On the Road Again... A Wonderful 51st. Birthday....

I've been on the road for the last three weeks. 

It's baseball season.

When you have an 18 year old son who plays travel baseball,

 there isn't time for much else.

This past weekend we headed for Cincinnati and Kentucky.

While we were away it was my 51st birthday.

It was the perfect day.

I got to see my son play at the University of Cincinnati.

If you're a mother of a son who plays baseball,

it's a mother's dream to see her son play on a field like that!

We had the perfect seats, right behind the backstop.

It was hot 100 degrees, but I didn't mind.

We just sat there with a cool drink and relaxed!

Batter Up!

Can't believe this is the same little boy I watched play

Little League Baseball.

Time Flies!

Got to spend the day with two of my favorite guys!

My Hubby....

And my youngest son!

A  PERFECT way to spend a

 PERFECT DAY!

Words of Affirmation.....

Doesn't everyone want to know they are loved?

I know that at times in my life,

just a simple caring word made a difference.

How about making a simple gift that lets someone know

 how loved they are?

That's exactly what I did for my husband.

Let me share this "Creation From My Heart" with you...

I started by making the card.  After I attached the striped paper to the front of the card, I used my sewing machine and added a zig zag stitch round the outer edge.  If you have a sewing machine, try this it's a lot of fun and adds some texture to your project. 

Next step, I added an oval frame that held the words

 "You are Loved". 

I mounted the clock decal to a piece of chip board

 and inked the edges.

  For an extra embellishment I added a button

to the center of the clock.

"Words of Affirmation" 

This is a fun game we play at the dinner table from time to time to time.  We started it when my boys were small and it had been a  day where they had been well lets say....

 not so very nice to each other. 

 We would sit at the dinner table and each of us had to say something that we loved about the other people sitting at the table.  By the end of dinner, everyone felt better. 

 Isn't it funny, how when we're older we sometimes think

 we don't need to do that any more?

Well, I thought my husband needed some words of affirmation.  He's the kinda guy who would do anything for his family and for others.  He has always led by example

and he never waivers in his beliefs.

 

I made 5 cards and labeled them. I gave my boys each a card and my in-laws each a card and asked them to write

something that special that they loved about my hubby.

I just used some rubber stamps to put the names on the cards...

  To the top of each card I stapled a simple brown ribbon.  This can be used to pull out the card.  I attached a pocket in the inside of the card and used another frame to hold the words...

"Words of Affirmation"

Just a simple gift that you can make, which will let someone know how much you love and value them.

Wouldn't you love to get a card like this?

 I know I would.

I'll be linking up to the following sites....

I Made It

Design-Aholic

Frugalisious Friday

Show and Tell Friday
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It's So Very Thrifty
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Saturday is Crafty Day

A Unique Birthday Card....

One of the many birthdays that we have celebrated these past few weeks has been my husbands. I think I mentioned that I am too sentimental cheap to go to the store. I can't stand the thought of spending five bucks on a card, especially if it is going to wind up tossed into a drawer or worse yet, in the trash. Last week while cleaning out the “junk drawer”, I found this gift card holder.  I was going to dicard it when  an idea flashed in my mind.  I set it aside to use for the perfect birthday card for my husband.

* If you don't have a gift card tin, you can purchase one at Michaels or Hobby Lobby .  They are located at the registers when you check out.  They also can be found in the same location at many grocery stores.  An Altoid's tin will also work.  It's just a tiny bit smaller.

I wanted to paint the lid so I used some fine sandpaper and quickly ruffed up the metal on the outside cover.
 

I grabbed a can of satin black pray paint from my stash and painted the lid.

I traced the shape of the box onto some 12x12 black cardstock.

I had to glue two sheets of the black cardstock together and then folded it like an accordion. I then cut out the paper to make the pages of the card.  

Next step was to start decorating the cover.  I live in a house with all men and it seems as if I NEVER get the opportunity to make anything girly!  I think girly things are so much easier and much more fun to do.  Don't get me wrong,  I love doing stuff for my boys and husband; I just find it more difficult to be creative.  I cut a piece of scrapbooking paper and glued it onto the cover.  I made sure to use my gold paint and embellish all the edges of the paper and lid.

I added a brown ribbon and a buckle holder to the lid.  I added the words "Now & Forever" to the buckle.

I love to add bible verses to my cards and this is a favorite.

  I thought this was perfect for my husband.  I wanted to reassure that God has wonderful plans for him.

  If you are ever in need of a bible verse and not sure of the exact wording, or what a verse for a specific topic stop by HERE it's a wonderful site.  I printed the verse out on vellum paper and then mounted the vellum onto some decorative paper.  I then added some "MANLY" buttons.  A loop of brown ribbon was attached so that he could pull the ribbon to open the card.

Here are all "MY Men".  This was such a wonderful memory and I thought it was perfect for the card.  They sure love their dad and I love them!

To add some finishing touches, I added some special words.

The last page has a small pocket with the word "Love" on it. 

This was the perfect spot for me to tuck a little

"Birthday Love Note" to my hubby.

 

He loved the card.  This is one card that didn't get thrown into a drawer.  He is proudly displaying it on his desk!

Next time you get a gift card  in a tin; think twice before you  toss it into the trash.  This one of a kind card could go from trash to something that will be forever treasured.

This post will be linked to these wonderfully creative blogs...
Strut Your Stuff
Get Your Craft On
Thrifty Thursday
Transformation Thursday
Design-Aholic
Frualisious Friday

Show & Tell Friday