Thursday, October 31, 2024

we all float down here

 I LOVE Halloween and I go a little crazy with the theme during October. hee hee  I'm definitely a little sad that it's almost over!!!  I'd like to enter this tag into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

I Love ProMarkers - Anything Goes/Optional Flowers

The Outlawz - Anything Goes in a Card Free Zone (Optional Name Game)

613 Avenue - Anything Goes

Paper Funday - Anything Goes/Optional Fall Colors



I created my tag, which is a material that is sort of like Yupo, by dripping alcohol ink down it from the top, and then dripping a tiny bit of black down.  I colored this adorable clown from The Greeting Farm (Stamptember collaboration set with Simon Says Stamp!) with alcohol markers and then used some Diamond Glaze on the balloon.  Balloon die cuts were edged with some black ink and I attched a little red gem sticker to the center of each one.  I printed out the sentiment myself and attached that and the clown with foam dimensional tape.  Peace.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

a touch of magic

 Hi friends!  Kids were here all morning, they are exhausting and exhilarating at the same time!  :)

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Just Us Girls #750 - Stencil Week

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Stencil It

Stencil Fun - Anything Goes/Optional Halloween

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

We Love 2 Create #10 - Anything Goes



I created my background by using Distress Inks on watercolor paper and then using a harlequin stencil with some baby wipes.  My stamp is from Woodware Craft Collection, stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with a clear embossing powder.  Sentiment is a sticker strip. Peace.

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Welcome to the Witching Hour

It's late and I'm tired, so no chattiness from me tonight.  LOL  I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

CAS on Sunday - Use a Corner

Try it on Tuesday - Make it Magical

Papercraft Challenges #111 - Spooky Season

Creative Crafting Uncles #58 - Halloween

Gem of a Challenge #21 - Anything Goes



I really struggle with clean & simple cards so when I saw the prompt for the CAS on Sunday challenge, I decided to really challenge myself.  I used a cauldron die for the corner and some gemstone stickers as the "smoke".  I wish I could tell you who the die was from, but when I first started buying dies, I bought a magnetic book to hold them in and I never thought of saving the packaging!  I have since started doing that and sliding the cardboard backing from the die set on the opposite side so I can reference it.  Anyway, I added a sentiment stamp from Woodware Craft Collection.  Peace. 

Monday, October 28, 2024

'tis the season to be spooky

 Last night, for the 2nd time this year, I had this weird "cold spell" where I was absolutely freezing and could not get warm for several hours.  I went to bed shivering, wearing pants, warm socks, a hoodie, and had 3 blankets on me... it was awful.  I wonder if it's got anything to do with hormones and stress and all that?  The human body is amazing and sometimes annoying.  LOL  Anyway, the card below is for the following challenges:

Polkadoodles #43 - Anything Goes

Digi Choosday Week 42 - Anything Goes

Gem of a Challenge Week 41 - Anything Goes

Fab n' Funky #603 - Autumn/Halloween

Conjurer of Dreams - Anything Goes/Optional Witch Wisdom



The mermaid digi is from Sweet November Stamps, colored with alcohol markers and Stickles Glitter Glue.  I added a bat die cut and a cute bat paperclip. Peace.

Sunday, October 27, 2024

I Need 20 Minutes

 Yesterday I sat at the computer while my husband read me scores from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  We run a cannabis competition that culminates in a big trade show at a local convention center in Worcester, Massachusetts every year on Veteran's Day weekend.  October is so busy for me, I tend to cry a lot.  LOL  I'm a crier - I cry when I'm happy, sad, hurt, mad, stressed - I think you get the point. So I FORCE myself to take a break and spend time in my craft room when I feel myself getting completely stressed out.  Two years ago I had a grand mal seizure on October 28 - I was dehydrated and super stressed out - and I've learned to take better care of myself since then. So here's today's stress-relieving project that I'd like to enter into the following challenges:

WeLove2Create #10 - Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes (Optional Lots of Leaves)

Fab n' Funky - Autumn or Halloween

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers #255 - H is for Halloween

Try it on Tuesday - Halloween



Hocus Pocus is one of my favorite Halloween movies - I combined the Full Moon set (sold out) and the Wackadoo set, both from Ink Road Stamps. I stamped the images using Versafine Black ink and a clear embossing powder. My background was made by using Lindy's Magicals on watercolor paper - I chose colors that I wouldn't normally choose and I love the way this came out.  I also love the way that the Lindy's Magicals work - you get different results every time.  They're literally... magical.  LOL  Peace.

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Have a Scary Halloween!

OK so Halloween is my favorite holiday and I've been having so much fun making Halloween cards!  I'd like to enter this one into the following challenges: 

Creative Knockouts #533 - Halloween or Fall

We Love Stamping - Anything Goes/Autumn

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

A Cut Above - Anything Goes 

Papercraft Challenge - Spooky Season



OK So I literally squealed when I saw the adorable stamp set from The Greeting Farm that was released as a special for Simon Says Stamptember called It's Spooky! I am literally Stephen King's BIGGEST FAN EVER - The Dark Tower and IT are 2 of my all-time favorite novels - so I could not wait to play with this adorable stamp!  I created my background by using Lindy's Magicals on watercolor paper and then used a spooky die-cut frame in black.  I colored this not-so-scary clown with alcohol markers and attached her with foam dimensional tape. I added a little die-cut bat as an embellie.  Peace. 

Friday, October 25, 2024

Moonlit Mischief

My life is a complete whirlwind this time of year!  I wanted to share this card for the following challenges:

Stencil Fun - Anything Goes/Halloween

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts #533 - Halloween or Fall

Just Us Girls #750 - Stencil Week

Halloween Crafts All Year Long #19 - Anything Goes Halloween



I created my background by using Distress Inks on watercolor paper and then spritzing with Tim Holtz Mica Spray Stains.  I used a stencil to create the barbed wire look, then stamped my stamps from Funky Fossil directly on the background.  Peace. 

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

I'm Literally Dead

Today's card is the counterpart of the one I posted on Monday here.  I love how these came out if I do say so myself!  I'd like to enter this one into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Spooky and/or Add Some Purple

Die Cut Divas - Anything Goes on a Card for World Card Making Day

Let's Craft & Create #212 - Anything Goes & Add Purple

Paper Funday #70 - Anything Goes/Optional Autumn Colors

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes



I created my background paper by using Distress Inks & water on watercolor paper and then spritzing with some Tim Holtz Mica Spray Stains.  I stamped Bride of Frank from Unity Stamp Co. directly on my background paper. The sentiment is a stamp from My Favorite Things.  I used some spider and web dies as accents to finish it off. Peace. 

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Boys will love me!

Sliding in sideways here to make a deadline for one of these challenges!  LOL  I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

The Paper Shelter #614 - Halloween or Halloween Colors

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Spooky and/or Add Some Purple

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Halloween/Spooky

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers #255 - H is for Halloween

AllSorts #803 - Anything Goes/Patterned Papers



I used Adorable Cinderella from The Paper Shelter, colored with alcohol markers and Stickles Glitter Glue.  Sentiment is a stamp from Ink Road Stamps.  Papers are from Jillibean. Peace.

Monday, October 21, 2024

Frankly - You're The Best

 I recently won a challenge where the prize was a gift certificate to Unity Stamps.  I instantly became hooked.  LOL  This card below is the result of one of those choices, and I'd like to enter it into the following challenges:

Let's Craft & Create #212 - Anything Goes + Purple

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Spooky + Add Some Purple

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Halloween/Spooky

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes/Optional Twist Autumn Colors

Die Cut Divas - Anything Goes on a Card for World Card Making Day



I created this awesome background by using Distress Inks, water, and some Distress Sprays on watercolor paper.  I stamped Frank directly on the background, then colored him with alcohol markers.  I added some barbed wire die cuts and a skull & crossbones charm from my stash, then finished it off with some purple rhinestone stickers and a couple of screw brads. Peace.

Sunday, October 20, 2024

the happiest moment

 Popping in quick to post for today's challenges:

Die Cut Divas - Anything Goes on a Card for World Card Making Day

A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

AllSorts - Anything Goes/Patterned Papers

Creative Knockouts - Use Your Fave Embellishments


The daughter of one of my childhood best friends got married last weekend, and it was such an honor to be a part of it.  Makenzie is the sweetest redhead I know and her new husband Joe is a doll, they make such a perfect couple. This was the card I made for them - I used a corner die cut on papers from My Mind's Eye, a sticker sentiment from a Tim Holtz sticker book, and some gemstone stickers (one of my favorite embellishments, they are just so quick and easy and pretty!).  The digi stamp is from Krista Smith, colored with alcohol markers and glitter. Peace.

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Eye See You.

 Busy day making Swedish meatballs for family dinner tomorrow!  It takes me about 4 hours to make them when I quadruple the recipe.  I do not roll them tiny like most people do or I'd be in the kitchen for 8 hours.  LOL  I ended up making 77 meatballs.  I'm looking forward to seeing the kids tomorrow!

I would like to enter this card below into the following challenges:

Crafty Calendar - Anything Goes

Di's Digi Designs - Creepy or Cute

Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers - H is for Halloween

Crafty Gals - Anything Goes/Make it Spooky

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Halloween



I decided to try a technique I saw in an email from Unity Stamps where they created a background on watercolor paper and then used water to stamp the background border stamp, I love how it came out so soft and subtle.  The stamps I used are Spooky Spirits and Entanglement rubber stamps from Unity Stamps, colored with alcohol markers.  Peace.

Friday, October 18, 2024

Spooky

I'm so honored - I was asked to join the DT for A Colorful Life Designs and Polkadoodles and I'm just so excited about both of them!  I'll be starting in December for Polkadoodles and January for A Colorful Life Designs so be on the lookout for some cool stuff!  

For now, I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:  

All Dressed Up #156 - Anything Goes 

Crafty Gals Corner #260 - Make it Spooky!

Digi Choosday #41 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Halloween/Spooky 

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

My image is from All Dressed Up, colored with alcohol markers - papers are from Prima Marketing.  Peace. 

Thursday, October 17, 2024

321 - Autumn

 Hi all!  I have become slightly obsessed with making these backgrounds using Distress Inks on watercolor paper.  I tend to do that - I find a new technique that I love and I can't stop thinking about all of the different ways I can create with it!  LOL  I have so many alcohol ink backgrounds, Gel prints, and watercolor paper with Distress Inks, but I keep making more.  Oh well - it makes me happy, I guess that's actually the point, right?

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes/Autumn Colors

We Love Stamping - Anything Goes/Autumn

We Love 2 Create #9 - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Fall Mood Board





I used Distress Inks on watercolor paper, spritzed with water and then with some Mica Spray Stains (Tim Holtz).  Stamps are from Funky Fossil, stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder then colored with alcohol markers and Stickles.  Peace.

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

EEK!

I don't have a lot of time to spend in my craft room this time of year, but I make a point of taking care of my mental health so I spent a couple of hours in there today!  LOL  I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

LeighSB Designs #33 - Anything Goes/Optional Catoween

Halloween Crafts All Year Long #19 - Anything Goes

Die Cut Divas - Anything Goes on a Card for World Card Making Day

A Cut Above - Anything Goes

Try a Sketch on Tuesday #657





My digi stamp is from Leigh SB Designs, colored with alcohol markers.  I used some papers from my stash and a cool die cut frame with spider webs and a die cut sentiment.  Peace. 

Monday, October 14, 2024

happy halloween!

Super busy preparing for my upcoming event that I run, so just popping in quick to post a card for the following challenges:

Inspiration Station #66


Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Die Cut Divas - Celebrate World Card Making Day

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Mood Board





Kept this one simple, which is hard for me!  Used some DP from Authentique as my background, then a sentiment strip and a cute little black cat die cut!  Peace. 

Sunday, October 13, 2024

Creepier

 I had so much fun at the wedding we went to last night... maybe a little too much... hee hee  Here's a pic of my handsome hubby and I:


We've been married for 31 years now and I would marry him again tomorrow.  :)

I'd like to enter the below card into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Add Texture

Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge - Anything Halloween Goes

Paper Funday - Anything Goes/Optional Colors of Fall

We Love 2 Create - Anything Goes

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes/Optional Autumn Colors



I created my background by using sponge daubers on Distress Ink and blending on watercolor paper.  My spiders & web are actually stickers with little gemstones on them.  I added some extra gemstone stickers and a sentiment sticker from a Tim Holtz sticker book.  Peace.

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Boo!

On our way to a wedding today - one of my best friend's daughter's is getting married and I'm just so happy for her and thrilled to be part of her special day!  I'll share the wedding card I made for her later in the week. 

I'd like to enter this little ATC Coin into the following challenges:

Polkadoodles Week 41 - Anything Goes

LeighSB Designs #33 - Anything Goes/Catoween

Digi Choosday #40 - Anything Goes

Passion for Markers #760 - Anything But Square

Halloween Crafts All Year Long #19



My cute kitty witch is a digi stamp from Polkadoodles, colored with alcohol markers.  I used an ATC Coin punch for the background, punching it from a scrap of watercolor paper that I had distressed for another project.  The purple die cut is from AlteNew called the Circular Elements Die Set.  Peace. 

Friday, October 11, 2024

have a killer HALLOWEEN

Oh my gosh - have any of you gotten a chance to see the Northern Lights???  I am extremely irritated that I apparently missed seeing them in my area by about 30 minutes last night.  I was busy in the kitchen and when I looked at my phone, I saw everyone in my area had posted pics of them from 30 minutes earlier.  I went outside and saw the tail end of it, but not even worth photographing.  I almost cried.  LOL  Hopefully some day!

I'd like to enter this card below into the following challenges:

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes/Optional Autumn Colors

As You Like It - Favorite Card Base Shape and Why (I make most of my cards in a 6 x 4.5" card size simply because I use a 6 x 9" piece of watercolor paper to create most of my backgrounds, so that is the size I get when I cut it in half)

Creative Knockouts #532 - Use Your Fave Embellie (gemstone stickers and die cuts)

Crafty Gals Corner - #260:  Anything Goes/Optional Make it Spooky

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Add Some Texture


I created the backgound with Distress Inks on watercolor paper, then spritzed some Black Soot Distress Ink and some Mica Spray Stains all over the paper.  This gorgeous Bride of Frank stamp is from Unity Stamps, stamped directly on my background paper, then colored with alcohol markers.  I used some Mica Spray Stains & Distress Sprays on watercolor paper and then die-cut the spider web and spooky fence from them.  Finished off with some gemstone pearl stickers.  Peace. 

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Thinking of you

Well, I had to do it.  I had to put the heat on.  LOL  It's getting cold here in New England! We all consider it a challenge, who can wait the longest to turn their heat on.  It's pretty funny.  It seems like one week we have the air conditioning on, and 2 weeks later it switches to heat!  

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

The Paper Shelter #613 - Leaves are Falling

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Use Patterned Paper

Paper Funday - Anything Goes/Optional Colors of Autumn

Papercraft Challenge #110 - Fabulous Fall

Creative Inspiration #19 - Anything Goes



The image I used from The Paper Shelter is called Eyes of Nature, colored with alcohol markers.  Papers are from Doodlebug Designs, the little flower brad is an old one from Stampin' Up! Peace. 

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Moonlit Mischief Cat

 3 of my 4 grandchildren were over for the day, they are just so much fun. I truly enjoy them so very much. We had tubbies and had about 14 snacks and played with Little People and read books.  Tomorrow Jeremy and I are picking up the youngest girl, Mille (she's 2 1/2) and bringing her out to lunch while her mommy takes baby Sage to the doctor!  We're so lucky to be able to spend so much time with these precious kids!

I'd like to enter this card below into the following challenges:

Stencil Fun - Anything Goes/Optional Halloween

We Love 2 Create #9 - Anything Goes

Polkadoodles Week 39 - Anything Goes

Classic Design Challenge - Anything Goes/Fall or Autumn Optional

Crafter's Cafe - Add an Animal

I had made a card similar to this a couple of months ago and someone asked me if they could purchase it - I said yes, but then one of my BFF's mentioned it was one of her favorites so I made another one, a little different, and sent it to her.  I created the background by using Distress Inks with a stencil and water on watercolor paper.  I stamped my stamps from Funky Fossil Designs with Versafine Black and embossed with a clear embossing powder. Peace.

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Her eyes were dark

It's late and I'm tired, so just posting quick for the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Patterned Paper

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Things with Wings

Halloween Crafts All Year Long #19

Double D - To Spook or Not

Classic Design Challenge - Anything Goes/Optional Fall or Autumn


I LOVE Halloween and all things witchy and/or creepy - so I tend to hoard lots of papers and embellishments that go with that type of theme.  I had this cool bat paper in my stash - the stamp is from The Greeting Farm (colored with alcohol markers) and the sentiment is a sticker strip from Tim Holtz.  Peace. 


Monday, October 7, 2024

Happy Birthday - Minnie Mouse

 Life is so crazy, isn't it?  So unpredictable.  My husband Jeremy was raised by his grandparents - his parents were 17 when they had him, and he had a totally happy childhood!  He spent time with his parents but was mainly raised by his grandparents.  His grandfather died in 2009, but Gram managed to live until just last week - she would have turned 94 next month.  Jeremy has really been experiencing some powerful emotions this past week and, as is typical of men, is struggling with dealing with them. Tomorrow we will have the services and I am hoping he'll feel better once it's over.  Grief is such a powerful, personal thing, isn't it?  I want so badly to make it better, to make his pain go away.  It's so hard.  :(

Anyway, here is the card I want to share today and I'd like to enter it into the following challenges:

Classic Design Challenge - Anything Goes/Autumn/Fall

Conjurer of Dreams - Witch Wisdom

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Patterned Paper

Polkadoodles Week 40 - Anything Goes



I used a free coloring page I found online for the Minnie Mouse image, colored with alcohol markers - papers are from Scrapbook.com - I used an alphabet die set for her name (Lya) and finished off with some gemstone stickers.  Peace.

Sunday, October 6, 2024

stand tall

 Busy day - my daughter brought the kids over for the day and I made them tacos and fajitas, we had a fun day!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

613 Avenue - Anything Goes/Optional Lots of Leaves

Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes/Optional Autumn Colors

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Things with Wings

AllSorts - Anything Goes/Falling Leaves



When I make square cards, they are usually 5.25x5.25, which leaves me with another smaller sized card - I save these and use them for simple cards later.  For this one, I used some flamingo papers I had in my stash along with a monstera leaf die - sentiment is from Lawn Fawn.  Peace.

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Hubble Bubble Toil and Trouble

I'd like to enter this card below into the following challenges:

Crafty Calendar - October Anything Goes

AllSorts - Falling Leaves/Anything Goes

Creative Inspiration #19 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Things with Wings

Paper Funday #70 - Anything Goes/Colors of Autumn



I created my background by blending Distress Inks on watercolor paper & misting with water.  My stamps are from Woodware Craft Company - I stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with a sparkly clear embossing powder.  I then used some Stickles to color parts of the image.  Peace. 

Friday, October 4, 2024

Halloween Night

 My husband's grandmother passed away Wednesday morning, she was 93 years old and lived such a long, full, wonderful life. Jeremy was raised mostly by his grandparents, so this one hit extra hard for us.  Gram was the matriarch - and what a matriarch she was.  She welcomed me into the family when I was 21 years old, she never batted an eye when we told her we were pregnant before we were married, she just loved and supported us and loved our babies.  I'll never forget how she made me feel. Her house was the house we went to for holidays, etc.  We have been going through old photo albums looking for pics for the services and it gives you such mixed feelings reminiscing. There's the happy memories and also the grief... and crazy while looking through photos, realizing how many people have passed during our lifetimes. Makes you grateful.

I would like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Conjurer of Dreams - Anything Goes/Optional Witch Wisdom

Double D - To Spook or Not

Polkadoodles Week 39 - Anything Goes

Digi Choosday Week 38 - Anything Goes

Time Out #273




I used some Halloween papers I found in my stash, the digi is from Polkadoodles, colored with alcohol markers.  I finished it off with some gemstone stickers.  Peace.

Thursday, October 3, 2024

If the Broom Fits... Ride It!

 Just got home from my mini vacation - it was awesome, much-needed.  Just wanted to post this quick:


I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Double D Challenges - To Spook or Not

AllSorts - Anything Goes

The Paper Funday Challenge #70 - Anything Goes/Optional Colors of Autumn

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Inkspirational #325 - Headwear



My digi stamp is from Sweet November Stamps, she's colored with alcohol markers.  I found these fun papers in my stash - added some pearl stickers to finish it off.  Peace.

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

The Raven

 Hey there - popping in quick to enter the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Things with Wings

Gem of a Challenge Week 19 - Anything Goes

Polkadoodles Week 39 - Anything Goes

Digi Choosday Week 39 - Anything Goes

We Love 2 Create Challenge 9 - Anything Goes


I created my background by using a piece of corrugated cardstock that I recycled and sprayed with Distress Sprays, Oxide Sprays, and Mica Stains.  I then stamped my texture stamps (Hero Arts) and the raven stamp (Globeland) directly on that and matted it on a piece of black cardstock.  I never took a pic but I then framed this in a really pretty frame and it was a birthday gift for one of my favorite friends. Peace.