Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

I've got my giant mug of coffee sitting right here on my desk. My card is made and I'm ready to hop along! If you're curious as to what I'm talking about, you need to go and visit the incredible and fun place created by none other than these fabulous ladies:  Amy Tsuruta and Chaitali Narla -- A blog dedicated to coffee loving cardmakers called (what else???!) Coffee Loving Cardmakers. And there's a mega hop going on there. You've got to pop over and check it out for all the details.  A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Seriously! Hmmm....is what I'm feeling right at this moment pure excitement, or the coffee buzz, lol?!! Probably both! Anyway...Go and see for yourself what I'm talking about! It's going to be a blast!! But before you go, grab a coffee...

They say, "In Spring, a young man's fancy turns to love.." Well, I'm not a man, and being a grandma, that pretty much tosses out the 'young' part too, however.... I am in love. Oh yeah...

There's just something about that morning coffee, isn't there?! Yum! I grabbed a large red scrap and die cut it with ME's sweet die. And the dp is from The BABES trip to the Lake House. Miss Geri was kind enough to share her goodies, and then, Miss Anita cut the papers into 6x6 size! How's that for some awesome friends?! I cut that with the sister die to the one above, also from ME. The coffee cup and sentiment panel are scraps too. I used a computer generated font, and the panel was cut with my MFT pierced rectangle die. PS coffee cup, which I fussy cut. I punched out a teeny heart in black then added some GA (which of course you can't see...!) All on a Michaels white base. So I'm headed over to link up. Hope to see you there!! Happy dances everyone.

So far, so good...

DH is feeling better today, so I spent a bunch of time in the craft room. And, man oh man is it a mess, lol! Not sure, but maybe I'll get around to cleaning it up today. However, I still have a 12" x 12" workspace open, so perhaps I can make one more card before getting to it. I've got a couple of cards for a few different challenges, so will stop yammering and get to them.

This first card was a ping card. An idea, suddenly and without warning, popped into my skull, and pinged around until I got it made. Couldn't help this one... I've used the sketch from MFT's Sketch Challenge 217 and the theme from The Card Concept Challenge, which is 'get well.' Love those bright colors in the inspiration photo, and have a feeling that they're sure to cheer anyone up!

I'm calling it a clean and layered card. Not too many layers and few embellishments.

Now I know that it looks like some polka dot dp, but it's actually the MFT Swiss Dots die cut in white. And yes, I did spend some time putting all those little colored die cut dots in place and in order. (I'm a little anal that way...) A yellow base, some vellum scraps cut with MFT Fishtail Flag dies, and an MFT stamp with Versafine ink. A little putzy, but I'll admit that putting all those little dots in place was a calm and soothing activity.

Did you know that the Lawnscaping Challenge is celebrating their 100th Challenge!? I was almost late to the party, but there's still a bit of time to play along if you go quickly!  Their theme, is 'birthday.' Made one to share:

Started with an aqua base, and added a Michaels white panel. Die cut LF stars out of scrap dp. LF stamps colored with Copics, and stamped in Versafine. And there you have it. Will let you go now, and I'm going to run to the bank. Have a great Wednesday. Happy dances everyone.

Skin O' My Teeth

Grandson has a birthday. DH has been 'under the weather.' Have had tons to do. Way behind in everything. Will get right to it. Made this card, and am squeaking in by the skin of my teeth for MFT's Sketch Challenge. Really wanted to get this done by Friday, but it just didn't happen. There isn't much time to play, but I'm going to encourage you to pop over to see all the delights in the gallery and leave a little love. Here's the sketch:

And this is my interpretation:

The stamp is MFT with Jeni Bowlin ink. (used more MFT stamps on the inside, which I didn't photograph...) Navy, orange and gray scraps all adhered to a Michaels white base. A bit of WoS on the "rays" and an LF die to make the wavy panel. Cut the letters and number with my Silhouette. Wait...did you hear that??? MFT stamps are calling my name again!!!! Just might have to do a little online shopping soon. Happy dances everyone!

Don't You Just Love This Blogging Community?!

The Card Making Blogiverse. Sometimes I like to stop and think of all of you out there and what a wonderful place this is. We're all "next-door" neighbors. It's true, though I couldn't run over to your house and borrow a cup of sugar, lol! But we are only a few letters typed away from each other. And it's a NICE place to be. Card makers should just run everything. Then the whole, wide world would be such a lovely place! I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to you all for the encouragement, the kind words, and the friendships I've formed by being a part of this very special community. You're the best.

If you haven't had a chance to attend the birthday party for Anita, you can click HERE, and check it out. You won't be sorry, as we have two kinds of cake...birthday cake and beefcake...lol! And if you haven't popped in to say 'happy birthday' to her, it's not too late. You can visit Anita at mypapercraftworld.

I actually do have a couple of cards to share today. And I have to laugh, they started out completely different from what you're seeing here. I stopped thinking and let my artistic (hahahahaha, yeah Sue, Sandy and everyone who really knows me...but I can draw stick people...mostly) side take over. Well, however they turned out, they did. And I like them. (Is that a tacky thing to say?)

My first card is for the Fusion Challenge. Incredible colors in this photo. As much as I wanted to combine the photo and sketch, it wasn't in the cards (hahahahahahahahahaha...sorry...a little). Check it out:

If you look closely, you'll see gold on the teal wall. That's what I first saw. So I took my MFT Swiss Dots die and cut a scrap. I used it as a stencil. See:

All the papers except the Michaels white base are scraps. I used the brown and created a frame with two MFT pierced rectangle dies. 'Happy' is in the same brown and is a MB die. A PTI sentiment stamped in AE orange ink. The gold dots are inked with Delicata. I think the orange and gold strip is from SEI, but don't hold me to it.... 

The next card fits Tag You're It, #15, and as it so happens, CAS(E) this Sketch, #111. At least I hope it fits the sketch well enough at CTS. Let's have a gander at the inspiration found at these two fun challenges, shall we? Okie dokie then...

I drew inspiration from Donna's colors. And try as hard as I may, the little stamps weren't working for me today. And you can see I flipped the card shape for the CTS challenge. Ready?....

The base is Michaels white, and the chevrons are all scraps. Various sequins. A random scrap of ribbon. And the AE sentiment is from fellow BABE, Darnell! Thanks honeygirl, this is fast becoming one of my go-to sets for fun sentiments. I used an NBUS tag die from SC, and cut the tag out from the front panel.. The tag die comes as a set with 5 sizes! So far, I'm loving it! I popped up the tag just for fun. And as a nod to Miss D., this card was QAEZPZ! Happy dances everyone.

ETA:  Hannelie suggested I add this card to CAS on Sunday, where the theme is "chevrons." So if it's alright with the DT over there, I'll do just that! Have a great weekend!

Happy Birthday Anita!!!

Dear friend, Anita (mypapercraftworld), is celebrating her birthday today! If you don't know her, then let me share a few tidbits about her. It's absolutely true, she's as sweet and kind in person as she is on her blog and in the wonderful comments she leaves for us. She's a tiny bit of a thing, but strong; she can tackle old mansions in a single bound, and holds up under pressure. Smart? Oh yeah... Courageous? That too. Soft spoken and gentle as well. Did I mention funny?...She's got a great sense of humor and I spent hours laughing with her this past October! Anita is a treasure in every sense of the word. I almost forgot...she's an extraordinary card maker, as I'm sure you all know. And if you haven't seen her work, stop right now. Click on her link and check out all her amazing cards. Then come back because we've got a party going on!

Party?....Did Someone Say Party?!!! 

Oh yeah...that was me, wasn't it? It wouldn't be Anita's birthday without a little celebration.

LET THE FESTIVITIES COMMENCE!!  

I think we need a few party decorations....








Of course it wouldn't be a party without some party snacks

And we definitely need a few drinky-poohs...

And some sweet treats...mmmm....

And a birthday cake or two...






Oh, but we're not done yet!!

Moving on to the "presents"....
Since Anita is restoring what in my world is a fantastic French Chateau, I think she might need a little help. Pretty sure only the first worker knows what he's doing....The last two, well, I couldn't resist!








A blue stove for her kitchen (or is it called a "cooker?")



An Eighteenth Century bench for all the guests to relax upon



A canopy fit for the Queen



Some jewelry to adorn the birthday girl





Transformation of the Pigeoneirre into a craft house. This style looks neat and tidy...



But I think this one is more lightfilled, and reminds me of the shape of her soon to be craft house!



A couple of necklaces for Sundays...





And just one more thing...Anita works really, really hard. I mean REALLY hard. She NEEDS this next present. Seriously needs it after a long day:



Can you just picture beautifully warmed water with bubbles, some candles and a full wineglass on that windowsill? A little music in the background, a bath pillow, and a good book... perfection achieved! Miss Anita sooooo deserves this! The line forms to the left; we'll all get a turn....no pushing....

I also made a little card for her. Something I thought she'd like:

So my dear friend, Anita. Happy Birthday to you. I'm wishing you only extra special wonderful things for this coming year; delightful things, happy things, and things that make you smile. Hope you have a nice celebration, and since I won't be there in person, you'll have to imagine me standing around your birthday cake singing. God's richest blessings on your birthday and always. You're pretty special, you know? Sure would be fun celebrating this day at the Lake House, wouldn't it?! Someday... Happy birthday dear, sweet friend. Bisous, bisous. xoxo

MFT Double Dip

Computer is acting up, so will get right to the card. Don't want the darn thing to crash. If it does, I don't care where in the world you live, you'll hear me scream! Anyway....

Got a card for a little friend's birthday. I used the MFT Sketch and Color Challenge as my jumping off point and love how it turned out!

And I made this:

Started with a kraft base, and added a navy scrap on the left, and found the lovely aqua one in the scrapbox as well. I punched out a hole that goes through the kraft and aqua layers, and made a "mover" card. It doesn't shake much, but it definitely moves. Random red sequins between the clear sheets. You can see half the base, and half my photo background in the cut out. Looks interesting to me...Anyway...Cut the '5' with my Silhouette, and used an MFT die and stamps for this. Running now...happy dances...

Happy Valentine's Day

Well, there was no 3+ karat diamond ring waiting for me today. No 500lb box of chocolates either. And if there aren't at least 4 dozen roses and a bottle of Dom, well, just forget it! lol We tend not to celebrate Valentine's Day as much as we used to, because every day is Valentine's Day for us...awww! We'll celebrate in a while with some college basketball, and maybe I'll make some popcorn. I made a treat for DH yesterday anyway: Strawberry Sour Cream Cake. He'll be set for a few days with that, not to mention extremely happy!

I have a card to share with you today in honor of Papertrey Ink's 8th Anniversary celebration. I have several sets of stamps, some dies, and even a couple of inks. Nice quality, and wonderful products.

Tons of celebratory challenges going on over there, and an incredible release too. You've got to head over if you haven't and check it all out!

I have a card all ready for the Heavy Metal challenge, where we are to keep it to metallics and neutrals for our projects.

Crummy lighting again! I have used Michaels white cardstock and gold papers. This is a PTI die and stamp with Delicata gold ink. It's really cool looking irl... CAS and that makes me happy! Time to let you all enjoy your weekend. Take care and happy dances everyone!