All About Parents...

The living, the living – they praise You, as I am doing today;

 parents tell their children about Your faithfulness.

Isaiah 38: 19

Welcome to this week’s Challenge!  The Designers decided that this week’s Challenge would be to make something ‘All About Parents.’  I decided to use one of the few photos that I have of my parents taken in the early 1970s.  The original photo was quite discolored and yellowed.  I fixed it the best I could in Photoshop Elements.  It still has a bit of a green cast, and since olive green was one of Mama’s favorite colors – and the color of her eyes – I found a lovely set of papers to use with it.  (DCWV – The Family Connections Stack)  One piece has a faint, tone-on-tone design and the companion page has a ‘family tree’ diagram entitled, ‘Pedigree Chart.’

I used the CWC Oval Flourish Frame on the front of the photo and the Oval Scalloped Frame Background from the CWC Celebrate Sophisticate set.  After cutting it out on my Cricut, I embossed the flourished frame in my Cuttlebug.   Because doing that made it rather flimsy, although I like how it looks, I then put a coat of Mod Podge on it – and I like it even better!  I inked the edges of the scalloped oval for underneath it.

I decided to incorporate several ‘positive representations’ from my parents as design elements.

            *  To represent my Dutch heritage, I used the new CWC Tulip Flourishes 5 pattern at the base of the frame and also in the upper right corner.  I used tiny PopDots to raise the center part of the tulip blossoms.  I used a deep red wallpaper for them.

            *  There are 5 jeweled, buttoned flowers in graduated sizes representing the 5 of us siblings.  I am the eldest, then boy, girl, boy, girl.

            *  Music was a big part of our life, so I included a bit of old sheet music that I have scanned and can change the color as needed in my PSE 10 program.  I used an EKSuccess punch.

            *  Mama was a wonderful seamstress and taught me to sew at an early age – thus the spool of (Timeless Twine) thread, needle and the quilt pieces.  I faux-stitched around the edges of the paper, using my WeRMemoryKeepers perforator and then going around with a fine, black Sharpie.

            * Education and reading was important to Daddy – thus, the ‘book page’ flower using the CWC 5 Point Flower pattern.

            * Mama was a country girl, but she taught me how to be a ‘lady’ – thus the Lace at the bottom.  I inked it sparsely with Spanish Olive and then spritzed it with water to give it an ‘aged’ look.  When it was dry, I attached it with my ATG.

            *  I made a Velum envelope, inked the edges with Spanish Olive and put a light olive green card in it for journaling.  More cards can be added as necessary.

 

The colors are more vibrant in person, but this is the best I can do with my iPhone and PSE 10 – Some turn out better than others and I don’t quite know what makes the difference…

Thanks for visiting this Challenge!  Now it’s Your turn to make some kind of project ‘All About Parents’ and link it up over at CookingwithCricket.com -  Happy reminiscing!  See you next week!!

Christmas in July - Use Scraps!

A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

Proverbs 18:16

Christmas in July!!??...  Great idea to help ‘beat the heat’ that many are experiencing these past weeks!  Use scraps…??!!  I can SO do that – since I SAVE everything!  You just never know when you might need ‘that’…and many-a-time while crafting in the wee hours, I do need ‘that’ little bit of something!

So – there are times when I just have to acknowledge my Dutch Heritage…  Being very frugal, resourceful and drinking coffee all day are a few things I do that come from my ‘Dutch genes.’  *smile*  Therefore, I have many empty coffee cans for which I continue to find ‘good use’ –

Silver Bells Goodie Gift Container

My first project today is a ‘repurposed’ coffee can – decorated with scraps – and turned into a Gift Container for some yummy Christmas Cookies or candies.

To cover the can, I stamped ‘sheet music’ in brown on parchment paper, inking the edges and then stamping snowy flourishes in silver in various places. (These don’t show up in the photos – sorry.)  I used the PCW Bell cutting file – a scrap of red paper, one of ‘marbleized’ silver (wallpaper), two of plain silver and a snippet of silver ribbon to make the ‘Silver Bells,’ which I adhered to the red grosgrain ribbon wrapped around the can.  

I made a Recipe Card/Gift Tag for the top with a Circle Card file (I don’t know from whence I acquired it…) – topped it with a Scalloped Circle ‘wreath’ I made from the same file.  I punched ‘notes’ from silver scraps, placing them on the wreath.  I used the flourishes that were cut from the Bells under a red flower plucked from a red hydrangea stem, enhanced with a red, flower-gem center and silver ‘Scribbles’ paint.

Gingerbread House Goodie-gift Container

Another enjoyable passion of mine is ‘burning candles’ – for their relaxing scent, as I ‘burn mine at both ends!’  Therefore, I have several of these empty glass jars at any given time…

I used the CWC Gingerbread House 2010 cutting file on the front of this ‘repurposed’ Treat Container.  I cut the house, door and chimney from rust-colored patterned scraps.  I then embossed them with my (Cuttlebug) Brick and Woodgrain folders.  I inked the edges and the ‘grain’ with gold and penned around the door with gold, also.  I embossed the white ‘snow’ with my Polka Dot folder and inked the edges with Bronze.  I embossed the green wreath and bushes with another folder – a fancy flourish of sorts.  I used 3D Crystal Lacquer on the candies – to make them shine and to prevent the tiny pieces from falling off.  

I added red and clear rhinestone gems to the wreath and Boutique Fleur Mini Round Gems (Recollections) on the bushes, in lieu of the ‘jelly beans.’  Who could resist a ‘chocolate,’ Red-nosed Reindeer (CWC) on the Recipe Card/Gift Tag on the top of the jar?   I used an SCAL2 Library shape for the tag.  I wrapped and tied Timeless Twine around the top of the jar and also used it to fasten the two pieces of the tag.  I punched a row of snowflakes to go around the jar and attached the Gingerbread House to it, anchoring it to the bottom, also.

One could also set a new, real candle – or even a battery operated candle – in the jar, rather than baked goodies – for a ‘non-caloric’ gift!   Hopefully, this has helped you ‘chill’ and has given you some pre-holiday ideas! 

We encourage You to make something for this Challenge, link it up at CWC and show us Your creativity!  See you next Week?!

 

NOTE:!!

Thank you to all of you who ‘attended’ our Crops of Luv Blog Hop this past weekend and made such kind comments about my Projects!  I hope some of you participated and will follow through with offering Layouts to that organization -  I enjoyed being a part of my first Blog Hop and look forward to others in the future!  ;-}

I’d also like to announce the 'randomly chosen' winner of my First Giveaway!  Evelyn Holmberg will be receiving a set of 6 Rose stamp Notecards!  Please let me know in what ‘colors/color family’ you’d like me to make your cards and also a mailing address…  eMail me at:    Ldb1408 (at) aol (dot) com

Crops of Luv Blog Hop - Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of the CookingWithCricut.com  Crops of Luv Blog Hop!  This is my Very First Blog Hop and I’ve been excited to participate! 

If you came here from Melin at (www.cookingwithcricut.com ), then you are in the right place, since she’s the First Stop -   If you came from someone else’s blog and need to start from the beginning, then just head over to CookingWithCricut.com .

This month our designers chose to create layouts to donate to the Crops of Luv Organization.

I showed you a Christmas Layout that I’ve made for the Crops of Luv yesterday – and here’s another Layout today.  Melin (www.cookingwithcricut.com) offers some lovely files and goodies, also, each day.  Be sure to leave a comment there – and link your own Crops of Luv creations!

Crops of Luv works hand-in-hand with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and creates scrapbooks for families who have children facing life-threatening illnesses.  Our hop will focus on creating 12 x 12 Scrapbook double page LOs using these themes: Princesses, Pirates, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Summer Fun (e.g. swimming), Christmas (Yes, they have Christmas every Thursday at "Give Kids the World"), or general Disney themes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For today’s offering, I made a Summer-themed 2-page Layout – ‘You are My Sunshine!’ -

I cut two pieces of paper diagonally - a plain cardstock and a print – then fused them together, adding a paper ‘ribbon’ to cover the seam.   I used the Sand Castle and Pail and the (Reindeer) Tag files from PaperCraftingWorld.com –  I used a Corner-Rounder punch on the photo mats and then inked the edges lightly.

 

I Inked the edges of the Sand Castle and used PopDots under the various layers.  I made little pennants and glued them to toothpicks. 

I stamped the Title, ‘You are My SUNSHINE,’ and cut and folded it to make a banner, adhering it with a large PopDot.  

I inserted the Journaling Tag, trimmed with Timeless Twine, into the pocket decorated with a Pail and Shovel. 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Crops of Luv has some specific guidelines for the layouts. They need to include a journaling block or tag and mats for three 4 x 6 pictures on each page. They also do not want the photo mats permanently adhered to the page.  That way they can flip them whichever way they need to. 

We hope you will enjoy our creations! We would love for you to participate. You can make a two-page layout following the parameters outlined above and mail it directly to Crops of Luv c/o Roberta Baker, 11424 S. Pawnee Circle, Phoenix, AZ 85044. Since this blog hop is also a challenge, be sure to link your project to CWC/PCW.

If you would like more information about this organization, or would like to make a monetary or supply donation, please visit their web site, www.cropsofluv.com.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now head on over to http://www.cricutcritter.blogspot.com and see what Xochitl has to show You!  ;-}  Let me know if you have any questions -

NOTE: !!

I appreciate your stopping by and I’ll have a Giveaway Drawing on Monday from all who Comment today and tomorrow here on my blog!  I’ll send you a Collection of 6 handmade cards – similar to these  -  Your choice of color!  Be sure and leave a way to contact you!  ;-}

Crops of Luv Blog Hop - Day 1

Welcome to the CookingWithCricut.com  Crops of Luv Blog Hop. This is my Very First Blog Hop and I’ve been excited to participate! 

If you came here from  (http://www.cricutcritter.blogspot.com ) then you are in the right place, if you need to start from the beginning, then just head over to CookingWithCricut.com .

This month our designers chose to create layouts to donate to the Crops of Luv Organization.

I’ll be showing you a Layout that I’ve made for the Crops of Luv today – and another Layout tomorrow, so be sure to come back!  Melin (CookingWithCricut.com) offers some lovely files and goodies, also, each day.  Be sure to leave a comment there – and link your own Crops of Luv creations!

Crops of Luv works hand-in-hand with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and creates scrapbooks for families who have children facing life-threatening illnesses.  Our hop will focus on creating 12 x 12 Scrapbook double page LOs using these themes: Princesses, Pirates, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Summer Fun (e.g. swimming), Christmas (Yes, they have Christmas every Thursday at "Give Kids the World"), or general Disney themes.

For today’s offering, I made a Christmas-themed 2-page Layout –

I used the Christmas Tree and the Reindeer Tag files from PaperCraftingWorld.com – I used Silver Ink on the edges of the tree, then I decorated it with Timeless Twine and also Gems from Recollections.  I inked Rudolph with Brown Ink and gave him a red gem nose –

 I resized a Tag and put it in a pocket for their Journaling.

 Crops of Luv has some specific guidelines for the layouts. They need to include a journaling block or tag and mats for three 4 x 6 pictures on each page. They also do not want the photo mats permanently adhered to the page.  That way they can flip them whichever way they need to. 

We hope you will enjoy our creations! We would love for you to participate. You can make a two-page layout following the parameters outlined above and mail it directly to Crops of Luv c/o Roberta Baker, 11424 S. Pawnee Circle, Phoenix, AZ 85044. Since this blog hop is also a challenge, be sure to link your project to CWC/PCW.

If you would like more information about this organization, or would like to make a monetary or supply donation, please visit their web site, www.cropsofluv.com.

Now head on over to http://www.gator-4-life.blogspot.com  and see what Jen has to show You!  Be sure and stop back tomorrow to see my ‘You Are My Sunshine!’ Layout -  ;-}  Let me know if you have any questions -

NOTE: !!

I appreciate your stopping by and I’ll have a Giveaway Random Drawing on Monday from all who Comment today and tomorrow here on my blog!  I’ll send you a Collection of 6 handmade cards – similar to these  -  Your choice of color!  Be sure and leave a way to contact you!  ;-}

Let's Go to the Beach!

Send me your light and your faithful care; let them lead me…

Psalm 43: 3a

When I stay at the home of Dear Friends of mine, it’s a lovely Guest Room that awaits and envelopes me there.  It is decorated in a Nautical Theme and even has a ‘white noise machine’ that simulates waves crashing to soothe one to sleep and block out other sounds during the night.

Our sons attended the US Naval Academy (2005) and that’s how we met – at a USNA Parents Dinner in 2001.  Both of our sons went into the Marines upon graduation, and as they have moved on and around the world, Susi and I have grown together in our friendship.  We don’t get to visit often (although we do ‘burn the phone lines’ constantly), but it’s such a treat when we do!

After my last visit with them recently, I made this Thank You card for them, using one of Melin’s files.  (CookngwithCricut.com - PaperCraftingWorld.com)  It’s the Lighthouse file and I used it on this Lever Card.

The Lighthouse not only reminds me of my friends’ gracious hospitality and Our Boys’ days at the USNA, but also of my childhood in Michigan and our constant visits to the Holland/Ottawa Beach in the summers.  The family of my girlfriend since first grade, another Special Friend, had a cottage near there and some of the happiest days of my childhood were spent there on the beach!  I can still feel the warm sand on bare feet, the hot sun on bare skin, the refreshingly cool Lake Michigan waves lapping along the edges of the beach…  I can hear the foghorn on the Lighthouse pier, guiding boats into and through the channel… 

Ahhhhh…  I’m ‘back there’…for the moment…  (I wish I’d known that Melin was ‘that close,’ too – as we might have visited ‘ back then’…  Who knew!!??)   ;-}

This Lever Card features the Lighthouse and a quote by Dwight L. Moody – another ‘connection’ in my life from ‘back when’…

“We are told to let our light shine and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does.

Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining - they just shine.”

My Friends definitely SHINE here on earth!  (I hope to, also…)

Who has been a Shining Lighthouse in YOUR life?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

NOTE:!!

The Cooking With Cricut and Paper Crafting World Design Teams are hosting a two day Blog Hop featuring two-page scrapbook layouts we've made for "Crops of Luv." Crops of Luv is a non-profit organization that creates scrapbook albums for children and families facing critical illnesses. Please join us for two fun-filled days of scrapbook fun as we share the pages we've made to help these children and families celebrate the special times they've shared.

We begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 21st with our first set of layouts and Designers and will continue on Sunday, July 22nd at 8:00 a.m. with a second set of layouts.

You can participate too! There will be information on how you can contribute your own scrapbook layouts -- all the details will be available at CookingWithCricut.com. There might even be some freebies and giveaways!! Stop by and check it out! And please invite your friends, too!

We would love for you to participate. You can make a two-page layout following the parameters outlined below and mail it directly to Crops of Luv c/o Roberta Baker, 11424 S. Pawnee Circle, Phoenix, AZ 85044. Since this blog hop is also a challenge, be sure to link your project to CWC/PCW.

There are very specific requirements for the layouts. You wouldn’t want all your hard work to be in vain if you create something they can’t use.

The submissions have to be double-page 12 x 12 layouts using these themes: Princesses, Pirates, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, or general Disney theme, Summer Fun (e.g. swimming), or Christmas (they have Christmas every Thursday at "Give Kids the World.") The layouts must include a journaling block or tag and mats for three 4 x 6 pictures on each page. NOTE: Crops of Luv does not want the photo mats permanently adhered to the page. That way they can flip them whichever way they need to.

If you would like more information about this organization, or would like to make a monetary or supply donation, please visit their web site, www.cropsofluv.com.

Welcome to Crops of Luv

cropsofluv.com

Crops of Luv is a non-profit organization that creates scrapbook albums for children and families facing critical illnesses.

...who can BEAR?

The human spirit can endure sickness,

 but a crushed spirit who can BEAR?

Proverbs 18:14

While looking for a verse for this post on my favorite Bible App on my iPhone, (biblegateway.com)- a verse about a ‘BEAR’!? – I came across the one stated above and used on my card.  It amazes me still that no matter how many times I’ve read the Bible, a ‘most appropriate’ verse comes to light at the ‘most appropriate time’ – every time!  ;-]

Yes, I ‘took liberty’ with the verse and the Bear image, which was the requirement for this week’s Grin and Bear It Challenge at CookingwithCricut.com / PaperCraftingWorld.com  - but the verse is quite appropriate in the lives of several whom I know…  I’m also not one to use animals or ‘cutesy’ elements on a regular basis in my designs, so I felt I could DO something with this…and also be an encouragement…with a tad of humor -  ;-}

I decided to make a Twisted Easel Card for this project – in the Shabby Chic style.  Being an Old-Fashioned Girl myself, I chose to use the Vintage Bear cutting file from CWC/PCW as a starting place.  After cutting her Peach dress and hat (on Cricut/SCAL2), I embossed (Cuttlebug) and then inked them with Wheat and Beige Opal inks.  I added a Cream lace ruffle to the bottom of her skirt and a Dark Peach velvet ribbon as a waistband.  I attached her with PopDots to ‘raise her up.’  (Wish there were PopDots in real life to ‘raise us up’ – Oh, yes! That’s what Friends are for!)

I cut the Oval Flourish Frame (CWC/PCW) from Cream cardstock, embossed it (Cuttlebug) and inked it with Wheat ink.  I used the Birdhouse and Flourish cutting file (CWC/PCW) – using only the leaves, minus the grass.  These were cut from Pale Sage paper and inked with Sage ink.

I inked White ‘$ Store’ flowers with Wheat ink, spritzed them with Opalescent Pearl spray and added Pearl gems (Recollections) as centers.

I typed the verse onto a Scroll shape in MS WORD, colored in the background with pale Sage (Color Fill) and outlined it with Taupe (Line Color).

The lacy border on the front bottom and inside is cut with a Fiskars border punch.  Brown gems (Recollections) are in the corner.  The edges on the front are scraped with a scissors and inked with Sage.  A corner and two other places were ripped, inked and rolled.  I inserted contrasting pieces of paper (matching the lacy punched edge) underneath.

I used the Oval cut from the center of the Frame, inked on the edge, as the ‘prop element’ (PopDots) inside – ready for a sentiment and signature…  I inked the ‘negative space’ from the Birdhouse Flourish leaves to border the prop element.

Now it’s Your turn to make and share a ‘Bear of a Project’ with us!  Link up your Grin and Bear It project at CWC/PCW and have a good week -  ;-} 

How are YOU ‘bearing up’ in whatever situation you find yourself?  Keep looking UP!  ;-}

SPECIAL NOTE: 

We’re having a Crops of Luv Blog Hop on June 21-22 here and we would love for you to participate. You can make a two-page layout following the parameters outlined above and mail it directly to Crops of Luv c/o Roberta Baker, 11424 S. Pawnee Circle, Phoenix, AZ 85044. Since this blog hop is also a challenge, be sure to link your project to CWC/PCW.

There are very specific requirements for the layouts. You wouldn’t want all your hard work to be in vain if you create something they can’t use.

The submissions have to be double-page 12 x 12 layouts using these themes: Princesses, Pirates, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, or general Disney theme, Summer Fun (e.g. swimming), or Christmas (they have Christmas every Thursday at "Give Kids the World.") The layouts must include a journaling block or tag and mats for three 4 x 6 pictures on each page. NOTE: Crops of Luv does not want the photo mats permanently adhered to the page. That way they can flip them whichever way they need to.

If you would like more information about this organization, or would like to make a monetary or supply donation, please visit their web site, www.cropsofluv.com.

Welcome to Crops of Luv

cropsofluv.com

Crops of Luv is a non-profit organization that creates scrapbook albums for children and families facing critical illnesses.

Kreativ Blogger Award!

I was quite amazed to receive the ‘Kreativ Blogger Award’ recently from a Dear Blogging Buddy Galfriend of mine, Elizabeth!  (transitional-woman.blogspot.com)  Her kind Comments have been an encouragement to me in recent months, as I birthed and have continued to nurture and grow my creative blog and this was another lovely bit of it from her.  I understand that now I am to answer some questions about me and also offer some other tidbits of info about me…  (Not an easy task for someone as ‘private’ as I always have been, but I shall attempt to open a crack in the Me that covers the ME…   ;-} )  I am then to pass on the Award to someone else who maintains a creative blog –  That’s the Easy part -

Pour a coffee or tea, have a sit and let’s have a Chat!  You ask…I’ll answer…

10 Questions About Me – to answer –

1.  What is your favorite song?

Music is breath to me, so it’s hard to narrow it down, but Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” would be at the top of the Classical list – “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables tells my life story in a nutshell – “It is Well with My Soul” would be at the top of favorite hymns…

 2.  What is your favorite dessert?

I have been told I am a great cook/baker- and I, too, love all that I make – but I think my Michigan Cherry Pie would be my ultimate favorite - and I do so miss those Michigan Cherries!

  3.  What ticks you off?

Not much, actually, but most recently I would have to say that computer/cell phone issues would’ pop my cork’ – and have on occasion – as I’m here alone and have no one to help with them…  So much time is spent on these ‘time-saving’ devices...!

4.  What do you do when you’re upset?

It depends on what you mean by ‘upset’ – I have had a lifetime of several kinds of pain and I tend to be quiet about it all – cry in private – and pray – a Lot!

5.  What is your favorite pet?

I don’t necessarily care for animals, but we did have a German Shepherd for 14 years long ago, because she was a stray and my family talked me into keeping her since she was ‘nice’ and needed a good home.  Then I got Children…

6.  Do you prefer Black or White?

I prefer Black – in personal fashion.  I look good in it.  It’s often On Sale, no matter what piece one needs.  It can be ‘dressed up’ or ‘down’ – can be ‘sexy’ or ‘not. ’ It goes with my favorite color – Lavender!  Every other color goes with it.  It’s also a good design element accent.  I wear lots of White between Memorial Day and Labor Day… ;-}

7.  What is your biggest fear?

That I’ll not be able to take care of myself as I get older – I’m all I have – and God, of course…but it’s hard at this point in life to know what/how to do’ the rest of it’…

8.  What is your attitude mostly?

One of ‘guarded optimism’ – I keep on ‘picking myself up, dusting myself off, and starting all over again’* – which gets harder with each time and with the years…although I do keep trying.  (Anyone who knows that *song, will understand…!)

9.  What is perfection?

It’s something I have always striven to attain, but have never been ‘good enough’ for those I truly loved – which is why I continue to at least make ‘beauty from bits and scraps’ and add ‘An Elegant Touch…’ to all that I do.

10.  What is your guilty pleasure?

A few bites of my new favorite ice cream a few times a week – Deluxe Churned Light -Blueberry/Pomegranate/Chocolate Chunk!  Very healthy ingredients, so it must be good for me!  ;-}   Besides – It’s light Lavender!!

10 Things of Interest About Me…

1.      I am the eldest of 5 children.

2.     I grew up in the Plymouth Brethren denomination in Grand Rapids, MI.

3.      For the Graduating Senior High Class ‘Mock’ Elections – many years ago! - I was voted:  Class Stuck-up, Class ‘Walk,’ and Most Glamorous.  Go figure.  I was Shy, Very Bookish, and helping to raise my younger siblings.  OK, I could dress spectacularly even back then on hand-me-downs and hand-made-by-me clothes!  Still do!  And I just walk the way I walk… Naturally.

4.    I was a Flight Attendant for United Airlines in the ‘70s to support us while my husband (at that time) was in Seminary near Chicago.

5.     I have two long-awaited, now grown children and two precious grandchildren.  All of whom I miss immensely – daily - as we live far apart.

6.     I’ve always lived on a ‘shoe-string budget,’ but have learned to do/make/create ‘Beauty out of Ashes,’ wherever I am.

7.     I have always been an avid reader since childhood, but have discovered the wonderful world of Audiobooks in recent years, so that I can ‘create while reading,’ so to speak.

8.      ‘Victorian Antiques’ is my favorite period of home furnishings – and I have many – in storage at this time – but hope to have them again in a home someday.

9.     I recently entered an online contest so a Blogger Friend could get more entries – and although I Never Win things, I Won – a Silhouette CAMEO!!  ;-}  I’m so excited to learn about it – and add it to my Cricut-cutting abilities -

10.  I have written and wanted to write since I was very young.  I am pleased to be able to do so, privately now that I am quite alone and don’t have the daily responsibilities of a family, and more publicly for my blog and others,’ per their invitations.  I’ve waited a lifetime to do this and am really enjoying it!

Thanks for visiting!  Want another cup of…?  Stop back again soon, if I’ve not scared you off…

Now I am to pass this Award on to another deserving, creative Blogger.  I have one in mind, because she has been (another) encouraging Cyber-Friend for quite some time now.  I am also honored and excited to be currently and ‘newly’ on one of the Design Teams for her blog!   I recently learned that we grew up about 40 miles apart in MI, but now live on opposite sides of our continent!  It is my pleasure to offer this Kreativ Blogger Award to Melin Beltran of CookingWithCricut.com and PaperCraftingWorld.blogspot.com -  Stop in and have a Coffee Chat with her sometime soon!  ;-}