Do You Have the Winter Blues?

Hello Friends!

Welcome to the first full week of 2016!

We've been rather spoiled here in N.E. Ohio with such warm temperatures for this time of year ... but it has caught up with us and it's been bitter cold/windy since the New Year began!

Uugh ... already I'm tired of the cold and ready for spring time weather!

(Must be this 'getting older' thing!  LOL!)

So, today I decided to play along in the "Winter Blues" challenge at Classy Cards n Such.  

Here's a peek at their inspiration tile board .

I think that is just the coolest tile board and of course the BIRDS are what caught my eye.  

Here's what I came up with . . .

Inside View

In doing this challenge I discovered I don't have much in the way of blue & white design papers 

(note to self ... must purchase more blue/white paper ... OMG like I need MORE paper, LOL)

Anyways, I spotted this beautiful image and paper in the Graphic45 'Botanical Tea' 8x8 paper pack and it worked perfectly.  Creating this card actually helped to alleviate the winter blues I have today.  The end of Christmas holidays is always a bit of a downer ... I love all the lights, decorations, fun friendly gatherings ... now it's back to the old hum-drum!  Oh well, if 2016 goes as quickly as 2015, we'll be back in the holiday spirit in no time at all!

A few other challenges to share in:
Dragonfly Journeys Challenge - They Say it's your Birthday
Eclectic Ellapu December Challenge - Purple Team - One die or more

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by today!

Hope you have a FABULOUS week ahead!

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Graphic45 'Botanical Tea' two sided dp

Dies: Creative Expressions Sue Wilson 'Greek Island Collection' (CED5102), 'New York Collection' (CED4102), 'Finishing Touches' (CED1423)

Accessories:  RRR beautiful blues ribbon, pop dots

Another FRIENDS card . ..

MORNING!  HAPPY FRIDAY!

I have a card to share with you today for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog and I'm happy to say it also fits the Classy Cards 'n Such challenge where the theme is Squirrel-y Friends (squirrel being optional). 

This has to be one of my favorite 'Friends' stamps

and it's perfect for this time of year!

The dies I've used today are:

 Die Versions 'Wee Petites' FALL #DWP-003, 

Memory Box 'Pinpoint Square Layers' #30060, 

Poppystamps 'Frisky Squirrels' #1134

The background panel was created from scraps of fall paper and the

leaves were die cut from a small portion of paper I had left that I created using Ken Oliver's Color Burst.

The 'Diamond' Stickles across the top stands for the True friends mentioned in the sentiment.  And, this time I added the 'optional' squirrels ... LOL!  Aren't they cute!

The squirrels in our back yard have been VERY busy lately ... something tells me the know more of what's coming then we do!!

Challenges to share in:
Crafting with Friends Challenge - Anything Goes
Creative Fingers Challenge - Anything Goes
 Jo's Scrap Shack Fun Day Friday Challenge - Anything Goes
 QKR Stampede Challenge - Harvest Colors

Thanks for stopping by today!

Hope you have a FABULOUS day!!

As always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Various Fall dp, Red cs, Brown cs
Dies:  Die Versions 'Wee Petites' FALL #DWP-003, Memory Box 'Pinpoint Square Layers' #30060, Poppystamps 'Frisky Squirrels' #1134
Accessories:  Diamond Stickles, Decorative Scissors

Friends . . .

Hello Friends ... I'm back a second time today to share a card 

I wanted to create to satisfy a couple of my favorite challenges.

The challenge blogs I'm referring to are Cheery Lynn Designs where this weeks challenge is Anything Goes and Classy Cards 'n Such where the theme is Squirrel-y Friends (squirrel being optional).

I'm busy working on cards for an upcoming craft show as well as a few cards for the local tea shoppe.  This card will go to the tea shoppe for an upcoming event they have scheduled.

Now I really need to quit fooling around and get busy!

It's a chilly, rainy, windy day here in NE Ohio so what better time to hide out in my cave and get crafty!

As always ...

 

Recipe:

Image - Pinterest

Sentiment Stamp - Morning Star Stamps

Dies - Cheery Lynn Designs #DL125 'Celtic Fire Rectangle Frame', Memory Box 'Crossed Stitched Frame Borders' #99124

Accessories - Darice flowers, green Stickles, TH 'frayed burlap' distress ink, Versafine onyx ink

A Manly Birthday . . .

Happy Weekend My Friends!

I hope you have something fun planned for today!

I'm falling behind on my DT commitments so I'll be hiding out in my crafting cave today and hopefully creating some fabulous things to inspire you with in days to come.

But for the moment, my friend brought to my attention the challenge going on over on Classy Cards 'n Such Challenge Blog where the theme is ADDING TEXTURE.

I had this image laying on my worktable and actually a card 'started' so with a few additions and a bit of 'tweaking' ... I'm pleased to say I was able to get this card created on time to join in the fun.

AND, the nice thing is ... I now have another MASCULINE birthday card to add to my stash!

You can never have enough guy cards on hand ... since they seem to be the most difficult to create!

The sailboat image was found online and I've added texture by using the Darice Cloudy Sky embossing folder as well as a couple of panels cut from a 6x6 sheet of  DCWV Burlap paper.  All items used will be listed at the end of this post.

Challenges:

Crafting with Friends Challenge #3 - Anything Goes

Fairy tale Challenge #123 - Men/Boys

Kitty Bee Designs Challenge #53 - Ocean/Water Animals (sea gulls)

DRS Designs Challenge #186 - Dry Embossing

Seize the Birthday Challenge - Embossing (+birthday)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Well ... I'd better get busy ... so much to do, so little time to get it done!

Time sure flies when you're having fun!!!   LOL!!!

As always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Teal cs, DCWV Burlap design paper
Image:  Online
Ink:  Tim Holtz 'Antique Linen', Ranger Adirondack 'Snow Cap'
Dies:  Impression Obsession 'Sea Birds', Poppystamps 'Classic Ribbons'
Accessories:  Large sponge daubers, SU dimensionals, the Paper Studio teal brads, Darice 'cloudy sky' embossing folder

Birthday Greetings

Hello All ... Happy July 1st!

Are you getting ready for the big 4th of July weekend?

It's going to be pretty quiet around here

but we did buy a rack of ribs to put on the grill.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate!

Today I have a card to share that was created for the new

challenge at Classy Cards n Such.  It's a photo inspired challenge and of

course the first thing I saw was the color purple! Imagine that!!  LOL!!

LOVE, love, love this purple bicycle and their DT has created some 

awesome, inspirational samples ... pop over and check 'em out!

Since I don't have a bicycle die (yet! already put one

on my wishlist), I went with the next best thing ... purple flowers!  

And created this little scene for you.

I hope you like it and come play along!

I actually found the floral image online and thought

it would work perfectly with my new Spellbinder D-Lites 'Asters & Poppies'

die set.  I used So... Silk Fabulous Purple to diecut the flowers and 

Champaign Neenah Pearlized Metallic paper for my background.

My picket fence and banner are PoppyStamp dies, and

my cute little bird is from the Heartfelt Creations Birds & Blooms STAMP & DIE set.  

I simply sponged a little color on him and popped him up on the fence.

I have no doubt this card will bring a smile to someone's face!

Especially if they like the color purple as much as I do!  LOL!

 Well, I have a LOT to do today so I'd best get moving!

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a FABULOUS day!

As always . . .

Turning Wednesday's 'Ooops' . . .

. . . into today's beautiful card creation!

Hello my friends!

Yep, if you stopped by on Wednesday you know what I'm referring to!

And after using the 'teal' ink over my snowflake 'die cut stencil' ... it actually was quiet pretty once dried and more of a teal color then it's original medium blue color!  

SO ... decided to use it for my second card which I'm entering into the current 'Teal Snowflakes' challenge at Classy Cards n Such.

Grrrr!  I struggle with achieving 'TRUE' color when taking photographs!  Trust me, this is more teal IRL then it looks in my photos!

How do you like my medicine bottles in the background!  I purchased them while out in Indiana in the Fall with my Midwest crafting friends and think they are SO appropriate for this time of year!  

I don't know about you, but I know I've been taking my share of 'Pertussin' (had a cold for 2 weeks) as well as using the ole 'Liniment' on these aching bones over the past few weeks!

This getting old is for the birds!  LOL!

I hope you'll come join in the 'Teal Snowflake' challenge fun ... you still have a bit of time!  

Challenge ends Saturday at Midnight (CST).

A few challenges to share in:
Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge - Blue Tones
Docerela Creations Challenge - Anything Goes
Fairy Tale Challenge - Snow
Design Team Showcase

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by!  

Your encouraging comments mean the world to me!

Have a great weekend!

As always . . .

 Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Red cs, DCWV Winter 6x6 mat stack,  XP-73017516 'Stardream Fuse Vista'

Stamps:  Heartfelt Creations HCPC3342 'Snowmen Melt Your Heart' Set 

Dies: Marianne 'Mittens', Cheery Lynn Designs 'B477' (snowflake), Impression Obsession 'Snowflake Background' 

Accessories:  Diamond Stickles, PopDots, Fiskars Swivel Craft Knife (for fussy cutting), Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Creative Memories corner rounder, White Gelly Roll Pen,

Having a "Dang!" Moment . . .

Hello Bloggers!

It's snowing to beat the band here and very cold!  So, I decided to take advantage of the situation and spend the day in my crafting cave! 

I know, I know ... some of you (who know me well) are saying "So what's so unusual about that?"  What can I say?  I LOVE my crafting cave and even though I still have Christmas decorations to put away ... I've decided to PLAY instead!  The mojo is flowing and a girl's gotta do ... what a girl's gotta do!  LOL!!!

Anyways, today I've created a card for the current challenge over at Class Cards 'n Such.  Their theme is Teal Snowflakes using this pretty image as your inspiration.  What fun (I thought!) ... outside my comfort zone to do snowflakes other than white!  And as you will see by my card ... I couldn't bring myself to make 'blue snowflakes' ...

One of the rules of their challenge is to use something carried in the Classy Cards n Such Store and even though my card doesn't have a lot of layers or embellishments (definitely outside my comfort zone) I did actually use TWO items carried at their store:

Memory Box 'Precious Mittens'

and

Impression Obsession 'Snowflake Background'

Here is what I came up with ...

CONFESSION TIME:

I did actually die cut the snowflake background to use as my CCNS item  and the basis for my card.  But, then noticed that the theme said TEAL not just blue.   DANG!   SO ... I shifted gears and used my die cut snowflake background as a 'stencil' to sponge my card front using teal ink and a large sponge.

NOW, I have this beautiful die cut for another 'wintery' card creation. Don't you just love it when a mistake works to your advantage?!  

I wish you could see this beautiful paper in person ... IT IS GORGEOUS!

Also from Classy Cards n Such ... XP-73017516 'Stardream Fuse Vista'

This beautiful, glimmer paper comes in various colors and is a heavier weight.  Perfect for die cutting and as I found out today ... great for stenciling too!

Have you checked out the challenges at Classy Cards n Such?  NO?  Well what are you waiting for ... take a peek and play along!  YOU might even be the prize winner and they are very generous with their prize offerings!

A few other challenges to share in are:

Loves Rubberstamps Challenge - Anything Goes

Paperminutes Challenge - Snowflakes (NO Christmas)

{Pin}spiration Challenge #131 - Snowflakes

Design Team Showcase

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Stay warm and safe out there!

As always ...

Other items used:
Papers:  White cs, Navy cs
Stamps:  Graphic45, Heartfelt Creations
Accessories:  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Versafine Onyx ink

Remember ... October is THINK PINK Month!

Hello friends!

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Do you have your mammogram scheduled??

I'm still away from my cave crafting with my Midwest friends.  But, I wanted to get a card created for the current THINK PINK challenge going on at Classy Cards n Such before time was up.  Here is their beautiful inspiration photo ...

What beautiful inspiration!

I didn't bring much along on my trip to do a pink card, but good friend Diane H (Nellie's Nest) was kind enough to let me 'borrow' some pink design paper from her to create with this.  The paper is from the KaiserCraft 'The Lakehouse' paper pad and the die set I've used is California Collection - Beverly Hills by Sue Wilson and the image/sentiment come from the Graphic45 'Sweet Sentiments'.  A little baker's twine and VIOLA!!

 A few challenges to share in:

The Pink Elephant - Pink
Karleigh Sue Challenge Blog - Pink Ribbon Challenge
Live & Love Crafts Challenge - Pink
The Crafting Cafe October Challenge - Think Pink 

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

Christmas is coming ...

Good Afternoon my friends!

I have a 2nd post today because I didn't want to miss out on playing the current challenge over at Classy Cards n Such which is Trees & Foliage.  Somehow time always gets away from me and I miss playing so I'm jumping on it today!!

I figured now is as good a time as any to get some holiday cards created so that is my theme for today.  The Classy Cards n Such product I have used on today's card are the beautiful Impression Obsession #DIE084 'Fir Trees' as well as the Impression Obsession #DIE117 'Small Deer'.

I recently won this gorgeous, vintage holiday design paper by Maja Designs called 'It's Christmas Time' and just couldn't wait to tear into it.  AND, since Santa's trees had snow on them I decided to add snow to mine using White Liquid Applique!!

This beautiful paper is 2-sided so I took advantage of that point and did a little fussy cutting around the Santa images, flipped it over and mimicked the cut on the reverse side before adhering to my background choice.  

Challenges to share in:

Stamps & Fun = Creativity - 3 layers of paper

Christmas Card Challenge - Anything Goes (must be Christmas)

 My Perfect Life - Any Christmas Card goes

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by!

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

As always . . .

It's a RED, WHITE & BLUE weekend . . .

. . . here in the wonderful U.S.A.!

And, with so many fun R/W/B challenges out there this week ... I just HAD to join in the fun!

By using this ADORABLE Crafty Secrets image from their 'Childhood Vintage Image Booklet', I picked up the colors I wanted but in a little less patriotic manner.  My  blue/white floral background paper is from Paper Pizazz, and it's been in my stash for probably 5 years!  The red & white polka dot is from the scrap bin and worked perfectly for today's card.  Sorry to say this was the end of my roll of blue/white striped grosgrain ribbon ... guess I'll be 'in search of' another spool on my next shopping trip!   I used a rubber stamp from a Hero Arts set for the sentiment ... looks like this little guy and his puppy friend are having a special day at the fishing hole!

Let's see what other fabulous challenges I can share in today . . .

Classy Cards n Such Challenge - Red, White and Blue

Bloggers Challenge - Red, White and Blue

Jellypark Challenge - Red, White and Blue

Polkadoodles Challenge - Red, White and Blue

CCEE Stampers Challenge - Red, White and Blue

Crafty Ribbon Challenge - Anything Goes with Ribbon

The Crafters Cafe Challenge - Red, White and Blue

Scrapper's Delight Challenge - Anything Goes with Summertime

We are expecting more company over the next few days so I'd better get off the computer and back to doing a little cleaning and food prep!  Hope you are all having a FABULOUS weekend!  I know I am!!

HAVE A GOOD ONE!

As always . . .

Home Sweet Home

Hello My Friends!

When my friend Terri was visiting last week, we decided to play around with some of the peel off stickers that I had hanging on my crafting pegboard.  Neither one of us had played with them for SO LONG that we actually had to take a 'refresher' course via YouTube!  LOL!  Anyways, I see the new challenge this week at Classy Cards 'n Such is to use Stickers and/or Rub Ons!  PERFECT!

I have several different sticker sheets from various companies that I could use for this same glittery technique and it appears I grabbed one of the bird house stickers from a Stamp On It 'Bird Cage Outline' sticker sheet.  LOVE how it turned out and I was able to use this Spellbinder Home Sweet Home die that has been calling out to me from it's binder home!  LOL!

Sharing in a few other challenges:

Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes (stickers in my stash for a l-o-n-g time!)

Die Cuttin Divas Challenge - Thing with Wings (use dies)
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Why not get our your stickers and/or rub ons and come join in the fun!  These are actually a couple of items that have been very neglected in my cave so I'm really happy to see this challenge offered!  Hope to see you there!

HAPPY DAY ALL!

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Black cs,  DCWV dp
Dies:  Impression Obsession DIE161 'Bird on a Branch', Spellbinder S2-086 'Home Sweet Home'
Accessories:  Stamp On It sticker sheet, Elizabeth Craft Transfer paper, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Pop Dots, Michaels satin ribbon, Sparkle n Sprinkle glitter

Wedding Season continues . . .

HELLO MY FRIENDS!

I've been having such a great time crafting today with Sisterhood friend Terri (Terri's Cards n' More),  that I nearly forgot to share the card I made for some of my favorite challenges.

Here's Terri ... I introduced her to 'stencilling' today ... YEP!  Now she's hooked!   She also made some fabulous cards which she'll be sharing on her blog later today/this week.  We also watched a few videos (to refresh our feeble minds) on using the Elizabeth Crafts products and made some pretty awesome background for future creations.

We just never know what we're going to get into when we get together and today it was stencils and glitter.  AND, NOW I REMEMBER why I don't do much with loose glitter!  YEP ... it's everywhere ... LOL!  Oh well ... we sure had fun and learned a few things along the way!

ANYWAYS ... Here's the card I'd like to share with you . . .

The challenges I had in mind when creating this card are as follows:

Joan's Touch #17 - Black & White + Dimension + Scallops + Product sold at Joan's Garden

Classy Cards n Such #36 - Make a Background

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge Blog - Stencil

I have to admit I've gotten hooked on making these little flowers.  They are actually supposed to be gardenias but mine somehow look more like roses!  Either way they are so easy and look so fabulous ... especially on a special occasion card like this Wedding card.  (All dies used are listed below.)

And, of course you have to add some sparkle so I've added Diamond Stickles to the flowers as well as the background for the bride & groom.

Here's an even closer look of the sparkle placement.

Well, play time is over ... Terri has headed back home to make dinner for her hubby and I guess I'd better start thinking about doing the same here.  I'll be back a little later to share in a few other challenges.

I'M BACK AND HERE ARE THE CHALLENGES I'D LIKE TO SHARE IN:
Paper Creators Crafts - Wedding/Anniversary (entry #2) 
Die Cut Diva's June Challenge - Yours, Mine or Ours?  (Ours - Wedding) [entry #2]
The Crafting Cafe - Love and Marriage (entry #2)
My Time to Craft - No Design Paper (stencil for background) [entry #3]
CCEE Stampers - Roses
ScrapbookerPhD Challenge #11 - Use your die cuts
Southern Girls Challenge - Punches and Die Cuts
Sugar Creek Hollow #88 - Here Comes the Bride

I hope you've enjoyed seeing and been inspired by today's creation and will come join in these fun challenges.  OH and wanted to mention ... the stencil I used seemed sorta small for the background panel with this beautiful Marianne die set so I simple repositioned the stencil (once the original inking was done) around the outside border and sponged away ... gave it an entirely different look (almost zebra like, lol) and I like it!

Thanks for stopping by and hope you've had as good a time today as I have!

Aren't FRIENDS FABULOUS!!!  I'm so blessed!

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Black cs
Dies:  Marianne #LR0236, Die Versions 'Trellis Whispers' #DVW353, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Fanciful Flourish' #B117S, 'Mini Fanciful Flourish Reverse' #B291, 'Tiny Fanciful Flourish' #B387, 'Gardenia Small' #B433
Accessories:  Memory Box Stencil 'Texture Ornate' #88514, Versafine Onyx ink, Large Sponge Dauber, Diamond Stickles, PunchBunch Flower Making Kit, McGill Foam Mat, Pop Dots, Martha Stewart 'Branch' punch

Wedding Season . . .

Hello Dear Friends ...

The weather has been picture perfect around here lately and I'm having a difficult time staying in my 'cave'!  But, yesterday I decided I was going to play along in some of my favorite challenges and this is what I came up with.  Hope you like it!

The current challenge at Classy Cards 'n Such is Weddings.

Since I love VINTAGE design, I immediately started looking through all my vintage type goodies to come up with my main wedding image.  I decided upon this beautiful bride which comes from an older Graphic45 'Le' Romantique' design paper pack.  

(Love this paper ... been hoarding it for awhile now! LOL!)

Not only did I make a wedding card, but I made a TWISTED EASEL WEDDING CARD which satisfies two more of my favorite challenge blogs!

Joan's Touch Challenge - make a twisted easel card, use patterned paper, any color and product from Joan's Gardens.

Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge  - Use some sort of fancy fold on your card/project.

Since I don't make a lot of square cards (extra postage due for mailing), I don't keep a lot of square envelopes on hand either.  BUT with my handy dandy We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board, I was able to create not just an envelope ... but a MATCHING envelope to go along with my vintage wedding creation.  LOVE THAT!!

Here are a few additional challenge to share in:

Paper Take Weekly - Anything Goes / summer time theme (June Weddings)

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Try it on Tuesday Challenge - Feminine and Fancy

Crafting Desert Divas Linky Party - Fancy Folds

Crafty Card Makers and More - One or more Flourishes

Make My Monday - Wedding Theme*

Thanks so much for your visit!

I hope you enjoyed today's creation and will give this fancy fold & these challenges a try!

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  SU Very Vanilla, Graphic45 'Le Romantique'

Accessories:  We R Memory Keepers 'Envelope Punch Board', Offray lace, Cloud9 Design gem stones, E6000 Spray Adhesive

Dies:  Tattered Lace 'Kensington Corner' #D318, Quik Kutz 'Doily', Marianne 'LR0157 and LR0156', Spellbinder 'Blooms Three' #S2-046, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Tiny Fanciful Flourish' #B387, 'Congratulations' #B289, 'Wedding' #B446

Stamp/Ink:  Penny Black, Versafine Onyx