7 Kids Challenge # 5

Hi friends. Happy Monday! Yes...I should be at work but I just needed to post this before I head into the office. I made this sweet little card for my mother-in-law. You may remember, she just celebrated her 91st b-day! She's busy swimming and line dancing and volunteering with Hospice. Plus, she belongs to a dance team that performs for people in nursing homes! I should have HALF of her energy!! LOL! But...I digress...back to the card... You may remember this little Tilda & Edwin image from the Autumn collection. I think it's called "Brother & Sister"...but, I swear, I never EVER got this close to any of my brothers when I was a kid! hehehe! Anyway...I thought they made a perfect Halloween image...they look just a wee bit frightened! I paired this image with Magnolia's Oak Tree image...and will enter it into 7 Kids College Fund Challenge Blog for Challenge # 5 HERE. Here's a close-up of Tilda & Edwin. Here's a side view (sorry, a little blurry)...I doubled up on my dimensionals to really prop Tilda & Edwin out from the card. I like the result. Inside & back of the card. Here's my recipe...
Cardstock: Stampin Up black
DPs: Cosmo Cricket "Matilda"
Spider web punch: Martha Stewart
Flowers, ribbon, & rhinestones: My stash
Sentiment: SU "Teeny Tiny Wishes"
Flower Soft: Autumn (leaves); Shamrock Green mixed with a little Nut Brown (grass)
Glossy accents: Tilda's "Mary Janes"
Here's a pic of the Copics I used. I will tell you that I used E21, 00, 000, & 0000 for skin; E25, 99, 33, & YR 21 and 20 for the hair; and E59, 25, 33, 99, & 53 for the tree bark. Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to stop by for a visit...and thanks for your comments...they mean so much to me! Have a beautiful day/night (wherever you are). See you soon...Pat

Another wedding card...

Hello friends...just wanted to share this little wedding card with you. I actually made it before we left on vacation. It was for one of husband's colleagues who got married earlier this month. I used an absolutely darling image from Lili of the Valley. Hope you enjoy it...and thanks for stopping by for a visit!! :-) Pat

Halloween for the Grandkids!

Hi friends...phew...I have just finished making 5 cards...one for each of our 5 grandchildren. Talk about a marathon craft-fest! You may remember that I was planning to take some Magnolia images and my Tim Holtz distress inks with me on vacation so that I could practice a bit. Well...here they are. Don't ask me what colors I used because I honestly didn't write them down...I was on vacay, after all! LOL! I used a variety of Halloween DPs as well...I mixed and matched Martha Stewart, Recollections, Cosmo Cricket, and Basic Grey DPs. I also used cardstock from Stampin Up. Then I added charms, rhinestone swirls, raffia lace, prima flowers, various ribbons, tulle, and a bit of Viva Pearl Pen. Of course I used a healthy helping of Crystal Stickles...and the spider web punch (by MS). I had such fun making these...and I must say, I'm pretty pleased with the results...so take a breath, grab yourself an adult beverage, and put your feet up...because this could very well be the longest post in the history of blogdom!!

This first card is for our oldest granddaughter, Emma. She's 11 and in 6th grade. But she still loves halloween! Emma's at that in-between age. You know...between little kid and teenager. We have such fun together. She's my best friend!!!

This one is for her sister, Sophia, who will be 5 in December. Soph likes getting cards...her mom told me that she's been known to draw noses and mouths on the Tilda's I've sent her! hehehe!


This little sweetie is for our sweet little Ava who is 6 and in 1st grade. Her favorite color is...ta da...ORANGE!! I think she'll like this little Tilda.

Here's a cute little Tilda "devil" for our darling little Mia. Mia will be 4 in December...and she is single-handedly giving her parents lots and lots of grey hair!! I find her antics to be completely entertaining. Oh...and her fave outfits are anything that include a tutu!!!


And finally, this last little card...Edwin...is for our one and only grandson, Brody. Brody is 6 years old and is in 1st grade. He is cute and funny and is absolutely his father's mini-me!! Brody loves Halloween as much as his dad! So, there you go...5 cards for 5 incredible kids! (Can you tell that I am completely in love with our grandkids?!!) Thank you all for stopping by to visit...and, as always, thanks for your comments. You're so good for my ego!! I'll be back soon...I have several projects in the works...but next time I promise not to be so long-winded!! Have a beautiful evening/day. See you soon...Pat

Guess what? I'm a Sweetie!!

Hi everyone. I'm back from vacation...what a fun 10 days with my handsome hubby!! Relaxation, great food, a bit of gambling, and a little jewelry shopping! Plus...the day before we left the Caribbean I found out that I had been chosen to be on the Design Team at Sugar Nellie's "Sugar Bowl Challenge Blog" HERE. How cool is that?!! I'm sooooooo excited and wanted to share it with my blogging buddies. I'll be back in a day or so with 5 Halloween cards for our adorable grandkids...with the images I painted with Distress Inks while I was on vacay!! See you soon...Pat

Who knew?

OK...so, it seems that the Totally Tilda Challenge is for Tildas ONLY! Well...call me a rebel...I submitted my little Tummy Ache Edwin. LOL! Seriously...I had no idea. Maybe someone out there should do an Everything Edwin challenge someday! hahaha! Poor little guy...I'm sure he feels totally neglected! :-(

So...a quick "hi" from St. Maarten...we're having a great time. My sweet hubby decided he'd marry me again ... so he bought me a new wedding band...for the next 5 years! This one even has some gorgeous diamonds in it! Oooohhhh ...I am so spoiled! Better run...so much to do and never enough time!! See y'all soon. Pat

Green apples...

Hi fellow bloggers...I'm getting ready to go on vacay...but wanted to make one more card before I go! (Am I crazy or what?!) Wanna know something even crazier? I stamped a bunch of Tildas and one little Edwin...and am packing them and my distress inks to take on my trip! I'll miss my Copics...but this will force me to practice with DIs! So, here's little Edwin...who thought eating green apples was a great idea...until he got a tummy ache!! Poor little fella! So...here's my recipe for this little "feel better soon" card:

Cardstock: Certainly Celery & Whisper White (SU)
DPs: Imagininsce "Apple Cider"
Copic Sketch Markers (I didn't keep track...they were flying fast & furious!)
Green & Red apple brads (which I found at my local Michael's)
Ribbon, twine, & buttons: my stash
Nestabilities (Peony) & Sizzix (flower) dies
Sentiment: A Muse art stamps
More Mustard ink from SU to edge around Edwin, Ruby Red ink (from SU) for sentiment
Tim Holtz distress tool to rough up the paper edges a bit
Frayed Burlap distress ink for distressed edges of paper & flower
I also used a little glossy accents on the apples


I am entering this cute little Edwin card in these challenges:
7 Kids College Fund Challenge Blog (Fall Theme) HERE
Just Magnolia (Lace it up...because I "laced" twine in the corner of the card!) HERE
Totally Tilda (Make your own flower) HERE
Magnolia-licious Highlites (Bats & Brooms/fall theme) HERE

Thanks for stopping by...and for all of your lovely comments. See you soon. Pat

Autumn Days...

Hi fellow Magnolia lovers! Well, here we are, well into another fabulous weekend!! And the temps are finally getting a little cooler (OK, in the high-80's in VA...but that's cooler! LOL)...and in just a couple of days it'll be officially fall...coincindentally, it also happens to be almost time for DH and I to go on vacay! Yep...in just a few days, we'll be sitting at our fave beach in the Caribbean! YAY!! But for right now, I'm thinking thoughts of Autumn. Now, it couldn't possibly have anything to do with all those darling Autumn Magnolia stamps I just ordered...or the fact that I just received my new Autumn Magnolia Ink mag...nope!! I LOVE this time of year!! So...I just had to dig out some fall papers and make a litle Tilda card enjoying the fall leaves!!
Here's the recipe:

Cardstock: Very Vanilla (SU)
DPs: From Recollections - Autumn collection (got it last year from Michael's)
Punches: MS maple leaf
Dies: Spellbinders...plus Magnolia Doohickeys (lacy flower, leaf, & lace edge)
Sentiment: JustRite stamps (stamped with Dusty Durango ink from SU)
Baubles: Stampingbella
Button, rope, & charm: my stash
Copics: E13, 11, 00, 000, 0000 (skin), R20 (cheeks), E25, 99, 33, YR21 & 20 (hair), R02, 01, 00, 000 & E08 (shirt), B97, 95, 93, 91, 41, & 0000 (overalls), E37, 35, 33, 30 (boots)...and a few dots of Sharpie Extra fine point poster paint.

I am entering this little card in the following challenges:

7 Kids College Fund Challenge # 4 (theme: fall) HERE
Totally Tilda - challenge # 5 (theme: make your own flower) HERE
Just Magnolia (theme: lace it up) HERE

Thanks so much, friends, for stopping by for a peek. And thanks for taking time to leave comments...I really do love hearing from all of you!! See you soon. Pat

Sweetie DT Entry # 2

Hi friends...well, the work week is just about over for me...and I'm really looking forward to some "down time" this weekend...to read and craft and maybe even catch a nap or two!! We have lots going on around here getting ready for our vacation. DH and I go to St. Maarten every year...so you can bet we're watching the hurricane activity in the Atlantic verrrrry closely!! So keep your fingers crossed that all the weather excitement stays far, far away from St. Maarten!

I mentioned a couple of days ago that Sugar Nellie is searching for some new "Sweeties" DT members. I would love, love, LOVE to join that uber talented group of designers...I seriously love using Sugar Nellie stamps! So...I thought I'd try my luck again and send in a second entry (here) ...using a darling stamp called "Daisy & Dolly"...an image created in 2009 by Elizabeth Bell for Sugar Nellie. Little Daisy reminded me of our 4 grandaughters...each and every one is so incredibly adorable. They're all in AZ and...I love and miss them all!! So this is a "virtual hug" going out to all four of our "princessas"...and another snuggle-bug hug going out to our handome little grandson Brody!

Here's the recipe for this little creation:
Cardstock: Very Vanilla & Chocolate Chip (SU), and blue (Bazzill)
DPs: Jack n' Jill collection from Prima
MS leaf and lace edge punch, and SU circle punches
Lace, tulle, & pearls from my stash
Flowers & pearl spray: Wild Orchids Crafts
Sentiment: JustRite Stamps
Copics: E13, 11, 00, 000, 0000 (skin); R20 (cheeks); R02, 01, 00, 000 (shirt), B91, 52, 02, 00, 000, 0000 (pants); G20, 24, 28, R27, 22, 20 (hair ornament); R27, 22, 20 (dolly's dress); E25, 33, 99, YR21 & 20 (hair); C7, 5, 3 (dolly's shoes).
I used Chocolate Chip ink from SU for the sentiment.

Thank you all for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed this sweet little "I miss you ooooodles" card! Have a great rest of the evening/night/day wherever you are!! See you soon. Pat

Happy birthday to you...happy birthday to you....

Just wanted to post a happy b-day message for my sweet hubby...and I know he'll see this because I just figured out how a person can sign up for email updates of my blog posts! Whooohoooo! (I think). You don't even know how challenging this was for me...being all but computer illiterate, y'know!! (A special thanks to my friend and fellow Virginian, Suzanne Dean for your help on this!) Oh...and guess what? I just subscribed w/my hubby's email address to see if it works! ROTFLMBO!! So, if I did it right, he should get this little Happy B-Day message!! That's all for now...I am going to give him the special Pirate Edwin b-day card I made for him ages ago! I can't even believe I've kept it a secret!! hehehe. Have a beautiful evening/night/day wherever you are! See you soooooooooooooooooooon! Pat

7 Kids College Fund Challenge # 3

Hi friends. First, I have to send out a great big THANKS to the DT over at "7 Kids College Fund Challenge Blog" for choosing my 2 entries to be in the Top 3 for the # 2 Challenge! Yikes! I can't tell you how thrilled I am!! Oh, and my sister loved the cards...and I hope the friends she gives them to will cherish them!

So...down to new business! This card features "Antoinette" from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps. She's available here at 7 Kids College Fund. I just love all of the Kraftin' Kimmie images...they're so whimsical! When you have a chance, pop on over to "7 Kids" and take a look...and don't forget to say "hi" to Tab while you're there! I'm entering this card in 7 Kids College Fund Challenge # 3 here. The challenge was to follow this recipe:
1 image from 7 Kids (easy cheesy!)
2 DPs (only TWO?!)
3 flowers (really? Just 3?)
1 sparkly something (I'm pretty sure Stickles don't count! LOL) So...I decided to get a jump start on some holiday cards...although many of my online friends are well into their holiday cardmaking!! For me, since it's only September, this IS getting a jump start!! hehe! So here's how I made this little card:

Cardstock: Rose Red & Very Vanilla (SU)
DPs: October Afternoon & My Mind's Eye
Prima Flowers: from 7 Kids
Flourish: Sizzix
Edging & inside tag: Magnolia Doo-hickeys
Ribbon, pink diamond (just kidding!...it's a rhinestone!) & Charm: my stash
Sentiment: JustRite Stamps (these are soooo cool!)
Copics: E11, 00, 000, 0000 (skin), R20 (cheeks), E25, 31, 50 & YR20 (hair), R02, 000, 0000, RV10, 00, 0000 (dress & scarf) C5 & 3 (skate blades), C1 & 00 (shadow), BG000 & 0000 (ice & fur).
MS punches - snowflake & leaves
Flower Soft (I used it for the fur) & lots of Stickles

I sure had fun making this card...and I hope you enjoyed looking. Please stop by soon to see what new "mischief" I've been up to! Pat

Sugar Nellie Search for "Sweeties"...

Hi friends! Today I have the most darling little card - it's a b-day card for my mother-in-law's 91st b-day on Oct. 4th. She's probably the coolest lady I know. And I'm so blessed to be part of her family! I found this adorable little stamp by Elizabeth Bell at Sugar Nellie's online store and thought she would be perfect with the Apple Cider DP my sweet friend, Sandy, gave me. I'd love to be on Sugar Nellie's Design Team...they're called "Sweeties"...and I think I'd be a great addition to their very talented design team so I'm going to give it a try! You can see the other fabulous entries here. And you can visit Sugar Nellie Stamps here. They're such fun!!


So here's my recipe:

Cardstock: Very Vanilla & Ruby Red by SU
DPs: Apple Cider by Imaginisce
Sentiments: Stamping Bella (front), JustRite Stamps (inside) w/Ruby Red ink (SU)
Roses: Wild Orchid Crafts
Ribbon, baubles, & charm: my stash
Nestabilities dies & Cuttlebug
More mustard ink (SU) for edges of image
Copics: E13,11, 00, 000, 0000 (skin), E25, 99, 33, YR21 & 20 (hair), YR24, 23, 21, 20 (hat) Y17, 21, & YR 16 (flowers), G20, 24, 28 (leaves), R27, 24, 22, 20 (shirt & ribbon), R24, 22, 20, G20 & 24 (apples), B97, 95, 93, 91, 000, 0000 (overalls), E59, 55, 453, 50 (basket), & glossy accents on apples!

I hope you enjoy this sweet "little work of heart"...and do stop over at Sugar Nellie and check out some of their darling stamps!! Thanks so much for stopping by. See you soon...Pat

My "little" sailor...

Hi everyone...well, you saw the b-day card I made for Adam (my youngest who will be 32 on Saturday!)...now here's a card for my oldest son, Andrew. He'll be 35 on Oct. 2nd. I wanted to get it in the mail BEFORE his birthday! My kids give me such grief because I'm ALWAYS late sending out birthday cards! So he'll be surprised to get this early!! hehehe!
So, this little image of Edwin is perfect for my "little" Andrew (who is 6 ft. 3 in. tall and is a body builder!). Andy was in the Navy for several years and traveled all over the world on the destroyer U.S.S. Gonzalez. My little boy "grew up" in the Navy...and I'm so proud of him having served his country...and of the friend, husband, and father he's become! Happy early b-day, Andy!


Here's the recipe:
Cardstock: SU white & navy
DP: Magnolia
Copics: (see pic)
Crackle accents applied to porthole
Glossy accents on shoes & anchor
Rope & Charm: my stash
Sentiment & ticket stamp/die: Tim Holtz Thanks so much for stopping by...and don't forget to scroll down to see my newly organized craftroom! YAY!! Pat

Guess what I've been doing?!

Hi friends...my cardmaking has taken a bit of a back seat to another project...my craftroom! Yes, it's true...I could no longer see the carpet! Seriously, I had piles and piles of cardstock and DPs all over the floor. So, after seeing my sweet friend, Sandy's craftroom, I was motivated to get organized...I regret that I didn't take a "before" shot...but, honestly, I would have been far too embarrassed to post it!

Instead, you can see the "after" pics.
My sweet hubby patiently put together all of these cubicles...and I'm quite pleased with the end result. Except for one thing...I can't remember where I put things! LOL!! Pat

Happiness...is in the journey....

Hi friends...oh my, what a busy weekend we've had so far. Our dearest friends from Chattanooga, TN, came for a visit. We all went to the Jimmy Buffet concert on Thursday...and we had such a fun time! Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and our friends had to go back home. No worries...we're already planning next year's visit!

Now my house is quiet once again and I'm contemplating the chaos that has become my craftroom. I purchased some new shelving and storage units...so I'll be working on organizing the insanity!! I have so many beautiful DPs and packages of cardstock and flowers, etc., and I can't find any of it! So, the time has come to do something about it! BUT,,,before I could start, I needed to finish a card that I started last Sunday! YIKES!!

After seeing Magnolia's new Autumn Collection, I was inspired to make something a little fall-ish. Here's what I came up with. It's all buttons and bows...no flowers! (A real departure for me...since I love flowers!)
Here's the "recipe":

Cardstock: "Crumb Cake" by SU
DPs: K & Company
Ribbon: Bravo Burgundy grosgrain by SU
Sentiment: SU (from an old, old set I located in my crazy craftroom!)
Copics: E13, 11, 00, 000, 0000(skin), R20 (cheeks), E25, 99, 33, & YR21, 20 (hair), E57, 53, 50, 35 (suitcase), G99, 21, 20, YG63 (dress & hat), R89, 85, 83, G20, 24, 28 (flower), C7, 5, 3, 1 (shoes), C0, 00 (anklets & lace trim), W2 & 3 (to soften the greens a bit).

Thanks so much for stopping by...I'll see you soon! Pat