XOXO...

Hey everyone!  It's time for DDC # 72 "Christmas in July" challenge over at Digi Darla's 
Here is my lovey dovey card using DD "Santa and Mistletoe."  :)  I thought it was cute.  Now to hide from the Hubby so I can give to him at some point.
Just by playing with us at Digi Darla's, you could win up to 8 images!!  Why not??!!  Hope to see you over there.  (Link above.)

I know... strange to be thinking of Christmas... but it's only 5 months away. Yikes.  If anything, if you are experiencing the HOTNESS of summer weather, hopefully my card and this challenge will cool you off a bit.  

Thanks for stopping by and come join us and get those Holiday Cards done.

I am also entering this over with Lesley over at Always Playing with Paper where they are having a CHRISTMAS in JULY challenge for the whole month of July.  

You just gotta check out Lesley's creations anyways... she does spectacular work!  I had the pleasure of being on a Design Team with her and never a "so so" creation. 

Enjoy!!  Have a great day!!

LMCB 149 "Birds and Bees."

Happy Sunday all!  It's time for the next challenge over at

 Lasting Memories Layout Challenges # 149.

And the theme...

"The Birds and the Bees."  

LOL!! It's not what you think... we want to see either 

BIRDS or BEES on your layouts this week. 

 Although... pretty funny, our DT had quite the discussion as you can imagine.  We didn't want to scare you. 

I chose BIRDS to showcase on my layout.  I feel this photo doesn't do my layout justice.  Darn nighttime photography... but the photos hold a special place in my heart.  This was in 2010 on our annual Family Vacation.  Our kiddos were 7 and 4 and to think that it is 3 years later.  Oh how time FLIES!!!  Thus my birds on my layout.  :)

Here is a close-up of my birds.

I used a kit from Close to My Heart called   "Magnifique."  Then I added some elements from Little Yellow Bicycle "Paradise" collection.

Hope you can join us this week!  Can't wait to see your take on this challenge.!!

  

Miss You...

This is my 2nd post today.  

Please scroll down to see my layout for Lasting Memories.  :)

Happy Monday once again!!  There is a new challenge at Digi Darla's today.

It's a SKETCH challenge from DENISE, our challenge coordinator. Yay!!

Here is the sketch.

I wanted to keep my card simple... but with the full effect of a Hot Air Balloon in the sky.  So I used clusters of clouds where the circles are and cut out my Digital Image for extra 3D pop.  The image I used is called "Up and Away Balloon."

You have a chance to win up to 8 FREE Digi Images for playing along!  5 just for playing and 3 more if you use a Digi Darla image.  Hope to see you try out the sketch.  Who doesn't love a good sketch??  The rest of the DT gals did some fun ideas.  Take a look HERE.

I'm also entering my card at Color Throwdown # 250.  They are celebrating 5 years!  I fell in love with the color combo!

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Crafting.

Rise "n Shine

Good evening... and Good morning!!  (Depending on your part of the world)  I'm here to bring you the latest and greatest challenge over at Lasting Memories # 148.  This week's challenge is...

"COUNTRY CHARM"

Country colors (oranges, yellows, greens, browns), country paper patterns or the DT even came up with a  doing your ACTUAL Country colors... like Red, White and Blue for the US or Red and White for Canada.  Lots of ideas for this one.  Also include some kind of charm on your layout.

Besides my country palette of colors that I chose, I also used the plaid paper and the different wild flowers paper reminded me of a country farm.  The THEME or title of my layout also represents that first morning wake up.  With the bright sun shining and the knowledge of a new day.  I think the only thing missing is some roosters making noise.  :)  My charm is the B under the photo.  The first letter of both of our kids.  I just recently discovered INSTAGRAM and caught this photo of my two kiddies last week as they greeted me on our bed with smiles to wake me up.  Summer has been some late night stay ups and some late morning sleep ins.  With the magic of Instagram, I was also able to color the photo with a reddish tint effect.  

Most of my supplies are from My Minds Eye and Simple Stories (the letters)

I am also entering my layout with the Ladies over at Sketches in Thyme using their # 117 sketch.  Haven't played with them in a while.  Always love their sketches.

I hope you find some time to join Lasting Memories this week.  With the BUSY days of summer, it felt good to finally get some photos scrapped.  Maybe you can too.  :)

Thanks for stopping by.  Check out the "Monday Mojo" from the fabulous DT coming up in a few hours over at LM.

Celebrate Love

Oh where oh where have I been??  Well here... just not HERE!!  :)  And as you can see from my latest new layout that I finally managed to create, it's been a whirlwind month of JUNE with a fabulous wedding celebrated in our family ta boot.
Stick with me for I am here to tell you about the next challenge at Lasting Memories Layout Challenges # 146.

The theme of the challenge is "Special Celebrations." 

Well that is just about anything in my book.  Every day has some sort of celebration I have learned.
And here is my layout of the wedding we were involved in.  Our daughter was ecstatic to be chosen to be the Junior Bridesmaid and our son was in charge of programs and guest book signing.  My Hubby and I are the Aunt and Uncle that were there with pride and smiles.

The colors are supposed to be coral and gray. (Nighttime photo) the Title is an older SU stamp set.  I punched out by hand each of the circles to create the polka dot effect.  The taffeta is from the wedding reception itself on the favors.  The die-cut flowers are Martha Stewart.  All paper is from Stampin' Up.

I would also like to enter this with the Ladies over at Frosted Designs for the latest Fabulous Friday challenge is POLKA DOTS.  

I also followed a sketch from Pamela's World of Scrap # 237 B. - But I missed the entry deadline.  Still loved the sketch... so giving credit.  :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  

And... a side note... GOOGLE READER is going away July 1st (DARN) so be sure to follow be through BLOG LOVIN'.  Button on sidebar.  Thanks to those who have already!!!

See you soon!  It won't be long.  Felt good to scrap today.  

DDC #66 "Fancy Fold Cards" - Happy Birthday Gift Card Holder

Happiest of Mondays to all of you!  I have a fun yet SIMPLE card to share with you. It's a fun Gift Card holder.
Our newest challenge over at Digi Darla's is to make a FANCY FOLD card or some sort of SHAPE card. 
 Just for playing along, you have a chance to win 5 FREE images and for using a Digi Darla image, you have a chance to win and additional 3 images.

Here's mine using Digi Darla image "Balloons and Bow"

And here it is all opened up...

I found the tutorial from the Spring 2013 issue of Card Maker magazine.

1.  Cut a 4 1/4" x 11 inch piece of cardstock.

2.  With paper horizontal on a scoring board (I just used my cutter tool)... start at left edge and score at 3, 4 1/4, 5 1/2, and 8 1/2 inch marks.

3.  Cut card stock at the 4 1/4" score line into 2 pieces.

4.  Fold along all score lines.

5.  To form the gift card pocket, adhere the 1 1/4" flaps together applying adhesive  at short edges and along scored line only.

6.  Sizes of patterned paper on inside of card are 2 3/4", two at 1 1/4" x 4 inches, one 3 x 4", and one 2 1/2 x 4".  Adhere all.

7.  The 2 pieces of patterned paper on the outside as it is all folded together is 2 3/4" and 2 1/4" x 4 inches.  

8.  To form band wrapped around, cut a 3/4 x 7 1/2" piece of paper.  Score at 2 1/4" and 5 1/2" marks.  Fold on score lines, overlap ends and adhere together to form a band.

9.  Slide band over folded card and adhere anything you want to band using foam adhesive.

I am also entering my card over at colourQ 192.

Thanks for stopping by!!  I hope to back a bit more often this week.  Have lots of cards needed for many celebrations... and some scrapping of my kiddos and their many activities.  :)

Stay tuned!!

Digi Darla's # 65 "Make It Masculine" along with a Card Sketch from ASC # 33

Hello everyone!  Happy Monday.  Today I have a simple, yet full of thought card to share with you.  Made this for my Dad for Father's Day.  Hopefully he doesn't check my blog out.  He is an AVID softball player at an age of near 70.  (almost 67).  He travels to play all over the Western United States.  He is not growing up.  Let me tell you.  :)

 This image from Digi Darla called "GRAND SLAM" is perfecto!!

Our theme challenge for Digi Darla's this week is "Make It Masculine."  Won't you love to join us?  You have a chance to win 8 Digi Images.  5 for playing along and an extra 3 for using a DD image.  Easy!!

I used Prisma colored pencils to color the image, and Stampin' Up products for the basics of the card.  

I am also entering my card along with Leanne over for her June Card Sketch Challenge at Artful Delight... delightful inspiration ASC 33.  I flipped the sketch on it's side.  Yay!  Glad I could play along over there.  GREAT Card and Scrap kits over there!!

Thanks everyone for taking a peak.  Will be back soon with a scrap layout.  Sort of worked backwards this weekend.  Am I the only one that does that?  LOL.  When things come to me, I have to act on them.  See you all soon.