Have A Blessed Easter...

Everyone have a "blessed" Easter...

I will see you next week...

taking some time off to be with my hubby!!

 

 

Will leave you with one of  my last years bouquet of Daffodils from my gardens

Picture Perfect

I am addicted...

to these new Prima Julie Nutting paperdoll stamps...

there are 6 in all...I managed to get my hands on 4....

these are "big" girls...7 1/2" to be exact

the tags are also from Prima.....

BIG fat tags, in a package of 48

the stamps....$6.99.....the tags....$6.99

You probably won't find them right now....

sold out everywhere....

but a "little birdie" told me they will start shipping April 9th...

if you want/need these just ask and I can give you a few hints :>)

 

 

As soon as I saw the challenge at City Crafter I knew it was for me...

make a tag using Washi tape somewhere on your tag....

I immediately thought of a Washi Tape Dress on one of these dolls.....

So here she is, in all her glory.....

what do you think?

I like her....alot....

 

 

I have another one that will "debut" on April 4th when I do my guest design spot

can't show her to you yet....and she is entirely different from this one...

 

 

Want to see some more??

a couple of my creative friends have done some as well...

go visit Mary at Primitive Seasons

AND

 visit Lisa at A Mermaids Crafts and see what fun these are to work with

 

Products used are:

Washi...from Prima and S.M.A.S.H and others I had

Papers....from Amy Tangerine Sketchbook ~ American Crafts

Stickles....Black Diamond and Glam Pink

Websters....Resin Flower

Stampabilities....Vintage Camera

Michael's....picture perfect $1 stamp

Unity....Oh Snap stamp from Kit Of The Month

*****************Birds On A Wire*****************

I think I am in the "clean and simple" mode.....

I know these little birds are suspose to be "chickadee's....

 

but since our Robins have returned, I just couldn't resist

 

turning them into Robins....

I used a new die I just recieved for the clouds

they come in one piece, and a little "tip" to get them apart easily

is I put them on my padded ironing board, placed a flat head screwdriver

on the little metal piece holding them together and tap them with a hammer

they popped apart easily and made the fluffy clouds you see here...

 

I am entering this in the challenge at Impression Obsession "It's All  About The Dies"

 

Products used are

Card Stock....Bashful Blue SU

Bird Dies....Die003A Impression Obsession

Bird Stamps.... C8589 Impression Obsession

Cloud Dies.... Die068A Impression Obsession

 

the sentiment is computered generated, the flower I hand made

 

Also wanted to mention that IO has a PDF tutorial on their website of how to use the

dies and stamps together....it works perfect everytime, if you follow the tutorial!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~Little Black Dress~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Every girl should have a little black dress in her closet.....

isn't this the cutest little die???

it is called "Princess Dress" by Memory Box....

the little hanger cuts a separate piece.....

and the little die is so reasonable, around $5.....

I think I see some Easter dresses coming to town!!

 

 

I ran across a "new to me" challenge blog called "Runway Inspired"

using the inspiration photo below is how my clean and simple card came about...

Salt & Pepper

Just had to share these pics my awesome photographer daughter "Lori"

took in her studio on Thursday...

 

 

First one is of my great granddaughter "Paislie" with Pepper

 

 

second is my grandson Caiden goofing off with Salt...

 

 and had to add these two of my granddaughter Kendall
 

Her friend had baby lamb twins 2 weeks ago named Salt & Pepper 

just had to share, as they are so adorable!!

Altered Gift Tags

This is a heavy picture overload...lol

 

 

I purchased two or three little boxes of "note cards" a few years back

in the $1 bins at Michaels....

I thought they would be cute to alter into little gift tags

perfect for a birthday, wedding shower or Mother's Day

when I saw the Graphic 45 Secret Garden Collection

and the challenge at Joan's Gardens this week,

 I thought the two would "mesh" together perfectly!!

I LOVE Graphic 45...all of it....but this has to be my favorite collection so far!!

 

This is the box I made to store them in.....

and the following pictures are the little tags,

they are approx. 3" square each

 

All four cards have matching envelopes, I have only shown the front

but on the backs of each I have covered the flap with matching paper

Some of the cards have "pop ups" which the pictures don't show too well

 

 

I wish you could see them in person, as they are a beautiful little set!!

Here is how they fit inside the box....

 

 

The challenge was to :

use a square

alter it

use flower paper

and use a product sold at Joan's Gardens

 

Product used that can be purchased/ordered from Joan's Gardens are:

Graphic 45 Secret Garden paper ( I used paper from the 8 x 8 pad)

Cheery Lynn BAF set #3 Embellishments

Marianne L0157

Kaiser Craft Pearls

 

One of the things I want to mention that I LOVE when ordering from

Joan's Gardens, is that she charges you actual shipping...
I love that as I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to purchase 1 or 2 things

only to have the shipping be higher then the purchase...

my budget can't always "stand" to place a large order to make the shipping worth while

so this is great, as, if I need/want a certain thing, I can email or call, and know

it will be reasonable...oh and she is usually a bit less on her products, too!!

First Days of Spring

Okay, whomever forgot to tell Mother Nature its Spring, is fired!!

Lovely day isn't it??

 

 

Poor Mr Robin Redbreast...he looks cold and hungry!!

 

 

French Country Woodgrain

I have a fun card to share with you...

 

 

a little bit "french country"....

the rooster image is from SU, as well as the "hello" label

the banners were cut with a die from Papertrey Ink

the challenge I am entering is at City Crafter to use "woodgrain"

I had a devil of a time finding my woodgrain paper

I know I have lots of it, but it seems to be hiding...

but I was able to find a piece from Authentique in this unique color!!

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013 ~ March

 

I decided today to participate in the Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2013....

I am 2 tags behind and will catch them up, but started with the March tag...

this was a rather simple tag this month I think...

at least compared to his other tags....

the tinsel in my rabbit is from Bethany Lowe...

he has you singe it slightly with your heat gun.....

mine isn't as "grungy" as his, but I just worked with what I had...

I had to use my Marianne icicle die for the grass...

but later discovered I could of cut the grass on my Cricut....

it took me longer then I thought it would

and by the time I came out of my creative room

the sun was shining....

now I can't wait to see what his April tag brings.....

Vintage Easter

It's 20 degrees

snowing ~ blowing snow

and the dog put her tongue in my coffee

that's how my morning is going

hows yours??

 

 

I made this pretty vintage Easter card

using a vintage print I found thru Pinterest

I have a "thing" for baby Easter chicks....

they are just so darn cute!!

I love the glitter sparkle in the center of the flowers

and the snippet of the ribbon bow....

all the flowers and the butterfly are popped up

just click on the photo for a better "view"

I am entering this in the following challenge

Sugar Creek Hollow "Vintage Easter"
 

 

 

Think Spring

Spring is only two days away...

I can hardly believe it, though they tell us it will be cold here until the end of March..

but that's okay, last year we had some crazy 80's days in March

and though we loved them, our flowers, shrubs and fruit trees didn't fare so well

they all budded out, then we had a "hard"freeze, damaging most of the buds...

I hardly had any blooming lilacs...the fruit crops were ruined..

so I'll take the weather as it should be for the next few weeks

(am I really saying that?)

 

 

So, onto my card.....

My "Spring" card is all black and white...

that is exactly what it looks like outside right now...all black and white...

This is a large card 5" x 5"...I made it on textured black SU card stock

making it a rather heavy card...

It is for two challenges

the first being over at Joan's Gardens

to make a black and white card

use an embossing folder

use pearls, lace and a flower

use a product sold at Joan's Gardens

this has lots of detail that probably the pic doesn't show....

the birdcage is embossed

the upper right corner is turned back, showing the inside of the card a bit
 

 

One of my newest purchases from Joan's Gardens is the Cheery Lynn Cuties Fringe 4

I LOVE how fast these are to make, how cute they turn out...

the paper used for the flowers and the bird is My Minds Eye Meadow Lark

looks like different paper doesn't it??

I also used once again, my first purchased ever die from Cheery Lynn

the French Pastry Doily

other products used are Cheery Lynn Designs Fanciful Flourish

Tim Holtz Alterations Caged Bird

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Kaiser Kraft Black Pearls

most of the products I have used can be purchased from Joan's Gardens

I am also entering this in the challenge at Cheery Lynn Designs to "Think Spring"

Going Green

I love the simple elegance of this card...

I love it that Flourishes stamps have so many sentiments

that can be used as the focal point on a card....

 

 

this card came together pretty quickly

the embossed backgound is a Cuttlebug folder...

the flower is one I put together from some Prima flowers petals

I checked the back and they are from 2010.....

the little birdie "button" is from my stash

the ribbon is from 3 or so years ago from SU

and of course the sentiment is from Flourishes "Easter Lily" set

I am entering this card in the Timeless Tuesday challenge at Flourishes to "go green"

and at the Papercraft Star challenge "green"

You Raise Me Up

I did this card for a few reasons...

my family is going thru a very difficult time right now

I will post more on that later...

I felt that Josh Groban's song "You Raise Me Up"

fit my life right now...I needed it...

 

 

so I am entering this card into the challenge at City Crafter

to create a card inspired by a song

I am also entering this in the Cheery Lynn Design blog challenge
to make an "Easter" card
and in the challenge at Cardz TV "It's So You", using your favorite colors
click on the card for  a full and better view

I have used my once again, favorite Cheery Lynn die French Pastry Doily

as well as the Cheery Lynn Designs Wreath Strip......

the DS paper is from SU...I just love this paper!!

A Sign of Spring

Do you have any Crocus blooming yet??

It has to warm up a bit here before I see any... 

but I have the next best thing...

I have some pretty yellow stamped ones...

 

 

these are from the Flourish set A Year In Flowers 1

I stamped the entire set so I could sit down and color on them later....

the sentiment is also a Flourish set "Garden Dreams"

I thought it was the perfect words for the Crocus.....

 

I am entering this in the challenge at Flourishes to kick off their March release

 

they are very generous in giving away 3 entire sets of the release to 3 entries!!

I kept my card simple, colored in with Copics...I only have 3 yellow Copics

and they are close in color.....

see ya!!!

"Friends"

Hello All

Mother Nature has dealt us another of her not so pleasant snow storms yesterday

and we have a bit more of snow/rain mix predicted for tonight and next week...

so I want to know..."who the heck stole Spring?"

 

I am entering this card in the Tuesday Trigger Elegant Emerald

using the "trigger" shown below

from the Moxie Fab World

 

 

 

 I also  made this card (aren't the colors yummy?) for the challenge at

"Our Creative Corner" to use this photo for inspiration

using the colors~patterns~and metal....

 

Well, I have to tell you I was excited, as I got to use up a few of my older things...

but first...the background was cut out of a handmade paper I just purchased

for another project, but can't remember what that project is...(that happens when you get older)

I cut it out with the chicken wire die from Cheery Lynn Designs...

I made a stacked Rosette from the TH Alterations mini paper rosettes die...

the flowers I just bought on clearance at Michaels for 50 cents (to use for St Pattys Day)

the "metal"word  is an "oldie" I have had for ever from Making Memories

the ribbon is scraps and now all gone...yeah...

the little leaves are left overs from a Cheery Lynn project

and the cardstock is SU Taken With Teal....

well, there you have it....like??

 

 

Don't forget I will be a "guest Top Talent Thursday designer" on April 4th

at "Our Creative Corner"...where you might learn a few of my "secrets"....

 

 

and wanted to share "my" first signs of Spring....(excuse the messy garden)

these are getting ready to bloom (now covered in snow)...

known as Hellebores...or the common name "Lenton Rose"

In The Garden

Hello All

Well, I have to say after the crazy beginning of the week I had

it seems to be getting better!!

I was happy and excited to be in the Top 3 at "Little Scrap Pieces" with my

"Think Spring" entry

and also Runner Up with my "Your Kitchen Colors" entry at "Papercraft Star"

it is always an honor to be recognized and I so appreciate it!

 

It is snowing here this am, ugh, but with March you never know in Michigan

but it gives me plenty of time to be in my creative room....

 

Today I decided to create my entry for Joan's Gardens to "Make A Garden Scene"

I received this wonderful intricate die (Garden Gazebo Die Versions) from my hubby at Christmas...

 

now you might think how lucky I am he buys these things for me

but this is how he does it...

I shop at places that have wish lists and send them to my daughter

his "shopping" is, he calls her, tells her the amount to spend

gives her his credit card number and he's done...

hey, it works for me, and he has no idea what he has bought me...LOL!!

This card came about as I had a small piece of white card stock on my desk

I kept this card rather simple......

and since I have nearly run myself out of white for the moment

I decided to use this piece up.....

The background cloud embossed piece, as well as the tiny tag

sentiment and punch are from SU...

the tiny water can I colored with a silver glitter pen....

the rest were colored with TH Distress Markers....

the Gazebo Die can be purchased/ordered at Joan's Gardens....

I cut a few more of this die for later use, as can't you just see vines

and flowers on this gazebo??

CASE Study #131

Well, have you all survived the time change (if you had one)

I like this one....

and it is a sign of Spring...gives me hope for warmer~sunny weather...

Did you all have a great weekend??

I did, my sister and I took a little road trip into Indiana to a store we love

while there, we got to pick a glass cupcake with a number on the bottom

I won a $50 gift certificate to the store....my lucky day...

it was fun and I purchased some new decor for my home...

on Sunday I baked a loaf of bread...life is good!!!

 

Well, onto today's project......

I made this card for the challenge at CASE Study challenge 131

the card we were to case came from the wonderful Julie Ebersole

 

 

I have to admit, I was a bit intimidated to take on her gorgeous work

but that is what a challenge is about...right??

 

 

My bigger flower stamp is from Michael's $1 bin of stamps

the smaller flower is  SU from the set Vintage Vogue

all the flowers were colored with SU markers with the pen to stamp method...

I think it is a bright, cheerful card

 

I also want to mention I will be a Top Talent Thursday guest April 4th

at "Our Creative Corner"...and hope to see you there...

I am putting the info out a bit early, but hope you will visit the blog

and give some of the challenges a try.....later

Spring Bird ~ Read This For A Good Laugh

It's a rainy Sunday morning here....

a good day to be in my creative room....

 

 

I made this card for the challenge at Impression Obsession

to use your favorite technique....

all I can say is I think I got up too early as my brain

seems to still be "asleep"

 

First I had this technique in mind, which I have done numerous times

but after 3 attempts of failure I gave up (for today)

so then I stamped my IO bird and decided to use one of my

"trial" flowers (after all I am "trying" to use things up) for my technique.....

so I get the card all done and look at my "long legged" bird

and realize I have mounted him sideways.....'

those aren't legs, he is perching on a branch....

lol....lol....lol....lol....

however, I kind of like him :>)

 

Now I am not sure if I should just stay out of the creative room today

and do something else or give it one last attempt!!

 

Anyhow my bird can be purchased from IO he is Bird E7716

Woof~Woof

I made this extremely simple card for the challenge at the

Moxie Fab World to use a "speech bubble"

 I had to get a bit creative with this one and used my Cricut "George" cartridge

for the speech bubble and a dog stamp from Inkessentials

it is a rather small card...but I think it grows on you.....

 

 

I will be back tomorrow with a project I am working on for the

Impression Obsession challenge...

It's Okay To Be Negative

Hello on this bright and sunshiney morning.....

hard to believe that this weekend is already time to set our clocks forward 

or "Spring Forward" as it is called.....

and to think it is only 12 days til the first day of Spring.....

 

 

Today's cards will be in a couple of different posts...

as I have been following along at the "Moxie Fab World"

as they promote their newest Cards Creations magazine from Papercrafts.....

 

 

the challenge for this card is the "Emphasize The Negative Challenge"....

I love using the "negatives" from various die cuts and have been saving a few for later use

 

 

you might remember this card I did a week or so back

and I saved the negative from it...

(and wanted to mention it did receive an honorable mention at The Shabby Tea Room) smile!!

Spring Flowers

Hello All!! 

I have been busy working on several challenges...

challenges are so fun, don't you think

and they keep your creative mojo going!!

 

 

I made this beauty for 2 challenges.....

for the Cheery Lynn Design Challenge blog to use "doilies"

I am getting quite a bit of a nice collection of doily dies....

I have always loved vintage linens, so guess this is why they appeal to me...

 

 

I also am entering this in the challenge at "Papercraft Star"

to create your project in the colors of your kitchen...

now how fun is that???

My kitchen is in the process of being changed a bit....

it is Red~Black~Yellow~Cream with a bit of Sage thrown in....

I am thinking of taking the yellow out and adding "teal" this summer!!

 

For my flowers I used the Cheery Lynn Design die Cuties Fringe #2...

there are 4 of these fringe dies, and I have all but one...and love how they look

and they are super easy to construct...sometimes I like easy!!

The leaves are from Stacker Flower #1 Leaf, which I cut apart

The beautiful Doily is Spring Flower Burst Doily...one of my favorites

it looks just like one of "grandma's" dolies.....

Oh and Cheery Lynn is seeking guest designers in this challenge...so give it a try!!

Washi Tape Egg

I have started a little "collection" of Washi tape....

however, I seem to never remember to use it....

 

 

but, I saw this challenge on the Moxie Fab World to use washi tape

and decided to join in.....

I had been playing with a few Easter Cricut cartridges

and had this "negative" egg...

so that is how my washi tape egg came about...

inside the card it says "have an "eggstra" special Easter....

 

Sometimes I love "simple" don't you??

Pattern Play

I wasn't going to post this...

then I thought, ok heck why not??

Last week's Tuesday Trigger at the Moxie Fab World is "Pattern Play"

 

 

I had a little fun with this card with some older stamps (much older)

from Technique Tuesday......

 

 

these stamps were fun as it came with several circle stamps for the outer

and smaller ones for the centers, that can be mixed and matched

and stamp different colors....

the little "dots" are called Candi from Craftwork Cards that

I received a while back in some wonderful "blog candy" I had won!!

All my stamping was done with Versamark chalk ink

I sometimes love the soft look of chalk ink, don't you??

 

I will be back later with something else I have been working on.....see ya!!