A Pink & Grey Cutie!

eek! I almost forgot to post this before the next challenges!

Cutie Sunday~sketch #30

Colour Create~pink & grey, cute & cuddly

This stamp is from SU hip hip hooray, ribbon recycled from Victoria's Secret, and bling! Paper, K&co!

Off to stamp....

Blessings!

A Cuttlebug Sketch!

The CuttlebugChallenge this week was a sketch. I had fun with this one and had a chance to use some ribbon that I've had and never used. I used the CB swiss dots on the base card, the sizzix swirl & the punched flowers. I never CB'd punched flowers before, I saw it done on Allison's blog the other day, how cool is that! The flowers are curled, hard to see in the pix. They're also popped with a glittered black brad in the ctr. The black embossed sentiment is from SU! upsy daisy. Pretty straight forward. The lt green brazzill cs really reflects the light making this pix look a little washed out!
I'm hoping this will be a nice stay at home stamping day, though others in the house have plans for the day. We're expecting a little snow tonight, it will probably just be another case of sleet and freezing rain. We're still waiting for our big winter snow! I obviously need to move to Wisconsin if I want real snow, huh, ladies?? Hope you all have a great weekend! Blessings!

Another Award!

Thank you LorraineA. for this uber cute award! I am so not good at passing these awards on, simply because I can't choose....I love you all! but here's some to start, some blogs that definitely make me smile...

• Donna, Donna, Janna, Deb, Ann, Vicki, Elena, Allison, Natasha, Danni and Heather!

I could go on...To all who leave me a kind, funny, encouraging comment...please grab this and stash it on your blog!

Blessings!

From the Far East!

A quick 2nd post for today!

The papers are DCWV far east pack! The challenges: Arty Girlz-butterflies, Secret Crafter Sat challenge-a Jill sketch (great sketch Jill!) and One Stop Craft challenge-oriental! A hibiscus is the best I could do for oriental! :) Thanks so much for stopping by! Your comments make me smile!

Blessings!

CBCC#27

huff, huff, huff.....that's me running to catch up yet again! I was away from my poor computer all day yesterday! But had a lovely date day with my DH while the kids had a chance to hangout with my Mom! We went to Benihana for lunch then shopping for a few hours. It was great!
This card was inspired by Courtney over at Created by Courtney. She challenged us to use brown, vanilla & turquoise, one of my fav combos. I didn't have brown brads to match, so I simply punched three dots out using my crop a dile, fixed them in place and applied a drop of crystal effects....voila, a shiny "brad". I've been stamping today, trying to get some of the challenges in before the new ones are issued....what a workout!
Blessings!

eta: I forgot to tell you where the sketch came from....a challenge issued by Stamps & Smiles...checkout the blinkie on my sidebar for all the details! Soo Sorry!

Together!

Hi everyone! Just popping in today to say hello! We have a busy day/evening.

Stamp Something challenged us to make a 3D something....so I made this 3D flower. Sorry I didn't take a sideview, wasn't thinking...that happens alot! :)

If you click on the pix you can see a little more detail! I'm pleased with the vintage look of this card...after I dirtied it up a bit!

Julie @ Julie's Inkspot has an awesome candy offer if you make your own flower, check it out!

Hope you all have a tremendously rewarding day.........Blessings!

...I will give thee rest.

I just love the color scheme of blues and browns, and when I saw the ABC challenge last week, I really wanted to make a card with a sweet little image in those tones! However, the more I talked to people over these last few days, there is alot of pain & suffering going on right around our region with the economy and job loss. People need hope and to just know someone cares about them. So I felt a need to step it up a bit on the encouraging cards! Not to say a sweet little image wouldn't have done that, I just wanted to use some scripture...you all know what I mean, right? So, here is my ABC~B card for blue & brown, and I pray it lifts someone's spirit and they realize there are people who care! I hope you all realize that too! Blessings to all who read here!

More lovely Awards!

More awards, more lovely friends that have touched my heart by passing these along to me! Each of these ladies is super talented, super creative and super kind & thoughtful! Please pop over and visit each of their fabulous blogs, you will not be disappointed! {{Squishy hugs}} to you all!

Thank you Elena and Natasha!

Thank you Paula & Karin !

Have a blast!

2nd post for today...
Though I missed some fav challenges over the busy weekend, I couldn't let them all just slide away! A Spoonful of Sugar had this sketch by Debbie and I really liked it! Created by Courtney wanted us to ink up some bubble wrap, I surely didn't want to pass that by and when I saw the colors from Color Throwdown, I thought they were perfect for this fun little number! (tangerine tango...my new fav orange, brilliant blue & ballet blue)
Sorry for the dark pix, I long for more daylight! I was actually thinking of putting the card in the frig, lean it up against the milk bottle....well, it's nice and light in there! right?
Enjoy your evening! Blessings!

Yes, it's still winter!

Happy Monday morning! I took a few days off from crafting and boy am I ready to get stamping again! I missed soooo many challenges but I also found some new ones! I'll be sharing those with you this week! Here's a card I whipped up this morning. The other week I saw this digital background over on Art Creations and have been wanting to use it. The scalloped circle is digital paper from Carrie Stephens. The image is Sugarpea from CC Designs, isn't she sweet, she's colored with oil pastels and prisma pencils.


I added embossing paste to the snow, snowballs and her hat puffball for texture.

I made a little tag with a warm winter sentiment because we're having a very blustery day, reminding us it's still winter, I guess! The ladies at OCC challenged us to use a tag on our projects this week. eta...I just checked DRSdesigns challenge for today and it's also tags!

I just love blue & green together, don't you?!

We enjoyed our multiple gatherings with friends these past few days...cooking feasts and just talking for hours. Over the winter, after the holidays, it seems like we don't have as many gathering, so this was wonderful! Prayers to all for a happy day! Blessings!

*NOTE...I'll be catching up on everyone's blogs for the last few days-I want to see what you've been up to, so put a pot of tea on...I'll be stoppin' by!

Donna has Candy!

My lovely friend Donna from Donna's Doodles has this scrumptious candy offered until Feb 27th, 9pm (GMT). She has a great blog with fabulous creations to make you smile! I always enjoy visiting her! {waving-hi Donna}
Blessings!

I punched a frog!

I punched a frog...oh, yes I did! Isn't he cute? I saw this cute little guy on Heather's blog, Stamp with Heather and had to make him! I deviated from the pattern alittle but the whole frog is made with punches; circles, ovals and the littlest boho flower. (Who needs a Cricut anyway?....bawwwww, I do, I do!!!!) The bubble DP is MS and I used the brass stencil below to emboss little waves in the water. It's amazing what pops into your head when you are creating! This project started when I saw the challenge over at Daring Cardmarkers (frog or fish) and the sketch for Friday sketchers. I hope you have the opportunity to punch a frog too, it's so much fun!

I'm shocked I was able to make a card for a challenge the same day it was issued, besides my crafting space was completely put away! We had friends over and we needed the space. I love to craft but it easily takes over and other things start to slide. So many times we say to our friends, "oh, we'll have to get together!" Then it never happens, so last week, I made phone calls with my day planner in hand and made "dates" for some of our families to get together. Within days we were calling to re-schedule and re-arrange, why is this so difficult? But, alas, we did it. We have gatherings on Sat & Sun yet, which I'm looking forward to {waving! } then we will slip back into routine I'm sure, hopefully not forgetting to do this more often! I hope you have a chance to nourish your friendships online and off! {{squishy hugs to you all}} Blessings!

Spring Fling

Spring Fling...

I told you I was thinking spring! These are definitely my fav colors right now! I love the first sight of crocus, daffodil & tulips! Ahhhh!

This poochy was colored with pastels. Though in my limited artistic knowledge I noticed there are various mediums called pastels! My Stampin Up chalks say pastels, my oil crayons say pastels...does someone out there want to fill me in...what are others referring to when they say pastels????? I used the oil crayons here and I really like how you can get varying shades. Teach Me! :)

Kazan's sketch was perfect for this little number (2Sketches4You) and Crafty Muse took it easy on us this week encouraging us to make a card with our favorite colors....think Spring! I don't know the company for this image, I rec'd it a while back...do you know? Would love to buy the stamp!!! The pup is so cute taking time to stop and smell the flowers.......don't we all need to do that!

I pray today, you would take time to stand still and consider the beauty of this wonderful creation we call Earth! Blessings!

Bev has Candy!

BEV HAS CANDY!!!
Whiff of Joy candy and lots more yummys! Please visit her @ All the Things I Love
If you have not visited Bev before you will be pleasantly surprised....so much inspiration...pure eye candy! Enjoy!

Life Happens!

So sweet! I made this card for a friend who has life happening all over her! Thought sending her a smile would help!

I used the lovely sketch from the Lili of the Valley challenge blog! The Roses on Paper challenge wanted us to make a card for a friend or loved one! With this lovely K&co paper I wanted to add just a little color to my sweet image. I used oil pastels, SU marker & colored pencils. I'm really pleased with the results! Hope you had a lovely day! Blessings!

PennyBlack Sketch

Nat had this great sketch over on the PennyBlack challenge, love all the layers! Three birthday cards need to go out this week overseas, so I need to catch up!

I used some of the delish paper DH gave me for V'day (K&co) along with my fav wild wasabi green!

The sun is shinning but it's oh so cold!!! I'm resolved that if we are not going to get a good snow, I'm talking a good 8+ inches, than spring should come NOW! I mean what's the fun of winter without snow??? So my thoughts have turned to springtime, which my cards will be reflecting in the coming days! Hope you have a lovely day with pleasant thoughts and warm hugs! Blessings!

Spring has Sprung!

Spring has Sprung! (Secret Crafter Sat Challenge)
Well, it's not quite time to pull out the spring apparel but soon! The Cuttlebug Challenge wanted shaped cards, I saw this little cutie in the latest Paper Crafts magazine! Isn't it fun? I'm not sure what I'll use it for; a girlie b'day card or maybe a baby card, we'll see what situation presents itself!
So, did everyone have a lovely Valentine's Day? My sweet DH actually came through this year with some stamping stuff...woohoo! I'll be digging into that this week! We had a relaxing Saturday, I didn't have a chance to stamp, I was caught up in cleaning out my craft supplies! You know, too much of this, not enough of that, so I kinda took inventory. I'm going to share the wealth, so stay tuned, I love to give things away! I would love to show all those who subscribe and follow how much I appreciate your support!!
We have some really busy days this week but we had quite a refreshing Sunday with church and our Life group so we're ready to hit the ground running! Praying peace and a refreshing over you so you too are ready for the new week! Blessings!

Angelique Cupcake

This sweet digi image is from Crafty Muse, Sammi sent them to everyone who entered the last challenge! Thank you Sammi!

The Colour Create challenge was aqua & peach. I did not have even a scrap of peach paper, so off to the Shabby Princess downloads to find some. I paper pieced the image and added some sparkle to her wings. The sketch is from Sketch Saturday and the inspiration to use this sweet Crafty Muse image was from Charisma Cardz challenge theme of cupcakes! Sorry, the pix is dark and you can't really see the aqua print & swirls, I ran out of daylight!

Have a lovely weekend! Blessings!

Steller!

I know it's only Rock N Roll but I like it....

Here's my card for the music & dance theme over on the Cute Card Thursday challenge. I've had these H&M stamps ever since their garage sale a few weeks back and haven't had a chance to ink them up! I could say this reminds me of my son who plays guitar at church, but I don't think they dive off the stage much during praise and worship! The image does remind me of the movie, School of Rock with Jack Black!

Anyhooo, the DP was sent in a candy win package so I don't know the name, it's distressed and double sided, I really like it! This sketch is from the Crafty Creations 2nd challenge! Steller!

Yesterday, we attended the Eastern Sports & Outdoor show...anything and everything sports! It was wonderful and educational for the whole family, however, walking on concrete floors for 4 hours was a bit much even in comfy shoes!!! And talk about crowded, hoowee, but we did enjoy our day...it's nicer now that the kids are older and if we get separated we can just use our cell phones! Abundant blessings to you!

It's a boy!

Not your traditional sweet baby card! It's a boy...hey, the new mom should know what to expect, right? I mean, there is a reason I call my youngest son...a squirrel (affectionately, of course)! If his mouth isn't going a mile-a-minute, his body is! Though I must add he is a huge blessing to our whole family, and honestly, I wouldn't want him any other way!

Another bright colored card today!

That's pacific blue,bright green and w.white! The gals over at OCC challenge wanted us to pick an embellishment and create a card around it! I've had this ribbon forever, so decided to open it finally! This sketch came from sweet Laura @2Sketches4You. I sponged to lessen the brightness of this neon green, it was hurting my eyes! I think this image is actually an old, old SU! stamp, the sentiment is so many sayings!

Oh, how do you like the Converse hightop sneakers? hehe

Hope you're having a fun filled day! Blessings!

Lovely Awards, thank you!!!

The beautiful Josianne @Cardmaking Galore was so sweet to give me this Kreativ-Award. It touches my heart to know you thought of me! Thank You!!



My sweet friend Natasha has given me this beautiful award, and I'm honored that she thought of me. Thank you Natasha!

I rec'd this cool award from the lovely Heather~The Best in Life! Thank you Heather, you are too cool!

I'd like to pass these on to all my lovely subscribers and followers! I think you are all wonderful and I appreciate your support in this big wide land of Blog! Blessings!

WOJ Feb 14 new release

Whiff of Joy....

Here's a chance to win a whole set of the Medieval Charlotte and Charlie release designed by Alison Acton: the new release, which is on Feburary 14th! The winner will we chosen by random.org on February 16th! Go to Katharina's blog for all the details!

A Bright & Happy Card!

Hi everyone!

This is my tall, thin card for the House Mouse challenge. I chose this image to coincide with the ABC challenge (sleeping) but I was a bit late for that one! However do we keep up, I checked out nine challenges issued just today (Wed) whew!

On to the card...

Brightly colored, huh? Well, it's a celebratory card! yippee, hip hip hooray it's your special day and all that jazz!

I used prisma markers for my Gruffie so he wouldn't get "lost" in all that color, and pencils for the dream bubbles. I wanted to use ribbon but ran out of room, so using my SU! slit punch I was able to move the bow over the top layer. A few plastic flowers and glitter to finish this fun card. A bit busy but I think it looks happy!

The Crafty Muse challenge was to make something sweet~candy colored or chocolate. I did both, hehe, a choc. colored bear and a candy colored card! I also was inspired by the One Stop Craft challenge to use circles.

Thanks for stopping by today! Praying you have a happy day today!! Blessings!

Dance with me, my love...

Dance with me, my love...

I don't think I know what my cardmaking "style" is?????

My brain is all over the place, but I knew I loved this picture from The Graphics Fairy! They have such awesome vintage clipart! Let's take a short stroll through the details...

I used Gold Encore everywhere! The sentiment is handwritten with a gel pen. I used the Cuttlebug textile folder to go over the postage stamp in the upper right-hand corner so it resembles a canceled stamp! A combination of challenges inspired much of the detail. A Spoonful of Sugar wanted us to add doodling...I doodled a crown for him, a necklace for her and outlined the postage stamp. The Cuttlebug Challenge theme was love, which also was the challenge on Dutch Dare but they wanted no red or pink in sight! The Crazy Amigo ladies theme was postage stamps, and My Time to Craft was Going 4 Gold! Here are some close ups but metallic gold is very hard to photograph.

Makes me want to dance the waltz with my wonderful DH! Praying love, peace and blessings over all who read here! Have a lovely day!

Seeing Pink Elephants!

There's a new challenge blog on the block! The Pink Elephant Challenge Their very first challenge is all about color; pink, black & white!


Of course, I thought of My Favorite Things, Time for the Bubbly set. I used pastels to make wallpaper and color the carpet. The tub is paper pieced and the "fluffy" white carpet under the tub is textured with embossing paste. I used aluminum foil for the mirror! Hey, that's how they did it in my Barbie Townhouse when I was little! The Cute Card Thursday challenge was to use metal, and The Secret Crafter challenge was to recycle something, so the foil fits both. No, it wasn't on leftovers, well, not directly! hehe The layout is my take on Technostamper's Monday Lunchtime Sketch. This sparkly paper is DCWV All Dressed Up pack....these packs last forever, apparently! This was a fun one to make! Thanks for taking a peek today! May you all feel pampered and loved right where you are! Blessings!

Popping pastels

I tried popping pastels on this little 4x4.5"card!

Sorry for the dark pix, we have a brown base, a red layer then pink pirouette. I versamarked the swirls then dusted with pastel powder (chalk), I then shaded with the same pastel color. It gives it a "flocked" effect! And you can just about see the white stitching all around the top layer! :)

This is a Valentine for a special lady I know!

I was inspired by Stamp Something~valentine. There is also Chris' Belli Challenge I've been wanting to participate in and I used the Color Throwdown challenge which were the perfect colors!

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

Blessings!

Christmas card #5

Woohoo, I have five Christmas cards done so far! I have a friend who's really into Precious Moments figurines, this is perfect for her. I could even ready the envie for this one! I used my Koh-I-Noor pencils for coloring (I'm really enjoying them Elena, thank you!) Five weeks into the new year and five cards under my belt, I'm following the Just Christmas & Birthday Cards challenge, thanks ladies! Another small miracle...we have a family birthday party to attend tomorrow and I already have the card finished!!!!! (so different from last year!)

Blessings!

Color Create #1

Gosh, I'm getting these cards in just under the wire! A new challenge blog, Color Create, started this past Sunday with a lovely color combo of pink, green & brown and a butterfly option. They will have a new challenge tomorrow already, tempus figit! I used basic brown, kiwi kiss and pink pirouette (my now fav pink)! Color challenges seem to challenge me the most, that and buttons...I never know where to place them, though looking at this card now, a button might have looked nice in the center of the flower! ha Hope you all have a restful weekend....no football, boo hoo, what will I do on the weekends now???? Hmmm! I'm sure I'll think of something....

Blessings!

PennyBlack circle card

Here's my circle card for the PennyBlack challenge! Again, I forgot to upload it sooner, we just got home and I saw it sitting there, oops!
I just love these little hedgehog critters from PB!
Have a lovely evening!
Blessings!

Small Wonder

A small wonder! Babies are a small wonder aren't they, little miracles! I often wonder what it would be like to have a little one now that my other children are older. Hmmm! Though I do remember celebrating when the last child was out of a car/booster seat. So liberating! I'll simply be happy for others having babies!

Aren't these happy colors? One Stop Craft Challenge was to use buttons & bows and Secret Crafter's theme was "At the Zoo"! I embossed the yellow panel, used faux stitching on the orange base and there is a little white layer in between them with orange dots! (Whenever I use dots on a border, I think of Faith H.-Stamping with Markie's Mom-Wow!) Of course there is glitter on the giraffe's spots, button from my gigantic button jar, the sentiment is SU's so many sayings, ribbon from stash! I actually thought I uploaded this card already, but I found it floating around as a draft! Well, at least I found it, now where is that Martha Stewart mag with all those yummy cupcakes.....

Praying you have an organized, peaceful day! Blessings!

Kiss, kiss

Outta da box!

Ok, is this a tag or an ATC, it measures 2.5x3.5 inches? Can it be both...this is all new to me!

Anyhoo, I had fun making it!

I covered my atc tag with crumpled brown packaging paper. Applied Gesso, liberally, then wiped some off. Sponged real red and stamped red & black hearts, and stems for the vellum flowers. I used the little flower from the boho punch. Since you can see the glue dots through the vellum I decided to make it work for me!!! I used the crop-a-dial for just the right size circles. (see below, I punched in a way that the glue square can still be used)

I also used one of my fav stamps from House Mouse for this sweet little Valentine atc tag?! Look even the eyelet is a heart!

Hearts & Love is a common theme this time of year, so this little beauty hit more than a few challenges.
1. OCC~two or more hearts!
2. Papertake Weekly~hearts and flowers!
3. Saturday's Workout~distressed Gesso
4. Wednesday Stamper~kiss
5. House Mouse~valentine
6. Crafty Creations~hearts galore!
Crafty Creations also has a candy offer going on to introduce their new challenge blog! I hope you like my little creation, I'll let you know what it is when someone tells ME!!!!
Have a dazzling day! Blessings!

A Burst of Sunshine!

Isn't this just a little burst of sunshine? It might be really cold outside today, but our woodstove is cranking and it's rather warm inside! We're all running around barefoot (that's no surprise) with short sleeves! And I'm roasting a chicken on the woodstove...it's smelling goooood! Don't these colors just look like summer? Bella is all ready to have some fishing fun! Personally, I'm too impatient to like fishing!

Stamp Something wanted summery cards and Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch was to fun to pass up, though I turned it upside down! I hope you get a chance to checkout some of the challenges that might be new to you...there is something for everyone! It's great motivation & inspiration!

The Princess Bride

The movie inspiration this week at Cinema Saturday challenge blog is The Princess Bride. I have been wanting to use some more of the the downloads I won from Crafty Muse/Once Upon a Time series, this was the perfect opportunity! The paper is K&co. and is flocked. I stamped the princess gown with baroque motif/versamark to emboss the swirl then colored her with prisma markers. A little piece of lace on the hat finished her princess look. She stands out better IRL. The sketch is also from Cinema Sat.
The sun is shinning today, but the temps are in the low 20's F. brrrr. My oldest son is working with my DH today. I think it's great that homeschooling allows you to schedule your school work around your day! Praying you all feel like Princess' today...loved & cared for....Blessings!!!

An Interactive Valentine!

Let me start by saying...."Courtney started it!" Checkout the challenge at Created by Courtney today!

Well, I've seen cards with detachable pins or earrings....this has a "pull-off" garter! Hey, come on, it's a Valentine's Day card! hehe This image is from Firecracker Designs, the sentiment SU's so many sayings and the garter...made by me on the spot! I did use the Sketch & Stash challenge for the LO, so the garter would be my NEW item! Just havin' some fun! Have a razzle dazzle day! Blessings!

A Simple Thank You #4052

Yesterday's pop up flower was alittle too much for me...so back in my box I go, where it's cozy and comfy. I revert to Stampin Up style, crisp & clean! Here's a simple thank you card, inspired by Dutch Dare; boho punch, DSP and too many sayings stamp set, easy,huh?
I can confidently say a day does not go by that I don't have someone to thank! We are so blessed and so many people in blogland & IRL have touched our hearts as a family! Thank you all for your continued support since May '08 when my DH was layed off after 25 years with the same Co. and the start of our own business...custom woodworking, cabinetry & furniture. And, of course this wonderful blogging experience. You have encouraged, uplifted and inspired me during a time when my face could have easily been downcast. IRL there are a number of ways to repay kindness and in blogland the best way to thank you (since I don't know all your addresses!) is blog candy....I have been collecting yummies for awhile and hope to have a nice no calorie candy ready by March....when this whole blog thing started for me. {Squishy Hugs} to all of you!
And remember you never know when a kind comment might be just what someone needed to hear that day! Blessings!

A Pop-up card!

I had an outside of the box experience! How about a pop-up flower for Valentine's Day! I was inspired by the Roses on Paper challenge today! It was a recipe of sorts; make a V'day card with at least one rose and use the masking technique. I masked the image and sponged around it. I had to blend almost all my coloring to match the vintage bg paper! I used the layout from Friday Sketchers. There is glitter on the flowers and wings and a rhinestone on the corner flower.
I would love to know what you think, your comments always make me smile! Blessings!

Love IS in the Air!

Love is in the air! and the challenges! At least @ No Time To Stamp's Stamp Simply and at A Spoonful of Sugar! The challenge at Cute Card Thursday is Valentines.

The mini photo is from Crafty Individuals, it's torn and edged with a bit of black ink. The cs base is red sponged with black ink and the bg paper from Colorbok is also torn and edged. I see a patterned developing....

The text is a sticker and the repeated silhouette is from SU's pocket silhouette set. I thought this one came together nicely!

We hosted our church group yesterday, it's always so much fun to gather together. There were only a few of us this time so it was more intimate but powerful none the less! I believe we all departed refreshed and ready for the new week! And, of course, Sunday was the superbowl.....we are quite happy with the results of that game! Yeah, Steelers!

An exciting game indeed, with the Steelers 100yd run after an interception seconds before half time! And the close call of the "touching toes" and the last second fumble........woohoo! Anyhow, it was good! We are now ready to hit the week running! Have a superduper day! Blessings!

Carol has candy!

Carol has yummy candy! Checkout Carol's Paperplayce for all the details before Feb 8th!

Here's my 6th/6th photo!

I've been tagged/photo challenged by Karen and Debbie!

This is a photo of us enjoying a bonfire picnic with friends! Just sitting around the fire-ring roasting hotdogs and marshmallows! Good Times!

WooHoo! Congratulations Pittsburgh Steelers!

Superbowl 43 Champions!