Happy Birthday Henry J

Today is our 6th gkiddo's 1st Birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HENRY J! I picked up the free image from Bugaboo and followed the sketch at the new challenge blog Seems A Little Sketchy (awesome site-make sure you visit!)and had a great time shopping my stash and finding Nana's Kids from DCWV - worked perfectly! I popped the top of the cupcake and party hat, made the sentiment in photoshop, added some red stickles for the cherry on top and here is Henry J's birthday card! :)

Have a wonderful week full of the "present"
(((hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE: Bugaboo stamps-image; Seems a Little Sketchy-sketch; DCWV-Nana's Kids patterned papers; bazzill; ribbon-LSS, stickles; copics

CHALLENGES:
Seems A Little Sketchy
Crafty Boots Challenges
Lexi's Creations
the ribbon reel
CES challenge blog
Card makin mamas
Our craft lounge
Crafty Purple Frog
Digi Doodle Shop's Best
Forever Friends
Moving along with the times
Paper Crafting Journey
The Sisterhood of Crafters

Happy Chanukah

Yup, lots-a pictures! I have two friends who celebrate Chanukah and wanted to make sure this year I sent them handmade holiday wishes. The sweet image is Mo Manning-Sarah at Hannukkah and my take on the sketch at Sketch Saturday. Used my Sizzix labels, Tim Holtz patterned paper, Memory Box dies, colored pearls and a stickpin with B24 copic, used liquid pearls, beads, a feather, some beautiful lace, some DMC floss from my stash, and even did the inside of the easel card, added a doily and what didn't show in the photos is the layer of Martha Stewart crystal fine glitter (love this stuff-thanks Dream Valley for challening me to use it on this card!) all over the lace/stop. I attempted to make the sentiment in the shape of a dreidel - I can see it, can you? Had a lot of fun making two similar cards for my friends for their holiday.

Keep creating and Enjoy your day thoroughly!
(((hugs)))
Wendy

RECIPE: Mo Manning-image; Sketch Saturday-sketch #183; Tim Holtz-patterned paper; Memory Box-dies; Sizzix-dies; handmade stickpin embellie-supplies from LCS; lace-LSS; Ranger-liquid pearls; Bead landing-pearls; Martha Stewart-glitter; copics

CHALLENGES:
Sketch Saturday #183
Pile it on
Dream Valley
Gingerloft Challenge
2 Sisters
Hiding in my craft room
Sugar Creek Hollow
Just some lines glitter,digi,punch/die
Secret Crafter
Totally Gorjuss
Card Makin Mamas
Stampin' for the weekend
Sweet'n Sassy Digi Challenge stickpin
4 Crafty Chicks corner snowflake dies
Aud Sentiments
Crafty Purple Frog
Pals Paper Arts
PaperCrafting Journey
Southern Girls
CRAFTS AND ME
I brake for challenges
Inky Impressions stickpin
Papercraft Star
Creative Craft Challenges
Digital Tuesday Challenge
Ladybug Crafts Ink
Party Time Tuesdays
Sassy Cheryl's
Top Tip Tuesday

Believe

I'm just a wee bit hooked on vintage images it seems, today was no exception, and found this one at Digital Two for Tuesday. I worked really hard with my colorless blender and what I call the "pickup" technique seen in many copic tutorials. I love the "watercolor" look and feel. Really dug into my stash and found some Mustard Moon paper from 2004, PaperLoft from the same year, Making Memories metal vintage brads, velvet ribbon leftover from a class I taught 6-8 years ago. I did use something new - new sizzix embossing holly folder, in reverse. Followed the sketch at Sweet Sketch Wednesday and it all came together quite easily.

Just Believe!
(((hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE: Digital Two for Tuesday-image; stash papers as mentioned above; Sizzix-holly & mistletoe die, holly embossing folder; sentiment made with photoshop
; Making Memories-brads; ribbon-stash/LSS; copics

CHALLENGES:
Sweet sketch Wednesday
Frosted Designs
Fairy tale
Simply Create Too
totally papercrafts
Colour Create challenge
Crimbo Crackers
Delightful Challenges
Moving along with the times
Paper Crafting Journey
Shelly's Images
Cooking it up with Katie
Crafts and Me
Little red wagon
Papercraft star
scrapbook sisters
Truly Scrumptious
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Creative Craft Challenges
Everybody-Art-Challenge
Crafty Boots
Daisy Doodles
Hooked on Crafts
Karens Doodles
Paper Creations Ink
The Shabby Tea Room
Sparkles Forum Challenges

Happy Thanksgiving!

Truss the turkey, bake the yams, gravy atop, stuffing on hand, a perfect meal, a perfect day, all done up in a perfect way! That's the sentiment I came up with for the inside of this project. It's flying from Sacramento to Denver in the wee hours this morning with our son and his wife, as they travel for the holiday to spend with her lovely family. I used the sketch over at Squigglefly and a wonderful image from The Graphics Fairy. Even snuck in a little bit of coloring (my favorite thing to do!) - who knew you could color your stickpin to match perfectly :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
(((hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE: The Graphics Fairy-image; Squigglefly-sketch; MME-patterned papers; bazzill; 7gypsies-key; fiskars-border punch; Queen & Company-chocolate pearls; handmade embellishment elements-LCS; ribbon, baker's twine-LSS; copics

CHALLENGES:
crafting for all seasons
crafts and me
crafty creations
creative belli
inky impressions stickpin
papercraft star
crafty sentiments
creative craft
ribbon carousel
top tip tuesday

Merry & Bright

This is a rarity for me - NO COLORING! I saw this free image from Graphics Fairy found through Free Digital Stamps (daily email) and just knew I HAD to make a card with it. Pulled out my stash of findings purchased over 10 years ago, made a stickpin, used a feather (new favorite embellie) and fabric flower, pearls and lace - all right up my ally and down my street! Followed the sketch at Creating Life's Pieces (CLP) and had the most wonderful time!

Happy Holidays!
love,
Wendy

RECIPE: Graphics Fairy-image; CLP-sketch; MME-pattern paper; HeroArts-lace; handcraft embellies-supplies from LSS/LCS; findings-e-bay

CHALLENGE:
CLP challenge #42
Gingerloft challenge
Lollipop Crafts
One stitch at a time
Sparkles forum challenges
Totally Gorjuss
Graphics Fairy
craft your days away
Do you stack up
Truly Scrumptious
Whimsy Stamps Challenge Blog

In the Meadow

The weekend was fabulous, but as always, too short! Skyped with KathyCan, figured out Skype issues with the help of Beth, and then "group" skyped with Kathy and Beth - WHAT FUN!! Just like getting together to papercraft at the B&B, with the exception of "borrowing sugar" and sharing meals :) I used layers in photoshop and had a lot of fun puting this card together. I love this Karen Middleton image I got at Cuddly Buddly and the free background image I picked up through Free Digital Stamps, used my Tim Holtz movers and shapers mini pine tree, awesome papers from Memory Box "yuletide" and the perfect smooth bazzill and ribbon leftover from a class I taught a few years ago. I'm sure I will overuse the new MS icicle punch, cuz I love it!

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving to all my US family/friends, and a perfect "spirit of Christmas week" to all!
xoxo
wendy

RECIPE: Karen Middleton-image; Free Digital Stamps-background image; Memory Box-patterned paper; Tim Holtz-mini pine trees; Martha Stewart-icicle and snowflake punches, glitter; Cuttlebug-swiss dots embossing folder; LSS-ribbon; copics.

CHALLENGES:
Daisy Doodles
Get hippity with ippity
Hooked on Crafts
Paper Creations Ink
Polycraft Monday Challenge
Whoopsi Daisy
I did it Creations
Pile it on pine trees
Crafty Emma's Store (CES) challenge
Stamp, scrap & doodle Saturday

A Merry Little Christmas

So through the wonderful site (I get a daily email) Free Digital Stamps I picked up the free image from Addicted to Stamps by Sherri Baldy. I watched all of Suzanne Dean's You Tube tutorials(5) on distress ink coloring with copics, and tried my hand at this technique (obviously, there is quite a learning curve). Need more practice, but I sure enjoyed myself. Picked up a few new goodies at the LSS and LCS, along with a fabulous collection of paper from Tim Holtz. I followed the sketch over at Sketch Saturday and just had the best time doing a Christmas card in monochrome peachy-pinks.

Much love to you!
wendy

RECIPE: Image-Sherri Baldy; Sketch-Sketch Saturday; Tim Holtz-DP; Memory Box-snowflake corner; Sizzix-label die; Martha Stewart-icicle punch, glitter; embellie elements-handcrafted with supplies from LSS/LCS; copics

CHALLENGES:
Sketch Saturday
Addicted to Stamps
Gingerloft Challenge
The Ribbon Girl Blog
Crafty Emma's Store (CES)
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday
Totally Gorjuss
Craft your days awaypearls, flowers, ribbon
Just some Linesembossing,digi,flower
Crafts for Eternitysnowflake,feather,flower
Frosted Designs
Phindy's Place
Sweet 'n Sassy Digi
Wags 'n Whiskers
Crimbo Crackers
Moving along with the times
PaperCrafting Journey
Shelly's Images
Delightful Challenges pattern paper, punches, flower
Southern Girls glitter,ribbon,embossing

Holly Christmas

Holly by Mo Manning makes me happy and feeling festive! I followed the sketch over at Inspirational Card Sketches, pulled out my American craft and Pebbles papers, nesties, snowflake embossing folder, sizzix dies, new Martha snowflake punch and went to work! Of course, I HAD to make a stickpin :) Did I mention that one of our local radio stations is ALL Christmas music?!? Makes the 45 minute commute to and fro (amidst the maniacs) perfectly lovely...

Wishes to you for a happy and festive Day!
(((hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE: Mo Manning-Christmas Fairy Holly; Inspirtional Card Sketches-sketch; American craft and Pebbles-DP; Spellbinders-Lacey circle die; Sizzix-circle die; Martha Stewart-snowflake "artic" punch; CRtrimmings-red bells and snowflake charm; Stickpin-handcrafted with supplies from Michael's; ribbons, rhinestones-LSS; copic markers

CHALLENGES:
Inspirational Card Sketches
digital tuesday
ladybug crafts ink
tuesday throwdown
bunny zoe's
craft your passion
crafty boots
heart song inspirations
Ooh-la-la creations challenge blogbingo, 6 of 9 diagonal and middle:)
simon says stamp and show
stamps r us
the pink elephant
whoopsi daisy
incy wincy designs3 DP, PIU, ribbons
christmas card challenges
pile it on
stamptacular sunday
2 sisters
drunken stampers
totally gorjuss
cardmadfairy's
frosted designs
art impressions
crimbo crackers
delightful challenges
papercrafting journey

Musn't be Late!

Starting from the beginning... Thursday night I popped over to Lee's blog "Crafty Loops" for a visit. She had posted a fabulous tutorial on flower making with petals (that was the beginning). I shopped to my heart's content for all the supplies I would need (and then some...), came home all excited to follow Lee's wonderful instructions and went in search for one of my three hot glue guns (did I ever mention I have five children, all grown, but still my children...)and couldn't locate even one! Thoroughly distraut and depressed, curled up on the couch, ate cake and watched Alice in Wonderland. After my "pity party for one", with renewed determination, I returned to my workspace and had the Ah-ha moment - ended up using my tape gun, which worked perfectly! I knew I wanted to make an "alice" card for a sweet friend's birthday this month, so got to work finding the image, using the spotlight technique (my favorite technique when scrapbooking, but first time using it on a card and I love it!) with my "hoarded" American Craft glitter paper, made my first stick pin with a corsage pin and beads and findings from my shopping spree. Used the sketch over at Digi Doodle and created my easel birthday "Alice in Wonderland" card for Allison - end of story! (my favorite card to date!) :)

Check out Lee's site - she is wonderful and so is the site!
Happy Day to you, Friends!
((((hugs))))
wendy

RECIPE: Flower tutorial-Petaloops from Crafty Loops; Digi Doodle Shop's Best-sketch; Bo Bunny Enchanted collection-DP; bazzill; American Crafts-glitter paper; free vector-image; Sizzix-dies; embellies/ribbon-handmade with products from LCS; copic markers

CHALLENGES:
The Altered Alice
Digi Doodle Shop's Best
2 sisters
Allsorts Challenge
Challenge up your life
Crafty Emma's
Di's Digi Designs
Speedy the Cat
Craft your days away
my card is a blackout on their bingo card! :)
Crafty Ann's
Fashionesta Friday Petaloops (try something new)
Inspire me Fridays
Our Craft Lounge
Pattie's Creations Design Challenge
Totally Paper Crafts
Forever Friends
Hanna and Friends Petaloops
Moving along with the times
Cooking it up with Katie Fancy flower, fancy pin, easel fold
Crafts and Me
Divas by design
Inky impressions
Papercraft Star Roman numerals
Whimsy Stamps
Truly Scrumptious BINGO-gems,flower,diecuts
Create me pink
Digital Tuesday
Party Time Tuesdays
Blog-a-Doodle
Tuesday Throwdown
Crafty Boots
Cupcake Craft Challenges
Karens Doodles
Magical Monday
Stamp and Create.com
Gingerloft Challenge BINGO-ribbon, glitter, flowers
Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT challenge

In Memoriam

In memory of my dear sweet friend, KathyCan's wonderful Mother, Verlene. After having the great fortune of meeting my dear friend ten plus years ago online and then in person shortly thereafter, we have spent many days and nights scrapbooking together - every Friday when she lived in California, and now a couple times a week through Skype - she is my very cherished friend. One day, about ten years or so ago, I received a call from Kathy's Mother, Verlene - inquiring what scrapbooking supplies she should purchase for her daughter's upcoming birthday... I fell in love... and had the great pleasure of spending time with this wonderful woman over the years, she still called nearly every year for birthday gift suggestions for Kathy. Verlene took a spill at home a few years ago and wasn't able to return to her home, but improved enough to live in a beautiful assisted living facility in the Bay Area. About 18 months ago, Kathy asked her mother to come to Arizona to live with her and her husband. Verlene was tentative about the move and being a burden on her wonderful daughter, but decided to make the move. What a wonderful heartfelt, selfless gift to give her mother - to become her fulltime caregiver with the wonderful aid of Hospice. Kathy held her mother's hand with complete devotion as her mother passed away last week, embraced and surrounded with the love of her family. My heart breaks for my dear friend and with a heavy heart, full of love I made her this card. I hesitated to post the card, but today was Verlene's internment, and felt the need to share with you a little about Verlene and the sweet devotion of her daughter, my friend, KathyCan.

Think of your mother, hold her lovingly in your heart Always, whether she is still with you or has passed away.
love,
wendy

Not even a Mouse

I received a nice compliment from the DT over at If the Shoe Fits...Scrap it!, which prompted a trip over to their blog. This week's challenge is KISS and a SOG = keep it simple sweetie and season of giving! They are involved in an awesome charity, and cards for hospitalized children. Visit their blog, it's wonderful what they are doing. I followed the sketch at Graphicat Sketches, and kept it as simple as I could. The sweet image is Cecile all wrapped up from Digi Doodle, papers from Basic Gray, a Tim Holtz shaper and a jingle bell from my LSS. Inside, is a little book of 'twas the night before Christmas... I hope the wee one who receives this card will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Tis the season of giving, friends - check out the blog and join in the spirit of giving!
(((hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE: Graphicat Sketches; Digi Doodle-image; basic gray-DP, bazzill; ribbon from LSS; Tim Holtz-shapers; cuttlebug-embossing; copic markers

CHALLENGES:
If the shoe fits... scrap it!
Graphicat Sketchs
Sassy Studio Designs
crafting for all seasons
digital tuesday
top tip tuesday
paper creations ink
little claire's

mmmm...cocoa!

Had a yummy time creating this card, especially since I got to go shopping at StampFairy with winnings from Southern Girls this week. George and his cup of cocoa along with the "hushmellows" (the way darling gkiddo, Cooper used to say it). I followed the sketch at StampFairy's challenge, cut and embossed with the cuttlebug, sprinkled the snow with glitter, used CK Becky's hand for the sentiment, shaped, layered and popped my images, positioned the cup under the flourish on the Bo Bunny DP to emulate steam...made myself a nice cup of cocoa and thoroughly enjoyed myself :), albeit battling the flu for the last three days.

Have a Healthy week!
(((hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE: StampFairy store-images; StampFairy challenge-sketch; CK Becky's hand-font; Bo Bunny-DP; bazzill; cuttlebug-embossing; sizzix-circle die; LSS-glitter, pearls, ribbon; copics

CHALLENGES:
StampFairy challenge
crafting for all seasons
inky impressions
Digital Tuesday
Party time tuesdays
Top Tip Tuesday
craft your passion
cupcake craft
Daisy Doodles Creative challenges
My Partner in Crafting Crime
stamps & fun = creativity
Christmas inspirations
Dream Valley
2 sisters
a gem of a challenge
catch the bug
Di's Digi Design
Little Claire's
Speedy the Cat
Bah! Humbug!
card makin mamas

Happy Holidays Snowoman

I thought this darling "snowoman" from Sassy Cheryl was perfect for the sketch over at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge, made into a modified gatefold. I shopped my Basic Gray stash, used my new Bo Bunny Snowfall collection, my "hoarded" baker's twine and the sweet little snowfake charm from my LSS, and used the CK "jot" font for the sentiment. This card makes me HAPPY!

Happy Day wishes to you!
(((hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE: Sassy Cheryl-image; Stamptacular Sunday-sketch; Basic Gray-DP; Bo Bunny-DP; bazzill; CK Jot-font; baker's twine and charm-LSS; copic sketch markers.

CHALLENGES:
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge
Digital Tuesday
Top TIP Tuesday
The Cutie Pie
Daisy Doodles
Heart Song Inspirations
Lexi's Creations
Christmas Inspirations
Creative Inspirations
Dream Valley
I did it Creations
One Stitch at a Time
A Gem of a Challenge
Basic Gray challenges
Just some lines
Little Claire's
Bah! Humbug!
Christmas Stampin' all year
Crafty Catz
Floweret
Mami Doodles
sweet'n sassy
Art Impressions
Digi Doodle Shop

Show me #48 with Sassy Cheryl

I must thank Sassy Cheryl very much for hosting this weekly challenge, and as luck would have it with the random picker, I won last week :) And I loved the comment left about the MCR (mobile craft room) - my husband laughed, but agreed wholeheartedly :0) This week I'm working on Christmas ('tis the season) projects and one for Cheryl's challenge this week (go figure)... What I really wanted to display is the cute little salt & pepper socials that my wonderful husband found at a garage sale for me... 10 of them for a buck :), thoughtfully purchased for all my glitter - smart man!

Make sure you visit Cheryl's store - her art is over-the-top!

Have a wonderful week creating, My Friends!!!
(((hugs)))
wendy