Introducing...

Bella, my birthday kitty!

We've missed the pitterpatter of kitty paws around here for the past four months and with me home this week for vacation it seemed the perfect time to take a furry friend home from the shelter. She called out to me from the moment I stepped into the cat room and has made herself right at home, but doesn't sit still long for a photo shoot. So these pictures were taken while playing with the wire, a favorite toy. Bella's about 6 months old (she was a stray, so it's an estimate) and seems to be doing well for her first weekend home.

Thanks for the sweet birthday wishes yesterday (did you leave a comment for blog candy yet?). As Susan remembered, today was my husband's birthday and he was lucky enough to have it off. We had a lazy day at home with Bella, and the three of us watched some baseball. Too bad the Yankees didnt' win one for him today!

I wanted to share a few beautiful cards I got to make my birthday that much more special.

This first one is from Steph, even more beautiful than my photography skills can capture.

This card came from my Aunt Karen in NM, and since I have this stamp I may need to CASE the design and layout. Never thought to seperate the balloons from the sentiment!

She also included this adorable set of mini cards as well. So cute!!! But that's not all, turn the bag around and......

The stamp is included so I can make some too! I'm excited to break this out, just had to capture it in photo first. I'm planning on coming back tomorrow with something crafty....we'll see!

Smiles,

Grow a smile

Time for another Unscripted Sketch this Saturday morning and I went way out of my comfort zone with this one. No layers and lots of white.

Linda sent me some of these beautiful flowers with directions to make them. She made a beautiful card here. I knew I needed to grow myself a happy garden once I made a few myself. Here's the look when they open up:

This week's sketch is so versatile I know it'll be a go to one--next time with some layers! Hope you find time to play with us, can't wait to see what you create.

Smiles,

Paper: Whisper White, Candy Lane DSP, Delicate Dots DSP, Garden Green DSP, Regal Rose DSP

Ink: Garden Green

Stamps: SU Wonderful Words II

Other: ScorPal, Stamp n Write marker

Mojo Monday courtesy of RAK

Yay for summer vacation and getting to make a Mojo Monday card on a MONDAY! I'm also smiling for the sun that is shining down brightly for the third day in a row.

I was able to make my card thanks to some RAK I recently received. Susan sent me a few fences punched out with her Martha Stewart punch after I saw this card. I've always loved picket fences, but can't imagine weedwacking around it every week! The flowers actually came from Susan too, in blog candy I won this winter. I got this fabulous sentiment from LeAnne which she used on this card, way back in May. It's stamped beautifully but I guess in the case of picture taking today, the sun is my enemy. Perhaps I'll fix it later. The white background piece was the back of a wedding shower invitation that I stuck away knowing it would come to good use. I just love recycling!

Well I'm off to my mom's for a bit to do laundry...hope this is the start of a week full of stampin, leading up to my washing machine arriving on Friday!

Smiles,

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, unknown green, unknown pink

Ink: Black, Green Galore

Stamps: retired SU - fern

Other: ribbon, Michael's gemstone, RAK!