Well HELLO…Happy summer and happy HEAT (well I guess, it is summer!!!)

I surely hope that this post finds you well and healthy! We all know this…but I will say it again, this is a strange and crazy/scary time that we are all experiencing over the country. Our state of Maryland, is doing well with the virus but I will say that we have a very proactive Governor.

Many of you have asked me….(and wow – you have a GREAT MEMORY)…but I was expecting my 1st grandchild on July 4th! (well….technically Ashleigh(my daughter-in-law) and James (my son)….and I am OVER THE MOON HAPPY TO SHARE….that ….

Wesley Merlin Itell entered this world on July 7th at 6:29 p.m. weighing in at 8 lbs. 12 ozs and 21 1/2″ long….and I just have to say I am still on A GRANDMOTHERS CLOUD! He is just adorable!

When I say that I do not know what end is up….I really and truly thought….wow – we have been busy!!! I truly feel bad saying that as let’s face it…we all are busy and we all have STUFF going on in our lives! I know that, I get it and when you sum it up it is called the Game of LIFE!

All is good, it is actually GREAT and I wanted to pop in and share my excitement and also let you know that I have more super fun and cute card kits ready to rumble!

OK – we will get to the card kits in a bit….as I decided that I would be fair and give everyone a HEAD’S UP to when they would be available….Enough on that – let’s get to Wes’s pictures!

 Wes at the hospital on his 1st night…just look at those sweet lips!

Below was his 1st picture after he was born…so darn cute!

James and Ashleigh brought Wes over to see us after they went for the

1st doctor’s check …. fortunately his doctors office is close by!

Why not use the Dining Room table as a changing table…..

this works for me!

He makes my heart pitter-patter and I am just so grateful that he is here and Ashleigh is well…Having a child is truly a miracle and one that I always am in awe of and so grateful for. By nature I am not one that gets overly nervous but I can say…I was on “pins and needles” awaiting his arrival to this world!

Now to bring you into more “life stuff”  – we are in the trenches of doing the ugly grunt work of cleaning out the farm as it was to go to closing (months ago)…and yep – the virus has not helped with the process of loans, appraisals etc…..and it was to be (July 15th ) and once again…a delay!

All I can say is OH WELL…..it will happen when it is meant to be and my heart tells me that it is meant to be as the family that is purchasing it….is a carbon copy of what we were 15 years ago when we bought it and I know that they will love it like we did! There is not a doubt in my mind and my heart is so excited for them as their 3 children are about the same age as ours were when we bought it. It certainly was a memory maker for us and it will do the same for them….I just feel it!

I continue to love living on the Eastern Shore and my Dad pops up daily (he lives just 3 miles away) and that gives him a sense of purpose and also a dinner mate for me when John is not here! I have been doing more gardening these past months than I have done in years….the flowers are over the top beautiful and abundant! My  “room above the garage – aka studio” is coming along and the bones of it are ready to rumble, its just the finishing touches of “pretty” aren’t quite there yet, but you will see it when it is finished!

Below is a cute project that I made for James and Ashleigh….We all know that having thank you notes ready is a lifesaver and since they are nuts about everything nautical I thought that these would be appropriate! I decided to put a fun sentiment on the front instead of thank you so they could use them other notes.

Do you remember that I blogged about these super cute boxes for Stampin’ Up! Notecards and Envelopes….I truly love that size as they make a quick note a cinch…Please try to make one of these boxes…they are the “icing on the cake” and there is no doubt, they are a great finishing touch!

Here is the Blog Post that shows you how to make them…..and please do not hesitate to email me if you are stuck and/or have any questions….I do not think that you will as they are super east and the directions are very straight forward!

Here is the quick bullet points on the how to’s but again, check out my old post to see more details and pictures!

• Old Olive Cardstock – 8″ X 11″
• Score on the 8″side (shorter) at 2″ & 6″ I do use and suggest the Simply Scored Tool….I always think that leave a deeper impression than the trimmer…again, it is a basic tool that we all need and will use!
• Turn Paper to the 11″ side (longer) and score at 4 1/2″ & 6 1/2″
• Fold In and use Bone Folder to give a great crease
• Cut in the scored lines (look at picture) and it really does help to taper in as shown (makes a much cleaner final product)
• Use Tear & Tape as shown and fold in sides

The cute little sailboat came from Lawn Fawn and the set is called Smooth Sailing. I did the paper piecing technique and that is stamping onto the patterned paper and then cutting out the “sails and boats” and then adhering them into the boat! This is such a fun technique and one that I forget about doing but to me, this simple touch just made the POP of this sweet card!

THE MINI CARD KITS – SCOOP BELOW!

Now – FINALLY to the Mini card kits…..To make it fair for everyone as when they are sold out…they are sold out but have no fear…I am lovin’ my new studio and I will continue to make more kits….making kits it totally my jam and I know that many of you like being able to sit down and put them together!

I will post the 3 new Mini Cards kits tomorrow, Tuesday the 21st at 11 a.m. so hopefully that will hit all time zones in a fair way. Set a timer or just pop on and see what I created – I think that they will make you smile!

Until tomorrow….have a wonderful day and let’s all have a GREAT week! I plan to as I am heading back up to Hagerstown tomorrow to see my sweet little grandson and to stock their refrigerator/freezer with some homemade love!