It's been 24 years ...

WHERE has the time gone?

I remember it like it was yesterday.

My son married the love of his life.

And I welcomed her!

Congratulations Donald and Dawn.

Here's hoping to many more years of honeymooning!

It's safe ... the coast is clear

It's okay to post these Mother's Day cards.

The recipients haven't seen them yet

but they won't see my blog.

I say it every year.

It's so bittersweet to create these.

Miss my mom more than anything

and wish I could be making her a card, too.

But, in light of all that,

Mother's Day cards are my favorite to make.

It allows me to use flowers, beads,

glitters, tulles, feathers, pearls, laces

and all things girly.

When I saw this worn chair, I fell in love.
I had to surround it with lots of flowers
just like those on the side table.

There's just something about metal watering cans

that melt my heart.

Oh - and fill them with lilacs and my heart sings.
These are one of my favorite flowers.

The wooden leaf and the brown feathers

tone down the green just a bit.

This one is one of The Runner's favorite.
And I can see why.
It just scream "SPRING" don't you thing?

The largest yellow flower is made from tissue paper.

How sweet is this one?

I love the petals that have fallen from the flowers

and haven't yet been swept up.

I tried to emulate it just a bit

with the flowers surrounding the image.

That soft pink flower?

Yep - made from organza.

I wish I could remember what she said

when she saw this card.

"So pretty" - but it was in Spanish

The powder blue flower

was made from vellum.

Love how it crinkled so perfectly.

This little vase of wildflowers

reminds me of my youth.

I used to go into the woods

then come home with a handful of pretties.

My mother used to give me
little bottles (vases) to put them in.

Hydrangeas.

What more can I say?

The glass beads mirror the glass bottles.

Swoon.

It's difficult to see

but the white in the image is a woman's slip.

I love the colors.

Kinda romantic with the dusty lavender.

Growing up,

my neighbor had the most beautiful lilac bushes.

Light lavender.

Dark lavender.

Even white.

I tried to use these same colors

as I assembled the flowers to surround the image.
The multi-colored flower on the bottom?
Made out of embroidery thread.

How could anybody not love a bucket full of tulips?

On a chippy white chair!!!

Tell me.
Which of these would you like to receive?
And what is it that makes you say "this one" ...

That's all I can share right now.

But stay tuned - I'll give you the rest

on Mother's Day.

Birthday Happies

She loves hummingbirds.

I love flowers.

What a marriage, right?

I hope your day will be filled with everything magical, Peggy!

I've learned ...

I've learned …

That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned …

That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned …

That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned …

That having a child fall asleep in your arms

is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned …

That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned …

That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned …

That I can always pray for someone

when I don't have the strength to help him in any other way.

I've learned …

That no matter how serious your life requires you to be,

everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned …

That sometimes all a person needs

is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned …
That simple walks with my father

around the block on summer nights when I was a child

did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned …

That life is like a roll of toilet paper.

The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned …

That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned …

That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned …

That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned …

That under everyone's hard shell

is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned …

That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned …

That when you plan to get even with someone,

you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned …

That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned …

That the easiest way for me to grow as a person

is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned …

That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned …

That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned …

That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned …

That opportunities are never lost.  Someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned …

That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned …

That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her

one more time before she passed away.

I've learned …

That one should keep his words both soft and tender,

because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned …

That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned …

That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist,

you're hooked for life.

I've learned …

That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain,

but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned …

That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

These words were written by Andy Rooney,

a man who had the gift of saying so much with so few words.

These profound words were sent to me

from a long-time good friend and I wanted to share them with you.

Many birthdays

Birthdays are such happy times.

And I just love to honor those celebrating!

My sweet little friend, Mariah, recently celebrated.

I remember when she was just born and here she is 17 already!
Rather than a card, this year she got a tag.

Vicki celebrated a week ago or so ago.
I'm sure her loved ones made sure she had a fun-filled day.

Patti just had her special day.

Julie also celebrated.

Kay received two cards.
One from her husband ...

and one from her daughter.

I know you ladies were spoiled.

As you should have been!

Let it be a good year.

Thinking of you ...

I enjoy creating get well cards.

It shows people care and they are thinking of you.
And many times, they'll make you forget
about being in a not-so-good place.

The first two will do just that.

This one is for a special person in Puerto Rico.

  (inside of card)

Quote reads:

Don't tell God how big your storm is.

Tell the storm how big your God is.

This one goes to a man.

Sentiment reads:

Life is lived in the present.

Yesterday is gone.

Tomorrow is yet to be.

Today is the miracle.

Praying for a miracle!

Another way to show people you care is to send a sympathy card.
This went to family members that just lost their loved one.

Everything's coming up babies!!!!!!!!!!!!

Must be something in the water, wouldn't you say?

First three are for the little boys.

Oops - forgot another baby boy card.

And a little girl was welcomed.

I've got two more for a precious baby girl, but she's not yet arrived.