Love in Bloom

Hello there friends. I haven't posted any cards to share in forever but I've been creating away. It seems that January just completely skipped me and we went straight to February. The best part of this Valentine's Day is that my girls decided that they would hand out Valentines this year! I almost jumped out of my chair when I heard that! They are 16 and 14 so I haven't been asked to help with Valentines in YEARS!! There is something super awesome about this holiday. No big pressure at all, just little trinkets and goodies to the ones you love. no holiday crowds and pressure.  I just love it. Here are some fairly simple cards I put together. All of the bases are Kraft cardstock by Co'ordinations.

That chipboard is Martha Stewart, everything else is Colorbloc, ribbon is Hobby Lobby.

These monkeys are DCWV. So cute!

All of this is Colorbloc, the white cardstock is Wausau papers, twine is Martha Stewart.

I have more cards to share tomorrow. For now I'm off to buy some treats for my 4 Valentines. My sweet Hubby and my 3 sweet girls. Hope you have a super sweet day. Until next time amigas.

Gratitude is homemade Day 1-8 Aunt Teresa

The center can is Crafty Secrets, the other stickers are Recollections (Michaels)

The white cardstock is Wausau Papers (love it!) it's a bit shimmery and holds the embossing well. The pink gingham and twine is Martha Stewart, the kraft is Coordinations.

Hello Friends, today I have a sweet card that I made for my Aunt Teresa. I was raised by my Grandmother so my Aunts and Uncles are like big sisters/Aunts all in one. I have to say that although I really didn't have my Mom in my life I always felt like I had a bunch of Moms. Sometimes that's good, sometimes (like in my teens) it isn't so good. I am so very blessed that I have 6 Aunts and 2 Uncles that I grew up with. With a family that big you really get all kinds of personalities. Every one of them has an AMAZING talent, they are ALL amazing mothers, sisters and daughters. Like many other very close, very big families we are each other's best friends. For sure there are times we don't always get along. Duh, anyone who says their family doesn't disagree sometimes are TOTALLY fibbing! But we ALWAYS love each other.

I am so grateful that I know during the most difficult times in my life I have these BEAUTIFUL women there by my side. Actually there was a day in my life that I was in a very critical situation and was living 12 hours away from my family. I made a phone call to my cousin at 4 pm one day and all of my aunts and uncles were there the next day! Like at 11 am. They had rented a big old van and went to get me. In the dead of winter. Ready to bring me and my girls home. Those are the things that make you love your family forever and ever. Yeah lucky me right?  

 We always have a birthday to attend, wedding getting planned or a baby being born. Being a member of my family is a full time job! So a little about Aunt Teresa. She is an amazing strong woman. She has the most kids of all of us, 5! She is the diplomat of the family, she has the kindest personality, she is the definition of grace under pressure. She is a great baker, an AWESOME Mom, and a loving devoted follower of Christ. One of the things I notice about her is she is such a sweet wife. You never see her talking down to her husband or being disrespectful. Her and my Uncle's marriage is an example to me, they just are a great couple. So this is for you Aunt Teresa. Thanks for being an example of awesomeness and grace.  

In honor of this month of gratitude I will post a month of gratitude. I have 8 aunts and uncles,  so they are my first 8 things to be grateful for.