Thursday, December 4, 2014

Fresh Air

This morning, I stepped outside and was immediately struck by the the fresh air. Not cold air. Not 'city' air. Fresh Air. Sweet smelling; the kind of scent that triggers memories. Clean. You know what I mean. Think: cotton sheets drying all morning on the clothesline and when you lay your head on your pillow, you immediately smell the fresh scent and then you drift off to sleep with a smile on your face and images of sunny, summer days going through your head. That's what the air smelled like this morning. So why do you need to know this, you might be wondering.... I'll admit I wondered whether or not to share this. But I have a good reason, really. After inhaling that wonderful scent a few times, I stopped and gave thanks to God for this particular small joy. I'm a firm believer in small joys. They just have a way of making my day, and thanks be to God for small joys like this one. Find your small joys everyday - they'll get you through those rougher days. And don't forget to give thanks...

And speaking of joys, I'd like to share a few of the joys that were mine at the Thanksgiving holiday. All of my kids, and now my little grandchildren love black olives. And just like their dads did, they like to 'wear' them on their fingers. Two families represented here, with only baby Avie missing. She's not quite old enough to have olives with the big kids. Carter and Sammi are on the far left, with little sister Kaylin on the far right. Grant is next to Carter with his sister Lily and brother Drew in front of him. Kaylin wanted to eat her olive, not have her photo taken....funny child.


We got our craft on the next day. Tad and family stayed, but by this time, Chris' family was having another Thanksgiving at Katie's parents home. Here are the little ones' crafts...(that's my darling son Tad, btw)







And we put up the tree and decorated the house for Christmas too, while mommy and daddy were out Black Friday shopping. Sammie swore it was "the best day ever!" I had to laugh. Great kids, great times.

And believe it or not, I actually have a couple of cards to share.

The first one will go over to The Card Concept Challenge, where we're to make a tag, or a card with a tag,  with snow, or snowmen on it. I'm calling this one clean and layered. There's still time to play, so I'll send you all a bit of encouragement and hope you'll play along too.



Isn't that MFT snowman just the cutest?! I masked off his twiggy arms because they hung over the parameters of the tag. I stamped him with black VersaFine, and colored him with copics. The blue snowflakes are from LF in Winter ink from ME. A bit of seam binding from SU, and a smidgen of red and white twine from The Twinery. My tag was cut with a PTI die, and I added a few bits of red bling to some of the snowflakes. Red VersaColor ink for the MFT sentiment.

This last card is for Muse, where I was inspired by the kraft, greenery, and the red/white polka dots. Vicki Dutcher has this amazing card up:


And since Fusion has a new challenge up today and my card fit, I thought, what the heck! I just used the inspiration photo and not the sketch this time. Don't you just love Muse and Fusion?! I know I do!


Here's my take:


Fun and funky. Is there anything more fun than polka dots??! That's an old scrap of OA dp. The stamps are all from LF's Deck the Halls set. Love that set!! Some PTI green, VersaFine black and Ranger brown inks. I made the teeny little poinsettia with a flower punch and added a yellow bling for its center. And kraft. 

Well, I've kept you all long enough, so will send you off to explore other wonders in your worlds. Happy dances everyone.


34 comments:

Patti said...

So awesome Bev!! Thank you for sharing in this delightful post!! Your grandchildren are adorable! You are well blessed dear friend!!

BIG fresh air (((((Hugs)))))

Patti

Susanne Vargas said...

So glad you shared your thoughts about the fresh air and the small joys! I whole heartedly agree about the importance of looking out for those small joys everywhere because you could waste your life waiting for the big ones!
Your grandchildren are adorable and talented but that's no surprise since they are learning from the best! Great cards, too!

Lynn said...

Oh this post makes my heart happy. I love all the gorgeous pictures of your family Bev. The olives crack me up (I think they are gross!). So many blessings for sure. Definitely need the reminder to cherish the little things. Thank you my dear friend. And your fabulous cards. Love them all..thank you for playing with us at Fusion!

Yoonsun Hur said...

Awesome! Your post makes me so happy. Thanks for playing with us at the Card Concept!

Jen Mitchell said...

Oh, I can smell that sweet smell already. There's certainly nothing like it and I don't come across it all that often! And what a wonderful winter card you've made. Although I don't like snow in real life, I can certainly appreciate it and your snowman on a beautiful card!

Geri said...

Such a heart warming post dear friend! Yes, it's all these little things that we need to be thankful for!

FABULOUS pics of the wee ones! It's so exciting to see them again. I'm sure I could hear their giggles! You are truly blessed!

Love the olives, love the cards the kids made and LOVE your cards. The snowman is so cute! Great bits of background bling! The polka dot border looks so good paired with the pine boughs!

Fabulous post!!!

Darnell said...

Good to see you, Bevie! Your two cards are both so great! You were very smart to put them at the end because otherwise those sensational grandkids of yours would make any card thoughts go out the window!! Thank you for sharing! The kids in our family all have that same tradition of putting black olives on all their fingers! Small world!! Miss you! Hugs, Darnell

Hannelie said...

Thanks for sharing your little joys with us dear Bev... I do agree whole heartedly!
Your cards are fabulous! The snowman is totally adorable, and you showcased him so well!
And yes... you had me with that polkadot frame!

I Card Everyone said...

Every card is as cute as those darling grands... thanks for sharing, Bev. More than a little joy, for sure...
=] Michele

Tracey McNeely said...

Bev I loved reading your post today!! First of all your grand babies are all so cute and adorable. Yes finding small joys every chance we can. I am a firm believer in that too. When I see a post like yours and feeling how incredibly wonderful your Thanksgiving must have been is my small joy for today. xoxo

maria f. said...

Well, no of course there's nothing more fun than polka dots!!! 'cept maybe those adorable grandkids. And look how proud they look of their cards. That is precious. Thanks for reminding us about the simple joys (didn't you freeze your lungs taking in that breath though?!?) Cards - I love the snowman with that gentle snowfall BG.

Ardyth said...

Love the photo of all the grand kids with their olives! Great combination on these two challenges, too. I love your big polka dots - they always feel festive! And I didn't miss that tiny poinsettia either - lovely! So glad you joined us at Muse this week!

Deepti said...

Looks like you had the best time with ur grand kids :) they made awesome cards and ur cards of course are so beautiful and perfectly CAS as always. I like the polka dots on ur second card :)

Bobby said...

Amen to being thankful for the little things. Grandchildren included. They are so adorable. I love that they like to craft with you.

Your cards are wonderful, Bev. I'm taken with your snowman. I just got some snowmen stamps and I'm loving them.

cm said...

Every detail in this post has my heart smiling: your gratitude for the 'small things', like the fresh, revitalizing scent in the air; the 'tradition' of olives-on-fingers passed down through the generations (too funny!); the photos of your AMAZING family (such gems, all); the showcases of the 'getting our craft on' projects, and, of course, your duo of dazzling delights! The snowman is ultra cute; your pine cones paired with polka dots, so pretty! Yes, you've added multitudes of sparkle to my day!
Hugs~c

Brenda said...

You are so right Bev, we need to take joy in the smaller things and I know just of that fresh air you talk about! It just is the best smell!! I love the pictures of the kids with their black olives, a fav of mine as well!! I also love their crafty cards, how fun. They are all so adorable and just as cute as they can be. Now on to your cards, Wow, I love them all!! That snowman is adorable and I love the polka dot border on your "deck the halls" card, so pretty are those pines and pine cones. Nice job! Hugs, Brenda

Anita in France said...

Such a wonderful post, Bev ... you're so right about small joys. Changed the beds today, so that fabulous fresh air smell is waiting for me when my head hits the pillow shortly! What cute and creative little ones ... each a 'small' joy (who will grow into a big one)! Your cards are fabulous (as ever) ... the snowman had me smiling ... he's so sweet in his festive candy striped scarf against that delicate snowflake background ... and oh my, those fab polka dots with that gorgeous WP9 set ... delicious! Bisous, bisous, Anita :)

Julia Aston said...

Three lovely creations Bev! and what a joyous time you had with the grands! Love your Fusion card with the layered die cut pine boughs and pretty pinecones! thanks so much for playing!

Kim Heggins said...

Bev...oh my what a wonderful post! I am loving all your sweet family photos and I am just beat after reading all that you have done.
Oh what fun with those olives!!! It brings back so many fabulous memories of Thanksgiving with all my little cousins running around my grandparents home looking quite silly but so so much fun.
I love your cards but then I always do, love the sweet red and white polka dots, so festive with your pine cones. Just beautiful.

Kim Heggins said...

Hello Miss Bev, I am back again to thank you for playing along with us at The Card Concept. This is one adorable snowman.

Jacquie Southas said...

I love how fresh the air is after the rain - it is the simple joys that are the best. Looks like you had a wonderful family Thanksgiving, Bev! Love th ebig polka dots on your Muse card :)

Unknown said...

beautiful family photos! my daughter used to have the penguin shirt :) your cards are stunning! i love the pinecone one, perfect for MUSE challenge!

Kathryn said...

Love your card! the pine cones are so cute! :)

Lyndal said...

Gorgeous photos & cards Bev! LOVE your pinecone card. So glad you joined in the fun @ FUSION - hope to see you again soon :)

Vicki Dutcher said...

Thanks for sharing your fun photos - sounds like a great holiday~

Also, love your Muse card - can't go wrong with dots ;) - Thanks for joining in at Muse!

Mary Marsh said...

such a cute tag and snowman image - thanks for joining in with us at the Card Concept tag challenge

lostinpaper said...

What a wonderful post! Thanks for sharing those gorgeous 'olive' filled photos and for those fab cards, I tried to get the LF set here is Australia but they had run out, love how you have focused the images in the corner, with the fun polka background!

wienerhoneymooners said...

SO many cute ones at your place!!! Love this card.. Every time I see the sweet LF setiments, I WANT this set!!! YAY, well cone on this lovely country card!

Dee Miranda said...

Love your cards!! They look great!

Kim S said...

Your words on the memories associated with scents and small joys brought tears. We have a small condo up in the mountains. And no matter how stressed I am getting out of our house to go there, no matter how bad the drive to the mountains, no matter how much the kids complain - when I step out of the car and take that first breath of mountain air mixed with the scent of the wood siding of our older condo - all is well with the world.

And how great that you gave the grandkids "the best day ever"!!!

You are living your life right!

Marybeth said...

What a beautiful post again , Bev! You are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing your wonderful family pictures with us. We have never met but I so get you!

Kylie said...

Oh Bev, what a BEAUTIFUL family you have! :) Thank you for sharing with us. :)

And your cards are also very lovely!

~amy~ said...

Such fun pictures...I can't believe that all the grandkids like black olives!
Awesome cards, love the polkas!
Thanks for joining us at FUSION.

wienerhoneymooners said...

Merry Christmas from us at FUSION! We are so glad to have you join us. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year!!!!


HUGS Bev!!