Mom's Sewing Basket

This basket has been in my attic close to 6 yrs now. It was placed there not long after my mom's death. It belonged to my mom. We are a family of keepers (that sounds better than hoarders). If we HAD great grandma's false teeth, they'd be displayed proudly on the mantle.

When I asked Don about bringing the basket down I took one look at it and thought, "Worthless." But, I couldn't bring myself to throw it away either. Looking for permission, I called daughter, Beth and said "...remember Grandma Nora's sewing basket?" Beth said, "The one with her name on it." Yes, someone else remembered it, too. I answered yes and asked what she thought about me painting it. She thought it was a great idea.

Now, a few hours later, I smile as I look at the basket that entered our lives in the late '60's and was always very near where my mother sat. It was always piled full of embroidery projects, quilt pieces and crochet thread and needle. The inside liner of the basket has faint coffee stains, where grandchildren anxious to get into their grandma's arms, knocked a cup with "just a swallow" of coffee into it.

After painting it and adding a few touches of my own, the basket sits proudly in my craft room, just where, Nora (aka Mom) would have wanted it. Thanks for sharing a memory with me. ~Donna

Dreamin' of Summer

While sitting in the house near the warm fire it is easy to forget it is only 32 degrees outdoors. I look out the window and dream of summer and the warm days that come with it. When everything is in bloom and looks new. So, while I'm dreaming about summer and working on this cute little, "Cool Cat" free stamp from Hambo Stamps,

as always, thanks for stopping by!
~Donna

I am also entering this card into the following challenges:

Hambo Stamps-Anything Goes

iCopic Lover Challenge #70-Animals

2 Sisters Challenge#80-Anything Goes

Thinking of You

A thinking of you card for my friend, Angie. She has been on quite a journey being ill. But, is doing better and spreading her wings a little at a time.

For this card I used: Pink cardstock, brown stitched ribbon, Cricut cartridge, Home Accents, red butterfly is Recollections, the clouds are mulberry paper stamped with light blue chalk and everything else was just in my basket of embellishments.

Like hearing your comments and thanks for stopping by.
~Donna

Entered in the following challenges:

Flutterbywednesday challenge #191

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is over for another year. I made 5 cards on Sunday afternoon for the grandchildren. They weren't anything extra special. But, one I really enjoyed making, because I used a digi stamp (FREE from Inger Harding) and that is something new for me and my new Copic markers. What do you think?

At our house we took advantage of the Valentine's Day special at Bob Evans. It was very good. This made our 37th Valentine's Day together...sweet memories. We saw several couple at Bob Evans eating that looked to have put in many more years than we have. It does the heart good to see these older couples our still enjoying each other on the day of LOVE.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you had a special Valentine's Day, with someone special whether it be your spouse, a friend, your children, parents or any other special person in your life.

~Donna

I'd like to enter the following challenge:

Fab 'n' Funky Challenge- "Try Something New"

Only One Day Left!

Nothing like waiting until the last minute to make Valentine cards for the darling grandchildren! Fortunately, only two need to be mailed. So, in the end, I should met the deadline. Without a plan in my head, I started scrambling for Valentine themed stamps or basically anything I could find. You see, I didn't want to have to go out in the cold to the local Wally World to buy something. Then, jackpot!! I found these cute digi stamps I had downloaded around Christmas and wah-laa there were some really cute files for Valentine's Day.

The link for these adorable digital stamps is www.simplyinger.blogspot.com Oh! Did I mention they are FREE! So, if you are looking for some last minute Valentine stamps, here they are!

Have fun!
~Donna

PS-I apologize for the poor quality of the picture of one of the stamps. Lighting is the next "honey do job." LOL

Be Mine

This is Granddaughter, Katelyn's, Valentine's Day card. At 4, she really believes she is a "princess" and loves all things that go with being a princess!

The crown, I designed and cut by hand (but you could probably tell that). The stickers were some I'd had for a while and the hearts and stars are again just some old stickers that were on hand. The heart I cut using a .svg file found at Wanda's.

Hope you have your Valentine cards made for all your "sweeties."

Thanks for stopping by.
~Donna

This card is entered in the following challenges:

-CAS-ual Fridays, The Clean And Simple Challenge (Love ya always-simple paper piecing)
  
-DYSU #58 LOVE Challenge

Birthday Wishes

Birthdays, birthdays...every one has one! I try to keep birthday cards on hand, but generally at the last minute I'm scrambling to throw something together. For this card I cut the scroll-y flourish from Cricut cartridge, Home Accents. Gotta love those flourishes! The flowers were Cricut cut and the centers are just circles cut from a paper punch. I tried along the left side to do some rubberstamping. Stamping is still a challenge for me, but try, try again is my motto!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look. Enjoy your Saturday!

~Donna

Paper Flowers

Paper flowers seem to be everywhere! And, no wonder...they are fun and easy to make. Children can help and have fun doing it! You can use any embellishments you have on hand, brads, beads, rhinestones, grommets, epoxy sticker, buttons...and the list goes on and on! I recently started "reorganizing" my small craft room and the paper flowers make it so much more cheerful.

I make them by cutting 1/3 of a 12x12" piece of paper. Then fold the paper in half long ways. Make a 1/4" fold and continue alternating folding up and down, until it looks like an accordion. Then using an awl (or other tool that will make a small hole) find the center crease you made when starting. Make two holes close together. Then using a large needle and thread, run the thread through the holes, just a couple times (like sewing a button) and tie off. Don't pull your thread to tight or you will tear the paper. You can now cut the ends into a nice curve or leave them straight. I use ink and ink the ends. Then unfold and secure the 2 sides with quick drying glue or a hot glue gun. You can then attach the flower to a wooden barbeque stick. I wrapped the sticks with floral tape and added silk leaves to some. You can make smaller flowers and add to the center, using the same instructions. Flowers can be used on cards, gifts, in flower pots...anywhere you want to add some color!Have fun!