It's Time for a Wedding

Our cousin, Jason, is getting married today and I needed to throw together a quick wedding card. I took the PPA Challenge #171 colors Baked Brown Sugar, Calypso Coral, and Very Vanilla

as well as Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #103

to put together a simple and rustic card. 

I am a big fan this summer of using Stampin' Up's Sweet Essentials and Embellished Events stamp sets together for weddings and baby cards. They are a perfect match. I love the two champagne glasses and rhinestone bubbles. It is sweet, but not overdone. I also took a play on the sketch and instead of adding brads or buttons (which I was about to do) and I hand stitched twine X's along the two colors of paper. I think it gives the card a shabby chic quality. 

Family is in town, going to eat great wedding food, and can't wait to get my groove on. Looking forward to a great night!

Back to School

Back to School began this week for us. I had lots of mixed feelings at the beginning of this school year. On the one hand, I'm a teacher. I am beginning my 10th year of teaching and I love it. I always look forward and get nervous about meeting new students and having a routine. There is no job I would rather have. On the other hand, I'm now a mom. Owen has been a hoot this summer and is getting more fun by the day. I have enjoyed all the time I've gotten to spend with him and know now that I will have less time with him. 

My nephew, Austin, is beginning his first year of school and couldn't be more excited. He even let Aunt Manda take some pictures of him to capture the moment. 

Back to school reminds me of a quote from the movie Hope Floats. 

"Beginnings are usually scary. Endings are usually sad, but it's what's in the middle that counts."

There's more, but this is the part I really need to keep reminding myself of throughout the tough parts of the year. 

In honor of Back to School I decided to join a couple challenges this week with a Back to School theme. 

Cas-ual Fridays Challenge #114

Cas(E) This Sketch Challenge #44

Casology Cue Card #60

The Friday Mashup #126

I was excited to use the Vintage Picnic set by Papertrey Ink. I love the mixy-matchyness of the set. It reminds my of summer and fall at the same time, which is what going back to school reminds me of as well. I used my Copic markers again to color in the apples and picnic basket. I layed down a piece of washi tape to act as a blanket under my basket. Cute. Clean. Simple. Just my style. 

Everyone, have a great school year!