Eskimo Kisses Snowflake Tree

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice (we found more yesterday! woooohoooo!!!)

Every Tuesday, The Stamping Boutique is going to present a fun challenge for everyone to play! This week the challenge is to use rub-ons or stickers on your project, and Tracey was even kind enought to give away a pre-release freebie for anyone to use if you want!!! how nice is that! The new releases will have their debut on Friday over at SNR as well as the Boutique, so be sure to stop by. but in the mean time, come join the fun and play along with the rest of the gang!

I chose this beautiful Snowflake Tree for my card. There is just something so peaceful about this image, and I couldn't wait to finally get my hands on it to play! I used the new Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses papers on this 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" card. I added lots of shimmerz and blingz as well as distress stickles and my spica glitter pen to this to create lots og sparkly shine. (of course none of it ever shows up in the scan! grins!) The snowflakes are actually felt glitter stickers. I added a few buttons and some vintage seam tape to finish off the card. see how fun and easy to play in the challenge with us! so what are you waiting for!??!?! go grab the cutie freebie now and get started creating!!!

see ya tomorrow! :)

Jennifer

Harvest Stair Step Card

Coffee of the Day - Hazelnut

Good morning! It's a Sewn Together kind of day with Sew Many Cards! I love this challenge for the week! I must admit that I really was hesitant over the challenge - make a stair step card. now usually I jump right into new challenges and techniques, but this one really intimidated me. how wrong was I!!!!! these cards are soooo easy to make!!! and oh, so much fun!!! I found my instructions on SplitCoast Stampers in the resource section. thanks to Beate for the great detailed instructions!

I used the cute digis from the Fall Bonus Pack - do whatever you can to get this pack, friends! it is great fun, and the digis are super!!! I also added my new fave papers from the Basic Grey Indian Summer collection. Buttons are from my vintage collection and trims are all from JoAnn's. We've had rain for several days, so I wasn't able to get a good photo of my card open. I show the scanned closed version instead. I really do love the way it turned out! Please play along with us in the challenge this week! and check out all of the awesome creations by the rest of the DT! Sewn Together will also be participating in a World Card Making Day blog hop on Friday, so check it out! See the new digis Angela has just released for the week - so cute, as always! :)

A Hippie Challenge from Digital Ink!

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Caramel

Good morning! A quick post filled with lots of info! First - be sure to head over to the Digital Ink Co. Challenge blog today for 2 reasons: Great blog candy chances & a new challenge is being posted!!! :)

Here is my card for the challenge -

You get to use the colors navy, light blue, & burgundy on your creation. The winner will get a really fun new digi from Beary Dust! I grabbed papers from my fave ever paper line yep, Basic Grey! :) these are actually from 3 different collections - diamonds from the new Eskimo Kisses, navy mat from Boxer, and blue deco from Marrakech. I love the retro way they all go together! so perfect for this little rebel gal, Hippie Chick from Stitchy Stamps! She just shines with lots of bling courtesy of shimmerz, blingz, and my spica glitter pen. I saw someone one day with navy hair which spurred the idea behind hers, and a dear friend had a lock of burgundy sparkle hair once, so dearest Maddie - this is for you! (some of you may reember my horrible mishap with trying to dye my hair with kool-aid..... this card brought back funny memories while I was making it. sooooo happy I can laugh now - although the rest of the family was in hysterics at teh time! grins!!!) the mat is edged in more of those fabby new disterss stickles. The gorgeous trim, 'cause after all this hippy chick is still a girly girl ya know ;), is from Prima. the top Prima flower is painted with pink shimmerz to add that last bit of sparkle and shine!

Last but not least, stop back by on Friday for the start of the Digital Ink Co blog hop! I'll also have blog candy on Saturday to clelbrate World Card Making Day and my BLOGAVERSARY!!!!!!! WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!! Check out the other DT chicas to see what fun creations they came up with for the challenge this week! and then play along! :)

Love ya! Jennifer

Indian Summer Leaves Blessing

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

Hello! I am so loving this new pad of paper from Basic Grey - Indian Summer! the papers ae so wonderful! so I have a feeling that you are going to be seeing a lot of it in the coming weeks!! :) (just warning ya!!)

My beautiful digi is from Doodle Beans. I decided to go with lots of distressing today. plus there is a lot of sparkle here - the center of the circle is painted in beeswax shimmerz as well as the edge of the main image & the top little vintage button. Sure is a neat way to dress up a plain ol' button! card base was edged and sponged with vanilla craft. trims are from Webster's Pages and JoAnn's. buttons are all vintage. big leaf is by Prima and small ones are punched from BG paper with a Martha Stewart punch.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Doodle Beans DT's blogs to see what they are up to! and the store is constantly being updated with really neat new digis!

See you tomorrow! :) Jennifer

Indian Summer Cats

Coffee of the Day - Pumkin Spice

Hello! I'm posting a bit later than usual today 'cause I played in a challenge over at Modern Sugar Blvd. The cat image was a freebie digi and we were to use it on a Halloweenish type card. I printed the digis on the back side of the Basic Grey Indian Summer papers, then cut out the cats. They were edged in distressed stickles which took FOREVER to dry since it was a rainy day here. I also gave the little kitties some eyes with the stickles. Added cute little collars and a sentiment that is also from MSB. The card is a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" squre. I sprayed the card base with my ink squirty tool in choco. Added a bit of lace trim from JoAnn's, some more tiny buttons, and a fun glittered pumpkin. Don't know how Halloween-y it is, but we don't celebrate that holiday, so this works for me! :)

take care and I'll see you tomorrow!

love ya!

Jennifer

Vintage Challenge Card

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

A very quick post, but I wanted to post a card that I have made for 2 challenges. The sentiment is a free digi from Digiments. Michelle has some great prizes going on this week as well as a great promo for a very worthy cause. Head over if you get the chance. My card also works for the Split CoastStampers blogging group that I am in - to make a project using a verse or sentiment as the main image.

I found this wonderful paper from Foof-A-La in my paper stash a little while ago, and have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to use it. It just seemed lke it would go great with this. I added a little strip of Basic Grey that was sitting in my pile of 'use me when you can' extras. Lots of distressing on this card! love that vintage feel! flowers are Prima, buttons are all vintage. lace trim is more of my coolio finds from JoAnn's.

have a great Friday! love ya!

Jennifer

p.s. there is also a fun blog hop going on with Sew Many Cards - go play along if you can! :)

for my Anti Spider Lover :D

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Caramel

This card is for my hunny bunny. Dave isn't going to like it. not one bit. he hates spiders. really hates spiders. I think I may have mentioned this several times in previous posts. but my other spider hater thought that this was fun and he laughed! so I might stand a fighting chance...........

Tracey over at The Stamping Boutique asked a few of us on her DT to use these cutie images. How could I say 'no'??? I happen to love spiders! and Shirleys 2 Girls had a great sketch challenge going for the week..... so I paired up everything and came up with this cute card. It sparkles and shines with lots of glitter and shimmerz and blingz and lets just hope that hubby likes it! ;) We don't do Halloween at our house, so coming up with a non-Halloween Haloween card was quite the challenge, but I think I may have gotten it. The ribbon may have crossed the line, but with a last name like 'Scull', we happen to be into skulls and skeletons. We're a little on the weird side, so this is kinda a tribute to that. grins!!! Her 'nails' are tipped in lavender shimmerz 'cause every hip and trendy spider goes to the salon once a week to get them done!

realized while posting that I am a day late getting this in for the challeng over at S2G. oh well. maybe I'll make it on time this week. be sure to play along! and check out the fun stuff going on over at The Stamping Boutique, too! Tracey has a VERY challenging challenge going on right now! I'm pulling out my hair on that one, but will still give it a go.

everyone have a great day! sending lots of love your way! Jennifer

ETA - I gave the card to Dave - he liked it! :) I wrote on the inside "I love hanging out with you". He took it with him to work. I take that as a good sign!!! :D

Just Feed One

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

Good morning! I want to share a card I have made with all of you. It has a very special quote on it - one by Mother Teresa. What a phenomenal woman. If you ever get a chance to read her autobiography, please do. For the last 20 years of her life, she says that she didn't hear God speaking to her. I can't imagine living in His silence for that amount of time. I know how desolate I feel when I go for extended periods of time without hearing His voice. I am empty. And yet I know that those times are necessary if I am to truly grow in my faith. But that she accomplished so much for His glory during that time amazes me. What an example. What a truly humble woman.

These 2 digis come from Mo's Digital Pencil and Digiments. Michelle at Digiments has some great stuff going on this week. When her new releases premeire on Saturday, HALF of the profits will be going to a very special organization indeed. Please go check out the deets for yourself. You wil be able to pick up some free digis and see some absolutely stunning examples of projects done by her DT while you are there. and no, I'm not affiliated with either company, just a big fan!! :D you know how I love Mo and her beautiful art. and this precious girl is no exception! Her name is Charity and she seemed the perfect pairing for this special quote!

My papers are from Colorbok (acorns) and Rusty Pickle. The card base is some of my coffee paper. I used a Martha Stewart punch for the leaves, which are both sides of the Rusty Pickle paper. The flowers are Prima and trim is from JoAnn's. all buttons are vintage. coloring is watercolors as I am want to do of late. card is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square.

My card is an entry for the Stampin Sisters in Christ challenge for the week to make a fall card following the verse from Eccl. 3:1 " There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." It is also for the ChristianCrafters DT to make a project of some kind that reflects how you are a sheep for God as described in Matthew 25:31-46.

Have a beautiful day, my friends! love ya! Jennifer

Howdy Cute Donkey!!

Coffee of the Day - Almond Roca

Good morning! or should I say, 'Howdy'!!! I am so lovin' this little donkey from Sew Many Cards! He is my most fave of the critters that Angela draws. They are all adorable, but there is just something about this little guy that takes me back to my Texas roots. And the challenge this week is to make anything using a donkey image - so was I ever doin' the happy dance! :) The winner gets free digis from the store, so be sure to play along! New images were released yesterday and new ones come out next week, too! I happen to know that there is a precious freebie up for grabs RIGHT NOW in the Freebie Friday link, so race on over before it's gone for good.

My card uses papers by Flair Designs and Making Memories. All coloring is watercolors with some accents done with my white gel pen. I added some sponging and extra inking on the main image, as well as vanilla craft ink on the card base. The fun trim is from JoAnn's and buttons were some great clearance finds from there, too! 10 cents and 25 cents a card can't be beat!!! and they add such a cute element to any project! a little linen thread bow completes the card! don't ya wanna just rub his ears??!?!

come play along with us! and be sure to check out the rest of the DT projects! you are certain to be in for a treat! :)

'oh Sue, don't be sad' Challenge card

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Truffle (and it's already GONE!!!)

Good morning! What a glorious day! it's overcast, scheduled to rain all day, and I LOVE IT!!!!!! I love the rain!!! what a wonderful aroma the earth takes on as the rain hits the pavement and the grass........ oh I could just breathe it in all the time..... that and coffee and the smell of bacon and fresh cookies baking......... well, I got most of those this morning. Dave is in DC today for a big church district meeting, so it was up to me to get the guys to school. so I fixed them breakfast - bacon, eggs, english muffins, and of course, coffee for me. add that to the rain that was lightly falling outside and I am such a happy camper! except that my hunny bunny is missing from the picture........

so that makes me one sad sad sue......... just like the girl from this cute little digi from Designs by Sue/Beary Dust at Digital Ink Company. (man, how was that for some snazzy lead in.......... wink wink!) the fun challenge this week is to use 2 decorative papers and 3 buttons or brads on your project in addition to this cutie. you should see the wonderful digi that is the prize - CUTIE FUN SET!!!!!!

My papers are from Basic Grey (surprise!) Wisteria and 3 Bugs in a Rug. Go figure, I didn't use buttons on this project, I used brads instead. thought I would mix it up a bit! ;) Sue's hair bows, pj feet and prima flowers have been painted with lavendar shimmerz. The floral border punch is by Martha Stewart. The heart pin is actually from the notions dept. at JoAnn's. all coloring is watercolors - just got new watercolor brushes yesterday and I am doing the happy happy dance over that one!!!!! my old ones were gettin' all icky on me....... bleah....

have a glorious day and find something to make you smile! don't be a sad sue! :D

love ya! Jennifer

p.s. I am also using this card for the color challenge over at Ildi Co. It is their first challenge - to use lilac, yellow, and brown.

Vintage Doodle Beans Balloons

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

Sorry to be late posting today. having problems with blogger and compy and pretty much anything techy........... so anyhow..........

Today's card features the Hot Air Balloons digi from Doodle Beans. I love the look of this card - I think it's one of my new faves! it was great fun to put together! The card is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square and just about as vintage as can be. The bg paper is from K & Co. The main image was watercolored and sponged with caramel ink. I then sprayed the whole thing with walnut gold glimmer mist to age it. The card base was also sprayed with the same glimmer mist. love love love the splotches of ink!!! buttons are all vintage, stamps & star are from Making Memories, flower is prima.

Love to ya! Jennifer

The Boutique is OPEN! :)

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti (yes, it's coffee!)

Here are 2 cards I made for the Grand Opening of The Stamping Boutique. We had a great time last night, dancing and chatting and munching the hours away! be sure to stop by SNR for a free digi and a chance to win a set of Copic markers!

The first card is for the sketch and color challenge: follow the sketch and use the colors pink, black, & white. There is a lot of shimmer on this one! took forever and a day for the stickles to dry and it still ended up smearing all over my scanner. I can never tell when that stuff is dry until I stick my finger right into it....... oh well. it sure looks fun once it's finished! :) The paper is Anna Griffin that I stamped with a bg stamp. trim is from a remnant I picked up somewhere along my way. main image was sprayed with my beloved ink squirty tool!

The next card uses the fun new Jennifer Latte digi - Make up Latte. this is the freebie, so race over and grab it while it's still available! lots of bling and shimmery shine here, too! my spica glitter pen accents pretty much everything. The papers are Basic Grey Euphoria; flower is prima; rhinestone flourishes are Colorbok. the mirror has been coated with a thin layer of crystal effects.

Have a wonderful weekend! Hug someone close to you and tell 'em you love 'em! No one ever gets tired of hearing that! :)

The Stamping Boutique Grand Opening! Come join us! :)

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

Tonight is the Grand Opening of The Stamping Boutique over at SNR!!!! Please come join us from 7-9pm. There will be a free digi for challenges, a giveaway of Copic markers!!!, fun, lattes (I'm providing those of course!! giggles!!), chattin', and even MORE fun!!!

I made this card using one of those adorable Jennifer Latte images, Hairstyle Latte. They are just so much fun to play with! There's a lot of blingy shine on this - not sure how much shows in the scan. The hairdryer & chair are covered in 2 layers of Hi Ho Silver blingz, , the outer rectangle is painted in pink shimmerz, and the little dots & line squiggles are accented with my spica glitter pen. The papers are K & Co. Wild Raspberry. added some fun buttons and a little flower charm to go with the vintage seam tape. The card is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square.

I'm working on a project using a NEW Jennifer Latte digi, so be sure to stop by tonight to see it! I'll be posting it on my blog later as well. Have a wonderful Friday!!!!

love ya! Jennifer

Celebrating & Dancing like King David! :)

Coffee of the Day - Spiced Hazelnut

It's a happy Thursday mornin' to ya! I hope it's just glorious over on your side of the world, wherever that may be! it is absolutely STUNNING here! a nip in the air, the sun in the sky, the birds chirping away, the leaves turning beautiful colors - Fall is here in it's glory!!!

I wanted to share 2 cards with you today that hold a very special meaning to me. I have just been given the honor of being a part of the DT of ChristianCrafters over at PCP. The first challenge was to take a cherished verse and create something. Well, when I first heard the song, "Undignified" by Matt Redman I was hooked. Go to YouTube and find any of the videos - it is amazing, but don't be surprised if you aren't boppin' along in your chair! I asked Dave about the meaning behind it, and he told me it was about King David telling someone who accused him of being ridiculous in his praise & worship of God, that he could become 'even more undignified than that.' Well, since I have heard the same said of me at times while I've been on the worship team, I was all over researching that story. Go to 2 Samuel and read about it - wonderful stuff! Needless to say this song is one of my ring tones! and oh, I can not wait to sing and dance with King David in heaven! what a time we will have! I know Jesus will be kickin' up His heels with us, too! I hope you are there with us!!!!! :)

So I chose these great digi images from Mo's Digital Pencil to go with the verses. They just seem to portray the joy and excitement that go along with it. Papers are from Basic Grey, flowers and red floral trim are Prima, stickles has been added on the little girl card. Dave was the receiver of the nuns card - he loved it and already has it hanging on his wall at work.

So kick up your heels today and dance! I'll be right there with ya! Jennifer

p.s. not only did I make the DT at ChristianCrafters, but I am also on the DT with The Stamping Boutique, who's Grand Opening is this weekend over at SNR! I'm sooo excited! :D

Angel's Landing Blog Hop! :)

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice (I just couldn't resist with this card! giggles!)

welcome to my little coffee shop! grins! For those of you who have never been here before, I loooooovvvvve my coffee! almost as much as I enjoy papercrafting! :) so every day I post the 'coffee of the day' which is what I happen to be brewing at my house. so stop by for a cuppa with me! If you have arrived from *Mel's most amazing blog*, you are right on target!

Judi has so kindly invited me to participate in the new release blog hop for Angel's Landing this month!!!! isn't that just so sweet of her?! I loved being a part of her DT and still enjoy playing with all of those fun images whenever I get the chance. Well, this month she has drawn some ADORABLE autumn and holiday cuties!!!! you are gonna do back flips and front flips and cartwheels and everything else under the sun when you see these guys! Autumn Tweetings and Ho Ho Holidays are the new sets - so run check them out when you finish the hop. If at any point you lose your way along the hop, just head back over to Judi's and she'll get you back on track.

I chose the Pumpkin Birdhouse from Autumn Tweetings for my 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square card. I've been drinking so many Pumpkin Lattes and Fraps from Starbuck's that this was an easy pick for me! giggles! All coloring is watercolors. The pumpkin is painted with 2 coats of orange sherbet shimmerz for extra sparkle. The top orange flower was also covered in the same shimmerz. I used my white gel pen to add a few extra little lines of dimension. The papers are Basic Grey Ambrosia and Daisy D's, velvet trim is from JoAnn's, and flowers are from Making Memories.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a great time as you hop along to *ALMA's fabby blog*! and don't forget to take your coffee! ;)

love ya! Jennifer

A Fishy Snow Shaker Challenge :)

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

A happy Tuesday morning to you! It's time again for the Sew Many Cards Challenge of the week! This week you can pick any image you would like and use it on a sketch. I chose this cutie little Fawn Snowglobe digi.

My image is watercolored and highlighted with crystal stickles to simulate the snow in the shaker. (hubby's idea!!! wooo hooo! go Dave!) the snow on the bottom is also covered in glitter. the star on the tree is painted with beeswax shimmerz. Those gorgeous poinsettias are from Making Memories. the brads are coated with the new distress stickles. this stuff is so cool! you've gotta try some if you get the chance! :)

So please play along with us this week! :)

and thank you to everyone who has asked for Wesley's address. If I haven't sent it to you yet, I'll try to get it to you today. I have been feeling sick since Sat. night and am still not on top of things too well. sorry.

The Great Pumpkin!!

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Caramel

I have a really fun card to show you today using this pumpkin digi out of the Halloween stamp pack by Reece Designs over at Digital Ink, Co. The challenge this week is to use the sketch and any of Reece's wonderful digi images. you should see the cute little digi from Jules Junk that is the prize for this week! super cute!

I chose this great paper from The Rusty Pickle (newsprint stripe) and Daisy D's (green polka dot). As I watercolored the pumpkin, I tried to blend different colors. Sprayed the whole thing with my ink squirty tool and sponged the edges before matting. The cute little flower popsicle is made with a prima flower, button, scallop circle, and piece I took from another prima piece. I love the way this big orange and white bow accents the whole card! doesn't it just make you happy to see that big thing sitting there?!?! :) The card size is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square.

So check out what the rest of the DT has put together to inspire you to PLAY ALONG this week! you'll have a great time!

An Apple Tree for you and me!

Coffee of the Day - Almond Roca

Another quickie post as I'm heading out the door to help Dave at Camp today. One of the churches in our District is having their worship service and picnic at Camp today. Can't wait to see some old friends, make a few new ones, and praise the Lord!!!! and I get to do a little servin', too, as I'll be in the kitchen and at the grill. Can't wait!

But I wanted to share a card I made using this neat digi from Doodle Beans. I really love the feel of the digis from this cool new company - they create such peace in me. As I have been doing lately, I watercolored the image. But after the ink had dried on the tree, I took my widest paint brush and got it wet with only water. I then ran it over the entire tree to give it a wash. Since these are classic inks and not water resistant, the colors began to run - which is EXACTLY what I wanted. it helped to lightly fill in the white spots between the leaves without adding a strong shade. Not sure how well it shows in the scan, but irl, it is super cool!!! :) just a soft touch of color in exactly the right spots! Added this little sentiment down toward the bottom to mimic grass ( at least that is what it is SUPPOSED to do!! giggles!) Papers are Basic Grey Archaic. I used some of the new distress stickles on the center of the baby prima flower. WAAAAAAY cool stuff! it really does give a much different look than the traditional stickles. don't know if you can tell, but one of the buttons reminds me of an apple with the way it's holes are cut, so on the card it went!

have a GLORIOUS day!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love ya! Jen

Some fun new digis!

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti (yep, it's coffee!)

A happy Saturday morning to all of you! I wanted to share some cards with you today from 2 companies whose digis I am really enjoying. Digital stamping is really taking the crafting world by storm! I don't know that I will ever fully give up my regular stamps, because there are some things I just can't do with a digi. But these are quite fun to play with! I hope you give it a try if you haven't yet. And if you have, please check out these companies! fun stuff to be found!

The first card is from a company called The Stamping Boutique. This is the same one that sells the Latte Princess stamp you have seen before (and will most certainly see again!!) Tracey has drawn more Latte Ladies, so be sure to go see them. They are such fun!!! This card uses the "Let's Bee Friends" digi. I love this one! The coloring is all watercolors. Coal shimmerz was painted on the bees, pink shimmerz was painted on the rectangle border and Primas. Paper is Basic Grey Lemonade. this card just makes me happy!

This next card is for my hubby and son, Ryan. They do not like spiders. I mean they DO NOT LIKE spiders. anything spiders. so when they saw my card from the other day, their first reactions were BOTH, "but it has a spider on it". couldn't get beyond that. AT ALL!!! :D So this card is the ANTI-spider card. giggles! Ryan liked it much much better. He even smiled when he saw it. too funny! I used some of my famous coffee paper for the card base. The paper is from Daisy Hill. But then you get to this amazingly cute little bear from Ildi Co. Don't you wanna just sit beside him and give him a huge hug? I kept the card simple so the focus would be on him. Hopefully it will make someone smile just a little. A challenge blog will be starting up on the 17th, so be sure to check it out! I am also honored to be a Guest Designer with them for the month of November, so that will be quite exciting!

Now to share with you my last little goodie for the day. Yesterday David took me to Starbuck's for not just a Pumpkin Spice Frap, but for the Pumpkin scone, too!!!!! :) talk about a bonus day! I took this picture while I was in the restroom. Dave was mortified I took a pic in there. Even after I told him what it was all about, he just rolled his eyes. I don't think he gets it. ;) but I do think he puts up with a lot!!!! :D enjoy!

Lavender Fairy

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

This is gonna be a super quick post that I will have to come back and fill in later. But I wanted to get it up this morning before I head out the door with hubby! Janlynn, Corp. has a big promo going on that I want to tell you all about, but you'll have to check back in this afternoon for deets! :)

The beautiful craft stamp is from the Janlynn Corp., Stamps Happen. It is called Lavender Flower Fairy. I just love this one! Lavender is my very fave scent and if I could I would have them all around my house. Spending my time in England at Oxford just sealed that in my mind. I can remember that beautiful aroma! The paper is Basic Grey Wisteria, the neat punch is Martha Stewart, and the buttons are all from my vintage stash. All wings are painted in 2 coats of opal shimmerz.

Thanks for the prayers for Wesley! He is gonna love the cards you send him! He starts his first round of chemo on Sept. 28.

Have a great one! Love ya! Jen

Cards for the Boys

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

Good morning to everyone! I hope it is just super glorious wherever you are!

I wanted to share with you my card projects from yesterday. It's kinda funny actually - I made 2 cards, 1 for Wes and 1 for another little boy I'll tell you about, but David didn't want to send the one I made for Wesley, so we're actually gonna mail him the one from this post instead. Several of you have asked me about sending him cards - I've emailed his mom to get their thoughts first. I want to be sensitive to what they are going through. But I'll post just as soon as I hear back. Today Wes goes to the oncologist. Before I even got out of bed this morning, I was praying for this visit. I know how that first trip can be. My oncologist is phenomenal - I wouldn't trade him for any other dr. around. He is as tenacious as a dog with a bone, but also kind. I hope and pray the same for Wesley. I would trade places with him in a heartbeat if I could. He has already undergone 1 surgery for this. But God is holding him tightly in His loving, healing arms. and I have to trust God to do exactly what He promises us He will do. Thank you for your prayers!

My first card uses a very cute (unless you don't happen to think little spideys are cute! grins!) from Shirley's 2 Girls. Be sure to drop by SNR this weekend for Digi Day, as S2G is sponsoring it! There is sure to be lots of fun whenever this group of gals is involved! anyway, 2 of the guys in my fam are TERRIFIED of spiders. think that might have something to do with why Dave didn't want to send this card?!?! ;) I happen to like them, so I thought this card was cute! this poor guy just looks like he knows he's always getting a bad rap. The paper is from Daisy Hill. love that great trim I picked up at JoAnn's.

The next card uses this adorable little image from Digi Stamp Characters. It's called Boy with his dog. The paper is from Cosmo Cricket. Kept it simple, as it's for a 2 year old boy whose 5 year old sister, Kate, is battling cancer. You can find more info about the card drive going on at this post here on Jennifer McGuire's blog.

I'm also posting both of these cards for the challenge issued for Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog this week - make a card to encourage a child. although Wes isn't technically a child anymore, gosh, I remember back when his mom was pregnant at Dave and I's wedding. So I think this will count. But I woulda made a card anyhow.

all of you take care and have a wonderful day! love ya! Jennifer

ETA - Wes's mom says cards will be great. email me for addy.

Take Time to Read

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice (hubby is playing in a golf tournament, so it was alllllll my choice! grins!)

Today's card uses this beautiful digi from Mo's Digital Pencil. Mo issued a challenge to create something with it - and you know I can't resist a challenge! ;) Being an avid reader myself, this was right up my alley. I have to read every day - I mean HAVE TO!!! I always read every night before going to sleep, but sometimes during the day as well. Luckily the boys love to read, too. David is the only one in the house that struggles with it. We applaud him every time he manages more than a few pages! :D He told me the other day that he was bored reading. I corrected him by saying, "you can't be bored reading. You are bored with WHAT you are reading." He just looked at me funny. (he does that a lot!)

So on to my card ~

I wanted this card to look like something a teenage girl would like. The papers are Basic Grey Euphoria. As per usual, the image is watercolored. The curtains and pillows are painted with pink shimmerz and flashy fuschia blingz. I know I would have wanted glitzy pink back then if I'd had a choice! :) but then you probably knew that already, didn't ya? That marvy lace ribbon is by May Arts, and just a hodge podge of fun buttons finish this off. The card is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square. I seem to be making a lot of cards that size lately.

I want to close this post by adding that I have a special card project to work on today. We have discovered that our 22 year old nephew, Wesley, has cancer. Today I am making a card for him. I know how powerful prayer can be. I am asking all of you to please say a little prayer for him and his family today. His spirits are good, but God is great! He believes that, too, which will take him far down this road to recovery. Thank you from the very bottom of my little heart!

Love ya! Jennifer

A Christmas Elephant?! :)

Coffee of the Day - Almond Roca (now have to start rationing the Pumpkin Spice.......)

What a happy morning it is over here! Just because the clouds are a weeee bit grey doesn't mean it can't be a happy day! But I am one of the weirdies who happens to love the rain. When I was in school at Oxford, there was only 1 day the entire summer that the sun shined. Didn't bother me a bit. I loved the rain as it hit those old cobblestones. Even walking around in it every day didn't give me a moment's hesitiation. Maybe I really am an anglophile at heart........ :)

Anyhow...... on to today's wonderful new challenge over at Sewn Together! This week we are to use one of the Christmas images on our project. I saw this cute little elephant, Eris, and knew just exactly how she felt! how many times have I looked at that tangle of lights and ended up right in the middle of them all?! :) So on my card she went!

The lights are covered in crystal effects and the star is painted in beesax shimmerz. The entire image was watercolored. The scalloped doily border is actually the bottom of the card front. The lower ornament paper is on the inside of the card. I really like doing this lately with my cards. Just a little something different. The flower trim is from Prima, the ribbon is May Arts, and the papers are Basic Grey and Daisy D's.

Be sure to play along in the challenge with us this week! More free digis are up for grabs!!!!! ya gotta love the chance to win free digis! and always check out the Free Digi Fridays that Angela has. such cuties are sittin' over there every week just waiting for you to take them home! Be sure to wander around the store, too. She has added some cutie pies that have jumped from the shelves right into my shopping cart. Had to take them home, of course!!! :D Check out the other DT's projects! What a talented group of chicas!

Have a great day! Make the most of it! and look for God sending you His very own special 'hello'!

Blog Candy Winner!!! :)

The winner of my Operation Nice blog candy giveaway is:

Yvette!!!

Please email me your addy and I will get this in the mail to you!

A huge thanks to everyone who stopped by! I wish I could send each and every one of you a little something. Perhaps someday I will. Hugs to you all! :)

Love, Jennifer

It's a HAPPY MONDAY at Digital Ink! :)

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Caramel (hubby is tired of pumpkin spice..... silly guy! :p)

Happy, happy Monday to ya!!! What a beautiful glorious day! Actually, it's pretty overcast here, but it's all in the 'tude ya know! ;)

Welcome to the Grand Opening of Digital Ink, Co.!!!! There is a challenge over on the blog this week and you get to join along with a FREEBIE DIGI!!! let me tell ya folks, life doesn't get much better than that! giggles! You will have from today through Sunday to create an awesome project using this gorgeous Jules Junk Poppy. Then just go back and link your coolness to the challenge blog using Mr. Linky. You could win a prize of free stuff! isn't that neat?!?! Please be sure to visit the other amazing blogs of the DT. I am truly the black sheep of this group. there is some amazing talent sitting on this team!

My card uses the neat Jules Poppy that I watercolored. The center of the flower was painted with beeswax shimmerz. The SEI paper is so neat - it is embossed & so shiny irl. It's kinda hard to see, but there is a delightful filigree pattern in the bg, so I mimicked that on my main image. I used 2 scallop corner punched pieces, but turned them backwards to add a little highlight alongside the upper edges. Toss on a few fun dew drops and some vintage seam tape, and voila! a bright shiny card to hopefully brighten someone's day! The card is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square.

Please be sure to play along with us in the challenge this week! I can't wait to see what you have created! and check out the rest of the DT!

love ya! Jennifer

2 cards for fun! :)

Well, the blog hop is over, but that doesn't mean you can stop being nice! :D I will continue to accept comments for the blog candy through this evening and will draw for a winner first thing tomorrow morning. Speaking of tomorrow - be prepared for more fun and excitement with the Digital Ink, Co. Grand Opening!!!! So be sure to check back!!!!

I had a chance to do a little bit of stamping today that wasn't connected to any DT. The first one is a companion card to the Latte Princess purse basket of coffee goodies that I posted the other day. The deets are all the same, so check that post if you have any questions. Have I mentioned how much I love this image from The Stamping Boutique!?!?! Isn't she just the most adorable thing???!!!! Speaking of adorable (and getting completely off topic) David bought me the most precious pair of hot pink flip flops today when we went to the mall. They were on sale and I won't be able to wear them for much longer, but gosh, oh goodness, do I ever think they are fabby!!!!

Okay, next card! ;) This digi comes from Handfull of Stamps. This is a shop I happened upon over at Etsy yesterday. cute digis! As soon as I saw this one, I thought of the fun MME snowman paper I had just received from I {heart} papers. thought they would be fun together. the felt snowflakes are some I picked up at Michael's. so much glitter and stickles on here, I'm surprised you aren't blinded! (instead the gremlin in my scanner makes it look like a big lumpy grey blob........ sorry 'bout that!)

see ya tomorrow! Jennifer

Operation Nice Blog Hop Day 3

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice with Caramel (oh, a nice yummy extra bit of flavor!)

For the final day of our Operation Nice Blog Hop, I want to hopefully inspire you to take a little bit deeper glance into your faith. Not wanting to stand on a soapbox or behind a pulpit here, but my faith is such an integral part of my everyday life, and I just feel the need to share a tiny bit with you.

My life has not been an easy one by any means, but it has indeed been a blessed one. Much comes from our perspective. Maybe someday I will share more on a much deeper level, but suffice it to say that there isn't much that I haven't been through in some form or fashion, with the exception of substance abuse (but it has hit my family). Through all of this 'ick', including my severe illnesses, God has never left my side or stopped showing me His love. I don't always see it 'cause I'm not always looking. But that hasn't stopped Him.

So today's card is to hopefully encourage you to show niceness and kindness to others as a way of saying 'thank you' to God for the many ways He has blessed your life. I remember a time when I would send anonymous cards to different people in our church - signing them, "God just wants you to know that He loves you". He would lay on my heart whomever happened to be needing a card at the time. Sometimes in our day to day 'getting by', we need to know that God really is sending a little bit of love via a friendly messenger. Maybe it's taking a dozen cookies to that little girl down the street with the broken arm, or a small container of soup to the neighbor who has a cold. I have found that quite a bit can be said by giving someone a loaf of homemade (or really good quality store bought) bread. You don't even need to give a big flowery speech - just a little, "God and I were thinking about you today" will do just fine!

My card uses the church image from Doodle Beans. I chose this because you see, we are God's church, wherever we are. We don't have to be in a building to His work (don't misunderstand what I'm trying to say here - He does want us to fellowship with other believers - that is just not all). The papers are from Prima. the music sheet is from an old hymnal. buttons are vintage as is the lace trim. other trim is a little scrap I had. windows are covered in crystal effects, and the building was sponged in white craft ink to help give extra dimension.

Thanks for putting up with me today. This post comes directly from my heart to yours! Now keep on hoppin' over to Angie's blog! :) love ya!

Operation Nice Blog Hop Day 2

Coffee of the Day - even MORE Pumpkin Spice!!!! :D

The card I have made for today incorporates a challenge that has been going on over at the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge blog. The verse was from Song of Solomon 6:3 "I am my Lover's and my Lover is mine; he browses among the lilies." The whole idea was to make a card for your spouse/significant other/special friend/ and actually give it to them.

I chose a wonderful vintage image that I just fell in love with from Altered Expression. Even though for the challenge we were supposed to make a card in our beloved's style, David likes my vintage cards a lot. I tried to go easy on the 'frou frou' stuff, but I did have to 'make it my own', too! The little strip of paper is from Prima, the buttons are all vintage, the ticket is from Making Memories, and the music sheet is an actual old hymn page. I distressed the papers where I could and added some pretty shimmerz to the lady's hat and sash. my glitter pen added the shine to her ruffled neck line.

The reason I wanted to share this with you today for the blog hop is this - how often do we forget to do something nice to tell our special someone just how much we love them and how important they are to us? way too often in my case. So this week make it a point to do a little something for your honey bunny. You could leave them a note on the front seat of their car while they are at work, send them a card to their workplace, write a special message in the fogged up mirror of your bathroom mirror, tuck a note into a briefcase or bag, surprise them at work for a wonderful lunch, or just whatever is special to the two of you.

If you are on the blog hop, please keep hoppin' on over to Angie's blog!

Operation Nice Blog Candy

Here is the photo of my blog candy:

You can post here for your entry, too. Just make sure to keep hoppin'! :)

Goodies you can win:

Stamp It! Cards mag

at least 1 yd. each of 4 diff. trims

1 doz. Prima flowers

Prima Nursery Tales paper pack

30 tiny nature buttons

I Kan dee white eyelet brads

Studio G clear stamps & block

I Kan dee Shaker Bubbles

Ribbon Slides

Fiskars Gracias clear stamp set

Colorbok Raw Chipboard shapes

Studio G teapot & coffee cups wooden stamps

Inkadikadoo thank you wooden stamp

Cozy Welcome Rub-on assortment

Operation Nice Blog Hop! It's Here!

Coffee of the Day - more yummy-oso Pumpkin Spice! :)

Welcome to my stop on the Operation Nice blog hop! I hope you enjoy your stay with a delicious cuppa coffee with me. I'll share some of my delicious pumpkin spice with you - it is oh, so good! :)

if you have come here from Donna's blog, then you are right on track! if you ever get lost, click here to help you find your way. Don't forget that you will be finding some wonderful blog candy on this route. Keep reading to the bottom of my post, and you might discover a wee little treat of my own! ;)

In case you haven't figured it out yet, I am a coffee lover/addict. Starbuck's is one of my fave ever places to go, and I can tell you where most of them are in the northern Ohio/western PA area. yes, it's really rather pathetic, but it's who I am and I'm perfectly content with it!

Well a bunch of us were chatting away over on SNR the other night and my 'little obsession' with the new Pumpkin Spice lattes from Starbucks came up. Next thing I knew Tracey of the faboo new digi store, The Stamping Boutique, has drawn this adorable image called 'The Latte Princess'. She has even named it Jennifer, after me. Well, I am tickled all shades of pink about this, as you can well imagine, so of course it seemed fitting to make a little somethin' with her to share with all of you! And then I will share my little basket with someone special who enjoys coffee almost as much as I do! I love to spend time visiting with people and getting to know them. It is so important to just listen, and what better way to do that than over a cup of coffee or tea. Have you ever bought a cup of coffee for the person in line behind you at the cafe'? What a great way to surprise them with a nice 'hello'! You would be amazed at how these little acts of kindness to even the people you meet in a check-out line can completely change someone's day for the better! :)

I used a great template from Mel of Mel Stampz for this cute basket. The paper is October Afternoon and was sprayed with pearl glimmer mist to give some shiney shine shine. A princess has to get her bling on! ;) The image was watercolored, then accented with Silver Bells blingz and my spica glitter pen. I also sprayed the Primas with the same pearl glimmer mist. The buttons are a combo of vintage and new. The handle is made with ribbon that is backed with cs to give some stiffness. Filled this little baby up with some Starbuck's (what else?!) coffee and a few biscotti. Now it's all ready to go!

If you have made it this far, you are in need of a shot of espresso by now! :D So I will sweeten the deal by letting you know that I have a drawing for BLOG CANDY going on through Sunday! (I'll post the photo on Saturday, so check back to see what you could win!) I will be taking all comments left on my blog from Friday thru Sunday and entering them into one big drawing. Each day I will be posting a new 'Operation Nice' creation, so please do check back. You may enter once on each post.

Now hop hop hop on over to Angie's blog for some more cool viewing! :) pass along niceness today! you never know just who may be needing a big smile or kind word.

love ya! and tell someone that you love them, too!

Jennifer

Are You About Ready for the Nice Blog Hop?

It starts tomorrow, so get ready!!!!

and you have got to check back to see what I make with one of the most adorable new digis to soon be released! you'll never believe what the subject could be.........

I'm giggling already! tee hee! :D

Cracked Glass Vintage Frock

Coffee of the Day - more of that yummy Pumpkin Spice!

I have fallen in love with a new digi company called Altered Expressions. It's all about vintage!!! sooooooo right up my alley! It's a new company, and I really do wish Carol the very best in her venture!

I have this one lovely image that I wanted to use. I have several more ideas for cards made with this same digi. Prior to embossing and doing the cracked glass technique, I painted the ribbon with pink shimmerz and washed the entire piece in gold ink. the edges were sponged very lightly in eggplant. The card stock base was first sanded, then edged & sponged in vanilla craft ink. I then sprayed it with both rose tea and walnut gold glimmer mist. While it was still wet, I stamped the 'carte postale' and flourishes. The dampness caused the ink to run a bit, which adds to the aged look. Finished off with some vintage & new buttons, a bit of velvet trim, and a pin with seam binding scrap. I really like the way this card turned out! I hope that you do as well.

Thank you so much for all of your kind comments of congratulations! I feel so honored to be a part of several very talented Design Teams. I know that it is truly a blessing to be chosen. Believe you me, I've heard 'no' far more times than I have heard that wonderful 'yes'. So if you are thinking of trying out for one or are getting discouraged because the answers you want aren't coming, please keep trying. But most importantly - remember the reason we all do this great thing called papercrafting (or whatever it is that you do for a hobby) - it is because it bring YOU pleasure and also pleasure to those around you. God doesn't bring you into this for nothing. But we have to wait upon His timing ( honestly - something I have never been good at!)

love to you all! Jennifer