MEMORIAL DAY

     It's a cool cloudy day, but at least it hasn't rained yet.  We've had two very cool days of rain, so it's about time for a dry day.  It's certainly not the weather people wish for on Memorial Day weekend.  It's been in the 40's at night and only in the 50's for the high temperature in the day and when we decided to turn on the heat Sat. morning to warm the house up a little, the furnace didn't want to cooperate.  Needless to say, it's been a little cool!  We finally got out our quartz heater and have moved it around from room to room, depending on where we were, which has helped.  Guess we'll be giving the repairman a call!  Our area has had about 5" of rain and more is predicted for this week.
     We went into town this morning to do our Memorial Day cemetary tour and took a floral arrangement out to my parents grave.  We took this

picture of the bell tower surrounded by flags at Memorial Park where they always have a large display of flags on Memorial Day.

We also happened on a Blue Heron in the pond near the front entrance of the cemetary and of course I couldn't resist taking his picture.  He was really tame and didn't seem to mind all of the traffic.  We have one of these fellows fly out of our

woods once in a while and Irv thinks

they may nest there.  I'm always surprised to see them away from the river, but guess they just like water.

They are a rather elegant bird!

     Well, I finally got back to a project I started a few weeks ago. "Paris" was a popular theme in the papercrafting world this Spring, so I couldn't resist trying to incorporate it into something.  Thus, I've made three tags which I plan to display on our buffet.  I used Distress Inks on them and cut out some images with my Big Shot.  I used some Kraft Core paper, which I embossed and sanded for an antique or distressed effect for some of the images.  The background for the tag with the umbrella man was a piece of printed tissue paper, while the other backgrounds were stamped.

All of the materials used were from Tim Holtz collections.

     I've been visiting a lot of "new-to-me" blogs the last couple of rainy days and have seen so many wonderful ideas -- now all I have to so is sit down and start creating!  I think I've gone on quite enough, but I have one more thought on this special day -- God Bless the USA and all those who have or are defending her!

     

    

   

  

    

    

   

         

"ANYTHING GOES"

     Just a short post today, as I've decided to enter a card in the Color Me Creative challenge at the last minute.  The image is a Magnolia stamp which I've colored with Copic Sketch Markers.  She makes me think "Spring" and is a real cutie.  I hope you enjoy it.                  
                             

SWEET SMELL OF LILACS
    
     The wrens are singing as they busily build nests in two bird houses and the sweet smell of lilacs fills the air -- sure signs that Spring is here. 

     The temperatures this week have really been up and down --
92 degrees on Tuesday and then down in the 50's the next night.  It's in the 80's today with on and off rain showers.  Many of the fields in the area have been planted and Irv has all of his flowers in, so a little rain is OK -- sun is out now, so it will be humid.

     The week was a busy one, so I really didn't have the opportunity to get creative.  We went to DeWitt on Tuesday to go on an African Safari (via slides) and then saw the movie "The Great Gatsby" with lunch at Red Lobster afterwards.  I had really been looking forward to the movie and wasn't disappointed -- it was absolutely beautiful.  We don't have as much planned for this week, so just maybe I'll have a chance to play! 

     I can't believe that Memorial Day is just around the corner --
hope to see you then.  Enjoy the lilacs and have a great day!
    
    

HAPPY WIFE'S DAY

     I know it's officially Mother's Day, but at our house, it's Wife's Day and it has been a very nice one.  My dear husband gave me a beautiful bouquet and a lovely card -- he's a really great guy! 

We also went out for breakfast, and tonight we're grilling steak.  It's a cool day (mid 50's) but it's sunny which is a good thing!

     Unfortunately, I haven't

spent any time creating this week.  Instead, I attempted to clean and organize my pantry, and while it looks much better, it's still a work in progress.  I'm going to make a real effort to "get creative" this week.  The current CMC challenge is "anything goes", so if I find the time, all I have to do is come up with a great idea for a new card -- that might be the hard part!

    Well, I hope everyone has a great day -- enjoy!

 

    

    

    

BEAUTIFUL BLEEDING HEART

     After another mostly rainy day, we have a beautiful Sunday afternoon with a temperature of 70 degrees.  No new projects to display, but I do have a work in progress.  Our Bleeding Heart has come through another winter and is in full bloom, so couldn't resist taking a couple of photos to share with everyone.
                      
                             

     I hope everyone enjoys the beautiful blooms and that you have a great day.  Take care!