Is it Spring?

It felt like Spring here yesterday....so warm but not much sunshine. Pat Pedder has chosen the challenge at Paper Cupcakes this week and it's to use Spring colors in our cards....Yellow, Green and Blue. And since I hear you, and most of you are more than ready for springtime to arrive, I know you will want to play along this week. As always, you can use any image, but if you use one from Paper Cupcakes, you will be entered to win Twice!

I used my newest embossing folder to create a frame which I then ran through the big shot and cut out the center so that the lovely image "Sunday Afternoon" could show through the opening.

For the inside I simply used a border punch and then punched my sentiment and mounted on top of the border. I hope you will stop by and visit with all of the DT...I know I can't wait to see what they all post today.
As always, I appreciate your taking the time to stop by and leave a comment. Have a great week and happy day to you all!

Card Details:
Paper: Stampin' Up So Saffron, Bazzill blue, SU white
Ink: Copics, SU markers, Versafine Onyx Black
Images: PCC "Sunday Afternoon"  SU Short and Sweet
Extras: SU oval punch, Spellbinders Oval die, Cuttlebug embossing folder

Inside Out

Hello my friends....

I am posting a card today for two challenges, one is a sketch and the other is to decorate both the inside and outside of your card. I found the sketch challenge at   Sweet Sketch Wednesday while visiting at Sharon Besal's Blog where she is on the design team for both Sweet Sketch and my all time fav challenge site Sugar Creek Hollow . The challenge at SCH is to finish the inside as well as the outside of your card, and let me tell you that the DT at SCH have outdone themselves this week, there are some of the most beautiful cards displayed that I have ever seen. I absolutely loved the idea of this challenge as I have always loved to finish my cards on the inside, but the sketch had me thinking just a bit, I must admit.

I created an easel card, which is one of my favorite styles.

This is a picture of the card set up for display. I used 3 images from Sugar Creek Hollow in creating this; vintage, Believe and Butterfly Tile. With the Butterfly Tile image I added a bold black frame around it in my Word program to intensify the border and behind it I created my own dp using the vintage image repeatedly. The Believe image was cut out with a Clear Dollar Stamps Designer Die and then layered on to a Spellbinders Labels 4. I added an extra piece of dp on the inside flap and stamped with a flourish out of Stampin' Up's set Elements of Style to give an open space to write a note.

My flower is made with just pages from a paperback book that I ran through a Sizzix die and crumpled and sponged with black ink. I am so happy with the way this turned out and Rick (bless his heart) who has to see everything that I create says this is his favorite card that I have ever made. I hope that you like it too and will stop by both of these sites and play along with the challenges this week. So glad you stopped by.

Card Details:
Paper: SU black, riding hood red, ivory, dp K&Co black and ivory pack
Images: SCH Believe, Butterfly Tile, vintage, SU Elements of Style
Extras: Queen &Co rhinestones, Making Memories brad, linen thread SU, Die-CDS Designer Die and Spellbinders Labels 4
            GinaK buttons, Versafine Onyx Black

Papercraft Star Sketch & Ribbon Accent

Happy Saturday afternoon....hope your weekend is going well. I have been to the grocery and did some laundry, so I thought I would take some me time and post this card that I made yesterday for a challenge at Papercraft Star . I follow their blog, but this will be my first time playing along with them.

This is the sketch for this week. I used stamps from some of my Stampin' Up retired sets that I don't use often enough. It is a shame to have such beautiful images sitting idle. I punched several borders, using a punch by Martha Stewart and layered to create my band. The flower soft is something else that I have used very little since buying it and I do love the look it gives to a card. My ribbon accent is something I am trying for the first time after getting a lesson on this gorgeous idea from my friend Renee and she has been generous enough to post a tutorial here so that you can see how she creates her beautiful accents. Mine does not do justice to the beautiful ones she has made, but don't think I won't try again.lol I love this idea! So stop by and check out Renee as well as the blog challenge site for Papercraft Star....you have until Sunday night at 9PM to enter your card and then the voting by our peers begins.

Card Details:
Paper: SU whisper white, Basic Gray Green at Heart
Stamps: SU Garden Pleasures, Botanical Blooms, Sentiment by Verses
Ink: SU markers, Versafine Vintage Sepia
Martha Stewart border punch, Spellbinders circle Nesties, SU vintage brad, sheer ribbon-Michael's, Flowersoft

Designed 2 Delight Appliqued Tree

Well, we have made it to mid week and I hope all of you out there are well and happy....I am doing much better today after a couple of days with a sick headache. I almost forgot to get my card ready for the progressive challenge at Delightful Inspiration . I hope you are enjoying seeing these as much as I am enjoying creating with Faith's images. The freebie I received for playing along last week was this adorable "Appliqued Tree". I used some adhesive paper by K&Co designed by Brenda Walton to create a rolling hill with flowers and sky on which I mounted the image....I handcut around the tree and then mounted the top with pop dots. My quote is another image by Faith at Designed 2 Delight which I added at the bottom of my tree. Please check out this fun site and play along this week.

Bows and Buttons....

These are two of my favorite things....buttons and bows! I created my card for the challenge this week at Sugar Creek and after finishing with it I received my email from The Shabby Tea Room and they have the same challenge for this week, so I am entering this card for both sites. There are some super talented ladies on both blogs and I know if you will take the time to check these out, you will be so inspired.



This door is from Sugar Creek Hollow's set "Behold" which I absolutely love. I am happy with the way this card turned out and that I was able to create the look that I saw in my mind, this doesn't always happen. lol
I found a floral piece and the sentiment in an older retired couple of sets by Stampin' Up that I bought off of Ebay and the names were not on them. One has a wooden 6 panel door and accents and the other set is nature elements. I stamped the floral several times and hand cut to create my door swag. I layered My Mind's Eye Bohemian papers and then stamped the sentiment on a piece of GinaK ivory card stock. All of the ribbons and lace are from Walmart as well as the peralized pin. My buttons are  GinaK. I also used a Martha Stewart border punch to highlight inside the card. I hope you will have a moment to let me know what you think and I wish you all a great start to a great week.
I am also entering this card at Stampin' Sisters in Christ where the challenge is to use the color green in our project. 

Child's Birthday Card

That's the challenge this week at Paper Cupcakes's challenge blog and hosted by the lovely Marie Bridgeman who asked us to create a child's birthday card. I found these cute takeout containers and matching bags at my local dollar store and decided to make a complete gift set. I used PCC's image "Birthday Wishes"....creating it in 3 different sizes and coloring all of them the same. I really like the way this turned out and hope you will, too. The other ladies have some eye candy waiting for you at the blog and I hope you will take the time to stop by, and remember, you can use any image you would like but if you use one from PCC's you will have your name entered in to win, twice. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a fabulous week!

Card Detail:
card stock- Stampin' Up whisper white, Recollections white and blue
ink-Prismas and Copics
images-PCC Birthday Wishes and sentiment from SU 4 Square
accents- Spellbinders Circle, Scalloped Rectangles, Cuttlebug embossing folder, SU scallop punch and corner rounder
              Stickles-Crystal, K&Co party hat, Clear Dollar Stamps Designer Die

Buttercup Flower

Good Morning my friends,

I hope this finds you all well, it is such a pretty morning here and I can't wait to get on with the day and to post this beautiful image "Buttercup Flower" that is by Laurie Wilson at Doodle Pantry  for their challenge to use a DP image. I acquired this a while back but this is the first time I am getting to use it. I love soft yellows .... and remember picking buttercups when I was a child.  This sentiment is also included in the set....stop by and take a look, just for playing you will receive a free digital set from Doodle Pantry and this week it is "Kitty Bouquet" , such an adorable cat  stamp. Thanks for stopping in and I will see you soon.

Card Details:
Card stock- Stampin' Up, dp by K&Co
Ink- SU markers
Image- Buttercup Flower
Extras- Spellbinders Labels 4 and Circle Nestibilities, K&Co butterfly, Dollar Tree ribbon

Stampin' Sisters in Christ KISS

I have made a couple of cards for the challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ hosted by the wonderful Patti J. . We are to KISS (keep it simple sisters) which is hard for me as I love layers and paper.

I used a fairly new set named "Just Believe" by Stampin' Up and inked the images with SU Old Olive...I used a Martha Stewart border punch to decorate the side and then put a piece of Basic Grey "Green at Heart" paper on the inside.

My second card uses two sets by SU...Priceless and Simply Said. On SU whisper white card stock I stamped with Riding Hood Red, Real Red and Black inks by SU. I saw a commercial the other day that gave me the inspiration for this one.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to visit with you very soon.

Card Ideas--Traditional Valentine Colors

I am a little slow getting my entry posted for this week's challenge at Card Ideas where they are using reds, pinks,whites or blacks and bling. I have had the image printed and colored for a couple of days and after giving it a break to let my stickles dry, I finally got the parts put together and then I didn't get my picture made until today.....but finally here it is for you to see. I used Faith's set "Love a Latte" which I love here in the winter months. I hope you like it and will go to Card Ideas to check out all the pretty entries...this is the challenge blog for one of my favorite designers, Faith Skrdla and I know you see lots of her images that I use, but check out the store and you may find something you just have to have. Hope you are all getting ready for a wonderful weekend. We are going to take it easy and quiet, I hope. See you all soon, I have a couple more things I am going to try and post after dinner.

Designed 2 Delight

This week at Delightful Inspiration Faith's challenge blog for Designed 2 Delight she is featuring her image "Kaela's Spring Bouquet" which I received free for playing along in her progressive challenge last week, but I also had the opportunity to purchase the full set "Spring Kaela" for a discounted price as part of participating, so I am using Kaela from the set holding a smaller version of the bouquet. Be sure and check this out....I always try and play along with Faith, her talent and images are amazing and for each continuous weeks' play you receive the next week's image free.

Card Details:
Card- Stampin' Up True Thyme, retired SU dp, watercolor paper
Ink- SU Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Creamy Caramel, Summer Sun
Spellbinders Labels 4, Cuttlebug border embossing folder, Michael's ribbon, GinaK button and floss

Sugar Creek Hollow

Hey Guys,

I am back with a card for Sugar Creek Hollow one of my new favorite places! If you missed them, please scroll down and take a look at the three cards I made using Tracy's set "Behold I Knock" which is so gorgeous.

For today's card I am using her images "Believe" and "Vintage Postcard". I am so happy with this card, do you ever create something that you would love to receive? Well, this is one for me. I colored the bird with my SU markers and sponged the distressed edges of the postcard and the dp from K&Co. This is my favorite ribbon, a two sided satin and textured one from Martha Stewart that I found for $1 at Big Lots (Wish that I had bought them all).
SCH is creating this week making a card using non-traditional valentine colors, so please go by and take a look. The ladies there are so talented and I know you will enjoy the eye candy.
Take care and leave me a comment if you have time. See ya soon!

Card Details:
Card Stock- SU True Thyme, dp K&Co Ancestry.com, GinaK Kraft
Ink- SU Baja Breeze, Tempting Turquiose, Summer Sun
Accents- Martha Stewart ribbon, SU antique brads, SU linen thread
Images- SCH Vintage Postcard and Believe

A JustRite Birthday

Good Tuesday morning,
On Sunday I was checking out what you my friends had posted and I came across a card for JustRite created by my buddy Colleen and after leaving her a comment on how beautiful it was, my phone rang and it was her calling to check in with me and give me more details on the challenge. With her encouragement I decided to create something as I had just recently purchased a few of their stamps.

This is what I created: Using Stampin'Up whisper white card stock and some retired dp by them along with pieces of Bazzill textured card stock I layered according to the sketch they are using this week

My stamp set is JustRite's Kaleidoscope set...I stamped the center using SU Rose Red and punched it with SU's 1 3/4 punch, mounting with dimensionals on the outside ring stamped with SU's Old Olive and cut with a Spellbinders Circle.
This is my first time using these stamps and am happy with the result. Be sure and stop by and join Colleen and I in this challenge. I am getting in near the end as it closes at 8 AM on Thursday the 17th. I have another card to post later today, so hope to see you then.

ABC Christmas and New Blog Look

I haven't played at ABC Christmas Challenge in quite a while, but saw where our friend Betty had entered a card and it spurred me on to make a Christmas card. My goal is to have my cards done early this year and I have some but need to get a move on or I will be creating like crazy come Fall. This week's challenge is a sketch:

and as I hadn't tried my new set from Stampin' Up named Come to Bethlehem, I thought it would be a perfect time. My card base is GinaK's Kraft which I sponged with Memento inks in Blue Danube and Paris Dark....I then used a scrap piece of paper that I tore to create the look of sand dunes using Memento Rich Cocoa and VersaMagic Sahara Sand. I like how this came out and would be a quick one to mass produce.

Now to my other news, you may have noticed that I made some changes to my blog look....I had wanted to try for some time to change from a two to three column blog but couldn't find clear instructions or at least clear enough for me, then a few weeks back I came across this site Plumrose Lane owned and operated by the talented Sharon . I picked up my background and sidebar tags for free and the blog header was super reasonable. She is also having a 20% off sale until the end of today, so be sure and go by and check out her selection. Sharon has very clear tutorials on how to use all of your goodies when you get them downloaded and even had a link sending me to a great site to explain how to change the amount of columns in the blog. And on my header, she was able to incorporate the picture that I took a few years back when Rick and I took a trip to Alaska. That is Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. Let me know what you think....I tried to clean up some things and move them around, do you think I am getting into Spring cleaning mode?

So be sure and check out the challenge site and the graphics site and join in all my fun.

Out of my element for PCC

 Our challenge this week for Paper Cupcakes at our challenge blog is hosted by the lovely Gloria Westerman who is asking us to create a shape or die card with embossing or texture....and I will admit that I found this to be a true challenge as this is not something that I normally do. I found a download for a teapot on Splitcoast Stampers and after saving it, I resized it to fit in an A2 envelope and mirror imaged it so that I could score and fold it to be connected at the handle. I then handcut the teapot out.
This is such a beautiful image created by Nina...called Wildflower Bouquet. I can't wait to use in lots of different colors. Be sure and stop by the blog to check out all the other DT's creations and I hope you have time to play along with us this week. Thanks so much for stopping by....I always appreciate your sweet words.



Card details:
Card stock SU Bermuda Bay textured, Rich Razzleberry, Ivory
Ink Stampin' Up markers, Copic
Image PCC Wildflower Bouquet, SU Silhouette Sentiments
Spellbinders Nesties, Clip-unk, Ribbon- Martha Stewart

Back Home and Something to Show!!

Happy Saturday morning, All!

Rick and I went to the lovely State of Pennsylvania (Hello Mary Anne) for a couple of days to attend an outdoors show (the largest in the states) which entailed everything from sunglasses and t-shirts to outdoor buildings to atvs to outfitters from all over the world selling their hunting trips. We had a rocky start to the trip as I had a problem with our cats caregiver ....and you know from my earlier post how I feel about them. It was like having left your kids home alone and no one to take care of them.  We use a different person for them than for my MIL....she was well cared for! Anyway, we finally got that worked out after many phone calls and almost turning around to come home. Then on the last day I started getting a cold...so just let me say this trip was not as relaxing as the last one we got a chance to take. But enough of this,  I missed you all while away from the computer! I do have a few cards to show you today. You may remember that I posted the other week about winning Card of the Week at Sugar Creek Hollow , afterwards Tracy Vinson, the talented artist behind SCH...you can check out her blog here asked if I would be willing to create a couple of cards with their set "Behold" to put in the gallery she is creating at the SCH blog. So this is what I came up with:

These first two I created for the upcoming Easter holiday. My design papers are from K&Co and Basic Grey. I made a wreath for both doors...the yellow one is just flowers that I won from a blog contest that I wrapped and formed into a circle. The one on the oak door was made by stamping a circle with a SU stamp that I thought looked like a grapevine wreath, after which I punched several flowers and a small sun to create the flowers for the wreath out of the same dp. I used my flowersoft for the flowers at the side of the door. My inks were a combo of copic, prismas and SU markers.


I wanted to try an easel card using this set and using the screen door I created a birthday card.







I am in love with this set....it comes with 3 sentiments, 2 doors and the pot of geraniums. Please check this out when you have a minute and I think you will really love all of the other beautiful images that are at Sugar Creek Hollow. Sorry to make this so long, wishing you all a wonderful weekend....see ya soon.

Sweet Kitten

I see that many of you my friends love cats....as do Rick and I. We have never had children and our three cats are our babies. Spoiled rotten and loved beyond belief. So when I received this image by Faith at Delightful Inspiration for playing in her progressive challenge last week I was thrilled and couldn't wait to try something with it. She also has a freebie of the big heart this week if you would like to get started in this. All you have to do is create a card using the image and on Friday she will email you next week's image and if you play each week....a new image every week, Free!

My card base is Stampin' Up baja breeze with dp from Memory Box's pack Jubilee. I love these papers....I picked them up a couple of weeks ago and they are all gorgeous. I used my Spellbinders Labels 3 & 4 to cut a background layer for the image and the image itself. My bow is some ribbon that I have had, but not sure where I picked it up. I colored the image with Prismas and OMS. I hope you will check out this fabulous site...you won't be disappointed.
Thanks for stopping by, I will see you all later this week.

Sugar Creek Hollow Sketch

Good Monday evening to you all!

I am going to be unavailable later this week, but I have a couple of cards that I want to post for you to see, so this is my first post this afternoon and I will have another one later this evening....so be sure and check back.
This is my submission for the February sketch challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow . I hope you have been by to check out Tracy's images and the fun things she has going on at SCH and her own blog Primitive Paper .

I used her image "Hummingbird" and went out of my comfort zone and made a 6x6 card. Lots of the papers were from my scrap bin but the larger bg dp is from Memory Box's pack Jubilee. My butterfly was cut with the Sizzix die in both a piece of scrap pink and pink mulberry paper. I am just slightly pleased with this but not totally (just not sure how to change it)....oh well, try again another day. Go by and give this a try, the girls are super nice and they have some wonderful talent in their design team. I always learn so much from their examples.
Off to fix dinner, be back later

Recipe Time

Our sweet Carol decided to have us create with a recipe this week at Paper Cupcakes . And she asked us to use the following recipe on our card:

- 3 Flowers (minimum)
- lace or ribbon
- pearls or gems
- 1 die cut

This is what I was able to come up with....I used the image "Cart with Flowers" by PCC and dp from Basic Grey. My card base is Fresh Asparagus from GinaK designs, along with her pearls and rhinestones. Hope you feel like cooking this week and will come along and play. Be sure and check out the rest of our team's pretty creations and have a wonderful week ahead.
Happy Day to you all!

Balancing Hearts

Happy Friday, everyone!!

With all the bad weather going on across the nation and the world, I hope that you that check out this post are staying safe, warm and happy in your own home.
We are back to winter temps but no snow thankfully.
Today I am posting a card for the sketch challenge at Card Patterns .

As you can see I flipped my two right hand layers as I wanted to use Faith's image from Designed 2 Delight called "Balancing Hearts" and the sentiment is from her set "Love a Latte". I also added the word friends from Stampin' Up's set "Just Believe".

I am also entering this in the challenge at Stamp Something for their February Digi Day challenge.

I hope you like this and I have the perfect person to send it to...she has just found out that she has had her cancer return to her second kidney, the first one has already been removed in a previous surgery. I want her to know how much I value her friendship.

Details:
Card stock- GinaK designs white 120lb, dp unk from my scraps, Bazzill
Ink- Prismas and OMS
Accents- GinaK rhinestones, Sizzix heart die, ribbon-Dollar Tree and Michaels

The 23rd Psalm

The 23rd Psalm, since I was a small child has been a source of comfort to me. I see it as a promise by God to always be there! The Stampin' Sisters in Christ asked us to use the colors blue(still waters) and green (green pastures) for our creation this week.
When I first bought this set by Stampin'Up called Simple Pleasures, this bench reminded me of peace and tranquility. I love being outside, hearing the birds, looking at the greenery and the blue sky. So when I read this challenge I thought immediately of this stamp. I colored it using Copics, Prismas and SU markers.
Please stop by and check out this lovely blog, the ladies there are so nice and they create some beautiful things. Til later my friends.


card details:
base- GinaK designs Fresh Asparagus, Martha Stewart and Bazzill
ink- Versafine Onyx Black, Copics, SU and Prismas
stamps-SU
Spellbinders Labels 3 and 4

"For the Birds"

Good Morning All!
I hope this finds you all well on a Thursday morning....it's returned to winter temps again here in Southwest Virginia, but still glad there is no snow on the ground. This is my post for the progressive challenge that I have been doing at Delightful Inspiration . Faith gives away a free digi the first Friday of every month...and as long as you create one card with it that week and link it to her blog, she will mail you the next week's image free, what a deal! Free images plus hers are so wonderful. So be sure and check out this great blog and pick up your image tomorrow and play along with us.
Her image for this week is "For the Birds" and my card is pretty simple this week. I colored it using my Prismas and OMS...I was in the mood for pinks and greens and remembered that I had this card base by DCWV in those same colors. I hope you enjoy and this will encourage to check out Faith's blog. You won't be disappointed.
Happy Day to you all!

Commissioned Cards

Hey guys, just a quick post with some cards that a friend asked me to create for her. My cupcake card uses an image by Faith Skrdla of Designed 2 Delight and the others use Stampin' Up. I hope you enjoy them and will comment if you have a minute. I am hoping all of you are safe and warm wherever you may be. There are so many weather problems going on all over the world and I pray for your safety.

Honors and Thanks Yous

I am so blessed and unfortunately I am not very good at counting my blessings everyday. I have a wonderful husband who is my partner in so many ways besides marriage, friends that love and care for me, a home for shelter and food on my table. And that brings me to the reason for this post...my friend Kathy Braun at Lucky Stamper recently gave me this award and I am afraid that I have been slow to post this and I apologize to her. I try to visit her blog each day and today I see that she has some news and a new challenge spot for all of us to try. So be sure and stop by this talented ladies' site if you don't already follow and see what lovelies she has for us.
I need to tell you 8 things about me to follow this awards rules:
1. I am 50 years old
2. I have 3 cats that are the children Rick and I never had. Spoiled beyond belief.
3. I have a passion for anything paper crafting
4. My second passion is competitively shooting shotguns (as well as for fun with friends)
5. Love to travel, I prefer short 2 to 3 day jaunts over a long vacation
6. I love to decorate and change my house decorations for the seasons.
7. I love to read.
8. My favorite books are a series called "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon

Now you are suppose to pass this on to other bloggers and since I am not sure which of you already have had this award, I will ask any of my friends that have not had this already to please pick it up with my blessings.

I know this post is getting a little long in the tooth but I have two more blessings to share with you that came along this week.
I placed in the top 3 with my Fabulous Folds at D2D card at Card Ideas and I made Card of the Week with my Splash of Color at SCH card at Sugar Creek Hollow . I was so honored by their design teams and I couldn't stand not to tell all of you, my friends. I have a couple of commissioned cards to share with you later...but for now I will say Happy Day to you!