A NEW digi artist is in our midst ....

That's right and that new digi artist is none other than my friend, Boni Boutelle-Jones of Bonibleaux Designs!  You can see her new digis at Firecracker Designs by Pamela.  Click on the "new" tab and it will take you right to them!  Boni is currently focused on those "GUY" type of images that we are always on the lookout for!
  

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She has a FREEBIE for you (until July 19th) and here is a card I have created with that freebie called "KEN". Boni offers sentiments with her images but I have used one from DRS.  

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How cute is this image called "Hillbilly Moonshine"!  Again I have used my own idea on the sentiment and the coloring was done using Prismacolor markers & Prisma pencils.

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Another fun image is "Lord Money Man" and I couldn't help but computer generate my own sentiment again!  He just looked like this is what he'd be saying ...  And did you notice the Crystal Effects on the eye piece ... looks so cool!!!  LOL!!

And lastly I have a "sneak peek" for you on one of the upcoming images Boni will be adding to the FCD site this week.  You will be able to see this card in it's entirety this Wednesday.


I just want to say to Boni ... "Congrats girlfriend ... YOU GO GIRL!"


You just have to go check out these new digis ... what fun!  Have a great evening!!

It's Squigglefly Time ...

Happy Monday Everyone!

I'm so proud to say this is my first uploaded creation as an official Squigglefly DT member!  YEAH!!!   I am on Kim Rhead's team and Today's Challenge is "Christmas in July". 

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I couldn't help but "create a scene" with these adorable image so I have used images from two (of the many) artists.  The "typical" guy on the couch is called "A Snack & A Nap" by Chesney Young and the Santa Elf figure is called "Delivery Boy Santa" by Cheryl Alger.  Aren't they just the cutest images!!   

It looks like there will be no packages under the tree this year ... it seems these little guys are helping themselves while Pappy takes a snooze ...  yikes!! They must be related to the Grinch, LOL!

Please be sure to pop on over to our blog to check out ALL the images available by an array of artists!!  And, while you are there please take a peek at what the other Squigglefly DT members have created for this fun challenge ... and then ... come play along!!

Oh, before I forget ... the NEW RELEASES are amazing and you won't want to miss out of those either!  Yikes, so much to do & see at Squigglefly!  ENJOY!!

 

Playing with Digis

Hi Everyone!  

Hope you're having a fun filled weekend!

I've had several digi images from various artists over on CDAC colored and ready to create ... and finally took the time to do just that and would like to share them with you!

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This fun digi is from Glitterbabe and you can find HER BLOG HERE.  You can also check her out over on her CDAC group.  Isn't this gazebo darling ... I used Prismacolor markers and chalks for my coloring. The lattice panel is a Martha Stewart punch, the flowers are both Prima & Darice and the sentiment is Hero Arts.

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This next one is a happy potted flower from Daisy Doodles.  HERE is their challenge blog and HERE is their CDAC group.  After using my Prismacolor markers to color this digi, I immediately thought of the Basic Grey designer papers for the background and a satin ribbon/Martha Stewart lacey butterfly as accents.

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This last FUN creation is called " Thinking Ant"  from Doodle Pantry.  You can see their challenge blog HERE and their CDAC Group HERE.  I can see an ANT that I don't think of picnic in some manner so I decided to use GREEN gingham instead of the traditional red and I like how it came together.  This card is going to a friend whom I haven't been in contact in awhile(my bad!) ... hence the " red faced ant!"

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a wonderful remainder of the weekend ... it sure comes & goes by quickly!!  Hugs to you all!

_______________

Before I go, do you want to see something funny!  My daughter found this photo on Facebook (of all places) and tagged it for me!  This was taken back in the mid 80s.  I am on the RIGHT ... daughter, Carolyn is on the LEFT.  The other lady was a friend of mine and the GUY was MY boyfriend (maybe I should say boy-toy, LOL) ... he was a good bit younger than I ...but hey, this was in my divorced, single days, I "looked good" (about 50 lbs. lighter) and besides ... I was allowed!!  Tooooooo funny!  Check this out:

 OKAY . . . STOP LAUGHING!!!  

This was 20+ years ago for crying out loud!!  LOL!!  

Where does the time go?? 

Samples & A Couple of Challenges

Good Evening Everyone!

My sweet husband came home from work today and handed me a note from one of the ladies in his office (who enjoys my note-card sets) and asked me to share a few "new" samples with her.  The last several sets she has purchased have been the same design but different colors.  Here's what I've come up with ... what's your favorite?

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On this card, I actually had a couple of challenges in mind when creating it!  The sketch is from the CCEE Stampers (CCEE1027) Challenge and I have used Kraft cardstock for the CAS-tastic Challenge (CWC011).  The designer paper is K&Co. Ancestry and I have used a Prismacolor Marker for the faux stitching.  

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For the next three creations, I have used various punches and Cuttlebug embossing folders.  

(

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Of course, I have used my own initials for any monogrammed samples (which this lady seems to like), that way if she does not approve of any particular one, I can still utilize it!  

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So which is your favorite?  I'm anxious to hear what she thinks of these particular creations.  They are a little more elaborate than those she's had in the past, but no more labor intensive!  Should be interesting.

Thanks for stopping by and I would really love to hear your opinion!  Have a wonderful weekend!  

More Challenge Fun ...

Can you believe it, Challenge #5 is up over at Joan's Gardens!  I can't believe we are already on the fifth challenge!  

Wow ... where's the time going??  

This week are are to use Graphic45 designer paper somewhere on your creation and Frame our Focal Point.

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I have used Graphic45 "On the Boardwalk" designer paper and Nestabilities Labels 10 for my framing.

Other ingredients in this creation:
Stamps:  Stampendous
Inks:  Versacolor 'seafoam'
Accessories:  All Night Media corner punch, Offray white satin ribbon, Prismacolor olive green marker, Liquid Pearls, Pop Dots, sponge applicator

If you haven't checked out Joan's blog/store ... please take the time and do so!  Her ordering service is quick & easy ... and her new challenge is great fun!  Come join in on the fun!  See you there!

Bakin' Up Goodies at Raise The Bar

That's right, the challenge at Raise The Bar this week is all about those BAKED GOODIES!  The DT members have come up with some really awesome & inspiring works of art so be sure to pop over and take a look!

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I decided to go with an image from the Crafty Secrets Homemade Booklet to make this Birthday creation.  Do you remember the "old" mixers??  They weren't nearly as fancy or had as many attachments as the new Kitchen-Aid style mixers but they got the job done!  And, how about this "June Cleaver" lady in her ruffled apron ... somehow I don't remember MY mom dressing like that when she was in the kitchen!  Hmmm ... maybe I'm not as old as I think I am!  LOL!

I hope you'll join in on our challenge this week!  Would be fun to see what you come up with!  Hope you have a wonderful day!  They are calling for rain today but I haven't seen any yet ... sure could use it though!  VERY muggy this morning so I'll be staying indoors again!!  Hugs to you all!  

Recipe card for Crafty Secrets ...

It's time again (well past time actually, lol) for the Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge over on SCS.  Jan is our guest hostess this week and she has asked us to make a RECIPE CARD using our Crafty Secrets products.  

WELL ...

On the 4th of July, the young couple across the street invited us over for a Bar-b-q!  They don't have any children and their family is back in the Pittsburgh, PA area just like ours.  So, it was nice to spend the time together!  Christy was so excited to be able to "entertain" and not only did she make a wonderful holiday feast, but she also had a "surprise drink" for me to try!  It was called a COTTONCANDY VODKA MARTINI.  I'm not much of a drinker, but I do enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine now & then with friends or family!  

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So, my recipe card is what is needed to make this sweet drink.  You could actually leave the vodka out, and add some fresh strawberries, raspberries or pineapple along with a splash of soda like Squirt to make a very refreshing treat!  Oh, before I forget ... be careful of the colors of cotton candy & juice you use ... sometimes they come out looking like mud!!  Christy used yellow cotton candy and they came out orange ... really cool & fun!

RECIPE for my card is as follows:
Stamps:  Crafty Secrets (Wine Lovers & Glamour Girls)
Papers:  Crafty Secrets (Earthy dp), Whisper White
Ink:  Versafine Black

Hope you are having a fun day!  It's in the 90s here again today and I'm just working on "staying cool in the A/C".  Thanks for stopping by ... have a great day!

Michelle Perkette Challenge

One more challenge for you today and this one is a new challenge for me!  I've gotten familiar with SO MANY NEW artists and blogs through CDAC and Michelle Perkette is one of those people!  Her images are awesome and her challenge this week really intrigued me so I decided to play along.

Challenge = White on White 

with Colored Image

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Other than the layers, I would say this is a CAS (clean & simple) creation by my standards and I just LOVE how it really makes the main focus image POP!!

Recipe for creation:
Stamps:  Michelle Perkette digi
Papers:  Whisper White
Accessories:  Cuttlebug bubble EF, Nestabilities classic & scallop ovals, pop dots, Martha Stewart Lacey Butterfly punch, White Satin Ribbon, Kaiser White Pearls.

Thanks so much for stopping by and always being so generous with your comments!  I love hearing what you have to say ... bad or good!!  Happy Day Everyone!

The Sisterhood Challenge ... Flower of the Month

Today's challenge at The Sisterhood of Crafters is all about the "July Flowers of the Month".  Did you know that would be the Delphinium, Larkspur or Water Lily.  

Both the Delphinium & Larkspur are my personal favorites and when I was a little girl, my dad always grew both of these beautiful spiky flowers for me since my birthday was in July... pretty special, huh!!  

I have made two cards for today's challenge and both were created using Teri's Delicious Doodles digi images. Be sure to check out these digis ... they are amazing!!

And Diane has put together a yummy prize pack for our winner this week. All you have to do to win this.......

is play along this week!!!!! Hop on over to my sisters for a peek at their awesome inspiration today. While there, leave them some love!!!! 


Now it's your turn ... be sure to pop over to our challenge blog for ALL the details from today's hostess Diane and be inspired by the creations from my other Sisterhood SISTAHS!!
 

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!  You have MADE MY DAY!!!  

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - 7 of Something

Good Morning Everyone!!

With it being the 7th day of the 7th month, Courtney over at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge, thought it would be fun to make a creation using "7 of something".  I chose to use 7 flowers on this $1 box I picked up at Michael's and altered using Webster's Pages designer paper.  Isn't it cute! 

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I just love this Webster's Pages paper and the flowers are from a company called Wild Orchid Crafts (who by the way is starting a brand new challenge blog and are offering AMAZING candy ... see my sidebar).

Here is a better view of the top of the box. 

And I thought you might like to see that I've also cut the corner images from the scraps of the 8x8 designer paper and used it to decorate the inside of the box as well.


Now it's your turn!  Come on over to our challenge blog for ALL the details and while you are there check out the amazing inspiration from the design team.  We would also like to WELCOME two new members to the team ...Julye & Jackie. 

Have a wonderful day!

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #61

Time again for another Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge and once again, I am in awe of the creativity on this site!  If you've never been there (and I can't believe you haven't!!) you really need to check it out!!!

This week I chose an image from Magic Moonlight and the designer paper is Basic Grey Euphoria.  Of course I love these homemade vellum flowers (tutorial by Selma Stevenson) and that is what I've used as my single embellishment.

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It's going to be another HOT day in N.E. Ohio (90s) so I think I'll spend my day in the "crafting cave" ... nice and cool down there!!  Hope you have a great day and thanks for stopping by!  

*Wink *Wink Ink CHALLENGE TIME

Hello everyone!

Did you have a FUN weekend??  Hope so! 

Well, it's the first Monday of the Month and that means it is time again for a new *Wink *Wink Ink Challenge.  Not only is it a NEW challenge ... but it's in a NEW location.  That's right, our challenges will now be posted on our *Wink *Wink Ink Group Page at CDAC (Crafters Digital Art Center) in the discussions forum.

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Today our theme is to use a "HOMEMADE EMBELLISHMENT" on our cards/projects.  I just love these crocheted flowers and I was lucky enough to receive some in the mail from my friend Kay Squires.  Although I didn't make this flower myself, (I'm not that good at crocheting with thread) Kay's MOM made some for me ... isn't that awesome!!  

I used the yellow flower with a large brad center to mimic the little flower on this adorable image called "Hangin' Out".  You can find this image and many, many more at the *Wink *Wink Ink Store.  Please check 'em out!  I would love for you to come join in on our challenge ... if you don't own any Wink Wink Ink images yet ... Melanie has a freebie offered on the company blog ... go grab it and come play along!!  Hope to see you there!!

Joan's Gardens Challenge #4

We are headed across the street for a July 4th cookout but before I go, I wanted to share with you another Red, White & Blue creation.  This one is for the challenge at Joan's Gardens ... "use R/W/B and a Cuttlebug Folder".

I know it's a little difficult to see in the photo (sorry no time to take another one) but I did use the Cuttlebug folder "Diamond Plate" on the navy blue background panel.  It was actually fun to think "outside the box" and create using R/W/B but in a Non-Patriotic way!  I don't usually put these colors together unless it's in reference to a USA holiday.  Using Red & Green is another one ... has to be Christmas!  Stuck in a rut I guess!!  LOL!!

Why not join in on the fun!!  Joan is generously offering some amazing prizes!  You still have time ... please go check it out!

Ooops!  Gotta go ... I can smell the chicken on the barbie already!!  YUMMO!!  Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!!

Some have asked ... the image is by 

Great Impressions! 

Summer is in FULL SWING ...

HAPPY 4th of July!

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!  So far the weather has been very cooperative and the sun is shining down on all those parade & picnic goers!  

With summertime in full swing, Cheryl over at Stamp By Step has asked her DT to create using "Summertime" as the theme.  Here's what I've come up with ...

  Everyone waits for summertime so they can "go to the beach" ... this adorable image is from the Crafty Secrets Seaside stamp set and the paper is also Crafty Secrets ... Earthy paper pack.

More fun in the sun with these Stampendous "Fun in the Sun" & "Seagulls" stamp sets.  The designer paper is The Thrift Shop "October Afternoon" and the fence was created using the Martha Stewart fence border punch.

Of course, what is summertime & the 4th of July without a Bar-B-Q???   These cute images are from the Stampendous "Fun Food" stamp set.  The sentiment is computer generated and the border punch is from Fiskars.

Summertime is always the perfect time for posie picking!!  And that's what this Stampendous stamp set is called ... "Posie Picker".  The designer papers are also from The Thrift Shop - October Afternoon paper pack.  The flowers and beautiful floral brad centers were courtesy of Stamp-By-Step.

Please be sure to pop on over to Stamp-By-Step and see all the wonderful crafting supplies Cheryl has in stock!!  And check out the July sale she has going on right now! 

Well, back to the holiday fun & festivities (cleaning out the garage, uugh!)  The neighbors have invited us over later for a cookout ... and the drink of the day will be "cotton candy cosmopolitans" ... hmmmm!!  Should be fun and very interesting!!!  Have a great day everyone!!

Raise The Bar - Red, White & Blue

Happy 4th of July Weekend to all 

of my USA friends, family & followers!

Today's challenge over at Raise The Bar is to use the colors Red, White & Blue (or the colors of your flag if you're non-US).

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I not only have used the colors required ... but have used this adorable patriotic puppy from Joni's store ... Inktegrity. Isn't he adorable and he's all ready to wave his flag at the local parade!!


Thanks to everyone who played our "Evening Themed" challenge last week ... your entries were awesome!  I hope you'll join us again this week!  Thanks for stopping by and be sure to pop over to our challenge blog and see what my Co-Bar-Tenders have created to inspire you!!

Enjoy your 4th and please be safe!!