Coffee Lovers Blog Hop - Spring 2017

Woo Hoo - I love all of the Coffee Lovers Hops - because it gives me a chance to feature COFFEE cards on my blog.  This one was especially fun.  I got together with a group of friends to play with our stamping, and my friend Lori re-introduced me to the napkin technique. I've got to tell you - it's probably been 20+ years since I've done this - but now I am again hooked.

Above are some of the napkins we played with, and below is a section after I've adhered it to cardstock.  We found out of most napkins you can get four panels.

So I cut down one of the quarters and layered it on cardstock to get the base for this card.  Then I cut apart another quarter - by cutting each of the cups out.  I adhered them layering from the top down, then added some pretty pearls to finish it off.

The inside used up the small top piece of cup I did not need for the front.  (oops - I added steam to the cup, but took this picture before.  Will try and update if I get a chance tomorrow.)

Here's a side view - hard to tell - but the top cup is just the first image, the one below it is cut out and layered flat, the one below that layered with one dimensional layer, and the final bottom cup layered with two dimensional layers.

This gives dimensions to the cups and the illusion of cups actually stacked inside of each other.

I hope you like it - be sure to check out all the other amazing cards on this hop by going HERE.  Leave a comment if you have a minute.  I'll be drawing from all comments for a cardstock giveaway!!  ~Maureen
#spring2017clh

Sunday Morning Musings - Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing women out there - especially to those who have been a part of my life.  You mean the world to me - and I hope your special day is wonderful!!

This has been a tough week for me - really missing my Mom in heaven this Mother's day!  Life is a bit overwhelming and what I wouldn't give to be able to sit and have a cup of coffee with her to discuss it all.  She was such a wise woman.

Also, missing my daughter Heidi, son-in-law and grandkids in California.  But I am fortunate to have hubby, daughter Jenee and her kids here with me - so am counting my blessings as I get to hug them.  Here they all are - sans son in law Aaron - he was probably hiding.

I'm so behind in life right now that no one got hand-made Mother's day cards from me this year (except Paul's Mom) - but I was able to do some stamping with the kids yesterday, so they could make cards for Jenee.  

They had such a good time - and are good little stampers.  I know their Mom will love the cards and their creativity.  Now on another note - you all know my addition to coffee - well - I guess my daughter's do too - here is part of what they gave me for Mother's day!  Heidi sent me the one on the left and Jenee gave me the one on the right this morning :)  They are just too cute!

My lovely goofs - Heidi and Jenee!

On a final note today - if your Mom is still alive - I ask that you please honor her.  It is a thankless job in so many ways (paying off with hugs and kisses) - but it's so nice for them to know that you appreciate all they do.  So now's the time, while you can - an extra call, card, flower, hug or kiss - do it!! Happy Mother's Day y'all!  ~Maureen

"Honour thy father and thy mother"

2016 Spring Coffee Lover's Blog Hop

It's HERE - and I'm so excited to be a part of this blog hop - nothing better than the combination of stamping, blogging and coffee!!  Just click on the words "blog hop" in the first sentence to take your right to the hop and scroll down for the links to all the cards!  So here's my first card on the hop - It uses the amazing "A Nice Cuppa" stamp set and coordinating "Cups and Kettle" framelit dies from Stampin' Up!  You all know I am a coffee girl - but this teapot image was just too cute to pass up!

My favorite part - that adorable steam heart coming out of the teapot of course! The actual teapot and lid are popped up on dimensionals, which you can see better below.

Hope you like it - now off to create some more cards for future days :)  ~Maureen
Some of the products used to make today's project.  Click on any image to go directly to my SU! store ~

A Nice Cuppa Photopolymer Stamp Set

$17.00

Cups & Kettle Framelits Dies

$29.00

A Nice Cuppa Photopolymer Bundle

$39.00

Birthday Bouquet Designer Series Paper

$11.00

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.50

Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$7.00

Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Tea Lace Paper Doilies

$3.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.00

Fine-Tip Glue Pen

$7.00

Big Shot

$110.00

Sunday Morning Musings -

The house is really quiet this morning as Jenee and the kiddos are off for a week of vacation plans during Spring break.  So - it's just Paul and I - although I miss them all - it's kind of nice :)  This is Jenee's mug I'm using - it so fits her personality.  But since they're gone - for this week - I'm Queen of Everything - lol!

So here's my thoughts for this Sunday - Spring is a coming!!!  My ornamental plum tree is full of these beautiful blossoms and it just makes my heart smile.  Also, all my iris plants have sent up their wonderful green leaves - can't wait till they are in full bloom. 

Here's a picture of three of my lovies - Zamarah, Prince and Paisley - in front of that tree this week.

And then had to share a picture of my other four lovies - Kyan, Makai, Zavian and Kamili - at their house, ready for Dr. Suess day at school.  Heidi actually made those costumes out of felt and puff paints - truly amazing.  I am so blessed with these seven amazing grand-kids!

Now Paul and I are off to church and a few other errands and then having a relaxing Sunday together.  Yesterday was crazy getting laundry and packing, etc. done for the crew.  Plus she had a photo appt. for the kids and I had an open house for my stamping classes at the local Joann's - all after a couple weeks of  me being sick - so a day of rest is just want I needed.  See you soon! Have a blessed Sunday! ~Maureen

Sunday morning (or afternoon) musings....

So - you've all heard of a coffee break (needed multiple times each day) - well this week I had a coffee pot break.  We had out of state company and I was brewing a pot of coffee for an afternoon break when we smelled this horrible hot wiring smell.  You know the one - it is awful - and after checking everywhere we narrowed it down to my coffee pot :(  So out it in the trash it went!

Fortunately I still had a back-up French Press - so out it came.  We ordered a new Melitta coffee maker yesterday - but it won't be here till Friday - so till then French Press it is.  I love the taste - it's just a little more work and for the amount of coffee I drink each day that equals a lot more work.  So this  afternoon I'm enjoying my coffee from this pretty mug that Heidi designed for me. She made it with Sharpie markers and my favorite color, yellow.

Yesterday I was so excited as my Orchid blossomed.  I actually thought I had killed it when all the blossoms dropped and it was just a stick.  But a little over a week ago buds began to appear - and yesterday I woke to this!

Here's a close-up - I think it is sooooo beautiful!

Finally for today, I don't think I ever shared the cute little Valentine I sent off to my mother-in-law.  It was made using the January Paper Pumpkin kit from Stampin' Up!  I love how it turned out -

and little miss Zamarah used the rest of my kit to make her Valentine's for her classmates.

Hope your weekend has been wonderful - enjoy the rest of your Sunday - and I'll see you soon! ~Maureen