Santa's New Ride

Hello Blogger friends. Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. 

It's a hot summer day here in Pittsburgh. I went out for a walk around 9:00 am this morning before it was too hot to walk. There was a gentle breeze blowing and I finished when the sun was starting to get things heated up.  

Since none of my hubby's vegetable garden is ready for harvesting yet, I went to the Farmers Market in my area. Lots of people shopping at all the farmer's booths. I picked up some corn, peppers and cucumbers. 

With the cucumbers I made a cucumber mint agua fresca. It was a delicious non-alcoholic drink.  I had the recipe saved on Pinterest and was anxious to try it. I used a cucumber, mint leaves, ginger, lime juice and water. It's such a refreshing drink. I think the next time I make it; I will use more mint and more ginger. You could add a splash of tequila if you wanted to take it up a notch. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for the color challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I was the hostess to kick off our 7th annual color challenge Christmas in July celebration. 

The color trio is coastal cabana, real red and summer splash. Optional is Christmas in July.

coastal cabana, real red, summer splash

My card is featuring Santa in a new ride- a space rocket. Those girls that went up in one earlier this year have nothing on Santa. He will make it round the world in one night! Imagine that (lol)!!!

I used the Santa Space Rocket die from CottageCutz and cut it in the challenge colors. For the summer splash, I ink blended with the same color ink to get a deeper shade.

My background is some older Stampin' Up designer paper, and it has two of the challenge colors. I only had this small piece left and I don't know the name of the collection it was in.

I made it into a mini slimline card. I also used a window sheet for the spaceship dome. I wanted it to have a glass look.

Well, that's it for me for this post. So, until next time......God bless.

 

Card Details:

Paper: real red, coastal cabana, summer splash, white, window sheets, coastal cabana dsp (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: 3 1/2" x 6 1/2"

Ink: summer splash (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Santa Space Rocket die, Merry Christmas w/Shadow die (CottageCutz)

Techniques: mini slimline

I am also entering:

1.  Fab 'n' Funky has a Christmas in July challenge. 

2.  Little Red Wagon is having a Christmas in July challenge. 

3.  Lost Coastal Portal to Creativity is Christmas in July. 

4.  Aud Sentiments is Christmas in July + a sentiment. 

5.  Girlz Creative Christmas Challenge is anything goes Christmas. 

Hibiscus Birthday

Hello Blogger friends. Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today.

Hope you had some time to get a little crafty today. It's really hot and humid here so staying inside in the air conditioning worked for me. My hubby harvested a bunch of his basil, and I spent the afternoon making pesto and freezing it for wintertime enjoyment. I just don't put the parmesan cheese in it until I am ready to use it. He has plenty out there still and I may make some more tomorrow. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for the color challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I was the  hostess and my color trio was melon mambo, berry burst and pretty in pink. Optional was to use your favorite green. I used old olive- it's one of my fave green inks.

pretty in pink, melon mambo, berry burst

For my card I used the layering stencil "Climbing Hibiscus from The Ton Stamps. I started with pretty in pink, then melon mambo and then berry burst. I picked the colors with this stencil in mind. I also used a Bristol Smooth cardstock. I like how it blends the Stampin' Up inks.

I used a stamp & die combo from a Scrapbook and Cards kit for my sentiment. Finished off my card with a few melon mambo enamel dots.

Well, that's it for me for this post. So, until next time......God bless.

Card Details: 

Stamps: Confetti & Cake (Scrapbook and Cards)

Paper: melon mambo (Stampin' Up), Bristol Smooth (Stratmore)

Paper Size: 4 1/2" x 5 3/4"

Ink: pretty in pink, melon mambo, berry burst, old olive (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Climbing Hibiscus Layering Stencil (The Ton Stamps), solid faceted gems (Stampin' Up)

Techniques: stenciling

I am also entering:

1.  Little Red Wagon has a go bold challenge. They want to see bright colors. 

2.  Simon Says Stamp has a Sending flowers challenge. 

3.  The Paper Funday Challenge is anything goes w/optional to use stencils. 

4.  Beautiful Blossoms challenge is anything goes with florals.

5.  Triple B has an anything goes with birds, blossoms and/or butterflies. 

Happy July 4th

Hello Blogger Friends. 

Sending greetings from Pittsburgh to all my American friends as we celebrate the 249th birthday of America. 

Hope you are getting to take part in the many celebrations that go on today. Our community had a fireworks display last Saturday night. But tonight, many of the communities around us will be having theirs. 

We are having a cookout today at my home. Lots of sunshine and warm weather so the day is perfect for it. So, whatever your plans are for today enjoy the day and the country that we live in. America - home of the free because of the brave!!!

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for the color challenge on Splitcoaststampers. Our colors were real red, blueberry bushel and balmy blue for the color trio. Optional was to make it patriotic.

real red, balmy blue, blueberry bushel

I made this one for a good friend who uses my cards as part of her decorations. She was thrilled when I gave it to her.

I went with an arched fun fold card for my layout. They are really easy to make. Here is a video from Tami White that shows you how to create the layout. 

My dies are from CottageCutz - the patriotic line. I stamped my sentiment in real red ink and cut it out with a Stampin' Up label die. The sentiment is a stamp from Blue Knight. 

That's my card for today. So, until next time......God bless.

Card Details: 

Stamps: God Bless America (Blue Knight Stamps)

Paper: basic white, real red, blueberry bushel, balmy blue (Stampin'Up), firework fiesta dsp (Carta Bella)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: real red (Stampin'-Up)

Accessories: Patriotic Rainbow, Happy 4th of July, Fireworks Dies (CottageCutz), Essential Arches dies (Spellbinders)

Techniques: Arched Fun Fold

I am also entering:

1.  Four Seasons Challenge is anything goes with a summer theme.  

2.  Creative Inspirations has an anything goes challenge. 

3.  Creative Creases has an anything goes with a fun-fold. 

4.  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends has an anything goes challenge. 

5.  Double Trouble has a summer fun-fold challenge. 

Tropical Flower Birthday Greetings

Hello Blogger friends. Thanks for taking the time to stop and sisit with The Charmed Life Blog today. 

Well June is in the history books, and it was a wet one here in Pittsburgh. But summer temps are back with 85° and higher every day for over a week. We need a few days of sun and no rain to get the vegetables going. My hubby has not had to water at all this year because of all the rain. 

We celebrate our 249th July 4th this coming Friday. Our community already had a fireworks display on Saturday night but we didn't go. My hubby who loves fireworks said no because of all the rain. But it did stop and hold off for the display. Maybe we will make one this Friday as other communities put on their displays. We are having my in-laws here for a cookout. So that will be fun. If it rains, we just eat inside. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I made for a color challenge on Splitcoaststampers. We were to use petunia pop, lemon lolly and pool party for the color trio. Optional was an anything goes. My option was a flamingo cut in pink cardstock.

lemon lolly, petunia pop, pool party

I needed a birthday card for a friend who loves tropical vacations. This week's colors were perfect for an ink blended sky and tropical hibiscus flowers. The inspiration for my design came from this card by my friend Kris Breach.

For the sky I used picked raspberry, squeezed lemonade and tumbled glass distress inks. The hibiscus flowers were cut in petunia pop and lemon lolly cardstock. I also used mossy meadow (neutral) for the leaves.

Well, that's it for me for this post. So, until next time......God bless. 

Card Details:

Stamps: Poppy Birthday (Verve)

Paper: petunia pop, lemon lolly, mossy meadow, pretty in pink (stampin' Up), Bristol Smooth (Canson)

Paper Size: 4 1/2" x 5 3/4"

Ink: picked raspberry, squeezed lemonade, tumbled glass distress (Ranger)

Accessories: Hibiscus Flowers, Flamingo (CottageCutz), in-color enamel dots (Stampin' Up)

Techniques: ink blending

I am also entering:

1. Allsorts has a seaside or anything goes challenge. I think this fits the seaside theme.  

2.  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends has an anything goes challenge.  

3.  Alphabet Challenge is "F" is for feathers.

4.  Cut It Up has a critters challenge.  

5.  Cardz 4 Galz has a welcome to summer challenge.  

Abigail Rose Birthday

Hello Blogger friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. 

Hope you are enjoying your summer. We have had lots of rain in Pittsburgh. My hubby has lost some vegetable plants because of all the rain. But next week we are expecting some dry weather. His flowers are blooming profusely though. In a couple of months, I am hoping to have a bountiful harvest from the vegetable garden that will take us through the winter months. 

Tonight, the humid weather finally left us and brought with it some cooler temps. I was able to open my windows for the first time in in over a week. The air conditioner has been running non-stop. But there is a gentle breeze blowing in right now. It will be great for sleeping tonight. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for the color challenge #1050. We were to use night of navy, pecan pie and balmy blue for her color trio. Optional this week is flowers.

When I saw the gallery filled with beautiful flowers in this color combo, I decided to make one. 

I had this designer paper from the Stampin' Up "Abigail Rose" collection. It was in black and white so I decided to color it with Stampin' blends (alcohol markers). It really popped with these colors.

I didn't have the Stampin' blends in pecan pie or mossy meadow, so I used a blender pen and ink pads to color some of the small flowers and the leaves. To finish off my card, I added the happy birthday phrase and some faceted gems.

Well, that's it for me for this post. So, until next time...... God bless. 

Card Details:

Paper: Night of Navy, Very Vanilla, Abigail Rose dsp (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: pecan pie, mossy meadow (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Stampin' Blends- night of navy and balmy blue, solid faceted gems (Stampin' Up), happy birthday w/shadow die (CottageCutz)

I am also entering:

1.  As You Like it Challenge wants us to add a sentiment. It makes my card ready to go. 

2.  Moving Along with the Times has a birthday challenge. 

3.  Try it on Tuesday has an "in the garden" challenge. 

4.  A Cut Above is anything goes with at least one die cut. 

5.  Neglected Stuff Challenge is anything goes. I used my alcohol markers which definitely don't get used since I mainly use die cuts or stencils. 

Father's Day 2025

  

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today.

It's Father's Day here in the US. We started our day off with church and then went to lunch afterwards. Then we came home my hubby had a call from our California son.  We just spent 5 days with them, but it was nice to hear from him again.  

We aren't getting to spend any time with our Pittsburgh son because he is traveling to FL on business. We will get to see him next weekend when he returns. 

And right now, my hubby is watching the US Open Golf tournament. It's being held here in the Pittsburgh area. He did get to go last Monday for the practice rounds. A friend of ours gifted him with 2 tickets and he was able to go with his brother. It was a nice outing for them  

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for my hubby for Father's Day. I used the contents of the May 2025 Paper Pumpkin Kit from Stampin' Up for the card. I saw this card on Pinterest, and I liked the fun fold, so I decided to use the idea and make one for my hubby. I changed the sentiments around and did some additional stamping to change it up a bit. 

The first photo above shows the card completely closed. I took one of the envelopes from the kit and used it as a layer on the back of the middle layer. I stamped the bird images here.  

 This photo below shows the fun fold open. I have a die from Divinity Designs that cuts this fun fold design. It saves all the measuring you have to do. Once the base was cut from Misty Moonlight card stock, I took a printed card base from the kit and used it as designer paper. This particular die also cuts layers. 

The trees on the middle layer are die cuts from the kit as is the sentiment. I stamped the card front and the last layer sentiments and also stamped some bird images. 

My hubby loved his card. He is such a supporter of my work. Well, that's it for me for this post. So until next time......God bless.

I am also entering:

1.  Allsorts has a what makes you happy or anything goes challenge. I chose the ATG option. 

2.  Love Those Pretty Papers Challenge is anything goes. 

3.  We Love Stamping Challenge has a nature or anything goes challenge. 

4.  613 Avenue Create is anything goes w/option of masculine. 

5.  Creative Creases is anything goes with a fun fold. 

6.  The Male Room has a fun fold challenge.

 

Parcel & Post Birthday

Hello Blogger friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. It's Memorial Day here in the USA. We had a parade in our local community. It's always well attended and the little kids love it. 

We didn't do much of anything else. My hubby was out working in his gardens for a bit. And then we went out to buy a new mattress. We just don't seem to have luck with mattresses. Hopefully this one will last for the 12 years that its warranted for. We felt the salesman was honest and gave us good information. 

I have neglected my blog for a month but with good reason. It was primary election season here in PA and I am involved in the local political scene. So, I was busy doing mailings, door knocking, phone bank work and texting. 

I was creating but only for the color challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I am still a part of that team. This one was for color challenge #1051. We were to use daffodil delight, real red, granny apple green and azure afternoon for the color combination. Optional was an anything goes theme. I chose pretty in pink for my option.

real red, granny apple green, azure afternoon, daffodil delight

I used the Spellbinders Parcel & Post die to create my card. I cut the mailbox in azure afternoon and night of navy (neutral). The flowers are cut in the challenge colors + pretty in pink as my dessert option.

I embossed the background panel with the boho chic embossing folder from Stampin' Up. Stamped my sentiment with the coordinating stamp set to this die. 

That's my card for this post. So until next time......God bless. 

Card Details:

Stamps: Parcel & Post Sentiments (Spellbinders)

Paper: real red, daffodil delight, granny apple green, azure afternoon, night of navy, pretty in pink, white, smoky slate, silver metallic (Stampin' Up)

Ink: night of navy (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Parcel & Post dies (Spellbinders, Boho Chic EF (Stampin' Up)

I am also entering:

1.  A Cut Above is anything goes with a die cut. 

2.  Allsorts has an anything goes challenge with a 16th birthday theme. 

3.  Can you Handle the Pressure has an anything goes challenge using an embossing folder.

4.  C.R.A.F.T. has an anything goes challenge. 

5.  Craft Rocket Challenge wants us to use flowers.  

Birthday Cheers

Hello Blogger friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. 

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. There are some crazy storms hitting the US right now. We are expecting one later today, so I wanted to get this Blog post finished before any of it hits. 

It's a beautiful sunny and warm day right now. Although the winds have picked up. I had the windows in my bedroom open, and my African Violet plant blew over. It's a medium size plant in a heavy planter so I was surprised when I heard the noise. 

I have been asking my hubby to cut the plant back and separate the tubers for a smaller plant. It's just a bit large for my nightstand. And speaking of plants- my orchids are all in bloom and one of them is loaded with blossoms. I really like orchids, and I think they are relatively easy to care for. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for the color challenge #1049. We were to use  melon mambo, daffodil delight and coastal cabana for the color trio. Optional was a birthday theme.

melon mambo, daffodil delight, coastal cabana

I started my card with the designer paper. I used the Stampin' Up "artistry blooms" collection. I layered that over daffodil delight cardstock. The paper had two of the colors we were to use. 

My coconut tropical drinks are a die from CottageCutz. I cut the coconuts in pecan pie (neutral) and the other items in the challenge colors. For the drink umbrella, I ink blended the handle with coastal cabana to get a deeper color.

Added my Cheers phrase and a stamped sentiment in melon mambo ink. Scattered a few melon mambo enamel dots to complete the card. This one will go to my good friend. The tropical drink theme will be perfect for her. 

Well, that's it for me for this post. So, until next time..........God bless. 

 

Card Details:

Stamps: Poppy Birthday (Verve)

Paper: basic white, melon mambo, coastal cabana, daffodil delight, pecan pie, artistry blooms designer paper (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: melon mambo, coastal cabana (Stampin" Up)

Accessories: Aloha & Ukulele die (cottageCutz), Celebratory Greetings die (MFT),

I am also entering:

1.  Love Those Pretty Papers challenge is anything goes w/optional theme Springtime. 

2.  Alphabet Challenge is choose a letter and theme. I choose "B" for birthday. 

3.  Crafty Catz is atg w/optional feminine birthday. 

4   Seize the Birthday is anything goes w/optional of Stenciling. 

Stenciled Poppy Birthday Wishes

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. 

It's the last weekend in April. This month flew by so quickly. We are back to chilly weather here in the Pittsburgh area. But our hot weather will be here before I know it. So, I am not complaining. 

No plans for today. I did some household chores and made a delicious soup. My friend gave me the recipe for an Italian Sausage soup. The recipe called for heavy cream but I am not doing dairy, so I substituted full-fat coconut milk. Sausage, fresh spinach, onion, garlic and Italian seasoning. It is really flavorful, and my hubby loved it. 

I have a baby shower to attend tomorrow. My good friend's daughter is having her first baby and it's a girl. The shower will be fun, and I like to see all the gifts that the Mother-to-be gets and the expression of gratitude on her face.  A lot of women think this part of the shower is boring, but I love it. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for the color challenge #1048 on Splitcoaststampers. We were to use pretty peacock, peach pie and summer splash for the color trio. Optional was an anything goes theme. I chose a 4th color of coastal cabana for the optional item. 

pretty peacock, peach pie, summer breeze

For my card I decided to use a multi-layer stencil from the Ton Stamps. It's their Precious Poppies stencil.I used coastal cabana, summer splash, pretty peacock and peach pie for my poppy colors. I die cut them with the coordinating die and layered them on white cardstock.

The card base is pretty peacock. I cut my birthday phrase and stamped a sentiment. Added a few peach pie resin dots to complete my card.

This one was sent to my friend who celebrated a birthday yesterday. She loves flowers and always likes the cards I make for her. 

Well that my card for today. So, until next time .....God bless. 

Card Details:

Stamps: painted petals (PP Kit July 2024)

Paper: pretty peacock, basic white (Stampin' Up), Bristol Smooth (Canson)

Paper Size: 4 1/2" x 6"

Ink: pretty peacock (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: precious poppies stencil & coordinating die (The Ton Stamps), birthday phrase w/Shadow (CottageCutz), 2024-206 resin dots (Stampin' Up)

Techniques: Stenciling

I am also entering:

1.  Crafty Calendar has a feminine challenge. 

2.  Craft Rocket Challenge has a layer it up challenge. 

3.  Just Us Girls has a stencil challenge. 

4.  Crafty Catz has an anything goes w/optional feminine birthday.  

5.  Seize the Birthday has any anything goes w/optional of stenciling.