A special blog hop, a bunny card, and winner announced.

Hey there!  Hope you are having a great day/evening.  I am gearing up for the rain/sleet.  Grrr!  I was so hoping I could type that it was shorts I was breaking out.  Not to be.  Old Man Winter is knocking with some cold weather right now.  It happens.  I shouldn't complain because truthfully there are people out there hurting right now.  Like Japan, people are searching for food, shelter, and loved ones and who knows when their lives will start to regain a sense of normalcy?  Here in the United States, all the news reports are about traces of radiation from the aftermath and I keep wondering about those in Japan?  Reports have stated that workers from the Fukushima factory have been exposed to high levels of radiation while trying to control the emergency.  Area food supplies have already tested positive for contamination and the government reports these items have not been released to the public for consumption.  It's terribly frightening and my heart and prayers are with those.  On Monday, there will be a special blog hop featuring several artists to raise funds for Japan.  I hope you will check back here on my blog for the information along with information about how you can contribute to this worthy cause.   Designers are busily preparing special projects right now to share with you!   Please consider coming back to be a part! 

Onto the next topic.  Crafty Creations Challenge is being hostessed by the ever so sweet Peggy this week and she issued a bunny theme.  Anything with a bunny.  My card is vintage inspired with an image from The Graphic Fairy that I framed with a My Mind's Eye die cut.  I used glitter around the edges to soften and give a little sparkle.  There's hand stitching and distressing with scissors and ink for a more aged appearance.  The seam binding ribbon is Martha Stewart.  Oh how I love her ribbon!  It always makes lovely bows!  I finished it off with a large piece of lace and a  few buttons (old and new) sewn on. 

Challenges I would like to enter this card into:
Cooking it Up with Katie: Sparkle, Shine, Shimmer
Creative Cowgirls: Spring/Easter
Creative Craft World: Easter is around the corner
Delightful Sketches: Pastels/ribbon
Dutch Dare Card Challenges: Celebrations
Fab'n'Funky: #66 Shabby Chic
Gingerloft: Die cuts or punches
The Paper Variety: 1-2-3 recipe (1 image, 2 pattern papers, 3 embellishments-buttons, flower, and ribbon/trim)

And finally for the winner of the hot air balloon digi by random number is......

#18 Shelby Goolsby

with this comment:

Very cute card!! I love that sentiment and you used one of my favorite colors:)

                                                              March 24, 2011 9:22 PM
 

Please email me Shelby! :-)  Thanks for all the comments everyone.  I will have another give away very soon so stayed tune!  :-)

Easter Greetings!

Happy Wednesday to you!  The Easter holiday is quickly approaching and I am excited to share with the kids at school about life, renewal, and faith.  The color purple is popping up all over.  A glorious sight.  My card for today is for the latest challenge at Penny's.  This week we have a recipe to follow: 3 pattern papers, 2 embellishments, and 1 image. 

The image is from Stitchy Bear Stamps entitled, Fall Blessings.  It reminds me of Easter with the cross and the draping fabric/bow. 

I would like to eneter this card into the following challenges:

A Spoonful of Sugar: #145 Easter

Top Tip Tuesday: Nature Inspired

Tuesday Throwdown: #42 Floral

Supplies:

cardstock: Jo-Ann's

pattern paper: Jenni Bowlin, Imaginisce, and American Crafts

digi stamp: Stitchy Bear

stamp: Michael's

ink: Versamark

ribbon: craft

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will join us for this week's challenge!

Snow and butterflies! Oh my!

Awoke today to snow.  Boo hiss!  Not a huge fan of the white stuff when it's supposed to be Spring.  Good news though...it's gone!  Melted already!  Yeah!  Which means I don't have to shovel or scrape.  Wahoo!

It's Sunday so that means it's time for another Sentimental Sundays challenge.  Theme this week is "cute and cuddly".  Our sponsor is  Heart Songs Designs.  Using their sketch and a digi image, I created a "cute and cuddly" card to share with a friend. See below about that friend. 

I used some scrap papers that I couldn't bear to throw out.  Ughh!  Why did I even attempt to make a pun this day?  It's just bad.  Sorry.  Anyhow, it's the butterfly bear image printed on some flocked paper from GCD Studios.  I colored in the butterfly and added a rhinestone to give a special detail. 

If you made it this far into reading, I would like to send this card to a grateful reader.  So if you would like the chance to own this card, please leave me a comment with the words, "Pick me!" I will choose a random winner next Sunday!  Thanks for being so patient with me!  :-)

Challenges I would like to enter my card into:

Heart Songs Inspirations: #3 Sketch

Totally Gorjuss: #73 Spring

Paper Cutz:#84  Use 3 pattern papers

Totally Papercrafts: #59 Cute and Cuddly

Southern Girls: Add an Animal

Supplies used:

cardbase: Jo-Ann's yellow textured card

pattern paper: My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary and GCD Studios Melody Ross

digi image: Heart Song Designs butterfly bear

stamps: Stampendous Notes for a Friend

ink: Hero Arts black

ribbon: craft

rhinestone: ZVA

punch: EK Success

Have a blessed Sunday!

Spring = Get Well Soon

Yep, it's that time again to send those well wishes out for all those suffering from colds, flu, allergies, and more during the new Spring season.  It seems to be hitting hard in my neck of the woods.  I am  feeling down today but have a card I made Thursday to share with you that ironically is a get well card.  Maybe I projected this upon myself?  Just kidding.  I don't  want to start that sort of thinking.  It is what it is. 

***Don't forget to leave a comment on my blog post here to win the hot air balloon  digi image!***

This card was made for the Play Date Color Challenge and  The Kraft Journal "Baby It's Spring"  challenge.
Here is the color challenge photo.  How cool is that little outdoor area?  I like how they hung the blue pots all around.  My only question is how does a short person water those?  Obviously, this applies to me because beyond the third row, it would be challenging.  I guess that's why the chair is there right?  To stand on and water?  LOL!  ;-)This would be a great space to utilize throughout your day.  Envisioning  coffee, a snack, supper, or even reading a book with a glass of your favorite beverage. 

Now my idea of Spring may not be the first thought you think of when seeing my card.  However, the colors and butterfly remind me of this glorious time of year.  Also the appearance of white again.  I guess I am kinda a Southern girl with my upbringing being no white after Labor Day. 

Supplies:

cardstock: craft

pattern paper: 7 Gypsies and GCD Studios Melody Ross

decorative border: GCD Studios Melody Ross

stamps: Papertrey Ink Signature Series: Butterfly and Lil Inker Designs Sentimental Flags

ink: Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant and Quick Quotes Blue Hawaiian

punches: EK Success

ribbon: Michael's

pearls: Kaiser Craft

Thanks for stopping by!

A chance to win this digi image!

Hey there!  I am happy the week is halfway through because I am so ready  for Friday.  I recently looked at taking a ride in a hot air balloon, but then someone told me the noise level might be too much for my daughter since she dislikes loud noises.  Anyone tried this?  

Today I have my card for Crafty Creations.  The challenge is "All Stitched Up" with the focus on stitching or a funny sentiment that leaves you in stitches.  I couldn't come up with a clever line when creating this card.  I tried  but my brain was not working with me.  So instead, I  did some stitching by hand.    Check out the DT examples here for their witty and awesome cards.  This week Jaime is offering up a prize package so join in for your chance to win. 
That super cute hot air balloon is from Jane's Doodles.   Now you can purchase it here ,but you might want to wait because I am offering one lucky person a chance to win this digi right here on my blog.  That's right!  All you have to do is leave me a comment on this post and I will draw a random winner next Wednesday.  Pretty easy huh?  Just be sure to check back and see if your name was drawn.  :-)

Challenges I would like to enter my card in:
Crafty Pad: #113 use digi
Digital Tuesday: #103 digi and buttons
Make It Monday: #29 anything goes
MyGrafico: anything goes
My Partner in Crafting Crime: #23 anything goes
Pile It On: #12 bling
Top Tip Tuesdays: #26 buttons
Tuesday Morning Sketches: #86 K.I.D.S.



Supplies:
cardstock: Recollections
pattern paper: My Mind's Eye So Sophie "In Love"; American Crafts Dear Lizzy "Jolly Jingle" 
image: Jane's Doodles
rub-on: Wordsworth
punches: EK Success scallop and ticket
buttons: craft supply
floss: DMC and Stampin Up Basic Black
rhinestones: Queen & Co.
other: foam dots

It's Sunday which means...

it's time for another Sentimental Sundays challenge.  This week we are all about  the sentiment and I focused on Spring since it's the official first day of it!    Oh so happy about this!  I love warmer weather and I already pulled out a few sandals to start getting ready for those sock less days. 

Today, I am sharing an altered monochromatic  matchbox that I made as little gift box.  My primarily color being orange with a hint of blue.  The sentiment is from this set found here.  It's a Raindropecho. I printed on white cardstock then cut my pennant banner and inked the edges with a Quick Quotes Blue Hawaiian ink.    I covered the box with  scraps of Sassafras Lass papers, added a matching cloud sticker with foam dots, some golden rhinestones, and a button to complete.  Inside I tucked lots of orange goodies for a friend.  Love it when I can use tiny pieces of paper up.  :-) 
Challenges I would like to enter this is:

Ai Factory: #72 Things with wings
Allsorts:  week 95 Make a Gift Box
Amber's Crafts and Stuff: #1 Stash buster/Anything Goes
Cardmadfairy: #4 Back to Nature
Papercrafting Journey: #6 Up in the Air
Simply Create: Monochromatic

I also started to dabble in stringing.  I made this necklace and loved it at first but not so sure now.  I am going back and forth.  I wore it last night for my date night with Simon. 

We had fun going out.  We enjoyed a nice meal and listened to some live music.  When we had our picture taken, I forgot to move my hair so the necklace would be viewable.  My dear friend, Terresa makes the leather beaded bracelet I am wearing.  I love it so!  I wear it constantly. 

Okay, off to babysit the furry little brother.  He's ever demanding with constant attention required, aka, petting him.  Makes it hard to type and pet him at the same time.  :-) 

Have a blessed Sunday!

Let's Eat!

Hey there!   A quick post from me.  This week's challenge at Penny's is "From the Kitchen" with images being supplied by Meljen's.   My card uses the "Fork and Spoon" digi. 

Please join us at Penny's and see what the rest of the design team cooked up.


Challenges I would like to enter my card in:

Card Patterns: #106 sketch
Fresh Brewed Designs: Spots/Dots
Meljen's Designs:# 50 Dots
Papertake Weekly: Trio Tastic (3 design papers, 3 rhinestones, 3 punches)

Life Reflection

I feel very fortunate.  After waking to the horrible news of Japan's earthquake and tsunami, I started to reflect upon my life (again).  How fortunate I have  been to never experienced a natural disaster of that magnitude, been without food, shelter, or seen death first hand.   He has graced me with this blessed life and I am ever grateful.  My thoughts and prays for those impacted by this disaster.  May God's strength  comfort the victims and bereaved,  heal those injured, and provide unlimited support to those offering aide during this time of need. 

It was kinda eerie for me because I started to make this book earlier in the week.  I thought it would be great to have an album of everything I am so lucky to have.  I made this particular one for a dear friend to match this card.  I know the Christmas colors are kinda bright and definitely not the right holiday, but I like to shake it up.  :-)

I used some Reminisce pattern paper, a MME ticket stub, a Michael's pick, Pink Paislee stickers which I colored with a Copic marker and then glittered, a doily, a feather for luck, some buttons, and a homemade stick pin.  Did I mention how I love making these? 

The board book is from Michael's.  I left the inside blank for my friend to decorate as she sees fit.  I hope she will like it. 

And as I leave you this evening, I just want to tell my daughter how much I love her and will always try to protect her whether she is 15 or 50.  It's my honor.  My love will never fade nor will it be driven away.  It will remain true and pure forever.   I love you J-bird! 

Challenges I would like to enter:

Corrosive Challenge:#106 Going Green

ECP Challenges: #33 Green

Little Red Wagon: St. Patty's Day green

Paper Play: Week  #10 Shades of Green

Raise the Bar: #57 G.R.E.E.N. (G=green, R=ribbon and red, E=embossed doily, E=embellishments buttons and stick pin, N= new product shamrock and board book)

Scrappy Frogs: Good Luck

The Shabby Tea Room: Week #52 Green with photo inspiration below:

 

Congratulations Baby Boy!

Hey there!  How are you?  Midway through the week and liking it so far.  I am back to share my Crafty Creations card for this week.  Our 109th challenge is "baby blue" either the color or theme. 

That cute little donkey image is from Sharon and you can find it here.  I printed it on My Mind's Eye Laundry Line paper.  I wanted to keep this card flat as possible because I am mailing it.  That proved harder than I thought.  I wanted to add a big bow but knew it would be too bumpy.  So I stuck with a tiny twine bow and added a piece of kraft cardstock with paper pierced edges and a punched circle of blue.  The rub-on is from Marcella.  I decorated an envie too.  I like to jazz those up.  :-) 

I hope you will join us for this challenge.  Also we recently added two new design team members, Peggy and Donna.  We are so thrilled to have to them join our team.  :-)

I would like to enter my card into the following card challenges:
Card Cupids: Anything Goes
Digital Tuesday: Welcome Little One
Dream Valley Challenges: #2 New Beginnings
Everybody Art Challenge: #132 Baby
Paper Playtime: #40 Digis
There She Goes Clear Stamps: #97 Use kraft

Thank you for stopping by! 

Happy Sunday to you!  Another wonderful weekend with my family is coming to an end.  For this I am sad, but so delighted I had the time to spend with them.  Yesterday was  gorgeous with warm temps.  I saw so many people wearing shorts.  Yeah!  Does this mean I need to go get a pedicure so I can sport flip flops soon?  Those puppies have been wrapped up too long.  Of course, today it's pouring but the rain is tranquil.
Today I would like to share my Sentimental Sundays card.  We are sponsored by Deedee's Digis and our challenge is to use pearls and lace.  Easy peasy huh?  Okay for me it is because I hoard these items so it was good for me to  cleanse..errr... clean a bit out.  :-)  I also received some beautiful stick pins from Julia.  Do you see the glitter top peeking out of the butterfly?  She is such a talented artist.  She makes jewelry, sells vintage items, and well go take a look and see all the beautiful items she has! 

I feel like I have not participated in the Card Patterns sketch in forever.  I was determined this weekend to though and yesterday's newest sketch had me inspired. 

The ever so talented Tracy Schultz designed this one.  She has such lovely cards on her blog.  I love to visit her site and see what she is up to.  If you haven't seen it, what are you waiting for?  Pop on over.  :-)

I also was inspired by this week's challenge at LRW which is a sentiment only card.  One my faves!  I had to participate. 

At  Totally Papercrafts, they also have a pearls and lace challenge.  I will admit I feel a bit out of my league placing my card because the DT has incredible examples with the cutest images.  Nevertheless, I am forging on and entering.  You never know. 

Supplies:

cardstock: SU Night of Navy, Bazzill Pink

pattern paper: Sass Lass and My Mind's Eye

stamps: PTI by Dawn McIvey

die cut: PTI

ink: SU Always Artichoke, Archival Ink Sephia, and PTI Vintage

ribbon/trim: Making Memories, Jo Ann's white lace

pearls: Kaiser Craft olive

stick pin: Julia at Black Door Studio

Have a blessed Sunday!

Yeah it's Friday!

Another work week completed and excited about starting my weekend.  How about you?  I
am ready! Here's a birthday card I made for my daughter's friend.  Tomorrow is her birthday celebration and while DD is at the party I get to hang out with a few other Mom's at a nearby cafe.  Yeah! 

Aud Sentiments: #23 Birthday

Bearly-Mine: #5 Birthday

Craft Your Passion: #47 Girly

Crafty Sentiments: Birthday

Cute Card Thursday: #154 Signs of Spring (flowers)

Off The Wall Craftiness: #48 Color Inspiration see below:

Supplies:
cardstock: Recollections
pattern paper: Crate and MME
rub on: Crate Darling
rhinestone: Queen & Co.
ribbon: craft supply

Have a great evening! 

A little green for March

March has arrived and that means lots of green is going to be popping up here on my blog. :-) My card for today for Penny's challenge this week is all about the green and a little embellishing. 

                               
Sentiment reads: I journeyed to the Rainbow's End and found not gold, but, you my friend. 
 
I found these shamrock shaped cards a week ago and thought they were too cute!  I couldn't pass them up.  I added a scrap (just a wee bit of a scrap) Sass Lass paper for the rainbow, a Prima gold leaf for the pot of the gold, a touch of bling too, a soft red feather because this reminded me of a top hat, and a button with twine.  The little stick pin is my newest infatuation.  I love to make these.  I joined a couple of swaps to feed this addiction.  Love them!  So easy to make too.  Are you stick pin crazy?  I plan on using them quite often so hope that you won't tire of seeing them.
 
I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Card Cupids: Shaped Cards
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #107.  It's all about the green there!
Little Red Wagon: sentiment only
Papertake Weekly: Anything Goes
The Stamping Boutique: It's their first challenge!  Congrats!  T (texture) S ( sparkle) B (buttons)
Woodware: Anything Goes
 
Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day!