Shady Tree Studio Release Day!

Coffee of the Day - Maple Pecan

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shady Tree Studio Sneaks Day 2!

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Nut

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

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

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

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

Shady Tree Studio Sneaks Day 1

Coffee of the Day - Butter Rum


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


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


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


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

See you tomorrow!

Finally...... some cards to show

Coffee of the Day - Maple Vanilla

Phew! it has taken me forever and a day to get the scanner configured to Dave's computer, but have finally somewhat mastered the task. I was getting to the 'sweating bullets' point, I tell you what! I have been busy crafting away for the big Shady Tree Studio release next week, and really didn't know what I was going to do if I couldn't post any pix for all of you. I had resorted to my shaky picture taking skills, which leave a lot to be desired, so 'hoorays of joy' were heard throughout the land when the scanner & computer got in sync! ;)

so without further adieu, here are several cards featuring images from Nicecrane Designs. I really enjoy Ignacio's vintage work!

The first card uses paper from K & Co and the Ancestry.com line. I added some vintage lace & buttons, a ticket that was stamped, sprayed with walnut ink as well as frost shimmer spray, a baby Prima rose and pretty pearl floral pin. fairly simple, but I like the vintage look.

The next card I made to send off to Tyler at school. it just seemed the perfect sentiment to add to this adorable little kitten and mouse image! papers are Basic Grey Pyrus, big gorgeous button is again from my vintage stash, and isn't that burlap ric rac fabby? hopefully it will keep hubby from noticing the blue bow on the side.... well at least it is a BLUE bow..... and there is manly burlap on the card! grins! but the card really just needed that extra little bit of color and texture.... REALLY! tee hee! speaking of blue - Mick and David painted our upstairs hallway that same shade of blue as is in the paper. isn't it yummy? it looks beautiful and oh, so soothing with the white ceiling and baseboard trim.

everyone have a wonderful day, and I will see you back in a day or so! love ya!

Jennifer

p.s. I just hopped over to the Shady Tree blog and noticed that Nancy has a great little contest going on. leave a comment for a chance at winning the ENTIRE new release!

Heart Song Designs

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Twist

Just a quickie post today to introduce all of you to a fun new store called 'Heart Song Designs'. Some of the images might look familiar to you. Leah used to design some of the digis for Sweet & Sassy, where I was blessed to be a Guest Designer last year. When I heard she had opened her own store, I was super-dee-duper excited! I hope you get a chance to visit both her store and blog. She has a fantastic DT on board as well.

I have been busy working on cards for the Shady Tree new release coming up in another few weeks. Will have something else to show you later on this week. and don't forget that I will have some blog candy coming in March.

love to you all! Jennifer

Nesting....

Coffee of the Day - Maple Pecan

I had to come post........

from the first year we moved into our wonderful little Century home, we have had the most delightful birdie couple build their family nest on our front porch. I have no idea whatsoever what type birds they are, but they bring us such joy year after year with their songs. We eagerly watch as the eggs are laid and then those same chicks mature and fly away. The nests are created from all kinds of treasures found around our yard.

Well the couple has returned and has spent the past 10 minutes sitting on both the front door wreath and porch light right next to it. This is the first time in over 10 years that I have seen the daddy. He has the most brilliant red head and chest. I will most certainly have to do some investigating to see if I can discover what kind of birds they are. But my heart is soaring to see them return!

Funny how God can bring a little message into our day through His creations. How is He speaking to you today? are you taking the time to listen, to see? if I hadn't been sitting in this exact spot, I would have missed the moment. if I hadn't looked up, it would have passed me by. don't get so caught up in 'stuff' that you forget what is really important. You are loved. truly. madly. deeply.

Returning from the Land of the Lost......

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

A big snow-filled 'howdy' to all of you! We were blessed with about 14" of the lovely white stuff yesterday and gosh, it is just gorgeous outside right now. I was taking the dogs out just a bit ago and heard my owl friend hoot hoot hooting away. The moon was reflecting off of the snow and it was a wonder to behold!

Sorry to have been away so long. nope, the dinos didn't get me, I didn't get sucked into a big black hole in some far away universe, nor did I finally succomb to caffiene overload. (horrors!) just had a few little health ickies and then more compy crashes, but hopefully we are soon to be on the road to ....... well...... someplace simply marvelous I hope! grin!

I did want to let you know that today I received my stamps for the upcoming release from Shady Tree, so look for some fun things in March. btw -Nancy has several sets on sale at 30% off until March 8, so head over and take a looksie!

also, I received a fabby gift certificate for a great store owned by my new friend Ignacio over at Nicecrane. I hope to share a few things made with his vintage digis soon as well. Plus, my super sweet friend Anita blessed me with several embossing and die folders for my new Big Shot, so I am oh, so anxious to get crafty with those babies! thanks, Anita! you are da bomb, girlfriend! :)

so be on the lookout! and thanks for hanging in there! there just might be some blog candy to make it all worth your while....... hint hint hint........ ;)

Whoa Nelly, this is EXCITING!!!!!

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia

You are so not gonna believe this....... I am the proud owner of a brand spankin' new Big Shot machine that I WON!!!!!! yeah, I know..... get out! I about tipped outta my chair when I got the news! and it is now here, in my hands, just waiting for me to play. I am just so excited! and wanted to share my news with all of you! :)

You've gotta check this out.....

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Peppermint

I am hurrying hurrying to get this post up 'cause I don't want y'all to miss one moment of a chance to get in on a great deal.....



I was checking in over at Free Digital Stamps to see what all I have missed of late when I saw a post byAllison telling of an offer for FREE GLITTER SAMPLES from Meyer Imports!!!! well you can bet your sweet bippy that I raced over to the site quickly pronto to see what was up! ;)

Go check out the info on this post..... and may you have an extraordinarily shiny sparkly day! giggles!

p.s. and thank you so much to those of you who have left me such kind comments about my previous post. you have touched my heart indeed! :)

I have decided that I am going to be a person of 'looking forward', to hopefully become a better person, more hopeful and filled with much more joy about the every day and what God has to offer. I will not be defined by my illnesses, but instead by the grace & love of God. thank you again!

The Latest News......

Coffee of the Day - Caramel

Hello to all of my dear friends! so long to have posted, I am sorry to say..... I apologize to have kept you in the dark as to what has been going on here in the lovely snow belt of Ohio. so much, it seems, but I won't blather on with lots of boring bits, just give you a few highlights...

I ended up being much more sick than we thought over the holidays, so have spent a great deal of time in bed trying to recuperate. as tired as all of you get listening to me talk about it, I am much more weary of having to tell you each time I fall ill. and I am so very very sad each time I have to tell another DT or store that I must leave due to my illnesses. I don't like letting people down or disappointing people. it hurts me to hurt others, and I know I do it. I can only hope that on some level they know that not one bit of this is intentional - I go into my commitments with every intention of upholding them to the fullest. having a body that falls apart with no warning whatsoever is not fun. but I can't change it. unfortunately.

so with that our middle son, Mick, decided to withdraw from Bowling Green University and stay home this semester, even after having a 3.0 average in the Pre-Vet program.. he will try to take some classes at a local Community College and then attend the Univ. of Akron with Tyler in the Fall. David spent this week at BG helping him move out. it was bittersweet, to say the least.

so I left PCP and SNR for a little while as I get my body healthy again. I do want to try to craft at least once a week when possible.

I have come to realize that I have so much to work on in being a person of kindness and integrity. I can not let illness become who I am. I can not let illness overtake my emotions.

Thank you for being my friends! You mean so much to me! :)

Jennifer

p.s. I hope you enjoy this photo from Yvonne of Fraulein Klein: My Daily Life. Her photos truly inspire me. She is so very gifted!

Happy New Year!

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Peppermint

Happy New Year to you and yours! May it be filled to overflowing with love, prosperity, good health, and joy!

May you see hope & beauty every time you look out your window. May the sorrows be few and the fun be plentiful. and most of all, may you know that you are loved more than you can possibly fathom by a precious Heavenly Father who wants nothing less than the best for you. He walks every step alongside you, cries with you, rejoices with you. and His plans for you will blow your socks off! :)

and so, dearest blog readers, I share a card of thanksgiving with you. Of course we all need a few 'thank you' cards right about now, but I want to say a special thanks to each of you for staying by my side this past year. I can promise you that we will explore even more fun coffee flavors in 2011! :)

The flower stamp comes from the Shady Tree Studio 'Power of Love' set. btw, Nancy has a big sale going on through Jan. 4. Save 20% off ALL stamps purchased until then!!! whoa nelly! great deal! I added little spots of stickles to the flower for some sparkly shine. Papers are from the Basic Grey Eva collection. I found this neat 'thanks' sentiment from Stampin' Up! in my stash that hadn't been used in quite a while and decided to ink up a chipboard piece to match. Velvet ric rack ribbon comes from Shirley's 2 Girls, flower from Prima, and button from my vintage stash. sketch is based on one from Crafts 4 Eternity (but I goofed and cut my paper the wrong way! oooops!).

Thanks so much for stopping by! love to you all!

Jennifer

City Crafter - rubber stamps, no digi

Crafts 4 Eternity - sketch & shades of green

Card Makin' Mamas - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly - Be Thankful

Cupcake Craft - Thank You

The Story of Jonah video

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice (perfect way to finish off the year!)

David sent me this link that I had to race over to share with all of you! This is one of the most precious things I have seen in a long time. Not only is this young girl adorable, but her passion for the story is so contagious. I found myself both smiling and crying at the same time as I listened to this messenger God sent........ May you be as blessed as I was.

The Story of Jonah video

Enjoying the Days.....

Coffee of the Day - Marzipan

Hello to all of you! I hope you had a most beautiful holiday - full of love, good cheer, laughs, and memories to keep your heart full of smiles! :) Ours was quiet, well, with the exception of the game systems going non-stop and the laughter that went along with it, but you know what I mean. It was glorious, truly glorious, to have everyone together! :)


Thought I would give just a little update on what is going on and what to expect with my crafty blogging.......


Still recuperating from a pretty nasty time of it. oh well, life has ups and downs. we must accept that the valleys will come, put on our muck boots, and just walk right on through them. so I am hopefully coming out of it all and will be back to crafting again soon. at least I hope so! ;) my butons and ribbons are calling out to me every day, so I am anxious to get back to playing with them! grins!

Santa blessed with me with a few crafting magazines in my stocking. how delightful to see some of my friends in publication! kudos to you! a big shout out to Dru at Garden of Dreams! I have always admired her way with vintage, so it was a thrill to see her card published. Makes me think I might get back to sending things in to try again, but we shall see. I am just so proud of those who DO get accepted. way to go! :)


as for DT work, you will probably notice that I have cut way back. Some I stepped away from, some I was removed from, some the time was up. Right now I remain with Shady Tree Studios. I have to say over and over again that I have loved every team I have ever been on. There have been so many amazing people I have met over the years and of course wonderful companies to be associated with. I appreciate so much the people who took a chance on me.


I hope to keep trying new techniques over the upcoming year. I have seen such fun things featured that I am anxious to try! I would love to work on more scrapbook pages. Perhaps a few more altered projects as well....... who knows what might end up on these blog pages in the new year?! maybe even that dreaded sewing machine will get pulled out of the attic........ giggles!


I guess that more than anything I want to stay true to who I am, but keep refining my style. I don't ever want to lose sight of myself in my crafting and get caught up again in trying to 'keep up' with everyone else. I can't afford it, but I think I lose a part of who I am when I do that.


So for those of you who would like to hang around for this journey, grab a cuppa! I so love and appreciate you! I will give my blog a new look again right after New Year's Day, but until then, I do love the look of this bg! :) For those of you who decide to choose a different road, it has been a great time having you around and I thank you for your visit for a while! You have all, in whatever degree you have stopped by, made my life a bit brighter. and for that I thank you deeply! :)

Until next time.... Jennifer

A Beautiful Merry Christmas to You!

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Peppermint



Just wanted to take a moment to wish you and yours a most beautiful Christmas Day! May you rejoice in the celebration of the birth of our precious Saviour, Jesus, and the gift He so lovingly brings to us all. May you know that every day God looks at you with love and sees a person of great beauty and worth! You are important to Him! :)

Shady Tree Studios Winners!

Sorry for the delay, but I have decided to give away TWO sets since I have taken so long to get winners announced in the Shady Tree Studios new release blog candy!

Crafty Mom of 2 (Meredith) and

youiesmom (Babe)

who both happen to be members of the STS group over at PCP, are the winners! woooo hoooooo!

send me your mailing info at jenscull@yahoo.com and I will get these out to you right after the holiday! congrats ladies!

and thanks to everyone who left such kind and wonderful comments over the new release time! they sure meant a lot to me! :)

Delay on Shady Tree Studios Drawing....

I am so sorry for the delay in drawing for the prize winner of the wonderful stamp set from Shady Tree Studios. I have been in bed really sick for several days and will get right to this as soon as I am up and about again......
until then, stay warm and enjoy the holiday prep time with your friends and families! :)

Shady Tree Studio Release Day!!! :)

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

Woooo hooooo! The big day is here!!!!! The December releases from Shady Tree Studio are all ready for your crafty hands to start playing and creating! Hop on over to the store to grab a few of these cuties and then stop by the other DT members' blogs to see what else they have to inspire you! You know you are gonna have your socks blown off! :)

For today's card I am using the fun 6" x 8" set, "Groovy Kind of Love". I flipped over this one just as soon as I saw it! these big puffy letters took me back to Jr. High when I would spend my days doodling on my book covers, notebooks, page margins..... whatever I could find. guess High School wasn't really any different now that I think about it. and even though I was an adult..... (ahem..... now all of you snickering out there just hush up!)......when gel pens came out, I had to have them in all of the colors, especially the glitter ones.

So it was easy peasy to come up with a plan for what to make with this fun set. I grabbed one of the fun journal cards from Jenni Bowlin and pretended I was back in school doodling away...... then once I finished coloring, I grabbed my glitter gel pens and did add a extra little doodles of my own! do you ever doodle? I seem to always draw the same things over and over again - hearts, flowers, stars, and swirlies. that probably says something about me. not even gonna go there as to the 'what'!!! ;)

I added a strip of Basic Grey Lime Rickey paper, some fun felt Primas, vintage lime green buttons, and a baby clip tied with the same hot pink satin ribbon used along the side. it just seemed perfect to use the SU! punch along the top of the card as if I had just torn this from my little notebook to pass to a friend between classes!

Now don't forget to leave a comment on this or any of the Shady Tree Studios new release posts for a chance to win your very own "Sweet Romance" set. you must leave a comment by tonight at midnight, as I will post a winner first thing tomorrow morning, along with one more sample from this fun release! If you are a member of our STS group over at PCP, you will have double the entries! just be sure to let me know in the comment section. Thanks so much for stopping by! :)

• edited to add - I am giving everyone some extra time to get those comments in. I will draw the winner for the "Sweet Romance" set on Sunday evening and post on Monday. so you have a few more days to leave a comment for your chance at a free stamp set! :)

Shady Tree Sneakies, Day 2!

Coffee of the Day - Eggnog

Back again with a preview of stamps from another fab set from Shady Tree Studios! This set is "Elegant Valentine". Such a beautiful mix of heartfelt sentiments and gorgeous images!

I chose to go with the heart shaped candy box, using the cracked glass tecnhinque after coloring. The bow was painted with pink shimmerz prior to covering with ep. the glittery shine comes through so well! it almost seems to jump out of the little square! :) once I finished 'cracking', I sponged caramel ink over the piece to help distress it. I love the way the ink gets down into the little cracks! the tag was made with a page from a french book, doily sprayed with walnut gold glimmer mist, a pink tag, some wired ribbon & tea stained twine, Prima flowers, and vintage buttons. I used my SU! ink squirty tool to add a bit more age to the tag. The beautiful papers are by Prima. The cute little watch is from Making Memories. The ribbon tied at its top is another little coffee stained bit I played around with one day while whipping up a big batch of coffee stained ribbons and trims. 'With Love' is just one of the sentiments in the "Elegant Valentine" set. if you look carefully along each side of the card base, you will see a lovely border that was stamped ever so lightly. this is a fabbylicious stamp from this set that I just could NOT wait to play with somehow! :)

Don't forget that I am giving away one of the new sets, "Sweet Romance", as blog candy! Be sure to leave a comment on any of the STS posts through Thursday to get your name in the proverbial hat! :) in fact, if you are a member of our Shady Tree Studios group over at PCP and leave a comment, I will DOUBLE your number of entries into the hat! how's that for festive fun?! :) so go join now if you haven't already.........

and please please stop by the other members' blogs of this fantastic DT! they have created some of the most gorgeous projects using these new sets! Hope to see you tomorrow! :) love ya!

Day 1 of Shady Tree Sneaky Peeks! :)

Coffee of the Day - Maple Pecan

Good morning to you! after a few little compy glitches, caused I am sure by the enormous snow storms we are being battered with, I am up and running again! whew..... always seem to be doing computer work these days. but at least we haven't had to take it in for service and can do it all ourselves. hugey huge blessing!

anyhow, on to the good stuff!

I am here with the first day of Shady Tree Studios sneak peeks for the new release on Thursday! I will get straight to it without further adieu.....

I am using the precious new 6" x 8" set, Power of Love for my card today. I love all the little hearts that are part of this set! My Basic Grey Green at Heart papers seemed ideal for this, so out they came! after stamping my main heart image with Timber Brown staz-on, I did some free hand cutting. The little crochet flowers along the side came from a vintage bit of linen. All of the buttons are from my vintage collection. gosh, I love that big mason jar of goodness that sits on the shelves above my craft table! it makes me smile every time I look at it! :) The little pink ticket comes from Making Memories. because it is a heavily coated gloss surface, I used the same brown staz-on to distress as well as stamp a sentiment with the 'Love' stamp from the same Power of Love set. once it was crinkled & wrinkled, the white of the paper came through. pretty cool look! a little smidgen of pink rose trim with netting was stapled on with the tiny attacher. that baby never ever leaves my crafty table either! ;) of course all edges of the card and papers were distressed with sahara sand ink to help age.....

---> I am offering one of the new stamp sets up for blog candy and will do the drawing on Friday. everyone who leaves a comment on all sneak peek posts today thru Thursday will be entered into the random drawing!!! also, please stop by the blogs of the other DT members! I know you will be inspired by the wonderful things they have made! Hope to see you tomorrow! :)

Big Stuff coming this week from Shady Tree......

Coffee of the Day - Eggnog

Just wanted to give y'all a heads up ~

new releases at Shady Tree Studios on Thursday with sneaky peeks starting tomorrow! and there is going to be some blog candy here!!!! so check back each day & check the other DT members' blogs, too! you are in for a treat!!! Groovy baby! :)

We are welcoming Lisa Silver to the Shady Tree team, too! boy howdy, can that lady craft! with much sadness, Joan has decided to step back from the team and say her hoorahs from the sidelines..... please be sure to stop by her blog, Paperlicious, to let her know how much she will be missed.

Hope to see you tomorrow!

p.s. haven't been around in a week 'cause we had malware come visit...... not a fun holiday guest! took me several days to get the compy cleaned out and then it was time to head to Camp for a group there for 4 days. had a blast cooking and catching up with some old friends. snow is coming down like crazy! love every flake that falls! :)

We Three Kings

Coffee of the Day - Eggnog

Hello my blogging friends! Long time, no see! I am doing fine over here... just busy with my family and getting ready for the holidays like many of you. Have a few crafty changes going on as well, but it is good good so not to worry.

We are currently in the midst of a huge snowstorm here in northeast Ohio. we have over 1 1/2 feet of snow on the ground and more on the way. Schools were closed today and might be tomorrow, too. David and Ryan took the dogs out to Camp for lots of romping in the snow. I had the chance to finally do a bit of card making. it was glorious indeed! :) Haven't been able to see the road out our front window for all of the snow coming down, but the plows are doing a phenom job keeping the roads clear as best they can and people seem to be taking care, which is the most important thing.

Tyler finishes finals tomorrow and Mick next week. Ryan has quite a few performances with Free Harmony, the HS show choir, but then he will be done next week as well. One last group at Camp this week, and then we will settle in for lots of fun family time for Christmas!

My card uses a wonderful vintage set from Paulette over at Create with TLC. She offers so many great freebies, but then has these amazing sets where you 'name your price'. I used papers from the Basic Grey Jovial collection, Prima flowers and leaf, misc. trims & ribbons, and lots of walnut gold glimmer mist for a wonderful shine. also added some touches with my gold glitter gel pen.

Well, we are enjoying some tasty snow slushies...... cranberry grape for me, blueberry for Dave, and Ryan is having a combo of flavors. oh how I love snow slushies!!!

chat with you again soon! love you all! :)

A Wonderful Award!

A huge thank you to Lisa for kindly gifting me with this fun award! what a surprise! I had the honor of being on the A Day for Daisies DT with her. if you get the chance to stop by her blog, Land of EnCRAFTment, to check out her wonderful creations!

As a requirement of receiving the award, I need to do the following:
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this
2. Share 8 things about yourself
3. Pay it forward to 8 bloggers that you have recently discovered
4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their awards.

So here are 8 things you might not know about me after all this time ~

1. I have a tattoo - a heart with a cross inside on my ankle
2. I am a big fan of The Big Bang Theory. we watch it every single week and have it on DVD, too. :) just call me a big geek!
3. also like to watch UFC. GSP is one of my faves. yep, it shocks most people to know I am a fan of the octagon!
4. Pink is my fave color in crafting. you will find it on almost every single project I make.
5. I'm the rare person who is not a chocoholic, unless you count white choco. I would much rather have a fruit type dessert or cheesecake. strange, I know.
6. I absolutely positively MUST read every day. this comes before crafting as a priority.
7. I also need to have trees and wildlife around me. I just love nature!
8. My all time fave movie ever is Disney's Sleeping Beauty.

now for the people I would like to pass this award along to: (yes, I went over 8 and not all of them are new to me......)

1. Holly - http://hogwildaboutstamping.blogspot.com/
2. Maria - http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com/
3. Darlene - http://darscraftycreations.blogspot.com/
4. Stef - http://glitterbabegreetings.blogspot.com/
5. Heather - http://stampdetails.blogspot.com/
6. Nancy - http://shadytreestudio.blogspot.com/
7. Roxie - http://paperscaper.blogspot.com/
8. Michele - http://iamderby.blogspot.com/
9. Tracy - http://inky-doodles.blogspot.com/
10. Lisa - http://www.silverstamping.blogspot.com/

Happy Thanksgiving!

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

Happy Thanksgiving to you, your family, and your friends! I pray it holds a time of reflections upon all that our most precious Heavenly Father has blessed you with...... our lives overflow indeed!

My family is all together - I could not be more full of love & joy at any moment in my life. my heart is bursting with the goodness of my life. God is good - every day! :) and I thank Him!

Thank you for spending time....

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Pecan

Hello to all of you! I hope you are having the most glorious of days!

I have been spending some time with my family - enjoying the last day of Ryan's play on Saturday, a big day of shopping for Tyler after church before he headed back to school, a grand date day with David on Monday that included lunch out with our pastor and his wife, and Ryan's band banquet last night. oh, how I love to spend time with all of them! :) David and I also hand delivered some cards while we were out, and that was great fun as well.

So it is with a heart full of rich memories that I share my card with you. As I was a young girl, I spent many summers with my beautiful Aunt Alma, who passed away a few months ago. When I saw this image, 'Baking Muffins with Mom', in the new releases last week at A Day for Daisies, I knew I had to have it. it reminded me so much of the times I spent with my beloved aunt, baking in her kitchen. oh, could that woman cook! and she had the most gorgeous deep black hair. I come from Choctaw Indian descent, and she really had the amazing hair of our ancestors. So this card is in her honor. Thank you, Aunt Alma, for spending time with me! I love and miss you dearly!

Sentimental Sundays - childhood

Paper Sundaes - toppings (blue, punches, ribbon)

City Crafter - Little Children

My Version of CAS - Shady Tree Style....

I have been inspired by my fellow DT members over at Shady Tree Studios. They create some of the most beautiful CAS projects imaginable. well you know that my cards and things are chock full of stuff - embellies, ribbons, buttons, trims and the like. CAS is soooooooooooo not me! but I decided to venture way way way out of my comfort zone and attempt a CAS card after seeing so many of their pretty cards. I do this about once a year, so don't hold your breath waiting on another one! grins! but I am kinda pleased with how this one turned out.......

I was rummaging around a few days ago looking for a certain embellie when I came across this package of crochet frames from K & Co that I had never opened. I am certain I am not the only one to have a FEW goodies like that tucked away. ;) well I put it aside to be sure to use it in an upcoming project. lo and behold this gorgeous sunflower from the STS set, Come to Me Autumn was the perfect fit! I stamped it onto kraft, watercolored as usual, and then masked the frame before spraying with walnut gold glimmer mist to add a wonderful sparkle shine irl. the paper is from the Basic Grey Pyrus collection. a simple gold satin ribbon and vintage button is all it took to finish. I didn't add a sentiment on purpose, because I don't know how or for what occasion I will be sending this.

So I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone with a project of some sorts. you might find yourself surprised at the results! :)