Friday, January 31, 2014

Kitty Bee Blog Hop - Kitty Be Mine

I'm so excited - it's time for the Kitty Bee Blog Hop!  Why now?  Well, that's because we are showing you some of the NEW digi's available at the Kitty Bee Design etsy store!!

The name of the image I used is called "Kitty Be Mine".  Of course I used a kitty!!!!  I wanted to color the kitty sort of like my Boots.  He's a tuxedo cat and just a big baby!!!  Actually, he's my card maker helper...I don't think I make a card that doesn't have a cat hair somewhere on it!  LOL!!  Usually it's in the adhesive somewhere but every once in a while there's a stray one hanging off the side!

While "Kitty Be Mine" is a GREAT image for Valentine's Day (which is right around the corner you know!), it can also be used any time of year just to tell someone you love them.  It's very versatile!!  And of course you can color the kitty in any shade or even leave him white!

Since Valentine's Day is so close, I kept with the traditional Valentine's Day colors using red, white, and pink.  Here's the final result:


Now here is something really exciting!!!  You can win one of the images from the new release!!!  All you have to do is leave some love on each blog listed below within one week and then one lucky commenter will win the digi of their choice from the New Release!!!  Remember, the more blogs you comment on - the better your chances are to win!!!!!

Ready to go hopping?  Here's the list:



Katie:  Katie's Crafts
Taniaj:  ManxMade
Julie:  I Made A Card
Victoria:  Very Belle Makes
Niki:  Stampn'HI
and ME!
And of course - be sure to head back to The Kitty Bee Design Blog

Remember - you have a week to leave a comment on EVERY stop in the hop for a chance to win (1) of the new release digis of their choice.  Multiple comments on the same blog don't count, but you have 12 chances to win if you comment on every hop post, including the Kitty Bee Design blog.   Entries close at 10am on Friday, Feb 7th and winner will be posted the following Sunday.


Have fun hopping and good luck!!!!  Thanks for stopping by and visiting me today....God bless you!!!

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Deedee Designs - Sending My Love

It's almost time for a new challenge month at Deedee Designs and I just had to make a card using the January Digi of the Month:  Sending My Love!  I fell in love as soon as I saw this little bunny.  Isn't he just adorable??  Remember, when you order Deedee's Digi's you get a whole set - sentiments, colored image, lined image....what a deal!!!



I'm submitting this card for the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by!  God bless you today!! Oh, and one last thing.... Wednesday night at church we were given this to think about:  If all the prayers you prayed last week were answered, what would the world look like today?  That really convicted me....and has brought me to my knees!  Bless you!!!

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Crafter's Cafe - Challenge #48 - Use Ribbon and/or Lace in your Design

It's an exciting day!!  It's my very first post as part of the DT at The Crafter's Cafe!!  And the very first challenge brought a theme that I had been wanting to do but never have - and that is to use lace (or you can use ribbon too - but lace is what caught my eye).  I see so many lovely creations out there with lace on them and I have never tried using it yet.  Then a couple weeks ago someone sent me some BoBunny lace - talk about a "meant to be" moment.  LOL!!

Here's my first lace project:



One of our sponsors this week at The Crafter's Cafe is Fred She Said and I used  "I Love You THIS Much".  The papers were from my stash as were the pearls.   At Crafter's Cafe we have several sponsors for each challenge and here's who is sponsoring this week:




I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by and spending a few moments with me today.  God bless you!!!

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Penguin Blues

With all the cold, of course it seemed like the perfect time to use this little penguin image.  I used some papers from my stash and voila!  Instant card!!  I'll be using this one to send to a little boy.


I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today!!!  God bless you!!!!

Monday, January 27, 2014

Eureka #74 - Anything Goes

I love when a theme for a challenge is "Anything Goes"....and that's what our theme is this week at Eureka Stamps!!  ANYTHING!

Now personally I'm ready for spring so I decided that Spring should be in bloom on my blog today!  I used Digi36303 – Spring Set of 4 but only used one of the 4 blocks.  What a great bargain that set is - 4 images for the price of 1!  I colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers and used an embossing folder by Darice to even bring more flowers to the card.  Add a ribbon and instant card!


With the theme Anything Goes you certainly can join me at Eureka Stamps this week....remember if you don't join us you can't win!

I'm also entering this into the following challenges:
Thank you for spending a few precious moments of your day with me.  God bless you!!!!

Sunday, January 26, 2014

"Love You Beary Much"

Love is in the air!  Valentine's Day is right around the corner and I couldn't help myself when I saw "Love You Beary Much" by Deedee Digi's!  I love this little guy!!!!!  I used some papers from my stash as well as a piece of ribbon and some pearls.....and colored the bear with Spectrum Noir markers.  One of the sentiments is on the inside.  I was very happy with the end result - now to figure out who gets my little Valentine....


I'm submitting this card for the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today!  God bless you!!!!!




Friday, January 24, 2014

Pattie's Creations Design Challenge - For a Little Girl

I confess:  I'm not on the Design Team schedule this week at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.  But when I saw the theme - FOR A LITTLE GIRL....how could I pass this up when I have four granddaughters?  So I asked if I could participate with Team Pattiboop, and the answer was YES!!!  YEAH!!!! 

Don't think you can't participate if you don't have a little girl in your life....because even as adult women, we all have that inner little girl who still loves "girlie" things so you could make a card even for your adult family member or friend too.

I used "Bear Love With Balloons" for my card.   The flower paper is from PaperTrey Ink.  The other papers are some scraps I had from other projects.  I love using scraps!  I can't remember exactly where the ribbon is from...so I won't risk giving the wrong information.  Here's the final product:


Come on over and join us at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by today!  God bless you and, if you're from my neck of the woods - try to stay warm!


Tuesday, January 21, 2014

{PIN}spirational Challenge #91

Oh I'm running so late this morning.....still have to get ready for work so nothing really chatty in this post today...sorry.

This card is for the {PIN}spirational Challenge #91 with the inspiration picture of:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/141581982009291174/ 

Cute huh?  The sponsors are:

Prize: 3 digis
 
...and...
 
Prize-$10 worth of digis
 
My card is using just an embossing folder (a friend sent it to me) and markers:
 

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:
Robyn's Fetish - Winter Cards

Thanks for stopping by!  God bless you!!!
 
 

Monday, January 20, 2014

Eureka #73 - Three Favorite Embellishments

Do you have your "go-to" items?  I certainly do!!!  Over the years I've learned what I like to work with and I really stick with just those few things.  I don't usually go for trends.  Oh, when I first started this addiction...I mean hobby....I thought I had to have everything!!  Anytime I saw a card using something new, I had to get it!!!  Now I'm not like that at all....ok, I must confess that I still sometimes get sucked in...but not nearly like I did in the past. 

This week at Eureka Stamps we are using our 3 Favorite Embellishments.  For me it's pretty easy...my go-to items are usually bling or pearls, ribbon, and buttons.  But for this time I'm taking a bit of liberty here and considering an embossing folder an embellishment...or maybe the pop dots I used (even though they can't be seen).  But of course - there had to be bling and ribbon.  I used Digi37303 – 1 Cor 13 13 which is perfect for a Valentine's Day card, don't you think?


Come on over and use your 3 favorite embellishments....and I'll try to resist the temptation to go shopping when I see the neat stuff you used!

Thanks for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!


Sunday, January 19, 2014

Winner-Winner-Winner!!!!! (Deedee's Digis One-Stop Hop)

It's that time!!!!  Time to announce the WINNER from my blog!!!!  Who could it be?  First off I must say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who took time to visit me and leave some love.  I must admit that I'm always shocked when someone comments on one of my cards.  

Well, I can't keep it a secret so the winner is......

Next conversation [right arrow]


#3 TAMARA D
 Congrats Tamara!!!  Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.  Please email Deedee at deedeesdigis@gmail.com with the name of the set you would like and she will send it directly to you.

Thank you again to everyone who stopped by.  Please feel free to come by anytime!!!

God bless you today and may He pour out His love to you today!!!

Deedee's Digis One-Stop Hop

What a way to start as a new Design Team Member....Yes, I'm honored to be part of Deedee's Digis Design Team!!  And to begin my new adventure I'm blessed to be part of Deedee's Digis One-Stop Hop!!

There's lots of great things to find along the way....You could find a new friend, some crafty inspiration, a freebie, and even a chance to win more digis!!!  What more can you ask for?  It's a great time for a blog hop too because winter has settled in and we are all spending more time in our craft rooms.  Now you can be inspired and who knows what you'll wind up creating next time you sit down at your craft table.

When you visit each of our designer's blogs and leave some love (we all love reading comments don't we?), you'll be entered to win a digi set at EACH STOP!  WOW!  And there's more!!!  Join our sister team at Daydream Designs blog for more inspiration, more prize drawings...and more FREEBIES!  The fun starts today at Deedee's Digis blog and you have until Sunday, January 19th, 6pm CST to participate.

For my creation I used the set called "All the World".   One thing you will notice about all of Deedee's Digi's is that each set has so much versatility!  Since I only have a black & white printer, I printed out the lined image and colored it using Spectrum Noir markers.  I wanted the color of the image to be the only real color on my card so I kept everything else very muted in the browns/kraft color family.  Here's my final product:


Remember that you  could win this set (or any other set of your choice) from Deedee's Digis just by leaving me some love...or even just saying hello.  Don't forget that one will will be selected by random drawing when our hop closes on January 19th (Sunday evening).  Be sure to come back to Deedee's Digis blog after 7pm CST on January 19th to see if you've won!!!!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Kitty Bee Designs - Something New

I'm so excited!!!  This is my very first post as part of the Design Team at Kitty Bee Designs!  The theme for this weeks challenge is "Something New".  It can be a new technique, new product, etc.

 Our sponsor for this challenge is:

I was able to use "Little Miss Sassy" for my card.  When it came to something new - well, I must admit that I'm not one to try new things very often.  I knew I wanted to try a new technique, but didn't quite know what to do.  Getting me to step out of my comfort zone isn't an easy thing!  LOL!!  I scanned through tutorials on YouTube and found one that I liked:  the Barbello Technique.  

I used blues as my main color but then wanted to add another color to my background so I looked through my scraps of dsp and found some that went together.  After playing around a bit with it and finding something that I liked, I taped them together and voila - instant background!
Some on over and visit us at Kitty Bee Designs.  Try something new!  You never know, you might just find a new technique to add to your bag of tricks....or a new product that you will find is your new favorite item!!!  Thanks for stopping by today and spending a few minutes of your day with me.  God bless you!

Monday, January 13, 2014

Eureka #72 - Bundle Up - It's Cold Outside

BRRRRRR!!!  It has been quite frigid here in Ohio...last week we had one day where our high temperature didn't even hit ZERO!  Ah, but that is part of winter.  This week at Eureka Stamps we are remembering those things that hang in our closets that take up lots of room...you know you have a few of them...things you bundle up in when it's cold outside!  Oh wait - are you from one of those tropical places where bundling up means wearing a shirt over your tank top?  I'll forgive you.  LOL!!

For my card I used Digi3204 – Bear in Scarf and Digi34401 -  Bundle up and Enjoy.  Don't forget though - at the Eureka Stamps store you can get the images not only in digital format, but also in traditional rubber format!  I was in a purple mood - not really sure why.  I only colored the bears scarf, hat, and gloves.  But snow has to glisten doesn't it?  Icicle Stickles does the trick!  Here's the finished product:


 
Come on over to Eureka Stamps and show us how you bundle up!

I'm also submitting this card for the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by and spending a few precious moments of your day with me.  God bless you!!  And don't forget - Stay WARM!!

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Here Kitty-Kitty-Kitty!

I didn't have much time in the craft room today since it's Sunday.  Sundays for me are spent the same way week after week.... Church in the AM, come home and eat dinner, usually a nap in the afternoon, and then church in the evening.  I LOVE SUNDAYS!  It certainly is a day of rest for our household.

My card today is a kitty theme.  I love cats...I have two of them.  Our Fur-Babies truly think they are people and we were put on this earth to serve them.  Even as I'm typing this post - one is on one couch and the other one is on the other couch...both lounging as they usually do. 

From the Heart Stamps has a monthly challenge and everyone is a winner.  How great is that!?  This month they are offering a freebie - which is the little kitty I used for this card.  The neat thing is that if you participate using their monthly stamp, they will send you the stamp for next month free.  I'm all about freebies!  LOL!  I kept the kitty white and just colored the heart red and put some pink on her (yes, I've decided the kitty is a "her" - LOL!) nose and ears.  The papers I received in two different swaps.

Thanks for stopping by today!!!  Of course I'm submitting this card for From The Heart Stamps Monthly Challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by today!!  God bless you on this beautiful Sunday!!!!

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Bunny Slippers

It's confession time.  I used to have a pair of slippers.  Not a big confession huh?  Well, there's more.  These weren't your every day average slippers.  I loved these slippers.  Why?  Well, they were pigs.  They were pink and had big pig heads on the front of them...with pigs feet coming from the front and back...and yes, even a pink curly pig tail.  You're probably thinking that I was very young when I had these right?  I had them even in my 30's!  I loved those pigs...and was so sad when I had to throw them out because the bottoms wore out.

My card today is sort of celebrating those slippers...except they aren't pink pigs...they are green bunnies!  The image is from Doodle Pantry and the paper is from a new pack from DCWV I got using a gift card.  The bunny slippers are actually colored a lime green with pencils...but it's light and didn't photograph well at all.



I'm submitting this card for the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today and spending a few minutes of your day with me.  God bless you!!!

Friday, January 10, 2014

Pattie's Creations Design Challenge #83 - Stitching (Faux or Real)

WE'RE BACK!!!!  Yep, Pattie's Creations Design Challenge is back in full swing for 2014!  Our first challenge for the year is STITCHING - Faux or Real.

Now honestly, I can't sew.  I have a nice Singer sewing machine that I bought because I wanted to learn to sew.  I'm a very "all or nothing" type of person...so instead of just trying something small - I went out and bought the machine, a bunch of patterns, material, and set out to be a seamstress!  The first thing I decided to make was a teddy bear for my granddaughter.  When it was done - it looked like a giant mouse.  Since then my sewing machine has not been used...that granddaughter just turned 9 years old this month and I made the bear for her when she was still a baby I think.  Wow, how time flies.  I've often thought I would try sewing on cards...but never have.  I really need to do that.  But since I didn't want to try on a challenge card....I decided to do faux stitching.  And honestly, I've learned that I not only can't sew...but I can't "faux sew" either.  LOL!!

The image I used is "Candy Hearts Jar".  What a great image for Valentine's Day!!!  I always loved eating those conversation hearts when I was a kid....and who am I kidding - I still love them!!  Even just last year I remember sitting on the couch with my husband and eating those.....yeah, we are just a couple kids.

The image is colored with Spectrum Noir markers, cut using a Spellbinders die and then layered it with the next size up.  I did the faux stitching with a marker.


Please join us at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge....and show me how good stitching should really look - LOL!!!  

I'm submitting this card for the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today and spending a few moments with me.  Blessings to you and your family!!!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Carriers of Faith - Be still and know that I am God

Today is my very first post being part of "Carriers of Faith"!  Carriers of Faith is a blog group of Christian women who love to stamp and share their faith.  Each month a hostess will give us a scripture & theme to inspire, encourage, and see how our faith shines through.  Take a look around. What do you see? What brings joy, beauty, happiness, peace, serenity to your heart?


The first month our hostess is our group owner, Kelly.  She gave us the following challenge:

January Challenge :
January Scripture: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
January photo inspiration: Spending time in stillness, in prayer.

To be very honest, I've not been able to wrap my head around this one.  Yes, I love the scripture...but there isn't really one special place that I pray because to me prayer is a constant communication with God.  I'll pray on my way to work.  I'll pray in the shower.  I'll pray if I wake up at night and can't sleep.  I'll pray in the kitchen, living room, outside...it just doesn't matter where.

I kept thinking and thinking about the theme....Be still and know that I am God.  And then it hit me - the photo that I can share that inspires me - where I am most often stirred in my soul - is God's house!  My church.  I love my church!  And last night I couldn't have been more proud to be part of such an amazing church.  On New Years Eve our town suffered a tragedy where two teenagers were murdered.  Our church was asked to host the calling hours/funeral.  It was a time for our church to show a hurting community the love of Jesus.  And last night, as I saw many family members, friends, teenagers, etc walk through the doors of our church I was touched.  Our pastor spoke tenderly as he delivered a message about how in times when events like this happen we don't understand why and it's like we sit down at a table across from God and ask Him why this happened.  He had a table and 2 chairs on the platform to demonstrate this....and in the end, he moved the chairs side by side and talked about how God isn't against us or even across from us - but He is right beside us.  It's ok to ask why and how could this happen.  But God is for us and loves us.  It reminded me of a song that our choir sings -

God is fighting for us, God is on our side
He has overcome, yes He has overcome.
We will not be shaken, we will not be moved
Jesus You are here

Carrying our burdens, covering our shame
He has overcome, yes He has overcome
We will not be shaken, we will not be moved
Jesus You are here

I will live, I will not die
The resurrection power of Christ
Alive in me and I am free in Jesus' Name
I will live, I will not die
I will declare and lift You high
Christ revealed and I am healed in Jesus' Name

God is fighting for us
Pushing back the darkness
Lighting up the Kingdom
That cannot be shaken
In the name of Jesus
Enemy's defeated 
And we will shout it out - shout it out

He is fighting for us - fighting for me.  I'm alive and free in Jesus' Name!!!  The enemy's are defeated!  So what inspires me today...it's my church.  The Apostolic Church of Barberton.

Please take some time to hop along through our blog hop for the Carriers of Faith.....

Kelly
Barb
Zella - you're here now :)
Jeanette
Carol
Tami
Shelly
April

Thanks for stopping by today and spending a few moments with me...and don't forget - God is fighting for YOU!!

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Empty Cup?

Are you a half empty or half full type of person?  I tend to be a half full type person.  Guess it's the optimist in me.  This week at {PIN}spirational Challenges our inspiration picture is something that will inspire you to think about a half empty or half full cup.  Or it might inspire you to make a great cup of hot cocoa or coffee!  What do you think?


Of course we have some great sponsors:
Prize-7 digis
-and-
Prize-4 digis
-and-
Sami Stamps
 Prize-$12 GC

Great prizes huh?  Well now, don't forget that if you want the chance to win, you have to play along with us!!  You could always make yourself a cup of something warm to drink while you're creating. 

I was able to use "Coffee Time" and "May Your Cup" from Bugaboo.  I colored the cup with markers and then used some dsp from my stash to finish off the card.
I look forward to seeing your project!! 

I'm also submitting the card for the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today and spending a few minutes ith me.  God bless you!!!!!  Now go drink a warm cup of cocoa or coffee or tea! 

Monday, January 6, 2014

Blue & Bling - Eureka

One of my favorite colors is blue and I just love bling - so I was super excited to see the theme for this weeks Eureka Challenge - BLUE & BLING.

I chose to make a card (that has already been sent off in the mail and received I'm sure) for the New Year.  I used digi35602 - Another Year.  Now don't forget that at Eureka Stamps you can not only get the images in digi form - but also in rubber form too!  How cool is that?

I wanted to do a "New Years" theme because I love the idea of New Years - a fresh start, new beginning, a time to reflect on the past and also set goals for the coming year.  I did set a few goals for myself this year.  Did you?

So here's my blue & bling card celebrating the New Year:


I hope you come on over to Eureka Stamps and join us this week.  Remember that you can't win if you don't submit a card. 

I'm submitting this card for the following challenges:
 Thank you so much for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!

Sunday, January 5, 2014

It's cold outside!

It's cold...and about to get colder.....I think I already have the January blahs....I'm tired of snow and ready for warmth.  LOL!!

I pulled out an image I used recently but I do love it.....Bella da Snow Lady from Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More.  Isn't she cute??


I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Sweets for the Sweet

Yes, I'm back on my diet!  I met my goal in 2013 of losing 100 pounds.  That goal was met on December 18th.  And then I was off work from December 20th until January 2nd.  And when I stood on the scale on January 2nd....after 2 weeks of Christmas goodies....I had gained 13 pounds back!  UGH!!!  January 2nd I got back on the wagon again...and so now my only sweets to think about now are those on cards. 

I had this image already stamped and colored....just had never mounted it onto a card.  And then digging through my stash of stuff, I found the card layered without an image.... Now doesn't that just scream to be put together?  Add a flower and little sentiment I had already done in my stash as well...and this is what you get:


I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Thank you for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!!

Friday, January 3, 2014

Winter Wonderland

It's January 3rd and I'm tired of winter already!  LOL!  It's been snowing quite a bit here in Ohio and, while it is beautiful outside, it's also cold, messy, and not fun to drive in....but alas, it's all part of living in the north.  Thanks to a recent swap over at SCS I have a years worth of card kits and many of them are made with one of my favorite stamp companies - Penny Black!  So with all the snow and my last remaining days of vacation earlier this week I pulled one out and celebrated snowflakes!  This card is for my Guest Designer gig over at Card Crafters Circle.  But sadly, that has come to an end.  This is my last post being part of Card Crafters Circle as they are taking a break for an unspecified length of time.  I'll miss these amazing artists and have been honored to be part of them for a short time.


I'm submitting this card for the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a very blessed day and stay warm!!!!