Papercraft Planet Sketch Challenge

What a cool sketch over on the Papercraft Planet. You can find the details HERE. I needed a birthday card for an online friend whose birthday I totally missed last week. Well in all fairness, I really didn't know she was celebrating a birthday until I saw another crafter's post of a card she had made for Dawn (flowergal36). HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY DAWN!!!

This was a really fun sketch and since I just purchase two new Martha Stewart border punches, of course I had to utilize one on this card. The background paper is from the DCWV Old World pack and the bird image is by Inkadinkado. The vertical sentiment is by Magenta. Sorry about the brads being crooked ... they were an afterthought to tie in with the bluebird.

That's it for now ... thanks for stopping by!! Update: We have an appointment with the Oncologist later this morning to hear the results of last week's Pet Scan. Unfortunately I don't feel too optomistic ... but we'll wait to see what the doctor says!

Featured Stamper Challenge

Happy Day Everyone!!!

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

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

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

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

Time to Share the SURPRISE ...

From the beginning ...

the other day my friend, Anita Kurtz, emailed me and asked if I would be "up to a visit" on Thursday evening since she had some shopping to do in my area. Of course I said YES ... always LOVE when friends come to visit! Well she called when she "got in the area" and as she came up the sidewalk I noticed she wasn't alone ... my friend Tammy Hershberger was with her and they were "baring gifts!" I thought "now what are these two up to???" Joyfully I learned that the STAMP SIMPLY ladies were talking and decided to all go together and with the local help of Anita & Tammy ... put together this AWESOME goodie basket as well has hand-made cards from each of the ladies!



Needless to say, my jaw hit the floor and I got so excited!!! I still can't believe these ladies would take the time out of their busy lives (and the expense) to do something like this for Mark & I ... WOW, that just blows my mind!!!


We went into the livingroom where my husband, Mark was to share in opening these beautiful cards and fun gifts! He too was very impressed and overwhelmed with this generous gesture! The beautiful basket was filled with Movie Going Goodies ... you know ... M&Ms, Whoppers, Junior Mints, Raisinets, Starburst, HUGE bag of Twizzlers, and even Werther's Originals ... HOW COOL IS THAT!!! Oh, and it doesn't stop there!!! Since Mark isn't up to going out to the movies these days ... they even got us a gift card for Blockbuster! Now we can have our movie & movie goodies right in our own comfy livingroom!! Since Mark bought himself a new 58" HD Plasma TV when he was diagnosed, figuring he'd be "in the house" a lot ... it will actually feel like we're at the theatre!!! There is also a gift card for Panera Bread in case we need real food like soup & sandwich to go with our Movie Goodies!! Ooops wait ... I forgot to add it to the photo ... Anita walked in with a huge box of Orville Redenbacher's popcorn too! What's Movie Night without popcorn?????? (These ladies thought of everything!!)


WAIT ... there's more!!! (can you imagine!!! ... more!!!) It's a treat JUST FOR ME!! They have spoiled me with 4 - 1 hour sessions at the Kimz Kare Relaxation Massage! OH MY GOODNESS ... pinch me because I think I'm dreaming!! (hang on while I wipe away the tears) ...





Here are the cards these wonderfully talented ladies sent to Tammy to include in our surprise! I was overwhelmed with each & every one of them as was Mark!! I was having a terrible time reading the messages inside (Anita & Tammy thought it was just my "old eyes ... maybe need new glasses") but actually I was having trouble fighting back the tears that kept welling up and causing "blurred vision". Aren't they gorgeous????










Mind you, I've never met any of these ladies in person (which I hope to do someday) but I consider them all "my friends"!!! How do I possibly express to these lovely ladies how touched I am by their kindness other than to just say "Thank YOU and I LOVE you all!!!"

Stamp Simply Challenge - LET'S GET NEGATIVE

Happy Friday everyone!!! The end of another week and it's time for Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply Challenge. Today she has challenged us to Go Negative ... with negative images that is!!!

I must admit, I was a little confused on what to do here so on my first card I used what I felt to be a "negative image" but wasn't sure so I also used the NEGATIVE portion of a Nestabilities diecut from a previous project to showcase my sentiment. My hibiscus image is by Penny Black and after embossing, I cut it out with my Nestabilities and sponged the image before removing it from the die (a little trick I learned from our wonderful host, Sharon). The background paper is by graphic 45 and I'd love to tell you who this sentiment is by but I can read the markings on the side of the stamp ... I'll have to get back to you on that!!

After making my first card, I thought .... is this what Sharon is talking about??? And after some thought, I decided to do a card THIS way ... using a regular image, I inked it with Ranger Perfect Medium ... embossed with detail clear then sponged around the image with Ranger Antique Linen & Vintage Photo distress inks. I thought this gave the image a (reverse) NEGATIVE appearance.

The background paper on this card is also by graphic 45 (love these papers) and I've used my Nestabilities Label Two diecuts for my main image. I also done some faux stitching and paper piercing on this main panel. The sentiment stamp is by Inkadinkado and I've also sponged it with Ranger distress inks to give it a more vintage appeal. The piece of lace behind my main panel is actually accru seam binding which I've inked over with Ranger Vintage Photo distress ink . The gold thread used on my main image and on the right side of the lace is left over from the holiday's and was purchased at Michael's. I used Martha Stewart pearls on the centers of the clock faces to add a little more dimension.

Okay, so there you have it ... my attempt at GETTING NEGATIVE. (Did I even come close Sharon???? LOL) Be sure to check out Sharon's GORGEOUS card as well as her design team ladies samples ... they are amazing!!!

Please stop back later when I want to share with you the BIG SURPRISE Mark & I received last evening ... you won't want to miss it!!

Sketch Challenge at Papercraft Planet

The Papercraft Planet has certainly grown in leaps & bounds since it's beginning and have so many wonderful groups and challenges available. If you haven't been there ... you really should check it out!! Unfortunately I have been somewhat negligent of the challenges which I SO LOVE to play until today ...

Here is my card for the sketch challenge (sk013109). In my haste, I didn't really catch on to the fact that this was a "double" challenge offer.


The wording went like this:
Using this week's sketch challenge you can be eligible to win Melanie Muenchinger's beautiful stamp set Hand in Hand. All you have to do to enter is use the below sketch with the theme from the movie pick from the Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge blog, where this week we are featuring the movie: The Princess Bride.


Of course, you could just play it as the "sketch" challenge!! Whew ... !! Here are a few details about the card. The butterfly image is by Northwood and the sentiments are by Serendipity. I colored in the image using SU watercolor pencils and blender pen then proceeded to cutting their shape using my Nestabilities circle and scallop circle diecuts.

My sentiment circle was created by stamping and embossing the words ... cutting the shape with a smaller Nestabilities circle THEN ... before removing it from the die, I sponged around it with pink pirouette ink. When removed from the die, it left a nice white border which I then matted using pink pirouette cardstock and the next size up Nestie. A little trick I learned from my your friend and mine ... Sharon Johnson.

The base card is A-6 size premade purchased at Michaels ... background paper is by Paper Pizazz ... Offray ribbon ... Prima flowers and metal butterfly charm by Embellish-It.

Hope you enjoyed my card ... there are other challenges awaiting my creativity so I'd best get busy!!! LOL!! Have a wonderful day my friends!

Why are GUY cards so difficult ...

A long time friend (and ex-boss of DH) who for several years now, lives in Florida with his lovely wife ... was originally from Maine. Mark mentioned today that he has an upcoming birthday and would I make him a card. Well of course I ALWAYS welcome an opportunity to "make a card" so I got right on it! I actually think his birthday is on the 12th but I'm going to drop it in the mail tomorrow ... better early than late, right!!

Knowing this gentleman loves the ocean, ships and that sort of thing ... I thought this type of card would be appropriate. The image on the front of the card is Cape Lookout Lighthouse and the lighthouse on the inside is Marblehead here in Ohio. I have no doubt he will know exactly which lighthouses they are!

The front of the card consists of stamping the image onto glossy white cardstock with India Ink Black and matting with glossy black. Of course I've used my Long Rectangle Nesties for this main panel. The background panel was embossed with the Cuttlebug and matted in both red & blue cardstock to "tie in" with the "sea-going" ribbon. A pretty simple card but I'm sure he'll like it!!

I have another "guy" birthday card to share with you but it will have to wait because I'm afraid he might see it here before he receives it in the mail ... wouldn't want that to happen!!! Thanks so much for stopping by once again ... I ALWAYS love having you here and I hope that somewhere along the line you find some inspiration from my work. I know I draw SO MUCH inspiration from all of you!!! Happy Stamping ...

Love Those Challenges ....

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



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


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


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


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

CCEE Challenge

Happy "Over the Hump" Day to you all!!!

Here is this week's CCEE Stampers Blog sketch challenge. This week's hostess is Tosh Leyendekker. If you are not familiar with Tosh's work ... you really MUST check out her blog HERE!! Tosh has offered up a nice basic sketch that you can really have fun with ... as they say, "you can dress it up or dress it down"!!

Here is my card which I chose to dress up a little just by using this lovely vintage designer paper by The Paper Studio. On the horizontal panel I used a scrap of another The Paper Studio dp which I had on my worktable ... only in a different pattern. Over this panel I used a piece of ivory satin ribbon from Hobby Lobby and on top of that, I used SU Purely Pomegranate double stitched grosgrain ribbon. The circle & scallop circles are both cut using my Nestabilities. The rose image if from an Inkadinkado clear set and the little sentiment Thank You is from Flourishes. It needed a little extra something so I added the butterflies which were made using my Martha Stewart butterfly punch.

Please stop back later when I hope to have my SCS sketch challenge and my Color Throwdown cards to share with you. Mark is working from home today. He went into the office yesterday but it was just too difficult since he can all of a sudden just be exhausted. This way, when he gets tired, he can rest for awhile and then go back to it later. Other than that, he's feeling pretty good ... just waiting to hear back from the Oncologist as to the test results from Monday. I will keep you posted.

Vintage Valentine Swap

I was graciously invited to join in on a "Vintage Valentine Postcard" swap by Denise (papercuties) over on Splitcoaststampers. These are the postcards I came up with for swap.

With being "postcards" vs. regular cards, you are limited on how many layers, embellishments, etc. that will be allowed by the Post Office (at least I think that to be the case). I have downloaded/printed these lovely vintage images from a website called www.vintagepostcards.com. I then used stickles and glitter pens to enhance the hearts. This should be fun ... I can't wait to see what the other ladies come up with. What do you think??

Crafty Secrets Challenge with a Technique Twist ...

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

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

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

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

Recipe for this card:

STAMPS: Crafty Secrets (Sweet Stuff & Glamour Girls)

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

INK: Versafine black, Pink Pirouette

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

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

FREE Vintage Valentine's Images

If you love vintage, you will love this WEBSITE. Lisa is very generous with her images each holiday and she offers free downloads. Each day she posts a new set of images to download. Here is an example of one of Lisa's downloads! Isn't it awesome!! Please go check it out ... you won't be sorry!!

Outline Sticker Card

Happy Tuesday Morning All!

I have a few challenge cards to work on today but I've had this card sitting on my desk and thought I'd share it with you. I have several of these "outline sticker" sheets in my craftroom that I don't use nearly enough. This particular image came from an Anita's Vintage Outline Sheet which I received from my friend, Linda Davis.

Here's the quick details on putting this card together. I carefully removed this vintage lady sticker from the sheet and adhered it to a piece of white cardstock. Using American Craft & Gelly Roll pens, I colored it in starting with the flowers on the dress & hat. Then using my long rectangle Nesties, I cut my main image & gold metallic mat. The background panel was cut, edged using a gold Pilot marker then run through the Cuttlebug using the Textile embossing folder. The gold metallic heart was punched using the "yellow" Marvy heart punch. The ribbon is organdy from JoAnn's and the sentiment was also cut using a Nesties (tag diecut), outlined using the gold Pilot marker and attached using a Making Memories gold brad.

Actually a pretty simple card but I love how it turned out. It's really much prettier in real life because it's so difficult to get a good photo without a reflection in the gold metallic paper. Oh well ... you get the jest!! Have a great day and stop back later when I should have a couple more cards to share with you!! Today is the SCS Crafty Secrets challenge ... I didn't figure out yesterday's helpful clues so I have to wait until the actual challenge is posted to start my card! See you back here later ... until then, have a WONDERFUL day!!

A Proper THANK-YOU!!

Before I post any more cards, I MUST acknowledge these lovely ladies who have so sweetly honored me with the following awards. Please accept my apology for being so delinquent in my acknowlegement!! I am truly thrilled that you think enough of my blog to pass this award on to me! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

First is the "One Lovely Blog Award" which I received from Marie Jokanovic (Marie/bat3) in Melbourne, Australia! Thanks so much Marie ... I'm so thrilled that you like my blog and come to visit!!! I am always so tickled to meet ladies from different parts of the world ... how wonderful is that!!! I will be back to nominate 7 other bloggers for this wonderful award!!

Next is the "Your Blog is Fabulous!" award from Lindsay Weirich. Lindsay is a VERY talented stamper whom I had the pleasure of sharing time on The Rubber Cafe design team with ... please check out her blog and be ready to be amazed!! This award requirements are to list 5 of MY obsessions, so here we go:

1. Stamping/Crafting 2. Chips & Dip 3. Working in my yard/flower gardens 4. Spoiling my grandkids and 5. Staying away from people who are negative in any way (this is my latest obsession)!

Last but not least ... I received this award from a great blogging friend Robin Woodward. She is a very caring blogger who always takes the time to comment on my blog. She has awesome vintage artwork that inspires me to "think outside the box". Please stop by her blog and see for yourself!! The rules behind this award are: I would like to pass this award on to the following wonderful people who are first and most importantly ... CARING bloggers who take time to comment on others work. Also they have fabulous blogs with excellent artwork themselves.

I will give this proper thought and be back to nominate those caring bloggers!! Of course, all of you who comment on my blog deserve this award! Even if you've only stopped by periodically ... at least you took the time to do that!! Thanks!

Featured Stamper Challenge

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

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

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

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

Our Creative Corner Challenge Card

Here's a card I made for the OCC challenge ... using 2 hearts or more.

I've had all of these awesome vintage images in my craftroom that I've just started finally putting to use. They make such beautiful vintage cards but I somehow feel like I'm cheating because I haven't done much stamping on the card.

Anyways, isn't she adorable!!! This image is from a Vintage Children CD that I purchased on Ebay from the CD Shack Media company. The flowers were white and I colored them in using my blender pen and SU Rose Romance ink ... the leaves were done with Old Olive. The base card is a pre-made A-6 white card from Michael's which I've covered using designer paper from The Paper Studio and edged using my Gold Pilot Marker. I used my new Label One Nesties to die cut my image and matting. The pink cs hearts were cut using the small (yellow) Marvy heart punch and strung together with gold elastic cording. A couple of gold Anita's Outline Stickers were used to accent the corners of my image. The only stamping on this card was done with a $1 Valentine set I purchased at Target.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek ... it's always so good to hear from you all!!

Stamp Simply #72 - Love Is In The Air!

Today's Stamp Simply Challenge has to deal with LOVE!

Please stop by Sharon Johnson's blog and show her a little love ... she has had quite a lot on her plate lately and now has been down with the flu bug for the last four days!

Now on to the challenge! In Sharon's words "Make any love themed card you’d like — it could be for Valentine’s Day or for a wedding or anniversary, or even a LOVING birthday or thinking of you card — just incorporate LOVE into your project somehow!!! " (You can click on any of my images for a closer view).

I've had these beautiful vintage images hanging on my pegboard just screaming to be used. I printed them from DigitalCollageSheets.com. My intention was to use all three images on one card but as I started, I realized I wanted to focus on each image individually ... so now I have THREE cards to share with you on this challenge! I know ... CALL ME CRAZY!!!

My first card is my favorite!! The background paper is designer paper to mimic antique lace and is by Karen Foster. All stamping has been done directly onto the paper. Stamps used were: Crafty Secrets (Sew Special), Autumn Leaf Clear Stamp (Love) and Flourishes (Open to Love) double hearts.

My second card was very simple! The background paper is from the DCWV 12x12 Old World pack. The only stamping on this card is the "Special Love" sentiment which is from the Crafty Secrets (Mini Memories) set. I placed my vintage image behind a Darice photo frame and matted it with a scrap of SU designer paper. The organdy ribbon is from JoAnn's and the sticker pearls from Mark Richards. LOVE the softness of this card.

My third card was a little tricky due to the color tone of the image. I finally decided on Pacific Point for my card base and a scrap of SU dp for my background panel. The paper lace is by Around the Block and was given to me by my friend Tammy Hershberger (Stamp Happy). The heart tag I had in my scrapbooking stash and the fibers were also a gift and matched in perfectly. The only stamping on this card is the "Happy Anniversary" sentiment which comes from an Inkadinkado Wedding clear set.

Okay ... that's it for today's Stamp Simply Challenge cards. What fun I had once I decided what to do!! Hope you are having fun today too! Still cold and snowy here in NE Ohio ... so I guess I'll just have to go to the craftroom and play somemore ... oh wow is me!! LOL! Happy Day my friends and thanks so much for stopping by!

Sharing is a GOOD THING!!

Happy Friday my Friends!!

First let me say that the big black birds (grackles) have finally decided to "play nice" and share. As you can see by this photo, there are also cardinals and bluejays now able to partake in feeding! Although I did notice last evening (under the shadow of dusk) that the squirrels were on the feeders and by this morning have nearly cleaned them out! Looks like I'll be trudging through the snow later for a refill! Afterall, they are God's creatures and deserve a little help this time of year!!

Two More Challenges Complete!!

The snow has finally stopped here ... we ended up with nearly a foot and believe me when I say ... enough is enough ... bring on the Springtime weather!! It's nearly bedtime but I just had to share the other two challenge cards I was able to complete today! Hope you don't mind!!

First is a card I did for the sketch challenge over on the Our Creative Corner blog. This was a fun sketch and I couldn't wait to use my new Crafty Secrets "Feeling Yucky" images. Aren't they adorable!!! There are so many cute images on this set ... you'll be seeing more get well cards posted in the days to come I'm sure!! LOL!!

My second card was done for yet another sketch challenge ... this one is over on the PaperCraft Planet. The main panel on this sketch was a heart so I decided to use the nicest "heart" image I have which is from The Rubber Cafe. I've also used my Cuttlebug Heart embossing folder on the Crafty Secrets (Radiant) designer paper as well as the Cuttlebug With Love border folder. The rose is by Paper Inspirations and after inking it with Ruby Red & Always Artichoke, I cut it out and tucked it in behind my border folder panel. I'm very happy with the outcome! What do you think?? Oops, almost forgot ... the FOREVER image is from the SU Wonderful Words II set.

There you have it ... I'm finished playing for today!! But what a fun day I've had ... finally got some creative juices flowing and hated to stop. Thanks so much for stopping by and PLEASE come back ... I love hearing what you think of my work ... good or bad!!

DH is feeling a little better this evening ... let's hope it carries over into tomorrow!!!

Challenge Card fun ...

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



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




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





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


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


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


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

Squirrels Have to Eat Too!!

It is snowing to beat the band here in NE Ohio ... we're expecting a possible 12" before it's all done! Guess where I'll be today ... yep, right here in my warm home ... hopefully doing a little crafting after I get DH's breakfast.

When I opened the blinds in the kitchen this morning ... there they were ... the pesky squirrels up on the bird feeders. I usually chase them away but, (if you saw my previous posting) since the grackles ate all the squirrel feed I put out I guess the birds will have to share what's left of there food today. (Click on the photo for a really nice close-up view). When the snow slows down later in the day, I'll bundle up to clear the driveway and venture out back to replace both bird & squirrel feed. It's tough this time of the year on these little guys and I try to help where I can.

Please stop back later when I should have cards for today's SCS sketch challenge and the Color Throwdown. I'm also working on a few cards for challenges over on the Paper Craft Planet. See you later!!