A Card for EBTKS Challenge {with String}

Hello again (finally!),

Although I did find some time to browse some blogs and get inspired by so many wonderful projects, I needed at least 3 days to make and post one card, from beginning to end. This is one thing I have to learn better: that I might not have time to make something complete in one sitting, so I might have to work in little pieces. 

I made a card to the latest EBTKS Challenge {with String}.  I know I didn't use the string in a very original way, but I still have some ideas for another card and hopefully I'll get to finish a more "string-original" one in time! :-) 

Recipe for {Congratulations} Card  4 x 5 1/2 in

~ Cardstock: PTI {Ripe Avocado, Vintage Cream, Spring Moss, Scarlet Jewel};

~ Stamps: PTI {In Bloom, Polka Dots Basics I, Scattered Showers - sentiment, Dot Spot};

~ Ink: PTI {Spring Moss, Vintage Cream, Ripe Avocado, Scarlet Jewel}, Stampabilities {Brown};

~ String.

Mircea is doing great! He advanced from the N to 1 diaper size and today his umbilical cord stump fell off! 

He is such a joy to us, to watch all the faces he makes when he wakes up, when he eats, when he sleeps. He has no idea yet how deeply his simple presence in our lives affects us. Sometimes I stay awake at night and fantasize about what kind of torture I would subject someone that would dare hurt him in any way. I used to laugh when James told me when I was pregnant that he would buy some netting for the stroller so the birds of prey wouldn't get to Mircea...now I'm asking him when are we going to go shopping for this stuff. 

I got to go, laundry calls. But I hope you enjoyed my card and thanks for stopping by!

MoxiFab World ~ Diggin' on Doilies

Hello again! 

I've been eyeing this patterned paper from CTMH for quite some time, but I was never sure what I wanted to do with it! It was perfect for this MoxiFab World Challenge, Diggin' on Doilies. 

I made a fairly simple card, because I wanted the patterned paper to be in the center. 

Recipe for {Tea for Two}  51/2 x 4 in

~ Cardstock: PTI {Kraft, Vintage Cream};

~ Paper: CTMH;

~ Stamps: PTI {Tea for Two};

~ Ink: Stampabilities' {Brown};

I might go and have a cup of tea. Hope you have a wonderful Spring day! 

MoxiFab Tuesday Trigger

Hello everyone!

First of all, Mircea is doing great! We had our two-week visit last week and I was watching the scale with fear, as I wasn't sure if I was feeding him enough...This was only one of my "fears". My husband rolls his eyes, lovingly I might add, every time I start a conversation with "I'm worried about...".   He exceeded his birth weight by 3 ounces, so the doctor said he was doing great, getting enough to eat. 

We haven't gone out farther than a little walk around the block. I wonder if it's safe to take him out in the world yet. Don't ask my husband, he even suggested we buy some netting for the stroller, so no birds of prey can get to him...It's beautiful Spring outside (unusual weather for southern Texas; last year at this time it was already scorching hot), so we have to go out for a picnic or something...

I'm catching up with some FUN challenges over at MoxiFab World.  The first one I tried my hand at was this week's Tuesday Trigger. 

Have you even seen a picture and instantly you knew how it inspires you? I had this with this card. Once I saw the Tuesday Trigger, I knew exactly what I wanted to create. 

Recipe for {Happy Birthday to You} Card 51/2 x 4 in

~ Cardstock: PTI {Kraft, Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate};

~ Stamps: PTI {Turning a New Leaf, Background Basics: Petal Power, Butterfly Wishes, Damask Design - sentiment};

~ Ink: PTI {Spring Moss, Moulin Rouge, Vintage Cream};

~ Gemstones: Paper Studio.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Our little boy, Mircea Teodor, is here! {+ a card for EBTKS Sketch Challenge}

Hello everyone,

I had prepared a long story about the birth of our son, Mircea Teodor, but I decided to keep it for my memoirs. I'll be the mother of a future US president, at least according to my dad. No pressure on our little boy, though...So they'll want my memoir, I'm sure. 

Long story short, the birth was more dramatic that we wanted it to be. I had to have a C-section. Aside from having a major surgery (along with signing papers that made me aware that this could result in death and being asked if I have a living will...), the experience was not as traumatic as I thought it would be. I haven't seen the inside of an OR since I was maybe ten and then I had my tonsils removed with local anesthetic. Maybe I should mention that to my therapist...

I thought "Grey's Anatomy" is an exageration {"dramatisation", as they started adding to the mascara commercials}. It's NOT! The moment we decided for a C-section, everyone knew exactly what to do. No one hesitated and everything went like a well-oiled machine. These people were professionals!   

11 minutes later, I heard the sweet cry of our son Mircea Teodor. Born on March 6th, 2010, 8 lbs, 1 oz., 21 in. A head full of dark hair! They brought him over and he kept staring at me with his big dark eyes for a couple of seconds. 

The next couple of days were a blur...a nice transition. If I was all awake and aware, I would have freaked out about everything that happened. 

We are home now and trying to settle into a new routine of life, especially of sleep. I realized that it's different if one sleeps 8 hours in two hours increments or 8 hours straight. For some odd reason, I remember the term "synergistic effect" from college, "the combined effect of several forces operating is greater than the sum of the separate effects of the forces." 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep are definitely better than 8 hours of sleep in 2 hour increments....as you can see by my babbling, I'm a little sleep-deprived.  

Looking at THIS face, I think it's worth it. Although I wish they came with bigger stomachs, so they can hold more, especially through the night. 

I managed to make a card for EBTKS - Sketch Challenge #11 and squeeze some very light workout these days (don't tell my doctor). I'm amazed I can stand again, lift my legs...

James with Mircea, right after birth

James and Mircea with Dr. Hicks, our guardian angel

I forgot to put some gloss on.

If he looks at me like this, he can ask for anything....

"Hello, Earthlings, take me to your leader..."

Two weeks later...

Mircea with Mimi {James's Mom}

Mircea with Grandpa {James's Dad}

Recipe for {Babies are Heaven Sent} Card 5 1/2 x 4 in

~ Cardstock: PTI {Spring Moss, Melon Berry};

~ Stamps: PTI {Bitty Baby Blessings};

~ Paper: PTI {Bitty Baby Blessings};

~ Ink: PTI {Dark Chocolate};

~ Buttons: PTI {Spring Moss Vintage Buttons}. 

I love dragonflies!

Hello everyone,

I've had these dragonflies die cuts for a while now and somehow never got around to using them. I'm so glad the time has come! 

I made this card for Dragonfly Card Drive, over at Taylored Expressions. The cards will be donated to the Neonatal Intensive Care nurses where they use the dragonfly as a symbol of hope for families who have lost a child during delivery or in the early stages of life. Families are given a dragonfly card while they are in the hospital as something to hold on to, cherish, and comfort them after the quiet time spent with their son or daughter. 

As a mom eagerly waiting for her first baby, I cannot even begin to understand what it means to lose a child. It's probably the most painful thing there is. 

Recipe for {Thinking of You} Card  51/2 x 4 in

~ Cardstock: Paper Studio;

~ Paper: PTI {Bitty Baby Blessings};

~ Stamp: PTI {Scattered Showers - sentiment, Vintage Labels};

~ Ink: PTI {Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss};

~ Button: PTI {Spring Moss Vintage Buttons}.

Hope you enjoyed my card and thanks for taking a look!

The Play Date Cafe Color Splash Challenge #18

Hello again!

I will never hesitate to buy anything teal/turquoise in the craft store, because it's really a color in demand these days! 

I made a card for The Play Date Cafe Color Splash Challenge and I used a green-teal. 

Recipe for {Thank You} Card 4 x 5 1/2 in

~ Cardstock: PTI {Vintage Cream}, Paper Reflections;

~ Paper: Flair Designs {Trumpet Voluntary};

~ Stamps: PTI {Butterfly Wishes, Background Basics Flower Power, Turning a New Leaf};

~ Pearls: Prima;

~ Brad:  Paper Studio {Music Notes}.

I noticed that quite a few entries have a musical background as a choice for the black and white combination. It's perfect for that! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Embellish Magazine Color Challenge {With Borders} meets Moxi Fab's Olympics of Stamping

Hello all!

Something about March makes me happy! The bright sun that hides behind the clouds once in a while, the flower bench that my mother-in-law brought us over the weekend, and the hope of a new season that brings the earth back to life. And Easter is only a month away. 

That's why it wasn't hard at all to dig in the pastel colors for the new Embellish Challenge. 

Recipe for {Thank You} Card 5 1/2 x 4 in

~ Cardstock PTI {Spring Moss, Lemon Tart, Melon Berry};

~ Stamps: PTI {Life, Background Basics Flower Power, Butterfly Wishes, Vintage Labels};

~ Ink: PTI {Spring Moss, Ripe Avocado}, Stampabilities {Bright Pink};

~ Ribbon: RibbonFX;

~ Button: PTI {Spring Moss Vintage Buttons}.

Since it's a {Thank You} card, I won't miss the opportunity to enter in the Moxi Fab World's Olympics of Stamping. 

Any plans for Easter yet? My brother is planning to come from Romania, but he has to go through the visa interview still. It would be awesome to have him here for a little while.  

Wishing you a beautiful day of Spring!