perfect peace

Happy Sunday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog.

We had NO snow today in the 'Burgh. This month has been the snowiest on record for us. But, it's a wrap now.

We had a great service at church today. Afterwards, we had a fellowship time. We brought finger foods to share. It was just a nice time to get to talk to people.

I brought mini egg salad sandwiches. They were a big hit and I brought home an empty platter. That always makes you feel good when people like your food. Seemed like everyone lingered a lot longer today.

We try and do this once a month. I so enjoy the time to talk in a relaxed environment.

Now, onto my card for today. Sunday is the featured stamper challenge on splitcoaststampers.

This week Angella Crockett was honored. She is one talented stamper. She has an amazing gallery on splitcoast.

She uses scripture a lot on her cards. Just beautiful!!

I had a difficult time choosing a card to recreate. I finally decided on this beauty.

I kept her same layout, the scripture theme, and border punch.

I changed the designer paper, card stock, ribbon and the nestabilities shape. I added some pearls on my flower centers.

It's time to turn off the lights in charmed life land today my friends. Blessings and hugs.

card recipe:

stamps: angel's attic

paper: su blue bayou, certainly celery, porcelain prints dsp

ink: blue bayou

accessories: ms border punch, ribbon, amuse pearls

best wishes

Happy Saturday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. Well, we had another 6" of snow overnight. Then we had another 2" throughout the day.

I wanted to go to my grandsons basketball games today and I even attempted the drive. But, before I got out of my area it was snowing and it started to lay on the roads again.

Since, I had to travel about 45 min to get to the game, I decided not to go. I turned around and came home. I was disappointed since Ethan, my youngest, was playing his last game of the season.

I did get to make a card today since I was snowbound. It was for the inspiration challenge on splitcoaststampers. This week we were to make a card based on the costumes from the Olympic figure skaters.

I have been watching the Olympics each night. I enjoyed all the events and the skating competitions were among my favorites.

At first, I didn't think I would take part in the challenge. This was a little more difficult than I thought. The costumes were all so beautiful and I wasn't sure what to do for a card.

When I looked at the costume that Mirai from the USA was wearing, I saw scallops, flowers and flourishes.

So that's how I created my card.

I used some new designer paper from quick quotes paper called irresistible. It has the flourishes and flowers.

I cut a sizzlits nesting swirl in black that had a flower as well. I noticed the costume had a flower at the waist like this one.

On my sentiment panel, I used a scallop edge punch.

That is basically my card. It's time to wrap up this day and this post. It's only 20 days until Spring-yay!!

card recipe:

stamps: kind and caring thoughts
paper: su real red, black, quick quotes dsp
ink: memento tuxedo black
accessories: sizzlits nesting swirls die

just delightful corals

Happy Friday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. Well its another winter advisory here in the 'Burgh. The snow keeps falling and there are numerous fender benders. The national guard is back patrolling the roads.

We just set a new record for snowfall in the month of February.

Well, its almost over and spring is only a few weeks away. I am so looking forward to seeing flowers, longer days and warmer temps.

Now onto my card for today.

There is a new challenge on splitcoaststampers.

It's called the "free for all challenge". What does that mean, you ask?

Well, in the words of wendybell from splitcoast:

"The challenge today is to use textures (think embossing folders, ribbons, and/or flowers, etc. most embellishments fit into this category!), and at least ONE color that is one you don’t NORMALLY use (be sure to identify it in your card description). The third part, which I am leaving OPTIONAL is to use some patterned paper in your creation. Easy enough, right??? "

So, I first thought of a color I don't use often. That would be stampin-up cameo coral.

Then I remembered a retired simply scrappin kit that had some cameo coral die-cuts in it.

I decided to use the layout from the mojo126 challenge and my card was taking form.

For the texture part I used a cuttlebug embossing folder.

The scallop trim, flower and the tab are from the kit.

I used pop dots on the flower to give it some dimension.

My long rectangle panel is stamped in cameo coral with a background stamp from endless creations.

The short rectangle is a background stamp from stampendous called "dream text".

I will probably use this as a birthday card. My birthday sentiment will be on the inside.

Well, its late and I am tired so I am wrapping it up today.

Don't forget to leave me a comment and let me know what you think, I love reading them all.

card recipe:

stamps: dream text, endless creations
paper: su ww, cameo coral
ink: cameo coral
accessories: simply scrappin just delightful, cb ef

birthday celebrations

Happy Tuesday and thanks for visiting the charmed life blog. The remodeling project is continuing. But, we are making such progress.

Today, we moved the furniture into the new dining room. I was so excited. The room looks great. We still need our chandelier installed, and we finally picked out one. It's here and ready for installation.

That will happen on Thursday. I also bought cellular shades for the french door and those will be installed on Thursday as well.

Then that room is done. Woo-hoo!!

We will then move on to the new family room. I have to start looking for furniture and pick my paint colors. That room should be relatively easy to finish. But, then you never know what little issues you run up against to slow the project down.

All in all I am very pleased with what we have done. Our contractor, Gil has been great. He is such a professional. He is very dependable and his work is "the bomb" (lol). They are his words.

So if you are in the Pittsburgh area and need a contractor, let me know. I can put you in touch with mine. You won't be disappointed.

Now onto my card for today. I made this one for the featured stamper challenge on splitcoaststampers. This week Judi Rose (aka jovialjudi) was given the honors. She has such a talent. This link will take you to her gallery on splitcoast.

I chose this card of hers to case. You are to change 2 or more things on the original card.

My changes: used black and kraft card stock, added ribbon treatment, used different sentiment, used martha stewart lace doiley punch only, stamped the image in black instead of white.

I stamped the bird image and use the label 2 nestabilities to frame the image. It is such a clean and simple card.

I really like this stamp set. It's from stampin-up called wings of friendship. Birds are so popular right now with stampers.

Well, it looks like a wrap from charmed life land. I have to make a card for my middle grandson, Aidin. His birthday is tomorrow.

And the Olympics is on so I want to catch the figure skaters. It's their short program tonight. Is anyone else watching and enjoying it like I am? Let me know. I am anxious to hear what you think.

card recipe:

stamps: wings of friendship,upsy daisy
paper: su kraft, black, ww
ink: memento tuxedo black
accessories: ms border punch,nesties, ribbon

hip-hippo-ray

Happy Sunday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. It was a "warm" day here in the 'Burgh. I think the temp was up around 38. The snow and ice are slowly melting and that's a good thing.

The water that was coming in the house has stopped. Thank the Lord.

We had a great service at church today. A young couple (Jeannine & Aaron) announced they are pregnant. They were married in June of last year. They were both so excited. I will have to make them a card.

On another note-speaking of cards. I wanted to make mention of something that I overlooked in a previous post. On this post and this post, I didn't give credit to my friend Linda for the card inspiration. She is a great stamper as well as designer. She presented the ideas at our recent card club meeting. Thanks Linda!!

So onto my card for today. I made this one for the Saturday inspiration challenge on splitcoaststampers. This week we visited an Australian site "Lark".

They stocks lovely jewelry, prints, stationery, zines, books, and cute home wares from the owners’ favorite designers.

I chose this cute hippo purse as my card inspiration. I used the colors of the purse in my card. My designer paper seemed like a great match for the fabric they used on the purse.

I colored my hippo image with prismacolor pencils and gamsol.

The layout I used was from Karen Giron. She has a sketch challenge every Sunday. The simplicity of this one worked well for my card.

Well, it looks like a wrap from charmed life land for today. I am watching the winter Olympics and really enjoying all the events. How about you? What's your favorite so far?

card recipe:

stamps: pun fun
paper: su lovely lilac, bazzill green, dcwv dp
ink: memento tuxedo black
accessories: prismacolor & gamsol, nesties

aidin's valentine card

Happy Thursday and welcome to the charmed life blog. The weather woes continue here in Pittsburgh.

We have had so much snow and below freezing temperatures that its causing problems on roofs with ice dams. The gutters are packed solid with ice so any runoff has nowhere to go so its finding its way into peoples homes.

This was our issue. We had water coming in our front windows. Then my husband woke up on Tuesday morning with water dripping on his feet. It was coming in through the light fixture on the ceiling.

He went up to the attic and saw water up there. It was pouring in through the front windows at this point. We have wood windows so I was getting nervous.

Fortunately, our remodeler was coming over that day to work. And, he quickly went to work to resolve the issue. What he did worked and the water flow on the inside stopped.

Other homes that I have seen on tv have not been as fortunate. They have sustained a lot of damage and the big melt has not begun as yet. I guess there will be lots of insurance claims filed.

Well onto my card for today. I made this one for Aidin (middle grandson) for valentine's day. He is my little technique boy.

I thought he might like the easel card. They have been showing up at splitcoaststampers quite a bit.

He checked it all out and commented on every detail of the card. He really liked the martha stewart zig zag border punch and the red brad I used.

I used stampin up markers on the image which he liked as well. He liked the multi colors. Although he didn't like the mailbox for some reason. Not the coloring but the image itself.

I used heart embossed card stock on the inside. He said he liked the feel of it. He gave me a "9" on this card. Isn't he sweet!!

This was my first easel card and I was surprised how easy it was to make. My sentiment is from Verve. It was a free digi download. I really liked the font that Julee used.

The image is from the stampin-up wandering words set. I used a sakura glitter pen on the hearts for some bling.

Besides my card being for Aidin it was also for a couple of Saturday challenges.

1. crazy 4 challenges blog this week was to make a card using red as the main color for valentines's day.

2. our daily bread designs blog this week was to make a red or pink card with bling.

Well it looks like a wrap from charmed life land for today, my blogging friends. Stay warm. Hugs and blessings to you all.

card recipe:

stamps: su wandering words, verve digi

ink: printworks black

paper: su black, ww, real red, lasting impressions embossed hearts, paper patch dp

accessories: ms border punch, red brad

ps I love you, austin

Happy Friday and welcome to the charmed life blog. We actually had some sunshine here in the 'Burgh today. It was enough to begin the melting process of the icicles that are hanging from my house.

The leaking has stopped. Thank the Lord. My husband knocked away some of the ice that was hanging on our shutters and on the siding.

He was very careful and after he did that the sun took care of some more of it. Where the water was coming in the front windows has stopped. We had ice hanging off our dtv satellite and that was affecting some of the channels. The sun also took care of that.

We may not have sunshine for several more days, so I am happy with the result of what took place today.

Well, now onto my card for today. I mentioned not having valentines cards for all 3 grandsons done yet so that was my mission today.

The ccee stampers blog had an inspiration challenge today. I enjoy these types of challenges. We visited the imagekind site to get our inspiration.

I immediately found a print that I liked and decided it would make an easy card.

I like the simplicity of the design as well.

I used a square punch and a heart punch and basically that was the card.

I loved the colors the palspaper arts challenge blog used last week. So that's what I went with for my card.

The colors are black, melon mambo, and pretty in pink. They are nice, bright colors together.

I used a penny black stamp for the sentiment. I decided to cut it out and place on the front of the card.

This card is for Austin. He is my oldest grandson. He just likes getting cards from me but he really doesn't pay too much attention to the card unless his brother points out something about the design or stamp.

I made Aidin an easel card. He likes the technique cards and will study it. I will post his card tomorrow.

Well, my friends its time to wrap up this post.

I leave you something I read in scripture today.

I was reading in the book of Daniel. Just to sum it up, when you find yourself in a tight spot, share your need with a trusted friend who believes in God's power. Don't panic-that only confirms your hopelessness. Prayer is more effective and confirms your hope in God.

If you need someone to pray for a situation, email me or leave me a comment here.

card recipe:

stamps: penny black

ink: printworks black

paper: su black, melon mambo, pretty in pink

accessories: heart & square punch

ethan your're a blast

Happy Thursday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog.

Well, we had about 6" of new snow and the schools were closed again here in the "Burgh .

We have a lot of icicles on our home right now and this morning a leak started in the upstairs bedroom and the downstairs living room. Not much but its still water and it concerns me.

I put towels on the window sills and then I had to put cups to catch the drips.

My husband went out and knocked some of the icicles down that were hanging from the siding. He didn't touch the gutters because he didn't want to mess up the angle. I think that's what he said.

If anyone has any other suggestions please let me know.

After he knocked the icicles off we noticed a lot of water dripping outside. At least its not inside. We thought possibly that it broke up some ice jams. The water started dripping faster in the windows. But my trusty cups are catching it.

We have wood windows and our concern is the wood getting water damage. This has been some winter here in Pittsburgh. Nothing like it since 1994 and I do remember that one very well.

Well, onto my card for today. The Thursday ways to use it challenge over on splitcoaststampers was all about odds. The design rule of odds that is. An odd number of anything is most pleasing in design our hostess told us today.

And, the Wednesday sketch challenge had a layout with a center panel of 3 images. How perfect for the valentines card I was making for my youngest grandson, Ethan.

I have been lovin' the robot images from stampin-up but I didn't have any of them. So I bought a dimensional sticker at Michael's. It was on the clearance rack. I had these designer papers in my stash that had a space design so I had my card.

I cut out the rockets from the recollections designer paper and used the bot sticker. On the inside of the card I repeated the designer paper and stamped "to my valentine".

Do you believe I have not made my other 2 grandsons their cards yet.

I can't mail them now so I will have to go over either Saturday or Sunday with their cards and a little candy or other gift.

I don't know what I have been doing besides our remodeling that puts me so behind with these cards. I guess the remodeling is major so ther is my excuse (lol)!!

On Ethan's card I used stampin-up real red and so saffron for my first 2 layers. Then the designer paper from paper pizazz the blue atom line.

The rockets on the card I cut out from the rockets and sprockets designer paper from recollections. I used some 3-d tape for dimension. I used a cuttlebug folder on the middle so saffron panel-called spots and dots. I thought it looked sort of "spacey".

My sentiment is from stampin-up's pun fun set and I cut it out with the word window punch.

Well, it looks like a wrap for today, my blogger friends. Let me know if you have any suggesgtions for our water leak. And, also any other comments you want to leave are appreciated. God bless!!

card recipe:

stamps: pun fun

ink:memento tuxedo black

paper: su real red, so saffron, paper pizazz dsp, recollections dsp

accessories: word window punch, cb ef spots and dots

shelter of the most high

Happy Tuesday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. It's another snowy day here in Pittsburgh.

It started snowing this afternoon and is supposed to continue until tomorrow. The forecast is for another 4"-8" of snow. And, that is on top of the 24 " we had over the weekend.

We don't usually get this much snow at one time here. The schools have been closed for 2 days and I think they are off tomorrow as well.

I don't have to go out since I am retired. But, I remember the days of having to drive through the white stuff to get to the office. So I pray for protection for my friends and any of you who have to travel in this weather to get to work.

Our remodeling is also continuing. the contractor was here today and put the 2nd coat of polyurethane on the hard wood floor. I tell you the fumes from this stuff are powerful.

We had to open our door and a window to get some ventilation. Even as I am typing this post I opened the door and window again.

Well onto my card for today. I made this one for a brand new challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs. It's called shining the light challenge. This is a new weekly challenge on Saturdays. There are prizes so go and check it out.

For this particular challenge you were to use hearts anywhere on your creation.

I had this designer paper in my stash. Bought it from the local stamp store and it was on sale for .25. I liked the birds and the bird cage design.

Also, in the stash was this dimensional bird cage sticker. I found this at Michael's and it was on sale as well.

I looked through my stamps from ODBD. When I saw this scripture stamp from the scripture 2 collection, I knew I had my card idea.

I liked the symbolism of the Lord's protection over us just like the bird being protected by the bird cage. I hope I am explaining this well or that my card comes across with the symbolism I am talking about.

Well that's enough jib-jab for today, my friends. God Bless!!

card recipe:

stamps: scripture 2 collection odbd

paper: su pretty in pink, chocolate chip, american crafts dsp

ink: memento rich cocoa

accessories: su satin ribbon, reflections dimesnional stickers, heart punch, pearls

valentine be mine

Happy Monday to all who are visiting the charmed life blog. We are digging out after the monumental snowfall (24"), here in Pittsburgh, over the weekend.

We lost power for a brief period on Sunday night. That was nothing-some of our friends from church have been out since Friday when the storm was in full blast.

I was in the middle of my blog upload when the power went. We were also watching the super bowl and off the TV went. I had just put all the emergency candles away in the garage, Because I thought we were beyond the point of losing power.

The forecast is for another 4"-8" starting tomorrow.

The schools were all closed today and some have already started canceling for tomorrow.

I usually go over to meet my grandsons' school bus on Tuesday but not tomorrow. It's a 45 minute drive on a good day. I decided not to go because if we get that much more snow I don't want to be stuck there for a few days.

My grandsons would love it, but my hubby would be all alone. He is under the weather now-some sort of flu bug.

Well, enough of this weather talk. Let's get to the important card stuff. I made this card for 3 different challenges:

1. Sundays featured stamper challenge on splitcoaststampers. This week Barbara Anders (aka bar) was the honoree. She is one talented stamper for sure.

If you haven't looked through her gallery, I have provided the link to it.

I chose her be mine valentine card to recreate "a la Mary Marsh" style.

I changed the colors, used a border punch, and a cuttlebug embossing folder and added a separate sentiment panel.

2. The ccee stampers had a challenge as well using hearts and a charm. I didn't have any charms so I substituted a read heart brad.

3. the crazy for challenges blog also had a challenge for valentines cards. So I was able to make one card and handle 3 challenges. That's a big "whoo-hoo " in my book.

Well ,it looks like a wrap for today my blogging friends. Stay warm and let me know if you have had snow and how much. God Bless!!

card recipe:

stamps: holiday best
paper: su real red, whisper white
ink: su black
accessories: cb ef, fiskars heart border punch, brad

love you

Happy Saturday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. What a week-end!

It started snowing yesterday afternoon and didn't stop until late morning here in Pittsburgh.

My area had 24" of snow. They declared a state of emergency in my township as well as the entire county.

We spent the morning digging out our driveway and our front walk.

Our kind neighbor, Don came over to help my husband with the driveway.

It's a long one as well as the front walkway.

The snow was so heavy, and we had so much it just took awhile to get it shoveled.

We were so fortunate that we did not lose power as other areas did. Thank the Lord.

The trees are all sagging underneath the weight of this snow. We saw a lot of broken tree branches in neighbor's yards. It's supposed to be sunny tomorrow so the melting process will start.

Oh well, I was able to stamp today since we were advised to stay off the roads. So stamp is what I did.

I made this card for 4 challenges.

1. stampin sisters in christ we were to make a card with a child on it. I just purchased this mft stamp set called heart stripes. It's their pure innocence line.

2. our creative corner had a sketch challenge this week. I loved the layout and it works so well with my image.

3. splitcoaststampers color challenge this week was basic grey, baroque burgundy and crushed curry. So I went with those colors for my card.

4. crazy for challenges blog had a challenge to make a card with a valentine theme. I made this for my 7 year old niece for valentines day. These are somewhat different colors for a valentines card, but I am pleased with how it turned out.

I used stampin-up razzleberry lemonade designer paper and matching ribbon on this card. I paper pieced her dress and colored her socks and tee shirt. My sentiment is from this mft set. I added a little heart in the corner and that's my card.

Thanks for dropping by. I leave you with the words from

Psalm 148:

Praise the Lord from the earth...

lightning and hail, snow and clouds,

stormy winds that do his bidding

card recipe:

stamps: mft heart stripes

ink: baroque burgundy

paper: su basic grey, baroque burgundy, curshed curry dsp, gina k luxury white

accessories: su markers, prismas & gamsol, su ribbon, darice heart brad

wishing you

This is my 2nd post for today. We had so much snow and we were told to stay off the roads so I spent the day making cards. My kind of day!!

I made this card for the mojomonday sketch challenge. The first week of the month is a contest So this is my entry.

My friend Linda picked up this great paper for me at Joanne's. It's from cloud 9 their cinnamon stick collection. She also purchased the embellishments that work with this designer paper. Thank you Linda.

I paired the designer paper with stampin up's soft suede card stock and ribbon. I really like these in-colors and will be sad to see them go. I think my fave is the soft suede.

I used a cuttlebug embossing folder - birds and swirls-on the cinnamon shade. It's the flip side of the embossed designer paper. I really like the luster on the designer paper.

My flower embellishment is part of the cinnamon stick line.It photographed with a hint of green , but irl it matches the background paper very well. The sentiment on this card is a verve set called wishing you.

That's my card for this challenge and post. Stay warm and if you are on the east coast. I hope you managed to dig out of this huge snowfall.

card recipe:

stamps: verve wishing you

paper: su soft suede, natural vanilla, cloud 9 dsp

ink: memento rich cocoa

accessories: su ribbon, cloud 9 embossed stickers & rub-ons

birthday collage

Happy Thursday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. We had lots of sunshine here in the 'Burgh today. But, it's sort of like the calm before the storm because tomorrow the weather forecast is for 4-8 inches of snow.

Oh, well it is winter after all.

My contractor is scheduled to come tomorrow to start the refinishing of our hardwood floor. If the snow starts early he may not make it.

When we removed the carpet the floor was in really good shape. So there is not too much that will need to be done.

He is going to hand sand instead of using a machine. Seems like a lot of work for him but it will definitely hold down on the dust.

The painting was finished today. I really like the look of the room. We painted the walls a beige shade (desert fortress) and the chair rail and baseboard a white shade (dujour). I wasn't sure at first but I am so pleased with how it turned out.

This was our second choice after the first didn't turn out. Our contractor actually made the color suggestions. He is a true professional.

So onto my card for today. On Thursday's at splitcoaststampers it's the ways to use it challenge. This week we were to put together a collage.

I have never done a collage before so I went by the description that Julia put on splitcoast about what a collage is:

"an artistic composition of materials and objects pasted over a surface often with unifying lines and colors". I made a birthday card and used the flower as the unifier.

The "so saffron" designer paper has flowers on the background and this was run through a cuttlebug embossing folder.

I added a flower bouquet from Jolees. I also used a fiskars flower border punch.

Then I added some glitter butterflies. That's my card!!I like how it turned out just don't know if it's what a true collage should be.

Well, it looks like its time to wrap up another day in charmed life land. I pray the Lord bless you and keep you.

card recipe:

paper: su so saffron, mellow moss, vv, so saffron dsp

ink: mellow moss

accessories: jolees flowers, colorbok butterflies, border punch, cb ef, brad

featured stamper card

Happy Monday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. The day passed by so quickly and now it's almost bed time.

My husband & I had a leadership meeting at our church this morning, and then we all went out to lunch afterwards.

It was a nice time of fellowship at the restaurant. Then hubby was off to work this afternoon.

I have been working in the room that will be our new dining room. We had a wall paper border up and it has to come down so we can paint. It hasn't been too bad taking it off. I am using warm water. I am about 3/4 of the way finished.

Tomorrow morning we meet our contractor at the lumber store to pick out the wood design and balusters we want for the new railing that he is installing on the stairs to the 2nd floor. We have wrought iron there now and I have wanted to replace it for several years.

Oh well enough of the construction talk and onto today's card.

I made this one for the featured stamper challenge on splitcoaststampers. This week the stamper chosen has the unique name of ButterflyEars.

I looked through her pretty gallery and picked her basket of posies card to create my card.

I kept her layout which I thought was a great one.

My changes:

• different color cardstock & ribbon,
• used rub-on for image,
• used cb vintage die in corners,
• used designer paper instead of the cuttlebug embossing folder.

I just bought this great dsp from cloud 9 called cinnamon stick. It has coordinating die-cuts and rub-ons.

My ribbon is stampin-up kraft. I love this color.

I didn't add a sentiment since I don't know how I will use this card yet.

Well, that's my card and it's also a wrap for today my blogger friends. Oh, yes tomorrow is groundhog day. There will be lots of hoopla in Punxsutawney, PA. If Phil sees his shadow and returns to his hole its 6 more weeks of winter!!

Just something a little silly to end my post today.

card recipe:

paper: su natural vanilla, cloud 9 cinnamon stick dsp
accessories: su kraft ribbon, cb vintage die, nesties, cloud 9 rub-on