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My projects are not to be submitted and/or used in any written publication, advertisement or contest without my knowledge. I am flattered if you use one of my projects as inspiration, but please give me credit when you do and, if possible a link back to this blog. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me using the contact form. Thank you

I appreciate my Followers!

Sunday, April 27, 2014

The Outlawz Clean & Simple Challenge: Shades of Gray

Awake, thou wintry earth - Fling off thy sadness!

Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth Your ancient gladness!

Thomas Blackburn, "An Easter Hymn"

Good Sunday morning to one and all! 
I hope all things are well for you!

Today is the start of the weekly Clean and Simple Challenge at the Outlawz.

The Challenge is Shades of Gray and one neutral!
Come check it out!

My Card
I have had this adorable little elephant dude for a while and I thought this
challenge was a sign that I needed to use him!
I used two shades of gray for him and added him to the card with pop dots.
The heart looked so --- well, plain, so I used a fine tip marker to add the faux stitching.
Much better thank you!


Size A2

Supplies:
Card stock from American Crafts (Card base), Stampin up! and Bazzill
Elephant die from Cuttlebug
Sentiment from The Angel Company "Squiggly Lady Bugs"
Hearts die from Spellbinders

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!




Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Through The Craft Room Door Anything Goes Challenge

Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed.
Charles Schulz

Good morning!
I hope every one is having a great week so far!

Today is the start of a new Anything Goes Challenge at Through The Craft Room Door

This weeks Sponsor is Oak Pond Creations.
You have got to check out her Etsy shop ... she does the cutest images!
My husband turns 50 this month and when I saw this adorable Digital Stamp Fox I knew he was what I wanted to use!... I love him and plan on using this one again!
I printed him on colored DP and fussy cut him out.
I added some pink to his ears, colored his nose black and added paper glaze.

SIZE: 5 x 7
 
SUPPLIES
Card stock - Stampin up!
Digi printed on DP from DCWV
Sentiment from Double D Rubber Stamps
Prismacolor pencil (Added some pink to his ears & blackened his nose)
Aleen's Paper Glaze (Added to his nose)
Tag punch from Stampin Up!
Flower punch from EK Success
Prima Flowers
Rhinestones and yellow gingham DP from my stash

Monday, April 21, 2014

Easter card for my Daughter

Bunnies are cuddly
The large and the small
But I like chocolate ones
The best of them all.


~Author Unknown


Good morning!
I made this Easter card for my daughter based on this card from Cherished by Design
There is actually some humor involved in this card. If you notice the eyes are different sizes? I did that because after a series of retinal detachments, I am now blind in my right eye and it is smaller than my left. So this bunny is a representation of Me! LOL

Size 5 x 7
SUPPLIES:
Card stock from Stampin Up!
DP from DCWV (I think)
Chalk from Stampin Up!
Marvy 3" Circle punch
"Bit of Paisley" EF from Cuttlebug
Heart Print die from Paper Trey Ink
Googlie eye from my stash

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Easter Sunday: The Outlawz Clean & Simple Challenge

Easter is not a time for groping through dusty, musty tomes or tombs to disprove spontaneous generation or even to prove life eternal.  It is a day to fan the ashes of dead hope, a day to banish doubts and seek the slopes where the sun is rising, to revel in the faith which transports us out of ourselves and the dead past into the vast and inviting unknown.

Author unknown, as quoted in the Lewiston Tribune

Good morning!
Grace unto you as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior. May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Today is Easter Sunday!  Show us, in CAS style, what Easter means to you and perhaps you might share a brief happy Easter memory with us.

Easter has always been a happy time for my family, whether it was the Easter egg hunts with the kids when they were little or sharing dinner with family and friends. I love everything from the chocolate bunnies to hearing the story of Jesus's return from the grave to remind us that we too, can find everlasting life if we believe in him.

Here is my card 

Size A2
SUPPLIES:
Glossy card stock from Expedex
Image "Dainty Daisies" from Great Impressions
Sentiment from Stampin Up! "Never Ending Joy"
Ink used to color daisies from Stampin Up!
Bling on small flowers (hard to see in the picture) from The Paper Studio

Looking forward to seeing your CAS Easter creations and hear your stories!

Friday, April 18, 2014

Easter Cards

Where man sees but withered leaves, God sees sweet flowers growing.

Albert Laighton

Good morning
Another card from a set I made for Easter!

Size A2


SUPPLIES:
Card stock from Stampin Up!
DP: Wonderland from ADT
Sentiment from American Art Stamps
Fiskers Border Punch "Eyelet Lace"
Ribbon and Sequin Flower from my stash



Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Lots of Love for Lauryn Card Drive


Isn't this little girl just precious? Let me introduce you....
Lauryn was diagnosed with Leukemia on March 27, 2014. She is currently hospitalized in the DC area undergoing chemotherapy to fight this terrible disease.  Lauryn is Linda Payne's granddaughter...many of you in the stamping community probably already know Linda from all her beautiful cards.

Please create cards to share your love and encouragement for Lauryn and her family. Lauryn's parents are Josh and Elizabeth and she has two older siblings: Lily and Logan. We thank the Lord for this dear family and need to pray for them as they are seeking to glorify the Lord throughout this trial. 

Cards can be mailed to:

Children's National
Hematology/ Oncology RM 437
Lauryn Newsome
111 Michigan Ave NW
Washington DC 20010

You can find updates on Lauryn via a Facebook page that has been set up by some family. It is Fight on Little Lauryn. They have shared how encouraging it is receive a simple "like" on a Facebook status or words of love and encouragement that is posted.

On my right sidebar is a donate button and this LINK will take you to the blog set up for Lauryn. This is where the card drive starts. Please check out all the wonderful cards made for Lauryn and her family.

Here is the card I will be sending!

Size: A2
SUPPLIES
Card stock from Stampin Up!
DP from DCWV (I think)
Sentiment from The Angel Company "Trendy Greetings"
Ribbon from my stash
Cuttlebug EF "Swiss Dots"

Easter Card

For I remember it is Easter morn, And life and love and peace are all new born.
Alice Freeman Palmer

Good morning. One of several Easter cards I made for family & friends

Size: A2
SUPPLIES: 
Card stock and scallop border punch from Stampin Up!
Sentiment from Halo Rubber Stamps
DP and Ribbon from my stash

CHALLENGES ENTERED - check out the wonderful offerings!

LIA STAMPS - Challenge #63, Pastel Colors



Sunday, April 13, 2014

Grieving with friends

Thought for the Day

“Be open to your dreams, people.
Embrace that distant shore.
Because our mortal journey is over all too soon.”
David Assael

Good morning
Such a sad day - good friends of ours lost their mother to cancer earlier this month and today is the final fare thee well.

Gatherings such as this bring home the reminder that my days with my own mother are numbered and that someday I'll be having to make this same journey as my friends are today.

She is all I have left of my family ... My father and two older brothers have already moved on to a better world, and they are waiting for her there.  But for now, it's just her and me and her health is not so great that I can delude myself into thinking she will be here for many more years.

I can only try to be a good daughter for this remaining time. A challenge, to be sure, because we seem to butt heads quite often ... two strong willed females that we are. Some things never changes as this was our relationship when I was growing up and living at home.

I don't agree with the path she feels she needs to follow but she has made her choices in life and I think, once I truly accept that, I will find a modicum of peace in how I handle our very turbulent relationship. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother deeply, I just struggle with how many of her decisions negatively impact her and those around her.

So for now, I will work on spending more time with her as I can and hope, that before her journey ends, we both come to an understanding...

For her, understanding that despite our many differences, that I do care for her. That I love her very much and that I truly value and appreciate her. 

For me, a reconciliation of my heart for the Mother I knew as a child, and the Mother I know as an adult.

This card is for my friends.


Size: 5.5 x 5.5
Supplies
Card stock from Bazzill and Stampin Up!
Images from Sizzix "Butterflies #3)
Sentiment from Stampin Up! "Teeny Tiny Wishes"
Die from Spellbinders "Beaded Ovals"
Embossing folder edge from Darice "Lace"
Glitter 


Daisies or Sweet Peas: The Outlawz Clean & Simple Challenge

Bright flowers, whose home is everywhere Bold in maternal nature's care And all the long year through the heir Of joy and sorrow, Methinks that there abides in thee Some concord with humanity, Given to no other flower I see The forest through.

Happy Sunday morning to one and all!
This week is my turn to post the CAS challenge at the Outlawz! I'm running a bit late but here it is!

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac "April's birth flower is the daisy which conveys innocence, loyal love, and purity. It is also a flower given between friends to keep a secret; the daisy means "I'll never tell."
The other April flower is the sweet pea. "Sweet peas signify blissful pleasure, but are also used to say good-bye."
April is a busy month for this gal as birthdays abound in our family so your challenge will be to create a BIRTHDAY card or project showcasing one of these lovely flowers. Your choice - Daisy or Sweet Pea - just have fun and keep it CAS

If you are not already a member of The Outlawz, membership is free.

My card!
Unless I can get them for a killer price, I will rarely purchase flowers that are packaged and sold for crafting because I think they are over priced. So when I need flowers, I will make a stop by the local dollar store and buy a stem and then deconstruct it. At the price, I get a lovely pile of flowers and leaves to play with.

That is where my daisy on this card came from. A dollar store stem. I added a little Prima paper flower and the pearl is from The Angel Company. I glued everything together then adhered to the card with a foam dimensional.



Size A2
ADDITONAL SUPPLIES
Card stock from Stampin Up!
Sentiment from Stampin Up! "Happiest of Birthdays"
"Leafy Branch" EF from Cuttlebug


Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Ugly Paper Makeover!

Vanity is so secure in the heart of man that everyone wants to be admired: even I who write this, and you who read this. ~Blaise Pascal

Hi there ... ever look at a piece of ugly design paper and think to yourself ... dang! What am I going to do with this ugly paper? Too expensive to throw out but too ugly to do anything with!

Well -Wonder no more my dearies!
Wander your pretty little selves over the The Outlawz Challenge Blog because on Monday, a new Greeting Card Challenge started.

My friend Shannon is the lead DT this week and her challenge for everyone is use your UGLY paper and make it pretty!

So here is my ugly paper and my pretty card!
I love the colors on this DP but I dislike the pattern ... intensely! Blech!
So with the help of some trusty dies - I have transformed this into a lovely anniversary card.

SIZE: 5 x 7

SUPPLIES
Card stock from Stampin Up!
Ugly DP from DCVW (I think)
Sentiment from TAC "Trendy Greetings"
Sizzix EF "Woodgrain"
Sizzix, Tim Holtz Alterations Die "Tattered Florals"
Hexagon Die from Paper Trey Inc.
Pearl Brad from OTC

Through the Craft Room Door Anything Goes Challenge

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
Irish Blessing


Good morning!
Today is the start of another Anything Goes Challenge at Through the Craft Room Door.
Come on over and strut your stuff!

This week our Sponsor is Fred She Said!

I printed the MorphoButterfly digi onto a piece DP and fussy cut.
I created the "Ruffle" by cutting the edge off another doily and pleating straight.


Card size: 5 x 7
SUPPLIES
Card stock - Stampin Up!
Digi printed on DP from DCWV
Embossing folder - Cuttlebug "Leafy Branch"
Ribbon, pearls & doilies are from my stash

Sorry for the picture quality. I could not get a good picture from my camera and finally had  to scan into computer. Still not great. :O(

Monday, April 7, 2014

Valentine for ???

Who, being loved, is poor?

Oscar Wilde

Hi there ... Here is a Valentine I made for a Sketch Challenge at the Outlawz awhile back. However, I messed around and was too late to enter before the challenge closed, so I just set the card aside and forgot about until I found again while cleaning up my craft room


Size A2
SUPPLIES
Cardstock from Stampin Up!
Design Paper is from DCWV
"Love-Love-Love" Embossing Folder is from Paper Studios (Hobby Lobby)
"Heart Circle: dies from Spellbinders
Flower made from sequins and a rhinestone from my stash

Sunday, April 6, 2014

The Outlawz CAS Challenge: Two-fers!

PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
—James 5:16

New Clean and Simple Challenge starts today at the Outlawz!
Click HERE to come play along with us!

This week is a little different in that Charlene wants us to create a CAS card or project
 using 2 (two) of something. It can be anything: two images, 2 brads (or another of the same type of embellishment), 2 of the same things within your image . . . use your imagination.
Since an image + a sentiment DOES NOT count as 2 items this was quite the challenge for me as I kept finding myself trying add that 3rd element to balance my layout!

I managed to pull it off, but man did I work at this!

CARD SIZE: A2

SUPPLIES
Card stock from Stampin Up!
Letters from Colorbok Memory Craft
Red Flowers from Prima
Green Flowers, photo frames & rhinestones are from my stash

Our Sponsors!

Oozak.com
Three $15 Gift Certificates!

7 Kids College Fund
$15.00 GC to the store

Paper Temptress
$20.00 Gift Certificate
20 Sheets of Cryogen Paper

Squigglefly
3 free images

Rick St. Dennis
3 Prizes, with 3 digis each of your choice!

Touched By A Butterfly
 $10 Gift Certificate

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Birthday Blessings!

Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year:  The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again.
Menachem Mendel Schneerson

Good morning.
Today both my Mother-in-Law (Karen) and Sister-in-Law (Lorilee) share a birthday. 

This card is for Lorilee and was made using some fabulous Washi paper my daughter sent me home from Japan.
 

Card size: A2
SUPPLIES
Washi Paper from Japan
Cardstock from Stampin Up!
"Framelets Label" die from Stampin Up!
Scallop Border punch from Stampin Up!
Pearl embellishments from Paper Studios (Hobby Lobby)
"Organic Flourishes" Embossing border from Cuttlebug

This card is for Karen
Size A2
SUPPLIES
Cardstock from Stamping Up!
Pearl embellishments from Paper Studios (Hobbly Lobby)
The tutorial and supply list for making the background can be located in the current edition of Through The Craft Room Door On-line Magazine.


Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Lots of Love

There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved.
It is God's finger on man's shoulder.
Charles Morgan

Good morning
Just a card I made playing around repeating a layout and using up scraps from another card I did earlier for a CAS challenge. It will be placed in my stash in the hopes of finding a loving home soon!


Size: A2
SUPPLIES
Cardstock from Bazzill (base) and Stampin Up!
"Field Notes" DP from S.E.I.
Sentiment from Studio G