New Challenge at Squigglefly

Coffee of the Day is actually tea 'cause I am fighting the flu - Earl Grey with Lavender (hubby was so sweet and picked this up for me! he's such a blessing to me!)

Sorry that I have been away for a while, but man oh man, a nasty ol' flu bug grabbed a hold of me last week and still hasn't let go. I feel like I have been beat with a whammy stick, run over by a Mack truck, hit with a freight train, and then left out in the freezing rain for months on end. then my poor tummy is a whole other story, but no more of THAT!!!

Today is a new challenge over at Squigglefly! This week the challenge is to make a mostly white card that shimmer shines! Be sure to play along, as there are now prizes every week. All you have to do is use a Squigglefly image (there are freebies available at the store site), and link your creation to the challenge site.

Well, you know that white space is NOT a friend of mine, so this was really a BIG challenge for me. I decided to start with this precious image by Lynne Stansbery called Winter Friends. The papers are Basic Grey Wisteria. Now there is shine ALL OVER this card that didn't scan well, so I am gonna tell you about it! grins! To start, the pink boots ('cause every girl would want a pair of bright pink glittery wellies, dontcha think? I know I STILL want some!!! giggles!) are painted in pink shimmerz, the coat in celery shimmerz, and the mittens in December Sky blingz. The ground is coated with chunky glitter. Little snowflakes are added in the sky with frosted stickles. The papers are outlined with my spica glitter pen. The snowflakes along the card's edge & above the main image are actually silver sequins, as is the little baby sequin below the main image. The edge of the coat and hood are covered in white flower soft. I added some vintage laces (double row) and vintage buttons to finish it off.

Stop by the other DT members blogs to see their creations, and then go get started on your own! I know you will have lots of fun creating! :)

p.s. I found out that one of the cards I made has been featured at SNR for the week and another made the top 5 featured at Little Red Wagon. so play in those challenges and post your cards to the galleries! you just never know.......

News and a Masculine Card.....

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

Good morning to all of you! I hope it is a glorious morning wherever you are! It is COLD and rainy here...... not cold enough to snow, but cold enough to make your bones creak and make you want a BIG cup of coffee or hot choco to keep you warm....... hey, who doesn't ALWAYS want a BIG cup of coffee or hot choco?!?! giggles! I have heard about a place called Mary Lou's in MA from my S2G teamie Ann that has PINK take out cups for their coffee!!! how much fun would that be?!?! road trip anyone?

anyhow, I digress as always........

I have several bits of fun news to share with y'all today. I meant to get to you yesterday with it but got sidetracked by life...... anyhow..... on with it you say? well here goes! :)

First off, I am now an official member of the DT for Digital Stamp Oasis!!! I know!!! Isn't that the coolest?! Ellie is just the nicest person, and I really look forward to working with her, her hubby, and the other PHENOM talented ladies on the team. You can see their work on the blogs listed in my sidebar. Please go leave them some congrats comments! I know it would make their day! Please join our group over at PCP. you know how much fun those groups can be! :) I have a card to share with you in just a sec.....

Next I want to let you know that in April I will be one of 2 Demo Artists at the Rubber Stamp Convention in Akron. I am super-dee-duper psyched about this! More deets will follow as I get them, but gosh, am I excited! I will be working with products by Ranger - the folks who make those distress Stickles I tell you about all the time.....

Now on to my card.....
I am using the ship digi by DSO and papers from the Basic Grey Marrakech collection. I haven't made a masculine card in a while, so thought it was high time. The watercoloring I do seemed a perfect fit with not only this image, but the whole feel of the card. The punch is from Martha Stewart, and I added a nautical button that I found at JoAnn's on SALE! wooo hooo - gotta love that! Thought a bit of heavy twine seemed to work better than lots of ribbon, although I like the way the ribbon accents the corner behind the button. The rub-on is from Stampin' Up! I am really getting into using rub-ons lately for my sentiments. yep, behind the times, I know, but so versatile!
This card fits several challenges:

• Pink Elephant - sketch
• Cooking It Up With Katie - 'non human' image, texture, something new
• Colour Create - kraft, blue, white
• Incy Wincy - Colour Me Wonderful
• Creative Card Crew - Punch It
• Simon Says Stamp - Punch It
• Stampin B's Design Team - Nautical Card

Squigglefly Release Day! :)

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

New releases are here from Squigglefly! woooo hoooo! and there are LOADS of Shy Bears for those of you who happen to love those little guys. and honestly, who doesn't?! grins!

I have a cute little shy bear Cupid Bear right here for ya, and he is full of love just for YOU! :) I am making sure he spreads the love all around, so he is going into several challenges, too. Believe it or not, the papers are from the Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses collection. The satin ribbon is by Anna Griffin. The burgundy ric rac is May Arts and the rub on came from Stampin' Up! The heart is covered in rock candy distress stickles. It looks just like sugar on top!


Challenges:
Crafts 4 Eternity - sketch & recipe
Pile It On - 3 ribbons
Crafty Creations - Valentine or Love
Corrosive - Digi image
PaperTake Weekly - Pink

Check back later on today for an announcement.... y'all have a great day! :)

Some challenge cards...

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Hazelnut

Whew - I have several cards to post, but was busy with some other things today and forgot that one of them had a time deadline today..... just barely got it posted in time.....

The first card is for several challenges - one at Saturday Spotlight (to use snowflakes), Fussy and Fancy Friday (winter), Little Red Wagon (to use snowflakes also), and the other at Whimsy Stamps (to make a warm and cozy creation). The papers are from the new Basic Grey Sugar Rush collection. They seemed perfect for a warm, cozy feel! The felt snowflake trim is from Martha Stewart. I used red shimmerz paint on the tassels of the hat and scarf. Frosted stickles cover the snow on the ground as well as the highlighted portions of the snowman. The card is 5 1/2" square, and the edges are inked in white craft, as is the main image matting (which was also distressed).

My next card was made for both the Sweet 'N Sassy Digi Day at PCP yesterday and the Stampin' for the Weekend challenge to use a sketch. I used the adorable new SNS digi Fenton the Frog along with some glittery KI papers. His bright green spots are painted with evergreen blingz paint. I added some fun buttons, a Prima flower, and this gorgeous Shirleys 2 Girls organdy ribbon. by the way, the S2G blog hop has been extended until Wed. Jan. 27! you can play along and possibly win phenom prizes here at this post. The card base is white, so it shows kinda funky in the scan.

My last card uses the adorable stamp from Shirleys 2 Girls called Mazie at the Beach. This card is being used for several challenges: the sketch from Mojo Monday, Charisma Cards (fruity colors), and the Cupcake Inspiration Challenge. Papers are again Basic Grey Sugar Rush, flower is Prima, and the neat orange twill is a JoAnn's find. of course there are little touches of shimmerz all over this card - her flip flops ( every girl NEEDS a pair of glittery pink flip flops - 'nuff said!! giggles!), the flowers, the peace medallion, and the shell.

All cards qualify for the Dare You to Digi Stamp Challenge of using buttons.

Check back tomorrow for the new Squigglefly releases! :)

It's A Shirleys 2 Girls Blog Hop! :) Indulgences Abound!

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Truffle

Edited to add - The Girls have decided that we were all having so much fun with the hop that they want to keep it going for a few more days! So we are gonna keep hopping until next Wed., Jan. 27!!! wooo hoooo! :)

Welcome to the S2G Blog Hop! We are all about Indulgences today - those wonderful things that make you feel oh, so good! If you have arrived here from *CAT'S FABBY BLOG*, then you are right on track. :) if at any point you lose your way along the hop, just head over to the *S2G challenge blog* for a complete listing.

We have 3 Different Prizes you could win! There is 1 Grand Prize,
1 Second Prize, and a third prize of a gift certificate hidden somewhere
in amongst the DT's Blogs. So, sit back, grab a latte, relax and enjoy
the TOUR!

****Before you leave to go on the 'Indulgence Tour'...leave a comment
about one of your favorite ways you pamper yourself.
You must do this in order to be eligible to WIN.

GRAND PRIZE Winner:
spa gloves
spa slippers
eye mask
manicure set
bath fizzy
body lotion
felt coasters
shaped paper clips
chipboard buttons
3 mini glitzy frames
ribbon
small charms
rhinstones
glitter
2 clear stamps
6 DPs
chocolates
tea or coffee
3 digi images of Indulgence
2 jelly roll pens

2nd PRIZE:
1 set of Indulgence Images (the dreaming chocolate, cake, slice of cake, box of candy)

3rd PRIZE:
$15.00 S2G GIFT certifiicate

I decided to make a fun little coffee gift set using the new digis French Blend and Cake Piece, as well as the Coffee Sentiments. I took a cardboard box left over from a Market Day purchase and painted it with acrylic paints. The papers are from the Basic Grey Sultry collection. The gorgeous buttons are from S2G! don't you see why I love these buttons?! I turned the cake into a wonderful chocolate raspberry torte by going over the squiggles with a pink glitter pen. I added some little black polka dots with coal shimmerz, which I also used on the fleur de lis on the take out coffee cup & litle dots there as well. I really would have pink take out coffee cups if I ever had my own coffee shop! didn't it turn out cute?! giggles! The box is wrapped in the most luscious velvet ric rac trim tied in a bow. It is filled with 3 types of single serve coffees: chocolate velvet, caramel truffle, and french vanilla. so VERY yummy! the card obviously matches the box. oh yes, the fork is painted with Hi HO Silver shimmerz. The box is 5" x 5" square.

Now on to the winner of the wonderful Shirleys 2 Girls blog candy................

the winner chosen at random by my hunny bunny hubby is................................................


Angie!!!


and I am giving a 2nd place giftie of the new digi #112 'Chocolate Dreams' to................ Melissa S. and a 3rd place prize of the new digi #136 'Cake' to............. Tammy Miller as well! So ladies, please email me right away! (go to the 'my profile' area and you will find the area to contact me) You will have so so so much fun with these GREAT items!!!!

From here you want to head over to the *AMAZING BLOG of JUDY*!!!! You are in for a treat! :)

p.s. I would like to add - please if you would stop to say a prayer for our fellow S2G teamie Deanne Burton and her family. They have just discovered that her MIL, Linda's cancer has spread, and the family is obviously devastated. We all know that God is the Master Physician and the bringer of comfort. May He hold them close in His arms of love - now and always.

Last Day for S2G Blog Candy Chance!

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

You have until tonight at midnight to get your entry in for the big Shirleys 2 Girls blog candy chance! Hurry hurry hurry! I don't want you to miss out! The winner will be announced tomorrow at the BLOG HOP!!!! so be sure to stop by! :)

Yahoo Email Announcement...

Yahoo Email Announcement ~

If you have tried contacting me in the past few weeks and I have not responded, please re-send your email. I am NOT ignoring you, I am just not receiving a large percentage of my emails through yahoo for some bizarre reason.

I have made a few adjustments to my email options, so perhaps this will make a difference.

I am so very sorry for any troubles this may have caused. Please accept my most sincere apologies........
Jennifer

Sweet 'N Sassy Hearts

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia

Hello everyone! So how are you today? Did any of you have yesterday off? Did you get to spend some fun time with your friends and family? My guys all went bowling while I got to stay home and craft! Happiness for everyone! :) grins!


I have 2 cards to share with you today using digis from Sweet 'N Sassy.

My first card uses hearts from the digi set 'All My Heart', which was released the first week of Jan. I made the hearts 2 different sizes prior to printing. Thr dark lines were outlined with a spica glitter pen for some extra sparkle. The papers are from the Basic Grey Sugared Collection. Added some neat May Arts leaf ribbon and dew drops along with a Prima flower.


The second card uses the newly released digi set 'Blowing Kisses'. This teddy makes me smile! :) I used some fun papers from Basic Grey Two Scoops for this one. The hearts are painted with shimmerz. The bear is stippled with ink over the watercoloring to add more texture to his fur. Gives lots more dimension irl. I am using this card for the sketch challenge over at Paper Sundaes, a new challenge blog. I was blessed enough to win their first blog hop blog candy! super exciting! This also qualifies for the challenge over at One Stop Craft Challenge - Love & Kisses. so happy to come across these fun new challenge blogs! :)

I am having so much fun at Sweet 'N Sassy! Everyone is just so kind! Have a glorious day!
Jennifer

You Make Life Brighter in Blue

Coffee of the Day - Texas Turtle

Good morning to all of you! Today is a new challenge over at Squigglefly - CAS - Clean and Simple, with the color blue. the blue wasn't a problem for me - but CAS?!?! oh my stars, you KNOW me! what about me is clean and simple? nothing, my darling friends...... absolutely nothing. so this was the biggest challenge I have faced in a while. I did my best. I really did. I wanted to add buttons, frillies, all kinds of other embellies to liven this up. but no...... I couldn't. (I might still do it, but shhhhhhhhh.... don't tell Maria..... grins!) But I did give it my own special touches..... hang on - you'll see! :)

I found this wonderful new image called 'Bright Life' over in the store. isn't it fun? I see so many fun uses for this one! because the sentiment is separate, you can place it wherever you would like when laying out your digis prior to printing. I knew that I was going to add some 'light' from the lamp, so I put the sentiment down toward the bottom. That left a bit of 'white space' on the card - something that usually gives me the heeby jeebies and screams for some buttons or a beautiful prima flower....... but I was semi-strong here! grins! Instead I added a blow tied from the corner of the card with some matching vintage seam tape. Now I told you about my special touches (other than the distressing with the ink.....) you know of my love affair with shimmerz paints - yep, y'all are nodding your heads in agreement..... well, almost the entire lamp is painted with it. tee hee hee! it sparkles soooooooo pretty irl! The lamp itself is painted with the coal shimmerz, and the little frills of the shade are painted with wintergreen blingz. The beautiful paper is K & Co. Charlotte. it just seemed perfect for that vintage parlour feel.

So please be BRAVE and play along! and check out the creations from the rest of the DT, too! there is a fun prize for the winner this week! Link your project back to the site with Mr. Linky. and c'mon, if I can do it, ANYONE can do it! :D

The Challenge that never was.....

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

Last night on SNR at the Squigglefly Pajama Party we had lots of fun playing and chatting up a storm! I hope that some of you were able to stop by for a bit. Maria and I had offered a bit of help to Holly in the planning stage of the party, and we had come up with a few technique dares to be completed. Well, as many digi parties go, we just ran out of time. So I wanted to show you the sample I created for the challenges that never took place. :)

The first set is for a dare challenge to make card candy - the fun little accents you can use on cards, scrapbook pages, or other paper crafting projects. I started with these fun new digis by Robin Willis: You Hold the Key to My Heart, Owl Love, and Cupcake Sweetie. They were sized to fit in my 1 1/2" circle punch. I love being able to re-size my digis! All of these use the same bg paper - Wild Raspberry by K & Co. The gorgeous flowers are Prima. The dsp is edged in rock candy distress stickles to give a beautiful sparkle irl. Each of these also has shimmerz painted on different accents - of course! you know me and my shimmerz love! :D I went ahead and made up a card with one of the flowers to show what it would look like. The dsp piece is also edged in the distress stickless, as is the little heart accent.

The next card is for a chocolate dare - make something chocolate themed: either the image, embellies, or colors. I used this fun sentiment 'Forget Love...' and created a tag. The papers are Basic Grey Sugared (just seemed appropriate! grins!). Flower is Prima, trim is Webster's Pages.

I hope you will check back tomorrow as it will be my team's turn for the weekly Squiggelfly challenge. and it was a tough one for me! but that is what challenges are all about, right?! have a great day!

don't forget my Shirleys 2 Girls blog candy chance going on also!

Create it Green with Squigglefly! :)

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia

Good morning! Happy Saturday to ya!

I have to start off this post by giving Deanne of Create It Green a ginormous apology....... yesterday was the first challenge of the year and I was late with my submission. no excuse other than I had my dates wrong. whack-a-doodle here thought it was supposed to be due on Monday. nope, it was to post yesterday. and Deanne is such a trooper. never in all of my time on DTs have I ever mixed up dates like that. I have been sick and not been able to make a project, but never have I been so lost in space that I completely got my dates wrong. must have been visiting Pluto, although I still can't used to the idea that it is no longer a planet..... what a blow to the self-esteem...... floating through space - thinking you are king of the universe, or at least the 9th wonder of the solar stystem, and BAM! you get knocked down to a moon, or a star, or whatever they call it these days....... but I digress...... I must have been out there offering some encouragement or something 'cause I sure didn't have my head on straight!

Check out the neat sketch that Deanne has created and be sure to play along! I have created 2 cards for this challenge - mainly because I felt so bad about my big mess up.... Both cards use new release digis from Squigglefly.

The first card uses the Shy Bear Morning Paper Bear image. I paired it with papers from the Basic Grey Indian Summer collection. I thought it would be fun to use some actual newspaper bits on the card, so I punched some circles, crinkled them a bit, and then did some distressing with caramel ink. 3 went down the side as shown in the sketch, while 2 were used to make the fun lollipop embellie. I did flip the elements on the sketch a bit, putting the sentiment, a rub on from SU!, at the bottom. you know I din't really do any sewing, but there is a bit of the 'X' factor in the buttons! grins! the twine for the buttons is some of the twine I save from our big dog food bags. I use this stuff all the time! The donuts on the main image have been painted with pink shimmerz. I think every guy loves sprinkle donuts! :D The card base is more of my coffee paper. I haven't shown any of this in a while - coffee grounds sprinled on cs, allowed to dry, and then dusted off into the garden or compost.

My next card uses 2 new digis, Growing Love and I Heart You. The paper is Basic Grey Euphoria. The pink paper for the heart and border is actually the re-purposed portion of the project. It was a manilla type paper that was wrapped around something (I think a candle) that I had purchased a while back as it was being packaged to put in the shopping bag. I saved the paper thinking I would do something with it. Ta Da! I sprayed it with 2 coats of rose tea glimmer mist prior to punching. It really shines irl! Of course every little girl needs shiny shoes and bows,, so these were painted with pink shimmerz. The flower is by Prima. Now I will have you know that I actually sewed on this card - yes, shock of all shocks! some of you are actually picking yourselves up off the floor right about now. don't expect it again anytime soon though...... grins! I do it about as often as I iron..... once or twice a year.

Please try to play along with the Create it Green challenge! it really is fun to see how you can re-use different things on your papercrafting projects. and tonight is a Pajama Party with Squigglefly over on SNR! lots of fun and games, to please join us there!

Have a great weekend! love to you!

Jennifer

Love is in the Air with Shirleys 2 Girls! and Blog candy!!

Coffee of the Day - Peppermint

It is another Twisted Thursday challenge with Shirleys 2 Girls! I just love these! :D I hope you will play along with all of us! The challenge this week is to create an ABC Valentine - Anything But a Card.

I decided to make a companion tag accordian book to the card I made last week. I used the fun Hearts Aplenty digi set, in addition to the Zola Fetch, Simplify, and Cup of Coffee. This is the link to the digis. Remember that there is a big sale going on over at the store right now.

For the accordian book, I used papers from the Basic Grey Porcelain collection. Flowers and sheer glitter heart are by Prima. Brads are Making Memories. Ribbons are Stampin' Up! and May Arts. Punches are Martha Stewart and Stampin' Up! Lots of distressing, both with ink and the distressing tool. I am giving this to my hunny bunny for Valentine's Day, so will be writing on the backs of the tags, but NO, I am not telling you what I am writing! giggles! :) and boy, did he make it hard to get this finished. he likes to watch while I make things, so keeping this a secret was reallllllllllllllly hard!

Now for the blog candy ~

In order to qualify for the drawing, I would like you to visit all of the other members of the S2G DT blogs. Please leave comments for them - not because you have to, just because it makes them feel nice when you do! Also, if you would like, join one or both of the S2G groups over at SNR and PCP. There again, you don't have to, but it really is great fun! I am not a believer in making people become followers of blogs or things like that. I figure, if you want to, you will. if not, no biggie. :) But after you visit the other DT blogs, come back and tell me how you were inspired by their AWESOME projects. I know you will see some wonderful things! They have so much talent!

I have some fun S2G buttons (I LOVE these things!!!), a few stamps (individual ones such as smooches), some ribbon, and maybe some other goodies I will throw in for good measure. :) I want you to experience the wonderful quality products of S2G the way I have! it's not a lot, but just a sampling...... The blog candy will be open until Wed., Jan. 20. I will announce the winner next Thurs., Jan. 21, when I do my next TT post.

Have a great and glorious day! Jennifer

Lotsa Sweet 'n Sassy love for YOU!

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Hazelnut

Hello! I hope that you are having a truly glorious day! I am showing cards that use Sweet 'N Sassy digis that were released this past week. They are just the cutest images and such fun to play with! :) Also, check out the 'Motivate Me Monday' over at SNR for a fun challenge going on this week. I hope to play later on.....

In both cards that I have made, I paired the digis with Basic Grey papers. The first card is made with 'A Note For You'. The papers are Basic Grey Junebug. I painted the envelope's heart with shimmerz to add a big of shine. I added a few buttons and used a fun Fiskars punch along the border. Of course he needed a big ol' heart! Some neat polka dot ribbon finished off the card.

The second card uses Basic Grey Nook and Pantry papers. The hearts, from 'All My Heart' are actually printed in 2 different sizes - one of the neat things about digital images. :) The centers of the flowers on the hearts have been highlighted with frosted stickles. I kept the card design simple here to focus on the fun hearts and sentiment. The trim is more of my JoAnn's find, and the flowers are Prima. little baby rhinestones were colored with sharipies and placed above the sentiment, which is part of this wonderful set.

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow! Check back for a fun blog candy chance! May your day be overflowing with blessings! Jennifer

Mosaic Sympathy

Coffee of the Day - Texas Turtle

Hello dear friends! I am sorry for the late posting today. I have been in bed sick, AGAIN, and just got up. I really don't like being sick. I realize no one does. But I just went through this last weekend for 3 or 4 days. Don't want to do it again. Do you hear me putting on the whiny face and falling on the ground, pounding my hands on the floor, kicking my legs like a toddler would do? ;) That is how I feel. Want it to go away and have the happy go lucky, birdies singing in the trees, flying in the window, landing on my shoulder like in Sleeping Beauty ('cause that is my favorite movie EVER in the whole wide world!!!) kinda mood to come back. Maybe tomorrow. Because God still sits on His throne and all is still right with the world even if I feel blechy. and He is just smiling at me right now as any Father would, 'cause He knows it will all be over soon.....

Anyhow... on to my card for today. I saw a few challenges as I was meandering around blog world and wanted to play in some more of them. They truly are quite fun. I hope you will attempt a few this week. One of my faves is Stampin Sisters in Christ. I wanted to play last week, but was just shy of getting mine finished in time. So this week I made sure to complete my project promptly. Based on this verse, we are to create somthing beautiful from something broken:

Hosea 6:1 "Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds."

This verse is so comforting right now. I decided to use the mosaic technique - one of my very faves and one I don't use often enough. The glitter paper is from Making Memories. Each torn piece was distressed with choco ink and the matted choco piece was distressed with my tool. Two ways to distress paper! The beautiful trim is from my JoAnn's stash, satin ribbon is Anna Griffin, flower is Prima, punch for leaves is Martha Stewart, and the button is a vintage one. The card base edges were sponged with white craft ink. The digi is from Doodle Beans. I painted the flower centers with caramel shimmerz and outlined the flowers & highlight areas with pink shimmerz.

Have a great evening! I will see you tomorrow!

Jennifer

Creative Card Crew Challenge - Distressing

Cute Daisy May - Flower and Ribbon

A wonderful Digi Designer - Phindy's Place! :)

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia

Good morning! I hope that you are finding this is a beautiful day! I woke up this morning feeling so gloriously blessed. Not in a financial or material sense by any means, but I am surrounded by the most precious family & friends a woman could possibly have. Our dogs and cats make me smile every single day. I see God's majesty in the nature all around me as I gaze out the window. I have met the most phenomenal people through this 'hobby' I call papercrafting. How could I possibly be left wanting? :)

I would like to take this post to introduce you to a most amazing artist, Philomena O'Neill, also known as Phindy. Her digis just make me smile - really BIG! they most certainly bring out the 'awwwww...... how sweet!' factor! Her store is called Phindy's Place and can be found on Etsy - and you know how much I love that spot!!! :) I have 2 projects to show you today, both of which I am entering in a few challenges. I will list those at the end of the post. These are some wonderful NEW images for me, and I was so excited to get ahold of them! n fact, the 'Cheep Cheep' image is a freebie to the members of her PCP group, so if you aren't one yet, what are you waiting for?! :D

My first card uses the image called "Counting Sheep. Isn't it just adorable? (the image, not my card... giggles!) The papers for both cards are from the Prima Nursery Tales collection. The edges of the main image were first sponged and then edged in frosted stickles. A good cyberfriend of mine, Dru, of Garden of Dreams, uses such pretty glitter on her vintage items. I am going to try to do more of that, so this is something NEW for me. Also, while I was enjoying the '12 Tags of Christmas' over on Tim Holtz' most inspiring blog last month, I saw him doing some REALLY neat things with stickles - none of which was just leaving the stickles in the plain line that comes straight from the bottle. He was always smooshing it around - so I tried that, too. another NEW thing for me. Added some wonderful vintage buttons from my stash and a bit of luscious satin Anna Griffin ribbon with a little pin. The card base edges are inked with white craft.

For the second card, I am using the brand spankin' NEW image 'CheepCheep' that just came out yesterday for all of the PCP members, as I mentioned above. I added some baby ric rac and gorgeous Prima trim. That beautiful flower is also a Prima and one that I just received as well, so it is NEW to me, too! A bit different than the Prima flowers I usually use, so I am trying to step outside of my box a bit, but still keep to my style. The card base edges here were also sponged with the white craft ink.

Now you may be wondering why I keep emphasizing all of the NEW stuff here........ well, some of these challenges are all about NEW beginnings and fresh starts. So I am trying out some NEW techniques, NEW products, NEW designers, and at the same time remember that every morning starts out with NEW mercies. Thank you, God for that! :) Your grace astounds me Every Single Day!!!

The challenges:

Cute Card Thursday - All New

Paper Take Weekly Challenge - New Beginnings

Fussy & Fancy Friday Challenge - New

Stampin' for the Weekend - New Beginnings

Cards for Men - New

Squigglefly New Releases!

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

Good morning! I hope you are having a wonderful start to your weekend!

I awoke to discover that my vintage thank you card from yesterday won the challenge over at Stamp, Scrap, and Doodle! Boy, was that exciting! The news was met with the usual enthusiam over here..... "oh that's nice, mom.... can I get back to my game now?" grins!

So on to the BIG news!!!! Today is NEW RELEASE DAY at SQUIGGLEFLY!!!!!!!!!! woooo hoooo!!! I am thrilled to show you 2 cards made with some fabby images 'Willow' and 'Load of Cakes'!

For 'Load of Cakes', I used Basic Grey Cupcake papers. Unfortunately the pale blue bg wash on the main image didn't scan well - but it's there irl. the candle flames are painted with shimmerz, and she is sporting some pretty fancy bright pink glitter shoes! I think a girl as fun as this one would wear pink shoes with EVERY outfit she owns, regardless of the 'matching' factor. I know I do! :D the cake sprinkles are covered in fruit punch stickles. I am using this card for the challenge over at Crazy 4 Challenges - birthdays.

For 'Willow', I immediately thought of the song "Lemon Tree" from when I was growing up. I have had that song running through my head for days now.... and I love it! giggles! bet you are singing along with me now, too, aren't ya? the lemons are painted with shimmerz. The quote is from a poem by Christina Rosetti. Papers are from the Basic Grey Lemonade collection. I used my spica glitter pen on the little fence, around the main image matting, to add some dots by the border punch, and to do some outlining along some of the other edges. Finally I added a leaf pin that is actually from the notions dept. at JoAnn's. what a find! I am entering this card in the Saturday Spotlight challenge, which is to represent love without using hearts.


Stop by the other DT members' blogs and the SNR group site to see some more fun samples. then head to the store to see all of the images released today.

Enjoy your weekend! Jennifer

A very very vintage thank you card

I needed a thank you card. well, I actually need several, but needed one for my MIL. then I came across several challenge blogs in the midst of my blurfing this week. Not one to turn down a challenge when I have the time to do it, I decided to try to incorporate them into one card. Now this one is a little more OTT for me than usual, so hold on to your seats before you scroll down. I don't normally go all out frou frou, but I think she will like it. I showed it to the guys and said I thought it looked like Grammy. Tyler proceeded to tell me that "Grammy doesn't look like a card, Mom!" of course he had that sly grin on his face at the time. smart alec..... :D wonder where in the world THAT comes from? hmmmmmmmm.......................... must be the OTHER side of the family. grins!

Anyhow, the paper is from the gorgeous K & Co. Classic Charlotte collection. The watch face (which I distressed with Timber brown Stazon ink and wiped off) & oval bracket are from Making Memories. buttons are Etsy vintage and that gorgeous gorgeous glower is a Prima. I downloaded the photo from The Vintage Moth, a really neat vintage clip art site. The little calendar clip art was a random find through google. The card base was distressed, edges inked with vanilla craft, and then the whole thing sprayed with walnut gold glimmer mist.

Challenges are for Saturday Spotlight - calendar and Stamp, Scrap, and Doodle - use a photo.

Longhorns, Mice, and Bouncing bunnies!

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice in honor of my Texas Longhorns

I am starting off my blog post in a most unusual way today. I have 2 cards to show you, and will most certainly get to that, but I need to share something with you first. I want to tell you how very proud I am to be a Texas Longhorn. I watched the Rose Bowl last night. Sure, I wanted the Longhorns to win. Sure, I cheered for them throughout the entire game, disappointed in the turnovers and interceptions, sad that Colt McCoy was injured at the game's start. But I saw a team pull together last night to rally around a young man, Garret Gilbert, a freshman quarterback who had no intention of taking over the position from his mentor in the National Championship football game. I saw what it truly means to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, not just talk the talk. I have read Colt McCoy's testimony of his faith in God. It is awe-inspiring. His answer to the question of "what were you feeling while you watched the game?" in the post game commentary moved me to tears. This man gave a testimony that we should all aspire to. He thanked God for everything, recognized the efforts of the other team, saying that even though he couldn't fathom the reasoning behind all that had happened, he truly trusted God for it all. and in just a short while he hugged opponent Mark Ingram, congratulating him on his team's win. That is what it means to be a Christ follower. not just say it, but really live it.

okay on to the cards.......

I am using some of the new images released last week at Squigglefly. New ones will be coming out tomorrow, so be sure to check back here for a few peeks!

My first card uses a cute little Proud Papa mousie. Stef has started the color challenges over at SNR, so head over to play along. The colors this time are chocolate, turquoise, and olive/artichoke. My papers here are from October Afternoon. Since I had mentioned to you before that I am really wanting to do a lot of re-using/repurposing with my crafting, I decided to pull out these little strips of packing material. I tied them together with the turq. baker's twine and added a button from Making Memories. The sentiment is a rub-on that is also from Oct. Afternoon. Check out the blog at Create it Green for lots more ideas on how to use recycling on your papercrafting projects. I will have several projects there in the next few days. The challenges will start up soon, too! :)

The next card I made in honor of all of my friends who seem to not be feeling so well lately. Know that I am praying for all of you!! I kept this pretty gender neutral, 'cause I'm not sure just which one I'm sending it to yet. The digi is called Get Your Bounce Back. I am sorry I don't know who made the papers, as they are from my old stash..... another thing I had mentioned I wanted to do! :D These buttons are also Making Memories. The card size is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square. I am using this for a challenge I discovered from my friend Sue of Sue's Sentiments. The challenge is over at Clearly Delightful and is to use a bunny on your creation.

Hope you are having a terrific day! love to you all!

Jennifer

It's a Twisted Thursday with Shirleys 2 Girls! :)

Coffee of the Day - Peppermint (to honor my S2G teamie Gina! waving!!!)

This is such an exciting day! It is my first post as an official "Lady with Attitude"!!!! Well, we all know that I have always had the 'tude, but now I can wear a banner proclaiming it! giggles! I am so tickled about this DT! so many talented ladies are a part, so I do hope that you will take a few moments to visit their fabby blogs. You will be inspired beyond your wildest dreams!

Now speaking of wildest dreams, this new image is guaranteed to knock your hubby's socks off! I can't wait to get this card in the mail to my sweetums.... The Twisted Thursday challenge this week is to use hearts and follow this sketch. Of course you can turn the sketch on its side or adapt it a bit, but be sure to link your post (and the specific post only please) back to the S2G challenge blog using Mr. Linky. TWO winners will be chosen using random.org to win their choice of a FREE digi from the store!!! not only that, but you will get a way fabbylicious blog badge to display......how cool is that!?!? you have until Wed., Jan. 13 at midnight to upload your creation.

Now on to my card....

I have done a bit of paper piecing with my AMAZING digi, Fetch Zola. It is super easy to do and creates such a neat effect! the papers are from the Basic Grey Porcelain collection. The glitter heart is from Prima and the heart ribbon is from May Arts. The tops of her stockings, the heart garter clasps, panties, and slippers have all been painted with various colors of shimmerz. This chickie needs to shine! :) The card is a large one - 5 1/2" x 6".

Please be sure to play along with us! And again, check out the new DT members blogs:

• Debbie
• Ann
• Anne
• Carlie
• Cat
• Deanne
• Georgia
• Gina
• Jana
• Jane
• Jeannie
• Judy
• Lisa

Ellies in LOVE! :)

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

Happy cold wintery, snowy, beautiful day to you! can you tell that I am in my element here? I am sooooooo loving this weather! we have multiple feet of snow outside the door and we are all happy as Frosty! it has finally stopped snowing after many many days. it is absolutely gorgeous. will try to get some photos if I can. Hope you are staying warm and snug-a-bug wherever you are in this great big world!

I have the cutest little digi to show you today! It comes from Shirleys 2 Girls, who just happen to be the sponsors this week over at Digital Tuesday Challenge. yes, I am playing again, but goodness, it is so addicting! :) I am also using a sketch from The Sweet Stop.

My papers are from Basic Grey Two Scoops. That wonderful button is actually from S2G. if you hurry you might be able to get one just like it, as they are ON SALE!!!!! I wanted to do something different with my vintage seam tape, and do not sew as much as I would like to. me and bobbins do not get along. they attack me in quite vicious ways. REALLY! I am not joking in the least. they pop right out of my sewing machine into my lap every time I try to sew. so I gave up long ago. so I put down a strip of red line super sticky tape and went to town. I like the ruffledy look it gave. The hearts are painted with pink shimmerz, as are the lovely lady ellie's toenails. come on, aren't your toenails are shiny, too?! :D the little dots are covered in fruit punch stickles. so are her eyelashes. goes to show what true love does to ya....... giggles! at least that is what happens when I look at my sugar baby! and that is who this card is for! so watch out Dave! one fine day this cutie will arrive at work just when you least expect it! :)

everyone have a great day! love ya bunches! Jennifer

A Little Envie Filled with ..... a MOUSE?!?

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Hazelnut

Happy day to you! We are sooooooo buried in snow here, and I love it! :) Honestly, it has been snowing for at least 5 days now. We have several feet on the ground. School was closed yesterday, and it looks absolutely beautiful outside!


I want to show you a card I have made using one of the fun digis from Sweet 'N Sassy stamps. This little mouse is so cute! It is called Be Mine Cocoa. Two new digi sets are being released on Thursday, and it is also Digi Day over at SNR.


The papers are Basic Grey Lemonade. I added some neat trim from JoAnn's topped with baby pink ric rack. The heart on the envie is painted with pink shimmerz, and the trim on the valentine with wintergreen shimmerz. I finished the card off with a cute little crocheted flower and some buttons.




p.s. I am also using this card for the challenge over at Digital Tuesday Challenge - Valentine.

Starting the New Year with Squigglefly.... and it's PINK! :)

Coffee of the Day - Peppermint

Happy New Year to you and yours! I hope this year brings you everything beautiful, a sense of how truly loved you are, and a new knowledge of just how much God adores being with you!

I start my year with a posting that announces my welcome to the Squigglefly DT! yippeeee! What a wonderful group of talented women I am joining! So I thought I would make something using this wonderful digi by a new artist to Squigglefly, Rich Davis, and of course, make it PINK! :) Have to ring in the new year in proper Jen-style: pink, shimmerz, bow, heart, button - the works! giggles! the only thing missing is the Basic Grey paper, but I used another fave - October Afternoon. and a new fave embellie - sequins. so a little old, a little new......the heart is actually a Prima piece, so that is part of my crafty resolution: to use things that I have in my stash. actually the soft pink yarn is as well. The sequins do match irl, but the little gremlin in my scanner hasn't misbehaved in a while, so he decided to get in on the action today. The hearts on the plate have been painted with pink shimmerz.

Here are a few of my resolutions for this year:

• to re-purpose more in my crafting
• to use more of what I have in regard to my crafting
• to be wise in how I spend my $
• to leave comments when I visit a blog - if I have time to visit, I should be kind enough to say hello
• to take the time to visit more blogs, at least on a weekly basis
• to pay more attention to how God is trying to get my attention. He has always been faithful to me. I need to be more faithful to Him.
• to see God EVERY day all around me. to hear God all around me. to feel God all around me. to continue to talk to God EVERY moment.
• to show my friends and family how much I love them ALL THE TIME! :)

I had better stop there, 'cause that is gonna be more than enough..... how about you? do you have any resolutions? mine are more about wanting to be a better person, not just for a year, but for a lifetime..... can't do it on my own, that is for certain. will you help me please?

Love ya bunches! and thank you for walking with me and being my friend! Jennifer

p.s. oh yes, I used a sketch provided by Mish (loosely I must add! grins!) for this card. check out her blog and play along! :)