garden goodness

Summer is finally here in Maine..it actually reached 85 degrees yesterday! The screens are on the windows, the furniture is on the deck, and the rakes are out while the shovels take a break....I love it! I have spent the past few days outside getting ready for summer and gardening. The vegetable garden is mostly planted & seeds are growing for the tomatoes to plant later. I'm weeding all of the flower gardens and making notes in my garden journal to plant more crocus & daffodils next fall (but, I always seem to write that down & forget to actually do it :-)

Here a couple of my favorite flowers blooming now....I'm gradually filling my gardens with those gorgeous blue hyacinths.

Today will be cooler, but sunny & beautiful. Patrick is having some minor surgery today, so we'll be stuck inside at the hospital...bummer. The poor guy gets very worked up about going to hospitals (and rightfully so) and today is no different. Plus,i watched yesterday's Oprah while on the treadmill when they talked about MRSA....it has turned me into a Purell-toting junkie.

a quote to think about

"Human progress is neither automatic or inevitable. . .Every step toward the goal of justice requires acrifice, suffering, an struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals." ~Martin Luther King Jr.

whatever your cause, your beliefs, your passion....stand up for them and know you are making a difference in this world.

Happy Earth Day

I've been doing my best to be more friendly to the earth & am constantly adding some new "green" item of practice. Here are just a few....
*using cloth napkins instead of the paper ones we used to use
*using dishcloths instead of paper towels when possible
*washing laundry in cold water & using "dryer balls" instead of dryer sheets
*eating less meat
*choosing organic foods and products whenever possible
*stopped using bottled water as much as possible
*reusable bags for all shopping 9when I can remember to take the blessed things out of my car and into the store..geesh!)
*reducing plastics (esp. food storage)
*organic pest control & compost in my gardens
I know there is a lot more we can do in our household & I continue to add things often.
Have a great GREEN day!

Sunday afternoon with my Crafty gals

another fun afternoon with my Crafty gals at Pamela's house. Sorry that Catherine couldn't be there & Karen had to dash.

We celebrated Molly's b-day (her's is the day after mine!!) with gifts & cupcakes....yum.

1 of Pamela's 3 adorable dogs...this is Harvey napping in Molly's lap with his head on the table...oh the doggie's life :-)

I love the drive to Pamela's house....twists and turns along the ocean...gorgeous. Thanks for the great day,ladies.

Birthday fun

I had such a fun day yesterday....my 37th birthday...can you believe it?! I have always loved my birthday & look forward to it each year...I've not yet been dragged down by moping about getting older.

I spent the evening with my family, having dinner at Royal river Grillhouse in Yarmouth (site of my 1st date with Patrick 9 years ago :-), and back to our house for yummy cake & ice cream (it was a definite "cheat day" from WW).

Thank you to all for the well wishes, cards, gifts & time spent with me....I appreciate it all!

colors of Spring

my geranium blooming by the kitchen sink....a shot of bright color gainst a pretty brown backdrop of woods...for now

Tulips from my Mother-in-law to thank me for rescuing her when she locked her keys in her car :-)

relaxing Easter Sunday

Though we were missing my nephews this Easter (they stayed in New York for the holiday weekend this year), we all had a nice, relaxing Easter at my in-laws. I was in charge of dessert...so I made a Key Lime Tart and Coconut Cupcakes. I spent the afternoon on saturday baking & playing with my KitchenAid mixer.....loved every minute of it.

The sun was so warm & we were protected from the wind off the water on the front patio of my in laws house. . .so we spent a good part of the afternoon there chatting & enjoying the sun. Patrick took this picture of some of us...of course we are all squinting into the sun, but you get the picture.

This is me holding my adorable neices, Katie & Annie...tough one to get with annie being in the "I want to move every possible minute" stage :-)

Today....walking my dogs in hopes of burning off some of Easter dinner & dessert!

Happy Easter!

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter with family & friends! I'm looking forward to egg hunt, baskets, Ed's pina coladas, and yummy Easter dinner.

last cards with Crate Paper

After making the cards & covering both sides of the wooden birds, I had scraps of paper too small to save but too big to toss...so I made more cards! Whipped out the old flower punch & made some simple cards with empty apots for sentiments. I love the spring-y colors.

more projects with Crate Paper

My friend, Catherine, pointed out a post on Vicki Chrisman's blog where she used these wooden birds from Michaels for a very cool project...I've hunted at that craft store 3 times and didn't find them until last week! I am about 1/2way done with project & I LOVE how they are coming out.
PS...Catherine, I saved some for you :-)

new boat pics

On Monday, I went up to Walpole with Patrick to check on the progress of his new boat. I've seen pictures & all the details of the build, but seeing this boat in person was overwhelming. She's gorgeous! Its being built by Farrins Boat Shop & the guys working there are incredibly talented....they are also paying attention to all of the little details that will make this boat completely accessible for Patrick. They are hoping it will be done by late May. I'll be sad to see his old boat "Possibilities" go, but I will feel so much better this summer knowing he's fishing on......the "Kelley Anne"!

cards with Crate Paper

I played with a stack of gorgeous papers from Crate Paper today. These cards are a work in progress.....they are still a bit plain. I think I'll stitch around the edges with a contrasting thread...what do you think?
PS..I always leave sentiment off my cards until I use them...you never know what kind of card you'll need!

A Place to Bark fundraiser

Please check out www.aplacetobark.blogspot.com Bernie Berlin is an amazing artist who created an amazing animal rescue that she has built,literally, from the ground up. Read her blog for the stories of the animals she has saved & donate $10, $20 to help her finish her recue's building so she can continue her work.

my favorite so far....

ooohh, I love this cat & this Peace stamp...so of course, they had to go together!
have a "Peace-ful" day!

Rubber Soul cards

I thought I would play with some new stamps out from Rubber Soul...they are one of my favorite stamp companies, with simple, fun designs.

This card is using only 1 stamp, just masking & cutting overlay pieces to give the pots a different look. Love the little sprouts!

double the collage goodness

thought I would post a couple of cards today...see, I'm on a serious roll here! I used the same kinds of embellishments and stamp sets as I have been using on the last 2 cards. Favorite parts? I love the bright grren ink in the top card (Peeled Paint Distress Ink by Ranger) and the dimension of the butterflies on the 2nd card.

Tommorrow....cards made with Rubber Soul stamps....fun! thanks for looking

Spring has Sprung!

just a glimpse of the few crocus in my gardens that opened yesterday...that always signals the arrival of Spring for me---Hooray!!!

another collage card

this one is a bit more on the funky side...not usually my style, but I like to challenge myself and break out of the box now and again. I used the same set of Hero Art stamps, extra paper flowers, pearls, and an old book page. My favorite part....the embossed button on the smaller yellow flower. thanks for looking!

the cards are flowing....

I've been in card-making mode lately...probably due to procrastination (painting bedroom, cleaning out attic, etc)....but I'll take any mojo I can get.

This card is a series of 4 cards made with Hero Arts clear stamps I own....very collage-y, natural colors, fun stuff. I also stamped the envelope to send it in..love to remember to do that & then the right envelope is always ready when I need it. I'll be posting a number of cards in the coming days...enjoy!

a Crafty afternoon

Another fun-filled afternoon with my crafty gals....was bummed to miss Molly (thouh jealous that she was boiling down maple syrup...brings back good childhood-memories for me) and Susan (hope you're feeling better!). Catherine made us an amazing vegetarian FEAST! If my Mom could have seen all of the veggies I ate, she would have been proud!

Wanted to share a couple of adorable projects...Pamela made the basket with soaps above as a hostess gift for Catherine...that woman can make the most amazing things out of paper. Catherine made us all the Easter pots with chicks & goodies...again, I'd never look at a peat pot and think "oh what a cool idea for an Easter basket!". Seriuosly, these gals are chock full of talent. I have other pictures & stories to tell too.....but I'll hold off for awhile because some of it is top secret :-)

ATC's from crafty group

I wanted to share ATC's from the most recent swap with our crafty group of gals.....aren't they gorgeous?! The other pic shows a couple from my friend Catherine that were on my Christmas gift too. Such talent.