Because of Your LovingKindness

I love this verse and I really like the font and arrangement of the lines in this Verve stamp.

I looked and looked through my stamps and digitals trying to find an image of arms raised to the sky but could not find or think of any I have.  Then I remembered this digital image by Clearly Digital Stamps of praying hands. That will work.  I made the image faint so I could stamp the verse on top, masked the hands so I could sponge on a little Blush ink.
The Timeless Amour Collection by Heartfelt Creations has such gorgeous patterned paper.  I used a piece for the main background, fussy cutting three of the flowers and adding them to the lower left corner.  I used the backside of this double sided paper to cut out the frame with two ovals by Spellbinder and the leaves with a die by CherryLynn.
I distressed the edges, added a little Clear Star Sakura ink to the printed flowers, and added a few pink gems.

Challenges:
Word Art Wednesday - anything uplifting
Pile It On - anything
Created with Love - anything
Crafter's Cafe - anything
Craft 4 Eternity - anything
Die Cut Divas - flowers
Great Impressions - anything
Sisters Act - anything
Verve - tattered pages
Crafty Cardmaker - 1 image, 2 patterned papers, 3 embellishments

Digi Revisited

In my constant acquiring of new digital images, either by winning or as perks for being on design teams, it is often a long time between uses of the same image.  But I had an extra sentiment and I really like this digi by Doodle Garden so I printed it off again.  And know it will be sent by some dad or mom to a son back home via OWH.  

The paper on the right side of the card is digital paper from Doodle Pantry from the Stars and Stripes Paper Pack.  Sentiment is also Doodle Pantry from the sentiment set Man Stuff.
One of the first hand punches I ever bought is a little punch that you practically have to stand on to get it to punch but I still have it (and one with a heart and one with a maple leaf).  Anyway, it was perfect size to punch out some of the hearts from the paper and add to the circle.
As always, the digital is colored with Prisma pencils.  Cardstock is SU Real Red.
Sketch is MFT

Thanks for looking.  Hope you have a really great week.


Challenges:
Pile it On - anything
Craft 4 Eternity - anything
Great Impressions - anything
Sister Act - anything
Crafter's Cafe - anything

Spectacu-lure

Trying to use up some more of my images and sentiments in my box of spares.  I'm hoping that this card can be sent to someone without being a birthday card for a guy.  OWH has enough birthday cards right now.  But don't you think this could be sent as just a hello card wishing someone a great day ?

I used the Super Sketch Sunday

When I was looking for embellishments, I found this little fish brad which I did not know I had.  The book tabs remind me of fishing lures so I used one of those along with a little wire.
I just got my new plaid making stamp from DRS so had to use it to make a piece of "designer paper".
Very fun.
The fish image is a pre-colored digi by Doodle Pantry, as is the sentiment.

Well, that's it for today.  Thanks for looking and commenting (smile).

Challenges:
Love to Create - hugs and wishes
Crafter's Cafe - anything
Craft 4 eternity - anything
Great Impressions - anything
House that Stamps Built - humor
Sister Act - anything

Toys Change With Age

Guys and their toys.  They change with age.  So I thought this idea might be fun for a birthday card for someone in his late 20's.

This is a stamp and sentiment by Stampin Up.  For the inside I used a digital by Doodle Pantry  and typed my own sentiment.  Sorry I wrote a personal note inside before I took a pic so you only get to see a piece of the inside:

Hope it gives the recipient a smile.


The sketch is Tuesday Morning Sketches

Paint splatted (is that a word?) paper is a sheet I picked up from my local craft store.  Ribbon is from GKD.

Challenges:
Simon Says Monday Challenge - celebrate
Love to Create - hugs and wishes
Crafty Cardmaker - birthday
Great Impressions - anything
Get Inky - birthday
Sister Act - anything
House That Stamps Built - humor
Craft 4 Eternity - anything
Timeless Tuesday - 10 minute birthday

It's Almost Friday

Often , if I use a Unity stamp, I post that card on Friday for Friends with Flair.  But for a Unity creative color challenge, Unity offered this digital image to play with.  I really like how the card came out and want to get in on the challenge.  Part of the image reminded me of lattice work so I went with a wood theme.

I cut out the lattice strip in white with a Cuttlebug die and added little yellow flowers (also Cuttlebug) along it.  Yes, I cut out yellow and orange flowers just so I could use the orange centers.  Crazy, I know, but I wanted them to match how I colored the flowers in the main image.  The frame around the image is a combination of Spellbinders making a frame on top of the image piece.   And the leaves are a CherryLynn die.
After I embossed with the wood grain embossing folder, I swiped it with white ink and then with More Mustard (Stampin Up) ink.
All the cardstock is GKD:  Tan Leather, Tomato Red, Lemon Drop, Grass Green

Other Challenges:
Paper MakeUp - color a digi


Mark's Speedy TV - no designer paper
Great Impressions - anything
Pink Gem - no square
Sister Act - anything

Wishing Ewe A Merry Christmas

One more Christmas card for OWH and last Christmas card for July.  It is hard for me to make holiday cards during the summer but Doodle Pantry makes it a little bit more fun.  Here is an image and sentiment from the set Color Holiday Sheep.

For a little interest, I added some Crystal Effects on the balls and Sakura Clear Star on the lights to give them a little sparkle. I cut out one light bulb from the designer paper to put below the sentiment.

Thanks for looking.

Challenges:
Stamp and Create - Christmas
House that Stamps Built - humor
Bearly Mine - anything
Timeless Tuesday - flat, mailable Christmas card
Sister Act - anything
Great Impressions - anything
Love to Create - hugs and wishes
Get Inky - Christmas
Clearly i Stamp - Christmas
Timeless Tuesdays - Christmas 

Pucker Up!

Working on my cards to send to OWH, and trying to focus on Missing You and Love You.  This is just a fun card that someone could send back home.

What a cute set this is by Mark's Finest Papers.  I used three of the stamps in the set, a piece of old patterned paper, and the sketch at MFT. 

 Now I better get back to the Christmas cards. Ugh.
Have a GREAT week.


Challenges:
Crafter's Cafe - anything
Sister Act - anything
The House That Stamps - DCC717 - humor
Your Next Stamp - colors
Great Impressions - anything
Simon Says Stamp and Show - green

Growing Up Too Fast

My grandchildren are growing up too fast.  It doesn't seem possible that another one has hit double digits.

As soon as I saw this digital image by The Paper Shelter, I knew I had to have it because I could see my granddaughter when I looked at it.  I am happy to color with my pencils until I need to color dark skin. Then they fail me.(Someday I will spring for Copics)  Because I have three grandchildren from Ghana, I need to take a class for coloring darker skin colors.
Anyway, I do like this card and I think she will too.  The sentiment is Verve.  Vine is CherryLynn.
I made the frame by putting a Spellbinders Labels One inside a Spellbinders Lacy Square before running it through the Cuttlebug.
The right edge of the card is torn and inked with some distress ink.

Challenges:
Sentimental Sundays - framed
Marks Friends of Speedy TV - summer fun
Simon Stamp and Show - green
Crafty Cardmaker - birthday
Verve - tattered pages
Crafter Cafe - anything
Great Impression -  anything
Sisters Act - anything
Your Next Stamp - inspired colors

Peaceful Pond

Another image by Doodle Pantry.  Just loving these pre-colored images.  They make for quick cards.

The paper is from a new package I received a few days ago - Close To My Heart, Victory.   Love the Kraft colored scroll work in the corner. I added some black liquid pearls.
The strip with leaves is a piece I cut from a very old stack which no longer has a cover but I think it is DCWV.   And the green silk leaf - ? !!!
Card base and oval base is dark Kraft from the Kraft Outlet.

The sketch is Sketch Saturday :

Challenges:
Pile It On - water
Created With Love - anything
Sister Act - anything
Crazy 4 Challenges - marine
Great Impressions - anything
Kraft Journal - pretty papers
Crafter's Cafe - anything
Simon Says - by the sea
Paper Makeup - tic, tac, toe (die cut, ribbon , 2 or more patterned paper)
Frosted Designs - great outdoors

Such a Big Smile

Such a happy dolphin! by Doodle Pantry.

And such a quick an easy card using the pre-colored version, a Cuttlebug folder, scrap of designer paper and the sketch at Your Next Stamp.

Here is the set from Doodle Pantry:

Only six more days to play in the  Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge 36.  Receive a set of holiday sentiments just for playing.

Challenges:
Pile it On - water
Brown Sugar - shades of blue
CASual Friday - polka dots
Pink Gem - spots and stripes
Crazy 4 Challenges - marine life
Great Impressions - anything
Simon Says - by the sea

Your Next Stamp - sketch

Refreshing Delight

It is hot and humid. It is days like this that I miss living on a lake where I grew up. We practically lived in the water during the summer.  And we had inner tubes like this little guy that we floated in or pulled behind our boat.

This cute swimmer is a pre-colored digital by DearieDolls. 
The sketch is Mojo Monday.  Even though he may not use an inner tube in a pool, I used a piece of digital paper by Doodle Pantry because I though it looked like tile you might see around a pool. 
The embossed waves on the card base are done the old fashion way , without an embossing machine, but with a stylus and Fiskars embossing plate.

Hope you are handling the heat and if you live by a lake or pool, I will try not to be envious.  LOL

Challenges:
Marks Speedy TV - summer fun
One Stop Craft - summer colors
Clearly i Stamp - summer fun
Great Impressions - anything
Simon Stamp and Show - use greeen

Brown Sugar - shades of blue
Sister Act - anything

Singing Happy Birthday To You

Two birthday cards in one day?  Yes, I am pumping them out for all our family birthdays.  Besides, it is too hot to work outside so I'm using that as an excuse to stamp!

These sweet little birds by Doodle Pantry are going to wish a granddaughter a happy birthday.  I used a pre-colored digi but changed some of the colors a bit with pencils.
The musical background is made by stamping with a Clear Dollar Stamp using s Kaleidacolor stamp pad.  
The sketch is Mojo Monday:

The challenges:
Crafty Cardmaker - birthday
Created with Love - anything
Mojo Monday - sketch
PartyTime Tuesday - colors
Totally Papercraft - wings
Sister Act - anything
One Stop Craft - summer colors
Simon says Stamp and Show - green
Great Impressions - anything
Your Next Stamp - colors 

She Is Sew Worth It

My oldest daughter turns 41 today.  And I ask myself,  "How can that be?"  I'm not old enough!  LOL
With six children and 5 kids-in-law, our birthday gifts to them are usually just small gifts.  This year I decided to give this daughter a more expensive gift - a sewing machine.  She has my mom's $2000 machine but has had nothing but trouble.  So I bought her a pretty basic, non-computerized one.  I wanted the card to be gift appropriate so this is what I came up with:

I wish I could take credit for coming up with this beautiful idea but it is a CASE of a card by Melody Rupple.  Here is her fabulous card:

Even though I changed a few things, I do like how mine came out (and because my daughter can't compare my card with Melody's, I think she will like it too).
 I used the dress form from GKD.  The sentiment is Verve.  I ordered the measuring tape ribbon ages ago and finally was able to use it. Of course, it only "seamed"  right to do some stitching and distress the edges a bit.
Counting down - only four more family birthdays to go this month.

Challenges:
Penny's Paper Crafting - pink
Paper Creators - pink
Great Impressions - anything
Sister Act - anything
Crafty Cardmaker - birthday
Crafty Friends - inspired by a song (does "Happy Birthday To You" qualify?)
ODBD - OWH - stitching
Verve- distressed or shabby

Color on Color

Good Sunday Morning.   The Lord asked us to take a day of rest.  We traditionally take Sunday as that day, setting it aside for worship and rest.  Boy, do I need the rest today.  After almost three solid weeks of grandchildren at our house (anywhere from 1 to 5 and all under 7years old), I am ready for a rest.  Which reminds me of a cute story if you care to read it:  I took care of 2 grandchildren, ages 5 and 3 for a week and a half.  This past week I took care of one of their cousins.   They came back this past Friday to play with that cousin.
So Saturday morning the 3 year old told her mom, "I want to go back to Grandmas today."
Mom:  "No, we need to give grandma a break."
 The 5 year old chimed in, "Yeah, grandma has been taking care of like a hundred kids!  She needs a break"
3 year old: "No, grandma only had 3 kids yesterday. She only needs a break if she takes card of 5."
Isn't that soooo cute?
Anyway, I am taking a break today !  But yesterday I did have a chance to make a card.

I stamped GKD stamps onto SU Pink Pirouette and then added some color with pencils and some liquid pearls. the sentiment is stamped with Artichoke ink.  The butterfly is Martha Stewart.



I hope you have a restful day.


Challenges:
Cards Galore - CASE the DT ( Zoe)
Paper Creators - pink
Great Impressions - anything

One Stop Craft - summer colors
Sister Act - anything

Pennys Paper Crafting - pink
What if Wednesday - sketch
Word Art Wednesday - anything

For The Love of Legos

There is the greatest idea and tutorial at Operation Write Home.
I needed a birthday card for one of my grandsons who loves Legos, so this tutorial was very timely.  Here is my take.

This card is pretty self-explanatory.  Red, white, blue, yellow, green cardstock, 1/2 inch punch, a very old SU sentiment, circle Cuttlebug embossing folder.

Simon Says Stamp and Show - one stamp
Created With Love - red and yellow birthday
CASual Fridays -  polka dots
Sister Act - anything
Pink Gem - spots
House of Gilli - bright colors
Great Impressions - anything

Christmas in July

No, I am not ready to do Christmas cards but I should be making them and getting them off to my OWH shipper because they are needed early.  So, as long as there are some challenges for Christmas cards the week (you know what a nut I am about challenges!) I am motivated to make a few.  Emphasis on the few.
For this card I used a new digital image by Doodle Pantry called Vintage LampPost.

Then I added a bow from Hats and Things

The BG paper is from the Poinsettia set:

The sentiment is by Paper Garden Projects.

Sketch is Seems a Little Sketchy

Other Challenges:
Stamp and Create - Christmas in July
Paper MakeUp - Use digitals
Great Impressions - anything
House of Gill - bright colors
Sister Act - anything
Pink Gem - lots of layers

Cow's It Goin'?

Yes, I know - another pun!  What is funny about that is I posted my "big dill" card Tuesday and then Wednesday Crafty Creations put up a challenge to use puns.  Well, of course, I could not use the pickle card, so I had to make a new card with a pun.  Unfortunately, I love cute puns.  Look out!  If I have time I will make another card with another pun.  But for now :

I just love this calf.  We used to raise calves so I have a soft spot in my heart for them.  The digital image and sentiment are Doodle Pantry
Here is the set:

I colored the calf with Prisma pencils.  The plaid BG paper is a piece I have had for ages.

Wishing moo a great day.  (Sorry, I could not resist!)

Challenges:
Paper Makeup  -  digital anything goes
The House that Stamps Built - DCC73 - monochrome
Crafty Creations - pun
One Stop Craft - anything
Great Impressions - anything
365 Cards - sketch
Kraft Journal - babies
Sister Act - anything
Frosted Designs - Ribbon and Twine

So What's The Big Dill?

What's the big dill?  you ask.  The answer - Doodle Pantry Digital images.  This is one of the new fun sets for July.

You can find this and other great sets at the Doodle Pantry Store.
Here is a card I made with this set and a sketch at OWH

I used two of the papers from the set.  I love the patchwork one - just looks so pickly (my word!).

So what's the big deal? you ask. The answer -  the challenge at Doodle Pantry Digital Doodles Blog   Play along and receive this wonderful set of Holiday sentiments:

So what's the big deal? you ask.  The answer - how about a new grandson?  That is a pretty big deal !  I just think he is adorable but my husband thinks I am a little bias. 

2 days old

#11 for this Gramma

Thanks for looking today.
Here are the challenges I am entering with this card:

Pile It On - food
Craft Your Passion - patchwork
Sister Act - anything
Marks Speedy TV - monochrome
Great Impressions - anything
House that Cards Built - monochrome

Last Card with the Mojo Sketch

Here is one more card using the the Mojo Monday Sketch.  This is the last I will do for this challenge.

This time I used two shades of Kraft, MME papers, and Verve stamps.

Thanks for looking.  Have a great rest of the weekend.  I'll see you back here the first part of next week.

Challenges:
Mojo Monday - sketch
Simon Says Stamp and Show  - anything
The House That Stamps Built - monochrome
Sister Act - anything
Bearly Mine - anything

So Sorry! So Tired!

I apologize for not posting earlier, as in yesterday morning.  I am SO TIRED.  I am so tired, I couldn't even concentrate on posting.  I have had the privilege of taking care of two of my grandchildren all week (3 and 5) along with another 5 year old granddaughter two of those days. Besides being their personal slave (smile), I helped my hubby get the yard and grounds ready for the 4th of July.  We had 45 people here. Fireworks lasted til 11:30 p.m.  So all that combined, I am feeling weary.  Should I mention my sciatic nerve?  Do I hear any violins yet?   Oh, well. I tried.
Anyway, on a brighter note, I am a grandma again!  This one broke the tie so now 6 grandsons and 5 granddaughters. One more day with the 3 and 5 year olds then a 5 hour trip to see the new one and to bring back a 6 year old for a week.  I think I will need a vacation after that!
So enough of my joys and woes - on to a card.

I have been using the Mojo Monday sketch for a few cards.  Here is one of them:

The green show up as more on the forest green hue but IRL, they are sage and camo colors.   The card will be going to one of our Heroes via Operation Write Home.

GKD Sage and Dark Sage card stock, Digital sentiment by Doodle Pantry, Digital star paper by GKD, digital camouflage paper - internet freebie,  ribbon by Marcella, star embossing folder - Cuttlebug.

Challenges:
Mojo Monday
Gem of a Challenge - lots of layers
Our Daily Bread - patriotic
PartyTime Tuesday - patriotic theme
Simon Says Stamp - patriotic
Sister Act - anything
Simon Says Stamp and Show - anything
House That Stamps Built - monochrome

You are My Sunshine

Sunshine -  I like it!  And I like CAS cards but I have a hard time with keeping them simple.  This card did meet my expectation in that area though.

I took the challenge at CASual Fridays to use an arrow.  These sequin arrows were in a prize package.  I knew I wanted to use one and point to something important.  My "missing you" or "love you" cards have been scarce in my boxes of OWH cards.  I think this one might be fun to send home to one you loved.  White embossed on yellow cardstock (which is not so orange IRL)  The sky background is Doodle Pantry digital paper.   Base is SU Bashful Blue.

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine today.

Challenges:
Casual Fridays - arrow
Sister Act - anything
Crafty Friends - bling
Pile it On - bling
Simon Stamp and Show - anything
Clear it Out - something sparkly

Lady Anne's Challenge # 4

July 1 - August 5 are the challenge dates for a challenge at Lady Anne's.  This month's challenge is monochromatic.  We on the design team were able to play with some of the images at Fred She Said, the sponsor this month.  I fell in love with these flowers:

This is the card I made:
  

Lots of fussy cutting and folding but I love the results.  I used Really Rust to distress the leaves.   It may be difficult to see in the photo, but the lace is trimmed with the same coral color as the flowers and cardstock which is Just Peachy by Gina K Designs.

Hope you will join the challenge.  Fred She Said is offering up a $10.00 Gift Certificate for the winner.

Entering my card in the following challenges:
Pile it On - bling
Simon Says Stamp and Show - anything
Simon Says - anything
Created with Love - girl colors
Sister Act - anything

Crafty Friends - bling

Flowers, Fruit, Birthdays and Monthly Releases

Now what do all those things have in common?  Lots of each for the month of July!  But let's start with the monthly release - by Doodle Pantry. 



I love having a vegetable garden and having lots of flower beds.  So I used this new digital image of the wheelbarrow for both.
For the first card I used a pre-colored image but added some woodgrain and color.  Then filled the wheelbarrow with flowersoft flowers.
Base is GKD Sweet Mango cardstock.

Sketch is MFT.

For the second card, I used a digital set, Cherry Tomatoes,  from the Doodle Pantry store.  I tried to size them so they looked like full size tomatoes. Also used the set, Wagon Wheel, from the store.  I really like making a scene and/or mixing sets, superimposing pieces upon each other.
The base is GKD Sweet Mango cardstock and the piece layered behind the image panel is GKD Tomato Red. (How appropriate !)

The designer paper and sentiment are both included in the new set, Old Wheelbarrow.  Here is the whole set:

You must head over to Doodle Pantry to have a look at the new release.  Laurie has the cutest digital sets for the Wizard of Oz characters, not to mention a beautiful Black Eyed Susan, some Christmas sets, and.... Well, you will just have to check it out!  And when you see all the wonderful sets you want, now is the time - 25% off all new sets July 1 - 7.

In future posts, I will get back to the title because I have 1 daughter and 4 grandchildren with birthdays within 11 days of each other in July. So you will probably see some of those cards here.  AND we have a grandson due July 4th. Of course July - as if we didn't have enough in that month already!

Okay, I will let you go for now.  Have a wonderful 1st day of July.  Try to stay cool.

Challenges:
Crafty Catz - flowers
Sister Act - anything
Simon Says - anything
My Favorite Things - sketch
Pile it On - bling
Sentimental Sundays - all digital
Simon Says Stamp and Show - anything 
The House That Stamps Built - summer