Love and Hugs - Freshly Made Sketches and City Crafter Challenge

Hi!  One more quick post tonight to share a card I created for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge 173 & the City Crafter Challenge week 248: Tell someone they matter.

What a great sketch AND a wonderful theme at City Crafter, don't you think?  I had so many ideas, but only enough time to make one card.  Arrrgggh.

So, here's my take on the 2 challenges.

I know it looks a bit like a Valentine card, but it isn't.   It's sending "love & hugs" to someone close to me, to remind that person how much she matters.
* Mushy alert!*  That's an inside joke, so I guess that person knows she'll be seeing this card arrive in the mail.  :)

I used some brand new designer series paper from Stampin' Up! for this card.  I love the patterns in this Stacked With Love DSP stack.  They're not just for Valentine's cards, either.

Thanks for taking a look today!

Heartfelt Sympathy - CAS(E) this Sketch

Hey, it's been a while since my previous blog post.  Well, what can I say?  Life is BUSY!

Anyway, on to the business at hand.  :)

I'm sharing a card that I made for CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge #110.

I played with a new Stampin' Up! stamp set from the Sale-a-bration catalog.  Isn't it fun playing with new "toys"?

This set is called Lotus Blossom and it's 3-step stamping (I used blushing bride, pretty in pink and blush blossom inks for the blooms).  I had to practice and experiment with this set several times to get the alignment and colors the way I wanted them.  But, I'm glad that I kept going because I'm pleased with the results.  And...these flowers make me think of spring.  Oh, I'm so ready for spring!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

A Shaker Card for Virginia's View

I've just recently ventured into creating a few shaker cards.  Yup, I was a little intimidated by them for a while.  After watching a couple of video tutorials, I decided it was time to give it a try.

This one, that I created for Virginia's View Challenge #12 - Shaker Cards...is my favorite, so far.
Here's the challenge graphic...lots of inspiration here. :)

My card.

Click on a photo to enlarge it.

This card came together so much easier than my first 2 attempts.  I found this piece of MME patterned paper under a tote full of stamp sets.  I've probably had it for 4 or 5 years, but love it still.

I'll list my supplies below.



It feels good to be stamping again.  I think that crafting day with my friends last Saturday, was just what my crafty "mojo" needed. :)  You can read about it in THIS blog post.

Supply list ~
card stock: cajun craze (SU), white (Recollections)
patterned paper: My Mind's Eye
ink: cajun craze
stamps: wonderful words additions (PTI)
die: phrase play #5 (PTI)
other: sequins (CCartwrights), foam tape (3M)

Hello blogland...no cards, but sharing a bit of my life

Hi!  Ummm.  It's been a long time since my last post, huh?  Well, I'll share with you a bit of what has happened since my previous blog post.

A lot has happened during the past month.  Many good times with family and friends.  In fact, last Saturday 4 of my crafting friends joined me for a day of stamping, talking and laughing.  It brought me such joy!  What a blessing to have this group of ladies in my life.  Each and every one of them is so important to me.
Thank you Kris, Cheryl, Ellen and Roberta.  At the end of my post, I'll share a photo of these awesome friends.

But, January began with a tremendous loss.  There was a death in our family on New Year's Day.  We lost a wonderful brother-in-law, so my focus has been on family...as it should be.  Card making was put on the back burner, until recently.
One thing that I have been doing a lot of lately, is cooking.
Although cooking is not my favorite pastime, I do a lot of "from scratch" cooking so that I can eat healthy.  Lately I've been sharing some of my favorite foods with my Sis...just one tiny way I can help out a bit while she recovers from the loss of her husband.

A little comfort food, cooked with love!  Truly, when I'm cooking for family it warms my heart and I actually ENJOY cooking.  It changes my whole perspective on spending time in the kitchen.

This weekend I've made Baked Oatmeal with fresh apples and cranberries (it's one of my favorite breakfasts).  HERE is a link to the recipe, if you're interested.  I alter the recipe a little (as usual) by cutting back the brown sugar by half.  Also, I add extra cranberries.  Occasionally I add some chopped nuts.
This is a pic from the blog where you'll find the recipe...just to tempt you. :)

I also made Not Just Chicken, Chicken Soup.  Unfortunately, I can't link to the recipe since it's from Dr. Travis Stork's cookbook.  HERE is a link to the book on Amazon.  This is my absolute favorite home made soup.  LOVE it.  He includes several options for grains, greens and herbs to add to this soup, so that you can customize it to your tastes.  I use quinoa, spinach and dill in addition to the ingredients in the recipe.

Anyway, that's the abbreviated version of my January 2015.  If you've read all the way through this post (thank you!), now you get to see that pic of me and my crafty friends.

I had to persuade them to do a goofy pose for this pic.  They kinda groaned...and hesitated.  But finally gave in.  Hopefully....they won's mind me sharing this pic.  Well, if they do...it's too late now!

From left to right: Cheryl, Roberta, Ellen, Kris and Me.  I love this photo!

Oh!  And I have to show you the Unity sweatshirts that Kris and I are wearing.

She's Crafty. Well, yes we are...if I do say so, myself.

Friends and family.  What a blessing they are.  Life is too short to take them for granted.  Please let them know how much they mean to you.  Often.