Beautiful Card for Queen Kat with a beautiful Pin!

Rosebud by Samantha Nowak Illustrations

This beautiful stamp can be purchased through Queen's ink's store here.

  I colored the main image with copic markers and layered her onto black white and pink card stock.  I used Wild Orchid Craft and I am Roses flowers to embellish the card.  I also used a dotted black ribbon for accent.

  Using Shrinky Dink brand shrink plastic, I stamped the image using StazOn black ink onto the slick side of the plastic, I turned over the piece and colored it from the opposite side with the same markers I used on the focal image of the cards.

  I trimmed the image closely and following manufacture's directions shrank the piece.  Once it was shrunken down, I used my heat gun on the rough side of the piece and heated it until it turned crystal clear.  After the piece was completely cool, I applied a bit of Crystal Lacquer to the back and layerd on a piece of pink card stock.  This was trimmed up with an exacto knife.

  I then applied a small pin back to the back of the piece using the same crystal lacquer.

  This will make a great gift!  I can see using the pin on a purse or even clothing, it is just beautiful

Stamp Happy!  Be a Blessing!

Video Tutorial Accucut Build a butterfly album in green and yellow

  It is a dreary raining day here in Southern Maryland.  It is cool outside and the three dogs are snuggled tightly on the coach and puppy bed on the floor.  Buttercup is snoring.

  There are socks to be sorted and laundry to fold.  Dishes need to be put away and tha mountain of mail on the dining room table needs to be sorted.

  Enjoy the video, it's kinda funny when I get to rambling on.

  I really love this die from Accucut Crafts, I find it to be very versatile and I love the romance and beautiful things you can do with this die set.

  Enjoy the video!  Stamp Happy, be a blessing.

Butterfly Mini Album for Ibbit (Elizabeth)

  I used the accucut die Build a butterfly and it can be purchased here. 

Have a great day!  I hope you enjoy the music and the pictures

Queen Kat on Tuesday!

  I know that this card was posted last week, so sorry about that, but the only computer I have that is even working is the one my son uses, it is just plain stupid. 

 

  Since I am tardy any ways, I decided to post the slide show I made of some of the wonderful projects I have made using the very versitale and fun stamps from her many designer lines.

  If you haven't visited the website in a while, it is time.  Stop what you are doing and go, don't delay!

  Vicki and Queen Kat are having a design team call!  Don't miss out on an opportunity to apply and maybe join our wacky yet wonderful group of fun people.

  Vicki makes being a designer for her not only easy, but she is an understanding and wonderful person to work with.

  Stamp happy, be a blessing.

Adoption Reunion Chronicles -- the Struggle for balance.

This post is more a meat and potatoes kind of post than anything else. 

  You see, Dorthy wants me to call her "mom" all the time and I just can't do that, at least not yet.  The honest truth is I don't know that I ever will be able to do that.  As my husband put it, "Loretta you're just not that attached to her (Dorthy) yet. 

  Plain yet simple truth, I have struggled with trying to balance kindness with my own needs to care for our home and family. 

 I still have Chad to care for, this house is in need of a great vacuum job and one of the dogs decided she thought it would be a great idea to roll in a pile of grass clippings that have been decomposing for quiet some while. 

Can you say ick? It was gross.  She was literally green.  Any part of her body that had white fur was now this well shade of baby poop green.  I picked her up, and took her straight to the sink, both laughing and wondering how the heck she got so messy. 

  She took her 'medicine' well, and didn't fuss when I bathed her, quiet the opposite, she seemed to know that the price for her crime was a good wash and go.

  My other struggle with her is though I do feel "love" for her, and really desire to get to know her more, if she continues to call me when I've told her as kindly as I can that I will call you tomorrow or later on today (what-ever) I will have to simply allow the phone to go to voice mail.

  I tried to explain to her I actually understand how she feels.  With Craig now grown and gone, I am not able to speak with him as often as I like.  Gone are the days when we could just chat on the phone.  He has his own grown up world and life, I just have to trust he will always love me and will call to talk when he is able.

  She seemed a little bit more settled after that part of the conversation.  We'll see how it goes.  I need to start turning my attention toward her health, and get her to sign a release so her physician can speak with me about her current care (or in her case lack thereof).

  I am also concerned that she is not getting the proper amount or types of nutrition, she has to be over 350# with type II Diabetes neither are good factors.  I need to dive in and be sure she has enough money for good groceries.

  The same goes for Elizabeth (Aunt Ibbit) she had $16 left after paying her bills and used it to buy a few groceries.  I am trying to find out how I can purchase a gift card for her at the place she likes to grocery shop.

  The alternative is getting a Walmart gift card since she does have a Super Walmart near her home.

  I am genuinely concerned about each of them, I highly believe I have returned at a time in each of their lives that I can possibly affect some positive change.  I hope and pray the Lord will continue to use me to both bless and help them in any way I am able.

  Have a great day, I'm working on a butterfly mini album for Ibbit, she wanted some pictures of Barbara and I in a book "kinda like the one you made your mom".  I can handle that, pieces cut, glued and dry, now to start the decorating and the filling it with pictures.  Stamp happy, be a blessing! 

Elizabeth's teeth The Adoption Reunion Chronicles

  What a wonderful morning it has been.  OK, mostly wonderful.

  I had the refrigerator from hell to deal with, so while I was washing shelves and removing questionable produce from there, I decided it was time for a much needed brake.

  I called my Aunt Elizabeth, to see how she was fairing and to find out when she was finally going to get her self some new dentures.

  Many years ago she had to have all 24 of her teeth pulled because a dentist had put lead fillings in her mouth, the lead started to poison her entire system and she managed to scrape enough money up to be put to sleep to have all the extractions done in one sitting.

  She has finally gotten some funds up for new permanent dentures, and she is so excited

  Her son, Tim who has been clean and sober for the last 18 months, interviewed for a job today.  He is so proud.  As I am of him and his continuing efforts to stay clean and sober to gain an income and help to support his mother. 

  Dorthy is doing well, she is finally settling down and I am happy to report that she hasn't called me at 1:30 am again lately.  Ahh, sweet rest.

  Have a great day! Go bless someone!

Queen Kat on Tuesday

  I Need a Bigger Jar by Carla Morrow (Little Wings)    This adorable stamp is from Queen Kat Stamps! 

  This card is a great example of using Queen Kat stamps along with supplies you already have.  I used the new Inkadinkado dollar stamps I purchased from Joann's craft storey today.  I had such a great time shopping there.

  This is also a project I utilized papers from my scrap stach.  These where parts of other projects I cut down and sponged to get the final project finished and polished.

  Once again I colored this image with copic markers and once again I couldn't resist the opportunity to use another google eye.

  Please give this project a try.  Stamp happy, be a blessing!

 

There She Goes

  Loretta and Dorthy

Stamps by There she goes and Paper Pretties!

  Finally, some resemblance of "normal" that is if I can convince Dorthy that calling me at 1:30 am is not such a great idea.

  I wanted to post the top picture of she and I eating out at Red Lobster before our trip ended last week.  I had such a good time and still (for the most part) enjoy our daily chats.

  While I was in Marietta, waiting for my flight back to Baltimore, I stopped at several stamp stores.

  I bought this set entitled Craftier Tag lines from one of the stores,  The sentiments are from There she Goes, LLC.  I love all the inky friendly sayings, and paired them with an image from Paper Pretties, the little girl is holding a suite case, and since I was traveling when I bought the stamps, thought it was perfect.

  I used my big shot to cut the nestabilities dies and used scrap paper from my whimsical mini stack from DCWV.  All images are colored with my copic markers.

  I hope you will enjoy this card, I'm meeting my friend Erin for lunch and some shopping tomorrow.  I am so looking forward to some girl time, she is the 'go to' girl for ordering sushi!  I have such a nice time with her.

  Stamp Happy, be a blessing!

Big John and George (doodles) The Adoption Reuinion Chronicles.

John and Mike

  I am so touched that these wonderful people, my family want to have an active part in my life.  Mind you I think my left ear may fall off at any time, but even that is OK with me!

  While John and I chatted during lunch last Saturday, he shared with me that he had an appointment on Wednesday to see a Surgeon.  His doctor's suspect he has male breast cancer.

  The surgeon took him to the procedure room this morning and did a large bore needle biopsy.  He called to let me know he did well with the surgery, but felt like he had been poked with a straw. I can relate as I have had a couple of breast biopsies myself.

  He will be getting the results of the test on Monday.  I am praying that there is nothing to be concerned with. 

  I am so glad he called to let me know he is for now OK.

  Doodles.  I did not get to meet George last Saturday as he was working.  He works for a man that buys and flips houses. According to him 'there ain't nothin I can't fix'.  He also remembers me as a child, but was fairly young.

  He hopes that the next time I plan to go and visit Dorthy that I will be able to see him then.  He is working near Marietta and when he is working stays not very far from the Atlanta Airport.

  He keeps a small trailer on Elizabeth's property.  When he is not working, that is where he lives.

  He went on to tell me he thought that he was probably the healthiest of the bunch. With no need for any type of medications. 

  He enjoys the hard work and loves to see the project when it is finished.

  Have a great day!  To start reading our journey from the beginning, click here.

  Stamp happy, be a blessing.

Dorthy and Loretta meet ! THE ADOPTION REUNION CHRONICLES!

Loretta with birth Mom Dorthy

  What a wonderful journey I have been able to enjoy these last several weeks. Yes, as many of you have guessed, I was able to fly to Atlanta with Mike and drive into Alabama to meet my birth mom, Dorthy and many of my extended family. 

  Friday, Dorthy and her long time boy-friend Bill met us at the hotel where Mike and I where staying. After trying several times to attach the actual You Tube video here, it failed, please click here for the picture slide show.  Please listen to the music.

  I was anxious, but very much looking forward to seeing what she looks like.  I think she favors my sister, Barbara.

  The reunion was both happy and sad.  Since my younger sister has passed away, I only had pictures and stories of this beautiful young woman. Her life cut short by bad choices and decisions.

  The family met us for lunch on Saturday at Shoney's restaurant in Dalton, GA.  It was attended by more than 23 adults and 4 children.  Every one took pictures using cell phones or disposable camera's.

  Mike and I where so happy and blessed to be able to make this meal possible.

  We where both greeted with smiles, stories and both regret and praise.  I heard again and again stories of being taken and how every one always wanted to know what had happened to Barbara and I.

  I brought pictures with me to share with the family and they where well received.

  I have many new phone numbers and address and am looking forward to a long relationship with each of them.

  I am so looking forward to sharing more life experiences, joys, hopes and dreams with Dorthy and my many extended family members.

 Thank you for continuing to follow our journey.  I praise God for his blessings and our family.

With Love,

Rose Bud and I need a bigger Jar -- Queen Kat stamps! Lot's of Pictures!!

 Rosebud by Samantha Nowak and I Need a Bigger Jar by Carla Morrow (Little Wings).  OK, the pictures did not upload in order, and after trying for 35 + minutes to get them together, I ran out of patience and decided to go forward with this post. Click here to buy these stamps.

  For the "I need a bigger Jar", I used glossy accents to accent his dots, then added a wiggly eye.  The treat box is cut from a sizzix die "suitecase" and I ran it throug my cuttle bug machine.  I used brown card stock from the craft store for this project.

  The Rose Bud lady is stamped onto high quality white card stock and is cut out closely and attached with dimensional dots to the top of an altered baby wipe container.

  Give these a try, stamp happy, be a blessing!

 

Cousin Jason and Aunt Samantha -- the unfolding stories The adoption Reunion Chronicles

Reunion goodies

  Now cousin Jason is getting a bit too comfy with the cell phone and our house number. He called yesterday out of the clear blue just to let me know that his wife would also be joining us when we travel down and share a meal as a family.

  He told me that he has recently purchased 2.3 acres of land and it had two 'home trailers' and a barn on the property.  He decided he 'didn't care' for the siding on one of those 'home trailers' and decided to rip it off.

  In the process he sliced open one of his hands' clear down to tha bone'.  I asked why was he calling me when he needed to go get stitches.  His reply was "nah, I need a clean rag and duct tape, it'll do jus fine, besides if I loose a finger I have nine more".  Oh dear.

  Then I started getting passed around, now mind you these folks all know me and they know each other, but I don't really know one of them from the rest at all.

  To top that part off, they 'ferget' to tell me who they are when they call.  Ok, to use the old saying "they all sound alike", well is kinda an understatement.

  None of them seem to realise that right now I feel like I'm one against a mob.  I was telling my dear husband Mike about the latest conversations and he just smiled.

  Samantha likes to be called "Tootsie", you know Darling, like the candy.  Apparently she has had 7 children and only 2 of them lived.  She had her first set of twins at 14 (seems to be a pattern) and they where still born.

  They have all lived hard lives and do the best they can and are believers in helpin out the neighbor when they can.

  I agree with a long time friend from Augusta, she sent me a dear message and it simply stated "you don't just need a reporter, you need to write a book".  I just might do that.

  Have a blessed day, stamp happy, be a blessing!