Celebrate

Hey all!  Hope you are having a fabulous week thus far.  I am back this Tuesday to share a birthday card with you.

I used some more Teresa Collins papers for this and pulled out a few stamps.  Lots of stitching and distressing too.
Challenges for this card:
Card Patterns: # 79 sketch
Corrosive Challenge: #77 "Faux Technique"
Cute Card Thursday: #127 "Dieing for a Punch"
One Stop Crafts: #95 "How Sentimental"
Stamps R Us: #3 "Stitching"
Stampin' Insanity: #SISC24" "Lace it Up-Stitching"
Sweet Stampin' Challenge: #41 "Distressed Birthdays"


Thanks for stopping by!

As for my house

Hey! I'm back after a few days off. It was nice to get away with the family but packing for short trips is not so fun. I feel like we took a quarter of the house for 2 days.
Today I got right down to working because I officially start back to work tomorrow. Eeeeeeeekkk!
I stopped by 2 scrapbook stores on the way home. I drove my car for this exact reason. My car makes stops at crafty stores.:-) Simon's not so much. It has be on the way and a bookstore or music store  next door for him to consider the stop. I had never visited the one in Williamsburg, VA  and was  excited to see what they had. Lots of stamping supplies and loads of Hero Arts. I was very good and controlled my spending.   The whole family camped out at the back cropping table while I looked about. :-) Thankfully I stopped at the Sonic prior to so they couldn't complain about being thirsty.
It was the second store that always gets me.    I had to buy the new Teresa Collins papers.  I managed to refrain from buying every piece and  walked out with only 10 pieces. :-) I actually felt very good about that. I am like the crazy lady in the store talking to myself about which papers I must have and examining to see if some don't look so great mixed with other items. Please tell me someone else does this? I feel like my obsession with paper is beyond controllable. It literally incaptivates me on the drive home as I think of how I will use my new papers.   
My card for today uses two  new Cutting Cafe files. The houses are from  the Welcome Home file and the bible verse is Joshua 24:25 printable stamp set.  The Welcome Home set is huge and has some adorable images and fun sentiments.  Be sure to check it out!  I must ask, is this image blurry or do I need to get reading glasses?  I know everything is tilted slightly because I can't hold a steady hand to save my life.
 

I made this card for the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments Challenge: #9 "Anything Goes"

Etsy Inspired: #103 "The Caged Fairy"  I used this photo for inspiration how cool is that felt hat with orange feather?

Get Sketchy: #53 sketch

Other Lovelies: #24 "A" with focus on beginning of bible verse

Raise the Bar: #33 "The Hut" (houses)

Sentimental Sundays: #18 "Clean and Simple" this is as simple as I get :-)

Stampin' for the Weekend: #45 "Anything Goes"

Treehouse Thursday Challenge: #64 "Fall Colors"

and a big thank you to Stella and Monique for these awards!  Thank you ladies! :-)

Stella gave me this beautiful  award:

and

Melissa sent me this super sweet award:

Along with this award I have to say things I ♥ about myself:

1. being J's Mom

2. family

3. having my health, home, and freedom

and I have to share a  favorite picture  which currently is:

Now I get pass Stella's to 10 people and Melissa's to 5, but I  want to pass it on to everyone that visits my blog.  I feel so blessed to have your visit and kind words that uplift me each day.  It is you that deserves this award because you have brought me sheer joy and happiness.  Thank you for this! 

Brrr in the Summer?

Okay, maybe it's not for real but the image invokes a snowy day with the mittens, scarf, hat, and hot cocoa.  Hopefully we won't have one of these for a while.
This is my last card for Charisma Cardz as a guest designer.  :-( The term was for the month of August and sadly this is the last week.  Can you believe it? 
Things will probably be so crazy for me next month since 3 of us are adjusting to school schedules. 
My daughter had her high school orientation today.  What?  I am still in shock that she will be in 9th grade.  I know in some districts high school is 10-12.  Not here.  She will  have the wonderful 5:30 AM mornings since she has to catch the bus at 6:30 AM.  Ughhh!  That's torture for me too!  I have to get her up and some mornings it's a real battle.  Good times.  :-)  We are going to simulate a couple of days next week to prepare because I envision this is going to be a rough transition.  I took  her to the program at school today and I was as nervous as she was.  I had flash backs to those first days in high school.  I was literally scared.  Except I don't recall an orientation to walk us through the building and see where everything is beforehand.  I think we were given a map of the three levels and our schedule.  Thankfully hers is only two, but they do enforce a one way hall on the bottom level because there are so many students.  I guess it will prepare her for driving.  Eeekkkk!  No no no!  Let's not explore that path. 

As mentioned, this card was made with the Charisma Cardz Challenge of Hot Hot Hot! in  mind.  This week our sponsor  is Pink Cat Studio.  They sell super cute rubber and digital stamps.  They have a free digital image here and a  super tutorial on how to print if you need assistance. 

For my card, I printed on white card stock and colored in with watercolor pencils.  I kept the card simple because I wanted to keep the focus on the image since he is a cutie.  I added a little bit of Martha Stewart twine and a large button to embellish.  Sometimes simple is so nice.  :-)

My card is for the following challenges:

Charisma Cardz Challenge: "Hot Hot Hot!" Hot Cocoa

Just Scraps:#18 "Fussy Cutting" Image was cut out

Papertake Weekly:"3-2-1" 3 card stocks, 2 embellishments, and 1 pattern paper

Stampin' for the Weekend:#45 "Anything Goes"

Stamp Something:"Digi Day"

Thank you so very much for stopping by!  I appreciate your visits!

Remember this

It seems like every time I remind myself to never forget a moment I am experiencing, I can't recollect the exact details of said moment.  I think my memory is fading.  I guess it happens.  I can remember the sensory aspect usually but not the precise words.  My daughter has an eidetic memory and can recite things upon hearing once.  It's pretty amazing.  Many people with Autism have this ability.  It's outstanding to me but, I suppose it has it's downfalls.  Like if you see or hear something not so desirable.  Or when  I forget my exact words but she remembers them and can share  with me verbatim.  For instance, telling her that we are making three stops to A, B, and C, and then forgetting one place I need to go as well and trying to tack it on.  Not happening.  It's a rigorous schedule we uphold or else there is much back flap to endure.  She keeps me on track for sure. :-)  She's great for grocery store trips because she remembers what is needed.  Love that!  But on to my card.
I am back on this Wednesday to share this:

I used lots of scraps on this card. Bernie is hosting the Crafty Creations Challenge this week which is a 3 2 1 recipe.  3 pattern papers, 2 ribbons, and 1 charm.  I also added a burgundy punched circle to highlight the butterfly.  I used a teal brad to secure the charm on the  butterfly. The butterfly stamp is Autumn Leaves and the sentiment is Studio Calico.  I used Stampin Up's Old Olive and Bravo Burgundy inks.  A fun card to make.   I took into mind JUGS color challenge of lime green, hot pink, and teal which I found on the scrap of Daisy D's paper.  Love this paper and this is the last of it.  I added K & Co. for the bottom part and the border punch is October Afternoon paper.  The ribbons were scraps. as well and then I wrapped some twine around  and tied off with a button.  All done!
The challenges for this card:

Crafty Creations: #82  "3 2 1 Recipe"
Craft Your Days Away: #2 "With Wings"
JUGS: #47 "A Color Challenge
Paper Cutz: #55 "Anything Goes"
If the Shoe Fits: #44 "Metal on Your Project"

Happy Wednesday to you!  Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, Monday

Hey there! What a beautiful day! We have temps in the 80's. Yeah! I finally washed my car after weeks of it being covered in filth. I wanted to wash it sooner but the weather has been temperamental. Every time I wanted to wash it, the forecast threatened rain.  We did have storms  several days but  today I bit  the bullet  and washed it.  Now if we could have a few days without rain. Oh wait. I am house sitting for someone so maybe not. That means I have to go water the plants. :-(  

A big surprise for me yesterday when I saw my card was the winner of the COTW  at 2S4Y!  I am still reeling with delight.  :-)  This card today is based off of Laura's sketch for the week.  I also added TSTR's "a little metal" challenge.  Lots of eyelets and  a rhinestone brad.  I was happy to see this challenge because I needed to use those neglected metal pieces in my stash. 

I made this as a thank you for Amy Heller.  I won a HUGE box of yumminess from her blog recently and she sent me almost everything I used on this card.  Lots of cardstock, chipboard, stamps, lace, ribbon, etc.  It was 13 pounds of happiness!  I am still going through and ohhing and ahhing.  I see something I missed each time.  This card uses lots of Crate Paper.   A line my LSS doesn't seem to carry much of so I was thrilled to receive it. 

Thanks for stopping by!  I appreciate it! 

There's a Spider

on  my couch and I won't sit on it till I know it's gone.  Last night, I was catching up on blogs while sitting on said couch when I saw a shadow of something creepy and fast  go by out of the corner of my eye.  I jumped off the couch and turned on the overhead lights to see it scurry to the right arm of  the sofa.  Eeekkkkkk!  My DF (darling fiance)  thinks it's ridiculous that I am frightened of a spider.  I reminded him that I was bit less than two months ago by a spider and the scar is there to prove.  It was not a joyous event.  I was achy and the bite swelled up to the size of an egg.  It was itchy.  Shudder.  Pure disgusting!  Anyone else think spiders are not cool inside your house?  I am freaked out.  I happened to have the slipcover to the sofa in the washer so it was not tainted with it's ickiness.  I know it's a tad extreme but I prefer to know the tenants in my household.  Needless to say, I have NOT sat on that couch today because I am petrified it will come out.  It probably is long gone.  I am checking every place I sit or  sleep in the mean time. 
I want to thank everyone for the well wishes and thoughts on Thursday.  As mentioned, funeral or memorial services are never a "fun" event to attend.  I went to support my daughter and my ex husband.  His father was very ill and although he had a medical directive requesting to be taken off of life support, it's not easy to let a loved one go. My prayers and thoughts continue for them during this difficult time. 
As mentioned to me, life continues on even when others may not be by our side.  We must be comforted in the thought that they are watching us and we will one day be reacquainted. 
Now for my card because I don't want to be a downer.

This card is for the following challenges:

Card Patterns: #78 sketch

City Crafter Challenges: #18 "Isn't She Lovely"

Creatalicious Challenges: #18 vintage

Supplies used:

cardstock: Recollections

pattern paper and ribbon: Fancy Pants

sticker: SRM

button: Foofala

twine: Martha Stewart  green baker's

ink: Stampin' Up So Saffron

image:craft supply

Thank you for stopping by!

Friends

Hey! Not going to be the cheeriest of days for me since I have a memorial service to attend. I know that these are never a good thing for anyone. :-(
This card was made  using Fancy Pants papers.  I am digging the vintage appeal of it .  I trimmed a die-cut paper piece and  matted on the vanilla cream cardstock.  The red piece is a die cut label that is kinda hard to see now with all the embellishments.  I added a American Crafts chipboard butterfly and then a punched a small butterfly from a Martha Stewart punch for the top.  I pulled out a past favorite punch for the decorative border on the Bazzill pink.  The stamped sentiment is from Unity and I used Stampin' Up's Old Olive ink pad.  I accented with some buttons, flowers, lace, and a rhinestone. 

The weekly challenge at Charisma Cardz is to use die-cuts.  You should see what  others created for the challenge!  Lots of inspiration.  Plus there's 2 prizes to be won! 

I used Kazan's 2S4Y sketch.

The Shabby Tea Room challenge is a gorgeous picture with floral, roses, pinks, fuchsias and I based my card off this. 

The Cupcake Craft Challenge is 2 papers, 2 ribbons, and 2 flowers.  I used 2 pieces of pattern paper and cardstock, 2 ribbons/lace, 2 flowers, 2 buttons, 2 butterflies.  I got a little 2 crazy.  :-) 

If the Shoe Fits...Scrap It! challenge  is die-cuts.

Thanks for stopping by!