These are the Days...

...of the beauty of summer.

...and taking a few moments to visit

a favorite, colorful summertime spot:

the local Farmer's Market.

{Still looking for the elusive blueberry crumb pie...!}

Where do YOU like to go for a breather & a smile during the summer?

♥

PS. Our PaperPumpkin etsy shop is 3 years old today! I am continually amazed at how quickly time goes by, the older I get. It really has been a fun three years!

I've evolved to using more fabrics than paper lately, but I'm certain my love and devotion to all things paper will show up in shoppe again soon.  My affair with fab fabrics is still running rampant, and here are some new magnets to prove it.  Ah well...it can't be helped. Fabrics call to me.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, dear friends!

May it be colorful!

Persevere

Kristin's Summer of Color led us to Purple this week, with some bonus shimmer, so...

To me, the color purple has always meant perseverance and strength.

 Hanging on and forging ahead when it is so very hard.

Being tenacious when pushing that piano uphill

is all you can feel,

and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight...yet.

 But...

 then

 there is

 and it's beautiful.

and it was worth it.

Writing about a Girly Day!

There's a first time for everything. Now that we are stepping closer to the Big Day, my daughter, her maid-of-honor, and I went for a trial run at a salon, to get up-do's. I wanted a natural look, with a little poof and body to it...

I was thoroughly excited to go with the girls, but nervous because I am simple and shy and... well, un-fancy! But it was loads of fun and I want to remember these special times, so I journaled about it briefly.

I did a little pretend stitching with my gelly roll markers.

... a simple, girly-girl page in my journal.

~k

A New Journal Page

The only thing good about feeling really down and out,

is that it can only get better.

After having a rough few weeks

in the beginning of summer,

I have been on the up & up lately,

and appreciating it.

So, as I feel better, move more,

and see what's ahead

in the next 4 weeks,

I SEE lots of good.

Really good!

Hopeful.

Inspired.

Grateful.

♥Wishing you that, too.
Thank you for visiting!
~k

Seeing Red, Thinking Positive

Journaling for Kristin's Summer of Color in RED this week!

Here's the unwritten spread:

The bonus was to incorporate Wings.

I don't use wings very often, but I felt it yesterday.

...And even if I have a rough spell,

and don't necessarily feel positive at the moment,

I tell  myself to Think Positive...

and then pray it helps!

I am open to miracles,

therefore I find them...

all the time...

everywhere.

 Thank goodness.

Written, completed {red} journal spread.

Have a great new week, everyone!

2 years and a big thank-you to You!

Big smile as I discover that today is my 2-year Blog Anniversary!
Thank you so much for the enrichment and encouragement in so many ways, on so many levels.
Thank you for visiting and for reading and for commenting. It's a fact that you do make my day.

Me blogging is a feat in itself because not only am I very shy, but I never thought I could use a computer to accomplish much!  I am  learning!

And, I celebrate a little over 2 years of visiting and loving and being inspired by all of you creative stars in my life!  Yeah!

Thank you followers! Thank you, friends! ♥Love and my favorite hydrangeas for you to enjoy on this beautiful Sunday:

 May you have peace and sunshine,

and a few moments to do whatever it is that you enjoy most.

...and isn't it a miraculous thing of beauty that all of these stages and colors are on ONE bush? Aah!

Very cool, But what is it?!

This big guy (about 1 1/2") was in my flower barrel getting his lunch. He was kind enough to stick around so I could get my camera...but what is he? The consensus right now is that it's a moth, but at first I thought it was a bee, then a small hummingbird (because he has a nozzle nose!). It flew in midair for ten minutes to drink out of every purple petunia. Very Cool. Very unusual. If you know the name, feel free and please do tell!

Dog Days of Summer...

 Ellie is the best napper. We snuggle.

 I did actually have a bit of a shop update, too. A few new things to pep it all up.

But for the most part,

I have been taking it kind of easy this week.

Enjoying July.

~k

Grace and Peace

I was sitting outside this morning with Michael and pup, Ellie, in the warm sunshine. Sipping coffee. Listening to U2 "It's a Beautiful Day" and the rest of that CD.  Love it.  My mind focused in on certain words...

Below, still doodling and some collage...

Completed page below:

...for Kristin's Summer of Color, Brown Week...with a pop of bold color.  ♥Hope you enjoy!
Thanks for popping in.
~k

Starting on the Left Page...

...and getting ready for Brown Week for the Summer of Color Challenge. The bonus this coming week is to have a hint of bold with one's browns!  My left page is not yet finished, but it's drying...and waiting for more layering.

Hope you are having time to do what you'd like to do on this summery Sunday.

~k

Sweetness into Saturday

The evening sparkled with twinkle lights

and smiles,

pretty bows and flowers,

and mountains of frosted cupcakes

in vintage centerpieces....

Friends and family visited

in love and laughter,

and this mom-of-the-bride

is still glowing with sentimentality!

 Here are the homemade centerpieces....

fabric, lace doilies, sweets,

flowers, and Michelle's own

table signs/cupcake keys!

 Everyone took home a berry basket (left)

with handstamped linen bags of lavender,

a jar candle with a handmade

Thank You sticker,

and tied with twine,

and a package of cupcake wraps
...and hopefully a prize or two!

 By the time I decorated cupcake 100,

I hope I could squeeze out prettiness...♥ !

The whimsical sugar butterflies, (etsy)

were such a lovely touch!

Maid-of-Honor (Sarah),

Junior bridesmaid (Chelsea),

and Michelle (Bride-to-Be!):

~All four bridesmaids~

And Groom, Kevin,

came near the end

to bring his Mom, me, and Michelle flowers,

share smiles,

and to take the beautiful gifts home!

♥

PS. We really did eat more than cupcakes!

We had appetizers and

stations with carved beef and turkey for sandwiches,

fresh tomato & basil pizzas,

salads,

and a make-your-own sundae bar!

♥

Thank you so much for sharing our evening and looking at photos!

I love when you visit.

~k

♥Today's the Bridal Shower!♥

It's tonight: Girls' Night Out Bridal Shower for my daughter, "Mia" Michelle!♥

I will be frosting cupcakes in a few minutes...lemon with strawberry icing, and fun fetti with pale turquoise icing(!) and will try to show you later! Mom of the groom is making red velvet cupcakes and chocolate. We are so excited! I even ordered edible sugar butterflies to put on some of them.  It's a beautiful day! ♥