A Happy Day

My SIL and her BF became engaged recently, and although it took my two weeks to get a card made, I finally did.

I must admit that I did have to get the card back to take a picture of it.... You would think I was busy with Christmas, or some such thing!

I must give a shout out to Fay and say thank you from one Sistah to another for the great gifties as my Secret Sistah....I used some of the pack of papers she sent me to make this delicious card! I am hoarding the rest of the things she sent - well, except for the YUMMY Jr. Mints.....

The images on the card are from two SU sets - ink is from CTMH - sentiment is hand written....

Thanks for stopping by on this New Year's Eve Day. I wish everyone prosperity in the new year - along with health and happiness!!

Huggz,
April

PHEWWW....

I certainly hope that you have all survived the Christmas Holy-day!

It was so nice to spend the day with family and friends.  It is always an exciting time of year within our family.  A year ago, the cousins in the family decided to get together more often!  Monday is THE day! 

Hopefully, I will be down from my carb induced high so that I can enjoy all the food that will be abundant there!

To celebrate today, I share with you a card showcasing one of Deedee's Digis!  This is Away in the Manager and it truly shows off the meaning of Christmas.  PSST...by the way, it is on sale for a dollar (yep, $1) until the end of the month!!  And, as a bonus, this card fits in to the challenge over at Deedee's this week to show the true meaning of Christmas!!

May your days be filled with the Joy of the Season - HE truly is the Reason!!

Huggz,
April

It's not a MYSTERY any longer....

I must confess, I swap with THE most awesome group of crafters!  Together we decided to 'mystery' swap.  One person would pick an image or embellie, or whatnot, send it to the group and everyone would make and send back four cards to the hostess.

This time around, I was the hostess.  What was I thinking?  Having a swap due during the holidays?? 

Needless to say, the swap is now due and I am about to swap them out (don't worry, it won't be til after Christmas, because I am cookie making and gift wrapping up until then).

So, anywho....here's my version of the Mystery Swap.  This is In the Spotlight Anya (she was the mystery image) and the mystery embelly was the flowered tape you see across the bottom of my card (this item could be used however the swapper wanted).

Thanks for stopping in during this busy time!
Huggz,
April

Creative Cowgirls' Hop

Christmas is only a week away (eee gads!!) and we have decided to show off some Christmas spirit with the help of Prairie Fairy.  They were nice enough to gift us the image I used on today's card!!  Everyone should take a trip on over there also to see their many great images.

The sponsor of today's hop is Crafty Ribbons.  I love their product and wish I could win this wonderful box!!

I hope you came here from Ang's blog and will continue on to Bettina's blog!  And don't forget to leave some love everywhere you go - including back at the Challenge Blog!  Also, be sure to link up your Christmas or Winter creations while you are there!

Thanks for stopping in today!
Huggz,
April

TA -DA

Two posts in two days....I am amazing myself....lol

Actually, I am proud of myself - I think it means that I am finally getting back in the swing of things!  And, I am proud of myself and elated at the same time!

Today, I am showing you a card showcasing an image from Deedee's Digis (Beauty of the Season) and it follows the great challenge over there this week!

Forgive my pictures....until I have 'my' puter back, the photo editing software leaves a bit to be desired....lol

Did you figure out the challenge....how'd I do??

Thanks for stopping by - I hope to see you tomorrow too!!

Huggz,
April

DDDD

An extra D this month - it is for
December Dueling Darling Dazzlers

Terry was our hostess this month - and I hate to admit this, but somewhere in the move I lost the deets on all the goodies she sent....Truthfully, I could ask, but I'd rather you checked out the other wonderful cards for this month from the Duelers.....

Here's a list, so you can check them out and leave them love!

   Dazzlers                    Divas

April (me)                   Barb

   Debbie                      Carol

 Jeanette                       Jamie

  Melina                         Joan

 Michelle                       Judy

    Paola                         Kelly

 Terry                           LJ

I adore this image (I do know that it is from Stampin Up) and she sent the most darling papers - of which I just used one.  The buttons and snowflakes are from her too....

I must admit, I have enough goodies left over to make at least another card and maybe even another project of some sort.... THANX TERRY

Hellllloooo

Is anybody out there?

I am so sorry - been MIA....do you think this is what everyone means by tis the season?

I don't have a card yet today, but wanted to show you some of what has kept me sooo busy this past week or so....

SANTA came to town and I was the resident photographer....

My son in the top picture was trying to coerce EK into talking with Santa....as you can see, it just didn't happen!  We can only hope for next year....lol

I'll be back soon with a new creation for you all!

Thanks for hanging in thru my move and computer problems....
Huggz,
April

Hi Everybody!

While it seems to all of my cyber friends that I have fallen off the face of the Earth, again....in fact, I have been unpacking boxes and getting organized.  Life is evening out and that is a good thing!

Today I have a card featuring an image from Deedee's Digis!  I used Hopeful Heart to make a pin for my girlfriend!  She recently had a bit of a scare and while we were waiting for test results, I sent her this card.

I printed out the digi on shrink plastic, colored it with my Bic's and after baking it in the oven adhered a pin backer to it.  I attached it to the white circle and just tucked it under my other circles so it just pulls right off the card.  This ribbon is sparkly and I added a few gold tone rhinestones for some added bling.

Thanks for checking in with me today!
Huggz,
April

Good Morning~

Hi everyone - just a quick post to show you one of the many cards that I sent out yesterday for swaps.  AND, a big shout out saying SORRY for being late. 

Here is that Jolly Old Elf on a cute little 3 by 3 card that is going to Barb's swap.  My friend, Carol, gifted me Santa, so I can't tell you who made him, but I colored him with my Bic's and added a bit of holiday ribbon along with three red pearl halves!

Sorry that you can see my mess in the background~

Have a great day!
Huggz,
April

Here it is....

Is everyone as excited as I am?

I found enough craft supplies to finish up cards for Barb's Whipper Snapper Christmas swap.....

I am sorry that I cant tell you exactly what I used for him, but at least I have some new craftiness on my blog!

Huggz to all,
April

Nope, I haven't....

fallen off the face of the Earth, but it feels like it.....

We have officially moved and now we are getting to the unpacking....

Bear with me ~ there will be a new post up here, with a card made and everything, on Monday!!

Huggz,
April

Happy Monday

Good Morning Friends~

Real quick post to show you a card I made for a friends anniversary!

The images are from Deedee's Digis; colored with my Copics.  I used a Fiskar's border punch and some pearls as embellies.

Speaking of Deedee's Digis - for those of you who hopped thru this past weekend, my lucky winner was

Kathy Czygan!

Thanks for stopping, sorry that this is so short - packing away our place for a move at the end of the week, so I am just happy to get something up here~

Creative Cowgirls Challenge

After much debate, I decided that I was going to rejoin the girls from the Posse to work with them on a fully sponsored challenge blog.  This week, our sponsor is

They have offered up some great images for us to use!

And,

is offering the WINNER the "All My Heart" Stamp Set

Top 3 will each receive an image from

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you will stop by the challenge blog to see what has been created for your viewing pleasure and to offer up inspiration!

OOPS!

Guess you might want to see my card....lol....

I was treated to some awesome western scenery.

I printed it twice, colored it up with my Bic Mark Its and made a scene worthy of a western movie!

The paper is all from my scrap file and I inked the edges with Cocoa ink from CTMH.

I chose to use no bling, but did use multiple layers to bring dimension to my card.

Thanks for stopping,

Huggz,

April

Tis Better to Give Blog Hop

The holiday season is upon us -- a blessed time of love and laughter, precious moments spent with family, good food aplenty, and, for many of us, gifts and giving. Now, we can almost hear the chorus of groans at that last part -- LOL! Yes, holiday gift giving can be stressful, especially when budgets are tight, gift lists are long, and the pressure is on to "shop 'til you drop." Well, we of the Deedees Digis design team firmly believe that gift-giving should be a joyful experience all the way around. That's why we have come together today to share with you some ideas of fabulous gifts that you can make, so that your gifts this year are meaningful, affordable, and hopefully as stress-free as possible. Join us today on our blog hop as we show you why "'tis better to give" -- because not only will you have fun giving these gifts, but making them as well! :-)

If this is your first stop on the hop, be sure to visit the Crafting with Deedee's Digis blog, where you will find the directions for the hop, a chance to win the grand prize of a $15 credit to our store, AND a little gift for you!

Since our theme this hop is such a 'giving' one, I decided to make the favors for Kyle's holiday sledding party. Last year, a girl in his class had a 'party' at a local sledding hill and that is where the idea came from for a special winter day this season. We will be inviting his class and a few other special friends and cousins and Mike (my DH) and I will chaperone an afternoon of winter fun. The great part is that we will take the camping stove and heat kettles of water for cocoa (to go with some homemade cookies and snacks)! My project showcases their 'mugs' everyone will be able to take home with them!

I was going to make my own template, when I said "Hello - check the internet"!  I found a great template at Mirkwood Designs and it worked so well that I didn't even need to modify it because of the size of my cocoa mix. Gotta love that! I used Picasa to add the sentiment from Snowy Sentiments to the image from Let it Snow. I also added the greeting using this software. I printed in as a 4 by 6 and then cropped it down to the size I needed. This idea would all work great with the Just Chillin' and Warm Wishes sets!!

I colored the image with my Bics and then just added a bit of snow highlight with my white gel pen; and added a sequined snowflake and a clear rhinestone to the top of that - TA DA - easy peasy. The steam coming from the cocoa is just ric rac stapled to the top of the cocoa mix which is in this adorable mug! [FYI - the red background is just that; printed as the background to my little collage thru Picasa.]

Your next stop on the hop is CEAL!

Before you leave, please be sure to leave me a comment in order to be entered to win a free digi of your choice from the Deedee's Digis store! You have until 12 noon Eastern Time on Sunday to comment. All winners will be announced on Monday at Crafting with Deedee's Digis -- be sure to check back then to see if you've won. Thanks so much for joining us today, and happy holidays to you!

Huggz,
April

It's COMING

Hope you will all

STOP BY

on Friday

for

Who doesn't love a

BLOG HOP?

and a

FREEBIE?

Stop back Friday to see the inspiration from

the DT at Deedee's Digis!

Huggz,

April

Terrific Tuesday

Today I went for a bit of a non-traditional card. I live in an apartment and have the nicest neighbors. I try to change the decoration on my door with the season and this week I put up one to celebrate Thanksgiving, which is quickly approaching!!

I used two great items from the Deedee's Digis store ~ the image from Bountiful Blessings and one of the great verses from Words of Thanksgiving. The cornucopia is popped up above the fancy oval I put through my Cuttlebug. Since the challenge this week at Deedee's is to use the lovely late Autumn colors of red, yellow and brown, I used those as my primary papers - the DP is from my box o' paper and I no longer know that manufacturer. I colored the cornucopia with my Bics! There are two buttons holding my ribbon to my project and a floppy bow to hold it on my door. I will probably re-work the bow, but am not very good at them, so we will see...lol

Thanks for stopping here - I hope you are working on your challenge project, as we 'speak'. Deedee's Digis is sponsoring the challenge (Buttons and Bows) over at Tuesday Throwdown, so stop by there and see some more inspiration!

Huggz,
April

The Dazzlers are DUELING the Divas....again!

I need to give a shout out to Michelle for sending us (the Dazzlers) a wonderful kit this month!!

Our theme this month is so appropriate - "Thanksgiving/Gratitude".
The challenge is to tell you about the person who inspired you to make the card; someone we are grateful for!

The card kit included:
Image: DRS Designs on Neenah Solar Crest white
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black
DP: The pumpkin and vine...is Graphic 45, Polka dot...Making Memories
Ribbon and Hemp: Michaels
Buttons: Creatology
Leaves: Recollections (Boutique Fleur Mulberry paper)


Now, do you want me to show you the card first, or tell you the story?

Since I feel like teasing you today....

I made this card with my forest friends in mind.  I am grateful for all the love and support they send my way, despite not ever meeting me in real life!  What more can a girl ask for?  Now, I need to tell you that I am not going to send this to any of these great friends...I am going to hang on to it and cherish it and the memories that inspired me to make it.

Thanks for stopping by today and letting me tease you before showing off my creation!
Stop by the other Darlings today and see what that have made to go with this month's theme!

Dazzlers              Divas

April (me)           Barb

Debbie              Carol

Jeanette           Jamie

Melina             Joan

Michelle             Judy

Paola                Kelly

Terry                  LJ

Huggz,
April

Attitude - with a capital A

Yep, I've got it....

My dear friend Paola handed out this award to me yesterday....and I gratefully accepted it!

I'm not sure I have had the 'right' attitude lately, but sure have had one....lol

To accept, I need to tell you three, yep three, little known facts about myself....hmmmm...
{Like any of you really want to know these things about me}
1.  I've always wanted to bungy jump.
2.  I will read just about anything and everything - with the exception of historic fiction.  And, don't talk to me while I have my nose in the book (or, maybe do talk to me b/c I will agree to most anything)
3.  I give most of the cards I receive in swaps away to my church.  The sunshine committee is so grateful for them that how could I not??

I now need to pass this award on....hmmm (as EK would say)....

Danie

LJ

Joan

Jenn

Tammy

Have you ever...

...gotten a new image and colored it?...and colored it again?...and well, you get the idea....

Faith over at Delightful Inspiration designed an adorable little angel -Kaela- and it was her freebie (you know the drill, if you had participated in her progressive you received it free to use this week) today.

I have colored Kaela a few different ways, but only got one card done of her.

Isn't she adorable?  My husband will not look at her; she has no mouth and that really bugs him...lol.  She looked like a Christmas Angel colored like this, so I dug out a scrap of holly paper and added a big bow.  As my son noted (he's 11), I won't be mailing this one is a plain envelope!

Thanks for stopping by!

In case you were wondering what else I was working on today, there is a new challenge blog starting up.  Many of the former Posse members have come together to work on a fully sponsored challenge blog.  Many great companies have stepped and offered us images to work with and we couldn't be more excited!  We hope you will join us on the 19th for our first challenge!

Have a great weekend,
Huggz,
April

TWO-day....

Okay... you aren't going to see two right now - hopefully, you already checked out my earlier post featuring "Harvest Bounty" from Faith over at Delightful Inspiration.

That being said, here is my second post of the day and my number "TWO" card of the day.

This is my prototype for the two dozen Christmas cards I am making for our family this year.  The image is "Prancer" from Shelly's Images.  The cardstock is from SU - Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke.  I colored the wreath with my Bic MarkIt's and Prancer himself with chalk; and his antlers with my son's colored pencils.  I won him a bit ago, have had him colored up, but hadn't put the card together until today!

Thanks for checking out my craftiness today!!
Huggz, April

What a deliciously delightful Tuesday

Today I am sharing with you a card using the last freebie from Faith over at Delightful Inspiration!  This is her 'Harvest Basket."  Isn't it full of all the great veggies that will sustain us through the winter??  I love the autumn months because all of the images are so 'colorable'.  Don't you agree?

I have used my scraps of DP and CS and some left over rhinestones for the embellies!! 

It was a fun card to put together and I want to THANK you all for the love you share with me!!  It has been a hard start to the month, but feel like a huge weight is off my shoulders.  Life is turning around for our family and there are so many reasons to PTL!!

Happy Tuesday and I will see y'all tomorrow!!
Huggz,
April

A Sunday Quickie

Just a quick little post because I want to show you the card I made for the Teddy Stampers blog hop!  I must admit that I hadn't heard of the Teddy Stampers until joining the Design Team over at Deedee's Digis, but wowhee what cute cards these stampers make.  I do love me a teddy or two....in fact, my favorite SIL collects Boyd Bears and I am always thinking of her when I see such cuties!

This card uses Deedee's newest bear - Beary Happy Birthday.  I colored him up with my Bic's and tried to make his fur look a bit layered - like a favorite teddy would be worn.  It's great that digis at Deedee's come with sentiments, inked (CTMH) around the edges ; and I used two on this card!!  The paper is from Sandy Lion and the pearl dots are from Michael's.

Thanks for stopping by today!
Huggz,
April

Friday, finally.....

Well, after the week from H*E*double hockey sticks, it is Friday.  And that means turkey raffle tonight....

Sound like fun?  Nah, I don't think so either....so I am sending my DH with my FIL and foregoing the experience.

Think I will stay home and make a card or two....actually, I will probably be coloring my images for my Christmas cards....I need to get crackin'~

Here is one I made this afternoon.

It features a wonderful digi from Deedee's called Little Miracles!  Have you stopped over and taken advantage of her sale?  You should....lots of fun at a little price!!

This was colored with my Bic's and faux stitched with my gel pen.  I used two flowers from my stash, as well as a piece of white grosgrain ribbon.  The single dragonfly was made sparkly with some glitter glue!  I love the contrast between the orange and the purple!!

Thanks for stopping by!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Huggz,
April

It's been one of those weeks!

I truly don't like to vent here, but my week started out truly cruddy and my crafting mojo went out the door with the warm fall weather. 
Then I was struck a blow when I learned that someone I thought was honest and trustworthy in the crafting community shut the door on not only me, but a whole design team and community.  To say the least, everyone should own up to their own mistakes.  It is the least a person can do and lets honest people (for example, ME) remain honest.  I guess my only mistake was trusting the wrong person in this whole episode.  I do apologize, not for the culprit, but for possibly, unwittingly, using an image that was not legally one I could use.
To top my week off, my husband, who has been jobless for over a year, and I decided that we just can't stay in our apartment for another year and have made the very hard decision to move in with his father.  This won't been an easy move for my husband, or I; but will be VERY hard for our son.  I thank God for finding us a way to keep our heads above water.  While it hasn't been an easy decision, we know that it is one we were meant to make.

Okay, done with that - basically, I hope you all skipped my tirade and moved straight to this nifty card!
I have used a digi from Deedee's Digi, Warm Wishes, and followed her Happy Monday Challenge, which can be found HERE.  It's a great sketch, and I am not sure I did it justice.  (I did tweak it just a bit.)It is actually a very nice card IRL, but didn't translate well in the photo.  The paper was all scraps - I believe that they were from the Dollar Store to begin with....lol.  That's how long I have had them.  The tag was gifted to me and I added a hole on the bottom so that I could run the ribbon through both ends.  The sentiment comes with the digi (I love, love, love that about Deedee).  The ribbon was from Big Lots and the gems were leftovers - think Michael's brand, to tell you the truth!

Thanks for stopping by!
And for letting me vent!  I will tell you the truth ~ I feel so much better just venting....

Huggz,
April

ps~ I forgot to mention that when you stop in to Deedee's Digis, you MUST check out her sale!!!

Stocking Stuffer for TUC

Dawn over in my Tangled Up in Creativity Blog Group hosted this week's challenge.
It was to make a stocking stuffer.  I hope this qualifies, LOL

Here is Rudolph the cinnamon candy holder!  He is made with a heart punch, and an SU! punch using just the bird's feather and the branch. I punched the single leaf in the brown and the pink; and overlapped opposite ends to make the ears.  The branch has one of the leaves trimmed to make the antlers.  It is just adhered on to the tube filled with the imperials and then tied with a red ribbon!

Thanks for stopping by!
Huggz,
April

Bling It On!

You all know that I am the CAS Queen....

But,

This week's challenge at Cowgirl Up is to do it up with BLING.

I am using an image from Delicious Doodles, our sponsor this week.

And, it was perfect timing ~ I have three birthdays coming up with a week or so of each other - and the all deserve a piece of cake!!

The card is in my simple style.  I actually used some fun red prisma sticker paper that has been hanging around with some textured white from Bazzill.  The bling is from Michael's - their brand that can be found in the dollar bin....Since I needed three sets, I didn't feel bad hunting for them....lol.  The image was colored with my Bic's and the sentiment is SU! 

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you all get to play along with the Posse on the Cowgirl's Sunday Stampen' Challenge.  The deets are HERE (along with what you can win if you are chosen).

Huggz,
April

Delightful....

I am on the ball this week with the challenge over at Delightful Inspiration....Faith has an adorable set of images out this week.  Who doesn't like a giraffe, or two??

I am going to save this card to send to one of my on line friends.  She tells the BEST stories....always fun going on at her house and boy do they make me geegle....LOL

The DP is from Memory Makers, the CS is from my left overs, metal dots were a gifty and the 'buckle' is a punch!  I used one of Faith's suggested sentiments and made it more of the focal point, but love how the giraffes set everything off!

Sorry this is so short, but you wouldn't believe the things the family needs to do today to get ready for Halloween (tomorrow) and Trick or Trunk (this afternoon)!

Thanks for stopping by~
Huggz,
April

What a Fantastic Friday!

I have been feeling a bit under the weather this week....ugh, but I did get off my butt to make a card using this adorable image from Deedee's Digis.  The challenge this week is to use a leaf (or leaves) on your card.  This time of year, it seems that all my leaves have blown off the trees ~ hopefully, into the yard next door!

This adorable bear is doing his best to gather up my leaves....making a perfect card for either my neighbors or the boys on the street that love to make HUGE piles and, you guessed it, jump in them!

The card stock is from my never ending pile, the orange metal dots were gifted to me by my friend Terry, the leaves/branches are from a SU! punch, and I used this weeks sketch challenge over at SCS.  Oh, and I colored up Mr. Bear with my Bic's!!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Please think about entering the great challenge over at Deedee's (always a fun time, if I do say so myself)!

Huggz,
April

A Quickie....

Under the gun to get a card made for the progressive challenge over at Delightful Inspiration.  Trust me, it wasn't the image which was giving me a hard time, but rather the weather brought me a bit of a cold - and blew my crafting mojo out the door to boot!

But, after having this un-scary bear colored up for the better part of the week; I sure wasn't not going to make a card  with him!

So, here it is!

The paper is all scraps (I will get my pile manageable by the end of the year), I used an SU! punch for the border and the the flower die cuts were a gift from my friend Sheena ( I added the orange sparkly brad).  I figure that I can add a sentiment when I decide who is to receive this darling bear!

Thanks for stopping by!
Huggz,
April

It's Mystery Tuesday

Mother Nature is at it again.  Where is my Indian Summer?  It is supposed to get to 70 today, but the rain is supposed to stay with us throughout the week....ugh...that is all I really have to say about it!

My card is a perfect representation of Indian Summer (and I finally get to show it off).

This is for a Mystery Swap over on SCS.  A group of us are doing a monthly swap where we all use a mystery image (or embellie, or designer paper).  I love this stamp ~ Fred Bear Goes Camping ~ from My Favorite Things.  This swap was the brainchild of Jeanette (Forest Ranger) and she is who decided on the image to use (it will travel thoughout the swap, be on the lookout for my turn - you will see the results in December of my pick).

This was a lot of fun....can't wait to get them back and start creating the cards for the next round....until then, get out your magnifying glasses and look for clues in our Mystery Swap!!

Huggz,
April

Monday, again...

I am running on slow speed today....can't seem to get it together!

I finally finished a card over the weekend that had been giving me trouble.  I am in a monthly swap where each hostess comes up with a theme, and by the end of the month mails it to the hostess...  I am usually right on the ball, but this month the theme was "Nautical"....ugh!

So, no more chatting....here it is:

Thanks for stopping by today!
Huggz to all!
April


ps~ Don't forget to stop by Deedee's to see if you won here and thru out the bloghop!!

Thankful Thoughts

Happy Friday! 

I sure hope you have stopped over from Deedee's!  We are having a hop this fine Friday!  And our theme is

"Thankful Thoughts!" 

It is a great time of year to celebrate the things that we are thankful for.  God's bounty is visible in not only the crops and changing of the seasons, but in the beautiful food we prepare for our families this time of year.  When our loved ones and friends are far away, we create beautiful objects to let others know how thankful we are for them to be in our lives.

 Please join us today as we express our thankful thoughts through papercrafting. We hope our projects will inspire you to share some thankful thoughts of your own. Here's how the hop works:

To participate, visit each of the participating designers' blogs to see a fun project using one of our digis, and leave a comment on their post for a chance to win a free digi of your choice from our store! You have until 12 noon ET on Sunday to comment. Each of us will choose a winner Sunday evening, and they will be announced on Monday on the Crafting Blog. Please be sure to check back to see if you have won!  To make it easy for you, here is the list of designers! 

April
Ceal
Darsie
Deedee
Jerusha
Kathy
Kelly
Lawren
Melissa
Michele
Robin
Sandy
Deedee is also giving away a $15 store credit, so make sure to leave a comment over there!  And, did you pick up your freebie from Deedee?  It's a little token of appreciation from her (and us); a show of thanks for how supportive you are to us all in our crafting journey....

Your next stop is Ceal's blog....hop on over there!

OOPS!

I almost forgot to show you my card!  I went a little out of season, but wanted to make something for my BFF to let her know how much she means to me.  We have been friends for our 'forever.'  And, I am not talking just the good times!  We have shared those, but also our heartbreaks and disappointments!  No matter how close or far we live to one another our thoughts and prayers are with the other.  She truly is my BFF.

My card uses Ladybug Hugs and also includes a detachable bookmark!  (We are both readers, so she is lucky to be getting this, since I fell in love with it after it was complete!)  The paper is from my never-ending box that I bought sight unseen from a SCS friend (HI SAM) and the ribbon was from the dollar bin at Mike's.  The flowers I have had forever and it is a generic brad holding them together.  I printed the image twice and used it on both the front and the bookmark.  One of the extra ladybugs was colored and cut out so I could add it to the front sentiment.  It is also popped up with a small dimensional.  The inside was left completely blank so that I have a lot of room for my hand-written message!!

Thanks for stopping by - I truly am THANKFUL for all the love found throughout these crafty blogs!

Huggz,
April

Tuesday Temptation

Faith over at Delightful Inspiration has an ongoing challenge.  Each week, if you use the previous week's freebie you get the next one.  It starts the first week of every month, but if you miss a week you can purchase the current image so that you can play along.  I try my best to stay on top of this one - her digi's are a lot of fun to color up and have such uplifting messages.

This week, Beautiful Blessing is the digi to use.  I went a bit minimalist on this one.  I think the flowers say what needs to be said on this one.  All cs/dp/etc is leftover from other projects.  {{I have been watching Hoarders, so am making a conscientious effort to purge and use much of my stuff!}}

Thanks for stopping by!
Huggz,
April

Marvelous Monday

Well, I survived the weekend!! OH YEAH!

We went mining....I know, you are thinking the I went underground with my pick axe and bucket; wearing my hard hat and carrying a lantern....  NOPE, in New York we mine for Herkimer Diamonds.  You can check out Wiki here to see what they are.  The fact of the matter is that you want to chip away at the hillside and hope full find a pocket full of them.  In reality, this doesn't happen nearly as much as a person would like.  There are (supposedly) tell tale markings so that you know what to look for.  I was with my family - this was a Boy Scout outing.  They troop leader loved using the sledge hammer to help me along...finally I told him I was going to finesse it a bit and I came away with the biggest diamond of the day among us.

These are more like what you find.  You can slick on the pictures to get a better look at them!

No matter what, it was a good day, albeit a bit breezy.  It makes you happy for the days leading up to the snowfall that you know is coming.  We get about 100 inches of snow each year.  UGH!  {I know what you are saying....you talked weather yesterday!}  But, who doesn't like to make cards for the snowy season??

Today, Deedee has offered up a new challenge.  And in my book, it wasn't really an easy one...lol...But, y'all know that I am gonna give it the ol' college try.  Her challenge is to use GREEN and PURPLE.

I have used one of Deedee's newest digis ~ Just Chillin'!  You can pick it up over at her blog/shop.  It is a mere $3 and if you spend $10, you get this month's freebie image, Hopeful Heart.  Check back later in the week for my project using it!!  And, speaking of checking back ~ DON'T miss our blog hop on Friday!!  The DP is from Close To My Heart (CTMH) and the ribbon and cs from my scrap pile.  The button is one of many I picked up over the summer at an estate sale! 

Besides fitting the challenge at Deedee's, it follows the sketch challenge at Crafty Ho's and is apropos for the challenges at Gingerloft,  I Did It Creations, and Craftalicious.

Thanks for checking in this Marvelous Monday....

Hope you will stop back tomorrow to see what I have up my sleeve for Tuesday!!

Huggz,

April

DDD (and no, that isn't my bra size)

Well, it is the 15th of the month and that can only mean one thing.


It's time for my DDD post....Yep, the Dueling Darlings are at it again!

This month, the theme was "Treasured Friend."

The Darlings received a great kit from the wonderful Debbie.

It included:
SU Image - My Matryoshka
DP by Kaiser Craft
Embellies: SU red and navy ribbons and a navy button; red heart brads by Creative Impressions and a flower from Prima.

I added the red base card stock and the blue card stock.  I also used  an SU stamp on the inside that reads "Thank you for always being there."

The TREASURE I have added to my card is on the inside and is very specific to the people I am sending the card to.  {Here comes the boring part, you can stop reading if you want.}  I grew up in a (very) rural part of Central New York.  It took close to an hour to get to school - and no, I didn't have to walk uphill both ways to get there and home.  Because we lived in the middle of nowhere, my friends were inherited from my other family members.  It was also a time where neighbors helped each other and knew each other families inside and out.  So, (bored yet?) the treasure in my card is a picture - well a copy of my picture.  I hope this counts Darlings.   I was about 10 in this picture and it was a snowy day!  The girls who lived across the road from me were in senior high school, while I was still in elementary.  They spent their day sledding with me and making me lunch and then taking my picture with their beloved cat.  It truly meant the world to me!  My mother passed away just a bit over two years ago, but the Matijas Family still lives in the same house ~ the girls are now adults and have moved away; just as I have.  I still think about this day and the memories (and always will). 

So, this is my Treasured Friend card.  It will be sent to them and I will probably send them the link to this too.
Thanks for checking out my craftiness today and please stop by the rest of the Dueling Darlings....I need to go see what the Divas had to work with, as well as, what the rest of the Dazzlers did with our kit. Here are links so that you can easily spread the LOVE.

Dazzlers           Divas

  April               Barb

Debbie             Carol

Jeanette             Jamie

Melina              Joan

Michelle            Judy

  Paola               Kelly

Terry                 LJ

Huggz,
April

Finally, something to show...

Okay, I've been MIA and for no good reason....lol...I'd love to tell you that I have been busily creating, but in truth I have been putzin'!

But, I do have a quick post for tonight....

This is one of my cards for Barb's Whipper Snapper Christmas/Winter Swap over on SCS.

I will be truthful and say that I have never owned a WS stamp until now (since Barb became my personal shopper). 

Deets:
Image: Whipper Snapper's Spanky
Paper:  from my never ending box o' card stock
Embellies: Ribbon for a dollar bin and sequin snowflakes from Mike's - added the half pearls to match the cs

Thanks for stopping by!
Huggz,
April

Totally Tuesday!

I have finally caught up with myself and know what day of the week it is!

I used the weekly digi from Delightful Inspiration (Designed2Delight).  The CS was from a pack I picked up at Big Lots and the flowers are Primas.  The flowers of the image were popped up with foam dimensional tape and the brad is a coppery tone.
I think that for change, my picture has too much sun and the left side looks washed out....shucks!  So much for enjoying a nice day in Western New York!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Huggz,
April

TUC Challenge

Just a quick post to let the TUC members know that the poll is up for the challenge I posted.

Here are the entrants:

Christy

Danie

Dawn

Jenn

Karen

Lynn

Rose

I hope everyone gets a chance to check out these talented ladies and their projects - not just the ones they created for my challenge, but their daily cards and posts!