Cherry Belle Cardigans

As mentioned in a post last week here are a few pictures of the cardigans created by Michele's sweet and talented cousins. This worked well for me too since I have a couple of "people" photo shoots coming up and I need to practice. And, luckily I've got a really cute model!

Growing up within a 15 minute drive they were lucky enough to get together just about every week. She has great memories of sleepovers, camping trips and lots of art and craft sessions on their large breakfast table. 

Michele's Aunt is an artist (also art teacher) and always had a project planned for them. We now live in different states and she really misses them and just spending time together. 

 We both love these cardigans they are creating. Here is a link to their Etsy shoppe, Cherry Belle.

Andy

PS Here are the cousins a "few" years back.

Birthday Card

April is a busy birthday month on my calendar, with some weeks having a birthday each day. This is a card I made for my dear friend, Sonja. We have been stamping buddies for nearly 16 years. Through stamping, became our wonderful friendship. We met over a bakery counter, so I thought this card was perfect. It was interesting how we met. My Mom and I were on our annual girls get-a-way vacation, where we had become friends with a bakery owner (go figure), Pam. I was telling Pam about my new stamping hobby. She mentioned her friend, who also just started stamping and suggested I send her a card. When Pam handed the address over the bakery counter, I found that Sonja and I lived in the same town. Although we lived just a mile apart, we wrote letters and sent stamped cards, for several months, before ever met. Since then, we've both re-located, but continue to send weekly letters and cards.

The ribbon on the card is from "Fabric.com." And the tray of cupcakes is from "Impression Obsession."

Seize the cupcake stamp is from "Hero Arts."

~Michele

Cat-Nap Wednesdays

Here is Katie sleeping in her latest favorite box. I just received a package, from my cousins who design sweaters ... I love my new sweaters and Katie loves the box. Next week I hope to blog my sweaters, but if you want a sneak peek, check them out on etsy at "Cherry Belle Designs."

This doesn't look all that comfy to me but she seemed happy.

It rained most all day today ... Katie says that rain is good napping weather. (Really I think she feels any weather is good for napping.)

~Michele

Last Weeks Snowstorm

I took these photos after last weeks snowstorm, (Post date: April 20) but forgot to post them. (Must be an age thing!) The trees were snow covered the morning of the storm. Two mornings later the snow was gone from the branches, yet the overnight temperature was very chilly, leaving the tree branches with a frosted look. The sunrise was beautiful as all the trees sparkled in the morning light.

The snow is mostly gone now ... we even had an outdoor egg hunt on Easter.

~Michele

Poached Eggs in . . . MAPLE SYRUP!

Simple, yet decadent. Make your favorite pancake recipe (I love blueberry) and top each serving with maple syrup poached eggs. A big thanks to Scott (or, technically, his Mom!) for sharing his family Easter tradition. We love 'em!

Andy

PS Don't forget lots of (real) butter!

Cranes for Kids

I have been folding cranes for a project called "Cranes for Kids," which is sponsored by OshKosh. They are sending the cranes, plus one piece of clothing per crane, to help families in Japan who were affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami.

I dropped off my first batch at local store .... continued folding and mailed another box yesterday.

~Michele

Cat-Nap Wednesdays

This is what we woke up to this morning ... after getting up in the middle of the night, due to a power outage which was causing back ups to beep.

Ever since we got a new TV Katie has started watching TV. Today I guess she figured since there was no sun in her favorite window that she would watch TV before her nap. Take note of the box she is sitting 'ON' ... yes, on, not in! After I opened the box, she worked and worked trying to figure out how to get in ... finally she decided sitting on it would have to work.

Of course, she took her nap on the box ... she wouldn't want to leave a great new box and sleep in one the beds we have spent lots of $'s on!! That little stinker!

Andy will ask why I took a picture that included one the guide sticks for our plow guy ... answer is, I was far too lazy to put boots on and go outside! (I did go out later but I refuse to use a shovel this late in the year. Besides it's suppose to be 45 degrees and sunny tomorrow.) I heard our total snowfall was about 8 inches ... which is unusual for us this late in April. All the area schools had a snow day.

I felt bad for the hungry birds this morning. This robin didn't seem bothered though ... he just sat in the tree singing. Although I don't know just what words he was singing. (Probably the same ones many of us were saying this morning)

~Michele