Courtney's Closet #60 Challenge

I have been trying to "wean" myself from all the challenges.....and just doing my "own thing".......I find I have been getting so caught up in them, that the things I want to try out get put on " the back burner" so to speak.

That being said...who could resist doing the sweet Courtney's Closet challenge...it has been brought back and I just couldn't resist...this is my card using Courtney's Easter dress as inspiration...isn't she the cutest little two year old???

I used my Serenade cartridge for the butterfly...the back ground is the newest SU texture plate available for purchase May 1st...I have some great plans for this one...don't you just love it??  The stamp on the butterfly is an oldie I "dug" out for this card.....a bit of bling, a sentiment....and I'm done!!

Growing Mushrooms

Isn't his just the cutest thing!!.......I created this card for one of my granddaughters birthdays.....she was 4 yesterday....using my Paisley cartridge...it has about 4 or so different mushrooms on it.......I liked this one because of the heart......lots of layers here...7 actually...I used my Crop-a-dile to punch holes thru both layers, scored along the hole line and ran the ribbon thru to hold it together.....easy, but it took me almost 2 hours to do with all those layers!!  I was inspired to use a cartridge after seeing Rhonda's at Bumblebee Creations (her blog link is on my side bar)...she has been using her new cartridges lately, and this one was new to me, I received it for Xmas from my hubby!!!

Hello Again~Clean and Simple

I just love this little Stampin' Up! set called  "hello again".....its a tiny set that is packed with personality!!  I made this card for the SCS CAS63 challenge....I love the colors and the ribbon I used, it reminds me of my kitchen!!! 

I have been trying to finish the insides of my cards, too...everything is pretty much from SU..I have  a new SU order coming today...where oh where is that UPS man??? 

If you are interested in puchasing the "hello again: set...let me know it's only $12.95 plus shipping and tax...and who knows if it will be in  the new July 1 catalog?.......I have another card I will be showing tomorrow also using this set!

My Projects For The last WEEKS...lol!!

I have been pretty lax with my creativity, but I have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather (cept' for Saturday and Sunday) we have been having and working outside 10 to 12 hour days...thought I would share a bit of what I have been doing and where we live.....this is just a small part of my gardens...I have several!

The Lilac was just a "stick" a few years ago given to me from my brotherinlaw..it is gorgeous and smells heavenly!  The creek meanders throughout our property...I saw this "cabin" years ago, right after we had purchased a new home....mentioned that if it ever went up for sale I wanted it.....about 3 years later, it was ours...we went from about 5/8 of an acre to 11 or so...lots of upkeep, lots of mowing, the house is 60 or more years old, its very needy, but we LOVE it...enjoy the photos...and I will be back with some things later this week!

2sketches4you Challenge~Dogwood Inspiration

I made this card for Laura's 2sketches4you challenge...nothing like last minute... it ends tonight!!!  I know its hard to tell, but the flower centers are  a "coppery" glitter...the little flowers are punched and are very much "popped" out!

I used my beautiful little dogwood tree as my inspiration......have a nice evening...sorry...have to "run" supper is done!!

The Bird Bath~A Must Read!

Don't you just love 4 year olds...their little minds are so full of questions and answers....my little sweetie "Kendall" spent the day with me yesterday...she know's I am a huge flower gardener...she received Dora garden gloves and tools from the Easter bunny, so couldn't wait to help "grandma" plant...I purchased a few "crazy daisies"and we set to work...while digging I said to her "See grandma's new birdbath" and pointed behind me...she said "What's that?"...I said "A birdbath is for the birdies to take baths in"...she thought for a moment and  asked "where's the soap?"...I laughed and said "Honey birdies don't use soap, they just flap their wings and wash that way".....she thought for another moment and said "where's the towel?".......

A Rose Is A Rose~JAI13

I made this "totally" Stampin'Up! card for anther challenge I just happened upon yesterday called "Just Add Ink".......the colors for the challenge were Kiwi Kiss~Chocolate Chip~Barely Banana......I used the dots embossing folder, top note die, stamp sets A Rose Is A Rose and one of my newest and favorites "Charming".......this set was in the previous holiday mini, but is still available to order...the ribbon is Chocolate Chip Satin...yummy!!

Thats it for today.....check out my other challenge I posted this morning...and my several posts from yesterday...I am on a roll!!!!

Happiness Is You & Me

While "blog surfing" yesterday I came across a new challenge called Wee Memories...well, "ya all" know I LOVE to do a challenge now and then when I can find the time!  This one was a neat one...using vintage and ribbon...in ANY color!!!  I know it might not look like it, but I spent alot of time on this card...I have oodles of old vintage lace, but in cleaning out my sewing room I haven't a clue where I put it...so grabbed this piece of lace "fabric" and sewed on my card front...the circle behind the angel kitty is SU Shimmery white CS......one day (about 5 years ago (no kidding) I tea stained and baked in the oven about 100 various "tags".....hey I get to use one!!!   Take a peak at the other "creative goodies" by clicking on the link above...you will be glad you did...or better yet, why not "join in"??

PS:  The "kitties"...are from 1997....the chipboard wings.....are from 2005...yes I am a hoarder~

I am a hoarder~I am a hoarder!!!

Shabby Tea Room Hip To Be Square *Challenge*

I am"hearting" The Shabby Tea Room "teapot winner" to put on my blog...this is my card for the challenge...nothing like last minute........the challenge was to use squares~the more the better!  I embossed with a "swirly" folder to look like random quilting......fun challenge and loads of gorgeous cards....go take a peak HERE at The Shabby Tea Room.

Loads of Love Goes Girlie

I promised to be back with a girlie card from an old favorite...Loads of Love from SU.......I was on a blog yesterday and saw someone was selling "their" set...what????...never will my little truck drive out of here...so it made me get it out....put it to use......I will need a few "girlie" grad cards...these two are what I came up with.....check out the tiny door handle on one of the cards...its a little butterfly...speaking of "flying"...I have to get out of here...going to a Sunday brunch with some friends...have a nice Sunday...its beautiful here...cool...but beautiful!!

Oh The Smell of Lilac's!

 I was "visiting" my blog friend "Curt's World" (his link is on my sidebar) and he had made a card using the Gruffles House Mouse stamp for a challenge with his design team.....I had to smile, as I had the same stamp sitting on my creative table to use.......I purchased the stamp along with Violet and Lavender Flower Soft waaaaaaaaaaaay back last year...so finally got around to using it!!!  I mixed the two colors together for a "shaded" look on my lilac's...now I have to admit I did try this once last year, but really messed up my card.....so today I took a deep breath and tried again....I used tweezers to apply the flower soft where I wanted....its so "3D"...you can almost smell them!!  The sentiment is from SU...I will be back tomorrow with a cute "girlie" card using an "old" favorite.

Timeless Tuesday "Bought It Use It" Challenge

I think the Timeless Tuesday challenge this week was chosen just for ME...LOL...."bought it use it"....well,heck I think it is just as much fun buying all those "create with" goodies as it is to use it...don't you??

  I have been spending the last week outside working in my flower gardens, so my inspiration came "from outside"...just yesterday 3 Robins were having a bit of a "spat"...so that is where my starting point began...with my Robin.....I bought some of the vintage look dyed seam binding from Etsy...this is my first chance to use it....also I purchased these "die cuts" I guess you would call them......full of birds, butterflies, bees and flowers...love them!!  I know its hard to tell, but the butterflies are really "popped" up, as well as the robin...the background stamp is a SU set called "Charming"..........still working on my camera settings...hopefully my pictures will get better and better!!

Hello Tree

Hello....Happy Monday to you all!!  I made this card using another sketch from the Papercrafts  Go To sketch magazine...its from page 124...another fun creation!!  Sorry so short...spending most of my time "in the garden'!!!

Twinchie Friendly Reminders

Whats a "TWINCHIE"???   It's a 2x 2 little piece that is the focal point of your card!!  I used a birdhouse from a set called "Friendly Reminders" that I just purchased recently!!  I also used my new "tiny attacher"...love that tool!!  I turned my "TWINCHIE" so I was able to fit my birdhouse on...want to do a twinchie challenge??...go HERE ........ I have been messing around with my camera to try and get better quality pictures...what do you think??

Lots of Texture~Sketch Challenge

I participated in the Papercrafts Sketch "Fun"...by doing this sketch...read more about it HERE ...I flipped it around, used lots of texture......love how it turned out.....the "pink" paper at the edge with the various pink shades has a "mottled" effect of pink all over it .....kind of looks like ink on it, but its just the paper....its the same paper I used on my frog bellies card on a previous post...nothing like using up my scraps!!!  I bought the new Papercrafts Go To Sketch magazine...its full of wonderful sketches...perfect for when you  have a busy day like most of us do and you want to create....and the sketch is all thought out for you!!!

Embrace White

I finally got to stamp......was gone during Easter...and then the storms set in, so had my comp. shut down....I can hear thunder in the distance now.......I am doing  a challenge from "The Shabby Tea Room" to "embrace white with a "pop" or "hint" of color!  I love white cards, so elegant and classy....I just received a BIG~FAT order from SU on Monday (too bad it all wasn't mine), but I ordered (finally) the flower impressions folder from the now retired Holiday Mini...oh my.....it's so beautiful, why oh why did I wait this long???
I used a butterfly stamp I picked up early January`notice the fairy that makes the center and each fairy on the wings....I love it...I stamped her in Elegant Eggplant twice and cut her out twice for a 3D look....the butterfly is really popped up alot.........to keep it "clean", I just added white ribbon and a few "diamond" jewels.....check out the link and see all the other beautiful cards along with the design team...stunning!

Happy Easter

Little Ally in her Easter dress...so cute for the egg hunt...only thing is "little Ally" will be 16 this year!!!  This is a long past Easter...but the memories  are still there!!!  We did this page at my workshop on Sunday, I might add a bit more to it to make it more my own........see yu after Easter...don't eat too many jelly beans!!

Peace Lily

Another one of my "attempts" with my very few Copics I own....there really is a pink Peace Lily, though it is a much paler pink then mine...but you have to work with what you have......

Quick Little Layered Get Well Card

We made this card at my workshop on Sunday...very cute and very fast!!!  I made mine into a get well card and sent it to a friend today