Cheer Up ... It can't rain forever, can it?

Today my mother, my daughter, my granddaughter, my great granddaughter and I went for a High Victorian Tea at a beautiful Tea Room in Reading, PA, about 20 miles from where we live.
 
I enjoyed a lovely mango tea blend, delicious scones, wonderful soup and salad, divine tea sandwiches (the apricot cream cheese on raisin bread  and cucumber sandwiches were especially fabulous) and decadent desserts.  They had a grand gift shop where I treated myself to a colorful new scarf.  Little Laila behaved as a proper 10 week old should.  The only thing to dampen our spirits was the RAIN!

Unfortunately, it poured all the way there and downpoured all the way home.  Forget the umbrella.  It was one of those rains that comes sideways in sheets.  Lucky me, I was driving, with the wipers on high speed the whole time.  Why in the world did we go today in such a torrent of precipitation? you might be asking.  Tomorrow is my daughter's birthday and the calendar just didn't have room in it tomorrow.  So we went today.   No one drowned.   All is well.

In the spirit of today's weather, I am posting the second card I made with the remaining umbrella pieces from my 'It's a Boy' card I shared with you on Saturday.  This umbrella is a Great Impressions stamp, which I stamped 4 times on different colored papers and then did a lot of paper piecing.  The sentiment is a CTMH stamp.

I am entering this in:
Divas by Design Challenge - April Showers
Digi Stamps 4 Joy Challenge - Water Everywhere
Inky Impressions Challenge #157 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday Challenge #130 - Anything Goes
Party Time Tuesdays Challenge #170 - Fussy Cutting
Cards in Envy Challenge - A2 April Showers Cards
Crafting From the Heart Challenge #16 - Always Anything Goes
Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge #40 - Anything Goes + option- use a sentiment


Don't forget....
 

I'll be doing Make and Takes this week-end, May 3rd and 4th, at the Stamp, Scrap Art Tour Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.  Look for me at the Close to My Heart booth.

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge DT Recipe Project

This week at Tuesday Throwdown we have a fun recipe challenge sponsored by My Grafico, where you can find a variety of clipart, graphics, printable templates, digital papers, stamps and much more.  

The recipe for the challenge is:

one image, 

one designer paper, 

and something purple.

For my DT project, I decided to use a castle digi image from My Grafico that is part of a set called Fairy Tale Princess Stamps.  I just happened to have one purple gift bag in my stash and close at hand, so I thought I'd put together a welcome bag and tag.  I wrote the sentiment on the computer and printed it and the digi image on kraft text paper.  The white damask kraft dp was a clearance find.  I used the cricut to cut the tags and rolled flowers, a sixix die for the purple vines, and my Craft-Dee Bowz maker to make the triple looped bow.

I hope you'll pop over to the Tuesday Throwdown blog to see what my very talented teammates have made for your inspiration.  Then be sure to join in the fun at Tuesday Throwdown this week.  We just love seeing your crafty cards and projects and visiting all your blogs.

Speaking of visiting....

I'll be doing Make and Takes this week-end, May 3rd and 4th, at the Stamp, Scrap Art Tour Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.  Look for me at the Close to My Heart booth, and meet my friends Joyce and Betty.  

I'm entering this project in these challenges:
613 Avenue Create Challenge #69- Anything Goes
Glitter and Sparkle Challenge #82 - Add some Ribbon
Digi Galore Challenge - Anything but a card
Sugar Creek Hollow Challenge - Tic Tac Toe (flowers, pearls, die cut)
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Not a card
Crafty Ribbons Challenge # 86 - Anything but a card
DRS Designs Thursday Challenge #119 - Tag You're It
Scrap It Girl Bags and Tags April Challenge
Craft-Dee Bows April Challenge

Tall & Skinny Tent Card

Just as I feared, it's the last Monday of the month and the Mojo Monday sketch is for a tall and skinny card.  I'm not particularly fond of this sized card.  Today I flipped the sketch on it's side and made a short and chubby tent card.  Since the card itself only measures 3.5 x 5.5,  even with the circle extending above the fold, it will still fit in an A2 envelope.  Works for me.  

(I used a paper pack by Pebbles, inc. called Americana and a CTMH stamp.)

Oh, no.  

A big truck just came and dumped 2,000 lbs. of mulch in the driveway.  

Guess you know what I'll be doing the rest of the day. 

Before I get started with that, I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Pile It On Challenge #17 - Ink on Paper Stamping

Quirky Crafts Challenge - Something beginning with an "S"  (scalloped circle, stars, stripes)

Scribble and Scrap Challenge #17 - Always Anything Goes

Jellypark Challenge - One for the Boys 

The House That Stamps Built Challenge DCC423 - For the guys

The Paper Shelter Challenge #155 - For the Boys

One Stitch at a Time Challenge #210 - Anything Goes

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge # 343 

 

Cards in Envy

is one of my favorite challenges.  This week they've asked for April Showers themed  A2 cards the will easily fit in the envelope without bumps and bulges.  These are perfect cards for Operation Write Home.  

This simple card uses a CTMH image with sentiment stamp and some washi tape.  

Did I mention this was simple?  

I am entering this in:

Cards in Envy Challenge -  A2 April Showers Card

Sentimental Sundays Challenge #204 - Clean and Simple 

My Time to Craft - April Showers

Sweet Stampin Challenge - No DP

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Clean and Simple

Stars and Stripes MidWeek Throwdown Color Challenge - Brown

Word Art Wednesdays Challenge #129 - Anything Goes

It's a Boy

It was a busy day today with 2 baseball games and a baby shower in between.  My nephew and his wife are expecting their first child, a baby boy, on my mother's 84th birthday in June.  What a wonderful birthday present for her, grandchild # 8. 

This umbrella is a Great Impressions stamp, which I stamped 4 times on different colored papers and then did a lot of paper piecing.  (And I have enough pieces left to make a second card.)  I sprayed it with sparkle shimmer mist, which looks really neat but didn't show up in the photo.  There are Dazzles above the umbrella, liquid pearls on the points, and the sentiment is CTMH.

I am entering this card in these fun challenges:
My Time to Craft Challenge #245 - April Showers
Paper Crafting Challenge #8 - No patterned paper
Sweet Stampin Challenge - No DP
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #191 - Embossing
Milk Coffee Challenge - Use those bright colors
Fab n Funky Challenge #213 - Paper Piecing
Craft and Smash Challenge - Birth
Fairies Challenges #24 - Baby
Cuttin and Stampin Challenge 14-16 - April Showers
Tip Top Tuesday Challenge - Paper Piecing

Just ducky!

It is pouring outside right now.  Perfect weather for posting a duck card.

I just couldn't resist buying this cute duck paper.  I paired it with a few scraps that were on the table to make this anniversary card.  The light blue pieces were recycled from packaging material.  I knew they'd eventually come in handy.   I used the new CTMH paper piercing guide for the designs.    The sentiment is also CTMH.

These ducks will be swimming into the following challenges:
Brown Sugar Challenge #91 - Anything Goes
Card Makin Mamas Challenge #85 - Earth Friendly
Simply Create Too Challenge #60 - Stack em Up (at least 2 layers)
Sister Act Card Challenge #54 - Anything Goes
Creative Knockouts Challenge #34 - Anything Goes
Divas by Design Challenge - Let's go to the Movies  -  This card was inspired by the movie "On Golden Pond".  I remembered them listening to the call of the loons on the pond, and saying that loons mated for life.  I figured the duck paper was perfect for an anniversary card.  Then I googled loons and whether or not they mated for life.  They actually don't.  So inside the card I put ....  Loons don't really mate for life.... mating for life makes you looney.
Inky Impressions Challenge #156 -  Recycle it
The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge - Things with wings
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #148 - Happy Earth Day

Another Mother's Day card using velum

(an inside peek)

A while back I embossed a sheet of vellum, using this pretty rose stamp from Sparkle n Sprinkle, and only used half the sheet.  The other half is on this card.  I also added some embossing to the inside.  I die cut 2 different size scalloped ovals, one inside the other, making a frame for the outside of the card and an oval for the sentiment inside.  I versamarked the entire frame and the edges of the oval and embossed both to match the flowers.   The sentiments are stamps from CTMH and SNS.  For embellishments I used some flowered CTMH ribbon with a touch of ink on the edges, a hat pin, 3 other different ribbons, and some pearls.  If you'd like to see the other half of the vellum sheet, it's right here.

I am entering this card in these challenges:
Lia Stampz Challenge #63 - Pastels
Crafting from the Heart Challenge #15 - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion Challenge #210 - Pretty Pastels
Through the Purple Haze Challenge #38 - Creativity Strikes!  (And I thought it was going to be a baseball or bowling challenge.)
Whoopsi Daisy Challenge - Emboss It!
Pile It On Challenge #16 - No DP
WeDoDoobadoo Challenge Week #4 - Embellish It




Off to another baseball game.  It's gonna be a chilly one and I just packed my long underwear away yesterday!

Dad Card

It's tough to find good masculine stamps.  That's why I really like this image and sentiment from Doodle Pantry.  I'm not saying that us gals can't enjoy a day of fishing.  But the fishing theme does make a nice guy card.  I haven't decided whether I'll finish the inside of this card with a Father's Day or a Birthday sentiment.  It would work for either.

This card is my April submission for the Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge #24.  It's an Anything Goes Challenge, as usual.  But,  participants in the challenge who use a Doodle Pantry image (not just sentiment), are emailed a set for FREE and  are also entered in the prize drawing.  This month's free set is the Petite Bouquet, perfect for some Mother's Day cards.  It's a really great deal, their images are easy to work with, and by telling you all this I just cut down on my own chances of winning.  Forget I mentioned it.

I have also decided to enter today's card in these challenges:
Come and Get It Challenge - Where the Boys Are
Dragonfly Dreams Challenge #4 - Make it for the Boys
Crafting From the Heart Challenge #15 - Anything Goes
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge #208 - Kraft
Time Out Challenge #3 - Birthday + Masculine twist
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge #306 - Masculine Card

Layla, In Her Easter Finest + Mojo Monday

When I cleaned off my craft/dining room table last week, I piled all my essentials in one storage drawer

so I could easily get to work this morning on my Mojo Monday card.  Since my Mother's Day luncheon is only 3 weeks away, I'm hoping I can keep my crafty mess to a minimum until then.  If that's even possible?

So here is today's card for Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge # 342 :

I've used a digi image from Bugaboo Stamps and a sentiment from CTMH.

Here is the sketch for the challenge:


I am also entering the card in these challenges:
Catered Crop - Think Green 

Sentimental Sundays Challenge #203 - Color Inspiration



Catch the Bug April Bingo Challenge - bugaboo image, embossing(player's choice), border
Color Me Creative Challenge #90 - Anything Goes
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #91 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Animal Antics
Word Art Wednesday Challenge #128 - Anything Goes


Now, I suppose some of you are more interested in seeing photos of my great granddaughter, Layla, in her Easter dress....  She was an angel in church, taking in all the new sights and sounds. 

Wish this wasn't out of focus.  But her dimple shows!

We had to get a photo of this sleeping position. 

Lillies, Daisies, Tulips, Daffodils - Springtime Flowers Everywhere!

Happy Easter everyone.  

For my followers who are waiting to see Layla in her Easter finery....

Yes, I did take pictures of my 2 month old great granddaughter in her Easter outfit (including the sweater and booties I crocheted),  but I am saving them to post tomorrow.   So you'll have to come back then.

I have just a bit of time between family festivities today to share a few flowers with my crafty friends. 

For this card first I printed this A Day For Daisies digi image on white CS.   Next I drew a rectangle a bit smaller than the image and colored the entire background within the rectangle black.  Then I and cut around it and the one flower that extended beyond.  I mounted the image on the yellow checked DP background, again a bit smaller than the image.  I stamped the sentiment in white ink on black and gave it and the image a spritz of frost shimmer mist.  And when I opened the ribbon drawer, the polka dot satin ribbon just about leaped out at me. 

 

I am entering this in the following challenges:
A Day For Daisies Challenge #94 -  Stripes  (I was a bit concerned the chevron pattern might not qualify for the "stripes" theme, but I looked it up and the definition of chevron is "stripes meeting at an angle".  So this should do just fine.)
A Gem of a Challenge #117 - Spring is in the Air (I left the lily I brought home from church on the front porch and you can smell it as soon as you go near.  What a wonderful springtime scent!  My lily bulbs are just starting to emerge from the ground.)
Digi Galore Challenge - Flowers 
Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #146 - Flowers
Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge #25 - Frame It
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenge #63 - Spring
Creative Corner Challenge - What's in a Name?  Since my first name is Debi, I've used a Digi image of Daisies
Digi Haven Challenge - Black and White with one other Color (Yellow)
PolkaDoodles Challenge Week 16 - Springtime
Moving Along with the Times Challenge - A card with the word 'Happy'

And now I am going to my mother's and totally forget I'm on a diet!

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Eggstra from SPARKS

When I saw the SPARKS inspiration photo for its current challenge, 

it reminded me of the Easter DP I had in my stash from last year.   This was certainly easy to make.  That's one reason I like the SPARKS digi images.  If you need a quick card, that doesn't require a lot of coloring, their images are great.  Here I actually combined the egg basket digi image and 'egg-stra' digi sentiment with 2 Paper Smooches photopolymer stamps, 'happy' and 'wishes'.  So if you don't like digis, you can still get their cute images and use regular ink. 

I used markers for my coloring, trying to match the designs on the DP eggs.  I gave them a coating of CTMH liquid glass for some shine and added some CTMH glitter tape.

I am entering this in the Paper Smooches SPARKS April 13-19 Picture Perfect Challenge.

 

And I hope everyone has a blessed Easter day.

Are your tulips up?

My tulips are just poking through the ground.  They always seem to be later than the hyacinths and daffodils, both are blooming already.  And I'm so happy to see some buds on the lilac bush I started about 3 years ago from a tiny twig.  The magnolia trees' flowers, unfortunately, are all brown from our overnight freezing temps the last few days.  I actually had to wear long underwear to my grandson's baseball game on Wednesday evening.  That's just not right!  

  Perhaps this cute springy card will warm someone up, until the temperatures take over.

 

Gerde Steiner supplied this perky chick digi image for use in her current challenge.   For the butterfly hello I used a stamp I recently received with one of my magazines.  And the dotted DP was a freebie from another magazine.  I used markers to do the coloring and add the faux stitching.  

I am entering this card in the following:
Gerde Steiner 6th Freebie Digital Stamp Design Challenge
Craft for the Craic April Challenge - Easter/Spring
Cards in Envy Challenge - A2 Easter
Crafty Catz Challenge #227 - B is for....  butterfly and broken egg
Creative Corner Challenge - What's in a Name?  My name is Debi and I've used Dotted Designer paper, a Digi image, Dotted Embossing Folder, and a Darn cute chick.
Polkadoodles Challenge Week 16 - Springtime
Scrapping 4 Fun Challenge 15 - Use a stamp/digi image
As You Like It Challenge - Stitching, Real or Faux?  I prefer using faux stitching since it's so much easier for a quick card than getting my sewing machine out of the closet.

Speaking of quick cards....  I wanted to show you a cute Easter card from one of my friends.
She said it was a kit from Kim's card kits.  

 

Deedee's Digi of the Month

Yesterday I posted a graduation card.  

Also needed at the end of the school year are teacher appreciation cards. 

I thought this month's digi set from Deedee was perfect for just that:

I wouldn't miss entering 

Deedee's April Digi of  the Month Challenge

or these other fun challenges:
4 Crafty Girlz Challenge #16 - Anything Goes
Creative  Knockouts Challenge #33 - Furry or Feathery Friends
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #91 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Animal Antics
Word Art Wednesday Challenge #128 - Anything Goes
 

My grandsons were here today for our annual egg dyeing.  My DIL forewarned me that Matt wanted to make Minion eggs (those goofy yellow guys with blue overalls and goggles from Despicable Me).  I always try to oblige.  He was happy with the result:

 And my granddaughter stopped by with Layla, 2 months old yesterday. 

Her mother didn't bring her in the laundry basket.  I was between loads and it just came in handy. 

Check out that dimple!  She's already learned to multi-task.  She can giggle and toot at the same time!

Muse Challenge #63 + CTMH Card Workshop 4/15/14

Graduations are coming soon and I'm getting a head start.  There are preschool graduations, kindergarten graduations, elementary school graduations, middle school graduations, high school graduations, college graduations.... 

all steps between endings and new beginnings.  

Wonderful reasons to celebrate and eat lots of cake! 

(Sentiment and frame are CTMH stamps.  Sticker is by Hallmark.)

This week's Muse Challenge #63 was the inspiration for the quick and easy Graduation Card above, suitable for almost any age.
Here is the Muse card:   
 









I am also entering this in these other fun challenges:
Crafts Galore Encore Challenge - Creating with Color  (My favorite color is bright blue.)
Feeling Crafty Challenge #27 - Anything for a Child
Sweet Stamps Combo Challenge - Anything Goes + Embossing
Cards und More Challenge # 104- No Flowers

Before you leave, here are the cards I made yesterday at Joyce's CTMH card workshop. 

Cute Boots!

The flowers are getting a good drink today.  It's been pouring since early this morning.  A perfect day for boots and to spend the afternoon at Joyce's for her weekly CTMH card workshop with the friends that truly make my life blossom.  Hopefully the sun will return tomorrow so I can take some photos of the cards we made.  And Mickey brought us instructions to make the cutest card holder.  I can't wait to make one and show you.

I wanted to get this card posted today so my name would go in the hat for the special early bird drawing at Imagine That.  This is the freebie April digi for the Imagine That April's Progressive Challenge #19.    I printed the flower part of the digi twice so I could do some fussy cutting and pop some of the petals for dimension.  Thanks, Kris, for this wonderful set of digital images. 

Here are just a couple additional challenges that I am entering with this card:
The Cupboard Trilogy Challenge #21 - Friends/Friendship
The Tiny Fairy Tales April Challenge - The Daisy
Digi Sketch Challenge for April 14th - Floral Challenge
Stamp and Create April Challenge - Spring Flowers

Have you been wondering why....

 I've been practicing my Shabby Chic style?   Wonder no more!

The Really Reasonable Ribbon Vintage/Shabby Chic Challenge at Tuesday Throwdown begins today, April 15th.

That means it's time to throw down whatever you're doing and make something Vintage/Shabby Chic to enter this challenge.

Our great sponsor this week is

Really Reasonable Ribbon

 

Not only do they have wonderful ribbons, twines, tapes, etc. but they also have a monthly blog hop that is really fantastic.   

 Below is my DT card for the challenge.

I've used 2 Really Reasonable Ribbons for the bow.  

Rowena fish is a free digi from Digital Delights.  The tag, jar and lid stamps are from Sparkle and Sprinkle.  The jar was stamped with Momento ink on clear acetate.  There's a bit of sand and loose glitter at the bottom of the jar.  I used bling for bubbles, jute around the lid, a little burlap and a small piece of netting from the front of a potato bag* (which you can't really see in the photo) under the tag. The striped DP is fabric paper.  The flower was handmade using some old white sassy strands from CTMH and following this tutorial. I dirtied it up a bit with the dauber after I distressed the edges of the papers, tag and jar lid cover.

So that's my attempt at shabby/chic for today.

I'm going to enter it in these challenges:

Sparkle n Sprinkle April Challenge - Anything Goes 

613 Avenue Create Challenge #67 - Anything Goes/Twist-recycle something* 

Glitter and Sparkle Challenge #80 - Not Square

One Stitch at a Time Challenge #208 - Use a Digi

The Squirrel and the Fox Challenge #67- All Creatures Great and Small

 

 

 

Good Morning!

It's a warm breezy day here.  If I was the least bit ambitious, I'd be washing curtains and bedspreads and pinning them out on the line.  But .... that's not happening!!!  I have made 2 Mojo Monday cards this morning.  But....  I'm just showing you one.... for now.



There hasn't been much Easter paper for kids in the stores this year, so I've used some more of the freebie paper from my Quick Cards magazine. This adorable baby bunny digi image is from 2 Cute Ink.  (They've just hit 5000 fans and are offering viewers a cute celebratory penguin digi freebie until 4/26.  I'm sure I'll be making another card for their Celebration Challenge going on right now!)

   The card is for my adorable new Great Granddaughter, Layla.  Her other Bisabuela (great grandmother) bought her Easter dress and I've made her a sweater to go with it.  

Hopefully I'll have a photo to show you next week with Layla wearing both.  (I'm still working on something for her mother which is so much bigger and is taking much, much longer.)

So here is the Mojo Monday Sketch for Challenge # 341

 

which I followed for the card.

I'll also enter it in these current challenges:

Dream Valley Challenge #79 - Easter

Great Impressions April Challenge - Pink, Polks Dots, and Glitter

One Stitch at a Time Challenge #208 - Use a Digi

That Craft Place Challenge - Anything Goes/Easter

Well, my DH is patiently waiting to go for our daily walk.  TTFN

Scribble and Scrap

Today I am honored to have a GDT spot for

 Scribble and Scrap's Challenge #16. 

I chose this photo from one of Scribble and Scrap's  vintage photo sheets to be the focus of my card.  

 

My first thought when I saw this photo was to make a get well card.  Then I got to packaging some cards for Operation Write Home, and thinking about all the deployed US servicemen and women, and I decided to make it into a Father's Day card. I think this would make a wonderful card for a daughter to send her father, especially if he was serving his country away from home. 

I distressed all the pieces of this card, tearing and curling some of the edges.  I frayed a bit of the burlap (CTMH) and used the strings for the bow and to tie the tiny envelope charm onto the popped sentiment.  The canvas ribbon across the front is by Darice.

Thinking of my own Dad, who will have passed 4 years ago in August, I computer generated both the outside and inside sentiments.  I'll set this card aside to give to my cousin, Nancy, for her Dad.  She is kind enough to sell some of the things I make in her Milkhouse Shop at the Old Home Farm where we played together as children.  Fifty years ago it smelled like cows.  Today it smells of the wonderful soaps her brother makes there.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Sister Act Card Challenge #52 - Anything Goes
The Stamping Boutique Challenge #12 - Distress It
It's All About the Vintage Challenge #66 - Shabby Chic
Fairies Challenge #22 - Shabby Chic or Vintage
Word Art Wednesday Challenge #127 - Anything Goes
Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge #24 - Anything Goes

Easter Eggplants

What a beautiful spring day! 

Perfect for Matt's first baseball game of the season.  

He got 2 nice hits.  

Nothing like a toothless 7 yr old's big grin!  

I did manage to get this gatefold card made 

before going to the game. 

A while ago I won some digis from the Octopode Factory and almost forgot to use this cute Easter image.

The background dp and inside sentiment were freebies from a recent Quick Cards magazine.  I colored the eggplants with markers, used my Spellbinders scalloped oval to cut the image and a Fiskar's lace corner punch.

I'll be entering this in the following Easter and Misc Challenges:
Di's Digi Designs Easter Challenge
Kitty Bee's Designs Aloha Friday Challenge #21
Crazy 4 Challenges # 231 - The Crazies Get Their Egg On
Open Minded Crafting Challenge #8
Pumpkin Spice Challenge #67

The Alphabet Challenge  - E for Easter
Craft for the Craic April Challenge
Crafts 4 Eternity R #171
Cut It Up Easter Challenge #42
Delicious Doodles Challenge #83
Digitally Sweet Challenge #83
Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #45
Totally Papercrafts Challenge #214
Delightful Challenges - You're Eggstra Special
CCEE Stampers Challenge - Bunny or Egg
Milk Coffee  Easter Challenge
Moving Along with the Times - Easter/Spring
Oddball Art Stamp Co. 1st Challenge - Use a Digi
The Paper Shelter Challenge #153
Crafty Sentiments Challenge
Everybody Art Challenge #273 - Punched Corners

Operation Write Home Any Hero Card

I was doing a blog hop last weekend and one of the gals had used the sketch from the current OWH challenge.  It reminded me that I hadn't made any "Hero" cards lately.  No time like the present. If you live in the USA and you're not familiar with Operation Write Home, please take a moment to check out their blog.  

The stamps are from Stampin' Up.

Naturally, I am entering this in the OWH Sketch Challenge #219

and just a few more:

Crafty Hands Challenge #12 - Anything Goes

Daring Cardmakers Challenge - Flag It Up!

Word Art Wednesday Challenge # 127 - Anything Goes

Eclectic Ellapu Challenge - One For the Boys

Hope everyone has a lovely week-end!  

My youngest grandson has his first baseball game of the season so I hope the weather cooperates.

Unfortunately, his older brother is spending his first few baseball games on the bench.  He slid into 2nd base at practice and cut his knee on a piece of metal under the base.  Ouch!!!  He practiced for another 20 minutes before looking to see why it hurt so much.  His 11 stitches don't come out for another week.

I asked him if there was a Stitch Fairy like there is a Tooth Fairy.  He said no, but he did get ice cream!

3D Butterfly

It will soon be time to clear off my craft/dining room table for Mother's Day lunch.  I decided to get a head start by finishing up a pile of partially made cards.  Here's an all occasion cardmade with scraps and a pretty 3D butterfly a friend gave me.   I love this swirly embossing folder.  No outside stamping on this one.

Here's a few challenges that I'm entering:
Woopsie Daisy Challenge - Things with Wings
Crafty Calender Challenge - Things with Wings
Creative Knockouts Challenge # 32- Spring is in the Air

Now I'm going to go bake something.

Spring Medley - From the Heart April Challenge

Tulips and crocuses are sure signs of spring.  Most of my crocuses and snowdrops are done blooming, the daffodils are up and have buds, and the tulips are just poking through the earth.  It is finally starting to look like spring, which also means it's time to order that load of mulch.  I've been out cleaning up flower beds in preparation.  My nails look terrible!

 .

This is the free April digi image for the From the Heart Challenge.  Framed images like this make for quick cards.

I am submitting this card to:

From the Heart April Challenge

Crafter's Cafe Challenge #58 - Spring

Divas by Design Challenge - Easter/Spring

Penny's Challenge #172 - Flower Power

Scrapper's Delights Challenge #20 - Bloomin' Lovely

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #127 - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Spring has Sprung

Melonheadz Friends Challenge - Time for Spring

Stamp and Create April Challenge - April 7 - Spring Flowers

Use Your Stuff Challenge #130 - Spring

613 Avenue Create Challenge #66 - Anything Goes w/option Sights, Smells, Tastes of Spring

One Stitch at a Time Challenge #207- Flowers

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #255 - Monochromatic

Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #144 - Black, White + 1 color

Stamping with the Dragon Challenge - Spring Time

Roses for Mom

For this card I used a pale green sheet of velum on which I stamped and embossed roses.  Then I die cut the scalloped oval from the center,  fussy cut the rose I had stamped in the middle, then popped it at the side.  I  a found a piece of sheer pink ribbon in my stash that was just long enough to wrap around the card twice and tie into that teeny bow.  The stamps and embossing powders are Sparkle N Sprinkle products.  So naturally I am entering this card in the Sparkle N Sprinkle April Challenge where the theme is Anything Goes if you use loose glitter, embossing powder or flocking.

I am also entering it in these additional challenges:
Just Inspirational Challenge - Embossing
Through the Craft Room Door Challenge April 8-14 - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion Challenge #208 - No Designer Paper
Love to Scrap Challenge #27 - Anything Goes

Made it to another Monday.... and look how big my great-granddaughter is getting!

That means another card for the Sketch Challenge at Mojo Monday.  One of these days I will win a set of Verve Stamps from participating in this challenge.  It's on my bucket list.  This week I'm working on graduation cards and on using things in my stash.

(sentiment is a CTMH stamp)

 Here is this week's sketch for the  Mojo Monday #340 Contest:

 

Besides entering this card in Mojo Monday, I am also submitting it to these other fun challenges:
613 Avenue Create Challenge - Anything Goes , optional - Sights/Smells/Tastes of Spring
Dragonfly Dreams Challenge #4 - Make it for the Boys
Lia Stampz Challenge #62 - Good Luck/Congratulations
One Crazy Stamper April Challenge - Anything Goes
The Crafting Cafe April Challenge - One for the Boys
Word Art Wednesday Challenge #126 - Anything Goes
Clear It Out Challenge - Boys/Men  stash item- stickers (I used a Snoopy sticker by Hallmark)
Love to Scrap Challenge #27 - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Challenge #7 - Masculine

I was able to spend some time with my granddaughter and great-granddaughter yesterday.  Almost 7 weeks old now,  Layla is such a good baby but she only has eyes for her mommy.  I was trying to get a picture of her dimples but it just wasn't happening.