7 Months

It's impossible to believe that my baby is now 7 months old.  Seriously!?  I blinked my eyes and 7 months flew by!!  Oh and I also have a 9 year old (gasp!) and a 7 1/2 year old.  Truly unbelievable.  I try hard to be present every day and still the 24 hours in a day continues to allude me.  Sigh =)  As you can see we're on the 'go' quite a bit as at least half of the photos below were taken in Maine...love.  He's eating everything in sight and growing out of all of his clothes.  Every day there's something new with all of my babies which I welcome and embrace...eager to put one foot in front of the other in order to persevere into the everyday newness.  

See you all soon!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Funky Birthday...

Greetings Friends!!  As I'm finding my groove (again) as the Mommy of a 6 month old (in addition to my almost 9 year old and 7.5 year old) figuring out schedules, naps, quiet time, etc. I am able to find a bit more time to sit down at the computer and post the creations that I was able to make in the last few months.  Here is a card that I made in May for my Sister-In-Law's birthday.

I drew my inspiration for this card from a number of different blogs I read - Maile Belles, Sarah Martina, Lisa Spangler, and of course...Jennifer McGuire.  I'll be hones with you, I made this card in May and can't really remember all of the supplies used.  But I'll do my best!

I know the stamp set is from SSS, the paper is from my stash, I punched the hearts out with the Heartbeat Deep Edge Punch from Martha Stewart.   I used glossy accents to adorn the black hearts and added some mint green enamel dots.  I stamped the 'happy' using Unicorn White pigment ink and the gold dots using Delicata Gold Pigment Ink.  The heart is cut from Steel Grey Cardstock from MFT and the heart is cut using the Layered Heart Die-namics also from MFT. 

I just love how whimsical and funky this turned out.  And below is the card that my 8 year old daughter made for her Auntie using a fabulous stamp from The Greeting Farm.

Seriously?  How cute is she!?

Thanks for stopping by friends!!  Have a great weekend!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

With Sympathy...

My dear neighbor recently lost one of her beautiful, furry friends.  A gorgeous fawn Great Dane by the name of Zsa Zsa.  She was a sweet and gentle soul of 8 years and we're all so sad at her passing.  The loss of a pet can be so devastating and I wanted to let her know how sorry we were.  I had the perfect MFT (older) stamp to create a sympathy card for her. 

I used the sketch from a couple of weeks ago to inspire me. 

I dusted off my Copics (yes - they have been sitting dormant for about a year) and dove in!  It took me about 8 days from start to finish to complete this card.  Having a six month old (plus 2 older kiddies) leaves very little time for crafty fun but I just kept chipping away at it slowly.  I stamped the image with Momento Tuxedo Ink and colored it in.  I kept everything VERY simple and easy.  I did, however, also dust my sewing machine off and put that back into action for the heart and perimeter of the main panel.  I used my deliciously fun Prismacolor pencils to create the grass and some fun paper strips for the little flags. 

I used my favorite and always reliable Signo Uniball white gel pen for the faux stitching on the outside of my panels.  The scallop was created using MFT's Wonky Scallop Die-namics and the heart is from the Hearts-a-Plenty Die-namics. 

My almost 9 year old daughter also created a BEAUTIFUL card to share:

So sweet and I loved her 3-D flower stickers!! 

I hope you all have a wonderfully crafty day!!  Until next time my friends!!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

5 months!!

I don't know how Ari could possibly be 5.5 months now!!  Oh AND my eldest is almost 9 (yikes!) and next oldest is 7.5...just amazing how time flies!!  We have one more full week of summer left and then I will have a third grader and first grader...and a baby.  Sigh...I'm wistful and not wanting summer to end.  I will miss my two oldest terribly when they head back to school.  But in the meantime we are enjoying every day and trying to soak up as much free time as possible!

Here are some recent shots of the tiniest one!

Hoping you have a wonderful rest of summer!

 

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

A Series of Thank You...

Between having a baby this Spring and the end of school, I've needed a great deal of thank you notes.  Now seeing as I have an infant...the answer is yes, it would have been much easier to send ones from a box or purchased from the store however, it's absolutely against every fiber in my being to spend $4 on a store card when the ones I make are infinitely more meaningful, not to mention prettier!  But with my lack of time I had to find cards that were easy and very quick to pull together.  Well, who better to go to than the amazing Jennifer McGuire for a quick and easy yet beautiful card!?  I was inspired by this card. 

I have this gorgeous stamp set from Mama Elephant and took full use of it to create a great many cards!  I'll show you one today.

I used my Distress Ink Markers to color up the single line of filigree design and stamped onto high quality water color paper.  One I had the color laid down, I generously spritzed the paper with water mixed with Perfect Pearls pigment powder.  It allowed the Distress Ink to bleed and mix together in a lovely way and it lends the entire paper a very subtle sparkle - which unfortunately is impossible to capture in a photo.  I then used a Hero Arts sentiment set for the sentiment which was inked with black pigment ink and heat set with black embossing powder.  I used a Martha Stewart die to punch the hearts out of black cardstock and then coated them with Glossy Accents.

I'll be back soon with another Thank You card!

Hope you're keeping cool!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Almost 4 months!!

It's truly amazing that almost 4 months have passed since having my third baby!!  Life is busy for sure and summer is in full swing but we have all adjusted and are having a fabulous time. 

I've been able to craft just a tiny bit here and there and will eventually get around to posting my creations.  But until then I hope you're all having an amazing summer!! 

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Fairy Fun Coming Tomorrow!!!

Two Months...

It's hard to believe that Ari is two months old!  We had our visit to the pediatrician today and I had absolutely put out of my mind how very difficult it is (albeit necessary!) to have your child go through their course of vaccinations.  Oh he cried, I cried, we all cried together!  But he made it through fabulously and is being a good boy!!

Just a few recent shots to share!

He's just too delicious!!

Nighty nite!!

Thinking of You on Mother's Day

Hi All!!  I'm back with another faux water-colored Mother's Day card!!  This card is for someone extremely special in my family's life - our Aunt Mary.

I used the exact same technique here as I did in yesterday's post once again using the PTI Spiral Bouquet stamp set.  Except I changed the colors up tailoring it to my recipient. 

I added some taupe colored enamel dots from MME to add a bit of depth to the card front.  My sentiment 'thinking of you' is stamped with black craft ink from SU! and heat set with black embossing powder.  I love the 'messiness' of the water-colored images combined with the scattering of excess black embossing powder dots.  It makes a bit rustic and not so perfect in my book which I adore.  

Supply List:

• PTI Spiral Bouquet
• Hero Arts - Everyday Sentiments
• PTI Hybrid Ink - Berry Sorbet
• Distress Inks:
• Wild Honey
• Scattered Straw
• Old Paper
• Pumice Stone

Thanks so much for coming by today!!  I'll be back tomorrow with another crafty creation for Mother's Day!
 
See you real soon!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Sunshine and Laughter

Popping in again to share another card that I recently made for a darling friend for Mother's Day!

I used PTI's Spiral Bouquet set in combination with a few of my favorite Distress Inks.  My inspiration is taken from a class I've been taking with Jennifer McGuire and Friends.  If you haven't taken one of her classes I highly recommend them!  I learn SO much each time!

I have stamped my images onto good quality watercolor paper using Distress Inks in Spiced Marmalade, Wild Honey, Scattered Straw and Peacock Feathers.  The red ink is Wild Cherry from MFT.  Once I inked everything up, I spritzed the entire panel 5-6 times with a mix of water and Perfect Pearls powder.  The Perfect Pearls powder give the entire panel a very subtle shimmer.  Unfortunately it's so subtle I simply cannot capture it in the photos.  Once the mist of water hits the Distress Inks - and apparently the dye ink as well - the color starts to move and bleed every so slightly.  I love this look as it gives the entire card a watercolor feel about it.  Slightly imperfect and a bit whimsical at the same time.

I created my own embellishment using a MS butterfly punch.  I punched it twice, glued it together just at the body so the wings have some movement.  I used a bit of white twine for the antennae and two enamel dots from MME to embellish the body.  My sentiment is from a fantastic Hero Arts set listed below.

Supply List:

• PTI Spiral Bouquet
• Hero Arts Sentiments - Everyday Sayings
• Distress Inks -
• Spiced Marmalade
• Wild Honey
• Peacock Feathers
• Scattered Straw

Thanks so much for coming by today!  Be back tomorrow with another installment of Mother's Day cards!

See you soon!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Queen Bee

I now have an 8 week old, a 7 year old and an 8.5 year old.  Needless to say life is busy!  But now that my infant is napping a bit I am able to very quickly get to my desk for only a few moments - but those moments are very much needed!  Creating keeps me calm so that's always a good thing!  ;)  And regardless of how busy I am or how limited my time is, the people in my life still deserve a beautiful card on a special day.  And right now my focus is Mother's Day.

First up is a card I made using a PTI set.  I made this card for a dear Mommy-friend of mine.

I first stamped the bee wings/legs in SU! craft black ink and heat set them.  I then added the body in hot pink using a mix of different inks that happened to be on my desk at the time - I will write them down next time.  ` The tiny bees are stamped in Lemon Drop Dye Ink from MFT.  The stuff is SCRUMPTIOUS!!  And lastly the polka dots are stamped using Distress Ink in Peacock blue (a total swoon color if you ask me).

I used a strip of Bazzill cardstock in yellow to hold my greeting 'Gratitude' which is stamped using white craft ink and heat set. 

I sent this off today along with a few others that I will show you all soon!

Supplies List:

• PTI - Honey Bees
• PTI - Spiral Bouquet
• MFT Lemon Drop Ink

Thanks for stopping in today!!

See you real soon!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

With Sympathy

It's always hard to create a sympathy card.  You don't want it to be too bright, too dark, too whimsical or too..well whatever.  So as I found myself  this past week in need of one for a friend I took inspiration from the His and Hers class that I am taking right now and created this:

 

I used an older PTI set - Floral Frenzy combined with Distress Inks on good quality watercolor paper.  I stamped my images, then sprayed a few light mists of water combined with Perfect Pearls powder to create a subtle watercolor effect.  

 

I added my sentiment and coordinating dots after my main piece was dry and also added the center pearls at the same time.  I matted my main layer using MFT cardstock in Steel Grey.  I added both layers to a plain white notecard using foam adhesive.

I mailed this off in the hopes that it might bring a bit of sunshine to my friend in need.

Supplies List:

• Distress Inks:  Wild Honey, Old Paper, Pumice Stone, Scattered Straw
• Other Inks:  SU! Basic Grey (sentiment and scattered dots)
• PTI - Floral Frenzy
• Hero Arts Sentiments - Everyday Sayings
• MFT Steel Grey Cardstock

 Thanks so much for coming by today!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

One Month!!

 

(a half smile?)

 

 Tomorrow is my darling baby's one month birthday!!  How did THAT happen!?  With the exception of laundry, showers and the other basic daily necessities, life has basically been on hold as we snuggle and love our new baby Ari.  His big sister and big brother are simply the most amazing with him.  They are helpful, calming and loving to their tiny new sibling.  We couldn't ask for anything more and we are simply so proud of both of them.

 

(calm Ari)

Sleep comes and goes.  Some days/nights are better than others but with this being my third go-around with new motherhood, I know that this too shall pass.  So instead of dreading the nights and what sleep may or may not await me, I am trying to roll with each minute and enjoy this very brief time.  Because I know I'm going to blink and it will be over!

(a sleep deprived but oh so happy and blissful Mommy)

I do stare at my creative space and long to be back there and know that I will be at some point very soon.  It's a bit dusty and covered with piles and will most definitely need a massive overhaul.  But I think that'll be a great project to do as it'll definitely be useful to kick start my long, dormant mojo!!  I'm still reading/following and will be getting back to commenting.  I miss my crafty connections!  Oh and if you haven't heard - Google Reader is soon being retired.  I'm transferring my crafty friends to the fun and easy to use Bloglovin reader.  I've been reading on Bloglovin since my days with Some Odd Girl and have found it to be a great alternative to Google. 

Thanks for coming by today!  See you soon around the crafty 'hood!  ;)

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Crafty Hugs my friends!
Meredith

He's Here!!

Ari Tucker Winston

Born: 3/11/13 at 1:17pm

7 lbs 14 oz

19 3/4 in 

Everyone is doing wonderfully!!  Big Sister Kendall and Big Brother Tyler are completely head over heels in love and are absolutely rocking out their big sibling responsibilities!  What a treasure Ari is in all of our lives.  We are SO glad he is finally here!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

A New Attempt...

Greetings Friends!  I am finishing up THIS awesome class and it's really doing a number on me!!  Totally pushing me out of my layered, embellished, and intricate comfort zone and putting me in a place of simplicity, accessibility and crispness.  Art for me has always been...complicated.  Well...to be honest...I make it complicated.  I always want to add more, make it look a bit more...something other than what it is, change this, enhance that...and that in turns makes it complicated.  I love the process...believe me, I do but it does take time - for me a lot of time - to create what is for me complicated and intricate. 

And for where I am in my life at the moment (4 weeks from delivering baby #3) the accessibility issue comes into play.  I always need to create but for now, I need it to be easy, accessible, and simple.  So the Clean and Simple 2 class (linked above) has shown me again and again how much impact a simple card can have! 

In the technique above, Jennifer McGuire demonstrates a color blending technique that I did above with three different Colorbox Craft Inks and the large chevron border stamp from one of my favorite sets from Our Craft Lounge called Every Heart Beat.  And if you go over there right now you'll get it on SUPER sale ($6) as they are sadly going out of business. 

The sentiment panel was created using MFT's Finishing Flourishes and Big Greetings, inked with Versamark Ink and heat set with white embossing powder.  I finished my panel with two strips of navy blue cardstock.

I added a few flat, nail head style embellishments that I picked up at Michael's and that was that!  So fast, so easy and so fun.  And I LOVE how it came out. 

If you're in the mood for a great class I highly recommend taking this one!!  Have fun and enjoy!

Thanks for stopping in!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith