Happy Valentine's Day

I hope everyone is having a lovely Valentine' Day. I've been wanting to make cupcakes for the longest time, and I decided Valentine's day would be great for that - so, I made cupcakes last night. It's been many many years and my cupcake making abilities are not where they should be, but I did learn from my mistakes and I'm sure the next batch will look much better. The 3 here in the picture are the best looking ones.

I did not make the House Mouse DT, but I'm o.k. with that and the ladies that did win have amazing talent and blogs - if you haven't already stop by and check them out, you'll be glad you did. I am a believer in everything happens for a reason, and I'm happy to wait it out. Thank you all for your well wishes - they are truly appreciated.

I recently opened 3 online shops, Etsy, ShopHandmade, and ArtFire so I have been busy getting them going - we'll see what happens. But what I wanted to tell you is that I found the most amazing Etsy shop for digital images and when I asked if she could put together a banner for me - even though it was her first one - it turned out beautiful and went very quickly. So if you are interested in either, please stop by Trishia's Shop - FrenchKissed
and take a look at all her wonderful images from French postcards, etc. and if you're looking for a banner - check that out as well.

I'm still working on my husband's Valentines card, so that's all I have for today - have a wonderful weekend.

Paper Trey Anniversary Sketch Challenge

Paper Trey is having an Anniversary celebration. Part of that celebration is a sketch challenge over on Nichole Heady's blog. I love so many of their stamps, but sadly I have only a few. Have you ever used their paper? It's wonderful. It's heavy, and the colors are beautiful - I don't have enough of these either - soon to change. Anyway, I decided I was finally going to take part in one of their challenges. And the prize is bunches of their beautiful new ribbons. The deadline is Sunday, Feb. 8 - so hop over and take part. This was a wonderful and much needed break from my usual routine - thanks Paper Trey

Supplies: CS - Vintage Cream by Paper Tray, Pink by Bazzill
DP - First Blush Collection by Studio D from Michaels
Sentiment - Mixed Messages from Paper Trey
Accents - Pearls by Making Memories, ribbon from Michael's

Have a wonderful weekend, please take some time for yourself to do what you love. Take Care

A Thank You and CardMaker Magazine

Happy Friday everyone!! Before I get started, I just want to say thank you to all of you for your well wishes regarding the DT for House Mouse. I haven't heard anything either way yet, but I truly believe everything happens for a reason, so if I'm not accepted I believe it's because it's just not the right time for me now, and I will be happy just being able to be part of the challenges. But again thanks to you all.

It's snowing lightly here and very beautiful. We're hoping to get a lot more. Living in a mountain resort town is wonderful, however you do depend on certain things in order to eek out a living. In the winter it's snow, and we haven't had enough of it this year, but hopefully our storm door is opening and we'll be able to pull this winter off. With the economy the way it is I know that so many are having hard times - we have lost several businesses in town within just the past few months, and the rest of us just take it one day - literally - at a time

On a brighter note, some months back I received notice from CardMaker Magazine that they had accepted one of my submissions. I am so amazed, honored and happy to be included in such a wonderful magazine. The name of my card is Baby Dear and is included in the March/April issue. Of course then being who I am, I was concerned that I would be a one hit wonder - and that would be the end. Happily that is not the case, another one of my cards has been picked up for future publication with CardMaker, and I have also recently been published in Somerset "Gallery" magazine. I will post that at another time.

Have a wonderful weekend and try to spend at least some time for yourself, doing what YOU love.

Take Care,
Dru

HM DT Entry

The House Mouse Monday Blog Challenge is looking for 2 new DT members. To be considered we must make a post on our blog with 3 examples of our work and tell why we would like to be a member of the Design Team. I think my reasons are entirely selfish - I love the mice. I actually love real mice and rats and bats - pretty much any rodent type, and gave my granddaughter a white rat for Christmas - but I digress. House Mouse images are some of the cutest around and allow me to bring out what whimsical side I have. I would love to have the experience that is to be gained by being part of a group like this and working with the so many talented women (men too if there are any)on this team. There is so much to be learned and I would definitely be honored to work inside this environment. Even if I'm not chosen, thank you for the consideration - and maybe next time my work will be better.

In the 2 previous posts, if you scroll down, there are 2 other HM card posts.

House Mouse Monday Blog Challenge

HM Blog Challenges are due Sunday evenings - I posted last weeks challenge yesterday evening - almost not on time - so how is it I can get this weeks challenge posted today? Well, I already had the paper out which I love, and I only have so many HM images - I used the only Valentine image I had last week, and did not want to repeat myself - so the choice was fairly simple - it was the ONLY one I could fit into a Valentine's Day theme - at least I hope I did. Anyway, stop by the HM Blog and play along. The mice are so cute and it's great fun.

I hope your Monday was good - you know how Monday's can be. Thanks so much for stopping by, your comments are so appreciated and inspirational.

Valentine's Day...

really is just around the corner now. This card was made for this week's House Mouse Monday Blog Challenge The challenge was paper piercing - now honestly I don't think this is hard, but for some reason most of the time I have a hard time getting my piercing straight, and I'm usually in a hurry - soooo most of the embellishments you see here are actually hiding poor piercing ability - the bow and the line of rhinestones on the top left - both hiding piercing I was not happy with, however - I am pretty happy with the card. I love the little mouse and this new paper I just got - love it. It's from My Minds Eye and I just think the colors are beautiful, an oh yes, I did actually do some paper piercing, but you can't really see it in the photo, hmmmm.
Really, I did - bottom right corner and up the right side - two full lines, and - they're straight too.

That's it - hope everyone had a nice quiet and restful Sunday.

Take Care