Finding Peace In Life After The Grief

Hello there.

It has been a couple of weeks since my last posting,

and a couple of weeks prior to that

since I have posted anything crafty.

The last part of April, until 2 weeks ago,

I had been caring for one of our fur babies that

had been diagnosed with cancer.

We weren't able to have children, and chronic illness

left us incapable of adopting.

Our fur babies are our children.

Our hearts are still grieving, as we had to make the heart wrenching decision to end our Emmett's suffering.

If there is any silver lining in this, he truly only suffered egregiously for 2 days, not eating or drinking, and unable to control the sickness.

Sadly this happened over the weekend,

but we wanted him to be in the comfort

of an office & staff he was familiar with 

since he was a pup, for the end.

We knew this was coming,

and had been made aware & prepared.

 On Monday, May 14 at 3:36pm,

we said our final goodbye to

our precious boy Emmett.

We were so blessed to raise him from a pup, 

and enjoyed 8 wonderful loving years

with this remarkable creature.

Not one day goes by that I do not

feel the weight of grief of not

having him here.

I am taking it day by day.

We live in the country, and have a beautiful

wooded lot, with a lovely single shade tree, that I can see from our kitchen window.

He has been laid to rest there.

Soon there will be beautiful wildflowers

and a guardian angel statue there too.

The morning after his passing, as I

looked upon "his place", a beautiful red cardinal, perched itself upon a stray single branch, just above Emmett.

I would like to think it is his spirit, still

watching over us, still being our "guardian" angel.

And I have seen that cardinal every day since.

Now my journey to find a sort of peace & comfort,

beyond the grief has begun.

Some day the pain will be less, but I will never forget

the love & companionship Emmett gave.

Love you forever,

Miss you forevermore

Our sweet boy.

Caring For Our Fur Baby With Cancer

Hello everyone.

I wanted to address my absence

in creative postings as of late.

A few weeks ago, one of our fur babies

was diagnosed with cancer.

We were given the

"make the most of the time we have"

versus the amount of time we have

suggestion.

Much of my days & evenings, are spent 

with our precious Emmett. He has good days, and not so good days. 

Recently has been more of the latter.

So I have been very limited in time,

generally only creating design team projects and posts.

If anyone reading this, would please lift us up in prayer, as we are facing this most

difficult time, it would be much appreciate it.

Our Emmett 💖

With our deepest gratitude.........

Del, Michelle & Emmett

How To Create A Simple Layered Card In Just 15 Minutes

Hello Crafty Folks!

Happy Saturday!

Are you looking for an easy

way to create a layered card for any occasion?

Even Earth Day?

Then head on over to the Chattering Robin's blog

and see how I put together a "nature" inspired

card, in just 15 minutes

using EXCLUSIVE products

from The Robin's Nest.

Just follow this link for full details:

https://chatteringrobins.blogspot.com

And for the products I used in this project,

visit The Robin's Nest online store at:

https://shop.robinsnest-scrap.net/main.sc

Thanks so much for visiting today!

Hope you visit again soon!

How To Beat The Sick Fur Baby Blues

Hey y'all!

Welcome to INSPIRE.

It has been a week or so since my last post.

Sadly, one of my fur babies had 

fallen ill and stopped eating.

So this mama has been giving 

round the clock care & attention 

to my boy.

Two vet visits in, and all we know is he

is severely & dangerously anemic.

And have zero idea of the cause.

He is now on steroids & iron supplements, 

and is starting to show great improvement, and eating everything we give him.

THANK GOD!

Our boy Emmett today.

So during his napping moments, I got 

out my sketch pad, and learned

some new techniques in drawing.

I loved this one so much, it has

turned into a canvas, and has been submitted

as a creative crew project with Canvas Corp Brands.

I thought I would share the "sketch" process with you, as well as the early stages of transferring this 

"artsy girl" over to canvas.

For the completed canvas, stay tuned,

as it is posted with Canvas Corp Brands, I will share it with you too.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time.............. 

How To Add Dazzle To A Tote

Hello there!

Welcome to INSPIRE.

I wanted to share the link to my latest  

design team project for 

The Robin's Nest.

I created a colorful, dazzling design using an array of shapes, sizes & colors of Dew Drops

found in The Robin's Nest store.

To see the full project, follow this link:

https://chatteringrobins.blogspot.com

To purchase Dew Drops & other exclusive products 

from The Robin's Nest, visit:

https://shop.robinsnest-scrap.net/main.sc

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a blessed weekend!

Until next time......

Be Crafty!

A Little Shabby Chic Treasure For Pretty Spring Decor

Hello welcome

to INSPIRE.

Each week, among my design team projects

that I am working on, there lies a pile or two

of "intended" personal projects, just waiting to

be created.

With Sunday being Easter, and with much of the NorthEastern portion of the USA (including my little corner of Ohio) having been stuck with winter conditions far longer than wanted, I wanted to do something with "life".

Enter the paper mache' egg.

This idea struck while combing the aisles

of my local Hobby Lobby & Michael stores, in

search of a "fresh" idea.

So with one 50% off Easter sale at one store, and a great deal of various Easter eggs at another, the idea came to life.

For this project I used:

Gel Medium

Printed Tissue Paper

Heavy White Gesso

Metallic Wax & Paint

Glue

Lace Trim

Ribbon

Moss Ribbon

Miniature Flower Bunch

Mini Stones

Prill Sprays

Butterfly Embellishment

Wooden Candle Stick Holder

2.5" Paper Mache' Egg

Tools used:

Scissors

Craft Knife

Beading Awl

Sanding Block

I began by using my craft knife, to cut out a small portion from the top of the egg.

I then used gesso, and covered the entire egg and candle holder, and let dry thoroughly.

With the tissue paper, I ripped out areas that featured a beautiful floral print, and then applied with gel medium to the surface of the egg.

Using the sanding block, I roughed up the surface of the candle just a bit. to give a weathered look. I then followed by applying and rubbing a pewter colored wax, randomly over the surface of the candle holder.

To finish I used a metallic pink paint, lightly applied with my finger, also randomly over the surface.

Once the tissue paper had set, I used the moss ribbon as a filler to the inside of the egg, secured by glue. 

With the beading awl, made a hole within the moss, and then added the floral spray, with glue to the inside center of the egg.

I pulled a few "tendrils" of the moss the exposed edges of the egg hole, and added a pinch of mini stones around the base of the floral spray with glue.

Final embellishment to the floral, was a small clay Butterly, added to the base of the floral spray.

Using a 3 inch section of some scrap lace trim, I glued it to the top of the candle holder.

To finish, I used some vintage pink ribbon, made into a double bow, centered with a small pearl embellishment to finish.

And what a little lovely to sit on a desk or shelf, to remind me of the beauty that is just around the corner with the awakening of Spring.

Thanks so much for visiting today!

Please stop back by again soon!

Until next time.......BE CRAFTY!

Memories Of The Past Find New Life

Hey there!

Welcome to INSPIRE.

A couple of weekends ago,

I took the weekend and visited

a local flea market & antique mall, in search of some vintage goodies I could use in

my crafting endeavors.

I walked away with a handful of vintage photos & a silver plated teapot with sugar & creamer vessels too,

all for under $20.

Yep, under $20!

So this past week, I spent time putting together some layouts, featuring a few of the photos along with some of my favorite paper & flowers designs.

Have to say I am quite pleased with how these layouts turned out.

Each has a different style, yet still keeping with a vintage edge. 

Next on my agenda, how to alter the silver tea service set........stay tuned.

Thanks so much for visiting today,

please visit again soon.

Until next time......Be Crafty!

What An Exciting Day! My First CCB Creative Crew Project Post!

Hello there!

Welcome to INSPIRE!

I am so excited to

be sharing with you, 

the link to my first official

Canvas Corp Brand Creative Crew

project post.

A spring inspired clutch purse,

created from a canvas banner.

Yes a banner.

http://blog.canvascorpbrands.com/spring-inspired-canvas-clutch-purse/

For full details on how I made this beauty

 and link to the

 Canvas Corp Brands online shop,

visit The Creative Studio link below the photo,

or visits the links here:

https://shop.canvascorpbrands.com

http://blog.canvascorpbrands.com

This was a such a fun project to do,

I hope you check it out, and find yourself inspired.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time.............Be Crafty!

Giving An Old Lampshade New Life

Hello there!

Welcome to INSPIRE.

So, technically spring is still days away, but here in the Ohio valley, we have been teased a bit

of that upcoming bliss with warmer 

than average temperatures for this time of year.

So naturally, that has had me in a "re-habbing" mood, especially with my home decor.

For it is the time of year, to shake the winter blahs, and bring new life, into my decor.

My latest obsession in decor has been

Farmhouse/Shabby/French Flea Market designs.

I am also a fan of working with what I have, and just making subtle changes.

A few months ago while perusing a clearance section in the fabric dept. at my local Hobby Lobby, I found a French Script shower curtain, for like $3.

Of course I snatched it up.

The first projects I completed, was recovering my unsightly white linen drum lampshades on my living room lamps.

Having leftover material, I decided to do the same with the old lampshade for this small lamp.

So, I measured, cut, ironed & glued the fabric to the existing lampshade, and added some gorgeous fringe in a coordinating color.

This was a simple & easy project, with lots of decorative punch when finished.

And so lovely in our entryway hallway.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Visit again soon, and see what other creative endeavors are a foot!

Until next time.......Be Crafty!

A Jewel Tone Foiled Bottle How To

Hello, welcome to INSPIRE.

Today I wanted to share the link 

to the ScraPerfect blog, where today

you will find my latest project using

the innovative ScraPerfect products.

A beautiful jewel toned bottle.

For full details on how I made this bottle, visit the ScraPerfect blog at:

https://scraperfect.blogspot.com

For ScraPerfect products, 

visit the ScraPerfect store at:

http://scraperfect.com

Thanks for stopping by today!

May you find yourself inspired to create!

Happy Crafting!