Happy Birthday for a 5 yr old

My last birthday card for the month of April.  [Can you believe May will be here on Tuesday??!!??]

This one was made in short bursts of time this week.  We are doing extra school work in order to get done early since we are going to be away in June.  (Busch Gardens, here we come!!!)  Making our own schedule is one of the many benefits of home schooling, but it has made for some loooong days of study this week. 

I gave this card to the birthday boy already but did not have time to post it!  And I've not been visiting all my blog buddies, so I apologize and will be back at it soon!

Challenges...
Mojo Monday 238 - sketch
Celebrate the Occasion #60 - Happy Birthday (must use ribbon)

~Echo Park "Splash" dsp
~DCWV cardstock
~CM and Fiskars punches
~Cloud 9 number stamps
~There She Goes sentiment stamp
~ribbon, twine, button, tag from my stash

Thanks for stopping by!!

Thank you easel card

Easel cards are fun to make, thank you cards are always needed, so I had a working combination last evening.  I waited to take better pics in daylight since no matter how I set the white balance, nothing compares to natural light!

Challenges...
Freshly Made Sketches #31 - sketch
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #136 - soft pastels
Card Crafter's Circle #19 - "In stitches"

~Kraft base
~K&Co dsp
~Inkadinkado stamps
~Stampendous Autumn Flowers ink
~Flora Doodles flowers
~Cutter Bee piercing tool and white gel pen for faux stitching

Thanks for stopping by!!

Windowed sympathy card

The anniversary card I made last week was not out of 'need,' so I thought I'd make a sympathy card to have on hand for when it is needed.  Though I do hope it is not needed soon!

Just as I was heading down to my craft room to make this card, my daughter got all excited and called us all to come... 7 deer in our front yard!

(pardon the lawn... anyone know how to get rid of onion grass????)

The sentiment is the same for the inside and out... it is stamped on the inside and visible through vellum.

I adhered the paper layers to the card then cut the opening, then cut the frame.

When held normally, the sentiment shows through fine.

 Challenges...
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #135 - use something transparent
Word Art Wednesday #24 - provided word art or Scripture or inspiring quote 

~K&Co dsp
~EK Success ribbon
~Nestabilities Labels 4
~vellum
~Recollections adhesive pearls

Thanks for stopping by!!

"Celebrate" birthday card

Another quick post then I have to go make dinner... company's coming!

Challenges...
Tuesday Morning Sketches #142 - sketch
Paper Playtime #72 - say it with sentiments birthday card

heat embossed on  icing

~All scrap papers
~stamp I've had for awhile from ???
~Momento ink
~Versamark and embossing powder
~D'vine Swirls, Swiss Dots, and Spots and Dots embossing folders
~brads

Thanks for looking!!!

Embossed Christmas

I love embossing!!  It is probably my most used embellishment.  Most of what I do is dry embossing with my Cuttlebug, but I do like heat embossing, as well, and that is what I did on this card.

Challenges..
Merry Monday #16 - sketch
jingle belles JB:12:09 - "Peace on Earth(day)" -re-use, re-cycle, re-purpose, or up-cycle
   (mine are all scraps - some even have hidden holes in them!  One of the snowflakes is the leftover half of a sticker)

~scraps... Basic Grey maybe???
~stamp from ???
~Stampedous white embossing powder
~leftover stickers

Thanks for stopping!!!

Playing in Paradise - guest designer :)

I am excited that I was the winner of Playing is Paradise challenge #61, and as a result, I get to be a guest designer this week.  [ I know you are impressed, so do I have to confess that I was the only entrant?? ;) ]

I just started playing along there and it is a great challenge with very talented designers!!!  Check it out HERE!!

Here is the photo inspiration for this week...

And here is my take on it...

I was inspired by the colours and flowers

~K&Co dsp

~Bazzill cardstock

~D'vine Swirls Cuttlebug folder

~SU Old Olive ink

~adhesive pearls

~up-cycled silk flowers

~Paper Studio brads

I'm also submitting this in Mojo Monday 237 - sketch

Thanks for stopping by!!  Come play along at Playing in Paradise challenge #63 this week!!

Ask, Seek, Knock note card

Our printer has been acting up lately, so I have not printed any digi stamps because they would look terrible!!  In cleaning up my desk a little, I came across a few that I had printed and not used.  Jackpot!!  I chose this stamp and put this together quickly with some paper I bought yesterday.  (I never finished cleaning the desk!)

Yes!  I went paper shopping!!  Unplanned, but still lots of fun!  After all, many of you encouraged me to buy more paper! :)   *I did not find any spring-y paper I liked, so I'll need to look again....*
It was kind of funny... my husband and I went out just to spend some time together and have dinner.  We were near Hobby Lobby... how could I not go??   We were looking at some canvas hangings for our church when I suggested we could get the canvas, get paper, and make them exactly what we wanted.  We decided to try so got the canvas.  I said "Since we are only trying, we don't need to pick paper as I have a fair amount."  My DH, "Did you just say you have enough paper???"  Me, "Oh, no, I will never have enough paper... I said I have a fair amount."  He muttered, "Rats!  I thought I caught you!" 

Challenge...
Word Art Wednesday #23 - word art provided or other Scripture verse or inspirational quote

~Faith stack by Paper Studio (my new beautiful paper!!)
~D'vine Swirls Cuttlebug folder
~colored digi from Happileigh Scrappin'
~Tim Holtz Tea Dye distress ink
~glitter ribbon from J's (hard to see the shimmer in the pic)
~Paper Studio adhesive pearls

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Just BEE-cause

It's time to make some spring-y cards!  Though after this one, I think I'll go back to Christmas cards.   I am not thrilled with it.  It's too "blah"!  I don't really like the paper.  Maybe I just need to go shopping for some better paper.  Yes!!  That's it!!!  I need to go paper shopping!!   :)  {I'm glad my hubby doesn't pay attention to my blog!!}  :)  Anyway, here is my 'severely lacking something' card! 

Challenges...
Tuesday Morning Sketches #141 - sketch + "Think Spring"
Celebrate the Occasion #58 - "Just because" must use pink
Card Carter's Circle #18 - Pastel colours

~DCWV summer stack dsp
~Fiskars Threading Water border punch
~There She Goes "Bee Happy" stamps
~Copics and water color pencils

Thanks for stopping by!!

Another Christmas card

Everyone is thinking spring... and I make a Christmas card!  Don't laugh at me... at least I'll be ready in December!!   (And I hope to make a spring card this evening!)

Challenges...
Merry Monday #15 - sketch
Fantabulous Cricut #106 - Buttons and bows

~circle from George cut at 4 1/2" cut in half and folded
~DCWV Christmas Stack dsp
~Scrappy Cat sentiment
~Encore gold ink
~Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder
~Nestabilities Labels 4
~Paper Studio button brad
~SU button
~Offray ribbon

I've edited this to add the link to the instructions for the tree... InkspiredTreasures.com

Thanks for stopping by!!

Everyone can't be a Princess...

I love working with vinyl!  Sayings on tiles are so fun to make, there is vinyl in almost every room in my house, and I've used it as stencils for etching.   I made a tile the other day and decided to make another today. 

I have a file where I keep a list of quotes that I might want to use on tiles or for wall vinyl for a craft sale.  This saying is cute, though if someone actually thinks this, I'm not sure I want to be around them!! 

Challenge...

BBTB2 - use the word "princess"

~"not everyone..." Ashlynn's Alphabet
~"Princess" Storybook
~"someone,,," Plantin Schoolbook
~crown PDDU
~rose Quarter Note
~8x12" tile
~outdoor vinyl

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Golden anniversary card

I've mentioned that I seem to only make sympathy cards when I need them, but I do the same with wedding cards.  When I saw the "Joyful" or "Celebratory" theme at SSIC this week, I decided to make a wedding card.  At least, I started out with that as my goal.   As the card was coming together with all the gold and sparkly paper and ribbon, I realized it would be great for a Golden (50th) anniversary.   And I will need one this summer, so I will save it for that.  50 years of marriage is certainly something to celebrate!!
(What???  A card done early????!!???? Who has taken over my body??!!??)


I am so blessed!  Two years ago, my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary.   At their Open House, among the friends and family that came, there were more than 10 couples there that had already celebrated 50 years!!  Growing up, I was surrounded by good examples and am so thankful!!
My hubby and I will be halfway there next year! :)

 Challenge...
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #134 - joyful; celebratory

~Martha Stewart and Slice papers
~Fiskars (I think) stamp
~punches, gold ink, ribbon, and button 


Thanks for stopping by!!!

"Save the earth..." tile

Earth Day is later this month and some challenges are using that as the prompt.  Before I show my project, I have something to say.  I truly believe we do need to take care of the wonderful creation that God has intrusted to us.  Just a little op ed here.  And since it's my blog, I can do it! :)

It just breaks my heart how this is all out of focus.  Thousands of unborn babies are killed every day, animal abuse gains more attention than child/spousal abuse, and killing an endangered species sometimes carries a greater penalty than murder.  Our priorities are messed up!!    
I believe in the sanctity of life!!  God knew me before He formed me in the belly. (Jer. 1:5)  I believe we are responsible to take care of the earth!!  We are to "dress it and keep it" (Gen. 2:15) and "a righteous man regardeth the life of his beast" (Prov. 12"10) so we must care for our world!  

With that said, yes, we do need to care for our earth, but I went in a fun direction about it....

Challenge...
Krafty Girls #5 - Project Earth

~8x12 tile from Lowe's
~I did recycle - I used some vinyl scraps
~Jubilee, Plantin Schoolbook for lettering
~Stand and Salute for world

Thanks for stopping by!! 

Sympathy card

Sympathy cards.  Cards that are often needed, but I don't make one until I need it.  

Challenges...
Freshly Made Sketches #30 - sketch
Playing in Paradise #61 - photo inspiration (I used the colours)

~Recollections "Charming" dsp
~Studio g stamp colored with Copics
~Studio 112 sentiment stamp
~StazOn Timber Brown ink 
~inside Hero Arts stamp...
"Our caring
thoughts
are with you
during this
difficult time"
~scallop and circle cut in MTC
~ribbon from stash

Thanks for stopping by!!

jingle belles and Merry Monday

My third (and maybe last) post of the day.  I couldn't think of a cool title (not that my others are) so I just went with the challenge names. :)   I guess I could have said "Christmas in April" ??   Oh well, at least by now I hope you've realized that this is a Christmas card post. 

And after my whining earlier about things not coming together, this card came together really quickly and was just what I wanted.  Except for having to trim my Nestie shadow.  If you look closely you can see it, so don't look too closely, please! :)

Challenges...
jingle belles JB:12:07 - "Hybrid Holiday"  -some or all digital (I used a digi stamp)
Merry Monday #14 - sketch (this is my first time playing here but I'll be back because I like trying to avoid the Christmas card rush!!)

~Basic Grey Wassail and Recollections O Christmas Tree papers
~Nestabilities Labels Four
~Colored digi from Clear Dollar
~'tea dye' distress ink
~American Crafts ribbon

Thanks for stopping by and Merry Christmas 267 days early!! 

Easter card - Jesus Paid It All

Christmas is a wonderful celebration of the Lord's birth, but if He had not died and had not risen again, we would be without hope!  That's what Easter is all about!!  He paid for my sin so that I don't have to!

This is a very CAS card with the focus on that fact.

Challenges...
Word Art Wednesday #21 - word art provided or other inspirational verse or quote
Card Crafter's Circle #16 - Easter
The Stamping Boutique #31 - sentiment as focal point
Get Cricky Simply Sunday - Easter Blessings
CAS-ual Fridays CFC46 - CAS based on a song -mine is "Jesus Paid It All"

Jesus paid it all.  
All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain.
He washed it white as snow.

~Recollections "Charming" dsp
~Clear Dollar cross and sentiment stamps
~Punches and ribbon

Thanks for stopping!!

Happy Birthday x3

Well, the sentiment is 3 times!    Do you ever have ideas and try them out only to end up throwing them out???  That's been my lot lately! :/  There is hope, though... challenges and sketches are my friends!  :)

Still making birthday cards and this one is for a little boy.  None of my ideas came out right, so I'm using a sketch at the last minute.

Challenges...
Freshly Made Sketches #28 - sketch
Cuttlebug Spot - children's card with animal

~Cord'dinations cardstock
~EP "Splash" dsp
~Patchwork Puppy stamp from Clear Dollar
~sentiment stamp from There She Goes
~Paper Studio embossing folder
~watercolor pencils, Copics, Zig and American Crafts markers

Thanks for stopping by!!

Stitched 'thank you' card

Brrrr!!!  We had some beautiful spring weather for the few weeks before spring officially arrived and now that we are having 'normal' temperatures, I am freezing!!   So I crank the heat in my craft room and stay warm and have fun! :)

Here's a quick thank you card.  Can't ever have too many of these!

Challenges...
Celebrate the Occasion #56 - "thank you"
iSpy Sketches ISSC09 - sketch

~Recollections "Charming" dsp
~stamp by Stampin Up  "Cute by the Inch"
~Paper Studio button brad
~my sewing machine

"thank U" for stopping!  :)