SFC3813 - Squigglefly Challenge

Happy Monday Everyone!

Hope your weekend was fabulous!

It's the Holley Hobbyists turn to share creations at this week's Squigglefly Challenge Blog.

Our theme this week is:

PINK and WHAT??
(use the color pink and one other major color)

I chose to use pink & green on these adorable 'Baby Sneakers' from Judith Hart.
My background papers are from the DCWV Baby Girl Nursery pack and coloring was done with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.  A little faux stitching adorns the outside edge which was done using fine tip Zig markers and the shoelaces have a touch of Stickles 'cotton candy' sparkle added to them.

A few challenges:
CAS on Sunday - Oh Baby! (Baby Card)
613 Avenue Create #38 - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by and here's wishing you a FABULOUS week ahead!

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, DCWV Nana's Nursery 'Baby Girl' pattern paper

Accessories:  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Cotton Candy Stickles, ZIG markers,

FALL ... beautiful Fall . . .

Happy 1st Day of Autumn!

Growing up in Western Pennsylvania and living in N.E. Ohio for the past several years, I have always enjoyed the changing of the seasons!  

 

Winter can be so pretty as you sit inside your warm, cozy home and watch the snow gently falling to cover everything with a clean blanket of white!

Spring is a breath of fresh air ... a time when you can open the windows, enjoy the breeze and witness your yard go from dingy winter brown to beautiful springtime green!

Summer is always wonderful with the warm, sunny days and flowers all a bloom.

But FALL can be the best of all!  

With the cooler temperatures, wonderful fresh garden vegetables and the amazing colors of the trees, how could you ask for more!

It was brought to my attention recently of a challenge blog called OUR BEAUTIFUL WORLD.  Wow! What an awesome site with beautiful photos and stories being shared.  This week's challenge is FALL and I instantly knew what photo I wanted to share.

 This is a maple tree in my daughter's front yard in Leetonia, Ohio.  

I took this photo back in 2005 but every year it looks JUST LIKE THIS ... just gorgeous. 

 I grew up on 25 acres ... covered with Oak, Maple & Dogwood trees.

 

In fact, my parents had to cut down enough trees to make a clearing to build our house.  They took them to a local saw mill where they were cut into boards that were then used to build the house! 

In case you are not familiar ... the red leaf in the photo is a Maple leaf in its fall color. The green leaf is an Oak and the photo below with the red berries is a Dogwood.

See that 'saw blade' peeking out from behind this dogwood branch.  Well THAT SCARY THING is the actual saw that my parents used to cut the logs that we burned in our wood fired furnace when I was a kid.  Summer time my dad spent hours in the woods cutting & clearing then come fall he would hook up this MONSTROSITY to our tractor that had a pullie belt & motor that created the power to make the blade go around fast enough to cut the logs into burnable size pieces.  Then we kids (3 girls) would help haul it back up to the house and stack it in the basement to get us through the winter.

My father has been passed for 20+ years now and the old saw still sits down in  what was our 'picnic area' and there was even a few years that Mom planted flowers around it in honor of my Dad.  Talk about hard work ... and yikes ... we're lucky no one ever got hurt with this thing!!  Nope ... there was no GUARD ... that saw blade was spinning fast & free and the platform table on the back is on wheels and that's where you laid the logs to pushed them into the saw blade to be cut.

Well ... I didn't mean to go on and on, but thanks for letting me share one of my Fall childhood memories with you today!  

God has certainly blessed us with so many wonderful & beautiful things!  Even this scary old saw blade which enabled my parents to keep our family warm through the cold, harsh winter months.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend!

As always ...

Still playing with NEUTRALS ...

Happy Saturday my friends ...

RAINING here in Ohio so what better place to be then in my 'crafting cave'!

I decided to create another card for the challenge over at Joan's Gardens and you can see all the details HERE.  I don't usually create with light/white colors so this challenge was good practice for me to 'think outside the box'

Isn't she pretty!  This is another vintage image from TJ Designs.

I've used a variety of embellishments on this one and I will list them below for you.

Here are a few other challenges I'd like to share this creation with:

Diva's By Design - Anything Goes

Flutter By Wednesday - Anything Goes (must have butterfly or fairy)

 4 Krafty Girlz Challenge #2 - Anything Goes

Crafty Ribbon Challenge - Anything Goes with Ribbon

DL.ART: September Linky Party - Anything Goes

A Creative Romance - Dies and Punches

Brown Sugar Challenge - Shades of Brown

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - Anything Goes

Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything Goes
The Shabby Tea Room - The White Challenge

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Hope you're having a good weekend!

Till Next Time . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  Taupe cs, Ivory cs, White cs, Creative Memories pattern paper

Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs DL112 & DL113 Butterfly dies, Cheery Lynn Designs B147 Olive Branch dies, Martha Stewart Butterfly border punch, Darice flowers, Gold Stickles, Glimmer Mist 'pearl', Ranger Perfect Pearls Mist 'heirloom gold', Michaels gold metallic satin ribbon

Items highlighted in GOLD were purchased at Joan's Gardens.

New Craft Show Goodies ...

Hello my friends ...

Today, I thought I'd share with you one of the little goodies I'm making for my upcoming Fall Craft Shows and get your thoughts/ideas on it.   

I've recently been enabled by my friend Diane (Nellie's Nest) to purchase and make some of the FABULOUSLY FUN Sizzix Pop n Cut cards.  Well, in my quest at the local craft stores for a variety of inserts, I came across the die for these adorable boxes.  It is the Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Box w/Scallop Flap & Flowers.

And, that got me thinking!  I wanted to make some type of 'nugget boxes' for the craft shows and had printed out a few different ideas but I was curious if they'd fit in this box ... well what do you know!  They do and in fact EIGHT of them fit!

This is the SAMPLE I will set out for people to view (not to worry ... I've glue dotted down the nuggets in the middle .. lol).  This way they can see how it works without opening everyone they look at!  (I hope!)  I was going to tie ribbon around for the closure but then thought maybe a belly-band would be a better idea and I could add an embellishment or sentiment too.  Here's what I have done so far ... I know I'll need a LOT MORE OF THESE YUMMIES before my first show on Oct. 19th!  

You can get 2 boxes out of one 12x12 piece of pattern paper but you'll need to use a heavier weight paper so they will hold together with the weight of the chocolates.

Since my shows are Oct. 19th and Nov.2nd, I'm thinking only a few 'holiday' style ... what are your thoughts on that?  I thought possibly more 'everyday' would be better that could be given for a variety of occasions ... thank you, just because, thinking of you ...  I think these would make a wonderful Teacher's Treat!  Maybe I should make up some labels that say exactly that ... your thoughts??

Here I've used a sheet of Graphic45 Christmas paper and simply reversed it, one box from the other.  A couple little K&Co. 3d stickers and they are ready to be enjoyed.  Oh, and BTW ... I did check the expiration code on the bag of nuggets ... Best By 01/31/2014 ... I think we're good.

So there you have it ... now you know what I'm working on in my cave these days!!

A few challenges:
A Creative Romance - Dies & Punches
 Christmas Stampin' - Anything Goes/Christmas Cheer
Catered Crop Challenge - Pack It Up

Before I leave you I wanted to share one more thing.  Last evening we invited the neighbor guy out for dinner since his wife was out of town on business and during conversation he asked if I had updated my iPhone to the iOS7.  Well of course I didn't know what he was talking about so he was kind enough to take care of it for me!  WOW ... there are some fun new things with this upgrade ... one is the capability of taking PANORAMIC photos ... yea, check this out ... 

This was just a quick pan around the room from my comfy loveseat!  Can you imagine how cool this is going to be for traveling ... oh BTW ... ignore the mess!  LOL!

OKAY ... NOW I'm done!

Thanks for stopping by ... have a wonderful weekend!

Keep It Neutral . . .

Happy Friday Everyone!

This week at Joan's Gardens she has shared a beautiful creation with us as well as a new technique.  Although I haven't yet had time to try her technique, I did want to play along and quickly put a card together (limit of three so I hope to do a couple more during the week).

Her challenge requirements this week are as follows:

• Use a picture
• Neutral Colors 
• Add a Flourish
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens. Also, mention that you are doing the card/project for Joan's Gardens Challenge. It would be nice if you would add this link to your post: www.atjoansgardens.com

Here's what I came up with ... what do you think?

I have an awesome pack of vintage 'photos' that I purchased at the Adventures in Stamping Convention which in held here in Akron each spring.  The company is called TJ Designs but the website is www.tweetyjill.com.

A few other challenges I'd like to enter into:

Coffee, Chocolate, Cards - Anything Goes

Docerela Creations Challenge - Anything Goes

Jo's Scrap Shack - Anything Goes

Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything Goes

Below I have listed items used to create my card and all items purchased at Joan's Gardens are highlighted in RED. Hope you're having a nice Friday!  I'm trying to get laundry done and working on some new items for my upcoming craft shows!  I'll be sharing those with you in a future post  (hint:  one has to do with Hershey Nuggets) YUM!

Till then THANKS for taking the time to stop by and as always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  Ivory cs, Cream cs, Creative Memories dp
Stamps/Ink:  SU Elegant Greetings/Versafine Onyx
Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs (B117S), Starform gold stickers (#1223), Prima flowers, gold Stampendous Diamond Dots stickers, Spellbinder Gold Labels Four die, Prima flowers

A.R.T. #15 Challenge

Happy Thursday dear friends!

It's time for another fun challenge at the

 A.R.T. (A Random Thursday) Challenge Blog.

 Today's Theme is this fun CAS Sketch:

 

 I'm in need of several masculine birthday cards for my upcoming Fall craft shows so decided to use this opportunity to get started on fulfilling that need!  Hope you like it!

As you all who know me are quite aware ... I am NOT much of a 'CAS' type of paper crafter!  I love all the layers, dimension & doo-dads on my cards . . . but this was really a lot of fun to create and think it will work PERFECTLY for that special fisherman who's about to enjoy another birthday!!!

PLUS ... I was able 'chip away' at that mountain of scraps I have in my bin!!  LOL!

I'm looking forward to having you join in our challenge fun and by all means, if you need inspiration, be sure to check out the amazing creations by my team mates!!  What a talented group of ladies!!!
 

Thanks SO MUCH for all your support and for just taking the time to stop by!  I so appreciate it!!

As always and until next time . . .

Recipe:  
Papers:  white cs, the Paper Studio dp
Accessories:  Paper House 3D stickers, TPC Studio Reel Me In 'mini dome stickers - fish', Cloud9 Design 'rain drops'
Stamp:  Anita's

Twenty Five Years

Happy Hump Day All!

Today I have a fun challenge to share with you and I hope you'll come join in the fun!  This is only my second week playing this challenge and I'm LOVIN' the inspiration I have found on this site!

This is the inspirational Magazine cover from this weeks challenge at

PaperCrafter's Corner Monday Magazine Challenge Week 23.

My first thought was WOW!!!

  
The colors are gorgeous but for my creation, I went with what caught my eye first ... the 25 in the center.  Here's what I came up with ... what do you think?

The outside framing is Silver Metalic cardstock which is really hard to capture in a photo because of the reflection but I think you get the idea.  I also wanted to incorporate some of the beautiful colors so I die cut this Memory Box #98279 Twirled Heart Border ... popped out the hearts and colored them (ink to paper technique) with various colors of Brilliance ink then after adhering the border outline, glued each heart into place.

I made the background paper by first swirling Silver Gelatos onto white cardstock then stamping & over stamping this Repeat Impressions 25th stamp with Versafine Onyx ink.  The focus sentiment is from an older Inkadinkado stamp set I have in my 'Weddings/Anniversaries/Love' stamp drawer.

Well, that's probably it for me today!  

The weather here in Ohio is PERFECT for working on those outdoor projects so I think that I'm going to get out of the 'cave' today and breath in some fresh air!  Hubby and I stopped and bought some beautiful Fall Mums to decorate the front porch after breakfast this morning and I think I hear them calling my name!  LOL!!

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by today!

What every you are doing ... make it fun!

As Always . . .

Cheers!!

Hello my friends ...

How is your day going?  

Mine didn't start out all that great but it's beginning to look up a bit!

Are you aware of the Progressive Challenge that the Sassy Studio Group has over at Paper Craft Planet (PCP)?  Jackie's been doing it for a few months now and I'm thrilled to say I've found made the time to play on each round.  This month you can choose either one of these 'Sassy' images to create with ...

OH NO!  I forgot one important factor!  The THEME ... which is OCTOBERFEST!
Guess it's back to the coloring board for me!!!

Lager Pin Up Sassy

Cheers Sassy

I chose "Cheers Sassy" and not only made one card ... but two!

LOL ... imagine that!

I chose "Cheers Sassy" so I could perch her on a variety of things.  My first card could be used for Valentine's Day ... a Birthday ... or even an Anniversary card since I have her perched on a heart.

 This card was quite simple to create once the coloring and fussy cutting were done!  Some background paper and two dies are all that are used on this creation.

Recipe:
Paper:  White cs, Pink cs, Black cs,  DCWV Valentine Sparkle 12x12 dp (RAK from friend 3 yrs ago)
Accessories: Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Fiskars swivel craft knife, Memory Box #98373 Whimsical Flourish, Memory Box #98479 Heart Ensemble

My second card was equally easy!  I was going to add more sparkle or snow but then thought that perhaps a military wife might want to purchase it to send to her hubby who is overseas as a Christmas card and I know they have to be cautious of sparkly cards.  (keeping the 2 craft shows I have coming up in mind when creating these days).

Doesn't she look festive in her Christmas colors!!  

For my 'snowy' fence, I actually die cut two fences (one white/one brown) with my Cheery Lynn Designs B123 Victorian Picket Fence and cut the top row (pickets) off.  Then by 'offsetting' them it gives the illusion of snow.  

(Figured this out accidentally ... don't you love when that happens, LOL.)

My background paper on this one is as OLD AS THE HILLS!  It is from the DCWV Winter Mat Stack.  Again my coloring was done with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and fussy cutting with my trusty Fiskars Swivel Craft Knife.    The sentiment is a Verses Rubber Stamp.

Let's see if I can find a few other challenges to share these creations with:

Clear it Out Challenge - Men/Boys - Dies/Punches (Card #2)

Creative Card Crew - Christmas (Card #2)

Just Inspirational Challenge - Die Cuts/Punches (Card #1 Flourish & Hearts) (Card #2 Fence)

Oldie But a Goodie - Punches/Dies (dies on both cards are more than 6 mos old)

Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Created with Love - Anything Goes

Love to Create - Clean and Simple

My Craft Creations - Stamped/Digi Images

OohLaLa Creations - Cards for Men

Tammy's Scrapin' Corner - Anything Goes

The Pink Elephant Challenge - Digital Images or Papers

Without Words Challenge - Happy Anniversary

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Hope you're having a WONDERFUL day!

As always ...

My Besties Challenge

Good Evening All!

It's nearly time for the Pittsburgh Steelers VS Cincinnati Bengals football game so I will keep this short!

If you follow my blog, you saw me post a cute purple card with an adorable image from the 'My Besties by Sherri Baldy' Wizard of Oz collection.  Well tonight I have yet another card created with an image from that collection.  This one is called 'Wicked Witch' and my creation is for the challenge at My Besties Norway which is Anything Goes. 

Again I have reached into my scrap bin for my background papers and I believe they are from a 12x12 DCWV pack that I've had from years past.  I created the sentiment in PSE because I just didn't have anything that said what I wanted it to say!! The image was matted with hunter green cardstock after being colored with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers. 

Isn't she cute!  LOL!!

And, look at the expression on the dog's face ...priceless!

Other Challenges:

Ladybug Crafts - Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes (Twist: Happy Fall Y'all)
Besties Challenges - Anything Goes

Almost time for the game to begin ... I'd better get upstairs before I miss kick-off!

Thanks for stopping and as always . . .

Creating with Crafty Secrets

Happy Monday All!

How was your weekend?  

A little on the 'cool' side here in Ohio ... guess that's to be expected this time of year.

Last week I needed to make a variety of cards for my mom and so as not to overwhelm you, I've saved a few to share with you from time to time.  Here are four of those cards which I created using images from the Crafty Secrets - Heartwarming Vintage Collection, Creative Scraps called 'Birds & Blossoms'.  There are several other Creative Scraps themes so be sure to pop over and take a peek.  This is a fabulous way to create fast & easy cards and the images are all so beautiful.

AND ... if you pop on over to Crafty Vintage Girl right now, you will find all 17 different Creative Scraps on SALE ... each under $2.00!  So many beautiful images to create with.

Hope your week is off to a wonderful start!  The skies have cleared up ... it's a cool (and very comfortable) 67 degrees (F) so I think I'll head outside to give hubby a hand cleaning out the garage!

A few challenges:

A Little Bit Crafty - Clean and Simple

Emma's Cards UK - New Crafty Challenge - Birds

Fairies Challenge Blog - Birthday

Cheery Lynn Designs - Things with Wings (Card #4) - Sentiment is CLD dies

Challenge 4 Everybody - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and as always . . .

FALL and FOOTBALL . . .

Happy Football Sunday Everyone!

YES ... we are football people (Pittsburgh Steelers) and although our team doesn't look that great this year and we already have some key players hurt ... you still have to support them!  That's what TRUE FANS DO!!

NOW ... as far as my cards to share today ... I do have one card that relates to my title.  And that is my last entry for the challenge over at Joan's Gardens.  

I've created this CAS Fall card using a new die I purchased at Joan's Garden's on my last visit.  It is by Cheery Lynn Designs ... #B325 'Fall Leaf Mesh Border'.  I actually had to modify the length of it to fit my A6 Gate Fold card but think it came out beautifully!  I even used the leaf I cut out over on the other panel.  (pretty clever, huh!  LOL)  The sentiment is from an old Inkadinkado set and the birds are from Stampscapes.

By simply using sponges and various fall colors of ink ... my leaves really pop. LOVE THAT!

I'm not typically a 'CAS' card style person but I'm very happy with this card and have plenty of room inside for a note to my friend in Toledo whom I know will enjoy hearing from me.

* * * * *

One more card to share today.  

Remember I told you on Friday that we were going next door to young Miss Olivia's 11th birthday party.  Well we did and had a very nice time.  They always make us feel like part of the family.

Check out this cake ... it's GORGEOUS (looks like a wedding cake) and it was YUMMY GOOD too!  It was made at a local Amish run restaurant called Heartville Kitchen in Heartville, OH.

Here's Olivia with her younger sister (9), Miss Emily and little one year old cousin Eli (he's such a cutie ... kept us all in stitches with his funny faces and showing off his belly!  LOL!!

Sorry for the glare in the photos ... I forgot my camera and just snapped a couple quick photos with my phone.

AND, here is the card I made for Olivia.  I try to make the girls something a little SPECIAL because I know they always expect that from me (their crafty neighbor lady ... lol).

I've used this adorable Sassy Studio Designs 'Bubble Gum Sassy' for my card front focus.  And decided to make her a front step card design using the Cheery Lynn Designs die purchased through Joan's Gardens.  (If you have questions on anything else used please leave me a comment... I'll not bore you with all the details right now but would be happy to share that info if needed.)

CHALLENGES:
The ABC Challenge - V for Very Cute

Now, since they always provide a lovely dinner and never want me to bring anything other than hubby & our appetites, I decided to make Olivia's Mom and 2 Grandma's each a pack of note cards.  Just a little thank you for being so kind.

Well that's it for me today ... it's almost game time so I'd better get movin'!!

Hope you are having a fabulous day and as always . . .