"A Birthday Card Box"

I have a wonderful friend whose birthday is coming up soon! I wanted to do something special for her. I also wanted to enter the challenge at Joan's Garden this week. A kind friend of mine helped me with the template. It actually went together quiet well. I added flowers with  my Magnolia die and I also made a butterfly with the flower die. It actually worked well (or I thought it did). I added a ribbon (recycled) and ribbon slide and pearls for a swirl,  to complete my card box.  I filled the box with handmade cards. I hope my friend will enjoy this little gift.

I am entering this project at the following challenges:

http://joanscreations.blogspot.com/2011/01/joans-gardens-3-weekly-challenge.html

2 for 2

I wanted to support the "A" Team for Kenny K's Krafty Girlz challenge this week. As most of my followers know I send cards to my grandsons. They love getting their own mail and I always make them cards that are alike but also different. I really had a lot of fun with these cards. I love the image which I colored with Copics. (I will admit I did not color the soccer ball correctly in either image. LOL!  I used my new die on the blue card and recycled twill ribbon on the green card. Both cards were made with scrap paper.I also did some hand stitching on both cards and add spiral brads on the green card. I also used embossing folders on both cards for texture. You can enter this weeks challenge at:

http://kennykkraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.com/

I am entering these cards at the following challenges:

http://peartreedesigns.blogspot.com/

http://www.alyssundaychallenge.blogspot.com/

http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/

http://robynsfetishchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

"Kenny K Challenge"

 It's a sketch challenge this week! This is Bev Rochester's sketch so you know it will be fun!  Look at the fabulous prize along with the Kenny K images. Check out all of the Team 'A' cards. This week will knock your socks off! On a personal note, Bev Rochester had to step down from the team, since I  am one of her 'stalkers' she will be missed. The really great news is the lovely "Jackie" is stepping up to lead Team "A".
Jackie's work is some of the best you can find in blog land. Jill will be moving to her team to round out the teams. We will all miss Bev and wish her the very best! Jackie and Jill and all of the other team members are going to show you what talent they have. I encourage all of you to play this week and enjoy the 'eye candy' each of the girls have left for you. Good luck on winning the fab prizes!

"A New Baby"

This was just a fun card to  make! This is another stamp from Elaine (see below posting). This stamp is from Stamposaurus Stamps. Isn't it cute?  I colored the image with Copics, and added liquid glass to the butterfly and lady bug. I also used a new Marianne die (also from Elaine) to cut the ribbon holder! I laced a green ribbon through the paper die cut. I added some white gel pen to the flowers and added stickles to the center.  I can tell this is going to be so much fun to play with. The die is a Marianne, I do love those dies. I used my Nestablitites to cut out the stamp and to frame it. I used my crop-a-dile to add some Swiss dots. I thought it made it look more 'baby'. I finished off with a sentiment from LOTV. I was not happy with the way it came out and will replace it. But it was time for me to quit playing today, so I thought I would post it as it is.

Have a blessed Sunday....especially you Elaine....and thank you once again.

Sweet Spring....are you coming?

I woke up to a cold, foggy, grey day. I must admit I have the worst case of spring fever this year. I can not wait to have the doors and windows open and sunshine pouring in. I am afraid I am three to four months ahead of schedule. LOL! I did manage to plod over to the mailbox only to discover two lovely surprises awaiting me. My lovely friend from across the pond...Elaine  had send me a large envelope filled with some of the most wonderful goodies. She is one of the most generous people I know. (She is also one of the most talented!) This Kraftin Kimmie stamp is one of the stamps Elaine sent me. Is she not the cutest? I was first introduced to these stamps by another dear friend Amanda. Although I have teased her about these stamps I must admit watching Amanda work her magic with these stamps has made me fall for them also. I colored the image with Copics. I used my die-namics die for the lace and added a some blue half pearls. I also added a silver frame to the sentiment (SU). The bird is my attempt at a robin (spring bird!) LOL. Thank you Elaine for all my goodies I will have so much fun using them and will think of you when I do!

You can check out Elaine's lovely blog at :

http://atechnophobesblog.blogspot.com/

and Amanda's lovely blog at:

http://cardscatsandcopics.blogspot.com/

I hope you will stop by and see their lovely work!

"Because You Are Wonderful"

It was so relaxing this morning to just sit and color one of my favorite Kenny K images. This one is called "Trouble Maker". I colored her with my Copics.  I added paper lace (die-namics) from a die. I added three little daisy eye-lets and some little pink pearls to the center of each. Just a fun little card. Have a blessed week-end.

"Much Love"

I am often reminded of the blessings in my life. Some of which I am sorry to say, I often take for granted. One blessing is my DH's patience in all things. He has always been  my rock in all the storms. I wanted to make a card just for him to let him know how much I love and appreciate him. All of my paper used in this card is from my scrap box. I used Copics to color my lovely h'Aenglar image. I added liquid glass to the heart and her cute little hair ribbons. Paper lace from boarder punches and a ribbon to finish off my card. Thank you Steve . . . I love you!

"What A Week"

I just had a week that I do not want to repeat anytime soon. The week started off with some unplanned Dr.'s visits and being poked and prodded etc. I am still waiting to get results from all the tests. Then, my craft room had a blowout. My dad had built two shelves in the closet for me, over 25 years ago. The top shelve (which was piled much to high) broke, it came crashing down with all the stuff on it spilling everywhere and hit the shelf below it and down it came also. As you might imagine, I had quiet a mess spilled out into my room and inside of the closet. My DH only muttered a bit and then we were off to the 'guy' store to buy me new 'industrial strength' shelves. The new shelves are five high and twice as deep as my old shelves. I spent three days reorganizing, cleaning out, and stocking (sounds better than stacking) my shelves. (See above picture). I am so thrilled with my new shelves and each shelve can hold up to 300 pounds. So, today I get to play! Not a great week but it had blessings at the end. I hope your week went well!

Hello Mojo Monday!

Yesterday was a bright sunny day and even though today was not, I just wanted to make a sunny card. I received a wonderful surprise today from my dear friend Shirley...Thank you! You made my day!

This cute little image is colored with Copics. I followed the sketch for Mojo Monday (Well, mostly I did!) My ticket sentiment was a freebie (I'm sorry I can't remember where I got it!) If someone has a great system for digi art I would like to know it! I added paper ribbon and a pocket to the inside of the card. The tag sentiment is from SU.

I am entering this card at the following challenges:

http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/

"Rising Every Time We Fall"

I can remember my mom and dad often quoting something similar to this. It was their encouragement that inspired me to try again when I 'failed'. I hope that I have inspired my children to do the same. My image is from Kenny K, his images are some of the best for practicing with Copics. I followed the sketch at http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/ It was a really fun sketch to work with. The heart behind the image is cut with a Nestability die (shhh...don't tell it was an iridescent gift bag!) It is hard to photograph. I added some real lace and some paper lace. The charm hanging from the ribbon is a kleenex box that says "Don't Cry!" How perfect is that with this sentiment.

I am entering this card at the following challenges:

http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/

http://krista-kris-challenges.blogspot.com/

http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/

"Believe"

I Love h'Aengler stamps. And I will continue to moan about the fact you can only buy them on e-bay at a very inflated price. Do you think they will ever be sold like the Magnolia stamps are in the USA? I hope so!

This little cutie is one of my favorites. I colored the image with Copics, framed it with a Nestability die and sponged the edges with SU Coral Cameo ink. I used my new die-namics die for the sentiment. The sentiment is from Our Daily Bread. I used die-namics dies for all the lace edges and on the chain edge I laced a pink ribbon to finish off my card. I am entering this card at the following challenges:

http://lovely-haenglar-only.blogspot.com/

"Dude"

I decided I would make a clean and simple card if it killed me....it just about did. Why is that so hard for me? LOL! Anyway, I am sure my grandson will like this card. I colored my digi with Copics. I added three squares of primary colors set at an angle and added star eyelets to each corner. I hand stamped the "Dude" and mounted it with SU oval stamps to finish off my card. Oh where is my comfort zone?

Happy Valentine

I am always looking for "Boy" stamps for my grandson's cards. I love this digi stamp from Mami Doodles. The digi comes with three variations of the same image. How great it that? i wanted this to be a totally boy looking card. I picked the browns because my grandson told me he liked boy colors (he thinks these are brown, green, blue and black) LOL! I used an argyle impression folder to emboss the brown, two die-namics dies to cut the ric-rack and the chain dies. I cut the digi and it's frame with a Lifestyle die. I added to punched hearts and a tag that I stamped with a Close To My Heart stamp. I hope this Valentine will fit the 'boy color' request.

"Wheeee"

I seem to be taking crooked pictures lately. Ughh! I think my little easel that holds them is crooked. (Can't be the camera man!) LOL! Like Amanda, I am falling in love with the Pure Innocence stamps the more I use them. I love this sentiment and try to remind myself that being happy is the best way to start the day. I used my latest die-namic die to cut the paper lace. I think it is a very pretty die, don't you? I colored the image with Copics. I used bronze brads and mulberry roses to finish off my card.

Lucky You!

It is challenge time once again at Kenny K's! This week's challenge is blue, silver and white. I had to use these two images together. The first image is called "Megan Foxy"  and the second one is "Cheers Dude". Somehow they just seemed to be meant for each other. I colored both images with Copics. I used my Lifestyle dies to cut out both images. I let each image extend outside the oval. I think it draws your eye to the image better. I added a blue and silver ribbon, mulberry flowers, pearl stick pins and silver stickles. A silver frame for the sentiment finished off my card. You can enter this weeks challenge at:

http://kennykkraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.com/

Sponsors for this challenge is Crafty Emma's Store prize offered is a stamp set called "Paws Fur a Moment" in addition to Kenny offering 5 Digi Images of the winner's choice.

"Got The Blues?"

This is my first card for January as Guest Designer for Mami Doodles.  The challenge for the next two weeks is "The Blues".  This will give each of you time to play. There are some really cute digi art for you to choose from. so check out http://mamidoodles.blogspot.com/

I colored this cute little image with Copics. I used my Lifestyle oval dies to frame the image. I used Die-namics dies to cut the scallop accents and added navy buttons. I added boarder punches and some hand cross stitching, mulberry roses finished off my card. A fun card just to brighten someones day!

"A Little Heart For You"

Do you have someone you can send a Valentine too just to brighten their day? I find some of the nicest cards, gifts, surprises are those we don't expect. I am trying to do that with my cards. Sharing with someone who doesn't expect it. It has been a positive experience for me and hopefully for each recipient. I colored this little h'Aenglar with Copics. I wanted to keep her soft and pastel. I added a bit of lace, mini-buttons on her coat, a bow, and a little punched heart to finish off my card.

I am entering this card at the following challenges:

http://joanscreations.blogspot.com/2011/01/joans-gardens-2-weekly-challenge.html

http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/

Cute In Her Glasses

I will say it one more time...this is so me in Jr. High and High School (and the other Patti Sue)! LOL! I think that is why I love this stamp so much. The Sugar Bowl has a sketch challenge going on and so I followed the sketch. I was going to keep it simple, but then my lace punches started calling me. I colored the image with Copics and added liquid glass to her glasses. I just love how that looks! I had the image extend outside the Nestability and added some Stickle dots to bring a little bling. A fan button finished off my card.

I am entering this card at the following challenges:

http://www.sugarbowlblog.blogspot.com/

Quick Card!

I have been cleaning out my craft room and I found this little rub on Precious Moment boy. So, I gave it a quick rub and created this card. The sentiment is a stamp I found at a yard sale and I used my Nestabilities to frame the image and the sentiment. A ribbon and some mini-buttons finish of this quick little card. (Thanks Elaine for inspiring me to clean out and donate my 'extras'. Blessings to each of you!

I am entering this card at the following challenges:

http://craftyannschallengeblog.blogspot.com/

"A New Challenge At Mami Doodles"

A couple of cards to remind you that "Mami Doodles" will start her challenges for the 2011 year this Friday! I am so excited s I am the Guest Designer for the month of January. If you have never played in these challenges or bought any of her fantastic digi art I encourage you to check out this blog. I have had so much fun with her digi art and found it is so very versatile. I needed a few 'thank you' cards and used these cute little images for them. I had forgotten I had this little tag die and wanted to use it!

You can find these and many more at:

http://mamidoodles.blogspot.com/

I hope all of my blogging friends will join us Friday at 12:00 GMT  for the first challenge and play along!

I am entering these cards at the following challenges:

http://www.bellichallenge.blogspot.com/

"In The Light"

Don't you just love this stamp? It really makes you think. I had some left over 'Christmas' paper and I decided to use it for the Mojo Monday sketch. I am still trying to decide if this looks like a Christmas card or not. The sentiment is from ODB and can you believe it...no coloring on this card. I love to think of this sentiment as a 'new commitment' to have a closer walk with the Lord this year.  I added a sheer ribbon and mulberry roses to finish off this card. I am entering this card at the following challenges:

http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/

http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/

http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/

"Valentine, I Love You"

Today is another challenge at Kenny K's Krafty Girlz. Team A has created some fantastic cards so be sure and check out their cards and join in the fun this week. I thought I would do this card for the "Love You" challenge. (It is just for fun as I really can not enter the competition. I colored my image with Copics. I added some liquid glass to her boots. Somehow the pink just seemed to work with this image! I add paper lace and a touch of real lace. I hand stamped and drew in my heart for the sentiment. A little hand stitching and some mulberry flowers finished off my card. Just something fun for a Sunday challenge.

Check out the Kenny K Challenge at:

http://kennykkraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.com/ 

I am entering this card at the following challenges:

http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/

http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/

http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com/

"Shot To The Heart"

I think I am just about to get my Valentines done! This card is also for the "Totally Tilda Challenge Blog". I have not colored this Tilda for some time. I am always wanting to draw an arrow in her hands. Does anyone else feel that way? LOL! I used a Maggie die for the lace on the pink, a die-namics chain die was used to thread my ribbon through. I added roses (as required) to finish off my card.

I am entering this card at the following challenges:

http://totallytilda.blogspot.com/

"Dress Up Time"

Do you remember playing dress up? I remember how much fun it was when my mom game me an old pair of high heels to clump around in. Now that I think about it, I don't think I ever stopped clumping in high heels! LOL! I colored my cute little image with copics. I used my Lifestyle Craft circle die to cut out the image and framed it with a Nestablitity die. I used my lace boarder punch to add lace to my card. I also used an embossing folder to  emboss one of my strips. I added ribbon and buttons to finish off my card.

I am entering this card at the following challenges:

"What Comfort Zone"

I made this card for the 1st Challenge of the year at Joan's Garden. Joan said to work outside our comfort zone, this card is definitely it! If you look at the history of cards on my blog you will know this is NOT my style at all. Having said that, I have to say once I had a plan in my head I did have fun with it. (At least, I think I did!) LOL! The lovely flower (which really saved my card) is from my fabulous friend Glenda. Thanks Glenda, you helped make my card come together. The die cut bird is another Christmas present from my sweet friend Elaine. I have been dying to use this die and it was perfect for this card and challenge! Don't you agree? I added some paper lace boarders and a ribbon to finish of my card. I have to admit it was good for me to think and create outside the box. It was really hard for me to do a card that I didn't color something on! LOL!

I am entering this card at the following challenges:

http://joanscreations.blogspot.com/

"Friend To Friend"

I wanted to show you this card using the same basic paper and what a difference the embellishments make. This cute little h'Aengler is colored with Copics. I used my Lifestyle die to cut her out and framed her with a Nestability. I used my boarder punches to add lace to the side, some mulberry roses and half pearls. ( I also colored the pearls with Copics!) I added a metal frame for my sentiment and now I have a 'girly' card. LOL!

Skateboard Guy!

I am always trying to come up with "Boy" cards for my two grandsons. They like to receive their own mail and so I try to send them a card to open each week. But, they don't want 'girly' cards! So I struggle with making cards look like it is 'boy' and not plain. LOL! This cute h'Aengler is one I use often as it is just right for their age. I am not sure my 'ribbon' on the side will pass the non-girly test but we will see!

"Tea for Two"

This is another wonderful Christmas Gift from my dear friend Elaine. I hope someday her and I and many others will get to sit down and have a cup of cocoa! (I'm not much of a tea drinker)LOL! I love this image! I colored it with my copics...as usual! I used my Lifestyle die to cut the circle and framed it with a Nestability. I added lace with two MS punches and also added lace on the edge of the card with a boarder punch. A circle sentiment from LOTV finishes off my card. I love this shade of blue and brown combo. What is your favorite combo of colors?

"Just Because"

My last card for the day! (Yes I have been playing all morning long!) I wanted to do a card for the h'Aengler only challenge. The challenge is two use one ribbon, two brads, three flowers. How fun is that? I colored my image with Copics and added some paper lace with boarder punches. I die cut my sentiment and punched out some ferns. My two heart brads finished off my card.

I am entering this card at the following challenges:

http://lovely-haenglar-only.blogspot.com/

"Thinking of You"

I have a dear blogging friend that has had a rough time lately. I wanted he to know how special she is and what an encouragement she always is to me and to many others. Although she will get a sneak peek at her card, she won't know what I am tucking in to surprise her. I love this little h'Angler, isn't she just the cutest? I wanted to color her in mauve's...which I don't have. I think I came pretty close by mixing my copics up a bit. I have had this floral paper for some time and I have been saving it (OK!...hoarding it!) for a special card. I punched out primitive hearts and added them to my boarder. Two buttons, paper tabs and half pearls finished off my card. I hope this card will brighten my friends day. It always makes me smile to know someone is thinking of me and/or praying for me.

"Don't Try This At Home!"

I just had to do this card for my five year old grandson Luke. This Christmas he watched for the first time "The Christmas Story" (You'll shoot your eye out). He thought the scene of the boy sticking his tongue to the flag pole was hilarious. I enjoyed his laughter and watching him enjoy the movie. I just had to use this Sassy Cheryl's image. I colored the image with Copics and added liquid glass to the street light and the ice. A few copper plates and a hand sentiment finished off my card. Remember Luke, don't try this at home! LOL

"Friends are from God"

I have had a busy day doing the mundane, cleaning house, ironing and very little time to play. I did want to color up this cute little stamp. I think she has a lot of versatility. I wanted to make a card for a special friend and let her know I was thinking of her. The sketch is from Mojo Monday. They always have a fun sketch. I used some of my favorite MS punches to add lace to my card. The butterfly is from Glenda Brooks, check out her fabulous blog and the posting below this for an example of her beautiful work. Her blog can be found at: 

http://glendabrooks.blogspot.com/

I wish my camera (or me) took better pictures as this butterfly is truly beautiful. I added some pewter brads to finish off this fun little card. I am entering this card at the following challenges:

http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/

Glenda's Wonderful Gift

There is a saying "When the Lord closes a door he opens a window." This has had so much meaning to me in the last eight months. I worked in a job for 23 years and trained the current elected official. This individual chose to treat me in an unscrupulous manner and after several things that occurred and much prayer I decided to take an early retirement. I was hurt at first and wondered why this happened to me. But, during this time I discovered blogging and some wonderful people along the way. I can not express to each of you how much your friendship has meant to me. A box arrived this morning from one of those wonderful friends. Glenda Brooks at http://glendabrooks.blogspot.com/ 

She made the above pictured flowers and sent them to me. I can not express how grateful and how touched I was with her beautiful gift. I wish I had better photographic skills but this will give you an idea of her fantastic flowers. She had a sweet little note saying she hoped I could use 'some' of these. LOL! The hardest thing will be keeping myself from hoarding them. It's what I do with favorite things. Glenda, I hope the state of Tennesse knows what a gem they have in you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, my window is open wide and the spring breezes are warming me today because of you.

"WOW!"

This image just cracks me up! It is one of the Kenny K images and can be found here:

http://www.kennykdownloads.com/ I hope each of you will check out the new images and make a card for the challenge. You have a great opportunity to win some fantastic prizes. See my DT card in the posting below for details. I used all scrap pieces to make this card and my new MS punch for the lacy boarders. I am loving that punch. I also added so pearls and a ribbon to finish of my fun little card. Hope this brought a smile to your face! Blessings!

"Heart to Heart"

This is my first KKKG DT card. I am more than a bit nervous about it. There are so many talented ladies on the team that I am very nervous about my work. This is one of the new images from the new "Love Release"! I am using this card for a double duty as I am giving it to my son and DIL for their anniversary. There are some really great images in this release and they all will work well for anniversary, love, valentines etc. Check out the fabulous work of the other design team members. They are listed on my side bar.)  This week's competition is being sponsored by Bearly Mine Designs at

http://bmd-creations.blogspot.com/ they are offering 2 digi sets to the winner and in addition Kenny K is offering 5 digis! Just think of all the new stamps you can play with! I colored my image with Copics, and added paper lace with boarder punches. I punched out my heart and circled the digi with it. I added mulberry flowers and punched leaves. I punched out a heart and hand stitched around it. I added a heart button to finish off my card. I hope each of you will be able to play in the challenge.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

http://crazy4challenges.blogspot.com/

http://drunkenstampers.wordpress.com/

http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/

http://www.totallygorjuss.blogspot.com/

"Happy Valentines Day"

Ok..."Girly" cards are a lot easier for me to do! LOL. I colored up this cute little h'Angler and die cut a heart to frame her. I added lots of lace with my boarder punches. For my sentiment heart I added lace...do you recognize what it is? I cut it from the foam that is used for packing. It looks quite pretty and worked great. I hope you like this little valentine and that you find something to recycle on your next card!

"Valentine Boy"

My five year old grandson Luke told me to not make him any 'girly' cards. Because, he doesn't like 'girly' stuff. LOL. This is a non-girly valentine card I came up with. I hope it fits the bill for him! I colored the image with my copics. I framed him with a heart die cut and added two smaller hearts at the bottom. I used a die to cut out my tag and stamped it with a valentine stamp. I attached it with a chain die to complete my card. Just a fun little card to brighten my grandsons day.

ABC'S CHALLENGE ---- GO GREEN

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope your new year if filled with blessings. ACB's challenge to start the new year off  is "Go Green". You can either use the color green or you can recycle something. I tried to do both. My paper is scraps from my never ending scrap box and the rhinestone brads are recycled from an old card. I colored the image with Copics. I also used dry wall tape on the right panel. (Is that considered recycled?) I used my C.C. dies for the flowers and the leaves. I used a MS punch for my lace boarder and added a pink ribbon and bow to finish off my card. I hope you will join us this week for this fun challenge!

We are being sponsored by:

and

I am entering this card at the following challenges:

My Song:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and days o' auld lang syne ?