OWH Memorial Day Thank You Blog Hop!

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Raspberry

Today starts the super fun Operation Write Home Memorial Day blog hop! The idea is to create thank you cards for the soldiers, either for them to send home or to tell THEM thank you for all they are doing for us here at home. I absolutely love everything OWH stands for, but it's been far too long since I've been able to send any cards to them. when I heard about today's blog hop, I knew then and there I wanted to play along if I was feeling well enough.

I believe that all participating blogs can be found at the OWH blog..... please stop by if you get a chance. not  only are individuals like me playing along, but you will find some businesses from the crafty community in the hop, too!

here is the sketch that I used for my card. you know me, I can't just 'use' a sketch, I have to twist it up a bit. so this one was flipped on it's side.

Main image is from Sassy Cheryl at Squigglefly. I did cut away the boots because I didn't want to give the impression of a sad card, and I'll be honest that I don't know enough to know if it would offend a soldier who is deployed. I thought better to err on the cautious side, so I've saved them for another project. sentiment is from Create with TLC, papers & embellishment stickers are Authentique Glory, embossing folder is Tim Holtz, buttons are from my stash. banner is a piece of clear packaging that was edged in acrylic paint.

I plan to get everyone in the family to sign this so that we can send it off. I realize that my card doesn't look like a typical thank you, but it's going to 'Any Hero' with a note of appreciation inside. my family intends to pour out our thanks on the inside, not to worry! :)

now let me get you a cup of this yummy chocolate raspberry coffee so you can start hopping! :)
love to you! Jennifer

Challenges:
Pattie's Creations - red, white, and blue
Inky Impressions - distress
Whimsy - anything goes
WAW - anything goes with encouraging verse
Celebrate the Occasion - Memorial Day
Crafty Sentiments - buttons
Ribbon Carousel - celebrations
Artistic Inspirations - cards for men
My Craft Spot - ribbon or twine
Paper Playtime - buttons or brads
Squigglefly - man up
Victorine Originals - buttons and bows
Great Impressions - celebrations
That Craft Place - makes for men
Little Scrap Pieces - red, white, and blue
Kraft Journal - celebrations

Happy 4th with PIE! :)

Coffee of the Day - Maple Pecan

Happy 4th of July to all of my friends who live here in the good ol' USA!!!!! hello to all the rest of you, too! :) As I mentioned in a previous post, I am so proud to be an American. Last night David & I watched Extreme Home Makeover. They were honoring a soldier who was shot in the deadly spree of Ft. Hood, TX back in 2009. Oh, how we teared up watching all that this young man had been through. Such courage & bravery from both he & his fiancee. I do pray for our troops stationed both here at home & overseas. I can not even imagine all that they endure for us. Please please, if you have never done so in the past, I encourage you to look into Operation Write Home. This is such a phenom organization that collects cards to send to our troops so that they in turn can have a homemade card to send back home.




I have a card to share with you today with a delightful patriotic image from Sassy Cheryl. you can also find it at Squigglefly. We love our pie here in the Scull family, and since I couldn't be with my family today, it seemed fitting that I send them a pie somehow! ;) Papers are from the Americana collection by K & Co. used a button salvaged from David's shirt, the banners were die cut from card board & writing paper. the bases were edged in white craft and then stickles. the writing paper was sprayed with walnut gold glimmer mist. On the pie, the hearts & button were painted with shimmerz. the polka dots were accented with stickles. A prima flower & ribbon finish off the card. Hope my family likes their 'American Pie' for the holiday! :)

have a wonderful day celebrating with your family & friends!
love ya dearly! Jennifer

p.s. I just saw that my Patriotic Butterfly card for Paper Cupcakes is being featured on the blog today for the sketch challenge. play along if you get the chance! thanks, Nina, for showing my card! You are so kind! :) she has some cute freebie patriotic tickets available for the week, too, so be sure to stop by!

Heart Song - red, white, & blue and/or paper piecing
Come & Get it - patriotic
Creative Inspiration - red, white, & blue
Ellephantastic - July Celebrations
Mark's Finest Paper - patriotic
Our Creative Corner - last minute July 4th or Christmas in July (made only a few hours before it went off to Camp with hubby!)
Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle - stars & stripes
Sugar Creek Hollow - patriotic w/your country's colors
Alota Rubber Stamps - Star Spangled Banner (broad stripes & bright stars, banner itself)
Fairy Tale - America
Stamp Something - digi
Aud Sentiments - food or drink
Pixie Dust - red, white, & blue with optional stars
Rainbow Lady - July 4th
Crafting for All Seasons - red, white, & blue
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - red, white, & blue
Little Red Wagon - patriotic
Party Time Tuesdays - July 4th
Amber's Crafts & Stuff - red, white, & blue
Shabby Tea Room - photo inspiration

You're Too Kind

I finally had a chance to do some crafting today. and gosh, did it feel good! :)

I made this card with several challenges in mind. One is over at Squigglefly. their challenge is to create something using your fave image from the SF store. Since I lost all of my images when my compy crashed this winter, I have come to appreciate Squigglefly so much more. Not only do they represent some amazing artists, but they are the only digital store I have found that actually has downloads that don't expire. So this weekend I was able to collect all of the images I have purchased and put them on my new computer! It was just like Christmas Day! as I was going through each image and putting them in the proper folder and on a flashstick, I realized just how much I really love this image, 'Bouquet For You'. She was one of the very first I bought from SF, even before I served on their DT. So it was an easy choice for which image to use!

my new fave Basic Grey paper collection, Sweet Threads, happens to have both pink & orange, a fun color combo I wanted to try. lots of sparkle and shine on this card that doesn't really show in scan. You will find following this post some other challenges I am also joining.

See you tomorrow! :)

Sugar Creek Hollow - tic tac toe (buttons, die cut, lace, but I also added a flower. sure hope that is okay 'cause it looks so pretty on there! grins!)
Basic Grey - stitching (along right side)
Just Some Lines - spots & dots (white gel pen polka dots on tights, pocket, & hair bow)
Our Creative Corner - your style (PINK, using Basic Grey, buttons, trim, and shabby/vintage but not too overdone)
Alphabet - 'H' half dozen (buttons)
Stampin' For the Weekend - favorite things
CCEE - pink (with pleasure!!)
Rainbow Lady's - digi
Crafts & Me - stitches
Digital Tuesday - ice cream combo (raspberry or rainbow sherbet for me!)
Bows and Berries - thank you/appreciation
Creative Inspirations - stitching

Happy for our Libraries!

Coffee of the Day - Maple Pecan

Good morning everyone! I hope your weekend is starting off beautifully! It is a gorgeous one here - temps in the 40's, clear skies, sun peeking through the clouds, kittens chasing leaves that blow across the driveway...... truly enough to make your heart smile!

I would like to share a card with you that I have made for our local library as a way to say thank you for all that they do. We recently had a huge tax levy on the ballots for our county. thankfully it passed, as our libraries are crucial in my opinion. I don't think a week goes by that we aren't there checking out books, movies, or CD's. I made this card to fit into a legal sized envie - large enough so that everyone in our family could jot a note of thanks. The image, Avid Reader, is by Cheryl Alger for Squigglefly. oh, I so remember the days of lying in that same exact position, caught up in the magic of a book. I am still that way. I MUST read every day. I probably go through 3 or 4 books a week. and thankfully everyone in our family reads as well.

Papers are from the Cosmo Cricket Togetherness collection. lots of little buttons were added, as was an actual library card. remember those?! grins! a little netting bow and homemade flower finish it off. can't wait to drop this off later today.

• Sassy Cheryl - use tulle or ribbon

Hold onto your seats, there's a buncha cards in this post......

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

I have been busy trying to play in as many of the Hope You Can Cling To challenges over at SCS, so hang on while I show you several of my latest creations. All images can be found at Squigglefly.

First card up is one made for the Four by Four challenge - Four embellies, 4" square, 4 layers. Balloon Fun image is by Cheryl Alger. Papers are Basic Grey Cupcake. the balloon was painted with sparkle spritz shimmer spray as I have mentioned in posts earlier this week. It is a simple card because I made 2 - one is going to a little boy who has spina bifida. a fellow DT member of mine from Baby Bud Designs is doing a card drive on her blog. For more info, please visit Giovana and see if you can contribute a card. I know it would mean so much to these children! :)

Next card is a paper pieced birthday card. I used a new image from Teresa Ward called Flamenco Dancer. The papers are Jenni Bowlin Grandma's Apron. I used both the mini and standard 12x12 size on the card. The dancer's blouse and scarf were painted with the sparkle spritz shimmer spray. the rose was sprayed with the same. gorgeous trim comes from Etsy, little tag was tea stained, and prima leaves were sprayed with graphite glimmer mist. vintage button is from my stash.

and lastly I have a shaped card with another image by Cheryl Alger. this is also for the challenge going on over at her blog. I love this cute little Prim Annie! Cosmo Cricket paper was applied to a chipboard star and then distressed. the card base is SU! red riding hood, but doesn't show in the scan. the prima rose was sprayed with walnut gold glimmer mist. the bow, star, and blouse on main image were painted with shimmerz. I punched mini stars for more patriotic fun! a little snippet of crochet trim, button, and finally the twine line with clothespins were added. This was a treat to work on! I haven't done prim in a while, so need to get back to it more often.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! :)

Doilies of Hope

Coffee of the Day - Toasted Coconut with Butter Rum

As you know I have been participating in a few of the challenges going over at Split Coast Stampers in their Hope You Can Cling To challenge forum. It really feels good to create something that you know is going to someone whose day needs a bit of brightening......

Today's card is for the Somekinda Hope challenge - create a card using something old and something new. We have a similar challenge starting today at the Squigglefly PCP group to parallel this one in hopes of collecting more cards for MD Anderson Hospital. Please, if you can, we would love to have you participate!

I used an image from the new set by Michelle Bertuzzi, Doilies and Laces, and printed it onto some of my old beloved Daisy D's papers from the Snowflakes & Holly collection. The doilies were highlighted with a black spica glitter pen, sprayed with frost spritz, and then edged with rock candy stickles. the little flower was sprayed with a new to me candy corn glimmer mist and then lightly touched with the same rock candy stickles. the buttons are all from my vintage stash, so they are old old old. most everything was adhered with my fancy schmancy new pink ATG gun that David bought me the other day! boy, am I lovin' that puppy! ;)

we are off to pick up Mick from Bowling Green in just a moment, so had best go..... everyone enjoy your weekend! love ya!

You have to kiss a lot of men...... ;)

Coffee of the Day - Texas Turtle

I have wanting to make a card with this cute image, Almost a Prince, by Cheryl Alger for a long time. So I decided to join the sketch challenge going on over on her blog this week and pair it with of my all time fave sentiments. I just love this saying! You can find this adorable image and more of Cheryl's over at Squigglefly.

I haven't used much of the Basic Grey Kioshi paper, so thought I would try it out here. I plan to send this card to Mick's girlfriend, and she loves purple, so the colors in these papers were perfect. I sprayed some vintage tatted bits with this gorgeous shade of glimmer mist, as well as the sentiment piece. some pretty organza ribbon, crochet trim, vintage buttons, & seam binding complete the card.

btw - Mick loves frogs. when he was growing up he could always be found outside hunting frogs to play with. thus, the ideal girlfriend card! giggles!

enjoy your evening! :)

Scarecrow and His Wagon

Coffee of the Day - Texas Turtle

As I had mentioned the other day, Squigglefly has released some gorgeous new images by Marla Shega. So of course I had to go pick up a few on Saturday, and this wonderful 'Scarecrow on his Wagon' was first on the list! I love Fall, as you know, and this scene sets the stage so beautifully. It really was easy to color, even with my tiny watercolor brushes. It was the putting the card together that proved a challenge for me...... ever have projects like that where your creativity just seems to be on vaca or on coffee break (if only..... giggles!), or otherwise MISSING?!?!?!

I struggled with the card ALL DAY LONG - nothing seemed to go right, look right, feel right... nothing. so I took a nap in the late afternoon and finally just put it together. still think it is 'okay', but not fantastic. but I DO love the artwork Marla has drawn. so I will give it a go again when my stmaping mojo has returned...... perhaps a trip to Starbucks is where I will find my inspiration? tee hee!

everyone have a wonderful day!

• Stampin Sisters in Christ - Autumn colors with leaves (precious little plastic ones from Making Memories Vintage Findings)
• Paper Sundaes - Fabulous Fall

Star of Wonder

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

Good morning to you! Isn't it a truly delightful one?! well, I must say that I can't even see much of mine yet, as it is still pitch dark and even the birds aren't up getting those early worms yet, but the dogs have been out and the cats are fed, my coffee has just finished brewing, so life is amazing! :)

My card today uses a fun snowman by Cheryl Alger for Squigglefly, called 'Star Handler'. This was one of my first ever Sassy Cheryl images to buy. I grabbed some of the new Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather papers and started playing! I knew that I wanted to make a star embellie to go somewhere on the card, so I put on my thinking cap. Don't fall off of your chairs here, but as I was searching out the perfect papers, because I am one of those who has to find my decorative papers FIRST before I even start coloring, I got tired of my 'non Basic Grey' paper packs getting jammed in the drawers of the cabinet I store them in. So yep, I re-organized it. I told you it was shocking! in the midst of this process, one of the packs' backing boards had fallen off. voila! perfect for punching out a star! I then took my distress stickles (that now never leave my crafting table......) and inked it up all good and gloppy, knowing it would take forever and a day to dry. and yes, I kept bumping into it and knocking it over and goodness knows what else no matter where I seemed to put it to keep it 'out of the WAY'.

So onto stage 2, actually coloring the image. not too exciting, so we will move on..... okay, back up, I did watercolor it as I usually do, but added some rock candy distress stickles on the ground to imitate a light snow. shimmerz were painted on the buttons, scarf, and star of the main image. (yes, they are also a permanent fixture on my craft table! grins! but you knew that already!) decided that I wanted to play with more chipboard so I covered a coaster in some of the pretty blue snowflake paper, distressed edges with my handy dandy tool that also never leaves my table, and then inked it up good and messy. added buttons and ribbon with punched border & sentiment. ta da! one Christmas card done and way too many more left to go, but excited about it nonetheless...

Before I forget, Squigglefly has a brand new artist with some of the most gorgeous images released this weekend, Marla Shega. you really must stop by and take a look at her work! sketches so real they come to life! I plan to play with some of the ones I picked up yesterday just as soon as the sun comes out.... tee hee!

• Little Red Wagon - Stars (I sure hope I am making the deadline this week, ladies! giggles!)

Sew, What's New?

Coffee of the Day - Maple Vanilla

I have been wanting to make a card for a special friend I have kinda sorta lost contact with for a while now, and today seemed like the day to do it! We used to do all kinds of things together when our kids were in youth group together, we were at church together, and so on. but then they moved to a different church, she ended up getting divorced, her daughter graduated from HS and her son moves in different circles than mine, and you know - just life. but we still run into each other at the library from time to time, and well, gosh darn it, I miss her! so I thought I would send her a little note to say, "wassssup?"

She loves to sew and has a talent like not many others. So I thought I would combine this cute image, "Button Flower Pot," by Cheryl Alger at Squigglefly with this fun quitling bee vintage photo and some neat Cosmo Cricket Material Girl papers. I have long been wanting to try my hand at making one of these neat tissue paper punched flowers, but thought using some vintage dress pattern pieces would be fun to keep the theme going. oh yes, I will be doing this LOTS more often! :) the photo was sprayed with walnut gold glimmer mist and then sponged with caramle ink to help age it more. I actually added my own little bits of thread and twine on the digi image - yep, pick yourselves up off of the floor, it is as close to sewing as I have come in a lonnnnnnnnnnnnng time. ;)

Mick starts his lab job today at Bowling Green, and Ryan has play auditions this afternoon. He is using the monologue from Monty Python's Holy Grail, holy hand grenade scene...... oh my, he should do very well. tee hee! he is most certainly his father's son! :)

Have a great one!

• Gingersnap Creations - Punches (flower & sentiment)
• Stampin for the Weekend - Shabby or Vintage

Can you carry a tune in a BUCKET?

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

Good morning! Over on Paper Craft Planet, Heather started up a fun challenge in the Squigglefly group called the Bucket challenge. anyone who plays along is to use either a SF image with a bucket, something that can be carried in a bucket or bushel, or do a technique or use supplies that you have had on your 'bucket' list. isn't this such a fun idea?! well I have been slow to play along, but had this cute image by Rich Davis printed out for well over a week now. whadda ya know - it has a bucket on it?! tee hee! then Ryan discovered that he has been accepted into the HS Chamber Choir - big stuff as a Jr.!!!!! so the card just started coming together..........

I gathered these fun papers I really hadn't had an opportunity to use much from Cosmo Cricket, Togetherness and Material Girl. Had to be careful to keep the card from getting girly...... I had seen some card layouts using fun strips of dp, so decided this was another perfect chance to try it myself again. Pulled out those long forgotten Dew Drops, a big chunky button, the big thick twine, and my standby fave SU! rub-ons. the best part is the inside of the card - it reads, "You CAN carry a tune in a bucket!" I am so very proud of Ryan! He also has been asked to do morning announcements once a week with a friend. Theirs are televised live throughout the school, so this is a pretty big honor as well. super cool!

Hope all of you have a most wonderous day! :)

Iguanas Get Lonely Too....

no coffee today, but more delish iced Earl Grey with Lavender - yum!

I want to share with you today a card I have made for both Tyler and Mick. I used this wonderful iguana image from Squigglefly, a sketch from this week's Mojo Monday, and some reallllllllllly old Basic Grey papers. Typed up a punny little saying and we are on our way to a perfect card for a mom to send to her boys off at school!


Nothing fancy here at all... so I will save you the boring blah blah blah. everyone have a wonderful day!


Will check back in later with some cards that are more 'my' style - i.e. vintage, shabby, girly fun! :)

College Survival Guide Rule #1

Coffee of the Day - Maple Vanila

Today starts a new challenge over at the PCP Squigglefly group - Get Your Freak On. the idea is to make a project using an image of something that scares you or that represents a movie, book, or ghost story. We are celebrating Friday the 13th in style over there! :)

My card uses this adorable image by Cheryl Alger, "Monkey Scare". Many of you know how deathly afraid of monkeys I am. I decided to start a series of cards for Tyler and Mick who are both heading off to college this year. Tyler leaves today and Mick next week. the inside of this card reads, "Monkeys are Evil! when in doubt, always refer back to this rule." I think they will get a kick out of it, as this is a known 'momism' around here....... This card also works for the ghost story, "The Monkey's Paw" which started my fear in the first place. eeeeek!

The papers are Basic Grey Junebug. I kept the design pretty simple, just adding a few buttons & ribbon.

Have a wonderful day! I am going to try REALLY hard to not cry too much today, but so far it's been tough...... I am so gonna miss my guys.......

I'm happy to be SQUARE! :)

Coffee of the Day - Butter Rum

We have started a new challenge over at the Squigglefly PCP group - Hip to be SQUARE! I must say that I haven't crafted in so long, I wasn't sure I would remember how. but oh it felt so GLORIOUS to make a card! it's as if my soul had been restored. anyone is more than welcome to play along in the challenge - just be sure to use an image from the Squigglefly store. in fact, if you use an image by Chesney Young, who is this month's featured artist, you get 2 entries into the contest for a free SF image.

For my card I chose Chesney's 'Singing in the Rain' cutie chick. I don't know who makes the paper, as it was a gift. The polka dots on the umbrella and the rain boots have been covered in glitter. man oh man, I really want a pair of pink glitter galoshes to splash around in! :) I tried something new with the white dots - I colored them in first with a gel pen and then realized that I wanted them glittery. so while the gel pen was still drying, I sprinkled white glitter over the top. perfect! the glitter stuck! I'll be doing this again, I am certain!

the rain puddle and drops are covered in crystal effects. I pulled out a MS border punch that I bought a while back, but had never used. I think this is such a cute one - not that any of hers aren't. the crochet flower came from a little girl's barrette I found on clearance. then it just took some satin ribbon, SU! sentiment, and buttons to finish this off. finished size is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2".

everyone have a wonderful day and STAY COOL!
Challenges:

• The Crafty Pad - ribbons and flowers
• Creative Card Crew - cute and girly
• Cupcake Craft - distressing
• ABC - August
• Sentimental Sundays - Switch it Up
• Totally Papercrafts - Going to the Movies ('Singing in the Rain', of course! who doesn't love that famous scene with the umbrellas and rainshower on the sidewalks! grins!)
• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Squigglefly Challenge blog - ribbon & SF image
• Incy Wincy - Summer Fun (hey, who doesn't like to play in the rain on a warm summer's day?! I taught my boys to play in the rain every chance they get. grins! )
• Digi Doodles Best - Punch or Cut me
• Dutch Dare - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp - Sing it Baby! ('Singing in the Rain', once again! tee hee! could also go with 'Umbrella', but my boys would be mortified......)
• By the Cute and Girly - Animals
• Paper Makeup - cards for stash (David's mom almost completely wiped out my card stash when she was here in June! grins! she took over 100 with her...... wow!)
• Ellephantastic - Distressing
• Stamping with the Dragon - distressing
• Stampin Sisters in Christ - birds
• Stamp and Create - flowers (bg paper & crochet)

OWH Birthday Blog Tour!

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia

Welcome to my stop on the Operation Write Home blog tour celebrating America's birthday! oh gosh, it makes me so proud to be an American! :) I love it every time I see a flag waving in the wind, a soldier in uniform, hear 'The Star Spangled Banner'! I might not agree with every policy or politician, but I whole-heartedly love this country and what we are founded upon!

I made a card to celebrate birthdays using these great digi images from Squigglefly. Nothing fancy, but I tried to pack it with a whole lot of fun! :) and of course every birthday needs cake AND balloons! since this is going to a soldier stationed overseas, I couldn't use glitter for my little accents, so I used my white gel pen instead. My card is also for the Grand Opening challenge going on over at the Squigglefly group at PCP. the challenge is to create a happy celebration project. I hope you will come join us for the fun and some way cool freebies!

Everyone have a glorious weekend! much love to you all! :)

A Melon Thanks with Squigglefly

Coffee of the Day - Toasted Coconut - no more icky coffee, hooray!!!

I have to start by saying thank you to every one of you who has encouraged me through this bittersweet time of Mick's graduation. It means so much to both of us that you stopped and left comments as well as emailed. You will be glad to know that I made it through the ceremony with flying colors! :) The only time I got a bit teary was during the Senior song, 'We Are One'. He is now a graduate, and I couldn't be more proud! God carries Mick close, as He always has and always will. Of that I have complete faith.

Today starts a new challenge over on the Squigglefly blog, and the theme is Picnic Time - use any kind of food image on your creation. I chose to use this cute new Shy Bear created by Lynne Stansbery called Swellin' with Melon. I paired it with an assortment of papers from the Basic Grey Lemonade collection. Had to stick with the theme now, didn't I?! grins! I also added this fun sentiment by Chesney Young. Added a big fluffy bow, Prima flower, some buttons, a Making Memories butterfly, punched butterfly, and paper pieced sun. I used my white gel pen to draw in some faux stitching. This is sized to fit into a legal envie. The watermelon seeds and bear's nose were covered with crystal effects to help them have a bit more definition.

Play along if you get the chance. and stop by to see what the other DT members have created!

Exciting News and Blog Hop Winners!

Coffee of the Day - instant dissolved in milk 'cause the stove is in the dining room since hubby re-tiled the kitchen this weekend. hey, I was DESPERATE! :)

I have wonderful blog candy news which I am sure is most important to y'all, so I will get to that first. the rest can be for those of you who are gluttons for punishment..... giggles!

• The winner of the Pink Saturday prize is - PEGGY R.!!!!
• The winner of the Memorial Day prize is - Debbie @ Debbie Dabble!!!

Ladies, please contact me with your snail mail addy's so that I may get these out to you pronto quickly!

Now on to the rest of my post......

I have received the most wonderful honor of having 2 scrapbook pages published in the July issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine! They have done an article on digi stamping, and my pages along with 3 cards done by Holly Young are part of the article. We used images from Squigglefly for our creations.

My first page you have seen before. I didn't know they were going to use this page, so had gone ahead and posted to my blog. Unfortunately there was a mistake with the information they used for credit below the page, so it will be printed again in the Sept. issue I have been told. The photo is from a trip David and I took last fall to Chagrin Falls. you can find it here on my blog. Lots of the vintage buttons & lace I love so much, as well as an old millinery flower. The digi frame by Rich Davis was printed onto acetate and then colored on the reverse side with Sharpie markers. I used glue dots to adhere right over the photo. Papers are My Mind's Eye.

The next page features my handsome boys! The pix were taken at the Spring Choir Concert last year, "That 70's Show." The 3 of them had a solo on the song, "Seven Bridges Road". Oh my stars, was I ever so proud of them!!!! The cute turtle digi comes from Tracey Malnofski, who you also know from The Stamping Boutique. I used paper piecing on this page. Glitter pens accent. Papers are Basic Grey Lime Rickey, cut into strips for a bargello effect. Flowers are Prima.

Ever since the mag came out, they have become super-stars at school and work. Because they have their pic in a mag that can be bought at the grocery store right next to all of the other 'teen' magazines, the boys have become celebrities. Ryan, our youngest, was taken out by a bunch of girls to a movie and dinner. Mick, our middle son who is graduating next week, went on a big solo movie date to celebrate since appearing in print. and Tyler, our oldest, just blows it all off, but the calls are coming in. It is a riot to watch them. now understand this has absolutely NOTHING to do with Mom and EVERYTHING to do with them! grins!

everyone have a great day and we will see you tomorrow! love ya!

A few Squigglefly cards...

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Truffle

Hello! I have a few cards made with digis from Squigglefly to show you today. One is a sneak peek of a new release for this weekend! I hope you enjoy.

First card up is for the challenge over on the SF blog - make a get well card. Mine was a bit late 'cause I am still feeling a bit puny. kinda funny when you look at the irony of it all. ;) I think this image from Diane Carubia is just so cute! The little pup and kitty are colored with several shades of their respective colors, and then sponged with white craft ink before stippling with a darker shade of ink. this really adds so much depth to the fur irl. kinda hard to get the feel for it all in the scan.... sorry. The flower centers are painted in pink shimmerz. you know I had to get it in there somewhere! I so wanted to color the bandage pink, but thought it would look more like a ribbon, so refrained.... but gosh, it sure was hard!

Sentimental Sundays - Get Well

The next card uses an image from a new designer to SF, Mark Hicks . This card is going to hubby to celebrate the start of summer camp, which is in only a few weeks! The papers are Cosmo Cricket Mr. Campy. I even painted the boys' shirts to match the shirts for camp this summer. :) The theme for Summer Camp is Pathfinders, and they are using the hiking boot print as a logo. So when I remembered this hiking twill ribbon, it just seemed perfect! couldn't resist the Primas, but added some twigs to make it more 'manly' for hubby!

Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - for the guys

Was reminded in the latest SF newsletter that my DT time with them is almost up. It sure has been fun! I have met some wonderful people and been introduced to some very talented artists! I know that I will continue to visit their store, blog, and SNR group OFTEN! I hope you will do the same! I have been blessed indeed to be surrounded by Holly, Ashley, and Chesney - the genius behind Squigglefly! thanks for the opportunities, ladies! :)

Create it Green Sketch time!

I'm a wee bit early with my post for Create it Green's monthly sketch challenge, but I don't want it to interfere with tomorrow's Pink Saturday post. ( we must type this very very quietly, but there isn't even an itsy bitsy bit of pink on this card..... shhhhhh.... we must keep this tip top secret......)

I am using this fun new bee by Rich Davis for Squigglefly being released tomorrow. isn't he fun?! Deanne came up with a great sketch this month for the challenge. you know that we are to use any kind of recycled or repurposed items on our cards. The sponsor for this month at CIG is Green Way ribbons. That fabby grosgrain ribbon is actually made from recycled plastic bottles. isn't that so cool?! The corrugated cardboard in the corners comes from one of my Starbucks coffee cup cozies. The tulle mesh in the flower comes from my shower scrunchy that is slowly falling apart. rather than throwing the bits away, I am saving them for crafting! :) The papers are K & Co. Wild Raspberry that my wonderous friend Holly so kindly sent me this week to make sure I never ever run out! isn't that just so nice of her?! talk about being blessed! the bee's black stripes and the flower center are painted with shimmerz.

Now just a quick note while on the subject of blessings -

in the past few weeks I have had the great honor and privilege to have some cards and projects win challenges across blogland. I have to say that I am humbled by the recognition for my crafts, but the glory goes to God alone, not me. He is the one who pours out blessing upon blessing, every single day. I am constantly amazed at His goodness. and so I say thank you. and thank you to each and every one of you who put up with me and my goofiness. love ya!!! :)

Pink Elephant - yellow, buttons, and DP

Cupcake Crafts - buttons

Quixotic - DIY flowers

Character Cafe - recycle and reuse

I can't sew, but I love sewing stuff.....

Coffee of the Day - Texas Turtle

I know it doesn't make any sense at all, but I love sewing themed things. Probably because it takes me back to the days I would spend with my great-grandmother in her sewing room. I can't sew to save my life. y'all know that. can't faux stitch straight either.... nope, not one bit. but I love the sewing done on cards. I have a sewing machine in the attic. I have taken it in for repairs and even the fella who fixes them sits with his mouth hanging open as that dreaded bobbin does all kind of things he has never seen before when I sit down in front of the machine. He says it is mind-boggling. I say it is just me and the sewing machine. we have this unique relationship - I agree to let other people use it, and we get along just fine. if there wasn't a bobbin involved, I think we might actually like each other better, but that bobbin, oh, the trouble it causes me. even with the metal plate in the way, it still finds a way to pop out into my lap every time I try to sew. Thus, I have learned to just sit back and admire everyone else's beautiful creations........

But when I received these fun images to sneaky peek for you from Squigglefly for this weekend's release, I thought that perhaps I could attempt a card...... and this one is to honor my Great-Grandmother, Lillian. I think she would have liked it. She made clothes for me, for herself, for other people, for just anyone who had a need. Gosh, I miss that wonderful lady. She had such an influence on my life.

I used papers from Cosmo Cricket, a sketch challenge from Crafts 4 Eternity, pin from Maya Road, trims and ribbons from my friend Melissa, a bit of magic mesh that I hadn't pulled out in a long time, a fun wooden button from JoAnn's, shimmerz on the roses & bow, silver glitter pen on the needles & pins, and vanilla craft ink on the card base edges. whew.... I think that does it! the card also qualifies for several other challenges which you will see below.

Have a wonderful day! know that you are truly loved! Jennifer

If the Shoe Fits - Mom (I hope Great-Grandmother works.....)

Squigglefly SNR - paper piercing

Busy Beauties - red, blue, or both