Has it really been over a year

...since I've updated my blog??? Those of you who know me well, know that it's been a crazy year for me and my family. I am hopeful that as things calm down, I will be able to begin my love affair with crafting again. Until then, thanks for all the love and support. *mwah!*

Friday Fun Challenge #20

It's Friday and this week we are celebrating Friday Fun Challenge number TWENTY!! As your hostess this week, I am offering up a challenge to use at least three different patterns on your card. You can use DP or make your own patterns with stamps and/or inks.

Here is mine. I used Julee Tilman's Mojo Monday 68 sketch for my layout.

Paper: Bella Rose DSP, Pink Pirhouette, Riding Hood Red

Stamps: Short & Sweet

Ink: Pure Poppy

Accessories: small and large oval punches, Nestabilities circle cutters, mini brads, Sizzix flower with leaf & swirl die cut

You can find more Friday Fun creations on these blogs:

Kim's blog - Papertastic Creations

Jimmi's blog - The Stamping Shopper

Sherry's blog - Stamping When I'm Not Working

Sara's blog - Expressions of a Creative Mind

If you'd like to play along, please link your card back here (using keyword FFC20 for your Splitcoast gallery) so we can admire your work!

Friday Fun Challenge 19

This week's Friday Fun hostess is Sherry, and she challenged us to create a Valentine for a friend. I've been looking for a reason to use my new Frankenstein quote, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.



I used SC205 for my layout, and Basic Grey Wassail Collection paper and mini brads.

You can find more Friday Fun creations on these blogs:

Kim's blog - Papertastic Creations
Jimmi's blog - The Stamping Shopper
Sherry's blog - Stamping When I'm Not Working
Sara's blog - Expressions of a Creative Mind

If you'd like to play along, please link your card back here (using keyword FFC19 for your Splitcoast gallery) so we can admire your work!

VIrtual Stamping Night - The Crush

Last weekend's VSN Mini was so much fun! I didn't get a chance to play nearly as many challenges I wanted to, but I had a blast hanging with my peeps on the VSN threads and trying my hand a some new techniques. This one was one of my favs. The challenge was hosted by my Sassy friend Sherry, who asked us to use the Burned Batik technique on our card. This was new for me, but was much easier than it looked and I loved the effect. By the way, this card has ELEVEN LAYERS ~ a lot even for me!



Stamps: Petal Prints
Paper: Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, PTI White
Ink: Versamark, Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Detail Clear EP, Dew Drops, Swiss Dots embossing folder, Nestabilities square and scalloped square die cuts,
Techniques: Burned Batik



I made this card for VSN's "I Love To Collect" challenge. The challenge was to make a card that highlights something you collect. I chose to highlight my mini brad collection (I love 'em!).




Stamps: A*Muse, sentiment by MFT
Paper: Orchid Opulence, Whisper White
Ink: Palette Noir Hybrid, Copic Sketch Markers
Accessories: mini brads

Things I've Done In My Lifetime

My sweet and talented friend, Kim Muhl, awarded me the One Lovely Blog Award. Thanks, Kim!

My friend Jimmi Mayo posted this list on her blog, and I thought it was kind of cool. If you'd like to share your "list", just copy, paste, and highlight the things you've done.

Things I've done in my lifetime:

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving (Parasailing!)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

My First Sewing Card ~ FFC17

Well, I'm a day late (and a dollar short, too, if you must know ;-)), but here is my Friday Fun Challenge Card. This week's Sassy hostess was Kim, and she challenged us to make a card using BRIGHT colors. Well, I finally got up the nerve to thread up my new Janome Sew Mini and give it a whirl. Let me tell you, it's harder than it looks! For my bright colors, I used Papertrey Ink's Berry Sorbet along with SU's Yo-Yo Yellow (may have been my original piece!) and Tempting Turquoise. The stamp is from Michael's $1 bin, made by Studio G.


You can find more Friday Fun creations on these blogs:


Kim's blog - Papertastic Creations

Jimmi's blog - The Stamping Shopper

Sherry's blog - Stamping When I'm Not Working

Holiday Extravaganza Sketch Challenge

Last week I hosted one of the Holiday Extravaganza sketch challenges on Splitcoaststampers.com (HCE12). This was the sketch. If you'd like to play along, you can check out the details here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=12521645#post12521645

I thought I'd make one of my sample cards a New Year's card, since the challenge was posted on New Year's Eve.

Stamps: Stamping Bella's "Stella with an Olive on Top", unidentified New Year's sentiment
Paper: Basic Grey Offbeat Collection, PTI White
Ink: Ranger's Walnut Stain, Copic Sketch Markers
Accessories: Nestabilities circle punches, red star mini brads

Since my sister just got engaged, I made an engagement card for my other sample:

Stamps: A*Muse (kissing couple), Mark the Date (little heart)
Paper: Basic Grey Sultry Collection, PTI White
Ink: Garden Green, Copic Sketch Markers (RV17, YG00)
Accessories: Dew Drops

Merry Christmas, from my family to yours

http://getyourvideo.jibjab.com/7jr/h6x/jp6/2k6/8yd/q9e/m0x/ugr.mpg

Ode to Julie, Her Royal Rubberness

Like many of you, I am a huge fan of JulieHRR's work. A while back I stumbled upon the most wonderful gift idea, designed by Julie ~ a notepad cover with unbelievable creative possibility! Let me tell you, I've been going crazy making these babies! Julie has generously given permission for me to post a link to her Noteables design instructions/pattern for this fantastic project. I encourage you to check it out and give it a try! They are surprisingly quick and easy to make ~ perfect for last minute gift-giving!

Here are some that I've made for the kids' teachers, the wonderful support staff at work, the team mom of Sam's baseball team ... the beauty of the Noteables is that it can make a great gift for men, women, children, teens... ANYONE!

New Year's Cheers!

It's a busy Friday Fun Day and I am posting my FFC15 card late because I went Christmas shopping this morning. This week's challenge, to make a New Year's card, was hosted by my Sassy friend Sherry. I was shocked to discover that I only have ONE New Year's stamp, but then I found the perfect paper to go with it, so it worked out great! Neither the DP nor the stamp have any markings indicating their manufacturer, but I the pink paper and matching ribbon is Papertrey Ink's Berry Sorbet. If you'd like to play along, leave a comment here with a link to your blog or SCS gallery, using keyword FFC15.

You can find more Friday Fun creations on these blogs:

Kim's blog - Papertastic Creations
Jimmi's blog - The Stamping Shopper
Sherry's blog - Stamping When I'm Not Working

It's Rubber Romance!

It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly challenge I do with my Sassy Friends! This week it's Jimmi's turn to hostess, and she challenged us to make a card using our Rubber Romance stamps.

I decided to use my "Amy" stamp because for some reason she makes me smile. She seems very carefree and cheerful ~ just as I'd like to be at holiday time. I used my Stampin' Up Haiku paper and added a touch of bling with Icicle Stickles.

You can find more Friday Fun creations on these blogs:

Kim's blog - Papertastic Creations

Jimmi's blog - The Stamping Shopper

Sherry's blog - Stamping When I'm Not Working

We'd love for you to play along with us! Just link back here to your blog or Splitcoast gallery, using keyword FFC14.

Happy Friday!

Random Stuff

These 2-4-6-8 bags are great when you've got to throw a gift together in a hurry. I made this one for my friend, Penny, and filled it with her favorite candy ~ mini York Peppermint Patties. Isn't it cute?




Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Warmest Regards

Ink: PTI's Ocean Tides Palette Ink

Paper: Basic Grey Blush Collection, Bazille textured CS, Blush Blossom

Accessories: SU Scalloped Edge punch, diamond stud, Nestabilities square scallop die cut, PTI's Aqua Mist ribbon



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My dear sweet husband suggested that his co-workers bring a toy to their office holiday party, as a benefit for my counseling office. Wasn't that thoughtful??? This is just a portion of the toys they donated:

An Award! :-)

My friend Kim Muhl (Papertastic Creations), has generously awarded me the Kreativ Blogger Award! Thanks for the award and the kind words, Kim! I am honored.

Let It Snow! Friday Fun Challenge 13

Are you ready for today's Friday Fun Challenge? This week's fun is brought to you by our sassy friend, Kim. Her challenge is to create a snowflake card without using the color blue. You must also have some sort of glitter on your project.

My card combines FFC13 with this week's color challenge (CC195) and Julee Tilman's Mojo Monday Sketch #59 (Mojo59). Yeah, I multi-tasked! The tree is dusted with Dazzling Diamonds.







Stamps: Lovely as a Tree
Ink: Palette Noir Hybrid
Paper: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand, PTI White
Accessories: Basic Black sheer ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, black and white mini brads, snowflake punches

You can find more Friday Fun creations on these blogs:

Kim's blog - Papertastic Creations
Jimmi's blog - The Stamping Shopper
Sherry's blog - Stamping When I'm Not Working

We'd love for you to play along with us! Just link back here to your blog or Splitcoast gallery, using keyword FFC13.

Happy Friday!

Wish Frog

Here's my card for Taylor's TECC44 sketch challenge, which you can check out on her blog, Taylored Expressions. I used my new Bella Rose paper, which I just received from Jean (naturecoastcrafter) and I LOVE! Thanks, Jean!



Stamps: Image by Inkadinkado, Sentiment by MFT (You Take the Cake set)
Paper: Bella Rose DSP, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, PTI White
Ink: Palette Noir Hybrid, Copic Sketch Markers (N3+R27, YG95)
Accessories: red mini brads, PTI Ripe Avocado twill ribbon, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, word window punch, 1-3/8 circle punch, Nestabilities circle die cut