OWH and Lawn Fawn

If anyone were to ask me some of my favorite things in card making, without hesitation I would name these 5;  Operation Write Home, Lawn Fawn stamps, Spellbinders dies, embossing folders, and snowflakes.

This past week was great with 2 of my favorite things, OWH & Lawn Fawn collaborating on their blogs.  It just so happens that I've been finishing up the last few cards for a box to go to OWH and found out that Kelly Marie of Lawn Fawn has issued a challenge to make cards suitable for a child for OWH, so, here's another one I can add to the box.

Front of card.  Sets used: Sweet Christmas, Plus One and Smitty's ABC's, all by Lawn Fawn

 I stamped the sentiment on the top flap instead of the usual bottom so that there will be plenty of room for a short little note for the HERO to send.

Inside of card.  Sets used:  Cozy Christmas, Smitty's ABC's, both by Lawn Fawn

I started a card making ministry at my church back in May.  For the first 2 meetings we just focused on "learning the basics."  At our 2 most recent meetings we have made cards for OWH.  Most of the ladies are total beginners and I don't know who's having more fun, me watching & helping them learn all about this crazily addictive world of card making or them, as they discover all the really fun & cool toys/tools and techniques.   I've often wondered if other people went as crazy as I did when I first got started with this craft and I'm happy and a little relieved to say-YES, they do!  Especially when you have lots of things for them to try out and play with.  

Here are some of the cards for my next box to OWH.  Almost 1/2 of these were done by the ladies in my card making group.

If you have some extra cards laying around, (maybe a stack of past challenge submissions) please consider sending them to OWH.  It's such a worthy cause.  Just be sure to go to the OWH home page and read the guidelines before sending.
Have a great week and remember....

make it a good day for someone else 

& it'll come back to you!

Stampendous Impressions-Summer Projects

My cousin & I spent many hours on a swing just like this when I was a little girl.  I think that's why this stamp appealed to me so much when I saw it, and while this card may not say "Summer" to most people when they see it, to me (and hopefully to my special recipient,) that's exactly what it represents.

Tree stamp: Stampendous "Tree Swing"

 

Inside> sentiment stamp also by Stampendous "Sincere Sayings" set

I'm entering this at the Stampendous Summer Project Challenge.

Make it a great day for someone else & it'll come back to you!

Gone, but hopefully not forgotten

If everyone has gotten as bad as me there won't be anyone to read this.  I haven't posted anything or even been on Blogger in so long.  I see I've picked up a few new followers, so a big Hello & Thank You to you ladies if you are reading this.

We're on countdown here- 2 weeks till first grandbaby's due date.  I can't wait to hold him!  And I have a feeling once he gets here my scrapbooking is going to get revived in a BIG sorta way and cardmaking may get put on the back burner just a little bit.  Until then, I'm trying to get a box of cards ready to send off to OWH.  Here are a few of the ones I've made lately.

Free digi stamp by Birdie Brown

Stamps by Stampendous and Lawn Fawn and the embossed frame was made by using 2 Spellbinders dies. 

This looks a lot better in person than it photographed.   I liked it so much I'm going to go back and make several more like it.  I'm also going to enter it over at Glu-Arts for the little OWH challenge they're doing in conjunction with We R Memory Keepers.  The goal is to collect 50,000 cards by July 24th, so if you have a few extra cards in your stash, why not send them in.   It's a great cause & there are some nice prizes too.

Digi stamp: Cre8tive Hands       sentiment stamp: Inky Antics

Sunshine stamp: Studio G      sentiment: Hero Arts "Thinking of You" set

 The next 2 are just a couple of examples of Faux Embossing that  I made up for a workshop I did on different embossing techniques a few weeks ago.

 I love little boxes and so I was excited to see this new idea a couple of weeks ago at Dawn's Stampin' Thoughts.  I should have made a more colorful one, but I just used some scraps I had laying around  to get one made while it was fresh on my mind.

remove the belly band and the box "blooms" open like a flower

this is what it looks like open

 I do have baby on the brain, but not just because of my grandbaby,  I am having to make a lot of baby cards because from June-August I know of 11 young ladies that are expecting, plus 3 more for Sept./Oct.  I don't know what's going on.... we didn't have any snowstorms last winter.

Stamps by Lawn Fawn: Plus One & Pa-Rum-Pa-Pum-Pum sets; Spellbinders dies, & embossing folders by Cuttlebug and Lifestyle Crafts.

Have a great week everyone and a safe, happy  & fun-filled 4th!

Wishing you 

Sunshine & Smiles

Love & Laughter

Welcome to the latest Disney Pixar Blog Hop. 

*Please note that I am posting early because I will be walking in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, today & tomorrow and wanted to make sure this posted before I left.  (I've actually had a few problems with scheduled posts in the past...can you imagine that?)  Anyway, the actual hop is Saturday, May 19th and Sunday, May 20th, so, if by some chance you are seeing this before Saturday morning, please be sure and come back to see all the great projects on the line-up.  Word has it that our wonderful hostess, Shawn, has come up with another great grand prize for one lucky hopper, like maybe a Scrap'n Easel-ette from ContainYa Crafts.

We all get hit pretty hard this time of year with graduation and wedding announcements/invites, so my project today is an oldie but goodie, the box-card.  I'm sorry I didn't come up with something more creative or fresh & new, but this design is a staple in my card stash.  People absolutely love to receive them because they are fun and different, not to mention they are easy to make.  Most tutorials suggest you use double-sided patterned paper to make them, but I've found that if you make a bunch of them up in basic solid colors, when you need one, you can just cut patterned paper panels to make them fit the occasion, like I've done here.  Talk about quick!

I used an image I found via Google Images that I paper pieced to give a little dimension.

Inside view

Back view: (I had to show my homemade embossing folder at least one more time.)

This second one I shouldn't even be putting on here.  I saw this idea for a Christmas ornament some time ago (on Pinterest, of course) & for some reason last night I got a wild hair and decided I needed to make one to share for the hop.   This is a project that can not be rushed, which is what I did, so this one looks horrible, but the idea is just so cute I hope you'll forgive the horrendous sloppiness.  I will be making another of these later when I can take my time.  

Need bigger buttons, and more time on the next one. 

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Before I go....to all of you who have suffered from the ravages of cancer, either yourself or a loved one, here's a big  HUG for you!  The really sad thing is this will include probably everyone who reads this.

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Here's the line up for both days of the hop.  I hope you enjoy it and have a wonderful weekend.  

You're next stop will be Madison.

 

Day One - May 19th

Shawn http://craftychicsblog.blogspot.com/
Ellen  http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/
Tami  http://tamiscraftconnection.blogspot.com/ YOU'RE HERE
Madison http://www.funkycards.blogspot.com/ NEXT STOP
Cathie http://www.creativecutterroom.com/
Lori  http://scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/
Amy Chomas http://amychomas.blogspot.com/
Kathy http://kathyscozies.blogspot.com/
Amy Voltz http://www.lovetocrop.com/
Sarah http://www.pinkcricut.com/

 Day Two - May 20th
Shawn http://craftychicsblog.blogspot.com/
Ellen  http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/
Kim http://uscrap2.blogspot.com/
Bobbi Jo http://sweetsassydiva-gspot.blogspot.com/
Jenny http://jennyplace26.blogspot.com/
Jessica http://thecreativestamperspot.blogspot.com/
Jenny http://www.crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/
Tami http://www.scrappinrabbitdesigns.blogspot.com/
Kathy http://kathyand3kids.blogspot.com/
Kristal http://www.gettingcricky.com/

 

Stamp a Scene Challenge

This is for the Stamp a Scene Challenge at Lawnscaping this week.  I know there will be a lot of "Christmas in July" events/challenges coming up, but I don't look to be crafting very much in July, so I'm doing a little bit of mine now.

Sets used: Cozy Christmas, Plus One, Critters in the Snow (and I would have used Critters in the Forrest if I had it, cuz' this just really needs a Christmas tree too.) 

I haven't taken the time to get on this new computer to "learn" it yet, and so I didn't do any editing on the photo, you get it "as is".  

On to baby news.......

bless his little heart, he still doesn't have a name and may not ever the way his Mama & Daddy are going at it.  Honestly, I don't remember ever seeing 2 people so at odds on picking out a name.  He was going to have the initials J.C.H. like his daddy, but that idea is out the window, and ever time they seem to be getting close, it's back to square one.  So for now, he's just "Mimi's Little Man."  My daughter is stressing over this just a little, and it's really quite comical.  She can't put his name up in the nursery like she wants to and she can't order a couple of little outfits with his name and monograms on them that she has found, and these things need to be done NOW!  At least that's the way she is thinking.  She's 27 weeks so they still have a little time, even tho' she doesn't see it that way.  I'm starting to feel the joys of grand-parenting already.  It's so nice to be able to just sit back and listen (& laugh when they don't know it.)  Hey, all I've got to do is love and spoil him, they can figure out the rest.

Hubby, daughter & son in law, getting ready for our little "Christmas in July"

 

 

 

Now it's time to decorate... or it will be when He gets a name

;)

Back to School for me-(new computer)

I missed posting these Easter cards thanks to my old worn out computer crashing last week.  We bought a new one which means now I've got to "re-learn" basically everything and I am NOT, repeat NOT a technically gifted person.  I'm sure once I get used to this new one and the way it works I'm gonna love it, but until then......ugh.

My first Riley & Co. card

Front

Middle

Inside

Digi is by Clear Dollar Stamps

I had several challenges I was hoping to enter these in but the deadlines have passed except for one and that is the Creative Inspirations Paint "Inspired by Bunnies, Chicks or Eggs Challenge" .

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a happy & blessed week everyone!

Happy Anniversary Our Daily Bread Designs

Our Daily Bread Designs has been celebrating their 4th anniversary during the month of March.  If you are unfamiliar with them you really should check them out here.  ODBD has the most beautiful scripture and sentiment stamps around.  Whatever you do, be sure and check out some of the design team's work, talk about gorgeous! 

This card is for a young lady who will be graduating soon.  I'm entering it in the "Favorite ODBD Stamp Set" challenge.  Unfortunately, I don't have my favorite set YET, but I love this verse and I use it every year for graduates.

scripture stamp is from ODBD Design Team Scripture Collection 2

I've got several Easter cards almost finished that I hope to get posted in a day or two, but just in case I don't here's wishing everyone a very happy and blessed Easter weekend and a wonderful Resurrection Sunday.

Not Your Typical Easter Card

How often do you find yourself wishing you had "one of those neat crafting tools" or "that crafty supply"?  Do you find yourself working on a project and saying, "I wish I had "so and so" so I could blah, blah, blah."  Well I do, all too often, and this card is a prime example.  

Two or three weeks ago I saw on another blog (sorry I didn't make note of the name, but it was something to do with a cat or kitty.... wow, like that does a lot of good!)  Anyway, the blogger made a cross and she made it like you would make a pleated rosette.  Her cross was rather large and I thought, I bet I could do that small enough to go on a card, and so I did.  

I won't go into all the things I would have liked to have done, or would have done differently on this card, but hey, you do what you can with what you've got, right?  And besides, this message is so beautiful and so powerful it really doesn't matter what the card looks like.  

Various Spellbinders dies, Gold Perfect Pearls, and the sentiment is by Studio G.

Happy & Blessed Holy Week everyone.

I am entering this in the 
-"Anything Goes" Challenge at Simon Says Stamp
-"Inspired by Easter" Challenge at Creative Inspirations
- Challenge # 57 "Easter" at The Paper Shelter

A nice little surprise

A few weeks ago I got an email saying I had won a surprise giveaway from Katlyn at K'nK Designs.  I'm so sad that she is closing up shop at the end of this month, but before she closes, she wanted to do a giveaway to one of her followers. She didn't publicize it, she just secretly did it, and I was the lucky recipient.  

She sent a wonderful stack of papers, some cute little crocheted flowers that she made, and best of all, a stack of some of her K'nK images.   Juniper the bunny is my favorite of her characters so she made sure to include lots of him.   Now, I've had a couple of super blog buddies that have sent me some wonderful "care packages" full of goodies, but I have never heard of anyone doing a secret giveaway like this.   How fun!  I was really taken by surprise.  

If you're an animal lover and not familiar with Katlyn's work there's still a few days left to go to her store & purchase some of her adorable images, (plus she's having a great sale.)   So if you've never visited, here's the store link.  K'nK Designs and please tell her Tami B sent you.

I don't have a card ready with any of the images she sent yet, but this is made with some of the papers from the stack.

I don't think she will see this but if by chance she does.  THANKS Katlyn >hugs to you, Kolar & Juniper.

HOnEy pOp PaPer...fun, fun, fun

I've been dying to try this stuff out ever since I saw it over a year ago I just never could get my hands on any, but I finally did.  (I just wish I had bought more when I had the chance.)  

A cheery little hello

Just playing around with some OLD, and I do mean OLD scrapbooking stuff.  I have been really drawn to projects I've been seeing lately that use rainbow colors &/or gradients, so that's what really got me started on this card, and while I never had any use for these zigzag die cuts before,(they've been stuck on a shelf for several years) well, now that "Chevrons" are so popular, ta-da.

Cuttlebug embossing folder (tiny hearts), Zigzag die cuts are from Creative Memories from about 100 years ago.

Wishing you

Sunshine & Smiles

Love & Laughter

Tweet Easter

I don't know about where you are but we almost got to 90 degrees one afternoon this past week and it's only Mid-March!  This summer is going to be insufferable I'm afraid.  Anyway, here's a little card to at least pretend we're having a Spring and not jumping straight to Summer.  This is for the What If Wednesday Sketch Challenge over at The House that Stamps Built.

Stamps are by Studio G

Have a wonderful week!

The House that Stamps Built Challenge

Last month I told y'all about going to the Stamp Scrap Art Tour in Columbia and what a good time I had, and about all the fun new companies and "things" I discovered.  One of these companies was Repeat Impressions.  I bought 2 sets of their Waterfall (or what they call "Flip") stamps.  I also discovered their blog The House that Stamps Built, from which they host challenges every week.  The challenges run for 2 weeks each and vary in theme.  Well, I tend to get excited when I discover new things and so I made a card, now get this... 3 weeks ago, to enter for last week's challenge, only to forget to post it & when I did remember it, I was 5 hours too late.  Not this week!  The theme for this challenge is "Spring using Pastel Colors."

The image I used on this card is a digi stamp I colored last year when I just started using Copics.  I think I had maybe 10 or 12 markers at the time.  I never used the image because I made a rookie mistake... I printed it a little too big.  (I printed a lot of digis too big when I first started using them.  Anybody else do that???)  You can see it fills up this A2 size card with little room for anything else. 

Digi Stamp by Sliekje, colored with Copics, and die cuts made using Spellbinders.

Below is the card I made for the challenge that ended last week.  It was a very nice CAS sketch challenge, just what I like and yes, there is that darn leprechaun stamp again.  It's the only St Paddy's day image stamp I've got, so "sorry."

Image Stamp is by Inkadinkadoo, sentiment stamp is by Studio G, and the embossing folder, which you can barely see, is by Lifestyle Crafts (formerly Quickutz)

Here's just a little sneak peak of some of the Flip stamps by Repeat Impressions.  More about these to come later.

Until then, wishing you....

Sunshine and Smiles,

Love and Laughter

Charlie Brown & the Gang Blog Hop

Who doesn't love Snoopy?

I"m so glad you've stopped by today.  If you're starting out the hop with me, make sure to go all the way around because you don't want to miss any of the wonderful projects the ladies have put together, and there may be candy involved too.  If you want to start at the beginning and hop like that, see the line up below.

Charles (as the character Marci would call him) is such a simple, no frills kinda guy, so that's how I kept my cards, clean and simple.  

This first card was copied from Chari Moss (Little Miss Littleness.)  Does anyone remember the t-shirts that looked like this and were popular years ago?

inside sentiment:  Sorry I missed your birthday

This next version was the one I actually made first, but decided I wanted to make the zig zag bolder.

inside sentiment reads: "You're how old?!"

 I love Snoopy so I had to include him....(had to use a back-up camera, so please excuse the poor photography.)

inside sentiment reads: "to say HI"

 And finally....does anyone else see a big omission in this stamp besides me?

inside sentiment reads: "time to do the Happy Dance"

  

I really love Peanuts, in fact one of my Christmas trees I put up every year is nothing but Peanuts.

Thanks for stopping by today.  You're next stop is Kimberly

Kari - http://purplefuntastickcreations.blogspot.com/

1. Susan - http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/
2. Amy - http://www.lovetocrop.com/
3. Christel - http://onescrappinsista.blogspot.com
4. Lisa - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
5. Shannon -  http://shannonleffew.blogspot.com/
6. Tami-http://tamiscraftconnection.blogspot.com ME
7. Kimberly ~ http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com NEXT
8. Colleen - http://www.cbcscrapbooking.blogspot.com
9. Vicki - http://scrapbookingcreationsbyvicki.blogspot.com/
10. Lynne - http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
11. Edwina- http://edwinascreations.blogspot.com/

Make it a good day for someone 

and it'll come back to you

A fun new find & a challenge

I told y'all a few days ago about going this past weekend to the Stamp Scrap Art Tour in Columbia, SC and one of my new finds is a company called Repeat Impressions.  I went bonkers for their "Flip" card stamp sets.  These are stamps sets made for Waterfall cards which are not just cute and easy to make, but people in general love to receive them because they're fun.  Here are the 2 sets I got & I plan to get at least one more. 

Last night I was checking out their website and Facebook page and found their blog also The House that Stamps Built.   They have a couple of challenges going on and I wanted to join in so the card below is for their What if Wednesday Sketch Challenge- F812.  The only problem was that it has to be posted by 5:00 today.  That gave me 2 hours to get home from work, get the card made and post this (which will probably be the longest/hardest part of the process with my old dinosaur of a computer.) 

I spent the day yesterday cutting and mounting the 2 sets I bought so as soon as I can get some cards whipped up with them I'll put 'em up.   OOoo!, 4:40, only 20 mins. left, so bye for now. 

Helping Heal the Hurt

In my last post I told you about a special project I was involved in that had to do with a tragedy that has fallen on our quite little town.  Actually, it is a tragedy that unbelievably struck us not once, but twice in a 6 week period.  Two of our city police officers have been shot and killed in the line of duty.  Both of these officers grew up here in Aiken and both of them, as well as their families were and are very much loved and highly thought of in this community.

The loss of one was almost incomprehensible but then to have it happen again just 6 weeks later was a shock that still has us reeling and that no one can quite believe.  
The outpouring of love and support from the community, while it can do little to ease the pain that these families and fellow law enforcement colleagues are feeling, will hopefully give them at least a feeling of encouragement and a small acknowledgement of how much we appreciate their sacrifices.

There have been numerous fundraisers and benefits held in the past few weeks with more planned in the coming weeks, but the one activity I was able to be a part of was thru my church and we called it "Buckets of Hope".  Last week, all 155 employees of the Aiken Department of Public Safety received a 5 gallon bucket STUFFED to the rim with all kinds of things donated by the people and businesses of the surrounding area.   We also have collected cards for each of the 155,  and these will be delivered this coming week as a kind of follow-up, just to let them know we are still thinking of them, praying for them, and appreciate what they do.  From what I understand, the overall favorite item in the buckets (& there was some good stuff in there let me tell you) but the one thing we kept hearing comments on were the notes and letters written by children that were included, so while our cards may not measure up to the kids' cards & letters, hopefully they will convey the message all the same. 

 

If you have someone in your family that is in law enforcement or any branch of our armed forces, please give them a hug for me if you can and tell them I said THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, and a hug and thank you to you too.