.hostess gifts.

You're Too Kind

 This weekend was full of activity, which resulted in needing Several cards made!  My long-time childhood friend came to visit family in Florida, so we drove 4 hours North from Naples and also got to help celebrate her step-dad's 90th birthday while there!  This is she and I below, it's been 10 or more years since we last saw one another.

My Hubby joined us for the next one.

My sweet nephew Ethan turns 10 this week, and I made him a super fun birthday card, but neglected to take a photo before getting it in the mail.  He may not notice the handmade card filled with Love, but he will notice the $20 bill enclosed  :-)

The 3 cards below I made for a hostess gift for someone who had us for dinner Sunday night.  I wrapped the three in cellophane and tied with a Coral ribbon so she has a variety to choose the next time she needs a card for someone. 

happy Birthday wishes

Sending Good Thoughts Your way

You're too Kind

All items shown can be reproduced, each handmade greeting card is $4.00.  Contact Paper & Stain at paperandstain@gmail.com or 239.963.5500 and find out what we're up to on Facebook! 

~ js

.life gets busy.

July 14th?! I'm one of those people. One who takes on too much, has grand ideas of accomplishing more than I know I have hours or energy for, a bit too disorganized - and we have no children, yet I still can't get it all done.  I am increasingly empathetic and in awe of my friend who works a large number of hours every week, has two kids, has a part time job and still manages to give yet more time and energy to her friends, church and even can keep up with the goings-on in my life.  Oh to have a sprinkle of her organizational skills and energy.  If nothing else, I do my best to prioritize my time by the front window each morning and start my day in the Light.

Part of what takes me away from my paper-crafting time is my hubby's praising of my cooking. At least I've found Something to blame it on! This man loves to eat. His praises and requests for seconds and thirds and ohh's and aww's boosts my spirits and provides the fuel I would otherwise lack for wanting to cook.  I've tried many new recipes lately, have several that have become repeat offenders, and I do enjoy receiving or sharing tried and true recipes with others.  Pinterest, of course, is a major source of new ideas.  So much in fact that my gregarious eater likes to browse himself for new ones he wants me to try!  www.http://mystainedapron.blogspot.com/

Wet Burrito's!

Since January, when I last posted, I've transitioned from running an executive suites center to working full time running our Naples Home Watch Property Management business from home.  www.spmnaples.com  That also lends to a situation where it's difficult to turn it off, when is it actually closing time when it's your own business?  There is no 9-5 and the list of needs of others are constantly dancing in my head unless I take care of it right then or write it down.  However the difference in my life after removing myself from the corporate structure of a 9-5 is incomparable to the feeling of always being on-call.  Stress takes on a different meaning (it's your only source of income, the business success is up to you, every decision made falls back on you...), but the stress in other ways is gone.  I relish the ability to come and go as needed, have lunch with a friend and not be on the clock, and to work collaboratively with my life partner.  Having met a little bit later in life, it's  such a pleasure to now have this extra time to be together (although not always daisy's and rainbows), we work hard, plan for the business and for our future, and we to get to help others together. we have been blessed with wonderful clients, and beautiful homes to manage!

Although much has changed in the last 6 months, I have made time to make a few things here and there and am finding more and more time to sneak into our loft and get my hands messy with some Paper & Stain.

My husband's sweet grandmother sent me a little birthday money.

 Happy 62nd Birthday to Mark!

For my cherished friend's Birthday who lives states and states away from me.

Happy Monday ~  js

All items shown can be reproduced, each handmade greeting card is $4.00.  
Contact Jennifer at Paper & Stain  a Naples based Stampin' Up! Demonstrator  paperandstain@gmail.com or 239.963.5500 and look for us on Facebook! 

.the first post.

Welcome to the Paper & Stain blog!

I've always had a Love for creating, whether it be creating a warm and 'homey' space, creating in the kitchen, creating something useful or perhaps just fun to look at. The common obstacle is of course finding Time!  Working full time running an Executive Suites Center, and a sweet hubby to tend to, my P&S time can run thin. For now, and for starters, this blog will simply be for projects I'm in the midst of, the Stampin Up! cards I'm making, and the pages of crafty and creative friends I follow.

Stay Tuned ~ js

All items shown can be reproduced, each handmade greeting card is $4.00.  

Contact Jennifer at Paper & Stain a Naples based Stampin' Up! Demonstrator  paperandstain@gmail.com or 239.963.5500 and find out what we're up to on Facebook!