Let It Be, Let It Be......FMS692

 

A heat wave rolled in on Sunday.....which got only worse on Monday and totally unbearable on Tuesday with another day on tap for Wednesday. We don't have central air in our house because honestly where I live we don't need it......until now! Wow it's hot!

Monday night I decided to brave the heat upstairs in my craft room to tackle my FMS card.  It was so hot upstairs even with a fan that I decided I needed a thirty minute or less card.  So I scrambled through the huge mess on my desk left from the Concord and 9th Summer Camp I "attended" over the weekend. I found bits and pieces left over from classes so I embossed a background and boom I was done! I snapped a few photos, uploaded them to my computer then wrote the card to a friend to go out in the morning mail.

Tuesday afternoon I was typing my post at Emma's while her mom was at work and I noticed something not quite right in the photo.  The cone flower was upside down! I may have said a choice word which got Emma's attention.....and she gave me some very sage advice...."Amma....Let it be....just let it be".....

Hope your craft room is cooler than mine these days and you can join us at Freshly Made Sketches! Narelle has a great design for us! And if a flower is upside down.....let it be....

Stamp Sets: Garden of Gratitude, Pressed Poppies (Concord and 9th)

He Did It - Again! FMS691

 

For a six year old kiddo Will certainly has had his share of graduations! We went to a sweet nursery school graduation when he was 4.....then then a rollicking pre-K graduation complete with dance routines and rock and roll! Next week will be a moving up ceremony from Kindergarten.  He has done well in Kindergarten but if you ask him about the best part of his day he always says "riding the bus!"  He only lives four blocks from school but since it is on a very busy street he is eligible for a bus ride.  As someone who took a bus to school as well I totally get it......it was very entertaining!

Michele has a sweet sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches! She would love to see what creative projects you come up with - and so would I!

Stamp Set: Smarty Pants (Paper Smooches)

Paper: Poppy Parade,Turtle-y Cute DSP

Ink: Memento, Copics

Plaid EF from SU!

Poppin' In.....FMS690

 

Popcorn and a movie......one of the best partnerships in life!  Emma and Will were here for pizza last night and we had a discussion on movies.  I asked them for recommendations for my summer viewing.  Let's just say that the movie choices of a six year old boy, a twelve year old girl and a 75 year old grandma are light years apart!  But it made for a lively discussion and we all agreed that popcorn is a must!  That conversation definitely led me to use Stampin' Up's new popcorn set Poppin' By!

Karren has a great sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches - hope you join us!

Baby Shark - Revisited! FMS689

 

When my grandson Will was very young his whole world was about Baby Shark.....singing the song, dancing to the song, watching the video.....I'm sure he wasn't the only one!   Stampin' Up! came out with a delightful shark filled stamp set back then so Will received many cards with Mommy, Daddy and Baby Shark.  But he has since moved on so I sold the shark set to another crafter about two years ago. I tossed extra images and bits of retired DSP into my "basket of many things"  and there they have been for two years.

Recently I placed an order with Riley and Company for some fun sentiments including this one because it made me laugh. When I saw the Paper Players Challenge this week  about reusing/recycling things that have been hanging around your craft room it all came together! I dug into the bin and found the diecuts and some retired ocean paper - fun!

My card is smaller then the regular A6 card because I tried to keep it square like Cecile's original sketch but I HAD to stretch it out a bit to make it all work! Make your card work with Cecile's wonderful sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!

A Speedy Recovery! FMS688

 

And another one of my cousins has had surgery this week so this little guy is off to Baltimore to wish him a speedy recovery.  Texts have been flying back and forth keeping everyone informed.  It truly is amazing how texting keeps us all in the loop instantly even though we are hundreds of miles apart! 

Hopefully I won't need another Get Well card for a while!  And hopefully you have time to play with Freshly Made Sketches this week! Jen Brum has a great sketch for us!

Stamp Set: Feel Better (MamaElephant)

Paper: Timeless Plaid DSP, Pecan Pie

Ink: Memento, Copics

A Little Help From My Hens....FMS687

 

My cousin is recovering from surgery which has resulted in a few weeks of restricted activity.  Her husband has been stellar but she can't be left alone yet so an army has formed to help out with everything from meals to dog walking and general entertainment.  I am making a few of these for her to send to friends who have been terrific during a tough time!  

I just love these chicks!

Verena has  great sketch for us this week at FreshlyMade Sketches! Have fun with it - I did!

Stamp sets: Happy Hens (Gina K), Just Chicken In (TE), All Wired Up (SU!)

Ink: Crushed Curry, Poppy Parade, Pecan Pie

Follow Your Art....FMS686

 

I guess I took this sentiment to heart and followed my art instead of checking out Kim's sketch a bit more carefully. When I copied the sketch to post on my blog and read Kim's description I thought "Ohhhhhhhhh" so that's how it should be. But honestly that's the joy of creating - you never know where you will end up sometimes! I switched the sentiment I had used to "Follow your ART" because it seemed more fitting under the circumstances!  So follow your art and join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamps: Happiest Day (SU!), Sentiment from Impression Obsession

Paper: Floral Delight DSP, Lemon Lolly

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Boho Blue, Versafine Black

Screamin' Demons....FMS685

 

Roller coasters are not my thing but my kids and grandkids love them.  I hold the bags while they all board the Screamin' Demon or whatever a particular monstrosity is called! So this adorable set is perfect for "Emma's Stash Box" when she rummages in my craft room for birthday cards for her friends.

Meanwhile I entertained myself last week with axe throwing.  I have never thrown an axe in my life but I have now!  I was invited to a library staff gathering recently at The Hatchet House and had a great time.  And you thought librarians were just stuffy old ladies right?  After some instruction we were on our own.....it was great fun!

My very first throw that stuck.....

My very best throw.....

I am hosting this week at Freshly Made Sketches - sure hope you like my sketch and throw down with us!

Stamp Set: Coaster Critters (Lawn Fawn)

Ink: Memento, Copics

Paper: Azure Afternoon, Wildflower Birthday DSP

Simple Bouquet....FMS684

 

I love the look of the flowers printed on the vellum strip of paper so I had to use a piece of it in my floral design today.  This card came together quickly thanks to Jen's great sketch and all of that sweet paper!  We finally have some green shoots peeking out along the edge of our yard and a robin's nest in one of our bushes but no flowers yet....soon I hope! We have been busy doing spring cleanup and preparing for house painters who will arrive tomorrow.  I love my gray/blue house and want the exact same color. The painter assures me it will be a perfect match - cross your fingers!

Hope you join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Sets: Notes of Nature (SU), Sweet Sentiments (GinaK)

Paper: Floral and Gingham Vellum, Floral Delight DSP,Lemon Lolly, Pecan Pie, Old Olive

Ink: Memento Black, Lemon Lolly

Happy Retirement! FMS683

 

A quick and easy card today thanks to that great DSP backdrop!  This card is headed to a friend who recently retired.  Retirement isn't all tropical islands and sunshine but it sure is nice to be able to kick back and relax when you want to!

My favorite part of retirement is not having that alarm go off at 6 AM every morning! 

A sweet sketch from Jen Timko this week at Freshly Made Sketches! Hope you join us!

Stamps Sets: Fun Begins (FSJ), Loads of Happy (Avery Elle)

Paper: Thougthful Journey DSP

Ink: Memento Black

Welcome Friends....FMS682

 

We are inching toward spring and better health these days in the Callahan world.  It feels good to be spending a bit more time in my craft room as well.  Not a flower in sight outside though so I decided to put one on my card to welcome two new team members on our Freshly Made Sketches team.  Verena Shapiro and Michele Ferguson are two very talented ladies and I know you will enjoy their creations - if you are not already a fan of their work!

Judy has a delightful sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Have fun with it!

Dies: Blended Blooms (C&9th)

Paper: Everyday Happiness DSP, Pretty Peacock, Lost Lagoon, Gray Granite, Lemon Lolly, Wild Wheat

Easter Flowers....FMS681

 

Wow it is so good to be back!  It has been wild three weeks at our house! The flu bug came to call and flattened the Big Guy which is no easy task.  (yes he had the flu shot)  An ambulance ride to the ER was involved as were several doctor visits and lots of medicine.  A secondary bronchial infection followed which required more medicine......and more hours in the recliner.  I think he is back on track and he actually ran a couple of errands this week but he still has no voice, no strength and naps all afternoon. But every day he is a bit better. My neighbors and family have been wonderful - food and sweet treats were literally left on my doorstep almost daily!

And I finally got back into my craft room yesterday. I kept my card simple relying on pretty paper and a cute bunny to help me out! Since it is Easter time I used an egg shape to frame my bunny instead of a pocket shape in my design.

Have fun with Amy's sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Set: Hop Into Spring (Newton's Nook)

Paper: Wildflower Birthday, Pastel Ombre Glitter

Ink: Copics

Hello Spring! FMS678

Bunnies, birds and blossoms...and outings! Signs of spring for sure!  We have had a busy week which included a birthday dinner for the Big Guy and attending a performance of the musical Come From Away.  It was an amazing show and a wonderful reminder of the kindess and generosity shown by the people of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada when 38 planes carrying 7,000 people were forced to land at their local airport on 9/11.  If one of the touring productions appear in a theater near you buy a ticket - you won't be disappointed!

Meanwhile we have entered mud season as our snow is melting daily - I await blossoms and bluebirds!

Cecile's sketches are always so creative! Let your creativity blossom and join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Set: Finally Spring(CCC)

Ink: Distress - Tumbled Glass, Copics

Paper: Petunia Pop

Friendly Flowers...FMS677

 

I used layering stencils from Gina K's Curved Floral Banner to create my card today.The flowers draped perfectly across my "wooden boards!" Every time I stencil I ask myself why I don't do it more often........and why do I hold my breath when I peel the stencil up?  

My delightful Canadian friend Jen Brum designed a great sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches! Hope you join us!

Thinking Green.....FMS676

 

The snow is still flying around here but I am totally ignoring it and have started spring cards. The weather has been so fierce that the kiddos can't even go outside to build a snow fort.  They spent an afternoon this week building a fort in the family room...complete with posted rules and guard dogs!

Kim has a great sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  I had to scootch my sentiment a bit but I don't think she will mind - have fun with your design!

                   

                        

Stamp Sets: Four Leaf Clover (CCC), Lucky Clover (SU!)

Paper: Boho Blue, Timeless Plaid DSP

Ink: Memento Back, Copics

Read - Relax - Repeat...FMS675

 

This card tells you all you need to know on how I have spent the month of February! It has been a wild winter but March is upon us and I look forward to longer days and warmer temperatures. And by warmer temperatures I mean above freezing.....yep it has been one of those winters!

I managed to sneak in a couple of card classes with my friend Brian King as well.  Zoom calls with crafters are a wonderful way to spend snowy afternoons. I also do a weekly zoom call with retired teacher friends. Kudos to the creators of Zoom - such a wonderful way too keep in touch!

Call me old fashioned but I adore wallpaper and this designer paper provided the perfect "wallpapered" backdrop for my book shelves!

It is my turn to host this week at Freshly Made Sketches.  I have a super simple sketch with lots of possibilities for creative interpretations ~  I look forward to seeing what you come up with!  Hope you join the fun!

                                      

Stamp Sets: For The Books (SU!), Feel Better (Mama Elephant), Our Story (MFT)

Paper: Storybook Moment DSP, Everyday Skies DSP

Ink: Memento Black, Copics

Flowers On A Snowy Day - FMS 674

 

We are just buried in snow this winter - one storm after another!  So I was delighted to take an on line class with Brian King and Emma Goddard for entertainment. Their "Super Awesome Fun Time Card Kits" never disappoint!  This class featured the Mixed Florals Bundles and Labels with the coordinating DSP. And since I had everything on my desk from the class I decided to use the set for my FMS card this week.  I kept it light and springy on purpose!

Jen has a wide open sketch for us this week at Freshy Made Sketches! Have fun with it!

Under The Weather.....FMS673

 

Under the weather here means buried under snow these days so it was fun to think spring and add some raindrops! 

 But raindrops in the winter here create ice in a New York minute.  The annual ice festival was happening just north of us in Saranac Lake this past weekend and Miss Emma enjoyed the musical themed ice castle!

I enjoyed the photos from my fireside chair!

Jenn Timko has a great sketch for us this week! Hope you join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Sets: Umbrella Days (SU!), Rain or Shine (Sunny Studios)

Paper: Everyday Skies DSP

Ink: Copics, Memento