Tuesday, February 28, 2017

You're 29!

I am switching from Christmas to birthday today as I am getting a start on my March birthday cards. This card is for a special friend.


The image and sentiments are from Sweet 'n Sassy Sassy Cindy stamp set. I love the sentiments in this stamp set. They are so cute and humorous.  I die cut the sentiments with C.C. Designs Say What Bubbles and inked them with Spin Sugar distress ink. I paper pieced and colored the image with Copic and Spectrum Noir markers and die cut with MFT Stitched Ovals and inked with Peacock Feathers distress ink. The plaid background is from Recollections Basics collection and I added a ribbon from my stash. I followed the sketch from The Outlawz Wednesday sketch challenge.

I am entering these challenges:
I can hardly believe that it's the last day of February. It's going out like a lion as we are supposed to have the potential for severe storms. But since our temperatures are back up into the 50s again I suppose March will come in like a lamb. We really haven't had winter yet so I am worried about March. Hope your day is spectacular. Thanks for stopping by.

Donna



Monday, February 27, 2017

Merry and Bright

Happy Monday! The beginning of another week. My weeks seem to fly by and already we are almost to March. What happened to January and February? Apparently your life moves faster the older you get. LOL!
Another Christmas card today.

Still cleaning off my desk of images that I've printed and stamped and haven't used. This is from Bugaboo Stamps called Christmas Rocking Horse. I colored him with a variety of markers. He is die cut with MFT Stitched Circles.It's backed with a hardly visible Spellbinder's scalloped circle in green card stock. The sentiment is from Little Paper Shop (no longer in business). The background design paper is actually the sides of a tissue box. I love the colors and thought it would make nice "designer paper." I added some Burgundy Stickles for the berries on the saddle and Diamond Stickles for the harness, boxes and ornament. To finish off I added a few sequins.
I am entering these challenges:

I have to move along now. My daughter, SIL and the twins will be here soon. They are coming for the afternoon and supper. So that means I need to get busy. Hope you have a wonderful start to your week and I hope you find some crafty time.

Donna

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Guest Designing for The Outlawz CAS

Happy Sunday! Our weather went from 75 degrees to snowing within 24 hours. Quite the contrast we've been having lately. The weekend is supposed to be chilly and then back into the 50s again. Go figure! It is Indiana and they do say "wait 5 minutes and the weather will change!"
Today I am a guest designer for the CAS challenge over at The Outlawz. The challenge this week is to use paint on your project. I chose to use water colors. Since this is a CAS project I chose to make a full background piece using water color paper but only used a portion of it on my project.


I used a water color resist technique from Jennifer McGuire's blog for creating the background. You water color the paper first. Then stamp a background stamp using Versa Mark ink and emboss with clear embossing powder. Spritz the paper with water and dab up some of the color. The embossed section will retain the color while the rest will become a lighter color. I added my painted strip to my card base. I die cut the MFT Pierced Star and added a die cut candle from the Spellbinders Sweet Wishes die set. And to finish off I stamped a sentiment from a retired Gina K set called Heartily Yours.
I hope you'll join the CAS team at the Outlawz this week and use paint on a project. Check out the awesome projects from the design team.
I am entering these challenges:

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have an awesome start to your week!

Donna

Friday, February 24, 2017

Christmas Stocking

Seems as though I have Christmas on my mind. Actually I am clearing images off my desk that I printed and colored and never used. So today I have another quick and easy Christmas card made from scraps laying around my desk.


The image is from Beccy's Place and the image must be retired as I couldn't find it on the web site. (Edit: this image is actually a freebie on Beccy's blog. Beccy is so generous. Check out a ton of freebies on her blog.)  I used the sketch from Try Stampin' on Tuesday with a twist of sweet thoughts.

The designer paper is Echo Park Season's Greetings paper and the sentiment is from Holiday Sentiments by Creative Vision. I embossed the sentiment with fine black embossing powder.
I am entering these challenges:

That's my quick card for today. We are expecting severe storms this evening as a cold front pushes through. We were in the 70s today (in February. oh my!) and tomorrow we are hardly supposed to get above freezing. But it's just supposed to be cold for the weekend and then back to the 50s for next week. More yo-yo weather. Hope your weekend is relaxing and warm!

Donna

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Christmas Elf

I had a very short time to craft this afternoon so I cam up with this quick and easy card.


The three bottom stripes are  half inch Scor Tape pieces covered in Ritz Micro Fine Glitter. It really sparkles in real life. The image is from Bugaboo Stamps called Christmas Brat Boy Elf Sitter. I colored him with Copic markers. The sentiment is heat embossed with black embossing powder from the Stampin' Up! Cardinal Christmas stamp set long retired. I added 3 flower gems that reminded me of poinsettias.
I am entering this card in these challenges:

That's it for me tonight. Lots of stuff going on tomorrow and for the weekend. I hope to get back to crafting some time soon. Take care!

Donna

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Whoo's Birthday?

I've lost track of my days this week. Maybe that's why I had to ask this question on my card. Just a quick post before I head over to babysit this afternoon and evening.


I like this bright colorful card despite the black card stock base. The image is from QKR Stampede. I colored the owl image with Spectrum Noir markers and die cut the image with MFT Cross Stitch Ovals. The sentiment is from the closed Paper Makeup Stamps store. I got a bunch of cute little sentiments like these that I've never used. I stamped the sentiment on white card stock and then colored the paper with CT2 SN marker to match the stars in the image. The background blue paper for the sentiment is from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles. The yellow polka dotted paper is from Rocllections Basics paper pack.  I added the ric rac border. To finish off the image I used Glossy Accents on the owl's spectacles, Baby Blue Stickles on the owl's hat and Diamond Stickles on the stars. So lots of sparkle close up. I used the Tuesday Morning Sketch for this week as inspiration.

I am entering these challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today. Happy hump day and hope the rest of your week is awesome! Our temperatures continue to be mild but we are supposed to have a big change by the weekend. So sad! I'm looking forward to spring.

Donna



Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Chocolate Helps

Happy Tuesday! A rare day off from watching the twins. I cleaned today rather than craft but I did manage to get one card done this evening. This is for the February challenge at Gerda Steiner using I Love You More than Chocolate Piggy.  What's not to like when chocolate is involved. And I have several friends who would love this card!


I colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers and inked the edges of the image and sentiment with Vintage Photo distress ink. They were die cut with MFT Inside and Out Stitched Rounded Squares. The sentiment is from Create with TLC. The designer paper is from a Gina K digital set called Neapolitan 2. This isn't my usual color combination but I liked it for the image and sentiment. To embellish I used brown ric rac and some brown square self-adhesive gems.
I am entering these challenges:

I hope your week is off to a wonderful start. Today I got to spend time with my DH. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner together. That doesn't happen very often anymore. It felt really good! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Donna

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Hogs and Kisses

Happy Sunday! After having the twins yesterday all day we took today off. Tom and I went out to Baby Creek and finished laying brick for a sidewalk and then we walked the property. Tonight we are having dinner and cards with some friends. I'll be back to babysitting tomorrow evening. I did manage to finish a card after the kiddos left last night.


This is the image for the progressive challenge for From the Heart Stamps. The image and sentiment is from Hogs and Kisses Pigwit. My favorite chocolate is Hershey Kisses and M&Ms. I try very hard not to buy them when I go to the store. I would eat the whole package. But he is just so cute with kiss in hand. Since Valentine's Day is past I decided to use him for St. Patrick's Day. I don't send a lot of St. Patrick's Day cards but I do send a few. This is a window card. The window is die cut with MFT  Inside and Out Stitched Rounded Squares. Pigwit is floating on an acetate window. Along with him are some green hearts cut from Simon Says Stackable Hearts die. I glued them on both the inside and the outside of the window and covered them with Wink of Stella for a nice shimmer. I colored Pigwit with Spectrum Noir markers and fussy cut him twice. So there is a blank that's glued on the other side of the window so you don;t see the marker coming through. I die cut the sentiment with MFT Pierced Fishtail Flags and inked with Mowed Lawn distress ink. To finish off I made a row of lighter green hearts on the kraft card stock. The designer paper  on the inside of the card is from Recollections Basics Paper Pad. I think it turned out really cute.
I am entering these challenges:

That's it for today. We are off to have some fun with friends. Hope your weekend has been wonderful. Our weather is supposed to be in the 60s all week.I'm afraid it will kill all the buds on the trees and flowers when we get the inevitable freeze. Take care!

Donna

Friday, February 17, 2017

Smiles Make You Younger

Happy Friday! I used to rejoice when I got to Friday each week. Now it's just another day. LOL! Now I work 7 days a week watching my grand twins. I have them this evening and again all day tomorrow. My card today is for a couple of challenges. I thought it would make a cute birthday card.

 

This image is from Bugaboo Stamps and called Beach Baby 2. I wasn't able to find her on the web site so she may be retired. But she is oh so cute! I paired her with a sentiment from Create with TLC. She's colored with Spectrum Noir markers. The designer paper is from Recollections Basics. The sun is stamped with Mustard Seed distress ink and die cut from Spellbinder's Sunny Days set. I cut the little girl with MFT Stitched Circles. The sentiment was punched from an ek Success punch and then inked with Salty Ocean and Peacock Feathers distress ink.
I am entering these challenges:

I made an oops on this card. Can you find it? It doesn't have anything to do with the sketch but it has to do with my coloring. I hope it isn't too obvious. Thanks for stopping by today. Have an awesomely crafty weekend.

Donna

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Baby It's Cold Again

Happy Thursday! Our weather cannot make up it's mind. One day it's 60 degrees and the next day we are back in the 20s. This is the first year in a very long time that Tom and I have both had colds. Usually we get through the winter without getting sick. Maybe it's because we have more exposure to our daughter and SIL who always seem to be sick or the twins who catch it from them. Either way, the weather isn't helping with that.
So since we are back to the deep freeze I thought of Christmas and decided that I need to work more on that so I get a head start.


I used the I {Heart} Sketches with a Twist challenge as inspiration for this card. Their twist is "snowy day" so I used one of Faith's little snowman as my image.
The embossed background is the Argyle EF. The snowflake paper is from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles (a scrap from my box). The image is colored with Spectrum Noir markers and die cut with MFT Stitched Circles. The Merry Christmas die cut is also cut from a scrap from my box from the Paper Smooches die. I added some Doodle Twine and some paper mache hearts to finish off the card.
I am entering these challenges:

My day started out very early since I had an appointment at 8 am but it motivated me to get moving today. So I've gotten several things done including dinner cooked this morning as I have to watch the twins at 3:30 pm this afternoon. So I am hoping to get some crafty time in before I have to go. Have a wonderful day!

Donna

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Happy Valentine's Day!

I've been watching the twins this afternoon and evening and made dinner for the kids. We watched the twins last night so their parents could go out for Valentine's Day. I'll have them again tomorrow night and we have them all day on Saturday. All that to say that I didn't have time to post until now. So I hope your Valentine's Day was special. My husband brought me flowers after work today. That's only the second time in 40 years that he's brought me flowers. LOL! My card today could be a Valentine but I'll probably send it as a love note later on.


I love this sentiment from A. A. Milne and decided that I'd use it for this card. My heart dies and patterns didn't really fit the shape of the sentiment so I hand cut the sentiment into a heart and then hand cut the backing paper. This was a free image and when I downloaded it I labeled it Life of the Party but I can't find any digital stamp company by that name. So I'm not sure where I got this. The black card stock background was embossed with a Sizzix Flourishes embossing folder. This entire card is almost all scraps. Even the ribbon is a scrap from my scrap box. I used the Tuesday Morning Sketch as inspiration.
I am entering these challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you had a lovely day!

Donna


Friday, February 10, 2017

One More Valentine

This might be my last Valentine. I have to sort through and send them out today but I never know if I have enough. From the Heart Stamps is back with their challenge this week and I couldn't resist playing along. I am so glad that Faith is recovering and doing well. This is a freebie set that Faith is offering called Bunny Love.


I used the sketch over at I {heart} sketches with a twist #161. They now have a color twist and a twist of birthday cake. I just used the sketch for this one.

The background heart designer paper is from Imagine That! Digis by Kris. I printed the image and sentiment from the Bunny Love stamp set. The image is die cut from MFT Stitched Ovals and colored with Spectrum Noir markers. I added wiggle eyes to the bunny. and darkened the mouth with a MicroPen. The sentiment I die cut with Gina Marie Designs Cross Stitched rectangles and used a Stampin' Up! scalloped border punch to create the black background. The sentiment panel is popped off the card with dimensional foam tape. For some reason I am into black for my Valentines this year. I just like the way it pops the colors I guess.
I am entering these challenges:
I am off to write out and send my Valentines and then over to watch the twins tonight. Hope you all have an awesome weekend. I am helping with a Girl Scout Father-Daughter dance tomorrow evening after helping with the twins during the day. Never a dull moment around here. LOL!

Donna

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Valentine Love

Happy Thursday! We had a little snow last night. I stuck to the grass but not the pavement. I guess the warm weather last week heated up the pavement. So no shoveling here at least. The wind today will take your breathe away though. It turned cold again. My card today will warm your hearts!

I don;t usually use black for a Valentine but decided the black would best show off the rainbow colors of the hearts. The die cut is from Simon Says called Stacked Hearts. I cut a bunch of these in different colors and keep them in an envelope with the die. When I use the die again I'll have a bunch of different colored hearts already cut. I pieced the puzzle back together on my red based card stock. The sentiment is embossed in gold on vellum. Very difficult to read from the photo. The sentiment is from a retired set called Love Notes by Gina K. It reads: Love doesn't make the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile. I may have to make several of these. I have a couple people this would be perfect for. I attached the vellum to the card stock behind the two red hearts that I added to the vellum.
I am entering these challenges:

Well, I am off to watch the twins again this afternoon and evening. Never a dull moment around here. Almost the weekend. Relax and enjoy!

Donna

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

A Beary Merry Christmas

I have a really simple card tonight but I just love the way it turned out. Do you sometimes do cards that have the image on the inside of the card but a window on the front? I need a way to photograph these better. If you have any ideas I am all ears!


The little bear on the inside of my card is from Bugaboo Stamps. He's part of the Winter Bears stamp set. I colored him with Spectrum Noir markers and added Diamond Stickles to make the image sparkle. I cut the window in the front of the card with MFT Inside and Out Stitched Rounded Squares. To finish the card I added the Memory Box Holly Leaf Border and then punched little red berries to add to the holly. This card looks so cute in person. I wish I had a better way to photograph it.
I am entering these challenges:

I babysat the twins today. They are finally getting over their shots and are more their smiley selves. So I am off until tomorrow evening. I think Grandpa will come help tomorrow night. He said tonight he hasn't seen them since Monday and he's having withdrawal symptoms. LOL! Can't have that. 

Donna

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Friends

I have a lot of friends and I don't acknowledge them enough sometimes. I think I'm going to make more of an effort to wish my friends happiness and support. So my card today is a start at just that.


This is the progressive challenge image at The Outlawz this month, sponsored by Bugaboo Stamps. I loved coloring this image with my new Spectrum Noir markers and then added the Spectrum Noir glitter pen to the flowers and butterflies. They really sparkle on the card. For the background I used Garden Flowers embossing folder from Crafts Too. I used the Spectrum Noir glitter pen on the embossed flowers and added small seed pearls for the center of the flowers. To finish it off I used some grosgrain ribbon.
I am entering these challenges:

Tricia and I are taking the twins to the library tonight for a Baby and Me class. Their first outing at the library. We've been reading to them but they aren't really to into books yet. The librarian in me is screaming to get them going though. So we'll see how this goes tonight. I posted pictures of the twins yesterday for their 4 month birthday. Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day!

Donna


Monday, February 6, 2017

You've Come a Long Way Baby

The twins are 4 months old today, February 6, 2017. They started out so small. It's so hard to believe how big they are today. They weren't in the best of moods when they arrived at our house after just coming from their doctor's appointment and getting more shots. But we managed to get a few pictures of them. Here's is Arthur a few days after birth weighing in at 4 lbs 7 oz. and attached to all his medical support.
.

On his first day home from the hospital.

And today on his 4 month birthday. He weighed in today at 13 lbs 1 oz.

And Valerie from her day of birth weighed 3 lbs 13 oz. She's a couple days old in this picture. Her head was about as big as my fist.

I wasn't able to find a pic of Valerie on the day she came home from the hospital but this pic was taken at the beginning of December.

And here is our beautiful little girl on her 4th month birthday weighing in right about 12 lbs.

They are both really good babies. Tomorrow Tricia and I are taking them to the library for a Baby and Me program. We'll see how that goes. It should be an adventure. Thanks for stopping by.

Donna




Humorous Birthday

A quick post today. I spent the morning with the twins (on my own) as their parents went to sign up for a Head Start program. The kids were really good. Both took a nap and I was able to get some cleaning done for them. But they are also coming to our house for dinner this evening so I need to get that going for sure. Today is their 4 month birthday so I plan to get some pictures this evening and post again later.


My card today is for my oldest brother's birthday. His health hasn't been very good lately and I was hoping this would cheer him up. The inside reads: "Teach a man to fish and he'll sit in a boat drinking beer all day! Happy Birthday." The image is from Bugaboo stamps  called Gus Fishing. I used the Catch the Bug Stella Sketch as inspiration.


The background paper is At the Seaside by Trimgym. I used Spectrum Noir markers to color the image and MFT Inside and Out Stitched Rounded Squares to die cut the image. The border at the bottom is Spellbinder's Classic Triple Scallop. The embossing folder on the yellow card stock is the Moroccan Screen.I am entering these challenges:

That's it for me right now. We have a possibility of severe weather tonight and tomorrow so we'll be keeping a sharp eye on the skies around here. Stay safe and I'll be back with some twin pictures later.

Donna


Saturday, February 4, 2017

Note of Thanks

You seriously know that your craft time has been curtailed when it takes almost a week to finish one card. I've spent so much time with the twins this week that I couldn't get this card finished. And it isn't all that complicated. My DH saved me today by taking the first shift with the twins. So I was able to grocery shop and finish this card. But I have the evening shift tonight so I'll be back with them very shortly.
This card is a product of a video from Jennifer McGuire. She makes everything look so easy but I actually had a lot of trouble getting my die cut sentiment to work out.


I love how the card turned out. It has a beautiful ombre color because I used one of my favorite distress inks: peacock feathers. The embossed white background is a Penny Black background stamp. The sentiment and thanks die cut is from Alte New. The edges were also inked with peacock feathers distress ink so they are a perfect match. The three circles of card stock was punched from a scrap in my scrap box. I added a strip of vellum under the three circles and the thanks. I used the Tuesday Morning Sketch as inspiration.



I am entering these challenges:
The twins will be 4 months old on Monday. I hope to have some updated pictures of them on my blog that day. So stay tuned. I am off to see if I can get a quick birthday card done before I have to go babysit. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog. Happy weekend!

Donna


February Challenge at Creative Playground

It's time for a new challenge at the Imagine That! Creative Playground. And it's an anything goes challenge. You have until March 3rd to link up a project. And if you use any Imagine That! Digis by Kris image you'll automatically get the featured set of the month. This month it's an adorable froggie set called Frogs in Love.


So if you don;t have any Imagine That! Digis by Kris images be sure to check out the freebies. Now for my project this challenge I used a number of Kris' fun stamp sets for Valentine's Day.


These were so easy to make. And each holds two little packets of Ghirardelli chocolates. Just a little Valentine's gift from me. I used my largest Quickcutz tag to die cut the back and front of each holder. The inside box is made from card stock that measures 4 and 1/4 by 3 and scored at 1 inch all the way around. Cut one score at each of the tabs and use adhesive to secure the box together. Add the tags to the box and then decorate however you want to. I used red and pink card stock for the boxes. Then I used some of Kris' lovely Valentine papers for the tags. I used Valentine Digi Papers and Sending You Love Digi Papers. I finished them off by using a heart brad but you could just as easy tie them closed with ribbon or twine.


And to make each special I used 4 different stamp sets: Sealed with a Kiss (one of Kris' freebies)









I think they came out adorable! I think I'll make more and send them to my kids for Valentine's Day. I used to send them boxes of Girl Scout cookies but it costs more to send them than it costs to buy the box of cookies so I think these will be their Valentines this year. I hope you'll join with us this month for the challenge and earn the adorable new Frogs in Love set. And the possibility of a $10 gift certificate if you are picked for our "Cherry on Top." 
I am entering these challenges:


Thanks for stopping by today. Have an awesome weekend.





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