Friday, August 31, 2012

Dilly Beans & Anyone for Anya

Happy Friday!  We got news that Kaylee had surgery on her hip and it went well and that they are going to try to start weaning her off the ventilator today.  Fingers crossed.  Please continue to keep her in your thoughts & prayers.

We have a new challenge today at:


I used green for my additional color, obviously.  :)  I love this Seahorse image from Dilly Beans, and I colored her with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and Stickles.  DP is from My Mind's Eye, ribbon is from SU! Sentiment is from SRM Stickers and gemstone stickers are from my stash.

Next up is my card for this week's:


I had fun with this one and took my time.  I used a cool clock stencil that I have and used a teal ink pad to apply it to white cardstock.  I then stamped Syren from TGF's Creeper Crew in black directly onto the pattern.  I colored her with Prismacolor markers, Prismacolor pencils, and mineral spirits and used Dazzling Diamonds glitter on  her tail and eyes. DP is from Authentique, ribbon and brads are from SU!  I printed out the text in my word processing program.  You know how crafting can be therapeutic?  That's how this was for me.  It was fun to make and I really love how it came out.  Hope you all have a great weekend.  Peace.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Perfect Sentiment & DCC Flowers

I still don't have any news on Kaylee, other than they were giving her a CT scan yesterday.  Please keep praying for her.

Today I have a card for:


I used a pretty freebie from Beyond the Fringe, colored with Copics & Prismacolor markers.  I added glitter, a heart charm, and printed the sentiment on vellum.  I made this for one of my best friends to give to his new girlfriend - I've never seen him so happy and I'm glad she's so special, he deserves it.  Hope she likes it!  Peace.
 

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge: Back to School

Hello all - first, this is a picture of Cass & Kaylee on Cass's 15th birthday in 2010. Cass is on the left, Kaylee is on the right:

I thought it might be good for you to have a picture of Kaylee, so you can keep her in your thoughts and prayers.  We have not received an update as of yet - hopefully by tomorrow I'll know a little more.  Thank you so much for praying for Kaylee.

We have a new challenge for you today at:



Head on over to the challenge blog to see the rest of the DT's creations and to play along.  Peace.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Simon Says Stamp & Saturated Canary

Yesterday morning, my sweet daughter got a phone call at 4:30 a.m. from her friend Missy letting her know that one of their best friends, Kaylee, had been in a serious car accident early in the morning.  Kaylee had driven to Connecticut from Massachusetts on Sunday, to see her boyfriend at his new college dorm.  On her way home early Monday morning, she was in an accident.  We don't know what happened, but we know that she flipped her car over and was ejected because she was not wearing a seat belt.  :(  She has serious injuries including a fractured skull, broken hand, and completely shattered hip (left side).  Cass and I cried all morning and talked about how similar her injuries are to grandpa Richard's... it brought back a lot of those awful memories and we spent the day feeling pretty shell-shocked and in a daze.  Her friends were saying they were going to the hospital to see her but Cass knew from experience that they wouldn't be allowed in.  She also knew that they probably had no idea how bad she was going to look, how serious something like this really is.  Unfortunately, my girl does.  :(

Terrible tragedies like this do bring opportunities to talk and we spent the day talking yesterday.  I have always worn my seat belt, always.  My kids grew up wearing seat belts, it was not optional.  But since Cass has been driving, she never wears it.  It's been something we argue about, and we don't argue about much.  So we talked about that yesterday, and she realized that Kaylee most likely would not have such serious injuries if she had that seat belt on.  She knows she needs to always be wearing her seat belt.  I think this has hit her hard and made her realize that things like seat belts aren't there just to annoy teenagers - they actually have a purpose.  They save lives.  I have been a mess for the past 24 hours, it's just ridiculous the things that run through your head when stuff like this happens.  I'm so thankful that my girl is here safe with me, but I'm so very sorry that she has to see her friend go through this.  We talked about how in an instant, Kaylee's life has completely changed.  She was about to start her senior year of high school.  She was working part-time at a good job, saving money to come visit us on February vacation.  She was planning her life, and now she has to fight to live.  Things can change, just like that.  In an instant.

OK - I could talk about this all day... it's all-consuming.  But today is also my 19th wedding anniversary!  So I'm going to try to pull myself out of this funk and enjoy my day.  We're going out to dinner tonight, just the 2 of us.  We haven't done that since we got here almost 4 months ago, so it should be nice.  I'll keep you posted on Kaylee.

I have a couple of cards to share today, first up I have 2 cards for the:


My first card uses a sweet little girl from By Lori Designs, the 2nd card uses just scraps that I had in my bag of, well, scraps.  LOL

Next up is my card for the:

Saturated Canary Challenge (click to see inspiration photo)

I used Peace & Love Hipster, colored with Prismacolor markers, pencils, and mineral spirits.  I had fun adding girlie embellies on this one, from the rick rack to the butterfly to the flower.  

Say "I love you" to people who need to hear it today.  And be careful, please.  Peace.

Monday, August 27, 2012

HDH Macabre Monday Bad Moon Rising & Cheerful Stamp Pad: Steampunk

Hello everyone - today marks my final week of playing in the dungeon with the marvelous minions at:


I had a blast guest designing with them this month, thanks so much for having me!  I was inspired by a card that my friend Denice sent me, so I need to give her a shout-out.  :)  I thought the shape of this card would make a perfect full moon - I used images from Stamp Insanity, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  My cardstock and DP are from Stampin' Up!  The 2nd part of the sentiment is popped up with dimensional dots in order to double as the stand for the easel card.  I added a star/pentacle charm to the base, as well.  I was quite pleased with how this came out - exactly as I had pictured it in my mind.  LOVE when that happens.  :)

Next up - this is our final week of our challenge at:


After this week, we'll be taking a break until January.  So head on over and play along with us!  I made a tag with lots of metal embellishments and some cool robotic DP from Kaiser Craft.  Peace.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

WW Reminder: Whooo Loves Owls, JSL, DigiStamps4Joy, & Simon Says Stamp: Back to School

Hello there - it's been a busy week!  Cass started her college class - she ended up taking just the English course, but I am so damn proud of her.  It's really, really hard moving so far away from home and not knowing where you're going and feeling out of place.  She got lost on her way home and was really upset - PMS and all that didn't help.  But she and I talked later and she's just such a good kid, I love her so much.  She's so mature for her age, she really is.  I'm so glad she's my daughter.  :)  She likes her college class and wants to take at least 3 classes in the Spring.

So I have a few things to share today - first up is our reminder post at:

Head on over to see the rest of the DT's gorgeous creations!

Next up is our new challenge at:


I am also entering this into the:

and
DigiStamps4Joy:  Back to School

I used one of our new images at Just Some Lines, Back to School Emo Girl, colored with Prismacolor & Copic markers.  DP is from Authentique - alphabet DP is a digi paper from Tiddly Inks.  Sentiment is a sticker from SRM Stickers.  Peace.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Dilly Beans: Hearts

Hello there - happy Friday!  We have a brand new challenge for you at:


I made this cute card for my nephew with Megan's new Luv Bot Framed image, isn't he fabulous???  Head on over to check out what the rest of my fellow fab DT members did!  Peace.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Pholkart Blessings: Pink & Teal

Hi everyone!  Just posting quickly today for the:
 


I used the sweet "Life's a Beach" digi from Pholkart with some cool teal & pink DP - the teal one reminded me of beach wood, for some reason.  I added some colored shells and pink rick rack.  :)  Peace.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

WW ATC Challenge: Whooo Loves Owls? and All That Scraps: Dies

Happy Wednesday!  We've got a brand new challenge for you today at:

I adore owls, I find them to be beautiful, fascinating, mysterious creatures. This reminded me of the old Woodsy Owls commercials, "give a hoot, don't pollute" - so I added the little peace sign and made the background look tie-dye with alcohol inks. Make sure to head on over to the challenge blog to see the rest of the DT's gorgeous creations!

Next up is my card for the:


I used the birdcage die from MFT along with Goth Girl digi image from All That Scraps.  DP is from MME and I added some sparkly stickers and a flower.  I sprayed the whole thing with some pink and cherry Shimmer Mists.
Peace.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Sketch Saturday

Good morning!  Well, my "baby" starts her college classes today!  I can hardly believe it.  Since she's technically supposed to be a senior in high school and is starting college young (she just turned 17), we're having her start by taking just 2 courses, an English and a Math.  We went to the school yesterday and got her books and paid her bill - she's looking forward to starting but she's a little nervous, of course.  I'm really excited for her, and I hope she makes some friends so she'll be happy here!

I really like sketch challenges, but I always want to interpret them quite literally!  It's hard for me to get creative with sketches, but I do love that I can use any images/embellies I want!  So here's my card for this week's:


I used Fae Butterfly Fairy from Delicious Doodles and some paper from Crate.  I added a butterfly charm - I am addicted to charms - and outlined her wings and eyelashes with Dazzling Diamonds glitter.
Peace.

Monday, August 20, 2012

HDH Macabre Monday - Who You Callin' a Succubus?

Hi everyone!  I'm psyched to be back for another week of guest designing for...


We're sponsored by:

And here's my card:

I used KennyK's Elf Queen, colored with Prismacolor markers, pencils, and mineral spirits, to make an anniversary card for my hubby.  We celebrate out 19th (holy shit - am I even old enough to be married for that long???  hee hee) anniversary next week... anyway, I used some digi paper from Shabby Princess (the blue with red splatter) and a scrap of heart paper from my stash.  Ribbon is from SU! I added a heart and key charm, sentiment "I see something fun in your future" is from Whimsie Doodles, the rest of the sentiments are from Sassy Studio's Love Notes.  He'll get a kick out of it, hope you all do, too!  ;)
Peace.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Cheerful Stamp Pad, ADFD, & DRS

Hello everyone - time for a new challenge at:


Our sponsor is The Octopode Factory, come play along with us!

Next up is a card I made for the:

and


I used "Bunny Doll Birthday" from A Day for Daisies, paper pieced with DP from Authentique.  Sentiment is from Dilly Beans.  Pearl stickers and butterfly are from my stash.  Peace.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Smudgy Antics - Dragon Tales

Just posting quick to get my card posted in time for the:


I was a busy girl today - my grate image and "forgotten lore" text are from Smeared Ink, and I found the dragon image here.  I sprayed with silver, gold, and black Smooch Spritzes and used some torn red vellum paper.  Hope you're all having a good weekend! Peace.

WW Reminder & JSL Reminder

Hello there - just posting our reminders today, first up are my ATC's for:



 Head on over to see the details and the rest of the DT's creations!

Next is my card for our reminder post at:



I love this little firefighter image and realize now that I should have written a number or something clever on his hat!  Darn - next time! Anyway, I had these fun little firefighter brads that were dying to be used, and added a sticker sentiment from SRM Stickers.  Head on over to link up!  Peace.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Dilly Beans Bright Colors & Just Some Lines Back to School Bird

Happy Friday!  We have a new challenge for you at:



I used some digi paper and my new dies from MFT (one of my fave so far) along with my Frida image from Dilly Beans, of course.  :)  I colored with Prismacolor markers, pencils, and mineral spirits.  Buttons & word stickers are from my stash.  This card is also being entered into the:

DYSU - Buttons

Next up - this card was made using the new Just Some Lines image Back 2 School Bird from the new Back 2 School collection, isn't he adorable???  I'm entering it into the following challenges:

Crafty Catz - Animals


I colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits, and used a red marker for the apples.  DP is from Crate & Authentique (ruler), ribbon is from my stash.

 We had a fun afternoon at the beach yesterday, we had a barbecue with Jeremy's mom and a couple of her friends.  Here is me & Jeremy:

Here is a good shot of the beach, foggy and windy but still beautiful:

Here is Trev, caught him smiling for the camera which he hates... hee hee

And my girl, Cass:

Have a great weekend!  Peace.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Jellypark - Summer Bugs

Hi friends - heading to our first beach barbecue this afternoon, really looking forward to it!  I am hoping to get some pics, we're going to a beach I haven't been to before and I love getting pictures of all the beaches around here.

For today, I have a card for the:

I used Sitting Fairy and paired her with some cute ladybug embellies and a butterfly charm.  :)  Peace.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

WW ATC Blues, JSL School Bus, and DICC Mermaid

Happy Wednesday!  Busy day today, lots of stuff to share, first up - we have a new challenge for you at:



Our sponsor this week is Michelle Perkett Studio - head on over to see the rest of the DT's gorgeous ATC's made with Michelle Perkett's mermaid images!

Next up today - Just Some Lines created some adorable new new images  with a back-to-school theme,  I made a card with my favorite one called School Bus and it's just perfect for the following challenges:

The Pink Elephant:  Back to School
Digital Tuesday: Child's Play
Eureka Stamps: Back to School
Daisy Doodles Creative Challenge:  Back to School

  My DP is from Authentique - isn't it cute?  And I LOVE that Gasoline Can charm - it's from one of the fabulous finds I discovered at the craft store that's going out of business.  Let's just say I'm sure you'll see it again, as I bought them out.  hee hee

And last for today - it's the 15th of the month, which means we have a new itinerary challenge for you at:

Desert Islands Crafts Challenge


Our sponsor is Simply Betty Stamps, and the DT created with the Merkids line - these images are so much fun to play with!  Head on over to see the rest of the DT's creations and to link up!
Peace.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

All That Scraps, CYDI, & Saturated Canary

Hi all!  Took Cass shopping yesterday with my mother-in-law, Dori.  We had a nice day, hit the outlet mall and then had a delicious lunch.  Cass got some stuff for school and I ended up finding a few more steals at a craft store that's going out of business.  Successful day all around!

For today, my first card is for the:


I used the gorgeous Virgo digi image from All That Scraps along with a Virgo ticket from Stitchy Bear.  The background is a star chart and the Virgo symbol I found on a clip art site.  Added a butterfly charm and sticker letters to spell "virgo".  I plan to send this to one of my best friends next month.

Next up is my card for the:


I used Springtime, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits - I love her as a redhead, isn't she sweet?  These colors were different for me, but I love the way it came out. Peace.

Monday, August 13, 2012

HDH MM Guest Spot & Cheerful Stamp Pad

Hello there - I'm psyched to be back for my 2nd week as a guest designer with the macabre minions over at:

HDH Macabre Monday:  Hiding in the Corners

Our sponsor this week is:

I used an image designed by Delicious Doodles called Black Pearl Mermaid.  I am also entering this into the:

One Stitch at a Time: Anything Goes
and

Creative Inspirations Challenge - Anything Goes


My DP is from Authentique - charms, pearl stickers, and seashells are from my stash.

Next up - we have a reminder post for you at:

 I used the ATC's I made last week and created a set of cards - these fit into the small business envelopes.  I added some ribbons and charms, etc.  I plan to give this set of cards as a gift. Peace.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Tombstone Card & Simon Says Stamp: Bingo

Good morning!  We had a great time at the Gravenstein Apple Fair yesterday - I had my first apple fritters... oh my heavenly goodness!  hee hee   Back East, an apple fritter is like a big pastry or donut that has little pieces of apple in it.  Here, it's more like a sliced apple that has been deep fried and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.  It was delicious.  We walked around for a few hours then came home and went back over for dinner.  Jeremy had a few beers and was feeling a little tipsy - when we got home, he was making the kids laugh hysterically (he never drinks).  Trevor says "Dad, maybe you should drink more often."  We had a great day.

So on to the art!  I had a blast making this card for a challenge:


**NOTE** It has come to my attention that the true artist of this image is Judit.
 
I made my card into a tombstone shape, I colored the image with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and Prismacolor markers.  I added a gothic cross image I found online for the background, and attached a silver gothic cross charm to it.  I dragged my tombstone edges through black ink, added some gray pearl stickers, and some word stickers.  I love how this came out!  :)  

And I also made a little ATC for the:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Bingo Board

I used Die Cuts (from MFT), "Free Space" (digi image/button), and Glitter.  
 Hope you're all having a great weekend!  Peace.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

WW Reminder, JSL, Stampotique, Stamptacular Sunday, & KennyK

Hello there - happy Saturday!  So excited, we're off to the Gravenstein Apple Fair today, which happens to be going on in the park right next to our house!  It should be a good time, and it's cool that we can walk over and not worry about parking!

 We have a reminder post for you over at:

 Head on over to see the rest of the inspiration from the DT & to link up for your chance to win the adorable Frankie Boy & Frankie's Bride images from Pixie Dust Studio.

Next up - we have a new challenge for you at:

 I used Emo Alice, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  I used playing cards of all different sizes, in "hearts" suits, to add to my layers.  Final touch was a few little red heart gemstone stickers.
Next up - I have another altered coaster for you today, this one is for the:

Stampotique Challenge - Sketch
 
and
Stamptacular Sunday (photo inspiration)

 
Here is my coaster:
 I used lots of alcohol inks, covered my coaster in UTEE, and added a piece of crafty tape - I really need to use this stuff more often, it's really cool.
 
And last for today is my card for this week's:
 My favorite ice cream is Peppermint Stick!  I used one of KennyK's freebies, she's called "Hollaback Girl" - isn't she cute?  DP is a digi paper, added some buttons from my stash and a sticker sentiment from SRM Stickers.  Peace.