Remember this . . .

time well spent.  

That is a wonderful memory that makes you feel warm, loved, and truly happy.  The kind of happy that evokes a smile inside out.  Few things in life give me this.  My children/grandchildren are the first things that come to mind.  I believe that it is their innocence.  Their thirst to experience life.  My dog, Sasha, is a running second.  I have to admit, its this 'unconditional love', that feeds my soul.  It gives me a feeling of calm and the courage to 'spread my wings'.  It's from this passion that motivates and inspires me to create. 

With Mother's Day right around the corner, ok, tomorrow.  I'm sure you have a memory that makes you happy, proud to be a parent.  Whether its the first time your child rode their bike without training wheels, their first ballet recital, their first time in a T-ball uniform, their first 'A' on a spelling test, or any other wonderfully sweet exhibit of their independence.  These milestones are actually stepping stone in parenthood.  Because your love started when their first breath took yours away!  Now, you need to nurture their desires, their interests, their passions, their independence.  Help them become responsible, loving, mature people, who have a passion, an interest, a goal.

The talented ladies over @ the Shabby Tea Room have a beautiful challenge this week.  The inspirational photo has a collection of stacked soft, neutral blankets in a wicker basket.  They ask that you also use some dry embossing and stitching to help add some texture.

Here is their inspirational photo:

This inspirational photo, stirred these parental feelings in me.  The different textures, the ruffles, the stripes, the crispness of the wicker, the contrast of the white numbers.  A collection of 'life', so to speak. 

This photo brought memories of my daughter.  I know that just sounds crazy.  But, this stack of blankets are 'her'.  She is a warm and compassionate woman to her friends.  A loving and patient mother to her children (she has 3, with one on the way).  A best friend and partner to her husband.  And a wonderfully warm, kind, and funny person to everyone who interacts with her.  She values her family, and is grateful for her blessings.  So, her Mother's Day card was made with this inspirational photo.  

here is what I made:

This collage is the result of the inspiration photo.  All the different elements make me think of her, my daughter.  The dry embossing comes from the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder by Stampin' Up!.  I sewn a border around the card front with my sewing machine.  I find the hum of the machine soothing.

I used two different neutral floral pattern papers: the rectangle with the glitter photo corner, and the matt behind the black pattern paper on the doily.  The floral pattern paper shows how she isn't exactly a girly-girl, but still very much a woman.  

The mini post card is actually a digital download, from Ephemera's Vintage Garden: little blackbirds, found here.  It represents her love for keeping in touch with family and friends.

The clock image, is hand-stamped onto a piece of a balsa wood sheet.  The stamp comes from Hero Arts: Keeping Time.  The clock represents how time flys!

The 2 cent stamp and the ticket stub, are stamps from Stampin' Up!: Postage Due and That's the Ticket.  These two pieces represent the memorabilia from different family vacations.

The white shabby resin lock, is from Melissa Frances.  The lock with bow represents home.  My daughter does everything that she can to keep a clean, comfortable, and loving home for her family.  

The white paper doily is from Martha Stewart: Doily Tags.  This soft, sweet addition, reminds me of the softer side of this  adventurist mom.

The black and white text paper, is from Prima: Printery Collection.  This is the contrast to the doily.  My daughter is a strict but fair parent.

The butterfly is made with a grey puffy fabric.  The center of the butterfly is made with a floral shape of glimmer paper and a fabric blossom; both by Stampin' Up!  I love the butterfly.  To me, it represents 'change'.  Life is full of change.  So embrace it.  Or it'll run you over.  The fabric blossom represents growth.  My daughter's growth as a young woman, wife, and mother.  This collection is for the sweeter side of her.  She is a strong person, but also tender-hearted.

The two trims across the card front were selected because of the inspiration photo. The mix of textures, fabrics, and neutrals. I added the trio of buttons to represent the way a mother 'holds her family together' with love, praise, and support.

Also, I just love this grey-ish polka dot distressed pattern paper by Glitz.  It looks like fabric, to me.  I thought it paired nicely with the over-all look of the card.

Finally, the sentiment says it all!  This sentiment comes from the Everyday Moments stamp set by Teresa Collins.  'I want to always Remember...'.  I believe that this sentiment is very personal to each person who reads it.  And I didn't want to add a generic sentiment. But rather an unique sentiment to go with an unique, special card, to celebrate Mother's Day!  

Thank you for looking.  I hope I have inspired you to play along with the latest challenge over @ the Shabby Tea Room.  Let the photo help you create something wonderfully beautiful and personal {smile}.

Happy Mother's Day, to all of you who have 'children', whether they are human, canine, bovine, etc.  When we nurture, love and support another, we in turn help ourselves grow.  

~stop-by tomorrow, for a chance to win some blog candy~