to the BEACH

 Happy Friday! I've got the baby today, I'm always amazed at how exhausted I am after taking care of a baby/kids all day.  It's almost like I'm getting old... whodathunkit? LOL  ;)

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

Creative Knockouts #541 - Finish the Inside

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

(I have to give a huge shout out to the SSS DT's - every time I'm stumped for ideas, I go visit the challenge blogs and find inspiration somewhere!  So thank you for that!)

Crafty Gals Corner - Something Pink

Cupcake Inspiration #612 - For the Love of Pigs

This was a fun card to make - I love using the Paperie Ink stamps to create scenes, they are just perfect (and so stinking cute). I used the Seasun of Fun set from Paperie Ink Stamps, stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I colored with alcohol markers, fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape (I actually find fussy cutting easier than trying to get the darn dies to line up perfectly with most of my coordinating stamp/die sets!). I took a little piece of kraft cardstock and fringed the edges of it to look like a beach towel. I created the background beach scene by blending Distress Inks on watercolor paper and spraying with water, then blotting with a paper towel. The "to the beach" die is from Sizzix. I used a black gel pen to create a border inside the card, and attached the piggy holding a popsicle with his umbrella. Peace.

EEK! Matching Card & Envelope

 Good morning!  I'm making it a goal to use the NEW stamps in my stash the next few times I spend in my craft room. I find that I'm drawn to the same stamps over and over again, so I'm forcing myself to use those things that I just "had to have"! ;) I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Halloween Crafts All Year Long - Anything Halloween/Birthday/Valentine's Day/Cats & Dogs

Two Old Bats - Halloween Anything Goes

Outlawz Main Challenge - February Linky

Outlawz Twisted Thursday - It's a Match

I used an envelope template I found on Microsoft Word to create my envelope - I used a mask to leave the address part empty and blended Distress Ink around it.  I stamped the cauldron directly on the envelope and colored with markers.  For the card, I used a leftover scrap card (I have PILES of this size card from cutting my cards down to 4.5x6 inches) in purple, stamped the witch (cauldron & witch both from CC Designs, it's sold out but I managed to score the set from a friend - thank you SUZI!), colored with alcohol markers, fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape.  I added some spider/web/EEK! diecuts and some gemstone stickers. Peace.

Creativity Takes Courage - The Paper Shelter

 Good morning!  We have a fun new challenge for you at

Buttons & Bows!

I used the sweet Unicornmania digi - colored with alcohol markers, fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape. I created my background by using alcohol inks through a harlequin stencil in rainbow colors.  I let it just do its thing and drip all over while drying.  I added some buttons in rainbow colors along the edge and finished it off with a sentiment sticker from a Tim Holtz sticker book. 

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Passion for Markers #777 - Embellish It

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - Anything Goes with Paper

The Paper Funday - Anything Goes

AAA Colourful Challenge #13

Thank you! Peace.

You Bake the World a Better Place!

 Hi all!  I cannot believe I've managed to avoid whatever sickness my poor daughter and all of her kids have had for the past week or so! I'm immunocompromised, so I always expect to get sick! I have been taking Vitamin C tablets every day for some additional protection! LOL

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

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Cute & Cuddly

FarmQuest Homestyle Kitchen Challenge #2 - Anything Food or Kitchen

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes/Optional Use a Die

I created my background by blending Black Soot Oxide Ink through a brick wall stencil.  I layered some kraft cardstock squares (left over from the insides of a Polaroid frame die cut). I used stamps & coordinating dies from Colorado Craft Company (Secret Ingredient) and Paperie Ink Stamps (Smart Cookie), stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I added a spatula die cut from the Kitchen Tools Fancy Dies set at Hero Arts, which I cut from a previously distressed piece of watercolor paper. Peace.

Fishing You a Happy Birthday & Crafting is Happiness

 I love color challenges - I love playing with new color combinations and realizing how much I love certain ones that I would never have thought to use together! I would like to enter this card below into the following challenges:

Color Throwdown #827

Addicted to Stamps & More # 22 - Make Your Mark

Passion for Markers #776 - Include Gems and/or Pearls

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Just Add Ink #739 (I used colouring & embossing)

I created my background by blending Distress Ink Oxide on watercolor paper and blending through a mermaid scale stencil. I stamped Mermaid Bday Anya from The Greeting Farm in Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder, colored with alcohol markers, fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape.  I added some die cut sand dollars (Simon Says Stamp) and seashells and some pearl stickers to finish it off. 

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One more that I'd like to add to the following challenges:

Love Those Pretty Patterned Papers - Anything Goes

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Just Us Girls #763 - Mood Board

I have always been a fan of Heather Ellis, I have a whole bunch of stamps from My Favorite Things (Pure Innocence line) and a bunch of her digis (no longer available) as well.  I find the characters easy and fun to color. I stamped the little artist in Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I colored her with alcohol markers, fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape.  Designer papers are from Doodlebug Designs.  Added some little gemstone stickers to finish it off. Peace.

Birthday Hugs

 Happy Sunday! I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend and spending some time doing stuff for YOU! I'm one of those folks who tends to take care of everyone else and forgets to take care of myself, so I have to remind myself once in a while that I'm important too.  I can't take care of everyone else if I don't take care of myself.  So I'm reminding YOU of that!  :)  I really appreciate those of you who actually take the time to read my blog and leave kind, encouraging comments. Thank you for that.

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

Addicted to Stamps & More - Make Your Mark

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes/Optional For the Girls

Paper Funday - Anything Goes

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - Anything Goes

Tic Tac Toe #264 (I used kraft, die cut, ink/markers/colored pencils)

I created my background by blending Distress Oxide Inks on watercolor paper and spraying with water, then blotting with a paper towel.  I stamped Birthday Hugs directly on the background with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I printed out my Hippie Chick digi stamp from All Dressed Up (no longer in store but LOTS of adorable images are available!), colored her with alcohol markers, fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape.  I fussy cut all of the butterflies and attached them to look like they are flying outside the die-cut window. Peace.

Falling For You!

Good morning! Had 2 of the grandkids all day yesterday and man, I'm getting old. LOL There's nothing like youth to remind you that you don't possess it anymore. 

I would like to add this card to the following challenges:

SSS Monday - Make a Bookmark/Be Inspired by Books (Alice in Wonderland)

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Cut It Up #234 - Use Ribbon, String, or Twine

Creative Inspiration - Anything Goes

I absolutely love Alice in Wonderland, and when I saw this stamp set called Par-Tea available at Simon Says Stamp, I HAD TO have it.  This was my first time breaking it out and inking it up, and I had a ball coordinating it with the keyhole die/key set from Whimsy Stamps! I had been using a scrap piece of paper to catch the extra ink from another project I was working on, and I used that for the background through the keyhole. I stamped all of the images on Neenah cardstock with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I colored with alcohol markers, fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape. I found some little silver heart stickers in my stash and put those in the corners.  I used a die cut for the sentiment and finished it off with a little piece of red ribbon rickrack in the corner. Peace. 

Cooking!

 Good morning!  Long day in the kitchen yesterday - one of the things I love to do is buy a giant bag of garlic and then roast it.  I chop off the top of the garlic head, drizzle olive oil on it, put a little salt on it, then wrap them all in foil (all in one package - 2 if there's tons of it), and bake at 350 for about an hour.  I then use pieces of parchment paper to squeeze the garlic onto, and put each piece of parchment in a small freezer bag, then I roll up the smaller bags and put them into a gallon-size freezer bag.  I then have pre-measured bags of frozen roasted garlic to grab anytime I need it.  I absolutely LOVE roasted garlic!  I use it in my cooking, but also on a charcuterie board or just spread on a cracker.  Mmmmmmm.....

I have a kitchen based card for you today!  I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

FarmQuest Homestyle Kitchen Challenge #2 - Anything Food or Dining

613 Avenue - Anything Goes/Optional Lots of Love

I created my background by blending Candied Apple Distress Ink on watercolor paper and spritzing heavily with water.  After it dried, I used Black Soot Distress ink through a stencil that reminded me of a tablecloth pattern.  Digi stamp is from the Chores set at Caperuza Sketch.  I added a die-cut spoon from Hero Arts . Peace.

Love

 Good morning! I am very much looking forward to a day in my craft room today.  I would like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Pink & Main - Love is in the Air

As You Like It - Feminine or Masculine & Why (I do tend to make more feminine cards, I guess it's because I send a lot of cards to the women in my life!)

Make My Monday #245 - Love

Double D - The Color Red

Cupcake Inspiration #611

I created my background by blending Candied Apple Distress Oxide ink on watercolor paper and then heavily misting with Mica Spray Stain (I think it was the pewter one).  I stamped this gorgeous butterfly from the Floral Wings set at Pink & Main with Versafine Black and embossed with embossing powder, then fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape.  I added some butterfly washi tape (Range/Tim Holtz), some love stickers and a die cut. Peace.

Let's Shell-ebrate!

 Good morning!  I had a successful shopping excursion yesterday with my daughter - I ended up getting a few things that made me happy.  I think today I'll work on cleaning out my closet a bit, make some room for the new stuff!

I love color challenges - I love realizing that I love a new color combination and having fun trying different techniques with it.  The card below was made for the Color Dare Challenge, and turned out to be one of my all-time favorite color combinations, even though they weren't colors I would necessarily have normally chosen to play with.  

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

Color Dare #638

AAA Birthday #70 - Ink Smooshing

Try it on Tuesday - Boss It

Addicted to Stamps & More - Make Your Mark

I used the ink smooshing technique to create my background on a sturdy piece of watercolor paper.  I love this technique - you never get the same look twice.  I find it works best if you dry each layer of ink before adding the next color - I use my embossing tool to speed the process along.  My stamp is from the Floral Shells set at Pink & Main, stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I then colored with alcohol markers and Stickles, fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape. I die cut some tiny shells from a piece of Snowbound sparkly designer paper from Tonic Studios and attached them with a foam dimensional dot in each corner. Peace.

You're a Gem & BOO!

 Hello friends!  I'm going out shopping with my daughter today.  I have Crohn's disease, and my weight fluctuates based on how my health is.  I was super sick for a couple of years and when I finally got it under control with my new medication, I put on about 20 pounds in the last year. I don't mind really, I just hate feeling fat when I try to squeeze into things that don't fit me! So I'm going to keep bins with different sizes so I can just pull out the bin when I lose/gain weight! Wish me luck today!

I've got 2 cards to share today - this first one is for the following challenges:

My Favorite Things - Sketch

Crafter's Cafe #316 - Anything Goes/Optional Stripes or Spots

AllSorts #817 - Anything Goes/Optional Shades of Blue

I created my background by spraying Distress Stains on watercolor paper, then misting with water and drying with my heat tool.  My stamps are from My Favorite Things, the Precious Pals set, stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I colored them all with alcohol markers and white pen, then fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional squares.  I used a piece of specialty paper from Tonic Studios called Snowbound to stamp the sentiment on.

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I'd like to enter my 2nd card into the following challenges:

Die Cut Divas - Shaker Card

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Shake it Up

Two Old Bats - Anything Halloween Goes

Girlz Creative Fun Art of Scrap #6 - Anything Goes with Designer Paper

Halloween Crafts All Year Round - Anything Halloween Goes

I used some fun papers from DCWV called Mysterial for the background as well as the die cuts.  I layered a piece of DP behind the cauldron shaker die and then used foam dimensional tape to attach the die cut "BOO!" sentiment over the cauldron.  I stamped out my adorable witch from The Greeting Farm's It's Spooky set (it was a special set exclusively available through Simon Says Stamp last year) with Versafine Black, embossed with clear embossing powder, colored with alcohol markers, fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional dots. Peace.

Tweet. Don't forget to fly.

 I joined the Design Team for A Colorful Life Designs a few months ago.  They are mainly a stencil company, and I've really enjoyed playing with the stencils and learning new ways to use them on cards and other art projects. When I was first asked to be a guest DT for them, I mainly used my Gel Plate for my stencils.  I quickly got bored with that and started experimenting with using Lindy's Magicals and Distress Inks and texture pastes, etc. - it's been a lot of fun! If you would like to try some of the stencils, you can use code JennFan10 for 10% off at A Colorful Life Designs.

This was one of my favorite cards I made for the February release - this stencil is called Message Bird and I combined it with a previous release, Cloud Edger:

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

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Do-Al(l) Creative - Anything Goes/Optional Wings

AllSorts - Shades of Blue/Anything Goes

Simply Clean & Simple - Anything Goes/Optional Love or Hearts

I really had fun making this card.  I very carefully used blending brushes to color the Message Bird to look like a bluebird through the stencil, then used the Cloud Edger stencil around the bird and branch. I added the "don't forget to fly" sticker to finish it off.  I love the simple, yet colorful design. Peace.

Queen of Hearts Kitty

 Good morning! It's so gloomy out today - we got several inches of snow overnight and now it's sleeting out there, hubby is out on the tractor trying to clean it up before it gets too heavy. I'll be spending the day in my craft room - I made spaghetti & meatballs yesterday, so I'm thinking leftover meatball subs for dinner tonight.

Alice in Wonderland has always been my favorite childhood story and for some reason, I'm drawn to the Queen of Hearts. I think it's the way she deals with anything that pisses her off - "OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!"  Sometimes I think it would be nice to do that. ;) hee hee  My Queen of Hearts kitty is a little more mentally stable, she's full of love for Valentine's Day!

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

Leigh SB Designs - Alice in Wonderland/Optional Anything Goes

Cut it Up - This Makes Me Smile (my favorite childhood story)

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - Anything Goes

We Love Stamping - Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes

Cupcake Inspiration #611

My digi paper is from Caperuza Sketch on Etsy from the Alice in Wonderland pack.  My digi stamp is called Queen from the Kitties in Wonderland collection at Leigh SB Designs.  I printed her out, colored with alcohol markers and Stickles, then added some Fluffy Stuff to the hem of her coat.  I fussy cut her and attached with foam dimensional tape on top of the Key Hole & Keys die-cut from Whimsy Stamps.  I found some LOVE stickers in my stash and applied them randomly on the card, then die-cut a "loved" sentiment & layered it on another die-cut scrap that I distressed. Peace.

time for a catnap

 One more card to share today for the following challenges:

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - Anything Goes

Creative Inspiration - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Inky Paws - Sketch

I used Newton's Book Club, stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I colored with alcohol markers, fussy cut and attached with foam dots. Papers are from Doodlebug Designs. Peace.

Picked Just for You and Toad-ally Awesome - Polkadoodles Spring Is Here!

 We have some new inspiration for you today over at

I used  Cutie Pie - Lil Miss Sugar Pops - printed out on white cardstock, colored with alcohol markers and then fussy-cut and attached with foam dimensional tape.  I used papers from Polkadoodles for the background, and the "Picked just for you" sentiment from the Spring Flowers Mothers Day Friends paper pack.  I added some pink gemstone stickers to finish it off.

And I have one more card to share for Polkadoodles today:

I used Flower Fairy Kissing a Frog/Toad/Lily Pond - Winnie Daisy Fairy

I printed her out on white cardstock, colored her with alcohol markers and then fussy-cut the top part of her while keeping the bottom piece square to create dimension.  I used foam dimensional tape to attach the image to the card.  I used Paper Patterns 4 - Winnie Daisy Fairy printable paper for the background, and "Have a toad-ally awesome day" sentiment from the Spring Tons of Love greetings/sentiments/quotes set.  I added some pink ribbon to finish it off.

Peace.

King of my Heart

 Happy Love Day! My husband Jeremy and I will celebrate our 32nd wedding anniversary on August 28.  We were 20 when we met - we are 53 now and I would not change a damn thing.  Seriously, not a thing.  Even the bad times made us who we are today, and I love who we are today. This is the Valentine card that I made for him, which I'd like to enter into the following challenges:

A Cut Above - February Anything Goes

Cut it Up #323 - This Makes Me Smile

(Valentine card for my hubby!)

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Spritz & Splatter

The Paper Funday Challenge #73 - Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts #540 - Love/Valentines/Wedding/Anniversary

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Colorful Options - Mood Board

I created my background by using the ink smooshing technique with Black Soot & Candied Apple Distress Inks on a large piece of watercolor paper.  I then cut half of the paper to card size and used the other half to die-cut 2 tags, then edged the tags with black ink. I stamped my king of hearts from CC Designs Queen of Hearts set with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I colored with alcohol inks & white pen, added some Fluffy Stuff on the collar & sleeves, fussy cut him and attached him to my tag with foam dimensional tape. I added some hearts that I also die-cut from the same scrap piece of coordinating watercolor paper and edged them with black ink, then attached them with foam dimensional tape.  I finished it off by tying some pretty ribbons to the tags. Peace.

XOXO Love You Most

 Hi there - I have been busy making Valentine cards for challenges and it's been a nice change from Christmas cards! I'd like to enter this first card into the following challenges:

TGIF Challenge #511

Wednesday's Creative Inspirations - Love is in the Air

The Crafting Challenge - Love is Red

AllSorts - Anything Goes/Optional Love and/or Music

We Love Stamping - CAS/Anything Goes

I created the background with a little mini stencil from Creative Expressions - I used Kitsch Flamingo Oxide Ink. I stamped my sweet piggy from the Mr. Cupid set at Paperie Ink Stamps with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder, colored with alcohol markers, fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape.  I kept it pretty simple and just added some die cut hearts and die cut XOXO.

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And this next card is for the following challenges:

Di's Digi Designs - Have a Heart

Make My Monday - Love

Outlawz Festive Friday - Love

Outlawz Main Challenge

Stamping Sensations - Valentine/Wedding/Romance

I used papers from Doodlebug Designs, cut the LOVE YOU MOST die-cut sentiment into the DP so the white background would show.  I used some nesting heart dies to layer behind the cute digi stamp - Ellie's Love Parade from Di's Digi Designs, which was printed out and colored with alcohol markers and Stickles. Peace.

The Paper Shelter - Add a Heart

 Good morning!  We have a new challenge for you today at:

Theme is Add a Heart

My first card features the Love is Chemistry digi, colored with alcohol markers - I cut a square around most of the image, but fussy-cut one side and attached with foam dimensional tape.  My papers are from Doodlebug Designs. Text stickers are from a Tim Holtz sticker book. I'd like to enter this one into the following challenges:

Try it on Tuesday - Romance

Wednesday's Creative Inspiration - Love is in the Air

AllSorts - Anything Goes/Optional Romance and/or Music

Time Out - Use 2 (I used heart, love, layer)

613 Avenue - Anything Goes/Optional Lots of Love

And for my 2nd card, I used white embossing ink through a stencil on a red cardstock base.  My image is called With All My Heart, colored with alcohol markers.  I used a circle die, traced the circle around the image and fussy-cut around the boy's head to give it some dimension.  I attached the image with foam dimensional tape.

Come play along with us! Peace.