Hello, Friends

 I'm back.

I've missed this.  I've missed all of you...I'm feeling creative once again.

Life has been different since all my daughters have left home.  The empty nesting has been harder—and better—than I had imagined.  We’re learning to live this new life, my husband and I. 

All is well.

Just a few things to share with you that I’ve been working in on in the last few months……

I have found that I don’t create as much without an outlet to share it in--and I’ve missed that sharing and creativity.  I’m finding that I’m so very grateful for this creative outlet that we share here…

I hope the months have been kind to you all...

...and I'll see you soon.

Julie

Beautiful Flower Crumbs...

Good afternoon, my friends!

Hope the week is off to a great start for you all!  It's been busy here, as usual--that's good, I guess!

Just a few things to share with you today...

I made a card yesterday with this adorable storybook image from Crafty Secrets' "Childhood" Images & Journal Notes booklet...

I love this style of illustration...looks like it's from the '20's...such a beautiful time for children's books illustrations!

And it's lovely little saying..."We could never have loved the earth so well if we had no childhood in it."

After I made this, the weather cleared, and I went outside to take some photos of my gorgeous, fat roses:

Aaaahhhhh......!

...aren't they just beautiful?!  We've had lots of wind and rain lately, and there were lots of soft, colorful petals in pools under the rose bushes...

...which reminded me...

...of my mother always telling me about a day when I came into the house with my hands filled with roses petals

...and said, "Oh, Mommy!  Look at all the beautiful flower crumbs!"  Of course I don't remember this, but she's told me so many times...Now, whenever I see those beautiful rose petals on the ground, or blossoms fallen from a tree, this is what I think of...

I was about three or so at the time, which made me think of these old pictures that I love...

Our little family, with my new brother Steven...isn't my mother gorgeous?

Me and my daddy...

Not sure why this one was framed like this, but I still love it...look at that funny little guy!

And my favorite...I call this one my "Sassy" pose!

Thanks for letting me share those--that's for you, Mom! 

I finished another little card this morning...more beautiful flowers with a sassy little girl...

This is a sweet little stamp set from Crafty Secrets called "Bouquets of Joy"...one of my very favorites...

I'm not the best at the watercoloring thing, but I loved doing it!  I just used watercolor crayons for this...then sparkled it up with Dazzling Diamonds...

I'm so glad I learned at an early age to appreciate the beauties of the earth...even the sweet little flower crumbs laying on the ground...thanks, Mom...

See you soon with something new....

Wonderful Childhood

I hope you have wonderful memories of your childhood like I do...


(Yep--this is my own sassy self when I was three years old...)

We've tried to provide our daughters with a good childhood, and I think we've succeeded, for the most part, which makes me happy.

I remember being in college, stressed out from finals, papers, etc., and wishing I could just be a kid again, in my parents' house, in my old bed, without a care in the world...Dad and Mom would take care of everything. Have you ever felt that way?

My reminiscing this week has produced two projects...one, a card that I really like--loved the image (from the Crafty Secrets' "Childhood" Images & Journal Notes) the moment I saw it, many months ago, and wondered what I'd do with it. I love the saying on the image:

"We could never have loved the earth so well if we had no childhood in it."--George Eliot



The other is something I had in mind to do with the "Storytime" Vintage Postcard Kit. I just LOVE these kits--so many things you can do with them!

I have a vinyl cutter, and sometimes have a bit of a "business" with that when people want things for their walls. It's nice to have, as I can decorate my house with vinyl words and change them up whenever I want to! I saw this little plaque in my mind with a vintage font for the word "Storytime". (I collect fonts by the way--I LOVE them--especially beautiful vintage-style fonts!)

Anyway, this is what I came up with for the postcards, and I like the way it turned out. Love the vintage pink pompom trim and the yummy chocolate chip satin ribbon--two of my favorite colors together.






I have always collected vintage children's books with beautiful vintage images in them--especially from the Art Deco/Craftsman period. I love that time and style. I love all things Victorian, too, of course! The images from the "Storybook" kit remind me of all that I enjoy from those books.


I hope you're all having a beautiful Sunday with your families...I'll be back tomorrow with something new...see you then!