Where did I put that stamp????

It often amazes me the things I find when I'm searching for something else in my stash.  For example, yesterday I came across a K & Company Die Cut Mat Pad.  When/where did I get that?  Flipping through it, I found this sheet of paper which I immediately decided to use because I have the perfect stamp for inside.

One problem, now I can't find the stamp.  But, I did find a paper punch in the back of one drawer.  It also falls into the category of  'When/where did I get that?'.  I picked up a piece of scrap white CS on the table and punched it a few times, which was the beginning of another card....  (sort of like the book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie").    

Sentiment is a CTMH stamp.

I am entering this card in these fun challenges:

Moving Along with the Times Challenge - No Image 

Scrapbooker PHD Challenge #11 - Use your Die Cuts  (I've used Spellbinders dies.)

Cards in Envy Challenge - Winged Things

Craft Room Challenge - Things with Wings

Artistic Inspirations Challenge - Anything Goes, Twist: Things with Wings

Sentimental Sundays Challenge #208 - Things with Wings

Eureka!  I found the stamp for the inside!  It was right on the table in front of me.  Duh!  But wait until you see the card I made with the punch I found while searching.


Sure am glad I checked My Favorite Blogs today.  DeeDee's Digis is having a New Store Grand Opening!  There's an adorable freebie available and a super discount code you can use when you visit.  I love her digis and always enjoy participating in the monthly progressive challenge. Some of my bestest crafting pals are on her DT, so there's always great inspiration.  Do go have a look-see!  Tell her it you got the tip from Debi B.

What 'cha gonna do?

No gardening today!

It's a pretty miserable day weather-wise.  Temps are in the 50's, and no sun.

A perfect day to hibernate and make some cards.  

Actually, my mother is having some friends from church over tomorrow to make some cards for individuals on the prayer chain.  She asked me if I'd get some easy ideas together. 

I cut papers for 5 people to make 3 different cards.  When I opened the package of cards and envelopes I had in my stash, I discovered the cards were 4 x 5.5" and I had cut everything for 4.25 x 5.5".  That meant I had to cut 1/4" off of many of the pieces.  This left me with a small pile of skinny strips next to my paper trimmer.  Those strips are now on the card above.  I just love playing with scraps.

Papers are from SEI.  Stamps and glitter tape are from CTMH.

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

4 Crafty Girlz Challenge #19 - Anything Goes

Crafty Creations Challenge - It's all about "S" (Skinny paper Strips; Seven tiny Stamped flowers; Scalloped circle, SEI papers, CTMH Stamps)

Inky Impressions Challenge #161 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #134 - Anything Goes

City Crafter Challenge Week 213 - Birthday with Banners

Fan-tastic Tuesday Challenge #37 - Anything Goes

Party Time Tuesday Challenge #134 - Anything Goes

Love to Scrap Challenge #30 - Anything Goes

From the Heart May Challenge

Today I  had planned to get some mulch spread in my mother's flower beds.  She had some trees come down this winter and the 'tree guy' left us a huge pile of mulch.  (I didn't realize just how huge it was until I started working the pile.)  Life never seems to go according to plans, though.  

We had a pretty good thunderstorm yesterday, late afternoon.  My mother was telling me how one of her chairs was even blown across her front yard from the wind.  She hadn't noticed that  there were a half a dozen large branches, 10-15 ft. long at least, and lots of smaller branches that were strewn across the yard.  That became the first order of business for the day.  It took an hour for me to pick up all the small branches and drag all the large branches onto a pile.  By the time I got finished it was pouring.  Time for a cup of tea.

After a bit the rain had mostly stopped and I headed back out to plant some sunflower seeds while the ground was wet and Mother Nature was doing the watering.   That done, I tackled the weeds in the front beds and spread several wheelbarrows of mulch in them.   And then it started to rain again.  Time for lunch and another cup of tea.

We were surprised when my DH arrived to look at the outside faucet which had sprung a leak.  He and I headed out to work on that project, got the onery faucet off, and he headed to the store (he had to go to 2) for a new one.  I loaded, wheelbarrowed and spread mulch the entire time he was gone.  That pile of mulch is really, really big.   But, not quite as big as before.  The new faucet is now working perfectly and Mom can water her plants.
 I'm a bit tired and I've decided that I'm ordering a stromboli for dinner.

My next project at Mom's, after I get rid of the rest of the mulch,  is digging a hole and planting a weeping willow tree. 
 Volunteers?


 
After a day spent in my mother's gardens, I thought it only fitting to post this cheery card featuring the May freebie for the progressive challenge at From the Heart Stamps.  I hope the sunflowers I planted today (in the rain) get as pretty as last year's.  

To make this card, I printed the garden image 3 times, twice on white CS and once on a green DP so I could paper piece the banner.  If you look closely you may be able to see the design.  I colored, fussy cut and popped the bird,  some of the flowers and the cute little pup.  The sunflowers got some glitter glue in the centers.  I used a yellow card base with an embossed piece of kraft paper under the image and quote. 

These are the challenges that I am entering with this card:

From the Heart Stamps May Challenge - Whimsy Garden Fence

Dragonfly Dreams Challenge #5 - How does your garden grow? 

Fairytale Stampers Challenge #39 - Flowers
A Random Fan Challenge #9 - Anything Goes
Party Time Tuesdays Challenge #174 - Anything Goes
Crafting From the Heart Challenge #20 - Anything Goes 


Thanks so much for visiting my blog today and listening to my ramblings.
Hugs to all,
Debi
 

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #197

These darling fairies are a digital image by The Paper Shelter, sponsor of this week's Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #197 - Wild Colored Hair.    Using an embossing folder, some punches, die cuts, sparkle gems, glitter gel, markers and colored pencils, I've made this easel card as my DT contribution for the challenge. 

I can't wait to see all of your entries featuring images with wild colored hair!  Team B has some great locks, blue, pink, yellow/green and orange on display for your inspiration. 

Please stop by the Tuesday Throwdown blog and

  have a look see. 

********************************

I'll be entering this card in these challenges:

Craft-room Challenge - Things with Wings
Deep Ocean Challenge #78 - Wings
Artistic Inspirations Challenge - Anything Goes; Twist-Things with Wings
Cards in Envy Challenge - Winged Things + A2 card
Crafting from the Heart Challenge #20 - Anything Goes
Craftin Desert Divas Craft it Up & Link it Up Linky Party #32 - Fun Folds
Craft Your Passion Challenge #215 - Frame It

Love to Scrap Challenge #30 - Anything Goes
Stamp and Create May Challenge - Spring Colors
The Pink Elephant Challenge #252 - Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenge #82 - Things with Wings
The Order of Opus Gluei Challenge #183 - Best Friend
Scribble and Scrap Challenge #19 - Always Anything Goes
Sentimental Sundays Challenge #208 - Things with Wings

 FYI - The sentiment stamp I used inside the card is by Great Impressions.

Memorial Day Mojo

Oh no, it's the last Monday of the month!  That means a Tall and Skinny card for Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #347.  But, you gotta go with the flow....

Card measures 3.5 x 5.5 inches and uses a SU HERO stamp.

My friends and I are currently putting together an entire box of Any Hero cards for OPW .  This is how Operation Write Home explains, on their  blog, what Any Hero mail is:
" These are cards and letters (or, with kids they can be drawings or coloring pages) from people across America with messages of gratitude and encouragement inside. We call them “AnyHero” letters because they’re going to be given out by our contacts to those who get little or no mail. If they were “Any Soldier” they would have to go to the Army, so we keep away from branch-specific language."



 
Other challenges into which I am entering this card include:
Scribble and Scrap Challenge #19 - Always Anything Goes
Splendiferous Creations Bloggers Challenge - Armed Forces
Brown Sugar Challenge # 95- Anything Goes
Crafty Catz Challenge #232 - Embossing
Frosted Designs Friday Challenge - Stars and Stripes
Simply Create Too Challenge #62 - Father's Day or For a Male
Art Impressions Challenge #136 - Operation Write Home Cards
Word Art Wednesday Challenge #133 - Anything Goes

Sketch Challenge

When I saw the sketch at Scrapping Everyday Miracles, 

 

a voice said to me "use Border Strips".  

So I did!  

These strips are from an American Crafts Dear Lizzie Neopolitan paper pad.  This is a fun summery set of papers with great borders at the top of each sheet.   But, there was a hole punched through the center of the pad and each of the border strips.   I just used one half, spread them out a bit on the card, and saved the rest.  I used a CTMH stamp for the sentiment.

I am also entering this card in these fun challenges:
One Stitch at a Time Challenge #214 -  Anything Goes

Scrappy Hands Challenge #12 - Strips of paper

Scribble and Scrap Challenge #19- Always Anything Goes 

Little Claire's May Challenge #45 - Spots and Stripes

Hope you are all having a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.  My grandson was in a baseball tournament yesterday and today.  The weather was very cooperative.  His team came in second after playing 3 games yesterday and 4 games today.  Those poor boys were exhausted.  I'm a bit tired myself.  
 

Waterfall Card

I made a waterfall card for Carol's birthday earlier this week and forgot to take a photo.  Therefore, I had no choice but to make another to share with you. 

Waterfall cards look much harder than they really are.  I followed directions from Splitcoast Stampers located here to get the exact folding measurements.  I used an old Repeat Impressions stamp for the cake and sentiment.  The colors and lack of frilly embellishments make this a good male card and very 'mail'able.

Today my June Issue of Quick Cards arrived in my mailbox.  Featured on the front cover are Amazing Waterfalls.  My guess is that we'll be seeing a lot of these on blogs and in challenges for a few weeks, just like the Box Cards that were recently popular.  If you don't subscribe to Quick Cards, this might be a good issue to pick up at the craft store.  There is a freebie package of Kraft Confetti paper with matching vellum

borders that is adorable and so summery which comes with this issue.

Today, I am entering this Waterfall card in the following challenges:

•  Allsorts Challenge Week 260 -  Happy Birthday!
• Brown Sugar Challenge #95 - Anything Goes
• Di's Digi Design Challenge - Make it Masculine
• Hiding in my Craft Room Challenge #150 - Let's Hear it for the Boy!
• Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge #30 - One for the Guys, Big or Small
• Sister Act Card Challenge # 58 - Anything Goes
• Wags n Whiskers Challenge #129 - One for Boys
• Savvy Handmade Challenge - Birthday Photo Inspiration
• The Male Room Challenge - Project with a moving part
• Penny's Challenge #178 - Spots and/or Stripes
• Cardz 4 Guys Challenge #19 - Action/Movement
• Shopping Our Stash Challenge # 152 - Happy Birthday

Imagine That May Progressive Challenge

Participants in April's Imagine That Progressive Challenge, received a great digi set for May called 'Girl with MOM Banner' absolutely free.  

Thanks so much, Kris!!!  

I paired  it with some papers and tags I received with my last card magazine.  My mother's birthday is in June, so this gives me a head start on my June cards.  

It is also my entry for the 

Imagine That! May Progressive Challenge,

as well as....

• Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #96- Anything Goes
• Digi Stamps 4 Joy Challenge #92 - Anything Goes 
• Hobbybook Designer Challenge - For Mom or Special Lady
• Sparkles Forum Challenge #56 - Celebrate Mom or Special Lady 
• Die Cuttin Divas Challenge #166 - Happy Birthday! (I used a Spellbinders scalloped oval die.) 
• Shopping Our Stash Challenge #152 -  Birthday or Anniversary (Congrats on your blog's 3rd birthday/anniversary!)
• Crafting from the Heart Challenge #19 - Always Anything Goes 
• Eureka Stamps Challenge #90 - Happy Birthday
• Corrosive Challenge #199 - Banner Day 

CTMH Catch Up + Mojo Monday

These are the cards we made at Joyce's CTMH Card Workshop 3 weeks ago.  

I forgot to post them.  

Sorry!

These are more cards using the Lollydoodle paper pack that's available here.

By the way, Joyce has posted the recipes from Saturday's Card Extravaganza.  You'll find them here. 

 ********************************************************************************
 And here is my card entry for this week's 
Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge # 346:
 

I've used a fun paper pack called Americana by Pebbles, Inc. The "HERO" stamp is SU; the star stamp is CTMH.  I love this star embossing folder.  And I added silver brads and silver Candies.  Pretty simple.

This Any Hero card will go in the box for Operation Write Home.  
and will also be my entry for these challenges:
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes, Option - 3 shapes (rectangle, star, circle)
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #82 - Inspired by a Song (Star Spangled Banner)
Glitter n Sparkle Challenge #85 - Cards for Men or Male Colors
Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #149 - Embossing

Another card for the SAS4K envelope and CTMH Card Extravaganza 5/17/14

While the potatoes for dinner are in the oven baking, I want to quickly post the cards we made today.  I always enjoy Joyce's extravaganzas, and today was no exception.  I was a bit disappointed when we were told there was no taco soup for lunch.  We always have taco soup.  I had my taste buds all set for taco soup.  I love the taco soup.  But today there was no taco soup.  ;>(   Instead there was cauliflower soup.  Everyone said it was delicious.  I've been watching my calories and decided to fore go the soup and have ice cream for dessert.  We also had ham and cheese sticky buns.  These were wonderful.  Joyce has promised us she will post the recipe on her blog (the taco soup recipe is already there).  The ham and cheese sticky buns were really yummy, every calorie well worth it!  I might be serving them next year at my Mother's Day Luncheon.

Oh yes, you'd probably like to see what we made instead of hearing about what we ate?

**********************************************************************************

While I still have a few more moments before I finish dinner prep,  here's another Father's Day card I made to send off to Send a Smile 4 Kids:

I've used some scraps from the cards I posted on Thursday for the banners,  a purchased FD sentiment I found in a clearance bin somewhere,  CTMH stamps, and the negative from die cutting the gray textured paper.

Here are the challenges to which this dino will be submitted:

(One minute while I snap the peas and get them in the pot....)

Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Friday Challenge #23 - Scraps
Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Anything Goes for a Child (This is for one of your kids to give  
to his dad.  I hope that counts.)
Brown Sugar Challenge #94 - Father's Day
Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge - Kraft
The Crafting Cafe May Challenge - Creatures
Created with Love Challenge #81 - Love of Critters
Melonheadz Friends Challenge - All About Animals




Hope you're having a nice week-end!  Do you follow my blog???  I'll tell you when Joyce gets that recipe posted.  You don't want to miss it!

It occurs to me....

that I haven't shared the projects from the CTMH workshops I attend at my friend, Joyce's, house. Tomorrow she is having an all day extravaganza, and I'll a bunch of cards from there also.  I guess I need to start posting a few every day until I catch up.  To start... Here are the 4 cards we made this past Tuesday using the paper pack that will only be available from CTMH this month.  You can find the details on Joyce's web site here as well as details about tomorrow's workshop here on her blog.

The yellow triangle strips on the bottom card are washi tape, a fun idea for decorating the cake.

This last card I changed  because I thought it would make a good Any Hero card for Operation Write Home.   I used a piece of post it note to block the word "FUN" on the tag stamp and inserted the word "HERO" instead.

**********************************************************************************

What have I been working on in my dining/craft room?  I made this card for the 7th Freebie Design Digital Stamp Challenge at Gerde Steiner Designs.  The image is May's freebie.  I added the words on the computer before printing.  

(Father's Day sentiment is a CTMH stamp.)

  

This card is also being entered in the challenges below,

and then I'll tuck it in the envelope with yesterday's cards and mail it to Send A Smile 4 Kids. 

• A Creative Romance Challenge - One for the Boys
• Brown Sugar Challenge #94 - Father's Day
• Creative Corner Challenges - Going in Circles
• Savvy Handmade Card Challenge - Zoo Animals
• Sister Act Card Challenge #57 - Anything Goes
• Wags n Whiskers Challenge #129 - One for the Boys
• ABC Challenge - "L" is for lots of layers
• Creative Craft Cottage Digi Creations  Challenge #1 - Anything Goes with a Digi
• Flat Friends Challenge #20 - Dies and/or Punches (I used punches for the corners and circles.)
• Paper Crafting Journey Challenge - For that Special Man
• Digi Stamps 4 Joy Challenge # 92 - Anything Goes
• Word  Art Wednesday Challenge #132 - Anything Goes

Father's Day Cards for DeeDee's Monthly Digi Challenge

When I first saw the digi images provided for DeeDee's Monthly Digi Challenge, I knew I'd be doing some paper piecing.   I printed the images on 3 different coordinating papers, did some fussy cutting, and had enough pieces to make multiple cards.   I used all the pieces of the 3 papers, making 7 cards total.  If I don't drag my feet, I can get them in the mail to Send a Smile 4 Kids for the hospitalized children to give to their Dads on Father's Day.  Here are 5 of the 7 cards, all using DeeDee's May digis!

I'll be entering this last card in the following challenges:
DeeDee's Digis May Challenge
Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Father's Day
Through the Craft Room Door Challenge May 13 - Anything Goes
Crafting Musketeers Challenge #13 - Anything But Square
Digi Galore Challenge - Kraft
Paper Crafting Journey Challenge - For that Special Man
Penny's Challenge #177 - Anything Goes
One Stitch at a Time Challenge #  212- Use a Digi
Scribble and Scrap Challenge #18 - Anything Goes
Corrosive Challenge #199 - Banner Day

Blog Hop and Freebies to Celebrate Polkadoodle's 5th Birthday!

I just finished one of the best blog hops.  Polkadoodles is celebrating it's 5th Birthday.  To commemorate the occasion and to thank the initial 5 team members a special Digi stamp along with a great little paper bundle was designed specifically for each teamie to reflect their personalities and style.  What a great idea!  These digis are sooo cute.  And you can collect one at each of the 5 blogs in this fun mini hop absolutely free plus be entered to win some great prizes.

Click here to arrive at the Polkadoodles Blog.

Have fun!

and 

Happy 5th Birthday to everyone at Polkadoodles!

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #195

Sweet n Sassy Stamps is the sponsor of this week's Tuesday Throwdown Challenge.  

Korin, the owner, and her gals were set up right across from us at the Stamping Show in Oaks, PA last week.  They have great clear stamps, die cuts, templates and digi stamps like the Bluebird Digital Stamp I've used on my DT card below.  Sweet n Sassy also has a fun blog and weekly challenge.  This week they are looking for something with spots.  That would be easy to combine with our Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #195 - Sweet n Sassy with Spring Blossoms.

 

The DP I've used is the second sheet of Graphic 45 paper I purchased at the show.  I was showing great self restraint by purchasing only 2 sheets, which is why I cut out a rectangle of the DP that's behind the image so I can use it on another card.  I fussy cut around the bird's head and put just a bit of foam tape beneath it.  The rest of the image is glued flat on the card.  The ribbon and bling flourish are both from CTMH, the sentiment is SNS and I colored the image with a combination of markers and colored pencils.

Please stop by the Tuesday Throwdown Challenge to see the other wonderful creations made by the rest of Team B and also Sweet n Sassy Designs to see the wonderful array of products available.  They have some great sales, so make sure you get on their email list! 

And don't forget to join in the fun at both challenges!!

Unfortunately, I can't play in the Tuesday Throwdown Challenge since I'm on the DT.  And I didn't find out until yesterday that the Sweet n Sassy Challenge theme was dots and spots, so I'll need to make another card for that one.  Instead I'll enter this in a few other challenges:

Scribble and Scrap Challenge #18 - Always Anything Goes

Ladybug Crafts May Challenge - Use your favorite embellishments  (Gems and ribbons)

The Cupboard Trilogy Challenge #22 - Flowers

Open Minded Crafting Challenges #10 - Use some ribbon

Polkadoodle Challenge Week 18 - Something Old (ribbon) Something New (flourish and DP)

Sister Act Card Challenge #56 - Anything Goes

Wags n Whiskers Challenge #128 - Ribbon and Bling

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #193 - Flowers

As You Like It Challenge - Favorite Fur or Feathers and Why (Feathers.  I love feeding and watching birds.)

Charisma Cardz Challenge - Mother's Day  (I made this for my mother for Mother's Day.  I've seen her twice and forgotten to give it to her both times! Duh!)

What's next?

The big Mother's Day Lunch and weekend is over.  I have just a few things to put away and tablecloths to wash.  So what's next?

Mojo Monday, of course!

My godmother's birthday is Thursday.  This one's for her!

 

I've used the sketch from this week's Mojo Monday Challenge #345 

 

and a digi image from Doodle Pantry called Petite Bouquet, last month's freebie for using one of their images in their challenge.   I'll be submitting this card to their current challenge, because this month's free digi set will be great for a guy card.

To make this card I printed the digi 3 times and colored all three the same.  Then I used a die cut to cut the 4 circles from the extra copies and fussy cut the bow.  I just used a punch for the black circles.  Then I glued 2 bordered circles flat to the image, popped the other 2 and the bow and used another punch for the corners.  I gave it a spritz of Sparkle Mist and set it aside to dry.  I placed a strip of washi tape up the left side of the card base, popped the image on the right side, and added the computer generated birthday banner. (The set includes sentiments for couple, friend, bride, sister, sister-in-law, mother, mother-in-law and grandmother, thanks and in memory.  But no godmother.)

The challenges into which I am entering this card include:

1. Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #345
2. Doodle Pantry May Digi Challenge #46 - Anything Goes with a Digi
3. Come and Get It Challenge - Birthdays are for Celebrating
4. Ditzie Digi Design Challenge Week 3 - Anything Goes
5. Dragonfly Dreams Challenge #5 - How Does Your Garden Grow?
6. Dream Valley Challenge #81 - Anything Goes
7. Eclectic Ellapu Challenge - (Purplies) Birthday
8. Fairytale Stampers Challenge #38 - Use 2 punches (black circles and corners)
9. Opus Gluei Challenge #182 - Flowers for All
10. Scribble and Scrap Challenge #18 - Always Anything Goes
11. Craft and Smash Challenge - Washi Tape
12. Di's Digi Designs Challenge - Use Those Markers
13. Totally Gorjuss Challenge #235 - Don't Be Square
14. C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #258 - Birthday + 5th Anniversary Blog Hop

Flowers to all the Mothers reading this!

These are the first blooms I have ever gotten on my lilac bush.  

I started it several years ago when it was a tiny 8 inch twig.  Finally!

Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday was our 20th annual Mother's Day Lunch.  I started having it as a gift to my own mother, all the girls in the family gathered together.  This year we welcomed our newest family member to the annual tradition, little Laila.  Another 5 generation event - and, yes, we did get a picture.

A few weeks ago, there was a project pictured in the Weekly Scrapper that caught my eye and sent me immediately for a piece of DP so I could try it myself. 

 I knew I had to make this for my Mother's Day Lunch favors.  

I followed the simple directions given at Weekly Scrapper.  However, I drew a template to trace and cut since I didn't have the die cut from SU.  I used a punch to get the scallops across the bottom of the dress.  And I added the little tags, made using the CTMH cricut cartridge and CTMH stamps. 

There's a little box in the middle for some goodies (of the chocolate variety, naturally!).

They looked so cute lined up on the piano!

I am very happy to enter this party favor in some fun challenges:

Bastel-traum Challenge - Tags

Challenges 4 Everybody # 41 - Anything  Goes

Feeling Crafty Challenge #28 - One for Girls/Ladies

Just for Fun Challenge - Ribbon or Lace

Lia Stampz Challenge #64 - Anything But a Card

Mema's Crafts May Challenge - Celebrate Mom

Natalie's and Amy's Challenge #20 - Rubber Stamping

One Crazy Stamper May Challenge - Anything Goes and an Embellishment

Scrap It Girl! May Challenge - Mother's or Mother Nature

Treasured Times Challenge #17 - Mother's Day Anything but a Card

Open Minded Crafting Challenge #10 - Use some ribbon

Simply Create Too Challenge #61 - Anything but a Card

Crafty Ribbons Challenge #88 - Sweet Treats

Crafty Creations Challenge - Anything but a Card

Decorate to Celebrate Challenge - Mother's Day

Here's my adorable great granddaughter, Laila, all dressed up for her first Mother's Day Lunch.

She was all smiles for her mama!

Have a wonderful Mother's Day, Ladies!

Sometimes I just can't resist....

a pretty sheet of DP.  

(Frame and sentiment are CTMH stamps.)

I saw this paper line from Graphic 45 at the show last weekend and fell in love with it.  I have so much paper in my stash but.... this is so pretty.  I only bought 1 sheet and will use every inch of it!  This card is already in the mail to my Godmother.

I am entering this in the following challenges:
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #193 - Flowers
Charisma Cards Challenge #10 - Mother's Day
Creative Knockouts Challenge #36 - Ribbons and Bows 
DL.Art Thankful Thursday Challenge #132 - Anything Feminine
Paper Crafting Journey Challenge - Spots and or Stripes
Southern Girls Challenge - Dots or Spots
Crafters Cafe Challenge #62 - Mom or Special Lady
Inky Impressions Challenge #158 - Mother's Day

I've BEARly begun

getting ready for my luncheon on Saturday.  Although,  I did get my 2 Arizona-bound cards finished and in the mailbox.  And, thank the Lord for good friends, I got most of my shopping done this morning.  The mulch pile in the driveway has been spread in the flower beds.  My DH is out mowing so the lawn looks nice as we are supposed to get rain the rest of the week.  Slowly but surely.

Here's my second AZ card. I purchased the stamp at the show this week end with my Red Hat gals in mind.  However, this card is going to my dear college friend and sorority sister.  Our college and sorority mascot was a bear, and I always try to include one in or on cards and gifts sent her way. For this card, I stamped the image twice ... once on kraft paper and once on white CS.  I fussy cut just the bear and paper pieced her onto the white image, adding a little extra color for shading.  The hat, flowers and ribbon were also colored with markers.  I used a die cut for the scalloped oval and punched a hole in the top, added the bow and threaded the tag with baker's twine.  I've added a teeny tiny envelope charm to the bow on the tag.  On the back it says 'Made with Love'.  The sentiment is from CTMH.

Once again I've used the sketch from this week's Mojo Monday Sketch 344 Contest  and will enter this card there.
I'll also be entering it in:
Cuttin and Stampin Weekly Challenge 14-18 - Traditional Mother's Day
Created with Love Challenge #81 - For the Love of Critters
The Kraft Journal Challenge #170 - Just for Her
Dream Valley Challenge #81 - Anything Goes
Glitter and Sparkle Challenge #83 - Tag It!
A Gem of a Challenge #118 - Cute and Cuddly
Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Friday Challenge #22 - Animals
Creative Corner Challenge - For Mom
Jo's Scrap Shack Fun Friday Challenge #48 - Anything Goes

Mother's Day in Blue

Hopefully, I will find the time this evening to sit and write a note inside this card made for a special mother in Arizona.

(CTMH sentiment + image stamp)

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Clear It Out Challenge - What's Your Style (My favorite stash product is the pretty ribbon.)

Cuttin and Stampin Weekly Challenge 14-18 - Traditional Mother's Day with flowers

Loves Rubber Stamps Challenge # 102 - Anything Goes

Party Time Tuesdays Challenge #171 - Polka Dots

Sweet Stamps Challenge #168 - For Mom

Card Mania Challenge #46- Emboss It!

Crafting From the Heart Challenge #17 - Anything Goes

My Craft Spot Challenge #136 - Mother's Day or Spring

The Pink Elephant Challenge #249 - Mother's Day

Vintage Stamping Challenge #20 - Ribbons and Bows

Robyn's Fetish Challenge #210 - Mother's Day

The Squirrel and the Fox Challenge #69 - Mother's Day

The Theme this week at the Tuesday Throwdown Challenge is "For a Special Lady".  Who could be more special than your Mom?  It was Design Team A's turn at bat this week.  Do pop over and check out my teamies' wonderful creations and make sure to enter the challenge there. 

You would think....

that the morning after a weekend at a stamping show, my mojo would be in overdrive.  Nope, I'm too tired.  I had told my hubby I was sleeping all day.  When I rolled out of bed at 9am he was shocked!  But it is Mojo Monday and I have lots to do inside and out before Saturday when I have 18 family and extended family members invited for Mother's Day lunch.  Oh my!  That's the first I counted!!!

I'd best get busy and post today's card before heading outside to get back to work on the mulch pile in the driveway!

Starting with the Mojo Monday Sketch for Contest # 344,

 

I opened a paper drawer and pulled out the first paper pad I found, another freebie from a magazine.

I love these happy little owls.  I rifled through my CTMH stamps for some sentiments and an owl, cut a tag from the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, found some matching ribbon, paper pierced the pink striped banner, used a feather embossing folder for the polka dot square, and drew the flag pole with liquid paper.  I'll leave the inside blank so I can send it to either OWH or Send a Smile 4 Kids, since it could be used for any number of occasions. 

Here are the current challenges to which I am submitting this card:

Addicted to Stamps Challenge #81 - Things with Wings

Dream Valley Challenge # 81 - Anything Goes

Glitter and Sparkle Challenge #83- Tag It!

Stamping Sensations May Challenge - Anything Goes

Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge # 27 - Anything Goes

Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge #174 - Stamp It!

Natalie's and Amy's Challenge #20 - Rubber Stamping

Crafty Ribbons Challenge #87 - Anything Goes with Ribbon

Before I go get my gardening gloves, I thought I'd share the 2 CTMH projects available 

at our Make & Take table yesterday.  

My sample got a little banged.  Some black distressing will fix that.

This was Betty's project.

We made a card like this at Joyce's a few weeks ago and had it on display in the booth.  

 So many shoppers liked it, we added it to the Make & Takes for Sunday.