Summer Parades- Heritage Days

Hello Everyone,

We had a great weekend starting out with a fun graduation for my cousin, Quinn, in Apple Valley on Friday night. Saturday started out with a lot of rain, but it stopped by 4:50, just in time for the Heritage parade in Faribault. Sunday was Father's Day, my family cleaned up the flower beds in the morning after church, then went to my parent's house for steaks- YUMMMOOO! Today starts a new week and it is raining again...this gives me a little bit of time to get caught up with my Blog-o and stamp.

Here are a couple of pictures of the parade along with other fun photos from this weekend...enjoy!




My daughter Adeline is the third from the right. The 6th grade percussionists

played on buckets for the crowd. They lead the middle school band for the parade route.

This was so much fun to watch.



The drummers knelt in front of the crowd to play their caddance at different intervals
 throughout the parade route.  The people in the crowd just loved it!

This year the Grand Marshal was May Bottke. She was a kindergarten teacher for the Faribault
School District for 40 years- what an awesome accomplishment! The city encouraged
her former students to ride on the float behind her car. My dad was one of her Kindergarten
students "back in the day." He rode on the float along with my niece, Paige, who is moving on
to 1st grade next year.

Paige and Grandpa Harlan on the circus float behind Mrs. Bottke.

The masters at collecting candy, my niece, Sydney and my son, August. Behind them is
my sister, Heather.

Cousins Ady and Paige after the parade.





On to sharing a couple of cards that I whipped together on Saturday morning......

University of Minnesota colors using Papertrey Ink stamp set, For the Graduate,
and I also used the argyle impression plate for the background.
The card stock, and ribbon is by Stampin' Up! Bravo Burgundy and Yoyo yellow.

This card was really easy to put together...using the stamp sets from PTI, Dot Spot and For the Graduate. That stamp set got lots of use this spring! I didn't have
the exact purple that my friend wanted to represent her nieces high school colors so I used
a variety of Stampin' Up! purples that blended together nicely.

For this thank you card, I used a new set from Stampin' Up! (SU!) called, Bliss.

The card stock and ribbon are also from SU! Egg plant purple and old olive green

on Kraft card stock.

I created this birthday card by using a stamp set from Hero Arts, Coocku.

I popp the clock up on a dimensional. I use dimensional or pop-ups on almost

every card that I create; they help give the card a 3D impression.

The paper for this card is from Stampin' Up! Real Red, Twine and Small Scallop die are from Papertrey Ink,

and the button from an inexpensive Walmart brand.

My dad is an avid gardener...master gardener! We bought him a gardening book and ornament for father's day.

I wanted to capture that theme in this card this year so I used a Pure Innocence digistamp, paper from Stampin' Up!, Wasabi Green and designer paper from Cosmo Cricket, Garden Variety. The clouds and picket fence dies are from PTI,  they make creating really cute cards... easy!

              That is it for now. I am taking care of my nieces today, we are going to get our craft on!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sending hugs & blessings,

Nicole

Fun in the Sun!

Hello Everyone,

It's been such a great summer so far! The kids are busy with their summer activities all morning and mom gets a little time to herself in the afternoon...Bliss! I have been a very busy lady stamping graduation cards for friends and family members to give away. It has been so much fun to see how many card layouts I can come up with using one stamp set...it helps me think outside of the box!

All three of these cards were stamped with the Papertrey Ink set called, For the Graduate. The paper and ribbon colors are from Stampin' Up! I just love their cardstock. Although I switched over to Papertrey Ink White, I like how thick their cardstock is for the base of most of my cards.

Have a great day! 

Nicole

Celebrate Warm Weather!

Hello Friends!

Yes! The weather is warming up in Minnesota-it was 70 degree today! It's funny how a little sunshine can really change one's mood and energy level. I can hardly wait for summer...early morning runs, coffee, newspaper and the morning show, hang out with my kids and nieces, get some reading in and LOTS of stamping! There is so much more that I am looking forward to...yes, starting to plan for the new school year excites me too.

I have stamped a couple of cards over the past couple of weeks so I thought I would share them with you....

This cards was made with a PTI set called, Sending You, framed out

using the, Framed Rectangular, set. I like the bright Stampin' Up!

colors an randomly placed flowers.

I like how this card turned out, but it is a new style for me.

I thought I would try the triangle background and I like it, but

every time I look at this card I feel like something is missing.

If you have any ideas, please let me know how I could improve this one.

The flowers turned out just the way I wanted them...I love using buttons

and ribbon any chance I get!

This card was made with the scraps from the card below.

I was just messing around with the scraps and quickly came

up with this card. Not that it is all that creative,

 but it didn't take me long to put this one together.

It usually takes me about an hour to figure out a design,

colors and placement on the front of the card...and I always make 2

of every design. This card was quick, easy and fun to make!

I used SU! paper and PTI stamp set, Year of the Flower: Marigolds.

This is the same design that I used last year to create

thank you cards for a teacher that I work with. Pure Innocence

digistamp...who doesn't love these little girls?

This card is also another remake from last year. I have to remember

when I don't have a lot of time to come up with new ideas, just recycle

ideas you have done in the past! Wa-la DONE!

Last but not least...a thinking of you card that I whipped together in no time!

Again, I used a similar design last year, but I loved it so much I thought

I would bring it back with different designer paper. I love the greens, mustard yellow

and muted reds together. I made a bunch of these cards, I can't wait to send them out!

This was a picture of my Grandma Rachel (left), Me, my lovely Mom Barb (middle),

and my OLDER Sister Heather (right). Tim and I hosted a Mother's Day brunch after

church, it was nice to get-together with the Moms that I love so much!

Thanks for life mom! I am very blessed with a terrific mom.

Our Grandma dog, Stella. We love Stella- SMILE!

                   That's it for now. I have more cards to make this weekend and will share them next week.

Thanks for stopping in, God bless all of you!

Hugs, Nicole



I Can't Celebrate 39 Degrees!

Good Evening Friends,

I was so excited that March was behind us and April was going to bring warmer temperatures and sunshine...I find myself still waiting for the warmer temperatures and sunshine! It was 39 degrees this morning on the way to church- YUCK! Although I will take the colder temperatures rather than the tornadoes like in Alabama, how devastating for those people who were affected by the terrible storms.

I did take time today to whip up a couple of cards...I am really far behind. I have off tomorrow for an appointment and a little time to myself. I started reading this great book that I want to finish and hopefully sneak a little more stamping time in too.

This is a birthday card, but you could really use it for any occasion. I used Sage Shadow and Real Read card stock by Stampin' Up on this card, I really like how those two colors complement each other. The stamp set is from Papertrey Ink, Year of the Flowers May. The library clip is from Stampin' Up along with the Twine.

When PTI released this stamp set I just had to add it to my wish list! It reminded me of the painting machine that I used when I was a little girl. The machine that you secure a piece of cardboard to the middle plate and turn on the plate that spun in circles; then you dropped different colors of paint onto the cardboard for a splattered look. Does anyone remember this painting machine? Anyway, this set is called, Sending You, one of my new favorites. Actually, my friends gifted me this set this spring...thank you!

The twine is from PTI, the paper is Read Red and Yo Yo Yellow by Stampin' Up!

I made this card for my niece, Alanna. She is turning 16 this month! She just bought my husband's car last week! It's kind of funny because this is the third time this car has been passed down in our family- it is such a nice car, we are going to miss it!

Onto the card...I used PTI, Back Ground Basics: Chevron Stripes. These stamps are really easy to use, you don't have to worry about lining the stripes up perfect for a great look! I also used PTI dies called, Make a Wish for the presents. The paper is by Stampin' Up! Melon Mambo, Gable Green and Tempting Turquoise.

My sweet cousin, Quinn, is graduating from high school this spring so she asked me if I would like to whip up 90 graduation invitations...of course I said, YES! I am honored to be a special part of her day. We met at our favorite coffee shop and came up with this simple, but elegant design. They were so much fun to make...thanks, Quinn!

Here are a couple Easter pictures I thought I would share....

August, Ady and Sydney "hunting" for eggs. The Easter bunny left every kid 40 eggs!

Grandma Rachel is enjoying the sunshine on this Easter Sunday...such a beautiful Grandma!

Sydney and Ady are counting their eggs and money! Thanks Easter bunny...Bauck! Bauck!

Happy Easter Everyone!

God Bless you all!

Nicole

Celebrate Sunshine!

Hello Friends,

Today was a beautiful day! The sun was out and the temperature reached 71 degrees, this is a wonderful, warm feeling since we haven't experienced temperatures like this since last October! I made more cards that I wanted to share with you.

This entire cards screams Papertrey! My friend gifted me some PTI products this spring

and I am having a blast with them! The designer paper is called, Library Ledger...

funny I would love it, huh? The stamps are from the set that was just released called,

Big Birthday Wishes and the die cut numbers are called, By the Numbers Collection.

The By the Numbers dies make it so easy to create a card for that milestone birthday!

This little girl is a digistamp from Heather Elison's Etsy shop.

I visit her online shop often, she has the cutest little girl and boy images

for a very reasonable price. If I need to fix a new stamp craze I will look

for a digistamp, they are usually only $1-$2 each.

Clean and simple, just what I like. Although this card looks like

it would be very easy to create, it was actually harder than it looks.

I had a hard time placing the flags so they would look like

they were hanging naturally, it worked out in the end.

I just had to add a little bling to the sentiment!

The flags are part of a banner collection and

Bakers Twine is from Papertrey ink.

I have been asked to make more preteen-boy cards lately so I went

and purchased a 12x12 piece of "boy themed" designer paper and

added some circles "falling" down the from of the card.

Again, simple and clean with a clear message!

I saw this design or layout in a card magazine and just had to try it out. I used a background

template from PTI, you can see the crosshatch design in the card on the left, rolled out a circle

on my Cuddlebug, cut a 3/4 hole in a solid piece of designer paper so it would fit the circle. Cut

out a banner for the happy birthday sentiment and added some brads The background paper is called, Espresso, from Stampin' Up! Again, another new color!



 All of these cards are part of an order that I whipped up over spring break. If you are interested in purchasing cards, please email me at: nroach2008@gmail.com. I love paper crafting and sharing it with others!

Have a great Monday!

God bless,

Nicole

Taking Time to Craft!

This is my third posting today, but considering it is Saturday, it is catch-up day around here. I wanted to share a couple of cards with you...I hope you enjoy them.


This first card is so happy looking to me, I just love
using the  Polka-dot Basics stamp set and scalloped edging from Papertrey Ink.
The colors are from Stampin' Up! Pink Passion and Celery Green.
I added a little crystal effects, it is a clear gel to the middle of the
 flowers so they would stand out a little.

 

The background color of this card is called Razzleberry from Stampin Up!
It is very versatile, I really enjoy the contrast of the bright green with it.
I used a lot of different styles and textures this card, it was very simple to make.
I just cut some even squares of designer paper to fit the length of the card ,
 cut a couple of flowers in half for the edging,
 rolledout a die-cut frame from PTI,
then stamped out the images, tie up the ribbon
and it's done, super easy!

To complete this card I used a stamp set from Papertrey Ink (PTI) called,
It's All About You, and a PTI die called Fillable Frames #5.
The paper and ribbon are from Stampin' Up!
Razzleberry and Green Galore.



 

                                                           Little Girl "Rainbow" card.




Little Boy "Rainbow" card.

I make 12 cards, 6 female and 6 male, every year for a friend of mine

that teaches a religion class to a group of 3 year olds. 

 This group is called the "Rainbows."

Every year I try to come up with a new design.

This year I used Nestabilities Die Labels #1 for the white shape behind the rainbow.  

To create the rainbow I used my Cuttlebug to roll out circles of various Stampin' Up! colors

using the Small Pinking Circle Die for the boys 

and the Scalloped Circle Die for the girls also from Nestabilities.

I have more to share, but will post them tomorrow. I wanted to post a couple of pictures of my son, August, shooting his bow and arrow at the indoor archery club last weekend. He is looking forward to shooting outdoors this summer. Oh, to think of the warm summer sun, I can hardly wait!!!!

He is aiming at the green balloon.

Eli and August, buddies since preschool.

Great Grandpa Dube stopped by to see Auggie shoot.

Such a sweet picture!

Thanks for stopping by... have a relaxing Sunday.

God Bless,

Nicole

Many, Many Thanks....

Simply amazing! This is how I would describe the past 2 months on our lives. My husband, Tim, turned down a foreman electrician job on a Planned Parenthood clinic in February. This was such a fragile time in our lives because unemployment funds were running out and he was so desperately looking for a job  everyday on the Internet; nothing was panning out. He was too qualified for some jobs, others because of his union status wouldn't even consider hiring him. The hiring pool was so deep, finding a job seemed impossible. This was most frustrating to me because Tim is such an honest, kind man with work ethic that cannot be matched. So, the search continued....

The Article
After Tim received the phone call from the Electrical Union, he called me at work with the news. Tim said, "First I have some good news, then some bad." He continued to tell me about the job offer, I was so excited! Then shared that it was to build a Planned Parenthood clinic and I just wanted to cry. Disheartened at first, I wouldn't have it any other way either. I was so proud of him that first I called my parents then I immediately called my neighbor Patt when I got home that evening . Patt and I have walked together almost every night for the past 10 years. She has helped me understand the Catholic faith so I wanted to share the "Story of the day" with her. She was so proud of Tim that she emailed some people about our story and it reached the Catholic Spirit. Dave from the Catholic Spirit came to our house to conduct an interview with Tim and I and take some pictures of our family. He was the nicest man, he stayed and talked about hunting and his family late into the evening. I told Tim that Dave was so nice it was like having an uncle come and visit over coffee, we really appreciated his kindness!

The article was published two weeks after the interview. It was surreal to see our family in this newspaper and Tim's story shared with so many. We just kept on reading the article over and over again in amazement. Shortly after the article was published we started receiving phone calls and cards with prayer offerings and some with generous gifts enclosed. This set us back as we wondered how our one decision could touch so many people all over the United States? How can people be so generous when our economy is suffering? This just proves that there are good and generous people in our world that believe in God and saving the lives of unborn babies. This kind of commitment and generosity was a testament of their faith to us. We both wish more stories like Tim's were published so we can lift each other up and not sensationalize negative behaviors in our world through instant media.

Our Faith
About 2 years ago, we pledged as a family that we were going to start going to church every Sunday. We have been faithful to that pledge. But it wasn't until times really started to get tough this past year, that we started growing in our faith in a different way. I can speak for both Tim and I, because we talk about it all the time. One day during mass I looked over at Tim and found tears rolling down his face, hands folded, eyes closed; I knew he was asking for God's help. He wanted to provide for his family, I know he wanted so desperately to rely on God to help him do this. I wanted to take all of his worries away, I wanted to make it better for him, but  I quickly realized the only thing I could do for any of us was pray. For me my prayers were becoming more meaningful and specific, it's like looking through a different lense when I attend and participate during mass. My faith has a deeper meaning. Through my prayers for my family, I found it easier to pray for others and to give to others whether it is time volunteering, sponsoring a child in need or setting aside more time for our family.  For our children, discussing the message of the homily after mass on Sunday, talking about the mission of Planned Parenthood, qualities to look for in friendships, texting messages, Internet usage, televisions shows, songs on their Ipods are so much easier when our core values and morals stem from our Catholic faith. Our conversations over these topics are better received by our children because of this. Our kids respect and accept our parental boundaries a little easier when we revisit these issues over and over and over again with our faith and God's love as the center of our lives.

Thank you!
We want to thank everyone who have been praying for our family or has gifted us so generously. All of our prayers are being heard, God is GREAT! Tim was recently hired to work at the Ace Hardware store in Faribault last week and his business is off to a great start with the paper work being processed with the state at this very moment. We are excited about the next chapter in his career and our lives.

Life is a journey; as long as we keep God as the center of our lives we know we can follow our dreams and help others do the same.

God bless all of you!
Nicole

The Catholic Spirit- Sparks of Faith

Out-of-work electrician offered major job building a Planned Parenthood turns it down
LifeSiteNews/The Catholic Spirit ^
3/25/11
Dave Hrbacek
Posted on Monday, March 28, 2011 1:04:08 PM by wagglebee
The Roach Family

March 25, 2011 (TheCatholicSpirit.com) - A sign in the bathroom of Tim and Nicole Roach’s home in Fari­bault, Minnesota reads, “Gratitude, Always Re­member to Count Your Bles­sings.”
“It should say, ‘August, wash your hands and brush your teeth,’” joked Nicole, referring to her 9-year-old son.

The sign has come in handy re­cently as the family, which be­longs to Divine Mercy parish in Faribault, continues to struggle with Tim’s unemployment, which began in July 2009 when he was laid off of his job as an electrician. And the couple had to take an even harder look at the concept of gratitude when a huge blessing unexpectedly appeared recently, then vanished in a matter of seconds.

In mid-February, Tim, got a call from his local union with the news every laid off worker longs to hear — a job offer.

It couldn’t have come at a better time. Tim’s unemployment benefits were about to run out. He could hardly believe what the voice on the other end was presenting to him — an offer to be a job foreman for at least 11 months, with a salary of $65,000 to $70,000 a year.

Perfect, Tim thought. Then came the bad news — he would be working on construction of a new Planned Parent­hood Clinic in St. Paul on University Avenue. The highest of highs became the lowest of lows as he quickly turned down the offer.

“The roller coaster started going downhill,” said Tim, 38. “He [union rep] wasn’t really sure if there were going to be abortions there. He kind of sidestepped that, I think, to try to entice me to say yes. But, I said, ‘Wait a minute. It’s a Planned Par­ent­hood.’”

Facing financial fears

And, just like that, Tim went back to being unemployed with no immediate prospects — and his unemployment benefits set to run out sometime this month. Fortu­nate­ly, his wife, Nicole, 37, has a full-time job as a media specialist for Akin Road Elementary School in Farming­ton. Still, things are tight financially for the family, which also includes 11-year-old Adeline.

Though Tim was quick to turn down the offer — the phone conversation lasted only about a minute — Nicole was slower to embrace his decision, mainly because she works with the family budget and has dealt with the financial stress of Tim’s lengthy unemployment.

“The first thing I wanted to do was justify [taking the job],” she said, when Tim called her moments after he turned it down. “It’s just a clinic. No, it isn’t.

“Through this whole process, our faith has deepened,” she said. “We feel like it was a test of our faith. We chose to stand by our faith.”

To some outside observers, this is another important way of being pro-life. Perhaps, not as direct as picketing an abortion clinic, it, nonetheless, sends a message about the sanctity of human life, says Sharon Wilson, respect life coordinator for the archdiocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Life.

Decision inspires homily

“What struck me most is that he turned it down immediately,” she said. “He had within himself that sort of moral upbringing that had him immediately recognize that this was not the right thing to do [take the job].”

Shortly after making his decision, Tim’s story was sent out via e-mail. It landed on the computer of Father Erik Lundgren, associate pastor of Divine Mercy, who parlayed it into one of his homilies. In the Gospel reading for that Sunday, Jesus tells his disciples that they can’t serve both God and money.

”I just thought it was an inspiring example to everyone in our parish, in the zeal that’s necessary for us Catholics to take into the pro-life debate, the pro-life struggle,” Father Lundgren said. “It’s inspiring to me as a priest. Here at Divine Mercy, the words, ‘Jesus, I trust in you’ are written on our baptismal font, and that’s what it’s all about.”


That’s the kind of trust the Roach family is taking up as Tim continues to look for a job. Ultimately, his goal is to start up his own company, but he will need to earn and save money to make that happen. In the meantime, he is eager to take any work he can find. One asset that both he and Nicole have is a sense of peace that wasn’t there just a few months ago.

“In the last six months, we’ve learned to take our fears and worries and give them to God,” Nicole said. “It’s really changed me and my faith. I feel like I’m proud to be a Catholic and proud to take a stand against abortion.”

Spring is coming!

Good afternoon!
The sun is just peaking out from behind the clouds today,  it was a whopping 35 degrees warm! Warm enough to enjoy a walk with our chocolate lab, Shelby. She had her first bath in our tub when she got home...rocks, sand and sticks were frozen  to her underside so I couldn't clean her with a dry towel...the joys of spring in Minnesota!

I did take time to whip up a couple of cards for my aunt today, it was fun to make such a variety of cards for her. Here is a sampling....



Doilies are one of the new stamping "trend" these days, I really wanted to try to incorporate a

doily into one of my designs. I think the doily really dresses up this congratulations card.  I sprayed the card with a sheer gold mist, is doesn't show up on any of my photos because it is so fine.

 The small butterfly is a die cut from PTI collection called Love Lies Here,

and the large butterfly is a Sizzix die from Stampin' Up! 

This sympathy card was made with PTI, Larger Than Life, die cuts.

I am looking into opening my own Etsy shop before this summer. I am in the process of learning more about Etsy and selling online. I also joined a online stamping site, Splitcoaststampers, in hopes to start posting some of my creations online and possibly joining some stamping design teams.

Before I do anything, Tim is going to build me a photo-booth so I can take clearer pictures to post online. It can only get better than what I am doing now...running around the house looking for good lighting, then going outside to take more pictures, just to end up with one that is so-so! I guess it works for now.

I just "weeded" through my stamp sets and I have a lot of stamps to sell this summer. Most of them are Stampin' Up!, but I have stamps from a variety of companies to sell. I will post my sale in the Fbo. Daily News. Spread the word, or call me if you would like to add stamps and punches to my sale!

This week it is going to get up to 51 degrees..YIPPEE! Have a sunny week everyone!

God Bless,

Nicole

Celebrate LOVE!

Good morning,

Last weekend I made a bunch of baby cards for my card box, I knew I had to stock up, it is baby season! Here are a couple of my creations.....

This little onsie is a down loadable image from Papertrey Ink.

By the way, they are celebrating their 4th Anniversary, check out Nichole's blog

for great give-aways and new stamp release on February 15th- great stuff!

This little elephant is another down loadable image from PTI. Print and cut!

The background circles, and sentiment can also be found on their website.

I sprayed the elephant with a fine glitter mist, so she would be sparkly!

This little number was super easy to put together!

I purchased the felt helicopter last year, it came with

a bunch of transportation figures: peel and stick- how easy!

Just perfect for any little boy card: baby, birthday, thinking of you.

And here is one more Valentine's Day card that I put together.

I spent 3 hours cutting, coloring and stamping four of the same card design below...

but I just love how it turned out.

Don't we all LOVE going to the mailbox to find a Valentine from

someone special? This little girl is a Pure Innocence digistamp sold in
Heather Ellison's Etsy shop. The curious little bird is just precious!

I thought I would share a really cute picture of my daughter Adeline and her BEST furry friend, Stella, our Grandma pug...

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Hugs,

Nicole