Welcome Autumn! and a Digi Bell Blog Hop!

Coffee of the Day - Bourbon Pecan (it's a tasty new one! yum!)

Welcome to my happy little spot on the Digi Bells Blog Hop today! Grab a nice piping hot cup of coffee to keep you toasty warm on this rainy Ohio Friday.... let me tell you, God is truly in His splendor this fine Fall day. it's absolutely GORGEOUS here! while it might be raining and cool, the changing leaves are fabulous to behold! squirrels and chippies scurrying here and yonder, birds serenading us at the feeder - oh, life is so very beautiful indeed! :)

so let's celebrate it all with this precious new image Elisabeth has brought forth from retirement called 'Fall Errands.' she is just as sweet as can be with her packages and jaunty little hat! and that messenger bag! adorbs!!! of course I had to color my cookies to look like Walker's shortbread. ;) if someone were bringing me a tin of cookies, that is what I would love to have delivered. tee hee!

you should have arrived here from the absolutely AMAZING blog of FIKI, my sweet friend!!!! if at any time you get lost on the hop, just head over to the Digi Bell's blog for the complete list.

for my card I've used papers from my most fave ever fall paper collection, Basic Grey's Indian Summer. main die is by Spellbinders, pumpkin die is from Sizzix, and leaf dies (sprayed with glimmer mist) are by Tim Holtz. seam binding on tag is from Zipper Stop and crochet trim across top is vintage as are teh buttons. little wood veneer pieces ans washi tape are from SU! all flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. sentiment stamp is from Shady Tree Studios.

now hop on over to my dear friend, LYNDA's blog to see what simply breathtaking project she has made to knock your fluffy socks off! she is some kind of talented! :) be sure to leave her a comment, too. it just makes people feel a little extra special when you take the time to say hello on their blogs. :)

thanks so very  much for stopping by! enjoy your weekend!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Fussy and Fancy - shades of autumn
Love to Scrap - anything goes
Cardz 4 Galz - use at least 1 die
Crafty Sentiments - anything goes
Crafty Ribbons - ribbon or lace
Moving Along with the Times - trees and/or leaves
Sasayaki Glitter - Autumn/Harvest/Halloween
Kraftin' Kimmie's Wonderful Wed - anything goes
{pin}spirational - photo inspiration (colors, leaves)
Scribbles by Sandy - fabulous fall
Ooh La La - shades of autumn
Whoopsi Daisy - die cuts/punches
Eclectic Ellapu - autumnal
Ribbon Girls - use any image
Dare 2 B Artzy - fall

Peace on Earth Sitting Angel

Coffee of the Day - Creamy Chestnuts

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

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

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

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

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

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

Easter Joy Bunnies

DT Favorite at Sasayaki Glitter
Top 3 Pick at Scribbles Designs

Coffee of the Day - Carrot Cake

I'm sad to say that today is my last day posting as a DT member with Paper Temptress. I'm so very thankful to Patricia and Melanie for allowing me this wonderful opportunity. It's been a fun ride! :)

Believe it or not, my final card does NOT contain any Desert Storm Kraft card stock anywhere on it! shut the front door! I know y'all are in shock.... I was, too, when I made it, but I went for this gorgeous aqua instead. mind you, the Desert Storm will always be my fave, so you had better stock up! you'll fall in love with it just like I did! it's so multi-purpose!

 

my card base is the lovely spring Aqua BASIS with the edges inked in white craft. aqua mini ric rac from Really Reasonable Ribbon and  natural jute twine were tied in a bow around the decorative paper by Authentique. flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts and pretty sentiment is by Shady Tree Studios. oh yes, the cute bunny image is and old one by Sandra Caldwell, and the girl bunny's bow is accented with the wink of stella clear glitter pen.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! enjoy your weekend! :)

Challenges:
Outlawz Mon. Greeting - square card with a greeting
Scribbles Designs - a song in your heart (Here Comes Peter Cottontail, of course! grins!)
{pin}spirational - photo inspiration
Animal Friends - Easter
Kreativeinkauf Ch - Easter
Scrap 'n Challenge - anything goes
Brown Sugar - Easter
QKR - Easter cards
Creative Ladybird's Creations - anything goes
If You Give a Crafter a Cookie - photo inspiration
Crafty Creations - Spring Fever
Paper Shelter - Easter
Everybody Art - anything goes
Fan-tastic Tues - cute critters with square or rect. card
Ike's World - Easter Bonnets/Hats
Artistic Inspiration - anything goes with a twist of Easter
Eureka - Easter card
Melonheadz - layer it up
Sasayaki Glitter - Easter
Choux Choux Paper Art - Easter/Spring linky party

Easter Blessings

Coffee of the Day - Carrot Cake

Hippity Happity Hoppity Monday to you!

March is a very busy month for getting crafty, between St. Patrick's Day and Easter. the Really Reasonable Ribbon DT always has plenty of projects created to inspire you for whatever you happen to have sitting on your crafty table! :)

I am sharing a pair of Easter cards I created using some pretty downloads from Polly's Paper Crafts (who so graciously sponsored us last month) and products from the RRR store.

I used images from the Easter Kids Button cards, distressing the edges.

the blue card is topped with 5/8" bluebird gingham plaid ribbon tied in a bow with the delicate Sharon crochet lace.

the pink card uses Sherbet Delicate Stitched Satin ribbon tied with the same Sharon crochet lace.

I also added the gorgeous WOC Magnolias, Aster Daisies, Open Roses, Cosmos, and Sweetheart Blossoms for a lovely floral touch.

the banners for both are free printables from Live, Laugh, Rowe. as soon as I saw them, I knew they would make the perfect backing for these cutey button cards! :) little bunny & bow dies are by Tim Holtz and the grass one is from My Favorite Things. buttons, as almost always, are from my vintage stahs. beautiful sentiment stamp is from Shady Tree Studio. I do so miss Nancy's stamps and treasure the ones I have.

I do hope you will join our current challenge, "Show Me the Green with Ribbons or Trims." we would love to have you play along! :)

There is also a DT call currently going on! You KNOW you would just LOVE to be part of this amazing team! :) hurry on over to get the deets on how to submit your application! it has truly been one of the kindest and most supportive group of people I have ever had the honor to serve with on a Design Team! :)

see you in just a bit with my post for Sandra Caldwell...

Challenges:
613 Avenue Create - anything goes with glitter twist (stickles on bunny bow)
Ribbon Girls - Spring/Easter with ribbon
Hiding In My Craft Room - Spring Colors
Quick Quotes - Welcome Spring
4 Crafty Chicks - Easter
Creative Knockouts - flower power
Time Out - Easter and/or Spring with optional masking

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!)

White on White Easter

Coffee of the Day - Salted Caramel Pecan

Today I have the honor of being a guest designer over at The Sisterhood of Crafters. thank you, Darlene, for inviting me to be a part of your team this month! I'm so excited! :)

the theme for this fortnight is 'White on White.' when I first heard the challenge theme, I knew it would indeed be a challenge for me. I have never made one of these cards before, so took a deep breath or two and away I went! :)

I started with the Tim Holtz Fancy Frame embossing folder and layered a cross from the Spellbinders Cross collection in the center. a Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish die wraps around the cross and embossed frame. the butterfly is from the Cheery Lynn Tiny Things with Wings die set. I actually die cut 2, stacking one on top of the other. the top butterfly's wings bend upward. roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts, and sentiment is from  a Shady Tree Studios stamp set. I used sahara sand ink to lightly distress all edges. some pearls, a stick pin, and a pretty satin bow add finishing touches. rock candy distress stickles add touches of glitz and shimmer.

I hope you will try your hand at this technique and play along with us! thanks so much for stopping by! :)

Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments - Easter
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - Easter
Just Inspirational - embossing
Sweet Stamps - Easter
Bunny Zoe - monochromatic
Card Mania - Easter
Craft Dee Bow Z - anything goes with a handmade bow
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes/Easter
Craft Your Passion - no designer papers
Crafty Bloggers - die cuts or embossing (both)
Eureka - ribbons and bows
My Craft Spot - Happy Easter
Cheery Lynn - anything goes
Dream Valley - Easter
Sweet Stampin' - Easter
Craft for the Craic - Easter or Spring
Cut it Up - die cuts and Easter
Get Inky - Spring or Easter
Sister Act - anything goes
Emerald Faeries - Easter and/or color combo (used 2 of the colors in palette)
Crafting Musketeers - monochromatic
Natalie and Amy's - embossing
WAW - anything encouraging goes

O Holy Night - Progressive Christmas Challenge

Hello again!
I am trying to finish up my entry for the Digi Stamps 4 Joy Progressive Christmas Challenge.

Everyone who played along last month was sent the image of this Christmas paper. (I used it for the bg) I also added another DS4J image, '3 Kings' to my card. things started off in an interesting way when I ran the Basic Grey paper through my printer. my lovely printer must be possessed by the same gremlins that inhabit my Yahoo email account, because it grabbed the printer all wonky and printed the image out crooked. since this paper has long been discontinued, I only have the one sheet of it. I was gonna have to use it wonky! as I used to tell people taking classes from me, there are no mistakes in crafting, only opportunities for whimsy. well you are staring whimsy right in the face here. ;)

I sprayed the paper with walnut gold glimmer mist and then used a gold metallic gelato to highlight the words 'O Holy Night'.  papers are from the Basic Grey Figgy collection, lace trim is vintage, pretty flower is from Hobby Lobby I think, (picked it up while visiting Ryan in Indiana since we don't have HL near us.) little tabs are made from a SU! punch that was cut in half. stickles and shimmerz paint were added to the crowns on the 3 Kings image.

edited to add new photo. went back and re-made card. really didn't like the other one at all. the free image given printed very pixel-y. took the elements from the other card and came up with this one. new sentiment is from an old Shady Tree Studios stamp set. snowflake dp is what was left from previous printed piece. much happier with this one! :)

Challenges:
Digi Stamps 4 Joy Progressive Christmas Challenge - use image
Christmas Challenges - sketch
Chcolate, Coffee, and Cards - glitter (shimmerz & stickles) and lace
Completely Christmas - anything Christmas goes
Scrapping 4 Fun - lace and buttons
Winter Wonderland - kraft (card base)
Crimbo Crackers - anything Christmas goes
Fab 'n Funky - Christmas
Fan-tastic Tues. - anything square goes
Holly Jolly Christmas - bingo:  snowflakes (bg paper), free space (glimmer mist), blue

Welcome Autumn Bear with Apples

Coffee of the Day - Oatmeal Cookie Crumble

Hello everyone! this is a super short post. I am so very sick right now. have spent several days in bed, and will go right back there as soon as I write up this post. and oh my, it is a LATE post at that.....

I was so kindly invited to be a guest designer over at Oozak. their new challenge began on Sunday, but I was too sick to get out of bed that day. had wanted to schedule my post, but couldn't even get that done. so I'm trying to make up for time by getting it on here now. so sorry!

The new challenge is for Fall themed projects. I used 2 adorable images by Birdie Brown. flower & petal are by Petaloo. buttons and tickets are from my stash. 'welcome autumn' is from a Shady Tree Studio stamp set.
other items can be found at the Oozak store:

Basic Grey Hipster 6x6 paper pad
Lawn Fawn Say Cheese metal die 
Maya Road Saffron Yellow twine
Scotch ATG tape dispenser

Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments - fall/autumn colors
Deep Ocean - goodbye summer
Die Cuttin Divas - apples
Our Daily Bread - fall colors
TTCRD - anything goes
Craft Your Passion - autumn/fall colors
Crafty Boots - a is for apples
Lexi's Creations - autumn colors
Paper Playtime - apples
Whoopsi Daisy - use more than 2 patterned papers
Crazy Challenge - color inspiration
Card A Day - autumn
Just For Fun - colors of autumn
613 Avenue Create - anything goes with optional 'happy fall y'all' twist
Great Impressions - fall colors
Di's Digis - fabulous fall colors
Crafty Calendar - going on a bear hunt
A Gem of a Challenge - 2 images
Basic Grey - anything goes with BG
My Time to Craft - autumnal colors
Word Play - seasons
Alphabet Challenge - p is for paper piecing
Jo's Scrap Shack - autumn
Aud Sentiments - autumn
CRAFT - paper piecing
Pollycraft - harvest colors

Time To Relax

Here comes post #2 for the day...... do you need a topper on your coffee? I'll run get the pot.... this pumpkin spice coffee is soooooooooo yummy! :)

Imagine my surprise when I saw that another of the cards I made for Inky Antics appeared on their blog this morning. This particular card was one I really had fun making. I love it when I can get good and inky on a project, and this card most certainly fits that bill!

My dear, sweet friend, Nancy Baier, designed this gorgeous stamp set, 'Home Sweet Home.' it is one of the latest releases over at Inky Antics this fall. My card uses papers from the Sweet Threads collection by Basic Grey, a fab embossing folder by Tim Holtz, one of my 'go to' dies by Cheery Lynn, and some pretty eyelet ribbon trim by May Arts that I dyed.

There is a LOT of inking on both the card base and the image itself. I wanted to create the look of aged brick, as well as a clay plant holder that has a bit of moss growing on it.

Don't forget to enter the blog candy found on this post for your chance to win a 'Christmas Tag' stamp set. You have until Wed. night to enter!

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Challenges:
Craft Your Passion - summer flowers
Card Mania - fave embellishment: buttons
Bunny Zoe - bingo: ribbon, buttons, flowers
Creative Creations - bingo: flowers, image, distressing
Penny Black - in the garden
Pattie's Creations - embossing
Emma's Cards - floral
CCEE - brick wall card ( can't believe my timing on this one!)
Sisterhood of Crafters - oh scrap (all of the dsp is scrap)
Oldie but Goodie - embossing (papers are old)
Papertake Weekly - flower power
LEJ Designs - nature inspired
Tuesday Throwdown - use your scraps (all of the dsp is scrap)

Joy to the World with Shady Tree Studio

Coffee of the Day - Eggnog, of course! using the last bit from the holidays.... so tasty!

Hello and Merry Christmas to you! :)

I'm singing 'Joy to the World' to each and every one of you this morning! If you go by the Shady Tree Studio blog, you will get to see all kinds of wonderful holiday inspiration this week with the fabulous creations by the Design Team.


My card today uses the set, Nativity. I love the beautiful images Nancy drew that take us back to that glorious time several thousand years ago. I used my SU! inks & watercolor brushes to color the image. The sentiment was stamped onto a small tag that was also sprayed with glimmer mist and then popped up on foam tape. Papers are Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather. I found one of my oldie but goodie SU! bg stamps, Script, to use on the card base. Some crochet trim and crinkled seam tape (also sprayed with glimmer mist) help add to the shabby feel. A few dew drops finish off the card.

I am so excited to see what everyone else has to show us! and please be sure to extend a kind welcome to both Carla as a new DT member and Joanne as our Guest Designer. :)

House That Stamps Built - Christmas in July
Little Red Wagon - Christmas in July
Sweet Stamps - Christmas in July
Tuesday Throwdown - Christmas in July
Christmas Card Challenge - Night Before Christmas
Christmas Stamping All Year Long - kraft as main color

Paper Piecing with Fresh Air

Coffee of the Day - French Vanilla

Good morning to all of you! Today I want to show you a card I made using the free digi you receive from Shady Tree Studio with any purchase - and free is always fun! :)

The image is called 'Fresh Air' and you can almost feel the wind blowing through the window. I used papers from the Julliane collection by K & Co., paper piecing the curtains. This is a pretty simple card for me - something I thought I would give a try! Everyone in my family loves to cook with fresh herbs, so it was fun to use this empty seed packet on my card. Basil is a 'must have' in almost everything we prepare. Garlic and rosemary are right up there as well. What herbs do you use most often?
Anyhow, I added some crinkled seam tape, tea dyed tea tag twine, and a vintage button.

Have a great day!
Jennifer


City Crafter - sketch (flipped on its side)
Paper Shelter - Anything Goes

A Long Hello! :)

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Spice

I have a long hello for you - a long hello CARD that is! sorry, I just could not resist myself on this one! giggles!

I was so inspired by the beautiful photo over at the Paper Cupcakes blog this week as well as the colors above that I just knew I had to play along in the challenges. I combined all kinds of things from all different mfgs., which I'm sure will have them all spinning in circles, but gosh, I kinda think that is part of the fun of having all of these supplies! :)

the flower stamp you will recognize from yesterday's post - those beautiful flowers from Shady Tree Studios Backyard Spring set. I watercolored the flowers, again used the white gel pen on the stamens, and added little highlights in the center with a gold glitter pen. The jar comes from PTI, as does the little matching ruffle die. the water was stamped onto vellum cs which adds a neat effect irl. I wrinkled the little ruffle bit before adhering to help it look more like fabric. Papers are from K & Co. Ancestory. com collection, as is that gorgeous leaf border sticker. you will see more from that sticker pack in my upcoming moleskin journal I just know! :) lace ruffle was a leftover scrap I applied to the back of the main image using double sided tape. the sentiment is a SU! rub-on. they truly make the very best rub-ons, in my opinion. and I think it is one of those products of theirs that rarely gets noticed, but is absolutely FABULOUS!!!!

the card is sized to fit in a legal envie. edges were inked with vanilla craft.

have a most amazing day! love ya!
Jennifer

p.s. Nancy at Shady Tree Studios has just posted 2 wonderful FREE digital images that are perfect for 4th of July projects! go check them out!

Paper Cupcakes - photo inspiration
Lily Pad Cards - inspiration - Kathy's Lily Pad Palette
House That Stamps Built - watercoloring
Ruby's Rainbow - flowers
Word Play Weekend - blue
SCS Ways to Use it - no white cs
Daring Cardmakers - something old (vellum - found it in a box.... & vintage button), new (PTI stamps & die), blue (paper, inks, flower)

Painted Shady Tree Flowers

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Creme

Good morning! whew.... I had quite the scare on my compy just a bit ago...... after I downloaded the day's updates, I logged onto the internet to discover the dreaded Internet Explorer 9 had snuck its evil little way onto my beloved Sheldon!!!! oh no, I was NOT about to let that happen! after dealing with that monstrosity for a while on David's computer, Sheldor the Conqueror quickly took out the Sword of Justice and sent the horrid infiltrator on its way....... all is safe again and I can peacefully resume my blurffing and inspirational jaunts across cyberspace. disaster averted and joy has returned! grins!

now onto a project - FINALLY you say! I was so inspired by several projects I saw on Nichole Heady's blog recently featuring these glorious swaths of paint that I had to try it for myself. and of course I just HAD to use pink paint! ;) I really like the way it turned out, in my own shabby little style, and will do this again some day soon. I used the flower trio stamps from the Backyard Spring set by Shady Tree Studio. I stamped these in brown staz-on directly over the pink acrylic paint that I brushed onto a page from an old book. the aging on the page's edges is natural, not done with inks this time. Papers are from Basic Grey Curio and Sweet Threads. the little banner die in the upper right corner is from PTI. I adore these sparkly roses from Making Memories! they come with glitter already on them, but I added a bit of stickles to the leaves for a bit more shine. the same stickles was added to the centers of the stamped flowers. I also highlighted the stamens on those same flowers with white gel pen to help them stand out a little from the paint. Couldn't for the life of me find my label maker, which is what I wanted to use to make a sentiment, so opted for these metal tiles I received in a swap eons ago......

All of you have a wonderful day! and big new stuff is coming from Shady Tree in the next few weeks! keep your eyes open for fun! :)

OH MY GOSH I JUST FOUND OUT TODAY IS PINK DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOO HOOOOO! GO CELEBRATE! :)

Deep Ocean - flowers
Use it Tuesday - die cut or punch not used before or in a while (banner die)
Hooked on Crafts - Anything Goes
Karen's Doodles - flowers
Simon Says Stamp and Show - metal
Pile it On - metal
Stampin Sisters in Christ - doodles (around the banner die, but gosh, I didn't do a very good job of it.....sigh)
Crafty Emma's - sparkly flowers
Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle - photo inspiration
Stamp Something - pretty papers
Totally Papercrafts - diecuts and punches
Southern Girls - anything goes

Boy when life gets away from ya........

Coffee of the Day - French Vanilla

.......... it REALLY gets away from ya! ;)

things have been so crazy around here. I must begin by saying thank you so very much to those of you who have emailed me or left comments expressing your kind thoughts and prayers for my family. life is starting to 'adjust' I guess would be the best word to use. David is still getting used to his diagnosis, as are we, and the rest of the guys are doing great. Ryan only has minimal bruising and a small bump left on his arm from the hematoma. Tyler has finished his final exams and returns home this weekend. he just might have made Dean's list again....... woooo hooooo! Mick's finals are next week. I know he will ace them as well. I am blessed with such smart sons! summer camp starts up in just a few weeks, so I won't have them around for long, but will treasure each and every moment we have together.

now on to my card! I haven't had much access to a compy, but did make a Mother's Day card for Dave's mom. I pulled out some of my ab fab fave Daisy D's paper from the Beacon Hill collection and paired it with this pretty daisy/sunflower from Shady Tree Studio. the flower is actually part of the fall set, Come to me Autumn, but it worked perfectly for a bright springy card, too. the main tag flower was accented with red glass glitter and green stickles. I also stamped the flower in the lower right hand corner as a bg accent on the decorative paper, using the masking technique. the big flower is a Prima, buttons are from my vintage stash, and the tea tag is one I saved to use as a fun embellie. the sentiment is a SU! rub-on.

hopefully as our life returns to a more 'normal' pace I will be able to post more frequently. and maybe someday someday someday the Good Fairy will fix my compy and I won't have to beg & borrow in order to go online! ;)
love y'all! Jennifer

Chocolate Bunnies and Peeps.... kinda

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Nut

Hello! sorry I am moving slow this morning getting this post up..... last night was the dress rehearsal for Ryan's musical at the high school. by the time we got home and everyone wound down, it was close to midnight. whew! and it all happens again tonight with Opening Night! :) lots of fun! Tyler comes home tomorrow to see it, so that will be great!

Today's project is all about CANDY!!!!! yummmmmm...... Ryan is our big candy-a-holic. gosh, that guy is a sugar addict from the word go. he cracks me up with his love of every sweet morsel, nothing escapes his desire for candy, candy, candy! I love to cover these great big candy bars for something a little different to do, so when I saw the wonderful rabbit and duck in the Shady Tree Studio set, 'Eastertide', I knew at some point I wanted to create a chocolate bunny and Easter Peep with them. Hopefully I have accomplished that look here. I embossed the images by first stamping in versamark ink and then into the various SU! classic inks. I did this because I don't have craft inks that correspond to the colors I wanted to use - marigold morning and early espresso. this is a great trick I learned from the master, Michelle Zindorf. gosh, that woman is truly a master!

a month or so ago I was blessed to win a My Favorite Things gift certificate. I have quite a few of their fabby stamps, so decided to get some of the dies that they have started to carry. I bought the grass and flat bottom clouds dies with my certificate and have used them here. the papers are all from the Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety collection. I punched the little baby flowers with my SU! flower trio punch. Ribbons are from an assortment I won a while back, as is the felt flower & button, so I apologize that I don't know manufacturers for those. the mulberry flower is Prima.

Try making one of these yourself! it is a great way to dress up a fun giftie! :)

I know, I know.... it's about time I posted again! ;)

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Truffle

yep, it's been waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long since I last posted a card or any crafty project over here on my blog. sorry about that. stuff going on here at home with illness in the fam and dr. visits, weekend guests, Tyler coming home from school :), snow+snow, and just other stuff that seemed to keep me from crafting. but have no fear, I am back tonight to remedy that!

My card uses stamps from the beautiful 'Eastertide' set by Shady Tree Studio. You know how much I have enjoyed playing around with this set. I did decide it was high time I made another actual EASTER card since the holiday is just around the corner. Today a lovely little envie of seam binding arrived from one of my fave Etsy stores, ChristopherPines, in this pretty purple card. I decided to repurpose it by making this card! ;)

I pulled out one of my embossing folder, ran it through my most beloved Big Shot, sponged white craft ink over the embossed portions, sprayed it with purple glimmer mist, and then lightely highlighted certain portions with my white craft ink pad. gorgeous irl!!!! shimmers, white that sits on top but also seems to glow from underneath, & little splashes of purple on the lavender bg. The only bit of patterned paper is a floral piece from Basic Grey, Porcelain collection, cut with my Spellbinders frame die, as was the white cs of the main image. the Basic Grey matted piece was accented with champagne chunky glass glitter by SU!. The Prima flower was spritzed with the same purple glimmer mist and a bit of glitter added to the center. the leaves were sprayed with walnut gold glimmer mist. The gold lace net trim is Webster's Pages. some lavender scrunched seam binding and a pearl pin finish this off. Enjoy your weekend and I hope to see you again before it's all over! :)

• Fab 'n Funky - Shabby Chic


• Basic Grey - recycled (my card base! grins!)


• Top Tip Tuesday - Nature Inspired


• Cooking it Up With Katie - Sparkle, Shine, Shimmer


• Crop Stop - Shine On


• Craft Us Crazy - Spring or Easter


• Spoonful of Sugar - Easter


• Tuesday Throwdown - floral


• Scrappy Frogs - Flowers and Lace


• Paper Pretties - Bling


• Creative Craft World - Easter


• The Rubber Cafe = Spring Floral


• Gingerloft - die cuts and/or punches


• Verve - Color Me Spring


• Prairie Fairy- Oh So Spring


• Charisma Cardz - Bling and Sparkles


• Paper Romance - Bling


• Bee Crafty - Easter


• Tellen's Place - Embossing


• Stamping Scrapping - Sparkle


• Kaboodle Doodles - Spring has Sprung


• Frosted Designs - Bling


• Colour Create - Pastels with optional Easter


• Karen's Doodles - Easter

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Coffee of the Day - Irish Creme, of course! :)

Top o' the Morning to ya, lads and lassies! May ye find yourselves blessed beyond all possible belief on this lovely St. Patrick's Day!!!!

okay, this Texas gal has just exhausted her supply of blarney, so on to the crafties...... :)

I decided it was time to make something fun for the day using Shady Tree's "Eastertide" stamp set once again. I am loving this egg for all sorts of neat, out of the box things! what better way to celebrate St. Patty's than with a shamrock. I found some retired SU! vintage verdigris embossing powder that seemed just the perfect shade on the natural cs. the bits of gold really add a true life sparkle. the stem comes from the flower trio in "Backyard Springtime". I used a versamarker pen to go over just the stem, and then embossed from there. the gold button is from my vintage stash. it seemed perfect for the celtic theme! paper is Basic Grey Origins. some lace trim and a few green holographic sequins finish this off. this is the most CAS card I have done in a while. and yes, for me, this IS CAS. grins!

I think I will save it for Tyler for finals time, which will be coming up in a little over a month. since he loves all things celtic and about Ireland, I think this will be perfect for him!

take care and have a most glorious day!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Creative Card Crew - green
If the Shoe Fits - St. Patrick's Day
Fab 'n Funky - green or St. Patrick's Day
Paper Sundaes - Keep it Simple
For Fun Challenges - green or St. Patrick's Day
Tuesday Throwdown - lace
Pixie Dust - go green
Paper Play - embossing
Digi Doodle Shop - Anything Goes

Shady Tree Studio Release Day!

Coffee of the Day - Maple Pecan

Hooray, hooray, today is release day at Shady Tree Studio!

Stop by the store blog to see all of the gorgeous new stamp sets as well as samples by the fabby DT!

My card for today uses several of the stamps from the beautiful set, 'Eastertide'. I truly, truly love this set that Nancy has designed. it is just so versatile! I

used the wonderful quote for the main image, in addition to the pretty little flower. but what you might not notice right off the bat is that oh, so fabby egg stamp is back in action again today! if you look at the bird & flower chipboard buttons, you will see that they have been embossed. while the embossing powder was still wet, I quickly stamped the Easter egg right onto the chipboard. it created that most amazing textured effect! isn't that great?!?!?! I used a combo of pink & pearl powder on the flowers and just the pearl on the bird. irl it is so pretty to see.

the leaves behind have been covered in rock candy distress stickles to add a bit more sparkly shine. paper is from K & Co. Que Sera Sera collection. the main sentiment image was sprayed with both walnut ink & rose glimmer mist. it was then edged in warm lipstick distress stickles. some black rhinestones, satin ribbon, & pretty trim help finish off the card. I think this will make a beautiful Easter card to present to someone special - perhaps YOU!!!!

thanks so much for stopping by each day of the sneaky peeks and release for Shady Tree Studios! I have most certainly had fun and I hope you have, too! :)

Shady Tree Studio Sneaks Day 2!

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Nut

Aren't sneaky peeks so exciting?!?!?! I love to see samples of new stamp sets! I hope you have been enjoying the things being shown so far for this fabby release from Shady Tree Studio! I know I have! Please be sure to stop by all of the DT members' blogs, as well as visit our Guest Designer this month, Kristine. you will be amazed at all of their fantastic creations! of course Nancy, the mojo and high Queen behind Shady Tree, has some beautiful samples as well on her blog. not only that, she has a neat contest going on for those of you who leave comments! hurry on over! :)

As I had mentioned yesterday, my projects for the next few days are going to show you the versatility of the set, 'Eastertide'. I had such fun creating with this one!

As soon as I saw the gorgeous egg, I immediately thought how beautiful it would be as a flower, with the egg being used as the petals. so this was one of the first cards I made when the set arrived. I used some retired SU! embossing powder, blue enamelware, to emboss the egg on Stampin' Up!'s natural ivory cs. I then watercolored the flowers and leaves prior to cutting each one out. I used an old zipper saved from a pair of jeans that was being tossed as the flower center. I love this look and will most certainly do it again! the flower has an almost cloisonne look to it irl. so neat!!! as you can see I saved the pocket from the jeans as well. I used the 'joy' sentiment as a pocket label, adding a bit of faux stitching. Daisy D's paper, crochet trim, and vintage buttons finish off the card. I know just who to deliver this one to! :)

think 'outside the box' and you will open up the possibilities for your stamps! and Shady Tree makes those possibilities beautiful! :)

Shady Tree Studio Sneaks Day 1

Coffee of the Day - Butter Rum


Hello and welcome to Day 1 of the Shady Tree Studio Sneaky Peeks! I am so excited to share my creations with you! Please be sure to pop by the store blog as well as the blogs of the other DT members. We have a wonderful Guest Designer this month as well, Kristine, so you will want to visit her and welcome her, too! :)


I was sent the gorgeous set, Eastertide, to play with. My projects today are of an Easter theme, but then for the next few days I will show you how you can get fun and creative with this versatile set!


For my first project I made a card with the beautiful cross stamp. I first stamped it in versamark and then into my colored ink. this allowed me to clear emboss and allow the color to show through on the vintage hymnal page. I then cut this music sheet into a tag. papers are First Blush by Prima. tag was sprayed with walnut ink to age. buttons are from my vintage stash. little rose is a Prima that was sprayed with walnut gold glimmer mist to age.


I wanted to do something a little different and make something other than a card with this fun easter egg basket image, so I decorated a candy bar. this one happens to be an XL Butterfinger bar. I love the bright yellow colors! and I know it will be yummy as well! :) some bright yellow crepe paper was folded and then topped with Prima trim. the candy bar was topped with daffodil paper from Flair Designs. I made a little flower using some old ones from my stash that were pinched together at the base. it scunched up a bit in the scan, but irl it pops up so pretty. ;) fairly simple, but a fun way to dress up a gift!

See you tomorrow!