Love those Cherries!!

Even though Fall is right around the corner, and I enjoy Fall, this Spring/Summer has been beautiful!

Our cherry tree was so full of cherries that I had a difficult time trying to cut the grass underneath the branches. They where just hanging full. It was so much fun to just walk up, pick a cherry and enjoy it's sweetness. It's only now that they are done for the season that I had to heart to trim the branches back.

Each year this tree seems to do better and better.

A couple years ago, Mark decided to build a few birdhouses from scraps of wood we had left over from building the deck. I painted them all differently. One was positioned on one of this trees branches and was painted like the "old barns" that you see out in the country. Evidently the birds liked it because it has been occupied each spring since. One of the houses I painted in bright colors and we gave it to the 2 little girls who live next door and the 3rd house was done up in Black & Gold and labeled "Steeler Country" on the front. (Can you tell we are originally from the Pittsburgh, PA area).

Spoooooky Sketch

This is my card for today's sketch challenge over at SCS. I flipped the sketch because I really wanted to use this image I just purchased from my friend Tammy's store (Toyrifix) over in Smithville, OH. As soon as I saw the sketch, I knew I wanted to do a Halloween card with this image. And the fact that I've had this bat covered scrapbook paper in my stash for ages, was a sure sign of what was to come!

After stamping my image with Versafine and embossing, I used a small sponge pod to sponge on the SU pumpkin pie ink in a swirling motion. Then, I got the bright idea to use a large sponge pod and ink in a moon using summer sun yellow. I liked how it looked but felt it needed a little extra so I added a couple pieces of Halloween wired ribbon I bought at Michael's last year and using a ZIG marker, colored a few dew drops to match in. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. What do you think???

Recipe for this card:

Stamps: Inkadinkado (halloween trails)

Paper: basic black, whisper white, pumpkin pie, The Paper Patch designer paper

Ink: versafine black, pumpkin pie, summer sun

Accessories: clear ep, Michael's wired ribbon, dew drops, orange ZIG marker, small & large sponge pods

Little Cooks

I just had to do another card for today's Crafty Secrets challenge. We were to use our initials as the basis for the choices we made for making our card. For instance, my initials DSP ... here I made a Doily trim table cloth, used a can of Seasoned with love and Pepper. Isn't that a fun idea for a challenge!!

Recipe for this card:

Stamps: Crafty Secrets (Kitchen Classics)

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, DCWV designer paper

Ink: Versafine black

Accessories: Crafty Secrets (Homemade Images & Journal Notes) booklet, Michael's gingham checked ribbon, Gelly Roll green metallic pen, Spica red pen, Pop Dots, Swivel craft knife

Crafty Secrets Challenge

I love doing the Crafty Secrets challenge over on SCS. Joanne (Angelnorth) is our host this month and her first challenge to us is to use our "initials" and the basis for the product used on our cards. My initials are DSP so I used Designer paper, Satin ribbon and Pearls. What a fun idea!!!

Recipe for card:

Stamps: Crafty Secrets (bird lovers), Stampendous (musical notes)

Paper: Chocolate chip, Very vanilla, Crafty Secrets (radiant) dp

Ink: Versafine sepia, Ranger vintage photo distress

Accessories: paper piercer, SU paper piercing template, Mark Richards sticky half pearls, Michael's teal satin ribbon

Just Because

I recently purchased the new Cuttlebug border embossing folders from my friend Tammy (Stamp Happy) at the Toyrifix store in Smithville, Ohio. Then while having lunch with another stamping friend, I got some great ideas in using them on my cards. Here is a sample.

This card has no stamping involved ... only cuttlebugging. I used the "with love" border folders as well as one of the mini sets for the sentiment.

The flowers are from the SU (three for you) punch which a friend let me use (Thanks Anita) and the dew drops were also a gift from a friend.

Thinking of You With Love

I recently purchased the new Cuttlebug border embossing folders from my friend Tammy (Stamp Happy) at the Toyrifix store in Smithville, Ohio. Then while having lunch with another stamping friend, I got some great ideas in using them on my cards. Here is a sample.

Recipe for card:

Stamps: SU (elegant greetings)

Paper: Whisper White

Ink: Versafine black

Accessories: Cuttlebug border embossing folders: with love & frills

Cuttlebug A-2 embossing folder: swiss dot

Scor-pal and American Crafts black glitter pen

Cuttlebug Sympathy

I recently purchased the new Cuttlebug border embossing folders from my friend Tammy (Stamp Happy) at the Toyrifix store in Smithville, Ohio. Then while having lunch with another stamping friend, I got some great ideas in using them on my cards. Here is a sample.

Recipe for Card:

Stamps: Impression Obsession

Paper: Creamy vanilla

Ink: Versafine sepia

Accessories: Cuttlebug border embossing folders used were: with love and frills

Prima flowers and a K&Co. pearl brad

Sending You Sunshine

Here is a card I did yesterday for this past weekend's OCC blog sketch challenge. I just recently purchased this My Favorite Things set from my friend Tammy at the Toyrifix store in Smithville, OH and just had to give it a try. I think it turned out pretty cute!

Picnic Time

I thought I'd give you a peek at the picnic area in my backyard. I'm still playing around trying to figure out this "blogging thing" so sorry ... I will get better!

HOORAY ... I'M FINALLY A BLOGGER!!!
Please bear with me as I figure out this blogging thing! It's all new to me and I am "on my own"! Any helpful hints would be greatly appreciated!