Brittany Turns 18!

This is the layout I created using the sketch at Scrappy Sunday on PCP. The PP and adhesive stickers are from a scrap pad I purchased at Michaels. The paper flowers, sparkles and buttons are CTMH. I also added a bit of ric rac from my rather large ribbon stash :~)

Thinking of you...

I made this card for Grandpa Harry in NY. He's going to be hospitalized and we wanted to let him know our thoughts and prayers are with him.

I can always count on the talented ladies over at Unscripted Sketches to get me started with a FAB sketch:) I've never used a photo on a card before, but I LIKE it!!! The credit for the color combo goes to a fairly new challenge, Jazzy Inspirations. Check them out if you havent already. There's blog candy up for grabs and a shot at being a Guest Designer. The music is really cool, too ;~)

Although it doesn't show well in the photo, I used my Fiskars texture plates to add a swirly design to the black CS and since I don't own any Nestabilities yet :( I had to create the blue mat piece by cutting out brackets with my cricut and using the center portion. It's not exact, but close. I added a Just Blooms paper flower with a button center, a bit of polka dot ribbon and stamped the sentiment using the CTMH Comforting Thoughts SS.

Thanks for visiting and leaving me such nice comments!!! It always makes my day :~)

Kindness Begins with Me

I love the sentiment on this one and that kitty cat is just too cute!!! I bought this SS from Stampin' Up a couple years ago and only used one stamp out of it. I'm really trying to use more of the things I already have before buying new stuff LOL The pretty PP was part of the blog candy I won last week...thank you very much Pat:) Today's project qualifies for the following challenges:

Pile It On~watercolors
The Pink Elephant~ animals
Kaboodle Doodles~ buttons and ribbon
Stamps & Smiles Project Tuesday~sour cream container
Papertake Weekly~ pick your color combo(pink, green, black, grey, white, yellow, lilac)I used all but pink :)

I'm giving this candy holder to DH. He does so much for us and I wanted him to know how much we love & appreciate him. The inside contains Dark Chocolate Kisses-his favorite!

I made the Top 3 Scoops at Pile It On!!!

OMGosh, I am so excited and just had to share!!! I was just checking out the new challenge for this week and was so surprised to see I had made the "top three" for this card! Thank you Thank you Thank you :~)
If you want to play along, visit the Pile It On Challenge. This week you must use watercolors and, as always, combine with at least one other challenge. I'll be creating something later on today.

Emmalee at the Parade

Here is my entry for the Scrappy Sunday challenge on PCP. I haven't had time to do many layouts recently, but with this great sketch, I was able to put this page together rather quickly :) The papers are from one of those 12 x 12 scrap pads that I got for only 50 cents when I worked PT @ Michaels. They were coming apart and the manager was just gonna throw them out! *GASP* I made the pinwheel from a 3.5 x 3.5 piece of pp and attached with a brad in the center. The silk flowers are from Offray and the pearls are K & Co. The title is CG, and I journaled on adhesive vellum. Hope you like it!

Jesus is the reason...

Trying to catch up on all the challenges I participate in regularly. This card is for the Saturday Sketch challenge at PCP and Cute Card Thursday. If you would like to play along, just click on the appropriate blinkie in my sidebar.

CTMH supplies: "Everlasting" PP; No Greater Love SS; Colonial White brads; ; Black, Cranberry & Desert Sand inks; circle Coluzzle template; paper piercer
Other: Ribbon

Unscripted Sketches 15

Ok I FINALLY found some time to papercraft today-YAY!! It is sooo hard to get back into it, when I take a break. Here is my take on this week's sketch over at Unscripted Sketches. I decided to dig into my stash today and use some supplies I have been neglecting. These were papers and embellies that I won at a Scrapbooking Bingo a couple years ago :~) I try to combine challenges when I can, and this card also meets the criteria for the challange at OCC. You had to use 3 different embellies and I used ribbon, brads and twine.

I'm a WINNER!

I woke up to the nicest surprise this morning. I won my very first blog candy!!! So cool :~) Pat is giving away candy every week until her birthday in August, so visit her blog here to see her beautiful work, give her some love and then you could be a winner too. Thank you, Pat!!!

No time for papercrafting today :( Spent some time with my family, enjoying the BEAUTIFUL weather we've been having. We went to the parade and carnival in the small town we used to live in. I love this pic of Emma. She seems to be saying "Really??? MORE fire trucks??? *sigh*" She enjoyed collecting the candy they threw though, and a terrific time riding the rides at the carnival. Her favorite was the "loopy coaster" which she rode all by herself :~)

I Love Nana!

I created this LO following sketch #27 at 52 sketches/52weeks. The pic is of me and my Nana at Christmas last year. The journaling is a chinese proverb, "One generation plants the seeds, and another gets the shade." So true :~)

CTMH supplies: "Aspen" Level 2 PP; Rustic Alphabet SS; Outdoor Denim ink and button; clear sparkles; silver brads Other: cricut cut snowflake

Friends are like pockets...

I created this card using a sketch from this week's Pile It On challenge. I'm also submitting it over at Our Creative Corner where they asked to see a "Pet Parade". I think that lil froggy is just too cute for words :~)

CTMH Supplies: Emporium PP; Just Blooms paper flowers; Sweet Leaf, Cocoa, Crystal Blue and Creme Brulee CS; White Daisy brads; Vineyard Berry ribbon; Black and Barn Red inks; corner rounder; oval coluzzle tempate
Other: Stampin SS; googly eye

What...No Layers???

Here is my card for the Saturday Sketch Challenge over at PCP. No layers of CS or PP allowed. Even though my style is pretty minimalistic, this was HARD for me. Sorry the pic isn't better. I was visiting/crafting at Mom's and the lighting isn't so good there.

CTMH supplies: White Daisy CS; The Best Way SS; Chocolate & Garden Green inks; colored pencils; black ribbon rounds; circle coluzzle template

I am so blessed...

Here is my card for today's Mojo Monday sketch. I used the Secret Garden paper kit from Stampin' Up. I'm gonna surprise my Mom with this when she gets home from work today. She does so much for my family, and I want her to know how much she means to all of us :~)

Thanks-a-Melon!

It's been a few days, but I was finally able to craft a bit today while visiting with my mom. This card is my entry for three challenges. The sketch is from Unscripted Sketches 14 and the color combo is for The Color Dare. Cute Card Thursday asked us to show them our Thank You's. Hope you like it :~)

CTMH supplies: Hollyhock, Blush, Garden Green & Vanilla Cream CS; Black, Garden Green & Hollyhock inks; Summer Sweetness SS; silver brads; Black ribbon rounds; paper piercer; corner rounder
Other: paper flowers, CG sentiment

Wild Birthday

So I have been a bit behind this week, playing catch-up after the holiday break, and I just can't seem to find my mojo. But here it is...my card that combines 3 challenges. That's a first for me.

The sketch is from Mojo Monday , and just a reminder, it's "Mojo Madness" this week so your entry could be a winner :~) The Pile It On challenge was to use 3 or more DIFFERENT embellishments, and over at The Pink Elephant you had to use your favorite color combo. Of course, in honor of this being my first time participating, I just had to use a pink elephant LOL What do you think?

CTMH supplies: "Silhouette" PP; It's a Zoo SS; Blush, Black, Bamboo & White Daisy CS; Hollyhock ricrac and button; Black embroidery floss; White Daisy brads; Just Blooms paper flower; liquid glass(to accent water squirts)
Other: googly eye

Unscripted Sketches 13

Here is my take on this week's sketch over at Unscripted Sketches. If you haven't checked it out yet-GO! The DT always has such fabulous creations :~)

CTMH supplies used: Buttercup, Garden Green and Colonial White CS; Thoughts of You, Playful Flourishes and For Every Occassion SS; Chocolate and Garden Green inks; watercolor pencils; clear sparkles; foam tool Other: ribbon

You Make Me Happy

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday...we sure did :~) I took a bit of a break from crafting and the computer to spend time with my family, but I am back at it today. This is a card I made using the "Tickled Pink" kit and Saturday card sketch on PCP.

Happy Birthday, Brittany Michelle!!!!

First Christmas(5 months old)...

Now...

Our little girl is 18 today!!! I still remember vividly of all 4 labors/deliveries hers was the easiest & quickest...Britt was so anxious to come into the world! But let me tell you, NOTHING has been easy since LOL She has always been, well to put it nicely, stubborn, independent and headstrong. Of course I have mixed emotions...and she admitted last night she does too. Torn between being happy and having the freedom that comes with being an "official" adult-but kind of sad and scared of the responsibility too. I already posted a pic of the card I made for her, but wanted to share the verse I borrowed for the inside of her card.

Our beautiful daughter, oh how you’ve grown…
not a child now, but a woman,
Just at the cusp of the future…
your little girl curls gone,
your sparkling eyes so
full of dreams and promises for tomorrow…
We can’t be sad to see you grown up and glowing,
for this is the moment we’ve been preparing you for…
We look at you and see beauty, innocence and the spirit of youth…
We always knew that this day would come,
just didn’t think it would come so quickly…
like a flash the years have flown by,
and each moment has etched itself
into who you have become and what you will be…
We may weep and sigh as you move forward apart from us,
but we will cheer with pride
when you finally fly away on your own wings…
We’re your biggest fans!
We love you so much, Brittany!!

Here’s to a year of fun-filled days
with everyone who is lucky enough to know you!

Brittany has never been one for big parties and attention, so we are just having ice cream cake after supper tonight-just us and her boyfriend, Adam :~)

Unscripted Sketches 12

I was too busy yesterday to play along at Unscripted, but I made time today :~) I am trying different color combos-stepping out of my comfort zone just a bit. For this card I used Olive,Bamboo,Chocolate & Sorbet. Also, I usually use more PP but this time dug into my tool stash and used my Fiskers Texture plates for the background. The flowers and sentiment are from the Friendship Word Puzzle SS. I stamped the flowers twice and cut one set out,then attached with Colonial White brads. I placed a few clear sparkles underneath and tied some Chocolate grosgrain ribbon to the side. Just a lil PP from "Evensong" was used to make the corner accent. The matted piece is mounted with pop dots and the scallop effect at the bottom was created using my corner rounder.

Endless Love

I didn't have alot of time today, as I went to the mall & library (two of my favorite places) so this was a quick card. The sketch is from the Saturday challenge on PCP. I used "That's Amore" PP and the circle of flowers and sentiment are from the Endless Love SS. I added a blush brad to the flower center and attached popdots. I also used a pewter photo hanger with a bit of ribbon tied. Ta-da!

Cute Coin Purses

These little coin purses are just so darn cute! I MUST have one!!! I have a wallet that my Mom bought for me at Christmas Tree Hill that I'm happy with, but it has this teeny zippered pouch inside that won't hold fifty cents without bulging and then I can't even get it shut. And hey, I'm too glam to carry one of those little plastic coin thingies that you squeeze to get the change out of LOL So this lil pretty shall be mine ;~) You can check out all the fabulous varieties and designs in Fieldofroses' Etsy shop.

Friendship Garden

As soon as I saw this sketch I thought this stamp set was perfect for the teeny windows. The sketch is from a group I just joined on PCP, and the color combo was inspired by Color Dare 22.

CTMH Supplies used: Creme Brulee, Hollyhock, Colonial White & Olive CS; Boom-Di-Ada PP; Friendship Garden SS (retired); Hollyhock, Autumn Terracotta, Olive & Buttercup inks.
Other: ribbon

I Don't Fetch!

I LOVE this picture of my kitty Whiskers. He was the very first friend I made at the Animal Rescue where I worked. I snapped this photo of him sleeping on my Reeboks on the treadmill. I didn't really mind-it was a good excuse not to exercise that day LOL I know it's hard to see the details, but if you click the photo it will enlarge. I created this layout using a sketch from Scrappy Sunday. The papers and embellies are from a kit by Karen Foster.

SSS Challenge

OOOH I came across another great challenge-ALWAYS looking for new layout challenges. I like to make cards too, but I enjoy the scrapbook sketch challenges cuz they force me to get more pics out of the boxes and into albums. Anyhoo HERE is the challenge-to make a page about outside/nature. This LO of Emmalee enjoying time in her kiddie pool with the sun shining and the bee buzzing around, seemed perfect. I used a sketch from PCP for inspiration, and although some of you may have already seen it, I'm posting now to enter to win some cool digi stamps. Wish me luck :~)

An *adorable* frame in minutes...

This one shows the 3D embellishments a bit better...

I love quick and simple projects. This cute frame was a kit I picked up at Big Lots for just a few $$$. You never know what treasures you'll find in those discount stores! The papers are K & Co/Brenda Walton. I've always loved her designs from the first time I saw her on a scrapbooking segment on QVC. This is going on my nightstand-something to make me smile when I wake each AM :~)

Tag You're it!

Here is what I came up with for Cute Card Thursday. The challenge was to use a tag somewhere on your card. I got my inspiration from a pattern in Originals and the "Life Delights" PP. It's basically a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 pocket card. I stamped and cut out the flower and leaves in the From Me to You SS. The sentiment is from that same set, and the border at the bottom of the tag is from the Friendhip Word Puzzle SS. I added chocolate ribbon and a blush button to complete the tag. Whew, almost done-I just have to do a layout for Scrappy Sunday and I'll be back on track!!! I'll save that for tomorrow LOL

A card for Nana

Here is my card for Mojo Monday #92. I'm gonna send it to my Nana in FL. I miss her terribly and don't get to see her nearly as often as I'd like :~( I'm sure she'll love it!

CTMH Supplies: Spring B&T (retired); White Daisy & Sweet Leaf CS; Delight in Everything & For Every Occasion SS; clear flower button; embroidery floss; Blush, Sweet Leaf & Black ink
Other: ribbon

TECC73

I'm trying to play "catch-up" and get the challenges I missed last week done, so that I only have to do ONE per day LOL Here is Friday's sketch from Taylored Expressions. I am currently working on cards for birthdays in July and August and the Good Times PP is PERFECT for celebrations. I paper pieced and glittered the cupcake from the Good Times SS. The lil sentiment yay! is from the For Every Occasion SS. The scallop edge was created with the Fiskars "threading water" punch. A bit of twill ribbon and a photo clip and this one is DONE :~)

Happy 20th Wedding Anniversary

Another FABULOUS sketch from the gals at Unscripted!!! I really had fun with this one! As soon as I saw the sketch I knew I would use my coluzzle file folder template to make the tabbed accents. Perfect to tuck away precious love letters ;~) I chose the "Silhouette" PP and layered strips of CS on the left side. The "lacy" edge was made with my new Fiskars Lacy Days of Summer border punch (one of the prizes I won in the Scrappy Sunday challenge). I wrapped the ribbon around the page and tied on the "cherish" metal charm with embroidery floss. The title was cut out with my cricut and I used a punch for the scallop circle, making holes all around with my paper piercer. Finally, I stamped the words bliss & treasure from the CTMH Adorable SS and adhered to each tab. Hope you like it!

Amazing!!!

This is something quite special... it's a magnificent series of photos
of hummingbirds I received via email. Click here to view. Keep in mind the egg is smaller than a tic tac and a quarter fits the opening of the nest! It took 24 days from birth to flight. Be sure to click on NEXT PAGE at the bottom of each page; there are 5 pages in all. Because you'll probably never in your lifetime see this again, enjoy and please share :~)

Trying something new...

Here is my attempt at the Mojo Monday sketch this week. I rarely use anything NOT CTMH, but I saw this stamp and fell in LOVE!!! She's from the C.C. Designs Gingersnaps collection-super cute, right? No copics yet :~( so I just used watercolor pencils. I have a dear friend I met while working at the Animal Rescue who moved away, and sadly we didn't KIT. I decided I'd send her this card to "catch up". Thanks for looking!

CTMH supplies: "Let's Get Together" PP; For Every Occasion SS; Black & White Daisy CS; black bitty brads; cranberry brad; Just Blooms paper flower Other: ribbon, silver bookplate

"Next Blog"

Good morning! TGIF!!! The sun STILL hasn't peeked through yet but at least it's not pouring down rain. That's been the case for too many days lately :~(

I just realized there is a "Next Blog" feature and decided to scroll through. Well the very first blog that came up was this, and my mouth is watering LOL I couldn't read any of the text, but WOW the food looked so YUMMY! MMMM...chocolate!!! I must go get myself something to eat and then I'm gonna make something pretty :~)

OMGosh I'm so glad the Father's Day cards are FINALLY finished!!! I have such a hard time creating masculine cards. I can't wait to make something with flowers and ladybugs tomorrow LOL. These cards are for DH's father and stepdad. I hope they like 'em :~)

Fishing Card CTMH supplies: "Rustic Trails" PP; For Every Occasion SS; silver brads; Originals Card Confidence Program. Other: sticker from Sticker-a-Day calendar kit.

Shirt Card CTMH supplies: "Sasparilla" PP; White Daisy button; Love of My Life SS; pattern borrowed a couple years ago from a fellow CTMH consultant on the BB.

"Snappy" Father's Day!

Here is a look at the inside...

I made this card for MY Dad. I know it's corny, but I think he'll get a kick out of it LOL Thanks for looking :~)

CTMH supplies: "Lazy Days" (retired) PP and Stickease; *NEW* It's a Zoo , Fun Times, and Love of My Life (retired)SS; silver brads; Black, Olive & Desert Sand inks; foam tool; edge distresser; Originals Card Confidence Program. Other: Googly eyes

Love at FURst Sight!

Here is my interpretation of Unscripted Sketches #10. Most people did cards, but I am seriously behind in my scrapbooking, so I decided to do a layout. Thanks for looking!

CTMH supplies: Pawsitively Paws PP(retired); Just Blooms paper flowers; Garden Green brads Other: cat themed brads from LSS

What a Great Day!

OK this one is my submission for the Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge. I used the cracked glass technique on the stamped image, and I backed the clear buttons with pattern paper and then threaded with embroidery floss. I used my corner rounder with the guard removed to create the scallops on the semi-circle and tied a length of Chocolate ribbon to finish it off. Hope you like it!