Happy Valentine's Day!

Coffee of the Day - Santa's White Christmas (caramel, coconut, vanilla, & nuts - read below for the story!)

Happy Valentine's Day to each and every one of you! May you know that you are loved, truly, deeply! :)

My coffee today may seem a bit odd, but it has a little story. Believe it or not, there was a time in my life when I really wasn't a coffee drinker. shocked?! yep, it's true! Before living in Ohio, we spent 10 years in Florida. Those were back in Dave's golf pro days..... anyhow, in the malls there used to be this fabulous coffee place called Barnies. they sold not only hot coffee drinks, but the most wonderful packaged flavored coffees and teas. As you were walking along the mall, you could always tell when you were getting close to Barnies because the aromas were fantastic!  So David and I became hooked on their flavored coffees. His favorite was always 'Santa's White Christmas'. year 'round he could drink it, and thankfully they carried it all year, too.  Well imagine our dismay to discover that Barnies wasn't in Ohio once we moved up here! for several years I would order our favorite flavors as a special treat, but then life changed in the Scull household and mail order coffee was no longer a viable treat.

So the other day I was traipsing along through WalMart picking up a few necessary grocery items when I came to the coffee aisle. had to get some coffee filters..... there on the shelf was ONE bag of Barnies Santa's White Christmas coffee. if a spotlight had been shining down on it and trumpets sounding, I would not have been surprised! I knew that would make the perfect Valentine for my dear hubby! so as he is out getting bagels for our breakfast this morning, I am making him a pot of special coffee. it isn't much, but he will understand. and that is really what a day like today is all about. those special moments that keep our love going from day to day...... through the mountain top moments and the walking through the valley times such as a cancer diagnosis exactly one year ago..... a pot of coffee. :)

now I share with you Ryan's Valentine card. he has been and always will be our Super Ry....

image by Kenny K, papers from Basic Grey Fact collection, sentiment from Create with TLC. a few washi tapes, some linen thread, a vintage button, and some glimmer mist. simple, but the focus is on the fab Super Hero!

Stay tuned for a big announcement from me coming soon.....

Challenges:
Word Art Wednesday - encouraging anything goes
Kenny K - to the one I love
Crafty Creations - love and/or hearts
Divas by Design - love and romance
Inky Impressions - ribbon or twine
Little Red Wagon - the word 'love'
Paper Shelter - be my Valentine
Can You Digi It - love is in the air
Tuesday Throwdown - anything goes
Cards for Men - all my love
Daisy Doodles - Valentine for a guy
Forever Friends - anything goes
Lexi's Creations - love
Spark Your Creativity - anything goes
V's Sweet Ideas - love

Valentine's for my guys....

Coffee of the Day - Gingerbread

Just wanted to post a few of the Valentines being delivered today.... was busy yesterday getting these finished. ended up making a whopping 4 cards yesterday! that is HUGE for me! I'll post more tomorrow..... remember that my guys have a strict list I must follow for all of their cards, so they are pretty simple, at least for me.

This one is for Tyler and uses Vintage Globe by Doodle Pantry. I printed it straight onto Daisy D's Beacon Hill papers. coloring was done with chalks. washi tapes, an air mail envie, some crochet trim, and vintage buttons were added. I used my Smash date stamp to add the Valentine date. Gina K stitching stamp was added to edges.

This one is for Mick and uses Wolf by Doodle Pantry. it was printed directly onto Basic Grey Serenade paper. coloring was also done with chalks on this one. the heart die is from Memory Box, heart flair button is  Pink Paislee, stamps are from Stampendous and Wordsworth. gosh, I do love my washi tapes! :) once the card was complete, I lightly sprayed it with pearl glimmer mist. sure gives it a gorgeous finish!

As I said, the cards are simple, but suit each of the guys perfectly. I'll be back tomorrow to show you Ryan's. have a most wonderful day!

Challenges:
Doodle Pantry - use one of their images
Incy Wincy - add texture
Creative Belli - Valentine/hearts
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - romance
Crafty Sentiments - Valentine
Our Daily Bread (wolf card) - animal
TTCRD - anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown - anything goes
Cards for Men - all my love
Craft Your Passion - my Valentine
Daisy Doodles - Valentine for a guy
Forever Friends (wolf card) - animals

Let Me Call You Sweetheart part 2

Coffee of the Day - Red Velvet Cake with a splash of bacon syrup! yum, yum!

Today I show you the other half of my 'Let Me Call You Sweetheart' challenge projects for Top Tip Tuesday challenges. We are sponsored by both Stamp Fairy and Stamp and Create, so I had cards that showcased items from both sponsors. I do hope you will play along with our challenge, as I can always use cards to give to the people I love! :)

My card today uses the adorable little Barry Angel in Love 3 from Stamp Fairy. papers are Basic Grey True Love, lots and lots of great washi tapes, some vintage buttons as well as some vintage tickets, a heart doily, pink ruffled ribbon, and pretty pink rose. lots of sparkle with distress stickles and shimmerz paints. accents with my white gel pen and stitching added with a new Gina K stamp set (thank you so much, Joan!!!).

tomorrow David and I are off to travel Ohio delivering Valentine goodness to our sons and their girlfriends! what fun! nothing big, but some handmade cards and candy will hopefully let them all know how very much we love them! ;) this card will be delivered right along with the rest of them!

Challenges:
Craft Your Passion - Valentine
There She Goes - bloom
Love to Create - feelin' the love
Card Mania - love that I'm feeling
Creative Creations - it must be love
Digi Darla - be my Valentine
Pretty Little Ribbon - anything goes
Corrosive - hearts and flowers
Great Impressions - have a heart
Squirrel and the Fox - love
Papertake Weekly - hearts and flowers

Blessed are they that mourn...

Coffee of the Day - Red Velvet Cake

Today begins a new challenge at Digi Makeover that is a photo inspiration. Sadly, I have 2 sympathy cards that I need to send to blogging friends who have had special people in their lives pass. The flowers and clouds of this photo spoke to me of the peace of Heaven, so I hope the first of these sympathy cards brings some measure of comfort to my friend.

I took the sunflower from the 'Faith, Hope, Love' set and changed the color to red before printing. The sentiment comes from the 'Be Still' set. designer paper is Basic Grey What's Up. clouds die is MFT. they were lightly inked and then edges were covered in stickles. some crochet trim, linen thread, and buttons complete the card. I did add a bit of faux stitching.

Pressing On

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

Today doesn't have a card, y'all are probably cheering since my last few cards have looked like poo on a stick..... But instead I'm just writing a few words about pressing on when it seems that life is looking like one bleak day after another.

My one year anniversary with cancer is coming up on Valentine's Day, no less. what a day for celebration. that was the day I found that lump last year. it was in the morning before David was heading out for a full day of meetings. we weren't even going to be able to really spend much of Valentine's Day together anyhow. my goodness, how life has changed in the 365 days since then. and not just for me, but also for my family.

I guess that is one thing I didn't realize - what an impact my cancer would have on David and our sons. To say that it turned their worlds upside down, too, would be a gross understatement. They still won't talk to me about it most days, which saddens me. I said from the beginning that I wanted us to have an open communication throughout this entire ordeal. but they typically keep it all bundled up inside. as do I if we're gonna be completely honest about it all.

and so we press on. I really do still try to find the joy in every day. but sometimes it is hard. life isn't easy. we are never promised that it is going to be. it isn't easy to smile when inside I want to cry because my body is falling apart. it isn't easy to go to one dr. appt. after another when I know how much they cost, and the tests are so very expensive. it isn't easy to get called 'mister' time and time again because I no longer look like a woman, even if I do put on pink. it isn't easy to see my family look at me and wonder if I will ever be healthy again. but still we press on.

and I try to craft when I can. I am so thankful for those days I can lose myself in inks and papers and ribbons. what therapy! I can pour my heart, my self into whatever I make. and it feels good, especially when it turns out right. not like the past few projects.

I've tried submitting to magazines again. that has been a bust on one level, in that I have not been accepted so far. well, one project hasn't. it's as if an entire panel of judges is saying to me, "your heart just isn't good enough for us. sorry." So I am trying to decide whether to submit that project to another magazine or not. I have to really stop and think about why I am submitting in the first place.... so there is some hard thinking to do. But thanks to a very kind person, I do have a card ( possibly 2) getting published in a UK magazine this spring.

and so I press on. and I craft because I really really like it. and what it really comes down to is that it doesn't matter if I ever get published or not. it doesn't matter if people drop following my blog (which always makes me sad) I can't be anyone other than who I am. I am an imperfect person who is just trying to get through each day the best I can. I try to find the sunshine and the joy.

Know that you are loved, truly, deeply, my friends! Press on, for whatever it is that you are dealing with. press on.
Jennifer

So Sweet at Jellypark

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Hazelnut

Today starts a new challenge as well as new releases over at Jellypark Friday Friends! be sure to stop by the challenge blog for some fun news, too! :)

Our challenge is 'So Sweet' - we want to see how sweet you can be with your projects!

My card uses the fun ticket for tea image, Fancy Pants Time for Spring paper collection, Cottage Cutz tea time border die, and various other embellies. lots of stickles, too! :)

have a wonderful weekend!

btw - thank you to so many of you who have let me know about 'The Walking Dead' starting up again this weekend. sadly we don't have cable tv, so we wait until the current season comes out on DVD at the library. until then I just dream of zombies........ I try to stay away from all of the spoilers, but gosh, it is HARD!!! ;)  PLEASE enjoy it for me!! :)

also, please forgive the quality of my crafting these past few days. my not feeling well is most certainly showing in my projects. hopefully it will improve soon.

Love at Milk Coffee

Coffee of the Day - Eggnog

Today I am playing in the showcase at Milk Coffee, where the theme is Love.  We were given several fun new images, and even though I have never had one of these delightful little cookies, I just know I would LOVE the macaroons our cute Fiona Fairy is holding! :)

Papers are from my most beloved Daisy D stash, Maybe Baby collection..... let me pause and wipe away a tear as I still mourn the loss of that most fabulous paper company.... sigh.....sentiment tickets come from Create with TLC and were sprayed with glimmer mist. her wings  and the rose were coated or accented in stickles. a bit of washi tape, some pretty lace, a few buttons, and we are finished! :)

have a most beautiful day! Jennifer

Challenges:
Flutter By Wednesday - anything goes with butterflies or fairies
Fresh Brewed Designs - hearts and dots
Simon Says Stamp - have a heart
Digital Tuesday - hearts
Stamp 'n Doodle - love is in the air

CASE a Christmas Card at ABC Christmas Challenges

Coffee of the Day - White Chocolate Mousse

Good morning everyone! I'm feeling puny, so this will be a very short post. sorry about that. These new antibiotics together with the steroids are not hitting my body well. but you didn't come by to hear all of that yucky news, you want to see some crafty!

Today starts a neat challenge over at ABC Christmas Challenges - C is for CASE a DT member card. You can go back through any of the cards made by the DT and use it for inspiration. there is even a coolio little watermark available on the challenge blog for you to add to the card you choose to CASE. how neat is that?! We are sponsored by the ever so kind Krista at Saturated Canary, so one lucky winner will receive 2 digis from her store!

Now here is the card I CASE'd from Lacey...... it is from the X marks the Spot Challenge.

Here is my take on her card using Krista's cutie image, Stockings.  Papers are Basic Grey Aspen Frost, dies are from Sizzix, lots of little touches with stickles and shimmerz paints, and sentiment is from Create with TLC.

I hope you will play along with us! This was a great challenge and I really had fun!

Challenges:
Christmas at Sweet Stampin' - cold and frosty
Bearly Mine - anything goes
LEJ Designs - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Pretty Little Ribbon - anything goes
Paper Girls - twine
Catered Crop - polka dots
Crafty Hazelnut - Christmas and starts with 'p' (pink pajamas!)
Christmas Stamping All Year Long - anything goes
Sparkles Christmas - anything goes

Be Mine at Top Tip Tuesday

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Peppermint

Today begins a new challenge over at Top Tip Tuesdays. the theme for this fortnight's challenge is 'Let Me Call You Sweetheart' and we are sponsored by both Stamp Fairy and Stamp and Create. I'll be showing cards from both sponsors during the 2 weeks of the challenge. sure hope you can play along with us! :)

My card for this week uses a precious digital image by Wags and Whiskers, called 'Bear Hug' that is for purchase at Stamp and Create. Lacey has the coolest stuff in her store, and I have it on good authority (Lacey herself!!) that the new Saturated Canary rubber stamps will be arriving sometime soon!

The papers are from the Basic Grey True Love collection, sentiment is from Create with TLC, hearts were cut with Spellbinders scalloped die, envelope was made with an A*Muse die, flower is a Prima, and buttons are from my vintage stash. the sentiment ticket was sprayed with glimmer mist, dress and bear's bow were accented with shimmerz paint, and angel wings were coated in distress stickles. faux stitching was added with a SU! crumb cake marker and highlight dots were added to hearts with a white gel pen.

I want to thank all of you who stopped by either here or at the Moxie Fab blog to leave such kind and beautiful comments for me! oh, how you make me feel loved! my heart has just been soaring since the moment I was first asked to be 'Moxie Fabber of the Week'! again, thank you so very much! :)

Challenges:
Digital Tuesday - hearts
TTCRD - anything goes
Party Time Tuesdays - love and romance
All That Stickles - anything goes with stickles
Eureka - sweet hearts
Incy Wincy - love is in the air
Dream Valley - Valentine
Glitter 'n Sparkle - Valentine/love
Robyn's Fetish - 3 hearts
Raise the Bar - animal attraction
QKR - Love is in the air
WAW - anything goes (waving hi to Karen!!!)
Going Gray with Scrap Creations - Valentine
Inky Chicks - Valentine or Anniversary
Oldie but Goodie - red and pink (ribbon is VERY old, as is the envelope die. of course the buttons are old - they are vintage! tee hee!)
Papertake Weekly - anything goes

Cascading Hearts card

Coffee of the Day - Gingerbread

I was intrigued the other day when I saw a link in the Split Coast Stampers newsletter about a triple heart cascading card. I followed it to the discussion thread and found this blog post by Sheri of Paper Creations. Her card is absolutely gorgeous! I knew right then and there that I not only wanted to try it out for the Pile it On challenge of 'fancy folds', but I thought it might just suit for a Valentine's Day card for Ryan's girlfriend. The proper name for the card is the Triple Heart Easel Card. The tutorial is easy to follow and looks so cool irl! :)  I played my cards right (tee hee!) and was also able to make this work for this week's new Paper Makeup Stamps challenge of red, white, and black! wooo hoooooo!

The images are from Paper Makeup Stamps Dandy Wishes set, Moody for Love, and Sending You Love. This card is the perfect example of why I so love digi stamps. I was able to re-size everything exactly as I needed for each heart layer. I erased the stems from several of the flowers in Dandy Wishes so that they could be placed around the larger floral scenes.

Spellbinders Heart Scalloped dies were used to cut each shape, fired brick distress stickles & rouge liquid pearls were used over some of the flowers, and my white gel pen was used to accent the outer heart scallops. a button tied with a bakers twine bow holds the smallest heart. please pardon the poor quality of the 2nd picture. I took it in my craft room with my phone. it's really hard for me to take nice photos with my shaky hands......

on a side note, I'm back on heavy duty antibiotics again, this time with the oh so lovely steroids that I truly despise to see if my radiation poisoning will ever ever ever truly go away....... sigh. I am so weary of this road I'm traveling. think I'm ready for the big rest station that has the full service Starbucks waiting for me inside! ;)

Challenges:
Pile it On - fancy folds
Heck of a Challenge - love and flowers
Stamping Shack - love is in the air
Stamping Chef - love
MAWT - punch it out (senti is actually punched, others are die cut)
Brown Sugar - go red/hearts
Simply Create Too - Valentine's Day or hearts
One Crazy Stamper - love
Crafts and Me - fave embellie (buttons, trim, and Primas!)
Just Add Ink - shaped card
Go Fish - I love you
Frosted Designs - 'love' plus a heart
Digi Haven - love or Valentine
Ladybug Crafts - love and/or Valentine's Day
Di's Digi - love and/or Valentine's Day
Delightful Challenges - red and white
By the Cute and Girly - roses are red
Lia Stampz - Valentine
Happy Campers - digital and flowers
Little Miss Muffet - hearts and flowers
All That Stickles - anything goes
3 Girl JAM - 3D Valentine with ribbon (maybe my twine will count?)
Great Impressions - have a heart
613 Avenue Create - anything goes with 'love' option

Someone Thinks I'm Moxie Fab! :)

Coffee of the Day - White Chocolate Coconut

I've got to say a huge shout out 'THANK YOU!!!!!' to my dear sweet friend, Cath over at Moxie Fab World today. She thinks I am Moxie Fab! I'm glad someone does, 'cause man oh man, I am sure not feeling it today. She has sure brightened my day though, with her wonderful article about me. thank you so much, Cath! someday YOU need to do an article about yourself, Mistress of all the Moxie Fabness in the world! you so rock the casbah! :) over on the Moxie Fab blog you'll get to learn a bit about me, as if you really wanted to!, and also see a piccy of me REAL BIG! sporting a new bandana. it's all in black and white, which is really more like my in real life grey skin anyway. ;)  oh what cancer does to take away youthful glow...... tee hee!

In case you are interested, images used on cards from the interview come from Jellypark, A Day for Daisies, and Create with TLC.

I've been sick in bed since all day yesterday with this icky poo radiation poisoning popping back up for a howdy ho. it just won't go away and play nice. my skin is burning yet again. guess it goes with my sunshine personality! ha! we know better, don't we?! ;) but it's still snowy outside, so that makes me happy happy. and I've got a few crafty things done for something waaaaaaaaaaay cool that I can't show you until April, but they make me smile, so I'll show them when I can.

love and mushy sloppy hugs to all of you! :)
Jennifer

Button Up with Jellypark

Coffee of the Day - Maple Pecan

Today starts a new challenge at Jellypark Friends and I am so excited to be playing along! Our theme is 'button up', so we want to see lots and lots of fun buttons on your projects!

I am really far behind on not only  making, but sending out thank you cards, so this seemed a perfect time to get at least one more finished. I used Claire's cute thank you tag image (which was a past freebie for members of the Jellypark store!), Basic Grey Lucille papers, a fun little glassine envelope to hold the tag, vintage buttons, Basic Grey flair button, ribbons, a doily, a baby Prima flower, and embossed the card base.

I do hope you will stop by the challenge blog to see the new release images and perhaps play along if you get the chance! we'd love to have you! some great new things are coming at Jellypark, too! :)

Have a most wonderful weekend!

Challenges:
Moxie Fab - use 10 different embellies (um..... I MAY have used a few more...... grins!)
Crafty Catz - cute as a button
QKR Stampede - pastels
Simply Create Too - anything goes
4 Crafty Chicks - buttons
Aud Sentiment - bingo:  you, embossing, flowers
Paper Shelter - anything goes

Milk Coffee Hearts

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Peppermint

oh it is still snowing this morning, and it is glorious indeed! we have several feet of the fluffy stuff on the ground. I am in my own lovely little heaven. :) I took this photo out my upstairs hall window as soon as I woke up this morning, looking out upon our barn and backyard. it is beautiful! you'll have to excuse the quality, please. I was using my phone.

I was actually able to play along in today's feature showcase at Milk Coffee. Gosh, how I love that name! grins! it takes me back to times with my beloved Daddy and drinking what he called 'coffee milk' with him. of course he drank his coffee black, but I felt so grown up drinking my 'coffee' right alongside him! funny, I still take my coffee pretty much the same way as I did back then.......

anyway, the theme for the showcase is 'hearts'. As soon as I saw this adorable image, Love Call,  I knew it would be perfect to create a Valentine for Mick to give Jocelyn. (Jocelyn, if you are reading this post, don't look any further!!!! at least not until after Valentine's Day!!! spoiler alert!!!) from the time they first start dating, he has always sung to her over the phone. it's the sweetest thing! this sentiment from Create with TLC was perfect!

Papers are MME Lime Twist Happy Go Lucky, border die is from My Favorite Things, several different washi tapes, some wooden hearts from Studio Calico, and a few other little fun embellies.

Challenges:
Stamp and Create - love
C.R.A.F.T.  - Valentine/love
Craft Us Crazy - Valentine/love/use red
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - anything goes
Sisterhood of Crafters - hearts

B is for Bows or Boys...

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Peppermint

Today starts a new challenge over at ABC Christmas Challenges and our theme is 'B for Bows or Boys.' We are also welcoming some great new members to our team! I do hope you will stop by and tell them hello, plus say hi to our fab team and their gorgeous projects!

Well with all the guys in my family, it was pretty easy for me to go with the 'boys' portion of this challenge! ;) I did throw a bow in there as well, but shhhhhh...... they might not notice! tee hee! One of our sponsors is the ever fun Bugaboo, and I just LOVE this Santa buried in the sand image. he makes me giggle! The sentiment comes from Create with TLC. just seemed perfect!

Papers are Basic Grey Aspen Frost, the border die is from My Favorite Things, holly die is Basic Grey, ticket was sprayed with glimmer mist before adding washi tape and a vintage button. Santa's hat has stickles added to pom pom and cuff while holly berries are covered in distress stickles.  Santa's cool shades are covered with the last bit of crystal effects in the bottle that hadn't dried up..... (see post from yesterday. sigh......) I so love the candy cane stripe ribbon that was tied across the bottom. I don't have much of it, so I tend to use it sparingly.

a little update on my radiation poisoning - I met with my oncologist on Friday. he told me that I will probably have some of the after effects for almost another year because of the level of poisoning I had. I also will need to be very careful of all scans and x-rays that I have from here on out. I didn't realize that there is a lifetime  medical maximum of radiation a person can have. I will have to be careful even with having mammograms, which is a real problem with someone who not only has had breast cancer, but triple negative breast cancer. I should find out in the next few days how some of my other tests went. 

so in the mean time, I am trying to keep myself occupied by getting a bit of crafting done. it sure helps me keep my mind busy on things other than health ickies.... :)

I am hoping to do some more submissions to magazine calls, so we shall see how that goes. a bit nervous 'cause it has been a lonnnnnng time since I've submitted anything. even longer since I was actually published, so I will be busy in the bg crafting, although it might not all pop up here on my blog for a bit.

hugs to all of you and thanks for stopping by! :)

Jennifer

Lovely Layers at Top Tip Tuesday

Coffee of the Day - Bourbon Chocolate Caramel Pecan, oh yeah, it is GOOD!

Tuesdays mean Top Tip Tuesday Challenges, and I am NOT late this time! woooo hooooo! Can't tell ya how happy that makes me! ;) We are sponsored by Bugaboo, and that store always has some fun images for any occasion! The theme for our challenge this fortnight is lovely layers. Pop on over to the challenge blog to see the fabby creations by the DT!

I used the coolio image French Hen and a sentiment from Create with TLC. papers are MME Union Square. the border die and Eiffel Tower die come from My Favorite Things, French Script bg stamp is SU!, graphite glimmer mist was sprayed on the tag & twill ribbon, and crystal effects was added over the wine glass. (so happy SAB is right around the corner because my little bit of crystal effects left in the bottle has about dried up! yikes!) a few strips of washi tape to upper corner of card and accents with both a white gel pen & spica glitter pen were added to main image. voila!

Tip - an old cork saved from a bottle of wine, sliced thin, makes great buttons for craft projects! a few holes punched and you are ready to go! tres chic!

Challenges:
Incy Wincy - make us laugh
Bugaboo Bingo - image, ribbon, sentiment
Cutie Pie - 3 textures (crystal effects on wine glass, cork buttons, & twill ribbon)
Whoopsi Daisy - use a digi
Squirrel and the Fox - anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - anything goes
Use it Tuesday - warm it up, use red, orange, and/or yellow (obviously my crystal effects is VERY old! I've also had the SU! bg stamp for a long time)

Hearts!

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Spiced Hazelnut

Happy Sunday to you! I'm finally getting to play along in the challenge today at Pile it On! hooray! this week we are asking you to Pile it On with hearts! our sponsor is the ever fabulous Dilly Beans! no one can draw a zombie like Megan, I tell you..... I was so thrilled to be part of that DT for that time in my life. maybe one day when I'm doing better I can re-apply to a few..... I sure do miss a lot of those wonderful people!

anyhow, here is my card for the hearts challenge. hold on to your hats, because this style is soooooooo different from anything I've done before. yep, it's ALMOST CAS! ;)  did you just spill your coffee? I was kinda surprised myself..... don't know that I'll do it very often, but I do like how it turned out.

I actually used more than just my standard watercoloring, too. flowers were colored with SU! markers and hedgie accents were added with my new white colored pencil. that's one snazzy tool to have and I am loving it! :) a little bit of washi tape, some baker's twine, and a button are the only embellies. faux stitching was done with my white gel pen.

I don't know how well you can tell from the scan, but the hedgie portion is actually on the INSIDE of the card. I made a window on the outside to peekie through (thanks, Moxie Fab challenges for the idea!)....... images were printed right onto the kraft cs. I was trying to do some precise measuring to figure out where to put my Spellbinders die when it dawned on me - put the die directly over the image, only with the cutting portion UP. when I folded the card and then ran it through my Big Shot, this cut the shape exactly where I wanted it on the top. easy peasy!!! boy did I feel silly that it took me 5 minutes to figure that one out.......


Challenges:
Pile it On - hearts
The Pink Elephant - pink, red, white
Simon Says Stamp - washi tape
Craft Us Crazy - celebrate love or use red
Card Makin' Mamas - CAS
Simply Create Too - anything goes
Sweet & Sassy - anything goes with a digi
Paper Crafting Journey - anything goes
Simply Create - anything goes digital
Stamp 'n Doodle - anything goes
Whimsical Designs - anything goes
Anything Goes - buttons and bows
Craft Room - Valentine
Inky Chicks - anything goes
Mayzy Art - romance
Mark's Finest Papers - twine
Little Scrap Pieces - flower (I hope my heart flowers count!)
Crafts and Me - new (my coolio white colored pencil!)
Bunny Zoe's - anything goes
Moxie Fab - make a card with a widnow

Top Tip Challenges - Fur or Feathers

Coffee of the Day - Red Velvet Cake

Good golly, some days I truly can't get it all together...... it just dawned on me today that I never posted the card I made for the current Top Tip Tuesday challenge - Fur or Feathers. and I actually had it done on time and everything! sheesh....... what a goober I am! ;)

head over to the challenge blog to see all of the great projects by the DT. you still have a little more than a week to play along. We are sponsored by the fabby Zlatoena and her cutie  pie bunnies! :)

My card uses the fun Rabbit Traveler digi image and Basic Grey Green at Heart papers. A spica clear glitter pen was used on the bike spokes; white gel pen for accent on the bunny, basket, and road markings. MFT die was used for grass. embellies include felt flower from Michael's, crochet trim, pearls, ticket stub, washi tape, and buttons. of course I have to add lots of distressing! :)

again, I am so sorry I forgot to post this back when I was supposed to...... this radiation poisoning has really messed me up. still trying to get over it. my skin ended up burning again, which was really weird, and is now trying to heal from that. what a bizarre ride this has been! have a visit with my regular dr. on Monday and my oncologist on Friday.

while all of the guys were home, we have been watching all of the current seasons of Dr. Who. boy oh boy, did I ever cry when David Tennant's Dr. regenerated. what an emotional episode! also reading lots and lots of books while resting. starting the new Michael Crichton one today. I do so miss him.

craft-wise I am slowly getting my craft room ready as well as trying to read as much as I can about Copic markers. want to learn how to use the few that I have so I am not so scared of them. ;) also trying my hand at printing a few digital papers. figured now is as good a time as any to try new things!

---->  don't forget that today is the big blog hop over at Create with TLC!!!! Paulette is so generous with her free artwork. be sure to let all of the DT know how wonderful their projects are with the free images provided on each blog. :)

Challenges:
Through the Craft Room Door - anything goes
By the Cute and Girly - cute and girly
Cards Galore - anything goes
Heck of a Challenge - thank you
Natalie and Amy's - favorites (Basic Grey, buttons, washi tape, tickets, distressing, PINK!)
Avenue 613 - anything goes
Dream Valley - anything goes
Glitter and Sparkle - use a digi
Allsorts - dies and punches
Basic Grey - new beginnings or something new (new-digi, felt flower, floral washi tape, floral button at top, pearls)
Stampin' for the Weekend - anything goes

Well I've Told All of You I'm Weird.....

Coffee of the Day - Toasted Coconut

If any of you have been around my blog for a while, you know I tend to run on well, let's just say, the wacky side of life most days. ;)

For the past few weeks I've had what I thought was a bizarre case of poison ivy. I am one of those strange people who is so allergic to the stuff that I don't even have to touch the plant in order to have a reaction that can knock me out for weeks. I just have to walk by a plant, even if its dormant and I become infected. yep, it's nasty for me, especially since I love to be around nature so much.

After a visit to my dr. today,  I have discovered that not only do I NOT have poison ivy, but I instead have a rather serious case of radiation poisoning. immediate treatment with heavy antibiotics was called for. hooray.....I tell ya, I am turning mutant on us! haven't you heard me mention this before?! yep, it's happening.....I'll be talking to those ants before we know it.

I have the absolute nicest dr. in the whole wide world. he is my gp dr., not my oncologist (who is also nice!), and he was having the hardest time today giving me the news. he took the news of my cancer so rough, and I guess this is pretty heavy duty, too, for it to have reached this point.

then hubby & I were picking up the antibiotics a little while later and came to discover that this particular one is something I just might have an allergic reaction to. the pharmacist told us all of the things to watch for in the event of a reaction because of a specific allergy I have and my problems since having cancer. she said to be prepared at a moment's notice to head to the ER.  poor Dave just looked at me with the saddest expression on his face and said, "are we really ready for this adventure tonight?"  I feel horrible for all that I've put my family through.

So suffice it to say, there's never a dull moment around here! ;)  if any more teeth of mine fall out, I'll be eating baby food soon. yikes! my hair and eyebrows have taken to falling out again, too. I look quite the picture, I tell ya!

well hopefully I'll be feeling okay to craft after all is said and done. gotta keep looking for the sunshine! :

p.s. all blog candies have been mailed out as of yesterday. please let me know if you are a winner and don't receive yours in a reasonable amount of time.
I will try to get a 500 follower candy listed shortly.

Continued New Year Blessings.... 'cause I ramble....

okay, I just like to ramble - y'all know that about me. my earlier post went live about 12 something or other last night. it's now a wonderful snowy morning and I find I have other stuff to say. no surprise there, huh?! ;)

but this is my less serious post, so bear with me. best grab that BIG cup o' joe for some fortification before reading!

to start, mr. blue froggy linky thingy did his magical bit last night and picked a winner for the Valentine blog candy - Renee B.  I couldn't have been more tickled to see her name pop up in my email from inlinkz. pop over to her blog and you will understand why. leave her a cyber hug if you can. God is good and works in small, quiet ways sometimes, even if it is just a packet of crafty stuff..... :)

next, I saw that I now have hit the most amazing of milestones here on my blog - over 500 followers! whoa nelly! so many of y'all put up with me! astounding! I'm really not all that interesting folks. I say that to people all the time. so thank you for hanging in there and drinking coffee with me. it means a lot! to celebrate I'll get some kind of special blog candy together in the next week and get it posted as soon as I can. be on the lookout! and I promise that crafty projects will be coming soon.

finally, don't take life too seriously. there are going to be some really stinky things happen to you along the road and you will meet some equally stinky people. just hold your nose and walk on by. don't let their stink rub off on you. don't make their stink yours. it's a choice you make. choose to be happy. put those brave boots on and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. you WILL meet some amazing people along the way who will make every day so beautiful and fragrant.

remember to laugh! laugh at life and most especially, laugh at yourself. I find myself to be a constant source of amusement, just because I am such a goofball. ;)  ask my family if you have any doubt! ha!

and because I am a geeky sort, this photo from Pinterest made me LOL yesterday. if you've seen the movie or read the book, you'll understand why..... oh Mr. Lincoln, you are my hero! :)

you wanna know how Santa was to me this year? I received coffee and zombie stuff - pure delight!!! :p

Happy 2013!

Coffee of the Day - Eggnog

Today is a new day, filled to the brim with blessings in abundance. Do you feel the joy unfolding before you? Do you sense the excitement of a new, grand adventure just outside your door? Can you tell that God has more in store for you than your most wild imagination could possibly fathom, and it is all designed with your best in mind because He loves you so much??!!!?!

This is what EVERY day brings, not just a new year. how often we tend to lose sight of this. we need to remember that our mercies are new every single morning. every single day is a fresh start - a clean slate.

I'm ready to begin...... are you? will you travel these roads with me? who knows what lies ahead, but then again, I'm wearing my brave boots! ;) bring it on! with a friend by my side and God's wings to protect us, let's remember to LIVE this life, not just coast through. we need to laugh more, love more, and be people of integrity who spread kindness. Kindness IS a choice, and I choose to not let the ick that comes along make me miserable. it's just not worth it. Giggles are just so much more fun!

I have spent several days trying to decide what my 'word' is going to be for this year, and I think I have finally decided upon "integrity". If I don't have integrity, the words I say or write mean nothing. if the life I live and the things I do don't match up to what you hear, then I am worthless. lukewarm. if who I am isn't pleasing to God, then none of it matters. thank goodness for His grace and that He loves me where I am, but wants to help me get to a better place. It can't be an act I put on, but MUST be genuine. and I know that it won't be easy. for nothing that is worth gaining ever is........

my love to all of you for a year, no, a lifetime that overflows with blessings. may you know that you are loved, truly. Jennifer

Valentine Blog Candy

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Peppermint

I know it may seem early to be thinking about Valentine's Day, but I want to give plenty of time for this blog candy to run and then get delivered.

You can sign up for this candy by entering your information in the Mr. Blue Froggy Linky thingy below. you do not have to be a follower of my blog or enter this information anywhere else. it's pretty simple really. ;)

This blog candy contains almost a dozen sheets of 12x12 papers from K & Co. and other companies. You can pretty much count on this being a PINK candy, too! grins! you're not surprised, are you?! One lucky winner will receive several Shirley's 2 Girls clear stamps as well as some Snag 'Em stamps. I'll add LOTS of other fun embellies like a roll of washi tape, lace & ribbons, tags, doilies, and other goodies. retail value will be a minimum of $25.

Blog candy contest will be open through Monday, December 31 at midnight EST. have fun and good luck to you!

*Inlinkz tool removed per new privacy laws since all prizes have been claimed. thank you for your understanding. :)

Another Anything Goes at Paper Makeup Stamps

Coffee of the Day - Red Velvet Cake (yep, it's as yummy as it sounds!)

Happy Monday to you! and Happy New Year's Eve as well! it's been so quiet around my house these past few days. Winter Camp has been going on, so all of my family has been out at Camp working and playing in the snow. actually, this is the first year in quite a few that we actually have snow at Winter Camp! grins! and boy, do we have snow! probably a bit more than a foot on the ground. temps in the teens and twenties. I just love it!

so it's been just me and the dogs here at home. I've been spending most of my time trying to keep Mocha out of the brown butter choco chip and bacon cookies. that dog has come up with the most creative ways to snatch the plate of cookies and drag it to the floor. I don't blame her though - ever since we tried the recipe last year, this has quickly become our family fave cookie recipe. I make lots of batches for gifts, too, since everyone who tries them, falls in love with the cookies. Finally gave up and put the last few cookies in a ziploc bag on top of the refrigerator. if she climbs up there and gets into them, she deserves to eat those last few! ;)  I also tried a few of the cookie ball recipes that I found online. good golly, miss molly, they are decadent! gave some of those as gifties as well.

okay, can you tell I've missed being away from my beloved compy?! His name (my compy) is Sheldor the Conqueror in case you ever wonder..... if you watch The Big Bang Theory you will understand why I named him that. ;) yep, Revenge of the Nerds and I'm the Princess! :)

anyhoooooooowwwwww.........
today is another Anything Goes with a digi challenge over at Paper Makeup Stamps. The DT is still on break so we get to show one of our past creations. This is a card I actually made while on the Party Time Tuesday  team for a challenge sponsored by Paper Makeup. I sooooo love the way it turned out. :)

I combined several images from the Faith, Hope, Love set. Coloring was done with distress stains and then sprayed with glimmer mist (I think.... the card was long ago given to someone - def a shimmer spray though). pretty Spellbinders & Tim Holtz dies, vintage buttons, pearls, washi tape, satin ribbon, and a prima flower complete the card. oh yes, paper is from Prima as well.

Be careful if you are going out to celebrate this evening. We tend to spend New Year's Eve watching the various shows on television if we even manage to stay awake that long. must say I'll be glad to say farewell to 2012. I've learned a lot about myself, but sure don't wanna have to do it again! tee hee!

love to all of you! Jennifer

edited to add ------> today is the final day of operation for a very special store, Paper Cupcakes. I was privileged to be a part of Nina's DT, but most especially to get to know this kind and amazing woman. She has such a heart of gold! Stop by and pick up a few of her images if you get a chance. and tell her hello for me!!! :)

Z is for Zoo Animals at ABC Christmas Challenges

I'm kinda a 'midway to the midway' post for my ABC Christmas Challenge card..... y'all are probably tired of holiday cards by now, but this is the first one I've made in several months. it really felt good to craft last week when I was still feeling okay. as always, had to wait on stickles to dry! ;)

anyhow, lots of big news on the ABC challenge blog, so be sure to check it out. we're saying goodbye to some very talented DT members, so please stop by to wish them well. There is also a DT call-out going on, so submit your name if you are interested. it's a very friendly group of people, I can say that with confidence!  they are so patient and understanding of my health situation. so loving and supportive!

anyhow, the challenge for this fortnight is 'Z is for Zoo Animals' and is sponsored by Bugaboo Stamps. I fell head over heels for this cutie Edward the Elephant and his birdie buddy! The senti comes from Flonz Stamps and date stamp is from K & Co. Smash. sticker at the top of the card is one I made from notebook paper. thought it went well with this image.

papers are Basic Grey Nordic Holiday, ornaments are covered in rock candy distress stickles while hat, pom pom, and card edge are covered in regular white sparkly stickles. (sorry, the bottle is in my craft room - I don't have the name in front of me) I lightly covered the Studio Calico wood veneer snowflakes in white craft ink. poinsettia is from Michael's $1 bin. I had high hopes of getting back over there to pick up some more while they hopefully still had these, but never made it. also wanted to get some of their grey Copic markers before the prices increase and I had 50% off coupons, but that didn't happen either. oh well. win some, lose some. no real biggie in the scheme of things though.

buttons are from my stash. I've been sorting ALL of my buttons into Mason jars. yep, just throwing them all in together - willy  nilly. not much is being sorted by mfg. any longer. it just takes up tooooo much space that way. and gosh oh golly, do those buttons look so pretty in the different sizes of jars sitting on the mantle in my craft room! I'm slowly getting it sorted out still, but will certainly get photos taken when it's finished. I must add that my vintage buttons ARE in jars of their own. no way I could mix those with the regular buttons.

okay, my  head is woooooozy and I'm probably starting to communicate with alien species or drabble on and on, so had best go. love to all of you!

Will Be Back Later...

Coffee of the Day - Toasted Coconut

Hello and belated Merry Christmas greetings to all of you!
I have been sick in bed since Christmas day, so haven't been around much at all. wanted to do a quick pop onto my blog to let you know I have a card to post for the ABC Christmas DT, but will have to get to it a bit later. just don't have much energy and seem to sleep most of my days away....
my family is even considering moving my bedroom downstairs since climbing stairs takes me forever now and hurts like the dickens. I'm really becoming THAT sick old lady now..... poo! I told them all that as long as they carry me down on my bed Cleopatra style, I don't care one way or the other. ;)  hey, I have to maintain my princess attitude even if I do feel icky-poo yuck! tee hee!

anyhow, hope to see all of you back here later. I'm off to bed again.... even coffee doesn't taste good these days, so that tells you something right there.....

Anything Goes at Paper Makeup Stamps

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Butter Rum

Today is an easy peasy challenge over at Paper Makeup Stamps - Anything Goes with a digi! The DT is on a bit of a break for these next 2 weeks and were allowed to pick from their favorite projects from the past. Since I am just starting to get back to crafting, I sure appreciated that! Be sure to pop by the challenge blog to see what everyone else on the team has chosen. Some of my team mates have made some new projects, too.

This card of mine featuring Pete Penguin always makes me smile! it isn't very complicated, but it sure is full of Christmas cheer! Some fun paper piecing, big satin ribbon, quirky tag, and yummy soft yarn with a big red button just make it ready to bring a bit of holiday love to someone.......