Thursday, September 23, 2010

Goodbye to the Dog Days of Summer

Happy Fall everyone!!! This is my most favorite season of the year.  I love the cool, crisp days, changing leaves, bright blue skies, and watching nature prepare for the long winter ahead.  The squirrels and chipmunks in my yard could not be busier. I too have been busy creating in my studio.  This new cricut I purchased has provided me with so much inspiration.  In keeping with the theme of "Dog Days"  I thought I would share with you today some of the projects I made using the sweetest dog images.  All of these images have been cut using the Create a Critter Cricut cartridge.  This is a wonderful cartridge and the one that I use the most. 
I have sewn pockets into these greeting cards and turned the adorable puppy die cuts into magnets.  The magnets slip right into the pockets and then can be removed to hang on your refrigerator.  I thought it might be fun to send these cards to that special little someone in your life ---after receiving the card they would be able to hang the magnet in their locker at school.  Just a little reminder of how much you love them. 
This next little card I created just for fun.  I found this flannel fabric and it just reminded me of this Poodle die cut. 
Eventhough the Dog Days of Summer are behind us, the Dog Days never end at my house.  Everyday is a Dog Day.  Yes I will admit that my dogs just may be a bit spoiled. 
We even had some friends over to play one evening last week......
Mabel, Hannah, and Bailey   

Hannah and Mabel
They are half sisters :)
I am so glad that these girls are members of our family.  There is just something about the love and friendship of a dog. 

Thursday, September 16, 2010

It's Raining its Pouring......

Some would say that our weather today  is weather that only a duck would love.  There is a chill in the air and it has been raining for most of the day.  I think it is nice to have these kind of days on occasion.  We have had such a dry Summer here in Pittsburgh.  When you walk across my lawn it actually crunches.  Today I welcome this rain. I welcome the nourishment it will bring to my poor dry lawn and gardens.   I welcome the chance to stay indoors with a nice hot cup of tea and a good magazine.  I welcome the time I will have to stay in my studio and play with my new Cricut machine.  I have several projects that need completed with in the next week.  Today's weather will allow me to get a good head start.  But before I go I wanted to share with you all this little duck banner that I created to help Drew celebrate his first birthday.  (it kind of goes with the theme of the day)
I sure do love this new Cricut machine of mine.  Well I am off to "play Cricut"  Hope you all are having a perfect day.
****NOTE**** It is a little hard to capture the whole banner in one photo.  If you click on the photos they will enlarge so that you can get a better view :)

Thursday, September 2, 2010

You Are My Sunshine

You are my Sunshine
My only Sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are grey
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Introducing A New Family Member......

......a scrapbook family member that is.  Her name is Cricut.  I had resisted inviting her to be a part of our family for many years. 
"I don't need her."
"I have too many scrapbooking tools and supplies already." 
"I think it would be a waste of money." 
I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW SILLY I WAS!!!  I purchased a small Cricut about two weeks ago and I truly don't know how I lived without her for so long.  As soon as I opened the box  I was addicted.  Joann Fabric was having a great sale on cartridges so I treated myself and purchased several.  I haven't stopped creating since.  Because it has been such a long time since I have shared anything that I have created, I thought it would be fun to post some Cricut projects today.  One of my very favorite cartridges is called Create a Critter.  Several projects have been completed using it. 
I made this little journal for Drew's Mommy so that she could read all about our day together. 
A banner for Emma.
A banner for Kate.


A sweet little lion card.
This next little card was made using the New Arrival cartridge.

I saved my favorite project for last.... I was asked to make a gift card holder for a friends wedding.  I just knew that the border in the Cindy Loo cartridge would be the perfect thing for the icing on my "cake".
As you can see, I am having a great time with my new little "friend"  I can't wait to create more projects to share with you.  Check back soon----I am off to the studio to play.
xoxo
Mimi

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Change

People are always telling you that change is a good thing. But all they're really saying is that something you didn't want to happen at all, has happened.
(You've Got Mail)

That quote is from one of my favorite movies, You've Got Mail and it describes exactly how I have been feeling lately.  I do agree change can be a good thing, even an exciting thing at times.  However when  many changes happen all at once it can leave one feeling overwhelmed and even a bit sad.  My summer has been filled with just such changes. 

 I had been preparing myself for the first change for several months.  I knew it was coming.  As the month of June quickly approached this change became a reality.  My son would be graduating from High School.  Our home was filled with excitement and pride.  It brought joy to my husband and I to help Alex plan for his future.  But along with the excitement came a bit of sadness.  I began to realize that my role as a "Mommy" would be changed forever.  Oh of course I will always be Alex's Mom and he will always love me---he will just need me in a different way as he has grown into adulthood.  What a wonderful evening it was to watch as my son accepted his diploma and officially finished his high school career. 

An exciting time in my sons life.....A happy change......just one that I will have to get used to.

The next change was one that I knew would eventually happen I just wasn't as prepared for it to happen so soon.  The sweet girls that have been in my care while their parents worked, are also growing up.  Both girls came to me at age 7 weeks have grown to the ages of 10 and 6.  They  brought such joy and love to our home and have become a very special part of our family.  As time marches on the girls have developed different needs and it was decided that my daily time with them would come to an end.  A huge adjustment for me.


I miss my girls more than my written words can express.  But as Emma stated "Don't worry Mimi, we are not all done with you yet"  Thank goodness for that. 
Through this change, God has brought another sweet baby into my life.  His name is Drew and he will be my new daytime buddy.  We have become great friends already and I know he too will be a blessing to our family.

This next change was one that I was not prepared for at all.  Growing up you never think about your parents aging.  They are your parents and   they will be around forever to love and take care of you.  Then all at once something happens to shake that confidence and remind you that time has ticked by for them as well and they too are getting older.  My dad gave us a scare this Summer with several trips to the emergency room and a couple of extended stays in the hospital.  We already knew that he had COPD but the doctors ordered several more tests and were preparing us for a very frightening result.  As we waited to schedule these tests and then for the results, I spent a great deal of time with my parents---preparing for my dads return home from the hospital, visiting and looking through old pictures. 
He was unable to attend Alex's graduation party so we celebrated with him the next day.
God does answer prayers and the results of my Dad's tests were very positive and he is getting stronger everyday. 
Even though these changes were unwelcome and not at all what I would have wished for, I can see a positive result in each one.  Alex is growing into a fine young man and has such a bright future.  I could not be prouder of him.  The girls will forever have a place in my heart.  Even though I will not see them every day they remain a special part of my family.  I look forward to developing a bond with my new little guy and to the blessing it will be watching him grow.  God is faithful and I am so thankful that my Dad is recovering.  I am also looking forward to creating once again.  I am working on several projects and  am once again excited and ready to share them with you.  Thanks to all of you for your notes of concern---All is well.  Change can be a good thing. 
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