Puppies and Books I've Read Lately

Happy Friday All!

I hope whatever you do this weekend it's a good one!  I am looking forward to seeing my Mom and Dad at the cabin this weekend to celebrate my Mom's birthday and my fabulous Dad for Father's Day. My parents got our puppy Scout's sister--Lily--and they haven't seen each other since we brought them home Memorial Day weekend.  We are looking forward to seeing if they remember each other and how they play together.  Here's a picture of Scout and one of Lily with her big sister Lady Bug (my parents' 11 year old black lab)

Scout (8 weeks) with all her toys

Lily (8 weeks) Lady Bug (11)-Lily is a total little sister!!

I also wanted to share books I've read with you since I last posted about that in April.  We have read The Kitchen House, The Last Letter From Your Lover, and Defending Jacob in bookclub. 

 I expected more out of The Kitchen House--my whole book club liked it, but I felt like I didn't learn anything new and it took a long time to move the story foward.  The Last Letter From Your Lover-I'm glad I stuck with it.  The last 1/2 of the book was good.  At first I wasn't sure why I cared about any of the characters, but I am glad I stuck it out.  Defending Jacob was ok.  It was an easy "Beach Read".  The ending felt abrupt to me.  For July we are going to read The End of Your Life Book Club and I am excited for that one.  

 Just for fun at my friend Brenda's recommendation I just finished The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain.  I really liked this story of friendship, relationships, and the secrets we keep even from those we love most.  I would recommend this one!

Right now I just started Salting Roses and I like it so far one chapter in.  I'd love to hear what you have read lately, or what's on your list to read soon.  Tomorrow I'll be back with some sketches I've tried lately.  Thanks for stopping in!  Have a great Friday

Pinterest CASE

Happy Thursday Readers!

Today's post is a little late because I forgot to schedule it.  Today my inspiration comes from Pinterest.  How many of you out there belong to the electronic hoarders club of Pinterest like me?  I LOVE Pinterest.  I have gotten so many cool gift ideas, delicious recipes, home inspiration (especially for the new addition we want to put on), party ideas and crafty inspiration from Pinterest.  You can follow me on Pinterest here.

So today I cased (copy and share everything) a card on Pinterest.  Here is the card that was my inspiration:

Here is my take on that card.  Graduate season is upon us along with weddings and baby showers.  This is a card format that is simple enough to make in bulk and customize for any occasion, but; you could totally jazz it up with layers, or ribbon or other embellishments.   (TONS of fun new embellishments in the new catalog)

Thanks so much for stopping in and sharing a part of your day with me!  Hopefully you are leaving with some inspiration to go create a stack of cards to have at the ready.  Have a great rest of your day.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Hey Readers!

I know today is normally a 52 Lists post.  I have that list started-it's name your favorite songs.  However, that might have to be the Sunday Share this week because today is a special day.  Today, is my Mom's birthday.  I wanted to share a little collage of my Mom on her day.  My Mom is one of my best friends.  She has always been there for me, listened to me, cared about me, and supported me whether she agreed with me or not.  I value our friendship and our ability to be open with each other always, and still love each other anyways.  I have watched her be a wonderful grandma to my children, and I am so thankful they have her in their lives.

So, Happy Birthday Mom.  I hope it's a great one!  I am sure you are enjoying cards and flowers on the buffet from Dad along with your coffee.   I hope it's a day filled with surprises (the good kind) and all of your favorite things.  Looking forward to celebrating with you this weekend!  Love you!

Readers--thanks for stopping in today.  Feel free to wish my wonderful Mom, Linda, a happy birthday in the comments. I'll be back tomorrow with a creation.

Create with Connie and Mary Tuesday

Happy Tuesday!

I started new hours at work this week and am now going to be starting a little earlier and getting done a little earlier.  I am looking forward to this new change, especially with summer coming soon.

Today I am trying a new (for me) challenge.  I see friends of mine posting their Create with Connie and Mary cards and I always like the sketches they choose for inspiration so I thought I'd give it a go. I created this card for the Create With Connie and Mary (CCM255) challenge.

Here's the sketch:

Here is my card:

I went for the simple sophisticated combo of Very Vanilla and Basic Black.  The paper is from the new Modern Medly DSP that I earned for free (Thanks Stampin'Up!) There are lots of great patterns in this one all done in black and vanilla.  I always sing Happy Birthday in my mind when I see it so I thought the music notes were perfect to pair with the chevron print.  The Happy Birthday is from Teeny Tiny Wishes-one of my all time favorite sentiment sets.  With the oval punches-this card came together in no time.

Thanks for stopping in today!  See you tomorrow.

Retro Sketches #67

Happy Monday All!

Rumor has it there will be some sunshine here in Northern MN this week.   We have gotten a LATE start to spring this year.  Leaves are finally now just budding on the trees.  Our lilacs haven't even bloomed yet.  We are hoping to get out and pick our vegetables soon to plant for the summer.  I hope summer gets here soon because there are a lot of things I want to be able to can!

Today I have a card for Retro Sketches #67.  Here's the sketch:

Here's my card.  I went with soft and sweet girl colors.  LOTS of baby girls being born in to my family between now and September.  I bought some of Stampin' Up!'s Talking Tags today to send a little voice message along in my cards.  :)  

Colors are Smoky Slate and Pink Pirouette.  I used a snip of The Easter Elegance DSP and the stamped image and sentiment are from the new set Sweetest Gift.  Cute images for baby.  Finished it off with some of the Diamond rhinestones and voila--a sweet baby girl card to have on hand.  

Hope you have a great start to you week!  See you tomorrow with another card, and check in Wednesday for a new 52 Lists challenge list.

Mojo Monday 296

Hey Everyone!

Today I'm switching it up and trying the Mojo Monday 296 sketch  My box of new catalog goodies came this weekend (the first round) so I have been busy creating blog posts.  I LOVE the new catalog!  Have you seen it yet?

Here's today's sketch:

And, here is my take:

I used the new neutral Smoky Slate along with Washi tape, the new Eastern Elegance designer series paper and a stamp from the Photopolymer line of stamps, the "You're Lovely" comes from the Show and Tell set.  I love the Coastal Cabana color-it's such a fun summery blueish green.  

I hope you all had a good weekend!  My friend Chad came up from the Cities to look at our house and draw up some plans for an addition for us.  I can hardly wait to see ideas on paper and get an estimate so we can start turning plans in to action.

Thanks for checking in today!  

52 Lists Project: What are your Summer Goals

Halfway through another week Blog Friends!!  I am already ready for the weekend, I don't know about you.  There is a baby shower for my sister on Sunday.  My sister just got married a couple weeks ago....my niece is due on my birthday, July 26th!!  I can not WAIT to see that little baby girl!  I already love her and am so excited to be her Auntie.

Today's post is part of the 52 Lists challenge over at MooreaSeal's blog.  If you haven't been over there yet, go check it out.  Not only is the 52 List challenge fun, she has a lot of other cool things on her blog.  Fashion, jewlery, and just a really fun life perspective.

So, here's a list of my summer goals.  Summer is such a short season here in Northern Minnesota, we have to enjoy it while we have it.  I did a collage of some of my favorite moments from the 2012 summer I want to be sure to do again.  Enjoy!  I'd love to hear what's on your summer goal list!

Summer Goals (in no particular order):

1.) Craft, craft, craft

2.) Read as many books as I possibly can

3.) Enjoy Stampin'Up!'s 25th Anniversary Convention

4.) Day trips with my family

5.) Meet my niece!!!

6.) Grow veggies and fruits in our garden

7.) Can veggies and fruits

8.) Try a new recipe each week

9.) More pontoon rides at the cabin 

10.) Walks to the duck pond with my Gram and Bup and boys

11.) Help Scout learn to walk nice on a leash

12.) Take a weekend for just Mitch and me

13.) MN State Fair!!

14.) St. Paul Gangsters (from the 30's) crime tour.

15.) Take the boys to the Science and History Museums

16.) Take a trip to Chicago to visit friends and family

17.) Coffee with girlfriends.

18.) Try some of the new restaurants in town.

19.) Estate and Rummage Sales!!

20.) Ice cream dates with my kids

There's a few of what I am hoping for this summer.  I'd love to hear what's on your summer goal list--share your top 2 with me!

Retro Sketches 66

Hey Everyone!

Today I have my card for the Retro Sketches #66 challenge  I love the Epic paper from the This and That line, and those chevrons at the bottom are STICKERS from that as well.  Some leftover sale-a-bration buttons and the new punch!  Gotta run--Scout needs to get outside!  Thanks so much for checking in today!  Don't forget--the new catalog is live now!  If you need one, let me know.  I have some great ideas for workshops, personal classes, and Mom and Me workshops.  I'd love to book one for you.  Have a great Tuesday!

Clean and Simple 243

Happy Monday All!

It seems like it's been FOREVER since I have posted.  We are finally feeling as if we are adjusting to life with a little puppy.  Scout is sleeping through the night now (mostly) and acclimating to our family.  We had her up at my parents' cabin this weekend to help my Dad put the awning on the screen house and the dock in.  She loved being a "dog at the lake".

Today's card is for the Clean and Simple 243 Challenge.  It uses Basic Black, Coastal Cabana (LOVE), and Whisper White with just a splash of Strawberry Slush.  The sentiment is from the first Paper Pumpkin kit...I love the saying.  Blossom and 1"circle punches were used in the flower. You'll notice the eyelet punch, too.  I was sad to see that one go.  What do you think?

Thanks so much for checking back in with me!  I'll be posting again tomorrow with a sketch for Retro Sketch challenge.  Hope your week is off to a great start!