An Update

I'm sorry I haven't updated about my nephew yet. I'm either suffering from allergies or a cold which doesn't matter cause it just means I feel like patootie!!! I spent the entire day resting and sleeping. I couldn't get myself up long enough to sit in the chair. I'm feeling much better this afternoon!!!

My nephew is doing better than anyone would have expected. They performed 15 hours of surgery Friday evening/Saturday morning and they were able to correct all the issues in his hip and pelvis so he didn't need a second surgery. The doctor said that he took a man who would never be able to walk again to a man who could play basketball again if he wished.

It will be a long haul for him. He will not be able to put weight on his right leg for three months so rehab is working with him to teach him to get around without putting weight on his right leg.
but the good news his that he will be okay!

We're in for a long week here. Tomorrow we're going to work in the yard because Wednesday and Thursday it is supposed to snow. Yes, I said SNOW! I don't think they had snow showers in mind with "April Showers Bring May Flowers"!!!

Have an excellent Tuesday. I'll be back in good old Idaho late Friday and once I get my table cleared off, I'll be back to my crafty ways!!!

Oh, I almost forgot, all of the other test came back and they were all great!!!

Blessings,
Christine

One a Day in May at Squigglefly

We’ve got some great things going on at Squigglefly.  We’ll have a release for you this weekend including some images from a new artist.  I would love to show off some of the new images but since my sister kidnapped me and took me to Utah, I haven’t been able to do any creating which is soooooo hard!!!  I might have to steal some of her supplies Monday and make a really cute card with the images that Holly sent to me!  Be sure to check the Squigglefly store on Saturday!!!  I can’t wait to see the rest of the images!!!

Edit to add:  I just went to Squigglefly and the new images are already up and they are adorable!!!  You won’t want to miss this new artist!!!

If that isn’t enough for you … we have One a Day in May back again this year!  If you sign up before May first and pay just $30, you will receive an a brand spanking new image every day in May!!!  You can get more details on the Squigglefly blog. 

Now I have a special request.  My nephew, Doug, was in a very serious accident yesterday and is in very serious condition in the ICU in Boise.  He underwent 11 hours of surgery today (still in surgery) and will have to have more surgery as soon as he is stable enough, probably tomorrow.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.  We are all very worried and concerned.

It’s been nice chatting with you.  I miss being here and at all of your blogs but things should be back to near normal in about a week!

Blessings,

Christine

Quick Post with an A OK!

Just a really quick post before I go to sleep. My sister and I drove to Utah (in her car) yesterday and then I had my checkup with the docs today. It is always a long day at the hospital for those appointments but everything is great!!! Such great news! There are still a few test results that will be available tomorrow and then some others for Monday, but we anticipate that they will be great as well!!!

We'll be working around my sister's house this week and she tells me that she won't bring me home for two weeks. That just means that we won't be working too awfully hard each day. That works for me!!!

However, that means no creating for two more weeks! Eek!!! I don't know if I can take it!!!

I'll check in with you all later! I hope you're having a great week!!!

Blessings,
Christine

I Haven’t Really Been Missing

I mentioned earlier this week that my sister was coming to help me with my reorganization/decultter projects.  That’s why I haven’t been posting this week.  I actually made a Flutterby Wednesday card but totally forgot to post it!  Oops!!!

Rose and I have been very busy around the house with our organization work.  We are building new shelves for my creative space.  We removed all the things from my old hodge podge shelves and are almost finished with the new built in shelves.  After the paint dries on those, we will be able to start putting things back together in  the room.

I have a bookcase in the room with what seems like a million books that I have picked up at the thrift stores.  I’m taking all those books out of the shelf and putting most of them in my garage sale and then I’m going to place my craft related books and my general craft items on those shelves.  In the meantime, my creative space is totally unusable!!!  However, it feels really good to be getting those things finished!  It will be wonderful to have a place for everything and to have everything in it’s place.

I will be in Utah next week for a follow-up appointment with the transplant team and to help Rose with her declutter/organization project so I probably won’t be posting much next week either!

That’s it for now.  I need to get up and do some more work!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Squigglefly Doodles

2nd Post for Today.

Please scroll down to see my Fantabulous Cricut creation!!!

The challenge this week at Squigglefly is to use some kind of doodling on your creation.  I have to tell you, I never think to doodle on cards and there is a reason.  I draw so poorly that I can’t even doodle!!!  But it’s hard to mess things up when you start with such a cute image.  This was released on Saturday and was drawn by Lynne Stansberry.  Doesn’t she doe a beautiful job?

So if you want to play along, just go to the Squigglefly challenge blog to see all the lovely dt creations and get the info to play along.

I’m cutting this short because my computer keeps shutting down.  I’m going to put it to bed and hopefully it will be all better tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by.  I really enjoy the visit.

Nighty, night!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Squigglefly; Paper-DCWV; Punch-EK Success; Ribbon-Bazzil; Additional from stash-buttons.

Challenges:
Card Patterns-sketch
Stampin For the Weekend-Ribbons and bows (opt 3 paper, 3 embellish and a charm-no charm)

Fantabulous Umbrellas

Our Fantabulous Cricut challenge this week is appropriate for the middle of April.  Can you guess?  It’s April showers—use rain or water (think a rain hat, umbrella, life preservers, etc.) on your creation as well as at least one Cricut cut.  Where is my Cricut cut, you ask?  Does this give you a hint?  I used Design Studio to create a border kind of like a border punch.  This is the first time I’ve done this so I kept it quite simple.  Plus, I need to get the Cricut Jukebox before I can get to fancy with them.  I have to stick to using just one cartridge for now.  I have been seeing these scallops in all sizes and now I can do them as I wish. 

I hope you get a chance to play along with the Fantabulous Cricut challenge.  It is really fun and don’t you think you should be using  your Cricut more?  Go on over to the FCC blog and look at the other amazingly talented design team creations.  I hope you find some time to play along this week!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Whiff of Joy; Ink-Stazon; Paper-DCWV; Ribbon-Bazzil; Pearls-American Crafts; Cricut Cartridges-George.

Lemon Tree, Very Pretty . . .

. . . and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.
Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.

2nd Post for Today.

Please scroll down to see a brand new Squigglefly image!!!

Okay, I’m not quite that old but I do remember this song from when I was young.  This fun stamp from Flourishes reminded me of that song.  When the announced their challenge for this week, I new I was going to use this stamp.  Their challenge this week is “Ya’ bought it so use it”!!!  I got this stamp for the Copic Club at Paper Maniac a few months ago but never got around to doing the lesson.  I colored it all by myself without benefit of the lesson.  I really need to go back and do the lesson.  But I think I did okay!  The sentiment also comes in the set from Flourishes.

On Monday I will have the new Squigglefly challenge and a new Fantabulous Cricut.  I have a new Design Studio trick for you tomorrow so check back!!!

Now, off to do some more creating! 

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-Copics; Image and Sentiment-Flourishes; Ink-Palette; Paper-Cosmic Cricket; Punch-EK Success; Cuttlebug-Nestabilities; Additional from stash-ribbon, pearls.

Challenges:
Flourishes-Bought it, use it
Stampin For the Weekend-Ribbons and bows
Etsy Inspired- The Mouse Market

Blossoms and Butterflies

I have been trying to get some cards made for this weeks challenges so I haven’t been around much.  You might remember that I said my sister was going to be here this week and then I will be in Utah the next week so I need to get some DT work done so I don’t have to worry about it for the next two weeks!  Not sure that I’ll succeed but I’m well on my way!  This beautiful dogwood blossom drawn by Lynne Stansberry was released yesterday at Squigglefly.  They released several images yesterday and will be releasing more soon.  I’ll be showing you another one that was released yesterday for the challenge tomorrow.

I used my favorite color combination for this card.  This color combo is just good enough to eat!!!

I have one more yummy card that will be up soon.  so don’t stay away too long!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Squigglefly; Paper-S.E.I.; Punch-EK Success; Buttons-Papertrey Ink; Cuttlebug-Nestabilitties; Additional from stash-ribbon, buttons.

Challenges:
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge-Anything plus buttons
Inspirational Card Sketches-sketch

Friendship Blossoms

When Holly sent me this new image from Squigglefly, I was so excited to be able to play with it!!!  These beautiful flowers were drawn by the amazingly talented, Nina Bracket.  I think this is my favorite ever image from Squigglefly.   I so enjoyed playing with it!!!

The set is very versatile.  It is a set that comes with a butterfly, a stemmed flower, a flower like these but with leaves attached and of course this single flower and single leaves.  I printed the flower in three sizes and then the leaves in several sizes.  I attached the flowers and leaves in three layers.  I think next time I use this I’ll make a single flower and then layer the petals of the flower.

Hopefully, you will be able to get this image on Saturday.  They are having problems with the Squigglefly computer and are waiting for a new one to arrive.

I have a couple of more images to play with!  One is beautiful, but simple so I will be able to finish tonight, so check back later!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Squigglefly; Sentiment-Clear Art Stamps; Ink-Papertrey Ink Pure Black; Paper-K&Co., Papertrey Ink; Punch-EK Success; Ribbon-Michaels; Buttons-; Pearls-American Crafts.

Challenges:
Mojo Monday-sketch
Moving Along with the Times-Easel card

The Greeting Farm Royal Battle

Thanks to everyone who voted for our team during the Greeting Farm Battle but unfortunately we didn’t make it through to the next week.  Did you see all those beautiful cards in the contest? 

As promised, I’m giving one person who commented that they voted for our cards in the battle a $10 gift certificate to the Greeting Farm.  I used random.org to choose a winner and it is the very talented Linda Ledbetter.  She makes wonderful artsy cards and projects and just became a design team member over at Gingersnap Creations. 

I found Linda through one of my blogging friends, Lynn.  Lynn and Linda both live in my neck of the woods and we are going to meet each other next month.  I can’t wait!!!

Congrats Linda!  I’ll send you the info in a few minutes as soon as I head over to TGF.

I worked on a wonderful new Squigglefly image yesterday but decided to hold it for FBW next week.  I’ve got a couple more new ones so I’ll be back later to show you one of their digi stamps that will hopefully be released on Saturday.  The owner of Squigglefly has been having computer problems and she is waiting on a new one in order to put the new release in the store.  But I’ll be showing some them to you here so stay tuned!!!

Have a great day everyone!

Blessings,

Christine

Butterfly Blues

I told you yesterday that we were having a great sponsor, didn’t I?  Well, it’s none other than everyone’s good friend, Stef, you know Glitterbabe!!!  Stef gave each of us a couple of butterfly images to play with so I decided to make a CAS card using one of the butterflies.  For the top of the card I used Core’dinations paper from the Nostalgia stack.  I love this stuff!  The core is a shade lighter than the outside of the paper which gives it such a nice effect when embossed and sanded!!!  And Papertrey Ink’s Aqua Mist cardstock is the same color as the core making it so simple to coordinate!!!  Lucky me!

The challenge this week at FBW is to use sparkle (what else would you think when Glitterbabe is our sponsor) on your creation, as well as a butterfly, fairy or angel.  Now head on over to the Flutterby Wednesday blog and see what our lovely guest designers came up with and then click on the links in the right sidebar  to see what all my lovely teammates made! 

That’s it for now!  Come back again, will ya?

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-Copics; Image-Glitterbabe; Paper-DCWV, Core‘dinations, Papertrey Ink; Ribbon-Michaels; Cuttlebug-Victoria embossing folder; Additional from stash-rhinestones colored with Copics.

Challenges:
The Pink Elephant-nature
Digital Tuesday-Blue and white plus 1

The Greeting Farm Royal Battle

Candy alert – please read further!!!

I was so excited last week when our team, the Friendly Farmers, made it through to the second week of the battle.  Our challenge for week 2 was to make an easel card and the team chose my card.  I sure don’t want to let the team down so I’m asking for some help from you lovely ladies!!!  Please vote for our team.  All you have to do is leave a comment here or you can simply click on the photo of my card to take you there.  If you aren’t a member of the Greeting Farm galleria it’s easy to register and then vote.  Plus, if you leave a comment to vote, come back here and let me know that you did and I will enter your name for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the Greeting Farm store.  What a wonderful and busy weekend I had.  My sister and niece came up from Utah to spend Easter with us.  We celebrated Easter on Saturday with dinner and an indoor Easter egg hunt.  It was rainy and cold all weekend but that didn’t hurt our celebrations any. 

I took my camera with me but, of course, didn’t take pictures.  My 5 year old great-nephew took a few pictures with my camera.  It’s always so much fun to get home and see what he took photos of.

Be sure to come back for Flutterby Wednesday tomorrow!  We have a great sponsor this week that you won’t want to miss.  I’m going to keep it a secret for now!!!

Have a great Tuesday.  My diet starts again today after all the Easter goodies I ate.  My niece, my sister and I have started a Biggest Loser group on Facebook and I’m afraid that the weigh-in on Wednesday is going to be a bad one.  We all broke our diet for Easter together so we’re all on equal ground!!! 

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-The Greeting Farm; Paper-DCWV, Kraft cardstock-Roberts Crafts; Punch-EK Success; Buttons-Papertrey Ink; Additional from stash-rayon ribbon.

Challenges:
Kaboodle Doodles-Digi girl (digi image of a girl)
Delightful Sketches-Buttons and bling
Friday Sketchers-sketch
Order of the Opus Gluei-sparkle
Stamp, Scrap and Doodle-wings
Pile it On-Easel card

Look Mom, No Stamps on a Fantabulous Monday

Using my Cricut, and only my Cricut is a real challenge for me.  I love my stamps and coloring but I wanted to be on the Fantabulous Cricut design team simply for the challenge of it.  I have had this design in my head ever since I bought my first cartridge, Walk in My Garden. 

Our challenge is to use the word “Happy” and include some “flowers” along with at least 1 cut using your Cricut.  You can use Design Studio, Gypsy, SCAL or any of the other ways to cut with your Cricut.

I know that I’ve preached the wonders of Design Studio before but for you today, I have some photos to show you one of the reasons I love it so much.  

Here’s a screen shot in Design Studio of the 1st page of my project.  You will notice, the words, the words in shadow, a wheel barrow, 4 rows of assorted flowers and some grass, all from the Walk in My Garden cartridge.  I also have the center to the flowers which I didn’t use on the finished project (2nd from the bottom on the right).

This photo is of the mat that I used to cut page one.  If you compare it with the illustration above, you will se that I lined up the paper in the color choices I had chosen for each block. 

I have also attached a print screen of the 2nd page.  You can’t really see the grass very well but I “welded” the grass border cuts together to make it the width I wanted.  I was already late with my project so I was trying to hurry!  I don’t have a photo of the mat.

It’s so great to see that something I have had in my mind finally came out in paper, glue and rhinestones (colored with Copics)!  It wouldn’t have been possible using my baby Cricut without Design Studio.  There are three things that couldn’t have been done without DS – 1) cut an image under 1” in size, 2) weld images together (grass) and, 3) size an image beyond the original dimensions (back layers of grass).

Thanks for dropping by to see my Fantabulous Cricut challenge.  I know that some of my regular followers have Cricuts so now is the time for you to join in the Fantabulous challenge!!!  Click on the link so you can view all of the lovely DT inspiration and design your own Fantabulous creation.

Blessings,

Christine

Challenges:
Cupcake Craft-Make your own flowers
Cricut Cardz-Anything goes
Secret Crafter-How does your garden grow?
Cupcake Inspiration-inspiration photo
Gingersnap Creations Random Redhead-growth

Pretty Lily

I made this card for last weeks Greeting Farm battle.  We have such a wonderful team.  We decided that each of us, who wanted to, would make a card and we would then vote for the one to use for the battle!  Mine wasn’t chosen by the team but it fits in with the Greeting Farm’s Farm Fresh Friday challenge this week.  Don’t ya’ just love this pretty lady!!!

I still have one more card to share but I’ll wait until another day when I have nothing else to share.

I’ve got a lot planned for this month so I plan to get way ahead on my DT projects so you won’t be hearing from me much.  My sister in Utah is coming up to spend a week with me to help get my life organized.  We’ll mostly be concentrating on my creative space.  Then I’ll be going to her house to help her get organized as well as my rescheduled doc appt.  I think we’ll have a lot of fun and get a lot accomplished with each other to help out!  Expect pictures of my organized room in early May!  I can’t wait to get it all organized!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-Copics; Image-The Greeting Farm; Ink-Palette; Paper-Cosmo Cricket; Punch-EK Success; Additional from stash-ribbon, pearls.

Challenges:
Papertake Weekly-open
Crafty Creations-Anything goes