{PIN}88

Finally......creativity has hit. 

I am sad that it is catching up with me so close to Christmas though.....timing is everything, I guess!

The {PIN}spiration this week is:

And our sponsors are:

And finally, my card.....made all from scraps and stash...lol

The sentiment was supplied by Heather from Fresh Brewed Designs and I love how it looks with these buttons!

A Christmas Story

This is a favorite time of year!

There are so many reasons to celebrate this season, but the greatest reason is the birth of Jesus.  A truly miraculous event that took place in the least likely place on Earth.  Is your faith great enough that you can blindly follow God's bidding?  We are truly blessed that Mary and Joseph could do just that!

When I received my monthly Dueling Kit from Jeanette, I fell in love with the Kraftin' Kimmie images.  They remind me so very much of my childhood and the many Christmas pageants I had a part in.  I just loved those special nights when our Church glowed and we acted out the Christmas Story.  Afterwards, it was followed by the arrival of Santa bringing candy canes and oranges.  I still have many of the handmade ornaments he passed around too!!  

I think our costumes looked much like those in the stamped images.  

As I entered my teen years, my role changed and we did liturgical dance to Go Tell It On The Mountain (among other songs).  We were in high demand those years and participated at many area churches worship services.  I still think back on the years when I went to the proverbial little white church in the middle of the country.  It was a sad day when our Church burned while I was in college.  Despite a new building, it never felt the same.  I think it had more with my traveling away for college and starting my adult life than anything else.  My DS took over the tradition of being a star in the Christmas play and now in his teen years figures prominently in the speaking roles.  

I will add the card deets later (when I can turn a light on and get them from my desk without waking DH), but know that you can check out the whole Duel by following the links in my sidebar.....the deets will be there to kit contents as well.

I bid you peace this holiday season!

Hugs,

April

In Forever

Yep, haven't been here in forever!

I have finally found some mojo......and family life has settled.....the two probably go hand in hand.

Today, I am using the Twisted Tuesday Challenge 2TC65 and the Tuesday Sketch Challenge 228!

Yep, a two-fer!

The papers were uncovered in my stash and the image is MFT.  The bell is SU! And the silver brad from CTMH.  Used my Spectrum Noir markers and just a bit of white gel pen.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

April

November Duel!

Once again, it is time for the monthly duel!  I am sure y'all know about this.....two teams (all friends) rock kits that we take turns sending to each other so that we can let our creative geniuses out!

Darlene sent:

Image: Art Impressions Lazy Boy stamped with Memento ink on Conqueror Diamond White 80# cardstock
Recollections Designer Papers: Light Blue Argyle, Green Argyle, Football, Black & White Plaid, Black Polka Dots, Black Shimmer, and Brown Shimmer
Recollections Embellishments: Brads and Washi Tape

And, I created:

Darlene asked if we had any funny Thanksgiving stories about the men in our lives....nope!  Well, I have funny stories, but none that are centered around Turkey Day....maybe this year??  I will share a bit about my childhood though.  Every year, we spent the holidays with my grandparents.  It was a long trip (next door) and we all had to be there before dinner commenced.  One year, I was probably eight or nine, we had to wait (and wait and wait) for my brother who was tracking a deer! I think it was the last year we had the rule of waiting for everyone to be at the table....lol

Thanks for stopping in.  Check out the whole duel (see my sidebar) and see ya back here soon!

April

Tuesday Challenges

I got up this morning to the first snow of the season.  Turned the Kuerig on, had a couple cups of caramel macchiato and decided it was a perfect day to craft in my jammies!

As I was enjoying my coffee, I checked out some blogs and they set my mind to creating.

Here is what I came up with:

Papers by Carta Bella and stamps by Unity.

I followed the new Twisted Tuesday Challenge (2TC63) of using dimensional and polka dots and the sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches #224 (even used their twist of making a Thank You card)!

Thanks for stopping by!

HUGGS,

April

Epic Fail

I have to laugh.....I have had my COF card done, but no picture....now, I am late and just realized that I didn't take a picture of the most important part of the card....the inside which actually complies with the theme this month!

My Crafters of Faith group will just have to believe....

Liz was out hostess and here is what her theme involved:

 The scripture for my challenge is:

"But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good, salvation comes from the Lord." Jonah 2:9

I love music and a "song of thanksgiving" surely pleases the Lord. Never does He speak that the songs of our hearts need to be perfectly performed to be a joyful sound to Him. So, think of some ways you can make a joyful sound to the Lord your God. The challenge this month will be to use a musical instrument image, musical score paper, musical note brads, etc. Whatever you have in your stash that is of the musical nature!

To be truthfull, all I could find was some washi with musical notes on it....lol......and, it didn't fit what was in my mind for the front of my card, so I used it on the upper part of the interior to highlight the verse which I used in its entirety.  Also inside was my sentiment wishing a Happy 90th Birthday!

So, here is my card and I apologize for not meeting the challenge head on!

My All-Star

Three times is the charm??

I can't even tell me story....it keeps disappearing!  Gotta love blog apps! :-(

The current challenge at Peachy Keen Stamps is to create a Fall Sports 3-D project.

Here is mine which came from shopping my stash!!

I hope it counts for using a PKS Stamp - only the face (from June 12 set).  But.....the set was on my desk still, so it was what was used! Lol

Try a new Technique...

...the Calendar Girl Challenge.....

Barb gave out the challenge this month. In her words:

"Here is the October Challenge--For me a true challenge is to try a new technique. So--that is going to be the challenge I propose to all of us.

Go to this link Technique Lovers Challenge Forum and chose a new technique to you that has a 1 or 0 in the challenge number--like TLC410 or TLC360 or any more current number (as I posed this challenge way back in January........................) The technique you pick should be one you have never tried before--and you can go back as far as you want in the forum in the posted techniques to find one to tackle. Please list the number and name of the technique you tried in your blog post. And--to make the challenge a bit harder--you cannot create a card this month! You need to think outside of the box and try a totally new technique along with a project that is anything but a card............... And--for extra credit--make a creation with a Halloween theme!

So--get your thinking caps on, check out some new techniques that you might want to try and create something other than a card that can be used for Halloween! I think this is a pretty good challenge for this month. Can't wait to see all of your "new" creations on the 28th! Good luck--Barb"

I read it, filed it in the back of my head....and remembered this afternoon. Yep, I wasn't done!! In fact, I hadn't even started....off to have a look at the techniques and realize I hardly ever try anything....

So, I went with TLC450 ~ Make Your Own
And, TLC451~Revisit TLC211 Treat Purse Makeover {10-14-13}

And, here are the results:







It really looks better I real life, but I wanted to show it off.

The stencil was made from an a|s die and the spider stamp and sentiment stamp are from Country Bumpkin (as found at Peachy Keen Stamps). I tied my purse together with black ribbon ~ thought it looked Halloween-y!


Thanks for stopping by,
HUGGS,
April

Sleep??

I dislike mornings. No, really I do! It really isn't my deal-li-o to be bright eyed and bushy tailed at 5:35am. Yep, my teen needs to get up at that awful time....why?? Good question...lol....the bus comes at 6:40 to take him to school.
Unfortunately, last night my mojo kicked in about 10:45 and I felt the need to make a card. So, despite happiness over mojo, there was sadness this morning when I HAD to get up! I did go back to bed for a bit and now (after being awake for a bit) I am going to show you my creation.
I love Peachy Keen Stamps, but have so very few. (I am hoping Santa reads this post to know that!)
They have a weekly challenge and I love to enter, but sometimes I don't have the perfect stamp. I love though that I am still in 'use what ya got' mode!!
So, all that being said.....
I used what I have.....scraps of coordinating card stock run through some embossing folders for some texture and a 'tweet' immie and sentiment that made for a wonderful congratulatory card! I reconnected with a school mate on FB and she became engaged this past weekend.
The challenge this week was a sketch:




And, here is my card to send to Amy (and Larry)!




Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April

{PIN} 80

Thanks for stopping in today! The crud went through the house over the weekend and I am running late today playing catch-up (no mustard involved).

Here is this week's {PIN}spiration for you:



Spooky? Or what??
That being asked.....our not so spooky sponsors are






And, I am not sure my card is very spooky either....a big TYVM to Shelly for allowing me to use one of her images this week!


I used deconstructed sketch 123 for some added inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April

Pay-it-Forward

A sneak peek at a gift I am sending to a friend. Four little frames to display -- one for each season.

Hope she likes them. I had a blast creating them!



Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April

Happy Halloween ~ Duel Style

For this round, Judy and Paola wanted us to share our views on Halloween.

Do we celebrate it? If so, what's our favorite part ?
(eating candy is NOT an optional answer...lol)
Please share one (or more) of the following suggestions :
a trick, a treat, a recipe, fav. costume, fav. decoration, fun times..etc...

I have always enjoyed Halloween!
When younger, my costumes we always put together with what was on hand - I remember being "Jack be nimble" on year - wearing my mother's dressing gown and carrying a candle.....I also remember making popcorn balls with my aunt and shining apples with my neighbor. Those truly were the 'Good Old Days'!

Since Kyle was born, the tradition has been to Trick or Treat throughout my FIL's neighborhood. When we lived in the apartment, his friends always came with us and now that we live in the 'hood, he goes with his friends that also live here.
Last year, he was a zombie:



This year, he and four of his friends will be the Teen Titans (will update you with a picture when it happens).

Since I loved the kit that Paola sent, I went to town with projects and created not only a card, but a couple gifts as well!















The kit included:
Stamps (all from SU) : "Haunting Halloween" (cat, cauldron + 2sentiments)
"Booglie Eyes" (mummy) & "Best Fiend" (sentiment)
D/P : Wicked Fun (SU); Halloween Characters & Small Dots (both from Michaels)
Black w/ silver thread (handmade DP from Costco)
Accessories : 'Boo To You' (CB folder) ; 'Black Bat's (Sizzix Die) ; 2 Halloween ribbons (Michaels) ;
1 XLrg orange brad by Elements/Am. Crafts ; sm. spiders from Recollections ;
pumpkins dimentionals stickers ;
2 sets of Googlie eyes (Dollar store) ; 'Bootiful' brads from Sprinkles

Please check out the rest of the Duel ~ links in my sidebar!


Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April

No Place Like Gnome.....

So, I got this PKS set bad haven't used it to its (or my) potential. The challenge this week over at Peachy Keen Stamps is 'Anything Goes', so it seemed like the time to haul out my husband's favorite image and make him a little Christmas present.



I will spray some sealant on it because it will go out front in our darden with his gnome 'village'. My grey shadow looks more blue in my picture, but I have never tried stamping on wood before.....I also kept it pretty plain because I want it to blend in with the gnomes and their homes in the garden!


Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April

A Peachy Keen release

PKS had their release party on Saturday....and, I made it for a change! Woot woot!

Besides showing off their new releases and their awesome talent, it is always fun to chat with all the fun crafters who enjoy PKS!!

They also post a couple of challenges.....and I got busy and tried my hand at them.

Challenge #1 - use only two colors on a Fall/Halloween card.....yikes that isn't really as easy as it sounds.



Challenge #2 - make a three dimensional project (that isn't easy for me either....lol)



But, I gave the challenges the "old college try"......what do you think? I really like my scarecrow table decoration....think I will be making a few more to put with some cookies I will be giving to some neighbors! I need to work on adding a little to my hay bale though! LOL

Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April

{PIN} 78

Yeah, it's Tuesday!
I love Tuesdays.... It means another great challenge over at {PIN}spirational Challenges!
This week our photo to be inspired by is:


I created this lovely card:


Our sponsors are Bugaboo Stamps and the Stamping Chef .

Edit:  Blogger isn't my friend this evening and won't allow me to add the FABBY logos of our sponsors, but check them out and the challenge blog where you can find all the rules and prize info!!


Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April

Because it is World Card-Making Day!

So, I am on a roll.....it has been a crafty week!



Today's card uses the photo inspiration at Peachy Keen Stamps and the current deconstructed sketch!


Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April

Another One for Fun!

Was on FB this morning and saw the latest sketch at Case This Sketch and couldn't resist!



All supplies came from my stash......just saying. Lol....still trying to be scrap-savvy!


Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

For the Fun of It!

I can say I made this card because I wanted to. Not because I NEEDED to!

Well, I did need a card, but I could have picked through my stash....instead, I saw the challenge this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches and knew what I wanted to do!

So, here it is!



Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April

COF

Time for our monthly post.
Not sure I have told you about the Crafters of Faith ladies, but they are the best.....always encouraging and handing out good advice!  I really need both of those things!  I do love Jesus, but am having doubts about my home church.  I need to find a different one and that is a daunting undertaking.
Our theme this month was "anything goes.". So I pulled out a Verve Stamp and headed to last weeks Mojo Monday sketch.
Thanks for stopping in!

Calendar Girls

We are at it again!!

Terry, our hostess, challenged us to create a birthday card with embossing on it and we had to use Sketch 450 over at SCS!

Here is my take - the candle has been heat embossed with glitter.....

{PIN} 76

Look at our {PIN}spiration for the week! I feel right at home!
Our sponsors this week are



And
Di’s Digi Downloads

I had the privilege of working with a Delicious Doodle; and created a piece of framed art for a special friend!



I cut two pieces of chipboard from a stack of hoards boxes, and created a three dimensional frame, complete with clear cover. I added a title and sentiment from CTMH and two half pearls from my stash. The digi is colored with chalks and a bit of glitter gel pen. The chipboard was painted with white acrylic paint using a sponge brush and then distressed with some Adirondack Distress Ink.

Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April

The Duel is On!

Kind of late in the day, but here I am!

And, I am the hostess this month for the Dazzlers....oops!

Kadie and I decided on this theme:

Globetrotting and Getting Down to Your Roots

For September we decided that since there are so many cute stamps out right now with different country themes, that we would travel the globe and celebrate culture!
Please find enclosed in your kit, a stamp that represents a certain country and papers and embellishments to match this travel theme. Feel free to make this month’s challenge your own in any way. Whether it be with a sentiment or embellishment that reflects your own heritage or just by sharing with us in your post what your heritage is and what traditions you have in your family that celebrate those origins.

I added: To tell the truth friends, I loved the heritage and tradition theme and chose to send generic people that you can customize! I hope you don't mind!

I kept the accessories in black and white theme so they can coordinate with your design!

The stamps are from two sets from
CTMH:
Family Ties - Adult
Family Ties - Children

The embellishments are from Michael's


So, without further ado, my card:



I customized a family to look like the flag of Ireland.....my last name is, after all, O'Connor!

Check out the rest of the duel.....links are on my zany sidebar!

Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April

Yikes!

My scheduled post for Tuesday never went live! I haven't been home to know this....I was called into babysitting action for a neighbor! Second week of school and a sick kid.....ugh!
I was lucky enough to use this Bugagoo Stamps image for the weekly {PIN} Challenge #74!



Make sure you check out the challenge


and visit our sponsors!






Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

I am late

Yeah, I know.... What else is new??
I am finally coming out of my funk and feel like crafting. I have a few things to catch up....one is my Crafters of Faith August obligation.
Barb threw down the challenge:
Memories of Mom and Dad! Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Even though my parents have been gone for close to 20 years, I still have wonderful memories of both of them. Some of you may have one or both of your parents still an active part of your lives and for others, the memories are what we hold close. So--what can you create on your card that reminds you of you mom or dad or both of them? A site from a family vacation? A hobby--music, gardening, literature, art, etc.? A favorite food? Your mom cooking? Your dad spending time with cars? Or vice versa . Create a card that shines of the memories that honor your father and mother.
Enjoy this trip back in time--or maybe it is just a few steps back of a recent memory. Tell us in your blog post about your card, the memory it unlocks and a bit about your parents if you want to share. I cannot wait to see all of the wonderful memories you create and post on August 31st. Have Fun getting inky--Barb

My card doesn't necessarily depict either of my parents, but the life they shared with me! My mother was a quite sensible lady, whereas my father would do the unexpected. I grew up in (very) rural Central New York State and this set from CTMH (paired with papers from them too) seemed perfect. While not growing up on a farm, they dotted the countryside of which I lived! The papers -colors and designs- are thoroughly my father and show my impulsive side which my mother tried to curb....lol


Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April

ps.....I used this sketch for inspiration!

Let it SNOW

Yep, hot and humid today...BUT, the Calendar Girl theme, thought up by Paola, is SNOW....

So, I used some BoBunny DP's and Puddle Jumper Ella to make a snow card.....added some die cut snow flakes(a*muse) and here it is!


Check out the other Calendar Girls' blogs....links are on my sidebar!


Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

{PIN}

My latest creation for the {PIN} Girls was based on

And, we are being sponsored by:
SASSY STUDIO DESIGNS

And
SCRIBBLES DESIGNS

Nothing technological seemed to work for me yesterday (hence I am late with this), my papers are actually dark purples giving my card a bit of outer space feel. I left the white space because I haven't decided on my sentiment yet.....

Thanks for stopping by!
HUGGZ,
April
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad