Birthday Bear

In November, I bought this Whipper Snapper stamp. I love their images .... always cute, and they stamp so crisply. I made this card for the sketch challenge on SCS this morning.

I had a good time painting, sponging, punching, stamping .... and maybe I got a little carried away. I kept adding things, and couldn't seem to stop. Now that it's done and uploaded, I think I really like it. I hope you do too.

Ages ago, when the Dollar Store in my area had some good stuff, I bought a whole bunch of pkgs of Miss Elizabeth paper. I decided to finally open it up, and the quality of it is fabulous!! I didn't realize I had bought so much ... but now I am thrilled that I did. Each series has all paper that matches! And not that thin stuff, either. You'll be seeing a lot of it in all different patterns.

Have a great day. DH and I are off for errands, and lunch out (YAY!), so I'll diet tomorrow!

MMTPT#76, DDC, CC253

I really hadn't planned on another entry today, but when the Teapot and Doubledog Dares were posted, I thought I could combine them.

The DDC hostess is Anne (Itsapassion), who DARED us to combine 4 challenges. When you join us, please put DDC in your keyword. I used:
MMTPT#76, apples
CC253, Razz, pink, choc.
LSC244, weather
CAS, one layer

My family came to the US in 1644, to Hampton Falls, NH, where the teaparty is scheduled to happen, so maybe I am the Annie they are talking about. I am afraid of heights, so I don't climb ladders for any amount of money. I pick up apples after they fall. I have made applesauce (after removing the worms) for the teapartiers, and also applesauce muffins and cake. Let the party begin!

Sneak Peek for TreehouseStamps!

Here is a sneak peek of a new set called "Chocoholic" by http://www.treehousestamps.com/. This is only one of the images that will be available after midnight the 14th of January (this Thursday), and you can guess what else will be included! Is there any one of is that is NOT a chocoholic?????

I made this card for the CC today, and I just love the combinatiion of colors: Razzberry, pink, and chocolate chip. I used my CB folder Houndstooth, a piece of gorgeous ribbon, and added some stickles to the yummy berries on top of the cake.

Thanks for joining me here today, and if you have time for a chuckle, check out what I posted below last night for a challenge!! Have a great day!

Tellen's Place Challenge!

The first challenge of the year at

http://tellensplace.blogspot.com/ is to make a card or project using the colors blue and silver. There were also free digis done by Terry's son, Markus, that we could use.

Is this not the very best image for the sentiment I've been waiting eons to use????? She is painted in shades of turquoise, and her barbells are silver, to go along with the silver rickrack and silver stars. I have a friend who jogs, and I always tell her I'm not available to go with her. She'll get this!!

You have until noon on the 12th to enter this fun challenge. Go to Tellen's Place, and tell Terry I sent you........and don't forget the free digis!! Have a great day!

In The Woods

The CAS today is to cut something out. I cut out two frames and layered them for this woodland scene. We have a friend who has a drawing of trees on a wood bg, and when we eat dinner there, my assigned seating is facing this wonderful framed pen and ink drawing.

We were there saturday night, and I've been thinking about doing a card version of it ever since. I think it fits the CAS.... but even if it doesn't, I really like how this came out. I hope you do too.

Sweet Cupcakes

This is the card I made for today's Featured Stamper, Wendy, at SCS. The images are a sneak peek of a set from Treehouse Stamps that you will be able to see here


http://www.treehousestamps.com/

after midnight January 14th. In the coming days I'll give you a few more peeks. This set is perfect for Valentine's Day, and any time you want to treat someone to something sweet!!

Wear T- RED Shoes, Madam!

The Inspiration Challenge this morning at SCS is a wonderful website that has a variety of fabulous images. I chose one with the title above.

I have a number of Valentines yet to make, and one was for my friend Mary's granddaughter, Katie, who just turned two. Her Mommy is also my goddaughter, and we send each other cards a lot. I thought this sweet little pair of RED t-strap shoes was perfect for her with a RED ribbon and a lacy punch side. Katie can carry it around safely.

Thanks for looking, and have a wonderful weekend. Hugs to you all!

DDIC#19 Chocolate and Butterfly, and THT031.... a day of DT challenges!

The Divine Diva Inspiration Challenge for this week comes from Terrain, where they have this gorgeous gift set of chocolates. Wouldn't you just LOVE to get these as a present for any occasion? (Or even none at all???)

I took the colors and used them to make this card with the embossed white background. The gold became the butterfly, and I added a little piece of ribbon to the fabulous brown satin as well. I love this SU image, and I watercolored it, then popped it up. A corner punch and a trio of brads finished it up. I hope you like it.

Please join the DT and me in the challenge this week. Be sure to put DDIC in your keyword, and link your card to SCS and the DDIC blog. We hope to see you again in two weeks!!

THT031 Blingy Birdie

The first TreehouseThursday Challenge of the New Year is to use a bird, bling, and a button. This is Olivia, and she is blingy all over!! She is sitting in her little tree, just thinking about her New Year's resolutions, and sparkling!

Please join us in the THT031, and be sure to upload to SCS, PCP, and the Treehouse Stamps blog. Also, please check in with the blogs of the other DT members, for some fun projects!!

Olivia is still available at TreehouseStamps.com, and so are LOTS of other fabulous images!!

Two Challenges, and the Belli as well!!!

Our hostess for the Doubledog Dare Challenge this week is Charlene (LilLuvsStampin), who DARED us to use the faux tile technique. This is really fun, and I hadn't done it in a long time. Please join us, and be sure to add DDC to your keyword on SCS.

This is also for the SC today. What a fun sketch!! I just got this adorable Snag'em stamp (available at Treehouse Stamps.....go to my sidebar to click on the store!), and had to use it right away!! i might add that THS has a new group of digital stamps and a number of stamps on sale. Check them out. Have a great day, all, and please look below at the Belli Challenge!!!

Belli#82 Glitter Butterfly

The Creative Belli Challenge this week is to use glitter or rhinestones.

The CBC is always a fun challenge, because it involves using what you already have on hand in your stash!! Heaven knows we all have plenty of glitter and rhinestones!!

My butterfly and the BG is embossed using a glitter embossing powder in Egyptian Gold. Even the name is exotic!! The butterfly is popped up, and I added a gold metallic paper behind the panel and for an embellishment in the corner. No ribbon or brads here.....I didn't want to take any attention away from this gorgeous image.

Please join us in the CBC this week. Check out the blog and link your card or project here:http://www.bellichallenge.blogspot.com/. See what the DT has done, and if you upload to SCS, please put CBC in your keyword. See you in two weeks again!

I Could Be In Big Trouble Today!

Maybe I took things too far today. Let's start with the fact that this is for the Color Challenge... Bermuda Bay, Celery, Hunter, Neutral (cocoa), and Pink (not cardstock).

The story of this card is set into motion by Mothermark (Cindy) who is back entertaining us with Teapot Tuesday. Here goes.....

We will be having tea in Dodge City at the Longbranch Saloon. Then again, it may not be tea, you know what I mean??? Miss Kitty is tired of waiting for Marshall Matt Dillon, so we are to fix her up with a new guy who would be to her liking. I found this rough and tumble cowboy who I think is just perfect. (Thanks Pat Smethers!) He works from sunup to sundown, takes evenings off (!), and is VERY sensitive. You can tell that by his pink neckerchief. Only a big tough guy can get away with wearing pink. (My DH is 6'4", 270#, and wears pink shirts. We tell him he's pretty in pink!) Back to the story. This guy works on the range during the day, but comes home every night. Just the kind of guy Kitty needs. He's even good with rope. OOPS! Did I say that out loud????? Anyway, I like this guy, and think he's perfect. Do you think this puts me at the top of the Naughty List??? Have a fun day, and check to see what the other teapartiers do with the story!!

A Day of RED Challenges

Who is the Happiest Camper of them all today??? Maybe the girl who loves RED??????? Today there are three challenges that warmed my heart ... the TLC, the CAS, and the RESQ (which is below)

All the info on these two cards are on SCS in my gallery. You can get there by clicking my gallery image on my sidebar. I hope you enjoy my RED today, and that you will want to join me in any or all of these fun challenges.

RESQ28.......Transplant!

I was asked by Denise to make a sample for today's challenge at http://resqchallenge.blogspot.com/. You can go there to see just what the challenge requirements are.

The idea, simply put, is to take a part of a card you received and transplant it to another card or project. I received two cards I combined with my own to make this one.....a cardinal from a card I got from a college friend, and pinecones from a card DH got from a cohort. I added a herringbone layer and a plaid bg. I popped both the pinecone layer and the cardinal, and embellished with a gold ribbon, branches, and a gem.

Take a look at the website to see what the DT did with this, and check out the Monday challenges. They are always fun!! Thanks for looking!

FS152......From Anne to Anne!

Today the Featured Stamper on SCS is Anne (Ardodd), who makes the prettiest cards. What a pleasure to CASE one of hers! The black and white card is Anne's, and the one I made to honor her is the one in shades of blue. I changed a few minor things, but I really loved the layout and how the bird took center stage. I hope she likes it, and that you do too. Thanks for looking.

Spirit Flower

On the top are the earrings that inspired my card for the IC today on SCS. Of course I looked at the website until I found something I could adapt in my favorite color combination. I thought the dp was really right, but I can't tell you where I got it.....it's been around THAT LONG!

I hope you like seeing the two together so you can compare. I did reverse the squares, but essentially it's the same, don't you think? Happy New Year Everyone!!

Time for two challenges WT215 and THT030 Piercing

Happy New Year, Everyone!!

First, here is my card for the WT251 today. The theme is time. How appropriate this is for today, as our grandson Justin goes home to Nevada this afternoon. We didn't have enough TIME with him. He will be back in the summer, but the summer is a long TIME away. My card is comprised of a number of backgrounds, and I think I ended up with an interesting and masculine card.







Here is the picture I took of my "guys" last night in DS's kitchen. Keep in mind my son Paul is 6'8" tall. Justin is 17, Jake is 10, and my DH is .......well, let's just say height runs in his family. His age is another matter!

We will see Justin one last time today before his plane takes off this afternoon. Paul and Jake and our sweet DIL, Debbie, will see him off, then return for the rest of the afternoon. Deb and I will be crafting in the kitchen, and they will stay for dinner and probably cards. We are supposed to get some snow. DH has said that if they stay over, he will make popovers in the morning. Debbie LOVES popovers, and DH makes them for her. Can you tell how we feel about her????


Now to the next challenge for the day ...............

The THT030 this week is to use PIERCING. As you can see, the left top corner has been subjected to my Mat Pack (SU!) and piercer. I have to use something as a guide....apparently I can't keep a straight line without help!

Don't you just LOVE Olivia the owl??? I pieced her body and scarf. She has pink eyes and toes. She is very girly!! That's why she's sitting in a tree with pretty flowers, not just leaves, on the branches. She also deserves a flourished corner, because girls just wanna have fun!!

Please join us in the TreeHouse Thursday challenge. Wouldn't hurt to use Treehouse Stamps, either. Be sure to put THT030 in your keyword for PCP or SCS. We have a challenge every Thursday, so check back again next week
Don't forget to post here:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1574838?&cat=500&ppuser=136194

Two for Wednesday!

This first card is for the sketch challenge at SCS today. I cut the diagonals from the back, and discovered that I had gone in the wrong direction! I like it anyway, and continued to add things to it until I was pretty much satisfied. This is what happens when you can't sleep, and are in your craft room at 3 AM.

This card is for my mother for New Year's. I made this

when I was crafting yesterday with my DIL Debbie. I had made all the cards I intended to send out for the beginning of 2010 when Mom was here, and she had seen them all. I certainly couldn't send her one of those!!!

She loves this Stipple Rose (SU!) image, and I thought the colors were so gorgeous together that I knew she would really like it. She saves all my cards, and frequently uses them as patterns to make some herself. How's that for flattery???

I'll pop this in the mail in the morning so she will get it on Thursday. I hope you like it too.

Bears in the Woods

This masculine card is for three challenges today. The CC is to use Durango, banana, and basic gray.

The Doubledog Dare hostess this week is Fran (Francie G.) who DARED us to make a card or project depicting what we would like to be doing. I'd love to be outside with my camera taking nature pictures. I would take my telephoto lens to take pictures of WILD ANIMALS ... can you say "chicken"??? Once I was taking photos in the woods, and a REAL LIVE MOOSE came crashing into where I was. I got to my car really fast! Please feel free to join us, just be sure to put DDC in your keyword.

For the MMTPT74, the teaparty is to take place in the forest with the bears. I'll be bringing my fastest sneakers, in case I have to get to my car in a hurry!! I think I'll also take some home-made peanut butter cookies. That should make those furry guys friendly, don't you think? And cookies always go well with tea!

Flaunt Your Feathers

The Featured Stamper at SCS today is Stef, the hostess for the Inspiration Challenge on Saturdays. She has a wonderful gallery, of course, but the thing I find really interesting is that she features the sentiment or saying on her card. She frequently uses something funny, and you know how I feel about that!

I CASED a card of hers that she entitled "Roll With It" (sushi!), and made some changes. I kept the layout and the circles, but changed the rest. the saying on mine is computer generated, and I have tucked a real feather behind the little circle.

I hope you like what I've done with Stef's card. Have a lovely Sunday....I'll be relaxing with my DD and two DGD's watching the first Twilight movie!!!

Fancy Thank you card

The Inspiration Challenge this morning at SCS has the most beautiful baby furniture and furnishings. Almost makes you want to have a baby, just to get these gorgeous things. Notice I said ALMOST!!!

I chose a fabulous crib (the Finland, $1750.00!!), that was an antique white or vanilla color. In the picture, it was outfitted with a lace comforter and a mossy-colored bedskirt. I took the moss color for the bg, and the lace as an embellishment. I think this has a wonderful Victorian flavor to it. I think this makes a wonderful thank you card to send to my mother for the Christmas gifts she gave me (craft supplies and a check for MORE!).

I hope you like the look of this. I really like it. I also hope you had a lovely day yesterday with family and friends, and that today you are taking it easy!!

THT029 Faux Silk

Happy Thursday, and Happy Christmas Eve Day!!

The TreeHouseThursday Challenge today is to make a card using the Faux Silk technique.

The stamp set I used is called Little Sunshine, by, of course, TreehouseStamps. I love the happy face on the sun, and those sweet clouds. Isn't this sentiment perfect for a get well card???I added some MS punched birds, and a ribbon with some silver cord. I got a new punch, so I used that too. Join us, and put THT029 in your keyword.

Creative Belli Challenge #81 and the DDC

The CBC this week is TAGS. The fun part of the Belli challenge is that you are to use things you already have in your stash. Too often we forget what we have, and go out and buy more. This challenge gets us to take a better look at what we have. Isn't that smart???!!

I decided to CASE a folding card I had seen in the SCS Gallery by Sue (gregzgurl). She was kind enough to give me direstions as to how she made it. Isn't this card so cute? Isn't she so talented??? The only change I made was to add a tag at the end. The images are all from Whippersnapper. I particularly like them for the cute faces on all their stamps!


I hope you will join us. Please put CBC in your keyword at SCS, and be sure to go to our blog and see what the DT has done. You can also check out the DT on my sidebar. See you in two weeks.

Here's the DDC and SC260 for today:

Our hostess for the Doubledog Dare Challenge this week is Joanne (sleepyinseattle), who DARED us to make a New Years card. Please join us by putting DDC in your keyword. Of course I had to use RED, and I followed the sketch today on SCS.

I used my computer to generate the sentiments. This card will go to my Aunt and Uncle, who expect me to do unusual things with my sayings. Inside it will say:

Martinis ....... they're not just for breakfast any more.

That will get a laugh, and a phone call. What fun. Have a great day, all. Remember to take time to put your feet up and relax!!

Mouse and his best friend, Bird

This is ABSOLUTELY my LAST Christmas card. It goes out to Maddy who is back stamping at last! YAY!

This is for the CC250 and for the MMTPT73 challenges. I was happy to see that my favorite color, RED, was part of the requirements. this image was a RAK from Deborah (debzi333), and I think it's so sweet. Thanks Deborah!

Today I finish my cooking, by packing up the Sylta. I hope to have enough for my DD to take some home. She said she is arriving with Tupperware. I guess I kknow what that means!! Mom arrives tomorrow.......Christmas is almost here.....Ready or not!!! Have a great day.

Cardinal Birdhouse

I tried so hard to get a good picture of this cute birdhouse, and this is the best I could do. I'm a little shaky this morning. I've been up since 2 AM, and spent the morning cooking. I had an hour for the challenge, and am I glad I did.

The template for this project was so easy, and I made myself a little crazy adding things to it, like the ribbon wreath out of SKINNY ribbon. I love the way it looks around the entrance to the house. You know how I feel about RED, and so I had to have a cardinal on the perch.

I hung it on my tree so you could get the whole effect. I'm off to the Dr., and I'm feeling a little uneasy about the driving, so maybe that's making me a little off.

I hope you are having fun in your holiday preparations, and that you are taking some time to relax. Have a great day.

Valentine

I love an easy challenge! The CAS today was to CASE a card by Itecler.

This took five minutes. The hardest part was attaching the gingham brad!

We are all plowed out, the storm is over, and everything looks very wintery and Christmas-y. I guess time has about run out. I am still waiting for one last delivery. Hopefully today. Then I am ready for Christmas.

Have a great day, all.

Beautiful Girl and a Valentine!

This beautiful girl is my Granddaughter Erin who is twelve years old. She is in the car with my daughter after just having her braces removed. Doesn't she look like a happy camper?? Look at that gorgeous smile and those fabulous teeth!! When she got to school, everyone made her show them her new smile....even kids she didn't know. She said it became "rather annoying"! The first thing she ate was a PB&J sandwich. I'm sure it felt great!!

This is my card for the Featured Stamper, Benzi. Beside it is the card of hers I cased, so you can make a comparison. I hope she likes it, and that you do too.

Happy Sunday! Enjoy the snow if you got some!!

Love Birds and a Yummy Tea Ring!

At the top is the image I chose for inspiration for my card today. It's easier to tell what I used by seeing it with the results of my efforts on the same photo, I think.

Christmas cards are over for sure. Now I'm working on January birthdays and Valentines. I thought these funny love birds were perfect for my little warped sense of humor!

Today is baking day. DS and family are coming around 1 to give me some help. The Swedish bread, filled with almonds and cinnamon sugar, takes hours, and an extra pair of hands is wonderful. Paul is a marvelous cook, and has always liked to do this project with me. Sometimes we even make a double batch (6 rings), and he takes some to the Teacher's Party at school. They will stay for dinner, and cards afterwards, if the snow isn't too bad. Have a wonderful day......if you are getting this big storm, stay home and snug!!

I thought you might like to see the first of three tea rings........it just came out of the oven, and it's glazed with conf. sugar, milk, and almond. Boy, does it ever smell good. It's on the foil that will keep it until Christmas morning in the freezer.

Ornament with a Cardinal

This has been quite a day. I had a Dr. appt for some steroid shots in my neck and head at 8:30. We got lost, and after 45 minutes, found the office. He was late so it was okay. I got out of there at a little after 11, so DH said we should go out for lunch, and I should have a glass of wine. I didn't argue with that.

He needed a couple pair of slacks for his Officiating of Winter Track and Field, so we got those, and got home about 1:30. The LSC was waiting for me, so I got to work.

My Jake is coming here after school today. He and Mommy are Jewish, so I wait to trim the tree until he can do it with me. He loves to put up the ornaments his Dad made when he was a little boy. I thought he might enjoy making an ornament too, so i cut extra silver and gold fleur-de-lis, and stamped a Santa face for him to color. That should be enough...he's only 10. Phew. Busy day.

NANCYRUTH (Levine) has been a primary enabler in making this ornament....she FORCED me to buy this Spellbinder template. She just FORCED me! that's it. Hope you like it. Seeya.

THT028 Color Challenge

This week the Treehouse Thursday Challenge is to use: vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip. What you see here is two views of the same thing. One open and one closed. My mother loves butterflies, and there is one on the outside of the little package, and one on the little envelope inside, which contains vanilla scented sachet. She will have a few of these to put in her bureau drawers to make things smell good. YUM! Who doesn't love the smell of vanilla?

Please feel free to join us in the THT028, by putting that in your keyword so we can find it. On my sidebar is the list of the rest of the DT.... check out their blogs to see what they have done. Also, go to the TreehouseStamps blog and enter your own creation with Mr. Linky!! See you again next Thursday with another fun challenge!

Divine Diva Inspiration Challenge #18

Here are the two items we had to give us inspiration for this week's challenge. these beautifully packaged soaps are available at Anthropologie.

They are wonderful shea butter soaps, and their scents sound wonderful. The Pine has apple, orange, candied fruits and pine. The Berry has apple, cranberry vanilla and musk. The information about these products can be seen here: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/category.jsppopId=HOME&navAction=middle&navCount=15&isSortBy=true&pushId=HOME-BATH&id=ACCESSORIES-BEAUTY-SOAP

I combined both of the colors to create this card. I used my Tapestry stamps to make the wreath around the oval that I cut out. The inside scalloped ovals are punched out, and Santa is popped up. Finished off with a pretty RED bow.

Please join us in the challenge (putting DDIC in your keyword), and be sure to look at the DT's cards. You'll find links to their blogs on my sidebar. See you in the New Year!

Lavender Birthday

I have a real problem using my designer paper. I am a hoarder. I must have 50,000 sheets of paper, and for some reason it sits waiting to be cut. Maybe that's it... the cutting is so final!

Today I made an effort to use MS Hydrangea and some Italian dp I bought ages ago. The colors in the paper determined the colors I painted my flowers. I hope the birthday girl likes it, and that you do too.

Have a great day.

MMTPT72 TreehouseStamps Gingerboy

The Teaparty this week involves a cookie swap. I think ginger boys are the best cookies to bring. They are fun to look at, and more fun to eat. They have a nice zippy taste, and are perfect dunked in tea. I included my recipe. I prefer mine without icing .... it gets all melty in the hot tea, and looks awful dripping down my chin!

I used my new TreehouseStamps set called Sweets for the Sweet. All the rest is punches, a brad and some nice satin ribbon. This set is really fun... it has lots of cute kitchen-y stuff. Go to the website (you can get there from my sidebar) and take a look!! I'll be seeing you at the teaparty! YUM!

Polka Dots and Blossoms

A fast upload today for the DDC (thanks joan ervin) - polka dots, and the CC249. I'm off to the hairdresser for a cut, and then to the grocery store with DH. Gotta get started on my breads for Christmas.

Have a wonderful day. Seeya later!!

CAS45 Curvy Birds

Moving on with Valentine cards, this is for the Clean and Simple Challenge. The theme was "curves", and these birds are that!!!

I have had this embossing plate for a long time, and hardly ever think to use dry emboss as a technique. I'm so glad I thought of it today, because I really love this!! I used a small heart punch, and my MS heart border punch. Polished it off with a RED ribbon, and done. I hope you like it.

Spent the weekend decorating the house, and it looks like Christmas will arrive after all!!

IC210 Peaceful Lamb

Isn't this just the sweetest lamb? It's a Bosscut, and the few I have of these wonderful cut outs are fabulous I think.

The Inspiration Challenge at SCS today I thought was awful....IMHO. The items were ugly, and most were put on something that looked like a spiky dog collar. How do you make anything out of that???

I took my pinking nesties and pale blue which was on some of the items, and went with my own idea. I have a wonderful friend who lives far away now. We have bought each other sheep and lambs for years. I try to send her something like this every Christmas, and I think she will love it. It all stems from a joke someone told us a long time ago (and not a clean joke, but so funny we couldn't look at each other for days without bursting into peals of laughter), and the gifts began then. I think maybe it's been going on for about 20 years. So that's my story....and my card for today. Have a fabulous day, ALL of you, and hugs to you from me!

Happy New Year!

I hope you don't mind another card for the challenge .... I was having withdrawal symptoms from a lack of using RED.

Maybe you can tell I'm tired of making Christmas cards.......I feel like I've been doing them for months.......wait, I have!!

This is a little change of pace, to make New Year's cards. I thought the idea of stars went right with it. Thanks for looking, and I promise I'm done for today. PROMISE.

Whooo.......misses you?

The Limited Supplies Challenge today was to use a star and a ribbon. I think gold cord qualifies, don't you?

I had needed to make a card for a friend who is far away...... I miss her the most during the holidays. She has an owl living in her backyard, and has taken lots of pictures of him/her. I think she will get a kick out of this one, Olivia, by Treehouse Stamps.

This was done by masking and sponging. I had to put a lot of things together to make this little scene. I hope you like it.