Old Friends ...

With DH in the hospital, I'm having to combine challenges in order to get them all completed.

This card covers two different challenges. First is the stampTV Technique Challenge (Polished Stone). Gina K does a very nice video on this technique over on her stampTV website, please check it out!! Also, the sketch is for the Sketch Something Challenge over on the Stamp Something Blog.

It has been AGES since I've played with my alcohol inks and I'm always thrilled with the outcome. Here I have used Stream, Denim & Pearl Mixative onto glossy white paper. A little hint when working with alcohol inks ... with them being a bit messy, and the fact that you can never exactly duplicate the outcome, use at least a 5x8 piece of glossy white when creating and you'll have enough for more than one card creation.

I have stamped this retired SU "Sketches" image directly onto the finished Polish Stone background paper then embossed using Detail Clear Embossing Powder. A White Gelly Roll pen was used to make highlights on the seagulls and water. I also used that same gelly roll pen to make dots on the scallop edge of my Nestabilities matting. I used the SU scallop edge punch on my "ribbon panel" and if you look closely, you will see I have also made dots using a Creative Memories fine tip black marker. My base card is Tempting Turquoise and the designer paper is from the DCWV Garden Party pack. The ribbon is from Hobby Lobby and the black pearl is by Martha Stewart. The sentiment is actually from the GinaK Baskets of Happiness Easter stamp set.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! I have one more card to share with you today so I'll be back later with that. Hope I'm not overwhelming you with creations ... with DH in the hospital I don't sleep very well ... so what better to do than make cards! You understand I'm sure!! Have a wonderful day!!!

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

PCP Crafty Secrets Challenge - 061409

Time for another Crafty Secrets Challenge over on Papercraft Planet. Today's challenge was based on the old saying "Mind your P's and Q's"! Well, we're leaving out the Q's but your challenge today is to see how many things you can use/do on your project/card that begin with the letter "P".

For my card I chose to use the Crafty Secrets Sew Special set. Here is a list of the "P" items I have used:

• Pink cardstock & designer paper


• Purple cardstock


• Pearls


• Pin Cushion (image)


• Prima Flowers


• Pattern (image)


• Pin (decorative)


• Paper Piecing and


• Paper Piercing

The base card is SU Pink Pirouette and the designer paper is Crafty Secrets Classic. I stamped the "pattern" image over the designer paper using SU Eggplant Envy ink then embossed. The "boo-stee-a" was stamped onto a scrap of Crafty Secrets designer paper then paper pieced onto the stand. (see closeup) I couldn't decide what color "boo-stee-a" I wanted to I stamped & cut several ... then decided to use them all! The heart brad in the middle of my purple Prima flowers came from the $1 bin at Target. The is faux paper piercing on the dp and true paper piercing on the pink panel. My purple ribbon came from Hobby Lobby and the pearls are The Paper Studio. I stamped the pin cushion directly onto the pink pierced paper then used an American Crafts gold glitter pen to accent it. Did you notice the decorative Pin?? I think that's about all the "P's" I can come up with.

If you want to have some fun ... and maybe challenge yourself a bit ... why not join in on the fun! You only need ONE Crafty Secrets product to qualify to play (afterall, it is the Crafty Secrets Group Challenge, LOL). Remember when you upload your creation to include the TAG (keyword) of HVCS061409. Hope to see you there!!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today and here's wishing you a wonderful, creative day!!

What a SWEET SURPRISE ...

Today was a busy day between spending time with DH at the hospital and trying to get all the grass cut before the rains came ... I was sucessful at both ... and I received a nice surprise in my mailbox too!!!




There was a package from Cornish Heritage Farms!! Hmmm ... I said to myself, did I order something??? I didn't remember ordering anything at this time!! Of course, my mind has been preoccupied lately!! I could hardly wait to get in the house and rip it open ... and, there inside was this awesome vintage Historic Poster - B&O Railroad image! Wow, how neat is this!!





Now I was getting really concerned because for the life of me, I couldn't remember ordering THIS stamp!!! So I started looking at the paperwork that came inside the package and there was the answer to the riddle!! On the paperwork was a place for "Buyer Name" and next to it was the name JOANNE ALLISON!! {{sigh}} I thought I was loosing my mind for a moment there! Yes, my dear friend "from across the pond" had sent me a little surprise!! How sweet was that!! You may know Joanne by her SCS name - ANGELNORTH or her Blog name - Ambrosia and Iron. Talk about creative and adventurous ... and that's Joanne! I've always been amazed with her work. She even does things like dye her own silk ribbon using vegetable like beets! You really should check out her work ... she is totally amazing!!



Well, of course I just had to hurry and ink up this image. Unfortunately with it being a bit late and me getting tired ... I don't think this is my best work! But, I still like it and was able to use up some scraps that were close at hand. Starting with the background paper which is a scrap from the Crafty Secrets EARTHY pack. I used the vintage suitcase image from Inkadinkado and stamped it randomly over the dp. Next I inked up my SURPRISE image using Versafine black ink and sprinkled with PK Glitz gold embossing glitter then heat embossed. The stop watch is a die from the Spellbinders Shapabilities (Heritage) set. I diecut this image using heavy gold metallic paper. Looks really cool in real life! (click on the image for a closer view)The cute couple down in the corner is another scrap from the "extras" box ... an image on the journaling portion of one of the Crafty Secrets booklets but I don't remember right now which one! I obviously used the top (main image) portion for another project then tossed this into the "extras" box. The sentiment oval was also from the "extras" box ... actually from a holiday set ... again I don't remember which set. My gold button on the upper left corner was also a die cut from the same Shapabilities set. The colorful JOURNEY image in the background is by Magenta and the satin ribbon was a scrap piece but I know where it came from ... Hobby Lobby!



Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today and thanks so much dear Joanne!! What a sweet, pleasant surprise! You have a heart of gold!!

Stamp Simply #91 - Half Circles

What a fun challenge Sharon Johnson (notimetostamp) has for today in the STAMP SIMPLY CHALLENGE! PLEASE jump on over to her blog to see her GORGEOUS creation and don't forget to check out what her DT ladies have created for this challenge also! There are some really cool cards & projects you won't want to miss!!

I have created two cards for today's challenge! I don't always remember to "Stamp Simply" because that's not my normal style. One that I love mind you ... but rarely think to do!! On my first card I have used a summertime theme. With June being Strawberry month (at least here in NE Ohio) I thought this cute Crafty Secrets Garden Creative Scrap image and Stemma Strawberry Patch designer paper would work perfectly. This adorable little cook from the Crafty Secrets Sweet Stuff stamp set appears to be getting that strawberry mixture all ready for her pie.

The base card used here is SU Garden Green and the background panel is from the DCWV Garden Party 12x12 paper pack (just love this pack). I used my circle & scallop circle Nestabilities to cut my circles and a fine tip Creative Memories black marker to do tiny dots around the outside perimeter of the scallop matting. I have used dimensional tape to give my little cook dimension (see close up view) and did a little paper piercing around the Creative Scrap image. My red gingham ribbon is actually Michael's holiday ribbon and this is the end of it!!

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For my second card I tried really hard to keep it STAMP SIMPLY style. In a prior post I used this beautiful BoBunny designer paper I had just purchased and the pieces on that card were too small for you to really appreciate how pretty this paper is so I used it for my card today.

Now this is as simply stamped as you can get in my opinion. I used my Nesties to cut the circle and scallop circle then used the SU scallop border punch for the background panel. My sentiment is by Magenta and my organza ribbon is from Hobby Lobby. I used my Bow-Easy for my ribbon and added a Martha Stewart pearl for a touch of elegance.

There you have it for today! I'm sitting at Akron's City Hospital with my sweet husband and he's doing pretty good. Since he has tested positive for C-diff infection, he'll be here for a couple more days but they have his nausea under control so that's a big plus!! Thanks for all who have sent well wishes & prayers our way!!

Isn't modern technology wonderful!! Having this laptop to keep me occupied while DH is resting is awesome! Here's wishing you all a wonderful weekend and thanks so much for stopping by!!

Sending You Sunshine ...

As you all know, my DH is once again admitted to the hospital. Luckily it's our local hospital so I'm able to go back & forth to home a lot easier than the hour trip I was making to Cleveland Clinic during his transplant. While taking a few hours at home today I was able to crank out this creation to cover the PCP (Papercraft Planet) Color Challenge and the Sketches! {by tamara} Sketch Challenge. (By the way, he is already feeling much better but I'm sure he's going to be in here for at least 3-4 more days.)

The color challenge was to use Whisper White, Basic Black and as many shades of Green as you wanted. I have used 2 shades of SU watercolor green to color the leaves on my SU Toile Blossoms image which was stamped onto Whisper White using Wild Wasabi Green ink and also sponged with Wild Wasabi before removing from the Nestabilities long rectangle diecut. My moss green grosgrain ribbon is by Offray, the green pearled brads are from Target and I have used Wild Wasabi to punch my accent sprigs with the Martha Stewart branch punch. My Wild Wasabi sentiment (Friends) is by My Sentiments Exactly and the (Sending you Sunshine) is from My Favorite Things. I have used green PK Glitz embossing glitter to add a touch of sparkle even though you can't see it in the photo. (sorry, I was in a hurry)

I did take the creative liberty of adding an additional panel under the ribbon treatment of the sketch. (Hope that doesn't disqualify my entry ... lol!) I just felt the argyle pattern needed broken up a bit before adding my main image panel and that the ribbon would show up better too.

The following is a complete list of ingredients for my card:

Stamps: SU Toile Blossoms, My Sentiments Exactly, My Favorite Things

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Wild Wasabi, The Paper Studio Inc. designer paper

Ink: Versafine black, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Nestabilities, sponge, PK Glitz embossing glitter, SU watercolor pencils & blender pen, Offray grosgrain ribbon, Target brads, dimensional tape,

Thanks for stopping by today. Tomorrow is Sharon Johnson's (notimetostamp) STAMP SIMPLY challenge and I hope to have something to share with you.

Color Throwdown #46 & SCS Sketch #232

Hello All!! Sorry I'm late posting yesterday's challenges but yesterday was a challenge in more than one way!! DH has been having some "stomach issues" ever since he came home from Cleveland Clinic the end of April ... well, to make a long story short ... I had to admit him to the hospital yesterday and they are running tests to see exactly what is going on. He was already feeling somewhat better when I left him last evening! I will keep you posted on this issue and ask that you say a little prayer for him! Thanks!

Now, on to my card for the Color Throwdown Challenge. My friend, Tammy Hershberger - STAMP HAPPY -( waving HI to Tammy) was our hostess and the colors she chose lent themselves perfectly for a baby card (in my opinion that is!!). I (at my age) don't have much call for baby cards, but I've had this adorable image by Serendipity Stamps for awhile now and just knew it was the image I wanted to use for my card. I stamped my image twice using Versafine Black ink ... once on white cardstock and then again on this SU Delicate Dots designer paper. Using my trusty swivel craft knife, I cut out the designer paper image and pieced it onto the white cardstock image. I purposely cut out the bonnet pieces to make it appear that the bonnet was white with the matching green accent band. (see closeup view) The border was created using the Stampin' Up Eyelet border punch with Certainly Celery cs and SU Delicate Dots designer paper. My coordinating designer papers are also from the SU Delicate Dots pack. I've used Certainly Celery ribbon, a Target polka dot brad, Hero Arts gems & Prima flowers for my embellishments. The sentiment is from an older SU set called "Riveting". Nestabilities was used for the circle matting on my sentiment.

That's about it for the details on my Color Throwdown card for this week. Hope you like it and can find a little inspiration from my work.

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I'd also like to share with you my card for the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge. This was such a fun sketch and I had just purchased this really cool BoBunny 12x12 paper and could not wait to use it. This sketch came at the perfect time!!!

As stated, the paper is from 2 different sheets of BoBunny designer paper. One sheet is called Aquamarine Dots and the other is Alissa So Cute. I've used the SU Morning Soft image for my focus and I have used both the front and back side of the Aquamarine Dots dp to paper piece the flowers. Each panel has been matted using Basic Black cardstock ... my sentiment is from Inkadinkado and the gorgeous black pearls are Martha Stewart!!

I so hope you enjoy this creation also and find inspiration! Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful, creative day!!

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #5

It's MIDNIGHT MADNESS time again!!! What a cool sketch this week to work with! Have you checked out Priscilla's Blog yet ... HERE's a link or you can use the blinkie in my sidebar. Look's like fun, huh!!!

Priscilla always has the most unique sketches to play with and her DT creates some awesome cards!!! Please ... check them out when you get the chance ... you won't be disappointed!!

This is what I came up with today! What do you think?? Isn't this little girl SWEET!!! I downloaded this image from the Art Creations Friday Blog ... be sure to check this site out also, especially if you love vintage as I do!! Every Friday she offers downloads of pictures or backgrounds from which you can create an ATC or card and link it back to her blog. Some very unique images & creations ... you don't want to miss this one either!!

Back to my card ..........

This sweet image was cut into a 2-1/2" square and the purely pomegranate matting was cut into a 2-3/4" square. I've used the Mary Engelbreit Rose corner punch and double matted with basic black cs. Very little use of stamps & inks on this creation!! The only stamps used where 2 different silouette images, one from Just for Fun and the other from Endless Creations. They were stamped on a piece of Whisper White using Versafine Black for another card but I ended up doing something different so this "piece of scrap" was left laying on the worktable. Since I accidently cut through it while playing with my new Spellbinder (Timeless Heritage)Shapabilities .... it ended up being a perfect HEART LOCK for today's card (see closeup).

The papers used on this card are: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate and several different Graphic 45 pieces. (LOVE Graphic45 papers!!)

Embellishments used were: Mary Engelbreit Rose corner punch, Martha Stewart branch punch, Prima flowers, Target gem brad, Spellbinder (timeless heritage) Shapeabilities, Nestabilities (circle & scallop circle) diecuts, Mark Richards gold ball gem, and the flower gems I've had forever and don't remember who makes them (sorry)!

I NEED A FAVOR FROM YOU ALL .... sometimes I think I go into way too much detail and "talk too much". Please let me know what you think. Seriously ... am I talking way too much (I have a tendency to go on, and on, and on .... see what I mean!!! Do I need to shorten my wording on my posts ???? I'm afraid I'll lose followers because I don't know when to quit .... I would love to have your input on this topic!! THANKS and thanks for stopping by today!!!

CCEE Challenge

Today's CCEE Stampers Challenge is a CNFS (Catchy Name Featured Stamper) challenge. Today's featured stamper is none other than my friend Dawn (flowergal36).

Dawn & I have never met in person but we have emailed back & forth several times and I consider her a friend I can call upon when I need a sounding board. Dawn lives in a little town in North Carolina where another friend of mine goes several times a summer to a particular stamping store. Her next trip down I'm hitching a ride and hoping to link up with Dawn!! Wouldn't that be cool!!! If you click on DAWN'S NAME, (above) that will take you to her BLOG ... if you click on her SCS name, it will take you to her SCS gallery. Please stop by and show her some LOVE ... she's an awesome person!! OKAY ... now onto the cards!

Today I wanted to achieve a couple of things ... use up some of the scraps on my table, make a couple birthday cards and use the heat embossing/sponging technique. This first card will be my sister, Linda's birthday card. I have stamped this lovely Just For Fun image twice to achieve that shadowed appearance then using detail clear embossing powder, heat embossed. Then I began with the sponging using lightest to darkest colors. The colors I chose were Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Not Quite Navy & Versafine Black. This was done on a piece of 3x4 white cs which was then cut in an over using my Nestabilities oval diecuts. The matting was also achieved with Nestabilities oval scallop diecuts which I then used a 1/16" hole punch on each of the scallops. My background paper is a scrap piece of Making Memories designer paper which I also sponged using the same color inks as the main image. I used a scrap piece of Basic Black & the SU scallop border punch to make my horizontal piece and wrapped a scrap piece of Hobby Lobby organze ribbon around it for some added color & dimension. My sentiment is from the Stampin' Up Fabulous Flowers set and it's perfect for who this card is going to!! My older sister (by 13 months) will be "60" on Wednesday. Trust me when I tell you, this lady definately "Dares to be Fabulous" !!!! She certainly doesn't look even close to her age and definately knows how to enjoy life!!!

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My second card is done with the same technique but with shades of yellow. This image is by Endless Creations and the sentiment is by Studio G.

The recipe for this card is as follows:

Stamps: Endless Summer, Studio G

Paper: Basic Black, More Mustard, Whisper White and scraps of K&Company designer paper

Ink: Versafine black, Summer Sun, More Mustard, Creamy Carmel

Accessories: Nestabilities, Dimensional Tape, Detail Clear Embossing Powder, Fine Tip Black Marker by Creative Memories, Metal Ruler, Sponges

When using a silouette type image as I have done on these two cards, I really like how the sponging (or brayering) technique looks. If you haven't tried this ... you really should ... it's easy and I think has a great look!!

Thanks so much for stopping by and if you leave a comment, you have MADE MY DAY!! Happy Stamping All!!

Our Creative Corner Challenge

This week's OCC (Our Creative Corner) challenge is a sketch challenge hosted by Jennifer Meyer (Jennifer's Sweet Designs) . I love doing sketch challenges simply because the first step (the layout) is already decided for me and that helps a lot when the mojo isn't as it should be!!! If you know what I mean, LOL!!




I took the liberty of flipping this sketch to accommodate this cute Rubber Cottage image I purchased at the Adventures in Stamping convention back in April and had yet to ink up. I missed my neice's little boy's birthday last month so I think I'll get him a gift card and put this in the mail a.s.a.p.! He just turned 5 so I think this will be appropriate.

The recipe for this card is as follows:

Stamps: Rubber Cottage, AMuse

Paper: Navy cs, Real Red, Garden Green, WW & Stampin' Up dp

Ink: Versafine Black

Accessories: Offray navy grosgrain ribbon, Making Memories brads, SU watercolor pencils & blender pen

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today ... hope you are having a wonderful weekend!!!

PCP Crafty Secrets Challenge

Hello Everyone! Hope you are all enjoying your weekend!! It's Sunday and that means I have posted another challenge over on Papercraft Planet with the Crafty Secrets Group. Won't you please come join in on the fun???

I can't believe we are already into the month of JUNE!! Wow, where is the time going?? My challenge to you today is to make a creation showing "what JUNE means to you". For me, it's all about getting the gardening/yard work done. I love planting my annuals amongst the perannials for a summer full of sweet smells and color!



On my card I have used the new Crafty Secrets (Garden) Creative Scraps and the background paper is from the DCWV 12x12 (Garden Party) pack. My only embellishments are the red gingham ribbon from Michael's and my new Bazzill Basic Paper flowers from Archiver's. I have added a little red brad from Making Memories for the center. These new Creative Scraps from Crafty Secrets are amazing! They are not only awesome, colorful images but they make for a quick, easy-peasy creation. If you haven't seen them yet, you really must check them out. Here is a QUICKLINK for your convenience. Be sure to check out all the other goodies Sandy Redburn has to offer over on the Heartwarming Vintage/Crafty Secrets website.


Have a great day and thanks for stopping by today!!! Hope to see you again real soon!!

Cards for Grandma Lou ...

I am so fortunate to have WONDERFUL neighbors! The one couple who lives right next door (Phil & Christine Adkins) have two little girls, Olivia (age 7) & Emily (almost 5), who are just adorable. They have welcomed us into their gatherings as if we are family and we have been invited to every birthday party for the girls since we moved here 6 years ago.

The cards I have to share with you today are a birthday gift for Phil's mother (MaryLou), who the girls call "Grandma Lou". MaryLou really has her hands full right now and I was hoping that an unexpected surprise might help lift her spirits. MaryLou has had her mother (Ester - age 97) living with her for several years but over the past year or so she has really started developing alzeheimer symtoms and difficulties. Of course with her age, her internal functions are beginning to fail her as well. She gets very upset if MaryLou leaves the room let alone think about going out to get groceries and such. It's almost like the role of mother & daughter have totally reversed. MaryLou is such a sweet, God-loving woman and I pray the good Lord gives her the strength to endure the journey she's on right now with her Mom.

CHECK OUT this birthday present the "little ones" have made for their Grandma Lou. Isn't it awesome??? They know how much Grandma Lou LOVES gardening and so they created (with Mommy's help) this lovely herb garden. I lent a helping hand by creating the "Grandma Lou's Garden" tag for the center. I have no doubt this will put a huge smile on Grandma Lou's face.

Thanks for stopping by today. If you have any questions on the above cards, please don't be afraid to ask. Have a wonderful weekend!! (Don't forget you can click on any of the photos for a larger view.)

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!!