Mojo Set of Cards

Today is a 3 for 1 special guys...

I love these combo of colors so much.

It all started with this tall, skinny card (3 1/2"x 5 1/2") inspired by this week's Mojo Monday sketch.

(stamp & die: WPlus9 Written on Ribbon  ink: WPlus 9 Flamingo, Versafine Grey other: Nail Polish dots)

Mojo Monday #417 Tall and Skinny

 As you can see...I didn't stop there.

Why put away the remaining paper when I can create several in one sitting.

Next I went to

this WPlus9 challenge

Throwback Thursday #7

where Maureen created several sweet creations...one of which used Flamingo Ink.

I don't usually make "sweet" cards...but I do love seeing them!

I used my older (and so sweet) WPlus9 set Banner Love for this card, and brought out my Flamingo ink.

 (stamp: Wplus 9 Banner Love/Written on Ribbon sentiment   dies: Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Circles  ink: WPlus 9 Flamingo, Versafine Grey)

Here was my carefree design...

 (die: My Favorite Things Die-namics Blueprints 11 other: nail polish dots)

 This is my second submission to

 

Simon Says (Wednesday): Anything Goes

  I feel like I got enough stampy time/me time to face the world~

 

 

so away I go....

Thanks for visiting friends!

 

Friends Always

I have a friend that recently contemplated moving away from here (far away).

She and her family prayed about it and I'm sure lost sleep about it...

they decided to STAY.

I'm SO RELIEVED, you don't even know.

Her girls are like my adopted daughters...

and she and her husband were there to pray over me when I went into diagnostic surgery this summer.

These people are very very special to me.

So even if she HAD moved...we would always be friends in my heart.

We were once a military family...so we love even through distance...

time stops in our hearts and there is always a connection with those friends...no matter where they reside or how much time has passed since we last spoke.

 Once you're in my heart...SORRY...

there's no getting out. ;)

I wanted to create a card she would like (vs what I usually make)

 HA! ;)

She is a lady through and through, so I went floral (adding stripes for ME)...

(stamp: Waltzingmouse Teeny Trees   die:Papertrey Ink Edgers #1)

There are a couple of anything goes challenges...YAYY!

So let loose and play guys...

Simon Says (Wednesday): Anything Goes

 Word Art Wednesday #203-Anything Goes

 Is it really the middle of ANOTHER week...saying goodbye to September???

Goodness, time FLIES..

I GAVE IN to fall and had my first pumpkin spice drink from Starbucks..

HA! 

That's my version of saying "oh all right...goodbye, summer" ;)

MFT Color Challenge Christmas Card

Tell you what...every Christmas Card done, gives me a satisfied feeling.

I didn't have the energy or time last year and now I'm going at a steady pace...

trying to make one now and again until it's time to send.

Wonder if I should go a step further and just start addressing/filling in....

hmmmm...

(stamps/dies: My Favorite Things Die-namic (Christmas Ornaments/Blueprints 11)

This color challenge had me reaching for papers using the same...

My Favorite Things Color Challenge #30

I'm also satisfied when I used my patterned paper...

gotta create when the inspiration is flowing!

I pray you have a nice day~

Another Fall Coffee Card

I created another fall coffee card, using freebie digitals from Create with TLC and Verve.

(stamps: Create with TLC digital freebie image, Verve digital freebie sentiment, Waltzingmouse Teeny Trees circles, Technique Tuesday Loves Me circle   die: Papertrey Ink Eyelet Lace, Spellbinders Shapeabilities D-Lites Ornamental Tags)

 

 I was inspired by this on Pinterest...

 I love the old-timey peeps layered with colorful splashes.

I'm not a huge vintage person...but lean toward abstract..

so this is right up my alley. ;)

Thanks for stopping by~

Latte Love

I barely have any coffee images, but what a blessing to get a free digital at Verve!


For a limited time, you can download the images free too!

(stamp: Verve Latte Love Digital  dies: Verve Build a Poppy,We R Memory Keepers Instagram  other: Want2Scrap rhinestones, Copics, American Crafts Chalk white marker)

I'm entering the

and I used this sketch.

For the banner layer, I used Verve's Build a Poppy (still intact as a set) twice to create a lace effect.


Although I had a cold coffee drink recently, I feel a nap calling me down...


I'm not too sure if I should succumb to it since I usually feel worse after one.


This seems like one of those days I won't want to wake up. ;)


I'm trying to stay crafty to distract myself but at some point I may just take a wee snooze....

HB2U Colors, Sketch and Circles

I love circles, these colors, and a sketch...

(stamps: My Favorite Things You Are Unrepeatable sentiment/Let's Go for a Walk, Technique Tuesday Inner Circle, Papertrey Ink City Scene tree circle  die: My Favorite Things Die-namics Sentiment Strips 2)

MFT Sketch Challenge #247

Circles make my head all swimmy... ;)


Have a restful day if you can...

Two-Toned Thank You

I love black and white cards.

But a black and white sentiment?!

How cool is that?!

(stamps: Papertrey Ink City Scene/Think Big Favorites #2/Hello Sunshine  dies: Papertrey Ink City Scene  ink: WPlus9 White Pigment, Memento Dandelion/Pear Tart, Versamark  other: white embossing powder)




Check out the challenge at Papertrey...there are lots of beautiful entries to see and a video tutorial to learn from.


Make It Monday #224: Two-Toned Stamped Sentiments
hosted by Danielle Flanders

 

 

 

 LOVE the colors at this challenge....

 

 

 

 

 Have a great day, friends~

 

All My Heart

I brought out my gelatos, water brush and ink spray...

stamp: Heidi Swapp  paper: watercolor (Faber Castell gold gelato/Dylusions Fresh Lime ink spray), Heidi Swapp Favorite Things  other: nail polish dots

then stamped a huge yummy sentiment~

Finished with some nail polish dots and DONE.

Simon Says Stamp (Mon) : Use a Stamp and Blog Hop

 

 

 Hardest part is waiting for the panel and dots to dry...

I can be pretty impatient. ;)

 

 

There are some things that can't be rushed,

 

 

for example...

 

 

building character.

 

 

Speaking of character..if you rush over to this blog...

 

 

Word Art Wednesday #202

 

 

you can pick up a free digital character building verse and even read a devotion.

 

 

The verse this week: Romans 14:19 speaks to me NOW.

 When it comes to my kids...I love them with allll my heart.

It hurts me to see them hurt.

However, God whispers to my heart that even in this...

good will come.

It's not the easy stuff that matures a person and gives them the chops for this hard life.

It's the hard, hurtful, painful...can't even talk about it moments that soften their hearts.

 

 

My job is to love them with all I've got.

So I pray for them and I should pray for the ones that hurt them...

and I pray for me to be forgiving.

May my heart stay big and bendy for God's use!

 

Don't Blame it On the Rain

I see this image and hear "Blame it on the Rain"...Milli Vanilli spinning in my head.

If you are old enough to remember...you probably have it playing in your mind now, too.

I'm sorry....

well, not really...

misery loves company...

ha! ;)

(stamp: Tim Holtz Purely Random  paper: watercolor paper, Heidi Swapp Favorite Things, Echo Park Capture Life, Cosmo Cricket Creative Girl   dies: Spellbinders (Classic circles, Scalloped circles,Deckled Rectangles) other: Faber Castell Gelatos silver,Want2Scrap bling)

Simon Says Stamp (Mon) : Use a Stamp and Blog Hop


 I don't know about you...but the longer I live on this earth...the more I've accepted that there will be storms and crises.


Managing to "keep on keeping on" is an important skill, despite whatever is going on.


I'm grateful for the slight reprieve of life's demands...when I'm creating and blogging.


Your individual blogs and fun challenges give me my "me time" and since my health issues have eased up a bit...

I love that I can jump back in and see your familiar faces (and new ones too) still doing what you do. ;)


I miss this community of crafters.


Keep doing what you do...

Pretty Amazing Shelby

Today is my daughter Shelby's birthday...


she's 17!

(stamp: WPlus9 Unforgettable dies: Verve Build a Poppy Set/Rounded Rectangle, Spellbinders Wonky Rectangle)



My word where has the time gone?!


She still giggles at the silliest things...just like when she was 4.


~She's such a cutie~




I pray she have a blessed birthday today and that she knows how much we love and appreciate her~



I'm entering this card in


Simon Says Stamp (Mon) : Use a Stamp and Blog Hop


Thanks for stopping by~

You Are Cool

Ok, something REALLY exciting happened last night...

my 14 year old implied that I'm cool.

She didn't come right out and SAY it...but she asked me to make a card for her to give to someone.

I connected the rest of the dots. ;)

I might be stretching her words but I know she's thinking it....

hahahahaa

(stamps: Technique Tuesday Ali Edwards Incredible  paper: Heidi Swapp Favorite Things)

I was so excited to fulfill her order, that she laughed at my exuberance with

 "Look at you go!"

;)

I tell you what...when you get a request from someone to create (and they've seen your work)

...it's the greatest feeling in the world, right?!

I stamped away here...suited for the challenge at

Simon Says Stamp (Mon) : Use a Stamp and Blog Hop

 This card is for a fellow dancer my daughter knows...hence the music note.

Since it's a CAS...I'm entering it also at 

CFC143:Musical

 My week already started off great with crafty crafty...I think this may turn out to be a promising one!

Have a great week friends!

 

 

Udated Pill Tracker

I have wanted to share an update on how this pill tracker has been holding up...

I made it in Dec 2011 and I've used it at least four times a week.

It has withstood the test of time!

Originally I created it because I was having a hard time keeping track of my allergy pills..and whether or not I had taken it right before bed.

This challenge motivated me to create a newer model...this time for my migraine meds.

(stamps: Hero Arts CL502/Large Notebook Paper   die: MFT Die-namics Blueprints 11, Sizzix tag)

I updated the design so it stands alone, and keeps track of whether I've taken one or two pills...since I shouldn't take more than two a day.

Same basic construction, different look for 

Hero Arts Makeover Challenge.

 

 This was simple simple to create, and inexpensive too!

I just die cut cereal boxes and used several layers together with a glue stick to give the project stability.

No more guessing whether I can take a second pain pill or not~if I take one, I slide the button to the first or second sticker for the day.

 Thanks for stopping by!

 

Happy Autumn Card With Nail Polish Dots

(dies: MFT Blueprints 11, Lil' Inker Quilted Stitched Pattern, Sweet 'n Sassy Season of Change, paper: Basic Grey Highline, American Crafts Amy Tangerine Plus One)

I brought out my nail polish again...this time I dotted.


Told you I like painting with it!

Simon Says (Monday) Challenge: Love this Technique

I so enjoy using "less fall-ish" colors with a nod toward autumn~it's like a marriage between summer and fall...

I'll call this couple...

sall...fummer....autummer....

;)

ok, I'll stop now

Just What I Need

I whipped up a simple fall card.

This size is my newest fave~

(stamp: Technique Tuesday You Always Know   dies: MFT Die-namics Blueprints 11, Sweet 'n Sassy Season of Change)

Simon Says (Wednesday): Die Crazy

 I don't know whether you're ready for fall, but

it's gonna happen, with or without our acknowledgement.

Might as well dive in and utilize those leaf dies~whether you wanna rake your yard or not! 

;)

Have a blessed weekend~

 

 

You Are Gorgeous

In case you haven't heard it yet today...

(paper: Echo Park Capture Life  stamp: Verve Treasured Words/Learning to Sail  dies: Verve Rounded Rectangle, Sweet n' Sassy Season of Change  other: American Crafts Decorative Tape)

You are!


Don't believe anyone that tells you different, k?



Another fall creation for

This is my first inking of the sentiment for Darnell's 5th challenge

I'm kinda thrilled with that gold leaf...gold leaf necklaces charms were IN when I was in sixth grade...


I had a fake one. ;)


This one was birthed from gold decorated tape stuck on any old paper and cut out with a die.


Now I can justify the purchase of that tape...it will be used more in this fashion I think...


Ok,  better get off the computer and do some work at my house before the day gets away...


thanks for stopping by~

Remnant Rectangles

When I constructed this card...I had the foresight to line up the dies, rather than willy-nilly which is usual marlena style.

~ ok, not really...I didn't foresee... I just wanted the ziggies to line up~

anyhoo...

I used what remained to create another...

(dies: Simon Says Stamp Greeting Blocks   stamp: Mama Elephant We Click   paper: American Crafts Amy Tangerine Plus One)

Love that I can use those fun sentiments from a paper pack.

Simon Says (Wednesday): Die Crazy

I went all geometric-like for

Virginia's View Challenge #18

LOOOOVVVE that it's Friday...but with teens in my house,

 it's actually the kickoff to a busy weekend.

The party has just started around here....

Wish me stamina...I'm gonna need it

Continue to Bloom Where You Are Planted

It amazes me how quickly time is flying!

Is it just me,

or am I getting to be an old lady.

Don't answer that. ;)

Lately the term "relevant" is in my head...

how to be RELEVANT to this generation that I'm still "kicking" in.

I don't want to become outdated or unusable to these younguns that need our

 "I've lived-long-enough-to-realize" witness.

Not that I'm all that bright or wise...

 

but I've experienced a thing or two in my 45 years of life on this earth.

I've had even more to say since becoming a Christian.

I need to remember to continue growing and blooming~

not refusing to extend beyond the generation comfortable for me 

(up until 3 years ago...ha ha ha ;)  )

.

(stamp: Papertrey Ink Teach & Inspire, Flourishes Tiny Flowers & Tags,  Waltzingmouse Stamps Paris Nouveau, die: Spellbinders, ink: Versafine Onyx, Hero Arts (Soft Pool, Wet Cement), Memento Lilac Posies)

I pulled out stamp sets you can't find today ....

(one which comes from a company that I hope resurfaces)...

and combined with a current set...

hence, the nostalgia and deep thoughts...

sorry, I'm rambling...

Here are the challenges...

Simon Says (Wednesday): Die Crazy

Word Art Wednesday #201:Anything Goes

 

 

All this being rambled....

 

 

I'm so grateful for the creative world.

 

 

It's one venue that I can experiment in, with trends such as 

 

black and white accents (ME LOVES!).

 

 

Thanks for listening to an older lady carry on....  

 

 

cuz "back in my day.......

 

 

*RUN. WHILE. YOU. CAN....*

 

 

hee!!!

Grace

Ooooh, I'm so grateful for grace~

(stamp: Verve Grace/Treasured Words rectangle, dies: Papertrey Ink In the Meadow, Verve Rounded Rectangle, Sizzix star)

aren't you????

I felt this paper was apropos for Virginia's challenge.

Whenever I use my deer dies....

happy sigh. ;)

Simon Says (Wednesday): Die Crazy

Well, I've accomplished alllll I had hoped to today~got errands done and within 15 min of the house it hit me that I'm sooooo TIRED....

Now I'm wiped.

I'm sure you are too.

A woman's work is never done, right?!

Hope to get some crafty time in (hubby says I'm so different when I craft-I'm nicer! ha!)

Hope you get to create too...

for you. ;)

Have a great day friends.

Paper & Die Do the Work

Sometimes the paper and fancy die do most of the work~

 

 (stamp: Verve Poppy Birthday,ink: Versafine Onyx, die: Spellbinders Shapeabilities D-Lites Ornamental Tags, paper: Fancy Pants Designs Swagger)

I'm so down with that. ;)

I went with fall colors for

Simon Says (Wednesday): Die Crazy

Word Art Wednesday #201:Anything Goes

Gotta run errands...be back soon I hope~

Musical Centerpiece and My Crimper

Although I've been MIA for many gatherings, (details here in case you wanna catch up)

I have been so blessed to participate in the ways that I can.

I didn't attend the musical event that our homeschool classes hosted but I supplied six centerpieces.

They looked like this.

I used my Cameo for the musical flourish, a straw to hold up the design (tacked down by a glue dot)...and gorgeous jars and rocks.

I adapted this idea I found 

Pinterest 

by making the musical strips fillers, instead of the focal point.

Since I didn't have musical paper, I stamped the music with Our Daily Bread's It is Well With My Soul Hymn.

I also crimped each strip.

Adding texture to my designs with a crimper is one of my oldest and favoritist techniques.

I'm entering this in Simon Says (Monday) Challenge: Love this Technique

cuz I doooo looooovvvvee  my crimper. ;) 

I'm also submitting this to

Word Art Wednesday #201:Anything Goes

stamp: Our Daily Bread It is Well With My Soul Hymn

ink: Versafine Onyx

die: Silhouette Cameo Snapdragon Snippets Flourish Musical Notes

other: Fiskar's Crimper, straw

Mod Fall Celebration

I brought out my orange background and moderny leaves for this fall bday card.

I'm entering it in the following challenge.

I adhered this never-before-used Silhouette image and inked sentiment and leaves from Verve's Poppy Birthday for the first time for Darnell's 5th challenge.

My nail polish is appearing again...

~I was on a nail polish kick back before summer~

  I spread some gray behind the sentiment panel.

Painting nail polish on my cards is one of my favorite techniques~I'm much better at it than painting my wittle, brittle, nails. ;)

I'm entering this in Simon Says (Monday) Challenge: Love this Technique

Well, it's the middle of the week...how you holding up????

stamps: Verve Poppy Birthday

die: Silhouette Cameo Modkid Paper Dolls

other: gray nail polish

Life is Good Dear

Life IS good dear!

It really really is.

I've got a confession.

  

I'll share this card and the challenges and then I'll fess up at the end of the post for whoever cares to read on. ;)

Don't feel bad if you don't...life is CRAZY BUSY~totally understand guys.

(Technique Tuesday Ordinary Days,Simon Says Stamp Greeting Blocks dies,Papertrey Ink In the Meadow dies, Sizzix die)

Word Art Wednesday #201:Anything Goes

My word, the verse from Word Art Wednesday this week couldn't be more timely...

1 Chronicles 16:11

ok I HAVE to open up now...here we go for whoever cares to read on...

I've been "not well" since Feb...hence the MIA action.

I've been through all sorts of scans...even a diagnostic laproscopic surgery to try to find the culprit of this mysterious pain I've got going on...

but it's still unexplainable.

Everything looks good on paper...that's great

...but there is still a nagging pain for which there is zero reason.

I was even treated for INTERNAL SHINGLES cuz the pain was so bad.

Yah, it's a thing.

I took the meds just in case..couldn't hurt, right?

 

Only God knows what this is.

For now...I'm ok with that.

The miracle is, He has given me peace through all of this.

I'm usually such a wimp guys...you don't even know.

It's fair to say I've bordered on being a hypochondriac throughout my life.

But this time, it's different.

I've faced scans, several doctors and surgery with zero fear of death...

I know it's God.

He has seriously given me strength to endure serious pain for which there is no explanation.

It's not constant, mind you..but it strikes without warning.

As a result...I've missed church, grad parties...and I've had to take it 

one day.

at.

a time.

I'm grateful for each day He gives me.

It could be serious.

It could be nothing (I might live 'til I'm 80!)

Either way, God holds my future. 

I'm not sure why I feel led to "put my biz" out there...I'm not asking for sympathy or even attention...

I just feel like someone needs to know that they aren't alone in pain...

hey...I'm waiting in a hallway too, guys.

Somehow, some way...God can use this.

We aren't forgotten, even when we feel that way.

I may not be the old me 

but this is a new me...

and I have to say...

I'm OK.

 I'm at peace.

 ~as long as God is there with me~

That is all.

Life is good dear.