A sweet pure innocence

Happy Thursday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. My day started somewhat early this morning. Had to be at church at 8:00 for interviewing 3 candidates for our church bookkeeper position. We have narrowed it down to 2 and will make a decision in a couple of days.

Had a couple of errands to run after that and then returned home early afternoon. I was surprised at how cold it was today. But that didn't stop my hubby from being out working in his yard. It's his way to unwind. Just like I use my card making to unwind.

The card I am showing today is one that I made for the color challenge #368 on Splitcoaststampers. This week Vicki is our hostess and she chose the color trio of elegant eggplant, concord crush and melon mambo. Seems like most of the team may have struggled a bit with her choice but in the end we all liked our cards.

For my card I used a digital pure innocence image. I colored her in the 3 challenge colors. I used prismacolor pencils and gamsol. I cut my image with labels 10 Spellbinders and then Labels 18 in melon mambo.

My background designer paper is concord crush and I also used concord crush ribbon and layered it over my white satin.

To complete my card I made a double loop satin bow and added a die cut daisy (sizzix daisy #2) in concord crush to the center.

That's it for me today. So until next time..........

Some other challenges:
1.  Outlawz Twisted Thursday has an anything goes challenge.
2.  Freshly Brewed Blog has a spring-themed challenge.
3.  Simon Says Stamp has an anything goes.

Western Birthday Scene

Happy Wednesday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. Crazy weather here today. We had a thunderstorm this morning -complete with hail. But by afternoon the rain and clouds were gone and temps were in the 70's.

My head cold is clearing up and I am feeling better. Good thing because we have a busy weekend coming up.

My card for today is one that I made for the sketch challenge #378 on Splitcoaststampers. Korin is our hostess and she provided a great layout for us. 
I turned the sketch on its side to accommodate my image.

The image is from a newly released set from Marks Finest Papers- wildhorses. I colored it with prismacolor pencils and gamsol. The horse I stamped on soft suede cardstock and did some fussy cutting and layered it on my card for a little dimension.

My background designer paper is from 7 gypsies. There is a little green shading on some of the diamonds so I used always artichoke cardstock & designer paper for one of my layers. Used the Stampin-Up square lattice embossing folder here.

On the black middle layer I used the cuttlebug embossing folder "diamonds in the rough". Stamped my happy birthday sentiment to complete my card.

well it's late and time to dim the lights in charmed life land for another day. So until next time.......God bless.

Some other challenges:
1.  Creative Belli has a 3 shapes challenge. I have diamonds-an oval- and a rectangle. Designer paper is a few years old.
2.  Divas By Design has a stamp something challenge.
3.  Little Darlings has an "outside" challenge. They want to see our creations of things in the outdoors.
4.  Top Tip Tuesday has an animal challenge.

Mothers Day Cards

Happy Monday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. Our weather took a quick turn today. We were having 80 degree temps last week and today our high was about 48 degrees. We are expecting frost tonight with temps dipping down into the 29 degree range.

Hubby brought his container plants in and covered all the gardens. Temps will be back on the rise in a few days.  Our tulips are just ready to open and some warm sunny days will do it.

Meanwhile, I have another head cold. I went to Bible Study last Tuesday and the teacher was really sick with a cold. We were in a small room and he was coughing away. So now I have it.

Oh well, onto my card for today. I made these 3 for the clean and simple challenge on Splitcoaststampers. Jen was our hostess and she provided us with an inspiration challenge. I used the cupcake colors of pink and green to make my 3 cards.

On all 3 cards I used the stamp set from
 Marks Finest Papers-"mother's magolia" & the cuttlebug folder "framed flourishes".

1st card: I stamped the protector, teacher, friend sentiment in the center of this frame and added a rose. On the card inside I will stamp "happy mothers day". My card base on this one is certainly celery. I punched butterflies in pink pirouette to complete my card.

2nd card: stamped the magnolia image and colored with prismacolor pencils and gamsol. Cut it out and placed it in the center of my frame. My card base is Stampin-Up's pear pizzazz. I punched some butterflies in pretty in pink to complete this card.

3rd card: I stamped the mothers day sentiment and added a rose to the frame. My card base is pretty in pink. I punched some butterflies in pear pizzazz dsp to complete this card.

That's itfor me today. So until next time.......God bless

Marks Finest Papers Blog Hop Day 4

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's March Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Lighthouses Featured March 20
Flaps My Wattles Featured March 21
Wild Horses Featured March 22
Mother's Magnolias Featured March 23

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day!

The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on March 24, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) 

The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday March 23, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary (you are here)
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Brenda
Toni
Tangii
Anna S
Mark's Finest Papers

Our big promotion  this month! With the purchase of the March New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our March New Release Mini:

Brick Wall

My first card uses the smaller of the magnolia images from this set. 

It is colored with prismacolor pencils and gamsol.
I punched a mini tag and stamped the word "enjoy" from this set.

The 2nd card highlights one of the sentiments from this set.

On the card inside I will stamp Happy Mothers Day. I used the same layout on both cards.

By changing paper color and ribbon you can get a different look even using the same layout. It is an old sketch challenge from Splitcoaststampers.

Well, today is the last day of this months blog hop. Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope you have liked what you have seen. All of the sets are now available in the Marks Finest Papers store- click here.

Next stop is MariLynn's blog.

Marks Finest Papers Blog Hop Day 3

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's March Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Lighthouses Featured March 20
Flaps My Wattles Featured March 21
Wild Horses Featured March 22
Mother's Magnolias Featured March 23

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!)

All four winners will be announced on March 24, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday March 23, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary (you are here)
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Brenda
Toni
Tangii
Anna S
Mark's Finest Papers

Our big promotion  this month! With the purchase of the March New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our March New Release Mini:

Brick Wall

For my card today I stamped the largest horse in this new set on kraft cardstock. I used some kraft & black striped designer paper and added some rick rack behind the image.

I wanted just a touch of color so I stamped the born free sentiment on crushed curry cardstock and then used a 1 1/4" circle punch. I also punched some stars in crushed curry. That's my card for day 3 of the hop.

Next stop on the hop is MariLynn's blog. See you tomorrow for the final day of the hop.  

Marks Finest Papers Blog Hop Day 2

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's March Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Lighthouses Featured March 20
Flaps My Wattles Featured March 21
Wild Horses Featured March 22
Mother's Magnolias Featured March 23

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets!

Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on March 24, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog.

You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday March 23, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary (you are here)
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Brenda
Toni
Tangii
Anna S
Mark's Finest Papers

Our big promotion  this month! With the purchase of the March New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our March New Release Mini:

Brick Wall

For my card today I used one of the chickens from this fab new set. I stamped it in cherry cobbler ink and then some saffron ink to color in a few spots. I sponged my background with bashful blue ink and used a die to cut some grass.

On the other square I used an embossing folder with a diamond pattern. Just to add some texture.
My designer paper is all Graphic 45. Stuff I have had in my stash for awhile. The layout is this weeks Sweet Stop Sketch #150.  I have the green coverd with my grass strip.

That's my card for today. Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win one of these awesome stamp sets. MariLynn is the next stop on the hop. She will have a great project for you.

See you tomorrow........

MFP Blog Hop Day 1

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's March Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Lighthouses Featured March 20
Flaps My Wattles Featured March 21
Wild Horses Featured March 22
Mother's Magnolias Featured March 23

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets!

Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on March 24, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog.

You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday March 23, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary (you are here)
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Brenda
Toni
Tangii
Anna S
Mark's Finest Papers

Our big promotion this month! With the purchase of the March New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our March New Release Mini:

Brick Wall

My card is using the largest lighthouse in this wonderful new set. I stamped it in chocolate chip ink and sponged the white stripes with river rock ink. I did some fussy cutting and placed it on my white sentiment panel. The sentiment is from this set as well.

I used the MS zig zag punch and an anchor punch to give it a nautical look. The layout is from this weeks mojomonday #233 sketch and my colors are from the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #367. 

That's my card for day 1 of the hop. Dont forget to leave a comment and then move over to MariLynn's blog to see her eye candy.  See you tomorrow.

Protector, Teacher and Friend

Happy Wednesday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. It was such a beautiful day here again. Warm temps and sunny all day makes me think that its late spring instead of still winter time (lol)!! Well, I am enjoying it that's all I can say.

I am in the process of gathering up all last year's records to get our income taxes done. I am glad it's just once a year cause it takes time from my crafting. But Uncle Sam wants the info filed, and hopefully we don't owe anything. So this post will be quick.

This is my card for today. I made this one for the sketch challenge #376 on Splitcoaststampers. Korin was our hostess and she provided us with a great card layout.

My card is using Stampin-U'ps pear pizzazz and rose red cardstock.The designer paper from Stampin-Up's "spring vintage" collection.

The doily is My Favorite Things "dizzy doily" die cut in rose red. I added pearls to this piece.

The sentiment on my smallest panel is from a new set being released next week from Marks Finest Papers "Mother's Magnolias". I am going to use this as a Mother's Day card and stamp "happy mother's day" on the inside.


To complete my card I added some Stampin-Up pleated satin ribbon in pear pizzazz. Punched a few butterflies and that's my card.

Well time to get to the tax stuff. So until next time........God bless.

Took this photo today. It's our first blooms of spring- some crocus.  I love how colorful yet delicate they look.

Some other challenges:

1.  Little Darlings Challenge wants us to use the colors of spring.
2. My Mum's Craft Shop has a Mum's the word challenge. This is a mother's day card and the sentiment will be stamped on the inside.
3.  Simon Says Stamp has a "bit of green" challenge.
4.  Whimsical Wednesday also has a going green challenge.
5.  Paper Take Weekly Challenge is "for the girls or Mum".

Easter Joy

Happy Tuesday everyone and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. It feels like spring here. Our temp is 71 today. The weather report said we are 22 degrees above normal.

Our spring garden will be blooming soon. The tulips are getting taller and hopefully the deer will let them alone.

I was with my grandsons after school today. It was an easy laid back day. I just had to pick up Aidin after school. He had play practice but no homework. Ethan had a basketball game but my son came home in time to take him.
I stayed until 6:15 and then headed back to my side of town. We have bible study on Tuesday evening at church so I went up there.

That was a little of my day and now onto my card. I made this one for the color challenge #366 on Splitcoaststampers.

I am the hostess this week and I chose the color trio of daffodil delight, pool party and poppy parade. These nice, bright colors definitely said spring to me.


I decided to use the field flowers set from Stampin-Up. I stamped the flowers in poppy parade ink and cut them out. I popped the flowers up for dimension and then stamped the stems in pool party ink.

Stampin-Up’s attic boutique designer paper is my background layer and this pattern covers all 3 of the challenge colors.

I used a Spellbinders label 16 and cut some daffodil delight cardstock and more of the attic boutique paper also in daffodil delight.

The Easter Joy sentiment is 2 different stamps from Marks Finest Papers "blessings" set.
To finish my card I used some pool party seam binding and added a dew drop in the center of my bow and a couple on my flower stem.

The layout is one that I saw on Sandy MacGiver’s blog. It is a MojoMonday sketch from last year.

That’s my card for today. It's late and time to dim the lights in charmed life land for another day. So until next time.......God bless.

Some other challenges:
1.  The Outlawz has an anything goes challenge.
2.  Catered Crop has a ribbon or twine challenge.
3.  Gingerloft has a spring challenge.
4.  Let's Ink It Up has a "show us your flowers" challenge.

Miss Dizzy Lizzy

Happy Thursday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. We had some heavy rains here most of the day today. But the temps were fairly mild.

It was a good day for staying inside which I did. Spent some time cleaning my house and some other projects that needed completed.

We have another busy weekend coming up. Friday we are having a fish fry at our church and we are part of the team that is putting it on.
Saturday my card club is meeting and it's at my home. It's been several months since we met so I am anxious to get together. We will make 5 cards and this one is a technique get together. Everyone has a different idea so it will be fun.
Sunday after church our middle grandson has a basketball game and then we have a family birthday party to go to. Whew! It will be go go go for 3 days but all fun stuff.

Now onto the card I have for today. There is a challenge on Splitcoaststampers on Tuesdays know as the teapot challenges. They are just plain old fun challenges and usually you have the option to send the card you make off to someone. This week our cards are going to Austin, TX to a woman who broke her femur and is having a slow recovery.

My card has the whimsical cat image from the Stampin-Up fun pun set. I stamped it in cajun craze ink on peach parfait paper. I did it this way for Monday's technique challenge #367 to use one color and no coloring of your image. The sentiment is from the Stampin-Up set "kind and caring thoughts".

My layout is from an old sketch challenge #348. My designer paper was in my stash and I don't know who makes it.
I used an mft rick rack die and a sizzix button die to complete my card. Well that's it for me today. Time to dim the lights in charmed life land for another day. So until next time........God bless

Some other challenges:
1.  Crop Stop Challenges wants us to use at least 4 different colors. I used cajun craze, peach parfait and my designer paper has brownm yellow and blue.
2.  Moving Along With The Times wants us to create something cute with a button.

Psalm 91

Happy Wednesday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. It so feels like spring here in the Pittsburgh area. We had a warm sunny day today. The tulips, daffodils and crocus are up just not bloomed yet.

Funny we had a snow storm on Saturday and Sunday. We didn't really have much of a winter this year. The news media here is already reporting that we will have a bug problem this summer because of the mild winter. I hope that is some inaccurate news- bugs yech!!

Well onto my card for today. This one I made for the color challenge #365 on Splitcoaststampers. Karen was our hostess and she wanted us to use blushing bride, wild wasabi and very vanilla. Such a pretty color combo.

I started this card with my layout. It's from the MojoMonday #231 sketch. Once I decided on this one, I started choosing how I would layer my colors.

I decided to use the blushing bride as my card base. I found some wild wasabi designer paper in my stash and used that for my next layer. It's from Stampin-Up's "porcelain prints" collection.

For the scalloped layer, I cut a doily in blushing bride with a die from MFT. I added some designer paper to the center of this. Blushing bride ribbon is layered over that. On the flagged pennant layer, I used the Stampin-Up "stripes" embossing folder.

The sentiment is the Scripture 2 collection from Our Daily Bread Designs. Stamped this in wild wasabi ink and added a die cut flower. I am also entering this in the ODBD flower challenge #99. This is their 4th anniversary month and flowers is one of the traditional gifts for a 4th anniversary.

Well, my blogger friends its late and time to dim the lights in charmed life land for another day. So until next time........God bless.

Some other challenges:
1.  Shopping Our Stash wants us to use embossing. I did both wet (sentiment) and dry (flagged layer).
2.  Craft Your Passion has an anything goes challenge.

Pansy for a friend

Happy Monday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. We had a great weekend-how about you?? Yesterday we had some snow and it is continuing today. It hasn't snowed much this winter so looking outside it just looks so pretty. When you don't have to drive in it, you can enjoy the beauty of it (lol)
My hubby took my vehicle to work this morning because the roads were a bit slick. I drive the SUV and it just affords more protection in the snow.

Anyway, onto my card for today. This one I made for the free for all challenge on Splitcoaststampers. We were to create a mostly blue card with flowers.

I have been wanting to use this pansy image from Marks Finest Papers the "sending happy thoughts" set. I thought it would look perfect colored with blue prismacolor pencils. The sentiment on the tag is from the "dogwood blossoms set" . I was happy with how my card turned out. So here are some details.

I colored the image with prismacolor pencils and gamsol. Layered it over some marina mist cardstock and a spellbinders rectangle die. Used a Cherry Lynn flourish die under that panel and then another marina mist panel with designer paper.

The background is a cuttlebug embossing folder and I sponged it with marina mist ink. I added some white mesh ribbon from May Arts and then marina mist ribbon from Stampin-Up. Punched a mini tag to complete the card.

Some other challenges for my card:
1.  Amusing Challenges wants us to use die-cuts. I used 2 on my card.
2.  Catered Crop has a "ravenous about ribbon" challenge. I used mesh and grosgrain ribbon.
3.  Gingerloft Challenge is all about spring.
4.  Let's Ink It Up has a "show us your flowers" challenge.

St Paddy's Day

Happy Friday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. Busy day today and most of it was spent at our church.

My husband had to go in this morning to sign some checks since our Pastor is out of town. So I went along. We ended up doing some administrative work on an event we are having soon.
We decided to go out for lunch and have a fish sandwich. We went to one of the local churches and had a great sandwich and fries.

My hubby went out tonight to the local high school playoff games. So I stayed home and did some creating and watched our Friday night TV shows. Blue Bloods is a favorite as well as the Gifted Man.

So now onto my card for today. I made this one for the color challenge #364 on Splitcoaststampers. Julia was our hostess and she chose a monochromatic color scheme. 

We were to use limeade, river rock and garden green. She also wanted us to make a St Patrick's Day card or use a blessing. I did both for my card.

My image is a shamrock digital stamp that I found on the Waltzingmouse site. It is a freebie so if you need a shamrock image jump over there to pick it up.

It is so perfect for the challenge this week. I colored the image with prismacolor pencils and gamsol.

I used a slight touch of orange for the ribbon and bow wrapped around the paper on the bouquet. After all that is one of the colors on the Irish flag.

I cut the image out and layered it over the river rock panels. The "Irish blessing" is computer generated, as is the "Happy St Patrick’s Day" banner sentiment.

My background designer paper is from Stampin-Up’s garden green collection and I used some ruffled lucky limeade ribbon on the sentiment panel.

That's my card for today. So until next time.........God Bless. Oh yes here is a picture of my sweet granddaughter Phoenix Daisy. Just had to share it.

Some other challenges:
1. The Card Makin Mamas wants to see some green.
2.  Crafty Catz wants us to use punches and/or dies
3.  Stampin Sisters In Christ wants us to create a card with variegated colors. Mine is shades of green.

Mother's Day

Happy Thursday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. Today was one of those days that just seems to get away from you.
I had a friend stop over this afternoon to pick something up and we chatted for awhile. It was such a nice visit and a surprise one as well.
Then I decided I wanted to make a card for a couple of challenges. But I didn't finish it before it was time to go to Ethan's basketball game.

He is on the 5th grade team and they are in the playoffs now. He just loves it when we come and hubby was at work so I went alone. They won and it was such a fun game. Picked up some buffalo chicken pizza from a place on their side of town and headed for home.

Of course, I hadn't plan on getting caught in some road construction. The pizza aroma was wafting up my nostrils and I had a hard time not eating some. The construction only delayed me about 10 minutes. But, I already have a 45 minute drive from their house. I arrived safe with the pizza in hand. Do you believe that I dropped it coming up the steps from the garage (lol). No damage done though.

We ate and I finished my card and took my photos and now here I am ready to post on the blog.

I made a scalloped circle card. Something I don't do often but a couple of challenges caught my eye. First, Our Daily Bread Design #98 from last Saturday. I am just under the wire for this one. They wanted us to make a shaped card.

I wanted to use a stamp from ODBD that hadn't seen ink yet. It's from the garden collection -" bleeding heart". I colored the image with prismacolor pencils and gamsol and then cut it out. My sentiment is from another ODBD set - "Mother's Day".

My card base is Stampin-Up's melon mambo and was cut with a Spellbinders Scalloped Circle die. The next layer is from Stampin-Up's razzlebery lemonade collection. I added some white and melon mambo ribbon and a scalloped edge cut with a Martha Stewart punch. Some pearls were added to complete my card.

Then the MojoMonday Blog #230 had a layout for a round card. I changed the sketch some so I hope it's still ok.

Because of my image I moved the horizontal sentiment panel to the top and put my image underneath that. I think it still looks like the designed layout.

Some other challenges:
1.  C.R.A.F.T.  blog has a Mother's Day challenge. This is my first Mother's Day card for this year.
2.  Crafty Ribbons has a celebrate your Mom challenge.
3.  Cute Card Thursday has a signs of spring challenge. the bleeding heart is an early spring bloomer.
4.  Dutch Dare Card Challenge has a tic tac toe. I chose bright colors, pearls, ribbon.

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