Sharing the great outdoors ...

I'm taking a break from my mulching (almost done!) and wanted to share some of my backyard beauty with you.

These first photos are taken of what I like to call "Pavlick's Park". This was all wooded and brush when we moved in 6 years ago and we enjoyed turning it into a more relazing, manicured area where we can have picnics and little campfires to make smore's when the grandkids are here. Besides the perannials of Hosta, Flocks, Foam Flower & Bleeding Heart ... I plant impatients to add a little more color and by the end of summer there is just a blanket of pinks & white among the greens ... absolutely beautiful and satisfying when I look out across the back yard!! In the heat of summer, this area is at least 10 degrees cooler than sitting on the deck. It fun to watch the birds, squirrels, bunnies and other little critters play in this area from my kitchen window!! (You can click on any photo for a larger look).

This is a view of the back of our home taken from up in "Pavlick's Park". As you will see in the photos below, most of my flowers are of pinks & purples. My sweet husband designed the deck and was sure to include 2 planter boxes on the sides where I can plant my wave petunias. By the end of summer they are draped half the way down to the ground and I just love their sweet smell. They take a bit of work but they are certainly worth the effort!!

Here is a little better view of my planter boxes & deck area. I guess it would have been nice if I had at least put out the cushions and put up the umbrella! Sorry!!

There are lights at the ends of each post as well as in the backing panel of each step which makes it look really cool out there in the evenings. After putting the deck on, of course I had to put planting beds the whole way around the house ... WHAT WAS I THINKING??? They are a bit of work but look so nice when in bloom and freshly mulched.

It appears most of the perannials I have planted turn out to also be shades of purple as you can see in this last photo of the Lupin & Spiderwort which I planted behind the garage.

Hope you have enjoyed the little tour around our backyard! It's a lot to take care of (I do ALL the outside work with the exception of carpentry) but it is certainly worth it at the end of the day! In fact, I think I'll do dinner on the grill tonight ... hmmm, I can smell those steaks cooking now!! Thanks for stopping by and if you are ever in the Akron, Ohio area .... PLEASE STOP BY IN PERSON!! Your are always welcome in our home!!!

Stamp Simply #90 - Gone To Pot

Friday is here and it's time for another fun-filled challenge over on Sharon Johnson's blog (NoTimeToStamp). Today Sharon's challenge has "Gone To Pot" ... here it is in Sharon's words:





GONE TO POT! — Today’s challenge is somewhat of a play on words — I have always loved word games. Today we will incorporate some kind of a POT into our work — be creative! This idea came to me while I was planting some flowers into a “flower pot”, drinking coffee that had been brewed in a *coffee pot* — you get the idea. Let’s see how many *pots* we can come up with today — be creative and have fun!!!





Recently I purchased this awesome "pot" by Michael Strong. It's called "Cloisonne Pot" and I thought it would work perfectly for this challenge. What do you think???


I was trying out a couple new ideas and I'm not sure if I like how it turned out or not. Must practice more when I get the chance. This was a quick card ... I can hear that MOUNTAIN OF MULCH calling out to me to get out there and "get 'r done". It's taking me forever but I will get it done eventually!!! Anyways ... back to the card. My base card is Soft Sky which I stamped the image using Versafine Black and embossed with silver pearls. Then I ran my card through the Cuttlebug using the swiss dot folder and sponged over the dots around the outside of the vase ... ooops I mean pot. Then I dumped out my container of white & purple Prima flowers and started making my arrangement using glue dots to adhere them. The centers are Stampendous Diamond Dots and the gingham ribbon is from Hobby Lobby.


Well, there you have it ... now it's time to get outside. It's a beautiful day and I really must get out there and get started on my weeding and mulching. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!!!!

SCS Sketch Challenge #231

Sorry for the late posting ... I spent half the day over in PA with my dentist office & my mom!! I have placed a couple photos at the end of this posting to show you what Mom & I were up to today.

I haven't been able to do my weekly participation in the SCS Sketch Challenge over the past month or so, but today when I saw the sketch came from Susan (Rainy) Roberts ... I just had to play!! This is THE CARD from which today's sketch is based. HERE is Susan's SCS Gallery and HERE is her blog.

For my card's background panels, I wanted to use the (retired) Stampin' Up Floral background stamp and needed to flip the sketch to do that and this is what I came up with. I used SU Eggplant Envy cardstock & ink. The gold edging was created using a Gold Pilot Marker. For my sentiment panel I used the SU Close As A Memory stamp set images, Perfect Plum & Versafine Black inks & Nestabilities. I used a white Gelly Roll pen to do the dots around the scallop edge of the matted panel. My sheer white ribbon was purchased (at a GREAT price) from a local wholesale house called Flower Factory (Canton, Ohio) and I used my recently purchased BOW EASY (from Sharon Johnson's blog shop) to make this beautiful, perfect bow. I am so pleased with the outcome of this card ... what a great layout!!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Hope you had a great day today and an even better one tomorrow!!!

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Here's what Mom & I quickly did before my dentist appointment & the rain this a.m. With this completed, we met up with a friend after my appt. and "did lunch". Fun day!!

(BEFORE & AFTER SHOTS)

This should be gorgeous once they start filling out and flowing!! Don't you think??

Crafty Secrets "Out of Context" Challenge

Even though I made several cards today ... NONE of them came easily!!! Must be one of those days!!! Enough whining ... on to the card!

The Crafty Secrets Challenge (CSSC71) over on Splitcoaststampers was hosted by Lori Lynn and it was a doozie!! Lori's clues yesterday really had me stumped ... turns out she was trying to tell us to think of creative uses for using text on our cards.

Here are a few of Lori's suggestions:

• use sentiment stamps to create backgrounds
• use Crafty secrets dp with newsprint/ad type designs*use vintage book pages to make embellishments
• use current newspaper/phone books etc and distress to give a vintage look then punch or use to embellish
• use CS set Journaling to add a script background on wings, fabric flowers, ribbon etc.

There was no stamping on this card because I used an image from the new Crafty Secrets "GIRLFRIENDS" Creative Scraps. My "text" panels were cut from a vintage shopping bag and was zig-zag stitched onto my Chocolate Chip background.

Recipe for this card:

Papers: SU Very Vanilla & Chocolate Chip

Ink: Ranger Vintage Photo

Accessories: Wright lace, Nestabilities, Rafia, Bucket O'Buttons, Sewing Machine, Dimensional Tape

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! Hope you are have a creative day!!

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #4

Now THIS was a REAL challenge for me and seemed to take me FOREVER before I was finally happy with the "pieces" to this card! Although I have to say I cheated a little on the main image frame work.

Have you checked out this new weekly sketch challenge over on "priscillastyles" blog??? It's called MIDNIGHT MADNESS and this is Week 4! They are not only unique sketches but this challenge offers awesome candy & other goodies! PLEASE do yourself a favor and check it out!!!

My main image is from a CD of vinage images I purchase online through EBay. Behind my black picture frame, this image is double matted in red, then turquoise to coordinate with the colors in the picture ... I told you I was having a hard time with this one!! LOL!!

The card base is SU Very Vanilla which has been stamped with a swirly stamp by Inkadinkado in Ranger Vintage Photo ink and sponged with the same ink. That same swirl image was also used on the Garden Green panels ... stamped with Versamark Frost and embossed with Silver Pearls embossing powder. Fiskars decal scissors have been used on the green panel edges. The flowers are Bazzill paper flowers and the gold centers are from Michael's. I've used a gold Pilot marker to make the edging, corner straps & dots on my Basic Black Nestabilities diecut frame.

When I finally had my card front done & put together, I noticed SEVERAL smears of ink on the back cover ...UUuugh!! TOLD YOU I WAS HAVING TROUBLE ... Anyways, I cut the card front off ... cut a smidge off of all sides and mounted it to a Basic Black card. Now that my creation is completed, I'm happy with it even though it gave me a very hard time coming together. I hope you like it too!

Request Completed ...

I finished the cards my Mom requested for a "Red Hats" friend. I'm sorry for the long post but did want to share them with you just incase they would spark any inspiration for other crafters. I know I get a ton of ideas from all of you and just wanted to return the favor.



Here are the other two Birthday Cards ... remember, I shared the 1st birthday card with you in the last post.




For the Anniversary Cards, I had to borrow a few stamps from my stamping friend, Sandy Egbert. I guess I didn't realize I was so short on Anniversary type stamps ... hmmm ... I'll have to do something about that!!! Anyways, here are the 3 Anniversary cards I came up with. Hope you like them. (Don't forget you can click on any image for a larger view.)






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Another card I'd like to share with you today is a THANK-YOU I made for my Mom. Over this past weekend she attended a Class/Alumni Reunion with her new "gentleman friend" Ken, and had a wonderful time. It was a 2-day event and she was so thrilled with everything and thought it only appropriate to send a card to the couple who sponsored the event.


She didn't know what the school colors were at that point in time (Ken is 72) so I played it safe and made it basic Black & White. My images were also borrowed from my friend Sandy ... don't have much call for graduation cards at my age, LOL!! The CAP is from a retired 2003 SU set (sorry, don't know the proper name) and the background was made with a little image by Hero Arts. My sentiment is by Inkadinkado and the tassle is by Darice.


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Stop back later when I'll have my cards for today's Crafty Secrets SCS Forum challenge and the Midnight Madness #4 Sketch Challenge. See you then! Hope you're having a great day!!

Fulfilling a Request ...

Recently my Mother told me that one of her "Red Hat" friends told her how much she liked my cards and asked if I would make her some. Well, of course my answer was YES!! Her request was for 3 birthday, 3 get well & 3 anniversary cards.

Today I'd like to share a few of those cards with you. This lady just wants "simple" cards so I decided to use up some of my scrap designer paper and the Stampin' Up Sassy Stems images for the Get Well cards. I stamped my images onto Whisper White paper with Versafine Black ink and after using detail clear embossing powder to emboss the image, I've used Stampin' Up watercolor pencils & blender pen to color them.

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Here is one of the birthday cards I created also using up some of the designer paper scraps. After stamping my image onto Whisper White, I stamped it again onto the same scrap piece of SU Groovy Guava designer paper as I used behind the main image. Using my swivel craft knife, I've cut out the image and popped it up with dimensionals. I'm very happy with how this card looks ... simple yet elegant.

The recipe for this card is:

Stamps: SU Bloomin' Beautiful, AMuse

Paper: Whisper White, Groovy Guava, Peach cs, Groovy Guava dp

Ink: Versafine Black

Accessories: Swivel Craft Knife, Nestabilities rectangle scallop diecuts, Martha Steward doily lace border punch, Creative Memories fine tip black & round tip black markers, Michaels satin ribbon, SU green watercolor pencil & blender pen

One of my friends (Linda Davis) always makes comment to the fact that not many people show the inside of their cards so periodically I like to do just that and today is one of those days!! I've used the same image on the inside of my card, stamped in Groovy Guava then stamped the sentiment (SU Elegant Greetings) over top with Versafine Black.

Even though this is a very simple inside greeting, just by repeating the card front image behind the sentiment, it has added a larger degree of elegance (in my opinion). What do you think???

Well, I'd better get back to it. Since my mother lives an hour and a half away from me and I will be down her way on Wednesday, I'd like to have these completed to give them to her while I'm in the area. She also called me this a.m. and requested a few special cards for herself ... like I said, I'd better get back to it!! Thanks for stopping by today ... have a wonderful day!!

Monochromatic Challenge on PCP

Happy Sunday Everyone!! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I am hosting a NEW WEEKLY CHALLENGE over on the Crafty Secrets Group of Paper Craft Planet. If you are a member of PCP and have Crafty Secrets products, please come join in on the fun!! There will also be RAKs along the way!! On to today's challenge.



Today we are going MONOCHROMATIC. Believe it or not, I had more trouble with this idea than any of the others??? What's up with that??? You would think staying in one color family would be a breeze to create ... not for me!!!



My first thought on this card was to cut the hole in the card front (which I did) ... placing this Crafty Secrets Homemade image on the inside [reminded me so much of the commercials we used to watch growing up on our old black & white TV] of the card and make the outside look like an old time TV. Good thought but wasn't working out very well so I moved onto Plan B.




The framing is made with the Scallop Rectangles by Nestabilities and I've used Creative Memories markers to do the dots around both the frame & my sentiment panel. The ribbon is from Michael's and the dots are by Colorbok. (You can CLICK on the images for a closer view.) This image is so cute but I'm not sure who I'd send this card to since the man is saying "Thanks Honey, now I'm just another regular guy ... and she's pouring him a bowl of BRAN flakes" . Guess this is one for Dear Husband, LOL!!!




OKAY ... let's try this Monochromatic Thing one more time!!! This time I've decided to use Shades of Brown for my card. I recently received the cute Coffee & Tea set from Crafty Secrets and wanted to make a card to send to my neighbor. She is a HUGE coffee fan!! My coffee making skills have deminished lately since DH hasn't been able to drink coffee for the past year or so (due to all the aweful taste in his mouth from the chemo) ... but I figure if nothing else we can always take a run up to the local Starbucks.


I have to say again ... I'm not really happy with this card!! I've used a scrap piece of Flair Designs Inc. designer paper, chocolate chip cs, carmel cs, and light ivory cs to compose this card. I also used the coffee bean image from the Coffee & Tea set to create my lower panel designer paper. (I think it's the coffee pot cut out that I don't like ... maybe I should have just put it on the inside of the card??? Sorry, thinking out loud while posting ... must stop doing that!!) For this creation, I've used the Martha Stewart doily lace border punch, Michael's single stitched ribbon, The Paper Studio flowers and Making Memories antique brass brads. My main image has been stamped using Versafine Sepia ink and embossed using Detail Clear embossing powder. I've used my swivel craft knife to cut it out and popped it up with dimensional tape.



Well, that's it for me today. I still have more mulching to do and friends are coming for a short visit this afternoon. It will be nice to have visitors again!! Mark is still having some problems with his stomach (due to all the chemo drugs used during the transplant) but I do see improvement with each passing day! Happy Stamping my friends!!!!

It's MULCHING time again ...

NO stamping for me today ... I had 10 yards of mulch delivered this morning so I have lots of work to do. Do not fear, I will do a little bit at a time ... I don't have the energy I used to have so I do a section at a time now.

I did however make this card the other day for a Supply Challenge over on the CCEE Stampers blog and didn't get it posted. While I'm taking a lunch break, I thought I'd share it with you.

The challenge was to use 2 different designer papers and 1 gem brad ... that's it!! Pretty easy peasy, huh!! I decided to use an older (retired) Stampin' Up set called SKETCHES for my main image. My designer paper is also Stampin' Up and it is from their PARISIAN BREEZE designer paper. Using the Creative Memories decorative trimmer, I've created my wavey line divider ... that thought came because it looks like this lady might be sitting by the water front reading her book.

Well, lunch break is over ... I really must get back to my mulching for I fear if I stop too long, it will have to wait for another day! Have a fun weekend ... whatever you might be doing!!

Stamp Simply #89 - Favorite Flower

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Remembering my DAD ...

Have you been over to the SOA website yet??? It only costs you the minimum of $5.00 to join (see blinkie on my sidebar) and the proceeds go for such a wonderful cause. You have until Sunday the 31st to enter the challenges for some great fun and awesome prizes!!!

One of the challenges on the SOA site is by Kitchen Sink Stamps and they are all about "Remembering someone you love" by creating a card, project or scrapbook page ...

• remembering a loved one who is far away

• remembering someone you love depicted at a younger age

• in memory of someone you love

As soon as I saw this challenge, I immediately thought of my father ... especially with Memorial Day just passing last weekend!! My Dad has been gone for 20 years now (hard to believe) and there are so many things that I see or that happen to make him pop back into my mind!! As you can see my Dad was a military man and he served in WWII.

I combined the Kitchen Sink challenge with another challenge called All In One Challenge where you are to use:

• 1 color,
• 1 stamp,
• 1 embellishment, and
• 1 ribbon

My color is green .... stamp is "Remember" (stamped on his hat) by Crafty Secrets .... embellishment is a military button and .... ribbon is old olive grosgrain by Stampin' Up.

Recipe for Card:

Stamp: Crafty Secrets (mini memories)

Paper: Very Vanilla, Olive Drab, Basic Grey (boxer) designer paper

Ink: Versafine Sepia

Accessories: Nestabilities (labels two), military button, SU grosgrain ribbon, Creative Memories letter stickers

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!

SOA Challenge & More ...

Have you been over to the SOA website yet??? It only costs you the minimum of $5.00 to join (see blinkie on my sidebar) and the proceeds go for such a wonderful cause. You have until Sunday the 31st to enter the challenges for some great fun and awesome prizes!!!

This card covers several challenges. First the sketch is for Susana's Custom Art & Card Design Sketch Challenge. The butterfly qualifies it for the Any Winged Thing challenge as well as the Flutter By Wednesday #59 challenge over on Danni's Dreams blog.

My card is A-6 in size in order to property accommodate this over sized butterfly by Inkadinkado! The base card is SU Whisper White, background panel is from the DCWV Garden Party 12x12 paper pack and the other 3 panels are SU Porcelain Prints designer paper. The butterfly was actually stamped using Versafine Black onto a scrap piece of designer paper I had laying on my workstation. I can't even tell you who the maker is ... sorry!! My sentiment is by Impression Obsession and was also stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with detail clear embossing powder. I've used my swivel craft knife to cut out the butterfly and dimension tape to "pop it up". The only embellishments on this card are three Making Memories black brads. To obtain the "layer look" without the bulk, I have used a Creative Memories round tip black marker and went around all the panel edges.

Hope you enjoyed this posting. Please take the time & effort to check out this wonderful site. After the 31st, it will be gone ... please do your part to help cure this ugly disease!! Thanks for stopping by & Happy Stamping!!

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For those of you who are wondering how things went at Cleveland Clinic yesterday ... I am happy to tell you it was ALL GOOD NEWS!!! The doctors were very happy with Mark's recovery so far and his tests all came back normal. His blood numbers are steadily increasing and although it will take a few more months before he really starts feeling like himself again, he's doing great!! Thanks to all for your prayers and support!!

Stampin' Out Alzheimers Challenges

Have you been over to the SOA website yet??? It only costs you the minimum of $5.00 to join (see blinkie on my sidebar) and the proceeds go for such a wonderful cause. You have until Sunday the 31st to enter the challenges for some great fun and awesome prizes!!!




I created this card for the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge. I have a request for several birthday cards so this worked out perfectly. There are three parts to this challenge ... well, I could tell you but you really need to check it out for yourself!




Card Recipe:

Stamps: Studio G (sentiment), Hero Arts
Paper: SU Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Basic Black & Pink Flamingo designer paper
Ink: Versafine Black, SU Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: Nestabilities, White Gelly Roll Pen, Detail clear embossing powder, JoAnn's metal dots, dimensional tape, Darice turquoise sheer ribbon, Bow Easy



Thanks for stopping by and please join in on the fun and help find a cure for this terrible disease. Happy Stamping!!

Color Throwdown #44

Well, here it is Wednesday already and time for another Color Throwdown Challenge. Today's host is my VBF Tammy Hershberger (Stamper Tammy) ... please stop over and see what she and the other girls have created. There is loads of talent with this group & I'm sure you will find inspiration!!!

I recently purchased the Basic Grey Whisperia paper pack and could not wait to use it!! Luckily, today's colors lent themselves perfectly to these papers.

I was wanting to use one of the sketches used in the challenges over on the Stampin' Out Alzheimers website but it just wasn't working so this is what I came up with. My image is from Our Daily Bread Designs and after stamping it with Elegant Eggplant onto the Barely Banana cardstock, I cut it out with Nestabilities Label Four diecuts. The edging design was created with a Martha Stewart border punch. I've added double faced satin ribbon from Hobby Lobby and Dew Drops for my embellishments and ... that's it ... complete!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!! We are headed to Cleveland Clinic today for DH's one month check up after his transplant. We are anxious to hear what they have to say about how his recouperation is progressing. Please pray we get a good report. I will let you know what we learn today!! Thanks again to all who remain praying for my sweet man ... he's getting a little better each day but it is certain a slow, tiring process. Happy Day All!!!

Midnight Madness Sketch & Flutter By Wednesday Challenges

It's time for Week #3 of the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge over on "priscillastyles" blog! If you haven't check out this blog yet ... you really should ... there are AMAZING give aways and fun-filled sketches to work with!!! Don't forget to check out the design team samples ... inspirational to say the least!!

Today I decided to use a "garden" theme to my card. This PROPER young lady looks to be the type who would have a gorgeous rose garden in your back yard ... not that SHE would be the one tending to it mind you!! That would be the gardeners job of course!!! This lovely lady image is another one that comes from the Art Creations Friday website ... do check it out if you like vintage!!!

The musical panel was also located & printed from the internet. My background panel comes from the DCWV Garden Party 12x12 paper pack purchased from JoAnn's! Butterflies are from Martha Stewart, mauve satin ribbon from Darice and the metal ribbon brad is from The Paper Studio. I've used Fiskars decal scissors to border my image and pink pirouette matting, but left the basic black mat squared off. Basic black was also used to mat my musical panel.

I hope you enjoy my creations ... I know I sure enjoy making & sharing them!! Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have a wonderful week!!! Happy Stamping!

Edit: I was also informed that my card qualifies for the Flutter By Wednesday challenge over on Danni's Dreams blog. Yippee ... another challenge to participate in!! Check it out!!

Pick A Pocket ...

Today's Crafty Secrets Stimulating Creativity Challenge, hosted by Marcy (kiddielitter) deals with POCKETS. Something I never think to use/do on my cards/projects. Thank goodness for challenges that help to keep sparking our creativity!!

My card today is a very simple layout/design. My designer paper is from the Crafty Secrets Earthy paper pack and my base card is 2-ply ivory/white cardstock. I've inked the edges of the base card & my pocket tag with Ranger Vintage Photo ink. My only embellishments today are my double Prima flowers with a button center and my garden green photo corners which I have over stamped using the little floral cluster from the Crafty Secrets Garden Girls set with SU rose red ink.

My tag is from Paper Reflections and I have used an image from the Crafty Secrets Garden Girl set for my focus. She has been inked twice using Ranger Vintage Photo ink. Once on the tag and once again on ivory cardstock so I could cut it out and mount it over the image on the tag in order to hang it over the pocket front. The "Hello" sentiment is from the Crafty Secrets Sweet Stuff set.

I plan on sending this to a girlfriend whom although we don't live that far away from each other ... we never seem to take (or make) the time to get together and I miss her company. I'm sure I will receive a phone call or email not long after she receives this card!! Life just gets too busy sometimes and we really need to slow it down a bit and make the time to just "sit & visit"... like family & friends used to do in the "good 'ole days".

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you had a wonderful, relaxing weekend!!

What time's the picnic????

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!

Another beautiful day here in N.E. Ohio! Just perfect for all those parades & picnics planned for this holiday weekend!! Unfortunately we are unable to participate this year but look forward to the next holiday when Mark should be "back to normal" and can enjoy all the summertime fun. We would, however, like to wish you all a wonderful, fun-filled day!!

I find inspiration everywhere these days! While planting flowers this weekend, the feel of the sun on my face and the warm breeze inspired me to utilize this image that's been laying in my drawer for months. It's a lovely little image by Rubber Monger and my layout was inspired by Denise [The Paper Landscaper] (peanutbee on SCS). You can see her lovely creation HERE. If you've never seen Denise's work .. you really must pop over to her blog ... she's amazingly talented!!!

My card is A-6 in size and the base is SU Whisper White cardstock. My designer paper comes from the DCWV 12x12 pack called "Garden Party". I've used SU Garden Green cardstock for my matting. I didn't have green dew drops so I went through my markers until I found the right color ... dotted circles of color then placed "clear" dew drops on top ... voila' ... green dew drops!!! The narrow emerald organza ribbon was purchased at Hobby Lobby. My image was stamped using Versafine black ink ... embossed using detail clear ep ... then colored using SU watercolor pencils and a blender pen.

Thanks for stopping by today!! Hope your heart is filled with joy & laughter today!!

A NEW WEEKLY CHALLEGE ...

Loving Crafty Secrets products as I do, I have volunteered to do a weekly challenge on Sunday's over on the Crafty Secrets Group of Papercraft Planet. If you are a member of PCP and have ANY Crafty Secrets products ... please come join in on the fun! Periodically there will be an RAK attached as an extra bonus!!!

Today I've challenged everyone to a 1,2,3 challenge. That means 1-main image, 2-different papers and 3-embellishments. Fun huh!!

For my card I have use one of the Crafty Secrets "Summer" cotton scraps as my main image. In order to be able to distress it, I have scanned & printed the original cotton scrap. My two papers consist of Crafty Secrets "Earthy" designer paper and SU Old Olive cardstock. I've used the Martha Stewart Arch Trellis border punch on the edge of the old olive panel. My base card is SU Blue Bayou. And for my embellishments I've used Offray satin ribbon, Prima flowers with brad centers and Dew Drops.

Hope you enjoyed my card and please, come play the challenge with us!! Happy Stampin'!!!!

Our Creative Corner Challenge

This weeks Our Creative Corner Challenge focuses on SENTIMENTS. The ladies have come up with some wonderful samples ... please pop over and give them a look.

Here I've used one of my sentiments from the Our Daily Bread Light of the World set. I've stamped it onto a scrap piece of Crafty Secrets Classic designer paper. The floral swag was cut from the opposite side of that same scrap using a swivel craft knife. My papers are Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette and Purely Pomegranate. I used an Ornare paper piercing template to do the sunburn in the upper right corner then placed a Making Memories brad in the center. I used the Creative Memories corner rounder to round off only 3 of the 4 corners ... something a little bit different!! My double face white satin ribbon is by Darice.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! The weather here in NE Ohio is absolutely beautiful (upper 70's) and perfect picnic weather!! Hope you are having a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!!

CCEE Challenge

Now that my "Picnic" area is all planted and mulched ... I can take the time to catch up on a couple of challenges. This past week's CCEE Stampers Challenge was to use specialty type papers. I recently purchased the DCWV LaCreme matstack from JoAnn's and there are some wonderful flocked papers in this pack and that's what I decided to use today.

The feel of this luscious paper reminds me of the old wallpapers of yester year. I tried to expose as much of the designer paper as possible so I just used one focus image from the Stampin' Up Travel Sketchbook set (which I believe is retired). After stamping the image with Versafine Black, I overlayed with Versamark and 3 coats of UTEE to acquire the cracked glass technique that I thought went well with this image. After cutting my image with Fiskars decal scissors, I've double matted it with glossy black and very vanilla cardstock. I used Ranger Vintage Photo and a sponge to edge both the matting on my image and my base card. The ribbon is from May Arts and the large brad are Making Memories.

For those of you who would like a closer view of the cracked glass technique, I am adding a closer photo. You can also click on the image for an even closer look. I like this technique with old world images ... just seems they should go together. HERE is a link for those interested in learning how to do the cracked glass technique.

Hope you enjoyed this creation. Thanks CCEE ladies for the challenge and opportunity to make myself use these beautiful papers. If you're anything like me, I have TONS of designer paper that I will probably never use because it's just too pretty to cut into but of course I just "had to have it".

Hope you're having a wonderful Memorial Day Weeked!!!! Till next time ... thanks for stopping by!

The weekend is here ...

... and that means outside chores need tending to while the sun is shining! I did make a couple of cards late last evening and wanted to share them with you!

While checking out a few blogs recently I came across THIS card created by Deb Rymer and really liked the sweet simplicity of it. Please stop by Deb's blog and be inspired! My card is not nearly as refined on the scoring (need practice) as Deb's, but you get the idea. My designer paper is from a DCWV 12x12 pack called Garden Party I recently purchased at JoAnn's and the sentiment is by My Sentiment Exactly.

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This next card started out as an inspiration from yet another blogger but by the time I was done with it, the card was totally different from my original inspiration. Looks like I'll have to make another card and follow Denise's inspiration piece a little closer ... then I'll share all the deets with you about her blog & card.

But back to my creation ... the base card is of Whisper White and both designer papers are from DCWV. My 3d roses are from a website called ECSTASY CRAFTS and if you happen to live in the NE Ohio area, there is a wonderful stamp store in the town of Zoar called the 1870 Shoppe, and the owner June carries them. I've used two sizes of Nestabilities scallop rectangles to created my white frame and added the dots with a Creative Memories round tip black marker. The edge around the polka dot panel & red mat under my 3d roses was created using Fiskars decal scissors. I've also popped up the rose panel on dimensions to coincide with the 3d roses. Hope you like it!!

Well, I'd better get to those chores before the sun gets too hot. Looks like it's going to be a beautiful Memorial Day weekend here in the Good 'Ole U.S.A. Happy Holidays All!! Get out there and have a picnic!!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Stamp Simply #88

Today's Stamp Simply Challenge over on Sharon Johnson's (notimetostamp) blog is all about the RED, WHITE and BLUE! How fitting with it being Memorial Day Weekend and all! She does put a twist on it though ... well here, you can read it in her own words:

RED, WHITE AND BLUE - This being Memorial Day Weekend, patriotic colors come to mind, so let’s create today using red, white and blue; HOWEVER, you do NOT have to use the traditional flag shades of these colors - you may use ANY variation of these colors you like, as long as your creation contains some shade of red, white and blue. That’s easy enough!!! Hope you have fun!!! Can’t wait to see all your color combinations!

Sharon & her team have come up with some wonderful creations ... be sure to stop by Sharon's blog and check them out!



I stuck with the traditional colors, but a NON-patriotic theme. My base card is a duplex red/white cardstock and the background paper I created using a background stamp from the Fiskars Vintage Farmnouse clear stamp set which I inked in Baroque Burgundy then spot inked using Tempting Turquoise. My filmclip image is from Archiver's (threw away packaging so don't recall the mfg ... sorry) and my other image is from the new Crafty Secrets (Domestic Goddess) Creative Scraps. The clothes pin is by Darice, the organza ribbon is from Hobby Lobby and I've used the Martha Stewart Arch Trellis border punch for my trim work. Just in case you can't read the sentiment, it reads: A Woman's Work Is Never Done. (For a closer view ... click on the photo.)


Thanks so much for stopping by today! Here's wishing you a wonderful, creative day!!!

Two more ...

Here are two more wedding cards I completed before going to my sister's shop today to have my hair done. Yep, I've fortunate enough to have a hairdresser in the family ... infact, both of my sister's are hairdressers!!

Both cards are A-2 in size and used Cuttlebug embossing folders for the background panel. This first card used the Swirls embossing folder and the main image is by Inkadinkado. I stamped the image onto Basic Black cardstock with Versamark and embossed using Silver Pearl embossing powder. I've used a white Gelly Roll pen for the outlining dots. The mat was created using the scallop Nestabilities and a hole punch within each scallop. The ribbon is actually Holiday ribbon from Michael's.

My second card was created using the Swiss Dot Cuttlebug folder. Main image is by DeNami Designs which I've stamped using Versafine Black onto Whisper White and clear embossed. I've used a red glitter pen to color in the flowers in her hair & the bouquet. The ribbon is from May Arts and I've used the Long Rectangle Nestabilities for my main image matting. The image and sentiment used on the back flap of the envelope are from the Inkadinkado (Wedding) set .

(Click on either photo for a larger view)

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! It always thrills me to hear from you! After having my hair cut & colored today, I'd love to have somewhere to go to show it off. Too bad DH still isn't allowed to be in a crowd ... guess an evening out is "out of the question" ... another time perhaps!!

Hope you are having a wonderful day!!