Friday, May 11, 2012

My Mother's Day Minus One

This is the fourth Mother's Day we are celebrating without my Mom.  This weekend is by far the hardest day to celebrate without her.  No longer feeling her arms embrace me with a warm hug, hearing the simple words "I love you", telling her the funny line our little one blurted out the other evening, or hearing how she told everyone she knew how much of a 'star' her baby girl (our oldest and Mammaw's favorite) was the evening of the school musical.  Oh how I miss her...

Therefore, I simply remind myself I am surrounded by lots of loving Mothers.  Ones that I share laughs and margaritas with and talk about "50 Shades of Grey", tee hee hee.  Ones that are my family now, or have always been, or are "adopted members", and being very fond of those I can look into their eyes and see my own mother, or hear her through their own voice, stories and laughter.  She is everywhere within each and all of you.  Thank you.

I am very fortunate to have such wonderful Mothers in my life!  Once again, my Mother's Day card list has grown.  I have made 16 cards this year for those dear to my heart.   Each one unique, but sharing the same qualities, such as texture, color, font, style, etc.  Here are samples of a few, take a look!










Have a very Happy Mother's Day!!!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Wall of Memories

Wall galleries are very hot right now, and I wanted to get in on all the fun!  With luck, I had the perfect wall.  How did I know it was the perfect wall you ask, it was blessed with a thermostat right in the middle of it.  UGH!!!  We have lived here two years, and not one item has ever hung on that wall due to this decorating faux pas.


I started last week gathering old frames, different sizes, shapes, colors, some metal, some plastic, and some wooden.  Next step was my favorite, the gathering of my favorite spray paints!  EEK!!!  I rarely do a project that does not require spray paint, it is my biggest go-to these days.  After restoring as many frames as I could find, I had to resort to buying a few.  Goodwill had tons, however they were the same price of new frames I found at Dollar General.  All in all, this project costs me $40.00, and I am tickled pink, no really, I am pink, due to calamine lotion covering my entire body.  Darn poison ivy!



The picture of our family under the rainbow was drawn by our oldest years ago before our youngest was born.  As soon as she drew this, I put it in a frame, I love this piece of art! The picture to the right of it is of my mother and the picture above is of my mother-in-law and her sister.



The larger portrait is of my father-in-law, it was taken in Vietnam.  This needed hung as a reminder of what he and many others, including my father, grandfather, uncle, nephew, friends, have done for all of us. 



Hanging all these beautiful portraits has created many smiles in our home.  We tell our children stories of their relatives, how we are related to each one, and explaining our family tree.  After losing my mother, it was important to me to start collecting these family heirlooms so one day they can be passed down to our children.  Then they, in return, can carry on those family stories from generation to generation.

I am linking to the following beautiful blogs, enjoy your journey!



Wednesday, April 11, 2012

It's Giveaway Time!

Giveaways are so much fun!  I have wanted to do one for some time now, so here we go!

I am giving away the cards I made recently.  The winner of the giveaway will receive all six!!!  Just follow these simple instructions for a chance to win!

1.  Become a follower, then simply leave a comment.  If you already follow, leave a comment to remind me.

2.  "Like" my page on Facebook, Flourish With A Vintage Flair.

3.   "Like" this post. 

That's it, I told you it was simple!

Here are the cards:






I can't wait to read all your comments!  Thanks for stopping by!!!

I am linking up to Savvy Southern Style, The DIY Dreamer, The Vintage Farmhouse,
and Faith Grace Crafts

Monday, April 9, 2012

Always an Occasion

There is always an occasion to send a card.  My personal favorite reason is "just because".  Many of you know the excitement of reaching into your mailbox, thumbing through bills, advertisements, and the all too unnecessary junk mail, to find an envelope addressed personally to you from someone dear to you.  Thinking, why?  Birthday, no.  Holiday, no.  Hmmmm...  And you open it to realize it is for you, just because.

Here are a few I have been creating in the studio.





Of course there are those to send to let your dear ones know they are in your closest thoughts and prayers.



No matter what day it is, there is always an occasion to let your loved ones know you are thinking of them.


Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Thursday, April 5, 2012

A Very Hoppy Home

Yet another holiday dear to our hearts has snuck up.  This year I was a little behind getting our home decorated for the Easter Season.  But I have finally pulled it off. 

The most important part of this holiday is the reason for it.



The next is family.  We always have Easter at home.  I love it!  This year, like most, Grandpa and Grandma are coming to celebrate with us.  This gives me the chance to entertain!!!  I really focused on our formal dining. 


Jocie Rea's flower girl basket from her Godmother's wedding.

My Easter bunny from when I was just a child.




The napkins are folded the same as the paper flowers.  I went with paper flowers strictly for financial reasons.  I searched for real flowers, but I would have spent a small fortune.  And with these tissue paper beauties, I can reuse every year and store with the rest of my Easter goodies!

The kids even decorate their rooms for the Lent Season.


Kaden's bunny from Mammaw!
Thank you for visiting our home and have a very Hoppy Easter, tee hee hee!!!

I am linking to the following beautiful blogs, please stop by each of them!

French Country Cottage

Thursday, March 29, 2012

The Lost Art of Snail Mail

Does anyone else miss sending and receiving snail mail?  Writing a letter instead of typing a message, status update, tweet?  I do...

Here are a few cards I have been working on the last day.  I can't wait to send these out!  Are you on my list???






Are you missing this lost art also?  Send a card or a quick note today.  Your loved one will enjoy it!

I am linking up to the following:

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream

My Grandpa would always chant these words, one of my best childhood memories. He believed every child loved root beer floats, so as a tradition he would always fix us one.  My brother started that tradition again a year ago for my children.

With that, tomorrow is our youngest's first school birthday celebration and I needed to come up with a fun treat to bring for his classmates.  Since I had already taken root beer floats for our oldest's Valentine's party, something different needed to be done.  Being a true Martha Stewart fan, I remembered a birthday treat she had on her show just last week, an Ice Cream Cone Cupcake.  The recipe is very easy, fun, and of course, YUMMY!!!

And our little one is excited to share with all of his friends!!!