My Happy Place....

Good morning! It's the start of a brand new week! I have been crafting quite a bit and have lots of projects to share this month! 

I adore this new stamp set by Whimsy Stamps called, Bunny Buddies. 

I stamped it in Versafine Black ink and colored it using Copic Markers. 

I added hearts to the pocket and some white pen details.  I used Nuvo Glitter Drops to add sparkle to all of the hearts.  I layered the image over the polka dot paper from Whimsy's 6 x 6 Pretty Pastels.

I used a piece of doily at the bottom and top of the image.  I added silk ribbon and used a flower and leaves from the Build-a-Garden die set.   As a final touch I adhered a few clear droplets form the Coral Coast Sparkletz.

I am so blessed to have Misericordia in our lives.  They are a facility that takes care of 600+ residents, including my sweet girl, Cortney.  I love that they treat my daughter like she is the most important human being on the planet.  Not only do they provide a wonderful quality of life for their residents, they include the families in every aspect of their day to day.  Like this picture sent from the head of her house on their trip to Target.  Whenever I feel a bit sad about Cortney not being home, I look at her smile here and know, without a doubt, that she is living the life that God intended for her. Right now Misericordia is doing their "Candy Day's Drive."  If you are in the Chicago land area, you know that at the end of April families and friends of Misericordia stand out with their cans and Jelly Bellies collecting money.  (Rain or shine I will be out there!) Since many of our families and friends live out of the state, we also have a First Giving page set up for Cortney to benefit Misericordia.  If you would like to donate, here is the link.  Any amount is greatly appreciated!!

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/michele-kovack6194A/2019-Misericordia-Candy-Days

Personal post....

Just an update on my sweet, sweet girl......

Do you see her sly little smile? For people that don't know Cortney, they don't always see her personality. She is shy, funny, demanding, loving, caring, talkative, and a beautiful soul inside and out. Most people don't see that in her. But Misericordia Home does. They "get" my daughter. They "see" her gifts and talents. They speak to her like they would any other 23 year old. She is respected. She is active and busy. She has a social life. She is happy and thriving. 3 years ago Cortney moved in to Misericordia. I cried more tears than I can express over it. I questioned myself. Was I making the right decision? It tore me apart for a long time. She is 23 but is still a young child. How do you trust others to take care of someone so vulnerable and innocent? I remember contacting my friend and telling her, "No one will love my child like me." Her reply was simply, "No, but they (Misericordia) will come pretty darn close."  She was right.

Fast forward 3 years. I have her staffing today. I get to hear from numerous people how much Cort is involved in. How much they love and adore her. How incredibly busy she is. And most importantly, how HAPPY she is. And the best part? I get to talk to her, see her, bring her home, whenever I want to. They have an open door policy. I don't need to announce my arrival, I just show up. This truly is the best of both worlds. Time sure does fly though! I still remember that first day like it was yesterday! Thank you Misericordia staff for loving my daughter as much as I do. 

Rainbows and Glitter!

Hello everyone!

I have a new card to share with you using Whimsy Stamp's new, You're Too Kind Clear Stamp set. 

I wanted to make the sentiment the focal point of my card, so I decided that stamping in a rainbow order was the way to go! 

Once stamped I added a bit of glossy accents to the bottom half of  each word and sprinkled Glamour Dust glitter over it. 

For the background, I took the white paper and inked the background using the same colors I stamped the sentiment in. I just smeared it across the paper.  I got a bit crazy with the Glamour Dust glitter and maybe I should have a bit more self-control.....but I didn't. I "smeared" a bit of glossy accents along the edges and sprinkled more glitter to it.  I adhered the top panel with Crafty Foam Tape. I added a few coordinating rhinestones to finish it off. 

I haven't posted about Cortney in awhile. She is coming up on her 3 year staffing at Misericordia in a couple of weeks.  I can't believe how fast these 3 years flew by.  She is healthy. Happy. She lives an incredibly full life and surrounded by people who respect and love her.  I can't express the peace of mind I have. She does yoga, water therapy, Special Olympics, rides a bike, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, sings in the choir twice a week, communications club, and goes on numerous outings in the community. 

My heart is happy

because 

my girl is 

happy. :)

Thank you for stopping by today!

Supplies:

Fun Shaker Card!

Good morning!  I am up on the Scrapbook Adhesives Blog with a fun shaker card! 

I borrowed this cute stamp from my Mother in Law.  I believe it is a Stampin' Up! set.  I colored it using Copic markers.  I added a few details with a white gel pen. 

I cut the image with two Spellbinder's rectangle dies.  I adhered my acetate to the back  and built it up using Crafty Foam tape. I added my sequins and adhered the main image behind it. The entire shaker was adhered to Lawn Fawn's plaid paper.  I tied satin string at the top and thought it would be fun to add 3 teeny pom poms to the center.  I used Dodz to adhere them. 

My sweet girl comes home for a week today.  Tomorrow she is having an MRI and a 24 hour EEG to check her seizure activity.  She has been on Depakote most of her life and unfortunately it is hard on the liver and detrimental to her bones.  (she already has osteopenia) So we are hoping that if her seizures have stopped (she hasn't had one in over 5 years) that we may be able to pull her off her medication.  We will be spending the night at the hospital.  Prayers are appreciated!

Life is Better in Flip Flops!

Hey there my friends! How is your summer so far?

Mine has been spent catching up with family and friends who seem to get somewhat neglected during the colder months of the year.  I love seeing everyone and being outside every chance I can!

I have been taking some images outside and thoroughly enjoying the process of coloring. 

Suzy Plantamura's images are perfect for this! 

And life really is better in Flip Flops! Unless you have plantar fasciitis! Then you had better wear good supportive shoes! LOL!

I spent all last week with this gal! Lots of swimming and of course a bit of "modeling."   

And thank you all for your interest in Rodan + Fields skin care and Lash Boost.  I would never recommend a product I didn't believe in.  And I can honestly say, these products have been a game changer for me.  You have absolutely nothing to lose by trying them.  They ALL come with a 60 day money back guarantee! You can have beautiful radiant skin AND longer, thicker lashes! 

Email me for more info!

chelemom71@yahoo.com

Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

Fat, Lumpy, Bumpy, Layered Card!

Good morning! 

If you are anything like me you have a messy desk.  Not just a few things out of place, but a full blown disaster! (Please tell me it's not just me?)

I have stuff from one end of my desk to the other and I decided to use as many as my scraps as I could to create something pretty.

This is it.

My hodge podge, layered, fat, lumpy Valentine card.  ;)

I layered felt, burlap, lace, a glittered Tattered Angels frame, glittered chip board heart, and felt flower......I'm tired just typing it.

The center of the flower has rolled up pom pom trim in pink and orange.  (my favorite color combo lately!)

I also added pink and white twine and an SRM sentiment to finish it off.  See the restraint I had?

And just had to share a quick picture of my girl in action! Love her shaking those pom poms for her team!  

Have a wonderful Tuesday! 

I love your visits so much! 

You Make Me Smile!

Good morning friends! 

I hope you are all having a fun and relaxing Labor Day weekend! 

I am up on the SRM Blog today with TWO cards to share! (Don't faint! I know it doesn't happen often!) ;) I used a background stamp that I have NO idea who it is made by, so if it looks familiar to you, please let me know the manufacturer! I stamped in Versamark and embossed it in white.  I used my Zig Clean Color Markers to give it a wash of color.  The first card was done in cool colors, the second in warmer colors. 

I cut flowers using my Silhouette and water color paper.  I colored those using my Zig Markers as well. I used SRM's Thinking of You Sentiment.  I added silk ribbon from the Stamp Simply Store, and a few sequins. 

 My girl came home for the weekend and we've had so much fun visiting with her.  We took her to the zoo and she got to swim in our pool!  We take her back today.....and it's always bitter sweet.  A piece of my heart stays with her each time I drop her off. 

Thank you for stopping by!  

Have a wonderful day!

Rain or Shine..

Good morning! I am up on the SRM blog today with a fun "pick me up" kind of card.

We all know that sometimes we just need someone to show they care, and a card is a perfect way to do that! 

I used Jane's Doodle's Rain or Shine set.  It was colored with Copic markers and then a bit of depth was added with coordinating colored pencils. 

I added Stickles to give it a bit of sparkle and a scattering of dew drops.  I have joined the Misti bandwagon and have fallen head over heels for it!  I love that I can stamp my sentiment in a straight line rather than my usual wonky way! (Or a whole lotta prayin' and some luck! LOL)

Tonight is a bitter sweet night. 

Cort graduates from her high school/Cross roads school.  This has been a school that has gone above and beyond for its students.  The staff shows such love and respect for our kids that I wish the outside world would take lessons.

I know I will be a mess tonight.  

So many changes this year for Cort.....for me. 

"How did she grow up so quickly?" 

And yet it's here.

The next chapter needs to begin......but with a few tears from this mama.

Celebrate Prom!

Good morning!  Tonight is Cort's very last prom.....I know I will be crying a bucket of tears.  Her journey has taken a new direction and all that she has known has changed.  The change has been good, but nevertheless, a change.  It is definitely bitter sweet.  

In honor of Cort's last prom, how about a pretty lil' dress box today?  

The dress was cut out using my Silhouette.  

I stamped the dress with JustRite's new, Create a Flower Garden     stamp.  It was stamped with Versamark and embossed in white.  I sponged Tim Holtz inks around the dress panel in pink, orange, and yellow.  I splattered a bit of water over it and colored in the flowers with my Zig Watercolor Markers. I added a sentiment from SRM Stickers, and tied twine from the Stamp Simply Store.   

Even though prom is actually tonight, I always take Cortney's individual pictures a couple of weeks in advance.  This allows me to concentrate on taking pictures of her with her friends. 

My sweet happy girl...... 

Prom 2016!

Thank you for stopping by today! 

:)