another lollipop card for Vicki's Color Challenge

How would you like a color challenge (with a prize) that is....ANY COLOR YOU WANT!  well now, how can you not do a card for that one...LOL...Vicki has just opened up her challenge to anything you want...so since I'm trying to get the hang of these lollipop flowers (no more to post - I promise!!)...here's my card for her challenge...it ends Tuesday night so get your card in.....how easy is that!!!

I think this flower is more to my liking...maybe it's the stickles!  Bling always makes it better :))))....wish DH would remember that....heeeee heeee heeee !! Santa Claus...are you listening .. LOL

I am running through my stash paper with these cards!  woooo hoooo!

Sentiment is from GKD's "A Very Merry Christmas" from Theresa Momber (now if you want to see an incredibly talented artist, pop over to her blog from my sidebar and prepare to be amazed!!!)

ok, back to stampin....isnt there a dinner I'm supposed to be getting ready for...??? but I don't want to put my stamps down and leave my nice clean "still organized" stamp room....guess I could stick the turkey in the fridge - it needs to thaw and that's part of getting the dinner ready, right !!!  LOL

Many blessings to be thankful for and blessings to you!!!

CANDY FOR YOU - closed midnight 11-22 Winner to be announced Monday 11-23!

Hi there,

Have been wanting to get this posted for so long! Kept thinking when I hit certain milestones..would have a candy giveway...but became so engrossed in the stamping and Design Teams and challenges...that time just flew by and I've just been a "stampin machine"!! LOL...and lovin it...

Well, this is my thank you for making my entry into the stamping blog world such a wonderful blessing! Just started serious blogging this past June and you all have just been so encouraging and supportive...I can't even express how much it is appreciated....we all know the time it takes to "make the rounds" and leave some love :)) ...and I have gotten to know so many of you - just love it!!

so on with the candy!

ALL my "CREATIVE FRIENDS" are automatically entered..so if you follow - you are entered!!!

my thank you !

new followers - you will be entered!!
you dont have to be a follower to enter - link candy to your sidebar - you are entered...BUT

if you would like your name entered twice and you are a follower, then just link my candy to your sidebar - I will add your name a second time to the "candy bowl"....

that's it....just leave me a comment if you added this candy pic to your sidebar so I'll know it...and I will pop over and say Hi

blessings to you all and again ....  Thank you!!

(will be using "picking name from candy bowl" so dont worry if you enter first or last)

the friends we make along the way....priceless!

Candy Package:
Stampin Up set 2006 Gently Falling
Stampin Up set 2007 Sidekick Sayings
Cuttlebug Embossing folder - Flourished Frame
Hot Off the Press - 25 chocolate flowers
K&Company chipboard die-cut tags
Making Memories chipboard jigsaw alphabets
Scrap Works re/hot pink color rubz alphabets (402 letters, plus numbers/punctuations)
Marvy's GIGA scallop circle punch

STV's Color Challenge by Cindy

This week's color challenge at STV from Cindy is to use.....ivory, green...and that's it!
Wooo hoooo!  not only do I FINALLY get to do a color challenge - but a green one!

Pulled out various SU dp from stash and went to town! (the sentiment and cardbase are both ivory from SU even though they look whiter in the pic) ....and used even more scraps with this "lollipop" flower (it's ok, like I said...not crazy about them - there is one more card I did with that flower technique that will post soon)...

used CB's Fancy Tags for sentiment (which is from GKD's "Thanks a Million" set), distressed with SU's Hunter Green on tag and one background panel, and cut dp scraps with the Posey nesties for flower....and then running these scraps through my crimper...added button center....done!

ribbon is SU scrap...YEP! I keep 'em that small...LOL

now that I have a nice clean room - I am determined to use my paper stash - it's ridiculous how much I have...or maybe how much I keep (snicker snort !!)

Have a blessed day,

a "lollipop" flower card

Good thing I finally checked my blog...this was to have posted yesterday for Creative Clear stamps! I thought had set it to pre-post but obviously didn't.....the challenge this week was to create any card BUT an A2 card....

so I pulled out the huge circle scalloped die cut from Sizzix and made my card base, ran it through CB folder.

Since the "lollipop" flowers seem to be really "in" right now...I watched several videos and decided to do a large one for the front of this card......seriously......, I don't think I'm a fan of these flowers...or at least not mine!

They ARE a great way to use up paper scraps! I have made about a dozen....you'll see some on a few cards I'll be posting....maybe it's just that they are new and different and I'm old and set!!!  LOL

Cardbase is SU's Sage Shadown with edges sponged in Always Artichoke...dp from scaps (and that's what I like about these...use those scraps!!!)

I havent made as many cards as I had dreamed... BUT...my stampin room is almost clean!!! I will proudly tell ya I have gotten rid of FIVE 13 gallon trash bags from my little "stampin/office/tv watching with laptop" room....well, I told you I was buried in there.. LOL

feeling organized and clean n fresh!

Have a blessed day tomorrow - so much to be thankful for....

ps...please dont be shy...what tips are out there for these flowers

STV Member Blog Event 11/20

This is a new project for STV - a Blog Event for anyone wanting to join in!!...using certain stamp sets as stated over in STV forum ...pop over - check it out and come on and join us...OPEN TO ALL!

I chose GKD's "Vintage Border" set by Nina (with the leaf from the Signs of Autumn set, also by GKD).

Paper:  GKD cranberry, black and SU's ivory

Ink: Memento's Rhubarb and Bamboo Leaves

Embellishments: GKD ribbon, sakura gold glitter pen, SU circle and scallop punch

Technique:  masking

(this post was preset to post - I'm hoping to link to Gina's blog to enter this post in this event from work!)

Apologize for only one post this week...am taking off work all next week for Thanksgiving and I'm tellin you that's tough!!! Have worked double time this week to have everything done that they will need next week....and add my commute...well, my craft room has sadly been neglected :(((

There is another prescheduled post that will appear today at 4pm for Creative Vision!

Have a blessed day, TGIF !!!!!!  I intend to bury myself stampin all night when I finally get home toniight..LOL

Over the Top Award

from Mary Anne - check out her blog here  - what a talent! not to mention a wonderful friend!!

she sent me this some time ago and I am just now getting to post it!  It has been around and I've really enjoyed reading everyone's answers...fun getting to know each other better!

so here's mine:

1. Where is your cell phone? On charger
2. Your hair? Very white and short
3. Your mother? Died 1980
4. Your father? See him twice a year
5. Your fave food? Fried potatoes with onions
6. Your dream last night? Rarely dream
7. Your fave drink? diet Coke/Pepsi
8. Your dream/goal? Retire and be financially secure
9. What room are you in? stamp room
10. Your hobby? Making cards
11. Your fear? Dentist!
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? right here and retired!
13. Where you were last night? work
14. Something that you aren’t? THIN
15. Muffins? Cranberry orange
16. Wish List Item? Copic markers
17. Where did you grow up? Northern Virginia
18. Last thing you did? Put away groceries
19. What are you wearing? Pj’s
20. Your TV? off
21. Your Pets? Mutt dog “Duke”
22. Friends? Love ‘em
23. Your Life? blessed
24. Your Mood? content
25. Missing Someone? yes
26. Vehicle? Prius – gotta love 52 mpg
27. Something your not wearing? Bra (I hate it)
28. Your fave store? craft stores of all kinds!
29. Your fave color? purple
30. Last time you laughed? This afternoon
31. Last time you cried? When Oprah announced she’s quitting (JOE-king!!!)
32. Your best friend? Blessed to have more than one
33. One place that I go to over and over? work
34. One person who emails regularly? Jennie
35. Fave place to eat? Sweetwater (but cant afford it) so eat at Bob Evans
36. Facebook? Yes but rarely

now I'm supposed to send to 5 people...but I think everyone has already gotten it....hmmmm,
ok...will 5 of you who didnt get it...please volunteer!  LOL

This award is going to Mary - check out her blog from my sidebar - fun fun fun! can't wait to see her answers :))))

have a blessed weekend!

chic-kee chic-keee! yeah baby!

needed to create a FUN card! and can always count on my three ladies...... LOL!

can just hear 'em callin out and havin fun!  my "blue hair" chic-kees!!

going to send this over to Vicki's color challenge  this week to use purple n white (hope their blue pants will be ok)...stamp is from Art Impressions, dp is stash and cardbase is SU's eggplant.

Colored my "chic-kee's" with gamsol and pencils....

have a fun day with tons of blessings!

CAS card using the Festive Frame for beginner stampers!

hi there,
now those of you who have asked for an "easier" card using this set...here you go! I'm so glad you have enjoyed my posts..looking at some of my cards I can see where if you are just starting to stamp, they seem intimidating.
now don't think that with this card...it's not!

• have red cardbase ready, cut black mat 4 x 5.25 and adhere to card
• ink stamp using black and stamp onto white cardstock
• cut out image along the outside border of the image  (you can cut the border off entirely if you want)
• 
  
  color oval border and the outside border with black marker (this will blend in with the black mat so you dont have to worry about cutting exactly straight)
  
  
  
• 
  
  adhere image to black mat
  
  
  
• 
  
  the poinsettia in the upper right hand corner is colored with Copics R59, R27, and Y26. You don't need copics to color these ... use any red markers, pencils, water colors, etc and gold stickles in the center.
  
  
  
• 
  
  the poinsettia in the bottom corner can be done the exact same way!!! and you will have a BEAUTIFUL card...DONE!
  
  
  

....the sentiment in the center can be anything you want - I used the nestie and lightly sponged around edges. I used red and black markers to ink the sentiment...

TIP:    I have full sheets of the poinsettia (from Gina K's "A Year of Flowers" by Melanie) stamped and colored - all ready to cut out and paper piece on a card - which is what I did on the bottom left hand corner of this card. Find YOUR favorite poinsettia and stamp a few sheets, then relax and enjoy coloring them all different colors!!! try stamping them on red cardstock as well...I have them also stamped on purple and light pink cardstock, even a few black that are white embossed!

Hope this helped - email me and let me know...and send me a picture of your card!!!

Have a wonderful week,

kinda got side tracked from challenge! and a prayer request

This week's challenge at Creative Clear Stamps was to use Ruby Red, Kraft and Caramel...well.. had this card all laid out but this new ribbon ....kept calling my name!!! so...switched out the Kraft mat for this asparagus mat - (even have metallic paper that matches ribbon perfectly)...so bye bye challenge....

HELLO to my card...LOL

the only things about this card I can definitely tell you is that the ribbon is from Michaels and the sentiment is from Creative Clear Stamps "Holiday Sentiments" stamp set....sentiment stamped in Ruby Red...used my new MS punch (that I love and had to have after seeing some of you use it...enablers...ALL of you...LOL)

base cardstock is SU's Ruby Red and asparagus is from GinaK...dp from stash!

Now, have a prayer request for a dear friend who two weeks ago had her 7th child!!! but her mother passed away this morning. My friend is sick and 2 of her kids had swine flu last week and now 2, possibly 3, have it now. She is having to travel a few hours away with the 2 youngest and her husband to help with funeral arrangements and leaving the other 5 to be cared for....and she is sick herself...she and hubby really need prayer!

Thank you so much!

STV's Friday Potluck Challenge

Is "to use a SENTIMENT for your background!! NO dp allowed except what you make on your own with sentiments!!! "....so...OK! 
I was still determined to conquer the "clear cardstock thing"...so purchased something called "clear film" from LSS (which is actually, I think, acetate or so close its acetate's twin!)...anyway, it is much thinner - no irritating film to peel back, isn't anywhere near as thick as clear cardstock - still slippery...but I was very very careful!....here is my card

i just reversed the challenge and stamped my sentiment all over the clear and placed it over my stamped images...really like it IRL.was hard to get a pic without the flash reflecting off the clear film, so I lifted the film a little from the card - sorry :(...the images aren't  really blurry

Stamps: GinaK's "Thanks a Million" and "Signs of Autumn", Rubber Stamp Tapestry's coffee peg stamp

Paper: GinakK's black, pumpkin, ivory

Ink: Stazon black on clear film, SU's pumpkin, ruby, and rust on ivory

Embellishment: Jute ribbon/twine from GinaK

Technique: overlay, matting

Whew! I believe I have "conquered" the case of the clear cardstock, LOL ! thank you everyone for all your suggestions and encouragement with this ..hugs to all!!!

BLOG HOP wooooo hooooo for the Festive Frame from GinaK by Melanie!

Melanie Muenchinger, the Illustrator of Festive Frame has invited a couple of her friends to join in on the blog hop tonight, so click on their blog links to see the projects they've created for us:

Joan Ervin

Linda Payne (you're here!)

Wendy Price
Carolyn King

Then, check in on these GinaK Designer's participating in the Blog Hop tonight:

Donna Baker

Erika Martin

Jessica Fick

Lee Murphy

Melanie Muenchinger

Theresa Momber

And our fabulous Center Stage Spotlight Team:
Deb Felts
Diana S. Queen
Melissa Cash
Sharri Seffens
After you're done hopping to all the Designer's blogs stop by GinaK's Idea Center here: Festive Frame for lots more ideas on how to use Melanie's stamp set. And, don't forget to check in on GinaK's blog so you can leave your comment to be entered for a chance to win this stamp set, too!

Melanie is also giving away a Bow Easy and some ribbon on her blog too! the winner will be randomly chosen from one of the comments made on one of the blogs above!  Woooo hoooo!

Now here are my cards for tonight:

used "Tropical Flowers" in corners and sentiment from "a Year of Leaves"

dove is from STV Holiday Cheer kit, copic coloring, poinsettis have clear glaze in spots that were colored with Copics, all are stamped on stash vintage dp

wanted to do an ivory and white card with this stamp set. colored with Copics W1,W3,W5, ran thru swiss dot CB folder, added snow/stickles, used glaze pen, mini pearls, gold pen to make ornament and ribbon from stash!

if you haven't visited my blog before, please look at the older posts for more cards with the Festive Frame!

Hope you see something you like!

and thought I would add one more that I previously posted

3 singing roosters - Penny Black Challenge

this was so fun to make! love this stamp!

fun and easy, quick card for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

Stamp: Penny Black's "Carolers"

Paper: do from stash, SU's red, black, white

Ink: Memento Black

Embellishments: ribbon from GinaK

Technique: embossing, matting, coloring with Copics

Tomorrow night 10pm CST/ 11pm EST - Blog Hop for GinaK's  "Festive Frame" set by Melanie! 

See you tomorrow night,

PS if you live near the Sight n Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA or in Branson, MO - go see the Miracle of Christmas...you won't be disappointed - I've never seen anywhere all the live special effects they do...simply amazing!
We drove the 4 hours up in a bus loaned to us by a sister church, ate at the Good n Plenty Amish restaurant (which was true to its name)...then to the theatre - play is about 2.5 hours with a 15 min intermission- then the drive home. It was such a blessing - there were 22 of us on the bus and we sang almost the whole way home...everything from hymns, Christmas, praise, worship, kids sunday school songs....and since most of us can't carry a tune...we were amazed how good we sounded  LOL...that bus had pretty good acoustics  (LOL, I'm sure only the Lord and our deaf tone ears enjoyed our singing)...hope we get to do it again in the Spring. Their production will be the story of Joseph!

Glaze Pen Challenge at STV

This card is done with the Festive Frame set...but making it took me out of my "color" comfort zone. Had purchased the paper pack from BM Paper "Rhythm" from GinaK. These are different colors for me! This card is made with only paper from this pack, plus a litte Ruby Red and Pumpkin, to tone down the stripes and mustard color of the base. Stamped, embossed, and paper pieced the leaves and acorns!

Used my glaze pen on the acorns and most of the leaves! that's what I loved about this challenge...reminded me of this tool that I had in my pen box but never use....WHY NOT!...i dont know (in meek little voice)

Stamps: GinaK's "A Year of Leaves" and "Festive Frame" both by Melanie

Paper: BM Paper "Rhythm, SU's Ruby Red, Brown and Pumpkin

Ink: Memento's Black

Technique: Glaze pen, paper piecing

Have a blessed day,

Stampin Sisters in Christ Challenge #11 using Festive Frame stamp

My card for this week's challenge - using GinaK's "Festive Frame" by Melanie....have you decided you NEED to add this to your collection :)

This was one of the first scriptures I memorized (and keep in my heart ) when I accepted Christ as my Savior!

"Life" always has meaning when we know without a doubt that our Lord...will never leave us!

making this post super short - will be gone most of the weekend! if any of you have heard of the Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA - headed there tomorrow for a one day trip! going to be a long day, it's a 4.5 hour drive to get there...but sooooo looking forward to it  :)))) and Sunday afternoon with grankids!!!!

Have a blessed and beautiful weekend everyone!

Frustrating - Need Help - 911

First the GOOD NEWS...get over to Creative Clear Stamps from my sidebar...go go go because
 "Now is your chance to save some money AND receive a special free secret gift from the Creative Clear Stamps Store! Save $10.00 on your purchase of $30.00 or more from Wednesday November 4th through Sunday November 8th only!!!  go go go!!!

Now the BAD NEWS - Heeellllpppppp!!! I have just wasted an entire evening trying to work with CLEAR Cardstock!!  ok, and now I officially hate that stuff!  Used all but one sheet and this is the only card I came up with that... didn't smear, folded straight, i was able to peel the cover film off without messing up the corners, got the inside card in almost straight, used Stazon, tried to emboss (how dumb was that!!! don't even ask!!)....this stuff is a night mare!!! now I'm sure its "operator error"...so if anyone can point me in the direction of a good toot...would be greatly appreciated.

so how sad is this poor pathetic card....it has killed my mojo (hopefully just for tonight)....did I say I hate this stuff!!!! It's not blurry, that's just the shadow..I tried to show that its clear cardstock....did I say I hate that stuff!!!  sorry, Creative Clear Stamps..this is my "clear" card for this week's challenge...did I say?...you got it!

Below is another card with the Creative Clear Stamp set "Holiday Sentiments"...it is sure better than the one with clear cardstock! .... Did I say...I know...give it a rest already!!!

this one is more my style (big smile here)...used GinaK's black and red, SU's grey...embossed the sentiment and mounted on nesties! a CAS card for sure!

well, that clear stuff really wore me out!

have a great weekend, will be back...Lord willing, Sunday night!

Blessings to you,

non-traditional Christmas card with Festive Frame stamp set

hi there,
Did you enjoy the hop! It was incredible...
this card is done for two challenges. I belong to the DESIGNING DIVA's (a wonderful, talented group of ladies) and we have secret sister challenges. This card will be my "non-traditional" Christmas card that will go to my secret sister...hope she likes it! and the second challenge is this week's color challenge at STV to use purple, black, gold and can add white or ivory.

LOVE Melanie's newest release "Festive Frame" and since I am her Guest Designer this month...have been knocking cards out with it...(you know I go ballistic over stamps I love)..but still pacing myself in showing them to you  LOL

This is done by stampin the poinsettias onto designer paper (I believe this was some of SU's) and layering them. The center one was stamped several times on the front and back of the coordinating paper and pieced to make one flower. Then shaded wiith Copics. Pieced the two pinecones that were stamped onto the gold, ran the Violet cs through the Candy Cane CB folder, matted onto black and matted again onto gold. Added gold mini pearls and gold stickles....other little details...card done!

Now, surely there are pretty purple poinsettias out there somewhere LOL

Blessings to you and thanks for popping in!

Details:
Stamps: GinaK's "Festive Frame" by Melanie
Paper: GinaK's, Violet, Gold, Black, White and SU's dp
Ink: Memento Black, SU Eggplant
Embellishments: Copics B15 and B31, gold stickles, white pen, mini gold pearls
Technique: matting, nesties, sponging, paper piecing

the FIRST Center Stage Spotlight Design Team Blog Hop - and it's huge!!!

Welcome to our first Center Stage Spotlight Design Team Blog Hop!

Jessica Fick, the Design Team Coordinator for GinaK Designs has issued a challenge to all of the past and present team CSS team members to make a Christmas card with one of these sketches:


We know you're going to LOVE what everyone has designed for us tonight!
First, here are the links for GinaK's Current CSS Team Members:
Deb Felts
Diana S. Queen
Karen Knegten
Melissa Cash
Sharri Seffens
Sue VanDeVusse

and the links for all of the past CSS Design Team members participating:

Brenda Turner,
Carla Suto,
Carolina Buchting,
Charlene Merrick,
Dawn Lusk,
DeeMarie Kelemen,
Geri Utterback ,
Giovanna Smith,
Janice Melton,
JenMarie Taylor,
Jennie Harper,
Joy Hadden,
Kay Simmons,
Linda Payne, (that's me!!)
Lori McAree,
Melisa Waldorf,
Pam Imholz,
Selma Stevenson,
Shannon Bracken,
Shelly Wilson,
Sue Walsh,
Tina Gilliland

Some of GinaK's Senior Design Team Members and Illustrators wanted to get in on the fun tonight too:
GINA
Asela Hopkins
Carolyn King
Cindy Lawrence
Jessica Fick
Lee Murphy
Lynn Mercurio
Nina Brackett  DON'T MISS Nina's blog - she has a surprise!!!
Melanie Muenchinger
along with Nina Brackett's Guest Designer: Lisa Hjulberg
All of these gorgeous cards from the entire team will be added to the StampTV gallery throughout the next few days with the tag cssjf1 (which stands for center stage spotlight jessica fick 1)
These sketches are also our sketch challenge for this week, so be sure to check out all the information in the discussion in our Challenge group over on StampTV Thursday morning. We'd love to see your cards with the sketch too!

Here are my cards...as usual, can't do just one - kept the details short so you can keep hoppin...

from Holiday Cheer STV kit  -used glaze on items in wreath and bow and stickles! 

sentiment from Holiday Cheer STV set...turned the sketch - the paper inspired me!

another one that the paper + stamps just matched! stamps from A Very Merry Christmas and Holiday Cheer

stamps are from GKD's " Sandy Claws" set and digi cardstock

my non-traditional Christmas card...used GKD's "Tree Silhouettes" and sentiment from Sandy Claws set! should have put my ribbon on other side to be closer to sketch...

Now is this a HUGE HOP or what!!
if you would like more specifics, just let me know! so now I'm getting something to drink and going to HOP!!! (of course this will probably take me a couple of days, LOL)

blessings to all!

GinaK's "Festive Frame" by Melanie with nativity scene

lovin this Festive Frame stamp!
I have this very very old PSX stamp (loved those stamps) of this nativity scene...if you are familar with the original PSX stamps..you know this one is old - it has no name or catalog number!

you can't tell in the pic, but the entire stamp with the blue border is also raised on the card. Background stamp is large crackle stamp inked with Memento's London Fog and SU's Bordering Blue and matted onto GinaK's navy with white cardbase.

Colored with Copic blues and grays and Y11 to add yellow light...The nativity scene itself is clear embossed and last...added silver stickles with silver mini pearls in center of flowers.

Hope you like it...have more cards done with this set...just pacing myself! :)

and hope you make it back tonight (or tomorrow) for the surprise Christmas Blog Hop from the Center Stage Spotlight Design Team members (past and present !!) - starts at 10pm cst 11pm est....there are as of now, 35 blogs participating!!!! now that's a hop to last for days!!! don't know if I can hop that long...LOL

Have blessed day!

a card for Somer

Many of you have heard of the kidnapping and murder of 7 year old Somer Thompson in Jacksonville, Florida. One of our members on STV lives in her community. We are making cards for Somer's family. If you would like to send the family a condolence card, you can mail it to:

c/o Deb Felts

General Delivery

Fleming Island, Florida 32003

she will see that the family receives it.

thinking of a little 7 year old girl - she probably liked butterflies...

the inside says "Our thoughts and prayers are with you"

Makes you just want to hold your children so tight! and be thankful for every day God gives us with them.

two CAS cards

These are for this week's color and sketch challenge at STV!  thought I would do CAS cards for my friends that wanted some Quick n Easy cards for holidays, some that are just beginning cardmaking and as a challenge to myself!

short post! have been working on something for Wednesday night!  stay tuned  :)

have a blessed day,

Card Details:
Stamps: Gina K's Autumn Beauty by Theresa, Bug Me Anytime by Rupa, and Signs of Autumn
Paper: Gina K's Cranberry, All Spruced Up, Signs of Autumn, Green Apple, pumpkin, white and ivory
Ink: Memento Black and Rhubarb, SU's caramel and pumpkin
Embellishments: handmade yo-yo w/button, jute ribbon from Gina K
Techniques: matting, embossing, sponging, paper piercing