From the Pavlick's

Joan's Gardens Challenge

Hello my friends!

Even though I should be cleaning house for the upcoming holiday weekend, I just couldn't let the week go by without playing one of my favorite challenges and that's the one over at Joan's Gardens.  

 

This week's requirements are:

• Use some kind of container
• Fill it with flowers
• Use Yellow, Green and Orange
• You must use something sold at Joan's Gardens on your card.

Here's what I came up with and here's a list of items used.  

Those in BOLD were purchased at Joan's Gardens.

Papers:  Prima Sweet Fairy 6x6 pack, SU Daffodil Delight cs, Hollo's bright orange cs, SU Old Olive

Inks:  Momento "Bamboo Leaves"

Accessories:  Sizzix Swiss Dot embossing folder, PunchBunch Flower Making Kit / black forming mat, Art Glitter Designer glue, McGill #64005L 'Star Flower' punch, PunchBunch starburst punch, Martha Stewart  3 in 1 Hydrangea Punch, Cheery Lynn Designs B119 Tropical leaves, B147 Olive branches, B136 Anastasia Border dies, Heartfelt Creations HCPC3472 China Fragments stamps, Spellbinder Nested Tea Cups, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, pop dots

A few other challenges:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Mother's Day/Female

DL.ART - Spring

DRS Designs - Paper Flowers

Forever Friends - Flowers

Happy Campers - Add dimension

The House that Stamps Built - Spring Flowers

Jen's Digis - Spring

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Now I'd better get out of my 'cave' and get something done in the rest of the house!  Hope you're having a fun day!  As always . . .

Test Run on the Biscuits

Morning All!

Not long now before the family gathers for Easter dinner and since I'm using a 'new' recipe for the biscuits, hubby & I thought we'd better do a 'test' run!

This is actually a family (secret) recipe that my sweet Uncle Hen (real name Clyde) shared with my daughter, Carolyn & I back in 2006.  They are the biscuits HIS mom used to make when he & his 11 other brothers & sisters were growing up.  Unfortunately we lost Uncle Hen this past December but I know he would be THRILLED that we are continuing the biscuit tradition.  My Mom doesn't know I'm making them so she'll hopefully be pleasantly surprised.

YEAH!  SUCCESS ... they are DELICIOUS!

The tin cans in the background are 'recycled' tuna cans.  THAT is what these biscuits are baked in!  I'm afraid I'm NOT ALLOWED (sworn to family secrecy ... my own mother doesn't even have it) to share the actual recipe but the fun part of this process in that you cut the dough with the can then place the dough in the can for the second proofing before baking.  They make a nice shape and it works PERFECTLY!

Here are a couple of pictures we took when Uncle Hen was stepping us through the process ... he was 83 years old at the time.  He continued to make these biscuits to share at our annual family reunion (over 100 people in attendance) until last year when his health didn't permit it.  But God Bless them ... his son's stepped in and under Uncle Hen's guidance, they got enough made in time for the reunion.

 

Please ignore Uncle Hen's oven ... it had obviously seen a lot of baking between cleanings and possibly a fire or two by the looks of it! LOL!   In this lower photo he was rotating the tins (note the 'oven mitts' ... aka work gloves) ... he felt that was necessary for even baking (probably because this oven was so old).

I wish you all a very happy day today and I hope you are looking forward to your Easter family gathering as much as I am.  Little surprises are always fun ...

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

The Sisterhood of Crafters

It's time for another challenge at The Sisterhood of Crafters!

Today, I am your hostess and our challenge is most appropriate for this time of year!  

Yep, I'm talking about EASTER/SPRING.

We are thrilled to have a sponsor this time around and it is QKR Stampede.  They have some really fun images, please be sure to pop over and check them out.  Of course you can always play along in the Sisterhood Challenge and have the chance of winning FIVE FREE digis from QKR. 

I've created two cards for you today ... one for Easter and one for Spring!  

NO you don't have to make one of each ... it is an "either/or" theme.

 (I've been accused of being an 'overachiever' ... hmmm guess they might be right!  LOL).

First using the fun digi image from QKR called "Easter Message #24126", I've created an Easter card.  The jellybean paper is actually a free image from the internet which I printed, cut & adhered as my background.   I've used Spectrum Noir alcohol markers to color my image and a Fiskars swivel craft knife for the fussy cutting.  I created the wording on my sign in WORD.  The grassland border & picket fence are dies from Poppystamps.com

My second card is for the SPRING portion of our challenge.

 My focus image is from the Crafty Secrets 'Victorian Easter Eggs1'  Digital Sheet which can be purhcased at the CraftVintageGirl.com store.

 I've used my Creative Memories oval cutting system for my shape & matting.  Michaels red gingham ribbon and a few gems help to embellish this CAS creation.  The doily lace border and butterfly are by Martha Stewart.

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun!

Other Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Easter
 Cuttin and Stampin - Easter
Cuttlebug Mania - Easter  (die cut fence & grass)
Scrap-Creations - Easter
ABC Challenges - Easter
The Cutie Pie Challenge - Easter

Kaboodle Doodles - Easter or Early Spring
Victorine Stamps - Easter

Can you believe Easter is THIS WEEKEND!  Yikes!  

I'm thrilled to say that hubby & I are hosting this years 'Easter Feast'!  Guess I'd better get my menu figured out and shopping done before the rush!  

Do you make a 'SPECIAL' dish for your Easter meal?  If you do, I'd love to hear about it.  

Please leave me a comment and/or recipe!  That would be awesome!

Thanks so much for stopping by and as always . . .

Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge

Good Evening everyone ... I hope you've had a nice day!

The day is drawing to a close here in Ohio, USA but I wanted to quickly share a card with you that I created for the current challenge at Cheery Lynn Designs which is CELEBRATE.

I've really grown to love making homemade flowers for my cards and the Cheery Lynn Designs Build A Flower dies make it SO EASY to create beautiful, life like flowers out of paper!

Here's a list of Cheery Lynn Designs items used:

B187 - Build a Flower 2 die set

DL112 - Exotic Butterflies Small

B151 - Cuties 3

DL102 - French Pastry Doily

B211 - Happy Birthday

Other items used are:  DCWV design paper, Deep Purple cardstock, Tim Holtz Dusty Concord distress ink, PunchBunch Flower Making Kit/black forming mat, Spellbinder Classic Circle die

Purple is my favorite color and I just love how this flower came together.  I hope you like it to!  

Here are a few other challenges I'd like to enter into:

Crafty Boots Challenge - Flowers

Mygrafico Challenge - Anything Goes

The Pretty Little Ribbon - Birthday

CAS on Sunday - Butterflies

Catered Crop - Flower Power

Little Claire's - Cards with Folds

Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes

Red Carpet Studio - Flowers

Remember I said PURPLE was my favorite color!  Check out what my hubby got me for Valentine's Day!

Yep, a purple chair designed JUST FOR ME ... I'm short so I'm either having to sit on the edge of my seat or have my feet dangling ... NOT ANY MORE!!  LOL!

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  

Until next time and as always . . .

Squigglefly Challenge Time

Happy Monday!

That means it's time once again for a new challenge at Squigglefly and we have a real easy one for you this time around ... yep ... it's ANYTHING GOES! 

 

For my team creation today I've used an adorable image by Cheryl Alger called "No 2 Pencil and A Dream".  I don't know about you but I'm already dreaming of the sun shining down on my face and getting my hands in the dirt as I plant some beautiful flowers to beautify my home!  What do you think this little girl is dreaming about??

Inside View

I have taken a few liberties with this digi image and created a little scene by adding a few birds in the sky and a couple little lady bug stickers below her feet.  I've used my new Spectrum Noir alcohol markers for my coloring (still practicing) and kept it pretty simple to really showcase this adorable image.

I hope you'll take the time to pop on over to Squigglefly and see the fabulous creations my team mates have made to inspire you!  AND, I hope too that you will then join in the fun and play along!

Hope to see you there!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today ... always so good to hear from you!!

Till next time and as always . . .

Sassy Studio's Fun . . .

Happy Saturday Everyone!

The sun is shining (still COLD) here in Ohio, USA and although I've had a fairly busy day, I wanted to take a moment and share with you the card creation I made for the PAPER PIECING challenge going on over at Sassy Studio Designs.  I recently won a couple of images during their Follow the Yellow Brick Road Release Hop (YEAH!!) so I decided to use GLINDA (the good witch) for today's card.

I have used design paper from the Basic Grey 'Euphoria' 6x6 paper pack for my paper piecing, design and butterfly.  The lacy embellishments were created with the Cheery Lynn Designs B136 Anastasia Border die and also their DL102 French Pastry Doily die.  The butterfly is a Martha Stewart punch.  She has been popped up using X-press Foam Tape and though difficult to see, red & diamond Stickles were used to add sparkle.  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers were used for the coloring.  

Her hair looks TERRIBLE!  Still practicing with these new markers!  It was just fine but then I had to go in and try to add depth ... obviously I didn't do that correctly!  Need to watch a few more videos and do a lot more practicing!!  LOL!

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope you're enjoying your weekend!  

Until next time and as always  . . .

Is It Spring Yet??

Well, the calendar says it's SPRING but the snow flying around outside 

leads me to believe otherwise! LOL!  

Hello fellow bloggers ... Happy Friday to you and thanks for stopping by!

The creation I have to share with you today is an ALTERED FRAME, created with SPRINGTIME in mind and for this week's challenge at Joan's Gardens!

Click on image to enlarge . . .

Joan has asked us to . . .

Click to enlarge!

• Use a square
• Alter something...even if it is a card
• Use flower paper...you can make it 
• You must use something sold at Joan's Gardens on your card.

Here is the recipe for this altered frame and the items highlighted in RED were purchased through Joan's Gardens:

Papers:  Graphic45 'A Lady's Diary' 8x8 paper pack, white cardstock, SU 'sage shadow' cardstock

Click to enlarge!

Stamps:  Hero Arts, Verve

Inks:  Versafine Onyx, Tim Holts 'Tea Dye', 'Scattered Straw', Momento 'Bamboo Leaves'

Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs B117 'Fanciful Flourish', Heartfelt Creations 'Daisy Patch Dies', PunchBunch 'Big Sky' punch, Punch Bunch 'Flower Making Kit', Spellbinder 'Classic Circles' dies, Poppystamps.com 'Grassland Border' die, Reflections Bird Floral Embellishment, Fiskars Swivel Craft Knife, Wooden Clothespin, FolkArt '632 Rose Pink' acrylic paint, sponge brush, Gold Stickles, Michaels $1 Wooden Frame (3.7"x3.7"), Mod Podge

This was such a fun, easy project!  Next time you are at Michael's, be sure to check out these $1 frames. 

On the left is what the frame looked like in the package.  On the right is what it looked like after painting around the edge, adding the design paper, stamping the sentiment and a little fussy cutting to add the flowers from the opening cut out.

By adding the painted 'clothes pin', I can add whatever sentiment I need when I'm ready to sell/give away this altered frame!  Could be used as a birthday present, a thank you as seen here or even a House Warming gift!

I hope you've enjoyed today's creation . . . I know I had a great time creating it!  In fact, since these frames were only $1 each, I stocked up on a few extras and I'm sure you'll be seeing a few more decorated for gift giving in the near future!   My mind is still in a whirl with ideas on how I can alter this frame ... 



 Here are a few other challenges I'd like to enter into:
Cheery Lynn Designs - Think Spring
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - Bring on Spring
Charisma Cards - Die Cuts
Forever Friends - Lots of Flowers
The Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - First Signs of Spring

Happy Campers - Add dimension

Moving Along with the Times - Decoupage

Crafting for the Season - Anything but a Card

Stampotique Designers Challenge (SDC92) - Spring

Sorry for the long post but I hope you've found inspiration!  IF you have ANY questions, PLEASE feel free to leave me a comment and I will answer it to the best of my abilities!

See you soon and as always . . .

Shelly's Images Challenge

It's time for another fun challenge at Shelly's Images and today's a super easy challenge that EVERYONE can participate in!  Yep you guessed it . . .

ANYTHING GOES!

When we have an anything goes challenge, the design team gets to pick ANY image from Shelly's store to play with that they would like.  Wait till you see some of the amazing creations these ladies have come up with this time around!  As for me, I went a little outside my comfort zone and created a card for those animal lovers out there!  Don't get me wrong, I'm okay with dogs & cats ... I just don't want them in my house (been there, done that ... I like being able to pick up and GO whenever I want! LOL!!)  I know ... I know ...

I've used Shelly's image called 'Best Friends Forever'.

Inside View

RECIPE:

Papers:  White cs, Black cs, Queen & Co. 'Pet Bones' design paper

Sentiment:  Computer generated in Photo Shop Elements 

Accessories:  Basic Grey gem flowers, SN alcohol markers, Fiskars swivel craft knife, Spellbinder Heart Circles, Spellbinder Labels 9, Pop Dots

Other Challenges:

One Stop Craft Challenge - Anything Goes

Totally Gorjuss #17 - Something Old (gems are more than 3 years old)
365 Cards: Day 80 - Animal Print (hope puppy dog print counts)

I hope you'll stop over and see the fabulous creations my team mates have shared for your inspiration and then ... come join in the fun!!  And REMEMBER ... YOU could be a winner of free digi images from Shelly's Images Store!!  So what cha waitin' for??  Hope to see you there!

SO GLAD you stopped by today!  Thanks so much!

And, as always . . .

Sassy Studio Designs

OMGoodness!  I nearly missed playing the challenge over at Sassy Studio Designs!  What was I thinking??  A new challenge comes up tomorrow but I still have a few hours to play in the current challenge which is to use the color GREEN!!  Here is what I quickly (and I mean quickly) created using their adorable digi image called 'Bella Bride'!  Of course, as you can see my Bella is ready for a Spring Time Party vs a wedding.

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Ivory cs, Karen Foster dp, Paper Pizazz dp

Accessories:  Anita's rubber stamp, Faber Casteel Gelatos, MS doily lace border punch, Cheery Lynn DL102 French Pastry doily die, Kaiser pink pearls, X-press foam tape, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Fiskars swivel craft knife,

I will be adding this creation to other challenges later in the day but for now I'd better get it linked over at Sassy Studio before time runs out!

EDITED TO ADD CHALLENGES
Other Challenges:
Creative Inspirations Paint - Go Green
Gingerloft Challenge - The Color Green
Lacy Sunshine Challenge - Layer It Up
No Matter Which Challenge - Anything Goes
Robyn's Fetish - Must Use Green
Scrappy Frogs Challenge - Use Green
Allways Something - Spring using Green
Sandy's Crafty Creations - Shades of Green
The Crafter's Cafe Challenge - Green
Without Word Challenge - Spring
Vintage Stamping Challenge - Spring 
The Shabby Tea Room - Anything Goes

Hope you are all having a fabulous day/week!  See you again soon and as always . . . thanks for stopping by and . . .

Farm Animals . . .

Morning Everyone!  

It appears I'm overrun with cute little farm animal images this week so I've created a couple of cards that I like to share with you today!

First is this cute image from Shelly's Images called "Spring Lamb"!  Right now and through the end of the month you can get this image FREE at Shelly's Images for her BONUS CHALLENGE and the only requirement is that you create a card using it and link back to the challenge.  PERFECT for the upcoming Easter cards I know you are all busy creating and it's FREE ... you can't beat that!

I've colored the flowers using my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and the sky was done with chalks.  A very CAS creation in order to really showcase this adorable image!  My only embellishment is this soft organza pink ribbon.

Challenges:
Craft Your Passion Challenge - Ribbons or Lace
 The Crafty Bloggers Network - Spring or Pastel
Cutie Pie Challenge - Easter
Daisy Doodles - Easter
Digi Darla's Challenge - Easter/Spring
Paper Makeover Challenge #80 - Pastels
Melonheadz - Easter or Spring
Tammy's Scrapin Corner #54 - Easter
The Pink Elephant Challenge - Easter
Without Words Challenge - Spring or Easter

* * * * *

For my second creation I've used another cute image ... this time from QKR Stampede and it's called "Happy Ducklin #6807".  Although, it appears to be a bit sad to me ... hence the MISS YOU sentiment!  What do you think?

I actually created this card for the Monday Greeting Card Challenge over on The Outlawz Site.  This week, besides using a greeting, the challenge is to 'LAYER IT UP'.  I've used various layers on this creation and had a great time rummaging through my 'scrap box'.  Always a good way to use up those scraps!  Even the oval die cuts were scraps! 

Challenges:
Card Mania #16 - Lots of Layers
Love to Create Challenge - Anything Goes
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
MYGRAPHICO Challenge - Anything Goes
Pause, Dream, Enjoy Challenge - Anything Goes
Stamp and Create - Fur or Feathers
Stamp with Fun - Anything Goes
There She Goes Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I appreciate you taking the time!

Hope you've found a little inspiration through my cards and will come back again real soon!

As always . . .

Something New at CDAC!

CDAC and Petaloo are teaming up for some FANTASTIC
Easter/Spring Challenges & Contest BONANZA'S!!!

March 17th is the start to a bunch of awesome challenges and contests on CDAC..It will run through the end of the month!! Lots of prizes will be awarded at the end of the month so, don't miss out! There are crafting challenges, a "LIKE" Facebook contest and even a simple "spread the word" Contest. Along with some wonderful Gift Certificates from some wonderful Digi Artists, Petaloo is offering some AMAZING prizes. Petaloo International, is one of the largest floral manufacturing companies in the crafting world and is your source for floral & specialty embellishments. With exclusive factories in
China, India & Thailand, along with over 20 years experience in floral & craft products.They offer customers fun & innovative products at factory direct pricing. Here is just a "sample" of "some" of the prizes that will be awarded. Plus, Petaloo has a WHOLE NEW LINE of flowers coming out on April 1st that will also be part of these prizes. Don't miss out on being the "first on your block" to own some of these fabulous flowers!!!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE FUN!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

A Crafty Secrets Easter . . .

Hello my friends and Happy Saturday to you!

For years now I have LOVED anything CRAFTY SECRETS!  I enjoy the more 'vintage' style of cardmaking and Crafty Secrets has some fabulous products along that line.  For Easter you can find everything from CUTE to RELIGIOUS, Clear Stamps to Digital Stamps, and much much more!!

Today I'd like to share a couple more cards I've made to send along to my family this Easter holiday.  All three cards were created with images from the DAS-109 Easter Blessings digital download.

 This is a Gate Fold card and both the image on the front & the inside are on this download.  I did just a touch of coloring on the front image flowers using my SN alcohol markers.  Other products used are: Cuttlebug 'swirls' embossing folder, pink satin ribbon, Kaiser pearls, and Marianne LR0235 die set.

 The next two cards use the same image/sentiment from the DAS-109 Easter Blessings digital download.  The design papers used on this first card are from the Crafty Secrets 'Earthy' paper pack.  Other products used are:  K&Co. 3d butterfly, gold organza ribbon, Verses rubber stamp (inside sentiment), Distrezz-it All, Tim Holtz 'Tea Dye' distress ink

For this last card creation, I've used the same image (colored differently) and made a Sympathy card vs Easter.  The inside sentiment uses rubber stamps from DRS Designs (crosses) and The Stamp Pad Co.  The ribbon is from Michaels and the  pink and black pearls are from Want2Scrap.  The polka dot design paper used on this card is from Webster's Pages.

Here are a few challenges I'd like to enter:

Avadares Challenge - Easter

Digi Haven - Easter

Broken Box Stock - Easter

Polkadoodles - Easter

Simply Create Too - Easter or bunnies
Creatalicious Challenges - Easter
Lia Stampz #37 - Easter or Spring
A Gem of a Challenge #71 - Easter or Spring
Di's Digi Designs - Easter or Spring
My Sheri Crafts - Easter

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  

Are you doing anything SPECIAL for celebrate St. Patty's Day tomorrow???  

If so, enjoy & have fun ... go easy on the green beer . . . LOL!!

Till next time and as always . . .

EXCITING NEWS!!!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Here we are at the threshold of another weekend and  I would like to start out today by wishing each and everyone of you a FABULOUS St. Patrick's Day weekend!!

My EXCITING NEWS today is that I am thrilled to be FEATURED once again in the online magazine PAPERS & PIXELS!  You will LOVE this magazine if you are not already familiar with it!  There are LOTS and LOTS of very useful articles, tutorials and always plenty of photos if you are a 'visual' person like myself!  Be sure to click on the link and check out the awesome articles in this months edition. 

I can't wait to look through this months edition and see what new things I can learn. 

Well it's still early morning here in Ohio and hubby will soon be wanting breakfast so I'd better get in the kitchen and get the coffee going!   Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hopefully I'll be back later with a card creation to share ... we'll see how my day goes!

Until then and as always . . .