Hey there cupcake

I just love putting those old supple containers to use! This use to hold an abundance of beautiful yellow flowers that I used for my sister-in-laws baby shower invitations. The poor sad jar now sits empty with no purpose. Well, until now. I've stamped and decorated and it'll soon be filled with some yummy Valentines day candy. What a happy day for this once empty jar!

listening to your heart

Sometimes it's hard to decode what your heart is saying. Sometimes God speaks to you in amazing ways. Last week we had an unexpected and sudden death in our family. God spoke to my cousin's heart that day. She called me up and wanted to get together. She said she had been thinking about our grandfather ( who passed years ago) a lot and had a bad feeling. I had to work that night so we instead decided to meet up for coffee in the morning. When morning came I got the phone call about my uncle. I was so saddened that I hadn't been there for my cousin but so happy that God had sent her a message, in a way some comfort. So obviously you all know why I have been MIA. I will miss my silly, funny uncle so much and I hope everyone prays for my aunt and cousins and their children during this hard time. My family makes me feel blessed and reinvigorated and I can't wait to dive back into my creative juices and get rolling again. I have a new love for God and a feeling that he is watching over me. What a great life it is to have someone love us so much.

Love the Sights

Frankenmuth is a beautiful little town here in Michigan. I visit it several times a year. Even when I don't have lots of money to spend at all the fun little shops I enjoy the sights. Every time I go I find something I haven't seen before that I love and just NEED to take a picture of. From festivals to new Christmas decorations so many things fill my heart with flutters. As times get harder and harder here in this great state it makes me sad to think that we may have to leave it. It's places like this that make me love where I live. I couldn't imagine being unable to pack the kids up and drive to this adorable little place and buy my favorite candles, visit the yarn shop or get .25 wine "shots". I pray every day that things turn around and that Frankenmuth will still only be 1 1/2 away.

Amore

For my third paper pack I am going to showcase Amore. It's very romantic and lovely. The deep red makes me want to eat chocolate out of heart shaped boxes. When I was in high school I worked at a Hallmark store. I loved how every holiday, every season brought on new items and a new feel to the store. Valentines day was one of my favorite times. The bright colored chocolate boxes and fun heart shaped cards were all pulled and displayed in the front of the store. Men and boys of all ages would slowly and reluctantly walk into the store looking for a presentable card or gift for their sweet-heart. I would giggle to myself at how silly they all looked next to the usual grandma's who scattered the store on most days. This paper reminds me of that time. A time when I use to get cards and chocolates for my boyfriend and cared that they got me something too! Being a mother of three I now look forward to my children's hand drawn pictures and have long forgot about the fancy laced covered cards and bowed up candy boxes. So here's to the memories!

Okay I didn't make this page above. It's a layout done by one of the many talented people from Close to my Heart. I just thought it was so lovely and really fit my story so I wanted to show it to you all. The card on the other hand is fully mine!

Free Stamp set in February

It's Close to my Heart's 25th Anniversary and in celebration they are giving away a free B-sized stamp set (valued at 13.95) with every 25 dollar order in February. The stamp set is called good times and boast a fun party theme with sayings like hip hip hooray, celebrate good times and Party on! Plus it has images of balloons, presents and my all time favorite cupcakes! Check out the website starting February 3rd at www.closetomyheart.com!

Oh what to say?

You ever make a card and not know what sentiment to use? Well I am having this problem. I started this card days ago. I had a plan. I was interrupted and now I can't figure out what I was going to put on it or where I was going to put it! So here is my almost finished card that I mentioned in my last post.

My talking two year old!

Okay, here is the cards. I'm not going to talk about it. What I am going to talk about it my sweet little two year old Peyton. It took him awhile to get into the talking mode. He didn't have much to say for the first two years of his life. Things have changed. He is a chatter box...at least at home. One might think that I would get a little overwhelmed with all his talking. It's so not the case. His little screams good and bad make my heart sing. His "Ma-mees" and "Tank OOs" melt me every time. He is also a very silly boy. Most kids don't really pay much attention in Church. They never really pick up anything except that they get to color. Not my Peyton. He loves the "peace be with you" portion where everyone shakes hands. He sticks his arm out to anyone and everyone...several times if need be. Then he continues to do it. All the while cracking everyone up around us. I wonder if the Pastors will ever catch on to all the giggles where ever we're sitting. Anyway, I just wanted to share a little bit of this, a small thing that makes me greatly happy. Short and sweet and to the point have a blessed Sunday everyone!