The Dew of Little Things

   I am a collector of words. Sometimes the words have been crafted into rubber or polymer that I may ink them in the colors of my choice and place them on paper to gift. When they are not, I make them myself. I've just finished a satisfying day of crafting gifts of words and hearts. 
   Wishing you a day of love, and gifts of your own to pass along to those around you. There's nothing better.

Subway Valentines

   Found some unconventional uses for my subway sentiments…I had the idea to make some paper conversation hearts for my daughter to scatter around her college campus--something easy to carry around for the day to give to people she sees all the time--staff, teachers, the cafeteria lady, and fellow students known and unknown. People can always use a note of encouragement don't you think? Valentines can be no-pressure fun for that.
   It was fun to use random non-holiday sentiments and alphabet sets, to stamp the messages, and I loved how they turned out. And--to top it all off, there is a Have a Heart themed challenge for Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog! Hurry--there's still a day left to enter something yourselves! Go and put your own stamp on it!
  

Winter's Flowers

   Snow, and snowflakes that are winter's flowers. We're in for a lot of them along the eastern seaboard of the United States today. Perfect for being inside, grateful for warm shelter, and a fun hobby to pass the time. 
   Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog is running a "Winter" Challenge. You still have time to enter something yourself! I spent the afternoon layering different kinds of snowflakes--stamped, punched, die cut, and repurposed from a flower embellishment wire. I also tried an application of white texture spray called irresistible. Great fun all.
   I think I'll also have to check out the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge blog too! It's good to have options and I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon. Check them out for yourself--I'd enjoy seeing how you put your own stamp on it. Be safe, be warm, and be well.

Winter Hello

   It snowed a bit today where I live. The fluffy wet, giant flakes that only stick to the ground for a short while. It was beautiful to watch and no trouble at all. Kind of a nice change for me. If it has to be dark and dreary, at least snow is a lovely distraction. The bare trees are one of the most interesting things for me to see in winter--the frameworks are like separate life forms from their leafed phases I think. I never feel the same about a tree again after meeting it in winter.
   Thanks to my friend Susan who sent me this bit of punched birds. Makes a nice sentiment for a new background folder I bought just before Christmas. It's made by WeR Memory Keepers and is 6x6 inches. I wasn't all that excited about the size difference from the standard A2…until I used it! I didn't realize I could run the card front both directions for horizontal and vertical. That's something I could use on every embossing folder. Now I'm going to have to check out the other designs. It's also a nice practicality that it has grid marks on the folder so one can line up the card stock evenly--lovely thought was put into this product.
   Since this was a winter day…and a winter card--I think I'll just enter it in the Winter Challenge over at the Simon Says Stamp blog too! Three for three is always lucky. Perhaps you'll put your own stamp on the challenge as well?!

Einstein's Dreams

   I am reading a book called Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman. Interesting stuff in this best seller from over 20 years ago. Some beautifully crafted and creative phrases and images. Don't you love it when you find a new author? Passing it along to you today in case you're interested!

How Time Flies

   Where does the time go? A month has raced by, but it was graced with so many moments that seemed motionless. Precious memories. May you have a year of such beauty until the time to mark another beginning.