Nellies Nest

Butterflies & Leaves

2012-02-13T22:50:00.000-05:00

Just a quickie post as I am heading off to bed....

Papertrey has anew challenge to use butterflies and leaves....

I used Papertrey "Make A Bough" stamps for my leaves and branch....

the butterflies are a SU Sizzix die....

the flowers are a MS punch......

short and sweet, but I can hardly stay awake!!

Magic of Love

2012-02-13T07:38:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday...the day "before" Valentines Day...

I have made this super simple card for "my Valentine" ....

He is not a hearts and flowers type of guy..but a tractor ridin" beer drinkin" man...lol...

so no hearts and flowers for him!!

I kept it simple with a Queen of Hearts embossing folder.....

another one of my $1 stamp finds from Joann's...

and a bit of gingham ribbon...pretty much it......

I struggle to make "manly" cards cuz I am a

hearts and flowers kind of girl!!

I am entering this in the Sugar Creek Hollow challenge to make a Masculine Valentine

in a vintage, shabby chic or primtive way......am hoping it fits the "primitive" mode.....

I figured since I have a few black smears on it, it fit prim...lol.....

and he won't notice it anyhow!!

Think Spring

2012-02-12T13:59:00.000-05:00

Just put together this bright Spring card to add a little "sunshine" to my day!!

I just received my new SU Blossom Punch and Mixed Bunch stamp set this week......

I saw an example in the mini cataloge of the butterfly made from one of the flowers....

just something quick and sunshiney...have a nice day!!

Less Is More Challenge~One Layer & Stripes

2012-02-11T07:24:00.000-05:00

This week Chrissie & Mandi at "Less Is More" challenged us to a one layer card and stripes.....

I had fun with this one...and the idea's just kept coming...

that being said...I made 3 cards.....

the first is my elephant birthday card......

the stripes are from a SU set called "So Happy"....they reminded me of a circus tent....

so that is how the elephant came into mind....

.the stamp is one of the $1 Michael's stamps I seem to be "collecting" lately.....

I added stickles to the balloons to give the card a bit of "bling"....

the sentiment is a Hero Arts...

the second card is using a new Paper Studio embossing folder I just bought....

Hobbylobby had them for 40% off...so for $3 I couldn't resist.....

the folder is actually a "notebook paper"...but I just left some of it off.....

it reminded of a white picket fence.....

and what is a fence without a cat walking along it...right??

this is just a little thank you card using an old 1991 stamp from Marks of Distinction....

the sentiment is from SU.....

My last card is using those Martha Stewart craft stencils I had a post on earlier......

I looked at this one as a "stripe" of leaves.....the flower was just overstamped and it is also a $1 stamp from Michael's...

the sentiment is from Flourishes....

the ink I used is from SU..Certainly Celery~Old Olive and my new favorite Poppy Parade...

I think this is all from me for this challenge...thanks for looking!!!

You've Been Framed

2012-02-10T12:20:00.001-05:00

The noon time challenge for Flourishes new release is "you've been framed"....

I have been seeing several round cards on challenges/blogs lately and decided to do a round card...

I used my Flourishes stamp "April Showers".....

for the "frame" I cut out a frame on Cricut using the Storybook cartridge...

the lace doily is a store bought one....didn't have the time to make my own...

I colored my image in with my small selection of Copics.....

Hello Friend

2012-02-09T12:30:00.000-05:00

I made this card for the Timeless Tuesday #155 at Flourishes.....

this Tuesday the challenge is to use a bird....

I am using the Flourish set "Friendly Reminders"....

I colored it in with Copics...go easy my Copic "stock" is limited....

I used a Nestie to cut the image out....

the flower I made with an EK Sucess flower punch called "Carnations"....

I would of preferred the DS paper to run the other way.....but this is the only way it fit....

I will probably be back today with one more post for the Flourish noon time challenge...

see ya then!!

Pinterest Challenge at Papertrey Ink

2012-02-09T10:34:00.000-05:00

Today it's a "Pinterest" challenge at Papertrey Ink....

right up my alley so to speak....

I am a Pinterest addict....

we were to either use what a member of the DT chose for inspiration....or

choose one of our own...

I had this cupcake garland pinned on one of my boards and decided to go with it...

you can find the original link HERE

I am again, using the bitty background set from Papertrey Ink...

I stamped all my cupcake wrappers and paper pieced them together.....

a fun~fun challenge...

you are welcome to check out my pin boards with the RED Pinterest link on the right.....

Flourishes Noon Time Challenge Part One

2012-02-09T06:33:00.001-05:00

This is my card I made for Flourishes Noon Time Challenge Part 1....

Every month Flourishes has a new release and new challenges....

I chose my Flourish stamps "Easter Lily"....

I love this image, as not only can it be an Easter Lily as intended, but also any color lily you would want!

The cardstock I used was Blushing Bride...a perfect color I think

I used a "new to me" embossing folder.....

a stick pin...which is hard to see, but has a pearl, a crystal and a real sterling silver ball....

the ribbon is sheer and I have yet to get a good photo of sheer ribbon....

There will be a second noon time challenge today...love these!!

We Make A Perfect Fit

2012-02-08T08:01:00.001-05:00

This week at Papertrey Inks "Make It Monday" with "Erin" is "Double Sided Stamped Die Cuts"

whoa...that's a mouth full!!

I have to admit this challenge had me stumped....

but after being annoyingly (is that a word?) kept awake last night by the cat...

I came up with this idea which I am so excited about.....

FABRIC BOLTS......

You die cut your shape, then stamp on both sides and roll one side up to expose that side....

I used a Papertrey die for my "fabric" and stamped both sides with "Bitty Background Blocks"

I have to add that I use this set over and over again.....

the details on the stamp are so small and perfect ...

it works wonderful on all those little banners I make as well as patterned flowers.....

the sentiment is from "Button Boutique".....

the link is above if you want to give it a tryor just to see all the other creativeness!!

Raining Flowers

2012-02-07T20:36:00.000-05:00

This week City Crafters Challenge is "the colors of the rainbow".....

I used my new Martha Stewart stencils to sponge on my colors...

have you seen these yet??

they are wonderful...look at the doily ones (photo below)...

I love these...they clean up so well...I used a baby wipe....

the other elements of my card I used some stickers I bought at Joann's for $1...

I rarely, if ever would use a sticker...but I loved these....

all the flowers as well as the "rain on me" girl come on pop up adhesive....

also want to thank all my new followers.....

and also for all the nice comments...I try to visit everyone back...

but I am behind...but I will visit if I can...

I have been having some trouble leaving comments on the typepad blogs for some reason....

Vintage Mermaids

2012-02-07T09:32:00.000-05:00

My card today is featuring "Mermaids"...

The challenge this week at Sugar Creek Hollow is "Vacation At The Beach"....

The base of the card is SU Marina Mist cardstock...

The DS paper is from My Minds Eye Lost and Found which I stamped a Unity "Beach Day" stamp....

and a lighthouse from Rubber Stampede ..... I used a glitter pen on the rays....

the Mermaids are a vintage image from "The Graphic Fairy"....

I added a garland of starfish that were punched from "sandpaper"...perfect!

Added a few pearls "found at sea"...really, they were...LOL...

Just Thinking of You

2012-02-06T10:18:00.000-05:00

Today is Day 2 of Papertrey Inks "festivities" for their 5th year anniversary.....

they are giving away a pdf of images to use in this challenge....

I chose an image from Heather Nichols that I paired with PTI's "Spring Jar Fillers"...

love how "sunshiney" and "cheerful" it turned out.....

all the iamges were great and it was hard to choose just one!!

Head on over, grab the PDF and create an entry yourself!!

Black and White With A Pop of Color Challenge

2012-02-06T08:07:00.000-05:00

Flourishes is having a challenge to kick off their new stamps release on Wed.......

the challenge is black and white with a pop of color...

I choose the Flourish set "Sweet Nature" for my card....

even the background under the Rose is part of the set.....

I just received this set and I love it!!

Want to join in?

The link is above and you have until Feb 10th....

you could win the entire new release set!!

Casing A Card From Papertrey Ink

2012-02-05T17:32:00.000-05:00

I am casing a card from Ashley Cannon Newell from Papertrey Ink Design Team....

you can see her card HERE

there were so many to pick from...

but I just have loved these little banner dies since the day I purchased them!

We could use colors, design, etc for inspiration...

I sort of followed her design as I have not felt well all day and have been a couch potato for most of it...

I managed to do this card and not having to think up my own design was a life saver!!

Go to Papertrey HERE and look at all the other entries...beautiful!!

Get Well

2012-02-04T07:20:00.001-05:00

I think this is the first "Get Well" card I have ever made.....

strange, as I have been card making for years....

oh well, I guess if I ever need one, now I will have one...lol..

I put this card together for the "Less Is More" challenge..."Aqua"..
and congrats to Mandi and Chrissie for a year of very sucessful challenges...we love you!!

Using my new favorite stamp, I just stamped SU Taken With Teal on a piece of scrap....

pretty basic I know.....

just to give it bit more "flare"...I embossed a bit of mywhite space..

I think it balances it out a bit more......

the little tag is one I have had forever in my stash.....

it is an acrylic tag and doubled sided....

sorry for the shadows on my card, it is early morning and pitch dark...

and my camera batteries just died...sigh!!

Giddy Up Giddy Up

2012-02-03T12:10:00.000-05:00

I made this card for the challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow....

don't you just love the name of the challenge blog.....

I have to admit I made a different gorgeous card....

but when I got ready to post, I realized I was suspose to add blue to it.....

so back to the drawing board...I came up with this wonderful "old" cowboy...

the challenge was to use cream~blue~brown with a vintage or primtive look....

the horse head was using the technique where you heat up some craft foam...

and while its "soft" stamp on it.....

my friend from Canada made this image for me....

the horseshoes were cut with a Revolution "cookie cutter" die...

I can't believe I even remembered I had this die....

the background paper is from a wonderful 6 x 6 pad of My Minds Eye paper called "Lost & Found"...

I added some twine and a few brads...and now I have a nice "manly" card when I need it!!

More "Love Is In The Air" & Valentine Card Challenges

2012-02-03T08:10:00.004-05:00

I made a second card for the challenge "Love Is In The Air" at "The Shabby Tea Room".....
and also
for the "Create Blog" at Northridge Publishing

We were to add a mail or postage element for The Shabby Tea Room Challenge
...mine is the envelope itself.....
We were to make a Valentine Card for The Create blog.....
I have had these large square doilies "forever" and made an envelope pocket.....

the "Be Mine" at the top pulls out and is decorated inside to write your own "love words"......

The doves were cut using a free Sizzix die that came with some embossing folders and cut on shimmering white cardstock.....
they really "do" shimmer IRL.....

I made a little "cone" from half of a round doily and filled it with some tinsel .....

then loaded it up with hearts...

though hard to tell, the bow is a pretty white semi sheer ribbon.....

I had a tiny cupid I had planned to add, but the punch seems to have "disappeared"!!

It might not look like it, but this took me forever to make...

those little hearts in the cone were quite "picky"...

and I still have very little use of my left hand after the surgery......

Thinking of You

2012-02-01T10:36:00.002-05:00

A gloomy day today...so to add some "brightness" I created this card for the challenge at

Casual Fridays.....the challenges at Casual Fridays are Clean and Simple......

I used another $1 stamp I had purchased at Michaels as it reminds me of a set I just ordered

and think it will mix well with it.....

the butterfly trim is from a MS border punch I don't own....

I had saved a few pieces from a project I did at a class....

now I want to own that punch!!

the paper and ink are SU...So Saffron and Poppy Parade...

Have you all been watching all the new things coming out of CHA.....wowzers....

so many pretties and new things I just "have to have"....

I have been making a list.....

Go fly A Kite

2012-01-31T08:31:00.000-05:00

I almost didn't post this card.....

just not a favorite....

but after letting it sit around a few days....

it kind of grew on me "a bit"....

I did this for the challenge at "Simply Less Is More" using a sketch....

the background was done using "shaving cream and re-inkers".....

One day I played around with that technique and came up with some awesome color combo's...

I thought this simple blue one reminded me of a sky...perfect kite "weather".....

the kite stamp is from a Unity kit of the month...

I used my Tim Holts distress tool to give the edges a bit of definition.....

this will be a cute card to send "just on a whim"!!

Look at my post below to see a beautiful Valentine......see ya!!

Love Is In The Air & You've Got Mail

2012-01-30T22:38:00.005-05:00

Edited to add..my card was featured on the Creative blog HERE
I love Valentines Day....

it is one of my favorite times of the year....

I love hearts and flowers.....

but I tell my hubby I want card making supplies....

real Romantic aren't I....LOL....

I try to fit in as many challenges a week as I can....

I really enjoy doing them.....

this week I choose "The Shabby Tea Room".... and City Crafters

the challenge is "Love Is In The Air at the Shabby Tea Room....
and You've got mail at City Crafters

....perfect...

My card actually turned out a lot different then I had originally planned....

I ended up "turning" it on its side...I liked it that way....

I made the "pocket" with the Sizzix die "card/petal".....

see my tiny little envelope in the pocket??

I cut it out with a Quikutz...and stamped the postmark on it...

I love how it turned out, but wish you could see it "in person"......
I am also entering this into
Create For Cards...at least 6 hearts

Some Fun Stuff!!

2012-01-30T09:04:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,

Thought I would do a fun post today to show some new goodies I bought and also a few things I won...

plus a super cute Valentine card I received in the mail!!

I did a challenge at Flourishes and my card won (not random either) me the ENTIRE Flourish January

release......wow...was I ever excited to get these...look how beautiful they are.....

and if that wasn't enough I also won a mystery package from Flourishes as well....

look at all that was in it...

beautiful trim~Basic Grey brads~Webster fabric stickers~Prima 6 x 6 pad of paper~

and to top it all off....TWO stamp sets...yes that's right.....

I received Sweet Nature & Swan Lake.....

I also have been doing a bit of shopping both online and in the stores.....

hey, I just am trying to help out the economy...right??

Just going to show a few things today....

first are these "to die for" Prima Flowers....just one word to describe...YUMMY!!

I am going back for more of these at Hobbylobby!

Then I found these cute buttons...the ones on the right are from Walmart...for a mere $1.....and you all know my love for gingham....how cute are these??

The buttons on the left are from Hobbylobby...cute!!

Next are my new Valentine ribbons......bigger spools are from Michael's...smaller ones are again $1 from Walmart......

My last thing to share is the cutest card I received.....hope you enjoyed this "different" post!!

Around The House Challenge At Moxie Fab World

2012-01-27T10:36:00.000-05:00

I took the day off today from "housework".....

I have spent the morning creating....

I saw this challenge over at "Moxie Fab World" and it looked like fun!!

The challenge is to use something around the house to create with...

since I have spent the entire week cleaning "stuff" out, I came across the perfect "tool"

little bubble wrap!!

I put my acrylic block inside and stamped with SU Melon Mambo & Daffodil Delight...

the "perch" the owl is sitting on is from Marianne Dies....

the owl is a SU punch....

I love the brightness of this cutsie card!!

Move Over Tim The Tool Man!!

2012-01-27T06:59:00.000-05:00

When you think of tools, you think of guys.....

but move over "Tim".."us" girls are taking over!!

Don't you just love all the "tools" made for our papercrafting??

I do...and I get great satisfaction "collecting" them!

Today I am showing you a card made with a few of my "tools"

The doily die...oh my, you think you are in "heaven" with this one...

it cuts like butter.....from Cheery Lynn Designs......

as well is the Flourish of leaves....

this one I actually cut wrong side up for another project and it worked perfectly for this card.....

Punches....I would be embarrassed to tell you how many I own.....

this one is an Ek Sucess one to make a "carnation"....

so easy peasy...you cut 2 12" strips, lay one on top of the other, overlapping by half of a petal....

glue them together, roll them up...and you have this gorgeous med. size flower!!

I am entering this card at "The City Crafters Challenge Blog" using the sketch shown.....

and also at....

"Moxie Fab World"......using "cool tools"......

I will be back later in the week to show more of my "cool tools"!!

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

2012-01-25T11:55:00.000-05:00

Papertrey Ink is having a challenge....

to put it in their own words....

This month, in honor of the New Year, we are challenging you to pick your favorite project from 2011 and share it with all of us. To take it a step further, you are challenged to create a second card that is inspired by the favorite project you select. Your new version of an old favorite could carry over the color scheme, the layout or the stamp sets. We look forward to seeing your best creations from 2011, as well as your first projects from 2012

I choose a card I made for Memorial Day that I just loved!!...you can see the post HERE

I pretty much used the same colors, but changed it up a bit with a Valentine embossed background and stamping the banners with Friendship Jar Spring Fillers...cute eh??

Papertrey items used:

stamps: Friendship Jar Spring Fillers

Dies:..Banners collection

Casual Fridays Challenge~Black & White

2012-01-24T20:15:00.000-05:00

This week at Casual Friday CFC36 it is all about black and white.....

and you should see some of the entires there..wowzers...they are fantastic!

I used a combination of things....some black and white Artisan Tape from Pink Paislee...

That wonderful label stamp and punch again from SU....

and a $1 stamp set for the camera and word "smile"....

the camera is actually stamped on a piece of white cs that opens like a tag.....

how do you like my little crown I set my card on?

do you think it distracts from the card?

I purchased it at Michaels for my cards, but am not sure??

Less Is More Challenge "Cut It Out"

2012-01-24T03:05:00.000-05:00

This weeks challenge at "Less Is More" is "cut it out".....your card must have some type of hole or aperture...

For my card, I chose to use a watercolor paper as my cardstock......

A round Nestie was used to cut the hole, which then was pierced around using my piercing tool...

The umbrella is one that I have had in my stash for over 10 years.....

I sprayed it with Tattering Angels Coffee Shop and Iridescent Gold, it does have a nice shimmer to it which you can't really see in the photo...

I used a stamp I have had forever....

"April Showers Bring May Flowers"......

I love how it has turned out!!!

Birthday Give Away from Melissa at Creating From The Heart

2012-01-23T08:59:00.000-05:00

It's "Melissa's" birthday at Creating From the Heart...go and wish her a happy one...she has some great goodies she is giving away for her birthday.....enjoy!!

Spring Bunny Pop Up Card

2012-01-20T08:41:00.002-05:00

I am really excited to share my latest "pop up" card with you today....

But....it looks 100 times better "in real life"...yep...it does!!

I had so much fun creating this......

the inside is such a surprise, as you would never expect it from looking at the outside....

which is why I am entering it in the City Crafters challenge "Pretty Inside and Out
and in the Moxie Fab World Cool Tools Challenge
die cuts!!

I once again used my Sizzix Scalloped Circle pop up die....

along with my Cricut cartridge Kate's ABC'S, a Cheery Lynn die (the flourish of leaves).....

the front of the card has a flower cut from the same cartridge...

I used a favorite label stamp and matching punch from SU...called "Four Frames".....

I am sure you will be seeing more of these from me soon :>)

Link Up Love Party With K Andrew

2012-01-19T10:24:00.001-05:00

I came across a "new to me" challenge today....

Link Up Love Party with K. Andrew...a way to meet new friends....visit new blogs... and find some wonderful inspiration! Her blog is called "Getting Cricky"..full of inspiring Cricut projects!!

I am so excited to show you my "Pop UP" card.....

this is the first of many I am planning on making...

the die I used is a Scallop Circle pop up die from Sizzix...

the "pop ups" were cut on my Cricut using the "Love Struck" cartridge....

Can you just imagine the possibilities with the Cricut and this pop up die.....

I will be back tomorrow with another card and a different pop up die....

both dies were purchased from Joan's Gardens.....

Non Traditional Colors Valentine Card Challenge & Moxie Punch Challenge

2012-01-16T08:03:00.001-05:00

This week at Joan's Gardens she is having a non-traditional colors Valentine challenge...
and Moxie Fab World is having a punches challenge.....

I chose purple and yellow for my card....

the base of the card is made of a deep purple CS, though it looks black in the photo...

I used one of my "new" Cheery Lynn Dies for the leaves, called Fanciful Flourish....

the Rose was made using an owl punch and a spiral....I sponged plum ink on, then used a bit of yellow stickles...I think it has a rather vintage look...

the key was cut with my Cricut from the Teressa Collins cartridge called "Sophisicated"...

and last the hearts are a MS punch......

notice how the little leaf seems to "tucked" behind my lace trim...well, I "fixed" that...and was too lazy to take a new photo...lol!!

Tweet Tweet Little Birdie

2012-01-14T13:05:00.000-05:00

This week the challenge at Less Is More is "birds and one layer".....

the only hard thing for me this week was deciding "which" bird stamps to use!!

I had some fun with this one....

I stamped the bird first on my white cardstock...

stamped him again on some scrap paper to make a mask...

then I used the negative of a heart cut out and sponged TH distressed ink (Victorian Velvet)

the bird was stamped with SU Chocolate Chip...and the bird stamp...it was $1 at Michaels...

I stamped the little "Love" sentiment in the blank part of the "envelope"...

I squirted a bit of red Stickles out and used a pin to apply in the shape of a heart for a bit of "bling"...

let me know how you like it.....

Catered Crop Challenge

2012-01-13T13:02:00.000-05:00

I came across a "new to me" challenge called Catered Crop....

they give you a "recipe" to follow...fun..

this week it is "buttons".....

I used one button on my card....

the glove stamp is HUGE..it is one I purchased on Ebay several years back...

the paper I stamped on is called "Flea Market"..

funny thing about this paper is I saw it last year on another blog and just "had to have it"...

I found it at Joann's and this is the first I have used it!!

The sentiment stamp is from Flouishes.....

Noon Challenge Part 2

2012-01-12T18:10:00.000-05:00

This is my very simple card I made for the Fourishes Noon Challenge Part 2....

Challenge was 2 colors....

zero bling....

1 embellishment and 2 layers....

I used Flourish stamps called Friendly Reminders.....

I cut the doily with a die......

ink is SU Old Olive as well as the cardstock

I cut the tiny hearts from velveteen ribbon...

and the little envelope is also a die....

we are getting quite a snowstorm.....ugh!!!

The Year of The Dragon Noon Challenge

2012-01-12T05:33:00.000-05:00

Flourishes is having a "Year of the Dragon" Wed noon time challenge....

this is my first time doing a noon time challenge....

I used my favorite banner set from Flourishes again..called "Birthday Pennants".....

I stamped my pennants with SU Tangerine Tango and Poppy Parade....

want to play along?....you have til 5pm Friday...the link is above...thanks!

Thank You ~ Thank You ~ Thank You

2012-01-11T21:19:00.002-05:00

I made 3 little "thank you" cards this morning....

they are going to my sister, daughter, and niece....

we had a Christmas countdown this year...

we each bought each other 8 gifts....

so we ended up with 1 a day for 24 days....

it was so much fun and I received some wonderful gifts....

kept them CAS so they will easy to mail....

check out the blog candy on my sidebar, too!!

Purple Peace

2012-01-09T14:17:00.000-05:00

This is my second card I did for the Less Is More challenge to use PURPLE....

I had started with this card first before I did my patchwork heart card and decided I might as well finish it...

I actually like it now that it's finished.....

the "swirls" of exhaust are a Unity stamp......the car is from Reflections....

I added a tiny peace charm to finish it off.....

I even managed to finish the inside of the card......

Growing Houses

2012-01-09T14:09:00.000-05:00

I am participating today in the Papertrey Ink Make It Monday challenge....

use a border die to make a background.......

most of my border dies seem to be Christmas, so I choose this TH Alterations die of houses....

I added the sentiment from a new Papertrey Ink stamp set Garden Variety.....

I thought the sentiment was perfect for my flower houses "Plant A Seed - Grow a dream....

I was lucky to receive the entire stamp set with all the matching dies for Christmas...woowho!!

The New Year Challenge

2012-01-08T05:42:00.001-05:00

Nothing like getting yourself motivated in the New Year like a great challenge!

Flourishes is having a "New Year Challenge" with father time or baby new year.....

as they describe it "a fight between old and new"...how fun is that??

I opened up a new pack of cardstock called "Blushing Bride" from Su....

embossed with a clock embossing folder from the TH Alterations line....

added some soft "baby" lace....

now for the fun part....

My little baby image is one I printed and cut out from a vintage New Years postcard....

the "celebrate" banner is from my Flourish set "Birthday Banners"....now if you knew me, you would know that banners have first place right now in my stamp collection..

I love this set and use it over and over!!

I colored in my banner with markers and then went back with a silver glitter pen to add a bit of "bling"

The roses I made from a quill set I had picked up at Hobby Lobby...

I added Frosted Lace stickles to the petals...

the leaves were cut on my Big Shot using a Sizzlits die.....

Less Is More Challenge ~ Purple~Patchwork Heart

2012-01-07T15:54:00.001-05:00

This card is what you might call "hot off the press".....

I just finished it for the challenge at "Less Is More"....

this week the challenge is Predominatly Purple....

I am not a purple person...though my flower gardens are full of purple....

after much thought (and a few trial and errors) I decided to do a patchwork heart....

I punched several one inch squares, adhered them to a lightweight cardstock....

then cut a heart with a heart die in my Cuttlebug....

I embossed my main cardstock with a SU embossing folder....

stamped a label image called Labels Four..also from SU

the sentiment itself is stamped with SU Concord Crush....

because it is a Valentine, I added some pearls to the embossed flowers....

that's it...hope you enjoy it!!

Valentine Tag

2012-01-06T09:17:00.000-05:00

Have you been seeing all those wonderful dies on various challenges and blogs??

Do you wonder where to get them??

One great place is Joan's Gardens.....

she always have the newest ones available...plus 100's of other goodies as well!

I remember the first time I realized I lived close enough to visit her shop and classes in person...

I was thrilled to see and purchase all the goodies......in fact I went there In November

and when the credit card bill came, my hubby said.."What did you buy at a garden shop this time of year"....

haha......silly man...but she does have gorgeous flower gardens, too and is the nicest person!

I am entering this into her challenge this week.....make a card/and/or tag using hearts, embellishments,

some type of embossing...pink/red....think I will enter a card next!

I made a tag using an embossing folder I love with doves, hearts, flowers.......

at the bottom of the tag I added the cutest little chipboard disc with a cupid.....I love to make Valentines!!

Simply Less Is More Challenge "One Word"

2012-01-06T09:01:00.000-05:00

I am doing the challenge at "Less Is More"......and getting it in by the seat of my pants so to speak!

This time it is to use one word......a hard challenge for me as I had way too many to choose from !

I chose my Hampton Art set with the word "Home"......

the inside is finished and says "is where the heart is"....

I kept this very simple...all black and white...and a bit of red.....

I off stamped the word so it would not be so "bold".....

I love the way it looks...more soft....

the house I stamped full black...a nice contrast I think.....

I wonder what challenge will up tomorrow...can't wait!!

Happy Birthday Line Up

2012-01-06T08:44:00.000-05:00

Nothing like a second post on the same day....

I made this birthday card using Hero Arts set called "Clear Design Birthday Mess"...

If you look close, you can see I use this set all the time...it is major stained!!

I am doing the "Ellen Hutson LLC Hero Arts Clear Take N" Make Challenge".....

The challenge is going on thru the 15th...so get over to "Ellen's" and enter....

I am hoping to enter a few more times, myself!!

My Type of Friend

2012-01-06T08:31:00.001-05:00

Well, Happy New Year To You All!!!

Did you all Make Resolutions??

Not me...but I made some "goals"!!

They are all about "me"....to take better care of myself for a change....that about sums it up!

More on that later, but right now is my first challenge of the year.......

I am a bit "rusty" and need to get in gear....anywho...

I am doing the "Ellen Hutson LLC Hero Arts Cling Take N' Make challenge!

For this project I used my Hero Arts cling set "My Type".......

I can't wait to use it again for Valentines....the idea's are endless!!

Head on over to "Ellen's" and do the challenge yourself...it is going on thru the 15th.....

and you just might win a "prize"!!

Merry Christmas From My Family To Yours

2011-12-25T00:00:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Merry Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T09:34:00.000-05:00

Have a safe and Merry Christmas Eve Everyone!!

Clean and Simple Card

2011-12-24T09:28:00.000-05:00

I made this card a few days ago to enter in the

Ellen Hutson LLC Hero Arts Wood Take 'n Make challenge.

You were to use a Hero Arts Wood Mounted stamp in your project.

I did a rather clean and simple card with what I had on hand...

sometimes I love clean and simple...

other times I load on the layers..

.guess its as the mood hits me...LOL.....

I love this little flower stamp by Hero Arts...it's called "Row of Perky Flowers"....

it is dated 2001.....I think I need to purchase some new Hero Arts from Ellen....

and boy does she have some good ones "I have to have"!!

A Sad Day at The Hover House

2011-12-21T10:37:00.000-05:00

Sept 5 1996 - Dec 21 2011

Goodbye my Sweet Friend

Bubba

I miss you already!!

Sweet Little Snowman Birthday Card

2011-12-12T06:46:00.001-05:00

Wow....I can hardly believe it has been over a month since my last post!

I have a few things to share with you today!

First up is a card I made for a granddaughter that turned one!

I saw a similar card on Pinterest and used that for my starting point!

I cut the shape on my Cricut...added a hat and a scarf made from a bit of "baby girl" ribbon I had.

I had intended to add a banner for the snowman to hold, but because I ran out of time...sigh...

I had to exclude it!

Next up is a picture of a beautifully wrapped gift I received!

My sister, daughter, niece and Mom are doing a countdown to Christmas this year...

we had to buy each other 8 gifts, and have 24 to open, one each day...it has been so much fun!!

We did this last year, too, but it was all card making.scrapbooking items....

this year it was anything!

And last is a picture of my Nellie.....

she is all decked out for Christmas....

she goes tomorrow for a haircut......

I love her like this, but because she doesn't shed and her fur is so heavy, she is just too hot!

Double Embossing Challenge ~ FTTC143

2011-11-09T08:34:00.000-05:00

Flourishes has a challenge for this week using the double embossing technique....

I choose my most recently purchased set called "birthday pennants"

don't you just love how you can turn pennants into trees??

I stamped with Versamark, then used a Ranger embossing powder called Antiquities Verdigris...

it actually (in real life) has lots more sparkle and has little tiny "balls" of gold...like an ornament....

It's a rather CAS card.......but I still am not able to tie a bow...(are you of me saying that yet)...LOL..

This card is going to my Auntie for Christmas.....

as I got a bit of a smudge of ink on the back....

amd since she can't see too well....

I don't think she will notice...lol!!

Snowflake Pizza Box

2011-11-06T23:50:00.000-05:00

This week at Joan's Gardens the challenge is to make a pizza box with a band.....

I wanted to make a fancier band, but because of not being able to punch an edge punch

one handed, I settled for a snowflake strip I cut from some Christmas designer paper....

however, by standing up and putting alot of pressure on my punch I was able to punch 6 snowflakes for my box.....I added "Stardust" Stickles to each snowflake for some "sparkle"....

under each snowflake is a "flourish" I cut from Sizzix.....

this die was a free one when purchasing some embossing folders...

I also embossed my entire box with a swiss dots embossing folder...

it feels good to finally be able to create again......

I have been making Christmas tags with leftovers from previous years when I hosted a

"tag" making day...I miss those...and now am addicted to making all my own tags for Christmas....

Less Is More Challenge Meets "Rock & Roll"

2011-11-05T07:47:00.000-04:00

This week on the Less Is More Challenge we are to use red and orange....

I chose Melon Mambo and Cherry Cobler by SU for my inks....

my card is very simple and not at all what I had started out to do....

I inked my stamp in one color, then "rocked" and "rolled" it in another...

I like the color variations it gave my leaves.....

I had intended to add a sentiment, but decided I like it as is......

I am off this AM to a craft show......

my hubby has been out of town since Wed and returns Sunday afternoon...

I have to admit I am enjoying it VERY much...LOL

So while he has been gone I have been busy downsizing my fabric and craft supplies.....

making Christmas tags.....

Christmas shopping.....

and pretty much whatever I want...sigh!!

Vintage Postcard ~Challenge at City Crafter

2011-11-03T12:04:00.001-04:00

I came across this fun challenge at City Crafter......make a postcard that you could mail to someone...

now how fun is that??

I stamped my postcard with an awesome santa image....

cut out some holly leaves with my little old and much neglected QuicKutz.....

added 3 little red Swarovski Crystals for the berries....

found an old 5 cent Christmas stamp for the back......

I love the City Crafter Challenges in that they are so "unique"...fun!!

Since you all know I had the arm/hand surgeries I haven't been able to create much the last several weeks....

but I am slowly progressing....

and decided that I am going to try challenges again.....

and try to make them all for the holidays to get ahead a bit.....

now don't forget to scroll on down and sign up for my "giveaway"!!

Happy Birthday Little One

2011-11-03T04:34:00.000-04:00

It's so hard to believe it's already November.....it will be Christmas before we know it!

And the time changes this weekend....ugh...this is the one (fall back) I can't stand....

Well...onto my "creation"

I made this card for my grandson's first birthday which was Oct 29th.....

I used my Cricut cartridge "Birthday Bash"....

love this cartridge for cards for the kiddos...

it has a ton of layering to cut out....but well worth it......

that's it for today!!!!

Kick Off For Old Fashioned Christmas Craft Show Giveaway

2011-11-02T09:06:00.001-04:00

I am joining in with an Old Fashioned Christmas Blog Craft show beginning on Nov. 11th thru the 13th.....you will be able to visit all these wonderful blogs and shop right from your home!

I am offering a free "prim" squirrel and his bag of acorns .....

all you have to do to enter is

1....post on your sidebar about this event...and

2....post on your blog about this event...and

3....become a follower...and

4....leave a comment on THIS post telling me you did....and

thats it...you will be entered..........

if you scroll to a few post below you will see all the participating blogs....

I will be reposting these the days of the show!!

I also will be posting a few "sneak peeks" this week and next.......

The Rusty Thimble is Having A Giveaway

2011-11-01T13:00:00.000-04:00

Brenda at the Rusty Thimble is giving away some of her awesome goodies...a darling Elf and some ornaments.......go HERE for all the details........lots of ways to "win"!!

Also come back later to my blog...I have a giveaway myself!!

Shabby Tea Room Homespun Fall Challenge

2011-11-01T07:55:00.000-04:00

I finally am able to do a challenge...a slow start with my hand, but at least I am making an attempt for "normal".......

that being said, I decided to do a Shabby Tea Room Challenge "Homespun Fall".......

I gatheedr a scrap of lace into a flower....cut some Maple leaves with my Kwikcut.....

added some burlap scraps I had left from a previous project...a few more details...

and my card was funished!!

Come back later tonight for my "giveaway" for the Christmas online craft show I am doing.......fun!!

Seeing Stars on Halloween

2011-10-30T07:57:00.000-04:00

This week on Less Is More the challenge is to use "stars"........I used an Inkadinkado pumpkin stamp I had with stars stamped in SU Only Orange.......the sentiment stamp is one I have had for years....I added the black baby rick rack to finish it off.......

Update on my arm/hand surgery........I am still wrapped and in a hand brace....I am tired of it...and at this moment, there is no signs of improvement...but it is a 3 to 6 month recovery...so am still working, typing, struggling one handed.......I realize I could be alot worse off...and I am grateful for that.....but it still is frustrating to say the least...was trying to tie a ribbon earlier and cried as I could not do it...I know...I am a big baby...but I think I am sick of the whole mess...maybe I need to learn to tie bows with my feet...LOL!!!!!!

Don't forget to come back November first for a "crafty" giveaway...and mark your calendar for the blog Christmas Craft show I am participating in Nov 11th thru ther 13th...info in the post below!!

Christmas Craft Show In Blogland starting Nov 11th

2011-10-14T12:57:00.002-04:00

Hello My Friends!!

I am joining up with several artists in having a "blog"

Old Fashioned Christmas craft show

sponsered by Old Road Primitives....

what a fun and easy way to shop.....

in your jammies right from home.....

the fun begins Nov 11th......

bookmark or subscribe to my blog as starting Nov 1st I will be having a giveaway for those of you that post on "your" blog about

this amazing event....

stay tuned for more details!!!

Hi, Ladies!

Please "Save the Date" for the weekend
of November 11th, 12th & 13th
for ORP's

"Old Fashioned Online Christmas Craft Show"!
Please join us for this very Unique & Special Event!

Meet some very talented artists!

You will have the opportunity to purchase

some unique, handmade, one-of-a-kind items!

The "Best" part of all is you don't even have to leave your home!

Shop online from home!

Below you will find a list of all of our

"Christmas Craft Show" Participants...

The Barn Hollow
Happy Valley Primitives

Cat Nap Inn Primitives

Buttermilk Creek Farm

Designs by Guka
Old Road Primitives
Sweet Bear Creek Whims
Grandma Kringle's Country Crafts
The Farmer's Attic
Santa & the Mrs.
Olde Crow Mercantile
Huckleberry Lady

Cynzplace

Primitive Country Cabin
Yorkies Primitives
Olde Annie Primitives
Mel's Designs from the Cabin
Country Cents
Colleen's Craft Shed

Ellie's Country Accents
The Cottage Works
Beyond the Attic Door
All Cooped Up
Sew Many Raggedies
CounterCrafts Primitive Treasures
Nellie's Nest
Shell's Vintage Charm
Hickory Ridge Primitives

Looking forward to seeing you then!!!

Less Is More Challenge ~ One Layer With a Heart

2011-10-10T18:53:00.000-04:00

this is my entry this week to the less is more challenge....

one layer and use a heart....

i did this all with one hand.....

cut a heart reverse mask on my cricut and then stamped on my cardstock....

sorry this is so brief...

and sorry i cannot leave comments back at this time....

it was difficult enough to make the card and post it....

i go to the dr tomorrow to have my surgery looked at, as it is causing me great discomfort...sigh

When It Rains It Pours

2011-10-09T02:34:00.000-04:00

update on my surgery...

as i sit here typing one handed, i have to laugh......

our household is in a shambles.....

i am in my splints up to under my arm to my fingers...

and as i type this, my hubby is in bed moaning from hurting himself on thursday.....

he was loading a hay wagon on a trailer and heard something pop in the calf of his leg

he refused to have it looked at.....

now its worse.....

i had to stand on the toe of his boot while he tried to pull it off......

i finally had to use my good arm to pull it off....

he is susposed to be taking care of me....

funny how things can change....

it's 2:30 in the morning...

he wants me to take him somewhere tomorrow to have a look at his leg.....

we certainly are a pair.....

all one can do is laugh......

Less Is More Challenge~The Color of "Your" Eyes

2011-10-04T08:27:00.003-04:00

...........and don't it make your brown eyes blue......lol......

for some reason this challenge makes me think of the old Crystal Gale song...

the challenge from Simply Less Is More is to create a card using your eye color...

I chose to use a 2 step stamp set from SU using both Bashful Blue and Pacific Point...
the flowers were stamped and then cut out and mounted slightly "popped"....
I used a silver ribbon for the stems.....
now on another less then happy note....

tomorrow I go in for my arm and hand surgery.......

I hope it solves the problem.....

will be in splints for 3 weeks.....

recovery is 3 to 6 months, if at all!!

It's All About Circles @ Embellish Magazine

2011-09-30T21:54:00.000-04:00

Circles~circles~circles is the challenge at Embellish Magazine this week....

I used my Cricut and cut out a "circle" tree........

I decided to distress the edges of the card using a distress tool.....

simple, I know...but I like it....

and with only one hand, it took me longer then it should have....

I sure hope the surgery works!!

Shabby Tea Room Challenge "Chevrons" Number "2"

2011-09-29T09:27:00.000-04:00

I made a second card for the challenge at the Shabby Tea Room.....

the challenge was chevrons and using the colors orange~blue~green~cream~brown....

you can see my first entry by scrolling down.....

I cut this little Halloween kitty on my Cricut and stamped with a small flourish all over....

added a couple of green gems for his eyes.....

cut him a little witch hat and glittered it a couple of times...

stamped and layered two little pumpkins.....

I added some ribbon...and since the hand issue I am not able to tie bows at this time...

I tried several times to add the "tricks & treats" as a tag tied to one of the ribbons.....

but my left hand refused to let me do it...sigh...

so I had to settle to leave that part off and added them at the bottom.....

I will be glad when I "hopefully" have the use of my fingers again....

anywho...this is my finished chevron project!

Shabby Tea Room Challenge "Chevrons"

2011-09-29T09:14:00.000-04:00

This week at the Shabby Tea Room the challenge is "Chevrons" and to use the colors blue,green, orange cream and brown!

I made a couple of cards...the first with an organza flower I made with a tim Holtz die......

I cut 4 layers of each flower (4 flower shapes~16 flowers).......

ran a needle thru the center with thread.....

and instead of using a candle to "curl" the edges, I used my heat gun......

the layered doily underneath is one I cut from my doily die....

the stamped green maple leaves I stamped 3 times and cut each out...

underneath all the layers is a vintage postcard stamp....

what I love about this stamp is the postmark if 1908 and it is from Michigan...

how bout that??

For my blue on the card I added two teal blue leaf picks.......

my chevrons are the rick rack!

I'm Going Batty!! Just For Fun Challenge More Then 4 Sides

2011-09-27T16:35:00.001-04:00

I have a fun wreath to share with you today........

I saw this batty wreath on "pinterest" and tracked it down to Carina Garner's blog HERE.....

I think mine is a bit smaller then hers but I love it anyhow!

I cut 2" bats on my Cricut and then just glued them on with a glue gun......

very fun....very fast...very easy!
I am entering this in the "Just For Fun challenge any shape with more then 4 sides HERE!!

I am working on a fall wreath also.......

much more involved using rosettes....

but it will take me a while due to my hand issue....

speaking of.....I have surgery on it Oct 5th.......

they are cutting at my elbow and into the meat of my hand.....

I won't go into all the "gory" details...but I will have 2 splints for 3 weeks......

it frustrates me already as I am not a "sit on my behind" kind of gal........

so all that being said I am sure I will not have much to post unless it is super easy to do with one hand!

Now back to Pinterest......

do you pin???

If not, click on my link above right and check out "my" boards.....

wow...so many creative idea's.....

I now need new ink for my printer I have been printing so much!

I have made a few of the recipes

Autumn Salad.......YUMMY!

Pumpkin Crunch Cake....super YUMMY!

Apple Crumble Pie...really YUMMY!!!

go and check all the fun out!!!

Shabby Tea Room Boys Will Be Boys

2011-09-16T15:30:00.000-04:00

This week at "The Shabby Tea Room" the challenge is Boys Will Be Boys...

a bit of a different challenge for them.....

I am not good at boy/masuline cards at all...in fact they make me cringe..lol

but I gave this one a try.....

the sentiment is....

"That best portion

of a good man's life,

his litttle namless,

unremembered

acts of kindness

and of love"

Don't forget to scroll on down to see my awesome witches shoe cards!!!

Witches Shoe From Pinterest

2011-09-16T14:52:00.001-04:00

Hello Blogger Friends!

I've been gone due to my hand "issue"....

but I managed to put a few things together.....

You all know by now my "love" for "Pinterest"......

I found this lovely tutorial there for a witches shoe card...

it is cut on the Cricut with the cartridge "Happy Hauntings"...

go HERE for the tutorial...so fun!!

only difference on mine is I haven't done my "tags" for the shoes.....yet

it was a struggle just to do the shoes basically one handed...

what should of taken about an hour, has taken me all day!

I go for a test on Monday for my hand...all I know so far is that the muscle is deteriorating....

surgery is forth coming!

Less Is More Challenge ~Color~Metallic

2011-09-07T08:30:00.001-04:00

Even though my left hand is not working yet, I decided to try and do a challenge.....

I choose the Simply Less Is More challenge which happens to be "color"...

the color is Metallic....(click on photo for a better view of the copper)

I did a very simple card with a strip of metallic which had copper in it....

the sentiment is from SU, stamped with a Dew Drop Brillance called Cosmic Copper

the card seemed to be slightly "too simple", so I added my flower...

I really like how it turned out....

I will try to leave as many comments as I can...

keep in mind though I am one handed...sigh!!

Take A Peek

2011-09-06T18:04:00.000-04:00

Scrapbook Cards Today Magazine had a summer photo contest...I entered a picture of my sweetie granddaughter "Little Miss Kendall" jumping out of her cousins Barbie car...I didn't win, but out of 100's I did get an honorable mention.....click on the link above and it is the second photo...fun!

I am still suffereing with the use of only one hand...annoying to say the least....so today I opted to wash the logs (yes I have to wash logs, the downside of owning a real log home...ugh)...at least it only took on hand, except it was hard to wring out the rag every few minutes...one more day to go and that job will be done until April......I will be working on some fall/Halloween cards and projects, soon...after I get my logs (and windows washed, too)...sigh!!!!!!!!!!!

Casual Fridays Challenge ~ Book Inspiration

2011-09-04T17:51:00.000-04:00

Wow.....where have I been?

I have a pinched nerve somewhere and it has made my left hand useless....

so forgive my "typing"....

it is all one handed.....

and it so hard to do anything....

very frustrating to say the least...

I choose to do a challenge by Casual Fridays.

use a book for inspiration and the colors black~white~red...

I choose the book "A Skeleton Key"....

nope, haven't read the book, don't even know what its about, but it worked for my card...lol

because of being one handed, I dropped the words in the wrong place....

it is what it is....

as soon as I can type with 2 hands, I will be back to leave comments for you all...

I am off to the casino for the $100,000 drawing...

don't worry,I don't have a gambling problem...

I just printed my losses for the last 5 years and they average about $92 for each year....

wish me luck

PS:....I only need one hand to push the button...LOL!!!

Scare Bear Pattern Kit Giveaway @ Sweet Meadows Farms

2011-08-24T06:27:00.000-04:00

Want to win a pattern kit for a Scare Bear from

Sweet Meadows Farm

Go for a visit and sign up...

you know you want to!!

Scrap Happy Challenge

2011-08-22T16:23:00.000-04:00

This week at City Crafter they are having a "scrap happy" challenge

I could do about 500 of those with all the scraps I have....

but I chose a simple card using a scrap piece of

Kiwi cardstock I had...it isn't quite big enough for a reg. size card

but it turned out kind of cute.....

I also have a BIG bag of premade punched and cut flowers

so I pulled one of those out

the green gems have been around for about 4 years...

so guess I met the challenge!

On another note...do you do "Pinterest"??

click on my link above and you can see all my pinboards

wow...it is so addicting....

but so fun......things to sew...

things to papercraft....

recipes....

holidays...and best of all

most have links back to the blog or site

for all the info......take a peek!

~Garden Party Hat~

2011-08-21T08:28:00.001-04:00

I have finally found a "bit" of time to create!

I am joining in the Shabby Tea Room Challenge "polka dots"......

I cut a "garden party hat" with my Cricut.....

and had so much fun decorating it.....

with some shimmery green ribbon....

a gorgeous lavender rose......

wonderful pearls.......

wouldn't "you" love to have a hat like this??

Butterflies

2011-08-21T06:48:00.000-04:00

This week at "Less Is More" the challenge is a theme...

being "things that move"....

my first thought was something with wheels...

but after spending about an hour in the garden trying to take pictures of the butterflies.....

that soon became my inspiration......

because, boy can those things move....

I tried for at least 30 minutes to get the Monarch butterfly picture

he (or she) was annoying to say the least....

it seemed that he was always behind me....

and when I turned around he would fly off...

but I finally managed a pic!

I colored my butterfly with "Copics".

This was another butterfly I took pics of...there were several of these!

I also have a few pics of the caterpillar........

New Blog Alert ~Take a Peek

2011-08-17T05:46:00.000-04:00

I love Michelle Palmer's blog...have you seen her creative art?? I own a piece...I love her work....now her daughter "Alaina" has started a blog called "Avery Hill"......as well as her own Etsy Shop...she has a bit of a give away....go take a peek.....you can also find Michelle's blog on my favorites list on my side bar!

I wanted to share my gorgeous PeeGee Hydrangea with you...

it is so tall it is as tall as the house....

and almost as wide!

It is a beautiful white....but....

is starting slowly to change to it's pink and sage green color...

I love this thing....

the shape is so pretty!

Just For Fun Challenge ~ Black and White

2011-08-16T07:49:00.000-04:00

Just For Fun this week is using "black and white".....

I knew as soon as I saw the challenge I would use my "very" retired SU wolf set....

the sentiment is from Unity, but I thought it fit well (and it was sitting out from my last challenge)....

I embossed the image and used Ranger Black embossing powder.....

I love how this stuff works so good....

it seems I sometimes forget all the cool stuff I have to work with...

and I just added some new goodies to my stash yesterday......

On another note.....

our vacation was wonderful...

for the most part we had beautiful weather...

many a hour was spent kayaking...

lots of eating, too...

LIM Challenge ~ One Layer Using "Ink"

2011-08-16T07:37:00.000-04:00

This week at Less Is More Challenge, Chrissie and Mandi chose a one layer card using "ink"!

I used some chalk inks as they blend so well...

I do want to add however, that my card is much more "vivid" IRL

the only little addition I added was a "jewel" on my flower...

I figured I could add that as Mandi added a ribbon and brads......

check out the challenge as not only do Mandi and Chrissie have some beautiful creations.....

but the other entries are very creative as well!

Wheels For Your Birthday

2011-08-09T03:51:00.007-04:00

I'm not here....

really.....
I actually had time to schedule a post.......
I made this card for my Granddaughters birthday...

put it together as I was flying out the door.....

I am sure she will get a good laugh at it!

The car and the bike were cut on my Cricut...

don't you just love this "girlie" car??

the sentiment inside and out I did on the computer.....

see ya next week!

Just For Fun Challenge ~ White On White ~ Baby Card

2011-08-08T08:50:00.000-04:00

I have my 3rd post for today.....

I am on a roll...lol.....

I did the "Just For Fun" challenge white on white.....

I choose to cut a lamb from my Cricut...

I know it looks cream color...but that is just the lighting...

it really is whisper white from SU......

hope you enjoy it......

I did it..."just for fun"!!!

Let's Get Shabby Toile and Ticking Challenge

2011-08-08T08:43:00.000-04:00

This is my first time to enter the Let's Get shabby Challenge....

the challenge is to use Toile and Ticking.....

Can you see my ticking??

It is the heart...just a bit of it...but its on there.....

the "toile" paper I have had "for~eva" !!!

Check out my other post I have today...thanks!!

Pretty Little Ribbon Challenge

2011-08-08T08:35:00.001-04:00

Good Monday Morning All!

I have several posts to share with you all today.....

I am going to be off my blog this week, so have to get them all posted today...sigh....

I might have a few scheduled posts though if I have time....

Now to the challenge....

I came across this "NEW" challenge from "Pretty Little Ribbon"....

this is their first challenge, so I joined in....

I used several things I already had in my "never ending" drawer......

the embossed background....

the stamped and colored flowers panel.....

the tissue paper flower......

the "label" I had cut on my Cricut.....

and the wonderful Pretty yellow ribbon.....

that was the challenge.....

to use a "pretty ribbon"...

check out my other posts I have today......

I posted each one separate!!

LIM Challenge~Color of Your Nation's Flag

2011-08-07T08:16:00.001-04:00

Well hello all!! I am back again.......

finally have found some mojo....

finally have found some time......

started my Sunday out with a challenge from Less Is More......

the challenge is to use your nations colors....

being in the good ole' U S of A.....

I used Red~White~ And Blue....

to create my card, I choose my very newest stamp set from SU

Pennant on Parade and the matching punch!

Love~Love this set...

Clean and Simple.....that's it!!

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #93

2011-08-04T07:48:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm back....finally....and what a better way to "come back" then to start with a challenge!

To "get me motivated"

I started with a challenge from The Play Date Cafe......

it was a yummy color challenge I couldn't resist!

Watermelon....Sorbet....Lime

I made a card of entirely punched flowers.....

it seems I neglect these punches and brought them out

all the punches are from SU...

the "lime" leaf is from Sizzix

thats' it for today.....

but it's a start!

Lake Huron Sunset ~ I Will Be Back Soon...I Promise

2011-07-25T16:12:00.001-04:00

My hubby and I took a small trip to our Lake Huron home last week...

these are a few of the pics I took from my lakeside porch of the sunset on Lake Huron......

it was so beau-ti-ful.......

even the lake had a pink glow.......

we just catch a bit of the sunset and a bit of the sunrise...

couldn't ask for a better spot!

Saturday night the lake was in a turmoil and thundered with waves all night...

was still doing it when we left on Sunday...

I sure didn't want to come back to "reality"...

but we will be going back again soon!

Remember a few weeks ago.......

we went to Silver Beach in St Joseph in Michigan?

This is my granddaughter "Trinity".......

she is four and she on her own.....

wrote her name in the sand...

proud grandma "moment"!!

As for my projects....

I am having the baby shower this Sunday...

so am very involved in getting my house cleaned......shopping.....decorated....and cooking!

After the shower I will hopefully get back to my blog...

isn't it amazing how fast this summer is going???

But I love the fall weather best......

no humidity!!!

It has been so hot here and so humid it's hard to "move" or want to do anything at all!!

It won't be long and you will hear me complaining about the cold and snow...LOL...

guess that is just the way life is.

In my "spare" time....

I have been on Pinterest.....oh my...

that is so addicting...but so fun...

the idea's are endless...

and the recipes...

well...yum!!!

My Little Sewing Banner

2011-07-17T11:35:00.000-04:00

I bought a new Tim Holtz Alterations die awhile back from Joan's Gardens....

it is called "Sewing Room".....

A perfect die for me....

I had "sew" much fun making this....

and it is hanging in my creative room.....

I love to sew as well as papercraft....

I am trying to sew (finish) some things to get my Etsy shop going.....

I will also have some things on Ebay....

wish me luck!!

Baby Shower Invites

2011-07-16T10:17:00.000-04:00

Now that I am certain everyone has their's...

I can share with you the 27 onsies my daughter and I made for a baby shower on the 31st......

we got them out a bit later then we wanted, due to the power outage...

I used my Cricut to make these...

first designed it very simply by flipping it and welding it together on my Gypsy...

then cutting it....

because the baby is a girl and because she is going to name her "Paislie"....

we used an embossing folder with "paisleys" on it....

4 different colors of chalk ink...

a bit of lace and a bow....

stamped the inside with an invite stamp...

and done!!!

We kept them quite simple for mailing purposes.....

sorry the pic is not great......

After the shower will post more pics of our decorations and such....

we are not using the "normal" baby colors...

we are using Key Lime~Mango Madness~Pixie Dust~and Spring Pansy....

fun!!

Power is Back After Storm

2011-07-15T02:34:00.000-04:00

We were hit by a pretty fierce and fast moving storm off Lake Michigan on Monday...but we now have power....it's amazing how much we depend on it and how NOT having it can certainly change your life!!

We were lucky with just a few limbs and tons of tree debre down.....took us 2 days to clean it up.....and it was hot......you don't know what a brain freeze is until you wash your hair in the sink with cold well water...which I "borrowed" from the neighbor that had a built in generator...which we are getting next......also not having power is tough on a marriage..."nuff" said...LOL!!

The Past Week

2011-07-11T06:14:00.000-04:00

Sorry I have been missing for awhile :>)

I have been busy with so many things

sewing for Ebay and Etsy (not done yet)

spending time with lots of my grandkids (there are 18 of them)

ages 6 months to 19

trying to survive the heat

I finished up my week Sunday evening at Silver Beach in St Joseph Michigan

I forget how much I LOVE that place

it's busy~its noisy~I love it!

I spent many a day there as a child

I guess my love of Lake Michigan has never stopped

I will post a few pics later.....I will have to "steal" them from my daughter

but nothing like miles and miles of beautiful beach

and the sunset on Lake Michigan.....

well its as Tim Allen says

"Pure Michigan"!!

Bittersweet and Prim Give Away

2011-07-06T17:04:00.000-04:00

Heather at Bitttersweet and Prim is having a surprise give away....

go and give her a visit.....

how fun

Blog Candy From She Stamps by Cheryl

2011-07-06T16:22:00.000-04:00

She Stamps By Cheryl is having a blog candy give away....

actually 2 give aways...

one is the Copics and items pictured...

the second......

well go and visit her blog to find out...

:>)

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #125

2011-07-06T10:42:00.000-04:00

This week for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday its to have the word "Friend"......

this was a perfect challenge for me this week...

as a friend of mine moved to Arizona from Michigan...

they just got moved into their new home....

I miss her and was planning on sending a card

I decided since it is so hot where she is, to use bright "hot" colors...

maybe I should of re-thought it and send "cool" colors'''LOL....

the butterfly is 3d...I tried to keep it somewhat simple because of mailing....

and since it was "friend" week......

I also have a cutie picture of 2 of my granddaughters from Father's Day......

Stella is on the left and Kendall is on the right...

they are both 5.....

aren't they just the cutest little things!!!!!

Shades of Blue Less Is More Challenge

2011-07-03T10:59:00.000-04:00

This week at "Less Is More" the challenge is "shades of blue"....

For my first card I stamped with SU Marina Mist and the rose with Night of Navy.......

the butterfly was punched, then mounted on sticky back paper and I applied glitter....

messy, but effective!!

I actually saw a card very similar in a store and liked the simplicity of it.

My second card is made from "guess what"....

give up?

I punched a label on painters color chips I picked up from a store.......

simply embossed each one and a matching plain strip across the top.......

The last photos are from last weeks challenge which I managed to do but never posted!

We had some bad weather and I had to keep my computer off and unplugged for a few days.....

which made me miss the challenge posting deadline.......

too bad, as I really liked my card.....

the tag was just an extra I did, as I had a bunch of onsie templates I was making to design a card for a baby shower.........that's it

have a nice Sunday!

Snippets Card & Tag

2011-07-02T10:06:00.001-04:00

A card and a tag made from "snippets" of things I have saved.....

makes "you" feel good to use some of it up......

all the tiny pieces of ribbon...

the bits of designer paper....

the little crochet piece...

the "onsie" tag was made using a trial template piece I am working on for a baby shower.....

linking this to Melissa Phillips at lilybeanpaperie

this was all "her" idea to use up some "snippets"

Projects From Joan's Gardens Sunday Workshop

2011-06-29T07:48:00.000-04:00

Sunday was my second workshop at Joan's Gardens...not only was it fun, but I was able to walk thru her more then beautiful gardens..that's worth the trip itself!! We made the most beautiful projects...first a notepad.....I love everything about it......am loving making those flowers using the Punch Bunch punches, and seem to be getting quite a collection of them.......and look at the lillies from my own garden...they look just like the one I made!!!

The second project was so fun also...we used a new product "Judikins" mica ink.......I already ordered more...sigh......and the last pictures are of a purchase (one of many) I made from Joan...the Cheery Lynn Doily Die...oh my...I couldn't stop cutting these...I cut 6 from plain cardstock and 6 from Designer Paper....now I have to do a few creations with them.....Joan carries this die......it cuts beautifully...I didn't even have to shim it!!!

You can see a few more of my new purchases on the post below!!

What's On My Work Desk Wednesday??

2011-06-29T07:20:00.000-04:00

Okay...I am going to "embarrass" myself today.....I am showing you "MY" workdesk (or one of them)....it's messy....real messy ......loaded with stuff I have bought and just piled on......but I won a $50 gift certificate to Ellen Hutson...and if you order $150, you get FREE shipping...so what's a girl to do right??? And then on Sunday I went to Joan's gardens...and when I left I taped a note to the fridge to my hubby...saying..."I took the checkbook...but don't freak out...I won't buy much....gulp...if I were Catholic I would have to go to confession.......so here it is...in all its glory...please note..."NOT FOR THE FAINT AT HEART"!!

Just wanted to add, this is my first WOYWW "nice" comments are appreciated!!

I do have another post for today with my projects we made a the workshop at Joan's gardens on Sunday...take a peek!

Creating From The Heart Blog Give Away

2011-06-27T19:56:00.000-04:00

Melissa at Creating From The Heart is having a 3rd blog~aversary giveaway...and she has some fantastic goodies...go and take a visit to see what she has for you...you will be glad you did...I have her in my favorites in my sidebar, as she is one creative girlie!!

Tag Tuesday Challenge "7"

2011-06-23T10:20:00.000-04:00

I am finally able to participate in the Tag Tuesday challenge again this week :>)

The challenge is to use a "7"....

either the number 7 or 7 items on you tag....

I used a heavily coffee stained tag......

a bit of trim.....

a stamp I just purchased in clearance.....

a bit of my Tim Holtz paper stash (bingo card)

a birdie embellishment....

and a rub on from Stampin UP!

Hope you enjoy it....PS...it smells wonderful too!!

The Shabby Tea Room Challenge

2011-06-22T17:57:00.000-04:00

The Shabby Tea Rooms Challenge this week is "Classic Patterns"......

I LOVE the challenge this week as it not only has these yummy colors, but two of my favorites....

polka dots and/or gingham!!

If you read my blog often, you know I am a gingham fanatic...lol!!

I think this week I will entering more then one entry...

after all, it's my chance to use "gingham"!!

Now on to my card...

I spent 2 hours one afternoon making about 18 tiny "rolled" roses.....

each rose was "painted" with Frosted Lace Stickles...

My chipboard bird is coated with MS fine red glitter...

actually my entire creative room seems to be coated with it!!

I used my 2 new MS punches Double Arches.....how I am loving those punches!

I took some close ups so you can see the "crystal" spray that is tucked under the roses...

added my gingham ribbon with just a touch of a lace bow underneath......

wish you could see it IRL...as it is GOR-G-EOUS!!

I encourage you to visit the link above....there are some "fab" entries and the Design Team has

outdone themselves as well!!

Monogram at Less Is More

2011-06-18T12:26:00.001-04:00

This week at "Less Is More"...it's "MONOGRAM"......

I used a purse I have had forever as my inspiration piece....

I cut the purse on my Cricut.......

for the base of the card I tried red, black, shimmery white and glossy before I finally settled on the black....

I also tried several placements on the card stock....

finally settling for towards the bottom as the straight edge on the bottom of the purse just didn't look right anywhere else.....

I still haven't found my
"mojo"

maybe it's because I haven't felt too great all week...

maybe I need to "buy" something...lol

You Are My Sunshine ~ CAS-ual Fridays Color Blocking

2011-06-17T14:36:00.000-04:00

I was in the middle of ironing my "summer" curtains for my bedroom when I decided to take a break....

and look at my computer for a bit.......

I came across CAS-ual Friday's challenge.....

This week we are Color Blocking: place blocks, or areas of color, next to each other to form a cohesive design on your Clean And Simple creation.

so...I took the challenge literally and did a technique I have been seeing on other blogs recently....

you color with your markers on a clear acrylic block....

mist with water and then stamp onto your card stock.....

I used 3 different SU markers for my background....

the stamps I used are both Unity from a July kit of the month......

I added the butterfly for a tiny bit of dimension.....