It’s Wednesday…

so that means it’s Flutterby Wednesday!  Our challenge this week is an easy one.  It was set by fellow DT member, Kimberly, and it’s to use flowers on your creation.  Of course, you need to also include a butterfly, fairy or angel.  You all know how much I love my fairies and butterflies!!!

Now, if you want to play along with our challenge, head on over to the Flutterby Wednesday challenge blog to have a look.  While you’re there, be sure to click on the links in the side bar to see all the other lovely DT creations!

This is probably it for creations this week.  I need to continue working on my project for Digital Two for Tuesday (I just can’t wait to share these things with you) plus, I’m having a couple of local blogger friends over on Sunday for a stamping party!  We have never met before so I just can’t wait.  It’s going to be so much fun!  I’ve come up with a great project for us to work on.  I’ll definitely be posting pictures of the party!

Have a great Wednesday!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-Copics; Image-Pollycraft; Paper-Papertrey Ink, Core‘dinations; Flowers-Wild Orchid Crafts (colored with Copics); Punch-Martha Stewart; Cuttlebug-embossing folders, Papertrey Ink embossing plate; Additional from stash-charm, glitter glue.

Challenges:
Cupcake Craft-Blooming charming
Kaboodle Doodles-Monochromatic
Pollycraft Monday-Summer blooms
A Spoon Full of Sugar-Cute and girly
Mercy’s Sketch Challenge-sketch
Papertake Weekly-Say it with flowers

Victorian Flower Girl

I think I’ve mentioned before that my favorite images are floral/garden and vintage, and when I find a floral image with a vintage flair, I’m hooked. I’m not going to mention how long I’ve had this stamp before I used it, but I have now!!!

I used the crinkly ribbon again but this time I dyed it with watercolor paint.  I like it better when it’s dyed with Glimmer mist but since I have limited colors, I do what I have to do.  I also watercolored the beautiful blooms from Wild Orchid Crafts. 

It’s a migraine day again but I’m just trying to work through it.  I had fun coloring the other day and have two more cards to put together.  They both feature the same stamp.  I can’t wait to see what I come up with for those two.

That’s it for today!  Don’t forget that there is a challenge up at the Squigglefly challenge blog and they also have some brand new images in the store!!!  Then on Wednesday, it’s another Flutterby Wednesday project.  It’s an easy challenge, for me at least, and I’m getting started on that next!!!  Coloring an image always helps me with my migraines!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Clear Art Stamps; Sentiment-Clear Art Stamps; Ink-Papertrey Ink Pure Black, Stazon black; Paper-Basic Grey Wisteria; Punch-EK Success, Martha Stewart; Buttons-; Flowers-Wild Orchid Crafts (dyed with watercolor ink); Cuttlebug-Nestabilities;  Pearls-Basic Grey, Kaiser Craft (colored with Copics); Additional from stash-ribbon.

Challenges:
Whoopsi Daisy-As you like it
Lexi’s Creations-sketch
ABC Challenge-Unused stash (stamps)
Cute Card Thursday-Cards for someone special
Stamp Something-Celebrate something
Allsorts-birthday
Basic Grey Challenge-Punch it
Sketch Saturday-sketch
Creative Inspirations-Punches or die cuts
Paper Sundaes-Easel card

Open Door

Just for you, another beautiful image that is going to be released this Saturday!!!  Isn’t this beautiful!  It’s drawn by the lovely Teresa Ward.  I really love her work.  The photo doesn’t really do this justice. 

Now, I’m going to be working on some other things so I probably won’t be posting any new projects for a few days.  But I’ll be checking up on you!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Squigglefly; Paper-K&Co.; Punch-The Paper Studio, Martha Stewart, EK Success; Ribbon-Joann; Buttons-Papertrey Ink.

Monkey, Hang On

Okay, this has to be one of my fave Squigglefly images ever!!!  And I’ve seen some more of these adorable monkeys doing other things on some of the other DT blogs!!!  I can’t wait until Saturday so I can see them all.  These images I’ve been showing will all be released on Saturday!  It’s going to be one big release!!!  I also colored a little one to put in the inside of the card.  I can’t wait for an occasion to send this card!

Holly just sent me another image that I really want to color before I get started on my Digital Two for Tuesday project, so I’ll be back later with that one!  I have other new Squigglefly images as well but I don’t think I’ll have time to get to them this week.  It’s been such a creative week!!!  I love it!

That’s it for now!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Squigglefly; Paper-Core‘dinations; Buttons-SEI; Cuttlebug-Swiss Dots and Swirls embossing folders, Nestabilities.

Challenges:
Digital Tuesday-Make me laugh
My Time to Craft-Too cute

Balloon Fairy

It’s another Flutterby Wednesday!!!  Yay!  Our challenge this week is set by our DT member, Kimberly, and it is to use paper piecing on your project.  I seldom do this and don’t know why.  It really adds to the project when you repeat some DP in your image.

Of course, you must also use a butterfly, fairy or angel on your creation, as well as the paper piecing.  So, if you want to play along, go check out the Flutterby Wednesday Challenge blog and then visit the other DT by clicking on there links in the side bar.

I’ve really been busy today.  I made three cards.  One that I shared earlier, this one and another one featuring a new Squigglefly image I’ll share with you later. 

Tomorrow I’m going to start on a project for Digital Two for Tuesday.  There’s a really great feature coming up that I’m helping out on.  I’m so excited about it.  It’s kind of a continuation of a  project I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.  I can’t wait to share it with you!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Pollycraft; Sentiment-Unity; Ink-Papertrey Ink Pure Black and Snow White (distressing edges); Paper-DCWV; Buttons-Papertrey Ink; Cuttlebug-Nestibilities.

Challenges:
Pollycraft Monday-sketch
A Spoon Full of Sugar-3 DP, 3 buttons

Mr. Squigglefly Fix It

I have another image for you today that will be released on Saturday.  Mr. Fix It is also drawn by our new artist, Michelle Bertuzzi.  This is perfect for a Father’s Day card.  I made it for my brother who is going to install a new light in my living room.  The sentiment is computer generated.

In other Squigglefly news, the group on SNR is having a challenge with the prize being a set of Hero Arts stamps.  That’s a great prize!!!

Also, the Squigglefly blog is looking to find 300 followers and as soon as the do, they are having a 30% off sale.  Yay!!!

That’s it; gotta go finish my FBW card!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-Prismacolors and OMS; Image-Squigglefly; Sentiment-computer generated; Paper-DCWV; Ribbon-SEI; Buttons-vintage from stash; Cuttlebug-Nestibilities;  Ranger Glossy Accents on wrenches.

Challenges: 
Cute Card Thursday-Men to boys
Dare U 2 Digi-Anything goes
Stampin For the Weekend-A card for a male

Prima Picks

Do you like Prima flowers?  You may even win some over at the Prima Blog.  Go have a look!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Squigglefly Challenge

With all the Mothers’ Day hype yesterday, I totally forgot to post my Squigglefly challenge card.  I made a wedding card using papers and lace from my niece's wedding scrapbook that I still need to complete!  I used a new image that is going to be released on Saturday.  With Holly’s help, I turned the image blue to match my blue and gray papers.  Just to show how versatile the images are, I stamped a Papertrey Ink sentiment over this wonderful journaling image.

That’s it for now.  I’ll come back with the deets later!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Image-Squigglefly; Sentiment-Papertrey Ink; Ink-Papertrey Ink Pure Black; Paper-K&Co.; Punch-Martha Stewart; Ribbon-Michaels, lace-Joanns; Cuttlebug-don‘t remember the name of the folder; Additional from stash-pearls, glue gun.

Challenges:
Simon Says--celebrations
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge-wedding
Charisma Cardz-wedding
One Stop Craft--wedding
Creative Inspirations--congratulations

Fantabulous Cricut

I’m very sad to tell you that I resigned from the Fantabulous Cricut design team.  It was very difficult for me to come up with a design each week with the Cricut has the focal point of the project so I decided to step down and relieve that part of the stress in my life. 

However, I don’t want you to miss the Fantabulous blog crawl that is happening this week.  Everyone on the team has made something highlighting a specific task using the Cricut.  I haven’t checked it out yet but I’m sure they are all fantastic.  There are contests and prizes so you will want to check it all out!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

What a beautiful Mothers’ Day we had here in Idaho!!! Spring has finally sprung. The weather was warm and sunny which we haven’t had yet this year.

We had a yummy ham dinner at my sister’s house. I didn’t bring my camera so I can’t share any pictures. But I did take one picture before I left of this…

Strawberry Shortcake Trifle. This was my contribution for our dinner. It was as good as it looks—very rich and creamy. Do you want the recipe? It is such a great thing to bring to gatherings because it looks so impressive but is quite easy to make.

Choose a type of cake and fruit(s) you would like. This one is angel food cake with strawberries. For this one, I also added a layer of Danish Desert. For my niece’s wedding shower, I used tropical fruits—bananas, kiwis, pineapple and strawberries.

Pudding:
8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
4 cups heavy whipping cream
2 4 oz pigs white chocolate instant pudding mix

I use a Kitchen Aid mixer for this recipe. If you don’t have one you will wish you did (*giggle*).

Whip cream cheese until softened and fluffy. Add about 1 cup of the whipping cream to help soften the cream cheese. After that is nice and fluffy, add the remaining whipping cream and the pudding mix. Continue to whip it for several minutes (my mom thought I had turned it to butter) until the consistence of pudding or mousse. Stop half way through and scrape the sides and bottom of the mixer with a spatula. (I think this is one of the yummiest things I have ever eaten!)

If you are using a regular cake, cut into cubes. With the angel food cake, I just tore the cake into pieces. Place a layer of cake in the bottom of a clear glass bowl. Top with a layer of the fruit you have chosen. (I added the Danish Dessert after this layer.) Now add ½ of the pudding and then repeat the layers. Garnish with a little fruit so everybody knows what’s inside!!!

Now that I’ve made you all hungry, I’ll let you go let you get a snack!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Mom’s Sweet Peas

My mother takes the majority of the cards that I make and gives them to her friends. So, when I thought about making my mom a Mothers’ Day card, it was so difficult to decide what to make. I wanted a to use a floral or gardening image so I chose these beautiful sweet peas by Flourishes.

I had a lovely time painting them. That’s why I bought this set probably about a year ago. They are so great for water coloring. There is another smaller bunch of sweet peas in this set. I used those with Versa Mark ink to create the pink blush Papertrey Ink background paper. However, it doesn’t really show up in the photo. I love how this turned out. I sure hope my mom does as well.

I’m scheduling this post for after we will be having dinner tomorrow so that my mom doesn’t sneak a peek before I give it to here.

I hope you all had a great Mothers’ Day!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Here Comes the Muffin Man!

That’s right, I did some baking.  Well, kind of.  I made a muffin mix so I could show of this fun new image from Squigglefly.  Don't run over there and try to get it because it won’t be released until next Saturday, the 15th.  These cute label images were designed by a brand new stamp designer for Squigglefly -- Michelle Bertuzzi.  Aren’t they fabulous!!!  The labels, not the muffins.  The muffins are just ok.  At least this project got me in the kitchen!!!  Maybe they’d be better if I frosted them with chocolate icing!!!

I’m working on two other cards using some of her new images.  One of them will be my card for the Squigglefly challenge on Monday!  The other one I’ll have up soon.  I need to finish my Moms’ Day card and my challenge card before I make that one.  It’s the perfect image for a Fathers’ Day card.

And if that isn’t enough, I have two other images that will be released next Saturday.  I can’t wait to show all of them to you.

Blessings,

Christine

Crinkly Bows

I’ve had this stamp laying around for awhile and haven’t gotten around to using it.  I don’t even remember where I got it and, of course, it’s not marked.  But I love how it turned out!  It reminds me of an old greeting postcard.  See the crinkly ribbon?  I purchased a roll of rayon seam binding from an Etsy store called Zipperstop in an off white color.  I’ve been toying around with ways to color it.  This time I used Glimmer Mist.  I laid it out on my desktop and started spraying.  Then I gathered it all up in my hand and wiped up the GM that was left on the desk. The color was very splotchy but I like it that way. Then I made a really tight ball, squeezing it tight.  I un-crumpled it and hung it to dry.  It only took about 15 minutes to dry.  Isn’t this great!!

There are tons of Etsy stores that sell this ribbon already hand died or smaller packages of the ribbon in the various colors.  (It comes in a million colors.)  The roll I got contains 100 yards of ribbon and sells for $7.95.  The store I checked with hand died ribbon was $5.00 for 4 yards.  I think I’ll be making my own colors!!!  What a steal!  I’m glad that my Mother taught me to be frugal!

That’s it for tonight.  I don’t know if I’ll get anything posted tomorrow.  I have errands to run tomorrow and I will be working on my Mothers’ Day card which I won’t show until after I give it to her. 

On Saturday, I’d like to get out in the yard.  Spring has not yet made it to my neck of the woods but I want everything to be ready for when I can plant my garden!  I think I’ll be able to plant some seeds here and there this weekend as well.

See ya’ later alligator!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-image; Ink-Stazon; Paper-Colorbok; Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Antique Pink, Additional from stash-ribbon button.

Challenges:
2 Sketches 4 You--sketch

The Artistic Stamper-Tim Holtz-Birds

Did I get your attention?  The Artistic Stamper is giving away a Tim Holtz die and a little bird with a crown!  How great is that!!!  All you have to do is comment on each of her posts and she will select a winner on Monday, May 10th!  But please, don’t go to the Artistic Stamper’s blog and comment so you can win because I want to win!!!

I’ll be back in a bit with a card!

Blessings,

Christine

Thursday Thunks

It’s been a long time since I participated in Thursday Thunks.  I really missed it!

 

The TT questions are brought to you by Kimber, the color of Wednesday's eyes and the number 5.

 

 

 

1. Have you ever performed the Heimlich Maneuver on someone or had it performed on you? No, that would be very scary either way!

 

 

2. Do you have a red room in your home? (Either painted red or red curtains etc.)  No, I’m not much of a red type of gal.

 

 

 

3. Have you ever felt like banging your head against the wall?  So many times.  I’ve even done it a few times.  Ummmm, maybe that’s my problem!

 

4. Reports came out this week that Michael Jackson was gay. Are you shocked, don't believe it, don't care or felt he was all along? I pretty much felt he was all along but I really don’t care. 

5. What's the dumbest thing you have done after a breakup with a S/O?  Drunk dialing—need I say more!  But in my defense, he got together with an old girlfriend who did the same thing so I think it was fair!!!

 

6. If Berleen and Bud are standing on the roof of a one story building and decide to throw water balloons at Kimber walking down below on the sidewalk, what color balloon hits her first? Green!  Kinda like green M&Ms.

 

 

7. What are the wildest, craziest pajamas you own?  I don’t have wild pajamas.  I have some with donuts on them.  Does that count?  Small print—these are not the actual pjs.

 

 

 

8. Have you ever ridden in a sidecar on a motorcycle? No, I’ve never even known anyone that has one.

 

 

9. Do/did you go party on Cinco De Mayo, and if so what color was the bartender's shirt?  Didn’t go then I’d be drunk blogging!

 

 

 

10. Why does a hat have a bill?  Duh, so it can quack!

11. If you were a WWE professional wrestler, what would your stage name be?  I thought and thought, answered all my quests and thought and thought, got my pictures and thought and thought and I just can’t come up with anything.

12. How many keys do you have on your key ring? Seven.

13. What is the oldest picture you currently have in your home? What year was it taken and who/what is the photo of?  Great, great grandma/grandpas—even maybe another great and I have no idea when they were taken.

Thanks for stopping by my Thursday Thunks!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Hydrangea and Butterflies

Although this card has a butterfly on it, it’s not my Flutterby Wednesday challenge. 

Please scroll down for that one!!!

I’m back again with another card!  I made this a couple of days ago but didn’t want to post it until I got my camera back.  This is one of my favorite stamps and I love creating with it!  I love flowers and I love butterflies—nuff said!!!  I stamped and colored the bottom corner twice so I could pop the butterfly up.

Not much else to say today.  That’s weird, huh?  Now, I’m off to work on some other stuff.  Don’t know what yet.  I’m just going to let the stamps inspire me!!!

Blessings,

Christine

P.S.  I just heard nasty things outside and their is horizontal hail and thunder going on right now.  The weeping willow tree next door is really blowing around!

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Inkadinkado; Ink-Stazon Brown; Paper-Basic Grey Wisteria; Punch-Martha Stewart; Ribbon-Tai Pan; Additional from stash-pearls colored with Copics.

Challenges:
Sir Stampalot-Butterflies and flowers
Delightful Sketches-Pull out your punches

A Flutterby Wednesday Oops!

I totally forgot to post my Flutterby Wednesday card!  At about 11:30 I sat down at my computer and got onto other things and at 1:45, I signed off with forgetting.So without further ado—  Isn’t this little fairy cute?  It’s is from Meljen Designs.  They are our sponsor this week.  The winner will choose 2 digi stamps.  She really has some cute ones so your in for a treat.

I did the inside as well! The challenge is open this week you just need to use a butterfly, fairy or angel on your project.  Head on over to the Flutterby Wednesday challenge blog to get the deets!  While you’re there, you can click on the DT links to see all they’re lovely creations.

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Meljen Designs; Sentiment-Crafty Secrets; Ink-Papertrey Ink Pure Black; Paper-S.E.I.; Ribbon-American Crafts; Buttons-Papertrey Ink.

Challenges:
Papertake Weekly-sketch
Crafty Creations-magical
Creative Belli-Birthday cards
KL Stampin N Scrappin-Inside out
Corrosive Challenge-birthday

Picking Daisies

I have another “cute” Squigglefly card for you today!  It feels so good to have a card a day again.  I have a couple that I worked on before my studio redo so even if I take a day off, I’ll have something to show you!  Yes, I went an picked up my camera today!  Yay!   Now, back to my cute little girl picking flowers!  “May Daisy” was drawn by Lynne Stansberry.  I love, and have, so many of her images!!! 

You can’t see it in the photo, but there’s glitter glue on those lovely flowers.  I love highlighting these beauties with glitter glue.  I just can’t believe that I didn’t used to like glitter.  I think it’s running in my blood now.  When I started making cards a little over a year ago, I didn’t think I would ever use ribbon and glitter “girly” things.  Look at me now!!!  A card isn’t complete unless it’s all tied up in ribbon.  I have sooooo much ribbon!!!

I’ll be back tomorrow with a Flutterby Wednesday creation!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Squigglefly; Paper-DCWV, Papertrey Ink; Ribbon-Bazzill; Flowers-Wild Orchid Crafts; Cricut Cartridges-George; Cuttlebug-Nestabillities; Additional from stash-glitter glue.

Challenges:
Kaboodle Doodles--Celebrate spring
Creative Card Crew--April showers bring May flowers
Card Patterns--sketch

Squigglefly Whale

I promised another fun Squigglefly image drawn by Jackie Matthews and here it is!  When I saw this cute image I knew it needed to be made into a baby card.  I went with very unconventional colors for this cute image.  The whale is really orange but looks brown in this scan.  It will be so fun for a new baby or 1st birthday card, don’t you think?

My camera is at my sis’ house here in town so I’ll be getting it tomorrow.  Yay!  I like the photos much better than the scans.  I have another migraine today so I’m just creating my way out of it.  I have another card to share but I’m waiting to take a photo instead of a scan.

I’ll be back tomorrow with some more fun!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Squigglefly; Paper and buttons-Papertrey Ink; Cricut Cartridges-George (circles).

Challenges:
Lexi’s Creations-animal
Get Sketchy-sketch
Allsorts-animals
Pile it On-Boyish colors

Squiggly Flower Girls

I told you that I would be making something with one of the lovely new images just released from Squigglefly.  Isn’t this the cutest little flower pot drawn by Jackie Matthews.  Squigglefly released a number of images drawn by Jackie.  I have a couple of more to show you in the next few days.

Sorry for the photo quality.  I haven’t located my camera since I got back from Utah so I had to scan it.  I plan to unpack the rest of my bags before I start creating tomorrow.  However, I left at least one bag behind (it had a box of my fave chocolates) so the camera might be gone for a few weeks. 

I also need to unpack a few more boxes from my studio reorganization.  I had to make this card without my nesties!  I just don’t know how I did it!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-Copics; Image-Squigglefly; Paper-DCWV; Additional from stash-ribbon, button, flower.

Back in Good Ole Idaho

I’m home!!!  I got home late Friday night and I’m so happy to be in my new/improved studio!  My sister, Alice, said it’s not a craft room.  That I make too many beautiful projects to call it crafts.  So now, I’m officially calling my room “my studio.”  I’m still unpacking everything so I’ll show some photos later this week.

But, I just couldn’t wait until I finished my studio to start creating.  I cleared my desktop off and I’m about to make something. 

What, you ask?  Well, here’s what’s going on this week!

Squigglefly—First of all, Monday is a new challenge so head on over and have a look-see.  Also, I have some lovely new images to play with and that is the first thing I’ll be working on tonight!  I can’t wait to put my creative hat back on.

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge – We also have a new challenge for you on Monday.  I wasn’t able to work on it since my Cricut was buried underneath a mound of paper, stamps, etc., that needed to find a new home some place in my new studio.  I’ll let you know more about the challenge tomorrow!!!

You may have noticed the button at the top of my right side bar.  We’re having a blog crawl next Monday and it is going to be so much fun with lot’s of prizes and challenges!  I can’t wait to see what everyone has put together for our crawl.

Flutterby Wednesday – Of course we have a new challenge this Wednesday. 

So, long story short, expect some creating this week!  I can’t wait to get back into the swing of things. 

Have a great week!  I’ll definitely be seeing you later.  I’ll be by to see what you’ve been up to as well.

I about forgot—I went to visit my nephew yesterday and he is doing great!  He may even be getting out of the hospital tomorrow.  He is in on the rehabilitation floor and they are teaching him how to not use his right leg.  Thanks so much for all the prayers.

Blessings,

Christine

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