Handmade with Love Gloves & card

Hi there!!  I have been enjoying crocheting lately and have a project with matching card to share with you that I made for a dear friend’s birthday in Feb.  I found a cool pattern on-line for these Easy Crochet Wristers (fingerless gloves so you can keep your hands/wrists warm and still be able to do things like use a computer & phone).  I made myself a pair and figured I would get a jump start on some handmade Christmas gifts and make more.  But because this friend has a birthday this month, she is getting them now since it’s still cold here.  I already know she likes them because she saw my pair and said she would like some and then I told her I was already making them.  But the matching card will be a surprise still *wink*  they are so fast & easy to make, I finish them in several days!

Here is a close up of the card, since I covered up the little heart accent on the first photo.  I used Crafty Cuppie who happens to be knitting (and crocheting is with 1 needle) but it still works!    I took the layout from my card from an SU! magazine that I have in my sketch book – it was a fun one!  The card came together in less than 20 minutes! 

Supplies:
Crafty Cuppie, Make a Wish (heart)
Prismatics cardstock: Suede Brown Medium, Papaya Puree Dark, Spring Willow Medium, Basic Grey Pyrus, Choice Buttercream 
Olive Crinkled Crepe Satin ribbon

Update on John: He is doing well, had his post-op appt with his surgeon yesterday and said he was doing well.  Goes back in 8 weeks.  We got out yesterday for a little ‘date’ after work – he came up to my office so I could show him around and we went to the movies and out to eat.  We saw True Grit which was a pretty decent movie.  The acting was great but we walked away from it saying, ‘is that it"?’ it went by too fast.  He is out Geocaching (or rather driving 3 other Geocachers around) in San Antonio today while I stamp my heart out for the next TE release (sneak peeks start Tues Feb 1st!)

Thanks for stopping by – hope you have a great weekend!!

Update on my patient!

well it’s almost 24 hours since John’s surgery and I wanted to give an update in case anyone is wondering.  His surgery was bumped back 2 hrs because of the Dr’s delay.  It lasted just 45 mins and I saw him about 2:00-ish and he was SO sleepy since his ‘nap’ wasn’t long enough!  His oxygen level was a little low so they kept watching that.  When the PT came by about 3:00-ish he was not quite ready to be pushed to get up & learn to walk with the crutches so she came back.  When she did and he sat up in bed, he vomited several times so then she went over everything with me.  but at 4:30 he vomited again and they said if he wasn't better in an hour they would have to admit him.  We saw $$ and so he bucked up and she let us get ready to go the next time she checked on him - it took a lot of effort for him not to get sick again.  So we finally got home a little after 7:00 after stopping at the convenience store for 7up and crackers.  I was scheduled to check in for the mini VSN at 7:45 and get my challenge uploaded by 8:00 and also be sure John was settled in and had everything he needed and I hadn't eaten since noon but who cares since poor John hadn't eaten in almost 24 hours!  I was trying not to race home but our poor Shelby hadn't been let out in 12 hours and every bump in the road or sudden stop nauseated him.  It was a little stressful I'd say.

He got up several times during the night to relieve himself but is still in bed this morning while I enjoy my tea, catch up on emails/commenting on VSN cards and read my Austin Monthly magazine.  I have already straightened up the kitchen and made blueberry muffins.  I am making breakfast now and plan to make him some oatmeal when he's ready to get out of bed.  I will also make some soup for later.  Not sure when I will have time to post but I do have some projects to work on later.  I just need to be here to nurse him so he can handle things when I go back to work on Monday morning.  Thanks for your well wishes & prayers!

Today’s happenings!!

Well we have a good internet signal now – thank God!  I have the day off from work but I am taking John for knee surgery and it’s at 10:30. 

If you are available this evening from 6:00 – 11:00 pm EST, we’d love to have you join us for the SCS Virtual Stamp night Mini!  Hostesses (including me) will be posting hourly challenges (the theme is YOU MAKE MY HEART SING) and you will have 45 mins to complete the challenge and upload by the weekend) click on the link I’ve highlighted and you can get more details.  I gotta run – we have to be there within an hour!!

TE January Blast from the Past hop!

Welcome to our monthly blog hop with Taylored Expressions!! 
I have a cutie Valentine's card to share with you using Love is Sweet in the Stamp a Sweet Impression line of stamps which is on sale!!!

I used all supplies from the Valentine's Project Pantry, which are so fun! Get yours while they are still available!  Be sure to check out all the sweet deals on all tings to get you in the mood for Valentine's Day creating!  Hurry because the sale only goes through Jan 23rd!

So glad you stopped by for our Blast from the Past blog hop! I hope you'll click through the links below and check out what the rest of our hoppers have created! One of these hoppers will be the lucky winner of a free stamp set from the TE store just for participating!   

We'd love to have you join us for the blog hop next month too! You can find all the details here.

Here is the sketch I used for my card, created by the lovely and talented Sankari Wegman!  Hope you will play along, it's a great one!

STV sketch - It's Your Birthday!

Here is a fun Dino card I made using the new set Dino-Mite illustrated by the very lovely & talented Theresa Momber for Gina K. Designs! 

This is for this week's sketch challenge on StampTV!  Be sure to check it out so you have a chance to win a free set from Gina K!  As always, you don't have to use Gina K. stamps but if you do, your name goes in the drawing twice so you increase your chances at winning by 50%!  Her sketches are fun and you can make them as simple as you want or elaborate by using more elements than she uses on the sketch!  Here is a copy of it if you'd like to just work off this post! 

Sorry my posting is so sporadic; we are STILL having internet issues at home and I hardly have time to use the computer at work!!  Hopefully it will be fixed soon, they are coming out again this afternoon!! 

Supplies:
Stamps: Dino Mite
Cardstock: In the Navy, Grass Green, White pure luxury
Inks: Tuxedo Black memento
Accessories: Echo Park Little Boy Collection, Copic Markers
Spellbinders Nestability Classic Circles

MFT Stamp club sketch–Love

Hi there!  It’s so good to have internet access back at home, we were out almost a week!  You don’t realize how much you miss something until it’s gone for sure huh?  Although I could have used that time to stamp my heart out, I really didn’t.  But, I do have a card using this week’s MFT Wednesday stamp club sketch (MFTWSC2) it is a fun one!  So, now I have  a card for my sweet niece Gabby for Valentine’s Day!  I used the cutie Pure Innocence girl Happy Mail, because I know my niece LOVES to get cards in the mail from her Auntie Donna!  All the supplies I used on this card are in the TE Valentine’s Project Pantry kit.

I just realized, after uploading my card I didn’t put the 3 elements on the right of the image, maybe I will put some candy dots before I mail it, but sorry I don’t have time to put them on and e-take a picture!  We are headed to a wine tasting/educational class with our friends James & Stephanie.  Maybe I will take a picture or 2 and report back about how it was! 

Thanks for stopping by – hope you have a great weekend! 

STV sketch - tea, care to join me?

I have a pretty shabby chic card to share with you today using Mugs and Kisses and this week's sketch challenge at STV!!  Here is a direct link to the challenge thread for this sketch.

Did you know the Gina K. challenges on StampTV have videos of her making the cards from beginning to end?  It is so nice to see a cardmaking pro in action! Today she even shows you how to use a stamp positioner just in case you have never done that. 

I had such a fun time making this card, in fact while I was, I was either sipping some tea or dreaming of sipping some tea!  I like all kinds of tea and remember a few years ago, I couldn't even say that I liked anything but sweet tea but now I like all kinds!  In fact, I can give credit to my handsome husband John for me starting to venture into the wonderful world of tea drinking.  We have been to several tea houses in Austin and Savannah GA, even to a tea 'class'. My current favorite is Red Label black Indian tea I get at a local Indian grocer.  In fact, that's what I've been having rather than coffee at home the past few weeks.  It is delicious with cream & organic sugar inside.  Speaking of inside, I stamped the sentiment 'care to join me' fromt the set on the inside of this card, I just forgot to take a picture to share with you. 

I hope you will take some time to play in the weekly challenges, as always the generous Gina K. gives away a free stamp set to a random winner for each challenge!  Monday is the sketch and Friday is the color challenge.  You get 2 entries in the drawing if you used GKD stamps but you certainly don't have to use them to play along!  Hope you will join us!   Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Mugs and Kisses
Cardstock: Black Onyx, Ivory, Basic Grey Curio
AccessoriesL Tim Holtz distress ink tea dye, black silk ribbon, crochet trim, Spellbinders Labels 10, Labels 14, ivory rose

Where Your Heart Is–Operation Write Home

Here is a card I made for this week’s Mojo Monday sketch using Where your Heart is illustrated by Melanie for Gina K. Designs.  Today, Melanie, her set as well as cards created by members of the design team are featured on the Operation Write Home blog.  Gina K. has graciously donated 2 Where Your Heart Is stamp sets to give away on the Operation Write Home blog (click on the link above or the picture below) and read about what inspired Melanie to create this stamp set.  Your second chance to win a set is to comment on Melanie’s blog!  Good luck and thanks for stopping by!!

TE Release Day–Time to Dig In!!

It’s time to go shop for new goodies – but before you head to the Fresh from the Oven category where all the NEW stuff resides, check out the samples all the designers have to share with you as a re-cap!
I have a card to share with you using Rest & Renewal which I paired with Miniature Motifs on Choice Snow White cardstock with Memento London Fog ink (stamped off on scrap paper first).  I love the soft look it has because sometimes you may want to have something softer than black.  In fact, this card qualifies for the Grey is the new black Moxie Fab challenge on their blog.  I used new Echo Park Be Mine papers, Webster’s Pages Grey Bloomers, Pink Carnation silk ribbon, a pink rose and rose pearls to complete my vintage feminine card!

Do you remember the  Love Everywhere set we released a year ago?  Well you can get a FREE one by purchasing the Valentine Bundle which is full of the newest Valentine goodies you will want in your stamping arsenal!   What a deal since this set is valued at $21.95 and you can get it for free!!  Here is a link to the gallery of projects the designers have made.
Here are all the blogs to check out, THEN you should shop ‘til you drop!!
Charmaine Ikach
Danielle Lounds
Jackie Pedro
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Tori Wild
Taylor VanBruggen
Lea Lawson, our guest designer!!

TE Sneak Peek: A Little Love & Kid at Heart

Welcome to our 3rd day of sneak peeks with Taylored Expressions!!  Today we have 3 more sets to share with you and I have 2 projects using 2 of the sets to share! 

 

 

My first project is some Valentine’s matchbox treats with a sweet surprise inside using A Little Love, a sweet set which coordinates with the favor frame die illustrated by Taylor herself for the TE stamp collection.  I also used the new Valentine’s Project Pantry that you can learn more about all the contents on Taylor’s blog.  I just adore the papers which are We R Memory Keepers Be My Valentine collection.

This is a very easy mass produced treat you can make for your kid’s classmates if they allow candy treats or your co-workers.  I kept the outside very simple to show you that your treats don’t need to be super fancy to pack a big punch!  Here is a picture of the inside where I put a little sentiment. 

The next project is a personal favorite of mine, using a sketch I grabbed from my sketchbook (by SU!) and made a cute boy themed card using the new set Kid at Heart which was also illustrated by Taylor!  It is an adorable solid image set with coordinating sentiments to appeal to kids of ALL ages, you know most of us are really kids at heart anyway right?  I know I am. I used papers from the Echo Park Little Boy Collection which is super fun!  I put Christmas red stickles on the hearts in the back of the dump truck.  This card is going to be sent to my adorable nephew Joey for Valentine’s Day. I bet he’ll love it (especially because I will put MONEY! inside) Here is a cute picture I took of him playing with his new dump truck when they visited in November, my DMIL gave it to him (his Gramma Donna).  This was taken the last day they were here when we decided to stay at the house until we had to drive them to the airport.  We walked around the property and collected pretty rocks and then they played in the dirt and HAD A LOT OF FUN!  It happened to be the MOST fun they had and it made my heart happy!  I see a scrapbook page in the near future with this picture.  I wish I had snapped more of him playing with the dump truck. 

Here are a list of all the blogs to check out to see all the inspiration using the 3 featured sets today, as well as the Valentine project pantry!   Remember all the offerings will be available to purchase in the TE Store tomorrow, Friday Jan 7 at 10:00 a.m. central time!!  See ya tomorrow for the final peeks which will include our new guest designer Lea!!

Charmaine Ikach
Danielle Lounds
Jackie Pedro
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Tori Wild
Taylor VanBruggen

TE Sneak Peek: Wreath of Love

Welcome to Day 2 of TE Sneak peeks!  Today I have a card to share with you using the new Whimsical Wishes Petite stamp set Wreath of Love, which was illustrated by the talented Nancy McKinney!  TE stamps are made of the highest quality rubber; die cut for you to start stamping as soon as they are taken out of the package!  All you have to do is put them on an acrylic block  and stamp your heart out!  They also come on a sturdy full color storage panel and fit 4 sets into the Mini Binder Boxes for great stamp organization no matter how big or small your creative space is!
On my card, I used the new Hearts Impression plate too; I absolutely adore them because they are double-sided so you get 2 for 1!!   I also used several Taylored Dies for my card, an older one and 2 new ones!  See at the end of my post for a complete list of supplies I used on my card. 


Be sure to hop around all the designer’s blogs for amazing eye candy!
Charmaine Ikach
Danielle Lounds
Jackie Pedro
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Tori Wild
Taylor VanBruggen
Jami Sibley
Nancy McKinney - Whimsical Wishes illustrator!
Supplies: Stamps: Wreath of Love
cardstock: Baby Pink medium, Suede Brown Medium Prismatics, MME Fine & Dandy Tickled Pink paper
Accessories: Copic markers, Crystal Twinkles; Caribbean satin ribbon; Hearts Impression Plate, Medium scallop, Seasonal Wreath Die, Basic Bow Die

GKD Preview Day 2: Dino-Mite and Hopeful Hearts

Welcome to our Day 2 preview for Gina K. Designs!  Today we are sharing creations made by Theresa & Tami.  The first one, Dino-Mite was illustrated by the very talented Theresa Momber-it is the most adorable dinosaur set I’ve seen!  I was so thrilled when I first saw it because in November when my sister & her family visited, we took them to the Dinosaur Park which happens to be in the little town we live in and I got some great pictures to scrapbook!  First is the cover page of the little brown paper bag book I made.  I had drew the Dino Park and look how perfect the T-Rex image is that Theresa drew!  Of course the one she drew is a lot less scary than the real thing!  What is so cool about this Dino-Park is that it’s all outdoors so you walk a trail and go on a little scavenger hunt by looking for the rocks imprinted with a dinosaur footprint that is numbered.  You’re given a sheet of paper for the scavenger hunt that corresponds with the numbers so you can share with your little ones something educational about dinosaurs.  They have a souvenir store, playground and fossil-dig that was a lot of fun.  My niece and nephew thoroughly enjoyed themselves and so did the adults! I will share more of the album I made over the next week so you can see more-be sure to come back!

This is one of my favorite photos I captured.  At the beginning of the trail, you can grab a little red wagon just in case your little ones can’t walk the whole way and can still enjoy the adventures!  Gabby, 4 1/2 pulled the wagon almost the whole time, even when her little brother was inside, she is such a great big sister & strong too!  I just had to capture this moment with them walking side by side, I just adore it and of course the sentiment, “YOU’RE MY FRIENDOSAURUS” is just PERFECT!  I hope they continue to stay close as brother & sister over the years.  Look how cute that other little dinosaur is!

Next up is Hopeful Hearts illustrated by Tami Mayberry.  It is a beautiful heart set with ‘HOPE’ as the focus filled with fabulous sentiments, quotes and Scriptures.  I chose to make a clean & simple one layer card, I always LOVE making these!  This card literally came together in about 5 minutes! 
Be sure to hop around all the designers & illustrator’s blogs to have your chance at winning one of these great sets Gina will be giving away!    Also, be sure to mark your calendar for our release party at StampTV which is full of challenges, chatter, full set reveals, new creations and contests!   It will be 7:00-10:00 central time on Thursday, Jan 7.

• AJ Otto
• Asela Hopkins
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Colleen Schaan
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker *(you’re here!)
• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Tami Mayberry 
• Theresa Momber 
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher
• Latisha Yoast - Guest Designer

Supplies (Dino-Mite) Cardstock: Grass Green, In the Navy, White pure luxury, Echo Park Little boy collection
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Navy stitched ribbon, Red stitched ribbon, white stitched ribbon, green & turquoise ribbon
Supplies (Hopeful Hearts) Cardstock: Pure Luxury white
Ink: Memento Angel Pink & Rose Bud

TE Sneak Peek: Rest & Renewal

Welcome to Day 1 Sneak Peek for TE!  It’s he new year and that means a lot of us are in the resolution/goal mode and a lot of us are usually in the rest & renewal mode after a jam-packed holiday!  So here we are with 2 new sets to help you in whatever mode you find yourself if and can encourage in someone else! 
I am sharing some 3D projects I made using the new Rest & Renewal set in the Lasting Impressions line of stamps.  It is a coordinating set to the New Beginnings set, which others on the design team are sharing with us today.  The Scriptures and sentiments in the set I’m showing fit inside the Frame It Up Die we are releasing as well.  I made an encouraging desk set. 

Here is a small frame I had in my stash that I thought would be perfect for this set.  All I did was stamp the Scripture on my designer paper and put it in the frame and adhered a small rose to the top. 


This next item is a 3x3 post-it note cover I made.  Again, just stamping on the designer paper and adding a small strip of ribbon and a rose.  The pen I had in my stash is designed to put a small photo inside but I chose to put some designer paper stamped with the sentiment, “Every Day is a New Day”, what a great reminder when you have a lousy day.  The encouraging aspect is that you can always start fresh the next day. 
Lastly, I grabbed a jumbo paper clip from my stash, and adhered some circle punches on it with the sentiment “rest your soul” – I know I can find rest in reading my Bible (which I should do more often), or curling up with a good book so this can be my reminder to make time for me & God each day.
Here is a list of the Baker’s Dozen, who have many wonderful projects to share with us today, be sure to check them out!
Charmaine Ikach
Danielle Lounds
Donna Baker
Jackie Pedro
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Tori Wild
Taylor VanBruggen
Supplies Stamps: Rest & Renewal
Cardstock: Island Mist light Prismatics, Choice Buttercream, MME Fine & Dandy True Blue
Inks: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Prima Fairytale Roses-Teal

GKD Preview Day 1: Where Your Heart Is

Welcome to Day 1 Previews for the Gina K. Designs January release!  Today I am sharing a card made using the new set, Where Your Heart Is illustrated by Melanie Muenchinger.  It is a beautiful set of hands forming a heart that includes many sentiments in standard font and script to convey your message of love to anyone and everyone on your card list!  See at the bottom of my post for a list of supplies I used on my card.
Be sure to leave a comment on all the designers blogs below for your chance to win a FREE set so you can share your messages of love to your loved ones!  Some designers are sharing creations made using Ready Set Snow (illustrated by Rupa!) Gina is giving away 4 stamp sets to some lucky commenters and will post the winners on her blog post tomorrow!

• AJ Otto
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker (you’re here!)
• Emily Giovanni
• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Our guest designer Latisha Yoast

Supplies:
Set: Where Your Heart Is
Pure Luxury Cardstock: Lipstick Red, Black Onyx, White, Basic Grey Curio
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Accessories: 5/8” black stitched ribbon, red, neutral buttons

SFYTT–Love is in the Air

Happy New Year to everyone who is still out there reading my blog!!  I know I haven’t posted  since before Christmas, I just had to take a much needed break to enjoy the holidays and this week I got a cold that really wiped me out!  Our Christmas was very nice and New Year’s was too, we went to dinner with some Geocachers and just hung out relaxing on Friday night and we were home by 10:00 before the roads got crazy.

I have a Sketch For You To Try from yesterday to share using the Taylored Expressions set, Love Everywhere!  I know the card is a little busy but I kinda like it.  I used new papers by Echo Park called Be Mine.   If you participate in the SFYTT, you should check out Jen’s update, she has changed things up a bit and it suits me just fine, I love her sketches! 

Tomorrow I will be back with Day 1 Preview for Gina K. Designs January release and Tuesday with GKD and TE!!  Thanks for stopping by!