New Challenge

Today launches the new challenge at 12 Months of Christmas Link Up. This month is a fun one! Of course you can always do the anything goes challenge but our twist is to check our list, flip a coin, and then do what the coin tells you to do. You will need to go over to the 12 Months website for the details. I couldn't get the table to copy over to my blog. But here is my card:

Our sponsor this month is a new one for us. We are welcoming All Dressed Up as a new sponsor! So my flips gave me more than 1) 4 or more layers, 2) a rectangle or square card, 3) dots, 4) gems or pearls, and 5) stitching. Such a fun card to make! I used two different designer papers both from the paper pack that Lisa Decosse (Decosse's Dynamite Doodles) designed for this challenge. 

I used both the dot paper and the stitching paper. The image of course is from All Dressed Up called It's Snowing. I colored him with Spectrum Noir markers and fussy cut him. The sentiment and stitching paper is die cut with Gina Marie Designs Cross Stitch Rectangles. The large snowflake is die cut from shimmer paper with MFT Layered Snowflakes. I added the banner behind the snowman die cut from MFT Pierced Fishtail Flags (retired). To finish off all my flips I added pearls as the snowman buttons and the center of the snowflake. Really a fun challenge. I hope you'll go check out the other designers "flips" at 12 Months of Christmas Link Up and then join us this month. What better fun than Christmas in July!

I am entering these challenges:

• Atlantic Hearts challenge: sketch 
  
• NBUS (Never Before Used Schtuff): paper pack and image
• Christmas Crafts All Year 'Round: Cool It!
• Simon Says Wednesday: bright and cheerful
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• A Bit More Time to Craft: anything goes
• Crafty Hazelnut Christmas: snowflakes

That's it for me tonight. Please stay safe out there. My brother is fighting for his life in IUC because of Covid-19. So many people think this is no big deal but it really is. It's leaving many families feeling shocked, confused, and angry over their loss. Be careful that you aren't one of them.

Donna

Birthday Wishes

Just a quick card today before we head for Baby Creek to work on the barn this weekend. Such a fun image and it's the progressive freebie at The Outlawz.

The image is from Hetty Clare Art called Pony Plait. I colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers then die cut it with MFT Single Stitch Rectangle Frames. I also used it to cut the frame in a teal color. The sentiment is from Gina K Birthday Greetings stamp set. I mounted it on a brown card stock base. I think I know a little girl who loves horses that will like this card! I am entering these challenges:

• The Outlawz Progressive challenge: use Pony Plait by Hetty Clare Art
• Creative Knockouts: favorite color combination
• Simon Says Wednesday challenge: anything goes
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• The Outlawz Festive Friday: child's birthday
• Scrapping4Fun challenge: anything goes

Thanks for stopping by! I'll be back next week with more cards, I hope. You just never know when something will take over my time. LOL! Please stay safe and healthy!

Donna

Let it Snow

It's funny as I look back at winter and how I wished for warmer weather, and now that we have it I'm wishing for cooler weather. We are headed for a bout of hot weather for the next week or more. So my card today was maybe getting me to think a little cooler for the upcoming week.

The image is from Bugaboo Stamps called Snow Friends - Happy Holidays. I colored them with Spectrum Noir markers and added some Recollections glitter to hats and snowflakes. The snoflake paper with the various size snowflakes is from papers by Lozzy. The banner paper is from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles. Ifussy cut the rectangle image since it already had the frame around it. The stitched banners are from MFT (retired). The snowflake embellishment is MFT Layered Snowflakes. To sparkle the snowflake I heat embossed it with glitter embossing powder. And finally added various sizes of pearls to the background snowflakes. I am entering these challenges:

• Catch the Bug: bingo challenge (stitching, Bug image, sentiment) 
  
• Rudolph Days: anything goes Christmas
• Simon Says Wednesday challenge: anything goes
• 52 Christmas Card Throwdown: snowflakes
• Crafty Hazelnut Christmas: anything goes
• A Bit More Time to Craft: anything goes
• Outlawz Sketch challenge: sketch 
  

I hope your day is going well! Our volunteering time was fun this morning. Tomorrow we have the twins. I'm sure with the hot weather they will want to get into the pool. Take care and stay safe, pretty please!

Donna

This Buds for You

I can't believe it's been almost a week since I've had time to craft. The barn, the twins and our volunteer jobs have all been keeping us busy! But I did get some time today to make a card.

My photo didn't take very well. It seems some parts look okay and others are blurry. The image is from Bugaboo Stamps from Izzy Flowers Mini Set. I colored Izzy and flower with Spectrum Noir markers and fussy cut the circle as none of my circles were exactly right for the shape. The circle is popped up over the twine with foam tape. The sentiment is from Firecracker Designs. I die cut that panel with MFT Stitched Squares, die cut twice to make the rectangle shape. I added some My Minds Eye twine. The flowers paper and the blue card stock are from my scrap box. The base card is black card stock. I am entering these challenges:

• Sketch-N-Scrap: sketch 
  
• Catch the Bug: Bingo challenge (flower, Bug image, twine)
• Tuesday Throwdown: anything goes
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• Outlawz Paper ala Mode: splash of pink
• Simon Says Wednesday challenge: anything goes

That's all I have tonight. Tomorrow is volunteering at Teacher's Warehouse and Friday we have the twins all day. The weekend we'll be back at Baby Creek working on the barn. Busy, busy!With all the rise in Covid-19 cases I hope you are staying safe and healthy. My prayers for all of you! Take care.

Donna

Penguins

Happy Thursday! I worked on a card last night after the twins went home but it got too late for me to add it to my blog. Volunteering at Opportunity House in the early morning and then having the twins for the better part of the day does me in. This morning Tom and I are off to Teacher's Warehouse to volunteer a couple hours, then we'll probably pick up something for lunch to celebrate our 43rd anniversary and then go work on the barn at Baby Creek. The weather is supposed to heat up again very soon and we badly need rain. But every time the twins come we fill up their swimming pool and then water the garden. LOL! So here's the card I made last night.

I made this for a couple of challenges so I did a bit of research on penguins. They are classified as birds and they do have "wings" but they are called flippers. They use their "wings" to fly through water the way a bird would fly through air. So I think this will apply to the "things with wings/fly" challenges. The cute penguin is from Pattie's Creations called Pearl the Penguin. I colored it with Spectrum Noir markers and die cut the image with MFT Inside and Out Stitched Rounded Squares.  The sentiment is from Dee Dee's Digis (out of business) and I die cut the sentiment with Clear Dollar Stamps (also out of business) Designer Labels. The background paper is from American craft and the stripe is from Papers by Lozzy called Micro Dots.I used a snowflake punch to create the snowflake. I used embossing ink and glitter embossing powder to make the snowflake sparkle. I am entering these challenges:

• Pattie's Creations challenge: things that fly
• Sketch Saturday: sketch 
  
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• Crafter's Cafe: things with wings
• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies: use a critter

I am off to start the day. Hope your day is amazing! Please stay safe and healthy!

Donna

Always Love You

I needed another card this evening. On the 18th it will be our 43rd wedding anniversary and I wanted to make Tom a card. Here's what I did.

The image and sentiment are from Beccy's Place Happy Anniversary stamp set. I printed the digital stamp and then die cut the panel with an A2 Stitched Die from MFT Blueprints 13 (retired). I used an EK Success punch to punch the green border and then used slim purple ribbon to wind through the punched border. I added two Studio Calico wooden bicycles. Tom and I often ride bikes while we are on camping trips. I finished off the card with three self-adhesive gem stones and added the card front to a red card base. I am entering these challenges:

• Beccy's Place June challenge: use a Beccy's Place image and bingo (stitching/ribbon or lace/ punched edge)
• Tuesday Morning Sketches: sketch 
  
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• Creative Knockouts: anything goes
•  Sweet Stampers: something beginning with B (bicycle)

That's it for me tonight. Tomorrow we have the twins to play with all day. So not much crafting is going to go on. Maybe we'll paint with the kids tomorrow but I think the swimming pool will be the first order of business. Hope you have a wonderful hump day! Stay safe, please!

Donna

Celebrate Your Birthday

It's a new week already. My weekend was packed and today was the first chance I've had to do any crafting. I made a grocery run this morning, finished laundry, made tomorrow's lunch (we have the twins), transplanted my marigolds and tied tomatoes, etc. So it was later this afternoon before I had a chance to make this card.

The image is from QKR Stampede called Enjoy the Sun. I colored him with Spectrum Noir markers on shimmery card stock. I fussy cut the image. The designer papers that I used on the card are from my scrap bin. I think the water paper is from the Stamp Studio. The others I'm not sure of. The sentiment is from 2 different (retired) Gina K stamp sets. "Celebrate is from a 2009 stamp set called Lazy Days of Summer and "your birthday" is part of a sentiment from a 2010 Stamp TV Kit called Enjoy the Sunshine. The sentiments were die cut with MFT Essential Fishtail Sentiment Strips. The sun is from Spellbinder's Sunny Days stamp and die set. The sentiment and bear are popped up with foam tape. The "sandy" paper was die cut with MFT Stitched Circles. This will be my nephew's summer birthday card.

I am entering these challenges:

• QKR Stampede challenge: anything goes 
• Atlantic Hearts challenge: sketch 
  
• Crafty Cardmakers challenge: masculine
• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies: use a critter
• Creative Knockouts: anything goes

Just in case you think I whiled away the weekend in the sun (well I was in the sun but not relaxing) here's what we are up to.

We are raising the roof on the back of our barn. We managed to get the trusses built and up and then added some of the purlins for the sheeting. It's quite the project and than goodness my husband and FIL know what they are doing because I sure don't. But I can follow orders pretty well. On Sunday we had the twins and their parents out for a cookout at lunchtime. They got to play in our pond and when we tired of the pond they came back to the trailer and played in our rain barrel.

Valerie is a little water baby and Arthur is much more reticent but once he gets going he thinks it's great too. That's my daughter, their Mom, in the background. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a super week. Stay safe out there.

Donna

Friendship

Another very quick card tonight. That will be the last time I get a chance to craft this week. My FIL will be here tomorrow and we'll be building trusses this weekend for the barn. I thought Tom's nephew was coming but he has soccer so I'll have to help I'm sure. But this card is for a special friend that I haven't sent a card to for a while.

The image is Bugaboo Mini Set Roses. I used Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide inks to ink the card base. The image is colored with Spectrum Noir markers. The sentiment is from Hero Arts Everyday Sayings. To finish off I added some Neat & Tangles sequins. The sequins are pink and silver  but some of them look blue. They may be reflecting the ink.
I am entering these challenges:

• Catch the Bug: anything goes
• If You Give a Crafter a Cookie: flower cookies 
  
• Creative Knockouts: anything goes
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• Cupcake Inspirations: friendship
  
  

It's been a busy day. This morning we volunteered for teacher's Warehouse. We drove to a school that was closing to collect materials they no longer needed to donate for other teachers. After we unloaded the materials they asked Tom and I to take a load of scrap metal to a scrap metal dealer. After that we had a quick lunch at home and made a trip to our other property to clean before we have company for the weekend. Came home to a dinner of leftovers and then I went shopping for the weekend's groceries. After 2 loads of laundry and a load of dishes, I finally had a chance to make this card. Now it's past my bedtime. Hope you had a wonderful day! Stay safe, please. Thanks for visiting!

Donna

My Hero

Edit: I wrote this last night but blogger was not cooperating and adding pictures. Finally got it to do that this morning so published later than expected.
Happy Hump Day! I didn't expect to have time to craft today but after we took the twins home I decided that crafting time was short so I should take advantage of whatever time I could get. So here's another quick card to send to my FIL for Father's Day.

The image is Super Dad from Bugaboo Stamps. I colored his with Spectrum Noir markers. The sentiment is from Create with TLC. I die cut the panel with MFT Blueprints 13 (retired) stitched A2 panel. The patriotic paper is from my scrap stash. I die cut 2 stars also from the Blueprints 13 die set. The card base is dark blue card stock.
I am entering these challenges:

• Bugaboo Stella Sketch: sketch 
  
• Simon Says Monday: it's a man thing
• The Outlawz Monday Greetings: masculine
• Catch the Bug: anything goes
• Addicted to Stamps and More: holiday 
  

That's it for me tonight. Maybe I'll get my act together tomorrow and get another card done. Who knows. The twins were such fun today. Swimming was a big hit since it was hot and muggy. We needed rain but it never came to us. Areas around us got rain but not us! Valerie was a little giggly girl today and Arthur was into spelling words with chalk on the driveway. Valerie got into the garden and picked the few tomatoes that had started on the vine, so we had to put up more fencing to keep the kids out. Hope you have a lovely Thursday! Please take care!

Donna

A Warm Hug

I had a chance to make a quick card this evening. Doubt that I will get another card done this week. We have the twins tomorrow. Thursday and Friday we are helping Teacher's Warehouse collect supplies from several schools that are closing in our area. Tom's dad and nephew are coming out to help build and put up trusses for the new barn roof. Doubt I have much time to craft. Last weekend I had to crochet a new blanket for Arthur as he pulled his original blanket apart. I'm still thinking about whether I can actually fix the old one or not. So here's my quick card!

The image is Coffee Monster from Limited Runs. It's one of two images that Nikki offered free this month for the progressive challenge. You can download it on the Limited Runs Facebook group. I colored him with Spectrum Noir markers and die cut him with Spellbinder's Lattice Rectangles. The sentiment is from Create with TLC and is also die cut with a small size of SB Lattice Rectangles. The background paper is from my stash. The embellishments in the corners are from Spellbinder's Lattice Pendant dies. I backed things with black card stock. I am entering these challenges:

• Sketch Saturday: sketch 
  
• The Outlawz Tuesday Color challenge: black, white and one other color and use stripes 
  
• Simon Says Wednesday: masculine
• Limited Runs Progressive challenge: use the Coffee Monster
• Simon Says Monday challenge: It's a Man Thing

That's it for me tonight. Have to get ready for the twins tomorrow.  It's likely it will be raining so they'll be getting into everything in the house if we can't play outside. So that means putting (hiding) things away. LOL! Hope you are having a lovely week and staying safe! Take care.

Donna

Happy Anniversary

Just one more quick card before we take the weekend off at Baby Creek. It's going to be a hot one around here. In the 90s this weekend. And no rain in sight. It's gotten very dry and watering the garden has been a daily task. My card today is for an anniversary.

I think black and white is so elegant, don;t you. My iris images are from Beary Wishes and was a freebie some time ago. The butterfly was from the same set. I die cut the diamond shapes with Gina Marie Designs Diamonds (retired) using two dies to create a frame.  The background paper is a scrap from my scrap box. The sentiment is from Hero Arts Everyday Sayings and inked with Versa Fine Onyx Black ink. All the elements on the card with the exception of the diamonds are popped up with foam tape. I backed with black card stock. I am entering these challenges:

• Tuesday Morning Sketches: sketch 
  
• Catch the Bug: anything goes
• Crafty Friends: anything goes
• Crafter's Cafe: anything goes
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes

We'll be away for a few days but before I go I'll tell you a little humorous story. We had the twins all day yesterday. And we've been trying to get them to wash their hands often. They've taken quite well to that and every time I say "wash your hands" they run to the bathroom. I had also started singing "Happy Birthday" while washing and we sing it twice before we turn the water off. Yesterday I was washing with Arthur and I started singing a different song. He looked up and me and said "Happy birthday Grammy." So we sang that instead and he was a happy camper. He's such a cutie pie! Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Hugs,

Donna

Time for Another Birthday

Happy Thursday! The weekend is almost here. Our weather has been hot and sticky and is predicted to continue for a while. Not the usual for this time of year, We have the twins tomorrow so we'll be filling up their little swimming pool and letting them water play for a while. We'll probably spend the weekend out at our other property as my DH is remodeling the barn and literally raising the roof. LOL! Next week is his 65th birthday so today's card is his birthday card.

The image (pocket watch and handkerchief) and plaid paper is from Beccy's Place and is the freebie for this month. I die cut the image (and smaller background square) with MFT Inside and Out Stitched Rounded Squares. The plaid paper I die cut with the stitched A2 die from MFT Blueprints 13 die set (retired). The sentiment is computer-generated. The sparkle in the background is ribbon over top of blue digi paper. The ribbon is from our daughter's wedding. I wonder if he will remember that? (Not in a million years! LOL!) I am entering these challenges:

• Beccy's Place challenge: use a Beccy's Place image and Bingo: use 3 colors (blue, brown, white)/Ribbon or lace/use a digital stamp
• Sunday Stamps: sketch 
  
• Simon Says Wednesday challenge: masculine
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• A Bit More Time to Craft: anything goes
• The Outlawz Festive Friday: male birthday

I'm going to try to start another card this evening but it probably won;t get completed with the twins coming tomorrow, Valerie loves to get into my cards and peel off the embellishments so I really have to hide my craft supplies while they are here. Arthur loves the markers. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my hubby's 65th birthday card. Have an awesome weekend! Stay safe out there.

Donna

New June Challenge

I totally forgot to post my design team card today for the 12 Months of Christmas Link Up. I have been so busy counting Math manipulatives for Teacher's Warehouse. So glad I did have my card ready to go. The new challenge is sponsored by Oddball Art. Our challenge is always anything goes but we do have a twist that is optional. This month it's gingham.

The image I used was Whimsical Dancing Trees thats' colored with Spectrum Noir markers. I used the new gingham paper from Lisa Decosse. The sentiment is from Create with TLC. I used Neat & Tangled red and white sequins to add a little sparkle, tucking some behind the trees (learned that in Spring Card Camp)! I hope you'll join us at 12 Months of Christmas Link Up this month for some Christmas fun! I am entering these challenges:

Crafty Hazelnut Christmas challenge: anything goes

The Outlawz Wednesday Sketch challenge: sketch 

Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper: use patterned paper

Simon Says Wednesday challenge: anything goes

That's it for me tonight. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you are staying safe and healthy!

Donna

Holiday Hugs

I can't believe we are at the end of May already. Time seemed so slow for a while and now it's speeding by again. I have a quick card today. A Christmas card! My collection is growing.

The image is from Eureka Stamps. It's one of a four stamp set called Winter Set of 4 Digital Stamps.  I colored with Spectrum Noir markers and fussy cut the image. The black border is part of the image. The background paper is a scrap from my Christmas scrap box. The sentiment is from a retired Gina K stamp set called Warm Winter Wishes. I die cut the sentiment with MFT Pierced Fishtail Flags (retired). I backed the layers in black card stock to match the image and added a heart brad with the sentiment. I am entering these challenges:

QKR Stampede: anything goes
Sketch Saturday: any sketch from 2017 sketch # 459
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas: anything goes
Simon Says Wednesday challenge: anything goes
The Outlawz Festive Friday: Christmas

We had the twins yesterday. Lots of fun. They love to run through the garden until they start trampling plants. I'm trying to teach them to stay on the grassy area. We've also started taking them for walks on our neighborhood street so they learn they need to stay to the side and watch for cars. That's not something they get at home since they live in a big apartment complex. Also counting math items for Teacher's Warehouse. Keeping me very busy. Thanks for stopping by. Let's welcome June with all our hearts. Warmer weather here we come.

Donna

Con-Grad-ulations

Tomorrow is our high school graduations here in Bloomington. Everything will be virtual and I feel sorry for these graduates who have worked so hard and are denied he ceremony with family and friends that other classes have had. One of our neighbors, a lovely young lady is graduating so I had to make her a card.

The images are from Stampin' Up! Tassel Time. This is one of the first sets I bought when I started stamping in 2003. Still going strong but long since retired in the Stampin' Up! community. The main image is stamped with Versa Fine Onyx Black and the stars with MFT Cherry Red and then die cut with MFT Stitched Circles. I used the confetti stamp for the background and I was going for a tone on tone effect; but it was barely visible even up close so I knew the photo would show nothing. So in between the tone on tone I used Fossilized Amber Distress ink to also stamp the confetti. It's slightly more visible. The sentiment on the outside is from Create with TLC. I really loved this sentiment. It's double die cut with MFT Pierced Fishtail Flags. I didn't want the fishtail on the card. I didn't take a picture but the inside has the sentiment from Tassel Time: "The tassel was worth the hassle! Congratulations." The school colors are maroon and gold. Same school my three kids graduated from. To finish I added three gold gem stones. I am entering these challenges:

• Tuesday Morning Sketches: sketch 
  
• Simon Says Wednesday challenge: anything goes
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• Crafty Friends: add embellishments
• Time Out challenge: Free ( I'm sure that's how Gretchen is feeling right now!)

That's it for me tonight. I went to pick up a bunch more containers from Teacher's Warehouse to go through and inventory them. That will take me some time. We have the twins tomorrow but thankfully it's supposed to be good weather. It's been very rainy here. Good for the garden but not so great for our mood. We need some sunshine. Hope your weekend is full of sunshine!

Donna