Hope your Birthday is SPECtacular

With my Mom having nine sisters...and three brothers...I have a lot of Aunts.  So here is a card that I made for one of them that has a birthday coming up.  I used the pre-colored version of a new image that came out from the Paper Shelter called Josephine which is actually her name and we call her Joie, hehe.  I used a sentiment from TLC, Create which I thought was perfect with the opera glasses.  I added a feather from my stash and some flowers.

Cardstock:  Bazzil

Stamp:  The Paper Shelter (see above for direct link)

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Hope your birthday is SPECtacular

Feather:  stash

Flowers:  Prima

Bling:  Recollections

Challenges

The Paper Shelter - Ch. 300 Summer Birthday

Creative Knockouts - Ch. 200 For the Girls

International Art & Soul - Ch. 11 Flowers

Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 484 Anything Goes

In gloomy moods

We all have our days....however, I have a close friend that I think is going through depression.  She is a nurse friend and can not decide if she wants to retire, but was recent let go from her last job and that is not fun for anyone.  She has her Master Degree, but there are not a lot of openings in management right now as I know since I am looking for work as well.  She just turned 60 years old so she is at the age where her health insurance is at the most expensive rate and her husband is retired.  She could afford to retire, but did not plan on it so she would have to make a few adjustments.  I think she should meet with a financial planner and with the health problems that both her and her husband have they should downsize and sell their large expensive home since they have difficulty keeping up with the yard work.  Needless to say, they procrastinate and she is in a funk.  I try getting her to go for a walk and she will only go for a block and complains the whole way.  Yet then she also is concerned about her diabetes that has developed and her weight gain.  I have another close nursing friend that we would like to sit down and talk to her about depression and getting some treatment and our concerns about her health.  So I made this card for her as the ice breaker or appetizer to start the conversation.  The sentiment is from TLC, Create.

Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye
Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections
Stamp:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)
Spellbinder:  Heart Square
Border Punch:  Fiskars
Bling:  Recollections
Flowers:  Recollections

Challenges
Tuesday Morning Sketches - Ch. 409
Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 288 - 289 Anything Goes
Brown Sugar - Ch. 257 Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart - Ch. 165 Anything Goes
International Art & Soul - Ch. 11 Flowers
ATG with TLC, Create - Ch. 12 Anything Goes

With Heartfelt Condolences Pet

I have a cousin who recently had both her cat and then their dog pass away which is just so difficult.  In addition, her daughter passed away as a teenager from an Eating Disorder and it was all around her anniversary which doesn't help.  So I wanted to send her and the family a special sympathy card.  I used the new set that I just got yesterday from Newton's Nook called Furr-ever Friends and then the sentiment is from another great set at TLC, Create.

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe - A Purrfect Day

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Stamp:  Newton's Nook (see above for direct link)

Ink:  Memento - Tuxedo Black
        Distress - Tim Holtz - Broken China & Festive Berries

Hemptique

Die:  Die-Namics

Ribbon:  Offray

Challenges

Inky Paws - Ch. 49 Sketch

CHNC Patterned - July
Southern Girl - Ch. 163 Ribbon or Twine
Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 484 Anything Goes
Alphabet Challenge - H for hearts

fun in the HOT HOT SUN

Well we haven't had it hot instead we keep having rain.  Actually they are saying that we are to get 2-4 inches of rain in the next 3 days so there is fear of flooding.  I don't consider it a DIY craft project to make sand bags, but it may come to that.  I usually don't have water problems, but it doesn't matter when it comes to rain like this if the rain spouts can't keep up it need to go somewhere.  The one issue that I am running into is that I have quite a few trees and dark areas, and now I'm running into mosquitoes, so when I went for a quick walk this evening they were out in swarms.
For my card, I used an image from Imagine That Digistamp called Beach Girl Framed and I colored her with copics and cut her out of the frame and put her on my background that I made using a stamp set from Stampendous and inks from Distress-Tim Holtz.  The sentiment is from TLC, Create.  I added some water to the ink to give it that look.  Then I added Glossy Accents to the sunglasses.

Cardstock:  Recollections

Stamp:  Imagine That Digistamp (see above for direct link)

             Stampendous

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - fun in the hot hot sun

Circle Punches:  EK Success

Glossy Accents

Ink:  Distress - Tim Holtz - Salty Ocean & Frayed Burlap

Water 

Challenges

A Gem of Challenge - Ch. 197 Summer Colors

Crafting from the Heart - Ch. 165 Anything Goes

Crazy for Challenges - C4C391 Some form of water on your card

JUGS - Ch. 399 Photo Week

Scrapping 4 Fun - Ch. 93 Summer

Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 483 Seaside/Beach

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 288 - 289 Anything Goes

Creative Craft Cottage - Ch. 90 No patterned paper

Strawberries and Cream

I have been busy doing some cleaning of my house and trying to go through my kids rooms since they are grown and no longer live at home.  Then as it worked out we had a 3-way cell phone call tonight which was a lot of fun since my daughter is about 2 hours away and my son is in KY on a Army Reserve training and I'm in WI.  It was great to catch up with them, and I will be driving north to see my daughter, parents and brother/nephews tomorrow.  We will be celebrating my Brother's birthday.
For my card, I used the pre-colored image from Imagine That Digistamp from the Parfait Delights and the paper is from the Tooty Fruity Digi Paper Set.  I put Glossy Accent on the glass portion of the image.  This is a great summer dessert that is light and refreshing.

Patterned Paper:  Imagine That Digistamp (see above for direct link)

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Stamp:   Imagine That Digistamp (see above for direct link)

Glossy Accents

Die:  My Favorite Things - Die-Namics Double Stitched Circle

Challenges

Tuesday Morning Sketches - Ch. 408

A Gem of a Challenge - Ch. 197 Summer colors

Crafting from the Heart - Ch. 164 Anything Goes

CHNC Patterned - June

As You Like It - Your Favorite Fruit and why?  (Strawberries and Cream)  It is light and refreshing as a dessert

Sweet Stampin' - Lots of layers 

to my Brother

I have one brother, who on Saturday will be turning 46 years old.  He is a great Father to my two nephews and a hard-working man.  Unfortunately, he is going through a difficult time right now by going through a divorce with some complications and I feel so badly for him because he is really a nice guy who doesn't need the drama.  I have gone through a divorce previously and so I do feel his pain, and know that he has the support of the entire family behind him.  He enjoys hunting with my Father so I made this masculine card for him using a stamp from Raisin Boat and the sentiment is from TLC, Create.

Patterned Paper:  Crate

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Raisin Boat - It's a Guy Thing Again

Ink:  Distress - Tim Holtz - Black Soot

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - To my Brother

Hemptique

Bling:  Recollection

Challenges

Atlantic Heart - Sketch 217

Creative Knockouts - Ch. 199 For the Boys

Glitter 'n Sparkle - Ch. 244 Father's Day/Masculine

Allsorts - Ch. 420 Birthday Boy

Crafty Sentiments - Add a sentiment

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 288 - 289 Anything Goes

Deer head - With deepest sympathy on the loss of your Brother

My Mom comes from a large family and has nine sisters so one of my Uncles had his brother pass away and I made a card for him.  It was unexpected which is difficult and he was planning to retire this fall (you hear that all too often).  So the brothers hunted together each fall so I used a Spellbinder die set to put a deer head on the card along with a great sentiment from TLC, Create.  I use this sentiment set WAY TO MUCH!

Patterned Paper:  Crate; Prima
Cardstock:  Paper Studio:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Button:  Stash

Hemptique

Spellbinders:  Small and large circle; Deer head

Bling:  Recollections

Challenges

Try Stampin' on Tuesdays - Ch 327

Creative Knockouts - Ch. 199 For the Boys

Glitter 'n Sparkle - Ch. 244 Father's Day/Masculine

CRAFT - Ch. 421 Animals

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 288 - 289 Anything Goes

Crafting from the Heart - Ch. 164 Anything Goes

Doggone Cute

I stayed up late today (which I have been trying not to do lately), but I really wanted to make this card using this image from the Paper Shelter and the sentiment is from TLC, Create.  My daughter is moving the 1st of the month so she is getting a new pup on the 3rd, Gus.  She wanted him last year when she graduated, but decided to wait until she got through the first year of teaching.  So....she has put a deposit on the little guy.  She has such allergies so she got a Teddy Bear which is hypoallergenic.

Patterned Paper:  Prima

Cardstock:  Recollections

Stamp:  Paper Shelter - A Classy Stroll

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Doggone Cute

Spellbinder:  Large Circle

Flowers:  Wild Orchid Crafts

Ribbon:  Hobby Lobby; Michael's

Tim Holtz Distress Tool

Challenges

Cheerful Sketches - June

Paper Shelter - Ch. 298 Tie a Bow

Fab 'n Funky - Ch. 127 Vintage

Creative Knockouts - Ch. 198 Anything Goes

Aud Sentiment - Ch. 182 BINGO ( Pattern Paper, 3 D Item, Ribbon)

You're the butter to my popcorn!

I have a simple card that is using a fun image and sentiment from the Girls Night In at Imagine That Digistamp.  And who doesn't love movie popcorn???

Patterned Paper:  Core-dination; Recollection

Cardstock: Recollection

Stamp & sentiment:  Imagine That Digistamp (see above for direct link)

Challenges
Try Stampin' on Tuesday - Ch. 326
Crafting from the Heart - Ch. 164
Crafty Catz - Ch. 375 Spots and stripes
Brown Sugar - Ch. 255 Anything Goes

Odd dog with present

Here is a card that I made using the Lili of the Valley digi stamp called Odd dog Just for You and I used the colors for this weeks Color Throwdown.  The sentiment is from TLC, Create.

Patterned Paper:  Recollections

Cardstock:  Recollections

Cardbase:  Paper Studio

Stamp:  Lili of the Valley (see above for direct link)

Spellbinders:  Small and large circles

Pearls:  Recollections

Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug

Pop dots

Challenges

Tuesday Morning Sketches - Ch. 407

Color Throwdown - Ch. 447

Crafty Catz - Ch. 375 Spots and Stripes

Sparkles Monthly - Ch. 93 Embossing Heat or Dry

Cutie Pie - Ch. 112 All Creatures Great and Small

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 286- 287 Anything Goes

Cool popsicle

I like this color combination that is part of The Challenge and I really liked the sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches so I found a way to combine them.  I got a new stamp/die set from Sunny Studio called Perfect Popsicles which I thought would be perfect with this combination.  This is a CAS card for me.

Patterned Paper:  Recollections

Cardstock:  Recollections
Stamp/Die:  Sunny Studio (see above for direct link)

Spellbinder:  Small and Large Circles

Ink:  Memento - Rose Bud
        Distress - Tim Holtz - Black Soot

        Distress - Tim Holtz - Antique Linen

Challenges

Freshly Made Sketches - Sketch 292

Always Playing with Paper - The Challenge #87

Sweet Stampin' - Creations for Children

Crafty Catz - Ch. 375 Anything Goes with spots and stripes

Crafting from the Heart - Ch. 163 Anything Goes

We're MERMAID for each other

I just love this stamp set from My Favorite Things called Mermazing.  I made a shaker card using this weeks sketch from MFT.  I put the sentiment on velum and slightly adjusted to make it look like it is in water.  I had fun with this card.

Patterned Paper:  Heidi Swapp

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Velum:  Paper Studio

Stamp:  My Favorite Things - Mermazing (see above for direct link)

Ink:  Distress Tim Holtz - Black Soot

Washi Tape - Target

Score-Tape

Acetate

Die:  Die-Namics:  Double Stitched Circle

Spellbinder:  Banner

Sequins:  Plush Posh

Challenges
My Favorite Things - Sketch MFTWSC337

My Favorite Things - June 14 Camp Create Day 3 Shakers

Crafty Sentiments - Summer Challenge

4CC - Ch. 355 Summer Fun Activities

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 286- 287 Anything Goes

Sisterhood of Crafters - Anything Goes Use your imagination

Penny's Paper Crafty - Ch. 333 Anything Goes

Mojo 500 Thank you

I can't believe that the Mojo Monday sketch challenge is coming to an end, I think this is one of the first challenges that I did when I started my blog.  Being that I am a Mother, I can understand that family comes first.  Now my children are grown and out of the house so there are many times that I wish I was home when they were younger, but we can't turn back the clock.  I'm just glad that I have two wonderful children and they are a big part of my life.
For this card, I used a stamp, a real stamp and ink from Hampton Art.  I dry embossed two of the papers.

Patterned Paper:  Heidi Swapp; Paper Studio

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Stamp:  Hampton Art

Ink:  Memento - Rose Bud
        Distress - Black Soot

Embossing Folders:  Cuttlebug

Ribbon:  Michael's

Bling:  Michael's

Challenges

Mojo Monday - Sketch 500

The Card Concept - Ch. 75 (Clean and Layered)

Crafting from the Heart - Ch. 163 Anything Goes

Sparkle Monthly - Ch. 93 Embossing Heat or Dry

Alphabet Challenge - G for Give Thanks

Aud Sentiments - Ch. 182 Bingo & Sentiment (Patterned Paper, 3D item, ribbon)

You've been in my thoughts Angel with kitty

I have a friend who had to put her cat down and this is a difficult thing for all of us when our pets leave paw prints on our hearts.  So I made this card for her using a Mo Manning image called Angel with Kitten.  I outlined the wings with Sakura jelly glitter pen, and the purple cardstock is embossed with little flowers.  The sentiment is from TLC, Create and it is distressed with ink.

My friend's cat Ivy

Patterned Paper:  Prima

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Stamp:  Mo Manny - Angel with Kitten (see above for direct link)

Sentiment:  You've been in my thoughts

Ink:  Memento - Tuexedo Black
        Distress Tim Holtz - Old Paper

Flowers:  Recollections
Ribbon:  American Crafts

Bling:  Recollections

Embossing Folder:  We Are Memory Keepers

Spellbinder:  Pennant

Challenges

Mo Manning - Facebook Challenge

Dream Valley - Ch. 158 Square Cards Only

Paper Shelter - Ch. 298 Tie a Bow

Fab 'n Funky - Ch. 355 Vintage

Creative Knockouts - Ch. 198 Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 286 - 287 Anything Goes

Sparkles Monthly - Ch. 93 Embossing Heat or Dry

Aud Sentiment - Ch. 182 BINGO & Sentiment ( Patterned Paper, Embossing, Die cut)
(Ribbon, Digi, Die Cut) (Patterned Paper, 3D item, ribbon)

Be the reason someone SMILES today

Here is an adorable image from Gerda Steiner that is the stamp on the month called Hello Friend Turtle.  I went with a monochrome green card.  I used a wonderful sentiment from TLC.  I like to have a sense of humor and have used it frequently in my nursing career.  Sometimes things are so uncomfortable, but it is easier to laugh about it when you rather scream or cry.  Sometimes it is also a good distraction when people are anxious or in pain and you have to wait for medications or treatments to work.  Sometimes you just need to listen to people and acknowledge them and give them a reason to smile and keep going.  Well enough philosophy today....here is my card.

backside

Patterned Paper:  Paper Studio

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Core-dinations; Recollections

Stamp:  Gerda Steiner - Hello Friend Turtle

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Be the reason

Spellbinders:  Small and large circles

My Favorite Things:  Double Stitched Circle

Challenges

Gerda Steiner - June's Challenge

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 286-287 Anything Goes

Allsorts - Wk 419 Use at least 2 dies

Sweet Stampin' - Monochrome

Cutie Pie - Ch. 112 All Creatures Great and Small

Penny's Paper Crafty -  Ch. 333 Anything Goes