Holiday Wishes

Today I would like to share a card that I created with an adorable image from Mo Manning. It is Bismarck with a large bone. My card base and DP are both from DCWV. My image was printed on Pure Luxury white from Gina K. Designs, colored with Copics. I added Crystal Effects to the fur areas of the dogs hat and then sprinkled with Polar White Flower Soft. My corners were punched with an MS punch called Modern Garland, and then the edges were inked with Old Olive ink from SU!. Accents that were added, were a gingham bow and a red gem to the bone.

I will be entering this at:

Speedy The Cat's Friends Challenge #27 : Holiday Card

Hope you are having an awesome autumn weekend!

It Won't Be Long Now!

The temperatures have been a real roller coaster here in PA. It will not be long until the first snowy flakes start to fly! This week, the new weekly Challenge #21 at Joan's Gardens, has us following another list of fun instructions which include:Something from Nature but not flowers - Real or handcrafted (such as twigs, corn husks etc.)
Something Punched
Something Green
A background for your focal point such as a Spellbinders Nestie

I used a white A2 card for my base and added a layer of Memory Box dp. My next layer is card stock form DCWV in a pretty shade of apple green. The background for my focal image is a Sizzix EF that I inked in Baja Breeze and Pear Pizzazz ink form SU!. Touches of Stickles were added to the snowy background for sparkle. My punch is what is holding the sentiment and is also from SU!. The focal point from nature is my large snowflake. Ruffled white organza ribbon and a pearl and metal brad are the accents.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

A Second Entry?

I decided to do yet another card for the Challenge at Off The Wall Craftiness! Did I tell you that the prize is an assortment of bakers twine from The Twinery? How awesome is that?

My card base is ivory with a top layer of distressed green from Basic Grey. I created a panel of Soft Suede card stock stamped with a coffee background stamp from Hampton Art Stamps. The fancy edges of my sentiment, are an unmounted corner stamp I have had for years. Not sure where it or the UM sentiment are from, but I love the way they created a different shape when they were put together. The corner stamp was embossed in gold and colored in 2 Copic shades of brown. The sentiment was stamped in Cottage Ivy from Memento. I added a large take out cup of beverage from Rupa Shevde's set called My Cuppa Joe, which can be found at Gina K. Designs. A couple wraps of jute twine and some gold sticky beads, and I think I created a manly card for an under the weather gent.

I must also acknowledge this special badge I received from my sweet friend Carol, over at Our Little Inspirations. She is such a talented person, so please go pay her blog a visit. She is full of wonderful ideas! I know I am suppose to tell you 7 unknown facts about myself before passing this on, but you would start snoring.....! Please help yourself or take it to pass to a friend. I love all of my blogging buddies!

We are suppose to experience record high temps the next few days, here in PA! DH has taken a couple days off, and maybe we can get a bit of outside work completed before winter. Whatever you have in mind, have a wonderful Sunday.

OTWC Challenge #30

As usual, Kim Wilson has given us a beautiful inspiration piece for this weeks challenge! Look at all of these woodsy colors and textures. I am always happy when I get to do the challenges over at Off The Wall Craftiness!

My card base is Soft Suede card stock from SU! My DP is from Basic Grey. I found a scrap of a medium brown in my stash and used that to offset my shades. I printed my digital image in sepia tone. It is from Digital Designs By Elisa, and can be found in her Fall Dreaming Freebies. I pleated a strip of Soft Suede and hit the edges with Distress Ink. I then took my crackle stamp form Fiber Scraps, and distressed the pleats further. My embellishments are punched oak leaves, and a pretty metal and epoxy brad.

The inside of my card sports more leaf punches, a fall saying from MelanieMuenchinger's stamp set called A Year Of Leaves, which can be found at Gina K. Designs. I added strips of coordinating papers, and a small pumpkin digi from the same collection. It was punched out with a 1" SU! punch.

We had our first good frost this morning. The house was a wee bit chilly! I have a large brisket in the roaster and after this post I think I will bake a peach and and apple pie! Have a great weekend!

Winter Foliage

I just had to give the Cardinal stamp set (HCPC3353) that I bought at the York show some inky love! Heartfelt Creations has so many gorgeous goodies, it was difficult to choose. I thought this set was a good choice since it can be used year round. I also used a Gina K. Designs set called Winter Foliage, that I recently bought. It is one of GKD's older sets but so useful. Loved being able to combine these 2 sets for a special look.

The card base is Soft Suede from SU!, with a layer of All Spruced Up, Pure Luxury card stock. My white, is also PL. Coloring is done with Copic Markers. I used the embroidered floral corner punch from MS. I used Diamond Stickles and MS Mica Flake Glitter for an icy look. I used a scalloped oval Nestabilities Die for my popped up sentiment. I added paper glaze to the bird eye, beak and feet.

Thanks so very much for the apple stamp/image suggestions. I knew I could count on you to jar my brain!

Common Days and a Favor

I just love this medallion from the new SU! set called Day of Gratitude. This time I colored it with assorted Marvy Brush Markers and cut it out. After I hand cut it out, I had to find a proper background to display it on. What looks like a fancy DP is actually a shopping bag from a local scrapbook store. I then added a layer of very deep plum card stock that was run through the Cuttlebug with a TH Texture Fade.

My sentiment is stamped on another favorite new thing that my DD bought from SU!. What a go to punch! It just seems to fit so many sentiments. I added some rust Primas with DewDrop centers. I also cut green leaves from my Sizzix die that Olga gifted me with. Slight accents of Champagne Stickles were added to the Primas and Medallion.

I will be entering this at Just Inspirational Challenges who has an "Anything Goes" this week. Oops, the Paper Cutz Challenge #63, is also an "Anything Goes".

Now on to the favor! Please leave me comments that have reminders on who has great stamp sets that include apples and apple sayings. I have been asked to start making cards for a small operation that sells an apple product. I have lots of time, so please, if you can steer me in the right direction, I would so appreciate it! It does not matter if they are realistic or comical. Thanks in advance!

Send It Up!

This week, Challenge #61 over at Stamping Sisters In Christ is all about prayer.

Challenge: Make a card/project that features prayer; either someone praying, or a verse about prayer, or a greeting that lets someone know you are praying for them. I was also planning on doing the sketch challenge over at Stamp TV, so I combined them.

I created a 4 inch square card using Pure Luxury Lipstick Red and Onyx Black. I found some red dot dp that I have had for ages. Know how I know that? It was 8 1/2 x 11! My sentiment is from a set called Lean On Me by Gina K. Designs. The round floral is also GKD and is called You Are Not Alone. I added red pearls and a bow made from red and white bakers twine that I received in my RRR monthly ribbon club pack.

Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday! Go Eagles and Phillies!

Celebrating Love

Thursday was our 33rd wedding anniversary, and when I saw this image on my computer the other day, I was drawn to print and color. This is one of my very favorite images from Mo Manning. It is called "Seniors In Love". My card is all made with scraps of card stock and dp that was laying around my desk. I colored with Copics, and sponged my sky with Baja Breeze ink from SU!. I added a few sugared Primas to my front and my inside sentiment is "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be".

Time goes by so quickly..... grab your honey and give a hug! Hope you have a blessed Autumn weekend!

OTWC #29 Treats Are A-Brewin*

It is hard to believe that Off The Wall Craftiness is hosting their 29th challenge already. This year is like a blur. I was working on this holiday card for the last few days and kept setting it aside. I don't do many for Halloween, but I found this sheet of dimensional witches and ghouls from K&Co in my stash. I am trying to use up some of the goodies I have accumulated. When I saw Kim's challenge for this week, the colors screamed Halloween!

My DP is from Basic Grey's Eerie pad with a strip of Soft Suede from SU! My cauldron is a digi image is from Robin's Artful Musings. I am adding this late, as I just found a new post for the image! My coloring was done with Copics and sponging was done with chalk inks. Stickles were added for extra sparkle. Extra pink was added by using adhesive pearls.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and that you enjoy my witchy!

Playing With Posy's

Well now, guess it's time to show what I made with more of the goodies from last weekends show. I could not resist the Heartfelt Creations Posy Patch stamps and diecuts! I was really torn on which to buy, but the Posy sets won. I created these flowers in two layers, gently curling the petals upward on the top layer. I colored with Copics, added Diamond Stickles, and Glossy Accents to the centers. My DP is from Basic Grey's Ambrosia collection. I found a pretty swirl in my scrap bin, and after cutting it out, realized it made the perfect foundation for my flowers. I took a sheet of A-2, Dusty Durango card stock, and ran it through the Cuttlebug with my new embossing folder from Crafts-Too. It is rows of greetings that can be cut apart. That was a great way to alter card stock! I added a bit of sponging to make it pop. Two little pearl studs and it was complete.

I will be entering this in:

Speedy The Cat's Friends Challenge #24 - Stripes

Joan's Gardens Challenge #18 - Recipe

Cupcake Inspiration #80 - Autumn

Hope that hump day finds you well and in the creative mood!

Snowy Thoughts

I just could not wait to use some of my new goodies I purchased at the show this weekend. The snowman is from Heartfelt Creations stamp set called Snowmen Melt Your Heart. My sentiment is from their Cardinal Bird feeder set. Do you see this sweet embossing folder? That is from a company that was new to me. You can find them at http://www.crafts-too.com/. They have some really cute ones! I colored with Copics, smudged ink on the holly leaves, Stickled the swirls, and lacquered the berries! A few MS branch punches were added, and presto!

I am thinking that this embossing folder may be the base of all my holiday cards. Hope you like, and I may be back later! Have to run to work for a few hours!

Playing with Digi's

On Saturday, I found a little quiet time, and decided to print off a couple of digital images to color. Sometimes it is such good therapy. This first card is an image from Little Dog Designs. My DP is from the new Pyrus collection by Basic Grey, and is layered onto Pumpkin Spice card stock. Coloring was done with Copic Markers, with sponging done in Baja Breeze ink by SU! I added copper cording and brads with a popped sentiment form Gina K. Designs. Thought this would make a cute holiday card.

My second card is digital image from Firecracker Designs. The Dp is also from the Pyrus collection by Basic Grey. I used Copics to color and Memento Rich Cocoa for my sponging. My sentiment is an unmounted that I got in a lot, but I am 99% sure it is Art Impressions.

The cattail tops were covered in Crystal Effects. How wild that I found a long abandoned punch of tiny dragonfly's in the back of the closet! I added adhesive pearls and beads, then a button tied with a hemp bow. I did not plan on entering these in any challenges, but I was encouraged to enter my cattail card over at Stamping Sisters In Christ, where this weeks challenge is a "Thank You" card.

Just wanted to share before they head into my stash. Had a super time with my DH at the show, yesterday. Hope to play with some of the new goodies today. Have a great start to your week!

Sorry, No Card, Just Swans!

Just a quick post to say howdy and say that maybe I can get something posted tomorrow. Been quite a hectic week. My hubby caught this photo the other day, and I thought I would share. The swans have been back for about 10 days now. I so enjoy the grace and affection they share. They almost formed a perfect heart. My DH saw the perfect heart the other day right after they landed. The two hit the water, swam to meet and touched beaks. He could not get his phone camera out fast enough. Now I know why you see them forming a heart on greeting cards! Okay, there are actually three swans...... one must be a relative. I should go down and collect some of those downy feathers, huh?

It's Friday and cool and the sun is shining. I am having dinner with a cousin I have not seen in probably 25 years. I am going to a stamp show on Sunday (that is always good). Life is awesome.

Have a beautiful Autumn weekend!

Speedy The Cat's Friends Challenge #23 Happy Anniversary

The last words I read, when I was checking out the weekly challenge, over at Mark's Finest Paper Blog, was to have fun. That is exactly what I set out to do! When I got there, I realized that they are celebrating the 1 year anniversary of Mark's Finest Paper! How exciting is that? The challenge they came up with for this celebration, was Buttons and Bows. The best part, is that one in every 10 cards will be a winner!!!!! How do you like that? Please go check it out and leave them some happy wishes!

My card stars with a base of Creme De Menthe Pure Luxury card stock. My DP is from ATD called Under The Tree. I added half of a paper doily for texture, and then wrapped it with a big red and white gingham bow. My DD shared some cool felt flowers with me this past weekend, and I added some vintage buttons threaded with embroidery floss. There are some fern like punches used for leaves. My sentiment is from MFP set called Cupcake Birthday, and is stamped on layered SU! punches. This party would not be complete without Speedy The Cat, so I used a bigger version from my Tropical Vacation set.

As you can see from my side photo, I am trying to dress up my insides more, The inside sentiment is It's Time To Party! That is also found on the Cupcake Birthday set.

Happy Anniversary, and may you have many more wonderful years to share with us!

Dots, Stripes, and Plaid

When I was creating this card, I had two special challenges in mind. The first is this weeks challenge at Joan's Gardens, where we were asked to follow a special list of requirements for her Challenge #17.

Use plaid, polka dots, and stripes.

Use pearls or rhinestones.

Include circles.

And use a sentiment for any occasion.

The next challenge is at Kim Wilson's blog Called Off The Wall Craftiness, where this week the challenge is #27, and the inspiration is this gorgeous photo in blue, brown and a neutral.

My card base is Pure Luxury Ocean Mist. I embossed a panel of brown cs with the diagonal stripe EF from Cuttlebug, and sponged the stripes with Color Box, Frost white. The bottom of my card front was embossed with the Big Dot EF, also from Cuttlebug, and sponged with Rich Cocoa Memento ink. A strip of gingham plaid was applied to the center. My circles are actually dimensional stickers from Sticko that I mounted on the brown card stock and cut leaving an edge, and popping up. My sentiment is from A-Muse and is stamped on an SU! punch. I used a pretty blue satin ribbon for a bow, and accented with pearls.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

A Very Special JUGS Challenge

How amazing is it that the Just Us Girls Challenge blog and DT has been bringing us fun filled challenges, and beautiful inspiration for a year! In honor of that celebration, and to bring about better Breast Cancer awareness, The team is sponsoring a very special sketch challenge this week. If you would like to see all the details, hop on over to the JUGS Blog and check things out. There is an awesome prize, too! Here is the card I have created, after flipping the sketch.

I think it has a bit of an Asian flair. I used Pure Luxury card stocks, and designer paper from Memory Box. I found my Making Memories magnetic stamp set with words in different scripts and stamped them in Memento Rich Cocoa. My trim is a braided/pleated, white, satin trim that was a gift, and I use the small piece I own very sparingly. LOL! My accents are Prima flowers, an MS butterfly, and white pearls.

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, I am very happy to do my part by leaving links to some very special agency's, that promote breast health.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure
National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc
Breast Cancer.org