Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Ocicat ...

"O" is for Ocicat ...


This week over at Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday we are studying the letter "O", as in Ocicat.  For the past century I have owned several Ocicats and I wouldn't trade them for the world!

I think by now most of you have met Cheops.  What's not to love about him!  He is an absolute delight to have as a companion.  Ocicats are touted as the "cat for dog people", as they have personality traits more commonly found with canines than felines.

Cheops is very social and will play fetch with you, but it has to be on his terms and when he feels like doing it.  He can be vocal at times, similar to Siamese cats, from which they are bred.  Cheops will chatter when he is looking for something or call to us when we are in another room.  When he is overly excited he will run down the hall making a growling-sounded meow.  The first time he did this I thought I had a "wild" animal in the house!

He is very low-maintenance with short hair.  Occasional brushing and clipping of the nails is all he needs.  His purr motor makes a great "white noise machine".  Whether he is playing with his pet mouse or the laser pointer he just brings a big smile to my face.

So for this week we are celebrating Ocicats - the cat that is outgoing, observant, ostentatious, not to mention energetic and exotic in appearance.


Please stop by to see what other words students have submitted for this week.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Tea in Paris

Hi everyone,

For tea this week I thought we would jet off to Paris and relax while enjoying a view of the Eiffel Tower.  We do need to pamper ourselves once in a while!  So please join me on our journey.


We can stroll through the quaint villages and visit some flea markets.


Oh, look!  We can stop at Mariage Freres for a peaceful  cup of tea. 


With more than 500 dazzling selections laid out apothecary style I'm sure there is something wonderful waiting for us.  We can savor a petite Madeleine or mini creme brulee.


The Art of Afternoon Tea can transport you to a wonderful world of bliss and tranquility.


How about if we sit right here next to this decorative Eiffel Tower plate I picked up at Hobby Lobby.


A Fleur de lis metal napkin ring by Park Designs is perfect for the occasion.


We can sip our tea nice and slow and chat for a while.


Thank you for spending the day with me in Paris.  I really hope you enjoyed your trip.  I am linking this week with the following gals:

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Tuesday Cuppa Tea @ Antiques and Teacups
Table Top Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Martha's Favorites
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmations
Friends Sharing Tea @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Just Sittin' Here


Hi everyone,

The weather here in the Northeast has been wonderful.  We still do not have any snow on the ground, which doesn't happen very often this time of the year.  My card today uses a Hero Arts/Sizzix stamp and die set called Chandeliers & Chairs.  I'm lovin' these combinations.  The dies are so easy to use and the results are fantastic!

The background paper is from the Kaisercraft After Five Collection in a simple khaki color.  The chair and chandelier were stamped in StazOn Black on Shimmery White paper and then cut using the corresponding dies.  I added Golden Rod Stickles to the chandelier bulbs.  The musical background was stamped in Brilliance Pearlescent Beige and adhered to a piece of Basic Black.


I needed to find the right sentiment for this card so after going through my boxes of stamps I finally came across this Magnolia stamp.  The sentiment was stamped in StazOn Black on a Labels Four die cut from designer paper and layered.  The border along the bottom is from Cheery Lynn Designs.


A matching bird and flourish were die cut from designer paper and added to the inside of the card.  I will leave this one blank for a personal note.


Thanks for stopping by to see me.  I hope you are having a great weekend!

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Hero Arts Chandeliers & Chairs, Stampendous Music Score Background Stamp, Magnolia Just Sittin' Here Sentiment
Paper:  The Paper Company White Metallic, Basic Black, Kaisercraft After Five Collection Designer Paper, Shimmery White
Ink:  StazOn Black, Brilliance Pearlescent Beige
Accessories:  Golden Rod Stickles, Labels Four #4 & Labels Four Small #4, Labels Eight #5 (Inside), Cheery Lynn Designs Border Carnivale Die, Sizzix Chandeliers & Chairs Framelits Dies
Techniques:
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Nyctanthous ...

"N" is for Nyctanthous ...

Nyctanthous - adj.  In botany, of flowers, opening only at the approach of twilight or in the night, or, of plants, having flowers which so open.

There is nothing more relaxing than a peaceful stroll through a luminous, fragrant garden.  For many of us by the time we arrive home from work and tend to chores there is little daylight remaining to enjoy our gardens.  I have always dreamed of having a twilight garden.  They are designed to be at their best at dusk, when natural light is fading.  Wouldn't it be romantic to have flowers that open at night?

My twilight garden would consist of Moonflowers (Ipomoea alba)


Four o'clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)


Dusty miller (Senecio cineraria)


This is a wonderful book to have on Twilight Gardens ...


So as I dream of a moonlit paradise you have my letter "N" for Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday.  Please stop by to see what other words students have submitted.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Lakeside Cabin for Veronica


I am eager to show you a card I created for my friend Veronica's birthday.  I've been wanting to make her a Stampscapes card.  This layout was inspired by Kevin Nakagawa from Stampscapes.  I love the peace and tranquility of this card.  I can just picture myself in this cabin reading a book or listening to soothing, relaxing music.

On a piece of glossy white paper I stamped the Lakeside Cabin and Ledge in StazOn Stone Gray.  Next, I masked off the rocks and around the cabin and stamped the trees in StazOn Olive Green.  With a cotton swab, I added some Old Olive and Always Artichoke to the trees for some color variation.  The reeds were stamped in StazOn Black to create depth.

The water and sky were sponged in Bordering Blue, Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, Adirondack Denim and Night of Navy (leaving some portions white).  Rocks were colored with Basic Gray and Distressed Black Soot.  Originally, I was going to leave the cabin as is, but decided to color it with Chocolate Chip.  I added some Early Espresso to the roof.  The windows were done with a So Saffron marker.


Now the fun stuff!  I applied ColorBox Frost White to the rocks and a little to the water.  After letting everything dry I stamped the water pattern in Bordering Blue (stamping off once on scrap paper first), then applied Sky Blue Shimmerz Paint.  Unfortunately, you can't see it in the photo but it makes the water glisten.  The scene was adhered to a piece of Night of Navy and then mounted to a Bashful Blue card.


The inside sentiment by PSX was inked in VersaMark then Marina Mist and embossed with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.  The trees inside were also done in StazOn Olive Green.


Wishing you happiness today and always Veronica.  Happy Birthday to you!

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Stampscapes Lakeside Cabin, Ledge, Pine & Rocks Small, Pine Row, Reeds Large, Water Pattern Small, PSX Sentiment
Paper:  Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Glossy White, Whisper White
Ink:  Lakeside Cabin & Ledge - StazOn Stone Gray; Pine & Rocks and Pine Row - StazOn Olive Green, Reeds - StazOn Black; Water & Sky - Sponged in Bordering Blue, Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, Adirondack Denim, Night of Navy; Water Pattern - Bordering Blue; Trees - Old Olive & Always Artichoke; Rocks - Basic Gray and Distressed Black Soot; Cabin - Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso, So Saffron Marker; ColorBox Frost White; Inside Sentiment - Marina Mist with Clear EP
Accessories:  Sky Blue Shimmerz Paint
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Sunlit Cheops

Hi everyone,

I hope you are having a great weekend!  I am very excited to have tomorrow off to do some antiquing and craft projects. 

While I had my camera in hand I was able to snap a few photos of Cheops catching some sunbeams.  I am linking with Karen at My Little Home and Garden for Sunlit Sunday and Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.

May the sun be shining wherever you are today :-)





Saturday, February 18, 2012

Musical Notes


Hello dear friends!

My project today is a music card combining elements from the Spellbinders Labels Twenty dies and JustRite Stampers Musical Notes Labels Twenty Set.  Both of these I received as Christmas presents :-)

I knew I wanted to use this black/gold background paper from The Mariposa Matstack.  Both labels were stamped in StazOn Stone Gray and colored with white and metallic gold Prismacolor Pencils.  Edges were sponged in Distressed Antique Linen.  The top label was popped for dimension.

Leaves were cut with a Sizzix die and glued down.  The exotic butterfly is popped up with a few gold pearls to accent.


The crinkle ribbon is just a piece of Very Vanilla seam binding I have altered.  Using my Bow-Easy I created the bow then sprayed the ribbon with some water to dampen (mini mister bottles are great for this).  Next, I sprayed Tsukineko sheer gold shimmer spritz liberally on the ribbon and scrunched it with my hand.  A little messy, but well worth the results!  After I let it dry overnight I glued it to the upper corner.  I love the antique feel with the wrinkles.


The inside was layered with a piece of The Luxury Stack pearl beige paper, Basic Black and Very Vanilla.  I have left it blank for a personal note.


Card Recipe:
Stamps:  JustRite Musical Notes Labels Twenty
Paper:  Black Linen, DCWV The Mariposa Matstack, Basic Black, The Luxury Stack Pearlized
Ink:  Images - StazOn Stone Gray colored with Prismacolor Pencils; Sponging - Distressed Antique Linen
Accessories:  1/2" Very Vanilla Seam Binding, Tsukineko Sheer Gold Shimmer Spritz, Gold Pearls, Spellbinders Labels Twenty #2 & #4, Cheery Lynn Designs Exotic Butterfly, Cheery Lynn Designs Small Angel Wing, Sizzix Flowers, Branches & Leaves Die, Corner Rounder, Bow-Easy
Techniques:  Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Miracles ...

"M" is for Miracles ...


Everyday Miracles

Move me no mountains, and part me no seas;
Just Everyday Miracles, Lord, if You please.
No castles of gold in some far distant land,
Just Everyday Miracles, to hold in my hand.

Nothing tremendous, stupendous, or grand;
My loved one beside me to walk hand in hand.
A song in the air in the cool evening breeze
To echo the songs of the birds in the trees.

Give me, dear Lord, for this day as I need,
And help me, dear Lord, both in word and in deed
Show someone who needs You, You'll always be there.
Such Everyday Miracles, Lord, in Your care.

~ Jenny Genesoto ~


Please respect author copyright, do not use or copy poetry
without first seeking permission from the author.

Used with permission

I am linking with Ms. Jenny over at Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday.  I hope you will stop to visit the other participants.

Lavender Giveaway Winner!

Hi everyone,

It's Wednesday, which means it is time to announce the winner of my lavender sugar giveaway.  The winning # using random.org was 22 - parTea Lady from Tea and Talk.

Congratulations to parTea Lady, please email me your address using the link on my right sidebar and I will get this wonderful jar in the mail to you.

Thank you everyone for stopping by and for your wonderful comments.  I will be back later to join Alphabe-Thursday.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentine's Day Tea


Happy Valentine's Day friends,

Everyone enjoys celebrating love on February 14th.  Telling people that you care for them warms your heart and soul ... much like a good cup of tea.  So, please make yourself at home and join me this Valentine's Day.

Today I am sharing with you a Zeh, Scherzer & Co. teacup and saucer in the Mignon pattern.  Isn't the delicate gold detailing just gorgeous and perfect for Valentine's Day?


The teacup is 2.75" tall and 3" in diameter.  The bottom is clearly marked "Mignon" Z S & Co. Bavaria.

 
A pink heart shaped dish in a whitewashed basket brings a charming Valentine's touch to the table, and is a sweet setting for our petite cheesecakes.


"Love is the master key that opens the gate of happiness."
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. ~


Whose heart isn't melted by a beautiful rose with a velvety texture and a heavenly fragrance.


Do you really know the historical meaning of Valentine's Day?

Saint Valentine was a bishop who held secret marriage ceremonies in Roman times when marriage was prohibited for young men and was executed by the latter.  When Valentine was exposed for performing secret ceremonies he was jailed and given the name "the friend of lovers".  While in prison Valentine's jailer, Asterius, brought his blind daughter into see Valentine hoping he could heal her blindness, and according to historical findings, he did.

Meanwhile, a deep friendship had been formed between Valentine and Asterius' daughter.  It caused great grief to the young girl to hear of her friend's imminent death.  It is said that just before his execution, Valentine asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her "From Your Valentine", a phrase that lived ever after.

Thank you for having tea with me on this special day!  Whether you are sharing the day with a sweetheart, family or friends love is in the air.  Please do indulge in a treat as I enjoy tea with these lovely ladies.


Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Tuesday Cuppa Tea @ Antiques and Teacups
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Martha's Favorites
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmations
Tea Party Tuesday @ Sweetology
Friends Sharing Tea @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog