Catching Up and a Sympathy Card

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Maple Walnut coffee

Surprise! I am back! :)

I know that I have been away for a VERY long time, but so much has been going on over here. for those of you who have stuck around, I am very thankful. sending you big hugs and much love! :)

I am still dealing with seizures. yeah, yuck, I know. have several a day still. am trying something different that SEEMS to be working, but they haven't gone away yet. crossing fingers, toes, eyes, ears, and everything else I can think of in hopes that it helps. those things wear me OUT! ;)

had another health scare that we are trying to figure out on top of that. yeah, when it rains and all of that fun. but hey, still blessed! :D Palmer & Moon Pie keep me smiling every day, as do the lovely birds I watch at the feeder and the squirrels & chippies that scamper along below it. gotta keep smiling!

I am also working behind the scenes on Ryan & Elizabeth's wedding as well as getting things ready to hopefully open my Etsy store in February. exciting stuff!

Dave's dad passed away on Christmas Day. just going to say that it's been very difficult for everyone for many reasons.

a dear friend's son passed away suddenly, leaving behind a wife and children. it has devastated them, needless to say. a card seems so inadequate, but it is something that I can do, in addition to prayer. so I went into my craft room and made this....

used the "Waterfront" stamp set by SU! and sentiment is from the Reverse Confetti set, "Tall Blooms."  it was inspired by a card I saw on Pinterest using the Waterfront set. the gingham plaid paper is my favorite from Authentique. card base is stamped with the "Burlap" bg stamp, also by SU!

vintage buttons & ticket are from my stash, little flowers & leaves are by Petaloo, linen thread is from SU!, washer is a found item (much to hubby's embarrassment when I picked it up off of the ground! grins!), and tab punch is by EK Success. celery green ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

I will have blog candy to post, hopefully over the weekend, to say thank you to those of you who have so kindly stayed as followers of my blog. you will need to be a follower to be eligible, which I don't normally do. this is just my way to show my appreciation for those of you who have hung around! :)

much love to you and have an absolutely fantastic day! :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
Crop Stop - anything goes w/a vendor carried in the Crop Stop store (Authentique, EK Success, Scotch foam mounting tape - for main image)
Get Creative - anything goes
Make My Monday - use words or a sentiment
Fashionable Stamping - anything goes w/rubber stamping
Corrosive - anything goes
Inkspirational - use kraft (card base and one of the ink colors)
Artistic Stamper - anything goes w/rubber stamping
Happy Craft - anything goes
Southern Girls - anything goes
Dream Valley - anything goes

Sunflower Garden Birthday Greetings

Winner at County View Challenges
Coffee/Tea of the Day - Pineapple Lemon tea

The weekend is here! Hooray! :) I hope you have something absolutely wonderful planned. share with me what you are up to.

I am finally sharing the card I made for my MIL's birthday. she recently moved into an assisted living down in San Antonio and really loves it. when I got in touch with her on her birthday, she was on her way to a water aerobics class. she has always been one to stay busy, but it's so nice to see that she is continuing that still. She is flying up for Tyler and Danielle's wedding, and it will be wonderful to see her again. :)

The sunflower garden image is from Make it Crafty. I added touches of distress stickles to the flower centers as well as the edges of the main piece. I sure hated that they discontinued the distress stickles, but I tried to stockpile as much of it as I could find. :)

These are about the last of my pieces of the Authentique Meadow papers. I might have a tiny scrap or two left, but that would be about it until I can find more online somewhere.... time to put on my Sherlock digs and go searching! ha!

main die and matting are by Spellbinders and the banner one is by SU!  pretty little sunflower is from Wild Orchid Crafts. I look forward to seeing the store once the new owner has taken over.

vintage buttons, burlap doily, and ticket are from my stash while all ribbons & ric rack are from Really Reasonable Ribbon. birthday stamp is by SU! 

thanks so much for stopping by and enjoy your weekend! :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
Allsorts - flowers all over (also tiny flowers on lower paper)
Colour Crazy wk 29 - anything hand colored goes
Creative Fingers - anything goes
Country View - in the summer garden
Southern Girls - tic tac toe: yellow, stamp, bling (distress stickles) or white, blue, yellow
Craftaholics R Us - anything goes
That's Crafty - close to nature
Sheepski - for someone special (my MIL)
Crafty Sentiments - add a sentiment
Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers - C is for Coloring

Happy Birthday Fly Guy

Featured at Little Red Wagon
Top 3 Pick at Sweet Stampin'
Top 3 Pick at Colour Crazy Craft Challenge
Coffee/Tea of the Day - Tea Thyme

Today we celebrate our son, Mick's birthday. We were blessed this past weekend to be able to get together for a quick lunch with Mick and his girlfriend, Lauren, as well as Tyler and his fiancee, Danielle. Mick and Lauren came to Ohio for a tattoo convention and concert while Tyler and Danielle came into town to get their marriage license.  We were only able to spend a few hours together, but it was wonderful to see everyone. unfortunately, I ended it all by having a really bad seizure episode, but that is the way it goes these days. :( can't seem to kick these things.

this is the card that I made for Mick. I used the "Fly Guy" image from Power Poppy on the outside and the "Leaping Trout" image on the inside. I didn't get a photo of the inside of the card. sorry.

all dies are by Spellbinders, with distress stickles being added to the cat tails. vintage buttons are from my stash and wide grosgrain ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. Happy Birthday stamp, linen thread, and little banner punch are by SU!  papers are from the Authentiqe Meadow collection. I am just about out of it and down to a few little scraps... will need to buy more of this wonderful paper! I obviously love it very much! :) little dots were added to the matting die cut with a white gel pen.

I will be back in another day or so to share my MIL's birthday card. her birthday was yesterday.

thank you so much for stopping by!
Jennifer

Challenges:
a2z Scrapbooking - birthday bash
Always Happy Birthday - anything Happy Birthday goes w/cake option
Crafter's Cafe - lots of layers
Dies R Us - birthdays (Spellbinders)
Crop Stop - anything goes w/products they carry (Authentique, distress stickles, Spellbinders)
Use Your Stuff - birthday
Dare 2B Artzy - birthdays
Inkspirational - birthday
Sweet Stampin' - occupations or hobbies
Brown Sugar - use 2 patterned papers
Moving Along with the Times - masculine
Little Red Wagon - lights, camera, action movie inspiration (A River Runs Through It)
The Male Room - fish/fishing
Colour Crazy week 28 - anything hand colored goes

A Squirrely Thanks

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Lemon Basil tea

Happy Monday! I bet you don't hear that very often. grins! but we have to find something good about every day, and I choose to rejoice in the fact that I woke up this morning to the sound of birds chirping their beautiful songs. :) I have a happy and content cat sleeping on the sill of the front window where he can keep an eye on all of the critters in  the front yard when he wakes up, a dog who finds joy in every little thing from a stick in the driveway to the squeaky unicorn toy that drives hubby up the wall, and a family that texts me every day with the stories of their lives. blessings? oh yes! I have them in abundance!!! so it IS a happy Monday! :)  not easy, but happy.

 so I am sharing with all of you a card I made to say thank you to a group of amazing people who came out to Camp for a service project. about 70 people arrived several weeks ago to help transform Camp through painting, cleaning, and various fix-it projects. I don't have any photos to share, but what they did is amazing. I want to make them several thank you cards, but this is the first. I work so slow these days, and my list of cards to make is so very long....

The adorable squirrel thank you image is from LOTV, papers from my Authentique Meadow collection, grass die by My Favorite Things, and felt cut with a die by La La Land. I added a twig from outside to use as a fun bit of whimsy. all other items are from my stash. there is a little sparkle on the card with touches from a wink of stella clear glitter pen.

For my birthday blog candy winners, please check this post. congratulations to the winners! I'll have more candy later this fall. in fact, I have blog candy planned all the way through Valentine's Day! :)

Have a wonderful week! I'll see you back again in a few days with another project. :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - anything goes w/an animal
Crafty Animals - anything goes w/an animal
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Love to Craft - anything goes
Sweet Stampers - animals
Angie's - anything goes
Alphabet Ch - 'G' is for Great Outdoors
CRAFT - thank you
Sunny Day - any animal
Ching-Chou Kuik - thank you/sympathy

Hoppy Father's Day!

Coffee/Tea of the Day - World Market Fireside Rum coffee

Hoppy Father's Day to all of the dads, granddads, uncles, and father figures out there! :)

now I say 'hoppy' because my card today is inspired by all of the fabulous craft beer breweries around our wonderful world! Dave and I enjoy visiting them as we travel the country (or we did travel a bit before my health woes took over).  in the Cleveland area, which is near where we live, there are some amazing breweries, not to mention in the state of Ohio. I was never really a beer drinker, but have enjoyed trying some since some of the stouts have tastes similar to my beloved coffee. did you realize that? servers are always amazed that I am the one drinking the dark beer, while Dave gets the lighter ones. it's funny. :)

Power Poppy has this really fun "Hops and Barley"digital image which includes several neat sentiments that can be used for different occasions. they currently have a sale going on if you use the code COLORINGCHALLENGE.  I believe the sale goes through the end of the month and can be used multiple times. for more information, head to their store or blog.

I added the image twice, flipping one of them, and then inserting the Benjamin Franklin quote inside the space. I then fussy cut around the piece. the papers are from the Authentique Meadow collection. the brown gingham is one of my favorite go to papers right now. it's actually the flip side of their journal cards, but I just love the look, especially for masculine cards. :) I added texture paste over a Carta Bella stencil in the corner.

matting dies are by Spellbinders, seam binding is from Zipper Stop and was distressed with ink, vintage buttons are from my stash, and jute ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

the inside reads, "Hoppy Father's Day," which is one of the newest sentiments that was just added to this set in the past week. I didn't get a photo.

I apologize that my photo is so light. I am having a tough time with photo editing with my head all messed up due to the seizures. my eyes just don't seem to work properly. so very sorry. if you click on the photo, it will take you to a larger window where you can see everything in much better detail, and hopefully that will make it better. I will try to do a nicer job on future projects until I can get over these yucky things.

Have a most lovely day, and thank you for stopping by!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Allsorts - use at least 2 dies (both by Spellbinders)
Craftaholics R Us - kraft (card base and one of the matting pieces)
Digistamps 4 Joy - anything goes w/optional for the men in your life
Crafty Calendar - 3 of something (buttons)
Pile it On - holidays (Father's Day)
Catch the Bug - bingo: ribbon, die/punch, sentiment
Daisy Chain - for the boys/men
Simply Create Too - for a male
Aud Sentiments - anything goes w/a sentiment
Cardz 4 Guyz - Father's Day
Stinkin' Inkers - the guys have it
Try it on Tuesday - for the boys
Unicorn Ch - masculine
Daily Marker 30 coloring challenge - trying the best I can when my seizures allow

Under the Sea Altered Nuts Can

Top 3 Pick at Sparkles Monthly Challenge
Highlighted Project at Use Your Stuff
Winner at Sunsational Stamps
Top 3 Pick at The Fairy and the Unicorn
Coffee/Tea of the Day - Sweet Pear tea

Hello! Happy Monday! :)
I hope you had a great weekend! I apologize that I haven't had a craft project to share with you in a while.  These seizures and migraines are really doing a number on me. Unfortunately they seem to be getting worse rather than better, much to my dismay. I am using my cane to get around much more often, as opposed to just 'holding on to the walls' as I usually do to get around the house. Yesterday it was easier to just stay in bed, because I found myself falling down  every time I tried to stand or walk.  this is not fun, folks. :( I want to be out enjoying the sunshine and bird songs and the smell of grass and good stuff of summer. oh well. maybe soon.

 anyhow, enough of the icky stuff.  I had wanted to have this project completed in time to celebrate World Oceans Day and the March for the Oceans. I had planned to attend a nearby march, but of course I couldn't. taking care of our waterways and the beautiful creatures that live in them is very important to me.

So I created this altered project using a mixed nuts can. Since becoming a vegetarian over the past few years, we eat lots of nuts. :) I save the cans for my projects, and thought it would be fun to make this for Tyler and Danielle to put the shells and beach glass they collect on their honeymoon this fall.

I gathered images from The Graphic Fairy (anchors), Create with TLC (fish), and SU! (fish rubber stamp).  papers are from the Authentique Sea Maiden collection, and flowers are from both Wild Orchid Crafts & Petaloo. all ribbons and trims are from Really Reasonable Ribbon. sea horse and sand dollar dies are by Tim Holtz.

The background base paper was sprayed with Tattered Angels pearl glimmer mist. This is one of my favorite sprays for a glorious all over sparkle, but especially for water scenes. Essentially every piece of paper or cardstock used on here was sprayed with this glimmer mist at least once. :)

From there I created the sand portion. I used the actual sand designer paper from Authentique, but then sprayed it with the Tattered Angels walnut gold & pearl regular glimmer mists and the Hot Chocolate Chalkboard glimmer mist. once these had dried I stippled a bit of gesso over the top to give a bit of texture. this piece of dsp was then adhered around the bottom with foam tape.

The seahorses were distressed with white craft and crumb cake inks and then sprayed with the pearl & Atlantic glimmer mists. I added a little bead for the eyes. torn cardboard was distressed with white craft ink. the floral anchor piece was edged in gold glitter glass. I used a little fern punch by Martha Stewart to replicate sea plants. they were distressed and inked. The top has a wonderful burlap doily and neat flower that I came across a few years ago in my travels, knowing that it would be perfect on some project. looks like this was the one! :)

Pearl beads and metallic beads by Prima add more texture along the ocean floor. Real shells & beach glass pieces, along with postage stamps and vintage laces & buttons help to complete the project.

I hope you have enjoyed my little altered project today. Enjoy your day!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Canvas Corp - To the Sea (Tattered Angels pearl, walnut gold, Hot Chocolate, & Atlantic glimmer mists)
613 Avenue Create - anything goes w/optional buttons & bows theme
Dragonfly Dreams - anything goes
Corrosive Challenges - anything goes
Catch the Bug - make a splash
Fairy and the Unicorn - anything mystical/mythical (mermaids, on card)
Happy Little Stampers Mixed Media - layers
Let's Craft and Create - anything goes w/punch it optional theme (Martha Stewart fern punch)
Not Just Cards - anything goes
Sparkles - sea shells
Sunsational Stamps - beach
Crafter's Cafe - tic tac toe: lace, patterned paper, ribbon
CRAFT - add ribbon and sparkle (sparkle comes from the numerous glimmer mists, pearl beads, and beach glass. it has a lovely shine irl)
Use Your Stuff - magical (mermaids, on card)
Altered Eclectics - anything altered or mixed media

Where There is Tea, There is Comfort

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tea - A Hug in a Cup

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You Are Amazing - Autism Blog Hop

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Hazelnut

I am back today with another card for the Stamping for Autism Awareness Blog Hop. We are asked to only link one card for the hop, but I am making several to send to our son Ryan, who works with children on the autism spectrum. It's a facility called Hope Bridge, and they have locations in several areas. He is in Indiana, and I want to send him a few cards to share with some of the children he works with.

Today's card uses a cute image by Mo Manning called "Hurricane Harvey." my sons wouldn't just pull out one toy to play with; they had to pull out the entire toy box just like this little guy! :)

the watercolor bg is part of the same paper I created in the card from this post - made using brusho powders on watercolor paper. I used cobalt blue and grey, spraying with pearl glimmer mist to add a bit of sparkle. the stripe paper is from the Authentique Cuddle Boy collection.

sentiment is by Create with TLC and all other elements are from my stash. that fabulous wood bark star is from an online store that is no longer open. so glad I stocked up, because it is so fun! lots of ink distressing and a border of white gel ink dots helps add a cool visual touch.

thanks for stopping by! it sure feels good to be back playing in my craft room again. Palmer and Moon Pie, our dog and cat, are happy to be playing in there with me, too! :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
A Perfect Time to Craft - anything goes
ATG with TLC - anything goes with a TLC product
Crafter's Cafe - color: blue, green, and yellow
DL Art - anything goes

Easter is a Time for Sheer Hoppiness!

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Hazelnut

Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate this holiday! :) This has always been one of my most favorite holidays. I love spring, even though it doesn't really come to our area for a while yet. We can have snow into May, and it frequently snows on Easter, but the flowers that peak through are so lovely, aren't they?! It is truly a season of new hope.

I have a card to share with all of you today. I have given this to our neighbors who have the most adorable little girls! They shared with us a few days ago that their oldest is learning to read by sounding out the letter "P" for Palmer. :) we all smiled over that one!

I happily discovered that one of my favorite artists, Lee Holland, has an Etsy store for digital images. If you hurry, you might even catch the big sale that she has going on right now. I was one happy camper, let me tell you! ;)  This cute little bunny hopped right into my shopping cart, along with several other fun images!

Papers are from the Authentique Eastertime, flowers & leaves are from Wild Orchid Crafts, pretty blue ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and dies are by Spellbinders. sentiment is from Create with TLC.

vintage buttons, doily, lace trim, and yellow twine and ticket are from my stash. all cs edges have been distressed with either ink or a paper distressing tool. you can't see it well in the photo, but I used a wink of stella clear glitter pen to accent the hop pattern.

what DID show up well is a lovely pet hair from either Palmer or Moon Pie.... oh goodness gracious.... I had already given the card to our neighbors by the time I started editing this picture, so I couldn't go back and retake it. ack! the joys of having 2 pets with black fur who love to play in my craft room with me!!!

I hope all of you enjoy your day! thanks so much for "hopping" by! :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
Sweet Stampin' - bingo: ribbon, button, distress
Deep Ocean - Easter/Spring
Die Cuttin' Divas - Easter (Spellbinders dies)
Lemon Shortbread - anything goes
Papercraft Challenges - Bunnies for Easter
Aud Sentiments - Easter or Spring sentiment
QKR Stampede - anything goes
Brown Sugar - Spring or Easter
Crafty Catz - anything goes w/optional twist of old stash
Polkadoodles - #13 anything goes

Boys and Their Pumpkins...

Winner at Joy Clair

Coffee of the Day -  Bourbon Pecan

Please forgive the tardiness of my post, but a new challenge began YESTERDAY over on Elisabeth Bell's beautiful challenge blog. I was so busy working out at Camp for several groups that were there through yesterday that I completely forgot to schedule my post. shame on me! please pop over to see the lovely projects created by my teamies to inspire you for our new theme, 'Autumn or Halloween.'

I chose to go with the 'Autumn' theme for my card, using this adorable little fella from Elisabeth's line at Whimsy Stamps. he is 'Little Jack Happy Harvest' and just as cute as can be! I stamped him with a neat ink by Ranger called graphite that looks just like pencil lead. it is super cool irl. almost gives that 'no ink' look you see on some digital projects that some of the really talented folks do, but is easy for the not talented people like me! :)

papers are from the Authentique Grateful collection, seam binding is from Zipper Stop, and flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts. pumpkin template is from Shape EZ and little wooden veneer leaves are from SU!. matting die is by Spellbinders. some vintage buttons and ribbon snippets along with a sentiment from a label maker complete the card. the little pumpkin he is holding was paper pieced.

thanks so much for stopping by! hope your week is fabulous! :)

Challenges:
Catch the Bug - color inspiration
Double D - plaid
{pin}spirational  - photo inspiration (plaid, pumpkin, colors)
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Joy Clair - color inspiration
Crafty Gals Corner - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wed - anything goes
Sisterhood of Crafters - pumpkins or orange
Kraftin' Kimmie's Wonderful Wed - anything goes
Dare 2B Artzy - fall

Let's Go to a Tropical Beach Somewhere....

Coffee of the Day -  Pecan Toffee

whew, it's Saturday! did you ever think we'd make it to the weekend? ;) well, my time as a Guest Designer at Bugaboo is winding down, so just a few posts left to share with all of you. I have had a grand time with the lovely peeps there and the oh, so fun images to be found in the Bugaboo store!

today there is a neat photo inspiration challenge on the Bugaboo blog. I remember many moments like this from our years of living in Florida. whenever we went to the beach, I refused to wear shoes the moment my toes hit the sand. my feet needed to feel the sand between my toes!

I chose to use the adorable little 'Kidz Beach' image for my card. papers and little card are from the Authentique Utopia collection. beautiful seam binding is some that I won from Crafty Ribbons. gorgeous color! I did distress it a bit, as I am wont to do. ;)

stitched sun die is by La La Land, palm tree die is a retired one from Whimsy Stamps, and main image die is from Spellbinders. chrysanthemum is from Wild Orchid Crafts and of course my vintage buttons are from my beloved stash. little accent dots and waves were made with a white gel pen.

I really do appreciate those of you who stop by to say hello and leave such kind comments! enjoy your weekend & stay cool on these hot summer days. :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
ABC - 'L' is for lots of layers
Crafts and Me - anything goes w/optional summer memories
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Delicious Doodles - beside the sea
Dies 'R Us - water/beach
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - dies and/or punches
Paradise of Stamps - anything goes
SLS Lines - 3 or more layers
Sweet Stamps - anything goes
Paper Shelter - ribbons

Thanks a Latte!

Top 3 at Scribbles Designs

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Cupcake

I have several thank you cards that I need to get out, so the Summer Coffee Lover's Card Making Blog Hop is the perfect time to get in gear and get them done.  this way I can also give them a fun coffee theme, which you know I enjoy! :)

add in that today is Humor Me Wednesday over on the Bugaboo challenge and inspiration blog and we have a perfect combo!

I've used the wonderful 'Girlz Coffee' image on my card as well as the sentiment from 'Coffee Time - Thanks a Latte.' for the summer theme, I've used papers from the Authentique Utopia collection. the little coconut card is from one of the sheets. isn't it fun? I love coconut coffee in the summer!

flower is from Wild Orchid Crafts, noble peacock seam binding is from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and buttons are from my vintage stash. I couldn't resist using that gorgeous fabric covered button. I found it in a jar of old buttons I picked up at an antique store a while back. it seemed perfect here. :)

Hope you have a most amazing day! :)

Challenges:
Love to Scrap - anything goes
The Crafty Addicts - anything goes/hobbies (my addiction to coffee is most certainly a hobby! we pick up new flavors of coffee everywhere we go and love to try out new coffee shops! )
Lemon Shortbread - anything goes
Retarte - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Dream Valley - summer colors
CCC Digi Creations - let's get sentimental
DL Art Thankful Thurs - red, white, and blue or optional thank you card
Scribbles Designs - sip and savor

Memorial Day Treat Bag with Bugaboo

Coffee of the Day - Maple Fudge

It's Memorial Day and I have a cute little project to share with all of you today! for 'Anything But a Card' over on the Bugaboo challenge and inspiration blog, I wanted to make a little something for my son who is off doing his summer internship. as a mom missing one of the birds in her nest, it's all about sending lots of care packages! :)

**the watermark I've been given by Bugaboo is the little lady in the car. 

it is NOT part of the card.**

when looking through the Bugaboo store, I fell in love with the Edward USA image. I created my own star stencil using punches for the grey chevron bag. a quick spray of glimmer mist, papers from the Authentique Glory collection (they truly have the BEST patriotic papers!!!), glory blue seam binding (distressed) a re-purposed postage stamp, and this bag was ready to be filled with some goodies! hubby helped pick out the red, white, and blue treats plus a few sparklers for fun! shimmerz paint and a spica clear glitter gel pen add shiny accents to the main image.

while my project is fun and light hearted, we do pause to remember those who have given their lives as the greatest sacrifice for the freedoms we so cherish here in our country. I am thankful to them for their honor and bravery.

thank you so much for your continued kindness each time you stop by! it means so much to me! :)

Challenges:
Decorate to Celebrate - anything goes
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Eureka - anything goes
613 Avenue Create - anything goes
Pile it On - tic tac toe (stripes, die cut, bird)
Crafting with Dragonflies - animals
Jo's Scrap Shack - anything goes
Simply Create Too - red, white, and blue

Vintage Rose Girls

This is my second post of the day. please scroll down for my first post with Bugaboo and Coffee Loving Cardmakers.

Today beings a new challenge over on the Really Reasonable Ribbon blog. Our theme is 'Vintage' which you know is right up my alley! I hope you will play along with us. I'd love to see what you make. :)

I started with this precious vintage image of little rose girls from Create with TLC. I added frantage embossing powders to the image for a bit more of a vintage touch. edges were distressed and then inked.

papers are from the Authentique Treasure collection. Rosemary crochet lace trim and fuchsia satin with stitched center ribbon are both tied around the card base.  light pink mini ric rac is tied around the fuchsia bow.  a pale pink English rose and baby pink aster daisies adorn the corner of the vintage image. a sweetheart blossom sits in the opposite corner.

additional vintage items include buttons and appliques.

be sure to stop back in just a bit for one more post today! thanks so much! :)

Challenges:
Outlawz Twisted Thurs - flowers
Craft Rocket - flower power
Crafty Ribbons - ribbon and lace
Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards - just us girls
Simply Papercraft - anything goes
Crafty Gals Corner - May Flowers
In the Pink - Happy Anything
House That Stamps Built - photo inspiration
City Crafter - pretty pink and pastels
Deep Ocean - shabby chic or vintage

Thank You, Little Ladybugs

Winner at DL Art

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

Tuesdays at Bugaboo Stamps mean a new release, and this one is a cutey! who doesn't love little ladybugs in their garden? stop by the blog to see what the other designers have come up to inspire you! :)

Dave & I stopped by a nursery yesterday and they actually had ladybugs for sale. :)  how I wanted to buy some for my garden, but it isn't quite ready yet. hoping to work out there a bit today so I can make it a lovely home for the ladybugs, bees, and butterflies!

**the watermark I've been given by Bugaboo for being

 a Guest Designer is the little lady in the car.

it is NOT part of the card.**

this adorable little 'Ladybug Sunbonnet' helping out her ladybug friends image was the perfect thing to go with the new Authentique Cheerful papers. flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, forsythia seam binding, red burlap string,  & crosshatch emerald satin ribbon are from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and vintage buttons & green ric rack are from my stash. doily was sprayed with red glimmer mist.

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope your week is off to a great start so far! :)

Challenges:
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Craft Your Passion - anything goes
DL Art Thankful Thurs - Mother's Day/thank you
The Crazy Ch - 3 or more layers
Outlawz Twisted Thurs - add a sentiment
Come and Get It - card for a woman
Pile it On - garden creatures
Corrosive Ch - spring
Crafty Catz - female
Little Miss Muffet - anything goes
Broken Fairy - anything goes with ribbon or twine (both on here)

Altered Gift Basket and Tag for Baby Girl

Woooo Hoooo! It's the weekend! (this is the 2nd post today. scroll down, please, for my Bugaboo guest post)

I am excited to be the Guest Designer over at My Sheri Crafts! the theme for this fortnight is "Let's Go 3D". I am combining this project with my post for Really Reasonable Ribbon, especially since I use Really Reasonable Ribbons on almost every project I make. ;) thank you, Sheri, for asking me to be a guest with your fun blog! :)

Here in the United States we are celebrating Mother's Day tomorrow, so I thought it would be fun to share a little project I made for our neighbor who is expecting her second little girl anytime in the next week.

I started with an old fruit basket that hubby & I found on one of our adventures antiquing. a coat of acrylic paint, sponging with a few more, then several squirts of different shades of glimmer mist, and I was ready to decorate!

The edges were trimmed with a ruffled crepe paper border topped with Priscilla white crochet lace and  wild rose grosgrain ribbon. the same wild rose grosgrain also formed the bow, when combined with  pink burlap string. you can see that I also used the grosgrain and burlap string on the tag to continue the theme.

the flower cluster is formed with a pink chrysanthemum, pink aster daisies, and sweetheart blossoms, a mini sweetheart blossom decorates the tag.

The tag was also sprayed with glimmer mists. the adorable baby image is from Free Pretty Things For You and papers are from the Authentique Crush collection. (I made it all to match the card from back at this post.)

the basket is filled with diaper bag sized essentials every new mom will need. and she loved it when I delivered it several days ago! :)

Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms out there! :)

don't forget Really Reasonable Ribbon's current challenge going on, too!

Challenges:
Crafting With Friends - anything goes
Creative Fingers - anything goes
PDE linky party - anything goes
Simply Papercraft - anything goes
Crafting With an Attitude - anything goes
In the Pink - for a child/baby
Crafting By Designs - anything goes
Little Red Wagon - anything but a card
The Crafty Addicts - anything goes/use ribbon
Classic DT Open Ch - any project made for a DT goes
Sisters of Craft - anything goes

Life Give You Limes? Make Margaritas!

Coffee of the Day - Spiced Southern Pecan

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Here in our house we LOVE our Mexican food! so Cinco de Mayo is a day we love to celebrate! and yes, I do love a margarita, too! on the rocks, no salt for me. but I make a mean frozen one, too. especially when fresh summer fruits are available. yum, yum! nothing like a fresh watermelon margarita when it's super hot outside....

Betty, over at Simply Betty Stamps, drew this fabulous 'Rita Limes' image a few weeks ago. I knew she was one that just HAD to be part of my collection. :) and what better time to make a card with her than today!

paper is from the Authentique Utopia collection, flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, cream seam binding is from Really Reasonable Ribbon and dyed to match, as are gingham ribbon and crotchet trim snippets. sentiment portion was lightly sponged with ink and then sprayed with olive glimmer mist. I added rock candy distress stickles around the rim of the glass to mimic salt.

hope you have something fun planned for today to celebrate! we're having a fabulous breakfast with fresh salsa and chorizo then cooking fajitas on the grill for dinner. oh so tasty! :)

make it a good one, folks! thanks for stopping by! :)

Challenges:
Outlawz Wed Sketch - sketch
Inspiration Destination - anything goes
Coloring in Scrapland - celebrations (Cinco de Mayo)
Sunny Day Crafting - photo inspiration: colorful or fruit
Allsorts - fruit or berries
4 Crafty Chicks - Sassy Woman