Red, white and blue and always true

Digital Delights has this adorable image of a dog with a flag which I thought was perfect for the Red, white and blue challenge.  To go with that I used a sentiment from TLC.  For this card I used background paper by Sweet Shoppe, the left strip is from TLC and the bottom strip is from Paper Studio.  I used Spellbinder star die which I just love die cuts since I think they add to the background. I used a button which is another one of my favorite embellishments since I think it adds dimension and twine that adds color.

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe; TLC; Paper Studio
Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections
Stamp:  Digital Delights - Luvin' the USA Bongo
Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)
Spellbinder:  Star Circle, small and large circles
Button:  stash
Divine twine
Star:  Recollection

Challenges
Sweet Stop - Sketch 217
Delightful Challenges - Red, White and Blue
Perfect Sentiments Challenge - PSC85 Red, White and Blue
Cupcake Craft - Ch. 248 Not for flowers
Tuesday Throwdown - Ch. 153 Glitz & Glimmer
The Paper Shelter - Ch. 118 Buttons/Brads
As You Like It - Ch. 5 Favorite 3 Embellishments and why

It's been a "tweet"

I just love the images that are available at TLC in the Etsy store as Bri's Baubles.  The images are available for $1 and she even has some coupons for multiple discounts.  The sentiment is a freebie that was available from TLC. 

Patterned Paper:  Authentique
Cardstock:  Bazzil; Core-dinations; Recollection
Stamp:  Bri's Bauble (see above for direct link)
Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Its been a tweet
Circle Punches:  EK Success
Spellbinders:  Small Circle; Rose Leaves
Border Punch:  Fiskars

Challenges
Mojo - Sketch 299
Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 275 Fly Like a Bird
Polkadoodles - Wk 26 Animals
613 Avenue Create - Ch. 25
PTT - Ch. 126 Anything Goes

Reindeer

Since it is less than 6 months to Christmas, I am trying to slowly work on my Christmas cards.  I had this beautiful reindeer that I got as a free digital download a few years ago, I just don't remember from where.  The sentiment is from TLC that comes as part of a 3 circle set.

Patterned Paper:  Echo Park
Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection
Stamp:  free digital download (unknown source)
Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)
Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug

Challenges
Merry Monday - Ch. 68
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Extra - June Anything Christmas
Challenges 4 Everybody - Ch. 23
Cupcake Craft - Ch. 248 Not for flowers
Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 275 Fly like a Bird

Life rocks

I have a working oven, yahoo! Now I have to wait until Monday for the dryer to arrive.  Yesterday we got 3 inches of rain!!  I just finished cutting the grass, and it is to start raining anytime now.  This is getting old.  Luckily, we don't have any water in our basement; however, we have friends who aren't that lucky.  We were going to go to Mall of America for a few days, but my husband just isn't up for travel.  He is having more pain which I don't know if it is the cancer or the weather or ALL the above.  He will see the doctor next week.  We also thought we had spent quite a bit of money on appliances this past week anyway.  The battery on my cell phone was keeping a charge so I just picked up a new cell phone so add that to the list.  Here is a card that is using Torico's free image for the month, and a sentiment from TLC.  Another great set from TLC that would go with this card is available in the store.

Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye- Lime Twist; Paper Studio
Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection
Stamp:  Birdie Brown - Rockin' doggie
Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Life rocks
Spellbinder:  Pennant
Bling:  Mark Richards

Challenges
Sunday Sketch and Stamp - Ch. 162
Birdie Brown - June freebie
Card Crafter's Circle - Ch. 80 Music
Little Miss Muffet - Ch. 64 Stars

Like a butterfly

Well my oven couldn't be installed today.  The store said that would charge us $139 and that the delivery person would be able to put in the gas line for us.  So when the poor delivery men came they said, "They did it again, we can only hook up to an existing gas line, we are not plumbers so you need to call someone to come install the gas line for you first."  So we called the store and went back and forth and needless to say we have to go back to the store to get a refund and then had to call a plumber who is able to come in this afternoon.  Since I told the guys they would be back the following week to deliver the dryer they looked at our hook up to see if it was a 3 or 4 prong hook up so they would have the right cord when they came with that.
It is poring rain right now and there are areas that are expecting some flooding.  On Sunday we went to celebrate my brother's birthday and had a wonderful dinner with him.  My Mom made him some cupcakes and my nephew wore half the frosting.  To be a kid again and not care that your face was blue.

 

Patterned Paper:  Prima
Cardstock:  Core-dinations; Recollections
Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Some Smiles Set
Butterflies: Tonic
Border Punch:  Fiskars
Spellbinder:  Pennant
Ink:  VersaMark- Sea Breeze
White thread:  stash
Bling:  Paper Studio

Challenges

Flutter By Wednesday's - Ch. 245 Sketch

Tuesday Throwdown - Ch. 153 Glitz & Glimmer

Dutch Dare Card Challenges - Ch. 222 Things that start with "B" (butterfly, bling)

Delicious Doodles Challenge - Ch. 41 Stitch It

Floral Happy Birthday

Well I decided to try playing with distress markers.  So for my card I started with my paper, and I embossed with black embossing powder my sentiment and flowers on the cardstock and heat set that.  I then took the distress markers and colored around in the center of the flower and used my water pen to pull the color to the edge of the petal.  It actually was easier than I thought it was going to be.

Patterned Paper:   Basic Grey - Infuse
Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection
Stamp:  Verve
Ribbon:  Offray
Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug
Banner:  Verve die
Distress markers
Embossing Powder- Black Ranger & Versa Mark

Challenges
Mojo - Sketch 298
Dynamic Duo - Ch. 58

Polkadoodles - Wk 25 Summer birthday
Totally Papercrafts - Ch. 172 Flowers and bows
Delightful Challenges - Raise the Banner

Friends make life blossom

This adorable image is a freebie from the Progressive Challenge at Imagine That.  I used a sentiment from TLC.  I used Basic Grey - Hopscotch paper.

Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey - Hopscotch

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Core-dinations; Recollections

Stamp:  Imagine That - Lilly's Flowers

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Friends make life blossom

Flower:  Prima & Recollection

Spellbinder:  pennant

RicRac:  Hobby Lobby

Doily:  Recollections

Challenges

Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sketch 211-122

Imagine That - Progressive Challenge #9

Basic Grey - Ch. 96 Use a doily

Bearly Mine - Ch. 91 Flowers Galore

Brown Sugar Ch. 47 Summer

Life's a beach

Right now our weather is hot and humid and we have also been having some thunder storms during the night.  At least our air conditioning is working.  I made this card using last weeks freebie image from Bugaboo.  The sentiment is from TLC.  I added Crystal Accents to the waves, water drops and sunglasses.

 

Patterned Paper:  K & Company

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Bugaboo - Beach baby 2

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Life's a beach enjoy the waves

Spellbinder:  Pennant; small circle; picot circle

Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug

Crystals:  stash

Crystal Accents

Challenges

Tuesday Morning Sketches - Sketch 203

Brown Sugar - Ch. 47 Summer

QKR - Ch. 44 Summer Fun

Crafty Sentiments Design - Fun in the Sun

Paper Pretties - PWC263 Summer Fun

Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 274 In the summertime

Perfect Sentiments Challenge - PSC84 Sun and Sand

Colour Q - Ch. 194

Life's hard ice cream helps

The sentiment for this card is a freebie that I got from TLC.  Unfortunately, the way the week has gone, I need a gallon.  The other day, my brownies turned out real gooie and I didn't think anything of it since it was a turtle mix.  Then when I tried to make some garlic bread the oven would heat and then I had issues with the broiler.  So the next day when I made my banana bread it took almost two hours to bake when it is usually an hour so then I knew my oven was dying.  I don't know if you remember some time back my refrigerator and dishwasher were replaced so it was time for the oven also since all the appliances were replaced when the kitchen was remodeled years ago.  The oven was a base electric oven so I talked my husband into getting a gas oven which will be delivered on Monday.  My husband made the comment to the appliance man that the only thing we hadn't needed to replace was the dryer....and then guess what.  I did the laundry and the after I put things in the dryer they were more damp than went I put them inside.  I gasped, held my breath and told my husband.  So I went back to the appliance store on Thursday alone and ordered a dryer since the washer was replaced within the last two years.  My husband and I went out today since I needed some ink for my printer and when we stopped and I was going to show him the dryer we were going to be getting, I noticed it was on sale for $137.15 off the price I paid on Thursday night so we got the price difference.  Now that was enough to really make me mad.  Most sales start on Sunday and this was just two days later.  My husband said, "Well, they gave us the money back."  I said "Yes, but when I buy my craft supplies, I'm not running back a day or two later to make sure they didn't screw me over on the price."  This is also from a well known store.  URRGH! There it is off my chest now.

 

Patterned Paper:  Me and My Big Ideas; DCWV; Crate

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Core-dinations; Recollections

Stamp:  Crafy Sentiments Designs - Ice Cream Sunday

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Life's Hard Ice Cream Helps

Circle Punches:  EK Success

Ice Cream Cone die:  All that Scraps

Cherry:  Jolie

Washi tape:  Recollection

Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug

Challenges

Sketch n Stash - Ch. 116

Crafty Sentiments Designs - Fun in the Sun

Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 274 In the Summertime
Brown Sugar - Ch. 47 Summer
QKR - Ch. 44 Summer Fun
Paper Pretties - PWC263 Summer Fun

Have fun shell-ebrating

I colored another one of the set of Mo's mermaids.  For this card I used a sentiment from TLC and added some small shells that I had with a couple of pearls.  I added some pearls to the image, and included a shell pin from Petaloo.  I used a net Ribbon from May Arts that I think works well with the sea theme.

 

Patterned Paper:  Echo Park
Cardstock:  Core-dinations; Recollections
Stamp:  Mo Manning - Melia on her shell phone
Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)
Pearls:  Recollection
Shells & buttons:  stash
Twine:  Natural Fibers
Ribbon:  May Arts
Shell Pin:  Petaloo
Doily:  Lifestyle Crafts
Spellbinder:  Grand Circle; Small and large circle

Challenges
Sunday Sketch & Stamp - Sketch 161
Mo Manning - Ch. 190  Bright Colors
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Ch. 74 Seeing Dots
Tuesday Throwdown - Ch. 152 Fantasy
Perfect Sentiments - PSC84 Sun and Sand
Crafty Sentiments Design - Fun in the Sun
Paper Pretties - PW 263 Summer Fun
Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 272 In the Summertime

Saddle Up

I guess I'm on a western theme right now, and I'm not sure why.  For this card I used an image from Bugaboo and a sentiment that was a freebie from TLC.

Patterned Paper:  Paper Studio
Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection
Stamp:  Bugaboo - bc saddle
Sentiment:  TLC, Create - go forth and celebrate
Twine: Natural Fibers
Star:  Reollection
Button:  stash
Spellbinder:  Pennant

challenges
Retro  Sketch - Sketch #68
Fab 'n Funky - Ch. 175 Birthday
Catch the Bug - June Bingo (star, button, kraft)

A Gem of a Challenge - Father's Day/Male Theme
Polkadoodle - wk 24 Male Theme
Dream Valley - Ch. 59 Father's Day/ Male Theme

Cowboy Up

I just love the stamp set by My Favorite Things called Wild, Wild West that has this horse rider.  I stamped the image in brown ink.  I then used Die-namics with the stars as well as the tab to put the sentiment on.

Patterned Paper:  Paper Studio
Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections
Stamp:  My Favorite Things - Wild, Wild West
Die-namics:  Tab & Star border
Button:  stash
Ink:  Memento, Rich Cocoa
Twine:  Natural Fibers

Challenges
My Favorite Things - Sketch MFTWSC128
Bugaboo - June BINGO (star, button, kraft)
A Gem of a Challenge - Father's Day/ Male

Glitter ' n Sparkle - Ch. 37 "3" (3 patterned papers, 3 stars)
Polkadoodles - Wk 24 Male theme
Perfect Sentiments Challenge - PSC83 For the Boys
Dream Valley - Ch. 59 Father's Day/Male Theme
Inky Impressions - Ch. 112 Father's Day/ For a Guy

Wishing you Happiness

It seems like I haven't posted in so long.  With having my step-son visit my schedule has been off, then we celebrated my husband's birthday and had a family picnic besides Father's Day so there has just been a lot going on.  I finally got a chance to make a few cards.  One that I have been wanted to use is a sentiment from TLC.  I used the colors for this weeks Dynamic Duos.

Patterned Paper:  American Craft; DCWV
Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection
Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Wishing You (see above for direct link)
Spellbinders:  Small and large Circle
Ribbon:  Michael's
Flowers:  Recollection
Embossing Folder:  Sizzix

Challenges
Viva la Verve - VLVJUNE2013
Dynamic Duos - Ch. 57

Cupcake Craft Challenges - Ch. 247 Let's Get Inspirational
Glitter 'n Sparkle - Ch. 37 "3"  (3 Flowers, 3 banners)

Husband's birthday

On Friday it will be my husband's birthday.  I guess I'm on a roll with Mo Manning images, but I think this one is hilarious.  The sentiment is from TLC and I added glossy accent to the balloon.  I did ask my husband what his favorite color was when I was doing the image and he said "blue" so that is what he got for the balloon.

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe - Dream Big; My Mind's Eye
Cardstock:  Bazzill; Recollection
Stamp:  Mo Manning - Yeehaw
Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Aging Def
Border Punch:  Fiskar
Pearls:  Recollection
Glossy Accent

Challenges
The Sweet Stop - Sketch 214
613 Avenue Create - Ch. 23 Celebrations
Crafty Sentiment Designs - Project for a male
Perfect Sentiments Challenge - PSC82 For a special male
Tammy's Scrapin Corner - Ch. 66 Manly Card
Inky Impressions Challenge - Ch. 111 Birthday or Anniversary

Happy Father's Day to my Brother

My brother, Mark is three years younger than I am, and we are soooooooo different.  My children are 20 and 17 years old whereas my brother has Greysen who is three.  My brother and I have a relationship that we don't have to talk on a regular basis, but we would do anything for each other.  With my daughter going to college in the area, he takes her out to lunch and they get together for supper on the weekends which I think is wonderful.  The one thing that I have to say about my brother is that he is a great dad.  He waited to have children (which also gave him a chance to grow up) and I can't believe how protective and attentive he is.  He is very involved and that is really the way it should be.  It also shows because his son is a "Daddy's Boy".  I thought it would be nice to give him this card using a this adorable image from Mo Manning a perfect sentiment from TLC.

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe - He's Rad
Cardstock:  Bazzil; Core-dinations; Recollection
Stamp:  Mo Manning - Daddy's Shoes
Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)
Spellbinders:  Small and large petite ovals; pennants
Die Cuts:  QuicKuts - stars

Challenges
Sketch Saturday - Sketch 262
Crazy 4 Challenges - C4C189 Father's Day
Eureka - Ch. 43 Father's Day
Glitter 'n Sparkle - Ch. 36 Father's Day
Tammy's Scrapin Corner - Ch. 66 Manly Card - Father's Day
613 Avenue -  Ch. 23 Celebrations
Paper Pretties - PWC261 - Fantastic Fathers
Perfect Sentiments Challenge - PSC82 Father's Day

Every day may not be peachy

I just love this wonderful image from Mo Manning and I thought it was perfect with a sentiment that was available as a freebie from TLC a few days ago.  The patterned peach paper is also from TLC from one of the clubs.  Another club is going to be starting on June 22nd.  For more information about this wonderful opportunity you can check the store site.

 

Patterned Paper:  TLC, Create; Bearly Mine

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Stamp:  Mo Manning - Peaches

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Every Day Peachy

Spellbinders:  Small and large Petite ovals

Circle Punches: EK Success

Butterfly Punches:  Martha Stewart

Divine Twine

Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug

Challenges

Card Crafter's Circle - Ch. 78 Sketch

Fab ' n Funky - Ch. 174 Let's Get Fruity

Gem of a Challenge - Ch. 83 Emboss

Flutter By Wednesday - Ch. 243 Open with butterfly or fairy