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.

HYCCT1510 ~Know you are loved~

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Sunday to you all. I mentioned yesterday that it was my 28th wedding anniversary.

 

We went out to do some bike riding and just spend the entire day together, It was such a peaceful day and you know that even on your wedding anniversary little things can pop up that cause friction (lol). Well, I am happy to say it was none of that.

 

We drove a little over an hour away to an area in the Laurel Highlands called Ohiopyle for our bike ride. There is a beautiful wooded path along the Youghiogheny river. We rented mountain bikes from the Kickstand. This area is also where people go for white water rafting. Something that I have never done nor do I want to do. I prefer to take the safer option and bike ride along the river.

 

 

Then on our drive back we found a little café where we stopped to eat. They just opened in April and the food is delicious. The Bittersweet Cafe serves organic, free range chicken and grass fed local beef. It was quite a unique find for us. They grow their own vegetables and herbs in season. There is also an antique shop connected to the café. We talked to the owner for a bit as well. She is 85 years old and sharp as a tack.

 

We returned home had a champagne toast and decided to watch a pay per view movie. It ended up being Jurassic World and we both liked it. So ended our day. A bit different of an anniversary celebration but both of us liked what we did a lot.

 

Now onto my card for today. This is one I made for 2 SCS challenges. CC552 that Peggy is hosting and also the Hope You Can Cling To challenge #10 that Barbara is hosting.

Color Challenge 552: pool party, pistachio pudding and sahara sand. Option is to use our favorite embellishment. At the moment my fave is die-cuts.

HYCCT1510: is to make a card with a tag on it.

Then I saw the Viva La Verve October week 2 sketch, and that is also using a tag. So that’s my card layout for this week.

 My background designer paper and the designer paper  in the circle are from the Stampin’-Up “gold soiree” collection. I layered that onto some gold cardstock. These colors are so subtle that I thought a darker neutral would work. So I chose gold. My card base is sahara sand.

My scalloped circle is a die from Spellbinders and the tag is from the MFT Tag Builder Blueprints 4. The sentiment is from the Marks Finest Papers “you are cherished” set. I stamped in soft suede ink.

To complete my card I die cut a fern in pistachio and added some pistachio hearts and a bit of pool party ribbon. That's my card for today. Time to close this post and start to get ready for church. So until next time........God bless.

 

card details:

Stamps: you are cherished (MFP) 

Paper: sahara sand, metallic gold, ww, pool party, pistachio pudding, gold soiree dsp 

Ink: soft suede 

Accessories: : tag builder blueprints 4 (MFT), circle dies (Spellbinders), fern die (Cheery Lynn Designs), heart punch (Martha Stewart), pool party ribbon (SU)

  

I am also entering:

1.  613 Avenue Create is anything goes.

2.  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends has an anything goes challenge.

3.  The Ribbon Girl has an anything goes challenge.  

4.  Lacy Sunshine has a tic tac toe challenge-I am using lots of layers, sentiment, patterned paper 

 

HYCCT1531 ~pocket full of love~

 

Happy Saturday to all my Blogger friends on this fine November morning. Today is my wedding anniversary.

 

The day is cool just like it was on my wedding day 28 years ago but there is no sunshine today. Not yet anyways.

 

I remember the joy and happiness that was in my heart back in 1987. The love of my life was about to become my husband. We made a commitment to each other that day before God and man to love each other till death do us part.  

 

We determined early on in our relationship that divorce was not an option. We would have to work out our problems no matter what they were. So my advice to any young couple is to keep the lines of communication open and talk through your issues and always give grace to your spouse. You have to be willing to overlook their faults if you want yours overlooked.

 

That being said let's move on to the card I have for today. This one was made for a dual purpose. It was for another of the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers and also for my hubby for our anniversary.

 

For the HYCCT challenge, Lydia is our hostess and she wants us to incorporate a single, hand-drawn line (any color) on our project, and you have to have another element of your card crossing it.

I was searching through my stash the other night for something when I saw this paper pack by Basic Gray and it was filled with embellishments for a card. Oh yes my lucky day.

I cut layered and assembled my card added some silver studs (that didn't photo well) and red vellum corner elements. I used an MFT die to cut my hearts. And to complete my card, I drew the line through the sentiment per the challenge requirement.

 

I just gave the card to my hubby and he liked it. He is such a big supporter of my work and often gives me feedback on layout, embellishments etc. I trust his opinions because he has an eye for design.

 

Well, it's time to close this post and get ready for our day together. So until next time Blogger friends......God bless.

 

card details:

Paper: , confetti white (Stampin'-Up) Bow Ties red light & green light DSP (Basic Gray) Paper Size: A2 Accessories: Bow Ties vellum tape stickers, Bow Ties Title stickers, metal studs (Basic Gray) 

I am also entering:

1.  PDE Linky Party has an anything goes challenge.

2.  Simply Paper Craft has an anything goes challenge.

3.  Fab 'n Funky has a die cuts/punches challenge.

4.  The Crafty Addicts has an anything goes/die cuts challenge.

 

HYCCT1508 ~Amazingly Amazing~

 

Hello Blogger Friends and happy Friday to you. It's the start of the weekend and we are celebrating our anniversary tomorrow.

 

We had plans to go to an area East of Pittsburgh in the Laurel Highlands on the Youghiogheny River. There is a beautiful bike path along the river and some great restaurants. But, hubby is sick with a cold and today the rain came.

 

We are going to try for tomorrow but weather and hubby are the big factors. There is always next weekend if it doesn't work out this Saturday.  I am not real hung up on exact dates for celebrating.

 

Now onto my card for today. This is another I made for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. Ann is the hostess for challenge 8, and she wants us to strengthen that one piece of designer paper by adding embellishments, color, paper piecing, etc.

For my card I chose this designer paper from the Stampin'-Up "watercolor wonder" collection. The paper is so beautiful that it was best not to cover it up with layers. I added some ribbon and a dahlia for my bow center.

I die-cut my "You" word in island indigo card stock and stamped the sentiment from the Stampin'-Up "painted petals" set. The die is from Simon Says Stamp. This was an easy challenge to complete.

 

Well, blogger friends it's time to bring this post to a close. So until next time......God bless.

 

card details:

Stamps: Painted Petals (Stampin'-Up) 

Paper: gumball green, island indigo, watercolor wonder dsp (Stampin'-Up) Paper Size: A2 

Ink: island indigo 

Accessories: You die (Simon Says Stamp), gumball green ribbon, in-color dahlia

I am also entering:
1.  Crafting With Friends has an anything goes challenge.
2.  Creative Fingers has an anything goes challenge.
3.  DL.Art November linky challenge is anything goes.
4.  Addicted to Stamps Challenge is clean and simple
5.  Inspiration Destination has an anything goes challenge.

HYCCT1507 ~Happy Thoughts~

 

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to visit the Charmed Life Blog.

It's another beautiful fall day here in Pittsburgh.

 

I am typing this post this Thursday morning before pre-school. Seeing the sun shining this early makes me happy. The kids will be able to go outside and play during their little morning break. It's good for them to work off some energy and enjoy the fall morning as well as for myself and the other teacher. It rejuvenates us to be outside.

 

Even though it's only a 2 hour class we are moving for the entire time with a lesson or an activity or getting prepared for the activity. I love it though. It is rewarding to me to know that I am investing in the lives of these kids.

 

I also have been working furiously to get all my cards finished for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. There are 40 challenges in all. I have made 36 cards so far.

 

I need to really think and get creative for these remaining ones. Don't know how much time I will have today because I pick my grandson up after he is finished with school. But, I have until Saturday at noon to have them finished and uploaded.

 

So onto this card I made for challenge 7. Jacqueline is our hostess and she wants us to use the letters T-R-A-S-H and include elements in our card.

 

T = twine, triangles and tip top taupe ink

R = repeat images with triangles
A = acrylic button
S = sentiment
H = Happy word

To create my card I used elements from the June 2015 Paper Pumpkin Kit from Stampin'-Up. I really like getting these kits each month and they have helped me complete several of my challenge cards.

 

The little triangles are die-cut pieces from the kit and I arranged them in this pattern on my card. I used this card I saw on Pinterest for inspiration. I used a different sentiment so as not to make it totally the same. 

Well, my friends that's it for this post. Time to jump in the shower and get ready for pre-school. Hope your day is blessed and that you are able to do something rewarding as well.

 

Until next time.........

 

card details:

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

Paper: Kraft, very vanilla Paper Size: A2 

Ink: tip top taupe (Stampin-Up) 

Accessories: Paper Pumpkin Kit June 2015   

I am also entering:
1.  Aud Sentiments Challenge has a bingo-I have patterned paper, sentiment 7 blue as fave color 
2.  Creative Knockouts has a lace/twine or ribbon challenge.
3.  Southern Girls has a twine, tape or ribbon challenge.
4.  Crafting By Designs has an anything goes challenge.
5.  Fab 'n' Funky has a die cuts or punches challenge

HYCCT1505 ~thinking of you~

 

Hello Blogger Friends and  good Tuesday morning to you all. Don't know you are all handling the time change but it really affects me.

 

It's usually a couple of weeks before my body gets used to it. Last night as I was taking care of my Color Challenge duties on Splitcoaststampers, I fell asleep. I had my laptop in my lap as well.

 

When I woke the battery had died and it was 2:00 AM. That has never happened to me before. In the middle of typing I laid my head back on the chair and that was all she wrote. Fortunately my laptop didn't move from it's position.  

 

It is so beautiful here today, and we are in for some lovely fall weather the next few days. The forecast is for 70°+ temps and lots of sunshine. I just love the fall season minus the shorter days that is (lol)!!! Hubby and I are going for a bike ride along a wooded river trail on Thursday. Can't wait because we haven't done anything like that for awhile.

 

Now onto my card for today. this is another I have created for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. For this  HYCCT1505 challenge, Paula is our hostess and she wants us to use an uncolored line image on our cards.

For my card I pulled out my October 2015 Stampin'-Up Paper Pumpkin Kit. The kit had this beautiful piece of water colored background paper. These kits are coming in handy as I rush to complete the 40 cards for this challenge. I will be down to the wire for sure.

 

I stamped my flower and leaf images right on the paper in basic gray ink. This took care of the requirement of the challenge and gave the images a little color. Works for me.

The old olive banner was also in the kit. My sentiment is from the "island life" stamp set from MFP. I also stamped it in basic gray ink.

Added some gold leaves as embellishments to complete my card. With that, it's time to bring this post to a close. I hae to get back to my craft room and create at least 4 cards today. I have a November 7 deadline to finish 11 cards.

 

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

 

card details:

Stamps: blissful bouquet (Stampin'-Up), island life (MFP) 

Paper: daffodil delight, dsp from Paper Pumpkin Kit (Stampin'-Up) Paper Size: A2 

Ink: basic gray (stampin'-Up) 

Accessories: October 2015 Paper Pumpkin Kit 

 

I am also entering: 

1.  Crafting From The Heart has an anything goes challenge.

2.  Incy Wincy Designs has an anything goes challenge.

3.  The Paper Girls has a stamps challenge.

4.  ABC Challenge is "U" for unlimited.

5.  Creative Craft Cottage hs an anything goes challenge.