Altered Gift Boxes

Oh, my poor, neglected blog. I have been so busy with so many things that I have not taken the proper time to update my blog. I will try to make amends by posting some stills of the altered Crate & Barrel boxes I did for a wedding shower. The front was made using the Martha Stewart Twirl Loop Border Punch.

They are from a Vee-dio that I did and you can watch the final results live on YT. 

This is also American Crafts: Truly Inspiring. The black damask print is quite elegant when paired with the pink.

While I had out my supplies, I also put together a card from the same paper stack: American Crafts Dear Lizzy Collection.

This was a lot of fun for me to do and it looked so pretty sitting with all of the other gifts. 

The tags were quite cute. I simply recovered the black and white Crate & Barrel tag and replaced their string with some satin Anna Griffin ribbon.

Thanks for taking time from your busy, hectic schedule to stop by to see what I have been up to.

Until then.

Happy Birthday, Mama

This is probably the hardest post I will ever create. It is to wish my mother a happy birthday. Had she lived she would have turned 75 this month on this day. It has taken me a year and a half to refer to her in the past tense.

My mother, was diagnosed with colon cancer and was delivered from it. That cancer monster came back and reared it's ugly head on one of her organs. She elected to undergo treatment and was actually doing well, but suffered a stroke in the process. Without taking any treatments, she rapidly declined and took her final breath on August 18, 2010.

I miss her dearly and still reach for the phone to call her to share my ups and downs. She was my mother who morphed into my best friend. We did so many things together. I fondly remember our trip to Vegas to visit my brother and sister-in -law. I was so glad she went on that vacation with me. We had the best time. 

When I was home I took some photos of some of her collections and will post them here. Stay tuned for an update.

Of all the tributes I have ever done, this one took the most energy from me but has been worth every keystroke. Very cathartic and cleansing. I know that she is in the bosom of the Lord and that brings me great comfort.

Happy Birthday, Mommy.
Until Then.

Happy Birthday Maestro

I would not be a loyal fan if I did not take the time to wish the one and only Luther Vandross Happy Birthday. This man's voice was unparalleled.

Just to hear the passion in his unique sound. It is a shame that it took 15 years for us to recognize and acknowledge his vocal abilities. 

It has been almost seven years since his soul departed for Heaven.

Talk about an unsung hero, Luther Vandross would be that hero. Thank you for your talent, your time and your gift.

Rest in peace, Mr. Balladeer, Mr. Vandross.

Until then.

Furry Friends Visit Our Backyard

I just had to do a quick post on the Red Fox ( a Virginia native) and her six cubs who had a great romp in our backyard this morning. I was at the sink washing dishes when I spied her.

Of course I grabbed both cameras and started filming. The only drawback was that my son what not there to see it. I had to capture the moment for him. He will be thrilled. I snapped some photos to scrap in the home mini album that Laura gifted us with. What a great moment to remember.

Thought I would share it with you. The best part was when all six cubs started to nurse at the same time. No, I will not be going near that shed anytime soon and yes, it probably needs to come down. I don't use it. LOL

Until then.

Happy Easter

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Wow, it is hard to believe that Good Friday was yesterday. This time has come so quickly and I am enjoying every minute of it.

Friends, I do realize that it has been a long time since my last post. I must confess that I have been busy creating memories. Several field trips and family and friends gatherings have taken over my calendar and I love it. I have several pics to share with you and hope to get those off my camera and on to my blog page. 

I wanted to share a pic of the Easter Cards I made this year. Sweet treats have been added to the bags and ornaments are hanging from the Easter Tree. I will try to get a picture of it to post here.

I also uploaded a YT Vee-dio showing some of the techniques.


This year in my cards I reflected on Pointus Pilate washing his hands of having anything to do with condemning an innocent man but yet turned him over to the crowd for crucifixion--the method of execution of the day. Just to think it all started to culminate with the death of Lazarus. As we follow Jesus' last days let us remember to reflect on the notion that it HAD to happen for the comforter to come.

As much as the Jews and the Romans might have wanted it to be the end; the grave could not hold Jesus because on the third day He arose. I am sure when Mary saw the tombstone rolled away, she was filled with dread but that later turned into a day of jubilation as she went to spread the Good News.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. I appreciate and cherish it more than you will ever know. Have a great Easter Celebration with your family and Happy Spring.
Until Then.

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope that each and every one of you had or is having a very loving day and that you got all of the hugs and kisses you ever wanted. If you did not, I am sending a virtual hug your way!!! Just wanted to do a quick post to share the corner bookmarks I made for my team and for my son's team of teachers. Let me apologize for the horrible lighting. I used one of those foam things and snapped these next to the window this morning before dashing off to work.

These are soooo much fun to make that I could crank them out in record time. I think I will make up a huge batch and decorate as needed. 

I forgot to enroll my kids into the Book-It Program through Pizza Hut. Once they reach their reading goal, they get a certificate for a personal pizza. Well, I can't do a pizza, but I can give them a bookmark for each goal. I would have loved to have a set as a kid. I had so many books going at once. Since I do have some kid friendly carts, I will make those more personal to the student.

Until Then.

Whitney Houston dead at 48

My heart is heavy. One of my favorite singers, Whitney Houston, has died at the age of 48. Again, my heart is heavy. I was truly rooting for her comeback. But her voice on her last album fell short. 



Given that, I still wanted her to climb her way back to the top where she rightfully belonged. This song Million Dollar Bill let her fans know that she still had it going on.

With this post I just want to say that Whitney, I loved you and your instrument. Yours was truly a gift from God and your rendition of The Star Spangled Banner set the standard.

Most of all Ms. Houston, please know that we will always Love YOU!!!!

I could post more along the religious aspect and how we take the talents God give to us and use and/or abuse them, but I won't. I just want to revel in the moment and remember the Whitney Houston that I admired on the covers of the Teen Magazines. I saved my dimes and nickles to purchase it because she was a model appearing within the pages. Can you imagine seeing someone who looks like you getting top billing as a model. It was a proud Black American moment for me.

I know that Whitney was a Christian and believed in the Lord. But it is in our deepest and darkest hour that we forget to call on his precious and holy name to have mercy on us.

Rest in peace, Whitney.

Until Then.