Thursday, August 31, 2017

Christmas CraZy


I'm the host of the Christmas CraZy group on SCS this year. Every other month we have partners that we send images/papers to - all Christmas themed. Then in July/August we sent Christmas card kits (including embellishments). My partner was Paola. She sent me a fun kit and I made two cards. THANK YOU, Paola! 

I only had to add my own cardstock since everything else was in the kit.


Who doesn't love Fluffies, right? I have some Fluffies stamps, but not this one, so I was excited to see it in my kit.









I had no idea who made this adorable snowman so I did a little snooping (I love Google!). It's a Whipper Snapper stamp. Oh my goodness... I might just need to make a purchase. I think the stamp is called Stick Snowman.








Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Sweet Scarecrow



I loved my time on the PDE Linky Party design team. You might have noticed, that ended at the end of June. *sniff *sniff

But... Janis (the owner of PDE Linky Party) has invited me to be a guest designer this week. YAY!

The theme is Scarecrows and I just happened to own the adorable La La Land Scarecrow Marci stamp... so I put it to use.






I hope you'll scare some crows, too! 



August 30 - September 5

Theme: Scarecrows


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Be sure to keep scrolling... this is my second blog post of the day. The Craftaholics R Us one follows this - the theme is School.


Supplies Used

Stamp: La La Land Scarecrow Marci stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black, Kraft and White CS and Colorbok Hay Stacks DP 

Embellishments: Stampin' UP! Ribbon and Twine and a Charm from unknown vendors

You Make the Grade




I cannot believe it.

I've owned this adorable MFT stamp set for a VERY l-o-n-g time... and it had never seen ink until now. That just should not be!

She's the perfect image for the new "Back to School" challenge at Craftaholics R Us.




I hope you'll participate in the challenge!



August 30 - 5
Theme: Back to School


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Supplies Used

Stamp Set: MFT You Make the Grade stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Archiver's Brown, Stampin' UP! River Rock, and Staples Ivory CS and DP from the We R Memory Keepers Hall Pass Paper Pad

Embellishments: Brads from an unknown vendor
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Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Something New in My Bible


My husband was a pastor most of our married life... he  now serves as the Director of Missions for an association of 25 churches. For us as a family, that means we attend a different church every Sunday (and often a different one on Sunday mornings than on Sunday evenings). We are enjoying this new role and have mostly adjusted to the different church every service adventure.

Sometimes my husband preaches in the church, sometimes he sits with us as a member of the congregation.

A couple of Sundays ago he preached and I decided to do a Bible Journaling page of his closing story from that sermon.


This page is actually quite different than my normal style - I tried something new on it. I did a hand-drawn element on it (the church). The cross on top is a stamp, but I used a ruler and created the church. I first did it lightly with pencil, then went back over the lines with an Illustrated Faith fine-tip marker. Then I colored the church with colored pencils and Faber-Castell Pitt Big Brush markers.





Scripture Passage
Luke 23:26-43




Thanks for stopping by my blog today!








Supplies Used

Stamp: Our Daily Bread Cross of Christ stamped with Gina K Black Onyx Ink

Paper: from my scrap file

Letters: Illustrated Faith

Embellishments: Washi Tape from an unknown vendor
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Monday, August 28, 2017

CYS - Create Your Own Background




I love new toys - but it's also fun to use what you have. That's part of the reason why I joined the Challenge Your Stash group at the beginning of the year. The idea is to use what you have to make a card based on that month's theme. Purchasing items is NOT allowed.

This month Darlene is the hostess, which means she got to choose the theme. Her instructions were...

Make Your Own Background - No DP Allowed!

Then just as I was getting ready to start working on this card, the one-minute video email came from Unity with a wonderful idea to try... and it worked perfectly for this theme. You can check out the video HERE.

Oh how fun!!! I used Ranger Oxide Distress Ink (Vintage Photo) and an actual coffee cup from my kitchen cabinet and created this fun designer paper!

Now, about the card... I'm not so sure I like it. But....... I definitely like the coffee stain paper I created. THANK YOU, Unity, for always inspiring me (as well as for often taking my money - though not this time, since this is the Challenge Your Stash card I made.)



Here is the inside of my card:




I thought the sentiment was perfect for this card since I consider Darlene, whose theme this is to be a very good friend of mine.

In fact, I actually really like the inside of my card. ;)








Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


Supplies Used

Stamp Set: North Coast Creations Warm My Heart stamped with Gina K Black Onyx Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Ink (for special feature): Ranger Vintage Photo Oxide Distress Ink 

Papers: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! More Mustard CS and Watercolor Paper from an unknown vendor

Die: Your Next Stamp Coffee

Embellishments: Stampin' UP! Brads


Sunday, August 27, 2017

Spooky Halloween




I kind of like making the longer cards that fit perfectly in a legal size envelope. I think I'm drawn to them because they are unique/unusual and the possibilities for the layout are quite different than either an A2 card or a square card.

On this card I used a variety of Frantic Stamper items (from the new release):

Precision Dies

Clear Stamp Set





Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


Supplies Used

Frantic Stamper Precision Dies: Boneyard Edgers #FRA-DIE-10265 and Fall Words #FRA-DIE-10217

Frantic Stamper Clear Stamp Set: The Witch Is In #FRA-CL-080 stamped with Gina K Onyx Black Ink

Papers: Recollections & Stampin' UP! CS and DP from the DCWV Halloween Stack and my scrap file

Embellishment: Star Brads from an unknown vendor
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Saturday, August 26, 2017

The Witch Is In



I immediately fell in love with the Mix & Match Witches Legs precision die in the new release at Frantic Stamper. It is so much fun!!! Then I saw the Big Cauldron die in the same release and thought, "Why not?" ....

so this card was developed in my mind long before any of the other cards I made for this release.

Oh, and I also used a stamp set from the new release at Frantic Stamper - The Witch Is In #FRA-CL-080.








Did you see the "steam" rolling out of the top of the cauldron. I used the unused part of the paper I cut as a stencil and added some glitter paste to the steam area.


I even had to add some witches legs to the inside of my card:



Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


Supplies Used

Frantic Stamper Precision Dies: Big Cauldron #FRA-DIE-10268 and Mix & Match Witches Legs #FRA-DIE-10267

Stamps: Frantic Stamper The Witch Is in #FRA-CL-080 and Sugar Pea Eek-a-Boo stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Recollections Black and Purple and Stampin' UP! Creamy Caramel CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Bo Bunny Glitter Paste and a spider button from an unknown vendor


Friday, August 25, 2017

A Sweet Day for a Joy Report


What a week! WHAT A WEEK!!!

We experienced an eclipse and the people in its path went crazy. Okay, I'll admit it... I was one of them, sort of. I didn't go anywhere. I watched it from my yard. And we were not in the totality area (that was about an hour south of us). We were in the 98% area. I thought that would be enough, but truth be known, in retrospect, it really wasn't. LOL!

Look out though. The next one (in less than 7 years) is supposed to go right through my area - 100%! And I plan to have the special glasses and be ready for it!

That being said, we did experience some things worth noting. It didn't get dark, but it did get dark enough that the street lights came on. We could see the crescent, which was just pretty amazing.

AND... the crickets. Oh my! They chirped like crazy all morning long. And then, almost exactly 10 minutes to the climax, they stopped abruptly. Not a sound. Not. a. sound. For the duration of the eclipse.

I thought that was pretty incredible.

Yep... the eclipse sure made this week exciting... and JOYful!

I also managed to make 17 cards this week, including the one that is on my blog today.



Every week I look forward to my "50 Truths Worth Knowing" card. It's always fun to read a little chapter from the book and then see where it takes me. This week was no exception.







Chapter 34
Sometimes You've Got to 
Think Outside the Box


Rob remembers - somewhat fondly - the 1965 Ford Country Squire station wagon that his parents had when he was a youngster. Well, somewhat... because he also recalls they held onto it much longer than they probably should have... clear into the mid-80's when it often brought stares and giggles from other drivers.

But it still ran. And his parents didn't see any reason to replace it. After all, they had encountered the Great Depression and had wisely learned the value of frugality.

That didn't mean there weren't challenges with that old station wagon. For instance, it developed a hole the size of a half dollar in one of its taillights, which made it unlikely that the car would pass inspection. Parts were no longer available. A trip to a "junk yard" where older vehicles sat waiting for someone to purchase pieces off of them resulted in finding the part, but the price was exorbitant and Rob's dad refused to pay that price.But Rob's dad was an engineer by trade and he was not going to let that taillight problem become an issue.

Rob came home one evening and noticed a foul smell the moment he entered the house. Following his nose, he discovered his dad, hunched over a pot on the stove, cooking some sort of red paste. Lying on the counter was debris from rolls of cherry-flavored Lifesavers.

His dad had created the solution. He would simply "paint" the red, sticky goo into that hole with a Popsicle stick.

"Won't it melt?" Rob asked.

His dad's response... "Not unless someone licks it."

Not one to argue, Rob didn't question any longer. The car passed inspection, and the taillight remained unlicked for years, thus saving his family the expense of buying a new car.




I'm not liking this card, not one bit. I thought if I colored the image it would overwhelm the awesome designer paper, but now I'm second-guessing that decision. Shucks.




Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


Supplies Used

Stamps: Unity Row of Yummies and sentiment from the Some Odd Girl Tiny Baker Tia set stamped with Gina K Black Onyx Ink

Papers: Recollections: Blue, Red, and White CS and DP from the DCWV Snack Stack Paper Pad

Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Unidentified For the Birds



Lind hosted the Unidentified Image swap group this round - and she sent a very unique image for us to use. I'd never EVER seen this image before and at first I was quite stumped as to how to color it. Then I decided to just go for it. I'm not sure I like how it turned out. UGH!

I hope Linda isn't too disappointed with me.










Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


Supplies Used

Image (provided by Linda): Hampton Arts (I colored it with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and White and Stampin' UP Rose Red CS and Recollections DP

Embellishments: Pico Embellisher, Stampin' UP! Ribbon and a Button and Twine from unknown vendors

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Play Ball!




I've had this little basketball bear stamp - forever! Well, not hardly, but a very long time. And for some reason he'd never been stamped - not at all! So it's time he saw some action, don't you think?

Especially since there is a new challenge at Craftaholics R Us... and it's a Sports theme challenge.












Please join us in the Craftaholics R Us "Sports" Challenge!


August 23 - 29


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


Supplies Used

Stamp: Your Next Stamp Lois Basketball Bear stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections White and Stampin' UP! Bashful Blue and Cajun Craze CS and DP from he DCWV Boyhood Stack

Embellishments: Imagine Crafts Pico Embellisher, Stampin' UP! Ribbon, and Star-shaped Brads from an unknown vendor

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Something New with the Dueling Darlings



Last Tuesday was the Dueling Darling reveal day, but I was gone and was unable to participate on that day. So today is the day.

AND it's a twofer day because I also tried something new on this card, thanks to our wonderful Dazzler hostess Shelly.

This month Shelly (Dazzler) and Carol (Diva) hosted the Dueling Darlings. Their theme is...

Catch of the Day

Yes, it's a wonderful theme and Shelly's kit was full of fabulous stuff! Thank you, Shelly!

The kit contents:

Images - Clear Dollar Stamps 
Lure DP- Paper Studio
Blue Water DP- Recollections
eyelets- Paper Outlet
Burlap and rhinestones- $1.50 bin
Dies- oval die- Spellbinders; fish and underwater swirl-Unbranded
Cardstock- Blue- SU Pacific Point
Fish dies- Cherry Cobbler, Tangerine and yellow is a shimmery paint over white.
Yellow cardstock- unknown


The only thing of my own that I used on my card was some Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Pacific Point CS.


Here's my card:




Now, as I mentioned, I tried something new on this card. As you might know... I do NOT do eyelets! In fact, I don't even own any (I got rid of them a long time ago). But... Shelly included a special kind of eyelet in the kit. It doesn't require any special tool. She said you just insert it in a hole and use a pen to press the back down. So I gave it a try.

I will say this - I'm glad I tried it - BUT I will not do so again. Nope... I still don't do eyelets.




Here's the inside of my card:




I hope you stopped by all of the Dueling Darling blogs last week to check out their "Catch of the Day" cards. If not, you can find links to their blogs in my left side bar.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


Monday, August 21, 2017

Fairy Nice



The Creative Card Chicks on SCS have fun each month... we get a special envelope of goodies from the month's hostess and then get to play with the contents.

This month Suzy is the hostess. She sent us an adorable Pixie/Fairy themed kit, featuring images form an older Stampin' UP! stamp set called "Fairy Nice"... isn't this image darling?

Thank you, Suzy!







Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


The kit from Suzy included...

Stamp Set - SU Fairy Nice

Paper - Paper Studio and Core'dinations

Ribbon - Ribbo Boutique (Hobby Lobby)

Embellishments - Paper Studio

I added Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Flirty Flamingo to complete the card.

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Layers of Light


I love Unity stamps! Did you know that?

This stamp set is called "See the Light"... it's one of my favorite Unity sets.

Okay, who am I kidding... I love many of Unity's stamps and don't know that I really have a favorite.

This card  has MANY layers... keep reading to find out why.






Now, about the layers? Here's why...


August 20 - September 2
Theme: Lots of Layering

I hope you'll participate!


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


Supplies Used

Stamps: Unity "See the Light" stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and White and Stampin' UP! Summer Sun CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Tiny Brads from an unknown vendor

Saturday, August 19, 2017

The Eclipse Is Coming!



It seems the big news lately is the coming eclipse. People are looking for the special glasses to protect their eyes - they are sold out everywhere. Some people have reservations at more than one hotel so they can go wherever the weather is best. Alarms have been set so we won't miss it. Flights that will be in the path of the eclipse are sold out.

Yes, it's the BIG news, for sure.

So, I decided to attempt to make a card to commemorate the adventure of the Full Eclipse 2017.

I failed. (Though I do have to say the card looks better in real life than it does in the pictures.)






I also wanted to draw/doodle some lines to indicate movement, since this eclipse will move relatively quickly across the horizon. (They say it will only cause darkness for about 3 minutes.) Plus the hand-drawn lines (doodles) meet the requirements for this week's Sweet Stampin' "Doodling" Challenge.


August 19 - 25
Theme: Doodling

I hope you'll participate!


Here's the inside of my card:



Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


Supplies Used

Die: Sizzix Globe

Papers: Recollections White and Stampin' UP! Night of Navy and So Saffron CS

Ink: Stampin' UP! So Saffron

Embellishment: Washi Tape from an unknown vendor