Where I Create

I have shared pictures of my craft room before but I thought it would be fun to take you on an updated tour.  The pictures in my previous post were taken right after the room had been remodeled into my craft room. If you would like to read that post just click here. These pictures I am about to show you were taken a few days ago---boy did I collect the supplies in the past two years. 

 My Cricut center.  I purchased this piece of furniture from Joann Fabric.  It came in a million pieces but I took my time and it went together easily.  It really is nice to be able to leave my Cricut set up all the time and the extra storage is really nice too.

I love to have things around me that bring a smile to my face as I create.

A few more of my favorite things.......

As I work at my computer, I can't think of two better foot warmers......

It's always fun  having this little guy to hang out with.   He is helping me "organize" the ribbon :)

I hope you have enjoyed the little tour of my creative space.  A tiny room that brings me such joy.

I Have Been Keeping a Big Secret......

Oh my goodness---I can FINALLY tell you!!!   I have been keeping this secret since September and if I don't let it out I am going to burst. (this is just a little hint) 

Back in September I received an excited e-mail from my friend, Joyce regarding a new magazine that was to premier in January.  It was going to feature items created with the Cricut machine.  She encouraged me.... " They are still looking for submissions.  I think you should send something"  So I thought sure why not--I will give it a try.  Imagine my surprise when a few days later I received notification that they would be publishing two of my submissions in this wonderful magazine.

It hit the news stand today so I can finally show  you the selected items.....

First was this sweet little sailboat card I created using the New Arrival cartridge.  The above picture was one that I took and here is the page in the magazine.

The second item selected was this wedding cake gift card holder that I created for a friends wedding. Again this is my picture.....

And this is how it looks in the magazine......

If you look closely the sailboat card was created by "Mimi Panormios" while the wedding cake was created by "Maureen Panormios"  A little confusing but we are one in the same.  For those who don't know Maureen is my given name.  No one usually calls me that except for my mother when I done something to drive her crazy which hopefully isn't often these days.  :)

I am so thrilled to be a part of this amazing publication and so excited to be able to  finally share my excitement with you. 

xoxoxox

Fun Valentine Cards

 Well the weatherman was right...more snow in the forecast.  It seems winter is here to stay. We are expecting 3-5 inches throughout the night and another inch or so tomorrow.  I am ready....I have been to the grocery store for all the necessities, I have a big pot of chicken soup on the stove, and I have plenty of crafting supplies to keep me busy until......well lets just say I have plenty :)   I have been in the Valentines mood lately and I thought I would post just a couple of the projects that I have been working on for my etsy shop.  I really enjoyed creating the pocket magnet cards for my craft fairs this fall and thought a Valentines version would be the perfect thing to chase away the winter blues.

The little frog is a magnet which fits into the pocket card for mailing.  The back of the card is left blank except for a funny little Valentines message and a place to sign your name. 

                                                                                    

Same idea with this friendly little elephant.  The only difference is the base of the card is covered in fabric instead of paper.   I really am enjoying my cricut machine and  the endless hours of  inspiration it gives me.

Well I am off to my craft studio...I think I will grab a cup of hot chocolate to keep me warm.  I hope you are safe and warm tonight and enjoying your evening. 

All Things Grow With Love

Valentines Day is one of my very favorite holidays.  A whole day dedicated to letting those special people in your life know just how much you love them.  A day filled with chocolates, sweet cards, hugs, kisses, love and flowers.  Who could not look forward to a day like this.   

After putting away the Christmas decorations this year, I found that things were looking just a bit to plain at my house.  I decided to take some time to create some new Valentine decorations.  I am usually creating for others or for my etsy shop and I must admit that it was fun making something for me this time.   

The first project I completed was this sweet little frame which now sits on my kitchen windowsill. 

I used a stamp set from Paper Trey Ink, one of my favorite places to shop.  The set is called Every Day Button Bits.  If you click HERE I have posted a link that will take you right to their site. (just in case you need to have this set for yourself)  :)

I enlisted the help of my Cricut machine to create this next project.  Using the "Tie the Knot" cartridge for the banner pieces and the "Nursery Rhymes" cartridge for the lettering I created this love banner.  With some finishing touches of ribbon, bakers twine, machine stitching, hearts and flowers it now hangs happily from the shelf in my kitchen.

Well now that I have created some fun projects for myself, I'm back to creating for my Etsy shop.  I hope you will stop by for a visit.  I will be adding new items soon.   Before I close this post for tonight,  I wanted to share this picture with you.  All Things Grow with Love----my love for this little guy grows daily.  How could it not......



I sure am blessed to have him as my weekday buddy when his Mommy and Daddy are at work.

Seeing the World through Rose Colored Glasses

Or as my friend Joyce said "Finally seeing the world".  I guess since I hadn't had my eyes checked since I was a little girl I didn't realize that the world should look a little clearer.  I thought I could see just fine.  But lately I noticed that things were appearing just a bit more out of focus and while doing the close soldering work my eyes felt a little more tired.  I noticed it most while driving at night-Yikes sometimes I felt as if I could hardly see--I will not even mention how hard it was to see if it were a rainy night.  So off to the eye doctor I went.  And guess what---I did need glasses.....

I don't have to wear them all the time just when I drive and watch TV.  Let me just say BOY WHAT A DIFFERENCE.  I feel like I am looking at the world in High Definition.  I guess that's what happens when you are about to turn 45........

Welcoming In A New Year

Goodbye, Farewell, Adieu, Adios, ciao, So Long, See You Later, Take It Easy, Fare Thee Well 

    However you choose to say it, the meaning is all the same---something that is said before parting.  I have never been one to enjoy saying goodbye to anything.  I guess that is why my house is filled with things that remind me of special events or things that I am saving just because "I might need them some day".  But even in my reluctance to say goodbye, I do it every year at midnight on January 1.  I say goodbye to the past year and greet the new.  In saying hello to the new year I bid farewell to those things that brought sadness, embrace  memories that brought joy, and look forward with excitement to all that this new year will hold for me.  I thought for my first post of the new year I would share some of my favorite photos from 2010 recalling all that has blessed me in this past year. 

Welcome 2011

I wish you all much happiness in the coming year

Love,

Mimi