Under the Weather for Bugaboo Wacky Wednesday Challenge #12

Well, it seems a little too girly to send to a guy and too masculine to send to a girl, so now what?  Wait till one of my sissy guy friends or manly girl friends gets sick I guess.  In the mean time, I'm entering it over at Bugaboo's Wacky Wednesday Challenge at Paper Craft Planet.  The inside sentiment reads, heard you've been under the weather...feel better soon!

I'm just not getting the NING thing, (I think and hope that's what it's called,) but in all fairness I should add that it took me a few months to get used to Blogger.  Do any of you who may be reading this post post much @ PCP, CDAC or the new PK Stamps page?  Do you prefer NING over Blogger & if so why?  Other than focusing on similar styles/tastes via the digi groups you choose, what is it I'm missing about it?    A lot of people really seem to like it.  Oh well, you know the old saying... It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks- HARD mind you, not impossible.  Maybe once I get a little more accustomed to it I'll like it better.
Hope you're staying cool wherever you are.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  It's hard to believe but school starts back here in 2 weeks.   What about where you are?

Designed 2 Delight Progressive Challenge -July Week 3- and a remake.

I almost slipped up and didn't get my entry in for this week at Delightful Inspirations, (the Designed 2 Delight blog,) and I sure would hate to miss out on the next fantastic digi they have for us. 
The freebie they gave us to work with this week was this cute little snowman.  I really wanted to glitter him up, but since he'll be going to OWH I left the glitter off this time.  I have printed another copy of him and I promise you this, it will get glitzed, glittered and glistened to the max when I use it. 

Oh yeah, I remembered to take a picture of one of my card remakes.  I absolutely hated the way the original looked of this card.  (Do me a huge favor & DON'T go back to see what I'm talking about, just trust me on this one.)   I was sorry I posted it the minute I put it up, but I HAD to have an entry for the challenge.   I took the card apart & remade it using the same elements.  Just in case you're wondering.....it's these colors because the challenge was to use non-traditional Christmas colors.   I still don't like it, but it's better than what it started out as.

I also wanted to remake another card that had a cute little cowboy on it from Bugaboo, but alas, I was a little too generous with the glue on his lasso, so it couldn't be salvaged.  I can at least save the digi and reuse it.  

I hope you all have a great week and an even better weekend!  Till next time.....

A thank you for a special friend

Last week I got an unbelievable package in the mail from a blogging buddy.  She sent me a box of goodies that made it seem like Christmas morning and she just did it out of the goodness of her heart, "just because she wanted too" she said.  It blew me out of the water!  I would love to include her name in big bold letters in this post, but I'd don't think she'd want that, and besides, she's friends with a lot of other bloggers who might start to wonder when they're going to get their package, lol.  

My blog is called Tami's Craft Connection for a reason.  I wanted to CONNECT with people who like to craft like I do, and to develop friendships with these blogging buddies to share craft ideas, laughter, and even prayers when needed.  I comment a lot on other people's blogs, sometimes way too much, and a lot of the comments I leave probably don't make much sense because I post just as if I would be talking to you in person, (which doesn't always translate correctly in a post) so please forgive me for that.  I have developed some very sweet connections with several of you ladies and I just want you to know that I cherish that. 

So friend, you know who you are....thank you once again from the bottom of my heart! 

Crissy Armstrong is in the house!

Well at least her stamps are in my house right now.   I have just recently discovered Crissy Armstrong, her blog is Sundays with Crissy, and I can't begin to tell you how much I LOVE her digis.   Everyone has a look or a style that they gravitate towards & Crissy's work does that for me.  These cards are made with a few of the first digis I ordered from her, I've still got a couple more to color and then it will be back for more!!!
This one's not a card yet, I've got to try & salvage it thanks to a boo-boo with those darn red markers that I dislike so much.

I am really enjoying learning to color with Copics even if it is thru trial & error (lots of error!) and Crissy's stamps are not only super cute but they're "user friendly" for someone like me.   For the month of July she is having a DT call.  Check it out by clicking on the link below. 

http://sundayswithcrissy.blogspot.com/

There will be a lot of Crissy's cuteness in my next few OWH boxes for sure.

 as always......Wishing you Sunshine & Smiles,

Love & Laughter

Bugaboo Christmas in July week long Challenge- Ruby Christmas Tree

Here's Ruby all decked out for what promises to be one wild & wacky party.  Ever been to one of those?  Who was the "Ruby" at your party & what did he/she do to make it so memorable?

Have a great day and try to do something to make it a good one for someone else too.

Designed 2 Delight Freebie Friday Challenge- Peacock Beauty

Designed 2 Delight puts out such cute images.  This freebie was for continuing their progressive challenge this month.  You grab the freebie on the first Friday of the month, make a project with it. and they will email you a new freebie each Friday for the rest of the month as long as you continue to participate in the challenge.  (At least I think that's how it goes.)  
I've got one more card to finish tonight for the Bugaboo Christmas in July week long challenge.  The digi is colored and ready to go, but I just don't think I'm going to make it.  I have fizzled out, so until tomorrow....

DeDE

Bugaboo Christmas in July week long challenge-non tradional colors

The one good thing I can say is, yay! I finally used some of this funky Christmas paper I don't like & didn't think I would ever use.  I'm sorry but I guess I am a traditional gal to the core.
Bugaboo Catch the Bug Challenge is having a week long Christmas is July challenge with a new theme each day.  This one was to use non-traditional colors. 

For Fun Challenge

I saw a new challenge (new to me, that is) listed on a friend's blog and decided to give it a try.  This is for the For Fun Challenge.   Their challenge this week is a fold challenge and you're supposed to use one other fold besides the regular fold of the card.  fold, fold, fold getting a little redundant here. 

This was an exercise in frustration and improvisation (as most of my cards are.)  No twine, not enough Copics to color with, this thingamagig is too big, this one is too small, blah, blah, blah.  I wonder if I had all the scrapbook/crafting tools I wanted & needed would I be satisfied then?  It would make things a whole lot easier and go a lot smoother, THAT'S for sure!

I normally try to keep my cards as flat as I can because the vast majority of them go to OWH and I want them to be as easy to pack and to mail as possible.  This one is a little too lumpy & bumpy so I've got to go try to buy something (like maybe a heavy weight cotton twine) that I can replace my lasso rope. I've got to replace it instead of just leaving it off, which I think I would prefer, because of the glue residue.   

I've come to realize that I always see things I would'uv, should'uv, could'uv done differently AFTER I post pictures of my cards. Maybe I should always post a preview picture, find out what is wrong or missing & then go back and rework the card, retake the picture and then post it.   I usually end up redoing alot of my cards anyways, but I never post the revisions.  I guess I figure seeing it once is enough for everyone.  The more I look at it, this one will definitely get a little redo, but that will have to come tomorrow......

 Front panel

 Middle panel

 

both panels

The digi stamp I used is by Bugaboo.

Wishing you Sunshine & Smiles, Love & Laughter (& all the crafting supplies you need)

Glitter Geeks Challenge #6 Under the Sea

Ava Mermaid was one of the first digis I ever purchased and colored.  I fell in love with her and actually went out and bought the chunky glitter I used for her tail just for that purpose.   Confession time....I grew up in Florida and when I was in 2nd grade I was obsessed with mermaids.  I was so obsessed with them that I wanted to BE one when I grew up!   There was a real place (that's no longer open) that had an underwater show of "live Mermaids" and they were beautiful, especially the star mermaid.  She had the longest and most glittery tail of all the mermaids.  But I digress, as usual.  As soon as I bought Eva I colored and glittered several copies of her & then I didn't know what to make with them, so in my box of digi stamps they went.   Luckily I was on someone's blog last week (sorry whoever you are, I can't remember but I wish I could so I could give you a shout out) and they mentioned Glitter Geeks so I decided to check them out & lo, and behold they were having a challenge- the theme, Under the Sea.  Yay!

*Eva Mermaid is from the Eva and Deacon line by Bugaboo stamps.

Somebody in Blogland is turning 40- do you know who it is?

Word is out that a sweet blogging buddy is having a birthday in a couple of days, and it's the big 4-0.   This lady & her family have created an amazing resource for all of us "Cricuteers" that I personally would hate to do without!  Have you guessed who I'm talking about?  Well, if you've ever used My Cut Search (formerly My Cricut Search) then you know who it is.  I can't imagine anyone who owns a Cricut not needing or using My Cut Search.   If you haven't tried it, go check it out.  It's gives much more complete and better search results over the Gypsy or DS. 
Please take just a minute to pop over to her blog CraftyChics sometime between now & Mon. (the 18th which is her actual b'day) & wish her a very Happy 40th.

Happy Birthday (early) Shawn!

Bugaboo CAS Challenge

I feel like a kid again.  As a little girl I always loved coloring and now I'm getting to do it again in a grown-up way.  I have bought & downloaded enough digi stamps to stretch across the country here lately.  I doubt I'll ever use them all but it sure is fun collecting them.  I've also bought a few more Copics and am practicing with them.  I figure I need at LEAST 20 more, then it will be a little easier to get more variations in what I color.
This card is for the Bugaboo Clean and Simple Challenge.  I used last Friday's "JOY" freebie. 

Look what I got......& a question for you

Does this make me "official"?  I now have a blog button.    I've had 2 very sweet ladies make me buttons and without going into yet another tale of my computer & technology ignorance, I'll just say thank you Amy ( Love to Crop) and Vicky (Victoria's Junk).  Vicky made me a button several months ago, and Amy just sent me this one.  It is so great having friends who'll look out for you! 
Now for my question..... when you get on Blogger do you just scroll down the dashboard to see the most recent posts or do you use buttons and hit your favorite places?

Back home

Home from vacation, and haven't unpacked yet, but I sure found time to make a card, (go figure.) 

This card is made with this week's stamp from Designed 2 Delight for their progressive challenge.  This strawberry digi is so pretty, but I almost didn't try it because of it being strawberries and that means using RED, lots of red.  Me and my few red Copics don't get along too well at all!    Is red a hard color for anyone else or is it just me???  
Make it a good week everyone!

Happy Birthday USA!

Have a wonderful, fun filled, 

and safe 4th everyone.

This is one of my all time favorite cards.  It is a pop-up slider card. 

And just a few more......

  oops- this one wasn't A2 sized, "beginner's ignorance"

These were some of my all time favorite cards I made for Any Hero Mail.  Just thought they were appropriate for today too.

OWH July 4th Party- Challenge #15

This is it for me.  This one is for challenge #15- A play on words.  

This is the 3rd "punny" card I've done for this party/hop, so unlike me, but good because I've had this cute little dragon digi by Bugaboo (I think it's Bugaboo, someone please correct me if I'm wrong) and I really didn't know how I was going to use him.  TA-DA!      Do you like your's creamed or on the cob?

I just saw as I was getting ready to post this where the last challenge has something to do with Ciara (sp?) so it's probably something to do w/ animals or pets.  I didn't read it because I'm afraid it would be one I want to try & I'm too tired.  Maybe I can find the time tomorrow.  

At least I think I've gotten my craft "fix" for a while.  Hope it'll last me while I'm on vaca this week.  Everyone please have a Safe & Happy 4th

HAPPY BIRTHDAY U.S.A!!!

OWH 4th of July Party- Challenge #12 & Sketch

My card making marathon is about to come to a close.  This one is for the Food/Fruitie Challenge which is challenge #12, and I'm also entering it for the OWH Sketch Challenge #76.   As I'm sitting here looking at the picture while I write this post I see 2 things I'm going to change but I'll wait till after I post this or it won't be following the sketch.  
This digi stamp was a freebie from Bugaboo and the sentiment stamp is by K. Andrew designs.  (Part of the proceeds from the sale of her stamps go to various charitable organizations.  This particular set benefits Storefront Shelter for Homeless Children.  And I should add that I won the set from Amy at Loves to Crop, just in case she reads this- Hi Amy!) 

OWH Midweek Throwdown- Autumn/Fall

Well, you "regulars" should like me doing these challenges because my posts are a heck of a lot shorter!!!  Here's another freebie digi I got.  This one is from Meljen, and again, I'm using old paper from some of the very first Cricut paper pads that I got w/ my original Cricut 5 years ago.  (I am trying really hard to get rid of some of the *stuff I've been **collecting for far too long.)     *junk     **hoarding

OWH 4th of July Party- Challenge #9

This was a 1-2-3 Challenge.  Use 1 patterned paper, 2 different stamps, and a sentiment that has at least 3 words.  Check, check and check. 

The birthday stamps are by The Paper Studio and the sentiment stamp is by Studio112.  The pattern paper is by Paper Pizazz )and is as old as dirt.)

Designed 2 Delight "Flip Flops Challenge"

Anything "beachy" always reminds me of home.  I saw this freebie from Designed 2 Delight and decided to give it a go.  One thing I am sure of,  I HAVE got to get more Copics.  When you have so few it's quite a challenge "fabricating" (or at least trying to) to get the colors you want.

OWH 4th of July Party Challenge # 3

This one was one of the fastest, easiest cards I have ever made or envisioned.  As soon as I read the challenge this idea immediately popped into my mind, then I found out it was a actually a color challenge and my heart sank.  I did the best I could on the colors and got as close as possible with what I had.   (Still enjoyed making it.)

OWH 4th of July Party-Challenge #2

Usually I'm not fond of making cards with puns on them, but I didn't know what else to do with this one.  The challenge was to make a card with a fishbowl on it.  I used the Life's a Beach cartridge. 

New stamps to play with

I LOVE clearance sales, and that's how these funny little characters ended up at my house.  (I don't care if they are old and out of style, I think they're cute.)  And once I play with them a little more, and get used to them, they'll make nice cards for our soldiers to send home to their sweeties.

front

inside

front of tri-fold

middle of trifold

It never ceases to amaze me the way photos turn out. Sometimes they don't show the detail and look washed out, other times they pick up way more than the naked eye normally sees. The 'greens' look much more blended in real life than they appear in these pictures. I guess THAT"S why they make photo editing software.

The stamps are by Stampendous. 

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 4th EVERYONE!!!