A Card to Lift You...

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

It is hot here. poo on that. I was really enjoying the break of summer heat we were having for a bit... hopefully cooler temps are just around the corner.... time to put the juice in the freezer for slushy drinks! ahhhhh, so refreshing on a hot, humid day! what do you do to stay cool in the summer heat?

The showcase team over at Milk Coffee has some fun Beach/Water/Travel inspired projects to share with you today. lots of fun cards to see on the blog!

I was given the image, 'Charlotte in Paper Airplane' to use for my card. I paired her with papers from the Authentique Pride collection, and pretty Prima flower, some May Arts burlap ribbon, and clouds cut from corrugated cardboard with a MFT die. the sentiment is from Create with TLC. I tried to color her fairly close to the actual US Air Force uniform as I could. her aviator goggles, as well as those of her chicky friend, are covered in crystal effects. a spica clear glitter gel pen and white gel pen give some highlight touches.

We finally found a new for us vehicle last night. David has been traveling all over the Cleveland/Akron area trying to track down a used SUV type vehicle in our price range (cheap!) with as little rust and as low mileage as possible. The rust is pretty important since most of our time up here is spent covered in snow. we were hoping to get 4 wheel drive if possible, too. well my hero pulled the rabbit out of the hat, and Gandalf the Grey is now ours! yes, we name our cars. it's silly, but I have from my very first beloved, Beau. he was my baby blue Camaro, and the love of my life for many years. So now to get it ready to move everyone to school in the next few weeks..... sigh......

btw - this was taken in our driveway this morning with my phone while I was letting the dogs out in the backyard.... the door to the right is our back door going into the kitchen. the door to the left goes into my craft room! it used to be a porch room, so it sits off of the kitchen and is all windows. just a little peeky peeky into where I spend my crafty time! :) our barn/garage is right behind me as I'm taking the photo.

Challenges:
Stamps & Crafts - show us your country (USA)
Crafty Creations - texture
Paper Shelter - punches and dies
WAW - anything goes encouraging
Going Grey - anything goes
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
613 Avenue Create - anything goes with sentiment
Glitter and Sparkle - add some red
2 Sisters - anything goes
Hiding in My Craft Room - color inspiration (marina is the sky color)
PTT - friendship (badge is about halfway down on sidebar)
Cute Card Thursday - dieing to punch

I Love Having Breakfast with YOU!

Coffee of the Day - Butter Rum

Sorry I have been away for so long. I'm still really sick, but have been trying to get caught up on some of my DT projects. hopefully by the end of the weekend I'll have them completed. crossing fingers anyhow.

Today is a new showcase over at Milk Coffee and the theme is one I could NOT pass up - buttons galore! there are some absolutely GORGEOUS projects over on the blog, so be sure to stop by to see them all.

MilkCoffee is also having a SUMMER SALE where you can buy some BULK images..

To Welcome Summer, we are having a special event where you can buy our digistamps in bulk for a special price!

-  Buy 3 digis for 7 USD 

-  Buy 5 digis for 11 USD 

-  Buy 10 digis for 19 USD 

Don't miss out on this awesome chance as it will only be available from July 25th till August 1st 2013

for my card I am using the cute new image, 'Luna and Sunny Side Up.' I typed out the sentiment since this is going to be an anniversary card for David next month. the inside reads "...and lunch and dinner and snacks, too! Happy Anniversary!"

papers are from the Basic Grey Paper Cottage collection. the little banner die is from MFT. the vintage diner guest check is one I found on the internet. if I can track it down, I'll be sure to come back to link it. all of the buttons are from my stash. the tops of the shakers are painted with shimmerz, and then the shakers themselves are coated with crystal effects. the card is kinda simple, but it is going to be hunny bunny afterall....

hang on for just a mo, and I'll have another card to share. :)

Challenges:
Crafts and Me - anything goes
Divas by Design - anything goes
Paper Shelter - anything goes
Whimsical Designs - pile it on (at least 3 layers & 2 embellies)
WAW - anything goes with encouraging verse or senti
Anything Goes - anything goes
Bearly Mine - anything goes
QKR Stampede - fruity fun (there are oranges on the plate. I made sure because there is NO WAY I would eat the broccoli or peas for breakfast. ha!)
Crafty Bloggers - metal: staples & shimmerz paint on shakers
Kaboodle Doodles - anything goes
Paper Playtime - patterned paper
Whoopsi Daisy - 2 or more die cuts
613 Avenue Create - anything goes
Little Claire's - wedding/anniversary (for mine and hubby's 27th anniversary next month)

Enjoy the Journey with Milk Coffee

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee (gosh, I really need to get some new coffee flavors!)

Hello again! yep, I think I have a card for every day through Saturday! I told y'all I had some in my stash to share with ya....lots more stuff going on in the background, so I'll share with you as I'm able. might just have to pop a blog candy on here sometime soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that, too.

I am still feeling puny. last night was really rough. some day I will be healthy as that horse, I just know it! between cancer and all of the other fun things going on, I am so very thankful for my coffee and pups! grins! thank you, too, for the kind, encouraging comments you leave. it truly does help! :)

okay, now for my card!
Our new showcase over at Milk Coffee is vehicles. I love this fun new image. I dream of having my own punch buggy, but mine would probably be pastel pink. if not, you bet your sweet bippy it would be this fab orange! don't these two look like they are having a wonderful adventure?

You can find the image in the Milk Coffee Etsy store, papers are from the Basic Grey Shine On collection, senti is Create with TLC, flower is Prima with distress stickles in the center, wood veneer shapes are Studio Calico, buttons are from my stash, and linen thread is SU!  I added crystal effects to her glasses as well as the windshield. shimmerz was painted over the headlights, hubcaps, and front bumper. I painted a road for them to drive on, adding stripes with my white gel pen.

Challenges:
Sweet Sketch - sketch
Art Impressions - twine time
Dutch Dare - bingo:  flowers, buttons, distressing
WAW - anything goes with inspiring senti
Crafting for All Seasons - bingo: buttons, digi, ribbon/twine
Creative Moments - holiday/vacation (we drive everywhere we go)
TTCRD - anything goes
Cheerful Stamp Pad - you make a lovely couple
Fresh Brewed - take a vacation
Seemacrafts - holiday/vacation
Crafters Cafe - anything goes
Allsorts - fave things: Basic Grey, buttons, and distressing
Great Impressions - anything goes
Sister Act - anything goes
Wags 'n Whiskers - cute as a button

A Day Filled with Happies.... I need one! :)

Coffee of the Day - Buttered Rum Pecan

Boy howdy, I was never so glad for yesterday to be over and today to begin! we had the most bizarre afternoon and evening.....

it began with a phone call from Dave telling me he was in route to the ER with Ryan for a finger that had been crushed in the tailgate of a pickup. yikes! we spent the next several hours texting back and forth through x-rays to discover if bones had been broken and exams to see if stitches were needed. it seems that when the group had gone to the Lake canoeing, Ryan's finger ended up in the back of the pickup with the rest of the boats. not good. thankfully he is okay now. of course he wanted to go straight back to Camp from the hospital!

within half an hour of that last text message, I was taking Mocha outside when she was attacked in our driveway by another dog. did you know that a labrador's head can fit inside the mouth of a St. Bernard? well I now know it's true....that was the most tense 10 minutes of my life as my poor dog screamed and 2 men tried their darndest to get that huge jaw off of her head. thank goodness Latte was inside, but she was barking up a storm as she heard her sister's cries. Mocha is okay now, but she hasn't been 100% from her health ick a few weeks ago. this was the last thing my poor dog needed. but she's alright and that is what matters.

after I got her cleaned up as best I could, we sat down to watch a  movie in the living room. next thing I  know one of my teeth falls out from all of my radiation poisoning. sheesh oh pete, what next? I was really wishing for a shot of tequila right about then, I can tell you! ;) I think I've lost more teeth in this whole cancer battle than I did hair! they sure don't tell you that in the pamphlets.....

so I was really happy to put that day to rest, needless to say. today begins anew.

on to my card....
I made this in the midst of the ER texting, so if it seems a bit scattered, you know why. my thoughts weren't completely focused on crafting.

there is a new showcase over at Milk Coffee today for Girly Girl creations. A new character is being introduced, too, so check out the blog for a fun contest! you'll love the new images! :)

image is 'Girl Holding a Heart Gift,' papers are from the Basic Grey Soleil collection, ribbon rose is made from May Arts satin ribbon, paper roses were gifted to me so I'm sorry I don't know who made them, and sentiment is Create with TLC. the doily and sentiment tag were sprayed with Clambake glimmer mist. this is one of my new fave colors by them!!! you know how I love my sparkly glimmer mist! :)

thank you so much for stopping by. sorry for the long post today, but gosh, it was just an emotional day yesterday. ready for some quiet crafting and smooth  jazz on the CD player today....

love ya! Jennifer

Challenges:
Crafting for All Seasons - make it girly
Penny's Paper Crafty - girl power
Simon Says Stamp - anything goes plus sending this to Maddy
Crafty Sentiments - girl power
Inky Chicks - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Paper Take Weekly - sketch #80 (current) turned on its side
Challenges 4 Everybody - anything goes
No Matter Which - bingo: bow, border punch, sparkle/glitter
Robyn's Fetish - pink, scallops, border, and a bow
Sentimental Sundays - for the girls
Basic Grey - doilies
Craft Lovin' - anything goes
Send a Smile 4 Kids - for the girls (mailing my card to Maddy; see above)
ABC - P is for Pretty in Pink
Crafty Ribbons - anything goes with ribbon (pink rose is made with ribbon, too)
Sweet Pea - for children

You Are Beautiful

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Marshmallow (Ryan bought this for me yesterday! what a treat!)

We have a wonderful showcase over at Milk Coffee for you today. Our theme is florals and there are some gorgeous samples on the blog by the team. I hope you will stop over to see what everyone has created to inspire you!

My card uses the beautiful Tiffany in flowery bridal gown image from the Etsy store. the sentiment is from Create with TLC. the papers are digital ones, Carina Gardner Flourish. buttons and lace are vintage, leaf die is SU!, gorgeous flower is from Wild Orchid.

there is a lot of sparkle and shine on this card that doesn't really show in the scan. the roses have all been covered in milled lavender distress stickles as was the border the, accent dots were highlighted with my clear spica glitter pen, the flower was sprayed with shimmer mist, and the sentiment banner was sprayed with glimmer mist. A silver doily is tucked away in behind the flower, but might be kind of hard to see.

Even though the calendar says spring, we are in the midst of a huge snowstorm here in NE Ohio. 3"-5" of snow are expected today and temps are about 15*. roads are pretty nasty. I do love snow, but I'm happiest when no one is out driving in it. my guys start their Spring Break tomorrow, so I'm excited! :)

Challenges:
Aud Sentiments - girl power
Forever Friends - lots of flowers
Paper Crafting Journey - ribbon or lace
Inky Impressions - flowers
Crafty Sentiments - flowers
Crazy Amigo - wedding
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - fave embellies (vintage buttons & trims)
Craft Your Passion - ribbons or lace
Crafty Boots - flowers
House of Gilli - anything goes with flowers and/or ribbon

The Easter Bunny is Getting Ready!

Coffee of the Day - Red Velvet Cake

Not too long until Mr. Easter Bunny comes hippity hopping down the bunny trail, so he is busy busy busy coloring up those pretty eggs! Our inspiration showcase at Milk Coffee is all about Easter, and there are some adorable new images in the store to help you with those projects for the holiday. if you stop by the blog, you will find a most beautiful free image that completely sums up what Easter is really all about.

My card uses the fun little Easter Bunny image. Don't you know he is happy playing with those fun eggs! I made this using some great papers my friend Chris sent to me. sorry I don't know the mfg.  Flowers are Prima, lace and buttons are vintage. I adore the discoloring of the blue button! that is one of the things that make vintage buttons such a treasure to me! :) Added a little doily piece, sent to me by another friend, Tracey, a few rhinestones, and some baker's twine.  I know it's a simple card, but by the time I was finished painting and ready to put it all together, I had spiked a yucky fever.

David returned last night from attending a big Christian Camping Conference in Michigan for the first part of the week. He had a great time catching up with some friends we haven't seen in quite a while. Another big conference for our Church District is in June in Philadelphia, and I really would love to feel well enough to attend. Even though David will be busy speaking at some of the sessions, I would love to do the proper tourist thing and visit the historic sites.  we shall see.....

p.s. some of you have asked about my coffee flavors. they are all actual flavored coffees, most of them decaf. I do have some syrups that I add on occasion, such as the bacon syrup I received at Christmas which is VERY tasty with today's flavor! but most of the coffees are just coffee - nothing added, well, except for milk, because as the name of today's shop says, I drink milk coffee! grins! or coffee milk as my dear Daddy taught me!

Challenges:
Crafting for all Seasons - spring into spring
LEJ Designs - all things spring
Ribbon Carousel - spring is in the air
Tuesday Throwdown - lace and doilies
Die Cuttin' Divas - sketch (flipped on it's side, panels turned into banners)
Crafty Bloggers - spring or pastel
Creative Stamp Friends - spring colors
Daisy Doodles - springtime
House of Gilli - anything goes w/pastels
Lexi's Creations - Easter
Ooh La La Creations - 4 legged friends

Oh yes, I do love Coffee!

Get up off the floor, yes, it's 2 posts in one day!

My radiation poisoning symptoms are back in full throttle, so I'm not sleeping all that well. that means I can sit in my craft room and make cards deep in the night - pretty much the only positive thing about the whole mess! ;) Last night I got 2 cards made, and they actually look fairly decent once the sun comes up, too! ha! That also means I'm on my 2nd pot of coffee - whoa nelly! Gingerbread this time. sadly, I'm almost out of this flavor. sigh...... and it's so tasty, too.

My card uses another one of the cute cupcake photos from Cupcake Inspiration Challenges. in fact, this is the one that first caught my eye so that I knew I wanted to play along. it's just so ME! :)

The image comes from Milk Coffee. it is the very first image I ever bought from this fun store. papers are Basic Grey Fiction. the button is vintage. twine is just regular household twine. not sure who the mfg. of the flower is.... sorry. the coffee cozy and swizzle stick/hole clogger-upper thingy both come from Starbucks the great and powerful, most wonderful of all coffee shops. I haven't been to one since before Christmas, but I know in my heart of hearts that they are still out there, making cup after cup of delicious lattes and frapps for people to quench their happy little palettes.

Challenges:
Loves Rubber Stamps - anything goes
Great Impressions - going green
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
Twisted Tuesday - spring into green
Make it Monday - anything goes
One Crazy Stamper - anything goes
Melonheadz - going green
Basic Grey - anything goes with BG
Card Makin' Mamas - green
Digi Haven - green
Simply Create Too - St. Patrick's Day or use mostly green
Stamping with the Dragon - anything goes
Crafts 4 Eternity - bingo:  flowers, green, layers
Crafters Cafe - green or St. Patrick's Day
Simon Says Stamp - a bit of green
Inky Impressions - St. Patrick's Day or green

A Mother is Born

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

A new showcase is up at Milk Coffee, and the theme is Mother's Day. I do hope you will stop by to see what the other designers have created with these cute images. :)

I chose to make a card using the ever adorable 'Mom Loves You' digi. oh, how I remember the joy of being pregnant with each of my boys! nothing on earth can compare with that feeling! now, I was sick as a dog and on bed rest and tons of medications because of the complications I had with each one, but it was still one of the most beautiful times of my life. :)  I was never supposed to have children, in fact I'd been told for 10 years that I would never have them, but I knew God had other plans. so in 3 years I had 3 precious sons! yep, they are THAT close in age! grins! and we never lived close to any family, plus we were always moving while I was either pregnant or had just had a baby, so those were VERY interesting times indeed.

okay, enough of that..... onto my card!

Papers are from the Basic Grey Lucille collection, sentiment is from Create with TLC, flowers are Prima, and button is from my vintage stash. the sentiment tag was sprayed with 2 shades of glimmer mist. some ribbon, a few rhinestones, and faux stitching complete the card. I used a sketch from one of the challenges over at SCS Love Fest. 

I also want to take a moment to thank everyone for the very encouraging messages. You make my heart soar! :)  

Challenges:

Paper Crafting Journey - bingo: sentiment, flowers, buttons

Penny's - anything goes

WAW - anything goes

Inky Chicks - Mother's Day or birthday
Paper Minutes - faces
Sassy Studio Designs - stitching
Paper Shelter - celebrations: new baby

Love at Milk Coffee

Coffee of the Day - Eggnog

Today I am playing in the showcase at Milk Coffee, where the theme is Love.  We were given several fun new images, and even though I have never had one of these delightful little cookies, I just know I would LOVE the macaroons our cute Fiona Fairy is holding! :)

Papers are from my most beloved Daisy D stash, Maybe Baby collection..... let me pause and wipe away a tear as I still mourn the loss of that most fabulous paper company.... sigh.....sentiment tickets come from Create with TLC and were sprayed with glimmer mist. her wings  and the rose were coated or accented in stickles. a bit of washi tape, some pretty lace, a few buttons, and we are finished! :)

have a most beautiful day! Jennifer

Challenges:
Flutter By Wednesday - anything goes with butterflies or fairies
Fresh Brewed Designs - hearts and dots
Simon Says Stamp - have a heart
Digital Tuesday - hearts
Stamp 'n Doodle - love is in the air

Milk Coffee Hearts

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Peppermint

oh it is still snowing this morning, and it is glorious indeed! we have several feet of the fluffy stuff on the ground. I am in my own lovely little heaven. :) I took this photo out my upstairs hall window as soon as I woke up this morning, looking out upon our barn and backyard. it is beautiful! you'll have to excuse the quality, please. I was using my phone.

I was actually able to play along in today's feature showcase at Milk Coffee. Gosh, how I love that name! grins! it takes me back to times with my beloved Daddy and drinking what he called 'coffee milk' with him. of course he drank his coffee black, but I felt so grown up drinking my 'coffee' right alongside him! funny, I still take my coffee pretty much the same way as I did back then.......

anyway, the theme for the showcase is 'hearts'. As soon as I saw this adorable image, Love Call,  I knew it would be perfect to create a Valentine for Mick to give Jocelyn. (Jocelyn, if you are reading this post, don't look any further!!!! at least not until after Valentine's Day!!! spoiler alert!!!) from the time they first start dating, he has always sung to her over the phone. it's the sweetest thing! this sentiment from Create with TLC was perfect!

Papers are MME Lime Twist Happy Go Lucky, border die is from My Favorite Things, several different washi tapes, some wooden hearts from Studio Calico, and a few other little fun embellies.

Challenges:
Stamp and Create - love
C.R.A.F.T.  - Valentine/love
Craft Us Crazy - Valentine/love/use red
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - anything goes
Sisterhood of Crafters - hearts

Patterned Paper at Pile it On - Find a Cure

Coffee of the Day - Peppermint Mocha

The challenge this week at Pile it On is to use patterned paper on your project - wow, that is a lot of P's!
that isn't ever a problem for me, but you need to go over to the PIO challenge blog to see how some of the DT really piled those patterned papers on! anyone else feeling the need for a pickled pepper from Peter Piper?! ;)


For my card I used this very special image from Milk Coffee. It was a freebie over on the blog, and I was so touched when it was introduced there. The senti comes from Create with TLC. you can be sure that I use this one a lot as well! papers are from Basic Grey Serendipity and a special breast cancer collection by Karen Foster. I made sure to position the main image so that a portion of the poem could still be read. the last line reads, "I am a survivor." This seemed the perfect way to encourage someone else going through this horrible disease.

both the senti portion and the pink ribbon were sprayed with Pink Cadillac Glimmer Mist for a little shine. buttons are vintage. I think what I love most about this image is that it lets everyone know that you can be both feminine and strong while still being a fighter of cancer. some days I sure don't feel very feminine or very strong, so this gives me a bit of hope!

Tomorrow begins my week of doctor's appts., tests, and hospital visits every day. I hope to have one or 2 posts pre-scheduled, but otherwise you won't see much of me. on the other hand, the medical staff of our area will be seeing WAY toooooo much of me! grins! have a good week!

Challenges:
Stamp with Fun - button
Digi Haven - anything goes with a free digi
Crafts and Me - add a flower
Crafty Pad - breast cancer awareness/think pink
Little Miss Muffet - add writing, text, or script
Shelly's Images - anything goes
Inky Impressions - anything goes
My Mum's Craft Shop - anything goes
Paper Craft Star - girly
Word Art Wed - love and encouraging verse (one of the biggest examples of love I have seen has come from all of YOU in bloggyland while I have been fighting my cancer! thank you!)
Dawn's Crafting - breast cancer awareness and/or pink (my prayers go out to your mom!)
Cupcake Craftroom - pretty pastels
Ladybug Crafts - anything goes
Natalie and Amy's - anything goes
Mema's Crafts - theme (I chose 'Family Affair: Get Well' it suits for me)
Poodle Parlour - here come the girls

Holiday Happiness Hexagons

Coffee of the Day - White Chocolate Mousse


A new challenge begins over at ABC Christmas Challenges - Q for quilting. This was a fun challenge to play in! I have this weird 'thing' for hexagons lately.... don't know why really, but gosh, I am so fascinated by them! as soon as I saw the theme for this week, I knew immediately that I wanted to try to make something using this shape and faux stitching. you didn't think I would attempt to REALLY pull out my sewing machine now, did you?! tee hee! although, gosh, lately, it has been tempting as I see all of the neat things people do with sewing on their cards... if it weren't for that dratted bobbin I would be all over it.


anyhow, I grabbed this cutie pattootie freebie image from over at Milk Coffee. there are several other fun Christmas images in their Etsy store, too, if you are interested. I still had my Pink Paislee Spring Jubilee papers out on my craft desk, so thought I would use a few of the scraps with some others. the hexagon die is from MFT. so love this die! the main image was accented with stickles, Viva Decor pearl paint, chunky glitter, and a gold glitter gel pen. poinsettia is from Prima, string/twine trim is from Etsy, button is vintage, and itty bitty clothespin was covered with washi tape. card base was sprayed with white Mr. Huey's mist. faux stitching was done with a white gel pen. oh yes, ornament die is Basic Grey for Sizzix.

Don't forget to sign up for my big blog hop on Aug. 29! lots and lots of prizes will be up for grabs from so many different sponsors. you can be a participant or just plan to hop along. Check this post at Party Time Tuesdays for more information. Can't wait to see you there for all of the fun! :)

Challenges:
Bearly Mine - anything goes
Creative Card Crew - Maps/Newsprint/Sheet Music/Script
My Time to Craft - Christmas
House of Gilli - add a senti
Stamp and Create - stitch it up
Desert Island Crafts - 1. Blue (sky, although it doesn't show so well in the scan), 2. Green, 3. something wet - snow, 4. make it sparkle
Just Keep on Creating - Christmas
Mema's Crafts - anything goes with a twist of red
Unique Crafters - sparkle and shine
Corrosive Challenges - cute as a button
Great Impressions - anything with an animal
Stamptacular Sunday - let's hear it for the girls
The Crafty Pad - dies and punches
52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Carols or Hymns ('Let it Snow', 'cause y'all know how much I love the snow!!!)
Challenge Up Your Life - Christmas
Totally Gorjus - string's the thing
Crafty Ann's - Christmas or Olympics
Paper Shelter - anything goes
Crafting for All Seasons - stitching

Kinda Overwhelmed....

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice


I confess to spending a great deal of today pretty much in shock and awe... it isn't often you find me speechless. just ask my friends - it's tough for me to write an email message that doesn't turn into the Great American Novel. but today has been so very different. it's been hard to express every emotion that has passed through both my wonky head and heart.


You see, yesterday, the most lovely Cath, editor extrodinaire over at Paper Crafts magazine and writer of all things Moxie Fabilicious, sent me an email. She asked ever so politely if she could mention on her Moxie Fab blog about the Paper Makeup Stamps digi set that is being sold for my family. wow! now you have to understand that Cath has been emailing me almost weekly since my cancer diagnosis to check in with me. even in the midst of some of her own health issues, she still took the time to make sure I was doing okay. how freaking amazing is THAT?!?! I mean, she is like the Queen of papercrafting, and she was checking on ME? whoa nelly.....talking about feeling unworthy.... sheesh yeah! then she sends me this email yesterday. okay. I was done. tears they were a' falling!

So I emailed a few of my peeps to let them know what was going on, all the while in this weird fog, trying to wrap my head around all of this kind stuff happening..... not because I want stuff for or about me, but because a LOT of REALLY nice people have put a LOT of time and energy into this. I want them to see something good come their direction in any way I can. me, I'm over here hiding in my cave. truly.

then I wake up this morning after tossing & turning all night.... I'm serious when I say that this has really not been my thing and has me wanting to run for the hills... I sign into my email account and find a message from the lovely ladies over at Milk Coffee. they tell me that there is a little something on the main blog for me to stop by to see. I'm just gonna send you over there yourself so you can take a looksie, but suffice it to say, Niagra Falls. (quote from a family fave movie around here, "Scrooged" with Bill Murray). yep, the tears started all over again.

so if you could please do me a HUGEY HUGE favor. stop by Moxie Fab and tell Cath what a sweetheart she is. then hop over to the Paper Makeup Stamps blog and let Katie, Michelle, and Jenn know what angels they are. then make one last trip over to Milk Coffee and let them know that you are all about "Fighting Like a Girl" with them and how fabby they are.

I am humbled. there are so many beautiful people out there in this big ol' bloggy world. and I really do thank God that He has blessed my life by allowing me to know YOU! I am the one who has been made richer. I am the one who is so very thankful. and I rejoice in every moment! :)

My attempt at a CAS card.... please don't laugh! ;)

Coffee of the day - Caramel Pecan

Hello! I would be remiss if I didn't stop and thank every one of you who left the most heart warming, touching comments for me yesterday. Thank you so very much! :) I honestly had no idea that so many of you would take time from your busy days to leave such kind and touching comments for me. I can't tell you how many times I was brought to tears by the things you said. There are by far sooooooooooo many more kind people than the other in our crafty community. and I don't think of those DT people as unkind, just not understanding of how someone on the other end might be feeling....

So on to happier things like cards and crafting! :)


Today brings a new showcase over at Milk Coffee. We are featuring the cute, but shy CoCo. It is quite appropriate that I was given CoCo with her bird to create with. There also happens to be a BUNCH of fun challenges going on over at The Outlawz right now to celebrate the 2000 members. So I put on my brave girl boots (how I love that saying!!!) and tried to make a CAS card..... yep, it's not really a CAS card, but for me, it REALLY is! ;)

Can you believe this card has NO patterned paper on it anywhere? how weird is that for me? the embossing is a pretty SU! folder, twine is from My Mind's Eye, the flowers are real, dried ones that just seemed the perfect way to finish the card.

Again, thank you to all of you for being so good to me! :) back with more tomorrow!
love to you! Jennifer

Challenges:
Fab 'n Funky - cute and girly
Papercraft Star - embossing
365 Cards - mailable (not bulky)
LEJ Designs - summer is here (flowers & birds mean summer to me!)
Cupcake Craft - brds of a feather
Daisy Doodles - anything goes (2nd entry)
Love to Create - anything goes
Whoopsi Daisy - things with wings

A Fun Color Challenge with Milk Coffee

Coffee of the Day - Toasted Coconut

Hello! I have been feeling a bit better, so have been crafting up a storm. be prepared over the next few days to get hit like a storm with projects! :) it's a good thing, in my mind anyway, as I have missed my time away from the craft table. you can't even imagine just how therapeutic crafting is for me, so to get back to it is fantastic!


Milk Coffee is starting something fun and new today - a monthly color challenge! You will be provided a gorgeous color combo from Design Seeds (you already know how much I love them!!!). just choose a few colors from the palette, pick a Milk Coffee image (a freebie will always be provided for you!), and color it up! you don't even have to make a complete project if you don't have the time. we just want to see how you use the colors provided. Everyone who plays has a chance to win 3 digis from the Milk Coffee Etsy store.


I chose the soft & pretty Celine Praying image for my card. she is highlighted with distress stickles - sorry I can't remember which of the pink ones I used.... papers are Glitz Pretty in Pink, buttons are vintage as is the pretty little pink trim at the bottom of the main image. some cardboard was first inked with vanilla craft and then sprayed with pink cadillac glimmer mist. the senti from TLC was printed onto the dsp and then cut with a Spellbinder die. a pretty pink flower with leaves was added to finish it off. :)
I hope you play along in this fun challenge with us!

Challenges:
Ink it Pink - words as bg
Gingerloft - vintage
Great Impressions - die cuts or punches
Sunday Stamper - pretty in pink
Ribbon Girls - use ribbon or lace
Craft Your Days Away - bingo (buttons, die cuts, ribbon/lace)
Crafty Ann - it's a girl thing
Polka Doodles - lots of flowers (on image, papers, and mulberry flower added)
Paper Craft Journey - hand colored image

Feeling Loved

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Pecan

Hello everyone! I know it's been forever since I last posted. I got hit with a nasty fever last week after going to Ryan's Choir Banquet. My oncologist really doesn't want me going out anywhere since I don't have any immunities to speak of, but I do hate missing all of Ryan's senior events at the high school. but they do knock me for a loop when I go.... spent all of the rest of the week in bed battling high fevers and ick. on the good news front, all of my wonderful family is now at home since Mick & Tyler have finished their college semesters. so happy to have them back home again! :)

Had chemo yesterday. Good report from the dr. as to my blood levels, but had a nasty reaction to one of my chemo meds. I sure do keep those poor souls on their toes, as the whole office was in a tizzy for about 10 minutes until things stabilized. I gave the folks sitting next to me a scare, that is for certain! Then all of the meds they gave me to get my system back to normal kept me awake all night. oy! always something to keep life interesting! ;)


anyhow, I do have another card to share with you today. Way back when on those lovely days when I actually felt like crafting, I was able to make this card for Milk Coffee Challenges. The challenge this fortnight is Buttons and Bling. I have to say that the lovely people over at Milk Coffee have been so kind and patient with me. They took me on to their DT knowing about my cancer, allowing me to create & post only when I am able. Thank you for that!

Papers are Echo Park For the Record, gilded rose is Prima, buttons and lace bit are vintage, notebook journal page is Jenni Bowlin, red sparkler is Webster's Pages, rhinestone flourish is ZVA, and senti is Create with TLC. little accents were made on main Milk Coffee image with stikcles and my white gel pen.


before I forget, I want to also share a photo of Ryan & his girlfriend Ashley before prom this past weekend. Chardon HS was given the most amazing prom experience at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. they all had such a wonderful time - most certainly a memory that will be treasured forever! :)

btw - thank you so much to those of you who have sent cards for the cancer chemo patients! my oncology nurse was so touched by your kindness! :) we are making a special box to keep all of them in for everyone at the center so that they are divided by theme and easier for people to go through while they are getting treatments. I have more ready to take when I go again the end of this month. you are so kind to reach out to others! :)