Thank you so much

I wanted to tell you all how much your thoughts and prayers mean to me. I am thankful to have all of you as my blog friends.

To update you on the situation here, a few of the grocery stores are open running off generators. Only 2 local gas stations are up and running and there is a 2 hour wait. Crazy! They are now saying that it will be the middle of next week until most people get electricity. They actuallhave to rebuild the towers from scratch. I am thankful that it isn't going to be too terribly hot for the next week...and BTW...cold showers are no fun at all!


I have been in my craft room today and will have a lot to share with you when we get electricity again. Thanks again for being so sweet,caring,and thoughtful.



Hugs to you all!
Heather

update

I wanted to let everyone know that I am okay. We had over a hundred tornadoes touch down here in northern Alabama with over a hundred dead. Over a million homes without electricity and they are saying that it will be at least 5 days until it is back. I am bummed. I had so much to share with you over the next few days. I am on my hubbys phone right now and not very good at using this thing. All the food I just bought at the store is ruined. All the stores and gas stations are closed as well. Wish me luck and say a prayer.

Hugs to you all

Heather

Happy Anniversary...and some flowers and birds

Hello my sweet blog friends.  I just wanted to share a card I made for my parents Anniversary which happened to be on Easter this year.

Again, nothing too facy.  I tried to make it a mix of masucline and feminine.  I think it turned out pretty good.

These are Evening Grosbeaks and are migrating through to the north for the summer.  I saw one of them out back the other day and he was pretty timid.  Then today when I looked outside there were two males on the tray feeder.  The females are brown and look like an overgrown sparrow.  I haven't seen any of them.  I am assuming they are sticking around taking a break while enjoying the yummy food that I put out every day.  I have this whole pole system from Wild Birds Unlimited and also a feeder out front.  Guess how many bird baths I have?  I have 4 in the back yard and a fountain in the front yard.  Can you say SPOILED? 

This is a beautiful two tone Bouganvilla that I planted in the backyard.  I can't wait until mid summer and it is full bloom.  I will take more pics when all my flowers start to grow.

It was cloudy the day I took this photo.  These are the seed packets that I planted into the ground.  The Zinnia's are already up and  have a couple leaves on them.  I wonder how fast they will come up here.  I can tell you that digging in this nasty red clay that is here in Alabama was horrible and filled with rocks.  There are mountains all around so if you dig...you will find rocks.  I miss my wonderful balck soil in Iowa.  Everything was sooo much prettier there.  It is amazing how much the soil quality makes a difference.  I will take a picture of the clay before I put the mulch on top. 

Hope you enjoy the rest of your week.  I will be back at the end of the week with the new stamp sets that are being released by Nina Brackett at The Craft's Meow.  You will love them...I sure do.  Then again, I love everything Nina designs.

Thanks for stopping by,

Heather

CR84FN25 and a Happy Easter

Hello!  First, I want to tell you all Happy Easter!  Second, I am here tonight to share with you my card for this weeks colors at CR84FN.

I LOVE this weeks colors.  I think I say that a lot too.  Look at those pretty Girls' Paperie papers.  Aren't they beautiful?  I finally used my painted cardboard and die cut it with a PTI butterfly die.  I have had a few painted pieces of cardboard sitting around for weeks now on my craft table.  I am so bad about that.

My sweet and thoughtful friend Lynn from Millers Ink sent me this pack of Girls' Paperie paper.  She knows the withdrawals I am having since I moved and had to leave my most favorite store in the world...Archivers.  She offered to send me some.  How sweet!  I can say she was one of my very first blog friends and has helped me with a few things over the last couple years.  Thank you Lynn!

 

Do you see how cute she even packaged it up for me?  I love that tag.  I really wanted to use it on my card, but it way too big.  It is the perfect size to put on a gift bag.  I will reuse it for sure.  I can already tell you I will be hoarding this paper.

I used the sketch at Mojo Monday to get me going. 

Thanks so much for stopping by,
Heather

Happy Earth Day!.....and some news

I wanted to get this post up before Earth Day was over.  I made this last night, but my hubby came home from work late and wanted to spend time with me before we went to bed.  So here I am today. 

I started off with a pretty image I had colored from Flourishes and it the image was too big.  You couldn't even see my pretty Girls' Paperie paper behind it.  So, I whipped out my cute Vintage Button card set from PTI and made a card with a pretty Prima flower.  I LOVE pink, it is my favorite color.  I didn't put any sentiment on it because I like to have some around that I can customize them when I need them. 

I think I have finally fixed my picture problem thanks to Lindsay and her hubby.  I sized my cropped picture to "Original" and that fixed the problem.  Yay!  Thanks Lindsay.

THE EXCITING NEWS!!!

Some exciting news I wanted to share with you all is that I have been asked to design for The Craft's Meow.  I will guest design for two months.  If you haven't heard yet, Nina Bracket will be releasing her new line of stamps on May 1st and that is the place where you can get them.  Make sure to stop by and see all the talent that Lisa Hjulberg has snatched up.  You will see a lot of familiar faces. 

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Happy Birthday Mom

Hello.  I wanted to share a birthday card that I made for my mom's birthday on Thursday.  She told me she wanted nature and natural, kraft paper, twine, maybe with a bird, and  no froo froo stuff.  I hope this does the trick.  I didn't even stitch on the card.  I am happy with how it turned out though.  I think the stitching would have been too much. 

I found this bird image HERE along with a lot of other beauties.  I printed him off and colored it with my Copics to brighten up the washed out color.  Here in Alabama these darn Mocking Birds are everywhere and they are sooo mean.  They are running off my sweet Eastern Bluebirds and fighting with the Robins, but my mom likes them so I guess I can put my prejudices aside to make her a card.  hehe

I used the fab sketch over at Card Patterns. 

My hubby and son are telling me they are hungry and want me to start dinner.  So off I go.  See you soon.

Thanks for stopping by,
Heather

CR84FN 24

Hello my sweet blog friends.  I can't believe it has been since Monday that I posted.  It has been beautiful weather and I have just been outside enjoying it....that was until the rain and cool front came through yesterday.  I had intended on planting my flowers today, but it was too cool even in my jacket.  It is supposed to be 70 and sunny tomorrow.  So cross your fingers for me.

It is time for another CR84FN color challenge.  We have some beautiful pastel blues to work with. 

I see the blurry problem still exists on my cropped photo.  I am now thinking it is Blogger.  Everything looks good on Picasa.  I am clueless.  I need tech support please!  ha ha.

I used more of my My Minds Eye paper along with my horribly neglected PTI set called Embellishments, PTI Banner Border Dies, and Spellbinders Classic Squares LG.  A Martha Stewart Doily, Memrie Mare Etsy seam binding, May Arts twine, and a flower from Reccollections found at Michales craft store.

I have to say that I LOVE this quote.  I am so bad to limit myself becuase I am afraid of failing.   I need to frame this and put it on my wall in the craft room.

I used this great sketch at Mojo Monday. 

Make sure you stop by the rest of the DT's blogs.
Mona
Suzanne
Deborah
Stephanie
Sue
Andrea
Lisa
Silke (Guest Designer for April)

Thanks so much for stopping by,Heather

Happy Birthday Elise

Today I am participating in a Blog Hop for Elise's Birthday.  She is a blog friend and team mate of mine on the Want 2 Scrap design team.  She is also on the JUGS design team and they were so sweet to do a blog hop just for her.  She is such a wonderful person, and always leaves the sweetest comments.  Here's to you girl!  Make sure you start HERE at Just Us Girls to see all the links for all the girls who participated.  You can make a card and link it up anywhere on any of the girls blogs and it will automatically update.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELISE!!

So, something is going on with my Picasa.  When I crop a picture it makes it blurry.  I have used Picasa as long as I have blogged.  The uncropped picture is not blurry, only after I crop it does it get blurry.  I take my pictures in my light tent and just crop the sides.  So there is very little cropping from the original picture.  Is anyone else having this issue?  It is very frustrating.  I do know it isn't my camera.  I have ruled that out.  I am not doing anything different than I have done for years.  I am bummed.  I really like how this one turned out and you can't see the details.

I ordered some new pretty Vintage Brads from a Stampin' Up friend.  They were pretty dark metal, so I decided to paint them with some white acrylic paint and then wipe off the tops.  I like the soft look it gave the brads.. 

I used the sketch at Card Patterns.  If you are ever in need of a great sketch...you need to start here.

Make sure to stop by Elise's blog and tell her Happy Birthday.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

CR84FN 23

It is time for another CR84FN color challenge.  This weeks colors are some of my favorites.  I don't see how anyone can go wrong with this color combo.  What do you think?

I used some My Minds Eye paper that I found at Hobby Lobby,  I think it is old though.  The flower is from Prima, leaves from Reccollections,  and the stick pin is from.  I used the Lacey Circles Spellbinders Dies.  Ribbons are just from my stash.

I should have known when I saw this photo, that is was from Martha Stewart.  I love everything she does.  I love all the gardening tips and guests that she has on her show.    Do you watch Martha Stewart?

Don't forget to stop by and see what the other girls have created.  Here are the links to their blogs.

This week is our fellow Design Team member, Sue Lelli's birthday.  So make sure to go by and wish her a Happy Birthday!


Mona
Suzanne
Deborah
Stephanie
Sue
Andrea
Lisa
Silke (Guest Designer for April)

Thanks so much for stopping by,Heather

Just Thinking of you

I got more craft time today.  I have been wanting to play along with the sketch at Card Patterns since the moment it was posted on Saturday.  There are so many options with this one.  I love it!

I used more of my Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe...along with 3 different PTI butterfly dies and the Mat Stack 2 stamp and die.  The border punch is from EK Success.  I cut the banner tails with my craft knife.

It was another beautiful day here.  Low 70's with a breeze...my favorite kind of weather!  How is in your neck of the woods right now?  Hopefull everyone is finished with the snow.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Wonderful Friend

Hello my sweet blog friends.  Are you having a great week so far?  It has turned into some beautiful weather around here.  I just might finally get to plant some of my seeds and my poor pots are screaming for pretty flowers to grow inside them.

I made a card for the Mojo Monday sketch.  They always have the best sketches.  I try to play as often as I can squeeze in.  So here is my creation.

I used my new PTI set called Mat Stack 3.  My sweet blog friend Stephanie Muzzlin sent me the die, so you know that means,  I have to order the stamps, right?  I have had my eye on this set for a while now.  The flower is from Michaels' line of flowers called Recollections, and the sweet butterfly was made using the PTI Love Lives Here die.  The border punch is from Martha Stewart (love it!)  The pretty papers are from My Minds Eye packs Stella Rose-Gerti and Hazel...love those too!  My card wouldn't be complete without some Want 2 Scrap bling.

Well, I am off to get my son to bed.  School for him and work for me tomorrow.
Have a wonderful week,
Heather

Bring Back Beautiful / The Beauty of Springtime

Guess what time it is?  It is time for another Bring Back Beautiful challenge.  The challenge this month is:

The Beauty of Springtime Colors! Soft shades that remind us of spring flowers sprouting from the ground - these shades are the focus of this month's BBB challenge! The color choice is yours!Link your Bring Back Beauty Challenge card here (link to post) to enter. If you upload to SCS, please use the keyword BBB09. You have until April 30th to enter! As we unveil our challenge for next month, we’ll share our True Beauties – those card makers who wowed us with this challenge! Winners will be featured on the Flourishes Blog and will receive a True Beauty blog button to display proudly on their blog!

 I can safely say that I am not normally a cutesy stamp kinda girl, but when I saw THIS set during the new release, I had to have it.  I mean who doesn't love sweet fuzzy bunnies?  Even if they did eat most of my lettuce when I planted it.  I took a risk and tried something I haven't done before.  I used 2 different colors of ink to sponge the inside of the Spellbinders die.  I had spent a good bit of time trying to color the image, so to go and sponge on it, like I have never done before was scary.  I hate to mess up.  Needless to say, I am happy with the way it turned out.  The ink colors are perfect soft colors for the sky and grass and blended together nicely.  What do you think?

 Now,  I know it says soft colors.  I started off with the stamped image first, colored it and cut the image out.  Then came time to choose paper.  This paper was the best to show off these adorable little creatures.  I know the yellow isn't so soft, but it is still a spring color.

Make sure you stop by the other girls blogs and see what they have created for you.

Julie
Beate

Cindy

Kathy

Yvonne

Laura

Thanks so much for stopping by,
Heather

CR84FN 22

Hello!  I hope you are having as good a weekend as I am.  It was a beautiful 78 sunny skies and a few white fluffy clouds in the sky.  My husband, son and I went for a walk on the trail this morning.  We walked a good 3 to 4 miles.  The wind was gently blowing and the sun felt so great on my skin.  I even got a little red on my face.  It took us about an hour an a half to walk that trail and back home again.  I can do that every day...weather permitting.  With all the grey days and rain we have had lately, this was a welcome surprise.

I have a card to share with you for this weeks colors at CR84FN.  Since it is a new month that also means we have a new Guest Designer.  It is the wonderfully talented Silke Ledlow.  She is one of my dear sweet blog friends and I am happy to have her join us.

 It was my other sweet and wonderfully talented blog friend Lynn  from Millers Ink birthday last week.  So I sent her this in the mail for her birthday.  She already received it, so I am safe showing it.  I will also mention she has been a great supporter of the CR84FN challenge.  She has played pretty much from the beginning. 

I used my new PTI set Button Boutique and paper from 3 different companies.  I keep all my scraps of paper in a basket and that is what I reach for first before cutting up a new piece.  One of the best ideas I have ever had.  I started that years ago when I was scrapbooking and used my Cricut.  They came handy for little pieces.

 Look at this beautiful graphic Mona's sweet hubby put together for you to be inspired by.

Don't forget to stop by and see what the other girls have created for your viewing pleasure.

Mona
Suzanne
Deborah
Stephanie
Sue
Andrea
Lisa
Silke (Guest Designer for April)

Thanks so much for stopping by,Heather

Nestabling is HERE!

The Nestabling is finally in at the store at Want 2 Scrap.  They are in and will start shipping April 11th. 

Thanks for stopping by,
Heather