Another Year with My Best Friend

Steve and I are celebrating our 17th anniversary today! Since we both had been married before and both had children we were raising from those previous marriages, we never had those "honeymoon" years, but we're certainly enjoying them now. The boys have all grown and moved off and we are enjoying being empty-nesters even though we do miss the guys.
Steve and I are each other's best friend even though we enjoy very few of the same things. He's got fishing buddies, drinking buddies, football buddies, and three sons to hang out with. I've got my mom and sister, several wonderful ladies I work with, and some fabulous crafting friends. But at the end of the day, there's no one I'd rather hang with than my hubby!
So when I saw that the Cute Daisy May Challenge for this week was "friends", I knew it would be perfect for my anniversary card for my husband. I usually buy him a photo card with a picture of two young kids (a boy and a girl) playing together, often in grown up clothes (you know the ones I'm talking about). So when I saw this image at Cute Daisy May, I had to grab it. Also, see that dark blue ribbon that matches my dark (SU Brilliant Blue) cardstock? I certainly didn't have any ribbon that color. I took some sheer white ribbon that I had on hand, and, you guessed it, colored it with a matching copic marker--Cool!

Then, because I've been dying to use my new Stampin'Up Movers and Shapers dies, I created a window for my image. I have to tell you, that I just love this effect. I'm going to have to create more of these windows. I didn't want to make this too frilly and have a bunch of embellishments that dh wouldn't appreciate, so after cutting out my window and creating a mat with a matching heart punch, I embossed the front with one of the new cuttlebug embossing folders. LOVE IT! I love that you can "peek" at the image and that there's a dark contrasting mat all in the shape of a heart which is just perfect for my one true love!

When he opens the card, he can see the full image. That's us in the picture. Yes, once upon a time, he had blondish hair and mine is still dark brown (thanks to my hair stylist and her magic potions). But isn't this image just so sweet! And the PTI sentiment is so perfect for this card. What a fun card to make! I hope he likes it, too! He is often amused by my crafting but I can tell that he's also kinda impressed that I do this stuff! Gotta love a man who encourages paper crafting!
Project Recipe
Paper: SU Bashful Blue CS, SU Brilliant Blue CS, Ginak White Pure Luxury CS
Stamps: Cute Daisy May Sheet 51, SU Best Yet (sentiment), PTI Heart Prints (sentiment)
Ribbon: White sheer colored with blue copic (unknown source)
Accessories: cuttlebug, cuttlebug embossing folder, copic markers, SU Movers and Shapers dies (heart and scallop oval), EK Success lrg heart punch, SU scalloped oval punch

2 Challenges and a Late Birthday

Lookie at me with all my birthday goodies!!! Actually, that's not all of them. I also got a handful of Hobby Lobby gift certificates! I've got some wonderful friends and family. My two best girlfriends took me out for lunch and a movie and then that evening my husband, parents, sister, oldest son and his girlfriend took me to eat at one of my favorite restaurants (that's why I'm now working out and back on an eating plan!). My birthday was actually a couple of weeks ago, but I've been busy enjoying everything and didn't take time to post, but it was an incredible birthday! Thanks to all who made it special!
Next up is a card I made for one of my dearest friends and co-workers who is moving this summer. I can't even begin to describe how lonely this makes me feel even though I'm hoping this will be a very good move for her. I used the challenge over at Digital Tuesday's which was to simplify. So, I printed out my image, which was a freebie from My Grafico, onto Ginak cardstock, colored it with copics, stamped a sentiment, and grabbed some scraps. Simple. I cased this card from one of the Digital Tuesday Design Team members who created a fabulous card with a very similar layout. Loved the look so much, I wanted to try to create something similar.
Finally, this was supposed to be a card using a Tuesday Morning sketch challenge for this week, but I stopped at the background "swoop" because I didn't want to cover my SU Circle Circus circles!!! I tried all kinds of things to add an image or embellishment of some sort so it would somewhat resemble the sketch, but I just couldn't bear to have those circles covered. So I used the Stampin' Up Modern Label punch and created a window in the bottom of my card and added a sentiment to the inside panel that would show through. Guess this'll have to do. Afterall, the sketch is just a jumping off point! Thanks, Melissa, for another great sketch.
Flower Card Recipe
Paper: GinaK White Pure Luxury CS, SU retired DSP
Stamps: My Grafico Cocoa Studios Vases and Flowers Digital stamps, PTI Heartfelt Basics (sentiment)
Ribbon: PTI dark chocolate satin ribbon
Accessories: SU eyelet border punch, copic markers, Ranger Ruby Slippers Glitz stickles
Circles Card Recipe
Paper: SU Melon Mambo textured CS, SU Whisper White CS
Stamps: SU Circle Circus, SU Starring You
Ribbon: SU Melon Mambo dotted ribbon
Accessories: SU Modern Label punch, SU Scalloped Circle, EK Success 3/4", 1", 13/8" circle punches

It's a Purple Butterfly

I am literally running so late with this post. I was going to get it done last night, but my camera's battery was dead, so I thought "no problem, I'll do it first thing in the morning." But I decided I better get my run/walk in first thing this morning before it gets way too hot to be on pavement. So I'm sitting here now with sweat pouring down my back and everywhere else trying to get this post finished. Good thing smell doesn't transfer over the internet!
Had to grab some more of that Rich Razzleberry cardstock from Stampin' Up for this card. I will definitely be ordering some more of that today. The beautiful butterfly is from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff. I colored it in with my copics and Spica glitter pens. I do love things to sparkle. You can grab this image for a $1 and think of all the beautiful colors and finishes you can use to make your butterfly special. If you hurry, you can still catch Lindsay's July special: Spend $5 in her store and get a free image of your choice for FREE! And speaking of free--one of the design team members has a cute little freebie for you. Better hurry and find it because it's outta this world!
Do you see the little charm on my card? My friend Amy with Close to My Heart gave me a small pack of charms, so I added a jump ring and one of the charms to the Rich Razzleberry ribbon for an added special touch. I'm off now to shower and cool down! Have a zippy day!
Project Recipe
Paper: SU Rich Razzleberry CS, SU Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, GinaK White Pure Luxury CS
Stamps: Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Butterfly digital stamp
Ribbon: SU Rich Razzleberry dotted ribbon
Accessories: CTMH charm, jump ring, cuttlebug, oval nestabilities die, copics, spica glitter pens

Christmas Shopping in July

If you've been to Hobby Lobby this month, then you've witnessed the transformation from the summer garden scene to the winter wonderland! Incredible how they do that. One day I was looking at some patio furniture. The next day all that was replaced with Christmas trees. We're still experiencing triple digit temperatures, so I'm just not ready for the transition.
BUT this week's Digital Tuesday Challenge is Christmas in July and while I'm not ready for Christmas trees and snowmen just yet, I know it's time to start "the list". So with that in mind, I printed out a digital image of shopping bags from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff which I colored with my copics. Be sure to do a little shopping for yourselves and visit Lindsay's store this month. She's running a special all month: spend $5 in the store and get a free stamp of your choice and since it's digital, there's no waiting for days to recieve your images! Also, be sure to visit Lindsay's blog to check out what the rest of her design team is up to this week. Someone's got a darling little freebie to give away this week!
I used the Tuesday Morning Sketch challenge to create the layout for this card. It was so hard to take this card seriously, so I just had a little fun with the whole thing. I counted up the number of days until Christmas so I could print out my "tongue-in-cheek" sentiment which I punched out with Stampin' Up's new modern label punch and matted with their new movers and shapers die. I embossed part of the card with the new cuttlebug herringbone embossing folder. I cut out an ornament with a Sizzix die. Now, who can I send into a panic with this card announcing that time is running short to get that Christmas shopping finished??? Merry Christmas, yall!
Project Recipe
Paper: SU Wild Wasabi CS (retired), SU Real Red CS, Real Red DSP, DCWV Metallic Cardstack, DCWV Nana's Kitchen CS
Stamps: Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Shopping Bags
Ribbon: SU Real Red grosgrain ribbon
Accessories: SU Modern Label punch, SU Sizzix Movers and Shaper Die, Sizzix ornament die, Ranger Stickles, Cuttlebug Embossing folder (herringbone), Cuttlebug, copic markers (G0000, G21, G82, R0000, R46, N2)

Razzle Dazzled Magnolia

I want to crow I'm so excited about this post. First of all, I think I'm over the top in love with SU's Rich Razzleberry. Now I'm not all that much of a purple girl, but this color may have converted me. I love how Stampin' Up combined the Rich Razzleberry with Orchid Opulence, a color I thought I would never use, in this DSP Cottage Wall.
The next thing I just love about this card it that Magnolia. It just looks so awesome with a light edging of some purpley copic markers. I used two of the brand new super light copic markers BV0000 and G0000. You should see it IRL. It just pops off the card. You can get this beautiful image at Lindsay's Stamp Stuff for a $1. Be sure and get over there soon because Lindsay is running a special through the end of July: spend $5 and get a free stamp of your choice.
Oh, and I'm not through. Hang on tight! I told you there's a lot to love in this post. The sketch design for this card is from a brand new sketch challenge hosted by the creative Melissa Craig. And this week on Mel's Tuesday Morning Sketches, Lindsay is sponsoring the challenge and the prize is 10 (yes, ten) digital images from Lindsay's shop!!! The sketch is awesome and the prize is just incredible. I combined this sketch challenge with the Digital Tuesday Challenge which was to use 1 digital image, 2 designer papers, and 3 embellishments. I made my own embellishments with some cardstock and punches.
Okay, one last thing (I promise). Here's another goody for you. One of Lindsay's Design Team members has a freebie for you. It's not a flower, but it is something that loves flowers. So check out my sidebar for links to the design team or head over to Lindsay's blog The Frugal Crafter for links to the team and to give this super, generous lady a little appreciation!
Project Recipe
Paper: SU Rich Razzleberry CS, Orchid Opulence CS, Always Artichoke CS, SU Cottage Wall DSP, GinaK White Pure Luxury CS
Stamp: Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Magnolia #2 digital stamp
Accessories: various flower punches by Punch Craft and Stampin' Up, copic markers (BV0000, V09, V15, G0000, G20, YG95, Yg 91)

Tuesday's Challenge

No, I don't have the wrong day. I know it's really Sunday, but I was playing around up in the craft loft and remembered that there was a digital stamping challenge on Tuesdays that I had been meaning to check out (I know...a day late and a dollar short!), so I hopped on over to the Digital Tuesday Challenge blog to see what I'd missed this week. In the future, I'll try to be more timely.
Since the challenge for this week is "sweet birthdays", I knew I wanted to use this float stamp from Lindsay Stamp Stuff with my Liquid Applique again. This time I added a little bit of glitter to the wet applique before "puffing" it with a heat gun. After I finished the image, I was scanning around looking for a card design idea and about that time I got an email from Mel at Tuesday Morning Sketches! It was kismet! I used Mel's Tuesday sketch to complete my Digital Tuesday challenge! Hmmm...this could become a Tuesday routine (that is if I can actual get it done on a Tuesday!) Anywhoo, Mel is just starting her challenge blog, so if you're looking for a sketch challenge be sure to check it out or join me in combining the two challenges to see what we can come up with.
I've been zippin' it today. So, if this is your first time here today, be sure to check out my earlier post, too.
Project Recipe
Paper: PTI Lemon Tart CS, PTI Agua Mist CS, SU Melon Mambo CS, GinaK White Pure Luxury CS, Paper Studio Paper Basics PP
Stamps: Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Ice Cream Float digital stamp, CC Designs Sugar Plums sentiments
Ribbon: PTI Agua Mist Satin Dots, PTI Raspberry Fizz grosgrain
Accessories: Marvy Uchida Liquid Applique, Doodlebug Sugar Coating Cupcake glitter, EK Success border punch, pinking shears, copic markers

Dare U--Pink, Black and White

When I was in high school black and pink were my favorite colors to wear. In fact, my senior ring had a pink stone--not my birthstone or a stone with the school colors--pink. There is something so fun about combining black and pink, and so many ladies fashion stores incorporate one or both of these chic colors into their color schemes. It was a lot of fun to drag them out for the Dare U2 Digi Stamp Challenge this week.
I totally copied this card from Nicole Heady's blog today. PaperTreyInk is gearing up for another release so be sure to see Nicole's blog to check out the original design, plus take a look at all the goodies coming out this week. I love how clean and simple her design is (all her designs are like that), so I wanted to get that same feel with my card.
I grabbed those shopping bags (a digi stamp) from Lindsay's Shop, did a little paper piecing, a little coloring, and ta-da! finished. I added some glossy accents to the bag I colored to make it a shiny store bag--totally looks like something from Victoria's Secret. There's bound to be something naughty (or just expensive) in that bag.
Mind you, my shopping bags never look like these. I always end up with those horrible plastic bags, and they say Michaels, or JoAnn's, or Hobby Lobby on them!
Project Recipe
Paper: All papers from PTI--White, Kraft, Raspberry Fizz, True Black, Black & White Basics PP, Raspberry Fizz Mix PP
Stamps: Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Shopping Bags digital stamp
Ribbon: Ribbon FX (Hobby Lobby)
Accessories: Inkssentials Glossy Accents, copic markers

Call Me

The challenge this week at Cute Daisy May Challenge Blog was to use hot colors. Hate to say it but down here in sunny South Texas we've had triple digit temperatures for weeks and no significant rainfall for moooonths, so our HOT summer colors this year are brown and darker brown! But that would be too much of a downer for this gorgeous image from Cute Daisy May Digital Stamps.
So I went for something brighter and cheerier. I combined the new SU Razzleberry Lemonade paper with some SU Pink Passion and Pumpkin Pie CS. Like the temperatures here, this card is "sizzling"! I used SU's new Movers and Shaper dies and the new SU modern label punch for my sentiment. The new Movers and Shapers Dies create perfect mats for several SU punches...I love that!
I'm off now to water my plants. Maybe if I do, I'll get some pretty flowers in these bright colors to grow.
Project Recipe
Paper: (all paper by SU unless noted) Razzleberry Lemonade, Pumpkin Pie, Pink Passion, GinaK White Pure Luxury CS
Stamps: Cute Daisy May Digi Stamps Sheet 12, CC Designs SugarPlum Sentiment set
Accessories: Making Memories Blossoms and Buttons, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Oval Nestabilities, SU Movers and Shapers die, SU Modern Label punch, large brad (Joann's clearance), small star brads (unknown), copic markers

2 More Cherries

I love this stuff! I've tried just plain cherry mix, but it just doesn't work for me. Has to be Cherry Pomeganate by Crystal Light. I drink a lot of this and a long time ago, I decided that the empty boxes would be good for something. I didn't know what, but I knew I could "make" something out of them. Now I have a HUGE collection of these empty boxes. My husband just looks at these boxes in the cabinet and shakes his head puzzled. (He's long since learned not to ask!)
I must be on cherry kick these days (is all that juice mix seeping into my brain?) because this is like the THIRD project I've done with these cherries!!!! Seriously, if you haven't gone to Lindsay's Stamp Stuff and picked up these 2 Cherries for a $1, you are really missing out. Feel silly only spending a buck, then be sure to shop around because Lindsay is running a special this whole month: spend $5 and get a free stamp! She's added some great new images--beautiful flowers. One day, when I get over my "cherry kick", I'm going to print those flowers out and have a ball coloring them with my copics, or my water colors, or maybe my pencils....
The hardest part of this whole project was getting the measurements right. And to be honest, that wasn't particularly hard. I covered the box with cardstock and gingham print paper. After printing out the cherries, I covered them with my red Liquid Applique and let them dry. You can heat set them, but I found out it turns a pinkish color when you do and I really wanted a nice bright, shiny red for this. The topper is a tag cut with my Cricut and Plantin Schoolbook cartridge. I cut out some flowers with my cuttlebug and SU Floral Fusion Sizzlits die. Behind the flowers, I used Velcro to keep the top closed but allow for easy opening and closing. Then, I just added some ribbon to the top for a handle. This would be cute for a lot of purposes, but I thought about filling it with some crayons and a little memo pad and a few candies to give some bored child this summer. Remember, I have A LOT of these boxes, so it's likely you'll be seeing more of them!!!
Now, head over to Lindsay's blog and check out what the rest of the Design Team has done. And somebody, I'm not saying who, but somebody's got a FREEBIE for you!
Project Recipe
Paper: SU Barely Banana CS, SU Green Galore CS, SU Real Red CS, Paper Studio The Basics Paper Pad PP, GinaK White Pure Luxury CS
Stamps: Lindsay's Stamp Stuff 2 Cherries digital stamp
Ribbon: PTI Pure Poppy Satin Dots
Accessories: Cuttlebug, SU Floral Fusion Sizzlit die, Spellbinders Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities, Cricut, Design Studio, Plantin Schoolbook Cartridge, Scor-PalPaper Studio red brad, Marvy Uchida red Liquid Applique, copic markers

Have a "Cherry" Nice Day

I'm still playing with cherries today. This cute little digital image is from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff. I have an earlier post with this image, but I wanted to try out my new RED Liquid Applique on these cherries. What I found was that I really liked them all glossy once the Liquid Applique had dried, but if I heat them with my embossing heat gun, it turned them PINK. Now I like pink but I already had a red color scheme going and the pink just wasn't going to work, so I printed out another set of cherries, filled them in with the Liquid Applique and let them dry--no heating.
I created this card for the DareU2DigiStamp challenge for this week. The challenge is to use embossing. My red background paper has the Cuttlebug embossed branches on it.
Well, triple digit temperatures AGAIN today, so I think I'll either go eat some ice cream or print out one of Lindsay's ice cream images...something to cool me down!
Project Recipe
Paper: PTI Pure Poppy CS, PTI New Leaf CS, PTI Black & White Basics PP, GinaK White Pure Luxury CS
Stamps: Lindsay's Stamp Stuff 2 Cherries, PTI Handwritten Notes (sentiment)
Ribbon: PTI New Leaf Saddle Stitch, SU Real Red grosgrain
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug branches embossing folder, SU Large Oval punch, SU Scallop Oval Punch, SU 5 Petal Punch, Spellbinders Circle Nestabilities die, Paper Studio brad, copic markers, Marvy Uchida Red Liquid Applique

Sweet Daisy Girl

Okay, I may be officially a digi stamper! I haven't ordered a single rubber stamp from the new Stampin Up catty, but I've acquired several new digi stamps over the last few days including this adorable image from Cute Daisy May Digi Stamps. She's part of a set of four images and they are all absolutely adorable. In fact, it was very hard to pick just one set. This set ended up costing less than $3 US. I can tell I'm going to have to go back and get some more.

That beautiful background paper is the new SU Razzleberry Lemonade DSP. I matted the image with SU Rich Razzleberry. I combined this with PTI's Lemon Tart CS and PTI Bitty Box Basics PP in Lemon Tart. Finally, the gorgeous flowers are Primas with a brad I picked up on clearance at JoAnn's.

I really worked with my copics on this one. I re-watched a couple of Suzanne Dean's copic tutorial videos. If you are at all interested in copics, her site is a must-see. She's got great tutorials and loads of great designs. I'm entering this little lady in the Copic Creations Challenge Blog. The challenge this time is brunette hair. I'm also entering her in the Cute Daisy May Challenge since anything goes this week. Hope you have a Zippy Day!

Project Recipe

Paper: SU Rich Razzleberry, SU Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, PTI Lemon Tart CS, PTI New Leaf CS, PTI Bitty Box Basics PP, GinaK White Pure Luxury CS

Stamps: Cute Daisy May Digi Stamps Set Sheet #12, All That Scraps Sugar Plum Sentiments

Acessories: Prima Flowers, SU Small and Large Tag Punch, SU Eyelet Border Punch, brad (JoAnn's), Paper Studio eyelet, twine, copic markers (including a few Copic Ciao not pictured)

With a Cherry on Top

Woo Hoo! Lindsay has NEW stuff! Just in time for summer's crushing heat (well down here it's crushing--triple digit temperatures), Lindsay has added some summer perfect digital stamps. If you got the ice cream float a couple of weeks ago, you'll want to see her new ice cream cone...makes me want to run to Dairy Queen for an icy treat! And then she's added the cute cherries that you see here.
Fruit and gingham are just a totally FRESH combination. Actually, these days, I'm liking gingham with everything. But these ripe, red cherries paired with a couple of gingham prints just scream summer to me. And, yes, those are the new Stampin Up In colors I used. (But I've still got LOTS of the old in colors, so you haven't seen the last of them.) I'm not sure if you can see it, but I added a little sparkle with the Spica glitter pen, so it looks like they've been freshly washed and are now ready to pop in your mouth!
This image is only $1 at Lindsay's Stamp Stuff. And if that's not a sweet enough deal for you, Lindsay has a new special for July: spend $5 in her store and get a digital stamp of your choice for free. Oh, and there's one more freebie for you this week. Go to Lindsay's blog and check out her entire design team's work for the week. One of them has a freebie for you!!
Project Recipe
Paper: SU Bermuda Bay CS, SU Melon Mambo CS, PTI White CS, Paper Studio The Basics PP
Stamps: Lindsay's Stamp Stuff 2 Cherries Digital stamp
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders circle and scalloped circle Nestabilities dies, EK Success border punch, brads (unknown), copic markers