Blog Candy extension.....

Just thought I would let you know I have decided to extend the opportunity to win the 2 blog candy giveaways through tonight. I want everyone to have a chance! I know I have been busy playing with my family this weekend, and haven't had a chance to visit as many blogs yet as I have wanted, so thought there might be others in the same boat as I.

Winners will be announced tomorrow. Best of luck to you!

and a HUGE THANK YOU to out troops who sacrifice each and every day! Our prayers go out to you. Thank you as well to the friends and family who are at home waiting for their safe return. You have sacrificed as well, and are not forgotten. Let us also remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice - their lives, not just today, but every day, so that we may live in a country that celebrates freedom. I am proud to be an American! :)

Happy Memorial Day!

OWH Memorial Day Blog Hop!

Please see here for my Pink Saturday post. thank you! :)

Welcome to the Operation Write Home Memorial Day Blog Hop! this is so exciting! I have really been looking forward to this hop for a while now. in fact, as soon as I heard that OWH was doing another hop, I have been just as giddy as can be! having friends and family who serve in the military, I know how important it is to support them every step of the way. So OWH has a special place in my heart! :)

I guess that is why I chose to make a card using this adorable digi, USA Heart, from Isabella's Sketchbook. The card is pretty simple for me, and the 'no glitter' rule is a toughie for me, but hopefully the love comes through!

I have some fun red, white, and blue blog candy to offer to someone who leaves a comment this weekend. You will have until Sunday at midnight to post, and I will announce the winner on Monday. Please be sure I have a way to contact you via email. In the blog candy you will find over 6 yards of assorted ribbons, trims, and lace, glitter sticker alphablet, brads, tags, buttons, vellum sentiments, a candle tart, adhesive felt star trim, rhinestones, glitter glue, and much much more!

Your next stop on the hop is Erica. I know she has something fun to show you!

It's a Beautiful Pink Saturday Celebration!

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Truffle

What a beautiful day to celebrate the 2nd birthday of Pink Saturday! I am so happy to be a part of something so special to so many!

I have made a card to commemorate this wonderful day using a digi from my friend Kristen and her store, KPink. I fell in love with this fun cowgirl boot as soon as I saw it, and knew immediately that it would be perfect for a Pink Saturday card one day! What an ideal way to tell that special friend it's time to 'kick up her heels and celebrate'! :)

I used paper from the K & Co. Wild Raspberry collection. painted on some pink shimmerz, of course!, to the flowers on the boots, added some Prima flowers, buttons, and fun lace & ribbon. The card base was sprayed with a combo of walnut gold and rose glimmer mist for more shine.

Now to help celebrate the birthday of Pink Saturday, I have some blog candy to give away - all pink of course! For those of you who enjoy crafting as I do, I think you will enjoy the assortment of goodies I have for you! There are over 5 yards of pink lace, ribbon, & trim, rhinestones, beautiful soap samples, paper flowers, velvet & suede flowers, buttons, and so much more! Leave a comment by Sunday night at midnight and I will post a winner on Monday. Please make sure I can get in touch with you via email for you snail mail addy. Best of luck in the drawing! and Happy Pink Saturday to you!

The Crafty Pad - over the edge

Three's a Charm Blog Hop!

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Spice

Welcome to my stop on the Three's a Charm Blog Hop, featuring The Stamping Boutique, Sew Many Cards, and Sunshine's Stamps. If you have arrived here from the fabby blog of GLORIA, then you are right on track. Let's get going, shall we? Grab your cup of coffee & some sunblock, 'cause we are going to Camp!

My hubby is the Director of a wonderful Christian Camp that is open all year 'round. But the summer is when we have the most fun! Our boys have worked at the camp for several years now, as well as volunteering in the off season. Not only have many of their friends joined the ranks of the employed out there as well, but we have all made some life-long friendships with some of the most amazing people! So I was thrilled when Tracey at The Stamping Boutique decided to offer some camping themed digis!

For this card I chose Cannonball Keith. Our oldest son, Tyler, will be a lifeguard at Camp, as he has been for several years. Joining him will be one of our friends, Mason, who happens to be a distant relation. His mom is one of my very best friends. After we met we discovered that she and David are actually related! What a small world!!! So we say that the boys are cousins, although how far down the lines we have no idea. So I wanted to make a card for Mason to welcome him to the camp team!

The paper is from the K & Co. Poppy Seed collection. I added some fun Making Memories buttons, ribbon, and highlights to his suit and the water splashes with matching glitter gel pens. Tried to keep it simple since it is going to a teenage guy, but wanted it fun, too.

Your next stop on this way cool hop is the most wonderful blog of MARY DEMMONS!!!!

p.s. this just added - a winner will be chosen from comments left on the blogs of the DT members' of The Stamping Boutique for a new, unrealeased 'Cynthia the fairy' digi!!!! so make sure to leave a comment for your chance to win! :)

A few Squigglefly cards...

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Truffle

Hello! I have a few cards made with digis from Squigglefly to show you today. One is a sneak peek of a new release for this weekend! I hope you enjoy.

First card up is for the challenge over on the SF blog - make a get well card. Mine was a bit late 'cause I am still feeling a bit puny. kinda funny when you look at the irony of it all. ;) I think this image from Diane Carubia is just so cute! The little pup and kitty are colored with several shades of their respective colors, and then sponged with white craft ink before stippling with a darker shade of ink. this really adds so much depth to the fur irl. kinda hard to get the feel for it all in the scan.... sorry. The flower centers are painted in pink shimmerz. you know I had to get it in there somewhere! I so wanted to color the bandage pink, but thought it would look more like a ribbon, so refrained.... but gosh, it sure was hard!

Sentimental Sundays - Get Well

The next card uses an image from a new designer to SF, Mark Hicks . This card is going to hubby to celebrate the start of summer camp, which is in only a few weeks! The papers are Cosmo Cricket Mr. Campy. I even painted the boys' shirts to match the shirts for camp this summer. :) The theme for Summer Camp is Pathfinders, and they are using the hiking boot print as a logo. So when I remembered this hiking twill ribbon, it just seemed perfect! couldn't resist the Primas, but added some twigs to make it more 'manly' for hubby!

Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - for the guys

Was reminded in the latest SF newsletter that my DT time with them is almost up. It sure has been fun! I have met some wonderful people and been introduced to some very talented artists! I know that I will continue to visit their store, blog, and SNR group OFTEN! I hope you will do the same! I have been blessed indeed to be surrounded by Holly, Ashley, and Chesney - the genius behind Squigglefly! thanks for the opportunities, ladies! :)

Memorial Day Vintage with Isabella's Sketchbook

Coffee of the Day - Kahlua and Cream

A new challenge begins today at Isabella's Sketchbook! This one is close to my heart - patriotic colors. Since we are gearing up for the Memorial Day holiday weekend here in the States, I was so excited to get going on my red, white, and blues. One of our DT members found this really cool link that tells about the history of the Memorial Day holiday is you are interested. If you happen to hail from somewhere else, we still want you to play along, so please use the colors from your country. Or use red, white, and blue if you would prefer.

Isabella has some beautiful patriotic images, but because of the vintage nature I was going with, I chose the fun Hat and Stars. As hard as it was, I refrained from using any glitter on here because I plan to send this along to a soldier fighting overseas. (Operation Write Home has a list of criteria for sending cards to our troops.) The paper is from Creative Imaginations. I printed off some copies of old Army posters from Dover Publishing and then distressed them. I added a Liberty Bell postage stamp cover and fun Cracker Jack prize wrapper to add to the scrappy feel. Also a great way to repurpose some things around the house, which you know I love to do! Vintage seam tape, Prima flowers, and vintage buttoms complete the card.

I hope you will join us this week. Be sure to stop by the other DT members' blogs to see what neat things they have created! :) have a great and glorious day!

Jennifer

Stampin Sisters in Christ - distressing

A Birthday Challenge with Isabella

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Spice

Yes, I am late posting my Isabella's Sketchbook weekly challenge card. I was just so sick this week I couldn't get any crafting done. But I finally got my project finished and thought I would go ahead and post anyway. If nothing else, I want to inspire you to go play in the challenge this week. Our DT Leader, Linda Payne of Payne Holler, has added to the prize booty with something fun and something you will all just NEED to have, so rush over to the challenge blog to see exactly what it might be! and this, of course, is in ADDITION to the chance to win 2 gorgeous digis from Isabella's store. She just added over 2 dozen new images this week, so you have a lot of gorgeousness to browse through! :) Of course you need to stop by the other DT members' blogs to see the amazing things they have created!

The theme this week is 'birthday'. I found this fun trim at JoAnn's the other day, and to my excitement, once I went to have it cut, discovered it was marked down. So the trim became the inspiration for the remainder of the card. I found some fun scraps that happened to match the colors. the only one I know for certain in a piece of Cosmo Cricket Fleuriste in the upper right corner. the green bit in the bottom right is actually a tissue square from Making Memories that I crinkled & distressed. Shimmerz paint, purple & green glitter pens, and my white gel pen were used on the main image to add highlights. The edges were done with fruit punch stickles. Finished up with a MS border punch & white gel pen dots, a birthday charm, buttons, and a Prima flower.

Please be sure to play along. You still have a few days, and birthday cards are always great to have on hand. Enjoy your day!

It's a beautiful pink pink Saturday! :)

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

Welcome to a lovely PINK Saturday! Today will be a bit different. I had a bit of a relapse of my pneumonia and tummy ick, so instead of a project, I am posting beautiful PINK inspiration photos from my fave shopping site, Etsy. don't get me wrong, there are other places I enjoy shopping, i {heart} papers being at the tippy top of my list (hi, Kate!!! will be over for more pink shimmerz soon!) but for my vintage supplies & homemade soaps, Etsy can NOT be beat!

so grab a cuppa, sit back, and enjoy the scenery! links are provided...... :)

staceywinters PINK fabric and vintage paper brooch











pinkbling Chunky stone cross necklace












minash Pretty PINK ruffle skirt (wish this was in my size!)










roadstaken PINK depression sherbet glass













thecottagecupboard PINK cabbage rose tapestry bag











mksupplies baby bell flowers glass beads













earlyattic vintage heart lace trim












AlphieBug vintage buttons & ribbon













AlphieBug teacup












Crowley Manor White Truffle Raspberry soap (they make WONDERFUL soap!)

ThoughtfulOldRose 1908 Valentine

fadedvioletvintage waitress teapot

Dreaming's easy with a good book, a good friend, and a big comfy chair!

Coffee of the Day - Tiramisu

I love a good book anytime, but add along a good friend and a comfy chair, and I am in little piggie heaven! and we all know how I feel about a girl and her pink sparkly shoes..... pure delight! :)

Well, one of my fave artists, Phindy, has issued a request straight from her heart. Her precious sister is quite sick and has never received a handmade card. Phindy is asking for anyone who has a moment to send cards of encouragement. More info can be found here at the PCP group. Please, please consider mailing out a card to spread just a bit of love to someone who needs to see some beauty from her hospital bed. I know y'all are just amazing! I have seen it my self time and time again! Oh, I am getting weepy as I think of how blessed I am to have the greatest friends and followers! thank you!

On to the card deets ~
Papers for this baby are Basic Grey Junebug. I used a piece of Prima packaging that came with that pretty bluish rose you see over in the right corner. Now just a little note about the color, because yes, it does matter for one of the challenges. (Michele, this is for YOU! grins!!!) these are shades of blue - just a lovely greenish blue. according to Stampin' Up, this is baja breeze - not only one of my fave ever colors, but a shade that is coming back for it's premier return! can we get a woooo hoooooo in the house?! oh yeah, I am excited! this would have also mattered had I gotten my act together and had this posted last night in time for the last Stampin Sisters in Christ challenge, but I was sicker than the proverbial dog and just didn't get it to my blog in time.... oh well. consider it your Sunday morning special instead.

Now I know you are intrigued about Michele's challenge....... she is the lovely owner of Crafts 4 Eternity. for a very short time I was blessed to be a member of her DT. now I just get to play! tee hee! every week she provides a fabby sketch and a few little extra bonuses thrown in. this week you must use blue and beads. if you look closely you will see BLUE beads on the paper button flower petals as well as the buttons of the chair arms.

You know how much I love my shimmerz paints. in order to get some fun accents on this chair, I painted the pink & golden flowers with my shimmerz. and of course those fabbylicious shoes! All of the buttons are vintage. the big huge BLUE one even came with the extra 'whatever' that is on it - which I happen to think makes it all the more cool! you know I love my JoAnn's trim bits, found this way cool BG word charm in my stash that I am slowly uncovering, added a glitter chipboard flourish to help accent the sketch that I am always twisting & turning & adapting on poor Michele, and that pretty much finishes the card. I sure hope Phindy's sister enjoys it. I tried to poor as much love into it as I could. :)

Other challenges:

I Love Digi - charming

Paper Cutz - dog or cat

Papertake Weekly - shiny, sparkly, special

Cute Card Thursday - someone special

Gingersnap Creations - read

Shabby Tea Room - chipboard

Cupcake Craft - buttons

It's another Pink Saturday! :)

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Hazelnut

Don't you just wake up on Saturday mornings now with a tingle because you know it is all about the PINK!???!!! it just can't get any better than this! so to make it official - welcome to PINK Saturday!

and to make it even more special, Tracey over at The Stamping Boutique drew a new Princess Jennifer Latte! I have been begging and whining and then begging some more for a 'get well' Princess Latte, especially since I have been sick for so long. thankfully this pneumonia appears to be on its merry way, so to celebrate, we have a brand new digi image! woooo hooooooo! isn't she wonderful!?! and she looks so much like me when I am sick in bed, well except that she is prettier and thinner and her hair isn't going 5 bajillion directions, but other than that we could be TWINS! :) oh yes, and I have my 2 dogs on the bed. grins! make room for the labradors!

anyhow, I thought this would make a fun get well card for someone special. and I found this great sentiment over at TLC Creations. Crazy 4 Challenges has a new challenge this week to make a pocket card. I haven't made one in for-ev-er, so I was glad to do it again.

Papers are K & Co. Smitten from my dear friend Kate, over at i {heart} papers. I added fruit punch stickles to the little scallops from this great new border punch. buttons are Making Memories & vintage, and that gorgeous rose is a Prima.

I challenge you to either try a technique or tutorial that you haven't done in a while. it's fun to go back and do some of those old standbys.

now it has been a week of PINK comings and goings at my house. let us pause for a moment of silence as we remember with fondness my cozy pink fuzzy slippers that sadly met their demise yesterday. The bottom of one completely blew out as I took the dogs for their 3 a.m. 'outing' when Latte tried to dash after the notorious skunk that was visiting our neighbors. sigh..... thankfully she didn't catch said skunk, but my PINK slippers gave it their all in this final mission for an aroma-free environment........

but on to the rejoicing as we welcome a lovely pink butterfly tiara into our home! the guys surprised me with this treasure for Mother's Day, and get this - it lights up!!!! of course, it had been flashing all day long before we realized that you must push the little button TWICE to get it to turn off. I think they just enjoyed watching me wearing a beautiful flashy flashy butterfly princess tiara as opposed to thinking that they were... gasp..... making fun of me.... oh horrors.... all day long...... and it wasn't until nightfall that I discovered the lovely lights of radiance all around my head. anyhow, all is well and they are treating me as the princess all moms and wives should be. :)

may your day be filled with all things PINK!

p.s. if I haven't made it to your blog from last week, I ask your forgiveness please. I am still trying to make the rounds. recovering from illness has slowed me down, but I will get there! :)

Papertake Weekly - Shiny, sparkly, special person
Creative Belli - hole punches
Dare U 2 Digi - anything goes
Stampavie - pink
City Crafter - pink

Create it Green Sketch time!

I'm a wee bit early with my post for Create it Green's monthly sketch challenge, but I don't want it to interfere with tomorrow's Pink Saturday post. ( we must type this very very quietly, but there isn't even an itsy bitsy bit of pink on this card..... shhhhhh.... we must keep this tip top secret......)

I am using this fun new bee by Rich Davis for Squigglefly being released tomorrow. isn't he fun?! Deanne came up with a great sketch this month for the challenge. you know that we are to use any kind of recycled or repurposed items on our cards. The sponsor for this month at CIG is Green Way ribbons. That fabby grosgrain ribbon is actually made from recycled plastic bottles. isn't that so cool?! The corrugated cardboard in the corners comes from one of my Starbucks coffee cup cozies. The tulle mesh in the flower comes from my shower scrunchy that is slowly falling apart. rather than throwing the bits away, I am saving them for crafting! :) The papers are K & Co. Wild Raspberry that my wonderous friend Holly so kindly sent me this week to make sure I never ever run out! isn't that just so nice of her?! talk about being blessed! the bee's black stripes and the flower center are painted with shimmerz.

Now just a quick note while on the subject of blessings -

in the past few weeks I have had the great honor and privilege to have some cards and projects win challenges across blogland. I have to say that I am humbled by the recognition for my crafts, but the glory goes to God alone, not me. He is the one who pours out blessing upon blessing, every single day. I am constantly amazed at His goodness. and so I say thank you. and thank you to each and every one of you who put up with me and my goofiness. love ya!!! :)

Pink Elephant - yellow, buttons, and DP

Cupcake Crafts - buttons

Quixotic - DIY flowers

Character Cafe - recycle and reuse

A fun new store opens today! :)

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Spice

I am so excited to be able to tell you about a new digi store opening today - Dee Dee's Digis! You will find some of the most cutie pie digis that bring glory and honor to our Heavenly Father. how cool is that?! :) I was super psyched when I received an email from my friend, Sandy, asking me to display a blog badge for the shop that I volunteered to create something for this special day!

Many events are going on to celebrate the Grand Opening, so check out the blog - Crafting with DeeDee's Digis. The DT at Sweet 'n Sassy are hosting a blog hop, so you can find the order here. Also, DeeDee has very graciously posted a free set called 'Leap of Faith' that will knock your socks off with its cuteness! :) A contest for $20 in merchandise from the store is up for grabs, too, so be sure to head on over. lots of creative inspiration to be found as well, so grab a cuppa your fave beverage, and let's get started!

I am using this precious little fella called 'Basket of Love' for my card. The papers are by Fancy Pants and come courtesy of my friend, Melissa. (thanks, dear one! mwah!) The flowers have been painted with shimmerz, 'cause you know how I love it! grins! I painted the basket to look like a wonderful antique wire one I have that has a wooden handle. Added some fun little embellies from Making Memories, distressed the edges of the main images with my water distressing technique, and one card is ready to be mailed to a special friend! could it be YOU?!

Paper Sundaes - sketch

Little Red Wagon - brads

Pile it On - cute & cuddly

Cute Card Thursday - someone special

Die Cut Dreams - shabby chic

A Pup in the Garden......

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

Do you ever have pups in your garden? I do, but anymore I don't mind. :) used to be that I would get so aggrivated at them for dancing and prancing in the flowers, but really, what is life if you can't play in the flowers along the way? so I just try to coax them over to the grass and plant more seeds. You also have to understand that my hubby and his lawnmower do more damage than our 2 dogs could ever think of...... sigh..... but then I stop and remember how much I enjoy the aroma of fresh mowed grass....... life is also a LOT about perspective and the choice we make in how we respond to situations along the way.......... grins!

So I will smile when the dogs chase butterflies like in this adorable digi by Patti Moore of Pholkart Blessings. I am a newbie to her blog and Etsy store, but a quick convert I can tell you! There was a challenge today over at Sweet 'n Sassy on SNR to create a card that showed what was in your garden. I chose this sketch from i heart 2 stamp and went to town. papers are Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety - see even my paper matches the theme! yep, I am pathetic, I know. :) I made my own flower embellie using a bit of a bath scrunchy that is slowly falling apart. why throw it away when it is perfect for the crafty stash?! you know me and my repurposing! I added rub-ons to these wonderful big brads. you should give it a try sometime! lots of fun to do! of course I had to get my PINK on somewhere, so this pup is sportin' a pink collar painted in shimmerz. the butterfly is also painted in several colors of shimerz.

have a great day and remember to dance in YOUR garden today!

Little Red Wagon - brads

Pile it On - cute & cuddly

Crazy 4 Challenges - frogs, snails, puppy dog tails

Tea for You and Me! :)

Coffee of the Day - Hazelnut

A brand new challenge with Isabella's Sketchbook! wooo hooooo! I so love her beautiful images! and the challenge this week is a neat one - use the colors of her logo - one, two, or all on your creation. Remember to use one of her pretty images, too, and you could win 2 digis of your choice from her store plus a special blog badge!

For my card, I tried to incorporate as many of those gorgeous colors as I could. I love this tea pot digi, too, so printed it out to color. I added dots of perfect pearls to the tea pot for some pretty shine. The papers are a hodge podge of some I had around. I had seen a neat card done using alternating scallops on Leigh O'Brien's blog a while back and thought I would try it out here. I love the look and will most definitely do it again! I added some fun May Arts ruffled ribbon and a vintage millinery flower. A few vintage buttons complete the card.

Please be sure to check out what the other DT members have done. You will be amazed I am sure! and play along! it is great fun, as you well know!

I can't sew, but I love sewing stuff.....

Coffee of the Day - Texas Turtle

I know it doesn't make any sense at all, but I love sewing themed things. Probably because it takes me back to the days I would spend with my great-grandmother in her sewing room. I can't sew to save my life. y'all know that. can't faux stitch straight either.... nope, not one bit. but I love the sewing done on cards. I have a sewing machine in the attic. I have taken it in for repairs and even the fella who fixes them sits with his mouth hanging open as that dreaded bobbin does all kind of things he has never seen before when I sit down in front of the machine. He says it is mind-boggling. I say it is just me and the sewing machine. we have this unique relationship - I agree to let other people use it, and we get along just fine. if there wasn't a bobbin involved, I think we might actually like each other better, but that bobbin, oh, the trouble it causes me. even with the metal plate in the way, it still finds a way to pop out into my lap every time I try to sew. Thus, I have learned to just sit back and admire everyone else's beautiful creations........

But when I received these fun images to sneaky peek for you from Squigglefly for this weekend's release, I thought that perhaps I could attempt a card...... and this one is to honor my Great-Grandmother, Lillian. I think she would have liked it. She made clothes for me, for herself, for other people, for just anyone who had a need. Gosh, I miss that wonderful lady. She had such an influence on my life.

I used papers from Cosmo Cricket, a sketch challenge from Crafts 4 Eternity, pin from Maya Road, trims and ribbons from my friend Melissa, a bit of magic mesh that I hadn't pulled out in a long time, a fun wooden button from JoAnn's, shimmerz on the roses & bow, silver glitter pen on the needles & pins, and vanilla craft ink on the card base edges. whew.... I think that does it! the card also qualifies for several other challenges which you will see below.

Have a wonderful day! know that you are truly loved! Jennifer

If the Shoe Fits - Mom (I hope Great-Grandmother works.....)

Squigglefly SNR - paper piercing

Busy Beauties - red, blue, or both

Embossed flowers and happy mushrooms! :)

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia

Belated Mother's Day wishes to all of you! I apologize for not popping in here yesterday with greetings for everyone. I have a card to show you and everything, but spent the day crafting, with my fam, and getting lots of rest. So it will show up tomorrow, which works, too, since we can remember those important women in our lives ALL THE TIME! :) but I do hope that the day was special for those of you who are Moms.

Today is a new challenge over at Squigglefly. What is so fun about this company is that there are so many opportunities to play in challenges. This card is for the challenge blog - tomorrow's will be for the SNR group. A new artist has joined the store, so be on the lookout for sneaks there, too. Plus a fun release this weekend - see, great times to be found at every corner you turn! :)

The challenge this week is to use embossing - either dry or wet. Well I lucked out and found a sheet of cs my friend Paula had sent me a while back. I don't have any of the fun machines (yet! grins!), so was happy to have this on hand! then I remembered these neat Prima flowers that have the embossed designs on them. Perfect! This cutie little mushroom house was recently released by Jackie Matthews and seemed the perfect pairing for this fun paper from my Rhonda stash. if you look closely in the bg, there are blue swirls that perfectly mimic the ones on the embossed piece. I just sponged blue ink over the embossing to highlight. The embossing on the Primas was treated the same. The spots on the mushroom are covered in stickles, as are the flower centers. The mailbox was painted with hi ho silver shimmerz.

Hope that you will play along in the challenge this week! It would be great to see you!

And thank you for hanging in there with me as I battle this pneumonia. it's a slow road to recovery, but I am surely getting there! A new round of antibiotics seems to be making a real difference. woooo hooooooo! :) of course my family, good friends, GOOD COFFEE, and my pups make the biggest difference in my opinion.............. love ya!

Create 4 Fun - sketch

Just Look at THAT FACE!!!!

Please see next post for Pink Saturday........ thank you! :)

I had to make something with this cutie little fella, so please forgive this interuption to the day......

Doesn't he just melt your heart? oh goodness, he sure does mine.... he can climb up and snuggle with me any ol' time! and you know he would be licking your face and givin' you lovin'! just look at him! awwwww......

This precious pup can be found at Squigglefly and was drawn by Crissy Armstrong. I am entering it in several challenges, but I mainly made it just 'cause he was FUN! and isn't that what crafting is all about anyway? plus, I do have quite a few thank you notes to get out so........

It's a pretty simple card really. just watercolored, LOTS of distressing, including my water distressing technique along the main image edges. the scan is a bit wonky from the binder clip, so sorry about that. Give your pets a big hug today and tell them you love 'em!

I Love Digi Challenge - thank you

i heart 2 stamp - sketch (sideways)

Sundays with Crissy - dots

Crazy 4 Challenges - Frogs, snails, & puppy dog tails

My very FIRST Pink Saturday! :)

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Twist

I am sooooooooooo excited! Today is my first time to be a part of this amazing phenom called 'Pink Saturday'!!!! I have sat by the sidelines for well over a year now and gazed at beautiful pink loveliness week after week. You know how fond I am of pink, and why I didn't jump right in with both feet is beyond me..... but I have taken the plunge, and oh, the water is sweet indeed! grins!

My first contribution may not be filled with the vintage or the soothing that you will find on other blogs, but it is inspiring to me and brings me great joy - some of the criteria for Pink Saturday.

For those of you who frequent my blog, the above picture will not be new to you. You have seen it before. But it is the inspiration for the card that comes after. For a while now I have wanted a pink Vespa. no, I still don't have one, yes, I still want one, and yes, one day, this bit of beauty will be mine to toodle around the countrysides of Ohio! :) So until then I will find my joy and contentment making cards and other craft projects using images of them. and that is fine by me. :)

You know my true love each day is coffee. and of course, pink. So what better way to begin this new adventure than with this adorable Princess Latte on a Vespa image from The Stamping Boutique. of course she has accents of shimmerz paint. The sketch comes from Card Patterns. Papers are from my Rhonda stash, and a new stash from my friend Melissa. I am blessed as all get out with the most amazing friends! I stamped directly on the twill with timber brown staz-on. Pretty much everything on here is a hodge podge of goodies, but isn't that what life is all about anyway?

Have a most beautiful PINK day! love to you all! :)

p.s. speaking of The Stamping Boutique, please feel free to join us over at The Latte Lounge - a fun forum for all kinds of chatter!

You're in my prayers..... with GLITTER! :)

Coffee of the Day - dreaming of a lovely latte sipped along the sidewalks of Paris... wanna come along? :)

Well you should know by now that I have quite an interesting relationship with God. I talk to Him quite often throughout the day - much like texting or IM'ing a friend you can't get enough of. David just rolls his eyes when I describe it, because everyone has a different kind of God relationship - that is the beauty really. So does it come as any surprise to you that mine would involve pink glitter? :) no, probably not. grins! it doesn't surprise God either. I have been praying for so many people lately, I really needed more cards of this type to mail out to some of them.

A fun challenge going on the past 2 weeks in the SNR Squigglefly group was to create any kind of project using one of their images and glitter. well, I actually used 2 from this beautiful digi package called Fancy Flowers. It comes with about 6 images and was designed by Nina Brackett. I love its versatility! and of course I had to go PINK!

Because the challenge called for glitter, I printed this onto SU!'s shimmery white cs. Once the watercoloring was done, I stamped over both images with SU!'s retired "Script" bg stamp. The butterfly has it, too, but it doesn't show as well. I like the subtleness of it though. Edges were distressed as all get out, matted, and then covered in worn lipstick distressed stickles. The papers are K & Co. Wild Raspberry. I sure don't know what I am gonna do when I run out of that paper pad, 'cause it is discontinued and probably one of my all time faves from them. I mean, I use it ALL the time..... Anyway, I found this GORGEOUS trim pack from Fancy Pants when I was sorting through stuff the other day, and it seemed a perfect fit here. Added some Primas from Rhonda, vintage buttons, and a velvet millenery leaf. oh my stars!!!! I almost forgot all of the pretty shimmerz!!!! how could I do that?!?!?! I painted pink and butter cream shimmerz on various leaves & petals of the flower as well as wings of the butterfly. The body of the butterfly also has rock candy distress stickles to give it a little extra oomph.

The glitter challenge ended on Wed. and a new one has begun. Please check out the SNR group to see what fun Holly has going for us!

I hope you are having a truly lovely day! :)

Gingersnap Creations - Botanical

Love Bear Brings Flowers for YOU! :)

I sure hope my posts are popping up as schedued..... if not, they are drifting off in cyberspace on some grand vaca and will hopefully send postcards from beyond! :D

My next card for today features a cutie image from Sassy Cheryl. This little fella reminds me again of those delightful bouquets of flowers my boys would bring me when they were younger! The papers are Basic Grey Junebug and the flowers have been painted with shimmerz. The bee and his trail were also given the special shimmerz treatment! bees tend to get a bad break, but our gardens really need them. :) Flowers are primas that have stickles dotted in the centers. trims and ribbons are a hodge podge. LOVE the punch I found on sale a while back at JoAnn's. The button stack comes from my lovely vintage treasure chest. gotta love those vintage buttons! don't know what I would do without them!

I hope y'all are taking good care of yourselves. know that you are loved deeply!

Crafts 4 Eternity - sketch (swapped sentiment & embellies portions)

Sassy Cheryl's - photo inspiration

Your Next Stamp - going dotty

Crafty Pad - ribbons

Cupcake Crafts - recipe of 3's

Wish you were here........

Coffee of the Day - something yucky & institutional more than likely.... :(

I have played in a neat challenge from over at KPink's group on PCP - Take a trip down Memory Lane. isn't that a neat theme?

When I saw this neat image from Kristen, I immediately knew what I wanted to make. I am an only child, and my dad and I were very close. I spent so many hours as I was growing up waiting by the windows for him to come from work or to pick me up while I had been staying with relatives. I had games I would play while waiting to make the time pass, but I could sit at a window for truly hours as long as I knew that he would be there. He died almost 18 years ago, and I still miss him almost as much today as I did that fateful day back then. I could still sit by a window and watch for him.......... if only his car would pull into the drive.

The papers on this special card are from my precious Daisy D's stash. As with all of my cards, the coloring is watercolors. The curtains are paper pieced . Accents to the curtains and flower centers were done with my white gel pen. For the planter box, I first stippled darker ink over the painted box, and then sponged vanilla over the top of that. From there I adhered some rub-ons to complete the shabby chic look. well, to HOPEFULLY achieve the shabby chic look! ;) Crystal Effects was applied over the glass portion of the window. Buttons, crochet lace, a little Prima, and ribbon were added to finish. oh yes, can't forget the faux stitching, which isn't straight, so please don't look too close! :)

Papertake Weekly - sketch (turned on its side - got kinda loose with my interpretation!)

Stampin Sisters in Christ - stitching

Your Next Stamp - going dotty

Crafty Catz - spots

Alota Rubber Stamps - flowers

Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - flowers

A Mother's Day Bouquet

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Caramel

Today is a new challenge over at Isabella's Sketchbook! In recognition of moms everywhere, the challenge is to make a project that honors mothers, grandmothers, that special mom-figure in your life. The winner will get their choice of 2 beautiful digis from Isabella's wonderful store, as well as a fancy blog badge to proudly display! So please play along with us! once you finish up here, please stop along at the other DT members' blogs and leave them some love. you know how we all love those comments! :)

My card was actually made to match the altered brie box I made a few weeks ago for Earth Day as a gift for my MIL. The papers are Basic Grey Lilykate. I painted the flowers with pink and butter cream shimmerz to give them a pretty glittery sparkle. The watering can flower holder was sponged with vanilla craft ink to give an aged, distressed look. I added a sentiment tag from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff. The buttons are all vintage, baby Primas were added to the stitched ribbon bow, and more faux stitching was added along the right side of the card. The flower border punch is from Martha Stewart.

I remember the bouquets of wildflowers I used to pick for my mother, and then the flowers the boys would pick for me. I don't know that my mother ever did anything with the ones I gave her, but the ones the boys gave to me were priceless treasures. I would find a cut glass vase or jar to put them in and place them in a spot of honor in the house somewhere. A place where I could look at them all throughout the day. It was those spontaneous acts of love that touched my heart so..... :)

I am off to the dr.'s and hosp. for my pneumonia, so if you don't hear from me for a few days, not to worry. I do have a few posts scheduled to keep you occupied. :)

Alota Rubber Stamps - flowers
Stampin' Sisters in Christ - stitching
Paper Play - pastels
Incy Wincy - Anything Goes
Shabby Tea Room - bling and glitter
Sentimental Sundays - for that special someone
City Crafter - tag
Pink Elephant - Mommy I Love You
Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - Flowers
For Fun - Mom
Gingersnap Creations - botanical

A Golfer's Lucky Day

Coffee of the Day - Tiramisu

Hello everyone! Sorry to have been away for so long. still battling the pneumonia. this breathing thing is a real downer. wish it was optional or I could just hire someone to do it for me. then I could get about my fun crafting and not have to deal with the struggle of it anymore. but enough of that blech...

I saw these MOST fun new fellas over at Mo's Digital Pencil called the 'Big Guy' series and knew I needed to start adding them to my Mo stash! oh goodness, they are all wonderful! This one was the first to go into my cart, followed quickly by his friend at the bbq grill. you will see him on a creation soon, I am sure. The challenge for this week is to make a masculine card. It has been FOREVER since I last played in a Mo challenge, so I quickly got to work.

I don't know anything about this paper, I apologize, because it came in the most phenom gift from Rhonda. But I knew it would be the ideal thing for his whacked out golf pants! I remember when Dave was a golf pro and the crazy outfits we would see on the course. So I dug into my memory banks and created something a little bit crazy that is probably more suitable for the Sr. Tour. :) I remembered that Julia S. is always using bits of cardboard on her projects, so thought I would use a piece here, too. I inked it up a bit with some vanilla craft that is also on the edges of the main card. Added a few manly buttons, some neat ric rac, and of course, a golf tee tied with linen thread.

Enjoy your evening!

Paper Sundaes - color challenge

Pile it On - boyish colors

Digi Doodles - anything goes