A NEW CHALLENGE BLOG > > >

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

Hubby & I are busy this weekend with remodeling our powder room but I just wanted to take a moment and let you know about the NEW CHALLENGE BLOG  for DELICIOUS DOODLES starting on Friday, November 19th with a BLOG HOP to kick things off!!

Here's ALL the details from our challenge leader . . .

Teri here from Delicious Doodles bringing you an exciting announcement!

(Well, exciting for me, tee-hee!)

Myself and the lovely ladies of the

Delicious Doodles Design Team

will be bringing you a

BRAND NEW CHALLENGE

each and every week

(maybe a break for Christmas though!)

right here on the

Delicious Doodles Challenge Blog.

And to kick off our very first Challenge on

FRIDAY 19TH NOVEMBER

we will be having a

Blog Hop

with loads of

Delicious Doodles Images

to be won!!

We really hope you can join us in this brand new venture!

Feel free to grab a banner and spread the word!

Big Hugs from

Teri and The Team

 

 

SO there you have it!  I hope you can come join in the fun . . . I know I'm excited about this adventure!!  Well, I guess I'd better get back to work ... time to put all the fixtures BACK into the powder room ... yay! 

 

Enjoy your day and please stop back tomorrow for the new *Wink *Wink Ink Challenge announcement!

 

Hugs to ya!

Darlene 

 

Delicious Doodles Day

Happy Friday Everyone ... are you ready for Halloween weekend??  We usually get around 200 kids in our neighborhood and some of them really go "all out" with their costumes and of course the little ones are always so adorable!!

Today I'd like to share with you a couple creations using Delicious Doodles Digi images.  Have you checked out the new DT Blog for Delicious Doodles??  This team is amazing and unique ... I'd LOVE for you to pop over!!  ALSO ... keep watching ... we're talking about starting our own CHALLENGES ... how cool is that!  I will keep you posted with any new information!!

(click image to enlarge)

This creation is called "COMING HOME" and can be found along with MANY OTHERS at Teri's Delicious Doodles Shop.  Please be sure to stop over, look around and I'm sure you'll find a few lovelies you just can't live without!!  The image is black/white and I have used make-up applicators and chalk for my coloring. Faux stitching was done for a little added accent and the sentiment is by JustRite.

(click image to enlarge)

And my second creation uses this lovely "POINSETTIA FAIRY" and is coloring using Prismacolor Markers.  I wish you could see the 'sparkle' better in my photo ... maybe if you click to enlarge you can see it better.  I've used Deco Art Glamour Dust on the wings and around the accent of her bodice ... as well as Diamond Stickles on the Poinsettia centers. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Hope you have a wonderful, fun-filled weekend!

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge

Today at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge we are having a COLOR challenge ... using Orange, Black & Purple.  

One of our sponsors this week is Whiff of Joy so I decided to use the "Willow Reading a Story" image from Whiff of Joy for my focus.  

That's right, one lucky random person 

will win Willow with Cookies 

from Whiff of Joy Stamps!

We also have a SECOND prize this week ... check this out!!

This challenge will also have a special giveaway. That's right, one lucky random person will win a $75 gift certificate to CSN Stores. (Please note, this is only open to US and Canada) Jocelyn with CSN Stores contacted me with the opportunity to host a giveaway, and of course I accepted...How fun!! CSN Stores with its 200+ online stores offers a great online shopping experience. Whether you're hunting for a pair of trendy heels or a stylish bar stool for your kitchen, you can find it with CSN Stores.

If you would like to win a $75 gift certificate that is good for any of those 200+ online stores, then all you have to do is submit a project in this challenge! I will choose a random winner on November 10th, 2010.

 So there you have it ... TWO prizes ... ONE challenge ... AND, you have TWO WEEKS to play along!  I can't wait to see your COLORFUL creation!  Have fun with it!


For Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges
Hugs to ya,
Darlene

The Sisterhood Challenge

The challenge over at The Sisterhood today is a SKETCH challenge.  Sister KIM is our hostess and be sure to come play along and check out the cool prize she's offering to the winner this week. There's also some really cool inspirational pieces offered up by the other Sisters ... you don't want to miss this one!!


Here's my creation . . .

The designer paper's I have used are from The Paper Studio and the sentiment stamp is 'My Sentiments Exactly'.  I really like the outcome although I looked at this sketch for a very long time before beginning!!  LOL

Looking forward to seeing what you create!  Thanks for taking a look at my creation and have a GREAT DAY!!!

Hugs,
Darlene

Joan's Gardens Challenge #60

Sorry to swamp you with postings today ... it seems that lately either I have NOTHING to share or SEVERAL to share!  Today is a SEVERAL day!!  LOL!!

Please let me share with you the creation I made for Joan's Garden's Challenge #20.  Joan's challenges are just that for me most times ... a TRUE CHALLENGE!!  Here's the requirements for this week . . .

• A tree (any kind)
• An embossed object (not a background)
• Something cut out with a die
• Brads

and here's my card.  What do you think! 

Here are the items used:
Stamps:  Paper Inspirations sentiment
Papers:  Basic Grey 'Jovial', Christmas Green, Red , White
Inks:  Versafine black
Accessories:  Spellbinders 'nestled trees' & 'holiday trimmings', American Craft brads, JoAnn's plaid ribbon, lace (from Joan's Gardens), gold pilot marker for edging, Diamond Stickles

Here's a closer look at the tree decorations!  Thanks so much for stopping back 'one more time' and please come join in on Joan's challenges ... you won't be sorry!!

Hugs,
Darlene

Crafty Secrets - Thinking of You Times Two

Today is Marcy's turn to hostess over at the SCS Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge and she has requested we make TWO creations for today's challenge.  Well, here it is in Marcy's words:

This week we are going to make two cards/projects. There are so many people around us who could use a little extra encouragement, something to make them smile. So make a card for someone you know who could use a little lift, then (and here's the twist!) before you clean off your work space, use some of the same supplies from the first card to make a second card for the Hope You Can Cling To campaign.

  How unfortunate it is that we ALL know someone who needs encouragement to get through this ugly disease and troubling times!!  

If you are a follower of my blog, you know that my daughter, Carolyn & I are on a mission right now to help encourage a young mother (and friend of Carolyn's) by the name of Maria get through a very difficult time.  She not only is dealing with the pain of a broken back but has also been diagnosed with glandular cancer.  I will once again (at the end of this posting) give you both my daughter's & my address where we would appreciate you sending cards that we can then forward onto Maria and hopefully put a smile on her face if only for a little while!

 The journal is already on it's way to Maria and hopefully will give her a private place where she can express her fears & concerns.  I know it is helpful for some folks to 'get things off their chest' without actually verbalizing to someone!  Either way, it was made with Maria in mind and I hope she enjoys it.

Thanks to those who have already sent cards for Maria ... she has already received the first package of cards and was overwhelmed by the concern of strangers!  She was thrilled with the beauty of each creation!!

Items used on the journal & card are:  
Papers:  Crafty Secrets "Classic" designer paper, pink pirouette
Ink:  Versafine Black
Stamps:  Hero Arts sentiment and Inkadinkado sentiment
Accessories:  Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps 'Little Blessings', Offray pink satin ribbon, SU chocolate chip satin ribbon, Kaiser pink pearls, Prismacolor mauve marker, Prima flowers, Fiskars decal scissors, MS leaf punch

 Here are the addresses where you can sent cards for Maria.  God Bless You for taking a moment out of your day to put a smile on this lovely ladies face.  (If you'd like to see photo's of Maria & her children, see my earlier posting HERE.)

Darlene Pavlick, 3163 Dove's Crossing, Akron, OH 44319
or
Carolyn Franjko, 39936 Crestview Rd., Leetonia, OH 44431


Now I'm saying goodbye ... it is storming really bad outside & there are tornado warnings!  Time to head on down to the 'crafting cave' until the storm blows over (or threw!!).  Thanks for stopping by!

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #77

That's right, it's time once again for the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge!  Today I have not just ONE but TWO creations to share with you using this week's FANCY sketch. 

Have you been over to this challenge blog??  Well, if not, you really need to take the time and check it out!  This DT is AMAZING and always share the most FABULOUS creations to inspire you & I!!  With that being said ... here is MY inspiration for you . . .

First I made this card using Priscilla's 'Fall Gifts' set and Fall colors . . .

 I will be entering this creation into the following challenges:
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - Halloween Colors
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Autumn Love
Creative Belli Blog - Pumpkins and Fall
Crafty Creations - Red, Brown, Green
The Pink Elephant - Brown and Orange
For Fun Challenges - Red, Brown, Cream
Daring Cardmakers - Autumn Leaves
Stampin' For the Weekend - Halloween/Fall
Stamp Something - October Digi Day
2 Sisters - Anything Goes


Then I decided to make another creation using Priscilla's 'Oil Lamp' Set used with a Christmas theme. . .

 And this card also fits into these challenges:
The Crafty Pad - Christmas
Meljens Challenge - Anything Goes
Stamp Something - October Digi Day
Totally Gorjuss - Sparkle
I Did It Creations Challenge - Surprise Me
One Stitch At A Time - Anything Goes
Christmas Card Challenge - Christmas
2 Sisters - Anything Goes

As you can see, I LOVE doing sketch challenges and THIS is one of my FAVORITE challenge sites!  Why not come join me .. you won't regret it!!

Hugs to you all and I hope you're having an AWESOME day!!  Thanks for stopping by!!
Darlene
(PSDT)
 

Yeah! My "Poofy Room" is finished!!!

A while back I told you I was painting & getting new carpet in our front parlor ... lovingly known as MY "poofy room"!  That's what hubby calls it because I have all my 'vintage' furniture, old family photos and treasured pieces in that room.  He RARELY comes in there ... it is MY ROOM!     HE has the livingroom with the 58" TV ... Would you like to see some photos?

Here's what it looked like before TWO new coats of "Bridal Rose" paint . . .

 Here it is after being painted . . .

 And, here it is from the same angle after being put back together . . .

I just love how it turned out!!   Here's a photo taken from the livingroom looking through the french doors into the parlor . . . (sorry about the reflection in the glass of the doors)  You can click on any photo for a larger view.

The only angle photo I didn't capture was the wall opposite the loveseat ... that is where my Queen Anne curio & another matching chair are positioned.  And many lovely family photos like my mother's family (of 12 children) and my in-laws wedding photos adore the wall.

Mark & I were gone over the weekend to share in our friends surprise retirement party and we had such a wonderful time!!  But before we headed out for the weekend Mark helped me get all the furniture put back in place.  Since they only put the new carpet down on Friday morning ... I just couldn't wait until returning home to see how it would look!  LOVE IT!!!  What do you think??

Can you believe we are approaching the last week of October!  Yikes ... the holiday's will be here before we know it!  Speaking of the holiday, here's a VERY quick card I made last week using only Graphic45 paper and a sentiment stamp by Paper Inspirations.  LOVE these designer papers!!   

Hope you've had as wonderful a weekend as we have!  God Bless You All!!

Hugs,
Darlene

Joan's Challenge #19

Hello Everyone!  Just a quick post to share with you my creation for this week's Joan's Gardens Challenge.  A new challenge will be posted tomorrow ... yikes!  I'm really running behind this week!!  Here's this week's requirements:

• Paper-Flower background paper - preferably Webster Pages

• Rosette or paper flower

• Stamp - Sentiment - preferably JustRite

• Border Punch -preferably Martha Stewart

And here's what I created this morning . . .

(click image to enlarge)

I had NO idea where to begin with these items but I'm really happy with the outcome!  I think that's why I enjoy challenges SO MUCH and get involved in SO MANY!!!  The guidelines really help ... but it also makes you THINK!!  What great fun!  Thanks for another awesome challenge Joan!!

Hugs,
DARlene

The Sisterhood - "BOOO-licious creations" Challenge

Here we are again ... "over the hump day" and that means another fun-filled challenge over at The Sisterhood!  Today we are celebrating the upcoming holiday of Halloween with our creations/projects and I have a couple goodies to share with you!

(click on image to enlarge)

My card utilizes the digi images called "cloaked lady" by our very own sister artist Teri (Delicious Doodles).  You can find this image & many more at her store!  The 'goodie' container is an empty Crystal Lite container that I have modified using Crafty Secrets designer paper & image!

Please be sure to pop over to The Sisterhood Blog to check out other inspirational creations by my 'sistahs' and then join in on the fun!!

Happy Day!

Darlene

The Sisterhood

Crafty Secrets Challenge

In observation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month,

our SCS Crafty Secrets forum challenges this week is "Ribbons of Pink" and hosted by our very own cancer survivor, Pammyjo!

With the use of a image from the new Crafty Secrets 'Little Blessings' Creative Scraps, this card came together in a snap!  The background paper is from the Crafty Secrets "Classic Paper Pad" and the pink satin ribbon is Offray.  Oops, nearly forgot, the little pink pearls are from Kaiser and were purchased at Joan's Gardens.

A friendly reminder to all my lady friends out there in blogland ... EARLY DETECTION MAKES A DIFFERENCE!  Have you had your annual screening done yet this year?  If not, I urge you to make that call TODAY ... it could save your life!!  I have mine scheduled for next Wednesday! 

Hugs,

Darlene

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge

It's Tuesday and that means MIDNIGHT MADNESS SKETCH CHALLENGE time!!  And today, we also have a BONUS for you!  My creation today fits somewhere between the CAS sketch and the FANCY sketch!  

 (click on image to enlarge)

I have used various holiday designer papers and my image is from Crafty Secrets Christmas Creative Scraps and gem swirls from Zva Creations. 

Here's the BONUS!  Priscilla has this adorable Christmas Stocking now available in her store and for amazing inspiration from the "priscillastyles" DT using this image ... scroll down below the MMSC76 post .  Here's my entire card and I just LOVE it!!

 I chose to use traditional holiday colors with this image because the image itself reminds me of the Christmas stockings we had when I was a child and how the "goodies" popped out of the top. 

Please be sure to pop over and see all the AMAZING inspiration on the Midnight Madness site!!  Not only are their sketches TOP OF THE LINE but the creations made by this DT are TOTALLY TOP NOTCH!  If your mojo is lacking ... this is where you can go for inspiration!!!


I'll be back later with my creation for the Crafty Secrets Challenge over on SCS.  We are still celebrating October's Breast Cancer Awareness ... you won't want to miss it!!


Darlene
(PSDT)

SQUIGGLEFLY MONDAY . . .

Happy Monday Everyone!

It's my turn again to share with you the challenge and new releases offered over at Squigglefly!  Today our challenge is to use this adorable 'bootie' image to create with.  It's so much fun to see all the DIFFERENT ideas that come with using the same image!  Be sure to pop over to the challenge blog and check out all the ADORABLE creations my DT mates have come up with ... you will be in awe!  Here's mine . . .

 (click on image to enlarge)

While we're talking Squigglefly ... here are a couple more creations using images from two of their many artists!  First is one of today's newly released images named "clown" by artist Revi Devi Paat ...  you can find this image HERE.  

 (click on image to enlarge)

Next is one of my favorites!  I love vintage and this Santa by Maria Shega really caught my eye and I just couldn't wait to get my hands on him!  You can find this image HERE.

(click on image to enlarge)

Please be sure to check out the other images available to you by these amazing artists and the OH SO MANY more artists at Squigglefly!! 

Hope you're having a great day!  I just got a call from my Mother ... she lives 1-1/2 hours away ... she & my aunt (both ladies are in their 80s) are coming over for a visit!  Guess I'd better do a little 'tiddying up' around here!!  LOL!!

Hugs to you all,
Darlene

Holiday Tags

A dear friend of mine (waving Hi! to Betty) asked about the Holiday Tags I'm making for an upcoming craft show and so I'm here to share them with you all!

I have used store bought tags ... decorated with various designer papers, K&Co. chipboard embellishments and ribbon.  The back is stamped with To: & From: which are from a Crafty Secrets Vintage Christmas set.

Pretty easy peasy but ADORABLE and adds that SPECIAL touch to your gift giving!  Thanks for stopping by ... hope you've had a wonderful weekend!!

Darlene

Sweetest Day Surprise!

What a lucky woman I am!!

Even with all the medical discomfort hubby is going through right now, he didn't forget me on Sweetest Day yesterday!  On our way back from the hospital on Friday, while I was at the Pharmacy getting his prescription, he was at the floral department getting me these beautiful roses! 

I hadn't taken a photo until this morning and with the sun streaming through the sliding glass door in the kitchen, I realized it was spotlighting my roses and hurried to grab my camera!

I really should take the time to read my camera book ...it can do so many things and I know I could have obtained a gorgeous photo but hey ... that would take away from my crafting time and I think I know 'enough' to share my creations with you so ... the camera class will have to wait till another time!!  LOL!

Hope you've had a great weekend!!  Mark & I just enjoyed watching our beloved Pittsburgh Steelers WIN against the Cleveland Browns!  YEAH!!!!!  Now it's time to prepare dinner!  Thanks for stopping!!

Dar

PRAYER & CARD request . . .

This post will remain on top for a week in hopes of more folks seeing it and sending cards to Maria!  Thanks!
Please scroll down for current postings. 

Hello to all my friends in blogland ... 

I have a HUGE FAVOR to ask of you today!!  

A friend of my daughter ... her name is Maria ... was just diagnosed with "glandular cancer" and the outcome doesn't look good.  I don't know a lot of details right now but I do know that she's a young mother of two children ... John-John & Elena Kay ... happily married and enjoys country living.  Here's a couple photos ... first is Maria & sister-in-law, Tandy (Maria on the right) and a photo of her kids. 

My daughter is just devastated by this news and has ask me to reach out to you all and ask if you would be so kind as to send a card of well wishes for this sweet lady.  It would be greatly appreciated and I'm sure would help to keep her spirits up.  Those cards can be sent to:

 Maria

c/o Carolyn Franjko

39936 Crestview Road

Leetonia, Ohio 44431 

We were unsure of giving out Maria's address at this time so Carolyn (my daughter) thought it best if they come to her house and she'd see that they got to Maria.  THANK YOU in advance for any help you can be in this situation and God Bless You for sharing your love & good spirit with this lovely lady!

Hugs,

Darlene

UPDATE from my daughter, Carolyn (jrmom) as of 10/13/10

You are all soooo sweet. Maria is in good spirits but very uncomfortable. She began her treatments Monday. They "found" the cancer is metastasized to her bones. Dr says they have to kill the cancer before they can treat her broken, and painful, back...could be 6 months. I believe in prayer and miracles. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughtfulness.

Do You Like "Old Time" Christmas Cards?

Well, if you do, I have the perfect product for you!!  Crafty Secrets has several NEW & older sheets of Creative Scraps and the Christmas sheet is AWESOME!!  There are images on BOTH sides and you are looking at just HALF of the sheet ... that's right!  And all of the images are layed out so that you can use EITHER side image ... you're NOT cutting into one and ruining another!!  They really thought these through and they are FANTASTIC!!!

I decided to see how many Vintage Christmas cards I could make using these Creative Scraps before my upcoming Craft Show (Nov.6th) to sell along with other holiday & all occasion cards I will have available and right now I have NINE cards completed and I have twice that many more images to create with!  I have used various holiday papers but mainly BoBunny & Graphic45.  Both have wonderful holiday designer papers!

I know this is a long post but I thought you might like to see a close up of each card too ... so here they are.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!  You can click on any image to enlarge!

The glare you see on some of the photos is due to the fact that I already have each card in a clear sleeve ready to sell.  I was lazy and didn't want to take each one out of the sleeve to photograph!  Sorry!       AREN'T THEY ADORABLE!!    Some of these images really "take me back to my childhood"!  Hopefully I'll get the remainder of the images turned into cards in time ... if not, I'll get them done and use them to send to my family & friends!  Hey ... maybe YOU will get one too!  Never Know!!!


So if you are not familiar with Crafty Secrets products ... PLEASE pop on over and check 'em out ... I just LOVE their products!  ALL OF THEM!!!  Thanks for taking the time today to pay me a visit!  Have a wonderful day and SMILE ... it will make people wonder what you're up to!!  LOL!!

Hugs,
Darlene