Sweet Friends Award!

This morning I was honored to receive this Sweet Friend Award from my dear blogging girlfriend Kim.    Thanks so much, I'm thrilled!

Here's the rules for this one. Accept the award from the Sweet Friend (s) that sent it to you, thank her in your post and pass it on to bloggers whose creativity knock your socks off. Then reveal 10 things about yourself.

So, here is my list of recipients:

1.  Carolyn Franjko (Cara's Country)
2.  Julie Campbell (A Vintage Chic)
3.  Terri Snode (Terri's Cards N' More)
4.  Boni Bonibleaux (Bonibleaux Designs)
5.  Vicki Parsons (Stamped Smiles)
6.  Janine Orchard (2bKrafty)
7.  Amy Johnson (Amy's Creative Pursuits)
8.  Julie Koerber (Out To Impress)
9.  Teri Sherman (Teri's Cards and Toppers)
10. Joni Wilson (A Sticky Situation)

Know I'm supposed to tell you 10 things about myself!  (Okay ... this awta be good!!!)

1.  My favorite color is PURPLE
2.  Favorite junk food is CHIPS & DIP
3.  Married THREE times (If at first you don't succeed ... try, try again & 3rd time was the charm, teehee)
4.  Had ONE child and figured that was enough ... (been there, done that, don't need to do it again!  LOL!!)
5.  I am the MIDDLE daughter with both sister's being hairdressers ... Mom asked me if I wanted to be a hairdresser too ... I instantly said NO THANKS!!!
6.  I am presently ADDICTED to CARDMAKING ... duh!!
7.  I LOVE meeting new people and if I get to meet my online friends in person ... WHOO HOO ... how awesome is that!!
8.  I used to SMOKE (oh YUK!!) ... I quit when my granddaughter Morgan was born nearly 18 years ago!
9.  I spent a very short time in my life driving an 18-WHEELER (and I'm only 5'2" tall) ... envision that!
10.  My older sister & I took tap dancing for 13 years ... beginning at ages 3 & 4.  As adults, we went back to dancing for a couple of years and even competed in SHOWSTOPPERS where we took a 1st Place in the Age 40-50 bracket!

Okay ... that's enough about me!   You can stop laughing now!!!  Thanks again Kim for giving me the opportunity to PUT MYSELF OUT THERE!  YIKES!!!    Happy Day Everyone!!!

*Wink Wink Ink* FUN w/ DT Call & Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle Saturday Challege

Hope you are all having an enjoyable Sunday.  This is my 2nd post for today and probably my last for today!!    I've had a couple of ideas floating around in my head to create using my Wink Wink Ink images so I got busy and now would like to share them with you!!   Have you stopped over to Wink Wink Ink yet??   It's a brand new digi shoppe ... Melanie Montes de Oca is the owner, artist and her images are fantastic!!.

A few nights ago (while trying to fall asleep) the thought came to me ... why not turn this adorable image called "A Little Behind" into an interactive card and name it "Pin the Tail on the Pony".    I've made my creation in A-2 card form, but since this is a DIGI, you could certainly print it out much larger and create your own Party Game ... how much fun is that!!

(Here is a little peek at the inside of my card.)  The base card is Very Vanilla cardstock and the designer paper is from the DCWV Rustic 12x12 pack.  I've used the Martha Stewart picket fence border punch for my sentiment panel ... inked the top edge using Ranger vintage photo distress ink and hand wrote the sentiment.   Here is a listing of all items used on this card:

Stamps:  WinkWinkInk digital image

Papers:  very vanilla, bayou blue, DCWV Rustic dp

Inks:  Ranger vintage photo distress ink

Accessories:  Prisma pencils/gamsol, Prismacolor markers, Martha Stewart picket fence border punch, sponge, Creative Memories number stickers & corner rounder, Fiskars swivel craft knife, ZIG brown marker (for handwritten sentiment)

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Another fun creation I came up with uses the Wink Wink Ink image called "Free Stamp" ... yes, Melanie has offered this adorable image FREE for you to create with (see them all HERE in her store).  Remember, when you purchase Melanie's images, you get THREE images ... (1) black/white for you to color (2) a transparent image and (3) a PRECOLORED image ... which happens to be the one I've used on this creation.  I'm not a cat lover but isn't she adorable ... gotta love those eyes!!  (click on the image for a larger view)

Again, I have used Martha Stewart's picket fence but this time I've added flowers (Repeat Impressions stamp) which I colored using Prismacolor markers and positions this sweet kitty in the front.  You can't tell by this head on photo, but I have used a pop dot behind her head to give her a little dimension off the page.  My background paper is from a DCWV 12x12 pack and was given to me by my friend Terri (Terri's Cards N' More) when we got together last week to Play!  Thanks Terri!!!    This image comes with the envelope BLANK ... so here I've added a sweet Valentine Heart Sticker from the Crafty Secrets Valentine's Love sticker sheet which says "Sweetie".   And how about this "candy heart" ... looks good enough to eat doesn't it!!  It comes from a company called Kelley Designs Embellishments (sorry, couldn't find a link online) and I can't even tell you where I picked them up ... I just know I thought they were cute!!

**This week's challenge over at Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday is "OPEN" so I think I'll pop these over there to share.  The SSDS blog is another fun place to be ... check 'em out!**

THANKS SO MUCH for the visit!  I know you are busy and I do appreciate you taking the time to stop by!!   When you get a moment ... please stop by Wink Wink Ink and check out these cute images ... Melanie also has out a Design Team Call!  You can see all the info HERE on her blog and it runs through February 20th ... so you still have time!!  

Please stop by tomorrow when I'll have some exciting news to share with you!!  Until then ... stay warm ... stay safe and Happy Stamping!!

FUN with Phindy's Place Digis

It's a VERY COLD weekend here in Ohio and since I don't do baking ... of course I'm headed for the "crafting cave" for a little paper & ink fun!!  Yesterday I decided to do some coloring and create with digis.  Here are a couple cards made using images from Phindy's Place.  She has some adorable images you'll love playing with!!  

This little guy is called "Rainy Day Friend" and I've used Prismacolor markers for my coloring.  The sketch layout if for the challenge over on the CCEE Stampers Blog and the papers I've used are both from the Basic Grey Marrakech pack.  To help set each panel off a bit ... I've used a silver Pilot marker for the edging.  The only added embellishments are the flowers.  The blue one is from Bazzill and the little one is Prima.  I've used a Basic Grey brad for the center.


If you "click on the image for a larger view", you will notice a could little red drops on his slicker, down by the flower ... that is the blood of my labors ...  LOL ... yes, I cut the tip of my finger when I was rummaging around in my bin of punches and though I was trying to be careful, I still ended up bleeding on this little guy!  (Didn't want to stop and put on a band-aid .. that would take time and just get in the way!  You know what I'm talking about I'm sure!!!  teehee!!)


How about this cute little image called "Cheep Cheep" ... just perfect for those Easter Greetings.  Again I've used my Prismacolor markers for my coloring and used a Nestabilities classic oval for my panel.  I hand cut the outside matting to help showcase this cutie and help show off her pretty pink Easter dress.


My base card is SU Mellon Mambo and the other panels are from the DCWV Glitter Sweet pack.  I used a scrap of goldenrod cs to mat the gingham panel.  My yellow satin ribbon is by Offray and the pink half pearls are Kaiser.  Penny Black provides the "Easter wishes" sentiment.


The sketch layout I used today is for this week's SCS sketch challenge although I must admit, I did take a few liberties with it.  


Thanks for stopping by my blog today ... I do hope you have having a most enjoyable weekend.  Pretty quiet in our house.  Mark has "deadlines" to meet before the end of the month so he's in his office doing "work" work on this very cold weekend.  Stay warm my friends!!  And remember ... Spring is Right Around the Corner!!

Saturday Spotlight - BIGGER is Better!

Happy Saturday Everyone!!

It's time for another fun-filled Saturday Spotlight Challenge and before we get started with this week's fun ... we'd like to thank all of you who participated in last weeks SUNSHINE challenge!  What wonderful creations you all came up with and really helped to spread that SUNSHINE!!  With these frigid temps so many of us are experiencing, I know it helped to spread a little extra brightness & warmth!  Thanks again!

Many of you have probably noticed that Vicki has not been commenting on your entries which is abnormal for her and that her card is not posted here.....Vicki' s computer crashed this past week due to a virus. She has had it in for repair but it looks like she won't be able to get back online until next week sometime. Hopefully she will back real soon! We miss you Vicki!!

This week the Spotlight Diva's would like to challenge you to think "BIGGER is better"! Use those oversized items, accessories, images, etc. that may even be too large for your card!! Get out all those BIG things and see what you can come up with!  I can't wait to see your creation!!

For our Spotlight sponsor this week we have...
Michelle's Scrapbooking & more

**One lucky winner from our challenge in Mr. Linky this week (drawn from random.org ) will receive a set of Hannah stamps release by Sandra Hammer which is perfect for A2 cards and a $10 gift certificate from the store!!  How cool is that?!**  You can read more about this wonderful company on our Saturday Spotlight Challenge Blog.

Here is my creation for today's "BIGGER is BETTER" challenge:

(click on image for larger view)

I have taken 4 different flowers from various companies to create this BIG accent flower for my card!  With a flower this size, I didn't think you needed to add much more so I just went with using this AdornIt designer paper for my background, a strip of Very Vanilla which I border punched with Martha Stewarts loop punch, a strip of orange satin Offray ribbon as a divider and the sentiment by The Stamp Pad Co. stamped using Versafine Sepia.  What do you think??


And, my co-Diva's have really outdone themselves this week!  Please pop on over to their blogs for some wonderful inspiration!  They are linked below:

*Vicki Parsons (Creator/Coordinator)
*Chris Olsen (Coordinator)

Boni Boutelle-Jones

Crystal Irwin

Dawn Burnworth 

Erin Bailey

 Jessica George

Jodi Ann-Lee

 Maria Matter

Don't forget to add a direct link to your creation on Mr. Linky over at the Saturday Spotlight Challenge Blog and if you are uploading to other online galleries, please use the keyword/tag  SSHP16.  Thanks so much for stopping by today and I look forward to your BIG creation!  Have a great weekend!!

Stamp Simply #124 , New Digi Artist & Practical Scrappers

Well here we are on FRIDAY again ... where do the weeks go???

Yesterday I spent the day with my friend Terri Snode (Terri's Cards N' More) just having fun "playing" with paper! Terri''s daughter Tanya is a NEW digi artist and has her own blog store called STAWNIES - Stamps by Tanya . She sent along one of her new Valentine images called "My Fruity Valentine" and asked us to see what we could create with it. So, here is my creation:
How thrilled was I to see that Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply Challenge this week was "Bleeding Hearts" ... to use the color RED and HEARTS! This card using Tanya's image will work perfectly!!! I just LOVE Sharon's challenge and all her lovely DT ladies and try to play every week. If you're not familiar with Sharon (Boy are you missing out if you aren't familiar with Sharon & her works-of-art) then you really must check out her blog & challenges! Here are the deets on this creation:

Stamps:  Crafty Secrets Clear Art Stamps (Glamour Girls) sentiment, Digi by Tanya

Papers:  Whisper White, Real Red, Graphic45 designer paper

Inks:  Versafine black, Real Red

Accessories:  Nestabilities class hearts die, sponge, SU lace border punch, White Gelly Roll pen for faux stitching, Colorbok metal dots, ZIG 2-way glue, DecoArt Glamour Dust, Prismacolor Markers

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MORE FUN ... Remember a few days ago when I showed you the Memory Keeper Card Box & Cards I made (found on StampTV) ... well, I showed them to Terri and after completing our DT creations, she & I made a few more sets. I'm sure she will be sharing her's on her blog ... and here are mine.


We both recently purchased the DCWV 12x12 pack called "the Mariposa stack" and it is just filled with beautiful butterfly & sparkle papers, so that is what we used for our card sets today!

I also decided to modify the set just a bit and the way I made them ... you only use ONE-12x12 and THREE-8-1/2x 11 pieces of paper total!! On this set I used the entire piece of 12x12 ... even the little scrap that a placed on the "inside" of the card. Looks great! If you would like the measurements ... please just let me know!

These are so much prettier IRL (click on image for larger view) ... I just can't seem to capture the beauty of my work in my photos!! I'm sure it's NOT the camera because I have a very GOOD camera ... it's probably the fact that I need to take the time and learn how to use it to the best of it's ability!!

*** Editing to let you know that I'm also entering these into this week's Practical Scrappers challenge - use patterned paper.  Thanks Kim (Sparks) for letting me know ... hugs! ***

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Can you believe that when the week begins again, we will be in FEBRUARY!!!   Enjoy!!

Raise the Bar Challenge #3

Happy Friday Everyone!!!
It's time for another Raise The Bar Challenge.

Today's challenge is "Older The Better" ... do you have OLD designer paper that has been buried on the bottom of the pile ??? Maybe it's too pretty to cut into or just designed in such a manner that you're not really sure what to do with it??? Well, that's what we're looking for today!!

(click image for larger view)

Looking over on my paper stand of 12x12 papers, I noticed this OLD Stampin' Up Simply Scrappin' Vintage Keepsakes Kit and since I couldn't even remember making this purchase, I figured it was "OLD ENOUGH!!" The paper, tag & compass sticker are all from this kit. I used the Our Daily Bread "Light of the World" stamp set for the lighthouse and sentiment. Did a little paper piercing, added Michael's gold ball gems and some green twine from Stamp By Step ... and my creation was complete.

We at Raise The Bar would like to THANK all those who played in our challenge last week and hope that you will join in on the fun again this week! Don't forget, if you need more inspiration, check out the blogs of my co-bar tenders listed below:

Anita ... Sparkle ... Suzi ... Audrey ... Joni (Head Bar Tender)

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you are having a wonderful, warm day! It's EXTREMELY cold (17 degrees for a high) here in NE Ohio. Good time to stay indoors and create! Okay ... I talked myself into it ... headed for the Crafting Cave!!! LOL!!!

Mom is 80 !!!

WOW ... it's so hard to believe that my Mom was 80 yesterday! She doesn't look it or "act" it! She's always so busy that I have a hard time keeping up with her! Seriously!! She goes dancing and singing ... she sings in the church choir, gets together with her remaining siblings (ages 84, 86 & 90) to play cards, goes on different outtings with the Red Hat ladies ... well, you get the picture ... she's a very active woman and I'm so glad she is!!!


Yesterday I was absent from blogland & crafting to spend a little quality time with her on her birthday as well as finish hooking up her new computer system! That's right ... she's an accountant and does all the bookwork for the church on the computer. I have her files set up mainly in Word & Excel and she does pretty good as long as she doesn't hit a "wrong" key ... then she panics a bit!We had a fun day! My Aunt Jenny (on my dad's side ... who will also be 80 in March) joined us for a little "linen" shopping then lunch. My daughter & granddaughter joined us for dessert and my mom was tickled when the restaurant ladies all came out with a cupcake & 1 candle and sang Happy Birthday to her. That was my daughter's idea and I'm so glad she did that ... added a little extra special touch to our little impromptu gathering!!

We are going to have a party for Mom but we decided to wait until the month of May when the weather will not be so much of a concern and her friends can ALL come to join in on the celebration!!

I had my camera with me all day ... and don't you know it, I forgot to take it in to the restaurant with me ... NO group photo ... NO photo of Aunt Jenny ... BUT ... my cousin Beverly stopped in to visit with me and wish my mom a Happy Birthday and was sweet enough to snap a few shots for me! THANKS BEV!!!

Well, it's nearly 8 a.m. and even though they are predicting snow today ... my friend Terri Snode (Terri's Cards N' More) is coming to visit and we are going to make cards ALL DAY!!! Hope to have some cards to share with you later! Have a great day everyone!!!

Rosie D's, Crazy4 and Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday

Now here are three FUN-TIME challenges!! Over at Rosie D's blog, this week's challenge is a sketch and the sponsor is none other than my friend Teri Sherman (Delicious Doodles). If you haven't seen any of Teri's digis ... you MUST jump right on over and take a look!! So for my card I decided to use one of Teri's digital images ... isn't this flower pretty!!!

(click on image for larger view)

The other two challenges covered with this creation are the Crazy4 Challenge (C4C21) - Pretty in Pink and the Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday Challenge - Spring.

Here are the deets on my card:

Stamps: The Stamp Pad Co. (sentiment)
Paper: Whisper White, Mellow Moss, Daisy D's designer paper
Inks: Versafine black, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Glitz Tiara Stickles, Nestabilities classic ovals, sponge, Spellbinder Floral Accents Shapeabilities, Making Memories brads, ZIG Photo Markers

Thanks for stopping by! Is it cold where you are today??? Boy it sure is here in Ohio ... and I hear it's going to get colder as the week goes on ... brrrrrr!!

Crafty Secrets Challenge #104

Today's Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge over on SCS is hosted by Marcy and she has asked us to use "Something Old" and "Something New".

(click on image for larger view)

My "something new" was the easy part ... I've had several of the Crafty Secrets Vintage Postcard Kits in my stash and haven't taken the time to play with them ... well, today was the day!! Isn't she adorable!! The only think I've added to this sweet image is the distressing around the outside edge by using a sponge and Ranger Vintage Photo ink ... and a little touch of pink Stickles here & there on the flowers.

My "something old" was not so easy! I wanted to use something YEARS OLD without using my REAL vintage stash (just can't part with that, teehee) ... so I decided to blow the dust off my sewing box and see what was inside that might work. Well, low & behold ... there was some old ecru hem binding ... when's the last time I made anything that I had to hem??????? OKAY .. that's OLD ... and there was this package of 8 buttons (well only six were left so I used them at some point in time) and I figured they were old because the mfg. name was Streamline Buttons and the cost was $.39 for the lot! YEP ... I'd say they're relatively OLD too.

Here are all the items used on my card:

Papers: Whisper White, Crafty Secrets Radiant dp
Inks: Ranger Vintage Photo
Accessories: Crafty Secrets Vintage Postcard Kit, pink Stickles, distresser, sponge, Kaiser mauve flowers, ecru hem binding, Streamline buttons, purple thread, needle

Thanks for stopping by today ... I do hope you are enjoying your day! Hope to see you later!!!

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #38

Time for another Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge and as always ... this sketch made me THINK!!! One nice thing MM is doing now is posting a "sneak peek" on Friday for the upcoming Tuesday challenge. Like I said ... these sketches make me THINK and this sneak peek gives me more time to do just that!!!


I have used various K&Company Ancestry designer paper along with SU Blue Bayou & Close to Cocoa cardstock. The image is from the internet and I have used Nestabilities classic & scallop ovals for this focus image.

(click image for a larger view)

The Prima flowers are ivory and I have distressed them a bit with Ranger Vintage Photo ink & a sponge. My pearl brads in the corner are also K&Company.

Thanks so much for stopping by today ... I'll be back with my creation for today's Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge over on SCS later today. Have a great day and be careful out there ... in those areas that just received more snow (like us here in NE Ohio).

Phindy's Place Challenge ...

Happy Monday Everyone!!
It sure is a rainy, gloomy day outside today ... how is it at your house?? Here's a little card that might help brighten your day!!

There is another new digi site you'll want to check out. It's over on Papercraft Planet and it's called Phindy's Place and her digi's are ADORABLE!!! Her page is growing in leaps & bounds and with every 100 new members, she's been giving away a FREEBIE! The image I've used on this card is one of those Freebies!! Go check it out ... just click on Phindy's Place ... I've provided you a link.

(click image for larger view)

This particular challenge was to use something NEW & DIFFERENT along with your Phindy's Place image. What I've done NEW here is to RECOLOR the designer paper. This strawberry paper comes from the DCWV Nana's Nursery Baby Girl pack and the strawberries were more of a peachy color vs red. So .... I recolored them using a Prismacolor Red Marker. Also NEW to me is using a "ribbon punch" on the green panel and run through it with red grosgrain ribbon. And of course this adorable image is NEW.

I've used the largest die in the Nestabilities Labels 9 set so in order to have a matting, I've had to cut out around with my craft knife. I also added faux stitching with a red Prismacolor Marker. My sentiment is a stamp that has the words run together ... but I inked up the "happy" first ... then inked up the "birthday" to make them fit on this round red panel.

Hope this cute little creation helped to brighten your day and made you smile! Why not pop on over to Phindy's Place (tell her I sent you, teehee) and play along in the new challenge with is to create a birthday card in red & brown using a Phindy's Place image. See you there!!

Being Inspired by Others ...

Happy Sunday Evening Everyone!!
On this rainy, miserable weather day in NE Ohio, I decided to work on a couple of projects inspired by others that I have had sitting aside.

I was recently visiting StampTV and saw this clever "Memory Keeper Part 1" - "Memory Keeper Part 2" and couldn't wait to make myself a "template" to use when time permitted. I thought this was a great idea not only for photos but for a gift set of 4 cards which GinaK also demonstrated a few days later.

This is my interpretation of Gina K's creation and I thought I would give this set to my neighbor who thought of me when she needed those bridal shower invitations ... just to say "Thanks, I'm glad you like my work!"

The other set I will probably give to my mother to keep on hand just in case she needs a last minute gift. She's very active with the Red Hat Ladies as well as the church and other dancing & singing functions so I thought she might like to have a few of these sets on hand.

I only have these two sets made at the present time but I'm sure I'll be making many more to have on hand for my mom and myself. The boxes are so easy to make and look so attractive with the matching (or coordinating) designer papers. (Click for a larger view.)

I'm sorry my photo's are not the best! The designer paper used on the cards is of the same color ... cut from the same 12x12 sheet but I guess the angle I took the photos and possibly the lighting, makes it look like a couple of the cards are lighter than the other two.


This 2nd project was inspired by Deb Saaranen's creation for Sharon Johnson's Very Vintage Challenge this past week. Do you remember these notecards that folded to make a self envelope from many years ago? I hadn't thought about these beauties for years until Deb came up with it and I'm so glad she did! This is my version but PLEASE pop over and check out Deb's version ... it's awesome!!!


You start out with a 12x12 piece of 2-sided designer paper ... in this case, I also used K&Co. Ancestry designer paper ... as did Deb, but I picked a different pattern. I created my lace flower by cutting a 10" strip of JoAnn's lace ... running a thread through one edge and gathered it together to created my flower. I then adhered it with this beautiful vintage brad ... also from JoAnn's. I've used a gold Pilot marker for my edging.

Here is a view of this vintage idea in "open" position. I have added a piece of very vanilla cardstock on the "writing" section which I have embellished with a border punched strip and drew lines with a fine tip Creative Memories black marker. (I don't write very straight so I thought I'd add the lines). LOL!!!


I think I'll make up a few of these for my mother's friends too. They always comment on my cards ... maybe they'd like to see something a little different!

Hope you've had a wonderful weekend! Even though the weather has been "not so nice" ... we were able to get a few things done around the house and that always makes me feel like I've accomplished "SOMETHING!". Have a great evening!

Saturday Spotlight - Let The Sun Shine In!

Hello Everyone! Happy Saturday!

THANKS to everyone who participated in our challenge last week! WOW, what wonderful "snowflake" creations you came up with! So much inspiration out there ... thanks for sharing it with US!!!

NOW, are you ready to "Let The Sunshine In"? Well that's the theme for today's Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential Challenge #15. So get out those BRIGHT colors and create something that not only puts a smile on your face but mine too!!! And be sure to use the keyword: SSHP15 when you upload to other online galleries such as SCS, PCP, SNR, etc. We can't wait to see YOUR creation!!!

Our Spotlight Sponsor this week is SUNSHINE'S STAMPS (Christina Bower).

(Click HERE to go to store)

**One lucky winner from our challenge in Mister Linky this week drawn from random.org will receive 3 images from the store!! How cool is that?!**

NOW on to my card for today. I chose to use one of the adorable images from Inky Impressions ... this is "Flower LiLi". Isn't she adorable!! She certainly makes me yurn for the springtime, picking posies, and enjoying the sun shining down on your face!! What do you think?? Have I succeeded in bringing a little "sunshine" into your life today??? I did!! GREAT!!!


Here are the other items used on this creation:

Stamps: Inky Impressions
Papers: Whisper White, Garden Green, Paper Pizazz dp
Inks: Versafine Black
Accessories: Nestabilities Labels 4, EK Success Tag Punch, Prismacolor Markers, Hobby Lobby ribbon, Prima flowers, Hero Arts gems, Martha Stewart picket fence border punch, Creative Memories letters/numbers stickers, dimensionals

I hope you are inspired to join in on the fun. AND, if you need further inspiration, please check out the creations by my Diva Sistah's ... listed below...

*Vicki Parsons (Creator/Coordinator)
*Chris Olsen (Coordinator)

Boni Boutelle-Jones
Crystal Irwin
Dawn Burnworth
Erin Bailey
Jessica George
Jodi Ann-Lee
Maria Matter

We are SO THRILLED to see so many of you joining us in the challenge ... THANK YOU!!! Enjoy your weekend!!! And remember ... Spring is right around the corner!!

Challenge Cards to Share ...

How do you like this inspirational photo for the color challenge over on The Play Date Cafe this week?? Isn't it awesome!! Now that I knew what colors to work with ... I needed a sketch to follow! So, I decided to go along with this week's SCS sketch and here is what I came up with.

I've had this vintage image in my collection for a very long time and I do believe it came from a challenge blog called "Art Creations Friday". This lovely lady provides you with some amazing vintage images & backgrounds that you use to create for her challenge! This photo is a "full view" image but I was wanting to concentrate on this amazing Bow, Headpiece, Hat... not sure what they called them back then.

The papers I have used are SU Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White, Basic Black and Graphic45 designer paper (Renaissance Faire Collection) which I just purchased from my friend Joan Fricker ... "Joan's Gardens" (she's got other Graphic45 papers too ... they are awesome!!!). I've ruffed up the edges with a distresser and added both the zig-zag grosgrain ribbon from JoAnn's as well as made the white organza bow using the Bow Easy to embellish.

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Since I LOVE anything of the vintage style .... I just had to make the time to play along in Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply Challenge this week which is "Very Vintage". Keeping in mind that the typical style for her challenges is to keep it SIMPLE, I "simply" used paper on paper for my creation.

Again ... here is another Graphic45 paper pack I received yesterday from Joan at Joan's Gardens and this one is called the "Domestic Goddess Collection". There are so many amazing double-sided pages in these packs that it's really hard to "cut into them"!! My only embellishment additions are: buttons from Bucket 'O Buttons ... Crafty Secrets Sweet Stuff Twill Ribbon ... and gold thread from Stamp By Step.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you enjoyed my creations! I find SO MUCH inspirations out there in blogland from all of you ... I can only hope you can find a little inspiration here on my blog too. Have a great day!!

Raise The Bar Challenge #2

WOW! We are so thrilled with the turnout for our "Debut Challenge" ! Thank you so much for participating and showing your support! What WONDERFUL creations ... and so much fun visiting so many new folks! We're glad you enjoyed our 1st challenge ... now let's try it again!

This week's RAISE THE BAR challenge is the "GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING". Create a card/project using something you received as a gift from a friend. It could be paper, embellishments, stamped images .... well, you get the picture!!

Last fall, my friend Linda Davis (waving Hi!) gave me several sheets of this (The Paper Studio) musical designer paper and I have used it over & over on so many different styles of cards!! It worked great for holiday cards .... vintage cards ... birthday cards. This is definitely the "gift that kept giving"!!

Here are the details for today's card:

Stamps: SU "And Everything Nice", Stampabilities (sentiment)
Papers: Kraft cs, Whisper White cs, The Paper Studio dp
Inks: Versafine black, Ranger Vintage Photo
Accessories: Sponge, Chalk, Make-up applicator, Prima flowers, Gold Stickles, Darice Ivory Satin Ribbon, Nestabilities Classic Ovals, Dimensionals, Prismacolor markers

Please be sure to check out the wonderful creations designed by my co-bar tenders:

Anita ... Sparkle ... Suzi ... Audrey ... Joni (Head Bar Tender)
AND
Guest Designer - Sheri from PaperCrafty's Creations

Thanks so much for stopping by today and now it's YOUR turn!! I can't wait to see what you create using something you have received as a gift ... this should be GREAT FUN!!!

Just Saying HELLO ...

HELLO Everyone!!!
Just one creation to share with you today!

My card today is for two challenge ...

Paper Maniac - Texture, Faux or Real Stitching & ODD Shaped Buttons
Digital Tuesday #42 - Sketch

Here are the elements used in this creation:

Stamps: The Stamp Pad Co. (sentiment), Crafty Secrets (Hello sentiment)
Papers: Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette, Real Red, Cosmo Cricket dp, Daisy D's dp
Inks: Versafine black
Accessories: *Wink*Wink*Ink (FREE) image, Bucket 'O Buttons, Distresser, Gingham ribbon & gold thread from Stamp By Step, Nestabilities Long Scallops, Pop Dots, Martha Stewart Arch Lattic border punch, Creative Memories fine tip black marker
Techniques: Distressing ... Faux Stitching

THANKS for stopping by today and please come back tomorrow for the 2nd RAISE THE BAR challenge ... it's going to be FUN!!! You don't want to miss it!!!

OH ... AND ... did you see there is a Design Team Call over at the NEW *Wink*Wink*Ink Blog?? If you love adorable digi's like this pretty kitty (which they have FREE for you to try) ... please check this out!!!

Have A GREAT Day!!!

Penny's Challenge #21

It's time again for PENNY'S CHALLENGE.

Remember we are a bi-weekly challenge now so don't worry if you thought you missed last week's challenge ... there wasn't one, teehee!

This week we are using INCHIES! Now I must admit .. this is something I rarely do so I'm really glad Penny came up with this challenge idea! And, it was great fun!

I've used my "INCHIES" for the bottom & top image panels. They are of course 1" squares, which are cut from DCWV Baby Girl Nursery designer paper that I have stamped & colored using the SU "Oh So Lovely" flower image. The main image is also SU ... "Bloomin' Beautiful" which I have masked and stamped using SU "French Script" for the background. I've used Nestabilities classic ovals to cut my image & matting panels.


For added inspiration, be sure to check out the creations by my co-team members listed below:
* Alison - Hairy Harry's Craft
* Boni - Bonibleaux Designs
* Kim - Memories in Thyme
* Cheryl - CherCroppin's Stamp Pad
* Alanna - Alanna's Spot in the World

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you'll come play along in our challenge! I look forward to seeing what you create! Happy Stamping Everyone!!!

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #37

Here it is time for another Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge! If you haven't yet played this challenge, you really must give it a try! These ladies are amazing and really make you think "out of the box".

They have added a couple new elements to this challenge. 1.) you can take a peek on Friday for the upcoming Tuesday challenge sketch ... 2.) they are now offering a "simplified" version of the sketch as well as the more "detail" (see inset) sketch.

Some folks like to keep their designs more Clean & Simple ... me ... I'll go for the more detailed sketch ... this seems to challenge me more!!

So for today's creation, I have gone with an "Italian/vintage" flavor to my card. I just LOVE the images in ALL of the Crafty Secrets booklets and this particular one comes from the "Homemade" booklet. Isn't this little one just adorable!!! The wine bottle is also from Crafty Secrets ... one of the images in the "Wine Lovers" stamp set.

My card is A-6 in size and I've used a variety of designer papers. The purple/grapey paper is 2-sided and comes from BoBunny ... the vintage french script paper is from Graphic45. The base card is Very Vanilla which I have inked with Ranger Vintage Photo ink and the matting is Chocolate Chip cardstock. The focus image has been triple matted using Pink Passion, Lavendar Lace & Elegant Eggplant cardstocks. The wine bottle was stamped onto white cardstock with Eggplant Envy craft ink, clear embossed, cut out with a Fiskar's swivel craft knife then popped up with dimensionals. The green satin vine ribbon was given to me by my friend, Terri Snode (waving Hi! ) and I believe she purchased it at a local wholesaler called "Flower Factory".

I've enjoyed having time to craft today but as I said in my last post ... I really need to get some work/cleaning done around here! It's starting to get ahead of me so I'd better get busy!!! Have a great day! Please stop back tomorrow for another "Penny's Challenge" creation.

Thanks for coming by!!

Crafty Secrets Challenge & *Wink*Wink*Ink

Hello Everyone!! How is your week going so far?? Being on the east coast in January, we expect our weather to be really crappy ... but I see many of my friends in the mid-west & on the west coast are experiencing some really nasty stuff! Hang in there ... Spring is on it's way!!!

Today I have a couple creations to share with you! For today's Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge over on SCS, Pammyjo has asked us to create a "Piggyback" card! This was so much fun and I'm sure I'll be making more cards in this style.

I just love this "2 cards in one" idea and being a CHATTY person, I always need more room to write my sentiments to the recipient! Now I have that extra space!! Here are the items used in the creation of this "piggyback" card:

Paper: Kraft, Bashful Blue, Cosmo Cricket designer paper
Accessories: Crafty Secrets Little Dolls Booklet image, Martha Stewart heart border punch, JoAnn's lace, Diamond Stickles, Distresser

A couple little things you may not pickup on in the photo ... I've used the tiny hearts that punch out for the border to embellish around my image and the white lacey background around the image is the "journaling" portion of the booklet image.

If you have ANY Crafty Secrets/Heartwarming Vintage products ... please join in on the fun!! If you don't ... you really need to check out this company ... they are AWESOME!!



My second creation today is another card using a digi from the NEW *Wink*Wink*Ink Store. Isn't this little "Teacup Chihuahua" adorable!!! Don't forget, when you purchase these images, you not only get an image you color yourself ... but you also get a PRECOLORED image (as I've used here) with your purchase! GREAT for those last minute quick card creations!!!

Stamps: Close To My Heart
Papers: Kraft, Basic Black, DCWV designer paper
Inks: Versafine black, Soft Sky
Accessories: Michael's gingham ribbon, Nestabilities Labels 2 & Long Scallop Rectangles, Sponge

Thanks for stopping by today! I really need to get away from my crafting table & off the computer ... time to get some work done around here!! At least get the Christmas decorations off the main living floor and carried down to the basement where I can put them away as time permits! LOL!! Catch you later!!

WinkWinkInk creations ...

Good Sunday Evening everyone!! It's been a busy "put away Christmas" day around here but I couldn't wait to create and share with you a couple of cards I made using images I've purchased for a brand spankin' new Digi Store called WINK WINK INK!!! You will definately want to get your hands on these cuties!!!

Here is little Miss "ROSIE" in all her glory!! Isn't she cute! She looked soooooooo relaxed I thought this sentiment by Endless Creations was perfect! Here are the other items used:

Stamps: Endless Creations, Studio G, Inkadinkado
Papers: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pink Pirouette, DCWV Garden Party dp
Inks: Versafine Black
Accessories: Nestabilities Scallop Rectangles, Classic Circles, Scallop Circles, Martha Stewart Picket Fence Border Punch, green satin vine ribbon,


My 2nd creation features "A Little Behind" .... no silly ... it's not what you are thinking, that's the name of this cute image!!! She looks a little sad to me ... maybe she's a pony who is dreaming of someday being a Clydesdale !?! So, I decided to make this an encouragement card with my American Art sentiment. Here are the other items used on this creation:

Stamps: American Art
Papers: DCWV Baby Girl Nursery dp, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette
Inks: Versafine black
Accessories: Nestabilities Decal Rectangles, Offray satin ribbon, Bow Easy, Prima flowers, Hero Arts half pearls, dimensionals


Both of these creations took approximately 30 minutes! And the main reason is because the coloring was already done for me! That's right ... when you purchase these cuties, you not only get a digi you can color to suit your needs but you also get an image already colored in! How awesome is that!!!

The two ladies behind this new site are Melanie & Rachael ... please check out their blogs ... you won't be disappointed!

It's All About the BLUES ...

It's difficult during these winter months not to come down with a case of "the blues" but never fear ... Spring is right around the corner! Well, at least I am hanging on to that thought!! And if you can't PLAY OUTSIDE ... you may as well PLAY IN YOUR CRAFTROOM!!!


My creation today covers various challenges and a few of those challenges were looking for you to use the color "blue". The items used on this card are as follows:

Papers: Blue Bayou, SU Blue Bayou designer paper, Garden Green, Whisper White
Inks: Blue Bayou, Ranger Vintage Photo
Accessories: Image from The Lady's Closet, white paper doily, Basic Grey Opalite half pearls, Basic Grey pearled brad, JoAnn's Clear Iris String Pears, Prima flowers, Creative Memories corner rounder, distresser, sponge, Martha Stewart branch punch

And the challenges it covers are:

Simon Says Challenge Blog - Shabby Chic

Stamp Something - Blue & White

The Play Date Cafe (PDCC12) - Shades of Blue

Our Creative Corner - Blue & Green

Crazy 4 Challenge (C4C20) - Sketch

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday - Girly

WOW ... I think that's the most challenges I've ever put together on one card! You ladies who do this all the time must be "rubbing off " on me!! LOL!! Plus the fact that I'm suffering from bicep tendinitis/arthritis in both arms/shoulders right now and crafting/typing is a bit painful ... guess my brain said, "put them all together and get back to resting those shoulders"! So that's what I've done!

Hope you find inspiration from this creation and thanks so much for stopping by today! Have a great weekend everyone!!!

It's SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT time ...

The Spotlight Divas would like to challenge you to GET WILD WITH YOUR SNOWFLAKES!! Use LOTS of them on your creation or use them in a unique way like making a wreath or a fun snowflake flower. Just get 'wild' with them!!

For our Spotlight sponsor this week we have...

(click HERE to go to store.)

**One lucky winner from our challenge in Mister Linky this week drawn from random.org will receive $25.00 towards the purchase of Hambo's Digital Designs!** Wow! (This is enough to get as many as 6-8 images! I've been told they've just added some brand new ones too!)

For my creation, I decided to use snowflakes in a unique way and make a circle wreath using the Martha Stewart snowflake punch in which my SU "A Wish for Peace" focus image is centered upon. The snowflake paper is from Creative Memories, sentiment is by Sarasota Stamps, satin ribbon from Michaels and ribbon tag is by Spellbinders. I have also used silver Stickles for the center of my snowflakes.

I hope you are inspired to join in on the fun. AND, if you need further inspiration, please check out the creations by my Diva Sistah's ... listed below...

*Vicki Parsons (Creator/Coordinator)
*Chris Olsen (Coordinator)

Boni Boutelle-Jones
Crystal Irwin
Dawn Burnworth
Erin Bailey
Jessica George
Jodi Ann-Lee
Maria Matter

We are SO THRILLED to see so many of you joining us in the challenge ... THANK YOU!!!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!! It's going to be in the 40's here in NE Ohio ... wow is that going to feel good compared to the bitter cold we've been experiencing for several weeks now! Happy Day Everyone!!!