cute ice cream cone

Happy Saturday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. It's the first day of Spring and what a beautiful day we had here.

We are entering the last phase of our remodeling project. Which is our new family room. We will be painting and getting new furniture. I went furniture shopping yesterday and found some really great sales.

I went to 2 different stores and picked out 2 different layouts. My neighbor went with me to help me with design and colors. She has such a talent in this area.

We were looking and deciding for about 5 hours yesterday. It was a lot of fun and exciting to know that I am getting something new.

We have had the same family room furniture for 16 years. I am passing it along to someone who needs living room furniture.
My husband will go back with me on Monday morning and we will make a final selection. The sale at both stores ends on Monday so I went to look at just the right time.

Now onto my card for today. This card fits into 3 different challenges:

1. The 1st is saturday's inspiration challenge on splitcoaststampers. This week we visited a site called the cutest foods. There was a lot of inspiration on the site for sure. I decided on these cute ice cream cookies for my card.

I had this ice cream designer paper from American Crafts to use for my background. So that helped me in my decision. The ice cream scoops are made with the stampin-up scallop punch. On the cone I used a cuttlebug embossing folder to give it texture. The pattern for this cone I found on angie kennedy juda's blog. She has lots of cute punch ideas-stop by and take a look.

2. My layout is from the pals paper arts blog. They had a sketch challenge this week. It was a great one to work with for my card.

3. The 3rd challenge is from the crazy4challenges blog. This week we were to make a spring themed card. I think an ice cream cone is a nice spring theme.

Well, my blogging friends it's time to turn out the lights in charmed life land for another day. Hope you enjoyed the first day of spring and that your weather was as great as ours.

card recipe:

paper: su ww, so saffron, close to cocoa, pink passion, lime (unknown), am crafts dsp
ink: close to cocoa
accessories: so saffron ribbon, cb ef, scallop punch

our home to yours

Happy Thursday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog.

It's going to be a short post for today.

I was reminded of a scripture verse from 1Corinthians 2:9 that I would like to share.

It reads: No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him.

We cannot imagine all that God has in store for us, both in this life and eternity. It gives us hope and courage to press on in this life and to endure hardship.

My sister-in-law lost her Mother to cancer 2 days ago. She was so instrumental in my life as a new believer in Jesus back in 1980. Today, she was buried but we have the hope of eternal life. This hope is an anchor and our security.

I made this card yesterday for the sketch challenge on splitcoaststampers.

I used the good neighbors stamp set from stampin-up and the designer paper is from the welcome neighbors collection. I cut 3 trees from the designer paper and used them in place of brads.

The sentiment is from the bella's bloom collection.

It's a wrap for today my blogging friends.

card recipe:

stamps: good neighbors, bella's bloom

paper: old olive, vv, crushed curry, welcome neighbors dsp

ink: old olive, crushed curry

accessories: circle punches, scallop punch

silhouette thanks

Happy Tuesday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. It was such a beautiful pre-spring day here in the 'Burgh.

Our tulips are just starting to come up and the deer have found them already. My husband pulled out the bobbex spray this afternoon. This is a deer repellent that does no harm to the plants. It's some sort of fertilizer and the deer & rabbits do not like the odor it gives off.

It works for us. He uses it all spring and summer.

It was my husband's last day of vacation and he spent it working in the yard. That is his passion. You all know mine!!

Tonight we had Kendra & Aaron for dinner. This is the young couple we are mentoring. We finalized the design on the wedding invitations. The font is not yet decided. I like Shelley Volant and Vivaldi but the final decision is Kendra's.

Any suggestions would be appreciated and welcome.

So onto my card for today. It is a challenge card for Tuesday's color challenge on splitcoaststampers.

This week we were to use old olive (green), rich razzleberry (eggplant) and orchid opulence (light lavender). I have never used orchid opulence before. I wasn't even sure I had any of this color. I found some in the stampin-up multi pack.

I just used it for my dragon fly that I punched out.

My designer paper on this card is from BasicGray "Indian Summer" collection. This paper matches so well with the current stampin-up in-colors.

My image is from the pocket silhouettes stamps set. I also used some new satin ribbon from stampin-up in old olive.

That's my card for today. Now it's time to sign off from charmed life land. God bless!!

card recipe:

stamps: pocket silhouettes

paper: su old olive, rich razzleberry, orchid opulence, ww, indian summer dsp

ink: old olive, rich razzleberry

accessories: satin ribbon, oval nesties, punch

sharing your sorrow

Happy Sunday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. We did something out of the ordinary for us today. After church we went to the Pittsburgh Playhouse for the musical presentation "Time after time".

My son & daughter-in-law gave me tickets for my birthday. It was back in September. This was a different gift for them to give as well. We enjoyed our afternoon together.

The play was done by our local university students. They are all theater majors. Such great voices and acting ability.

Now onto my card for today. I needed a sympathy card for a friend of ours from church who just lost his Mom. She lived a full life and now has gone home to heaven.

Today also is the featured stamper challenge on splitcoaststampers. This week the honors went to Kristen aka mommylvs2stamp. She has a lovely gallery.

I chose her anniversary card to re-create. I kept her same layout.

I changed the colors of paper, used a different stamp set. This set is called thoughts and prayers from stampin-up. I really like this set for sympathy cards.

My designer paper is Parisian Breeze also from stampin-up. Instead of the pearls she used I cut out 3 flowers from the designer paper.

Well it's time to turn out the lights in charmed life land, my friends.

I leave you with the words from

Psalm 33:20

We wait in hope for the Lord;

He is our help and our shield

card recipe:

stamps: thoughts and prayers

paper: su baja breeze, ww, parisian breeze dsp

ink: old olive, choc chip

happy, happy, happy

Happy Saturday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog.

My husband & I took a few days to go away and just spend time together without interruptions. Like the computer, cell phones or the television.

We traveled to Amish country in Berlin, Ohio. We just love this area. It is so peaceful and serene. We did have a mission in mind which is why we chose the area.

We were looking for some furniture. The Amish build such quality wood furniture. It's unlike any you can buy in a store.

We wanted a side-board for our dining room. We found 3 different pieces that we liked.

After coming back home we made a final decision. I will call and place my order on Monday.

The furniture is Amish built but you don't deal with them directly. We go to the stores that are Mennonite owned and they place the order for you. All my wood furniture has come from the Amish.

We stayed in a beautiful cottage nestled in the hills. We had a fireplace and a 2 person jacuzzi. There was even a gorgeous Amish quilt on the king size bed. It was a wonderful get away and a great re-connect time with my husband.

So now that we are back, I am back to creating. My card for today has a dual purpose. My youngest son Brett is having a birthday soon. And, the challenge on the crazy for challenges blog was to create a masculine card.

The masculine cards really present a challenge. At least for me and from what I have read a lot of others in blog land.

I bought these die-cut guitars in Ohio at a scrapbook store. I think they were cut from the cricut machine. When I saw them I thought of a card for Brett. He doesn't play an instrument but is so into music.

He is actually a graphic designer so making cards for him is a challenge in itself. He is always very complimentary of the cards I send him. Then again would a Mother expect any less from her son?

My card is pretty straight forward. I used some musical score designer paper from creative imaginations.

I added a zig-zag border with my Martha Stewart border punch.

My sentiment is from Wordsworth stamps. The set is all sayings and they're small so they work perfect when you aren't adding another panel for the sentiment.

I am also showing the inside of my card today. I wanted to do that since my sentiment is: happy, happy, happy. I added "birthday to you" on the inside.

Well, it looks like a wrap for today. Hope you have remembered to turn your clocks ahead. We lose an hours sleep but it will be light an hour longer tomorrow night. Woo-hoo!! Spring is so near.

card recipe:

stamps: clearly wordsworth

paper: su black, real red, creative imaginations dsp

ink: memento tuxedo black

accessories: ms border punch, cricut die-cut

have courage

Happy Tuesday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog.

Hey-hey we had more sunshine here in the 'Burgh today. It's even the topic of the weather reporters. It's been 5 days now. I am a lovin' it-I tell you!!

I went to meet my grandsons' school bus today. Lots of driving today. Ethan had an orthodontist appointment and then Aidin had basketball practice. I spent my entire time over there in the car. Oh well some days are like that.

Ethan is coming to spend the night with us on Friday. He is so excited and already planning his time with us. Or I should say with my husband. They have such a wonderful bond.

My card today once again covered 2 challenges:

1. The Tuesday color challenge on splitcoaststampers was to use bashful blue, certainly celery and melon mambo. There is always just a little added feature to the challenge. Betty calls it her dessert option.

This week she gave us some info on cards for a cause. Check the link for a story about a young pregnant woman. There is a card request for her. I plan on sending this one out to her. And, of course I will be praying for her. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma
and is in her 2nd trimester with the pregnancy.

2. The 2nd challenge is Mercy Kerin's Tuesday sketch challenge. I haven't been able to play along for a few weeks but today it all worked out. I love her sketches and this one was no exception.

For the melon mambo part of the color challenge, I broke into my good neighbor designer paper. It is part of stampin-up's sale-a-bration give away. I really like all the color choices in the pack.

My image is from the bella's bloom set. The sentiment I stamped is from the clearly wordsworth set.

I added some pearls and that completed my card. This one came together so quickly for me. I had it done before I left to go over my son's home.

I am not happy with my photos lately. Any suggestions that you may have, my fellow bloggers would be greatly appreciated. I dropped my camera and I don't know if that has something to do with it or not.

It's time to turn out the lights in charmed life land for the night. God bless, my friends.

card recipe:

stamps: bella's bloom,
paper: su bashful blue, certainly celery, ww, good neighbor dsp
ink: memento rich cocoa, melon mambo, celery
accessories: su scallop border punch, recollections pearls

vintage primose

Happy Monday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog.

We had another day of sunshine here and our temps were around 50. Oh, spring is so on the way!!

In a few weeks, I will see the sprouts from the tulips and daffodils. This reminds me of the words from Song of Solomon 2:11

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.

In this case I can insert snow.

We are on our way to Aidin's basketball game. They live north of us but tonight the game is in the South which is where we live. So not so much traveling for us for a change.

I wanted to get my post finished before we left.

Today, my card is for 2 challenges:

1. The Monday technique lovers challenge on splitcoaststampers is "very vintage".

I don't really have any vintage stamps so I created my vintage card using elements instead. I love the paper from graphic 45. This one is from the fashionista collection-le fleur.

My image is from a Lang calendar from 2008.

The primrose is from the drawings of Ellen Stouffer.

I thought it looked vintage and it went well with my designer paper. I added some lace and the ribbon is stampin-up ribbon originals so saffron shade.

2. My second challenge is from Saturday's our creative corner . This week it was a sketch challenge provided by Silke Ledlow. It was a perfect layout for my vintage card.

Well my friends it's time to wrap this post up. See you next time in charmed life land.

card recipe:

paper: su riding hood red, so saffron, graphic 45 fashionista collection

accessories: lace, su ribbon

congrats Kendra & Aaron

Happy Sunday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. We have had 3 days of sunshine here in the 'Burgh. It's so wonderful to see the sun. Even though its still cold, it feels like spring.

So, let's get on to the card for today. I titled this post congrats Kendra & Aaron. The card I made is for the young couple we are mentoring.

Kendra's parents had an engagement party for them on Saturday evening. It was a festive time and the couple seemed so happy.

My husband & I were blessed to be a part of the celebration.
Our pastors were also there and prayed a prayer of blessing over them.

The wedding is in October. I am making the wedding invitations. Kendra has picked such beautiful fall colors for the invitations. They match her bridesmaids dresses perfectly. When I put the final draft together, I will post it on my blog.

This card is also for the mojo monday contest. I thought this layout worked well with the card I wanted to make.

I used one of my new toys. The flower daisy #2. I think it makes the most beautiful flowers.

I also used some new stampin-up designer paper. It's the "sending love specialty" paper. I like the glittery designs on this paper. I chose the pretty in pink paper and paired it with chocolate chip cardstock.

Stampin-up also came out with some new satin ribbon colors. I was in a ribbon share with my stamp club so I have several of the new colors. For this card, I used the pretty in pink.

I cut 3 of the glittery flowers from the designer paper and used them on the small chocolate rectangle piece. I stamped my sentiment on the other rectangle.

The pink pearls are from Michael's recollections collection. I used them on the ribbon and for the flower center.

Kendra loved the card. I gave it to her along with a teapot and teacups as an engagement gift. I found a really cute one at Pier One.

She is having a tea for her wedding shower. It will be so much fun. I am making the invitations for this also.

If anyone knows of a site to get a teapot template let me know. She wants the invite to be a teapot shape.

Well, its time to sign off from charmed life land for today. I have to get my card posted on the mojomonday blog before the deadline tonight!!

play ball

Happy Thursday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog.

It is a beautiful, sunny day here in the 'Burgh. It's cold but the sun makes everything so nice.

We are going to have temps in the 40's the next 3 days. It will help melt some of this snow that is still all over the place.

We are going to the Pitt basketball game this evening. Well actually 2 games. Aidin(middle grandson) has a game at this school. Then we will head down to the Petersen Events center for the Pitt game.

Our friend, Ruben, who is a researcher at the University was able to get the tickets for us. We love going to the games. The atmosphere is charged in the center. Hope Pitt wins, it is a big game.

Well, onto my card for today. I made this one for 2 challenges.

1. Thursday's challenge on splitcoaststampers was to create around the word "play". It could be sports, puzzles or games. As I thought about it my mind went to what we will be doing for 4 months starting in April. That would be little league baseball. All 3 of my grandsons will be playing this year. So I decided to create a card with a baseball theme.

2. The 2nd challenge is Karen Giron's "sweet sunday sketch challenge" . I liked the layout she provided, and I think it worked well with my images.

I went to my stash and found some American Crafts monogram paper. It had the perfect word on it "baseball". I also found these baseball themed dimensional stickers from K & Co. I am determined to use more of my stash this year.

Well, that's my card. It's time to wrap it up on this post. I have to make dinner and then get ready for a night of basketball.

card recipe:

paper: su kiwi kiss, am crafts monograms

accessories: nesties, k & co sports baseball words

color challenge birdie

Happy Wednesday and thanks for taking the time to visit the charmed life blog. Our remodeling is at somewhat of a standstill. The room that will now be our family room is awaiting painting. I am getting new furniture but I haven't started the looking and selecting process yet.

My friend is going to go with me to help narrow the selection process down. Then I will take my hubby so we can make the final choices. No point in dragging him into furniture stores without a choice in mind.

It will be easier to pick my paint colors based on my furniture than vice-versa. We are so pleased with how the dining room turned out. That was our old family room. The room looks like it was always the dining room.

Now onto my card for today. I made this one for 2 challenges:

1. the tuesday color challenge on splitcoaststampers. We were to use crushed curry, always artichoke and basic gray. It was a stretch to put these colors together. But, when I was finished with the card, I liked how it turned out.

2. The layout was done based on our creative corner's Saturday sketch challenge. It was a perfect layout to use my new bird punch from stampin-up.

My card base is always artichoke and I used this color for the layering pieces as well.

For the crushed curry part, I used card stock and designer paper from the razzleberry lemonade series.

The gray requirement was covered with more designer paper. I punched the bird from the urban garden pack and the gray flower was cut out of the same pack.

I added some crushed curry ribbon and made some gray faux brads. On the birds wings I used a cuttlebug embossing folder for texture. That is my card in a nutshell!!

Well, it looks like a wrap for another day here in charmed life land. I saw a robin today!! Can spring be very far behind? God bless my friends.

card recipe:

paper: su basic gray, crushed curry, urban garden & razzleberry lemonade dsp, vv

accessories: cb ef, ticket corner punch, circle punch, su ribbon