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 am reading my fav mystery books..that's my treat..
Posted by: bettyann | January 25, 2010 at 02:49 PM
I just love your beautiful work! I am going to take the time this week to really do some soul searching about some parenting issues that have come up recently. I find that it is easy to busy my mind and body and tune out of the things that are bothering me--but it is time to slow down and do some thinking!
Posted by: Lisa Risser | January 25, 2010 at 02:52 PM
My husband is away skiing this week and I plan to use the time to create a wonderful Valentine for him and other family members...using some of your great inspiration.....this blog is sooooo invaluable to me. I really appreciate the time you spend with us almost daily! You are an amazing artist! Keep it up, for our sake!
Posted by: Cscovel | January 25, 2010 at 03:18 PM
I am going to a rubber stamp camp tomorrow night - just for me! I've seen a preview of the projects we'll be doing & I LOVE them! It's been a rough few weeks so I am really happy to have plans to get out of the house & have fun doing what I love! I'd love to win the goodies you're offering. Thanks for the opportunity! And for sharing your talent so generously!
Posted by: Brenda Faylee Turner | January 25, 2010 at 04:01 PM
Well....I think I'll get busy this week making some personal little notebooks for ME and some friends! Maybe do a little sewing on some lap quilts...........so fun! Thanks for a chance to win! LOVE your blog!
Posted by: cheryl P. | January 25, 2010 at 04:02 PM
this week i'm going to make valentine cards for my friends and family - delve into a new author for me (steig larsson) - and play some bridge - i'm being pretty good to myself this week:) love your blog and read it and the pti designers nearly every day. thanks for all the inspiration.
Posted by: Betty | January 25, 2010 at 05:07 PM
I hope to spend some time in my craft room this week making Valentines. Thanks for all the inspiration you provide.
Posted by: Shellie Hartsock | January 25, 2010 at 05:19 PM
I've decided to {finally} get started on an art journal ... just for me. So far I love it and steal away a little time here and there, between mommy duties, to create and just let it flow. Ahhh now that feels good to my soul. {especially since it's turning out to be an art and spiritual journal combined.} I just started last week and hope to keep going with it all year long.
Posted by: DeniseLynn | January 25, 2010 at 05:20 PM
Thanks for the chance to win! I'm going to do a little scrapping this week. It's hard to find time out of work to do it but I will def make time for it!!
Posted by: Joanna Lee | January 25, 2010 at 05:23 PM
it sounds like you had a very wonderful childhood growing up. I think for myself this week I will do two things....I am hoping I will get them both accomplished but probably not. LOL
one night i plan to not cook dinner. jUst have a eat what you can grab night. I still end up doing dishes, but get one night off. I would also like to work out....at least 3 times this week, but that all depends on this nasty midwest weather too.
Posted by: Christina | January 25, 2010 at 06:08 PM
oh my! what a GRAND give-a-way, thanks so much for the chance to win. well i did something JUST for myself tonight. i wasnt going to but then i thought pssshhh! i need this. i took a dance/workout class. it was a TON of fun. and i may just do it again next week!
Posted by: Julie Smith (grace01) | January 25, 2010 at 06:19 PM
work has been very hectic but i am still thankful for my job. i plan to veg out on friday night when i'm home alone and not think about work or chores or anything important! thanks for all of the inspiration on your blog, your work is beautiful and i enjoy oohing and ahhing over all of it!
Posted by: sarah | January 25, 2010 at 06:19 PM
I had lunch with some dear friends today and was telling them about all of your beautiful work... I know they will love looking at your blog as much as I do... God bless you..
Posted by: Jennifer Cruz | January 25, 2010 at 07:11 PM
Love how soft and pink your blog always is:) And I would be thrilled just to have one of your cards to add to my scrap room.
Hmmm....somthing I'll do for myself. I think I'll ink a stamp that hasn't seen any love in a while.
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Joyce (Ashjoy) | January 25, 2010 at 07:22 PM
The one thing that I would like to do for myself is buy a really inspiring scrap kit. I won't go into details as to what happened to all of my scrap supplies but my goal is to slowly rebuild. One step at a time. One day at a time and just to do what I love best. Create! Thank you for all your stunning work and time as well.
Posted by: Candice Reszko | January 25, 2010 at 07:56 PM
Look at all the people you inspire Melissa! I'm happy just knowing that someone will get a goodie package filled with your sun shiny treasures! I think each of us get a few stolen moments to ourselves when we come here.
Posted by: DebraD | January 25, 2010 at 08:51 PM
I plan to read a book or two + craft a handful of pages to my on going project. Hoping it will be complete in a few days. You are a fantastic crafter and I thoroughly enjoy reading daily. <3
Posted by: cindy barriga | January 25, 2010 at 09:22 PM
I regularly schedule nice long bubble baths for myself. Ahhhh! :)
Posted by: Rebecca Ednie | January 25, 2010 at 10:32 PM
Hey girl! I just recieved my "Handmade" Feb/Mar issue. When my husband handed the mail to me it was on the top of the pile, and I told him---This has got to be Melissa's. Great idea, as always. Thanks for all your inspiration and heartfelt thoughts. Ann
Posted by: Margaret Ann Durtschi | January 27, 2010 at 12:16 PM