Monkey Business

Yeah, this is a weird picture. But, then again....so am I apparently. LOL! I was sitting at the computer and Kevin said something about monkeys. Then, it finally dawned on me that I had half of my work clothes on and half of my jammies. They both have monkeys on them. I looked down and saw this lovely combo. Eww...he said he hoped that "What Not to Wear" didn't show up. He and I are like that....we don't care if we match at home. We just like to be comfy. Later I put on a t-shirt that I can sleep in. It was light pink. Still didn't match the Curious George pants. You should have seen me when I let the boys out....light pink t-shirt, George pants and hot pink slippers. FASHION POLICE...EAT YOUR HEART OUT! LOL!

This week flew by in blogland. I had not posted since Monday. I've been a bit busy and have a busy weekend ahead of me. This house must be whipped into shape, laundry needs caught up, groceries must be bought, bills must be paid and oh yeah....Sunday is Mother's Day! I may not be in blogland for a few more days. In the meantime, I've got some serious fashion faux pas going on. LOL! :) Thanks for stopping by!

Sneak Peek of Julie's Album

I am making an 8x8 keepsake album about Julie's bridal shower and bachelorette night. I used the Cricut Storybook cartridge for the lettering and decorative elements. I love that cartridge! I also used the leftover Vera Bradley invitations for photo mats and to punch out photo corners. I love that since the pattern contains her wedding colors, etc. I am keeping things pretty simple and will later add people's names and some heartfelt journaling with my handy dandy white gel pen. I will give it to Julie when it's all done. :)

I don't have the pages in an album yet since I have to journal yet. I just laid them on the ottoman by our front window where there is good light to take these pics. Click any of them for a closer look.

Thanks for stopping by! I don't have a whole heck of a lot going on this week, but might try to stamp something to share later in the week. I might catch up on my sleep! LOL!!!!!

My buddy my pal

Riley and Tucker are such adorable brothers. At family functions, they get to play together. (Most of you already know, but in case you don't....I'll tell you that they are littermates/true brothers and were born Sept 5, 2008. Julie my niece had Tucker and we adopted Riley after falling in love with Tucker. It is neat that two littermates are in our family.) On this day, I had Julie hold them side by side for size/look comparisions. Tucker will always be smaller as he was the smallest of the litter and is more petite overall. I finally made a page Saturday about this day. I know I didn't journal their weights, etc. but the pictures say it all anyway. It is funny how Riley is more caramel and Tucker had maintained his black and tan look. *click picture for a closer look*

I had a sheet of vellum sayings about dogs. I cut out the ones I wanted and adhered them to Kraft cardstock. For the title block, I cut out watercolor paper using my SU! Top Note die. The edges are inked with Chestnut Roan ink. I added the vellum title and sewed on a button using linen thread. It is attached to the page using Stampin' Dimensionals.

I stamped bones on a strip of Kraft cardstock, added more vellum words and some more buttons. I accented the blue color of the striped paper by added a punched circle under these buttons. I used SU! Baja Breeze cardstock. I love that color! I inked the torn edges of the polka-dot paper using Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream ink. Love that hybrid ink! Thanks to Connie for the Baja Breeze cardstock and letting me use her Xyron for perfect adhesive on the vellum pieces!

The four Zaney Girlz scrapped together at Connie's Saturday from about 10am until about 3am Sunday!!!!! We were nuts! We each got a lot done and had a BLAST! We each brought different foods, enjoyed contagious never-ending laughter and created more memories. We have the BEST time together. What is so wonderful is that our friendship is about love, fun and laughter. The bonus is that we are family. :) The pic above is of the donut cake my mom brought. It is a gigantic glazed donut slathered with the most luscious icing ever! It is from our hometown Hawkins bakery. No other bakery can top this white icing! Yum!

Thanks for stopping by! I am still trying to recover today (bellyache from eating too much good food and exhaustion from staying up 22 hours!!!!), but a Zaney time is always worth it! Does this mean I have a scrappin' hangover? LOL!!!!!!!!

Heart Card #2

My co-worker Barb told me Wednesday that her beloved dog Griffey died Tuesday night. So,I had to make a second "my heart is with you" card. I had walked around the corner at work and noticed she and I had the same scrub top on. I said "Barb!" and just smiled. Then she said my name while choking back tears. I immediately asked "What????" and she told me. We stood in the hall and cried together for fifteen minutes. I know all-too-well how her heart aches right now. All day at work my heart just fluttered with anxiety since her loss drudged up the familiar ache in my heart about losing Macy. I still miss Macy and now Barb and her husband will know that deafening silence in their home of no pitter patter of paws. My heart aches for them. Barb is such a dear person and we have many heartfelt conversations about life, family and faith. She gives good hugs, too. It was my turn to give her some good ones back. :(

I looked through my remaning felt hearts and also found this mint green rounded felt square. I decided to sew on a button using linen thread. I added a piece of scrap patterned paper from my scraps box, some more linen thread and the same sentiment. I really like the sentiment paired with a true heart shape. It really helps emphasize the thought behind the card. I tried numerous different cardstock colors for the base, but ended up with Kraft....AGAIN! I am telling you, I think the stuff whispers to me when I am in my craft area. It says "Pssssssst...choose me!" LOL!

Here is some happy news....remember Kristie I have written about on here before? Lady my age with breast cancer that spread to her brain. Get this! Her latest body scan was CLEAR. No cancer in her body. She does have swelling in her brain due to the healing process from her last surgery, plus the scar tissue. However, her PET scan on Wednesday was clear for cancer in her brain and her body. Our God is an Awesome God! Wow!

Legend of the Dogwood

I took these photos of our two dogwood trees out back. The white one is full grown and the pink on was planted right after we moved here. We certainly enjoy them every Spring.

Tuesday was a rainy day and you can see the water collected in the flower centers. I love the veining and color variation on this pink blossom. How beautiful!

This blossom from the white one is actually still green since it is so brand new. Click each picture for a really close view at one of God's natural beauties!

Legend of the Dogwood (no Biblical basis, but a nice poem to share)

At the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood had reached the size of the mighty oak tree. So strong and firm was the wood that it was chosen as the timber for Jesus' cross. To be used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the dogwood. While nailed upon it, Jesus sensed this, and in his compassion said. "Because of your pity for my suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used for a cross. Henceforth, it shall be slender, bent, and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross–two long and two short petals. "In the center of the outer edge of each petal will be the print of nails. In the center of the flower, stained with blood, will be a crown of thorns so that all who see it will remember."

Although there is no Biblical basis, when I see a dogwood blossom I think of the sacrifice Jesus made for my life. :) Thanks for stopping by. Hope this made you smile today.

My Heart Is With You

This card was made with one of my friends in mind.
I look forward to writing a message from my heart inside and giving it to her soon. :)
All supplies are SU! except the American Crafts felt heart and Crate Paper patterned paper.
Thanks for stopping by!
I was just outside with the boys and noticed both dogwoods had bloomed just today! I'll share pics tomorrow. :) I love love love our dogwoods.

Friend

I made this card for a friend whose birthday is in May. I used the SU! sets Fifth Avenue Floral and Noteworthy. Cardstock colors are Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Kraft and Regal Rose. Ink is Vintage Cream Hybrid Ink from Papertrey Ink. I love that ink! It is far superior to the SU! Very Vanilla craft ink by a mile! It stamps very evenly and dries faster. The ink pad itself stays nice and juicy. On the card I added some paper piercing and distressed the edges of the extra vanilla layer. This card was inspired by the flowering tree in my neighbor's yard. It is packed with yummy pink blossoms. I noticed the brown of the tree trunk, the green of the grass and the pink of the blossoms. I "muted" the color combo a bit by choosing Kraft instead of brown and Always Artichoke instead of a grassier green.

Thanks for stopping by!