Labels Ten

Like a kid in a candy store. That was me when I finally was able to open my Waltzing Mouse stamps. I had purchased enough sets to get the free shipping (and then some). Since it was coming from Ireland, I figured I would rather spend my money on rubber stamps rather than postage. I literally didn't know which set to start with. I chose the set that coordinated with Spellbinders Labels 10 and the sentiment is from the set called Fancy Phrases. I also couldn't wait to use some of the paper from DCWV Botanicals. Along with everyone else I have fallen in love with seam binding. I had ordered almost every color under the rainbow from a store on "Etsy"- Christopherpines.etsy.com you will love what she has, I promise.

The kitchen is coming along nicely. The cabinet doors have been painted and glazed and they started priming the cabinet trim today. After two coats of paint the trim will get glazed the beginning of the week. The island will be done once the cabinets are totally finished since it will be done in a different color. We purchased some pre-cut wood scroll designs from the trim section at Lowe's that were put on the long drawers and pantry doors. They look absolutely beautiful with the glaze in all of the intricate grooves. We also added some trim and rosettes and I can't wait to see how that turns out.

It has been really cold again and the flurries were flying today. Rather depressing to see more of the white stuff. No one wants to even say the word S-N-O-W around here. It can't come soon enough for me to be in sunny Florida sipping margaritas beside the pool.

~Have fun and enjoy!

My Thoughts for You

I have been so busy with home improvement projects that I have not been able to get any cards made. I even have several stamp sets that I ordered from Waltzing Mouse that I have been dying to get into. They are located in Ireland so I waited anxiously for 5 weeks for them to arrive.

In the meantime I wanted to share with you a few things that I made for my co-worker who is battling liver and pancreatic cancer.

I thought long and hard over this project because I didn't want to pressure Carolynn into feeling like she had to write something to her children, but then I though what mother wouldn't. I made a book for each one of her girls. The one above is for her oldest daughter who is 12. I had just bought this Sizzix die and thought it would be perfect. The books measure just under 9" x 5". I covered thin cardboard with Be Mine designer paper from DCWV and a coordinating pattern on the inside. I added blank pages inside for her to write her thoughts for each child.

The one above is for her middle daughter who is 8.

This book is for the youngest who will be one next month. I chose the paper that had angels on it that looked like a baby. This pack of paper is absolutely beautiful and I love every single pattern. The paper for the angel and the cherubs on the other book are clear embossed with some glitter in it. I didn't do any stamping on the paper. In fact I didn't do any stamping at all on this project. The labels were printed on the computer so it had each child's name and then I cut it out with my Spellbinders.

I have been quite busy with a kitchen cabinet project. I have never liked the color of them from the moment we first looked at the house which was 5 years ago. They are beautiful hardwood cabinets which are rather new but they are maple frost and every time I look at them I see a pink tinge of color. We took apart an "L" shaped counter and turned it into an island and then we put granite on all the counter tops. We then beefed up the island with extra trim and some fancy turnings. There are 37 cabinet doors and 11 drawers and it was going to be a small fortune to replace them so I was hoping the granite would compliment them but take away the hue I didn't like. The granite did make a huge difference as did the new island. It has been a few years now and I am having another decorator's itch- hence a new color of cabinets.

I found a professional painter who is spraying them with an ultra fine sprayer. I wanted a smooth finish without any brush or roller marks. I wanted them to look like I bought them that way. They will be cream and antiqued with a coffee glaze just in the grooves. The island is going to be black. I still have to pick out the tile for the back splash and new paint color for the walls, but I want to see the finished cabinets before I pick out any colors. I will post some before and after pictures when all is said and done.

~Have fun and enjoy!

Hope...

Hope- what exactly does the word mean. I guess depending on your circumstance it can take on many meanings. According to the dictionary it means: "to cherish a desire with anticipation" or "to desire with expectation of obtainment". What if hope means a bit longer with the ones you love.

I was asked by some friends at work to make one of these letters for our co-worker who is bravely battling liver and pancreatic cancer in the advanced stages. I had made these for a few people but under different circumstances. I always used the first letter of the recipients name. In this case her name starts with "C" but I didn't think it was appropriate because I didn't want it associated with the word cancer. I thought long and hard about what letter to choose- days even. Since no one can tell her exactly how many weeks or months she has left (although they said 3-6 months in January) I thought it would be fitting to "HOPE" for a miracle, that the pain is a little less tomorrow, to be able to see your youngest take her first steps and see her celebrate her first birthday, for your oldest to understand that even though you may not be there- you will always be looking over her. This is why I chose "H". My prayers for her are daily and I hope I am never put in this position.

It was just a paper mache letter from Hobby Lobby that I painted and then stamped some flourishes on it. The sentiments are rub ons which were put on when the paint was completely dry, and then some. I didn't want to take the chance of ruining it as I have a tendency to be a bit impatient. I found a few embellishments to apply and did put her initial on it to make it a little more personal. I really liked how it turned out and I loved how it has a touch of femininity to it with the pink.

Not much else is new here. I finally received my stamps from Waltzing Mouse Stamps that fit several of the Spellbinders dies. Hopefully I will be able to get something made with them soon. We are still feeling the chills of winter and the snowflakes that go along with it. It seems that it will never end. We are expecting more bad weather on Wednesday. All I can say is "Carol- here I come".

~Have fun and enjoy!