Stuck On You -- Times Two!

Hello, friends!

Well, we managed to survive Hurricane Irene with only some minor power outages and lots of tree branches and debris to pick up after the fact.  The winds were probably the scariest part for me, because the storm's strongest point was at night and I couldn't see what the large trees around our house were doing out there.  Thank God, we were all safe and sound.  Want to hear a really cute post-storm story?  Check out the end of the post if you are interested.

Now on to some cards.  I have been lacking my mojo since returning from an awesome vacation in Disney.  However, I received a blog prize package from the lovely Lucy in the mail today, full of awesome stickers!  Then I remembered the current challenge at CAS-ual Fridays to make a clean and simple card using stickers (or rub-ons).  I HAD to give it a try, even though this is way outside my comfort zone.  But I have so many wonderful stickers from Lucy...(thank you again, Lucy)...I had to try!

Believe it or not, I wound up making not one but TWO cards for the challenge.  They both used stickers from the Fancy Pants Love Birds Cardstock Stickers-Element set seen here:

I loved this set as soon as I opened the package!  The first card I made used the two owls on the branch...I loved the way the red hearts popped against the blue background, so I mounted the sticker against red card stock cut with my Nestabilities Labels Eight.  The sentiment is a sticker from none other than the sponsor of this week's challenge at CAS-ual Fridays, SRM Stickers (#53001 Happy) also from Lucy.  I have never used these before, but I have to say I REALLY LIKE THEM!  Here is the finished product...

The second card used two border stickers and the large image at the top of the set; I mounted all the stickers onto a kraft card cut with the Grand Nestabilities Labels One.  The sentiment is another sticker from the SRM Stickers set above; I added some pastel buttons with red floss knots for a final touch. 

OK, now for a sweet post-hurricane story.  (If you aren't interested, it's OK...I'll say good-bye and thanks for visiting!) 

On Sunday afternoon the storm had passed, with only gusty winds remaining behind.  I went around picking up tree branches in our back yard while my two sons kicked around a soccer ball (they were SO happy to finally be outside again!).  My oldest son soon came to me and said, "Mom, I just found a big hole in the ground!"  I went to check it out, wondering if lightening had struck it or if something had fallen, causing this unusual occurrence.  Sure enough, there was a perfectly formed tunnel-like hole in the grass.  A rabbit hole!  As we checked it out, a rather large bunny came along, stopping calmly nearby to eat some grass.  I, being a goofy mom, started to talk to the bunny, saying, "Don't worry, bunny, we aren't going to harm you or your new house.  Stay safe in this wind, OK?"  Bunny chewed on grass.  Boys went back to soccer.  I was afraid they might damage the hole with their ball, so I carefully layed some of the soft, leafy branches I had collected on either side of it and warned the boys to please play carefully.  Within a few minutes, we were all back inside when it started to rain lightly.

About an hour later, I told my husband about the new resident out back and asked if I could show him the hole.  The rain had stopped, so out we went.  But something was different.  The leafy branches had all been moved, neatly and carefully arranged over the opening of the hole.  As I explained how this was strange, he gently moved a branch to find several brand-new baby bunnies squirming around!  They were so tiny and CUTE!  Their eyes were still shut and they had no hair...almost looked like mice. They had definitely just been born!  I ran to get the kids ...and my camera...and here is what we saw:

Needless to say, the kids were in awe, and we have been keeping a vigil over our new little neighbors ever since this discovery.  They are so cute!  Now comes the really goofy part.  I felt this strange motherly bond with that bunny...it was as if I sensed something was up and I'm glad I reassured her of her safety in our yard.   Please note that I don't make a habit of talking to rabbits, unless I am scaring them out of my vegetable garden.  Maybe it was because of the harshness of the preceding storm that I felt badly for the bunny, stuck outside through it all.  Who knows.  All I know is that I feel a very strong urge to protect her and her babies...funny how our maternal instincts kick in!

So, I will try to keep you all posted on the bunny family status as it unfolds.  My daughter has been begging me to keep one as a pet, but that won't happen.  However, whenever we see little bunnies around I'll be sure to ask them if they were born in our yard...you never know!  (I realize this involves more talking to bunnies, but I sense a family memory forming here...)        

Have a great day,
Judy