sweetest days...

I feel I am in the middle of some of the sweetest days of my life....each stage and phase of motherhood and childhood has it's oh, so sweet moments.  Time is passing far too quickly for this mother's heart to handle...and so, I'm slowing down a bit to enjoy this little wonder I've been given...I know you'll understand if I don't appear here as much as usual.  I hope to always put her and her daddy first. 

 
  
It's just about time to brush teeth, say prayers, read scriptures, read stories, tell one story, tell four riddles, and tuck in one very tired little girl and her three stuffed animals...one which she named after her daddy.  I have always enjoyed our bedtime routine...it changes as the time passes...but always so sweet and memorable.

Just a few things to share tonight. 

 I couldn't resist using this sweet scrap from Crafty Secrets...it's from the Easter Creative Scrap collection and the stamped sentiment is from the Happy Easter Clear Stamp set.  I've had this little strip of cream felt lying around my craft room for a few months and I decided to twist it into one of those oh, so trendy flowers just for fun...I sewed the bead in the center to secure all of the layers together and popped it onto the center of the tea-stained twill just for fun.

  This card uses another stamp set from Crafty Secrets called Bird Notes...I think I am in love....Crafty Secrets has some of the most enchanting stamps sets I have ever seen...they are timeless.  I also used Prima paper (script), Melissa Frances (blue), and Graphic 45 paper here, more beads, and Maya Road chipboard scrolls that have been painted and distressed.  The larger chipboard piece is from Tattered Angels along with the Glimmer Mist.

  This card uses Papertrey Ink's Year of Flowers:  Violets stamp set and Through the Trees stamp set for the sentiment...I first stamped it on white cardstock and then covered the stamped image with Papertrey Ink vellum....love how vellum instantly softens, and that was just the look I wanted for this card.  Of course more beads...darn those beads, Prima flowers and paper, a Melissa Frances stickers, and a stained doily.  

Lastly...feeling a bit picnic-y...a card set I created for Emma's Paperie this month.   
  Gingham is one of my very most favorite patterns....I know it's not for everyone...but I love it's homey, cozy, country feel...so for this set I paired the casual look of gingham with elegant flowers, embellishments, and tags.  

A peek at the matching envelopes...I have loved dressing up envelopes lately...why no make your card a gift in itself?  For a complete supply list and instructions on this set, please visit the Emma's Paperie blog.  There are so many beautiful projects there waiting for you.

My time is up, but I want to share an excerpt from a talk by Elder M. Russell Ballard before I go.  He said, referring to Author Anna Quindlen, "The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. … I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less" (Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).

I want to live in the moment...so thankful for this reminder.

Sleep tight.

Melis

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Comments

[Amy O]

Thanks for the reminder to live in the moment. As I was hurrying to get my five year-old daughter dressed this morning, I paused and tried to clearly imprint in my memory her story about a "mudder" (mother) bunny that she was telling me. Oh how I want to remember how she says that word. Your post helped me to slow down and savor the moment. Thank you!

[Lisa]

Hi Melissa,
I truly don't think that you have ever created a card that I didn't love! These recent cards are lovely as always! Just gorgeous! I do have one question for you though... I see cards all the time that are very 3 dimensional and I have created some myself and I can't help but wonder how they fit into envelopes. What do you do when you have to put your 3-D cards into envelopes?
Just wondering??
If you have time to answer, my e-mail address is ohsocutebylisa@aol.com
♥♥Thanks♥♥

[Diane Jaquay]

So much beauty to gaze at in this post (sigh...) I really adore the first card with the sweet little bunny :)

[Domenico]

Love the Easter card!

[Lynne W]

Gorgeous cards...love the spring colors!! You have a beautiful style, and your work is very inspiring! Enjoy the time spent with family!!

[Pattyjo]

You are a wise woman. Very few woman understand this, until its too late...the kids are grown and on there own. Enjoy what God has given you and try to resist (always) the thoughts of rushing the children out the door.
I loved being a mother and now a grandmother of 11! I had four children 2 boys and 2 girls and have already lost 1 of the boys in an accident (27 yrs. old) and 1 of my girls to SIDS. I so treasure what I still have and look forward to seeing my other two in Heaven someday. Enjoy them now, life is so short.

[Kathryn Martin]

My goodness! What adorable cards!

[Linda]

Beautiful creations Melissa. I am a big fan of gingham too...just love the sweet country feel it gives an item. xL

[shery]

nice card

[Jeanne]

Luscious! Absolutely love all of the wonderful and feminine details that you use.

[Term paper]

It’s great to see good information being shared and also to see fresh, creative ideas that have never been done before.

[darlene]

These are just awesome, as usual. I would really know how to make the little felt twisted flower with the pearl center. Can you enlighten us a little on that one. Thanks