Breast Cancer Awareness creation . . .

Crafty Secrets has teamed up with Splitcoast Stampers to bring awareness to the fact that it is BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH and we should all do our part to help those who are afflicted by it until a cure is found!  You can read the details HERE.   Throughout the Month of October, the Crafty Secrets Challenges over on the Forum of SCS will be themed in conjunction with this cause!

Last week Lori was our hostess and we used the color PINK ... you can see my creation for that challenge HERE.  Today our theme is ENCOURAGEMENT.  So many families & friends are facing the difficult time of dealing with this horrible disease and we need to do what we can to ENCOURAGE them to KEEP FIGHTING and know we are praying for them!!  You can find our current Crafty Secrets Challenge in the SCS forum or click on the name for a link.

(click on image to enlarge)

I just LOVE the new Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps!  This is from the creative scraps called "Little Blessings" and I thought was perfect for today's creation.  My designer paper is by GCD Studios, I have used Fiskar decal scissors and Wild Orchid flowers to complete this creation.  Pretty easy peasy ... yet hopefully will help someone through this difficult time!

Thanks so much for stopping by to see what I'm up to ... I sure appreciate your visit!  Hugs to you all on this fine day!!

Darlene

Crafty Secrets Challenge and more . . .

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

I'm on my way to my sister's beauty shop for a cut/color but before I go I wanted to share with you my creation for the SCS Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge.  Throughout the month of October, Crafty Secrets will be teaming up with SCS with a card drive to benefit those affected by breast cancer.  You can read all  the details HERE.  This week's hostess is LoriLynn and she has asked us to "how me your pink".   Here's what I've come up with:

(click on image to enlarge_

My image comes from the new Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps "Little Blessings".  Have you seen the new products by Crafty Secrets ... well pop on over and check them out ... they are awesome!! 

Other items used on this creation are:

• Paper:  Pink Pirouette, 1" scrap of DCWV heart dp
• Ink:  Ranger vintage photo distress ink
• Accessories:  Martha Stewart butterfly punch & arch trellis border punch, Offray satin ribbon, Mauve Stickles.

I hope you'll join in on this card making effort and if you need more information please email me ... I'll be glad to help you!


****************
Here's my creation using Delicious Doodles images for today . . .

(the BLUE is really PURPLE ... my camera, Uuugh!)

You can find a wide variety of digi images at Teri's Delicious Doodles Store and please be sure to pop over to the new Delicious Doodles The Blog to meet the NEW DESIGN TEAM members.  This group is as unique as Teri's images and from all over the world!!

Thanks for stopping by today ... now I'd better get on the road! 

Hugs to you all today!
Darlene

Crafty Secrets - Playing With Plaid

Lori Lynn is our hostess today over on the Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge of Splitcoaststampers. Lori has asked us to use PLAID in our creation today. Well ... it just so happens that I picked up this plaid paper by DaisyD's while visiting Toyrifix yesterday and so of course I had to use it!!! I used my Nestabilities Decal Rectangle to cut the opening out of the plaid paper then distressed the edges with a sponge and Ranger Vintage Photo distress ink. This sweet image is from the Crafty Secrets Childhood Images & Journal Notes booklet. My sentiment was created by using 2 of the clear stamps in the Crafty Secrets Sweet Kids set, the ribbon is from Hobby Lobby and the Candy Dots are by Pebbles, Inc.

What a fun challenge! If you own any Heartwarming Vintage/Crafty Secrets products ... why not come join in on the challenge and share your inspiration with us!! It's really a fun loving group of ladies and we share our love for Crafty Secrets with a different challenge & hostess each week of the month!! I'll be looking for you!!! Thanks for stopping by today!!

Not ONE but TWO Crafty Secrets Challenges ...

Hello Everyone ... I hope you're having a wonderful start to your week!!

Today I have TWO Crafty Secrets challenge cards to share with you!! First is for the SCS Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge ... hosted by Marcy (kiddielitter). And this week, we are "Going to the Fair". This is an Inspirational Challenge and it was great fun! With Mark's illness, we haven't been to the local summertime Fairs in a couple of years (so sad!!) and creating this card really made me realize just how much I miss those times together ... OH WELL ... there's always next year, right!!!

This card has NO stamping or ink ... but a lot of fun images & fond memories! I've used a Red, White & Blue theme to spotlight the American traditions. The images of course are Crafty Secrets ... from the Seasonal Booklet. The Bingo card and tickets are RAKs from my friends Kris Dickinson and Robin Woodward. (you can click on their names to check out their blogs ... awesomely talented ladies!). And, the striped grosgrain ribbon is from Michael's.

********

My second card for you today is for the We Love Crafty Secrets Group challenge over on Paperee and hosted by Julie Campbell. Julie has requested our creative energy lean towards FALL. Here I've used the Crafty Secrets Cotton Scraps for my sentiment and the image is from the Crafty Secrets Seasonal booklet. The papers I've used are SU old olive, pumpkin pie, chocolate chip and very vanilla. The designer paper is Debbie Mumm for JoAnn's. My maple leaves and acorns are from the Spellbinder's Shapabilities Fall Leaves diecuts. I've also used Bead Party Braiding Cording as an embellishment around my image. I'm very happy with how this card came out ... hope you like it too!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Hope you're having a GREAT day! The sun is shining here in NE Ohio ... that means I'd better quit playing and get some work done, LOL!!

Faux Handmade Paper Challenge

The Technique Challenge today over on Splitcoast Stampers (SCS) was to make faux handmade paper. What a fun challenge and a good way to use those acrylic paints that I have sitting in a basket collecting dust!!

I am thrilled with the outcome of this technique and can't wait to try other color combinations. Of course I LOVE purple so that's the color palette I went with. Here is the RECIPE for this card:

Stamps: SU Bloomin' Beautiful, Flourishes Words 001

Papers: Whisper White, Bazzill Watermelon, Bazzill Boysenberry delight, Silver metallic

Inks: Versafine black, Rose Romance, Elegant Eggplant

Accessories: Sponge, SU watercolor pencils & blender pen, detail clear ep, dimensional tape, EK Success tag punch, Offray organza ribbon, Michael's silver metallic elastic, various acrylic paints, Puffs tissues

SCS Sketch Challenge #224

Yeah ... time for another sketch challenge! Today's challenge over on Splitcoaststampers focuses on the use of those larger images. I decided to do something I never think to do and "flipped" the sketch.

As I mentioned in my last posting ... I'm working on replenishing cards to sell at my sister's beauty shoppe and thought I'd use this challenge to create another "masculine" card.

This card is A-6 in size (6 1/4 x 9 1/4 folded in half) and Whisper White. I've used Colorbok "water" designer paper and edged with a round tip Creative Memories marker to give the illusion of matting without the bulk! My main image is by Art Impressions and was stamped onto white cs using Versafine black ink. The coloring was done by using chalk and makeup applicators for the sky and SU watercolor pencils & blender pen for the water and boats. I also edged this image with the round tip black marker then actually matted it with royal blue cardstock. I've used dimensional tape to pop up this image for depth. I love this "nautical" ribbon I found at Michael's and think it worked perfectly for this card ... what do you think?? The other stamps I've used are the "birds" by Stampscapes and my sentiment by AMuse.

As always ... thanks so much for stopping by today!

UPDATE: Mark is all finished with his chemo. Today is basically "a day of rest" and fluids. Tomorrow is the transplant and after talking to the doctor there are going to be some "difficult" days to come until his numbers start to go back up to where they belong. So, as before ... we will just take it one day at a time! Thanks for your kind thoughts & prayers and ask that they continue on. Bless You All!!

Crafty Secrets Challenge #59

Good Morning All ...

Today I am hosting the Crafty Secrets Challenge over on Splitcoaststampers and have given folks a "RECIPE" to follow in making their card/project. I think this is the 1st time we have actually done a recipe challenge ... it will be fun to see what everyone comes up with. I've actually made it pretty easy ... requesting things that many of us already incorporate into our artwork!!


Today's recipe is:

* ribbon or lace
* brads or buttons
* paper piercing


My card today is actually a sketch I was going to use as a "sketch challenge" but decided against it at the last minute. I did however, use it for my card. Here I have used one of the new Crafty Secrets stamp sets called "Garden Girls". My card is 5 1/2" square and the background paper is from the Crafty Secrets "Earthy" designer paper pack and since it is 2-sided, I have used both sides for my panels. I have paper pierced on the corners of my Nestabilities (label one) panel as well as on the upper right and lower left corners/edge of the back layer designer paper (a bit hard to see in the photo). After stamping my image, I have used Eclipse masking medium to cover my image before stamping the sky (by Ala Art) and the ground cover (Stampscapes). Removed the masked image and colored in using SU watercolor pencils and blender pen. I have used Prima flowers & Making Memories brads for the four corners of my main image. My satin and sheer ribbons are by Darice.
FUNNY STORY .... have you ever done this??? While preparing to upload my card and post the challenge this morning, I realized I put my card together ... UP SIDE DOWN !!! Yep, it opens at the top instead of the bottom ... that's what I get for "not paying attention to detail". Guess this card will soon become a 6" square!!! LOL!!!
Thanks so much for stopping by today and please come play the challenge ... I'm sure you'll have fun!! Wish me luck ... I'll be at DH's workplace today selling my cards for Harvest for Hunger! Hope they ALL sell ... it's such a good cause!! Have a great day!!

Featured Stamper #109

Yesterday's Featured Stamper Challenge over on Splitcoaststamper honored StampingQueenJAR (Judy Rozema). What a great gallery Judy has and it was difficult to pick just one card to case. I finally picked THIS CARD and made a few changes to create this Anniversary card for friends of ours.

My card is A-6 in size and is a premade card which I purchased in a pack of 50 for $5.99 at Michael's. The background paper is from the DCWV Luxury Pack and the lighter blue panel was ivory cardstock, run through the cuttlebug then sponged using Versacolor Indigo & Not Quite Navy inks.

My main panel image is from the Inkadinkado (wedding) set. After stamping with Versafine Black and Detail Clear Embossed ... I used liquid pearls on the wedding gown/border and mauve Stickles on the flowers for extra dimension.

I've paper pierced the Luxury dp top & bottom as well as the Cuttlebugged panel. My corners were punched using the Stampin' Up Slit punch and the gems are from Hero Arts.

For the sentiment, I used a Spellbinder ribbon tag diecut ... after stamping the words using Versacolor Indigo and sponging around with Not Quite Navy. My ribbon is May Arts sheer white. Don't you just love the softness these sheer ribbons give your cards!!

Hope you enjoyed my card. Thanks so much for stopping by today. Don't forget to come back tomorrow when I'll be hosting the Crafty Secrets Challenge over and SCS and sharing my creation with all of you! If you have Crafty Secrets products ... PLEASE come play along ... we have great fun and wonderful inspiration to share!! See you then!!

Color Throwdown / Sketch Challenge Combo

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!!

Today I've combined the Sketch Challenge over on SCS with the Color Throwdown Blog Challenge. I've cheated just a little with my paper color but I think that will be okay. Here are the details:

I've used Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose but I've picked up the Barely Banana color in my Basic Grey Sulty paper pack background. The zigzag stitching is a stamp in the Crafty Secrets Sew Special set. The tree and sentiment are from the new Crafty Secrets Garden Girl set. I've used Versafine black ink for my images and the flowers at the base of the tree (which should really be green because they are ground cover not flowers ... ssshh don't tell anyone ...) were colored with inking nibs and Regal Rose ink. The centers were done with a yellow gellyroll pen. The black metal dots are by Colorbok and of course the bird is a Martha Stewart punch. Pretty easy-peasy but I really like how it turned out!! What are your thoughts??

Featured Stamper #108 - Kelly_H

What a great selection of creations to pick from on today's Featured Stamper Challenge. My first time to the Kelly_H gallery and I just fell in love with THIS LAYOUT so that's the card I decided to case.

For my card I changed the colors and theme. I knew immediately I wanted to use another of the awesome images in the new Crafty Secrets Garden Girl set. Isn't she sweet looking!! I've used a premade A-6 ivory card as my base, basic black cs, ivory cs and The Paper Studio designer papers for this creation. My image is stamped with Versafine Black ink and all layers are sponged using Ranger (antique linen). I've used the Nestabilities oval and oval scallops for the matting on this sweet image. The lace panel is Around the Block (floral frame tape) layered over a strip of basic black cs. I've colored her dress using a SU watercolor pencil & blender pen. And the only other embellishment is this double sided black satin ribbon by Darice. Simple card but I think it's lovely ... what do you think??? Thanks so much for stopping by today ... hope your weekend has been a fun one!!

Please stop back later when I'll share with you the 20 box sets I have created for the Harvest for Hunger project being sponsored by my husband's workplace. I've been really busy getting these prepared in time but it's for a worthy cause so that's okay!!

Featured Stamper #107

Today's Featured Stamper over on SCS is Jami (SgtStamper). Jami is an awesome stamper and has a gallery packed with some really cool stuff!! You can check it all out here in her GALLERY. If you click on her name, that will get you to her blog ... another cool place to visit.

HERE is Jami's card I chose to case. I changed the theme, colors, size of card and added a sentiment.

I just had to ink up one of the other Sugar Nellie images I just received. This one is called Carefree. Isn't she adorable!!! My card is A-6 in size and the background paper is SU old olive designer paper. My frame is made by using SU certainly celery, matted with gold metallic and the corners are made with a gold Pilot marker. I've colored my image using SU watercolor pencils and a blender pen. The sky background was colored with chalks and a makeup applicator. The white satin ribbon is by May Arts and the red gingham is from JoAnn's (holiday ribbon actually). The heart charm is by Darice. The sentiment is by Endless Creations.

Thanks for stopping by today! Here's hoping you are all having a wonderful, restful weekend. It's snowing AGAIN here in NE Ohio ... but at least the sun is shining at the same time. Spring is coming ... RIGHT??? Happy Stamping~!

Featured Stamper #106

Today's Featured Stamper Challenge over on SCS is honoring Julie M Lacey. Click HERE to check out Julie's gallery ... loaded with beautiful work you'll enjoy seeing. Today, I chose THIS card of Julie's to case.

I don't use my SU Top Note Die nearly enough so when I saw Julie's card using it, I knew immediately that was the card for me to case. Also, I've been wanting to ink up this adorable new small set called "Bouquet of Joy" just released by Crafty Secrets ... isn't it cute!! Using white cardstock, I first cut my main panel using the Top Note die. I then stamped my image with India Ink Black and colored in using SU watercolor pencils & blender pen. I've used 2 Martha Stewart punch butterflies (1 pink/1purple) then layered them ... drew on the antenna's and trail marks with a Creative Memories fine tip blk marker. My background papers are Not Quite Navy cs, Wild Wasabi cs and Basic Grey (Boxer) designer paper. The ribbon is SU double stitched grosgrain. I also used dimensional tape to pop up my main image.

Thanks so much for stopping by ... hope you are having a great weekend!!!

SCS Sketch Challenge #215

Today's SCS Sketch Challenge is a pretty basic layout that you could certainly do a lot with, should you choose to. In looking through my scrap designer papers, I discovered I had several within the same color palette so I decided to "work with that".

My main heart image is by Stampa Rosa and the little pattern heart stamp is by Magenta. My striped dp is by DCWV and the other two are by Sandylion. After laying it out I didn't like the white background (just didn't have any "punch") so I used a teal Creative Memories fine tip marker and did faux stitching around each panel. (Now, you explain to me why I did FAUX stitching when I have not 1 but 2 sewing machines set up right across from me ... what's up with that?? Too lazy to get out of one chair and into another I guess, LOL!!) Anyways ... back to the card ... I stamped the heart image using Versafine black and embossed it with detail clear embossing powder. I also stamped the image onto a scrap piece of the blue checked dp and cut out the flower which I popped up for dimension. The leaves were colored with SU watercolor pencils and the ribbon with a red Spica glitter pen. My solid blue panel is actually a wide strip of satin ribbon from one of those $1.99 variety packs at Hobby Lobby. Why not ... have to use it on something!!

This was a fun, easy sketch and certainly one I'll use again. Thanks so much for stopping by. That's my last post for today ... I really need to spend some time commenting on other blogs!

Technique Challenge

Today I thought I'd check out the Try a New Technique challenge over on SCS. Today's technique was to Cut It Out. You could create a border or other page element by just cutting out part of an embossed design, patterned paper, or a stamped image, and use it as a part of your card.


I decided to use my Cuttlebug Stylized Flowers embossing folder and cut them out to use in my design. My base card is pink pirouette and I've covered it with a piece of Anna Griffin designer paper. After running my vanilla cs through the Cuttlebug, I used pixie pink & garden green ink spots to color over the raised images. Then, with my trusty swivel craft knife, I cut out the embossed flower images and adhered them atop my designer paper.


Isn't this vintage image awesome!! I found it HERE and plan to use it again to enter the challenge on this blog. When I originally printed this image, my printer messed up and misprinted a portion of it ... so instead of tossing it in the trash, I chose to use it for today's card. The matting for my image is a scrap Nestabilities cut and the ribbon is I believe from May Arts (purchased at Toyrifix ... Hi Tammy!). To add a little sparkle, I used Stampendous Diamond Dots on the corners & ribbon center. My sentiment is by The Stamp Pad Co.


Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by my blog today ... please do come back again!!

!!!!!! GOOD NEWS !!!!!!

Our appointment at the Oncologist today resulted in hearing that at the present time, Mark is in remission ... cancer free! Yippee!! Unfortunately, that doesn't mean we are finished with the cancer journey. It simply means that now the Cleveland Clinic can get moving on harvesting his stem cells in preparation for the upcoming Stem Cell Transplant. At least, this is the FIRST TEST that has come back TOTALLY clear!! We were beginning to wonder if that was ever going to happen. I will keep you informed of the upcoming venture as best as I can (don't know if I'll have internet access available to me in Cleveland). Either way, PLEASE continue to keep Mark in your prayers as this next step from what I've heard is a tough one!! Thanks SO MUCH to you all for your kind thoughts & prayers ... God Love Ya!!!

Featured Stamper Challenge

Happy Day Everyone!!!

Just wanted to share my card for today's Featured Stamper Challenge over on SCS. Today we are honoring K Dunbrook. Karen's gallery is packed with wonderful inspiration. THIS is Karen's card that inspired me today.

I chose to use "soft" colors today ... pink pirouette and pale plum. This Basic Grey Euphoria designer paper worked perfectly after I sponged the edges with perfect plum ink. I really like the affect of the main image panel and I never think to use this technique often enough! I stamped and embossed the image in perfect plum first then stamped again using the pink pirouette. My sentiment is from the Crafty Secrets (glamour girls) set and after sponging around the edge with pink pirouette, I used one of my piercing templates for the corner design.

Other details are the use of SU slit punch for the corner cuts on the dp, Colorbok metal dots in the corners, Hobby Lobby black organza ribbon and I used a Creative Memories round tip black marker to edge the pink pirouette panel to give the illusion of matting.

Hope you are having a wonderful, restful day and enjoyed my card. Isn't it wonderful to be creatively inspired by others ... I know that's what keeps my mojo going!! Thanks for stopping by and please come back!

Love Those Challenges ....

As promised ... I'm back with cards for today's SCS Sketch Challenge and the Color Throwdown Blog Challenge.



First let's start with the Sketch Challenge #214 over on SCS (splitcoaststampers). With it only being about 10 degrees outside, I chose to do a card that would give me a more "warm" feeling. This lovely birdsnest image by Inkadinkado did the trick. I've stamped the image onto glossy white paper using India Ink Black then colored it in using my inking nibs and various SU inks. The turquoise background paper is by Making Memories and the other two panels were scraps I had in my drawer.


Don't you just LOVE those satin ribbons that are in all the stores ... it ties a bow so nicely!! I've added a little touch of gold holiday thread to my bow and Stampendous gold diamond dots in the corners. Just needed a little touch of "something"! I find myself liking to "cut images out", as I've done here and popping them up ... gives it a nice dimension ... don't you think!!


======


Second card is for today's Color Throwdown Blog Challenge using Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip & Riding Hood Red. Looking through my drawer of "floral" designer papers I came across this beautiful 12x12 Daisy Bucket Designs dp. It was the perfect shade of chocolate chip ... so that was my starting point. The chocolate chip flower is from the Inkadinkado garden delight set which I've embossed using detail clear embossing powder. I then used my circle & scallop circle Nesties for the matting. My side borders were punched with a Martha Stewart punch and of course the butterflies are also Martha Stewart. I couldn't help but use this luscious SU Chocolate Chip satin ribbon ... (I'll be so sad with it's all gone!). From the same Inkadinkado set I've stamped a background image behind my sentiment using Pink Pirouette ink on Pink Pirouette paper. The "friends" stamp is by My Sentiments Exactly and was also embossed after stamping with Chocolate Chip SU ink. Oh yea, I popped a few Martha Stewart branches in & around my flower panel. They were just laying on my worktable begging to be utilized, LOL!!!


Well, there you have it! My two favorite Wednesday challenges are complete!! Now I just learned that I need two MALE birthday cards for tomorrow's mail ... guess I'd better get busy ... you know how difficult MALE cards can be sometimes!! I'll be sure to share them with you before popping them into the mail! Thanks so much for stopping by ... hope to see you again real soon!!

Crafty Secrets Challenge with a Technique Twist ...

Hi everyone ... one quick post before getting dinner started. Mark ventured into the office today and has stayed all day ... that's a good sign!!

Here is my card for today's Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge - CSSC54 over on SCS. LoriLynn was our hostess today and she reminded us that we had something to celebrate ... 4 or 5 of us ladies have been doing the weekly challenge over on this forum for a YEAR now!! Wow ... where has the time gone!! So, in honor of our milestone, we are CELEBRATING!

In Lori's words: Your challenge this week is an easy one~ make a birthday or anniversary card to celebrate this creative milestone.

I rarely do the Monday SCS challenge (Try a New Technique - TLC206) but after seeing some of the cards the ladies were making, I just had to check it out. This week's challenge was the Recessed Window technique. I didn't do it exactly right, but you get the gest!! I was actually inspired by THIS card made by TOY (Holly). In fact, as I was working on my card my mind "wondered" and I nearly cased Holly's card to a tee ... that's when I added the extra ribbon!!

Recipe for this card:

STAMPS: Crafty Secrets (Sweet Stuff & Glamour Girls)

PAPER: A-6 premade white card, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Basic Grey (sugared) dp

INK: Versafine black, Pink Pirouette

ACCESSORIES: Detail clear embossing powder, Nestabilities (Label One & Scallop Rectangles), Marvy (yelow) heart punch, Offray pink grosgrain ribbon, SU Watercolor pencils, SU blender pen, Michaels' gold holiday thread, Making Memories pink brads, dimensional tape, Martha Stewart doily lace border punch.

Thanks so much for stopping by and don't forget ... ALL COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED!! Have a great day all!!

Featured Stamper Challenge

For today's Featured Stamper Challenge over on SCS, the honored guest is "BevR". What an awesome gallery this lady has. I heard it described as "fairy-tale" and I guess I would have to agree with that statement. Check it out ... if you like layers, bright colors and cute images ... you'll love BevR's gallery!!

THIS is Bev's card I chose to case. I changed up the theme, colors and image ... but kept her layout. The background papers are pieces from older SU holiday papers I had in my scraps drawer. The main image is Whiff of Joy, the teacup is from Close to my Heart and the background "let's talk" image & sentiment are from the SU Like It A Latte set.

If I'm going to do anymore stamping ... I'd better get on it! The SUPERBOWL begins in just a few hours and there will be NO stamping during the game (unless my team Pittsburgh Steelers start playing dumb ... then I'll probably hide in my craftroom). Either way ... have a great day everyone and thanks so much for stopping by!!

DH Update: Tomorrow morning is the PetCT scan which will determine the next steps to be taken on this cancer journey. As I posted before, if they find he's in remission at the moment ... they will move very quickly to begin the harvesting/stem cell transplant process ... if he is not, then they'll order another round of ICE chemo. I will keep you posted on our findings and ask that you continue to keep Mark in your prayers. This has been a tough week for him and I know he's really getting tired of feeling this way. Thanks so much for all your thoughts & prayers ... I don't know what we'd do without you!!

Challenge Card fun ...

It is nearly 3 pm here in NE Ohio and it is STILL SNOWING! I see some of my neighbors out shovelling and snowblowing but I'm going to wait just a while longer until it slows up a bit before I venture out. SO ... in the mean time, here are a couple of challenge cards I had fun doing.



First card was for the Sketch Challenge over on SCS. I just received my new Crafty Secrets stamps this week and was so anxious to get them inky!! This set is SO much fun ... several pieces that can be used to make you own background panels and that is exactly what I've done here. The red polka dot paper is by Rusty Pickle and the other panels I made myself.




Don't forget, there are only a couple days left in the Crafty Secrets "Get Creative With Clear Art Stamps" . Make sure you check it out and join in!! There is $200 worth of prizes to be won and YOU could be a WINNER!!! Contest ends Friday, Jan. 30th. HURRY!!!





My second card today is for the Color Throwdown Challenge. We were to use Real Red, Basic Black & Brocade Blue. Mind you, this is not what I had in mind when I started this card ... I am definately NOT a Modern Styled designer but I'm actually quite happy with the outcome.


The background designer paper is a 12x12 DCWV sheet which I cut to fit an A-6 size premade white card. The designer paper was actually BLACK & WHITE. I decided to color in some of the flowers with markers to match today's color request. Over the weekend I purchased some new Nestabilities ... here I've used the "Label Two" set and I also purchased this Sizzix Corner Design diecut for a whopping $4 from a local scrapbooking store that is going out of business. I originally had a different focus image on this card but decided I didn't like it so used the Prima flowers and Making Memories brads instead. I like it much better now!! What do you think?? This may NOT be my typical style, but sometimes it's good to "think out of the box" and try new things.


Thanks so much for stopping by and please come back later when I hope to have a couple more challenge cards ready for you! Right now ... I'd better get the snowblower fired up and at least get the driveway cleared once before it gets filled in again, LOL!!


DH update: Mark has had a couple "bad" days since his weekend ICE chemo. He's fighting with nausea and exhaustion the most. Yesterday he never got out of bed to even eat anything until after 6 pm and then he didn't eat much. Today he's trying to work a little on his computer but just gets worn out so fast ... hasn't been able to get much accomplished! Hopefully tomorrow will be even better. Our trip to Cleveland Clinic for tomorrow has been cancelled for the present time. He is scheduled for a PET-CT on Monday the 2nd and then we'll got from there. If the results show that he is presently in remission ... we've been told that they will MOVE QUICKLY onto the transplant. I'll keep you posted. Please keep the prayers coming ... we certainly appreciate every one of them!!!

FS103 - Vicky Gould

Today's Featured Stamper on SCS is Vicky Gould. Vicky is not only a GREAT stamper/crafter, but is always ready with a kind word on your work. She is so deserving of this honor today!! Vicky's card PERFECT FORM is the card I chose to case. I kept her layout, but changed the theme and colors.

My images are from two Crafty Secrets sets. The bras and sentiment are from the "Support the Girls" set and the garters are from the "Sew Special" set. I stamped the bras on a piece of vanilla cs using Versafine black ... then stamped the images again on scraps of designer paper I had lying on my table and paper pieced them onto the main panel. The garters were stamped with Versafine black and embossed with clear embossing powder before I cut them out using my swivel craft knife. The background paper is also a scrap I had on my table from the DCWV Luxury pack. The brads are "sugar-coated" by Doodlebug and the ribbon is by Darice. So, what do you think?? I have so many friends that have been so supportive through my DH's cancer treatments that I don't know which one to send this too ... have to give that some thought!! (or make quiet a few more, LOL)!

Thanks for stopping by ... please come back again!!

DH update: Mark had I.C.E. chemo again this weekend and we just arrived back from the hospital a short time ago. He had a bit of a rough time during the night with nausea & vomiting and didn't get much rest ... so he's in his own bed now and resting comfortably! We're not exactly sure what the next step is ... but I'm sure they will let us know!! We also don't know how he'll respond to this current treatment ... time will tell. Either way, we're still keeping a positive attitude and taking it one step at a time. With the wonderful, positive thoughts & prayers from all of you ... I have no doubt we'll get though this ... JUST FINE!! Thanks for your prayers and I ask that you keep them coming ... they're so helpful!! Bless You All!!