Merry and Bright

It's been a long few days. I thought I'd have more time to craft but that just hasn't happened yet. Tomorrow we have new carpet coming. We've been out of our bedroom since last October and I'd love to be back to somewhat normal but I think we are taking a big risk. DH wants it done so they are coming. Praying that all goes well as the number of cases of the virus in Indiana continue to rise. So we've been prepping the three rooms that will get new carpet. We've been pulling up carpet and pad and placing it downstairs in our extra room on the floor. So we had to move everything out down there to lay it down and then move it all back in. Quite the job. We had the twins all day yesterday so not much time for crafting until this evening. Here's a card I just finished.

The image is Christmas Light Kitty from QKR Stmapede. I colored it with Spectrum Noir and American Craft markers and die cut it with MFT Stitched Circles. The designer paper is all from American Craft Christmas paper pack. The sentiment is from Blessed is the Season stamp set (retired) from Gina K Designs.  All the layers are backed with black card stock. I am entering these challenges:

• QKR Stampede challenge: anything goes
• Cheerful Sketches: sketch 
  
• Rudolph Days: anything Christmas
• Simon Says Wednesday challenge: anything goes
• Christmas Card Throwdown: Christmas lights 
  

As the news get scary with each passing day, please know that I keep all your you in my prayers. Please stay safe and healthy. Thanks for stopping by!

Donna

Spring Flower Power

When I was out for a walk the other day, we walked past a yard that had gorgeous purple crocus blooming. That was the inspiration for my card this evening. I used two of the strips from my personal challenge. Here are the cards that I've made so far:
Card 1 / Card 2 / Card 3 / Card 4 / Card 5 and today is my sixth card.

I don't very often make cards without sentiments on the front but this one turned out that way. The flower image is from Scribbles Designs and it's a free image! I colored it with Prismacolor Pencils and die cut it with MFT Inside and Out Stitched Rounded Squares (cut twice to fit the image). The background paper looks like it's blue but it's really purple. The designer paper toward the bottom is from my stash and I also used 2 of my strips from my personal challenge. The dark purple border is some ribbon from my stash. It's really paid off to reorganize my ribbons. I backed the flower with a purple card stock. I am entering these challenges:

• Scribbles Designs challenge: in bloom
• 613 Avenue Create: use colored pencils
• Sketch Saturday challenge: sketch 
  
• Double D challenge: spring 
  
• Crafty Sentiments Designs: spring is coming
• Scrapping4Fun challenge: add flowers

That's it for tonight. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay crafty! Have a blessed day!

Donna

Lifting You Up

I was thinking that I want to send more encouraging cards out since our lives are so uncertain these days. I also thought about beefing up my get well cards too, just in case. But today I went with encouragement.

The sentiment is obviously my focal point and it's from Create with TLC. I created the background with Neat and Tangled Geometric Blooms stencil and distress oxide inks: Seedless Preserves, Salty Ocean, Lucky Clover, Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade and Candied Apple. The butterfly ribbon is from my stash. To finish off I added a 3-dimensional butterfly sticker. Layers are backed with black to make the colors pop. I am entering these challenges:

• Tuesday Morning Sketches: sketch (sketch is turned) 
  
• Penny's challenge: anything goes
• QKR Stampede: anything goes
• Hero Arts Stay Crafty challenge: encouragement card
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• Simon Says Monday challenge: stencil fun

I know just who I will be sending this card too. Many of my family are in the at risk category. So far I don't know anyone who actually has the virus and I hope it stays that way. But I also want to be ready with some cards just in case. Praying for all of you and your families that the virus stays away. Thanks for stopping by today God bless!

Donna

Having a Little Fun

I feel like this is really our first day of quarantine, as we were gone for my FIL's birthday and then had the twins yesterday. So far so good but there's a lot more to come. I started a list of things I could do around the house and cards that I'd like to make. I have a list of every day things to do like laundry, exercise, and dishes and then a longer list of one time activities. It was much colder today but if it warms up some I'll go out for walks. I did get one card done today.

This was an image for The Outlaw birthday celebration. I may have already missed the deadline but I decided to use it anyway. The penguin was colored with Spectrum Noir markers and die cut with MFT Stitched Ovals. The background of the oval is lots of clouds that I made using MFT Mini Cloud Edge stencil and Salty Ocean Distress Oxide ink. I used a white gel pen to add some accents to the balloons. The frame is from MFT Blueprints 32 using green card stock. The sentiment is from Doodle Pantry (no longer in business) and die cut with Quickcutz Tags. I inked the tag with Squeezed Lemonade Distress ink. The ribbon is from my stash, which I reorganized when I had the regular flu in February. So glad I did that because I cleaned out stuff I will never use and found some really fun ribbon that I didn't know I had. The really fun, multi-colored background paper is from Papers by Lozzy and the set is called Fun. I die cut the paper with a stitched die from MFT Blueprints 13. To finish off I added some bling to the frame; self-adhesive rhinestones. I also added wiggly eyes on the penguin. I am entering these challenges:

• Birthday challenge at The Outlawz: use the image
• Creative Knockouts: bingo (bling, die cuts, ribbon)
• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies: use a critter
• A Bit More Time to Craft: anything goes
• Feeling Sketchy: sketch 
  
• A Bit More Time to Craft Extra: anything goes

I am about to call it a day! We found out today that we have an IU student who has tested positive for the corona virus. I hate listening to the news because there isn't any good news and there doesn't look like we will get back to normal anytime soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Stay safe, wash your hands, and stay healthy!

Virtual Hugs,

Donna

Gnome Matter What

It's been a long week, but we celebrated my FIL's 90th birthday in style; even with the Corona Virus hanging over our heads. The family and friends celebration on Saturday was a lot of fun and the family dinner on Wednesday (his real birthday) was really awesome! But I am glad to be back home,  in my own bed, even if it means we are self-quarantined. There's gnome place like home! Speaking of gnomes, here's a card I finished this evening.

The adorable gnome image is from Sheepski Designs called Giant Mushroom and is the progressive image at The Outlawz this month. I colored it with Spectrum Noir markers and die cut it with MFT Inside and Out Stitched Rounded Squares. The clouds behind the image were stenciled with MFT Cloudy Day Stencil. The sentiment "I Love You Gnome Matter What" is computer-generated. Both of the designer papers are from my stash. I found both of them at a thrift store. The cloud paper is die cut with MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2. I backed all the layers with black card stock. To finish off the card I colored a wooden heart with some of the colors I used on the gnome hats and used Gina K Crystalline Drops to make it looked stitched and give it texture. I am entering these challenges:

• Sketch Saturday: sketch 
  
• Simon Says Monday challenge: stencil fun
• A Bit More Time to Craft: anything goes
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• Addicted to Stamps and More: anything goes 
  
• The Outlawz Progressive challenge: use the gnome image from Sheepski Designs

I did make a trip to the grocery store for some fresh stuff this afternoon. Tomorrow we are going to run over and pick up the twins and keep them for the day. They haven't been out of their tiny apartment since Sunday so I think they'll be happy to run our house for a while. We can't take them anywhere but here, everything is closed. Thanks for stopping by. We have storms moving through so I'm going to call it a night in case the electric goes out. Take care! Be safe and stay healthy!

Donna

Faith, Hope, and Love

Good evening my friends! I am watching all the mounting information about the Corona Virus and hoping and praying that family and friends are spared from this awful disease. As we prepare for my FIL's 90th birthday party this weekend I worry about family and friends that will be attending the event. I hate that everyone is thinking about the virus when it should be such a a joyous occasion. Please know that my prayers are with you all for a healthy future. My card tonight was inspired by a card made by Shelly. I loved the image she used and then found the image in my stash so I had to make a card with it.

The image is from Bugaboo Stamps called Beautiful Blocks Faith. I colored the image with PrismaColor pencils. The green background is embossed with the Victoria embossing folder. The sympathy sentiment, heat embossed in white embossing powder from the Stampabilities Card Phrases stamp set.  To finish it off I used two of the strips from my personal challenge (you can read about that here). I hadn't thought to make this a sympathy card when I started but it just kind of evolved into one. Happy to say I don't need to send this to anyone right now. I am entering these challenges.:

• Tuesday Morning Sketch: sketch 
  
• Catch the Bug: anything goes
• 613 Avenue Create: use colored pencils
• The Flower Challenge: anything goes
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• Crafty Sentiments Designs: add flowers

I won;t be around this weekend. We are headed home tomorrow to celebrate my FIL's 90th birthday. Most of the family will be home for the event. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you are staying safe and healthy! 

Donna

Tiny Blessings

Happy Tuesday! Today I have the fourth card in my personal card challenge. I am using these flowery strips of paper that I found in my stash. If I don't mess any of them up I think I had 14 of them. Here is Card 1, Card 2, and card 3 so far. I have been finding ways to use more than one strip on a card.

I don;t send many St. Patrick's Day cards out but I thought I would send this one to someone. It has a St Patrick's Day feel to it.The sentiment was a freebie from Create with TLC. The sentiment panel is die cut with MFT Pierced Fishtail Flags (retired). I cut it twice so the panel would show the pierced border all the way around and left off the flag.  I used two of the flowered strips and a piece of green card stock from my scrap pile. The Shamrock ribbons from Hobby Lobby (a 90% off sale after the holiday one year). And the bow is a die from Die Cutting Essentials #59 All Wrapped Up. I am entering these challenges:

• Sketch Saturday: use any sketch from 2018 (#530) 
  
• Simon Says Monday challenge: a bit o' green
• The Outlawz Greetings challenge: green reigns
• Crafty Cardmakers challenge: green
• Pattie's Creations: anything goes

We are preparing for my FIL's 90th birthday party this week. So that's taking up a lot of time this week. Tomorrow is Head Start day so we'll go play with the twins. Always my favorite day of the week. Thanks for dropping by. Wishing you a blessed day!

Donna

Make a Wish

Happy Monday! It was a busy day. They were short a cashier so I went into volunteer this morning. Stopped at the grocery on my way home. Had time for a card this afternoon. Made dinner and went for a walk after dinner before the rain begins. Supposed to be rainy most of the week. So maybe I'll get some crafting done. 😉

Before I got the flu several weeks ago, I started a personal challenge to use these flower strips that I found in my stash. I think I had 14 when I started. This is card #3 that I've used them on. You can see my Birthday Love card and my Bloom card. I still have a bunch to use. This card uses a Bugaboo Stamp. What I have saved in my files says Happy Birthday Envelope but I'm not able to find it on their web site. So this one may be retired; not sure. The image is colored with Spectrum Noir markers and die cut with Gina Marie Designs Cross Stitched Rectangles (retired).I used one of the strips and added a purple Martha Stewart flower border. The sentiment is from Hero Arts It's Your Day stamp set. The sentiment is die cut with Spellbinder's Labels 13 die. I inked the dies with Squeezed Lemonade distress ink. To finish off I added 3 enamel dots. I am entering these challenges:

• Stella Sketch: sketch 
  
• Simon Says Monday challenge: a bit o' green
• Catch the Bug challenge: anything goes
• Simon Says Wednesday: something feminine
• The Outlawz Festive Friday challenge: birthday

That's it for me tonight. I may have some time to start another card this evening. I do have a few chores to get done. Thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed day!

Donna

Hugs and Fishes

The weekend is upon us. I hope it's a good one for you so far. We had the twins all day today. I took Valerie to get her hair cut. Quite the experience but more on that a little later. They are always a blessing to have around. I finished a card this morning that I had started yesterday.

The fish are this months Limited Runs Progressive challenge image. I copied the fish three times, made them different sizes and changed orientation. I inked the background with several colors of Distress Oxide inks and used emboss resist on the seaweed at the bottom of the card. The seaweed is from a retired Gina K stamp set. The sentiment is from Paper Makeup Stamps ( no longer in business). The fish were inked with distress oxide inks. I was trying for a rainbow of colors. The fish are fussy cut and since I cut off the bubbles on the image I added Rock Candy Stickles for bubbles around the fish. I am entering these challenges:

• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies: use a critter
• Crafty Sentiments Designs: anything goes
• Digi Choosday: anything goes
• Crafter's Cafe: anything goes
• A Bit More Time to Craft: anything goes
• A Bit More Time to Craft Extra: anything goes

So this week at different times I took the twins to get hair cuts. We've been after their parents to get their hair cut for quite some time and I finally offered to do it. They took me up on it. So I thought I would show you before and after pictures.

Arthur hardly looks like the same kid but he's such a little man with his new hair cut and people no longer think he's a girl.

Valerie was twirling around to feel her hair swing. She's just so happy. So glad their hair cuts worked out and Mom and Dad seem to like them too.

That's it for me tonight. For those who change time tomorrow morning wishing you a pleasant day with one less hour of sleep. Might need a nap tomorrow. LOL! Have a blessed day and thanks for stopping by!

Donna

Eclipse Card

Happy  weekend everyone! Being retired usually means your weekends aren't much different than your week days. Our weekends tend to be busier than our week days but sometimes that varies. Tomorrow we have the twins all day. I am taking Valerie to get her hair cut. I'm hoping it's warm enough to take them to the park. It certainly wasn't today. Chilly and windy today.
My FIL is celebrating his 90th birthday next Saturday. His real birthday is March 18th, but the family is gathering together next weekend to celebrate this big milestone! So here's my card.

Dad has owned a Farmall A tractor for as long as I have known him. So I thought it was pretty neat to take a picture of the tractor and then do an eclipse card with his name. I only have one set of alphabet dies and they are all lower case so this looks a bit strange, but some people do spell their names with all lower case letters. The alphabet is Quinn's ABCs dies from Lawn Fawn. Here's another view of the eclipsed letters.

The numbers were die cut with MFT Pop-Up Numbers. The sentiment is from Hero Arts It's Your Day stamp set. The sentiment strip is heat embossed with red bling embossing powder. I used an embossing pen to hand write the "th" and emboss it also. The sentiment is die cut with MFT Pierced Fishtail Flags. The background paper is from my stash. I am entering these challenges:

• Seize the Birthday: anything goes: focus on the sentiment
• QKR Stampede: anything goes
• Penny's Paper-Crafty challenge: anything goes
• Creative Knockouts: lots of layers
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes

I am headed for bed because I know the twins will wear me out tomorrow. Stay tuned for some before and after pictures of their hair cuts. Arthur definitely looks a lot different. Valerie is just really getting a trim but she should look different too. Hope you have a lovely weekend! Thanks for stopping by.

Donna

Cheers!

I actually sat down this evening to make a card since I need a lot of birthday cards this month. So my card tonight is for a very dear friend of mine. I started by looking for a sentiment that I liked. And when I found the sentiment I decided on the stamp and before I started coloring I looked for designer papers. That's kind of new for me. For some reason I usually color first and then look for papers to match. It makes a lot of sense to pick the paper first and then match the colors. I sometimes do things the hard way!

The image is Art Impressions Wine Diva colored with Spectrum Noir markers. I like Art Impressions stamps but I don't have a lot of them. This is one of my favorites. The sentiment is from MFT Anything-but-Basic Birthday Wishes. Some really cute sentiments in this set. The Cheers sentiment is from the AI set. The background paper is from my stash. I got it at a Girl Scout workshop. The image is die cut with Lawn Fawn Stitched Party Banners. The sentiment is die cut with MFT Pierced Fishtail Flags (retired), die cut twice to give both ends the flag shape. The party hat is a dimensional sticker from Miss Elizabeth's Scrapbook Stickers. Since the big banner had holes to string the banner, I covered one with the Stampin' Up! Tag punch I used for the Cheers sentiment. The other hole I covered with a flower gem very similar to the one on the top of the party hat. I actually colored the gem to make it similar in color to the one on the party hat. I like how this one turned out! Hope my friend does too. I am entering these challenges:

• Try Stampin' On Tuesday: sketch (optional: letters or numbers) 
  
• Seize the Birthday: anything goes' sentiment as focal point
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• Incy Wincy Designs: hand-colored image
• Simon Says Monday challenge: Tag it!
• Crafter's Cafe: anything goes

Still cleaning up from the renovation. Dry wall dust covers everything. We are waiting on new carpet so as soon as that is installed we'll be able to move back into our bedroom. We've been in one of the spare rooms since last October. Looking forward to getting back to normal. Tomorrow I am taking Arthur to get his hair cut. I'm afraid he won't be patient with getting his hair cut. But it really needs to be cut! Next up will be Valerie when I can get an appointment for her. Thanks for stopping by today  Hope you are having a blessed week!

Donna

I'm Late (I'm Late) for a Very Important Date!

Maybe I should start tattooing important things to my arm or hand so I can remember. LOL! Yesterday was the start of a new challenge at 12 Months of Christmas Link Up and I forgot to post my card. In my defense I had the twins all day yesterday and then we had a night out with friends. I had it in mind to post first thing this morning and then my DH asked me to help with the remodel project. That took all day. So here I am trying to post my card. Better late than never I supposes.
So we have a fun sponsor this month: Bugaboo Stamps. I so love Jodie's fun digis. Our challenge is always anything goes as long as it's Christmas but we add a twist for those who are up for more of a challenge. This month it's Ice, Ice Baby!

I used Bugaboo Stamps Poppi Christmas Cocoa. Nothing better than a hot cocoa on an icy or snowy day! The background paper is the new paper set created by Decosse's Dynamite Doodles for this challenge called Winter Weather. The free sentiment is from Crafty Nomad. I colored the image with Spectrum Noir and American Craft markers. I used white and silver glitter paper and MFT and Paper Smooches snowflake dies to create the embellishments. The fun border is from my ribbon stash box. I sure hope you'll come join in the fun this month and possibly win a great prize in the process! Stop over at the 12 Months of Christmas Link Up and check out what my design team sisters have created! I am entering these challenges:

• The Outlawz Wednesday Sketch challenge: sketch
• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies:  use a critter
• Crafty Hazelnut Christmas: anything goes
• Simon Says Wednesday challenge: anything goes
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper: use patterned paper

That's it for me tonight. I have a bunch of birthday cards due out soon so I need to get my motivation back quickly. Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!

Donna