Greater Cleveland Aquarium

 

In July 2017, Mike and I drove downtown to see the Greater Cleveland Aquarium.  I have been there before, but this was the first experience for Mike. It is a bit smaller than aquariums that we have visited in the past in other cities, but it was good to see. We decided to take the Trolley ride around downtown to see the sites and to learn some history too! Very informative!

Thanks for taking a look!

Supplies Used:

My Memories Suite

Background - Nautical Expedition (SU)

Embellishments - Deep Blue Sea Mini (seaweed - QueenBr); To the Beach (octopus and seashorse- KJDdsgn); Baker's Twine (blue - SU); Let's see the World (bus - MyMem); City Border (cityscape - My Mem)

Shape - Square (filled w/white)

Font - Castellar (blue); Civilian (dark blue); CK Cutie (red)

Siesta Key

 

In June 2017, Mike and I... along with my brother's family... flew to Siesta Key Florida and enjoyed a week long vacation in a rented home right on a canal with walking distance to the Siesta Key beach. It was a wonderful, relaxing time with them.

Thanks for taking a closer look!

Supplies Used:

My Memories Suite

Background - Beige

Stamp Brush Set - Vintage Overlay (texture - SU)

Embellishments - Lemonade Stand (pearl - SU); Beach Time (starfish - Dillie)

Shape - Square (filled/w End of Summer - teal fabric - Valerie)

Font - Bradley Hand ITC (blue)

PurpleStride2017

 

In June 2017, we participated in the 2017 PurpleStride... which is a walk to raise awareness, raise hope, and to raise funds for the fight to find a cure for Pancreatic Cancer. As many of you know, those who follow my blog, my Mom was diagnosed in May 2012 and passed away February 2014.

We honor those who have lost their fight with this terrible disease, but we also give hope and support for all those who are fighting this disease now. This year, we plan on participating again in June.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used:

My Memories Suite

Background - November 2016 Blog Train (grunge purple - LisaMM)

Embellishments - Baby Mini (cancer ribbon - RvMcSou); Hope Mini (words HOPE - Stina); Rose (buds and leaves - CSC); My Heart (heart ribbon - Dillie)

Stamp Brush Set - All Time Fave (arrow - SU)

Shapes - Square and Dotted Scallop Ribbon (filled w/Very Vanilla)

Font - Socket (purple)

Andrew's Graduation

 

In June 2017, Mike and I... along with my brother, Dave, flew to Colorado to celebrate our nephew, Andrew's graduation from high school.  It was the first time that Mike and I got to see my sister's family's new home in Monument, Colorado. Such a wonderful time to celebrate good times with family!

Thanks for taking a peek!

Supplies Used:

My Memories Suite

Background - black

Embellishments - Commencement (scatter, button - ashaw); ConGRADulations (cap - MyMem); Sunrise (word Congrats - wa)

Shapes - Square (filled w/orange); Zigzag (filled w/white)

Font - Boulder (white)

Plum Creek

 

In May 2017, Mike and I went exploring in our area and found this park with some hiking trails. What a beautiful day it was to walk in nature. We will definitely hike here again.

Thanks for taking a look!

Supplies Used:

My Memories Suite

Background - Campfire Stories (MagsGfx)

Shapes - Square (filled w/Campfire Stories -plaid - MagsGfx)

Embellishments - Florals Overlay Greens (green vines - ZED); Autumn Reverence Mini (stitching - ddnd); Autumn Blessings Mini (flowers - SyrenaE)

Font - Cuckoo (gold)

Memorial Day 2017

 

In May 2017, Mike and I went to the Ohio Western Reserve Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Cemetery. It was a very moving experience. If you haven't ever been to a Memorial Day service at a military cemetery...go! I promise, you will be moved. There were many veterans as well as active military there... along with just regular people, like us!

Thanks for taking a closer look! 

AND.... THANKS to all who have served/are serving in our military!

Supplies Used:

My Memories Suite

Background - Fireworks (Snicker)

Embellishments - Devoted USA Mini Kit (star - ADBD)

Font - Haettenschweiler (blue)

Painted Celebrations

When I saw the combination of gray/navy together with this stamp set 'Painted Harvest' , I wanted to create one of my own.

I used Sahara Sand instead of Smoky Slate, as I felt the Slate was too dark to pair with the Navy. Although, with this picture... the Sand looks like it blends in with the background here.... It looks so much better in person (wish I could physically show you the card!).

I used the Flourish thinlits (berry sprig) to add to the pop of color within the flower itself. I cut the flower out using my paper snips... a lot of work, but it really does make the flower pop with the dimensionals behind it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp Sets - Special Celebrations, Painted Harvest
Ink - Sahara Sand, Night of Navy
Paper - Sahara Sand, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Accessories - Big Shot, Flourish Thinlits, Layered Leaves Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (DTIEF), dimensionals, glue dots, scissors

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

 

In May 2017, we took my Dad and Beverly on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR). The train took us from the Rockside station to the Akron-Canton station. Even though it was raining... we enjoyed the views from the train. We went past the Brecksville station and saw that they had the Thomas the Tank Engine on the tracks too.... how cool was that to see!

Thanks for taking a closer look!

Supplies Used:

My Memories Suite

Background - Hollywood Nights Clouds (MyMem) 

Embellishments - A July Romance (clouds - Helly)

Shapes - Square (filled w/red and yellow)

Font - Wide Latin (black); LD Shelley Print (black)

Botanical Gardens

 

In May 2017, Mike and I went to the Cleveland Botanical Gardens to view the flowers and trees in bloom. What a pretty day too! We purchased a yearly membership... hoping to come back to see other flowers and plants in bloom too.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Supplies Used:

My Memories Suite

Background - Blog Train May 2016 (LouiseL)

Embellishments - Walk in the Park II (leaf border - SU)

Font - Adorable (purple)

Walk MS 2017

In April 2017, Mike and I joined family and friends to walk for the cure for MS (Multiple Sclerosis). My cousin, Laura, who has MS... is doing well with the treatment she is on. We walked for her and for many others like her to help raise awareness and hope for a cure for MS. We walked 2 miles around the downtown Galleria in Cleveland, Ohio.

Thanks for dropping by!

Supplies Used:

My Memories Suite

Background - End of Summer (Valerie)

Embellishments - Military Mega Boots (boot prints - MyMem)

Font - Berlin Sans FB Demi (White); Boulder (blue); Banner (white)

Ally Confirmation

We were invited to share in the celebration of our niece's Confirmation in April 2017. Ally's Aunt Tracy was her sponsor. Abbot Rev. Gary Hoover officiated the ceremony.

Thanks for taking a closer look!

Supplies Used

My Memories Suite

Background - Dec 2016 Blog Train (LisaMM)

Embellishments - Taffeta Ribbon (ribbon and bow - SU); Love Me Do (dove - MyMem); Black Brad (SU)

Shape - Square (filled w/white); Dotted Scallop (filled w/white)

Font - Curlz MT (red)

Balboa Island

 

In February 2017, while waiting for Mike's brother and his family to get home from work/school, Mike and I spent the day on Balboa Island. It was a great way to spend the morning. We spent the afternoon/evening at Mike's brother's house.

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used:

My Memories Suite

Background - Lovely Mini Kit (MemMos)

Embellishments - Down by the Seashore (shore sighted overlay cluster - MyMem); By the Seaside (cluster - ddnd)

Font - Beach (blue)

Dana Point

 

In February 2017, we flew to California to visit with Mike's family. We took a trip to Dana Point with his parents and spent a few days there enjoying the weather and each other. Whenever we do get the chance to go to Dana Point, we never miss out on eating at The Brig! We met up with Mike's Aunt and Uncle for lunch at Jon's Fish Market. Then we ate dinner at El Torito. 

Thanks for taking a closer look!

Supplies Used:

My Memories Suite

Background - Anchor Away Mini (kapi)

Embellishments - Deep Blue Sea Mini (seaweed - QueenBr); Summer Vacation (splash - LinJane); Blog Train 2016 Aout (starfish - LouiseL)

Font - Boulder (white)

Pinot's Palette

 

In January 2017, my best friend, Dawn, persuaded me to try painting at Pinot's Palette in North Olmsted, Ohio. We had a lot of fun that night! And... we got to take home our masterpieces too! LOL!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used:

My Memories Suite

Background - Little Things (Alb2Rem)

Embellishments - Sept 2017 Blog Train (paintswatch - Kathryn); Its the Little Things (paint - MyMem); Little Artist (paintbrush and palette - ddnd); Colour my World (paint tube - LinsCre)

Font - Brush Script (black)

Brunswick Lake

I have finally completed my 2017 Photobook.... with the things that we have done throughout the year. I realize that I haven't shared the pages with you yet. So, over the course of the next few days I hope to share with you my pages and to give credit to the designers who made my pages look beautiful. Now, I do have to say, my husband takes most of the photos, so without his great photo-taking skills.... we wouldn't have the great yearly photobooks that we have!

Before I show you the Brunswick Lake pages, I'd like to show you what the cover looks like. The back shows just the background paper.

Cover Page

Background - Family (Snicker)

Embellishments - Lavender Sachet (ribbon - ADBD); Love (white flower - MyMem); Happy Lucky Days (floral flourish - ADBD); A Touch of Purple (purple flower - Benthai)

Shapes - Timeless Type Junior Numbers (2017 - white)

Font - Majestic (black)

Now, here are my Brunswick Lake pages. I made a two-page spread, as well as the first page in the book.

 

In January 2017, it was such a beautiful day... Mike and I walked around the trail at the Nature Center in Brunswick. We walked both the inside and the outside trail... about 1.5 miles total. It was great to get out and enjoy the weather.

Supplies Used:
My Memories Suite
Background - blue
Embellishments - Snow Day Sampler (snowflakes and snowkid- QueenBr); Basic Rhinestones (SU); Snowy Weather (snowman - ddnd);
Stamp Brush Set - Vintage Overlays (texture - SU)
Font - Bodoni MT (white); Lavandria (white)

Calendar Pages 2018

Each year I create a Calendar for the next year with things that we've done in the previous year. This year was no different. Usually I post each page individually to this site, as I do them. However, this year... I forgot to do them. So... in an attempt to get me up-to-date, I will post the whole calendar here (under each, I will give credit to what designers digital elements I've used).

I created this calendar in my digital software (My Memories Suite).

Here is the front cover of my calendar. Simple, yet elegant! 

Background paper - Sweet Bear Mini (SyrenaE)

Font - Pickwick (white), Branball Small (Blue)

January Page

Background - Blue

Embellishments - Snow Day Sampler (snowflakes - QueenBr); Rhinestones (SU)

Stamp Brush Sets - Vintage Overlays (SU); Blossoms Abound (ampersand - SU)

Font - Lavanderia (white); Bodoni MT (white)

Here is January's grid. I won't post the rest of the calendar grids, as they are all relatively the same. My digital software creates the grid and fills in the days for each month. You decide what font to use for the month name, week name and numbers... you can even choose to have no grid lines too. I added in the holidays and my family's birthdays myself as added text boxes.

Font - Wide Latin (month & year); Fantasy (weekday names & numbers); Arial Narrow (birthdays and holidays)

February Page

Background - My Heart (Dillie)

Embellishments - Wedding Day Hearts (hearts string - MyMem); A Day in May (lace - MyMem); ConGRADulations (grey ribbon - MyMem)

Font - Chopin Script (Black)

March Page

Background - Happy Lucky Days (OvThFnc)

Embellishments - St Patty's (clover - DD); Paddys Day Mini (ribbon - MemMos)

Font - LongIsland (green); Mistral (white)

April Page

Background - April 2017 Mini (RvMcSou)

Embellishments - April 2017 Blog Train (glass dot border - LisaMM

Font - Trebuchet MS (blue); CK Honey (blue and green)

May Page

Background - Blog Train May 2016 (LouiseL)

Embellishments - Walk in the Park II (leaf border - SU)

Font - Cerebral (purple)

June Page

Background - End of Summer (Valerie)

Embellishment - Campfire Stories (ribbon - MagsGfx)

Font - Elephant (brown)

July Page

Background - white

Embellishments - Stars and Stripes (border - MyMem)

Stamp Brush Set - Decorative Overlays (starburst - SU)

Font - Rockwell Extra Bold (blue)

August Page

Background - Beige

Embellishments - Beach Time (starfish - Dillie)

Shapes - Square (filled w/End of Summer paper - Valerie)

Stamp Brush Sets - Vintage Overlays (texture - SU)

Font - LD Shelley Print (brown)

September Page

Background - yellow

Stamp Brush Set - Presto Patterns (floral frame - SU)

Font - Chancellor (green)

October Page

Background - Apple Pickin Mini (MemMos)

Embellishments - Recipe Book (apple - DSP)

Shape - Square (filled w/A Brighter Day - MyMem)

Font - Cooper Black (red)

November Page

Background - Autumn Memories (MyMem)

Embellishments - Changing of the Seasons (ribbon - MyMem); Mommy and Me (leaves - Ostrea)

Font - Playball (gold)

December Page

Background - Blog Train December 2015 (Clopez)

Embellishments - Blog Train 2015 (poinsettia - MyMem)

Font - At Last Greeting (white)

Beautiful Pattern

Using the Merry Patterns stamp set, I made a Birthday card instead of the traditional Christmas card that the set is known for.

To create the "snow" on the bottom of the page, I used the Totally Trees stamp set. The stamp that shows a strip of ground (or water) depending on how you use it. I stamped first one strip in Versamark ink, then used white embossing powder, and finally heat embossed it. I repeated this process to create snow drifts along the bottom. Cool - Huh? I also white embossed the snowflakes too.

Thanks for checking out my post!

Stamp sets - Beautiful Bouquet, Totally Trees, Merry Patterns
Ink - Versamark, Memento, Stampin' Blends (Crumb Cake, Bronze)
Paper - Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip
Accessories - Heat Tool, White Emboss Powder, Early Espresso Satin Ribbon

Layered Kitty

Here's a cute card for my cute niece who is turning 14! Wow! Can't believe how fast all my nieces and nephews are growing up! It's great to hear their views and attitudes about things... and how they've changed as they grow.

My niece loves animals, so this card was really not hard to come up with... although... she's not a pink person... so had to incorporate other colors for her.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used:
Stamp Set - Pretty Kitty
Ink - Memento, Stampin' Blends (Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie)
Paper - Bermuda Bay, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Accessories - Big Shot, Layered Leaves Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (DTIEF)

Blooming Birthday

 

I still get a lot of my inspiration from online through Pinterest, Stampin' Connection and Splitcoaststampers websites. This card was no different! The card on the right is from Kylie Page.... beautiful! I changed up a few things to make my own version! Still stunning!

I stamped the floral image 4 times around the edge, and colored it in using my Stampin' Blends.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Stamp Set - Birthday Blooms
Ink - Memento, Stampin' Blends (Pool Party, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight)
Paper - Pool Party, Basic Black, Whisper White

Balloon Icing

This stamp set  (Icing on the Cake) reminds me of my experiences with cake decorating. As with real cake decorating, stamping with this set does take a bit of patience to get the stamps straight! LOL! So, if it's a teeny off center... it's true to life cake decorating! Such fun!

With each balloon, I stamped first in the lighter color - Flirty Flamingo, Lemon Lime Twist and Peekaboo Peach. Then, stamped the darker color over top each balloon - Real Red, Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie respectively. Oh... I did mask the green balloon with a scrap piece of paper before stamping the red and orange ones.

Thanks for taking a closer look!

Stamp Set - Icing in the Cake
Ink - Flirty Flamingo, Lemon Lime Twist, Peekaboo Peach, Real Red, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Memento
Paper - Old Olive, Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories - scrap paper

Special Bird

There are many different wood patterns in the Wood Textures DSP (Designer Series Paper) that make each card you make unique. I thought to pair the white -washed wood paper with Red and Crumb to create a holiday feel. Here's a get-well card for my brother who is having surgery on his hip during the winter months here in Ohio. Here's hoping that he heals quickly and is back on his feet soon.

I used several different stamp sets here.... the sentiment is from 'Rose Wonder'; the leaves are from 'Special Reason' and the bird is from 'Swirly Bird'. (I did use scissors to cut the bird out... I was surprised it didn't have a coordinating thinlit).

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets - Rose Wonder, Special Reason, Swirly Bird
Ink - Garden Green, Real Red, Crumb Cake
Paper - Crumb Cake, Real Red, Whisper White, Wood Textures DSP
Accessories - glue dots, dimensionals

Christmas Lifesaver Packs

 

I remember when I was a kid getting a Lifesaver Sweet Storybook for Christmas. The Lifesavers rolls were each different... 5 rolls per side. Nowadays, they still sell the Lifesaver storybook.... BUT... it has only 6 rolls in it and all the rolls are the same.

So, for a cute little nostalgia for me and my siblings.... I decided to create my own lifesaver pack with different flavor rolls in each! Cool huh!

I started with a plain white piece of cardstock 10.25x 5.75. I scored it on the 1", 4.75", 5.75" and 9.5" (lengthwise) and 1", 4.75" (widthwise). I cut on each score line (lengthwise) until the first score line (each side). Widthwise, I only cut to the first score line on the .75 end.

I used scrap Christmas DSP (Designer Series Paper) to decorate each side. The squares were a 3 7/8" x 3 7/8" and the ends were 3 7/8 x 7/8". I then rounded the edges for the box ends, so they could be tucked in easier.

I attached the 'Seasonal Chums' tag to each box top after coloring it in with the new Stampin Blends markers.  I do have to say that I love using them!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used:
Stamp Set - Seasonal Chums
Paper - Whisper White, The Christmas Specialty DSP
Ink - Stampin Blends ( Crumb Cake, Smoky Slate, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Bermuda Bay), Memento
Accessories - Big Shot, Magnetic Plate, Seasonal Tags Framelits, scissors, Simply Scored Tool, Round Corner Punch