My Heart Buzz

Hello Blogger friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. 

It's a bitter cold day here in Pittsburgh with temps at 22°. I ventured out for my dental appointment and then went shopping for my annual Galentine Party. The wind was quite blustery, but I wrapped my scarf around my neck, donned my gloves and went where I had to go.

So back to the Galentine Party. This is the 3rd year for the party and the women I invite all love it. I usually have it before Valentine's Day but we were in Florida, so I scheduled it for tomorrow evening. 

I have done something different each year and this year it's a game night with prizes. I have a couple of trivia games planned, a Valentine's riddle game, a Valentine candy match and the last is a Valentine friendly feud game. I even have buzzers for this game. There are 4 women + myself so for the feud game it will be 2 teams of two and I will be the moderator. I think they will love the games. 

Then I have lots of appetizers planned and I went with a Mexican theme - taquitos, tacos, tortilla chips with guacamole and shrimp and queso for dipping and adding to the other food and a small charcuterie tray. I also found a recipe for baked scallops that sounded yummy, so I am making that as well.  Saturday is national Margarita Day, so I decided to make some margaritas. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for a friend to give to his wife for Valentine's Day. He really liked it. She will be here tomorrow night so I will find out if she liked it. 

I used the Stampin' Up designer paper "Bee Mine" and created a fun fold card. I saw this sample on Cindy Lee Blog and decided to give it a whirl.

I didn't have the bee punch from Stampin' Up so I used a die from CottageCutz. I also added more stamping on the inside to make it my design.

Well, that's it for me for this post. So, until next time.....God bless. 

Card Details:

Stamps: Bee My Valentine (Stampin' Up)

Paper: black, white, daffodil delight, vellum, bee mine dsp (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: 4 1/2" x 5 3/4"

Ink: real red (Stampin'-Up)

Accessories: Busy Bee die (CottageCutz), Word Bubble die (Stampin' Up)

Techniques: fun fold

I am also entering:

1.  Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday is anything goes. 

2.  The Paper Shelter has a "with Love" challenge. 

3.  A Cut Above his anything goes with a die cut. 

4.  Aud Sentiments Challenge is love/wedding/anniversary plus a sentiment. 

5.  Make My Monday has a love challenge. 

With Love

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. 

We just returned from a 10 day stay in Florida. Friends of ours have a winter home there and invited us down once again. This is the 3rd year we have been there. The weather was sunny and warm and averaged 82° for the entire time we were there.  

When we left Pittsburgh, it was bitter cold. So, we were glad to have a bit of summer weather even if it was only for 10 days. When we returned home it was cold, and we have had snow and ice for the past 3 days. But the days are getting longer, and I just bundle up when I go outside. 

Now onto my card for today. This is another one of my Valentine cards. I gave this to the couple we stayed with in FL. Well actually to the man to give to his wife for Valentine's Day. He loved it and so did she.

I created a Z-Fold style card using the contents of the Paper Pumpkin Kit "Lovely Lavender"- February 2024 from Stampin' Up.  I saw a sample on Pinterest from Libby Fens. I changed the card base color and also added inside stamping.

The photo below shows the stamping I did on the inside.
 

Well that's it for me for this post. So until next time - stay warm and God bless.

Card Details:

Stamps: Lovely Lavender (PP Kit Feb 2024)

Paper: gorgeous grape, highland heather, real red (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: highland heather (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Paper Pumpkin Kit Lovely Lavender February 2024 (Stampin' Up)

Techniques: z-fold

I am also entering:

1.  Aud sentiments has a love/anniversary/wedding and or shimmer challenge. 

2.  Dream Valley Challenges is to use 2 or more patterned papers.

3.  The Neglected Stuff challenge - I used a kit from January 2024.

4.  Beautiful Blossoms challenge is anything goes floral w/optional mood board. 

5.  Triple B has a birds, blooms, butterflies challenge. 

Unforgettable Friendship

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog this holiday weekend. 

We celebrated the 4th of July yesterday with a cookout and fireworks at my son's home. It was such a great family day. 

I recently read a letter that John Quincy Adams sent to his wife Abigail after he signed the Declaration of Independence. He said it would be the most memorable day in American history. 

He believed that it would be celebrated by future generations as a great anniversary Festival. He said there should be parades, games, bells and fireworks. Although he called the fireworks illuminations. And this is just the way we celebrate this great American holiday. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for the Splitcoaststampers Free 4 All challenge #750. We were to make a card celebrating friends or friendship. 

I had a Stampin' Up Paper Pumpkin kit from 2023 that had these forget me not flowers and some great friendship sentiments. It was an unused kit until today.

So, I decided to use some of the contents of the Kit. The background designer paper is an envelope that is in the kit. I cut it apart and cut it to 4" x 5 1/4".  I added a piece of vellum over it to allow me to add the flower bouquet. It's a die cut from the kit. 

The sentiment is also part of the kit, and I stamped it on a bracket die from MFT. I added a few enamel dots to complete my card. Well, that's it for me for today. So, until next time.............God bless. 

Card Details:

Stamps: meaningful flowers (PP Kit Aug 2023)

Paper: garden green, vellum (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: orchid oasis (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Meaningful Flowers PP Kit 2023, crushed curry enamel dots (Stampin' Up), Bracket die (MFT

I am also entering:

1.  Crafty Catz has anything goes with optional of embellishments. 

2.  My Time to Craft has a summer florals challenge. 

3.  Creative Inspirations Challenge is anything goes. 

4.  I Spy with my Little Eye has a blooming lovely challenge. 

5.  Shopping our Stash has a NBUS challenge- never before used stuff. 

Fun in the Sun

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. 

Another weekend is upon us and hopefully you have some crafty plans. Although this time of year there are many outdoor projects to start as well.  I am fortunate that my hubby takes care of the outside. I am responsible for the inside. It's a fair deal in my mind. We have a big front, 2 sides and back yard. He has it beautifully landscaped with flowers for all seasons.  And that is in addition to his vegetable gardens. 

I just finished my cleaning and now I have time to get crafty. This card I made for the Free for All Challenge on Splitcoaststampers. We are to use the word "happy" in the sentiment or create a design that reflects joy. This card will go to my California son for his birthday, and he is an avid surfer. When he is out in the ocean that definitely brings him joy. 

I used the contents of the July 2023 Paper Pumpkin Kit from Stampin' Up. Instead of making a fun fold, I turned the contents into a slimline card for a bit of an upstyle. I had this card saved on my Pinterest board and used it for inspiration. Changed it up some by eliminating the ribbon, adding starfish, a clam and keeping the boat that was on the designer paper. I also used a different stamp set.

Stamped my sentiment using a stamp set from MFT in azure afternoon ink and this card is complete. Well, that's it for me for this post. So until next time......God bless.

Card Details:

Stamps: Mermazing (MFT)

Paper: white (Gina K Designs)

Paper Size: 8 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Ink: azure afternoon (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: July 2023 Paper Pumpkin Kit (Stampin' Up)

Techniques: slimline card

I am also entering:

1.  Cut It Up has a starts with a "B" challenge. This is a beach card plus the boat.

2.  My Time to Craft has a die cuts challenge.  

3.  Just Us Girls has an inspiration challenge with a moodboard. 

4.  Double D Challenge is water related- ocean, rain waterfall.

  

Paper Pumpkin Alternative (2)- Bunny Kisses

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog this Easter weekend.

I am having a brunch after church tomorrow instead of dinner. That is something completely different for me. I am having ham, spinach & feta quiche, blueberry French toast casserole and roasted asparagus. The quiche and French toast casserole are new recipes for me, so I hope they turn out. I usually can tell by the ingredients if I will like what I am making. That works out well for me.

I am going to prep the casserole and quiche tonight and that will make it easier when I come home from church to get my meal in the oven. 

Now onto my card for today.  This one I created for the color challenge #992. I was the hostess and I chose daffodil delight, petal pink and berry burst for the color trio. Optional was to use your favorite green. 

daffodil delight, petal pink, berry burst

For my card I used some of the contents of the Stampin' Up February 2024 Paper Pumpkin kit "Sweet Springtime". Instead of using the kit instructions, I decided to make an alternative design with an easel card.

The card base is petal pink cardstock. The image panel is part of the kit as are the daffodils. For the easel stopper I used one of the banners that came in the kit, and I added the die cut word "kisses". That die is from CottageCutz as is the bunny phrase.

Well, that's it for me for this post. So, until next time .....God bless.

Card Details:

Paper: petal pink, berry burst, white (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: A2

Accessories: Paper Pumpkin Kit (February 2024), Bunny Kisses die (CottageCutz)

Techniques: Easel Card

I am also entering:

1.  Alphabet Challenge is "Z" for zoology. 

2.  Classic Design Challenge is anything goes w/option of 4 legged animals. 

3.  Creative Crafting Uncles has a Spring/Easter challenge. 

4.  Papercraft Challenge is Easter. 

5.  Creative Creases #79 is anything goes with a fun fold. 

Easter Blessings

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. 

We are 2 days into the start of Spring, but the weather is cold here in Pittsburgh. The good news is that the signs of Spring are everywhere in the neighborhood. I love to see all the blooming taking place. God's handiwork is always amazing. 

I have to prepare for my Sunday School class this week, but I wanted to get this Blog post done before I start preps. My hubby and I teach the K-2nd grade class. We love working with the kids and they love having us as teachers. 

The rotation is once a month, so I always try to have something special for them to do. They love the crafts I bring for them. This week we will be doing an Easter craft and then I am going to let them dye Easter eggs. Our class is small usually around 6 kids. So, I will bring a dozen eggs and each of them will get 2 to color. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for the F4A734 challenge on Splitcoaststampers. The challenge was to make your card mainly pink. I need Easter cards, but I wasn't sure how a mainly pink card would work. But I like how this one turned out. 

I started my card with designer paper from the Heavenly Skies collection from Divinity Designs. I die cut a cross in a couple of shades of pink, the Easter Eggs and tulips. I did add green grass because the challenge is mainly pink. 

Finished off the card with the Easter Blessings phrase. Well, that's it for me for this post. So, until next time.....God bless. 

Card Details:

Paper: granny apple green, polished pink, bubble bath (Stampin' Up), heavenly skies dsp (Divinity Designs)

Paper Size: 8 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Ink: granny apple green (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Easter Cross w/Flowers, Faith Sentiments, Happy Easter Greetings, Slimline Grass dies (CottageCutz)

Techniques: slimline card

I am also entering:

1.  Creative Fingers has an anything goes challenge. 

2.  Cardz 4 Galz challenge is Spring flowers w/dies or punches. 

3.  C.R.A.F.T. Challenge is Easter/Spring.

4.  TTTC243- I used Easter Eggs, Pastel colors and Grass. 

5.  Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is Easter/Spring. 

Farm Scene

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today.

Another weekend is upon us, and I hope you have some crafty plans. We don't have anything special planned for today just some household chores. Then tomorrow it's church and on Sunday nights we have a prayer meeting in our home. 

We have 6 couples who come 2x a month and we pray for our nation, our city and whatever else God has for us. So if you have a prayer need, let me know and we will pray for you. 

Now onto my card for today. I created a Thanksgiving card using the CottageCutz Fall Farm Scene die. 

Design Steps:

I started by cutting the scene from a pecan cardstock. The scene itself measure 4 1/2" x 3 1/2".

Next, I used the die inlay and overly technique to add some color to the scene. For the inlay part, I gave the barn a red door and a red roof and added red apples to the basket. 

For the overlay part, I cut the sun in a yellow cardstock and glued it over the brown sun. And for the tree I gave it a Fall look by cutting the tree a 2nd time with white cardstock and used distress inks for the color.

I was going to do ink blending for the background then decided to try and use patterned paper in blue and green shades.
The blue measures 3 1/2" x 2 1/2"
and the green measure 3 1/2" x 2 1/8".
I secured those with clear drying glue. I glued the green paper up just a teeny bit high and because I glued it down it wouldn't move. So, to cover that I added some leaves to the base of the tree. 

I added a layering panel using a terracotta cardstock. My card base is a mossy green.
terracotta layering panel: 3 3/4" x 4 3/4"
mossy card base: 4" x 5"

To finish off my card I stamped a simple "Give Thanks sentiment on the tree. 

That's it for me for this post. So until next time......God bless. 

I am also entering:

1.  Cut It Up has a layer it up challenge. 

2.  Cardz 4 Galz has a thank you, thankful or Thanksgiving challenge.

3.  Creative Inspiration Challenge #8 is anything goes.  

4.  Creative Knockouts has a Fall is in the Air challenge. 

5.  The Paper Funday has an anything goes w/option of thankful, thank you or grateful. 

Father's Day Fishing trip

Hello Blogger Friends. Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. 

Hope your weekend was a good one. We celebrated Father's Day on Sunday at my son's home. It was a great family time and honor to my hubby and son. We had a beautiful day and were able to sit outside on their newly redesigned patio. It turned out so beautifully. I should have taken pictures, but I forgot. 

This card is the one I gave to my hubby for Father's Day. The background panel is a card base from the May 2023 Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit has card bases with great outdoor scenes. I cut the card base in half and used boho blue cardstock for my card base.

The Canoe and Bear are dies from the CottageCutz Campin Out collection. I stamped the Father's Day sentiment to complete this card. 

That's it for me for this post. So until next time .....God bless. 

card details:

Stamps: manly moments (PP May 2018)

Paper: boho blue, pecan pie, copper clay, smoky slate, wild wheat pacific point (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: midnite muse (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: campin out bear, campin out canoe dies (CottageCutz), Paper Pumpkin Kit May 2023 (Stampin' Up)

I am also entering:

1.  Aud Sentiments has a Fun Fold or Summer challenge + a sentiment. Fishing is a summer activity. 

2.  Crafting Happiness has an anything goes challenge. 

3.  Cupcake Inspirations has a Father's Day challenge. 

4.  The Cutie Pie Challenge is Dads or Lads.

5.  Crafty Animals is anything goes with an animal. 

Father's Day Camping Card

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. It's Father's Day weekend and we will be celebrating with our son and his family. Looking forward to getting together. 

I was a bit behind getting Father's Day cards ready this year. This one is for my son. I will be delivering it in person tomorrow since I only made it yesterday. I received my Stampin' Up Paper Pumpkin Kit abut a week ago and these card bases are part of it. I thought they would make great backgrounds for Father's Day cards. 

I cut the card base in half and used boho blue cardstock for my card base.Boho blue is one of the new Stampin' Up in-colors and it coordinates with this kit. 

Since there is a tent in the background, I used a CottageCutz die that has the bear in a tent and placed it in the foreground. The tent is cut in moody mauve- a new Stampin' Up in- color. I also added a lantern carrying moose.

I stamped my sentiment, and this card is finished. That's it for me for this post so until next time......God bless. 

card details:

Stamps: man of the hour (Waltzingmouse)

Paper: boho blue. moody mauve, baked brown sugar, soft suede, crumb cake, real red, vellum (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: mossy meadow (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: campin out moose die, campin out bear in tent die (CottageCutz), Paper Pumpkin Kit

I am also entering:

1.  Cut It Up Challenge is masculine. 

2.  Daring Carmakers challenge is to make it masculine.

3.  Fab 'n' Funky wants us to use a sentiment. 

4.  Cardz 4 Guyz has a Father's Day Challenge. 

5.  The Card Concept 197B has a nature calls challenge. The nature theme is my inspiration. 

Easter Cross (new die)

Hello Blogger friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog this last Saturday in January. 

It's a brisk day here in Pittsburgh but lots of sunshine. That always brightens the day for me.

I don't have any big plans for today. My craft room needs straightened up and I am also in the process of organizing my die collection. Once that's done I will be on the lookout for stencil organizing ideas. I currently have them on a Tim Holtz carousel storage. It just takes up too much room on my desk, so I am looking for other ideas.  

My MFT stamps & dies also need organized. I bought an Interline plastic container a few months ago to do this but nothing has happened as yet. That's on my immediate to do list. 

Anyway, onto my card for this post. Today, I have a religious one for you using the Easter Cross w/Flowers die. Which, I believe, is the reason we celebrate Easter. I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog. So, let's get started with some details of how I created my card. 

Design Steps:  

Since I knew what die I was going to use to create my card and I sort of had a layout in mind, I looked for a subtle designer paper that would work. I wanted paper that wouldn't overtake the cross. I found this one with a floral image on it.

Yellow Card Base: 4 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Designer Paper Layer: 4 1/8" x 5 3/8"
Light Purple Oval: 3rd largest from the Stitched Oval
White Oval: 3rd largest from the Oval Set.

Next, I cut the cross and flowers in colors that complemented the yellow papers.

I wanted to use one of the new phrase sentiments that were just released. I chose the alleluia phrase from Faith Sentiments die. I cut it in 2 shades of purple because I wasn't sure which one to use. My cards are always a work in progress.

Now that all my elements are prepared, I am ready to start card assembly. I decided to use some ribbon on my card that matched one of the shades of purple on the cross. I attached that to the designer paper and then that layer to the card base with double sided tape.

For the cross, I used dimensional adhesive to slightly lift it off the oval background. At this point I decided to change the flower colors. I made them all yellow, and I liked that better. I added the alleluia phrase. I went with the darker purple one. I thought that made more of a statement on the card. Added a few yellow enamel dots and this card is complete. 

Well, that's it for me for this post. So, until next time.........God bless.

dies I used to create card:

I am also entering:

1.  Crafty Catz has an anything goes w/optional to add flowers. 

2.  Creative Knockouts has a die cuts/punches challenge. 

3.  Gem of a Challenge is anything goes.