Words of Wisdom from the Brave Girl Club....

Coffee of the Day - Toasted Coconut mixed with Butter Rum - oh it is TASTY!!!

I have in the past few days been introduced to a wonderful new group called the Brave Girl Club. My dream would be to one day go on one of these retreats, but until then, I am truly loving these daily emails I receive. The stamp set is next on my wish list. it is gorgeous!!! If after reading this post you, too, are interested in finding out more about this group, please click here to go to their website. Click here to subscribe to their newsletter. May you also find the courage to be who you really are created to be! :)

I wanted to share today's with all of you. It is just glorious!

Dear Gorgeous Girl,
It's a big life in a big world with big possibilities. One of the wonderful
things about all of this is that what might seem like the end....

....is actually the beginning.

Change is hard and endings are difficult and saying goodbye is painful....but
it is all part of a big life in a big world with big possibilities, and every
change, every ending and every goodbye is a step towards new and exciting things.

Every change, every ending and every goodbye is also proof of incredible
experiences that if nothing else, taught us more about ourselves and others.

We can also look back and be thankful, no matter what happened or how we "thought"
things might turn out....things turn out always exactly as they are meant to.

As the old saying goes; "Don't cry because it's over...smile because it happened"
and know that happy and amazing things are ahead for you. Your best years have not
even happened yet!

xoxo

ISO Stampin' Up refills.......

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

Good morning! I hope all of you are having a glorious day! the sun is shining so beautifully in the sky here, the birds are just chirping away, and it is as lovely as you could possibly ask for. :)

Most of you know that I do almost all of my coloring for my creations with Stampin' Up! inks. When I heard that they were retiring many of their colors, I put together a small order of reinkers and contacted my demonstrator. She didn't want to put an order in at the time and said she would place it sometime in June. I told her then that I was worried about items selling out, but never heard back. Well Monday I went to the SU! website and checked. Yep, most of what I wanted had already sold out. what a disappointment. Yesterday hubby and I placed a small order for what was still available. He told me that I could check out whatever outlets I needed to in order to track down these last colors. Unfortunately, SCS won't allow any ISO threads to open until the new catty officially opens next month. I haven't found any EBay auctions for these yet, but will get started looking.

So dear bloggers I am coming to you in case any of you are parting with some of these refill colors. Please let me know and I can get payment out to you. I sure do appreciate any help you can offer. Even partial bottles will work. :) thanks!

Mellow Moss
Pixie Pink
Sage Shadow
Cameo Coral
Gable Green

Now on to why I am leaving my blog - it isn't a big reason and yet I guess it kinda is. It has nothing whatsoever to do with my health. I am actually feeling pretty good right now, knock on wood! and I must say that after talking this over with David, he is very happy for the choice I am making. He doesn't in any way want me to stop crafting. He has actually offered to take my cards to various stores to see if they will sell them. Isn't that so sweet of him?! what a hunny bunny! :)

No, instead there are just some not so pleasant folks who have been letting me know for quite a while that my blog is not effective and I have minimal crafting talent. I realize that in life we will always come across nay-sayers, but this is something I do for my pleasure, for my stress-release, and for what I thought was for sharing a bit of God's love with other people. I find that having to constantly deal with the negative aspect has begun to diminish the joy I find in blogging.

I will continue to craft and visit SNR, PCP, and the new digi group, Crafter's Digital Art. I will continue to shop my little heart out at my favorite digi shops like Isabella's, Squigglefly, The Stamping Boutique, Mo's, KPink, and Shirleys 2 Girls (to name only a few of my many faves!). But because I won't have a blog, I have to leave my DTs. There are many talented people who serve on these teams, and I hope you will visit them often.

My love and thanks go out to each one of you. I hope you will still visit here in these next few weeks.
Jennifer

A Sketchy with Isabella's Sketchbook

Coffee of the Day - Texas Turtle

Thank you for the nice comments about my blog from yesterday. I will miss all of you, without a doubt! I will still be crafting, just not blogging.

A new challenge begins over at Isabella's Sketchbook today - a sketch. I have turned it on its side for my card. I also was inspired by a card I saw by Melissa Philips. She is truly a wonder at all she creates, and I love to just gaze through her blog.

I have loved this fun coffee and chocolate digi from the moment Isabella first released it. I thought it perfect for this fun sketch. Most of the supplies for today's project come from Making Memories Vintage Findings line. The flower is a pretty little Prima, buttons that are tied onto the bow are vintage, and shimmerz was painted onto the bow of the image as well as the raised areas of the chipboard frame. I used a gold glitter gel pen to add some highlights to the cup and saucer.

I hope that you will not only play along with us this week, but also visit the other members of the DT to see what amazing things they have created. These women have so much talent!!! :)

All Good Things Must Come to an End......

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia


..... and so as the month of June ends, so will my blog. It has been a grand and glorious ride! I thank 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!

Kisses for for my heart... he graduates today.....

Coffee of the Day - last day of instant! Alleluia!!!

Oh my goodness, I am going to try to get through this post without rivers of tears, but won't make any promises.

My friend Annika introduced me to a wonderful digi artist whose store is called A Day for Daisies. WOW! just beautiful images in her store!!! As soon as I saw this one, I knew I had to have it. It so reminded me of the times when the boys were babies and I would hold them, oh so tight. The image is called 'Kisses', appropriately. The card took me forever to finish, not because it is complicated, on the contrary, but instead because I kept crying and had to stop to wipe away the tears.

My precious Mick graduates from high school tonight. I am so very very proud of him. He has done so well. Everything about him just makes me love him more with each passing day. That is why it will be so very hard when he leaves for college this fall. I know with each beat of my heart that God holds Mick tight in His arms and directs every single step he takes. But I feel as if he is taking my heart with him. We have spent his lifetime getting him ready for this point. Tyler is leaving at the same time, so that is what is making this twice as tough. So it is what this graduation stands for - our lives are changing, forever changing. and I have to remember that this change is not bad. But I will miss them and I will never be the same again.

And so today, I will remember those beautiful baby kisses. and I will know that they are tucked away in my heart where they will never be forgotten. The seasons may change, but the heart remembers. and God brings comfort and love.

It is a Pink Saturday! Glory Be!!! :)

Coffee of the Day - instant, instant, I don't think my kitchen is ever going to be finished and I will have to dream of good coffee.......

Good morning! Happy Pink Saturday to you! I just love Pink Saturdays! I spend all week looking forward to them. and I have wonderful news to share with you also - I have been asked to re-join the DT of Crafts 4 Eternity full time by Michele, the lovely owner! So I will combine these 2 posts each and every week! woooo hooooo! Michele was so gracious when I had to leave the team due to my many icky illnesses. But I am back with a vengeance! Hear me roar with pinkness and my tiara! :)

My card today uses another of the wonderful images from KPink, my friend Kristen Powers. Our niece Ellen, recently graduated from high school, and I thought this digi would make the most wonderful non-traditional graduation card. She lives in San Antonio, and we have missed out on her growing up years, but hopefully she will know that we love her just the same when she sees this card. She is the sister of Wesley, the one many of you prayed for this past fall. He has done marvelously by the way, and just graduated from college himself a few weeks ago. We couldn't be more proud at how he overcame the cancer and would not for one moment let it beat him. What a trooper. That family is amazing! and we are blessed indeed to know them; bonus to be related to them!

The challenge for this week is to follow the sketch, use flowers, and flourishes. My paper comes from K & Co. Wild Raspberry. You will see that flowers grow throughout the papers as well as this inspiring image that Kristen has drawn. The flowers on the main image have been painted with shimmerz, of course. ;) I added some fun buttons from Making Memories, vintage lace, a square doily, and flourishes punched with a neat EK Success border punch. I do hope that you will play along with all of us. and check out what the rest of the C4E DT has created with this fun sketch!

I hope your day is filled to overflowing with as much pink as your heart can find! and may you know that you are loved with an everlasting love that surpasses all! YOU are the best!

What's Black & White and Red All Over? :)

Coffee of the Day - more yummy instant...... oh I will be happy once the tiling project in the kitchen is finished! :)

Okay, I couldn't resist....... as I was growing up, black & white jokes were as numerous as the grains of sand on the beach...... (yep, I am leading up to my card in a really shameless way). and I loved each and every one of those jokes. my dad and I traveled all the time, so my constant companions were books: joke books, science books, and Little House on the Prairie books. and we would sing, too, while we drove. but we'll save that for another post. ;)

So starts another fun challenge with Isabella's Sketchbook - make a black & white creation. your main image can have color, but everything else must be black and white only. The DT have, as always, come up with some wonderful cards. and just as unique & beautiful as each person! Please be sure to check them all out! and play along with us, too! you have the chance to win some fun images from Isabella's store. by the way...... she has a neat freebie in the store itself if you go take a looksie!

For my card, I used several of the shells and this beautiful lady called 'Reflections on the Beach.' I printed some neat vintage beach poster images that I found over at Clearly Vintage and used those for part of my bg. Papers are an assortment from those sent to me by my special friends Kate at i {heart} papers and Melissa. I added in some vintage buttons (love the one with the rhinestone center!) and a big bow with May Arts ribbon. it's hard to see, but right above the bow is a velvet lily by Making Memories. I plan to give this to my MIL for her birthday. The shells have been covered with opal shimmerz and then crystal effects. Shimmerz was painted on the belt buckle as well as the bow on her hat.

Again, please be sure to take a looksie at all of the gorgeousness created by the DT. then make your own black and white beauty to play along!

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!

Blog Candy extension.....

Just thought I would let you know I have decided to extend the opportunity to win the 2 blog candy giveaways through tonight. I want everyone to have a chance! I know I have been busy playing with my family this weekend, and haven't had a chance to visit as many blogs yet as I have wanted, so thought there might be others in the same boat as I.

Winners will be announced tomorrow. Best of luck to you!

and a HUGE THANK YOU to out troops who sacrifice each and every day! Our prayers go out to you. Thank you as well to the friends and family who are at home waiting for their safe return. You have sacrificed as well, and are not forgotten. Let us also remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice - their lives, not just today, but every day, so that we may live in a country that celebrates freedom. I am proud to be an American! :)

Happy Memorial Day!

OWH Memorial Day Blog Hop!

Please see here for my Pink Saturday post. thank you! :)

Welcome to the Operation Write Home Memorial Day Blog Hop! this is so exciting! I have really been looking forward to this hop for a while now. in fact, as soon as I heard that OWH was doing another hop, I have been just as giddy as can be! having friends and family who serve in the military, I know how important it is to support them every step of the way. So OWH has a special place in my heart! :)

I guess that is why I chose to make a card using this adorable digi, USA Heart, from Isabella's Sketchbook. The card is pretty simple for me, and the 'no glitter' rule is a toughie for me, but hopefully the love comes through!

I have some fun red, white, and blue blog candy to offer to someone who leaves a comment this weekend. You will have until Sunday at midnight to post, and I will announce the winner on Monday. Please be sure I have a way to contact you via email. In the blog candy you will find over 6 yards of assorted ribbons, trims, and lace, glitter sticker alphablet, brads, tags, buttons, vellum sentiments, a candle tart, adhesive felt star trim, rhinestones, glitter glue, and much much more!

Your next stop on the hop is Erica. I know she has something fun to show you!

It's a Beautiful Pink Saturday Celebration!

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Truffle

What a beautiful day to celebrate the 2nd birthday of Pink Saturday! I am so happy to be a part of something so special to so many!

I have made a card to commemorate this wonderful day using a digi from my friend Kristen and her store, KPink. I fell in love with this fun cowgirl boot as soon as I saw it, and knew immediately that it would be perfect for a Pink Saturday card one day! What an ideal way to tell that special friend it's time to 'kick up her heels and celebrate'! :)

I used paper from the K & Co. Wild Raspberry collection. painted on some pink shimmerz, of course!, to the flowers on the boots, added some Prima flowers, buttons, and fun lace & ribbon. The card base was sprayed with a combo of walnut gold and rose glimmer mist for more shine.

Now to help celebrate the birthday of Pink Saturday, I have some blog candy to give away - all pink of course! For those of you who enjoy crafting as I do, I think you will enjoy the assortment of goodies I have for you! There are over 5 yards of pink lace, ribbon, & trim, rhinestones, beautiful soap samples, paper flowers, velvet & suede flowers, buttons, and so much more! Leave a comment by Sunday night at midnight and I will post a winner on Monday. Please make sure I can get in touch with you via email for you snail mail addy. Best of luck in the drawing! and Happy Pink Saturday to you!

The Crafty Pad - over the edge

Three's a Charm Blog Hop!

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Spice

Welcome to my stop on the Three's a Charm Blog Hop, featuring The Stamping Boutique, Sew Many Cards, and Sunshine's Stamps. If you have arrived here from the fabby blog of GLORIA, then you are right on track. Let's get going, shall we? Grab your cup of coffee & some sunblock, 'cause we are going to Camp!

My hubby is the Director of a wonderful Christian Camp that is open all year 'round. But the summer is when we have the most fun! Our boys have worked at the camp for several years now, as well as volunteering in the off season. Not only have many of their friends joined the ranks of the employed out there as well, but we have all made some life-long friendships with some of the most amazing people! So I was thrilled when Tracey at The Stamping Boutique decided to offer some camping themed digis!

For this card I chose Cannonball Keith. Our oldest son, Tyler, will be a lifeguard at Camp, as he has been for several years. Joining him will be one of our friends, Mason, who happens to be a distant relation. His mom is one of my very best friends. After we met we discovered that she and David are actually related! What a small world!!! So we say that the boys are cousins, although how far down the lines we have no idea. So I wanted to make a card for Mason to welcome him to the camp team!

The paper is from the K & Co. Poppy Seed collection. I added some fun Making Memories buttons, ribbon, and highlights to his suit and the water splashes with matching glitter gel pens. Tried to keep it simple since it is going to a teenage guy, but wanted it fun, too.

Your next stop on this way cool hop is the most wonderful blog of MARY DEMMONS!!!!

p.s. this just added - a winner will be chosen from comments left on the blogs of the DT members' of The Stamping Boutique for a new, unrealeased 'Cynthia the fairy' digi!!!! so make sure to leave a comment for your chance to win! :)

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! :)

Memorial Day Vintage with Isabella's Sketchbook

Coffee of the Day - Kahlua and Cream

A new challenge begins today at Isabella's Sketchbook! This one is close to my heart - patriotic colors. Since we are gearing up for the Memorial Day holiday weekend here in the States, I was so excited to get going on my red, white, and blues. One of our DT members found this really cool link that tells about the history of the Memorial Day holiday is you are interested. If you happen to hail from somewhere else, we still want you to play along, so please use the colors from your country. Or use red, white, and blue if you would prefer.

Isabella has some beautiful patriotic images, but because of the vintage nature I was going with, I chose the fun Hat and Stars. As hard as it was, I refrained from using any glitter on here because I plan to send this along to a soldier fighting overseas. (Operation Write Home has a list of criteria for sending cards to our troops.) The paper is from Creative Imaginations. I printed off some copies of old Army posters from Dover Publishing and then distressed them. I added a Liberty Bell postage stamp cover and fun Cracker Jack prize wrapper to add to the scrappy feel. Also a great way to repurpose some things around the house, which you know I love to do! Vintage seam tape, Prima flowers, and vintage buttoms complete the card.

I hope you will join us this week. Be sure to stop by the other DT members' blogs to see what neat things they have created! :) have a great and glorious day!

Jennifer

Stampin Sisters in Christ - distressing

A Birthday Challenge with Isabella

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Spice

Yes, I am late posting my Isabella's Sketchbook weekly challenge card. I was just so sick this week I couldn't get any crafting done. But I finally got my project finished and thought I would go ahead and post anyway. If nothing else, I want to inspire you to go play in the challenge this week. Our DT Leader, Linda Payne of Payne Holler, has added to the prize booty with something fun and something you will all just NEED to have, so rush over to the challenge blog to see exactly what it might be! and this, of course, is in ADDITION to the chance to win 2 gorgeous digis from Isabella's store. She just added over 2 dozen new images this week, so you have a lot of gorgeousness to browse through! :) Of course you need to stop by the other DT members' blogs to see the amazing things they have created!

The theme this week is 'birthday'. I found this fun trim at JoAnn's the other day, and to my excitement, once I went to have it cut, discovered it was marked down. So the trim became the inspiration for the remainder of the card. I found some fun scraps that happened to match the colors. the only one I know for certain in a piece of Cosmo Cricket Fleuriste in the upper right corner. the green bit in the bottom right is actually a tissue square from Making Memories that I crinkled & distressed. Shimmerz paint, purple & green glitter pens, and my white gel pen were used on the main image to add highlights. The edges were done with fruit punch stickles. Finished up with a MS border punch & white gel pen dots, a birthday charm, buttons, and a Prima flower.

Please be sure to play along. You still have a few days, and birthday cards are always great to have on hand. Enjoy your day!

It's a beautiful pink pink Saturday! :)

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

Welcome to a lovely PINK Saturday! Today will be a bit different. I had a bit of a relapse of my pneumonia and tummy ick, so instead of a project, I am posting beautiful PINK inspiration photos from my fave shopping site, Etsy. don't get me wrong, there are other places I enjoy shopping, i {heart} papers being at the tippy top of my list (hi, Kate!!! will be over for more pink shimmerz soon!) but for my vintage supplies & homemade soaps, Etsy can NOT be beat!

so grab a cuppa, sit back, and enjoy the scenery! links are provided...... :)

staceywinters PINK fabric and vintage paper brooch











pinkbling Chunky stone cross necklace












minash Pretty PINK ruffle skirt (wish this was in my size!)










roadstaken PINK depression sherbet glass













thecottagecupboard PINK cabbage rose tapestry bag











mksupplies baby bell flowers glass beads













earlyattic vintage heart lace trim












AlphieBug vintage buttons & ribbon













AlphieBug teacup












Crowley Manor White Truffle Raspberry soap (they make WONDERFUL soap!)

ThoughtfulOldRose 1908 Valentine

fadedvioletvintage waitress teapot

Dreaming's easy with a good book, a good friend, and a big comfy chair!

Coffee of the Day - Tiramisu

I love a good book anytime, but add along a good friend and a comfy chair, and I am in little piggie heaven! and we all know how I feel about a girl and her pink sparkly shoes..... pure delight! :)

Well, one of my fave artists, Phindy, has issued a request straight from her heart. Her precious sister is quite sick and has never received a handmade card. Phindy is asking for anyone who has a moment to send cards of encouragement. More info can be found here at the PCP group. Please, please consider mailing out a card to spread just a bit of love to someone who needs to see some beauty from her hospital bed. I know y'all are just amazing! I have seen it my self time and time again! Oh, I am getting weepy as I think of how blessed I am to have the greatest friends and followers! thank you!

On to the card deets ~
Papers for this baby are Basic Grey Junebug. I used a piece of Prima packaging that came with that pretty bluish rose you see over in the right corner. Now just a little note about the color, because yes, it does matter for one of the challenges. (Michele, this is for YOU! grins!!!) these are shades of blue - just a lovely greenish blue. according to Stampin' Up, this is baja breeze - not only one of my fave ever colors, but a shade that is coming back for it's premier return! can we get a woooo hoooooo in the house?! oh yeah, I am excited! this would have also mattered had I gotten my act together and had this posted last night in time for the last Stampin Sisters in Christ challenge, but I was sicker than the proverbial dog and just didn't get it to my blog in time.... oh well. consider it your Sunday morning special instead.

Now I know you are intrigued about Michele's challenge....... she is the lovely owner of Crafts 4 Eternity. for a very short time I was blessed to be a member of her DT. now I just get to play! tee hee! every week she provides a fabby sketch and a few little extra bonuses thrown in. this week you must use blue and beads. if you look closely you will see BLUE beads on the paper button flower petals as well as the buttons of the chair arms.

You know how much I love my shimmerz paints. in order to get some fun accents on this chair, I painted the pink & golden flowers with my shimmerz. and of course those fabbylicious shoes! All of the buttons are vintage. the big huge BLUE one even came with the extra 'whatever' that is on it - which I happen to think makes it all the more cool! you know I love my JoAnn's trim bits, found this way cool BG word charm in my stash that I am slowly uncovering, added a glitter chipboard flourish to help accent the sketch that I am always twisting & turning & adapting on poor Michele, and that pretty much finishes the card. I sure hope Phindy's sister enjoys it. I tried to poor as much love into it as I could. :)

Other challenges:

I Love Digi - charming

Paper Cutz - dog or cat

Papertake Weekly - shiny, sparkly, special

Cute Card Thursday - someone special

Gingersnap Creations - read

Shabby Tea Room - chipboard

Cupcake Craft - buttons

It's another Pink Saturday! :)

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Hazelnut

Don't you just wake up on Saturday mornings now with a tingle because you know it is all about the PINK!???!!! it just can't get any better than this! so to make it official - welcome to PINK Saturday!

and to make it even more special, Tracey over at The Stamping Boutique drew a new Princess Jennifer Latte! I have been begging and whining and then begging some more for a 'get well' Princess Latte, especially since I have been sick for so long. thankfully this pneumonia appears to be on its merry way, so to celebrate, we have a brand new digi image! woooo hooooooo! isn't she wonderful!?! and she looks so much like me when I am sick in bed, well except that she is prettier and thinner and her hair isn't going 5 bajillion directions, but other than that we could be TWINS! :) oh yes, and I have my 2 dogs on the bed. grins! make room for the labradors!

anyhow, I thought this would make a fun get well card for someone special. and I found this great sentiment over at TLC Creations. Crazy 4 Challenges has a new challenge this week to make a pocket card. I haven't made one in for-ev-er, so I was glad to do it again.

Papers are K & Co. Smitten from my dear friend Kate, over at i {heart} papers. I added fruit punch stickles to the little scallops from this great new border punch. buttons are Making Memories & vintage, and that gorgeous rose is a Prima.

I challenge you to either try a technique or tutorial that you haven't done in a while. it's fun to go back and do some of those old standbys.

now it has been a week of PINK comings and goings at my house. let us pause for a moment of silence as we remember with fondness my cozy pink fuzzy slippers that sadly met their demise yesterday. The bottom of one completely blew out as I took the dogs for their 3 a.m. 'outing' when Latte tried to dash after the notorious skunk that was visiting our neighbors. sigh..... thankfully she didn't catch said skunk, but my PINK slippers gave it their all in this final mission for an aroma-free environment........

but on to the rejoicing as we welcome a lovely pink butterfly tiara into our home! the guys surprised me with this treasure for Mother's Day, and get this - it lights up!!!! of course, it had been flashing all day long before we realized that you must push the little button TWICE to get it to turn off. I think they just enjoyed watching me wearing a beautiful flashy flashy butterfly princess tiara as opposed to thinking that they were... gasp..... making fun of me.... oh horrors.... all day long...... and it wasn't until nightfall that I discovered the lovely lights of radiance all around my head. anyhow, all is well and they are treating me as the princess all moms and wives should be. :)

may your day be filled with all things PINK!

p.s. if I haven't made it to your blog from last week, I ask your forgiveness please. I am still trying to make the rounds. recovering from illness has slowed me down, but I will get there! :)

Papertake Weekly - Shiny, sparkly, special person
Creative Belli - hole punches
Dare U 2 Digi - anything goes
Stampavie - pink
City Crafter - pink

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

A fun new store opens today! :)

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Spice

I am so excited to be able to tell you about a new digi store opening today - Dee Dee's Digis! You will find some of the most cutie pie digis that bring glory and honor to our Heavenly Father. how cool is that?! :) I was super psyched when I received an email from my friend, Sandy, asking me to display a blog badge for the shop that I volunteered to create something for this special day!

Many events are going on to celebrate the Grand Opening, so check out the blog - Crafting with DeeDee's Digis. The DT at Sweet 'n Sassy are hosting a blog hop, so you can find the order here. Also, DeeDee has very graciously posted a free set called 'Leap of Faith' that will knock your socks off with its cuteness! :) A contest for $20 in merchandise from the store is up for grabs, too, so be sure to head on over. lots of creative inspiration to be found as well, so grab a cuppa your fave beverage, and let's get started!

I am using this precious little fella called 'Basket of Love' for my card. The papers are by Fancy Pants and come courtesy of my friend, Melissa. (thanks, dear one! mwah!) The flowers have been painted with shimmerz, 'cause you know how I love it! grins! I painted the basket to look like a wonderful antique wire one I have that has a wooden handle. Added some fun little embellies from Making Memories, distressed the edges of the main images with my water distressing technique, and one card is ready to be mailed to a special friend! could it be YOU?!

Paper Sundaes - sketch

Little Red Wagon - brads

Pile it On - cute & cuddly

Cute Card Thursday - someone special

Die Cut Dreams - shabby chic

A Pup in the Garden......

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

Do you ever have pups in your garden? I do, but anymore I don't mind. :) used to be that I would get so aggrivated at them for dancing and prancing in the flowers, but really, what is life if you can't play in the flowers along the way? so I just try to coax them over to the grass and plant more seeds. You also have to understand that my hubby and his lawnmower do more damage than our 2 dogs could ever think of...... sigh..... but then I stop and remember how much I enjoy the aroma of fresh mowed grass....... life is also a LOT about perspective and the choice we make in how we respond to situations along the way.......... grins!

So I will smile when the dogs chase butterflies like in this adorable digi by Patti Moore of Pholkart Blessings. I am a newbie to her blog and Etsy store, but a quick convert I can tell you! There was a challenge today over at Sweet 'n Sassy on SNR to create a card that showed what was in your garden. I chose this sketch from i heart 2 stamp and went to town. papers are Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety - see even my paper matches the theme! yep, I am pathetic, I know. :) I made my own flower embellie using a bit of a bath scrunchy that is slowly falling apart. why throw it away when it is perfect for the crafty stash?! you know me and my repurposing! I added rub-ons to these wonderful big brads. you should give it a try sometime! lots of fun to do! of course I had to get my PINK on somewhere, so this pup is sportin' a pink collar painted in shimmerz. the butterfly is also painted in several colors of shimerz.

have a great day and remember to dance in YOUR garden today!

Little Red Wagon - brads

Pile it On - cute & cuddly

Crazy 4 Challenges - frogs, snails, puppy dog tails

Tea for You and Me! :)

Coffee of the Day - Hazelnut

A brand new challenge with Isabella's Sketchbook! wooo hooooo! I so love her beautiful images! and the challenge this week is a neat one - use the colors of her logo - one, two, or all on your creation. Remember to use one of her pretty images, too, and you could win 2 digis of your choice from her store plus a special blog badge!

For my card, I tried to incorporate as many of those gorgeous colors as I could. I love this tea pot digi, too, so printed it out to color. I added dots of perfect pearls to the tea pot for some pretty shine. The papers are a hodge podge of some I had around. I had seen a neat card done using alternating scallops on Leigh O'Brien's blog a while back and thought I would try it out here. I love the look and will most definitely do it again! I added some fun May Arts ruffled ribbon and a vintage millinery flower. A few vintage buttons complete the card.

Please be sure to check out what the other DT members have done. You will be amazed I am sure! and play along! it is great fun, as you well know!

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

Embossed flowers and happy mushrooms! :)

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia

Belated Mother's Day wishes to all of you! I apologize for not popping in here yesterday with greetings for everyone. I have a card to show you and everything, but spent the day crafting, with my fam, and getting lots of rest. So it will show up tomorrow, which works, too, since we can remember those important women in our lives ALL THE TIME! :) but I do hope that the day was special for those of you who are Moms.

Today is a new challenge over at Squigglefly. What is so fun about this company is that there are so many opportunities to play in challenges. This card is for the challenge blog - tomorrow's will be for the SNR group. A new artist has joined the store, so be on the lookout for sneaks there, too. Plus a fun release this weekend - see, great times to be found at every corner you turn! :)

The challenge this week is to use embossing - either dry or wet. Well I lucked out and found a sheet of cs my friend Paula had sent me a while back. I don't have any of the fun machines (yet! grins!), so was happy to have this on hand! then I remembered these neat Prima flowers that have the embossed designs on them. Perfect! This cutie little mushroom house was recently released by Jackie Matthews and seemed the perfect pairing for this fun paper from my Rhonda stash. if you look closely in the bg, there are blue swirls that perfectly mimic the ones on the embossed piece. I just sponged blue ink over the embossing to highlight. The embossing on the Primas was treated the same. The spots on the mushroom are covered in stickles, as are the flower centers. The mailbox was painted with hi ho silver shimmerz.

Hope that you will play along in the challenge this week! It would be great to see you!

And thank you for hanging in there with me as I battle this pneumonia. it's a slow road to recovery, but I am surely getting there! A new round of antibiotics seems to be making a real difference. woooo hooooooo! :) of course my family, good friends, GOOD COFFEE, and my pups make the biggest difference in my opinion.............. love ya!

Create 4 Fun - sketch