Where There is Tea, There is Comfort

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Tea Thyme (this is a weekly drink for me. I love the rich, robust flavor of the thyme with the citrus. so very good!)

Hello and Happy Wednesday! I am trying to get more cards made for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop, so I hope you enjoy the projects I am sharing. :)

Today's card uses an image from a dear online friend, Krista Smith of Saturated Canary fame. I know her store is no longer open, but you can find a few of her images at Make it Crafty. PLEASE do not purchase or download any of the images that you find on Pinterest or from the dishonest people who copy her art. there are quite a few out there who have made a livelihood off of copying Krista's lovely style. She is such a genuine, caring soul who reached out to me when I was going through my cancer treatment. I knew her beforehand, but really got to know her personally during that challenging time. So yes, I get a bit bothered each time I see those who are unscrupulous making money off of Krista's ideas and artwork. sadly, it happens to many artists. another friend, Maurie Manning, deals with this on an almost weekly basis as well.

now, on to my card. :)
I have used the wonderful "Happy Tea" image and papers from the Authentique Summertime collection. the sentiment is from Create with TLC. little flower is from Wild Orchid Crafts, vintage buttons & doily are from my stash, die is by Spellbinders, and punches are by EK Success. the tea tag is one that I saved and have repurposed. isn't it fun tied in a little bow? the seam binding snippet works perfectly stapled alongside for some added texture. I keep these on my craft desk because I can't bear to throw these beauties away! grins!

Thank you so much for stopping by and saying hello! I will try to get around repay the kindness. I apologize that I am taking so long. these silly migraines and seizures have knocked me sideways. :/ blech.

Challenges:
Try Stamping on Tuesday - sketch with metallic accent option (staple, if that counts)
Creative Moments - anything goes
Crafty Catz - anything goes w/Christmas option
Crafty Girls Creations - anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Not Just Cards - anything goes
Everybody Art - for friends (sending this to one of my tea loving friends)

Tea - A Hug in a Cup

Winner at Get Creative
Top 3 at Through the Craft Room Door
Coffee/Tea of the Day - Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Hey there! I just realized that on the days I have been featuring coffee cards, I have been drinking tea, and now that I am sharing a tea card, I have had coffee. I am sure mixed up, aren't I?! :) does it help if I say that hubby and I had ginger plum tea from Panera for lunch? grins! I tried getting out of the house for a bit today, and sadly it didn't go well. but it was ever so lovely to spend time with him and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. :) too bad the icky seizures had to pop up and say howdy. but that is life right now.... sigh.....

on to my card -
I have another one to share for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop. this time with a tea theme, as I mentioned above. I do love my tea. hot or cold, it doesn't matter to me.

the adorable image is from LOTV and the sentiment is from Create with TLC.  papers are actually from a Valentine collection - Authentique Crush, but I adore the florals and pretty pink stripe. if you notice, almost everything I made has pink on it somewhere. ;)  flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, dies are by Spellbinders, and vintage buttons from my stash. lace, trim, and twine are stash items as well. some faux stitching was added to the base dsp.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a most wonderful day!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Digi Choosday - #22 anything goes
Lemon Shortbread - #68 anything goes
Retarte - #122 anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Artistic Inspirations - anything goes
My Creative Scoop Color Inspirations - anything hand colored goes (watercolor brushes and SU! ink refills)
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Get Creative - lots of flowers
Corrosive Challenge - anything goes
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - anything goes w/optional twist for Mom (sorry, my mom isn't around any longer, so this is going to my bestest friend. she is my tea buddy!)

My County 'Tis of Thee

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Blueberry Mango

Here in the States, it is Memorial Day. We are honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. My prayers are with those family members who have lost someone in service or have someone currently serving in the military.

I made this card today in honor of this holiday. it's so easy to get caught up in the day off from work, store sales, barbeques, and picnics, but we need to remember the people behind the reason for the day.

The beautiful flag digital image is from Paulette at Create with TLC, gorgeous ribbons are from Really Reasonable Ribbons, flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, and vintage buttons, lace, & washi tape from my stash.  whoops, almost forgot, papers are from the Photoplay Red, White, and Blue collection.

the wonderful bark star is from an online craft store that is no longer in business. I apologize that I cannot link to it, as they had great products. I did buy as many of these beauties (and the bark hearts they carried, too) as I could afford at the time. haven't found anyone else online who carried them yet, but if I do, I'll be sure to let you know. :)

the dots on the flourishes were accented with crystal effects. some of the larger ones I went over a second time to really make them stand out. it shows up well irl, but not so much in a photo. ;) isn't that always the case? grins!

I'll be back again tomorrow with another card for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's blog hop. thankful I am able to get a bit of crafting done in spite of my head and these nasty seizures. will be so thankful when they decide that they are done. ;) not that I want them to go visit anyone else, mind you....

Thanks for stopping by! have a most lovely day!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Li'l Patch of Crafty Friends - anything goes
A Gem of a Challenge - use 3 of something (ribbons & buttons)
Crafty Friends - "B" is for... (buttons, bows, bark, blue)
Hiding In My Craft Room - any holiday (Memorial Day)
Addicted to Stamps and More - holiday (Memorial Day)
Crafty Gals Corner - anything goes
2 Sisters on the Blog - 3 of a kind (ribbons & buttons)
Use Your Stuff - washi tape (upper right hand corner - polka dot and stars)

...But Give Her Coffee

Winner at Southern Girls
Coffee/Tea of the Day - Lemon Basil Tea

Hello and Happy Saturday to all of you! :)

I am back with another entry for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop.  Not sure how many more projects I will have a chance to finish because my seizures and migraines are really knocking me down. I've been in bed for a week now, but am trying to get to my craft room when I have the energy. We crafters have our priorities, don't we?! ;) Needless to say I didn't get out to Camp to work this weekend like I had hoped....

anyway, you are here for the fun stuff, not the icky health yuck. so let's get on with it! :)

here is my shabby card using some fabulous images from Paulette over at Create with TLC. I just love her stuff so much!!!!  she gives away free images and sentiments all the time, and has gorgeous digital products in her Etsy store, too. I have my eye on a wedding set for those upcoming weddings here in our family this year. the newlyweds (ALL of them!) would enjoy some journals for all of their photos, if I can get the time and health to get them made.

anyway, AGAIN!, back to my card....
digital papers are from the Prima Collage collection, beautiful flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, and butterfly punch is by Martha Stewart. vintage buttons, lace, and doily are from my stash. butterflies are covered in wink of stella glitter pen while the lady's bracelet was painted with shimmerz for some pretty sparkle. some faux stitching adds to the vintage feel, as does all of the distressing.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a most amazing weekend! :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
Crafting with Friends - anything goes
Creative Fingers - anything goes
Jo's Scrap Shack Funday Friday - anything goes
Southern Girls - sparkle and shine (shimmerz paint & wink of stella glitter pen)
House That Stamps Built - anything goes
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Crafty Addicts - anything goes w/optional spring is in the air theme
A Perfect Time to Craft - anything goes
Rubber Buggy - Theme: feminine or Mother's Day anything goes

Thanks a Latte! Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog Hop

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Strawberry Lavender Mint

Happy Friday to everyone! :)  I am sharing a card with all of you that I made not only for the Coffee Loving Cardmaker's Spring/Summer Blog Hop, but also for a group of VERY kind people who have done something so spectacular for us out at Camp Burton. They have spent the past 2 weeks building a covered deck/porch off of our dining hall! I knew they were people after my own heart when they brought their own tricked out Keurig along, complete with a minimum of 4 different types of coffee. oh yeah! :)

So making a coffee themed thank you card for them seemed the perfect thing to do. Don't you agree? The above photo shows Dave, my hubby, with the addition as of last weekend. I haven't been out there this week to see how far they have progressed. Excited to see the work they have accomplished when I go out later today and work this weekend. :)

My card uses an image and sentiment from Bugaboo, digital papers from the Echo Park Celebrate Spring collection, ribbons from Really Reasonable Ribbon,  and a pretty little daisy from Wild Orchid Crafts.

twine, buttons, and ticket are all items from my stash. shimmerz paint was added to the spoon and heart for some sparkly shine. wink of stella glitter pen was used on the steam coming from the coffee cups for a bit more! :) I added some polka dots to the pink coffee cup with a white get pen and orange pearl pen accents to the sentiment piece for even more fun. lots of distressing with both ink and a distressing tool. faux stitching, too.

Thanks for stopping by! Btw - I have added a privacy policy page to attempt to comply with the new GDPR guidelines.
Jennifer

Challenges:
Catch the Bug - bingo (sparkle - shimmerz paint on heart & spoon, wink of stella glitter pen on steam; sentiment; stitching - faux, on yellow mat and green dsp)
Crafty Creations - anything goes
Inspiration Destination - #151 anything goes
Stempelsonne - anything goes
QKR - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Dream Valley - summer colors

Faith Can Move Mountains

Most Inspiring and DT Favorite at Path of Positivity
Coffee of the Day - The Coffee Fool Vanilla Macadamia Nut

Today's card is another special one, this time for a fundraiser being held in honor of a wee babe who spent some time at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital NICU. His mom, Lea, has put this fundraiser and card drive together to raise money for Starbuck's gift cards and handmade cards to put them in for other family members who have to experience times such as what she went through. You can find more information here on her blog.

Using the mood/inspiration board, I created this card with a beautiful digital image that I purchased on Etsy. my faith has brought me through some very difficult times in my life, so hopefully this sentiment will bring hope and comfort to someone in need.

papers are from both Echo Park and Kaisercraft, ribbons are from Really Reasonable Ribbon, the main image die is by Spellbinders while the tree die is by Tim Holtz for Sizzix. vintage buttons & doily are from my stash and the little banners are actually sticky notes from Target. I used a Wink of Stella clear glitter pen to accent the word 'faith' on the main image and the gold dots on the sticky notes. some re-purposed grey tissue paper adds a bit of interest & texture behind the main image.

I had to work hard to keep this card as flat as possible to make it easy to mail as well as to deliver. not an easy task for me. ;)

if you have a moment, please consider a donation or making a card for this very worthwhile fundraiser. thanks for stopping by!

Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft - anything goes
Crafts Galore Encore - anything goes
Creative Craft Cottage - dies and/or punches (Spellbinders & Tim Holtz dies)
Let's Craft and Create - anything goes with lace, ribbon, twine (I have 2 of the 3 here)
Addicted to Stamps - ribbons galore
Dragonfly Journeys - grey is the new black (used as card base, tissue paper, vintage button, and ink for both painting & distressing)
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Path of Positivity - anything positive goes (hopefully this sentiment brings a bit of hope to someone going through the tragedy of having an infant in the NICU. my faith has sustained me through some of the most terrible times in my life, as well as brought me to the mountain tops. I hope this sentiment and the prayers I poured into the card bring some comfort. the greens, my favorite color, are soothing, while the yellow brings the hope with the sun)

Springtime Birthday Greetings!

Top 3 Pick at CRAFT

Coffee of the Day - Moon Pie (yes, it's actual Moon Pie coffee! it both tastes and smells like a real Moon Pie treat. delicious! I am having the chocolate today)

Today I am sharing with you a lovely birthday card for a very special young lady. well every person is special, don't you think?! ;) but this young lady is the daughter of my online crafting friend, Fikreta, and her birthday is the end of this month. Fiki is asking her crafty friends to make and send cards to her daughter. I am only too happy to do so. :)  I had posted a card that I made for Fiki's husband a few weeks ago. yes, I am a very slow crafter. thankfully I got started early keeping that in mind. grins!

The precious "Kidz Bella Birthday Balloons" image is from Bugaboo, digital papers are from the Echo Park Celebrate Spring collection, flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, birthday sentiment die is by Whimsy Stamps, and ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. main image die is by Spellbinders and buttons & doily are from my stash.

I hope you have a most amazing day! Thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer

Challenges:
CRAFT - birthday
Hester's Birthday Candy challenge
Crafty Catz - anything goes w/optional so cute image
As You Like It - favorite pink or blue ( I absolutely ADORE all things pink! most especially since my breast cancer diagnosis, but I was into pink long before that. being a mom of 3 sons, I had to declare my girl power somehow! ha!)
Allsorts - in the pink
Star Stampz - 2 or more patterned papers
Dragonfly Dreams - here come the girls
Li'l Patch of Crafty Friends - anything goes
Always Happy Birthday - anything birthday w/optional flowers
DL Art - birthday
Morgan's Art World - anything goes
Sweet Stampers - birthday
Catch the Bug - say it with flowers

Happy Mother's Day, A bit Unconventional....

Coffee of the Day - Decaf Lobster Butter from Roos Roast in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms and grandmas out there!

I have a special card to share with all of you today, but it's not your traditional Mother's Day card. it's a card I made for me and my sons that celebrates the reason I am so very happy to be a mom - my boys. the bond those 3 guys share (and the very special one that includes my husband, too!) fills me with such great joy. they are so close to each other, not just in age, but in companionship and friendship.

I said in a post a little bit ago that David is the very air I breathe, but oh my goodness, these young men are my heart. :)

from the time I was 16 years old, doctors told me that I would never have children. I knew deep in my heart that if I were to be a mother, it would happen because God knows best. my greatest dream has always been to be a wife and mother. that's it. and He answered my prayer so completely with my precious family. we are blessed. so very, very blessed to have one another. after 10 years of hearing that it would never happen, I had 3 sons in 3 years. so I celebrate being a mother. they are my miracles and I rejoice in them each and every day. as I said, they are my heart.

so my card recognizes the joy that IS being a brother. the images and sentiment are by Vera Lane Designs. papers are from the Authentique Summertime and Meadow collections, vintage buttons and burlap ribbon are stash items, and the cardboard was inked and distressed a bit. the dies are by My Favorite Things.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful day! :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge - It's a Man's World
Brown Sugar - masculine for Father's Day
Crafting with Friends - anything goes
Jo's Scrap Shack - anything goes #233
QKR - anything goes
Tic Tac Toe - bright colors, something digital (images & sentiment), die cut (grass & paper doll)

Congratulations, Graduate!

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Tea Thyme (this is one of my absolute favorites! thyme, currant, and orange flavor this wonderful tea blend)

Hooray! it's Friday! :)
as many get ready to relax for the weekend, my work week is just beginning. grins! our weekends are always busy because almost every one is booked, thankfully!, with amazing groups out at Camp. between the shopping & cleaning in preparation and then the actual cooking & cleaning while the guests are at Camp, it's busy busy busy. if they want activities such as the rock wall, zip line, or hay rides, then that adds to the fun and excitement of the weekend. :) Palmer goes out to Camp with us and always has a grand time. just say, "Camp" and he is at the back door ready to go! I tell David that Palmer needs his own page on the website so that people can add their own photos taken with him or see his latest antics. Everyone is always asking how Palmer is doing. :) He is definitely a Camp dog!

Today I am sharing a card made for Ryan's fiancee, Elizabeth. She graduated last weekend with her Master's Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University.  She is now on staff at College Wesleyan Church as their Youth Pastor. She and Ryan both interned there.

The images & sentiment are from Vera Lane Studio, digital papers are from the Gennifer Bursett Julep collection, ribbons. twine, & pretty little acrylic flowers are from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and buttons are from my new & vintage stash.

Enjoy your weekend whatever you end up doing! :)

Challenges:
Crafty Catz - add flowers
QKR - anything goes
Crafting with Friends - anything goes
Jo's Scrap Shack - anything goes
4 Crafty Chicks - women celebration
Pile it On - small and/or pencils (tiny flower embellies, small typeprint on bg paper, & micro plaid ribbon pattern )
Craft Rocket - use embellishments: multiple ribbons, twine, buttons, tiny acrylic flowers
Star Stampz - hand colored image ( painted if that's okay)
Ellibelle's Creative Moments - for ladies or girls only
Craft-Dee Bow-Z - anything goes w/handmade bow
Kreativekauf - what you think about when you think of May (graduation for sure around here! grins!)
Morgan's Art World - anything goes

I Want to Go On Adventures With You

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Reiki (delightful fruit and floral tea blend)

Happy Thursday to all of you! Our day began with a beautiful cleansing rain and now the sun is peeking its head through the clouds. the air is clear and fresh, the grass has the most lovely aroma & little drops on the blades, and the birds are singing their songs. oh, what a wonderful day it is turning out to be! :)

Last year I took time away from my crafting to pursue some travel time with hubby as well as some amazing experiences in activism. 2 weddings in the next year put a bit of a crimp in that, and not that I mind one bit, but I do have the most treasured memories of the trips Dave and I took. Palmer, our beloved rescue pup, went on quite a few of those adventures with us. :)

I had that in mind when I made this card....
Dave is not just my other half, he completes me. he is my better portion. he makes me want to be better, and in turn makes me better. to say he is my best friend would be such an understatement. he is the very air I breathe. and I fail to tell him so more times than not.

it's a fairly simple card, but it packs a lot of love into it. :)

I used some of the paper scraps from the Carta Bella Cowboy Country paper collection that I had on my craft desk from the card I had made the other day. always nice to use up some scraps! ribbons come from Really Reasonable Ribbon, vintage buttons are from my stash, and that fabulous sentiment is cut apart from the wonderful 'Adventures' stamp by Rubbernecker. the cutey image is from LOTV and features a quirky girl riding along with her pup. I added crystal effects to the bike's headlight. beautiful die is by Spellbinders.

off to my craft room. lots of cards that need to get made and have to work this weekend. love to all of you!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Rubbernecker Stamps - Best Friends
Crafting By Designs - anything goes
Crafty Creations - anything goes
DL Art - anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Creatalicious - anything goes w/optional sentiment
Sweet Stampers - too cute
Creative Crafters - anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - anything goes
Hand Stamped Sentiments - inspiration photo: bike and flowers which are used in the bg paper (my image is painted with all SU! inks and main image base is SU! whisper white. card base is crumb cake.)

Take It Easy, Little Bunny

Top Pick at Tuesday Throwdown

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Lemon Basil Tea

Hello, everyone! :)

to start, since I have gone back to drinking so much tea again, I am changing my coffee of the day to a coffee/tea combination. If I am drinking one of the blends from our favorite tea shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Tea Haus, I will be sure to link it so that you can check it out. :)  I place an order at least once a month to get their monthly special, but 'might' just pick up a few other yummy flavors either when we go up to visit Mick and Lauren or place another order when I run low or the mood strikes. they really do have the most delightful blends of tea and are super nice as well. no, I am not a paid employee nor am I an affiliate.  just a very happy customer!

now, on to my craft project for the day....

one of my crafty international friends put out a call for cards for both her daughter and her husband - her daughter has an upcoming birthday, but her husband has surgery soon and is worried about it. I thought it would be nice to send him a card when I send a birthday card. guys don't always get cards since people tend to think it's tough to make cards for them. well, with my house being ALL guys, that used to be the only kind I made!

so Fiki, this one is for Mario! and she filled me in on a special challenge that another crafter has going on now to make bunny cards, so I used this adorable little get well rabbit image & sentiment from LOTV.

papers are from the Basic Grey B Side collection, ribbon and twine are from Really Reasonable Ribbon, vintage buttons & ticket are from my stash, and woodgrain piece behind main image is a piece of packaging from Webster's Pages that I had saved. a few dots of Viva Decor Pearl pen accent the sentiment banner.

now to get busy making the birthday card for Fiki's daughter. :)

Challenges:
Crafty Nomad bunny hop
Pause Dream Enjoy - lots of layers
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - anything goes w/a critter
A Perfect Time to Craft - anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown - critter crazy