Friday, July 4, 2014

Latest Crochet Project

 This is the afghan I made for my son's girlfriend. Her favorite colors are earthy tones.  She saw a portion of the blanket when they were here to visit but it wasn't finished yet. I hope that she likes it.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

MISSING IN ACTION NO MORE!

Good morning everyone!  Hope this finds you all well.  I am sorry for the unexpected departure the last couple of weeks.  My husband and I made a trip to the old homefront to visit with family and forgot to grab my laptop on the way out.  Had a wonderful visit, but, was eager to get home with family here as well.

Can you all believe that today is July 2, 2014?  My goodness, I can't believe how fast this year is flying by!
That old adage "The older I get, the faster the time goes by" is certainly true for me.  It seems like I just settled into the routine of the school year and then it was over and time for summer vacation.

So, do you all have plans for the July 4th holiday?  We are going to have a BBQ and do some light fireworks for the kids.They always enjoy the show.

I will start back with my usual posts tomorrow and I am getting ready to expand the content of this blog.  I would appreciate any ideas on what seems to work for you for getting more viewers.  I am trying to build my follower base and would like to have more interaction with them.  I am thinking of doing some kind of link up party with a prize give away but have never done one and would need some guidance.

I look forward to hearing from you.  Have a blessed day and rest of the week. Enjoy your holiday and be safe out there!

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Just Because Friend



Made this card for a friend of mine who just loves cherry blossoms.  Found this paper in my stash and thought of her immediately and decide to make a card for her.  Found this digi stamp on pinterest.  Not sure of the original source. Image colored with CTMH colored pencils.





 Used CTMH liquid glass to make dew drops on the branches and flowers.


Saturday, June 14, 2014

Grandkids - LOVE THEM!!

My grandson, CJ's explanation to Quinn's question" Nana, why does it always rain in June?" CJ says, "It's because God is up there watching everything and when he watches TV and the news and they say it's going to be Stormy, he makes it rain and sometimes lightening and thunder and that is what I think about that." I just love my grandbabies.

I love it when they reveal how their little minds work.  I often wonder what they are thinking and how they view the world and their surroundings?  It excites me when we get the chance to experience things in this life through their eyes.  You often get a whole new perspective on things or situations.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Cool Dude


Made this card for the challenge over at Heart2Heart Challenge Blog.   Their theme for this week was So Studly.  .Check them out here and join in.  You have until the end of the month to enter any of the challenges for this month.  http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/

Card Recipe:

Stamps: free digi stamp from pinterest
Paper: Basic white card stock and paper from CTMH It's A Guy Thing paper pack
Inks: Card base colored with CTMH Bamboo Stamp Pad directly, Ranger Gathered Twigs Distress INks on the edges and around the entire image square, image colored with CTMH colored pencils
Embellies: Two barn red brads from CTMH
 

You're a Peach


Made this card for Challenge # 253 at Tuesday Morning Sketches: http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/.


Card Recipe:

Stamps: CTMH Sweet Life
Paper: CTMH Olive,  Garden Green, and White Card Stock, Scraps from CTMH Discovery Paper Pack
Inks: CTMH Desert Sand ink pad, image colored with CTMH colored pencils
Embellies: Bakers twine by Paper Studio
 

Free Spirit


Good morning everyone.  I hope everyone is having a great week.  I feel like I am running in circles this week.  I thought with the school year coming to a close, things would calm down a bit.  I didn't think about being at home all day with all five of my grandsons all day.  Don't get me wrong, I love them dearly, but, it seems like there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done that I would like to.

Today seems to be going much smoother.  Maybe the boys are settling in to their summer break mode and things will be easier now. I know I missed a few days of posting on here and I am running behind on meeting all the challenge deadlines I would like to meet.  However, I was able to get two cards done yesterday and so far, I have one ready for today. 

So, without further delay, here it is:

This card was made for two different challenges.  And they are:

Mojo Monday # 349
 

 
The other challenge is:

Their theme for this week is BOLD & Bright

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Thinking of you


Made this card fora challenge at Less is More. The link is below and you were supposed to use the colors of your bedroom.  Mine is blue and yellow and white.
http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/ 

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Basket of flowers is free digi stamp from pinterest, Thinking of you sentiment is CTMH For all Occassions
Paper: Basic white card stock, blue card stock, and scrap of yellow and white polka dots
Inks: Basket and flowers colored with CTMH colored pencils
Embellies: blue flower, yellow brad and yellow cut out butterfly
Tools: CTMH corner rounder, and Fiskars 3 way corner punch 

Happy Haunting for Friday Sketch Challenge # 71


Halloween card made for challenge # 71 at Friday Sketch Challenge:http://fridaysketchchallenge.blogspot.com/.



Card Recipe:

Stamps: CTMH Happy Haunting for the Bat and the ghost.
Paper: CTMH Enchanted paper pack
Inks:  only used CTMH black
Embellies: CTMH Ribbon rounds fall collection , leaf brad
Tools: Cuttle bug with Skeleton Scroll embossing folder. Then sanded the raised area to reveal the white inner core.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Double Challenge Card for the 4th. of July





This card was made with 2 different challenges in mind.  I was first drawn to the balloons because of  Crafty Catz http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/. Their challenge# 234  is "Inspired by a Song". I thought of "Up, Up and Away" by the 5th Dimension. When I started to color the larger balloon, the decorations reminded me of patriotic buntings, so I thought that I would color it red, white and blue and enter it into the challenge for Simply Create Too http://simplycreatetoo.blogspot.com/. Their challenge # 63 is "Celebrate Your Country". I included a music sheet for the song which I printed out from the internet.  Hope you like this.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: CTMH My Sunshine for the smaller balloon and a free digi stamp from pinterest
Paper: Navy Blue and Red card stock and the cloud paper is from CTMH Splendor paper pack
Inks: Ranger Stormy Skies distress marker, CTMH, red My legacy marker, CTMH Topiary Stamp pad 
and LePlume yellow marker for the smaller balloon.
Embellies: Red, white and blue ribbon  and bow
Tools: CTMH corner rounder

Whoo Misses you?


This is what the inside of the card looks like.


A card I made for my son and his girlfriend.  They were here in April to surprise me with a visit They were here and my other son and his two kids came as well.  I hadn't seen them since we moved to North Carolina about 4 1/2 years ago.  It was the best surprise a mother could have ever asked for.  Anyway, I was just think about my son and his girlfriend and wondering when he was going to pop the question to her.  Soon, I hope.  I absolutely adore her.  I was looking through my stamps for an outdoors stamp and had forgotten that I had this one.  She loves owls, so I was thinking about what I could do with this.I had some different sayings for different animals and this card is the result.  Hope you like it.

This card will be entered into the Addicted to Stamps challenge# 84.  Their theme this time around is the Outdoors.  Check them out here: http://addicted-to-stamps-challenge.blogspot.com/

Card Recipe:

Stamps: CTMH Whooo Loves You?, and CTMH Under the Stars, free frame digi stamp
Paper: Basic White Card Stock
Inks: CTMH Moonstruck sponged on for background and stamped stars with glitter jelly roll pen and used a circle to mask out the moon,  sunny yellow around the moon,  Autumn Terra cotta, for the small owl, chocolate for the larger owl, brown legacy pen for details on the owls, bamboo for the larger mushroom, with orange spots, petal for the other mushroom with yellow dots, ponderosa pine for the grass, dutch blue for the birdie, and heavenly blue watercolor pencil for the moon,


Friday, June 6, 2014

Have a Tweet Birthday


Time for a new challenge at Creative Inspirations. http://cinspirations.blogspot.com/ 
This week the challenge was this sketch:

 
I made this card using black card stock for the base.  I then placed a layer of aqua card stock the bird theme paper attached to it.  Each layer decreasing in its measurement to allow visual of previous layer.  The image in the middle is a Tweet Birthday Scallop Circle did stamp from Any Old Craft. I downloaded it to my Picasa program and tinted it to match the paper I was using and then printed it and cut it out.  Placed a strip of aqua cardstock across the middle and the digi stamp on top of that.  Used a teal ribbon for the bow and two aqua flowers with pearl centers on each side of the image  Hope you like it.

I must say that I am new to the world of digi stamps and I gotta tell you, I am hooked.  I still like my clear stamps and acrylic blocks but this has opened up a whole new level of crafting for me.


" Hello" ColorQ Challenge # 244

 Just a generic card to let someone know they are being thought of. This card was made for the ColorQ Challenge # 244.. 
You can click on their button on my side bar or click the link here: http://colourq.blogspot.com/
The colors for this week are:



Card Recipe:

Stamps: Used a few different stamps sets on this card.  All the stamps are from CTMH and they are:
Stamp set from the card kit: From Me to You
Delight in Everythin Stamp Set
Aspiration Stamp Set
Joy Forever Stamp Set
A Huge Thanks Stamp Set
Paper: Orange, white and Navy blue card stock, blue striped background paper 
Inks: CTMH Dutch Blue, Moonstruck, Olive, and Orange
Embellies: Olive embroidery thread, navy blue button CTMH blue ribbon rounds collection CTMH Just Blooms daisy, CTMH silver and blue brads  and a blue brad backer, CTMH circle tag  



Anniversary Wishes


This card was made for Color Throwdown # 295 challenge.  You can click on their button on my right side bar or you can click here to check them out: http://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/   Come join in the fun.

The colors for this week are:




Card Recipe:

Stamps: CTMH Best of Times for the heart
Paper: I used CTMH Floral Tapestry Paper pack and pink card stock for the base.  The strip down the side is maroon card stock.
Inks: CTMH cranberry
Embellies: Watermelon colored brad, maroon and light pink ribbon, Happy Anniversary sticker, tag covered with decorative paper, stamped and cut out heart
Tools: Martha Stewart .punch on bottom of tag and maroon strip  



Thursday, June 5, 2014

Fun Friends


This card is for all my wonderful lady friends in our Women's Ministry Group ( Something Beautiful ) at Lakeside Church of God here in Denver, NC.  They are some of the most amazing women I have ever known. They are always available to lift you up, build you up, pray for you, cry with you or make you smile and laugh.  I call it an honor to include them in my circle of friends.

I am entering this card in the following challenge: Tuesday Morning Sketches # 252. You can click on their button on my right side bar or click here: http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/

Card Recipe:

This was a very simple card to make, as I simply used everything from a Close to My Heart Paper pack and the matching Close to My heart Stickease stickers. How much easier can it get?  The paper pack I used was an oldie that I found in my stash called Boom-Di-Ada.  I am so glad that I found it.  I like the paper and the colors. The only extra thing I added was the green and white polka dot ribbon.  It matches better than the picture is showing but I can't figure out how to get the coloring right.  Hope you enjoy it.


Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Summertime... and the livin' is easy


Entering this card in two challenges.  H2H and Mojo Monday

H2H Challenge whose theme is Rhapsody in Blue.  Every Monday, there is a new challenge.  Check it out here: http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/

Mojo Monday. Check out this site every Monday to see what the new sketch for the week is: 
http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/          This is the sketch used for this week.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: CTMH Chantilly Workshop stamp set (cloud), My Sunshine stamp set (sun), Free Spirit stamp set (Summertime sentiment)
Paper: CTMH Rustic Trail
Inks: CTMH Heavenly Blue, Moonstruck and Sunny Yellow, CTMH watercolor pencils
Embellies: Clip art cut outs (Blues Guitar and Gramma in Rocking Chair), Ranger Liquid Pearls for necklace and earrings,  brown brad to allow movement of rocking chair
Tools:  CTMH corner rounder

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Barrel of Monkeys

Made this card for my husband.  He is one of the funniest people I have ever met and he always keeps me smiling.  You know the old saying" More fun than a barrel of monkeys"?  Well, most of the time, our marriage has been that way. With his sense of humor and the ability to bring it out in myself, that trait has gotten us through some of the hard times. He can see the good in any situation and we are able to look back and laugh at some of those times now. At the time, I thought the little interruptions in life were major catastrophes.  I am glad to say that I have matured since then and some of his humor has rubbed off on me, and I can look at life with a happier attitude.Hope you like it.

Entry for challenge at: Creative Corner Challenges http://creativecornerchallenges.blogspot.com/ 
The theme for this challenge is cute critters and I chose monkeys. 

Card Recipe:
Stamps; CTMH Life's A Jungle
Paper: NRN Designs (crackle with palms) on white cardstock base.
Inks: CTMH cocoa. and CTMH watercolor pencils ( fawn, goldrush and desert sand)
Embellies: CTMH ribbon rounds collection ( cocoa), barrel clipart from internet
   

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Never Forget, Color Throwdown # 294



Made this for the daughter of a friend of mine.  Her birthday is coming up and she will be 3 years old.Also entering this card  to the Color Throwdown challenge for this week
Check them out here: http://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/.



Card Recipe:

Stamps: CTMH Life's A Jungle
Paper: CTMH Dream Pop (Pink Elephant base), The Paper Studio Daydream Doodle paper pack, grayish card stock
Inks: CTMH Black
Embellies: Baloons from cardstock and light blue embroidery thread  


Color Q Challenge # 243


Made this card specifically for the Color Q challenge this week.
Check out their site here: http://colourq.blogspot.com/





Card Recipe:


Stamps: CTMH Summertime and Random stamping with CTMH Simple Blossoms
Paper: Basic White Cardstock
Ink: CTMH Ocean, Orchid Bouquet, Sweet Leaf and Sorbet, CTMH watercolor pencils
Embellies: Sheer Aqua ribbon, orange colored ribbon, purple and aqua flowers

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

I miss you!


I would like to share this card with you today. I made this card for my granddaughter to let her know how very much I miss her.  She is growing up so fast and I wish I could spend more time with her, however, we live about 2000 miles away from each other.  They were just here in April to visit for about 10 days and we had a great time together.  Can't wait until next time.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!


Who doesn't like ice cream??!!  Looking forward to the beginnings of a fun and active summer. Invitation to our First Annual Neighborhood Ice Cream Social.  A little gathering to get to know some of the neighbors.  Now that the weather is nicer, we have a chance to get out and meet people and make some new friends.Hopefully, we will have a good turnout and the kids can find some new friends as well.

This card is also an entry for the challenge over at
Tuesday Morning sketches.  You can click on their button on the right side bar of my blog or you can also click here: http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Sketch # 251   


Card Recipe:
Stamps: random loose clear acrylic You're Invited stamp
Paper: blue card base is from the Paper Studio Daydream Doodle pack, white with red polka dot strip from DCWV Fresh Floral Stack,  CTMH white card stock
Inks: Stampabilities True Red ink pad
Embellies: Ice Cream Social label and cherries from Paper & Pigtails Design, red and white polka dot ribbon
Tools: Cricut with Best of 2009 to cut out red scalloped circle behind Ice Cream Social label

Monday, May 26, 2014

Smile, Laugh, B Happy


I made this card for my Dear SIL who recently lost her husband very unexpectantly.  Just want to let her know that I am thinking of her and just want her to be smile some, laugh some and be happy.  I know she can use some encouragement. I am also entering this card into the Mojo Monday challenge for this week which is tall and skinny.  Check out their site for all the details. http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/



Card Recipe:
Stamps: CTMH Playful Petals
Paper: CTMH Blue Ribbon Paper Pack
Inks: CTMH Outdoor Denim and cranberry
Embellies: red and white polka dot ribbon, red flower, and leaves, CTMH Dimensional Elements Alphabet
Tools: None



Smooth Sailing


Good afternoon everyone.  Hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend. I have been in my craft room all day.  Tidying up and after I finished that, I decided to check out what the new challenge is for this week at Heart2Heart Challenge Blog.http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/. The challenge for this week is : So Very Nauti (Cool).  I thought; "Perfect"  I have a SIL who is going on  her very first cruise with us in January and I could give her this card before we set sail.  Of course, I immediately thought of the CTMH Tommy Paper pack for this one.One reason I love Close To My Heart is because they make everything so easy to put together.  You know if you buy the paper pack and add-ons that go along with it, everything will match perfectly.  I simply cut the paper I wanted to use to size, placed it on the card and the complements.  How much easier can it get? Hope you like it.

Card Recipe:
Stamps: None used
Paper: CTMH Tommy Paper Pack
Inks: None Used
Embellies:  CTMH  canvas complements
Tools: None Used except Fiskars trimmer

Sunday, May 25, 2014

BINGO! Lace, Stamp, Bling



Just bought this ribbon yesterday at Michaels and was glad I was able to use it already.  As soon as I saw the Bingo Card for the challenge at Inky Impressions http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/, I new I wanted to use it with this paper and some lace that I had.  My Bingo is: Lace, Stamp, Bling.

Card Recipe:
Stamps: CTMH Aspirations (double flower)
Paper: CTMH More to Adore paper pack
Inks: CTMH Blush and Tulip
Embellies: flowered bribbon, brown cording, lace strip, and pink button

Baby Card for Cuttlebug Mania Baby Challenge


Neutral colors used to make this simple baby card for a friend.  Little chick paper and yellow polka dot paper were from scraps I had on hand.    To add your own submission click here and go to Add Your Link

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  None Used
Paper: DCWV card stock, Little chick scraps, Yellow and white polka dot scraps
Inks:  None Used
Embellies:  Offray orange ribbon, CTMH Boom-Di--Ada Stickease lettering, Doodlebug Designs chick sticker
Tools:  Circut with Best of 2009 cartridge for outer orange and inner white scalloped circles
 

Memorial Day Weekend





 What a beautiful Sunday morning we are having here in North Carolina.  Sitting outside on the deck and drinking a cup of coffee. Watching early morning golfers and listening the birds chirp and frogs croaking in the pond.  Just doesn't get any better than this. Hope this finds all of you well and enjoying your holiday weekend. Enjoy and be blessed.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Birthdays are Good Times


My husband's birthday is coming up soon so I thought I would make his card now so I don't forget again like last year.  It just so happens that the theme for Creative Inspirations Challenge this time around is Birthdays.  Check them out here: http://cinspirations.blogspot.com/

Card Recipe:
Stamps: CTMH For Every Occassion (sentiment) and CTMH  Good Times (cupcake)
Paper: CTMH Good Times Paper Pack
Inks: CTMH chocolate and twilight
Embellies: Wide brown ribbon
Tools: Cricut with Best of 2009 cartridge

Color Throwdown # 293





Thank you card for Color Throwdown challenge # 293 at: http://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/

Card Recipe:

Stamps: CTMH A Flowering Bunch
Paper: CTMH   Rustic Trail (green, blue and salmon background),   Lori Gardner ( flowered strip)
            CTMH  blue cardstock 
Inks: CTMH Heavenly Blue, Garden Green, Sorbet, and Black
Embellies: green and white ribbon
Tools:  Cricut with Best of 2008 Cartridge for Label

REMEMBER!



Remember our fallen soldiers

Remember our missing in action

Remember prisoners of war

Remember our wounded warriors

Friday, May 23, 2014

Red Hat Ladies


I have a friend who is turning 50 and is a member of the Red Hat Ladies Society so I though this would make a good birthday card for her.  I am also entering this card for a challenge at :  Crafty Creations Challenges 

Card Recipe:
Stamps: CTMH Youthful Heart
Paper: Purple and white cardstock
Inks: Tim Hotlz Distress Ink (seedless preserves), CTMH My Legacy Writer (Red)
Embellies: Adornments red feather yarn, purple flower
Tools:  Cuttlebug with fancy corners embossing folder 

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Hear2Heart Garden Theme Challenge


Hanging file to keep notes in.

Project Recipe:
Satmps: CTMH Buzz and Bumble Workshop
Paper: CTMH Buzz and Bumble Paper Pack
Inks: CTMH Creme Brule, Garden Green (Water color pencil Autumn Terracotta)
Embellies: CTMH B & B Stickease, CTMH Cocoa Ribbon Collection, yellow flowers
Tools: Sewing machine to stich sides and bottom

Banner Day for a Picnic


Invitation for 4th.of July Family BBQ Picnic. 
Entry for Heart2Heart Banner Day challenge.

Card Recipe:
Stamps: CTMH Summer Picnic, CTMH Snap, Crackle, Pop
Paper: CTMH Blue Ribbon paper pack
Inks: CTMH Ink Pads (cranberry, Outdoor Denim, Desert Sand, Sunny Yellow )
          CTMH Legacy Writers ( Red, and Orange)
          CTMH Desert Sand Watercolor Pencil
Embellies: Diamond Stickles

Monday, May 19, 2014

Mojo Monday # 346 Circle of Love


This card is to remind us all that the LOVE OF FAMILY is so precious and its true meaning is on this
CIRCLE OF LOVE.  Treasure the time you have with your loved ones and never let anything get in the way of that special bond between family members.  Never leave each other without saying " I love you".  You never know if that will be the last time you are together.

My husband recently lost two of his siblings within a span of one month. Having  the comfort and peace that can only come from God and the support and love from family members what enabled us to get through a difficult time in our lives. I encourage you to stay connected and be blessed by the love of your family.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:CTMH Wheel of Life Flair, Chantilly
Paper:: CTMH Silhouette
Inks: CTMH Black
Embellies:: CTMH Silhouette My Stickease( Love of Family, Circle of Love, circle branch),, CTMH Ribbon Rounds Black collection, Making Memories Brad collection


Pop's Fathers Day Card 2014


Father's day card for my father-in-law.  One of the sweetest.caring and compassionate men I have ever met. I couldn't have asked for a better father-in-law.  
This card is also an entry for a color challenge at Fancy Papercrafters.http://fancypapercrafters.com/forum/topics/may-2014-challenges The color selection is called weathered hues.

Card Recipe: 
Stamps: CTMH Sensational Seals, CTMH The Works Alphabet, CTMH Homestead Alphabet
Paper:  Background paper is from CTMH Surf's Up
Inks: CTMH Moonstruck and CTMH Ocean
Embellies: blue embroidery thread and brown button
Tools: cricut machine  to make seal backing

All the attributes of a great Father


This is the card I made for my husband for Father's Day this year.  He was and is a great father to our children. So thankful for him.

Card Recipe:
Stamps: CTMH Checklist
Paper:  scraps
Inks: CTMH Moonstruck
Embellies: buttons and CTMH waxy flax

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Double Challenge Fathers Day Card


 Fathers Day card  to meet two challenges.  First one is for the Heart2Heart challenge for last week which is Take 5. My take 5 is 5 different elements on this card.  The next challenge is for Fancy Papercrafters and that challenge was to use circles.  I think I have that covered.

Link to Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog is:  http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/  or you can click on the their button on my sidebar on the right.

The Link to Fancy PaperCrafters Challenges is:  http://fancypapercrafters.com/forum/topics/may-2014-challenges   or you can click on their button on my sidebar on the right .


Card Recipe:
Stamps : CTMH    Make It Count Set, Wheel of Life Flair Set, Friendship Word Puzzle Set, Dimensions Alphabet
Paper used: CTMH It's A Guy Thing
Inks Used:  CTMH Barn Red, New England Ivy, Cocoa, and Desert Sand
Embellies Used: CTMH Ribbon(Cocoa), CTMH colonial White Brads