Personal Post Monday...a few tears and lots of faith

So today I said goodbye to these four as they started out on a journey at 6AM, that will take them over 1600 miles away.  I have to admit .... I felt like shedding a few tears - but did not.  Instead I took time to pray for God to keep them safe and that this adventure will bring them nothing but blessings!!!  My faith sustains me through good times and bad.  Thank you God for those I love.

 

So in the past two weeks I have had three Gramma days - trying to get a special day in with each of them before they left, as it could be a year before I get a chance again.  Here I am with Paisley - she chose Golden Corral for lunch and painting at Jarz of Clay.

Next I had a great day with Prince - he wanted to see the new DC comics movie "Suicide Squad" and so we did -then headed to Subway for dinner.

Finally I had a day with Miss Zamarah - who also chose Golden Corral - because she loves all the desserts.  Then we too went painting at Jarz of Clay.

Had an amazing time with each of them - time to talk and get to know them better - time to let them know how very much they are loved.  Thank heaven for Facetime :)  See you all soon!  ~Maureen

Personal Post Monday - Birthday and Painting Fun!!

First of all - I have to share my little cutie patootie!  My youngest grandchild, Kyan turned 3 this week - and even though we weren't there with him - this picture warms my heart!  I love the donuts with candles - how clever is that - and from the smile on his face - it was a hit!!!

Here's the card I sent to him - bursting with birthday wishes - I used the negatives from the SU Sunburst Die to make the card and it turned out great!!!

Also had some fun myself last week - as I went to my first ever paint party.  Here is my picture.  I had such a good time, and was really happy with it!

My date was my daughter, Jenee, and hse had a great time too.  Here you can see our painting crew!

Thank you to Rosie Carroll for throwing a great party and inviting us!!! ~Maureen

Celebrating my team .... and my daughters!

So I spent the morning making a batch of these cards to go out to my top team achievers for the month of February.  One of whom is my daughter, Heidi - so way to go!!  This was a fun card to make - hope it brings a smile to their faces.  I love the Birthday Bouquet Designer Series Paper and the balloon punch makes these little balloons so quick and easy!!

Here they are just before I got ready to send them out. Think I'm going to duplicate this design for some upcoming birthday cards.

Speaking of birthdays - today is my other daughter, Jenee's birthday - just wanted to give a shout out to that beautiful woman - hope your day is perfect in every way!!  Love you honey!

That's it for today - see you soon!! ~Maureen
Here are some of the products used in today's card - click on any image to take you right to my online store!

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

$7.00

Very Vanilla Medium Envelopes

$6.50

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

$7.00

Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$7.00

Birthday Bouquet Designer Series Paper

$11.00

Blushing Bride 1/4" Cotton Ribbon

$6.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

$5.00

2-1/2" Circle Punch

$18.00

Tin Of Cards Photopolymer Stamp Set

$17.00

Balloon Bouquet Punch

$18.00

Personal Post Monday - I've been crocheting :)

I do love lots of different crafts - and even though I'd say stamping is my favorite - in the evenings, while relaxing and watching TV I love to crochet.  I can pretty much do it without looking down much - so I can enjoy TV and accomplish something at the same time.  Today I wanted to share some of the afgans I have made over the last year.  The first I gave to my daughter, Jenee - I picked the colors and she liked it - so it was hers.  But I think if she wants I'll let her pick out colors and make her another more personal for her.

 

So after showing my other daughter, Heidi, what I had made, I asked if she'd like one and she said yes, and she wanted me to pull out some of the colors from her pillows on her couch - so I did - and below is her finished afghan.

So after making hers I had a bunch of yarn left - so I made up this afghan below.

And by then my scrap yarn basket was pretty full - so I decided to make an afghan up just of scraps - and here it is.  I actually really like how it turned out.  No rhyme or reason - just stripes of scraps.  And it is all double crochet - so nice and warm.  I'm sure it will be used in the winter months ahead.

Now I think I'll work on some baby afghan's for gifts next.  Thanks for letting me share another one of my hobbies with you today.   Just one of many things that makes me happy and thankful.  Also wanted to let you know that on Friday, September 25, I'll be participating in the Fall 2015 "Coffee Lovers Bloghop" - so be sure you stop back for that.  You'll be able to hop through hundreds of blogs seeing great card designs - so don't miss it!!  ~Maureen

Mother's Day gifts....

Finally getting around to posting my Mother's Day gifts.  This year Paul and I went out to dinner earlier in the week to avoid the crowds, and then on the actual day, for the first time ever I did not see my kids or grandkids - so it was all a bit sad :(   But I was not forgotten - besides the dinner out from hubby, my daughter Heidi gave me these gifts - 1) an amazing "cloche" that she picked up at a local swap meet.  It is so vintage looking and she filled it with a pot of succulents to grace my table. The first picture is without a flash and the second with so you can see the detail a little more.

 

She also made me this rustic ball jar wall hanging for our new house.  It can be used for art pencils, pens, etc. or even fresh flowers.  Looking forward to finding just the right spot to place it.

And my other daughter, Jenee, sent me a beautiful card with a Spa Finder gift card - once we get settled I plan to find the perfect place to pamper myself with that.  I was planning to take pictures of the cards and post - but realized I had already packed them - lol.  This living between two homes if for the birds!  So even though I was a little lonesome - I am abundantly blessed!!!  ~Maureen

To some of the very specialist women in my life - my Mom, Bernice, who is now in heaven.

My Mother-in-law, Gloria, who continues to inspire me at 94 years of age.

My oldest daughter, Jenee, amazing mother to three of my grandbabies.

And my youngest daughter, Heidi, also an amazing mother to my other four grandkids. 

So much love goes out to these amazing women - and to many others who have had an impact on my life - my sister, Sharon, for one.  But there are too many to mention here.  You all know who you are - family and friends - who have been there for me in so many ways.  This may be Mother's Day - but even though you may not be my Mom - you have touched my life in amazing ways!  So this day is for YOU!!!!   Love you all, Maureen

New Holiday Wreath

This week we've been blessed to have Jenee and the kids visiting and she brought me this amazing wreath that she made for me.  I love it - exactly my style.  The little berries look like they are glowing.

But you can see here - they are frosted and beautiful.

Here is a close up of some of the trim - fabric and burlap roses and pieces she added - so rustic and so lovely.

It's definitely an indoor wreath and I wanted everyone to see it as they walked in, so I hung it up above in our entry way.  I know it hangs below the crossbar - but I love the way it looks there.  

Thank you so much Jenee!  ~Mom

Kids and Grandkids

Okay - today just had to take a bit of a break from stamping pics and share my babies and their babies :)  Here are a couple selfies of Jenee and her kids (Paisley, Prince and Zamarah) on their recent roadtrip to Las Vegas. 

Looks like they were ready for a fun time!  All smiling and happy.  This had to be on the way there, because I bet on the way home they were exhausted. :)  I know after vacations, I just can't wait to get home.

Then on Mother's Day, Heidi and her kids (Kamili, Makai, Kyan and Zavian) posed for this picture.

And then she turned the camera and did this selfie.  I really love this picture of the kiddos - even though you can just see Zavian's eyes you can tell they are all happy and smiling.  Hard to catch a shot like that with four kids.

I feel so blessed to call these girls my daughters, and they are simply amazing Moms to their kids - who are also such a blessing to us.  Love them, love them, love them!  ~Maureen

OCD Saturday

It's me - it really is - I have Obsessive Coffee Disorder - I LOVE THE STUFF!!!  Don't think it's an addiction, as last week I was suffering from a kidney infection, and quit coffee for four days - and didn't event get a headache.  Didn't like not having coffee - but really did not feel any type of withdrawal - so I think this is the disorder I have - LOL!

Here's a Saturday mug share - I got this great mug from my daughter Heidi.  And I love the message -  hopefully you can read it even though it's a bit blurry.

A while back I gave Heidi credit for giving me a mug that my daughter Jenee actually gave me (sorry Jenee) but this one really was from Heidi.  So thank you both for contributing to my OCD - Love you!!!  ~Mom

Holiday Boutique

So in December we held our first ever full boutique in my home for the holidays.  It was wildly successful for all of us so I am sure we'll do again - maybe even a Spring one - will see.  Today I just wanted to share some of our pictures from that fun day!

Hair bows

Body scrubs and NORWEX products

Hand made caramels and more (those caramels were yummy!!!)

One of our prices lists.

Infinity scarfs and coasters.

pine cone ornaments

Doterra oils and natural products

Body butters, candy treats, decorated clothespins.

Little Paisley baby and toddler clothing

Avon products

My Christmas Tree!

Lots of handmade cards

Even more discontinued sets for sale.

My adorable daughters - we had a great time doing this together!

So watch for info on our next boutique and be sure to join us!  Stop back soon!!  -Maureen