Cherished Memories

 I never, ever tire of using Crafty Secrets images on my cards. They charm me to pieces every time. I have even bought some of these cardstock cut out sheets twice. *LOVE* Those are vintage buttons from my quite extensive button stash. I finally quit buying them, because even I had to admit that I probably had enough.

 This card was a stash clean-out pure and simple. Remember those Making Memories metal embellishments? Well, back when they were actually on trend, I was a hoarder, so I never used them. Now I use whatever I want without a second thought. In five years, I don't want to be forcing myself to use things I would have enjoyed using at the time I bought them.

 The flower I used here is from my oldest SU! set. It's actually housed in a much deeper clamshell case. I think it's called Bold Blossoms.

 This stamp set is called Noel, and it's from A Muse Studio. It's gorgeous, and I love embossing it. If you are looking for terrific white embossing powder, try A Muse Studio's-I love it. I used SU!'s Winter White for about 11 years, I've always loved SU!'s EP. However, I think I like the a|s even better. I'm so glad embossing is trendy again. I never quit embossing, even when it was unfashionable.

Here is another Crafty Secrets image, plus a die cut from PTI's Love Lives Here set.

I hope you are enjoying your spring, and that you have a lovely Easter with your family. We always have a wonderful Easter get together with our whole family.

Project Life Week 1 New

 So, for those of you unfamiliar with Project Life, it's a scrapbooking idea that you document each week in your life instead of just birthday's and Christmas. Some people try to take a picture every day. Some people are very regimented, others are more free form. PL can be anything you want it to be. I think the coolest thing about it are the page protectors (even though mine keep ripping). You have all these little cells to work with instead of trying to fill a 12 x 12 page.

Above, you can see the intro card for the first week of January. It has the dates for the week. I used some old cork letters and an A Muse Studio mitten die cut to jazz it up a bit.

 The next 4x6 section has a picture of our bird feeder. Troy gor me the pole for our anniversary and the finch feeder for Christmas. Garry and Mary got us the suet feeder for Christmas. We are bird dorks; we get a lot of enjoyment from watching our birdy friends.

 These two cell give a little info about the week and the pictures. I keep a notebook to write down thoughts and events as they happen. I have to do this because I am about 10 weeks behind right now and I have a terrible memory.

 Then, when I sit down to do a week's page, I flip to that week, print out the pics from my camera and phone, and jot down some tidbits on my journaling cards. That pic of Ross's ankle makes my heart flip flop every time I see it.

 This is a perfect example of what PL is all about. You can have book after book of your kids opening presents, or you can have documentation of the way they really spent time enjoying each other. Skyler spent seven hours cleaning and organizing Wilsons' room, and when they were done, they played Legos.

 This is just one of those funny little life things that you wouldn't normally scrapbook, but Troy and I had a lot of fun reading all the fine print on this card and remembering what an ordeal they were to use. We were grownups before cell phones came into regular use, and this was a pretty fancy way to call long distance when away from home.

Remember to click on the images for a better look. I will try to get better pictures of next week, I realize that these are overexposed.

Project Life Week 1 Old

 Here is the two page spread for Week One. My pictures are better this time than last time, but I still need to work on them. This spool is a little too high for me to get the right angle. I need to stand on something next time. You can see them a little better if you click on them.

 I plan to put old pictures on the left side and new pictures on the right side. So these are wedding pics. By the way, the first three of my PL page protectors have ripped. I am not at all pleased with the quality of the holes; they should be much stronger. So far 100% of them have ripped through the top hole. This is not a ringing endorsement for the quality of Becky Higgins page protectors. Has anyone else had this trouble?

 And these are pics from the first week of January. I'll share more on these in my next post. I didn't want this post to be too long or overwhelming for my reader.

 I cut down one of our wedding invitations here, and added some typewriter journaling.

 Here we are coming down the aisle as Mr. & Mrs.

 The night before the wedding.

 Cake time.

 Whispering sweet nothings.

Filler block.

Just a note of thanks...

 More of those felt flowers from Etsy, plus some old MME paper, which I still love. I'm a sucker for anything that comes complete with glitter!

 And, another one of those butterflies; I pretty much stick them on everything.

This angel was part of a shaped, chipboard album. I have made several of these, for various occasions. They make sweet little gifts.

 I made this for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

This pretty image is a vintage perfume label. I added some satin ribbon, a vintage button, and some old Daisey D's. I hope your February went well, and that this March is your best one yet! My oldest son turns 22 in March. I can't believe I am old enough for that!! It's a shock, I tell ya!

Welcome Baby!!

 I used the negative of a chipboard letter stencil for the "b" here. The "Welcome Baby" is from A Chemistry With Paper. I used to design for them, and now I don't think they are still in business. They had cute stamps!

 The die cut butterfly is from A Muse Studio's Butterfly Trio die. I have other butterfly dies, but this is the prettiest one. The A|S 2013 catalog will be out on March 1st! You can see the whole thing by visiting my webstore.

 There's that butterfly again!

 I cut that curve with 13yo SU! patterned scissors! Remember those things?

I bought a ton of die cut felt flowers on Etsy, and I love sewing them together in various combinations. Of course I can cut my own, and I do, but it's fun to let someone else do that sometimes, too!

Feel Better Card

 I think this would cheer someone who's feeling under the weather, don't you? This card is all A Muse Studio. I love the selection of pinks we offer.

 These little coin envelopes are the perfect size to hold a gift card, and you can still write a greeting on the inside.

 I used SU!'s Aida Cloth background here. I really liked that stamp, but I sold it because I can't spare the room for all my gigantic wood mounted stamps anymore. Actually, I have the room in this house, I just begrudge them the space, plus I enjoy using unmounted stamps much more. This stamp looks awesome embossed in white over large, vibrant patterned papers. Try it, if you have this stamp or one like it.

 Making Memories, Basic Grey and Melissa Frances all together here.

Another all A Muse Studio card. I've finally started to "get" washi tape. I like it, it's fun. A|S sells the original brand of washi. I don't know how it compares to other brands because I only have the real "mt" stuff. 

Just A Note To Say Hello!

 I like to keep some simple and flat cards on hand to use as Thank You cards for my Etsy customers. The one in the back doesn't have a sentiment yet. I'll add that to fit in with some future customer's order. If I can't think of something specific, I always just make it a thank you card. We always need more of them, right?

 I used an old SU! tag set here. I think that spider is adorable. I keep Halloween cards up in my shop all year. Surprisingly, people order them at the oddest times.

 Theset three cards are all A Muse Studio. Did you know that there will be a new catalog out soon?

 Have I already posted these cards here? Oh, well. No harm done if I have. It's just a card blog, right?;)

I do have a few Project Life pages to show you. They just aren't photographed yet. It's on my list of things to do today. It's snowing lightly and beautiful here. Did you get any of this storm where you are? Pueblo is not a big snow area, so I've been thrilled when we've gotten some snow.