All My Favorites

Hello everyone, so glad you stopped by. I have had the day to myself, my DH had to help a friend with a farm sale. So no cooking, just creating. Great way to loss weight.  And since our weather was so very nice this AM at 7 I took a bike ride, so peaceful and so wonderful to be able to be outside.
Now it is very HOT and HUMID again.

A found a few challenges, that make up my card for today. AND these are all of my favorite things to work with. 

I had some patterned paper with these colors so made that my background. I stitched it onto the red cardstock. Cut an aqua half circle and topped it with a red foil doily. The white doily, I gathered a bit to make the flower and added a tiny aqua flower for the center.  I've had the pretty varigated aqua yarn so used that instead of ribbon. A little heart charm adds a little love to this card.

The fun challenges I am entering this into are:
Our Creative Corner  "Red and Aqua Color Challenge"   they have a great inspiration photo
Mark's Finest Papers  "Use Anything but Ribbon" Speedy the Cats Friend Challenge #66
Ribbon Carousel   RCC#13  "A Stitch in Time"
The Stampman Challenge #28  "Show Us Some Stitching"

Funny thing, I used 2 doily's and the challenge for them has RULES!!!!! I didn't use one of their stamps so had to cross them off my list this week.  But I am glad I added them to my card. Maybe next time.

Enjoy your favorite things.  I must get a few things done before we head off to the weekend races.
Thanks for stopping by.

Focus on the "Desires of Your Heart"

Hello, so glad you stopped by. My card today is for a special birthday and a few great challenges.

My card has layers of black and white patterned paper, with a layered die cut and the sentiment.
A little bling, a pretty black bow and 2 buttons, one on the ribbon and one in the right corner.
I always think Black and White are so rich  looking for any occasion.


Challenges:
Our Creative Corner  All the "B's"   Black, Buttons, Bows, Bling
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #99  Sharp Contrast of Black and White
Sentmental Sundays #65  Focus on the Sentiment
Dutch Dare Card Challenge #123  Birthday Time
The Beary Scrap Design #30  Inspiration from your Closet (Black Sandals, Black Capris, White Tops, Diamond Earings, Black and White Jewelry)
Passionately Artistic   Linking Party

All of these Challenge blogs have some wonderful inspiration by their Design Teams.

Thanks so much for stopping by, I appreciate and enjoy any comments. Have a wonderful weekend. We just need some cooler temps, outside living seems like a thing of the past here. Unbearably hot and humid.

Embellish Patterned Papers and Color Trend

Always love the inspiration photo at Embellish Magazine Blog the challenge is patterned papers and colors shown.

My card for the challenge, has dark woodgrain cardstock for the base, a few layers of  the other colors and a shaded navy flower in the corner. A grosgain ribbon and button to finish it off.

The design team at Embellish has some great inspiration. Their designs are always so unique.

Thanks for stopping by, hope you have a great rest of the week.

ALMOST FORGOT IT'S WOYWW #112

Thanks to some early risers and time changes across the lands, my dashboard friends had postings for WOYWW. I had completely spaced it off, no idea it was Wednesday already.  You know by now the routine I hope, visit the Stamping Ground  and Julia will let you know more.  But it's a fun thing, peeping about others desks and seeing all the great things left undone, or done...some are organized to the max.  Sorry not me today. My space had many attempts to create, but never any to time to put things away and make it neat and tidy.

Some gruling fabric pieces taking over my paper cutter. Will no doubt be an Oct project, but couldn't pass up a shopping sale.

Various colors of paper trying to coordinate a color challenge. My Mojo is lagging with all the heat and humidity here,  the old body is moaning and groaning. Energy with this weather is just gone. Hoping only for NO Storms.. and will have to go back to spiking my coffee with chocolate something.
Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your WOYWW, and  I'm off to make some spiced (not spiked) JAVA.



OH almost forgot  my 3 little ones are back with their parents.   Miss you guys!!!

Great COLORS

Always love the Inspiration Photo posted at CR84FN  for their challenge. This week #34 is

Just such bright and awakening colors.  I needed that today.  Had the chance to create a few cards while my 3 little visitors are sleeping thru a movie they wanted to watch. Grandkids..so precious

My card has several patterns with the 2 tones of pink and then that pop of yellow. Isn't the little rabbit just the cutest.  I found a large spool of the checkered ribbon at a sale for $2, love a bargain!!
Will be great for the girly things. But I need to keep an eye out for Yellow, that color is very limited in my stash of papers. 


Other Challenges:
Crafty Creations #128  SEEING DOUBLE... (2 bows 3 flowers) no twins involved.
Crafts and Me #44   ADD A FLOWER
Really Reasonable Ribbon #28  COOL IT   (little rabbit looks like he's drinkin' a cool one)
Stampin' for the Weekend #13  PAWS FOR THOUGHT 

Well Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your day.

Shades of Purple

Hello everyone!  Our humidity is gone, wonderful cool temps. So many people out enjoying it, walking, riding bikes and visiting our little park. Fun time with the 3 little ones, so a good nights rest is about to happen!!!

Done in shades of purple my card has floral background, some tattered edges,  a piece of tulle and an embossed, sanded circle with a pretty little butterfly and a piece of grey sparkly ribbon across the front.  A flower white button and 2 at the top. My photo is not a bright as the colors look in real life.

I used a sketch from The Ribbon Reel  Challenge #6

The color combo is for Welcome to Flourishes   Timeless Tuesday #127

It's a fun summery look, that inspired me. Love the grey wicker and the colors pop.
At the Ribbon Carousel  Challenge #12 is  "Button it Up"   and some ribbon, lace, twine etc
Sugar Creek Hollow   "Wing Things" and a little Vintage, Shabby or Primitive

All of these Challenges have some wonderful inspiration on their blogs by their DT's, take some time and enjoy all the great designs.
Thanks for stopping by my blogspot..and enjoy a wonderful weekend.

Color Challenge

Had some time while my little visitors are watching "Nemo", and I really loved this photo:

A Color Challenge #93 at Just Us Girls  with colors I like but hardly ever use. I thought I'd try to finish it before the movie ends or there's no chance to play around until late PM.
My card ended up with a few tattered edges, use of a new embossing folder sanded a bit, a pretty coral doily and flower, a great little sentiment and pretty butterfly papers, added a gray bow and a little charm.  Sounds easy but took me awhile.

Will drop it off for an elderly lady who just returned home from a long hospital recovery and wish her well.  Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your day. I think 3 little ones fell asleep...will give grandma some extra time and a break from all the questions and pleases. 

WOYWW ! and Visitors

Another What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday.  Julia at the Stamping Ground  has started this fun little peep about sometime ago. And all the little peepers can sign in and hop about to spend time making friends, gathering ideas, and seeing all the unique things others do atop their workspace.

My desk is clean and boring, but my table behind has some tidying up to do, working with some fabric this week while the little ones watch TV and play with some OLD toys in our lower level.
We have air conditioning and it is 110 outside but the lower level is always cooler.

My 3 grandchildren are visiting til Saturday:

A little project I saved for when the kids visit..Sorting my buttons by color into little jars. Well Cami's remark "This could take days Grandma"  didn't get much accomplished by 2 of them and the 3rd was not interested at all.  Little does she know I have a bigger can to sort  that she hasn't yet seen.

Crashed on the floor, and I'm hoping they can sleep in...but my DH has been banging pans, making his breakfast and telling me all his plans for today.  Leaving in minutes to spray the bean fields. I always like kids to sleep in..they routinely are up at 6am  off to day care and home at 5pm. A long day away from home and sometimes people just have to have time to slow down, even our little ones and enjoy a somewhat relaxed day.   But by the time he's out the door they will have been awakened I am sure.  Plans today after pancakes,.......go to see the Kids Matinee "Yogi Bear",  lunch at Micky D's,  visit greart grand parents,  and later tonight  a Cheese Pizza.  

Thanks for stopping by enjoy your WOYWW day. Don't know how many places I'll get to visit but later in the evenings, I can sneak in some I hope.      

Rest in Peace Dear Friend

It has been a rough week 4 funerals in our area and one in particular was so hard. But wanted to share a poem with you in the  In Loving Memory Print

Walking With Grandpa

I like to walk with Grandpa
His steps are short like mine.
He doesn't say "Now hurry up"
He always takes his time.
I like to walk with Grandpa
His eyes see things like mine do
Wee pebbles bright, a funny cloud
Half-hidden drops of dew
Most people have to hurry
They do not stop and see
I'm glad that God made Grandpa
Unrushed and young like me.

He had 8 grandchildren all of which he loved so much, he shared his life and loves with them and made their time so special.
At the service the music was picked by him, and oh the tender meaning he left to all of us. He shared his thoughts, his firm beliefs, and left his love implanted in our hearts.
Didn't know it, but his bible was with him most of the time.  He wrote in it, he underlined his favorite passages, and left a legacy of how important God is in our lives.  His bible notes were shared with us and the minister commented  It was a bible of a true farmer it was held together with Duct Tape..  it gave us a chuckle because this man was a friend to all, a farmer to the end and a Man of Character never to be forgotten.

We all need to assess our lives once in a while and take time to enjoy all the little things and tell someone you love them everyday.  Tomorrow may not come.

I think the best medicine I can have today is a visit from my 3 grandchildren to remind me life goes on and lots of things to do today and lots of love to share.

God Loves You

Tuesday Trigger

At Moxie Fab World  Cath has a bright yellow Tuesday Trigger and I just loved the photo with the caption                                                 "Perty Flirty" 

These Tuesday Triggers always intrique me.  And I loved the brightness of this photo.
So for my card today, I have embossed the card background, added some bright Cosmo Cricket patterned paper, half circle black cardstock,  half of a paper doily, topped with a bright yellow paper flower I made using Tim's die, distressing ink and some glimmer mist.  I added a pretty black button and a small tag, with a tiny butterfly.  I thought the black sparkly yarn was sort of Flirty.

There is always soooooo much to inspire you at Moxie Fab World you just have to visit to see the amazing things Cath comes up with.  I'd love her job!!!

Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful safe weekend. 

A TAG

Tags are always fun and I loved the inspiration piece for this one.

A Challenge at Ribbon Carousel #11  This inspiration photo above

My Tag:   I made the handle from a pipecleaner and covered it with grey string. The grey background is grunge board, which I embossed with a few lines and a small swirl on top and bottom. I then used some white distress ink for a more varied look. Made a pink tag and cut out a bird, attached the Sentiment, Flowers and Heart. Quite simple.

Other fun Challenges for my tag are :

Try It On Tuesday  A Tag/ Birds and the Bees Challenge
OLLCB  Oh La La Creations Blog and Challenge #84   Tag It 
Crafty Catz Weekly #91  Tags

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend. I hope you have NO storms your way. The weather in the midwest has been  so unpredictable.

Simple Song

Fun, simple easy and mailable.   My card today was inspired by the following Challenges:
Crafty Cardmakers  #50  ONE LAYER CARD
Sentimental Sundays #63  INKY FINGERS and SENTIMENT
Welcome to Flourishes #126 Timeless Tuesday   EMBOSSING
Simon Says Stamp  ANYTHING GOES
My Craft Spot #16  INK IT UP
Amber's Crafts and Stuff ##18 EMBOSSING

I used an embossing folder to create the framed look, lots of fun with many colors of distress inks,
my favorite little bird in the cage from Hero Arts and the Sentiment from Verve.

Thanks for the fun challenges and some simple reminders!!!   All have great designs by their design team too.  Thanks for the fun.

Sometimes we forget how easy Simple can be, not just for our card making but  life in general.
Lots less stress.

Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful weekend.

Pretty, Pretty Palette

Oh the Pretty Palette of these colors

There is truly some beautiful inspiration there also

My card for the CR84FN33 was quite simple. I used a border punch at the bottom of my card. Some pretty patterned cardstock, a pink felt leave stem, with a crocheted flower and a bright red sparkle center topped it on top of a pink and white layered diecut. The Sentiment
"Plant your dreams and watch them bloom"  is some good advice.  A bright red ribbon and bow finish it off.

Well thanks for stopping by, our storms are over here, internet working, humidity gone, I opened all the windows and enjoying 65 degree temps!   Life is Good

WOYWW #110

It's another great snoop day.  Julia at the Stamping Ground started this fun little venture 2 yrs ago and it's growing by leaps and bounds.  Make your blog about your workdesk, link it up and visit others who are doing it also.   Meet great people, and see fun creative things. And some of us venture into other things.

Pretty clean.. I was a winner of the New Stamp set "Not Forgotten" from Our Daily Bread Designs
and I was so excited about it. It is truly a Patriotic set and with my military family and friends will enjoy it tremendously.   Trying some homemade flowers.  Was able to make 3 cards for contests this week this afternoon. Was so relaxing.

While visiting our heart patient friend we found time to go to a garage sale and this little item was free!!!!  And my husband knows me well...we took the little truck so was easy to load!!!!!! !!!! !!!

It is a Childs Rolltop Desk

For now I washed it up and set it in my laundry room. I think the missing drawers will be replaced     by a piece of pelxiglass and I will use the 3 areas as a shelf, until I can find or make replacements.     

Then I spotted this little stitchery treasure

 "HOME SWEET HOME"

This was so adorable. So much love and labor put into this a Long Time ago.

Only $1.00.  I hope to frame it when I can find the proper frame. 

Since last weeks post we've  had 2 funerals a friends mother and one was my husbands classmate unexpected heart attack, and now another one this Friday, our neighbors son 27yrs old was accidently shot and killed. The man with the heart valve replacement is in critical care and my cancer friend is in hospice.  Thanks for all the prayers. These things are so stressfull and sad. None are very old and all were enjoying family and grandchildren so much. 

Had some fun things to keep our minds positive. Two fun parties for our Priest who is being transferred after 6 years. We were his 1st marriage in our church, and he truly was kept busy in our area teaching, ministering to 3 churches, coaching and being a friend to all.

A couple of small town celebrations, with good grilled food, music, games in the park etc.

 Some very unpredictable weather...towns with 3 to 5 inches of rain, south and east  winds in excess of 100mph, destroying trees, buildings and anything in its path. High temps 90 to 98 with very high humidity.  Some will be without electricity 2 or more days. Crops flattened and destroyed.

So we can be very thankful, we are all safe, our crops are still standing, very healthy compared to some and Very Thankful that God has Blessed us in Many Ways.
Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your week. Live your Life to the Fullest, and share your Love.

Flower Power in Great Colors

Oh the gals at The Shabby Tea Room  have Week 70 with a Challenge of "Flower Power" from this Photo Inspiration.  They have some really great designs for your inspiration too.

My design is a tag  

I cut a circle wreath, stamped it with some sage green color, topped it with 3 light pink and 3 darker pink flowers. The tag has an opening as that of a front door window so I added some pink to the back, a few colorful fibers on top and a little cork bird just popping by a spot that  shows

"Love Grows in Happy Homes"  a cute little Sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your week and Live your Life to the Fullest.

Favorite Theme

Glad to see a few more sights with the Red, White and Blue Colors. Even though July 4th is over and Celebrating  it is over for this year, I can always use cards with these colors.  We have several family members and friends in the military and it just seems these colors are most important to share, as a sign of support and thankfulness for a job well done.

Celebrate!  And who doesn't like cupcakes?  Made this one from a Spellbinders Die, cut it in half to get the different colors and pieced it back together, using the red and white, added some Liquid Pearls for the frosting, made the candle from a Cuttlebug embossing folder and tucked it into the cupcake, added the sparkly star and some swag border trim.  Tried 3 photos and have glare on all 3.
I need help with photo's.................

I added a few Star Buttons, a Sentiment "Enjoy" a Stitched Ribbon and Lots of Love .
I certainly could use a cup of coffee and a wonderful cupcake right now.

Challenges for this Card:
Cupcake Inspiration  #117  Red/White/Blue    Inspiration from the Cupcake Photo
The Shabby Tea Room #69 Red/White/Blue    Inspiration from the Cupcake/Flag Photo
Paper Playtime  #49   Red/White/Blue      Digi or Stamped Image or Stamped Sentiment
The Pink Elephant #106  Red/White/Blue
Sugar Creek Hollow Patriotic   Your Country's Colors
Paper Creations Ink #4    Red/White/Blue
Creative Inspirations #63 Red/White/Blue
Our Creative Corner Last Minute July 4th
Kaboodle Doodles #74 Celebrations July 4th
Pattie's Creatons Design Challenge #25  Flag Colors
Sentimental Sundays  #62 Anything Goes/Sentiment
Die Cut Dreams #93 Receipe 3-2-1     3 Shapes, 2 Colors, 1 Ribbon
PollyCraft Monday #100  Celebration   Stars/Stripes
Come and Get It   Patriotic Theme
Speedy the Cat #62  Patriotic Theme
Passionately Artistic Linking Party
Ribbon Carousel  #10 Paper Piecing (my cupcake is pieced by colors)
Cooking it Up with Kate  #69 Colors of your Flag

Wow! Lots of Challenges, but each and every one of these have some beautiful designs and inspirations for your viewing pleasure.  Lots of pretty entries added also.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I truly enjoy reading your comments and appreciate the time you have spent looking.  Enjoy your day. The weekend is here already.

WOYWW #109

Our July 4th holiday has the whole week distorted. We have been having some fantastic weather, so all our outside events were well attended and enjoyed.

Today is the day we share our desks with peeps from all over the world. Amazing how addictive it is. Julia started this 2 yrs ago and you can join in at her Stamping Ground blog.  It's been wonderful making friends and sharing ideas. So hop on over

Spent most of Tues making "Sympathy Cards" my supply was 0 and needed a quick one so just did a mass production. 

Stamps that need cleaning, and extra stamped paper to add to files, below is part of the papers to assemble into cards. I pretty much finished the black and white ones.

Should be making "Get Well" cards.
We have 5 people in hospitals today from our little town, my like brother I asked for prayers early spring is now in hospice, the man we rent farm land from is having a triple bypass this AM, his sister is being treated for luekemia flare up, a 4yr old recovering from meningitis, and a lady with a stroke. We also had a death of a mother who has 11 grown children. So I have been heavy into praying and loss of energy.

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your day, I must see about trying to find some releif from upper back pain.  (Burning, Tingling, wondering if overwork of muscles from lifting weights, but wasn't really staining that much) I didn't think.  Gettting old is not the best thing.