Iris Folding Purse Pattern

Here is the pattern I created myself for the purse on the bachelorette party card posted below. I think if I were to make this card again, I would cut the circle out of the entire front panel of my card (in the card shown, my background paper would have been 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 WxH ) instead of having a square around the purse. This way the purse would not be overshadowed by the square it sits in.

Good luck! I hope you try it! For instructions on Iris Folding, check out this website: http://www.irisfolding.circleofcrafters.com/

Bachelorette Party

I had a bachelorette party this evening and I had been agonizing over making a card for the Bride-to-be. I wanted it to be fun and I wanted to use the stamps I had. This is what I came up with. It's an Iris folding circle with a handle attached to make it look like a purse and some parts from a previous craft project for the "bag tag." A letter sticker for the monogram and a brad in the corner because I just love the big brads I found in the Dollar Spot at Target recently and that corner looked empty.

(I have the pattern for the circle and I'll post that later.)

The inside verse says, "Grab your purse and enjoy your night to remember before you begin your lifetime to love. Have a blast tonight!!!"

I also included two "custom" papers in the Iris folding. I used my stamp pads on white paper to creat the light pink on the bottom right of the bag and the pink/purple/turquiose on the top left of the purse.

Last Blog Candy before the Grand Opening!!

La La Land Crafts is having one last blog candy before the Grand opening of thier new company on August 12th! Go check out the candy and the Grand Opening information at http://lalalandcrafts.blogspot.com/


There is some great stuff included in this candy!

I told you I've been busy!

Here are some of the other cards I've made this week.

Baby Cards (blank inside)

Birthday Cards (middle photo is the inside verse on both cards)

A gift without a card?!?

Not here!

This is the card I made for Mom's birthday. It has hints of her gift in it, but mostly it's her favorite colors.

I'm very excited about the green bordered squares on the front of the card and the envelope. They are labels that I found on clearance yesterday at Michael's. The green and white polkadot paper is by the same company and was on clearance also. I love clearance finds!

Cards, cards and more cards!

I've been busy the past week or so making cards.

I had a great time working on a paper box and matching cards to give my Mother for her birthday. She's so hard to buy for, but who can't use cards. These are the cards and box (upper middle).

This is a close up of the the box

I've got to give credit where credit is due. I did not come up with this idea on my own. I got the directions for making the box here: valeriestangle.blogspot.com/2009/06/notecard-box-redux-and-explanation.html

These are close-ups of the individual cards and their envelopes. I try to make sure each envelope has a little something special that is a preview of what's inside. As for all the J's, if you haven't guessed, Mom's name starts with a J. These are monogrammed cards.

Another Blog Candy

Another great blog candy to help spread the word about a new stamp company soon to open. August 12 is the big day for LaLa Land Crafts. Check out the blog here: http://lalalandcrafts.blogspot.com/.

Good luck!

Baby Cards

Last week I got to hang out with my friend Janet in her awesome stamp room. Check out her blog here: http://moosisk.blogspot.com/. She had all the supplies I needed to create these adorable onesie cards. It seems like we have a ton of friends who are pregnant, so I've been needing a lot of baby cards lately. Finally now I'll have a few in my stash.
I found the great instructions for these adorable cards at: http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2008/02/05/create-your-own-onesie-card-tutorial-and-important-note-please-read/.
Enjoy!

For a boy...

For a girl...
For a boy or a girl, I have to leg hole trims cut, one frilly and one straight. Add a pinch of purple for a girl and I'll be all set.

LaLaLand Crafts

Lalaland Crafts a new new on-line stamp store set to open soon. Be sure to pop over to their blog and get your name in for the newest candy.
Here is the link: http://lalalandcrafts.blogspot.com/
Good luck if you decide to enter!
Morgan

Grad Cards 2009

A baby card made with Iris paper folding. Thanks for the new technique Anne!


Here's what I came up with for Graduation cards this year.

My Prayer

I don't always feel like I have the right words to take to God, but sometimes, I find them, usually in some piece of music. This morning, the right words popped into my head in the form of a Christmas song by Amy Grant, "Breath of Heaven." The chorus is what started it, but as I listened to it on the way to work this morning I realized there was much more I was meant to hear and pray today. So as I drove, and cried, this was my prayer (and is my prayer):

I am waiting in a silent prayer.
I am frightened by the load I bear.
In a world as cold as stone,
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now.
Be with me now.

Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.
Breath of heaven.

Do you wonder as you watch my face,
If a wiser one should have had my place,
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan.
Help me be strong.
Help me be.
Help me.

Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.

Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven.

Amen.

Spring is in the air!

There was an electricity of hope in the air today as I drove to work. The temperatures are warming and today should be a beautiful day. The weatherman promised 60's which for the beginning of March is amazing!

The sun is out and I've opened all the windows to air out the house now that I'm home from work. It has been a long winter and since I'm just getting over a nasty illness, the thought of letting out all the germs is wonderful! I love cool spring days like these. I'll need a sweatshirt in the house because the breeze chills the air, but I'll bundle up just so I can leave the windows open for as long as possible. Thank God for days like these!

The light at the end of the tunnel has opened up! Perhaps the dark winter doldrums will end soon. I certainly hope so.

In search of the prefect song

I have listened to over 100 versions of Make Me a Channel of Your Peace/Prayer of Saint Francis trying desperately to find the perfect version to use at Grandma's Blessing with Bishop Gumbleton. I have yet to find one that is perfect. I am beginning to think that I may never find one.
Really, let's be honest. I want it to sound just like it does in my head, which is how I heard it in church many years ago with my Grandmother by my side at Our Lady of the Woods. A male organist for the church, playing on the Grand piano just his voice and the beautiful piano.
I'm so beyond frustrated. There are beautiful 1980's synthesizer versions, or great piano with no words or a nice voice with a cheesy background. ARGH!!!!!!!!!!! Just the piano and the voice people, that's all I'm asking for!!!. One would think that would not be so hard!

ok. sorry. rant over.

If anyone has a recorded version they would recommend, please help. I need it for Sunday. I've searched ITunes and come up with not much.

Peace among Turmoil?

I've been noticing recently that in this crazy time in my life when one might think that peace could not exist, I have recently experienced some truly amazing moments of peacefulness within myself.
I'm recording this so that I might remember, and sharing so perhaps my experiences might help others find that inner calmness and peace as well.

• For a few moments after Yoga class the other day, my mind was still and my body didn't feel stressed and tense as it usually does.
• I always feel better and blessed after a rousing discussion with Bethany and her prayers. She prays so beautifully. And handing over those burdens to God feels inexplicably wonderful.
• I also noticed an unusual calmness about myself as I was reading through the book Eat, Pray, Love byElizabeth Gilbert.

Being reminded that even when things seem bad, we can make the best of them is something I need more often. I must work towards focusing myself not on the bad, but on the good in the situation.

I am so blessed to have the support of such a large family. For all of you reading this. Thank-you for your support and prayers. Continue to help me and challenge me to find that inner calm.