Hello Friend Birthday Card

Hi Friends, Using Graphic 45's Botanical Tea paper collection, here's a sweet nature inspired birthday card I created for my friend Heather.  This collection is an older line, but the images and color palette are so classic, they will remain a favorite of mine for a long time.  Thanks for dropping by and having a peek.  Hugs ~ Dawna

Friendship Swap Gifts from ILovePapalons

Morning Friends,

Today I'm sharing goodies I revived from my dear friend Glenda (aka ILovePapalons at sb.com) for our recent friendship swap.   She is so talented, always inspires me and is such a sweetheart.   I am very lucky to have her in my life and enjoy her friendship.   When this package arrived, well she sure out did herself  on this swap!   So much goodness, I oohed and awed for weeks while I had these on display for everyone to enjoy.  

Let's take a close look at the hanging banner she made.  Its oh so shabby with so many fine details, it deserves a few close ups to take it all in.  By the way, my favorite color palette is soft aquas.  She certainly nailed this on the head!   

Here's the first "Follow Your Heart"  panel which shows off so many pretty elements, including this stunning  peacock dress form:

"Follow Your Heart Panel" 1

There are so many beautiful elements to this panel, the lovely lace, zig-zag trim, organza ribbon, gold tassel, pretty roses, and the lovely organza bows tying them all together.  I have no idea where she found this fantastic peacock dress form, but she knows I love everything vintage too so I can see why she featured this beautiful element.  Then there is the vintage key and sweet sentiment, I love them both! 

Here's the next panel:

"Its the Journey not the Destination" Panel 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh so true!  Now it doesn't get more angelic than this!  beautiful papers, fairies, pillars, even a vintage "D" for my name, lovely roses, pearls, music (which is my favorite past time) and more organza bows tying everything together.  Love the stickpins, petite rose buds, and the framing of pretty pearls, everything is so elegant!  

Next Up:

"Laugh Often, Love Much" Panel 3

Knowing Glenda she handmade the beautiful stickpins and that amazing organiza flower on the dressform, oh so pretty!

Love the header with the beautiful gold overlayed swirls, the beautiful cameo, vintage tape measure and stunning frame and dress work!  Again, so elegant!  And see that tiny, itty bitty gold shoe peaking out from behind that skirt?  Perfect finishing touch! <3 p="">
Last banner: 

"Enjoy Life!"  Panel 4

There is no end to Glenda's inspiration!  Love that peacock dress form, vintage lace, organza flowers and ribbons, handmade stickpins, beautiful sentiments, tulle butterfly and all the finishing pearl touches.  Just lovely my friend, just lovely!  <3 nbsp="" p="">

Then if that wasn't enough, she also sent me these three lovely gifts also, yes, she totally went overboard an spoiled me!  

"Keys to Our Hearts" Pillow

Mini Pearl Bottle

Watering Can Pin Cushion

You can't see the pin at the top of the watering can but its a blue butterfly, perfect way to top off such a love set of gifts!  I can assure you Glenda that these beautiful gifts will inspire me for many, many years to come my dear friend!  Thank you so much for your amazing generosity! 

Well that's it for me today.  If you liked this post, please feel free to follow this blog or sign-up for emails to see whats next.  If you have a minute to leave a message, thank you so much for taking the time to let me know you dropped by!  Until next time, create something from your heart and be inspired my friends!   Big Hugs  ~  Dawna

If I Coiuld Freeze The Picture and Make it Last Forever

Morning Friends,

Nothing says winter like snowflakes and icicles!  But here in beautiful Southern California we don't get too much of either,  so a little "make believe" was in order to pull off this winter wonderland.

Missy Loves Bird Watching

To start things off, let me introduce you to my lovely fur baby "Missy."  She is a large Maincoon and just turned 12 years old over Christmas.  She's a momma's girl, but likes to socialize so she'll come out to say hello when company comes by.   Her favorite past time is bird watching.  In the mornings she sits with me at  the desk while I catch up on blogs, make comments and enjoy my coffee.  She's been a godsend this past year as I've finely made the transition to a happy empty nester. After all who could be lonesome with this loveable face following you around every day? 

To create this layout I used: 

~Teresa Collins "Dec. 25th" Cricut Cartridge for the snowflakes, swirls and birds.  
~ Krylon's "Silver Marker" to color the tree and ice cycle ledge.
~"Diamond Dust" to create the snowy ice cycles.
~Teressa Collins "Summer Stories" Paper Collection for the sentiment card, matting and back ground paper. 
~Tim Holtz's "Branch Tree" die.
~ Spellbinders "Icicles" die.
~ Martha Stewart's Punch Around the Page "Snowflake Set."

I Wish I Could Freeze the Picture and Make it Last Forever

Here are a few more snowflake close ups:

Right Corner with Prima Diamond Flower Centers

Left Corner with Prima Diamond Flower Centers

Well friends wherever you're visiting me from today, please stay warm and cozy!   Thanks for dropping by and may I wish you a happy day dear friends!   Hugs to All ~ Dawna

 

Sanctuary By The Sea

 

 Sanctuary By The Sea 

 Happy New Year Friends,

Today I'm sharing this lovely picture of my beautiful grand daughter Quinn and myself taken this past summer.  Quinn grew up very camera shy so the few pictures I do have of her are very precious, especially the ones with her smiling!   Over the years I've managed to snap a few pictures of us together but this one is by far my favorite!  

I created this layout using Authentique's beautiful vintage seaside inspired "Fresh" paper collection.  Here's a list of supplies I used to create this clean and simple layout:

Supplies List

2 ea 12 x 12 Bazzil Cardstock - Cardinal Red
1 ea 12 x 12 Bazzil Cardstock - Lakeshore Blue
1 ea 12 x 12 Authentique's "Fresh" Paper Collection - Pure
1 ea 12 x 12 Authentique's "Fresh" Paper Collection - Crisp
1 ea 12 x 12 Authentique's "Fresh" Paper Collection - Free
1 pk Dusty Attic Chipboard Set - Shells 
1 ea Ranger Ink - Liquid Pearls - Platinum Pearl 
1 ea Stem of Dusty Attic Grass Cluster Chipboard - No longer Available (Substitute if Desired)
1 ea Ranger Ink - Liquid Pearls - Avocado
1 pk Zva Creative Self Adhesive Pearls - White .5cm

1 ea Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Stormy Sky
1 ea We-R-Memory Keepers - Sew Easy - Red Floss
1 ea We-R-Memory Keepers - Sew Easy - Blue Floss
1 ea We-R-Memory Keepers - Sew Easy - Grey Floss
1 ea Wilton - Lace Doily - White - 6"
3 ea Queen & Co. - Goosebumps Rhinestones - Red
2 ea Little Scrap Shop - Mini Matchbook Stick Pins
1 ea Rangers Ink - Stickles Glitter Glue - Diamond
1 ea 4 x 6 picture of your choice

Tools List

1 ea We-R-Memory Keepers - Sew Easy - Piercing Mat
1 ea We-R-Memory Keepers - Sew Easy - Stitch Piercer Tool & Needle
1 ea We-R-Memory Keepers - Sew Easy - Zig Zag Piercer Tool
1 ea Zutter - Distrezz-It-All - Electric Distressing Tool #2
1 ea Martha Stewart Crafts - Large Circle Cutter
1 ea Kaisercraft - 14 x 14 Self Healing Cutting Mat 
1 ea Martha Stewart Crafts - Punch Around the Page Set - Large Butterfly Lace
1 ea Distress Ink Pad - Sponge Daubers 
1 ea We-R-Memory Keepers - Magnetic Working Mat Set (Optional) 
1 ea Ranger Ink - Inkssentials - Reusable Craft Mat Sheet (Optional)

Placeholder for my first tutorial film!  Be back soon with close-ups and a how-to video! :)