Gerda Steiner Easter Egg Hunt

Gerda Steiner is having an online Easter Egg Hunt.  Participants make something using a GS design, download and use the special watermark and hide it for the GS design team to find. 

I'm planning to "hide" this card for the Gerda to find.

(I'm going to hide it in the SYD March Challenge on the Gerda Steiner blog and on the facebook page.)  

 

Additional Challenges I am entering:

Aud Sentiments Challenge #292 - Easter or Spring Sentiment 

Inkspirational Challenge # 261- Critters that Hop

A Place to Start Challenge #032022 - Anything Goes; twist Two by Two (bunnies)

Crafting Happiness Challenge #121 March - AG

Through the Craft Room Door Challenge week of March 15th - AG

Thanks for the visit!

 

Just for Fun

 Today I decided to make some cards just for fun rather than for one of the design teams for whom I usually make my cards.  

 In your house, who is generally assigned the task of hiding the Easter eggs for the kiddos to find?  Our Easter bunny has changed over the years.  First my DH did the hiding for our kids.  Then when our first granddaughter arrived my son, who was still living at home, did the honors.  After he married and had a home of his own, I've hidden the Easter eggs.  Now the grandsons are grown and they hide the eggs for the next generation, my great granddaughters.  They also help them find them, which is wonderful.  Half the time I can't find the glasses on my face.  

(That reminds me, I have wash in the dryer to fold.  It'll wait.)

You may be wondering why I am sharing our family Easter bunny history.  Gerda Steiner is having an online Easter Egg Hunt.  Participants make something using a GS design, download and use the special watermark and hide it for the GS design team to find. 

I thought it would be fun.

Here's the card I made:

I'm also going to post it on the SYD March Challenge on the Gerda Steiner blog and on the facebook page.  You can also post whatever you make on instagram, but that's out of my league.

I also entering these challenges:

My Time to Craft Challenge #477 - Animals

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Use Your Favorite Things   (I printed my bunny on printable glitter paper.  It is awesome when printing digis.  No glitter in your printer!  And you can find it in the stationary section at Wal-Mart.)

2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge #60 - AG with a critter

And Just for Fun, I wrote this blog post on the lanai while enjoying a beautiful Florida day.

Thanks for dropping by. 

Beneath the Pines by Sandra Gowan

The book, Beneath the Pines by Sandra Gowan, immediately pulls you into the story of a young woman, Amanda Jane Horseman, orphaned at an early age and raised by her elderly grandparents.  Set in 1916, Ontario, young Amanda Jane grew up overly indulged in a home also occupied by her much older Uncle Frankie.  Unfortunately the two never bonded, with Amanda Jane seeking to corner the market on her grandmother's love, often at her uncle's expense.  As the story begins, Amanda Jane is leaving the only home she has ever known, the entire estate being left to Uncle Frankie when her grandparents died.  Forced to leave her home and somehow provide for herself, she embarks on a journey to Ministers Island in Southern New Brunswick to become a personal secretary to retired General Spencer. Having answered a want ad and only communicating with her new employer by mail, Amanda Jane isn't sure what is waiting for her at the end of her journey.  And the book is written in such a way that the reader wants to know, too.

To me, the book was a bit frustrating to read because of the poor editing, with errors in word choice, and general grammar.  Marketed as a mystery, I found it difficult to recognize a plot.  Then over half way through the book, the story line takes a huge turn and the reader has no choice but to search for a new plot.  It isn't until the end of the book, that the plot is actually revealed.  I'm used to a killer being revealed at the end of a book, but I have never read a book that waits until the end to tell you why you were reading.  For me, Beneath the Pines, was a quick, often difficult, and very disappointing read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerni

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Send a Smile 4 Kids will be receiving this Easter/Spring card.

Once again I am using CTMH papers and a Gerda Steiner digi image.

Challenges:

Gerda Steiner 28th Share Your Designs Challenge - use a GSD digi

The Crazy Challenge #239 - 3 of a Kind (3 squares of dp behind the image; 3 sparkles)

Crafting From the Heart Challenge #142 - Always Anything Goes 

Through the Craft Room Door Challenge Week of Jan 10th - Always Anything Goes

 

 

First Valentine of 2017

According to her mother, my grandniece keeps the cards I send under her pillow.  I hope she has enough room for this valentine.

This cute bunny is a Gerda Steiner digi image. 

Patterned papers are from CTMH.

Challenges: 
Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Valentines/Love Cards 4 Kids
Pattie's Creations Challenge #130 - Use an animal image 
Crafting When We Can Challenge #135 - Anything Goes 
Digi Stamps 4 Joy Challenge #132 - ATG + All About Love 
Polkadoodles Challenge Week 1 - Anything Goes 
In the Pink Challenge #110 - Anything Goes 
Gerda Steiner Share Your Design Challenge #28 - use a GSD digi

See you tomorrow for Mojo Monday!

and be sure to stop by on Tuesday for the January 

Close to My Heart Joyful Stars Blog Hop.

Beccy's Place Day #20

This Naughty Puppy Digital Stamp, designed by Gerda Steiner, has been buried on my craft table just waiting to be colored and to find a home on a card.  Since the challenge theme for Day #20 at Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards is Pencils, he's finally wagging his, now colored, tail.

And he's finished just in time to join some more Christmas cards in the box headed to Send A Smile 4 Kids!

Challenges: 

Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards Day #20 - Pencils 

Gerda Steiner Designs November Challenge - Naughty Puppy 

Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Anything Goes 4 Kids

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #308-  Cute or AG Christmas

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #452 - Christmas/Holidays

Thanks, Gerda!

In honor of National Cat Day, Gerda Steiner Designs is offering a free cat digi and discounts on her cat stamps.  Her newsletter with all the details arrived in my inbox first thing this morning.  They are also on her facebook page, where she has been posting a different cat card every hour all day.  

I picked up this darling Christmas Kitty.

 When you make a card, what do you do first?  Color the image or select your paper?   I colored the digi first and then had to search for some Christmas paper with the yellow gold of the cat.  This sheet of Graphic 45 Paper, snowflakes on one side and stripes on the other, was the best I could find.  But, I like it.  The cat is glued flat onto the card with the exception of it's tail and ear, which are popped.  The border of the Santa hat and my work area, not pictured, are glittered.  Frame and sentiment stamps are CTMH.

Challenges:

GSD Stamps - Share Your Design

Allsorts Challenge Week 387 - Christmas

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #305 - Anything Christmas Goes

A Gem of a Challenge #181 - Snowflakes

 

There's nothing cute about being cold!

Yesterday it was downright freezing at my grandson's soccer game! (Do they call them games or matches?  We are soccer challenged.  I tried to find a Soccer for Dummies book, so we could read up on the sport, but couldn't.)

It was 47 degrees; the wind was blowing right in our faces; if you stood up, the chair blew away; and it was lightly raining!

After about 10 minutes of that torture, I headed to the car and watched from there!

Seems like the perfect time to post this card using the Gerda Steiner Designs digital stamp, Cold Hedgehog.  Cold or not, this little fellow is so darn cute!

Challenges:

Gerda Steiner Designs October Challenge - using cold hedgehog  

The Ribbon Girls Challenge - use any image 

Crazy Catz Challenge #343 - Anything Goes w/ twist: embossing 

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #151 - Orange you glad it's Autumn, with ribbon or trim 

Creative Knockouts Challenge #164 - Embossing 

Double D Challenge - Plaid 

Right now, it seems there are spider webs on all the chair legs in my living room.  I can see them from the dining room where I do my crafting.  Those little guys are pretty safe until I get around to some Thanksgiving cleaning.  Although, now that I think about it, you really only see the webs when the sun hits them.  I serve dinner at 6pm.  No sun then!  

While looking through my Imagine That! Digi Stamps folder, I came across this stamp that I had never used.  

I made up this card, just for fun

 (and to add to the IT FB gallery).  

Now, who do I send it to?

Challenges:

Come and Get It Challenge - Make Um Laugh

Crazy 4 Challenges #359 - Bees and/or bugs

As You Like It Challenge - Old Stash or New?  (Everything on this card is old stash!  It's a combination of a scavenger hunt, finding Easter eggs and opening Christmas presents everytime I make a card!  What fun!)

 

 

Fall Fun with Parachute Piggy

We know it's fall when Aunt Bess, who is well into her nineties, calls on Sunday night and asks if we're ready to play cards.  Our Wednesday afternoon game resumes today, after taking a break over the summer.  It will be a fun afternoon.

Gerda Steiner Designs recently made this cute digi, Parachute Piggy, available for the September Progressive Challenge. 

I thought he might like to have a little fall fun, too.

I used the new CTMH Flower Market Cricut Cartridge to cut all those leaves.  The stamped letters are CTMH, also.

Challenges:

Gerda Steiner Designs September Challenge - using Parachute Piggy 

Fresh Brewed Designs Challenge - Animals 

Digi Choosday Challenge Week 38 - Anything Goes 

Fairy Tale Challenge #151 - Falling Leaves 

Cards in Envy Challenge - Fall 

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #173 - Autumn

That's it for today.  Don't want to keep Aunt Bess waiting.

 

Chin Up! Shaker Card

When you have wash on the line and storms are forecasted, keeping your chin up and your eyes toward the sky is a really good idea.  Unfortunately, it makes it a bit difficult to do much else.  If it wasn't so hot, I'd take my book outside.  (Have you read The Great Alone by Janet Dailey?  It's pretty good so far, if you like historical fiction.)  But, I have a pretty good view out the kitchen window from here.  So, I'll do my post for today - a cute shaker card using a Gerda Steiner digi image Cute Fox 

 for the GSD August Progressive Challenge - and keep one eye on the sky.

 

I was trying to land a butterfly on the fox's nose for the picture but gave up.  The digi image was colored with markers.  Papers, sentiment stamps and wood trinkets are from CTMH.  The butterflies in the shaker were punched.  And the die cut frame is by Die-namics. 

Challenges:

Star Stampz Challenge - Add a sentiment 

Kitty Bee Aloha Friday Challenge #77 - All about animals

Just Add Ink Challenge #33 - just add "f"  (Fox)

Brown Sugar Challenge #210 - Shaker Card

Polka Doodles Challenge Week #30 - Anything Goes

Allsorts Challenge Week 375 - Spots and Stripes

Gerda Steiner Designs August Challenge - Little Fox

Well, the sun's still out.  

Maybe, the showers will miss us 

or arrive after the wash has dried.

 

Oops!

This card almost went in the Christmas card box for next year (Yes, I have extra!) without being entered in the Gerda Steiner Designs December Challenge.  Come to think of it, I think the kids across the street would like this cute Santa Peace image from GDS.  And since I'll need a card to go with their cookie box,  this one won't be going in next year's box anyway.

Additional Challenges:

Crafty Friends Challenge #21 - Anything Goes

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge # 260 - Anything Goes

Di's Digi Designs Challenge - Anything Christmas 

My Time to Craft Challenge #311 - Last Minute Christmas Makes

Suzy Bee's Bloomin December Challenge # 111- Anything Goes + Add pearls

Brown Sugar Challenge #177 - Anything Goes

QKR Stampede Challenge #170 - Christmas

Winter Wonderland Challenge - Christmas Bingo (I've used the last line down: ribbon, Santa, pearls)

Working on this blog post has been very difficult for me today.  Besides the fact that I have a monumental list of things I should be doing,  my laptop is on the kitchen table next to a freshly baked apple cake that smells delicious.  

Time to go wrap some gifts, or something....

"Sweet" Cards

Today I have two cards to show you featuring sweet images.  The first card is for Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards Challenge where the theme for Day #21 is Candy.  And Beccy was kind enough to post a free digi candy cane on her blog.  I printed up the uncolored version, one of which I flipped; colored them with markers; fussy cut them and glued them to the card in the shape of a heart; then paired it with a CTMH sentiment and candy embossing folder to make this simple card. 

Additional challenges for this candy card include:

Brown Sugar Challenge #173 - Anything Goes 

Crafting with Friends Challenge #11 - Anything Goes

Cardz 4 Gals Challenge #8 - Favorite Christmas Colors (red & green)

Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Anything Goes 4 Kids

The second card is for the November Progressive Challenge at Gerda Steiner Designs.  It features an adorable bear, sipping on a mug of something warm and yummy.  How do I know it is yummy?  What warm drinks aren't yummy?  Hot apple cider, hot chocolate, hot tea, hot coffee, cappuccino, or latte, .....

 (The sentiment and border are CTMH stamps.)

Additional challenges for this cute bear are: 

Di's Digi Designs Challenge - Cute and Cuddly

Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge # 107 - Beverages 

Aud Sentiments Challenge #145 - Anything Goes

Fantastic Tuesday Challenge #112 - Anything Goes w/ Twist: add some purple

Gerda's October Hedgehog

It's high time I get my progressive challenge cards finished and posted.  October is almost over.
 
The free digital image (if you played last month) for the Gerda Steiner October Challenge is this cute Hedgehog with Pumpkin.  

 

I've followed the current sketch and theme at  Share Joy Challenge 8: Sketch and Clean & Simple.  I'm planning to send this to an adorable little pumpkin, my great granddaughter, Layla, for Halloween.  

I added 2 additional pumpkins to the digi image to match the sketch; one is a sticker, the other was cut on the cricut using the CTMH Artistry cartridge and then embossed.  The sentiment is also a cut using the same cartridge.  

Additional Challenges include:
A Gem of a Challenge #256 - Too Cute to Spook
Di's Digi Designs Challenge - Include a Pumpkin 
Sweet Stampin Challenge - Halloween
Inkspirational Chalenge #94 - Cute Halloween + Pumpkin/Owl
Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe # 249 - Halloween
Jo's Scrap Shack Challenge #111 - Halloween

Hope you're having a wonderful week-end!

Mouse on a Broom by Gerda Steiner Designs

This card, for the September Challenge at Gerda Steiner Designs, features an adorable Mouse on a Broom digi, which I received free because I entered last month's challenge.  It makes a perfect card for my daughter-in-law's Halloween birthday.

Here's a close up of the little witch.  

I colored her hat and cape with purple Wink of Stella glitter.  I hope you can see it. 

Additional challenges I am entering....

Aud Sentiments Challenge Week 140 - Anything Goes with a sentiment 

As You Like It Challenge - Favorite Die and Why (The scalloped oval die by Spellbinders is the first one I purchased and is my 'go to' die.  It is very versatile and I get a great cut every time.)

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #329 - Add some bling

Crafting with an Attitude Challenge #7 - Anything Goes

Crafty Girls Creations Challenge #4 - Anything Goes

Crafty Ribbons Challenge #126 - Happy Birthday

Seize the Birthday Challenge - Anything Goes no topping

Double Click Skittles Challenge # 31- In the sky

Whimsy Stamps Challenge #86 - Anything Goes or Halloween

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Die Crazy

Die Cuttin Divas Challenge #223 - Fun with Puns (Witch instead of Which)

Craft-Dee Bowz September Challenge - Anything Goes

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge - Digital images only

Pile It On Challenge #86 - Birthday

The Ribbon Girls September Challenge - Any Image

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge # 126- Orange you glad it's autumn? 

Scrapy Land Challenge #26 - Any image + die (I've used Spellbinders scalloped ovals.)

 

My apologies for the rather short blog posts this week.  I have been watching my 18 month old great-granddaughter, Laila, in the afternoons.  My, what a busy little one she is!  It's hard to get a photo of her cuteness....

 until after our walk when she is quite asleep!

The little darling will be here before I know it so I'd best get a few things done.  Have a great day!

Gerda Steiner Designs August Challenge

Well, this is my last card for the August Progressive Challenges in which I participate.  

This darling image of a snoozing puppy and mouse is this month's freebie for the Gerda Steiner Designs August Challenge.

card front

card back

I knew I wanted to make this a masculine card and use Kraft paper for the base. I colored the image and went in search of a paper pad I bought last winter in Florida.  Not only did I find the paper pad, but I also found several card fronts made from scraps tucked inside.  Choosing one of those, I embossed it and punched a hole in the bottom before adding it to the base.  I colored in the mouse "hole" with a brown marker.  A piece of scrap burlap cut in a semi-circle became a rug for the pup.  Next I went in search of a sentiment and found this one by My Favorite Things.  It was all on one stamp, but I divided it with a little masking, stamping the top section on a piece of white cs for the card front and the bottom directly on the card back.  (This card is going in the box for Send a Smile 4 Kids.  They like the cards to be blank on the inside, which is why I stamped the back rather than the inside.)  Finally, I used some waxy flax and a pearl to hang the matted sentiment on the wall.  It wasn't until after I photographed the card, did some editing and uploaded it to this post, that I realized that it looked like the pup was sleeping on the wall.
Luckily, I was able to make a few adjustments.  Now the snoozing dog and mouse are a bit more comfortable on the floor and I'm pleased with the result.
(Well, almost.  I wish I had scored the floor boards on an angle.)

Other challenges I am entering..... 

Quirky Crafts Challenge #17 - Embossing
Word Art Wednesday Challenge #198 - Anything Family Friendly Goes 
Deep Ocean Challenge #111 - For the boys
Through the Craft Room Door August 25-31 Challenge - Anything Goes
Cards in Envy Challenge - Cute and Cuddly
Ooh-la-la Creations Challenge #187 - One for the Boys
One Stitch at a Time Challenge #244 - 4 legged friends

72 hr. challenge at Gerda Steiner Designs

Yesterday I received an email from Gerda Steiner Designs announcing a 72 hr challenge and a link to download this adorable digi image free.  Since my grandson's baseball games were moved from 4 & 6 to 6 & 8 due to early morning thunderstorms, I had some extra time to make this card.

 

 I was  tired of coloring and decided to just paper piece everything.  I have a box with card fronts just waiting for the right image, and this one looked perfect.  The evenly spaced paper piercing was done on the sewing machine without thread.  I added a bit of faux stitching around the die cut.  And the sentiment is a CTMH stamp.

I am adding this card to the following challenges: 

Crafty Friends Challenge #10 - Use a punch (The top and bottom striped borders were made with the leftover strip created when I use one of my border punches.  Waste not.)

Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Bright Colors 

Polkadoodles Challenge Week 29 - 2 or more Patterned Papers

Digi Galore July Challenge - Summery and Bright

Once again my grandson's team has advanced to the final game of this week-end's tournament.

I have 2 hours before we head back to the ball field.  (We were already there for a 9am game earlier this morning.)  We are all hoping they collect a 1st place trophy this week.  I'll let you know tomorrow when I post my Mojo Monday card.

 

Smile,

Cheese Please Bunny is one of the 2 digis that were graciously provided by Gerda Steiner for the current 6 week progressive challenge on her blog.  If you want to join in the fun, you'll need to hurry because the challenge closes in less than 3 days.

And for some more fun, Gerda Steiner is also having a Blog Hop and Giveaway (ending 7/12, 6pm PST) to introduce a n'ewe' stamp set that is just too cute.

Challenges:
Gerda Steiner Designs June-July 6 week Challenge
Crazy 4 Challenges #294 - Critters
Sister Act Card Challenge #114 - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge #135 - Animals + Sentiment
Fab n Funky Challenge # 267- Inspired by a Song (The Brownie "Smile Song")
The Male Room Challenge #14 - Song Title (The Brownie "Smile Song") 
Mod Squad Challenge - Fast and Easy  
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Furry Friends
Inky Chicks Challenge #53 - My Furry Friend

Do you like it with seeds or seedless?

Watermelon just isn't the same without seeds.  That's how we feel about it.  Besides, the seedless watermelons still have seeds.  They are just those tiny ones that you can swallow but are useless in a seed spitting contest! 

While Gerda Steiner is taking a summer break, she has left us with 2 cute digi images to play with and enter in her progressive challenge.  Here is one of them, Watermelon Kid:

(Sentiment stamp is CTMH.)

This cute little dude is being entered in the following challenges:

Gerda Steiner Designs June/July 6 Week Progressive Challenge

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #36 - D is for Dudes

Creative Corner Challenge - Just for Boys

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge # 119- Masculine w/ Ribbon or Trim (I've used baker's twine.)

Fresh Brewed Designs Challenge - Dude

The House That Stamps DCC 610 - Fresh and Fruity
Double Click Skittles Challenge - Summer Fun

That's all for today.  I'm headed back to my craft table where I'm working on a final batch of cards for Operation Write Home, since they won't be accepting cards much longer.  

Now what do I do with all these cards I just can't stop making?

Movin' on Monday

Lots of things to do today.  I laid out my Mojo Monday card before I was even dressed.   But, I was teaching a card class this morning and had most of my necessities packed and ready to go.   So assembly and posting had to wait until I returned home this afternoon.  

I've used the May digital freebie, Stinkin' Cute, from Gerde Steiner to create this Father's Day card and will be entering it in the May Challenge.

Additional challenges for this card include:

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge # 398

Cards in Envy Challenge - Masculine

Sentimental Sunday Challenge #259 - Funny or cute sentiment

Brown Sugar Challenge #146 - Father's Day

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #118 - Red, White & Blue with ribbon

Crafty Ribbons Challenge #119 - Animals with ribbon

Southern Girls Challenge #110 - Animal Crackers

And, while waiting for the 4th load of wash to dry,  I managed to dig through my newly organized scraps to find the colors I needed for the Color My Heart Color Dare #142 and make this card using the sketch for current Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge # 108.

 

OK.  Break is over.  I think I'll have just enough time to get the fresh sheets on the bed before I start dinner.

Yesterday was Sunday so..........

that means today is Monday!  If I wasn't retired, it wouldn't excite me in the least.  But since I am retired, I now look forward to Mondays and my 2 favorite sketch challenges.

When I saw today's sketch for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #104, I was delighted.  I haven't made one of these layered cards in quite a while and like them very much.  I decided to combine it with the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #138 and the Birthday Fun 4 Kids Challenge at Send a Smile 4 Kids.

(I've used the Pinwheel and Just to Say stamp sets from CTMH)

 

Yesterday, I colored the Coffee Girl digi image for the April Gerde Steiner Designs Progressive Challenge, hoping I'd be able to use it with today's Mojo Monday sketch #394.  

(Sentiment is from the CTMH pinwheel set.)

 

The paper I used is leftover from a project I made on Friday.  I was "trying" to reorganize my stuff.  Seems like I am continually trying to organize my stuff.  I have a box that I use to keep partially made card fronts and extra images that was quite literally bursting at the seams.  I found another spot for the images to alleviate some of the stress on the box.  Then I decided to decorate the box to help reinforce the bursting seams.

Work and play at the same time. 

 

Gerda Steiner February Challenge

Only one more week in February!  

It's about time I get this card posted!

This nerdy but nice bunny is the digi image for this month's progressive challenge at Gerda Steiner Designs.

(sentiment is a CTMH stamp)

I am also entering this fellow in the following:
Digi Galore February Challenge - Anything Goes with a digi image
QKR Stampede Challenge #127 - Critters
Fresh Brewed Designs Challenge Feb18-24 - Animals