I've missed you!

Hello friends : )

I am know to be long winded with my posts LOL (like I have to tell you). But being that I really don't have very much time today I am going to do my best to keep this short and sweet : )

Update:

I am doing very well! I am strong and healthy as are my family members : ) Praise the Lord!! I hope you can report the same!

I am working full time - full time now not just kinda of full time.  It wasn't meant to go this way but I am blessed to be able to help my husband and sons and so during this season of life.  The work is tedious but rewarding.

In my spare time I have finished a couple of paintings like this one : )

Moved my quilt forward...

Horrible picture! but the colors in this "crazy quilt" are lime green, gray, black, green and white : ) 

...and continued to make cards.  My father and step mother are in quarantine which is breaking our hearts! because, especially my father, is very confused as to why he cant see his wife or children! : (  My dad is in a nursing home - separated from his wife.  My step mom is in an assisted living facility.  Sigh

 I still have a few shut ins besides my parents that I send weekly cards to so my card making continues to be an important part of my month.  Right now I am making my cards up a month ahead of time.  I love making cards!! and blogging!! and visiting my friends blogs but there are simply not enough hours in my day any longer.  Whew!

I'm very sorry about the poor quality of my photographs.  The pictures of my painting and the quilt were taken with my phone ... bad idea! and I'm scratching my head as to why the card picture looks so grainy and over saturated.  My monitor may be the culprit but I haven't been able to get the "IT department" to look at it! LOL

Thant is it for me : )  I am trying to find time to pop in and visit all of you now and then and I appreciate YOU taking time out of your day to pop in to see me!! : )

I am praying that the trial we are all experiencing is leading you to the Only One who can offer peace and comfort and hope and not just for now but for eternity... Jesus Christ.  : )

BIG (((hugs)))

p.s. My captions refuse to show up under the pictures so here they are.... 

Watercolor painting:The watercolor paper this is painted on is 12 x 16"

Quilt:  
Horrible picture! but the colors in this "crazy quilt" are lime green, gray, black, green and white : ) 

Happy Valentines Day!

Hello friends : )  I have a quick post for you today because I didn't want to fail to wish my Blogland friends a SWEET day!!

I have been super busy lately and it isn't all just wrestling with my new computer, which seems to block my normal routines every time I turn around! eeek!!.  I began helping out in our family business for a couple of hours each day back in November but in February it sort of catapulted into full time (+) .  I enjoy the work and love helping my husband and sons but it has not left much time for anything else... including housework! LOL I wonder how I ever did it when I worked full time!!.... oh yeah it was 24 years ago heehee .... that might have had something to do with it!

Progress has inched along on my great grandson's quilt and my newest watercolor painting when I have found free time before I fall into bed at night but I am happy and healthy and blessed! : )   I will share some progress photos soon.

I will be spending more time in my crafty space next week so I will be posting and visiting more - I promise : )

Until then here is a special wish for you! - created with more of the sweetest products from Penny Black's Share the Love release!! Grab your pocketbook and head over to the Penny Black on-line store HERE.  And if you are ever stumped for spectacular ideas be sure to visit the Penny Black blog HERE - you will get a heaping measure of eye candy!!

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful day!!


BIG (((hugs)))

All supplies by Penny Black:
Recipe for Love #30-669
Tenderness #30-655
Swirly Stitches #51-502

Computers! - love em - hate em!... cake... Love it all the time!

Hello friends : )

I am so excited that I have a new computer! It has not been without some frustrations, however.   I actually hate changes! but like it or not it was time and I'm embracing it!! : ) The good news is that with this upgrade I am finally able to visit many web sites that had stopped letting me in because my computer was too old.  This new machine is  MUCH faster, never just randomly shuts down and is blissfully QUIET! : )  I am slowly getting used to the changes and thanking the Lord for my wonderful, brilliant and incredibly patient husband, Bob : )

I have not been making cards much lately as I have been working on a baby quilt for my soon-to-arrive Great Grandson!! and studying on-line water color tutorials : )  I did make this card for my husband's "baby" sister who turned 60 today so I thought I would share : )

I would like to enter this card in the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge where it is "All About Occasions" this time.  Please join me in the gallery!!

I hope you are having a great week so far and that you are getting to do all the things that make you smile!!

BIG (((hugs)))

Spa Day

Nothing like a Spa Day right!?... I have never actually gone to a spa! LOL am I really missing something? Maybe I need to try it.  I think I may be too cheap because I think of the cost of a Spa Day and then weigh that against buying paper crafting supplies and so here I sit with clogged pores and ooodles of nifty stamps and dies!! LOL

I have been doing a fair amount of relaxing lately though.  I have been working hard on my watercolor classes.  These two pictures were difficult for me.  I won't try and point out all the problems but I will tell you the farther away you get the better each picture looks.... kind of like my complexion! LOL

Painted on 12 x 16" watercolor paper

Painted on 9 x 12" watercolor paper.  The color is really off in this photo.  I tried to fix it but is is a bit less PINK!

Thanks a bunch for stopping by! Have a wonderful day : )

BIG (((hugs)))

Poof! It's your birthday

I have some silly cards for you today that I had a lot of fun creating.

My great nephew Caleb is turning 3 next week. When I was pondering a design for his card I decided I wanted to make a card with a little movement.  I think "interactive" cards are really neat for little kids (and big kids too!) so I decided to play with some of my Black Friday" finds.

Here is what happens when you lift the flap...

The pajamas don't miraculously change color when you lift the flap! LOL but when I finished Caleb's card I liked it so much I made two more cards for two other youngsters on my birthday card list.

For the flap closure I used a real super fine Velcro tape.  I have not been able to find a link to the exact 3M tape I used but HERE is one that looks like it is the same.  It is a really nice product because it is thin and has a very light hold - perfect for use on cards!!

My design was inspired by the AAA Cards challenge game #156 found HERE.  I hope you will join me in the gallery - but you better hurry this one ends soon!!!

That is it for me today.  Have a wonderful weekend!!

BIG (((hugs)))

Supplies:
Lift The Flap Circles by Lawn Fawn
Sweet Dreams stamp set by Papertrey Ink (discontinued)

CAS Christmas card challenge

Hello ladies : )  I hope you are having a great week.  I have been enjoying lots of card making so far in 2020 so that means the year is off to a wonderful start for me!!

I realized way too late in 2019 that I failed to keep up on my Christmas card making and have challenged myself not to leave those cards to be crammed into my December schedule again this year.  The best way for me to accomplish my goal is to join Loll's Christmas card challenge as often as I can!  You can join too - there is plenty of time.  See her newest challenge HERE.

My card was quick and easy! I used one of my favorite Make It Market kits from Papertrey Ink, Wonderland.  I can't say for sure but as best I can tell it is no longer available from PTI but HERE is a link that I found.  I hope it helps.

I used a pre-printed tag from the kit and added a skater that I stamped in black ink and attached to the "rink" using double stick foam tape.  This was added to my white card stock which had been embossed with "Falling Snow" by Stampin Up, which also appears to be discontinued.

BIG (((hugs)))

BE MINE please : )

I'm happy to be back with another card I created using the newest release from Penny Black, "Share The Love" available in the on-line store HERE

My card design was inspired by the sweet inspiration photo at TIME OUT Challenges.  This challenge closes on January 15th and brace yourselves girls! that is only a few days away so hurry and enter your Valentine themed card in the gallery soon.

And check out the new CASology challenge, and check out the new CASology challenge, and check out the new CASology challenge! HERE. heeheehee

If you are wanting for inspiration please visit the Penny Black blog HERE.  You are sure to be bitten by the love bug! and find lots of sweet supplies for making your Valentine's Day cards.



Thank you very much for stopping by! I hope your week is off to a SWEET start!



BIG (((hugs)))

All supplies by Penny Black:

Elegant Stitching #51-440
Fur-Ever Yours Cut Out #51-604
Key..., Cut Out #51-495

Happy Birthday Jillybean! Seize the day!!

Here is wishing the happiest of birthdays 

to the sweetest of friends!! 

I am honored to call Jill Foster my friend.  She is as sweet as she is talented.  Since moving to New Mexico I miss our crafty days together!!  Have a wonderful celebration with your family Jill.  : ) You deserve the best!!

Here is Jill in yellow... and on the inside of the card - that's me in purple! notice the gray hair? LOL

I will enter Jill's card in the Seize The Birthday Challenge found HERE.  I hope you will join me by linking up to this fun challenge.

Thank you for stopping by friends : ) Join me in wishing Jill a very happy birthday by visiting the Penny Black blog HERE and leaving her some birthday love.  : ) when you do you will see more of me! as yesterday I am featured on the Penny Black Blog too!!

BIG (((hugs)))

Supplies:
Complementary Colors by Neat & Tangled
Square Peek-a-boo Window by My Favorite Things

Snowflakes falling on JUGS!

Hello friends : )

Next week is my sweet granddaughter, Katelyn's, 14th birthday.  She lives in California and though she doesn't get to see it often - she loves snow! : )   I created this card for her after seeing the challenge at "Just Us Girls" where the word is "Snowflakes".

I had to add a close up - darkened - picture of my card to prove there really are snowflakes on it! LOL Clean and Simple - white on white cards are pretty but they are not that easy to photograph!

There is still a little time left! please join me in the JUGs gallery.  The challenge ends at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday January 9th.

Please come see me again on Friday when I will share a special birthday card I made for one of Blogland's most talented card makers, Jill Foster, Penny Black's Social Media Director.

Have a great day friends!!

BIG (((hugs)))

Supplies? I'm sorry to say, every stamp I used on this card is now discontinued - but if you would like any specific information let me know in the comments section and I will do my best to help.

Sharing The Love.... with a porcupine and a cupcake!

Yahooee another day and another new release from Penny Black..  See the entire new release in the Penny Black online store HERE.

I created this card for my Dad : ) he has always been available for a hug - even when I was  being prickly!! heehee get it?

The design for my card was inspired by the challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch.  The challenge is open until January 9th.  I hope you will join me in the gallery there!

I have loved working with this Penny Black release.  All of the images are so sweet and versatile.  Here is another card I created using the Cupcake Cutie stamp set.  How do you spell Awwwww!??! : )

That is it from me today.  I hope you have been inspired to visit the Penny Black on line store HERE.  If you need more inspiration visit the Penny Black blog HERE and you will get it!

Thanks a bunch for visiting.  Have a wonderful day.



BIG (((hugs)))

All supplies by Penny Black:

Card#1
Snuggles #30-660
Snuggles Cut Out#51-600
Love Expressions #51-025
Ribbon Stackers #51-409
Elegant Stitching #51-440

Card #2
Cupcake Cutie #30-651
Swirly Stitches #51-502

2019 Favorite Cards for The Card Concept

Hello ladies : )

One of my goals for 2020 is to join more Challenges and so I am here to share my take on one of Blogland's favorite challenges.  The challenge at The Card Concept is to share our favorite card from 2019.  I am sure I am not alone in having a difficult time finding just one card to share so... being the rebellious individualistic gal that I am I have TWO cards to share!! : ) I hope you won't mind.

I was featured on Penny Black's Simplicity Blog on April 15, 2019 in a post called "Giving Winter The Boot" with this card.  I wish I had a pair of boots like these - don't you? : )

My second card was one I actually created last January but never posted to my blog.  I thought it deserved a debut. : )

That is it for me today.  I hope you will join me at The Card Concept with YOUR favorite card from 2019. Have a great weekend!!


BIG (((hugs)))

All supplies by Penny Black:

Card #1
Blooming Boots #40-666
Blooming Boots Cut Out #51-525

Card #2
Love in Bloom #30-522
Big Love #51-488

Sharing the Love and more Watercolor fun!

Hello and Happy New Year!! I hope your holidays were wonderful in every way and that your 2020 is off to an amazing start!

I have been spending some more time with watercolor painting but this time I've used one of the beautiful new stamps from Penny Black's newest release "Share The Love" available in the Penny Black On-line Store HERE

I used Arches Cold Press Watercolor paper and Winsor Newton Professional Watercolor paints : )

I urge you to visit the Penny Black Blog where you will be wowed! by all the inspiration you find there from creations using product from this fantastic release!!

I want to thank each of you for the kind comments you always leave about the cards I make.  I'm always so blessed by your encouragement!! I was especially happy to have the chance to offer a Give Away in my December 22nd post for a Penny Black stamp set they generously donated.  My husband was my "random generator" and drew Lisa Elton's name from the hat as my winner.  Lisa is the owner of My Paper Tales Blog.  Thanks a bunch to everyone to played along!!

 Only You #30-666

Congratulations Lisa!! your prize will go postal this week!

Have a wonderful rest of your week friends.  I will see you again very soon!

BIG (((hugs)))

Passionate Blooms #40-718