I'm going to be gone for a little while . . .

. . but I'll be back.

For the last 11+ years, I have been blessed to know my partner's dad and have him be a part of my life. It has been an honor to call him "Dad." For the last 11 months he has lived with us due to some health issues -- that although they were troublesome and painful, still allowed him many more good days than bad. We lost him quite suddenly this past Saturday and as you can imagine our world has been flipped upside down and inside out. Our seven year old daughter is absolutely devastated as she and her Papa were very close. Every day after school, she would go in a snuggle up with her Papa and watch their favorite show "Walker, Texas Ranger." And he was forever slipping her a donut or a honey bun and saying, "Shhh . . . don't tell your Momma or we'll both be in trouble!"

This photo was taken at Christmas time in 2006. It is one of my favorites, because it totally sums up their relationship -- he loved her completely and she worshipped the ground he walked on.

Rest high on that mountain, Dad ~ we love you and you are missed so very much!

James Lester Branum

December 21, 1936 ~ August 27, 2011

Cooking With Cricut Challenge: Peach

Happy Wednesday!  Did you know that August is National Peach Month and that August 24th is National Peach Pie Day?  Yep!  Here are some peachy factoids for you . . . 

• Romans believed that peaches were “Nectar from the Gods.” 
• The peach is a member of the rose (rosaceae) family. 
• Peaches can be traced back to the 10th century B.C. in China. The Chinese believed the peach tree was the tree of life. Peaches were symbols of immortality and unity. Because of this, brides in China carry peach blossoms.
• The United States accounts for about 25% of the world’s peach market. Most of our peaches are grown in California and Georgia.
• Georgia is known as the Peach State.
• In 1982, former President Ronald Reagan proclaimed August as National Peach Month because of its monetary and nutritional value to the United States.

As you may have already guessed, our challenge this week at Cooking With Cricut was to incorporate a peach into our project.  Not as easy at it may seem.  This one stumped me.  I was however, relieved to discover that I do own a cartridge that has a peach on it -- "Just Because" Cards -- which made my task a bit easier!

August is a very big birthday month in both sides of our family!  So I have been making tons of birthday cards!  All of the cuts I used came from the "Just Because" Cards cartridge and all of the papers came from my paper stash.  I shaded the peach and leaves with several different colored ink pads.  Some pen doodling, a piece of ribbon, a rubber stamped sentiment and some rhinestone bling completes this card.  Here's the recipe:

• Peach cut at 3 1/2" tall.
• Brown mat cut at 5 1/4" tall by 4" wide.
• Orange gingham mat cut at 4 3/4" tall by 3 1/2" wide.
• "Just Peachy" cut at 2 1/4" wide.

Mmm . . . all this talk about peaches has me craving one!  Make sure you head on over to Cooking With Cricut and see what kind of peachy creations the other Chefs whipped up!  I hope you'll join our challenge and link up your peach creation -- you could be this week's Top Chef!

~ Jen

Cooking With Cricut Cartridge Showcase & Mickey and Friends Monday

I'm wearing two hats today!  Welcome to Monday's Cartridge Showcase at Cooking With Cricut AND Mickey & Friends Monday at Crazy About Cricut!  Today I'm featuring the Pooh & Friends Cricut cartridge.

Yesterday was my pal Pooh's 90th birthday!  So in honor my favorite bear, here are a few of my favorite Pooh creations . . .

Pooh Birthday card ~ the card base measures 8 1/2 x 5 1/2.  The red mat is 8" x 5", the patterned mat is 7 1/2" x 4 1/2".  Pooh measures 5 3/4" tall and Piglet is 4 1/4" tall -- they are both from Pooh & Friends.  I used Create-A-Critter for the Happy Birthday (4 1/2" wide) and the cupcake (1 1/2" tall).

Here are a few more projects featuring Pooh and his pals.  All of the "baby" Pooh cuts are from the Pooh Font cartridge.  As always, you can click on the photo to make it larger.  I've also included the link to the project post, if you want more details.

Sweetest Day card
(my first Cooking With Cricut challenge project!)

Baby Shower Invitation

Baby Shower:  Welcome Sign

Baby Shower:  Centerpiece (same link as above)

Baby Shower:  Diaper Cake (same link as above)

Baby Shower:  Favors (same link as above)

Valentine's Day Card

Perpetual Calendar topper

1st Birthday Layout for my grandson

Family Reunion layout

Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my Pooh & Friends projects!  And as Pooh's pal Tigger would say, "TTFN!" (ta-ta, for now)

~ Jen