My inchie card

Happy Sunday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. Well here it is the 27th of May. I can't believe that I have been in San Francisco with my sweet little Phoenix Daisy for 29 days.

My time is quickly coming to an end. I leave for home this coming Saturday. It's almost like she knows. She has just been so loving with me. Giving me hugs and kisses out of nowhere.

She loves all thelittle games I play with her and she never gets bored. We play the same games every day and she gets just as excited when I tell her what we are going to do. I have so many memories of her laughter, facial expressions and the words she is learning.

But, life goes on and I do have a home in Pittsburgh and a husband who misses me a lot. You never know if an opportunity will open up like this again. My son and daughter-in-law lost their nanny which is why I am here now.

They went out to dinner tonight for a little time together. Phoenix Daisy is asleep and I am relaxing in front of the TV.

With all that said, here is my card for today. I made this one for an inchie challenge on Splitcoaststampers.

For my card I used the dogwood image from the Marks Finest Papers set dogwood blossoms. Colored the image with prismacolor pencils and gamsol and did some fussy cutting. I popped them up over my inchie squares. The squares were cut using 1 1/4 & 1 3/8 square punches.Added some ribbon treatment with Stampin-Up's pear pizzazz seam binding and a pear pizzazz brad.

The designer paper I used for my squares is from the Stampin-Up "sweet pea" collection.

I completed my card by adding a glittery butterfly & pearls to the corner.

Well, that's it for today so until next time........God bless.

Some other challenges:
1.  Totally Gorjuss blog has a "something new" challenge.  I used a new brad and the glittered butterfly is new.
2.  Cute Card Thursday has a pink & green challenge.
3.  Southern Girls Challenge wants us to use die-cuts or punches. I used punches.

Journey / Destination

Happy Wednesday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. Well here it is the 23rd of May. I can't believe that I have been in San Francisco with my sweet little Phoenix Daisy for 25 days.

It has been such a rewarding and fulfilling time taking care of her. I miss my husband of course, but he did come for a quick 2 days visit last week. Phoenix Daisy & I loved having him here.

I just love her sweet smile and laugh. I don't know how I will be on June 2 when I have to get on the plane back to Pittsburgh. I am sure it will be such an emotional time for me. But, not to be thought of yet. I still have 9 days left with her.

She is picking up different words from me and some of my facial responses. That really makes me laugh. She throws her hands up in the air when I ask her a question and she doesn't know the answer. Too funny-I did that with her the first few days and without even realizing it she started doing it.

I know, I know I sound lie one of those obnoxious Grandmothers, but I love this little sweet baby girl and can't stop talking about her.

So onto my card for today. This one I made for a challenge over on Splitcoaststampers and just never posted it to my blog. Good for me since I did not bring any stamping supplies with me.

I liked the sketch and pulled out some old Stampin-Up designer paper-the "afternoon tea" collection. I paired this with a sentiment from Seaside-Stampin stamps- "destination/journey" and an image from Hero Arts - "classic bike".

I stamped the bike in early espresso ink and did some fussy cutting. Then to complete my card I used the cuttlebug embossing folder "just my type" and added some bakers twine.

Well it's getting late and time to close this post. My days start early with Phoenix Daisy and she is a bundle of energy. So until next time,,,,,,God bless.

Some other challenges:
1.   Sweet Stamps has an anything goes challenge.
2.   Top Tip Tuesday has a "dig out the old" challenge. I used designer paper that is at least 4 years old. My sentiment is a stamp that I bought a year ago and never used.
3.   Outlawz paper ala mode challenge is embossing.
4.   Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge is an anything goes.
5.   Ooh La La Creations has a ribbon or twine challenge.

Phoenisx Daisy at the park having lunch

Marks Finest Papers Blog Hop Day 4

Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's

                        May Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Oopsy Daisy Featured May 15
Get Reel Featured May 16
Scenic Selections Featured May 17
Flamingos on Vacation Featured May 18

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 May 19, 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 May 18, 2012.

Lois

Vicky

Anne

Pat G.

Karen H.

Patty P.

Mary (you are here)

Marilynn

Pam

Debbie

Nancy

Bonnie

Kathy

Brenda

Toni

Tangii

Anna S

Sue

Kelli

Janine

Mark's Finest Papers

This is such a fun set. I loved working with this one. I found some fun designer paper in my stash. It sort of looked tropical to me. I used a big scallop die for the trim and added some mesh ribbon and a satin bow with a brad center.

Now for these cute pink flamingos. I stamped them in a hot pink ink and for their bodies I stamped one in a limeade and one in hot pink. The limeade flamingo looked to me like a suave sort of fellow. Hence the sentiment is him speaking to her. The sentiment is from the Marks Finest Papers set - "dogwood blossoms".

The palm tree was stamped in limeade and chocolate chip. That completed my card. I thought this would make a great anniversary card.

This is the final day of the blog hop. I hope you have enjoyed all my samples this month. I will send you over to Marilynn's blog next.

Marks Finest Papers Blog Hop Day 3

Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's 

                        May Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Oopsy Daisy Featured May 15
Get Reel Featured May 16
Scenic Selections Featured May 17
Flamingos on Vacation Featured May 18

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 May 19, 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 May 18, 2012.

Lois

Vicky

Anne

Pat G.

Karen H.

Patty P.

Mary (you are here)

Marilynn

Pam

Debbie

Nancy

Bonnie

Kathy

Brenda

Toni

Tangii

Anna S

Sue

Kelli

Janine

Mark's Finest Papers

For today's sample, I pulled out my brayer. I cut a circle first to make my sun and then used a couple of shades of blue for the sky. Sponged in some yellow ink for the sun and then sponged out to make the rays.

I took a post-it note and tore it in the shape of a mountain range. The mountains were sponged with dark brown ink.  Sponged some mustard ink around the bottom of the card.

I stamped my fences in brown and added some trees from this new set. for the trees, I used markers so get the brown & green. Added some birds in the sky and stamped my "Dad" sentiment. This sentiment is from the set we showed yesterday.

That's it for me today. See you back here tomorrow for the final day of the hop. Now it's off to MariLynn's blog.



Marks Finest Papers Blog Hop Day 2

Welcome to

Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's

                        May Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Oopsy Daisy Featured May 15
Get Reel Featured May 16
Scenic Selections Featured May 17
Flamingos on Vacation Featured May 18

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 May 19, 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 May 18, 2012.

Lois

Vicky

Anne

Pat G.

Karen H.

Patty P.

Mary (you are here)

Marilynn

Pam

Debbie

Nancy

Bonnie

Kathy

Brenda

Toni

Tangii

Anna S

Sue

Kelli

Janine

Mark's Finest Papers

For my card today I used 2 different patterned papers. I wanted to show you how easy it is to create a scene that didn't require coloring. Easy - peasey right??

The bottom one is water paper and the top one is a blue cloud paper. I used some white rick rack to represent the waves on the water. I cut out some white clouds from some other designer paper I had in my stash.

I stamped the image directly on the designer paper.  Used a photo corner punch and brad and stamped my sentiment to complete the card.

See you tomorrow and now I will send you off to MariLynn's blog.

Marks Finest Papers Blog Hop Day 1

Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's 

                        May Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Oopsy Daisy Featured May 15
Get Reel Featured May 16
Scenic Selections Featured May 17
Flamingos on Vacation Featured May 18

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 May 19, 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 May 18, 2012.

Lois

Vicky

Anne

Pat G.

Karen H.

Patty P.

Mary (you are here)

Marilynn

Pam

Debbie

Nancy

Bonnie

Kathy

Brenda

Toni

Tangii

Anna S

Sue

Kelli

Janine

Mark's Finest Papers

For my card I decided to paper piece the flower with melon mambo designer paper. Cut it out and popped it up for dimension. I colored the stem and leaves with markers.

The base is olive cardstock with a layer of concord crush (rich purple) and some coordinating designer paper.

I used a Spellbinders labels 16 die and cut some melon mambo (bold pink) cardstock and designer paper. Added some concord crush ribbon and a bow with a pearl center to complete this card.

The next stop on the hop is to MariLynn's blog. She will have something amazing for you to view as well. Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win this awesome stamp set.

See you tomorrow. 

Happy Mother's Day and more.....

Happy Sunday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. It is Mothers Day in the US so I am also sending Mother's Day greetings to my US readers. I am spending Mothers Day away from Pittsburgh-a first for me. But, I am celebrating with my youngest son-daughter-in-law and my sweet Phoenix Daisy.

On Friday we went to the zoo together. She loves giraffes and when she saw them her little feet were dancing up and down in her stroller. It was such a wonderful day with her. We spent 3 hrs there before she fell asleep in her stroller and then our trek back home began. My son lives within walking distance to the zoo, but the walk back home seemed to take forever. I was totally exhausted by the time her Mommy came home.

I have three (3) awards to post today. My first one was given by Splitcoaststampers for this card and this card.

They were both picked on different weeks as one of the weekly favorites. I really liked how the cards turned out using the train from the Marks Finest Papers "train talk".

This card won 3 awards (whoo-hoo), It was named as a weekly favorite on Splitcoaststampers.

On the Great Impressions blog it won the top award. I received a $20 gift certificate to spend in the store. Then it was also chosen as one of the top 3 on the SJ Crafts blog.

Well that's it for me for today. I close this post with a picture of my sweet Phoenix Daisy and myself at the zoo.
This peacock was walking around so we were able to get a picture fairly close to the bird. Someone graciously took the photo.

So until next time........God bless.

Field Flowers

Happy Wednesday everyone and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. I am still out with my sweet granddaughter Phoenix Daisy in San Francisco.

She is just a bundle of energy at 16 months old. At the end of the day when my son and daughter-in-law come home from work, I am wiped out. I am on the go with her all day long except at nap time.

But, I love being a Grandmother and this opportunity to care for her for 1 month won't happen again. My hubby who is back home keeps reminding me of the bond that is forming and the wonderful opportunity that I have with her.

So onto my card for today. This one I made for my card club get together. We each bring a sample card and enough supplies for the other woment to make the card. It is always such a fun day. Our next time together is June 23. I haven't even started to think about a card yet.

This card uses the Stampin-Up set "field flowers". I stamped the flowers in melon mambo ink and cut them out. Popped them up with foam squares for dimension.

On my background layer. I used a cuttlebug embossing folder "kassies brocade" and sponged daffodil ink on the folder for a little color.

I cut a Spellbinders labels 16 die in daffodil card stock and daffodil designer paper. Added some pear pizzazz seam binding and a bow to complete my card.

Well, its late and time to close this post. So until next time........God bless.

Some other challenges:
1.  Crafty Boots Challenge wants us to use yellow.
2.  Creative Mondays has an "anything goes" challenge.
3.  Hooked on Crafts has a flowers challenge.
4.  Paper Creations Ink has an "in the garden" challenge.
5.  Outlawz Monday greeting card challenge is anything goes.

Floret Silhouettes

Happy Sunday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. Well I have spent 7 days here in San Francisco with my precious granddaughter Phoenix Daisy. The time has gone by really quickly and we have had fun together.

She is like a little sponge just sucking up the world around her. At 16 months there is so much to investigate and learn. I am here until June 2 and there is a bond forming between us already.

I do have a card to post today. This one was made for the featured stamper challenge #274 on Splitcoaststampers. The honors this week went to Heather Telford. I wasn't familiar with her work but she has an amazing gallery.

The idea with this challenge is to select one of  the stampers card and recreate it with at least 2 changes. I chose this card of Heathers.

I used her sponging technique but in different colors. I stamped my fabulous florets silhouette and made it a separate panel-layered with certainly celery and brilliant blue cardstock.

I added a layer with Some Stampin-Up designer paper from my stash - the jersey shore collection. I also cut a flourish with a Cherry Lynn die.

Punched a butterfly to complete my card. Well my blogger friends its late and time to close this post. Until next time.........God bless

Some other challenges:
1.  2 Sisters blog has an anything goes challenge.
2.  Catch the Bug blog has an anything goes challenge.
3.  Crafty Calendar Challenge wants us to use "things with wings".

Party This Way

Happy Tuesday everyone and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. I am out in San Francisco with my granddaughter Phoenix Daisy. I left my hubby home to hold down the fort.

We are having a wonderful time together. Yesterday, I took her to the local library where they have a story time for toddlers. The woman who runs it is so good with little ones. they sang songs and of course it was all the ones that Phoenix Daisy knows and loves. And, they also read her favorite book "The wheels on the bus".

We went over to the park to play for a little bit and then home for lunch and take her nap. Just a fun day with her & I.

Well onto my card for today. I was the hostess this week on Splitcoaststampers for the color challenge #373. I chose the color palette of wild wasabi, pumpkin pie and bashful blue.

I thought it was a good trio for a masculine or a kids card.

I had the perfect designer paper for my card. Which is the reason I chose these colors to begin with.
The paper is from an older retired pack the "jersey shore" collection. It has all 3 colors in it.

My balloon image is from the "party this way" set. I stamped the balloons and then used embossing powder to make them stand out a bit. I stamped the party this way arrow, cut it out and placed it over a punched circle.

My layout is from the Wednesday stamp club at My Favorite Things.

Well it's time to close this post. So until next time.......God bless. Here is a picture from Phoenix Daisy and I at the library yesterday. 

Some other challenges:
1.  Celebrate the Occasion blog has a male birthday card using a circle challenge.

2.   Crafty Sentiments has a spots or stripes challenge.
3.  Paper Take Weekly challenge has an anything goes challenge.
4.  Crafty Cardmakers has a "for the boys" challenge.