passionato...

 
Hi pretty girls....and perhaps a guy or two....Happy Weekend!

The other night as I was using some of my vintage sheet music I came across the use of this musical term on one particular snippet.....Passionato....it has stuck with me ever since...such a romantic, beautiful, powerful word...full of depth and emotion...very fitting for the approaching holiday of course, but oh, so fitting for our daily life and love...I can see great opera singers expressing this term in such a way that you really feel it's meaning....and I think, at least for me, I feel this type of emotion on a daily basis...the ups, the downs, but mostly fighting for and preserving what is so precious to me....those I love and the life we hold dear...I've realized that we don't fully appreciate the good in life without having first experienced the not-so-good....the trials, the mistakes, the hurts....they cause growth and appreciation. 

Today brought more snow....but that meant sledding for Sierra and daddy....right outside our door and a few steps away is a perfect tubing hill....so, off they went and played this morning....I watched Sierra roll up the hill, roll down the hill...fall backwards into the snow...she didn't need a sled...she was just happy to be there with her best buddy...I know she had the absolute "best day ever", as is her new term for just about any special day.  So thankful for the time her daddy spends with her...he is a special man...so thankful that he doesn't let life get too heavy for me....he is able to pull me out of a funk in seconds...the boy is hilarious and so much fun to be around...I keep asking him how I came to be loved by such a cool cat :)
  I often compare myself to the quiet, nerdy, lurpy girl in high school who fell for the bad boy who rode a motorcycle, ha ha....somehow I charmed the dude into loving me...quirks and all.

So....many of you may be at CHA about now...but for those of you who aren't... do ya wanna play?  Each week I'd like to post an inspirational photo for you...and for me....to inspire, delight, and get us all creating for fun....I'll post the photo and then give a few days for us all to create and then come back with my project inspired by the photo and will link you to a couple of very special guests of mine that have taken the challenge as well.....so, without further ado, here is this week's beautiful photo...might I add that I will be using photos courtesy of A Creative Mint each week...thanks ever so much to Leslie for allowing me to do so and for sharing her beautiful talent with so many...she's my fave :)   Isn't she amazing....I am always truly swept away with each photo she shares....life is beautiful and meant to be enjoyed in all of it's many forms and I certainly do through her work....You can read more about this photo in THIS post.  So...let this photo speak to you....use the colors, or the textures, or the design, or the elements, or.....the possibilities are endless, and I can't wait to get started.  If you'd like to share your creation, please post a link here on this post in your comment.  On Tuesday, I'll share what I came up with along with linking you to my special guest's blogs and their projects as well....clear as mud?

Well...time to pick up toys scattered here and there...my most favorite is the tea-party she has set up right now on my coffee table...she's used my potpourri and has scooped out a delightful and hearty portion for her guests....I love it!

Night.

Melis

Happy Valentine's Day card

Supplies Used:

Papertrey Ink Background Basics:  Hearts stamp set and Holiday Tree stamp set, Sweet Blush cardstock, Pure Poppy and True Black ink, and Vintage Cream grosgrain.

Pink Paislee, Melissa Frances and K&Co. paper, Pink Paislee die cut, Melissa Frances tag, Maya Road chipboard, Doodlebug glitter

 
 
 

Comments

[Carol]

Sounds like fun....I know what I'll be doing this weekend. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Sarah Martina]

Gorgeous, the card and the photo. :)

[Stella]

Love your card, love the photo. I've changed my to do list :) Got to do some creating! Have a nice weekend!

[Dana F.]

Gorgeous card!! Thanks for the inspiration :)

[Marcie S.]

I am always inspired when I visit your site- whether it's the crafty creations you have, or your positive attitude. Your comments about your husband led me straight downstairs to tell MY own true love that he is a wonderful father.

[Esther]

I admit, I am an addict! I love your blog and I LOVE yours cards. It's a joy everyday to check your blog looking for wonderful pictures of pretty pretty cards!

[Abby]

Happy weekend to you too! I love your post today! I'm definitely inspired by Leslie's photo....her site happens to already be bookmarked as one of my favorite sites so I hope to play along....thanks for the inspiration:)

[Patty M]

oooooh! So pretty...I wanna play. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Dani]

Beautiful card and inspiration photo! I don't know if I'll get time to play along, but thanks for your continuing inspiration! And how funny, my daughter plays with my potpourri too! hee! Your view from your window is gorgeous with the mountains in the background. So peaceful!

[Laura]

great photo for an inspiration piece, and I love your cards too.

I'll see what I can come up with. Thanks for thinking of something to keep us who aren't at CHA busy!

[Donna VW]

I just love your blog - thanks!

[rae barthel]

what a gorgeous inspiring photo Melissa! I had a fabulous time being inspired by it today, you can see my end result here:
http://simplyrae.blogspot.com/2010/01/im-bummed-that-im-not-at-cha-so-i.html
thank you for the challenge!
♥rae

[Paula Barin]

Love your cards today and the inspirational challenge. Here's my card...
http://callingallcardz.blogspot.com/2010/01/challenge-and-case.html

[DebraD]

What a touching post. The love you have for life and art, for your daughter and your husband is infectious! I love the term "nerdy, lurpy girl" *lol*

The Valentine card is a cutie too. Thanks for another dose of Lissa light, the sun always shines a little brighter after I read your blog.

[Domenico]

I don't think you would have ever qualified as a nerd. You'll have to trust me on this because I'm pretty sure I have an inside track on this subject. Also, so bad boys make good husbands?

Because if they do...I'm done for.

Oh, love the Valentine Day card...
what are your feelings on imitation is the greatest form of flattery? You really seem to capture all the things my mum loves... are you two talking to each other?

[Anthea]

I love your blog Melissa, always full of inspiration and simple pleasures, thankyou!

I had fun with this challenge, here's the link to my card:

http://antheam.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/beautiful-inspiration/

Anthea xo.

[Abby]

Hi Melissa, here's my take on your photo...it was fun! Thanks for the inspiration:)

http://abbysgarden.blogspot.com/2010/01/inside-and-out.html

[Patty M]

Thanks for the inspiration, Melissa. Had a chance to play yesterday....here's my take.
http://sewingseeds4u.blogspot.com/

[Rebekah]

Ohh I hope I got this in on time.. thanks for the challenge..cant wait to see what you've created..
http://midnitelullabies.blogspot.com/2010/01/thinking-of-youand-challenge-too.html

[Melissa Sauls]

Oh I don't think my comment took. Hopefully this doesn't come across as a double comment. I loved your inspiration photo and I love the inspiration that pours from your blog. Thanks so much for sharing. http://www.instampingmode.com/2010/01/so-thankful.html

[Sarah Martina]

Thank you for your wonderful inspiration, as always, Melissa! :) Glad I could play, and I'm so looking forward to the next one. :)

http://sarahmartina.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/our-love-keeps-growing/

*Hugs & Love*

[Nerina]

This photo made me feel good ALL DAY! I loved going to the site and seeing what inspired it. So soft, so pretty, so feminine! Thank you for sharing this with us - it was *truly* inspiring!
http://nerinasserendipity.blogspot.com/2010/01/melissa-phillips-creative-mint.html

[Lisa V]

The photo you picked is so beautiful, soft and feminine. I love how seeing something can inspire us in our own work. Thanks for the challenge.

[Lisa V]

I don't think my information linked. Here it goes.
http://forum.papertreyink.com/forum/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=93202

[Gladys]

Here is my take:
http://iluvsassafras.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/inspirational-photo-challenge/