Holiday Wishes

Hiya!
So.  I have a feeling that the next few weeks are going to be filled with Christmas cards.  There may be a birthday or other occasion type card thrown in, but it's mostly going to be Christmas in July here on my blog.  I'm not exactly sure why, but I have no desire to create anything but Christmas cards right now.  Here's another.

I love the CAS look to this card as well.  I wanted to keep it with as few layers as possible, and I think I achieved that.  Love the embossing as well.  I added a few pearls, and a snowflake in a window, and was done.  Simple.  This is my interpretation of Cards N Things sketch #85, flipped on it's side.  

That's all for me!  I'm off to make another Christmas card. :)

Hugs!

Holiday Greetings

Hi ya'll!

Surprised to see another post from me?  lol  I have been trying to join in on the Waltzingmouse Sketch challenges since they first started, but wasn't able to accomplish anything, until now.  I loved their CAS sketch this week, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity again.  They have some wonderful sketches, so I think I'm going to make it a point to join in as often as possible from now on.  Continuing with my Christmas mojo, I created this.

I really like the CAS look to my card.  I didn't think I'd be able to pull it off, seeing as how I like to keep adding stuff. lol  The snowflakes are actually a border die by Tim Holtz, so I think this fits into this weeks CAS-ual Friday challenge, getting edgy, again.  I've also come to find a few new challenges to play along with.  Check them out. 

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #53 - Sketch (I didn't realize until after I had linked my card, that I will probably be deleted because I don't own any Waltzingmouse stamps, but here's the link to their challenge.)
CFC #8 - Getting Edgy
Clear It Out Tuesday - CAS
Ladybug Crafts (TLT) - Christmas In June (also having a blog hop!)
Oldie But A Goodie #22 - Anything Goes (stamp must be at least 6 months old)
Top Tip Tuesday #40 - Starts with a T (I have Twine on my card)

That's all for me today.  I'm being sneaky and posting this, instead of working.  lol  Hope you have a good one!
Hugs!

Peace

Hi everyone!

It seems that I was in the Christmas mood this weekend.  I guess being gone from the CCC design team for so long gives me the urgency to get caught up. lol  I'm loving the fact that my creative mojo is coming back, and that I'm able to add to my stash again.  Here is another Christmas card I made.

You know me, I'm not normally one to follow the traditional red/green Christmas card color scheme, but these papers were too beautiful not to use.  And the polka dotted butterfly?  LOVE!  I've combined the following challenges for this card.

Sketchbook Saturday #17 - Sketch (I love Chupa's sketches!)
Creative Inspirations #62 - Stitching (I did faux stitching along the line beneath the hearts, next to the twine)
Paper Sundaes #75 - Sundae Bar (I chose wings and gems)
Scrappy Frogs - Simply Red (use red on your project)
I Did It Creations #61 - Mid-Year Christmas
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge #26 - Anything Goes
Designed2Delight - Red, White & Blue and/or Christmas Too (obviously I went with Christmas lol)

I'm glad that you stopped by today.  Hope you have a great week!
Hugs!

Christmas Card Challenge Week #30

Hi everyone!

It's been a few months since I've posted a card for this years Christmas Card Challenges.  I took a leave of absence, and even though I'm not officially back until next Sunday, I couldn't help but play along with this weeks callenge, which is Die Cuts.  And you know how I am about embossing.  HERE is a challenge to support that habit. lol  Here is what I came up with. 

For this weeks challenge, click HERE.

I love how this turned out!  I used my Tim Holtz Carved Ornaments die and the MFT snowflake dies for this.  I'm behind on my Christmas cards, so I've created two of the same for this week, and I'll probably do the same each week until I'm caught up.  I think I'll have all of my cards done by Christmas that way. lol  I've also combined the following challenges into my card this week.

Sweet Stop #114 - Sketch

Frosted Designs - Black & White plus 1

Speedy The Cat's Friends Challenge #61 - Make it Sparkle (my snowflakes are loaded with Stickles)

CFC #8 - Getting Edgy (my first time joining and yes, I did use a border punch although you can't see it that much lol)

I do hope you'll head over to the CCC blog to see what the other wonderful desingers have created.  They're always fabulous!!

Have a great day!

Hugs!

Appreciation

Hi ya'll!

Well, I tried to put together another masculine birthday card yesterday, as mentioned, but instead I would up with this.

This is going to that new special someone. *wink*  He was definitely my rock, and I was so glad that he didn't run away when I needed him most.  It's a bit girly, but I think he'll like it just the same.  I've combined the below challenges.

Just Add Ink #72 - Coloring (my hearts are colored with my Copics)

Stampin B's #115 - Border Punches

Corrosive Challenge #121 - Ribbons & Bows

I'm definitely going to attempt to make my masculine birthday card tonight.  I'm running short on time, so it has to be done quickly.  We'll see how it turns out. lol

Have a good day!

Thinking of You

Hello!

I hope all of you are having a restful Sunday, enjoying whatever you're doing.  I have been very low key this weekend, only making a venture out to the grocery store, and only because I HAD to.  Needless to say, my creative mojo has been a bit MIA, but here is what I made for Ben's parents.

With some help and support from a new, special someone in my life, I was able to put everything aside to make this card.  I'm hoping they will find it helpful, and somewhat comforting in their time of loss and grief.  I love this card, and I love that it will go to them.  Below are a few challenges that I've included.

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #122 - Sketch (my loose interpretation)

Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge #60 - Buttons

Crazy 4 Challenges #92 - Floss or String

Stamp Something - Something with Pretty Papers

Creative Inspirations #62 - Stitching (real, faux, etc.)

I'm going to try to put together another masculine birthday card for a co-worker.  I'm not sure it will go as planned, but at least I'm going to do something else that's crafty.  I think it will be good to do that.

Hugs!

    

My Heart Is Heavy

Hi everyone,

I've struggled over the last 24 hours as to whether or not I was going to post this.  Ultimately, I feel it's important to share my story with everyone, if it helps even one person.  First, I'd like you to meet my friend Ben.  Always smiling, always laughing, always there for everyone.  A beautiful human being.

Ben turned 29 two weeks ago, and took his last breath on Wednesday, June 15th, thanks to a careless driver who ran a red light because they were texting instead of paying attention to their driving.  It's a terrible tragedy.  He was killed instantly from the impact, and I'm glad that he didn't suffer. 

It's sad that this brilliant, amazing, wonderful young man won't get the opportunity to grace us with his presence ever again.  I tell you, one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life, was call his mother to let her know that her baby had been in an accident that he didn't survive.  I'm blessed to have had him in my life, even if for such a short time, and I will miss him beyond anything that I can describe.

I used to be one who texted while driving, and I never thought that one quick text could be the end of another persons life.  Sadly, that's exactly how the events of his passing went down almost 48 hours ago.  Recently, Texas has come up with a law stating that it will be illegal to text or talk on your phone while driving.  Unfortunately, it will come too late for any kind of real punishment for the driver who ended my friends life so carelessly.  The law does't take into effect until September.

Please, please, please, I beg of you, try to remember what's important when you're driving - everyone's safety.  I wouldn't wish this feeling of grief, and loss on anyone.  It is, however, a huge reminder as to just how short life can be. 

Don't forget to tell your loved ones how much you care about them, every chance you get.

My Hero

Hi ya'll!

How is your weekend going so far?  Mine is going to be fantastic!  I'm just waiting for a few of my co-workers to arrive and then it's time for pool party and bbq in the backyard.  I LOVE having a pool.  So relaxing after a stressful day at work, and always fun when having friends over.  *happy sigh*

So, my stupid internal alarm clock had me up at 6am today, bleh.  I couldn't get back to sleep, so I decided to start working on some Father's Day cards for work.  Here is the first one I created.

I love how this turned out.  If you've followed my blog long, you know I struggle with masculine cards. lol  I just got these star dies from MFT and had to play with them already.  I cut them out of old book paper and glimmer misted them.  They're really cool in real life.  I'm surprised at how well my card matches the idea I had in my head.  I'm going to enter this into the following challenges:

Crazy4Challenges #91 - Father's Day

Speedy The Cat's Friends Challenge #59 - Father's Day

Sketchbook Saturday #15 - Sketch (my loose interpretation)

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Father's Day

Stamp Something - Something Punched (I used dies)

Delightful Challenges - Father's Day

Stampin Royalty #75 - Celebrate Dad

Don't forget you still have time to participate in FYI Challenge #7.  There's a cute prize and the photo is amazing.  You can find all of the details HERE.

I hope you have a great day!  I'll be thinking of ya'll while enjoying my margarita, poolside. :D

Hugs!

Thank You

Hi everyone!

How was your weekend?  Did you get lots done?  I was actually able to accomplish everything I set out to do.  I got caught up on laundry, went grocery shopping, and purged/reorganized my craft area in my bedroom.  Oh, and I also went to a crop on Saturday night with the gals.  It was so good to get crafty again.  I'm hoping to be able to do that more often, now that things at work are starting to calm down just a bit. 

So, I have been following Chupa's blog for a while now, and have been wanting to play along with her Sketchbook Saturday sketch challenges, but hadn't had time.  Fortunately, I finally got the chance to use her sketch, #14, on Saturday.  Here is my card.

I combined the sketch with Color Throwdown #144, which is Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie and Certainly Celery.  I didn't have the exact match on the green, but the Nestie on the bottom of the flower is actually a light green.  Have I mentioned how in love I am with the Square Lattice embossing folder from Stampin Up? lol  I adore it and I try to use it every chance I get.  Love how it makes patterned paper almost look like burlap or canvas, sort of.  Anyway, I'm going to add this to my stash that is in severe need of replenishment.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have a great week!

Hugs!