Little did I know ... by Gracie Brown

Little did I know … my life would change forever the day I held you in my arms 

Little did I know … I could function on just 2 hours of sleep

Little did I know … how many bottles would need washing and how many diapers would need changing

Little did I know … how many loads of laundry a tiny body could produce

Little did I know … my favorite smell would be the top of your head to the bottom of your toes

Little did I know … the sweetest kisses come from babies

Little did I know … how enchanting it is to watch you while sleeping

Little did I know … that taking you to the doctor for immunizations would make me cry more than you

Little did I know … getting your first tooth could be so exciting and painful all at the same time

Little did I know … how much a heart could GROW

Little did I know … you would teach me the true meaning of giving – when you held out your hand and dropped your entire allowance in the offering plate at mass

Little did I know …decorating for Christmas would put the look of amazement in your eyes

Little did I know… taking you to your first day of school would be harder for me than you

Little did I know …losing your first tooth happens on picture day at school and that your tongue fills the gap nicely

Little did I know … my heart would skip a beat when I heard your name called during Kindergarten graduation

Little did I know … dropping you off for your first sleepover would keep me up all night

Little did I know … Middle school award assembly’s would make me so proud

Little did I know … hearing you say  “Mom, your not coming with me are you?” would hurt so bad

Little did I know … shopping for your first date would be so bitter sweet

Little did I know … in order for you to spread your wings I had to withdraw mine

Little did I know that all of these wonderful moments would lead me to be blessed by a wonderful daughter like you!

Where did the time go?

Wow, I can not believe my baby girl is 17 already and is getting ready to start her senior year in HS.  This is going to be tough year for me - is this what they mean by bitter sweet?  One day I have a 9lb 6oz bundle of joy and the next I am looking into the face of beautiful young woman.  Sniff, sniff!  Had to have a kleenex moment.

There were some days that I did not know if being the strict parent was always the right thing to do...when in my heart I just wanted to be her best friend and let her have her way.  I guess everything worked out alright because there is a compassionate, smart, and super talented young woman in the next room thinking about what she will wear for her schedule pick up tomorrow.  Thank you God for granting me the wisdom and grace to be a good mother - because through you all things are possible.

I recently spent the day with my sweet girl and we took lots and lots of photos for her Senior album and I would like to share a few of my favorites with you.    Please enjoy and feel free to leave me some encouraging words.

Take care and God Bless~Gracie

Did I mention that it was 107 degrees outside when these photos were taken.  I was melting like an ice cream cone left on the counter, and she was cool as a cucumber.  You gotta love it!

Corset Pocket Template

Ladies, I was inspired to create this corset pocket by one of my rubber stamps.  I love using dress forms and corsets whenever I get a chance too.  I hope this inspires your next project.  Please leave a comment.

Here are the products I used to create the corset pocket and tags.

Divalicious paper pad by Glitz
Liquid Pearls in white opal
Glossy Accents
Graphic 45 rubber stamps (Desire by Hampton Arts)
Black embossing powder
Waxed cotton twine
Pink and Black fibers
Tim Holtz distressing ink in Black Soot

Click on link below to download corset pocket template.

Corset Pocket Template

Heirloom Rubber Stamp Festival - ATC Contest Winner

I entered the ATC contest at the Heirloom Rubber Stamp Festival in Grapevine, TX this past weekend and I won!  OMG, still in shock.  This is the first time I ever attempted to create such a small scale piece of work and let me tell you it was very difficult for me and took several days and hours to come up with these cards.

Needless to say, I am totally hooked on them now and will be doing a contest on my blog in the near future. So visit often!

Here is the card that won on Saturday, July 16, 2011.

I used Lindys Stamp Gang Starburst Sprays and 

Mica powders to create the background for both ATC cards.

Here I am with my rubber bucks!  Had a blast spending them on lots of stamps.

We were allowed to enter 2 cards and this is the 2nd one I made.

This is Dave...he is one of the Heirloom coordinators 

and is a super sweet guy!

Beautiful Blossoms

Here is a center step card I recently made.  This card  was super fun and easy to create, I hope you try one out soon!

Happy Fourth of July

Hi everyone, I hope you and your families had a wonderful Holiday!  

This is a frame I created in honor of my Nephew that recently returned from Afghanistan.  He is a special young man and I love him very much and am very thankful that he returned home safely.   

It's My Birthday

This is a card I created for one of my girlfriends.