Sharing the L. O. V. E. and a GIVEAWAY!

Could there be a better way to share love than with a cupcake cutie!?  Hello everyone and happy Saturday!! I am here to share more darling products from Penny Black's newest release, Share the Love. This little image is actually called "Cupcake Cutie" LOL whoever named this stamp set nailed it!!

To visit Penny Black's online store go HERE and for the Penny Black blog go HERE! you KNOW you are going to wanna spend your Christmas money so grab your wallet on the way!! heehee

My design was inspired by the Freshly Made Sketch below.  This challenge will remain live until January 6th! I hope you will join me in the gallery : )

I had so much fun playing with this little cupcake cutie that I made two cards but I have decided your sweet tooth may not be able to handle another one so I will post that one a bit later : )

About that GIVEAWAY!! Please go to THIS POST and leave a comment for your chance to win a Penny Black Stamp set.  I will draw one winner on January 1st.  Don't miss your chance!

Thanks a bunch for stopping by!

BIG (((hugs)))

All supplies by Penny Black:
Cupcake cutie #30-651
Hug Me #30-668
Dotlets stencil #25-007

Merry Christmas!

Hello friends : ) and Merry Christmas!!

I want to share three paintings I made into  A2 cards for a few VIPs in my family.

I pray that the love of Jesus Christ fills your heart with love, joy and peace today and every day!!

Thank you so much for stopping by : )

BIG (((hugs)))

Today it is all about YOU! and a Give away!!

In all the busi-ness of the holidays I hope you have not missed out on seeing the wonderful new release from Penny Black - Share The Love.  You can see the entire collection in the Penny Black online store HERE.

As promised this post is all about YOU! : ) My first card was inspired by this unique sketch from the fantabulous folks at CAS(E) this Sketch!  This challenge is on until January 2nd.  I really hope you will join me in the gallery.  I would love to see how you interpret this fun sketch.

And because I am totally in to sharing the love I HAD to include this huggable little bear. As our sweet friend Lisa would say.... I am completely smitten with him!

The Give away part....  The folks at Penny Black have generously allowed me to give away the "Only You #30-666" stamp set - FREE - to one person randomly selected from the comments left in this post.  I will draw the winner on January 1st.  Good Luck!! : )  

Please pop over to the Penny Black Blog for lots more inspiration as Jill and her peeps share the love HERE.


I hope your week is not stressful and that you find the time to do something you love with someone you love!! : )


BIG (((hugs)))

All supplies by Penny Black:
card#1
Only You #30-666
You Enjoy #51-339

card#2
Fur-ever Yours #30-652
Fur-ever Yours Cut Out #51-604
Only You #30-666
Love Expressions #51-025

Warmest Wishes

Warmest Wishes to you my friends.  I sure hope you are able to rest even in the midst of the holiday business. I know how long our "To Do" lists can be this time of year so thank you! for stopping by!! I appreciate you.

I am sharing another of the Christmas cards I finished this week.  All of the amazing products on the market surely do make a card makers job easy and fun - don't they?!!

I have included an "up-close" shot of the front of the card in hopes you will be able to see the sweet detail in this delicate die more easily.  Even though it has fine detail it cut like butter making these really fast and simple cards.

I am entering this card into the CASology Challenge which you can find HERE.  There is plenty of time to join us in the gallery even if you are feeling behind on your To Do list!

Thank you, again, for stopping by!


BIG (((hugs)))

Supplies:

Joy & Merriment #30-903 by Penny Black
Greenery Bundle #1898 by Poppystamps (this is a new die I just got on a Black Friday sale but I cannot locate it on the Poppystamps site in order to include a link here - I'm sorry)
Wonky Stitched Rectangles by My Favorite Things

Penny Black - Share the Love

Yeah!! it is another wonderful new release from Penny Black!!

Hello friends : )  I have been busting to share some cards from the newest release from Penny Black called "Share the Love".  You can shop HERE in the online store and I hope you will visit the Penny Black blog for oodles of inspiration HERE!! : )

I have a twofer for you today.  I  think you can get a glimpse of the Wink of Stella that highlights these beautiful roses but they are so pretty they don't need anything to make them better than they already are : )

And on this card, as you can see, I used just part of the same sentiment.  I love the fonts on both the stamp and the die.  I think that - together they are super sweet!

I have been really really enjoying all the flowers I have seen in Blogland lately thanks the the talented folks who bring us "Flower Challenge" which you can find HERE.  They are calling for the use of a die on your card.  I hope you will join me in the gallery... it'll warm your heart! and remind you winter won't last forever.

Thank you for stopping by today.  I know this is a busy time of year and I really appreciate your taking the time to visit.  : )


BIG (((hugs)))

All supplies by Penny Black
Tenderness #30-655
Tenderness Cut Out #51-601
Hug Me #30-668
Snuggles cut Out #51-600
Doodles of Love #51-594

Taking TIME OUT to be Merry!

Hello friends : )

I finished all my Christmas cards finally! I am reminded of the value of making Christmas cards throughout the year as opposed to waiting to do most of them in December.  I know I would still want to save some for December but making "onsies and twosies" is more fun than twelvesies!! ya know?

I decided to join the Time Out challenge - "Merry & Cheerful" with two of my cards that surely have a Merry & Cheerful theme! I love challenges even though I have not joined very many this year! I don't know if it is a "resolution" but I sure am going to try to joining more challenges in the coming year. : ) There is still time - I hope to see you in the Time Out gallery this week.

I wish you could see the coating of Wink of Stella covering the little snow penguin! the fact that it doesn't photograph well is the ONLY bad think about WOS.  : )  The blue clouds don't show up either but if you strain you can picture them there. : )

Here is an old favorite snowman stamp by Peachy Keen Stamps and a couple new favorite products from Penny Black.  Sadly when I searched for the link to this stamp set I couldn't find it in the Peachy Keen shop but here is a link to their shop anyway just in case you want to contact them to see if they could get it for you.

Thanks a bunch for stopping by.  I hope you feel more Merry & Cheerful than you did before you arrived! Have a wonderful day.


BIG (((hugs)))

Supplies:
Card#1
Mimi's Christmas #30-061 by Penny Black
Joy & Merriment #30-501 by Penny Black

Card #2
What's So Funny Snowman PK-M10 Mini by Peachy Keen Stamps (retired)
Frosty Hello #30-649 by Penny Black
Swirly Stitches #51-502 by Penny Black

In the pink!!

Hello dear friends : ) I hope that you are happy and healthy and feeling "in the pink"!! : ) It took much longer than I would have thought to recover from the bug my husband and I got.  I have been miserable! and because of that I have gotten WAY behind in my card posting and blogging BUT!! here I am feeling 100% better and ready to play!!!

I forgot to photograph the inside of the card and it is too late now because last night I addressed my cards to go in the mail today! LOL  The inside sentiment says: "Merry & Bright" from Penny Black's  Frosty Hello #30-649 First Snow release.


                                     
This year I had 69 cards to create for Christmas! gulp!! I have just 12 left to go.  I am only making two or three of each design this year rather than the "mass producing" I normally do.  I like this way MUCH better.  I have selected tons of NBUS supplies for my cards - pairing supplies from different companies up with no rhyme or reason and it has been really fun!  Like this sweet card that combines some new Penny Black with some old Penny Black - highlighted by a bran new Black Friday deal : ) from Poppystamps.

Yesterday Penny Black's newest release hit the online store and it is SWEET!! I had the pleasure of getting an advanced shipment of some of the product from this release and will be working with it this weekend!! I'm pretty excited to show off my ideas but I hate for you to have to wait for me!! Please head over to the Penny Black blog online store HERE for a look at the entire new release and for some fabulous inspiration go to the Penny Black Blog HERE

Off I go to the Post Office to buy some stamps and get my first batch of cards in the mail.  Whatever you are doing I hope you are doing it in rest and joy and excellent health.

Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

BIG (((hugs)))

Supplies:
Mimi's Christmas #30-061 by Penny Black
Frosty Hello #30-649 by Penny Black
Simple Pinpoint Snowflake Frame #2106 by Poppystamps

Giving Thanks for You!!

Hello ladies : )  I hope you had a good week and that you have fun plans for the weekend.  I have to say this has not been the best week I have ever had... Our car broke down on Sunday, our dryer and my computer broke down on Monday, my husband got sick on Tuesday and because he shares EVERYTHING with me I got sick on Wednesday!!! I'm counting the minutes until I can crawl back in to bed LOL

Before I do that, though, I wanted to thank you all for your incredible comments on my bird painting in my last post.  I feel a little guilty as I read them because I am certainly NOT a gifted artist!! I followed an on-line tutorial to paint that bird.  I am positive any one of you could paint the same bird and do it better!! I am very new to watercolor painting,  I can not draw so the picture was first traced on to my paper from the original artists sketch using graphite paper.  The original artist, Louise De Masi, provides a step by step tutorial of how to paint this bird.  Her video is clear and she tells you what colors to mix and everything!!

Thank you for being so sweet but I don't deserve all this praise : ) Give it a try yourself and share your painting with all of us.  : ) Again, you can find Louise DeMasi through You Tube and then she will direct you to her Patreon site where for $6.00 per month you can watch all her amazing tutorials.

I made this card for my niece whose birthday was last week but I want to share it with you today to say a special thank you for always being so nice to me!!

(By the way my computer issues continue so if any of you have tried to e-mail me it looks as though my email address is no good.  It is a good address - and will be back up and running "soon" whatever that means LOL)

BIG (((hugs)))

Supplies:
Saying a Latte! #40-456 by Penny Black
Wonky Stitched Rectangle STAX by My Favorite Things
Sentiment is a retired product by Papertrey Ink

December already!??!!

Really?? December is here? I can barely believe it!  Just remember how fast time is zipping by when you are freezing under a blanket of snow!! : ) It will be sunshine and flowers before you know it right?? Well until then let's play some more with Penny Black's "First Snow" release available in the on-line store HERE.

My card today was created using First Snow products with a slight twist.  I have a niece and a great nephew who celebrate their birthdays on Christmas Eve so I pulled out my trusty Misti and made an easy modification : )

I have been a bit MIA again.  I don't know how it happens but time just whooshes by even when I'm not ready! I had a wonderful visit with my family - although it was way too short!!  We did, in fact, spend a great deal of time painting - also sightseeing, playing games, laughing hysterically and eating really really good Keto food!!.  My sister, Susan,  is a very talented painter and is a wonderful teacher to boot so I really learned a lot!!  Susan subscribes monthly Louise De Masi's water color classes on Patreon.  I had never heard of Patreon but I now subscribe too!! I will include a link to Louise's You Tube channel where she introduces a Hydrangea we painted and ultimately directs you to Patreon for anyone interested.  

Here is my only finished painting from our visit but I'm in progress on another painting of a Rose that I hope turns out 1/2 as good as my sister's.

This is called a Fairy Wren : ) I won't point out the things I hate about my painting but overall I really enjoyed painting this bird especially with my sister and niece painting beside me!! : ) To give you some perspective on the size of the painting - the bird from it's long toe to top of his feathers is 9".

That is it for me : ) before I go here is a "boy version" of my COOL birthday card.

Thanks a bunch for stopping by!  I hope your week is off to a wonderful start!!


BIG (((hugs)))

Penny Black Supplies:
Swirly Stitches #51-502
Heap of Happy #30-640
Frosty Hello #30-649
Good Wishes #30-541

First Snow and Flowers??

Hello ladies : )

Not all the sentiments from Penny Black's First Snow release have to be limited to winter themed cards.  I used this sentiment from Bundled Buddies #30-644 on this floral card.  But where are the flowers from?...

I painted them freehand! heehee I found this tutorial on You Tube entitled, by the artist, "The Easiest Flowers I've Ever Painted"  You can see the video HERE.  These two cards were my first attempt trying this technique.  She makes it look easier than I found it to be but it really is a fun technique!!

BIG (((hugs)))

Mom will be 96 : )

Hello friends : ) I hope you are having a wonderful day and that you are enjoying a warm and wonderful fall day.  I wanted to share a card I created for my step Mom who is turning 96 next week. She is strong and healthy in body and mind.

She used to be an avid Gardner and the love of her life, my Dad, actually loves crows!.... I know it, LOL go figure.  I can't say why he does but my dad has a small crow collection.  She calls him her "old crow".  I know they will both get a kick out of this card.

I'm having a blast with my sister and niece! I will have to share some of the watercolor paintings we are doing later in the week.

What are you doing this week? I hope what ever it is - you are happy doing it!! : ) BIG thanks for stopping by!! Have a wonderful day.

BIG (((hugs)))

Supplies:
Autumn Splendor #30-372 by Penny Black

Sentiment a from Papertrey Ink mini stamp set called Birthday Classics: November mini.  I have been unsuccessful in finding a link for this set.  I suspect is is now discontinued.

Let it Snow!

Hello friends : ) I am here today with more inspiration (I hope) using products from Penny Black's newest release, First Snow. : )

You can see the entire new release in the Penny Black online store HERE.

A little song runs through my head when I see this sweet little gift giver...

"if you're happy and you know it then your face will surely show it..."   

 Who will look happier? the gift giver or the recipient? It is so much fun to work with such sweet products!!

If you could see me you would see that my face "surely shows" I am happy!! Penny Black blog is featuring some of my cards for the First Snow release today!! I'd love if you could pop over and leave a comment.

Have a great day my friends!! Thank you for visiting me.

BIG (((hugs)))

Penny Black supplies:
card #1
Crystal Frames #51-583
Snow Dancer #30-267

card#2
Cozy Cuteness #30-636
Snowflake Stitched Frames #51-375
Winter Chill #30-627

Penny Black... we go together like...

Oh yeah! Penny Black and I go together like a sweater and winter : )

I am loving the First Snow release!  This card was created using components of some new product that may not necessarily be considered the "main" feature in the set.  Here is what I mean....

This is the new Crystal Frames die #51-583.  This die set comes with six individual dies.  The backdrop for the itty bitty penguins on my card is found in the center piece. Here is a close up so you can see the sweet detail, that is on the four corners of this die, better.

The Cozy Cuteness stamp set, #30-636 has two adorable "main" images and two sentiments but the darling little penguin was actually the "GOTTA HAVE IT!" factor for me : ) The penguin stamp is just about 1 square inch of adorable!!

For your shopping convenience (giggles) I have included a link to the online Penny Black store HERE and also a link to Penny Black blog HERE where you will be blown away by all the incredible inspiration you will find there!

So what is on your plate this weekend?? I will be preparing for some VIP visitors who will arrive from the Seattle Washington area this coming week!! My sister and niece will be here with us for a week. My sister is a gifted watercolor painter and I plan to kidnap her brain!!

Have a wonderful day! I appreciate you stopping by : )

BIG (((hugs)))

Additional supplies:
Winter Chill #30-627