Here Comes the Bride ...

While pulling together some cards to sell at my sister's beauty shop, it dawned on me that it's nearly JUNE .. Oh My Gosh ... where has the time gone?? Since June is the busiest Wedding month I thought I'd better get busy on some Blissful Creations. Here are a couple of the cards I came up with and they are both A-6 (9- 1/4 x 6- 1/4 folded in half) in size.

I wished I had the time to make several of different colors to choose from, but I don't so I decided to play it safe and go with basic Black & White.

Card Details (happy wedding day card):

Stamps: Inkadinkado (sentiment), Impression Obsession (bride)

Papers: SU Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink: Versafine Black

Accessories: Detail clear embossing powder, Nestabilities, May Arts ribbon, Martha Stewart dimensional pearls, Fiskars decal scissors, Cuttlebug (textile) embossing folder

Card Details:
Stamps: Inkadinkado
Papers: SU Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Versafine Black
Accessories: Detail clear embossing powder, Nestabilities, May Arts ribbon, Martha Stewart dimensional pearl, The Paper Studio pearls, Cuttlebug A-2 embossing folder

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!! Now I'd better get back to work ...

Shades of Purple ...

The Color Throwdown Challenge for today ask that you use the colors Lavender Lace, Elegant Eggplant and Old Olive. Being a PURPLE lover, I couldn't wait to play this challenge along with the SCS Sketch Challenge.

My base card is of Old Olive and is A-6 in size. The background panel was created by using the Lavendar Lace panel (matted with Elegant Eggplant) and overstamped using the Crafty Secrets Wildflower stamp set in Old Olive ink. My designer paper panel is from the Basic Grey Euphoria pack. My grosgrain ribbon is from Michael's and my main image is from the Stampin' Up Spring Song set which was colored using SU watercolor pencils/blender pen. I used the Nestabilities Labels Four diecuts. The sentiment is by AMuse and Dew Drops were use for embellishment.

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you are having a beautiful, sunny day like we are here in NE Ohio.

Crafty Secrets "Going in Circles" Challenge

Today over on the SCS Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge , hosted by Pammyjo, we have been asked to use "CIRCLES" in our creations.


Circles is something I don't think to use with the exception of maybe the matting of my main image. I don't use a lot of polka-dots & circles so this was a true challenge for me. Here is what I've come up with.

I've used my Creative Memories cutting system to cut my base card. The overlaying designer paper is from the Crafty Secrets Pastel pack and the right side floral scroll is also on that sheet of designer paper which I have cut out with my swivel craft knife and added PKGlitz glitter to for added sparkle & dimension. I sponged the outer edge of my card using Ranger Tattered Rose ink then again using Ranger Vintage Photo ink. My sentiment circle is an image from the Crafty Secrets Bird Notes stamp set which has been stamped onto vanilla cardstock using Ranger Vintage Photo ink and clear embossed. I also sponged around the outside using Ranger Tattered Rose ink before removing it from the Nestabilities circle diecut. The Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate & Old Olive circles were also cut using Nestabilities dies. I used a round tip Creative Memories black marker to add the dots around the scalloped mat. The gems are by Bow-tique and the ribbon is Offray.

This was certainly a FUN challenge and I can't wait to see what the other ladies come up with. They always amaze & inspire me! Don't forget, if you have ANY Crafty Secrets/Heartwarming Vintage products , please come play in our challenge ... we would love to be inspired by you too!!

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge

Here it is WEEK #2 of the new Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge. If you haven't checked out this blog yet ... be sure you do ... you don't want to miss this one! Not only are the sketches awesome layouts, but the giveaway is AMAZING!! You can either click on my link above ... or on the blinkie I have posted on my sidebar.



Here is this week's sketch and, I can truly say I had great fun creating this card!! It took me a while ... but it was fun and the type of card I have been wanting to create! Thanks MM ladies for the inspiration!!!




There is NO stamping on my card today. This card is all paper and lace effects. My main image is from a blog called Art Creations Friday . The images & backgrounds this lady offers for you to copy and print out are wonderful. If you like Vintage as I do, you have to pop over to this blog and check out her challenges.



My base card is ivory cardstock and the designer paper is from the Crafty Secrets Earthy pad. Although you can't see much of the background panel, the paper is 2-sided ... tablet paper & letters. My ABC's & 123's are from the Heartwarming Vintage (by Crafty Secrets) Altered booklet. My lacey panels are also made from the Crafty Secrets Earthy paper and was punched using the Martha Stewart doily lace punch. Both satin ribbons were purchased at Hobby Lobby. The actual lace side panel on my main image is by The Paper Studio and purchased at Hobby Lobby. I used Fiskars decal scissors to edge my main image and it's been popped up using ZOT 3D dots.



Thanks for stopping by today! The sun is shining here in NE Ohio and it looks like it's going to be a lovely day! I hope the sun is shining where you are today too!! Enjoy!!

Congratulation Tammy ...

My daughter's neighbor and good friend, Tammy, just completed her schooling to become a nurse. Keep in mind, Tammy is a full time Mom of 2 boys, wife of an EMT, and heaven knows what else! She and my daughter, Carolyn, have been friends for many years now and even though they live next to each other, it's difficult to find time in their busy lives to spend time together! Well, my daughter being the amazing person she is, made the extra effort to arrange to have breakfast out with Tammy this past Friday morning and spend some quality time just enjoying each others company and catching up on each others lives.

Both of these young women are VERY hard working and kind souls. When Carolyn told me that Tammy was finally graduating (a dream come true for her), I of course wanted to make a personal card to send her my best wishes and huge congratulations. I decided to keep it less formal and a little whimsical because Tammy has a bubbly personality and I think she'll like this.

I've created this card using my Crafty Secrets "Feeling Yucky" and "Party Queen" stamp sets. My designer paper is by Foof-a-la and the cardstock I have used is Whisper White and Real Red. I've used my Nestabilities (Label Four) diecuts for the main image panel and SU watercolor pencils/blender pen for the coloring. After cutting out the little ducky with my swivel craft knife, I've given him a little pop with dimensional tape. As you can see, the front of the card has the sentiment "Congrats to You ... and the inside reads "on your Crowning Achievement".

Hope you are having a wonderful day! Pretty quiet here, but it's nice to look out and see the sun shine.

A "2fer" Challenge ...

Happy Morning All!!

Today I have posted a Crafty Secrets challenge over on the Papercraft Planet website. Why not come along and play ... there's even going to be an RAK involved!!!

I've asked the ladies to create a card using this week's Sketch Challenge on PCP along with their favorite Crafty Secrets products. Here I've made my base card of Very Vanilla cardstock with a panel of Crafty Secrets Classic designer paper which was sponged on the edges using Ranger Antique Linen ink and over stamped using the floral image from the Crafty Secrets Garden Girls stamp set in Purely Pomegranate ink ... then matted with Basic Black. My main image panel is from the new Crafty Secrets Garden Creative Scraps. I've simply used the SU double stitched Purely Pomegranate grosgrain ribbon with the background panel of Purely Pomegranate cardstock. Both have been matted with Basic Black. The flowers have been punched using a 3-flower SU punch (retired) with centers of Dew Drops.

This was a Fun, Easy card to create ... I hope you like it!! Have a WONDERFUL Sunday!!

Stamp Simply #87 - For The Guys

Can you believe it's Friday again already!!!! Time for another STAMP SIMPLY challenge over on Sharon Johnson's blog. Today Sharon has given us a GUY challenge ... here it is in her words:

FOR THE GUYS - When I first started stamping I did a ton of masculine cards, living in a houseful of guys, but I slowly got away from it and now don’t do nearly enough of them. Fathers’ day is still a month away, but we have all sorts of occasions to give those guys in our lives cards — so make a card for one of those guys in your life, but there is one more stipulation — lets make sure our cards include either string, rope, cording or knots of some sort – which is what I used to include on guy cards all the time when I did them years ago. So pull out those *rugged ribbons* - LOL — and let’s create for those guys in our lives!!!

When I need a GUY card, I automatically reach for my STAMPSCAPES images. Being raised in the country, most of the guys in my life have been more into hunting and fishing vs sports. With my father and my FIL both passed on, I made a generic guy card today. Hope you like it and don't forget to stop by Sharon's blog to see her awesome creation and the inspirational cards from her design team.

Card details:

Stamps: Stampscapes

Paper: 2-sided hunter/ivory cs, tempting turquoise, baja breeze, river rock, white

Ink: Versafine black

Accessories: detail clear ep, SU watercolor pencils, blender pen, Michael's waxed cording

Thanks so much for stopping by today ... now I really must get outside and get my yard work done before the heat of the day catches up to me! Have a great day!!

Encouragement cards ...

In need of a couple of encouragement cards to get in the mail a.s.a.p., I decided to use the sketch challenge layouts offered over on 2Sketches4You as my starting points.

My first card is for a young lady in Colorado who has just been diagnosed with cancer. She, of course, is scared out of her wits. An online friend, mothermark (Cindy Motherway), has put out the call for cards to hopefully help give Kimberly strength in knowing that there are people all over the world praying for her. With having just witnessed all my DH has endured because of this ugly monster, I of course wanted to get a card out to her right away.

I've chosen to combine the 2Sketches4You sketch with the current Color Challenge going on over at Papercraft Planet. My base card is SU Real Red, 2nd panel is SU Whisper White which I have stamped with an image from the Crafty Secrets Garden Girls set using SU Summer Sun ink. My main panel is SU Certainly Celery, matted with Real Red with an overlay of designer paper from the Crafty Secrets Earthy paper pack which I've also made a decorative edge using the Martha Stewart floral border punch. The sentiment is from ExpressionsInInk.com which was stamped using Versafine black onto SU Whisper White cardstock and diecut using a Nestabilities Label Four die. My floral embellishment are Prima flowers with a Making Memories brad center. I have used SU Summer Sun cardstock for my butterflies which I've punched with the Martha Stewart butterfly punch. I've distressed the edges of a couple panels just to add some texture. My ribbon treatment is SU Certainly Celery which I have positioned over a scrap strip of SU Whisper White cardstock.

*************************

Card No.2 is for an incredibly brave young woman who is experiencing the "fight of her life" after having a brain hemmorage shortly after giving birth to her 3rd child. Her name is Melanie and you can read all about her fight on Joan Fricker's blog (Joans Garden) found HERE.

I'm using the Bonus Sketch offered up by 2Sketches4You on my card for Melanie. I liked the simplicity of this layout and the fact that I could "send her flowers" too (in paper form of course) was a nice added touch I thought!

My base card is of SU Very Vanilla with panel #2 being of SU Sage Shadow and designer paper that I have no idea who makes because there were no markings on the back ... sorry!! I must have really liked it because I have 3-12x12 sheets of it, lol!! My sentiment is by American Art and was stamped using Versafine Black ink on SU Very Vanilla cardstock. Using my Nestabilities scallop oval diecuts, I've double matted this sentiment using gray cardstock and SU Sage Shadow cardstock. I've used a sponge to shadow around the sentiment using Ranger Antique Linen ink. The border on my designer paper was created using the SU scallop border punch. To make my flower bouquet, I've used this "stem" image from a HeidiGrace set, stamped in Versafine Black and my flowers were punched using a (retired) 3 flower punch by Stampin' Up.

I pray the good Lord watches over both of these lovely ladies and gives them strength and guidance through out their medical journey. I only hope my card gives them a moment of joy in their daily struggles. Thank you all for stopping by today. Hope your day if filled with sunshine and laughter!! Happy Stamping!!

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge

There's a NEW sketch challenge and it was launched yesterday on the "priscillastyles" blog.

You can click on the MIDNIGHT MADNESS blinkie on the sidebar to pop over and check out the AWESOME giveaways for those who participate! You will be AMAZED!! Don't forget to check out the sample card provided by the design team ... they are fantastic!!




I've taken a few "liberties" on my card (it's allowed). One is turning the corner treatments and secondly, using a long rectangle behind my main image vs another oval.


My card is of A-6 size (9 1/4 x 6 1/4 folded in half). My matting is all of Hunter Green cardstock and the 12x12 sheet of designer paper had no markings so I'm sorry but I don't know who the maker is. My main image tulips is a 3D precut punchout by Stanzbogen. The oval panel the tulips are mounted on was Whisper White which after cutting with Nestabilities oval diecut, was sponged using More Mustard ink before removing from the die. I've used a white Gelly Roll pen for the dots on the scalloped mat.


My butterfly is actually a PSX Rub On Transfer which I have scanned and printed before cutting with a swivel craft knife and mounted using dimensional tape. The sentiment is by The Stamp Pad Co, was stamped using Versafine Black and clear embossed. Pearl embellishments are by Mark Richards and the glitter used on the butterfly is by PKGlitz. (click for closer look)



This was a fun sketch and really made me think ...
I guess that's why they call it a "CHALLENGE", lol!! Hope you like it and thanks for stopping by today!

SCS Sketch Challenge #228

My card for this week's SCS Sketch Challenge is basically made from ALL Anna Griffin designer papers. I've had this 8x8 pack of paper for a long time and use it very sparingly because it is so beautiful with all it's textures and patterns. For some reason I decided to stop "hoarding" and made a beautiful card that will make someone smile.

The sentiment is by Hero Arts and after stamping with Wild Wasabi ink onto Whisper White paper, I clear embossed it. I used my Nestabilities (Label Three) die cut for the shape and before removing from the die cut, I used a sponge applicator & Groovey Guava ink for the coloring. The "latice work" panel is actually the "flip side" of the grava panel. The satin ribbon is by Darice, pearls by Mark Richards and birds by Martha Stewart.

I wished my blog had "touch vision" so you could feel the texture of these papers. Hope you enjoyed viewing this card as much as I enjoyed making it! Thanks for stopping by ... have a wonderful day!!

Color Throwdown #42

YIPPEE ... I've been asked to be this week's Guest Designer on the Color Throwdown. How cool is that and the colors for this week are awesome. What an honor!!!! If you have not tried this challenge yet ... you really must stop over and play along ... these ladies come up with some fascinating color combos and the samples are amazing!!! You'll find inspiration for sure!!!

Now, for the details on my card. The base card is Basic Black ... 2nd panel is Tempting Turquoise with a strip of So Saffron which as been punched with the Martha Stewart Floral Border attached to the bottom. The 3rd panel is designer paper from the DCWV Old World pack which I have overstamped using one of the Crafty Secrets Flourish stamps in Versafine Black. My main image is from a Crafty Secrets Flowers Cotton Scrap which I have triple matted with today's three colors. The little sentiment on the top left corner is from Amuse and has been stamped with Versafine Black and clear embossed. My satin ribbons are fro Hobby Lobby and the black organza is by Darice. The only additional embellishments are the two buttons on he bottom right corner which I have stacked and are from Buckets of Buttons.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Hope you have found inspiration in my work!!

An AWARD ...

... from my friend Dru (Garden of Dreams). If you've never been to Dru's blog, please pop on over and show her some love ... she's an awesome stamper!!! Thank you my friend!!! I really am honored to receive this award, and honored to be able to pass it on to 5 other very deserving, talented, and inspiring women.
The meaning of this award is "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers".

They are:

Carolyn Franjko - http://carascountry.blogspot.com/
Amy Johnson - http://amyscreativepursuits.blogspot.com/
Tammy Hershberger - http://stamphappy-tammy.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Marisa - http://marisa-isa.blogspot.com/
Joan Fricker - http://joanscreations.blogspot.com/

I need to add another name to this list!!!
Heidi Blankenship - http://embellished-dreams.blogspot.com/

These are only 5 (+1) of many ladies who inspire me daily!!! Please stop by their blogs and say hello!!

These are the rules for this award:
Grab the award and post it to your blog
Link back to the person that awarded it to you
Nominate 5 others with a link to their blog
Leave a message on their blog telling them they have received an award.

Crafty Secrets "Flour/Flower" Challenge

Today I have the pleasure of hosting the Crafty Secrets Challenge #68 over on their SCS forum. Hoping to have a little creative fun, I decided to use a play on words with the word FLOWER/FLOUR. This gives you two options for the challenge ... either a cooking/baking/kitchen theme ... OR ... spring/summer/floral theme. If you want to be SUPER creative ... mix the two together. NOT!!!



Being hostess, I thought I should supply sample cards using both themes.



My first card is for the FLOUR theme and was created using two Crafty Secrets products ... the Sweet Stuff stamp set and the Homemade Image & Journal Notes Booklet. The base card is of Whisper White and the strawberry designer paper is by Paper Pizazz. The cookie cutter border has been colored using Creative Memories metallic pens to mimic the old time tin & copper metals used for cookie cutters. By using the Sweet Stuff stamp set, I've added the words to the journalling portion of the booklet image. Dimensional tape has been used on the measuring spoon and little girl to give extra dimension to my card front. (note closeup photo)



What a fun card this was to make. In fact, I had to STOP MYSELF before I got too carried away! There are so many cute images in the Sweet Stuff set, I could have just kept going ... but I controlled myself and hopefully you like it as much as I do just the way it is!!




For my FLOWER theme card I've used an image from the Crafty Secrets Birds & Botanicals booklet. I've also gotten a bit creative and made my own designer panel using gray cardstock, SU garden green ink and stamps from the Crafty Secrets Wildflower set and a couple butterflies from an Inkadinkado set. My floral panel has been distressed and aged using Ranger Antique Linen ink & sponge before mounting onto SU Purely Pomegranate cardstock. The verse is also a part of this image which I have cut and mounted on the same pomegranate cs. My organza ribbon is from Hobby Lobby, the butterfly is from the Martha Stewart punch and the gold dots are Stampendous diamond dots.


I'm so glad you stopped by today and hope you'll come back again real soon. If you have the time and have ANY Crafty Secrets products ... PLEASE come join us on this challenge ... we have great fun each & every week. The challenge is different each week with a new hostess each week ... fun, fun, fun!!!

I am so blessed ...

I guess you could say I'm a very "simple" kind of person ... don't need lots of fancy clothes, go out for fancy evenings or travel Europe ... as long as I have my family, I'm VERY happy!!

With DH recouperating from his stem cell transplant, we are being very careful for the next month or so with having visitors to the house. When my "kids" ask if I thought it would be okay for them to visit me on Mother's Day, of course I said YES ... With only having one daughter (Carolyn - she has a blog too - Cara's Country) I refer to her, her husband and her two children as "my kids". So, yesterday afternoon they came for a short visit after surprising MY mother and attending her church service instead of going to their own church ... what a nice surprise for "Grandma Great" (as my mother likes to be referred to).

They all looked so pretty/handsome when they came in and they came bearing gifts & food!! So thoughtful. Just the fact of them being there would have been enough of a gift for me ... but knowing how much I like "little things" I was thrilled with these cuties and wanted to share them with you. Aren't these kids adorable and check out my new blue birds ... I just LOVE them both. Of course, the Ice Cream cake was a wonderful addition to my waistline too!! What a fun visit ... I wished we lived closer so we could visit more often ... of course then neither one of us would get any real work done ... sure would be fun though! Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek ... have a great day!!

Cuttlebug Border Fun

Hello friends! I would like to warn you in advance that this will probably be a lengthy post. I have 4 cards to share with you and since they are all dealing with the Cuttlebug Border Embossing Folder technique, I wanted to show them all together. Let's get started.


The Cuttlebug "border" embossing folders come 4-5 in a pack and are of various widths. The ones I have used on today's cards are the larger (wider) folders from 2/3 different packs. I have used SU whisper white cardstock to do all my embossing. Two cards I kept at A-2 size and the other two I have used the A-2 size as the fronts for A-6 sized cards.



On my first card I have used the floral scroll folder which I have run through the Cuttlebug twice ... once for each side then used chalk and a makeup applicator for coloring. The center panel was created by using a scrap piece of SU pink pirouette cs and this adorable image from the Crafty Secrets "Little Dolls" booklet. The sentiment is also Crafty Secrets but it comes from the "Garden Girls" stamp set. I stamped the sentiment using SU Blue Bayou ink and the pink swiss dot ribbon is from Michaels. To achieve the frilly edge on the image, I've used Fiskars decal scissors. (click for closer look)




My second card is a very simple design in which I've used the branch style embossing folder. My coloring was achieved by using red and green chalks along with the Ranger Cut-n-Dry pen nibs (brush tip). I've added more dimension but using my Scor-Pal to add the scored lines on either side of the embossing. My image & sentiment are from Our Daily Bread and was stamped with Versafine black ink. Unfortuately my sentiment is a little crooked so I'll be keeping this card as a sample and make another for sending. You understand I'm sure!!!




For my third card (A-6 in size), I chose another floral designed border and scored with my Scor-Pal. The only coloring on this embossing is the use of a fine tip black marker for the centers of the flowers. My base card is SU Garden Green cs. I have cut an extra strip of whisper white cs which I punched using the Martha Stewart floral border punch and added to the bottom of my A-2 panel. I then ran a length of Darice deep green satin ribbon at the connecting point. My little girl image is from Rubber Cottage and the sentiment is by Stamping Sensations. After stamping my image using Versafine black ink, I've colored it using SU watercolor pencils and a blender pen. The sentiment was stamped with SU Garden Green ink. (click for a closer look)

Now for my last card. I have used the Swiss Dot border embossing folder. I use my A-2 size Swiss Dot folder all the time but never think to use this border folder for those smaller touches. Here is another A-2 size front I have turned into an A-6 size card. (This card will be going out to a blogger friend who will be celebrating a special birthday this week. She & I have never met, but she has been so thoughtful throughout my DH illness and sent me emails packed full of information that helped me along the way.) My base card and embossed panel are Whisper White. The mat panel is SU Tempting Turquoise and the matching ribbon is Darice satin edge organza. My butterfly image is by Inkadinkado and after stamping with versafine black, I've used my new PKGlitz embossing glitter. If you click on either image, you can get a better idea of how that looks. My sentiment is by AMuse and was stamped using SU Tempting Turquoise ink. I've also done just a touch of paper piercing on the two corners for added texture.

Well, there you have it. A little fun using the Cuttlebug Embossing Border Folders. Hope you like them! Have a great day!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

I would like to wish each and every one of you MOMs out there a wonderful, fun-filled Mother's Day today! With DH's health issues, it's going to be a little quiet around here this year but that's okay because "my kids" are going to pop in for a short visit this afternoon ... can't wait to see them. My daughter did such a wonderful Mother's Day tribute on her blog ... you can check it out HERE if you have the time. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter ... yep, only have one child but I call my SIL and grandchildren "MY KIDS" too.


I took time away from DH yesterday to meet MY Mom half way (she lives 1-1/2 hours away from me) so we could do lunch and a little mall shopping. It was only a couple of hours but we certainly enjoyed each others company and found her a gorgeous pair of shoes at Macy's!! Mind you, she has TONS of fancy outfits and shoes but she has a special occassion coming up the end of the month with her new "fella" and wants to look extra special. Keep in mind, my Mom is 79 and believe you me ... I can't even come close to keeping up with her. She goes to all the dances at the senior centers and sings at a lot of them too. She's a very special GAL and enjoys life to the fullest ... Way To Go Mom!!!


Hope you're having fun!

SPRING ... glorious spring

Doesn't it make you feel "alive" when Spring is in full bloom????? For those of you who live in areas that don't witness a change in seasons, you may not know what I'm talking about, but here in NE Ohio, U.S.A. after a long, white, cold, drab winter ... the colors and smells of Spring are WONDERFUL!!

I would like to share a few photos with you today of the lovely tulips that are in bloom around the property as well as a peek at how gloriously green the surrounding yard/picnic area have become ... I just love springtime ... it makes me feel rejuvenated!! Oh yea, I have a little story to tell you about a ride I recently gave a little Mama Chickadee.

The spring flowers have done so well this year with the nice rains we've had & those suprise 80 degree days we had a few weeks ago. I have various colors of tulips sprinkled around the property but the purples are my favorites. As you will see through the year when I share photos with you of my outside flowers ... most are in shades of purple & pink. Of course I did have red, yellow and white tulips but they have already shed their petals for this year.

My father (who had a wonderful GREEN thumb) taught me years ago to plant flowers together that bloom at different times of the year and that way you'll have color from when the snow ends until the snow begins again. Perennials are wonderful becuase you know they'll always be back from year to year but of course you can sprinkle annuals here and there to give an additional splash of color while the perennials are doing their thing.

For instance, in my flower boxes on the back deck and in the huge pots on the front porch, I always pot various shades of pink & purple petunnias in early May and as long as I remember to FEED them once and week and water them often during the really hot summer days, they will spread and last throughout the summer. I love it when they start to drape down the sides and fill out ... and the smell is is sweet!

Now for my little STORY ...

The other day I was finally able to get outside and start some of the much needed cleanup. Since I live at the end of a cul-de-sac, the wind blows all kinds of debree up and into my area ... leaves, papers ... you get the idea. Well, the wind had also put quite a "lean" on the little wren birdhouse I have nestled into the viburnum bush at the corner of the deck. [This lovely little birdhouse was made for me by a friend/neighbor back in Pittsburgh several years ago. He had it all decorated with flowers painted around the sides and even a window box with flowers painted above the "door" (entrance hole) in the front. Over time and with all my moving around, the weather has washed away a lot of the floral decorations but I still make sure it gets placed somewhere in the garden for springtime occupancy.] BACK TO THE STORY ... In my hussle-bussle of clean-up, I reached over and pulled the birdhouse back into an upright position WHEN ... out popped the head of a little mama chickadee. Not knowing it was "occupied", I don't know who scared who the most!!! LOL She just popped her head out to see "what was going on" since I'm sure she went for quite a ride with my hasty movement ... sorry little mama!! Needless to say, I gently moved over to the other side of the deck and did clean up so as not to disturb her nesting any more than I already had. I watched her fly in & out of her new little home several times so I'm confident things have been restored to normal and I will be hearing the sound of new little baby chicadees before long. (click on any photo for a larger view)

ISN'T MOTHER NATURE WONDERFUL .....

Stamp Simply #86 - "Just A Little Thing"

Well, here it is Friday again and time for another fun challenge offered by Sharon Johnson over on her No Time To Stamp? blog. Today it's all about creating "something small". Here it is in Sharon's words:

JUST A LITTLE THING- Mothers’ Day is just around the corner so let’s make “Just a Little Thing” for Mom - or for whomever you please. Today we are making small creations — and the choice is yours! I LOVE working on a tiny canvas and when I do, I just see *vintage* in my mind’s eye (though you need not do vintage if it’s not your thing)! You could make an ATC, a bookmark, a small project with an Inchie, a tiny card (3 x 3 or smaller), a gift tag — whatever you can dream up — but make JUST A LITTLE THING today. Can’t wait to see what you all come up with!!!! Have fun!!!

I chose to make a 3x3 which I then placed on a card front. The birthday greeting has been placed on the inside of the A-2 card leaving the inside of the 3x3 blank for you to enter your own personal little greeting. The main image on my 3x3 is by Inkadinkado which was stamped onto Whisper White cardstock using Versafine Black and embossed using Detail Clear Embossing Powder. It was then cut closely, mounted onto Real Red cardstock ... added the Hobby Lobby organza ribbon and mounted onto the Whisper White 3x3 cardbase.

My A-2 cardbase is of Whisper White with a panel of Basic Black over top. Before adhereing around the outer edges, I've used my SU word window punch to make the opening for my 3x3 to slide into. The sentiment panel is another strip of Whisper White with the Crafty Secrets (Bird Lovers) sentiment stamped with Versafine Black and clear embossed. I've added red Prima flowers with Hero Arts gem centers for embellishment.

I hope you've enjoyed my "little creation" today and I thank you so much for stopping by. Hope you have a WONDERFUL Mother's Day weekend.

For those of you wondering how my DH is recouperating, here is a quick update. He's been home for one week and it has been a bit of a difficult one. His blood numbers are increasing nicely and for that we are thremendously thankful but the recoup from this whole ordeal and the huge amount of chemo he endured is going to take several months. He is still very exhausted, weak and has that TERRIBLE taste in his mouth. This of course makes it difficult for him to eat & drink but he's trying to be sure he takes in at least enough to keep him safe from dehydration. As we have in the past, we will just take it one day at a time and hope each day becomes better than the last. Please continue to pray that his immune system rebuilds rapidly ... the poor guy can't even enjoy Mother Nature at this point in time due to the risk of fungal, bacterial infection. Thanks my friends ... wishing you a happy day!

SCS Sketch Challenge #227

With "hanging out" at the Cleveland Clinic over the past month, I haven't been able to play along with very many of the SCS challenges. The Wednesday's Sketch Challenge happens to be one of my favorites and I was so glad to be able to play along today.

Today's challenge offered a couple "variations". 1) can change the decorative edge ... 2) the sentiment panel can be changed or left empty and ... 3) can make #3 & #4 into one panel.

I decided to "flip" the sketch ... combined #3 & #4 into one panel but added an accent strip to add dimension ... then stamped and glitter embossed a balloon in place of the sentiment panel.

Card Elements

Stamps: SU Birthday Whimsy, DRS (sentiment)

Paper: Ivory cs, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Grey (Ambrosia) designer paper

Ink: Versamark Dazzle Champagne, Versafine Black

Accessories: PK Glitz embossing glitter, Stickles Glitz, holiday cellophane ribbon, dimensionals, SU scallop border punch

Color Throwdown #41

Today's Colorthrowdown Challenge was inspired by The Green Stack paper pad by Die Cuts With A View and is hosted by Danielle Kennedy. Please pop over, check it out and why not play along. The sample cards from this team are always inspirational.

I recently visited my friend, Tammy Hershberger (Stamp Happy) at Toyrifix (a member of this awesome challenge team) and purchased the Basic Grey Porcelain designer paper pack. I immediately layed this piece of designer paper out on my work table along with this Inkadinkado image to work with when I had the chance. After seeing today's color combination on the Throwdown I knew this was PERFECT.

The other images used here are from the Crafty Secrets (Bird Notes) set. The strip of Baja Breeze has been border punched using the Martha Stewart Floral punch and overlayed using SU Certainly Celery Ribbon with Dewdrops added for texture. After cutting out the little blue bird I decided to POP it up using dimensionals. The little faux stitching was created by using a fine tip black marker by Creative Memories.

Hope you like my card and are having a creative day. I'm a bit late getting my cards done today ... had to get the grass cut before the rain started before I could play. Would you believe I "JUST" had things put away when the rain came down and hasn't let up yet. Phew ... just in the nick of time!!!

Crafty Secrets "You're My Inspiration" Challenge #67

Today Lori Lynn Washburn (aka Lucy) is hosting the Crafty Secrets Challenge over on the SCS forum. Lori's clues yesterday where quite interesting and even included a song clip from a Chicago song. GREAT clues but I still "Didn't Get It". Only today when she posted the actual challenge did I get the connection and what an awesome challenge idea. Please jump over to the challenge through the link and check it out ... you won't regret it ... it's an awesome group of talented ladies!



What I found as "my inspiration" today was Mother Nature herself. While Mark & I sat eating breakfast we enjoyed watching the birds at the feeder (cardinals, bluejays, chickadees, gold finch & robins on the ground) as well as the squirrels trying to get into the feeder. There was also a Mama rabbit searching for a place to nest to give birth to her babies. Doesn't look like I'll be cutting the grass under the bird feeders any time soon ... that's where she chose to build a nest.


Looking outdoors in the springtime is so uplifting for me. I love seeing everything turning so freshly green ... flowering trees all a bloom ... and the beauty of spring flowers sprinkled around to add that touch of color we've all been waiting for after a long white winter.



Card ingredients include:
Stamps: Crafty Secrets (Bird Notes)
Paper: Crafty Secrets (Earthy) dp, SU River Rock, Blue Bayou & Very Vanilla
Ink: Versafine Black, SU Blue Bayou
Accessories: Crafty Secrets Image from the Birds & Botanicals Booklet, Nestabilities (rectangles), SU double stitched Blue Bayou grosgrain ribbon, Martha Stewart branch punch, dimensional tape, detail clear ep, Fiskar decal scissors


THANKS FOR STOPPING BY TODAY!!!


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Edit to add another card for this challenge.




Another inspiration today came in the form of a kindness sent to me by another Crafty Secrets lover. A couple of days ago I received a card of encouragement from "a friend" and it included this image, sentiment and border. She cleverly noticed I didn't own this set and honored me with the basis for this card.


I am always inspired by my new found friends and am in awe of their generosity. This is not the first "encouragement gift" I have received and I really should share them ALL with you! As I have more time at home, maybe I can do just that!


My card base is Pretty in Pink with a Crafty Secrets Earthy designer paper matted in basic black as my second panel. The image is from the Crafty Secrets "Home Sweet Home" set and I've colored it using SU watercolor pencils & a blender pen. I used Fiskars decal scissors around the sentiment and matted all panels with basic black. The pink pearls are by Mark Richards and the flowers by Prima. This was quick & easy and I LOVE the outcome! Looks like my "California Friend" is also an enabler ... this set is going on my wishlist now. Hope you like it!!

Just playing around ...

Hello friends! With DH recouping from his transplant here at home , it gives me a little more time to get creative in my craftroom. Today I decided to try out a technique I heard about through a friend ... DOUBLE CUTTLEBUGGING.

You may have tried this technique already but it's a new one for me. If not, here's what you do. For my card today, I've used SU Certainly Celery cs and instead of the usual side opening card, I chose to make a gate card. To do this, I've scored in from each side of my 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" paper at 2 1/8". By laying the front panels inside the Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder, I've run it through giving me the embossing ONLY on the front. I then used a sponge pod and inked over the raised dots using the green color from a Kaleidocolor ink pad. NOW ...

Using the Stylized Flower Cuttlebug embossing folder and 1 extra piece of cardstock for additional thickness, I have run the fronts through AGAIN. This time I've used the sponge pod and other Kaleidocolor inks to ink over the raised portion of this embossed area. Added green satin ribbon from Hobby Lobby as my closure & Prima flowers as an embellishment.

For the inside of my card I used a scrap piece of designer paper by Pixie Press and used my Martha Steward Arch Trellis border punch to decorate the bottom. My main image is from the Crafty Secrets Summertime Booklet and it's matted with SU Cameo Coral cs. I've used a very simple sentiment by Penny Black which was stamped using Versafine Black.

(You can click on any of my images for a larger view).

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Another card I worked on today uses an image I purchased at AIS which was held here in Akron at the end of April. I'm thinking possibly this will be my mother's Mother's Day card ... not sure yet. She too enjoys the "vintage" flair and I think she'd like this. What do you think??

My base card is a duplex black & white cardstock. The second panel is a scrap of Graphic 45 designer paper which I just LOVE. It's double sided and that sometimes makes me crazy because I like both sides and can't decide which way to go. I have simply punched the bottom of the designer panel using the Martha Stewart doily lace border punch ... perfect for that "vintage" feel. The main panel an image by Rubber Cottage which I have stamped using Versafine Black and colored in using both SU watercolor pencils and Primsa pencils & Gamsol. I used another Martha Steward border punch to embellish the corners. My decorative peach satin ribbon is from the bargain bin at Michael's and I've used Ranger Liquid Pearls as an accent.

Pretty easy peasy really! Hope you (and my mother) both like it. Thanks for stopping by today! Wishing you a wonderful, sunshiny day!!!

Stamp Simply #85 - Let The Sun Shine!

It's Friday and time again for another Sharon Johnson STAMP SIMPLY Challenge. Today Sharon is focusing us on the color YELLOW. I must admit this is one color I don't use often enough but today I'm changing that by making two cards for the challenge. One in a soft, pastel yellow and one in a bold, bright yellow. I found great inspiration from Sharon and her design team ladies ... please stop by Sharon's blog and check out all the creative work done by these talented ladies.

My "soft pastel" yellow card was created by using a base card of SU Barely Banana with a second panel of Crafty Secrets Pastel designer paper. My main image is by the Rubber Cottage, stamped onto white cardstock with Versafine black ink then embossed using Detail Clear Embossing Powder. I used glaze pens to color in this image and sponged around the edge using SU summer sun ink. The buttery satin ribbon is from Hobby Lobby and the gold beads are from Michaels. I've chosen once again to stamp my sentiment directly onto the designer paper and clear emboss it.

My "bold" yellow card is a very simple image and layout. I've used an oldie but goodie image by PSX, which was stamped using Versafine black, embossed with detail clear ep and colored using SU watercolor pencils and blender pen. I used crystal effects on the focus rose for a little dimension.

The image was cut using a Nestabilities Rectangle diecut ... matted onto Garden Green cardstock, Basic Black cardstock and again onto Ivory cardstock before mounting it onto a Canary Yellow base card. I've used the Martha Stewart doily lace punch for the border and Hobby Lobby yellow gingham ribbon.

Yellow turned out to be a fun color to create with ... I'm so glad Sharon came up with this challenge to make me think a little more "out of my safety zone".

Thanks for stopping by today.

For those interested, Mark is resting comfortably at home and enjoying listening to the sound of the rain on the roof. He's still very pale and tired but he is taking his meds, drinking as much as he possibly can and eating. We can only hope that with each passing day his immune system will become stronger and he'll start feeling more like himself again. Prayers are all still greatly appreciated and needed. Thank you my friends!! Have a wonderful weekend!!

The BEAUTY of Spring ...

While looking through and commenting on the over 180 updates on my Google Reader this morning, I came upon this lovely post by my friend, Joan Fricker and she has inspired me to share with you some of the outdoor beauty I too have the pleasure of viewing out my window. Please be sure to look through Joan's blog ... she makes some beautiful creations and shares some wonderful stories/recipes/etc. Also please note here request for prayers for her sweet cousing Melanie. This young mother just gave birth to her 3rd child when they discovered a brain hemmorage. You can read this touching story HERE ... please take a moment and say a prayer for this young woman and her family.

The story behind this crab apple tree is that it is over 100 years old and every year brings a smile to our faces in the early Spring when it goes into bloom. I know of it's age due to the fact that the gentleman who lives beyond this apple tree grew up here and used to play in this tree as a young boy. His grandparents owned the property (used to be a farm) that my house and the others in my housing development reside on today. He always remarks how happy he is that I pamper this tree with my constant prunning and care ... he was concerned that it might be chopped down. I assured him that would not happen as long as I lived here!!!

Mark so loved this big old tree when we first moved here 6 years ago, that we went to the local nursery and picked out one to be planted in the front of the house. It has settled in and done very well over the past several years. The first couple of years we had late frosts ... Mark & I made sure to take the time and cover this "young one" to be sure it wouldn't get damaged before it had the opportunity to show it's beauty! And with each passing year it is looking more & more beautiful!

This morning while looking out the front door, I noticed a pair of gold finch perched in this tree. What a beautiful sight!

It has been raining all morning so I didn't walk to the back picnic area but from my kitchen window I can see the "Bleeding Heart" are in full bloom out there and will no doubt need to be split out. Last spring a put a small part of them along the garage and this year they are just blooming beautifully so I thought I'd share a photo of those with you as well.

Usually by now I have my flowers planted in my pots & planters on the deck & front porch as well as preparing my beds around the trees in the picnic area for the impatients that will be planted in a couple of weeks. With DH being in the hospital for the past month, I'm a bit behind on my outside work ... but now that he can recuperate here at home, as soon as the rain stops you know where you can find me ... yep, getting dirty!!! Thanks so much for stopping by today! I can't tell you how much I enjoy you taking the time to stop to see what I'm doing and leave a comment! It truly "makes my day"! Wishing you all God's Blessings upon your weekend!!