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