Sugar n Spice

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice! describes a darling little girl that is about to turn one year old.  She was born three months early and never expected to survive but survive and thrive she did PERFECTLY! Thank you Lord!! for hearing our prayers!

I originally found the template to create this card in a Papercrafting magazing in 2009.  I cut it out by hand and printed the "Sugar n Spice" on the computer : )  I hope the birthday girl likes it!!



BIG (((HUGS)))

Happy Birthday Vicki

Vicki of Stamped Smiles blog is having a party for her birthday.  In honor of her special day she is offering all of us the chance to win some Blog Candy!! : )

This card is for you Vicki.  I hope you have a tremendous birthday WEEK!!

I thought I would share a bit about how I created the background for my card.  I simply sponged some color on to piece of cs and then cut my China Town scene from a  cover plate by Papertrey Ink.  Next I cut the same cover plate from plain white cs.  I glued the two together off-setting the two pieces just slightly.

It's Travel time at Seize The Birthday Challenge Blog!! Take whatever transportation you like best and join me in the gallery!!

Please visit Vicki's blog and wish her the very happiest of Birthdays!! : )


BIG (((HUGS)))

Supplies:
China Town Cover Plate and Cable Car by Papertrey Ink
Happy Birthday die by Penny Black

Hope You're on the Mend

Hello friends : )

I pulled out some nifty products that a friend recently gave me to make this card.  I sketched the flower, from one of my Watercolor books, on to a 2.5 x 3.5" Matboard Square from Inchie Arts.  I painted it using Shimmerz Paint (which leaves a totally cool - shimmery finish).  The Matboard is not water color paper but because I only used a small amount of water it handled it fine without damaging the surface or causing it to warp.

I think I am figuring out that Inchie Arts is no longer in business which is really sad! because I liked the outcome of painting on this Matboard but perhaps another Matboard is available out there that would work just as nicely. I'll have to investigate : )

Have a wonderful weekend friends!! : )

Supplies:
Sentiment by Papertrey Ink (so sorry I cannot log on to PTI's site any longer because of my ANCIENT computer : ( but I'm guessing you should not have any trouble finding it if you want it.  It may be called "Stuck on You" if I remember correctly : ))

Inklingz "She Packs a Punch" by Shimmerz
Creameez " Piggy Pink" by Shimmerz

Art Squares from Inchie Arts LLC



BIG (((HUGS)))

CAS Christmas Wreath

Snowing in New Mexico today? not hardly but I wanted to join Loll's CAS Christmas Card Challenge.  This is the first card I have made from my new crafty space and it felt so good to be playing with paper again! : )

There is still time to join Loll's challenge! I hope to see you there : )

Penny Black Supplies:
A Blizzard #51-268 
Snow Time #51-177
Crystalline #30-018



Thanks again for all your prayers and well wishes for our adventure! : )  I wanted to share a little about the move itself and then a tiny bit about our new place.   I am not known for short posts! LOL  but I will TRY to keep my stories brief (ish). heeheehee

Off to a great start!

Until....

The crazy thing is this actually happened TWICE!! on the same day!  The first time, pictured here, it was bad but at least it was light out.  The second time it happened after dark on a busy rural piece of freeway in a wind and rain storm.  The second time BOTH tires blew at the same time.  When the Highway Patrol walked up to our truck window the very first words out of his mouth were:

"Sir I am very sorry that you are having such a bad night but it could have been SO MUCH WORSE!"

My husband responded with "I know, I cannot believe I was able to keep this rig on the road" and the policeman said "I can't believe you kept this rig on the road!"

Praise God who answers prayers!! : )

We hired loaders and unloaders to help us on both ends of the trip.  The delays we had threatened to really mess up the schedule for the unloaders but incredibly they worked with us and came out on a Sunday on Labor Day weekend when we called to say we were in town! Nice guys!!!

I have a great big craft room that I have managed to stuff full! LOL it will be fun making it really "work" as I go along but basically I'm set up! including a place to leave my "photo studio" area set up full time.  I am especially excited about this so that spontaneous card making for challenges etc. will be a breeze now : ) The picture is really distorted because I took a "Pano" with my phone but these panoramic images are neat! my sister showed me how to take them - now I'm a "Pano" addict! giggles



This is by far our favorite place in the whole house! A climate controlled sun room stretches along the entire back of the house.  We are taking all of our meals out there and lots of breaks in between.    We planned to buy a new living room set when we got here but instead we are shopping for rugs and plants and a nicer table and chairs for this beautiful space.  There are tons and tons of sliding windows with removable shade screens.  It is incredible really. I could just live out there full time LOL

I didn't mean to lie when I said all our surprises were happy ones! Actually as far as the house is concerned it is true but about the second day we were here I went in to the garage to get in the car and a giant Wolf Spider was sitting on a 4' wooden crate just opposite the car.  I called my Knight in Shining Armor to come remove it! and he arrived with his protective armor and javelin!!

The thing is, what we didn't know - but now we do know, is that a characteristic of Wolf Spiders is that they jump! Hello!  This spider was about the size of the palm of my hand!  Well when "the javelin" came down the spider jumped.............. into the open window of the SUV! Gulp!!!  Yep! Welcome to the South West!!

I promised not to let this get too long by sharing the whole ordeal but even though a friend of mine suggested we set the car on fire! LOL we called for "Gloria" our exterminator, and current best friend, to come and........ exterminate!

Here is another Pano of our view from the back yard.  The distortion makes it look like these mountains are a long way away but really they are only about 4 or 5 miles at the closest part.  The sun rises behind these mountains but when the sun sets it casts such beautiful lighting and color and we call it our mini Grand Canyon.  When this picture was taken there was a storm over the mountains and we were treated to a beautiful shot of a rainbow.  I hope you can see it in the picture.

The landlords are having some construction done on the property right now so the grounds are in terrible need of WATER! but we easily overlook it in favor of the pretty view beyond.

That is it for me today.  Thank you for hanging in there with me : )

Have a wonderful day!
BIG (((HUGS)))

Simply Amazing!! : )

Today I want to share a sneak peek of a card I made as a Simplicity Sister for Penny Black.  Grab your sun glasses and join me on the Simplicity At It's Best Blog to have a look at my whole card! : )

BIG (((HUGS)))

Greetings from New Mexico!!

That's right! we are finally moved and working hard to get settled. Some aspects of the move went  perfectly! and some not so good but when we arrived at our new home, (seeing it for the very first time other than pictures), we were prepared for some disappointments.  I am thrilled to tell you ALL the surprises were happy ones! and we are feeling incredibly blessed.

The following is a post that I actually scheduled to go live on August 27th.  The thing about computers is that they are so ... so... LITERAL! giggles.  Just because I put in the schedule date as 9/27 instead of 8/27 you'd think , being computers are so smart!, that it would just know what I meant! LOL   I was pretty surprised to turn on my computer in my new crafty space only to realize my post never went live at all but was dutifully waiting for September 27th.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to read my, now stale, post and I promise to give you something fresh very soon!!

Thank you all for your support and prayers - we needed them and they were answered! We are here safe and very very happy!! : ) 

Just taking out a minute for a coffee break... or in my case a tea break! to show off my CAS card as a Penny Black Simplicity Sister! : )  These products make life as enjoyable as a steaming cup of your favorite brew!  Take your coffee break at the Simplicity at it's Best blog for some delicious eye candy to go with it!! giggles

Two paramedics were dispatched to check on a 92- year old man who had become disoriented.  They decided to take him to the hospital for evaluation.  En route with siren going the questioned the man to determine his level of awareness... leaning close one asked sir do you know what we’re doing right now?  The old man slowly looked up at him, then gazed out the window.  Oh he replied I’d say about 50 maybe 55.

Today the movers are coming to load up a truck! Bright and early tomorrow morning we will be headed to our new home in New Mexico! We are as tired as a couple of 60+ year olds can get and soooo ready for this to be over with!!  Everything has gone perfectly and we are excited to begin the next leg of our adventure!! : )

I am guessing that some time in the middle of October I will be back to blogging in full swing : ) I am itching to get out in Blogland to see what all of you have been up to but alas! after this post goes live I will be shutting down my computer for the move. eeeek! moving day is finally here!! : ) See you soon! and thanks a bunch for all your support and prayers!! : )


Penny Black Supplies:
51-375 Snowflake Stitched Frames
40-456 Saying a Latte!

BIG (((HUGS)))

BIG (((Hugs))) girls! - you called it!

When you all encouraged me that the God must have something better for us than the "dream house" we lost I tried to keep a stiff upper lip : ) but some days it was hard.  We had two different Property Management sites that we visited daily but there was just nothing that we loved.  Out of desperation we finally settled on a house that we didn't much care for but that met all of our immediate needs.  In the process of researching that property we stumbled on a home that was listed by a "regular" Real Estate company's Property Management division.

We almost couldn't believe our eyes!! It is a beautiful home on 5 acres with a magnificent view!!  Guess what the street is.... Calle de Paz which means Street of Peace in Spanish! is that COOL! or what!?! God not only gave us a FAR BETTER home to live in He reminded us that He has gone before us to prepare a path of peace : ) all we need to do is receive it. Wow!!

Dog not included

Thank you all for your wonderful words of encouragement.  And thank you to everyone who has been able to join my Linky Party.  You all truly do bless my socks off! and continually put BIG smiles on my face!!  I love blogland and each one of the wonderful, kind and loving friends I have made here.

Now for the winner of my blog candy.....

Verna of VA's Creative Clutter blog

List Randomizer

There were 12 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. 1
2. 12
3. 6
4. 4
5. 3
6. 7
7. 10
8. 5
9. 8
10. 9
11. 2
12. 11

IP: 69.77.193.86
Timestamp: 2018-08-07 04:06:14 UTC

Verna's prize is eight brand new - in the package NBUS stamps from my FAVORITE stamp company, Penny Black, of course : ) Because I have already packed up my photography studio I am linking to each of the stamp sets on Penny Black's store. One of the stamps, Sweet Nativity, is discontinued so I was unable to link it.

Congratulations Verna : )

40-028 Decorate the Season

40-263 Little Ele Kit

40-265 Little Elf Ava

40-089 Little Elf Mim

40-034 Carolling Penguins

40-076 Nature's Best

40-087 Holly Tree

I have waited up to select a winner and write this post but now I'm off to bed! We are leaving for WI to watch our granddaughter get married! where DOES the time go!!

Have a wonderful week : )  and thank you again!

BIG (((HUGS)))

I need some pink in my life!

Hello friends : ) Thanks a bunch for visiting me today.  I am here to share a card I created to highlight some beautiful Penny Black product in a CAS way! : )

My Mojo has been missing in action so I turned to Blogland : )  this card was inspired by an old CAS(E) This Sketch challenge.  It seems that brown boxes have taken over my life and I just needed some PINK! I stamped my flowers directly to the card face and colored them with chalk.  Then I popped up a creatively cut panel on top and added my all time FAVORITE butterfly die cut - slathered on as much "Wink of Stella" as humanly possible and I felt better : )

Please visit Penny Black's Simplicity blog for more CAS inspiration from my talented DT mates.

This weekend I am having the BIGGEST garage sale of the century (ok maybe a slight exaggeration.) For months I have been sorting and preparing for this crazy event! Among a LOT of other things.....I have .... I have..... I can't tell you because it is embarrassing but I have "quite a few" paper crafting supplies to sell! I think we could pay off the house if I end up selling it all giggles!  don't worry I saved back a few things to make cards with LOL! Pray for us! I am prepared to do one more sale before we leave if I have to but I really hope I won't have to : )

I really need to slow down! The other day I was in a hurry to go outside… in my haste I ran into the screen door and strained myself! LOL 
 
Supplies by Penny Black:
30-481 Radiant
51-444 Flowing Butterflies

BIG (((HUGS)))

Blueberry Blossom time at Penny Black

Do you suppose there are flowers like this anywhere in the world? ...  I hope so : )

Please join me at the Penny Black Simplicity blog to see my whole card : )

Tell me... if you had to choose between tacos the rest of you life, or being skinny which would you choose?? ....Softshell or hardshell??

BIG (((HUGS)))

That's not funny! and some Blog Candy!!

Why did the strawberry cross the road?.....  

Because it’s Mom was in a jam

Hello friends this post is embarrassing to write!  Almost as soon as I posted that we had found THE perfect home in New Mexico we learned the owners were returning from overseas and would not be renting the home after all.

I had just finished packing up my entire crafty space too!!

I need some smiles friends can you help? 

I went searching on my computer for the picture of this funny card I created about 10 years ago.  My picture taking "studio" has improved with time so this picture is funky but I doctored up the lighting in Photoshop and it looks ok I guess. It makes me laugh and that is what I need most right now : )

I am extending an invitation to all my bloggy friends to join my pity party my Linky party!! Please post your fun and funny cards to make me laugh. Each entry comes with the chance to win my blog candy!! : )

The party will continue through August 6th.  I suspect I will need that many laughs once I resume my search for the "real" perfect home!! : ) I know God has a treasure in His pocket for us so, while we are disappointed, we acknowledge Him and know if that had actually been THE perfect home for us we'd be moving in to it : )

About the prize... : ) can you trust me? it'll be nice!! I have not decided if I will give away some of my treasured NBUS or if I will give away a gift certificate.  If the winner is out of the US then I am fairly certain it will be a gift certificate - simply for the ease in shipping.  Either way if you GOTTA know! I will come back and post a picture otherwise be excited and show me your funniest cards!

There is no limit to how many times you can enter.  The Linky will close at midnight MST on August 6th.

Thank you friends and thank you in advance for all the giggles!!

BIG (((HUGS)))

An InLinkz Link-up

Have a Great Day Sisters!

Hello friends I hope you are having a great day! As a Penny Black "Simplicity Sister" I am honored to share a card today using products exclusively from Penny Black.

Last month I received a beautiful birthday card in my mailbox from a sweet friend, Birgit, of Crafting While I Wait blog.  I love it and decided to CASE it  : ) Here is Birgit's card:

Here is my take on her beautiful card:

I drew inspiration from the blue sky day outside the window on Birgit's card.  It was easy peasy with Penny Black's new Window die.  Thank you so much Birgit for the inspiration!

Supplies by Penny Black:
51-443 Art Deco Window
51-428 Floral Arrangement
30-283 Snippets

Ok, Vikki..... So why don’t they play poker in the jungle?.........  Too many cheetahs! giggles

I am excited to share that we have found a home in New Mexico! : ) All my careful planning is paying off as we approach our moving day.  We are seriously torn between wanting to be settled in our new home and not wanting to leave our Mexican friends who have become family! but there is no turning back now : )

Before I go I wanted to FINALLY share pictures of my picture taking set up that blogland's friend Jeanne of Creative Bliss asked me about way back in April. As you can see it is nothing fancy at all! but the success I have with my images has a lot to do with the lights we use.  I tried to get a good shot of the company name in case anyone wants to look into getting something like this.

I punched the holes in this shade myself because without them we were afraid the lights would get too hot and shorten the life of the bulbs.  It worked great!

I hope these images help you in some way.  Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

I still have lots to do to get ready but I want to say - thank you for visiting me : ) I have been blessed by so many people who have kept in touch with me even though I have been gone from blogland so much!! A couple more months and I will be settled in my new crafty space!! I can hardly wait!  Don't give up on me I'll be back!

Last but certainly NOT least please please please consider a visit to Penny Black's Simplicity Blog for oodles of CAS inspiration!

BIG (((HUGS)))