Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Did Someone Say "Polka Dots??!!!"

DH is feeling better. I can tell because he's had bouts of 'regular' crabbiness the last couple of days. That being said, he still pretty much needs me nearby...at least until his strength returns, at which point, I'm calling my sister for a lunch date and some craft shopping. Works for me, hahaha! Thanks, too, for your kind words and thoughts and prayers for him, they are truly appreciated! 

Cards, you ask? Yep. Back at it. At least a bit! I've got two today. Less Is More has as this weeks challenge Polka Dots. Oh yes please!! Do check out the fantastic cards the DT have made; you'll fall in love, I promise!


One Michaels white base, one scrap of my all-time-favorite yellow polka dotted paper, one daisy, one HA sentiment, one ME scalloped circle die, and one MFT pierced circle die. And tons of white space!


And I made this next card for my son-in-law's mother. Peggy has seen the cards I've made for our kids and grandkids, and jokingly asked me to make her a card for her birthday. I know she didn't think I'd remember, let alone do it! I was somewhat stuck, until I saw a card that Kelly Griglione made. Giant ping hit, and I was able to finish the card. Here's what Kelly's looked like:



And here's how she inspired me!


I started with a blue base, and made a box with N&T's die. I LOVE THAT DIE!! Then, once I'd seen Kelly's card, I knew that candles were just the ticket. Fussy cut them, and added some yellow stickles to give the flames a little sparkle. The sentiment is from AE. I think the candle stamps are from HA, but I'm not sure. Papers are from Pebbles, and I used a variety of inks. I'd like to play along at Seize the Birthday, where it's Anything Goes, with optional topping of "Water" this week . Unless you count the blues as water, and the swirls on the candles as waves, I'm pretty sure I didn't go with the topping. And since I've kept you long enough, I'll stop now. Happy dances everyone!

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Easter Blessings to You!

Wishing you all the wonderful blessings that Easter brings! After talking with my son a bit ago, we both decided that nothing at all, ever, is better than Christ's Resurrection! I still marvel at this gift.... Can't wait for all that beautiful music during the Easter Festival Service tomorrow in church!!! Wish we could all sing together!

And I actually have a card. DH is feeling a bit better, so I thought I'd spend a little time in the craft room today. Broke out some NBUS SSS stamps, and my Zigs (even I can watercolor with them!) to make a card for this week's Muse Challenge. Tracey has made a very Springtime card, and I did my best to put that feeling into mine. I was inspired by her colors, her watercoloring, and her flowers. Check out Tracey's card:


Isn't that just lovely?! I keyed in on the pinks as you'll see...


That's a ME die, and some TH Antique Linen for the flowers. A WPlus9 sentiment and some random sequins finish this off. 

Just wanted to say thanks, too, for all your kind thoughts and words as DH works hard to get better. He's moving in the right direction I'm glad to say! Blessed Easter and Happy Dances everyone!

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Belated Birthday Wishes, Maria

"I'm late, I'm late for a very important date..." so the song from Disney's Alice in Wonderland goes. And it's going that way for me too. I missed Maria's birthday; she of rieslingmama fame. Just in case you've missed her big day as well, be sure to run over and leave her a little birthday love, even if it is a little late! I know she'll appreciate it! We'll have a quiet little party in her honor today. Pretty sure I know just the right spot! How about a beach party South Haven Michigan? I can just picture sand chairs and a nice bon fire, can you?!



Sunset over South Haven, Michigan.:


Gotta have some bokeh wine glasses at our party...

Twenty One Fifty Nine :: Confetti Wine Glasses DIY:



And naturally something to go in them

My newest obsession seems to be subscription boxes, birchbox, glossybox, barkbox and now best of all, Bright Cellars!! Take their quiz today to see your matches!:



Oh! And how about these for treats???!!!

Champagne cookies:


Is this the most perfect is this birthday cake, or what??!!

Wine barrel cake with chocolate grapes and wine bottle - For all your cake decorating supplies, please visit craftcompany.co.uk:


And let's not forget presents for our birthday girl!

A little framed beach glass...

Beach glass artwork (sea glass found in Lake Michigan):


Something soft and sweet

Having lived in 2 of the Great Lakes states, I would like to takes this with me to our next home...:
Something warm and fun

Fog Grey Michigan Mittens:

And something shiny to top things off

Copper Lake MIchigan and Michigan State Pendant. $40.00, via Etsy.    Rose Kren  .sprouts.:

I'm not going to show you the card I made for her in this post. It's winging its way across the ocean, and I'd like it to be a surprise for her. I know you'll all understand.

So sorry this was so late, Maria. But I did think of you on your special day. Hope you celebrated just the way that makes you happiest. And may your year be filled with joy and wonders! Birthday blessings to you!


"Me" Time


You may or may not have noticed, but I've been pretty much absent in blogland as of late. DH had a minor surgical procedure (which went well), and while at the doctor's office, he proceeded to pick up that nasty upper respiratory virus that's been going around. So I've been playing nurse these last several weeks. I don't mind; it's all part of marriage. As he's sleeping in this morning, I decided to forgo the chores and take a little "me" time. The kitchen, vacuuming, and so forth can wait a few more minutes. Crafting can't! Hopefully, he'll feel a bit better today too! 


It's the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Spring Blog Hop time, and because of DH being ill, I knew I couldn't comment on everyone's pretty cards, but I thought I'd whip up something QAEZPZ (quick and easy peasy per Miss Darnell's wonderful vocab!). I had some brand new Verve NBUS (another Miss Darnell contracted phrase; Never Before Used Schtuff) that I had to have, and it went well on this card, though I only used one of the new stamps...

My coffee card looks like this:


Starting from the base, I used a previously hoarded saved scrap of SU paper. Jen M., you'll recognize this right away... I stamped some LF woodgrain on an MFT die cut panel of watercolor paper, and used my Ziggies to color it up. The coffee cup is ancient. It's a printed die cut purchased from a now defunct Scrapbook store in Cedarburg. I heat embossed the sentiment. Some old flowers, and a nice Poppystamps leaf die. It went together pretty quickly. And since the theme at SSS Monday Challenge is Food and/or Drink, I'm going to play there too. And I'm off to check on my sleeping patient again. Happy dances everyone!

As an "aside...," what the heck did blogger do to my header???? It took away the nice gray pattern and left a strip of the ugly, old one peeking through. Wonder if it's time to move to Wordpress?! Has this ever happened to you? Aaaarrrrgggghhhhhhhhhhh!

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Happy Birthday Kim!!!! WooHoo!!!

Today is Kim's birthday. Let's all celebrate her special day. Have you been blessed enough to meet her in real life? I wish you all could. She is one incredible lady, let me tell you! We got to spend a week together at the Lake House in Minnesota, and what a wonderful time we had! She's funny, sweet, nice as all get out, and like me, loves baseball! Take a minute or two to stop over at her blog, Cupcakes, Cards and Kim to wish her a happy birthday. Then come back here and party along with us! Let's go:

Here's where we'll meet up:

SOMMERWHITE: THE HAMPTONS:

Between the beach, the house, and the boardwalks, we should all fit!

Some appetizers to get us started...

How to set up an outdoor buffet in a canoe || Simple Bites #entertaining #buffet:


A drinky-pooh or two...

Julia Lake Parties - Champagne cocktails with edible flowers were served as welcome drinks in Port Jervis, New York. Event Designer: Julia Lake Parties Venue: Cedar Lake Estates:

Adorable idea to chill beverages for reception -- Bronson Boat Cooler | Pottery Barn Nautical Wedding Decor; #Nautical Wedding Decorations: Boat Ice Cooler; Summer Wedding Ideas; Nautical Wedding Ideas #NauticalWedding:

A few yummy treats...

What surprise would you hide in these precious sugar cookie boxes? The Land O’Lakes Foundation will donate $1 to Feeding America® for every recipe pinned through April 30, 2015. (Pin any Land O’Lakes recipe or submit any recipe pin at LandOLakes.com/pinameal).:


Having a girls night, or need a quick dessert for a party?  The Cannoli Dip recipe below is sure to be a hit.  Pair it with your favorite bottle of wine and set of wine charms, and you've got quite...:


Perfect for summer :):


Chocolate Orbit Cake:


White Chocolate Cranberry Cake:


Oh, and what's a birthday party without a birthday cake (or two or three)?

Lovely Victoria sponge cake. This looks yummy. Please check out my website thanks. www.photopix.co.nz:


omg i love this so much. this would be so cute for a party at the lake!:


Poppy Cake:


That last one is pretty cool, isn't it?! I think she'll like that one best of all! So now let's see what presents the birthday fairy brought!

First up is a caddy for sewing supplies. How slick is this?!


Looking for your next project? You're going to love Undercover Maker Mat by designer lillyella.:

A little something "Mickey."


DIY: Mickey Mouse inspired earbuds case / coin purse:

A comfy chair for relaxing in between projects


Swoon Quilt - Just downloaded the pattern - time to use up those pink & green fabrics I have so many of.  #pinitsewit:

A pretty blouse that will go with any color sweater


polka dots:

An outfit just for fun!


Yellow + Grey + Navy by casuality on Polyvore featuring Gianvito Rossi, STELLA McCARTNEY and plus size dresses:

A birthstone ring.

aquamarine. I would be perfectly happy with a unique engagement ring such as this.:


And last but not least, sky box tickets for all this season's games between our favorite teams. Naturally, airfare and four-star hotel accommodations are included!

Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants @ AT Park (San Francisco, CA):


I made a little card, too. Festive, and perfect for her birthday.


So my dear friend, I hope your birthday is as wonderful as you are. May this coming year be the best one yet! Eat cake, go out to dinner, and spend the day exactly the way you like! Celebrating you, sweet Kim! Happy Birthday!! xo

Happy dances everyone!

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

In the Way

Life has gotten in the way of my crafting, commenting and posting as of late. And I only have a bit of time now to get a post in. I need a vacation...who's with me??!! Overall, life is good, and I won't complain. Mama said there'd be days like these...

I've got a trio of cards, and I want to play along with fellow BABE Darnell's NBUS Challenge. Do I have any NBUS? Snicker, snort, chortle, laugh, guffaw, hoot, and even a holler thrown in for good measure. That's like asking if I drink coffee. You know you're nodding along with me, too, haha! And while I'm here, I thought I might play at the SSS Monday and SSS Wednesday Challenges, as well as the Inspired by all the Little Things Challenge. Shall we get right to it? Alrighty then...

Darnell!!!

Simon Monday Challenge Blog

Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog


This first card will head off to Darnell's. It's been in my stash, and I've used some of the other stamps in the set, but these two are brand spanking new:



Isn't he just the cutest?! This is a Studio Calico set, and the sunburst behind him is from AE. Versafine black ink a little Copic coloring. One MFT stitched frame die. Pretty CAS.

Next is a card for both of the SSS challenges. Monday's is to create our own background, and Wednesday's is to use a bit o' green.


The leaves were created with two different Verve sets. The hearts are from LF, and the sentiment is from NN. I used a punched strip from one of MFT's Blueprints sets to create a division that wouldn't detract from the stamping. A few black blings, and I added teeny-tiny black dots with a pen also.

Lastly, I wanted to pop this card over at IBATLTs:


The ginko leaves are from PTI, and I just love them. MFT dies. An NBUS 'thanks' sentiment that came with my last order from Verve. The dragonflies and butterfly are from TT. A few pink sequins and done. Running along now kids. Happy dances everyone!