A Birthday Giveaway

Do you remember me telling you that this is my birth month?

I've decided that I would love to give somebody a present on my birthday.  And what could be more fitting than a Christmas mini album giveaway on July 25, Christmas in July?

I'm sure you will be able to fill the many pages (here are just a few) with photos or journaling.  Catch up on last year's pictures or save until this coming Christmas.

There's even a little envelope to hold more photos or any special trinkets you might like to hold in one place.  Whatever your heart desires - it's going to be your album!

I will draw a winner on the 25th.  Domestic only.  Oh - and you must leave a comment and be a Follower to be eligible.  Haven't signed up yet?  Don't delay; you don't want to miss out on this birthday giveaway.

A Garden Mini Album

A couple of months ago, my dear friend, Vicki Boster, posted on her blog that she would be having a giveaway.  One of the items she gave away was my mini album.  If you are not familiar with Vicki and have never visited her blog, I invite you to do so.  You are in for a real treat - her knitting is to die for, the photographs always look professionally done and her designer nests are fantastic.

Without further ado, here we go ...

I wish you could see the colors in person - they are so vibrant.  The basket hung from the binder ring is perfect.  Somebody (wish I could remember who!) gave me this years ago.  I can't tell you how many times I almost threw it away.  Sure glad I didn't!

Another friend(?) preserved this tiny flower - isn't it beautiful?

 

How sweet is this little bird's necklace?



 

Many years ago I was playing around with Glossy Accents and seed beads.  See? it pays to save things.  Ummm.  Would that be considered hoarding?

I have the best friends!!!  See the little bee and the beautiful peach rose on the bottle cap and the yellow fiber?  Yep - all for me.  Thank you, friends - I just wish I could remember your names.

This quote is my favorite.  What's yours?

 

I've already told you my favorite quote.  I think perhaps this is my favorite page.  Which page is your favorite?

 

That wraps it up for this album.  I haven't created a mini since this one.  I've been saving some beautiful papers so maybe it's time - I just need a theme or a reason ...

Happy Labor Day to Me ...

"X" number of years ago I labored and gave birth to my first child.

A girl I named Alescia Lynn.

Happy birthday, sweet child.  You made my heart light up brighter than I ever thought possible.

Here comes the bride

First the shower ...

and then the wedding ...

I can't wait to see pictures of the wedding.  Purple and silver - what beautiful colors the bride and groom have chosen.

Well hello, July ...

When did you sneak in on us?  When I went to bed last night it was June - woke this morning and Shazam! there you were.  I like July.  Why wouldn't I?  It's my birth month.  To be more specific, the 25th - or Christmas in July.  The countdown begins ...

June was eventful.  I went to an outdoors housewarming/birthday party.  Beautiful yard, Nance.  I wish I would have taken pictures to share.  We (me and three new friends) sat at a iron bistro table just under a beautiful chandelier hung from a tree branch.

Yessiree ... the Greater American Scrapbook Convention came back to Arlington.  Guess who stocked up on lots of pretties?  Yep, that would be me.

Spent four days at Craft-Inn Retreat house (thank you, Deborah!) with some great friends, old and new.  I accomplished quite a bit at this retreat, but was sure to leave time to eat, visit and be silly.

Father's Day came and went, as did my grandson's birthday.

I lunched with Linda.  Well, I lunched while she drank (a smoothie ... don't go there now!)  We always have so much to share and talk about!

And, of course, I made time for some card making.  Here is the first of two sympathy cards.  This pretty little number was hand-delivered to a friend that lost her sweet father, Scotty.

This card was mailed to Florida.  Our world is now missing a wonderful human being.  I hope you RIP, David John.  I wish I could sit down with a cup of tea and visit with his bride.

 

May no gift
be too small to give,
nor too simple to receive,
which is wrapped in thoughtfulness,
and tied with love.

~ Author Unknown ~



Cards

I said I was going to keep this blog up and running, didn't I?  Well, I haven't created anything new this week so I'll fall back on a few of my favorite cards.

I can't remember (without looking through my files) who this card was created for or for what occasion.  Did it arrive in your mailbox?  I just love the coffee filter flower and the distressed heart.

This card was so much fun to create and I love the bright colors - all of them!  The fabric rose I made just works perfectly on this cardstock.

I enjoyed creating this one.  A realtor friend of mine asked for something "Santa Fe-ish" so that she could send it to one of her clients.  The howling coyote is actually made out of metal and he looks perfect in front of the Ver Day painted tag.  Here is a similar (to the one above) fabric flower I made using a different pattern.  It amazes me when I look at fabric and then see what happens after it is twisted and turned.

Here's another multi-color fun card.  No handmade flowers here, but I did dye and crinkle the seam binding.

 

If my memory serves me correctly, this was a "Happy Thanksgiving" card.

 

This card was a sympathy card that I sent.  I sure wish I could crochet flowers like this!



You will notice that these cards are chubby - meaning extra postage and a little bit of work getting them in the envelopes.  Some people just mail them in padded envelopes.  All of my cards have matching/coordinating envelopes and I really love to dress them all up ... of course, those would only be for cards that are hand-delivered.

Thanks for looking, and please leave a comment!  If you haven't become a Follower, please do so!  Also, how about signing up to get my blog posts in your Inbox?

Where have I been?

Yes, it's been over a year, hasn't it?  Why?  I guess I should just say "life got in the way" and be done with it.  No use making something up or finding an excuse.

I have been busy creating art.  For others.  Rarely do I have the chance take the time to create something for me.  Bad, I know.

In honor of Father's Day, here is my father on a canvas I created for my daughter several years ago.  Doubt if you know this, but he always told her she was his "favorite granddaughter."  I love this picture of him and wanted it displayed and not stuffed in a drawer.  Yes, he was a character, simply adorable and extremely strong willed.  He was guilty of disobedience and naughty at times, too.  I sure miss him!

Okay now that I'm back, I hope to post more often than annually.