What's Cookin'?

Hmmmm...well...that's a very good question!! And the answer is...if I'm cookin', then nothing fancy, that's for sure...or even particularly tasty!! My fave recipe? Another good question...do reservations count??

OK...enough silliness (it's all true!! LOL!)...it's Thursday and that means it's time for another fabby challenge at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog!! Our "hostess with the mostess" once again this week is my sweet friend and cleverly talented Design Sister, Dawn!! And this week, Dawn thought it would be fun for us to use "our favorite recipe" as the theme!! But then, bless Dawn's heart, she took pity on me (the "non cook" of the group!) and modified the challenge theme to the following:

A Recipe for Friendship...

Take two people with common interests.

Mix together with love and understanding.

Stir in a sense of humor and a lot of compassion

Bake for a lifetime...and enjoy the fruits of your labor...

 knowing that you both have made a remarkable concoction that will last forever!

Soooooo...I've been just itching to use Mo's adorable little "What's Cookin'?" image...

...and this seemed the perfect challenge for this darling little cutie patootie!! (Although, I must tell you that some of my silly DT sistahs suggested I might want to make some kind of card depicting me ordering "take out"!! Very funny, girls!! bwahahaha!!) OK...here's my little card... 

I actually had a lot of fun with this one...well, I always have fun coloring Mo's images...but this one quickly became a "Shabby Chic" card when I decided to add a little Tim Holtz "Picket Fence" Distress Crackle Paint. I added it to the edges...flowers...and the fabulous metal filagree corner! Here's a close up of the corner...

I actually found some old cards that I cut apart and used as DPs...all color coordinated! I love 'em...but have no idea who makes 'em...sorry. I used the fun sketch from Wild Orchid Challenge...so I've decided to enter this little darlin' into their challenge too...pretty smart since I always use "goodies" from Wild Orchid Crafts! The filigree corner and flowers all came from WOC! PLUS...I won the random draw last week for some wonderful WOC craft supplies to add to my ever-growing collection...whooohoo! Here's a close-up of the Wild Orchids Craft flowers I used...

Here's a side view...this ribbon is from Stampin' Up...I just love using wide ribbon for my cards...really adds character, don'tcha think? I also used Copic sketch markers...and the sentiment is Magnolia.

And here's a close-up of these fun charms (they came from Charm Barn online store)...and the crystal and cute safety pin came from my local Michael's craft store...

And here's a peek at the inside...this darling sentiment is from Hero Arts...I've had it for ages...and am so tickled to finally be able to use it!

  

Sheesh...longest post in history! Thanks for hanging in there...now...pop on over to Mo's and see what my talented Design Teamies have come up with as inspiration for us all...

Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog

Then...get crackin' on your own masterpiece. Remember to use at least one Mo Manning image (there are so many digi images to choose from in Mo's online store...and she's creating new images all the time!!) Oh...and be sure follow Dawn's fun and clever "Recipe" to be eligible for this week's awesome prize of a free Mo Manning digi image of your choice! ...

Oops...I almost forgot...add GD after your name if you're interested in entering our Guest Designer "call" for the month of July!

So...that's it for me, kids. (I hear you breathing a collective sigh of relief! LOL!) Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit...and, as always, for your kind comments. Until next time...

For the "Glad Grad"!!

Hi friends...I can't believe it's Thursday already. And it's JUNE! Yikes!! This year is flying by! Now...as you well know, Thursday means another fun challenge at Mo's...and June means fireflies and GRADUATIONS!! So, since I had no reason to make a card with fireflies, I decided to make a card for my husband's nephew, Chris, who just graduated from college with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. PLUS...he already has a job in his chosen field! Whoohooo!! Chris is just the sweetest guy...and actually looks a bit like Mo's "Glad Grad"! ...except for the funky sneakers!! LOL!! You can find "Glad Grad" HERE at Mo's DP2 Online Store.

Now....our hostess for this week's challenge at Mo's is our very own sweet and immensely talented design teamie, Dawn...and she's chosen this clever little sketch for us to play with....

Fun, huh?!

Sooooo...off to my local craft store I trotted (well, actually I drove!) to find some graduation DPs. No luck...but I did find this fun paper from K & Company called "Americana"...and I decided that it would be kinda perfect for a boy card!!

I tell ya, I'm still going through withdrawal...no bling...no flowers...no lace...arrggh!!!  LOL!! Well...at least I got to play with my Copic Sketch markers and Prismacolor pencils!! And then I decided to use "Wonky Rectangle" Nestabilies to "funky" things up at least a little bit!! I quite like the results! I tossed in a few red brads...and  made a little "Celebrate" medal with Just Rite stamps and my Stampin' Up circle and scallop circle punches...added a little jute...and secured a little corner thingie and...voila! Clean and simple (although some would say it's a bit "naked") graduation card! I fancied up the inside just a bit too...

I used a fun stamp from Stampin' Up (the collection is called "Word Play")...and added a couple of fun graduation brads.

Then, on the top half of the card, I embossed some Night of Navy cardstock (Stampin' Up)...using a Cuttlebug embossing folder called "Goochie Script"...and added a little pocket for a gift card or check. Here's a close up of the embossing...

And finally, get ready for it...the "artsy view"...

I know...lots of pics...but my sweet hubby got me a new camera so I could take better quality photos of my cards! He's such a sweetheart!! And I've been practicing my photography! hehehe!! I know...I need more practice, right?! LOL!

Now my lovelies, you will definitely want to pop on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog and take a look at the amazing creations by my uber-talented DT sisters!! Then pull out your own crafting supplies and make your own special somethin' somethin' to enter into this week's fun "sketch" challenge!

Remember...to be eligible to win the free Mo digi image of your choice, you MUST use at least one Mo Manning image!

OK, darlins...

On your mark...get set...GO!! And have a fabulous week crafting!!

Thanks so much for stopping by to see what insanity I've been up to! hehehe! And thanks, in advance, for all your sweet comments. Sending hugs your way...until next time....

 

Sweet, sweet love...

Hi sweet friends! Are ya ready for some more sugar?!

Well, get ready because it's time for another fabulous challenge at the Sugar Bowl! June weddings seem to be a tradition in many parts of the world. So, with that in mind, my clever and talented fellow DT Sweetie, Kiki, has given us a wonderful sketch and the very timely theme of "Weddings/Love" for our Sugar Bowl Challenge # 61!! I, of course, thumbed through my fave Simply Sassy stamps and came up with a little something using "Oh La La" available (with many other fabby stamps and digi images) from Funky Kits!

Here's Kiki's Sketch...it was a fun one to work with!! As you can see, I tweaked it ever so slightly so I could use this delightful little Sassy image!! 

Here's a closer look. I used some scrumptious DPs from Ella Blue...and CS from Stampin' Up (Espresso) and some beige cardstock from Bazzill.

OK...well, so it's not an extreme close-up...but it's a teensy bit closer view! hehehe! I colored the image with Copics and Prismacolor pencils...and added some shadows with BG000 & 0000. The corners are from Cuttle Bug, and the scrolls are from Sizzix. I also used a MS punch for the side of the image. The sentiment is from Whimsy Stamps...so is the ticket die. I love these!! And, finally, the twine is from my stash and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. Here are a couple of "artsy views"...

Now you'll want to pop on over to the Sugar Bowl to see what my fellow DT Sweeties have been up to. Let me just say...love is in the air!! Then pull out your own craft supplies and come up with your own crafty entry for this fortnight's challenge. As always, one lucky participant, chosen at random, wins an amazing prize!! This time our winner will receive a "pick 'n'mix" collection of SIX Sugar Nellie stamps of your choice!!Ahem...whatcha waiting for? Go...get crafty! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit. I appreciate all of your kind comments. Sending big "virtual" hugs your way! Until next time....

 

Mini Maggie Mania...

Whoohoo...the long weekend is here and I'm having the best time crafting, crafting, and crafting some more!! Here are a couple of little goodies I made with Mini Maggies...I love these little darlins...and they are uber simple and fun to color!! First up is a a Mini Tilda called Kitchen Tilda. She's available from our sweet friend, Diana Crick, at Magnolia-licious...your online store for all things Magnolia...and then some!! I used Copics and Prismacolor pencils for this little cutie. The little tag sentiment is called A Little Yummy for Your Tummy...and is also available to Magnolia-licious.

I used a couple of other adorable Mini Tildas for this next one...masking and then coloring the images with just Prismacolor pencils. I have to say, I much prefer the combo of Copics and Prismacolor pencils...but I'm still trying to master coloring with pencils. It's fun to try different techniques. I think I'll break out my Distress Inks again soon...it's been far too long since I played with them!! These Mini Tildas are named Unwrapped and Tilda with Balloon.

  

All of these Minis are available in the bigger versions - along with many, many other fabulous Magnolia stamps, DPs, and embellies - at Magnoli-licious. So, be sure to stop in and see what goodies you just NEED to add to your own Magnolia collection!!

So, that's it for me...just a short post...have much blog visiting and commenting to catch up on!! Thanks a bunch for stopping by. Have a great rest of the weekend. Hugs...until next time....
 

Pearls & flowers at Mo's!

Happy Thursday! Whooohoooo! Y'know what that means, right? It means it's time for another fun challenge at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog!! Our very own talented - and now, quite famous South African TV star - Paola, is our hostess again this week! And she's come up with another fun challenge theme: Pearls & Flowers. Seriously, it was like sweet, sweet music to my ears when I heard this week's theme! LOL!

I used a cutie patootie Mo Manning image named Nelly!! You can find her, along with hundreds of other fabulous images, at Mo's DP2 online store! I'd been admiring some of your "Nelly" cards these past weeks and thought I lacked the patience to color all of those leaves and petals. Well, d'ya know what I discovered? I was RIGHT!! I DON'T have the patience to color each and every petal and leaf! LOL! But...I powered through...and I'm actually quite pleased with the results! Phewwww! I have to admit, slowing down and coloring such teensy little items was uber relaxing...and  very enjoyable! Who knew?! hehehe!! Here's a little artsy view...

I broke out my Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities...the circle and scalloped circle...and just got busy layering these scrumptious October Afternoon DPs and SU Certainly Celery cardstock. Then I used some string pearls to weave in and out of my nestie, added some individual pearls, attached some gorgeous roses from Wild Orchid Crafts...stuck on a couple of little bows...and voila!!! Cute, huh? I've decided to enter this little cutie into Wild Orchid's Challenge # 24 as well.

Now...pop on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog and take a peek at the gorgeous paper creations made by my incredibly talented DT sisters....then make your own fabby project using at least one Mo Manning image and some pearls and flowers. Be sure you enter your masterpiece into this week's challenge...just link to the little Blue Frog thingie. And, who knows? You may just win a free Mo Manning digi image!! YAY!!

Thanks so much, my darlins'. I always love it when you come to visit...and I especially love it when you take the time to leave me comments...in fact, it truly makes my day!! Hugs to you all. Until next time...

A lifetime of happiness...

Hi friends...I hope you've had a great couple of weeks! I can hardly believe it's the 4th Tuesday of May already! I have no idea where the month has gone! I do know this, tho...it's time for another fabulous challenge at Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog!! Whoohoooo!! So...our very sweet and talented Design Teamie, Norma, is our hostess again...and she's chosen a photo of this simple, yet elegant dining room (at least I think it's a dining room...although I don't see any craft supplies...and I know some people keep their crafting goodies in the dining room! hehehe!) But, I digress...here's the photo that Norma has chosen to help inspire us all....

Gorgeous, huh? So...here's what I came up with for this month's Inspiration Challenge...

Our daughter, Jenna, called last week to share some exciting news...she's engaged to be married! We're so happy for her and her fiance, Adam. So I thought I'd make a little "Best Wishes" card to help them celebrate! Here's a close-up of Tilda & Edwin...this time I'm imagining that Edwin is hugging Tilda (unlike the last time I used this adorable stamp...when I commented that it looked like Edwin was trying to choke poor Tilda! LOL!!)

They're so dang cute, aren't they? I colored Tilda & Edwin with Copics & Prismacolor pencils: E21, 00, 000, 0000 (skin); R20 (cheeks); E29, 25, 23, 50 (hair); G99, 94, 82, 40 & BG93 (greens); BV13, 11, 02, 02, 00, 000, 0000 (lavenders); W1 & 0 (shadow); and C2, 1, 0 (ground). Here's a side view...

Cardstock is from Stampin' Up (Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, & Mellow Moss); Always Artichoke seam binding (SU); DPs & pearl embellie are from my stash; the scrummy flowers, lace, and metal corner embellishment are all from Wild Orchids Crafts. And of course the Tilda & Edwin image is called Brother and Sister and is available from Magnolia-licious, my fave store for all things Magnolia!! Here's a peek at the inside...you'll notice I used another fun Magnolia love border stamp (I can't, for the life of me, remember what it's called...but I do know I got it from Diana's store). It's a fabby little somethin' that can be used to "jazz up" the corner of any card or envelope. Clever, right?

And, of course, the standard "artsy" angle for your viewing pleasure... (I know, I know...I won't quit my day job for a career in photography! hehehe!)

I had such fun making this card! I've never been a "purple person"...but I kinda like the purple with the greens and ivory...with a little distressing. Whatcha think?

OK...now pop on over to Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog and take a peek at the gorgeous creations by my exceptionally talented DT sistahs!! You won't be disappointed, I promise!! Then get your crafting goodies out and start on your own paper project. Remember...Diana Crick, owner of Magnolia-licious, has generously donated a $25.00 gift voucher for one lucky challenge participant (selected at random). Thanks so much for stopping by to see what I've been up to. Now...go...have fun!! Until next time, sweet friends....

Color me DISTRESSED!!

Remember last week when I was s'posed to make a card using a "monochromatic" theme? I added yellow boots...I couldn'tg resist! What can I say? Rule following is sometimes a challenge for me! LOL! So this week, for Mo's DP2 Challenge #83, our very own uber-talented DT sister, Paola, has chosen "Distressing" as our theme! Well...for some reason, I decided to use some DP scraps...and came up with this fun monochromatic card! (This one was created with you in mind, Sheila! hehehe!) Whatcha think?

So, as you can see, I colored this fun Mo Manning image in grey tone Copic sketch markers. Her name is Checking FB and I gotta confess, coloring her skin GREY really freaked me out! In fact...the total lack of color was soooo DISTRESSING for me!! I'm not kidding! LOL! Anyway...here's my "artsy" view

So...you know the drill, right? Pop on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog and check out my very, very talented Design Teamies' projects. I promise you, you'll be blown away!! Then get busy with your own "Distressing" project using at least one Mo Manning image! Be sure to enter your little masterpiece into this week's challenge (use that little blue frog thingie!) and you may be next week's lucky winner of a fabby Mo Manning digi image! Thanks so much sweet friends, for stopping by and for your beautiful comments. Until next time...

"Delicious" birthday...

Hi sweet friends...you may or may not know this, but I had to take a bit of time off from my gig as a Sugar Bowl DT "Sweetie". I was in the process of opening a fabulous developmental follow-up clinic for babies and children who - for whatever reason (illness, prematurity, genetic disorders, etc.) - are at risk for delayed development. I'm so proud to report that we are open...and seeing lots and lots of kiddos. Each appointment lasts 90 minutes...and parents get to meet with Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapists...as well as the hospital's Infant Development Nurse Specialist(that's meeeeee!) and a pediatrician during that time. Today we saw 9 babies...and, while it was an almost 12-hour day...and I am completely exhausted...I'm so thrilled that we made a difference for babies and their families!!

So...now that we have the clinic open, I have been able to cut back my work hours to 32/week. And you know what that means? MORE CRAFTING TIME!! Whoooohoooo! Plus...I've been missing my Sugar Nellie stamps and my sweet DT sistahs, sooooo, thanks to Sugar Mama Gayle and the rest of the Sweeties...I'm baaack! Thanks ladies....I've missed ya...and I've missed my Sugar Nellie stamps!

For this week's challenge, we're combining the optional theme of "Birthday" with Maria Therese's fabby sketch (below).

So...here's what I came up with...

Isn't she just the cutest little baker?? She's called "Delicious"...and is from Krista Smith's "Simply Sassy" collection! I got her from Funky Kits HERE...and, let me tell ya, this collection is the BEST!! She's colored with Copics...and the DPs, pearls, lace, and ribbon came from my stash! The sentiment is from LOTV! Here's an "artsy" view...

Please pop on over to the Sugar Bowl Challenge Blog and take a peek at the amazing projects by my fellow DT Sweeties! Trust me...you won't be disappointed! Remember to leave 'em some love while you're visiting their blogs! Then...pull out your crafting supplies and at least one Sugar Nellie stamp or digi image...and come up with your own little masterpiece! Then make sure you enter it into the Sugar Bowl Challenge #60 for the chance to win a fabby prize...you'll never guess what it is...are ya ready for it?

A 6 Stamp Sugar Nellie "Pick 'n Mix" of your choice! (I'm so jealous!)

Thanks so much for stopping by...and, as always, for your kind comments! Oh...one more thing...

Happy Birthday Sugar Mama!!

Summertime...and the livin' is easy!

Do you remember that song? It's an oldie...(from the 50's or 60's) and I can't recall who sang it. But I remember hearing it in my youth...a long, long time ago!! Well...guess what? Our very sweet and insanely talented DT sistah and this week's "Hostess with the Mostest", Sheila, has come up with a fabulous...and fun theme for this week's Mo's DP2 Challenge...Yep...this week's challenge theme is...

Here Comes Summer!!

Yikes...isn't that fabulous? The possibilities are endless!! Well...here's what I came up with...using one of my very fave Mo Manning sweethearts, Strawberry Girl...available for your immediate purchase and downloadage (that's a word I just made up...cool, huh?) HERE at Mo's Digital Pencil Too!

Seriously, could this little girl be ANY cuter?! This reminds me...have you ever had the opportunity to pick strawberries and eat them as soon as you picked 'em? Soooo deliciously sweet and juicy, right? And that little extra dirt stuck to them when freshly picked made them all the more flavorful, right? Well, I wouldn't know because my mother wouldn't let us kids eat any fruit until is was properly washed and sanitized! LOL!! It's true...I lived such a sheltered childhood...but I have to admit, I never got sick from eating dirty fruit! (At least not that I know of, anyway! LOLOLOL!) Well...so much for fresh-picked strawberries...but I tell ya, they still remind me of Summer!!

Aren't these DPs the most delicious?! Strawberries without the dirt! I think even my mom would approve! They came from Making Memories "English Garden" collection. The Real Red & Bordering Blue cardstock is from SU. Love these colors together!! The rubies came from my great great grandmother (just kidding...they're red rhinestones!)...the ribbon is from my stash...and that sentiment is from some fun new stamps I just got from LOTV!! I colored this cutie with Copics & prismacolor pencils. I'm liking pencils more and more. And when used with Copics, they add some fabulous richness and depth!

I used Nestabilities and my MS punches for the inside. Don'tcha just love this strawberry charm? It's the perfect little embellie! Well, I think so anyway! And, last, but by no means least...the "artsy fartsy" pic....

I'm not sure if you can see or not...but this little darlin' has red polish on her fingernails & toenails! That's a little tribute to our 4 gorgeous granddaughters (Emma, Sophie, Ava, Mia) who love getting manis & pedies...and have since they were 2 or 3 years old...funny!!

So...that's enough rambling from me! Now be a sweetheart and pop on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog and take a peek at the fabby summer inspiration by my amazingly fun and talented Design Teamies!! And then...well you know what comes next...GET BUSY CRAFTIN'!!

Remember...we'll be scouting for next month's Guest Designer for one more week...so, if you're interested in having some fun with Mo's DT, please add GD to your name when you enter this week's challenge!!

Have a wonderful, strawberry nibbling week, my friends. Big, thankful hugs to all of you...until next time....