Feels Like Winter Today

All of a sudden the weather turned cold with winds out of the Northwest. More wintery than Fall complete with gray skies. I don't mind so much... I'd much rather it were cooler than hot. Put a nice pork roast in the crock pot, with onions, carrots, and potatoes; perfect weather for a meal like this. Made a card too... As you can tell, I'm feeling well enough to do a little cooking, and a little crafting. It's a good thing!

It's been a while since I've played at CASology. Heck, other than yesterday, it's been a while since I've played anywhere! But I am determined to get back to normal, and that means crafting and playing. The Cue Card at CASology is:

 

And while I am at it, I'm throwing this card into the challenge at Time Out, which has a Christmas theme with the option to use pink/purple. I opted out of the option. 

I'm hoping that my card qualifies for CASology. It has layers, but it also has loads of lovely white space. If it's too froo-froo, I hope the DT removes it from the gallery.

All Michaels white cardstock. The frames are from ME, the 'winter' die is from EP, and the snowflakes are from LF. I cut the heart with my Silhouette. Those snowflakes were cut in glitter paper, but the sparkle doesn't show up in this photo. And yes, I put all those little bits and bobs back into the spaces. Very therapeutic. And that's all I've got for today; a weather report, a dinner menu, and a card. Goofy, isn't it?! Take care everyone, and happy dances!!

Still in my Jammies...

It's nearly 10:00 in the morning, and here I am still in my jammies. Not going anywhere, and no one's coming over, so why the heck not?! Been away from blogland far too long... I was absolutely blessed last week; I got to go spend three full days with the little grandchildren in Madison. How much fun did we have???!!! Amidst the homework and the other daily things, we managed some time to make a couple of crafts, which they had a blast doing, and I had a blast letting them just take off and create. We shared a great time cooking, playing, crafting, and hanging out, and the littlest was kind enough to share her virus with grandma as well. The day after I got home, I knew I had one of "those" colds. Not just a sniffly nose, but a full frontal head and chest thing; been nearly turning my lungs inside out from the coughing, and part of it has turned into a sinus infection - oh goodie.... But I'm feeling a bit better, and had a thank you card to make and get in the mail. It's taken me about 5 days to get it finished; have had limited energy levels, plus it's no fun to craft when you have to blow your nose every other minute. However, I'm determined to be done with this virus, and feel like reconnecting with you all.

So I was working on a card in my head, with no thought of challenges. I just wanted a Thank You card. And lo, and behold, I found four, count 'em, four challenges that this little card fits into! Who knew?! Things have a way of working out, don't they? This will head into all three SSS challenges; SSS Monday (use a past challenge; I'm using one from May of this year, "thank you"), SSS Wednesday (anything goes), and SSS Work It Wednesday (Thank You). And over at Stempelkuche the challenge is not to use any stamps on our designs.

Here's the card:

Now before I get into the full detail mode, you all have seen the amazing creations that Hannelie makes, haven't you? Well, she uses her Silhouette Cameo in such amazing ways, that I thought I should expand my horizons a bit more.  Thanks sweet Hannelie for being such an inspiration! The polka dotted paper, and the tag were created from Print and Cut files! The tag was blank, so I found a font I liked, moved it onto the tag, removed the red outline, and gave it a rich black fill. The polka dotted paper was another tag, and I just made it bigger and then used a ME die to cut it to this size. There's an old vellum leaf die cut on the tag, and some nested gold thread. A bit of Michaels sheer black ribbon and I think that's all. While this took me forever to make (hack, hack, cough, cough, blow, blow), I think it could be done now in a matter of 10-15 minutes. This card feels right. You know what I mean? When you create something that speaks to your whole insides? I wish you could all see this irl... Would it be wrong to say that I love this one? It makes me happy and I hope it makes you happy too. And speaking of happy....Happy Dances everyone!

Two Cards and a Credenza

Sounds kinda like a book title rather than a post title, doesn't it?....

"One day," said the credenza to the lawn chairs, grill, and gardening tools in the garage, "One day I'm going to go live in that nice, warm house. And I'll be filled with awesome papercrafting supplies, just you wait and see." The grill just laughed. "Don't you know that the City Sewer and Water Department will have this street torn up all Spring and Summer, and you'll be shoved up against the walls in the Fall just like the rest of us," he snorted. "And then there's that lady," he said "She's got more things to do than to just clean you up and paint you! We'll just see if you ever get finished and moved inside." The grill and all the other things in the garage laughed. They laughed at the poor little credenza every day, but the credenza never gave up on her dream. Still, the others in the garage laughed and laughed. Until yesterday....

And (woohoo!!!) here are a couple of photos so you can see:

*sigh*

Room for all the stuff, and an empty drawer on the bottom waiting to be filled...

This is the view from the family room doorway. My craftroom is a former bedroom and is a pass-through room to the family room. You can see the original bedroom door with its pretty glass knob.

This is the view from the opposite corner. You can see the paper tower, which is about four and a half feet tall and is full of 12x12 papers....Those too, will be changed out at some point. Only 3 more scrapbooks to make, and then I'm going to cut them down to 6x6s and make room for other supplies. Card supplies. And until DH learns to use his cell phone better, we're stuck with the landline...hopefully soon he'll spend time with the manual....

*sigh*

I know it's not a very big deal, but I love it. She's around 50 and is solid as a rock. I just cleaned and spray painted her up nicely. Oh! And my birthday present from DH is a new non-skid frosted glass top. I'll be calling the glass company on Wednesday, as I'll be out of town starting tomorrow after church.

And as promised, I have a couple of cards to show you. The first one is for Muse, where Michele has inspired us with this beauty:

And I came up with this:

It really isn't crooked...I forgot to 'straighten' it in Picasa, and am too lazy to redo it... All the papers are scraps. And I used the 'Print and Cut' feature on my Silhouette to make that little typewriter. The 'hello' is also cut with my Silhouette. And though they're hard to see, I added a few sequins which were sent my the lovely Maria in a birthday card! 

Next is a card for two new-to-me challenges. Stempelkuche (Stamp Kitchen), where we are to use a frame, and then into Hero Arts Holiday Cardmaking Challenge. A mix of NBUS and older stamps.

A scrap of red onto which I added the MFT frame. I wanted a bit more red in my design, so I added that middle strip, and a popped-up snowflake brad (torn off legs...) liberally dosed with some diamond Stickles. The sentiment and the little gnome are both NBUSish HA stamps. I embossed the sentiment in white, and Copic colored the gnome. The snowflakes are from a now defunct company (boo-hoo), My Cute Stamps, and are stamped in ME Smoke ink. I love that little guy! And since I need to get a few more things done, I'll go for a bit. Might not get a chance to comment till later next week, but I will try to at least stop by and see what you're making! Happy dances everyone!

It's a Good Day

I know it's Monday, but it's still a good day. My darling nephew and his sweet wife came home today with the babies. Miss Emma is glad to see mommy and daddy, and all's right with the world, pretty much. They'll all have some adjusting, but it won't take too long... And thanks, everyone for the kind wishes for this young couple. You all really touch my heart.

Spent some time in the craft room this morning, after getting a few things done. Still have more to catch up on, but I'll get to it eventually today. Wanted to share a couple of cards. The first is for the current Tag You're It challenge, and the second will hop right into City Crafter Challenge. Over at CCC, the theme is to use scribbles or doodles. There's still time to play in both of these, so why not join me in the gallery?!!

I liked the kraft and red, the Santa and gold; that's what my sad, little brain glommed onto when I went to make this. My take on Kelly's fun card:

Now I'd like to say that I made those skinny stripes on that kraft paper, but I didn't; it came that way, and I don't know who made it, sorry. Those stripes are actually clear embossed. I cut the tag with my Silhouette, which was not really a tag, but something I found and resized to fit my needs. The stamp is from EH, as is that sentiment. Funny. NBUS LF snow flakes cut from a scrap of mat gold paper. The red stripes are scraps too. Some gold ribbon and twine. Black Versafine ink, a little GA on the shades, and some flocking on Santa's hat. 

Next is my card for City Crafter.

I saw Anita's use of this stamp set, Doodle Buds by WPlus9, and knew I couldn't live without it. Came into good use here! Colored the doodled flower with Copics, and found this scrap of dp in the giant, ever-multiplying scrapbox. Liked the way it looked with the flower. A scrap of black to frame said flower, and one pink sequin. The die is from ME, and is one of my all time favorites. Perfect size. And now back to (ugh!) cleaning and doing. Happy dances everyone!!

Silly and Busy

Let's start with the "busy" portion of my post today. I have been busy. My incredible nephew and his beautiful wife had twins on Thursday. Pretty exciting! They are the parents of 2-year old Miss E., and now have Miss B., and Mr. N!! Little girl weighed 6.5 pounds, 19 1/2" long. Little boy weighed 7.8 pounds, 21" long. Mom is doing fine, and is recovering well from her C-Section. Miss E. really has no idea what's going on, only that mommy and daddy aren't home, and she's having fun with Grandma (my sister) and Auntie Hoo-hoo. For some reason unknown to the family, all the great-nieces and nephews call me Auntie Hoo-hoo. I just laugh. And am having fun playing and shopping with Sue and Miss E. I'm headed back to play again in a bit, after stopping for some teething meds for our girl who is cutting two year molars (poor thing!). Know what's really cool? Baby girl looks just like her beautiful mama, and baby boy looks just like his daddy. I mean they really, really look like their parents! I can tell them apart even with matching hats, and all covered up. Very cool. Here's a photo of daddy and his little ones. Good thing he's tall and has a lot of room on his lap. He's going to need it for the next few years. So I haven't had much time for crafting. Since I needed to get some laundry done this morning, I made a couple of quick cards in between loads.

We've now come to the 'silly' portion of this post. CASology has a cue card up of that theme, and I knew right away which stamp I was going with. I still laugh when I see it! And I also have my own unique take on the current Curtain Call, where the inspiration is 'batty.' That card uses the sketch from The Challenge.

 

Card number one:

Hahahahahahahahahaha!!! Can you just imagine if I really did this??!! I'm half tempted; the family and my friends who really know me would so get the joke! The stamp is from Two Lips, and they've got a whole bunch of little stamps that crack me up every time I stand at the rack in Polka Dots. Black Versafine ink, and a couple of Silhouette cuts for the casket and laughing face. Pretty CAS, and pretty silly if you ask me.

Card number two, also very tongue-in-cheek:

"Going batty," get it??!! For me it's still baseball season. You can see which team I support; and it's hereditary - my great-grandmother was a fan, and so I have no choice...it's in my genetic make-up. Fourth Generation, and yes, I've taught my grandchildren the Go Cubs Go song. We'll not say how they're doing, as I don't want to jinx things... All the papers are scraps, and the bats are Recollections stickers and the Cubs logo is from EK Success. Inside it says "celebrate." As I have several Cubs fan family members, this will be a happy card for many.  And speaking of 'happy,' happy dances everyone!

ETA:  missed the CC deadline...ah well, I'll try harder next time.

Quick Post for The Hop to Stop, and The Challenge

Crazy 'round here. Don't have time for migraines, but somehow, they just laugh and show up when I really have no time for them. Like right now. Jerks. Anyway, I've got my running shoes on again this morning, and need to get these two cards posted before the day gets away from me. And I promise to try and catch up on visiting at and commenting on your blogs too. Soon.

By now everyone in our card making world should know about this, and because you do, please pass the information about The Hop to Stop along to your blogging buds, and support this cause. For those of our comrades who are in the midst of DV, please know that we care. One in three women in the US will be or has been a victim of DV. I have two sisters....one of us could have been in that number. Makes me really think. Stop and visit the incredible Becca Cruger's blog, and ink up and link up. See more by clicking on the photo above. You'll notice that there are prizes....thanks to all those sponsors who've supported this cause! For all the information you need about the hop, pop over, and if you need a little more information about DV, you'll find that there too. 

My card:

A purple panel with a WPlus9 circle cut out, which was then backed by a watercolored panel in yellows and greens. A LF 'hello' die in a muted silver scrap. Some doubled up sequins, and a little kitty cut with my Silhouette. The purple is old, and this is actually the 'back' side. It's sort of like a mulberry paper, only different. I'm also going to link this up to Lawnscaping Challenge, where we're to make the sentiment our focal point. 

Next I want to pop a card into Lesley's The Challenge.

Made a Christmas card.... I know, right?!

Pretty vellum paper I received for my birthday!! It's from SU, and I couldn't wait to delve into it. A WPlus9 circle with Silhouette snowflake and one little sequin. An EH sentiment and MFT flag dies. scraps of black. Gotta run, already I've been too long winded. Happy dances everyone.

Hop to Stop 2

Good morning. Popping in quick in support of Becca's Hop to Stop. This amazing woman, and oh yes she is, has organized this hop to raise awareness about Domestic Violence. You can read more about it at Becca's blog, or here at my post yesterday. My threat still holds, by the way.  If I don't see a card made by you, and posted in the hop, I most definitely will be packing my suitcase, coming to your house, taking over the MASTER bedroom, overstaying my welcome, gluing the remote to my hand, sitting at your craft desk and using all YOUR supplies, requiring more than the usual amounts of coffee and chocolate, staying up late and getting up early. Oh, and if you have children, I will spoil them shamelessly, I am a grandma after all... Now, the "threat" might be in full jest, but the cause is for real. And it's absolutely serious. I pray for those of you who are or have been abused. And I pray that you are seeking or have sought help. Here is the toll free number for the National Hotline:

800.799.7233 

This DV problem doesn't only concern those who are being abused...it affects us all. Becca has made it possible for us in the cardmaking world to step up and help in this big/small way. Won't you join me in this hop?

Be sure to head over with your pretty purple project!!

Michaels white base, NBUS WPlus9 stamp colored with Copics just a bit. PPP die, scraps of purple and yellow. PTI stamp SU ink. Three purple sequins. EZPZ lemon squeezy! Now it's your turn. Pretty please. Happy dances everyone.

The Hop To Stop

Blessings and kudos go out to Becca Cruger of Damsel of Distressed fame, for putting on this hop today.  October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, did you know? If you didn't, you do now. We all know someone who's been affected by domestic violence. And it ain't pretty... This violence transcends all levels of society, and those affected by it tend to keep it hidden. Can you imagine your best friend, your sister, or your next-door neighbor hiding the fact that he/she is being hurt? Please join me in supporting this most important cause. ONE IN THREE WOMEN, yes, you read that right, one in three women will experience some form of domestic violence within their lifetime. I sit here with tears in my eyes. Half for those who, right now are experiencing life threatening terror, and half for the kind-hearted Becca who moves us to get up off our butts and do something about this. As card makers, we can do something as big and little as this. Raise awareness with each other. Read up on the "signs" that someone is being abused. Join in this hop. Send Becca your cards. Support each other. For more information, please call or visit your local Women's Shelter, or talk to your local police department for more sources. Here in the United States, there is a National Hotline and I will list the number here. SHARE IT. USE IT. 1.800.799.7233 

There is a hop. Becca has worked her tail off and here is a graphic of the sponsors who have kindly offered prizes for this. How cool are these companies???!!!!

and here are Becca's pretty darn easy rules:

THE RULES (oh those pesky things...)

If you'd like to participate in the Hop to Stop, here's how it works:

• 1 - Make a card that FEATURES purple
• 2 - Link it up below before October 14, 12noon CST
• 3 - New creations only please, no backlinking allowed
• 4 - Provide a link back to the Hop! (it would be great if you put the badge in, too!)
• 5 - You MUST comment on at least the 3 entries before you to be eligible to win (be a good neighbor) buuuuuuut visiting the sponsor blogs/shops is HIGHLY encouraged. (hey - they are pretty generous and it would be great if we could thank them! There might even be an extra special top-secret prize in it for someone - wink* wink*)

And yes, I did make a card. And yes, it does feature purple. Wanna see?.... k...

Though it's a bit hard to read the rest of the sentiment, under the "sending you" it reads, "birthday wishes." Michaels white base, an AC purple polka dot panel, some (get this...) photo paper for the white parts of the PTI (NBUS, thanks Kim for the recommendation!!!) die cuts, and an old daisy to which I added a purple bling. I used my ancient SU ticket punch punch for the scrap of green panel. And I'm pretty sure that's it. Now. Make a purple card, I don't want to hear any excuses either. And link up. Don't make me come up there, down there, over there....cuz if I have to, I'll bring a suitcase and overstay, and expect to be waited on hand and foot. You know I'll do it too!