Under the Wire

I'm barely making it in over at CASology today. Had a busy weekend, plus the NCAA tournaments were on TV, and I had to watch a granddaughter play via webcast (her team won the consolation round of the LBAA National basketball tournament - middle school). Had these cards set to go, just no time to get a post done. So without further ado, I will get to the task at hand.

First up is my card for CASology. Somehow I think if I put this one in first, I won't miss the deadline. Makes no sense, as it won't go in until I finish this post and publish it, but that's how my silly brain works.... Anyway...the Cue Card for this challenge is "blossom."

And I've definitely got one here:

This bloom is from the AE Petals and Stems set, and the sentiment is from Oh Happy Day all on a Michaels white base and scrap. I used some Colorbox ink for the bloom, and some old Rubber Stampede purple ink for the center and the sentiment. Not sure why I chose purples, but I did. I added some Doodlebug flower sequins on and off the ME die cut mat, and I popped it up with some foamy stuff from HL. It's soft and gentle irl.

Next up is a card for Avery Elle's AEIHEARTU Challenge, where we're to use stripes. Don't have to ask me twice. Next to polka dots, I love stripes best. Must be the orderliness of them....Anyway, I'll show you what I've made now. And there's still time for you to play along, so fire up those AE stamps and join me in the gallery!

Stripes, check. All stamps are from AE, naturally... For this I started with a Michaels white base, the panel,  and a bit for the polaroid camera. After coloring with Copics, I found matchy-matchy scraps of pink, yellow and blue in the big ol' scrapbox, and set them at an angle. Cut the focal panel out with my ME die and added a black mat. Fussy cut the camera, added some GA, and then stamped the sentiment. Didn't have the right color of yellow sequin, so I colored one with a Sharpie. The pink sequin also matches, but it's off-color in this photo. I popped the camera up a bit just for fun. This will make one of my teenage granddaughters happy. And with that, I've got two more cards to make and mail today. Happy dances everyone!!

Happy Birthday Kim!

Today is the fantabulous Kim Heggins' birthday! Woohoo!!! You know what that means here on Happy Dance, don't you? Yep. It's Party Time! Let's all celebrate Kim's birthday!! Once I win one of those big lotteries, I'm going to plan an irl birthday bash to end all birthday bashes, and you're all invited! Today, however, we're celebrating Kim's birthday within the confines of this virtual means, but you're all still invited to party along, then pop over to her blog, Cupcakes, Cards, and Kim and leave her some celebratory comments! So let's put our party hats on, sing "Happy Birthday Kim" really loud, and wish her the best birthday ever!

Now in case you don't have any party hats in your stash, I have a few extras...

A few decorations to get us in the party mood

A few appetizers for our gathering, starting with some chipotle popcorn chicken bites


Bacon jam on apples, this just sounds like fun, doesn't it?!


Tenderloin crostini??!! Yes, please!


Some Spring rolls...


Gotta try these Polenta-Olive Tapenade bites


Jalepeno Poppers...


7-Layer dips for everyone!!!


And some Salmon Caper bites. Yum!


Now, it wouldn't be a birthday party without a cake or two...

Get ready to "open" presents, Kim...

First, a poster for your craft room

A little necklace


A pair of fun Lucy shoes

And a  little something to keep you healthy!

Now for THE most perfect necklace...

Followed by the most perfect scarf

And the most perfect ring set

And shoes for the game

And I wish they had photos of tickets, but they don't. We'd meet up at every Giants/Cubs game all season long! At least I can 'give' you the schedule, and we can pretend we're together...



While we were at the Lake House together last October, Kim made this sweet, amazing card. I loved it then, and it's been in my mind ever since. Well, today is a good day to 'borrow' her idea, and CASE her a birthday card.

And my little tribute to Kim:

Since this is a birthday post, and since this post has been really long, if you want the "recipe" just shoot me an email. I will tell you that the little polka dot paper was kindly and oh so sweetly thrown into my scrapbox at the Lake House by Miss Kim herself. I hoarded it until I need the most absolutely special card with this most special paper!

Well, Happy Birthday Kim. Can I just say my life is richer for having known you?! It really is. You are a blessing, not only to me, but I suspect to all those who have the privilege of knowing you. True story. What an immense delight to have actually met you in person, too. I can still picture us sitting side-by-side at the dining room table laughing and crafting. Wonderfully perfect memories. Celebrate today. Enjoy your birthday. And may God bless you all the days of your life. 

Double Wishes

The title of this post refers to the sentiments on the two cards I have for today. Each has "wishes" in their sentiments, even though I didn't notice until I went to photograph them. Funny that. But before I get to them, I have a question. Is anyone else getting bombed with unwanted pins on their Pinterest boards? And it's PINTEREST who's doing it!!! What is up with that? If it continues, I may stop pinning. I've emailed them to stop, but so far they're ignoring my request. If I do stop using Pinterest, it's not because of you wonderful people; it'll be because of their tampering with my boards. Hate that!

Up first is a card for Lesley's The Challenge #27. There's a sketch and a color theme, and for my card, I chose to only go with the colors. Had a ping, and couldn't ignore it if I tried...You know how that goes, lol!

Those colors have such a Springtime feel, don't you think?

This card uses such a variety of source materials. Michaels white base and scrap. A printed stripe paper made with my Silhouette, an MFT pierced rectangle stamped with a CB sentiment in Versafine ink. Old felt flowers and brads for their centers, with MFT leaves from a lovely green scrap. I did pop up the flowers a bit too. The pink really isn't this garish. It's bright and perfect. (darn lighting/editing...)

Next, I wanted to play along at AAA Cards Challenge, where we are to create something Bare Naked. No, not that kind of bare naked...CAS. I do love CAS cards. And then this morning, I saw that Susanne was the GD over at Time Out, where, guess what???.....it's CAS too! Perfect fit. Black and white with one color. Hit that with this one!

And my other "wishes" card:

A whole bunch of NBUS!! (bad me...and more on the way...bad me) Started with a Michaels white base, and then broke out this fun SC stamp set. Cut a flag die and used the square, both of which are from PPP. I didn't pop this up, as it has to be mailed, but I think it's cute! A yellow copic, and Versafine black ink. EZPZ. And that's it for today. Happy dances everyone.

P.S. As many of you know, I struggle with migraines. LOTS of migraines. This week has been particularly tough. If I'm not commenting on your lovely blogs, it's usually due to that. So I apologize, and will get to comments soon. Thanks for understanding. xoxo

Good Examples

*warning* This post may get a bit long today, as I have something to share, so if you want to skip this part, that's perfectly fine. Scroll down and have a peek-see at my cards for today.

So yesterday morning, after I got up and settled down to have a gander around blog-land and check FB, I found something posted in the Coffee Loving Papercrafters group that piqued my interest. Amy T. posted about "Paying It Forward." Seems that Keren B. won a prize from the Coffee Lovers Springtime Blog Hop, and rather than having Amy send it to her, she asked that Amy take the cost of the prize and, literally, "pay it forward." So I stopped reading for a second to contemplate this RAK (random act of kindness). Pretty darn cool. Amy got a gift card from her local Starbucks and had, much to his delight and surprise, a barista pay for as many drinks as he could for the people behind Amy in line. Now, I had to run at that point to have a little surgical procedure done, (I'm fine, only a local anesthetic). My drive to her office was 45 minutes, which gave me plenty of time to contemplate what I had read on FB. Initially, I thought, "Starbucks??? That's nice and all, but Starbucks?" Then I thought more about it. Here's what I came up with. It doesn't make one bit of difference if you pay something forward at a coffee shop, a tollbooth, a church, or a charity. IT'S THAT YOU DO IT. That you actually pay something forward with no thought of getting something back, with only kindness in your heart, your wish being to make someone smile and with the hope that they, in turn, will also pay something forward. That's what matters. I was thinking about this as I left the doctor's office. Just two blocks away from there, I stopped at a Starbucks and although I paid for my coffee in cash, I told my barista to take the change from my $20 and pay for as many coffees as she could. (I did leave a tip from the dollars in my coat pocket) I didn't hang around to see how many people got to smile, but I sure was smiling while driving back home. Hmmm... Seems that Keren and Amy paid it forward to me as well. What's that old addage? Oh yeah, "One good turn deserves another." Thanks Keren. Thanks Amy. Thanks for reminding me to be kind.

Thought you'd like to hear about that. And now for today's cards. I actually started them all after I got home yesterday, and finished them up this morning. I'll try to keep this part a little shorter than usual, as I've kept you already. I've got three cards for various challenges. (And more pings going on in my head...) First up is this card that fits into Retro Sketches and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. The challenge at SSSWC is 'things that fly' and there's a great sketch over at RS.

This is what I made:

I wish you could see this in person. It's really fun. Michaels white base, scraps of orange and black cardstock. A strip of arrow washi tape, also Michaels, and a chipboard sticker from We Are Memory Keepers. Some gold glittery dots, cut down to smaller sizes, and a die from SC with an Avocado Arts stamp embossed in gold. So much more fun irl.

Next up is a double whammy for Simon Says Stamp. I don't think I've ever played in all three of their challenges on the same day, but I guess it was time, or kismet, or something... Work it Wednesday has a "Spring" challenge, and the Monday Challenge is to use something that has a "B" in it. I chose Bunny. I owe a great big thank you to Miss Ardyth who was kind enough to send me a bunch of bunnies. Aren't they the sweetest little critters ever??! Love them, and thanks, my friend. Here's my card:

Lots of die cuts in this one. MB cloud, RC flower for the sun, IO bunnies, LF hills. The flower sequins are from Doodlebug, and stuck on with a smidgen of pink stickles. Scraps of blue and green polka dot. If you look real close you'll see a sentiment in the LL corner. It's from SC and says "somebunny loves you." 

Last one, I promise... This one is going over to Reverse Confetti for this month's SFYTT. 

Hope I did the sketch justice. All RC stamps and dies, except for the circle which is W Plus 9. Michaels white base and bits, scraps of green, pink and yellow. And a few green and yellow enamel dots from Simple Stories. That's it. I'll stop now. Happy dances everyone.

Finishing Up a Couple of Cards

Busy weekend with lots going on, including DH feeling under the weather again. I got a couple of cards started, some, (ugliness abounding) finished, (and not posting those...bleccchhh!), and ideas for others pinging around in my brain. Those that I started I liked, so only had to put the finishing touches on them today. It was fun. Cardmaking generally is though...

Fellow BABE and dear friend Darnell, is GD at City Crafter Challenge Blog this week. Absolutely HAD to play along! The theme at CCCB is "washi tape." I think I made about, oh, seventy leven butt ugly cards, which you won't see here. Desperately needed some inspiration, so I hopped on Pinterest to get a little. More ugly cards by me from lovely pins. Nearly gave up, but thought, "oh heck, one more peeksie doodle, and if nothing 'hits', then I'll email Darnell and say sorry." Then I found this one....

*sigh*

Fell in love with it. I'm guessing you love it too (can I get an AMEN??!!). Then, after wiping the drool from my chin, and tears from my eyes, I saw the artist's name...yep. Lynn of The Mango Boys and Me fame. So I'm hoping she doesn't mind my CASE of her sweet, sweet card. Same, yet different.

I didn't pop anything up except for my little flower. Started with a Michaels white base, a piece of black cardstock, and another white for my panel. Cut the rectangle with an MFT die and added a scrap piece of gingham. Green polka dot washi, W Plus 9 sentiment and flower. Pretty easy. Thanks for the inspiration, Lynn!

Next card is for Time Out Challenge. They're celebrating their first birthday, and I thought a 'thank you' card would be appropriate because they've got a great DT, and always have fun challenges. I don't always get a chance to play, but I always enjoy going over and checking out the cards! Happy Birthday Time Out! The minute I saw their inspiration photo, a ping blasted my brain, and I knew exactly what my card would look like.

What do you see? I saw lots of white space with yummy colors. I kept my card pretty CAS.

An aqua base with a Michaels white panel. I used all AE stamps for this one from the 'Oh Happy Day' set. Several inks in colors similar to the frames, then some brown ink for the 'branchy' sentiment. Three white sequins and done. Poor lighting here, but they are actually pretty matchy-matchy. I'll stop now. It's a beautiful Monday. Happy dances everyone. 

Last Call

After my second card for the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop, I thought I was done. Then in yesterday's mail, I got a little package from PTI. And then I got a ping. It wouldn't leave my poor brain alone, so I had to make the card. Glad I did. It turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself. If you want to play over at the CLBH, there's still several hours left to make and post your card. And if you don't have time to play, stop over there anyway and see the 400+ cards that have been posted. Incredible cards. Incredible card makers. Incredible Amy. It's been a fun week. I've loved every minute of it, and huge thanks and kudos to Amy Tsuruta for being the hostess with the mostess!

Glad I had the chance to play. Do head over...

These are my little goodies from PTI. I'd had my eye on this little coffee set for a couple of years, and am not disappointed that I finally broke down and ordered it. The (and sorry I can't remember who made them) papers are from Miss Geri, who won them, and shared with us all at the Lake House adventure back in October. There were tons of these 12x12s, and before we all left, Miss Anita cut them into 6x6s! What sweet friends they are! Don't know who made my sequins either. I can say the black ink is from Versafine, and the circle cut out was made with my W Plus 9 dies. I did pop the cup up with a couple of pop dots too. All on a Michaels white base. Looks Springtime-ish to me. 

Before I head out, I'd also like to play along at Addicted to Stamps and More, where the challenge is to go Clean and Simple. I hope this qualifies.

So. Think Spring, and Happy dances everyone.

Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop, Take Two

Okay. Now, I usually don't mind winter weather in Wisconsin. Really I don't. It's supposed to be cold. It's supposed to snow. If we don't expect that, then we are clearly living in the wrong climate zone... Here's what's bugging me today, however. It's not even 25 degrees, and after a morning snowfall of about 3" (so far, so good), it is now RAINING. What the heck is up with that???? And I have to go out. So not looking forward to that. Just hope the car doors don't freeze shut while I'm parked...Enough weather rant... So how is it by you?!

And onto take two of the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.

Have you popped by yet? Well worth the visit. Seriously. Sooo many fabby cards. I'm working my way through commenting on them all, and still have a way to go. It's amazing to see the variety of coffee stamps and dies, and the wonderful projects and cards that the participants have made. All this made possible by the incomparable Miss Amy Tsuruta! Wait till you see the lists of sponsors....Woohoo!!!

Decided to make a little something with Springtime colors. Something sweet and happy.

I'd stopped by the Sweet Stamp Shop, with the good intention of only 'window shopping.'. Somehow, and I'm not quite sure how, a couple of sets ended up in my shopping cart and then in my mailbox! Must have blacked out for a while. (hahahahaha!) Well, that's what you're seeing today. The "coffee" stamp is from their Coffee Town set. I stamped it in Versafine, then colored with various markers and added a K and Co. to go cup sticker in the middle. It fit really well. Die cut the panel with an MFT pierced rectangle die, then 'squared' it up. A scrap of the Twinery twine, an old, hoarded charm with a bling added, all on a Pebbles polka dot panel and a Michaels white base. And with that, I'm off. Happy dances everyone.