Hoppy Father's Day!

Coffee/Tea of the Day - World Market Fireside Rum coffee

Hoppy Father's Day to all of the dads, granddads, uncles, and father figures out there! :)

now I say 'hoppy' because my card today is inspired by all of the fabulous craft beer breweries around our wonderful world! Dave and I enjoy visiting them as we travel the country (or we did travel a bit before my health woes took over).  in the Cleveland area, which is near where we live, there are some amazing breweries, not to mention in the state of Ohio. I was never really a beer drinker, but have enjoyed trying some since some of the stouts have tastes similar to my beloved coffee. did you realize that? servers are always amazed that I am the one drinking the dark beer, while Dave gets the lighter ones. it's funny. :)

Power Poppy has this really fun "Hops and Barley"digital image which includes several neat sentiments that can be used for different occasions. they currently have a sale going on if you use the code COLORINGCHALLENGE.  I believe the sale goes through the end of the month and can be used multiple times. for more information, head to their store or blog.

I added the image twice, flipping one of them, and then inserting the Benjamin Franklin quote inside the space. I then fussy cut around the piece. the papers are from the Authentique Meadow collection. the brown gingham is one of my favorite go to papers right now. it's actually the flip side of their journal cards, but I just love the look, especially for masculine cards. :) I added texture paste over a Carta Bella stencil in the corner.

matting dies are by Spellbinders, seam binding is from Zipper Stop and was distressed with ink, vintage buttons are from my stash, and jute ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

the inside reads, "Hoppy Father's Day," which is one of the newest sentiments that was just added to this set in the past week. I didn't get a photo.

I apologize that my photo is so light. I am having a tough time with photo editing with my head all messed up due to the seizures. my eyes just don't seem to work properly. so very sorry. if you click on the photo, it will take you to a larger window where you can see everything in much better detail, and hopefully that will make it better. I will try to do a nicer job on future projects until I can get over these yucky things.

Have a most lovely day, and thank you for stopping by!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Allsorts - use at least 2 dies (both by Spellbinders)
Craftaholics R Us - kraft (card base and one of the matting pieces)
Digistamps 4 Joy - anything goes w/optional for the men in your life
Crafty Calendar - 3 of something (buttons)
Pile it On - holidays (Father's Day)
Catch the Bug - bingo: ribbon, die/punch, sentiment
Daisy Chain - for the boys/men
Simply Create Too - for a male
Aud Sentiments - anything goes w/a sentiment
Cardz 4 Guyz - Father's Day
Stinkin' Inkers - the guys have it
Try it on Tuesday - for the boys
Unicorn Ch - masculine
Daily Marker 30 coloring challenge - trying the best I can when my seizures allow

A Bee Skep Birthday

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Salted Caramel coffee

It's the weekend! hooray! :) that would usually mean that hubby is home for the day, but he and Palmer are out at Camp meeting a delivery, so it's just Moon Pie and I here at home. the seizures haven't changed, but I so appreciate the kind comments and emails that so many have you have sent. :) thank you!

I apologize that it's taking me so long to post projects. the card I am sharing today took me about 3 days to complete. I can only craft for about 30 minutes before my wonky head gets too much for me to bear. but I'm thankful for the time I am able to spend in my craft room, no matter how short it is. :)

I created this birthday card for my SIL, although it will be a bit late getting to her. The beautiful bee skep and flower image is from Power Poppy. they have a great sale going on now if you use the code: COLORINGCHALLENGE . the sale is valid through the end of the month to my understanding and can be used multiple times. there are a few restrictions, so please check the store or their blog for more information.

the fun little journal cards are from a new to me store I found on Etsy called Arty Maze. wonderfully shabby goodies at a reasonable price that download and print out so nicely! why yes, thank you! :)

you can see that I used them on both the front and inside.

the background paper is made with sunburst yellow and grey brusho powders spritzed with pearl glimmer mist. the small flower stamp and birthday sentiment are from the SU! "Best Birds" set. iridescent texture paste was spread over a Studio Calico hexagon mask in the lower right hand corner of the card.

ribbons along the bottom of the card are from Really Reasonable Ribbon, while the lace and natural jute trim in the upper right hand corner are from my stash. vintage buttons are stash items as well. a wink of stella gel pen was used to accent the bees' wings. flower is from Michael's.

Enjoy your weekend, and I'll see you back here tomorrow for Father's Day!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Always Happy Birthday - anything birthday w/summer birthday option
Crafts Galore Encore - anything goes
Creatialicious - anything goes w/optional flowers (on digi, bg paper, journaling card, & mulberry flower)
Scribbles Designs - anything goes
Colour Crazy - anything hand colored goes (watercolor brushes & SU! ink refills)
Craft Rocket - birthday
Little Red Wagon - too bee or not to bee
Crafty Gals Corner - summer colors
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Rubbernecker - birthday
DL Art - anything goes
Daily Marker 30 Day coloring challenge - trying as best I can when my seizures allow

Under the Sea Altered Nuts Can

Top 3 Pick at Sparkles Monthly Challenge
Highlighted Project at Use Your Stuff
Coffee/Tea of the Day - Sweet Pear

Hello! Happy Monday! :)
I hope you had a great weekend! I apologize that I haven't had a craft project to share with you in a while.  These seizures and migraines are really doing a number on me. Unfortunately they seem to be getting worse rather than better, much to my dismay. I am using my cane to get around much more often, as opposed to just 'holding on to the walls' as I usually do to get around the house. Yesterday it was easier to just stay in bed, because I found myself falling down  every time I tried to stand or walk.  this is not fun, folks. :( I want to be out enjoying the sunshine and bird songs and the smell of grass and good stuff of summer. oh well. maybe soon.

 anyhow, enough of the icky stuff.  I had wanted to have this project completed in time to celebrate World Oceans Day and the March for the Oceans. I had planned to attend a nearby march, but of course I couldn't. taking care of our waterways and the beautiful creatures that live in them is very important to me.

So I created this altered project using a mixed nuts can. Since becoming a vegetarian over the past few years, we eat lots of nuts. :) I save the cans for my projects, and thought it would be fun to make this for Tyler and Danielle to put the shells and beach glass they collect on their honeymoon this fall.

I gathered images from The Graphic Fairy (anchors), Create with TLC (fish), and SU! (fish rubber stamp).  papers are from the Authentique Sea Maiden collection, and flowers are from both Wild Orchid Crafts & Petaloo. all ribbons and trims are from Really Reasonable Ribbon. sea horse and sand dollar dies are by Tim Holtz.

The background base paper was sprayed with Tattered Angels pearl glimmer mist. This is one of my favorite sprays for a glorious all over sparkle, but especially for water scenes. Essentially every piece of paper or cardstock used on here was sprayed with this glimmer mist at least once. :)

From there I created the sand portion. I used the actual sand designer paper from Authentique, but then sprayed it with the Tattered Angels walnut gold & pearl regular glimmer mists and the Hot Chocolate Chalkboard glimmer mist. once these had dried I stippled a bit of gesso over the top to give a bit of texture. this piece of dsp was then adhered around the bottom with foam tape.

The seahorses were distressed with white craft and crumb cake inks and then sprayed with the pearl & Atlantic glimmer mists. I added a little bead for the eyes. torn cardboard was distressed with white craft ink. the floral anchor piece was edged in gold glitter glass. I used a little fern punch by Martha Stewart to replicate sea plants. they were distressed and inked. The top has a wonderful burlap doily and neat flower that I came across a few years ago in my travels, knowing that it would be perfect on some project. looks like this was the one! :)

Pearl beads and metallic beads by Prima add more texture along the ocean floor. Real shells & beach glass pieces, along with postage stamps and vintage laces & buttons help to complete the project.

I hope you have enjoyed my little altered project today. Enjoy your day!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Canvas Corp - To the Sea (Tattered Angels pearl, walnut gold, Hot Chocolate, & Atlantic glimmer mists)
613 Avenue Create - anything goes w/optional buttons & bows theme
Dragonfly Dreams - anything goes
Corrosive Challenges - anything goes
Catch the Bug - make a splash
Fairy and the Unicorn - anything mystical/mythical (mermaids, on card)
Happy Little Stampers Mixed Media - layers
Let's Craft and Create - anything goes w/punch it optional theme (Martha Stewart fern punch)
Not Just Cards - anything goes
Sparkles - sea shells
Sunsational Stamps - beach
Crafter's Cafe - tic tac toe: lace, patterned paper, ribbon
CRAFT - add ribbon and sparkle (sparkle comes from the numerous glimmer mists, pearl beads, and beach glass. it has a lovely shine irl)
Use Your Stuff - magical (mermaids, on card)
Altered Eclectics - anything altered or mixed media

A Few Words... You Are Loved

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Tea Thyme

No crafty things to show you today, although I have been working on some stuff in the background while still dealing with these yuckity yuck seizures. they still aren't going away, much to my dismay and disappointment. :(

But I wanted to post today about the very sad news we woke to this morning regarding the passing of Anthony Bourdain. yet another suicide has taken the life of a wonderful, yet obviously hurting soul. We have also been dealing with the news this week that Kate Spade, the talented designer, took her own life.

Last night I was reading the news that suicides are up more than 30% in recent years. Just a few days ago I finished watching the newest season of "13 Reasons Why." it's a fabulous series on Netflix that tackles the aftereffects of a teen's suicide at a high school, but I warn you now, it is not easy to watch. it is graphic with very serious themes and scenes. but that doesn't stop it from being a truthful telling.

Unfortunately, many of the situations dealt with in the series, and that we are seeing played out in the news, I have had to experience in my own life. Which is why I am writing this post today.

“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” 

{Ephesians 3:17-19}

I want to let that one person out there reading this know that YOU are loved. Someone out there loves you very much. There are probably a lot of someones. There are probably people you don't even realize that are impacted by your life and you have no idea. I am sure Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade had no idea the number of people who would be so shocked and in mourning over their passing. We had a long group text about it this morning with everyone in my family because it hit us all so hard.

The point is that YOU matter. There are going to be times that you feel overwhelmed, and life is going to be so very hard. I know. I have been there so many times. I am a suicide survivor. so I really have been there. and there are times that you really can't feel the love that people have for you, but that doesn't make it less real. and it doesn't make God's love for you less real.

you were created to be here, in this moment, at this time on Earth, for a certain purpose that ONLY YOU  can fulfill. I know that there are other things in life where other people can take over for you if you don't do your job or a chore or show up or whatever, but in this particular case, you are the only one who has been called to fulfill YOUR PURPOSE.  you are necessary.

so please understand how very much you are loved. really really loved. and we have to show that love to other people who might be feeling less than lovely.  because we have been there. we know that loneliness.  and the hurt. but sometimes you sharing a smile can be what it takes to let someone know that they are worthy.

be kind. show compassion. walk in peace. and in doing so you will know love. you will spread love and be love.

but for this moment, just remember that you are loved. really truly loved. always and forever.
Jennifer

* all of the graphics used today can be found here. if you use or link them on your own blogs, please be sure to give credit to the artist/author, Holley Gerth. :)

*Editing to add:
Here is the link to a fabulous article I highly recommend everyone read. Thanks!

Another good article...

Where There is Tea, There is Comfort

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Tea Thyme (this is a weekly drink for me. I love the rich, robust flavor of the thyme with the citrus. so very good!)

Hello and Happy Wednesday! I am trying to get more cards made for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop, so I hope you enjoy the projects I am sharing. :)

Today's card uses an image from a dear online friend, Krista Smith of Saturated Canary fame. I know her store is no longer open, but you can find a few of her images at Make it Crafty. PLEASE do not purchase or download any of the images that you find on Pinterest or from the dishonest people who copy her art. there are quite a few out there who have made a livelihood off of copying Krista's lovely style. She is such a genuine, caring soul who reached out to me when I was going through my cancer treatment. I knew her beforehand, but really got to know her personally during that challenging time. So yes, I get a bit bothered each time I see those who are unscrupulous making money off of Krista's ideas and artwork. sadly, it happens to many artists. another friend, Maurie Manning, deals with this on an almost weekly basis as well.

now, on to my card. :)
I have used the wonderful "Happy Tea" image and papers from the Authentique Summertime collection. the sentiment is from Create with TLC. little flower is from Wild Orchid Crafts, vintage buttons & doily are from my stash, die is by Spellbinders, and punches are by EK Success. the tea tag is one that I saved and have repurposed. isn't it fun tied in a little bow? the seam binding snippet works perfectly stapled alongside for some added texture. I keep these on my craft desk because I can't bear to throw these beauties away! grins!

Thank you so much for stopping by and saying hello! I will try to get around repay the kindness. I apologize that I am taking so long. these silly migraines and seizures have knocked me sideways. :/ blech.

Challenges:
Try Stamping on Tuesday - sketch with metallic accent option (staple, if that counts)
Creative Moments - anything goes
Crafty Catz - anything goes w/Christmas option
Crafty Girls Creations - anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Not Just Cards - anything goes
Everybody Art - for friends (sending this to one of my tea loving friends)

Tea - A Hug in a Cup

Winner at Get Creative
Top 3 at Through the Craft Room Door
Coffee/Tea of the Day - Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Hey there! I just realized that on the days I have been featuring coffee cards, I have been drinking tea, and now that I am sharing a tea card, I have had coffee. I am sure mixed up, aren't I?! :) does it help if I say that hubby and I had ginger plum tea from Panera for lunch? grins! I tried getting out of the house for a bit today, and sadly it didn't go well. but it was ever so lovely to spend time with him and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. :) too bad the icky seizures had to pop up and say howdy. but that is life right now.... sigh.....

on to my card -
I have another one to share for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop. this time with a tea theme, as I mentioned above. I do love my tea. hot or cold, it doesn't matter to me.

the adorable image is from LOTV and the sentiment is from Create with TLC.  papers are actually from a Valentine collection - Authentique Crush, but I adore the florals and pretty pink stripe. if you notice, almost everything I made has pink on it somewhere. ;)  flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, dies are by Spellbinders, and vintage buttons from my stash. lace, trim, and twine are stash items as well. some faux stitching was added to the base dsp.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a most wonderful day!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Digi Choosday - #22 anything goes
Lemon Shortbread - #68 anything goes
Retarte - #122 anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Artistic Inspirations - anything goes
My Creative Scoop Color Inspirations - anything hand colored goes (watercolor brushes and SU! ink refills)
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Get Creative - lots of flowers
Corrosive Challenge - anything goes
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - anything goes w/optional twist for Mom (sorry, my mom isn't around any longer, so this is going to my bestest friend. she is my tea buddy!)

My County 'Tis of Thee

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Blueberry Mango

Here in the States, it is Memorial Day. We are honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. My prayers are with those family members who have lost someone in service or have someone currently serving in the military.

I made this card today in honor of this holiday. it's so easy to get caught up in the day off from work, store sales, barbeques, and picnics, but we need to remember the people behind the reason for the day.

The beautiful flag digital image is from Paulette at Create with TLC, gorgeous ribbons are from Really Reasonable Ribbons, flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, and vintage buttons, lace, & washi tape from my stash.  whoops, almost forgot, papers are from the Photoplay Red, White, and Blue collection.

the wonderful bark star is from an online craft store that is no longer in business. I apologize that I cannot link to it, as they had great products. I did buy as many of these beauties (and the bark hearts they carried, too) as I could afford at the time. haven't found anyone else online who carried them yet, but if I do, I'll be sure to let you know. :)

the dots on the flourishes were accented with crystal effects. some of the larger ones I went over a second time to really make them stand out. it shows up well irl, but not so much in a photo. ;) isn't that always the case? grins!

I'll be back again tomorrow with another card for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's blog hop. thankful I am able to get a bit of crafting done in spite of my head and these nasty seizures. will be so thankful when they decide that they are done. ;) not that I want them to go visit anyone else, mind you....

Thanks for stopping by! have a most lovely day!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Li'l Patch of Crafty Friends - anything goes
A Gem of a Challenge - use 3 of something (ribbons & buttons)
Crafty Friends - "B" is for... (buttons, bows, bark, blue)
Hiding In My Craft Room - any holiday (Memorial Day)
Addicted to Stamps and More - holiday (Memorial Day)
Crafty Gals Corner - anything goes
2 Sisters on the Blog - 3 of a kind (ribbons & buttons)
Use Your Stuff - washi tape (upper right hand corner - polka dot and stars)

...But Give Her Coffee

Winner at Southern Girls
Coffee/Tea of the Day - Lemon Basil Tea

Hello and Happy Saturday to all of you! :)

I am back with another entry for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop.  Not sure how many more projects I will have a chance to finish because my seizures and migraines are really knocking me down. I've been in bed for a week now, but am trying to get to my craft room when I have the energy. We crafters have our priorities, don't we?! ;) Needless to say I didn't get out to Camp to work this weekend like I had hoped....

anyway, you are here for the fun stuff, not the icky health yuck. so let's get on with it! :)

here is my shabby card using some fabulous images from Paulette over at Create with TLC. I just love her stuff so much!!!!  she gives away free images and sentiments all the time, and has gorgeous digital products in her Etsy store, too. I have my eye on a wedding set for those upcoming weddings here in our family this year. the newlyweds (ALL of them!) would enjoy some journals for all of their photos, if I can get the time and health to get them made.

anyway, AGAIN!, back to my card....
digital papers are from the Prima Collage collection, beautiful flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, and butterfly punch is by Martha Stewart. vintage buttons, lace, and doily are from my stash. butterflies are covered in wink of stella glitter pen while the lady's bracelet was painted with shimmerz for some pretty sparkle. some faux stitching adds to the vintage feel, as does all of the distressing.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a most amazing weekend! :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
Crafting with Friends - anything goes
Creative Fingers - anything goes
Jo's Scrap Shack Funday Friday - anything goes
Southern Girls - sparkle and shine (shimmerz paint & wink of stella glitter pen)
House That Stamps Built - anything goes
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Crafty Addicts - anything goes w/optional spring is in the air theme
A Perfect Time to Craft - anything goes
Rubber Buggy - Theme: feminine or Mother's Day anything goes

Thanks a Latte! Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog Hop

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Strawberry Lavender Mint

Happy Friday to everyone! :)  I am sharing a card with all of you that I made not only for the Coffee Loving Cardmaker's Spring/Summer Blog Hop, but also for a group of VERY kind people who have done something so spectacular for us out at Camp Burton. They have spent the past 2 weeks building a covered deck/porch off of our dining hall! I knew they were people after my own heart when they brought their own tricked out Keurig along, complete with a minimum of 4 different types of coffee. oh yeah! :)

So making a coffee themed thank you card for them seemed the perfect thing to do. Don't you agree? The above photo shows Dave, my hubby, with the addition as of last weekend. I haven't been out there this week to see how far they have progressed. Excited to see the work they have accomplished when I go out later today and work this weekend. :)

My card uses an image and sentiment from Bugaboo, digital papers from the Echo Park Celebrate Spring collection, ribbons from Really Reasonable Ribbon,  and a pretty little daisy from Wild Orchid Crafts.

twine, buttons, and ticket are all items from my stash. shimmerz paint was added to the spoon and heart for some sparkly shine. wink of stella glitter pen was used on the steam coming from the coffee cups for a bit more! :) I added some polka dots to the pink coffee cup with a white get pen and orange pearl pen accents to the sentiment piece for even more fun. lots of distressing with both ink and a distressing tool. faux stitching, too.

Thanks for stopping by! Btw - I have added a privacy policy page to attempt to comply with the new GDPR guidelines.
Jennifer

Challenges:
Catch the Bug - bingo (sparkle - shimmerz paint on heart & spoon, wink of stella glitter pen on steam; sentiment; stitching - faux, on yellow mat and green dsp)
Crafty Creations - anything goes
Inspiration Destination - #151 anything goes
Stempelsonne - anything goes
QKR - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Dream Valley - summer colors

Faith Can Move Mountains

Coffee of the Day - The Coffee Fool Vanilla Macadamia Nut

Today's card is another special one, this time for a fundraiser being held in honor of a wee babe who spent some time at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital NICU. His mom, Lea, has put this fundraiser and card drive together to raise money for Starbuck's gift cards and handmade cards to put them in for other family members who have to experience times such as what she went through. You can find more information here on her blog.

Using the mood/inspiration board, I created this card with a beautiful digital image that I purchased on Etsy. my faith has brought me through some very difficult times in my life, so hopefully this sentiment will bring hope and comfort to someone in need.

papers are from both Echo Park and Kaisercraft, ribbons are from Really Reasonable Ribbon, the main image die is by Spellbinders while the tree die is by Tim Holtz for Sizzix. vintage buttons & doily are from my stash and the little banners are actually sticky notes from Target. I used a Wink of Stella clear glitter pen to accent the word 'faith' on the main image and the gold dots on the sticky notes. some re-purposed grey tissue paper adds a bit of interest & texture behind the main image.

I had to work hard to keep this card as flat as possible to make it easy to mail as well as to deliver. not an easy task for me. ;)

if you have a moment, please consider a donation or making a card for this very worthwhile fundraiser. thanks for stopping by!

Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft - anything goes
Crafts Galore Encore - anything goes
Creative Craft Cottage - dies and/or punches (Spellbinders & Tim Holtz dies)
Let's Craft and Create - anything goes with lace, ribbon, twine (I have 2 of the 3 here)
Addicted to Stamps - ribbons galore
Dragonfly Journeys - grey is the new black (used as card base, tissue paper, vintage button, and ink for both painting & distressing)
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Path of Positivity - anything positive goes (hopefully this sentiment brings a bit of hope to someone going through the tragedy of having an infant in the NICU. my faith has sustained me through some of the most terrible times in my life, as well as brought me to the mountain tops. I hope this sentiment and the prayers I poured into the card bring some comfort. the greens, my favorite color, are soothing, while the yellow brings the hope with the sun)

Springtime Birthday Greetings!

Top 3 Pick at CRAFT

Coffee of the Day - Moon Pie (yes, it's actual Moon Pie coffee! it both tastes and smells like a real Moon Pie treat. delicious! I am having the chocolate today)

Today I am sharing with you a lovely birthday card for a very special young lady. well every person is special, don't you think?! ;) but this young lady is the daughter of my online crafting friend, Fikreta, and her birthday is the end of this month. Fiki is asking her crafty friends to make and send cards to her daughter. I am only too happy to do so. :)  I had posted a card that I made for Fiki's husband a few weeks ago. yes, I am a very slow crafter. thankfully I got started early keeping that in mind. grins!

The precious "Kidz Bella Birthday Balloons" image is from Bugaboo, digital papers are from the Echo Park Celebrate Spring collection, flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, birthday sentiment die is by Whimsy Stamps, and ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. main image die is by Spellbinders and buttons & doily are from my stash.

I hope you have a most amazing day! Thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer

Challenges:
CRAFT - birthday
Hester's Birthday Candy challenge
Crafty Catz - anything goes w/optional so cute image
As You Like It - favorite pink or blue ( I absolutely ADORE all things pink! most especially since my breast cancer diagnosis, but I was into pink long before that. being a mom of 3 sons, I had to declare my girl power somehow! ha!)
Allsorts - in the pink
Star Stampz - 2 or more patterned papers
Dragonfly Dreams - here come the girls
Li'l Patch of Crafty Friends - anything goes
Always Happy Birthday - anything birthday w/optional flowers
DL Art - birthday
Morgan's Art World - anything goes
Sweet Stampers - birthday
Catch the Bug - say it with flowers

Happy Mother's Day, A bit Unconventional....

Coffee of the Day - Decaf Lobster Butter from Roos Roast in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms and grandmas out there!

I have a special card to share with all of you today, but it's not your traditional Mother's Day card. it's a card I made for me and my sons that celebrates the reason I am so very happy to be a mom - my boys. the bond those 3 guys share (and the very special one that includes my husband, too!) fills me with such great joy. they are so close to each other, not just in age, but in companionship and friendship.

I said in a post a little bit ago that David is the very air I breathe, but oh my goodness, these young men are my heart. :)

from the time I was 16 years old, doctors told me that I would never have children. I knew deep in my heart that if I were to be a mother, it would happen because God knows best. my greatest dream has always been to be a wife and mother. that's it. and He answered my prayer so completely with my precious family. we are blessed. so very, very blessed to have one another. after 10 years of hearing that it would never happen, I had 3 sons in 3 years. so I celebrate being a mother. they are my miracles and I rejoice in them each and every day. as I said, they are my heart.

so my card recognizes the joy that IS being a brother. the images and sentiment are by Vera Lane Designs. papers are from the Authentique Summertime and Meadow collections, vintage buttons and burlap ribbon are stash items, and the cardboard was inked and distressed a bit. the dies are by My Favorite Things.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful day! :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge - It's a Man's World
Brown Sugar - masculine for Father's Day
Crafting with Friends - anything goes
Jo's Scrap Shack - anything goes #233
QKR - anything goes
Tic Tac Toe - bright colors, something digital (images & sentiment), die cut (grass & paper doll)

Congratulations, Graduate!

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Tea Thyme (this is one of my absolute favorites! thyme, currant, and orange flavor this wonderful tea blend)

Hooray! it's Friday! :)
as many get ready to relax for the weekend, my work week is just beginning. grins! our weekends are always busy because almost every one is booked, thankfully!, with amazing groups out at Camp. between the shopping & cleaning in preparation and then the actual cooking & cleaning while the guests are at Camp, it's busy busy busy. if they want activities such as the rock wall, zip line, or hay rides, then that adds to the fun and excitement of the weekend. :) Palmer goes out to Camp with us and always has a grand time. just say, "Camp" and he is at the back door ready to go! I tell David that Palmer needs his own page on the website so that people can add their own photos taken with him or see his latest antics. Everyone is always asking how Palmer is doing. :) He is definitely a Camp dog!

Today I am sharing a card made for Ryan's fiancee, Elizabeth. She graduated last weekend with her Master's Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University.  She is now on staff at College Wesleyan Church as their Youth Pastor. She and Ryan both interned there.

The images & sentiment are from Vera Lane Studio, digital papers are from the Gennifer Bursett Julep collection, ribbons. twine, & pretty little acrylic flowers are from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and buttons are from my new & vintage stash.

Enjoy your weekend whatever you end up doing! :)

Challenges:
Crafty Catz - add flowers
QKR - anything goes
Crafting with Friends - anything goes
Jo's Scrap Shack - anything goes
4 Crafty Chicks - women celebration
Pile it On - small and/or pencils (tiny flower embellies, small typeprint on bg paper, & micro plaid ribbon pattern )
Craft Rocket - use embellishments: multiple ribbons, twine, buttons, tiny acrylic flowers
Star Stampz - hand colored image ( painted if that's okay)
Ellibelle's Creative Moments - for ladies or girls only
Craft-Dee Bow-Z - anything goes w/handmade bow
Kreativekauf - what you think about when you think of May (graduation for sure around here! grins!)
Morgan's Art World - anything goes

I Want to Go On Adventures With You

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Reiki (delightful fruit and floral tea blend)

Happy Thursday to all of you! Our day began with a beautiful cleansing rain and now the sun is peeking its head through the clouds. the air is clear and fresh, the grass has the most lovely aroma & little drops on the blades, and the birds are singing their songs. oh, what a wonderful day it is turning out to be! :)

Last year I took time away from my crafting to pursue some travel time with hubby as well as some amazing experiences in activism. 2 weddings in the next year put a bit of a crimp in that, and not that I mind one bit, but I do have the most treasured memories of the trips Dave and I took. Palmer, our beloved rescue pup, went on quite a few of those adventures with us. :)

I had that in mind when I made this card....
Dave is not just my other half, he completes me. he is my better portion. he makes me want to be better, and in turn makes me better. to say he is my best friend would be such an understatement. he is the very air I breathe. and I fail to tell him so more times than not.

it's a fairly simple card, but it packs a lot of love into it. :)

I used some of the paper scraps from the Carta Bella Cowboy Country paper collection that I had on my craft desk from the card I had made the other day. always nice to use up some scraps! ribbons come from Really Reasonable Ribbon, vintage buttons are from my stash, and that fabulous sentiment is cut apart from the wonderful 'Adventures' stamp by Rubbernecker. the cutey image is from LOTV and features a quirky girl riding along with her pup. I added crystal effects to the bike's headlight. beautiful die is by Spellbinders.

off to my craft room. lots of cards that need to get made and have to work this weekend. love to all of you!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Rubbernecker Stamps - Best Friends
Crafting By Designs - anything goes
Crafty Creations - anything goes
DL Art - anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Creatalicious - anything goes w/optional sentiment
Sweet Stampers - too cute
Creative Crafters - anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - anything goes
Hand Stamped Sentiments - inspiration photo: bike and flowers which are used in the bg paper (my image is painted with all SU! inks and main image base is SU! whisper white. card base is crumb cake.)

Take It Easy, Little Bunny

Top Pick at Tuesday Throwdown

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Lemon Basil Tea

Hello, everyone! :)

to start, since I have gone back to drinking so much tea again, I am changing my coffee of the day to a coffee/tea combination. If I am drinking one of the blends from our favorite tea shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Tea Haus, I will be sure to link it so that you can check it out. :)  I place an order at least once a month to get their monthly special, but 'might' just pick up a few other yummy flavors either when we go up to visit Mick and Lauren or place another order when I run low or the mood strikes. they really do have the most delightful blends of tea and are super nice as well. no, I am not a paid employee nor am I an affiliate.  just a very happy customer!

now, on to my craft project for the day....

one of my crafty international friends put out a call for cards for both her daughter and her husband - her daughter has an upcoming birthday, but her husband has surgery soon and is worried about it. I thought it would be nice to send him a card when I send a birthday card. guys don't always get cards since people tend to think it's tough to make cards for them. well, with my house being ALL guys, that used to be the only kind I made!

so Fiki, this one is for Mario! and she filled me in on a special challenge that another crafter has going on now to make bunny cards, so I used this adorable little get well rabbit image & sentiment from LOTV.

papers are from the Basic Grey B Side collection, ribbon and twine are from Really Reasonable Ribbon, vintage buttons & ticket are from my stash, and woodgrain piece behind main image is a piece of packaging from Webster's Pages that I had saved. a few dots of Viva Decor Pearl pen accent the sentiment banner.

now to get busy making the birthday card for Fiki's daughter. :)

Challenges:
Crafty Nomad bunny hop
Pause Dream Enjoy - lots of layers
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - anything goes w/a critter
A Perfect Time to Craft - anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown - critter crazy

You are Amazing, for a sloth! :)

Coffee of the Day - Maple Fudge (it's Maple Festival weekend here in Chardon, Ohio! we are the Maple Syrup Capitol of Ohio! grins!)

It might be Spring everywhere else, but here in NE Ohio, it's cold and rainy, because it's the Maple Festival. :) it is almost always yucky weather for it, that is just tradition! the first two days had sunshine, but now it's our standard overcast, rain, and cold. some years we have had snow, but then again, we can have snow into May. that is NE Ohio for ya! but I love it here. :)

and I love the maple caramel corn and maple stirs and maple ice cream and maple flavored EVERYTHING!!!!! :)

anyhow, I am here to share with you the card I  made for the fun Tiddly Inks Springtime blog hop. be sure to head over to the Tiddly Inks blog to check out everyone's projects in the links. there will be so many amazing things to see, I am sure! :)

I have merged the oh, so adorable sloth's life image with the pretty quince floral image to make it look as if this cutey is hanging from a flower branch. I also flipped the sloth. I added a few of the extra flower images that come in the quince set. digis are so much fun to play with. :)

You might want to click on the card image to see any of the details in a larger photo. it will take you to a separate page when you do that. ;)

that fun little fella took me about an hour to paint all on his own. but I love the way he turned out. Mick's girlfriend, Lauren, loves sloths. so guess who is getting this card? yep. we are going to see them this weekend so I'll be delivering it tomorrow!

papers are from the Carta Bella Cowboy Country collection, sentiment is by Create with TLC, flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, buttons & lace trim are from my vintage stash, twine is by Webster's Pages, ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and beautiful die is by Spellbinders. everything else is stash stuff. :)  the sloth's little claws are covered in crystal effects to help them stand out a bit.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you know that YOU are amazing, too! :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
CRAFT - add a charm
Tic Tac Toe - floral, metallic (charm), punch/die cut
Craftaholics R Us - charm
Creative Craft Cottage - include an animal
Bastel-traum - Mother's Day/flowers

Hey Sugar!

Coffee of the Day - Salted Caramel

Hello and Happy Friday! :)

I am sharing another one of the cards I've made to send to my son Ryan who works at Hope Bridge, the therapy center for children on the autism spectrum.  I am just slow getting things both made and posted. ;)

This card was made with a special someone in mind. One of the boys there is someone that Ryan knew before he started working there. After graduating from college, Ryan worked at The Salvation Army. This young boy would come into the office to visit his mom, who also worked in the office. When Ryan left later to start working at Hope Bridge, he discovered that his friend attended when Ryan was greeted with a loud, "Hey Sugar!"  for some reason, this boy decided that Ryan's name was Sugar. :) everyone laughed and that has become his new nickname at work. so they call one another Sugar. isn't that so fun?!

The cupcake image and 'You are so sweet' sentiment come from Graciellie Design.  I used the digital images, but you might be familiar with her stamps at Unity.  the 'Hey Sugar' was computer generated.

papers are from the Carta Bella Cartopia collection, enamel dots are some homemade ones, button is from my vintage stash, and twine is from Michael's.  I added a few little Pearl-ex dots in olive green under the 'You are so sweet' sentiment. a wink of stella clear glitter pen accents some of the frosting swirls.

Have a great weekend, and I'll be back tomorrow afternoon for a fun blog hop with Tiddly Inks! :)

Challenges:
QKR - anything goes
Aud Sentiment - masculine plus a sentiment
Creative Moments - anything goes
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Create and Inspire - anything goes w/ optional stencils or dies (oval die cut)

Follow Your Dreams... to Delaware! :)

First Place Winner at Rubbernecker
Winner at C.R.A.F.T. Challenge

Coffee of the Day - it's tea! Victorian Earl Grey (Earl Grey with roses, lavender, & rosemary)

More big news here at our home - our oldest has moved to the East Coast and now lives in Delaware! these last few weeks have been a whirlwind with him getting a job (working in a lab there), finding an apartment, and then moving. David went with him to find a place, and then I helped with the actual move last week. whew.... now for the wedding in September and to get Danielle a job and moved in. hard to believe that we won't see him again until just days before the wedding. if I think about it too much I will start crying, but then that's the ol' empty nest for ya. all of our sons are now in other states. hard to wrap my head around. and my heart.

but enough of the sappy sad stuff. you are here for crafty stuff. ;) so I will show you the card I made and tucked into one of his packing boxes. it took him a few days to find it, which added to the adventure!

I used this adorable "Moving Day" image from LOTV and some of my precious Basic Grey South Pacific paper. The sentiment is also LOTV and comes from one of their cute Odd Dog sets. (I had purchased the bundle last month when they had a big sale, so I apologize that I don't have the specific set marked.)

all 3 of the dies are from Spellbinders, little banner punch is from SU!, vintage buttons are from my stash, and cardboard was inked with white craft. ticket is also a stash item, and we can't forget the denim belt loop! :)  distressed seam binding snippet was sitting on my craft desk and actually matches better irl than photo shows. little white gel dots across the top of the card finish everything off in a fun way. :)

now to adjust to that dratted ol' empty nest.... this Momma Bird is having a tough time. sigh......

Challenges:
CRAFT - new (home)
Crafting with an Attitude - anything goes
Creative Knockouts - buttons, buttons
Crafty Gals Corner - buttons
Crafty Addicts - anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - only for boys
Rubbernecker - recycle: cardboard, denim belt loop, vintage buttons, old ticket, seam binding scrap
Dream Valley - at least 2 buttons