Where Did October and November Go??

This Fall was one of the busiest ever! In November we went to Hawaii for 2 weeks so I spent allot of time preparing and packing for that. I also had 2 card-making classes in October (instead of the normal 1) because I knew November would get completely missed. 

Well, I'm back from Hawaii...with a nasty cold from the lovely woman who shared it with me on our longest flight home! She told me, "I don't have a cold...I've just been blowing my nose and coughing all week!" Uh-huh! Right!

Anyway, I don't have time to enter any challenges this week but thought I'd post a few of the cards I did make in October and November (lots of birthdays those 2 months!).

Birthday Greetings to Daughter #3

My 3rd daughter, Lindsey, is such  a nature lover...she will love this birthday card!  In fact, the little dried fern fronds are from a plant she picked out for me to add to my shade garden. They appear to be black in the photo but they're really a nice dark chocolate.

I made this card using a design I saw on someone else's blog...something that was entered in a challenge and I went to check it out. I saved a picture of that card and it has been hanging above my desk in my craft room for over a year. It is my very favorite card! The gal who made it is named Agnes B. If you know her, please tell her Thank You for me!! (Agnes is my mom's name too, so its even a bit more special!)

My list of ingredients follows -

Dies: Gina Marie Designs Lg Prcd Flower, Spellbinders Spiral Blossom 1, Fleur de Lis Acct, Foliage, Elegant Ovals, Cl Scal. Circles Lg, Joy Crafts Vintage Flourishes #32

Stamp: JustRite Birthday Sentiments

Adhesives: ATG tape, Zots, Glue Dots small and medium

Ink: FSJ Coffe Bean

Sequins: FSJ Blue Skies

Cardstock: K&Company Que Sera Sera, Paper Studio Ivory heavywt.

Challenges -

http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com - #331 AG

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #20 AG

http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com - #117 Autumn Colors/Theme

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #50 Happy Birthday

http://trystampinontuesday.blogspot.com - Sketch #289 (I used a circle instead of rectangle)

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #248-249

A Wish for Happiness

This week I need birthday cards...last week I needed more sympathy cards...when will I learn to make extra cards ahead of time?! Well, I actually do have a box full...but not the kind I need!

So today I looked up a few challenges and decided to use the Cas(e) this Sketch sketch to get me started.

I hadn't used vellum or heat embossing for quite a while so this was fun to work on!

I used the dies 'Catalina Wreath' by Memory Box, and 'Vintage Flourishes' by Joy Crafts.

The gold embossing powder is PSE, the stamp is Hero Arts, the pearls are Kaisercraft, and the bow was made using my Craft-DeeBowz bow maker. The vellum was recycled from being part of the packaging in a gift.

Challenges

http://casethissketch.blogspot.com - #189 Sketch

http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com - #329 Anything Goes

http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com/2016/09/september-challenge.html - AG

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #49 Anything Goes

http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com - #116 Recycle

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #246-247 AG

Welcome, Baby Julia!

One more card today!  (I haven't been on my blog for weeks and now 3 times in one day!)

And a very special announcement! I have a new granddaughter: Julia Rose.

She was born on Wednesday and is doing beautifully, as is her mom! She has 3 brothers and a sister to welcome her home and they are all thrilled with her...so far! LOL Just wait until she cries too much to suit them or gets into their Legos! Oh well, we are rejoicing and thanking God for another healthy baby and a safe delivery!

Here's the card I made to welcome her:

The image is a digital one from A Day for Daisies. 

I used my bow-maker from Craft-dee Bowz to make the bow and a Spellbinders die (CC Fancy Ribbon Threader) for the little tag. Oh, and a Cuttlebug embossing folder...the tiny hearts one.

Challenges:

http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com - #326 Anything Goes

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - Linky Party #19 Anyhting Goes

(Cropstop doesn't like you link multiple cards in a row...but I really did create my 3 cards in less than 24 hours and finally had a chance to post on my blog!)

http://papersweeties.com/blog/paper-sweeties-inspiration-challenge-august-2016 - #46

(I was inspired by the colors and the delicate, feminine qualities)

http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - August: Anything Goes

http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca - #147 "Buttons & Bows"

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #48 (used digi image)

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #244-245 Anything Goes

Hello, Butterflies!

Now here is a simple "Hello" greeting card that I left blank inside (well, I did add a butterfly!). I was inspired by a sketch I saw on "Cas(e) this Sketch". Great way to use up scraps too!

The die-cut butterflies are made using the FSJ "Butterflies" die set.

Challenges:

http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com - #326 Anything Goes

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #244-245 Anything Goes

http://imaginethatdigistamp.blogspot.com - #7 "Signs of Summer"

http://casethissketch.blogspot.com - #187 Sketch:

Happy Birthday, Biff!

Good morning! What a lovely, rainy Saturday! I am forced to stay indoors and actually get some household chores done...and a little blogging! Today I have a few cards I want to post and enter into some challenges. First up, a birthday card for my son. A masculine card...sorta.

This card is appropriate for him because I know I likes wood. He heats with wood and has also tackled many a carpentry project. And "clean and simple" is always good for a guy's card!

Challenges: 

http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com - #326 Anything Goes

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - Linky Party #19 (I used Cuttlebug embossing folder)

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #244-245 Anything Goes

Floral Birthday Blessings

Enjoying a lovely summer evening! Hope you are too!

I've been spending quite a bit of time in my craft room lately...but not so much on my blog! Here is today's creation, a birthday card for one of the dear ladies in my life.

To make this one I used:

Stamps- StampingScrapping "Say It Your Way"

Ink- Memento "Tuxedo Black"

Dies- Spellbinders "Foliage" & "Majestic Oval"

Cardstock- Paper Studio Ivory & MME "Collectibles"

Adhesives- Zots small & medium dots
Paper flowers- I Am Roses

Embellishments (from my stash)-  ribbon, twine

Challenges:

http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - Anything Goes w/handmade bow
http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca - #144 Summer Flowers
http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com - Sketch #359
http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #236-237
http://carabbiemomentsofcraft.blogspot.co.uk - #97 Anything Goes, opt. ribbon/bows
http://thecraftyaddicts.blogspot.co.uk - #19 Anything Goes/Say it with flowers

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Happy crafting!

Spring is in the Air!

Gray, drippy skies today! Kinda cold but still quite lovely...because I know Spring is on its way!

I've been working on this card for a few days...just couldn't get it quite right. I kept trying to put a tiny shape with a sentiment in the center of the die cut, but finally settled on just a flower and no sentiment.

Here's the products I used to make this one-

Dies: Memory Box "Catalina Wreath, Spellbinders "Card Creator Fancy Ribbon Threader", "Medallion Four", "Rose Creations"

Card stock: Paper Studio Heavy Weight- Ivory, Imaginisce "King of the Crib"

Flower: StampingScrapping "Color Me"

Ribbon and rhinestone: from my stash

Challenges-

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #224-225 Anything Goes
http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #39  Anything Goes
http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #14 Anything Goes
http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com - #306 Anything Goes
http://papersweeties.com/blog/paper-sweeties-inspiration-challenge-april-2016/- #42 April

Spring Green

Good evening, Blog Friends!

Just did a quick CAS card tonight while enjoying a thunder storm! A lovely Spring rain, but the weatherman did say tonight that we are supposed to have SNOW again soon!

Oh well, its just the adventure of living in Michigan!

The ribbon is a 1/8" black satin, the ink is Memento black and the cardstock is BoBunny.

Challenges:

http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com - #137 Welcome Spring

http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - March Anything Goes w/handmade bow

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #224-5 Anything Goes

Think Spring!

Happy Spring!

We have had some lovely warm weather the past couple weeks, but I'm afraid it is "back to reality" today! Cold, gray, rainy...with a possible snow or ice storm tonight! Ahhh, Michigan! Gotta love it!

So my card looks like Spring has arrived anyway! I love to use spring green and lavender together...always makes me think of lilacs! They are definitely a Spring flower!

I made this card for a friend who has a wonderful online craft store: StampingScrapping.com and the leaf stamps* I used are soon to be included in a big Sale she's having. Oh, and the "Color Me" flowers too! The bow was made using my Craft-dee Bows bowmaker.

 Here is the list of what I used in creating this card:

Stamps: *Inkadinkado "Fossil Leaves" (fussy-cut)

Dies: Spellbinders "Valiant Honor", "Fleur de Lis Squares"

Inks: TH Distress "Peeled Paint", Stampabilities "Lime Green"

Flowers: StampingScrapping "Color Me- White"

Cardstock, ribbon & glass beads are from my stash

Challenges I'm entering this card in:

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #222-3 Anything Goes

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - March Anything Goes

http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca - #137 Welcome Spring

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #38 Think Green
http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - March Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today!

Spring Is In the Air!

Yes, Spring IS in the air! Especially today...the sun is shining and most of the snow has melted and even the mud has calmed down a bit! I took my car through the carwash today and it stayed clean all the way home...even on our gravel road! The neighbor children have been gleefully romping through the woods and the neighborhood. Its great to hear their happy voices again!

The children on my card are gleefully dancing together...I think it is because they, too, are so glad that Spring has arrived!

Ingredients

Spellbinders dies: Valiant Honor Card Creator

Digital image (children): FREE ViNTaGE DiGiTaL STaMPS

Ribbon: FSJ olive satin, and natural twine

Sentiment stamp: Clear Dollar Stamps 

Flower: StampingScrapping 

Cardstock: base- DCWV, green- Graphic 45, & my stash

Embellishments: Liquid Pearls "platinum", doily (my stash)

Challenges

http://digitallysweetchallenges.blogspot.ca - #148 Spring is in the Air

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #221 Anything Goes

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - March Anything Goes
http://imaginethatdigistamp.blogspot.com - March #2 Birthday
http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca - #136 Show me the Green
http://digitaldelightsbyloubylootips.blogspot.com - #7 Anything Goes
http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #37 Anything Goes
http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - March Anything Goes

Love that Snow!

I live in Michigan and we do get our fair share of snow here usually. A lot of people complain about it but every time we get a fresh coating of snow on the ground I think it is SO beautiful! I used to ski  when I was younger and you need good snow for that! My grandkids all love to play out in the snow...building snowmen, making trails, constructing forts, snowball fights! So just quit complaing, bundle up and get out there and enjoy it! Yes, I know it makes the roads slippery... slow down and be careful!

This card is made using 3 of my favorite digital images of the most adorable snowmen! They are from The Digi Garden called "Snowman #2, #3, #4 ( the pre-colored versions). And the snowflake paper on the bottom half is another digital image called "Winter Chill- Flakes, Blue" from Daydream Designs. The sentiment is computer-generated. Black twine is from Fun Stampers Journey. The die I used is Spellbinders "Fleur de Lis Squares"...2 layers.

Challenges I'd like to enter this in:

http://digitallysweetchallenges.blogspot.ca - Feb. "Spot & Stripes" (snowmen's scarves!)

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #220 Anything Goes

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - Feb. Anything Goes
http://imaginethatdigistamp.blogspot.com - Feb. "Show us your heart"
http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca - #135 Celebrate (snow!)
http://digitaldelightsbyloubylootips.blogspot.com - #7 Anything Goes
http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #36 "Tie One On"

Ready for Valentine's Day!

Well I'm really not ready...this card is not for MY Valentine, just one of about a dozen I'm making to put in a friend's new shop. I made two of the same card at the same time...saves a lot of time!

The "couple" stamp is an old one from SweetStamps; the "I Love You" is one of theirs too.

Spellbinders dies used: Labels 29, Timeless Rectangles, Elegant Ovals, (and the long narrow one that I forgot to label!)

Solid card stock is from my stash, print cs is "Julianne" from K&Co.

Ink: FSJ "Black Licorice"

Markers: MEPXY, and Zig

Stickles "Star Dust"

I am entering this card in a few challenges:

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - January/Anything Goes

Wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #217 Anything Goes

http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - January 2016 (w/bow)

http://craftybootschallenges.blogspot.com - Something Old, Something New

Old = Couple stamp, New = white pearls

http://mojomonday.blogspot.com - Sketch #430 (up side down!)

http://www.cropstop.com/blog/ - #12 Anything Goes

Happy New Year ~ 2016

Today I am wishing all my on-line friends a very Happy New Year! May this new year be blessed in every way for you and those you love! 

The past half year has been extremely busy for me but I'm hoping to do a little schedule rearranging and set some new priorities so I can get back to a more "normal" life. I was a "coach"(sales rep) for the Fun Stampers Journey craft company last year but have drop out of that already. Was not a good fit for me...took a lot of time and only produced stress and busyness instead of money. They DO have a lot of very nice products which I will continue to use. But I like to create...NOT sell.

So the past couple weeks I have actually been able to create some special cards in my craft room. I also recently rearranged my craft room...gave myself a bigger work table!

Here is a birthday card I made for my son-in-law. My husband saw it and said he hoped it was for HIS birthday in 2 weeks...so I started another one in different colors.

Here is a  partial list of products I used on this one:

Stamps- "Pine Trees" by D.O.T.S., "Pine" by Stampin' Up, "Greet & Shout" by FSJ

Inks- Huckleberry Fusion, Blue Lagoon, Coffee Bean...

all by Fun Stampers Journey

Die- "Classy Deer" by SweetStamps 

Embellishment-Stickles "Icicle"

All cardstock and glitter paper is from my stash.

Challenges:

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #216 Anything Goes

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - December, Anything Goes

http://digitallysweetchallenges.blogspot.ca - #146 Colour Palette