No Blarney Here.. It is the Green

My Tag today was embossed with Cuttlebug, added some Pine Needles distressed ink and has this cute little image with some metal corners added, all the rest is from my Little Treasures box of goodies. But read on there is a Backside.

Challenges:
The Shabby Tea Room Week #52   "Luck of the Irish"
Riley and Co   "St Patrick's Day"
Paper Cutz  Challenge #81  "St Patrick's Day"
Kark Crazy: Tag Tuesday "Surprise Me"   I decorated the backside of the Tag
Tuesday Throwdown #39  "Scraps"   the back side is total scraps,
Simon Says Stamp "Anything Goes"
Creative Inspirations Challenge #102 Color Scheme "Green, Brown, Ivory"
Little Red Wagon  "St Patty's Day Green"


Then the backside made from ALL SCRAPS, used MS Butterfly punch, 3 hearts cut from foam to make the Shamrock, old lace scrap, Sentiment Verve,

Someone from the  WOYWW desk asked about the Green Wire on my desk, I was toying with an idea, made the Shamrock and will wait with it until I am inspired!!!!
Thanks for stopping by, always enjoy your comments, Plan for Wearin o' thy Green!!
It is a warm up here. Snow melting. Hip, Hip, Hooray ! ! ! ! ! !  !

WOYWW - Let the Peeping Begin

The time sure gets away, here it is WOYWW and I have not yet been able to "TIDY UP" the day before I post my picture. Truthfully it was VERY clean last Friday, but I've posted a LOT of cards since then.  It's almost time for "WEARIN of the GREEN". Since I am of CZECH/GERMAN hertiage we just JOIN in the party.  Actually I don't think there is much IRISH blood in our little area. But we are 99% Catholic and not much other activities in our area so we create a PARTY at the local Pub for almost anything. But the past year we seem to have AGED  so we are home pretty early!!! !!

So I have been working with some "GREEN" and some of the cutest little images.  It's fun to be "IRISH" for a day.  We have a town 40 miles away that is 90% Irish Heritage, they have a Parade, Irish Stew, and lots Music and Celebrations. It is TRUE WEARIN OF THE GREEN. I think they even get the day after has a Holiday to recuperate.

I believe it is WOYWW #92, if unfamiliar stop over to Stamping Ground and see what Julia has going on. It is very fun, lots of entries, new people to meet, and many great ideas from all.
Also check out her PiF coming up in May that should be a real fun project.
Thanks for stopping by, have fun touring. I love all your comments and hope you have a wonderful day.  I'm happy, we are to miss the BIG STORM..but 2 to 4 inches of snow predicted here, the good news is warm temps 40's will be here for the weekend.  HIP, HIP, HOORAY..

Step Card for a Birthday

My little Birthday Set today is for a Challenge at JustRite  Friday Challenge 050: Spring or Birthday Gift or Envelope with a Sponsor being Scor-Pal and JustRite giving some of their products. I suggest you stop over to see all the details, prizes, and the great inspiration the Design Team has created. There are Tutorials and a wide range of projects. Really some great fun.

I chose #1 Birthday Card and Envelope:

I used my Scor-Pal to create the Envelope and the step card, JustRite "Happy Birthday", Spellbinders, Fancy Tags and Fleur De Lis Pendant, all other Elements came from my Little Treasures Box of Goodies.  I love the new little string of lovely delicate flowers I found on clearance at Hobby Lobby.

Thanks for stopping by my blogspot, I enjoy all comments left and wish you a wonderful day.

Joans Gardens and JustRite Challenge

My card today was so springy fun to make. It will much harder to put it in the envelope for a friend who is struggling with cancer. But I thought it was cheery and the sentiment means so much.

This is for a Challenge at Joans Gardens who with JustRite Stamps is offering some  wonderful prizes in this Challenge. So make sure to visit the blog and see what it is all about. There is some really great inspirations from the Guest Design Team also.

I used my Spellbinders Scalloped and Regular Ovals and Heart dies, Cuttlebugs Embossing Folder, Tim Holtz Paper Rosette, the Sentiment from JustRite's "Hope Set", papers from Making Memories "Paperie Rouge and Mocha".  A bow and a few hearts from my Little Treasures stash.

Thanks for stopping by, I enjoy your comments and wish you a truly happy day.  We take many things for granted so sometimes we need to stop and be thankful for all our blessings.

Bunny Spring Fling

Challenges for my Tag are:
Joans Gardens Tag " Anything Goes"
The Stamp Man "Curls and Swirls" Challenge #17
Moxie Fab World  "Tuesday Trigger "  SO Loved the color combo and I have that chair!!

The Creative Cottage Challenge #34 " Tag Your're It"
The Kraft Journal  Challenge #9  "Spring Fling "    I chuckled, I think these Bunnies are on a Fling!

My Tag today was made by Distressing the Matte Board background. I found Egg Shaped Lace, and topped it with another Tag, the Sentiment "Make a Wish" is Cosmo Cricket and other embellishments all from my Little Treasures stash. An Image from the Heartwarming Vintage Booklet of the 2 Bunnies and "Bunny Love". I added  buttons on the top left and some fibers on both tags.

I punched 2 butterflies cut by Marthas Stewarts punch, added some Elegant Flourishes, cut by Tim Holtz Sizzix die.

Make sure to stop by all the blogspots. They have some awesome Inspiration and great designs.

Thanks for stopping by, I always love to read any comments left and appreciate your interest. May your week be wonderful.

This is SWEET MUSIC A Color Challenge with Music

Embelish  Color Trends with Music

  Isn't it divine?  Just seemed to be SWEET MUSIC to my ears and happened to have a few music pieces in my Little Treasures stash.  At first I thought wow these colors are a bit out of my norm. But it turned out to be an easy card, all the papers just went together so well.  I used the Spellbinders Scalloped Rectangles and Plain to make the frame, added Karen Fosters "Gift of Music" stickers. The button here says "ON TOUR", but I could not photo it well. Papers are from Basic Grey "Sugared". I used Tim Holtz "Lost and Found" papers for the sheet music, and his Vintage Photo and Tea Dyed Distress Inks, and the Distress Tool for the edges. My little corner has a piece of lace, some brown beads fiber with the pink scrunched seam binding and a pretty pink button and a pink heart stick pin to finish it off.                                                                  

                                                                                                

Thanks for stopping by, I always enjoy comments and appreciate your time leaving them and take time to peep about a bit.  Enjoy the week.  Finishing this Card made me feel so good, but looking outside is another story, BIG SNOWFLAKES...the ground is covered and Tuesday could be 12 inches of this white fluffy stuff with high winds.  So guess I'll hunker down and hope it it the LAST for our winters in Iowa.  AMEN.

Looks Yummy...

Paper Sundaes Challenge #59  STRIPES


CR84FN18 Challenge  The Color Inspiration is:

                                                     and my card for this Color Challenge

I used Martha Stewarts Corner Punch, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Sizzix Floral Die, added an old earring from my Little Treasures stash and wahlaa..These are not colors I would normally work with, but I thought the papers matched the color combo and tried something out of my norm.

Thanks for stopping by, I always appreciate and enjoy comments. Have a great week.

Exciting News on this Challenge

EXCITING NEWS! This week you have the chance to win an AMAZING PRIZE PACKAGE you won't want to miss out on. JustRite Stamps has so generously donated the grand prize for this week's Joan's Garden's 8th Challenge for 2011.
SO head on over to see all the requirements and see the beautiful Projects the special guest designers have to share.
Joans Garden  Challenge #8 for 2011  use only "JUSTRITE STAMPS", and be a follower of Joans Blog.
My card for this grand event:

I used the JUSTRITE "Just a Note Set" for my Sentiment. I cut the Metallic paper with  Spellbinders Fleur De Lis Pendant Die, a Scalloped Circle Die and 4 Silver Brads in the corners.  I plan to use this for a gentleman's card and I thought they looked rich and eliminated a usual ribbon or sparkles.

Joan always has fun challenges and has a variety of products for sale. I am limited on my JustRite stamps so this would be a truly fun prize to win.

Thanks for stopping by today, hope you have a wonderful week ahead.

Tag Challenge

Joans Garden Tag Challenge #8 

My nephew will be having a Birthday and being the Avid Golfer I created this little Tag for him.

Cornish Heritage Farms is where the Little Peanut Golf Nutz came from. The initials T W
came from Tim Holtz papers, the "I" on his hat refers to "IOWA HAWKEYE". He is a avid fan need I say more.    And he did have "A Hole in One". There is some distress ink on the tag and the wire around the Golf Tee is holding it in place.  I have decorated the back with a birthday greeting.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you are having some warm weather and sunshine, we are NOT on that list. 

Wonderful WOYWW

Where does Monday and Tuesday go?  The WOYWW comes around so quickly, Whats On Your Workdesk Wednesday is a fun way to snoop. Julia at the  Stamping Ground started this fun little visitation rite to keep our mojo going and help us create new friends and ideas.
It is so fun to peep around at what possessions people have, it keeps our busy little minds out of some real trouble.   My trouble is, I must be too busy peeping and not keeping my desk clean. I truly am embarressed today.  But what fun can a clean desk be?

I spent most of last week fixing computer problems, and Tuesday had to get a card done before a  deadline for a Challenge I enjoy when my DH wanted to have lunch out and visit the Casino.
So here I am...no cleaning, no winnings, and our nice 40 degree weather left us for 0 degree temps and ravashing winds, but a GOOD lunch and he's tucked in a warm little bed, dreaming of what he will do with his winnings. I tell you the man can win when he has 10 cents left.
I so hope to use that little bunny stamp soon and some of the new inks I purchased. Maybe if I get to sleep a bit and just disappear today I can put some of my ideas to paper. But when will I have time to visit all the fun stops of the other WOYWW..  and people wonder what you do when you retire.!!
Thanks for stopping by, love to read your comments and hope to visit you also.

Awesome Color Challenge

My card is an entry into the Challenge with Embellish  ''Color Trends with Birds."
Hop on over and see the really great display of talent their Design Team as given us. So much inspiration and always a fun Challenge.

I am NOT an OWL fan, but this little guy caught my eye and I love the color situation he is around.
Somehow he just got my attention.  I might have to find an Owl to work with coming up on my next shopping trip. He just lingers in my mind. It's like I need to feed him.

I used Cuttlebug Embossing Folder on my card stock, sanded it and distressed it with TH Vintage Photo ink. Spellbinders Labels 9 gave me the next 2 layers, with a Sizzix die I cut the leaves and hand made the little bird, attached the wing with a brad and used a little TH Faded Jeans distress ink.  The Sentiment was in my little treasures, and I don't know where it came from. Just added a tri color twine.

Enjoy the Journey, to all the little birds migrating right now, I hope they have a happy flight and find a great place to make the perfect little nests.

Thanks for stopping by. I enjoy all the comments and hope you find this Challenge quite inspirational. 

WOYWW

Another fun day begins. The Stamping Ground has a fun post each Wednesday. You can visit LOTS of people and see  "Whats On Your Workdesk Wednesday", so for all us Peepers it is like going to an indoor garage sale, but you save a lot of money as nothing is for sale.

On Sunday we had an eventful weather day. Woke up to Rain, thunder, lightening, fog and a bit later sleet, ice and thru the night it all was topped with an inch of snow. Some areas have no electricity yet so we were on the fortunate side. So it was a stay at home Sunday. I got to put away the Valentine decor and bring out some of the Easter things.

 Oh the pretty pastel colors, only makes you know Spring is almost here.  

And oh the Oyster Stew was soooooooooo good.

                                                                                                               

Monday and Tuesday afternoons my DH and I took a couple of road trips. So after Monday's trip

(I had a clean desk,) dropped off some goodies I purchased for a few Spring projects.  

                         

 Here is is Wed and they are just waiting for me to get the ideas for some creating. Our Tuesday trip took us North to a Casino and a wonderful little place for some Huge Shrimp and a Chop Salad, with crusted bread.  Ohhhh so delicious..Commensation for me not winning and Mr. Lucky always hitting a few jackpots. 

Flocks of geese overhead returning, open water in the streams, beautiful trees covered with ice, that just glisten in the sun light. And today's forcast a "Warm Up"  so we will be back to some clear ground for a while yet. March here can be brutal with winter weather so I can't get my hopes up too much for Spring, but the pastel colors of Easter will help.

My purchases were, birds, rabbits, pastel chalk, gold leaf pen, a paper piercer, and a leaf die.

But I can't wait to go to the "CITY" and do some real shopping, maybe during our visit to help celebrate my grandson's "8th" birthday..wow I had to refigure that seems he was just a new arrival.

Well enough rambling. Stop over to Julia's and see what all the people are up to.

Enjoy some Peace, Love and a good cup of coffee.

Thanks for stopping by, always enjoy your comments.

A Sweet Surprise

I collect things...to say the least. You name it I no doubt have it or have had it. But a few weeks back a wonderful blog I follow  Paper Wishes, designer  "Geri"  was showing us just little bits and pieces of lovely things for a few days. Keeping us in Suspense as to what she was up to. Then this turned into 4 precious little pieces to be given away in a drawing.  She had given them names and showed us the final projects.
Wow they were beautiful, homemade with love, little fabric pin cushions.  And guess what..I won one of these. I was excited as I have collected a few pin cushions. They are scattered about my house for handy usage every once in a while reminding me of someone or some special day.

But that day the excitement was not as much as it was when "Miss Pinky" arrived in the mail.
I just had tears in my eyes.  This was so adorable.
Geri mailed it to me and it is the most special little fabric creation.  The detail and colors are perfecto!!!  Isn't the little tag so cute too?  On the reverse side is a little pocket for threads etc, and Geri had stuck this little tag inside with a little note.
You can stop over to her blog and see all four. This one is "Miss Pinky", but her 3 friends are worth the trip to visit. And Geri always has a unique designed project to make a fun stop.

A few pictures of  some of my Pin Cushions, most were made by my Mother, or were my husbands' Mothers. So they are special. 

Was a good day to dust them all off before I put them back where they belong.

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your week. They seem to fly by quite quickly.

My Special Brother Turns 50 ! ! ! ! ! WAHOO..

I have 2 sisters and 1 brother..me being the oldest....Steve was 2 when I graduated and left home. I lived and worked in Washington D.C.and later years Southern Iowa so did not get to spend my time with younger ones as they went thru high school.  Sometimes I feel cheated to have missed their activities.


My brother is an outdoors man..loves his animals, and truly loves to hunt in all seasons of the year all over the country (Bear, Elk, Deer, Prairie Dogs, Pheasants, Quail and I am sure I missed something) His latest adventures: Going to the Colorado Mountains and helping with Cattle Round Ups. He entertains us with Mule Wagon Rides  down some  horse riding trails close to his home,  usually a birthday we are celebrating or he comes home with his rig for our family summer reunions. Always a great time, lots of food and fun.

My Tag for his 50th is just about him;  His initials  S. C.       born  Feb 1961 

Tag was embossed with Cuttlebugs "with love" at the bottom, distressed with T.H. barn red, antique linen, dark mahogany, a red vinyl heart I cut with my Spellbinder die  and added some wooden hearts.  Feb 1961 on the side was stamped with some REALLY old letters I found at an auction, the twine is from my husbands straw bales , the S.C. his intials, Sarsaparilla paper and the Majestic ticket are from Tim Holtz's paper. The hat (just like his) is a sticker I put on a Spellbinders die.
The silver boot I have had a long time and the silver tag at the top has the # 50  from some cork I had here.

I did decorate the back, stamped Happy Birthday added a lace heart from a Martha Stewart punch and a glitzy bow.  I know he'll like it...he collects "OLD STUFF" just like me.
 Entered into the following Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp and Show   "Show a Tag"
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #90  " Not a Card"
Creatalicious Challenge #19 "For a Male, 3 Stars, & Brown"
Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge #70 "One for the Men"

 

This is a picture from winter last year. He participates in a Winter Festival at Lake Cornelia and gives rides in a snow sleigh he has.  Like I said he LOVES the OUTDOORS.. and I love him for what he is.


Thanks for stopping by. 

WOYWW

Good Morning...The Stamping Ground has the WOYWW posted for this week. So let the fun begin.
Never know what you might see,  thats the fun of it and lots of new people for comments etc. Stop one over Julia has another great idea pending for Anniversary time.

I spent part of my day yesterday cleaning, amazing how things get out of order and I am the only one to blame.

Need to make a trip to a BIG city and replenish. My tape runner is finished and so is my black/grey cardstock.  I want to visit an Archiver's, so with 50 degree weather coming here, I should be ok in making travel plans. It is a 2/3 hr drive either North or South.
Spent part of the day replenishing my Sympathy cards and have to finish up some on those.
We had 1 more lady in her late 90's pass on yesterday, that is 6 within 12 days. So hope the string of 3 at a time is done in our area for quite some time.

On last stop around the room, this is the wall with Robert Redford watching just a top of these punches..left of my desk.

Paper supply and in the 4 drawer storage is lace, fibers, unfinished projects and the projects yet to be entered into challenges. Below some containers of buttons, flowers, misc.

This wood cabinet holds a lot of my Martha punches, more things for the sewing machine, which I want to start using. I love the stitching on some cards. So thats that for today.
Thanks for stopping by, always enjoy your visits.  Sunshine your way

A Surprise--- A Thing of Beauty Award

Thanks to my blogging friend Glenda at MagPie's Corner for sending me this award. Glenda is a stop I make each day, especially on Wednesday to see her WOYWW..she is so neat and tidy and I just want to see a mess like mine once in a while, but it's never there.  We have been blogging about the same amount of time, and no doubt the same "Retirement Age" and her work is a class act in itself.
So "THANKS GLENDA"  I feel honored to receive it. 

This was originated by Gracenotes for Today so stop by and see more information.

Here are the Rules of Award Acceptance:

Right-click on the award and save it to your desktop for use when you add it to your blog.
Choose FIVE (5) worthy recipients and list them. Next to their blog name, give ONE reason why you think their blog is special. What catches your eye about them? What do you love?

On your blog page, list 5 things about yourself. Include at least one thing you enjoy about your craft.

I have many blogsposts I truly enjoy becasue of the inspiration, humor or the good feelings I get while visiting.  But these 5 came to mind as I usually visit each morning to get my MOJO running and SPIRITS up.  I've never met any of them in person, just loved their blogs since I started card making. 

Becca at Amazing Paper Grace  A natural given talent for spreading her wings and sharing her beautiful creativity.

Melis at LilyBean's Paperie  She has a glitter and sparkle that radiates her special talent. She makes you feel like you are on a magical trip with color and design.

Sherry at Walkin on the Bad Side Here there is humor and enjoyment of life. Her creations and designs are beyond cards.

Geri at Paper Wishes A bit of adventure and clever little posts. She has variety with her fabric and paper designs and some beautiful flower creativity.

Linda at The Funkie Junkie She has a Vintage-Shabby Chic style I love. Always something new and adorable and keeps extra busy posting Challenge updates.

All of these gals keep life interesting, love their families, and have a heart that feels good and they don't mind sharing it with us.

Now some things about me.

1. My adorable husband and I live in the Peace and Quiet of Rural Iowa.
2. I have 2 wonderful sons, and 4 adorable grandchildren.
3. Recently Retired and no desire to re-enter the working world.
4. I am active in our church, community and enjoy volunteering. Love garage sales, auctions and junk shops. It's the Thrill of the Find.
5. I have always loved crafting and the card making has given me so much enjoyment and peace of mind, wish I would have started it sooner. Meeting new people and new techniques has been most fun. All this because I purchased a card on Ebay.

Thanks for stopping by and may your days be filled with fun and adventure and a lot of Sunshine.

Claudia's Candy

At Pretty Pressings  Claudia is offering some awesome Candy and you can hop on over and enter to win.

She wants to share a little love with those who visit her blogspot and she has picked some of her favorite products. Looks good huh? I would love to have some of those pro markers.
and thanks Claudia for the nice comments you give along the way.

So hop on over and give her some love this Day.

A Little Shabby Valentine

A Little Shabby Valentine, made for someone special on my list.

I tattered and distressed the cardboard packing that already had folds from its previous usefulness. I layered a heart shaped wire with a red button on top of a Spellbinders Gold Glitter Heart, added a Silver Glitter Heart with a Red sparkle heart.  Some torn edged sparkle red paper surronded by lace and a sequined heart. Some torn shear paper has LOVE stamped in red with a heart shape pin and some silver cord and a cute little vintage girl (from my Crafty Secrets purchase) a simple red bow, and a silver heart charm at the top.

It can stand alone as it has a fold for support

                                                                      The Inside

Challenges Entered
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #39  "Hearts"
The Stamp Man Challenge #16      "Hearts"
Winter Wonderland  "To the One I Love"
Crazy 4 Challenges    "Hearts"
If the Shoe Fits FF#6 "Hearts, Glitter, Lace"
City Crafter Challenge Week #43 "All that Glitters" Silver and Gold
Ooh La La Challenge #73  "For Someone Special"
The Kraft Journal Challenge #5 "Love Theme"
Gingersnap Creations GC90 Spice supply Challenge "Charms"
Just Add Ink 55 "Just Add Love"
Stempin' for the Weekend "St. Valentines Day"
Stamp Something "Something for your Valentine"
Our Creative Corner "Cut it Out"
Creatalicious Challenge #18 "Ribbon and Love Theme"
Ink on My Fingers Sunday Stampers Week #141 "Love"

I might add that ALL of these Challenge Spots have some really great Inspiration to share with you. The Design Teams truly do some unique posting.

I really loved doing this. I love the Tattered and Shabbyness and of course Hearts are my favorite.
Hope you have a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping by my blogspot, I hope you are somewhat inspired and enjoy what you see.

Spring Inspiration-Winter Thaw--It is Really just a Dream

The Challenge at Welcome to Flourishes  is

Winter Thaw Challenge, how appropriate, it is totally what we need in Iowa. Nothing prettier than the little Crouses peeping thru the snow. The Challenge is to be inspired by this photo.

I used the Cuttlebug Embossing Folder on the card. A Spellbinders Mega Scalloped Oval, topped with an Embossed Mega Oval, Fancy Tags on top and bottom. I used Copics and Sakura Glaze Pens.
I cut out the Iris, added ribbon and sparkles.  I am hoping for a melt down so these precious spring flowers can start to bloom.

A few other Challenges that this might qualify for are:
Simon Says Stamp and Show  Embossing
Sweet Stampin Challenge        Spring Flowers
Phindy's Place Challenge #41  Embossing

Thanks for stopping by.  All 4 of the Challenge Blogs have some great inspiration by the Design Teams.  So hop on over, you'll enjoy what you see.

I thought our temps were pretty bad yesterday, well today it is a MINUS 15, but sounds like we are lucky in not also having snow that some have been pounded with.