Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Under the Weather, Over the Weather...and a Brand New Baby Boy!

I was bitten by the cold bug on Monday, and haven't been doing much until this morning--much better now! Besides, how could you feel yucky when you look out your window and see this?



Oh, my! Have you ever seen anything more glorious than this?! It's really not fair, is it? I love seeing what the sunrise has in store for me every morning--certainly not a disappointment today!

Well, backing up a bit...Monday afternoon I was able to go out and pick strawberries at my friend Christina's farm.
(Can you see that I was getting a bit damp here? I was feeling pretty soggy at this point!)

Their strawberries are possibly the best I have EVER tasted--always huge, juicy and amazing! They give them away freely, provide them for any get together, and are so generous letting friends and family come and pick as many as they can when the season is over. I had plans of picking till my fingers fell off, but the rain returned and made me a little less enthusiastic about continuing! Only got about a bucket and a half, but it was plenty to snack on and make some divine homemade shortcakes that night for dessert!



YUM!!!



Yesterday I managed to squeeze in a Color Challenge on Splitcoast while I was waiting for my kids to get ready for school. Even though you feel yucky, life goes on, right? Gotta get those kids out the door!

The chosen colors were interesting, and I probably wouldn't have put the Cameo Coral in the mix, but they were Bravo Burgundy, Cameo Coral, Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla. Here's what I came up with:



The image is from Crafty Secrets' new "Christmas" Creative Scraps--I LOVE these! Each image is just beautiful, and I've got so many ideas for them!

I decided I needed to echo the greenery in the image elsewhere on the card, so I stamped a bunch of pine boughs from the "Christmas Joy" stamp set (also Crafty Secrets), cut and sponged them, and added them to the upper left. A bit of work, but I like how it turned out. Some gold glass glitter, Dazzling Diamonds, lace, ribbon, a little button, and that's it!

Yesterday was also a very special day for our family--my "baby" sister (she's 31!) gave birth to her first baby late last night--Connor Riggs Baron--good name, huh? We're so thrilled that everyone's safe, healthy & happy! Congratulations, Eddie and Jenny! Sweet Connor, your Auntie Julie CANNOT wait to meet you!

Early this morning, I made this card for my new nephew:



The sweet baby image is from Crafty Secrets' "Joys of Life" booklet--been wanting to use this for a while--thanks, Jenny! The letter stickers are from their "Baby Boy" sticker sheet.

Cardstock used--Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, PTI Vintage Cream. I used Vintage Blue glass glitter, white grosgrain that I dyed with Barely Banana ink, brass baby bootie charms, lace, and my favorite Ranger's Vintage Photo ink for sponging. That's it!

Well, that's all for today! I'm off to run some errands and finish up a couple of projects I'm working on...my kitchen table is a MESS! (Sorry family!) See you tomorrow!

9 comments:

  1. Awww....congratulations, Aunt Julie! I was actually named after my own Aunt Julie!

    Sorry you had a slow start to your week...we all know it's that cold and flu season, no matter where you live.

    That sky was absolutely beautiful!

    Your card...LOOOOVE it (said with a high lilt in my voice...I mean head).

    Hope to see you over at The Open Window soon...the Play Date Challenge kick off is tomorrow!

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  2. Hi Julie...didn't have an email for you, so I apologize for posting here....the challenge will be a color challenge, so you will just be using color inspiration, no limitations to items, papers, stamps...we will be very open about being inspired by what YOU see for our challenges...all details will be posted with the challenge tomorrow.

    So very glad that you might play along...I love your style, as I am sure you know and look forward to seeing it represented!

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  3. Oh nothing better than a new baby to hold, love, spoil & SEND home with his mother!!!!! Congratulations & enjoy that new little nephew. I love the baby card you did for him. Where did you get the charms(brass baby shoes)? I love them.

    Thank you for the sweet comments about my jewelry design classes I have coming up. I hope you get to feeling better.

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  4. OMG..Quit putting these AWESOME foodie pics up!! ha ha ha! jk,,love em! Gotta get me that Crafty secrets Christmas cloth...LOVELY...your cards are GORGEOUS..thanks for sharing..I love coming here! :)

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  5. Man! There is nothing better than a fresh strawberry! I'm looking out at snow right now so it's hard to feel sorry for you getting a bit damp. :D But I am sorry to hear you've got a bit of a cold. :( WONDERFUL card for the newest member of your family. There's nothing better than being an aunt!

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  6. Girlfriend you sure know how to do an awesome blog posting!!!! LOVE the sunrise photos ... I'm so jealous ... too many trees in NE Ohio to see something this gorgeous!! Strawberries are my VERY FAVORITE and this looks so YUMMY >>>>>> June is the only time we get fresh berries around here! Whoo Hoo ... congrats Auntie Julie ... I'm so glad everyone is doing well and the card is adorable! Like I said ... you certainly know how to put up a blog posting!! Can't wait till tomorrow to see what you have up your sleeve!!

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  7. Beautiful pics!!
    And what fun to pick strawberries.

    :)

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  8. CONGRATS, AUNTIE!!!!! These are gorgeous!!! I think you handles the Cameo Coral situation beautifully-I can see it peeking out-it's just the right amount! Love the baby card and the bootie charms are so sweet!!

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  9. Sweetie, darling, cutie-pie, Julie,
    When I think of you, I think of herb gardens, loaded bookshelves, history, intriguing stories, traveling, mandolins, and sugar cookies...since you made me a plateful when I was pregnant with Stephen, just because I told you I was craving some.
    My cookbook is filled with recipes you shared with me years and years ago.
    You are truly a treasure. I wish we still lived ten minutes from one another, so I could copy-cat your brilliance.
    Love, love, and more love until it is over-flowing...la Brenda
    * I can't wait to come back and visit your blog. The pictures are glorious. When I get my Mexican recipe blog up...you will be the first person I alert.

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