Autumn Thank You for Each of YOU!

I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to each one of YOU for your kind welcome as I come back to blogging! your comments and messages have been so gracious! you make my heart sing! :)

I hope to alternate my posts between new projects and things I made while on hiatus. this next post is something brand new. :)

I have used the current sketch over at From the Heart as well as one of their cute autumn sets, 'Sunflowers and Pumpkin'. papers are from the Basic Grey Persimmon collection and circle dies are by Spellbiders. the sentiment circle was sprayed with both Mr. Huey's spray as well as glimmer mist. the centers of the sunflowers are coated in distress stickles.

the colors on the little vintage milk cap seemed to go perfectly, so I couldn't help myself and had to include it! all buttons are from my vintage stash. not sure who makes the great orange twill ribbon, but I know you will see more of it before fall is over! I did add a staple to the orange ticket in the bottom right corner after taking the photo. my big stapler is in another room & I had completely forgotten that I wanted to do that before I jumped the gun and took the piccy.... you know I am a goober like that! ;)

Be back tomorrow! :)

Challenges:
From the Heart - sketch #116
Really Reasonable Ribbon - autumn colors with ribbon or trim
Not Just Cards - anything goes
Ooh La La - autumn
Glitter 'n Sparkle - add buttons
Hiding in My Craft Room - freestyle
Kraftin' Kimmie Wonderful Wed - anything goes
Creative Fingers - anything goes
Aud Sentiments - fall fun + a sentiment
Inspiration Destination - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
Di's Digi Designs - include a sentiment

Hello, Little Hedgehog!

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Macadamia

Well, I think Mocha and I are finally getting the hang of things here with just the 2 of us. I leave the door to my craft room open, and she knows where I am. she still gets freaky deaky, but eventually calms herself down, knowing that I DO come out after a while. ;)

One of the cards I needed to get finished was this one for the Progressive Challenge over at From the Heart. Our image this month is the cutey 'Prickles Says Hello.'  I have also used this week's sketch from their challenge, adding my own little touches, as I am wont to do!

papers are from the Simple Stories Summer Vibes collection, flowers are a mix of Wild Orchid Crafts, Prima, and Michaels. burlap ribbon is by May Arts, and orange satin ribbon is from my stash. main image is cut with a Spellbinders die, sun & clouds are cut with a La La Land die, and little banner is cut with a Lawn Fawn die. buttons and washi tapes are from my stash as well, linen thread is SU!

I added the little butterfly trail with my black spica glitter gel pen. shimmerz was painted over parts of the butterfly, while I painted in accents to the butterfly, banner, and hedgehog using white craft ink. his glasses are covered in crystal effects. some faux stitching around the card base completes the card.

Don't forget to pop your entry into my Birthday Blog Candy! :)

Challenges:
From the Heart sketch - sketch 112
Clear it Out - theme: your style (shabby), stash: fave craft item (probably buttons because I use them on EVERYTHING I  make!!!)
Fan-tastic Tues - any square card goes with a twist of summer
Loves Rubberstamps - use a die cut (Spellbinders, La La Land, and Lawn Fawn)
TTCRD - anything goes
Love to Scrap - anything goes
Not Just Cards - anything goes
Stamp and Create - summer fun
Come and Get It - cute animals
L'il Patch of Crafty Friends - anything goes

Hello, Friend! ATC

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Caramel Hazelnut

Hello, Friend! that is the theme of my post today! :)

I have been trying to do a bit of crafting here and there when I can. thank you once again for all of you leaving such wonderfully kind posts about my yuck-o seizures. they haven't let up any yet, but I am trying to not let them get the best of me. not always easy when it feels as if I'm on a permanent brain freeze along with 10 bajillion volts of electricity running through my body, but hey, we do what we can to get through the day. :)

thank goodness that each day brings oh, so many reasons to be thankful and find joy!

today I am showing a little ATC that I made. I haven't made one of these in a while, so thought it was about time. they are so fun to create! and the neat thing is that they fit right in a Project Life page or the new Pocket Pages so many people are making.

I've used images from the 'Hamlet PigWit Think Spring' digital set by From the Heart. the daffodil and polka dot digital papers are some I found for free online here.  dies are by Spellbinders and Lawn Fawn, linen thread is by SU!, while everything else comes from my stash. lots of distressing here, too. oh yes, our little piggy friend was paper pieced with paper from My Mind's Eye Indie Chic collection.

I'll be back tomorrow with another project to share! :)

Challenges:
Wicked Wed ATC - lilacs or daffodils
From the Heart - sketch #109 with a twist (cute, cute, cute)
Paper Shelter - charming
Crafty Ribbons - animals with ribbons
Inspiration Destination - anything goes
Fan-tastic Tues - square or rect with twist of flowers
TTCRD - anything goes
Top Tip Tues - animals
{pin}spriational - photo inspiration (butterfly & yellow)
Stamp and Create - May flowers (around here our daffodils don't bloom until late April/early May)
Pile it On - cute animal
Digitally Sweet - April Showers Bring May Flowers (digital images & papers)
Kitty Bee - in the garden
Paradise of Stamps - animal

Blooming Happiness and Happy Mother's Day!

Coffee of the Day - Irish Creme

Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms, aunts, grandmas, and greats living here in the States! whew.... that was quite the mouthful, wasn't it?!?!! and if you are one of the above living somewhere else in this big, wide world, well, happy day to you, too! :)

my card today overflows with goodies, so you might want to top off your coffee before you go any further.....

I used the adorable 'Apple Blossom Birds' image by From the Heart stamps. it is the May stamp for the monthly progressive challenge. I actually printed it 3 times so that I could layer the images.

papers are Basic Grey Tea Garden (LOVE this new collection!!!), flowers are Petaloo and Wild Orchid Crafts, dies are Spellbinders (main image with mat) and Tim Holtz (polka dot flourish). crochet trim is Maya Road, I think, buttons are from stash, and flowers on the main image have distress stickles in the centers.

I did a bit of re-purposing here - first using the air mail sticker and then with the card in the lower right hand corner. it is actually packaging from Prima flowers. I distressed it with some sandpaper and then roughed up the edges. this is also a great way to get ink to adhere to slick surfaces while giving a shabby look. (tip!!)

I also played with frantage embossing powder for the first time ever. gosh, is that stuff cool! I know I'll be using it a lot more, especially the little bit of pink I have. tee hee!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope to get to everyone's blogs in the upcoming week. seizures are still going gangbusters, but I am going to come by to say hello if I can. :)

Challenges:
From the Heart - sketch #108 with a twist of lots of layers (actually did both. if you look closely you will see that I followed the sketch)
From the Heart - progressive monthly challenge
Rosey Hearts - things with wings
Dragonfly Dreams - how does your garden grow?
Crafty Calendar - things with wings
Di's Digi Designs - load on the flowers
Just Us Girls - embossing (frantage)
Sweet Stampin' - spring flowers
Brown Sugar - layers (over 10!)
Chocolate, Coffee, & Cards - spring has sprung
Fussy and Fancy - lots of flowers
Quick Quotes - add a flower or butterfly
As You Like It - fave: land or sea? land because I need my trees! I've lived by the ocean and as much as I love the waves (I made it a point to drive by the water every day for the 10 years we lived there), I really really really need my trees. and my little critters. and the beautiful birds......
Little Miss Muffet - many layers (over 10!)
Inky Impressions - embellishments (buttons)
Simon Says Wed Ch - let's get sentimental
Whimsy - color an image
Deep Ocean - flowers
QKR - nature
Top Tip Tues - duo (not only do I have a pair of birds, but birds & branches go together! my tip is above about using sandpaper on slick paper surfaces)
Crafty Boots - things with wings
Mema's - anything goes
Stamp and Create - May flowers
Crafting Musketeers - use a die cut (Spellbinders & Tim Holtz)
Creatalicious - embossing (frantage)
Emerald Faeries - flowers for Mom
Lia Stampz - embossing (frantage)
V's Sweet Ideas - emboss it (frantage)
Pile it On - cute animal
Come and Get It - got flowers
Robyn's Fetish - lots of layers (over 10!)
Sentimental Sundays - Happy Mother's Day or really girly
Sparkle and Sprinkle - anything goes with loose glitter, flocking, or embossing powder (frantage)

whoa nelly - I think that is a record for me! just like the record I broke with the number of layers on this card! :)

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

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

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

Super Birdbrain!

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

A quick post, as I have been fighting a migraine for the past few days.  I wanted to be sure to get my card finished for the monthly progressive challenge over at From the Heart using this fun Super Birdbrain image. I thought I would send it off to Ryan at Camp for a bit of encouragement.

card is fairly simple, using papers from the Basic Grey Capture collection, a star punched from a Starbuck's coffee cozy, some May Arts ribbon, and coolio buttons sent to me by a friend. you know I love my buttons!

also, you'll see a few DT changes here on my blog. I've had to make some decisions that weren't too easy, but most certainly necessary. I can't endorse a company/store/artist here on my blog that I don't believe to be someone I can 100% recommend to each of you who stops by. if I myself have difficulty, I would be horrified to think of one of you having those same troubles/issues after visiting upon my suggestion. I know everyone has different experiences and different sets of standards to live by. I am by no means perfect, I promise you. I am doing what I believe to be the right thing for me and my blog/readers. thank you for understanding.

hope you have a great day! :) Don't forget to enter my Nifty at Fifty Birthday Blog Candy!

Challenges:
TTCRD - anything goes
Sailing Pineapple - re-purpose (coffee cozy)
Fan-tastic Tues - anything square or rectangle goes
Crafting at the Weekend - anything goes
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Craft Your Passion - bold, bright colors
Incy Wincy - things with wings
Outlawz Greeting - masculine
Sentimental Sundays - when I grow up (this is going to our youngest son, Ryan, also known as Super Ry. since he was little, he has always wanted to be a Super Hero, most especially Superman!)
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes with patterned paper
Brown Sugar - dots and/or stripes

Peace Like a River

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

Hello everyone! no news yet from the doctor about my biopsies.... gosh waiting on them is SO HARD! I will find out one way or the other tomorrow because I am calling the office to see what is up. ;)

I did make a few cards to take my mind off of the waiting, waiting, waiting....
I wanted to make one for a dear friend of mine. an image & sentiment over at From the Heart was just perfect. I also used the current sketch in their challenge, so it worked out for a two-fer!

papers are from the Basic Grey Kneehighs collection, flowers are Wild Orchid Crafts, butterfly die by The Cat's Pajamas, and pretty circle die is Spellbinders. the card base was sprayed with glimmer mist.

Thanks so much for all of your prayers and encouragement! it means so much to me! :) love ya!

Challenges:
i {heart} sketches - sketch # 67
4 Crafty Girls - anything goes
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Hanna and Friends - dies
Hobbybook - for Mom or a special lady (for my friend)
Die Cut Divas - use at least one embellishment
Feeling Crafty - one for the girls
Seemacrafts - butterflies and rainbows (no actual rainbows, but lots of the colors!)
Sparkles - celebrate mom or a special lady (for my friend)
Tiny Fairy Tales - butterflies
TTCRD - anything goes
Ooo La La - quotations (scripture)

Make a Wish Picket Fence

Coffee of the Day - Gingerbread

Hello to all of you!
I am recovering from 2 biopsies yesterday. we should have the results by the end of next week. I would ask for prayers for my hubby and sons, please, if you don't mind. they are having a tough time with all of this. I'm a bit on the sore side, but doing pretty well considering.

I did get to my craft room for a while today. Wanted to play along with the monthly progressive challenge at From the Heart while I was feeling up to it. rather than using their weekly sketch, I opted to use the 'twist' of felt on my project. can you believe, no Basic Grey papers? I know.... I was pretty shocked myself when I finished!

image is by From the Heart, as I mentioned. flowers are all by Prima. main image die is Spellbinders, banner strip die is MFT, and tiny leaf flourish die is Cheery Lynn. I added cotton candy stickles to dots in the flower centers of the main image as well as all along the banner die. btw, that die cut the felt like it was butter! first pass, too! I was impressed! card base is partially inked with the inside of a bubble envelope and then sprayed with glimmer mist. sentiment is a sticker by SRM. I seem to be using so many of these lately.

just an FYI, if you ever want to see all of the projects on my blog, for instance that have glimmer mist or Basic Grey papers or SRM stickers or whatever, just click on the labels down below each individual post. that will sort the posts for you. I try to be on top of labeling each post properly. I actually use this feature a lot when trying to find certain projects. it's pretty handy! :)

Challenges:
From the Heart - monthly progressive challenge
i {heart} sketches - twist: felt (banner)
SRM Ch - birthday
QKR Stampede - punches or dies (dies - Spellbinders, Cheery Lynn, & MFT)
Feeling Crafty - one for the girls (this is going to my SIL)
Sketch 'n Dies - sketch #7
My Sheri Crafts - use at least 3 flowers
Outlawz Greeting - flowers
Speedy the Fox -  no designer paper
Craftitude - use a die (dies - Spellbinders, Cheery Lynn, & MFT)
Crafts 4 Eternity - to die for (dies - Spellbinders, Cheery Lynn, & MFT)
Sister Act - any card goes
A Little Bit Crafty - flower power
CCC Digi Creations - use a digi
Dies 'r Us - May Flowers (dies - Spellbinders, Cheery Lynn, & MFT)
Mema's Crafts - May Flowers
The Cupboard Trilogy - flowers
Seize the Birthday - birthday flowers
Inky Impressions - flowers
Simon Says Stamp - die crazy (dies - Spellbinders, Cheery Lynn, & MFT)
Whimsy Inspires - 2 or more dies (dies - Spellbinders, Cheery Lynn, & MFT)
Crafty Sentiments - flowers
Fitztown - feminine (for my SIL)
{pin}spirational - photo insp (flowers)
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Digi Makeover - sparkle (stickles and glimmer mist)
Incy Wincy - birthdays

Thank You Lighthouse

I finally had a chance to get my remake done for the thank you card we needed. thankfully this one met with Dave's approval! it's pretty simple, but that is how he seems to like cards for guys. as long as it makes my hunny bunny happy! :)

lighthouse image and sentiment are by From the Heart, papers are from the long retired Basic Grey Boxer collection, flower is Prima, and wood veneer stars are by Studio Calico. accents to the lighthouse were made with shimmerz paint. buttons were some I found a long time ago at Joanns. I knew they would come in handy one day!

Challenges:
i heart sketches - sketch #65
Outlawz Greeting - water or beach
One Stitch at a Time - use a digi
Cards Galore Encore - anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes with patterned paper
Ladybug Crafts - use your fave embellies (buttons!)
Creating in Faith, Hop, and Love - anything goes with scripture
Lexi's Creations - for the man/boy in your life
Cardz 4 Guyz - bingo: twine, image, buttons
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - water
A Creative Romance - one for the boys
Left of Center - masculine

Spring is Sure to Follow

Can you believe it? I actually made it into my craft room! really hope to get back in later today if I can. :)

the mother of a special bloggy friend of mine recently passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. it's a nasty beast, isn't it? I wanted to send her a card to let her know I was thinking of her, but also send her a bit of encouragement, too. I so remember the days feeling so hopeless after my dad died. it was really hard to find the joy, even though I loved Dave and  my boys so very much. the little bits of pink pay tribute to her mom's hard fight and the hearts represent not only the love the 2 of them shared, but the love she can find in so many of her friends.

it's a lot to pack into a card, isn't it? this is the reason I prefer to make sympathy cards as I need them. I try to put little touches into the card that might not be noticeable to anyone else but me, but are so representative of the people. I also like to pray for the ones I'm making them for and think about them the whole time I'm crafting.

the image is by From the Heart and papers are from the Basic Grey Highline collection. flower is Prima, leaf flourish dies are Cheery Lynn while the heart banner die is from La La Land. little touches were added to the flowers on the main image with my spica clear glitter gel pen and faux stitching to the 2 decorative paper panels. the heart banner was cut from a piece of transparent packaging, and then the edges were painted with acrylic paint. buttons & floral trim finish the card.

Challenges:
i {heart} sketches - sketch #63 (flipped on side) and insp. photo twist (colors and flowers)
From the Heart - monthly progressive ch
As You Like it - fave item to recycle and why: I really like to re-use the transparent packaging. it's great because it can be die cut into so many shapes and then either left clear or painted. I re-use many of the containers as they are for altered projects. my other fave item is buttons. I take them off of any clothing that is too worn to go to a charity store. of course almost every project I make has buttons somewhere on it! :)
Card and Scrap - add metal (staples)
Outlawz Twisted Thurs - anything goes
Shelly's - April showers bring May flowers
Crafting by Design - April showers bring May flowers
Creative Moments - anything goes/spring
Inky Impressions - recycle it (clear packaging & buttons)
WAW - anything goes encouraging
Card Makin' Mamas - recycle (clear packaging & buttons)
Creative Fingers - anything goes/bingo: die cut, pearls, flower
Craftitude - anything goes or Spring/Easter
Sister Act - anything goes
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - Spring or Easter
Fan-tastic Tues - anything square or rectangle goes
Created with Love - in the garden
Squirrel and Fox - use a die cut or punch

Stained Glass Easter Blessings

Coffee of the Day - Hazelnut

I have discovered that I have a little chipmunk friend who has taken up residence in the ceiling above my craft room. he pops his head in every once in a while to say hello, and talks to me on occasion as well. it's been quite interesting listening to his little pitter pattering feet as I sit crafting! my room used to be a porch that was sealed in by the previous homeowner. We (Dave and the boys! I had nothing to do with it other than telling them it was what I wanted.) put in a corrugated metal ceiling in my room. you should hear the way this little guy's feet sound as he races across it! it makes me smile!  anyway, on to my project....

My card today uses both an image and sketch by From the Heart. the image is a new one called 'Easter Morning Stained Glass.' it is so pretty! the papers are from the Basic Grey Euphoria collection, a REALLY old one. I used my buttermilk spica glitter pen to add some accents to the flowers. the itty bitty dies are from Cheery Lynn. flower is pretty Prima. I am sorry I don't remember the name of the Etsy store where I found this FAB stitched and torn floral polka dot fabric trim. I've had it several years and just never found the perfect project for it. this seemed the ideal use! :) at least I like it.

whoops - forgot to add that the sentiment is from an old Shady Tree stamp set. Nancy always has the best sentiments with her stamps!

hope you have a great weekend! will check in with you again later.
still waiting on my blogger dashboard to get straightened out so I can start popping by all of your blogs again. it was okay for one brief shining moment last week, but it happened to be a time I wasn't feeling well. wouldn't you know?

Challenges:
i {heart} sketches - sketch #61
Crafts 4 Eternity - Easter
Alphabet Ch - 'E' for Easter
Craft for the Craic - Easter or Spring
Digi Haven - Easter and use brown
Digitally Sweet - Easter
Jellypark Friends - Happy Easter (waving hi!!!)
Jo's Scrap Shack - Easter
QKR - Easter
Totally Papercrafts - Easter
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Get Inky - spring or Easter
DL Art - Easter
Moving Along With the Times - Easter
Milk Coffee - Easter (hello!!!)
Always Something Creative - Easter
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Bearly Mine - Spring
Sparkles - Easter Parade
Add a Little Dazzle - Spring/Easter
Crafting with Dragonflies - Easter
Divas by Design - Easter/Spring
House That Stamps Built - Easter
Paper Shelter - Easter
Simon Says Stamp - Happy Easter or Sweet Treats with Basic Grey focus (well, no surprise, I happened to use BG papers!)
Artistic Inspirations - Easter animal
Path of Positivity - peace (it comes from my precious Saviour!)

Irish Piggie on a Pot

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Vanilla Cream

sorry I have been away for a while. have really not been doing well. was hit by some nasty something or another that knocked me for a loop. spent 3+ days running a fever of over 102*. not fun at all. thought I was starting to get a bit better, but was mistaken. boo on that.....

but, on a positive note, I have made a few cards that I will be sharing over the next few days. I wanted to be sure to play along in the monthly progressive challenge at From the Heart. I also used the latest sketch from them for my card. These progressive challenges are always a fun way to get some neat images for free, but have a fun time, too. :)

The papers are from the new Basic Grey Mon Ami collection, dies are Spellbinders, punch for the sentiment is by Jenni Bowlin while the border punch is SU! felt flower is from Michael's.  some faux stitching was added for accent along with a bit of vintage lace and a ticket. I also added homemade enamel dots. these were so easy to make, and you know I use them all the time on my  projects!

thank you so much for stopping by! I'll be back in a day or so. :)
oh yes, thank you also for your encouragement and kind words regarding my previous post about the publishing snafu. y'all are the best! and for those of you who have had similar things happen to you, I am so very sorry.

Challenges:
From the Heart - monthly progressive challenge
i {heart} card sketches - sketch #57
Aud Sentiments - anything goes with a sentiment
Delightful Ch - wearing of the green
Outlawz Twisted Thurs. - anything goes with first day of spring twist
Sassy Studio Designs - Happy St. Patrick's Day
Tuesday Throwdown - stitching (faux)
Inky Impressions - go green
Crafters Cafe - flowers
Fab 'n Funky - animals
Little Red Wagon - truly dimensional (the main image & senti are also adhered with foam tape)
Scrapper's Delight - St. Patrick's Day
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Pause, Dream, Enjoy - use any sketch
{pin}spirational - photo inspiration
Papertake Weekly - bingo: lace, punched shapes (sentiment & border), flowers

It's Your Birdday!

Coffee of the Day - Salted Caramel Pecan

Happy Friday!  wooo hoooooo! it's the weekend! isn't that such a wonderful feeling? Tyler came in this afternoon to help work at Camp this weekend, and Ryan comes home next weekend for a long Spring Break. doing some cooking for my guys, which always makes this momma happy! hopefully Mick can get here for a day or two when Ry is here to visit, too. :)

I have a very special bird-day card to share with all of you today. I have started back up on Facebook again, in case any of you weren't aware. several friends invited me to 'like' a page about a special young man celebrating a birthday in just a few weeks. I knew I wanted to make him a birthday card, and when the new image was sent out for the 'From the Heart' progressive challenge, it was absolutely perfect!

I also used the sketch from this week's i {heart} sketches challenge. papers are Basic Grey Cupcake, bg was made with gelatos and Mr. Huey's white spray mist. I also used the gelatos on the edges of the main image. these little gel sticks are fun, fun, fun! :)  since the card is for a young boy, I wanted it to be something to hopefully make him happy, so I added the candle and balloons for the primary embellies. shimmerz paint accents the candle flame.

sorry the card scanned a bit wonky due to the bulk of the candles and balloons.
have a most wonderful weekend! :)

Challenges:
From the Heart progressive Ch - use required image
i {heart} sketches - use sketch #54
Sister Act - anything goes
Outlawz Greeting - animal planet
The Stamping Boutique - punch or die (Spellbinders die)
4 Crafty Chicks - things with wings
Aud Sentiments - bingo: 3 word senti, die cut, texture (candle & balloons)
Crafty Ribbons - anything goes
Little Miss Muffet - happy birthday with balloons
Paper Pretties - ribbon (on the left under my watermark)
WAW - anything goes with encouraging sentiment
Crafty Sentiments - anything goes
Loves Rubberstamps - use a funny sentiment
TTCRD - anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown - anything with wings
Artistic Inspirations - anything goes/masculine
Eureka - animal friends
Melonheadz - for the boys
613 Avenue Create - RAK for someone who might not expect to receive it (the boy doesn't know about the card drive)
Floral Fantasies 5th Anniv - fave item: buttons and Spellbinders dies

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