TWO FOR THURSDAY

Hello! I was going to post yesterday, but ended up having computer issues and spending a good portion of my time working on that yesterday instead of uploading to my blog. Very frustrating. My husband is out of town, and he is normally my "go to guy" for all electronics, so I tried to figure out what was going on, but couldn't. Adam called and within 5 minutes he had me back up and running. He is the best! :)

Today, I have TWO cards for you! The top one is for TWO challenges.

#1 is using our Sponsor from the Belli Challenges - QKR STAMPEDE. They were SO generous and sent each of our Design Team members three images each. So we wanted to give them an extra shout out. FAST DELIVERY and excellent service!

#2 Is the Stampin' Sisters in Christ weekly challenges. This week's challenge was to create a card based on this Scripture:

Esther 4:14 “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

CHALLENGE: Make a card or project using a time piece or in some way denoting time or the passage of time. Let imagination be your guide!

My take on the challenge was to take a small clock using Rub Ons from SU and add the words Time to Love you - which was a combination of Rub Ons and stamps...

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Now for my next project... this uses I BRAKE FOR STAMPS

I recently went to a Scrapbook store here in the Racine area and bought some SMOOCHES - Have you tried that yet? I saw them a few months ago and thought about buying them but didn't take the plunge until this weekend because Technique Junkies had a technique in their newsletter using them!

Here are the details to my card:

TECHNIQUE: TECHNIQUE JUNKIES: WATERCOLOR SMOOCH

Stamps: I BRAKE FOR STAMPS - Leprechaun, Irish Blessing, Bunch of Clover

Cardstock: Co'ordinations, Black, White, Watercolor paper

Accessories: Black EP, Heat Tool, Smooch Green, Nestibilities Fleur De Lis, Copics, Brads, Gold Ribbon, Dimensionals

I have a busy day ahead of me - I hope you enjoyed checking out what I created! Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a WONDERFUL day!

Shine Your Light: Secret Admirer

Hello again! What an honor and day of excitement to go over to the Our Daily Bread Designs blog and see one of my creations and my name highlighted as receiving the Shining the Light Award. Thank you to ODBD for such a wonderful blessing and choosing me for Shining the Light Award!

Todays Challenge from ODBD: Since it is February and we are acknowledging national hero’s (President’s day) or people who are special to us (Valentine’s Day) in the U.S. , the challenge team is challenging you to acknowledge and case a crafter you admire or a creation you admire changing just two elements to make it our own.

Well, I chose the VERY talented Chris Olsen and THIS project to case but I accidentally made a few more than 2 changes -

Here is what I changed...

1. I did not make a milk crate but used a Box with a Handle from Creative Cuts and More

2. I changed the color scheme

3. I changed the shape of the Nestibilities and did not use an embossing folder on it

4. I used the Martha Stewart branch punches and added some gems

I hope I am not disqualified from the challenge for adding TWO more! :) If I am...let me know and I can make another project!

I chose Chris as my inspiration based on MORE than just her Paper crafting talent - I chose Chris Olsen as my inspiration because she has allowed her light to shine in many different venues. She always has an encouraging word and has gone out of her way to be extra kind to me. I do not know Chris, outside of blogging and the love she has for the LORD, that she has shared through blogging...I feel she has shared the love of Christ through her actions and kind words too. Thank you, Chris!

In 1Thessalonians 5:2-3 it says, We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ

While I was stamping today, I accidentally grabbed my brown Memento ink pad instead of black and didn't really like it - but decided to go with it anyways and not waste my card stock. As I was coloring this sweet bird, I wanted to add a little more dimension to the eyes and the beak, so I grabbed my black marker and outlines the edges.

Here are a few more details:

Stamp Set: Our Daily Bread Designs - He is my Refuge

Cardstock: Wassail Dp, Acetate - Box with a Handle from Creative Cuts and More, green Co'ordinations

Accessories: Copics, Gems, Nestibilities, Big Shot, Dimensionals, MS Branch punches, Air brushing, Black pen, Poly Twill ribbon from SU

Well, I am very tired from a late night last evening and am ready to call it quits for the day! I hope you have a blessed week! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Clean and Simple #19 Mo Style

Hello! We are under a Winter Storm Watch here in Wisconsin with a possible 6-9 inches. I am hoping for 9 inches! Really! If it has to SNOW - make it PRETTY! I grow weary of the brown/ gray look outside with muddy looking snow. NOT PRETTY!

The card I created today is for the Mo's Digital Pencil 2 Challenge #19. Use white or cream cardstock, your image from Mo's Digital Pencil, and one ribbon.. it's that simple... and, no additional layers! This month they have a spot opening up on their Design Team and you have to participate in their challenges all month - so I am in love with Mo's images and would LOVE to join their DT!

Here are the details:

Digital Image: Sophie

Cardstock: White

Accessories: Blue Ribbon, Dew Drops, Mini Glue Dots

Ink: Copics

This is my little cutie pie snuggling with a cat who desperately wants to get away... REALLY - he wants to get away! LOL Mo's image of the cat and the little girl are really and truly what our household often looks like!

OK - I am now ready to go wash my face, change from my church clothes to some comfy cozy clothes and move to my office to create!

Thanks you for stopping by! Have a blessed day!!!

Faux Turquoise Stones

Hello! Happy Saturday! I never shared my weight loss yesterday, but I am down 2 more pounds! I am now down 49 pounds!!! One more and I hit the big milestone of losing 50 pounds! Woohoo. I must have dropped some more inches, because my husband NOTICED. He seems to go in spurts of noticing my weight loss. Either way - I LOVE the attention he gives me! LOL

Todays card is one I made a few months ago for the October/ November 2009 Technique Junkies Newsletter called Faux Turquoise Stones. I just LOVE the effect of these Faux Stones - and turquoise is one of my favorite color! I have seen some cards with this technique using different colors that are just as beautiful! If you haven't tried this technique - give it a whirl! If you have not tried the TJ Newsletter - it is WONDERFUL - step by step WITH pictures directions and not only that - there are SOOOO many talented stampers that will inspire you with their work! I just LOVE it!

I just LOVE the Stampendous Marble Texture Cube stamp - it has THREE different sides to add different textures - (I purchased mine from Joanne's but I saw some this morning on Ebay!)

Here are some more details to my project:

Technique: Faux Turquoise Stones

Stamps: Rub On from SU! Stampendous Marble Texture Cube, All in a Row (stitching) by SU

Papers: Black, White and Baja Breeze

Accessories: Heat Tool, Utee, White Gel Pen, Black Gems

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful day and weekend.

FCD BLOG HOP - On The Wings of Love & BLOGGERS CHALLENGE #139

Hello! I am thrilled to have been invited to tag along on the Firecracker Designs By Pamela Design Team's Blog Hop! I will "officially" start on the Design Team as of March 1, but hopped on board for this blog hop just for FUN!

Welcome to the ROMANTIC LYRIC themed Blog Hop for Firecracker Designs By Pamela and my Bloggers Challenge post!

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The official start time of this Hop is Friday, at 8:00 AM (EST). If you arrived early, please be patient as all the links may not be live yet.

As I mentioned above, todays BLOG HOP has a ROMANCE or LOVE SONG theme... I chose On the Wings of Love to go with this FUN DIGITAL image from FIRECRACKER DESIGNS BY PAMELA. To get this look, I colored the wings with my Copic Marker BG10 and then went over it with the Waterfall Blue Stickles. The heart portion, I colored with my BG49 Copic marker and the swirls I used V04, but then went over it with my Purple Stickles...

Details: Heart with Wings is a DIGI from FIRECRACKER DESIGNS BY PAMELA and the words are from the stamp set Have Courage

Ink & Cardstock: Soft Sky, Teal, Lavender and white, Copics mentioned above

Accessories: Waterfall and Purple Stickles, Nestibilities, Dimensionals, Water Dew Drops, Mini Glue Dots, Paper Piercing Tool, Purple Gingham Ribbon

For the LOVE SONG - you can watch the video and follow along with the lyrics below...

ON THE WINGS OF LOVE (Jeffrey Osborne)

Just smile for me and let the day begin
You are the sunshine that lights my heat within
I'm sure that you're an angel in disguise
Come take my hand and together we will rise

On the wings of love
Up and above the clouds
The only way to fly
Is on the wings of love
On the wings of love
Only the two of us
Together flying high
Flying high
Upon the wings of love

You look at me and I begin to melt
Just like the snow when a ray of sun is felt
I'm crazy bout ya baby can't you see
I'd be delighted if you could come with me

On the wings of love
Up and above the clouds
The only way to fly
Is on the wings of love
On the wings of love
Only the two of us
Together flying high
Flying high
Upon the wings of love

Yes you belong to me
I'm yours exclusively
Right now we live and breathe
Each other Insepreble it seems,
We're flowing like a stream
Running free flowing
On the wings of love

On the wings of love
Up and above the clouds
The only way to fly
Is on the wings of love
On the wings of love
Only the two of us
Together flying high
Together flying high

On the wings of love
Up and above the clouds
The only way to fly
Is on the wings of love
On the wings of love
Only the two of us
Together flying high
Together flying high
Upon the wings of love

Now that you are all ROMANCED...A note about the Bloggers Challenge! This weeks challenge is to create a card using the sketch below.

This is a “circular blog hop” where the only beginning is wherever you start!! You will know you are at the end of your blog hop when you’ve come back to the blog you’ve started from! (It’s not a huge circle…so it should be easy to remember where you started.)

The winner will be chosen from a mystery blog hostess that we don’t even know who it will be until the hop is over…so that’s why you’ll want to leave a comment on EVERY blog, so you don’t miss out!

**To find out if you’ve won… you will be contacted by Pamela via e-mail (so be sure to leave it with your comment.) and you can also find out on Pamela’s blog after the blog hop ends on Mon, at 8:00 PM (EST).**

Now, to continue the circle, you will need to hop on over to the talented DONNA MOORE's BLOG and keep going until you’ve come back to where you’ve started! Thanks so much for playing along with us and we hope you have a great time!

EASTER BLESSINGS

Hello! I had some time to play on Wednesday while my gremlins did school. I normally stamp or color with them while they do school. I get interrupted a lot, but it is something I can do to fill my time.

I made this card for the MOJO Sketch #126 and the Splitcoast Stampers Color Challenge #259

I used Technique Junkies Wisped Frames tutorial too!

Here are a few more details!

Stamps: Easter Blessings by FCD

Paper: Plum, Take Note by Basic Grey, White,

Ink: Memento Black, Copics

Accessories: Dew Drops, Paper Snips, Punches, Ribbon, Dimensionals, Stipple Brush, Technique Junkies Newsletter, Swiss Dots folder, Big Shot

Techniques: Wisped Frames

Tomorrow, I will be HOPPING along with Firecracker Designs By Pamela - so come ready for some ROMANCE and an announcement!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Your comments make me SMILE! Have a WONDERFUL day!

Belli Challenge #85 - butterflies and dragonflies

Hello! Today is Belli Challenge Day! For those of you who are following my weight loss, I have changed my weigh in day to Fridays... I will say I am DOWN from last week though, but for the exact numbers tune in on Friday! :)

We are SO thrilled over at the Belli Challenge Blog this week, we had a record breaking 271 players! WOW! Thanks so much for spreading the word. And if you have NOT played along with us in the Belli Challenge... COME JOIN THE FUN!

This week, we have a FABULOUS Sponsor - QKR Stampede - (they also own Eureka Stamps and Biblical Impressions) and they are giving away a generous $30 worth of rubber stamps - Your choice to one lucky winner who participates in the Belli Challenge!

We have a special Guest Designer - Jess Stockmeyer -

Today, I have TWO projects for you - the first one...well, it doesn't completely fall into the categories - so let's pretend there is a butterfly hiding in the refridgerator? Okay! I loved this image from QKR Stampede but didn't think about the Belli Challenge theme when I put my order in! LOL

I used Microsoft Word to type up the sentiment, which is one I utter (heehee) quite frequently since I have been dieting - Get it? Utter = Udder. Okay...I am over tired as I type this, so easily amused... bear with me as I finish writing this up.

Stamp Set: Raiding the Fridge by QKR STAMPEDE

Cardsotck: Wasabi, Black and White

Ink: Copics

Accessories: Dew Drops, White Gel Pen, Nestibilities, Big Shot, Ribbon

My second card fits the bill though!

Stamps: Gone Fishing by QKR Stampede

Paper: Basic Grey Archaic,Brown, Sage, White

Ink: Durango, Copics

Accessories: Brads, Nestibilities, Chocolate double stitched ribbon, Dimensionals, Cropodile, Paper Piercing tool

Be sure to check out the rest of the Belli Design Team's Blogs - they are sure to inspire you!

• Anne Harmon
• Ceal Pritchett
• Darsie Bruno
• Deb Daniels
• Fern Riley
• Holly Brown - Creator
• Jenny Gropp
• Joan Ervin
• Joy Hadden
• Liz Williams
• Maria Matter
• Melisa Waldorf
• Robin Kirkpatrick - Guest Designer Coordinator
• Steph Zerbe

Come join the fun on the Belli Challenge! We WANT YOU!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a WONDERFUL DAY!

Two for Tuesday - Color Challenge

Hey, I am back with another card! You can scroll down one to see my other creation from this morning...

This is another one of Mo's Digital Pencils adorable images. What is SO funny about this image is that as SOON as I saw it, my two girls were right behind me and my 5 year old said, "HEY! That is ME!" Unfortunately she is SO right! If I had been thinking while coloring this, I would have made the cat black like ours. :)

Here are the details:

Challenges: Friday Sketchers #89 and Mo's DP2 Challenge #18

Stamps: Mo's Digital Pencil, SU Canvas BG

Cardstock: Ruby Red, Regal Rose, Black, White, Autumn Traditions DP

Ink: Copics, Versamark, Rose

Accessories: Oval Cutter, Paper Snips, Paper Piercing Tool, Dew Drops, Dimensionals, Heat Tool, Embossing folder, UTEE,

Technique: Technique Junkies Glassy Embossing

Thanks so much for stopping by again! Have a great day!

PLAYFUL KITTENS in MONO DIES

Hello! Yesterday while my children did school, I colored. :) I try to do fairly simple things while they do school so I can be "available" to help them as they need help.

I am in a constant state of organizing my office and cleaning it out these days. My sweetie bought me some new cabinets, so he hung them in my office and I was able to remove the big table. That freed up extra space and I decided to get rid of a few more things. Now, since I was able to free up that space, I decided to pull my Cricut out of its box and use it! Imagine that! Using something I bought! lol Using the Garden Font, I cut several flowers out to create my MONO DIES background!

MONO DIES is a technique from the latest Technique Junkies Newsletter! I colored this sweet image called Playful Kittens from I BRAKE FOR STAMPS. This image is SO afforable and FUN to color!

Another Fabulous thing is YOU can CLICK HERE to save 10% at I BRAKE FOR STAMPS by using this code: SAVE10CHRIS

Here are a few more details for you:

CHALLENGES: Splitcoast Stampers Clean and Simple #54

TECHNIQUES: Airbrushing, Mono Dies by Technique Junkies

Stamps: Playful Kittens from I Brake For Stamps, Words - from SU

Cardstock: Coordinations, White, Black,

Ink: Copics, Black Spica Pen

Accessories: Cricut, Walk in My Garden, Dew Drops, Sanding Block, Dimensionals, Red Sticky Tape (awesome price here), Micro Beads

Thanks so much for leaving me comments. I love hearing from you!!! Have a blessed day!

YOU WILL FIND REFUGE

Happy Monday Friends - I hope you had a refreshing weekend! I went scrap booking all day on Saturday and worked on some projects I will be sharing with you some time soon! Todays project is for the Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge - we were to use red or pink and bling on your creation and it doesn't have to be a Valentine's themed project.

I just love the Scriptures and find comfort in the fact that GOD is my refuge during good times and those rougher seasons. The reference of finding refuge in the shelter of the wings of the LORD is found in several places, not only the Scripture above but also in Psalm 57:1-3. I find God's work in my life amazing. There are so many times things are parallel that the LORD shows me. Yesterday He gave me Psalm 57:1-3

Psalm 57:1-3 (New King James Version)

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by.

I will cry out to God Most High,
To God who performs all things for me.
He shall send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah
God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.

I pray this Scripture bring you peace and comfort today as you read it. May you find refuge and strength and comfort in HIM today.

Here are the details of todays project:

Stamps: ODBD You Will Find Refuge

Cardstock: Red, Chocolate, White, Olive DP

Ink: Copics and Airbrushing

Accessories: Air tank, Dew Drops, Mini Glue Dots, Stamp-a-ma-jog, Scallop punch, Chocolate Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a blessed day!

Bloggers Challenge: Be My Valentine

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! I hope you are enjoying your Valentine's Day. Mt sweetie bought me roses and we will be grilling my favorite food - STEAK! What would be even better if I could have some fried shrimp, but I didn't buy any and I am not going to the store...not to mention that is not on my new healthy lifestyle diet! LOL
























Todays project combines a few challenges...

1. BLOGGERS CHALLENGE - make a Valentine's card - to see other Blogger Challenge participants cards please click on the right hand side bar Bloggers Challenge icon and you will see LOTS of eye candy! :)
2. Mo's Digital Pencil #18 - we were to use pink, white, red and include a heart.
3. Sweet Stop Sketch - SSS43

I used the Technique Junkies newsletter for this card and used TWO techniques! The first technique is the Sanded Whitewash from the Aug/ September 2009 newsletter and the Wisped Frames from the Feb/ March 2010 Newsletter.

Here are a few more details:
Stamps: Mo's Digital Pencil - Girl Valentine, Words by SU
Cardstock: Sugar Pretty Please by 3bugsinarug DP, Pink, Rose (SU) white, Pomegranite Splash Bazzill Smoothies
Accessories: Stippled Brush, Sizzix floral folder, Big Shot, Gesso, Sanding block, Paper piercing Tool, Flower punch, Dew Drops, Mini Glue Dots, Scallop Punch, Circle cutter, Dimensionals, ribbon colored with Copics.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!

Brayered Brilliance - FCD Flowers

Hello! Thursday was quite the busy day for me. I had started the background last night, but pooped out and never finished it. So today, I worked in 10 minute spurts in between all of my running around. We were in and out all day and evening. Literally not even home for more than an hour from 9 am until 8 pm.

Here are the details for my card:

Stamps: Flowers from Firecracker Designs By Pamela - Words by SU

Paper: Glossy White, Rose, Black, Basic Grey

Ink: Gold Brilliance, Rose, Olive, Copics

Accessories: Brayer, MS Punch, Punches, Dew Drops, Dimensionals

Techniques: Brayered Brilliance by Technique Junkies

Here is the background BEFORE I put the card together. I love the soft colors and was pleased as pie with how it turned out.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great day!

MOJO WOOD - SISTERS IN BRAYERED BRILLIANCE!

Happy Wednesday! For those of you following my weight loss, I am changing my weigh in day to Friday. One thing I have realized in a bad habit of weighing myself every day... is that I jumped back on program on a Friday after the Christmas holiday. Fridays tend to be the days I have a decrease in my weight, rather than Wednesdays. So I decided to switch it to that day! SO be on the look out for that on Friday. I can tell you though that so far I am DOWN this week. Woohoo!

Ok - now about my card - I LOVED the MOJO Sketch this week, and made another card you can see HERE or I will be posting it on my Blog next Wednesday too.

The Background on this card is a Technique Junkies technique from the February/ March 2010 newsletter called Brayered Brilliance and Pierced Patterns. Super easy and FUN too!

Another challenge - Mo's Digital Pencil Too Challenge #17 was to create a project with WOOD or WOULD or FAUX WOOD - this bench has WOOD in it. You can see another project I created for this challenge HERE.

Another challenge was the Stampers Sisters in Christ - to use TWO of the same type of item to TWO kinds of each item to make your ONE creation. An example would be as follows: 2 different colors of cardstock, 2 different pieces of patterned paper, 2 pieces of ribbon, 2 brads, 2 buttons, and so on. My project uses TWO TECHNIQUES! HERE is the direct link to this challenge.

Here are a few more details:
Stamp Sets: Mo's Digital Pencil, Sisters, Kind Thoughts SU (BG)
Cardstock: Glossy, Pomegranite, Pirhuoette Pink, Regal Rose, White
Accessories: Nestibilities, Brads, Double stitched Rose Ribbon, Pink Candy Brad, Paper Piercing Tool, Dimensionals

Thanks so much for taking a peak and leaving me a comment! I appreciate your kindness! have a fabulous day!