Christmas Candle and Snowflakd

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Macadamia

This is a super fast post as we are on our way out the door. I completely forgot about the Digi Stamps 4 Joy Christmas Challenge that ends later today. if you use the free image you get another image next month to play along.

I'll be back later to add all of the details. :)

I'm back..... we needed to take Mick his 'new to him' car, and while we were there also took he & Tyler out to dinner. unfortunately I got really sick as we were driving home. boo hiss on that....

here are the details for the card:
image is from Digi Stamps 4 Joy, papers are from the Basic Grey Aspen Frost collection. the snowflake behind the image is actually a glitter ornament I picked up at Michaels for about 25 cents. it's more sparkly gold irl. shimmerz paint accents the candle flame and stars, while the holly berries are dotted with stickles. frosted stickles outline the entire main image.

Challenges:
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - monthly Christmas challenge
Fab 'n Funky - Christmas
Creative Moments - anything goes/add some sparkle
Penny's Paper Crafty - spots and dots
Sisterhood of Crafters - winter snowflakes
Craft Your Passion - spots and stripes
Christmas Card Challenge - anything goes
Glitter 'n Sparkle - bling it up
Robyn's Fetish - lots of glitter
12 Months of Christmas - monthly Christmas challenge

Be the Reason Someone Smiles

Coffee of the Day - Marzipan

I came across this fun store called From the Heart that has a neat challenge - if you play along with the free image one month, they will send you a new  image the next month for free to use in another challenge. I thought I would try it out. ends up I'm cutting it close getting my entry submitted since our printer had been out of ink for so long.

image is 'Kitten and Heart,' papers are from the Basic Grey Serendipity collection, chevron & bow dies are from MFT, sentiment is Create with TLC. everything else is from my stash. the bg is sprayed with glimmer mist. a simple card, but glad I could play along! :)

Challenges:
From the Heart - monthly image challenge
Going Grey With Scrap Creations - fave embellies: buttons
Outlawz Greeting - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Artistic Inspirations - anything goes/animals
Created With Love - anything goes
Eureka - anything goes
Through the Purple Haze - digi and a die (Spellbinders & MFT)
Simply Create Too - Valentine's Day or hearts
Moving Along with the Times - cats

King of the Mountain by Max Lucado....

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Nut

My friend, Joan, had a really good post the other day. you might remember me mentioning Joan. she is the one who is so slap dash amazing at CAS. and she's a pretty insightful person in her own right, I must say. plus she's just so NICE! :)

anyhow, her post was about a person who left a comment about being discouraged with rejection in her crafty life. (hey, we crafters ALL know how that feels, don't we?) I was reading this devotional this morning and it really spoke to me about this dilemma. what is inspiring our drive?

here is the devotional:

King of the Mountain

King of the Mountain!  Remember playing that game as a kid? The object is to push, claw, and climb until you get to the top. Once there, you fight to hold your position. Don’t even think about sitting down. Forget enjoying the view. Slack up and you’ll be slapped down. And then you’ll have to start all over again.

As grown-ups we still play King of the Mountain, but now the stakes are higher.  The push for power has come to shove. And most of us are either pushing or being pushed.

I might point out the difference between a passion for excellence and a passion for power. The desire for excellence is a gift of God.  It’s characterized by respect for quality, a yearning to use God’s gifts in a way that pleases him. The quest for excellence is a mark of maturity. But the quest for power— it’s childish!

By the way, you don’t have to play King of the Mountain.

From The Applause of Heaven

you can find Max Lucado on both Facebook and Twitter. I have long been an avid reader of his books. have just recently signed on as a follower of his daily devotions. his down to earth, plain and simple way of putting things, is pretty inspiring.

and today's devotional is what I aspire to with my crafting - I just want to do my best to serve Him using the gifts He has given me. it's not about the competition. I WANT to be able to encourage my fellow crafters with whole hearted joy, no competition, but instead focusing on what is best for each of us in our own personal journey. that word 'respect' really jumped out at me. not just in crafting, but all areas of my life. I need to work on it, believe you me. I'm not there yet, but I'm baby stepping.....

in the spirit of sharing, the UK Sizzix site has some fabulous digital Valentine papers for free today. head over to download to your compy! :)

Best Wishes Penguin Prezzie

Here is one more card for the Bugaboo Birthday Challenges. I am so happy to be adding to my birthday card stash! not sure if I'll get any more made before deadline, but I'm glad to have done 4. now to get going on some Valentine cards next.....

This card is for the first of the challenges, a bingo/tic-tac-toe board. I think I spent most of today looking for a card template. I have one for a stack of gifts, but only wanted to make a single present. ended up having to improvise, as everything I found required an electronic cutting machine. I don't have one of those gizmos, but am truly content with my Big Shot. :) boy howdy, does it ever get a workout in my craft room!

image is from Bugaboo, papers are from the Echo Park Birthday Girl collection, bow die is MFT, flower is WOC, sentiment is SU!, and everything else is from my stash. distress stickles were added to the cupcake and other items on main image. a little rhinestone tops the cupcake.

the present top portion is actually a pull out card. didn't get an extra photo since I was doing good to get my scanner to co-operate for one piccy! :)

Challenges:
Bugaboo - bingo: bugaboo image, cupcake, scallop
Crafty Hands - add a tag
Sister Act - anything goes
Animal Friends - punches (tag) and dies (main image & bow)
The Crafting Cafe - anything goes
Die Cuttin' Divas - penguin appreciation day (dies - Spellbinder & MFT)
Emerald Faeries - things with wings
Paper Shelter - digi image with senti
TTCRD - anything goes
{Pin}spirational - photo: penguin, stripes, watercolor (that's how my image is colored)

Celebrate Your Birthday with a Flying Ellie! :)

Coffee of the Day - Gingerbread

Hello and happy, happy Friday to ya! I'm adding another Bugaboo Birthday challenge card. This is for their color challenge. these are sometimes hard for me, as I never know if it's okay to add another color or if I HAVE to use every single color. y'all know I'm not always real good with rules. ;)

The cutey image is from Bugaboo, papers are from the Basic Grey Lemonade and Knee High collections, flowers are Prima, ribbon is May Arts, metal 'celebrate' charm is from JoAnn's. I don't normally go in for bold colors like this, but I do think it turned out pretty cute.

will try to get one or two more done before the deadline. these have been fun!
enjoy your weekend, whatever you might have planned. :)

Challenges:
Bugaboo - color
Mojo Monday - sketch
Delicious Doodles - ribbon
Stempelsonne - animal
Cards Galore Encore - anything goes
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper - anything goes
Inky Impressions - ribbon
Artistic Inspirations - anything goes/ribbon
Card Mania - anything goes
Eureka - fave 3 embellies: buttons, ribbon, flowers
Love to Create - buttons
My Sheri Crafts - use a digi

Happy Birthday Sketch

Here is part 2 for today's Bugaboo Birthday Challenge cards....
we'll see how many I am actually able to finish.

This card is for the sketch challenge. I did take a few liberties with the sketch, as I am wont to do, but I think you can still see the main sketch fairly well.

image is from Bugaboo, papers are from the Basic Grey Sweet Threads collection, buttons & fabby hot pink doily were sent to me by my friend Joan. that lady knows trendy like nobody's business. she is also the master of CAS, which y'all know I can't do to dig myself out of a hole.
candle flame and stars were painted with shimmerz.

Challenges:
Bugaboo - birthday sketch
A Little Bit Crafty - celebrate
Paper Pretties - anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - birthday
Deep Ocean - birthday
Eureka - fave 3 embellies: buttons, linen thread, doilies
Sentimental Sundays - more than 3 layers
Crafty Calendar - celebrate
Stampin' for the Weekend - Happy Birthday
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper - anything goes

Collecting Wrinkles

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Nut

I swear, for a fairly intelligent person, I can be quite the goober sometimes.... over at Bugaboo they are celebrating their 4th birthday with all kinds of fun challenges. silly me thought that each challenge had to be completed within 24 hours. I did not realize we had until Friday to get them done. THAT makes me one VERY happy camper, as I have spent the  majority of this week in bed.

so hold on to your horses as I try to get a few of these challenges done before the deadline. I'll be posting as I get each project finished if all goes well..... I do hope you will play along, too! :)

This card is for the 'Humor Me' challenge. it's a bit on the plain side for me, but then again, it's for a guy, so I have to be careful to not over-embellish these. otherwise I catch so much grief from my guys! grins!

image is from Bugaboo, papers are from the Basic Grey Cupcake collection, dies are Spellbinders, and all of the other embellies are from my stash. the sketch comes from the i {heart} card sketches challenge. the orange strip along the left side is a piece of washi tape. balloons are covered in stickles, and eyeglasses & clock face are covered in crystal effects. the image bg is a pale blue, but my scanner is truly on its last leg and not doing so well..... need to try to find someone who can repair it, as our other printer doesn't scan worth beans.

now off to make some more cards! :)

Challenges:
Bugaboo - Humor Me birthday
i {heart} card sketches - sketch #50
A Little Bit Crafty - celebrate
Crafty Girls - anything goes
Aud Sentiments - pick your own
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - ribbon
Inky Impressions - ribbon
Deep Ocean - birthday
Artistic Inspirations - ribbon/anything goes
Digi Sketch - one for the men
Love To Create - buttons
Crafter's Cafe - ha ha ha very funny

You've Been On My Mind

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Macadamia Nut

Hello and happy Friday! it's snowing like crazy here. We got the news last night that both Tyler and Ryan are coming in this evening to spend the long weekend with us. you know that makes me a very happy mom! :)

I did manage to get another card made to share with you. We needed a sympathy card for a gentleman in the Church District Office who's mother passed away last week. Since I am still out of ink in my printer, I'm a bit limited as to what I can use. I thought these stamps from Unity worked out pretty well.

Stamps are from the sets 'Cherish Your Dreams' and 'Debby Girl'. papers are from the Basic Grey Hopscotch collection, washi tape is Tim Holtz (I think), baker's twine is from The Twinery. flower centers are dotted with antique linen distress stickles. oh yes, the little kraft reinforcement sticker comes from The Kraft Outlet. it's a fairly simple card, but I wasn't sure if it was going in the mail or if Dave was going to deliver it the next time he goes to the District Office.

I hope all of you have a most wonderful weekend!

Challenges:
Unity - friends with flair
Brown Sugar - anything goes
Frosted Designs - polka dots
Sister Act - anything goes with cards
Aud Sentiments - any sentiments
Crafting Cafe - anything goes
WAW - anything goes with encouraging senti
TTCRD - anything goes
Card Mania - anything goes

A Thankful Kangaroo

Coffee of the Day - Holiday Blend (I think it's cinnamon, vanilla, and caramel...)

Hello! I have quite a few cards I need to make, so am trying to slowly but surely get into my craft room to get them done. biggest problem is that my printer is out of black ink and we have to wait a bit to get more. so I'm trying to use images I had already printed out, but had not had the chance to color. who know what y'all are going to end up seeing! grins!

Our next door neighbor, (they are just the most amazing, sweet couple!!!) gave me a gorgeous piece of pottery that she had made herself for Christmas. it truly brought tears to my eyes when I opened it. so I knew I wanted to make a special thank you card for her. I usually get the cards made for people, but am horrid at getting them mailed. all of mine need special envies and lots of postage, so have to wait until we have the money to take them to the post office. this one can just get walked next door! woo hooooo! one down out of a bajillion I owe everyone!

The sweetie little kangaroo is from A Day for Daisies, papers are from the Basic Grey Picadilly collection, little rose is Wild Orchid Crafts, 'thanks' is a new to me coolio SRM sticker. shimmerz paint was added to the wings and flowers, Mr. Huey's white spray was misted onto card base. everything else is from my stash.

I hope to be posting a bit more often.... thanks for sticking with me! :)

oh yes, Tammy at ADFD let me know that she sent in a card I had made using one of her images to 'Quick Cards Made Easy' for publication!!! so the magazine will be coming out the end of this month. it is the Feb. issue. thanks, Tammy! you are so good to me!

Challenges:
ADFD - add yellow
Emerald Faeries - things with wings
Animal Friends - punches or dies
Die Cut Divas - make it glitter (shimmerz paint)
Crafty Girls - anything goes
Ladybug Crafts - thanks
Creative Moments - anything goes/buttons & pearls (the shimmerz paint on the wings is actually a pearl tone)
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - glitter & sparkle (shimmerz paint)
Sisterhood of Crafters - use something new ('thanks' sticker)
TTCRD - anything goes
Whimsy - something new ('thanks' sticker)
WAW - anything goes that is encouraging
Loves Rubberstamps - metal (paperclip)
Word Play Saturday - yellow
One Crazy Stamper - anything goes

Miracles Big and Small

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

every single day is filled with miracles - sometimes big, sometimes small.

received a call from hubby this morning about 10am. he was getting ready to deliver the message at church when he had a call from Mick. Mick had been in a car accident that has evidently totalled his car. God's angels were working overtime. Mick is okay!!! his most amazing girlfriend, Jocelyn, was on her way to pick him up. I don't care about the car. my son is alright. no one is injured. 

David and I prayed on the phone, not just for Mick, but also for Dave and the message to be delivered. 

Tyler was working out at Camp cooking breakfast for the group that was there for the weekend. Ryan is at school in Indiana. I was reminded of the phone call I received almost 12 years ago when Tyler was hit by a car. our family was scattered in all different directions then, too. 

we might not always be together physically, but we come together in adversity. God knows that. He put the 5 of us in this crazy wacky thing we call a family for a specific reason. and sometimes we lose sight of it, but we are a miracle. we stick together through thick and thin, laughter and tears. we are here for each other and always will be. no matter what.

A Few Sites To Share With You...

Coffee of the Day - Gingerbread

Hello and Happy Friday!
I want to share a few sites with you today.  I know that after the holidays money tends to be on the tight side for many of us. at my house with sons in college and all of our HUGE medical bills, every single penny counts every day of the year. so I appreciate all of the wonderful people all over cyberspace who provide freebies to us crafty sorts...

thought I would pass along several great places I have come across lately:

first up is Far Far Hill, a wonderful site for digital papers and kits. there is also a store attached to the site. I will tell you that downloads do take a bit of time if you don't pay for the advanced service, but if you start the download at the beginning of your time online, you will hardly notice how long it takes. papers and vintage items are absolutely lovely!

next up is Ginger's House, a fun place for sentiments. she has some that are deep and thought provoking while others just crack me up.

The Graphics Fairy is just one of the many sites I visit for fantastic vintage clip art and images.

of course Create With TLC will always and forever be one of my ab fab fave places to go for sentiments and vintage images. Paulette is so very generous with her freebies every day.  I don't get by as often as I would like, but I am always in for a treat when I drop by. :)

Enjoy your weekend!

A New Year with Old Friends

Coffee of the Day - Gingerbread

Hello and Happy Thursday! the weekend is just around the corner!
Mick made a surprise visit home today, so that has been a real treat! it has been snowing like crazy for the past few days. we have SO MUCH SNOW! you know I'm a happy camper! bad news is that we still have no heat in the house and the plow truck is broken down. good thing we aren't going anywhere! hopefully the part for the heater will get here the first part of next week. it's been a lonnnnng few weeks. thank goodness we have a few space heaters that have helped. temps are to be down below 0* tonight, so we are going to be bundled up.....

my craft room has a gas heater, so I was in there toasty warm today! ooooh it was so nice to be both warm AND crafty! grins!

image is from Sassy Studios Designs from their Facebook Challenge, sentiment is Create with TLC for their Show it Off Sunday, papers are from the Basic Grey Aspen  Frost collection, fabric brads are Martha Stewart, rhinestones and roses are Wild Orchid Crafts. stickles were used to accent the folds of her dress as well as the tree inside the card.

I couldn't get a very good photo of the inside of the card, but this is a twisted easel card. I hadn't tried this particular technique before. I've made standard easel cards, but not the twisted variety. the inside of the card has not only the die cut tree, but also a portion of a doily and some washi tape. a button helps hold the front easel open.

Challenges:
Scrapbook Blessings - twisted easel from Ch #4
Desert Island Crafters - glitter (stickles), die cut, snowflakes (bg paper), 3 layers, distressing
CRAFT - anything goes
Creatalicious - 2014 wishes
Oozak - anything goes/blue tones (mine is more aqua and teal. hope that it will count)
Natalie and Amy's - one for the girlies
Crazy Challenge - celebrate the new year
Red Carpet Studio - New Year's Eve: new fabric brads

A Most Beautiful and Blessed 2014 to You!

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Butter Rum

Just a quick pop in to send thoughts to each and every one of you for a most beautiful and blessed 2014! thank you for all you have meant to me in the past..... I look forward to what the future holds! it is what we make it - in our choices to what life brings our way. look for joy, and you will find it. I look for joy, and I see YOU! :)