Blog Candy Reminder!

Coffee of the Day - Toffee Creme

Just a quick reminder that you only have a few days left to enter my blog candy contest! there are several candies available, so your chances are pretty good of winning!

I hope to be back with a papercraft project soon. it's been a busy week with dr. appts., our youngest son coming home from college, stuff in the house falling apart, and just life. you know how that goes! :)

big hugs to all of you! now go enter the contest!

Love and Happiness in Your New Home

Coffee of the Day - Gingerbread

I am slowly whittling down my 'honey do' list of cards to make. actually sat down and wrote out all of the ones I need to do so I can stay organized.

I am a proverbial list maker. and it's always on scratch paper. I hate to waste paper, as it always feels as if there is a poor tree shrieking somewhere for every piece of paper tossed willy nilly into the trash can. so my lists are always on the back sides of envelopes, expired coupons, etc.  it completely drives my hubby mad....

oh well. I have become quite the hippie in my old age. :)  recycling everything, tattoos, eating healthy (although it hasn't done a thing for my waistline), hugging trees & talking to nature..... but I am happy as a little clam! :)

so on to my card....this one is for some friends of ours who moved this weekend. he is an accountant from a family of accountants. hence the ledger papers and other office accouterments. she is an avid tea drinker, so I added the tea tag for her. just a few little touches to make it a bit more personal.

both the image and the sentiment come from Paulette at Create with TLC. papers are from several Basic Grey collections. I printed the house image onto some digital BG ledger paper prior to watercoloring. side was punched using a cool punch by SU! flowers are Prima that were edged in distress stickles. the same stickles was added to the edges of the card base. buttons are vintage and everything else is from my stash.

hope all of you have a great week! thanks for stopping by! don't forget to enter my blog candy! :)

Challenges:
Cheerful Sketches - sketch (turned on side)
CCC Digi Creations - use a stamp or digi & add sparkle (stickles)
Digi Galore - new home
Pile it On - same pattern different ways (different styles of ledger papers - I hope I have understood this challenge correctly. if not, please remove my entry. thanks!)
Brown Sugar - anything goes
Digitally Sweet - anything goes (digital image, sentiment, and paper)
Simply Papercraft - anything goes or lots of layers
Inky Impressions - punch it (SU! punch)
Scribble and Scrap - anything goes
Crafty Girlz - anything goes

Enjoy Every Moment Mice

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

It has been YEARS since I took out my poor little mousies, my House Mouse stamps I mean. I was leaving comments on some blogs I follow when I came across a fellow blogger who was playing in the current House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge. it reminded me of the days when I use to play with my  mousey stamps all the time! not only do I have a bucket load of these cuties, but a friend I knew at the time let me play with a bunch of hers, too.

so up into the attic in the barn I went to track down my stamps. yes, it's a sad day when the mice are left in the barn.....and out came this cutey patootie stamp. it's called 'Walking in the Rain', but I am having a doozie of a time trying to track down anything on the House Mouse store site to try to link it. so very sorry.

the card is larger than the average bear to accommodate the large stamp. thank goodness I still buy 12x12 cs! grins!

papers are from the Basic Grey Fresh Cut collection, flowers are a combo of Wild Orchid Crafts, Petaloo, & Prima, buttons are from my vintage collection, gorgey ribbon is SU!, and tickets & doily are from my stash once again. used my label maker to create the remainder of the sentiment. the little banner is part of the Basic Grey collection, too.

raindrops were highlighted with my clear spica glitter gel pen, and tiny accents were added to some of the flower centers with a white gel pen.

boy howdy, I forgot how detailed these stamps are to color and tough to get a nice, clear stamped impression, too. I've been playing with digis so long, it's kinda nice to be using an actual big stamp again. :)

enjoy your weekend! it's Maple Festival here, which of course means lousy weather. we've had snow for several days, but now it's just cold. good to keep the sap running though.

don't forget to enter my blog candy while you are here. :)

Challenges:
House Mouse and Friends Mon Ch - April Showers
Sweet Sketch Wed - sketch
Pile it On - April Showers bring May Flowers
Craft for the Craic - die-ing for Spring or Easter (Spellbinders die)
Crafts 4 Eternity - anything goes
The Crafter's Cafe - ribbon or lace
Time Out Ch - 'You Can't Make a Rainbow Without a Little Rain' (I went with the rain portion of the theme)
Gruffies & Guests - patchwork with anything goes option
My Time to Craft - spring flowers
Lia Stampz - use ribbon
Art by Miran - anything goes
Dragon's Lair - add an animal
Art Impressions - April Showers bring May Flowers
Dream it Up - showers of showers
Throwback Thurs - any stamp older than 1 year (oh yeah, this poor guy has been in my barn longer than that!)
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Cuttin' and Stampin' - cute critters
Digi Sketch Ch - not sure if the theme is furry friends or flowers because both are mentioned, but thankfully my card covers both. ;)
Stamp and Create - anything goes
Sentimental Sundays - Animal Love
Whimsy - color an image

Thank You Garden Fence

Coffee of the Day - Sweet Potato

still working at making cards off of my long list to get sent out. then was reminded by several friends that I haven't made even ONE Christmas card yet this year. holy schmoleys, normally I have made at least a dozen by this time! so more cards to add to my personal 'honey do' list. grins!

anyhow, today's card uses an image by From the Heart as well as their current sketch challenge. papers are from the Basic Grey Vivienne collection, which just so happens to be part of one of the blog candies I'm giving away! I hope you have entered! :)

main image die is Spellbinders, watering can & leafy branch dies are Impression Obsession, pink ruffle ribbon is May Arts, sentiment sticker is SRM, little flowers are Prima, all buttons except big brown one are vintage, and ticket is from my stash.

faux stitching was added to all decorative paper, and stickles was added to Prima flower centers as well as the hyacinths.

Challenges:
From the Heart - sketch 106 w/twist of 2 word sentiment
DRS Designs - Bloomin' Beautiful
Inspiration Destination - anything goes
Penny's Paper Crafty - spooled items (twine & ribbon)
Fan-tastic Tues - stitching (faux)
Creative Card Crew - sentiment
Die Cuttin' Divas - Garden month with dies
Inky Chicks - stitching (faux)
Loves Rubberstamps - add flowers
Papertake Weekly - cute as a button
TTCRD - anything goes
Artistic Inspirations - anything goes with a twist of spring
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Craft Your Passion - anything goes
Eureka - buttons and bows
Incy Wincy - fake it (faux stitching)
Love to Scrap - anything goes
Mema's Crafts - use a die or punch (Spellbinders & Impression Obsession dies)
Not Just Cards - anything goes
613 Avenue Create - anything goes w/optional diamond twist
A Gem of a Challenge - spring is in the air
The Stamping Boutique - spring
Wags 'n Whiskers - flowers

Sketched Roses for Mr. & Mrs.

Coffee of the Day - Almond Joy

I mentioned yesterday that I have several wedding cards to make. I was doing my usual stop by Create with TLC today (I get there as often as I can anyhow) and saw that Paulette had posted a beautiful sketched roses image. I thought it would make a pretty wedding card, so I quickly printed it off this morning. got busy in the craft room, and here is what I ended up with. ;)

The floral bg paper is by Free Pretty Things for You. not sure who made the music sheet paper. I normally add the store's name to each one I save, but this only says, 'free'. I'll try to track it down for you and then post.....

******I found the site for the paper. it is Free Vintage Digi Stamps, and here is the link to the actual page. if you like vintage, then you should follow her blog. way cool stuff on there! *****

image was first shaded with SU! inks and q-tips. I then applied the cracked glass technique. once I cracked the image, I lightly sponged kraft ink over the top.

sentiment is a sticker by SRM, flowers are a combo from Wild Orchid Crafts, Prima, and Making Memories, rhinestone flourish is by Zva Creative, satin ribbon is May Arts, doily is from stash, and buttons are vintage.

hope you have a most AMAZING weekend! :)

Challenges:
Creative Fingers - anything goes
Digitally Sweet - anything goes (digital papers & image)
Quick Quotes - Celebrate (wedding)
Wags 'n Whiskers - flowers
QKR - spring flowers
Fussy and Fancy - springtime flowers
Scrap & Craft - use ribbon or twine (ribbon)
Digi Choosday - pearls and gems (gems)
Top Tip Tues - 3 of something (vintage buttons)
Craft-Dee BowZ - anything goes w/handmade bow
Corrosive Ch - Floral Fantasy

I Do

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Nut

Some years we have no weddings to attend, and then others like this year, we have so so many! I am working like a busy busy bee trying to get cards made for all of them.

The beautiful image on this card is 'I Do' by A Day for Daisies. Tammy's images are something unique indeed, so I imagine I'll be using them for most of these wedding cards.

I paper pieced the outfits using digital papers from the Basic Grey Little Black Dress collection. the gorgeous die set is by Spellbinders. flowers are a mix of Wild Orchid Crafts and Making Memories, rhinestone flourish is Zva Creative, and buttons & lace trim are vintage. silver doily is from my stash.

I'll be posting my blog candy sometime this weekend, I hope. a few things I had ordered arrived today, so I just need to finish getting things together and then take a photo. one of our pups isn't doing too well, so I've been a bit sidetracked with her. :(

anyway, all of you have a most fabulous weekend!

Challenges:
ADFD - anything goes w/ADFD image
Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards - use a die cut
Sister Act - any card goes
Crafting for All Seasons - milestone celebrations (I hope a wedding counts)
Crafty Sentiments - anything goes
Party Time Tuesday - anything goes
Stamp and Create - anything goes
Sentimental Sundays - no sentiment
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Ch - anything goes with patterned paper

A Wee Little Note

Coffee of the Day - Carrot Cake

I am showing a triple duty card today - it qualifies for a store's sketch challenge & monthly progressive challenge and will also let our youngest son know we are cheering him on as he starts finals next week! whew.... that is a lot of punch to pack into a piece of card stock! :)

I have used images out of  From the Heart's "Hamlet PigWit Being Shy" digital stamp set, which also happens to be the stamp set of the month. I've been away from their progressive challenge for a bit, so I'm glad to be taking part again. I've also played along in the weekly sketch challenge, but flipped the sketch on its side. I do wacky things like that all the time!

I paper pieced cutey Hamlet the pig, using papers from My Mind's Eye All Spice collection. just a few extra accents were painted in. little banners were cut with a SU! punch. linen thread is also by SU! some accent dots were added with a marker, paper edges distressed, and a button tied to the linen thread. pretty quick for me, plus easy to put in the mail to Ryan.  not to worry, I'll be back to my regular cards again. :)

do any of you ever burn candles in your home? I want to pass along a great deal my family and I have found. we are HUGE fans of the Ashland brand candles found at Michael's craft stores. they are almost always on sale for about $4 or less for a 17 oz candle. they burn for quite a long time, too, and come in the most luscious scents!

Challenges:
From the Heart - sketch 105 with quick card twist
FTH Stamp of the Month - progressive challenge
TTCRD - anything goes
Top Tip Tues - 3 of something (3 decorative papers)
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Dream Valley - let's get krafty
Eureka - 4 legged friends
Melonheadz - 2 or more designer papers (I have 3)
Scribble and Scrap - anything goes

God Will Lift You...and So Will I

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice (you know it's my fave!)

one of the cards I have on my list to make is for a very dear friend who has just recently received some devastating news. I want her to know that I am here for her. This sentiment today at Create with TLC summed it all up so perfectly.

I'm also using some beautiful free digital items available over at the Crafty Secrets blog. both the bg paper and post card image can be be found there. I hope it creates the peaceful, but encouraging feel that my friend needs right now.

a frame was cut for the postcard image using Spellbinders dies, flowers are a combo of Prima, Wild Orchid Crafts, and my stash, buttons are vintage and stash, twine is from The Twinery, burlap ribbon snippet is from May Arts, vintage sheet music was cut with a Jenni Bowlin punch, and doily is from my stash. distressing and faux stitching complete the card.

I forgot to add that after I cut the frame, I stamped it with a SU! woodgrain bg stamp. there is also a little piece of a ticket hiding under the sentiment banner.

I'm putting together my blog candy and will get that posted soon! hope many of you sign up! welcome to my new followers, too!!!!  :)

Challenges:
Crafty Secrets - April linky party (ribbon: May Arts, twine: Twinery)
613 Ave Create - create your own challenge (square card, encouragement/thinking of you, burlap)
Crafty Calendar - add a sentiment
Pile it On - fancy frames and/or beautiful borders
Robyn's Fetish - use baker's twine
Inksprational - photo inspiration: eggs (nest on postcard) and colors
Brown Sugar - distress
Sister Act - any card goes
Red Rubber Inspirationals - spring flowers
Whimsy Inspiration - use a die cut
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Just Inspirational - stitching
Party Time Tues - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Tues Throwdown - friendship
Mema's - anything goes w/die or punch

Thank You, Friend Bunny!

Coffee of the Day - Gingerbread

Hello to all of you! I hope to be back to posting several times a week if all goes well. thank you so much for the lovely and gracious comments so many of you have left for me! it truly makes my heart sing! :)

I had a BIG project I was working on behind the scenes for the past few weeks, so now that is has gone postal, I can get to the projects I also need to work on for upcoming events in our lives.

I have several thank you cards that need to get out (actually waaaay more than several, but I'm taking them a few at a time!), so today's card is the first I'll post.

a VERY dear friend sent me the most pinkalicious coffee hoodie in the mail about a month ago. little does she know, but I wear it ALL the time! :) I made this card to tell her how much I just LOVE the hoodie and her, too!

the image is by From the Heart and happens to be on sale as I am posting. it's called 'Bunny Hello.' isn't it adorable?!

papers are from the new Basic Grey collection, J'Adore. twine is from The Twinery, flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts and Petaloo, canvas banner is SU!, thank you sentiment is a sticker by SRM Stickers, and buttons are a mix of vintage as well as from my stash. some faux stitching and a little doily snippet finish the card. oh yes, the bunny's tail is coated in flower soft to make it puffy!

Hope you are having a great week so far! the weekend is juuuuuuuust around the corner!

Challenges:
From the Heart - sketch #104
4 Crafty Chicks - die cuts (main image and banner)
Little Miss Muffet - anything goes
Pile it On - die cuts and/or punches (die cuts - main image & banner)
Crafting for All Seasons - Animal Magic
Inky Impressions - Spring is in the Air
Simon Says - April Showers or April Flowers
Whimsy Inspires - use a die cut (main image and banner)
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Crafty Sentiments - lots of flowers
Digi Choosday - dies (main image and banner)
Fan-tastic Tues - anything sq. or rect. goes with die or punch (dies - main image & banner)
Inky Chicks - stitching (faux)
Papertake Weekly - anything goes with option to add a bunny
Party Time Tues - anything goes
Bunny Zoe - spring colors
Card Mania - Flowers
Eureka - spring flowers
613 Avenue Create - anything goes
Dragonfly Dreams - Spring
Corrosive Ch - hop into spring
Hiding in My Craft Room - think spring
Fussy and Fancy - buttons and bows
Wags 'n Whiskers - buttons
Die Cut Divas - in the garden and die cuts (main image and banner)
Mema's - anything goes with a die or punch (main image and banner)
Sisters of Craft - anything goes

He is Risen!

Coffee of the Day - Carrot Cake (yes, it's a real coffee flavor! and it's mighty tasty, too!)

I wanted to post a card today because I know so many of us will be very busy tomorrow. I am getting ready to start some baking, but wanted to take a moment to tell all of YOU how very thankful I am for your kindness and friendship. too often in life we forget to slow down and take a moment to truly appreciate our blessings. I am sending big hugs to all of YOU across the way! :)

This card will be going to church with us tomorrow for our Pastor and his wife. They are such truly special, beautiful souls.

The image is by From the Heart and is called 'Risen Easter Egg.' I saw it while taking part in their blog hop this weekend. it also happens to be on special, at least at the time I am writing the post. the bg paper is by a fabulous company and blog called Free Pretty Things for You. she has the most gorgeous vintage digital treasures! the dsp matting the canvas banner is actually a piece sent to me by a friend. I'm sorry I don't know the mfg, but it was a perfect match for the stripe. thanks, Joan! :)

floral vine trim and buttons are vintage finds, sequins are from Pretty Pink Posh, doily, tag, and twine are from my stash. oh yes, little blue pearl is from Michael's, and canvas banner is from SU!. some faux stitching was added to lower piece of decorative paper, wink of stella clear glitter pen was used on the butterflies, and rock candy distress stickles were added to the banner on the egg.

so what do you think of my photo using my new light box set up? so so so much better than the pix with my phone! hooray to hubby for helping me get it going!

All of you have a most blessed Easter with your friends and family! :)

Challenges:
From the Heart - sketch 103/bling
Allsorts - Easter
Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards - use a doily
Sister Act - any card goes
The Stamping Boutique - Easter
Emerald Faeries - Spring Flowers/Easter
Ladybug Crafts - anything goes
Cosmic Colors Ch - color challenge (use at least 3)
Add a Little Dazzle - spring color ch or anything goes
Crafter's Cafe - Easter
The Paper Shelter - Easter
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Digi Choosday - ovals/Easter
Crafty Boots - Easter
Eureka - Spring
Melonheadz - Spring
Ooh La La - Easter/Spring
That Craft Place - Easter/Spring

I'm Back! and more is coming soon!

Coffee of the Day - Maple Walnut

Hello everyone! I am returning from a bit of a hiatus.

the good news is that hubby and I are working on putting together a light box so that I can take photos of my paper craft projects. the even better news is that I am doing some behind the scenes crafting. some I won't be able to show you for a while, but other things I'll be posting soon!

I'll also be doing a bit of spring cleaning here on my blog. give me a bit and you will hopefully see a little difference in the next week or so.

To celebrate my return to blogging, I'll be putting together some blog candy. you'll want to be sure to pop in for that! :)

tell your friends that the coffee pot will be perking once again! I know all of you look forward to hearing about the Coffee of the Day! :)

so pass on the news...... big things are happening here!

images courtesy of Free Vintage Images here, here, here, here, and here.