In Remembrance...

Coffee of the Day - Spiced Hazelnut

Today is a bittersweet post.... one year ago today a young man walked into Chardon High School and killed 3 of his fellow students. several others were injured, but so many more in our small community were forever impacted. Ryan was a senior at the time.

(entire student body of Chardon High School, taken on March 16, 2012.

our son Ryan, is on the 50 yd line at the uppermost 'V' of the heart)

I could tell you story after story of the heroes that day. I could tell you so many other stories of how lives were touched by the love that was poured out upon our students and village. One that stands out so strongly for me is the mother of one of the young men killed who immediately offered forgiveness to the man who pulled the trigger. How many of us would do the same if ever in her shoes? I certainly can't say that I would.

I have a sign that still stands in my front yard that reads, 'we will never forget.' It has been up far longer than what would be considered 'acceptable' to keep it posted. red ribbons still hang around the trees in our yard, somehow still crisp and vibrant, even through the multitudes of rain and snow.

But the card I made goes to one young man who has been a friend of our family for many many years. he played t-ball and then baseball with  my sons. our families have had cookouts together, gone to church together, watched Super Bowl games together, even learned how to ride 4-wheel motor bikes together. He is a senior this year. On that day last year, he was sitting in the cafeteria when the shooter entered. both of his friends on either side of him were shot and killed. I'm shaking as I type this..... I can not even fathom what he went through that day and all of the days since. David keeps in touch with his parents since I can not so easily.

As this anniversary approached, I knew immediately who I NEEDED to make a card for, and all of my sons did not hesitate to sign when they were home this weekend..... our hearts break for what this young man has been through and still goes through. he needs to know that he is not alone. tragedy may strike, but he has not been forgotten. he is loved, just as you are loved - truly, deeply.

card details:
image by A Day for Daisies, papers by Basic Grey Aspen Frost, dies by My Favorite Things and Spellbinders, buttons are vintage. stars are painted with shimmerz, clouds are outlined with stardust stickles. glimmer mist was sprayed on main image, but I was using a new bottle that jammed & blobbed all over.... sorry.

Challenges:
ADFD - use a die cut
Paper Shelter - animal
WAW - anything goes with encouraging sentiment
Anything Goes - make it manly
City Crafter - wings of an angel (things with wings)
Craft Room - something for a man
Party Time Tuesdays - anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown - thinking of you
Digi Darla - masculine
Pink Elephant - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
All That Stickles - stardust stickles

Some Doodle Garden Fun

Coffee of the Day - Bourbon Chocolate Pecan

I want to show you several cards I've made for the Love Fest challenges at Split Coast Stampers using images from Doodle Garden. these images are just as cute as can be! :)


My first card was for a color challenge - use either brown, aqua, and yellow or brown, aqua, and pink. well you know this girl well enough that if told to make a project with pink, I am gonna make a project with PINK! :) so pile on the pink I did!!!

I also used the color palette for a wonderful promo called 'Spread the Love'. my natural is more khaki, so hopefully that is acceptable. in this campaign, we are to reveal our 'blog crush'. I don't think it is any secret that Melissa Phillips is one of my crafting heroes. I so love her beautiful vintage, shabby style. good golly, I even told the world all about it when I was blessed enough to be featured as Moxie Fabber of the Week! I am such a pathetic junkie when it comes to her blog and projects......

image is Doodle Garden 'Hedgie Love 2', paper is Basic Grey Fiction, sentiment is Create with TLC, flower is Prima, heart border die is Memory Box. the butterfly is painted with shimmerz and the balloon is covered in distress stickles. some washi tape, faux stitching, buttons, baker's twine, buttons, and this fun little layered heart complete the card.

The next card was made for a fancy folds challenge. I gave it to Jocelyn, Mick's girlfriend, while she was here over the weekend. she is my coffee buddy! :) she also loves all things purple, so it was fun to make this for her!!!

image is Doodle Garden 'Rise and Shine', (just HAD to get that image!), sentiment is Create with TLC, papers are Basic Grey Soleil. card is a center stair step, which I had never made before. edges of main image are coated in distress stickles. flower is a gorgeous Prima that was sent to me by Barbara. have been hoarding it and some of the others she sent, but since the card was for Jocelyn, I knew I could use it. tee hee!

Tomorrow I will have a special post, so I hope all of you will stop back by. it marks the one year anniversary of the shooting at our high school. lots of things are planned here in our small community, starting today. it's a very bittersweet time.

Challenges:
Bearly Mine - anything goes
Flourishes - All that glitters (hedgie card)
Party Time Tuesdays - anything goes
Ribbon Carousel - love is in the air (hedgie card)
TTCRD - anything goes
Love to Create - string, twine, or fibers
Robyn's Fetish - ribbon or twine
Allsorts - animals
Basic Grey - anything goes with Basic Grey (that is so easy for me! grins!)
Pattie's Creations - fancy folds (morning bunny card)
4 Crafty Chicks - twine
Loves Rubberstamps - tag or one on project (morning bunny card)
Shopping our Stash - tag or one on project (morning bunny card - stash is buttons and trim)

You are my Sunshine

Coffee of the Day - Eggnog

Happy Monday to ya!
We had a wonderful visit with the whole fam, but as usual it went by way toooo quick. I spent a great deal of time tucked away in my craft room because the guys were out in the living room working on D & D characters - something that evidently takes hours and hours and days and days to do..... just in case you were wondering! ;) so I left them to it while they had Mythbusters playing in the background and made a few projects for the Love Fest challenges going on over at Split Coast Stampers. I found that if I came into the room and tried talking to them, they never heard a word I said, so it was easier to just stay in my craft room playing. :)  just felt good knowing they were all right outside the door! my fever was spiking all weekend, so I wasn't sleeping well - which is really icky since I had high hopes of getting lots of rest.  oh well, at least I could craft! grins!

This card was made for a color challenge as well as the sketch challenge at Sassy Cheryl's. I hadn't used one of her images in way too long, so it was fun to color one up. Cheryl is expanding into rubber stamps soon, so  she is opening a new store that will accommodate those in addition to her digis. her old store will be closing, so quite a few digital images have been marked down in price before they are discontinued the end of this month.

Papers are MME Stella & Rose Mabel, lace is vintage, images are both from Sassy Cheryl, flower is Prima. sentiment banner was sprayed with 2 shades of glimmer mist. you see I had to add some of my fave washi tapes! a little faux stitching & fun, big button complete the card.

Challenges:
Sassy Cheryl - sketch
OSAAT - use a digi
My Time to Craft - song or film inspired: 'You are my sunshine', of course! ;)
Lady Anne's - anything goes with a sentiment
Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards - buttons and bows
Daisy Doodles - anything goes
Creative Creations - song inspired: 'You are my sunshine' :)
Whoopsi Daisy - add a sentiment

A Princess and Her Crown

Coffee of the Day - German Chocolate Cake

Today is both a new challenge and new releases over at Jellypark! I do hope you will stop by to see all of the wonderful projects being show by the DT! The challenge theme is 'Get in Shape' - use all kinds of shapes on your project or make a shaped card.

I have used the new Princess digi image on my card and fun floral shapes made with my Spellbinder's dies. papers are from the Basic Grey Serendipity collection, lace trim and buttons are vintage, sentiment is from Create with TLC. flower die cuts and sentiment were sprayed with glimmer mist. crown was coated in rock candy distress stickles. leaf die is SU!, little roses are from a MFT die, and the negative space at the bottom was cut from a MFT as well. faux stitching stamp is Gina K. Princess crown, shoes, and purse were painted with shimmerz.

This sentiment is very special to me. Most of y'all might not know that I have a small collection of tiaras. they aren't very fancy, but they are precious to me. I haven't been able to wear any of my tiaras for a while. believe me, I tried! and man oh man, do they hurt on a head with either no hair or not much! grins! we have a wonderful group of ladies out at Camp who are part of a little group of 'Princesses,' and I remind them as often as I can that they are all the daughters of a King. so often life makes us feel less than royal, either through circumstances or just the day to day living of it. we need to hold our heads high and wear that crown! :)

well this is my last scheduled card for a little while.....I must say I'm looking forward to crawling into bed and staying there for a few days or a month or so. ;) right now that sounds absolutely delightful! being sick for so long is absolutely no fun whatsoever! blech!  I'll pop in every few little bit to say hello, but until then know you are loved - truly, deeply!

enjoy your weekend! Jennifer

Challenges:
Happy Camper - use your favorite stamp: both of these 'cause I love any princess stamp & the senti one from TLC is fab! :) of course you know how often I am using this Gina K stitching set..... thanks again, Joan!
Shelly's Images - sew much fun
LUFP - photo inspiration (colors and leaves from tree)
Crafting By Design - anything goes
Penny's - anything goes
Stampavie - lots of layers
Anything Goes - vintage/shabby chic
Loves Rubberstamps - lots of layers
TTCRD - anything goes
Vickie's/Lady Anne's - anything goes
Incy Wincy - pop it up (main image is popped up on foam tape, felt flowers stick up from card base)
Whoopsi Daisy - make it girly

A Mother is Born

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

A new showcase is up at Milk Coffee, and the theme is Mother's Day. I do hope you will stop by to see what the other designers have created with these cute images. :)

I chose to make a card using the ever adorable 'Mom Loves You' digi. oh, how I remember the joy of being pregnant with each of my boys! nothing on earth can compare with that feeling! now, I was sick as a dog and on bed rest and tons of medications because of the complications I had with each one, but it was still one of the most beautiful times of my life. :)  I was never supposed to have children, in fact I'd been told for 10 years that I would never have them, but I knew God had other plans. so in 3 years I had 3 precious sons! yep, they are THAT close in age! grins! and we never lived close to any family, plus we were always moving while I was either pregnant or had just had a baby, so those were VERY interesting times indeed.

okay, enough of that..... onto my card!

Papers are from the Basic Grey Lucille collection, sentiment is from Create with TLC, flowers are Prima, and button is from my vintage stash. the sentiment tag was sprayed with 2 shades of glimmer mist. some ribbon, a few rhinestones, and faux stitching complete the card. I used a sketch from one of the challenges over at SCS Love Fest. 

I also want to take a moment to thank everyone for the very encouraging messages. You make my heart soar! :)  

Challenges:

Paper Crafting Journey - bingo: sentiment, flowers, buttons

Penny's - anything goes

WAW - anything goes

Inky Chicks - Mother's Day or birthday
Paper Minutes - faces
Sassy Studio Designs - stitching
Paper Shelter - celebrations: new baby

Peace on Earth Angel

Coffee of the Day - Maple Pecan Pie

Our new challenge at ABC Christmas Challenges is Designer Paper - use a little or load it up! :) well, very rarely do I not use any, so this was a fun challenge for me! We are sponsored by QKR Stampede and Stamp and Create. Be sure to stop by the challenge blog to see the FABULOUS projects by the DT.

For my card I am using the adorable Peace Angel image from QKR Stampede. She reminds me of several rag dolls I had when I was a little girl. Raggedy Ann & Andy were by far my favorites. I loved reading their books, too, and had quite a few of them. Somewhere in the attic I still have my dolls....

Papers are from the October Afternoon Good Cheer collection. it's a little hard to see, but behind the crochet lace is a piece of sheet music designer paper. I added some faux stitching to match the stitching on the doll. lots of washi tape, of course!, some vintage buttons as well as VERY vintage ric rac, baker's twine, tag, and a beautiful Prima poinsettia complete the card. her wings were coated in fruit punch stickles 'cause an angel has to sparkle! and the stars were painted with shimmerz.

on a side note, the winner for the Pinterest contest hasn't been posted yet, but thank you to everyone who helped out with re-pins.
also, I sent out a message to all of my DTs yesterday. I am cutting waaaaaay back on all of my DT work until I can hopefully feel better. this card took me over 4 hours to make yesterday, and I cried almost the entire time 'cause I felt so icky. I just can not go on like that. I'll have a few more cards to share this week, but after that, it might be a bit more sporadic. I just have got to get to a better place with my health if I can. this cancer might end up taking me in the end, but it will never win. there is still too much joy left to behold.

my love to all of you! Jennifer

Challenges:
All That Stickles - fruit punch stickles
Crafting for All Seasons - dies & punches (Spellbinders die for main images & Tim Holtz die for scalloped border at top - kinda hard to see that one)
Stamp 'n Doodle - anything goes
WAW - anything goes (and boy howdy, do we ever need peace EVERY day! if nothing else, just to keep peace in our hearts....)
Bearly Mine - lace, ribbon, twine
TTCRD - anything goes
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - bingo: digi, die cuts, flowers
Craft Your Passion - all that glitters
Eureka Stamps - inspired by a song: "Let There Be Peace on Earth" (I actually sang this song as a solo back in junior high!! yes, it has been around THAT long! ha!
Paper Girls - washi tape
Christmas Card Challenges - tags

Tag it at Top Tip Tuesdays!

Coffee of the Day - Red Velvet Cake

Our new challenge at Top Tip Tuesdays is 'Tag it' - either create a tag or include a tag on your project. We are sponsored by Shape EZ Templates and Sweet Stamp Store. Be sure to stop by the challenge blog to see all of the great projects created by the DT! :)

I used the Flip Tree template for my card and papers from the Bright Smiles digital collection by Michelle Underwood at Two Peas. the middle panel has actually been modified so that it also lifts up. some vintage sequins and a Prima rose were added for simple embellishment.

Tip: Look around your home for great things to re-purpose in your crafting! the tag on my card comes from a purchase made at an antique store. some coats of distress stain, a few squirts of glimmer mist, a stamped sentiment, and several types of washi tape transform it into something brand new! :)

I'm going to be posting a bit more sporadically the rest of this week and into the next, I'm afraid. I just really don't feel well these days. I'll craft when I can, but I am just flat worn out and feel icky. I had really hoped to be back on track with DT work, but not so sure that is going to be happening now.....I don't have the energy to eat or do much of anything. gosh, the joys of cancer make me want to stick out my tongue like a proper 2 year old sometimes. sorry, but I'm just so weary of it right now. maybe if I spend a few days or a week in bed that will help things out.....

anyway. I am so thankful for the small things that make me smile every day. they  make such a huge difference in the ability to get through the rough moments. thank you for being part of that! :)

love to all of you! Jennifer

Challenges:
Kaboodle Doodles - anything but a square
Make it Monday - anything goes
Paper Girls - washi tape
Charisma Cardz - anything goes
Happy Campers - shabby chic
Southern Girls - bling it on
Crafty Sentiments - fancy folds or not square

You Add Sunshine

Coffee of the Day - Spiced Hazelnut

The new challenge at the Digi Makeover is one of everyone's favorite's - anything goes! woo hoooo! I know all of you will be playing along with us this week! :)

My card uses the wonderful Jen's Sunshine set as well as one of the frames in the Framed set.  I changed the color of the frame to a blue/green before printing. papers are from the Basic Grey Clippings collection, flowers are Prima, leaf is a SU! die, button is from my vintage stash. her wings were coated with distress stickles. I followed a sketch from One Stop Craft and flipped it on its side.

Challenges:
One Stop Craft - sketch
One Stitch at a Time - make it girly
A Gem of a Challenge - dies and punches
Basic Grey - your favorite (Basic Grey, of course!, pink, Prima, ribbon, vintage buttons)
No Matter Which - stamped or digi & ribbons and bows
Stamp 'n Doodle - bingo: digi, ribbon, sentiment
Crafty Bloggers - anything goes
Daisy Doodles - anything goes
Whoopsi Daisy - make it girly
Crafts and Me - doily
Creative Moments - buttons and bows
WAW - love/anything goes
Tuesday Alchemy - hearts and/or things with wings

Clips and Pins at Pile it On

The new challenge this week at Pile it On is clips and/or pins. We are sponsored by Pin & Tack Handcrafted Delights, who are also offering a very cool discount to everyone who plays along in our challenge! Stop by the PIO challenge blog for the discount code. :) plus you are also going to want to see all of the very cool projects created by the DT this week!

My card uses a cute image from A Day for Daisies, papers from Basic Grey Olivia, dies from Spellbinders, Tim Holtz, and My Favorite Things. you know how addicted to washi tapes I've become! buttons and lace trim are vintage. stickles are on each little bubble as well as the edges of the main image and each banner. the paper strip the banners are clipped to was popped up for more dimension. oh yes, the little baby roses also have stickles on them. I used that great stitching stamp set again from Gina K. (thank you once again, Joan!!!) I added a few little polka dots to her hat with my white gel pen.

Challenges:
There She Goes - flowers
Anything Goes - shabby chic/vintage
ADFD - pink polka dots
Raise the Bar - anything goes
Inky Impressions - ribbon or twine
Cute Card Thursday - an eye for detail (each individual bubble was dotted with stickles)
Simply Create Too - Mothers Day or for a female
Sparkle and Glitter - the things I love (washi tape, flower, vintage buttons, PINK!!!, Basic Grey, and Princesses)
A Gem of a Challenge - dies and punches
Bugaboo Bingo - heart (on her hat), players choice (buttons), sewing (faux with stamp) or red, twine, and sewing
QKR Stampede - anything goes
Sweet Pea - use a digi
Craft Us Crazy - show us your favorites (washi tape, flower, vintage buttons, A Day for Daisies, PINK!!!, Basic Grey, and Princesses)
Party Time Tuesdays - 3 (3 banners, 3 roses, 3 clips, 3 vintage buttons, 3 washi tapes)
Basic Grey - favorites (washi tape, flower, vintage buttons, A Day for Daisies, PINK!!!, Basic Grey, and Princesses)

Last Day for re-pins....

Coffee of the Day - Santa's White Christmas (see Feb. 14 post for story)

Thank you so much to all of you who have been helping me with re-pins for my contest board over at Pinterest! it means so much to me! :)  Please read the post right below this one for more information.....

Today is the last day to do any re-pinning....
Here is a link to my board. Remember - it is only by re-pinning and not just be following that I get contest entries. Thank you again! :)

I will be back later with a card post. I am so running behind on crafting projects. just haven't been feeling top notch these days. some days it feels as if I have been fighting this cancer monster forever.....all of my family is here for the weekend, and I have spent most of it sleeping in bed. sigh.......feel like I should get the 'loser most horrid mom of the decade' award.

Please check out this board on Pinterest...

Hello everyone!

I have a HUGEY HUGE favor to ask..... Krista Smith of Saturated Canary is running this coolio contest through Sunday. she is asking people to create a special board on Pinterest and get as many re-pins as possible. the person with the most re-pins will win 30 Sketch Copic markers!!! whoa nelly - that is a LOT of markers!

most of you know that almost every craft supply in my stash is won from challenges, contests, and blog candy drawings. my crafting budget is itty bitty teeny tiny, so this would be ginormous!!!

here is a link to my special board on Pinterest.... I am still working on adding photos to it, so check back often. thank you for your help! :)

p.s. if you re-pin any of the photos on my board and decide to start your own board for the contest, leave me a comment and I'll come re-pin some of yours to help you along! but you need to leave me a comment so I know you are in the contest. :)

Floral Sympathy

Coffee of the Day - Santa's White Christmas (see yesterday's post for story behind it)

Hippitty Hoppity Hooray it is Friday! and all of my family will be together this weekend! hooray! yep, I'm a happy happy mom! :) Tyler and Mick come home today, plus we will see Jocelyn, Mick's girlfriend on Sunday. yipppeeeee! oh this momma loves her little ducks, I tell ya!

I hope all of you felt properly LOVED yesterday..... and everday as well!  David absolutely adores his coffee. as you can see we are having it again this morning. makes us miss the fabulous coffees we found at Barnies in Florida... the flavored coffees we can get up here just aren't quite the same. Ryan was able to drive down to spend the day with his girlfriend, Ashley yesterday. they had a lovely time together and also celebrated their one year anniversary of dating! :)  oh, do you remember when you counted those milestones? I do... still remember my first date with hubby. even the date. yep. those dates always have an importance, even all these years later.

I want to share the 2nd of the sympathy cards with you. I had mentioned a few days ago that I needed a few for some of my blogging friends. I tend to make these 'as needed' because I am able to really pour as much love and prayer as I possibly can into each one as they are made. Since I'm not a quick crafter, that means for several hours I am thinking and praying for the people these cards are going to. never is this needed as much as when someone you love has died. the range of emotions run the gambit, and often you feel so very alone. I don't know if the people who receive these cards can tell, but at least I know and God knows that I want them to find just a small bit of peace & comfort between the folds of the paper.

The image is Buttercups by Doodle Pantry, paper is 5th Avenue by Melissa Frances, trim and buttons are vintage, wonderful flocked and glittered flowers are Prima, stitching stamp is Gina K, and rhinestone flourish is Want 2 Scrap.

Challenges:
QKR Stampede - anything goes
Sparkle and Glitter - all the things I love (my vintage trims and buttons along with Primas & distressing! only thing missing is zombies! tee hee!)
Polkadoodles - shabby chic
Doodle Pantry - anything goes with one of their images
Incy Wincy - add texture
Lia Stampz - anything goes
Stampin' for the Weekend - distressing
Sweet Pea - use a digi

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