This Is an EXCITING Day!

I have long admired my friend Lorie. She is kind, sweet, generous, and has so many other wonderful attributes that it would take a lifetime to name them all. Besides that, she is the most amazing (super talented!) paper crafter. Wow! No one colors with Copics quite like Lorie! Her cards and altered items are extraordinary!!! If you haven't found her blog yet, you really should check it out.

I was not in the least surprised when Lorie told me that she is now a designing artist for Peachy Keen stamps. Her new line (Country Bumpkin) is making its debut today. WOW!!! Congratulations, Lorie......... and lucky us! We will now have a whole new set of stamps to delight us and provide hours of creative fun! You can purchase them in the Peachy Keen store TODAY!

There was all kinds of fun in the Peachy Keen sites yesterday - sneak peeks, contests, and more! And now, today, we get to showcase Lorie's Country Bumpkin stamps!

Here's the one I got to play with:

Gobble! Gobble!

Isn't this just the cutest turkey every???

Of course, I had to do something inside my card, too....

I have several more pictures... this turkey was just so photogenic and I couldn't choose just one picture to show you.

Be sure to go to the Peachy Keen store to see the rest of the Country Bumpkin stamps!

And stop by Lorie's blog and Congratulate her!!!

Image: Peachy Keen Country Bumpkin

Ink: Copic Markers and Copic Spica Pen

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Black, Dusty Durango, Kiwi Kiss, and Marigold Morning

Designer Paper: Paper Studio Four Seasons Collection

Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones and Stickles Glitter Glue

I Was Having a RUFF Time in July

I had moved! It was hot! (over 100 degrees kind of hot!!!) I couldn't seem to get my stamping supplies unpacked! And my stamping/creating opportunities were being left unfinished! It was ruff! RUFF!!!

The July challenge in the Calendar Girls blog group was a fun one, selected by our Miss July, Michelle. I didn't get it made! And now, the end of September, I am just now doing so. EEK! I am sooooooooooooo sorry, Michelle!!! I hope you understand and will forgive my tardiness!!!

Michelle's theme was a Free for all - anything goes - but with one catch!

Our cards were to be created with anything EXCEPT a stamped image. We could use punch art, stickers, embellishments, patterned paper, whatever we chose... just NO stamped image.

Easy! I knew immediately that I would use punch art! I love punch art!!!

Fast forward to September. My daughter Brittney moved in August and now has two roomates and a petmate, too. I've mailed Brittney several cards over the years, and now her roomates admire them, too. Kacee, the petmate's owner, told Brittney she wanted me to make her a card with a black dog on it. Sooooooo, my punch art card features a black dog.

What's not to love about this face???

I didn't originally plan to make an easel card, but it just kind of evolved.




The dog's ears fold in making it easy to mail this card in a normal square envelope.

Ruff! Ruff!

I hope my doggie card wins first place in the dog show! Oh, and I hope Michelle likes it, too, since it was my July Calendar Girl Anything Goes card!

And I hope Kacee likes it - I'll be mailing it to her! (Do you think it will remind her of her dog Diesel?)

And I hope Brittney thinks I did okay creating this card for her roomate.

It's been fun!

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Real Red and scraps from my scrap file

Designer Paper: Reminisce Good Dog (double-sided)

Embellishments: black brads

An Apple for the Teacher

Today is a special day... it's September 28th, so it's the day that we post our Calendar Girl monthly challenge cards! I'm so excited about this month's cards; can hardly wait to see what my friends created. Paola, our Miss September gave us choices!

Here are her words:

Hello wonderful Calendar Girls
well, sassy Miss September is finally ready to challenge YOU all....*wink*
I'd like this month to continue to be about choices,
therefore I would like YOU to pick your own challenge
by selecting ONE of the THREE choices provided below.

*choice one* MUSIC:
Select one of the three youtube songs I added below, and have your card reflecting part of the lyrics from your song of choice.
The possibilities are absolutely ENDLESS! )
I would also like YOU to gift your finished card to a close neighbour, or a friend that lives close to you that could use a 'pick me up'.

'September Song' by: Nat King Cole

'Wake me up when September ends' by: Green Day

*choice 2* EDUCATION:
Create a card with a special teacher in mind, and please remember to add at least one apple somewhere in your card. Teacher's {heart} apples! )
I would also like YOU to gift your finished card to a teacher (past or present) who has been a true inspiration in your life. (or in your child/children life/lives)

*choice 3* CHILDREN:
Your card should reflect anything a child may like to do: playing, reading, toys,sports etc....but with a twist!
It should be both cheerful and also reflect the fast approaching Fall, a colorful season I love very much. )
I would also like YOU to gift your finished card to a child (other than your own!) that could use a little lift, a lil smile.....just because....

** PLEASE NOTE **-----> Once you post your September creative cards on your blogs, please explain why you chose option 1, or 2 or 3
and also let us know who are you going to gift your card to and the reason why..............)

I am thrilled about hosting this month and very excited to see what you decided to create!!
**Have FUN!!** xoxoxox
~Paola~ aka sassy Miss September~


I just HAD to go with the second choice - EDUCATION! I admire so many teachers. They work hard to create a learning environment where their students can excell. It is often a thankless job. The responsibility is overwhelming. Thank you to all of you who are teachers!!!

While I knew immediately which option I would use, I couldn't seem to settle on an image until much later. I finally went with Stamping Bella's Teachabella (and notice the APPLE, per Paola's instructions). There is one on Teachabella's desk, but I also added an apple brad to my card.

Truthfully, I considered printing the image that Paola has used as her avatar for this month and using it as the image on my card... Pinup Teacher:

LOL! Common sense finally won out, though, so I went a different route.

Here is the card I created:

The front of the card is slightly smaller (not as wide) as the inside, so you can see the righthand side of the card both when the card is closed and when it's open.

The designer papers I used were quite bold, so I went with a simple layout. To add some appeal to the card, I also decorated the inside.

Here is the inside of my card:

School Rocks!

I don't think this is exactly what Paola had in mind, but I'm going to send this card to my favorite teacher, my daughter! (Brittney, did you notice? I colored the teacher's hair brown just for you!) I am so proud of my daughter. In the world that we currently live, with the restrictions placed on schools and their teachers, I admire anyone who would choose to become a teacher. My daughter is one of those individuals. And she does an outstanding job!!! She is creative (I love some of the lessons she's put together for her students!), she is hardworking and dedicated to the task of teaching, and she strives to treat her students with respect and fairness.

Goodness, it sounds like I'm nominating her for Teacher of the Year, doesn't it? Well, if I could, I would!

Now.... before I gush on and on about my wonderful daughter, let's go see what the other Calendar Girls did with Paola's September challenge...

April

Barb

Carol

Debbie

Kelly

Michelle

Paola

Tami

Terry

Image: Stamping Bella Teachabella

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Brilliant Blue and Pumpkin Pie

Designer Paper: Paper Studio Four Seasons Collection

Embellishments: Recollections Apple Brad and Stampin' UP! Grosgrain Ribbon

Paint Isn't Just for Walls!

I love using found items (recycled things, etc.) in my cardmaking. On these cards, I used paint chips (samples) to create the Christmas trees.

Aren't they fun?

Sentiment: Artful Inkables Holiday Treats and Tails

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

Cardstock: White and Black (vendor unknown)

Designer Paper: Heidi Grace Designs (Let It Snow Circle Words) and Paper Studio (both kinds of word paper)

Embellishments: Rhinestones from Michael's

Happy Harvest

It's THAT time of year... apple picking time. It is a long-standing tradition in our family. For many many years now, every fall we have gone to a U-Pick apple orchard as a family and had an enjoyable time picking apples.

As our children grew up and left home, we continued to go. Now it's just Brock and he does love going to the apple orchard... so we still plan to go. The problem is, we've moved and we can't find the "perfect" apple orchard. For Brock, it's not just about picking apples. LOL! He wants to ride out to the orchard on a wagon pulled by the big tractor! And he wants to feed the goats and sheep and even a llama or two at the petting zoo. And of course he wants to sample the fresh apple cider (they give free samples at our "old/perfect" orchard) and even purchase a treat - apple pie, apple donuts, fudge, pastries! YUM!!!

So, our search continues. We are looking for the right apple orchard for this year's outing.

In the meantime, I have created a Happy Harvest card, complete with a basket filled with gorgeous apples!

Yum! Now, where is the caramel dip to go with those apples?



Image & Sentiment: Papertrey Vintage Picnic

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Creamy Caramel, Old Olive, and Riding Hood Red

Designer Paper: DCWV Red Apples

Embellishment: Brown Grosgrain Ribbon (vendor unknown)

Zucchini and Cheese = Perfect Side Dish!

I'm not normally one to lurk. LOL! I guess I should explain.

Kristyn (tryingtofindtime over on SCS) has a Side Dish Recipe Card Swap going on. I've been lurking for weeks and weeks, hoping to find time to join it. She didn't know. I was sneaky!

Time was running out... the deadline was looming. Soooooooo a couple of days ago, I created the prototype and then I asked to join. It's official. I am a Swap Lurker.

Here is one of the two recipe cards I created:

This is one of my favorite side dishes. I love zucchini, and this one is full of zucchini! I also love cheese, another ingredient. (Okay, there's that thing about eggs, I know my Forest Friends are going to wonder about that, since they know I do not like eggs... but this time, eggs are okay. Trust me!)

Perhaps one of the reasons why I like this recipe so much is because it was given to me by a dear Christian woman who was a member of one of our churches years ago. Felma was a beautiful woman and she had a beautiful soul! No one in our church loved to worship quite as much as our Felma did. She would sing in the coir with all of her heart in tune with the Savior.

Felma was not very old when she got the news - she had a brain tumor. We all prayed and wanted a complete healing, but Felma was content with whatever God wanted. He wanted her to come to Him, and she left us all too soon. So when I prepare this wonderful Zucchini Casserole for my family, I think of Felma, and I smile. I smile because I know that she is worshiping in Heaven with all the enthusiasm and joy that she has.

I'm so thankful that I got to know Felma!


Oh, and if you'd like to see the other recipe card I made for Kristyn's swap, you will find it on my S'more Inky AMUSEment blog.






Image & Sentiment: My Favorite Things Farm Friends

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers

Cardstock: Red and Black (vendor unknown)

Designer Paper: TPC Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Embellishments: Spare Parts Brads

Cheering for Craft Us Crazy

I just want to cry!

Have you heard??? This is the last week of the Craft Us Crazy Challenge - until next February! Jeri, the owner of Craft Us Crazy Challenges is preparing for a move and has so much going on in her life right now that she's decided to put the challenge blog on hold until February 2012. I totally understand and wish the very best for Jeri and her family!!! She is really a tremendously caring and wonderful person! Jeri, I hope you know how much I've enjoyed the Craft Us Crazy adventure with you! THANK YOU for letting me be a part of the design team! I will be counting he moments until February! Hugs!!!

Craft Us Crazy Challenge

September 15 - 28

Theme: Goodbye to Summer and/or School Themed Projects

This week's sponsor is Kelley Kid's Digi Stamps, who is offering a prize package of 3 images of the winner's choice.

Thank you, Kelley Kid's Digi Stamps!!!

For my card, I used the Kelley Kid's Cheer Digi Image:

Hip Hip Hooray!!!

Be sure to join the fun this week at Craft Us Crazy...... it's your last chance until February!

Image: Kelley Kid's Digi Stamps

Ink: Copic Markers

Papers: from my scrap file

Embellishment: brad

It's a Mystery!

I love stamping and creating cards, that's no surprise to you who follow my blog. I own many many stamps (too many, in fact, which is part of the reason why I'm having a Stamping/Scrapping ONLY yard sale this weekend.... wish you lived close enough to stop by. There will be lots of fun, great bargains, and even some Make and Takes, if you arrive early enough.)

I also love my stamping friends - I have many online friends (thanks to Splitcoast Stampers)! One of the fun things about online friends is that we share encourage one another in this creative outlet that we love.

Karly is the hostess of the current round of the Mystery group. What is the MYSTERY group? We are a group that swaps cards every two months, with a different hostess each round. When the cards are mailed back to us, included in the envelope is the images for the next round, provided by the one who will be the hostess. No one else knows what they will be until they arrive in our mailboxes....... and no matter what they are, we are to use them to create cards for the next round. FUN!!!

Oh, and we aren't supposed to post pictures of our cards until the due date, so the rest of the Mystery swappers can't see our cards until after they have created theirs. ;) These were due September 18, so now I'm posting pictures of mine!

Karly sent us an adorable hedgehog image (Penny Black Acrobat).

Here's my card:

This closeup picture shows some of the details, like the Stickles (glitter glue) on the flower centers and the teeny tiny brad eye:

I decorated the inside of my card, too:

I hope Karly and the Mystery swappers like my card! I can't wait to see theirs, too!!!

Thanks for a great image, Karly! You're fantastic!!!


Image (colored with Copics): Penny Black Acrobat

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Buckaroo Blue, Kiwi Kiss, and Regal Rose

Designer Papers: Deja View Blue Raspberry Blossoms and KO Addison Blue Gingham

Embellishments: Recolllections brad and Stickles glitter glue

School Days

It's that time of year.... School is in Session!

Let me warn you, this is going to be a long blog post. I have so much to share with you and it's all in this one blog post. You'll want to see it all, too, because I have two different cards for you to check out. So fasten your seat belt and get settled in for a long and enjoyable ride. ;)
Today is the 15th of September. That means it's time for the Dueling Darlings. You know who we are. We are two groups of online friends who each month are given a kit by our respective hostesses and then create cards - all with the same theme. The Dazzlers (I'm a Dazzler) hostess this month is April. The Divas hostess is Jamie. They chose School Days as their theme.

April's kit included all of these wonderful items:
me & my BIG ideas and DCWV cardstocks;
Reflections blue star glitter tape;
CTMH red abc ribbon
Assorted clips
School bus courtesy of Jamie;
Stamps by Perfectly Clear Stamps/Stampendous ~ "School for Changito"
Black waffle paper from SU!

I couldn't use them all, there were so many items! THANK YOU, April! All I had to add was some red and black cardstock.

Here's the front of my card:

I used one of the images April sent for "inside" the bus; isn't that just the cutest little bus driver you've ever seen?

But look, I also used one of the images inside my card:

I'm so excited to see what the other Dazzlers did with April's kit... April, Darlene, Debbie, Melina, Michelle, Paola, and Terry!

I'm equally excited to see what Jamie gave the Divas and to see what they created... Barb, Carol, Jamie, Joan, Judy, Kelly, LJ, and Tami!


However, before we head off to check out their blogs, I must tell you about an INCREDIBLE challenge that begins today.

It's sooooooo cool, because the Dueling Darlings creations are appropriate for the Craft Us Crazy Challenge! Want to know why?

The Craft Us Crazy Challenge Theme: Goodbye to Summer (Summer Themed) and/or School Themed!

September 15 - - 28

This week's Craft Us Crazy Challenge Sponsor is Meljen's Designs. They've provided an awesome gift for one of the participants, so be sure to join the fun... you just might win!

I created this card with a Meljen's Designs image and sentiment:

I wonder what that dog is digging for?

I hope he finds it, whatever it is.

Image & Sentiment: Meljen's Designs

Ink: Copic markers

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Marigold Morning and Real Red

Other Papers: from my scrap file

Embellishments: brads

CAS for a Dear Friend

I don't do CAS! It scares me to try... I am afraid of failure. LOL!

I love CAS! Others do it and I think it is gorgeous! When I try, it looks plain and boring. UGH!

So when Gael challenged us to make CAS cards for the August Sisterhood of the Traveling Cards theme, I was petrified! What to do? What to do??? If my memory is correct, she instructed us to use no more than 2 layers (and the base counted as a layer) and 1 embellishment (not one type of embellishment, but ONE EMBELLISHMENT)! Me-oh-my!!!

I spent some time searching the web, looking for ideas... and I happened upon a card that had cut the image apart into a mosaic kind of configuration. Hmmmmmmmm... could I do that? I decided to give it a try.

Here is what I came up with:

It's the first CAS card I've ever made that I didn't totally hate, so that's an improvement.

Here's a close up of the image:

I do love the image I used! And I really like the colors, too. If Gael had allowed a few more layers, I would have put a dark piece of cardstock under the three pieces of the image (to anchor them). But she didn't, so I went with the ivory base.

Gael is a dear friend, so I used the Dear Friend sentiment from the stamp set. I hope my dear friend likes my CAS card!


Image & Sentiment: Stampin' UP! Bella Blossoms
Ink: Stampin' UP! Cherry Cobbler and Peach Parfait and Versamark
Embossing Powder: Stampin' UP! Clear
Cardstock: Gina K Ivory
Embellishment: Darice Pearl

Whoo! Whoo!!!

Whoo thinks this little owl is darling? I do!

I was inspired to use autumn colors and one of my favorite embellishments when making this card. Do you know why? That's right! It's the theme for the current Craft Us Crazy challenge!

Craft Us Crazy Challenge

September 1 - 14

Theme: Autumn Colors and/or Favorite Embellishment

This week's Craft Us Crazy sponsor is Sweet 'n Sassy, who is providing an amazing gift for a lucky participant.





By the way, the owl on my card, that I paper-pieced... it's a Sweet 'n Sassy stamp, from the stamp set called Owl Occasions!

Here's a close-up view so you can see how darling he is:




Now, WHOO wants to join the fun at Craft Us Crazy???

Image: Sweet 'n Sassy Owl Collection

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

All Papers: from my scrapfile

Embellishments: Stampin' UP! Pearls