It's a Double Header!!!

*** Scroll down for Di's DigiDesigns Challenge ***

Due to the Stocking Stuffer Odds and Ends Hop yesterday... I'm posting TWO cards today!  The first is for Fairy Fun Fridays (first because it should have been posted yesterday...)

The challenge this week is 'Beat the Winter Blues' - a photo inspiration

Pretty huh???

Here's my take on the challenge...

This ADORABLE image is from Prairie Fairy Designs.  You can find it *Here*
I can't believe what I've been missing!!!  I finally picked up Photo Shop Elements on sale at Costco and I've been using it to print not only my digi images, but also some awesome digi paper!  The quality is MUCH better using PSE than what I was using...  You may not be able to tell from the polka dot paper, but the swirly paper underneath is perfect in color and design (no streaks or imperfections - yay!!!)  So... after all that, this digi paper is from Pink Petticoat : )

Copics used on Snow Friends: B06 B05 B04 B02 B01 B00 B000; R29 R27 R24 R22; YR09 YR07 YR04 YR02; E19 E18 E15; C9.  All sparkly areas I painted with two to three coats of Glamour Dust Paint.  Have you tried Glamour Dust Paint yet?  I LOVE that it doesn't smear digi's - at all!!!  I kept forgetting and would use Stickles - with drastic results : (

The snowflake between the white roses was die cut using my Spellbinders die then popped a button on top!  The white rose trim is drenched in Glamour Dust Paint lol!  It probably doesn't show up, but is very sparkly : )  As I was painting it on, it just looked white, so I kept adding more... Now that it's dry... yahooooo! hee hee...  I stuck a half pearl in the center of each one for added interest.  Yes, stuck actually is a technical term!  You can find some great pearls *Here*

So... come on and join the fun at Fairy Fun Fridays!!!

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My second card is for Di's DigiDesign Challenge.  This week we'd like to see your ALL WHITE cards (except for the image).  These are always a real challenge for me.  I went with quick and easy this time : )

I chose to use Penguins Present.  Don't ya want to pick him up and give him a squeeze?  He's so cute - well, actually, I suppose it could be a girl, but really... how do you know???  Cute is cute!

Corner embellishments were punched out with Paper Shapers and embossed with Swiss Dots EF. I topped them off with pearls using my Opal Paper Pen.

He or she lol is colored with copics:  C9 C7 C5 C4 C0; YR09 YR07 YR04 YR02; B06 B05 B04 B02 B01 B00 B000; R29 R27 R24 R22 R21; G28 G24 G21 G20.  The fur on the hat is lined with Glitter Liner and Stardust Stickles for the snow (making sure it didn't contact the ink!).

Let's see what you come up with for Di's DigiDesign Challenge this week!!!

That's it from me!  Thanks for joining me in my Double Header : )  Have a wonderful weekend... and stay warm ♥

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

A Halloween Cutie!

Second Post - *Scroll down for Fairy Fun Fridays*

Whew!!!  With this post, I've finally caught up on my late cards...  Now to finish up the two projects I'm working on so they aren't late!

My son was sick yesterday :(  It was the icky puking kind of sick... even my dog threw up!  I'm just trying to keep my distance from it all.  On the bright side, I only had to toss a couple of frozen dinners in the microwave for hubby and me - cooking complete lol!  Awww... I do pray that my son is well soon ♥  I love you Matt!!!

Do you enjoy Halloween?  As a kid, I used to dress up and walk blocks and blocks scoring all kinds of candy.  We'd bring grocery bags home FULL of candy!  Times sure have changed...  It's hard to trust people anymore which is very very sad :(  BUT today's card is a cutie for sure!

Below is Mummy Bear by Di's Digi Downloads.  I've created this card for the Halloween Challenge at Di's DigiDesigns Challenges.  You'll find lots of great inspiration from the DT... and take a look who's sponsoring us this week!

Joanna Sheen is offering a $10 voucher to her shop as prize:)

Wow!!!  Thanks Joanna!

...and now... Mummy Bear and Garden Fence : )

I've cut out both of these fabulous images which are adhered to Doodles Dots dp by Pink Petticoat (LOVE their digi paper which comes in a ton of colors!!!).

Here's the li'l cutie pie all ready for Halloween : )  He's popped up with foam dimensionals.

Challenges Entered:
Hooked on Craft - Something spooky
ABC - B is for Boo
Divas by Design - Something Spooky
Stampavie & More - Halloween
2 Sisters Challenge - Pumpkin Patch
Allsorts - Halloween
Sweet Stampin' - Trick or Treat


That's it...  Short and sweet!  So get your creative minds working and join in the fun at Di's DigiDesigns Challenge... see ya there!

If you missed my CANDY post, you can find it *HERE*

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

Let's Go Shopping!

Happy Saturday to you!  I hope that you have a relaxing weekend that's filled with lots of fun and crafting time :D  Tonight I'm attending a wedding.  The dress I wore to the last wedding I went to was the same dress I wore to another wedding two years earlier.  I'll give you one guess to tell me which dress I'm wearing tonight lol!  But here's the question... will it actually fit???  It was pretty tight last time... I'm hoping I'm hoping I'm hoping... I'll let you know how it goes : )

Yesterday I went shopping with my sweet friend, Vickie.  If you need a good friend who makes you laugh, who is always there for you, and is completely trustworthy... you'll want a friend like Vickie.  God has blessed me with her friendship and love in ways that I could only dream of... truly a God-send friend :D  I hope that you have at least one person in your life that you can share your heart with!

I dedicate my card today to you, Vick...  I thank you and love you with all my heart!!! Let's laugh away the pounds again real soon!

This is an adorable digi by Di's Digi Downloads called Shopping Bear.  She's for the Girly Creations Challenge at Digi Designs Challenge Blog.

I've used copics to color her:  V17 V15 V12 V01; B97 B95 B93 B91; E49 E59 E35 E34 E33 E31 E30 R20.  I was pleased to see that the pearls I made using Viva Decor Paper Pen in Lilac was a pretty good match for this card.

She needed some bling, so I gave her dress and some of the shopping bags two coats of Ice Crystal Glamour Dust Ultra Fine Glitter Paint.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE Glamour Dust Paint!  It paints on easy and the glitter doesn't get everywhere!!!  AND you can use it on digi's (unlike Stickles which makes the ink bleed and ruins the image cuz it all ends up looking black!).

A single Wild Orchid flower, encased by a decorative rhinestone corner piece gives a bit of an elegant blingy feel : )  The double charms in the lower corner and white tulle were given to me by a sweet crafty friend... Thank you, Tammy - mwah!!!  This card is being reserved for YOU!

I used a punch around the page set by M.S. with dp by My Mind's Eye, A Beautiful Life.  So what do you think?

The challenge begins today at Digi Designs Challenge Blog - yahoooo!  Get in your Girly Creations so we can see your amazing work : )

Thank you to our sponsor this week which is Crafty Boots who is giving a $10 voucher to the winner!!!  Yay!!!

Challenges Entered:
Pile It On - #40 Do it for Fun!
Simon Says - Sparkle and Bling
Penny's Paper-Crafty - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Punch/Die Cuts
Totally PaperCrafts - Animals
Allsorts - Bear With Us

Update on Candy - Coming Soon!

Here's a sneak peek of one of the goodies someone will win!!!

No... it's not this actual piece.  The winner will receive something BRAND NEW!

Until our next visit...

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

Make Your Own Flowers!

It's Saturday!  Yay!!!  Whatcha doing this weekend?  My plans are to get a few areas organized in my house.  This is gonna be a long term project, so I'm not gonna go crazy trying to get it all done!  If I've learned only ONE thing in my life, it's that I can't do it all.  No 'superwoman' - never was...never will be lol!  I am enjoying learning how to have balance in every area.  Note that I said learning... yep, it seems that everything is a process!  So I plan to do a little bit of cleaning/organizing, a little bit of crafting (duh!), a little bit of blogging, a little bit of shopping and cooking and a little bit of relaxing!  Then comes Sunday :D  That's another story for another time.

Have you seen Di's Digi Designs Challenge Blog?  The first challenge was on September 10 with the theme 'Anything Goes.'  New challenges are posted every two weeks, so TODAY we have a new theme, 'Make Your Own Flowers!'  Here's what I came up with...

This is the ADORABLE digi Sweet Scent.  I fell in LOVE with her when I saw her!  Here's the copics I've used:  R85 R83 R81; YG63 YG03 YG01; G28 G24 G21 G20; C9 C7 C5 C3 C0; YR24 Y15 Y13 Y11.

The image is die cut using the second largest circle in the Classic Large Circles nesties set which is layered on black cs using the largest size die in the Tear Drop Circle set.  I love the lacy look it gives!

I just wanted to show you a different angle so you could see the bling better which was achieved by painting on a couple of coats of Ice Crystal Glamour Dust Ultra Fine Glitter Paint.  I am really loving this product because I changed printers - and you know what sometimes happens... the ink started bleeding (oh noooo!).  I had to be super careful as I colored.  From past experience, I know that stickles REALLY makes the ink run.  Your beautifully colored image turns into black MUD!  But.... yay...there is NO - NONE - bleeding with the Glamour Dust Paint and it gives a TON of sparkle (just not the dimension).

Here's my 'make your own flower' flower!  I don't think it turned out that bad, BUT there are definite things I would do differently.  First, I wish that I would have used different paper and maybe used the Ice Crystal Glamour Dust Glitter Paint instead of the Silver Bling.  Well, it was a good learning experience.  I wasn't sure that I would be able to do this, so... yay me lol!

Did ya notice that awesome scroll I tucked in behind the flower?  I'll say it again... I LOVE LOVE LOVE this scroll!  It's a Memory Box Die called Elegant Scrollwork.  Susana just might have one or two left, but it's hard to keep this beauty in stock!  Also the yummy pink (and black) pearls I made using my Viva Decor Paper Pens - Graphite *Here* - Rose *Here*

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope that you will join us for this two week challenge in Making Your Own Flowers at Di's Digi Designs Challenge.

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

A Special Note from Bear

It's Friday...yippee!!!  I am especially glad for Friday this week.  That means that tomorrow we'll be going away for the day.  It has been a very long time since we've all taken a trip together.  Our household has lots of different schedules depending on the day.  My boys (who are now men!) have their own work schedules so sometimes we have dinner together and sometimes we don't...  We also get to bring our spoiled rotten, but oh so lovable furbaby, Sammy!  I hope he doesn't get car sick lol!  It's just a day trip, but I'm really looking forward to visiting family : )

Have you missed Di's images as much as I have?  I have a couple more in the works, but it seems forever since I've posted...  I just adore Bears!  They warm my heart and bring a smile to my face every time!!!  This one's no exception...  Isn't he darling?

The image is called, 'A Special Note from Bear.'  Dianne has soooo many adorable digis you can find Here. DP is from 7gypsies - savannah collection.  They have gorgeous 2-sided papers!!!  Susana doesn't have this particular collection, but she does have 7gypsies Here.  CS is Stampin' Up! - ballet blue.  Can anyone tell me where I can find a reinker for my stamp pad from Stampin' Up! in Ballet Blue?  It looks like this color might have been discontinued.  I am sooooo sad, cause it's my fave blue!

Don'tcha just wanna pick him up and cuddle him?  Awwwwwwww...hee hee!  I've colored him up with my fave copics.  Bear:  E35 E33 E31 E30; Fence: E18 E17 E15 E13; Blues: B34 B32 B00; Leaves: G28 G24 G21 G20.  The morning glories have a bit of Stardust Stickles around the edges, but only lightly because if you use Stickles on a printed digi image, the ink will smear.  Believe me, it's taken me more than a couple of times to remember this!  Ribbon is from my ever growing collection.  Does your ribbon multiply like mine does?  Really - even if I just buy one thing at the craft store, ribbon always ends up in the bag too... lol!  At least I am not in denial... I am addicted to ribbon and stamps and ........

Enjoy your weekend!  It's gonna be a scorcher in California - blech!  I will enjoy the air conditioning in the vehicle as we travel for a few hours.  Hopefully, we'll be where there's water and shade.  Oh!  Did you know that they make 'reader' sunglasses?  I know... it's an age thing... but how cool is that?  Now I can take a good book and read outside!  I am so excited : )  Gotta love the little things lol!  Yes, I am easily amused...

Thank you for visiting today!!!

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

Di's Digi Downloads

Hello my friends!  My heart is a little heavy lately.  Two people I love are scheduled for surgery on Wednesday.  One is to repair her shoulder, the other one is to remove some 'black spots' in her jaw.  The spots could be cysts which would be wonderful, but they also could be a recurrence of cancer.  God knows and will carry us all through.  I've gone through the valleys of cancer myself, so I can relate, but it's hard to see my son stand by his girlfriend while they wait.  If I know anything, I KNOW that Jesus HEALS!  Please pray that God would use this time to bring my son's girlfriend into an intimate relationship with Himself.

"God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16


"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8

More polka dots?  Oh yeah...  I need more FUN polka dots : )  This is Daisychain Bunny from Di's Digi Downloads.

This is an accidental, wanna be 'criss-cross' card lol!  I didn't follow the criss-cross card tutorial, but as I was creating, it sort of took on some of those elements...

Here's the cutie round tag : )

This image was so quick and easy to color!  Copics used:  Pink - R85 R83 R81; Green - G28 G24 G21 G20; Gray - C1.  Copic bundles are available Here.  I used my nesties to cut out the circle and scalloped circle.  The decorative corners were punched out with Paper Shapers Photo Corner Fancy and topped with a gorgeous pearl!  The sweet, pink mini roses are from Prima; the leaves are punched with my MS punch.  Why don't they label those?  I think it's called 'frond.'  I'm not sure - that doesn't even sound like a name to me hee hee!  Oh, I used one more punch for the edge of the 'pocket.'  It's an embossing punch by Fiskars - another nameless tool ha ha ha ha ha!  Yes, I DO think the heat is going to my head : )

Thank you for stopping by to visit me!  Have you entered my new candy?  I hope to offer something every few weeks.  I may just sneak in a surprise candy for a random commenter soon...  Gotta keep you guessing and hopefully inspired or at least entertained a little bit!  YOU make blogging fun and oh so worth while.  I know that many of you feel the same!

I'll see you back here tomorrow with another fun project.

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

Another One for Di

It's Wednesday...  That means a few things to me this week.  I have reason to celebrate : )  The first is that I actually got up EARLY today!  If you've been reading my ramblings for awhile, you may remember that me and mornings are not good buddies!  I do some of my best work late at night.  But today, I HAD to get up early to go to the doctor : (  Every 6 months, I have a date with my wonderful doctor.  I really do love her!  I know that sounds strange lol!!  Dr. Eve is the surgeon who removed my breasts - which normally one might have negative feelings about that, but she was so compassionate and has a wonderful personality.  So, in the worst of times, God brought Dr. Eve to take the BEST care of me : )  It's been three years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had lumpectomy surgery; next month will be three years since I had a double mastectomy and then surgery to remove a staph infection...  So that means it's been three years being cancer free - yippee!!!  That's the BEST reason to celebrate : )

For anyone who hasn't had regular check ups, I highly recommend you do so.  My cancer was caught VERY early and I didn't even have to go through chemo.  Go get your mammograms girls : )


...and now to celebrate how I feel about YOU, here's a card I made using the fab sketch from Our Creative Corner:

I really do love you, my friends : )  xoxo

This is Maisy with Heart Cushion by Di at Di's Digi Downloads.  

Isn't she sweet?

Copics

B97 B95 B91

R85 R83 R81

E11 E21 E00 E000 R20

E13 Y23 Y21 Y11

Maisy with Heart Cushion:  Di's Digi Downloads

Heart Stamp: Stampin' Up!

Ribbon:  i {heart} papers

Cuttlebug EF:  Hearts

Sentiment:  Printworks

Glamour Dust and Stickles

Mini Roses:  Prima

MS punch

Gems:  Beverly's

Challenges Entered:

Our Creative Corner - sketch
Digital Tuesday - cute people
Totally Gorjuss - bling!

I celebrate LIFE with you!!!  I know that you understand this...  you make doing what we do worthwhile and rewarding!  See you next time : )

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

Lori

Scruffy Kitty for Di's Digi Downloads

Hello my wonderful friends!  It sure is nice knowing that you are there.  It's funny... we've never met, but I feel that I know many of you.  I do think of you often and hope that you are having a sunshine filled week!  Today in California, it's sunny, but windy and a bit chilly.  I'll take the sunny part any day - gray, rainy days are not my favorite.  Soon enough, it will be H O T - then I'll be wishing for cooler weather.

I've officially began the countdown.  Well, it's really been in the back of my mind for awhile now.  This Saturday, May 15, is Relay For Life.  If you are not familiar with Relay, it's about honoring those who have lost their battle with cancer, and celebrating those who have survived and/or are currently surviving.  Money is raised for the American Cancer Society to end cancer.  If you know me, you know that I am a two-time cancer survivor.  All by the grace of God!!!  Anyway, on Saturday night, they have a Luminaria Ceremony where they light the luminaries, survivors walk the 'victory lap' and names are read in honor of those whose battle has ended.  This year,  I've been asked to speak at the Luminaria Ceremony.  Speaking in front of crowds is not one of my strongest gifts, but I know that God has brought this to me, so I know that He will equip me to speak for Him.  Are you a person of prayer?  I would appreciate it if you would pray for me!

Do you know someone whose life has been touched with cancer?  If you would like to acknowledge that person, I will bring the names with me on Saturday and a group will pray over them.  You can either leave me a comment, or you can find my email in my sidebar.  My heart truly is for those who are hurting, so if I can pray for you, please don't hesitate to ask : )

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."  - Ephesians 4:32

And now, finally to my PROJECT!  I've had this tin for awhile - I think it was just waiting for Scruffy Kitty to arrive.  She fits perfectly on the lid.  Isn't she the cutest little kitty?  If you want her, you can find her at Di's Digi Downloads Here.

Copics

RV34 RV32 RV11 RV10 RV00

Y26 Y15 Y13 Y11

G28 G24 G20

C00 C0

Stardust Stickles

Nesties Circle/Scallop

MS Punches and Pearls

Mini Roses:  Prima

Ribbon:  Michael's

I love this image sooooo much!  I think I'm going to make a card with it next - hee hee!!  I'm sure you will be seeing it again (and maybe again...).

Challenges Entered:
Prairie Fairy - recycle
Crafts and Me - anything but a card

Don't forget to enter my candy if you are interested!  The link is in my sidebar...

I'll talk to you soon.

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

Lori

A Looooooong Overdue Post!

Ok... so here's my story:

I told you that I'd continue the saga, didn't I?  Leave it to me to goof up once again - lol!  Yes, it seems I've been getting REALLY good at it lately, huh?  At least I can say that I'm really good at something... hee hee!!!

So, last month I won a Guest Design Spot at Susie's Sassy Challenge.  Yay for me...  This was one of the digis I got to play with from Di's Digi Downloads.  Isn't she adorable?  I had so much fun creating this card!

This is Maisy Modern with Kaboodle on Swing.

She's colored with copics and cut out so she could swing freely!

So what's the goof up, you ask?  Well... this card was for Susie's last challenge which was posted on April 8!  I did get it to her early enough for her to post on the challenge blog, but did I remember to post it on my own blog?  Nooooooooo... goofy girl!!!  I'm only... let's see... only 19 days late.  Nineteen! Ooops!  Susie... I publicly apologize for my stupidity!  I am very sorry this is soooooooo late.

That's my story.  I'm sticking to it.  Now doesn't that make you feel better? lol!  Anything that you may have done to mess up surely can't be as bad as my boo-boos!

Hopefully, tomorrow I'll have a different kind of card to show ya.  I'm working on something new for me.  We'll see how it goes : )

Thanks for supporting me and loving me even through all my mishaps.  You are truly the BEST : )

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

Lori