A treat or two for you tonight...with a small giveaway at the end...
I love Saturday nights...there's something so restful and peaceful about them...very uncomplicated...I'd have to say they might be my favorite. I have wonderful memories of Saturday nights as a child...we'd work hard together during the day as a family...in the garden weeding and picking raspberries in the summer, cutting firewood in the winter, burning weeds in the spring and then roasting hot dogs over the flames, and playing our hearts out after we'd gotten our work done. We'd gather together for dinner...all exhausted, sunburned, and ready to be cozied up for the night....most likely eating our favorite thing ever...macaroni and weenies :) (don't laugh if you haven't tried this delicacy)....such sweet, happy times.
I created this fun Valentine card for the Darkroom Door blog.... Rachel Greig, the creator of these lovable and beautiful stamps and products is such a creative genius...I used the Dots Background stamps, Ladies Photobooth, Gentlemen Photobooth, All Occasion Rubber Stamps, and Prague Vol. I Wordstrip.
I've left instructions for you on the blog in case you'd like to create your own.
And...a card created for the Emma's Paperie blog this week...based on a sketch by Sherry Wright... These colors make me smile....and make my mouth water....
And, or course, I love the sentiment too. I'm a believer or miracles....some small, some not so...but all occurring on a daily basis because we are loved. A complete supply list can be found HERE on the Emma's Paperie blog.
And...a little Papertrey lovin' tonight... I used one of my favorite stamp sets here....Background Basics: Hearts. I stamped the chipboard heart with one of the backgrounds included in the set, and then created my own patterned paper with the other background. The sentiment is from the Tiny Treats: Valentine set, with Sweet Blush Grosgrain and Pure Poppy and True Black ink.
So.....as a way of expressing my thanks...with hope that you may know that you are appreciated and loved and valued beyond words...I want to offer a small giveaway....it will be a creative pocket filled with bits and bobs of my most favorite things...paper, buttons, trim, tea-stained twill tape, vintage sheet music...etc...all you have to do is leave a comment here on this post telling me something that you are going to do for yourself this week....we get so caught up and wrapped up in all that life demands of us....that we forget to care for and spoil ourselves once in a while....so, please share...that's the only requirement aside for actually doing it. I'll close the comments on Monday night at midnight PST, and will randomly chose a winner on Tuesday. I'll mail you out a Lilybean care package straight from my heart, to your hands :)
Night friends.
I guess it isn't too likely that number 1 will be picked :) but I feel honored to be the first one to post! This week I will get a pedicure after two long weeks of recovering from surgery I am in need of some self TLC!
Posted by: Dawn | January 23, 2010 at 06:23 PM
I am going to work on an art journal entry...or maybe start making a book just for myself. I get so busy filling orders for guest books and journals for others I often neglect feeding my own little art spirit! Thanks for the reminder to take some time out! :)
Posted by: Uberart - Beth | January 23, 2010 at 06:27 PM
I'm going to go up to Boston tomorrow and spend the day with my daughter. We'll shop and eat and talk! I can't wait! Then during the week I'd like to sit down at my worktable and work on some Valentine goodies for the people I work with. Can't wait! Thank you for sharing all your wonderful creations. I love them all!
Posted by: Janice Marcham | January 23, 2010 at 06:35 PM
What beautiful cards! It is so true how wrapped up we get in the everyday and before you know it you are spent and lifeless! This week I am going to go shopping by myself...no toddler, no husband. Alone. Beautiful :0)
Posted by: Lindsay A. | January 23, 2010 at 06:36 PM
Winter and other things have had me feeling really low recently. I'm going to have a nice lunch out with a dear friend.
Posted by: Cyndi | January 23, 2010 at 06:36 PM
You cards are amazingly beautiful!
This week I am going to begin filling up an inspiration journal that I recently bought for myself and pre plan some menus so I have more time to create pretty things from that inspiration journal in the future.
Posted by: Brenda W. | January 23, 2010 at 06:39 PM
Hi Melis!!! This week I am going to try to scrap a little bit, I haven't done anything since Christmas and I miss my scrapping sooooooo much!!!!! Thank you for the chance and have a wonderful weekend! :D
Posted by: Alessandra Loiacono | January 23, 2010 at 06:40 PM
I did something for myself today! I went to two local thrift stores to search for hidden treasures and found a vintage printer's tray at Goodwill for $4.99!!!! I'm still on cloud 9...can't wait to make something crafty with it...
Posted by: Kristen | January 23, 2010 at 06:40 PM
Let's see! After we get my son's basketball game and kids school referendum meetings done. OH! I know! My preordered "This is it!" dvd will arrive. I will enjoy watching Michael once again. Personal opinions of his later life aside....I grew up with his phenomenal music and want to remember him as an amazing talent.
Posted by: heidi quick | January 23, 2010 at 06:43 PM
This week I am going to remember my personal goals and strive to keep them! My favorite goal right now is to attend my weekly WW meeting for motivation, encouragement, and accountability to be healthier and take care of myself! (Of course scrapbooking is always a treat for me!!)
Posted by: Becky Elliott | January 23, 2010 at 06:48 PM
You are so talented and I am always in awe of everything you do!!
This week I am buying a book that I have been wanting so bad..."The Fixer Upper" by Mary Kay Andrews. I have read all of her books and really really want this one to take on my trip to Montana to visit my dd and her husband. I rarely buy hardcover books for myself and this is a splurge for sure....YAY!!
Posted by: justlisa | January 23, 2010 at 06:49 PM
Amazing projects (as usual). Tomorrow night I plan on curling up on the couch with a up of hot cocoa laced with butterscotch schnaps and starting one of the books I received as a gift for Christmas. It's always a treat for me to start a book so I like to make it kind of special.
Posted by: Sheila D | January 23, 2010 at 06:49 PM
Gorgeous cards, as always :) This week I am going to make sure I get to the gym for exercise and a few yoga classes. I always feel better when I make that time for myself.
Posted by: rebecca keppel | January 23, 2010 at 06:52 PM
Always so lovely to visit your blog, Melissa. I would say my 'spoil' of this week was taking a nice hot bath RIGHT in the MIDDLE of the DAY! I fought the urge most of the early afternoon, but my aching muscles pushed me to give myself permission....sometimes, that's all we need.
Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Posted by: Julie Ranae | January 23, 2010 at 06:58 PM
Uh - let's see, does flossing my teeth count? No? Well how about making an appointment for my annual mammogram? Yes, that's it, that's what I'm doing for me this week. I know - I'm living large, huh? I may even use some hair remover and remove the peach fuzz off my upper lip. Try to contain your envy of my thrill seeking life.
Posted by: Gabriela | January 23, 2010 at 06:59 PM
I am hoping the silhouette machine I have spent ages saving for will finally arrive at my house & I will get the chance to play with it. Thank you for all your card inspiration I will be looking back at them for some ideas!
Posted by: Leonie- Australia | January 23, 2010 at 06:59 PM
lovin' all your creations, as always! :) so sparkly and sentimental! let's see, for this week i will be painting my toes (they desperately need it). i'll also be visiting with my counselor...it's a weekly thing i do for me...usually exhausting and hard, but in the long run, it's for a healthier me! and then after that meeting, i'll find be doing some crafty things...a great stress reliever for me! :)
Posted by: amber r. | January 23, 2010 at 07:03 PM
Hi!
It's really hard to choose one thing I'd really like to do for myself because as wives and mothers and Grandma's are lives revolve around our families. But maybe a special cuddle on the couch with the man of my dreams in my flannel pjs with a cup of tea watching the fire blaze! That sounds so nice! After football of course!
Posted by: Cindy | January 23, 2010 at 07:04 PM
Thank you for a chance to win a goodie from you! I am going to drive down the Gulf Coast a couple of hours and meet a blogging friend to pick up her doggies and baby-sit them at my house while she and her husband go to Disney! It's a joy for me to help them out and I love the drive between my house and hers...so pretty.
Posted by: sandy | January 23, 2010 at 07:04 PM
Melis I love your blog, I plan on curling up in a nice warm blanket and finishing a book I started reading forever ago. Have a great day!
Posted by: tina lenderman | January 23, 2010 at 07:07 PM
hi Mellisa, what am i going to do for me? I am going 2 change all the photographs in my frames about the house. I like to do this from time to time and i have been neglecting them of late...
Posted by: Alyssa B | January 23, 2010 at 07:13 PM
I am going to work on getting outside and having some exercise time for myself. No phones, no computers!
Posted by: Ginny H | January 23, 2010 at 07:15 PM
How sweet of you to offer a giveaway. I have you on my Google Reader and enjoy every post! I already did something for myself this weekend by working on a card and trying not to judge myself as I did it, but just have fun. Do you have this problem? Your cards look like you have fun doing them and don't fuss or fret over them. But gosh, that shabby, collage style is deceptively difficult! Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted by: Jessica Canham | January 23, 2010 at 07:16 PM
I am in LOVE with all your creations Melis! Such beautiful work....everytime!!
This week I'm going to take a nice hot bubble bath and have some scrappy time!
Posted by: Becki | January 23, 2010 at 07:21 PM
Your work is SO gorgeous & SO inspirational! Sometimes when you list the sets you've used on your projects I have to look back, because I have the set you refer to, and would've never thought to use it the way you do!! So much beauty here on your blog- and from your words, even more in your heart!
Thank you so much for the opportunity to win some lovelies from you- I read every post with a happy heart! :)
Posted by: jen shears | January 23, 2010 at 07:22 PM