Miss Me?

I've surely missed you!! Pardon me why I explain. I've been away for a while trying to get my health issues under control. Well, the doctor's have finally diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia and I'm now on a medication for that condition. It is incredible how much it's helped me. I still have some hip issues, but I'm in therapy for that. So, thank you for all of your prayers! Next......little Miss Maggie turned 2 a couple of weeks ago. I can't believe it's been 2 years since that precious little angel became our granddaughter. And...........she's going to be a big sister!! YES! My daughter-in-law and son are expecting their second child in September. Am I excited??? YES!!!!!!

So, I'm happy to be back crafting and to share my wonderful news with you. Now...since I've been away for a while, I wanted my first crafty project to use a sketch from my fav sketch blog......2Sketches4U.

So, here is my take on Laura's sketch #46: (I flipped the sketch)

I found this precious image online (it's a free vintage image). I printed it, chalked it and cut it with my handy oval cutter. I added this great gingham ribbon, the scalloped edge (Cricut - Accent Essentials), a couple of little butterflies and a few little blue pearls. The paper is from the SEI Morning Meadow collection and it's called Breeze. It has a beautiful shimmer to it. I think this card could be used as a new baby card for a biological or adopted child or even a Thank You card for a baby gift. Well, thanks for stopping by today and I hope to be "seeing" all of you real soon! Hugs........:)

Get Sketchy! #2

Well, I can't post my DT stuff today. Gotta wait one more day. Anyhoo, I decided to participate this week at Get Sketchy and it's week #2. I'm still in the Halloween mode (these are really fun!), so I made another card using this week's sketch. The image is a freebie from

Digital Delights. They give away a freebie every Friday, so be sure to check those out! Also, Digital Delights is having a Grand Re-Opening event and you could win...........drum roll please.........EVERY IMAGE IN THEIR STORE!!! So, hurry over and check it out! There is a Grand Re-Opening logo to the right in my sidebar. Click on the logo and head on over there.

You can check out all the other deets on my card below. Thanks for stopping by today! BOO!

Patterned paper: Making Memories

Digi Image: Digital Delights

Ribbon: Hobby Lobby

Witch brad: Creative Imaginations

Sentiment: Computer Generated and then

cut/embossed using Nestablilites

Orange paper embossed with Cuttlebug

Inspirational Card Sketches - Guest DT

Well, this week is my 2nd and last week to be the guest designer for ICS. I really have enjoyed this and I hope they will ask me again in the future. If you've never participated in their challenges you really should go check them out. The sketches are just fantastic and so, so easy to work with. So this week's sketch (#30) offered up 3 squares in the center. Well, since I've only done a couple of Halloween cards, I used this sketch to conjure up another one. I've used my Cricut to cut out the "creatures", the pumpkins and the grass using Zooballoo, Doodlecharms and Paper Doll Dress Up. Oh, and I used George and Basic Shapes for the pumpkin eyes. I used Stickles for the eyes cause it looks kindy spooky. I added some orange cording and a computer generated sentiment to top it off. So, I hope you enjoy the card and do pop over to ICS for some pure eye candy from the DT. Thanks for stopping by :)

Here's the sketch:

And here is my take on it:

Get Sketchy! #1

There's a new sketchy blog on the block and it's Get Sketchy! Good fun and great prizes so you won't want to miss this one! The sketch this week was really fun. I'm not sure why, but I never make Halloween cards so I thought I'd use the sketch this week and try one on for size. I used some orange and black cardstock and patterned paper from Prima. I cut the spider webs and the spiders from Paper Doll Dress Up and Doodlecharms with the Cricut. The chipboard sentiments are from Creative Imaginations. I added some stickles for the spider eyes. Scary, huh? Be sure to go check out all the DT cards here. They are SWEET! Thanks for stopping by :)

Here's the sketch:

And here's my take on it:

Guest Designer @ Inspirational Card Sketches!

I am so honored to be the Guest Designer this week (and next week) at Inspirational Card Sketches! Dawn asked me to do this a couple of months ago and I'm just excited that she asked me. The design team at ICS does wonderful work and provides such inspiration each and every week. If you've never joined in the fun, you really should! So, this week the sketch was offered up by Tricia and it's a fabulous one. Here it is:

And here is my take on it:

I'm not sure why, but I'm really into making these baby cards lately. The lamb is a little sticker. Isn't she the cutest? I used my Cricut to cut the scalloped circles using Mini Monograms. I used my ScorPal for the lines on the pink cardstock. Baby was cut with the Cricut using Alaphalicious and the sentiment is computer generated. So, head on over to ICS and join in! We would love to see what you come up with this week! Also, there is a prize for the winner!!!!!
Thanks for stopping by :)

CP Sketch #26

I hope you are all having a great Sunday! I've been working on some DT stuff for the last couple of days, but I did get a chance to make a birthday card. I'm using the Card Patterns sketch #26, shown above. I used the new Basic Grey June Bug papers on this one. I love those papers!! The polka dot paper is from Little Yellow Bicycle. I used a couple of Cuttlebug embossing folders, a Martha Stewart punch, added some bling and bows to the little "gifts" and some cardstock from HL. The sentiment says, "It's ok to have everything you want". The inside will say, "Especially on your Birthday!". Hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by :)

TPE #24; 365Cards Day #148 and a Blogaversary!!

First, the challenges. The challenge at The Pink Elephant this week is "Animals". Well, my card is sporting some birds and a worm (that seems to be in trouble!). The 365 Cards challenge is Super Sketchy Sunday and Pam has given us a rather unique sketch. I tried to stick to it, but I'm afraid I may have veered just a little. (Will you forgive me Pam?). I did turn the sketch and my rolling hills are the rounded portion. All of this card was paper pieced, so it took a while, but I love this image by Pink Petticoat!

Now..........it's my ONE YEAR BLOGAVERSARY!!! It was one year ago today that I started my blog. I can't believe it has already been one year! I have had sooooo much fun with this. I've met so many wonderful, creative and oh so talented people thru this crazy outlet. I've visited tons of other blogs that have been filled with so much inspiration and I've even scraplifted a few (with permission of course!). I have been left the kindest, most generous messages here not only regarding my crafting, but also about me personally AND my family. I've gotten the sweetest comments about my precious Maggie and I thank you for letting me share her with you. So, thank you to all of my blogging friends for always popping in and leaving me encouragement. This day kind of snuck up on me, so I'm not quite ready to offer up some candy. Give me a couple of weeks to come up with some great stuff and we'll have ourselves a party over here!!

Thanks for stopping by today :)

Here is the 365Cards sketch for today:

Deets:

Mushroom house image: Pink Petticoat

Birds: Cricut - Home Decor

Papers: Anna Griffin, Colorbok, Creative Imaginations

Brad: stash

Sentiment: Computer generated

Door: Used Cuttlebug and the bird/branch folder

Card Patterns #24

A great sketch, again, at CP this week. I've used some old and new stuff on this one. This card just reeks summertime to me. I am IN LOVE with all of my flip flops (especially my Auburn ones!), so I had to use this really cool flip flop sentiment tag. Be sure to head over to Card Patterns (http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2009/07/sketch-25-and-some-great-news.html)

and check out the eye candy from the DT. Thanks for stopping by today :)

Deets:

Background paper: Basic Grey - June Bug

Green patterned paper: Colorbok - Friendly Forest

Journal tag: Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird

Flower border: Basic Grey - June Bug

Sentiment Tag: Cosmo Cricket - Snorkel

Twine, bling, dragonfly: from stash

Card Patterns Sketch #23

Another great sketch is up at Card Patterns this week. I got to use some of my new stuff that I purchased last weekend at the Scrap Expo. Here is the sketch:

And here is my card:

Deets:

Paper: My Mind's Eye - Penny Lane

Marquee, border, swirl: Cosmo Cricket - Celebrate Life

Good Times Flower: Colorbok - Friendly Forest

Yellow Flower: Prima

Scalloped borders: Martha Stewart punch

Doodling: Sharpie

Gems: Stash

Thanks for stopping by today!

2S4U, Laura's sketch #29

Laura gave us another great sketch this week. I love how the sketches at 2S4U are so versatile. You can really do ANYTHING with them! So, I used some fab Colorbok paper for my background and the little green branch paper is SEI. The cutsey little chipboard pieces are Colorbok from the Friendly Forest collection. I used the hearts embossing folder on my blue paper and added a computer generated sentiment. I bought the Martha Stewart scallop dot border punch last night and I absolutely LOVE it!! Add a little ribbon and some great little buttons and that's it! Thanks for stopping by today :)

The sketch:

And my card:

Cuttlebug Challenge and ICS #23

ICS has a fabulous sketch up this week and I paired it with this week's Cuttlebug Challenge. The CB challenge is to use red, white and blue and buttons and also use the Swiss Dots folder. Well, our oldest son was born on the 4th of July (hey, that should be a movie title!). So, I decided to make his card using the two challenges. I used the Swiss Dots folder and swiped it with a blue ink pad to give it some color. All the stars were cut with the Cricut using the George cartridge. I also used the CB Spots and Dots folder on the large white piece. The red circles are some stickers from Creative Cafe. I also added my white button, twine and some mesh, all from my stash and a little red/white/blue ribbon. Oh, and the little festive paper strings are some slivers of silver/white paper that I cut with my paper trimmer. So, I hope our son likes his card and if his wife happens to see this before his party...............shhhhhh :) Thanks for stopping by today!

Here is the ICS Sketch:

And here is my card:

CP Sketch #21 and The Pink Elephant #21

Card Patterns has got an 'ausome' sketch this week!! Here's the sketch:

Told ya! Also, The Pink Elephants Challenge #21 is "Your Favorite Color Combo". So, I used some yummy papers that I recently won in some blog candy. Evidently this blue and green combo is now my fav :) I cut the scallops with the Cricut using Plantin Schoolbook. Then I added some embossing to it with the Cuttlebug. The image and sentiment are from Pink Petticoat. I printed it twice and cut out part of it from the second copy. I colored the image with Sharpies, added some stickles to the cupcake and some Glossy Accents to the cherry. Then I pop dotted the cupcake and cherry to add some dimension. I added some yummy ribbon and some cute little flowers from Flora Doodles. So, this one is for a friend's daughter for her birthday. Hope she likes it. Thanks for stopping by today!

Kazan's Sketch #29

Great sketch this week by Kazan at 2S4U. The DT over there has some real eye candy with this one, so be sure to go check it out! My card was made for a little lady that's turning 10. I love all these colors together and I think it will brighten her birthday. (at least I hope so!). I won these papers in some blog candy (yummy!) and I used the swirls CB folder on the circle. The little butterflies are an MS punch with a little bling added. The little girl's name is Claire, so I thought the sentiment with the C was perfect-o. The little flowers are Flora Doodles and the ribbon, button and twine are from my stash.

So, this week at 2S4U they are taking it down to the top 5 in the Ultimate Card Showdown. I can't hardly wait to see who wins the grand prize soon. The cards in the contest are absolutely gorgeous and so stinkin' creative! So, go check out the site to see all the goodies. Thanks for stopping by today :)

"I've Been Framed" and CP#20

Well, I needed a last minute birthday card for a VERY special person and today's 365Cards and Card Patterns challenges fit the bill. Day #118 at 365 Cards is "I've Been Framed". You must use a frame on your card. The Card Patterns sketch lent me the opportunity to use scallops, so I used a scallop frame cut from Mini Monograms (Cricut). The papers were part of a pack that I won in some blog candy and I'm not sure who the mfg is, but I LOVE this paper!! The owl and branch were cut from the same paper. I added some cute pompom trim and a little bling for the owl eyes. The sentiment is computer generated. Guess who it's for? Thanks for stopping by today!

Day #110 - My Guy and 2S4U Laura's #28

Two challenges in one today. Well, 3 if you count the fact that any 'man' card is a challenge for ME! So, I used Laura's sketch at 2S4U and the "My Guy" challenge at 365 Cards for today. We were to make a guy card and use argyle paper on the card. I cut the plane and the car from some very cool paper by K&Co. The sentiment was cut from Graphically Speaking (Cricut). I added some washers that I inked up with alcohol inks and a metal tag. I would tell you all the paper mfg's that I used, but I cut it all up before I checked it :)

So, this is the last (YES!) Father's Day card that I have to make. (jumping up and down and yelling like a wild person!). Hope you enjoy it and thank you so much for stopping by today!

Better today.....Day #106 Super Sketchy Sunday..

Well, the mojo is working it's way back. I had a great sketch from Pam today with Day 106 @ 365 Cards. I needed to do a birthday card for a friend's granny. She loves chickens, so I HAD to use one! This one is cut from my cricut cartridge - Animal Kingdom. I added some rafia and some twine, a few little tiles, a cute ribbon and a computer generated tag. I think it looks pretty country. What do you think? Thanks for stopping by today (and thanks to all my well wishers from yesterday!). OOPS!!! Almost forgot........It's Cosmo Cricket week at 365 Cards so be sure to stop by and join in the fun this week!! You "could" win a fab prize!!

Here is the sketch:

And here is my card:

Day #99 - Super Sketchy Sunday

Almost 100 days of 365Cards.....can you believe it?! I've missed quite a few lately, but I always come back because the challenges and all the crafters that participate are just 100% 'ausome'! So, today Pam gave us a cool sketch. When I looked at this I thought of a pennant. So, I sorta made one for an "all star Dad". I flipped the sketch and cut some colored stars from paper by My Mind's Eye. I added a strip pf the paper on the end and cut into it to make a frayed edge. I saw someone else do that (maybe it was Kristie?) and I loved it. I also used my Scor-It and scored some lines in the top right corner. OOPS!!! I just realized that I was supposed to use a dragonfly on my card today in honor of the incredible Jeannie!! OK, so I will make another card and include a dragonfly. So, thanks for stopping by today and be sure to check out all the DT loveliness at 365 Cards today!

Card Patterns #18

Great sketch this week at CP AND a fabulous prize! The prize this week is from Unity Stamp Co and they are fantastic!! I don't own any of their stamps, but I drool over them every time I see one. So, I decided to flip the sketch on it's side and make a Thank You card this time. My stamp is from Hero Arts. I stamped it twice, cut the center out and colored it with my Koh-I-Knor pencils and used some baby oil to smooth. Then I popped up the colored part on top of the other image. I used basic black and pink cardstock and some FAB Basic Grey paper from the Two Scoops line. I added some cute little diamond shaped bling, a little rikrak and a bow. You should go check out all the CP cards this week. The DT really rocked this one! Thanks for stopping by today :)

2Sketches4U - Ultimate Card Showdown!

Well, it's finally here! The 2S4U Ultimate Card Showdown!! This is the 'party' going on over at 2S4U to celebrate their 1st anniversary. I'm so exited to join in the fun and create a card based on Laura's 'ausome' sketch #27 this week. I flipped the sketch on it's side to create my card. There are so many details to this card, so I'm just gonna say.....this one was some work! I hope you all will check out all the amazing cards by Laura and the DT this week and the prize packages for this 1st anniversary are ROCKIN'!!! So, click on my title above and go check it out! Thanks for stopping by today :)

Day #92 - Super Sketchy Sunday

It's day #92 at 365 Cards and it's another sketch. Pam gaves us a great sketch today and I'm so happy to get to participate. My BFF, Julie and her daughter "Rach" came over this morning and stayed until late afternoon, helping me organize my craft room. We went thru a kazillion sheets of paper, tons of flowers, bling, chipboard, rub-ons, die cuts, bling, ribbon and tons of other stuff and IT IS ALL DONE!! Thank you so much guys, the help was much, much appreciated!!

So, here is my card for today's sketch. The paper is from Basic Grey. I love this paper! I cut out the "flower" from one sheet of paper AND the little bee. I added a rub on and scored a line at the bottom. The little bee is popped up off the paper. I'm not sure why some of my pics you can click on and see the larger version, but then others you can't. Anyone know the answer? Anyhoo, this one won't work if you click on it. The sentiment says "honey bunch". Thanks for stopping by today, and as always, your comment really DO support my habit :)