Are you stressed and overloaded yet? Never fear, I know the feeling. I've spent the last few weeks with a seemingly insurmountable to-do list and not enough time to accomplish it. But never fear, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Today I'm delivering some gifts, going to my son's holiday program and hopefully getting some time to take a deep breath. See how I've already stopped by to say to you?! So I'm turning up the heat in the craft room and challenging myself to take a few minutes to something else. It all can wait!

Fall Beauty

A few weeks ago we decided to take some time out to enjoy Longwood Gardens.
So much beauty to be seen...

...in flowers and in architecture.

From Pinterest.

Perfection!

I am a big fan of the 'non-traditional" rose. To me, ones like this one that Hubby managed to somehow grow to perfection amidst all the funny little bugs and the torrential downpours we've had, are the best kind of all.

I've been trying to take advantage of the time I have left this summer....

ahh, it goes so fast!

Today I jazzed up this Target clipboard portfolio...

...so cute!

The CK Convention!

Holy cow, was I excited to get to the CK Convention in PA. I am not really a 'class' kinda person at this point, so I was more than happy to get to stroll the vendor faire.

I could hardly contain my excitement when I went to get my ticket!

Would it live up to my expectations?!

It sure did! I am so appreciative of all the people who entered videos and other blog entries about their CK experiences. It sold me on going, and I am glad I did!

Plenty of great eye-candy.

I loved this idea of storing odds and ends in the clear shoe hangers.

I know some other bloggers and crafters do this, too.

If you ever have the chance to go to the CK Convention and Vendor Faire, it is definitely worth it!

Lest You Think I've Not Been Up To Much...

Haven't been blogging about my craftiness the past few weeks. Busy enjoying the summer and all it's opportunities for relaxation. But I've still been busy. Made the box above for a friend's birthday - full of trinkets and treasures.

I've tried to keep my hands of etsy lately, but I couldn't

resist this small vintage set of drawers. To me, the warn look of it

makes it all the better.

Made a special card for a friend using some vintage advertisements.

Who wouldn't be honored by a Clever Hostess Award?

Lastly, this summer scented candle was the perfect project for a 'happy summer' gift. I especially love old beach photos and here was a perfect chance to use one.

Hope your summer has been full of inspiring projects, too!

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl

Today was my daughter's 14th birthday. I hate to be cliche, but where does the time go? No, seriously. I am not being rhetorical. Where does it go? She left for Field Hockey camp this morning before I got up (thanks, Hubby!) and wasn't home til almost nine o'clock. I went to see the last 30 minutes of her game. Watching her in the land between little girl and, well, bigger girl. I thought about the days to come when I may not even see her on her birthday. I'll just leave pathertic messages on her voice mail. Or worse, texts. (sigh)

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl.

A Boy's Heaven

After visiting my son at boy scout camp, I understood why he decided he wanted to stay another week and skip coming home. It's pretty much heaven for a boy. I was thinking it's a shame we don't all get some time away at our own version of 'summer camp'. (Everyone's life preserver hanging on the line.)

I liked this little peg board sitting by the tree. It has two sides: "In the water" and "Not in the water". You move the little key ring that has your name on it to the proper side. I was thinking the world would probably be a better place if we all had such a look-out system for each other.

Peaceful...

...wishing you your own idea of summer camp...

Camping!

No, not me, silly! I can not believe that my son is staying for a second week of scout camp! I honestly was doubtful about his staying the first week, so this was a big surprise! We are going to head out there tomorrow for "Family Day", so of course I decided to take some goodies with me. I packed some of his favorite cookies inside this camping-themed box. It's so cute! I'm sure he'll be really impressed - lol!

"Guard well your spare moments.

They are like uncut diamonds.

Discard them and their value will never be known.

Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life."

~Emerson

What I've Been Up To

I was determined to get some order into things this weekend,

and hopefully get some crafting done as well.

I think I accomplished both goals!

When I found these vintage wedding cake forks on Etsy,

I knew they were the perfect gift for a June bride I know!

All that was left was to jazz up the packaging!

The forks came wrapped in tulle and in a pretty gauzey bag,

so they were off to a good start! (Thanks to Beachhouseliving on Etsy.com!)

I covered the box in old paper from an ettiquette book, and found the perfect flower for the top. I added an old clipon earring for some glam!

Those of you who are crafters will appreciate the fact that I decided to add the lace

after I had glued to bow and tulle. Ugh!
A special card with a small photo of a bride from own family topped it off. Tah-dah!


I hope you got some relaxing and cafting done this weekend as well.
Drop me a note and let me know what you were up to!

Are you as glad as I am that the holiday weekend is finally here? I've already tackled some long overdue chores like cleaning up the craft room! Too many bits and pieces of projects here, there and everywhere.

When I found this treasure trove of small old envelopes, all addressed to the Williams sisters, I knew they were coming home with me. Each one is a wedding invitation, or an 'at home' card. So beautiful and lovely.

Although my to-do list is long this weekend, I am definitely making time to hit the antique mall. Are you?

For You, Teacher...

Thanking my children's teachers has always been important to me. They work so hard all year, and I want to make sure they know I appreciate them. This year, I am saying 'thanks' with chalkboard clipboards.

I painted the clipboards with chalkboard paint, added a few stamps and hot-glued an apple with their name. I attached a tag with the directions for cleaning, etc. Up at the top I added a thank you card that I made from a vintage class picture.



On the back I used 'mod podge' to attach some pictures from old school books. I sure hope they like them!
*Have you thanked your teacher today?*
Please stop by and check out my friend Sandy's awesome stamping blog.
This gal has really got it going on when it comes to stamping!

Happy Mother's Day ~

Today I like to reflect on the woman who is to me the most inspirational of mothers.

I think how blessed I am to have been given the opportunity to
be a mother, and for all the responsibility and joy that role involves.

Here is a poem entitled When Mother Sleeps by Edgar Guest

When mother sleeps, a slamming door

Disturbs her not at all;

A man might walk across the floor

Or wander through the hall

A pistol shot outside would not

Drive slumber from her eyes-

But she is always on the spot

The moment baby cries.

The thunder crash she would not hear,

Nor shouting in the street;

A barking dog, however near,

Of sleep can never cheat

Dear mother, but I've noticed this

To my profound surprise;

That always wide-awake she is

The moment baby cries.

However weary she may be,

Though wrapped in slumber deep,

Somehow it always seems to me

Her vigil she will keep.

Sound sleeper that she is, I take

It in her heart there lies

A love that causes her to wake

The moment baby cries.

Happy Mother's Day...

Crafting...By Necessity

I have been crafting lately, but only things that must get done,

which I suppose is something. Not exactly what I aspire to.

Perhaps you feel the same at times. Hopefully warmer weather and a little bit of spring break will open up some more windows for me.

The..."Big Kick"

Well, after much hemming, hawing and generally coveting my friend's Big Shot, I decided to take the plunge myself. I, however, decided on the Big Kick instead. (Mainly because that was the one I could get my hands on!) I was a little intimidated at first...okay, a lot intimidated, but I think I pretty much have the hang of it. My first creation here (see above!) I used a huge die cut (actually called a BIGZ) by Sizzix. This bird and bird cage were especially created by Tim Holtz. Not bad, huh??

For the Love of....Jars

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is a month to think of all there is to love in the world...

and for me that involves...

jars.

My latest obsession.

I'm not really sure what's up with that.

I hope this holiday finds you

with someone

or something to love.

" O, you

Were the best of all my days."

~ Frank O'Hara

"Elegy for the Personal Letter" by Allison Joseph
I miss the rumpled coreners of correspondence,
the ink blots and crossouts that show
someone lives on the other end, a person
whose hand makes errors, leaves traces.
I miss fine stationary, its raised elegant
lettering prominent on creamy shades of ivory
or pearl grey. I even miss hasty notes
dashed off on notebook paper, edges
ragged as their scribbled messages-
can't write much now-thinking of you.
When letters come now, they are formatted
by some distant computer, addressed
to Occupant or To family living at-
meager greetings at best,
salutations made by committee.
Among the glossy catalogues
and one time only offers
the bills and invoices,
letters arrive so rarely now that I drop
all other mail to the floor when
an envelope arrives and the handwriting
is actual handwriting, the return address
somewhere I can locate on any map.
So seldom is it that letters come
That I stop everything else
to identify the scrawl that has come this far-
the twist and the whirl of the letters,
the loops of the numerals. I open
those envelopes first, forgetting
the claim of any other mail,
hoping for news I could not read
in any other way but this.