Mojo Monday - Quality Time Sneaky Peek

Belated Mojo Monday greetings from Gillette Specialty Children's Center in lovely St. Paul, Minnesota.  Carter had his big surgery last Thursday morning. I have much I want to show & tell about our experience in the hopes that it may be helpful/informative for other families, but that post will come after we get home and can process the whole experience. In the meantime, know that Carter is doing well and that we are looking forward to coming home tomorrow morning.  YAY!!!

Today I am oh-so-thrilled to share with you my brand-new ALL TIME FAVORITE stamp set in the whole wide world!  Yeah, that praise may seem hyperbolic, but when you see the set, and when you read the words Alma The Awesome uses to describe her inspiration for the set, you'll see I speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

First, though, I need to show you this week's Mojo Monday sketch...

And here's what I made with it, using the SO INCREDIBLY ADORABLE new set from The Cat's Pajamas, QUALITY TIME:

Tell me that Mama Bear (or PJ, whom I believe is a male bear) reading to Baby Bear (in his little bunny slippers!) in a comfy-cozy chair isn't the most adorable image you've ever laid eyes on, and I will have to gather a bunch a letters from your loved ones and hold an intervention.  Because that would be proof positive that whatever dangerous substance(s) you've been drinking/smoking/snorting/huffing/injecting/swallowing/etc. have done serious and possibly permanent damage.  I'm getting my Master's in Counseling Psychology, which automatically makes me an expert on all of these sorts of things, you know.

Look a closer look at these precious bears, and tell me if you can read the title of their book...

BEARY POTTER! Isn't Alma the cleverest cat in the universe?  (The bears were colored with Copics, and mounted on top of their paper-pieced chair.  The book, Mama's paws, and their feet were stamped and colored again then popped up on foam boosters.

And just look at the twirly-swirly elegant font of the oh-so-fun sentiment...

The very idea of this image - a shared reading experience between a parent (or some other loving older person - sibling, aunt, cousin - whatever) and child is enough to make my heart go pitter-patter.  It reminds me of that wonderful poem, The Reading Mother by Strickland Gillilan, the last stanza of which is:

You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a Mother who read to me.

But then, when Alma revealed what inspired her to create this set, I honestly wept, I was so moved and honored.  As she's has wrote on her blog post today,

When I designed this set, I had one of the members of The Cat Pack in mind, Carole Burrage. Not only is Carole, probably one of the smartest people I know, she's a devoted mother, and wonderful friend with a wicked sense of humor. And I know that she's passed these honorable traits onto her terrific sons. I don't know how she does all that she does, and raised two such wonderful sons, but she tells me it's all about Quality Time.

(I SWEAR I did not pay her to write that.) ;)  To say that I'm humbled and touched doesn't begin to describe what I feel about this set, those words, and my amazing friend, Alma.  For once, I'm speechless!

I hope you'll love QUALITY TIME as much as I do, and make lots of beautiful projects with it for the readers in your life. Alma's got more Sneaky Peeks using QUALITY TIME on this post on her blog.

For more info on how to participate in this week's Mojo Monday challenge, head on over to the Mojo Monday Blog.  Lots of lovely inspiration can also be found by visiting my fellow Mojo Makers' blogs:

• Debbie Carriere
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline

Comments

[Karolyn Loncon]

Okay, first of all this is just about the cutest thing I've seen in a long, long time!! Your background DP reminds me so much of the books my girls used to sit for hours and hours reading - bedtime reading was our favorite when the girls were little. So this set, too, is very, very special!! And how amazingly sweet is that Alma was inspired by you. She has good reason to be inspired by you. I, too, am in awe of all that you have accomplished and continue to accomplish in your life. No doubt you will be a great inspiration to your kids, especially Carter. I hope that all went well with his surgery and that you all get settled in at home very soon. I'd love to chat and catch up with you when you feel like you have a free minute or two. I do realize that you're very busy with Carter and your other stuff (super woman!!), so know that I'm here whenever you're ready to chat - or text me with a time when you're free, and I'll call you. Thinking of you and praying for a very speedy and successful recovery for Carter!! I miss your face!! XO

[alma de la rosa]

And I meant every word I said, Carole. You are the bomb, GF. And a pretty nifty designer, as well. I am honored to call you my friend.

[Jenny Peterson]

wow Carole! this is such a sweet card and truly my favoritest set ever made as well, I love reading with my boys so very much...and I loved the poem you quoted:) I am not much a poem kinda gal, but you always know the best ones:):) It was so sweet what Alma had to say about you- no wonder you were moved to tears!!! If this is what you inspire, then KEEP IT UP my friend:) I hope all is well with lil Carter!! I have been thinking of you and him!! xoxo

[Ashley N Newell]

I love the card, it's gorgeous! I love the background paper! I liked this set already but I love it more now that I know the story behind it.

[Noelle]

Well, OF COURSE that is true! :) And, I'm going to say what i said to Alma.... are you freakin' SERIOUS with this card?? I LOVE IT!! The background is the perfect foil for this image, and I love the colors you used, too perfect!! :) Sure enjoyed playing along with you ladies this week!

[Karen]

How sweet is this?! Alma's words are so sweet and wonderful and so true! I hope little Carter is doing well
Hugs
Karen
xo

[Lori]

That paper is just perfect with this image! Glad to hear Carter's doing well--you and your family have been in my thoughts.

[Joyce Preusser]

LOVE this stamp set! I must have it! Would you share the source for the DP in the background? Love the combination. Wow!

[Mynnette]

Oh, this is AMAZING!!! LOVE the use of the book cover paper behind this image! LOVE IT! And what a fabulous set and tribute to you as a mom. {{{HUGS}}}

[Susan]

Love this card, and what sweet comments from Alma!(Had to stop and Google the poem, too!)
Where ever did you find that background paper?! Too cute!