It's Your Birthday, with Puppy Kisses!

Coffee of the Day - White Chocolate Macadamia

Hubby and I returned very late last night after spending 2 days visiting our youngest son in Indiana where he is currently a senior in college. it was his birthday and we wanted to spend a bit of time with him. it can be anywhere from a 5-6 hour drive depending upon road work and bathroom stops, so we don't get there all that often. ;)

I'm not sure if I've introduced the latest member of our family here or not. as I think I had mentioned before, in June we rescued a cat named Moon Pie. then at the end of August, we rescued a puppy that we named Palmer. he is mostly ladrador. he travels with us whenever we go somewhere. :) this was his 2nd trip to Indiana.

obviously I needed to make a card for Ryan's birthday, so when I saw this adorable image over at Bugaboo, I knew it was perfect! it's called 'AKV Boy Sitter with Dog.' I created a bit of a concrete wall for them to be sitting on.

papers are from the Basic Grey Clippings collection, main die is by Spellbinders, zig zag die is by My Favorite Things, and leaf die is by Prima. flower is from Michaels and red twine is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. buttons are from my vintage stash and sentiment stamp is from a company that has retired. I added a few dots with my white gel pen to the card base & zig zag border for some extra fun. :)

I hope you have a most amazing day! thanks for stopping by! :)

Challenges:
Catch the Bug - photo inspiration challenge (flower, colors)
Fresh Brewed Designs - animals
4 Crafty Chicks - anything goes
Sasayaki Glitter - animals
Through the Purple Haze - furry friends
Simon Says Stamp Wed - anything goes
Crafty Addicts - anything goes/use patterned paper
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Going Grey with Scrap Creations -  birthday
Cutie Pie - birthday plus cute

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice, of course! ;)

Today begins a new challenge over on the Elisabeth Bell challenge blog. the theme is one that is near and dear to my heart - 'Buttons and Bows'. :) how much fun is THAT?! and an easy one to combine with lots of other challenges, too, if you are like me and enjoy linking to lots of them!

I'm using the adorable 'Willow with Hot Chocolate' image, but have her drinking my fave pumpkin spice instead. it is that time of year, you know. ;) the fabulous sentiment is by Create with TLC, pumpkin is actually a Shape EZ card template file, and digital papers are from the Carta Bella Fall Blessings collection.

I have re-purposed a label from one of my precious bags of pumpkin spice coffee. it's fun to use them in this way! gorgeous flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts and buttons are from my vintage stash. seam binding is by Zipper Stop, plaid ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and pretty lace is from SU! main image die is by Spellbinders.

thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you are having a most glorious weekend so far! be sure to grab yourself a cup of something especially wonderful today! :)

Challenges:
Fall Coffee Lover's Blog Hop
Fussy and Fancy - my favorite things (pumpkin spice coffee!, bow, vintage buttons, mulberry flowers, EB images!, re-purposing)
4 Crafty Chicks - colors of fall
CRAFT - Autumn/ Halloween/ Thanksgiving
Star Stampz - it's fall y'all
Anything Goes with TLC - anything goes with a TLC image
Little Miss Muffet - anything goes
Pile it On - autumn colors
Corrosive Ch - anything goes
Crafts and Me - anything goes optional twist: autumn
Crafting Circle/Crafty Awesomeness - anything hand colored goes
Di's Digi Designs - ribbon, lace, and/or twine
Sweet Stampin' - buttons and/or ribbons
Creative Corner - autumn

Autumn and Apples Are Here - Digi Bell Blog Hop

Top Pick at Crafty Ribbons
Winner at The Stamping Boutique

Coffee of the Day - Pecan Toffee

Today is a fun hop for The Digi Bells featuring the adorable 'Apple Blossom and Milkshake Baking' image. you might remember that this used to be a stamp over at Whimsy, but then it retired. well now you will be able to get it as a digi! hooray! :)

if you are following the hop, then you will have arrived here from LYNDA's absolutely GORGEOUS blog. if at any point along the hop you ever get lost, just pop on over to The Digi Bells blog for the complete list.

for my card I've used papers from the Basic Grey Nook & Pantry collection, a fun sentiment by Create with TLC, apple from a Shape EZ card template file, and leaf dies by Prima. main die is from Spellbinders. little flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and seam binding (which I distressed with several shades of ink) is from Zipper Stop. vintage buttons, sequins, a tiny ribbon snippet, and some fun little dots with a marker around the border were added to complete the card.

now off you go to SEBRINA's lovely blog to see what wonderful goody she has created to inspire you! :) be sure to leave her a comment while you are there!

Thanks so much for stopping by! :)

Challenges:
Brown Sugar - anything goes
Jo's Scrap Shack - anything goes
Stamping Boutique - apple season
Digital Delights by Louby Loo - anything goes
Crafty Ribbons - sweet treats with ribbon (seam binding, twine on button, and ribbon snippet on apple)
Kraftin' Kimmie's Wonderful Wed - anything goes
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Come and Get it - lots of layers
Anything Goes with TLC - anything goes with a TLC image

Fairy Tales

Coffee of the Day - Coconut

Hello everyone!
I'm here to share a card to hopefully inspire you to grab your beautiful Elisabeth Bell images and head to your craft room for some creative time. :)

My husband and I recently celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. quite the milestone in this day and age! I made him this card, using the precious 'February Flutter' digital image and the inspiring sentiment from Ginger's House you see here. the inside reads, "thank you for being my happily ever after." :) he really is!

while the card style might be a bit more frou frou-y than I would typically make for him, he did like it! especially when he saw that the fairy prince was wearing the same colors as his favorite super hero - The Incredible Hulk! ;)

Papers are from the Basic Grey Kioshi collection, flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, little flourish die is by Cheery Lynn, and grosgrain ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. doily was sprayed with several shades of glimmer mist and a pretty floral postage stamp was re-purposed in the corner. buttons, as always, are from my vintage collection. dies are by Spellbinders and sentiment punch is by SU! lots of shimmerz paint added to the main image, too.

may you have a 'happily ever after' in your life, too! :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
Come and Get It - lots of layers
Glitter 'n Sparkle - anything goes
One Stitch at a Time - anything goes with a special day (anniversary)
Ribbon Girls - use any image and ribbon
Crafter's Cafe - use buttons
Fantasy Crafters - anything fantasy goes
Let's Craft and Create - spots and/or stripes (both in papers)
Paradise of Stamps - fairy
Petal Lu - anything goes
Crafting with Dragonflies - fairies/fantasy
Creative Fingers - anything goes
Art by Miran - anything goes
DL Art - anything goes
Little Miss Muffet - anything goes
RRR- things with wings and ribbon or trim

So Sorry Rose Tag Sympathy Card

Coffee of the Day - Pecan Toffee

Some very dear friends of ours recently lost their mother (and mother-in-law), so I needed to make a sympathy card for them. in fact, we are getting together with them tonight, so this is the perfect opportunity for me to hand deliver it. I am not one who can make sympathy cards ahead of time. I need to think and pray for the people I'm making for. it's just what I do. ;)

I used an image from Bugaboo called 'Rose Bud Tag.' papers are from the Basic Grey Tea Garden collection, and gorgeous mulberry rose is from Wild Orchid Crafts & was dyed with SU! ink refills, seam binding is from Zipper Stop (and distressed with inks), lace is vintage, and burlap doily is from Hobby Lobby. buttons are from my vintage stash.

I hope you have a most amazing weekend! :)

Challenges:
Stella Says Sketch - monthly sketch
QKR - anything goes
Crafting with an Attitude - anything goes
Crafty Girls Creations - anything goes
DL Art - gardens
Crafty Addicts - anything goes add lace and/or pearls (lace)
Artistic Inspirations - anything goes
Melonheadz - hand colored image
The Crazy Challenge - burlap and/or twine (burlap)

Merry Christmas Santa Tree Stocking Card

Top 3 Pick at Dream Valley

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Bread Pudding

It's time for the midway posting over at the Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra blog. I love to make holiday cards, that is for sure. :) so this gives me a chance to work on them all year long. have you made any yet this year?

I have been on a shaped card kick lately, as those of you who visit my blog frequently can tell. I decided to pull out my long forgotten SU! stocking die for this one. why don't I use this cute die more often? it is so much fun! :)

I also used the AKV Santa - tree image by Bugaboo to make more lighthearted card. I like to have a nice mix of fun as well as pretty cards in my collection so I am always sure to have just the  perfect card on hand for each person or family!

a few sequins, vintage button, ribbon, pom pom trim, mulberry poinsettia, and adorable little rusty bell are all the decoration this seemed to need. I added in a few hand drawn dots with a white gel pen and marker. simple, but festive! :)

hope you have a most wonderful day! thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Christmas at Sweet Stamping - Christmas die cuts
WAW - anything encouraging goes
A Snowflake's Promise - anything goes
Crimbo Crackers - shaped Christmas card
Cards and More - no designer paper
Glitter 'n Sparkle - add some metal (little rusty bell in top corner)
CRAFT - Christmas
DL Art - anything goes
Dream Valley - no squares allowed

It's a Nutty Birthday Squirrel!

Top 5 Pick at Creative Corner
Top 3 Pick at Animal Friends Challenge

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Cupcake

Today we have a birthday in the house, so of course I had to make a card to celebrate! :)

My son just loves squirrels, he has ever since he was a very little boy. we used to go to the park to feed them back when it was just the 2 of us, so that tells you just how long his love of them goes back! :)

so it seemed appropriate to make him a squirrel birthday card as he turns 26. gosh, those years have certainly flown by! sigh..... I am so proud of the man he has become! :) pardon my proud momma moment.

I used a Sandra Caldwell image and did my best to take the 'angry' out of him. ;) I just don't have any other little squirrel images in my collection, as hard as that is to believe. papers are from the Basic Grey Vivienne collection. The card base is another of Tammy's adorable card templates from her Shape EZ store on Etsy. trims are from my stash and buttons are vintage. sticks for the acorn top are from my yard! grins!  leaf dies are by Tim Holtz.

the inside of the card reads, "We are nuts about you! Happy Birthday!" :) yes, I am goofy that way....

Hope your week is off to a great start! :)

Challenges:
613 Avenue Create - anything goes w/fall color twist
Addicted to Stamping - trees, branches, and/or leaves (actual branches & leaves)
Dare 2B Artzy - Happy Birthday
Catch the Bug - the great outdoors
Di's Digis - autumn
Creative Corner - woodland creatures
Simply Create Too - fall colors
QKR - fall colors
Animal Friends - animals with fur
Die Cut Divas - fall

Mermaids and Sea Shells

Coffee of the Day - Macadamia White Chocolate

Hello! Starting to get my craft back on, so today is my first post back over on the Elisabeth Bell blog.  sure did feel good to get back in my craft room again! :)

Even though my project is late for the current challenge going on over on  The Digi Bells' blog, I still wanted to play along. I mean, WHO could resist a chance to use our adorable Elisabeth Bell images?! I hope you have had the chance to enter your own project, or are in the midst of working on it.

The theme is 'Make a Splash' and this cutey little mermaid image, 'Catch of the Day' seemed the perfect one for my card. my friend, Tammy, owns an Etsy shop that sells Shape EZ card templates. I have used her fun sea shell template here.

I am a goof for all things Basic Grey, so even though the company has retired, I've used their papers (South Pacific) and die here for the shabby feel that I oh, so love! this die (Curly #2) is my 'go to' for waves.  it's a bit quirky & fun, and I absolutely adore it. :) I hope you do, too!

sea horse and sand dollar dies are by Tim Holtz while main image die is by Spellbinders. little fern punches are by Martha Stewart and hopefully look like seaweed as they sit by the actual shells I have added.

ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon and flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. netting was distressed with ink to look more shabby and aged.

thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a most fabulous day! :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
Love to Craft - anything goes
Li'l Patch of Crafty Friends - anything goes
Ribbon Girls - any card with ribbon goes
Mark's Finest Paper - anything goes
Crafty Catz - anything but square
Morgan's Art World - use kraft
The Stamping Boutique - your inner child or for a child
Crafter's Cafe - use 2 patterned papers
Doodle Pantry - anything digital goes
Fantasy Crafters - anything fantasy goes
Happy Little Stampers Dies Ch - anything goes with dies (Tim Holtz, Spellbinders, & Basic Grey)
Sparkles Forum - lots of layers

Peace on Earth Sitting Angel

Coffee of the Day - Creamy Chestnuts

I'm back again! 2 posts in 2 days! that's a record of late. :) still haven't been able to get to my craft room, but at least I have some things to show those of you who are stopping by my blog. I am so thankful to my faithful followers who leave me such beautiful and encouraging comments! love to each of you!!!!

I'm finally getting a chance to share my project for the new challenge over at Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Extra, sponsored as always by Bugaboo. you can link all of your Christmas cards for a chance to win a fabulous gift certificate to the Bugaboo store!

for my card I have used the precious Angel Girl Sitter image and painted her a brick chimney to sit upon.  the digital papers are, I believe, from Far Far Hill. I forgot to write down the name after I printed them off the way I usually do. the sheet music is "Hark the Herald Angels Sing."

shimmerz paint was added to the angel's wings and halo while a clear spica gel pen adds sparkle to the bg. pretty pink seam binding was distressed & is from Zipper Stop, glitter rose is from Michael's, and other flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. buttons and lace are from my vintage stash. sentiment stamp is by Shady Tree Studio. main image die and pink die behind it are by Spellbinders.

I hope you have a most amazing day! :) thanks so much for stopping by!

Challenges:
Catch the Bug - anything goes
Deep Ocean - bingo: buttons, flowers, sentiment
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Crafty Cardmakers - layers
Love to Scrap - flower power
Christmas Cards All Year Round - shabby chic or monochromatic
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - vintage or anything Christmas
Happy Little Stampers Christmas - song (Hark the Herald Angels Sing)
Paper Creator Crafts - Christmas
Sparkles Christmas - angels or fairies
Christmas Card Ch - anything Christmas goes
Jingle Belles - music
Broken Fairy - anything goes w/optional twist of things with wings
A Gem of a Challenge - ribbon, lace, or twine (ribbon and lace)
Di's Digi Designs - anything with wings

Purple Wall Hanging for Word Art Wednesday

Coffee of the Day - Salted Caramel

Well, once again I am late getting my post up for the Word Art Wednesday challenge. so very sorry about that. I'm sure they are happy that my guest designer time is up with them. I've not been a very good guest since my last 2  posts were late on my blog. at least I had the projects finished on time. :)

for my final project I decided to make a wall hanging with the beautiful scripture that they provide. you can find it on their blog. I added a lovely piece of vintage art from Create with TLC and printed it all out on a piece of watercolor paper. I do apologize for the rubbish photo. it was hard to capture all of the shine from the sparkle of the paints with the glare from my lights. I am terrible at photo editing, as you can tell.

I used gelatos as well as ink refills to color the background. this was adhered to a chipboard piece that was painted with acrylic paints and distressed. various ribbon & trims were added, in addition to sequins plus a bit of rubber stamping. you know I had to add a vintage button! it's a gorgeous mother of pearl button, too.

I gave this to Tyler's girlfriend at the end of summer so she could either have it in her room at home or take it with her to school. she ended up hanging it in her new apartment at school.

I do apologize for not being around. still fighting the migraines and seizures. I really hope they go away soon so I can get back to crafting. I have another post to share in the next few days with all of you. thank you for your patience! :)

love to all of you and enjoy your week!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments - anything goes
Fairy Tale Ch - make a decoration
Creative Moments - Anything Goes w/wedding or anniversary twist
Sunny Day - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Kraftin' Kimmie Wonderful Wed - anything goes
Craft-Dee Bow-Z - anything goes with a handmade bow
Craft Your Passion - anything goes
Ooh La La - girly
Ecletic Ellapu - gifts (wall hanging I gave to my son's girlfriend)
Creative Fingers - anything goes
ATG with TLC - anything goes with a Create with TLC digi