SO much free time!

Ahahaaaa - had you there, didn't I? I don't have free time! In fact, I am totally stressing out, because our County Fair is in a little over a week, & the boys & I are all entering projects. I don't know why I thought it would be fun for ME to enter - all it is, is added stress. And my boys play baseball all 5 nights this week. So .... free time?? Uh-uh!

BUT somehow I did find time to make a card. You know why? Because I no longer have any "stuff". I realized that all my time was taken not by actually making the card, but by looking for all the "stuff" - the papers, the embellishments, the sentiments ..... that right there is a time sucker!

And here's something funny - this image is colored with Copic markers. I hardly ever used Copics even when I made a LOT of cards. In fact, I got rid of most of them. I have about 10 left. That's the funny part. It was actually easier for me with just the 10, because I wasn't stressing about which colors to use. I didn't have many choices! hahahaa

The papers are OLD. Basic Grey Infuse. One of my first paper packs. That is one thing I *didn't* get rid of - any of my Basic Grey pads. I will always love them :)

And .... I still have plenty of Stickles, lol. Funny though, I have about 12 bottles - many colors - but I always reach for the clear. Stardust is my favorite. 

I'm entering this card in a few challenges:

7 Kids College Fund - Anything Goes (alcohol markers optional)

Stamp & Create - Let's Get Wet (summer image)

Tilda's Town - Summer Fun

Lovely Hanglar Only (which I guess now includes Magnolia) - Flower Power

Thanks for visiting ~ hope you have a fun-filled week!

Betty Bug

Yay!! I finished a challenge card BEFORE the deadline. WAY before -- that almost never happens!



I jut received a small order from 7 Kids College Fund, & included in that order was this cute little Betty Bug from Pink Cat Studios. I colored the image with Copic markers --yes, the WHOLE THING! Nary a pencil anywhere on this image! I did bling her up with some Stickles though -- the papers are Basic Grey Urban Prairie -- & the layout is the sketch from Papertake Weekly.




Can you see her sparkle??

Besides the sketch challenge, I am also entering this into:

A Spoon Full of Sugar (Flower Power)

All Sorts Challenge (Things with Wings)

Truly Scrumptious (Summer Sparkle)

Bunny Zoe's Crafts (Lace)



Of course it's that time of year when I just have to add a photo or two of my flowers!



This is just one of the many different colored Columbine plants that are growing -- and growing and growing. If you want a plant that reseeds every year, aren't a lot of work & come in an array of colors, this is the flower for you!




These are the flowers from a bush we call Bridal Veil in these parts -- not even sure what the horticulturally correct name is --- but it's pretty & it also takes care of itself!





My grandma used to own a ceramics shop -- she made me 6 of these adorable guys when we bought our first home. Nothing like napping on the deck, under a pot of flowers while listening to the birds chirp. I want to be a ceramic gnome in my next life :)


That is all for today --if you made it through this whole post thank you!!

Tomorrow I am off to the 6th grade field trip. It should have been to Chicago -- that is the annual trip our district takes -- except this year, of course. We are going to the local YMCA -- sigh ...... well I am just happy that my 12 year old actually still WANTS me to go on his field trips with him!

The card that almost wasn't

WHY am I so incapable of making a card, from start to finish, all at one time?? Sheesh -- I had this image colored for almost a week before it slowwwwwwwly became a card. And it's really not that complicated --- it just wouldn't come together!

I knew I wanted to join in the High Hopes challenge so I started going through my pages & pages of rubber....




I decided to use Sweet Little Thing, a sweet oldie from the fabulous days of Crissy. I idolize her no matter WHO she draws for! I also wanted to enter the 7 Kids challenge this week -- this is where it got tricky. I started with a circle shaped card -- but my biggest Nestie wasn't as big as I wanted the card. So I used my Creative Memories cutter -- it just didn't look right. Nothing cuts like a die, even when I have a template to use! So I decided to make a regular square card -- a bit smaller than usual -- & just add lots of circles. I'm going to have to invest in some BIGGER dies! I used Basic Grey Urban Prairie papers --- I paper pieced the cupcake liner -- & added lots of glitter to the frosting.





He will always be the cutest ant around!

I am entering this into the following challenges:

High Hopes -- Anything Goes (always my favorite challenge)

7 Kids College Fund -- Circles (clearly a hard one for me)

Papertake Weekly -- Fancy A Punch

Bunny Zoe's Crafts -- Lace


I'm never been more glad it's Friday -- I did something to my back & have been in agony the last couple of days. I am enjoying some heating pad time right now & have taken my quota of Ibuprofen. I hope it's better by tomorrow because I have loads to do. Even though it's supposed to be COLD here in Wisconsin this weekend, I want to go to the plant store!! So far I've bought: 2 Shasta Daisies. LOL -- I usually have a whole arsenal of flowers by now!!

And what did you think about Idol last night?? One word......conspiracy......nuff said.....

Tilda as ladybug

Hey all! Happy Thursday! Wow where did the week go --- I tell ya since I went back to work my week FLIES by! It's Monday.....then it's Friday.....& I'm wondering what happened to the days in between!



I made a card using the sketch on the Magnolia-licious blog. Well I *thought* I followed it, until Cheryl pointed out that she forgot the sentiment on her sketch card. Sentiment? Oops!! I never even saw that there was supposed to be a sentiment, lol!! Well my photos were already taken & edited so hopefully they are an understanding bunch!! I used Tilda as Ladybug ---- colored her with various colored pencils & gamsol -- used papers from Basic Grey Wassail (I know, but I love the dark shade of red!) -- glued it all down, took it apart when I realized I forgot the very important ribbon. Important, because I had other challenges I wanted to enter this card into, & since "Ribbon" was the theme, they would probably want to see some ribbon!




I am entering this into the following challenges:

Magnolia-licious -- sketch (sans sentiment)

Just Magnolia -- buttons, bows & bling (well I have 2 out of 3!!)

Papertake Weekly -- anything goes (my favorite challenge!) with the option of using something round

Stamp with Fun -- ribbon or lace


Thank you so much for visiting -- we were at a school talent show for 3 hours last night so I am quite behind on things around here. I missed American Idol :( but I will be there for the results tonight! Go James!!!

A spring card......& HAIL!

And I'm not talking about the Hail Mary kind of hail!! I'm talking about the "spring" in Wisconsin kind of hail!!

So I set out to make a spring card ....our lovely weather inspired me. I had a few Tildas lying around that hadn't seen ink yet & this one was perfect....



This is Tilda as Butterfly from the Chasing Butterflies Collection. This was my second attempt, my first is in the circular file. That one was colored with Copics, but they were not agreeing with me. So ....this one is colored with Prismas. Lots of glitter added to the wings & the flowers. The papers are Basic Grey Kioshi. Purple is not a color I use often, but I've been seeing some *gorgeous* cards lately using it & thought what the heck.....I hadn't used any papers from this pack so I broke it open!




I used Glamour Dust on her wings --- I like this better than Stickles for a "thin" layer of bling. And since I worked so hard coloring her wings, I wanted them to show :)






I am entering this into the following challenges:

7 Kids College Fund -- Easter & Spring Challenge #19

The Beary Scrap -- Wings & Feathers

Simon Says Stamp -- Card for a Child

All That Scraps -- Magnolia challenge



So on to the hail --- it was raining pretty much all day today. Typical April day in Wisconsin. Being the very thoughtful mom that I am, I drove to pick up my kids from the bus stop. You know, since it was raining. I was reading the paper, when I heard something that sounded like cracking. I thought "what the heck, did my window just break?". I looked up & it was hailing! I felt very unsafe in my car, lol



This is what our deck looked like when we got home. See that nice sheet of ice along with the hail? Makes for TERRIFIC driving conditions! Especially during rush hour.





My poor tulips. It happens every year. Every year I think they get a bit tougher. Pretty soon they'll start blooming in January, lol.

Thanks so much for visiting. Gotta go catch the last part of Dancing With the Stars! I know, I'm a sucker for those educational shows :)

Just for you

Ok, it's almost 9:30 pm --I still have to fold laundry, put dishes away, check homework (hope it's right, since my kids are both in bed & unable to correct it!) & make lunches for tomorrow. But --- priorities --- must post my card!!

I don't even know why this is my hobby --seems I get SO frustrated every time I make a card. Either I don't have the right color ribbon or paper -- or my coloring is not right ---or, my sewing machine poops out & I want to throw it out the window! That's what happened tonight -- I really need a new one. The zig zag part is long gone --I can only straight stitch ---& sometimes that doesn't even work out. The thread kept getting caught & I'd have to redo the bobbin & I can barely see the hole in the needle (gotta stop putting off getting the bifocals!!) & I swear my blood pressure goes sky high, lol! Such a relaxing craft this is!



ANYHOO ----- here is my card ---made with Cherry Tilda from the Cozy Autumn Collection. I colored the image with Copics --- & because the coloring part of my card didn't go so well either, she is cut out & ever so lovingly placed on the Bench. The papers are Basic Grey Bittersweet & Autumn Leaves & the sentiment is Hero Arts. Lots of Stickles & punches & dies & flowers --the usual :)




I used the sketch from this week Friday Sketchers blog. I am also entering this into the Totally Tilda challenge (Fruity Tilda) & the Magnolia Down Under challenge (Flower Power). Gosh I don't think I've ever entered more than one challenge at a time --I'm usually not organized enough to even know what challenges are out there for the week!

Thanks so much for visiting, & for listening to my rant :) I'm going to go finish my household duties then go to bed & try to NOT think about all the things I have to get done tomorrow!

Celebrate today

Hi friends!!

Another week has come & gone, another week that I feel I got *nothing* done. I'm always busy, but I'm not accomplishing anything! Today forced me to stay home & clean, do laundry, & yes finish a card!! It is ICING outside --not snowing --not raining ---ICE ICE ICE!!! Ice all over the streets --my husband had to go to work today & thankfully his co-worker with a 4 wheel drive truck called & asked if he wanted a ride --not too sure he would have made it in his non-4 wheel drive car!



I'm also behind in the Magnolia world. While everyone else is getting their new release stamps, I am just inking up mine from a few months ago. This is Tilda in Christmas Coat.....which you can get a 7 Kids College Fund HERE ....(check out ALL the Magnolias she has HERE .....Tab has great prices & EXCELLENT customer service!)

I colored Tilda with Copic markers.....papers are K&Co McKenna & Bazzill Dots.....lots of Stickles & Fun Flock on her coat.....the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink....





Hopefully you can see the sparkle & flock in the close up :)

I am entering this in this week's challenge on the 7 Kids College Fund blog --to make a square card. Not hard for me, ALL my cards are square :) Ok well it's a topper not a card....shhhhh....don't tell anyone!!

I will be listing this topper in my Etsy shop tonight. I have so many things to list & just no time to get it done ---the cards are piling up & collecting dust! I make them, then I forget about them.....

I hope you all have a fantastic week! Stay warm & if you're getting fantabulous icy weather we are getting, stay safe!! Thanks for visiting!

True friend....

I know....it's been a WHOLE WEEK since I posted. Last we chatted -----I was making Chili for the NFC Championship Game. And what a game! Could you hear me yelling??!??? I was *exhausted* when it was over! Absolutely one of the most thrilling games I have ever watched!!! I'm already planning my menu for the Superbowl next Sunday......so if you have any suggestions I'm all ears!!

So it's been a busy week, what with all the gloating & such....but I did manage to make a card for yesterday's Friday Sketchers sketch!



This is definitely one of my favorite Tilda images, & my good friend Tammi was kind enough to send me some until I can buy it for myself. I added lots of glitter, Liquid Applique & Sparkly Fluff in all the right places....the papers are Basic Grey (Bittersweet & Sultry, I think)....the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink....lots of distressing (oh how I *hate* using that distress tool...gives me the willies....like nails on a chalkboard)....& VOILA, finally a card for a sketch challenge ON TIME!!




Thought I could get a good shot of all the sparkly since it's actually sunny out today but I'm not sure how much you can see. We were out the door when I was trying to take these pics so I had no patience. Just snapped a bunch & hoped for the best, lol!

I have so much to do this weekend & no motivation to do any of it!! I have a ton of cards I need to list on Etsy --but I have to finish the insides. I don't know why I don't do the insides when I do the card, but usually I'm sick of looking at it by the end & just throw it off to the side. Then when it's time to finish I have to scrounge for the papers I used! Not very efficient, I know. Matches the rest of my life :)

Off to do laundry, cleaning & some cooking ---yep all at once. I'm that good.

Thanks for visiting!

Ant with a rubber tree plant.....

"He's got ....High.....Hopes....."

Ok I don't know the words to that song. I've only heard bits & pieces of it on "Laverne & Shirley" LOL!




But the High Hopes ants are the CUTEST! I was recently going through my pile of HH rubber & this stamp made me SMILE. He's called Hopeful Ant, & he's available at 7 Kids College Fund if you're interested :)

And can you believe it?? I used my Copic markers YET AGAIN to color this image! My pencils are going to start feeling left out!! The papers are Basic Grey Sugared & Papertrey Ink --I'd better find out the name of this particular color because I LOVE it. I bought a variety pack from them (because I couldn't pick just ONE color) & I've already used all of this lovely Olive-y Green.




I used lots of dies --a Cuttlebug die for the outer corners -- a Quickutz swirl die behind the main layer -- & a Fiskars punch for the image. I didn't use ANY flowers or ribbons --gasp! Does that make this a "man" card?




I paper pieced his pot using the same yellow Basic Grey paper as the square behind the image -- & added some shading & clear embossing.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. It's a balmy zero degrees here --with a wind chill of about -100. Thankfully we didn't have to go anywhere tonight but my younger son has basketball tomorrow so we will have to venture out. I'd rather stay home with a big, bottomless cup of coffee!!

Of course Sunday I will be GLUED to my tv all day watching the PACKERS VS Bears. I'm making lots of fun football food --chili & little BBQ'd weenies & I made some yummy dip --- mmmm.....doesn't that all sound healthy? LOL.....

Stay warm!

Sending you a great big hug!

So are you having fun on the hippety hop?? Are you seeing tons of incredible creations?? If you have no clue what I'm talking about, then click HERE.....you don't want to miss the party!

So I'm surprised I finished this card tonight, because I only started it last night! Bahahaaaa...I am a PUTZ when it comes to card making. I think my problem is I always *have* to check out other people's blogs for inspiration.....& as long as I'm there I may as well check my e-mail.....& see what's going on on Facebook....& of course there's the farm......



But I was really focused this time.....I've wanted this Tilda With Cute Skirt since I first saw her in the Magnolia Ink. I couldn't even figure out what collection she was from (FYI she's from the Wedding Collection). I thought she was one of those "special" stamps that you just can't find anywhere. But alas, she is now sitting pretty here in my craft hole :)

I've been using my Copic markers more these days.....I am no expert but practice makes perfect, right?? I added a bit of Twinkling H2O's to this .....a little tip I picked up a few years ago from my fabulous friend Ila....& added lots of Stickles to her dress.....her hair bows....& the flower in the corner. the image is cut out with Nestabilities Small Deckled Rectangle & Large Deckled Rectangle dies. The papers are Basic Grey Porcelain.....& some other color that was actually a bit too bright, so I sponged some Frayed Burlap Distress Ink on the edges. That toned it down a bit, otherwise you would have needed some shades when looking at it!




Here's a close up of Tilda in all her cute dress glory....the sentiment is from Aud Designs (thanks, Ila!!)....I added some pearls....& some Stickles to the butterfly...




Here's the flower bundle I made using various punches & the same Basic Grey papers.....more Stickles :) No such thing as too much bling (Hey that rhymes.....)




And here is the blinged up, pearled all around sentiment.

Thanks so much for visiting. Our weekend consists of a TON of errands tomorrow.....brrrrrrr....& of course the PACKER game tomorrow night!!! You will probably be able to hear me yelling from wherever you reside on this Earth!!!!!

Hot or Cold challenge

Well this week certainly got away from me!! I had every intention of having this card done a few days ago ---but I have been working more hours at work & with the whole car situation, I haven't had much free time.

As it happens, this week's challenge on the 7 Kids Challenge Blog is Hot or Cold.....& since I had already started this card I thought I'd enter it!



This was one of MANY images I received in a goodie package from my friend Tammi. She is so darn generous! But you know what -----now I MUST have this stamp! So --my good friend is making me spend money! LOL....yeah, like I need help spending money! And if I buy this one, I may as well buy more. Kind of like "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie"! "If you give a stamper one stamp, you'll have to give her more. Then you'll have to give her some ink. Then she'll want some paper, & some Copic markers to color the image"

The papers are Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses....I did the sentiment on my computer....I used Nestabilities Blossom 2 for the layer behind Tilda...& Labels 9 for the sentiment. How much do you love the punch?? That's the Infinite Loops punch from Martha Stewart....perfect for when you just don't have the right ribbon! Lots & lots of Stickles everywhere....the sentiment edge....Tilda's coat & lantern....& on the flower.



I hate taking pictures at night! I just can't capture the sparkle. Darn winter & getting dark so early!



I sponged Worn Lipstick Distress Ink on the edges of the flower (my very first purchase from Wild Orchid Crafts! Amazing service!!) before adding the glitter. Hmmm...think I'll have to actually make a BOX for this card .....love these roses but I don't think an envelope is going to quite cut it!!

I hope you all have a great weekend! Ours will be spent car shopping. We got our check from the insurance company so that makes shopping a *little* easier, but it's still a pain! Thank goodness for the cyber world --remember the **old days** when you had to drive from car lot to car lot & actually walk around & look at all the cars?? Of course you still have to check out the potential purchases, but it sure makes it a lot easier to pick out what you want to look at online!!!

Winter Wishes

I know I sound like a broken record ---but seriously, I started this card a week ago!! I am probably the slowest card maker on the planet!! I can never just sit down, stamp an image, color it, & make a card out of it all in one sitting. I have ADD --ok I've never been diagnosed but I just cannot concentrate on what I am doing, I am soooo easily distracted! And the interruptions ---well I have kids, need I say more??




I got this adorable Henry Mouse with Hot Chocolate stamp last year from 7 Kids College Fund. I had to have him! I think he's the only Henry stamp I have but I love him & there are many more than I must have! I stamped the image onto Cryogen White Shimmer paper --love this stuff, so glimmery & it works well with Primas AND Copics. I chose Prismas, & added lots of glitter in various forms. There's Diamond Dust covering the "ground", Sugar Sparkle Fluff on his hat, & I used a glitter pen on the hot chocolate steam. The papers are Basic Grey Jovial, which I won in Tammi's blog candy (She sent me a HUGE array of goodies! Thanks again, Tammi!) & that is so funny because I'd just been to my LSS JUST to buy this paper & they didn't have it :( So I was going to buy it online when HOORAY I found out I won it!!

The icicle border is punched out of the same Cryogen White Shimmer paper the image is stamped on, the sentiment is from a Michael's clear set, the snowflakes, circles & label are all Nestabilities.....I added some Martha leaves behind the snowflake, it reminds me of the new Whimsy snowflake die that I can't have right now (perhaps Santa will bring me one for Xmas!!).....& the snowflake charm is from my Etsy shop.




*****edited to add close up ---finally got a bright semi-sunshiny day!! Hopefully you can see the sparkle & glimmer, that IS the funnest part of the card, after all!!


Well I'm only about half done with my Christmas shopping. Have I mentioned I don't like Christmas? To me, it's a pain in the rear. A lot of my family is gone now so the holidays are hard. And my kids are at the ages where it's really hard to find stuff --- they just want all the technological stuff which we all know does not come cheap!!

I'm hoping to sneak in another card or two before Christmas (I can hear you laughing) --Tammi sent me so many great images in my goodie package! I hope your holiday shopping & plans & preparations are coming along better than mine!! Thanks for taking the time to visit!!

Just Magnolia sketch

It's been a loooong time since I participated in a challenge of any kind, so when I received my new-to-me Tilda I checked out the Just Magnolia blog to see what their challenge of the week was. Lucky for me, it was a sketch challenge!

Here's the sketch:




And here is my card:



I used Witch Tilda and Pumpkins which I bought at 7 Kids College Fund. I colored her with Prismas & gamsol & did a LOT of distressing, both with my distress tool & Walnut Stain Distress Ink. The papers are Basic Grey Indian Summer. I added a bit of Stardust Stickles & a few Prima flowers & leaves & thought it turned out to be quite a lovely autumn card. AND it's pretty darn close to the sketch --I have a habit of drifting far away from the original sketch.




Here's a close up of the lovely Tilda.




And a close up of the silver leaf charm. These are available in my Etsy store, along with a few other fun charms. I will be adding more styles in just a few days!

I hope you are having a great week --when my boys get home from school in just a few minutes, we are off to the Science Fair at school! We went to set up last night & oh boy, lots of fun projects!! Can you believe we never EVER had a Science Fair when I was in school? School is just so darn fun nowadays!!

Don't forget to enter my blog candy in the post above!!!