Life is a Beautiful Thing....FMS298

Once upon a time long ago a princess (me) and her prince (the Big Guy) lived in a castle (an old two family house).  The princess was great (huge) with child and had been sent to bed to await the birth.  The prince decided the princess needed total peace and quiet and would not rent out the upper chambers.  One day while the prince was sharing his knowledge (teaching) and the princess was resting (watching soaps) a fairy godmother (realtor) who knew of the empty rooms appeared. With her was another royal couple (and a toddler and a cat) from a distant land (job transfer) who were desperate for lodging before winter.  This new princess was greater (twins) with child and also needed rest. There was an instant connection between the two princesses and the first princess said "Of course you can all move in!" (And the Big Guy later said "Are you crazy?")  But by the New Year the castle sheltered three new babies, a toddler, a cat and a dog. Every day the two princes set off for their duties while the two princesses chatted, laughed and played (and changed diapers) all day!

That was forty years ago and we are all still friends even though we now live in separate kingdoms. We got together and had a great visit this past weekend!  Life is a beautiful thing for sure............and the Big Guy isn't always right........

I am excited to be hosting this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Hope you play along - I will be by to check out your gallery!

I sponged distress inks in shades of green and orange on white paper and then used a diecut from  Seasonal Layers to make the leaves.

Stamp Set:  Colorful Seasons

Ink: Sahara Sand, Distress Inks

Paper:  Whisper White, Sahara Sand

Fusion: Hello

It was very quiet in my house the other night while I made this calm soft thank you card.  I must have been inspired by the four hours of peace and quiet while the Big Guy took the troops to Monster Jam.  Who knew this little girly girl would love Monster Trucks!?!?!?

And she even got Gravedigger's autograph!

No ear protectors necessary in my craft room.....it was delightful......

I used both the sketch and the photo this week for inspiration at Fusion - your choice what to use!  Hope you play along!

Stamp Set: Tranquil Tulips

Die Cut: Avery Elle Hello, Stitched Edges

Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White,  Powder Pink

Ink: Powder Pink, Garden Green, Crumb Cake

Sending Sunshine and Smiles......FMS297

A friend of ours was recently given a diagnosis that no one wants to hear.  After our initial conversations and the shock of it all I decided I just can't keep sending him "oh I'm so sorry - be strong" cards. We were summer neighbors at the lake for 25 years before he retired and moved south so we have lots of fun memories.  Every week I jot down one of those memories in a card and send it out.  I am hoping if the memory makes me smile it may make him smile too!  This card is headed south tomorrow reminding of the time he tried to swamp his brother's Sunfish and ended up swamping himself instead........as the crowd on the beach cheered!

My talented friend Jen Mitchell has a great sketch for us this week......just slightly askew....fun!  Hope you join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Review Crew: Seaside Shore

I surprised myself when I bought this stamp set. I thought it was cute and I do love the ocean.  So why was I surprised?  Well I'm not a fish fan - don't want to see them, touch them, smell them or eat them!  I sit with my back to the aquariums in waiting rooms!  My poor kids grew up without a goldfish or two.  And when I go in the lake I keep telling myself that there are no fish in the lake...none at all....hah! Maybe this fear comes from a crazy fish we had in our aquarium when I was young. It was a big catfishy looking thing that lived for years. My father loved his fish tank and especially that fish.  Every now and then it would launch itself out of the tank and land on the carpet next to the couch....true story!  My father would laugh and plop it back in the tank until the next time.  I confess to saving that thing twice because no one else was in the living room.  But good fortune doesn't last forever......one day it launched itself into an empty living room......

If you have just viewed Kelly's wonderful work you are right on track!  If not head on back.....

But if you are going right in order Mickey and her terrific creations are next!

Stamp Set: Seaside Shore
Ink:  Dapper Denim, Calypso, Watercolors, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede
Paper:  Calypso Coral, Dapper Denim, Very Vanilla, Watercolor

Dreamers Gotta Dream.........FMS294

This is my life......forever trying to sneak time in an Adirondack chair to read. But there is always something going on in this family of ours!  This past weekend the Big Guy and Emma's daddy put up her new swingset....which she calls her playground.  It was quite the event.  I'm not sure if the language of the builders was always playground appropriate but hey they worked ten hours for free!  My daughter was the gopher and I provided lunch.....and we both wrangled puppies!

The pups were eventually banished to the playhouse.....even though they preferred to be underfoot!

I love the sweet square sketch my friend and talented Artisan Jen Timko designed for us this week!  Hope you join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Sets:  Bike Ride (SU!) My Sunshine (SSS) Blissful Butterflies (Pretty Pink Posh)

Die Cuts: Seasonal Layers(SU!) Stitched Layers (SU!)

Ink: Distress, Soft Suede, Black, Berry Burst, Flirty Flamingo

Paper: Whisper White, Sahara Sand

Fusion: Sand, Beach....and Sunshine!

Those summery beach signs were my inspiration for my card today.  We are a long way from the nearest ocean but luckily "our" lake is nearby!  We search for flat rocks to skip instead of seashells and float on big old tractor inner tubes instead of surfboards. OK so no fresh seafood but wood grilled pizza and barbecued ribs taste good too! Our sandy beach is smaller but there is plenty of lawn for softball, volleyball and rolling tube races.  It takes a lot of talent.....and a lot of crazy.....to climb into the hole of the tube and let your friends roll you across the lawn, over the sand and into the lake.  

But in the meantime there is something wonderful about being the only person lakeside after the holiday weekend is over......no kids, no dogs, no boats.......just me and my book of the week :)

I took my cue from the beachy photo at Fusion this week. Hope you play along using the sketch, the photo or both!

The fun sketch at Global Design Project this week reminded me of the beach signs so I used it for my card!


                                       


Stamp Sets: Sending Sunshine (Wplus9), My Sunshine (SSS)
Inks: Black, Distress Oxide
SU Stripes Stencil
Paper: Whisper White, Wood Textures DSP

Christmas in July....FMS295

Once upon a time long ago our family was small......the kids were little and getting together for family events was easy. But kids grow up, move away and have their own kids and suddenly getting together at holiday time was tough - especially in the winter!  So a few years ago we decided to gather once a year over Fourth of July weekend at our camp on the lake.......and Cuzziepalooza was born!  It is two days of fun, family, food, and surprises - a bit like Christmas in July!

                                            

My very talented Australian friend Narelle has us going in circles this week at Freshly Made Sketches - hope you join in the fun!

                                                   

Stamp Ink Paper has a Christmas in July theme this week!

Die Cuts:  Seasonal Layers (SU!), Let It Snow (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:  Gold Foil, White, Be Merry DSP

Stamp Review Crew: Coffee Cafe

The Stamp Review Crew is featuring Coffee Cafe this week - such a fun set!

As you read this we will be halfway through a long Fourth of July weekend at the lake.  Today was our annual Cuzziepalooza Day.  Lots of cousins.....lots of fun!  And all the moms and dads will need lots of coffee tomorrow morning!  

If you just came from seeing Charlet's wonderful work you are right on track - if not you can head back and check it out!

Thanks for stopping by - now head onward to see what treats Twila has in store!

 

Stamp Sets:  Coffee Cafe, Kinda Eclectic
Paper:  Soft Suede, Whisper White, Coffee Break DSP, Wood Textures DSP
Ink: Soft Suede, Garden Green, Daffodil Delight