36th b-day celebration!

Hi sweet friends!! As you read this, I'll actually be in sunny Arizona hanging out with my three fabulous kids and FIVE adorable grandkiddos!! Wheeee! And, thanks to the magic of the internet and Blogger, I can still invite you to join me for another fun-filled challenge at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog!! Our hostess this week is my very talented friend and DT sister, Elaine! I think Miz Elaine wants us all to start gearing up for the upcoming holiday season because for this week's challenge, she's chosen the theme...

Any holiday or celebration!!

How perfect is that?! Well...while I'm on a mission to get my Christmas cards made and mailed early, I just had to take a wee break and make a fun card for my son, Andy (a.k.a. AJ), who just celebrated his 36th birthday! Old man!! hahaha! But...despite his advanced years, he still likes to pretend he's young! He's on a basketball league...and can still dunk like he did in high school!! You go, babe!! So...here's the card I made for my handsome boy....

Hey...I was just thinking...does this qualify for Clean & Simple? (I just don't give up, do I?! LOL!) This card was such fun...even though there are no bows or flowers! hehehe! Mo had the PERFECT digi image for my card. I swear, it's like she had a photo of Andy when she created Slam Dunk! You can find this cutie in Mo's online store HERE.

I used some fun "Scrabble" - like wooden tiles for his name...and a cute little basketball brad (both from my local craft store) to add some pizazzzzzz!

Here's the rest of my card "recipe"...

Cardstock: Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up)

DPs: My Mind's Eye - Breaking Free collection & The Paper Studio's Basketball texture

Sentiment: Lili of the Valley

Spellbinders Circle & Square Nestabilities

And LOTS of Foam Dimensionals

Here's a pic that show's the 3-D effect...

Here are the Copics & Prismacolor pencils used to color this handsome,

(yet no doubt sweaty & stinky) guy...

E21, 00, 000, 000, & Peach, Light Peach (skin)

R20  & nectar (cheeks)

E25, 23, 21, YR21, & Burnt Sienna (hair)

B95, 93, 91, 000, 0000, & Indigo Blue (blues)

E99, 97, 95, 93, Burnt Sienna & Mineral Orange (ball)

C1 (socks)

C4, 2, 1, & Indigo Blue (Basket rim)
W2, 0, 00 (shadows)

Here's a peek at the inside...talk about clean and simple!! That thingie on the top is a gift card holder! 

And one last pic for good measure (I know, I went a bit overboard with photos!)... 

Now I'd love for you to pop on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog HERE to see what my DT sistahs have created this week for your viewing pleasure! Then it's your turn to get busy on your own Mo Manning challenge project!! Just make a card, tag, or 3D project using one (or more) of Mo Manning images (you can find them in Mo's online store HERE and HERE)...and come join the fun!! And who knows...you may just win a $5.00 credit for Mo's digi store! Remember...you can't win of you don't play!

** I've decided to enter this cutie into Anything Goes - Challenge #52 - "To the Letter"

And...there ya have it!! Thanks so much for visiting, and for your kind comments! I'm off to do some fun stuff with my grandkiddos! Big hugs...until next time....

Sally's shakin' it at Sassy Cheryl's

If you're looking for my latest Magnolia-licious DT project, please scroll down...

Hello again, my lovelies...it's time for another fabulous challenge at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog!! The very sweet and talented Sassy Dawn is our "hostess with the mostest" again this week! And she's chosen a fabulous photo to inspire us all...oh...and, because it's October...we're still using PINK to support Breast Cancer Awareness!! Here's the photo...it's sooo cooooooool!!

So...la de da...a shopping I did go! Why? Well, three reasons...one, I can't help myself...two, there are so many fabulous NEW images over at Sassy Cheryl's Digi online store...and three, I NEED THEM ALL!! hehehe!! Here's my card for this week...hope you enjoy.... 

You may recognize "Sassy Sally"...she's one of Sassy Cheryl's little cuties. This one is called "The Forgotten Gift" and she's available HERE at Sassy Cheryl's. I love that facial expression...it just cracks me up!! hehehe!!  

I decided to focus on the fun patterns in Dawn's inspiration photo...so I pulled out this gorgeous DP from Basic Grey's Eskimo Kisses collection. I love these papers...they're such fun! And...since our granddauther, Sophie, has a birthday right around Christmas, I thought they'd be perfect for her birthday card! Soph will be 6 years old!! Here's a pic...she just lost her first tooth! Do ya think she'll be calling Sassy Sally "Thathy Thally"?! LOL!!

Isn't Soph a doll?!! We sure think so!! She told me that she wants a mustache for Christmas because she thinks it will help her perfect her British accent! hehehe!! So, of course, we bought her a mustache! LOL! Hopefully I'll have a pic of Soph with her mustache for next's week's post! hehehe!! OK...enough silliness... back to my card...I thought it would be fun to make another shaker card...so I pulled out a cool little self-adhesive shaker pouch from Impression Obsession...and added some teensy little glass beads. Instant CUTE!!

Here's my card "recipe"...

Cardstock: Blushing Bride & Garden Green (Stampin' Up)

DPs: Eskimo Kisses (Basic Grey)

Die cuts: Oval & Scalloped Oval (Nestabilities)

Ribbon, pearls, beads, & c harm: My stash

Sentiment: LOTV and Stampin' Up

Roses, leaves, & metal corner (heat embossed ): Wild Orchid Crafts

Cuttlebug "Birthday Wishes" Embossing folder

Here's a peek at the inside...which I kept fairly Clean & Simple (see...I really DO try doing the C&S thing!! This qualifies, right?!)...

As usual, I colored this darlin' with Copics with a bit of Prismacolor Pencils for richer shading...

E21, 00, 000, 0000 (skin)

R20 (cheeks)

E19, 18, 17, 15, 13, 11, 25, 23, YR21 (hair)

R85, 83, 81, RV00, 000 (pinks)

BG72, 70, 10, 000, 0000 (blue-greens)

G24, 21, 20 (greens)

BG0000 (Shadow)

And...one final fabulous foto ...er, I mean "photo"...for your viewing pleasure...

Alright my sassy friends...it's time to pop on over to Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog to check out all the PINK deliciousness by Miz Dawn and the rest of my Sassy DT sistahs!!

Then...come join the fun! Just remember to follow this week's PINK theme using Dawn's photo for inspiration! You don't even have to use a Sassy Cheryl image...tho we love when you do!! Oh, and...don't forget to link your finished project to this week's challenge...because one lucky participant (selected at random) will win a $5.00 digi credit to spend at Sassy Cheryl's Digis Online Store HERE!!

Oh...I've decided to enter this cutie in the following challenge...
Paper Sundaes - Distress & Bow

Thanks so much for visting!! And...for your sweet and sassy comments! I love 'em all! Have a fantastic week! Mwahhhh...until next time....

Apples...plaid...leaves...and Tilda!

Yikes! I can hardly believe that it's the fourth Tuesday of October already!! And, guess what? It's time for another fabulous "Inspiration Challenge" at Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog! Once again, the sweet and talented Candy is our hostess...and she's given us this gorgeous photo to use as inspiration...

Isn't this the coolest photo??! I couldn't quite decide which way to go with this month's "Inspiration Challenge" project. Do I go with plaid? Fall? Leaves? Rakes? Boots? Barns? So many choices...and so litttle time! LOL!! Soooo, I decided to make another cute little "clean & simple" altered notebook...and went with plaid and fall!

This little cutie patootie is "Apple Tilda"...she's so dang cute, don'tcha think?! (I know, I know...I say that about ALL of my Maggies!! hehehe!) She's available as a "mini" at Magnolia-licious online store HERE! Here's another view...

Fall...and leaves...and apples...and warm apple cider!! That's the feel I was going for....

And my simple little "Recipe"...

Small notebook (just $1.00 from my local craft store)

Roses, leaves, & metal filagree corner: Wild Orchid Crafts

Copper Stickles

Sentiment, charm, ribbon, & gold beads: my stash

Glossy accents applied to the apples

Copics  & Prismacolor pencils

And one last "artsy" view... 

Alrighty roo...it's time for you to visit Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog and see what my talented DT sistahs have created for your viewing pleasure! Then...please join in the fun by making and entering your own project into this month's Magnolia-licious Inspiration Challenge. Remember, one lucky participant (selected at random, of course) will win a $25.00 gift voucher for a Magnolia-licious Shopping Spree!! Whooohooo!!

And...that's it for me!! Thanks so much for visiting...and for always leaving such sweet comments! I really, really appreciate you!! Now...off you go...let the craftin' begin!! Great big "Maggie" hugsssssssssss...until next time!

Sugar Nellie DT Monday

Hey sweet friends! Welcome to my Sugar Nellie DT Monday! I hope you had a fantabulous weekend...and that you had a chance to play a bit in your craftrooms! I spent the better part of both Saturday and Sunday in my craftroom...and had the best time creating and listening to "Oldies but Goodies" on my radio!!

Oh...and...speaking of  "Oldies but Goodies"...I thought it might be fun to pull out and ink up one of my older Sugar Nellie stamps...so, allow me to introduce...Little Miss "Sitting Pretty." She's from Sugar Nellie's "Home Grown Manga" collection...available HERE at Funky Kits.

This card started out as "Clean and Simple" ...as soooo many do! But, as you can see, while it was certainly very SIMPLE to make...it doesn't look all that CLEAN! In fact, I would say it leans a little towards FUSSY! So...let's call it "Simple and Fussy," shall we? hehehe!! But I like it just the same! Hope you do too...

Here's my "Recipe":

Cardstock: White and "Night of Navy" (Stampin' Up)

DPs: Bo Bunny's "Midnight Frost" Collection

Sentiments: Whimsy (front) & Inkadinkado (inside)

Punches & Dies: MS snowflake & Nestabilities

MS Coarse Glitter

Doily, ribbon, pearls: my stash

Glossy accents (for her shoes)

Copics & Prismacolor Pencils used to color this cutie:

E21, 00, 000, 0000 w/Peach & Lt. Peach pencils (skin)

R20 w/Nectar pencil (cheeks)

E19, 28, 17, 15, 13, 11, 25, 23 w/Dark Brown & Sienna Brown pencils (hair)

B99, 97, 95, 93, 91, 0000 w/Indigo Blue pencil: (blue jumper & soles of shoes)

B91, 0000 (blue stripes in shirt)

R85, 83, 81, RV000 w/Magenta pencil (pinks)

Here's a peek at the very simple inside (it's just DP...no embellies! YIKES!!!!)...

And, of course...one last view...

Okey dokey...that's it for me! Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek at my latest Sugar Nellie "masterpiece"! And a special thanks for your sweet comments...they really make me smile! Hugsssss...until next time....

Big Hair!

Please scroll down to see my latest

Sugar Bowl project!

Hi again, my sweet friends! I'm pretty excited because it's time for another challenge at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog! And...today's card is for my daughter, Amy, who will be 39 years-old in a few short weeks...and she'll be needing a fun little birthday card! Wheeeeee!! Like I need an excuse to break out my Mo Manning images!! hehehe!! Which brings us back to this week's fun challenge!! The very talented and extremely sweet Elaine is out hostess once again this week...and she's challenged us all to make a paper project using a...

FAVORITE Mo Manning image

with a sentiment!

So I chose this delightful little Mo Manning image called "Penelope's Party Wagon" ...

I've always loved li'l Penelope...maybe because she reminds me just a little bit of Amy when she was younger. Amy used to stand in front of the mirror and complain that she had "big hair"'! Hehehe!! It always made me smile! Penelope makes me smile too...and she definitely has "big hair"! hehehe! Seriously...isn't she sooooo adorable?!! You can find her HERE at Mo's online store.

Here's my card "recipe"...

Cardstock: Blushing Bride and Chocolate Chip (SU)

DPs: Lost & Found, "Madison Avenue"

Tickets: Whimsy Stamps

Inside sentiment: Just Rite Stamps

Flowers & lace: Wild Orchid Crafts

Copics & Prismacolor pencils

Nestabilities dies

Here's a peek at the inside...

And, last but not least....

So...now I'd love for you to head on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog HERE so you can check out the gorgeous projects by my very talented Design Teamies!! Then, we'd love for you to make your own Mo Manning challenge project and join the fun!! Just remember to use one (or more) of Mo Manning's images (you can find them in Mo's online stores HERE and HERE)! One lucky participant (chosen at random, of course) will receive a $5.00 shopping spree at Mo's online store.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

CLP - Sketch (I turned the sketch on its side)

And...that's it for me. Thanks so much for stopping by, my sweet friends...and for your kind comments! Big hugs...until next time....

Clean & Simple at the Sugar Bowl!

Hey there all you "Sugar" lovers!! Guess what?! It's time for another sweeeeet challenge at the Sugar Bowl...Challenge #70! And our very own talented DT sister, Maria Therese, has given us this fun sketch to follow...

...with "Clean & Simple" as our theme!

Now, you all know that I love my embellies...the more the better! But today...I must admit...I've outdone myself with my "clean & simple" efforts! hehehehe!!

I started out with another one of my fave Sugar Nellie stamps called "Apple Pip"... she's one of the Sherbet Pips from the Home Grown Collection and you can find her HERE at Funky Kits! I decided to make a little "altered notebook"...I've never made one before...but, I'll be honest...it was fun! I highly recommend it! Especially if you can find a cute little notebook for just $1.00 like I did!

The notebook was already kinda cute with its existing green plaid cover, but then I thought it would be fun to  "jazz it up" with a bit of designer paper from Basic Grey's "Oxford" collection layered on Not Quite Navy cardstock from Stampin' Up. I finished it off with a fun little flower from K & Co.! Here are the Copics I used to color this cutie patootie...

E21, 00, 000, 0000 (skin)

R20 (cheeks)

E29, 25, 23, 21, 53, 51, 50, YR21 (hair)

B99, 97, 95, 93, 91 (blues)

G28, 24, 21, 20, YG93 (greens)

E25, 23, 51 (stool & basket)

W1 (shadow)

Ohhhh...and that darling sentiment is from Stampin' Bella! Here's one more view...

OK...now it's time to tap dance on over to the Sugar Bowl and take a peek at the gorgeous creations by my fellow DT Sweeties. Then...why not pull out your art supplies and get busy creating your own card or project for this fortnight's challenge? Who knows...you may just be selected to win a fabulous prize from Sugar Nellie. Once again, our prize for this Sugar Bowl Challenge is....

...your choice of FOUR Sugar Nellie stamps

(increasing to SIX if we have 100+ entries!)...

So...you'll definitely want to enter...AND invite your friends to join in the fun too!! Now...let the craftin' begin! Thank you so much for stopping by...and for all of your kind comments that always make me smile!! Sending sweet hugs...until next time....

Sassy Sally loves leaves...and PINK!

Hello my darlins...It's Tuesday and that means it's time for another fabulous challenge at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog!! The very sweet and talented Miz Dawn is our hostess this week! And once again, since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she's chosen for our theme...

PINK...with this fantabulous sketch!!

Sooooo...oh yea, I made another shopping trip to Sassy Cheryl's Digis! Let me just say, if you haven't been there lately, you NEED to check it out! Cheryl has been a very busy Sassy Artist!! She's created an entire new line of Sassy Sally images...not to mention the new Lucy Lou collection! Wheeeeee!!  I love 'em all!! Here are just a couple of these new little cuties...

And, once again I found another darling image that I NEEDED RIGHT NOW!! That's the beauty of Sassy Chery's Digis...INSTANT GRATIFICATION!!! And here's what I came up with...a pink "Autumn" card!!! hehehe!

Isn't she so stinkin' cute?? In fact, she's soooo cute, I'm not the ONLY one of Sassy Cheryl's DT to choose her this week! hehehe!! My sweet DT sistah, Cathy, colored her too! All I can say is "great minds think alike!" Way to rock it, Cathy!! Now...this darlin's called "Autumn Bench Sitter" and you can can find her HERE!!

Here's my card "recipe"...

Cardstock: Kraft paper & DCWV Neutrals

DPs: DCWV Playtime Collection

Die cuts: Rectangle and Scalloped Rectangle (Nestabilities)

Ribbon & pearls: My stash

Sentiment: Whimsy Stamps

Leaves & rose: Wild Orchid Crafts

As usual, I colored this darlin' with Copics with a bit of Prismacolor Pencils for richer shading...

E21, 00, 000, 0000 (skin)

R20 (cheeks)

E25, 23, 21, 51, YR21 (hair)

R85, 83, 81, RV00, 000 (pinks)

G24, 21, 20 (greens)

E25, 23, 21, 50 (bench)

BG0000 (Shadow)

Here's a peek at the inside...

And, you know I always like to leave you with an "artsy fartsy" image...but before I do that, I thought I'd share a cute little picture of my hubby and your's truly...

He's "fartsy" and I, of course, am "artsy"!! Bwahahaha!! Check out the polka-dot shirt I'm wearing!

Just for you, Miz Sassy Cheryl!! 

Ahhhh...c'mon. You KNOW that's funny stuff! I see that little smirk on your face! hehe! What you don't know is that my sweet hubby actually gave me this little cartoon to post on my blog!! hehehehe!! Is he a hoot, or what?! OK...ready?? Here's the real "artsy fartsy" view...

Alright my sassies, enough silliness...it's time to hop on over to Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog to check out all the PINK gorgeousness by Sassy Dawn and the rest of Cheryl's talented Sassy DT!!

Then...come join the fun over at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog! Just remember to follow this week's PINK theme and sketch! You don't even have to use a Sassy Cheryl image...tho we love when you do!! Oh, and...don't forget to link your finished project to this week's challenge...because one lucky participant (selected at random) will win a $5.00 digi credit to spend at Sassy Cheryl's Digis Online Store HERE!! Just think how much fun you'll have shopping!! That's right...do not underestimate the thrill of instant gratification!!

Ruh roh...I almost forgot...I've decided to enter this cutie in the following challenges...

Paper Sundaes - Halloween or Fall

Cute Card Thursday - #186 Tree-mendous (tree/leaves)

Thanks so much for stopping by to see what kind of shenanigans I've been up to!! And...thanks, too, for your very kind comments! They make me smile!! Have a fantastic week, my sassy friends!! Until next time....

Sugar Nellie Showcases ME! Whoohoo!!

Hey there, my lovelies!! I am soooo excited to be "showcased" today at Sugar Nellie's Blog! My sweet friend, Elaine, has decided to showcase the SN DT...and today is my day in the "spotlight!" Whoohooo! And...here's the new little card I made for this special occasion...

As some of you know, I have been struggling with creating "clean & simple" cards. I was thinking that I'd have to throw in the towel on C&S...but decided to try just once more before I gave up completely! hehehe! Sooo...I was thumbing through my ever-growing collection of Sugar Nellie stamps and ran across little Miss "Raven" (available HERE at Funky Kits) and just knew she was going to share the spotlight with me today!!

I found the prettiest DPs...from the "Generations" collection by Simple Stories...and decided they'd fit perfectly into my C&S design! Next, I chose Bravo Burgundy and River Rock cardstock (from Stampin' Up)...which matched the DPs quite nicely! Then I literally added a wee bit of yummilicious lace and roses from Wild Orchid Crafts...1/4" grosgrain ribbon (in Bravo Burgundy) and some hardware (also from SU)...and my card was made!

Well, of course, I had to color this cutie...which I did with Copics and Prismacolor Pencils! I really love the richer, deeper shading that I get with Prisma pencils applied over Copics!! Oh...and, just to clarify...you can see that I used a Christmas sentiment...but added no snow or snowflakes. Why? Because I lived in Phoenix, AZ for 25 years and we never had snow at Christmastime! Hence...no snow! hehehe! Oh...the sentiment is from Lili of the Valley! Here's a peek at the inside...

Now...I decided that, in keeping with my C&S efforts, I'd let these luscious  DPs work for me. I layered them onto Bravo Burgundy cardstock...and then added only a stamped sentiment (from my stash)...no embellies whatsoever!! Yes...it WAS a bit uncomfortable for me...and I believe that a tear actually ran down my cheek during the making of this card...hehehe! I trust you, too, are tearing up a bit as you read this...am I right?! But...alas, when all is said and done...I kinda like the end result! Here's one last view...it's OK...wipe your eyes now! It's all good!

So...since this is a Christmas card...and since I used Wild Orchid flowers and lace (my very faves!), I thought I'd enter this week's Wild Orchid Challenge again (my third entry!). OK...gotta run! Thanks so much for visiting...and for your very sweet comments! Have a beautiful day!! Hugs...until next time....