One Last Post for 2012

While my husband and grandson watched football yesterday, I made cards.  I  made five, one being very complicated which I will post some other time.  The other four were easy, using up scraps and pre-colored digital images.  This digital on this first card is by Doodle Pantry named Cuddly Bear.  Speaking of Doodle Pantry, check out the incredible 50% off sale Laurie is having here.

Sketch is at Operation Write Home

and since there is a request for more kid's cards, I made my cards with kids in mind while at the same time, using up scraps of paper and images in my scrap bin.

Digital Tuesday - layers
Simon Says - anything
CASual Fridays - 10 minute card
Great Impression - anything

Here is another card that I will be sending to OWH , using the same sketch, this one for one of our heroes in which I will express my thanks for his/her service to our country.

Really Reasonable Ribbon - anything

 Be sure to come back to this blog tomorrow where I will share with you 10 of my favorite cards that I made for OWH.  There will be a great blog hop put on by OWH and I will have information on my blog and the OWH link so you can enjoy that blog hop.  I will also have some blog candy for a lucky commenter.   So until then, have a wonderful December 31.  Stay safe.
See you NEXT YEAR !

Ten Minute Cards

Several of my granddaughters were here for a few days and they love to be in my craft room.  While they were sitting across from me at my desk working with beads, I was cleaning up my desk.  Okay, I admit, I only did that for about five minutes. Too overwhelming right now. So I decided to work with my bins of scraps - paper and images that I throw in a bin on my desk.  I made up four kids cards to send off to OWH.  Because I already had precolored digitals or images that I had stamped and already colored, each card took only about 10 minutes.  They are not the most spectacular cards I have ever made ( smile)  but they are cute and some kids will get a kick out of them when they receive them.

Here are two on which I used Doodle Pantry   precolored images and a MFT sketch.

This is the Quirky Racoon.  Love the paper that comes in this set.

This is Mister Monkey.  I used up old DP scraps with this card.

Challenges:
Digital Tuesday - layers
Simon Says - anything
CASual Fridays - 10 minute
Speedy TV - anything and sentiment

That's What Christmas Is All About, Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown Christmas.  I watch it every year.  Just love it.  Our Daily Bread Design has the clip on their blog.  You can watch it  here
Maybe I am out of touch because I have eliminated most mainstream media, radio, TV, etc. but I don't hear much or feel the pressure as in years past to eliminate Christ from Christmas.  Maybe the solution has been to add more winter holidays so Christmas is now just one of those. Years ago when Christmas was the only winter holiday, we as a family not only kept Christ as the center of Christmas, we ignored and actually did not include Santa.  But I did not insist that everyone else eliminate Santa.  If people want to have a secular holiday season or celebrate some of the newer winter holidays, then let them go for it.  Isn't that the beauty of our America - freedom of speech and freedom of religion?  So with that little rant out of the way, I want to wish each of  you a Very Merry Christmas and my hope is that each of you will consider looking into the origin of Christmas in the Bible in Luke 1:26 - 2:20.  the birth of Jesus is an amazing story.  The purpose of His birth - to come to earth to redeem mankind - is an amazing act of love.  No matter how you celebrate Christmas or whatever winter holiday you are celebrating, I hope it is filled with fun, love, family,  peace, and goodwill.
Now how about a card ? 

Vanilla, Silver, Artichoke cardstock, silver cording, and lots of gems.  Love this big stamp by Stampendous, for it says it all.

Challenges:
Sentimental Sundays - focus on sentiment
Pile It On - embellishments
Stamp and Create - sparkly Christmas
Word Art Wednesday
Simon Says - Merry Christmas
Craft 4 Eternity - anything

Masking, Music, and Merry Christmas

One of the challenges at Stamp TV was to use the letter of our first name for inspiration on a card. So I used masking, music, and Merry Christmas.   I love how this card turned out except for the chalking in the centers of the poinsettias - just couldn't get it to smooth out.

I used the sketch at The House That Stamps Built

After embossing the flowers with gold onto vanilla cardstock, masking twice,  I cut them out, added some yellow chalk and Stickles in the centers. 
The DP is a digital.
The stamps are by Gina K Designs.
Gold ribbon and Gold brads. 

Challenges:
Pile It On - embellishments
Stamptacular Sunday - Christmas time
Stamp and Create - sparkly Christmas
Ribbon Carousel - Holiday
Simon Says - Merry Christmas
Really Reasonable Ribbon - anything
Craft 4 Eternity - bling

Time to Wrap It Up

Almost time to wrap up the year ! But right now it is time to wrap some presents.  Thank goodness I had most of my shopping done before I went in for my surgery.  I made some tags but forgot to take pictures before I signed them and put them on packages.  (Brain is still a bit in a fog). So you get the names too - bonus.  The wrapping paper I used had funny snowmen with red scarves and hats so I made some tags (already had digitals printed out) to match a bit.  This first one is a digital by Designed2Delight.

This next digital has been in my scrap box for so long, I can't find the designer in my computer.  (I think it is saved in my old computer) But I did look it up online and yes, it is also by Designed2Delight.

The last tag is done with a stamp.  I added Fun Flock to the ear muffs only to discover after it dried that the red ink bleeds through.

Not fancy tags, but fun easy ones. And I have enough tags left over from last year, these are the only ones I needed to make.

Thanks for taking a peek.

Challenges:
Designers Choice - tags
Sentimental Sunday - tags
Cutie Pie - Cute Christmas
Really Reasonable Ribbon - anything
Simon Says - favorite tool - pencils
Digital Tuesday - layers

Snow Globe Wanna Be

This is as close to a snow globe as I am going to get this year - a shaker card.  Someday I am going to try to make a snow globe card.  I have seen such cute ones.  This is only the second shaker I have ever made.  Stamp TV had a challenge to make one so I tried my hand at it.   It was a fun challenge and I was actually in the mood to play with it.
It was difficult to get a good photo showing the snow which is Mainstay Crystal Glitter.  Lots of cloudy, rainy weather here, so the lighting was not conducive to a good shot.

Can you see the "snow" in the window?  I put a tiny bit of glue on the branch so the snow would always stay there but you just can't see it in this photo.
I used GKD set, Winter Foliage.  Designer paper is an old piece from my stash.  Love the muted colors.
Base is Kraft and the green frame is Stampin Up Artichoke.

Challenges:
Stamptacular Sunday - Christmastime
Stamp and Create - sparkly Christmas
Really Reasonable Ribbon - anything
DYSU - Christmas
Raise the Bar - snow
Simon Says - fav tool - Cuttlebug
Wags n Whiskers - anything
Ribbon Carousel - holidays

Polar Bear Camp Out

When I first started using digital images, I felt like I was cheating by not stamping.  When I started using pre-colored digital,  I knew I was cheating.  But no more guilt.  I love them !!  Especially now as I wait for my energy level and my creativity to return.  This set of digitals by Clear Dollar Stamps is soooo cute.   The designer is Trudy Sjolander.  Several snowy background papers and sentiments are included in the set, making it easy as can be to put together a coordinated card.

I used the sketch Mojo 271 but flipped it so the circle is on top.

The Christmas cards I send out are always Christ centered because Christmas is for me the birth of our Savior, Jesus.  But I do make a few fun winter cards and this is one of them.  I will be sending this to a grandchild and writing a note inside concerning Christmas so it really is a Christmas card even though it doesn't look like it on the outside.

Challenges:
Mojo Monday
Cutie Pie - cute Christmas
ODBD - NOEL  (Nesties, One ribbon, Embossed(dry) scalloped circle, Lots of Layers
Party Time Tuesday - kids Christmas
Timeless Tuesday - non traditional colors
DYSU - Christmas
Raise the Bar - snow
Simon Says - favorites (digitals)
Speedy Fox and Friends - snow

Peppermints - Sweet Idea

December 1 came and went and now it is already the 14th.  Hope you have had a chance to look at some of the new digital images and the new colored images by Doodle Pantry.
I used an image from the new "Bottles and Jars"  and colored images from "Peppermint" .

I am sending this to a granddaughter.  I put a page inside with another image, leaving space to write her a note.  The sentiment inside the bottle is by Clear Dollar Stamps.

Check out the bottles and jars - so many possibilities.

Thanks for looking.  I am hoping to post again before Christmas Day but just in case I don't, or if you don't check back, I do hope you will have a wonderful Christmas week.

Challenges:
Speedy TV - sketch with a twist
Crafty Cardmaker - time in a bottle
Cutie Pie - Cute Christmas
Party time Tuesday - kid's Christmas
Simon Says - favorite tool - Cuttlebug
DYSU - Christmas
Wags n Whiskers - anything

Two Days In A Row

Can you believe it?  Two posts in two days. And I felt like doing a little coloring.  There is light at the end of the tunnel.  I want to send out some cards to my grandchildren.  So I must keep plodding on, energy permitting.

I used the sketch at MFT but I forgot the one element on the corner of the panel.  Didn't realize it until I posted the photo and the sketch.  Oh, well.

The image and sentiment are Gina K Design.  The challenge at Stamp TV was to use warm colors.

Challenges:
Pile It On - embellishments
Craft Your Passion - snow
Crafty Creations - winter scene
Cuttlebug Tuesday - seasons greetings
Simon Says - snowflakes
Speedy Fox and Friends - Christmas card
Great Impressions - anything

Joy to the World

I was determined to use both of these stamps on one card but it turned out to be a challenge because they are both large.  I probably should have saved the sentiment for the inside and probably will next time I use them together.

The angel is by Stampin'Up, the sentiment is an OLD stamp that someone gave me and the musical score is a stamp by Clear Dollar Stamps.  I stamped it twice on the Vanilla cardstock to fill the panel.
The stars are punched out with a Cuttlebug die.  I used a Silver Star Sakura pen to do a little highlighting on the angel.
Cardstocks: navy by GinaK, Vanilla and Baja Breeze by Stampin'Up, Silver paper by ?

Challenges:
Critter Sketch - anything Christmas
Friends of Speedy TV - Christmas
Love to Create - Christmas Cheer
Raise the Bar - blues and whites
Wags n Whiskers - anything
Great Impressions - anything
Stamp and Create - sparkly Christmas

Where or Where has my MoJo Gone?

I think the doctors took it out during my surgery ! LOL.  But I really wanted to try to create something so I went with a simple sketch by MFT, used a digital image that I colored a few weeks ago, and by the time I was done (which wasn't all that long), I was ready to call it quits.  So not only  is MoJo missing, my stamina is too.  (Patience has never been a strong characteristic of mine.) But I o feel a bit better and stronger each day.

Digital image is Digital Delights.  Peppermint is cut out from a piece of DP.  I scored the base on the Scor-pal at 1/2 inch intervals.

 Challenges:
Pile it On - embellishments
Critter Sketch - anything Christmas
Love to Create - holiday cheer
Cuttlebug Tuesday - Season
Craft 4 Eternity - Christmas
Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards - CAS
Wags n Whiskers - Christmas

My Fashion Style This Winter

Necklines will be higher.  Hems will be lower - no leg showing. Color palette - black, blues, purples, greens.  Now these would not be my first choices but the team of doctors in the Cardiovascular unit at our hospital insist that this is the choice for awhile.  Yes, in case you did not read the previous post  (written by one of my sons who is an I.T. guy and knows how to get into my computer !) I had open heart surgery (quad bypass) November 20th.  Unexpected.  Full of miracles.
So this is my first post since then.  I can finally sit long enough to type a little without needing a nap!  I hope it  won't be long before I can get back in here to my craft room and make up some cards.  I have so many thank you cards to make and send.   But I must try to be patient, especially since the re-coop time is 4 - 8 weeks.
So where did this card come from?  It is one I made right before I went into the Cardiologist for my consultation, which turned out to be a "do not pass go, do not collect $$, but instead go straight into the hospital for surgery the next morning."

I had no idea who I was making this for at the time.  But we found out that a friend from years back went in for heart surgery exactly a week after I did.  So I will be sending it to him.

The purples really do match IRL.  The image and sentiment are by Doodle Pantry.  Flowers are cut out with Cuttlebug dies.
I used a sketch for a sketch challenge - the origins escapes me.  Here are a few challenges that I have grabbed from my blog list.

Thanks for looking.  And have a great day.  I'm going to !

Pile It On - anything but Christmas
Party Time Tuesdays - anything
Cuttlebug Tuesday - use scraps
Clear it Out - ugly paper
Chocolate, Coffee, Cards - CAS

Thanksgiving update (and request)

It turns out Mom's Thanksgiving plans have changed yet again (this is her son writing).

Instead of dining on the traditional and delicious Thanksgiving offerings, Mom will be selecting from a menu that includes Jell-o, pudding, and Saltines. The nurses in the Cardiovascular Unit will have it no other way, quite frankly.

Mom is in the Cardiovascular Unit recovering from an unscheduled and surprise quadruple-bypass open-heart surgery. She went in on Monday for check-ups, and was told that she wasn't leaving until they addressed the scary blockage they discovered. Surgery commenced on Tuesday morning. 

We've all known her heart was very beautiful; turns out, it's very strong too. The doctors were impressed with its strength and expect a very quick and full recovery. She's in good moods, upset only that she's "inconveniencing" all of us.

We expect her to resume her talented creating activities very shortly.

None of my Mom's card-making skills were passed to me. I won't speak for my sisters on this, but let's just say that crayon is our weapon of choice for making cards. Needless to say, we need some help.

If you'd be so kind, please create a card for my Mom. I know you card wizards really like creating and sending actual cards, but a scanned version sent to grammas.room@gmail.com would be meaningful as well.

Thanks very much,

Andrew

16 Down, 10 To Go

A few weeks ago, I thought I was going to have Thanksgiving dinner at our house so I started this little project of making name place cards for everyone. Nothing fancy, just something cute.  Well now it turns out, Thanksgiving will not be here but I am still trying to finish these up anyway;  take some of them to where we are going to have dinner.

Now, if you are like me, you will have looked at this photo and then counted all the turkeys.  You are right - there are only 12 in the photo.  That is because I have already sent 4 off to my daughter's family in another state.
I really enjoy coloring but I am glad I have several days to finish because I am getting tired of coloring!  The image is by Digital Delights. Nothing much  to say about them.  Colored them with Prisma pencils, cut and glued onto a More Mustard card stock by Stampin Up.  One thing I really like about digital images is how I can make them any size and in this case could add names before I printed.
Just in case you do not get back to my blog before Thanksgiving Day,  I do wish you a wonderful one.  Don't forget to take time to be thankful.  As for me, I have soooooo much to be thankful for.  Lastly I leave you with these verses:
" Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.  Give thanks to HIM and bless His name.  For the Lord is good.  His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations. " Psalms 100:4-5

Pile It On - Let's be thankful
Simon Says - thanksgiving
Your Next Stamp - anything
Wags n Whiskers -be thankful
Di's DigiDesigns - fall colors
Great Impressions - holiday
Designer's Choice Challenge - giving thanks

It's Time To Say Goodbye

No, not to you my dear peeps - to this cute scarecrow.  This is the last time I will use him for this year, but you can be sure he will be used again next year because I love him.  You can find him at Doodle Pantry.  The set is Quirky Scarecrow.

This is my take on the sketch at The House That Stamps Built

I printed the fence, super-imposed the scarecrow on top and then printed another scarecrow which I fussy cut and popped on top.  Now, I am all for fussy cutting but I did have to draw the line while I was cutting this out.  I was making a mess of the bird wings and straw so I cut those off and just cut out the scarecrow.  But I think the dimension turned out okay.
This is a pre-colored image but I always add some color here and there, changed the color of his hat to match the fence a bit.
Hope you like him.
And by the way, I am thankful for you, my followers, and always grateful for your sweet comments.


Challenges:
Speedy Fox and Friends - fence
Pile It On - thankful
Ribbon Carousel - fall spirit
Simon Says - thankful
Your Next Stamp - anything
Wags n Whiskers - thankful
Di's Digitals - fall colors
Designer's Choice Challenge - thankful

Taylor-made Card

This was my first time to use the stamp by Taylored Expressions.  Going to love it !
There are so many people I want to thank.  Lately, I have been having some medical issues.  It has been so wonderful to see the love and concern my kids have for me.  And other people have picked up the slack as I have had to back out of some commitments.  This is one of the cards I will send to one of these wonderful people. Several more to make.

Sketch at MojoMonday

I stamped the sentiment on Vanilla, colored with Kohinoor pencils.
The large sunflower is from the GKD set, Year of Flowers
Card base is GKD Sweet Mango (Love it !)
Fun little heart shaped button - ?
Twine - the Twinery

Challenges:
Designer's Choice Challenge - thanks
Pile it On - thankful
Ribbon Carousel - fall
Party Time Tuesday - thanks
Simon Says - thank you
Your Next Stamp - thank you
Di's Digidesign - fall colors
Craft 4 Eternity - tags
Word Art Wednesday

Some Craft Time Today

It is beautiful but cold outside.  I could be out getting ready for winter but I would rather be insides playing with stamps and paper.  So one more card today then I better go do some baking or hem up the pants that are sitting by my sewing machine, or ....

I used my new stamp set, Autumn Leaves, by Gina K Designs and the sketch at MFT

Cuttlebug folder, GKD digital paper, YNS die cut.

Challenges:
Stampin Sisiters in Christ - thankful
A Blog Named Hero - punch, dies
Love to Create - shades of Autumn
Party Time Tuesday - thank you
DYSU - leaves and trees
Your Next Stamp - thank you
Di's Digidesign -fall colors
The Cuttlebug Spot - fall/leaves
Mark's SpeedyTV - anything

My Mojo and Me

For some reason the sketch at Mojo Monday and I clicked.  I have made several cards this week with this sketch:

And here is one more of the cards I made with this sketch:

The poinsettia is by Doodle Pantry   Here is a pic of the whole set:

I printed out the poinsettia three times so I could cut and layer.  The center is Liquid Pearls with a little bit of Stickles on top.
I will be sending this card to OWH with a note insides to one of our heroes in the military. 

Challenges:
Great Impressions - holidays
Speedy TV - anything
Critter Sketch - remembering our military heroes
A Blog Named Hero - punch or die

Thank You at ChristmasTime

I am busy making cards for Operation Write Home.   In every package that I send to OWH,  I include some cards for the heroes to keep; cards expressing my thanks to them for their service. Some of the cards are Christmas cards or with  a holiday look.   Hopefully it will bring a little smile to someone to know that we are thinking of them at Christmas time and are thankful for their sacrifice especially during the holidays.

This digital is by DigitalDelights.   So cute with the candy cane in his mouth.  I started out with a sketch in mind but kept is more CAS thank the original sketch.

Challenges:
Stampin Sisters in Christ- thankful
Critter Sketch- thank the military
Ribbon Carousel - giving thanks
Party Time Tuesday - thank you
Crafty Creations - no flowers
Your Next Stamp - thank you
Simon Says - thinking of you
Speedy TV - anything

Thankful for Family

When we are asked "What is one thing you are most thankful for?" , most of us would say our family.  I am not only thankful for the family I grew up in, but I have been so blessed with 6 wonderful children.  And now that family has grown to include 5 daughters and sons in law and ten grandchildren.  Sometimes I am over-whelmed with gratitude for these blessings.
Today's card is a little quirky for me.  Every once in awhile I try to break out of my symmetrical style and go for a little bit more artsy or shabby.  Never very happy with the results but I think that is because it isn't normal or natural for me. But it is always fun trying.

I based this on the sketch at Speedy TV, Marks Finest Papers.
The harvest image is Doodle Pantry from the October release.  I will be posting another post soon with a set from the November release but I love this set.  You can find it at the Doodle Pantry Store. It is called Let Us Be Thankful.
And play along HERE in the Doodle Pantry challenge and receive the darling Christmas Cactus set for free.
Back to the card - the image is precolored but I added a little color here and there.  The main sentiment is also from this digital set.  The two words are Stampin Up.
I have a package of chipboard buttons that I never seems to use because I don't do shabby or vintage very often.  One seemed appropriate for this card.  BG paper is from an old Autumn stack.  Sorry, don't know the name; it is just a left over.
Kraft base from Kraft Outlet.
Twine from the Twinery

Challenges:
Stampin Sisters in Christ - thankfulness
Kraft Journal - happy harvest
Love to Create - shades of Autumn
Cutie Pie - distress
Ribbon Carousel - Giving Thanks, Fall
Crafty Creations - no flowers
Dutch Dare - thankful
Wags n Whiskers - fall colors
Speedy TV - sketch
Word Art Wednesday

Finding The Perfect Tree

Love this little guy. 

I made a card a few weeks ago with him but he is so cute - had to make another one.  He comes in a Gina K. Design set called Warm and Cozy.
I used this sketch

Challenges:
Mojo Monday - sketch
A Blog Named Hero - punches, dies
Simon Says - no square card
Really Reasonable Ribbon - holiday
Raise the Bar - anything
Great Impressions - holiday

Just Simply Thank You

A very simple card using a new stamp set that I just received from Gina K Designs.  It is called Autumn Leaves.  First time to use it.  I love leaves and Autumn so I know it will be used a lot each year.

I put some digital designer paper behind the die cut border and added a gold brad at the top left.  The basic sketch is a MFT sketch.

Challenges:
Stampin Sisters in Christ
A Blog Named Hero
Love to Create
Dutch Dare
DYSU 
Speedy TV- Mark's Finest

Have a Pun Day

Years ago, my husband and I had friends  who we hung out with a lot.  Our kids grew up together.  One characteristic this couple had was the amount of puns and play on words they used.  It was constant. Some were funny, some were dumb.  They were delightful friends so we put up with all the puns.  Sometimes, it is fun to use a pun or two as long as you don't get on someone's nerves.   I like this set by Gina K Designs.  I think it is a cute way to thank someone.

I have not used the crimper for ages but pulled it out of the drawer to make a "sleeve" on the card.

Challenges:
CASual Friday - masculine
Love to Create - layers (4)
A Blog Named Hero - punches, die cuts
Coffee, Chocolate, Cards - stripes

Have a pun day.  

New Month, New Release

Most of the blogs I looked at yesterday had the same "how did it get to be November?" theme.  I feel the same way.  But there is always a bright side to each new month - release day for Doodle Pantry.  You must check out the fantastic images for this month.
I chose to feature the Raccoon Rascal. 

Can't you just think of ways you can use this little guy?  He comes in outline form too but I used the colored version of him and also used some of the paper that come with the set.   The leaves are from the Lively Leaves set.  I thought they went perfectly with the leaves in the image. .  I printed them out on green cardstock and used a pencil of lighter green to highlight the centers.   I love these colored digis - they make for such quick and easy cards.
Here is the set I used:

And here is the set that you will receive for playing in the Doodle Pantry Blog Challenge

Seriously, isn't that soooo cute?  And you receive it for playing along.

Challenges:
Love to Create - lots of layers
Cutie Pie Challenge - distress
Simon Says - no square card
DYSU - brads

Snowman Appeal

Why are snowmen so appealing?  I have to keep myself from buying every snowman stamp or digital that comes along.  I have to hide my wallet when I am shopping so I don't buy them for home decor.  But snowflakes and snowmen are always calling to me.  I think one of the reasons I like them is because they are always so happy - as if they have no cares in the world;  just there enjoying the outdoors and the beauty of the snow around them.  (I want to be a snowman ! LOL)
Well, here is a new digital snowman by Designed2Delight    to add to my collection.

I used the sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches as my guide, changing the rectangle for an oval.

Really Reasonable Ribbon - winter holiday

There is some flocking on the hat and gloves.  The banner is cut with a Verve die cut.
Image is colored with Prisma Pencils. 
Sending this to OWH so they have some winter/not Christmas cards. I am always tempted to put "thanks Snow Much" on my snowmen cards, but leaving this one plain this time. 

Challenges: 
Designed 2Delight
Tuesday Morning Sketch
Simon Says - no square card
Love to Create - lots of layers (5)
Gem of a Challenge - spots and dots
Stamp and Create - winter wonderland

Holiday Identity Crisis

Yes, I know it is Halloween but I am working on Valentine's cards to send off to OWH.  So bring on the hearts, pinks, reds.  I'm done with Autumn colors, except for some Thanksgiving cards that I will be sending out to friends and family.

This is the sketch I used which is at Pamela's World of Scrap

The hearts are from a digital image, cut into three pieces.   I couldn't find a good piece of designer paper so I used a piece of white cardstock which I scored with some lines.  Sentiment is Verve.

Challenge: Simon Says - no square card

Deviation From Fall

It is sometimes nice to make a card "out of Season" and since most of my cards go to OWH and we work with deadlines, we are always out of season.  I actually started some Valentine cards yesterday. Eeek!   Seems really weird but I need to stay ahead of the game.  Well, this card could be used anytime because it is a birthday card and the crocuses will pop up by February so it won't go to OWH much too early.

I used the sketch at The Craft's Meow

The center strip of paper is a scrap from My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Two.  I thought it went well with the Cuttlebug embossing folder.
The stamps are GKD "Spring Florals"

Challenges:
Stamptacular Sundays - not rules
DYSU - embossing
Critter Sketch - embossing
Timeless Tuesday - birthdays