A Few Challenges

Hello my crafty friends, hope your week is starting out well. It's been foggy & gloomy here with rain since Sunday, but we need this rain, so I won't complain. COVID numbers are going up here and I'm not liking that. I so wish everyone would just wear their masks. Gatherings are a problem too, but I feel it can be done safely if people just adhere to the guidelines of wearing masks inside or stay outside and social distance. Oh well, my complaining is not going to change anything, but common sense would go a long way with this pandemic.

I decided I would join in a few challenges for once. Yes, I know shocking! But was able to cover all three challenges with one card. Then it is back to working on Christmas projects. I'm not exactly thrilled with this card, but not totally unhappy with it either. I think the metallic mirror paper is throwing me off. Hard to get a photo with shiny paper too. So I laid it down to take the photo. Still got a reflection at the bottom. Don't like the black sentiment banner either, but though it would help tone down the shine a little. It didn't and I don't like it. Didn't like white either, maybe I should try pink or green like my greenery on my poinsettia. What do y'all think? Anyway here is my card: 

The challenges:

Rudolph Challenge-Christmas card challenge from the 25th of each month to the end of each month. 

CAS(E) this Sketch-your interpretation of their sketch

Let's Squash It!-A new challenge where you are to use your embossing folders. They have prompts for you to follow which was a geometric folder and metallic card stock/metal. 

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to come and visit with me. Sorry we had such gloomy weather. Your comments mean the world to me and bring so much brightness to my life. If I haven't been by to visit you, please know I am making my rounds and should be there soon. Stay safe, stay healthy and enjoy each other. 

Crafty hugs, 

Card Recipe:

Gina Marie die: for the woody wreath cut at a friend's house-cut out of snippet's of kraft                  cardstock, inked with DO Walnut Stain, Gathered Twigs, Delicata Gold and Rose Gold. 

Amazon: for my snippet of Mirror Paper

Sunny Studio's: for my poinsettia-out of my unused box-I need a clever name for this box, lol

Martha Steward Branch Punch: cut out of some mixed media paper that I had splattered w/ink

My Creative Time: for the banner and sentiment

We Are Memories 3D embossing folder

Twofer Challenge & Christmas Items

Hello my crafty friends, I have went dark for a while now. I haven't visited any of you and I'm sorry. I hope to get back at commenting again real soon. October isn't a great month for me, used to be one of my favorite months, but now I tend to struggle with it. So I kept busy working on some Christmas items and then saw the Twofer Challenge come out and thought I would have a go at it. Not very creative, but at least they are done and I'm happy with how they came out. 

So many stamps that could have been used, it was hard to decide on which to use. But I finally decided on a stag. Here is my Twofer together:

I had two separate play dates with two friends. The first friend came here to make fall cards, she brought her newest stamp set from SU and I cut out a bunch of wreaths from the set. Then I used Brusho's to "doll" them all up. Used two of them on the first card after seeing this card design on Pinterest. Thought it was so pretty, so put my spin on it using my supplies. 

Then for my second twofer, I added two stags and a baby deer. I thought I had a deer family, but it turns out this set had two stags instead with a baby. Not sure what that was all about, if it was an accident or what. But used what I had, so two stags and a baby is what it is. Didn't get the baby standing upright to well, but it was glued down and it wasn't coming back up. The background was made at the second friend's house. We were playing with Brusho's, Distress Oxides and pearl powders. This background was made with the Distress Oxides. I was going to save it for a Halloween card as it looked Halloweeny to me, but then I liked it behind the birch trees so used it. Do you think it looks Halloweeny??? Should I have not used it??? So that's my Twofers. 

Here are the Christmas things I've been working on. Little ornament or wall hangings, whatever someone wants to use them for. Used 4" embroidery hoops, some fabric and iron on vinyl, then some little decorations. I made a dozen of them using my Cricut to cut out the iron on vinyl with and my little Mini Press to press them onto the fabric. 

My next little projects were pot holders from the Dollar Tree. I want to get more, but haven't seen them back in the Dollar Tree's around me. I sure hope they get some more in soon as they are nice little gifts to have on hand for when you need a little something something. I cut the sayings out with my Cricut and once again ironed them on with my Mini Press. I will tuck a little mug cake pouch in the pocket before giving out. Might even do a vinyl mug to go with it. Definitely giving one to my mail carrier with one of the little ornaments above. 

Since I've used some NBUS and Snippets, I will be off to play in the NBUS challenge and the Snippet's Playground. 

Well that's it from me, I hope to be by to visit you soon. Thank you for stopping by and visiting with me. I always appreciate your visit as I know everyone is busy so for you to take the time to visit me is so kind of you! 

Crafty hugs,

Card Recipe:

Stag Wreath Card:

SU stamp and die set for the Wreath, don't know the name but I'm sure many of you guys do

SU Gentle Peace for the sentiment-NBUS

AliExpress for the Stag-NBUS

Mirror paper from my stash, the stag is a snippet

Gansai Tambi Starry colors for the splattering

Vanilla card base

Vanilla snippet for the mat

Brusho's 

Birch Tree Card:

Gina Marie for the birch tree coverplate-NBUS

Pebble's chalks to highlight the tree's

Distress Oxides for the background using a blending brush

AliExpress for the stags and baby deer

My Creative Time Mini Tag Dies for the sentiment tag

My Creative Time Teeny Tags Holidays for the sentiment

black snippet

Ornaments:

Cricut

fabric from Amazon

embroidery hoops from Amazon

ribbon's from my huge ribbon stash

Dollar Tree for the berries, greenery, twine and rope

pompoms from my stash

Hot Pads:

Dollar Tree for the hot pads

Cricut for "Life is Short" SVG

SVG "It's Mine" and "Sweet Smell" are from Jennifer Maker's files

Let's Bake a Birthday!

Hello my crafty friends, I hope your Saturday evening is going well. I know I've been MIA in keeping up with my comments and with posting. I have a good reason.....at least I hope it's a good reason. I've been keeping very busy with a new puppy. What?!!! Yes, Bret decided he wanted a puppy and of course who do you think needs to care for it while Bret is at work? Yep, me. So between babysitting my granddaughter here and there and training a new puppy, I am running ragged. Here is the new little girl, her name is Kahlua. Savannah is great with her so that is a good thing!

This new little girl chews on Savannah's tail, pulls out Savannah's undercoat all over the floor and takes Savannah's bones away from her and Savannah just lets her. Then when Savannah has had enough, Savannah will get up on the couch as little Kahlua can't get up there....yet. They are so funny together and I laugh so hard sometimes. But they are also exhausting. Especially this little girl-she is fast, she is a puppy and she finds all kinds of trouble when you aren't looking! lol So I have to keep my eye on her at all times. I will be glad when she is potty trained as well!!!!  Anyway, she is cuteness overload isn't she?!

I do have some old cards that I never posted about. They all have been mailed out long ago, so thought I would share them tonight. I do have some more to share and will share the others at a later date. These cards are all baking birthday cards. I thought they turned out pretty cute, but want to make some in CAS style at a later date. As always the recipe will be at the bottom of the post. 

Card 1

 Inside of Card 1

 Card 2

 Inside of Card 2

 Card 3

 Inside of Card 3

 Card 4

 Inside of Card 4

If you stuck with me this far, thank you! Your comments always bring sunshine into my rainy days and yes it is still raining here. Everyday just about it. Never saw this much rain during the summer before. Anyway, I will be around to your blogs soon if I haven't been yet. I'm trying to keep up here and there, but it is hard sometimes with the new pup. Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!

Crafty hugs,

Card Recipe:
Gina Marie for the circle grid
My Creative Time for the baking items and most sentiments and the cherries from another set
Maymay Made It Stamps for the inside sentiment of cards 1 and 4
Colored with my Zig's and Arteza's

CAS Christmas Card Challenge

Hello my crafty friends, hope all is well in your neck of the world and you are enjoying lots of sunshine and not so humid temps. We are having lots of rain. Yes, we were dry and now we are flooding. Feast or famine-never fails. More rain and storms to come this week. In my area we just have minor flooding, but in the Hershey area they had some heavier flooding. Flooding, boat sinking, shootings, it is just all over the place around the world. My heart and prayers go out to all who are living with loss, whether from flooding, buildings falling or shootings. It's just so sad and makes my heart sad. 

On to my card. I'm slipping in sideways as the challenge over at CAS Christmas Card is closing tomorrow. But I wanted to play as I doubt I will get anything made in time for the Twofer Challenge as it closes tomorrow tomorrow too-which I did really want to play along with but it has just been to busy around here. This card I had started but didn't finish, so thought I'd get it finish to play along. So here is my little CAS Christmas card, I didn't put a sentiment on the outside as I didn't think it needed one. Supplies used will be down in the recipe section of this post. 

We've had some wild looking sky's around here, so thought I would share a photo of one storm that went all the way around us. No rain from this one, but other towns really got it hit with a good storm.

Bret has been after me about getting rid of a huge pine tree at our driveway. Dwayne was going have it taken down, but that didn't happen before he passed. Well now Bret has his new "professional" vehicle and he was getting mad every time sap dripped on it and on his hair. So got it taken down. The guy took it down by himself so I helped to drag limbs over to the chipper to save him some steps. Boy some of them were very heavy and some I couldn't hardly move! Hope I was a little help to him. I told him if I was more of a hindrance to just let me know and I'd get out of his way. He assured me I wasn't and I was doing well, so I kept helping. This is my huge pine, I will miss it, but won't miss all the pine cones in the driveway to clean up nor the sap. lol  You can't even see how tall it is in this picture, but just look at the guy cutting the limbs off and you get the jist of how big it is. He estimated about 40 ft and he said it was still growing. We've had it for about 30 years, Dwayne got it from a wedding he went to. Before "our" time so it was already planted here when I met him but was very tiny. 

Then I found a little monkey in my Mimosa tree. My granddaughter. lol She loves to try and climb this tree, but this is all the farther she can get.

Well that's it for me my friends. As always I thank you for stopping by and visiting with me a spell. We've had some pool issues but Bret got it all taken care of now, now we need the rain to stop so we can vacuum the pool. It is filled to the brim with all the rain water and cold! When it is that cool I have to have lots of hot and very bright sunshine to get in. lol So  hopefully it will warm back up and you can have a dip while you visit. Your comments always bring sunshine into my life and I thank you for that!

Crafty hugs,

Card Recipe:
Sunny Studio's Poinsettia stamp and die set
Gina Marie for the wreath
Martha Steward branch punch
My Creative Time Christmas stamp and die set for the bow
Stampin Up for the embossing folder
Altnew ink cubes for the ink to stamp the poinsettia
Some holograph paper in my snippets stash for the bow
SU Glitter enamel dot for my poinsettia center

Rudolph Days and Snippet Playground Challenges

Edit-I was racking my brain trying to figure out who I saw this card by that I CASED, then Carol from "Our Little Inspirations" emailed me and it literally dawned on me that it was her card I CASED! Here is her original post. Her card is more pretty than mine, but I am still happy with how mine came out.

Hello my crafty friends, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm back today so I can play in two challenges, Rudolph Days and the Snippet Playground. I'm coming in just under the wire with Rudolph Days so I need to get moving here. 

My card was done with all snippets except for the card base. This was a Pinterest inspired card, so NOT my idea. I did this with my teacher buddies at one of our card making sessions and we made a lot of different ones. This is the one I am sharing today. 

Here is a little collage of some Charleston pictures that I thought you might enjoy. Just a few of the market place, some sweet baskets, the original narrow homes, the iron work and the harbor. And a picture of the steel they put through the homes after a huge earthquake years ago. That is the third photo on the left going down-some homes they "concealed" them as decorations, this house had not. 

As always thanks for stopping by and visiting with me a spell. Your comments always bring me sunshine and joy and I thank you for that! 

Crafty hugs,

Card Recipe:
quilt die-Gina Marie
snowflake-Simon Says
sentiment-My Creative Time

NBUS Challenge

Hello my crafty friends, sorry I haven't posted in a while. I have been making some cards though. Just haven't been in the mood to post and I've been trying to catch up with my commenting, or catching up as best I can. Mowing has begun and that will keep me very busy as well as keeping after the weeds. You know how it goes. I'm hoping Bret will be able to help me out some with it this year. At least the spraying part of it. I really don't mind mowing when I'm up to it. Anyway, I guess I'm saying the posting might be sporadic at best. Ok, I know I haven't posted regularly since Dwayne passed. I'm trying to get there, honest! Plus I've torn my room apart even more, so it is getting harder to get at my supplies. I do have my stamps and a few supplies in the guest bedroom, so that is helping so I can do some cards. I really want to get at my scrapbooking though, but until my room is done, that isn't going to happen! And yes, I've been really slow working on it!!! Sad I know! Savannah has spring fever and insists on going out to play or for a walk, so she is still keeping me busy as well. lol I guess you can tell who is the boss! My elderly lady is doing well and I enjoy her company. She is such a sweetie!! So that is what is going on in my neck of the woods. 

Ok, I wanted to enter Darnell's NBUS and Boo Boo Challenge. I don't have any boo boo's, not because I don't make them but because I forget and don't take pictures of them! I've got to try and remember her April 1st challenge in the future. But I have been slowly chipping away at my mountain of NBUS! I believe I used 7 NBUS's!!! So before the door closes on her challenge, which I believe is tomorrow, I am entering my card(s). As always the recipe will be at the bottom of post and if you want links let me know. I tend to be lazy and don't always put them in. As always thank you for stopping by and spending some time with me, your comments sure do make my day especially when I am feeling extra lonely. Ok here we go!

an encouragement card

 Made several of these for the younger grands.Just thought these bunnies were to cute! Used the same design as I used on my Snowman card. Love these peeking stamps from MayMay Made It!

 Inside of the bunny cards.

 This panel was in the UFO box for a few years, so got it out and stuck it on a card base.

 This stamp was sent to me from Brenda over at Inkspired to Stamp. Thanks Brenda!!! I love it!

 Using the negative from the border from the card above. Oval dies from Momma Mary. Thanks Momma Mary, I am so loving the x stitching on these dies!!!

 Don't these little chicks make you smile?!!! The mat dies came from Momma Mary over at  Carolina Cards. Thanks Momma Mary, I just love these dies!!! 

Crafty hugs,

Card Recipe:
Card One:
Altenew Spring Daisy-NBUS!
My Creative Time for the sentiment
Misc. inks and sequins

Card Two and Three:
Maymay Made It Hare Peeking stamp set-NBUS!
My Creative Time Stitched Postage Dies-NBUS!
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Bristol Watercolor Paper

Card Four:
Negative Die Cut from Cricut, can't remember the Cartridge
Cardz TV Easter Blessings for the sentiment
My  Creative Time Stitched Butterflies
Bow-not sure

Card Five and Six:
Stamplorations Dee's Artsy Impressions stamp set-didn't see a name per say on it. From Brenda-NBUS!
Cardz TV Easter Blessings for the sentiment
Gina Marie Scallop Dies
Die-namics X Stitched Oval Dies-NBUS!
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Bristol Watercolor Paper

Card Seven:
Die-namics Rectangular Zig Zag Dies- From Momma Mary, NBUS!
My Creative Time Hello Spring stamps
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Bristol Watercolor Paper

Rudolph Day for Feb. & Snippet's Playground Challenges

Hello my crafty friends, I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday!! We are having a bright sunny day here, but it is chilly willy again and windy. Savannah doesn't know what to think now that I won't go out to play or walk. Hopefully the warm temps will make a come back soon even though for this time of year, we shouldn't have had those warm temps. 

I have another stacking layer card for you today that I made for Rudolph Day. Rudolph Day is held the 25th of each month until the midnight on the last day of said month, each month but Dec. but don't quote me on the month of Dec. It's all about Christmas cards/projects and getting them done before Christmas so you can spend quality time with your family and friends at a very busy time of year. I turned this stacking layer card into a Christmas card, or at least I hope it kinda' looks like a Christmas card. I used foil cardstock or mirror paper snippets behind the cutouts. I used green, blue and a copper color. Loved how they looked! But what to do next? I went through my Christmas die's and decided on this wreath with some holly and berries. I kinda' wished I would have used a stag now, but there you have it. It is what it is. I cut the wreath from the cooper paper even though it looks gold in the photo, it isn't! The holly I cut using the same green foil paper snippets and cut the holly leaves. I didn't have any red mirror cardstock and my red glitter paper snippets where more on the pink side, so didn't really want to use them. So I went with plain old red cardstock snippet to cut the berries. No sentiment on the outside as I just don't think it lends itself to one, so it will be on the inside. I'm not quite sure I like the wreath on this card but it is done so the way it will stay. What do you think?? Should have used a stag right???? I didn't make 4 of this card, but intend to make some more here, maybe even today, but will use the stag I think. lol 

As always I want to thank you for stopping by and visiting with me a spell. Your sweet comments always bring lots of joy and sunshine to my other wise dull days. So thank you!!

Since I used snippets on this card, I'm joining in over at the Snippet's Playground this week. Haven't been over and played in a while now and I miss everyone. Lots of fun at the playground and maybe you might want to join in too! All you have to do is use snippets (scraps) on your project!

I am leaving you with a photo of Savannah and Bret while he was home last weekend. And a sunset photo that was just beautiful. I was surprise that my phone got such a great photo of the sunset and accurate one as well. And the last picture was of the storm that came through yesterday bringing the cold front in. Yep, that is hail and I was thankful that I had a garage to house my car! Lots of damage around Central PA and they are even investigating to make sure there was a tornado that went through an area. Glad it wasn't here!

Crafty hugs,

Card Recipe:
Gina Marie Wreath die set
Lori Whitlock SVG cutting files for the stacking layers

Ouch!

Hello my crafty friends, I hope you are having a wonderful week! One more day before the weekend starts, hope you have a fabulous one!

I have two cards for your today, get well cards. I made three, but....mailed one off before I got a picture of it. Here, I was just using the die cut scallop frame from Gina Marie and use the negative part on the second card. I love that ban aid, don't you?! The hearts also are in the stamp and die band-aid set. Well I think I'm up to 19 cards now. Can you believe it?!!

As always I thank you for stopping by and visiting a spell. Your visits and comments always bring such sunshine and joy to my life. I will be by and visit you too soon! Any questions, please just ask in the comments or email me. 

Crafty hugs,

Card Recipe:
My Creative Time for the band-aid and hearts and sentiment "ouch"
Gina Marie scallop frame
Can't remember where my "thinking of you" came from, sorry.