Divine Divas Inspiration Challenge #13

The DDIC this week comes from art.com and the painting below called "Golden Day II" by Jo Moulton. I really love the soft hazy quality of the colors, and the squared off layout with the leaves and swirls.



My card on the right continues the Autumn theme, but with some changes. Rather than keep the tile-like background, I used a soft dp and burlap. I liked the branch and abstract designs, so I put those in mine too. My single tree is sponged to give it the same look as the painting. Couldn't resist adding an organdy ribbon, could I? I hope you like it.



Please be sure to check out the blogs and galleries of the design team, to see their cards and projects inspired by this fabulous art (located on the left side of my blog), by highlighting their names.



If you would like to use this art piece as inspiration for a card or project of your own, Please upload it to SCS with the keyword DDIC.



Join me here again for the next DDIC in two weeks, on October 15th.

Two Challenges - SC248 and Belli (below)!

A day for challenges!! If you know me at all, you know I can't go many days without making a card with some RED......so here it is. No stamping today on this one, just a variety of punches. I've had this wonderful RED plaid paper for ages, and it sure was time to bring it out. I couldn't resist using a fabulous ribbon, and at the last minute stuck a little snowflake (punched of course) on it as well. Hope you like it, and that you will look below at my card for the Belli Challenge too.

Creative Belli Blog#75

The Belli challenge this week is sponsored by SHIRLEY'S2GIRLS, who provided us with this fun image. Make some time to go and look at their fabulous website!!!Our challenge was to use this image to create a Halloween card with glitter or bling. I wish you could see how glittery and glitzy the bg dp with the stripes is.........perhaps I should have covered up less of it.

The purple bg is done in stripes with the cb folder, and the main panel and the dp stripes(DCWV) were cut with a Nestability. The image is colored with markers, and she is holding a tag in her hand with a spider (which I find yucky!). I finished it up with a couple of bat brads, and a variety of ribbons to match the colors.

If you would like to join us, make a card with what you have on hand - just be sure it's Halloween themed with bling! Be sure to put CBC75 in your keyword when you upload to SCS. Also, link it to our blog so we don't miss it.

Don't forget to check out the other cards made by the Belli Team. You'll find links to their blogs on the left side of mine.

A 3rd Post! Can You Believe It???

Teapot Tuesday goes on in the absence of our fearless leader. MariLynn has suggested we still have our Tea Parties while we wait for Cindy to return. She posted a lovely Autumn beauty to inspire us, keeping in mind our party will involve hayrides and warm spiced cider. Doesn't that sound heavenly?? I'm packed (a toothbrush and a change of undies!) and ready to go. The Fall leaves on the teapot made me think of Autumn Days, the new set from SU. This is an envelope card, and the two pictures show how it looks closed, and the inside piece as it comes out.

The design is by Wendy Weixler (wendybell) who graciously called me on the phone from Utah to give me the directions. I think this is such a wonderful presentation for even the simplest card. Thanks so much Wendy.........I'll be making a lot of these!!

See you tomorrow. I'm done for the day - FOR SURE!!

2nd Post for the DDC and the CC

Right after I posted my first card today (which is below), I saw that our Doubledog Dare Challenge had been posted too. I like to combine the challenges when I can, so I went back to creating.

Out Hostess for the DDC today is Beverly (beestamper), who dared us to use a sketch she uploaded to the SCS forum. If you would like to join us,please put DDCin your keyword.

Hope you like this one.

Happy Snowman - Better photo? than below???

Happy Snowman

I guess I could have chosen a better bg to photo my CC card for today. I wanted to gray to show up, and the glitter to shine. I guess it does.

I love this image from Holly Berry House! It was a good thing I got up really early this morning, because it took FOREVAH to paint. I wanted to wait for each color to dry so they woouldn't beed into each other. I like to use nontraditional colors for Christmas (in fact any holliday), so the CC this morning was just right for me.

Have a wonderful day. Hugs to you all.

2nd Post - for CAS

I decided to also do the CAS today as it was a color challenge. I thought this Make An Impression stamp of butterflies was just right. Maybe I should have used a lighter pink marker? I was afraid it would be washed out, but maybe I was wrong.

Anyway, it was fun to do while we are waiting. Great things happening here today! The guys are coming to pump out our septic system (STINKY!), and a guy is coming to measure to replace the glass in one of our sliding glass doors (we have 3 sets, and one part is cloudy). Isn't that fabulous? As a result (and because we have lost weight - 10# for me, 20# for DH) we are celebrating by blowing the diet entirely with lunch out, and dinner at DS's. Back to the diet tomorrow.

If you are still reading along, please take a look at the funny card I made earlier this morning below.

Shameless Case!

This card is a shameless case of someone from a wonderful card on SCS, but I don't know who made it. if it's yours, PLMK. The TLC today is the foil embossing technique, and how cool!....I just got the Diamond Tool folder for my CB.

The sentiment is computer generated.

My Uncle Warren is a wooden toy maker. How great is this card for him??? I have already made his birthday card, so this will just be a whatever one, which is okay. he loves to get these creations from me, and saves EVERY ONE!

Have a great day. hugs to you all.

For Nancyruth, a Story

I was so happy to see that Nancyruth Levine was the SCS Featured Stamper today! She was the first person whose card I commented on, and she sent it to me!! that's how I knew SCS was a wonderful place. How fitting that she be honored today, and with a purple card for the purple one she sent me, so long ago.

I changed the main color and image, the tie to a bow, the butterfly in place of a button, and left off the sentiment. The layout was so pretty I kept it, along with the punched edge.

I spent a busy day yesterday with DH, watched some of the RedSox before company came for dinner, and we all played cards until bedtime. Being retired is exhausting stuff!!!

Have a great day. Hugs to you all, and thank you for all your nice comments and responses to my cards. I love to hear from you!!

For two challenges today.

Yesterday DH and I spent the day cleaning. Phew! Were we ever tired!! I'll tell you how tired I was, I was too tired to stamp!!!

Today I am rested up, and back in my addic...um....stamp room. This card is for two challenges. The LSC today is really fun. We had to use things that began with the letters SOS. I used: S - swiss Dots cb folder, and So Saffron; O - I used the out-of-the-box technique; S - Scallop punches and scissors, and striped paper. For the Stampin' B's, the order of the day was watercoloring. I love to do that.

Thanks for looking and joining me here. Aren't you surprised I used yellow and green? I thought we ALL needed a break from my usual RED!! Have a great day, all!! Hugs!

Snowman in RED!

Today I combined the SC with the Doubledog Dare Challenge. The hostess for this week is Itsapassion (the Other Anne), who challenged us to make a card using the reverse punch technique. In case you don't know, that's to punch out shape(s), and use the bg. In this instance, I used both the reverse and the punched out snowflakes. If you would like to join us, put DDC in your keyword.

I also put this in the RedDivas Gallery since this card is just about all RED. And of course, I'm sure you're so surprised I would use my favorite color again!!!

The snowman on this card is a cutout I saved from a card I received last year. How green is that???

Have a great day, hugs to you all.

Happy Birthday, Dude!

Yesterday's FS, Heather, had a lot of cards I wanted to case. I decided to combine one of them with the color challenge for today. I really loved her layout, but of course I had to change some things, notably the colors! DUH!! I love the new Rich Razzleberry, and used a bunch of my punches......not much stamping involved. I hope you like it. I think it's a great guy card.

We spent the morning doing errands, and then DS and DDIL came for a quick visit, so I am only now getting to upload. The diet continues to go well, but I am starting to think about candy. Life is hard!! Have a great day, all!! Hugs!

Heeeeeeere's RED!

You just knew I couldn't go very long without making something in RED, right? Today I tried a new Technique called 5 layer button. It's really easy! The only hard part is being patient while the Crystal Effects dries! I am NOT good at waiting! Getting the floss into the holes was a good trick too, and now that I look at it, the tied floss looks like a bow tie. Hm. Didn't plan that. IRL the ribbon is a fab match to the dp. Lighting is not very good this morning. Have a wonderful day, all! (six pounds gone!)

Hooray for Heather!

Hooray for Heather Klump, she is the Featured Stamper at SCS this morning! Heather is a special friend at SCS, and she has a FABULOUS gallery! the hardest part of this challenge is deciding which card to CASE. I chose a card that was done in blues and browns, and I'm sure you're surprised I didn't do one in RED. There's always tomorrow!!

Today the pool is closing, *sigh* and grass seed is being put down where we had some stumps removed, so I'll be outside most of the day. DH and sons will allow me to watch, and that's my favorite thing!! Have a great day!

Toile Blossom for IC198

My card this morning is for the Inspiration Challenge at SCS. the item I chose was this one, a laptop cover :http://lamadesigns.com/store/show/a_o6?cat=office. This card is very simple, and it never hurts to have one available for a sympathy or even birthday. I hope you like it.

My cold is better, and I am still keeping a low profile. Friends we see every Saturday are going to be coming tonight for dinner as usual.......he has a bad cold too. What the heck, we can share our germs. WAIT!! Maybe that's where I got the cold in the first place. Hmmmmm.......

We (the Royal WE) are closing the pool tomorrow. DS #1 and #2 are coming to help. Summer really is over. DARN! Have a great weekend!!

Spooky Iris......(my 2nd post today)

Today's Limited Supplies Challenge was to make something with spooky Halloween colors. I guess it would be hard to put some RED in here, so I went with purple, green and white. I'm kinda tired of making holiday cards, and a simple floral can be used for almost everything but kids and men. I used my favorite punch, and a gorgeous piece of ribbon to add only limited supplies, and kinda like the results. I hope you do too. My headache is finally gone, I have lost 4 pounds, and the sun is shining. What more could one ask???? Have a great day!

Blog Awards

I was sent these blog awards from my partner in crime at DDC, Joan Ervin. Aren't they beautiful!!! My job is to share them with five others, and list five things I love to do. Here they are:

1. Eat brownies and chips for lunch (that's why I'm on a diet!)

2. Sit in my hot tub and pool with a glass of wine at the end of the day

3. Spend time with my grands

4. Talk to my DH and laugh (we do that a lot!)

5. Send and receive cards!

Now I pass this along to: Anne Harada, Beverly Cole, Julia Aston, Kristin Moore, and Stef Hughes. I love all your blogs and galleries!!

For My Fisherman

The WT challenge at SCS today is to make a card using numbers. My sweet SIL, Tom, is having a birthday the end of this month. He is a fisherman, when he gets the chance. He is about to be 45, and not terribly thrilled over the number. This card will go to him, and I am going through the GREAT DEBATE about what to put inside. I am tempted to put "45 is not OVER the hill, it's at the lake and OVER THE FALLS!" Do you think he will laugh? Do you think it's funny or insensitive? Let me know what you think.

Divine Diva Inspiration Challenge #12

This week's inspiration for the Divine Divas comes from this website of beautiful cakes http://www.letthemeatcake.net/index.php . We were to use the above wedding cake to help us make our cards. What a gorgeous and yummy looking two colors of chocolate!! And you know I LOVE to add RED, so this was easy for me! The hard part was not eating any candy bars in the process!!

Please check out the other Divas by highlighting their names on the left side of my blog to see what they have done with this fabulous cake! If you should want to join us at SCS, please put DDIC12 in your keyword. Our next challenge will be Oct.1st!!

Back to RED.........and check the CBC below too!

What a day! I have a terrible head cold, and started the morning with a mammogram. How awful is that???? To make myself feel better, I made a RED card today........I know you have been wondering when I would come back to RED!

The SC today uses a layout by my GF jojot (Joanne!), and since her fav colors are RED, black, and white, I also did this for her. Hi Joanne!!

Now there is a story with this card............ My DH has a cousin who couldn't pronounce pussywillow. Of course he can now, but not when he was little. I just had to have this stamp set when I saw the flowers because I had no pussywillows. In our house we call them POCK-A-LULUs and think of Bobby every time!! (As an Attorney in Washington DC, I'm sure he wouldn't want to reminded, but we think it's very funny/cute). That's my story. I'm going to spend this dark and dreary day with a cup of tea, continue my diet, and read. I NEED to feel better!!

CBC#74

The Creative Belli Challenge this week is to make a Fall or Halloween card, incorporating something from our sponsor, Creative Cuts and More. I chose this fun little velvet frame to show off some Fall leaves. I just loved the bg dp, and couldn't resist some ribbons and a row of brads.

Please join us in this challenge, using what you have on hand.......these challenges are meant to use what you already have!! And please check out the other girls' entries! You'll find them on the left side of my blog.......just click on their names (or see them all at the BLOG!) While you're at it, go see Creative Cuts and More.......their die cuts are incredible!!

Check out the BIG PRIZE you might win for joining in the challenge. If you should want to post to SCS, be sure to put CBC#74 iin you keyword.

2nd post......MMTPT

This is my entry for MMTPT64. You can read Mothermark's story and my comments on SCS in my gallery. This is the first time I have inked up this wonderful bear, and a first time for using a set of Camping buttons I bought ages ago. Sometimes it's a good idea to go through your stuff, and be surprised by what you have! Have a wonderful day!!

DDC and Color Challenge

This week's hostess for the Doubledog Dare Challenge is LilLuvsStampin (Charlene) who dared us to use the Crayon Resist technique. The colors that are sponged on the glossy paper are pretty in pink and soft suede. They change a little on the glossy, but they really are the same colors as the bg dp. I had some wonderful antique lace and a ribbon that matched the two colors.......that and some punching, and done. I hope you like it. I'm off to do the Teapot Tuesday #64 next!

CAS Wedding Card

I know, I know. Two days without a RED card from me. You must all be feeling my withdrawal!! Maybe tomorrow. For today, the challenge was to do a clean and simple card for a Wedding. I love to emboss, and I love the cuttlebug, and I love ribbon, and I love beads and pins. Looks like it took 5 minutes, right? WRONG!!! I labored over this!!

Do you think it was hard for me because today DH and I started our diet? We went to the grocery store first thing this morning.......there was literally NOTHING we could eat in the pantry or fridge. We really need to do this, especially after the binge we went on during the reunion!!! Back to reality.......this AM I weighed 142. YUCK!!! I'll keep you posted. Have a great day.

Come Sit By Me.......

........"If you don't have anything nice to say!" How's that for a fun sentiment??? This is the card for the FS I cased this afternoon. I had no problem finding a card I loved on the very first page!! Shannon's gallery is wonderful, so I kept the layout, and changed only the colors, image and sentiment. I hope she likes what I have done! If you check out my gallery you can compare our cards.

We had a FABULOUSLY AWESOME time at the reunion, we were all hoarse, laughed until we hurt, and got NO sleep. Perfect! Good to be home, but we had such fun!

Have a great day.

Couldn't Resist!

I should be packing, not crafting, but how could I resist making a card for the WT when the challenge is RED! I just got these Inkadinkado clear stamps, and they are fabulous!!! Eleven gorgeous Christmas stamps!! This is a pretty simple card, and I hope you like it.

We're off to the Reunion weekend. Be back on Sunday. Have a great rest of the week/weekend. See you soon!

Maybe it's the DATE (9/9/09)!

These are the two cards I made this morning. The light wasn't very good, and the bottom one got trees done in Forest Green. I should have used Olive, since everything else was. The other uses Olive, and now I'm not sure I like it better! Now that I compare them, they are really not that much alike, and maybe I went overboard on the snow. I'm going to blame all this on the DATE. (9/9/09) Can I do that?????

We are getting ready to THINK about what we are going to pack for Thur. thru Sat. for DH's 50th HS Reunion. He's been working on it for a year and a half, and I am SO glad it's almost over!! We went to the same HS, different years.........he had graduated when I got there, but a lot of the girls in my year married guys in his. I expect to know a lot of the attendees, but I have to confess, this is just not my favorite thing! I will probably do the challenge tomorrow AM, but that will be it for a few days.

Have a great day today, and enjoy .......eat dessert first, on the good dishes!! TTFN.

Up and Stamping at 4 AM for the DDC and MMTPT63!

Today is our 46th Anniversary! Woo-Hoo........it sure goes fast!

The only thing wrong with making cards early in the morning is taking photos of them! Anyway...........The Doubledog Dare Challenge today is hosted by Francie G. who dared us to make a card with a button. Easy Peasy! Join us, and put DDC in your keyword.

If your card should be RED, don't forget to add RedDivas to your keyword.

The MMTPT Tea Party is being held in NY this week. We are going there to help a ladybug who is being threatened by a bug thug. This Queen ladybug has gotten together the bravest and strongest of her buddies to fly to a friend in need. They hope that by sheer numbers they can prevent an all-out battle! They will probably all arrive after we have had tea and dessert, and then I'll be skedaddling! The idea of a bug war just isn't my cup of tea!!

Now THIS is cute! (Post # 2 today....please look below too!)

Now I know this is NOT a card, but it is so CAS (took 5 minutes to make!), that I thought you should see it! The template is free here: http://melstampz.blogspot.com/ (and there are lots more here too!). The CAS was to use a pop dot, so the flowers are popped up. I still have my headache, but I still have to stamp, don't I????? Bye!

What is this?????

I should have stayed in bed.........I was having terrible nightmares! DH asked what I was dreaming, because I was really thrashing around. He got up, I went back to the same dream! YUCK. I woke up very late with an awful headache. I hope the day improves..........but it didn't in my craft room.
I tried the TLC this morning, which was to press fun foam to make your own stamp. It was to be done with a cb bg, but no matter how much I piled into my 'sandwich' it wouldn't take on much of an impression. In desperation, I heated the foam, and pressed in a new stamp, and used that. I think that may be considered more than a tweak, but that's my story.
I used my pressed piece to make my CAS, and that seemed to go okay. Maybe I will like what I have done more as the day goes on. I would be happy to have some fresh ideas on what to do with this....then again, maybe I should just scrap it and forget it. They are not all winners, right??

Have a wonderful day. Tomorrow is our 46th anniversary, so I guess I'd better get to making a card for DH. Maybe I'll drink my coffee and eat first. TTFN.

BEWARE!

This is my card for the Featured Stamper challenge today at SCS. I just got this fabulous skeleton (Stampers Anonymous) and needed a card big enough for it to fit.....which it does on a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4. I have most of my Halloween cards done, but when you get a new stamp.........!

Jake went home this morning. He came into our room at 7......what fun to snuggle up with a grandchild!! It's almost 11:00. I think I should eat and shower before the day is gone!! DH is out weeding in the yard. Do you think I should offer to help? Or eat and shower, and clean up my addicti.....um.....craft room???????? It's a hard choice.

Have a great day, and a safe weekend. Hugs to you all.

Winter Trees

The Inspiration Challenge today featured Moyna Bags. How fabulous they all were. I started with the section called RED BAGS! I'll just bet you are so surprised!! AHA! But I didn't choose one from there. The Winter Bags had this beautiful RED and silver evening bag, and it made me think of silver trees. I took a picture of both my card and what inspired it so you could compare. I have been in the process of thinking about Christmas cards..........mind you, merely THINKING, but this was so Christmas-y I thought, why not get started! I hope you like it.

We are at home for the whole weekend........we have our DGS Jake (whose picture you have seen here before) tonight for a "sleep-over", but no other plans. Maybe some grilling, but that's all. I hope you are having a safe and fun Labor Day too!! TTFN.

A Long Story......

Here is my Scrapling for the challenge this morning. I combined it with the DDC hosted by Joanne (sleepyinseattle). She dared us to make something with apples. Perfect for this time of year. I hope you will join us by putting DDC in your keyword. I also slipped this into the RedDivas gallery, 'cause I think it's mostly RED, right????????

I just got back from Mom's.......stayed longer than I planned. She really wanted me to stay and play a little more! We had a great time shopping and stamping. I went there to take her to the eye doctor since she wouldn't be able to drive. Since I was so close, I made plans to finally get together with my SCS friend, Julia (artystamper), for dinner. She lives only one town away from Mom. How cool is that????????? When we were seated, this is what she gave me!!! Not only is it RED, it was full of RED and white peppermint candy!!!


Here is a picture of the two of us, taken by a waitress while I am having a lovely HOT FLASH! Don't I look great???!!!!!!!! I really did wear RED so Julia would find me, by I took off that jacket while I was flashing.........I seem to be RED enough, don't I?????? By the way, Julia ia wearing her Anne Boleyn pin she got in England!!

In front of Julia are the two birthday cards Mom and I made for her (Sept. 5th is the day), and obviously mine is RED! The really funny thing is...........my card and Julia's gift to me were done with the same stamp set!! Are we on the same page or what????

Anyway, we sat and talked for two hours, and I don't think either of us drew a breath. (We are BOTH very SHY!!........NOT!) The time went by too fast, but we will surely do this again. I had such a fabulous time, and spent the next hour telling my mother how wonderful Julia is!!

Okay. I told you it was a long story...........but certainly worth the telling, if you got this far! Have a great day, and wish Julia a Happy Birthday tomorrow! Happy Birthday my friend!!!

Divine Divas Inspiration Challenge #11

This is my card for the Divine Divas Inspiration Challenge #11. I took a look at these beautiful magnets (below) from a company called Greener Grass Designs, and chose the one in the lower left corner. I just loved the brown gingko leaves on the blue background! I kept the same color scheme, using Beeswax Japanese writing and a chopblock with a Chinese character , and edged it with gold. On top, I used a PSX stamp of gingko leaves, and finished it up with ribbon and a Chinese coin. I hope you will be enticed by these amazing magnets, and join the DDIC in making a card. Check out our gallery in SCS (keyword DDIC) , and our blog here: http://divastamper.blogspot.com/ See what the other team members have done, and leave a message!! On the left side of my blog you will see the names of our members, and can link right to their posts for today! Enjoy!

Creative Belli Challenge #73

This week's Creative Belli Challenge was to make a back-to-school card, using either pencils or apples. I think you can see which one I used!! Please check out the CBC

http://www.bellichallenge.blogspot.com/ to see all the cards for this challenge, and feel free to add your own!! You may also check out the challenge at SCS, and if you post your card there, please put CBC73 in your keyword!! Once again, we can't wait to see what you come up with!!!!