Vintage Mother's Day Card

In my last post I vowed to get busy again..... and I did, but not so much with cards as I had hoped.  I actually went to work parttime at a lovely boutique here in Branson.  Three days a week, on my feet for eight hours, took more out of me that I was prepared for.  And I still struggle with the loss of my mom.  Nothing in my life has been so hard.  The support from online and real life continues to remind me how blessed I am.

When Mother's Day came along I was missing Mom so much.  I knew she would want me to keep busy and to celebrate the day in her memory and with our dear friend, Norma, my "other mother".  So this card was for Norma.

I wanted something with lots of flowers and a vintage feel.

A variety of one-of-a-kind flowers blended better than I imagined they would.

The image is from my collection I've acquired from many sources over the years.

I found the poem on the web and it was just perfect to express  how I feel about  "Mama Norma"
Last week I made a few other cards which I will be posting in the coming days.  Thank you for coming back and taking a look at my new creations.  I just hope I haven't lost my touch.  Despite my absence from my own blog, I have been visiting all of my favorite bloggers and you all continue to inspire me.  Thank you for that!

Home From "Mother's Day Tour"

My Mom (left) and her best friend of 55 years Lil

Mother's Day 2011

Mom and I got home last night after our Mother's Day Tour. We had a wonderful time! Starting from Branson we drove to Sioux City, Iowa, with a side trip to our favorite antique mall north of St. Joseph, MO. While in Sioux City we stayed with my brother and his wife where we always have a great time. My sister lives in the area, too, so we spent time with her and her fiance having lunch at the legendary Green Gables. It has been on the same corner since before I was born. Let me just say that was a looooong time ago. Best matzo ball soup anywhere!

Mother's Day was a large family gathering for brunch at my brother's. Oh, so much great food, games and conversation.  It was fun to watch Mom's grown-up grandsons playing with the young great-grandsons and great-grandaughter. My son got a bunch of us playing Phase 10, which was a blast, as always.

From Sioux City we headed across Iowa with a stop in Woodbine, Mom's hometown, and a visit with her cousins. Then to Newton, home of Maytag, where my Uncle George had worked for over 40 years. George passed on last year, but we spent time with my aunt and cousins. We drove over to Cedar Rapids with a stop at Little Amana (didn't have time to go up to Homestead and the other colonies) where I was able to get some wine and other favorites of the Amana Colonies.  In Cedar Rapids are my Uncle and Aunt, ages 90 and 89, who are doing well and still self-sufficient.  I stopped at Hy-Vee and loaded up on Chinese food and salads from the deli there --- great stuff! So we had a great lunch and conversation. They love to look at my photos so I took out the laptop for a slideshow.

We had wonderful weather, except for the wind, almost all week.  Coming home yesterday I drove through a nightmare of a thunderstorm south of Des Moines.  It lasted about 30 minutes then the skies parted and we were in the clear for the rest of the drive home.

Now that I am home I have lots of catching up to do, especially with my favorite blogs! I'll get back in the groove soon! Thanks for stopping by and letting me share my special Mother's Day trip with you.

Mother's Day Card for My Mom

This is just a quick note to show the card I made for my mom. She won't be looking at my blog for the next couple of days so it is safe to post it. I get so tickled at Mom and her laptop. She will soon be 79 years old and it wasn't too many years ago that her laptop was only good for playing Solitaire in bed.  Now she is on the internet first thing in the morning, often before she gets dressed.  So when I saw this image by Mo Manning I knew just what to do with it!

The dp is from a Basic Grey scrapbook collection. The sentiment is computer generated.

I colored the image with Copics. The color scheme was chosen because it is one of Mom's favorites. Her laptop isn't red, but she often sets it on fire with her internet research!

Inside is a sentiment I made up (a rarity). The computer and stack of books is from the Print Shop 2.0 application. When she is not on the computer she is reading.. and reading.. and reading!

I am proud of my mom for thousands of reasons, especially that she keeps her mind active and is involved in important issues facing our country. As a volunteer for the Branson Tea Party Patriots HQ she talks to many people nearly everyday as well as prepares informational materials pertaining to the issues and candidates.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!

And Happy Mother's Day to all Moms, Step-Moms, Grandmoms, and Moms-in-law out there!

Copic Colour Challenge --- Mother's Day Tea Party

This is my second post today --- doing a bit of catching up!  Who knows?  There just might be a third one ... nah!

Anyway, the Copic Colour Challenge gave us a lovely set of colors to work with this week.  I replaced the BV02 with BV01 Viola.

As I said in the previous post I am focused on Mother's Day this week.  When I saw this illustration from Mo Manning, memories of dressing up in my mother's clothes came flooding back!  Remember when we just couldn't wait to grow up and fill those beautiful high heels of Mom's?  These days I wouldn't be able to walk across the room in those heels!  Here is the sweet illustration "Tea Party" for Mother:

I used the Martha Stewart punch around set on a 10.5 x 5 inch piece of white cardstock, folded in half and lined with lime green dp.  The striped dp coordinates with the lime green.  Both are from Daisy D's.  The illustration is colored with the selected Copics and shades slightly darker for depth. The sentiment is computer generated.  The boa was my inspiration for using the feathers rather than flowers and the usual embellies.  Maybe I am a bit biased, but I really love this card! It is fairly simple, but so much fun! 

 

Isn't she cute? I love those long white gloves! 

I hope all the mothers out there are treated to a day of love and laughter... and maybe a spot of tea!

Whiff of Joy Challenge --- Gift Card/Money Holder

This is Mother's Day week and I am busily putting together cards for moms in my life as well as cards for the shop.  Most of my challenge cards this week will have Mom in mind. 

Whiff of Joy is thinking about Moms, too, as well as anyone else who will enjoy getting gift cards or cash for a special event.  I really love the tent-style cards so here is Willow with a recipe book; maybe she will be making a special treat for her mom.

The image is colored with Copics and sits on layers of patterned paper from Daisy D's and cardstock.  The wreath of flowers is Prima Nursery Tales collection.  The rose charm is Nouveau Colour jewelry pendant from Michael's and the sentiment is computer generated.  Colored pearls finish off the embellies. 

So, where is the gift card holder? 

On the back!  This envelope, made with matching dp, will hold a gift card..... I'm just not telling who's!!

Thank you for stopping by!  To my friends in Tennessee, especially Nashville, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this unbelievable flood tragedy.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday --- Warning: Chocolate OD Possible!!

I am so proud to be part of the Busy Beauties DT.  Not only is this the most loving and supportive group of ladies, but also multi-talented!  This week we are sponsoring the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge.  I have to admit I had not visited this challenge blog before, but now it is a favorite!  More talent and inspiration is in store when you hop over to take a look!

Here is their fun sketch for this week:

And here is my card for the sketch.  I did warn you about the chocolate, now didn't I?  I love this tower of cakes!  The image is Busy Beauties "Eat Cake" and I just had to color it in shades of chocolate.  I wonder if that has anything to do with the bag of assorted Hershey's kisses I just bought?  Hmmmm?

The cakes are colored in with all the shades of chocolate I could find in my Copics stash!!  The luscious strawberries and pretty red bow provided the accent color.  I have had some sheets of the chocolate icing scrapbook paper in my closet for years and this was the perfect time to break it out!  Yummmm!  The ribbon is a nice woven that had the perfect color combo.  I love it when a card comes together!

Inside the card is a simple Mother's Day sentiment on a nice layer of chocolate icing!

I'm so glad you stopped by today and I hope you hop over to Sweet Sketch Wednesday to check out their creations and to play along. 

Busy Beauties Welcoming Spring with a Blog Hop and a Twist and Shout!!

Busy Beauties are geared up for Spring and to show how fired up we are for the beauty of the season we have TWO EVENTS going on today!  Yep --- TWO!  First ......a blog hop!

We’ve got a “SPRING” in our step today and NEW Busy Beauties Boutique images in our hands, and are delighted to have you along for the hop! If you are just starting out, please be sure to hop back to Carolyn’s blog so you don’t miss any of the fun! If you are arriving here from my dear friend Heather's blog then you are right on track.

My card for the blog hop features the lovely "Tea Time" and "Tea and Cookies" images that I used for a Mother's Day card.  The images are colored with Copics and mounted on bright spring dp from Daisy D's.  I love to use silk flowers on the cards and a lovely charm is irresistable.  On the inside..........

........... you will find the image "Tea and Cookies".  These images are so sweet and I can think of dozens of card types to use them on.  Oh, but there are so many more new images!  In a minute I will tell you who is next on the blog hop........

But don't go away yet!!

We hope you’ll join us for a TWIST & a SHOUT! The “TWIST” being our new GO GREEN WITH A TWIST Challenge (in honor of Earth Day) at the Busy Beauties Creation Station! And the “SHOUT” being a RELEASE PARTY over on Paper Craft Planet this SATURDAY AT 8 P.M. EDT. We'll bring the Party Favors! *wink, wink*

I made a special birthday card for the GO GREEN WITH A TWIST CHALLENGE.  My lovely Grandma Browning was born on this date in 1900!  She would love that Earth Day is on her date of birth!  I don't know anyone who could grow prettier flowers or more delectable vegetables in her garden! 

This card is a recycled front with the addition of the new BB image "Spring Flowers", colored with Copics.  I know Grandma would have loved this card!

The sentiment on the inside is just what I would say to her on this, her 110th birthday.

Now, on to the rest of the hop...........

Your next stop is the always amazing Karen! When you reach the Busy Beauties Creation Station you will find more details about the hop, the challenge, and the release party!

Thanks for bopping & hopping with us, and we hope to see you for the TWIST and SHOUT!

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge #27 --- Peggy's Sketch

The challenge this week at Mo's Digital Pencil is this great sketch from Peggy. 

I am working on my stock of Mother's Day cards this week, so I chose the adorable "Sorry Shanna".  You might notice her resemblance to "Sorry Shawn" that I used yesterday.  They are both such cuties.  This time I colored the image with a dry brush and Distress Ink pads.  Dress:  tattered rose; hair: scattered straw; flowers: worn lipstick; shoes: walnut stain; stems, grass, leaves: pine needles.  The dp is from Daisy D's.  I found some antique lace that I wove pink ribbon through and topped it off with a feather butterfly.

The greeting on the outside of the card and the sentiment on the inside are computer-generated.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look.  For some real inspiration be sure to hop over to Mo's Digital Pencil challenge blog.  Oh, my goodness!  The DT's cards are amazing!

Two Cards..... Two Challenges: WOJ and CCC

After a very busy weekend I treated myself to a 3-hour nap today.  I'm not a napper, but it really was rejuvenating because I was able to get into the studio and finish two cards for two of my favorite challenges.

First is the Whiff of Joy Challenge #75 using the colors yellow and green with an additional color.  I added pink to the mix. 

This image from last year's WOJ summer kit is colored with Copics YG23, Y08, and RV25, primarily.  The dp is from my scrap pile and had all the colors I wanted for this warm, summer card.  The flowers are Prima "Got Flowers" (there's a LOT of flowers in that little jar!), the label sentiment from KI Memories, and the embossed flowers are Cuttlebug border folder.  It's all topped of with little pearls and delicious ribbon from the Target dollar bin (can you believe it?!).  I don't know about you but I am craving lemonade right now!

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Now for the Copic Colour Challenge #60.  It's a great color combination that lent itself well to a card for a little boy to give to his mama for Mother's Day.

I didn't have the exact Copics so I used B91, E49, and Y21, primarily.  I was really surprised to find this dp in my scrapbook stash.  It contains all of these colors!  The image is a cutie from Mo Manning called "Sorry", and I think he also works well for a Mother's Day card.  The ribbon is from the Michael's dollar bin (gotta love those dollar bins!) and the sentiment is computer generated.

What mama could resist this little face?

So many cards to make......... so little time!  No more 3-hour naps for me!

Thanks for stopping by!  Your time and comments are so appreciated.  I hope your week is fantastic!

Forever Young Mother's Day Card

I've been out of town for a few days visiting my aunt and uncle and found them to be doing quite well! They are 87 and 88 years old, coming up on their 68th anniversary and living in their own home. We had a great time talking and going out to eat, a drive over to the Amana Colonies in Iowa, more talking, looking at pictures, drinking coffee, and did I mention talking! We always have a very good time together.

Now that I am back home I am catching up on all my favorite blogs. It's always so much fun to look at so much talent!

Before I left went out of town, I made this Mother's Day card for my step-son's fiance. She is young, a model and loves fashion. Not to mention a great mommy to their 2 year-old son! So when I saw this stamp called "Jasmine" from Rubbernecker Stamps I thought of her. Oh, to be young and skinny again! Wait, I never was skinny. Well, let's just say, "Forever Young"!

The card is actually made from some scraps (I never throw anything away!) and the light yellow card stock is embossed with Cuttlebug. The beautiful model is colored with Copics, and the flowers were stripped from a stem of silk flowers I bought at Walmart then attached with tiny brads. The leaves were stripped from the stem, too.

Penny-pinching tip: I bought stems of flowers in several colors at Walmart. They were a dollar each and I have dozens of little flowers and the leaves for accent. They stack smartly with other larger flowers or stand alone. In a previous card I showed these little flowers in white and dipped in glitter.

Well, on to looking at every one's new creations! Thanks for stopping by!

A Mother's Day Card for a Very Special Aunt

Tomorrow I am driving up to Iowa to spend a couple of days with my very special aunt and uncle. They are 87 and 88 years old, respectively, and the most vital people I know! My aunt has struggled with serious health issues for some time, but my uncle's devoted TLC keeps her going. He has incredible energy --- I know that first hand, but that's a whole different story.

My aunt loves my cards so I made her a very special Mother's Day card. I call her my Aunt-Mom Lorraine because when my father died very suddenly when I was 3 years old (with 2 younger brothers) these two loving people have always been there for us. Dad was my uncle's baby brother. It goes without saying that these two people are very special to us --- and they bless so many others as well.

Tada! Here is the card. The layout is from this week's Ismaki challenge. They have some amazing sketches! For the colors I was inspired by the area rugs (photo at the bottom) from a Penney's catalog, which was easy since this is one of my favorite colors of blue. Of course the new Willow from Whiff of Joy is just so precious. She is colored with Copics and encircled in Paper Fancies flowers. The ivory DP is from DCWV Luxury Stack, and the navy embossed CS is from my stash. The white net trim is probably from Michael's bridal department.

To protect the card from being crushed I put it in a clear box from Clear Bags. I use these a lot for sending cards.

I hope you have had a wonderful weekend. It was quite productive for me and I have more cards to show you! So, when I go out of town, blogging goes with me!