Change overs are difficult!

I had the most difficult time

switching from regular cards

to Christmas cards.

And then I had to switch back

to regular cards.

Does anybody else struggle with that?

Well, here's what happened

during the change over.

This one wasn't all that difficult

because just look at that image!

(Photo Credit to Kathy Sibbald)

Doesn't seem right

using an image with wildflowers

this time of year.

But, oh, how I love it!

Same with a vase of tulips. 

But these seem to fit more into this time of year. 

And this one is probably my favorite.

Who wouldn't want a rusted bucket

full of blush roses?

I know I would! 

Now to get back to Christmas card making.

A half a century

I don't know about you,

but I think "50" sounds a lot better

than "a half a century."

Well, whichever Carole prefers,

let's give it to her.

What a lovely entryway.

I'd love to knock on that door

as I gaze at all the beauty that surrounds it.

Can we all give a shout-out for Amanda?

Today is her birthday

and she deserves a shout-out!

Let me be the first.

"Happy Birthday, Amanda!!!"

Enjoy your day.

Who wouldn't want a bucket

of blush roses for her birthday?

What are YOU thankful for today?

I am thankful for ONE MORE DAY!

Not everybody will have one more day.

A day they can celebrate their life.

Give thanks.

Several Thanksgiving cards went in the mail this year.

This one makes me wonder.

I wonder what this little girl's face looks like

as she presents her little veggies to a loved one.

Bettcha she has a big smile on her face. 

There's just something about this pilgrim woman

that makes me wonder.

I wonder what it was like to live back then!?!

None of the modern day conveniences, for sure.

Could we survive if we were forced to go back in time? 

This card was given as a thank you.

Thank you for hosting a delicious family

Thanksgiving meal.

This reminds me so much of my cousin and me.

The wishbone was always saved for us.

Once it had completely "dried out"

we were always allowed to make a wish and pull.

Oh yeah - and the fighting would begin.

Of course, it didn't take much for us to fight.

It's what we did.

And now, I look back with fond memories

of all the temper tantrums and tears.

Because it's what we did.

As you probably already know,

I love taking one image and doing my magic

to make two cards look so much different.

It's all in the embellishments,

choices of papers - and colors.

And last but not least …

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving.

Go into His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him and praise His name."

Whether you spend your day with family and loved ones

around a large table or just the two of you at a restaurant table,

my wish for you is that your day is spectacular.

!! GIVE THANKS !!

Most definitely deserves a chair!

Nothing like a beautiful Autumn bouquet

sitting inside a white pumpkin.

How beautiful is that?

I'd love one if I had a November birthday.

Well, Becka does

so this is in her honor!!!

Happy birthday.

Enjoy everything about this day.

Here comes SuZe Snowflake

That's exactly what I said

as I delivered these snowflakes.

Second year in a row I created ornaments

for Ashley, my esthetician,

at Ashley's Facial & Brows.

She gives them to her clients

after being pampered.

This year, all of her ornaments are snowflakes.

Some are purple, some are brown and some are silver.

And they are all extremely labor-intensive.

Lots of die cutting!

And now I have nearly 40 more to create.

 

Not sure what I was thinking

when I chose glitter-y paper

to put under the glitter-y snowflakes.

Certainly doesn't do the flakes any justice.

But …

if you are local

and want one, be sure to make an appointment

because there are only 76 to choose from.

It's time!

It's time to rest your weary head on this pillow.

But only for a minute!

You don't have time today for resting.

Why?

Because it's your birthday.

Time to get up and out and kick up your heels

to celebrate.

Enjoy your day, Audrey!

I'm curious ...

I am wondering if, over the years,

 more of her birthdays

were warm or cold like today?

She lives about four hours from me

and it's freezing here

so I'm guessing it's freezing in Houston, too.

I'm thinking maybe she should

fill one of these bowls with hot soup.

THEN move on to the birthday cake and ice cream.

Happy birthday, Kathy.

May your day be filled with all things warm.

A little birthday celebration

Barb celebrated yesterday.

I love birthdays and I'm sure she enjoyed herself.

Phone calls, cards, gifts, cake and ice cream.

Sounds like a perfect day to me.

And a perfect Autumn image

for a November birthday.

Happy birthday, Barb!

Baby Shower Card

It won't be long now

before Amanda holds her little boy in her arms.

Such an exciting time for the family.

Yesterday was the shower

and here's the card.

I'm sure there were enough gifts for this child

to carry him through the first year of his life.

Isn't that what's supposed to happen?

**********

Not sure if you remember seeing this card

a short while ago or not.

Same image, same occasion.

Different shower, different mamma, different baby.

Since I love this image so much,

I challenged myself to change it up.

One for a little girl baby,

one for a little boy baby.

That was fun!

It's a good day for a wedding

Pete (Patricia) and Paul

will tie the knot later today.

I think it's wonderful when two kind souls

are brought together

after losing their long-time spouses.

Nobody should have to live their lives alone.

Best wishes for Joy, Love and Happiness.

A Few November Birthdays

What happens when you have a birthday

close to Halloween?

Well, you get a Halloween-themed card, that's what!

Lauren celebrated two days ago.

How sweet is the smile on that pumpkin?

Yesterday, Celeste celebrated!

I don't know about her,

but I'd love to see this in my entryway.

Today Caroline celebrates her special day.

Wouldn't you love to have a desk and chair like this?

Especially if it had a beautiful bouquet!

Denae loves to go on a safari.

Suppose her resting place was like this?

Last but not least,

my daughter-in-law will be celebrating

in two more days.

(It's safe to post - I checked!)

Another sweet desk and chair, too.

Happy, happy birthday ladies.

I hope your day is/was magnificent,

just like you!

"BE ..."

My daughter's friend

was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

That's a tough one to have to go through

and I can't even imagine.

Of course, Audrey's emotions are all over the board.

"Up" days and "down" days
and many "in-between" days.

To help her focus on positivity throughout this journey,

I created this "BE …" book for her,

wanting her to focus on the words on each page.

Something to flip through when she's feeling down.

I especially love the large rose-colored carnation

and the two white daffodils.

All three flowers, and the leaves,

are made from some material I've never seen before.

They're hard and I suppose would break easily.

Kind of like porcelain.

And not to let the multi-colored organza flower

take a backseat either.

The fabric was given to me by my friend, Julie,

and I rolled it into this rose.

Here's hoping she can be FEARLESS

as she goes through the process.

The soft tones should be an inspiration.

A bad as she might feel,

I'm hoping she remembers that

"It's A Good Day."

… and COURAGEOUS

This little one in her tutu is sure to

put a smile on Audrey's face.

Go ahead and dance, girl!

Oh - and what's not to love about those back rolls?

Perhaps a trip to the beach

probably isn't in her cards right now,

but maybe just looking at this image

might CALM her.

How could you not feel the serenity?

The light and airy three handmade organza flowers

just add to the calmness of the scene

since they echo the colors of the sea.

I'm hoping UNAFRAID is how she is.

On those days where she is a little afraid,

maybe a vase of white tulips

and an ice cream treat might help.

With a cherry on top, of course!

I chose metal frogs for this page

because they are strong.

Strong enough to hold up the most stubborn flowers.

My wish is that Audrey is as STRONG

or maybe even stronger.

Another fabric rolled rose

and peony-looking organza flower

to grace this page.

FIERCE.

"No matter

how you feel,

get up,

dress up,

show up

and never give up."

I know she can do this.

Not feeling pretty?

Put a string of pearls around your neck

and show us what you got.

POSITIVE.

I'm sure this is something she will need to work on.

The sun comes up every day

and brings light to the world.

And so will she!

(Photo credit goes to Kathy Sibbald.)

Another piece of cardstock

die cut, inked, sprayed and crinkled

to turn it into a happy, layered flower,

much like what might be found on the

floor of these woods.

DETERMINED.

I know she's determined to kick this

and come out even stronger.

Again, following the same process,

these two flowers made from cardstock

that surround the View Master slide

are my favorite elements of this page.

PATIENT.

This word and sentiment in the image says it all.

Audrey said this is her favorite page

because she "has none."

Patience, that is.

But I'm sure she's doing the best she can.

At the end of the tunnel,

she will be VICTORIOUS.

Yes, she will.

"Never Stop Believing

in Hope Because

Miracles Happen

Everyday."

Wait for it.

You will be victorious.

The back cover?

… beYOUtiful.