Butterfly Wednesday

Hello Friends! Welcome to another Flutter By Wednesday! Today is our last challenge for awhile. We're taking a little break for the month of June but will be back ready to go in July! I hope you'll be able to join us this week - the challenge is an easy one. It's an OPEN challenge - anything goes as long as you have a BUTTERFLY, FAIRY or ANGEL on your creation!!

For my card, I used a RAK image. It's an adorable image from the Pure Innocence line. I tell you it was fun to color and create again...seems as though it's been awhile.

Used my copics and some new paper I got awhile ago...so pretty and the texture is wonderful. It definitely makes me HAPPY!

It seems I'm good at making cards...not so good at sending cards out and definitely not on time! I have a couple of good friends back in Memphis that celebrated a birthday and I never sent out a card. I have some blogging friends that have had a birthday and didn't send one to them either...well folks, THIS CARD IS FOR YOU!!! I'm sorry... I'm going to do my best to correct this little flaw of mine!!

This card was made with the awesome sketch #53 provided over at the Lili of the Valley challenge blog...LOVED IT! Immediately knew that I had to use it. I'm a little behind on my challenges...just went through two weeks worth and found this sketch which "expires" TODAY!

So whatcha think? Wanna play along? Hop on over to the FBW Blog for all the details on how to link your creation. REMEMBER this is the last week we are taking GUEST DESIGNER CALLS!! All you have to do is play along with our challenge, link your card and be sure to list GDT with it so we know you are interested in being a guest designer. When we come back in July we will have a new team and each month we'll have a guest designer - so come on, play along!!

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Twinkly Day - Flutter By Wednesday #89

Today officially starts the winter break for Abby and it just so happens that my hubby has the next 5 days off as well. Needless to say I probably won't be on the computer much. We are going to make our sugar cookies today and go check out the new Alvin & The Chipmunks movie. We've had the soundtrack since it came out on Dec 1st and from the music, I think we're going to enjoy this movie as much as the first!

Today's challenge for Flutter By Wednesday is an OPEN one - just make sure to include a FAIRY, BUTTERFLY or ANGEL on it! Here is my creation:

I've had the image colored since April - never used it and ran across it has I was cleaning my room. Decided it would be a perfect time to use it since I haven't been creating much for myself the last few days! The image was given to me as a RAK from a dear friend Linda. The sentiment is from TAC - Fairy Birthday (super cute set!). I Stickled her [tiny] wings and used the Stardust Clear Gelly Pen for the star and the sentiment. Here is a close up:

I hope you find time to play along. Just stop by Danni's blog to check out her fabulous creation and link your using Mr. Linky. Also, you'll find wonderful inspiration at the other DT's blogs.

Short and sweet for me today! Thursday we'll be heading to my parents house for our Christmas Eve traditions so I probably won't be posting. Christmas day I'll be busy playing with [one of] my new toy[s] the Cricut Expression...that is if I can figure it out :o) Have a joyous holiday!!!

I'm Back - Flutter By Wednesday Time!

Good Morning Friends!! How are you? I'm sorry I've been MIA but I think I've finally kicked that nasty infection! I, at least, have found some energy along with a little mojo which is always a sign of improvement! Today, as I mentioned in my title, is Flutter By Wednesday. The challenge is to make a card using a fairy, butterfly or angel and the theme THANKFUL. There is a lot to be thankful for but I decided to focus on being thankful for my FRIENDS - I can't imagine life without them! So here is my card -

I have to tell you it felt good to color again. Sure does relax me and brighten my mood! The image is a favorite of mine that I received from a blog buddy, Tammi (THANK YOU!). I'm definitely adding these cuties to my Christmas wish list - along with some more Copics :o). I used my Copics to color and added Stickles to the wings. Here is a close up

Since I couldn't fit my whole sentiment on the front, I decorated the inside too (shocker, I know!).

So whatcha think? I have to tell you I miss reading all the comments that you leave each day. They brighten my day and I so enjoy getting to know each one of you!

Be sure to stop by the other DT's blogs and see what they've come up with. Remember to play along - it's easy! Just visit Danni's blog and link your creation up there using Mr. Linky! We'd love to see your card!

Thanks for stopping by today - and take a moment to thank those Veterans for all they've done for us and continue to do for us today! I know I'm grateful for each and everyone of them!

SMILE

SMILE - it's FLUTTER BY WEDNESDAY!!! Hello to you and thank you for stopping by. There is a lot in this post and I saved the best for last so make sure you read through my entire post - especially if you want some goodies :o)

Today, on the Flutter By team our challenge was to use a butterfly or fairy and flowers. That's not a hard one - I mean I have a TON of flowers not to mention paper with flowers and stamps with flowers!! So I'm sure this would be an easy challenge for you as well so why not join in? As you know we are celebrating Danni's 40th birthday this month so be sure to stop by her blog, share you creation and enter to win the giveaway of the week!! Oh and there is also a special designer this month - Kim whose blog I LOVE to visit. She's very talented and I'm always amazed at her coloring, design and ability to cut & pop up almost everything! Trust me you'll want to check out her blog!! Now on to my creation:


I had to use SMILE as when I look at this card that is what I do. I mean it has to bring a smile to the recipients face, right? The image is from TGF - which was a RAK to me. I colored her with Copics. The paper is a retired set from TAC. The greeting is from Paper salon and the flowers are Prima.

Be sure to stop by the other team members blogs to see their wonderful creation and while you are visiting Christine's blog be sure to wish her a Happy Birthday!!

Today was school picture day at Abby's school. My sister bought this outfit for Abby and I've been saving it for her picture day. I thought she looked ADORABLE so I had to snap a few photos - sorry but gotta share my baby!

She was so funny - she told me she looked like she was in high school - I totally busted out laughing!!

As I've been promising I have some blog candy to give away. This is to thank you - for without you blogging just wouldn't be! I am so happy that my friends kept pushing me to start a blog and am thankful for meeting such wonderful people. This has truly been one great year - I'm looking forward to many more!! Now this picture isn't complete - I'm still adding to the pile. You can be sure there will be some paper as well as some images in the loot as well. But for now here's a little taste of the goodies I'm giving away

There are stamps - Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween; Prima flowers, Epoxy greeting stickers, Flower stickers PLUS there will be images & papers. Who knows what else I'll decide to throw in so be sure to sign up!! What do you have to do? Well that's easy:

1. Leave a comment on this post for your chance to win

2. Get another "entry" by mentioning my giveaway on your blog (leave a comment telling me you did with a link so I can enter you)

3. Get yet another "entry" by becoming (or being) a follower of my blog (leave a comment telling me you did this as well so I can enter you)

I'll leave the contest open until Wednesday, Oct 7th at noon central time. I'll reveal the winner that evening....so get to entering and spread the word!!

Non-Traditional Christmas Challenge

Good Morning! As you know, it's Monday so time for another Christmas card. I'm so excited about the number of cards I have completed - I'm so ahead of the game this year and it feels GOOD! The challenge on the Christmas Stampin' All Year Long Blog was issued by Sankari. She asked us to make a card using non-traditional colors - no red, green or blue!

I bought a DCWV Christmas Stack last year and have wanted to use some of the papers from there. One of the color schemes is pink and black - well that is definitely non-traditional, so I went with it!

The image was a RAK which I colored with my Copics. I added a few buttons a small bow and tadaa - a cute Christmas card done!

I've been gather a few items for my blog candy give away. I'm so happy to have been blogging for a year and to have so many visit and comment on my blog is absolutely wonderful to me!! THANK YOU ALL!! Check back as I hope to have the details up about the giveaway tomorrow. I'll be posting a Halloween card tomorrow too - see ya then!!

Maria's Sketch Challenge & School Pics

Good Morning! Today on the Christmas Stampin' All Year Long Blog, Maria gave us the challenge to use one of her wonderful sketches. I had colored this image awhile ago and decided that it was time to finally use it.

I'm not sure where the paper is from (thinking Hobby Lobby). The image was a RAK which I colored with pencils and OMS and added Stickles around the leaves and to the berries. Instead of putting a sentiment at the bottom I used ribbon and a bow.

So have you decided to start working on those Christmas cards yet? I'm glad I've been doing this all year because I've signed up for some craft shows. All these cards will be perfect for the booth! I hope you join in this week and share what you create - we'd all love to see it!!

Last Thursday, as you know, Abby started Kindergarten. I took a ton of pictures but decided to share a few of my favorites today. It was so sunny out that day I had a hard time getting a good picture of her. I like to take one in the same spot each year to show how much she's grown. I take a full shot and a head shot of her by our front door.

Once she got to school (after riding the bus) I went inside to get a quick picture of her and her new teacher, Mrs. McKinley.

I have pictures of her getting on and off the bus but this is my favorite. As she was coming down the bus she yelled "Momma!" and ran to me. Of course, I was kneeling so I could get one of those big hugs that I love!

She had a super duper time and is really enjoying herself. Getting her to bed has been so much easier - one because we are on a routine and she sticks with it and two because she knows she's got a full day of school the next day and needs to be rested up!

That's it for me today. Thanks so much for stopping by!! It means so very much to me...

Christmas Challenge #26

Good Morning - are you ready for another week? I realized this weekend that there aren't too many weeks left of summer. Abby starts school around August 12th so we better take advantage of this free time while we have it!


This week on the Christmas blog we were given a sketch to use by the uber talented Maria. Here is her sketch:

and here is my card:


I kept to the sketch pretty much except for pushing the focal point to the left a little so I could add a ribbon and bow. I used the retired set of Merry Wishes paper from The Angel Company which is full of bright and wonderful designs. The image and sentiment was given to me as a RAK. I tried putting buttons around my card - my blogging buddy Tammi uses buttons all the time and I just LOVE her stuff so I had to try. What do you think?

Now my other buddy Barb, gave me a few pointers on coloring (what fun we had, huh?!?!) and I tried that on my image using pencils and OMS. Granted it's a small image and yes, I still need practice but I think her coat looks pretty good. I added Liquid Applique to her as well. Here's a close up:

Tell me what you think as I really enjoy reading all the feedback PLUS I can use all the advice I can get, LOL!

I hope you decide to play along this week! Just stop by the Christmas Blog for all the details and leave a link to your creation. While you are there be sure to check out all the other very talented design team members creations.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Flutter By - Fairy style

Today is Flutter By Wednesday and I decided to use a fairy image instead of a butterfly. Why? Well I got this AWESOME Rachelle Anne Miller image from a friend that I've been dying to use. At first I thought I'd use my Copics but honestly, I have trouble doing certain colors since I don't have that many. I had already found the paper I wanted to use so I decided to use my colored pencils and OMS. I REALLY like how this turned out! I think she's FAIRY cute!

See...don't you think it's cute? She was a lot of fun to color. I also put Stickles on the outside of her wings. I put ultra fine glitter and Diamond Glaze on the heart. It looks so cool! I hope you can click on her and see the detail. I used Mojo Monday week 74 sketch but decided not to use the ribbon & circle. Instead I put Dew Drops in the corners. I have like a gazillion of them so I should use them, right? The paper is from Imaginisce.

So do you want to play along? It's really easy! Just go to Danni's blog to link your creation. The challenge this week is to use at least 2 Designer/Pattern Papers AND a butterfly OR fairy. While you are at Danni's blog be sure to see her creation, Stef's creation who is the featured team member this week and Jodi Collins card who is the guest designer. You can see all the other team members creations simply by clicking on the links to the right.

Today is the big day - we say goodbye to Preschool FOREVER!!! I'm not sure what to expect today at the end of year sing a long but I hope I can keep my emotions in check. Abby "graduated" from Preschool when we were in Memphis last year. I got emotional then because I knew we were moving - our 4 year chapter coming to a close. This year though it will be because I know Abby is for SURE attending Kindergarten in the Fall - riding the bus and all. I get a little teary eyed now so I know it's going to be a rough day in August when it all happens!! I plan on spoiling her rotten tomorrow though and enjoy the day - just her and me.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a GREAT day!!!

Happy Mail Day!!

Yesterday the mailman rang my door to personally hand me my mail. I got so excited as I thought it was my order from Funky Kits arriving. Instead there were were cards from wonderful online friends to me! How very exciting - and each one of them had goodies for me too!! The cards were so cute I just had to share them with all of you!

First up is my friend, Tina. She's so nice, answers all my questions and has this great clean style to all her cards! She does a great job coloring and I enjoy looking at her blog everyday! Her card is beautiful and has tons of layers to it - it's so pretty and the paper is to die for!! Plus she sent me a bella stamp (WHOOHOO) and tons of images!! Yep, I'm going to be doing a lot of coloring over the next week! Thanks Tina - you're the best!

Next is my wonderful and dear friend, Danni! We first met on a Yahoo group and I've been stalking her every since, LOL. Seriously though, she's freakin' amazing! Each one of her cards is a coloring masterpiece. She also deals with my emails and phone calls - she helps me in anyway she can. I mean I told her I wanted this image and she sent it! This card is absolutely beautiful and Danni always decorates the insides of her cards so it's like two cards in one!! Thanks a bunch Danni - you rock!

Thanks for thinking of me, girls - you've touched me deeply!

Goodies

I got this CUTE card and butterfly stamps from my good friend, Danni! The card was perfect as I love pink and I adore the Huggabugg from Stamping Bella.

I can't wait to use the butterfly stamps - maybe I'll use them on next week's Flutter By Wednesday card! :o) Thanks again, Danni!

Hoo Loves You

Owls are very popular right now so imagine how happy I was to get this image in my mailbox! I was looking for something to use on another Amy R. sketch and thought these owls would be perfect!

Now I know there really aren't pink & red owls but isn't it cute???? In cardmaking it's acceptable, right?!

I have to tell you a funny - and I'm sure we've all been there (at least I hope I'm not the only one!). I was looking at Tina's blog and she used this awesome border punch on a couple of her cards. I kept looking at that going man I wish I had that. Well today, I looked at my punch swatches and guess what? YEP, I HAVE IT!!! I was all ready to go buy it this weekend. NOW you know why I have an "inventory" book, a stamp book and a punch book! If not I'd be double buying a lot and it's not like I can afford to be doing that!

Thanks so much for looking!

Chickadee Card

It seems like forever since I have had the opportunity to just sit down and color. I received this image from a swap I was in and I must tell you it's not one I would have initially bought for myself. HOWEVER, I'm starting to look at stamps in a WHOLE new way and I must say I LOVE THIS IMAGE!!! I'm totally on this bird/nature kick - I mean when you really think about nature it's AMAZING!! We live near a lake and right now we are getting TONS of geese in - it's so neat to watch them all fly in every morning, eat in the "fields" and then fly on to the lake to rest. ANYWAY, here's my card.

I used Splitcoast Stampers card sketch #208. Normally most of my cards are 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. This one is a little bigger. It's actually 4 1/2 x 6. With the size of the image I really needed a larger card. I found envelopes at Wal-Mart that are size 4 3/4 x 6 1/2 which are great for larger cards! Here is a close up of the image:

I put diamond glaze on the berries. I also used ultra fine glitter for the snow dots. I colored the image with my Prismacolor Pencils and OMS. DP is BasicGrey. I finished the card with some ribbon and dew drops.

Pretty cool huh? I really like how it turned out! When I showed it to my hubby his comment was "YOU colored this?" Guess that means that my practicing is paying off!! Would love to hear what you think, so be sure to leave me a comment!

Thanks for looking!!

Little Things

I think it's important to reflect daily on all the blessings given to us. Sometimes life happens too quickly and it's easy to let things go. At the end of each day, I check off the items I've accomplished for the day, write a brief summary of the days events and make a journal entry. This entry can be how I'm feeling, something said, something that happen. It's these things that are important... When I received this image, it just spoke to me. That girl is so cute and she appears to have no cares in the world. She lives life like my Abby - in the moment and finding all the blessings she can!

I made this card for a challenge. The challenge was to use pink, purple and blue in a card with an image that had been sent to me. I colored the girl in with pencils & OMS. The sentiment is from a TAC set. I'm really not a fan of the pattern paper but it works with this image (and color scheme). All the paper was in my scrap pile so it's a one-of-a-kind :)

I hope you have a great weekend! I probably won't be able to post again as I have a very full weekend. But I'm going to be sure to remember the "little things" and I hope you do too!

Thanks for looking!

Dress Up Girl Card

This card is for a challenge that was posted on one of my yahoo groups. The card had to consist of an image that someone sent me (thanks Danni), have at least 2 buttons, and have the colors brown, yellow and orange on it. Here's my card. I used some of my scrap pattern paper for the card. I cut out the felt flower with my Sizzix and I used scrapper's floss in my buttons. I colored the image with pencils & OMS. The stamp set is a retired set from The Angel Company. I think it turned out really cute. My daughter was elated with the results and kept asking if it was for her so at least I know my biggest fan likes it :)

I have a FUNShop! today with a great bunch of ladies where we'll be doing a technique card and a gift card. So be looking for those creations here soon!

RAK

I received this beautiful card in the mail from my friend Danni. It is so pretty and the scan does NOT do it justice at all! Inside was a stamped image that I need to create something with. It's part of a Random Mail Stamp Challenge. Look for my creation and more information in a couple of days! In the meantime, THANKS Danni!