Sweetwater Designs

::: Sympathy :::

One of the classes I have scheduled for my fall and winter calendar is a Sympathy card class. These are without a doubt the cards I hate most to create, and sadly enough I never seem to have enough on hand. I am looking forward to doing some instruction, it has been too long.

::: { Supplies } :::

Stamps: Gods Blessings

Cardstock: Cool Caribbean, Basic Black, Whisper White, designer paper from the local scrapbook store (I will edit post later to include info about the paper)

Ink: Jet Black Stazon

Other: May Arts Ribbon, Offray My Moments Petite Gems, Silver Brads, 1/4" Circle Punch SU, 1/2 " Circle Punch SU, Marvy  Oval and Scalloped Oval, Large Oval Punch SU, Cuttlebug Dots (will double check name and edit post)

::: Garden Friends :::

The best thing about having so many flowers blooming has to be the visitors. This lil guy stopped by yesterday as I was photographing some of the newest blooms. I have tons of coreopsis in the yard, its not one of my favorites by far but it does add beautiful color to accent the rest of the flowers.

::: { One who plants a garden, plants happiness } ::: author unknown

::: Almost 4 :::

Almost 4, almost ready for her first day of preschool and almost ready to write her name. I finally found some time to scrapbook, and I actually managed to get my cricut out of the box {can you believe it}..I got my cricut for Mother's Day and am just now getting it out ::: sad ::

I created this layout using some of my latest finds at our local scrapbook store. I absolutely love the patterned paper from Three Bugs in a Rug, I used several pieces from this set, too { F U N }

::: { Supplies } :::

Paper: Three Bugs in a Rug {Color Me Pink}, Basic Black, Whisper White

Other: George Font { Cricut }, misc die cut from the scrapbook store, and some misc gems left over from dance costumes.

::: I purchased several sheets of the Color Me Pink Swirl, I used one sheet as a base and cut the others to bits. I cut out all the little flowers, all the little dots and the scrolls so I could pop them up on top for some extra dimension. I added little dots to the flowers and swirls and rhinestones on anything that would hold still, I don't think you can ever have enough bling when scrapbooking for little girls.

::: On a side note ::: Your feedback is greatly appreciated... I have never claimed scrapbooking to be a talent of mine as it does not come naturally to me as cards do. Creating cards just comes to me and its a matter of putting it all together, scrapbooking seems to take a bit more time even after the photos and supplies have been decided.

::: Olympic Summer Games :::

With so many friends and family visiting the blog, I have decided not to limit my posts to strictly stamping. I was reminded yesterday in visiting with family that I have neglected to share some of the pictures from this summer... ::: { better late, then never } :::

Keenan participated in the Special Olympic summer games this year, this was his first year being involved and I cannot believe what it has done for his confidence. He did well... gaining a handful of medals from various events. He participated in various track events and also played on an adult basketball 5v5 team. He has decided to continue with the basketball and possibly put hockey aside for a year.

For those who do not know me and my family well, I am the proud mother of a 10 year old with Autism. His growth and courage brings me much pride. The last 9 years have been filled with the struggles and triumphs of Autism, we have gone beyond every goal we have set as a family, though the difficult times sometimes outweigh the triumphs we continue to be thankful for the strength and courage we have gained from each experience and the progress we have made.

::{ photographed- James and Keenan } ::

::: Balloon Flowers :::

We spent most of the weekend trimming trees with the help of my father-in-law. We cut out 4 truck loads of branches and limbs this weekend. The back yard looks amazing, such an improvement with all the dead and unhealthy branches gone. I didn't find much time this weekend for stamping or even enjoying the yard with all the work needing to be done. As they guys were making their trip to haul off the branches I did sneak a few shots of my balloon flowers. I love this little plant right before it blooms... in fact I enjoy the balloons so much that I find myself unimpressed with it actually blooms. While the flowers are a fabulous shade of purple they are just not near the fun once they bloom.  It has since bloomed, though I haven't found a few minutes to sneak out and take some pictures, hopefully this afternoon after we finish the leftover chores from yesterday.

::{Gardening requires lots of water - most of it in the form of perspiration}::

-   Lou Erickson

::: Nearly the End of the Month :::

July is one of my favorite months for many reasons... my birthday month, the month so many flowers are blooming, lots of fun summer activities going on... just to name a few. I am sad to see this month slipping away so quickly. Just a few more days and it will be time for school shopping, last minute yard projects before fall, kids getting ready to go back to school and lets not forget the new { Fall and Winter Preview } catalog from Stampin' Up! I am of course very excited for the new catalog to release but I am not ready for the rest of August activities.

Looking at my goals this month...

{ s t a m p i n g  g o a l s }

::: 2 scrapbook layouts a month ::: this one is looking a little scary lol, but I did pick out some new stuff from the scrapbook store and the month is not over yet so hopefully I will find some time to create and play.

::: 3 cards created and mailed a month ::: 2 cards mailed, one to go! I already have my last card idea in mind... just need to stop thinking about it and get it made.

Looking Ahead ... ::August::

{ s t a m p i n g  g o a l s }

::: 2 scrapbook layouts a month :::

::: 3 cards created and mailed a month :::

I think I am going to stick with these two goals for next month as well. Continuing along with my "baby steps" I want to be sure that I don't get to carried away and burn out. I also have a few stamping activities planned for the month of August... these will be some of my first classes of this year {sad to say 7 months into the year} lol but its a start. I have a ::Sympathy card class and an ::Open House scheduled for August. I hope to feature some projects from my fall and winter classes, so I have lots of projects to create.

::: Peach Roses :::

I found this rose at the local nursery last year and instantly fell in love. Our yard is a "cottage rose garden" by design and I knew this would be a fabulous addition to what we already had planted. The thing I love most about this rose is the peach tones, peach is a color I am very fond of ... and this particular rose has several shades of peach showcased in its blooms.

Sorry for the absent post yesterday, we spent most of the morning working in the yard pruning trees and then enjoyed a picnic in the afternoon. Most of this morning was spent completing the remaining pieces of yesterday's projects... 4 truck loads later the trees are in good shape.

:: { A garden is the best alternative therapy } :: Germaine Greer

::: Take Two :::

I had so much fun creating Wednesday's Like it a Latte card that I decided to make another fun design using all the leftover pieces. I also had a chance to deliver the card I created on Wednesday, hand delivery was the only option... it is difficult to say the least to get my bows in an envelope... so thats 1 card delivered for this month's goals and two to go.

Today's card however is going to have to find a comfortable fit in an envelope... it is traveling to visit Kelly Midgett from Splitcoaststampers, she sent me an adorable Birthday RAK . Kelly, if your reading { hugs 2 u } and many thanks for thinking of me.

::: { Supplies } :::

Stamps: Like it a Latte

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Salt and Pepper from Reminisce and Just a Girl from Moxxie

Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Pixie Pink, Pink Passion

Other: May Arts Ribbon, Pink spotted ribbon is some misc ribbon I had laying around from another recent project, Silver Brads, 1/4" Circle Punch, Marvy Uchida Scalloped Punch, Word Window Punch, Large Oval Punch

::: Lilies Everywhere :::

My husband, is my gardening companion.... I am not much into the camping and fishing scene so this is one thing we do enjoy doing together. His favorite plants are without a doubt the lilies and of course his roses. He has been collecting a variety of colors, some of the new additions have finally bloomed... and what a { beautiful } display they have been.

::: { A little garden in which to walk, and immensity in which to dream } :::

::: Dare to be Dirty :::

In browsing some of my favorite blogs, I came across a post about a SplitcoastStampers challenge and thought it would be fun to try. I have always been a fan of the Dirty Dozen girls and the fabulous projects they create. I am a little behind in the challenge but thought the Jody's { It's All About the Ribbon } challenge would be a great place to get started. I have always been about the ribbon, no card is complete without it... and I can never get enough or find enough uses for it.

::: { Supplies } :::

Stamps: Time Well Spent

Cardstock: River Rock, Gingerblossom

Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Ruby Red, Groovy Guava

Other: Black Journaling Pen, White Gel Pen, Ruby Red Brads, and lots of ribbon

::: { More Details } :::

Starting with the Ribbon, I selected an organdy ribbon with gold edging from May Arts, Rouge Ribbon #4 from American Crafts, and White Grosgrain Ribbon. I used Groovy Guava classic ink and a sponge to tint the ribbon to coordinate with the designer paper. I added black doodling dots to the designer paper and along the top and bottom panel of the greeting. I also added some extra fine sprayable fabric glitter to the card for a little extra flare.

::: So my first attempt as getting Dirty .... you decide. I would love to hear your feedback. Be sure to visit the link above and enjoy the many fabulous challenges.{ Enjoy }, and thanks for stopping by.