Thank you!

A big THANK YOU to all of our United States military personnel for their service to our country both past & present.  Your sacrifice is not in vain as you protect our freedoms we hold so dear.

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Happy Easter!

Enjoy this very special day made possible 

by the sacrifice of our 

Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ.

Happy Resurrection Day!

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Pansies

It's been quite awhile since I've posted so I thought I would share these lovely pansies with you.

Have a lovely & blessed day!

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Stack em High

 It was a Happy Birthday to my hubby Frank this week.  One of these days he may just catch up to me (I'm 4 1/2 yrs old.....gasp)!  LOL  I decided to stack some pretend prezzies on top of each other to make a make believe "cake" with no calories.  (I guess you have to use a lot of imagination for this one. LOL)

Life has thrown us a lot of curve balls lately but we're all hanging in there.   Spending lots of time in prayer. We know that the Lord will help us through it all.  Amen!

Back to my card......the papers came from Michael's in their decorative paper packs......one was dots & the other damask in various pretty colors.  Manly cards are always a stretch for me but I like how this one turned out.  The baker's twine just topped it off nicely.  The "Happy Birthday" sentiment is from a Crafty Secrets digital set called Grand Greetings you can find HERE.

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Splendiferous Creations:  They say it's your Birthday
Brown Sugar Challenge Blog:  #85 Paper Piecing
Challenges 4 Everybody:  #39 Anything Goes
Sentimental Sundays:  #197 for a boy/man include sentiment
Incy Wincy Designs Challenge:  Black & White plus one other color
Kaboodle Doodles Challenge Blog:  #214 Anything but a square
Love to Create Challenge Blog:  #106 Anything Goes
Just Inspirational Challenges:  March - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations Challenges:  #258 Happy Birthday
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog:   #168 Anything Goes
Crafty Girls Challenges:  #13 Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog:  #102 Anything Goes w/sentiment

Thank you for joining me today & for taking the time to leave your sweet comments.

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

You make me smile

Happy Valentine's Day to my favorite Valentine of all.........my hubby Frank.  It's our 41st Valentine together........imagine that. Doesn't seem possible.  This is a super simple card as my hubby doesn't like a lot of 'stuff' on his cards........so I had to really restrain myself. lol

I recently told you about the Anna Griffin chalkboard stamp set that I ordered from HSN.  I was really happy that they came just in time to make this card.  I think they stamped up very well.  I used the black ink pad that came with the set.  The red ink is a Tsukineko Versa Magic dew drop called "Red Magic".  The background is a Cuttlebug embossing folder called "Chicken Wire".  I thought it added a bit of a manly touch.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
Craftitude:  #58 Valentine
Craftyhands Challenge Blog:  Heat or Dry Embossed
Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge:  #107 Valentine
Jo's Scrap Shack:  #37 Valentine's Day
Sister Act Card Challenge:  #44 Anything Goes
Stampin with the Dragon:  Love is in the air (& I do love my Valentine)
The Stamping Boutique:  #4 Valentine/Love card
Totally Paper Crafts:  #206 Valentine/Love
2 Sisters Challenge:  #173 Embossing
Creative Card Crew:  #55 KISS (Keep It Simple & Sweet)
Cuttlebug Mania:  A Touch of Red
Deep Ocean Challenge Blog:  #71 Love is all around
Stampotique Designers Challenge:  #134 Perfect Pairs (the pair of red buttons)
Creative Moments:  #36 Anything Goes / Love
Crafty Girls Challenges:  #11 Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey:  Love is in the air
Sassy Studio Designs:  #216 It's Valentine's Day

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your special someone today.  Thanks for visiting!
 

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Chalkboard style card

I can't believe that my baby boy Shawn is 30 years old today.  Wow!  Seems like only yesterday that he was just a cute little toddler.  I don't do too many masculine cards so it can really be a stretch for me but when I found this 'Me & My Big Ideas' chalkboard sticker set at Michael's I knew it would be perfect and I couldn't believe how quickly it came together.  I had to make some adjustments here and there with the red glitter paper and of course add the numbers.  His favorite football team is the San Franscico 49ers so I wanted to use those colors in his card. (We were pulling for them to get to the Super Bowl but they didn't quite make it through the playoffs. ) 

I just love the chalkboard look to the embellishments. It's such a hot trend right now.  I broke down and ordered some Anna Griffin chalkboard stamps from HSN.  I had some Christmas money left over and missed the sale when she was on HSN.  So I've been stalking their site every day until they came back into stock.  I was so excited when they did.  It's such a versatile set with 30 stamps.  Here's a little peek at them.  They even come with the dark green and black ink pads that are reminiscent of the old chalkboards. Can't wait to get them and start stamping.

I used my trusty diecutting machine to cut out the squares & circles.  Where would we be without those amazing machines.  :)

 I'd like to enter the following challenges:
Allsorts challenge blog:  #245 - Colours beginning with 'B' (Black)
Crazy 4 challenges:  #222 (card for loved one with lots of glitter)
Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge Blog:  #15 Anything Goes
Card Makin Mamas:  #80 Make it Sparkle
Jo's Scrap Shack:  #36 Anything Goes
Sister Act Card Challenge:  #43 Anything Goes
Delightful Challenges:  Anything Goes
Creative Moments:  Anything Goes/Add some Sparkle
Cuttlebug Mania:  Touch of Red (used square & circle diecuts)
Papertake Weekly Challenge:  Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart:  #6 Anything Goes/Use Red
Love to Create Challenge Blog:  #101 Birthday

Thanks for visiting with me today.

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Merry Merry Christmas!

I should have called this posting a 'Christmas surprise' because it was a surprise to me that I actually made a Christmas card this year. LOL  This is for my daughter as she's one of my biggest cheerleaders & I love her so much.

As you can see........once again...........I used one of Krista's Saturated Canary darling girls.  My girls (daughter, daughter-in-law and granddaughters) all absolutely love, love, love Krista's cute girls & she has so many different personalities to choose from so it's usually my first choice for a girlie card.  

I cut out the sugar cookies from some Christmas DP and 'sugar coated' around them to make them more appetizing.  Good enough to eat?  Well I could sure go for one right now. LOL  (hhhhmmmm.....I really need to lay off the sweets after the first. Good thing I only make Rocky Road Fudge for the holidays.  LOL)

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
Creative Belli Blog:  #185 Christmas
Divas by Design:  Anything Goes
Little Red Wagon:  #217 Anything Christmas
The Paper Shelter:  Christmas challenge ~ Anything Goes
Simon Says:  Bling it on!
A Creative Romance:  Sparkle at Christmas
Craftitude:  #55 Anything Goes / Christmas Sparkle
Craftyhands Challenge Blog:  Season's Greetings/Winter Theme
Digi Haven:  tis the Colors of the Season ~ Red & Green (must use digi)
Fun with shapes & more:  #150 Bling Bling (must use a cut out ~ I cut out the cookies)
Jellypark Challenges:  Christmas
Sister Act Card Challenge:  #38 Anything Goes (must be a card)
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge:  #156 Last minute Christmas card (& boy was this one last minute)
Digi Design Challenge Blog:  Anything Christmas
613 Avenue Create:  #51 Anything Goes
Challenges 4 Everybody:  #36 Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenges:  #72 Christmas
Hobby Cutz Challenges:  #30 Anything Goes
Pile it on:  #48 P is for (pink, paper, pretty, peppermint candy cane)
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra:  Extra December challenge

I hope you all have a Merry Merry Christmas with those you love & hold close to your heart.

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

More Birthday Blessings

My one & only favorite daughter Kim celebrated her birthday yesterday. She's all about her tan & working out to keep in good shape so when I saw this Saturated Canary image I knew I wanted to use her for my Kim's birthday card. As you can tell I love, love, love Krista Smith's adorable girls. They always fit perfectly for my girl's cards.

The little sign I made is computer generated & fits her to a tee.  The crown is a punch that I layered up several times to give it some stability.  The glitter paper came in so handy for the cupcake & crown.  Kim also loves leopard print so I just had to go with this black print I found at Hobby Lobby.

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Sister Act Card Challenge:  #36 Anything Goes (cards only)
A Gem of a Challenge:  #109 Anything Goes
All Sorts Challenge Blog:  #236 Anything but Christmas
613 Avenue Create:  #49 Anything Goes
Pile It On:  #48 "P is for" (Pink - Punch - Pumping iron - Pretty)
Scribble & Scrap Blog & Challenge:  #7 Anything Goes
Created with Love Challenges:  #70 Anything Goes
Paper Makeup Stamps:  #118 Sparkle (use a digi)
Stamp and Create:  December Anything Goes
Clear It Out Challenge Blog:  Anything Goes
Crafty Girls Challenges:  #8 Anything Goes

Thank you so much for visiting with me today. 

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

All Grown Up

October was a very special month for my youngest granddaughter.  It was her 18th birthday!  Wow!  Seems like only yesterday that I was rocking her in my arms.  Such a beautiful girl!  And she just got her first job.  YAY!  I'm so very proud of her.

For her special birthday card I chose to use another Saturated Canary image.  This little cutie is called Starla.  Doesn't she look like a star.  I love the little mustache thingie she's holding too.  Those are so popular right now.  I thought the black striped paper behind her complimented her little tights.  I wish I had stars on my face too.  LOL

These are the card details:

Copics used:  Skin (E000, E00, R11), Hair (E31, E41, E35), Eyes (E35), Clothing (C0, C1, C7, B0000, B000, B00, B02)
DP:  DCWV "All Dressed Up matstack", American Crafts Glitter Paper 6x6 pad
Distress Ink 'black soot'
Other elements from my stash

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Craft-Dee BowZ:  Nov. anything goes with handmade bow
Created with Love Challenges:  #67 anything goes (with paper)
Make It Monday:  #167 anything goes (must comment)
Cuttin and Stampin Challenges:  #46 anything goes with numbers ("18")
Sweet Stamps Blog:  #144 anything goes
By LORi Designs Challenges:  #60 Use paper
Crafting by Designs:  Anything goes with a "birthday" twist
Creative Moments:  #30 Anything goes/CAS
Lady Anne's 8th Challenge:  More than one layer
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Blog:  #154 Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey:  Bling It Up

Thank you so much for visiting with me today. 

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Birthday Blessings

This card is for my daughter's best friend, Shannon.  I used another Saturated Canary image called Princess Rose Red.  I opted to crop out the cute little birdie that comes with this image.  (You can see it in the thumbnail below.)   I just love the sweetness of Krista's girls. 

Card recipe:
Copics:  Skin (E000, E00, R20), Eyes (E31, E35), Hair (E31, E41), Clothes (B000, B00, B02)
DP:   American Crafts Glitter Paper, DCWV - 'the Mariposa Matstack'
Diecut:  Sizzix 'Tags, Rounded'
Distress Ink:  Black Soot, Broken China
Ribbon & Bling from my stash

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Card Mania:  #33 Anything Goes
Craft-Dee BowZ:  November ~ include a handmade bow
Incy Wincy Designs Challenge:  Ribbon, Twine or Fibres
Lady Anne's:  #8 More than one layer
Lexi's Creations:  #102 Birthday celebrations
Love to Scrap Challenge Blog:  #17 ~ Anything Goes
Make It Monday:  #165 ~ must comment on other entries
MarkerPOP blog:  #34 ~Anything Goes but you must use markers
Simon Says:  Keep it clean & simple (this is always hard for me but I think hope it qualifies)
Pattie's Creations Design Challenge:  #79 Birthdays (must use an image)


Thank you so much for visiting with me today. 

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

SC Dreads card

We have a lot of October birthdays around here.............3 on the same day.....the 13th...........myself, my twin brother and my daughter-in-law.  Then my daughter's BFF's birthday is the 15th and my youngest granddaughter's birthday is the 24th. So lots of card making.

This is the one I made for my daughter-in-law.  I used Krista Smith's Saturated Canary cutie called Dreads (see thumbnail below).   The colors look much deeper & richer in person.  (I've been having some problems with my camera lately......maybe time for a new one.)

Card details:

Copics used: Skin (E000, E00, R20, R11), Eyes (E35), Hair (E41, E31, E35, B000), Clothes (G40, G21, B000, B00, B02), Jewelry (Y21)

DP:  DCWV "the All Dressed Up" matstack, American Crafts Glitter Paper (Target)

Spellbinders Shapeabilities "Fancy Lattice"

Bead Landing black glitter flowers

Jolee's Boutique "floral prizm silver"

Recollections "Glitter on a Roll"

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Crafty Creations Challenges:  #244 Sparkle & Shine
Creative Craft Challenges2:  #21 Anything goes
PINspirational Challenges:  #79 Anything goes
Artistic Inspirations:  #63 Anything goes
Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenges:  October ~ Glitter
613 Avenue Create:  #41 Anything goes w/option ~ Pile it on
Challenges 4 Everybody:  31 Anything goes
2 Sisters Challenge Blog: #165 Anything goes
CMC Copic Challenge Group:  Anything goes
Paper Creator's Crafts:  #15 Dies and/or Punches
Craftitude:  #50 Anything Goes w/optional letter S (Sparkle, Shine, Saturated Canary, Skirt)
Sister Act Card Challenge:  #28 Cards only
Stampin' for the Weekend:   Anything goes
Sweet Pea Stampers:  Sparkle and Shine
4 Krafty Girlz Challenges:  #3 Anything goes
Crafting By Designs:  Anything goes
Inklings and Yarns:  Anything goes (JFF)
Lady Anne's Challenge:  Stamp anything goes
Nutcrafters:  #54 Lots of Layers
Paper Pretties:  #PWC280 Lots of Embellishments
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog:  #149 Anything goes
The Sisterhood of Crafters:  Anything goes


Thanks so much for joining me today & I look forward to reading your lovely comments.

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

October Blessings ♥

This is my favorite time of year........not just because it's my birthday month but because I love seeing the trees turn to amber shades of autumn & it signals the approach of winter & best of all.........CHRISTMAS!

(My back went out AGAIN so not much crafting done.  Drats!  I hope you're having a better time of it.)  But I am more than BLESSED & very thankful for all the Lord has done for me.

Enjoy the Fall & take time to watch the leaves fall as they may.

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Christmas in July card

I recently participated in a Christmas in July swap and I included this Saturated Canary Christmas card in my partner's package. Her name is Nikki (click on the thumbnail below).  I just love Krista's cute little girls.  They are such fun to color with my Copic markers.  They've been feeling quite neglected lately. LOL

My partner loves aqua blue and kraft so this card just fit the bill.  I tried to keep it as simple as possible as that's her style as well.  I'm pretty happy with how it came out.  I really had to restrain myself from adding too much frou frou or blingity bling bling. LOL

Card details are as follows:

MME "Be Merry" 6x6 paper pad

Nesties:  round & scalloped round

Copics:

Kraft cardstock

Stash items:  Jute, Paper Doilies, Recollections bling

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Hiding in My Craft Room:  #108 Christmas in July

613 Avenue Create:  #30 Anything Goes

Eclectic Ellapu:  Anything Goes

Pile It On:  #30 Anything Goes

That Craft Place Challenge Blog:  It's a Girl Thing

Stamp with fun:  #217 "Celebrate"  (celebrating CIJ)

Tammy's Scrapin Corner:  #73 Use a Digi

Use Your Stuff:  #95 Twine

Deep Ocean Challenge Blog:  #57 Christmas in July 

Die Cuttin Divas:  #126 Anything Goes with a Die Cut

Party Time Tuesdays:  #131 Anything Goes 

Crafting for all Seasons Challenge Blog:  #57Christmas in July 

Crafts And Me Challenges:  #139 Anything Goes 

Lady Anne's Challenges:  #10 Must stamp (I used a digi) 

Little Red Wagon:  #196  Christmas in July

Simon Says:  Anything Goes
Craftin' Boutique Challenges:  #1  Anything Goes
Milk Coffee Challenge:  Show us those coloring skills!
Paper Crafting Journey:  Punches and/or Die Cuts
Jellypark Challenges:  Christmas in July
Sister Act Card Challenge:  #18 Anything Goes

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Our Anniversary cards to share

This is the card I made for my hubby recently for our 40th wedding anniversary.  I loved the old fashioned looking gentleman looking at the musical notes on the side.  He looks like he's deep in thought. Probably remembering when we danced all night (see the little tag).  LOL  Okay......I know...........I've got quite an imagination.  LOL

Card details:
Papers:  Graphic45 "Times Nouveau" & "A Ladies' Diary" and Colorbok "Antique Paperie", Black & Kraft cardstock
TH Alterations Sizzlits Decorative Strip "Filmstrip Frames"
Misc:  Jute, Brad, black glitter accent

This is the card he made for me.  It's soooo sweet.  He came to me that morning & asked me which birdhouse over the kitchen cabinets was "my favorite".  Well it was hard to choose one but I finally did.  He told me not to ask any questions.  LOL  Oh that's a tough one..........but I didn't.  LOL

The front of the card is the aforementioned birdhouse sitting in our yard.  Is that too cute or what?  Then he printed some birdies on his computer for the inside of the card.  He did this all by himself.  I love it!!!  He couldn't have done it any better.  Wouldn't you agree? We're just a couple of ol' love birds.  LOL

I'd like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Allsorts Challenge Blog:  #217 Kraft It
Digi Design Challenge Blog:  Wedding/Anniversary/Congratulations
Little Claire's Designs:  #35 Wedding/Anniversary
Paper Crafting Journey:  Punches and/or Die Cuts
613 Avenue Create:  #30 Anything Goes
Eclectic Ellapu:  Anything Goes
Pile It On:  #30 Anything Goes
The Pink Elephant:  #210 Masculine
Use Your Stuff:  #95 Twine
Creative Craft Challenges2:  #15 Blue and Brown
Party Time Tuesdays:  #131 Anything Goes
Crafts and Me Challenges:  #139 Anything Goes
The Male Room:  Challenge #1 - Anything Goes but it must be male
Simon Says:  Anything Goes
Crafts 4 Eternity:  #135 Wedding Anniversary theme
Sister Act Card Challenge:  #18 Anything Goes

Thanks a bunch for joining me.

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Happy 40th Anniversary to my Hubby!!!

I can hardly believe those words ~~~ 40th Anniversary!  Wow!  It does not seem like it's been that many years since I walked down the aisle on my daddy's arm and saw my handsome husband-to-be standing at the altar waiting for me.  My heart literally skipped a beat.  He still makes my heart skip a beat..........but maybe not for the same reasons.  LOL  But he is the love of my life and my soul mate.  And I'm so very blessed that the Lord placed us together so many years ago.

Happy Anniversary, Babe!  I love you!!!

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~