Beary Special

Happy Tuesday! It's cold here. So cold that Indiana University closed for tomorrow. IU rarely closes. I can count on one hand how often they've closed in the 31 years we've been here. It's supposed to be -13 tomorrow morning without the wind chill. The twins won't be going to Head Start tomorrow so I won't have to go there either. I don't have a car right now so I couldn't go unless I took my DH to work and took his car. With those kinds of temperatures I am happy to stay home. I was home today and managed to get one card done along with catching up with things left from vacation. I have a ton of birthdays in February so I am trying to get a few ahead right now.

I actually used this weeks MFT sketch but it closed before I got it finished. I liked the sketch though so I really wanted to use it. Here's the details of the card:
Stamps: MFT Birthday Bear, the bear is popped up with foam tape
Dies: MFT Birthday Bear Coordinating dies, MFT Pierced Fishtail Flag Stax. MFT Stitched Circles
Embellishments: sequins from my stash with Glossy Accents to fill in.
Paper: MFT Sweet Celebration Paper Pack
Coloring: Spectrum Noir markers
The sentiment is heat embossed with white embossing powder. Here's the inside of the card.

I am entering these challenges:

• MFT Birthday Project: feature one or more presents
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• The Outlawz Twisted Thursday: anything goes with layers
• Crafty Friends challenge: animal/birds
• Crafty Cardmakers challenge: add some texture (layers, sequins with Glossy Accents, popped up image)

That's it for me tonight. I'm going to be staying inside and keeping warm by the fire. On Thursday I was supposed to help unload semis of Girl Scout cookies but that has also been canceled. We won;t have much of a warm up until Friday. If you are experiencing really cold or warm conditions please stay safe! Thanks for stopping by!

Donna

I'm Back!

Hey, it's good to be back home again! (Can you hear John Denver singing?) After more than 3100 miles in a car I'm ready to be at home and back to crafting again! We got snow last night. We manage to miss two snow storms while we were gone but the temperatures are supposed to drop this week and I would have been happy to miss those really cold temps too. I did miss crafting and the twins of course. So I had to see the twins first and then I could make a card.

Before Christmas I won a $50 gift certificate from My Favorite Things and spent it on some new stamps and does when they had a sale. My DH gave them to me for Christmas. Haha! But these Wildflower stamps caught my eye and I decided I needed them. I stamped and heat embossed the flowers and leaves and then colored them with Spectrum Noir markers. I die cut each one with the coordinating dies. The designer paper is MFT Sweet Celebration Paper Pack and I used two different patterns from the pack. The rind was due cut with two sizes of MFT Stitched Circles. The sentiment is from MFT Anything-but-Basic Birthday Wishes heated embossed with white embossing powder on black card stock. I just used my paper cutter to cut the sentiment and popped it up with foam tape. For a little embellishment I used Gina K Crystalline Drops. They are clear so they are a bit difficult to see in the photo. I am entering these challenges:

• Friday Outlawz challenge: birthday
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• Seize the Birthday: stamping only
• Lil Patch of Crafty Friends: anything goes
• Get Creative challenge: anything goes, no twist

The twins and their parents are coming for dinner this evening so it's off to the next project to get done. I'm still doing laundry from the trip. We spent two weeks away and never did laundry so we have a bunch. Looking forward to getting back to a routine again, although Tom isn't looking forward to going back to work. Take care and stay warm or cool wherever you might be!

Donna

Hippo Bird-Day

Welcome from sunny Florida! This may be the only card that I get done this week. We've been busy doing lots of things but not much time to pull out my crafty stuff. This morning we went off to the flea market close by and then spent the afternoon being lazy at our camper. So I thought I would pull out things that I brought and try to make a card. I didn't get far before I realized that I forgot to put in my paper cutter. So if my paper looks as if mycutting isn't quite straight that's really the way it is. I tried measuring and cutting with a scissors so I know they aren't perfectly straight.

The images are from MFT Happy Hippos and I also used the coordinating die cuts. I colored the hippo and bird with Spectrum Noir markers. The sentiment is from the same MFT stamp set. The plaid paper is from MFT Sweet Celebration 6x6 Paper Pack. I added some self-adhesive gems. The circle in the background is MFT Stitched Circles. I followed the MFT Sketch challenge.

I am entering these challenges:

MFT Sketch challenge: sketch above

Simon Says Wednesday challenge: CAS

QKR Stampede: anything goes

Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes

A Bit More Time to Craft: anything goes

While we are getting 6 more inches of snow today at home, we are enjoying one last day of sunshine and warm temperatures. Tomorrow the rain is moving in and our temperatures should drop about 30 degrees. Probably a good day to watch football in the trailer. Monday morning we will be heading back home by way of North Carolina. We will stop briefly to see Tom;s two sisters before we head back to snowy and very cold Indiana. I will leave you today with a picture perfect sunrise from this morning. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Donna

It's Dueling Day

Welcome to mid-January! As I am enjoying the Florida sunshine (I hope!) this is a scheduled post. We are beginning a new year of the Dueling Darlings. Our kit this month was provided by Judy and I. Here's what my write-up said:
Happy New Year, Dazzlers (and Divas - Judy's group)! Your first kit of the year has arrived. As 2019 begins, many people make new goals for the New Year. Statistics show that most of those goals are never fulfilled. Judy and I decided that our theme this month would be "encouragement". Let's encourage someone to reach for that goal that they have set for themselves, whether it be a New Year resolution or just something that a friend or family member may be striving for. After making your card, pay it forward to that friend/family member who may be struggling.

This is the card that I made from the kit. Here's what I sent each of the Dazzlers:

• Gina K Hope is Faith butterfly stamp (retired) stamped on Neenah Solar White cardstock with Memento Black ink
• Gina K Inside and Out (retired) sentiment stamped on Neenah Solar White cardstock with Memento Black ink
• Designer Paper: the Paper Studio Denim and Pearls card stock (4 different 6x6 sheets)
• Embellishments: Paper Sweeties twine, heart brads, sequins, ribbon and gems from my stash

So as you can see I used 2 different patterned papers. The butterfly I colored with some new Spectrum Noir markers that my DH gave me for Christmas and then fussy cut the image. The sentiment was die cut with Gina Marie Designs Wine Label die. I used a Zig pen for some faux stitching. I added Wink of Stella to the butterfly. I added some of the gems and some of the sequins from the kit for embellishment. The sequins were filled with glossy accents for some extra shine.

I hope you will check out all the other team members to see what they created:

Dazzlers blogs: Jeanette, Shelly, Tracie, Terry L.

Splitcoaststampers galleries: Terry S., Paola, Debby B.

Divas blogs: Barb, Carol, Judy (my partner), Heather, Kelly,  LJ, Tami

Splitcoaststampers galleries: Suzy

Thanks for stopping by today. Happy duesling to all the Darling!

Donna

First Birthday

I recently found out that we have a new addition to our family. My nephew adopted a little girl and her first birthday is this month. So I wanted to send her a birthday card. Her birthday is right after we get back from vacation so I'll need to send it before we get home, So I wanted to be sure it was ready to go so I could send it while we were on the road.

This is a retired image from Beccy's Place. This set has images from 1 to 9 and it's one of my favorite sets. I've used it a number http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/2019/01/tuesday-morning-sketches-485.htmlof times for different children's birthdays. The images are such fun! I colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers (I got some new colors for Christmas!) and die cut the image with MFT Inside and Out Rounded Squares. The designer paper is Sweet Celebrations 6x6, a new paper pack from MFT that they had on sale. I love the bright colors! I backed each of the layers with black card stock to make the colors pop! The sentiment is from Jillibean Soup Balloon Party. I heat embossed it with black detailed embossing powder, inked the Quickcutz Tag with Peacock Feathers distress oxide ink and added a heart die cut from Simon Says Stamps Stacked Hearts. I printed the image twice and fussy cut the one so I could it pop it off the card for texture. The "one" is covered with Wink of Stella so it sparkles, the heart on the tag is covered with glossy accents, and I used white gel pen to embellish parts of the image. I really like how this card turned out!
I am entering these challenges:

• Beccy's Place January challenge: animals
• Tuesday Morning Sketch: sketch 
  
• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies: use a critter
• MFT Birthday Project: sparkle and shine 
• Simply Create Too: anything goes
• Mod Squad challenge: Patterned Paper
• Simon Says Monday challenge: something new (designer paper and markers)

So this will be my last post before we leave for Florida. Tomorrow I will be packing all day and getting ready to leave early Friday morning. I'll have at least one scheduled post next week and hopefully I'll have more posts while we are on vacation. I'm going to try to take some crafty things with me. We'll see how that goes. Thanks for stopping by. Take care until my return!

Donna

Love

I had some time to play and wanted to finish my progressive challenges for January before we left for Florida. This card is for The Outlawz Progressive challenge.

The image is from Sheepski Designs called Bear Love. I colored the image with American Craft markers and die cut the image with Gina Marie Designs Cross Stitched Rectangles. The designer paper is old scraps from my stash. The banners were die cut with MFT Essential Fishtail Sentiment Strips. The heart embellishments to the left of the image were die cut from Simon Says Stacked Hearts die. I used Glossy Accents on the heart embellishments. I also added some accents with white gel pen. I am entering these challenges:

• Outlawz Progressive Freebie challenge: use the Sheepski Design image Bear Love
• Sheepski Designs challenge: new or old (new Image and old designer papers)
• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies: use a critter
• Sketch Saturday: sketch 
  
• Simon Says Wednesday challenge: something new (image)

I am beginning to pack for our trip to Florida. Tomorrow morning I volunteer at Head Start and then I'll continue to pack the trailer up tomorrow afternoon. Our temperatures have been around 50 this week but tomorrow they are supposed to drop by 30 degrees. We'll be back in the deep freeze again. Tom said we are supposed to get snow on Saturday and we are leaving on Friday. Great timing! Have a super day!

Donna

Guest Designer - Through the Craft Room Door

Happy Tuesday! Today I am a guest designer over at Through the Craft Room Door challenge blog. I had the pleasure of working with a wonderful digital stamp from The Paper Shelter.

The digital stamp is called Ice Hockey, colored with Spectrum Noir markers and die cut with MFT Stitched Ovals. I used the colors for the Cincinnati Cyclones since my nephew is a huge fan and I'll be sending this card for his birthday. I added the Cyclones symbol to the helmet. The sentiment is computer-generated and reads: "Keep your stick on the icing And blow out the candles!" The background paper is from Doodle Pantry (no longer in business). The three Heart Balloons are from MFT. I used black card stock for layering and added glossy accents to the balloons. I hope you'll join us over at Through the Craft Room Door challenge this week. The challenge is always anything goes so you can make whatever you want!
I am entering these challenges:

• Simon Says Wednesday challenge: something new (digital stamp)
• Cupcake Inspiration challenge: Something new (digital stamp)
• Incy Wincy challenge: quotes or sayings
• Try Stampin' on Tuesday: sketch 
  
• The Outlawz Festive Friday: anything goes

Thanks for stopping by today and be sure to check out all the wonderful designs over at Through the Craft Room Door. We are packing up the new trailer to start our first big adventure on Friday. We'll be heading for Florida for two weeks. The weather hasn't been very cold although we are supposed to get colder this week before we leave. The weather  in the Keys is in the high 70s so that doesn't sound too bad to me. I will be back with at least one more card this week, I hope. Take care!

Donna

Elf

We are leaving for Florida next week and I have a few cards that I need to finish and post before I go. Just in case I am not able to post while I'm away. I really don't know if we'll have Internet service at all. So I wanted to get the Limited Runs Progressive challenge completed.

The image this month is this cute little elf candy cane. I colored him with mostly American Craft markers then fussy cut him out to add to the North Pole background paper. The other designer papers are from American Craft. I added yellow Stickles for embellishment on both stars and the ornament on his hat. The sentiment is from Creative Vision. I am entering these challenges:

• Feeling Sketchy challenge: sketch 
  
• Mod Squad challenge: at least three different patterned papers
• Simon Says Wednesday challenge: something new (elf stamp and North Pole background paper)
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• Crafty Hazelnut Christmas challenge: anything goes Christmas

I hope the beginning of your new year has been awesome. Wednesday I went to help with the twin's Head Start class and they were short-handed so I'm going to go back tomorrow and help again. Their regular teacher will be back next week so things will be a little more normal for them. Thanks for stopping by.

Donna

New Year, New Challenge

Happy New Year to you all! I've been working all day to get things back to normal. The last of our sons left on the 30th but we had the twins all day yesterday so their parents could get things back together again. So today is the first chance I've had to get things put away and get the laundry and dishes done. Now if I could just get some craft time in. LOL!
Since it's the first of the month, there is a new challenge beginning at 12 Months of Christmas Link Up. Our sponsor this month is SheepSki Designs and Lisa has created a really fun paper pack that you could win too. I've included the included the preview below.

The optional theme this month is to make any shape but a rectangle for your card base. I love the new papers this month. So I used them on my project.

The image is Snowmen Selfie from SheepSki Designs. I colored it with Spectrum Noir markers. (I got 2 new sets for Christmas.) I die cut the base of the card with Spellbinder's Scalloped Circles. The image I die cut with MFT Stitched Circles. The sentiment is from MFT Happy Pawlidays stamp set, heat embossed with white embossing powder on black cardstock. I die cut the sentiment with Impression Obsession Mini Rectangle Tags 2. I added some detail with a white gel pen and Ruby Slipper and Baby Blue Stickles. This was such a fun card to make! I hope you will join us this month at 12 Months of Christmas Link Up. It's never too early to get started on your Christmas cards for 2019!
I am entering these challenges:
Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft: anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown: winter sparkles
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas: anything goes Christmas or New Year
Simon Says Wednesday challenge: anything goes

Check out what the rest of the design team has created at 12 Months of Christmas Link Up. You won't be disappointed. Hope your 2019 is off to a wonderful start. Take care, stay safe and warm!

Donna