Hurricanes..........

Before Hurricane Irene roared into my life Hurricane Lesley did.  Lesley Croghan that is - yep that Always Playing With Paper gal.  She is one amazingly energetic, enthusiastic and creative lady!  When I received an e-mail asking me to be part of her new Design Team I was so honored!  Freshly Made Sketches will officially debut next Wednesday.  You can go there to meet the Design Team and get a preview of what is to come. It's all about clean designs :)


Lesley is also responsible for my new look!  I love the banner she put together for me using symbols for each season!  When I suggested changes to the design she willingly did them - then I had to write her back and say - oh your look was much better!  If she does a banner for you - trust her!


Normally I would send her this lovely thank you card and write a sweet note - but Lesley I am in a crunch here.  This is your thank you card but it has now officially become #84 and put in the basket for the library.......I found out I have to make 120.......will be singing extra verses to that song!

Happy Anniversary! PPA108

Pals Paper Arts challenge this week was Clean and Simple with rounded corners.  Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette and Beau Chateau Designer Paper worked beautifully together to create this soft and sweet anniversary card.  Hard to believe my daughter and her husband are coming up on anniversary number 3!

My parents were wintering in Florida on the date of their 50th anniversary.  A family party was planned when they returned to NY but  we wanted to do something special on their actual wedding date.  My daughter was in high school at the time and we decided to send her down to surprise them for the occasion.  Friends would pick her up in Melbourne and take her to my parents' house.  On the way to the airport we talked about how surprised Gram and Pop would be when she came strolling in. I told her that they were going to think that she was the best anniversary gift ever! As we headed back to the car after her plane took off, my son (who was about 12 at the time) said:  "Mom, do me a favor.  Don't ever send me Erin as a present!"  Ahhh brotherly love................

Thank U - PPA107

Once upon a time kids riding school buses on field trips did not have video games or iPods to keep them busy. Kids actually sang loud and long all the way there and back. "100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall" was the classic song that drove teachers crazy! I just can't get that song out of my head these days.  I am making 100 thank you cards for a library event and every time I finish a card I feel like singing another verse.  This is #34 so that must mean:

 "66 cards are left to make, 66 thank you cards! Another one's done! Isn't this fun?  65 thank you cards to make!" 

For the PPA Challenge I used Early Espresso, Soft Suede, River Rock, and the new Well Worn DSP.  Thank U is from Pennant Parade. I spritzed Espresso ink around and tied it all together with Baker's Twine and a seam binding bow.  Play at PPA this week and you just might win some Blog Candy :)

De-duck-tible.......PPA106

Just can't get enough of that rubber ducky from Easy Events! This sheet of DSP from Berry Blossoms had the look of bathroom tile to me so it was the perfect background for my trio of ducks.  Following PPA's recipe challenge I used 1 DSP, 1 punch (scalloped edge) and 1 sentiment (from Pennant Parade).  The bubbles?  A flower stamp from Raining Flowers.  And I love the Calypso Coral with Wisteria Wonder! 

Here's another quacker strutting his stuff:

It's one of the famous ducks that live in the glorious fountain at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis.  While visiting Tennessee, my daughter and I watched the morning parade of ducks from their Penthouse Suite, down the elevator, across the red carpet and into the fountain.  We brought home some great duck themed gifts including a bib for my niece's little guy that says: "I'm de-duck-tible!"

Grow! PPA 105 Color Challenge.......

Grow was the theme of Convention this year and this stamp was available in Memento Mall.  I paired it with flowers from Raining Flowers.  It comes with a sweet sentiment that says "Don't go through life, grow through life."  That's perfect for a graduation or significant birthday occasion.  But sometimes wouldn't you just love to send someone a card that says this:

: