DDIC #34

Welcome back to another Divine Diva Inspiration Challenge!

This week our inspiration comes from some yummy candy shown at the left that was displayed in a magazine advertising ...... what else .......Lindt chocolate!!

There were a number of areas to choose from, but the candy wrapper on the left really caught my eye.

Here is the card I made:

I started with a wonderful dark brown Bazzill cardstock, and added a vine from Hero Arts in Vanilla Craft ink. The oval was punched, and backed with a light tan , and overstamped with an SU sentiment.

Lastly, I added some copper brads. I hope you like it.

Please check out the entries of the DT by going to my sidebar. If you would like to join us, link your card to our Blog here. See you again in two weeks!

Belli Challenge #98

This week the Belli Challenge asks for a round card with metal.

I used a sneak peek of a set that will be relased next month by MFP, called Autumn Fun. Isn't this squirrel so cute???

Please feel free to join us by linking your card HERE. Be sure to check the rest of the DT's entries today by going to my sidebar.

See you again in two weeks!

Sneak Peek Mum

The color challenge today uses artichoke, pretty in pink and cherry cobbler.

Of course I had to do a flower, and what better than giviing you a sneak peek of a set that will be released next month. The set is from Mark's finest Papers, and is called, Thankful Mums and Pumpkin. I think you can probably guess what else is in the set just from the name!!

We are off this morning to see our financial guy, then Jake arrives for his vacation with Mimi and Buppa. I will catch up with you when I can. Have a great day!

Nearly Autumn

I combined the two Monday morning challenges so I could get a running start on the day! Off to the grocery store to stock up......This week belongs to grandson Jake, and next to DGD Samantha. School starts after that and then it will be Autumn for sure. Where did the time go??

Have a great day. If you didn't see my pictures of my DGD Erin in her new Irish Dancing Dress, be sure to look below. See you tomorrow!

Irish Dancers Kick Butt!

I just had to start today with the new sweat pants Mom and I bought for DGD Erin at her Irish Dance Competition yesterday!! They really do (kick butt), their feet fly so high, front and back!!

Erin danced at almost 2:00 yesterday afternoon, two hours late. Seems they always run late! But it was so worthwhile sitting there, watching all the boys and girls in their fabulous dresses (and fancy vests and ties!). The huge DCU Center in Worcester MA was FREEZING. We wished we had worn something warmer, but that was the only drawback.

Erin earned three medals, and we just adored seeing her in her new Solo dress. Below are some pictures I took so you could see her getting ready at home, and in all her finery.

Blog Hop Final Day 4 - Owl Be There

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 to inspire you, this is going to be a really fun-packed Hop!

We have 4 New Stamp Sets Released today: Tweet Blessings, Flourished Sea Creatures, Regal & Proud, and Owl Be Here. 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 August 10, 11, 12, and 13, 2010. On Saturday, (August 14, 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.)

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


Friday, August 13-Owl Be There

August Guest Designer- Wendy- http://paperinkandsmiles.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/
Connie – http://sodakstamping.blogspot.com
Emily- http://mylittlesliceofbliss.blogspot.com
Karen- http://karenskreativekreations.blogspot.com
Patty- http://winnieswhimsandmycrafts.blogspot.com
Roxie- http://paperscaper.blogspot.com
Vicki- http://allidoisstamp.blogspot.com/
Liz: http://rightbrainmadness.blogspot.com
Claudine- http://cardsbyclaudine.blogspot.com
Joanne T- http://sleepyinseattlestamps.blogspot.com
Joanne G- http://inkyoceangazer.blogspot.com
Mark’s Finest Papers - http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com


Here are my cards using these wonderful images:






Thanks for joining us for our August Blog Hop! I hope you have seen some images that have interested you........we just LOVE them!!

Blog Hop Day 3 - Regal and Proud

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 to inspire you, this is going to be a really fun-packed Hop!

We have 4 New Stamp Sets Released today: Tweet Blessings, Flourished Sea Creatures, Regal & Proud, and Owl Be Here. 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 August 10, 11, 12, and 13, 2010. On Saturday, (August 14, 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.)

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


Thursday, August 12-Regal and Proud
August Guest Designer- Wendy- http://paperinkandsmiles.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/
Connie – http://sodakstamping.blogspot.com
Emily- http://mylittlesliceofbliss.blogspot.com
Karen- http://karenskreativekreations.blogspot.com
Patty- http://winnieswhimsandmycrafts.blogspot.com
Roxie- http://paperscaper.blogspot.com
Vicki- http://allidoisstamp.blogspot.com/
Julia- http://createwithjulia.blogspot.com/
Liz: http://rightbrainmadness.blogspot.com
Claudine- http://cardsbyclaudine.blogspot.com
Joanne T- http://sleepyinseattlestamps.blogspot.com
Dawn- http://dawnmercedes.blogspot.com
Lynn - http://confessionsofaleft-brainedstamper.blogspot.com
Mark’s Finest Papers - http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com

Here are the cards I made using these wonderful images:





Please join us tomorrow for the Last Day of our Blog Hop!

Blog Hop Day 2 - Flourished Sea Creatures

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 to inspire you, this is going to be a really fun-packed Hop!

We have 4 New Stamp Sets Released today: Tweet Blessings, Flourished Sea Creatures, Regal & Proud, and Owl Be Here. 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 August 10, 11, 12, and 13, 2010. On Saturday, (August 14, 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.)

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





Here are the cards I made for the Blog Hop:




Aren't these images fun??? I had such a good time making these cards, and I hope you like them as much as I do!!













Here's the team for Wednesday, August 11- Flourished Sea Creatures
August Guest Designer- Wendy- http://paperinkandsmiles.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/
Connie – http://sodakstamping.blogspot.com
Emily- http://mylittlesliceofbliss.blogspot.com
Karen- http://karenskreativekreations.blogspot.com
Patty- http://winnieswhimsandmycrafts.blogspot.com
Roxie- http://paperscaper.blogspot.com
Vicki- http://allidoisstamp.blogspot.com/
Liz: http://rightbrainmadness.blogspot.com
Claudine- http://cardsbyclaudine.blogspot.com
Dawn- http://dawnmercedes.blogspot.com
Lynn- http://confessionsofaleft-brainedstamper.blogspot.com
Joanne G - http://inkyoceangazer.blogspot.com
Geri- http://geriscards.blogspot.com
Joanne T- http://sleepyinseattlestamps.blogspot.com
Mark’s Finest Papers - http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/

See you tomorrow for Day 3!!

Blog Hop Day 1 - Tweet Blessings

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 to inspire you, this is going to be a really fun-packed Hop!

We have 4 New Stamp Sets Released today: Tweet Blessings, Flourished Sea Creatures, Regal & Proud, and Owl Be Here. 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 August 10, 11, 12, and 13, 2010. On Saturday, (August 14, 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.)

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

Tuesday, August 10-Tweet Blessings

August Guest Designer- Wendy- http://paperinkandsmiles.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
Connie – http://sodakstamping.blogspot.com
Emily- http://mylittlesliceofbliss.blogspot.com
Karen- http://karenskreativekreations.blogspot.com
Patty- http://winnieswhimsandmycrafts.blogspot.com
Roxie- http://paperscaper.blogspot.com
Vicki- http://allidoisstamp.blogspot.com/
Julia- http://createwithjulia.blogspot.com
Liz: http://rightbrainmadness.blogspot.com
Claudine- http://cardsbyclaudine.blogspot.com
Joanne T- http://sleepyinseattlestamps.blogspot.com
Mark’s Finest Papers - http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/










Here are my samples for the Blog Hop, using the Tweet Blessings images...........


The first is made using the Split Negative technique, and of course, my favorite colors!! I t was SO hard NOT to make that bird RED, but as you can see, I got enough RED Surrounding him!!





















The second card is a different image, and contains my favorite colors again, with the addition of the sky done with a cloud template, which I dearly love using!! Capped it off with a wonderful OLD button. I hope you like my samples for the Blog Hop! Please join us tomorrow for Day 2!

Christmas and Summer All Together!

Two cards for two challenges this morning. I decided not to combine them, as I often do on Mondays.

The TLC was to make a rebus ...... a card with pictures in place of words. I think this is simple enough that you can figure it out without my help.

I also thought that I can never have too many Christmas cards made up in advance, hence the plaid and colors.




The CAS challenge this morning was to make a card with a garden theme.


We have an overabundance of lovely ferns, called "Ladyfern", that are beautiful, soft and feathery. We often find garden toads among them ..... a perfect hiding place, and bugs aplenty!!


This card uses two sets from Mark's Finest Papers, in case you have never see them before! They are called Our side of the Pond, and Speedy the Cat's Friends.

Casing Vicky, our FS!!!

What a special treat to find that the Featured Stamper today is my friend and teammate, Vicki Dutcher!!

Her gallery is so wonderful, and so hard to make a choice for casing!!

To see her original card, please go to my gallery, or to SCS FS183.

My house is very silent this morning. Everyone is gone but DH and me. I have a mess to clean up after more than a week of stamping with my BFF, and when I'm done, I'm gonna relax for the day. I will also have time to catch up on my responsibilities to you all, and visit your blogs and galleries. Mom is feeling much better, I got a load of stamps from MFP yesterday that I found on my step when we got home at 10 last night, so I'll have plenty to look at while I'm relaxing. I hope you're having a relaxing day too. Hugs to you all!!

2nd post.........IC

I just couldn't resist the IC today, because I found a belt buckle that was black and white. I added some RED of course, because I love this combination so much!

The only stamping is the sentiment which comes from Mark's Finest Papers set called Pears and Hollyhock.

We take Fran home today. SIGH. We have had fun making cards and eating out, but all good things have to come to an end for us, and we hope to see her again SOON. Have a great day.

Make Your Own Embellishments

Speedy the cat's Challenge #16 this week is to make your own embellishments.

I chose to use the new set from Mark's Finest Papers called Southwest Cowboy. The bg is all small cacti, and the BIG cactus has my embellishments, the pretty flowers. When cacti are in bloom, I think their blossoms are just gorgeous.

Please join us here. You may win a set of stamps that you will enjoy using over and over!!

Flowers from Grandma's Garden

My garden is in hiatus.........blooms for early summer have faded, and late summer are getting ready. It's been so hot that there are weeds aplenty!!

I remember so fondly my Gram's garden and the beautiful and sweet-smelling flowers she called pinks (dianthus). since I happened to have the set from Mark's Finest Papers called Butterflies, Dianthus, and Flourishes, this was a no-brainer!!

I love to cut things out, and had fun with these. I really like them in shades of RED (who knew?!), and hope you do too.

We are getting things packed up for Fran to take home tomorrow *SIGH*, and will do a lunch out again today. Hope you are having a wonderful Friday. Hugs to you all.

Second Post - WT and Stampin'B's (DDIC below)

This morning, my BFF Fran and I made cards for both of the challenges......pin, and dog. She's still at it, and will post on SCS using her name twocats. Please give her some hugs.

We are going to have a rainy day ...... wow can we ever use it! DH, Fran and I had our coffee in the hot tub, knowing this would probably be our only chance today. I guess this will be an inside day all day, since we are bursting at the seams from eating out the whole time Fran has been here. we take her to her mother's on Saturday, and our diets will resume next week (while we are missing her). Enjoy your day. I'll have time to check in with all of you later.

DDIC #33

Welcome back to the Divine Diva Inspiration Challenge!

This week our inspirations comes from this website:

http://lovelypackage.com/student-work-misako-ishida/


These bottles are so beautiful.

Here is the card I made after looking at the lovely packaging:
I kept the colors of the yellow bottle, using a Martha Stewart punch. I also used an SU embossing folder and pounced some color, adding a prima to a flourishes image by Mark's Finest Papers in the new Flourishes and Frame set.


Please join us by linking to our blog, and don't forget to take a peek at the rest of the DT's entries on my sidebar. Ssee you in two weeks with another inspiration challenge!

SC292 Sticky-Outy Branches

This is for the SC today.......a get better card for Mom, who still has a bad tummy. All the info is in my SCS gallery.......

Gotta run. DH has to go to his office today, and BFF Fran and I have to be taken out for lunch. Oh darn! Tough job, but we are good at it.

Please be sure to check out my Belli Challenge below!!

Creative Belli Challenge #97

The Belli Challenge for today is to use paint. I used three different colors of acrylic paint and a spong paintbrush to make the side panel of my card. I punched it with an EK Success wave punch, and tied it with a variegated organdy ribbon, after I slipped on a fern charm from MFP.

The bg is a sizzix embossing folder of waves, and the images are all from MFP, a sneak peek of a set that will be available this month called Flourished Sea Creatures.

Please join us, and connect your card to Mr. Linky here: http://www.bellichallenge.blogspot.com/. Please look at the rest of the DT's entries, and join us again in two weeks.

Antique Cat Doorstop!

Well thank goodness one of the colors for the challenge today was RED. I was going through a little withdrawal here!! The image is a soon to be released set from MFP.

In addition the MMTPT challenge involved three girls, an antique shop, a Grump, some petticoats, flowers, and hopefully, food!!

You can read about it in my gallery, and can get there by clicking on the SCS image in my sidebar.

Today we are all off for Pizza!! Then just a restful afternoon. YAY!

Plaid Truck

What a fun technique this morning from Joan Ervin. Plaid Silhouette. Simple, and fabulous!!

I think this is so cute on the dump truck. We have some new little boys in the family, and it will go to one of them for a birthday.

Mom is sick .... boo.... so we will stay home today. I'll go get a card off to her before our mail girl comes. Fran and I will just have to suffer along making cards!! Have a great day.

Berries and Bee for the FS

I changed the leaves to berries, the butterfly to a bee, changed the orange to periwinkle, rounded the sponged corners, and added brads. I kept the layout Alanna, our FS, used.

I hope she likes my case, and that you do too.

Another busy day. We are being joined by a friend from NH for the day. No wonder we are pooped!! Have a great rest of the weekend too!

VSN Mini weekend

Here are the cards I made for Virtual Stamp Night on SCS Friday night. To get the info, please go to my gallery, and you will find what the challenges were.




This last card was for two challenges ........in addition to the VSN, it's for Speedy's Friends Challenge, to make a thank you card.

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.