Be Strong

Hola!!

How's everyone doing?  I hope you've been able to have a nice, relaxing weekend, filled with crafty goodness.  My daughter left on Friday, for vacation with her best friend, and I've been a total bum.  All I've done is make cards, and eat.  I'll have to make sure to focus more on the crafting, and not the eating though. lol  I've got plans with an old friend who recently moved from Dallas to Sioux Falls, and will be in my area for work this week.  I can't wait to see him.  Should be a blast to kick his butt in a game of cribbage. :o)

I wanted to participate in a few challenges I saw online, so here is what I made for them.

I'm having a bit of difficulty getting good, true to color, pictures up here.  For some reason, everything seems to have a gray overcast when I go to edit them, even when the sun is out.  I am trying a new software, but the pictures seem to look really, really bright to me.  I guess I'll just have to keep trying to work it out.  I made this card for a friend who's going through some difficult stuff right now.  Her favorite color is yellow, so I thought it would be perfect to pair with the gray.  I've had these papers in my stash for a while, so it's good to use some of it up.  I know she'll love the happy mail, and even if only for a short while, she'll be able to smile.

I've combined the following challenges in my card:

Retro Sketches #70 - Sketch
Dynamic Duos #59 - Basic Gray & Your Choice (I chose yellow)
Totally Gorjuss #190 - Wings
2 Sisters #150 - Stripes 

I'll be back soon with another something crafty.  I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to make lots of stuff this week. lol  I hope you have a wonderful day!

Hugs!

Thanks!

Hi y'all!

Happy Friday to everyone!!  I'm so thankful that today starts my weekend of relaxation. *happy sigh*  My daughter is headed to Minnesota, for vacation with her best friend, and won't be back until next Sunday.  I have no doubt that she'll have a blast, but I'm going to miss her.  I can't wait to hear all about it when she gets back though.

Anyway, I've been playing with my new Lawn Fawn goodies again, and made this card.

So, I'm not the best with Copics, but I did try to add a bit of shading.  These fun hot air balloons went perfectly with this cloud paper I've had in my stash for ages.  I also used the chevron stamps to create the banners, for some added interest.  I have no doubt that these stamps will be used again.  I am hopeful that the Lawn Cuts Blue Skies dies will be back in stock soon.  I really want to use them with this set.  This card will go into the card box for future use.  I'm slowly building up my stash of cards again, thankfully.

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Cardabilities #77 - Sketch
DRS Designs #76 - The Letter B (I have banners and balloons)
Charisma Cardz #25 - 3, 2, 1 Challenge (I used 3 banners, 2 balloons and 1sentiment stamp, hope this qualifies)
MilkCoffee Challenge - Summer Fun (I attended many, many hot air balloon races and events during the summer, while living in Colorado, hope this is ok)

That's all for me today.  I'm off to work in a few, and am glad it's Friday.  I hope everyone has a great day!

Hugs!

You Are My Sunshine

Hello, hello!

I'm home today with a broken big toe and cellulitis (infection).  I can't get a shoe on, or put any kind of pressure on it, so I can't drive.  I decided to make a card to distract myself from the pain, and so that I don't feel like I've wasted a whole day, doing nothing.  The doctor says I should feel better, and see a significant improvement by tomorrow, and I can go back to work then.  I sure hope so!!

I recently got some new Lawn Fawn goodies, and decided I needed to ink them up.  Here is what I created.

The sweet Lawn Fawn group were very nice, and sent me some really pretty papers, as a thank you for my order.  I've used some of them in this card.  I think they go perfectly together.  The colors are nice and cheerful, and you can tell that Kelly Marie definitely chose the design elements for them.  I made this card, along with a few others, that I will be hiding in my daughters stuff, before she leaves on vacation with her best friend next week.  This is our first week apart, for longer than a day or two, in years.  I'm glad she's going, but am already starting to feel a little stressed out by the separation anxiety. lol  With everything that's happened recently, legal wise, she's been stuck to me like glue.  We'll see how we survive...

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Our Creative Corner June Challenge - Recipe (Ribbon (twine), Wood, Inks)
Sweet Sunday Sketch #87 - Sketch
Use It Tuesday #58 - Bring on the Sunshine (I've had the twine, and bracket die in my stash for months)

I found out yesterday that I was chosen at a Top 2 at Use It Tuesday, for THIS card.  Thanks ladies!

I'll be back soon with another card.  I've received a lot of new goodies that need to be used soon.  Have a great day!
Hugs!

XOXO

Hi y'all!

Happy Humpday!  I'm SO glad today is Wednesday and we've only got two days left to go, before I get to sleep in.  If only we had more days in the weekend, I'd be a happy, happy girl. lol  I'm sad to say that we didn't make it to the College World Series after all, due to my having to work on Saturday.  Boo!  My daughter, being the amazing young woman she is, just blew it off and decided that she'd be happy if we went to see Man of Steel instead.  I was more than happy to oblige.  It's a GREAT movie, by the way, for any of you who are unsure of seeing it.  A lot better than I expected anyway.  The new Superman (Henry Cavill) is very nice to look at, especially when he's without a shirt. lol  Anyway, I made a card this morning.  Here's what I came up with.

I am trying to do the CAS thing again.  I wanted something simple, but not boring.  Thank goodness that my distress inks were able to help me accomplish my goal.  I embossed the back panel with the Tim Holtz rays embossing folder, and really like how it turned out.  I made this for a very dear friend, I met through blogging, who's always been there for me.  I do hope she enjoys it.

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Just Add Ink #169 - Inspiration Photo
Papertake Weekly - Hot, Hot, Hot (It is kind of a stretch, but I'm hoping Rays embossing folder fits this challenge)
Inky Chicks Challenge #6 - Love
SCRS Challenge #107 - Inspiration Photo
Without Words June Challenge - Hot Colors

I just found out this morning that I had received this:

For THIS card I made last week.  I'm totally stoked to be a Dynamic Darling! 

That's all for me today.  I'm headed to work, and then to my daughters softball game this evening.  Have a wonderful day!

Hugs!

House of Cards

Hiya!

How's it going?  Things here are going pretty well, for a Monday. 

So, I've been keeping a secret.  I wasn't sure if I would be a part of any new design teams, because of life and priorities, but when I was directed to the House of Cards blog, I was interested.  I thought it would be a fantastic group to be a part of, so I applied.

There are 4 Design Teams at House of Cards, a team for each card style (Cute & Fun, CAS, Classic & Elegant and Shabby & Vintage). Every Monday throughout June they're introducing each DT member, team by team.  I'm proud to say that I've been invited onto the Classic & Elegant design team, and I'm excited to finally share the news with all of you!  I do hope you'll extend warm fuzzies to my fellow teamies by visiting their blogs and saying hello!  You can see who will be joining me by clicking HERE.  Each design team has many wonderfully talented people on it, and I am almost certain that you'll be inspired each week by their cards.

In case you're unfamiliar with House of Cards, here's how it works. There will be a monthly sketch or color scheme given for all 4 weeks. Each week, we will ask participants to enter a specific card making style. If there is a 5th week, it will be any card making style goes with a photo inspiration.

Stay tuned to see some amazing creations!  Our first DT post will go live at 6:00 am CST on Monday, July 15th!!  I do hope you'll be back then to check out my first card. :o)

Stay crafty my friends!

Father's Day

Hey y'all!

So, how about one more card to finish out the week? :o)

My best friend Drew is celebrating his first Father's Day, and I wanted to make sure I sent him a card in honor of this.  I wanted to keep it simple, yet make an impact.  This is what I came up with.

I got this sentiment from last weeks Word Art Wednesday Challenge, but I didn't get the chance to use it.  I printed it on cream cardstock, then inked it while still in my die.  You can't see it in the photo, but I outlined the inside of the die with my clear glitter pen, which gives it a sparkly brown colored frame when combined with the distress ink.  It looks awesome in real life.  I do hope my friend likes his card. 

I've combined the following challenges in my card:

Kaboodle Doodles #175 - For Your Favorite Guy
Papertake Weekly - Hello Boys
Use It Tuesday #57 - Masculine (The patterned paper has been in my stash forever)
ODBDSLC158 - Masculine/Father's Day

Here are a couple pics of Drew and his son.  I was lucky enough to get to see them while I was in Dallas over Memorial Day weekend.  Aren't they both adorbs?!  And yep, I'm pretty sure Shade is going to be a ginger as well, even though he had a full head of black hair when he was born. lol

That's it for me.  I'm off to finish up my week of chaos and then head out for the weekend with my favorite girl.  I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs!

Thanks A Bunch

Hiya peeps!

It's Thursday, which means only one more day until the weekend.  The weekend could not arrive soon enough for me this week. lol  I'm going crazy with everything.  Thank goodness we're taking a small road trip to get away this weekend.  My daughter has done nothing but talk to the two friends who are going with us to the College World Series about how much fun she thinks we're going to have.  They all play softball, so it should be quite an enjoyable evening for everyone. 

Here's the next card I'd like to share with you.

I was trying to add texture, and I think I achieved my goal.  I've had this burlap stuff for a while, but never really knew what to do with it.  I am also quite smitten with the stamped wood veneer hearts in the top corner.  I got the idea from my friend Rochelle, and am now hooked.  I am sure I will be using this idea quite a bit now.

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Cardabilities #76 - Sketch
In The Pink Challenge #21 - Anything Goes
Brown Sugar Challenge #45 - Fabric or Felt (I hope my burlap qualifies)
Dynamic Duos #56 -Blushing Bride & Soft Suede

That's all for me this week.  I am hoping to create more stuff soon, but not sure when that will actually happen. lol  I guess that's just how it goes sometimes, right? :o)

Hope y'all have a great weekend!
Hugs!

Happy Holidays

Yola!!

As mentioned in my last post, I was busy last weekend, crafting up a storm.  I don't think I've made more than one card in months.  Here's the next one I want to share.

I haven't created a Christmas card in months!  It's weird not making them, after having to create one every week, for the last four years. lol  I used my June Simon Says Stamp card kit for this card as well.  Who says you can't use regular papers for holiday cards, right?  I love how this turned out! 

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Jingle Belles - Sketch
Christmas Card Challenge #28 - Lace (I have just a hint of lace peeking out from under my sentiment)

I'm off to work.  I'll be back soon with another something crafty.  Hope your week is going well.
Hugs!

You're an Angel!

Hello, hello!

Thanks for stopping by.  I do hope your week is going well, so far.  It's a crazy week for me this week, so I'll have to make these short and sweet.  Gotta love it when work interferes with my crafting time. lol

I'm really, really trying to step outside my comfort level "box" and make more CAS cards.  I think I pulled this one off pretty well, even though I feel the need to add more to it. lol  Love these colors together too.

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Case This Sketch #30 - Sketch (challenge is closed, but I really wanted to use it)
The Play Date Cafe #185 - Magenta, Teal & Light Gray
CAS-ual Fridays #104 - Banners and/or Flags
Hiding In My Craft Room #101 - Super Scraps (the banner pieces are scraps)

I hope everyone has a great day.  It's off to work for me!
Hugs!!

Dude! Happy Birthday...

Greetings y'all!

Here we are on June 9th, and it has been another gray and dreary week in Iowa.  It has been raining for most of the week, and it hasn't gotten above 65, in my area.  I suppose I shouldn't complain, as at least it's not in the 90's with tons of humidity, which I dislike. lol  The flip side is that I got to sit in my crafty space and create a few things this weekend.  Here is the first of a couple things I'll be posting this week.

I got home from work on Friday, and my June Simon Says Stamp card kit was waiting for me.  I was super excited and couldn't wait to play with my new goodies.  I finally own my first Kelly Purkey stamp set. :o)  There were tons of masculine elements to this kit, and if you know me, you know I don't do masculine very well.  I was having a bit of trouble putting anything together that I was happy with, so I walked away and then returned later.  This is my result.  I dig it, and I know the person who will be receiving this card.  I'm sure he'll like it.  He's got a mustache. lol 

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Sieze the Birthday #18 - Sketch
Bloggers Challenge - Masculine
Simply Create Too #39 - Father's Day and/or Masculine
Just Us Girls Challenge #192 - Washi Tape (the mustache background was made with the washi tape that came in the kit)

Our week is filled with work, and softball games, and then a road trip to the College World Series on Saturday, in Omaha.  I'm excited, as it has kind of been a family tradition to go to the CWS, and we've missed the last few years.  I'll post pics of our fun next week.

I do hope you have a wonderful week!
Hugs!

Rain or Shine

Howdy!

It's a chilly and rainy first day of June here in Iowa, so we decided to stay in and bake tons of goodies.  Aside from a ham, baked sweet potatoes and homemade peach cobbler, we also made cupcakes and our favorite Mexican sugar cookies (my grandmother's recipe).  Talk about greatness! lol  While doing laundry, and keeping up with the happenings in the kitchen, I was also able to squeeze in some time to get my craft on.  I had been wanting to try a couple new challenges out there, and today was the day.  Here is the card I put together.

I think this is one of the most CAS cards I've ever made.  I dig!  I kept wanting to add stuff to it, but in the end, I decided that less was more this time.  I absolutely love the distressed blue panel with the water stamping on it.  When I was in Dallas for Memorial Day weekend with my sister, I put together a couple of boxes of crafty goodness from storage, and shipped them to myself.  In one box was the PTI Scattered Showers stamp set.  I am sad to admit that I've had this set for over a year, and this is the first time it's seen ink.  I realize now that I have a lot of stuff like that. *sigh*  I guess that means I'll just have to start creating more. :o)

I've combined the following challenges in my card:

Fusion Challenge #9 - This is my take on combining both the sketch and the inspiration photo. 
Inkspirational Challenge #22 - Anything Goes
WordArt Wednesday #82 - Anything Goes
Use It Tuesday #56 - Anything Goes (The stamp set I used is over 2 years old)

I do hope you're having a fabulous weekend.  Hopefully, you're getting lots of craftiness done.  See you guys again soon!

Hugs!