Oh Boy, Cowboy!

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

I took a break from working on my MANY behind the scenes projects to make this cutey little ride 'em cowboy! I just found a new digital artist called 'A Random Fan.' she has such fun images and a Facebook page, too. You can buy her images in the Etsy store.

Sherry offered a free image and challenge for anyone who would make something with it. well, as usual, I am sneaking in by the seat of my pants. only a few hours remain, but I really really wanted to play along. so my card is pretty simple, but I think it will make some boy happy. :)

The papers are Basic Grey Fact collection, barbed wire and country charms dies are from My Favorite Things, linen thread is SU!, and buttons are from my stash. 'boy' sentiment is from a stamp set by Kellie Winnell, 'oh' comes from a K & Co. Smash stamp. nothing fancy, but the image is just so dad gum cute!

take care and see you soon! :)

Challenges:
2 Sisters - anything goes
Drunken Stampers - die cuts
Send a Smile 4 Kids - anything goes for kids
Card Makin' Mamas - for the kids
Sister Act - anything goes
The Cupboard Trilogy - male
4 Krafty Girlz - anything goes
Aud Sentiment - sentiment for a child
Paper Crafting Journey - for a boy
4 Crafty Chicks - bingo: buttons, sentiment, die cuts
Crafter's Cafe - die cuts/punches
Lady Anne's - anything goes
Rhedd and Rosie - masculine

You're Super, Man!

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

Today is our youngest son, Ryan's birthday! wooo hoooo! feels strange to not be able to spend it with him, but I hope he is having a most fantastic day with all of his friends in Indiana. We have always called him Super Ry, partially because of his fondness for the Super Hero, Superman. don't ever get him started on the rivalry between Superman and Batman. it's pretty funny to listen to. ;)

So there was no doubt that  his birthday card was going to feature a Superman type image. I found this one over at A Day for Daisies a while back. the sentiment was hand typed and then punched with a SU! punch. papers are from the new Basic Grey Persimmon collection, including that fab golden feather. a little SU! linen thread and some buttons complete the card. kinda simple, but perfect for my super hero!

I know it's been pretty quiet here on my blog lately, but I have been VERY busy getting ready for all of the fun coming up in October. I hope y'all are ready for LOTS of posts filled with inspiration for breast cancer awareness as well as LOTS of blog candy! :)

Challenges:
ADFD - buttons and bows
Crafts 4 Eternity - anything goes
A Creative Romance - fairytale or winged creations
Card Makin' Mamas - for the kids
Crafty Catz - birthday card
ART - anything goes
Aud Sentiments - sentiment for a child
Paper Crafting Journey - for a boy
4 Crafty Chicks - bingo: buttons, die cuts, sentiment
365 Cards - speedy (who could possibly be faster?)
Crafter's Cafe - die cuts/punches
Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
Whimsy - masculine
WAW - anything goes encouraging
Can You Digi It - primary colors
Clear it Out - masculine with die cuts/punches (SU! punch is old)
Oldie but a Goodie - dies and punches (SU! punch is old)
TTCRD - anything goes
Card Mania - use at least 1 button
Ooh La La - masculine
Stamp and Create - birthdays

There's a Party Going On.... or there WAS! ;)

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia Nut

Last night there was a fun party over at The Stamping Boutique Facebook page. I was only able to attend for the last 45 minutes, but had a great time! :) Not only were there several games, but also some neat papercraft challenges and a free image from the store given away. Challenges run until tomorrow, so you have some time to get a project made if you would like to play along. coolio prizes, which everyone loves!

I made a card for one of the challenges, which is just to make a party card using the free image. papers are from the Basic Grey Serendipity collection. I used my clear spica glitter gel pen to add lots of sparkly accents to the main image. the gorgeous flower is from Wild Orchid Crafts and was sprayed with glimmer mist to better match the colors. Maya Road twine was added to the party banner. little bits of shimmerz paint were added to the candles on the cake.

Have a great day! :)

Challenges:
Allsorts - button
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - anything goes
Crafts Too Challenge You - texture plus something shiny or glittery (glitter pen, rhinestones, shimmerz paint, & glimmer mist)
Delicious Doodles - gems and bling
Jo's Scrap Shack  - anything goes
Polkadoodles - candy colors (these remind me of the colors of Smarties. grins!)
Totally Papercrafts - birthday or baby
Wags 'n Whiskers - sparkle (glitter pen, rhinestones, shimmerz paint, & glimmer mist)
Seize the Birthday - anything goes birthday (sorry, no 'topping' for me this week)
Divas by Design - anything goes
Inky Impressions - food (yummy birthday cake!)
Lady Anne's - anything goes with a stamp
Lollipop Ladies - Smarties plus dies & punches
Penny's Paper Crafty - 2 or more patterned papers
WAW - anything goes that is encouraging
TTCRD - anything goes
Parade Your Crafts - birthday (hi everyone! waving!!!)
Stamp and Create - birthdays

Don't Give Up On Me Just Yet..... ;)

Coffee of the Day - Maple Nut

Hello! Happy Saturday to each of you! It's a glorious cool, rainy fall day here in northeast Ohio. I love it! :) Tyler has come home for the weekend, so that makes it especially grand! Mick & Jocelyn went to the Michael Buble concert last night and had a marvelous time. Ryan is off for a big camping weekend with his dorm floor somewhere in the wilds of Indiana. so my family is happy, and we are blessed big time! can't get any better than that folks! :)

I didn't want you to think I had completely disappeared. I'm slowly starting to feel a bit better. am able to stay out of bed for longer bits of time, so that is good. hope to craft today, so that is even better! LOTS of stuff coming up in October, so y'all had better be ready ...... one of my BIG blog candy giveaways with several winners will run all  month long.  see the sidebar for a few other events....

also, tonight is a fun party over at The Stamping Boutique Facebook page. not sure if I will make it, but there will be lots of games and prizes for any of you who happen to pop over! 

WHERE - TSB Facebook Page
WHEN - tonight 8-10 PM EST
WHAT - challenges, chats, games, prizes and LOTS OF FUN!!!!

well off to refill my coffee cup and then to hit the craft room. all of you have a most fantastic weekend! :)

Welcome Autumn Bear with Apples

Coffee of the Day - Oatmeal Cookie Crumble

Hello everyone! this is a super short post. I am so very sick right now. have spent several days in bed, and will go right back there as soon as I write up this post. and oh my, it is a LATE post at that.....

I was so kindly invited to be a guest designer over at Oozak. their new challenge began on Sunday, but I was too sick to get out of bed that day. had wanted to schedule my post, but couldn't even get that done. so I'm trying to make up for time by getting it on here now. so sorry!

The new challenge is for Fall themed projects. I used 2 adorable images by Birdie Brown. flower & petal are by Petaloo. buttons and tickets are from my stash. 'welcome autumn' is from a Shady Tree Studio stamp set.
other items can be found at the Oozak store:

Basic Grey Hipster 6x6 paper pad
Lawn Fawn Say Cheese metal die 
Maya Road Saffron Yellow twine
Scotch ATG tape dispenser

Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments - fall/autumn colors
Deep Ocean - goodbye summer
Die Cuttin Divas - apples
Our Daily Bread - fall colors
TTCRD - anything goes
Craft Your Passion - autumn/fall colors
Crafty Boots - a is for apples
Lexi's Creations - autumn colors
Paper Playtime - apples
Whoopsi Daisy - use more than 2 patterned papers
Crazy Challenge - color inspiration
Card A Day - autumn
Just For Fun - colors of autumn
613 Avenue Create - anything goes with optional 'happy fall y'all' twist
Great Impressions - fall colors
Di's Digis - fabulous fall colors
Crafty Calendar - going on a bear hunt
A Gem of a Challenge - 2 images
Basic Grey - anything goes with BG
My Time to Craft - autumnal colors
Word Play - seasons
Alphabet Challenge - p is for paper piecing
Jo's Scrap Shack - autumn
Aud Sentiments - autumn
CRAFT - paper piecing
Pollycraft - harvest colors

Dare to Be Remarkable and step out of your comfort zone!

Coffee of the Day - Red Velvet Cake

I have been feeling really really horrid of late, and haven't been getting as much crafting done as I should. But I did manage to find the time to squeeze in a project for the Progressive Challenge over at the Sassy Studio Designs group at Paper Craft Planet.....and boy oh boy, is this card ever so NOT me! grins! but it was really fun to make, nonetheless. I think it's important to jump out of our comfort zone every once in a while, and of course I did it with both feet in a grand way! ha! still some little touches of 'me' in there peeking through.... we've gotta express ourselves, friends! it's all about the fun and creativity! even if you feel like blech.

As I said, the image is from Sassy Studio Designs, and believe it or not, the papers are Basic Grey. they are from the Obscure collection, a really old one. sentiment is Create with TLC, flower is Prima, and the cool stencil is from Crafter's Workshop. I added a lot of touches to the main image with my spica clear glitter gel pen.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend! We are having a lovely break from the heat here. hopefully it means that Autumn has arrived in all of its glory! :)

Challenges:
Chocolate, Cards, & Coffee - anything goes
Creative Fingers - add a sentiment
Sister Act - anything goes
DRS Designs - something unexpected (well other than this is such a different style for me, it also goes to show that flowers and a steampunk/funky style CAN go together!)
Creative Belli - orange, red, yellow (buttons and ribbon are old. paper has long been retired)
Rhedd and Rosie - steampunk
Sisterhood of Crafters - use a digi
LEJ Designs - autumnal colors
Loves Rubberstamps - sentiment on front
TTCRD - anything goes

Birthday Chick for Sandy! :)

Coffee of the Day - Maple Pecan

Welcome to the Surprise Birthday Blog Hop for Sandy!!! woooo hoooooo! grab your cupcakes 'cause you are IN FOR FUN! :)

Sandy is having a birthday today! What better way to celebrate our fearless leader's birthday than with a crafty (surprise) hop!? Every stop along the way has a surprise birthday project for Sandy created by each of her design team members. Sandy is such an inspiration to all of us and she has been so supportive and generous. She's a great friend and a very talented and artistic woman! Happy Birthday, Sandy! tossing confetti in the air....... :)

Here is my project for Sandy:

The image is Sandy's Flower Chicklet and the senti comes from Create with TLC. papers are from the Basic Grey Sweet Threads collection. little baby flowers are Prima, senti portion is sprayed with glimmer mist, and trim is an amazing vintage find. cotton candy stickles were added to the chickie and rhinestones dot each flower.

Next head on over to LISA'S FABBY BLOG to see what she has made for Sandy!!!
Here's the line up, in case you get lost :
Archana http://craftcave.blogspot.com
Calypso http://calypsocandycraft.blogspot.com/
Cely http://hawaiipaperparty.blogspot.com
Deanne http://littlebitopaper.blogspot.ca/
Helene http://nicksscrapshack.blogspot.se/
Jen http://justcoffeepleasestampsribbonspaper.blogspot.com (you are here!!)
Lisa http://decossesdynamitedoodles.blogspot.ca
Sam www.samsimpson.co.uk
Sharla http://sharla-thisthingcalledlife.blogspot.ca/
Vicky http://crafting-vicky.blogspot.ca/
The Birthday Girl, Sandy! http://scribblesbysandy.blogspot.com

Challenges:
Come and Get It - sketch
4 Krafty Girlz - anything goes
Paper Crafting Journey - flowers
Creative Moments - birthday/anything goes
Scrapper's Delight - color inspiration
Sisterhood of Crafters - use a digi
Crafty Sentiments - anything goes
Loves Rubberstamps - sentiment on front
Hobby Cutz - anything goes
Sentimental Sundays - something tweet
All That Stickles - appreciation
Digitally Sweet - anything goes
Use Your Stuff - birthday (I have been holding on to the vintage trim a long time)

That's Brilliant - It's Your Birthday!

Coffee of the Day - Oatmeal Cookie Crumble

Today is our oldest son, Tyler's, birthday. and while we all are avid Dr. Who fans, I think he might tip the mark just a bit more than the rest of us. :) so it was easy peasy to decide what to  use to make his birthday card - my Dr. Who stamps from Viva Las Vegas. (I'll try to link these later. the store seems to be down right now.)  thankfully I've been crafting like a mad woman and will be able to go along this afternoon to visit Tyler and Mick to celebrate. they are having such a great time in their house! that makes me one happy Mamma!

papers are from the Authentique Original collection. I really need to find some more that have this perfect shade of blue in them. I know I'll be making more Tardis cards, especially with the big 50th anniversary special coming up. so frustrated that our cable provider doesn't carry BBC America.

whoops, got sidetracked there for a mo....... must have been a time warp. ha!
little burlap ribbon snippet is from May Arts, clock piece is from Spellbinders, birthday wishes senti is SU!, and the rest is from my stash. That's Brilliant banner was sprayed with glimmer mist. little accents were made with my clear spica glitter gel pen.

Expect to see LOTS of stuff coming to my blog in the next few days. better stock up on the coffee!
enjoy your day! :)

Challenges:
Crafting By Design - anything goes
Creative Moments - birthday/anything goes
Paper Pretties - distress (both ink and paper on here)
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes
Whimsy Inspiration - masculine
Loves Rubberstamps - sentiment on the front
TTCRD - anything goes
Twisted Tuesday - primary colors with buttons
Bunny Zoe - something blue
Digi Sketch - use a rubber stamp and/or sketch
Paper Playtime - use 3 different papers
Squirrel and the Fox - it's raining men
Sweet Stampin' - got the blues
Quick Quotes - anything goes

Best and Finest

Coffee of the Day - Moon Pie

I was able to get a bit crafty yesterday, and it was truly delightful! this is what this hobby/passion is all about folks....the joy that comes from making something from the heart that will hopefully make someone's day just a little bit brighter. Sharing a bit of God's love with someone else. it's not about the blogs or the teams or the notoriety. it's about joy in creating, plain and simple.

I realized that I was getting under the wire to play along in the new Crafty Secrets monthly linky party. it's such a great party to join because everyone who plays gets a $6 credit to the store. I love their vintage images and papers! :)

Now this little fella is quite dapper.... his outfit might not quite match, but he thinks he looks fabulous, and that is what counts! I paired him with Basic Grey's Hipster paper collection, of course!, and a little tag remnant from American Eagle. because you bet your sweet bippy that is where this hip cat would be shopping if he could! tee hee! ribbon is May Arts and little metal clip is Basic Grey. buttons are from my stash.

on a side note, if you haven't watched the biographical movie of Charlie Chaplin starring Robert Downey, Jr., I thought it was quite good.
Have a most wonderful day!

Challenges:
Crafty Secrets - monthly linky party
Deconstructed Sketch - sketch #117
Basic Grey - anything goes Basic Grey (oh how I love my BG.....)
Bugaboo - anything goes
Digi Haven - vintage or old with a digi
Digitally Sweet - anything goes digi (image & senti)
Simply Create Too - vintage or old
4 Krafty Girlz - anything goes
Aud Sentiment - any sentiment
Crafty Ribbons - anything goes with ribbon
Penny's Paper Crafty - spooled item
Crafting Musketeers - vintage
Perfect Sentiment - ribbon, seam binding, or baker's twine (I used ribbon)
Ruby's Rainbow - a male thing
Whimsy Inspiration - masculine
WAW - anything goes
Can You Digi It - very vintage
Just Inspirational - ribbons
Country View - layers
Creatalicious - for the boys
Cupboard Trilogy - male
613 Avenue Create - anything goes with optional Grandparent's Day
Creative Knockouts - masculine
Squirrel and the Fox - it's raining men

Lovey Dovey Birds

Coffee of the Day - Oatmeal Cookie Crumble

Today I am sharing with you the last of the cards I made for my guest designer stint over at Inky Antics. this one never did get shown on their blog, but I like the way it turned out. everyone has different tastes.....I understand. hope wherever it ended up, someone is enjoying it. ;)

I used the Swirly Birds stamp set, stamped on kraft cs. I never know how the different card stocks are going to take the watercoloring each time, so it's always a surprise to me to see how it turns out. papers are from the Basic Grey Kissing Booth collection. the border was cut with a Tim Holtz die. the tab is a Jenni Bowlin punch. sorry the leaf got a bit wonky in my scan. whoops! I used a re-purposed postage stamp that seemed absolutely perfect for this card. I'm always saving them whenever I can, much to David's dismay. grins! but I have a great old muffin tin that keeps them tucked away for me until I'm ready to put them on a project. the heart is from Webster's Pages. not sure where the flower came from because I mailed this out to Inky Antics so long ago. I think it is from some blog candy I won.....sorry I don't have more info for you.

Just to let you know, I have left almost all of my Design Teams. I'm not feeling that whippy right now and feel stretched pretty thin with my crafting. I have some guest positions coming up that have me excited, and that is about as much as I can handle with the few teams that remain.

Hope all of you have a most wonderful weekend! find the joy in the day! :)

Challenges:
Brown Sugar - animals
Crafts Too Challenge You - texture with a twist (texture: heart & fringe trim, my style: shabby)
Art Impressions - bird brains
Lady Anne's - anything goes
Penny's Paper Crafty - spooled items (ric rack & fringe trim)
Simon Says - animal antics
Whimsical Designs - something old (postage stamp, papers, die, punch), something new (stamps)
City Crafter - birds and blue
Creative Card Crew - things with wings
Loves Rubberstamps - anything goes
Emma's Cards - birds
Oozak - anything goes with die cuts and punches
613 Avenue Create - anything goes with optional twist
Basic Grey - anything goes with BG (you have no idea how easy that is for me!!!)
Bugaboo - anything goes

Christmas at The Stamping Boutique

here is my 2nd post for today in the game of catch up.....

The Stamping Boutique is back in action, both the store and the challenge blog! Tracey has been busy drawing some fun images for all of us. for the challenges, we're starting off with a Christmas theme so everyone can get a start on those holiday cards. you know me though, I like to make Christmas cards all year long! :)

I have used one of the new images, 'Nativity,' for my card. it is just so precious! my hubby really likes this one. :) papers are Basic Grey Aspen Frost, flower is Petaloo, dies are from MFT, leaf punches are Martha Stewart, and buttons & seam binding come from my stash. the doily was sprayed with 2 shades of glimmer mist. star and halo were painted with shimmerz. a piece of twine was added across the banner. some faux stitching with my white gel pen completes the card.

I intentionally masked a circle around the halo to draw attention to Baby Jesus. He should always be our focus, in my opinion. :)

thanks so much for stopping by! have a most wonderful day!
Jennifer

Challenges:
WAW - anything goes
Bearly Mine - anything goes
LEJ Designs - something shiny (glimmer mists & shimmerz paint)
Papertake Weekly - anything goes with optional Christmas twist
One Crazy Stamper - Christmas
Challenges 4 Everybody - anything goes
Christmas Card Challenges - something new: both dies & image
Robyn's Fetish - add leaves
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - get inky or painty (image is watercolored with SU! inks)
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Extra - anything Christmas goes
Crazy 4 Challenges - buttons or bows
Alphabet Challenge - 'O' for one word sentiment: rejoice
Sister Act - anything goes
Stamping with the Dragon - buttons and bows
Christmas at Sweet Stamping - winter animals
Glory of Christmas - anything Christmas goes

Keep Your Face to the Sunshine

Coffee of the Day - actually not sure, hubby made it before he headed out for work....

Hello after a bit of a break! I ended up going to Indiana and Chicago after all. it was a great trip - bittersweet in that we dropped off Ryan at Indiana Wesleyan University to begin his new adventure there, but a fun time in Chicago celebrating our anniversary. I loved everything about the city, as I knew I would. we spent most of our time driving around to look at the architecture, which is was the main thing I wanted to do. We did get to have lunch at Frontera's, a fabulous restaurant owned by Rick Bayless. we sat next to the most charming gentleman who dines there every Saturday. he kept us entertained for the entire meal! But I knew the whole time we were in Chicago that as much as I enjoyed it, I could never live there. it is a beautiful city, of that there is no doubt. but I need my hills and trees and woods. :)

I'm going to slam y'all with several posts, so hold onto your seats. I wasn't able to get these scheduled before I left, so I'm very late adding them to my blog now. please forgive me for being tardy. once we came back home, the  traveling took it's toll, and I've not been doing well. I'm trying to get caught up slowly but surely.....

I was blessed to receive an invite to be a guest designer over at Quirky Crafts Challenges. There new challenge is called 'I Like to Move it, Move it.' They want to see movement of some kind on your papercraft projects. The sponsor is The Cutting Cafe. There is also a new challenge over at the Digi Makeover - pearls and lace. I combined all of these challenges into one card!

First I printed Kat the Pinwheel Fairy and one of the sentiments from Jen's Sunshine onto white cs. these were cut with a Spellbinders circle die to create a suspension card. papers are Basic Grey Mint Julep, flower and leaves are Prima, linen thread & pinwheel punch are SU!  her wings are painted with shimmerz. the pinwheels do actually turn, so there is more movement on the card there. I did add a light wash to the pinwheels to tame the white of the dsp. the pink lace is vintage. the sentiment side was sprayed with glimmer mist.

Challenges:
WAW - anything goes
Bearly Mine - anything goes
Creative Card Crew - things with wings
TTCRD - anything goes
Emerald Faeries - magical creatures
Mema's Crafts - lace and flowers
Oozak - anything goes with dies/punches
Flutter By Wed. - anything goes with a butterfly or fairy
Allsorts - it's about the sentiment
Pattie's Creations - anything goes
Sister Act - anything goes
Aud Sentiment - any sentiment
Delightful Challenges - make the cut