Now THIS is a Large Size Gift Bag!

Hiya! So glad you've decided to pop in today :) I should actually be exercising, but I've hurt my shoulder, so no kettlebells for me today. I'm hoping it's not going to be a constant thing because I really do feel a whole lot stronger, and I'd hate to give it up. But... as I've read in this morning's devotional, "Do Not Worry About Tomorrow!" I'm trying :)

Over at The Cutting Cafe, we've been challenged to create a gift bag using Regina's Large Gift Bag cutting file. I'm pleased to tell you that this bag is actually large enough to fit a decent sized gift. The completed bag measures 8.5" x 5.75" and is 3.75" deep.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
The Pink Elephant - Feminine Birthday
MIM #150 - Anything Goes

I've used coordinating papers from my fave Scrap Girls Digital Scrapbooking: Cottage Rose Paper Biggie and Cottage Rose Paper 2. LOVE LOVE LOVE these!!!

The gorgeous corners are from Susana's Dies by SCACD: Key Corners (which 1. I cut the end of the key off; 2. This die comes in a set with Fancy Flower). I love the versatility of dies don't you?

This cutting file also comes with Tags and Sentiments! Regina is so generous with her files :) You get a lot for a little $... ♥ you Regina!!!

I hope you've been inspired to give this a try. The Cutting Cafe has tons of really cool cutting files as well as printable stamps. Tell Regina I sent ya :)

Interested in a little SATURATED CANARY Giveaway??? Check it out HERE.

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

Playing Catchup!

Well... here they are! I've got three projects to share with you today since I haven't been able to post for over a week... I'm showing them in the order I would have posted :)

First up is an ADORABLE Dresser Box from The Cutting Cafe. It's created with Silhouette Chipboard! Right now I have bits and pieces of lace and pearls in the drawers...

Challenges Entered:
Simon Says - Pin It!

I was pleasantly surprised at how easy this was to assemble...and if I can do it, everyone can do it lol! As you can see, I've lined the inside of the boxes (not included in the cut files).

Papers used are from Scrap Girls Digital Scrapbooking: Cottage Rose Kit. I just adore these digital papers! The knobs for the drawers are buttons I picked up at Hobby Lobby. I punched two holes in the drawer front, threading nylon crochet thread through the first hole, through the button and back through the second hole (repeat). I also backed the drawer fronts with another layer of paper for strength.


Next up is The Paper Shelter Challenge (a new challenge begins on Wednesday).

I've used Vintage Seamstress for my Swirly Girly Challenge card. It comes already colored as well as outlines only if you'd like to color her yourself! So cute!!! I've also used the background papers which are included in the set.

The button card and doily are from Scrap Girls Digital Scrapbooking. I created the swirls and pearls first from Scrap Girls and then went over the design with Viva Decor Pearl Pen.


Last up is Christmas in July at Inky Impressions (new challenge on Wednesday).

This is Marisa's Sleigh Ride. Isn't she adorable?

I've used a transparency sheet for the snowflakes and sponged Silver 3D Stamp Paint on top. I gave each snowflake a couple of coats - the stamp paint dries very quickly! For the snow, I used Fran tage Shaved Ice.

Thanks so much for visiting! I've missed you!!!

Coming up VERY soon... A Giveaway :)

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

I'm Having Internet Issues!

Hello my friends! Just a very quick note to let you know that I'll be posting as soon as I'm back up and running again... darn internet troubles :(

Thank you for hanging in there with me ♥

Big hugs and lots of love to everyone!!!

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

Creating Cards from Digital Images

Welcome back sweet friends ♥ Do you have plans to celebrate the Fourth this year? I imagine the most we'll do is have a b-b-q. Hubby has just started driving truck for the summer season and is pretty much wiped out when he gets home! Our little puppy dog isn't interested in all the festivities...especially the loud fireworks! Yep, just call us Bah-humbugs lol.

Crafting on the other hand is definitely on the schedule :)

Well, I'm very excited to tell you that I've been asked to Guest Design for Inky Impressions for this month and next!!! I'll have a load of adorable images to showcase in the coming weeks :)

My first project as GDT with Inky Impressions is for their Red, White and Blue Challenge HERE.

I'd also like to enter the following challenges:
The Pink Elephant - Inspiration Photo
Joanna Sheen - Don't Be Square
Kaboodle Doodles - National Day or Flag Colors
Simon Says - Patriotic
Crafty Sentiments - Red White and Blue
Party Time Tuesdays - Patriotic Theme
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Anything Goes
Inky Chicks - Anything Goes
The Crafter's Cafe - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Scrapper's Delights - Die Cuts or Punches
A Little Bit Crafty - Die Cuts

This photo shows the original size of the digital July Ticket Set (4 small tickets lower left and right). I've added the colored patterns in Photoshop Elements 10.

Here are the enlarged July Tickets using print and cut feature with my Silhouette. I've layered and adhered them to the ticket card base which I also created in my Silhouette software.

To create the card base, trace the ticket image so you have just the outline, then duplicate above and weld together for your card base. I also created matching envelopes using print and cut!

Supplies Used:

July Ticket Set - Inky Impressions

Digital Paper - Pink Petticoat

Card Base - Papertrey

Cardstock for printing - Georgia Pacific

Adhesive - ScraPerfect Best Glue Ever

Stardust Stickles

Distress Inks

Ribbon, Buttons from my stash

I hope you've enjoyed my little project today :)

I'll have a darling purse and notecard set you won't want to miss in the next day or two... so stay tuned!!!

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

An Elegant Butterfly Card!

Hi sweet friends! I'm so glad you chose to pop over and take a peek at what I've been up to :) I don't know about where you are, but here in California...it's ugly HOT!!! Yes, I said ugly...and I mean really ugly lol! Hot and me don't mix well I tell ya. Give me Spring Spring Springtime :) all year long!!!

Today's card project has already flown from my craftroom to a sweet young lady who was in a terrible automobile accident :( Thank God I remembered to take a photo before I gave it to her!

Here's my Butterfly Shaped Card from Regina's awesome files at The Cutting Cafe.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
Simon Says - Anything Goes

Don't you just love butterflies? You can use this file to create loads of butterflies in various styles and colors...it's unlimited! I added an extra top layer so I could lift up the wings and have the same pattern underneath.

I also created a matching envelope which comes with the file :) I'm tellin' ya, Regina's the BEST!

Every week, The Cutting Cafe has Cyber-Monday Specials. I've been purchasing them for a few years now. They are amazing deals... Don't forget to hop on over and check it out!

This is the day the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Happy Sunday, everyone ♥

I love and appreciate YOU!!!

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

A Card for Maddy

I've been meaning to create a special card for Maddy for quite awhile now... I really hate that sometimes life gets in the way! But alas, victory is mine lol!!!

I first learned of Maddy through Melissa's blog HERE. Many of you probably already know and also have seen the post on Simon Says Stamp Blog HERE.

Since diagnosed with cancer twice myself and receiving God's healing grace both times, I have a very special place in my heart for others going through cancer - especially children! I've been donating a portion of the sales on my cards to St. Joseph Children's Hospital for the past few years. Every little bit helps, right?

So Maddy, this one's for YOU ♥ Even though we've never met, you've been on mind, lifting up prayers on your behalf. I'm sending you my love :) xoxo

I hope you enjoy this li'l puppy! We're both hoping you are feeling better and better each day!

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:
Simon Says - Anything Goes

Supplies Used:

Digital Image: Naughty Puppy 1 by Sylvia Zet

Copic Markers: E37 E35 E33 E31 E10, C9 C7 C5 C2 C1, 

YG63 YG05 YG03, RV00 R81, Y15

Pearl Pen: Ice White

Die Cuts: Spellbinders Classic Circle, Classic Scalloped Circle

Paw Prints: Spare Parts by The Paper Studio

Patterned Paper from my scraps...

Adhesive: Best Glue Ever by ScraPerfect

Lots and lots of love and prayers, Sweetie ♥

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

It's Strawberry Season and a Treat Box!

Hello sweet blog friends! Do you like strawberries as much as I do? I not only love the taste, but I love the way they look : )  I have a huge container of strawberries right now in my fridge. We buy them from Costco... where everything is BIG lol.

Today's project is for not one, but two design teams. I've used Regina's Strawberry Treat Box from The Cutting Cafe to hold my sweet strawberries. It actually is very sturdy!

I'd like to enter into the following challenges:
Simon Says - Summer Fruit

The bottom portion is covered in burlap ribbon, with several layers for the strawberry front. I've coated the chocolate with Glossy Accents which looks totally yummy! The butterfly is an MS punch and coated with Glamour Dust (I know you can't see it here...).

Darn! I just realized that I forgot the tag I was going to put on it :( Above are the fabulous tags that come with this set!

This li'l cutie is called Let's Make a Picnic! She definitely has strawberries in her basket!!! I've used her for The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog - "Buttons and/or Brads" challenge.

Please join us for this easy and fun challenge! If you use a TPS image you could win $30 to spend any way you wish at The Paper Shelter. If you use another company's image, you could still win 3 images of your choice!

Thank you for taking the time to pop in and say hello! I hope that you've enjoyed my dual project today :)

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

School Bus Party Invitation and Free Cut Files

Yay it's Friday and I'm ready for the weekend! It's been a busy week in many ways... Today my sister and mom are heading up to Nevada to see my other sister and her family. My nephew is having his 7th Birthday Party - yikes! It seems he was just born a few years ago. His little brother will be 5 - Wow Wow Wow! Kids these days sure grow up fast LOL.

Today I have an invitation to show you that I put together for someone I met through The Cutting Cafe. In fact, I made 30 of them! They are for a little girl's 2nd Birthday Party. Her mom is going to mail them in lunch bags. Isn't that a cute idea?

I take no credit for this design. It is pretty much the same as Regina's card HERE.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes with Ribbon
Charisma Cardz - Digis Only
Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes
Bearly Mine - Anything Goes
Simon Says - Transport

I've used School Bus Driver Printable Stamp Set and Thanks Teacher ABC 123 Background Printable Stamp from The Cutting Cafe. The other pieces I created in my Silhouette Software.

If anyone is interested in the Silhouette files for the Print and Cut Lined Paper or Arrow as well as the black or bottom yellow scalloped pieces, send me an email and I'll get them to you! This card is 5.5"x4.25"

It's the last day for my FREE CUT FILES from this post. Since I've posted the bus invitation today, I thought giving you the road and train track cut files would be appropriate!

Download Road and Train Track HERE

Have a great weekend! I'm hoping to visit some of you very soon :)

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

Teacups, Roses and another Free Cut File!

Since I posted such a masculine project yesterday, I decided that this time I needed to have some lace and sparkle trimmings on my card today. I can only take a little bit of man at a time LOL!

It's time for The Paper Shelter Challenge and this week we'd like to see either Pink and White OR Blue and White on your creations.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
In the Pink - Anything Goes as long as it's PINK
The Hobby House - Anything Goes
Sister Act - Anything Goes
Bearly Mine - Anything Goes

I did a little bit of mix and match to the main image on my card. First, I decided that I wanted to use one of the beautiful rose images in the Enchanted Nature set. Next came the idea for the teacup which I took from one of the adorable images in Tea Time. I used Photoshop to merge the images, but I also did a little bit of cutting to layer a few pieces.

The roses are already colored, so all I did was print and cut! I thought I'd use watercolor paper for a change, and was totally surprised that both my printer and Cameo took the paper beautifully - thank God! I also added a tiny bit of copic coloring/shading to the teacup. I wanted to keep it very soft.

The background paper is also from the roses which I created again in Photoshop. Pretty cool... This one came together pretty quickly since I already knew what I wanted to do. Sometimes it works and then other times... well, you know LOL!

This is what you could win from The Paper Shelter! Please join in the fun :)

Today's FREE cut file is the Sailboat from THIS POST.

Download Sailboat HERE.

Thank you for visiting!!! Check back soon for some exciting news!!!

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

Father's Day Classic Car and Free Cut Files!

Welcome back to my little corner of the world! Well, I am happy to report to you that my weight loss journey is going well :) It's been just over 2 months since I began my new lifestyle change... the way I eat and weight training exercises has been a very, very good thing!!! I would NEVER have thought that I could go one day without eating all those goodies - especially C H O C O L A T E ! However, with God's help, I've been able to fill my body with healthy, nourishing food instead of all those empty calories. I know I've got a long way to go to get to my healthy weight, but I am very encouraged with the 13 pounds I've lost so far - yay!!!

Not even celebrating Father's Day is going to make me gorge myself with sugary treats. I might have a bite of something yummy, but I know myself... and it's not pretty when I start - it's really like an alcoholic - ugh!

Father's Day... I'm thankful for my husband. Really. I say that because it wasn't always the case! I'm also sure that he feels the same way - he hasn't always been thankful for me lol! But this year, I truly am thankful for him ♥ I love you, Honey!!!

Here's my Classic Car Shaped Card I used from The Cutting Cafe...

I'd like to enter the following Challenges:
Simon Says - Masculine/Father's Day
Crafty Sentiments - For a Male
Papertake Weekly - Hello Boys
ABC Challenge - Open
Paper Playtime - Anything Goes
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
The Kraft Journal - Just for Him
Craft Your Passion - Father's Day/Masculine

Ya know... for a guy card, I think it's pretty cool! What do you think? I know that hubby will like it :) He's a car guy all the way lol!

There are various pieces that come with this file. You can use some or all of them! The sentiment is included (as well as other sentiments!). Regina always includes lots of variety to choose from.

I did make a change to the original cut file. I created the windows on the card base which were already on the top layers. I also cut out transparency material to mimic glass :) The wood grain patterns are included in the Silhouette software. I created print and cuts for the pieces.

Have you taken a peek at The Cutting Cafe lately? You won't be disappointed! The files are soooo reasonable AND adorable!!! Regina is always coming up with FUN files : )

Are you ready for your FREE CUT FILES? I decided that since I'm showing you the car I made for hubby, I'd offer some Car Cut Files. Please be assured that these are NOT The Cutting Cafe files. I would never share those - that's just wrong lol!

If you've been visiting lately, you know that I created some adorable Onesies using a Scrap Girls Digital Scrapbooking Kit and Silhouette Heat Transfer Material. I created those cut files from Boy Joy Kit HERE.

Download Car Cut Files HERE.

Thanks for visiting my sweet friends ♥

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