use inside.

    The spine is one of my favorite parts to this album. Here I get to use all those "trinkets: that I have saved for just the right project. Well, here it is.. Can't wait to do my next one.
  We are heading to Rockland this morning to do some "junking". I will take a few pictures of our experience. I am going to work on my Disney Vertical album and hopefully get ready for our Easter dinner planned for the family at our home. I found some cute things for the table that I will share next time. Happy Spring.. I hope that comes soon...