If You Were A Cactus

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

Hope you are enjoying the summer season. We have been having some really hot and humid weather here. As is most of the country I suppose. We have had temps in the 90° range. Today it's 95° and very humid.  But the hot, sunny days are good for the farmers. We just need some rain. Although when the humidity rises, we get pop-up showers. 

My neighbor has a pool, and we are free to use it whenever we want. My hubby usually goes over after he has been working in his gardens. Today would have been a good day for me but I decided to work on some Christmas cards. I am submitting them to a magazine that has a publication call. 

But, before I start those Christmas cards, I have this cactus one to post. I made this for the inspiration challenge #969. We were directed us to the Twig and Tweed site for inspiration.
I chose this Saturn Pot for my inspiration. The cactus stood out to me.

I used a cactus die from CottageCutz to create my card. I think this one will be for my hubby for our anniversary. It's later this year.

The cacti are cut in Stampin' Up's call me clover cardstock, the teacups in petunia pop. I placed them on a shelf. The background brick wall paper is from Michael's. I used a sentiment from MFT to complete my card.

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

Card Details:

Stamps: Let's Stick Together (MFT)

Paper: berry burst, petunia pop, smoky slate, call me clover, basic gray (Stampin' Up), white bricks dsp (recollections)

Paper Size: 4 1/2" x 5 3/4"

Ink: tuxedo black (Memento)

Accessories: teacup garden dies (CottageCutz)

I am also entering:

1.  Crafts Galore Encore has an anything goes challenge. 

2.  Love to Craft has an anything goes challenge. 

3.  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends is anything goes. 

4.  Gem of a Challenge is anything goes. 

5.  Allsorts Challenge is a romantic occasion or anything goes. 

6.  Crafty Calendar wants us to add a sentiment. 

7.  Polkadoodles has an anything goes challenge. 

Unforgettable Friendship

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

We celebrated the 4th of July yesterday with a cookout and fireworks at my son's home. It was such a great family day. 

I recently read a letter that John Quincy Adams sent to his wife Abigail after he signed the Declaration of Independence. He said it would be the most memorable day in American history. 

He believed that it would be celebrated by future generations as a great anniversary Festival. He said there should be parades, games, bells and fireworks. Although he called the fireworks illuminations. And this is just the way we celebrate this great American holiday. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for the Splitcoaststampers Free 4 All challenge #750. We were to make a card celebrating friends or friendship. 

I had a Stampin' Up Paper Pumpkin kit from 2023 that had these forget me not flowers and some great friendship sentiments. It was an unused kit until today.

So, I decided to use some of the contents of the Kit. The background designer paper is an envelope that is in the kit. I cut it apart and cut it to 4" x 5 1/4".  I added a piece of vellum over it to allow me to add the flower bouquet. It's a die cut from the kit. 

The sentiment is also part of the kit, and I stamped it on a bracket die from MFT. I added a few enamel dots to complete my card. Well, that's it for me for today. So, until next time.............God bless. 

Card Details:

Stamps: meaningful flowers (PP Kit Aug 2023)

Paper: garden green, vellum (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: orchid oasis (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Meaningful Flowers PP Kit 2023, crushed curry enamel dots (Stampin' Up), Bracket die (MFT

I am also entering:

1.  Crafty Catz has anything goes with optional of embellishments. 

2.  My Time to Craft has a summer florals challenge. 

3.  Creative Inspirations Challenge is anything goes. 

4.  I Spy with my Little Eye has a blooming lovely challenge. 

5.  Shopping our Stash has a NBUS challenge- never before used stuff. 

Mr. Fix-it

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

Well, my house is too quiet now after my CA kids left yesterday. I miss them already. But it was such a wonderful family time and that's the memories I want to hold onto. 

After we came back from the airport yesterday the two little ones from next door came over for a visit. They are 6 & 4. They helped me strip the beds and throw the sheets down the laundry chute. Any kid that has ever come to my house loves to throw things down the chute. Even if it's not laundry (LOL)! They wanted to help especially after I told them I had some chores to do and couldn't visit just then. 

We had some lemonade and treats and then they wanted to watch a movie. So, we did that for a bit before their Mom came to collect them. They just love coming over. They sometimes help my hubby in his garden and then they get to play hide and seek with him. I sometimes to do crafts with them which they also love. Their grandparents don't live close, so we are their "adopted ones".

Now onto my card for today. This one I made for my hubby for Father's Day, but it could be used for a masculine birthday as well. He really liked it and so did I. He has come a long way since we were first married with being able to fix things around our home.  

I used the colors from the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #1003. I was the hostess, and I chose real red, azure afternoon and daffodil delight for my color trio. Optional was anything goes.

real red, azure afternoon, daffodil delight

I cut my pegboard in kraft cardstock (neutral) using the Pegboard die from MFT. The tools are also from MFT and I cut in metallic silver and the handles in the challenge colors. The hammer is cut in soft suede (neutral).

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

Card Details:

Paper: real red, azure afternoon, daffodil delight, kraft, soft suede (Stampin' Up), silver metallic (Paper Temptress)

Paper Size: A2

Accessories: pegboard die, tool time die, little numbers & little letters dies (MFT),

I am also entering:

1.  Cardz 4 Guys has a masculine challenge. 

2.  Aloha Friday has a masculine challenge. 

3.  Crafty Catz has a masculine challenge. 

4.  Creative Fingers Challenge #280 is anything goes. 

5.  613 Avenue Create has an anything goes w/option for the guys. 

Paper Hugs

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

My CA kids just finished up their visit here in Pittsburgh. It was a wonderful family time. We had our family reunion on June 22 with 50 in attendance. That was also a great family time. 

Then last night we were at our Pittsburgh son's home for a family dinner. My daughter-in-law is a fabulous cook and she served Greek grilled chicken thighs, zucchini tian w/rice. I brought a Greek salad and appetizers of hummus, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves and pita bread. There is a great Lebanese grocery near my home where I bought the apps. 

We just took the CA kids to the airport to send them back to CA. I am planning a trip out there in October and then they come back here for Christmas. So, in the next 6 months I will get to see them twice.  

Now onto my card for today. This one I made using the colors from the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #1005. We were to use petal pink, flirty flamingo and old olive for the color trio. Optional was to add butterflies. 

petal pink, flirty flamingo, old olive

I needed a card of encouragement for a friend who is going through a rough time right now. So, I thought I would send her some paper hugs. I tried a new to me technique called a braided card. Here is a link to see how it's done + a template to cut the braid.

My braided card base is in the petal pink. I used the Folk Art Flower Pot die from CottageCutz for my image and the Hugs w/Shadow die for the sentiment.

To finish off my card I added a few butterflies and some flirty flaming enamel dots. Well, that's it for me for this post. So, until next time.......God bless.

Card Details:

Paper: Petal Pink, Flirty Flamingo, Old Olive, White, Brights DSP (Stampin'Up)

Paper Size: A2

Accessories: Folk Art Flower Pot, Hugs w/Shadow dies (CottageCutz), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Rainbow adhesive dots (Stampin' Up)

Techniques: Braided Card

I am also entering:

1.  Path of Positivity is anything goes w/option of power of words.

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

3.  Creative Fingers has a fabulous florals challenge.

4.  Allsorts challenge has a blooms, bees or butterflies challenge.

5.  Polkadoodles has an anything goes challenge.    

More Father's Day

Hello Blogger friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. We had a great Father's Day celebration with my hubby and son. Dinner was here in our home and the day was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. 

Later this week my CA son and his family come in for their annual summer visit. It will be another great family time. We also have our annual family reunion for this Saturday. Usually, we have about 70 people in attendance. Everyone brings a dish to share, and the food is always excellent. 

Now onto my card for today. This card I created for my CA son for Father's Day. It's a fun fold called a triangle easel technique. Here is a link to the YouTube video that gives all the dimensions. 

I used the Baseball Cap die + the Baseball phrases die from CottageCutz for my card images. The stamped sentiment is from the MFT set- Simply Fabulous Sayings. 

My designer paper is from the Stampin'Up "well suited " collection. That's my card for today. Here is another photo of the one I sent to my Pittsburgh son. Same card layout and designer paper, I changed the color of the Baseball cap.

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

I am also entering:

1.  Cupcake Inspiration has a Father's Day or Masculine challenge. 

2.  A Perfect Time to Craft has an anything goes challenge. 

3.  Classic Design Challenge has a fancy fold challenge. 

4.  Creative Creases #84 is anything goes with a fun fold. 

5.  Cut It Up has a feeling blue challenge. 

Father's Day Campout

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

It's Father's Day and we are having our Pittsburgh son here for dinner. I am serving cedar plank grilled salmon, filet mignon steaks, twice baked potatoes and grilled asparagus ravioli. I also have appetizers. 

Lots of food and if we have leftovers, I will have dinner for tomorrow. Highly unlikely though. My hubby and son like to eat. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I made for the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #1004. We were to use lemon-lime twist, melon mambo and pumpkin pie for the color trio. Optional was to make it a birthday card.

I decided to go with a Father's Day theme card. So, I skipped the option.

lemon-lime twist, melon mambo, pumpkin pie

I created this one for a close friend who loves the outdoors and their camp in the woods. A card with cute critters in an outdoor scene is perfect for him.

The background designer paper had the challenge colors or close to it. It's from the Stampin' Up "thoughtful Journey" collection. To get a deeper shade on the fox and the fire, I cut in pumpkin pie cardstock and shaded with pumpkin pie and spiced marmalade inks.

I cut the deer image in pecan pie cardstock and added the Father's Day sign in lemon-lime twist to complete this card.

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

Card Details:

Stamps: man of the hour (Waltzingmouse)

Paper: mossy meadow, lemon-lime twist, pumpkin pie, ivory, pecan pie, soft suede, thoughtful journey dsp (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: pumpkin pie, choc chip (Stampin' Up), sand beige (Tsukineko)

Accessories: campin' out dies, deer under mistletoe die (CottageCutz)

 

I am also entering:

1.  Allsorts challenge is masculine or anything goes. 

2.  Crafting Happiness has a camping challenge.

3.  Sweet Stampin' has a Father's Day challenge.  

4.  Aloha Friday has a masculine challenge. 

5.  Crafty Catz is anything goes w/option to make it masculine. 

Birthday Coneflowers

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

We are into the month of June already- can you believe it. I have been enjoying the warm days and especially the day length. It stays light until nearly 9:00 here. It just makes you feel good when the daylight hours go on and on. 

Since it's summertime, I thought about making ice cream. I bought a Cuisinart ice cream maker and today was my first attempt at it. I made a pistachio ice cream. I am on the Paleo diet, or I should say the Paleo lifestyle. I found a recipe that uses no refined sugar. It gives me my sweet fix though. My hubby even liked it. Although he has been enjoying all the Paleo recipes I have tried for breakfast and dinner. 

My card for today is one I created for the color challenge on Splitcoaststampers. Our colors were lost lagoon, calypso coral and pool party for the color trio. Optional was to use any 2 additional colors.

pool party, calypso coral, lost lagoon

I used a new to me coneflower stencil from Spellbinders, I stenciled in the challenge colors plus pretty peacock and abandoned coral distress ink for the optional.

The image panel is layered on lost lagoon and the card base is calypso coral.

I added the Birthday phrase using a die from CottageCutz and a few calypso coral enamel dots to complete my card.

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

Card Details:

Paper: calypso coral, lost lagoon (Stampin' Up), mixed media paper (Strathmore)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: calypso coral, lost lagoon, pretty peacock, pool party (Stampin' Up), abandoned coral distress (Ranger)

Accessories: Coneflower Stencil (Spellbinders), Birthday die w/Shadow (cottageCutz)

Techniques: stenciling

I am also entering:

1.  Crazy is our fame-Stencils are our game - use stencils + optional birthdays. 

2.  Aud Sentiments Challenge is shaker/or summer + sentiment. Coneflowers are summer flowers. 

3.  Beautiful Blossoms Challenge is anything floral goes w/optional mood board. 

4.  Incy Wincy Designs is Winter Snow or Summer Flowers.

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

Garden Bird

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

Hope your week is going well. It's almost time for another weekend and this one is a holiday weekend. Memorial Day will be celebrated, and it marks the "official" start of summer even though the calendar says its 3 weeks away. 

We have a parade here in our community and my friend will be driving an antique car and has invited me to join her on the drive. It's something I have never done before so of course I said yes. I think it will be fun. Other than that, we have no real plans. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #1000. It was a milestone challenge and to celebrate, each DT member has chosen her favorite challenge that she hosted between CC901 & CC999.

I chose CC908 and my color trio is basic gray, fresh freesia and bermuda bay. Optional was to use die-cuts.

basic gray, bermuda bay, fresh freesia

For my card, I used the Garden Bird and Spring Blooms dies from CottageCutz to create a birthday card.

The background paper on the image panel is from the Stampin' Up "oh so ombre" collection.

The hummingbird is cut from the Stampin'Up "lily impressions" designer paper. I like the shaded look it gave his body. For the wings and throat, I used fresh freesia and shaded with the same color ink.

My flowers are cut from fresh freesia cardstock and the centers with a blackberry bliss (neutral) designer paper. This is one of the colors that Stampin' Up has classified as a neutral so it's allowed in this color challenge.  The leaves are mossy meadow another allowed neutral.

Stamped my birthday sentiment and added a few enamel dots to complete the card.

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

Card Details:

Stamps: bitty birthday wishes (MFT)

Paper: basic gray, bermuda bay, fresh freesia, mossy meadow, lilly impressions dsp, oh so ombre dsp, (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: fresh freesia (Stampin' Up), tuxedo black (Memento)

Accessories: Garden Birds die, Spring Blooms die, Pierced Wide Rectangle die (CottageCutz), enamel dots (Altenew)

I am also entering:

1.  Allsorts has a 15th birthday celebration with an anything goes challenge. 

2.  Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge is fur or feathers. 

3. Paper Funday is anything goes w/optional of flower shoppe. 

4.  Addicted to Stamps and More has a birthday challenge. 

5. Critter Crazy challenge is anything goes with a featured critter. 

Heartful Sympathy

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

Hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was a quiet one. My hubby got a new iPhone and iPad so I had to set those up for him. Verizon and Apple make it so easy to transfer data from the old device to the new. I just had to move his widgets back to the home screen instead of the folder our grandson put them in a while ago. He never knew where any of the apps were. It was a crazy setup that I undid for him.  

I also did some house cleaning and cooking. Friday night we had some delicious salmon with an herb butter. Saturday night I made homemade pizza. We like ours with a pesto instead of a red sauce. And the crust was a cauliflower crust. The crust was ok, but I prefer the usual flour crust. 

Now onto to my card for today. I unfortunately needed a sympathy card for a friend who just lost her husband. I used a stamp set from Gina K for the frame, palm trees and sun. I thought the setting sun would work for a sympathy card.

I used a variety of distress inks to create my background. The clouds are done in kitsch flamingo, squeezed lemonade and wild honey.

For the water I blended shaded lilac, wilted violet, stormy sky and faded jeans.

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

Card Details:

Stamps: framescape tropical skies (Gina K designs), with heartfelt (Rubber Cottage)

Paper: polished pink, basic black (Stampin' Up), bristol smooth (Canson)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: tuxedo black (Memento), daffodil delight (Stampin' Up), kitsch flamingo, squeezed lemonade, wild honey, shaded lilac, wilted violet, stormy sky, faded jeans distress inks (Ranger)

Accessories: mini cloud stencil (MFT)

Techniques: ink blending

I am also entering:

1.  A Perfect Time to Craft has an anything goes challenge. 

2.  Crafts Galore Encore has an anything goes challenge. 

3.  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends is anything goes. 

4.  Crafty Calendar is anything goes. 

5.  Crafting Happiness has a sunny days challenge. 

Stenciled Mother's Day Flowers

Hello Blogger friends! Thanks for dropping by to visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. 

Don't know if any of you have been able to view the Northern Lights display in your area. They were visible in the Pittsburgh area on Friday night. When I looked out it was cloudy, so I thought it was a no go. However, my friends persevered and took lots of photos of the spectacular display. God's handiwork is always amazing to me. 

Here is a photo from the PA State police. It was taken not too far from my home.

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for my niece. It's the last of my 2024 Mother's Day cards. It was hand delivered to her office along with a bunch of tulips. She has problems with the scent that comes from flowers, so tulips were a great choice for her. They are scent free. 

I used a Poppy stencil from The Ton Stamps to create my card. It's a multi-layered stencil. I used 3 different shades of pink ink. The first layer is spun sugar distress ink, 2nd layer is pretty in pink from Stampin' Up and the 3rd layer is kitsch flamingo distress ink. The leaves are peeled paint distress ink.

I stamped the Mother's Day sentiment in Stampin' Up polished pink ink. The wishes phrase is die cut in polished pink and pretty in pink cardstock using the CottageCutz "wishes w/shadow" die. I scattered a few polished pink sequins to complete my card.

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

I am also entering:

1.  Crazy is our fame-Stencils are our game has a girly challenge. 

2.  Aud Sentiments Challenge is foiling or flowers + a sentiment. 

3.  Get Creative has a Ladies only challenge. 

4.  Make My Monday has a florals challenge. 

5.  Inspiration Station #61. The pink flowers are my inspiration.