Rest Stop from the Road Trips

Hello my friends and blogging buddies! I've missed you.

We are home for only a couple of days between road trips - to do laundry, read mail, do some yard maintenance, etc. We'll be back on the road before we know it. Logging in lots of miles.

I quickly put together this card (I've missed my crafting time!) for the current Paper Smooches Sparks challenge "Anything Goes".  The hungry gator actually took a bite out of the card. He sure looks guilty. Silly, eh?

Unfortunately, I will not get to checking in on your blogs for another couple of weeks. I can't wait to see the paper magic you've created.

Until then, I sure hope you are having a fabulous summer - happy trails!

Zumba!

A friend who is in my Zumba class is having a birthday. She and I are on a similar weightloss/ health/fitness journey (and doing well, thanks!). 

This is the fun card I made her using Art Impressions stamps and some great My Minds Eye paper. Makes me want to dance! The inside says "Keep Calm and ZUMBA On!"

I am submitting this to Art Impressions current "Twine Time" Challenge. Check it out and play along!

Thanks for looking in - hope you are having a wonderful week.

Stamps: Art Impressions - Golden Oldies Party Group, UMU1552; Girlfriends, UMF3572
Paper: My Minds Eye - Indie Chic, Saffron

Grand Dame

I am crazy for Art Impressions stamps and I try to play their challenges when I can. The current one is to use flowers - at least five of them - in a card. I just got this cute and sassy Zoo Crew Elephant Set (4191) and knew it would be perfect for a twisted easel card.

She's got flowers on her dress and on her hat and I embellished the card with flowers I made with some yummy felt I got from "My Favorite Things" and their Die-Damics Mini Rolled Roses Die.

Yep, another one that is slightly over the top, eh?


I sure hope your week is going well!

Thanks for the visit!

Stamps: Art Impressions Zoo Crew, "Elephant Set"; Hero Arts "Sending Love"

Dies: Spellbinders Circles, Die-Namics Mini Rolled Roses", Sizzix "Flowers and Leaves", Hero Arts "Small Tag Frame"

Paper: My Mind's Eye "Lost and Found - Blush" 6 x 6 pad

Felt: My Favorite Things

Window Under the Ocean

We returned from our 4th of July adventure early because it was just too stinkin' hot - but we had lots of fun. I didn't mind because I had been thinking about the challenge at Paper Smooches Sparks featuring this glorious underwater photo.

So, okay - maybe the heat got to me. Clean and simple this is NOT! But I had so much fun. It has been years since I made a diorama card. I had to sharpen my math and fussy cutting skills!


This card is three layers of oceanic goodness. The top panel is the shore, with some real sand (thanks, Hubby!). The center panel has an acetate window to allow for the 3-D effect of the fishes swimming around - and there is a rusty old anchor submerged in the sand. The back panel has the super-friendly whale saying "Huge Thanks".

This is difficult to photograph, so I hope you can understand and see it. It even folds flat for mailing!

Thanks for splashing by and have a wonderful week!
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Surf and Turf, Wicked Nauticool

A Red, White and Blue Birthday

I have a dear friend who shares a birthday with our country! Yep, she was born on the 4th of July, making her a Yankee-Doodle Dandy.

I made her this star-spangled card using Tim Holtz's Birthday Blueprint. I especially love these stamps because they bring back memories of the years I studied architecture.

I paper pieced it using scraps from my bin and added some glitter pens, brads, Stickles, some stick-on stars and a Hero Arts sentiment (Many Birthday Messages). Love that glittery red paper!

Looks like I still have time to enter this in the Simon Says Stamp "Anything Goes" Challenge, so I shall.

We are headed out for another week. I have switched to Feedly with the demise of Google Reader (but I also have a sidebar button for bloglovin') - I'll see you there and then!

Happy 4th to my USA readers and Happy Canada Day! And blessings to you all.

Monster Adventure

Hello, my friends! We had lots of fun while out of town and we are home just a few days before we head back out for the 4th of July week. Hope you are all well - I have seriously missed you and your blogs.

I am taking a moment to post this card for a really special gal named Michelle who has been a lifeguard at my YMCA. She is responsible, fun, creative and an all-around amazing young lady. She is heading to Europe to teach English and follow her dreams!



I chose this critter by Paper Smooches because Michelle draws the cutest little characters. In fact - news flash - she may soon be launching a stamp company featuring her very own designs! Another Yay! Watch here for future details.

This is one of my favorite recent cards - I think the photo frame came out pretty cool. I will enter it in the infamous Simon Says Stamp "Anything Goes Challenge" but, the odds are pretty crazy with that.

Thanks for the peek and have a great week!

Stamps: Paper Smooches-Falling For You, Sentiment Sampler, He Said She Said; Hero Arts-International Skyline

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Card for Maddy

We are heading out of town again (retirement is such fun!), but I wanted to be sure that you were aware of this great effort.

I learned of the card drive for Maddy on the Simon Says Stamp site and from my pals Lin and Robin.

Please check it out and join in.
Maddy is one courageous and full-of-spunk girl. She and her family have been through so many trials. It would be wonderful to overwhelm them with cards and good wishes.

I figured that this card is guaranteed to bring a smile. It is sure pink and girlie!

Thanks so much for the visit. I hope you have a good week and pass the word about this special card drive.

Stamps: Paper Smooches Party Pals, Houndstooth, First Aid Kit
Papers: Stampin' Up
Other: Pebbles Candy Dot, vintage sequins, googly eyes

Re-tired

I sure hope you had a great weekend! We did, and it was not only fun-packed, but it was a long one.

A friend of mine recently retired and I made her this funky card. I wouldn't normally post it (it isn't one of my finest!), but it is perfect for the current challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog for "Transport".

The clear stamp set is one I picked up at a used stamp sale and it has no identification, so I can't give the proper credit.

Just a crazy little way to start the week! Hope yours is a good one!

Dies: Spellbinders Banner Basics Three, Die-Namics Fresh Cut Grass

Jump for Joy!

One of the best things about blogging is the connections I have made. I have gotten to "know" so many wonderful, supportive and talented gals who share my passion. I know that I could walk right into the craft studios of my blogging buddies and feel right at home - laughing, creating and chatting for hours!

One of those gals inspired this card. Robin was one of my very first contacts on the Hero Arts Flickr Group, where she was an official hostess.  She is an amazing and gifted person - she's a whiz at card-making, especially featuring super-cute scenes (this is one of my favs), plus she has such a loving heart. I am going to meet up with her someday, for sure. Thanks, Robin!

The rolled roses on this card were made with some yummy felt that Robin sent to me. And that is me, jumping for joy at how cute they turned out! Actually, this is "Happy Pauline" from Art Impressions, but it is a pretty close match to this old gal.

I am submitting this to the current Art Impressions challenge to use brads or eyelets. I used the sweetest tiny little brads for a pop of color.

Thanks so much for the visit. We are heading to the Napa Valley again - darn it! Ha! Hope to catch up with you when we return. Have a great weekend.

Stamps: Art Impressions Happy Pauline
Dies: Spellbinders Wonky Rectangles, Die-namics Mini Rolled Roses, Sizzix Flowers and Leaves
paper: My Mind's Eye, The Sweetest Thing - Tangerine