Monday, January 11, 2010

Slow and Steady FINDS the Treasure...

...ok, I know, it's "wins the race"...haha.   But don't you find that when you SLOW DOWN for a bit that you find things, feel things, and experience things that might have just whizzed right past us at the pace we're used to keeping?

This weekend was a true example of that for me and I had the BEST time with my family.  As bloggers, stampers, and busy peeps in general do you ever find you just want to shut off the phone, shut down the laptop, and just BE?   Granted, it's hard.  It's the one thing we turn to most often and sort of hard to 'cut the cord' but at the same time is MUCH NEEDED PEACE at times.   And in slowing the pace, I definitely FOUND THE TREASURE this weekend just relaxing at home with my kids and DH.  PURE BLISS.



To honor the SLOW and the TREASURE, I have two totally different creations for you today, ,the first one using this CUTE mushroom image from the January Kit of the Month {SAVOR THE JOURNEY}.  YES!  Mission accomplished...at least for this weekend.  JOURNEY SAVORED :)


If you're NOT a UNITY KIT CLUB member yet, NOW IS THE TIME to join!  Have you SEEN all the new perks for joining?  They are seriously FABULOUS.  With SO many discounts and free stamp opportunities, it just left me wondering....c'mon...say it with me!

WHO DOES THAT?!?   You can check out all the details on quick and easy signup HERE.

Now WHO doesn't like to discover TREASURE?   Well, have you guys SEEN the cute cute new releases?  A few weeks ago, we debuted TEN of them to ring in '10 and I used the ADORABLE "Pirate Madness" set for my next card...which happens to be a techinique "TWO-for" which I NEVER do, I don't think ;)


My 7 year old boy Jack helped me with this one.  He ADORES Pirates and as soon as I saw this set I knew I had to have it for him!


The card uses the EASEL technique and I also made it into a slider card so he could move the ship.  He ADORES it, almost as much as I adore him.   He made sure to ask permission to take it to school tomorrow and show his teacher, and as I tucked him and his twin brother into bed last night I caught a glimpse of how he had proudly displayed it on his nightstand already...now THAT is treasure.  Love that boy, I'm telling ya...


Well, thanks SO much for coming to hang out with me today!   I am having the TIME OF MY LIFE as your January Guest Designer and am definitely savoring THIS journey, too!

I'll leave you guys with a quote I found that describes JUST the treasure I'm talking about when we slow down and {Savor the Journey} a bit:

" Normal day, let me be aware of the TREASURE that you are...Let me learn from you, LOVE you, bless you before you depart.  Let me not pass you by in some quest of some rare and perfect TOMORROW.  Let me HOLD you while I may; for it may not always be so...."  ~Mary Jean Iron

38 comments:

♥ Kristy Woods ♥ said...

Oh wow these cards are gorgeous! And the pirate card is cute!! My son would love that, off to check out that set.
Kristy
P.s PLEASE take some of our heat and give me some cold LOL 113 farenheit at the moment!! Im melting! LOL

WickedPixie said...

Oh, Jess, these cards are fantastic! I love that mushroom image from Unity and your card with it is wonderful! And your pirate easel card is too cool!! Not only is it an easel (with the cool coin to hold it) but it moves too!? Awesome! :-)Traci

Ελευθερία said...

both your cards are wonderfull but the moving ship!!! wow!!!
love them!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow I love your cards, the mushrooms are too cute and th emoving a big great idea !!!
Hugs
Mag :)

Gwen's Busy Little Hands said...

Amazing cards Jessica, love your thoughts on giving yourself some peace. I also adore that poem. It amazes me now as a SAHM how much I missed when I was a struggling single mom working three jobs. You can't turn back the clock...you've got to make every minute count. Enjoy your journey, friend...savory every morsel of it!

Smiles!
Gwen

kris said...

Such a beautiful card Jess!!! i LOVE the earthy colors on the mushroom... matches the image perfectly!! and that ship?! WOW GF, that's amazing.... LOVE them both! =D hugs, Kris

Cindy Haffner said...

Love your cards Jess. --So happy you got to send time with your family this week-end, it is well deserved.

Peggy said...

Your cards are fabulous as usual!! Thanks for a little thought provoking message this Monday Morning! I usually find a word as my mantra for the year and was having difficulty this year. You brought it home for me today!! BALANCE!
{{{Hugs}}}

Julie Campbell said...

I'm glad you had some time 'away'. :) Your cards are amazing -- and I can't get over that pirate ship! SOOOO clever! I hope Unity snatches you and never lets you leave! ;)

Angela said...

Love that quote Jessica!!! And those cards are just awesome!!! I love the mushrooms and tell your son his card he helped create is just over the top!! SO many cool things to see on this card!! I am so glad you had an awesome time this weekend with your family!!
Hugs,
Angela

Kelly Booth said...

Jess...both cards are just Wonderful...Love How you made the pirate card a slider too....

Sheri Gilson said...

Gorgeous cards Jess!! I love them both but have to say the pirate one is my fav!! Great job!!

Cheryl Walker said...

Jessica I love both of your cards hun!!! How sweet of your son to help you make this Wonderful card :) Awesome job!!!
Hugs,
Cheryl

Danielle L. said...

Yes! Every once in a while I take a day off from the computer. It is great! Although I would probably go into withdrawals if I tried to stay away longer than that. :) Loving your cards Jessica... the paper pierced mushrooms and the slider are so fab-o!!

Tina said...

wow - great cards - I absolutely adore the pirate card...TFS

just happened upon your blog and it is delightful...I will be back again to see what other eye candy you have up.

tina
mommyscrapsalot.blogspot.com

Jessica said...

fabulous cards, Jessica! And what a perfect quote. I needed to be reminded to cherish every moment and be thankful for TODAY! Thank you for helping me remember that!

Randi said...

Wow Jess!! These are SOOOO amazing!! Love the mushroom card and that pirate ship is ROCKIN!! What a fantastic idea!! You amaze me girl!!

Randi said...

Hey again Jess! So, I'm just catching up on your posts (ya, I'm THAT behind!!) I notice your DH is 1/2 Chinese, 1/2 German. I'm 1/2 Japanese, 1/2 German (a teeny bit of Irish in there, too). From the pic, I thought he looked half!!

Stampin Mindy said...

These are darling. Beautiful papers. Love that snail stamp and mushrooms. The pirate one is adorable. Love the slider and treasure!

Taylor said...

these are amazing!! and what a sweet boy you have - momma must be raising him right :)

Elena said...

Oh, Jessica! You are amazing! I really love the paper piecing! Love the button with ribbon! Absolutely wonderful!
And Pirate card is so much fun!!! Really love the moving part!
Your blog and your talent is a real treasure!

Deb Neerman said...

These cards are terrific! But I really LOVE the pirate card ... love the slider!

CarlaKH said...

super cards.. really love the colors and embellies you used on both!

Jen Shults said...

Oooh Jess, these are great! I love that first one. That CC paper is my FAVE and you did such a great job matching it up with those stamps... as soon as I saw them I thought of this paper, lol. And your extras are just right! And that pirate card is AWESOME!! How cool is that!! Love these!! :D

Shirley said...

Thanks for sharing about your son and also for those 2 really wonderful cards. How creative and love the colors and designs for both!

ChristineCreations said...

Love your story about slowing down. And the sweet snail that accompanied it :)

Oh that pirate card is cute! No wonder it's on the nightstand :) Isn't that gratifying???

Great cards Jessica!

Dina said...

Awesome cards as usual!!

Vicki G said...

WOW!! Stunning!!! WOW!!!

Danni said...

I'm so happy you had a wonderful weekend!!
Love these cards, both so different but so nice!!

Jodi Collins said...

My word Jess! You SO totally ROCK! LOVE both of these!! That pirate ship card...OMG...AWESOME!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Ann Kranitz said...

You out did yourself again Jess!! These are fantastic. I am so glad you had an opportunity to just BE...so important every so often. HUGS!

Mary Giles said...

Snif, snif what a cute little story. I love both of these cards. The papers and the layout are perfect on the first. And so much fun interaction stuff goin on in the second. Yes it is great to just take time and enjoy the pitter patter of little feet and those you love instead of the click-clack of the keyboard.

Unknown said...

Oh Jess...Your such a great Mum!! I absolutely LOVE both your cards they are just amazing and the pirate one...Well Hon...I would want to take it to school and show it off to!! STUNNING! Just like you! Xx

kadie said...

These are SOOO COOL!! They are so lucky to have you as their Guest Designer!!!

Anonymous said...

You freakin' rock girl!! I love this one! Ok, I love both of them....damn girl!

Robin McK said...

Love that card Jessica! The mushrooms and the papers are perfect!
Talk about cold - welcome to Toronto!

Kim R. said...

Great cards. They are so pretty. Tell Jack he did a great job helping you!! :-)

mel m. m. mccarthy said...

You are WAY too good! I love the mushrooms like crazy & that pirate card is off the hook. heehee. Thanks for sharing that savor the journey normal day quote. SO true!