HYCCT1518 ~my paper masterpiece~

 

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Sunday to you all. Well Thanksgiving has come and gone and now the mad rush to Christmas begins. I did go out to one store on Black Friday to pick up a gift. It wasn't on sale but I had a coupon and wanted to get it for my daughter-in-law.

Yesterday I went to lunch with my son and daughter-in-law at a restaurant on their side of town. The food was really good as was the company. I then had a chance to stop at our local craft store that happens to be located on their side of town.

Last night I managed to get 11 Christmas cards done. In the process of cleaning out my craft room, I found an old Stampin'-Up Christmas card kit. I almost got rid of it and then decided to put a card together to see what they looked like.

I really liked how they turned out and this mass production will allow me to make the one of a kind single cards that I usually do. The mass produced cards go to people who don't really care about my handmade cards. So I have an A and a B list for Christmas cards (lol)!

So that was my weekend. I hope yours allowed for some great family time as well s crafty time. Now onto my card for today.

This is another I made for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. For this 18th challenge, Emily was our hostess and she had an unusual challenge. She wanted us to pick a famous painting and use it as an inspiration to make a card.

Here is the painting I chose. It's titled Rosa Kosmeen by Heidi Reil. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had the perfect designer paper to create my masterpiece.

I used the "painted blooms" collection from Stampin'-Up. I let the designer paper do the work and I just stamped my sentiment.

My card colors are blackberry bliss and rose red. And, that's my card for today. Time to bring this post to a close. So until next time.......God bless.

card details:
Stamps: painted petals (Stampin'-Up)
Paper: blackberry bliss, rose red, painted blooms dsp (Stampin'-Up)
Paper Size: A2 Ink: blackberry bliss, old olive, rose red
Accessories: Matting Basics A & B, circle dies (Stampin'-Up), stamp-a-ma-jig 

I am also entering: 
1.  AAA Cards has an anything goes challenge. 
2.  Come and Get It has an anything goes with a sentiment.  
3.  Crafting With Friends has an anything goes.

HYCCT1529 Stargazer Thanks

 

 

Hello Blogger Friends and thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog. It's a rainy Saturday here in Pittsburgh, but we are still having somewhat mild weather for this time of year. The past 3-4 days it has been 60+°.

My hubby and grandson are going to some high football championship games today. It's a tradition with them in November since Ethan has been in 3rd grade. They went the past 2 weekends for various stages of the playoffs. 

The games today are held at the football stadium where the Pittsburgh Steelers play. They both choose their winners, scores, biggest upset and several other things that I don't remember right now.

They make silly little bets like the winner choosing the seats for today. And another one with the loser not being able to eat lime tortilla chips. A big fave at our house.

It's a fun day for the both of them. Just touches my heart that at 14 years old, Ethan still loves coming to spend the night and doing things with his grandparents. 

I am going out to lunch today with my son and daughter-in-law. Since I will be on their side of town, I may make a stop at a local stamp store.

 

Now onto my card for today. This is another I made for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. Mary aka softangelkisses was our hostess for this 29th challenge.  She wants us to create a thank you card using pink as your color.

For my card, I used pink and green. The layout is the week 1 Viva la Verve sketch.

My background designer paper is from the Stampin'-Up "cheerful treat" collection. The stargazer lily is a stamp from the Rubber Café and I colored with prismacolor pencils and gamsol. I fussy cut and trimmed off some of the leaves to allow the image to fit my card.

On the middle panel I stamped with a distressed background stamp from Great Impressions and added my sentiment. Completed my card by adding some ribbon and a bow.

 

Well, Blogger friends it's time to put the wraps on this post. Ethan just got up and I need to get him so breakfast. So until next time........God bless.

 

card details:
Stamps: large tiger lily (Rubber Cafe). distressed background (Great Impressions Stamps), dogwood blossoms (MFP)
Paper: melon mambo, lucky limeade, ww, cheerful treat dsp (Stampin'-Up)
Paper Size: A2
Ink: melon mambo
Accessories: matting basics dies (Spellbinders), pink ribbon (Offray), pearl (Stampin'-Up), prismacolor pencils and gamsol
Techniques: fussy cutting

I am also entering: 
1.  Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge is anything goes with option of a die cut. I used Spellbinders Matting Basic dies to cut all my panels.
2.  Kitty Bee Designs has a thanks challenge. 
3.  Simply PaperCraft has an anything goes challenge. 
4.  Fussy and Fancy has a words challenge.

HYCCT1527Kids ~Hello~

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy day after Thanksgiving to you all. Hope your celebration was a great one. We had a great day here at my home. The turkey was perfectly cooked and all the sides turned out so delicious.

I really liked my stuffing and my brother-in-law couldn't stop raving about it. That made me feel so good. I bought some seasoning from Trader Joe's and I like the flavor it gave the stuffing. It is poultry seasoning with a few different ingredients. I didn't use this solely but this in combo with my other ingredients was a plus.

The desserts were delicious as well. My mother-in-law made an apple pie and I did the pumpkin. My neighbor sent over a pumpkin roll. We all enjoyed dessert even though we were so full from dinner.

Today, I am going to go out to one of the stores for a little black Friday shopping. No one has given me any suggestions yet but I did have a gift in mind for one of my daughters-in-law.

Now onto my card for today. this is another  I made for the Hope You Can Cling to Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. For this 27th challenge, Andi was our hostess. This challenge is meant to get the kids involved. The challenge is to make a card representing something your mom loves.

I took one of the optional ideas since my granddaughter is 3000 miles away from me. I made a card representing things my Mother-in-law loves and that would be flowers and butterflies.

For my card, I used items from the August 2015 Paper Pumpkin kit from Stampin-Up. My background paper is actually one of the card bases that I cut in half and layered on pink pirouette card stock. I then layered that onto a black base.

The flower and fringe are kit elements. I punched a tag, stamped hello and added a butterfly. I won't give this one to my Mother-in-law but rather send it to the MD Andersen Center.

Well, Blogger friends that's my card for today. Time to get on with my day. After shopping I am going to pick up Ethan (youngest grandson) and bring him here to spend the night.

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

card details:
Stamps: sending happy thoughts (MFP)
Paper: basic black, pink pirouette, dsp (paper pumpkin)
Paper Size: A2
Ink: whisper white craft
Accessories: August 2015 Paper Pumpkin Kit (Stampin'-Up), black rhinestone, Marvy-Uchida tag punch, MS butterfly punch

I am also entering:
1.  PDE Linky Party has an anything goes challenge.
2.  Aud Sentiments Challenge is an anything goes.
3.  Crafty Girls Challenge #9 is anything goes.
 
 

HYCCT1514 ~thinking of you today~

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Wednesday to you all. I am taking a quick break from my Thanksgiving preparations for my blog post.

So far I have cubed my bread for stuffing. I usually triple my basic recipe so I cubed 27 cups of cubes. Tomorrow morning I will put them in the oven for 15 minutes to firm them up some. I like fresh so much better than the store bought ones.

I chopped the onions and celery for stuffing. I don't actually mix this until tomorrow morning. But I like having everything ready to do. The pumpkin pie is made and is now in the oven baking. My neighbor dropped off a homemade pumpkin roll for me so that will be part of the desserts for tomorrow as well.

My next thing will be to set my table. I like having that done so I don't have to fuss with it tomorrow. There is plenty to do just getting the turkey into the oven and some other sides I will be making.

Now onto my card for today. This is another I made for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. Kerry was our hostess for this 14th challenge.

She wanted us to do something with mosaics. We were to search for an image that speaks to you. Recreate or use the image as inspiration for an element on your card.

I love this mosaic madness stamp set from Stampin'-Up and have hardly ever used it. It was the first thing I thought of when I saw Kerry's challenge.

I did my search on Pinterest and I found this card and used it as my inspiration for my card.

I loved the bright colors she used and her layout. So I kept that the same. I just changed my sentiment and that completed my card.

Well time to get back into my kitchen. So until next time........God bless.

card details:
Stamps: mosaic madness (Stampin'-Up), butterfly thinking of you (Great Impressions Stamps) Paper: whisper white, night of navy
Paper Size: A2
Ink: gumball green, summer starfruit, night of navy, raspberry ripple
Accessories: mosaic punch (Stampin'-Up), matting basics A & B (Spellbinders), silver pearls (Recollections)

I am also entering:
1.   Addicted to Stamps and more has a make your mark challenge.
2.   Crafty Gals Corner has an anything challenge.
3.   Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is anything goes.
4.   Word Art Wednesday has an anything goes challenge.

HYCCT1521 ~Friends~

 

Hello Blogger friends and a happy Tuesday to you all. Today was my day at pre-school and we had our Thanksgiving feast. The kids loved it.

We served them chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, applesauce, green beans, carrots and cupcakes for dessert. It was a fun day for them as well as us as teachers.

We have a brief break over the holiday and then back to school next Tuesday. It will be December. Yikes I am so not ready for that.

I am set for Thanksgiving though. Finished my cleaning today and my food shopping is all done. Tomorrow I will do all my prep work for our big meal. I bake my pumpkin pie, chop my onions and celery for the bread stuffing, cube the bread and make my special mashed potato dish.

The mashed potatoes are prepared with sour cream, butter and cream cheese. Then refrigerated overnight. I bake them on Thursday. It has the flavor of twice baked potatoes. We really like them and so do my guests.

I also make a sweet potato casserole and fresh cranberry sauce. All this food talk is making me hungry. So I better get on with the details of my card.

This is another that I made for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenge on Splitcoaststampers. Gail was our hostess for this relationships matter challenge. She wants us to use an image depicting a friend or family relationship or a sentiment focused on relationship (mom, sister, friend, etc). I focused on the sentiment with my "friends" word.

She also mentioned making an extra card today and mail it to someone you care about. I went a bit of a different route with this suggestion.

I made this card today and will send it to my friend. She is also battling breast cancer. I made this card recently for another HYCCT challenge and will mail it to the MD Andersen center. They are similar in that I used similar colors and same stamp set, but I changed this one around a bit.

For my background on this one, I used the Memory Box honeycomb stencil and sponged in pear pizzazz ink. On the other I used bermuda bay ink. My leaves are stamped in old olive and I changed the placement of them.

I stamped the sun but didn't add the extra circle like I did in the other card. I spritzed elegant eggplant ink on the background with a toothbrush for some added interest.

To finish off this card, I used 2 die cuts. My butterfly is cut in calypso coral on this card. I used elegant eggplant for the body and antenna and added some pearls.
I die cut my friends word from bermuda bay cardstock. And, I layered all of this on a calypso coral base instead of bermuda bay.

Used the same mesh ribbon and floss on this card. Well, Blogger friends that's my card for today. Time to dim the lights in Charmed Life Land for another day. So until next time.......God bless.

card details:
Stamps: kinda eclectic (Stampin'-Up) 
Paper: calypso coral, bermuda bay, whisper white, calypso coral dsp (Stampin'-Up) 
Paper Size: A2 
Ink: calypso coral, old olive, pear pizzazz, bermuda bay, elegant eggplant 
Accessories: friends & small butterfly dies (Elizabeth Crafts), May Arts mesh ribbon, coral floss (DMC), pearls 
Techniques: stencil 

I am also entering:
1.  Crafting From The Heart has an anything goes challenge.
2.  Artistic Inspirations has an anything goes with a twist of pearls.
3.  Craft Your Passion has an anything goes challenge.
4.  Incy Wincy Designs has a tic tac toe-I used: die-free space- pearls
 

HYCCT1528 ~sunshine 'n rainbows~

 

Hello Blogger friends and a happy Monday to you all. Hope your weekend was relaxing and that you had some creative time.

Saturday was our youngest grandson Ethan's confirmation. It was such a meaningful ceremony. My son and his family attend a catholic church so the Bishop of Pittsburgh performs the ceremony. He is very charismatic and holds your interest as he explained all that would take place.

He said to the ones being confirmed that when they were baptized their parents made the decision for them. With this confirmation, they were making their own decision to about their beliefs.

Yesterday, I did get some crafty time in and finished up my thanksgiving cards. I also made my DT sample for the color challenge on Splitcoaststampers. Drop over to the site tonight around 10:45 EST if you want to see the colors.

Today, I just have a bunch of chores to do as I get ready for our Thanksgiving celebration at our house. I am looking forward to the family time.

Now onto my card for today. This is another I made for the Hope You Can Cling To challenge on Splitcoaststampers. For the 28th challenge, Rebecca was our hostess and she wanted us to make a card with a rainbow, or use a rainbow of color.

For my card I used the sun ray stencil from MFT and sponged the colors of the rainbow. I stamped my sentiment in a die cut circle using the "ray of sunshine" set from Stampin'-Up.

My card looked a bit bare with just the sun and rainbow, so I created a little scene. I die cut a rolling hill with a Lawn Fawn die, a house with a Paper Trey Ink die and a pine tree with an Impression Obsession die.

This is another card I saved to send to my bff who is battling breast cancer. I did send a box of 22 cards to the MD Andersen Center in Houston, TX last week.

Well, Blogger friends this is my card for today. Time to get started with my household stuff. So until next time........God bless.

card details:
Stamps: ray of sunshine (Stampin'-Up), holiday home (PaperTrey Ink)
Paper: real red, whisper white, old olive, choc chip
Paper Size: A2
Ink: poppy red, pistachio pudding midnight muse, wisteria wonder (Stampin'-Up), spiced marmalade, squeezed lemonade, broken china distress inks (Ranger)
Accessories: Sun Ray Stencil (MFT), pine trees die (Impression Obsession), holiday home die (PaperTrey Ink), circle die (Spellbinders). stitched hills (Lawn Fawn)
Techniques: stencil

I am also entering:
1.  613 Avenue Create has an anything goes with twist of make your own challenge. I made an A2 card of encouragement using colors red and green.
2.  Scrappers Delights Challenge is anything goes.
3.  Bloggers Challenge is to use circles.
4.  Dragons Lair Designs has a rainbows challenge.
5.  Simply Papercraft has an anything goes challenge.

HYCCT1530Survivor ~A cup of cheer~

 

Hello Blogger friends and a happy Saturday to you all. Hope your day went well and that you had some relaxing time before the big holiday rush next week.

I went to the market today to  pick up my turkey. I get such a big one that it needs several days to thaw. Don't know why I didn't make a list with me so I could get everything I need for my meal.

I was on my way home from my son's home and thought I should get the turkey. I tried to remember off the top of my head what I need for all the dishes I make. But, of course I didn't remember everything so another trip to the market is necessary. That will have to be done early in the week because traffic will get crazy after Tuesday.

Today, I finally addressed the Thanksgiving cards I will be mailing. They are all local so the cards will get there by Tuesday. A few of them I hand deliver along with a little gift. Now it's onto my Christmas cards. I am so far behind on those so some serious mass producing is in order.

Now onto my card for today. This is another I made for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. Ceal was our hostess for this 30th challenge and she  wants us to make a card of encouragement letting them know it's going to be okay.

I used the teacup stack die from Poppy Stamps and backed the cups with pink pirouette, rose red, mint macaron card stocks from Stampin'-Up.

The sending word is a die from Simon Says Stamp, and I cut it in rose red card stock. My sentiment is from the happy thoughts stamp set- an exclusive set from the Paper Pumpkin Kit June 2015.

The background paper is from the Stampin'-Up - "pretty petals" collection. And I used the layout from the week 5 Viva la Verve sketch.

 

This card is going off to my bff in Virginia who was just diagnosed with breast cancer. I have been sending her a card weekly with a note of encouragement. Her name is Elaine if you want to pray for her.

And with that, my post for today is coming to an end. So until next time.......God bless.

card details:
Stamps: Happy Thoughts (Paper Pumpkin Stampin'-Up)
Paper: mint macaron, whisper white, rose red, pink pirouette, pretty petals dsp (Stampin'-Up)
Paper Size: A2
Ink: rose red
Accessories: sending die (Simon Says Stamp), teacup stack die (Poppy Stamps), circle die (Spellbinders), blueprints 15 die (MFT) 

I am also entering: 
1.  Allsorts wants us to use at least 3 die cuts.  
2.  Crafty Friends has a one for the girls challenge.
3.  Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge is anything goes with a twist: beverages
4.  Brown Sugar has an anything goes challenge.
5.  PDE Linky Party has an anything goes challenge. 
 

`thanks - thanks- thanks~

 

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Friday to you all. I can't believe another weekend is here so quickly. And it's also the weekend before Thanksgiving.

I will buy my turkey on Saturday and start my shopping for the big meal. This is my favorite holiday and I just love to fuss over all the details. Whether it's a small crowd or a bigger one, I still make it special for everyone.

It's funny how you have memories of holidays from your childhood. This was always such a special one at our house. We had lots of extended family over for the celebration and my Mom always prepared such a fabulous meal. I still use her stuffing recipe for my turkey.

We also have our youngest grandson Ethan here for a sleepover. He and my hubby go to the high school football playoffs each year. They have been going since Ethan was in 3rd grade and now he is in 9th grade. 

He still loves going and looks forward to it each year. It's a 3 weekend playoff and the Saturday after Thanksgiving are the final games. They discuss the games beforehand and each picks a winner. They also make little wagers- like last weekend it involved lime tortilla chips. They both like eating them so the loser doesn't get to eat any at our house. Just some fun little things between them and it's a memory that will last for Ethan.

 So I will have a free night to do what I want. And the free time will be spent in my craft room. The organization is still a work in progress.

Now onto my card for today. This is one I made for the color challenge #556. Vicki is our hostess and she chose tempting turquoise, primrose petals, real red for her color palette. Optional is to use a tag.

I started my card by stenciling the background with the challenge colors. I used a stencil from Stampin'-Up and sponge daubers. Layered that onto tempting turquoise panel.

My tag is cut with a die from the MFT tag builders 4 set. I really like this new tag set. Added a button, turquoise trim and white twine. The thanks words are cut in primrose petals, tempting turquoise and real red. I used a die from Taylored Expressions.

My layout for this card is an older MojoMonday 420 sketch for my layout. Well, Blogger friends that's my card for today. Time to get started with my day. I have a teacher's meeting at Preschool and then off to the gym.

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

 

card details:
Paper: white, tempting turquoise, real red, primrose petals
Paper Size: A2
Ink: tempting turquoise, primrose petals, real red
Accessories: tag builders blueprints 4 & star die (MFT), thanks die (Taylored Expressions), stripes ef, white twine, dots stencil (Stampin'-Up), turquoise button (Dill buttons), turquoise decorative trim (Hobby Lobby)
Techniques: Stencil 

I am also entering: 
1.  Crafting with an Attitude has an anything goes challenge.
2.  DL Art has  thank you/Thanksgiving challenge.
3.  Addicted to Stamps and more has an anything goes challenge.
4.  Double Click Skittles has a thank you /thanksgiving challenge.
5.  Cuttlebug Mania has a thanks challenge. 

HYCCT1531B ~Sheltering Tree~

 

Hello Blogger friends and a happy Wednesday to you all. Hope this day finds you all in good spirits and health.

I am doing great. I spent yesterday with my daughter-in-law and grandsons. Picked Ethan up at school and then we all went out to dinner. My son is away on a business trip so he missed our family time. Oh well, next time for him.

Arrived back home around 8:30 really tired from a long day. Yesterday was my day at pre-school and the kids were certainly in high energy. We did get to take them outside to the play area since the weather has been so unusually mild.

We also worked on a couple of Thanksgiving projects with them. So it was a successful day. And today I get to rest up before I go back with them tomorrow. But, I have plenty to do here, including working on my craft room. I am also going to the gym so let's get on with my card for today.

This is another I made for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. This is my card for Dini's HYCCT1531B challenge. She has an inspiration challenge for us.

When I saw her color board, I was inspired by the top left photo. I immediately thought of my newest stamp set "Sheltering tree' from Stampin'-Up.

This set is 2 step stamping. Stamped the tree trunk and then the tree leaves with spiced marmalade and crushed curry inks. I added leaves and the rake to the tree base and some die cut clouds with a bit of blue sponging.

The card didn't look quite finished at this point so I decided t0 die cut rolling hills and added a few pumpkins to complete my card. The sentiment is also from this same Stampin'-Up set.

I will use this as a Thanksgiving card . I have a good friend who has been such a support for our family over the last 1 1/2 years.
I did send a box full of cards to the MD Andersen cancer center in Houston the other day. So I didn't feel bad about keeping a couple of the cards I made for my use.

Well, Blogger friends it's time to get on with my day. So until next time.......God bless.

card details:
Stamps: Sheltering Tree (Stampin'-Up)
Paper: pumpkin pie, whisper white, old olive, polka dot parade dsp (Stampin'-Up)
Paper Size: A2
Ink: spiced marmalade, crushed curry, choc chip, bashful blue
Accessories: stitched hillside dies (Lawn Fawn), pumpkin die (Impression Obsession), cloud bank (Memory Box)

I am also entering:
1.  Cards and More has a recipe challenge-2 colors-3 papers, 4 embellishments
2.  Die Cuttin' Divas has a Thanksgiving challenge.
3.  Lemon Shortbread has an anything goes challenge.
4.  Shopping Our Stash has a thanks challenge.
5.  Try it on Tuesday wants us to create a scene.  

HYCCT1530Team ~Leaf Thanks~

 

Hello Blogger friends and a happy Monday to you all. Hope you all had a relaxing weekend or a productive one if you had work projects to get done.

 

For me it was work projects. I am in the process of organizing the closet in my craft room to bring up my card stock and patterned paper from the basement. That also includes purging what I am not using. I don't want to hold onto stuff that I have been storing for years. So if you are in need of cardstock or patterned paper, let me know. I have lots to give away.

 

I made a lot of progress yesterday but I still have a lot to do. When this is finally finished I will be sooo happy. The next thing I am tackling is my ribbon collection.

 

My friend gave me a new idea for storage and it will take up less space. She gave me a die that looks like a spool of thread. I am going to take my ribbon off the roll it is on and use the die cut to wrap the ribbon around. I was amazed at how organized and less spacing consuming her collection is. And she has a lot more ribbon than I do.

 

So now onto my card for today. This is one I created for color challenge #555 on Splitcoaststampers.  I was the hostess  and my color trio is rich razzzleberry, old olive and soft suede. Option is to create a Thanksgiving or a thank you card.

 I went Thanksgiving on this card. And I also used a color blocking with card stock technique. Something that I haven't tried before and is also the challenge from the Host Team for HYCCT1530TEAM

Here are the rules for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenge:
·You must choose a technique from our tutorials section here on Splitcoast
·IT MUST BE A TUTORIAL YOU HAVE NEVER TRIED BEFORE
·You must link to the tutorial you are using in your card description
·You must have fun and learn something new

This is the link to the technique I used. I like how the card turned out. It's a more clean and simple card but one that I can definitely use as a Thanksgiving card. I am behind on those cards. I need quite a few to send out to family and friends.

I cut my cardstock in the color challenge colors in various widths. My leaf image is a stamp and die from Dare 2 B Artsy.
I cut the leaf in Kraft cardstock and stamped in rich razzleberry ink. Die cut a few acorns, added some twine and a button to finish off my card.

That's my card for today. Time to get started with my day. Monday's are always busy for me. I have my DT sample to create for the new color challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I also have to get a package in the mail for my daughter-in-law. Her birthday is this week- yikes nothing like waiting until the last minute.

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

card details:
Stamps: Many Thanks (Dare 2 B Artzy)
Paper: Kraft, rich razzleberry, old olive, soft suede (Stampin'-Up)
Paper Size: A2
Ink: rich razzleberry Accessories: leaf dies (Dare 2 B Artzy), twine (Stampin'-Up)
Techniques: Color Blocking with Card Stock

I am also entering:
1. AAA Cards challenge is thanks/thanksgiving.
2.  Crafting From The Heart has an anything goes challenge.
3.  Craft Your Passion has an anything goes challenge.
  

HYCCT1519 ~Hi~

 

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Sunday to you all. I mentioned yesterday that I had my craft room closet to tackle and organize. Well that turned into a bigger project than I imagined.

The closet provides access to our attic and that's where we have all the Christmas items stored. There are no steps just a trap door and my hubby had to use a ladder to bring the stuff down each year. Also the attic is just a crawl space so you can't stand up.

We decided to get all the Christmas stuff out of there and we would store it between the bedroom closets and the basement. So now I have 2 large Christmas trees, a small one and all my plastic wreath holders plus various other decorations in the upstairs hallway. I have to rearrange closets to make room for this stuff and also see what I can put in the basement.

We brought the storage shelving that I had in the basement upstairs to the craft room closet. It fits almost the length of the wall and that's the reason we had to bring the Christmas stuff down permanently. I still had all my paper stored in the basement. So when I needed paper I went down 2 flights of steps to get it and then back up again. Not an efficient use of my time. Although it is good exercise (lol)!!

I started with my paper collection and got about 3/4 of the way through that yesterday. I am purging as well as organizing. I decided to quit holding onto stuff if I am not using it. And that would be cardstock as well as patterned paper.

I have quite a bit that I am going to get rid of. It's cut and organized and is looking for another home. So if you are in need of any paper drop me an email and let me know.

 Now onto the card for today. This is another I made for the Hope You can Cling to Challenges. Lee was our hostess for Challenge # 19. She wants us to use the word PINKALICIOUS and unscramble 3-4 words from those letters that apply to your card.

 

This required some thinking on my part. But, I was able to come up with some creative words that applied to my card.
Pink - card base, bow and flag
Slick - metallic finish on background panel
Caulk - as in tapes used on my card- double sided, red line and dimensionals
Pal - this card will be going to someone's pal

For my card I used a couple of elements from the Aug 2015 Paper Pumpkin Kit from Stampin'-Up. The metallic background, pink flag and black label. I added this to a pink pirouette card stock base. Background is layered with basic black, I die cut a bow from an MFT die and added the word hi-also a die from MFT.

I really like these kits that come each month from Stampin'-Up. If you don't subscribe you should look into them. You get everything you need to create 8 cards plus the ink and stamp set. the stamp set is exclusive to these kits as well. I just received my new one yesterday and it is all about Christmas. there are 8 cards with 2 different designs.

 

To subscribe you just go here and enter all your information. If you don't have a demonstrator, you can use mine. Her name is Christine Cusick. 

 

Well Blogger friends, it's time to wrap up this post. I have to start getting ready for church. So until next time.......God bless.

 

card details:
Paper: pink pirouette, basic black, pretty in pink
Paper Size: A2
Accessories: Paper Pumpkin Kit Aug 2015 (Stampin'-Up), happy hello's and dainty bow dies (MFT)

I am also entering:
1.  613 Avenue Create has an anything goes- optional twist use word hello
2.  Eclectic Ellapu has a balloons, banners or bows challenge.
3.  Glitter 'N' Sparkle has a die cut /punch challenge - die cut bow, flag, hi word, black label
4.  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends has an anything goes challenge.

HYCCT1527Bonus ~Thankful~

 

Hello Blogger friends and a happy Saturday to you. Hope you have some creative plans for the weekend. Or maybe it's just a day filled with fun things to do.

 

For me I have my craft room to tackle. We finally brought some plastic shelving from the basement to the upstairs. It held a bunch of my supplies. the shelving will fit in the closet in the room. I am going through my patterned papers and discarding stuff as well as organizing.

 

This will be a day long project and hopefully a push to get the rest of my craft room organized. I have most of it done but there are a few things that need to be completed.

 

Now onto my blog post for today. This is another card I created for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers.

 

This is my card for Shannon's HYCCT1527Bonus challenge. She wants us to create a salted background.

I was a little intimidated to try this technique but when I did I loved it. I made 4 backgrounds and 3 of them I love. I have another card to post using one of the backgrounds I created.

This is such a fun technique. Here is a link to the tutorial I used.

 I didn't really know what I was going to do with any of the backgrounds when I started. This one seemed like a forest to me because of the way the green ink formed all on its own. I thought it looks like trees in the distance. I also didn't remove all of the salt. I like the look of some being left on the background.

So I created a scene with die-cuts. My pine trees and pumpkins are cut with Impression Obsession dies.

The deer and thankful words are dies from PaperTrey Ink. The stitched hillside is a die from Lawn Fawn.  Added a few die cut sequins from an MFT die.

 

Well, Blogger friends that's my card for today. Time to get busy with my major task for the day. So until next time........God bless.

 

card details:

Paper: Kraft, mossy meadow, pumpkin pie, baked brown sugar (Stampin'-Up) distresed watercolor cardstock,(Ranger) 

Paper Size: A2 

Accessories: reinkers: crushed curry, pumpkin pie, bravo burgundy, earthtones denim, pine tress and pumpkin dies (Impression Obsession), in the meadow and wonderful words dies (PaperTrey Ink), stiched hillside die (Lawn Fawn), sequins die (MFT) 

Techniques: salted background

I am also entering:
1.  Alphabet Challenge Blog is "tis the season". My interpretation is Thanksgiving-November 26.
2.  Brown Sugar challenge is no patterned paper.
3.  Fussy and Fancy has a thankful challenge.
4.  Simply Create Too has a give thanks challenge.
5.  Stamping Boutique has a fall challenge.

HYCCT1530 ~Totally Awesome~

 

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Friday to you all. Another weekend is upon us and I hope you have some fun plans.

As for me, I am doing some household chores. I got behind with everything while I was working on my Hope You can Cling To Challenge cards. 
Yesterday, I finally pulled my fall and Thanksgiving decorations out. I really like how everything looks and I only have a few weeks to enjoy it before I start decorating for Christmas.

I bought some new items this year and had them since September so I am not sure why I didn't decorate then. But, it's done now and I am happy with the look.

Today I will move to my upstairs and clean the bedrooms and the bathrooms. Then it's on to my craft room. I am still working on getting it organized. Hopefully this room will be complete by Christmas. My hubby is going to help me with a few things today. that should be a big push for me to get everything that is left organized. 

Now onto my card for today. This is another I created for the HYCCT challenges on Splitcoaststampers. This is my card for Yvette's HYCCT1530 challenge. She wants us to use any construction related materials to make or embellish your card.

I had to think on this one for a few days. While I was looking for something else in my supplies I found some wood die cuts from Basic Gray. In fact there was a pack of this distressed looking designer paper and some fuzzy rub-ons.

Bingo! My idea was born. The wood die cut covers the requirement of this challenge, and I created my card around it.

The fuzzy rub-ons had this "awesome" word and the wood die cut had the "totally " word. How perfect for me. In this pack I also found some alphabet stickers that I used for the words "you are".

I cut the striped paper in a curve pattern so I could use the rub-on around it. I like how I was able to shape it around the curve and how the rub-on feels.  I think whoever selects this card at the MD Andersen center will too.

 

Well, it's time to get a start on my day. I have a dentist appointment this morning and then finish up my house work. So until next time Blogger friends........God bless.

 card details:
Paper: Choc Chip, (Stampin'-Up), Hipster Designer Paper (Basic Gray)
Paper Size: A2 Accessories: hipster fuzzy rub-ons, alphabet stickers & wood die cuts (Basic Gray) 

I am also entering:
1. Crafting with an Attitude has an anything goes challenge.
2. Creative Knockouts has a something to say challenge- include a sentiment.
3. Julia Spiri has an add a sentiment challenge.

HYCCT1527HERO ~Grateful~

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Veteran's day to you all. I would like to thank all of the Veterans today for the service that has been given to the United States of America. We enjoy freedom here because of your service to our country.

 

Deceased veterans are also remembered on Veterans Day but the day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime.

 

I have 6 brothers who served in the military as well as extended family. So my post today is dedicated to them. Thank You!!!

 

This is another card I created for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. This challenge #27 was hosted by the Fantastic Four.  They want us to make a card with a superhero theme.

I don't have any superhero images so I put off doing this challenge. But, as I thought about it a couple of thoughts came to mind.

One, is my nephew who served 4 tours in Iraq and he has a family. He is a superhero to our family.

Two, is being blessed to live in this great country of ours. We have access to some of the best medical care in the world. So we can get treatment when we need it.

With that in mind I made this "patriotic grateful" card and used this card as my inspiration. Instead of embossing, I used a word die.

To create my card, I used the sun-ray die from MFT and cut in red. Cut a navy rectangle from a Spellbinders die and added a white star cut from another MFT die. My grateful word is a die from Paper Trey ink.

 

Well, Blogger friends that's my card for today. Time to get started with my long list of chores. So until next time........God bless.

 

Card Details:

Paper: whisper white, real red, night of navy 

Paper Size: A2 

Accessories: Sun Ray Die & Blueprints 18 (MFT), rectangle die (Spellbinders), Thanksgiving word dies (PaperTrey Ink) 

 

I am also entering:

1.  Fan-Tastic Tuesday has an anything goes. Twist: something with letter B - I used blue.

2.  Creative Moments has an anything goes.

3.  Inspiration Destination has an anything goes challenge.

4.  The Male Room has a remembrance or sympathy challenge.

5.  Ruby's Rainbow is a red, white and blue challenge.

 

HYCCT1523 ~butterfly tattoo~

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Tuesday to you all. Today is one of the days I help out at our church pre-school.

 

I don't like to say work because I retired after 30+ years in the telecommunications industry with Verizon. Now, instead of tending to the interests of corporate America,  I am investing in the lives of 3 year olds that is much more worthwhile.

 

I have taken on more of a role this year as far as being involved in the classroom planning. I teach the alphabet to the children and read at story time. I have never been much of a backseat person.  My management years in corporate are working for me here in the classroom as well.

 

The books I read tie back to the letter we are learning for the week. Found a great website (This Reading Mama) where the woman offers free alphabet packs.  She gives everything you need for the letter as well as coordinated books.

 

We use paint daubers with the kids to imitate tracing the letter. The paper we pass out has the letter on it with circles (for daubing) plus a picture of something starting with that letter.

 

Then on our review day, which is Thursday), I give them a blank letter with different pictures of things starting with the letter we are learning. I have them glue the pictures into the letter. They like doing both of these activities.

 

The website owner has a masters degree in education and has used this material for her own kids. Courtney (our director) really likes using this material for our kids.

 

Now, onto my card for today. This is my card for Jeanne's Hope You Can Cling To #23 challenge. She wants us to use any image or phrase on your card that you think would make a pretty tattoo.

I think a butterfly makes a great tattoo. And since I love this butterfly die from Stampin'-Up, I decided to use it for my card. Also, I think the sentiment would be a perfect accompaniment to a butterfly tattoo.

My thoughts are if the tattoo artist had this butterfly image they could fill it in with all the fabulous colors the person who is getting the tattoo wants (lol)!!

My background designer paper is from the Stampin'-Up collection "greenhouse gala" collection. I added a green pear pizzazz panel that I embossed.

Cut a couple of labels 18 dies to frame the sentiment, added some ribbon, pearls and a white doily for interest to complete this card.

 

Well, Blogger friends that's it for me for today. Time to get ready for pre-school. So until next time........God bless.

 

card details:

Stamps: butterfly basics (Stampin'-Up) 

Paper: peach parfait, pear pizzazz, whisper white, greenhouse gala dsp (Stampin'-Up) 

Paper Size: A2 

Ink: choc chip 

Accessories: butterfly thinlits die, peach parfait ribbon, fancy fan ef, pearls (Stampin'-Up), labels 18 dies (Spellbinders) 

 

I am also entering: 

1.  2 Creative Chicks has an anything goes challenge.

2.  Creative Craft Cottage has an anything goes challenge.

3.  Sisters of Craft has an anything goes challenge.

4.  Cards and More has a recipe challenge - 2 colors, 3 papers, 4 embellishments 

 

HYCCT1515 ~happy thoughts~

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Monday to you all. Hope your weekend was a great one. It was our anniversary weekend and it was a nice celebration. I wrote about it in this post.

 

Mondays are always a busy day for me. I will be going to the gym shortly. On that front, I am happy to report that since my 22 lb weight loss (almost 2 years ago,) I still go 3x a week to exercise. It helps that I have 3 others that I meet with. We still work out with our trainer every other week.

 

I also have to get our alphabet lesson prepared for pre-school tomorrow. And, I am behind on getting the book from the library to read to the kids. Hopefully they will have what I want.

 

Then there is my sample that still needs made for the color challenge on Splitcoaststampers. Don't know why I always wait until Monday to work on my card. We plan the colors out a month in advance. Fortunately, I have an idea of where I want to go with this week's colors.

 

So with all that being said, let's move on to the card I am showing for today. This is another I made for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. For this challenge #15, Barbara was our hostess and she had a bit of an unusual challenge.  She wants us to use the back of our clear stamps to create our card.

 

I held off on this challenge because I didn't have any idea what to do. Then, as I was working on another card I noticed a scalloped flower stamp sitting on my work desk. It is from the happy thoughts set by Stampin'-Up. Light bulb moment!

I thought of using it as the base for the Paper Trey Ink scribble circle dies. I have had these dies and couldn't figure out a way to use them either. So this was a win-win for me (lol)!!!

I took the flower stamp and stamped in coastal cabana, pretty in pink and daffodil delight ink. I then cut the scribble circles in the coordinating papers.

Added a strip of designer paper from the "timeless elegance" collection by Stampin'-Up. Die cut my happy word from an MFT die, stamped my sentiment and added some sequins.

 

That is my card for today. time to close this post and get my day started. So until next time........have fun creating and God bless.

 

card details:

Stamps: happy thoughts (Stampin'-Up-Paper Pumpkin 2015) 

Paper: coastal cabana, whisper white, timeless elegance dsp Paper Size: A2 

Ink: coastal cabana, pretty in pink, daffodil delight (Stampin'-Up), tuxedo black (Memento) Accessories: happy hellos die (MFT), scribble circles die (PaperTrey Ink), sequins,    

I am also entering:

1.  Fussy and Fancy has a flowers challenge.