A Princess and her Frog

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Truffle

Happy Sunday to you! I hope this finds you having the most glorious of days!

As all of you know, a few months ago my computer died and took with it all of my wonderful, beloved digi images. I am slowly building up my collection again, (and saving them all straight to flashdrive like the good little girl I am! tee hee!) but there were so so many lost. Tammy at A Day for Daisies has been so kind & gracious and has been helping me put back together the collection I had of many of her images. Boy, I can't tell you how good it feels to have some Daisies sitting on my craft desk again! So I decided to make something this weekend with one of the beautiful images we have all come to know and love.

From almost the first time I got to know Mick's girlfriend, and this was before they paired up, I have called her a Princess..... but not in the sense that would first come to mind. We really got to know each other well the summer I was the Kitchen Director for a brief time out at Camp. Sadly illness took over and I had to leave, but Joce and I grew very close. We talked at length about how we were each a Princess in God's eyes. and so that summer the Princess/Tiara Club was formed. You might remember that I have talked about it before. there are several members and we try very hard to remember that God sees us with eyes much differently than the world or even we ourselves see us. So I often will text Joce when she is down and ask her if she is wearing her tiara.

I now tease Mick & Joce that they are the REAL Royal Couple. so it just seemed fitting to make this card for him to send to her. She has quite a collection of cards he has sent, which It hink is wonderful! :) From the time Mick was a wee little boy, he had a fascination with frogs, so this is perfect for the two of them!

Papers are Basic Grey Green at Heart. The ruffle ribbon is May Arts, buttons are from my vintage stash, little rose is a Prima one I topped with stickles to give some extra glittery shine. The crowns were punched from repurposed chipboard and then covered with that delightful SU! champagne glitter glass I mentioned yesterday. The flowers and crown on the main image were accened with spica glitter pens. so lots of subtle little shimmers here!

Tammy has some of the most precious images in her store, as always. She has also just started up a new monthly club that sounds fabby. Be sure to stop by. I might not be on the DT any longer, but I will be a fan for life! :)

Have a fantabulous day!

Challenges:

A Day for Daisies - go green (color as well as repurposed items - chipboard & tea twine)

City Crafter - crowns

Several Challenge & Contest Cards.....

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Nut

Hello to all of you! Sorry my post is so late getting here today. There was a big retreat out at Camp this weekend and David needed his computer. So that meant I had to wait until he came home tonight to get my cards scanned in and posted.... but here I am! :)

My first card is for the contest I mentioned yesterday with CS Designs. I really like the sentiments that Chris has designed, so I used one of them as the focal point for my card. The paper is some old Basic Grey from the Lollipop Shoppe collection. the lace is from a very very old piece David and I found in an antique shop in Akron when we were down visiting Tyler this past fall. I trimmed a bit off, but you will see more in upcoming projects. the beautiful glitter rose is a Prima, the ticket was a gift from an Etsy seller, so I apologize that I don't know any deets on stamp mfg., and the buttons come from my vintage stash. the butterflies and bg paper were sprayed with frost shimmer spray. I added some of the new SU! champagne glass glitter to the main image. oh my stars, I am falling in love with this stuff! sure hope it is in the new catty! :)

Here is the contest info again for any of you who would like to play along!

CS Designs Extravaganza Contest March 1 - March 25, Gather your CSD digis and get ready to start creating. This is your chance to win some of your Favorite Digital Stamps from the CS Designs Shop.

Come Join Us in the Fun !!! There are Prizes to Be Won... Check it Out !!!

Time is getting short so hurry and submit your entry. You can create as many wonderful entries as you want so get out those CS Designs digis and inspire us with your art. :)

Challenges:
Your Next Stamp - Make it Sparkle
Sugar Creek Hollow - Anything Goes


My next card uses images from Doodle Pantry. the papers are Basic Grey Lilykate. I added a BG rub-on to the cachepot the violets are in. (please don't look to close, as the rub-on isn't as centered as I would like..... oh well, can't fix it though I wish I could!) the sentiment piece was sprayed with 2 shades of glimmer mist and then outlined with little dots from my white gel pen. I dotted the brown paper as well to mimic the ones found on that same paper. the flower is Prima with a Recollection rose center. the buttons are more from my vintage stash. the heart doily was sprayed with walnut gold glimmer mist, too. the violets on the main image were accented with stickles for some glittery shine.

Challenges: Doodle Pantry - use a DP image

Fresh Brewed Designs - spots & dots

MelJens - dots

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Contest at CS Designs

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Peppermint

I wanted to tell you about a fun crafting contest going on over at CS Designs. this is a new-to-me digi store that I am excited to have found. I am hoping to make something this weekend to play along and I would love for you to join me!

CS Designs Extravaganza Contest March 1 - March 25, Gather your CSD digis and get ready to start creating. This is your chance to win some of your Favorite Digital Stamps from the CS Designs Shop.

Come Join Us in the Fun !!! There are Prizes to Be Won... Check it Out !!!

Time is getting short so hurry and submit your entry. You can create as many wonderful entries as you want so get out those CS Designs digis and inspire us with your art. :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Coffee of the Day - Irish Creme, of course! :)

Top o' the Morning to ya, lads and lassies! May ye find yourselves blessed beyond all possible belief on this lovely St. Patrick's Day!!!!

okay, this Texas gal has just exhausted her supply of blarney, so on to the crafties...... :)

I decided it was time to make something fun for the day using Shady Tree's "Eastertide" stamp set once again. I am loving this egg for all sorts of neat, out of the box things! what better way to celebrate St. Patty's than with a shamrock. I found some retired SU! vintage verdigris embossing powder that seemed just the perfect shade on the natural cs. the bits of gold really add a true life sparkle. the stem comes from the flower trio in "Backyard Springtime". I used a versamarker pen to go over just the stem, and then embossed from there. the gold button is from my vintage stash. it seemed perfect for the celtic theme! paper is Basic Grey Origins. some lace trim and a few green holographic sequins finish this off. this is the most CAS card I have done in a while. and yes, for me, this IS CAS. grins!

I think I will save it for Tyler for finals time, which will be coming up in a little over a month. since he loves all things celtic and about Ireland, I think this will be perfect for him!

take care and have a most glorious day!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Creative Card Crew - green
If the Shoe Fits - St. Patrick's Day
Fab 'n Funky - green or St. Patrick's Day
Paper Sundaes - Keep it Simple
For Fun Challenges - green or St. Patrick's Day
Tuesday Throwdown - lace
Pixie Dust - go green
Paper Play - embossing
Digi Doodle Shop - Anything Goes

Oh No........

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia

There is a story behind this card ~ I colored this image about a year ago and then tucked it away in my pack of Basic Grey Origins paper. it was for a challenge over at Sassy Cheryl, the designer of this cutie pie image, and I ended up being late getting something put together. (okay, stop snickering. yes, I know I am frequently late for challenges...... :p) so I was working on a card for Thursday for Shady Tree (yep, anticipation folks!!!) when I came across this precious patiently waiting for my return. You must understand that when I typed out this sentiment, it was something I was quite known for saying myself. have I improved over the past year? nope, not one itty bitty bit. sigh........ maybe by next year. but then again..... maybe not. tee hee!

I am glad I have at least one card with this image, since I no longer have it. and she asked me ever so politely if she could wear her fave in the whole wide world pink tennies. how could I possibly tell her 'no'? I know how much I love every single pair of my pink shoes, and yes, I have more than one! :) as mentioned above, papers are Basic Grey Origins, buttons are all from my vintage stash, little yellow rose is Prima painted with just a touch of shimmerz, and a bit of crochet trim. her shoes, socks, and bow were also painted with shimmerz. I used my gold glitter pen to outline the flowers on the border die. have I mentioned today how much I am enjoying my Big Shot?!

have a most glorious day! love ya!

Jennifer

challenge:

Stampin with the Dragon - green, yellow/gold, white

Crafty Ho's - green, gold, white

Stamp Fairy - show us your green

Whimsie Doodles - use green

Cherry Thanks

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Pecan

hello! I have been so busy crafting, but had to wait to borrow David's compy so I could post! ;)

I spent this past weekend trying to do a bit of blurfing and catching up on my comments. please forgive me that it has taken me so long to make the rounds. it's tough when I don't have my own computer any more to get around the way I would like. we aren't even gonna talk about all my beloved digis that I lost....... but I have a flashstick that I am slowly filling up as I am able. I will NOT lose digis again! I must say this has given me a whole new appreciation for my 'regular' stamps again though - no waiting to borrow a computer, no trying to figure out how in the world these weird programs on his compy work when I was happy as a clam with MINE, no trying to find a compatible program for this or that - just good ol' stamping! grins!

So with all of that said, I made a card for several challenges I came across. Back in January I contributed to the fundraiser for Katie and printed out a few of the images. thank goodness I did since I lost all of those in the crash. these 2 were part of the pack for anyone who made a donation.

I added crystal effects to the cherries and some wonderful glass glitter from Meyer Imports to the heart on the bowl. the papers are Cosmo Cricket Early Bird. the border punch is from SU! & I have to say that I am absolutely in love with my new Big Shot!!!!! it is the best prize (other than hubby! tee hee!) I have ever won!!! the frames were obviously cut using a die, Cherry Pickin' is the name I believe, and it is so cool because it actually embossed these adorable little cherries around the border. they show up much better irl. I added a collection of my beloved vintage buttons and this fun pom pom trim.

Challenges:

Stampin Sisters in Christ - something you treasure (vintage buttons)

Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge - sketch

Do You Stack Up - layers

Crafty Pad - buttons

Shady Tree Studio Release Day!

Coffee of the Day - Maple Pecan

Hooray, hooray, today is release day at Shady Tree Studio!

Stop by the store blog to see all of the gorgeous new stamp sets as well as samples by the fabby DT!

My card for today uses several of the stamps from the beautiful set, 'Eastertide'. I truly, truly love this set that Nancy has designed. it is just so versatile! I

used the wonderful quote for the main image, in addition to the pretty little flower. but what you might not notice right off the bat is that oh, so fabby egg stamp is back in action again today! if you look at the bird & flower chipboard buttons, you will see that they have been embossed. while the embossing powder was still wet, I quickly stamped the Easter egg right onto the chipboard. it created that most amazing textured effect! isn't that great?!?!?! I used a combo of pink & pearl powder on the flowers and just the pearl on the bird. irl it is so pretty to see.

the leaves behind have been covered in rock candy distress stickles to add a bit more sparkly shine. paper is from K & Co. Que Sera Sera collection. the main sentiment image was sprayed with both walnut ink & rose glimmer mist. it was then edged in warm lipstick distress stickles. some black rhinestones, satin ribbon, & pretty trim help finish off the card. I think this will make a beautiful Easter card to present to someone special - perhaps YOU!!!!

thanks so much for stopping by each day of the sneaky peeks and release for Shady Tree Studios! I have most certainly had fun and I hope you have, too! :)

Shady Tree Studio Sneaks Day 2!

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Nut

Aren't sneaky peeks so exciting?!?!?! I love to see samples of new stamp sets! I hope you have been enjoying the things being shown so far for this fabby release from Shady Tree Studio! I know I have! Please be sure to stop by all of the DT members' blogs, as well as visit our Guest Designer this month, Kristine. you will be amazed at all of their fantastic creations! of course Nancy, the mojo and high Queen behind Shady Tree, has some beautiful samples as well on her blog. not only that, she has a neat contest going on for those of you who leave comments! hurry on over! :)

As I had mentioned yesterday, my projects for the next few days are going to show you the versatility of the set, 'Eastertide'. I had such fun creating with this one!

As soon as I saw the gorgeous egg, I immediately thought how beautiful it would be as a flower, with the egg being used as the petals. so this was one of the first cards I made when the set arrived. I used some retired SU! embossing powder, blue enamelware, to emboss the egg on Stampin' Up!'s natural ivory cs. I then watercolored the flowers and leaves prior to cutting each one out. I used an old zipper saved from a pair of jeans that was being tossed as the flower center. I love this look and will most certainly do it again! the flower has an almost cloisonne look to it irl. so neat!!! as you can see I saved the pocket from the jeans as well. I used the 'joy' sentiment as a pocket label, adding a bit of faux stitching. Daisy D's paper, crochet trim, and vintage buttons finish off the card. I know just who to deliver this one to! :)

think 'outside the box' and you will open up the possibilities for your stamps! and Shady Tree makes those possibilities beautiful! :)

Shady Tree Studio Sneaks Day 1

Coffee of the Day - Butter Rum


Hello and welcome to Day 1 of the Shady Tree Studio Sneaky Peeks! I am so excited to share my creations with you! Please be sure to pop by the store blog as well as the blogs of the other DT members. We have a wonderful Guest Designer this month as well, Kristine, so you will want to visit her and welcome her, too! :)


I was sent the gorgeous set, Eastertide, to play with. My projects today are of an Easter theme, but then for the next few days I will show you how you can get fun and creative with this versatile set!


For my first project I made a card with the beautiful cross stamp. I first stamped it in versamark and then into my colored ink. this allowed me to clear emboss and allow the color to show through on the vintage hymnal page. I then cut this music sheet into a tag. papers are First Blush by Prima. tag was sprayed with walnut ink to age. buttons are from my vintage stash. little rose is a Prima that was sprayed with walnut gold glimmer mist to age.


I wanted to do something a little different and make something other than a card with this fun easter egg basket image, so I decorated a candy bar. this one happens to be an XL Butterfinger bar. I love the bright yellow colors! and I know it will be yummy as well! :) some bright yellow crepe paper was folded and then topped with Prima trim. the candy bar was topped with daffodil paper from Flair Designs. I made a little flower using some old ones from my stash that were pinched together at the base. it scunched up a bit in the scan, but irl it pops up so pretty. ;) fairly simple, but a fun way to dress up a gift!

See you tomorrow!

Finally...... some cards to show

Coffee of the Day - Maple Vanilla

Phew! it has taken me forever and a day to get the scanner configured to Dave's computer, but have finally somewhat mastered the task. I was getting to the 'sweating bullets' point, I tell you what! I have been busy crafting away for the big Shady Tree Studio release next week, and really didn't know what I was going to do if I couldn't post any pix for all of you. I had resorted to my shaky picture taking skills, which leave a lot to be desired, so 'hoorays of joy' were heard throughout the land when the scanner & computer got in sync! ;)

so without further adieu, here are several cards featuring images from Nicecrane Designs. I really enjoy Ignacio's vintage work!

The first card uses paper from K & Co and the Ancestry.com line. I added some vintage lace & buttons, a ticket that was stamped, sprayed with walnut ink as well as frost shimmer spray, a baby Prima rose and pretty pearl floral pin. fairly simple, but I like the vintage look.

The next card I made to send off to Tyler at school. it just seemed the perfect sentiment to add to this adorable little kitten and mouse image! papers are Basic Grey Pyrus, big gorgeous button is again from my vintage stash, and isn't that burlap ric rac fabby? hopefully it will keep hubby from noticing the blue bow on the side.... well at least it is a BLUE bow..... and there is manly burlap on the card! grins! but the card really just needed that extra little bit of color and texture.... REALLY! tee hee! speaking of blue - Mick and David painted our upstairs hallway that same shade of blue as is in the paper. isn't it yummy? it looks beautiful and oh, so soothing with the white ceiling and baseboard trim.

everyone have a wonderful day, and I will see you back in a day or so! love ya!

Jennifer

p.s. I just hopped over to the Shady Tree blog and noticed that Nancy has a great little contest going on. leave a comment for a chance at winning the ENTIRE new release!