WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER

And the winner of the goody bag is .... DRUMROLL ... Jonas, pick a name!!!

SUZI ... Suzi, email me your mailing info at lillianchild@cox.net.  Congrats!!

A Horse With No Name

My daughter-in-law, Chrysty, is an avid horse person and I'm always trying to come up with new designs to make her cards to give to her "barn people".  Here's a new stamp that I found and I really love the mohave feel it generates (Rubbernecker Stamps: http://rubberneckerstamps.typepad.com/rubbernecker_stamp_compan/ ). And the grasses stamps at the bottom are also Rubbernecker Stamps.  Go and check them out as they have some FABULOUS images!

You can click on the images for a LARGER view.

 

On this one I added some "distressing" with the rolled paper and inked the background paper and edges too.

And on this one I just created an inked background and then added a simple sentiment.

This one I made using a small white envelope to enclose a gift card.

Got a bit of a glare as the background paper one this one is a shiny copper color.



Hope she likes them!

Windy and Humid Memorial Day

It's very windy and humid outside and they are forecasting severe weather for later tonight.  So I've been in my craft room the past hour having a bit of creative time and came up with this card using a piece of paper that was the cover of a paper pack.  The different patterned squares were showing what was on the inside of the pack, but I loved the small squares and thought they were be fun on a card. I added some embellishments, 7 Gypsies rub-ons, a sticker, some fibers and a bit of bling and came up with this ... I think it would be a great masculine birthday card. 

Winter Wonderland Blog Hop

The Christmas Challenge blog is having a Winter Wonderland challenge here:   http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.com/.  The instructions are to use just white and blue in a holiday card creation.  Here's my entry.  Hard to see the crystal elements flying off the tree - they look a bit on the green side, but they are actually crystal clear bling.  The tree stamp is a Penny Black stamp.

Giveaway

I had one of these packets left (and if my sisters or Trisha are reading this post, I have saved each of you one so you don't have to enter the giveaway), and thought it would be fun to do a quick giveaway - my first.  So if you would like to have a chance at winning one of these little packet of goodies, all you have to do is leave a comment on THIS post with a way for me to contact you and I will do a drawing tuesday night when my 3 year old grandson comes over - I'll have him pick a name out of a hat and then post the winner.  Good Luck!




And another note - I will be doing a giveaway when I reach 200 followers - more information to come on that event.

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday weekend!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!!

Father's Day shirt template

I spotted a great tutorial for making a shirt for a father's day card here on Heather's blog:

http://thespottedleopard.blogspot.com/2011/05/have-you-seen-this-adorable-new-happy.html

Isn't this fabulous???!!!!!





Go give Heather a shout out and let her know I sent you.

It's BACON !!!!!!!!!

I just found a new foodie blog here:  http://picky-palate.com/2011/05/23/bacon-and-ranch-cajun-baby-cheeseburgers/.  She reminds me of Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) in the way she photographs each step of the cooking process.   The link above will take you to the recipe for these bacon and ranch cajun baby cheeseburgers.

But what is even more exciting, is that we just recently had a Trader Joe's come into our town, and I've been looking for mini burger buns and now know where I can get them!! 

Have any of you been to a Trader Joe's???  Just curious what other FUN things they offer.

Spellbinders Creativity - Caged Bird

Spellbinders Paper Arts is introducing five new die template sets sold exclusively through July!


Blog Team Member Becca Feeken lists the Grand Calibur™ Machine; S4-329 Butterflies Circles; S5-033 Bird Sanctuary; LF-127 Grand Scalloped Squares; S4-114 Standard Circles LG; S4-328 Foliage; My Minds Eye, Lost & Found Market Street “Adore” Fly Away Paper, “Lovely” Shabby Chic Paper; Core’dinations ColorCore Cardstock Tan Pearl, Lavender Pearl, Scarlet Pearl; Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape: 1/8”, ¼”, among her supplies.

Becca assembled a box, that when the opened completely, a dimensional birdcage pops up and you can see the yellow bird inside.









Go here to see the complete project AND enter their contest to WIN:  http://spellbinderspaperarts.com/blog/

Red Velvet Cake Roll

I follow Mel's Kitchen Cafe blog (http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2011/05/red-velvet-cake-roll.html) and this morning she had a recipe for THIS:

I've made pumpkin rolls in my day, but this REALLY takes the cake!!  Will be making this one SOON!

Card Party Fun!

My good friend, Marcia, hosts a monthly card party using Stamping Up products.  I thought this month's selection was so much fun and incorporated some new techniques as well.

This card is the closest to my crafting style. LOVE all the embossing and distress!



And what a fun card this was to make using a cuttle bug to emboss AFTER you've adhered some punches.

And we actually made these lovely flowers out of a butterfly punch - who would have thought?!!

And this is my Sunday morning ritual when I want to look through magazines and have my coffee in my craft room.  Fluff and Boink expect the window to be opened for their enjoyment, and Bailey (our third furball) doesn't like crowds and sits underneath the craft table looking out the window.  Hard to be creative with the tails swishing, so I don't even try. 

Hope everyone is having a delightful weekend!  It's a bit overcast here this morning, but there is a lovely cool breeze coming through my window, which would be even nicer if it wasn't mixed with cat fur - but that's my life so welcome to it. GRIN!!

Happy Birthday to my nephew, Matthew!!

I know, I really need to get some updated photos.  Sorry, Matt!  But you were cute at ANY age, so it's really not a problem (grin).  Wishing you a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  Be sure and call and come over for dinner when it works in your schedule.  LOVE you!!!

Paradise Hawaiian Style

My son and his wife recently visited Hawaii.















Yep ... I'm jealous ... but so happy for the two of them that they had a chance to enjoy this beautiful place!

Art Critic? Not I.

I believe that ART is in the eye of the beholder.  And the best example of that is if you walk into our guest bathroom you will find my daughter's 4th grade art project on the wall.  Why?  Because the colors matched the shower curtain and because it's eclectic and who doesn't love painted string and macaroni?

But I recently found a gal who's art work just makes me smile inside and out.  Her name is Jamie Heiden ... or maybe that is "his" name, since Jamie might be male.  Either way, his/her art is just AMAZING.  Here's a few examples.  And the web address is:  http://jheidenphoto.net/?category_name=pets




This is just tutu cute!!!




Now this fella knows good art when he sees it!!




So very lovely!




This photo makes me want to write a short story!




Goodnight Moon!




Yeah ... I know. 

So run to Jamie's website and see ALL of her AMAZING work and let me know what you think.

30 Years Ago

It was 30 years ago I walked into a country western bar in Tucson, Arizona (the Maverick) and met the love of my life, Sterling.  And even though he couldn't line dance or even a country two step, I married him anyway.  (Note: to his credit he could do some fabulous disco dancing).  Urban Cowboy was THE movie that year and I went to this little country bar every chance I could as I loved country dancing and they had a LIVE band EVERY night that was the best I've ever heard - then and now. I even owned a couple pair of really nice boots and took dancing lessons so that I could blend in nicely on the dance floor no matter who asked me to dance.  And slow dancing that night with Sterling to Anne Murray's "Could I Have This Dance For the Rest of My Life" should have been my first clue that I was going to have a LONG history with this guy!  Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart.  We've had our share of bumps along the way, but I know you love me unconditionally and I'd be lost without you in my life.  I love you more than apple fritters!

Birthday Fun

A good friend of ours is turning 50 in a few weeks so I put a card together for him. The little alien dude is actually on a "wobble" and when you spin it his little eye moves.

Ever Have One of THOSE Days?

I saw this on Moxie Fab World and it fully encompasses how I feel some days. Just had me chuckling and I will keep this kit handy for future use!

Candy is Dandy!

I made some individual little gifties for some crafting buddies of mine. These little packs include a handmade flower, the centers of which I made from polymer clay, a bookmark made with a wide popsicle stick and an assortment of patterned papers and a small packet of ribbons.

Click on photo to see more detail.

Sympathy Cards

We lost two friends last week unexpectedly.  One was the wife of an attorney that I first worked for over 35 years ago who helped me get started in the legal field, and the second was the husband of our friends in the old neightborhood who lived right next door.  My heart goes out to their loved ones. The hardest thing we can do is say goodbye to loved ones.  May loving memories help to ease the pain in their hearts.



A very Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

Blog Hops Today

There are several really great blog hops going on today!  Here's a quick list - have fun hopping. And note there are SEVERAL chances at some awesome prizes as well just by leaving a comment on each blog! Remember - you've got to enter to win!

http://skippingstonesdesign.com/national-scrapbooking-day-skipping-stones-design-style/

http://suchins.blogspot.com/

http://bellascrapbookdesigns.blogspot.com/

http://jessica-thereshegoes.blogspot.com/

http://www.polkadotdoordesign.blogspot.com/

12 Step Program for Stampers

I just ran across this again in an old saved file - not sure where it originated but it still makes me laugh out loud when I read it ... so darn close to the truth it's scary ... see if you need to join my support group for stampers!

1. I confess that my love for stamps is out of control - I need help.


2. I realize that stamps rule my life and threaten my pocketbook.

3. I resolve to find out if there is life outside of stamps.

4. I promise to make an honest inventory of all my stamps.

5. I will tell my family the "real" cost of my papercraft addiction.

6. I stand ready to give away some of my stamps to healthy stampers.

7. I promise not to lure any more friends into the dangers of stamping.

8. I will continue to watch and be wary when within a ten-mile radius of a stamp store.

9. I will apologize to friends and family who have slept in the basement because the guest room is full of stamps.

10. I will buy all my greeting cards at a store.

11. I will read inspirational material about others who have remained un-inked.

12. I will celebrate my new recovery with copies of the latest stamping magazines - maybe an ink pad, some paper, fibers, eyelets, embossing powder....

The Wonder Years - We Wonder What We Ever Did Without You!

My grandson, Jonas, turns THREE today!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JONAS! 

Here's a short visual of his journey thus far ... (it was SO HARD choosing photos!)

 

  

I have that song running through my head ... turn around and you're one ... turn around and you're four ... turn around and you're a young man walking out of the door. (sigh)  Don't blink ... the next time I post he'll be graduating from high school!