CR84FN69--- Love!!

Good Sunday morning- hope yours is a relaxing one!! It's almost the New Year- Happy Early New Year to You!! It's also time for the CR84FN69 color challenge.... Raspberry, Lavender, and Neutral.

Gorgeous colors... and gorgeous pics!!

The base was made with the largest rectangle from Resplendent Rectangles, topped with SU rich razzleberry paper and lavender ribbon. Another rectangle was layered on top, added some poinsettia leaves using MFT's poinsettia die in cream and lavender which were sprinkled with glitter. The flourishes were made with a MFT die-namic. Added a prima flower and pearls to finish.

Hope you get a chance to play along with us this week. Can't wait to see what you create with these colors!! Check out the CR84FN blog for all the details and to see fabulous inspiration from the design team!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

Merry Merry Christmas!!

It's been a busy day with family and friends and a busy Christmas Eve!! Now, I'm packing to deal with Winter Storm Euclid! My dad... (adore that man) and I had a conversation on the phone today... he told me to come home using a "snow plow"...response... Bill- we need to add a snow plow to the front of the SUV... Dad said...no, I mean a "snow plow".... response... maybe we can rent one from UHaul, LOL!! Bill and I are heading to Indiana tomorrow but, we've checked the weather and stopping along the way... no driving in freezing rain or blizzard for us!!

Anywho... I hope you have had a wonderful Holiday and I truly appreciate and LOVE all the friends I've made in cyber space!! Wishing you a wonderful Holiday Season and a fabulous New Year!!

hugs!!

Well, it has been forever since I last posted (over a week)- pretty unusual for me!! That's what happens when you put off your Christmas shopping until the last minute!! Honestly, wasn't sure if I even remembered how to make a card, hehe!!

The montly sketch at The Crafts Meow... lovely, isn't it!!

My card...

Used stitched sentiments and stitched flowers for my card... aren't they wonderful!! Even did a little coloring with copics. Papers are Authentique Journey, buttons SU, and seam binding from the Ribbon Carousel. Stitched around the outside for a little sumpin' sumpin'!!

Hope the WE finds you well and prepared for the holidays!! I have a few tags and a couple gift card holders to accomplish... well, along with some baking but, it WILL be done!!



Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

Teeny Trees to Trendy Balloons!!

That's the story of my card!! When I saw the Waltzingmouse sketch challenge this week... the first thing I thought of was trees or something in the sky, balloons etc....

So I decided that I could wanted to try to turn the stamps from WMS Teeny Trees into balloons... trendy ones... well, two trendy ones and one normal one!!

 Stamped four images from Teeny Trees onto vanilla cardstock, punched out two, and fussy cut the last, added some jute twine, and popped up for dimension. Embossed the background with the SU textile folder, added a few strips of dp from Authentique Lively and sewed around the edges. Sentiment is from WMS Compact Sentiments and was stamped onto an oval nestabilitie and tucked inside the top dp horizontal pattern. A lace bow to finish.

Ha, did it work???

I'm thinking the placement of my right balloon should have been a little bit higher but, overall I think the images make some adorable "trendy" balloons!!

Here's Teresa's fabulous sketch...

The Holidays are coming and I'm getting busy!! Work has been crazy... I started my Christmas shopping late (although I'm almost done) and my youngest has a Birthday next weekend. The pressure is on!! We've got a dinner date at the Melting Pot on Friday for Haley's birthday... it's her fav. It is a fondue place.. dinner is long as you cook everything at table (courses include cheese fondue with veges, salad, meat/fish/chicken fondue, then chocolate fondue with strawberries-marshmallows-bananas- etc. etc.) It's fun and great food!!

The sketch challenge/submissions run until noon on Friday so there's still time to play... details here.

Lastly, Waltzingmouse stamps is starting to ship from the US... so, if you have hesitated to purchase due to international shippin prices.. check out the store and look for this symbol

Although, I have to say... I love when I get mail stamped "Royal Mail" like today (whoo hoo- I'm thinking I've been good and Santa sent a present!!) ...silly I know!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words... read every one!! Hope you're having a wonderful week and looking forward to the Holidays!!

He's making a LIST....

He's checking it TWICE!!

Ahh. the holidays are in full swing... and I'm definitely behind!! Haven't bought the first present this year {well maybe some cyber stamp shopping for myself!!-- That's sounds bad-- really they just don't know where to go and what to pick--- I'm just helping them out, LOL!!} The list is ready with everyone's wishes and this WE my daughter and I will get it done. In the mean time, I made a card for this week's Waltzingmouse Stamps sketch challenge by the most talented Chupa!!

LOVE this WMS set... Santa's Coming To Town... that silhouette image is one of my favs and the sentiments are fabulous!! Used the Opera Tags set along with the matching matching WMS Spellbinder die. The background star is from Yonder Star stamped in crumbcake onto vanilla/cream. Distressing with TH Antique Linen. Stamped the Opera Tag image twice, cut one out and popped on top for added dimension. A couple glitter stars and twine bow to finish.

Claire, the Head Moustress, made this card in September

and obviously, it has been on my mind ever since she posted it!! Gorgeous!!

Chupa's sketch...

The good news side... WMS is starting to ship from the US. For those of you in the US that don't want to have to pay international shipping prices.... perfect!! Currently, I believe, the selection is limited so when going to the store look for this logo...

You really need to check out the WMS blog here - for all the details!!

Happy middle of the week and think of me when I am doing all my Christmas shopping in one weekend... Blitz (an overwhelming all-out attack) shopping!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

CR84FN68- You Make Me Smile!!

Good Sunday morning- hope yours is a relaxing one!! Grab a "cup of joe" or tea {that's my hubs} and enjoy what the DT have created!! This is the second week using these gorgeous colors ... CR84FN68 color challenge-- burgandy, gray, and cream!!

I went a little "banner happy"!! Don't tell me you don't LOVE banners... I'll find it hard to believe... well, I'll believe you but, banners make me smile... like fabulous sentiments... ribbon... flowers...gorgeous images... you get the idea!!

Embossed the background and spattered with some acrylic paint- Adironondack Snow Cap. Added  several banners using SEI and Basic Grey papers, SU ribbon, a big bloom die cut with MFT's Perfect Petals [love itl!} topped with a Webster's Pages sparkler... fun!! The sentiment is from an oldie but goodie... MFT Millie the Mouse!!

Can't wait to see what you create with these colors!! Check out the CR84FN blog for all the details and to see fabulous inspiration from the design team!!

The sketch will go through next Wednesday as normal... but, we will be taking a "little" holiday break. CR84FN69 will be posted on December 30th. The colors are scrumptious!

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

ETA: The sketch challenge is being extended until December 12th and there's a prize!! Check out the CR84FN blog for details!!

ISSC44- and a Fond Farewell!!

Happy Friday morn'!! This is a sad morning for me. Ya' know, there are priorities in life- we all deal with that on a daily basis and decisions have to be made- it's hard.  This is the last I Spy sketch (fabulous sketch and inspiration card, BTW!!) The concept for I Spy sketches was Kimberly Warner Teasdale's--girl has a creative mind- and a big heart! Surfing the blogs/ SCS and using cards from other "addicted" cardmakers to base a sketch on, yep love it!! Unfortunately, life changed things.

Kim- you took me by surprise when you asked me to join the DT  (well maybe once in a while I make a good card, LOL!) and I have "met" and had fun with all of the DT, both past and present! Thanks for the opportunity!

Back to business.. the last I Spy sketch-ISSC44 is by Christine Okken  ( ChristineCreations at SCS) and is inspired by this card.  Love the bright colors and that rooster!!

Pulled out some recently acquired TCM stamps, O Christmas Tree. This set was designed by Amy Wanford at Crafting Confessions. Love the modern/trendy feel of this set. There are several trees with different patterns and several sentiments... LOVE! I played a little with the sketch... my circle became a doily with a couple of the trees. Papers are MME All is Bright. Added a SU wooden button and some twine.

The sketch..

A special Thanks to everyone who has played along with us and created cards using the sketchs over the past months!! I have enjoyed "Spying" the different interpretations of the sketch and appreciate your support of the challenge!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

Thinking of You--WMSC!!

I was a "busy bee" over the long weekend! Have several posts for this week--yeah me {code for -one cardmaker who had the chance to get inky!!} Actually, have two cards today- one for the current Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - sketch designed by Ms. Jean Martin and another for last week's sketch by Ms. Karin- got caught up in the holiday preparations and didn't get to photo and post.

Thinking of You-

Large circle panel is a gorgeous image from Victorian Frippery, stamped in olive and cut out with a nestabilitie- Doesn't it look fabulous with the Vintage Christmas Backgrounder! Sentiment from Compact Sentiments-love these!! Added some stitching, Websters blossom layered with a crochet doily and Wild Orchid Crafts flower.

Jean's sketch..

This card was for Karin's sketch last week...

I was a bit stumped--- Karin you challenged me!! The background and butterfly are from WMS Nordic Spring. I stamped the butterfly in navy and heat embossed with clear- sponged with riding hood red and pink pirouette, added some glitter and pearls. Sentiments from Compact Sentiments and Compact Family- masked the "sister" to "sis" as I was thinking of her when I made this.

Karin's sketch...

Story behind the card-- Had a phone conversation {prior to Thanksgiving} with my sister and neice about noodles-- {from scratch- my sister is the queen of noodles!!} My youngest heard part of the conversation and piped up with- "They could FedEx them to us"..... seriously? That's a 19 year old speaking- noodles- FedEx prices, no concept of the cost etc.--really? Honestly- Bill and I laughed about the whole thing. Haley had no conception of the cost, she is a frugal girl and if she had realized the cost she wouldn't have made the same statement but, lord- when she said it, you had to laugh!!

So, the day before Thanksgiving I received a two-day pkg. via USPS with---- you guessed it, noodles!! Long story but, this card was for my SIS- I mean how sweet was that!!

Link to Waltzingmouse Stamps here

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

CR84FN68-glad tidings!!

Good Sunday morning- hope yours is a relaxing one and if you celebrated Thanksgiving this past week...hope it was filled with good times and lots of good food!! Today were kicking off some new colors at the CR84FN color challenge-- burgandy, gray, and cream. Gorgeous!!

I'm also working on getting my Verve sketch challenges done this month. 

This is the week 3 sketch by Maureen. The background and one of the die cut trees was embossed with a Victoria folder and the other tree was stamped with Verve's Bountiful Backgrounds (color on color). It's kind of hard to see but, the cream panel was stamped with versamark using a leafy sprig from Verve's New Mercies. Sentiment from Verve's Glad Tidings using a MFT flag STAX {love these!- not sure what I would do without them}tag. Added a button and ribbon to finish.

  

Can't wait to see what you create with these colors!! Check out the CR84FN blog for all the details and to see fabulous inspiration from the design team!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

Oh, how time flies!!

It's flying by for me... have had lots of fun inking this long holiday weekend!! Have a few cards ready to go that I'll be posting later this week, yippee!!

This card is for the montly sketch challenge at The Crafts Meow!! Click on the link for all the details!

Finally got to ink up my Vintage Clocks {Nina B. Designs}. Papers are Authentique Splendid-- fun, it's full of eclectic patterns and colors. The image was stamped in early espresson onto cream and die cut with a circle nestabilitie-layered on a scallop nestabilitie. Added a sentiment on a MFT flag STAX die-namic, twill, and a couple buttons. It's funny- the top button is darker than the turqoise in the pattern but, definitely not as dark as it appears in the sketch??

Here's the sketch...

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

Sunshine and Laughter!!

Enjoying my long weekend stamping...and I guess Mona helped me "get over" the purple thing... since I made a card using this week's SCS colors of " A Perfect White Night that Julia picked out and the week 4 Verve sketch from Teresa.

 Flowers and sentiment from Verve's Brighter Days. Flowers were stamped in SU Perfect Plum onto XPress It blending cardstock, cut out with Verve's Scalloped Flower dies and colored with copics. Sentiment was stamped in SU Night of Navy onto a panel die cut with Spellbinders Romantic rectangles and layered on a perfect plum panel embossed with SU's textile folder.

Julia's dessert is bling... happy mail brought me these SU clear buttons... reminiscent of old door knobs!!

Thanks for stopping by and appreciate all the kind words!!

ISSC43- welcome!!

It's a lazy Friday morn' for me- due to the long Holiday weekend. For those of you that celebrated--belated Happy Thanksgiving- hope your day was wonderful!! We had a wonderful day at my house full of family, good friends, good food and lots of laughter!! I'll be soaking in the quiet and leftovers this weekend and.... catching up on some challenges and blog surfing I've missed this past week, Whoo Hoo!!

Back to business.. it's time for another I Spy sketch!! Y'all created fabulous cards last week.... keep 'em coming!! This is the sketch challenge where we look for YOUR cards for Inspiration!!

ISSC43 is by Jean Martin  and is inspired by this card. Adorable, huh!! Love The Crafts Meow image and the banner across the top with twine and clothespin is fabulous!!

My interpretation of the sketch

I made a baby card for my stash. In trying to channel Jean's use of making her own backgrounds- I stamped the stars from Verve's To The Moon set on the middle panel and added some MME Fine & Dandy True Blue papers. The image is also from Verve's To The Moon set (love this set for baby cards!!) stamped, fussy cut, and adhered to the nestie oval. I didn't adhere the upper half of the giraffe to "pull up" and add a little dimension. My banner is the crochet with buttons. Finished off with a bow and flag tag sentiment- sentiment from Verve and tag was made with MFT's flag stax die-namics!

Here's the sketch

So.....have fun and get to Stampin!! Make a card using the sketch - and link it up.... we'd LOVE to see what you create!! Make sure and stop by the blog to see what the other Special Agents created-serious creativity and inspiration!!

Can't wait to drink my coffee, relax in jammies and check out all the cards from last week!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

WMS- Blog Party!

It's the 17th of the month and time for the WMS Blog Party!!

To be honest, with Bill's surgery... I've been so busy and in my mind I didn't have to post until Monday-don't ask, I know a lost a couple days, LOL!!  Halfway through the day I realized the time was upon me and I better "get to shaking"!!

He's really doing great- so much better than the surgery in July- a bit bored and with the sling/anesthetic drip needs help to bath etc. but, nothing like the last one! Pain is under control!!!!!!

The theme this month is Gratitude and since we have a Holiday coming up soon.. and this is the first Thanksgiving Lauren {my oldest} has been "wedded"... thought I would make a little book for her first married Thanksgiving. Keep in mind- left room/space for her to journal and add pics.

*beware there are several pics*

Sentiment- Say It Loud Winter Holiday.



Sentiment is from WMS Yonder Star and leaves/acorn from Peace and Plenty.

The background on the left was made using WMS Yonder Star backgrounder and the pumpkin is from Peace and Plenty.

Sentiment is from Peace and Plenty.

Sentiment and pear are from Peace and Plenty. Background is WMS Cabin Plaid backgrounder.



On the left I used Heirloom Patterns and the wreath from Peace and Plenty. On the right is a star and sentiment from Yonder Star.

After Lauren decides on her pictures, we can add, and spruce things up a bit more- maybe some buttons, twine, jute. more images from Peace and Plenty. And we'll "fancy up" the jump rings.

Chipboard- some were WMS images stamped on paper and adhered, some are patterned paper from Simple Stories, and some were painted and then misted with glimmer mist.

Have a great Sunday. Hoping to get a chance to see what everyone else has created. Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

CR84FN67- Joyous Season

Good Sunday morning! Hope you've been having a fabulous weekend!! Today is the 2nd installment for the current CR84FN color challenge-- we're still playing with plum, gold, and tan.



Today I made a small gift/Christmas card and tag. Haven't started on tags this year and it's always fun to add a little "something something" to those Christmas packages.

The sentiment is from MFT's Seaonal Sentiments with  snowflakes from Verve's Glad Tidings stamped in perfect plum. Love the "gold on gold" embossing and this sentiment- perfect for this technique. All those gorgeous snowflakes are a MFT die. As I was posting this-- I wondered what the snowflakes would look like with the colors mixed.

So, 


Fun either way!!

Can't wait to see what you create with these colors!! Check out the CR84FN blog for all the details and to see fabulous inspiration!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

ISSC42- Wonderful Time of the Year!!

It's Friday morn' and time for another I Spy sketch!! Y'all created fabulous cards last week.... keep 'em coming!! This is the sketch challenge where we look for YOUR cards for Inspiration!!

ISSC42 is by Anya Schrier and is inspired by this card.  Fell in love with the Anya's card and wheelbarrow- Anya did too!! My family went to the Country Living Fair the year before this and had a blast!! They wanted me to meet them but, things just didn't work out, although they did get me some goodies! Fabulous LO- open to lots of interpretation!!
I had fun using some "oldies but goodies" myself!

Oldies but, goodies: Girls Paperie Tinsel & Twig papers, SU felt snowflakes, SU punch, black halfback pearl, and Verve Sentiment from Christmas In The Air. Ahh, but they still look fabulous!!

The sketch..

So.....have fun and get to Stampin!! Make a card using the sketch - and link it up.... we'd LOVE to see what you create!! Make sure and stop by the blog to see what the other Special Agents created-serious creativity and inspiration!!

Had a lot of fun looking at the cards from last week's sketch today!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

PS Bill's doing fine. Things took a lot longer than we expected... it happens. I {we} did have some chuckles though- both with Bill and with Dr. Hamid {he's a cutie patootie with a great sense of humor!} And, I practiced a bit of nursing- anesthesiologist did his thing prior to surgery and then, surgery was delayed- well, Bill was a bit sleepy {O2 sat dropping and respirations slow-9} several nurses popped in for the alarms-it was lasting longer than expected so, I helped out. At the beside "bugging" {that's waking up} the patient- it was a project and I was glad I could help out-Bill still loves me and so do the nurses, LOL!! The nurses would have taken care of it but, I was glad I could give them a break.

WMSC123- Vintage Seed Packet!!

Squeaking in my card for this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge before Bill's surgery tomorrow {DH}!! Although I do have some stamping plans for tomorrow late afternoon and evening, since he'll still be under the influence of anesthesia, LOL!!

This week's sketch was created by Lenet Mos.... fabulous!

Love, no, ADORE the Vintage Garden Seed Packet and all the Vintage flower/vegetable stamps that Clare released earlier in the fall but, hadn't had a chance to play with too many of them so... it was time to get this one inky. Look at all the fabulouse detail in these images!!

Used some Authentique papers along with SU early espresso and vanilla. The right panel was stamped with a grid image from Off Beat Backgrounds {really versatile set}, seed packet and pumpkin are from the Vintage Seed Packet set. The scallop borders were "flicked up" with my finger to add a little dimension. A little flag tag, seam binding ribbon/bow, and an opera tag stamped with the coordinating image to finish. Thinking the opera tag is probably a little bit too fancy for the "feel" of this card but, I just wanted to use it-it's just gorgeous, LOL!! Do you ever have days like that?

Lenet's sketch...

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

Special Day-- CR84FN67!!

Woot... woot! I've been keeping a secret!! I was thrilled when Mona sent me a message inviting me to join the CR84FN team!! Today is my first official post with the new DT. Make sure and check out the CR84FN blog... there are several new DT members!!

The colors that we'll be playing with for the next week and a half are plum, gold, and tan.

Gorgeous!! Now, I have to admit I am not a "big" purple person and, I was a "titch" intimidated at first...but, these colors look fabulous together!

I stamped text from Waltzingmouse Stamps Text It onto crumbcake and then stamped the hyacinths from Waltzingmouse Stamps Vintage Garden Flowers and heat embossed with clear. Distressed the edges and layered onto gold cardstock with a perfect plum base. Wanted the gold to blend a bit with the crumbcake so I sprayed with Tattered Angels gold glimmer mist. Sentiment from Waltzingmouse Stamps Vintage Garden Seed Packet was stamped in perfect plum onto a flag die cut with MFT's flag die-namics. Added some gold ribbon, button, and bow!

Close up of the glimmer mist... looks delish IRL!!

Now have fun, can't wait to see what you create with these colors!! Don't forget to check out the CR84FN blog to see all the new DT members and fabulous inspiration!!

Thanks for stopping by... appreciate all the sweet words!!

PS Blogger is messing with me... will get the sidebar DT links fixed in the am!! Geesh...

I Spy Sketch 41-- Lean On Me!!

It's Friday morn' and time for another I Spy sketch!! Y'all created fabulous cards last week.... keep 'em coming!! This is the sketch challenge where we look for YOUR cards for Inspiration!!

So... last week the weaving was fun!! This week we have "rays" of a sort for you!!
ISSC41 is by Chris Franco (allamericanstampers at SCS) and is inspired by this card.  Fun!!

I used a tutorial from Shannon Tuebner which you can find here. Actually should have carried out the strips all the way to the right... another day! Papers are Authentique Glory, SU Night of Navy- Riding Hood Red- and Cherry Cobbler... fun colors!! Border die is MFT. Flower outline was stamped in corresponding colors and die cut with Verve's Pointed Flowers. The grid pattern is from Verve's Making A Statement and sentiment overstamped.  Flower outline and sentiment from Verve's Lean On Me. Added some big halfback pearls and cream seam binding bow.

The sketch...

You could use the tutorial link I provided but... I also see rays from an embossing folder or masking or a stamp.... so many fabulous possibilities!!

So.....have fun and get to Stampin!! Make a card using the sketch - and link it up.... we'd LOVE to see what you create!! Make sure and stop by the blog to see what the other Special Agents created-serious creativity and inspiration!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

Keeping a Lamp Lit for You!!

This week's Waltzingmouse sketch is by Mischief Maker Renee Lynch!! Fabulous sketch and definitely will be a "go to" for me!! I had fun inking up some new stamps!!

The fleur background is a wooden piece I purchased at Michael's and painted. Stamped the "rays" from WMS Little Lanterns onto an oval nestie, trimmed to fit, and adhered to the back. Stamped a lantern with rays, and candle from Little Lanterns, fussy cut and popped on top. Tried several borders for the sides but, with the fleur wooden piece the card needed a simple border so, I added some piping bias tape from the fabric store- you can't tell in the pic but, it adds some dimension and texture. A big ole' bow with bells and sentiment from Bright Season finished it off!!

Renee's sketch..

Hope you're having a wonderful week... mine's been busy. Tomorrow's Friday... Whoo Hoo! We're going for a family dinner at Firebirds for my step grandson's B-Day, my son-in-law's fathers' B-day, and my daughter's 1st Anniversary-- okay...that sounds complicated!! I should be celebrating--ha, that wedding is a year down the road--geesh, what a project AND time consumer AND money consumer AND time consumer-- you get the idea!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate when you do and love to read all the kind words!!