I'm so thrilled to be able to participate in this very special surprise hop in honor of soon-to-be-Mom-to-twin-boys and all-around-wonderful person, JULEE TILMAN1! If you're hopping in order, you've come to me from Miss Meowy, also know as the incomparable ALMA DE LA ROSA. If you just stumbled in and want to start from the get-go, head over to Julee's blog and/or our hop organizer, the talented TERESA KLINE's blog. Teresa will have all of the blog participants listed on her blog if you find a broken link or get lost.
I first got to know Julee when I was a Verve Diva back in 2008, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to work with her again as part of the Mojo Monday Design Team. Julee is as classy as her stamps (which are my go-to images and sentiments when I need to do some Class Act Stamping2), and I know she's going to be a terrific mom. :)
Before I show you what I've made in Julee's honor, let me give you a look-see at this week's MOJO MONDAY sketch, #229:
And here's my take on it...
I used my favorite 'New Mama' image, DIANA by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps3, and my favorite 'New Baby' sentiment, "There Are No Small Miracles" from the BEAUTIFUL YOU4 set by Verve Stamps. Diana was colored with Copic Markers on Copic X-Press Blending Cardstock, then fussy-cut. The patterned paper is from Echo Park's new This & That - Charming 6"x6" pad. The Carribean bakers twine is from The Twinery, and was a gift from my BSF/faux nemesis, Carolyn King, with whom I roomed5 at CHA. I needed something on the card to represent twins, so that's where the wooden buttons come in. I hope Julee likes it! :)
Teresa asked each of us to offer words of parenting wisdom. This is tough, because as you all know, I am centuries old and very wise; to limit myself to just one pearl of wisdom... Hmm... I think it would be this: as overwhelming as babies may be at times, and as tired as you will surely get, try not to wish that first year away. Rock your babies and mindfully enjoy their infancy as much as you can. Like my favorite parenting poem says:
The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
For children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.6
Lucky you, you now get to go visit someone who is not only a great friend of mine, she's also one of my favorite stampers, the sensational SUSAN LILES!
Footnotes:
1. Julee is the owner/illustrator of VERVE STAMPS, as well as the founder/chief sketcher of the weekly MOJO MONDAY sketch challenge.
2. Class Act Stamping... it's a long story. See this post if you want more info.
3. DIANA is actually named for Kimmie's mom - isn't that the sweetest? I had to leave the Kraftin' Kimmie Design Team in late November last year because I was still overwhelmed after my own mom's death and not sure I could honor DT commitments, prepare for finals and the holidays, and remain sane. Still, I left on great terms with Kimmie, who is the soul of graciousness, and I still ADORE KKS's images. So much so, I had to order the Gimme Kimmie Kit of all the new Moonlight Whispers released yesterday. Go check 'em out - they're FABULOUS!
4. BEAUTIFUL YOU is Verve's 1st anniversary set, and Julee had the wonderful idea of having design team members submit a sentiment that had meaning to them. "There Are No Small Miracles" was mine, and here's the story behind it.
5. "... with whom I roomed" - that rhymes!
6. From 'Song For a Fifth Child' by Ruth Hulbert Hamilton
This is an amazing card Carole!! Beautifully coloured!
Your blog posts are always such a delight to read!! by the way, I popped back to read your blog posts to explain your footnotes and the one about Patti gave me goosebumps. Your friend is with you every day as you hold onto her memory.
Posted by: Tracey | February 20, 2012 at 08:14 AM
Always love to read your creative and fun descriptions along with loving the great baby card! The twin buttons idea is a great touch!
Posted by: Wanda Cullen | February 20, 2012 at 08:36 AM
OMG your card is soooo darn cute! love it!!
hugs, Heidi
Posted by: Heidi Brawley | February 20, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Darling take on the sketch.
Posted by: Marisa | February 20, 2012 at 11:52 AM
This is so cute! I really appreciate all the fun footnotes and explanantions!
Posted by: Toni Storie | February 20, 2012 at 12:20 PM
This is just amazing. Your coloring is awesome!
Posted by: alma de la rosa | February 20, 2012 at 02:34 PM
this is stunning, luv your coloring girl....thanks for making the hop extra special....great advice too!
hugs *~*
Posted by: teresa kline | February 20, 2012 at 07:13 PM
Carole, this card is delightful! It is really pretty and just perfect for a new mom-to-be.
Posted by: Lorie McMullen | February 20, 2012 at 08:47 PM
So cute, Carole! Love that image and that you were able to use your Anni-VERVE-sary quote!
Posted by: Amy Sheffer | February 20, 2012 at 08:59 PM
Oh, how I love love love this card....great job...
Posted by: sherry gardner | February 20, 2012 at 09:12 PM
You couldn't have made a more perfect card for Julee Carole!! Especially since that's the sentiment you picked!! Darling card!!
Posted by: Tosh | February 20, 2012 at 10:53 PM
Amazing card! Children ARE miracles and only small in physical form, but by all means bigger than the sky in every other way! PS. I love all your Footnotes. : )
Posted by: Janelle S | February 21, 2012 at 01:17 AM
Amazing card, Carole! Your coloring skills are incredible and the colors and papers you've chosen complement each other wonderfully!
Loved your advice too, especially the verse...it brought a tear to my eye as it's so true! Thanks for sharing that!
Posted by: Andrea Ewen | February 21, 2012 at 07:38 AM
Beautiful card Carole! Love your fantastic coloring! Julee will love this- how sweet--twins. Lovin your twin buttons and your really pretty "with whom your roomed" roomie. :)
Posted by: Carolyn King | February 21, 2012 at 10:10 PM
What a darling image--LOVE it! And your sentiment is so true! :) Fabulous card!!! :)
Posted by: Mynnette | February 22, 2012 at 11:14 PM
Such a cute card. I love how you cut out the image and layered it on contrasting paper. The image really pops.
Posted by: Robin Burgeson | February 23, 2012 at 12:05 AM