Romance...In More Ways Than One

Romantic Style...what does that look like to you? 

I think like anything else, it's different things to different people.

You know I love the 'shabby-chic' style...although pastels are a bit harder for my brain to work with,

when this card came together,

I just sat back and took a deep breath in.

I love the background stamps from Artistic Stamper.   I used the Polka Dots image for the bold background and the Simple Swirls for the subtle pink background and the gray foreground on the tag.

The sentiment is from Wordsworth.  There are all kinds of 'extras' that complete this card including the Martha Stewart Eyelet Lace Around the Page Border, Prima Flowers and silk ribbon.

As I continue to clear my stash, this is a very old die cut from Colorbok that I embellished with

'Carrera Marble' Tinsel Glitter also from Martha Stewart.

Now for romance of a different style.

I love the new 'Mariposa Collection' from DCWV.  The 12 x 12 stack is perfect for card-makers because there are so many wonderful images that can be cut out and layered.

Yep...more Prima Flowers.  Such a quick and easy embellishment.

Although I didn't use them on this project, I also purchased the box of die-cuts that match this collection.  They are beautiful, so I am sure they will turn up here soon!

Quick little story...My dear grandmother, who was one of the biggest influences on my creative life, bought me a sewing machine many, MANY years ago and truthfully, the only time it was used, was when her machine had to go in for servicing.
She would borrow my little unit to get her by.

I finally broke out that machine a couple weeks ago, but for the life of me, I could not keep the bobbin thread from tangling with every effort I made to sew.  I mentioned it to my mom who said, "You know, I think your grandma had the same problem with that machine every time she borrowed it.  I have her machine stored away,
maybe you should give it a try."   
Grandma was a master, self-taught seamstress.
Well, grandma's machine had the magic touch!

I put it to use for the first time on these cards
and I just love the results.

My stitches aren't perfect....
but romance sometimes isn't either.....

Getting To Know You...Part 4

This is the final designer feature for The Play Date Cafe Challenge. You have been so kind throughout the week to stop by and leave your encouragement as we prepare to bring you, what I think, will be something 'just a little different' from your average color challenge,
so a BIG THANKS TO ALL OF YOU.

So...now it's my turn. I am not sure what to share that you haven't already seen or heard, but one dear follower said that she 'couldn't wait to see my feature to see what kinds of things I create'...it made me smile at first because I wondered WHO she thought was making all these things on MY blog, but then it gave me the idea to go back through my own archives for some of my own favorite projects, just as I did with the other designers.
So here we go!

I live in the very same town that I was born in, nearly 50 years ago. It's not as if I never tried to leave, I mean, I have spent time in the southern Wisconsin, the Chicago suburbs and even spent a stretch of time in the North of England, but like a boomerang, I found myself
right back in Rockford!

The truth of the matter is, it's tough to leave family.

The creative people in my life have been my mom and grandma. while I was growing up, I remember my mom selling from home, different clothing lines like BeeLine Fashions and Fashion Wagon...remember those? She was fantastic at it and always looked for creative ways to get the sales in. I believe to this day, that between her techniques and my dad's business ethic, I became one of the few people you will hear say 'I LOVE RETAIL!' Then there was my grandma...the self-taught seamstress who could sew ANYTHING! Each year for Christmas, I would receive handmade Barbie clothes, trunks full! She would sew me clothes for school and reupholster furniture...
all learned just by doing it.

As we all got older, I did end up being a retailer. First I was a bookseller for many years. I worked for a variety of chain bookstores as well as publishers. Marketing was my first love throughout, so wanting my own business came naturally. While working on that plan, I assisted my mom and grandma whenever I could as they worked together, grandma the sewer, mom the embellisher and I the organizer of any craft show we could find. They sold everything from Renuzit dolls to American Girl Doll Clothes.

As you know, I did finally open that store, which I am very proud to say was the largest rubber stamp/paper arts store in our state. Mom and grandma returned the love by being there with Paul and I to pitch in and do whatever they could...pricing labels, stocking shelves, you name it!

Grandma passed away on mother's day a few years ago, which felt so appropriate a day. Each of us moms and grandmas...she taught my mom and I how to do these two things among many: how to be a mom and grandma and how to love creating!

So that's a little about where I come from when it comes to this blog. It's a bit longer than the other designer's stories, but you know how that goes! I could have shared about my life now, but you get that everyday. Maybe one day, I will share all those little oddities about me that you would be surprised to hear...like my silly pencil collection and my love of piggy banks. But for now, I hope you connected in some way to not only my story, but to the other designers as well. Our hearts are totally in this new challenge
and we cannot wait until next Thursday!