show stopper award

On Sunday when I went to check my email, I noticed one from Stacey over at the stampin stage. She was announcing the 5 showstoppers from her recent challenge.

Well, I was one of them. I was so excited and truth be told it made my day!!

I get to post this badge on my blog. Thank you Stacey for the honor!!

View my card here

America

Happy Monday and thanks or taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. It was a great week-end weather wise here in Pittsburgh.

On Sunday we had a Memorial Day tribute at church. I had the privilege of praying for the veterans. It really was a moving event. This is a day of remembrance and the bible admonishes us to " remember the former things, those of long ago" (Isaiah 46:9.)

Sunday afternoon we had 2 couples over for a cook-out. Such a relaxing time-good food-good friends. It was too humid to eat out on the deck but early evening it cooled down and out we went.

Today, we had my husband's family out for another cook-out. Again, it was too hot to eat out on the deck and then it started raining so that took care of any outdoor activity.

I did get to make a card early in the day. It covered 3 challenges.

1.  The clean & simple design challenge on splitcoaststampers was to make a card honoring someone who served in the military or some other hero. I chose to make a patriotic card for our friend who served in the military, and it is also his birthday on May 31. I can't believe I forgot. Originally, I was going to hand deliver the card today along with a little gift. Time got away from me so I will have to deliver it tomorrow (Tuesday).

2.  Sharon Johnson from the no time to stamp blog had a challenge to make a card with the colors of your country's flag.  Red, white and blue are the colors of the day.

3.  The StampinB design blog also had a challenge to make a patriotic card.

I used some creative imaginations designer paper and punched out my stars. The paper also had the word "America" on it. I cut it out and layered it on red cardstock.

Added some rick rack and a star button from the "dress it up" line. That completed my card and allowed me plenty of time to get ready for my guests.

Well, it's time to dim the lights in charmed life land for today. Until next time......

crate & barrel inspiration

Happy Saturday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. It has been really hot and humid here the past 2 days.

Not that I am complaining by any means. I remember very vividly the 24" of snow and the havoc it caused here a few months ago.

My hubby said our flowers are a little stressed because it's too hot too soon. He will figure out what to do to take care of them I am sure.

I spent the day in the air conditioning, but I was cleaning. We are having a few couples over tomorrow for a cook-out after church. I had hoped to be able to sit out on the deck, but it may be too hot.

We went out for an early dinner with my in-laws, which I almost opted out of because I had to go to the grocery store.
Then I came to my senses and thought what is more important than spending time with family?
I went to the store after dinner and was home by 8:30.

The family is coming over on Monday for a cook-out. So it will be a fun holiday week-end with good friends and family.

My card for today was created for the inspiration challenge on splitcoaststampers. This week our site was the Crate & Barrel. I love this site. It's filled with lots of inspiration.
I picked the marrimeko la botte floral tablecloth.

I had this great designer paper from BoBunny-the tuscany garden line to work with and inked up my upsy daisy stamp to start my card.

I finished it up by adding some yoyo yellow ribbon, a sunflower and a stampin-up border punch.

I sponged my white ribbon with yoyo yellow ink to get the color I needed.
I saw this tip on Michelle Zindorf's blog recently.

Well, my friends it's time to dim the lights in charmed life land for today. Church in the morning and I am giving a tribute and prayer to our veterans.

card recipe:
stamps: upsy daisy
paper: bazzill maraschino, su yoyo yellow, vv, bobunny dsp
ink: yoyoyellow
accessories: ribbon, su border punch

my apple tree girl

Happy Friday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. Today was a busy day and I just finished my card and am posting before it turns to Saturday.

I had a repairman out today and a window cleaner. Yes, I actually called someone to clean the windows. I did the inside and now they look great. It was worth the money he charged to have this done.
I am trying to get spring cleaning done before it turns to summer (lol)!!
The repairman came to take a look at my new sofa. I am not happy with how it's wearing after only 2 weeks. He made mention of the fill on the cushions which is where the problem is. It has visible signs of wear after you sit on it. He is going to have a manger call me and discuss this issue further.
I really like the fabric on the sofa and the style itself, But, if it's like this after 2 weeks, it will be major after a year. Further updates to come.

My card for today is for the Friday free for all challenge on splitcoaststampers. Our hostess, Dawn wanted us to get inspired by something we collect. I have a collection of Hummel figurines. One of them is the "apple tree girl".
I even cross-stitched this particular figurine. So using that as my inspiration, I set out to create.

I knew I had an mft stamp called "start the day with whee". It's from the pure innocence line. I thought it would work well for my inspired card. I colored the image with prismacolor pencils and gamsol.
My designer paper is from the trees and turtles collection from my little shoebox. I also added some additional apple buttons.
To complete the card-a ribbon tab, cut my image with oval nestie shapes-used a Martha Stewart border punch and that completed my card.

Hope you all have a great memorial day week-end. Relaxation and celebrations are the order of the day!!

card recipe:
stamps: mft
paper: su so saffron, ruby red, gina k white
ink: memento black
accessories: ms border punch, buttons, ribbon

crazy 4 challenges card

This is my second post for today. I made this card to play along with the crazy for challenges blog.
This week our hostess is Cindy Haffner and she provided  great sketch to work with.

I also thought I was playing along with the color challenge on splitcoaststampers but a funny thing happened. After  I finished my card, I wondered why the color on my computer screen looked like melon mambo instead of real red. You might be asking why didnt I realize it before the photo? My answer is I don't know.  When  I checked the designer paper pack I discovered it was melon mambo (lol).  I don't know why I originally thought it was real red but I did. Oh well, scratch that challenge.

But, I did like the layout Cindy gave us and I used my pure innocence image from MFT. I think this little girl is sooo cute. I paper pieced her raincoat, umbrella and boots. Meaning that I stamped the image on designer paper and cut it out and taped it to the stamped image. It is such an easy way to finish these images off.

My triangle panels are designer paper from the welcome neighbor pack. This is where I thought the real red paper was.

My card base is bermuda bay (turquoise) and then a layer of whisper white.  My image panel is cut with a scalloped nesties rectangle. I added a bow done in bermuda bay and a button in the center.

That is basically my card. Thanks for taking a peek.

pun fun birthday

Happy Thursday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog.
I just saw my first hummingbird the other day. We have a potted plant on our deck with some petunias and he came for a visit.

My husband usually has the feeder out before now but as soon as I told him the bird was here he put it on his to do list.

The hummingbird found the feeder and is drinking the nectar. I don't know how many we have as I only see one at a time on the feeder.

We have a robin's nest underneath our deck also. Three beautiful blue eggs are inside. They build in the same spot each year.

That brings to mind a cute story. A few years ago after the birds hatched and the robin abandoned her nest, my husband took it down to show our grandsons.

Austin was 6 at the time. He asked for an egg to put inside. He was with another neighbor boy and Isaac went home to get one as well.
They thought the robin would come back and sit on the eggs, and they would have a bird for a pet.

Austin quickly spoke up and said if a bird hatches it belongs to him since this was his Grandma's house.
I thought it was so cute. I just love the innocence of children. They lose it so quickly now-a-days with all the junk on tv and what they hear in school from other kids.

I just couldn't tell him that it wasn't going to happen. He watched it for several weeks after that before we had to throw the egg away. We didn't tell him though until long after summer was over.

I have told him this story several times. He loves hearing about things he did when he was much younger. He always smiles and gives me a hug.

So onto my card for today. It covers 3 challenges:

1. The Wednesday sketch challenge on splitcoaststampers had a great layout this week. It was perfect for a long, thin stamp image.
I saw this card on the Inking Idaho blog  she used the pun fun set. I knew I wanted to make one using her idea. So today was the day.

2.  The colors on my card were the ones for this week's curtain call challenge. We were to use navy, amethyst, white, pink and garden green.
At first, I didn't think I could make it work. But, what I have found with color challenges is to take the paper colors and lay it out first.
Don't let your mind tell you it won't work. So thank you Stacy for a great color combo. I did get the pretty in pink color in with the skunk's flower!!

I colored my image using prismacolor pencils and gamsol.

3.  The speedy the cat challenge this week was to use an animal on your card. This is challenge #4 and a new one is posted every Saturday.

Well, it's time to stop for right now. I have some errands and chores to take care of here. God bless my blogger friends. Until next time.........

card recipe:
stamps: pun fun, wordsworth
paper: navy, almost amethyst, garden green, ww
ink: memento tuxedo black
accessories: prismacolor pencils & gamsol

stamping in time challenge

Happy Wednesday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. We had an interesting speaker at church last night.

Dr Rob Carter came to speak to us about creation vs evolution. His belief (and mine) is that there is a Creator who made us and that He has revealed important truths to us in the Bible.

He spoke on creation and that there is abundant evidence that the entire human race came from two people just a few thousand years ago (Adam and Eve). I already believed that because the bible says so.

Also, that there was a serious population crash (bottleneck) in the recent past (at the time of Noah's flood), and that there was a single dispersal of people across the world after that (the Tower of Babel).

He went much deeper into genetics and it was so much information to absorb. I took lots of notes, and he tried to explain in language that people would understand.
But, suffice it to say that I loved what I heard.
It was encouraging to know that there are scientists who are Christians who believe in creation and are researching the study of it.

So now onto my card. I made this one for a challenge on our daily bread design blog. Betty Wright, my paper doll friend, has a stamping in time challenge on Thursday's.

This week it was a long and narrow card sketch. I just flipped the sketch that was provided.

I used a stamp set called grow in grace. It had this beautiful flower image in it. I colored the image with prismacolor pencils and gamsol.
I used the cuttlebug folder stylized flowers for my background.
 
The designer paper is from stampin-up. It's the sending love speciality paper. I really liked this pack of paper because it has lots of beautiful glittery paper in it.
 
I cut my image with the oval nesties -added some pearls and butterflies and that's my card.
 
Thanks for dropping by and now I am off to create another card.
 
card recipe:
stamps: grow in grace (odbd)
paper: su vv, pretty in pink, sending love dsp
ink: memento tuxedo black
accessories: ms butterfly punch, pearls, prismacolor pencils

black magic technique

Happy Tuesday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog.
My day started off with some exciting news.
I entered a card  into the stampin sisters in Christ challenge last week and it was chosen as one of the shining stars.

Check this post to see my entry.
They awarded me the blinkie on the side of my blog. It made me feel good to have my work acknowledged.

We went to Aidin's games last night and they won in the last inning. It was so exciting and he got to play under the lights. The boys love doing that. I guess it makes them feel like big leaguers.

This is a picture of him we took on Saturday when the boys stayed over night. I thought I would post it since I am always talking about them.
The next game we go to I will take a picture of him in his uniform and post it.




Now onto my card for today. It is actually for 2 challenges:

1.  The Monday technique lovers challenge on splitcoaststampers this week was the black magic technique. Basically what you do is stamp your image on dark paper in white pigment ink-let it dry-then color with pencils.
My paper doll friend Karen Barber has this technique down pat and even has a tutorial on her blog.
For my first attempt at this, I was ok with the outcome.

I used the kind and caring thoughts stamp set. You need a solid stamp for this technique. My designer paper is from BoBunny and the border punch from Martha Stewart.  I added some pearls in the corner and only because it looked like it was missing something.


2.  The layout for my card is from Mercy Kerin's Tuesday sketch challenge. It was a fun sketch to work with, as they usually are.

So I am closing this post because I want to try and get another card done before we go out this evening.

God bless my blogger friends.

IC233 lollipop tree

Happy Saturday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog.
Rain, rain and more rain was the order of the day. It was a day to craft first and then go to pick up my grandsons.

Yes, Austin, Aidin and Ethan came to spend the night. We did our usual routine.
First, we stop by the grocery store and everyone gets to pick up a snack for our movie night.
Potato chips, kit kat bars and chocolate milk is what we had when we left the store.

The boys hadn't seen the house since we did our remodeling and room rearranging. They were so shocked at first and said they didn't like Grandma's house changing. But, they quickly settled in on the big sectional and the leather recliners. I guess all is well. We will see what they say to to their Mom & Dad.

We are unwinding now and just about ready for bed. So when this post is finished it's off to bed we go. We have church in the morning and then Aidin has an afternoon baseball game.

My card for today was for 2 challenges:

1.  The Saturday inspiration challenge took us to the Amy Atlas Events site. This was such a fun site with lots of inspiration. You can't link right to the picture, but I chose #16 the wedding dessert table.

She created a custom lollipop tree to compliment the wedding cake.It had fuchsia lollipops on the branches.

The tree reminded me of the tree from the stampin-up set "season of friendship".
So I stamped my tree and punched out melon mambo circles. I added some designer paper to the circles and pearls to make them look like lollipops.
She had added some fuchsia at the base of the tree so I used melon mambo designer paper at my tree base.

2.  The Friday "free for all challenge" on splitcoaststampers was to use buttons and ribbon in a different way. I finished off my card with ribbon candy and added a button to that.

That is my card for today. It's time to dim the light in charmed life land for today.

card recipe:
stamps: season of friendship
paper: ww, melon mambo, good neighbors dsp
ink: close to cocoa
accessories: ribbon, pearls, circle punches, button

teddy bear teddy bear

Happy Friday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. I spent most of my day cleaning my house. I love it when everything is neat and in order.
If I had a cleaning lady. it would always be that way. But, alas my husband doesn't see eye to eye with me on that subject.


He takes care of the outside and a great job he does with it. If you haven't seen my photos of our yard go this post and this post and this post.
So that leaves me with the responsibility of the inside. My thing is my crafting and cooking. I could definitely leave the cleaning to someone else!! So donations are accepted to help me pay for one (lol)!!

But, everything is smelling and looking good so I am happy.

Now onto my card for today. I made this one last week but I could not get a good picture of it for some reason. So I tried again today and this is what I am posting.

I made this for 2 challenges:

1.  The ccee stamp blog has challenges this month to create baby cards. Our hostess Frances Byrne is about to become a new Grandmother. So babies are on her mind for sure. Last week we were to use a nursery rhyme as our inspiration. I chose the rhyme teddy bear, teddy bear.
Now this week we were just to create a baby themed card. So I am entering this on both weeks challenges.

2.  I used the layout from the mojomonday blog. It was last weeks sketch #138.



For my card, I used some colors that I thought were soft for a baby themed card. These were old stampin-up colors bliss blue and splash designer paper. The cut pieces are certainly celery.

My teddy image is an embossed die cut from we r memory keepers. Something old I had in my stash as well. The stars are from the same set.
The little rattles are buttons from my stash as well. I bought these years ago from QVC.

Well, its time to close this post. o until next time my blogger friends, I bid you farewell.

card recipe:
paper: su bliss blue, certainly celery, splash dsp
accessories: wrmk embossed die-cuts, buttons

yard photos

Happy Thursday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. Well, the rain has stopped for a few days and today was one of those perfect spring days. The birds are singing and the sun is shining.

I went on a guided nature walk through a park that is located very near my home. The park is about 2,000 acres and there is lots to do there-picnic shelters-swimming-tennis courts-baseball & soccer fields-deck hockey-ice skating (winter)-bmx track, golf course-mini-golf.

Today, a rep from the nature center took our walking group to a remote part of the park on a nature walk. There was so much to see in the way of wildflowers, flowering plants (IE) stinging nettle, jewel weed, giant hogweed, wild leeks, edible mushrooms, solomon's seal, jack-in-the-pulpit, citrus bush (makes excellent tea). I could go on-he showed us so much.

We saw yellow, swallowtail butterflies kind of wallowing in the mud. There is a stream that runs through this section of the park. He said they were getting minerals from the mud. This walk was so interesting. It gives you a chance to see what's growing in your area and have someone put names to it. I loved the 2 hours that it took.

I have more yard photos to show you. All the nature walking inspired me to take more photos of what's growing in my own yard. Click photo to enlarge.

     these are dianthus                                                     our poppies

                                        

our late blooming lavender                                                                                      clematis

chives in bloom

sing to the Lord

This is my card for 3 challenges:

1.  the color challenge on splitcoaststampers this week was to use dusty durango, so saffron and rich razzleberry. I loved this color combo once I finally got it all put together. My designer paper is so saffron and razzleberry lemonade. I liked the two of them together.

2.  The layout on my card is from the mojomonday blog. I really liked working with this sketch-so thank you Julee for the inspiration.
I used the top note die cut in my bigshot for the scallop looking layer. The large X was done with thin cardstock.


3.  the 3rd challenge is the stampin sisters in Christ. This week Grace Nywening was our hostess. She really had some thoughtful insights on music and the effect on our lives. If you have a chance jump over on the link I provided and read what she had to say.
We were to make a card that depicts music or praise.
I chose the scripture verse and added the bird because they are singing so happily right now.

Well, that's about it from charmed life land for today. God Bless!!

card recipe:

stamps: psalm  96:1 (stampendous)
paper: su ww, rich razzleberry, so saffron (cs & dsp), razzleberry lemonade dsp
ink: memento tuxedo black
accessories: top note die, su bird punch, razzleberry ribbon

card from bonnie

Happy Tuesday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog.
My lilac bush is in bloom and the scent that is coming from it is incredible.

This particular species is a later bloom than other lilacs, which in our area bloomed about 3 weeks ago.
I cut a few of the blooms and brought them indoors. Now I have the same wonderful scent filling my downstairs area.

Lilacs aren't a great cut flower in that they only last about 3 days, but to have the aroma for that time frame is so worth it to me.

My post today is dedicated to two of my friends-Bonnie McLain and Sue Watson-Defurio. They both have blessed me with their friendship and thoughtfulness recently.

The card I am posting today was a Mother's Day card sent to me by  Bonnie McLain. I really like her artsy style and, in fact, this post from May 11 was inspired by her work.

When Bonnie saw my pictures of our gardens, she realized she had sent the right card to me.  So thank you again, my paper doll friend. This card was a blessing to receive.

Sue Watson-Defurio is my next door neighbor. I opened my door one morning  recently and found a card of encouragement and a book on friendship.
She is another sweet friend who is so kind and considerate. She is always bringing me samples of different recipes she is trying out.
She is such a great cook and I love eating what she has prepared. So thank you Sue for being there for me when I needed my day brightened.

The book she gave me is  "The Friendship Garden".  I read a quote from the book that seemed so appropriate for both of these amazing women.

The quote is from Sir James Barrie. It reads:

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. 

So thank you again Bonnie & Sue!! I pray God's blessing on both of you.

follow your heart

Happy Sunday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. It was a beautiful, sunny day here in Pittsburgh.

This spring season was a welcome sight after the long, cold and snowy winter we had in the Northeast.  I love to watch the earth come back to life again.

Words from Book of Ecclesiastes:

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

 a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

 a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain.

 

 We took the opportunity to sit out on our deck around 6:00 and listen to the birds singing. We watched them come to our feeders and then quickly fly away when they realized we were there.
We saw cardinals, chickadees, yellow finches, woodpeckers and wrens. We came in around 7:30 to give them a chance to eat before they settled in for the night.

My card for today is for 2 challenges:

1.  The Saturday inspiration challenge on splitcoaststampers took us to the two lumps of sugar site. There was so much inspiration on this site. I chose this new hope vintage fabric. I knew I had the perfect designer paper to use. It's from Anna Griffin and it had the same roses as this fabric.

2.  The Sunday featured stamper challenge was honoring my fellow paper doll friend, Cathleen Torino. Her gallery is beyond amazing.  She is a super, talented stamper for sure.
I chose her so sweet card to case.  The rules on this are to take the card and change at least 2 things.

My changes: different paper-I used pink pirouette, river rock, and Anna Griffin designer paper
My border punch is fiskar's upper crest. I added a ribbon rose and punched some leaves with a Martha Stewart punch.
I added a ribbon but didn't even attempt a "cathleen big bow". I used dimensionals between my layers for depth.
I also used a different stamp set. Mine is the stampin-up whimsical words set.

That's my card for both challenges. It's late and I am tired so it's time to wrap up this post. I found myself thinking about the words from the Book of Ecclesiastes today. So I put them in my post today. Be blessed my blogger friends.

card recipe:
stamps: whimsical words
paper: su river rock, pink pirouette, ww, anna griffin dsp
ink: obdb pink
accessories: nesties, ms punch, upper crest border punch, ribbon rose, satin ribbon

Act 29 delight

Happy Wednesday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog.
I received some wonderful news a few days ago from my youngest son Brett. He lives in San Francisco. He and Ghilly are expecting their first child in December.

I was so excited. It will be my 4th grandchild.  I know for sure I will be making lots of trips out to California when the baby is born.

I love being involved in my grandkids lives and this baby will be no exception.
God is good!!

My card for today covers 2 challenges:

1.  The 2nd "speedy the cat's friends" challenge" on Marks Finest Papers blog wanted us to use our corner punches. My paper doll friend Cathleen Torino was the hostess so I wanted to take part in this one for sure. I used my corner rounder on my white block panels.

2.  The colors for this card were part of the curtain call color challenge act 29. We were to use whisper white, summer sun, tangerine tango and bordering blue. I thought this was a difficult combo because I had trouble trying to fit it the blue. But, I managed to finish my card with all the required colors.

I used some Stampin-Up bright delight rub-ons for my images and sentiment. That covered the tangerine tango. I layered them on a bordering blue panel  which was cut with a Martha Stewart  lattice border punch. The summer sun is on top of that panel.
I added 3 tangerine tango ribbon tabs and that finished my card.

It's time to put the wraps to this post but I wanted to leave you with the inspirational words of

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart

card recipe:

paper: ww, summer sun, bordering blue

accessories: bright delight rub-ons, tangerine tango ribbon, ms border punch

floral & bird

Happy Tuesday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. I don't know what happened to the warm spring weather here in Pittsburgh.

My furnace is running today. It's cold, rainy and damp. One of those days that you feel lethargic and could very easily take a nap. But, I am not a napper so I decided to create instead.

My card today is for 2 challenges:

1.  The sweet sunday sketch is where I got my layout for this card. This is a great layout for showing off my designer paper. Sometimes it gets hidden by other layers, but not today. Thank you, Karen for a great sketch.

2.  The color challenge on splitcoaststampers is how I chose the colors for my card.  Today Betty Wright challenged us to use melon mambo and soft suede and any neutral of our choice. I chose naturals vanilla as my neutral shade.
My designer paper is from Heidi Grace-the mono florals collection. It is a perfect match with soft suede.

My ivory panel is sponged with odbd raspberry ink -it looks just like melon mambo. I sponged before I stamped my image. It just looked too naked with only the stamped image.
I never do anything like this on my cards, but I have been looking at Bonnie McLain's blog and she does lots of artsy stuff so I decided to go a little bold today (lol).Thanks for the inspiration, Bonnie.

The image is from the wings of friendship set.

I have a first on my card today. I made a poofy button flower  flower from designer paper. I have seen them all over blogland and kept wanting to make one and now I have. I really like the look of these flowers.
I also have seen the rolled flowers-so if anyone knows of a tutorial would you send me the link.

My button center is an old fabric button that I colored with a melon mambo marker to match the designer paper.

Well, that's my card and it's also a wrap for today. God Bless!!

card recipe:
stamps: wings of friendship
paper: su soft suede, naturals ivory, razzleberry lemonade dsp, heidi grace mono floral
ink: odbd raspberry, melon mambo
accessories: scallop punch, button

photos of ethan

Happy Saturday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog.
We went to Ethan's game last night. It took us over an hour to drive across the city in rush hour traffic.

It seemed like no matter what we tried to do to avoid lights and long waits didn't work. We thought we were really going to be late for Ethan's game but they started 15 minutes late so that was good for us.

This is his first year where the kids actually pitch to each other instead of the coaches. So the game was 2 hours long. But, it was a good one and he just loves it when we come to watch him.

He pitched a couple of innings and had several hits-one was a triple. His coach awarded him the game ball.

We were so proud of our little grandson. They did win by the way-10-3.

Ethan running when he hit the triple                Ethan with the game ball

hello there

This is my card for today and it covers 4 challenges:

1.  The Saturday inspiration challenge took us to Huset. It is a Swedish site that features contemporary item. I chose the red bird candelabra as my inspiration. I knew I had this woodland birds paper from dcwv that would work for this challenge.

2.  The colors I went with were from the curtain call color challenge: act 28. This was last Saturday's colors, but I didn't get to play until today. We were to use not quite navy, kraft, rose red and white. I loved these colors together. On my kraft panel, I used a cuttlebug folder -the birds and swirls. My image is from the cheep talk set. When I stamped the red bird the edge of the rubber had ink and it stamped as well. I was ready to re-do and then I thought it looked like he was talking to the other bird so I left it alone.

3..The layout is another card for the mojomonday 137 challenge. It's my 2nd entry for this challenge. That's another first for me.

4.  the 4th challenge is the pals paper arts inspiration challenge. My inspiration came from the bird plate.

Well my blogging friends, I have to close we are invited to dinner at our friends home and it's time to leave. God Bless. Happy Mother's Day to all who visit my blog.

thanks a bunch

Happy  Friday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. I decided to post early today because we may be going to Ethan's (youngest grandson) baseball game tonight. The weather forecast is for heavy storms tonight so we will wait and see.
They just returned from a trip to Boston to watch the RedSox play. I am anxious to hear how it went.  The boys love taking these trips. My son & daughter-in-law have made it into an annual thing. They travel to a city that has a major league baseball team and then also take in some sightseeing.

My card for today is for 2 challenges:

1.  the mojomonday blog has a contest the first Monday of the month. The layout was a great one this month and really lets your designer paper show.
I used BoBunny designer paper-the ella butter blossom. Since its double sided, I was able to use both sides for this layout. I layered it on top of stampin-up's riding hood red card stock.
I cut out one of the flowers and added it to my dotted panel.
My image is from an old stampin-up set that a friend gave me called "love ya bunches".
I colored the image with prismacolor pencils and gamsol.


2.  The 2nd challenge is from the StampinB challenge blog. This week we were to use botanicals on our card. My image and paper has flowers all over it so I am good on this one.
The design team on this blog really put together some awesome samples. Go take a peak.

It's time for me to put the wraps on this post. Enjoy your week-end my blogger friends!!

card recipe:
stamps: love ya bunches
paper: riding hood red, bobunny dsp, gina k white
ink: memento tuxedo black
accessories: prismacolor pencils, gamsol

bot birthday

Happy Thursday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog.
Today was the national day of prayer. We have a prayer network here in Pittsburgh and every year they have a gathering  in downtown Pittsburgh.

It is organized without any government funds and interestingly enough government officials show up to pray.
Our assistant Pastor was asked to be a part of it so I hopped on the trolley and went downtown. It was held in a beautiful park in the center of the city.
The head of the prayer network brought their worship team and they set up and played some music in between each prayer.

They started it off by saying that this was an interdenominational Judeo-Christian gathering and we would be praying in the name of Jesus. There was a rep from the mayors office that came and a federal judge who both were, without a doubt, very strong Christians. They humbly asked God for His blessing on our great nation.

There was also prayer for government, education, the economy, business, the youth of our nation, the performing arts and for a spiritual awakening in our nation.
There were pastors from different denominations and even a pastor from an Indian church that is located west of the city. He pastors a christian church in an area that has a growing Indian population.
It was a great day being in the center of our financial, legal and city government with the Lord's music going out and prayer being lifted up.

Were there any events in your town today? Let me know, I am very interested to hear your story.

My card for today was made for the Wednesday sketch challenge on splitcoaststampers. It was an easy layout to work with after I decided on my papers and image.
I had these rub-ons from stampin-up from the "so cool" collection. This 'bot makes a perfect boys or man's birthday card.

My cardstock colors are basic gray and bermuda bay (teal). The designer paper is from 2 different packs-welcome neighbor and urban garden. I used a cuttlebug folder "spots & dots" and that is basically my card.

Our hockey team is in the playoffs so it's time to end this post to watch the game. We are in the 2nd round of the playoffs and game 4 is tonight. Pittsburgh has the edge on the Canadiens 2-1.

card recipe
paper: su basic gray, bermuda bay, welcome neighbors & urban garden dsp
accessories: so cool rub-ons, cb ef

lollipop flowers

Happy Wednesday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. Another beautiful day here in Pittsburgh-sunny and warm. But, did I spend much time outside-not really.

I had a staff meeting at church in the early morning. Went to get my hair cut and then returned home. I spent some time taking pictures of some of the plants but that was the extent of my outdoor stuff.

My hubby was off work so he was outside from 9:00 and just came back in now at 7:00. He thrives in the spring and summer just like his garden.

My card today was made for the Mark's Finest Papers blog challenge. This is their first challenge and we were to use red, white and blue on our card.
My blogger friend and fellow paper doll, Vicki Dutcher is the blog coordinator. It seemed like such a fun challenge so I wanted to give it a try.

My card is a one that I found on flowerbugs inkspot blog. Every Wednesday she makes a card using stampin-up punches. Drop over and check out her work. This one is made with circle punches so it resembles a lollipop. I loved it when I saw it.

I made it for a birthday card for my niece, Kylah who turns 10 next week. I thought it would be perfect for her.

I used a 1/2", 1", 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches to create the flower. I added the playground designer buttons for the centers.
My colors on the blue are bashful blue and turquoise. The red is real red, regal rose and pretty in pink. The 3rd one is apricot appeal and more mustard. My leaves were stamped with the "time well spent" set and I cut the stems from old olive card stock.

My sentiment is from the Verve set "wishing you".

Well, my friends that's it for today. Tomorrow is the national day of prayer. I hope you find a few minutes to pray for our nation and our leaders.

more yard photos

I took some more yard photos today. So I thought I would share them with my blogger friends.

ajuga plant




                                      allium

bleeding heart 




                            lily of the valley

praying for you

Happy Tuesday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. It was such a beautiful day here in the 'Burgh. Lots of sunshine and warm temperatures. One of those perfect spring days.

I just noticed more of our spring flowers are in bloom. They may have been in bloom for awhile and I just didn't notice.
This is so my husband's creative outlet. If I ask him he would tell me exactly when it opened and how long it will be around.

I like it all to look nice but not all the work it takes to get it that way.
My blogger friend and fellow paper doll, Wanda said I am blessed to have my own private gardner. Memo to self-thank my hubby for all the work he does in the yard.

I may take some pictures and post them tomorrow. We have sweet woodruff, lily of the valley, dianthus (my hubby calls these pinks) and bleeding hearts blooming right now. Everything looks so pretty. I think you appreciate spring after a long, snowy and cold winter like we had.

My card for today covers two challenges:

1.  Our hostess on the color challenge at splitcoaststampers had us using cameo coral, gable green and lovely lilac. After I put them together, I liked it much better than trying to visualize the combo. My designer paper is from the wallpaper collection from Lasting Impressions. I bought it  some time ago specifically to use with lovely lilac.
I used the cameo coral & lovely lilac as an ink color on my flowers. I embossed the lilac panel with the textile folder from cuttlebug.

2.  My layout came from a sketch blog I found from blog surfing. The cards & things challenge blog was new to me but they are on sketch #30 so it's been around for awhile. I really liked the layout they provided. It showed my paper and image well.

My accessories are the border punch from stampin-up and some pearls that I colored with  a lilac marker. I really like the dainty look of this new punch.

Well, that's about it for today my blogger friends. Talk to you on the next visit.

card recipe:
stamps: thoughts & prayers
paper: su ww, gable green, lovely lilac, lasting impressions dp
ink: cameo coral, gable green, lovely lilac
accessories: cb embossing folder, border punch, pearls

retro phone

Happy Saturday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. I mentioned in my last post we were going to take a day trip to Ohio. We did this on Friday. It was a beautiful day for driving. We went to the area in Ohio that is referred to as Amish Country.
I love travelling to there. It is so peaceful with all the rolling countryside and the many farms. The Amish are such skilled craftsmen in woodworking. All of our wood oak furniture was purchased from this area. You can't find anything like it in any store here anyway.
We wanted to purchase a sideboard for our dining room. It's a smaller piece of furniture that gives you some storage and is perfect for serving. We ordered it about 8 weeks ago.
So we drove up to pick it up and did some other shopping.
Today, we attended a birthday party for one of our neighbors.  Sueann, my next door neighbor, was our hostess. What a wonderful party she can put on. She has the gift of hospitality for sure. She pays attention to each and every detail. You don't use paper plates in her home. Her ice tea is served from cut glass pitchers.
It was such a relaxing time and a chance to visit with some of the neighbors that we hadn't seen all winter.

I made my card early in the day but didn't have the opportunity to post until evening. This one is for 2 challenges:

1.  The Saturday inspiration challenge on splitcoaststampers was hosted by Anne this week. She sent us to a great site called Jazz It Up Home Interiors. There was a lot of funky and contemporary accessories on the site.
I chose this funky retro phone as my inspiration. I knew I had the perfect image from Gina K Designs to use. And, also some great dsp from Graphic45 that had these retro phones on it.

2.  The crazy for challenges blog had a sketch challenge today. The sketch came from Cindy Haffner. She is such a talented stamper. So a shout out to Cindy for a great sketch.

I used the upper crest border punch between my dsp panels. The image & sentiment is from Gina K "sung from the heart collection". I only stamped part of the sentiment because I thought I could use this as a birthday card and stamp "happy birthday" on the inside.
I stamped the image on so saffron card stock and sponged vintage photo ink for the retro look.  I used oval nesties to frame the image per the sketch. Added some black rhinestones and that finished my card.

I am so tired so it's time to dim the lights in charmed life land for today. God Bless all my blogger friends.

card recipe:
stamps: sung from the heart
paper: bazzill maraschino, su so saffron, graphic45 dsp
ink: memento black
accessories: rhinestones, nesties, fiskars upper crest border punch