Hand Over the Chocolate!

Can you believe that I created this card WITHOUT eating chocolate? I know!!! Shock huh? Chocolate and I used to be the best of friends...until...I discovered that my so called friend had been sabotaging my weight loss goals! Well, to be perfectly honest, my lack of weight loss goals...

It's now been about 6 weeks since I've started eating 'clean.' That's what they call it these days...no processed foods filled with sugar and words I can not pronounce. I NEVER thought I'd be able to give up my sweetest, most treasured friend - er - chocolate. BIG change!!! Ya know...I feel tons better :) Thank you for empowering me, God ♥

Today's project is a shaped card using Regina's Keep Calm and...Word Shaped Card Template - Cutting File. Of course the chocolate sentiment that comes with the file stood out to me, and I remembered I had this adorable digi from Mo, HERE - perfect!

The image is colored with copics: Hair - E37 E35 E34 YR21 YR20; Skin - E11 E00 E000; Overalls - B97 B95 B93 B91 B0000; Pinks - R85 R83 R81 RV00; Chocolate - E18 E17 E15 E13.

I designed this card in my Silhouette Software which works out so well for sizing and previewing before cutting out! The word "Calm" has a pattern overlay which I then covered with Glossy Accents. The burlap is also a pattern in the Silhouette Software.

If you haven't already, go check out The Cutting Cafe! Regina has tons of cute cutting files at very reasonable prices :)

So happy you've stopped by... I hope to see you again soon!!!

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Anything Goes at The Paper Shelter

Well, bit by bit I'm learning to let go... There are some things in life that honestly don't matter that much. It may seem like the end of the world at the moment, but in the greater scheme of things, it is just a moment. Don't get me wrong, there are things that we need to stand up for. Be bold and strong about... but let me have discernment what is important and what is not :)

Relationships for example - these are very important! I want to be the very best child of God, wife, mom, sister, daughter, aunt, friend I can be. Without love, we are simply noise makers lol. I admit, I have a lot to learn, but praise God, He's given me that desire.

Which reminds me of school :) For some reason, I just love anything to do with school. The colors, the images... you name it, I love it! So when I realized that I could create a school themed card for this week's Anything Goes Challenge at The Paper Shelter, I was doing the happy dance :)

This is based on Regina's 'Wheels on the Bus' card at The Cutting Cafe HERE. My card features a cute digi from The Paper Shelter, 'Learning is Fun.'

I've used the Thanks Teacher ABC 123 Background Printable Stamp as well as the apple image from the I Love School Stamp Set by TPC Studio. I created the 'writing paper' in my Silhouette Software and cut out the layers to the card front with my Silhouette as well.  Can you tell I am in  L - O - V - E  with my Silhouette?

I ALSO used my Silhouette to cut out Learning is Fun digi image and colored her up with the following copics:  Y38 Y15 Y13 Y11 Y00; E37 E35 E34 YR21; E11 E00 E000; RV04 RV02; B18 B16 B14 B12; E33 E31 E30; C9 C7 C5 C3 C1; R39 R29 R27 R24 R22.

I pulled out my trusty Diamond Glaze to create an easy glass look for her lenses, and gave her a bit of bling using Stardust Stickles.

As always, my cards are adhered with Best Glue Ever : ) I love this stuff...

Please join us for this week's EASY Anything Goes Challenge at The Paper Shelter, but not all of you cuz I won't be able to do anything else but comment all week (just kidding!!!).  Here's what you could win:

Anyone who plays along using a TPS image will be eligible to win a $30 Gift Voucher - yay!!! If you use another image, you can still win 3 images of your choice!

Is it just me, or is this week already flying by??? Just wondering lol.

Have a wonderful crafty week, sweet friends ♥

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

I Like You a Latte

Hello my friends ♥  Can I just say that I am sooooo appreciative of you and your love and support? You know 'those' days that pop up sometimes? Well, I've been having a couple of them in a row!!! I'm tired of the hassle and frustration that goes along with it - grrrrr... So when I can come and talk with you awhile it helps :) I'll just have to stay in my HAPPY place from now on lol!

Today I'd like to share a 'double card' with you. It didn't start out as a 'double' but kinda evolved into one! I began with Regina's Got Coffee Printable Stamp Set @ The Cutting Cafe. She's got the BEST files and very reasonably priced with Cyber Monday deals each week. If you love cutting files with coordinating images (like I do!) The Cutting Cafe is worth your while to check out!!!

This is one of the coffee cups from the printable stamp set which I turned into a 'card' by itself (using Silhouette Software) and then adhering it onto a card base :)

I also took the heart that originally was in the right corner of the coffee cup and turned it into a cut out so I could bling it up. The circle sentiment is included in the Got Coffee Printable Stamp Set, and the tag sentiment is from the Coffee Cup Holder Set.

CUTE!!! Here's a closeup of the sweet digi paper from the Spring Whimsy Paper Mini collection from Scrap Girls. I thought it was the perfect base for the adorable sentiment :)

I printed this tag on one of the digi papers from Lori Whitlock's Sweet Memories paper pack which is layered on another digi paper from Scrap Girls Spring Whimsy Paper Mini. The heart (from the coffee cup) was added to the tag.

This would be cute with a little pocket inside the coffee cup... maybe to hold a gift card for someone special!

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes

Bearly-Mine Challenge - Lucky Dip (lace, die cuts, gems)

Thanks for stopping by!!! Come back tomorrow when I'll show you a fun School Theme card using a cute image from The Paper Shelter :)

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

For the Love of Music AND Some Exciting News!!!

Hi lovely friends ♥  It's been a little while since my last post!  Lots going on here as usual... Last Saturday we enjoyed a day retreat with the girls :)  I love my guys, but there's nothing like spending some quality girl time!!!

This Saturday we are holding a Women of Faith simulcast at church.  It's been quite a few years since I've attended one of these events.  I am soooo excited to see what God might do throughout this day!!!  My sweet hubby is gonna be our Chef - he cooks up a mean bbq chicken :)

Please think about us as we gather together for the entire day... Worship will be with Matthew West ♥.

So... speaking about music... what kind of music do you like?  I'm actually not sure that I have a particular style I prefer, but I do love all kinds of Christian music.  There's nothing like lifting up praises to our LORD ♥.

My post today is two-fold:  Music Maestro is the theme of this week's challenge at The Paper Shelter, and I have very exciting news to share with you about the cutting file I used on today's card.  So let's get started!!!

This is the sweet image I used for my card. She's called Cecilia. I couldn't resist adding Stickles on her eyelids :)  I cut her out using my Silhouette!!!

Isn't this a great MUSIC shaped card?  When I saw it at The Cutting Cafe, I knew it was perfect for this challenge!  It comes with the notes as well :)  I just adore Regina's cutting files.  More about that later...

I'd like to enter the following Challenges:
Stamp and Create - Use at least one die cut
Simon Says - Anything Goes
The Sisterhood - Free for All
Paper Crafting Journey - Use a Sentiment
Bearly-Mine - Anything Goes
Stampin' for the Weekend - Die cuts and/or punches
Die Cuttin' Divas - Anything Goes

The beautiful patterned paper is from Scrap Girls.  I LOVE my SG digi papers and embellishments! There is so much FUN to choose from in the Boutique :)  I'll have a fun project coming up with Silhouette and Scrap Girls soon... Be on the lookout for that cuz there will be some special promotions happening!!!

Please join us for our Music Maestro theme at The Paper Shelter Challenge this week.  Here's what's up for grabs:

Anyone who plays along using a TPS image will be eligible to win a $30 Gift Voucher - yay!!! If you use another image, you can win 3 images of your choice!

And now... my exciting news (which you may have guessed) is that I am now a designer for The Cutting Cafe - yippeee!!!  This card will be on The Cutting Cafe's Blog next week.  I kinda cheated by doing a two-for-one with the timing of my project... but it was just too perfect to wait LOL!

Here's my supply list:

Cecilia Digital Image

Music Shaped Card

Shabby Chic Digital Paper

Rose Paper Pen for Pearls

Stardust Stickles

Best Glue Ever

Cupcake Doodle Twine - Doodle Bug

White Gelly Roll Pen - Sakura

Tag Punch - Martha Stewart

Papertrey Ink Sentiment

Copic Markers Used: R85 R83 R81 RV00; C2 C1; Hair - E57 E53 E51 E50; Skin - E11 E00 E000; Cello - E19 E17 E15 E13 E11; Colorless Blender

Thanks for visiting!!!  Come back again soon : )

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

$50 Gift Voucher and a Freebie!!!

Oh do I have some good news today!  In honor of The Paper Shelter reaching 1,000 followers, we are celebrating with TWO prizes instead of just one!  Yay!!!

This week's challenge is "Make it Bloom."  Won't you join in with the super talented DT at The Paper Shelter Challenge?  Remember there are TWO prizes this week!!!

Here's what you can win

PLUS

a $20 Gift Voucher!!!

Anyone who plays along in this week's challenge, using a TPS image or not, will be eligible to win the usual $30 Gift Voucher PLUS another $20 Gift Voucher... I'm not a math whiz, but that adds up to a whopping $50!!!

Now I want to play... lol!

I have a confession to make... it totally slipped my mind that this week was MY week to post :(  However, I am hoping to join in with my 'sister' team at TPS for next week.  It's really gonna be a challenge for me... just wait until you see :)

I've been thinking of you, my lovely friends in bloggie world.  You make creating such FUN!!!  I have a few deadlines to meet which have been dominating my brain (hence my more than normal forgetfulness...) but I haven't forgotten about you.  I know I've skipped my April Giveaway, but May is fast approaching.  My Giveaway box is filling up :)

Here's a cut file I created a few weeks ago.  It's FREE for your personal use :) Enjoy!

Download 

HERE

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

It's Camera Time!!!

Hello friends!  It's a fabulous Friday here in California.  The wind seems to have died down a bit, after a few days of pollen flying everywhere!  I tend to stay inside when it's windy like that...just gives me a headache :(

Also... (I know I've said this before...BUT) I have been eating properly and started a new workout program.  I've been going to the gym for the past 3 years, but I just wasn't seeing much change.  I know that a BIG part of that was my eating habits, but I wasn't willing to give up my chocolate addiction!

Although it's still early in the learning process, I've been exercising with kettlebells. I have a trainer for the first time ever... boy does she do a good job!  She holds me accountable with what I'm eating which is HUGE for me!!!  The funny thing is that because I'm eating lots of veggies and a lot more protein, I don't feel the need for snacking.  I know... weird!  Now if you put a piece of chocolate cake in front of me, I'm gonna have a hard time saying no - but for the most part, I don't miss it.

It's really important to learn the proper way to swing the kettlebell cuz you can injure yourself easily.  If you are curious about it, please don't just pick one up and start swinging!  Find someone who is trained to teach you first - it's well worth it!!!

So now I have some fun news!  I'm posting today as a GDT for Fussy and Fancy :)  Once upon a time, in a land far far away...lol...I was one of the first dt members for Fussy and Fancy!  Funny how things sometimes come full circle.

The Challenge this week is to use a faux technique.  I chose to use faux emboss resist.  Here's my card featuring Photographer from Alicia's Little Shop.  I do love her with her cute camera :)  I'm also entering this in Alicia's Challenge HERE.

To create my background, I followed a tutorial by Gina K. on Stamp TV.  You can find it HERE. She calls it Waxed Paper Background.  This is as easy as can be!  I decided I wanted the background to be very colorful, so I inked it up with Picked Raspberry and Peacock Feathers Distress Ink. I love this color combo!

Don't you LOVE that adorable little die cut camera?  I found it at the Silhouette Online Store by Loni Stevens.  If you have a Silhouette, search for cameras and this one will pop up!  The center of the lens is a heart which I covered in glitter.

The Smile sentiment is from PTI, and the cute li'l butterfly is a wood piece I picked up at Michael's.  I inked it up with the Picked Raspberry, then covered it with Stardust Stickles.  I discovered the black & white twine by doodlebug designs at Amazon.  I'm so glad I ordered it, cuz it was just what I needed for this card!

If you're wondering what's under the card, it's a large, card-size version of the camera with a label.  I added Happy Birthday inside the label - shhhhhhh!  Don't tell, but I think I'm gonna use it for my son's girlfriend whose birthday is coming up :)  I'll share that with you as soon as it's done.

I guess I had a lot of words to get out today LOL!!!

See ya next time ♥

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Adorable Cowgirl - YeeHaw!

Now this cowgirl is supercute!!!  I noticed that two of my teamies on The Paper Shelter DT used her this week as well... She's definitely in the 'cool group' lol!  : D
Hop on over to the Challenge Blog and see the great inspiration for this week's 'Use at Least One Doily' Challenge!

The image is Adorable Cowgirl digi stamp HERE.  The papers are also digital HERE, but I created a kind of quilt look by taking one of the papers in the pack, making it smaller and duplicating it and turning it to fit into this 5"x5" square in Photoshop Elements.  I think it's pretty cool : D

Challenges Entered:
Oozak - Anything Goes w/Pearls Lace & Ribbon
A Little Bit Crafty - Anything Goes

A BIG thank you to Veronica and Pedro from The Paper Shelter for continuing to sponsor the most generous prize for each week's Challenge which is this awesome voucher!!!

If you use a Paper Shelter image for the Challenge, you will be in the draw to win a $30 voucher! And that's not all... Even if you don't have a TPS image, you can still enter the Challenge and you might win 3 images of your choice!  Now that's super generous!

Thank you for stopping by today.  I do pray you are well and at peace!!!

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Oh So Vintage!

Hello friends!

Just thought I'd share a new Print and Cut file I created using digital scrapbooking supplies from Scrap Girls (LOVE SG!).  I'm sorry I didn't keep track of which collections I used :(  I will try to be more organized next time!

If you prefer, you can simply click on the image below to grab the image.  The download link includes the following file types:  mtc, studio, svg, pdf and png. All files are for your personal use only please :)

Download

HERE

Happy crafting!!!

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

It's Spring, Isn't it?

I know that you don't know this... SHHHH!  I almost forgot to post this in time!  I'm not sure why I didn't get this ready in advance and I don't know why I remembered just in time.  Phew...  So now you know, and you're probably thinking, 'I've done that too!'  It'll be our little secret...

So... in my little corner of the world, the weather is up, down and all around.  Today was a wonderful sunny day!  I went for a long walk and drank lots of water :)  Now a storm is a-brewin'!!!  So... is it Spring?

Well, here on my blog today, it certainly IS Spring!  I have this oh-so-adorable image from The Paper Shelter to show you.  She's having a blast arranging these beautiful flowers on this gorgeous sunny day :)

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
Simon Says - Easter/Spring
By the Cute & Girly - Favorite Things (Paper and Copics!)
Craft Your Passion - Ribbon or Lace
Kaboodle Doodles - Anything with Frills
Oozak - Anything Goes, Spring
ABC - Just as You Like
Inky Impressions - Flowers
4 Crafty Chicks - Break Out the Circles
Chocolate Coffee & Cards - Banners
Fussy & Fancy - Flowers
Allsorts - 1 image, 2 papers, 3 embellishments
Pile It On - Circles and/or Squares
Forever Friends - Lots of Flowers
Ribbon Carousel - Spring and Ribbon
Alota Rubber Stamps - Springtime

This is The Florist.  You can find her HERE.

Here's what I came up with for Challenge #104 

'Let it be Spring' 

The Paper Shelter Challenge

Paper is from the Cottage Rose Paper Biggie collection at Scrap Girls. I adore Scrap Girls digital paper!  Have you checked them out?  If you like printing your own paper, you've got to see the variety available there!

After merging the image onto the patterned and embossed circle using Photoshop Elements, I printed it out and colored using copic markers.  I usually do things a bit backwards, so I then had to figure out which nestie to use to cut it out!  Yikes... it all comes out fine in the end, even with a few adjustments :)  I left out her shoes and the edge of the tablecloth when I cut the circle.

See THIS post on how to cut 'out of the box.'

Yes, I am still using my trusty Paper Pens from Susana : )  You can find them HERE.  I used Opal (20% off!) on this card.

I tucked in a doily and created a banner with my paper cutter and scissors (notching the end by gently folding, not creasing, and cutting from the bottom up to make a 'V').  A little more lace never hurts... I used a scrap from another project and tucked that MS lacy border in behind the banner!

A great big bow with the ends matching the notches of the banner - topped with a ribbon bow I purchased at Joann's finish off this card.


Prizes!!!
Veronica and Pedro from The Paper Shelter are sponsoring the most generous prize for this week's Challenge which is this awesome voucher!!!

If you use a Paper Shelter image, you can win a $30 voucher!  Wow!!!  I must say that I am totally impressed!  And that's not all... If you don't have any TPS images, you can still enter the challenges and you could win 3 images of your choice!  Oh my... now that's super generous : )

Thank you for visiting me today!  If you choose to leave me a little comment, I will come see you as soon as I can!

Have a wonderful day, sweet friends ♥

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Basic Cut File Freebie!

Well... I was going through my files and discovered that I didn't post the circles to go with the scalloped circles (download those HERE)!  I know that circles are... well, just circles, but sometimes it's easier to have them available and already sized when you are in a hurry!!!

So, here ya go!  Nesting Circles - Happy cutting : )

Available files: mtc, studio, svg, eps, pdf, png

Download

HERE

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~