Sweet Moments

If you were looking for an excuse to go out for your favorite ice cream treat...you've got one. It's National Ice Cream Day!

According to the International Dairy Foods Association, in 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by a full 90% of the nation's population. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

I'll admit, it's hard to say no to ice cream. ;) My faves...our local Ollie's Strawberry Arctic Blast, DQ Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard and from the grocer's freezer, Fanny Mae Mint Meltaway. Yum!

I'm headed up to Galena territory this week with Chris and the kids. We're looking forward to some serious downtime and the opportunity to reconnect. Our big guys have been very busy so it seems like they haven't been around much. It will be wonderful to enjoy five whole days together! :)

I'll catch up with you when we return. Until then, may you enjoy lots of sweet moments! Smiles~ Patti

Project Details
Stamps: Hero Arts Sweet Moments
Paper: Basic Grey Two Scoops, SU! Whisper White, Blue Bayou, Sage Shadow
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Versamagic Cloud White
Other: May Arts Ribbon, Bling, X-mas Red Stickles, Copics

CP Monarch Butterfly

When I received my Monarch and Swallowtail Butterflies stamp set from Creative Play, my husband asked "Don't you already have butterfly stamps?" I replied, "Um, yes, but these are a totally different design." Fortunately, he let it go at that. Truth is, I think I've developed a thing for butterfly stamps. ;)

Laura's take on the Monarch and Swallowtail are so realistic. They are truly beautiful! I've used the Monarch here with Daisy D Gypsy Harvest Paper. The paper is gorgeous! It looks similar to a scarf that my uncle brought back for me from his trip to Turkey a couple of years ago. Coupled with the black embossing powder it helps make the Monarch come alive.

Thanks for visiting today! Take care~ Patti

Project Details
Stamps: Creative Play Monarch & Swallowtail Butterflies, Thank You
Paper: SU! Basic Black & Whisper White, Daisy D Gypsy Harvest
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark, SU! So Saffron & More Mustard
Other: Black embossing powder, Scallop scissors, Ticket punch, black velvet ribbon, amber bling

Inspired by Priscilla

Hello! It feels like ages since my last post. The weather changes here in Northern Illinois have left me dealing with some migraine headaches. I had one Friday which made me miss a stamping get together with friends. (pout) It lingered through Saturday and then I got some relief yesterday.

I found myself anxious to stamp today, but needed a bit of inspiration to get going. I recently recieved this lovely tulip card from my friend Priscilla. Isn't it gorgeous!? The red, white and black combination is so striking, it inspired me to use the same color combination with my new Inkadinkado stamp.

My card is pretty simple but it was the beginnings of a fun afternoon of stamping. I'll stop back later on with another design. Until then, enjoy your day! ~Patti

Project Details

Stamps: Inkadinkado, Verve

Paper: SU! Basic Black, Whisper White, misc

Ink: Versamagic Midnight Black

Other: brads, Queen & Co felt fine, word window punch, photo corner punch, Fiskars treading water punch

Brilliant!

I'm so honored to have been given an award by my blogging friend, Christi Milliken. Christi shares her beautiful work and her beautiful self through her blog Blessings on Paper. Her blog name says it all! It has been a true blessing getting to know her Christi through her blog and our email chats. Thank you Christi, you inspire me in so many ways!

The rules for this award are:
1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link to the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you've nominated.

I'm sharing this award with the following ladies. The first four, Paula, Amy, Priscilla and Juli are dear friends of mine. I enjoy visiting their blogs not only because they are incredibly creative, but also because it's just one more fun way that we can connect and share life.

Like Christi, Angel and I have become friends through blogging. Angel's so sweet, does lovely design work and I really enjoy the stories she shares about her family. It's through Angel that I found Nancy and Amy's blogs. Be sure to make some time to visit them as their blogs are simply delightful.

1. Paula
2. Amy
3. Priscilla
4. Juli
5. Angel
6. Nancy
7. Amy S

The common thread among these women and myself is that we are all Christians. So ladies, if you haven't seen this, I'm passing it on to you for your blog.

Thanks for the continued stamping and spiritual inspiration that you so freely share! Blessings & Hugs~ Patti

Feeling Glamourous?

This girl definately is! She's all decked out and has been on a major shopping spree. I hope it wasn't in downtown Chicago with those shoes. ;)

My sister, Kenee and I were recently sharing some giggles about feeling glamourous at 40. She called to tell me that Molly Ringwald had also turned 40 this year. Which made me feel a lot better. ;)

I've really been missing Kenee, so this glamour girl is headed for Alabama. Hope she can stand the heat!

Thanks for stopping by today! ~Patti

Project Details
Stamps- Melanie from Rubber Romance, saying from Art Impressions
Paper- SU! Whisper White & Basic Black, Misc DP
Ink- SU! Basic Black, SU! Markers
Other- Bling, Stickles

Wickedly Green

I was so happy that I felt up to stamping this afternoon. I don't know what I'm going to do when I have to go back to working every day. I'll have to attend therapy for stamp withdrawl. ;)

This card is totally inspired by the musical production, Wicked. My mom bought me tickets for my birthday! My daughter Sarah, my mom and I are going to see it in August and Sarah is so excited that she can hardly stand the wait.

My mom loves green, so I'm hoping she enjoys the card. I used my Creative Play Swirl Garden set, this time featuring the large butterfly. This set has quickly become a favorite of mine!

Going to the theatre is such a treat and I'm just thrilled that I can share it with two of my favorite people! Thanks mom, we're looking forward to spending the day with you!

Project Details
Stamps: Creative Play Swirl Garden & Thank You
Paper: SU! Whisper White, Basic Black, Gable Green, Misc DP
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Other: Lime Stickles, Ribbon, Bling, Marvy Giga Scallop punch

From Amy

Just wanted to show off this gorgeous card that Amy sent me for my birthday. The color combination is lovely isn't it? Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Pomegranate...love it! Amy has a real eye for color. And look at those cute little pearls and all that ribbon! This card is a slice of heaven!

Amy is such a sweet friend. She can find the silver lining in just about anything. I enjoy being around her positive spirti! She's also a teriffic mom to three beautiful girls and an amazing stamper and scrapbooker.

If you haven't been to Amy's blog yet, be sure to visit it here.

Thanks again for the beautiful card Amy! :)

Chicago Trip

Made it through the "bug" and I'm feeling a lot better today. Thank you for all of the birthday wishes you sent my way. You are all so very sweet!

I enjoyed spending the day with my family in Chicago. We took the train and then a water taxi to Michigan Avenue. I recommend the water taxi as it gives you chance to take in some of the architecture and it's only $2 a person.

The Magnificent Mile was pretty intense. The pace of things had me feeling kind of rushed. But we did have a fun time at the Lego Store and the Hershey Store and we even stopped in Tiffany's!

After shopping Michigan Avenue, we took a walk to a stamping store called Stamp On In. Let me just say that 20 "city blocks" are NOT the same as 20 blocks in good ole DeKalb. Sarah and I are pretty sure we walked about 5 miles! lol The store was a lot of fun though and I picked up few goodies and even got 10% off because it was my b-day.

From there, we took the bus (again, well worth it as it had AC) back toward Millenium Park. At the park, we took in the Cloud Gate which was amazing and Crown Fountain which we thought would be a nice treat for our feet, but Sarah and I ended up getting drenched by some very obnoxious children who were kicking water. Fortunately, the warm breeze had us dried off in no time.

By then we were all starving and landed at Giordano's Pizza for a very delish stuffed pepperoni pizza Chicago Style! By the time we ate and chatted about our day, it was nearly 8pm and we needed to head back to the train station.

We missed Buckingham Fountain due to the Taste of Chicago and decided to wait on the Sears Skydeck because it was such an overcast day. All in all it was a great day, but I have to admit "there's no place like home", especially when you realize your not a "city girl". ;)

Thanks for stopping by to share in my trip! Smiles~ Patti