WOW! BUSY Day and It's Not Over Yet!

Happy Saturday Everyone!

Crazy busy weekend so no crafting for me today but I do have a few other 'pretties' to share with you!  Today was the BIG STAMP SALE in ZOAR, OH and my friend Lana & I had a table filled with goodies to SELL so we could go buy more NEWER goodies!!!  LOL!!

While resting on the deck last evening after an afternoon of spreading a small portion of the 10 yds. of mulch we have to spread throughout the landscaping, I noticed how pretty the flowers along the back of the house looked so snapped a few photos.

 Don't ask me how I ended up with so many different colors of Columbine ... a couple of years ago I planted TWO purple plants and here's what I have now!   Isn't Mother Nature a wonderful thing??

I just love these two Azalea bushes.  The colors are so bright and happy!

 

Well this is going to have to be short & sweet since hubby was busy dumping mulch around while I was at the Stamp Sale and now it's my turn to rake it into place!  Thanks for stopping by and hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Shelly's Images Challenge

WOW ... is it Thursday again already???
[If you are looking for my Sassy Studio Designs creation for 
today's challenge, please scroll down.]

This week at Shelly's Images we have one of your FAVORITE challenges ... yep it's

Show Us What You Got Time!!!

(ANYTHING GOES)

That means the design team will be creating with a variety of Shelly's Images and today I chose to use MAY FLOWERS for my creation.

Inside view ...

Although it may not look like it in the photos ... these papers are from the same paper pack and DO MATCH!  Don't you hate it when your camera kind of does it's own thing with colors!!!!

I hope you'll come join in the challenge fun at Shelly's Images!  You will have until June 5th to get your entry in for a chance to win FREE Shelly's Images of your very own!!

Here are a few other challenges I'd like to enter into:

DL.ART: Thankful Thursday - Flowers
Happy Campers Craft Collection - Use Lace

My Heart Pieces - Anything Goes

Paper Crafting Journey - Photo Inspiration

Crafts and Me - Use a Digi
Fresh Brewed Designs - Flowers
The Paper Shelter - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope to see you again soon!  

Until then ... and as always ...

Recipe for this card:

Papers:  Light & Dark Teal cs, Prima 'Madeline' design paper

Stamp: The Stamp Pad Co.

Ink:  Versafine Onyx

Accessories:   Martha Stewart Doily Lace border punch, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Stickles Teal, Sizzix 'Susan's Garden' Hibiscus dies set (butterfly), Webster's Pages design trim brown lace, pop dots, Fiskars swivel craft knife

Dare to be Sassy Thursday Challenge

WOW it's going to be a BUSY day today!!!

It's Thursday and that means it's time for another DARE TO BE SASSY THURSDAY CHALLENGE over at Sassy Studio Designs.  The challenge today is to use Black & White with a Pop of Color.  I'm still having fun as their May Guest Designer, and . . .

. . . what fun I had creating this card with Charlotte Sassy as the main focus.  She was so much fun to color too!  Most times for a challenge like this I would use RED or PINK for the pop of color but I stepped outside the box today and used GREEN!  As you can tell, I'm STILL practicing with my alcohol markers and I need to try some different base paper to get a better blending I think!  For the inside of my card I simply used the scraps that were left from the front ... easy-peasy and yet classy I think.

I hope you'll come join our challenge fun this week and wait until you see what the team came up with to inspire you ... WOW!  what a talented group!

A few additional challenges:

Stamp n Doodle - Anything Goes
Stampotique Designers Challenge - Anything Goes

Whimsy Stamps - Anything Goes

LEJ Designs - Borders and/or Corners

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope you're having a wonderful day!  

As always . . .

Recipe for this card:

Papers:  Black cs, White cs, White Glossy, GinaK B/W dp

Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs B136 Anastasia Lace Border die, Kaiser pearls, Spellbinder Opulent Ovals die, Michaels lime green organza ribbon, Fiskars swivel craft knife

NEW Monthly Challenge on PCP . . .

Hello there my friends ... some fun news to share with you today!

Over at the Sassy Studio Designs Paper group on Craft Planet, Jackie has started a  NEW ... Monthly Progressive Challenge!  That's right!  You'll want to be sure and check out all the fun details HERE and then join in for a chance to win SSD prizes.

As the May Guest Designer at Sassy Studio Designs, I was anxious to join in this fun challenge.  The image offered to create with this month is called "Sassy Graduation" and since it is "THAT TIME OF YEAR", I think she's perfect!!  Here is my creation using our local school colors ...

If you are not sure what a 'Progressive Challenge' is all about, not to worry ... Jackie will explain all the details.  It's a FUN process and you have ALL MONTH to create and join in!

Well, I'm off to get some yard work done while the sun shines!  I hope what ever it is you are doing today, you are having a FUN and CREATIVE day!  As always ...

Recipe for my card:

Papers:  Gold, white, Garden Green cardstock, Paper Pizazz 'Graduation' dp
Stamp:  JustRite 'Large Fancy Sentiments'
Ink:  Versafine Onyx
Accessories:  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Spellbinder classic & scallop oval dies, Prima flowers, Gold Stickles,

Inside:
Paper Pizazz 'Graduation' dp, Impression Obsession stamp, Spellbinder classic oval die

OMG ... I must hurry!!!!

Good Evening Everyone!

Right before I needed to get dinner started I received this email from Kathy D. over at  Clearly iStamp.  She sounded so excited!  I don't know quite how she does it, but I found myself caught up in her excitement and quickly popped over to see what it was all about!  WELL ... they are having a One Day Challenge - Celebration and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

I'm working on a box of cards for my girlfriends Surprise 70th Birthday Party this coming weekend and here's the card I'd like to enter into the Clearly iStamp challenge then it will go into the birthday party box.  

 Isn't he adorable!  I've colored him with my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and used a simple background so HE can be spotlighted front & center!!!  This digi image is called 'Boy with Flower' by Digi Darla and I was fortunate enough to win him as one of the prizes over on the Digi Darla Challenge Blog a short while back.

He's so cute, why not share him with a few other challenges? 
How about these  . . .
Creative Creations #10 - For a Child
Craft Your Passion - Child's Play
Crafty Boots - Celebrations
 Dilly Beans - Celebrations

Well that's it for me this evening!  Time to get away from the computer and spend a little quality time with hubby and discuss the events of the day!  Wishing you a fabulous week ahead and as always . . .

FAMILY fun . . .

What a wonderful Mother's Day we had yesterday!

My mom was thrilled to have 'all her kids' together for lunch!  It's been awhile since that has happened and I was so glad to see the smile on her face!!  She had such a great time!

As you can see, my daughter Carolyn wasted no time getting started on lunch ... boy, that must have been a long sermon at church because she was starving!  Kidding ... we were just acting a fool and having a good time!  I threatened to put this on FB (which I did) ... lol .... oh boy, I'd better watch what I'm doing ... you know what they say about payback!  LOL!!!

My Daughter & Granddaughter 

 (Mother & Daughter ????  or Sisters???)

After lunch hubby & I went back to daughter's house where we had dessert!  YUMMMMMMMO!!

Homemade Angel Food Cake ... Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream and Frozen Strawberry Coolie ... OMG can you say CALORIES??  LOL!  But HEY ... It's Mother's Day ... we indulged and LOVED IT!!!

Not much crafting today!  It was rainy over the weekend so my lawn grew in leaps & bounds ... can you guess what I spent my day doing?  Yep ... and it looks awesome now!  Though, I must say I nearly froze ... the sun was warm but the wind was blowing and since it's only in the 40s today ... brrrrrr!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you had as wonderful a weekend as I did!

As Always . . .

Glitter n Sparkle Challenge

FIRST and FOREMOST . . .

The new challenge at Glitter n Sparkle is RIBBON and Sassy Studio Designs is proud to be a sponsor this time around!  So, as a Guest Designer for May at SSD,  I am pleased to be playing along and creating with the adorable 'Christmas Present 3' image from Sassy Studio Designs ... but I turned her into a Birthday Present!  LOL!

I like how the Hot Pink Offray ribbon run through the openings in this Spellbinder Lacy Circle turned out and though it's difficult to see, the black panel she is 'sitting on' is Offray Black Satin ribbon also.  I actually used the 'outside the circle' technique to die cut my circle which I think gives a fun illusion.

We all like to use pretty ribbons on our creations so why not come share them over on the Glittler n Sparkle Challenge Blog this week!  You'll want to be sure to pop on over to the Sassy Studio Designs Blog to be inspired by my team mates as there are other creations made to share for this challenge and other sponsored challenges as well.

A few other challenges:
A Gem of A Challenge - Things with Wings
Our Creative Corner - Anything Goes
Creative Corner #18 - Things with Wings 
Wags n Whiskers - Girly Birthday
My Time to Craft - Show Us the Inside

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope you are having a FABULOUS DAY!  I am off to share lunch with MY Mom, Daughter, Granddaughter & Sisters (the guys will be there too, which is always a plus!  LOL)  Until next time ... and as always ...

Recipe for this card creation:

Papers:  Graphic45 dp, Hot Pink cs, White cs

Stamp:  Just For Fun

Ink:  Versafine Onyx

Accessories:  Spellbinder Lacey Circles die, Offray Hot Pink & Black satin ribbon, Martha Stewart 3-in-1 butterfly punch. Cheery Lynn Designs Exotic Butterfly die

Inside:

Graphic45 dp, Hot Pink cs, MS butterfly border punch, Heartfelt Creations rubber stamp, Versafine Onyx ink

Stampendous Impressions Challenge

Hello my friends!

It's a rainy weekend here in N.E. Ohio so I guess I'll just have to spend the day playing with ink/paper & dies!  Dear me!  LOL!!  Today I have a card creation to share with you that was made for a new challenge (to me) over on the Stampendous Impressions Blog.  I have several of their products but never thought to see if they had a challenge offered and "By Jobe The Do!"  

(thanks Diane [Nellie's Nest] for making me aware!)

This Month's Challenge is "FABULOUS FLORALS" ... 

All stamps used on this card front are from Stampendous (names will be listed at the bottom of this post).  If you know me at all ... you know I am not one for doing CAS (clean & simple) style creations but I like how this came together ... actually pretty quick & easy!  But of course I had to make things a little difficult by clear emboss the focus flower, then cutting it out ...  mat it in gold & cut it out ... then mat it AGAIN in black & cut it out!  Why do I have such trouble keep things SIMPLE???  LOL!!

So far, so good in keeping with my New Years Resolution ... here's a peek at the inside of my card.

Do you have any Stampendous stamps?  You do! ... Well then get creating and come play along in their challenge!  After all .. you have all month!!  Plenty of time!

Let's see if I can find a few other challenges to share this creation in:

Crafty Calendar 'May' Challenge - Blooms & Blossoms

My Time To Craft - Show Us the Inside

Sweet Stampin' - Clean & Simple

Darling Card Makers - Ink It Up

Charisma Card Challenge - Black & White with One other Color

Crafty Ribbons Challenge #45 - No designer paper

Moving Along with the Times - Clean & Simple

I have lots of crafting to catch up on and get ahead of so I'd better take advantage of this rainy day!  Hubby & I took care of the Spring Maintenance on the mowers yesterday so as soon as the weather clears you know where I'll be!!!  Yep!  I'll have my butt on that riding mower and cuttin' grass!  

Have a fabulous day and until next time ... AND AS ALWAYS ...

Recipe for this creation:
Papers:  SU More Mustard cs, Black cs, White cs
Stamps:  Stampendous P107 Agapanthus Cluster, Q131 Ruffled Bloom, SWS017 Friendly Messages Set
Ink:  SU More Mustard, Versafine Onyx
Accessories:  Offray Black Satin ribbon, Gold Micro Beads (Thanks Bette!), Detail Clear Embossing Powder, Bow Easy

Inside:
SU Elegant Greetings, Stampendous P107 Agapanthus Cluster, Versafine Onyx

Sparkle and Glitter Challenge

Hello everyone!

I've just become aware of a fabulous artist named Rick St. Dennis and his blog is Sparkle & Glitter with Rick St Dennis.  He has a monthly challenge using his free image and I couldn't wait to get started on this project!   Here's what I've come up with using his new 'Paris Hi Fashion Hat Lady' . . .

I chose design paper from the Prima Madeline 6x6 pack to create my background and paper piecing.  And of course other coloring required was done with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers (still practicing ... but I'm getting better I think!)

Be sure to pop over and check it out!  

Here are a few other challenges I'd like to enter into:

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Creative Corner  - Things with Wings

Five Simple Things - Anything Goes

Jellypark Challenge - Girlie Girl

Simply Create Too - Anything Goes

Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything Goes

Wags 'n Whiskers - Girly Birthday
DL.ART: Thankful Thursday MAY Linky Party - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Well, it appears the rains have begun (expecting rain and cooler temps over the next few days) so I guess I'll get a little housework done, Friday is laundry day for me and hopefully I'll find time to do a bit more crafting this evening!  Hope you are having a fun day and an even better weekend ahead!

As Always . . .

Recipe for this card:
Papers:  Black cs, White cs, olive cs, Prima Madeline dp
Accessories:  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, MS 3-in-1 butterfly punch, MS Branch punch, Spellbinder Gold Labels Four die, Cheery Lynn Designs Fanciful Flourish Sm, Marianne LR0157 die, Prima flowers, Gold Stickles, Fiskars swivel craft knife

Inside:
Prima Madeline dp, white cs, Impression Obsession sentiment stamp, Versafine Onyx ink

Dare to Be Sassy Thursday Challenge ...

Hello Everyone!!!

That's right, it's time for another Dare to be Sassy Thursday Challenge over at Sassy Studio Designs and once again I must express how thrilled I am to be their Guest Designer for the month of May!  The challenge this week is April Showers Bring May Flowers (use some flowers on your card/project).  All in all, my creation is pretty easy-peasy ... but I think adorable none the less!

Sassy Studio's has so many fun images to create with but today I chose 'Charlotte Sassy' because I thought she'd be perfect to wear this paper pieced floral dress!  The floral design paper I chose for the background and her dress is from Prima's 'Madeline' 6x6 collection.  This paper had so many beautiful flowers on it I didn't feel any additional were required.

And, in keeping with my New Years resolution ... here's a peek at the INSIDE of my card:

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun AND if you are in need of more inspiration ... please be sure to check out the creations by the rest of the team ... WOW!  they are awesome!  What a talented group!!!

Other challenges I'd like to enter are:

Crafty Creations Challenge - Something Old (the dp), Something New (the image & doily die)

Divas by Design - Anything Goes

Fresh Brewed Blog MAY Challenge- Flowers

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes (twist - use 2 stamps)

Card Mania Challenge - Flower Power

Craft My Passion - Floral Delights

There She Goes - Paper Piecing

Three Scrappy Gals - April Showers Bring May Flowers
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Happy Birthday Hop

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by today and I hope you're having a wonderful, fun week!  Until next time ... and as always ...

Recipe for my card:

Papers:  White cs, Prima 'Madeline' dp
Stamp & Ink:  The Stamp Pad - Versafine Onyx
Other:  Cheery Lynn Designs DL234 French Pastry Tiny Doily die, Pop dots, Martha Stewart 3-in-1 butterfly punch, Fiskars swivel craft knife, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers

Inside:
Prima 'Madeline' dp, Spellbinder 'Gold Labels 4' die, Impression Obsession sentiment stamp

The Sisterhood of Crafter's Challenge

YEAH!  It's time for another challenge at The Sisterhood of Crafters!

Hello my friends and welcome to my blog!
Today at the Sisterhood our challenge is

April Showers Bring May Flowers
(use at least one flower on your card/project)

I have two card creations to share with you today!
This first card focuses on an adorable image from our sponsor for this challenge ... INKY IMPRESSIONS and her name is 'Shy Little Nickie (NL09-SLN02).  I reached into my 'scrap box of papers' for my background and have colored her with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.

Other products used are:

Spellbinder Opulent Ovals, Cheery Lynn Designs Fanciful Flourish Small, Olive Branches dies, Martha Stewart 3-in-1 Butterfly punch

This next creation showcases 1 of 'a few' images I recently purchased from Rick St.Dennis.  Actually a couple of entries in our last challenge used these beautiful images, and being the 'vintage lover' I am ... I JUST HAD TO get my hands of these beauties.

Products used are:

Kaisercraft 'The Lake House' design paper, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Marianne 'LR0235' die, Wright lace, Feathers/pearls/flower (OLD) stash, Fiskars swivel craft knife

I hope you'll come join in our "April Showers Bring May Flowers Challenge"!  You'll have until May 19th to get your entry submitted and I'll be sure to pop over to your blog and leave you some 'love'!

A few additional challenges are:

The Cheerful Stamp Pad - April Showers Bring May Flowers

Craft Your Passion - Floral Delights

House of Gilli - Anything goes with Lace & Pearls

Kaboodle Doodle - For the Ladies

MarkerPOP - May Flowers

 Thanks so much for stopping by today and as always . . .

Crafty Secrets T-Shirt Transfer w/Tutorial

Something new to share today!

It's time once again for the Monthly Linky Party at Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage Blog and the DT is doing something a little different today.  We are EACH making a project and a tutorial with all the HOW TO's!  How cool is that.  You'll want to be sure and pop over to each blog and check them out!  Their blog links are listed at the bottom of this post.

Now, here's a little project I've been wanting to do for the 2 little neighbor girls (ages 10 & 8).  They help their mom in the kitchen and I thought it would be fun to make them an apron to wear while they were being "Mother's Little Helpers" and the cute Crafty Secrets Digital Cooking Printable Sheet - DPS14 available at the Crafty Vintage Girl Store, will work PERFECTLY!!

In my local Michael's, I found these fun lightweight canvas aprons for $2.99 each.

Then I headed over to Staples and purchased a pack of Fabric Transfers.

Using Microsoft Word, here are the steps I took to create my iron-ons.

I started with a blank Word document, 

I clicked INSERT ... PICTURE ... 

located my Crafty Secrets Kitchen Printable file on my computer and selected it.

Now I only wanted the picture of the little girl in the kitchen with her 'friends' so I CROPPED the image down to encompass only what I wanted for the front of the apron.  I could have cropped off the red gingham border at the bottom of the photo but I decided I liked how it looked and kept it.

Once you click in the white part of your page, it will keep ONLY the area you have selected.

Since I wanted to make TWO aprons, I copied & pasted the image  ... then rotated (using the green ball) & stretched the image (from the corner to keep the aspect ratio) to fit half the size of my transfer sheet and repeated it again with the second image.

Now I have the two images I want, ready to print onto one sheet of Transfer Paper.

HELPFUL HINT:   When printing 'transfers' ... remember you want it to be REVERSED from 'normal' printing so the words/image will come out in the correct orientation once ironed on your garment.  If you computer doesn't have a T-Shirt Transfer print option available, you may have to REVERSE the image yourself before running through regular printing.

Most computers have that option available to you in when you do your Print set up.   As you can see in the photo below ... my options are in the Printer Properties-Quick Setup ... Media Type.  

Even though the wording on my image don't appear reversed on my print preview . . .

. . . as long as you have the media set to T-shirt Transfer, it will print out in the reverse. 

Now I'm ready to cut & iron-on.  Just follow the instructions on your transfer paper packaging for iron the images onto your apron, tote bag or whatever item you choose to create using these FABULOUS Crafty Secrets images.

Like I said earlier ... there are 2 little girls in this family, so of course I had to make them each their own personalized apron.  I hope they enjoy them!  I know I enjoyed making them ... what fun!

And here are my lovely little neighbor girls ... Olivia & Emily Adkins!

Well, that's it for today!  I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial and will give this a try.  The possibilities and projects are endless when you have a computer/printer and fabulous images & designs from Crafty Secrets!  Remember ... each of the DT members has a project tutorial for you today ... here's a link to their blogs for more inspiration:

 Vicki Chrisman Team Leader

• Michele Kovack
• Darlene Pavlick (me)
• Melissa Bove
• Rebekah Faries
• Sheila Rumney

Before I leave you today I wanted to be sure you were aware of the BIG SALE that is going on until  Wednesday, May 8th at 11:59 P.M. at our Crafty Vintage Girl Store.  You'll want to pop in and check it out!

 

Thanks for stopping by ... have a great day ... and as always . . .