No Limits Friendship...

Happy Monday everyone!!!  Today I'm sharing an easel card I made showcasing the Vellum paper from the Paper Temptress.  I LOVE playing with Vellum and when I saw Sherri Baldy's Asian Besty, I KNEW it would be perfect for making a fan to be a backdrop for my image.  It was perfect to score and so easy to fold.

I stamped it with a few flower images and some butterflies from Theresa Momber's set, "Whimsical Spring".  And I let it THOROUGHLY dry before even attempting to fold the paper.  I used my Copic markers to color in the leaves and flowers and the branches and they worked beautifully on the vellum.

Before scoring my Vellum I added a thin line of Scor Tape to the edge and then sprinkled it with some black glitter.  LOVE it!!  I punched a hole in the bottom and added an eyelet along with some twine that I used to make a tassle at the end.  I used some liquid glue to attach the vellum to my card and since it dried clear, it made no noticeable markings on the Vellum.

I also used the gold from the Laser Lustre pack to border out my black card stock and also to punch a strip for the inside of my card.

Here's another view of the card so you can see how I folded the easel.

I hope you give the Vellum a try.. it REALLY is fun to work with and not only does it fold well, but it tears well AND does a fabulous job on the printer!!  Oh and... I have made this for an adorable new friend I've made who lives in Thailand.  She is just adorable, though we've never met, I can't wait to send this to her.  Now I hope you realize this DOES stick up on the card quite a bit but I plan to make a pretty box to put it safely in before mailing her way.  :-)

That's it for me today.  Have a GREAT week and thanks for stopping by!!! *HUGS*

Copics I used:

Fly Free.....

Today I'm sharing an image I colored from Saturated Canary, "Angels Among Us", which I posted for a previous Outlawz, Twisted Thursday Challenge.  I've done lots of cards lately and LOTS of coloring... trying to always get better, but not so much blog postings.  I apologize for that.  It seems with all the running and ACTUAL walking around I've done since hubby had his accident I'm pretty much at my exhaustion stage. LOL  I seem to get them created, photographed and sometimes... sometimes, even uploaded.  But to sit and write my post seems to be one of those things I always did at night once everyone went to bed.  Well, needless to say, at days end these days... I'm pretty much sitting with an idle engine.  LOL  So I am terribly sorry to you faithful followers who have been sticking with me and waiting patiently.  I'll make a better effort at it... and maybe... like tonight... I can get a minute to do it earlier!  Keep praying for me... I sure can use it! ;-)

I couldn't resist pairing up Theresa Momber's little bird image from her stamp set, "Birds and Blossoms".  I'm hoping you realize... it IS a silhouette.. I mean.. my sweet Saturated Canary image DOES have pink wings around her. Hee Hee

The beautiful bird cage was a die cut from MarkerPOP!, a Cheery Lynn Design, Bird Cage.  And those tiny sweet roses and crystal flowers ar from the Paper Temptress.

My sentiment is one I cut from SRM stickers which I like to use when I just can't find exactly what I want to use, I love their clear stickers and how I can mix and match with them.

I appreciate your stopping by today and I hope you forgive my shortness of posts in the last couple months.  I also want you to know how much my hubby and I have appreciated all your prayers and thoughts during his recovery.  He is doing wonderful and we are hoping in two more weeks he will get the ok to start attempting to walk again.  As always... blessed to have him with us AND... blessed to have you as a follower of mine!!  God is good!!

Have a fabulous Monday!! *HUGS*




 Copics I used:

It's a Bird? It's a Plane? Noooo It's SUPER Frog!!!

Oh yes... I DO love my frogs! LOL  Or toads.  I know my dear friend, Bette, would NOT be happy with me because apparently, there is CLEARLY a difference.  Ha Ha  Well... I don't care... frogs are frogs are frogs to me! Hee Hee

I made my adorable frog for the CMC challenge, Anything Goes with using bugs or reptiles as the twist.  My froggie is "Elvin the Toad" from Digital Delight.  Ya ya.. it's a toad! Ok Ok... Hee.

I colored him with my Copic markers and couldn't resist buggin out his eyes a bit more.  I mean, come on... he's in LOVE!!!! Ha Ha

I added my sentiment from words in Carolyn King's set, "Stamp it Big!" from Gina K Designs.  Funny thing is... when I stamped the first part, under the frog (toad), "you make me" I read it wrong and thought it said... MADE... and I thought... ummm DARN!  But hey... it worked, right??? LOL

There's still a few days left in this challenge so if you'd like to add your entry, please do!!  Our next challenge will go up on Friday evening, March 15th so if you want do join this one, get hoppin! LOL  Oh I'm so cracking myself up here today!!  Forgive me... I can't help myself, it's been a long night for me to even think of writing a post was crazy! LOL

But as always... I DO appreciate your stopping by and I hope you have a fabulous day!!!!  *HUGS*



 Copics I used:

BIG Friends....

Happy Wednesday!!!  I'm so so glad it's Wednesday... I think. LOL  Ok, wait... on second thought.. it just dawned on me... ya... I have a TON of things to do again today! LOL  Wow, for a moment there I thought... "ahhhh a day of rest".  Pfffft... just what I get for thinking, huh?  Normally, it's a day that the kids get home early from school and not much else is happening.  But... as it turns out, I have to take my hubby to therapy, then head off to daughter's school for her conference and then head out to take her to drum lessons.  What was I thinking??? Oy!  Oh well... it seems tomorrow will be my "day of rest". LOL

I was thinking how Carolyn's last stamp set, "Stamp It BIG!" is truly just a wonderful set for making those cards you want just to write a small message in or an easy "thinking of you" card.  I started with Pure Luxury Bubble Gum Pink and then layered it with some Black Onyx which I ran through my Cuttlebug and embossed with Square Lattic embossing folder from StampinUp.  I used the Layering Weight White to stamp the patterned squares and added the "Friends" over the top.  I used the tiny flowers to make "buttons" and added them on top.

I know I'll be using Carolyn's set often and I can't wait to make a "set" of these "note cards" as gifts and in my scrapbooking pages.

Thanks for stopping by today and if you have a "relax" day, think of me and pray nothing creeps up on my day tomorrow because I can sure use one free day this week.  It's been a few busy weeks in a row for me and I'm ready to "veg out!".  ;-)  *HUGS*

Thanks In Style...

Today I'm sharing some awesome paper and an awesome stamp set!  My sweet friend, Carolyn King's stamp set released at Gina K Designs last month is one of my all-time FAVORITES ever!!!!  "Stamp it BIG!" is perfect for a CAS card and... I can't wait to use them in my SMASH books and Project Life book!

And... for the paper!!  Oh yes... another TWO favs from the Paper Temptress!!!  I truly love working with Parchment paper and as you can see below... it tears so nicely and has the best fibers to make any card look wonderfully classes and expensive!!  The other paper I adore is the Gold Linen!!

I tried to get a close up so that you can see how nice the fibers look after tearing on the Parchment and though it was a bit difficult, you can see to the left the shimmer to the Gold Linen.  Both just awesome when you need a bit more formal look to your card.

My card also features one of favorite ribbons as well, "Pure Luxury Gold Lined" also from Gina K Designs.

Put all these wonderful products together and you can't help but get one classy, stylish thank you card that I am sure someone will love to get!!  I'm not big on CAS cards but I admit, even I love the rich look that these items added together created!

I hope you have a great Tuesday!  I am off early this morning with my daughter's 5th grade band members heading to my son's high school for the Band Extravaganza!  They are gathering all the band members from the 5th graders through 8th graders on the south side and putting on one heck of a show for them!  I've heard about this for years since my son started going when he was in 5th grade.  They really WOW the kids and get them all psyched up hoping they continue with their instruments and eventually join the high school band when they arrive.  It was one of Steven's favorite times and now that he's a part of the show, he's even more thrilled to have his sister attend her first!  Anxious to see what all the hype is myself.  Hee Hee

I'm pretty happy that both my kids adore music and I'm even prouder when they do a fabulous job at their concerts and recitals and judgings.  Steven celebrated his 10th year of piano, 7th year of clarinet and 2nd year of saxophone this year.  Emily played piano for two years (she decided she didn't care for it as much) and is currently on her 2nd year of drums and 2nd year of trumpet.  They both seem to be "naturally gifted" (if there is such a thing) to playing instruments because they RARELY practice and when they are judged, they never cease to amaze me with getting blue and red ribbons every time!  I'm sure they got all that talent from me. Hee Hee

Thanks for stopping by and I'll hopefully get some good pictures from Band Extravaganza to share tomorrow! ;-)  *HUGS*

A Bird House for Dad...

If you've followed me on FB, I'm sure you've seen the pictures of the awesome bird houses my dad is building.  Yes, he's retired... FINALLY... and yes, he's finding a way to spend his time.  My dad is actually VERY crafty though he'd NEVER let anyone know. LOL  As I was growing up I remember him doing... Tri-Chem Paintings (one of which he did of Pinocchio and had framed for my son's room)... he's done latch hook rugs... put together with perfect precision, model cars and painted with even more perfection... and he's loved putting big complicated puzzles together (again, one big one he framed for my daughter's room).  So when he started building bird houses AND designing them for each person's taste, I was not surprised!!! Oh and YES I did get a purple one! Hee

So, today, I am sharing a "thank you" card I made for him using Theresa Momber's last set, "Birds and Blossoms". When I saw this I KNEW I had to have it just for this very reason!!!  And, since my dad's favorite color is blue... the flowers were my personal touch to him.  Not to mention the bird houses he made for he and mom were green.  ;-)

My card base is Pure Luxury Ocean Mist layered with Lemon Drop.  I added some DP from my stash.  I stamped my image on White Cryogen from the Paper Temptress and colored with my Copics then cut it out.  I layered more Ocean Mist and Lemon Drop then distressed the edges before adding it under a strip of Jute Ribbon then added my birdhouse using Pop Dots.  I did the same to the flowers... stamping, coloring and adding with Pop Dots to raise them up a bit.

I gotta say, my bird coloring leaves a LOT to be desired! LOL  But when you're trying to get "inky" and craft a bit while trying to care for a healing husband, well, there just isn't time to try to look up bird colors! LOL  Oh well... next time.  I just couldn't wait to use this fabulous set from Theresa and I KNOW there will be many more opportunities to use it in the near future!!

I hope you're having a GREAT Saturday and you're mot digging out from snow like we are... again.  But it doesn't look like it will be around long even though I hear more is in the near future.  Ugh!

As always, I appreciate your coming by.  YOU'RE the reason I LOVE posting and creating new projects to share!!! *HUGS*




 Copics I used:

"Ohhh You Make me Smile.... "

My dear sweet friend, Carolyn King, does just that... she makes me SMILE!!  I love Carolyn and I love her newest stamp release... "Stamp it BIG!".  I couldn't wait to get my hand on these awesome BIG words and sadly, since my hubby's accident, it took forever for me to find the time to create even one card.  But... that I did!  Finally!!  I paired, Carolyn's set with Becky Oehler's, "Spoon Me" because those awesome retro glasses were yet another reason for me to smile!!!  Hee Hee

I started my card with Gina K Designs, Pure Luxury White Heavy-Base Weight card stock.  I LOVE the weight of this for a card base.  I used the Smile word and stamped it three times onto the base.  The glasses I stamped using the Light Weight White card stock and cut them out.  I then added some Crystal Clear card stock from the Paper Temptress to add some "glass" to my glasses though it's hard to see in the photo.

Now the glasses had to have a chain to hold them to the card... hee hee.  I used some colored wire I had in my stash from oh so long ago which was sold by StampinUp.  Not sure if they have it any longer but I loved how it looked.  You've seen those wire glass holders right??? All bright and shiny and soooo ME! LOL

I can't wait to use Carolyn's stamp set more as I didn't have lots of time to get anything worked up much but I couldn't resist trying to do at least one card with this lovely set.  It will be amazing to use in my SMASH books and my art journals as well!!! LOVE IT!!!

I hope you're having a great Thursday!  I hope to get a bit more crafting done and maybe hunker down and stay warm as we are expecting another winter blizzard... hopefully the last for the season!  Stay warm and thanks for stopping by!!! *HUGS*

It Can Only Get Better....

Ahhh yes... another rainy day/umbrella image and if you know me, you know I HAVE to have it!!!  I'm a sucker for rainy days and certainly can't get enough of the stamps of the same nature!!

This little cutie is from The Paper Nest and is named, "Rainy Day Avery".  I wuvs her!!!  I printed her on Cryogen White paper from the Paper Temptress.  My card base is Pure Luxury Sweet Corn with a layer of Black Onyx and some DP from Authentique.

Of course I colored her with my Copics and added a sentiment from SRM stickers.  It reminded me that even though we have a few rainy days, things CAN and WILL get better and you know... this IS life.

The last couple weeks have been rough for my family but like I said before... things are looking up and sunny skies are heading our way!!!

I hope you have a fabulous day and stop by The Paper Nest.  Christine's images are so darn fun and great to color!!

Thanks for stopping by!!! *HUGS*




 Copics I used:

Fuzzy, Soft and Cuddly....

A soft, fuzzy bunny is all I thought about when I colored this sweet little image from Stamp Fairy.    This week's newest challenge over on Color Me Creative is to "Color with Texture".  Use your Copics, pencils, whatever you'd like to create texture on your image.  I used the "towel" technique where you add Copic Blending Solution to a rag or hand towel or washcloth (which I used) to create soft "speckles" of texture to the image once it's colored.

Here's a close up so you can see the fine "speckles" it creates once colored.

I always think of more a "flocking" look when I use this technique but I love how subtle it is.  Makes me want to rub my finger across it to really see if something is there.  Hee

Of course, I colored the image with my Copics prior to doing the technique.  I also used the "feathering" brush stroke around the edges of my image to add a bit of shadow around it.

My card base is Pure Luxury Passionate Pink and layered on some Moonlit Fog and Bubble Gum pink onto that.  My image was printed on Cryogen White from the PaperTemptress.  My DP is from the paper pack, Authentique "Lovely" collection.

I hope you are having a lovely Sunday as WE certainly are feeling all warm and cuddly with hubby/daddy home!  His surgery was a big success and though we tease him that his name is now "Frank (enstein)" we are happy he is home and on the mend.  It was a VERY scary time for us but nothing can ever replace the love we have for him and we are very thankful to God who watched over him and brought him home again.

As always, I appreciate your stopping by and REALLY appreciate your understanding as to my sparse postings as things have been kind of hectic in our home for the last couple weeks.  Oh and, don't forget to watch the Super Bowl!!!  We will be having our usual "carpet picnic" with the kids while enjoying the games and most certainly the commercials!! LOL  *HUGS*




 Copics I used:

Because "Life IS Good"...

Good morning friends!  It is with a tired mind and body I am writing this post.  I just arrived home from a 12 hour stay at the hospital with my husband.  As many of you know, he was involved in a semi accident last week.  The doctor worked his magic and mended his bones in his legs today.  After a 3 hour surgery that should have only last 1.5 hours, I am happy to say, he is on the mend and yes... "Life IS good" again!  Sure he will have many weeks and months of therapy, but essentially, he is alive and will start heading up again.  :-)

Today I wanted to share an adorable image from The Paper Nest Dolls called "Avery with Canvas".  What crafter could resist doing this cutie all decked out and ready to "create"?!!  I printed her on some Cryogen White paper from the Paper Temptress and colored her with my Copic markers.  The card base is Pure Luxury Turquoise Sea with some Key Lime and Wild Dandelion from Gina K Designs.  I added a Hambly Overlay which also is from the Paper Temptress which went fabulously with the Turquoise Sea.

I hear these adorable images will soon be available in rubber!! ;-)  You'll definitely want to stop by the  Paper Nest Dolls site and check out all her other wonderful fun images to color!  I'm sure you'll see a few more on my blog from time to time as I fell in love with them the minute I saw them on Etsy!  And thank you Christine for sending me such a fun image to create with!! *HUGS*

I hope you all have a wonderful day and remember... "Life IS good" if you keep on looking for the upside and never ever forget the good times.  As always, thanks for stopping by and thanks to all who have sen their prayers and support during this rough little bump in our familie's life.

*HUGS*



 Copics I used:

Brushing up for Spring....

Nothing says Spring to me more than tulips!!  Today I am sharing a project I did that I found last October online.  Can't remember the site, but they were a HUGE inspiration for me.  These are USED, old paint brushes.  Really!  I have a friend who was a customer's of ours when I worked for my dad and he supplied me with a huge amount of old paint brushes.  Some have paint caked on them, some are actually brand new.  These two were used and in pretty ok condition really.

I colored the "brush" area using acrylic paint then added a few different Washi tapes around the top of the brush.  I used some Pure Luxury Layering Weight White and a Martha Stewart punch to create a "fence" around the brush.  My tulips were from Melanie Muenchinger's, "A Year of Flowers", one of my all-time FAVORITE Melanie sets!  I colored them with my Copic markers and cut them out and mounted them behind the fence.  A little ribbon and a few Tim Holtz elements finished off my brushes.  I painted he handle with more acrylic paint.

I actually made these for my dad to hang in his newly built garage.... his 2nd home. LOL  He loves tulips and whenever possible I send a few his way.  Even sending him some real bulbs as gifts from time to time.

We are getting a heat wave the next few days.. 50 degree weather so I KNOW I will be having Spring Fever but sadly it won't last long as there is the "white stuff" scheduled for next week.  Ugh.  I hope wherever you are you are keeping warm.

I'm hoping to get a bit of running done today if hubby is doing well.  My MIL is here so hoping she will make it easier for us to get to a few things or at least a chance for me to run and maybe even do some creating.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!! *HUGS*




 Copics I used:

An Apology and Their Friends....

First an apology!  I haven't not been posting much on my blog lately in that last Wednesday morning, my husband had an accident in the semi he drives from Iowa to Illinois every night.  We are VERY blessed he came home to us and with BOTH legs.  I saw the pictures of his truck and the dash board was totally rammed against the seat.  I have no idea how anyone got out of there with their legs in tact!!  They had to get the Jaws of Life to get him out.  We are still picking pieces of glass out of his hands, etc.  

Next week he will have surgery on the one leg that was broken at the knee.  The other leg suffered many torn and mangled ligaments.  He has a full brace on the right leg and a knee and ankle brace on the left leg.  In short, he is wheelchair or bed bound.  Poor guy!  But again... God was good in bringing him home alive and with legs.  We feel blessed to have him with us.

Now onto to come creativity, shall we?!

I am betting, if you have children who know you craft, you too get requests for "friend gifts".  I don't mind, of course, but sometimes... juuusssstttt sometimes, they hit me with it the NIGHT BEFORE they need it!!! Grrrrrr  But I was "somewhat" prepared for this one.  Ha!

I had posted a couple of these fun little journal books before and if you want instructions and a link to the site where I got the inspiration from, please click HERE... I won't bore you with the details again.  I did use a few extra Spellbinders labels and dies on this one... the Labels 21 along with one of their flourish dies.

The stamp sets I used are Theresa Momber's, "Elegant Florals", "Follow Your Dreams" and by Gina K Designs, "Inspirational Blocks".

I hope you have a fabulous Monday!  I am looking forward to a bit of sanity and creativity today. MIL is coming by to help with hubby and kids will be gone to school.  At least a bit more quiet anyway.  LOL  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!! *HUGS*

He's Getting Older... Wiser???

Today is a fitting day for a "manly" card design.  At my house AND at the Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge site.  It's our challenge for the week in the Twisted Thursday group with the usual "Anything Goes" as well.  Is that confusing to you??? I mean, it's ALWAYS "Anything Goes" on Thursday but, the twist is, if you use our "theme" (which is "masculine" this week), you get your name in the drawing for a prize from our sponsor TWICE!  See how that works now?

Anyway... back to it being a fitting card at my house.  This weekend is my dear hubby's birthday. And, as usual, the kids want me to always make a card showing how they feel.  My son's request, "he's my hero".  Thus, THIS card was born.  :-)

My card uses the wonderful Tami Mayberry's set, from Gina K Designs, "Masculine Tags".  My card base is Pure Luxury Honey Mustard with a layer of Fresh Asparagus.  My DP is "Farm House" by Sugar Hill which is perfect for a masculine card.  I added a few self-adhesive copper nail heads and some awesome Jute Ribbon (love that stuff) to finish it off.

Next up will be my daughter's card to daddy.  She usually ends up on the more "sentimental" end of it, of course.  Though I truly think she would have made one heck of a boy, she and daddy share a special bond, that's for sure!  All the way from wrestling to arguing over who's opinion matters most on whatever topic they are debating that day. LOL  They are quite comical to watch.

I hope you hop on over to the Outlawz site and check out all the challenges available.  There's a new one every day!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous Thursday!!! *HUGS*