Red bird house

The Inspiration Challenge today is a site that features hand made birdhouses. Of course I found a RED one!

I used Tweet Blessings, a new release from MFP in August (that starts after the MFP Blog HOP), so be sure to watch for it!

The whole family will be here today plus a few extras, so my time here is brief. Have a great weekend.

Owl Side-step

Missing Erin this morning. She went home yesterday. Fran and I were in the hot tub this AM with coffee and DH. Not the same.

Today's challenge for the Free for All was to have some side interest. I thought a side-step card would be perfect. I used a sneak peek of Owl Be Here that will be released next month by Mark's Finest Papers. Busy day planned. See you later.

Woodgrain and owls

We have had a very busy morning. Hot tub with coffee, pool, breakfast, Erin made 2 pineapple upside down cakes, and then we made two owl cards.

Fran is here, and now she's figuring out what she wants to make.

Erin and I made woodgrain cards with owls for the WT 281 today. We really like how they came out. Mine uses the soon to be released set Owl Be Here from MFP. erin goes home today (BOO!), but Fran stays until the 8th of August. Have a great day!

RED Birds

Sneak peek: Tweet Blessings from Mark's Finest Papers that will be released next month.

Jake goes home today, Erin stays, Fran arrives. The summer is flying by. Have a great day.

Three card makers!!

There were three of us today crafting for the CC...........Jake (11) made the owl, Erin (13) made the sunflower, and I made the last. We are on our way out to the hot tub and pool. Busy day. Hope you like what the cousins made. (In addition to the mess!)

T-Slide Toughie!! and a CAS

Well this was tough! A T-Slide Card. Sounds easy. First I made one out of scrap, put it together wrong, watched the video twice, put it together in front of the computer, and I love the resluts. But........I'll probably never make another. When I make a card that is difficult, I mail it to my mom, with the warning......"First and Last of it's kind!" She thinks it's funny, but it's for real.

All the materials are from Mark's Finest Papers.

DGS Jake arrives this AM, DGD Erin tomorrow, for mini vacations with Grammy and Grampy, then my BFF Fran on Wed., from FL. I may be rather scarce, but I promise to catch up.

Jake is here, in the kitchen with his new birthday presents. Nothing like two new sets of Legos to put together. He turned down the pool, slide, and hot tub to work in the kitchen with those millions of little pieces!!

Gave me time to get to the CAS ... here it is. Inspired by One fish, Two fish, Red fish, Blue fish. Images from Mark's Finest Papers, a sneak peek of a set called Flourished Sea Creatures to be released in August. See ya!

The Desert Calls Me

This card today is for the FS at SCS. I made a CAS card, casing one of hers. I made a number of changes, but flipped the layout.

All the materials come from Mark's Finest Papers. This set is new this month, called Southwest Cowboy, and has become one of my favorites.

We're going to see my son today. It's the third day after his surgery, and we just need to look at him. I'll try to check in later. Have a good day.

Speedy's Friends Challenge

Here is my card for two challenges this morning. Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge # 13 is to make a card or project that is masculine. Please join us here by adding your card to Mr. Linky. You just might win some fabulous stamps!! (Like this set, Flourished Sea Creatures)

This card is also for the Inspiration Challenge at SCS. It will go out this morning in the mail to my son Paul, who is recovering from hip surgery two days ago.

Have a wonderful day.

For Queen MariLynn!

At noon, the Queen For The Day was posted, and it's the sweetest gal, MariLynn.

Since she loves butterflies, I had to case one of her cards using one, and of course, it also had to be RED (but that's for ME!)

I used MFP's set Butterflies, Dianthus, and Flourishes. I love the saying and that little flourish. I hope you like this MariLynn. Enjoy your reign!!!

Painting with Purple

A very gray day today, hard to get a true-color photo. This is the new SU stamp I just inked up for the first time today. It's for the Free For All challenge on SCS.

Our son Paul did fine yesterday for his surgery, but I bet he's feeling really sore today. God bless pain killers!! His BIL is staying with him until his wife gets home tomorrow. Haven't called there.......I hope he's getting some sleep. thanks to those of you who are sending him cards.

I'm feeling out of sorts today.....could be what I ate for dinner, or just nerves from yesterday. I'm lying low and reading a good book. Have a good day.

Spinner and REQUEST!!

Here is the card I made for WT - Move it! and for stampin'B's - BG Stamp. I used a set that will be released next month at MFP, called Flourished Sea Creatures.

Now the request:

My son Paul is having his second hip surgery (the last one was the end of April!), and I am starting to send him get well cards. If any of you would like to send one too (that's the request), here is his address:

Paul Harmon
20 O'Neil street
Hudson, MA 01749

Thanks in advance to you all!

Regal and Proud Deer (Belli Challenge Below)

For the SC today I am giving you a sneak peek at a set that will be released next month by Mark's Finest Papers . The set is called Regal and Proud.

I had no intention of making a Christmas card today, but the deer in the set is so fab, it all sorta fell into place. And don't you think it was time for some RED?

Thanks for looking, and don't forget to look below for the CBC!!

Creative Belli Challenge#96

Here's the sketch for our challenge today:

In addition to this wonderful sketch, we were to make something that moved.

Here is my card:

As you can see, the top part slides up so the sentiment shows. There will also be a sentiment inside.

This dp is the RAZZ. color that I just love. I think we can consider it a shad of RED, don't you?

Please be sure to check out the rest of the design team (on my sidebar), and connect your card to our

BLOG so we can see it too!

See you in two weeks with another challenge!

Hearts and Flowers for a Special Friend

For both challenges today on SCS .... Color Challenge 280 and MMTPT103.

This is the first time I've used my heart nesties. I really love it!! The flowers are from MFP, and so is the bg and sentiment. I just love these sets of stamps.

All the deets are on SCS in my gallery. Thanks for looking, and have a wonderful day!

Tilting Seahorse and Friend

Can you blame me for adding a little RED fishie to this card today??? It's for two SCS challenges, the TLC and CAS.

I had never done a TILT card before. It was easy and fun! The directions are on TLC282 if you would like to make one.

I used a sneak peek from a set that will be released next month by Mark'sFinest Papers and is called Flourished Sea Creatures. It's got some wonderful images and sayings, as usual.

Have a great day. I'm off to buy DGS's birthday presents!! SEA (LOL!) you later!

Born Free Triple plus One!

My card today is for three challenges, plus the DTGD10.

Speedy's Friends Challenge#12 - RED, orange and yellow.

QFTD18 - honoring hobbydujour (Sallie) who makes the MOST BEAUTIFUL cards. What a pleasure to case her!

IC241 - the Australian website Georgie Love, wher I was inspired by a piece of jewelry with a horse on it.

The DTGD10BevMom Challenge - the TV show "Fury".

To get all the information, please visit my gallery. It was a lot of typing, lots of color directing to each place, and I just can't do it again!! Have a great weekend!!

Blog Hop Day 4 ~ Apples and Camellia

Mark's Finest Papers' Design Teams are celebrating our NEWEST STAMP RELEASE with a Blog Hop. Our very talented Design Teams have created exciting paper crafts for your inspiration. With the addition of New Design Team members, this is going to be a really fun-packed Hop! Sit back, and hold on to your mouse! This is going to be a FABULOUS ride! Come Hop along with us!

We have 4 New Stamp Sets Released today: Background Fun, Southwest Cowboy, Flourishes & Frame, and Apples & Camellia. For your convenience, all 4 stamp sets are available for purchase TODAY!
For your chance to win BLOG CANDY, (a set that will be released NEXT month), visit and comment on each of the following design team members' blogs on July 13, 14, 15, and 16, 2010. On Saturday, (July 17, 2010), a winner will be chosen FOR EACH DAY from those participants who visited all the blogs listed for that day. ( There will be four different winners, one winner for each day.) SO THAT MEANS IF YOU MISSED A DAY, YOU STILL HAVE OTHER CHANCES WIN! And, you can go back and comment, as the winners will be chosen Saturday morning!

Here is my card using the Camellia from today's set. I added nesties, punched borders, a ribbon, punched leaves, gold cord, and an MFP charm. The leaves are marked with a stylus.

Friday July 16: Apples and Camellia.

July Guest Designer-Melisa Waldorf- http://melisawaldorf.blogspot.com/
Nancyruth - http://nancyruthat.blogspot.com/
Lois - http://clownmomcreations.blogspot.com/
Vicky- http://www.villagestamperramblings.blogspot.com/
Jeanne - http://nannysroom.wordpress.com/
Anne- http://inkinginred.blogspot.com/
Debbie- http://www.debbieseyer.com/
Peggysue- http://rosesbymywindow.blogspot.com/
Faith - http://stampinwithmarkiesmom.blogspot.com/
Vicki-http://allidoisstamp.blogspot.com/
Susan- http://simplicitybylateblossom.blogspot.com/
Judi- http://paper-rose-petals.blogspot.com/
Patty- http://winnieswhimsandmycrafts.blogspot.com/
Karen- http://www.karenskreativekreations.blogspot.com/
Connie- http://sodakstamping.blogspot.com/
Roxie- http://paperscaper.blogspot.com/
Liz: http://rightbrainmadness.blogspot.com/
Claudine- http://cardsbyclaudine.blogspot.com/
Dawn- http://dawnmercedes.blogspot.com/
Mark’s Finest Papers - http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/

Thanks for joining us, and good luck to you all!

Blog Hop Day 3 ~ Flourishes and Frame

Mark's Finest Papers' Design Teams are celebrating our NEWEST STAMP RELEASE with a Blog Hop. Our very talented Design Teams have created exciting paper crafts for your inspiration. With the addition of New Design Team members, this is going to be a really fun-packed Hop! Sit back, and hold on to your mouse! This is going to be a FABULOUS ride! Come Hop along with us!

We have 4 New Stamp Sets Released today: Background Fun, Southwest Cowboy, Flourishes & Frame, and Apples & Camellia. For your convenience, all 4 stamp sets are available for purchase TODAY!
For your chance to win BLOG CANDY, (a set that will be released NEXT month), visit and comment on each of the following design team members' blogs on July 13, 14, 15, and 16, 2010. On Saturday, (July 17, 2010), a winner will be chosen FOR EACH DAY from those participants who visited all the blogs listed for that day. ( There will be four different winners, one winner for each day.) SO THAT MEANS IF YOU MISSED A DAY, YOU STILL HAVE OTHER CHANCES WIN! And, you can go back and comment, as the winners will be chosen Saturday morning!

Here is my card for Flourishes and Frame, using tan and white paper from MFP, punches, ribbon, gold cord, and of course an MFP charm.

Thursday July 15: Flourishes & Frame
July Guest Designer- Melisa Waldorf- http://melisawaldorf.blogspot.com/
Nancyruth - http://nancyruthat.blogspot.com/
Lois - http://clownmomcreations.blogspot.com/
Vicky- http://www.villagestamperramblings.blogspot.com/
Jeanne - http://nannysroom.wordpress.com/
Anne- http://inkinginred.blogspot.com/
Debbie- http://www.debbieseyer.com/
Peggysue- http://rosesbymywindow.blogspot.com/
Faith - http://stampinwithmarkiesmom.blogspot.com/
Susan- http://simplicitybylateblossom.blogspot.com/
Judi- http://paper-rose-petals.blogspot.com/
Patty- http://winnieswhimsandmycrafts.blogspot.com/
Karen- http://www.karenskreativekreations.blogspot.com/
Connie- http://sodakstamping.blogspot.com/
Roxie- http://paperscaper.blogspot.com/
Vicki- http://allidoisstamp.blogspot.com/
Joanne: http://sleepyinseattlestamps.blogspot.com/
Dawn- http://dawnmercedes.blogspot.com/
Claudine- http://cardsbyclaudine.blogspot.com/
Liz: http://rightbrainmadness.blogspot.com/
Mark’s Finest Papers - http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/

Please join us again tomorrow for the last day of the Blog Hop.

DDIC #32

Our Inspiration challenge this week comes from the Container store. This lovely gift wrapping is what Lori, our Fearless Leader, chose to give us to work with.......and the colors are absolutely gorgeous.

The pink, the wonderful green ... what a basis for making a card or project!

The flowers were so delicate, and that's what led to the card you see below:

I used a very delicate flower that was mostly petals. They are painted in the palest pinks to go with the pink framing. The soft green seems to be the same color as the inspiration wrapping paper, and to fill it out, I added the Sizzix Victorian corners.

The flowers are cut out and popped up. That took a lot of time, but I thought it was really worth it. I was looking for not only dimension, but also texture. It seemed to have a distinctly Asian feel, hence the Chinese character. I hope you like it.

Please feel free to join us by adding DDIC to your keyword, and be sure to check in with the rest of the team and their projects by going to their blogs through my sidebar. See you in two weeks.

Blog Hop Day 2 ~ southwest Cowboy

Mark's Finest Papers' Design Teams are celebrating our NEWEST STAMP RELEASE with a Blog Hop. Our very talented Design Teams have created exciting paper crafts for your inspiration. With the addition of New Design Team members, this is going to be a really fun-packed Hop! Sit back, and hold on to your mouse! This is going to be a FABULOUS ride! Come Hop along with us!

We have 4 New Stamp Sets Released today: Background Fun, Southwest Cowboy, Flourishes & Frame, and Apples & Camellia. For your convenience, all 4 stamp sets are available for purchase TODAY!

For your chance to win BLOG CANDY, (a set that will be released NEXT month), visit and comment on each of the following design team members' blogs on July 13, 14, 15, and 16, 2010. On Saturday, (July 17, 2010), a winner will be chosen FOR EACH DAY from those participants who visited all the blogs listed for that day. ( There will be four different winners, one winner for each day.) SO THAT MEANS IF YOU MISSED A DAY, YOU STILL HAVE OTHER CHANCES WIN! And, you can go back and comment, as the winners will be chosen Saturday morning!


Here is my card using Southwest Cowboy. I used the image of the cowboy and the barbed wire on tan paper from MFP, and added stars, brads, twine, cord, and a cactus. I traced a small bowl to get the curve, and cut it out, then layered.

Wednesday July 14: Southwest Cowboy
July Guest Designer- Melisa Waldorf- http://melisawaldorf.blogspot.com/
Nancyruth - http://nancyruthat.blogspot.com/
Lois - http://clownmomcreations.blogspot.com/
Vicky- http://www.villagestamperramblings.blogspot.com/
Jeanne - http://nannysroom.wordpress.com/
Anne- http://inkinginred.blogspot.com/
Debbie- http://www.debbieseyer.com/
Peggysue- http://rosesbymywindow.blogspot.com/
Faith - http://stampinwithmarkiesmom.blogspot.com/

Susan- http://simplicitybylateblossom.blogspot.com/

Judi- http://paper-rose-petals.blogspot.com/

Patty- http://winnieswhimsandmycrafts.blogspot.com/

Karen- http://www.karenskreativekreations.blogspot.com/

Connie- http://sodakstamping.blogspot.com/

Roxie- http://paperscaper.blogspot.com/
Vicki- http://allidoisstamp.blogspot.com/

Joanne: http://sleepyinseattlestamps.blogspot.com/

Julia- http://createwithjulia.blogspot.com/
Claudine- http://cardsbyclaudine.blogspot.com/
Mark’s Finest Papers - http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/

Please join us again tomorrow.

Blog Hop Day 1 ~ Background Fun

Mark's Finest Papers' Design Teams are celebrating our NEWEST STAMP RELEASE with a
Blog Hop. Our very talented Design Teams have created exciting paper crafts for your inspiration. With the addition of New Design Team members, this is going to be a really fun-packed Hop! Sit back, and hold on to your mouse! This is going to be a FABULOUS ride! Come Hop along with us!

We have 4 New Stamp Sets Released today: Background Fun, Southwest Cowboy, Flourishes & Frame, and Apples & Camellia. For your convenience, all 4 stamp sets are available for purchase TODAY!

For your chance to win BLOG CANDY, (a set that will be released NEXT month), visit and comment on each of the following design team members' blogs on July 13, 14, 15, and 16, 2010, 2010. On Saturday, (July 17, 2010), a winner will be chosen FOR EACH DAY from those participants who visited all the blogs listed for that day. ( There will be four different winners, one winner for each day.)

SO THAT MEANS IF YOU MISSED A DAY, YOU STILL HAVE OTHER CHANCES WIN! And, you can go back and comment, as the winners will be chosen Saturday morning!



Here is my card using Background Fun. I used the crackle bg with a nestie on top of my dp, and added sparkly paper punched as balloons. I also punched out the Happy Birthday sentiment from the set, and added sparkly brads.



Tuesday July 13: Background Fun
July Guest Designer- Melisa Waldorf- http://melisawaldorf.blogspot.com/
Nancyruth - http://nancyruthat.blogspot.com/
Lois - http://clownmomcreations.blogspot.com/
Vicky- http://www.villagestamperramblings.blogspot.com/
Jeanne - http://nannysroom.wordpress.com/
Anne- http://inkinginred.blogspot.com/
Debbie- http://www.debbieseyer.com/
Peggysue- http://rosesbymywindow.blogspot.com/
Faith - http://stampinwithmarkiesmom.blogspot.com/
Susan- http://simplicitybylateblossom.blogspot.com/
Judi- http://paper-rose-petals.blogspot.com/
Patty- http://winnieswhimsandmycrafts.blogspot.com/
Karen- http://www.karenskreativekreations.blogspot.com/
Connie- http://sodakstamping.blogspot.com/
Roxie- http://paperscaper.blogspot.com/
Vicki- http://allidoisstamp.blogspot.com/
Cathleen- http://crookedcardcreations.com/
Claudine- http://cardsbyclaudine.blogspot.com/
Mark’s Finest Papers - http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/


Join us again tomorrow! Good luck to you all!

A Little RED....and a busy day!

This card is for the FS at SCS. I kept Stephanie's layout and theme, and changed the rest.

This is the beginning of a busy week. DD and family are arriving shortly for lunch (steaks on the grill), and when they go home, DGS Tommy (age 10) will stay with us until Wednesday night. His brother John was here for a few days two weeks ago, and now it's Tommy's turn.

We'll be at his beck and call..perhaps to go back to the zoo, or whatever he would like. I'll be here occasionally, but not sure how much. Have a great rest of the weekend, and week ahead too.

Blue Bird for Three!

This is for three challenges. I can't believe I could combine them all!

For Speedy the Cat's Friends, to use punches.

For the IC240, I was inspired by a Blue Jay towel.

For QFTD17, I cased a card by Sabrina (Cook22).

The image is from Mark's Finest Papers, and is from the set called Ferns and Chickadee. So is the sentiment.

I heat embossed the feathers in white EP, punched with both MS and SU punches, and used ribbon and dimensionals. I hope you like it.

Desert Rider

After spending the morning with my DH, at his office, shopping, and lunch out (YUM!), I came home to find a wonderful challenge, filled in by Wendy.

I have recently bought a number of punches, but also this Nesties Label 10, and I was just dying to try it out.

I used it with the new set, Southwest Cowboy, a sneak peek from
Mark's Finest Papers that will be released next Tuesday. Four sets will be available, and all four are FABulous. There will be a blog hop, so watch for it here.

The WT today is to use yellow. My daughter's favorite color. I thought pairing it with green was enough .... no RED this morning.

This is also for the StampinB's challenge, to use DOTS. Not only do I have dotted dp, but I added dotted ribbon! I just love this set from MFP, called Blackberries, Sunflowers and Bees.

Hot and humid again today. DH and I hit the hot tub early with our coffee. The rest of the day we'll be sitting and reading in the AC on our enclosed front porch. Life is good!

Creative Belli Challenge

Here I am, late again!! Today is the CBC .......to alter something you've had kicking around for some time. Well, this little clipboard has been doing just that!!

Of course I had to use RED, and combine it with my other two favs, white and black. I plan to use this to keep track of what I NEED to replace. Notice, I didn't say WANT to buy! LOL!

Please join us by linking an altered item of your own HERE

http://www.bellichallenge.blogspot.com/ and be sure to check out the entries of the DT. See you again in two weeks!

Chickadee for the Sketch

This chickadee is one of my favorite images from Mark's Finest Stamps. This set is called Ferns and Chickadee. This time I made him out of the box for the sketch challenge today.

The strangest thing happened yesterday! I felt miserable all day....blowing my runny nose, feeling yucky, bad headache. I figured it was the beginning of a summer cold. This morning I feel fine! Whatever it was, it's gone. Hooray!! I'm so happy to be ME again.......the temp is over 100 and the humidity is off the chart. I am sticking to everything, and the AC guy is coming this morning to fix it! Hooray again!! Hope you're cool and comfy. Have a great day.

Get Well Sunflowers and MMTPT101

This is my card for the CC today at SCS: saffron, razz., baja, and grid for dessert. I had no Baja, so went with a nice medium blue.

This card will go to Sue (bensarmom) who had hip replacement on July 2nd. Sue, mend soon!!

I love this sunflower from Blackberries, sunflowers, and bees by Mark's Finest Papers. I painted the flower, used the out of the box technique for the top nestie, and added ribbon and brads. I hope you like it. The sentiment is from Apples and Camellia, a sneak peek of one of the four new sets to be released by MFP next week. We'll be having a Blog Hop to introduce them.

I think today is going to be a total loss. I woke up sneezing, and have gone through half a box of kleenex, sneezing and honking! Must be from sleeping with the AC on in the bedroom. How else could we get any sleep????? Maybe I should make MYSELF a get well card!LOL! Have a great day.

Well, I'm back with my MMTPT101 card. Please go to the SCS gallery for the deets. I'm feeling worse by the minute.......gotta take something for this yucky feeling!!

White paper posie!

This card is for the two Monday challenges at SCS.....the Technique and Clean and Simple.

How so not fair to start the morning looking at beautiful cakes, and wanting to start with a slice or two for breakfast!!

This flower, as per the requirements is hand made. My fingers are all sticky! I love the white on white, and love making these flowers, but I have never sent one through the mail for fear of them being crushed. I need to hand deliver a wedding card to the girl across the street, so this will be easy!

Thanks for looking . Have fun, enjoy the summer day, and I'll be visiting your blogs later.

Keeping the Green

Today the Featured Stamper is cookiebaker (Charlene). She has a wonderful tailored style, and a fabulous gallery. I got to the third entry uploaded, and went with that one.

Here is Charlene's card I cased. I flipped the layout, added corner interest, and changed the image. I kept the wonderful green ribbon, and the single simple image.

Congratulations!! I hope you like what I did with your card. Happy 4th of July, Charlene, and to all of you too!

Swimming Swan

The Speedy's Friends challenge #10 this week is to use die cuts. Bless those Nesties and CB! How did we ever do without them!

It's also for the IC239 at SCS today. You can check out my gallery to see the deets.

For Speedy's challenge, please join us at

Mark's Finest Papers Blog where you can win a free stamp set......and they are ALL fabulous, as you know.

Have a fun weekend with friends and family. Ours arrive in less than two hours, so...gotta run!

A Star and some Gold!

The challenge today is to use a star and some gold. I decided to make a star card, as I have never done much with shaped cards. I used my trusty ruler, and it came out great.

The only stamping was the sentiment, from Mark's finest Papers set, Butterflies Dianthus and Flourishes.

The gold is embossed floral vine paper from the Paper Co., and the sticker butterfly from K & Co.

Happy Fourth of July! Mom is coming this AM, big family party tomorrow!!

America!

The challenge today at SCS is to make a 4th of July card with NO RED or blue. Easy.

Just not for me!! You know how I love RED! Here's a story that will make you laugh............ when I first made this card, I used my wonderful cloud template, and used caribbean blue to make the sky. Then I added the purple mountains, and was glueing it down, and realized what I had done. NO BLUE!! Back to the old drawing board!!

This image is a sneak peek from Mark's Finest Papers that will debut in August, called Regal and Proud. Be sure to watch for it.......it's fabulous!!

Please take a look below at my entry for the Divine Diva Inspiration Challenge. That one is in the REAL 4th of July colors!!!

DDIC #31

HERE is the link to the picture that Lori, our Fearless Leader chose to give us for inspiration this time.

I just loved all the Patriotic colors, and what a group of wonderful items to include for Labor day, or for the 4th of July, which is a bit closer.

The blue containers, white branches, and the white background with the RED flower was very intriguing to me. You know, of course, how much I love anything RED!, so that can't be a surprise.

Here is my card. The blue dp shows up a little darker than it really is. It's exactly the same color as the centers of the Hero Arts flower. The stem is embossed in white, to compare to the branches in the picture. I added a row of punching at the bottom, in circles, like the life preserver, and kept that theme with the RED buttons.

Please feel free to join us, and be sure to check the entries of the DT. You can find their blogs on my sidebar. See you in two weeks!