A Friend Loves At All Times

It is coming on that time of year again.  Time has once again marched on and is quickly approaching February 8---my birthday.  Another birthday-YIKES!!! This year I will turn 44.  I can remember when I thought of that age as being "old".  I no longer think of it as OLD, just more mature. (hehehe)  Eventhough my birthday is not until Monday, I was invited on Wednesday to an early celebration lunch by my sweet friends Michele and Joyce (Scrap for Joy).  It was the most delightful afternoon filled with friendship and laughter.  Joyce prepared a wonderful lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.  It could not have been a more perfect menu.  That is one of my most favorite meals.  There is something so warm and comforting about hot soup and a warm sandwich.  I felt so special as I walked into the dinning room and saw how pretty the table had been set. 

After lunch there was dessert!!!  My favorite cookie of all time is shortbread.  Michele bakes the yummiest shortbread and as it turned out she baked a whole bowl of the prettiest shortbread hearts. 

Joyce served them with chocolate ice-cream that she promised was low fat---hmmm it sure didn't taste low fat :)

What a perfect afternoon.----But there was more!!! They had gifts too.

  It is such a special feeling to have friends who really know you---friends that know just the thing to make your gasp in delight.  And believe me that is exactly what I did.  First from Joyce......This beautiful box which she hand decorated.....

Look what was inside!!!!!!!

Joyce had several surprises tucked into that beautiful tin but one that I can't wait to open is this....

Joyce thought I needed another chick flick (besides EverAfter)  to watch as I craft.  I can't wait to pop it into the DVD player. 

And then there was this most amazing gift from Michele.....

Another little surprise from Michele were these sweet little flashcards from K & Company.  I just can't wait to create something with them.....

My favorite....

There were more delicious cookies for me to take home, a sweet new border punch and the prettiest pink ribbon.......

I am so blessed by these ladies and their friendship.  The best birthday gift---friends that love me at all times.  Thanks Michele and Joyce for making my birthday so special. 

Birthday Card Bash Challenge

I really didn't plan on posting another card so soon but when I read Nichole Heady's blog post today I just could not help myself.  Nichole is the owner of Papertrey Ink, the on-line stamp company that I have been addicted to lately.  Papertrey Ink is celebrating their third birthday with lots of fun challenges and prizes.  Today Nichole introduced us to the 2010 Stamp Designers and offered a fun challenge.  Each member of the design team created a birthday image for us to download.  The challenge----to print and use one of the downloads in a homemade birthday card wishing them a HAPPY BIRTHDAY.  How exciting.  I didn't even eat breakfast.  I quickly visited each designer and picked the download offered by Heather Nichols from Pinefeather Press.  A sweet little cupcake in one of my favorite color combinations--brown and turquoise.

Just by accident when I was trying to size this little image, I discovered that I could print it in graduating sizes in the amount of three--perfect for a third birthday :) 

I then cut the image out using my circle Nestabilities.  The colors in this little image matched perfectly to the patterened paper from another of my favorite company's--October Afternoon.  I added a few more embelishments, ribbon, and stitches and there you have it.....HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY Papertrey Ink!!!!

A "beary" Happy Easter

Not a long post tonight---I just wanted to share with you this little Easter card that I completed today.  I don't know if any of you have had the opportunity to see the new Martha Stewart bunny ears punch.  It is too cute for words.

I was certain the minute I saw this punch it would be the perfect addition to one of my favorite Papertrey Inc stamp sets.  I knew that cute little button bellied bear would look adorable wearing these bunny ears.

On the inside of the card I used my other new stamp set from Papertrey Ink---Background Basics: Hearts.  I stamped these tiny hearts with Papertey Ink's  Sweet Blush Ink onto the matching Sweet Blush cardstock.  I am finding so much inspiration in these stamps---I am off to play some more..........

Picture of the Week

This week's picture was taken on Wednesday evening.  Alex was participating in a dual wrestling meet at his high school.  Four teams wrestling against eachother--winners of the first round wrestling eachother in the second round.  Alex's team wrestled to victory in the first round with Alex winning his individual match 4-1.  Winners of the next round to take the division championship.  Before the wrestling began I captured this photo of dad and son.  I love the way Alex is looking at his dad absorbing all of the last minute advice. 

**The good news----Alex's team again wrestled to victory winning the title of District Champs!!!!!

***The bad news---Alex suffered a match ending knee injury.  His knee became completely dislocated.  As Alex(SR) and I watched from the stands our hearts just stopped.  It was so difficult watching our son in so much pain.  The initial trip to the ER indicated that there was not any bone damage but we will have to wait until Monday to visit the orthopeadic surgeon.  We are praying this is not a season ending injury.  He says it is feeling much better and is even hobbling around with only his immobilizer--he has decided "no crutches necessary"   I will keep you posted.........

******UPDATE******

After a visit to the orthopeadic surgeon this morning,  it was decided that there would be NO need for surgery.  He ordered intense physical therapy for 3-4 weeks and then he will reassess Alex's knee to determine if he will be able to wrestle again this season.  He seemed really hopefull which made Alex very happy.  Thanks for all your good wishes and prayers!!!!!!

Snail Mail

I had so much fun playing with my new stamp set from Papertrey Inc I just can't stop.  The images in the Baby Button Bits set are so sweet.  On a recent trip to a local quilt shop I found this fabric with these whimsical turtles and snails.  I knew it would be perfect with the little snail stamp found in this set. 

I added some little stitches and some pretty yellow ribbon to make the card complete.  I don't think I can stop playing with this set unitl I try each and every image.  Stayed turned for more cards.......

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop--The Total Package

One of my very favorite places to shop online is with a company called Papertrey Ink.  Their products are amazing and their design team provides me with so much inspiration.  While shopping a few days ago I noticed they were hosting a Blog Hop.  What is a Blog Hop you ask??? A project challenge is issued on the 15th of each month and participants have until the 25th to complete it.  They then post the completed project on their blogs and invite all  other participants to take a peek. This months challenge was to complete a card with the "Total Package"--- meaning create a card as well as the interior and the envelope using at least one product of Papertrey Ink.  I have never participated in anything like this before but I am so inspired by these products I thought I might give it a try.  I completed three cards and am so excited to share them with you. All three cards are created using the new stamp set Baby Button Bits. I adore all of the images in this set and had so much fun completing this challange.

The next card I completed using the little cupcake stamp.  I added a bit of fabric that matched this stamp so perfectly........

My third card was created using the little baby bee stamp.

Thank you to all of the "Blog Hoppers" for stopping by my blog tonight. I hope you enjoyed your stay.    I can't wait to meet all of you and see what  you have created.