HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MIKE AND NINA!
(click to see better!)
credits: Summer Wedding QP by Linda

The lovely Quick Page I used for Nina's card came from Linda isn't it beautiful? Its still available on her blog, if you scoot on over you can download it for your own special wedding layouts! (and many more smashing giveaways as well!) Also, even tho its my day to celebrate our Sister's anniversary, I would like to thank Linda for giving me the following award, along with her sweet sentiments:



"Barb is a VERY talented designer who follows her passion and LOVES life! Barb is also a FAMOUS Italian designer aka Olivia Dorazio over at Sophia Sarducci's who has recently created some GORGEOUS paper bag pins for us to sport on our blogs declaring our heritage. Thus far, you will find Canada, Ireland and the USA!!! You will see mine located on my sidebar! Thanks Barb!"


THANK YOU, Linda, I'm BLUSHING, I'm honored, and I will try, but cannot promise to "award-forward" when I'm able. Just so durn busy!


It's our Sister's Anniversary - seems just yesterday you pledged your hearts to one another. Our wish for you is for an extra special celebration of this the promise you made to each other on this day, those years ago. I'm praying your bond, which excludes all others, has made your lives together richer. The promise you will choose the same path to travel, forever. There's something so noble and majestic in the simplicity of submitting to each other, completely. May God bless your continuing years together.


My Sister in Law Judy also has a GORGEOUS card (using one of KIMB's QP's) on her blog to celebrate as well. Just click HERE.

Wherever you go, I will go;
Wherever you live, I will live.
Your people will be my people,
And your God will be my God.

Ruth 1:6

And a poem, for you, today, Nina and Mike:

CONTENT


When I behold how some pursue
Fame, that is Care's embodiment
Or fortune, who's false face looks true,
- An humble home with sweet content
Is all I ask for me and you.

As humble home, where pigeons coo,
Whose path leads under breezy lines
Of frosty-berried cedars to
A gate, one mass of trumpet-vines,
Is all I ask for me and you.

A garden, which all summer through,
The roses old make redolent,
And morning-glories, gay of hue,
And tansy, with its homely scent,
Is all I ask for me and you.

An orchard, that the pippins strew,
From whose bruised gold the juices spring;
A vineyard, where the grapes hang blue,
Wine-big and ripe for the vintaging,
Is all I ask for me and you.

A lane that leads to some far view
Of forest or of fallow-land,
Bloomed o'er with rose and meadow-rue,
Each with a bee in its hot hand,
Is all I ask for me and you.

At morn, a pathway deep with dew;
And birds to vary time and tune;
At eve, a sunset avenue,
And whippoorwills that haunt the moon,
Is all I ask for me and you.

Dear heart, with wants so small and few,
And faith, that's better far than gold,
A lowly friend, a child or two,
To care for us when we are old,
Is all I ask for me and you.

by Madison Cawein

Peppermints and Polka Dots QuickPage #3
(created by Valinda)

download

Loads more to share in the way of journalling, but no time. I wanted to be certain to get this BEAUTIFUL Quick Page made by Valinda. I'm so HONORED - Valinda is very talented and shares her own beautiful Quick Pages, almost daily! My favorites of hers have to be the Rose ones - you would have to check waayyy back in her posts, but its worth the dig! Well, I also liked her retro ones, and ... well You'll see.

This gives me a chance to also publically say THANK YOU Valinda. You are a constant encouragement to me.

Today's MONDAY MADNESS at Sophia Sarducci, so I won't keep you from rushing over to scoop the entire new Peppermint and Polka Dots kit at a reduced price!

Olivia Dorazio's PEPPERMINT and POLKA DOTS
12 x 12" Quick Page #2
download

I created this QP for your enjoyment, using my newest kit which launches Monday at the Sophia Sarducci Shop. Woo hoo, its also Monday Madness so purchasing it then will give you a substantial saving on my an already modestly priced kit! Its both ECLECTIC and whimsical at the same time. PLEASE, send me links to your creations using my QP’s and kit, I’d love to feature YOU here on my blog!

featuring ruffley, stripey ribbon elements!

featuring funky, cardboardy elements!

and a dozen soft papers to choose from.

Psssst! While you’re at the Sophia Sarducci shop on Monday, you may want to check out the Sophia Blog too, for there MIGHT JUST BE another QP up there for grabs too! *winking*

Here are a few layouts I made using my new kit, featuring my Sister in Law Judy. This is my little way to say THANK YOU to Judy for being a joy in my life. I'm SO GLAD we can share sister-ship in faith as well as in 'real life'

**********

TOOT!

You’ll see a new button at Christian Women Online, in the Announcements section - a little Shhh Bird, telling you that there are always some giveaways here at my blog. My sweet husband created the button for me... he knows MY love language! I’ve also posted the bird button in my sidebar to the right.

If you're a woman of faith, and have not subscribed yet, this is a WONDERFUL magazine! Why not join the 2,000 + blogroll while you're at it!

**********

Also, if you haven’t been to KimB’s or AmyW’s blogs, you’re missing out on seeing their latest products. These two ladies knock me out with their talent! I can’t wait to see what new things they continue to come up with. As you know, my Amy is also an alter ego as Adriana Lunette, so we are Italian Sistahs at Sophia - how cool is that! Amy's always an inspiration to me, and one day she's going to teach me to 'blinkie'.... that is when we can connect. I don't know if that gurl has time to brush her hair these days - NEENER!

**********

Layout by KARMA

Credits:

Map, leaf button and blue paper Freebie by Olivia Dorazio

Red arrow and red paper by (me) Kreative Karma at FS.

Flourishes, ribbon and frame by Krystal Hartley at FS.


Fonts:
Hurricane SupaDupa Serif
Euphorigenic

Thanks to Karma for sharing her beautiful layout she made using my I M Canadain QP – I was bedazzled by your take on it. I LOVE the swirlies you put in the background – were they yours Karma?

**********

Personal Ramblings:

We had a good (I guess if you can call a thunderstorm GOOD – in the sense that they wreak havoc and start fires) thunderstorm on June 30^th. After things settled I ventured out on our patio to enjoy the coolness after the rains. Don’t you just love the softness and smells after a good summer rain? Because we had so many lightening strikes during the storm I thought I would use the binoculars to see if there was any visible damage. As I scanned the hills and passed over an area situated a fair distance above highway 3, heading out of town towards Keremeos, my eye caught sight of a small area of fire, and smoke.

We decided to call it into the fire service. Even though it was small, we keep California in mind –its NEVER too early to report a fire! I think this is where men and women differ a bit, perhaps our ‘mothering’ instincts? When we see a situation developing, we just ACT on it, not worrying so much about what if we report it and it does not turn out to be anything? Men, on the other hand, like to ‘wait a bit’ to ‘see if something develops’ BEFORE reporting. Men seem to want to MAKE SURE its something, to save embarrassment. What do you think, is this just me thinking this way?

I took some photos of the fire at its start. An hour after our phone call we spotted helicopters over the area of the fire (more photos) and one hour after that the planes showed up and spread several loads of red retardant over it.

I’ve been a CHBC Newshawk before, so I told Miles I was going to send my photos and information up to the tv station.

He shook his head in disbelief – “Thats not much of a fire, honey.”

I was adamant, “Its not news to us because we live here, but it IS fire season, and fires ARE news” Besides, I think what is especially helpful is making sure my photos document events from start to finish, and to give CLEAR explanation.

So, with Miles sort of snickering behind my back, he said “You do that. I think I’ll just relax.”

I packaged up the photos I had, adding some verbal details to some of the pictures, because they were taken from a distance and also to name some of the landmarks. I had phoned up beforehand, now I sent them in an email. Later that evening, before turning in for the night, I sent an email with an update on what I could see.

About 3 a.m. I woke up out of the blue and thought I would check and see what was happening with the fire, and also it was niggling me I’d not received a reply email from the tv station. So I checked the fire – it was still burning, but small. I scanned in a 180 degree pan, across the lake, and there was a BIGGER fire on the mountain! So, I checked my email and found the station had NOT received my photos L so I resent them, along with news of this new fire. Then, I tucked in for sleep till morning.

In the morning, I sent another update to the station before we took a drive over to Keremeos. Miles was giving me the “raised eyebrows look” – you know what I mean? LOL, if nothing I am stubborn.

When we arrived home, the phone rang and it was April from CHBC and she asked me if I might be available to give an interview. Well, honestly, I was SQUIRMING, I totally freeze up in front of a video camera of any size, but she managed to persuade me. If nothing else, it was worth a million dollars to see the look on Miles face! He walked around here for a good half hour shaking his head in disbelief.

The interview went off smoothly – the crew was very professional. I did not look like a dork, my biggest fear of all.

So that turned out to be interesting. I wish the clip would have been archived on their site, but being a holiday weekend it was not, or I would share. But, it was a neat thing to do and I will also receive a $$ ‘newshawk’ finders fee and a t-shirt (which I’ll add to my t-shirt collection)

That was my excitement for the week, well, that and burning my wrist pretty bad with hot coffee. L Ya, it hurt but obviously its well enough for me to be blogging, so don’t cry for me!

**********

If you find a moment, would you please visit my friend Joy and leave a little encouragement for her? Her elderly parent’s health is failing and she and her family have to deal with it. Sometimes one can feel very alone in this, and personally I know how much it means to have my ‘virtual sisters’ reach out with a comforting word, thought and prayers. Please, forgo comments on my blog if you’re short on time, and instead leave her some instead? Joy, we’re thinking of you and our prayers go out to you. May the Lord give you strength at this time.

I M AMERICAN - mini kit

download

GOD BLESS AMERICA, my friends and neighbors to the south! May God keep you safe, and you enjoy and celebrate your country's special day!

I just have to include this little bit about Estrogen, sent to me by my friend Janice, to give you a chuckle!

10 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE 'ESTROGEN ISSUES'

1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem.

2. You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.

3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.

4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.

5. You 're using your mobile phone to dial up every bumper sticker

that says: 'How's my driving-call 0- 800-'.

6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.

7. Everyone seems to have just landed here from 'outer space.'

9. You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.

10. The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.

I M CANADIAN 12 X 12 INCH MINI KIT
download

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

What does being Canadian mean to me? I feel blessed to live in such a beautiful country, rich in resources and culture. I am proud our country is multi-cultural and considered to be tolerant, but I fear we are TOO liberal, we tolerate TOO much. I’m scared we will ‘get lost’ that we will lose vision of what being a Canadian REALLY is. If you’re Canadian and reading this, what do YOU think? This is just my personal opinion.

I like the fact my country is so large and diverse, from living here in Canada’s only pocket desert, in the heart of orchard country; I’m only a smidgen of this place I call home. My country stretches from seas to seas, and includes some vast areas of the frozen north. Why, I’ve barely explored a fraction this majestic land.

At some time in the future, I’ll share some family history, about my Great, Great, Great Grandmother who came across Canada in a Red River Cart. What a story, what a legacy.

Mostly, what I enjoy about being Canadian, is that I am FREE to WORSHIP. The following song lyrics are by the Canadian group HIS SEASON, from the album SEE A CHANGE. This song sends shivers up and down my spine. You can visit their site by just clicking HERE.

WORSHIPERS AGREE

by HIS SEASON

Let our nation sing to the King of Kings

Let our people pray to the Lord today

May the anthem of my country be pleasing God to Thee

From sea to shining sea let the worshipers agree

That the Lord of the Heavens is the Lord who reigns in me

From sea to shining sea let the worshipers agree

O Canada let the worshipers agree

O Canada living God reign in me

O Canada we stand on guard for Thee

O Canada

Let our nation sing to the King of Kings

Let our people pray to the Lord today

May the citizens and leaders ever stand on guard for Thee

From sea to shining sea let the worshipers agree

May we trust in the living God to keep us glorious and free

From sea to shining sea let the worshipers agree

O Canada let the worshipers agree

O Canada living God reign in me

O Canada we stand on guard for Thee

O Canada

Let our nation sing to the King of Kings

Let our people pray to the Lord today

right click and 'save as' to download your choice of blog-pin!


Just a little something I've made for you to add to your blog sidebar in time for our respective July 1st and July 4th patriotic celebrations!

download

I hope my Irish Friends can find use of this small mini kit I've created with my friend JanMary in mind. I was inspired when I made one for my friend KimB - and it meant so much to her! Well, Kim, I apologise that JanMary's kit is substantially bigger than yours, but I could not resist using some of your FABULOUS commercial use items - they make it SO EASY! The ribbons in this mini were a snap using KimB's products, so scoot over to her blog and find out how to make some of these CU items YOURS! Her products are stored HERE.

To see more of my own products, I proudly sell at the Sophia Sarducci Shop as Olivia Dorazio. Just click HERE to see my own, and my fellow designers items.

I also have to FANK my KIMMIE for the blog/flag pin idea - she started it, so I created the Irish Version for JanMary's kit. Soooooo..... would my fellow Canadians like a pin? My friends across the border in the USA? Feedback could make it happen folks - preferably on my blog rather than 4shared as I don't always check there?

what bloomed in the garden

I have a need for prayer. I'm going to be vague and ask for you to pray for an unnamed need in my life. I can't blog my need at this time, at the request of whom the need is for, but it affects me too. So, this is why I've not been about the past few days - I'm keeping pretty busy. If a time comes when I can share with you, I will, its just not yet, and please don't worry, things are ok, just weird. I wish things were NORMAL, but I do know that GOD HAS A PLAN, and its in HIS time.

Impatient hearts want action - NOW!
We fear God's time will be too late;
How prone we are to rush ahead -
When God says, "Wait!"

God's schedule always runs on time,
Though years seem days or day seem years;
But happy he who moves God's pace
And has no fears.

Not fast nor slow God's timepiece is,
So let us set our time with HIS.

Marjorie Allen Anderson

I'll leave you with a VERY SWEET article you'll enjoy to listen to from NPR. Just click on the little audio icon (LISTEN HERE) to hear it from the lady its about. GREAT for a giggle. Just click HERE.

I'd also say, I have removed snapshots from my blog. In case you don't know what snapshots is or ... was, well it was an addon that allowed a small preview to be shown when you would hover over a hotlink on my blog. The problem was, it appears to have been distracting and annoying to some readers, and I thank you for letting me know. I desire my blog to be user friendly to YOU!

Another thing: When I blogged my last entry I forgot to thank AMYW for the use of her TAGS. They are BEAUTIFUL - my small slideshow really did not do them justice. You can find them HERE, well worth the purchase! Also, AMY has a ROCKIN' Viewer Disk element for giveaway on her blog right now - a MUST HAVE. Just click HERE!

download

download

I hope you enjoy these two Brag Book QP'S created from my newest kit to hit the store. I've also got something coming up in the next day or two with my friend JanMary - something with an Irish theme - so if you know anyone Irish, let them know!

As I mentioned my new Kit PAPER BAG ART hits the shop today. Being Monday, we always go a little mad at the store and we call it MONDAY MADNESS and its a good thing for YOU, because we let all our NEW products go at a reduced price. I hope if you like the looks of my new kit you'll scoop it there today. Just click HERE to visit the shop - there's some WONDERFUL new products by many of my fellow designers!

OLIVIA DORAZIO'S (thats ME!) PAPER BAG ART KIT

I also created a set of three RUFFLEY alphas (separate purchase) to go along with it! So frilly you can almost feel the texture! Click HERE to purchase.

buy your PAPER BAG ART ruffley alphas

I had a good sized journal entry in mind today, but I find myself with some pressing needs today (NO, I'm not IRONING all day) So, I'll make today's entry brief, and to the point. I was going to share all about our celebration with Dad (my father in law) but I'll just share his card and a small slideshow with you.

Also, my sweet (generous and kind) friend AmyW, who brings you all kinds of wonderful freebies is recovering from a bout of tonsillitus... this after recent surgery too. Her life is NEVER dull! PLEASE, if you have time I hope you would find it in your heart to stop by and encourage her.

my father's day card for Dad 2008

The following is a small slideshow of Miles and Dad enjoying some father and son time together.


Mile’s and Dad’s Big Adventure

download

I've created this South Africa Mini - a version of my newest product called Paper Bag Art to feature at the Sophia Sarducci store on Monday. The reason I'm giving away a South African version is in honor to KimB. If you know Kim, then you know she's the Howard Hughes of Designing - meaning that she always giving (billions upon billions) away. There's ALWAYS something new on her bloggie, for us out here. She's Mother Hubbard in reverse, her cupboards spilleth over and she can't hand it out fast enough. She's got 'stuffies' coming out of her ears and she wants YOU to share. I'm sure they would sing about her on Seasame Street (SHAR-ING, SHAR-ING!) And when she's not giving things away, she's keeping us in stitches with her antics. If she ever has a 'normal' day it will be pretty scary! At any rate, I'm working hard to give back to YOU, lady.

Now, never fear, there's something SWEET coming for you-all in the USA/CANADA in the way of a freebie on MONDAY, so be checking back here. Ahem, I just KNOW you're going to ask too, JanMary, for something Irish... I'll get working on that. I won't leave you out.

Monday, this will be the day I launch the following kit! Its called Paper Bag Art, and its a labor of neighborly love between my country and my next door-ers. The reason it's called Paper Bag Art is because it started when I began experimenting with a paper bag texture (and some of KIMB's Commercial GrabBag Goodies - better go scoop it for yourself, if you haven't already!) and it simply grew from there. I feel very satisfied with the rich textures and colors in this kit. Be sure to line up at the store on Monday, a.m. by clicking HERE. Did I mention that Monday is always MONDAY MADNESS? You'll save additional monies off any purchases. Not a bad way to start the week!

Olivia Dorazio's PAPER BAG ART KIT
PERFECT for scrapping your favorite July1/4th PATRIOTIC memories!

The Elements!

12 Rich Papers!

I've also created a coordinating set of RUFFLY alphas, for purchase separately. These look like they were hand sewn by a fine seamstress, and boy, her fingers must be sore making all the little gathers! Available in natural bag, rich blue and deep red.

I've got to share another treasure, recently acquired at a yard sale. It was at the LAST sale during our visit with the in-laws that I scooped these creepy/cute ornaments.

my cute/ugly ornament

I have to admit, it was our SECOND visit to this particular yard sale - Miles had brought me here the previous week, and I'd admired these the first time, but when it came time to decide, I couldn't. I WANTED them, but just wasn't SURE. I've been of the policy that sometimes its ok to resist, and if you come again and things are waiting, then its ok to go for it. This visit, with Mom the Master Bargainer along, it was time to let go of any inhibitions.

They are not all perfect. A few have some chips, one has a pretty good crack. But they have APPEAL. They are DIFFERENT. Right, I am SURE I won't be seeing a set of these in YOUR house - LOL. When you watch my 'silly little slideshow' you will notice some writing on one, underside... it reads something like FLAME, JAPAN... its not 'made in japan' - that would have been a deciding factor in leaving them there. No, its something unique and the pieces have a fine patina and crackle that suggest great AGE.

Like, isn't this guy just QUIRKY? Is he supposed to be 'baseball'? Are the others supposed to resemble witches? Its truly hard to say. I'm hoping someone might just recognize these pieces!

Ok, so there's that, and my dream. I'm on tv. I'm on Antique Roadshow. The announcer has me sitting at a table, separate from the crowds with my strange little ornaments displayed. She says (with a crisp English accent) "So Barbara, you say you picked these up for 50 cents at a garage sale. What do you think they are worth?"

And I reply "Why, I have NO idea, I merely was entranced by their strangeness, it appealed to me. I thought if we had guests over and conversation was lagging I could haul them out to create conversation."

Then, the announcer says, "Well, these pieces are actually QUITE RARE... they were made in the 18__'s by a FAMOUS person, who made them for SOME SORT OF ROYALTY and there were only _ SETS EVER MADE IN THE WORLD and so these, if you were to sell them on the market today would easily fetch $___,___"

Thats when I GASP and slump over in a faint.



My Strange Little Japanese Ornaments

download

Today’s element is inspired by a craft. It’s a THANK YOU gift to all of you who have been supporting me here, and (as OLIVIA DORAZIO) at the Sophia Sarducci Shop. Its in recognition of your investing in me. As my designing grows, I want to always be able to ‘give back’. Without your support, I would not be able to do this.

Its not often I see AND DO a craft. Mostly I breeze through the magazines, hoping to pick up some fresh ideas to share with you, but once in a very small while I find something that I actually decide to do. This is what happened recently when I saw this cool Martha Stewart idea for a paper lantern decorated with butterflies (among a whole BUNCH of other great ideas, like the silk flowers light string, shells light string... OH MY!)

Well, as fate would have it, I saw a plain white paper lantern at a junk sale and scooped it for 50 cents, so I figured it was meant for me to make this project.

Miss Becks and Belly!

My good (and very pregnant) friend Becky came to share my Wednesday with me, and we visited the dollar store to gather the needed supplies – after a picnic lunch on the lake walkway in the sun and a whip creamy coffee out too) We actually used some gift bags to cut the butterflies out of, as the scrapbook papers there left a lot to be desired. I’d only intended on being oh so frugal, but just HAD to have the extra little green lantern I spied in there too.

I was so excited to find my little green lantern that I SQUEEKED! It LIGHTS up, using a set of triple a batteries. I put a candle in the big white one, VERY secured onto the frame in a glass holder. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. I wound up adding sparkles all over them too, securing them on with a good shot of hairspray – no I will NOT light it till its totally dissipated.

Here's a silly little slideshow of my creations:

My Butterfly Lanterns

Speaking of summer & lanterns, my friend Kristin CB has a new kit out. When I ‘grow up’ in my designing I aspire to even come close to the talent of Kristin. She has such a fine touch, an eye for even the tiniest details, and I always want to reach out and touch her products to see if they are real or not. Truly if I came into a large sum of money I would want Kristin to design my wallpaper (the kind that goes on real walls) for my new home.

I met Kristin a few years ago and we struck up a friendship right away. Being a fellow Canadian, even living within the same province, we found ourselves having lots in common. One summer Kristin and her family stopped by for a visit/picnic, much to my joy. Passing this way again, my friend? There’s always a room for you!

Kristin is sweet and shy, HUGELY talented, both with photography and design, but she’s also a beautiful person, inside and out. She’s been a great mentor in my life and even tho we don’t get to chat like we used to, she’s always got a special place in my heart. I don’t know how she manages her young family (new baby VERY recently) AND designs like she does.

Party Out Back by Kristin Cronin-Barrow

Without further ado – if you plan on scrapping Summer ‘stuffies’ I’d suggest you check out and buy Kristin’s Party Out Back Kit by clicking HERE. Jennilyn made a drop dead gorgeous desktop using Kristin’s kit to share with you. You can also keep up on whats new in Kristins designs by visiting here blog HERE.

I have a new kit coming out on Monday, but I will share more about that with YOU on SATURDAY. Stay tuned here, if you drop in on SATURDAY, I’ll have previews and ANOTHER FREEBIE awaiting!

Thats all my big news - well this besides my darling husband finding a TICK on his body at like 5:30 a.m. today, waking me up in a frantic flurry (I'm NOT a morning person at the best of times) and me staggering into the bathroom where I had to go at him with tweezers. Luckily it was not buried and we flushed it away. EWWWW! I was so brain-dead I went back to dead and upon REALLY waking up not remembering if it was real or a nightmare...