Bourbon Roses

The Clean and Simple challenge today was to use an article for inspiration. I chose this fabulous bag. The colors just knocked my socks off! My card has no sentiment on the front because whatever I started to add didn't work, so it is what it is. I hope you like it. IRL it is so shiny.....and very hard to photograph, especially on this dark day.

I will be back to check out your postings later today. DH and I have an all-day date to meet a friend for lunch, but it means a lot of driving. When food is involved, we really don't mind!! Have a wonderful day, and do some fun stuff!! Hugs to you all.

.....and another for Joanne(jojot)!

You know about potato chips.......that you can't eat just one? Well, Joanne's gallery is so fab, you can't CASE just one either!!! I just HAD to do this!!!!!

Hooray for the RED white and black!

Today's Featured stamper on SCS is jojot, my friend Joanne in CT who loves my favorite colors!! I adore her gallery, not just because of that, but because her cards are always beautiful, stylish, and wonderfully thought out!! Today I took a card from her gallery to CASE that she had NOT done in RED, black, and white. I thought I would like to see how it looked in our favorites!! Because we have to change at least three things, I changed the orientation, colors, cb and dp bgs, image and corner punch. Joanne, I hope you like what I have done, and that you will enjoy all the so-well-deserved honors that come your way!!!! Hugs, GF!!

Winter Deer

The Limited Supply Challenge today was called "Lovin' Dat Man", the song from Showboat. We were to make a masculine card, and I think this does it! I kept singing the words to the song as I worked on this post today (fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly......so I added - Deer gotta tromp around in the winter woods - LOL!). I went with DH to HD yesterday, and they had these BIG paint chips, so I brought home a few (?), and used one as a bg this morning. The trees stamped really well in Stazon, but stamping the deer was terrible. Eventually I had to cut one out. Hope it looks okay. I added some WW 'snow'.

Now, on to DIL, Debbie. They kept her at the hospital, and she had surgery yesterday to repair a displacement fracture of her ankle. She had a plate put in. She will go home today, and it sure ruined the class she has been teaching this summer!! If you would like to send her a card, let me
know.

Have a great day.

Flower Soft is Messy! and a Sad Ending.....

I decided to do the Ways To Use It Challenge at SCS today. I needed some happy RED to shake off some not so good news.

My DIL, Debbie, got a gift certificate from her Middle School students for a mani-pedi, and she was very excited to get one for the first time. As she was leaving, she fell, and broke her ankle, tore the ligaments, and suffered a dislocation. She went to the hospital, where they gave her DRUGS, and she had surgery this morning.

We didn't know until this afternoon whether or not we would have Jake, our DGS, stay with us, or how she was doing, so we have been here all day waiting to hear.......she is now home, and DS says she is okay. I will feel better after speaking with her. Men are not good at telling who, what, and all that stuff.

In the meantime, keeping busy with the challenge was a bit of a challenge........my sweet friend Anne (Itsapassion) sent me some Flower Soft. I didn't remember what she told me about how to use it. as a result, even though I used it sparingly, it's all over my table, shirt, pants, hands, you know!

I hope you like the card, and I will keep you posted on Debbie's condition!!

Divine Diva Inspiration Challenge #10

This is my very first DDIC and I want to thank Lori Rider and the DT for inviting me to join them.

On the left is the bedroom taken from Wrapables.com that was to be our inspiration. The colors of chocolate and gold just seemed so elegant, that I took the gold of the pillow and the print design as the basis for my card. I also included the flickering candles in the gold and orange button embellishment.

I used the Autumn Days and Autumn Leaf Prints stamp sets from SU, and brushed gold and chocolate chip paper. I stamped in Stazon Timber Brown. The gold leaves in the bg are embossed in Egyptian Gold EP, and are dazzling IRL.

I hope you like what I have done with this challenge. Please visit the other members of the Divine Divas to see their cards by going to the left and clicking on each name under the badge. If you would like to join us in this inspiration please link it here:

http://divastamper.blogspot.com/,

and you can also post to SCS by putting DDIC10 in your keyword.

SC242 Rose

Had a chance this afternoon to do the sketch challenge........I love the new Rich Razzberry ink and dp from SU. Balanced it with white and celery, added some punching and a ribbon, and as they say, VOILA! That's it for today, FOLKS!!

DDC A Pair of Pirates

My DGD Erin is spending the day, so of course we had to do the challenge!! Hers is mostly green, mine is mostly, well you know! The DDC today is hosted by Julia (artystamper) who DARED us to use digi stamps by Dustin Pike....freebies from his website! There's a lot of coloring and cutting involved, and we were glad when we were done!! Thanks a lot, Julia! NOT!!!

We hope you like them. Have a great day!!

Belli Challenge #72

The Belli Challenge this week is sponsored by Peachy Keen Stamps! They have the most adorable digital images, and are known for their cute faces! We were each sent three images, and were to use one for our cards posting today.

This challenge is to use water-based markers..........NO COPICS!! Please join us by 'markering' an image for your card and posting to the CBC72 gallery!!


I chose this Sleepy Bear. The card is made with Brocade Blue dp, and the coloring is done with SU markers in Summer Sun, Brocade Blue, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Creamy Caramel, and Bashful Blue. the star and the bear's face are popped to give it a little dimension. In addition, I used punches and brads for embellishment.


Check out the CBC72 gallery on Split Coast Stampers, and go to the Creative Belli Blog by clicking the blinkie and see all the cards made by the group! Make sure you add yours!!!! If you are chosen at roandom, you will receive a $25.00 gift certificate to Peachy Keen.....how cool is that??? Check out Peachy Keen Stamps by going to their website. Tell them the Belli Girls sent you!!!

Paper-Pieced Boat and MMTPT60

I love these colors together for the Color Challenge - Teal, Cocoa, vanilla. I have a cousin who is a ship captain. He works one month, then has a month off. His wife is very used to it, but I would HATE it!! I usually make him cards with SHIPS on them, but today I thought I would make him smile with a tugboat. He actually did handle the tugboat that brought the QE2 into NY harbor a few years ago! He is a really sweet guy, and I just adore him!

This is also for Teapot Tuesday. We are going to Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia for the teaparty today. It's jojot's favorite place, and I love it too!! We have to bring fish, but instead I am bringing my tugboat that is so cute, fish just love to see it, and swim right up to the side. These fish will be really easy to catch, and fresh fish are not so smelly!! I think this is a much better idea!! I'm sure Muddermark will agree!! LOL!

Another scalding hot day, and if any of us sit by the pool it won't be for long. Hope it's cooler where you are!! Hugs.

Hats and Hats

You know what takes the sting out of Monday?? Making CAS cards! The challenge today was to make a masculine card. I love this set of men's hats, and I love my scor-pal. Finding the right ribbon was the hardest part, and with the amount I have, it took about 4 seconds!! We had a great weekend, and now that I have posted, I have a chance to look around this morning.

We are expecting the H-H-H day (hazy, hot, humid), so I will be spending some time by the pool. Paul, Debbie, and Jake will be here later this morning. We love to have them come. That's it for me, now off to see you. Have a great day, my friends!!

Hoot If You Love RED!

Well, darn! I had no intention of doing the IC today, so I just took a quick peek, and I saw this baby owl stitch kit: http://www.curiosityshoppeonline.com/baowlstkit.html and that's all it took! If you go there and look, you'll see how cute and RED it is! I really didn't have time to do it, but I squeaked out a few minutes, and here it is. We are off for the weekend, so no commenting today, but I'll be back on Monday. I put this in the RedDivas gallery as well, if you want to go there. Bye!

Third and FINAL post!!

These two cards are for the other CASDT challenges. I think you could see them better on my SCS Gallery! Once I had the stuff out, I figured there was no reason not to! I harbor no illusions that I will be chosen to be a CAS team member, but I have enjoyed so much making CAS cards in the past few months.

I appreciate your interest in looking at my blog. Now I'm off to look at yours!! Have a great day!!

Ladybug Autumn......2nd post today

I took a look at Miss Boo's DT Challenge call, and was hooked by the second challenge.........a clean and simple card with shades of brown and one tiny spot of RED. Well, if you know me, you'll know the clincher was the tiny spot of RED! I used three different colors of brown, plus the satin brown ribbon, which I love. For the RED, I used a small brad with tiny dots of black which I made with a sharpie. I love this look!! I also love the new set, Autumn Days. I hope you like it too! Please take a look below for my first post.......my DGD's smiling face!

Samantha's Braces Are Gone!

This is my granddaughter Samantha, who is 12. She called us yesterday with wonderful news...... she is OUT of braces!! Her teeth are beautiful!! I asked her how it felt, and she said she had a lot of room in her mouth, all of a sudden. I asked her what she was going to do about that, and she replied,"Fill it up!" I figure she will be eating Marshmallow Fluff and peanut butter sandwiches, gummy bears, and all the things she hasn't been able to eat for quite a while!! I thought you might like to see this happy and smiling face!!

Autumn Trees

How cool is this.......a wood bg for autumn trees!! I just noticed it (obviously I'm not smart enough to plan that!!)! This is for the WT today - variegated something. I chose to use variegated ink, which I think makes FABULOUS FALL cards. Thanks for joining me here today. Make it a good one! Oh! Almost forgot....I put this in the RedDivas Gallery on SCS because I thought there was enough to qualify. PLMK if you think that's okay, or if I should remove it. Hugs!

Out-of-the-box Baby Giraffe

This card is doing double duty today. The sketch at SCS is easy, and so different. I wanted to make a nontraditional card for my cousin's baby boy, and I think these colors are great together!

This is also for the Doubledog Dare Challenge, and I am this week's hostess. I dared the group to make an out-of-the-box card.......no other requirements. I love the look, and seldom do it......I wonder why that is??? Anyway, if you would like to join us in this challenge, just put DDC in your keyword. Simple.

Have a wonderful day. Hugs. And if you didn't see my BIG NEWS yesterday, check below.

Big News!!

I am pleased to announce I have been asked to join the Divine Divas! Lori Rider contacted me, and I promptly accepted the new challenge! The Divine Divas Inspiration Challenge (DDIC) posts every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. Above is the Badge I am adding to my blog sidebar, and this is the list of members of the DDIC Team:

Angela Jones

Chat Wszelaki

Chris Olsen

Julie Warner

Keri Brown

Lori Rider

and ME!

I am so honored to be a part of this fabulous group of creative artists! Watch for the DDIC here on August 20th. That's when I submit my first post. YAY!

Bleached Trees

I have to admit that this is my all-time favorite SU set, Lovely As A Tree! Whenever I'm stuck for an idea, this set jogs my memory. The CC today was very interesting..........bleach, take the color that comes from it, and add a neutral. I chose a very dark RED, and the vanilla it became with the bleach, and black as a neutral. Instead of doing a bg, I used the image itself as my focus, and had this fabulous matching dp to go with it! I had a little trouble with what to do with embellishments. I didn't want to overwhelm the trees, but it looked a little bare. I hope you don't think the corners are over the top.......the ribbon works really well I think. Anyhow, I am pleased with the results. I decided to also post this card in the RedDivas gallery. It's dark, but still the right color, don't you agree??? Have a great day. Hugs to you all.

Bling Anniversary in RED!

Happy Monday! The headache I woke up with is finally gone, and I have been to my addict...ahem...craft room for the CAS challenge. Today we had to use BLING, and I think this anniversary card says it all. I even used my xyron for the FIRST TIME....can you believe it?? The dress is paper pieced, and I knew I could never get the glitter to stick with just my glue pen, and then I remembered that I had that sticky machine. Now that I have used it, I think I'll leave it out. Who knows what will hapen next?? I HAD to do RED today. Isn't her dress glamorous in the RED glitter??? I also used gold metallic for the stars and under both the image and the heart punched border. This card also qualifies for the RedDivas, and if you make a card (in my favorite color), you can add it to that gallery here:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=all&si=RedDivas&what=keywords

The only requirement for the RedDivas is that you have used RED.

Thanks for looking, and have a great day!!

Roses For My Sweet Joanne!

My VERY DEAR FRIEND Joanne (sleepyinseattle) is the FS at SCS today!! How wonderful, and about time, too! Joanne is so fabulously creative, and so willing to share her expertise with us all! Congratulations Joanne! I am in and out of her gallery, so it was especially hard for me to choose a card to case, but I finally chose this one called Here For You :

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1359230?&cat=500&ppuser=14567

Joanne makes such beautifully embossed roses. Rather than try to replicate hers, I changed the image to one that is smaller, and used two roses. Never again will I emboss white on white and then try to cut it out!! I had to keep turning it to catch the light so I could see where to put my scissors!! Oh well, live and learn! I also reversed the colors and orientation. I hope you like my version of her card, although I could never do what she does!! Congratulations again, Joanne!!!

Sage is food, right?

The challenge today was to use only food colors and a food as a theme. I figure a take-out box of rice covers the theme, and I used Vanilla and Sage as colors. They are spices, but I think they are food too, aren't they? My friend Heather K. (tankgrl) sent me the template for the box, and I just love it! Thanks, GF!

Mom arrives this morning for the weekend. We are planning a quick trip to Ink About It, then back here for a day with son Paul and family. Tomorrow we go to DGD's Irish Step-Dancing Competition, then to friends' for dinner. In between, mom and I will make....oh....maybe some cards!!

Have a great weekend, and thanks for stopping by. Hugs to all.

Pleated Harlequin

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! This card was a real nightmare! The challenge was to make a card with pleats. Sounds simple, right? WRONG! I thought I had this great idea to make the skirt and neck ruff in pleats, and it would be fun and cute. I couldn't get the pleats to stay down. I must have tried every kind of glue, paste, tape, and sticky stuff in the universe, and I'm still not pleased. Needless to say, this will not be repeated! I love this image, I love the print pattern stamp for the bg, I love the RED as you well know, and I love punches and gold metallic paper. I don't love pleats.

This card is also for the RedDivas, a group of us who really love one color, and whenever we make a card in this color, we put that in our keywords. If you would like to be one of the RedDivas, the next time you make a card that fits, please join us. We have a fun gallery on SCS. Take a look.

Have a great day.......we have errands, I'll be reading by the pool, and then to DS's for a corned beef dinner......he's been corning the beef himself for a few days! (He's a wonderful cook!) Hugs to you all.

CBC#71 Wood is the Theme!

The theme of the Creative Belli Blog this week is WOOD. I got a little crazy, and decided to make a wooden 'out-back' house that is virtually IN the forest. I made a bg of leaves, then ran the cs through the cb of Forest Branches after I rubbed it with brown. You can figure out the rest. The girls of the Belli Blog have made some amazing cards. Please check them out, and if you care to join us, post your card to CBC. We'd love to see what you can add to ours!!

Time Runs...........

I am no longer suffering withdrawal! The sketch challenge today gave me an opportunity to use a stamp I bought in NH in May. Isn't it incredible????????? My only dilemma was in choosing which of my RED markers and paper I would use! The clock and the main panel are distressed, and the sickle is silver embossed. I had lots of fun making this card today, and I hope you get a kick out of it too. Oh! and it is also for the RED Divas! Thanks for joining me today.

CLOSE TO RED Roses for the DARE!

Is Cameo close to RED???????????

A twofer today.......for the CC aat SCS, and the Dare. This week's hostess, Beverly (beestamper) gave us this sketch to follow, so I thought I'd combine the two. Please join us...the sketch is wonderful! I spent a lot of time on this card, and now that I see it blown up, there are some things I would change if I were doing it again. For one thing, I would make the panel smaller so you could see the roses by the trellis THAT TOOK SO LONG TO CUT OUT! And I would use a thinner ribbon so things were easier to see. The sentiment is a little off......well, you get the gist.

Another lovely day......DS and family are coming back with steaks for the grill. We'll be outside all day, and they will probably stay to play cards and listen to the RED Sox, so I may not get to your blogs today.

Enjoy the summer......it's going FAST!! Hugs.

Black and White and NO RED!

A quick card this morning. It's going to be a perfect pool day, and I have just heard from #2 son Paul. He and family and a little friend of Jake's will come and enjoy the day. We had nothing planned, so this will be fun and relaxing. We will cook on the grill and just be laid back. Have a wonderful day too. See you tomorrow.

Daisies Make Me Smile!

Teresa Kline is the FS at SCS today! I love her gallery.......her layouts are simple and clean. She combines wonderful colors and images, so it was very easy to case her card. I changed the colors and sentiment, and the shape of the card to accommodate the image I chose. I saved a bunch of her cards to case later. I hope you like what I have done, and that you have a wonderful day.

Quilled and Die Cut Extravaganza!

Okay. I have NO idea in the world what possessed me to get involved in this card. It started out all right, but it took on a life of its own as it grew and grew! This is for the Limited Supplies Challenge at SCS. The supplies really are limited........only die cuts and one sentiment. This was nothing but trouble, and I really have to apologize to all the people who are great quillers (especially MariLynn!). This was my first, and probably LAST attempt. What a pain #$@%$##!! Anyway, this will never fit in an envie, and I guess it will be hand delivered to someone who will appreciate the TIME and WORK in this. I like it, but I'll never take on such a project again!! Hugs to you all!

Hello Office Friend

Here is my card for the WT today. Below is my DGS Jake, who is spending the day. We'll be playing with the star wars stuff we gave him for his B'day, and watching Indiana Jones movies. No time to check in with you today. Have a great one.

Tulips in RED

As you can probably guess, I was going through withdrawal from lack of RED in my cards, so for the SC today, I gave in. I love the dots........wish I had this paper in RED, but alas, I've NEVER had any! *sigh* I hope you like this......I also made it for the RED Divas.

DH just came home from the office. I have been invited to the British Beer Company for lunch. Waddaya think? Should I go??????? I'm not a beer kinda gal, but their lunch menu is FAB! What a day! This afternoon, DS Paul, DIL Debbie and DGS Jake are coming with LOBSTERS (oh, this is New England - LOBSTAHS!) YUM! No cooking for me today. YAY!

The new neighbors are very young and cute! Laura and Rob. All I could think of was Dick Van Dyke's old show - they were Rob and Laura Petrie. No problem remembering their names!! They looked really tired, but they invited me in. I said later, when you are settled, and came home. Thought you might like the update. Seeya later.

2nd Post....The Doubledog Dare!!

Today's hostess for the Doubledog Dare Challenge is Anne (Itsapassion). She dared the group to make a 'good enough to eat' card, meaning something edible on the front. In addition, the only CS we could use had to have the name of a food in it, and NO DP.

My butler is bringing me a sweet and juicy Granny Green apple on a Pomegranate RED tray with a lovely doily, since I am so refined!!

I used only Celery, white and Pomegranate RED, per the instructions. I versamarked the apple, then inked it in celery, and embossed with sparkly clear EP. It doesn't show up well in the pic, but it's there. I had some new ribbon, and truthfully, based the card on that! Thanks for looking.

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

New neighbors moved in next door yesterday, so in doing the CC, I made a welcome card which I will add to a coffee cake. I don't know their names yet, but they have a one year old DD named Penelope. I got this info from DH and DS who said hello to them when I was making dinner. Of course they didn't remember the mom and dad's names! MEN! Anyway, today I will find out, and give them our names and phone number in this card. I hope you like it.

Busy day today, don't know if I will get to your blogs, but I will check in when I can. DS and DIL here this AM for the day, Dr. appt for my feet this PM. Have a great day!

Thistle and Plaid

For the clean and simple challenge at SCS today, there was a sketch. I'm sure you are shocked to see I used purple, when the sketch showed RED, but I guess this is just a purple kind of day. I am doing odd things this morning so I won't think about the dentist appointment I have later. Not just a checkup...I think I am due for a crown or two (to go with DH's he's getting next week!). Aren't we glad we saved our $ !!! NOT! Have a great day......I'd rather have a sharp stick in my eye than go to the dentist, but that's life!!

2nd post......Birthday Tag

I found another card in Lori's gallery I just HAD to case. She made this card in RED with a snowman. Can you believe I changed the color?????? I had this wonderful paper, and needed a generic birthday card, so this is what I came up with. Thanks for looking.

Birds on a Wire

I just love this image from Impression Obsession! I used this to case Lori's card, Love Blooms (FS129 at SCS). Her layout was very simple, and so were her colors, so of course I kept them. Thanks for looking, and have a great rest of the weekend.

Do-Bees are on Time!!

FIRST: To those of you who left comments for my DGD Erin, a BIG thankyou. She was thrilled!!

This card is for two challenges, the LSC (theme: motor) and the Doubledog Dare Challenge. This week's hostess, Charlene (LilLuvsStampin), gave us a real toughie.......remember Romper Room? We were to do a card that taught a child good manners, and also it had to have a BEE on it. If you would like to join us, put DDC in your keyword.

I tweaked the motor idea a little.......this clock is electric, and all electric clocks have motors. Is this a reach??? It's limited supplies, right?? Anyway, I think it fits, so here it is, and besides, the clock hands are RED. There.

Have a great day!

Erin makes more cards!

In Erin's words:
The card on the left is a birthday card, that says "Do the math, you're old", which I think is hilarious! (this, from Erin!) The one on the right is really cute with those little owls. Thanks for looking.

TWo more by Erin!

Here are two more cards Erin made this afternoon. She had fun with the new shape that stands up, and found a card on SCS she wanted to case. Aren't they fun??!

Belli Challenge #70

The Belli Challenge this week is to make a card with METAL on it. I think this HUGE tag sure qualifies!! Please join us on the challenge.......put CBC in your keyword so we can find it!!

Two more for today!

Erin's card is on the left with the pretty green swirl and the medallion, and mine is the single flower. We like this pattern and will probably do some more. We hope you like them too.

Sc238........By Erin and Grammy

Erin is staying for a few days, and we just HAD to do the challenge. She loves zebras and I love giraffes, so you can probably tell who made which! thanks for looking.

(Erin is 12 years old, and VERY grown up!)

Happy Butterfly

This is gonna be quick. We are off to Mom's for the day. She has some repair work for DH to do. She has also had my granddaughter Erin spending a few days with her, and today we swap. I'm so happy to have my DGD for a few days! She loves to make cards and do crafts, so she will be posting here as well. DH and I have a dinner meeting near Mom's, so Erin will join us there for LASAGNE!!! Thanks for looking today, and I'll be back tomorrow.

Sometimes Life Is A Circus!

This is my card for the CAS today. How is this for a truism?? Life is certainly a circus..full of noise and surprises!! I wanted to title this "Something Wicked This Way Comes", but unless you have read the book, it has no meaning.

Maybe some of you are old enough to remember when the traveling circus came to town! The excitement of seeing the animals and the fabulous acts.......bareback riders, tumblers, trapeze artists, lion tamers, clowns...all so close! Going to see the circus today at Madison Square Garden is not quite the same. Not all things improve with time!!

I followed the rules today with color, so don't go looking for RED. Maybe tomorrow. Have a great day. Hugs to you all.