Well, the cherry blossoms are here! I love how pretty they are but in a few days it will look like it’s snowing coming up the walk and I will have trampled dead blossoms all through the house. I think spring is the prettiest time of year here near DC.

Another shipment has been sent! These magnets go to all corners of the globe and I am very proud to be connected to our amazing military. Today turned out to be really good- lots of work coming in and fun things are around the corner.

I had lunch with my friend Jenn and then took a trip over to my favorite store, Paper Source. That place always makes me happy- lots of cool ideas and pretty things. I am noticing how much letterpress items are everywhere. Tomorrow is a meeting with a wedding invitation client and some estimates. I am determined to get this studio cleaned up before Trinity arrives. I want to set up a little spot for her to work while I am down here so it’s time to get rid of stuff. It’s also one of my favorite weekends- spring cleanup in our town. Everyone puts their “garbage” at the curb. You know what I’ll be doing Sunday night… 🙂 I’ll let you know if I get anything good!

Saturday morning and I am blog hopping. It is truly overwhelming what’s out there. Something that I keep seeing is how much we all want to connect and share our stories, talents, pain, our lives. But if we’re all locked on to our computers, how will we meet the actual flesh and blood people and interact in real life? I worry about this for future generations… but it’s probably one of those circle of life things. In 30 years, meeting real people will be the exciting new trend!

You are looking at a five minute card- six at the most.

Hayward and I agreed to meet some good friends to celebrate Bill’s birthday. Realized I had no masculine birthday cards on hand…. or a present. I came down to the studio, took out my trusty Cuttlebug and found the numbers embossing folder. Matted the numbers on a brown card and then printed on the computer, “It’s only a number…” and matted it on a scrap of brown over the numbers. Inside reads, “…a big big number” I figured that was not insulting because he is the youngest of the four of us.

And that was it. We went to the ABC store to get a quick present for him, and the guy at the register told us there was a gift box with a bottle of Mint Chocolate Bailey’s bottle plus two candles. Perfect!We had pizza, a lovely dinner, and continued on to choir practice. Fun day…

Stopped by Michael’s today for magnet tape. I am getting ready to send some boxes off to the military posts I supply with magnets and matted artwork.

While I was wandering the aisles, I came across an endcap full of beautiful new border punches by EK Success.

There were quite a few that I intend to purchase as coupons allow… it lines up great and has a locking feature that keeps the punch flat and easy to store.

I punched the bottom of the coral card and then a strip of aqua and punched it also. Lined them up and glued the aqua down. Punched 2 more aqua strips and placed them opposing each other about half way up the card leaving room in between for a strip of ribbon. Punched a coral flower and a circle around that, then a larger aqua scalloped circle. I inked the scallop edges for dimension and adhered over a loop of ribbon with foam squares to the card. I had some clear reinforcement circles (found in bargains at Staples for $.25!) which I inked around and then peeled off to fill in the top. And there you go!

And now… back to the never ending horrible taxes. Maybe it won’t be as bad if I take them out on the front porch?

Happy Easter! Here’s a little chick to brighten your day.

Today did not begin well. I discovered a hole in my favorite socks. I knew I should let them go but hesitated with my hand over the garbage can… surely there was something that could be done to save them… I brought them downstairs to my studio and grabbed a Diet Coke on the way. Wait a minute… can- sock-slipcover…

If you are following this train of thought you should get yourself checked out. But isn’t it cute? It’s not hot out now but in a couple of months those cans will be dripping and sweating all over the place. This little baby will keep your hands nice and dry.

Here’s how:

A huge thank you to Jennifer Ellefson for walking me through this blog upgrade process. You are so generous for sharing your time with me… and your workroom is amazing. When are you going to enter a contest for most beautiful studio?

Ta-da! The final pieces…

The lace is was originally the bottom of the top- are you following me here??? and coated with a huge amount of spray adhesive- those beads are heavy! Once again I used buttons and trim to add color and texture. I love that cute little pink pompom trim- just had enough to make it around.

On the top, a sweet pink flowered demitasse cup and saucer hold a pin cushion. I wrapped a 2 1/2″ FloraCraft styrofoam ball with vintage green seam binding and wrapped mini-rickrack around it. I used pearls and beads to decorate the pins that are stuck in there.

So now you know how it was done. Bet you’ll be running out to get yourself the stuff to make one today! Honestly it was a big project but I think it came out really nice.

I actually have been very busy creating the last few days so will post that stuff soon. Can’t wait to show you the latest thing I figured out to do with my Logan mat cutter!