Stampin! with Jaydee

You are amazing.....

Hi Everyone.  Happy Thursday.

I have a quick card for you tonight, as well as some photos of the progress on the house.  It's been a hectic week - as you can imagine!

Now, you all know that Poppy Parade will be retiring with the new Stampin' Up! catalog - so I decided it was time to let it have a little moment in the spotlight.  It isn't my favorite color - but whilst I was thinking about it, I realized it was actually more of a favorite that I think.   Cos... I know for sure I never use Calypso Coral, Certainly Celery and several other colors!   The thing about Poppy Parade - it certainly is no shrinking violet - it really makes a statement.

As it makes such a statement, I decided to use Shimmer Paints on a new stamp set that has some bold flower images.   I think it turned out really well, but I will let you be the judge of that!

For those of you who are SU only - 5th Avenue Floral would work if you wanted to use this card as inspiration.  

I love the Whisper White layer underneath the focal layer.  It helps to highlight the Pearlized white paint and the dotted DSP helps to break up the Poppy Parade.

On a personal note:

Lots happening at the house when we popped in quickly on Wednesday.  Well, "popped in quickly" is a relative term considering it is 2 hours there and 2 hours back!!!! 

We arrived to find the guys FINALLY putting up the siding

Then.... we went inside the door and found that they had delivered all the cabinets and doors!

And these are just the cabinets for the kitchen and mudroom!

Of course, they haven't been "treated" yet.  They are actually Knotty Alder and are gorgeous when they are treated.

Oh... and then... there was tile down on the floor!   They hadn't finished yet.......   As the builder had never used this tile - and I chose it - I was really nervous about it..... however, when we saw it... we loved it.  It's a different look and color every room and everytime you look at it.

The mudroom looks more browny

The shower... not finished yet.. but he's on his way!

The photos really don't do it justice.  The tiles are very rich in saturated color and the variation is fabulous.  We can't wait to see the finished product!  We spoke with the tiler and he said he LOVES this tile.

And... if that wasn't enough.. the decking guys were there, too.   Now - our deck is only 12' wide - but it is 24' foot long.  We decided to go for a narrower, but longer deck, so that it would not intrude too much on the garden and would give us that eye level view of the wetlands across the sunroom and dinette.

Suddenly, it is starting to feel like a house!!!!   We get more excited everytime we go, but everytime we go, we are drawn to the view.  Again and again.    We feel so lucky and so blessed.   We have really worked so hard for this, and saved so hard and we think the end result is going to be so worth it!

As always.... thank you so much for spending time in my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  Your visits and comments are greatly appreciated.

Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a lift tonight.  Ann... continued hugs and prayers for you.

I will be back on Saturday with a new Paper Players card.

Hugs

Jaydee

Card recipe - all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

• Card stock:  Poppy Parade, Whisper White.  Inks:  Basic Black, Poppy Parade.  Pearly Paint.  Stamps: Floral Duet, Hand Scripted (Amuse Studio).  Accessories:  Button - Bag 'o Buttons

Perfect Blend for Retro Sketches

Hi Everyone.

A very quick post for you tonight!

I found a great new challenge site - retrosketches and this fabulous sketch!  I couldn't wait to play along.  Of course, it meant that I had to pack a box to compensate for spending time making a card!!!! 

I used another new stamp set that I recently received - The Perfect Blend.   I thought that the topic was perfect with Early Espresso textured card stock and ink.

Here's the sketch......

And here is my take on the sketch.... it was only as I was loading the card on my blog that I realized I had NOT rounded the corners on the left hand side of the card.  grrrrr!

You will notice that wonderful Venetian card stock behind the focal layer... isn't it fabulous!!!  and.. how appropriate for coffee that it should have an Italian background and Italian sounding ink!  I pulled out my circle and scalloped nestabilities for the focal element and they were mounted to the base using Stampin' Dimensionals.

I know that the talented team across at retrosketches would appreciate your visit - and you playing along - especially as they are a new challenge site.

On a personal note.

Aaaaaarrrrrgggghhh!  can you hear me screaming?  there is so little time and so much to do before we move.  I can't believe how quickly it is coming upon us and how little we have done!  I think I am going to start to panic real soon!  At some stage -very quickly, I might add, I am going to have to forgo my system of making one card, pack one box and just spend all that time packing boxes!

I must admit I had great fun reading your recollections of manual typewriters.  Oh.. they were such fun.  Darnell, I am not surprise that you mimic the movement of a carriage return when you talk about "shoot off an email".  Oh... and... I so GET the thought of the fact that hitting that carriage return and hearing that little bing really did feel as though you were letting off steam.  However, I do remember, waaaaaaaay back in the day, doing a typing test for a job when I was very young... Yep... the Remington.... everytime you hit the carriage return, it fell off!..... Mmmm.... I wonder why I didn't get the job!?

Beverly, your aunt did you a good thing teaching you to type.  It really does stand me in good stead all of these decades later.  I am so glad my mother made me do this course as something "I could fall back on!"  Pity that my typing speeds far exceeded my shorthand.  Oh... and.. I can still do shorthand... but I am beggered if I can read it back!!!!   I remember them teaching typing classes to a metronome!  Now, I am really showing my age!  Linda... your sound effects from typing class were right on.  Sally.... certainly a trip...... It's wonderful to go back a little (a little???) in time and remember those days before we were so CONNECTED.

So... anyone remember a comptometer - without googling it?  Anyone?

Rach... Bill Bryson... ah... I can understand why you are reading that!

As always, thank you for spending time in my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  Your visits and your comments really do mean a great deal to me.

Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a lift tonight - Ann - a big warm hug for you.

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone.

Hugs

Jaydee

Card recipe - all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted: 

Card stock:  Very Vanilla, Early Espresso.  Ink:  Early Espresso.  Stamps:  The Perfect Blend (Amuse Studio).  Tools: Big Shot, Nestabilities

Just my type for Cas-ual Fridays

Hi Everyone.  Happy Monday

This is going to be a very quick post tonight.  It's 9.30 and I haven't gotten everything done that I needed to do.   Ever have one of those days?  I know you have!!!

I saw a great challenge across at CAS-ualfridays this week.    Pairing black with pastels..... well.... I love Pool Party and think that it is a very subdued and muted shade of turquoise... a very pastel color.  I also think it works fabulously with black.

I needed a sketch to go with the great color scheme - and looked no further than cleanandsimplestamping. 

It also gave me the opportunity to work with another new set that I have recently acquired.  

Here's my take on the challenges

I know you can't see it in the photograph, but the sentiment is actually raised from the platen of the typewriter.  I scored the bottom of the sentiment and then adhered it with Stampin' Dimensionals to raise it.   (Question... how many of you can actually remember a manual typewriter and actually know what a platen is without googling it... go on..... seriously... how many of you?   Well... me.... I actually did type on an old Remington... long before the days of electrical typewriters and the IBM Selectric or Golfball typewriter!  Oh boy.... I remember doing a typing test on that old Remington and the old carriage return lever!   Now that we have gone back that far in history.. time to bring it back to the present!

Why don't you pop along to the cas-ualfridays  challenge blog and check out the fabulous design team and submission cards.... better yet... play along!

On a personal note

My regular readers will know that I love supporting the youth of today with musical talent.  If you haven't seen Jonathan Antoine's performance on Britain's Got Talent - you have to check out this youtube video (flash video for those of you on Apple mobile devices.. so you know it won't play).  Here's a link for the rest of you  Jonathan Antoine. Check it out.. I promise you will be pleased that you did.

I was goosebumps from the third note.... This song has incredible meaning for Lou and I as it was the recessional song that we choose at our wedding.   We married in a small chapel in Verona, Italy and the words from this particular song had a very strong connection with us.  Andrea Boccelli is one of my favorite singers of all time and hearing his voice as we descended down the aisle was very poignant for us.... but this young man... brings goosebumps to my arms, and tears to my eyes.  I hope you enjoy.

Ann.... my thoughts and prayers are with you for tomorrow.

Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.

Hugs

Jaydee

Card recipe - ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

• Card stock:  Basic Black, Whisper White.  Stamps:  Just my Type (Amuse Studio).  DSP:  Patterns Pack - Subtles and Neutrals.   Inks:  Black Versafine with clear embossing powder.  Tools:  Big Shot.  Nestabilities circle and scallop dies.

You are Special for Paper Players #88

Hi Everyone.  Happy Sunday.

The fabulous Ann has a wonderful sketch for us all this week. The design team cooked up a tremendous variety of inspiration cards for you this week.  I love the fact that each of us interprets the sketch in our own way - and we can't wait to see what you all do with this challenge.  So don't forget to pop along and play with us - and also pop along to the design team members blogs and check out the details they have on their cards.

 For my card, I used a new set that I have just recently acquired.  I really felt that it needed a little watercoloring.  So, I stamped the image on watercolor paper using Stazon.  I then went to work with my Peach Parfait ink pad.  The darker areas were colored using my Peach Parfait marker and then washed over very gently with my watercolor pen.    I think Peach Parfait is a gorgeous color and am sorry that it will be one of the colors retiring this year.  Once I had colored it, I cut around the flower so that I could pop it off the focal image.

I restamped the image onto Naturals White paper, colored the outer edges of the flowers on that layer and then popped the watercolor images over the stamped image using Stampin' Dimensionals.  I am in love with this background paper.  It is so on trend right now.  I have seen so many uses of this pattern in stores recently and love it.  It works beautifully with the Peach Parfait card stock.

On a personal note:

Today I managed to make a card - this one.  I had promised myself that if I took the time to make a card, then I had to make the time to pack a box.  So I did.  It was a big box, mind you!  Now, I need to go and see if I can find a challenge to give me a little inspiration to make another card.... then pack another box!

Lou is outside in the garden doing clean up in prep for us getting the house ready to sell.  One of the first things he is doing is reinstalling the fountain! We can't wait to see what the next month brings to the fountain.  It was so popular with the animals and birds last year, that we are hoping it will be just as popular this year!

As always, thank you for spending time in my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  Warm hugs and prayers to those of you who need a little lift tonight.    Special hugs and prayers for Ann.

Hugs

Jaydee

 Card recipe - supplies Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

• Card stock:   Peach Parfait, Naturals White.   Inks:  Stazon Black.  Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso.  Stamps:  Image:  Charming Gardeners.  Sentiment:  Friend to Friend - both Amuse Studio.   Accessories:  Whisper White Tafetta ribbon.  Background paper:  Venetian Patterned card stock - Amuse Studio

Meeting the neighbors

Hi Everyone.   Happy Saturday.

Generally on Saturday night I reveal my Paper Players card.  However, I haven't even started that yet!  We left very early for the new house this morning and have only just gotten back.  I am thinking that as we still have to go shopping and prepare dinner - I might not get that card made tonight, either!

However, we did have an AWESOME visit at the new house.  In fact, we really didn't want to leave.  We kept saying, well, I suppose we had better go.... and then walked around a little more.... repeating this for at least an hour or so!  Everything is changing so much around us.  It's really pretty incredible.

We found that the siding is still not up on the house.  Mmmmmm... however..... they had left some of the siding in our front yard and Lou and I took one look at each other and decided it would make a great picnic table!  So we rushed off to Caribou, grabbed something to eat - and sat ourselves down in our new garden!

It was a glorious day... absolutely glorious.  It started off this morning exceptionally foggy, but at around 1pm it turned sunny and beautiful.  The siding made a great picnic table and somewhere to sit - it was just the right height.

Whilst we were sitting there, we noticed two chickadee's flying backwards and forwards into the tree directly in front of us.  I said to Lou that they must be nesting close by, because they were very, very quiet.   Suddenly, Lou looked up and realized that they were cleaning out a cavity in the tree.  So, we got to meet our new neighbors - building their new house - just like us!

Isn't that amazing!!!!!   We are so happy.  Especially as the tree is right in front of our house and we are literally at eye level when we look out from the deck door.

In fact, I took a picture looking out of the door (no deck in place yet!) and you can see the top of our fancy picnic table :-) - but you can also see the tree that the chickadees are nesting in

It's going to be fabulous when we can sit out on the deck and watch them fly in and out of their perfect little nesting place!

The chickadees were wonderful....but the highlight of the day was.... well.... AWESOME.  I was looking out of the deck door about 10 minutes after we arrived at the house.   Suddenly, I saw three cranes flying over the wetland.    I screeched with delight... well, actually, I must admit I swore - quite loudly.    I was stunned.  We had been told that they had been sighted occasionally in the wetlands, but I never expected that we would see them.     When we were getting our picnic ready, another 10 flew overhead and landed.   I can truly say that I was well and truly gobsmacked.   We heard them calling a few minutes later.  We have Sandhill Cranes as our new neighbors!  Now... those are the kinds of neighbors I am very happy to have.

About 10 minutes after that, we saw two vultures flying overhead.  We also heard the Redshouldered Blackbirds.  Saw a robin.  Saw and heard some song birds I still have to identify - difficult without binoculars!  Several different woodpeckers, including the Pileated and, of course, the bluejays.  No wonder we didn't want to leave the garden!

We also got a first view of the new colors that we chose at the end of the week.  I know that these are only the primers - but I am thinking they didn't mix the dining room paint the correct color.  The color is supposed to be "deep silver" and the color on the wall is distinctly blue!  It's a pretty color - but not silver!

We know the wooden floors are down... .but as they have a protective covering on them, we cannot get to appreciate them.   So, when you see this picture, I promise you that we don't have reddy-pink floors!   You can see that the dining room has also become a resting place for the tiles that get laid on Monday!

We are building a buffet in the recess that is being specially made for the space and it will have a granite top, which we still have to go choose.  We also have to find a mirror for the area above the buffet.  Oooooo goodie... another great excuse to go shopping! :-)

I'll share some more pictures with you later in the week.    I can't believe that we will be in so soon.  Now... we just HAVE to get that packing done!

As always, thank you for visiting my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  You know your visits and your support are greatly appreciated.

Warm hugs and prayers for those who need a little lift tonight.   Pammie... I am so proud of you!

Hugs

Jaydee

 

This and that.... and checking in

Hi Everyone.  Happy Thursday!

Lou and I have had a busy week so far - let's see what we/I have been up to:

•  I've spent hours on the phone organizing television, cable, telephone. 
• Setting up appointments with all sorts of people at the new house
• working :-)
•  celebrating my birthday
• thinking about packing
• thinking about how I really need to make some cards
• changing paint colors for the new house... yep.... now that was a story!
• re-choosing light fittings for the dining room... yep... now that's also a story!
• making little cutouts of new possible furniture to make sure it fits - some does.. some doesn't! :-)
• Deciding what needs to be recycled and what needs to come to the new house
• trying to find a suitable kennel for the cats
• meeting with handymen and service men to do repairs in our old house
• rescuing mice at 2.50am!

It's been a chaotic few days to say the least.  However, it has been fun - for the most part.  I'm not entirely sure how I feel about getting out of bed and rescuing mice at 2.50am.....  but I am pleased to say that the mouse was none the worse for wear - even though he had relentlessly been chased by the hairy, furry things.  I managed to extract him from Bilbo's mouth and capture him under an old plastic mixing bowl we use for just such occasions.   In fact, I managed to extract him from Bilbo's mouth and capture him with the mixing bowl all with one movement.   I then found out just how useful my crafting mat is....as it was the perfect thing to slide underneath the bowl and carry the mouse outside.   I think he was grateful :-)   Poor Bilbo.  He sat in the basement staring at the last place that the mouse had appeared from for oh..... about 10 hours before he finally gave up!!!!

I do have a couple of pictures to share with you.    This one is quite a house that we saw.  In fact... I think this house will be the envy of thousands of children...... Lou and I couldn't believe it when we saw it.  We went to visit a cat boarding facility up in the cities and as we were driving past looking for parking we saw this!

Isn't that AWESOME!  I mean... seriously... it is the grand-daddy of all treehouses.   We were gobsmacked.  I just had to take some pictures.   I kept thinking how fabulous it would be for kids.... I mean.. it has a crow's nest right at the top of the tree!!!!  Can you imagine what they do with this at halloween?

Not much to update you on at our house... as not much had happened since our last visit.  When we arrived, we were hoping to drive down the road into the cul de sac and see the siding up - finally we would get to see the colors that we had fought so hard for..... errrr..... mmmmmm...

So, unless we decided to make the house white with green writing... I don't think this is quite what we had in mind for the color scheme :-)   We found out that the siding and stone work was running a couple of weeks behind but should be up this week... we hope...   The siding is quite a story.... the developer will not allow houses within a certain proximity to have the same colors for siding.  Well, that was great, but the base color we wanted - and the only color we could both agree on - was being used by the house next door.   Mmmmmm.... we really could not agree on another color and decided we would have to think about it.  Luckily, the neighbor's had a change of heart and decided they didn't want that color anymore!  The developer immediately called us and we were so happy that we could have the color we wanted!  Now... we really want to see if we made the right decision!

As always... thank you so much for your visit - and for spending a little time in my area of the stamping blogosphere.  Your visits do mean a great deal to me.

Have a wonderful Friday.  Warm hugs and prayers to those of you who need a little lift tonight and Pammie... you know that I will be with you in spirit at 1.15 local time.

Hugs

Jaydee

Happy Birthday for Casestudy

Hi Everyone.  Happy Monday.

Before anything else I'd like to give a shout out to Jeanne!   Jeanne, thank you so much for your card.  It was a wonderful surprise - and it is a gorgeous card!  You really made my day.  Thank you for remembering me.  Big hugs.

I saw a fabulous card across at casestudy again this last week. Laura's clean and simple style is fabulous and I was really attracted to the white space, the colors and the peaks of the houses.

Click on the link and go check out her truly gorgeous card.  You can also see the many amazing ways the design team and the submission cards have gone.   Great inspiration.

Here's my take on it

You can see that I was obviously inspired by the color scheme!   Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard and Old Olive are a gorgeous combination and one that I have not put together before.   To create the feel of the peaks, I used a chevron stamp that I colored using markers.  I did the same with the Happy Birthday sentiment, as well.  Can you see the inspiration?

On a personal note:

Lou and I were up doing things for the house the last couple of days.  I need to take advantage of the fact that he is actually in town for a few days!   We went shopping for furniture... it was only when we did a review of what furniture was coming with us, that we realized we had a lot of empty spaces.  It was great fun visiting Restoration Hardware, Crate and Barrel, West Elm and Pottery Barn looking at furniture.  We found some awesome stuff - now we just need to agree on it before we order!!!!

We also met with the landscaper's today and got a surprise.  Part of the wooden wetland that we didn't think is part of our property is, in fact, our property.  On the converse of that... part of the open area right on the side of the house that we thought was on our property - is part of the spare block next door.  We think the people who might build next door would have been a little surprised to find that we had already created a patio and a little garden for them as a housewarming present:-)    However, having more of the wooded wetland is a fabulous thing!  So, we just have to find a new place for the patio.   We also found today that the city is starting to restore the wetland to its natural plantings which is wonderful for us.  So, a very eventful couple of days!

We had expected to be able to take some pictures of great progress.... errrrr... not really.... they were supposed to have put all the siding up over the last week or so, but we got there and found that they are only doing it this week!!!  However, we did get to see some of the flooring being layed today.  That was really exciting.

As always, thank you for visiting my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  You know your visits and your support are much appreciated.    Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift today.

Hugs

Jaydee

Card recipe:

• Card stock:  Cajun Craze, Whisper White.  (SU)
• Inks:  More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Old Olive (SU)
• Stamps:  Chevrons, Birthday Greetings (Amuse Studio)
• Accessories:  Buttons (Bag 'o Buttons)

Paper Players Challenge #87 - Clean and Simple

Hi Everyone.  Happy Saturday!

This week the fabulous Nance has a GREAT challenge for us. 

The minute I saw this challenge I knew exactly what I was going to do!   The funny thing is.... several of the design team had similar ideas and we didn't know that until we went to load our cards.  You really need to go check it out!    Rach...you especially!

I really wanted to go clean on the layout and make the focus all about the sentiment.  There is a wonderful sentiment in the Papertrey Ink Happy Trails set and you have seen me use it before.  I decided that my button treatment would be all about that sentiment!

Here's what I came up with

I know you can't see it - but the top layer is actually textured Whisper White card stock.  The textured background added just the right amount of ...well... texture! against the smoothness of the buttons.

I was really happy with the card and it took almost no time to come together. 

Card recipe:

• Card stock:  Whisper White plain and textured card stock
• Accessories:  Stampin' Up! buttons - Rich Regals, Bold Brights
• Sentiment:   Happy Trails, Papertrey Ink
• Ink:  Night of Navy

We hope that you will play along with us this week.  The Paper Players can't wait to see what creative ways YOU come up with of using buttons on a clean and simple card.

On a personal note:

Happy St. Patrick's day.   St Patty's day holds a lot of personal memories for me and helps to bring me closer to my Irish roots.  Although, it isn't a day I drink green beer :-)   it's a day I think of my father and all of my paternal ancestors.  Remembering how amazing it was - 5 years ago - when I stood in County Louth and realized that my family had been in that same spot since the 11th century.  It gave me a feeling of connectedness and continuity that is really hard to explain. 

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
~Irish Blessing

Hugs

Jaydee

This and that....

Hi Everyone.  Happy Thursday

I know I said I wouldn't post until tomorrow, but thought I would drop in and say hi to everyone.  Oh yeah... and congrats Beverly.... I never win anything - and you go win a cabinet for your brand new sewing machine..... So... what's the winning lottery numbers for this week? :-)

Many of you have made the very sensible suggestion of getting someone to pack for me.  But.. you know how it goes... I want to make sure that everything that moves to the house is what we want or need... so, it means touching everything, looking at everything and deciding whether it really should go into the packing box - or the recycling box!   I'm very good about doing a clean out every year, but, even with that, there is still a lot of "stuff" that I think I'd rather recycle and find a new home for than take to the new house.   So, that's the reason I'm packing myself.

Of course, that also means going through all my stamping stuff.  Over the last few years I have amassed a collection of stuff that I absolutely HAD to have... nay... NEEDED!   Well, you know how that goes, too.  How much of it sits in my cupboard and never gets to see ink or the light of day?  I think that I may be having a garage sale on that stuff, too!

We go to see the house on Monday and we know for sure that a lot will have changed since we last saw it.  This past couple of weeks should have seen the siding go on.   Floors down.  Mechanical in.... lots of good stuff!  So, we can't wait to go visit.

I found a landscaping company that does prarie and wetland restoration projects... sounds like they are the ideal people to do our landscaping.  So they are the first guys we will meet with to discuss our plans.   That's really exciting.   We are also off to buy light fittings for the dining room and above the dinette table.   We saw this light fitting when we were at West Elm and I LOVE it..... it's so beautiful in real life and I think will look marvelous over the dinette table.  When you see it in real life, it casts a beautiful soft light over the table.  

For the dining room, we are going more formal with this chandelier from crate and barrel.

It's actually much bigger than it looks... and is really pretty because of the crystal disks holding up the lights.    Its all so exciting being able to go buy some new goodies:-)

"D" so glad you find a place to visit for a little midnight blog-reading :-)

Now... I'm off to go feed the pussycats before they phone the SPCA!

Warm hugs and prayers to all of you who need a little lift tonight.

Hugs

Jaydee

Life... revisited

Hi Everyone.  Happy Wednesday night.

Earlier this week I shared this card that I made for Freshly Made Sketches

Well, it stuck to the sketch challenge and I love the neutral feel, however I decided to also create a feminine version and just change up the sketch a little.

I forced myself to use one of the colors I use the least.... Poppy Parade.  Well, actually there are colors I use less often - like Certainly Celery... anyone remember me ever using that color? :-)   Overall, Poppy is a fabulous color - but tends to be a little too strong for me, but I really wanted to force myself!

Here's my redo of the original card.

I used all the same elements - the only thing that changed was the DSP, cardstock and ink colors.  This Domestic Goddess DSP is another one of my alltime favorite SU DSPs.

I like the feminine colors and the two toned frame around the sentiment.  Pool Party is certainly one of my favorite spring colors :-)

On a personal note:

the days are ticking by till our move and the stuff remains unpacked!   I have a to do list as long as my arm, but am so exhausted at the end of the work day these days, that I haven't had the energy to pack. 

The weather is gorgeous....simply gorgeous..... 72 degrees today.  Considering this time last year we still had snow on the ground and were lucky to reach 50... this is amazing.  It feels like a mid-May day rather than a mid-March day!

As always, thank you for stopping by my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  Your visits really do mean a great deal to me.  I'll see you next on Friday!

Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.  Pammie... that includes you.

Hugs

Jaydee

• Card deets:  Card stock:  Pool Party, Poppy Parade.  Stamps:  Out on a Limb (Papertrey Ink).  DSP:  Domestic Goddess.  Accessories:  Basic Pearls.  Tools:  Big Shot.  Beautiful Wings die

Nature - for casestudychallenge

Hi Everyone.  Happy Tuesday night.

I hope you are all having a great week so far. 

I saw this fabulous card across at casestudychallenge this week and couldn't help but be inspired.  I decided to use the rules of CASEing for it (the ones set out at splitcoaststampers that is).  I really didn't want to change a lot about it... I loved the colors, I loved the ribbon and the buttons.   I did however, change the dies behind the sentiment, the sentiment and the focal point.  The original card has a clean and vintage feel, mine lost the vintage part of it.  Mind you, the ribbon is a little distressed:-)

Here's the original card that can be seen at this link on casestudy

Told you it was gorgeous, didn't I? :-)

Here's my take on it

You can see that I reversed the die layer and base colors.  I wanted the white to pop from the Crumb Cake layer.  I didn't randomly choose the sentiment either...... :-)  Those of you who read my blog regularly will know that nature is such an intrinsic part of my very being and this sentiment really speaks to me on that level.   It really is where I go to get back to myself and that's the appeal of our new plot of land.  Everytime we visit, all I need to do is walk around the corner of the house and look out and I immediately feel my breath start to ease and my pulse rate start to slow.   Looking out of the windows our our new house makes my heart soar. 

In addition, what we have created in terms of a little ecosphere in our current garden brings me immense happiness.   I will miss it, but we are so looking forward to seeing what a difference we can make to our new environment.  In fact, we meet with the landscaper's on Monday because I do not want the stock standard green grass, 1 tree and 10 pretty shrubs!  Lou and I both feel that we are beholden to the wetlands that traverse our property and that the environment deserves to be treated with respect.  Getting the right plantings and ensuring no chemicals go onto the garden is even more important that it is in our current yard.

Anyway, that was a long way to tell you that this sentiment really does mean something to me:-)  Don't you love the trees stamped below the sentiment?  I just wish I hadn't inadvertently distressed the ribbon.  grrrrrr :-)

So, don't forget to pop along to casestudy - there are always amazing cards for inspiration there.

As always, thank you so much for your visit.  Your visits, your comments and your support are the reason that I continue to publish this blog.

Warm hugs and prayers for those who need a lift tonight.  Pammie.... you know I am thinking of you.

Hugs

Jaydee

Card details - all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

• Card stock:  Whisper White, Crumb Cake.  Stamps:  Poetry of the Earth (Wordsworth).  Accessories:  Vanilla/Black wide ribbon.  Buttons (non SU).  Baker's Twine (non SU).  Tools:  Top Note Die.  Big Shot.  Nestabilities die - Labels 21

Just Believe for FreshlyMadeSketches #25

Hi Everyone.  Happy Monday.

I managed to get two three cards made this weekend.  Continuing the pact I made with myself, I made 3 cards and packed 3 boxes!

I found it really tough to concentrate on card making this weekend.  My mind was wondering to all sorts of places and packing boxes and having to really concentrate on packing very fragile things, took my mind off other things.  Which is always good, right? :-)

I saw this great sketch across at FreshlyMade and decided I really wanted to play along.  I had an image in my head of what I wanted to do and I think it turned out OK.  I then decided to play with the sketch and make a different version of the card - you will see that one later in the week.

I couldn't resist using my favorite DSP - Mocha Morning.  I also used a set I rarely use - Just Believe.  I had bought a sentiment set from Papertrey Ink a long time ago and have been waiting to find the right time to use it.  This layout really worked for the sentiment.

I'm nore sure you can see it that well, but I did run the crumb cake layer through my Big Shot with a music plate and then distressed it with some Crumb Cake ink.  It's hard to see in the photograph, I think, but does add a lot of dimension when you see it in real life.

I really love the color scheme and when I pulled out the Crumb Cake Seam Binding ribbon, I remembered how much I love using that ribbon!  It is just the right size and creates a crisp clean bow.

Here's my finished card:

Isn't that a great layout... and isn't that a fabulous sentiment?   I know that the very talented team across at Freshly Made would love you to pop along and check out the wonderful design team and submission cards. 

On a personal note....

Counting down the days to the move.  We have so many little things that need fixing, paint that needs retouching - and... the packing!  I swear it is going to be upon us before we know it.  I am trying to save packing my stamping goodies until the last minute, but there will be a time during the moving period where my blog goes quiet I think.  I don't think I am going to have time to make enough cards to put up a card in advance - right now I can hardly keep up with making 4 cards a week!!!

As always, thank you for spending time in my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  Your visits and your comments are always much appreciated.   Warm hugs and prayers to those of you who need a lift tonight.  Pammie.... big hugs for you, my friend.

Hugs

Jaydee

• Card details - all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:    Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla.  DSP:  Mocha Morning.  Inks:  Sahara Sand (Just Believe), Early Espresso (sentiment).  Stamps:  Just Believe.  Out on a Limb (Papertrey Ink).  Tools:  Big Shot.  Beautiful Wings die.  1 1/4" and 1 3/8" punches. Impressions Die - Papertrey Ink.  Accessories: Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon

Paper Players CHallenge # 86 - Color Challenge

Hi Everyone. Happy Sunday.

Lesley has a great color challenge for us all this week.  They are perfect spring colors.

Now, the card that I made using these colors was absolutely NOT the card I had intended to make. 

I needed to make a sympathy card.  Sympathy cards are the hardest for me to make.  It's made especially hard when the card is for someone you love, about someone you loved.   My intention had been to go with my more neutral, muted color scheme.  However, when I thought about the card - and the person that it related to, I realized that Lesley's color scheme was perfect as the pretty colors were perfect for this person.

So, I went way out of my comfort zone and made a sympathy card with pretty, spring colors!  I wanted nature to feature on the card and decided that the image from Thoughts and Prayers wasn't quite big enough, so I created the tree and the sentiment in My Digital Studio.  That allowed me to stretch the image to the size that I needed. 

Once I had the tree and sentiment down, I knew it needed something else.  Then I remembered the winning card from last week's challenge and how Kathy had used little flowers on her tree.  I decided that was exactly what I was missing.

Here's my card

We hope you will join us this week.  Don't forget to pop along to the Paper Players to check out the fabulous design team and submission cards.

On a personal note

If things weren't bad enough this week, I got a call from the neighbors across the street to tell me that some idiot had driven down our road too fast and had taken out our mail boxes.  There are pieces of fender all around the area.  No brake marks, I might add.  However, you can see where the idiot mounted the pavement because there is a tire mark as they hit the pavement, the pavement is scraped from the bottom of the car and there is a tire mark in the grass all the way into - and past the mail boxes.  So, we now have to spend the money to replace the whole contraption!

To take my mind off everything that has happened this week, I decided to do some more packing.  Keeping busy kept my mind engaged and the physical activity helped, too.

This morning I noticed two more signs of spring.   Crocuses popping their heads up at the front of the house - and the Robin returned to our garden today.   Those things, along with the warmer weather, the Red shouldered Blackbird - and the mating call of the Chickadee - all herald an early arrival of Spring.  When I went out to inspect the post box detritus, I noticed the wind had a slightly warm feel to it as it caressed my skin.  Yep.... spring is nearly here.  With spring comes our move... yikes.. I had better go and pack some more boxes.

Warm hugs and prayers for those who need a lift today.  Pammie - especially warm hugs and prayers for you.

Hugs

Jaydee

Card details:

• Card Stock:  Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder, Crumb Cake, Pool Party.  Stamps:  My Digitial Studio - Thoughts and Prayers.  Tools:  Punch Pack blossom punch.  Accessories:  Basic Pearls

Spring Wildflowers for Alacardmonkey #99

Hi Everyone. Happy Friday!

This week I was lucky enough to be a guest designer across at alacardmonkey.  The thing I love about their challenges is not only do you get a sketch to follow - but also a theme!  That makes it much easier for me to choose a stamp set!

Here's the sketch and challenge for this week:

Isn't that cool?   A sketch for you and a theme of flowers..... Well, that was pretty easy for me.  I am desperate to see some wildflowers again and that led me to a set I have had for ages and hardly use.  Hero Arts Wildflower Garden.

I took out my Stampin' Up! markers and inked up the stamp.  Here's what I came up with:

Because the image was fairly delicate, I decided to use pearls as the circular element instead of buttons.  I added a few pearls across the flowers and on my sentiment, too.   The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink and is perfect for this image.

Card recipe:

• Stamps:  Hero Arts Wildflower Garden.  Sentiment:  Vintage Picnic Sentiments, Papertrey Ink
• Inks:  Elegant Eggplant, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Pretty in Pink, Wisteria Wonder - Stampin' Up!
• Accessories:  Basic Pearls, Stampin' Up!
• Cardstock:  Very Vanilla, Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant (plain and textured) - Stampin' Up!
• Tools:  Scallop border punch - Stampin' Up!   The "v" in the sentiment was made using the corner of my 1 1/2 square punch.  Fiskars Easy Stamp Press.

My thanks to the fabulous design team across at Alacardmonkey for allowing me to play along this week.  I hope that you will pop along and check out the fabulous design team sketchs - and play along with us this week!

Miss you

Hi Everyone.  Happy Wednesday night.

I do have a card for you tonight... but it is one of those that really seemed much better in my head than it does on paper :-)

I saw this layout across and clean and simple stamping

I had this idea in my head to use Aviary and create a masculine miss you card.  I also decided I wanted to go "dramatic" and make a black and white card.  Well, that was all wonderful in my brain.... but... when I had finished it I looked at it and thought..... harrumph!  mmmmm....

But, I will share it with you anyway :-)

Card supplies - all supplies Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

• Card stock:  Whisper White, Basic Black
• DSP:  Neutrals Patterns Pack
• Ink:  Basic Black
• Accessories: Pearls - non SU
• Stamps:  Aviary.  Sentiment:  Papertray (Papertrey Ink)

 

On a personal note:

For the Downton lovers out there, I noticed on an online news site today that there will be 3 more series.  Yay!  However, so far, Maggie Smith has only signed on for one more.  Now.. I don't know about you guys... but Downton wouldn't be quite the same without her.  In fact, the same news site had the 10 best lines uttered by Maggie.. err the Dowager Countess.  However, it's not just what the Dowager Countess says... its her impeccable delivery!

Linda, you asked why we are packing.... it's 7 weeks before we move.  Yep.  7 weeks.  aaaaarggghh... I just realized.... it's now 6 weeks.  !!!!!!! As Lou is away for 5.5 weeks out of the 7, it means that the majority of the packing will be left to me.  It's going to take a good number of days to get the house packed, so I decided to get a head start by packing the stuff that we don't use.  So, that's why I'm packing!  Now, I am one of those people that cleans out the house every year - I really don't like clutter and anything that doesn't get used - gets recycled.  However, there is still a lot of detritus when you have lived in a house for 14 years.  I know that there will be a lot of things that go into the recycle bins whilst I am packing up and I am absolutely OK with that.  Including a whole host of stamping stuff!

Today, it was confirmed that Spring is on her way!   I had the door wide open again today.  I was on the phone when I heard a sound I had not heard since October.   The incredible trill of the Redshouldered Blackbird.  Oh... glorious.  What a beautiful sound.  The robin cannot be far behind him.

As always, thank you for spending a little time in my little area of the blogosphere.  You know your visits and your support mean a great deal to me.  Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.

Hugs

Jaydee

Love is.... for alacardmonkey

Hi Everyone.  Happy Tuesday.  I hope you are all having a wonderful week so far.

I'd like to start off this post by thanking the wonderful design team at alacardmonkey for choosing to highlight this card in their challenge a couple of weeks ago.  I was so thrilled and honored and even more delighted that they have asked me to be a guest designer for their new challenge starting at the end of this week.  So don't forget to check back then :-)

I saw their fabulous sketch this week and couldn't wait to play along.  However, what made the challenge even more fun was that there was a theme attached to it.  the theme?  happiness.  Well, what says happiness more than people in love :-)

Here's the sketch and theme

Seriously, isn't that adorable?

Well... I knew exactly what I wanted to do with this sketch......

It was really difficult to photograph the very vanilla - all that white space.  It is a lovely card in real life though and I love the Real Red with the Very Vanilla.  Not a combo I normally go to.  Generally I would pair Very Vanilla with Cherry Cobbler, but I really wanted a true red for this card.  

I pulled out an old embossing folder and a sentiment from Wordsworth.  It's a beautiful sentiment and deserves to be center stage.

So, why not pop along to alacardmonkey and check out the fabulous design team and submission cards - and play along!

On a personal note:

No packing done today.  Nothing.  Nada.  I swear I can hear all those cardboard boxes screaming my name like the sirens and if I don't get packing soon, the boxes are going to feel more like the Three Witches from Macbeth portending chaos and conflict.  Surely, it will be chaos at the last minute if I don't get something done soon.

However... last night.... my sirens were the characters in Downton Abbey.  Thank you, Adelle.  On your suggestion, I found season 2 on PBS.... Ah...... yes..... Needless to say, I didn't get to sleep until 2.30 this morning.  The worst thing about all of this is that I have had instant gratification for season 1 and 2 - being able to watch them one after the other and now have to wait for months for season 3.

What is it about Downton Abbey.... certainly the era.  The topics it covers in terms of the Titanic, World War I, class distinction, the fall of class distinction, the raise of the Irish, the fight for the right for women to vote, the ridiculousness that surrounded women who were considered "feeble minded" and unable to form - or hold - an opinion of their own.  The birth of inventions such as the telephone, electricity, indoor plumbing.  So much occured during this time.  So much changed during this time.  The empire fell during this time.  Disease was rampant and Fleming had not yet discovered penicillin.  A time when countries were created and others destroyed.  It's a fascinating time in history.

More than the history though - and I'm a history buff - it's the fact that the characters are so fully fleshed out.  You might hate them - or love them - or find them tiresome, but they are truly memorable characters.  The sets and clothes are fascinating.  I find myself getting lost in detailed photography.  Oh.. and yes... I admit it... I'm entirely envious of that house!!!!!

Today... it was 63 degrees.  I cannot believe it.  The sun felt warm as it streamed through the window.  I had the door to the deck open and the breeze ruffled through the house and it was fabulous.  Oh... I love this time of year.

I also love that you visited with me today.... you know that your visits and your comments mean a great deal to me.   Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.  Beth - don't forget... we want a photograph of little Lucy when you get back!

Hugs

Jaydee

 

Welcome Baby - for Cas-ualfridays - and Beth

Hi Everyone.  Happy Monday.  I hope you all had a fabulous day.

Tonight's card is in honor of Lucy Victoria!  Beth, congratulations on the arrival of your grand-daughter.  What a wonderful occasion and I am so very pleased for all of you.

Cas-ualfridays had a challenge to make a clean and simple baby card and how wonderful to have a reason to make one!   I really wanted to do something other than pink and think that Pool Party is such a gorgeous color that it is neither masculine nor feminine.

Here's my card

Isn't that image just the cutest thing you have seen?  Of course, those bubbles, water and plastic bath screamed for some Crystal Effects and I love that the dots on the paper are echoed in the focal image and I made the third circular repetition with some pearls.

Card contents - all Stampinp' Up! unless otherwise noted:

• Card stock:  Whisper White, Pool Party
• DSP:  Pool Party In Color Patterns Pack
• Inks:  Copic markers
• Stamp:  Woodware - New Baby.  Sentiment - SU Short & Sweet
• Tools:  Crystal Effects
• Accessories:  Pearls (non -SU)

I hope that you will leave a message of congratulations to Beth on the addition of her new baby.  :-)

You should also pop across to cas-ualfridays and check out the fabulous design team and submission cards.

On a personal note:

Jen, thank you for your message about checking out Quinn.  Isn't he amazing!   Rach, I am so jealous that you saw BB King when you were 12.   I was in my 40s when I saw him.  Lissie did well to introduce you to such amazing talent at such an early age.

I am going to try to get some more boxes packed tonight, however, I must admit, I am little hooked on Downton Abbey.  We got Tivo a week ago and found that we could join netflix and download movies.  Great, we thought.  What I hadn't realized is that you can get the whole of Season 1 of Downton Abbey there as well.  Needless to say, I got to sleep at about 1am this morning because I decided to give it a try and see what all the fuss was about.  mmmm...... 4 episodes later, I finally went to sleep!  So, instead of packing - I might have to watch the Voice and maybe an episode or two of Downton Abbey. :-)

Warm hugs and prayers for all of you who need a little lift tonight.  As always, thank you so much for spending time in my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  You know your visits mean a great deal to me.

Hugs

Jaydee

 

 

Artistic Etchings for FreshlyMade

Hi Everyone.  Happy Sunday.

Quick post for  you tonight.

I saw this great sketch across at freshlymade and decided I had to play along!

I wanted to make a masculine card... something I find pretty hard to do.  I also wanted to add a love element to it, without hearts.  Mmmm.... So, I pulled out my Artistic Etchings and, together with some of my favorite Mocha Morning DSP... I think I came up with something I quite like!

Card contents - all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

• Card stock:  Early Espresso, Gold Metallic, Very Vanilla (under the vellum sentiment)
• Stamps:  Artistic Etchings.  Sentiment:  Vintage Picnic Sentiments (PTI)
• DSP:  Mocha Morning.  First Edition.
• Inks:  Early Espresso, StazOn Black, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand.  I distressed the First Edition with Tea Stain to stop it being such a bright vanilla.

So, I think it's masculine.  Lou will be pleased that there is no ribbon to be found anywhere.  He really has an issue with masculine cards and ribbon. I thought a button and a little baker's twine was OK :-)

Why don't you pop along to FreshlyMade and check out the fabulous design team and submission cards.

On a personal note:

Well... we have 7 weeks until we have to move and as of this morning we had packed no boxes, sorted nothing out and have not organized the handyman to come and do all the little fix up things.  Nor have we ordered new carpet or ANYTHING.... In fact.  NOTHING!  Aaaaaarrrrggghhh :-)  Of course, my dear hubby does what he always does when things need doing - he left town for two weeks. Mmmmmm.... 

Anyway, I was in the middle of making a card and had a panic attack and decided that I REALLY needed to go start some packing.  So, between cards I taped up some boxes and started to pack.  I promised myself that I could only make a card IF I had packed a box.  I made 4 cards... and packed 4 boxes :-)   Well, it's 4 more than I had packed this morning, right :-)  I know that I am going to have to knuckle down and start getting this stuff done.  It seems to have snuck up on us so quickly.

The house is taking shape... really taking shape.  They were sheetrocking this week and when we went there yesterday they were about 3/4 done hanging the sheetrock.    I thought you might want to see a couple photographs of the progress.

Here's a look at the shower in the master bedroom.... I really wanted a rain shower... and got one...   you can see that they haven't finished hanging sheetrock here yet

The one thing that really struck us when we went into the house yesterday is how bright it is inside.  Considering it was a pretty dull day and the windows had plastic on them - and half the window was covered up with sheetrock stacked up against it..... it was pretty light in the family room.

Sheetrocking mostly hung in this area.   They won't start on the fitted cabinets until the wooden floors are in, but it's certainly beginning to feel like a house.  

When I uploaded the photographs I noticed something.... for every picture I took of a room.... I took 3 of the view from that room!   Guess I like the view, huh?

Here's a view from one of the sunroom windows.  We will be building a patio area just in front of the plastic... we can't wait.

Well.... the view is the reason we decided to build this house..... so I suppose it's good that we are still so in love with it :-)

I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend and that you have a fabulous Monday.   Warm hugs and prayers to those of you who need a little lift tonight.   As always, thank you so much for spending time in my little area of the stamping blogosphere.

Hugs

Jaydee

Paper Players Challenge # 85 - Spring has Sprung!

Hi Everyone.

I know it may not feel  like Spring to some of us, but that didn't stop me yearning for it!  It is my pleasure to host the Paper Players challenge this week and it's a theme challenge.  The theme I chose?

I decided to do a little color blocking.  I have to say, color blocking is the one time when my SU clear stamping blocks come into their own!  It is so easy to create a fabulous, motled background for your image.  In this case I used Pear Pizzazz on the bottom and Bashful Blue on the top.  All I had to do was stamp my pad over the block, and voila.... An instant background.

I really wanted to take the sentiment off the page for this challenge.  When I do that, I always get frustrated because it no longer fits in my envelope.  This time, I reduced the size of the card and placed the sentiment off the card - and the card still fits into a normal A2 envelope.  Also... I think the smaller frame around the focal image works well!

Here's my card

I inked up my stamp using Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait and Cajun Craze.  A little Pretty in Pink worked for the flower in the lower left - just above the sentiment. 

For the base of the card, I ran it through my Big Shot using a Papertrey Ink embossing plate called Linen and Canvas. 

I mounted the focal image onto Peach Parfait card stock and the base is Pear Pizzazz.

So, why not pop along to the Paper Players and play along with us this week.  I can't wait to see what you do with this theme.

Why not visit the design team member blogs and check out their fabulous cards. 

• Ann
• Anne Marie
• LeAnne
• Lesley
• Nance
• Jen
• Heidi
• Sherry

On a personal note:

I had planned to do a blog update late last night... however, Lou and I got home at 1.30 am.  Yep.. a pair of dirty stop outs!  If I tell you we went to see the house, have dinner and watch a blues concert, you wouldn't be surprised that we got home at that time, would you!  Now... I love the blues.... I can thank my first boyfriend Alan for that.  He decided it was a good time to educate me about "real music" and made me listen to the earliest blues known to man.  I remember these incredibly scratchy recordings that he had copied on to reel to reel tape.  (Now I am showing my age!)  Delta Blues as I came to know it.  I remember sitting listening to the grittest vocals, with the grittest content and the most amazing rhythmic musical structure. I fell in love.  I am still in love. 

Last night we went to see Buddy Guy.  Eric Clapton (no wannabee as a guitar player) named Buddy Guy as the world's best living guitar player.   Now.... I have to tell you... Buddy Guy wasn't the best part about last night's performance.   And I LOVE Buddy Guy.  The musicians came on the stage and this young man joined them.  Dressed in skechers, khaki pants and a plaid shirt.  His blonde hair looked like a mop.  He took up the guitar and I thought..... oh for pete's sake... what do we have here.    OH..... BOY... If we ever needed a lesson in NOT judging a book by it's cover - we got one.

This young man, was.... in a single word...... GOBSMACKING.   He was about 1/4 way through his first song and I turned to Lou and said..... It's Frank White! (more about him later) but he sounds like Diana Ross.   He gave us both goosebumps.  At the end of his first song we were both in tears.  Yep.  Seriously. he was amazing.   I turned to Lou and said... this guy's voice has broken yet, he's about 3 years away from getting a driving license........  we came to find out that he was, indeed, 13 years old.  YEP.  You heard me... 13 years old.  Lou calls him a reincarnation of Jimmi Hendrix.  I say that's an insult.  Jimmy could play the guitar - but he never connected the way this kid does.  He blew our minds.  Absolutely.  We heard from Buddy that he first saw him when the boy was 7 years old.  He said that he didn't believe it was him playing the guitar, so he followed the cord from his guitar and went behind the curtain to make sure that it really was him.

We came to find out that he was on the Ellen de Generes show at 6 years old.  His favorite TV program back then - Spongebob Square Pants.  How can someone who listens to Spongebob Square pants play the Beatles - technically perfectly - and then play the blues?  The boy has come a long way since then..... astonishing.  His voice still needs to break, and he needs to get out of the upper registers - but he can do things with a guitar that take my breath away.  Frank White was a musician from my home town that my first boyfriend, Alan, introduced me to.   Frank played a double neck - 18 string - Gibson guitar and had riffs and licks that I had never seen before.  This young man.... was even better... and he's only 13.   If you haven't checked out this young man... you really should.  His name is Quinn Sullivan and you can catch him here on the Ellen de Generes show at age 6.  Then you can catch him here.  Then you can catch him here opening for Buddy Guy a year ago.  Remember... the kid hasn't even grown facial hair yet!  That ladies... is a God given talent :-)

Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.

Hugs

Jaydee