Make A Big Splash

"Make a Big Splash" -- that is what I inscribed on the inside of this card for my cousin, Anne, who just turned 60 (Aunt Dot's daughter). This delightful frog is from Penny Black with his puddle enhanced with crystal lacquer. The other components are a narrow underlining of corrugated card stock, and another band punched with a frog punch. It would have been fun to put the froggie punch outs on the inside of the card, but I frogot to do that. This brings me to another use for this card -- yup! A belated, "I frogot it was your birthday." All of you being prolific card artists there is probably never a problem with frogetting to send a card. And, those receiving one of your cards surely "jump" for joy. (Thank goodness my son hasn't seen this post as you know how he feels about my corny sayings.) Well, I'll be frogging along until next time.

Aunt Dot's Flower Pot

My Aunt Dot is having a birthday. And what a birthday! She will be 90 years old this week and her children are hosting an open house in her honor this Saturday.

My family moved away from our home state while I was still in school, but one of my favorite early memories of Aunt Dot is when we visited her and were preparing to leave, she would ask us to wait while she quickly cut flowers from her garden for us to take along. I have always remembered this as a very special gesture which not only was her way of saying thanks for our visit, but was also a display of generosity and her good wishes for us to leave on a happy note.

This memory of Aunt Dot's flowers was the inspiration for this flower pot card. I created it from a standard size piece of card stock folded to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 and then cut out in the shape of the pot and bouquet. I had so much fun "cutting the flowers" to create the bouquet, that this became quite a dimensional piece. Happily, though, I have traveled to attend this celebration so that I will be able to hand deliver the card and will enjoy visiting with Aunt Dot and other relatives I have not seen in over ten years.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Dot!

Say Cheez

I was chosen randomly to receive a lovely pack of papers from K L Stampin N Scrappin for participation in the House Mouse challenge #29  -- I am just so excited! There are lots of reasons to participate in these challenges -- and not just for a chance at a prize -- it is just such fun to visit blogs with challenge cards on display. The talent around the world is just amazing. Go no further than the House Mouse challenge -- this will take you on a wonderful journey in card making. This week's challenge is bags and boxes - decorate and cover and I had just emptied a round cheese box (Laughing Cow). Look who's laughing now -- it is my favorite House Mouse guy exuberant over the coming of spring. I won't bore you with the details of this project because if I were to do it again -- there's got to be an easier way! And, because it is the wee hours of the morning, I don't have any jelly beans or M&Ms to fill the box with -- which I thought would be cute. The mouse is suspended inside the box and I am anxious to see how he likes chocolate! Check back -- maybe I won't eat all of the chocolate and save a little for the mouse in the box.