Magic and the Beach

 How is everyone? I've got lots of catching up to do. Bill and I recently spent 4 days in Cape May, NJ to celebrate our 31st anniversary and it was just beautiful-perfect weather! I'll share some pics in the next few posts. But first, here is a journal page I did just before we left:

   Background was made by sponging inks around. The tree with bare branches is from Stamp Camp. The teardrop leaves is a hand carved stamp I repeatedly inked up,  overstamped with a script stamp (Papertrey Ink), then stamped onto card stock ,trimmed and glued to the tree. The meditating figure is a stencil I hand cut. The fairy image is a rubber stamp from ERA Graphics. I added the words digitally. Linking to Paint Party Friday; Art Journal Every Day, Art Journal Journey (theme is "living beings"), Mix It Monthly (theme is "trees"), and the Simon Monday Blog Challenge (theme is "stencils and stamps").

 This is the card I made for our anniversary:

 I'm linking this to the Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog  (theme is "anything goes" ).

 And now for some Cape May photos. We first went to Cape May when I surprised Bill with a trip there for our 10th anniversary. We both love Victorian homes, culture, furnishings etc. and this is a historic, Victorian sea side town-just oozing with charm! We were not disappointed and fell in love with this place. We have gone there as many times as we were able over the years-even making some day trips-ever since. We have made many friends there-some have sadly since passed-but there are so many memories. Last year Bill surprised ME for our 30th with a 5 day stay there. It was so very special because we had not been there the last 12 years. We vowed to try and get there every year from here on in.

I would LOVE to have one of these mini cars!

   Or how about a horse and carriage to see the sights?

       Our favorite haunt for many years has gone but we discovered this gem of a place where we will make new memories. The food is excellent-with very generous portions, and the staff -so much fun!

  We were fortunate to have warm, glorious beach weather. We spent time at Cape May Point to walk around the wetlands and lighthouse, and went into North Cape May to see the sunset over the bay while sitting in Harpoon Henry's restaurant (another fun place with great food!).

 We have another full weekend this week. The Celtic Classic (festival) is in town Fri-Sun and as it is in walking distance most of our time will be spent soaking up all that wonderful Celtic culture-Highland games; bagpipe competitions; herding exhibitions with  border collies, sheep, and ducks; Irish dancing; lots of music, food and Guinness too! And we are expecting summer-like weather. I DO love September :)

   "Love and magic have a great deal in common. They enrich the soul, delight the heart. And they both take practice."    Unknown