Squigglefly Challenge - Sunny Days

Happy Monday Everyone!

WOW!  Here we are in the last week of June!  Hard to believe!

Today I have a Squigglefly Challenge (SFC2614) creation to share with you and our theme this week is SUNNY DAYS.  But before I share my card with you I just have to give a shout out to our newest team member (I'm sure many of you are familiar with her amazing work) ... Jen Leeflang.  And if you're not familiar with Jen's body of work, check it out on her blog HERE.  I'm sure you'll be inspired!  

Okay back to my challenge card!

I just love the digi images by artist Cheryl Grant Alger and so today I've combined two of her cute images to create this little scene.

The two images I chose are:

Pigtail Gabby and The Game is in the Player

I simply brought each image into a blank Word10 document, grouped them together, sized and printed.  I colored my images with Spectrum Noir PENCILS (new to me) then colored the sky and grass with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.  Once the sky was colored (TB1) I went back over it with the Blender to wash it out a bit for a more realistic sky.

My sun was created by using a large sponge pod and SU Summer Sun ink.

The sentiment was computer generated.

And the dies I've used are these cute little doggies from the Impression Obsession 'Puppies' #DIE142 set and the grass is Joy! Crafts #6002/0137.

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun!

New themes, new artists, new images ... so much you are missing if you haven't popped over to our challenge blog and store!  We even have some freebies to try before you buy!  Come check it out!

OH and speaking of new artist, we have 3 new artists being debuted with their images in the store beginning July 5th.  Please welcome Tam Hess, Norma Burnell, and Angela Charles. 

Well, that's it for me today ... 

Please stop back tomorrow when I'll have another creation to inspire you using dies from Dies R Us.

Hope to see you then!

Fun in the Sun!

Hello again my friends ...

Sorry to have a second posting today but I just had to share this card before we get on the road to Pittsburgh, PA for a family graduation party.

I promise this will be a quick post!  I quickly made this card for the new Freshly Brewed Designs challenge: Red, White & Blue.  They recently had a new release and some fun games over on FB.  I was lucky enough to win this adorable image called Cutie Bug Floats.  You'll have to check out their new 'cutie bug' release ... so much fun ... makes you smile!

LOL ... I would mind floating around on the water right about now!  It's going to be so hot and humid today!  But I shouldn't complain ... wasn't all that long ago I was out snowblowing 6" of snow off the driveway!  LOL!

Here's a closer look at cutie bug! Looks like he'd better get that sun screen on ... starting to get a little sunburn on his belly!!  

Here are a few more challenges to share in ...

Pumpkin Spice - Red, White & Blue

The Doodle Garden June Challenge - Summer Lovin'

Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenge - Summer Days

Craft for the Craic - Something Summery or with flowers

Digi Haven - Life's A Beach

Okay time is running out ... I'd better close for today!

 But before I do,  I was asked what my back deck/yard flowers looked like so I snapped a quick photo on my phone for you ...  here ya go ...

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend!  ENJOY!

I'll be back tomorrow with a fun creation for Squigglefly!!  I hope you'll join me!

From Babies to Graduates ...

... where has the time gone?

Hello My Friends!

I hope you're have a fun filled weekend.  

We are headed to Pittsburgh, PA (2 hr drive) for a family high school graduation. 

Hubby's nephew has 3 lovely daughter (Shannon, Meghan and Kaitlyn).

Shannon graduated in 2012 and now it's Meghan's turn!  

When Shannon graduated she asked me if I could make her a card box for the party.  I immediately started gathering all sorts of photos and completed the task.  She was very happy with it.  So now Meghan has supplied most of the photos and asked me to do the same for her.  Which I was thrilled to do.  In both cases I started out with a store bought box from the party store and hubby has reinforced the inside as well as made it impossible for any (not so honest folks) to reach in and take the envelopes out.  She will have to cut the sides apart to retrieve her cards.  SAD you have to do that ... BUT!

This is really a very easy project to do and it's so much fun to watch as the graduate explains to her friends the story behind some of the photos.  

There is even a scanned version of a card that she (Meghan) made for hubby (Uncle Mark) back in 2000 when she was in preschool (lets see if she remembers that!  LOL!).

I also got busy today making Meghan's card as well as a card for the neighbor boy whose party is next weekend.    It was fun to create using their school colors.

 I actually drew inspiration for this card from a follower of my blog.  Mamawcindy (cindys-greencricut) left me a nice comment the other day and when I popped over to her blog to say thanks, she had some beautiful (feminine) grad cards posted.  I knew then I wanted to make one similar for Meghan!  THANKS CINDY!!!

Recipe:

Papers:  Royal Blue and White cs

Accessories:  Martha Stewart 'Monarch butterfly' punch, Martha Stewart '3 in 1 butterfly' punch, Memory Box 'Classic Numbers' #98362, Taylored Expressions 'Grad Cap' #TE177, Inkadinkado 'Flourish' stamp, Flourishes sentiment

A few challenges to share in:
Inkspirational Challenge - Blue with White/Cream
Paper Crafting Challenge - Anything Goes
Addicted to Stamps and More #101 - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations #266 - Things with Wings

Here's a peek at Jordan's graduation card for next weekend.

Our local high school colors are orange & black.  (like you couldn't figure that out on your own!  lol)

I thought this embossed background went well with the Technique Tuesday grads image for a masculine card.  I popped up the grads ... looks really cool IRL!

Well, I'd better get ready to go!

ENJOY YOUR DAY!  

I'm sure we will ... always good to see family!

Sunshine Yellow on a beautiful Saturday!

Happy Weekend my Friends!

What a beautiful sunshiny day!!  My friend Diane (Nellie's Nest) and I were chatting this morning via Yahoo Messenger and it seems her mojo has 'left the building' ... so she was looking through a few challenges in hopes of finding one that sparked her interest and was sharing them with me along the way.

One of those challenges was a new challenge blog to me and since I'm working on some thank you cards for my granddaughter, Morgan to give to the doctors/nurses at Cleveland Clinic on Monday this sketch challenge peeked MY INTEREST!! The challenge blog I'm referring to is called SEIZE THE SKETCH and here's what I came up with.

This sketch made for such a quick & easy card!

I've used a sheet of Graph45 6x6 Secret Gardens 'Patterns & Solids' design paper for basically the entire card.  It's 2 sided so I used the print for the background and the opposite solid side for my sentiment panel.  My background oval are Memory Box Dies 'Tiffany Frame' #98401 and 'Cherise' #98402.  Both cut from scraps of white card stock.  The Darice yellow gingham ribbon (bow made with Craft-dee Bowz tool) and Kaiser pearls were the perfect finishing touches.

A few challenges to share in:
C.R.A.F.T. Challenges - Thank You
 Craft-dee Bowz June Challenge - Anything Goes with a handmade bow
Crafty Ribbons #95 Challenge - Stitching real or fake + ribbon

I need to get back to making a few more thank you cards for Morgan, but before I do, I thought I'd share a few photos of my new landscaping/plantings.  I wish I had taken some before photos ... you would really understand why I needed to have some guys come in to help me!  LOL!

 Along the side of the garage, between the ground cover and the morning glories, everything else I had there was being choked out so I had the guys tear everything out and started anew!  It won't take long for this to fill in ...

Knock out roses, Black-eyed Susans, Foxgloves and Beebalm in the middle.

 This section had overgrown so much in the past couple of years, so I had them move the Red Twig up closer to the light pool and planed a delphinium where the red twig had been.  Do you see the sunflower (bottom left corner)?  That was planted by the birds so I told them to just leave it there ... I want to see what it does!  LOL

On this side I had to replant a hosta, a knock-out rose bush and 3 lavenders that I lost over the winter.  But I must admit, I was amazed that the spider-wert (in front of the tree/behind the rock) came up so well.  A friend gave it to me so I planted it there last fall and totally forgot I had! 

 LOVE my pots of wave petunias on the porch ... they are always so SHOWY!!

I also lost one of my lilac bushes over the winter.  So I had the guys dig that out too, but kept the other one in hopes that it will do okay by itself.  I planted a 'dinner plate dalia' in the spot where the lilac had been.  Not sure how it will do either but it looks good for now.  BEAUTIFUL flowers on it!

Lastly ... isn't this variegated lily gorgeous?

Hubby spotted it at the nursery so of course I had to find a spot for it!  I know it won't bloom for long but hopefully it will like it's location and come back next year.

okay ... NOW I really must get back to work!  LOL!

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a FABULOUS weekend!

Classy Cards n Such - Sweet Baby

Good Afternoon!

The new challenge over on Classy Cards n Such is as my post title shows - 'Sweet Baby'.  

We have a sweet baby in our neighborhood (5 weeks old today - Little Miss Lily) and her mama decorated her room in shades of purple (which happens to be my favorite color) so I had that in mind when I made this card creation.

Aren't these Joy! Craft dies adorable?  And, this gorgeous shimmery paper comes from the Classy Cards n Such store ... so many beautiful colors and it die cuts perfectly!  This paper is called So ... Silk Fabulous Purple, but do check out all the colors she has available ... they are gorgeous!

I hope you'll come join in this weekly challenge.  

Check out what this week's prize is ...

Enter to win this week's prize!!

Baby Carriage by Memory Box

You only have a couple of days left on this week's challenge so you'll have to hurry!

Here are a few additional challenges I'd like to enter into today:

Crafty Girls Challenge - Anything Goes

Stampin' for the Weekend - Anything Goes

Sister Act Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a FABULOUS weekend!

We are headed to Pittsburgh for our nephew's daughter, Meghan's grad party.  I made her graduation card/money box which I will share after the party.

Hope to see you later!

Home . . .

Good Friday Morning Everyone!

Are you as busy as I have been?  My goodness ... I'm getting too old to keep up this pace!  LOL!

Not really ... if my 84 year old mother can do as much as she does, I have no right to complain.

However, my mojo has been lacking a bit so my Crafty Secrets card for you today is pretty easy peasy.  I've had an image from the Family Printable Sheet cut out and laying on my work table for a couple of weeks so yesterday I finally took a few minutes to create this card.

Have you stopped over to the Crafty Secrets store lately?  No ... well then you must take a minute and check out all the amazing products available in so many different categories!  I'm sure you'll find JUST what you've been looking for and the prices are more than reasonable!  

Don't forget about our monthly Linky Party/DT Challenge on our Blog showcased every 1st Monday of the Month.  Next Linky Party/challenge will be on July 7th.  You can use ANY Crafty Secrets/Heartwarming Vintage products for your creation to qualify for the $50 PRIZE!  Plus, you will receive a $6 gift voucher for just playing along ... that's right ... EVERYONE is a winner!!

Sssshhh can you keep a secret?

We have a Surprise Guest Designer joining us in July!

Wait until you see who it is ... what a talent!!!

Well that's it for me today!  I have a graduation party this weekend and I still need to make her a card and just remembered I need a grad card for the neighbor boy too!  Dear me ... where is my mind?

Thanks for stopping by ... it means so much to me!

Recipe for this card:

Papers:  Graphic45 Secret Garden patterns & solids dp, white cs, lemon yellow cs, medium blue cs, black cs, pink cs,

Accessories:  Joy! Crafts 'clouds' #6002/0199, Spellbinder 'Flourish Trim' #S2-005, Memory Box 'Village House' #98594, paper piercer, white Gelly Roll pen, TH distress blue ink, sponge dauber,

Sisterhood - Monochromatic

Hello my friends! 

It's time for another fun challenge at The Sisterhood of Crafters!

Today's hostess is Micki and our theme is:

MONOCHROMATIC

Please be sure to pop over to the challenge blog and see the wonderful creations my team mates (Sisters) have created for your inspiration!  Today, I decided to go with my favorite color, PURPLE!  And, have picked up various shades ranging from raspberry to violet to lilac.  What fun!

Unfortunately I was in need of a sympathy card for a friend who just lost her sister so my card theme today needed to be Sympathy.  But, I wanted to keep it on the light, feminine side so went with this pretty rose pattern design paper.  All items used on this card are listed at the bottom of my post.

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun at The Sisterhood of Crafters and don't forget YOU could be chosen as our STEP SISTER for the month simply by placing 'SS' after your name when participating in our challenges.  We would love to have you sharing creations & inspiration with us!

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

Butterfly Challenge #9 - Monochromatic
Fan-Tastic Tuesday - Anything Goes
Just Inspirational Challenge - Anything Goes
Party Time Tuesday - Anything Goes
Incy Wincy Designs - Things with Wings
Word Art Wednesday #138 - Anything Goes

Have a FABULOUS Day and thanks so much for stopping by to visit!
Until next time . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Kaiser Craft 'Violet Crush Collection' dp, 

Stamp/ink:  Verses Rubber Stamps (cover), The Stamp Pad Co.(inside), Versafine Onyx

Accessories:  TH black distress marker (faux stitching), Wild Rose Studio 'Blossom Burst' #WRS-011

RUSTIC and GORGEOUS!!!

Afternoon my friends!

Just wanted to quickly share a few photos from my great niece, Hunter's wedding on Sunday.  

(L-R ... my sister Linda (Grandmother of the Bride), my mother (Great Grandmother of the Bride) and my daughter Carolyn.

The venue was a rustic barn setting and it was so unique and beautiful!  This couple really put a lot of thought and time into their wedding planning and it was perfect (as was the sunshiny HOT weather).

Hunter looked absolutely stunning and her dress was amazing!  

(oh to have that figure!)

Hunter's girls all wore lace dresses (different styles) and cowboy boots ... they all looked so cute

!

There were so many unique features to this wedding that I can't even begin to list them all.  But, while the photos were being taken back up at the barn ... all the guests were directed to another building for drinks and hor'derves.  During this time, the inside of the barn was changed from a wedding setting to a reception setting.  

My mother was so thrilled to be attending her great-granddaughter's wedding!  

Doesn't she look fabulous (84 yrs young).

Time to put her dancing shoes on!  

Let the reception begin!  LOL!

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR HUNTER & JOEY!

 

Thanks for taking a peek and letting me share some family happiness!

Now ... back to work!  HUGS!

Sunset at the Shore for Dies R Us

Happy Tuesday Dies R Us Fans!

It's my turn once again to share some inspiration at the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog and today I like to share a creation that is just perfect for this time of year!
(Oh how I wish I were sitting on the beach right about now!  LOL ... )

The first thing I wanted to use for today's card was this fabulous Cheery Lynn Designs 'Lighthouses' (set of 2) #B384.  Then I just started building my seaside scene from there.

My background scene was created using the Memory Box 'Findlay Frame' #98540.  The center panel cuts out so I simply sponged layers of Tim Holtz distress inks to create the sunset and adhered it back into the cut out.  I wish you could see the embossing detail on this lighthouse ... really cool!

Other dies used are:

Impression Obsession 'Sea Birds'

Spellbinder 'A2 Scalloped Borders Two'

Joy! Craft 'Summer Lovin' Flip Flops'

Did you know that from time to time, the store opens a PRE-ORDER for European dies such as Marianne, Joy! Crafts, and many others.  So be watching for those pre-order sales because they are a LIMITED TIME offer.  To be sure you don't miss out, pop on over to the store and sign up for our newsletter.

A few additional challenge I'd like to share in are:
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Moving Along With the Times - I do like to be beside the seaside.
Cute Card Thursday Challenge - Beside the Seaside
Crafting From The Heart - Anything Goes #24
Lexi's Creations Challenge #119 - At The Beach
2 Cute Ink Digital Stamp Challenge - Beach
Craft a Scene June Challenge - By the Sea
Dragonfly Dreams - Anything with Wings
Robyn's Fetish Challenge - At the Beach

 Well busy day ahead so I'd best get movin'!

If you haven't played along in our challenges at our DIES R US CHALLENGE BLOG please pop over and check it out.  We'd love to see your creations and you have a chance of winning a gift voucher to the Dies R Us Store!

Thanks for stopping by!

It's Hunter's Wedding Day!

Happy Sunday All!

Today is my great niece, Hunter's wedding day!  

She's such a cutie!

 

I have so much to do before going to the wedding this afternoon but just had to share this card with you.  My mom asked me to make a card for her to give Hunter & Joey and since there were a couple of challenges I wanted to join into (thanks Diane!) so quickly put this together and it will give Mom another card to pick from too.

(I have such a hard time taking photos of ALL WHITE cards ... sorry!)

The challenges I want to participate in are:

Sugar Creek Hollow - Floral

Cheery Lynn Designs - Wonderful Wedding

CCEE Stampers - White

Craft-Dee Bowz June Challenge - Anything Goes with homemade bow

Like I said, I have a LOT to get done before getting ready to drive an hour to the wedding this afternoon so I'm going to keep this short and sweet!  I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.  We've had a crew of landscaping guys here the past couple of days helping me get all my flower beds/mounds cleaned up and re-edged/mulched.  It looks SO GOOD!  Now I need to get the lawn mowed so it looks FINISHED!

Thanks for taking a peek!

As always . . .

Recipe:
Paper:  White cardstock
Dies:  Cheery Lynn Designs 'Wedding' #B446, Spellbinder 'Blooms Four' #S2-047, Lea'bilities 'Fancy Oval Frames' #DR458923
Accessories:  Sizzix 'swiss dot' embossing folder, clear gems, Craft-Dee Bowz bow making tool,  white satin ribbon