I Dig You!

I've been waiting and waiting for the 28th to get here? Why? Because I dig it! I actually really get excited EVERY month on the 28th, because that's the day that the Calendar Girls blog group has set aside for our monthly challenge.

This month Kelly is our hostess. She chose a FURRY fun challenge for us. Yep, because of her love for pets (she has a couple of dogs and a bird, I know), she challenged us to create cards that include images of furry friends. And because it's February, she asked us to include some red on our cards.

Now, this was definitely a fun challenge, and I suspect (though I could be wrong) that when you check out the other Calendar Girl blogs, you will probably see some pictures of real pets, too, not just cards. But here on my blog, there are no pets, because we are a pet-free home. EEK! It's true, much to the disappointment of our daughter who is now grown and living many miles away, we have never had a pet here in our household. I'm sorry! All you get to see here is a card.

And here it is...

Here's the inside (pretty simple):

Now, be sure to check out the other Calendar Girl blogs - their links are in my left sidebar. And leave them some loving comments - it will make their day. ;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Image: Whipper Snapper Harry the Dog

Sentiment: Whipper Snapper I Dig You

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Buckaroo Blue, Cherry Cobbler, and Early Espresso

Designer Paper: The Paper Studio Spoiled Rotten Paper Pack

Embellishment: Paw Print Brads (vendor unknown)

I'm Trying...

... trying to get my Cubbyhole (my crafting space) organized and in shape. It's a slow - very VERY slow - process. We moved last summer and I'm still not completely set up in there. Part of the problem is the space is less than half the size of my previous Hideout. And it has no walls!!! Yes, you read that right. It is completely made by bookshelves in a wide open space. So the bars that I used in my Hideout (those IKEA bars) won't work in my Cubbyhole.

What to do????

I was at the thrift store a couple of weeks ago and found a stand that is supposed to hold DVD's or CD's or such. hmmmmmmmmmm.... I wondered if it would work for my punches.

IT DID!!!

Take a look...

I'm soooooo excited!!!

Cupcakes and Candles = Fun!!!

It looks like someone is going to celebrate a special day!

It's Birthday Cupcake Timmy, an adorable image from Digital Delights

Digital Delights is the proud sponsor for the new Craft Us Crazy Challenge.

Thank you, Digital Delights!!!

Craft Us Crazy Challenge

February 16 - 29

Use your FAVORITE COLOR and/or EMBELLISHMENT

PRIZE PACKAGE: $5 Gift Voucher from Digital Delights

I don't really have a favorite color, though I do usually gravitate toward either black or dark brown for my layers under the focal color/papers. I think that sort of makes the other papers/elements pop.

I do have favorite embellishments, though. You've probably noticed that I often use ribbon and/or brads on my cards.... so I used both on this card, as well as a button.

And of course I had to use some designer paper; I always do! I gave it full attention inside my card.

I hope you'll participate in the Favorite Color and/or Embellishment Craft Us Crazy Challenge!

Image: Digital Delights Birthday Cupcake Timmy

Ink: Copic Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' UP Early Espresso and Soft Sky

Designer Paper: DCWV Glitter Sweet Stack

Embellishments: Paper Studio Button, Recollections Brads, and Stampin' UP! Ribbon and Cord

Let Me Call You Sweetheart

It's the 15th of February... time for the newest Dueling Darling post. I love Love LOVE the Dueling Darlings! We are two teams of online friends. Each team has a hostess for the month and the two hostesses decide on a theme together, but then get secretive and put together kits for their team members based on that theme. It's a BIG secret until the 15th of the month. No one knows what the other team has to work with. It's such fun!

This month our hostesses are Deb and Carol...... and they chose the theme "Let Me Call You Sweetheart". I'm a Dazzler, so I got to ork with Deb's incredible kit, overflowing with awesome products. (THANK YOU, Deb!!!) I couldn't use them all........ but that's okay because we have something special planned to do with the unused items later in the year. You'll want to keep an eye open for that.

For now, here's my card:

The hostesses also challenged us this month to share someting about a special "sweetie" in our life. I've decided to share with you someting very special about my "sweetie". My husband has always loved poetry - both reading it and writing it. This year for Valentine's Day, he wrote me the following poem.

Our Twenty-Nine

by C. Brent Cloyd

You have been my darling for twenty-nine

Traveling state to state, place to place

My partner, my lover, my valentine.

We've had and held on in good times or bad

We're not rich, nor poor, but our house is full

You have been my darling for twenty-nine.

You brought forth three children into our home

Two have moved away, one remains with us

My partner, my lover, my valentine.

Daring to believe we pursued the wind

We chased dreams, some saw light and some faded

You have been my darling for twenty-nine.

Faith, hope, love, and adventure paved our path

The call to service has been our highway

My partner, my lover, my valentine.

We have known joy and we have known sorrow

But our journey has brought satisfaction

You have been my darling for twenty-nine

My parnter, my lover, my valentine.

Isn't he sweet???

Okay, let's go check out the other Dueling Darlings...

Dazzlers

April

Darlene

Deb

Melina

Michelle

Paola

Terry

Divas

Barb

Carol

Jamie

Joan

Judy

Kelly

LJ

Tami

Image & Sentiment: Crafty Secrets Couple of Cuties

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Black and Soft Sky

Designer Paper: My Mind's Eye Love Me Banners and Love Me Plaid

Embellishments: Stampin' UP Grosgrain Ribbon, Prima Flowers, Pearl Brads, and Love Charm

How Now, Brown Cow?

According to The Phrase Finder, this is a nonsense phrase with no real meaning as such.

No meaning? Of course it means something!!! It means I have a card to show you and a great challenge for you, too. ;)

Here's the card:

and here's the challenge:

Craft Us Crazy Challenge

February 2 - 15

Theme: Anything Goes

Bugaboo Stamps is the sponsor of this Craft Us Crazy Challenge.

The prize is 7 free digi images from Bugaboo Stamps

WOW!!! That's a fabulous prize! Oh my goodness! I love Bugaboo images.... you will, too, I'm sure!

In fact, the adorable cow on my card is a Bugaboo image, given to me by Bugaboo Stamps for the purpose of this challenge. Thank you, Jodie! I so appreciate the opportunity to create with your images.

(shhhhhh!!! Please don't tell anyone, but I long to some day be able to serve on the Bugaboo Design Team. It will be our little secret, okay?) I love Bugaboo Stamps that much!!!

Remember, it's ANYTHING GOES at Craft Us Crazy..... so there's no excuse not to participate!

Image: Bugaboo Stamps Make It Snappy Udderly Amazing

Ink: Copic Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Apricot Appeal and Wild Wasabi

Designer Paper: My Mind's Eye Twinkle Twinkle Little Boy Glitter Book

Embellishments: Brads and a Button (vendor unknown) and Stampin' UP! Ribbon