Our Beautiful World

Happy Sunday my friends!

First of all I'd like to start out by saying 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MORGAN!

Our beautiful granddaughter turns 22 today ... seems like only yesterday when she was born!

Where does the time go??

Unfortunately she sick in bed with the flu that everyone seems to have these days with this crazy weather!  BUT, we are all planning to get together on Tuesday when the weather is actually supposed to be in the 60s (snow and 20s today) to celebrate with her!  Get better sweetie!

* * * * * * * * * * 

I don't have a card to share with you today ... but rather, something a little different!  

There is a website called OUR BEAUTIFUL WORLD and their 'challenge' is more about showcasing a THEME then you upload photos you have taken that fit that theme.  And, it's fascinating to see photos from all over the world and sometimes the unique interpretations too!

This week's theme is BLOOMS!  

The photos the design team have inspired us with are fabulous and I can't wait to see what other amazing photos of BLOOMS are entered.  With loving flowers as I do, I have several different photos that would fit this 'challenge' but the first one that popped into my head is a photo I took last spring when our 100+ year old crab apple was in bloom.  

It is SO OLD, SO BIG and SO GORGEOUS every spring!!

We had such a WET spring last year that his beautiful tree actually start having a lot of branches dieing off.  We were concerned so had a tree service come in for a diagnosis.

Turns out it had Fire Blight and we spent a lot of money to have it treated in hopes of saving this beauty!  Time will tell us if it took care of the problem and hopefully, she'll be in full bloomin' beauty again this spring!  Hubby and I both would sure hate to loose this fabulous tree!

 Here's another spring bloomer that I'm looking forward to seeing again this spring.  COLUMBINE

These self seeders have pretty much taken over the small bed below my living room windows.  As you see, they come in various colors (truth be told I only planted the purple ones!) ... Mother Nature took over from there!

And how about the beautiful color of this AZALEA.  

I don't have the best of luck with Azaleas, don't really have a good location for them, but this one seems to be pretty happy and this was it's second year.  We'll see how it does this year ... hopefully it has settled in and gets the proper lighting it requires.

Well that's it for me today!

The day is flying by (again) and I still have a long list of crafting items I had hoped to get completed today!

Take care ... 

Tell those around you how much you LOVE them ...

You never know when it might be your last chance!

Farm Chicks

Hello my friends . . .

WOW!  It sure feels like Spring today ... but I hear that is going to be short lived because there's another cold front and snow on the way!  {sigh}  But hey ... I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts and besides ... I've FINALLY started feeling MUCH better and almost back to normal.  Actually slept last night without coughing or getting up to blow my nose!  That's a good sign!

With being out of commission most of the week, needless to say I have fallen behind in my crafting!

I should have had a fabulous creation to share with you showcasing products from Crafty Secrets!  I don't have anything FABULOUS but I did manage last evening to make this cute card which made me think of my daughter.  She's a 'Farm Chick' with horses, chickens, ducks, pheasants and heaven only knows what else!  LOL!

The images used here are from the large Clear Arts Stamps set called "FARM CHICKS".  Even though Crafty Secrets has converted a lot of their stamp sets to digital (which is awesome BTW), there are still some clear stamp sets available ... be sure to check it out if you haven't quite gotten into the digital scene yet!  

And if you are a 'farm chick' like my daughter, you might enjoy creating with the Farm Fresh Creative Scraps also available at the Crafty Vintage Girl Store.

Whatever your style ... I'm sure you will love the wide selection of images, papers, ephemera available through Crafty Secrets!  Please be sure to pop over to our STORE and check it out!

JUST A QUICK REMINDER!

The FIRST MONDAY of EVERY MONTH we have a Linky Party at the Crafty Secrets/Heartwarming Vintage Blog.  You have 1 week to create a card/project using ANY OF OUR PRODUCTS and sharing it with us on our blog.  YOU could be the $50 prize winner and just for playing you receive a $6 gift card to the store!  What a fabulous deal!!  OH!  AND, if by chance you don't own any of our products (YET!) ... check out the sidebar of our blog for freebies that you are welcome to grab and create with!

I hope you'll come join in on the fun!  If you need inspiration, each team member will share a creation & tutorial on her personal blog to help get your mojo going.  Please stop by!!

A few challenges to share in:
Bloggers Challenge - Animals
Crafty Catz #224 - Anything Goes
Sister Act Card Challenge #50 - Anything Goes

Well ... that's it for me today!  Like I said ... I'm WAY BEHIND so I need to get back to work!

I wish you all GOOD HEALTH and a fabulous weekend ahead!

Till next time . . .

Outlawz Twisted Thursday

Hello my friends!

I'm thrilled to say that I am once again the guest designer for the Twisted Thursday Challenge at the Outlawz!  This challenge is always ANYTHING GOES but with a twist!  

And, today's twist is to use a BUTTERFLY on your creation.

Nicecrane Designs is our sponsor and I have chosen one of the adorable images 

from his 'Children Paintings Vol II' sheet as my focus.

Isn't this just the cutest picture!!

Lately I've been trying desperately to grab from my scrap pile when creating my cards.  

Otherwise, my pile becomes a mountain of paper pieces!

The base panel is a left over piece of design paper from Crafty Secrets 'Printable Forget Me Not Digital Paper - DP-224'.  The second panel is a left over strip of Graphic45 'Secret Garden' paper which I've dressed up the edges by punching with Fiskars 'Scallop' border punch and inked the edges with TH 'vintage photo' distress ink.

The matting behind the image is also a scrap ... Paper Pizazz design paper.  My butterflies were die cut with the Cheery Lynn Designs DL-112 Exotic Butterflies small die set.  A touch of Purple Stickles adds a bit of sparkle to their wings.  Elizabeth Crafts gold corner stickers & a little gingham ribbon finish off this simple yet adorable creation.

I'm always amazed at what can be created from a pile of scraps ... I truly need to dive into this pile even more than I have been!  Instead of grabbing for that full sheet (hence creating myself even MORE scraps) ... I need to go the other direction and grab for the scraps FIRST!

Here are a few challenges to share in:

4 Crafty Chicks #187 - Spring

4 Crafty Girls #14 - Anything Goes

Art Impressions #132 - Getting Girly

MilkCoffee Challenge - Welcome Spring
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Creative Moments #39 - Anything Goes twist/Things with Wings

Thanks for stopping by today ... hope you've been inspired by my card 

and hope you'll come join in the fun!

It's Raining Cats & Dogs ...

Good Afternoon friends . . .

It's not really raining here (YET!) ... SNOW today ... RAIN TOMORROW!  Uugh ...

Actually my title indicates the challenge theme this week over at Classy Cards n Such.

And, since I recently purchased these adorable Impression Obsession puppies from her store, I just couldn't help but create and play along.

Didn't this little scene come together adorably!!

I am LOVIN' all the new dies I've been collecting lately.  So much fun to create with.

LOVE these puppies (I also ordered the DOGS).

I have a lot of 'animal lovers' that request cards from me and I really didn't have many stamps or dies in that category (NOT being a HUGE animal lover myself).  Don't get me wrong ... my daughter & granddaughter both have animals and they are wonderful ... 

I just don't want them living at MY house!  

Been there ... done that!  LOL ... you understand I hope!

I just can't say enough about how cute these critters are ... there are 5 different puppy dies in this set.  

I will list all the dies (w/numbers) used on this card below my name at the bottom of this post.

I have created the background using two different stamps for the rain .. CC Rubber Stamps and All Nite Media.  They were stamped in SU Blue Bayou ink, and the back ground green grassy area was sponged with Memento Bamboo Leaves ink.

All my dies were cut from scraps of paper I had in my scrap bin (love when that happens).

My sentiment comes from the Crafty Secrets Words from the Heart Booklet 'Celebration & Joy', and my I/O cat dies came from Dies R Us.  For their eyes, I simply used a white gelly roll pen the on the dogs eyes place a small black dot with a fine black marker.  The outside grass is a Joy Craft die purchased through Joan's Gardens and the picket fence is from Cheery Lynn Designs.

A few other challenges to share in:

Creative Card Crew - Animals

Digi Choosday Challenge - Animals

The Paper Nest Dolls Challenge - Anything Goes
Cut It Up Challenge #41 - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you're having a great day!

I've been sick for nearly a week now (thank goodness for blogger prepost capability), and FINALLY today I'm starting to feel 'human' again!  Thanks to all who sent well wishes ... very appreciated!

Till next time ...

Recipe:

Papers:   white, black, garden green, brown card stock

Stamps:  CC Rubber Stamps, All Nite Media

Inks: Versafine Onyx, Memento 'bamboo leaves', Stampin' Up 'Blue Bayou'

Accessories: TH black marker, White Gelly Roll Pen, Crafty Secrets sentiment

Dies:  Impression Obsession Cats #DIE083, Puppies #DIE142, Joy Craft Grass #6002/0137, Cheery Lynn Designs Victorian Picket Fence #B123

Sisterhood - Animals

Hello!  Hello! Hello!

WOW!  Another month is drawing to a close ... 

Where is the time going???

Today at The Sisterhood of Crafters, 

it's all about those critters! 

That's right ... we'd like for you use an ANIMAL 

somewhere on your card/project!

Isn't this vintage image just the sweetest!!

I spotted it over on Pinterest and just had to create a card using it!

Poor doggie ... his face reminds me of Petey from the Little Rascals 

(aging myself here, lol)

except he doesn't have the circle around his eye! 

I'm not really sure what she's doing with his ear ... maybe she's removing a burr ...

either way, I'm sure she's trying to help him ... NOT hurt him!

A few challenges to share in:
Creative Card Crew - Animals
Digi Choosday Challenge - Animals
Just Inspirational Challenge - Monochromatic
 Bunny Zoe's Crafts March Challenge - Monochromatic
Craft-Dee Bowz Challenge - Anything Goes w/homemade bow

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today!
I hope you'll pop over to The Sisterhood of Crafters to see the fabulous ANIMAL projects the sisters & step sisters have created for your inspiration ... then join in the fun!

Recipe:

Papers:  SU Vanilla cs, My Mind's Eye 'Oliver' 6x6 dp, Creative Imaginations dp, 

Sentiment:  Computer generated in PSE

Accessories:  Sizzix Tim Holtz 'brick wall' embossing folder, Pop Dots, Craft-Dee Bowz bow maker, Offray 'mudpie' satin ribbon, Tim Holtz 'frayed burlap' distress ink

Spring Has Sprung!

Hello friends ... Happy Tuesday!

It's once again my turn to share inspiration over on the DIES R US Inspiration Blog and here's the design team card I'd like to share.

The calendar says that it's officially SPRING,

 so that's my theme for today!

Here are the dies I've used on today's card 

which are available at the Dies R Us store.

Remember, if by chance it's Out of Stock, just click on the 

"Put Me On The Waiting List" button and you'll be notified when it's available.

Memory Box - Gold Finch

Frantic Stamper - Hummingbird

Frantic Stamper - Accent Labels

Cheery Lynn Designs - Birdhouse w/Lattice

Cheery Lynn Designs - Ivy Corner Flourish

Cheery Lynn Designs - Sweet William Strip

I just LOVE birds, hummingbirds (and squirrels, lol) so I truly enjoyed making today's card.  My background paper from a Prima 'Fairy Belle Collection' pad and my sentiment was a stamp that is so old, I couldn't even read the mfg. name on it any longer.  

There are so many BEAUTIFUL butterfly dies available in the store (and you'll be seeing a lot of them in the near future), but I had these little MS butterflies laying on my worktable and since I've recently been on a mission to use up scraps, I couldn't help but add them to my card.

Look at the detail on this hummingbird die from Frantic Stamper ... isn't he gorgeous!

I merely die cut him out of garden green card stock then rubbed on a little turquoise blue Gelato to give him a more realistic color appeal.

I just had to share another closeup so you could see the detail on the birdhouse, corner ivy flourish and flowers.  Aren't they just fabulous!  I could have done more accenting on the gold finch but truth be told he was a list minute addition and I just simply didn't think about it  ran out of time. LOL

You will LOVE the Cheery Lynn Designs flower strips that are available in the store.

SO versatile ... for instance, on this Sweet William strip, there are several layers (that all cut at one time) to build the Sweet William flower, but here I've simply used the smaller layers to create my tiny vine flowers.

Well, that's it for me today!  I could just go on and on about these fabulous dies but will not drive you crazy with my finger babbling any longer.  Please be sure to pop over to the store ... your ONE STOP SHOPPING STORE FOR DIES, to find the dies you'll love to create with!

A few challenges to share in:
Artistic Inspirations - Anything Goes
Crafty Bloggers Network - Nature
Fitztown Challenge - Dies and/or Punches
Lexi's Creations - Use your punches and dies
My Craft Spot - Anything Goes
Stamp and Create - Ready for Spring

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope you liked what I've created!

SFC1214 - Polka Dots

Happy Monday Bloggers!

This week's challenge at Squigglefly is all about POLKA DOTS!

I recently picked up a paper pack at JoAnn's by American Crafts and it's

ALL Dots & Stripes ... so I was ready for this challenge!  LOL!

Check out this FABULOUS image called

"Vanity Thy Name is Woman" by Lynn Stansbery

A while back I won an entire sheet of rubber stamps from Repeat Impressions

called "Funny Bones" Series 2 (Plate 8000)

I just had to go through and find a sentiment that I thought went well with this image ...

What do you think?  Good One, Huh?!

 After coloring my image with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, 

I used the Spellbinder 'Lacy Squares' to frame in my image.

I didn't like just the white frame against the polka dot background, so I decided

to run the polka dot organza ribbon through the loops for a little added

texture.  I really like how this card came together!

I can see I'll be making more cards with this image because I think it 

will be a huge hit at my craft shows!!

Won't you come join in our challenge fun?
Just pop over and share YOUR Polka Dot creations with us at SQUIGGLEFLY!
Hope to see you there!

Crafty Secrets Easter Cards

Happy Friday Friends!

I'm a bit short on time today ... big craft show tomorrow and I'm not nearly ready!

But I do want to share with you a couple Easter cards I created using some of the fabulous Easter Images available through the Crafty Vintage Girl Store.

 The beautiful verse on this card is from the Digital Easter Blessings set.

I simply colored in the lilies to make them yellow with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.

My background yellow panel was stamped with an old rubber stamp (2005) rubber stamp by Ann-ticipations that I thought tied in nicely with this digital image.

This second card uses digital images from that same Digital Easter Blessings 

stamp set but I did a little modification on this one.  

First I brought the Lily Stem into a blank Word10 document, then changed the outline color

from black to green.  Next, I overlaid the sentiment, modified it to make it

a little darker, grouped them both together and printed.

While coloring the inside panel (stamps are Heartfelt Creations HCPC3370 Easter Lilies  and Stampabilities), I was unhappy with the bleed through on the coloring ... SO, I cut the card in half and turned into a larger card (A6).  Added a scrap of lavender card stock to the unlying corners and a few pearls for the front.  Adhered the inside sentiment panel to the inside of the new card and ... VIOLA!  All better now!

I actually like the REDO better! LOL!
I hope you've found inspiration in today's cards.
Please be sure to pop over to Crafty Vintage Girl to find all your Spring/Easter needs!

Sharing with the following challenges:
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Anything Goes with a Sentiment
Dream It Up - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a FABULOUS day!

Welcome Home!

Good Morning my Friends!

One thing I noticed I did NOT have in my stash of cards for the upcoming craft show 

on Saturday, were any cards pertaining to 'new home', 'homecoming', etc.  

So I got busy die cutting, sponging and created this little scene.

One of the challenges I had in mind when creating this card is this week's challenge at Classy Cards n Such called 'Flutterbys'!  You are to use birds and/or butterflies ... I decided to use both.  You also MUST use product carried at their store and on today's card I have used the Cheery Lynn Designs 'Ivy Corner Flourish' which was purchased at CCNS.

My sponged background was really quite easy to create and I LOVE how it looks!

Here's how I did it if you'd like to give it a try ...

On a 4x6 piece of white cardstock, I placed a couple of large post-it notes to use as my masking line between grass & sky.  I first sponged on Color Box 'Rose Coral' ink in a circular motion ... next I used Tim Holtz 'broken china' and lastly around the outside edge TH 'stormy sky'.  Removed the post-it notes and sponged the grassy area with Memento 'bamboo leaves'.

The grass die cut was a scrap laying on my work table so I simply adhered it on the line between the sky and green sponged area.  The house and gold finch dies were brand new and first time used ... what fun!

A few other challenges I'd like to share in are:

Craft a Scene March Challenge - Let it be Spring!

Card Mania #42 - Something New

Crafty Bloggers Network - Nature

Lexi's Creations #112 - Punches and Dies
The Shabby Tea Room - Anything Goes

I must admit I had a good time playing with inks & dies today ...

I hope whatever you're doing today, you enjoy your day as well!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Recipe:

Papers:  white cs, olive green cs, brown cs, goldenrod cs

Inks:  Memento 'bamboo leaves', Color Box 'rose coral', Tim Holtz 'broken china', 'stormy sky'

Accessories:  large sponge daubers, MS butterfly punch, Memory Box 'gold finch' #98756, Memory Box 'village house' #98594, Joy Crafts 'grass' #0137, Cheery Lynn Designs 'ivy corner flourish' #B315. MS 'ivy border punch'

A Vintage Cutie ...

Happy Wednesday Friends!

You all know how much I enjoy Vintage design!

Well when I saw the new challenge requirements at Joan's Touch my first thought went to a sheet of ADORABLE vintage images by Sandra Kuck - Nellie's Vintage that I purchased through Joan a few years back.  Joan's Touch challenge this week ask that you use neutral colors, use a picture (any kind), add a fancy corner/flourish and of course product from Joan's Gardens.

[Here's a little background story for you:  Artist Sandra Kuck is originally from Ohio and my sister was actually the hair dresser who did the hair style of one of the little girls that Sandra was using as a model for her art work!  Small world huh!]

Here are a few closeups of the details on my card ... click to enlarge any of the following photos!

 

I have actually used paper & dies that I've had for a very long time ...
yes, call me a Hoarder if you must!
Or possibly it's just the fact that I have (according to hubby) SO MUCH STUFF!!  LOL!

This Marianne die set is gorgeous!  I've had it for probably 3 years+.  Used it in a workshop,
of course just HAD to purchase it, then never used it again (until today that is!)

I found it interesting that in using the Stickles 'Crystal' ... when I put it on a white section like the butterflies it came up with beautiful multi color sparkle ... but place it on a darker part of the photo and it came up green!  Interesting ... but still very pretty!

Here are a few additional challenges I'd like to share in:

Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge #4 - Sparkle Glitz and Glam

Shabby Tea Room - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly Challenge - for Mum /Girlie

Sweet Stamps - Anything Goes

Bunny Zoe's Monthly Challenge - Monochromatic

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today and I hope you've found inspiration in my work!
Have a fabulous remainder of your week!

Recipe:

Papers:  SU Very Vanilla cs, Cream cs, Taupe cs, Melissa Francis dp

Rubber Stamp: Hero Arts Leaf Flourish (F5042)

Inks:  Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress Ink

Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs Fanciful Flourish (B117), Joy Craft (0258), Marianne (LR0236), Memory Box Tiffany Frame (#98401), Spellbinder Classic Ovals, Cheery Lynn Designs Exotic Butterflies (DL112), large sponge dauber, Crystal Stickles, Kaiser pearls, Darice flowers, gold brad

Pretty in Purple

Good Morning Friends!

It's my turn once again to share an inspirational sample at the Dies R Us Team Blog.  The dies I have used today are all available at the Dies R Us Store!  Have you seen the new companies added to the list ... WOW!  Be sure to go check it out ... they are truly becoming your
ONE STOP SHOPPING DESTINATION for DIES!

Today's card was created as an anniversary card for friends of ours! 

(She loves PURPLE!) and since it's my favorite color too, this was really a lot of fun to create!

Here's a list of the dies I used on today's card and a link back to their location at the store:

Cheery Lynn Designs - Two of Hearts #DL128

Cheery Lynn Designs - Tropical Flourish #B127

Cheery Lynn Designs - Sweet Williams Strip #B307

Spellbinder Nestabilities - Heart Circles #S4-316

Frantic Stamper -  Hummingbird #FRA9065

 Did you notice all the little purple hearts I've used as embellishments?  

They are actually the little pieces that came from the Spellbinder 'Heart Circle' die once cut.  They are perfect ... why not use them to embellish on your card front or the inside of your card!  

Too cute to just be tossed in the trash can!! 

Here are a couple close-ups ...
(click on the image to enlarge even more)

Look at the detail on these dies ... isn't it just beautiful!

A touch of purple Gelato has been added to the leaves on the flourish as well as

the center flower petal panel on the Sweet Williams.  

It really brought out the texture on these flowers and leaves.

I just had to use this adorable Frantic Stamper Hummingbird ... notice the HEART shaped detailing he has!  Perfect for this creation!  A little dab of Liquid Pearls was used for the flower centers.

A few qualifying challenges:
 Shabby Tea Room Challenge - Anything Goes

Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes (Entry #3)
Crafting When We Can - Hearts and Flowers
LEJ Designs Challenge - Favorite Die Cuts
Kitty Bee Designs Challenge - Things with Wings

I hope you have found inspiration in today's card creation!

Remember to pop over to the DIES R US STORE to see all the new arrivals!  

The prices are FABULOUS 

and

FREE SHIPPING on qualifying shipments over $35
WOW!  You can't beat that!
 

Spring Fling Craft Show

Hello Blogging Friends!

I hope you're having a wonderful St. Patty's Day!  

We don't do a lot of celebrating in my family on this day since it was 25 years ago TODAY that my dad passed away.  I celebrate the fact that his suffering was over but of course at age 68, he was taken from us way to early and only as I approach that age do I really realize just how young he was!!

ANYWAYS . . .

Today I'm working on some cards & goodies for my 1st Spring Craft Show!

I was only invited a few weeks ago to participate in this show (I mainly do Fall shows),

and although thrilled to be able to share my Spring/Summer creations,

need to get BUSY so I have enough to share.  The show is THIS SATURDAY!  YIKES!!!

If you are in the AKRON, OHIO area, please come check out the show!

Messiah Lutheran Church

4700 S. Main Street

Akron, OH

March 22nd ... 9 am - 3 pm

You've seen me share these Hershey Bar Pouches on my blog before.

I thought they'd be a quick and fun idea for the show.

I've used various papers/stamps/embellishments ... what do you think?

If you want to give them a try, here's the QUICK version of directions:

Paper - 7 1/2" x 6 1/2"

Score - 3" and 6" (leaves 1/2" strip to adhere your pouch together)

Ribbon - 24 - 30"

I use a 1/2" round punch for the ribbon ... only because that's what I have ... you can use whatever you have available ... maybe a slot punch or something like that.

Thread your ribbon through both holes (centered) ... push your Hershey bar inside the pouch keeping the ribbon on the bottom of the candy bar.  Tie ribbon at the top.  

Decorate to your liking.

Use the ribbon bow to PULL your SURPRISE candy bar out of the pouch.

FUN!!

A few challenges to share in:
2 Cute Ink Digital Stamp Challenge #102 - Easter/Use a Bunny
All Crafts Challenge Feb/March - Anything But a Card
Artistic Inspirations Challenge #83 - For the Kids
Aurora Wings Challenge - Anything Goes

Well, I'd better get back to work!  

I still need to make some Mother's Day cards, Father's Day cards, 

Wedding cards and heaven know what else!  LOL!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a FABULOUS day!