Blossom Eaters!

Although we have lived in the mountains for many years and it isn't unusual to see deer near the yard feasting on grass and limbs of nearby trees. That was before we moved last year. You see, we don't have a fence now and this beautiful doe and her babies (two of the cutest spotted fawns I have ever seen) have been dining in my garden. I have a pretty pink geranium that I have been nurturing and then I bought a couple of beautiful mums and placed them near the front walkway only to discover that they were going to be the next appetizer for my deer. Here are a couple of before and after pics.

My friend Anne told me to put new Bounce drying sheets in my plants because the deer don't like the smell. So far, so good. Now, if only it would work for the bears!

On a good note, the mum on the top still hasn't been eaten and the mum on the bottom is starting to bloom again.

Remember in Bambi when Thumper tells Bambi that "Momma says to eat the greens, but I like the blossoms!"

More Princess Goodies

I received more Princess of the month goodies today. Jenny sent an accordian album, embossing template, note cards and a cute card. I've been wanting an accordian album like this for awhile now. I can't wait to use it. Here are a few pics.



Closeup of the album. I love the colors on the album she chose for me.

Aren't these cards cute? They're in two different sizes and the word Queen, the two crowns and 4 flowers are 3-D stickers to use with them. Cool huh?

I'm really enjoying my reign at Scraps-N-Such's Princess of the month. It's so much fun and the ladies on SNS are so generous.

Princess of the Month Gifts

On Scraps-N-Such we have Princess of the Month (POM). Each month those of us who choose to participate, sends a gift ($5 min.) to the reigning Princess and their name goes into a drawing. At the end of the month, the Princess draws one name from the "hat" to be the Princess for the next month. I was chosen to be the Princess for August. I received my first gift today. Here are pics:

Party with a punch!

I just love the Marvy Scallops. For my class tomorrow, we are partying with a punch.....I will use circles, squares and ovals and the Hampton Arts Best Birthday clear set. If you want them too, you can get them here.

For the first card I used the following goodies:

Paper: Tres Jolie
Stamps: Hampton Arts
Ink: Cardinal VersaColor
Bling: Diamond Stickles
Ribbon: Red/White Stripe
Punches: Mega and Super Jumbo Circles

For the next card:

Paper: Purple Tsumugi, White cardstock, Bazzill Print
Stamps: Hampton Arts
Ink: Galaxy Black Brilliance, Tombow Markers (#'s to follow)
Bling: Crystal Stickles
Ribbon: White Grosgrain
Punches: Giga and Mega Ovals and McGill Stacking Oval (size to follow)

For the final card you will need:

Paper: Deep Spring Green, Light Coffee Brown--Worldwin, Stripe--K & Co.
Stamps: Hampton Arts
Ink: Black VersaColor, Versamark
Bling: Pearl Liquid Pearls, Geo Stickers from Stampendous
Ribbon: 1/8" light blue satin
Punches: Mega and Super Jumbo Scallops

All About Me

This is the title page for my BOM album. I was able to complete challenges on three different boards with this one LO. Challenge #1 was from Scrapjazz to create a title page (pretty simple huh?). Challenge #2 was from A. C. Bailey Designs to use decorative scissors somewhere on my LO. I used them on the card stock behind my title. Challenge #3 was from Scraps-N-Such to use a technique that was new to me. I used eyelets and looped my ribbon through them. I'd never done that before. I didn't plan to work these three challenges into the LO but it was kind of neat that it worked out that way.

Three by Three

Here are two cards that I created for stamp club. The challenge was to use three papers from three different companies. This was fun and challenging. I would love to see what you can come up with using three by three. For both cards I used paper from the following companies: Tres Jolie (orange floral behind images), Lasting Impressions (orange/cream stripe) and Daisy Bucket (green/orange floral). I used antique brads on the bees and a copper clipiola for the flower pot card. Both stamps are from Stampendous. Ribbon is from May Arts. Inks used were Versacolor. I can't remember the colors off the top of my head but could check if you would like to know. Just leave me a comment and I will get back to you. TTFN!

Many, many thanks!

Words cannot express the thanks I have for everyone who has called, sent cards, sent plants/flowers to me in the last week. You have all made me feel very special. Some of the cards were well wishes for Dad, some were birthday cards for me and many were sympathy cards for Dad's passing. I am still not sure why Dad passed on my birthday, but I know that there is a reason for everything. A few days before he passed, he asked what I wanted for my birthday. I told him I wanted him to be "okay" as I knew he would never be well. He is much better than "okay" now. Here are pictures of all of the beautiful cards and arrangments/plants I received. You can't imagine how special you all are to me. I have started stamping again and will have some new things to share tomorrow. Much love........

Sad News

Yesterday my Dad peacefully passed away. As most of you know, he had bladder cancer and had been sick for quite some time. He fought as hard as he could, but his body was just to tired to fight any longer. I know that today he is pain free and with his beloved wife and my brother.

This is a picture of him that was taken when he was about three or four years old. Grandma loved this picture so much and had postcards made to send everyone. :) It is my all time favorite picture too!

Thank you to everyone who has been on this journey with me. Your thoughts and prayers have meant so much to me.

Love you all,
Melissa

September Butterfly Sneak Peek 2

Here is another card I made using one of the butterflies from the Hero Arts Designer Butterflies set. This will not be one of the cards we will make in class.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Hero Arts- Designer Butterflies Set
Paper: My Minds Eye-Signature (Happiness Collection)
Ribbon: May Arts-Sage Satin Edged Organdy
Inks: Colorbox-Parchment, Topaz, Roussillion, Olive

Scrum-dilly-icious

Just a quick note tonight. I am working on another Butterfly Sneak Peak for September (waitin' on the glitter glue to dry) so I will show you a picture of the scrum-dilly-icious ribbon that Sharon just got in at The Cat's Meow. The ribbon is 1/2" width with organdy in the middle and trimmed with a luscious, shimmery satin edge. There are nine colors. I hope you can find them all in the picture. I am not sure of the exact color names, but this is what I would call them: White, gold, sage, teal, red, purple, magenta and cinnamon. Oh no! That's only eight, I must figure out what color I am missing!

ETA(edited to add): Ivory! That was the missing color. I had it all along, but in the light last night I couldn't tell the difference between it and the white. Hmmm....looking under a good light always helps.

Received some cards

Whew! The last couple of weeks have been hectic and busy. Dad suffered a setback and ended up back in the hospital last Friday. He had some major surgery yesterday and will be in the hospital for a few more days.

During this last week or so, I received two cards that I would like to share with you. This cute little "Hang in There" monkey card is from Doreen. She also included a clever prescription that was for: a shower, good sleep, a good meal (which I finally had tonight) and to do some of my favorite things. My favorite things are: spending time with my family (doing that tonight), stamping (hope to do that tonight) and traveling (hope to take a weekend trip at the end of the month.)

The next card is from Ginger. It also came with a nice note. It is hard to tell, but the cardstock used is very shimmery.






Thanks you guys, you really made my day.!